Diocesan schools

The Most Rev. John Bar-res, bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Allentown, presented 133 eighth-graders from Catholic elementary schools in the diocese and one student from each of the three special learning centers with $1,000 scholarships to one of the diocesan high schools or special learning centers.

The presentation took place April 18 at the annual Bishop’s Scholar Society Awards Ceremony at Alvernia University, Reading.

Recipients were selected based on academic achievement, school, parish and community activities, leadership roles and recommendations from their principal and pastor.

At the same ceremony, the bishop presented 14 seniors, one boy and one girl from each of the seven diocesan high schools, with $500 scholarships for post-secondary education and plaques declaring them Bishop’s Catholic Scholars. They were chosen based on academics, school involvement, Catholic faith and community service. The scholarships are available because of the generosity of the people of the Diocese of Allentown, who through the Bishop’s Annual Appeal provide funding.

Locally, the Bishop’s Catholic Scholars are Nico Agosti and Faith Belfano, Marian High School, and Daniel Young and Felicia Wranitz, Nativity BVM High School.

The Special Learning Center Scholarship 2015 was awarded to Dillon Tray, St. Joseph Center for Special Learning, Pottsville.

Scholarship winners for Marian are Zachary Boyer, St. Jerome Regional School, Tamaqua; Seth Feisel, Our Lady of the Angels Academy, Lansford; Kailyn Jones, St. Jerome; Margaret Joseph, Trinity Academy at the Father Walter J. Ciszek Education Center, Shenandoah; Courtney Kovatch and Jacob McLaughlin, both of Our Lady of the Angels; Alexa Murray and Maggie O’Rourke, Trinity Academy; Courtney Rodick and Lindsay Salazer, St. Jerome; Alexa Sandefer and Antonina Zeleniak, Our Lady of the Angels.

Scholarship winners for Nativity include Jacob Artz, Assumption BVM School, Pottsville; Jordan Berdanier and Michael Bilansky, both of St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic School, Minersville; Sean Crane and Michael Durant, St. Ambrose School, Schuylkill Haven; Alexandra Eades, Assumption BVM; Matthew Goodman, St. Nicholas; Madison Hayes and Connor McNamara, Assumption BVM; Victoria Newton, St. Nicholas; Leslie O, St. Ambrose; Lindsay Purcell, Assumption BVM; Gabriella Quinn, St. Nicholas; Ryan Schreffler and Jade Stickell, Assumption BVM; Andrew Vaupel and Luca Walborn, St. Ambrose; Haley Zimerofsky, Assumption BVM.

Wyo. Seminary

Jake Hendricks, New Ringgold, a freshman at Wyoming Seminary College Preparatory School, Kingston, Luzerne County, and a son of Mr. and Mrs. Glen Hendricks, New Ringgold, made the dean’s list with high honors for the winter academic term.

Lancaster Bible

Norman Eisenhart, Orwigsburg, a Bible and ministry major at Lancaster Bible College, made the dean’s list with a 3.7 GPA.

A graduate of Pottsville Area High School, he is a son of Alice Eisenhart.

NEW RINGGOLD — No injuries were reported when fire destroyed a home in West Penn Township late Friday night.

The house, located at 365 Mush Dahl Road, near the intersection with Route 309, West Penn Pike, was reportedly unoccupied at the time the fire was reported.

Firefighters arrived at the scene within minutes after receiving the call about 10:45 p.m. and found the majority of the three-story home engulfed in flames.

In addition to West Penn Township firefighters, volunteers from Walker Township, Tamaqua, New Ringgold, Hometown and Quakake assisted in battling the fire. Volunteers were also called from Mahanoy Valley, Carbon County, and New Tripoli and Germansville, Lehigh County.

According to the Schuylkill County Parcel Locator, the property has been owned since 2006 by Hanna Monif, Allentown.

The cause of the blaze is under investigation. West Penn Township fire officials could not be reached for additional information.

The site of the fire was also the location of a 2008 blaze that destroyed a large barn.

SHENANDOAH HEIGHTS — Illegal dumping throughout West Mahanoy Township, and especially at three locations, will not be tolerated.

The township supervisors raised the matter at Tuesday’s meeting. Chairman Paul “Pepper” Martin said police will enforce laws involving illegal dumping.

Township secretary/treasurer Michael Michalik said on Friday that there is a variety of materials being discarded.

“We’re having a problem with people dumping yard waste and trash in three areas of the township,” Michalik said. “One location is Topeka Avenue (Shenandoah Heights), which is near where the Tastee Freeze is. We put signs up there because we put in a lot of piping there. Another site is at Weston Place. It’s where you come into Weston Place near the cemetery along the pole line. And the third site is along Line Street (Altamont) at the industrial park.”

Michalik added, “We just want people to know there is no dumping in the township. If they are caught, they will be prosecuted.”

In other business, the supervisors approved advertising Ordinance 2015-2 that authorizes the participation of the township in the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors Unemployment Compensation Group Trust pursuant to Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation law.

The accounting firm of Jones and Co., Pottsville, will conduct the 2014 township audit this week.

Due to the May 19 primary election, the next supervisors’ meeting will be held at 7 p.m. May 26 in the municipal building.

n Ashland: The borough recreation committee will hold its annual townwide yard sale from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 9, rain or shine. Maps will be available at the borough office, 401 S. 18th St., on May 8. For more information, call 570-875-2411.

n Lansford: Al-Anon group meetings are held at 7:15 p.m. Mondays in St. Katharine Drexel Church Hall, 120 E. Abbott St. Al-Anon is a nonprofit, worldwide support organization helping families and friends of loved ones suffering from addiction.

n Pine Grove: Naturalist Denise “Nightowl” Donmoyer will lead a bird walk from 9 to 11 a.m. May 9 at Sweet Arrow Lake County Park. Participants will locate and identify from sight and song the resident and migratory bird species that inhabit the park. Walkers will meet in the waterfall parking lot. The free program is for beginner and experienced birdwatchers. The walk will be canceled in the event of rain. For more information, call 570-345-8952.

n Saint Clair: Blue Mountain 4-H Livestock Club members will help to kick off the Tractor Supply Co. Clover Campaign on Tuesday at the Tractor Supply store in the Coal Creek Commerce Center. The Clover Campaign will run through May 3. Customers are asked at checkout to make a donation to 4-H by buying a 4-H Clover. Club members will be available to help customers carry purchases to their cars and to engage customers in light discussion about raising livestock. For more information, call 570-739-2627.

n Schuylkill Haven: The South Schuylkill Garden Club will hold its annual plant sale from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. May 16 at 46 Avenue C behind the Medical Arts Building. The event will feature locally grown plants for the garden. There will be hundreds of plants of all types. Club and Penn State Master Gardeners will be available to answer questions. Light refreshments will also be available, as will baked goods. For more information, call Carol Haldeman at 570-345-2423 or email to chaldyir@gmail.com.

n Schuylkill Haven: First United Methodist Church, 420 Saylor St., will hold a yard sale from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 16 in its fellowship hall. There is no admission fee. For more information, call 570-449-6916. The church will also sponsor a Kauffman’s chicken barbecue from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 16. The cost is $7.50 for a half chicken, baked potato, applesauce and roll.

n Summit Station: The 14th annual Bear Creek Festival, this year spotlighting the 60th anniversary of the Schuylkill Conservation District, will be held from noon to 4 p.m. May 17 at the Schuylkill County Fairgrounds. The event offers visitors free activities related to all things environmental, outdoors, natural and agricultural in Schuylkill County, according to a press release. The conservation district is the festival sponsor. Attendees will be able to “Leave Your Mark on Schuylkill County” by adding their handprint to a large collage. There will also be a festivalwide treasure hunt that highlights the diverse work of the conservation district. Everyone who completes the treasure hunt will take home a prize and be entered in the grand prize drawing for a $50 Cabela’s gift card. There will also be crafts, a fishing derby, hover ball, archery, a demonstration by German shepherds, music by KJ and a petting zoo. To learn about all of the festival activities, follow “Schuylkill Conservation District” on Facebook. Established in 1955 by Dr. James S. Shadle, the Schuylkill Conservation District is dedicated to protecting, enhancing, restoring and promoting the responsible use of the county’s natural resources for future generations. For more information, call Jenna Fehr at district office at 570-622-3742, ext. 123 or via email to jfehr@co.schuylkill.pa.us.

n Summit Station: The Schuylkill County Fair will run July 27 through Aug. 4 at the fairgrounds, 2270 Fair Road. For more information, call 570-739-2627.

On a rainy April evening in Paris, I went to the theater. I had a free ticket that I'd picked up at work, at the ticket office at my university where students (and teachers) can get discounts and sometimes tickets for free. I didn't know anything about the play I was going to see. I just felt like going to the theater so I walked in and took a seat.

The lights went down. A man sitting in the front row stood up and stepped onto the stage. He began speaking in Italian. I felt an uncomfortable rustle around me. The play was called "Nous n'irons pas ce soir au Paradis," ("This evening we won't go to paradise.") So where were we going, we asked ourselves.

In the end, we went to hell, and to purgatory, a voyage that transported us outside of time to a place where minutes don't count, where the worries of daily life fall away, where nothing matters as much what is happening this very instant on the stage:

In front of us stands a man in street clothes. There are no props, no stage décor. There's simply one man, actor Serge Maggiani, who speaks to us about another, the Italian poet Dante Alighieri, author of "The Divine Comedy."

Sounds like pretty highbrow stuff, doesn't it? A narrative poem written in the early 14th century where all the characters, except the poet, are dead, some freezing in hell (yes, the coldest parts are reserved for the worst sinners), others biding their time in purgatory, and a happy few residing in paradise (we won't be going there, we've been forewarned).

But the evening is anything but that. Serge Maggiani, our guide, introduces us to Dante and points out that's the poet's first name. Right away we're on a first-name basis with a man who, like us, has known suffering, disappointment and loss in love.

In fact, when Dante begins his journey, it sounds like he's seriously depressed. He's lost in a dark forest and with each step sinks deeper into the mire. In real life, he is an enemy of the powerful Pope Boniface VIII and has been condemned to permanent exile from his beloved Florence. He has no income, no home, few friends.

He does have ink, pen and paper, however, and although he has been deprived of his birthplace, no one can take his native tongue away. Dante writes in the Italian of Tuscany at a time when no self-respecting writer would use anything but Latin. He lives in his language and makes it his home. Participating in the creation of the Italian language that will one day be spoken all over Italy, he also takes a writer's sweet revenge when he condemns Pope Boniface to hell before he's even dead.

By the end of the evening, we may not have been to paradise but we've met Dante, as real, as close to us as any man alive. We've also encountered the poet's special genius and had a taste of eternity.

That rainy April evening, I experienced a moment of serendipity that no screen could ever give me. What I found with a group of strangers and a single actor on stage I could never find on my computer, my cellphone, my TV or even a giant movie screen. Live theater makes us more alive and this is something we all need.

In Pottsville, the people who have worked so hard to bring back the Majestic Theater understand this. They understand the importance of a community theater that makes live entertainment available at a reasonable price.

Recently there have been Robert Thomas Hughes's "A Miner's Tale" and "Triumph and Tragedy" to commemorate the end of the Civil War.

I remember the Majestic Theater when it was a farmers market. My mother remembered it from its early days as a movie theater although I don't know if she ever knew it as a nickelodeon. That's how the Majestic began when it first opened in 1910, four years before the great fire of 1914, which destroyed the city's finest theater, the Academy of Music.

Rooting around in the past, I came up with the name of Robert B. Mantell, a well-known actor in his day. In New York and on the road, he played all the great Shakespearean roles and married four times, each of his brides a leading lady who played at his side. In September 1902 he was on stage at the Academy of Music in a popular play of the day, "The Cross and the Dagger."

The following year, in the same theater, the Pottsville Musical Society put on a production of Gilbert and Sullivan's "Pirates of Penzance." In 1913, the year before the academy burnt down, the Honey Boy Minstrels were on the bill. Led by George Evans, co-author of "In the Good Old Summer Time," they sang and performed vaudeville acts.

Once the Academy of Music was gone, other theaters took its place. The Hippodrome on East Market Street brought in vaudeville acts and big bands. The Capitol on North Centre Street was more palace than theater. It could seat more than 2,700, had 13 dressing rooms for vaudeville stars, and its interior decor was a cross between a Moorish castle and a very ornate Italian church.

Pottsville also had dance halls and in the days of prohibition, speakeasies galore. At the Holly Roof on the top floor of the Hollywood Theater, couples danced to the beat of Paul Whiteman's orchestra and the Dorsey Brothers of Shenandoah were regulars in town. There were also lots of clubs and bars on Minersville Street.

In the 1930s and '40s, Pottsville had so much live entertainment that the city was off limits to soldiers from Indiantown Gap (although this was a rule hard to enforce). A trip to Pottsville was the equivalent of a descent into Dante's Inferno. In just one visit, a young man could lose his soul, his health and every penny in his pocket.

It would be easy to say "those were the good old days," but they weren't. There was the Great Depression and World War II. To make it through hard times, people got together to dance, sing, go to a show. They had fun and we could have more too if we put our screens aside and exchanged the virtual for the live.

(Honicker can be reached at honicker.republicanherald@gmail.com)

Shenandoah man

found with drugs

SHENANDOAH — A borough man was arrested by Shenandoah police after an incident about 12:45 p.m. April 14 at his 305 W. Coal St. home.

Police said Sean Keating, 29, was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and will have to answer before Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker, Shenandoah.

Police said officers were called to the Keating home to assist Schuylkill Count adult probation officers, entered the home and found drug paraphernalia in plain view.

When questioned, police said, Keating admitted using heroin recently.

Man reports case

of identity theft

HAMBURG — State police at Hamburg are investigating a case of identity theft that occurred earlier this month.

Police said James L. Mikucki, 61, of Hamburg, reported he prepared his income tax return using Turbo Tax and, when filing the document, he was notified it was rejected.

The return was rejected due to an income tax return already being filed with the victim’s biographical information, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to call state police at Hamburg at 610-562-6885.

MAHANOY CITY — A large crowd gathered Saturday at Mahanoy Area Alumni Field for the 2nd annual Stomp Out Suicide Community Awareness Walk.

Friends, family members and the community came to remember those who fell victim to suicide and also promote awareness of the growing epidemic of suicide.

In all, more than 200 people, young and old alike, showed their support by walking laps around the track and were able to enjoy other activities including music by disc jockey Chuck Rock, activities and food and refreshments.

All proceeds from the benefit will go to a taskforce in effort to extend public awareness of this growing issue.

Stomp Out Suicide is dedicated to raising suicide awareness through community events and education by providing hope and understanding to those considering and helpful tools and resources to their friends and family.

Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S. for all ages, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Statistics show that one death by suicide occurs in the nation every 13 minutes, taking the lives of more than 38,000 Americans in any given year.

According to the CDC, suicide can have lasting and harmful effects on individuals, families and communities. While causes are complex and determined by numerous factors, the goal of suicide prevention is to reduce factors that increase risk and increase factors that promote resilience.

The goal of Stomp Out Suicide is to reach out and prevent tragedy from happening.

Anyone needing assistance or information can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline center, toll-free, at 800-273-TALK (8255).

Ashland Rotary

Nathan Gadinski, Ashland, a senior at North Schuylkill High School, was chosen as student of the month for March by the Ashland Area Rotary Club.

Nathan’s high school activities include National Honor Society, student council, Presidents Club, football, wrestling, Teens Against Tobacco and Students Against Destructive Decisions. He also does community service with the football team.

A son of Robert and Kathy Gadinski, Ashland, he plans to attend Bloomsburg University to pursue a degree in finance and marketing.

Frackville Rotary

Stephen N. Mazur, a junior at North Schuylkill High School, was honored as the Frackville Rotary Club student of the month for March at a recent club meeting at the Cracker Barrel Restaurant at the Schuylkill Mall.

Stephen is an honors student and a member of the National Honor Society. He carries a cumulative weighted grade average of 97.81 percent and is in the top 20 percent of his class.

Enrolled in honors mathematics and English, Stephen participates in the Theater Arts program and chorus and plays the guitar. He was awarded the Black Diamond Patriotism Award.

He is an altar server and narrator for his church’s Christmas pageant at St. Michael Ukrainian Catholic Church, Frackville.

He was also honored by being chosen to attend the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards Program, which is conducted at Juniata College, Huntingdon, in June.

Stephen is a son of Stephen and Karyn Mazur, Frackville.

Mahanoy Area

Austin Tobin and Cierra Abrachinsky were named students of the month for March by Mahanoy Area Middle School faculty.

The program, sponsored by the Mahanoy City Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge 695, judges nominees on the basis of multiple achievements, character, leadership, citizenship and scholastic aptitude.

Austin is a son of Joseph and Erin Mussoline, Mahanoy City, and a member of First United Methodist Church, Mahanoy City. A superior honor student, he is involved in National Junior Honor Society, ski club, Theatre Arts and intramural basketball.

Austin is a Manners Matter recipient and he achieved perfect attendance in seventh grade. He volunteers at the West End Fire Company bingo, Little League baseball and church dinners and breakfasts.

He plans to attend law school and become a lawyer.

Cierra is a daughter of Paul Abrachinsky, Shenandoah, and Ann Louise Abrachinsky, Mahanoy City. She is a member of St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church, Mahanoy City, where she attends CCD classes and is an altar server.

Cierra, a superior honor student, is involved in National Junior Honor Society, seventh- and eighth-grade girls basketball, track and field, ski club, Theatre Arts, chorus, intramural basketball, CYO basketball and AAU basketball. She is an Elks Contest winner, Manners Matter recipient and is the seventh- and eighth-grade wrestling manager.

She volunteers at Relay for Life events, road cleanup for Park Crest Fish and Game and the Rhoades Foundation. She is a server at church breakfasts and reads at the Child Development Center.

Cierra plans to attend medical school and become an anesthesiologist.

Shen Rotary

Hui Wei Liu, a senior at Shenandoah Valley High School, was named student of the month for March by the Shenandoah Rotary Club.

His high school activities include varsity marching band, cross country, track and field, drama club, Academic Bowl team, Talent Search program, float committee and varsity basketball. His community service includes volunteering at the Italian Festival, St. Stanislaus Roman Catholic Church, Blue Sky Restaurant, ecology club, Talent Search program, window painting and various school-related projects.

A son of Jing Yu Liu, Shenandoah, he plans to attend college to become a computer programmer and take care of his family.

DEER LAKE — People who consider running and being pelted with colored cornstarch appealing participated in the first Deer Lake Color Fusion 5K Sunday morning to benefit the fight against multiple sclerosis.

“This is the fifth annual run. We’ve done runs in the past but this is the first color run,” Aida Behler, event coordinator, said Sunday. “It seems to be all the rage.”

The first three annual runs raised money for the fight against breast cancer, which claimed a friend of Behler’s.

In 2013, a family member of Behler’s was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis — MS — so the past two years have been dedicated to raising money to fight MS.

Participants threw colored powder at each other prior to the race and additional colored powder was thrown at participants as they made their way through the track, which started and ended on Lake Front Drive.

Behler said that in a bid to make the run more fun, recorded times were tossed aside. Those interested in their times could check an unofficial time clock at the finish line.

First to cross the finish line was Hunter Firing, Schuylkill Haven, and second was Jacob Kluge, Deer Lake, both in the 17-minute range. No prizes were given to the top finishers due to additional costs for the race, such as for colored cornstarch, Behler said.

Concessions, breakfast and lunch were courtesy of the Deer Lake & West Brunswick Fire Company.

With help from family members to organize the event, Behler hoped the run would raise $1,000 even with the added costs of a color run.

Behler said about 150 people registered in advance and she expected 200 people would participate in the race.

Registration was $25 per adult and $20 for children under 18.

Participants attended not only to be pelted with colored cornstarch.

“It motivates me and it’s time with the kids,” Lisa Garman, 43, of York, said. Garman ran with Rebecca Forman, 19, and Leandra Williams, 18, both of York.

Garman said she likes to see different places and that the drive to Deer Lake was “beautiful.”

Michele Doyle, 43, of Pottsville, has run multiple races before, but this was her first color run.

“It’s fun and it supports a good cause,” Doyle said.

She said she practiced in Deer Lake for the 5K.

Deer Lake locals also came out to enjoy the run.

“We live in the neighborhood and it’s a good cause,” Tracey Sattazahn, 41, of Deer Lake, said. She ran with her son, Dylan, 9.

Alongside the Sattazahns were Logan and Wyatt Barns, 8, and their mother, Becky Barns, 40, all of Deer Lake.

“It’s fun for the kids,” Becky Barns said. “They definitely had a lot of say in this.”

The boys said they were looking forward to being covered in colored powder and running at the beginning and end of the track.

n Ashland: The collection of furnace and stoker ashes in the borough switched from a weekly to a bi-weekly schedule as of the April 24 collection. The next pickup will be May 8 and every other Friday thereafter. Weekly collections will resume in the fall, according to a borough release.

n McAdoo: The McAdoo Lions Club will again sponsor the adopt-a-flag program in which citizens can buy an American flag in honor or memory of a loved one. The flags will fly over the borough and Kline Township from May 30 until Labor Day. To order, call Andy Kovick at 570-929-1212 or Mary at 570-929-3658. The flags will be put up by the volunteers of the McAdoo Fire Company.

n McAdoo: With spring breaking into bloom, borough officials issued a reminder for residents that the borough has an ordinance prohibiting the growth of grass or weeds to exceed a height of 12 inches. Fines will be issued to people in violation, they said.

n Millersburg: The Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art has announced the inaugural season of the DeSoto Amphitheater for the Performing Arts, which was completed in July 2014. The 2015 season will feature a “diverse lineup of programming at a reasonable price-point,” Alexis Dow Campbell, the center’s director of creative programming, said in a press release. Several events, she said, are “bring your own price,” in which any size “donation” will buy a ticket. Picnics are welcome, concessions will be available (BYOB). People can buy tickets or become season subscribers online at www.nedsmithcenter.org, where they can also check on the season’s entertainment lineup. People may also call the center at 717-692-3699.

n Orwigsburg: Congregational Free Church of Christ, 81 McKeans Ridge Road, will sponsor a Chinese auction from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday. Doors will open at 11 a.m. The cost is $5 per sheet for regular tables. Lunch and baked goods will be on sale. Special prizes to be chanced off include a Kenneth Cole luggage set, money tree, lottery tree, Brita 18-cup filter system, MTD push mower, five-piece patio set, Prestige pro tablet, Fire HD6 Kindle and other items. A shop-and-drop will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday. For more information, call 570-385-2569.

n Pottsville: A Mother’s Day Gift Fair sponsored by Ronald McDonald House Charities will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 9 at McDonald’s of Pottsville, 720 N. Claude A. Lord Blvd. Participants will be able to buy gifts for mom’s special day from local crafters and direct sales vendors. There will also be a Chinese auction. For more information, call 570-573-7270.

n Pottsville: Schuylkill County Treasurer Jacqueline V. McGovern, in a press release, issued notification to all county dog owners that 2014 dog licenses are past due. State law requires that all dogs 3 months or older be licensed by Jan. 1, she said. Failure to license a dog is a summary offense and a maximum fine of $500 for each unlicensed dog may be issued. An annual license is $8.45 and a lifetime license is $51.45. If the dog is spayed or neutered, the annual fee is $6.45 while a lifetime license is $31.45. Discounts are available for senior citizens and people with disabilities, according to the release. State dog wardens have begun canvassing and will do so throughout the summer. License applications are available at the treasurer’s office or from local dog agents. A list of 2015 Schuylkill County dog agents and a downloadable application is available online at www.co.schuylkill.pa.us/Offices/Treasurer/Treasurer.asp. People may also go online to buy a license at PADogLicense.com.

n Pottsville: The 2015 Adult Men’s Basketball League will begin June 16 at the Barefield Outdoor Recreation Complex, 823 Terry Reiley Way. League games will be played Tuesday and Thursday nights. The number of games depends on the number of teams, plus playoffs, according to a Barefield press release. The cost is $500 per team and the deadlline for registration is June 1. To register or for more information, call the BORC office at 570-628-5079 or 570-269-5695.

n Shenandoah: The Shenandoah Area Free Public Library will hold a fundraising event from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Friendly’s Family Restaurant near Fairlane Village mall. Friendly’s will donate a portion of its proceeds on eat-in and take-out fare to the library and all are invited to participate.

Man charged

in alleged assault

RINGTOWN — A man was taken into custody for simple assault and harassment after a dispute at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, police said.

State police at Frackville said Jeffrey Houser, 39, of Ringtown, was involved in a domestic dispute with a 37-year-old Ashland woman at 122 Strawberry Lane. Police said Houser was arraigned and released on $5,000 unsecured bail.

Burglary attempt

in Berks probed

HAMBURG — State police at Hamburg are investigating an attempted burglary that occurred at 9:30 p.m. Saturday in Berks County.

Police said someone tried to enter the residence of Derek Kauffman, 21 Helen Court, by opening the back east sliding door.

Police said Kauffman does not believe the person entered his house and never saw anyone inside or outside of his residence. The person fled the scene in an unknown direction, police said.

Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to call police at 610-562-6885.

Man faces charge

in 2-car collision

NEW RINGGOLD — A New Philadelphia man will be cited as a result of a collision at 3:50 a.m. Saturday on Summer Valley Road at Evergreen Drive in East Brunswick Township, police said.

State police at Frackville said Joshua J. Derfler, 25, was traveling east on Route 895 in a 2006 Subaru Outback when he failed to observe Jason M. Heinrich, 24, of Warners, N.Y., driving in a 2001 Mack Tractor in front of him.

The Subaru hit the rear of the tractor, and caused disabling damage to the Subaru and minor damage to the tractor, police said. Both vehicles came to final rest along the south berm and facing east.

Derfler will be charged with following too closely, police said.

SAINT CLAIR — A swarm of yellow rubber ducks were found racing down Mill Creek at 3:32 p.m. Sunday.

The culprits behind the more than 5,000 rubber duck invasion was Avenues, Pottsville, for their largest fundraiser of the year: the 27th annual duck race.

“Getting people involved in what we’re passionate about in Avenues is important,” Holly Keff, Avenues retail coordinator, said Sunday.

Each duck was “adopted” for $5 and plunged into the water for a race to the finish. The owner of the first duck to finish won a cash prize of $1,000.

Other duck owners still had a chance to win a raffle prize if their duck didn’t get caught in the rocks or waves of the creek. Ducks that didn’t make it to the finish line 30 minutes after the first duck were disqualified from the raffle.

Raffle items included donated gift baskets, bikes and Yuengling memorabilia.

All proceeds from the race go back into Avenues, a nonprofit organization to benefit individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Most of the proceeds will go into the transportation department this year.

“One-third of our participants of Avenues are transported in the county,” Keff said.

Avenues’ goal of 5,000 ducks was almost definitely surpassed, Keff said, unsure of the amount of ducks sold.

“We had 4,300 ducks sold before we opened our tent this morning and we’ve sold a whole bunch since then,” she said.

It is estimated that Avenues will make more than $30,000 from the fundraiser like in previous years.

Locals are attracted to the fundraiser each year because of the unique atmosphere it creates.

“It’s pretty cool to see,” Stephanie Abalo, 39, of Ashland, said.

Abalo bought a duck though her chances were “slim,” she said.

“I’m not lucky at all but I think it will be fun. The kids like it,” she said.

Jamie Dermo, Shenandoah, and her son, Gavin, 10, both bought a rubber duck to support the cause.

“Gavin is autistic so we know that it’s important to support a cause as beautiful as this,” Jamie Dermo said. “You’ve got to give it to Avenues for acknowledging that.”

MAHANOY CITY — The Mahanoy Township Authority’s Lofty Dam rehabilitation project continues to be under review by the state Department of Environmental Protection.

Alfred Benesch & Co. project manager James J. Rhoades Jr. updated the authority board at its April meeting about the status of the project.

The DEP-mandated project includes necessary improvements to raise the dam breast, control seepage, rehabilitate upstream embankment, upgrade the spillway and repair the outlet works. The estimated cost is about $2.5 million.

“We are preparing a response to the DEP second technical review letter dated March 5,” Rhoades said. “As discussed at last month’s meeting, we are waiting for the geotechnical comments that were received via conference call on March 27. We are in discussions with DEP on clarifying their requests for modifications. The response will be submitted as soon as we receive clarification. We are still pushing for a May 13 PENNVEST (Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority) submittal, but admit DEP comments may impact on that schedule.”

The authority is applying for a low-interest loan of about $900,000 for the project, which has been approved for a Commonwealth Financing Authority grant of $1,666,667. Due to the delay, CFA has approved the grant extension request through June 2016.

Rhoades said the technical review is taking longer since a new set of DEP reviewers have taken over.

“We’re struggling a little bit with another set of reviewers than we had earlier,” Rhoades said. “If you recall, Ashland (Area Municipal Authority) just went through the process and they are bidding theirs now. Some of the things we did on Ashland we can’t do on this project, according to the reviewers. The problem is we’re going back and forth and answering comments more than one time, which gets rather frustrating, especially since we’ve these same processes approved on other jobs over the last few years, as well as Ashland. We’re struggling a little bit, but we still think we’re going to get to the resolution, just not as quickly as we were hoping.”

Rhoades said the lack of a construction permit approval by DEP will delay the project.

“As for the impact on schedule, we were planning to make the PENNVEST submittal in May for their July meeting, and we’re still hoping to do that,” Rhoades said. “However, if we don’t have the permit in hand by the May 13th submittal, they won’t accept the application, and that would take us to an August submittal for their October meeting. We were planning to go out for bid this fall, so if we get approval in July, we can close on the PENNVEST loan in September, bid it in October and the construction could begin in the fall, weather permitting, and then come back and finish in the spring. If we get pushed to the October meeting, then we would be bidding it over the winter for a start in the spring.”

Rhoades requested a motion for Benesch to adopt a resolution to permit Benesch to complete and submit the PENNVEST loan application, which was approved.

The Lofty Dam, located in Kline Township, serves as a DEP-permitted public water supply source. It is an earthen embankment 1,100 feet in length and 28 feet high. The impoundment covers 31 acres and contains 118 million gallons of water. MTA public water serves a population of approximately 7,000 through 2,800 connections in the boroughs of Mahanoy City and Gilberton and the villages of Bowmans, Boston Run, Maple Hill, as well as other areas of Mahanoy Township, including undeveloped residential and commercial properties with potential for growth. Typically, the authority pumps in excess of 60 million gallons annually from this source to meet customer demands.

The authority owns and operates nine reservoirs of varying size for public water supply purposes. On an annual basis, Benesch, which is the authority’s consulting engineer, inspects five of these dams due to their height and storage capacity.

Benesch project manager Jennifer Kowalonek said the authority saved the dam from being breached when the DEP mandate was ordered.

“The repairs were mandated back in the time when this dam was owned by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission,” Kowalonek said. “The Mahanoy Township Authority took possession of the reservoir back from the commission because it was planning on breaching and eliminating the dam. The reservoir is a resource utilized by the authority as a public water supply.”

In another engineering matter, Rhoades said an update has been provided regarding fire flow discussions with Mahanoy City fire Chief Randy Kalce via email.

“Benesch will work with the borough and possibly the (Mahanoy) township in seeking grant funding sources for two dry hydrants on Mahanoy Creek to help supplement the fire protection system,” Rhoades said.

Benesch responded to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regarding the new Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory notice of potential impact to the endangered northern bat, indicating that a review showed no impact involving the bat with the dam project. Rhoades said the construction schedule will be adjusted to restrict tree cutting from November to March so as not to impact the bat habitat.

“The northern bat changed to an endangered species last year, so there are some triggers that could get you into trouble,” Rhoades said. “We were able to convince them that we have no impact, and we received the stamp of approval this morning.”

During the public portion, Mandy Piercey, Maizeville, spoke about problems with her billing. She said that the most recent quarterly bill showed usage of 201,000 gallons of use at a cost of $1,400. Piercey was accompanied by her landlord, Michael Cope, who explained that water lines inside the property had been replaced last year when asked about a possible leak.

“First thing we do is to check the calibration of the (water) meter,” John “Jack” Kelly, authority board member, said. “We can go from there.”

MTA general manager Joseph Fegley agreed with the suggestion to visit the property to determine what the problem is and how to address it. He asked Piercey to call and arrange a time for authority employees to visit. Cope said he would be available to be there to answer questions.

TOWER CITY — The borough council agreed to retain four engineering firms to act as the borough’s code enforcement officer.

Following a brief discussion April 13, the council agreed Alfred Benesch & Co., Pottsville, Light-Heigel, Schuylkill Haven, ARRO Engineering, Orwigsburg, and Lehigh Engineering, Pottsville, would be retained on a case-by-case basis, with either the police or the council making the selection of who would be hired.

“Individual usage will be up to the police or the council depending on what is charged,” board Chairman Bruce Schneck said.

Rubbish

After several months of complaints from a resident, the council agreed to consider an amendment to the garbage, rubbish and refuse ordinance, which would require the removal of trash cans from sidewalks onto the resident’s property within 12 hours after pickup. The amendment, which also requires that the trash can lid be closed at all times when in use, received unanimous approval by the council.

Councilman Paul Ruth said he checked the offending resident for a week, noting the can was at the curb the entire week and the lid was not always closed.

Police

Ruth provided a police budget quarterly report, saying the department had used 18 percent of its budget. He said it is on track for this time of year, adding that the 150.4 hours logged in for March were also on track.

Councilman Bob Shuey provided a quarterly report for the general fund. He said supplies for the tax collector and police were in excess for the first quarter, but it is anticipated that most of what is needed for the year has probably been purchased. However, he said vehicle maintenance needed to be watched.

Recreation

Recreation Committee Chairwoman Yvonne Adams said the person who organized the Lynn Spittle run each year would no longer do it. Since the swimming pool benefitted from the event, the committee was looking for a volunteer to take over the responsibility. Anyone interested should contact Adams.

According to Adams, pool prices will remain the same this year. A cleanup day at the pool area will be scheduled, and swimming lessons will be scheduled from July 13 to 20. She said lifeguards are needed.

Recycling

After discussing an electronics recycling event which would cost the borough several hundreds of dollars, the council agreed it was unnecessary since Schuylkill County holds one each year in the fall.

Joseph Scribbick of the county’s recycling office confirmed an event will be held in September, probably in Porter Township. Scribbick said he is hoping to schedule 13 events this year, with six held one weekend and seven on another weekend.

LOYALTON — Two Upper Dauphin Area Future Farmers of America members shared their experiences from a statewide leadership conference with the school board April 14.

Senior Anna Mae Shadle and Sophomore Allison Mace were among 368 FFA students who attended the 28th annual State Legislative Leadership Conference held March 15 to 17 at the Sheraton in Harrisburg.

“It was a good way to meet new people and make new friends across Pennsylvania,” Mace said.

They said conference attendees broke up into groups representing majority and minority members of the House and Senate. They debated bills, learned how a bill becomes law, met with legislators and completed community service projects.

Shadle said they went to the Monroe Fire Company for their community service effort. They cleaned out lockers, removed equipment and scrubbed floors.

The pair met with state Rep. Mike Tobash, R-125, at a legislative breakfast and also heard from Secretary of Agriculture Russell C. Redding while discussing the impact agriculture has on the state.

Board director Gerald Wiest asked the students if they came up with any meaningful legislation.

Mace said they debated how to “better control the use of drones.”

UDA agriculture instructor Mark Dietrich thanked the school board for its support.

In addition to Wiest, directors present for the board meeting were Kathryn Talhelm, Roni Mace, Steven Welker, Jack Laudenslager and David Barder. Board members Mills Eure, the Rev. Nathan Minnich and Angela Mattern were absent.

Administrators

Athletic Director Brent Bell warned it may be more difficult to find coaches since additional training requirements will be in place after July 1, 2016. While coaches must already have concussion training and cardiac training, there are two additional courses the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association will be requiring coaches to take: coaching principles and a first-aid course. Bell recommended the district pay for the training for half of the coaches one year and then pay for the training for the other half the following year. He also recommended the district pay for the training for volunteer coaches.

At the middle school, Principal Jared Shade said the Character Education and Blended Learning programs are progressing well. Discipline referrals are down 40 percent, he said. He said six students had also returned to the district from cyber school.

High school Principal Dermot Garrett expressed his concern about the Keystone Exams’ impact on curriculum.

“The demands we’re making on every kid is too much,” he said. “We’re changing the paradigm of what it is to get a high school diploma ... We’re setting up an impossible target for our kids.”

Elementary Principal Jessica Megonnell expressed appreciation to students and staff during the ongoing PSSA tests.

“I’m very proud of our students. They realize the importance of the exams,” she said.

She thanked Shade for the progress of the Character Education program. She also offered appreciation to the school’s Parent-Teacher Organization, which was contributing $5,000 toward technology needs at the elementary school.

Leashay Zeigler, supervisor of special education and student services, said since Upper Dauphin is a very “transient” district, it makes it difficult to accurately predict yearly budget costs. The number of evaluations are increasing, and the needs of the students are higher, she said. There are currently 147 special education students in the district or in consortium classrooms. She said the district’s special education staff “goes above and beyond”.

Athletic Fees

Trojan fans can expect to pay more to see athletic events next school year.

The board approved increasing ticket prices for the 2015-16 school year by $1 for adults and $1 for students and increasing the family and individual passes by $5. There would be no increase in the $30 pay-to-play fee for participants/athletes.

Under the plan, the new prices would be: varsity/junior varsity ticket, $5 adult/$3 student; junior high ticket, $3 adult/$2 student; varsity tournament ticket, $6; family pass, $105; and individual pass, $75.

This is anticipated to generate an increase in district revenue of $10,850, according to Bell.

In other business, the board approved the following fall coaches for the 2015-16 school year:

• Football: Brent Bell, head coach, $3,015; Michael Griffiths, assistant coach, $2,087; Ed Cooper, assistant coach, $1,800; Jordan Feidt, assistant coach, $1,800; Corey Shadle, assistant coach, $1,800; Trey Campbell, guest assistant coach, unpaid;

• Boys’ soccer: Jeff Seiler, head coach, $2,101;

• Volleyball, Terry Bowser, head coach, $2,377; Tarah Miller, assistant coach, $1,500;

• Cheerleading, Marcia Schell, head coach, $1,325; Amanda Smith, assistant coach, $735;

• Strength Training, Todd Rupp, volunteer assistant unpaid;

• Middle school girls’ basketball, Danielle Burton, head coach, $1,845.

Deeds

North Manheim Township — Mary Ann A. Holley to Mary Ann A. Holley; property on Grace Avenue, Renninger Haven; $1.

Pine Grove Township — Lisa Dutton to Ursula Ammons; 72 Spittler Road; $600.

Larry R. Goss and James R. Morgan to Larry R. Goss; 657 Canal Drive, Swatara Village; $1.

Reilly Township — Rae Ellen Gauntlett to Patrick and Elizabeth Kavanaugh; 14 Hillcrest Drive, Branchdale; $45,000.

Schuylkill Haven — Justin Moyer to Samantha Michelle Kohr and Brannon Quentin Stout; 24 S. Centre Ave.; $68,000.

Tamaqua — R.G.C. Development LP to Joshua and Lauren Shimer; 257 Owl Creek Road; $198,900.

Elizabeth Ann Peper to Peter Trudich; 0.639-acre property; $1.

Almost a year since he allegedly killed a woman by cutting her throat in Shenandoah, Luis R. Nunez-Calderon goes on trial today in Schuylkill County Court with the potential of never again seeing the light of day outside a state prison.

Jury selection for Nunez-Calderon, 42, of Shenandoah, is slated to begin at 9 a.m. with Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin presiding.

Deputy Court Administrator John Richmond said Thursday that 117 people will be summoned for possible selection to the jury that will decide Nunez-Calderon’s fate.

District Attorney Christine A. Holman and Senior Deputy Assistant District Attorney Jennifer N. Lehman will prosecute the case, while Assistant Public Defender Kent D. Watkins will defend Nunez-Calderon.

State police at Frackville have charged Nunez-Calderon with criminal homicide, first- and third-degree murder, voluntary manslaughter, criminal trespass and two counts of aggravated assault.

They allege Nunez-Calderon cut the throat of Wendy Contreras-Hernandez on April 29, 2014, in the second-floor bathroom of her residence at 518 W. Centre St., Shenandoah.

Police said Nunez-Calderon and Contreras-Hernandez were arguing when she tried to flee. However, Nunez-Calderon dragged her back into the residence and choked her until she lost consciousness, police said.

Nunez-Calderon then went to the kitchen, grabbed a knife and cut Contreras-Hernandez’s throat, according to police.

The defendant then fled to New York City, where he was arrested April 30, 2014, police said.

While in custody in a holding cell in Manhattan Central Court, Nunez-Calderon confessed to committing the crimes, according to police.

If convicted of the most serious crime, first-degree murder, Nunez-Calderon will receive a sentence of life in prison, which in Pennsylvania carries no chance of parole. Prosecutors originally sought the death penalty, but no longer are doing so.

“We had to take the death penalty off the table ... after a pre-trial conference on the definition of torture,” Holman said Thursday. The allegation of torture was the only aggravating factor prosecutors had to support imposition of the death penalty, but Holman said they could not use it.

“It was one act. She wasn’t held. It didn’t meet the definition of torture,” Holman said.

Holman said she has 25 possible witnesses, but anticipates finishing the presentation of her case by noon Wednesday.

“They’re not lengthy witnesses,” she said.

HARRISBURG — Nothing less than the future of legalized gambling in Pennsylvania is on the agenda when a House panel holds public hearings this week at the two casinos in Northeast Pennsylvania.

The Gaming Oversight Committee is scheduled to meet 2 p.m. Tuesday at Mount Airy Casino Resort in Paradise Township, Monroe County, and 2 p.m. Wednesday at Mohegan Sun Pocono in Plains Township, Luzerne County. Casino executives are expected to testify at both locations.

The committee is in the midst of hearings in Harrisburg and at various casinos to look at a wide range of issues affecting gambling one decade after the legalization of slots casinos.

The future viability of Pennsylvania casinos is a big topic as new casinos open in neighboring states. Tied to this are proposals to allow casinos to offer online gaming, bingo and sports betting to patrons, as well as creating a separate license for alcohol sales at casinos.

The review includes revising a 2013 state law to generate more applications for tavern small games licenses and legalizing video games for social clubs. The goal is to produce a package of bills by early June that would help Pennsylvania casinos remain competitive and generate new revenue, panel Chairman John Payne, R-106, Hershey, said. The specter of casinos closing in Atlantic City is a motivation for Pennsylvania to examine its own industry, Payne said.

“What do I have to do to make sure we don’t have casinos close?” he asked. “We should look at this and see if what we passed in 2004 is still pertinent.”

Payne has introduced legislation to allow casinos to offer Internet gaming after obtaining a $5 million license.

“Expanding the business to the Internet would help to grow Pennsylvania’s gaming industry for the future, as research shows online gaming patrons become new visitors to casinos,” he said.

Northeast region Reps. Rosemary Brown, R-189, Middle Smithfield Township, Marty Flynn, D-113, Scranton, Aaron Kaufer, R-120, Kingston, Sid Michaels Kavulich, D-114, Taylor, Jerry Knowles, R-124, Tamaqua, and David Parker, R-115, Stroud Township, are on the committee.

Kavulich questioned whether Pennsylvania’s casinos would really be better off with Internet gaming.

“I think it will take away from the brick and mortar casinos,” he said.

He suggested that sports betting would be a different story and generate new business especially during the Super Bowl and March Madness.

“It can bring a whole new crowd into the casinos,” Kavulich said.

The committee will digest the testimony and make some informed decisions about what avenues to follow, Kaufer, a one-time Mohegan Sun employee, said.

“Right now, we are sort of doing the shotgun approach,” he said.

Kaufer suggested it is important to have realistic revenue projections for any new forms of gambling so as not to oversell the potential benefits.

“We didn’t get the property tax refund we were promised,” he said.

Casino owners are active in this debate.

They sent a joint letter to gaming committee chairmen in March saying the continued success of Pennsylvania’s gaming industry is at significant risk because of increased competition from other states. Mohegan Sun CEO Michael Bean and Mount Airy General Manager John Culetsu signed the letter.

“Since achieving a record high total of more than $1.4 billion in gaming tax revenue in 2012, gaming tax revenue slipped to $1.38 billion in 2013 and $1.32 billion in 2014,” the letter stated.

While these casino owners are divided on the merits of Internet gaming, they support: limiting any expansion of casino-like gaming to existing casinos; eliminating the authorized third resort casino license; expanding hours for liquor sales; speeding up state approval for new types of slot machines and electronic table games; and granting state tax credits to encourage casinos to invest in and update their facilities and equipment.

A catalyst for this debate is a 2014 legislative study that recommended easing of state regulations on casinos to help them meet competition.

This morning, a crew with a crane were scheduled to hoist two new heating units onto the roof of the Majestic Theater in Pottsville.

“They’re showing up at 6 a.m. This will be on Centre Street. I think the workers will have one lane of traffic blocked until the work is done, which I believe will be around 8 a.m.,” Amy S. Burkhart, executive director of the Pottsville Area Development Corp., said Monday. PADCO owns and maintains the 224-seat theater at 209 N. Centre St.

Antz Energy Systems, Shenandoah, will use a crane owned by Bartush Signs, Orwigsburg, to remove two electric heating/air conditioning units from the roof and replace them with two natural gas heating/electric air conditioning units, Glenn Antz, owner of Antz Energy, said Monday.

“The air conditioning in the new units will be operational by the end of the week,” Burkhart said.

Since the fourth quarter of 2014, PADCO and the Majestic Theater Board of Directors have been taking steps to upgrade the theater’s heating and air conditioning system.

There are three electric heating/air conditioning units on the building’s roof. They were installed in 2006.

In October, the theater received a complaint about the temperature.

Representatives of Antz Energy Systems said the compressor had failed in one of the units.

Then, in November, a compressor failed in a second unit, Burkhart said.

On Feb. 24, the board of directors for PADCO reviewed five proposals and hired Antz Energy Systems to replace the two faulty electric-powered heating/air conditioning units with units featuring natural gas heaters at a cost of $18,000, Burkhart said.

“Plus, we have to pay $760 for each unit for parts and labor warranties for five years,” Burkhart said.

The board of directors for the Majestic Theater, which organizes the theater’s events, approved the contract in March.

Since then, PADCO has been in talks with UGI Central Penn Gas to have natural gas lines installed at the theater.

“They’re trying to work with us to bring the cost down as much as possible,” Burkhart said. But she didn’t have a time frame for the installation of the gas lines or an idea of how much it would cost.

Meanwhile, PADCO is raising funds to pay for the heating/air conditioning upgrades and donors can call her at 570-628-4647.

For information on the theater’s upcoming events, visit the theater’s website at www.majestictheater.net.