SCHUYLKILL COUNTY

Lehigh Valley Health Network, 35 Sillyman St., Cressona, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m./ Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; virtual encounter preferred, on-site provider for limited assessment if in-person evaluation needed or warranted.

West Penn Care Now, 2092 W. Penn Pike, New Ringgold, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m.to 1 p.m.

Police: Woman tried to steal oil

HOMETOWN — A 23-year-old Port Carbon woman was arrested by Rush Township police after an incident at the Walmart store, 35 Plaza Drive, around 3:30 p.m. April 14.

Police said officers learned that Luisa Perez, 23, tried to steal auto air fresheners and motor oil but was apprehended by store security before she could flee.

During the investigation, it was learned that Perez was previously given written notice banning her from entering store property and also that the woman violated the stay-at-home order issued by Gov. Tom Wolf on April 1.

As a result, police said, Perez was charged with retail theft, criminal trespass and violating the Disease Prevention and Control Law of 1955.

She will now have to answer to the charges before Magisterial District Judge Stephen J. Bayer, Tamaqua, police said.

Man allegedly possessed drugs

FRACKVILLE — A Lewistown man is facing multiple charges by state police at Frackville after an incident at North Centre and West Frack streets around 8:25 p.m. April 20.

Police said they received a report of an erratic driver in Butler Township and stopped the vehicle in Frackville.

The driver, identified as Shawn Bryner, 33, fled south and illegally entered a home in the borough before being taken into custody and providing a false name to police.

A subsequent check determined Bryner had outstanding warrants out of Mifflin County and was also taken into custody for suspicion of DUI after showing signs of being impaired.

Police said Bryner was also found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia and is facing multiple charges that will be filed with Magisterial District Judge Christina E. Hale, Frackville.

MOUNT PLEASANT — The Tyson Foods distribution center remains operational during the coronavirus outbreak, as the company issues a warning about the potential shortage of meat during the pandemic.

Company spokeswoman Ashley LaCroix said the facility, located in the Highridge Business Park in Cass Township, remains open, adding there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 at the distribution center.

Should an employee test positive for the virus, she said, company officials will inform those who have been in contact with the infected person, as well as employees who have not been exposed and supervisors.

On Sunday, John Tyson, chairman of the Tyson Foods board, published an open letter in several large newspapers drawing attention to the dangers of food shortage. He said in the letter that as meat plants nationwide have closed, there will be a limited supply of meats available in grocery stores until the facilities are reopened.

LaCroix said company officials are addressing the outbreak by restricting visitor access to facilities, relaxing its attendance policy to allow employees to stay home if sick or to meet childcare needs and checking employees’ temperatures before entering facilities.

In addition, employees are required to wear face masks, which are distributed when a shift starts, and social distancing measures are in place, which include increasing distance between employees on production lines and installing dividers in breakrooms. She said production areas are wiped down daily, with cleaning enhanced in other areas, including breakrooms and locker rooms.

“We have team members dedicated to constantly wiping down and sanitizing common areas,” LaCroix said, adding it can involve suspending production for a day.

Located on Keystone Boulevard in the business park, the center employs 140 people, according to the Tyson Foods website. The facility began as a Sara Lee in 2007 and was expanded as Tyson Foods in 2017.

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

Heidi Bauer’s second chance at a national title is among the latest things lost to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bauer, a Schuylkill Haven Area eighth-grader, lost her opportunity to vie as top speller after the coronavirus crisis forced the cancellation of the 93rd Scripps National Spelling Bee. This year marks the only time since World War II that the national finals have been canceled since the program’s inception in 1925, according to Scripps.

“I was mostly disappointed,” Bauer, 14, said Monday. “I was really looking forward to it, but I thought it was in everyone’s best interest that it was canceled.”

Bauer won The Republican-Herald’s 65th annual Regional Spelling Bee on March 7, co-sponsored by Penn State Schuylkill and held at the campus in Schuylkill Haven. She won the regional bee in 2019 and traveled to National Harbor in Fort Washington, Maryland, in suburban Washington, to compete with 565 other spellers.

Bauer made it to the third round when she misspelled “antechamber” and was eliminated.

“The first time you step on that stage is one of the most memorable parts and is really exciting,” she said. “Last year, we went to the National Harbor and to Alexandria, Virginia. My sister (Tabitha Bauer) lives in Chevy Chase, Maryland.”

Speller ‘pretty upset’

As an eighth-grader, Bauer is not eligible to compete beyond this year. She had followed the Scripps page on Facebook and her mother, Kimberly, had also received emails about the status of the bee.

“I remain in contact with a couple of my friends from the national bee. Most of them were pretty upset ... I had been practicing and looking over dictionaries that I bought. Once the pandemic arose, I had a feeling that it would be canceled,” Bauer said.

She’s been reading a lot and keeping up with her online classes via platforms such as Zoom, Schoology and Google Classroom.

Bauer attributes her spelling acumen to her love of reading and to assistance from her spelling bee coach, Rosanne Chesakis.

“I like reading realistic fiction and books dealing with current world problems,” she said, noting Angie Thomas is her favorite author. “I’ve always liked spelling and it was something I was good at, and something that I find fun. I’ve dedicated a lot of time to working with words.”

Scripps: No option

Scripps originally announced on March 20 that it was suspending the national finals with hopes of rescheduling, but it now sees no clear path to safely set a new date, nor an opportunity for a virtual event.

“The national finals is so much more than a competition. Bee Week is an unforgettable experience in which spellers and their families forge new friendships that can last a lifetime. They share meaningful in-person interactions not only during the competition, but also through fun activities. Trying to replace that experience with a stay-at-home version would pale in comparison,” Scripps said.

Paige Kimble, executive director, released a statement saying in part:

“Our thoughts immediately go to our spellers and their families. The students have dedicated time and effort to their passion for learning. They should be proud of all they have accomplished by winning spelling bees at the classroom, school and regional level. Nevertheless, our first priority has to be the health and well-being of our spellers and their families and the hundreds of staff and spectators that come together for Bee Week.”

Scripps plans to ship directly to spellers a backpack with items recognizing their accomplishments as a national finalist.

“That will be really nice. I didn’t know about that,” Bauer said.

Contact the writer: vterwilliger@republicanherald.com

A Hegins man died when the motorcycle he was driving crashed on East Main Street, Route 52, in Hubley Township around 3:45 p.m. Saturday.

State police at Schuylkill Haven said Cory J. Klouser, 37, was driving a Honda east on East Main Street, just west of Schwenks Road, when he went off the road and onto the shoulder, where he struck a utility pole head on.

After hitting the pole, police said, the motorcycle traveled a short distance before coming to a stop.

Hegins Area EMS assisted, police said.

CRESSONA — The man believed to be responsible for five and possibly more armed robberies that plagued Schuylkill and Berks counties was taken into custody Tuesday afternoon after a chase that resulted in him crashing into a state police cruiser.

State police Trooper David Beohm, public information officer for Troop L, Reading, was at the scene where the man was taken into custody on Panther Valley Road, just north of Cressona, just after 1 p.m.

Beohm had no definitive information but said authorities believed the man was the sole person responsible for four robberies in Schuylkill County and a fifth robbery in northern Berks County.

The man was taken into custody after a pursuit involving state police that resulted in the Mercedes-Benz he was driving colliding with a police cruiser near the intersection with Wilder Street.

Beohm said the man was returned to the Schuylkill Haven state police station and that he would release additional information after conferring with station commander Sgt. Michael Sadusky and officers involved in the pursuit and subsequent arrest.

That information, including the name of the man and charges he is facing, was not released as of Tuesday night.

The most recent robbery allegedly committed by man happened around 12:30 p.m. Monday at the U.S. Gas Station in Strausstown, Berks County.

Like in the other four robberies being investigated, state police at Hamburg said the man entered the business, pulled out a pistol and demanded money from the clerk.

After being given an undetermined amount of cash, police said, the man fled on foot south toward the Strausstown Lions Community Park.

Beohm said the man could be responsible for four additional robberies in Schuylkill County late Friday night and early Saturday morning.

The first of those robberies happened around 9:15 p.m. Saturday at the Mobil Gas Station in Cressona followed by a robbery at the Speedway Gas Station in Pine Grove Township at 6:10 a.m. Saturday and a robbery at the Auburn Food Mart a short time later at 6:55 a.m.

A fourth happened during the early morning hours Sunday at Vista Fuel on Route 61 in Schuylkill Haven. That robbery is being investigated by Schuylkill Haven police.

In each case, the man entered wearing a hooded sweatshirt and a mask, pulled out a weapon and demanded money from workers inside. He then fled the area, in each case, on foot.

Authorities are also working to determine if two additional armed robberies last week were committed by the same man.

The UniMart Exxon store at 528 Altamont Blvd. in West Mahanoy Township was robbed around 5 p.m. April 20 while the Turkey Hill Minit Mart on Route 901 in Lavelle, Butler Township, was robbed around 1:35 a.m. the following day, April 21.

In each of the seven robberies, police reports indicate the skin color and height of the man responsible are similar.

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

The state Department of Education will continue to support school districts with no-cost programs and professional development to help them weather any financial impacts from the coronavirus pandemic.

However, providing more funding for struggling districts, including those in recovery, is up to the General Assembly, state Secretary of Education Pedro A. Rivera said during a press call Tuesday.

Rivera and Deputy Secretary Matthew Stem spent a half-hour answering a handful of questions about how the department is responding to the effects of the COVID-19 crisis on public school districts, charter schools, private schools and higher education institutions. Gov. Tom Wolf closed schools in April to stop the spread of the virus. College students finished their spring semesters online.

“The funding we provide to school districts in recovery, in terms of fiscal support, is all based on the General Assembly and the governor,” Rivera said.

Additional one-time funding could come through federal support, he said, but cautioned that the money should not be used to support existing programs.

The department also is working with intermediate units across the state to supply programs to help districts transition to online learning and with public access television channels to provide content, he said.

Rivera said $5 million in grants statewide to help districts bridge the digital divide was a small amount compared to the $22 million in requests the department received. He said they will continue to identify resources for schools wherever they have it.

“The school districts will have to continue to find revenue,” he said. “We will try really hard to lessen costs and find opportunities and work with state and federal agencies.”

COVID-19 testing sites around the region:

CARBON COUNTY

Lehigh Valley Health Network, 528 Delaware Ave., Palmerton, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m./Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; virtual encounter preferred, on-site provider for limited assessment if in-person evaluation needed or warranted.

St. Lukes Hospital, 211 N. 12th St., Lehighton.

LACKAWANNA COUNTY

Geisinger Community Medical Center, 1800 Mulberry St., Scranton, Monday-Sunday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

Geisinger, 4004 Birney Ave, Moosic, Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.; testing for health care employees only.

LEHIGH COUNTY

Lehigh Valley Health Network, 6451 Village Lane, Macungie, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m./Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; virtual encounter preferred, on-site provider for limited assessment if in-person evaluation needed or warranted.

Lehigh Valley Health Network, 1730 W. Chew St., Allentown, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m./Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; virtual encounter preferred, on-site provider for limited assessment if in-person evaluation needed or warranted.

Lehigh Valley Health Network, 2604 Schoenersville Road, Bethlehem, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m./Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; virtual encounter preferred, on-site provider for limited assessment if in-person evaluation needed or warranted.

Lehigh Valley Health Network, 2741 MacArthur Road, Whitehall, Monday-Sunday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; virtual encounter preferred, on-site provider for limited assessment if in-person evaluation needed or warranted.

West End CareNow, 501 Cetronia Road, Allentown, 2200 St. Luke’s Blvd., Easton, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

Bethlehem-Care North, 153 Brodhead Road, Bethlehem, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

St. Luke’s Sacred Heart Hospital, 301 N. Fourth St., Allentown, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

St. Luke’s Care Now, Macungie, 2550 Route 100, Suite 110, Macungie, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

St. Luke’s Care Now — Whitehall, 2042 MacArthur Road, Whitehall, Monday-Sunday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

LUZERNE COUNTY

Geisinger Wyoming Valley, 6 Wildflower Drive, Monday-Sunday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

Geisinger Nanticoke, 128 E. Main St., Monday-Sunday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

Lehigh Valley Health Network, 128 W. 14th St., Hazleton, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m./Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; virtual encounter preferred, on-site provider for limited assessment if in-person evaluation needed or warranted.

Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza, 255 Highland Park Blvd., Wilkes-Barre Twp., preregistration for testing is required one day in advance of testing. No on-site registration is available. Testing is by appointment only.

Rite Aid, 20 S. River St., Plains Twp.

MONROE COUNTY

Lehigh Valley Health Network, 292 Frantz Road, Stroudsburg, Monday-Sunday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; virtual encounter preferred/on-site provider for limited assessment if in-person evaluation needed or warranted.

Lehigh Valley Health Network, 1655 W. Main St., Stroudsburg, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m./Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; virtual encounter preferred, on-site provider for limited assessment if in-person evaluation needed or warranted.

Brodheadsville Health Center, 111 Route 715, Brodheadsville, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m./Saturday, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

NORTHAMPTON COUNTY

Lehigh Valley Health Network, 863 Nazareth Pike, Nazareth, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m./ Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; virtual encounter preferred, on-site provider for limited assessment if in-person evaluation needed or warranted.

St. Luke’s Hospital — Anderson, 2200 St. Luke’s Blvd., Easton, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

St. Luke’s Care Now — Bethlehem, 153 Broadhead Road, Bethlehem, Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

PIKE COUNTY

Dingman Medical Center, 1592 Route 739, Dingmans Ferry.

SCHUYLKILL COUNTY

Lehigh Valley Health Network, 35 Sillyman St., Cressona, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m./ Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; virtual encounter preferred, on-site provider for limited assessment if in-person evaluation needed or warranted.

West Penn Care Now, 2092 W. Penn Pike, New Ringgold, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

NO TESTING SITES in Susquehanna, Wayne or Wyoming counties.

A tractor-trailer carrying mulch spilled its load on a highway in Hegins Township on Monday afternoon.

Hegins Township police said they were called to the 1600 block of West Main Street around 2:15 p.m. for a report of mulch that fell from a truck covering the highway.

Police said officers at the scene found a tractor-trailer parked in the eastbound lane with the carrier name Douthat Construction Co. imprinted on the vehicle.

The investigation determined that, while the truck was in transit, the wall and floor of the trailer separated on one side and mulch spilled onto West Main Street.

The load of mulch was placed on the truck in Gratz and was being transported to Nescopeck, police said.

The driver, who was not identified, was not hurt and police said Hegins Valley Fire and Rescue assisted.

Cleanup of the mulch was completed and traffic in the area reopened around 6:30 p.m., police said.

Contact the writer: fandruscavage@republicanherald.com; 570-622-3456

Girardville

Trinity Academy in the Father Walter J. Ciszek Education Center, 233 W. Cherry St., Shenandoah, the sole Catholic pre-kindergarten-through-eighth-grade school for all of northern Schuylkill County, is holding open enrollment for students, extending through the beginning of the 2020-21 school year. Those interested in enrolling a child should be aware of the following age requirements: For pre-kindergarten, age 4 by Thursday, Oct. 15, 2020. The age for kindergarten is 5 and age for first grade is 6. For more information, call Kay Zagroski at 570-462-3927 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Trinity Academy, according to bulletin announcements, offers a high quality education with a “Christ-centered atmosphere” that “assists parents in helping their children to live a life of discipleship centered in the Gospel of Jesus and the teachings of the Catholic Church, instill morals, and promote academic excellence.”

Mahanoy City

Good American Hose Company, 738 E. Mahanoy Ave., will have a takeout-only pork-and-sauerkraut dinner from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday, May 3. The cost is $10 per meal. To order or for more information, call 570-773-3473.

Nuremberg

Nuremberg Community Vacation Bible School is scheduled for 6 to 8:30 p.m. July 19-23 with a closing program at 7 p.m. Friday. July 24. The program theme is “Rocky Railway.” Adult volunteers are needed for the program. Anyone interested should call the Rev. Philip Smith at 570-384-3645 or Rhonda Lescowitch at 570-956-8269. Children from age 3, if potty trained, through sixth grade are welcome to attend.

Schuylkill Haven

Liberty Fire Company, Columbia and St. James streets, will have a chicken pot pie meal beginning at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 2, drive-thru only, with only quarts of pot pie available. There will be free delivery in the Schuylkill Haven area. To order, for delivery or more information, call 570-385-3341.

Shenandoah

The borough will launch its annual street sweeping program on Friday, May 1, according to a release from the borough hall, Washington and Main streets. For more information, call 570-462-1918 or email shenboro2@ptd.net.

Sheppton

The final day to pay 2020 county/municipal and per capita tax bills in the discount period is Thursday, April 30. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in-person tax bill payment has been canceled. Property owners and residents of East Union Township are asked to mail in their tax bill payments or place them in the locked drop box outside the tax office, 80 W. Pine St. Those who want a receipt should include a self-addressed, stamped envelope with their tax bill payment or include a note for the tax collector to hold on to their receipts for future pickup.

Tamaqua

Zion Lutheran Church, Tamaqua, will host an online evening of music at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 30, on its Facebook page and website, www.ziontamaqua.com. Music will be by organists Sandy Mehalko and Patrick McMullin and vocalists Joe Mehalko and Pastor Cindy White. It will close with a sing-along hymn; there will be no live audience. The event will be recorded and available for viewing on Zion’s Facebook page and website.

The coronavirus outbreak has resulted in more people using area food pantries, while some of the organizations that supply the food have seen fewer donations, and others, more.

Jennifer Slifka, director of program services at Schuylkill Community Action, said there has been an increase in people coming for food at most of the 19 pantries in the Schuylkill Food Network, administered by Schuylkill Community Action, with some locations having 30% to 40% more people coming to receive food. She attributes the uptick mainly to new participants, or individuals who have never utilized food pantries in the past. Food is distributed at the locations monthly or bimonthly.

To meet the increased demand, organization officials have had to purchase additional food commodities from Helping Harvest, Spring Township, a regional food bank that serves Berks and Schuylkill counties. They include dairy products, frozen meats and nonperishable items like cereal, pasta, canned fruits and vegetables and beans.

They also waived the requirement for those coming to the pantries to sign up for eligibility to receive food, Slifka said.

“Anyone can come and verbally say they are in need of food assistance,” she said. “We serve anyone who is in need of food assistance as a result of the COVID-19 national emergency.”

The organization’s volunteer base at its pantries has been increased. Normally, Slifka said there are approximately 200 volunteers at the food pantries, but 50 have been added because many are elderly and can’t get to sites because of their increased susceptibility to the coronavirus, she said.

Shirley German, coordinator of the Schuylkill Haven Food Pantry, said she has seen anywhere about 180 people per month at the pantry, between the borough police station and Walk in Arts Center on Parkway. It is open 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. every third Friday of the month and Mondays. She also gets food to those who ask for it.

“When they call, I go to the food pantry and get them what they need,” German said.

Those who request food pick it up at the pantry, she added.

The need for food has also increased at the Orwigsburg Food Pantry, housed at St. John’s United Church of Christ. Coordinator Edna Hart said she estimates 20 more people are coming per month since the coronavirus outbreak hit the area. She said the pantry also gets calls “off and on” from those asking for assistance. It is run by eight Orwigsburg area churches.

Volunteers distribute food there on the third Saturday of each month to residents of the Blue Mountain School District and members of the churches that run the pantry.

Hart said calls often come when individuals see signs for the pantry.

As people are not allowed in the pantries to prevent spreading the virus, the food pantries have had to resort to curbside car distribution. Since mid-March, food is handed out at Schuylkill Food Network pantries by way of curbside distribution, with volunteers required to wear face masks and gloves, Slifka said. Social distancing is also practiced by those distributing food and the people receiving it, she added.

Volunteers at the Schuylkill Haven and Orwigsburg food pantries also distribute food by placing it in cars that drive up to the pantries. German said food given out at the Schuylkill Haven Food Pantry is placed in a box and given to people. The food delivered by the Orwigsburg Food Pantry is prepared by volunteers during the week, Hart said.

To mitigate the spread of the virus, she uses a three in one air cleaning system with a UVC light at the pantry. It includes a high efficiency particulate air, or HEPA, filter.

“It’s always on in the pantry,” Hart said.

As for people helping the pantries, Slifka said she has seen an increase in monetary and corporate donations. Recently, Vraj Hindu Temple, Wayne Township, donated $11,001 that will be used to stock the pantries and Lehigh Valley Dairy donated 200 gallons of milk to the Pottsville Area Food Pantry at the Billie Payne Community Center Tuesday. The organization has also received corporate donations of boxes for packing food. The organization is not accepting individual food donations, she said, only monetary ones from individuals.

Since the Schuylkill Haven Food Pantry relies on donations of food dropped off at area churches, food donations have dropped as they are closed, German said. The pantry is administered by the Council of Churches of Schuylkill Haven and Vicinity.

“We usually get food donations through people dropping it off at churches,” she said, adding that they can be dropped off at the pantry.

Hart said monetary donations to the Orwigsburg Food Pantry have increased, but because many people are home, food donations to the pantry have been down over the past month.

“Every penny goes towards purchasing food,” she said.

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

For Jenna Urban, keeping a schedule but remaining flexible is key as she works from home and her children learn remotely.

The Dunmore mom, teacher and parenting blogger said her children do well having a routine. But nothing is routine about the coronavirus pandemic.

“Give yourself grace and the kids grace,” she said. “We are all trying to figure it out.”

Many of the region’s schools started online learning of new curriculum in the last three weeks. Going from voluntary “enrichment and review” activities to mandatory online lessons and assignments means both parents and children have greater responsibilities.

While Urban, who teaches the computer class at Dunmore Elementary Center, adapts to teaching online, her children adapt to learning at home.

“It’s a totally different learning environment,” said Urban, whose children are in seventh, fourth and second grades. “My word of the year, for 2020, is going to be flexibility. We’ve had to adapt to this new norm of education.”

Urban’s tips for parents whose children are learning from home include:

Most districts offer pre-recorded lessons so children can watch them when it’s convenient for them. It’s OK if children don’t watch the lessons until later in the afternoon, if that’s what works best.

“What’s really important is that the kids get their schoolwork done, but not focus so much on putting a time limit to when they have to have it done by,” she said. “That will again cause more unnecessary stress on the entire family.”

Keep a schedule, but be willing to adapt and adjust.

“Make the schedule fit your family,” she said. “Don’t try to fit your family around the schedule.”

Encourage your kids to socialize by calling a friend each day. Kids have become creative using FaceTime and other video calling methods to stay in touch.

Wake up at the same time each day, and on the weekends, include some kind of educational activity as well.

Make time for children to exercise and play outside.

Be honest with teachers and keep open communication.

Kids will likely have more screen time than usual, including for lessons and communicating with friends. Continue to monitor activity online.

The National Association of School Psychologists encourages parents to stay connected to schools. Know if the school or district is providing additional resources, such as meals, or technology, including a laptop or tablet. Find out how the school is communicating with families and students. Check with children, particularly older ones, as they may receive information directly that would be helpful for the parent to know.

The American Academy of Pediatrics also reminds caregivers to take care of themselves physically by eating healthy, exercising and getting enough sleep.

“Find ways to decompress and take breaks,” according to the organization. “If more than one parent is home, take turns watching the children if possible.”

Contact the writer:

shofius@timesshamrock.com;

570-348-9133;

@hofiushallTT on Twitter

Help children continue learning

Stay in touch with your child’s school.

Many schools are offering lessons online, also called virtual learning. Review assignments from the school and help your child establish a reasonable pace for completing the work. You may need to assist your child with turning on devices, reading instructions and typing answers. Communicate challenges to your school. If you face technology or connectivity issues, or if your child is having a hard time completing assignments, let the school know.

Create a flexible schedule and routine for learning at home.

Have consistent bedtimes and get up at the same time, Monday through Friday. Structure the day for learning, free time, healthy meals and snacks and physical activity. Allow flexibility in the schedule — it’s okay to adapt based on your day.

Consider the needs and adjustment required for your child’s age group.

The transition to being at home will be different for preschoolers, K-5, middle school students and high school students. Talk to your child about expectations and how they are adjusting to being at home versus at school. Consider ways your child can stay connected with their friends without spending time in person.

Look for ways to make learning fun.

Have hands-on activities, like puzzles, painting, drawing and making things. Independent play can also be used in place of structured learning. Encourage children to build a fort from sheets or practice counting by stacking blocks. Practice handwriting and grammar by writing letters to family members. This is a great way to connect and limit face-to-face contact. Start a journal with your child to document this time and discuss the shared experience. Use audiobooks or see if your local library is hosting virtual or live-streamed reading events.

— SOURCE: U.S. CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION

Pottsville Area Development Corp. is partnering with the City of Pottsville to provide small businesses with loans of up to $5,000.

They may be used for payroll, lease payments, utility payments or operating capital. The loans are for a 24-month term, have a 1% interest rate and include six months of deferred payments.

“Mayor Muldowney approached PADCO on the possibility of a partnership to assist small businesses in the city during this difficult time,” PADCO Executive Director Savas Logothetides said in a news release Tuesday. “In less than 24 hours the PADCO board of directors approved this much needed loan allocation that is aligned with our organization’s very mission. We made the process simple and quick and hope that local businesses will take advantage of this great program.”

The goal is that within one week of being notified of approval, businesses will have the money in their hands. There is a total of $50,000 available, which will be distributed based on need for loan, order of applications received and documented ability to pay the loan back. Funds for the newly developed program, called “Pottsville Small Business Emergency Loan,” comes from PADCO’s $1.7 million revolving loan fund, created with the organization’s founding in 1984.

The loan application comes with no fees and will be made available on www.downtownpottsville.com on Thursday. The application will run until May 13, 2020, or until all funds have been dispersed. Businesses applying must be within the corporate city limits. At this time, PADCO and the city have not yet ruled out a second round of funding if the need does exist.

Logotheitides said Tuesday that another $50,000 may be made available. No employee of PADCO, nor board member, nor family member is eligible for the program.

“We are committed to helping city businesses as they recover from the economic impact of the COVID-19 health crisis. Working together, we can support and strengthen those businesses that are at the core of our local economy,” Mayor James T. Muldowney said.

“We are truly in an unprecedented time due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which makes it necessary for us to ensure our small businesses continue to thrive in Pottsville. Our great partnership with the city will allow us to provide affordable emergency funding to those businesses. I encourage all small businesses within the city to consider applying. I also ask that we, as a community, stay safe and continue to support these small businesses in whatever way we can,” said PADCO President Francesco Mercuri.

Fielding calls from 13 people Tuesday during a 70-minute telephone town hall meeting, U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser said the federal CARES Act was “a very comprehensive approach” to the coronavirus and the problems resulting from it.

“We really tried to cover all of those who are sacrificing and suffering through no fault of their own,” Meuser, R-9, Dallas, said in reviewing what Congress has done.

To the people who called, the most important parts of that legislation are the ones that put money in their pockets.

“I haven’t gotten any money yet,” said Kerry (callers gave only their first names), of New Ringgold, referring to her unemployment compensation claim, which would include $600 per week in special payments. “I just need some money.”

Meuser told her to call his Pottsville office to discuss the problem further.

Meuser, a Luzerne County Republican whose district includes all of Carbon, Columbia, Lebanon, Montour and Schuylkill counties and parts of Berks, Luzerne and Northumberland counties, held the meeting to discuss the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic. The disease originated in Wuhan, China, and has spread around the world, inflicting devastating physical and financial damage in the United States and many other countries.

He assured Adam, of Pottsville, that his stimulus check would not be taxed by the U.S. government, although he could not assure him what the state would do.

Responding to a question about sick leave from Charles, of Berwick, Meuser said his 10-day period would be with pay and that his employer would be reimbursed by the U.S. government.

Charles expressed his pleasure at that answer.

“You guys are doing a wonderful job,” he said. “We got through tougher times than this.”

The congressman also assured Lisa, of Reading, that she would get a stimulus payment in spite of her being retired.

“You will, if you’re on Social Security, ... receive a stimulus payment,” Meuser said.

He said she should receive the money in the same account into which her Social Security payment is deposited.

Finally, Meuser offered advice to all those listening.

“Take care of yourself. Take care of your family,” he said. “We need to get on the other side of this ... maintaining our economy.”

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

Upper Dauphin Area School District received nearly $10,000 to improve accessibility for remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Acting Superintendent Jared Shade said the district learned April 17 it had been awarded a $9,356 Continuity of Education Equity Grant through the state Department of Education.

“How do we provide remote education in an equitable way when not everyone has the same access? We don’t want our kids’ education to be limited by poor internet service,” Shade said.

Monday was the first full day of implementation for connectivity improvements throughout UDA’s rural district.

Shade said $3,250 was used to purchase 30 hot spot devices through Verizon. The devices were placed in district students’ homes, which had been identified as having poor access. Another $2,500 was used to buy Verizon data plans for the devices. The remaining funds were spent for Screencastify, an online video tool for teachers, and to purchase art kits for every elementary student.

Brent E. Bell, UDA’s director of athletics and administrative services, made sure the hot spot devices got delivered to families or were picked up, Shade said.

The Department of Education announced grant availability on April 6 and districts had to apply by April 10.

Meanwhile, the Weatherly Area School District received $6,550.

No other local school districts were listed as recipients in the list released at www.education.pa.gov/Schools/safeschools/emergencyplanning/COVID-19/ContinuityEducation/Pages/GrantRecipients.aspx.

According to PDE, the Continuity of Education Equity Grants “are intended to provide additional financial support to schools with the highest percentages of students unable to participate in continuity of education.”

Contact the writer: vterwilliger@republicanherald.com

Unemployment leaped to its highest point in more than five years for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre/Hazleton metro last month.

It’s bound to climb higher as analysts continue measuring the full weight of COVID-19’s burden on the local economy.

Area unemployment hit 7.1% in March, up 1.3 percentage points from February, according to preliminary figures released Wednesday by the state Department of Labor and Industry.

“We are actually seeing what is a limited effect of COVID-19,” state industry and business analyst Steven Zellers said.

March’s report has a wider margin for error, he said, because the survey size was smaller.

January 2015 was the last time unemployment reached over 7% in the metro.

If the national jobs landscape offers any clues, it’s that April’s unemployment for Northeast Pennsylvania is likely to jump even higher.

The most recent report from the U.S. Labor Department shows unemployment hit at 11% the week ending April 11.

This is not a one-month blip, said Satyajit Ghosh, a University of Scranton economist. He expects high unemployment will grip the region for the foreseeable future.

“We haven’t seen the full effect of the job loss,” he said. “It’ll be pretty high for the next few months.”

Statewide unemployment for March is also up 1.3 points to 6%. National unemployment rose nearly a whole percentage point to 4.4 percent for the month of March.

The March numbers offer a first look at COVID-19’s effects in the early days, before travel restrictions and stay-at-home orders had a chance to put the local economy in a chokehold.

Jobs located within the metro fell by only 400, seasonally adjusted, which is actually typical, Zellers said.

Leisure and hospitality took the hardest hit, down 200 jobs, not seasonally adjusted, since February, but the sector was still up 100 jobs over the year.

Over the next few months, Ghosh expects job-shedding will reveal itself in vulnerable sectors such as retail and hospitality.

Contact the writer: 570-348-9131; joconnell@timesshamrock.com; @jon_oc on Twitter

POTTSVILLE — Allowing vehicle-sale documents to be notarized remotely is a welcome change in the era of the coronavirus, according to a state notary official.

“In these times, it’s not a good idea to be within arm’s length of each other,” Marc Aronson, president of the Pennsylvania Association of Notaries, said Tuesday.

Gov. Tom Wolf signed House Bill 841, which, among other provisions, allows notaries public to facilitate vehicle sales and leases by notarizing documents online. Such notarizations are required for such transactions.

“This seems to be the right tool for the times we live in,” Aronson said.

However, Rose Hart, notary for Rottet Motors Inc., Tamaqua, does not think it will help the business much.

“A lot of people like to do things face to face,” she said. “Nobody likes to give information by the computer.”

Wolf allowed the ban on face-to-face vehicle sales and leases to remain in place. He has termed those transactions not life-essential in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

Originating in Wuhan, China, the coronavirus pandemic has swept across the world. COVID-19, the illness caused by the virus, is marked by fever, coughing and difficulty breathing.

The state Department of Health reports that, as of Wednesday, there have been 46,327 cases and 2,373 deaths in Pennsylvania from coronavirus, with 330 and five, respectively, from Schuylkill County.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that, as of Wednesday, there are 1,062,619 cases and 61,362 deaths in the country from it.

Hart said that while the virus has affected the business, the restrictions have been just as bad.

“This is so new for us. You can’t go outside and talk to anybody,” she said, adding that social distancing requirements of keeping six feet between people could have been followed while keeping the business open.

D.J. Quinter, general sales manager for Bob Weaver Chevrolet, Pottsville, said the new rule will have a short-term benefit.

“It definitely opens up the ability to do at-home deliveries,” he said.

However, Quinter said the benefit will be limited because most people want to be able to see, touch and feel the vehicle they want to buy.

“It’s going to be few and far between,” he said. “Once the stay-at-home stuff is lifted, I don’t see it affecting it at all.”

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

Ashland

The Washington Fire Company Community Ambulance Inc. is conducting its annual subscription membership drive Friday, May 1 through Sunday, May 31. Subscription forms and information have been mailed to Ashland area residents. For anyone doesn’t receive the mailing, applications are available at the following locations: Ashland Public Library, Ashland Borough Hall, M&T Bank and the Washington Fire Company Community Ambulance building, 1301 Centre St. For more information, email to David Mitten at dmitten@ptd.net.

Gordon

Trinity Academy in the Father Walter J. Ciszek Education Center, 233 W. Cherry St., Shenandoah, the sole Catholic pre-kindergarten-through-eighth-grade school for all of northern Schuylkill County, is holding open enrollment for students, extending through the beginning of the 2020-21 school year. Those interested in enrolling a child should be aware of the following age requirements: For pre-kindergarten, age 4 by Thursday, Oct. 15, 2020. The age for kindergarten is 5 and for first grade, 6. For more information, call Kay Zagroski at 570-462-3927 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Trinity Academy, according to bulletin announcements, offers a high quality education with a “Christ-centered atmosphere” that “assists parents in helping their children to live a life of discipleship centered in the Gospel of Jesus and the teachings of the Catholic Church, instill morals, and promote academic excellence.”

Hometown

The next meeting of the Hometown Fire Company Auxiliary is set for 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 14, at Basile’s Restaurant, Route 309. Dinner will begin at 6 p.m. The auxiliary has canceled a meeting scheduled for Monday, May 4, and its summer social set for Friday, June 1. For more information, call 610-704-7288.

McAdoo

Borough residents have been reminded that bulk pickups have been suspended by County Waste due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Residents should not place bulk items curbside. County Waste is trying to decrease employees’ exposure to any potentially contaminated items. The company will resume bulk pickups when the coronavirus threat has subsided. In accordance with the quality-of-life ordinance, the borough has issued a reminder that outside placement of indoor appliances or furniture is prohibited on the exterior of a property. Violations may result fines for the owner and/or occupant. Such items already placed outside must be taken back in until bulk pickup resume in the borough.

Shenandoah

The Anthony P. Damato American Legion “Medal of Honor” Post 792, 116 N. Main St., is continuing its quest to enlist new members. “Come visit our post, see what we have to offer for you and your family,” post officers said in a press release that called for Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and Merchant Marines veterans to consider joining and suggested that National Guardsmen and reservists could “continue serving your country” at the post. Veterans who belong to a post or who previously belonged to a post can transfer to the Damato post, according to the release. For more information, call 570-462-2387. Richard P. Stevens Jr. is the post commander.

4 women charged in reported assault

SHENANDOAH — Two women were arrested by Shenandoah police after officers were called to a report of an assault at 407 W. Atlantic St. around 3:40 a.m. April 19.

Police said the investigation determined that Alisha Chambers, 24, of 922 W. Race St., Pottsville, and Ashley Duran, 23, of 307 W. Coal St., Shenandoah, began to argue.

After being separated, police said, Duran began to argue with Jana Craig, 53, and Kimberly Craig, 19, both of 116 S. Gilbert St.

As a result of the incident police said Chambers and Duran were charged with disorderly conduct and public drunkenness while Jana and Kimberly Craig were charged with disorderly conduct.

Man jailed for threats with gun

SHENANDOAH — A man was jailed after being arrested by Shenandoah police for threatening to shoot his girlfriend during an argument at 437 W. Centre St. around 11:10 p.m. Saturday.

Police said the woman reported Gabriel Oliveras-Suarez, 31, was under the influence, retrieved a handgun from the second floor of the home and threatened to shoot her in the face.

Police said Oliveras-Suarez was taken into custody and charged with terroristic threats, simple assault and harassment.

He was arraigned by on-call Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko, Port Carbon, and committed to Schuylkill County Prison unable to post $25,000 bail.

Woman charged for robbery, assault

SHENANDOAH — Shenandoah police arrested a woman after an incident in the borough around 1:25 a.m. Saturday.

Police said officers were called to the Turkey Hill store for a report of an assault and, as a result of the investigation, charged Kaitlyn Collins, 27, who has no fixed address, with robbery, simple assault, possession of drug paraphernalia and summary offenses.

Police said Collins forced her way into a room at the store that is closed to the public and took several packs of cigarettes.

When confronted, police said, Collins began to strike a woman, causing damage to the woman’s cellphone, store equipment and merchandise.

When taken into custody police said Collins was found with two hypodermic syringes in her possession.

She was arraigned by on-call Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko, Port Carbon, and committed to Schuylkill County Prison unable to post $50,000 straight cash bail, police said.

Man arrested for shots fired incident

SHENANDOAH — A Pottsville man was jailed Monday after being arrested by Shenandoah Police as the result of an investigation into a report of shots fired at a home in July of 2019.

Police said Robert Calcano, 27, of 480 N. Claude A. Lord Blvd. was charged with felony crimes of receiving stolen property and persons not to possess firearms. Calcano was arraiged by Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker, Shenandoah, and committed to Schuylkill County Prison unable to post $50,000 straight cash bail.

Police said they obtained a warrant for Calcano’s arrest on Monday, and he was taken into custody that same day at a home on West Market Street by Pottsville Police.

Man charged for gun sale incident

HEGINS — Hegins Township police charged an Ashland man stemming from an incident on March 19 in Hegins.

Police said Charles Pond Jr., 52, of Walnut Street, was charged with felony sale or transfer of firearms and misdemeanor offenses of unsworn falsification to authorities and persons not to possess, use, manufacture, control, sell or transfer firearms.

Police said Pond tried to purchase a firearm and prepared the federal and state forms that are required for such a transaction.

Ponds allegedly provided false information on the forms and was denied the purchase, police said.

Pond was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge David Rossi, Tremont, and released on $5,000 unsecured bail, police said.

Man charged for recording neighbor

HEGINS — Hegins Township police arrested Richard G. Pluck, 36, of Park Road, Valley View, and charged him with a felony count of interception, disclosure or use of wire, electronic or oral communications in connection with an incident in Valley View on March 24.

Police said Pluck allegedly went to a neighbor’s house during the late evening hours to confront him about an issue and surreptitiously audio and video recorded his conversation with the neighbor without his neighbor’s knowledge of the recording or permission to be recorded.

Pluck was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge David Rossi, Tremont, and released on $5,000 unsecured bail, police said.

Hamburg police detail incidents

HAMBURG — Hamburg police reported responded to approximately 66 calls for assistance between April 10 and 16.

The calls for service included one abandoned vehicle, one civil issue, one domestic incident, one fire, one hazardous materials incident and one lost property incident.

Among the most notable incidents was a trespassing incident at the Hamburg Watershed around 7 a.m. April 12.

Officers found eight people trespassing and arrested all for trespassing. Those charged were Michael Grothusen, 54, of Erdenheim; Christian Beasley, 28, of New York; Emilia Folkerts, 19, of New Jersey; William Lauzon, 23, of New Jersey; Duncan McLeod, 23, of Florida; James Conte, 23, of New Jersey; Elise Beasley, 23, of New Jersey; and Nina Conte, 21, of Kempton, police said.

On April 10, police said, a theft was reported by a woman who said an ex-boyfriend left her residence with several items that belonged or her with the intent to sell them.

Police said the items were returned and the incident resolved without the need of an arrest.

Finally, police said they investigated another trespass incident at the Hamburg Watershed around 7:40 a.m. April 13.

As a result, police said, they charged Noel Karpa, 20, of Summit Hill, and Hunter White, 23, of Bethel, with trespassing.

POTTSVILLE — The recreation commission is organizing a scavenger hunt throughout the city to get residents outside while still staying safe amidst the coronavirus outbreak.

Starting Friday, and continuing through the month, a riddle will be posted to the Pottsville Recreation Commission, City of Pottsville and JFK Recreation Facility Facebook pages. The answer to each is at a site in the city, including statues, buildings and parks. Prominent residents and community heroes will also be highlighted.

Participants who solve the riddle may take a picture at the site and post it in the comment section below the riddle post on the pages. Families who post a picture will be entered into a raffle, with winners announced on the Facebook pages Fridays.

Recreation Director Noralea Matz said the idea formed last week during a conversation among herself, her daughter, Jill Freeman, a Recreation Commission member, Councilman Joseph Devine, the council’s director of parks and public property and City Administrator Thomas A. Palamar.

Matz said with the city’s annual Easter egg hunt canceled and Fitness Challenge postponed, the hunt is a way for people to get out of their homes, while promoting history and fitness.

“A lot of places are historical in the city,” she said, adding the riddles will take people throughout Pottsville, not just the downtown area.

Devine said the scavenger hunt “gets people active,” adding that it can be done on one’s own time.

Matz said commission members are still figuring out prizes, but one of them will be an Amazon Fire tablet. They can be claimed at city hall on North Centre Street or at the JFK Recreation Facility, with only pictures posted the day of the riddle’s posting counted for a prize. Families can only submit one picture per day.

Residents are asked to follow social distancing guidelines while participating. Commission members ask that if someone is already at a location getting a photo, wait six feet away until the person has left.

“We’re hoping people get out and do (the scavenger hunt) safely,” Matz said.

Matz said anyone with ideas for future recreation events can send a message to the JFK Recreation Facility or Recreation Commission Facebook pages.

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