Police arrest

combative woman

POTTSVILLE — A Pottsville woman was arrested by Pottsville police for two separate incidents, one at a residence and another at the Schuylkill County Prison hours later.

Police said around 10:55 p.m. March 18 officers were called to a residence in the 1200 block of Spring Garden Street and found Shayla Hosler, 20, who was combative.

During interaction with Hosler, police said, she struck and kicked officers while resisting arrest after it had been determined that she would be taken into police custody.

Hosler was removed from the residence and charged by Patrolman Anna Flail with two counts of aggravated assault, two counts of simple assault and one count of resisting.

She was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge James K. Reiley, Pottsville, and committed to Schuylkill County Prison unable to post $20,000 straight cash bail.

Then around 2 a.m. Thursday, Patrolman Braden Jones was called to the Schuylkill County Prison for a report of an inmate assault on a corrections officer.

The investigation determined that Hosler physically assaulted a 52-year-old female corrections officer during intake to the prison.

As a result, Jones charged Hosler with aggravated assault, simple assault and harassment.

Police said Hosler will be arraigned on these charges at a later date with additional bail being set.

Man jailed for fleeing police

REEDSVILLE — A Pottsville man was jailed after fleeing from state police who tried to stop the vehicle he was driving at Route 183 and Municipal Road in Wayne Township around 10:25 p.m. March 15.

Stat police said they tried to stop a vehicle driven by Ross Koch, 35, after it matched the description of a vehicle involved in a pursuit on March 14.

Ross then fled at a high rate of speed south on Route 183 before turning onto Summer Hill Road, onto a dirt path and was last seen traveling southwest in the woods off Summer Hill Road.

Then around 10 a.m. March 16, state police said a vehicle matching the description was seen in the woods near Summer Hill Road with Koch sleeping inside.

Koch was taken into custody, charged with fleeing or attempting to elude police and arraigned by Magisterial District Judge James K. Reiley, Pottsville, who ordered him committed to Schuylkill County Prison unable to post $25,000 straight cash bail.

Police investigate marijuana theft

SUMMIT STATION — State police at Schuylkill Haven are investigating a theft that happened at 1553 Fair Road in Wayne Township between midnight Jan. 31 and 12:30 p.m. March 14.

State police said the victim of the crime was evicted from the residence and when he returned to get his belongings discovered his medical marijuana was missing.

Anyone with information is asked to call state police at 570-754-4600.

Man cited for 1-vehicle crash

SAINT CLAIR — A Coaldale man was charged by state police at Frackville after the 1998 Jeep Cherokee he was driving crashed on the Burma Road at the communications towers in Ryan Township around 1:30 a.m. Sunday.

State police said Matthew J. Gibbs-Buss, 23, was traveling north and while negotiating a left curve went off the road and struck a dirt embankment.

After hitting the embankment, state police said, the vehicle overturned and came to a stop on its passenger’s side on the grass adjacent to the highway.

State police said Gibbs-Buss left the scene before they arrived and that he will be cited for not driving on roadways laned for traffic as a result of the crash.

Police investigate trespass incident

PINE GROVE — State police at Schuylkill Haven are investigating a criminal trespass incident that happened around 7 p.m. Saturday on Camp Road in Pine Grove Township.

State police said a man living on Willow Street saw a woman trespassing on his property and was captured on his security cameras.

State police said charges are pending further investigation.

Woman charged with harassment

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — A 34-year-old Pottsville woman was charged with harassment after an incident on Weavers Road in North Manheim Township around 11:15p.m. Friday.

State police said the woman, whom they did not identify, was at the home of a 47-year-old man when an argument began. State police said the woman began to hit another man several times before fleeing the area.

The woman will have to answer to the charge before Magisterial District Judge James R. Ferrier, Orwigsburg.

Police seek info on $3K tool theft

DEER LAKE — The theft of $3,400 in tools from a construction trailer that happened around 4 a.m. Thursday on Sculps Hill Road in West Brunswick Township is being investigated by state police at Schuylkill Haven.

State police said two men in a dark-colored Jeep SUV arrived at 58 Sculps Hill Road, entered an unlocked construction trailer and stole the power tools, including drills, nailers, saws and other items.

Anyone with information is asked to call state police at 570-754-4600.

Police investigate harassing calls

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — State police at Schuylkill Haven are investigating a harassment by communications incident involving a 17-year-old Cressona girl.

State police said that on March 18 it was reported someone continues to make harassing telephone calls to the girl who works at Rita’s Italian Ice on Route 61 in North Manheim Township.

Anyone with information is asked to call state police at 570-754-4600.

Pottsville

As of Friday, the Pottsville Parking Authority ended enforcement of all parking lots and on-street parking until further notice, as directed by Mayor James T. Muldowney, the city council and the authority’s board.The authority asks that residents be respectful of their neighbors and essential businesses, including health care facilities.

Schuylkill Haven

The Schuylkill Haven Class of 1960 will meet for lunch on Thursday, April 16, at The Inn at Orwigsburg, if the restaurant is able to reopen in the wake of the coronavirus crisis. If not, the next gathering will be on Thursday, May 21, at the Friedensburg Country Restaurant, according to a release form Ruth Tucci, who added classmates and guests are always welcome. For more information, call 570-385-5323.

Sheppton

Due to roof damage at the Hazleton Area School District’s Valley Elementary/Middle School, lunches that were to be distributed in East Union Township have been suspended. HASD includes the Sheppton and Brandonville areas in Schuylkill County.

Tamaqua

Zion Lutheran Church is offering a 10-minute morning prayer live-streamed video on its Facebook page and website at 9 a.m. on weekdays. The Rev. Cindy White reads a selected Bible verse and offers a brief message or song. Morning prayer is meant to help Tamaqua area residents deal with the coronavirus situation requiring people to stay home as much as possible, according to a release. People with specific prayer requests can email those to White between 8:30 and 8:55 each morning at zionlutheranrev@gmail.com. Morning prayer is recorded and available on the Zion Facebook page and the church’s website, www.ziontamaqia.com. Zion’s Saturday evening relaxed service at 5:30 p.m. and its Sunday traditional service at 9 a.m. are also live-streamed and recorded for later viewing.

School Lunches

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 Area

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 Area

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 Area

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 state Department of Health has temporarily suspended certain statutory and regulatory provisions for the state’s medical marijuana program in response to the COVID-19 emergency.

“In the midst of COVID-19, we need to ensure medical marijuana patients have access to medication,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine was quoted in a news release. “Medical marijuana grower/processors and dispensaries are considered life-sustaining businesses under the governor’s order for non-life-sustaining businesses to close. We want to be sure cardholders in the medical marijuana program can receive medication for one of 23 serious medical conditions during this difficult time.”

The changes:

• Allow dispensary employees to provide medical marijuana to a cardholder in their vehicle on the facility’s property.

• Remove the current cap that limits the number of patients assigned to one caregiver, to allow for more caregivers to patients in need.

• Eliminate background checks for caregiver applications, limited to renewal applications only, in order to expedite the caregiver renewal process.

• Waive in-person consultations and allow for remote consultations between approved practitioners and medical marijuana cardholders for renewal certifications only.

• Waive limits that allow for medical marijuana to only be dispensed for 30 days by requiring approved practitioners to notate on the patient’s certification to dispense a 90-day supply.

The statutory and regulatory suspensions will remain in place for as long as the proclamation of disaster emergency is in effect, the department reported.

Deeds

East Brunswick Township — Michael S. Forbes to Michael and Catherine Whalley; 7 E. Pheasant Run Road; $285,000.

Bruce J. and Christann J. Bachert to Michael Forbes and Benjamin Forbes; 237 W. Rauschs Road; $100,000.

East Union Township — Ruth Njeri Gichuhi and Beth Wanjiri Kingangi to Eagle Rock Resort Co.; Lot 165HF2, Eagle Rock; $10.

Anastasia W. and Moses Mwangi Njoroge to Eagle Rock Resort Co.; Lot 246HF4, Eagle Rock; $10.

Luis A. and Louella Rosaroso to Eagle Rock Resort Co.; Lot 171HF4, Eagle Rock; $10.

Armando Guanlao and Cesario Wee Sit to Eagle Rock Resort Co.; Lot 342WS, Eagle Rock; $10.

Justin T. and Julie M. Schaller to Eagle Rock Resort Co.; Lot 215HF3, Eagle Rock; $10,904.49.

Roselle and Enrico Caperal to Eagle Rock Resort Co.; Lot 71WSS5, Eagle Rock; $8,282.72.

Jairam Dhan to Eagle Rock Resort Co.; Lot 49WSS7, Eagle Rock; $32,435.27.

LMLJ Real Estate Enterprise LLC to Eagle Rock Resort Co.; Lot 218HF4, Eagle Rock; $6,178.99.

LMLJ Real Estate Enterprise LLC to Eagle Rock Resort Co.; Lot 217HF4, Eagle Rock; $6,241.01.

William G. and Rosemarie Fellin to Chris Fellin, Dennis Fellin and Marjorie Ann Lorah; 40 North St., Oneida; $1.

William G. and Rosemarie Fellin to Chris Fellin, Dennis Fellin and Marjorie Ann Lorah; property in Oneida; $1.

Frackville and West Mahanoy Township — Angela Ogrodnick, individually and as administratrix of the Estate of James Vincent Ogrodnick, to Angela Ogrodnick; 140 S. Second St., and 332 E. Oak St. and 101 S. Line St., Altamont; $1.

Kline Township — Lynn Fisher, Raymond Savarese, Joan Ursta and Edward McAloose to Edward McAloose; 10 Bay View Ave., South McAdoo; $1.

Mahanoy City — Hector Trinidad to Remy X. Reyes-Cruz and Flerida J. Mendez; 535 E. mahanoy Ave.; $30,000.

McAdoo — Joseph Kripp Jr. to Estaben Cuatlatl-Vazquez and Adela Rosas Tello; property on Tamaqua Street; $100,000.

North Union Township — Rolando and Maria Elizabeth Favor to Eagle Rock Resort Co.; Lot 4AV2, Eagle Rock; $8,777.60.

Pine Grove Township — Lori Ann Spotz to Lori Ann Spotz and Devon E. Spotz; 54 Rock Road; $1.

Richard M. and Pauline M. Longenecker to John T. and Ann Stahl; 120 Juniper Court, Swatara Village; $40,000.

Police arrest combative woman

POTTSVILLE — A Pottsville woman was arrested by Pottsville police for two separate incidents, one at a residence and another at the Schuylkill County Prison hours later.

Police said around 10:55 p.m. Wednesday, March 18, officers were called to a residence in the 1200 block of Spring Garden Street and found Shayla Hosler, 20, who was combative.

During interaction with Hosler, police said, she struck and kicked officers while resisting arrest after it had been determined that she would be taken into police custody.

Hosler was removed from the residence and charged by Patrolman Anna Flail with two counts of aggravated assault, two counts of simple assault and one count of resisting.

She was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge James K. Reiley, Pottsville, and committed to Schuylkill County Prison unable to post $20,000 straight cash bail.

Then around 2 a.m. Thursday, Patrolman Braden Jones was called to the Schuylkill County Prison for a report of an inmate assault on a corrections officer.

The investigation determined that Hosler physically assaulted a 52-year-old female corrections officer during intake to the prison.

As a result, Jones charged Hosler with aggravated assault, simple assault and harassment.

Police said Hosler will be arraigned on these charges at a later date with additional bail being set.

Man jailed for fleeing police

REEDSVILLE — A Pottsville man was jailed after fleeing from state police who tried to stop the vehicle he was driving at Route 183 and Municipal Road in Wayne Township around 10:25 p.m. Sunday, March 15.

Stat police said they tried to stop a vehicle driven by Ross Koch, 35, after it matched the description of a vehicle involved in a pursuit on Saturday.

Ross then fled at a high rate of speed south on Route 183 before turning onto Summer Hill Road, onto a dirt path and was last seen traveling southwest in the woods off of Summer Hill Road.

Then around 10 a.m. Monday state police said a vehicle matching the description was seen in the woods near Summer Hill Road with Koch sleeping inside.

Koch was taken into custody, charged with fleeing or attempting to elude police and arraigned by Magisterial District Judge James K. Reiley, Pottsville, who ordered him committed to Schuylkill County Prison unable to post $25,000 straight cash bail.

Police investigate marijuana theft

SUMMIT STATION — State police at Schuylkill Haven are investigating a theft that happened at 1553 Fair Road in Wayne Township between midnight Jan. 31 and 12:30 p.m. Saturday, March 14.

State police said the victim of the crime was evicted from the residence and when he returned to get his belongings discovered his medical marijuana was missing.

Anyone with information is asked to call state police at 570-754-4600.

HARRISBURG — More than half a million Pennsylvanians have filed new unemployment claims during the past week, a record number indicative of the sweeping economic fallout from Gov. Tom Wolf’s statewide shutdown order to slow the coronavirus.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the Department of Labor and Industry had received a total of 540,000 new unemployment claims since March 16, when Wolf first announced the closure of all non-essential businesses, according to a state senator briefed by the labor secretary.

Prior to the coronavirus outbreak, the highest number of first-time claims ever filed in Pennsylvania was 168,200, but that was for the entire month of January 2010, said Sen. Christine Tartaglione (D., Philadelphia), the minority chair of the senate committee on labor and industry.

The state has far surpassed that number in about seven days.

“You are going to have more and more people laid off,” Tartaglione said. “There are going to be a lot more.”

A spokesperson for the Department of Labor and Industry declined to comment, saying the official numbers have been embargoed by the U.S. Department of Labor until Thursday, and the state is complying. The governor’s office referred comment to the labor department.

The department also has not commented on the number of staff on hand to process the surge, but Tartaglione said the agency is recruiting retired staff to come back on board temporarily. Individuals from the other departments within the agency are also helping to process claims, she said.

(Spotlight PA provides its journalism at no cost to newsrooms across the state as a public good to keep our communities informed and thriving. Visit spotlightpa.org/donate to offer support.)

Schuylkill County Election Bureau Director Frannie Brennan said Wednesday morning she wants to see Pennsylvania’s primary election moved until at least June 2, the date proposed by legislators, because of the coronavirus pandemic.

“It’s certainly better than being April 28,” the current date the primary is scheduled to be held, Brennan said.

She got her wish when the Legislature voted later Wednesday to do just that — move the election to June 2. The measure also will allow some polling places to be consolidated.

The coronavirus pandemic makes the move necessary, Brennan said.

“Just because of what’s going on right now, I think it’s a good idea,” she said. “Who would come out to vote?”

Brennan, in fact, said she would like to have the primary moved even further into June.

Since its origin in Wuhan, China, the coronavirus and the resulting illness, COVID-19, has swept the globe. In the United States, there are more than 64,000 cases; in Pennsylvania, 1,127; and in Schuylkill County, six as of Wednesday.

Brennan said she is especially concerned for the poll workers, many of whom are elderly.

“Our poll workers are too important to us to ever put them in that position,” she said. “They’re the backbone of any election.”

Poll workers already have a difficult and thankless job, Brennan said.

“Our poll workers do a great job,” she said. “Nobody wants to sit there.”

Brennan said she will reschedule training sessions for poll workers.

“There’s no poll worker training now,” she said.

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

David A. Plachko

PORT CARBON — A Pottsville man charged with causing in excess of $3,000 in damage to a woman’s vehicle on the Port Carbon-Saint Clair Highway Jan. 19 had charges against him held for court during a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko.

Steve J. Steckley, 47, of 917 W. Market St., Rear Apt., Box 644, was arrested by Saint Clair police Patrolman Brad Blanner and charged with criminal mischief, disorderly conduct and harassment.

Plachko determined the commonwealth presented enough evidence to substantiate the charges and ordered all three offenses held for Schuylkill County Court, where Steckley can plead guilty or plead not guilty and request a trial.

Blanner charged Steckley with causing a disturbance in the area of 745 Port Carbon-Saint Clair Highway and also causing $3,003.18 in damage to a 2011 Ford Fusion owned by Deborah Didyoung.

Other court cases included:

Brandi Lee Kline, 29, of 11 N. Fifth St., Minersville; waived for court: retail theft.

Lance R. Haluska, 49, of Route 209, Box 89, Branchdale; waived for court: theft of services and receiving stolen property.

Dennis C. Shafe, 35, of 535 E. Norwegian St., Pottsville; held for court: possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Elisah A. Wonsock, 36, of 453 Church St., Minersville; held for court: possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Chrystal Ann Filer, 54, of 206 Valley St., New Philadelphia; waived for court: criminal trespass and criminal mischief.

Alexis Lee Armon, 23, of 6 Branford Court, Avon, Connecticut; waived for court: DUI-controlled substance, disregard for single traffic lane and driving at an unsafe speed.

(Staff writer Frank Andruscavage compiled this report)

HOMETOWN — When it’s business as usual, upward of 250 vendors set up shop outside and inside the two buildings at the Hometown Farmers Market.

Management of the popular weekly market decided to close buildings but still allowed outside vendors to operate. The move was made in light of COVID-19 concerns.

“On Monday, I made the decision to kind of shut down for two weeks only as a precaution — not because we had to. We didn’t have to, because we are on the governor’s list of essential business that can stay open because we offer necessities,” market owner Susan Biege said.

Shoppers could pick up fruits and vegetables, smoked meats, plants and flowers and paper goods.

“Meats and cheeses are normally here, deli products, bread, baked goods — besides our produce,” Biege said. “But for the safety of all of our vendors and customers we just figured we’d close the buildings and anyone who wants to come outside will be here for the next week or two.”

The partial closure also means no out-of-state stands.

“I left a message on our answering machine that anybody with nonessential things should stay home. Anybody from out of state should stay home. I’m not trying to be nasty. I’m just trying to minimize the spread a little bit and this is one of the ways that we can do it,” she said.

Amy Eroh, of Weatherly, visits the market most Wednesdays and was happy to know that it would remain open.

“I like to get fresh vegetables and fruits here,” she said. “And it is also good to get out of the house.”

Even though the market wasn’t crowded, sales were steady.

Asked whether she was concerned about being in contact with others at the market or elsewhere, Eroh said it does cross her mind.

“I’m just very careful about what I do when I’m out. I try to keep a distance from others,” she said.

At the Zeigler’s farm stand, workers pumped sanitizer into their hands every so often.

David Zeigler, who operates the West Penn farm, said he wasn’t afraid to show. He also said business was good and that most who had stopped by had made purchases.

Joe Triplett of Joe’s Smokehouse, Shickshinny, found business slow.

Huddled over a propane heater, Triplett blamed it on the cold temperatures and precipitation.

Mike Agostinelli, of Barnesville, said he ventures to the Hometown market almost every Wednesday.

“We come to get food, especially produce,” he said.

Even though the market is operating at the bare minimum, Biege believes it can help people with necessities.

“This way they can still come. They can still get their vegetables,” Biege said. “It’s just a handful of people but some of our customers are happy that we even did this much.”

Biege and her family have operated the market since 1982, but it opened in 1950.

“We’re here 70 years and we don’t plan on shutting down,” Biege said. “This is the first time in the history of the market that we had to (partially) shut down for anything but weather.”

Contact the writer: jwhalen@standardspeaker.com; 570-501-3592

Man cited for

careless driving

TREMONT — A Stouchsburg man escaped injury when the 2019 Dodge Journey he was driving was involved in a crash on West Main Street, just west of West Street, around 1:15 p.m. March 17.

State police at Schuylkill Haven said Daniel Romberger, 42, was driving north on Main Street, Route 209, approaching the area of 403 W. Main St. when he drifted onto the right shoulder and struck a legally parked 2013 Chevrolet Silverado, pushing that vehicle 30 feet.

As a result of the crash, state police said, Romberger will be cited for careless driving.

Police investigate hair extension theft

ORWIGSBURG — State police at Schuylkill Haven are investigating a theft by deception identity theft incident that happened sometime March 16 and 17.

State police said Alexandra Costa, 21, attempted to sell hair extensions and received a check in the amount of $1,350 from the buyer with instructions to cash the check and send the balance to the person picking the items up.

State police said Costa cashed the check, found out it was rejected by the bank and contacted authorities.

Man treated at hospital after crash

MOUNT CARBON — A Tamaqua man suffered minor injuries when the 2014 Toyota 4-Runner he was driving crashed on Tumbling Run Road in North Manheim Township around 6:20 p.m. March 14.

State police said Dennis Wiscount, 36, was driving east when he tried to contact his wife on his cellphone while experiencing a medical emergency.

The man then crossed the westbound lane of travel, went off the road and struck several trees before hitting a tree head on and coming to a stop.

Wiscount was taken to Geisinger St. Luke’s Hospital, Orwigsburg, for treatment and will be cited for not driving on roadways laned for traffic as a result of the crash.

Two vehicles

collide on Route 61

PORT CLINTON — Two people escaped injury when their vehicles collided on Port Clinton Avenue around 9:35 a.m. March 12.

State police at Schuylkill Haven said Carlos M. Roman, 32, of Schuylkill Haven, was driving a 2012 Ford F-350 PennDOT supervisor truck south on Route 61 as Lester W. Riegel, 79, of Friedensburg, was driving a 2014 Ford F-350 north.

As the vehicles passed each other in their respective lanes of travel, state police said, their extended side mirrors hit, causing minor damage to both.

Police charge 1 with harassment

PINE GROVE — A Pine Grove man was charged with harassment by state police at Schuylkill Haven after an incident at 57 Pleasant Valley Road in Pine Grove Township around 1:55 a.m. March 10.

State police said Abel Degler, 32, was involved in a domestic dispute with a 27-year-old Lebanon woman.

The investigation led state police to file charges against Degler who will now have to appear before Magisterial District Judge David Rossi, Tremont.

18-year-old arrested on drug charges

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — State police at Schuylkill Haven said a Schuylkill Haven man was arrested on drug charges after a traffic stop on Route 61 in North Manheim Township around 3:25 p.m. March 14.

State police said they stopped a vehicle driven by the 18-year-old man, who they did not identify, and found him to be in possession of marijuana.

The man will now have to answer before Magisterial District Judge James R. Ferrier, Orwigsburg, state police said.

Man charged for harassing texts

TOWER CITY — State police at Schuylkill Haven charged a 40-year-old Jonestown man with harassment by communications after an incident at 419 E. Wiconisco Ave. around 8:10 a.m. March 7.

State police said Brent Barna continuously sent text messages to Nicole Bredbenner, 34, after the woman told him to refrain from having any contact with her.

Barna will have to answer to the charge before Magisterial District Judge David Rossi, Tremont.

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

 A take-out only dinner benefitting Jamie Edwards planned for March 29 at the Advance Auto Parts parking lot, Cressona Mall, is postponed indefinitely.

 Gabriel Chamber Ensemble Beethoven Concert with Xun Pan and Simon Maurer, scheduled for March 29, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, postponed.

 Bus Trip to “Queen Esther” Sight & Sound Theater, Lancaster, with sit down lunch at Hershey Farms, sponsored by Schuylkill Haven Senior Travelers, has been postponed from July 15 to Monday, Oct. 21. Call to confirm your reservation. For more information, call 570-622-0666. Checking newspaper for meeting status.

 Basket auction sponsored by Greater Shenandoah Area Historical Society, scheduled for April 18-19, postponed.

 Hugs & Kisses Bidding and Chinese auctions, scheduled for Saturday, April 4, at Hose Hook and Ladder Fire Company, Pine Grove, postponed.

 Beef and Beer Pub Night, scheduled for Saturday, March 28, at Landingville Community Fire Company, postponed.

 Vernal Pool Hike, scheduled for April 2, at Locust Lake State Park, Barnesville, canceled.

 Trinity Episcopal Church Concert Series, scheduled for Sunday, March 29, canceled.

 St. John’s Lutheran Church, 200 E. Mauch Chunk St., Tamaqua, worship for Sunday, March 29 and April 5 is canceled and all activities are suspended until further notice.

 Upper Dauphin Area School District committee of the whole meeting, scheduled for March 25, canceled.

 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

The state Department of Corrections is extending inmate visitation suspension through April 10. The DOC initially suspended all visits and began enhanced screenings at all of its prisons on March 13. To offset the lack of visits for inmates, DOC officials implemented video visitation and are providing inmates with additional free phone calls and emails. ■

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

 Cressona Mall closed.

 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.

St. Luke’s University Health Network has implemented a universal masking policy for its patient-facing health care workers and employees, including at Geisinger St. Luke’s, the hospital near Orwigsburg that opened last fall.

The Bethlehem-based company made the universal masking decision to protect its patients and staff and to help reduce the community spread of COVID-19, the company reported in a news release issued Wednesday.

“We currently have an adequate supply of personal protective equipment to undertake this important safety initiative,” Dr. Kara Mascitti, St. Luke’s Medical director of health care epidemiology and infection prevention, was quoted in the release. “Our ability to socially distance when providing patient care is limited, so we are implementing this policy to protect both our patients and our staff.”

“We remain grateful to the community for its outpouring of donated masks and other supplies — keep it coming,” she added.

Patients at St. Luke’s facilities will not need to mask unless they are exhibiting symptoms or have known exposure to COVID-19.

Virtual telehealth visits are also available for individuals looking to connect with their primary care or specialty doctor from home. To arrange for a telehealth visit, people should contact their doctor. To find a doctor, call 1-866-STLUKES, option 4.

Geisinger seeks masks

Also Wednesday, Danville-based Geisinger, noting the donation of several cases of N95 masks by Zartman Construction, Northumberland, welcomes and appreciates donations. Its “wish list” includes: N95 or dust masks,

Nitrile or latex gloves and electric construction heaters for our outdoor screening tents

No one is to make donations directly to hospital locations. Instead, call 800-739-6882 or visit geisinger.org/fightcovid.

Lansford police say a Tamaqua man stabbed his ex-girlfriend Sunday morning.

Bruce L. Smith, 34, was charged with a felony for aggravated assault and a misdemeanor for simple assault. Unable to immediately post $25,000 bail set that day by Magisterial District Judge Eric Schrantz, Jim Thorpe, he was taken to jail.

Police said the woman told officers Smith showed up at her home to pick up a television around 7 a.m. and got angry with her because she wouldn’t rekindle their relationship.

He stabbed her in the arm with a screwdriver and then cut his own arm, court papers state.

The woman had a stab wound and bruising on her arm and reported that he also followed her to Walmart before telling her he was going to turn himself into police, arrest papers state.

Police said they found him walking in the 100 block of West Patterson Street and took him into custody, finding several cut marks on his left forearm.

Smith told police someone else inflicted his wounds but later admitted they were self-inflicted and that he may have cut the woman by mistake, court papers state.

He’d later changed his statement to say he didn’t know how she was cut.

Contact the writer: achristman@standardspeaker; 570-501-3584

Mount Carbon moved forward Wednesday on its road to recovery as the Schuylkill County commissioners voted to release $16,300 from an escrow account to the borough’s general fund.

“It’s a real good thing. It saves the borough,” borough council Vice President Harry Haughney Jr. said. “We have a council now.”

County Director of Finance Paul E. Buber said the money belongs to the borough.

“They had received uncashed checks that represented payments in connection with taxes,” he said. “Because they were not functioning as a local government, they turned the money to the county government until they reorganized and became functioning as a local government.”

Haughney said he was grateful the county kept the money until the borough could claim it.

“They couldn’t release anything,” he said. “They had no choice but to hold it in escrow.”

Mount Carbon is Schuylkill County’s smallest borough, with a population less than 100. Starting in 2018, it had ceased to function as a municipality, with no borough council or other employees with authority to conduct business.

That changed with the 2019 election and the first official council meeting on Feb. 4.

“There is no reason to be anything but” happy with the infusion of money into the borough, said council President John Raess. “Obviously, it’s going to help.”

He said the money will be placed in the borough’s general fund.

County Administrator Gary R. Bender said Mount Carbon is fortunate to have people who care about its future.

“The commissioners are delighted,” Bender said. “Kudos to the people who stepped up to the plate.”

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

POTTSVILLE — As the coronavirus pandemic interrupts Schuylkill County residents’ lifestyles, community leaders are making sure the elderly and homebound are not forgotten.

John Matz, Schuylkill County Emergency Management Agency coordinator, said there must be special emphasis on the care of the county’s elderly population.

What is already a life of mostly isolation could become worse, Matz said. He said it is essential to have volunteers who are able to assist in the delivery of Meals on Wheels or simply keep in touch with the elderly by telephone to offer some human contact.

Susan Long, director of the Diakon Community Services center in Pottsville, and Karen Wood, executive director of Diakon Community Services, said their organization is actively looking for volunteers.

Long said senior citizens and homebound residents have meals delivered Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays that also include frozen meals for Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Wood said meals are left with residents only after it is assured there is room to store them, and that the person has the ability to heat them.

Wood said volunteers deliver 818 meals each of the three days.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, Long said, center volunteers spend their time calling clients.

“We’re doing welfare checks,” she said.

Wood and Long said there is always a need for volunteer assistance, but right now the need is even greater.

Long said people can volunteer to deliver meals, assist in packing meals and taking them out to the drivers, or simply making telephone calls.

“We’re a life-sustaining agency,” Wood said.

Diakon Community Services provides a range of community-based programs in Schuylkill and several other counties in Pennsylvania.

In Schuylkill County, programs include Meals on Wheels, senior community centers, health insurance counseling, APPRISE and Living & Learning After 50.

The senior community centers served are located in Pottsville, Tremont, Schuylkill Haven, Shenandoah and Mahanoy City.

Anyone who would like to volunteer in any way can call Diakon at 570-624-3010 or toll-free at 1-800-621-MEAL.

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

MINERSVILLE — Borough police have obtained an arrest warrant for a Shamokin woman they say abused her child last month.

Patrolman Jeffrey Bowers said Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko, Port Carbon, issued the warrant for Yashira Torres-Delgado, 23, of 147 S. Third St., on one felony count of endangering the welfare of children.

The charges, Bowers said, are the result of an investigation into an incident at 515 Lewis St. on Feb. 24.

Bowers said that on March 9 he received a report of child abuse committed by Torres-Delgado and learned that on Feb. 24 the woman brought her 5-month-old daughter to the emergency department at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Schuylkill E. Norwegian Street for treatment of first- and second-degree burns to her head.

Torres-Delgado reported that she laid her daughter down outside of the bathroom and went to use the bathroom when she heard the child screaming.

The woman said she came out of the bathroom and found the girl being burned by the radiator, Bowers said.

Torres-Delgado also said she had no idea how the child got near the radiator in order to get burned, the officer said.

Bowers said medical staff informed Torres-Delgado that her child is not able to roll over, did not attempt to crawl while at the hospital and was unlikely to be crawling at the age of 5 months.

The child was treated and released to Torres-Delgado with a recommendation to receive follow-up treatment with her primary care physician.

Hospital staff also made a report with Schuylkill County Children & Youth Services because they suspected neglect, Bowers said.

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. 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 Area

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 Area

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 Area

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 — Federal guidance to avoid large gatherings during the coronavirus outbreak forced organizers of the eighth annual Yuengling Light Lager Jogger 5K to postpone this year’s race for the first time in its seven-year history.

Officials at CK Running LLC, Collingswood, New Jersey, announced the decision Tuesday. No new date has been set. The race planning company has organized the event since the first jogger in 2013.

CK Running co-owner and Director of Operations Carrie Conway runs the organization with Kathryn Ross, marketing and partner relations director.

“We need to do our part to maintain social distancing and gathering 5,000 people wouldn’t be possible,” Conway said. “It’s heartbreaking because we know there are a lot of people in the area that look forward to it.”

The popular race has attracted upward of nearly 3,000 participants, who start and end the 5K in front of D.G. Yuengling & Son Brewery at Seventh and Mahantongo streets, walking or running. The yearly event includes an after party with live music, vendors and a beer garden.

Conway said she has been in touch with Mayor James T. Muldowney and brewery officials monitoring the coronavirus outbreak for a week, looking at federal, state and local regulations on the virus, which causes the COVID-19 disease. Organizing the event, she said, took officials nine months to plan.

“While this is CK’s largest and most fun event, we made the right decision,” Conway said, adding that she is fortunate to have the local support from city and brewery officials to reschedule the 5K when it’s safer to do so. “Hopefully this will be the only year it is postponed.”

“The decision from local organizers and community officials to postpone the event was made to ensure the safety and welfare of all involved,” Wendy Yuengling said a prepared statement. “Our hearts go out to those communities and families that have been impacted by COVID-19 and look forward to the opportunity to be a part of future events where we can all celebrate together in Pottsville again soon.”

Conway said 3,500 people signed up in October to participate in this year’s race, with this year’s event sold out. Those who signed up can participate in the re-scheduled 5K, details of which will be released when they become available, she added.

“We’re looking forward to coming back to Pottsville,” Conway said. “It will be a great event, just slightly down the road.”

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

A Schuylkill County pediatrician and his partners are doing all they can to assist families with sick children during this novel coronavirus health crisis.

Dr. Zarar Bajwa,with Integrated Medical Group PC, has announced his offices will offer free pediatric care to all uninsured children, and will assist patients whose families lack the ability to pay their insurance co-pays.

They don’t have to be existing patients either.

“It’s a challenge unlike any we have experienced in our lifetime. I hope it slows down. People are struggling with their jobs, and insurance, and we’ve been seeing that come through already,” he said. “It’s one thing we can easily provide.”

Bajwa said Wednesday he didn’t discuss his decision with any other local doctors, other than his partners in his practice, fellow pediatrician Dr. Umai Shaik and Kirsten Shadle, physician assistant, who were in full support.

Their IMG offices are at 1851 West End Ave., Pottsville, and 224 Claremont Ave., Tamaqua.

Bajwa said he had been thinking about what he could do for the community during these difficult times.

“My concern is that some of the care to the kids in our community will be delayed and may lead to poor outcomes for some kids. If this happens for even one kid leading to poor outcomes because of the delay of care, that is one too many.”

On a personal level, Bajwa said in his first year of practice, an asthmatic pediatric patient was suffering respiratory failure and wasn’t brought in by the parents until it was too late and the patient died.

“We don’t want them not to bring their kids to us because they can’t pay. If your kid needs help, don’t worry about the financials. We will take care of those kids,” Bajwa said.

Insurance regulations don’t allow the doctor to write off co-pays fully, but they do allow the doctor to write off some for financial hardship. Parents just have to alert the doctor of their hardship, so a special code can be entered into the system.

“We already do that and will do more for helping our community during this tough time. We will be happy to do that till this natural crisis ends,” he said.

The office numbers are 570-624-7337 in Pottsville and 570-386-3800 in Tamaqua/Hometown.

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

HARRISBURG — Health workers who care for seniors and people with disabilities are calling on the state to provide them with more masks, hand sanitizer and paid time off, as Pennsylvania nursing homes begin to see cases of the coronavirus.

In a letter sent Monday, groups that represent nursing and long-term care centers asked Gov. Tom Wolf for $290 million in emergency federal and state funding. That money is needed to supply staff with supplies like coveted N95 masks, gloves, disposable gowns and face shields, the letter said, as well as to help facilities pay for paid sick leave.

“No group of people are at higher risk than older adults, and no group of organizations will be asked to support them through both prevention and mitigation more than nursing homes and long-term care providers,” said representatives from unions including SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania as well as the Pennsylvania Health Care Association and LeadingAge PA, two industry organizations.

Several residents have tested positive for COVID-19 at one Philadelphia nursing home, while another case was reported Tuesday in Northampton County. On Wednesday, Allegheny County-based Kane Community Living Centers announced a staffer had tested positive for the coronavirus.

Lyndsay Kensinger, a spokesperson for Wolf, said the administration is “working to protect our most vulnerable populations during this unprecedented crisis, including looking forward to a review of the direct funding available via the federal stimulus package so that we can make necessary allocations to health care facilities, including hospitals and nursing homes.”

“We also are engaged with the General Assembly on additional emergency funding,” she said.

The U.S. Senate was scheduled to vote on a $2 trillion stimulus package Wednesday. State attorneys general including Pennsylvania’s Josh Shaprio wrote a letter Tuesday urging President Donald Trump to use the Defense Production Act to manufacture critical supplies like masks and respirators.

Groups that represent home-based health care workers are also looking for help.

The Pennsylvania Homecare Association, an industry organization that represents providers, wrote a letter to Health Secretary Rachel Levine last week asking for “guidance” on shortages of personal protective equipment.

Levine said during a news conference Tuesday that the state “has stores of N95 masks and other personal protective equipment as well as ventilators.” She said the state’s supplies “are being replenished as we put those out by the federal government from their stores.”

A spokesperson for the Department of Health said the state had more than 1 million N95 masks before the COVID-19 outbreak.

“Because of the constant work being done in regards to masks, we do not have an estimate of what is available,” the spokesperson, Nate Wardle, said. “We are working around the clock to ensure those who need N95 masks have access to them, while also working through traditional and non-traditional means to get them.”

Jill Helsel Gingrich, a spokesperson for LeadingAge PA, said “obtaining additional supplies and restocking in anticipation of possible exposure has been nearly impossible.”

“Many items, including the vitally important N95 masks, are on allocation from major vendors and purchasing increased quantities is not an option as the masks are not available,” she said.

The groups behind the letter — which also includes a chapter of the National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees — said they anticipate staffing shortages due to workers getting sick or having to care for sick family members.

(Brett Sholtis of WITF contributed to this article.)