POTTSVILLE — Schuylkill County leaders agree that Gov. Tom Wolf’s announcement Monday that Pennsylvania will give $225 million to small businesses will provide some, but not a lot, of help in the recovery from the economic problems caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

And state Sen. David G. Argall, who has been critical of Wolf’s decisions during the pandemic, said the program wouldn’t even be necessary “if the governor had followed the example of so many other states and not closed down so many employers and employees in the first place.”

Commissioners Chairman George F. Halcovage Jr., himself a small-business owner, said any recovery from the economic impacts of coronavirus must center on small businesses.

“I think anything will help,” he said. “We need to get things back to normal as soon as we can.”

Darlene J. Robbins, president of the Northeast PA Manufacturers and Employers Association, welcomes the program.

“I think any grant program for small businesses is wonderful,” she said. “It’s an impetus to get some businesses to open their doors and bring back their employees.”

Who gets the money

Wolf said that of the $225 million, $100 million would be allocated to the Main Street Business Revitalization Programs, $100 million for the Historically Disadvantaged Business Revitalization Program and $25 million for the Loan Payment Deferment and Loss Reserve Program.

“We can really start to focus on recovery,” Wolf said.

The Main Street program is intended to help businesses that sustained losses from Wolf’s March 19 order closing all nonlife-sustaining businesses. They also must have costs incurred or to be incurred from reopening, according to Wolf.

“This will help businesses that have experienced losses,” he said.

The Historically Disadvantaged program sets aside $100 million for businesses that, in addition to meeting the requirements of the Main Street program, are at least 51% owned by socially and economically disadvantaged people who also control management and daily business operations.

“These businesses were often hit the hardest,” Wolf said.

The Loan Payment program will provide $25 million through 17 community development financial institutions whose primary work is helping small businesses.

Robert S. Carl Jr., president and chief executive officer of the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce, has reservations about that program, saying the closest such institution is in Scranton.

“We have no relationship with them at this time,” he said. “How do Schuylkill County businesses access the money? None of the economic development partners are familiar with them. They’re more urban related. How’s this going to play out for a rural county?”

Carl called it “a press release without a mechanism.”

“Without more information, I’m not going to claim it as a great thing,” he said.

Some won’t recover

Questioned after his announcement, Wolf, who ran his family business before being elected governor in 2014, said he did not know how many businesses will not be able to recover from the pandemic.

“That’s a legitimate concern,” he said. “I know that even a week’s time (closed) creates a lot of concerns.”

Robbins is not certain how long recovery will take.

“I think that’s going to have to be measured,” she said.

She, too, is concerned about the long-term impact.

“There may be some (businesses) that will not be able to come back,” she said.

Argall said Wolf is to blame for those problems, too.

“The governor’s unilateral shutdown order — without the support of the public, the House, the Senate and our local governments — has been detrimental to many of our local employers. Some have been forced to shut down, while others may take years to recover,” he said. “The governor’s secretive waiver process punished small employers while their larger competitors were allowed to stay open. Some employers in the same industry were granted a waiver while others were denied.”

Shop local

Halcovage encouraged people to shop locally to enable small businesses to survive and said that will be easier when the county is moved to the green phase of the recovery.

“I think ... all the metrics show we’re ready to go,” he said.

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

Altamont

The Altamont Fire Company, 215 S. Green St., will have a sale of sausage subs and other items from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, June 27. To order or for information on the menu and pricing, call 570-874-4384.

McAdoo

With the cancelation of the recent meeting of the McAdoo Sewer Authority, residents who have concerns that must be addressed should call 570-929-1004.

Nuremberg

The Nuremberg-Weston Volunteer Fire Company will have a takeout-only potato cake and homemade macaroni and cheese sale on Friday, June 12. Orders must be made by 7 p.m. today, June 9, via the company’s Facebook page or by calling Rhonda at 570-384-3913.

Pottsville

St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church will have a drive- or walk-thru spaghetti dinner from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday, June 14, at the parish center, 319 Mahantongo St. For more information, call the church at 570-622-1802.

Summit Station

The Summit Station Fire Company will have its Kids’ Junior Fire Camp for children ages 9-15 with registration from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 11 at the company site, 88 Fire House Road. The camp will be held from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. July 22, 23 and 24. Participating youngsters will get a uniform and water bottle for the camp and learn about firefighting and fire prevention, according to an event release. For more information, email Assistant Chief Bryan Dronick at bdronick@summitstationfire.com.

HARRISBURG — State Rep. Jerry Knowles announced Monday that his legislation to eliminate a liquor licensee surcharge to national veterans’ organizations and volunteer fire companies was signed by Gov. Tom Wolf and is now law.

House Bill 1048, now Act 29 of 2020, would amend Act 39 of 2016 that requires a $700 renewal surcharge for all licenses that are renewed or validated on an annual basis.

“It is my hope that this legislation will assist these organizations to continue to be viable assets to our community,” Knowles, R-124, Rush Township, said in a news release. “Prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic, our first responders are working 24/7 to keep us safe and healthy. We owe it to them to do everything in our power to grow their ranks in order to ensure responders will always be there to answer the call. Our veterans’ organizations also do so much to support our communities.”

Bob Leshko, fire chief and treasurer of McAdoo Fire Company, said Knowles’ bill is a big help to volunteer fire companies who have canteens.

“The coronavirus pandemic has caused a financial loss for our department. Removing this surcharge will allow us to use that money to protect the public, rather than forcing us to fall deeper in debt,” Leshko said.

The lawmaker stressed that state fire officials estimate that volunteer firefighters save Pennsylvania communities about $10 billion annually.

“These people save lives and help people. We must continue to address staffing and funding challenges facing these vital public safety organizations,” he said.

Knowles is also the prime sponsor of House Bill 1189, which unanimously passed the House in April and is awaiting consideration by the Senate. The bill would address issues with recruitment, retention and training of volunteer fire and emergency medical services personnel.

POTTSVILLE — A campaign has begun to consider the possibility of establishing home rule for Schuylkill County, with proponents saying it would provide greater local control and management in matters that affect county residents.

The Better Schuylkill PAC (political action committee) issued a news release saying the county government for too long has overtaxed by millions of dollars.

“The crushing burden of property taxation and other fees and levies imposed by the courthouse is no longer tolerable. We know we cannot rely on the politicians to lighten our load because they have yet to do so,” it reads. “So it’s time for taxpayers to take the bull by the horns and force the courthouse to live within its means and operate cleanly so that our future will be prosperous.”

Better Schuylkill, founded in 2019, states on its Facebook page its intent “to make Schuylkill County a better place to live, work and raise a family. Improvement begins and ends with electing men and women of integrity, who devote themselves selflessly to our prosperity.”

Neighboring Luzerne County is the closest under home rule, which went into effect in 2012. The charter approval resulted in the abolishing of the board of county commissioners and replaced it with a council-manager government. The council there is comprised of 11 elected members who appoint a full-time manager that oversees day-to-day operations.

Other regional counties under home rule are Lackawanna, Lehigh and Northampton. There are seven home rule counties in the state.

In last week’s primary election, voters in Mahanoy City, by a margin of nine votes, 353-344, approved a home rule charter, which will go into effect Jan. 2. The charter transfers the basic authority to act in municipal affairs from state law (borough code), as set forth by the Pennsylvania General Assembly, to the local charter, drafted and adopted by a municipality’s voters. Mahanoy City is the first municipality in the county to approve and establish a home rule charter, which includes reducing council from seven to five members, the elimination of the office of mayor, the ability to set tax rates and other procedures.

Efforts to establish a home rule form of government failed in the county in the 1980s and 1990s.

Petition to circulate

Beginning June 16, a home rule petition will circulate calling for an independent study commission to be formed in November, according to the news release. The commission would summon courthouse officials to public hearings to examine how they are managing taxpayers’ money and affairs.

The commission would propose reforms, such as term limits on elected officials; the elimination of unneeded, expensive bureaucracy; greater transparency of the inner workings of the courthouse; a mandatory independent financial audit; publishing all government contracts on the county website and more.

“It’s overdue for the taxpayers who are overburdened by county taxation,” said Better Schuylkill spokesperson Joe Sterns. “We in Schuylkill County are overtaxed and underserved, and it’s time we take the bull by the horns and force the courthouse to live within its means.”

The petition drive must collect a minimum of 2,500 signatures within a seven-week period in order for the referendum to be placed on the November ballot. The question would read:

“Shall a government study commission of seven members be elected to study the existing form of government of Schuylkill County, to consider the advisability of the adoption of a home rule charter and, if advisable, to draft and to recommend a home rule charter for Schuylkill County?”

As with the home rule process in Mahanoy City, candidates to fill the study commission, if approved, would be on a later ballot for selection by county voters.

The home rule petition can be seen and downloaded at www.betterschuylkill.com. The organization also has a Facebook page (Better Schuylkill PAC).

For more information on the initiative, contact Better Schuylkill at 717-497-0806 or betterschuylkill@gmail.com.

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

An organization that represents Catholic dioceses across the state says the state Department of Education unlawfully and unjustly distributed federal emergency money meant to also help students at private schools.

The Diocese of Allentown Office of Education estimates that the 40 schools in the diocese will receive $2 million less than it should, due to the way the funds were distributed by the Wolf Administration. In the Diocese of Scranton, the distribution method used amounts to a loss of as much as $800,000, according to the diocese.

Statewide, Catholic and other nonpublic schools should be allotted $66 million, instead of $19 million, the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference contends.

“There was plenty of money to go around and help every child,” said Sean McAleer, education director for the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference, which has asked the U.S. Department of Education to intervene. “Our kids’ lives matter too.”

Pennsylvania received $523.8 million through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, and distributed funds in a way proportional to what schools receive in federal Title I money. That means that districts with larger populations of low-income students received more money.

Private schools can qualify for Title I money, but only if the low-income student also needs additional academic support, McAleer explained. Public schools do not need to demonstrate academic needs to receive those Title I funds.

Because Catholic schools receive less in Title I support, distributing the CARES funding in a manner proportional to Title I funding levels created an equity problem, McAleer said.

Congress wanted states to distribute the CARES Act funding equitably to all schools — both public and private, McAleer said. If schools received the same per-pupil allotment statewide, Catholic and other nonpublic schools should be allotted $66 million, instead of $19 million, he said. That money is funneled through school districts or intermediate units, which then purchase the supplies or perform the services for the private schools. The private schools do not receive the funding directly.

As schools prepare for some type of reopening this fall, Catholic schools wish to acquire online learning platforms and technology, along with instituting more health and safety precautions if students return to the physical buildings. Catholic schools are in danger of closing, as parents struggle to pay tuition and parish fundraising drops due to the pandemic, McAleer said.

“We’re really being affected now, and it’s a shame,” he said.

The Pennsylvania Catholic Conference filed a formal complaint with the state Department of Education, which issued a denial last week. The organization has now made an appeal to the federal government.

In the denial of the complaint, the state Department of Education contends the distribution of funding followed official federal guidelines.

Farm market vouchers will soon be available to eligible Schuylkill County older adults. However, because of the coronavirus pandemic, there will not be a public distribution this year.

Applicants must complete an application (printed with this article) and return it to Diakon Community Services through mail, email or fax.

Diakon staff will review and process the applications and mail vouchers to people who qualify.

Those eligible must turn 60 before Dec. 31 of this year and be a county resident. Income guidelines for eligibility are $23,606 for a single-person household and $31,894 for a two-person household. Eligibility includes total income including investment interest, wages and Social Security and similar distributions. The program does not include older adults living in nursing care centers or other residential facilities in which meals are provided.

All completed applications must be returned to Diakon before Sept. 23 at 118 S. Centre St., Pottsville 17901 or via email to CSS@diakon.org or fax to 1-570-624-3011.

Application forms are available at www.diakon.org/community-services on Diakon Community Services’ Facebook page, and at the following locations:

• Redner’s Warehouse Markets: 191 Manheim Road, Schuylkill Haven, and 1 Gold Star Highway, Shenandoah.

• Boyer’s Food Stores, customer service desk: 150 E. Center St., Ashland; 550 W. Oak St., Frackville; 318 S. Hancock St., McAdoo; 329 S. Liberty St., Orwigsburg; 131-134 W. Main St., Schuylkill Haven; 600 W. Center St., Shenandoah; 210 Cedar St., Tamaqua; and Yorkville, 2247 W. Market St., Pottsville.

• BG’s Value Market, 24 Pleasant Valley Road, Pine Grove.

• Mahanoy City Food Store, 28 S. Main St., Mahanoy City.

As in past years, Diakon is administering the 2020 Senior Farm Market Nutrition Program. The vouchers are a program of the state Department of Agriculture.

For more information, contact Diakon at 570-624-3063.

Diakon Community Services operates various local programs under contract with the Schuylkill County Office of Senior Services, with funding from the state Department of Aging.

POTTSVILLE — City officials are taking steps to help restaurants offer outdoor dining while Schuylkill County is in the yellow phase of coronavirus reopening.

Council members Monday agreed to allow outdoor seating at restaurants, and to lift a rule prohibiting the consumption of alcoholic beverages or having an open container of alcohol at the Wells Fargo parking lot on Centre Street from 4 to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, beginning Monday through Aug. 31. Councilwoman Dottie Botto was absent, with votes in favor being cast at the virtual meeting by councilmen Mark Atkinson, Dave Clews, Joe Devine and Mayor James T. Muldowney.

They further voted to create an application to allow businesses to participate in the Pottsville Dines Out program, a city initiative to increase restaurant capacity by using public sidewalks, parking lots and streets for dining.

The revised rules on alcoholic beverages stipulate that social distancing must be observed and participating establishments must comply with regulations set by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.

Restaurants wishing to apply for outdoor seating have to include tables and chairs constructed for outdoor use, tables must be placed 6 feet apart, seating must allow for 5 feet of unobstructed pedestrian passage, and decor must be safely placed and maintained. Under the Pottsville Dines Out initiative, signage would indicate an eating area is reserved for customers of participating restaurants only, with additional rules posted for social distancing and sanitization. An application filed by the property owner with the city administrator has to be completed, with participation in the program ensuring tables and chairs are available for customers.

Other rules outlined in the program include the requirement that no more than four people can sit at a table, and standing and congregating is not allowed.

City Administrator Thomas A. Palamar said prior to the votes the initiative would make it easier for businesses to use their own outdoor space to put in more seating, streamlining to procedures to allow the process to be done quickly, within 24 hours, compared to the normal 30 days. It also creates opportunities for businesses to expand dining to nontraditional areas such as streets or parking lots.

He said it is “the first step in helping businesses recover from the COVID-19 shutdown,” adding it can be revised along the way.

Pottsville Area Redevelopment Corp. Executive Director Savas Logothetides said the initiative is not only an opportunity for restaurants, but other small businesses, noting the success of a similar program rolled out in Harrisburg. Logothetides owns Wheel restaurant on West Market Street.

Outdoor, in-person dining at restaurants and retail food service businesses is allowed in counties in the yellow phase of Gov. Tom Wolf’s reopening plan.

In other business, council members agreed to allow Palamar to apply for a state Department of Environmental Protection permit to repair the portion of Progress Avenue damaged by underground flooding two years ago.

Palamar said city officials are “clear to go” on the work.

They also agreed on an application to the state Department of Community and Economic Development for the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act to provide additional funding for city officials to respond to the coronavirus pandemic.

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

AdviseMint to host economist

ORWIGSBURG — Lori Smith, managing partner of AdviseMint Financial Partners, whose local office is at 1253 Centre Turnpike, has announced that AdviseMint will host accomplished economist Quincy Krosby, Ph.D., chief market strategist for Prudential Financial, at 4 p.m. Thursday, June 11, for a virtual question/answer session on her May 2020 commentary, “The Path to Recovery.”

Those interested can submit questions to AdviseMintFinancial@WRAdvisors.com.

The event will be hosted through Cisco Webex, but can also be attended through a conference call line. To register for the event, visit https://bit.ly/3gAeMKz.

AdviseMint Financial Partners can be reached at 570-622-0602, or by email at AdviseMintFinancial@WRAdvisors.com or online at AdviseMintFinancial.com.

Francesco N. Mercuri, CFP, an AdviseMint partner, is at the local AdviseMint office.

Chamber slates golf tournament

BARNESVILLE — The annual golf tournament of the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce is set for Friday, July 10, at Mountain Valley Golf Course, according to a flier forwarded by the chamber’s Danielle Laudeman.

The 8-inch cup, four-person scramble will have a shotgun start at 10 a.m. following an 8 a.m. continental breakfast. There will be lunch on the course and dinner following.

The sponsor is Capital Blue with various other sponsorships.

For information on prices and to make reservations, contact Laudeman by calling 570-622-1942 or emailing dlaudeman@schuylkillchamber.com.

Walk In center plans walk/run

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — The Walk In Art Center will host the “Princess & Pirate Walk/Run for the Walk In” from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, and has issued a call via flier for handmade and artist vendors.

Organizers said the event will be on Parkway in the community and vendors will be set up outside on the grass patches near the center at 220 Parkway. Vendors must bring their own tables, chairs, displays and other items.

If the center is unable to host the event on Aug. 22, the rain date will be June 26, 2021, according to the flier.

To register online, go to: walkinartcenter.org/events/Event%20Registration/#!/Handmade-Vendor-Call-Out-Princess-Pirate-Walk-&-Run-for-the-Walk-In-August-22/p/198946173/category=15365366.

People may call the center at 570-732-3728 or email information@walkinartcenter.com.

Chamber plans ‘annual celebration’

POTTSVILLE — The Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce has announced via flier that its 2020 celebration is set for Friday, Aug. 7, at Mountain Valley Golf Course, Barnesville.

It will include a cocktail period at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner, a program and music from 6 to 11 p.m.

In the flier, the chamber’s Danielle Laudeman explained that due to regulations regarding the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, events have been rescheduled and it has combined its annual luncheon and fire and ice ball into one event called the celebration, which officials hope will be marked annually.

For more information, email Laudeman at dlaudeman@schuylkillchamber.com.

‘Turtle Time’ at Walk In

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — The Walk In Art Center, 220 Parkway, has slated “It’s Turtle Time,” an online needle felting class using Zoom, for 6 p.m. Thursday, June 25, according to an event flier.

Organizers said participants should be familiar enough with Zoom so they can log in with a provided link and follow along.

Contactless pickup of the felting kit will be available at the center through June 19. The kit can be mailed for an additional fee.

For more information and kit pickup time, call the center at 570-732-3728.

POTTSVILLE — Renovations are underway to the front vestibule at city hall, with plywood in front of the entrance to the building at 401 N. Centre St.

City Administrator Thomas A. Palamar said Monday that street department employees have been working since last Wednesday on repairing the entrance way, taking out the front door and flooring in the process.

The work involves putting in a new door and restoring some of the original architectural features in the vestibule. A new floor with clear glass will allow visitors to see part of the building’s original marble flooring, which was covered when city hall was renovated to make the entrance handicap-accessible.

A sign at the boarded-up entrance advises the public about the renovations, with a note stating, “We hope to be open in the near future!” A few street department employees were working on the renovations Monday.

City hall has been closed to the public since March to curb the spread of the coronavirus, with residents advised to call or send an email if they need assistance or visit www.city.pottsville.pa.us. Payments can be placed in a dropbox behind a slot in the plywood.

Palamar said with city hall closed to the public, it was easier to do the work now.

The renovations are not an inconvenience to those working in city hall, he added, as they use side entrances to access the buildings.

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

A Mahanoy Area High School junior scored in the top 10 in the state in two categories at the Envirothon Challenge.

Maddison Quick placed ninth in both aquatic ecology and forestry in her first attempt at the challenge. She was the only student from Schuylkill County to place.

“It was a unique and positive experience to be a part of, and it was exceptionally well planned out,” she said. Her overall score was 425 out of 500.

“I live in a rural area so I grew up seeing and interacting with wildlife and the environment. It is interesting to know more about what I have seen and what I continue to see,” Quick, of Park Place, said.

More than 300 participants representing 110 schools in 47 counties competed in Pennsylvania’s first-ever weeklong online Envirothon Challenge, including Mahanoy Area, Blue Mountain, Minersville Area and Nativity BVM.

Each day they completed a 20-question quiz that focused on one of the five station topics: soils and land use, current issues, wildlife, aquatic ecology and forestry. Results were released May 27.

Cathy Stone, Mahanoy Area’s Envirothon adviser for 14 years, said the district competes each year with six teams — two each from elementary, intermediate and high school.

This year was different because of COVID-19, she said. The Schuylkill County Envirothon is normally held in the spring at the county fairgrounds in Summit Station and the county winners advance to the state level.

“In April we heard that PA Envirothon was going to hold an online competition. Since I didn’t know the stress levels of my students and their technology capabilities at home, I advertised for competitors on my webpage, the school’s Facebook page and with our ‘news anchors,’ students who livestreamed announcements on our school’s Facebook page. Maddison and her brother, Cael, were the two students who responded,” Stone said.

She set up a Google classroom to communicate with them and to send materials to study and videos to review. The tests were sent at 1 p.m. and had to be finished by 5 p.m., according to Stone.

“During the week of the actual test, PA Envirothon sent daily links to the online tests to the conservation districts. Porcupine Pat (Patrick McKinney) then emailed me and I emailed the students,” Stone said. McKinney is environmental education coordinator for the Schuylkill Conservation District.

Quick received a gift card from PA Envirothon for placing in the top 10.

“I’m proud of her; she did well in this individual competition,” Stone said in an email Monday.

Quick is the daughter of Samuel and Tracey Quick. She’s a distinguished honor roll student and a member of the National Honor Society, student council, Interact Club, Spanish Club, Students Against Destructive Decisions, Teens Against Tobacco and theater arts, and is a majorette. She was captain of the Bears’ swim team and is a member of the basketball, track and field and cross country teams. She is an acolyte at Faith UCC Church in Delano.

Prizes for the top scores were awarded for each day. The top 10 scorers each received a $20 gift card.

The top three overall winners, who also won Pennsylvania Envirothon apparel, and their scores were: first place: Maddie Tiemann, Neshaminy High School, Bucks County, 480; second place: Nicholas DeFigio, Brownsville Area High School, Fayette County, 475: and third place: Ethan Olesko, Brownsville Area High School, Fayette County, 470.

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

For those who had to postpone vacations abroad because of COVID-19, or who want to become more worldly after months stuck at home, the pandemic could provide an opportunity to start learning a new language.

Marzia Caporale, Ph.D., a French and Italian professor in the University of Scranton’s Department of World Languages and Cultures who also speaks English and Spanish fluently, offered several tips to people who hope to learn a foreign language. They include:

Download language-learning applications: There are several available smartphone applications perfect for people beginning the process of learning a new language, Caporale said, noting apps allow users to learn at their own pace and repeat basic instructions.

Caporale specifically recommended two apps — Doulingo and Babbel — that offer free lessons and premium courses that users can buy as they continue to learn. The apps are a good self-study tool, especially for beginners, she said.

Practice vocabulary and common phrases first: Caporale recommended beginner language learners practice basic words, numbers, expressions and common phrases first. This is an effective way to learn simple but practical language skills, such as how to express likes and dislikes, ask directions or order food in a different language, she said.

“When we teach beginners, that’s how the new teaching methods are structured,” Caporale said. “Most people that want to learn a language ... are looking for something practical that they can maybe use.”

Watch foreign-language television: Netflix and other streaming services offer a range of foreign-language programs with English subtitles that can be both entertaining and instructive. It’s unlikely you’ll learn a language strictly by watching TV, but Caporale said listening to actors speak another language is a good way to train your ear and identify words and phrases in context.

“If you have even just a real basic knowledge of the language, by hearing it ... with the English subtitles underneath you can start finding correspondence,” she said.

Contact the writer:

jhorvath@timesshamrock.com;

570-348-9141;

@jhorvathTT on Twitter

Moses Taylor Hospital, Scranton

To Brian and Debbie Phillips Langan, Dunmore, a daughter, May 19. Maternal grandparents are Earl and Lorraine Phillips, Auburn. Paternal grandparents are Ann and Michael Langan, Scranton.

PORT CARBON — One man was jailed and two others are facing charges after a raid in Port Carbon on Saturday that netted illegal narcotics, weapons and more, police said.

Sergio Dezmond Rivera, 28, of 129 Jackson St., Port Carbon, is charged with one felony count of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, two felony counts of persons not to possess, use, manufacture, transfer or sell firearms, and one misdemeanor count each of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Joseph Generella, 41, and Kimberly Cook, 37, both of Pottsville, will be charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Police said those charges will be filed with Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko, Port Carbon.

Police said the charges followed the 9 a.m. execution of a search warrant at the home of Rivera by the Schuylkill County Drug Task Force, the Schuylkill County Sheriff’s Office, police officers from Minersville and Port Carbon and the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General’s Bureau of Narcotics Investigation.

Police said two teams of officers entered the front of the home armed with the warrant, prompting Rivera and Generella to flee out the back, where they were immediately arrested. While being taken into custody, Rivera threw a glass methamphetamine smoking pipe onto the deck of an adjoining property, police said.

Cook was found in the home and arrested.

A search of Rivera found 21 bags of suspected heroin, two larger bags of suspected methamphetamine, $93 in cash and drug paraphernalia, police said.

In the home, officers found a modified Savage 30-30 rifle, a 12-gauge Mossberg shotgun with a pistol grip, numerous boxes of ammunition and a large number of rifle and pistol magazines.

They also found drug paraphernalia, smoking devices and a piece of granite with suspected methamphetamine chopped out in lines, police said.

Police said Rivera agreed to allow officers to search his Kia Sorrento, where more suspected methamphetamine was recovered.

In a shed near the vehicle, with the door open, officers found a digital scale and a cellphone.

The evidence was secured at the Port Carbon Police Department and will be taken to a state police crime laboratory for testing.

Rivera was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge James Ferrier, Orwigsburg, and committed to Schuylkill County Prison in lieu of $20,000 straight cash bail.

Port Carbon Chief Joseph Ferraro reminds all residents to report any suspicious activity to his department by calling 570-622-5411. All information will remain confidential.

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

As Geisinger resumes operations at its clinics, hospitals and outpatient centers, it is temporarily modifying routine in-person visits while still encouraging “visits” by phone calls, Facetime, Skype or other means.

Visitors will be allowed for:

• Patients undergoing surgery or procedures (one single-time visitor immediately after the procedure)

• Patients who are medically unstable (one visitor)

• Patients who are at the end of life (two visitors)

• Delivering mothers (one support person)

• Patients who are minors and those with limited decisional capacity (up to two parents or guardians)

• Patients who have altered mental status, an intellectual, developmental or cognitive disability or a communication barrier (one visitor)

• Patients with disruptive behavior, where a family member is key to their care (one visitor)

Approved visitors are subject to the following guidelines:

• Be 18 years of age or older and in good health

• Bring a form of identification

• Not have symptoms of fever, cough, shortness of breath, recent loss of taste or smell or flu-like illness suggestive of COVID-19

• Not have active COVID-19 infection

• Be symptom-free for at least 14 days if they previously had active COVID-19 infection

• Complete health screening, including a temperature check, at the entrance before entry

• Wear a mask at all times while in the facility

• Respect social distancing guidelines of 6 feet from all others

• Wash hands with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer before entering and after leaving a patient’s room

• Use the same entrance for entry into and exit from the hospital

• Identify themselves and stay in designated areas.

Patients who have an appointment at a Geisinger facility and those visiting the emergency department may have one person accompany them.

Phased reopenings

Geisinger is continuing a phased reopening of doctors’ offices and specialty clinics, including in cases where they were consolidated or relocated.

In addition to what’s outlined above relative to visitors. Geisinger says it will do “deep cleanings” several times a day. Also, appointment times are expanded to include early-morning and evening appointments.

Geisinger continues to offer telemedicine options and free prescription delivery and no-contact curbside prescription pick up at Geisinger Pharmacy locations.

Facilities that reopened last week in Schuylkill County include Geisinger Cancer Services, Pottsville; Geisinger Orwigsburg and Geisinger Radiology Services.

POTTSVILLE — The 12 graduates of Gillingham Charter School were celebrated Tuesday with a virtual graduation ceremony.

Conducted via the Zoom videoconferencing platform, it began with a prelude slideshow of the students, set to the song “Home” by Philip Phillips, the class song. A second slideshow — which showed the graduates in caps and gowns — was set to “Pomp and Circumstance.” A recording of “41 Trompeten Duette,” performed by music teacher Tyler Shaull, was also played.

In her opening remarks, Executive Director Nicolle Hutchinson called the graduates the “roaring Class of 2020,” adding that although their senior year was halted due to the coronavirus pandemic, “you weren’t.”

She announced the class gift of a free little library, a small barn filled with books that can be taken out that will be put on campus. In her remarks, Director of Education Cassandra Shive recalled meeting the graduates as seventh-graders. Participants in the ceremony were invited to sing along to the lyrics of the class song that were printed on their computer screens.

A presentation of each graduate was recorded by school staff, who spoke about each student and was followed by each student dressed in a cap gown giving a prerecorded speech, with degrees conferred virtually.

A slideshow of the students holding their diplomas was shown as Hutchinson and board President Scott Herbert announced each graduate’s name. Each graduate was recorded giving a pin that they could give a person who has had an impact on their life during the ceremony. It concluded with Hutchinson, Herbert and Shive asking the graduates to stand and turn their tassels.

Director of Organizational Development Krista Bevan said prior to the ceremony, a summer picnic will be held for the graduates, but the school is awaiting further guidelines from the state.

Gillingham’s class officers are President Maria Salmeron, Vice President Alaina Walton and Secretary Sam Hudock. The class adviser is Vanessa Nguyen and class color is tie dye.

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

A Penn State Schuylkill educator has opened a campus seed bank with hopes to mitigate local food insecurity.

Mary Ann Smith, a biology and chemistry lecturer, intends to share free, heirloom seeds with the community. The seed bank will serve as a “no-cost library,” provided that people who ask for the seeds from the bank, in turn, share some of their seeds.

Smith’s idea launched after she saw a story about Bloomsburg’s efforts to create something similar.

“My thought was, Schuylkill County could really benefit from this as Penn State Schuylkill’s students and community suffer from food insecurity. If we can help them afford seeds, then this could be a step to help. In addition, it’s a great way for us to help biodiversity by protecting heirloom varieties of plants,” said Smith, of Throop.

Anyone interested can check out the website, sites.psu.edu/slseedbanklibrary; or email Smith at mvs14@psu.edu. The website elaborates on the library concept and lists the seeds available.

Since the coronavirus pandemic hit, many of Smith’s plans have changed, she said. Right now she is operating the library out of her household’s large freezer. If gardeners would like to get a sample of a particular seed, they should email her with their information, and she will get the seeds out to them by U.S. mail.

“I truly hope that, as we grow over the next years — hopefully in an environment with less restrictions than this pandemic one — that we can have people stop by the campus to learn more about the seeds and gardening and even visit our community garden. Right now, the goal is to help some local people gain knowledge about gardening and heirloom plants,” Smith said in an email Tuesday.

There’s still time for area gardeners to try some of Smith’s varieties. Every plant has a different timetable for the latest when it can be planted for this growing season.

“The unpredictable October makes this harder. I’m trying to keep our website up to date with what can go in. We can still do a lot into July, then it becomes only the winter crops like lettuce, broccoli and radishes. I’m expecting by the end of August, we’ll be done for the season. If people can get a hold of me earlier, then of course that would be better.”

Unfortunately, the program is not set up to accept excess produce from a harvest, she said.

“What I do hope for is that anyone who receives help and has a harvest, can send an envelope with some dried seeds back to the campus, so we can keep the library going,” Smith said.

She will post instructions online explaining how to donate seeds back to the library.

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

POTTSVILLE — City officials are reminding the public that some outdoor recreational facilities are off limits during the coronavirus pandemic.

All playgrounds, parks, basketball and tennis courts remain closed, City Administrator Thomas A. Palamar said. Only the walking trail that starts at JFK Recreation Facility off York Farm Road remains open.

Palamar said it is difficult to enforce keeping people out of parks and playgrounds, and he hopes the facilities will reopen when Schuylkill County enters the green phase of the state’s coronavirus recovery plan. He said it’s difficult to sanitize playground surfaces and control how many people are at such sites.

Police Chief Richard F. Wojciechowsky said officers have had to occasionally ask groups of people to leave recreation facilities over the past few months, mostly from the JFK site, which also includes basketball and tennis courts, and Rotary Field off Mahantongo Street. No one has been cited, he said.

“Our goal is to promote health and safety,” Wojciechowsky said.

Officers remind those they encounter of the temporary restrictions, and their cooperation is appreciated, he said.

“It can be hard, especially on nice days,” Wojciechowsky said about keeping people out of public parks.

The chief said he hopes the restrictions will be lifted soon, but they are based on orders from Gov. Tom Wolf.

It isn’t just city playgrounds and courts that remain off-limits during the pandemic. The Barefield Outdoor Recreation Complex on Terry Reilly Way, operated by the Pottsville Housing Authority, is also closed until the county moves to the green phase, Executive Director Craig Shields.

The only time the public is allowed at the facility is to pick up weekly meals distributed by the Pottsville Area School District. The district is distributing free summer breakfasts and lunches to children 18 years and younger at the complex from 11:30 to 11:45 a.m. Mondays through Thursdays until Aug. 13.

Shields said anyone in the complex not there to pick up a meal could be cited.

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

Ashland

The Shepherd’s Table free community meal is set for 3 to 5 p.m. today at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 35 N. Ninth St. The meal will be “grab and go” at the rear of the church.

Frackville

Bill Mack, secretary of Frackville Elks Lodge 1533, said in a release Elks lodges throughout the United States will honor the American flag in June. Sunday, June 14, is traditionally observed as Flag Day. Lodges in Schuylkill County, including the Frackville lodge as well as Ashland Lodge 384, Mahanoy City Lodge 695 and Tamaqua Lodge 592. For more information, people may go online to www.elks.org.

Port Carbon

Registration for the 4th of July parade and fireworks event will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 28, at the senior building, Washington and Pike streets. The parade is for children up to age 12. Fireworks will start at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, July 4. For the parade, participants may build a float, ride a bike, push a stroller, decorate a quad or simply walk. Donations are needed and may be mailed to the Port Carbon Citizens Committee, P.O. Box 145, Port Carbon, PA 17965, or dropped off at the borough building mailbox. For more information, call Deniece Krater, chairwoman, at 570-573-1946.

Pottsville

The Republican Herald continues to seek stories about COVID-19 from those who contracted the disease or from those who had loved ones who suffered. Please call 570-628-6005 or email editorial@republicanherald.com with COVID-19 in the subject line.

MAHANOY CITY – Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the borough council agreed to extend the suspension of its Open Container Ordinance on Tuesday.

The 30 day extension took effect on Saturday, according to Council President Thomas McCabe.

McCabe said that with the extension, the borough is making letters available to bars and restaurants that give them permission to set up and use tables and chairs on the sidewalk.

He said since the sidewalks are owned by the borough, the letter will be required by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.

McCabe said one tavern already obtained a letter and others can get letters by contacting the municipal building.

In a COVID-19-related matter, McCabe said, the annual Community Day has been cancelled.

He said the event has been changed to a fall festival and set for Oct. 3, pending the outcome of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The council also granted permission to the Good American Fire Company to move its annual block party from the weekend from July 31 to Aug. 2.

In other business, the council denied a bid for the former McCann School of Business property at Main Street and Mahanoy Avenue.

The sole bid received was in the amount of $15,500, McCabe said.

The council expressed concern that if the building was sold for $15,500 it could fall in disrepair and the borough eventually be responsible for demolition and other costs.

The borough will also check with solicitor Eric Lieberman to see if the services of a realtor could be used to assist with selling the property.

The council also approved the appointment of McCabe as a member of the Home Rule Transition Committee, with Michael Connolly as an alternate.

McCabe also said a three member committee — Matthew Tacelosky, Benjamin Wiessner and Pat Mullins — will work with the transition committee in changing from the current form of government to the home rule government that takes effect in January.

In other matters, the council took the following actions:

•Approved hiring Greene’s Communications, Pottsville, to install license plate readers on borough police vehicle at a cost not to exceed $600.

• Purchasing a compressor for the street department from Home Depot at a cost of $1,252.

• The appointment of Tony Aschman to fill a position on the vacancy board.

• The hiring of Hillside Fence Co. to repair fencing on the west side of the Eighth Street Playground.

• A request for a handicapped sign for 809 E. Pine St.

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

MAHANOY CITY — A borough woman was jailed after she allegedly fled Mahanoy City police officers and crashed into a police vehicle in an incident that began outside a home around 10:20 p.m. Saturday.

Patrolman Thomas Rentschler said he was called to the area of 11th and East Market streets for a disturbance and saw Johanna Rodriguez, 33, of 237 W. Centre St., Apt./Suite 2W, in a car arguing with a woman standing on a porch.

Rentschler said the two women were arguing outside Rodriguez’s apartment building earlier.

The officer said he began to walk toward Rodriguez and ordered her to stop as she began to drive away, knowing she had a suspended driver’s license. Rodriguez accelerated and traveled west on East Market Street and Rentschler pursued. He said she failed to signal and obey stop signs.

Patrolman Frank Gallo positioned his patrol vehicle in the center of East Market Street to stop Rodriguez, but she struck the front of his vehicle before being boxed in by both police vehicles and taken into custody, police said.

Rentschler said Rodriguez had bloodshot eyes, slurred speech and a strong odor of alcohol. At the police station, Rodriguez refused to submit to a blood-alcohol test.

She was charged with one felony count of fleeing or attempting to elude police; one misdemeanor count each of DUI and possession, sale or use of display documents; four summary counts of turning movements and required signals; three summary counts of duties at a stop sign; and one summary count of failure to yield to an emergency vehicle, driving a vehicle without a valid inspection, careless driving and reckless driving.

Rodriguez was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge James Ferrier, Orwigsburg, and committed to Schuylkill County Prison in lieu of $5,000 straight cash bail. A preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker, Shenandoah, will be scheduled.

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