SAINT CLAIR — The Cellular Connection is donating 200 backpacks to area students Aug. 1 at Verizon in the Coal Creek Commerce Center to ensure they are well-prepared for the new school year.

“We’re very thankful to (TCC) and the support that they’ve provided to the county and Saint Clair,” Jason Bendle, Saint Clair Area superintendent, said Tuesday.

TCC, the largest Verizon Premium Wireless Retailer in the U.S., is donating 100,000 backpacks of school supplies through its annual School Rocks Backpack Giveaway, of which 200 will be donated to the Verizon store in the Coal Creek Commerce Center, 400 Terry Rich Blvd., Suite 3.

Between noon and 2 p.m., parents can bring their children to Verizon to pick up a backpack filled with supplies like pencils, paper, pencil boxes, folders, glue and more, according to a press release.

There are more than 400 participating stores nationwide. Each participating TCC store will donate 200 backpacks. All leftover backpacks will be donated to local schools.

One backpack per child present will be given away on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.

TCC has organized the event in Saint Clair for a few years now, Bendle said.

“It’s always a great opportunity for local families. A lot of our students benefit from it,” he said.

Since 2013, TCC has donated 260,000 backpacks.

“We are grateful to be able to play a role in ensuring that as many children as possible are set up for educational success,” Scott Moorehead, CEO of TCC, said in a press release. “The backpack giveaway is something that both our employees and customers look forward to every year. It is our ultimate goal to make a difference equally in the lives of our employees, customers and the communities where we live, and this effort is one in which we accomplish all of these objectives.”

The School Rocks Backpack Giveaway is one of TCC’s four annual Culture of Good initiatives. Other programs include providing canned goods to local food banks, giving supply packs to 3,500 teachers across the U.S. and volunteering time to improve the environment.

To learn more about the company, visit www.TCCRocks.com. Consumers can connect with TCC on social media at www.facebook.com/tcctalk and @TCCTalk on Twitter.

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — Fifty years ago, soldiers coming home from Vietnam were not exactly welcomed home. But on Sunday, Monsignor Edward S. Zemanik, pastor of St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church, said they will always be welcomed home at the parish.

“Some may have slipped back into this wonderful country 50 years ago unnoticed, but you always have a place at home here at St. Ambrose and among all of us,” Zemanik said Sunday while recognizing the Veterans of the Vietnam War Post 29 of Schuylkill County during Mass.

The veterans organization presented the colors to start Mass at the parish Sunday. The veterans marched to the front of the crowded church, where they stood as the congregation recited the Pledge of Allegiance and sang the national anthem. “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee” was sung for the processional.

“It was just an opportunity to represent their service as well as the rest of the veterans in the area,” Zemanik said before Mass. “I think we need to acknowledge their service and dedication because we don’t have anything in our country without them.”

During the homily, Zemanik recalled when he was child going with his parents and other family members to pick up his older cousin from Fort Dix, New Jersey, when he returned home from Vietnam.

“Finally, my cousin walked out of the barracks, came down, embraced his own mother and father, and said hello to all of us,” Zemanik said. “Then we got in our cars and went home. That seemed to be the end of what I thought was going to be a great big parade and celebration and welcome home, but that moment did not happen.”

That was something Zemanik never forgot.

“It was sort of an unwritten promise to myself that I would never pass up an opportunity to thank God for all those who have enabled me not only as a citizen of this country to exercise my right to worship God, but to truly lead the people of God in prayer and liturgy ... I have tried my best to make sure those sacrifices do not go unthanked,” he said.

The post was then recognized in front of the congregation along with other members of the parish who served in the Vietnam War, including Deacon Edward E. Freed.

Last summer, the choirs at St. Ambrose and All Saints Church, McAdoo, joined together to present a cantata titled “Homeland” in honor of the military and veterans. In August, they will take the cantata to Cape May, New Jersey, and asked the Veterans of the Vietnam War Post 29 of Schuylkill County to accompany them.

“We are honored that St. Ambrose would have us here, especially on the Fourth of July weekend because we all fought for everyone here and that’s what it is about,” Guy Wiederhold, commander of Post 29, said.

The post organized in 1984 and raised enough funds to build the 9-foot tall memorial along Route 61 in front of Penn State Schuylkill on land owned by the First United Church of Christ. The Schuylkill County Vietnam Veterans Memorial was dedicated May 10, 1997.

A total of 5,240 soldiers from Schuylkill County served in the Vietnam War, according to the engravings on the memorial. Of those, 38 were killed in Vietnam, four were killed en route to Vietnam and one is listed as missing in action.

Wiederhold said that many Vietnam veterans still carry that feeling of not being welcomed home with them, but with events like this they are “really starting to feel welcomed home.”

“Schuylkill County is a veteran’s county,” Wiederhold said.

HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania’s budget standoff is nearly a week old and the first substantive talks to resolve it are scheduled today.

With state agencies operating and state employees getting paid through existing state tax revenue, there is little sense of a crisis atmosphere in Harrisburg considering state government lacks the full authority to spend money without a bipartisan budget deal.

Today’s talks are to involve top aides to Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and legislative leaders of both parties. The Legislature is in recess. The impasse started last Tuesday when Wolf vetoed a $30 billion Republican budget bill sent to him hours before a passage deadline.

The veto punctuated a partisan war of words as Wolf and the GOP-controlled Legislature clashed over taxes, spending priorities, linked issues such as property tax relief, privatizing liquor sales and conflicting mandates from voters last November.

Wolf and legislative leaders appeared together the following day to announce the restart of budget talks while acknowledging major differences stand in the way of a compromise.

The lack of a budget means delays in state payments to contractors, vendors and grant recipients. Nonprofit agencies that help the poor and disadvantaged could really feel the pinch starting later this month.

“The folks that are going to see the impact first are the human services agencies,” House Majority Leader Dave Reed, R-62, Indiana, said.

“We’re starting to hunker down,” Gary Drapek, president of United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties, said. “You have a situation that could be very detrimental to a lot of people in the commonwealth but there is no sense of urgency to it.”

Wolf has pushed an ambitious first-term agenda to bridge a projected $1.2 billion deficit, restore previous education cuts and provide school property tax relief through a combination of tax hikes and tax shifts, including a severance tax on natural gas production.

The vetoed GOP budget bill contained no new taxes or tax increases. It included more than $200 million in anticipated revenue from the sale of state liquor stores and shifted unspent funds to help bridge that deficit.

GOP lawmakers also passed two companion bills to move new state government and school employees from a traditional defined-benefit pension plan to a defined-contribution pension plan, similar to a 401K investment, and to privatize the state-owned liquor stores. Wolf vetoed the privatization plan Thursday.

The GOP’s $30 billion budget would be the largest in state history, Sen. Lisa Baker, R-20, Lehman Township, said.

“While it does not contain all of the funding restorations and spending additions that numerous advocacy groups have been seeking, most taxpayers will find it hard to accept that this level of spending starves state government,” she said.

Rep. Marty Flynn, D-113, Scranton, sharply criticized the GOP budget for having no severance tax and property tax relief.

“We (Democratic lawmakers) had no input whatsoever on the budget,” he said.

Baker offered some advice on what to expect in the weeks ahead.

“If history is a guide, there will be mix of strident public commentary and behind-the-scenes negotiations until a settlement is reached,” she said. “Since this is the first budget for the Wolf administration, it is impossible to say how long the process will take, or when a settlement will be reached, or which elements will be included in the final package.”

Budget battle

Key areas of disagreement between Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and Republican legislators.

·Liquor: Wolf vetoed the liquor bill Thursday saying it would lead to higher prices for consumers. GOP lawmakers said it would have generated non-tax revenue from selling private liquor licenses to shore up the budget.

·Severance tax: Wolf has said repeatedly that gas drillers must pay their fair share. GOP lawmakers in gas and coal regions said a severance tax will hurt a growing local industry.

·Property tax: Wolf said that providing school property tax relief is a top budget priority. GOP lawmakers said the property tax issue can be dealt with at a later time.

·Budget-balancing: Wolf said GOP reliance on one-time revenue sources and delaying mandated payments would bring more downgrades in the state credit rating. Republicans said voters did not elect them to hike taxes.

VALLEY VIEW — The Concerned Citizens of Hegins Township has filed an appeal on the Hegins Township and Hubley Township Act 537 Plan.

Roger Wetzel, William Wolfgang, Randy Shadle, Bruce Klouser, Darrell Huntsinger, Kenneth W. Richter, Sandy McCullough, Kenneth Graham and Harry Mausser, by and through their counsel, Donald G. Karpowich, Esquire, and pursuant to 25 Pa. Code 1021.51, have appealed the April 17 decision of the Department of Environmental Protection approving the Joint Act 537 Sewage Facilities Plan Update for Hegins and Hubley townships.

On May 14, the Concerned Citizens filed their appeal on DEP’s approval of the plan on the following grounds:

· On or about March 20, DEP sent a comment letter to Hegins Township and Hubley Township outlining certain issues with the plan and requesting a response.

· On or about April 6, James J. Rhoades, Jr., P.E., AVS, the project manager from Alfred Benesch & Co., responded to the comments and outlined numerous changes made to the plan in response to the comment letter dated March 20.

· In particular, the cost estimate for Alternative 6 was revised to include land acquisition costs as detailed in Response No. 5.

· All of the funding analyses were revised as set forth in Response No. 4.

· The service area maps were revised to follow tax parcel boundaries as detailed in Response No. 11.

· Significantly, there is no mention in the response letter as to how these changes impact user fees, connection fees and the present worth of the project.

· Moreover, the service area maps are based upon tax parcel boundaries rather than a survey which would ensure accuracy.

· There was insufficient time for the public to review these changes and their impacts on the public and the project. In addition, there has been no additional public comment period concerning the same.

· Appellants objected to approval of the revised Resolution for Plan Adoption at the meeting of the Hegins Township Board of supervisors on April 13 and requested that the Supervisors refrain from adopting the plan update via the revised resolution and allow for further public comment in light of the changes detailed above.

· Despite the objection, the supervisors approved the revised resolution.

· Construction costs are underestimated.

· Operating costs are underestimated and do not contain sufficient detail.

· Delinquency rates are underestimated.

· Consequently, the project is underfunded.

· The project is not economically feasible.

· No additional public hearing was held after revisions to the plan.

· The proposed treatment plant would be located in a flood-prone area.

· Various alternative systems were not considered in the plan.

· The plan is otherwise erroneous, inadequate, incomplete or contrary to law. For the reasons detailed above, appellants request that the department deny the plan update.

The plan that DEP approved includes the construction of a 600,000 gallon-per-day wastewater treatment plant located along Fearnot Road in Hubley Township. Sewer service is proposed for the Sacramento, Spring Glen and Fearnot areas of Hubley Township and the Hegins, Valley View and Lamberson areas of Hegins Township. The collection system consists of approximately 45,000 feet of 8-foot gravity pipe, 7,425 feet of low pressure sewerline, 30 grinder pumps, 11,270 feet of force main, and four pump stations in Hubley Township and 121,610 feet of 8-foot gravity pipe, 2,870 feet of force main and three pump stations in Hegins Township. The plan also provides for an onlot sewage disposal system management program for the area of the municipalities not within the proposed sewer service area.

DEP did state that this plan approval does not include approval of the system design. The system design will be evaluated and approved as part of the Water Quality Management (Part II) permit application review.

According to the appeal documents found online at the Pennsylvania Environmental Hearing Board website at http://ehb.courtapps.com/public/index.php, the matter has been assigned to The Honorable Richard P. Mather Sr., for primary handling.

All discovering in the matter must be completed within 180 days of the date of the pre-hearing order, November 18, 2015, unless extended for good cause upon written motion. Discovering in proceedings before the board, including discovery regarding expert witnesses, is governed by the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure unless otherwise provided in the board’s rules.

On June 8, during the Hegins Township Supervisors meeting, Attorney Paul Datte, who is the solicitor for the Hegins-Hubley Authority, was hired to handle the Act 537 Appeal at the cost of $125 per hour. Supervisor LeRoy Shuey questioned why the township could not use their own attorney, Solicitor Gretchen Sterns, to handle the appeal. Sterns told the township that Attorney Datte has a larger staff and was better equipped to handle the case. A motion was made and passed to retain Attorney Paul Datte to handle the appeal.

During the June 8, Hubley Township Supervisors Meeting, Datte was also hired to represent Hubley Township in the appeal.

Hubley Township Supervisor Keith Masser said the delay caused by the appeal, not only is prolonging the negative effects of environmental hazards because it causes a delay in implementation, but because of the predictable raises in interest rates and any delay is actually costing the township and its inhabitants $2,000 for every day the concerned citizens stall the project, in addition to lawyer’s fees.

The story of the cocktail is about as fuzzy and complicated as the story that comes as a result of the cocktail.

The Everhart Museum’s “To Your Health! The Science, Culture & Art of the Cocktail” tells that tale, and museum curator Nezka Pfeifer said she believes that Scranton is a perfect host for the exhibit. After all, the Electric City has “a lot of businesses that relate to alcohol, for leisure or entertainment, and that sort of spawned the idea for this,” she said.

“We want the word ‘cocktail’ to draw people in, but there’s a larger story here to be told,” Pfeifer said.

The exhibit opens Friday and focuses on the science, history, cultural impact and art of cocktails, from the earliest days when people used alcohol for medicinal and spiritual purposes to European immigrants incorporating alcohol into their new American lives. Paintings and posters depicting society’s views on alcohol as well as historical documents and advertisements for spirits help tell the cocktail’s full story.

“We hope that people understand that it’s more than just ‘Alcohol is cool,’ ” Pfeifer said. “It’s what is it about the cocktail that makes it quintessentially American, and how it has affected our society.”

Educational aspect

The Temperance movement, a social campaign against the consumption of alcohol that began in the early 19th century, has a presence that mainly focuses on the movement in Northeast Pennsylvania. Prohibition, which Pfeifer said “made criminals out of the average American citizen” and provided a gateway for organized crime, also is featured, as are reproductions of original documents from Bill Wilson, co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous.

“Pretty much from the moment alcohol was created, various cultures have had trouble with it,” Pfeifer said.

Pfeifer said she understands why some may think the exhibit is not suitable for children, but she insists it’s a way to educate kids about the possible dangers of alcohol.

“We do know alcoholism starts younger and younger,” she said. “These are things that families should have discussions about.”

The story of the cocktail is not all good or all bad, as Pfeifer found through compiling the exhibit. Although alcohol has a downside, the exhibit also explores the cocktail’s “resurgence” and how it took hold of American culture.

Local connection

Meanwhile, in the museum’s downstairs Gallery ONE, “Everhart Botanica: Selections from the Twining Herbarium” will run until Dec. 31 as a complement to the main exhibit. “Everhart Botanica” uses photographs of Alfred Twining’s plant specimens from the museum’s science collection. Every specimen was found in Northeast Pennsylvania, and most of the plants are those used in alcoholic spirits or medicinal drinks from long ago.

“Water was not clean, so people were usually drinking something fermented,” Pfeifer said.

She noted the museum plans to host cocktail tastings during the exhibits’ run, although no firm plans have been made yet.

“To Your Health!” is all about exploring the facets that make up the cocktail, Pfeifer said.

“Gin and whiskey and vodka, they all have these sort of checkered pasts,” she said. “It’s never a free, easy and clear story that’s simple to tell.”

Almost 15 years after he initially pleaded guilty in one case, a Schuylkill County man learned June 30 that he will not get a chance to withdraw his pleas in that case and another one.

Kenneth L. Rhine, 49, waited too long to file the appeal, his fourth attempt to overturn his guilty plea and sentence, a three-judge state superior court panel decided.

In a five-page opinion filed June 30, the panel ruled Rhine did not file his appeal within the required period and gave no evidence that any exception to the rule applied.

“Rhine failed to overcome the untimeliness of his petition,” Senior Judge John L. Musmanno wrote.

As a result, Rhine will remain at State Correctional Institution/Houtzdale in Clearfield County, where he is serving six to 19 years.

Rhine pleaded guilty on Oct. 24, 2000, to several crimes, including theft, recklessly endangering another person, aggravated assault and receiving stolen property. Schuylkill County Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin sentenced him to serve two to four years.

On Feb. 27, 2001, he pleaded guilty to more charges, including terroristic threats, burglary, theft and receiving stolen property. Dolbin sentenced Rhine to spend four to 15 years behind bars consecutive to his earlier sentence.

In his latest petition, Rhine alleged his lawyer abandoned him by not appealing the denial of his first petition.

However, Musmanno wrote that such petitions normally must be filed within one year of a defendants’ sentence becoming final.

While he alleged his lawyer abandoned him, which is one of the exceptions to the one-year rule, Rhine presented no evidence to show why he could not have learned of his lawyer’s alleged abandonment earlier than he said he did, according to Musmanno.

“He could have raised this issue in his second ... petition,” so he did not overcome either the usual one-year time limit or the alternative one requiring a petition raising an exception to the rule to be filed within 60 days of when a defendant learned or should have learned of the relevant facts, Musmanno wrote.

Judges Victor P. Stabile and David N. Wecht, the other panel members, joined in Musmanno’s opinion.

MINERSVILLE — A property owner left more than five properties for the county to deal with after fleeing to Canada, one of which is in the borough.

Minersville police have had three warrants for Said Attalla, 2901 Mississauga Road, Mississauga, Canada, since 2011 for not cutting grass, failure to conduct property maintenance and a nuisance property for 46-48 Westwood St.

Demolition of the three-story row home began last month and is nearly finished, which will cost the borough $39,840, according to Minersville police Chief Michael Combs.

It was built in 1898 and its fair market value is $42,430, according to the Schuylkill County Parcel Locator.

“It’s going to cost taxpayers their money to knock it down now because we can’t get a hold of him,” Combs said.

The 0.03-acre property is closely surrounded by two other homes, so demolition costs the borough more in order to protect the structures.

Blight issues included the back of the building falling, unstable walking areas and rodents running around.

“The property is never going to sell for as much as it’s costing the borough because of new codes,” Combs said.

Multiple letters and citations were sent to Attalla by Minersville police. They never received a response.

Attalla also owns the following 0.02-acre, two story row home properties in the county:

• 430 E. Railroad St., Mahanoy City, built in 1820 with a fair market value of $11,930.

• 17 E. Pine St., Mahanoy City, built in 1923 with a fair market value of $13,160.

• 127 N. Chestnut St., Shenandoah, built in 1900 with a fair market value of $11,940.

• 13 E. Laurel St., Shenandoah, built in 1900 with a fair market value of $10,440.

These aren’t the only properties Attalla left behind.

In June 2013, the Pottsville City Council unveiled the “Top 10” worst properties in the city. At the top of the list was 674 N. Second St., Pottsville, owned by Attalla.

Like Minersville, Pottsville sent Attalla letters to discuss problems with the building, all of which he also ignored.

The front door to the row home was off its hinges, causing the outside and inside to be weather-damaged.

The city council decided to demolish the building in January 2014 at a cost of $19,850.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awarded a supplementary grant worth nearly $3 million to Child Development Inc. to continue the Head Start program in Schuylkill County over the next five years.

The private, nonprofit agency and member of Schuylkill United Way has administered the local Head Start program in Schuylkill County for the last 50 years. The agency also offers similar services in Pre-K Counts, Keystone STAR 4 Child Care and early intervention services.

U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-17, announced Monday that the Department of Health and Human Services has awarded a $2,948,886 supplementary grant to the agency to aid its Head Start program.

“Child Development Inc. provides children in northeastern Pennsylvania access to a wide range of high-quality educational services. These federal funds are an investment in both our community and our children,” Cartwright said in a prepared statement. “I am a proud proponent of Head Start; a great education starts with early childhood education and is vital to strengthening our economy and our country.”

Mary Ann Devlin, executive director of Child Care Inc., said it is not new money coming in, but the funding cycle for the grant has changed. Instead of receiving federal funding on a three-year cycle, it is now a competitive award given every five years.

The Department of Health and Human Services funds the Head Start programs and Child Development Inc. is the sole provider of the program in Schuylkill County. Devlin said Child Development Inc. has to apply for the grant each cycle and the new way of awarding funds makes sure agencies don’t take the money for granted.

“You have to produce the results for the children and families,” Devlin said.

Broken down to annual funding, Devlin said funding has stayed about the same for the program.

“We are just happy for no cuts,” she said.

The last federal funding cuts came during the state government sequestration in 2013. As a result, the Head Start program was down 80 children. Devlin said children were not cut from the program, but 80 fewer children joined the program. That funding has since been restored, but there has not been an increase, Devlin said.

CDI’s Head Start Program has 366 children, ages 3 to 5, enrolled in the program for the upcoming school year, Devlin said. The program is still offered at six locations, but one will be moving. The Pottsville, Fountain Springs, Mahanoy City, Shenandoah and Tamaqua sites will not change.

Devlin said the Duncott location is moving to the Saint Clair elementary school. The Head Start program has previously shared the municipal building with Cass Township. However, the township has decided to find a new municipal building.

Devlin said CDI was given the opportunity to purchase the former municipal building, but the board of directors decided against it as the land had a separate owner.

While the new location in Saint Clair does not have as many classrooms, it has other advantages.

“It opens up a new area to serve a new location,” Devlin said.

Children that were served at the Duncott building will now go to Pottsville, she said.

“It’s some changes, but all in all, it is good changes,” Devlin said. “We feel it is a nice partnership with Saint Clair because the kids will go right into kindergarten. It makes their transition much more successful so we are excited about that.”

Head Start is a national program created in 1965 to address the educational and developmental needs of low-income, preschool students. Head Start’s comprehensive service system provides social, nutritional and educational services for thousands of children and their families across the United States.

Families that qualify for the Head Start Program must earn 100 percent or less of the federal poverty level. Children with disabilities can also be enrolled in the program.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 90 percent of a child’s brain is developed before he or she enters kindergarten. More than 85 percent of the foundation for communication, critical thinking, problem solving and teamwork is developed by age 5.

For every $1 invested in early childhood programs like Head Start, there is a $7 to $17 return to the local economy, according to a research study by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

For more information about the Head Start Program and Child Development Inc. and its services, visit www.childdevelop.org.

Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street

To Timothy and Kristina Michael Winand, Saint Clair, a son, June 10.

A health care organization based in Scranton is planning to move a 48-bed nursing home operation from Pitman to the former offices of United Metal Receptacle Corp., Pottsville.

But first, Senior Health Care Solutions, Scranton, needs a special use variance from the Pottsville Zoning Hearing Board. The property on the northwest side of the intersection of West Laurel Boulevard and North 14th Street is zoned for manufacturing. At a public hearing on the matter slated for 6:30 p.m. July 16 at city hall, the applicants will request a variance for a special use, David J. Petravich, city building code officer, said Monday.

“We’re a Scranton-based company, but we love Schuylkill County. We love the work ethic down there. We’re aiming to move our current employees in Pitman to the new operation in Pottsville plus create 30 new full-time jobs with benefits there. So we’re planning to have an estimated 60 full-time employees at the future operation in Pottsville,” Michael P. Kelly, principal partner at Senior Health Care Solutions, said Monday.

The company wants to move the administrators, workers and residents of Green Valley Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center from Pitman to the Pottsville-based site. If the zoning board gives Senior Health Care Solutions the green light, a $5 million to $6 million construction project will commence and the move will take place by January 2017, Kelly said.

City Administrator Thomas A. Palamar said Monday he thought it was a good idea, since Rubbermaid Commercial Products is moving out of the property this fall and its future is otherwise uncertain.

“I think it would be a very good use for the building. And it’s really important for our neighborhoods that these buildings find new life and be repurposed, even thought they’re becoming things we never thought that they would be,” Palamar said.

James L. Miller Sr., principal at MBC Grings Hill, Schuylkill Haven, the group which owns the property in Pottsville, said Monday there’s already a draft of a plan to demolish part of the property in the 1400 block of Laurel Boulevard and develop it.

According to the zoning permit on file at city hall, the applicants are MBC Grings Hill and K&K Health Care LLC, Scranton. K&K Health Care is Senior Health Care Solutions, Kelly said.

According to the website for the Pennsylvania Department of State, K&K was registered as a limited liability company on Jan. 12, with an address of 401 Moltke Ave., Suite 100, Scranton.

According to its website at www.seniorhealthpa.com, Senior Health Care Solutions owns nursing centers including Green Valley Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Pitman, Schuylkill County; Sayre Health Care Center, Sayre, Bradford County; and Spirit of Mercy, Scranton, Lackawanna County.

“As the principals of Senior Health Care Solutions, Michael P. Kelly, MBA, NHA, and Susan Keefer, RN, BSN, NHA, have constructed and operated more than 20 long-term care centers in Pennsylvania over the past 25 years. They are recognized statewide as the premier providers of quality-based and comprehensive health care services for the elderly,” according to www.seniorhealthpa.com.

“With SHCS facilities in Northeast Pennsylvania, Michael and Susan understand the importance of a visible and responsive administration. They are proud to utilize a “hands on” approach to every facet of operations within their network. In addition, Michael and Susan have developed an extremely successful rehabilitation program that has allowed many seniors to return home or to another less restrictive setting,” according to www.seniorhealthpa.com.

“SHCS is not a chain affiliate and the principals are longtime residents of Northeastern Pennsylvania,” according to www.seniorhealthpa.com.

On May 1, Senior Health Care Solutions, doing business as K&K Health Care LLC, acquired the license to operate the former Friendly Nursing Home at 200 Taylorsville Mountain Road, Pitman. K&K Health Care bought it from Huntington Nursing Center Inc. for $775,000, according to Kelly and the online Schuylkill Parcel Locator.

Since then, Senior Health has been operating it as Green Valley Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Kelly said.

“In Pennsylvania, you cannot build new nursing homes. There’s been a moratorium on nursing home construction. So we buy older and antiquated structures that don’t conform to current life-safety codes and the state will allow you to replace those existing beds,” Kelly said.

“So, we bought the old Friendly Nursing Home and we’re filing an application with the state to move that to Pottsville on Laurel Boulevard, and we’re going for a variance to have the property approved to be a skilled nursing facility,” Kelly said.

Green Valley Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center “was an old farmhouse that had been converted in the 1960s to a nursing home. It opened in 1965, and they put an addition on in the 1970s. The rooms are very small. It’s obsolete by today’s standards. We’re planning to move the license and the existing residents to a brand-new, state-of-the-art building,” Kelly said.

If the zoning board approves the variance, MBC will sell the building to K&K, Miller said.

Locally, the building is known as the former home of United Metal Receptacle Corp.

In March 1964, United Metal Cabinet Corp. bought the property on the northwest side of the intersection of West Laurel Boulevard and North 14th Street, Pottsville, according to the online Schuylkill Parcel Locator.

It originated in New York in 1919. It moved to Pottsville in 1955 and was incorporated as United Metal Receptacle Corp. in 1970. That year, it acquired Howard Metalcraft and moved its operation to United’s Pottsville plant, according to the newspaper’s archives.

In the 1990s, United Metal Receptacle Corp. had more than 150 employees and had expanded its operation at Laurel and 14th.

In June 2007, Rubbermaid Commercial Products, Winchester, Virginia, announced it had acquired the assets of United Metal Receptacle Corp., Pottsville, which was then “the leading brand in decorative waste management and smoking management products and accessories for commercial facilities,” according to Rubbermaid’s website at www.rubbermaidcommercial.com.

On Feb. 12, 2014, Newell Rubbermaid, the parent company of Rubbermaid Commercial Products, announced that it would be closing the plant, which employed approximately 100 people, by September.

Rubbermaid will vacate by Oct. 30, Miller said Monday.

Rubbermaid intends to combine the Pottsville operation with one in Winchester, Virginia, Newell Rubbermaid said previously.

In July 2014, a partnership affiliated with Miller Bros. Construction Inc., MBC Grings Hill LP, Schuylkill Haven, bought the 26.106-acre property at West Laurel Boulevard and North 14th Street, Pottsville, for $950,000 in three separate deeds dated July 1, 2014, according to the documents filed in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds.

On Monday, Miller offered insights into MBC’s plan for the property.

“The current building that is occupied by Rubbermaid is a combination of seven buildings. We intend to demolish four of those buildings, the three peaked roofs visible from the side and the main front original manufacturing space. That will leave the rear block warehouse which we will retain and be available for future office or flex space. The front newer office space will be used in the nursing home space. The left front building will be remodeled to be used as the laundry building,” Miller said.

Many site improvements, including parking and landscaping, are being planned to improve the entire site to a modern standard, Miller said.

“We’re looking at ground breaking in spring 2016 and we’re looking to open in Jan. 1, 2017,” Kelly said.

On Monday, there was a Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices realty sign in front of the commercial property, stating that the “200,000 sq. ft. warehouse” was available.

“We are willing to sell or lease,” Miller said.

The city of Pottsville is planning to demolish 25 blighted properties over the next five years, City Administrator Thomas A. Palamar said Monday.

The project, which is projected to cost $200,000, is part of the anti-blight initiative the city embarked on in April 2012, when it established the Pottsville Blight and Nuisance Task Force. But it’s the first multi-year demolition project the city has ever attempted, as far as Palamar can recall.

“We’re not sure if we’re going to be able to find the grant funding for a five-year project, but we’re going to try. Traditionally, the city has set up demolition projects when there was money was available. Since 2012, we worked to develop a program involving numerous properties, and we’ve managed to knock down seven,” Palamar said Monday.

The city uses federal Community Development Block Grant funds to finance the demolition projects, then puts a lien for the cost of the demolition on the properties, Palamar said.

The city hired contractors to demolish blighted buildings on the following properties in 2014 and early this year. Also listed are the names of the owners of those properties and the cost of the demolition projects: 674 N. Second St., Said Attalla, $19,850; 439 Fairview St., Joseph Yutz Jr., $16,300; 303 N. Ninth St., Garage Flex LLC, $19,850; 657 N. Second St., Investment Property Cheap, $17,770; 407 W. Laurel Blvd., Apt. & Acquisitions, $20,750; 235 Pierce St., Tina Brown, $15,350; and 101 N. 16th St., Robert and Rhoda Sedlack, $22,000.

“When you are seeking financial assistance for a project, if you can show you’re in need and show that you’ve researched the problem and you’ve come up with a viable solution, it’s easier for you to get the money to do what you need to do, rather than getting the money first and trying to develop your project. And since 2012 we’ve had one large-scale demolition program. That was the one we did in 2014 and 2015,” Palamar said.

This week, the city will submit a request to the state Department of Community and Economic Development to release federal CDBG funds under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, according to a legal notice in the June 26 edition of the newspaper.

Every year, the federal government gives the city an estimated $300,000 in CDBG funds, and part of that is used for demolition, Palamar said.

The city has identified a number of vacant structures, which are blighted, in extreme states of dilapidation and have unresponsive owners, according to the notice.

“These structures are not feasible to rehabilitate and must be demolished. Funding will be used to demolish properties that have not yet specifically been identified. An estimated 25 units will be demolished over five years. The total budget for this program in 2014 is $50,000. The estimated five-year budget for this program is $200,000,” according the notice.

“The seven properties we recently took down required us to use several years of CDBG funding. This particular year what we’re going to be bidding out — probably in the next month — will involve about $90,000, which will represent two years of funding, 2014 and 2015 funding,” Palamar said.

This week, Palamar and the city’s two full-time code officials — David J. Petravich, the city’s building code officer, and Justin D. Trefsger, the city’s code enforcement officer — have been developing a list of properties for the program.

“These guys went out and assessed 15,” Palamar said.

“So far we have eight out of the 15 done,” Trefsger said Monday.

“These properties represent the worst kind of property neglect,” Palamar said.

The city council may vote to bid its next demolition project in August, Palamar said.

The latest demolition program will include 413 Adams St., owned by House Flex LLC, and 818-820 Mount Hope Ave., owned by Waverly Bacon III, Petravich said.

Minersville duo

face drug charges

MINERSVILLE — Two Minersville residents were charged by Cass Township police after an incident about 1 p.m. Friday at the Quandel Car Wash on Jones Street.

Police said Robert Mehlman Jr., 26, of 322 Laurel St., was charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia, while Kris Dean Prutzman Jr., 25, of 219 Laurel St., was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia.

Police said officers were called to the area for a report of two suspicious men and found Prutzman and Mehlman inside a vehicle. Mehlman said the vehicle broke down and subsequently gave consent to have it searched.

Inside police said they found a baggie containing a a white crystal substance tucked into the driver’s side sun visor. Prutzman was found with a sunglass case that contained six hypodermic needles and other items of drug paraphernalia, police said.

The white crystal substance tested positive for methamphetamine and police said officers from Minersville and Branch-Reilly assisted at the scene.

Police investigate

identity theft

GIRARDVILLE — Girardville police are investigating an identity theft incident that was reported to their department on June 1.

Police said John Squire, 235 A St., said someone used his identity to open a credit card account and spent $2,056.84 before he became aware of the matter and closed the account.

Several months prior, police said, the man’s identity was comprised when someone opened an account with Verizon.

Woman faces

disorderly charge

GIRARDVILLE — A 52-year-old Ashland woman was charged with disorderly conduct by Girardville police after an incident June 2 to the rear of 250 W. Main St.

Police said officers were called to the area for a disturbance and found Colleen Clews, 935 Centre St., slamming items to the rear of the property as well as using vulgar language.

Clews smelled of alcohol and admitted to drinking, police said, adding that the charge against was filed with Magisterial District Judge Christina E. Hale, Frackville.

Couple charged

with harassment

GIRARDVILLE — Two people were charged with harassment by Girardville police after an incident June 6 at 7 W. Ogden St.

Police said Anita Carver reported her husband, Richard Carver, was pushing her around and put his hands around her throat.

Richard Carver, who lives on the property separate from his wife, reported the woman struck him on the back of the head and threw a bathroom scale at him striking him on the shoulder, police said.

McAdoo man faces

assault charge

McADOO — A man was arrested by McAdoo police and charged with simple assault and harassment after a domestic incident June 29 at 120 E. Blaine St.

Police said Javier Rosario, McAdoo, will have to answer to the charges before Magisterial District Judge Stephen J. Bayer, Tamaqua.

Police said Wendy Alegre reported she and her husband, Rosario, became involved in a argument, during which he assaulted her by hitting her on the arm, causing visible marks.

Laptop, accessories,

medication taken

GIRARDVILLE — Girardville police are investigating two thefts that were reported to their department on June 8.

Police said Christine Willis, 529 E. Mahanoy Ave., reported someone stole her 19-inch HP laptop, case, microphone, headset, laptop cooler and a tablet with a combined value of $600.

Shannon Willis of the same address reported someone stole her prescription medications valued at $150 from the home.

Anyone with information on either theft is asked to call police at 570-276-6955.

Cellphone left

on vehicle missing

GIRARDVILLE — Girardville police are investigating a report of a missing cellphone that was reported on June 10.

Police said Regina Belfiore, 132 W. Ogden St., reported that she left her LG Touch phone on someone’s vehicle and that they drove away with the item.

Police said the telephone is valued at about $100 and ask that anyone with information contact them at 570-276-6955.

Man: Motorcycle

taken by son

GIRARDVILLE — Girardville police said charges are pending in the theft of a motorcycle from the borough that was reported June 10.

Police said Carl Snyder, 641 E. Mahanoy Ave., said someone stole his 1994 Honda dirt-road motorcycle valued at $2,500.

Snyder reported that his son, John Via II, took the vehicle without permission and that his driver’s license is suspended for DUI, police said.

Police said they are asking that anyone who sees Via or sees the stolen motorcycle to dial 911 immediately. Information can also be reported by calling police directly at 570-276-6955.

Girardville police

investigate assault

GIRARDVILLE — Girardville police said charges are pending following their investigation into an assault that occurred June 11 on C Street.

Police said Theresa Cress, 635 E. Mahanoy Ave., reported that she was “jumped” by Tiffany Weikel, 338 E. Mahanoy Ave., who punched her at least five times in the head, causing her to suffer a concussion and a bloody lip.

When interviewed, police said, Weikel admitted punching Cress, but said she did so after the woman was calling her names and saying she didn’t take care of her child.

Identity used

to buy electricity

GIRARDVILLE — A theft of electricity that was reported on June 11 is being investigated by Girardville police.

Police said Michael Cope, 121 N. Second St., reported someone used his name without permission to access free electricity at 117 N. Second St.

Cope said he never lived in the building and did not give anyone permission to use his identification, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 570-276-6955.

Fox shot, removed

from Girardville

GIRARDVILLE — Girardville police reported a fox was shot in a yard June 29 at 401 E. Main St.

Police said officers were called to the area and found a fox on the property that appeared to be having seizures.

The animal appeared to be in pain and not able to move, prompting it to be shot and killed by a state game warden who arrived shortly after officers, police said.

Police said the fox was killed with a single .22 caliber shot and taken from the area by the game warden.

7 taverns cited

by PLCB police

Seven area taverns were cited by state police police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement for various violations of the state Liquor Law.

• Chick’s Cafe, 336 McKnight St., Gordon — charged with permitting smoking inside the business on April 9 and 29.

• Good Fellas, 1105 S. Centre St., Mount Carbon —charged with identifying Old Milwaukee Beer with a tap labeled for Miller Lite beer on March 10 and also on March 30 for failing to maintain complete and truthful records for a two-year period.

• The Drunken Monkey Bar and Grille, 1314 Centre St., Ashland — charged with selling alcohol to a minor on May 7.

• Shenandoah One Stop Shop, 33 N. Main St., Shenandoah — charged with selling alcohol to a minor on May 7.

• Slap Jacks Inc., 500 Pottsville St., Minersville — charged with selling alcohol to a minor on May 7.

• La Casita De Familia LLC, 8 E. Centre St., Shenandoah — charged with allowing the sound of music or other entertainment to be heard outside of the business on April 12 and for serving alcohol to a minor on May 7.

All the businesses face penalties from $50 to $1,000 for minor offenses and up to $5,000 for more serious violations. An administration law judge can also order a businesses liquor license be suspended or revoked, police said.

Lykens state police

release reports

LYKENS — State police at Lykens reported their station handled 587 calls during the month of June.

In the criminal division, police said, 121 offenses were reported with 115 determined to be valid, 70 cleared and 61 arrests made.

In the patrol division, police said, they investigated 38 accidents and eight hit-and-run crashes resulting in 10 injuries and no fatalities. Police also issued 413 traffic citations for the month, 268 warning notices and made 12 DUI arrests.

Police make DUI

arrests over holiday

The North Central PA Regional DUI Enforcement Program reported that 629 vehicles were contacted and 32 detained during a Sobriety Checkpoint on Friday that also resulted in five drivers being tested for DUI.

There were two DUI arrests made along with 16 traffic arrests, one criminal arrest and one seatbelt citation and 11 warning notices issued.

A total of 14 officers from nine departments participated in the detail.

DUI checkpoint

dates announced

The North Central Regional Sobriety Checkpoint DUI Taskforce announced that Sobriety Checkpoints and Roving DUI Patrols will be conducted today through Monday on routes 61, 183, 901, 209, 1006, 309, 1008, 443, 895, 125, 25 924 and 54.

Travelers are reminded to call 911 if they suspect a drunk driver or to call, toll-free, 888-UNDER21, to report underage drinking.

Mahanoy man

faces DUI charge

MAHANOY CITY — A borough man faces DUI charges after he was stopped for a traffic violation at 10:31 p.m. Saturday at state routes 4030 and 54.

State police at Frackville said Ronald L. Blackwell, 48, showed signs of intoxication during the traffic stop and failed field sobriety tests.

Police said Blackwell was taken into custody and was administered a breath test that determined his blood alcohol level was over the legal limit.

DUI charges and other vehicle code violations will be filed with Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker, Shenandoah.

DAVID MCKEOWN/STAFF PHOTOS

n Ashland: The borough street sweeper schedule this week is as follows: today, both sides of all odd-numbered side streets and Hoffman Boulevard with no parking from 6 to 10 a.m.; Wednesday, north sides of Race, Market, Centre, Walnut and Pine streets and south sides of Arch, Chestnut, Middle, Spruce and Brock streets and Oakland Avenue with no parking from 5 to 9 a.m.; Thursday, south sides of Race, Market, Centre, Walnut and Pine streets and north sides of Arch, Chestnut, Middle, Spruce and Brock streets and Oakland Avenue with no parking from 5 to 9 a.m. The street sweeper will also operate on Aug. 3 to 7, Sept. 7 to 11 and Oct. 5 to 9.

n Frackville: The Frackville Area Senior Citizens group is sponsoring a bus trip to Hollywood Casino on July 30. The cost is $22 with a $30 rebate and a $5 food voucher. The bus will leave at noon from the senior center and depart at 6 p.m. from the casino for the return trip. For reservations or more information, call Marie at 570-874-2774.

n Lansford: The eighth annual Coal Miners Festival will be held from 10 a.m.to 5 p.m. Sunday on the grounds of No. 9 Coal Mine and Museum. It is, according to a press release, one of the largest celebrations of coal region culture and heritage in the area. Admission and parking are free. This year’s event will feature music, food, a live WMGH radio broadcast, a strolling folk musician, craft sales, vendors and artists. All are welcome.

n Minersville: Minersville Fire and Rescue Company will have its block party today, Friday and Saturday from 6 to 11 p.m. at the company site, 300 North St. Entertainment will be by Gas Station Disco tonight, Hooligan on Friday and Tool Shed Jack on Saturday.

n Pottsville: Blueberry orders from the Pottsville Kiwanis Club Foundation will be available for pickup from noon to 3 p.m. Thursday at Boyer’s Markets parking lot, West Market Street. Orders must be picked up by 3 p.m.

n Schuylkill Haven: Bible Tabernacle, Margaretta Street, will stage a Vacation Bible School from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. July 27. The VBS is titled “Bible Blast to the Past: Discovering God’s Everlasting Love” and it is for youngsters 3 to 16. For more information, call 570-385-4704.

n Schuylkill Haven: The Cressona band will perform in a free concert set for 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at Bubeck Park, Washington Street. The Junior Cressona Band will also provide selections. People should bring lawn chairs to enjoy the show. The rain date is Thursday. For more information, call 570-622-8784.

n Shenandoah: In June action, the Shenandoah Valley school board: approved a request from the Polish American Fire Company No. 4 of Shenandoah for an advertisement sponsorship for the 100th anniversary book at $140; approved the 2015-16 student insurance coverage quote of $9,018 from Bollinger Insurance Agency; approved the following appointments: Alexandra Torratore as color guard instructor, Kristyn Rakus and Molly Carduff as volunteer assistant girls’ basketball coaches; approved the following 2015 track and field coaching bonuses as per past practice: head coach Anna Malocu, $150; Ryan Fegley, $100; Angela Bzura, $100. The board also opened all 2016 track and field coaching positions and advertised for same; approved the following 2015 baseball coaching bonuses as per past practice: head coach Jeff Maksimik, $75; assistant coaches Tom Lauta and Mike Jacavage, $50 each. The board rejected the 2015-16 security bids and authorized readvertising them. the board will not hold a monthly meeting in July. A special meeting will be scheduled if there is a need.

n Shenandoah: William Shafransky will focus on old newspaper articles and coal fossils at 6 p.m. today during the meeting of the Greater Shenandoah Area Historical Society in the 201 S. Main St. history center. Admission is free and everyone is welcome.

n Sheppton: The Sheppton-Oneida Volunteer Fire Company will have its monthly bingo games from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday in the firehall, 900 Center St. Food and refreshments will be available and all are welcome. For more information, call 570-384-4746.

CRESSONA — A section of road on Railroad Street in the borough has collapsed, causing some motorists concern.

Orange cones mark the area where the borough-owned road has given way in the 100 block of Railroad Street. Residents along the street say they try to avoid that section of the road.

“You can’t be confident that it is not going to give way,” Joe Evans, 45, a resident of Railroad Street, said Monday.

“They’ve had it under cones for well over a month,” Evans said.

The recent heavy rains have made the issue worse, he said. A clay pipe was visible previously, he said, but broken macadam marks the spot where the road caved in.

The Cressona borough council met during its regular monthly meeting Monday and discussed the road issues.

“We know it’s bad. We know our curbing is gone. We know our catch basins are gone,” council President James Johns said.

He said the area has been getting worse since the winter. The council had white lanes painted in the affected area and has to “figure out what we are going to do there,” Johns said.

“It’s probably been failing for years, since the whole thing has been installed,” he said.

He said water from rainfall or other sources gathers in the area along the road.

“It’s all about the water undermining the road, pushing the bank down, pushing the curb. Everything is washing down onto the railroad,” Johns said.

Borough engineer Steve Moyer said there is a meeting at 1 p.m. July 13 on site so representatives from Reading, Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad Co., an engineer, a local contractor and borough officials can meet about the issue.

Johns said whatever is done to the road will also impact the bank, so informing the railroad is a good idea.

“At some point, they are going to be involved,” Johns said.

The borough is not ignorant of the issue but is trying to do what it can, he said. The borough put the orange cones “early in the spring” to let people know, he said.

He said it will be expensive to fix the issue but no contractor has told them what work would be necessary.

“We are addressing the situation. We don’t have a final cure for that area over there,” Johns said.

Council member Frank Zurat said that, for now, motorists should “watch where they are driving.”

James R. Ferrier

ORWIGSBURG — A Schuylkill Haven woman is headed to Schuylkill County Court for allegedly possessing marijuana and drug paraphernalia in June at a traffic stop in her hometown.

Tomara R. Scott, 23, of 218 E. Market St., faces charges of possession of a small amount of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance.

Magisterial District Judge James R. Ferrier bound over all charges for court June 30 after Scott waived her right to a preliminary hearing.

Schuylkill Haven borough police charged Scott with possessing marijuana, two clear baggies and an aluminum foil pipe at 5:02 p.m. June 20 in the 700 block of North Garfield Avenue. According to police, Scott was stopped for alleged traffic violations. During the stop, Scott admitted having marijuana, police said. Scott is free on $5,000 unsecured bail pending further court action.

Other defendants whose cases Ferrier considered on June 30, the charges against each one and the judge’s dispositions of the matters included:

Robert T. Buck, 80, of 236 W. Columbia St., Schuylkill Haven; driving under the influence and careless driving; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Nikolis B. Chyat, 25, of 501 Long Run Road, Schuylkill Haven; DUI, disregarding traffic lane, failure to drive at a safe speed, careless driving and seat belt violation; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Gregory J. Drews, 41, of Country Squire Motel, 300 Route 61 Apt. 25, Schuylkill Haven; open lewdness and public drunkenness; right to preliminary hearing waived, open lewdness charge bound over for court, public drunkenness charge withdrawn.

Thomas J. Elliott, 39, of 114 Avenue B, Schuylkill Haven; five counts of conspiracy and one of receiving stolen property; right to preliminary hearing waived, receiving stolen property charge and one count of conspiracy bound over for court, other charges dismissed.

William L. Evans, 30, of 422 Boone St., Pottsville; five counts of conspiracy and one of receiving stolen property; right to preliminary hearing waived, receiving stolen property charge and one count of conspiracy bound over for court, other charges dismissed.

Tyler J. Haas, 29, of 8 E. Liberty St., Schuylkill Haven; unlawful dissemination of intimate image and harassment; right to preliminary hearing waived, harassment charge bound over for court, unlawful dissemination of intimate image charge withdrawn.

Bria M. Jacoby, 26, of 211 Lauers Lane, Wyomissing; five counts of conspiracy and one of receiving stolen property; right to preliminary hearing waived, receiving stolen property charge and three counts of conspiracy bound over for court, other charges dismissed.

Scott D. Petrie, 40, of 48 S. St. Peter St., Schuylkill Haven; five counts of conspiracy and one of receiving stolen property; right to preliminary hearing waived, receiving stolen property charge and one count of conspiracy bound over for court, other charges dismissed.

Allyson F. Pormann, 29, of 267 Stony Mountain road, Auburn; DUI, disregarding flashing red signal, failure to obey traffic control devices, stop sign violation and careless driving; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Norman E. Riegel, 46, of 320 Pearson St. Rear, Auburn; DUI, improper class of license, disregarding traffic lane, careless driving and operating vehicle without valid inspection; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Dennis J. Wiederhold, 24, of 2355 Fair Road, Auburn; four counts of conspiracy and one each of burglary, criminal trespass, theft, receiving stolen property, carrying firearm without a license and criminal mischief; right to preliminary hearing waived, carrying firearm without a license and criminal mischief charges bound over for court, other charges dismissed.

n Mahanoy City: Washington Hook and Ladder Fire Company will hold a car wash from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at the firehouse, 35 E. Mahanoy St. The cost is $5 for exterior only, or $15 for exterior and interior.

n New Philadelphia: A new cash bingo will be held Thursday at Advance Sports Development in the Simon Kramer building, 15 Alliance St. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. and bingo will begin at 6:30 p.m. The cost is $25 and includes 25 games plus specials and the jackpot. Bingo games will be held on the first Thursday of the month for 2015. For more information, call Melissa at 570-527-9634. More about ASD is available at its website at www.advancedsportsdevelopment.com.

n Pine Grove: Patrick M. “Porcupine Pat” McKinney, environmental education coordinator with the Schuylkill Conservation District, will stage “Sneek a Peek at the Creek” from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at Sweet Arrow Lake County Park. Participants will search for mayflies, crayfish, water pennies and other creatures. “This is a good way to cool off and also better appreciate the aquatic critters in a creek study of the Upper Little Swatara Creek,” McKinney said in a release. Participants will meet at the Waterfall Road parking lot. The program is recommended for ages 6 and older. All equipment will be provided. The program is free and open to the public. For more information, call 570-622-3742, ext. 102.

n Pottsville: Maternal and Family Health Services has announced that the Women, Infants and Children Nutrition Program has expanded income guidelines allowing more families to participate in the free nutrition education program. According to the new income guidelines for WIC, which began on July 1, a family of four could earn $44,863 annually and qualify for WIC. For a family of three, the income limit is $37,167 to qualify, and a family of two can earn up to $29,471 and qualify for nutrition assistance. The WIC Nutrition Program, according to a release, is funded through the United States Department of Agriculture and provides nutrition education and access to healthy foods for pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women as well as infants and children under 5. To qualify, participants must meet the income guidelines, have a nutritional or medical need and live in Pennsylvania. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. WIC provides participants with supplemental healthy food that contains vital nutrients essential for healthy development during critical growth periods, such as pregnancy, infancy and early childhood. WIC is the nation’s premier public health and nutrition education program with an overall goal to influence lifetime nutrition through positive health behaviors, according to the release. In addition to vouchers for nutritious foods, WIC participants receive nutrition education, breastfeeding support, immunization record checks, iron deficiency screening, farm market vouchers and referrals for other health and social services. The WIC Nutrition Program in Shenandoah is located in the C&R Emporium building, 125 E. Centre St. It can be reached by calling 570-462-3323.

n Pottsville: Local residents can learn about their risk for cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, diabetes and other chronic conditions via screenings by Life Line Screening. Pine View Acres, 145 Chamberlaine Ave., will host the screenings on Monday. Packages start at $149 and screenings can check for: The level of plaque buildup in arteries related to risk for heart disease, stroke and overall vascular health; HDL and LDL cholesterol levels; diabetes risk; bone density as a risk for possible osteoporosis; kidney and thyroid function. For more information, call 877-237-1287 or go online to www.lifelinescreening.com. Advance registration is required.

n Shenandoah: Restoration Fellowship, 201 W. Oak St., will host a summer special service at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at the church. The guest preacher will be evangalist Ryan Bastress. All are welcome. For more information, call 570-462-0374.

A Port Carbon man admitted Monday in Schuylkill County Court that he corrupted the morals of a child by showing an indecent video in September 2013 in his hometown.

Jamie P. Robbins, 35, pleaded guilty to corruption of minors, with prosecutors withdrawing charges of indecent exposure and endangering the welfare of children. Robbins said he understood his plea and made it knowingly and voluntarily.

Judge Jacqueline L. Russell accepted the plea and, pursuant to an agreement between prosecutors and the defendant, sentenced Robbins to serve three to 12 months in prison, concurrent with his current sentence, pay costs and $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account, and have no contact with the victim.

Port Carbon police charged Robbins with showing the video to the child on Sept. 23, 2013.

Robbins is an inmate at State Correctional Institution/Dallas in Luzerne County, and Russell conducted the hearing by videoconference.

Russell also revoked the parole of Robert W. Enloe Jr., 27, of Girardville, and returned him to prison.

Enloe, who admitted violating his parole by refusing to complete his mental health treatment and failing a drug test, must remain in prison for five months, and could remain there until Aug. 6, 2016.

He originally pleaded guilty on March 23, 2011, to forgery and attempted counterfeiting by mark or stamp. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of acquisition of a controlled substance by misrepresentation.

At that time, Russell placed him on probation for 23 months and also sentenced him to pay costs and a $50 CJEA payment and perform 40 hours community service.

Ashland police charged Enloe with committing his crimes on June 13, 2010, in the borough.

Russell revoked Enloe’s probation on March 11, 2013, and sentenced him to serve 30 days to 23 months in prison with immediate parole and undergo a mental health/mental retardation evaluation.

In other recent county court action, President Judge William E. Baldwin accepted guilty pleas from, and, pursuant to agreements between prosecutors and defendants, imposed the indicated sentences on, these people:

James M. Coleman, 50, of Coal Township; false statement under penalty; 12 months probation. Prosecutors withdrew charges of materially false written statement and unsworn falsification to authorities.

Barbara A. Dugan, 33, of Pottsville; disorderly conduct; 27 days to six months in prison. Prosecutors withdrew a second count of disorderly conduct.

Joshua D. Hanna, 22, of Shermansdale; recklessly endangering another person, driving under the influence, following too closely and failure to keep right; 72 hours to six months in prison, 12 months probation, $1,050 in fines, $300 payment to the Substance Abuse Education Fund, $50 CJEA payment and $60 restitution to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street. Prosecutors withdrew five counts of improper turning movements, two each of damaging real property by operation of motor vehicle and careless driving, one each of fleeing or eluding police, accident involving damage to attended vehicle or property, backing up vehicle improperly, failure to stop and give information, failure to obey traffic control devices, failure to keep right, unsafe passing on right, passing when prohibited, speeding, disregarding traffic lanes, accident involving damage to unattended vehicle or property, driving without a license, suspended or altered drivers license and failure to surrender license and one additional count each of following too closely and failure to keep right.

Davina Leymeister, 43, of Pottsville; DUI, possession of drug paraphernalia, unsafe pass on left, disregarding traffic lane, following too closely and careless driving; 72 hours to six months in prison with immediate parole, 12 months consecutive probation, $1,775 in fines, $100 SAEF payment, $50 CJEA payment and $60 restitution to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street. Prosecutors withdrew three counts of possession of a controlled substance, one each of improper tires, failure to carry license, failure to notify of change of address and operating vehicle without required financial responsibility, passing when prohibited, failure to drive at a safe speed and seat belt violation and one additional count of unsafe pass on left.

Luis A. Ramos, 57, of Bronx, New York; no contest plea to possessing instrument of crime and possession of a small amount of marijuana; time served to 23 months in prison with immediate parole, $100 SAEF payment, $50 CJEA payment and $113 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem. Prosecutors withdrew charges of conspiracy, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Edward L. Rivera Jr., 30, of Tamaqua; conspiracy and theft by deception; 18 months probation, %$50 CJEA payment and $93.52 restitution. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of receiving stolen property.

John M. Salata, 60, of Saint Clair; DUI and improper driving without lights; 72 hours to six months in prison, $1,025 in fines, $300 SAEF payment, $50 CJEA payment, $60 restitution to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street and 10 hours community service. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of following too closely.

Joseph R. Smith, 47, of Minersville; tampering with evidence and defiant trespass; time served to 23 months in prison with immediate parole, $150 fine and $50 CJEA payment. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of criminal trespass.

Frances M. Wolfgang, 39, of Hamburg; possession of drug paraphernalia and driving under suspension; 12 months probation, $200 fine and $100 SAEF payment. Prosecutors withdrew charges of operating vehicle without required financial responsibility, driving unregistered vehicle and operating vehicle without valid inspection.

All defendants who were sentenced must pay costs as a part of their sentence.

A Pottsville native is taking her love for theater from the high school stage to New York City as Stephanie Tanner in “Full House: The Musical Parody.”

“I didn’t expect this at all. Not even a little bit. I talked to (my high school drama teacher) and she said, ‘This is happening so fast.’ I said, ‘I know, I know,’ ” Marguerite Halcovage, 23, of New York City, said Tuesday.

A year after graduating from DeSales University, Center Valley, and uprooting herself to the Empire State, she has landed a major role in the off-Broadway adult parody of the “Full House” TV show.

“After I moved to New York City in August 2014, I got a job right away working at a theater and became friends with a man who worked with the writers ... He found out about ‘Full House’ and told me at work, ‘We’re going to make this happen,’ ” Halcovage said.

Halcovage referred to Bryan Hartlett, the set designer and stage manager of “Bayside: The Musical,” which has the same writers as “Full House: The Musical Parody.”

Hartlett sent her head shots to the writers and had her shadow him at the musical, Halcovage said. She even got to cover for him a few times, during which she got to know the writers and cast members of “Bayside: The Musical.”

“When they put up the casting notice for ‘Full House,’ I brought up that ‘I’m also an actress, can I audition?’ and everyone freaked out and said, ‘You would be the best Stephanie.’ So I had a lot of people in my corner,” Halcovage said.

Once Halcovage landed the audition, she sang 16 bars of music and automatically was advanced to a call back. She found out a week later that she would work with the “Full House: The Musical Parody” crew.

“Initially, I thought, ‘I need this job.’ I stopped auditioning for other things because I was so focused on ‘Full House.’ And now I’m thinking, ‘I have this role. They’re going to fire me. I can’t get fired,’ ” she said.

The cast will be made up of seven people, one of which hasn’t been cast yet: the role of Aunt Becky.

Many cast members are familiar faces to Halcovage.

She read lines at the audition with Marshall Louise, who is playing Michelle Tanner, and knew other members from working on “Bayside: The Musical.”

The only cast member she hasn’t met is Perez Hilton, who will play Danny Tanner.

Halcovage will begin to bond with her fellow cast members Saturday when they have their first official read-through.

“It will be exciting, but I’m not nervous,” she said.

Preparing to play the part of Stephanie Tanner includes binge-watching episodes of “Full House,” of which Halcovage has all eight seasons on DVD.

“I’m on season three of eight and I’ve only had the DVDs for a short period of time. I’ve just been watching it and figuring out what are Stephanie’s quirks and mannerisms. It’s a lot but it’s a lot of fun,” she said.

Aside from learning to play Stephanie Tanner, the most difficult role Halcovage has played was Maria in “West Side Story” during her senior year at Pottsville Area High School.

“It’s such a difficult show and the music was so hard,” she said.

She also acted in shows at college in front of larger crowds, but nothing compared to what her role in the off-Broadway parody will be.

“It’s my first New York show ever and it’s a new one and there will be actual people who aren’t just family and friends there. But after a while I think I’ll get used to it because we don’t have a closing date,” she said.

The show is scheduled to run three times a week, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, but she said she hopes they’ll add more shows in the future.

The show will begin Sept. 10 in New York City at Theatre 80, but Halcovage will take her first trip to Canada when they perform for a month in Toronto.

“Off-Broadway shows normally don’t do out of town try-outs but they had investors ... It’s a Broadway-sized house up there. They can fit 500 people,” she said.

She will play Stephanie Tanner for her first official crowd on Aug. 18 at the Randolph Theater, Toronto, until Sept. 6 when she will then return to New York City.

“I’m trying not to think about what’s next. The ‘Saved By The Bell’ show has been running for two years so I’m hoping that ‘Full House’ will continue to run as well. Just being employed is the nicest thing,” Halcovage said with a smile.

ORWIGSBURG — The borough council spent 45 minutes of a one-hour meeting July 1 discussing whether to buy a skid loader and excavator.

The borough has neither at the moment and borough Manager Robert Williams said both machines would benefit the borough.

“Governments need dump trucks. Governments need plows,” he said.

The price of a new John Deere 328 E Skid Steer Loader through the state COSTARS program is $83,008.31 but that includes attachments with the equipment. A John Deere 60G Compact Excavator through the program would be $81,199.66.

COSTARS is a cooperative purchasing program run by the state. A potential $32,500 down payment could come out of liquid fuels money, Williams said.

The streets department does have a backhoe that it uses but it is 15 years old.

The borough also could use a new dump truck. $100,000 One-hundred thousand is allocated in the budget for new equipment.

Council member Susan Murphy said she would like to see more prices on equipment. Greg Stewart, borough engineer, said the prices that the borough received for the equipment for that brand will be the best prices.

“Did you shop around?” council member Ed Mady asked Williams.

Williams said they did.

“My opinion is you get what you pay for,” Williams said,referencing the reliability of John Deere merchandise.

Street department worker Dave Teter said the John Deere vehicle is “the most comfortable and the easiest to run.”

Whatever decision the borough makes, it will still take three months to get the equipment, he said. However, the council should keep in mind that it has a limited supply of equipment.

“The only thing you have to load trucks with is a backhoe,” he said.

Williams said the vehicle has maintenance issues such as not starting and has been in the shop when needed.

Council member Paul Bedway Jr. said going new might be the way to go.

“When you buy something new, you know what you’ve got,” he said about any maintenance issues.

The new equipment also has a warranty, he said.

Mady said he thought more attention should be paid to road maintenance.

“I don’t know why we don’t take care of what roads we have in bad shape now,” he said.

Focusing on more heavily traveled roads instead of some others might make more sense. Williams agreed what roads he thinks should be addressed might be different than what the council thinks should be done.

The borough council did not vote on the issue at their work session. Williams said the issue will be discussed at a future council meeting.

The council also adopted an ordinance deleting the 10-mile residency requirement for the borough manager. Previously the borough manager would have to move into the borough within one year of taking the position. Williams, who does not live in Schuylkill County, plans to move into the borough at a later date.

The issue of another police car was also discussed. The police car was budgeted in the 2015 budget for $35,000. A camera could be in the vehicle. Williams said they were not voting on the police car at the meeting. The cost for the camera, which could see in the front and back of the car, is $5,195, Williams said.

“It’s all-encompassing. It’s 360 (degrees),” he said.

Mayor Barry Berger said information obtained from the camera is recorded on a flash drive. Williams said the camera has two lenses, a wide angle lens and one that is able to take pictures far away. The camera also had sound and possibly Global Positioning capabilities, Williams said. A dealer would install it.

The purchasing of the police car, a 2016 Ford Interceptor, will be on the agenda for the meeting today. If the council decides to purchase the police car through COSTARS, the approximate cost would be about $44,832, which would include the camera. The borough could make a deposit and finance the remaining balance, Williams said. It would take months to actually get the vehicle. The car would replace a 2010 Ford Explorer SUV, which has had numerous maintenance issues. A transmission is one of the items that had to be replaced, costing thousands, Williams said.