An educational consultant from Ashland concerned about the future of vocational/technical education for high school students in Schuylkill County is developing options to bolster it.

Clyde K. Hornberger — a special adviser to the state secretary of education from 2005 to 2011 — presented some of his ideas to the Pottsville Area school board and area business representatives Wednesday night, and he’s planning to make a presentation to the board of directors of Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29 on Monday.

“At the request of the Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29 Superintendents Advisory Council members, I am providing consulting services in an effort to resolve career and technical education issues concerning program offerings, operational considerations and the method of cost proration to member school district,” Hornberger told the school board.

Hornberger, who worked for IU 29 from 1971 to 1985, started his study in January, Diane M. Niederriter, executive director of IU 29, said Thursday.

“He’s focusing on program operations, budget efficiencies, and he’s reviewing the articles of agreement,” Niederriter said.

“And he’s doing this gratis,” Charles Wagner, a member of the Pottsville Area school board and the IU 29 board of directors, said Wednesday.

The IU 29 board is planning to discuss Hornberger’s ideas at a special meeting at 5:30 p.m. Monday at the Maple Avenue Campus, Mar Lin, and Niederriter said the board may take action on Hornberger’s suggestions.

On Wednesday, Hornberger talked about encouraging local businesses and industries to become involved with the program, developing new budgetary strategies and adding 9th grade to the curriculum at the Schuylkill Technology Center.

“Currently, it’s geared for grades 10 to 12,” Niederriter said.

Jeffrey S. Zwiebel, superintendent at Pottsville Area, has been pushing to change the formula IU 29 uses to fund the Schuylkill Technology Center. In January, he and Blue Mountain Superintendent Robert Urzillo submitted their own proposal to the IU 29 Superintendents Advisory Council, but the council took no further action.

“I want to thank Dr. Hornberger for the work that he has done over the last two months, working with all the superintendents at the IU. Mr. Manning can testify to that. He’s been in the room with us. There’s been a lot of progress in a short amount of time,” Zwiebel said.

He was referring to Brian A. Manning, an IU 29 senior staff accountant who is running for a seat on the Pottsville Area school board. Manning was at Pottsville Area’s meeting Wednesday.

“I can testify, but not yet,” Manning said.

“There’s progress,” Zwiebel said.

“We’re only into this about three months, so I cannot talk to you about accomplishments at this point because they’re under development. And some of the things that were proposed have not yet been reviewed by the Intermediate Unit board but, hopefully, action will be taken soon,” Hornberger said.

“The technology centers really do have excellent facilities and strong core programs. It is not a broken system. The system has a lot of quality attributes to it and our hope is that we can add to those and create some new offerings,” Hornberger said.

During his 15-minute speech, he outlined a few of his ideas:

• “New program offerings will provide a greater diversity of offerings that will appeal to broader student career interests resulting in increased enrollment.”

• “In reality, career and technical education costs more than basic education and cost is the primary reason it is offered on a consortia basis at area career centers and typically not at school districts.”

• “One of the things you need to understand is the cost is relatively high at the Schuylkill Technology Center because it’s under enrolled. They’re approximately 50 percent at capacity. There are some programs that are very full with a waiting list and there are a lot of programs with a very low enrollment.”

• “The process for revising or developing new articles of agreement will require several meetings and a full- or multiple-day retreat with member district superintendents to build consensus on a more equitable funding model. A draft revision or funding formula should be available for consideration by member school districts no later than September 2015.”

“As the workforce changes, the education to supply the workforce has to change, as you’ve pointed out,” John F. Boran, Pottsville Area school board president, said.

Area business representatives who came out to hear Hornberger’s speech Wednesday night included Darlene J. Robbins, president of the Northeast PA Manufacturers and Employers Council; Richard L. “Dick” Yuengling Jr., president of D.G. Yuengling & Son Inc.; Frank J. Zukas, president of the Schuylkill Economic Development Corp.; and Robert S. “Bob” Carl Jr., president of the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce.

Career and technical education programs need to change, and evolve, with the times, Robbins said Thursday, and she’s curious about Hornberger’s suggestions.

“Our economy is linked to the strength and skills of our current and future workforce. We must work to ensure that students of all ages are prepared not only for college and/or technical schools but for successful careers,” Robbins said.

In other matters, the Pottsville Area school board voted to buy 150 Speed Classic brand football helmets from Riddell at a cost of $34,700.

On Jan. 21, the school board decided to transfer Dan Vidal, the head custodian at Pottsville Area High School, to a custodial position at the middle school with a reduced salary. At the start of the 2014-15 school year, Vidal had a salary of $39,552. It was reduced to $31,070.

On Wednesday, after reviewing applications from 11 candidates, the school board hired Brad Ross, who had been working as a full-time custodian for the district for more than five years, as head custodian at the high school with a salary of $27,500.

Deeds

Ashland — Catherine M. Sawecki to Amanda Fishburn; 1739 Walnut St.; $10,000.

Theodore R. and Ann M. Batdorf to Beneficial Consumer Discount Co.; 1808 Centre St.; $1.

Auburn and South Manheim Township — Mary Lou Moyer to Dianna L. Curry; 440 E. Deerview Drive; $36,000.

Butler Township — William G. Schwab, trustee for Saint Catherine Health of Pennsylvania, to Ashland Properties LLC; 101 Broad St., Fountain Springs; $550,000.

Coaldale — Michael P. Murphy to Christine M. Dowell; property on Ruddle Street; $1.

East Brunswick Township — Gary L. and Elizabeth A. Rolland to Dean R. and Amber M. Hine; 2.9-acre property on Township Road T-741; $68,000.

Michael A. and Kimberly A. Gellis to Katryna and Stephen Stegmeier; 275 Pine Valley Road; $255,000.

LYKENS — A Reamstown woman was charged by state police at Lykens with falsely reporting she was raped last year.

Amanda Marie Wertz, 26, of 75 N. Reamstown Road, Box 448, was charged with two misdemeanor counts of unsworn falsification to authorities and one misdemeanor count each of false reports to law enforcement, tampering with or fabricating physical evidence and false reports to law enforcement authorities.

Wertz will now have to answer to the charges before Magisterial District Judge Rebecca J. Margerum, Elizabethville, at a preliminary hearing set for 9:15 a.m. April 14.

Trooper Joel Zimmerman of the Lykens station said about 2:15 a.m. Sept. 10, 2014, Wertz said she was forcibly raped by a man.

When interviewed, the Lykens man accused of the crime said he met Wertz on an Internet dating site and that the two had consensual sex on two occasions. The man also showed police sexually suggestive text messages Wertz sent to him, Zimmerman said.

On Feb. 26, Zimmerman said, he spoke with Wertz, who said she was telling the truth about the forced rape and she believed the man’s wife sent the sexually suggestive messages from her cellphone.

Zimmerman said he spoke with Wertz on Sunday and she said she spoke about the matter with her mother, who told her to be truthful.

Then, Zimmerman said, Wertz told him she had consensual sex with the man and that she made up the rape charge because she was mad at him and at herself for cheating on her boyfriend.

That same day, Wertz provided a written statement that she made up the rape charge, saying she was mad because after the two had consensual sex, the man was ignorant to her and called her names.

The man who Wertz claimed committed the crime was never charged, court records show.

ELIZABETHVILLE — Already facing charges for allegedly shooting into a Mount Carmel building, a Hegins man returned to prison Tuesday after waiving his right to a preliminary hearing in two Dauphin County cases.

Donnie T. Carl Sr., 28, of 209 Hill Road, has been charged in connection with an alleged robbery in June 2014 in Lykens and with purported firearms violations in September 2012 in Washington Township.

Magisterial District Judge Rebecca J. Margerum bound over all charges for Dauphin County Court after Carl waived his right to the hearing.

Those charges include six counts of robbery, three each of simple assault and harassment, two each of aggravated assault, terroristic threats and false imprisonment and one each of possessing instrument of crime, possession of a weapon, repairing or selling offensive weapon and recklessly endangering another person in one case and 93 counts of sale to ineligible transferee and 31 counts of prohibited possession of firearm in the other.

Margerum set bail at $200,000 straight cash in the robbery case and $100,000 straight cash in the firearms case. Carl returned to Dauphin County Prison in lieu of posting bail in either case.

Carl’s formal arraignment in each case is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. May 11 in Harrisburg.

State police at Lykens filed both sets of charges against Carl.

They alleged he committed the firearms violations on Sept. 15, 2012, in Washington township and the robbery on June 29, 2014, in Lykens.

Carl still faces charges of person not to possess or use firearms, carrying a firearm without a license, discharge of a firearm into an occupied structure, recklessly endangering another person and disorderly conduct in the Northumberland County case.

Mount Carmel police alleged he fired a shot into an occupied apartment building at South Beech and West Sixth streets in the borough at 9:20 p.m. April 10, 2013.

In Schuylkill County, Carl has served prison time in two separate cases, one involving theft and related charges and the other involving drug-related charges.

MAHANOY CITY — If everything comes together, the Mahanoy Township storm sewer improvement project may begin in a few months now that all easement agreements have been secured by the township.

The township supervisors heard the latest update on the long-delayed project during Thursday’s meeting.

The project involves replacing drainage culverts along Park Place Road (Route 1014) at locations in the villages of Park Place and Bowmans, along with pipes to cross the road to alleviate road flooding during heavy rains. The problem with stormwater drainage along the highway is due to very old metal pipes that are collapsing.

Funding of $70,000 for this project has been awarded through the county Community Development Block Grant program.

The first delays involving the project began three years ago when the township had income survey packets distributed to residents in order to determine if the area met the income guidelines and was eligible for the grant funds. It took about a year before the sufficient number of surveys were received for the grand funding to be approved.

The latest delay has been the securing of easement agreements so work can be done on private properties, and within the past month the final easements are ready.

“All easements have been received for the project,” ARRO Consulting Inc. project manager William N. McMullen wrote in his monthly report to the supervisors. “Two of the easements have been recorded by (township solicitor) attorney Eric Lieberman and two are in possession of the township to forward to attorney Lieberman for recording.”

Bid solicitations have been advertised. McMullen said bids will be received by Schuylkill County on March 30, and a recommendation of award will be considered at the April 1 meeting of the Schuylkill County commissioners.

McMullen said in his report, “Tentatively, the construction could start in mid-May, with a 90-day completion time frame” following bid awarding and other proceedings.

McMullen added that the limit of disturbance for both project areas will be staked out on Monday. ARRO representatives will meet with the township workforce shortly afterward to review tree cutting to be completed prior to March 31.

Police recover

stolen vehicle

PINE GROVE — State police at Jonestown recovered a stolen vehicle Tuesday off Suedberg Road in the borough.

State police said someone stole a pick-up truck owned by Dale E. Richards at 12:21 p.m. Tuesday from 1 Speedway Drive, Fredericksburg, Bethel Township, Lebanon County.

Police did not say when the vehicle was recovered.

Condensing units

taken from shop

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — State police at Schuylkill Haven are investigating the theft of two Heat Craft condensing units from Bill’s Produce, 2012 Long Run Road, North Manheim Township, that occurred sometime between 9 p.m. March 9 and 6 a.m. March 12.

Police said the thieves stole the 12-foot long, 4-foot high and 3-foot wide units from the rear of the warehouse.

Anyone with information is asked to call state police at Schuylkill Haven at 570-739-1330.

Police investigate

supply burglary

Pottsville police investigated a burglary that was reported at 7:22 a.m. Monday at Reading Foundry Supply, 472 Nichols St.

Police said the assistant manager of the business reported that when he arrived at 7:15 a.m. to open the building for business, he found a door forced open.

Once inside, police said, the assistant manager said he found items out of place and multiple tools missing.

The items stolen included two Dremel tools, a Harbor Freight three-gallon oilless air compressor, and various copper and plumbing supplies.

During a search of the outside of the building, police said, officers discovered a hole was cut in the fence on the northeast side of the property connecting to the rear parking lot of J.E. Frederick and Sons and believe those responsible for the crime used this spot to gain entry and exit with the stolen items.

Anyone with any information is asked to call Pottsville police at 570-622-1234, ext. 332.

Hamburg man

not hurt in crash

HAMBURG — A Hamburg man escaped injury when the 2002 Dodge Dakota he was driving crashed about 12:55 a.m. March 11 at the intersection of Industrial Drive and Lowland Road in Tilden Township, Berks County.

State police at Hamburg said Joseph B. Haley, 37, was driving north on Industrial Drive when he rounded a left curve but went over the white fog line and onto the side of the road where he struck two yellow concrete barriers.

The truck then spun clockwise and came to a stop on the east side of the road facing southeast, police said.

Police said Haley was not injured but was arrested for suspicion of DUI. He will be cited for not driving on roadways laned for traffic, police said.

The Pottsville Zoning Hearing Board on Thursday unanimously gave a Domino’s franchisee permission to open an eat-in/take-out restaurant at a former gas station property at 1953 W. Market St.

Paul Bauer, president of PB&J Pizza Inc., Fredericksburg, Lebanon County, said he’s planning to buy the property, begin renovations immediately and relocate his Domino’s branch there this summer.

“This will be in the heart of Yorkville,” hearing board member Greg Wagner emphasized during the hour-long hearing at city hall.

“I’m hoping to be open by the end of July, and hopefully there’s a smooth transition when we close one and open the other,” Bauer said.

Before granting Bauer a commercial variance, the hearing board insisted on a few conditions, including a covered area for a trash Dumpster at the rear of the property.

Two people who live in the neighborhood expressed some concerns.

Rebecca Demitro, 1954 W. Market St., said she’ll worry about pizza delivery drivers and the possibility that they will speed.

“The general manager is my brother. This is a family business. And anytime if you have concerns, you can talk to us. I do not want our drivers speeding. I don’t want accidents because I have to pay the insurance,” Bauer said. “And with us being in a residential neighborhood, that’s something I don’t have a problem enforcing. I want people to be safe.”

“I’m about three doors down,” Sharon Glasure, 1961 W. Market St., said. She was concerned about the restaurant’s hours of operation, “and how late you’re going to be open,” she said.

During the hearing, Bauer said the new location will have the same hours of operation as the current Domino’s in Pottsville, 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

“Most of our business, when we have carry-outs come in, is only up until 9 o’clock. And, after that, we generally only have two to three drivers on. So most of the traffic that would be there from 9 o’clock on would be two or three of our delivery drivers. We don’t have an overly busy late night,” Bauer said.

From 1986 until 1997, Domino’s occupied 28 N. Claude A. Lord Blvd., according to the Polk City Directory for Pottsville. From there, it moved to a single-story building at 300 Terry Reiley Way, owned by Edward C. Mady, Orwigsburg.

Bauer said he’s been a Domino’s employee since 1994 and a franchisee since 2004, when he bought the Pottsville store at 300 Terry Reiley Way. It’s managed by his brother, John, who lives in Pottsville.

In April 2012, Paul Bauer bought the Domino’s at 501 S. 29th St., Harrisburg.

Earlier this month, he announced that he was exploring the possibility of moving his Domino’s branch in Pottsville to a neighborhood on the west side of the city. But since the property he had in mind, the former gas station owned by Daniel A. Wapinsky, Ashland, was in a residential R1A zone, he had to seek a variance to make the property commercial.

“I’m doing this for my family, for us to own something. Right now in Pottsville, we rent. It would be nice to own the property. And we’d be investing in a building that has been closed now for a while, making it look nice, making the community look nice, like adding trees and all that stuff. I want to do this as an investment,” Bauer said Thursday night.

Bauer said the branch will be bigger than the one near downtown Pottsville. While the location at 300 Terry Reiley Way only has a waiting room with six chairs, Bauer said he’d like the new location to have a dining room that could accommodate “about 15 people.” It would also include a “Domino’s Pizza Theater.”

The “Pizza Theater” store design, which allows customers to watch their pizzas being prepared, was unveiled in 2012, according to Domino’s website at www.biz.dominos.com.

Domino’s has more than 11,000 stores, including more than 5,000 outside the United States, according to the website.

“I’m not doing this like some out-of-state guy with a lot of money. This is part of my family’s life. This is something that, maybe, my daughter someday might want to have,” Bauer said.

Also present at the hearing was Chairman Charles Taronis; board members Morris Brill, John Albertini and Mary Ann Conway; David Petravich, city building code officer; and Mark Barket, solicitor for the zoning board.

In other matters Thursday night, the zoning hearing board also approved another commercial variance, allowing a new business to move into a storefront at 701 W. Market St., a property owned by Richard Guyer, Jim Thorpe.

“It will be called Schuylkill Home Solutions,” said William Sears Sr., Pottsville, who will be running the business with Guyer’s son, Kurtis, Jim Thorpe. “We’re not a real estate agency. Our services will include building maintenance and management.”

“And credit repair,” Kurtis Guyer said.

“We’re going to fix people’s credit. You can come to us if you have bad credit and we’ll take all the necessary steps to help you bring up your credit score so you can buy a home,” Sears said.

Sears said he’s hoping Schuylkill Home Solutions will open June 1.

An Orwigsburg lawyer is headed to court as a defendant after being charged by state officials with forging a Northumberland County judge’s signature in April 2013.

Stephen P. Ellwood, 62, faces a forgery charge after waiving his right to a preliminary hearing. Magisterial District Judge Benjamin J. Apfelbaum, Sunbury, bound over the charge for court after Ellwood waived his right to the hearing.

Ellwood is scheduled to be formally arraigned at 9 a.m. Monday. He is free on $440,000 unsecured bail pending further court proceedings.

The state attorney general’s office has alleged that Ellwood forged the signature of Northumberland County Judge Charles H. Saylor on April 18, 2013, in Sunbury.

Officials alleged Ellwood forged Saylor’s signature, misspelling it Seylor, on a document purporting to approve the settlement of a case.

On March 6, Northumberland County President Judge William H. Wiest entered an order recusing all of that county judges from the case. Snyder County Court now will handle the case.

Deputy Attorneys General Michele L. Kluk and Erik Lee Olsen will prosecute the case.

Since the Yuengling Light Lager Jogger 5K has traditionally brought more than 5,000 people to the City of Pottsville, community groups, businesses and the organizers of the 9th Annual Block of Art are stepping up to be part of the third event, slated for April 11.

“We planned the Block of Art around the Lager Jogger this year in hopes we would get more exposure and people,” Kathy Connelly, Pottsville, a co-chairwoman of this year’s Block of Art, said Tuesday.

“We welcome all community groups and encourage them to attend the race and promote their message. At least 900 of our runners are coming from within Schuylkill County. While we draw runners from all over the country, the vast majority are local. It’s a great opportunity to promote The City of Pottsville to a local audience. Our hope is that race weekend offers locals and non-locals a chance to explore all that Pottsville has to offer. In addition, many of our out-of-town runners stay the night at one of the local hotels and explore the area before and after the race,” Carrie L. Snyder, operations director and owner of CK Running LLC, Philadelphia, the race promoter, said Monday.

New additions will include an information stand run by the city’s Pottsville Positive Committee near the starting gate at the D.G. Yuengling & Son Inc. brewery, Mahantongo and Fifth streets. The race is a fundraiser for Operation Gratitude, which sends care packages to troops overseas. And in an effort to generate more money for the cause, Mountain Valley Golf Course, Barnesville, is hosting a beer-tasting event, “It’s A Yueng Thing!” that night.

“The Yuengling Light Lager Jogger 5K has grown significantly in its three short years. In 2013, we hosted 2,500 runners and sold out in just under six weeks. In 2014 the race was opened up to an additional 500 runners and sold out in under two weeks. In 2015 we will be hosting 3,000 runners from 33 states and Washington, D.C. And 44 counties in Pennsylvania will be represented. The event sold out in three days,” Snyder said.

Registration was $40 per runner, according to www.racemine.com.

“We will have 3,000 runners this year. Due to available resources such as parking and other constraints the race must remain limited to 3,000 participants to ensure a well-organized event,” Snyder said.

And there will be more than 30 vendors at the Yuengling Lager Jogger, she said.

Among them will be representatives of the city’s Pottsville Positive Committee, a volunteer group which revamped the Pottsville City Independence Celebration in July 2014.

“We will be producing a handout for that day that will highlight other events in the city that weekend, food and drink specials, historic points of interest around the city, a categorized business directory of mostly all of the businesses within the city and a coupon special for the brewery gift shop for that day,” Matthew Drouncheck, the committee’s secretary, said Tuesday.

The Block of Art is an annual arts and cultural festival in downtown Pottsville. This year, it will take place April 10, 11 and 12.

“During this weekend, the historic district of Pottsville comes alive with fine art of all types. Painters, poets and musicians fill the temporary galleries with sights and sound that spill out of the grand historic structures into the streets showcasing what Schuylkill County has to offer,” Connelly said.

After the race, local artists will be appearing at venues through the city’s downtown, including the Pottsville Free Public Library at 215 W. Market St., the Majestic Theater at 209 N. Centre St., the Schuylkill County Historical Society at 305 N. Centre St. and city hall at 401 N. Centre St.

Block of Art is a strategic partnership of Schuylkill County VISION. Connelly’s co-chair is Kay Jones, Orwigsburg, the executive director of VISION.

Joanne Parulis, marketing director for Mountain Valley Golf Course, Barnesville, came up with the idea to hold an event at Mountain Valley’s lodge to tie into the race.

“The Yuengling Light Lager Jogger 5K has partnered with Operation Gratitude since its inception and is thrilled to have them back for year three. Two dollars from every race registration will go directly to Operation Gratitude to help fund the creation and shipping of care packages oversees for deployed service men and women,” according to the website for the race at www.lagerjogger.com.

“With so many people coming in for the Lager Jogger, we were looking at ways for those people to stay in the area a little bit longer and stay overnight. The hotel, Mainstay Suites, is right here. So the idea is for them to come in with their families, run the race, then that evening come up here for a beer tasting,” Parulis said.

John Rizzo, director of operations at Mountain Valley, and Ken Huebner, Mountain Valley’s vice president, liked the idea, and said “It’s a Yueng Thing!” will include a visit from the Yuengling brewmaster, John Callahan.

The event will be held 6 p.m. Saturday, April 11 at Mountain Valley and will feature food stations and an acoustic band playing classic rock.

“It is encouraging to see Mountain Valley Golf Course and Yuengling Brewery, two companies steeped in tradition and commitment to the community, share our same passion for supporting our troops — they deserve all the gratitude we can give them,” Carolyn Blashek, the founder and CEO of Operation Gratitude, said in a recent press release issued by Parulis.

For tickets, which are $40 per person, call Mountain Valley at 570-467-2242 ext. 3, or Yuengling Brewery Gift Shop at 570-628-4890.  

Parulis said this week Mountain Valley was still in the process of trying to determine how much per ticket will be donated to Operation Gratitude.

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — Friday’s snow, which shut part of Interstate 81, did not prevent U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright from telling Schuylkill County business leaders he wants to get something done in Washington.

“You look for bills that make sense, that everyone can get behind,” Cartwright, D-17, told about 100 people gathered at Penn State Schuylkill for the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce’s luncheon.

Cartwright, a Moosic Democrat who has represented the 17th District since first being elected in 2012, spoke to the group by telephone because he could not get to Schuylkill Haven.

“He would have been here if he hadn’t been trapped on 81,” chamber Executive Director Robert S. Carl Jr. said.

Cartwright, whose district includes all of Schuylkill and parts of Carbon, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe and Northampton counties, advocated changes that many other Democratic lawmakers also have supported, including economic, health and immigration measures.

He said the nation needs to increase the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour from the current $7.50 level.

“There’s an income gap that’s undeniable. People who are working harder and harder and falling further and further behind are having a hard time,” he said. “Raising the minimum wage is the right thing to do.”

Another measure Cartwright advocated is increasing the amount of money that can be subject to Social Security taxes in order to ensure the program’s long-term financial health. Such a hike is better than reducing benefits to people who need them, he said.

“It’s not a gift. It’s an insurance program,” Cartwright said. “We have to address Social Security in a sober, practical manner.”

He emphasized that Social Security pumps more money, $1.8 billion a year, into the 17th District than any other federal program. He said 23.4 percent of the district’s residents receive a Social Security check, whether for retirement or disability, for some or all of their income.

Education is another important measure, and Gov. Tom Wolf is placing proper emphasis on it by proposing increased spending, Cartwright said.

“We have a middle class” because of education, he said. “People want to come to America because we have a middle class. I want to keep this a nation where you can get ahead.”

The number of people who want to come to this country has made immigration another hot-button issue. Cartwright expressed support for President Barack Obama’s proposals to allow illegal immigrants to have a chance to become citizens, saying it is not amnesty because they will have to pay a fine and comply with a long process to get the opportunity.

“There’s major agreement that comprehensive immigration reform has to happen,” and it would be impossible to deport 11 million people, Cartwright said.

Another Obama measure Cartwright backs is the Affordable Care Act, also termed Obamacare, and he opposes Republican proposals to increase the number of hours an employee can work without his or her company being required to offer health insurance, which he called an “implied repealer” of the law.

“The whole health care system was broken,” he said.

With respect to the War on Terror, Cartwright said Congress must have a voice in a conflict that has to be fought aggressively. Furthermore, he said, the United States must take the lead.

“The War on Terror is a war without borders,” he said. “I don’t like the idea of ceding our sovereignty. America needs to lead and not be led.”

Cartwright said he did not boycott the speech of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as some other Democrats did, but the nation’s relationship with Israel should not be affected by politics.

Another important issue is climate change, Cartwright said, adding that he supports efforts to reduce the impact of it.

“There are a lot of top business leaders ... who feel the same way,” he said.

The country also must be willing to spend money on its transportation system, according to Cartwright.

“If you don’t pay for good roads, you’re going to end up with bad roads,” he said.

Chamber members would not have heard any of this if not for Vince Mitchell and Dave Pothering, two Penn State employees who hooked up the telephone call.

“We used (Pothering’s) Google hangout account,” Mitchell said. “Then we made the phone call and prayed that it would work.”

It did work, with Cartwright responding to members’ questions for about an hour and ending with his promise to work with them to improve the district.

“The very best way to do that is to improve the economy,” Cartwright said.

The snow that fell Friday — the first day of spring — did not stop people from enjoying a free Italian ice from Rita’s in Pottsville.

Carolyn Hannis, 62, of Shenandoah Heights, said she was “more than ready for spring. This is a sign of it,” she said as she held her pineapple Italian ice outside before getting into her vehicle. She was in the area and decided to stop by.

Rita’s gave away a free ice from 12 to 9 p.m. to usher in the first day of spring. This is the 23rd year for the promotion. Locally, the site at 1640 Mount Hope Ave. gave away hundreds of cups of the free treat, Toni McElvaney, owner of the Rita’s, said. No one answered the phone at the Rita’s location on Route 61 in Schuylkill Haven and the site was closed, according www.ritasfranchises.com.

As of 4:30 p.m. about 300 customers received a free Italian ice, McElvaney said. Last year, 2,500 cups were given away in Pottsville, McElvaney said.

Despite the snow, five people were waiting for their free Italian ice when the Pottsville location opened at noon, she said.

Standing outside in the snow Friday, Hannis said she had enough of it.

Alyssa Schafer, 19, of Schuylkill Haven agreed.

“One or two snowfalls is enough for me,” she said as she stood at the window waiting for a fudge brownie gelati.

Becca Sterner, 21, said she was “sick of the snow. I’m ready for spring. I’m ready for warmer weather.”

Dominique Clayton, 22, of Shenandoah, said she was sad when she woke up Friday because she didn’t know if she could get to Rita’s because of the weather. She made it there and ordered a tropical punch Italian ice.

“I hope no more snow happens. I look forward to this day every year. I love the free Rita’s water ice,” she said.

Cindy Beck, 46, was there with her son, Connor Beck, 10, both of Minersville, for the free treat. She loves the snow but said she does not want to see any more of it. However, she would prefer snow to 100 degree temperatures.

Driving a vehicle Friday required cleaning it off because of the snow. Joseph Fabiani, 60, of Pottsville, was using a broom to do that on Mahantongo Street on Friday. The snow did not seem to bother him.

“Better days are coming,” he said about the weather.

Adam Lorady, 37, of Pottsville, shoveled and sprinkled salt on the sidewalk in front of his home Friday. He too is tired of the snow.

“I like the cold. I like the snow, but at this point I’ve had enough,” he said.

Street crews were busy plowing the white stuff on Friday and snow was still falling as of 6:30 p.m.

Dan Kelly, Pottsville superintendent of streets, said as of 4:10 p.m., the main roads were slushy. Secondary roads had some snow on them.

It started to snow in the morning after 7 a.m. Roads were later treated with salt and anti-skid, Kelly said.

Snowfall accumulations locally varied from 4.9 inches in Auburn, 3 inches in Ashland and 1.5 inches in Tamaqua, according to information provided to the National Weather Service, State College, from public and social media sources.

A supervisor with the Schuylkill County Communications Center said he did not know how many crashes were related to the winter weather on Friday.

The state Department of Transportation reduced the limit to 45 mph on Interstate 81 in Schuylkill County on Friday afternoon because of weather conditions before restoring it in the evening.

Sean Brown, spokesman for PennDOT District 5, said as of 4:15 p.m., the major roads that PennDOT maintains were not in that bad of condition because of snow, saying they were “pretty much wet.”

The southbound lanes of I-81 were closed Friday between Exit 138 for McAdoo and Tamaqua and 131A for Hometown for more than an hour after a tractor-trailer jackknifed. A supervisor with the Schuylkill County Communications Center did not provide additional information on the incident.

A woman from Luzerne County escaped injury after she lost control on a snow-covered road in on Route 924 on Friday, police said. State police at Frackville said the 10:42 a.m. accident occurred as Judith A. Kratz, 54, was driving a 2004 Honda Pilot southbound on Route 924 half a mile south of Mountain Drive in East Union Township and lost control while driving on a left curve. The vehicle drove off the western berm and hit an embankment and several small trees, stopping on the embankment facing southwest. Kratz was wearing a seat belt, police said.

Mahanoy Township police were called to five weather related crashes Friday morning and afternoon.

The first crash occurred on the Park Place Road where Joseph Obrzut, Park Place, lost control of his Ford Ranger pickup truck on the snow-covered road.

Obrzut suffered a head injury and was taken to Schuylkill Medical Center-East Norwegian Street by Mahanoy City EMS.

A short time later, police said, a Mahanoy City man lost control of the car he was driving and crashed on Route 54 in the area of Patriotic Hill Road.

Police said Emil Forgotch was driving east when he lost control, went off of the road and into an embankment. Forgotch was not injured but his vehicle was towed from the scene.

The third crash occurred on the Morea Road where Alicia Sabol, Cumbola, was driving a Chevrolet Impala, lost control on the snow-covered highway and drove into a ditch.

Police said the vehicle was pulled out of the ditch and was able to be driven from the scene. No injuries were reported.

A forth crash occurred on West Centre Street just west of the Mahanoy City borough line.

Police said Joseph Sullivan, Mahanoy City, was driving a Chevrolet Malibu when he went off the road and struck a guide rail.

No injuries were reported and police said Sullivan’s vehicle was able to be driven from the scene.

Police also said they are investigating a fourth crash but did not have any information available.

(Staff writer Frank Andruscavage contributed to this report)

Man faces charge

for harrassment

MAHANOY CITY — Mahanoy City police charged a borough man with harassment after an incident at 11th Street and East Mahanoy Avenue on Jan. 13.

Police said Thursday that Walter Donella, 43, of 1112 E. Mahanoy Ave., will have to answer to the charge before Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker, Shenandoah.

Police said the charge was filed after Carrie Lyon reported she was taking her children to school about 10 a.m. when Donella stopped a vehicle he was in and threatened her.

After calling the woman a name and threatening her, Donella drove off, police reported.

Police: Mahanoy

man stole vehicle

MAHANOY CITY — A borough man was charged by Mahanoy City police with stealing a vehicle on Dec. 13, 2014.

Police said Joseph R. Minnich, 42, of 331 W. South St., was charged with theft, receiving stolen property, unauthorized use of an automobile and criminal mischief.

Police said Minnich stole a 1998 Saturn owned by Edward Forker while it was parked on Linden Street, between Centre and Market streets. Forker, police said, was inside the Club 54 bar when the theft occurred.

The vehicle was later found by state police troopers from the Frackville station after they responded to a crash in the area of Quality Hill, police said.

When interviewed in February, police said, Minnich said he had been drinking heavily, going to the bar to see his girlfriend and then remembered leaving and waking up behind the wheel of the crashed Forker vehicle with the airbag in his face.

Police said Forker told officers he was scared at the time, exited the vehicle and fled.

Police probe theft

of license plate

LYKENS — State police at Lykens are investigating a theft that occurred between 3 p.m. March 13 and 6:30 a.m. March 14 in this Dauphin County community.

Police said someone stole a license plate from a vehicle owned by Keon Enterprises LLC, Harrisburg, and fled the area.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 717-362-8700.

Christina E. Hale

FRACKVILLE — An Ashland man charged with setting fire to a garage in Butler Township on Sept. 5, 2013, waived his right to a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Christina E. Hale.

Timothy J. Stephens, 27, of 930 Brock St., was arrested by Butler Township police Chief Edward Tarantelli and charged with one felony offense each of arson, causing a catastrophe and criminal mischief. By waiving his right to a hearing Stephens will have to answer to all three charges in Schuylkill County Court.

Tarantelli charged Stephens with setting fire to a garage at 38 Duck St. and Slate Run Road near Girardville at 6:50 p.m.

Tarantelli said firefighters extinguished the blaze and a state police fire marshal subsequently determined the fire was intentionally set.

Other court cases included:

Kandi L. Cope, 54, of 25027 W. Main St., Girardville — waived for court: bad checks.

Amber Lynn Hall, 25, of 8 Spruce St., Barnesville — held for court: retail theft.

Lawrence C. Murphy, 63, of 208 Ohio Ave., Shenandoah — withdrawn: exceeding the speed limit. Waived for court: DUI and DUI-high rate.

Beth A. Kimmel, 43, of 335 E. Mahanoy Ave., Mahanoy City — withdrawn: bad checks.

Stephen J. Bayer

TAMAQUA — A Bloomsburg man charged for his role in a theft of items at the Wal-Mart in Rush Township on Oct. 5 had charges against him held for court during a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Stephen J. Bayer.

Billy J. Engel, 39, of 2020 Tomhicken Road, was arrested by Rush Township police Sgt. Duane Frederick and charged with one misdemeanor count each of retail theft, receiving stolen property and conspiracy. Bayer determined the commonwealth proved a prima facie cause and ordered all three offenses against Engel held for Schuylkill County Court.

Frederick said Engel entered Wal-Mart at 11:50 p.m. with a woman and together the pair put a large tote container into a cart, proceeded to the computer section and placed two HP computers in the tote.

The two left the store without paying for the items that have a total value of $712.97, Frederick said.

Other court cases included:

Adelaida L. Cruz, 30, of 34 Nescopec St., Apt. 5, Tamaqua — withdrawn: accidents involving damage to unattended vehicles or property. Moved to a traffic citation: failure to stop and give information or render aid.

Kevin J. Tansley, 28, of 222 Brown St., Tamaqua — withdrawn: criminal attempt to commit possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance, theft and receiving stolen property.

Kayla M. Leibowitz, 26, of 274 Third St., Coaldale — withdrawn: hindering apprehension or prosecution.

Elizabeth Tansley, 27, of 222 Brown St., Tamaqua — waived for court: conspiracy, possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of a communications facility.

Elizabeth Tepinski, 65, of 734 E. Broad St., Tamaqua — withdrawn: theft and receiving stolen property.

Alyssa Bensinger, 26, of 22 Hunter St., Tamaqua — held for court: possession of drug paraphernalia.

Larry Lon Wagner, 35, of 300 Arlington St., Tamaqua — held for court: possession of a controlled substance and driving with a suspended or revoked license.

Peggy S. Hill, 49, of 67 Second St., Coaldale — waived for court: possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance.

Francisco Aponte, 24, of 208 W. Spruce St., Tamaqua — waived for court: possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of a communications facility.

Anthony W. Hill, 26, of 67 Second St., Coaldale — waived for court: possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Duane Allen, 27, of 118 N. Railroad St., Tamaqua — waived for court: defiant trespass.

Matthew Martin, 38, of 24 Ridge St., Hometown, Tamaqua — waived for court: criminal attempt to access device that has been revoked or canceled, theft by deception and receiving stolen property.

Spreading autism awareness could be as easy as participating in a game of dodgeball.

The third annual Dodge for Autism is scheduled for 1 p.m. April 4 at Penn State Schuylkill.

“Our goal is to increase autism awareness,” Melissa McGoey, Schuylkill County Autism Society director, said. “April is autism awareness month. This isn’t as much of a fundraiser as it is autism awareness.”

Though dodgeball has little to do with autism, McGoey thinks the idea is a creative way to spread awareness.

“It doesn’t necessarily have a clinical connection to autism, but it’s a fun way to come together and raise awareness,” she said.

Last year, the tournament raised $2,000, which was put back into the effort to put on this year’s event.

Interest in the event is continually growing.

“We’ve had about 22 teams for the past two years. We decided to accept up to 30 teams this year because it’s kind of growing,” McGoey said.

The tournament will continue to be held annually due to the great response from the public.

“Just because people love it, it’s the most fun activity to do, people say,” she said. “We really enjoy it, and there’s more and more interest as we move forward. Being able to create awareness about such an important topic is great.”

For $60 per team — or $10 per participant — and an extra $10 for each substitute player, teams can choose to play in a competitive or recreational bracket. Depending on how many teams sign up, the brackets may be initiated, McGoey said.

In previous years, teams included members of businesses, fire companies, state police and students.

The recommended spectator donation is $2 for adults and $1 for students.

Those interested can contact McGoey at mmcgoey@nhsonline.org, or Mindy Anthony Spolski, mma149@psu.edu.

HAZLETON — A man who was reportedly abducted in Hazleton on Friday was arrested later in the day, while five other people who were taken into custody were eventually released by police, Hazleton police said.

Police are investigating an incident in which Hazleton police, state troopers and officers from five Schuylkill County law enforcement agencies responded to a reported abduction and subsequent traffic stop near routes 924 and 239 in Schuylkill County, police said.

A police officer from East Penn Township stopped a vehicle near the intersection just after 2 p.m. Friday and was assisted by police from Mahanoy Township, Mahanoy City, Frackville borough, Shenandoah borough and state police at Frackville.

Three men and two women were taken into custody and released following interviews that were conducted at Hazleton City Hall.

Police said the incident was the result of a “domestic disturbance” that remains under investigation.

A man who was allegedly abducted was treated at a Schuylkill County hospital for minor abrasions on his face and subsequently arrested by Shenandoah police, city police said.

Hazleton police are investigating.

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — Schuylkill Haven police will be joining Pennsylvania State Police and over 300 municipal agencies in conducting the second targeted aggressive driving enforcement wave beginning Monday and continuing through May 3.

Schuylkill Haven police will be targeting Route 61 and other roadways in the borough, Sgt. Glenn Firing said.

In addition to Schuylkill Haven, enforcement activities will be conducted throughout Schuylkill County on routes 61, 309, 901, 209, 183, 895, 54, 1008 and 3002 and Interstate 81.

Other municipal officers participating are from Ashland, Schuylkill Haven, West Penn Township, Tamaqua, Rush Township, Butler Township, Schuylkill Township, Frackville and West Mahanoy Township, along with state police troopers from both the Frackville and Schuylkill Haven stations.

As part of the Aggressive Driving Enforcement and Education Project, the second wave will aim to reduce the number of aggressive driving related crashes, injuries and deaths on 474 roadways throughout Pennsylvania, Firing said, adding that any aggressive driver stopped by police will receive a ticket.

The enforcement wave will focus on distracted driving, work zone safety violations and speeding. Motorists exhibiting other unsafe behavior such as driving too fast for conditions, following too closely or other aggressive actions will also be cited.

Municipal police agencies that participated in last year’s campaign issued 53,587 aggressive driving related citations, including 31,150 for speeding.

Traffic control signals and signs were the second most common offense resulting in 5,011 citations, records showed.

Additionally, the enforcement accounted for 51 felony arrests, 145 DUI arrests and 179 drug related arrests.

Carol Alonge, regional coordinator of the North Central Highway Safety Network, said that the aggressive driving enforcement campaign is part of the Pennsylvania Aggressive Driving Enforcement and Education Project and is funded through the state Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

A Cass Township man charged with having pornographic images of children on two cellphones is among those scheduled to plead not guilty Thursday during arraignment in Schuylkill County Court.

Jason M. Joy, 24, of 22 Lily Lane, Pottsville, was arrested by state police Trooper Michael Gownley of the Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Luzerne County Detective Charles Balogh and charged with 20 felony counts each of possession of child pornography and criminal use of a communications facility.

Gownley said that in 2013, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children sent cyber tips to the state police Northeast Computer Crime Task Force office in Luzerne County about a person using various email accounts to upload and share child pornography.

Police said the investigation led them to identify the Joy residence and a search warrant was obtained and served on March 20, 2014.

The warrant uncovered two cellphones in Joy’s bedroom that contained child pornography, Gownley said, adding that subsequent forensic examinations determined Joy had more than 100 pornographic images on each telephone confiscated.

Others scheduled to plead not guilty, and the charges against them, include:

Michael J. Price, 25, of 401 E. Mahanoy Ave., Mahanoy City — possession of a controlled substance.

Danny Restitullo, 43, of 429 W. Coal St., Shenandoah — possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and public drunkenness.

John J. Ulrich, 30, of 132 E. Centre St., Mahanoy City — terroristic threats.

Rebecca M. Fannock, 22, of 117 Lombard St., Tamaqua — theft by deception, theft by failure to make required disposition of funds and receiving stolen property.

John Russup, 52, of 129 E. Phillips St., Apt. 2F, Coaldale — possession of drug paraphernalia.

Jeffrey Najunas, 43, of 236 N. Jardin St., Shenandoah — possession of a controlled substance.

Zachery S. Moor, 27, of 117 E. Centre St., Shenandoah — driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked, driving an unregistered vehicle, driving following registration suspension, driving without insurance and having altered, forged or counterfeit documents and plates.

Robert Clark, 33, of 107 N. White St., Shenandoah — possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Annie Morrisey, 46, of 332 W. Columbus St., Shenandoah — false alarms to agencies of public safety, false reports and false swearing in official matters.

Daniel F. Villarreal, 55, of Box 438, Gordon — driving an unregistered vehicle, driving a vehicle without an inspection certificate and having altered, forged or counterfeit documents and plates.

Michael J. Kabana, 25, of 15 W. Ruddle St., Coaldale — possession of drug paraphernalia.

Amanda Welker, 26, of 34 Hunter St., Apt. 3, Tamaqua — criminal trespass, defiant trespass, criminal attempt to commit theft and possession of drug paraphernalia.

David M. Willis, 47, of 529 E. Mahanoy Ave., Girardville — possession of drug paraphernalia.

Jeremy G. Colosimo, 27, of 159 Weston Place, Shenandoah — resisting arrest and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Joshua C. Davis, 23, of 145 Wildcat Road, Girardville — possession of drug paraphernalia.

Ruth J. Schnee, 54, of 1125 Market St., Ashland — bad checks.

Joshua R. Huegel, 33, of 133 Ash Circle, Andreas — fleeing or attempting to elude police, failure to obey traffic control signals and driving at an unsafe speed.

Jason R. Stephens, 20, of 44 Mauch Chunk St., Apt. 3, Tamaqua — conspiracy, theft by deception and receiving stolen property.

Ronny Marcelino, 27, of 133 N. West St., Apt. 2, Shenandoah — public nuisances.

Michael P. Belson, 37, of 425 S. Kennedy Drive, McAdoo — retail theft.

Shannon Fredericks, 34, of 300 1/2 Spruce St., Tamaqua — retail theft.

Barbara A. Dugan, 33, of 26 S. Grant St., Shenandoah — disorderly conduct.

Nancy M. Kerestes, 41, of 22 S. Wylam St., Frackville — theft, receiving stolen property and retail theft.

Kayla A. Culbert, 31, of 227 Sunbury St., Minersville — accidents involving damage to attended vehicles or property, careless driving and driving on a sidewalk.

Stephanie J. Hoffecker, 23, of 110 Centre Ave., Schuylkill Haven — retail theft and conspiracy.

Lindsey M. Hoffecker, 25, of 110 Centre Ave., Schuylkill Haven — retail theft and conspiracy.

Tina M. Withelder, 47, of 300 Lewis St., Apt. 803, Minersville — disorderly conduct.

Kristen E. Hill, 41, of 531 N. Third St., Minersville — possession of a controlled substance and public drunkenness.

Henry R. Staller, 54, of 637 Pine Hill St., Minersville — accidents involving death or personal injury and reckless driving.

Fernando J. Fonseca, 20, last known address of 717 Mahantongo St., Apt. 2, Pottsville — criminal mischief.

Jacob F. Krasinski, 20, of 301 Pottsville St., Minersville — theft by deception.

Brian C. Bayer, 26, of 1023 W. Race St., Pottsville — possession of a small amount of marijuana.

Joseph A. Klinger, 25, of 505 N. Centre St., Suite 2, Pottsville — theft and receiving stolen property.

William E. Howells II, 19, of 2050 W. Market St., Pottsville — illegal possession of firearms, receiving stolen property and carrying firearms without a license.

Jonathan P. Pfeil, 30, of 536 E. Market St., Pottsville — simple assault and recklessly endangering another person.

Laura L. Parenzan, 25, of 24 Hilltop Mobile Home Park, Schuylkill Haven — furnishing drug-free urine.

Matthew R. Adams Jr., 26, no known address, Pottsville — burglary, criminal trespass, theft and receiving stolen property.

Marissa R. Cook, 22, of 544 Forest Lane, Pottsville — possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Nicholas S. Kleeman, 20, of 311 Pine Hill St., Minersville — possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Angus J. Angst, 23, of 70 Coal St., Apt. 1, Port Carbon, and 66 Coal St., Apt. 1, Port Carbon — possession of a small amount of marijuana, loitering and prowling at night and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Kyle J. Killian, 20, of 107 St. John St., Schuylkill Haven — criminal trespass, conspiracy, theft, receiving stolen property and criminal mischief.

Brady C. Stefan, 20, of 306 St. John St., Schuylkill Haven — theft by deception, theft, conspiracy and receiving stolen property.

Andrew J. Spector, 21, of 623 N. Garfield Ave., Schuylkill Haven — criminal trespass and conspiracy.

Jason T. Hepler, 40, of 210 St. Peter St., Apt. 2, Schuylkill Haven — fleeing or attempting to elude police.

Carissa L. Long, 31, of 109 W. Mifflin St., Orwigsburg — theft, identity theft and access device fraud.

Terry B. Stufflet, 58, of 238 N. Fifth St., Hamburg — indecent exposure and open lewdness.

Jesus Santos, 35, of 233 N. Highland St., Shenandoah — conspiracy and delivery of a controlled substance.

Aric Revell, 42, of 247 Nichols St., Pottsville — retail theft and conspiracy.

Michal C. Bostick, 38, of 71 High Road, Pottsville — retail theft and conspiracy.

FRACKVILLE — The Frackville Area Municipal Authority accepted a proposal from its consulting engineer to complete an update report on the tapping fee for customers to connect to the sewage system.

The FAMA board approved the proposal of $4,000 submitted by Donald M. Cuff, project manager with Entech Engineering Inc., at Wednesday’s meeting.

“As I believe you are aware, when new capacity is purchased in your system by an individual as a residential EDU (equivalent dwelling unit) or anything more significant than that, part of the charges assessed is the tapping fee,” Cuff said.

A tapping fee is a charge reflecting capital costs to a property owner connecting to an authority’s water or sewer system, according to the Pennsylvania Municipal Authorities Association website.

“That tapping fee has to be prepared in accordance with Act 57, which lays out specific criteria that the calculation must meet to be able to be supported and charge,” Cuff said. “The risk is that if you don’t have such, you could be in a position to actually provide rebates to any charges in excess of the calculated fee.”

The current tapping fee is $1,735 per lateral. Cuff said the last time the fee was calculated was in May 2005. An updated study would determine if the tapping fee should be increased for new connections to account for increased costs for those connections.

“The suggestion is to consider having a report prepared for the updated study,” he said.

Cuff added that the authority would receive preliminary figures during the study before it is completed to determine “where the fee is coming in at prior to the expense being $1,500. That way if you’re not seeing a net increase that you think is warranted, we can stop there so you don’t incur the full expense of the study. I really don’t think it’s going to be an issue, but I would like to have those preliminary numbers submitted to the authority before we go through the process of finalizing the document.”

The vote to accept the proposal was unanimous.

“I’ll be getting those number to you within the next two weeks,” Cuff told the board.

In an effort to make the roads safer, the North Central Highway Safety Network announced Friday that it has joined the One Text or Call Could Wreck It All campaign to stop distracted driving.

Carol Alonge, regional coordinator of the North Central Highway Safety Network, said the organization has pledged its support to help spread the message that distracted drivers are not only a danger to themselves, but everyone else on the road.

“We all know that talking on our cellphones while driving is distracting, but that doesn’t stop most people from continuing to do it,” Alonge said. “This effort is intended to educate our community about the dangers of cellphone use and other distractions while driving.

“We hope that once people see the statistics and realize the danger involved, they will change their driving habits to help protect themselves, their families and others on the road,” she added.

Statistic show that in 2013, there were 3,154 people killed in crashes involving a distracted driver and an estimated additional 424,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving a distracted driver. That same year, 11 percent of fatal crashes were reported as distraction-affected crashes, Alonge said.

She said that while anything that takes your eyes off the road, hands off the wheel or mind off the task of driving is a hazard, there is heightened concern about the risks of texting while driving because it combines all three types of distraction — visual, manual and cognitive.

The national distracted driving effort focuses on ways to change the behavior of drivers through legislation, enforcement, public awareness and education, the same activities that have curbed drunk driving and increased seat belt use, Alonge said.

“Every driver in Schuylkill County has a role in this effort,” she said. “However, we especially want to reach out to parents with teen drivers because we know that statistically, the under 20 age group had the highest proportion of distracted drivers involved in fatal crashes.”

Alonge said that Schuylkill County’s goal with this campaign is simple — save lives by getting drivers to remember that “one text or call could wreck it all.”

Alonge said that additional information about distracted driving can be obtained by visiting www.distraction.gov or contacting her at 570-628-2414 or calonge@nchsn.org.

n Barnesville: Business people interested in running the concession stand at Tuscarora State Park during the summer should call park manager Lew Williams at 570-668-1899.

n Frackville: Orders are being accepted for homemade Easter paska bread in a sale sponsored by Holy Ascension Orthodox Church, 209 S. Lehigh Ave. People may order plain or raisin. To order or for more information, call 570-874-0732.

n Hamburg: Our Town Foundation will sponsor a Kauffman’s chicken barbecue from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Fulton Bank, Third and Pine streets. The cost is $8 in advance and $9 on the day of the event. Dinners include a half chicken, baked potato, applesauce and roll. Tickets are available by calling the Our Town Foundation at 610-562-3106 or the Hamburg Grange at 610-562-5933.

n Hazleton: The Greater Hazleton Concert Series will present the “internationally acclaimed” Jive Aces with the Tinseltown Jitterbugs in the stage show, “Swingtime” at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Hazleton Area High School Auditorium, 1601 W. 23rd St. Tickets are $30 for adults and $10 for students. For reservations or concert information, call Amelia at 570-788-4864 or Joan at 570-455-0990. For more information on The Greater Hazleton Concert Series, go to its website at www.hazletonconcertseries.org or go to its Facebook page. An video preview of the performance is available online at www.vimeo.com/76535051.

n Lansford: Preschool story hours at the Panther Valley Public Library, 117 E. Bertsch St., are held at 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays. Tax preparation assistance for senior citizens is offered from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays. Seniors must call the library to schedule an appointment. The Polish Heritage Discussion Group will meet at 11 a.m. Wednesday. Baker registrations for the cupcake wars to be held May 16 are available now at the library and at the Summit Hill Heritage Center.

n Minersville: A citizens meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday by Mayor Joseph Post at the Minersville High Rise to obtain feedback from residents. The meetings will be held quarterly with future dates and locations to be determined.

n Minersville: The Minersville Public Library recently acknowledged the following memorials: For Mary Martin from St. John’s Church, Newtown; for James Farro from Christine M. Souchak, Helen Clay; for Millie Washtician from Shirley Kostick, Karen Harley and family; for John Grodis from John and Gloria Capik; for Robert Walsh from Mike and Ellen Franko; for Bill Zaharis from Al and Barb Munster; for Edward Raczka from the Forestville Ladies Auxiliary; for Rosalia Bonnie Campion from Helen Socko; for Jane Sunday from Jack Kline, Pat and Maria Mason, Rita Tamalavage, Christine Souchak; for Gerard Brennan from Barbara Graf, Barb and Al Munster, Rita Geiger, the Minersville Public Library Board of Directors; for Anne Hahn and Joan Hahn from Dr. Sara Pizano.

n Tamaqua: Primitive Methodist Church, 57 Hunter St., will hold its annual deer supper at 5 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call 570-668-1899.

n Tamaqua: The Tamaqua Public Library offers free basic computer classes through the Seniors Training Seniors Program. The one-on-one instruction is offered each week during normal library hours. The classes are also available to the general public on a space-available basis. For more information, call Jeanne at 570-668-040, the library at 570-668-4660 or visit the library’s website, www.tamaquapubliclibrary.com.

n Tamaqua: St. John’s United Church of Christ is having a halupki sale from noon to 2 p.m. today at the church, 150 Pine St. The cost is $2.50 each. For more information, call 570-668-3542.