The deadline for older adults and residents with disabilities to apply for rebates on rent and property taxes paid in 2019 has been extended from June 30 to Dec. 31, officials with the state Department of Revenue announced Thursday, citing the coronavirus outbreak.

Distribution of rebates will begin no earlier than July 1, as required by law. Rebates are distributed as claims are received and processed. As a reminder, applicants are required to submit their bank account information on their application forms in order to receive their rebates via direct deposit.

There is no cost to apply for a rebate and property tax/rent rebate. Claim forms (PA-1000) and related information are available at www.revenue.pa.gov.

Beginning in late April, claimants who already applied for rebates can check property tax/rent rebate status at www.doreservices.state.pa.us or by calling 1-888-PATAXES.

The rebate program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians 65 years old and older, widow, and widowers age 50 years old and older and people with disabilities age 18 and older. The income limit is $35,000 per year for homeowners and $15,000 annually for renters, and half of Social Security income is excluded.

The maximum standard rebate is $650, but supplemental rebates for certain qualifying homeowners can boost rebates to $975. The state Department of Revenue automatically calculates supplemental rebates for qualifying homeowners.

One Schuylkill County distillery is looking at the shortage of hand sanitizer during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jack-Azz Distilling LLC in Spring Glen is researching development of high-proof alcohol to create the cleanser, according to co-owner Gene Lettich.

“We really want to get some of it out there to help the local community,” he said. “We’re trying to do the research in consultation with other distilleries.”

Lettich said he already spoke with Tattered Flag Distillery, Hershey, about the prospects and what steps Jack-Azz would need to undergo to temporarily turn the small batch distillery into a hand sanitizer production site.

Jack-Azz is considering a hand sanitizer recipe from the World Health Organization. Before the spirit maker moves ahead with its effort, it will be consulting with other state distilleries; the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, or TTB; the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board; the Pennsylvania Wine and Spirits Association; and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Most of the hand sanitizer recipes call for at least 80% alcohol, which is 160 proof, he said. Jack-Azz is currently able to produce about 11 gallons at a time of 175 proof, according to Lettich. They are also still producing their usual spirits.

Lettich said they are also trying to source materials, like peroxide, glycerin and aloe, and 5-ounce spray bottle containers or smaller glass bottles. Right now, he has 750 milliliter, clear glass bottles available that once held whiskey.

Anyone with those materials can call Lettich at 570-778-1040.

Jack-Azz is a three-family operation at 48 Kushwa Road with Clervin Zimmerman and Bob Carl joining Lettich as partners.

Contact the Writer at vterwilliger@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6007

VALLEY VIEW — Hegins Township issued a declaration of disaster emergency in regards to the coronavirus outbreak with a resolution signed by the township supervisors.

“The disaster has the potential to endanger the health, safety and welfare of a substantial number of persons residing in Hegins Township, and threatens to create problems greater in scope than Hegins Township may be able to resolve,” the declaration states.

The declaration immediately ordered the closure of the municipal building to the public and the public park, and canceled all public meetings and hearings until further notice. Public contact will be limited to phone, mail and email.

The township will not be accepting any cash payments for permits, only checks or money orders.

Supervisors have directed Brian Musolino, emergency management coordinator, to coordinate the response and take any other emergency response action deemed necessary.

Supervisors approved the declaration Thursday. Musolino shared the information Monday morning.

Supervisors Chairman Doug Lucas can also act as necessary, including employing temporary workers, making temporary decisions in regard to the current work force, renting equipment, purchasing supplies and materials and entering into contracts.

Contact the writer: vterwilliger@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6007

State Department of Aging Secretary Robert Torres announced last week that the Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly program can help older adult enrollees with refill extensions.

“The department has fielded several calls from older Pennsylvanians who are heeding the state directive and who are concerned about potentially running out of their needed medications,” Torres was quoted in a news release. “PACE is working to ensure older adults remain in their residences and receive their prescriptions when they desire them. All enrollees should be able to receive free home delivery of their medications from their pharmacies.”

Under regular circumstances, enrollees with prescriptions must use 75% of their supply before refills will be reimbursed. PACE will now reimburse refills even though the required 75% of the days’ supply has not passed — except for opioids and other controlled substances — which will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Enrollees wishing to receive that exception must have their pharmacy provider contact PACE at 1-800-835-8040, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to make that request.

The program has traditionally not offered this exception unless an enrollee’s medications were lost or stolen. Enrollees who have difficulties obtaining their refills can call cardholder services at 1-800-225-7223.

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

Vraj Hindu Temple, 51 Manor Road, Schuylkill Haven, closed March 15 and will remain closed through at least March 31, according to Rikin Desai, temple manager.

Post Q Anthracite Region, Mahanoy City, of the Travelers Protective Association of America, scheduled installation meeting for 6 p.m. April 1, at the Good American Hose Company hall, is canceled.

Clover Fire Company, Heckscherville, breakfast, scheduled for March 29, is canceled.

Goodwill Fire Company No. 1, Minersville, canceled all fundraisers and events.

Spring Gardening Seminar of the Master Gardeners of Schuylkill County, scheduled for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 28, is canceled.

City of Pottsville Recreation Commission annual Easter egg hunt, scheduled for April 5, at JFK Courts, canceled.

Saint Clair Fish and Game Association egg hunt, scheduled for April 11, canceled.

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.

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.

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.

Greater Hazleton Concert Series “Doo Wop Project” concert scheduled March 24, 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 27, 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.

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.

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

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, public facilities

All Pottsville playgrounds are closed until further notice.

Minersville Sewer Authority meeting, originally scheduled for Wednesday, March 25, canceled.

Tremont parks and recreation areas closed. Borough hall limited to essential personnel only.

The office of Anne Grochowski, West Mahanoy tax collector, is closed. Payments can be mailed to West Mahanoy Tax Collector, P.O. Box 71, Shenandoah PA 17976. Those who want a receipt should include a self-addressed envelope.

Shenandoah Tax Office is closed. Donna Kulpowicz, tax collector, can be reached at 570-462-4240. Payments can be mailed. Those who want a receipt should include a self-addressed envelope.

■ 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.

Hegins Township office closed as part of disaster declaration. Public meetings, hearings canceled until further notice. Public park also closed. Public contact limited to phone, mail, email. Township not accepting cash payments for permits; only checks or money orders.

■ 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

Fairlane Village Mall is closed until further notice.

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.

The following are business updates related to the coronovirus outbreak.

Knoebels

Knoebels Amusement Resort, Elysburg, will delay the start of its 2020 season by two weeks until the weekend of May 9-10.

Updates for events will be communicated via the park website, www.knoebels.com, and social media, according to a news release.

The park will respond to questions from those with campground, cottage or picnic reservations or ride-all-day passes for the April 25-26 or May 2-3 weekends. Call 1-800-ITS-4FUN from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or email contact@knoebels.com.

The park canceled its job fairs but launched Virtual Interviews. Interested applicants can apply online at www.knoebels.com/jobs. The applicant will be called to schedule a virtual interview, interview via FaceTime, Skype or Google Duo, then email paperwork and additional instructions.

Toolkit

The Pennsylvania Manufacturers Association compiled a list of resources for members to refer to during the COVID-19 outbreak. It includes information from Gov. Tom Wolf’s office, the National Association of Manufacturers, sample letters to use to communicate with local officials and news. Find it at www.pamanufacturers.org/covid19.

Pay increases

•Weis Markets on Saturday announced its store-level, hourly paid associates will be paid an additional $2 per hour while the company continues to serve communities impacted by COVID-19 containment measures. The temporary increase went into effect Sunday. Company Chairman and CEO Jonathan Weis told employees in a letter, “I know how hard it has been to remain in stock on the high-demand products customers are looking for and that serving them during these stressful times isn’t always easy. But we know you’re getting the job done, and many of our customers appreciate your hard work and commitment.”

• Redner’s Markets on Thursday announced a pay increase for “many of our associates for as long as this period of increased business continues.” The note from Ryan S. Redner, president/CEO, did not specify the increases.

• Walmart on Thursday announced plans to provide a cash bonus for hourly associates in all U.S. stores, clubs, supply chain associates and offices. The bonus will be $300 for full-time hourly associates and $150 for part-time hourly associates and will add up to more than $365 million. Every hourly associate employed by the company as of March 1 will qualify, and it will pay out on April 2.

Also, the company will accelerate the next scheduled quarterly bonus for store, club and supply chain associates a month early. It will pay out in late April and will be as if the company achieved its first quarter plan.

Additional hirings

• Walmart announced Thursday it is hiring 150,000 new associates through the end of May to work in stores, clubs, distribution centers and fulfillment centers. These roles will be temporary at first, but many will convert to permanent roles over time, the company announced.

The company is also implementing a new process to dramatically expedite hiring for key roles, such as cashiers and stockers. What is usually a two-week application cycle will be reduced to a 24-hour process. Anyone interested in applying should do so at careers.walmart.com.

• Dollar General plans to nearly double its normal hiring rate and add up to 50,000 employees by the end of April as it “continues to diligently work to support customers’ needs,” the Tennessee-based company announced Monday.

Redner’s bags

Redner’s Markets asks that customers refrain from bringing re-usable (eco) bags into stores for use. These bags, while durable for multi-uses, can be carriers for the virus and could cause further spread. Cashiers are issuing single-use plastic bags until further notice.

Giant donation

The Giant Co. announced Friday it is donating $250,000 to four local hunger relief organizations including the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, Philabundance, Maryland Food Bank and Meals on Wheels Pennsylvania.

Each organization will use the funds to help address immediate needs including offsetting operational expenses, securing food and ensuring critical food delivery to those in need throughout local communities, especially seniors and kids.

Customers can add to the effort by choosing to round up their purchase at self-checkout to the nearest dollar.

As the coronavirus quarantine stretches on, state and federal authorities are ramping up efforts to combat a torrent of charlatans and scammers seeking to profit from the pandemic.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, criminals have been setting up websites to sell bogus products and are using fake emails, texts and social media designed to steal money and personal information. Scams linked to the COVID-19 pandemic include treatment, investment and charity scams.

“As with any crisis, there are criminals who will try to use the situation to their advantage,” David J. Freed, U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, said in a statement. “All of law enforcement is united to help our fellow citizens during this difficult time.”

The state Department of Banking and Securities urges residents to watch for people pushing opportunities that come with a sense of urgency or who request payment by wire transfer or gift card. Secrecy, guaranteed high returns and unsolicited offers are other red flags to watch out for, according to the department.

The Federal Trade Commission recommends hanging up immediately on robocalls. Consumers should also fact-check information provided to them and ignore offers for COVID-19 vaccinations, cures or home test kits. None of those items exist, according to health care authorities.

In addition, consumers should avoid clicking links from unknown sources and should only buy products online from reputable sellers, according to the commission.

In addition to fighting scams, the state Attorney General’s Office is also working to combat price gouging during the pandemic.

Dawn Clark, a spokeswoman for the U.S. attorney’s office, said the middle district had not yet received a referral. Scranton Police Chief Carl Graziano said that he has not seen any local reports of COVID-19 related scams other than price gouging of essential cleaning supplies.

The state attorney general’s office reported that by Tuesday morning they had received 2,643 emails and 80 complaints from people across the state regarding COVID-19 related price gouging. They had also sent 68 cease and desist letters to various businesses across the state.

JOSESPH KOHUT, staff writer, contributed to this report.

Contact the writer:

jhalpin@citizensvoice.com; 570-821-2058

Hotline

Federal prosecutors have been directed to prioritize the investigation and prosecution of COVID-19 fraud schemes, and are now urging people to report fraud to the National Center for Disaster Fraud at 1-866-720-5721 or disaster@leo.gov.

Price gouging

Anyone concerned about price gouging — defined as a seller charging more than 20% of the average product price prior to the emergency declaration — is urged to report it at pricegouging@attorneygeneral.gov.

Red flags

❏ Has someone contacted you unexpectedly? Be careful dealing with unsolicited communications.

❏ Have they promised you something? If you are being offered something that seems too good to be true, it probably is.

❏ Have they asked you to do something? Are they asking you for money or account information? Do not provide any information if you did not initiate the conversation with a trustworthy organization.

SOURCE: PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT

OF BANKING AND SECURITIES

FRACKVILLE — The coronavirus pandemic has stranded a West Mahanoy Township college student in Peru, and her family is trying to figure out how to get her home.

Madison Stoyer, a junior studying international business at Elizabethtown College, went to Peru on Jan. 16 to study Spanish at Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola in Cusco and take classes in the biodiversity and contemporary society of Peru, as well as a photography course.

Her parents, Curtis and Denise Stoyer, talked about the situation in an interview Monday at their West Mahanoy Township home. Madison Stoyer participated by Facebook Messenger video.

The 2017 Marian Catholic High School graduate had planned to be in the country until Saturday, May 9, but college officials informed her March 11 to head home and that all study abroad programs were canceled for the year. Stoyer had a flight scheduled for March 17 from Cusco to Lima, and from there to Toronto, Canada, and to Newark, New Jersey.

But the flight was canceled when the Peruvian government closed the country’s borders March 16, and the country went into quarantine. That same day, the Cusco airport was shut down to international and domestic flights.

Stoyer hasn’t even been able to get a taxi from Cusco to Lima.

Making matters worse, with so many people scheduling flights, price gouging has become a problem.

“Some of the flights to get out (of the country) were around $3,500,” Stoyer said. “Just to get from Lima to Miami.”

The semester’s activities were arranged by the Center for International Studies Abroad, with Stoyer staying with a host family in the southern Peruvian city along with roommate Elizabeth Crewson, of Schenectady, New York.

“It was more about being able to go abroad, seeing a different culture, getting to experience the business world here and how people do things a lot differently depending on the culture,” Stoyer said.

U.S. officials involved

Stoyer’s flight was rescheduled for Thursday, April 2, after the quarantine is lifted, but she said it’s likely to be canceled.

Denise Stoyer said the U.S. State Department is helping Americans in Lima come home, with two flights of Americans leaving the Peruvian capital Saturday. Since last Monday, Denise and Curtis Stoyer have been in touch with the offices of U.S. Sens. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., and Bob Casey, D-Pa., and U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, Dallas, R-9. She said she heard from officials in Casey and Meuser’s offices, advising her Monday that the students should stay where they are and not try to get to Lima.

“Everything is shut down (in the capital) and if they take a bus, potentially they might not make it all the way,” Denise Stoyer said. “This way they know exactly where they are at.”

However, she said the family was informed American carriers can’t get to Cusco because of the city’s high elevation and terrain.

“They aren’t certified to fly there,” Denise Stoyer said.

Madison Stoyer said even charter flights to Cusco have been canceled.

She said CIS Abroad has been working with lawmakers in students’ home states to help get them out.

“They’re doing as much as they can,” she said.

She is also receiving regular updates from the U.S. Embassy in Lima.

Frustration

Madison Stoyer estimates there are 2,000 Americans stuck in Peru because of the coronavirus outbreak. Among them is Cheyenne Snider, the daughter of Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider.

Some, she said, are doctors and nurses who could help in U.S. hospitals, along with people on vacation and missionaries.

“It’s a wide variety of people,” she said. “A lot of us are students, but a lot of us need to get home.”

She said the ordeal has left her with little faith in the federal government, adding it was only in the past few days that Americans have been getting out of the country.

“The fact that it took them seven days to recognize this is a problem was so frustrating,” she said.

Peru has a curfew in effect from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. with a heavy police presence in Cusco. The only people she has seen outside from her host family’s house have been those walking dogs or traveling to get food or medical attention.

“Otherwise, no one is outside,” she said.

On Monday, Madison Stoyer started taking her classes online through the university in Cusco, adding that she has been “perfectly healthy.”

Lawmakers’ respond

Natalie Adams, Casey’s Pennsylvania press secretary, said Pennsylvania residents are urged to call the senator’s office at 1-866-461-9159 if they are experiencing problems trying to get back to the United States.

“We have been monitoring many cases and urging constituents to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, which allows U.S. nationals abroad to receive important safety information from the embassy and makes it easier for the State Department to keep in touch with Americans in the event of an emergency,” she said.

Adams said constituent services has been working overtime on the situation in Peru.

Bill Jaffee, press secretary for Toomey, said some areas, like Cusco, present unique challenges because of the terrain and limited or no access by U.S. airlines.

Otherwise, “Thankfully, most of the cases brought to our attention have been resolved and the individuals are back home,” he said in a statement.

Billy Reilly, press secretary for Meuser, said officials in the congressman’s office have contacted the American embassy in Peru, are monitoring potential flights and have been in touch daily with the State Department.

“This is a stressful situation for the family, although we have every reason to believe Madison is in a safe location and is self-isolating as we are doing here,” he said in an email. “Obviously, any parent would want their child home during this time of uncertainty. Our office will provide updates as they are available.”

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

CENTRALIA — Large amounts of visitors to the “Graffiti Highway” are not only endangering their own health in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, but also those who react to emergencies.

In addition to the closed section of former state Route 61 at Centralia, many of those visitors have been trespassing on the property of Assumption BVM Ukrainian Catholic Church, located on the hill above the borough in Conyngham Township, Columbia County.

This past weekend, mainly due to good weather and with many people not working because of the pandemic, the former highway was filled with people, many who drove to the site and then walked in, and many others arriving by all-terrain vehicles and motorcycles.

This past Sunday had another issue at the site with a bonfire being started in the middle of the road, prompting two fire companies to respond.

Aristes Fire Company No. 1 Fire Chief Gregory Yeager said this past weekend had more visitors that other times.

“Obviously this past weekend has been worse,” Yeager said. “It started around Thursday. There was a lot more traffic than there had been. Yesterday (Sunday) was probably the largest that it has been. There has been an increase in traffic there since January. Our first call this year was on New Year’s Day for an ATV crash.”

In responding to emergencies, especially at this time, Yeager said, “We put ourselves in harm’s way. Since this whole coronavirus started, Sunday was the first time we were called down there in that time frame for an emergency.”

Yeager said the bonfire was made of branches and leaves and debris that were placed in a fracture in the road.

“There was probably at least 30 ATVs and side-by-sides there congregated in that area, along with four-wheel drive vehicles. There were people walking around, and other people who were not part of that group surrounding the fire,” Yeager said. “There were probably 200 people or better, and we didn’t walk the whole length of the highway. There are people from all over — New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Massachusetts, Delaware, plus the ones from Pennsylvania.”

Yeager said the property owner, Pitreal Corp., a subsidiary of Pagnotti Enterprises Inc., Wilkes-Barre, has posted new “No Trespassing” signs. The company received the property in 2018 when the state decided to abandon or vacate it as a public road.

When the Aristes company arrived at the scene and saw where the fire was located, it could not access the site and called Wilburton Fire Company No. 1, which can access the site using its brush truck.

“When Wilburton went to put the fire out, they were confronted by several individuals who essentially became aggressive and verbally abusive to the crew assigned to extinguish the fire,” Yeager said. “And a bunch of those people left the area and came past where we were and were using very vulgar language and obscene gestures as they were driving past us in displeasure of us for being there to disrupt their illegal party.”

Yeager said that the incident did end with a peaceful resolution and the fire was extinguished.

The fire company, under the direction of Yeager, posted the objections about the behavior of so many people with complete disregard to the quarantine recommendations from Gov. Tom Wolf, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the state Department of Health at the area of the Graffiti Highway.

“It is becoming a huge hangout/visitor stop, creating multiple safety concerns for the public and our responders,” the post states. “The (fire company) just returned from a bonfire in that area that was called in by a concerned citizen, This does several things:

It forces our volunteers to be deployed for a response that should not happen. It is dry out with a breeze/wind. There is no outdoor burning allowed in Conyngham Township unless it is on an approved burning receptacle and the land being used is not owned by the people who are burning on it.

With the current status of the world and the COVID-19 pandemic having groups of 30-plus are not to occur and again our volunteers could be exposed to such. There were license plates leaving the area from New York, New Jersey and other areas that have a much higher positive testing rate than our area.

The post continued, “We are a public service entity and as such are here for everyone’s safety. When we are requested for a response to a call, we respond. Individuals who are offended, put off or otherwise upset with our presence can just walk/drive or whatever away from our location. ... If you don’t like that the fire department shows up and extinguishes your fire or assists a fellow rider who is injured, try having it in your own backyard and not in ours.

The Assumption church property had its own problems with trespassers at the church and the nearby cemetery, according to the pastor, the Very Rev. Archpriest Michael Hutsko.

“It’s not just Graffiti Highway, but it’s the entire town is overrun,” Hutsko said. “It’s become a haven for four-wheelers and off-road vehicles. They’re not just driving on the dirt roads back in the mountains, but they’re driving on the streets of the town. There on Route 61 and Route 42, and I’m not talking about two or three. I’m talking about dozens. Yesterday came to a head because there was an excessive amount of drinking, an excessive amount of vandalism throughout the entire town, painting the streets, painting the road signs and the metal guard rails, painting over the no trespassing and private property signs. There is a total lack of respect for property.”

The church property has also had its share of trespassing.

“We have had trespassers on a daily basis and people ignoring the private property signs,” Hutsko said. “There were people trying to get in the door and get in. The building is alarmed and has video cameras. We’ve provided the state police with videos and nothing gets done. Why is it allowed to go on in Centralia? It is very disturbing.”

Hutsko also noted the large amount of people in the area despite the coronavirus warnings, saying that people are coming from states that have more virus cases than Pennsylvania.

He called the illegal activities in the area as “wanton lawlessness.”

The situation at the church had Hutsko there during Sunday afternoon.

“I was there for six hours, from noon to 6 o’clock. At that point, several of my parishioners came and said for me to go home and they would watch the property,” he said. “It was a constant flow of people attempting to access the property, to access the cemetery, and when I asked them to leave, it was the same experience as with the fire department. They curse at you and get sarcastic with you, even with me.”

Hutsko said that he was dressed in his “blacks” that identify him as a priest.

“They don’t care,” he said.

Hutsko has discussed the matter with the state police, and he understands their inability to respond at all times due to the lack of manpower. The area is covered by the Bloomsburg station.

“I can understand that, but we do have a situation that is lawless,” Hutsko said. “Our next step is to get politicians involved and make them go there and look at it and explain why this is allowed to happen. We’re not doing that now because everyone has their hands full with the coronavirus and Centralia is down the list of priorities when it comes to fighting the virus. But when this health emergency passes, we intend to request a meeting with state representatives and senators to tour the area.”

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

Area toilet paper producers are ramping up production during the coronavirus pandemic.

Procter & Gamble Family Care plant in Mehoopany, is taking the lead.

The mammoth facility is the largest of Procter & Gamble’s six Charmin manufacturing sites nationwide.

“We started to see a spike in demand about two weeks ago,” said Loren Fanroy, Charmin brand communications manager, in Cincinnati. “We are producing and shipping P&G Family Care products, including Charmin, at record high levels.”

She noted demand since March 20 continues to outpace supply.

“The company is working diligently to get product to retailers as fast as humanly possible,” she said. “We are prioritizing our bestselling sizes to maximize the amount of product we can ship to retailers, and we remain focused on making sure our products are available when and where people shop during this highly dynamic situation. We continue to manufacture and ship Charmin to our retailers, and that is our main priority at this time.”

Production in a plant the size of the one in Mehoopany takes lots of manpower, she said.

“We have put in place rigorous protocols to prevent and minimize transmission,” she said, regarding the coronavirus pandemic. “These protocols are in line with WHO and CDC recommendations, and were developed with our team of in-house medical experts, and are continually refined as we learn more about the epidemic.”

The plant is practicing social distancing, among many other procedures.

“We have constant sanitization of all areas, including cleaning every four hours and surface disinfection, exceeding the most rigorous standards as defined by the health authorities.”

The plant in Mehoopany has also been allowed to stay open in light of Gov. Tom Wolf’s strict order Thursday afternoon on other business sectors.

“Our manufacturing and distribution facilities in Mehoopany remain open as we work to serve consumers through this crisis,” said Damon Jones, chief communications officer at Procter & Gamble corporate headquarters in Cincinnati. “The order from the Pennsylvania governor specified industries which will remain open, including ours.”

Contact the writer: bbaker@wcexaminer.com; 570-836-2123

The following public school meal distributions include breakfast and lunch and are Monday-Friday unless otherwise specified. In all cases, no congregating is permitted.

Blue Mountain

10 to 11 a.m.: Breakfast and lunch, enough for two to three days, Mondays and Wednesdays at designated locations for those who on the free and reduced lunch list replied to the announcement.

Mahanoy Area

Anyone 18 years and younger.

11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Note: Locations updated as of March 23: School district pool doors (instead of bus lot); East End Park and Gilberton, Delano, Park Place, New Boston and Grier City playgrounds.

Weekend breakfast meals provided only on Friday with lunch meal.

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

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.

Stephen J. Bayer

TAMAQUA — A Freeland man charged with doing work he was paid to do by a Kline Township resident had charges against him held for court during a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Stephen J. Bayer.

Daniel J. Herring, 59, of 64 Foster Ave., Box 1770 RR1, was arrested by Kline Township Police Chief John Petrilla and charged with one count each of deceptive business practices, theft by deception, receiving advance payment for services and failing to perform the services and misrepresenting or concealing contractor identity information.

Bayer determined the commonwealth presented enough evidence to substantiate the charges and ordered all four offenses against Herring held for Schuylkill County Court, where he can plead guilty or enter a not guilty plea and request a trial.

Petrilla said a resident paid Herring a deposit of $1,200 as part of a $2,200 project to repair her deck.

Herring brought some of the materials to the woman’s home but never started the repairs or never returned, Petrilla said, adding that two letters sent by the woman to Herring were never replied to.

In addition, Petrilla said a certified letter sent to Herring was returned stamped “Return to Sender,” “Unclaimed” and “Unable to Deliver.”

Other court cases included:

George D. Moss, 48, of 14 Sherwood Drive, Barnesville; held for court: DUI-controlled substance, driving an unregistered vehicle, driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked, failure to keep right, disregard for single traffic lane and careless driving.

Christopher Lee Hill, 32, of 47 Mush Dahl Road, New Ringgold; held for court: possession of drug paraphernalia.

Jocalina Rosario Guzman, 32, of 265 N. Wyoming St., Apt. 6, Hazleton; waived for court: DUI, DUI-highest rate and careless driving.

Samantha L. Kuntz, 31, of 120 S. First St., Rear Apt., Lehighton; waived for court: possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Michael K. Yachera, 46, of 16 Wyoming St., Tamaqua; waived for court: DUI-highest rate, reckless driving, DUI and failure to keep right.

Michael S. Yingling, 30, of 137 W. Fell St., Summit Hill; held for court: child pornography and criminal use of a communications facility.

Elton E. Gonzalez, 28, of 317 W. Abbott St., Lansford; waived for court: terroristic threats, simple assault, false imprisonment, harassment and possession of a controlled substance.

Brian Burns, 34, of 513 N. Railroad St., Tamaqua; waived for court: criminal mischief.

Rachelle R. Uzdilla, 39 of 637 Palmerton Road, Blairsville; withdrawn: endangering the welfare of children. Waived for court: DUI-controlled substance.

Justen C. Neff, 40, of 117 S. Fourth St., Lehighton; held for court: retail theft and disorderly conduct.

Thomas Case, 41, of 344 Clark St., Tamaqua; held for court: bad checks.

Amy Nothstein, 37, of 602 Mahoning St., Lehighton; held for court: bad checks.

Nicole Keefer, 34, of Box 142, Pine Grove; held for court: retail theft, conspiracy and receiving stolen property.

Ian Lin, 41 of 504 Pine St., Tamaqua; waived for court: simple assault and recklessly endangering another person.

Michael I. Steigelbauer, 25, of 844 Locust St., Hazleton; held for court: theft, receiving stolen property and loitering and prowling at night.

Jeffrey J. Rios, 36, of 45 Kauffman Lane, Hamburg; waived for court: DUI-controlled substance, not using low beams and driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked.

John D. Reis, 56, of 747 E. Patterson St., Lansford; waived for court: terroristic threats, disorderly conduct, DUI, reckless driving, careless driving, DUI-highest rate and DUI-controlled substance.

(Staff writer Frank Andruscavage compiled this report)

Gary Myer and his wife Mary caught the last civilian plane Friday out of Uganda, he said.

The Pottsville couple arrived back in Schuylkill County on Saturday, but remain under a 14-day self-quarantine at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s so crowded and impoverished there. They have two respirators in the entire country,” Myer said. The government may have an additional four respirators, for a total of six for the African country of 42 million, he said.

They were visiting their daughter, Jennifer, whose husband works at the U.S. Embassy in Kampala. Their daughter was conducting an internship at an AIDS research center. She and her children were being evacuated by the U.S. government today due to the coronavirus threat, and she will relocate to the east coast of the U.S., Myer said.

While there were no COVID-19 cases reported there when Myer arrived March 9, he said there were seven cases reported there now.

“You cannot ever fathom the poverty,” he said.

When the couple went on a safari, they witnessed some of the daily challenges facing the Ugandan residents.

“We’d see people walk into town to the hand pump. Women would have 5-gallon square containers on their heads. There would be guys on bicycles or small motorcycles. One guy had six of these containers strapped to the bicycle to get water. He wasn’t riding it, but was pushing the bicycle full of water (jugs).”

Most of the homes that Myer saw were tiny, brick square structures, maybe 15-by-15-feet at most, that lacked running water or electricity.

“They’d give kids a bath in a bucket right beside the road. It just opened my eyes,” Myer said.

While they were on safari they didn’t have access to the internet, and upon return to their daughter’s home, realized their flight plans would have to change because the Brussels airline had stopped flying. Initially, they had wanted to fly from Uganda to Brussels, Belgium, and then to Washington Dulles International Airport.

Instead, the Myers booked a flight to Ethiopia on Ethiopian Airlines, flew to Abidjan in the Ivory Coast, before flying into John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. While at the airport in Abidjan, they saw many Peace Corps volunteers who were all sent home, and saw about three dozen Latter-Day Saint missionaries who were also headed home from Africa.

A friend from Lake Wynonah was able to pick the Myers up at JFK. Meanwhile, their son, Garrison, was able to pick up their car they had left at Dulles. Their other son, Zachary and his wife, have been dropping off groceries at the couple’s doorway until they are out of quarantine.

“It’s a big world out there, and we all realize that we have to do our part to stay away and stay safe,” he said.

Contact the writer: vterwilliger@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6007

Bethlehem-based St. Luke’s University Health Network and Filament Innovations, Coplay, as well as 3D manufacturer ProtoCAM, Allentown, are teaming up to produce 3D-printed masks and face shields for health care providers in the wake of COVID-19.

Megan Augustine, director of St. Luke’s University Health Network’s Simulation Center, said via email the current arrangement would produce about 300 to 350 masks per week, but there are other local organizations that have offered to help, “so the list is growing.”

The prototype mask passed St. Luke’s recent sterilization test, “so we are very close to production,” she said.

N95 respirator masks, additional masks and face shields are some of the highest-demand protective products for health care workers.

“These masks and face shields reduce the risk of airborne transmission from an actively sick patient to the individuals providing care,” said Kara Mascitti, MD, St. Luke’s medical director of health care epidemiology and infection prevention. “By helping keep our doctors, nurses and health care teams safe, it helps prevent the spread to their loved ones and others.”

Conservation of these supplies is critical to fighting COVID-19.

“We are about to run a supply chain logistics marathon and we are looking at creative, alternate solutions for supplies like masks,” Augustine said.

The masks could be custom-fitted to an individual’s face, maximizing protection, and due to the materials they are printed with, options for sterilization and reuse are being researched, St. Luke’s said.

GIRARDVILLE — The 2020 Girardville St. Patrick’s Day Parade is officially canceled.

The parade committee cited public health concerns for residents, spectators and participants amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Joseph Wayne, president of the Girardville Ancient Order of Hibernians, Jack Kehoe Division 1, the main sponsor of the popular parade, made the announcement Tuesday. This year would have been the 17th annual event.

The parade was originally scheduled for this Saturday, but on March 15, Wayne announced it would be postponed with the goal of setting a new date. He said Tuesday that with continuing restrictions by the government and the need for social distancing, it was necessary to cancel.

“We’re going to carry the theme through next year,” he said by phone, noting the parade will honor the sons and daughters of Girardville who were military veterans.

“Our major donors who donated the bands and so forth told us to keep the donations until next year, which was very generous of them,” he added. “We only had one institution that asked for their money back, and they’ll probably donate next year.”

The 2021 parade is scheduled for Saturday, March 27.

“We’re in good shape financially to put the parade on, and it gives us time to get more military personnel involved,” Wayne said. “It should be bigger and better as long as we don’t have any viruses or snowstorms.”

Wayne was referring to two previous years when the parade was postponed due to snowstorms.

The committee asks any interested participants, vendors and spectators to plan ahead for next year’s parade and festivities.

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

POTTSVILLE — A Palo Alto man went to state prison after recently admitting to a Schuylkill County judge that he brought drugs into the Schuylkill County Prison in January 2019.

Jeffrey Seiders, 53, pleaded guilty to possession of contraband/controlled substance.

President Judge William E. Baldwin accepted the plea and sentenced Seiders to serve two to four years in a state correctional institution, pay costs, $100 to the Substance Abuse Education Fund, $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account and $113 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem, and submit a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities. He made the prison term concurrent with ones Seiders already is serving.

Pottsville police charged Seiders with bringing drugs into the prison on Jan. 5, 2019.

Baldwin also accepted guilty pleas from, and, pursuant to agreements between prosecutors and defendants, imposed the indicated sentences on, the following defendants:

Jaime L. Stepanski, 23, of Pottsville; simple assault, possession of drug paraphernalia and retail theft; time served to 18 months in prison with immediate parole and $50 CJEA payment. Prosecutors withdrew three counts of recklessly endangering another person, one count of strangulation and one additional count of simple assault.

Steven R. Strouphauer, 19, of Pottsville; simple assault; 24 months probation, $50 CJEA payment and submission of a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities. Prosecutors withdrew three counts of robbery and one count each of conspiracy, aggravated assault, retaliation against witness or victim and harassment.

Mark R. Sult, 35, of Frackville; improper furnishing of drug-free urine; three to 12 months in prison consecutive to Luzerne County sentence. Prosecutors withdrew charges of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Darren D. Vandermark, 28, of Trevorton; three counts each of delivery of a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility; two to five years in a state correctional institution, $100 SAEF payment, $50 CJEA payment, $339 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem and submission of a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities. Prosecutors withdrew three counts each of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

State police at Reading charged Vandermark with selling drugs on Oct. 25, 2018.

Dean F. Verdier Jr., 58, of Middleport; possession of a controlled substance; 12 months probation and $50 CJEA payment. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.

Richard V. Watson III, 34, of Mohrsville; harassment; $150 fine. Prosecutors withdrew charges of unlawful dissemination of intimate image and invasion of privacy.

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

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

The reference librarian at the Pottsville Free Public Library is doing her part to help hospital staff dealing with the coronavirus outbreak by hand-making surgical masks that can be donated.

Since Sunday, Becki White has been sewing the protective gear from cotton, with elastic for the earlobes, for nurses who have requested them. As of Tuesday, she had made 20 and delivered one.

The Port Carbon resident said she started experimenting with patterns Friday after receiving a request from Deborah Cooper, director of the Arts Barn, North Manheim Township. Cooper received a request from artist Joann Allen, who offered to pick up any masks made and distribute them to hospitals, and reached out to people she knows who quilt.

At the same time, White saw a link in a Facebook sewing group to directions on how to make a mask from Deaconess Hospital in Evansville, Indiana, and she decided to make some herself.

“My first few attempts weren’t great but they were helpful in the learning process,” White said.

She began making masks for others Sunday. White uses woven quilting cotton for the front and a plain, tightly-woven cotton sheet for the back. The front and the back are different colors, she said, to help wearers remember which side goes against their face. The earlobes are made using 1/8 inch elastic, although fabric ties can be used if she runs out.

She uses a slight variation of the pattern put out by Deaconess Hospital, by putting in the elastic on the sides of the front piece of fabric, and joining the front and back pieces with right sides facing in but leaving a gap to turn it right side out.

“Once it’s right side out, press the edges, sew in the tucks, then sew around all sides to secure everything,” she said.

White has varied the pattern slightly. She is cutting the fabric an inch longer and leaving a gap in the bottom edge so that the wearer can place a filter inside.

She said the masks should be machine washable and can be worn repeatedly.

So far, White said she received five requests from nurses. Once those requests are filled, she said she will make more to fill general requests from hospitals.

Hospital seek help

St. Luke’s University Health Network is accepting donations of surgical masks, N95 masks, goggles, face shields, vinyl gloves, hand sanitizers and Clorox and Lysol products, including wipes. Other requested items include hospital-grade cleaning supplies and disinfectant.

St. Luke’s centers are also accepting fabric from which network personnel can make their own masks, including cotton, denim, duck cloth, canvas, twill, silk or other tightly woven fabrics, along with elastic and rubber bands.

Officials at Lehigh Valley Health Network are inviting the public to sew masks that can be donated to the health care organization. They can be made of a tightly-woven, breathable cotton fabric or another tightly-woven, breathable fabric blend, in any color or pattern, with elastic banding. The network is also accepting donations of fabric bolts, cut pieces of fabric, swatches of fabric and elastic. The materials will be distributed to those who can make them.

‘So grateful’

White said the reaction from those working in health care has been positive.

“Every nurse I’ve spoken with was so grateful to find someone who can sew who would do this for them,” she said.

So far, she has distributed one mask, but that person was pleased with it.

She said making the masks is one way she can help fight the coronavirus outbreak while at home. The Pottsville Free Public Library is closed through Sunday, March 29.

“This is one way I and others can feel both helpful and a little more in control of things,” White said, adding that she has seen the sewing effort being referred to as “our generation’s version of rolling bandages for war.”

“You do what’s right when it’s needed.”

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

Brooklynn Scholze helps patients who are unsure if they have the coronavirus get answers sooner.

A 2007 Tri-Valley High School graduate, Scholze is a research technologist and part of a five-member team which has developed a novel coronavirus test able to produce results in approximately 24 hours. Under the leadership of Lab Director Steven Callister, Scholze and her colleagues at Gundersen Health System in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, used what’s known as a PCR test, or a polymerase chain reaction test.

“It detects the RNA in the coronavirus genetic makeup,” Scholze said.

She received a Bachelor of Science Engineering degree in biomedical engineering from the University of Pittsburgh in 2011, and also completed a graduate course in microbiology and pathogens at the University of Wisconsin.

It was about five weeks ago when she said Callister alerted the lab staff, recognizing that what was going on in other parts of the world would probably be headed to the U.S. They started evaluating options and saw that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had guidelines to follow.

“Once we got the recipe from the CDC and the necessary reagents, it took us two to three weeks (to develop),” Scholze said.

They began using the test March 18.

Her lab submitted the paperwork for emergency use authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and received test approval. The original target date to launch had been March 30, but they saw they needed the test sooner and were able to start using it March 18.

“The tests are run on very specific equipment in our lab. It’s equipment-based,” she said. “We are prioritizing patients. We have tier 1 through 4, based on symptoms and exposure. We’re testing tier 1 through 3 first, and are trying to turn around the sickest patients the fastest. In less than a week, we’ve run 250 tests.”

The test uses a pharyngeal swab. The sample is placed in a universal viral transport medium and taken to the lab for testing. Technicians wear personal protective equipment, including N95 masks, and goggles and work under a lab hood.

“I feel we, in the laboratory, are at a lower risk than the general health care workers,” Scholze said.

The advanced molecular diagnostics laboratory where Scholze works had typically studied tick-borne illnesses, before working on the coronavirus testing.

Contact the writer: verwilliger@republicanherald.com

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

· 2020 Yuengling Light Lager Jogger 5K, scheduled for April 25, postponed.

· Schuylkill Haven Senior Citizens May dinner, monthly meeting, canceled. Bus trip to Penn’s Peak scheduled for May 7 tentatively rescheduled Sept. 21. For more information, call 570-385-5323.

· Schuylkill County Agricultural Plow Day, scheduled for April 18 and 25, at Heisler’s, Tamaqua, canceled.

· Vraj Hindu Temple, 51 Manor Road, Schuylkill Haven, closed March 15 and will remain closed through at least March 31, according to Rikin Desai, temple manager.

· Post Q Anthracite Region, Mahanoy City, of the Travelers Protective Association of America, April 1 installation meeting, canceled.

· Clover Fire Company, Heckscherville, breakfast, scheduled for March 29, canceled.

· Goodwill Fire Company No. 1, Minersville, canceled all fundraisers and events.

· Spring gardening seminar by Master Gardeners of Schuylkill County, scheduled March 28, canceled.

· Easter candy, Palm Sunday bake sale, scheduled for St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church Parish, Pottsville, canceled.

· City of Pottsville Recreation Commission annual Easter egg hunt, scheduled for April 5, canceled.

· Saint Clair Fish and Game Association egg hunt, scheduled for April 11, canceled.

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

· Ashland Area Historic Preservation Society meeting, scheduled for March 25, canceled.

· Tremont Fire Company Lenten fish fries, canceled.

· St. Matthew’s Lenten food sale, scheduled March 27, canceled.

· Port Carbon Public Library’s Chinese auction, scheduled for March 29, postponed.

· Ss Peter & Paul Orthodox Church paska bake sale, scheduled for April 1-3, postponed.

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

· South End Field & Stream kielbasa sale, scheduled for April 10-11, 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, 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, canceled.

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

· Greater Shenandoah Area Senior Citizens, 220 N. Market St., plans to reopen 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.

· 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 27, 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.

· 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.

· 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.

· 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.

· Girardville’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, scheduled for March 28, canceled.

· 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, public facilities

· All Pottsville playgrounds are closed until further notice.

· Minersville Sewer Authority meeting, originally scheduled for Wednesday, March 25, canceled.

· Tremont parks and recreation areas closed. Borough hall limited to essential personnel only.

· The office of Anne Grochowski, West Mahanoy tax collector, closed. Payments can be mailed to West Mahanoy Tax Collector, P.O. Box 71, Shenandoah PA 17976. Those who want a receipt should include a self-addressed envelope.

· Shenandoah tax office closed. Donna Kulpowicz, tax collector, can be reached at 570-462-4240. Payments can be mailed. Those who want a receipt should include a self-addressed envelope.

· Frackville Borough Office closed. Mail payments or put through mail slot during business hours; after hours put in the black box in front of the borough hall. Phone calls will be answered during business hours. All borough parks closed.

· 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 closed. Call 1-877-327-4255 or go to www.senatorargall.com.

· Ashland Borough Hall, closed. 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. Janice Huth, tax collector, 570-874-4670. Payments should be mailed or placed in mail slot at tax office. If return receipt requested, include self-addressed postage-paid envelope.

· Hegins Township office closed, public meetings, hearings canceled. Public park closed. Public contact limited to phone, mail, email. Township not accepting cash payments for permits; only checks or money orders.

· Mahanoy City Borough office, closed until April 1. All essential workers in place to take calls.

· Minersville Borough Office, 2 E. Sunbury St. closed. Call 570-544-2149 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; mail checks and money orders to office, 2 E. Sunbury St., Minersville 17954, or at drop box on Sunbury Street side of building.

· Orwigsburg Borough Office, 209 N. Warren St., closed to non-essential personnel. Staff available by phone Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 570-366-3103. Borough parks, fields, recreation centers closed; 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 processed by calling 570-385-3400, ext. 111. For other business, call the same number.

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

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

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

Businesses/organizations

· Fairlane Village Mall closed.

· Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce office closed; all events ,committee meetings 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 public. 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, closed.

· Fairlane Village mall, closed.

· 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.

· 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.

· Schuylkill YMCA, closed.

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