n New Philadelphia: The Blythe Township Senior Citizens group meets at 1 p.m. the third Monday of every month in the Holy Cross Parish Center, Lombard Street. New members are welcome. For more information, call Mary at 570-874-3535.

n Pine Grove: The Penn State Master Gardeners will conduct a workshop from 6 to 8 p.m. April 26 at the pavilion at Sweet Arrow Lake County Park offering information and assistance in drilling and constructing a rain barrel. The $35 fee includes fittings, barrel and education, according to a press release. Participants will learn how to improve water quality, reduce flood damage and soil loss with “just a few small changes,” organizers said in the release. Checks should be made payable to PSCE Program Account, Schuylkill, and mailed to the Penn State Extension, 1202 Ag Center Drive, Pottsville, PA 17901. For more information, call 570-622-4225, Ext. 20.

n Pine Grove: The Pine Grove Area High School FBLA and the Pine Grove Ambulance unit will sponsor a blood drive from 1 to 6 p.m. Thursday at the Pine Grove Ambulance Social Hall, Spruce Street. The drive is open to the public. For more information or to make an appointment, call 800-733-2767. All presenting donors, according to a release, will receive an American Red Cross St. Patrick’s Day T-shirt. People 17 and older (16 with parental consent), weighing at least 110 pounds and in general good health are urged to donate blood. In the release, organizers called on residents to “help our PGAHS students receive scholarships by supporting our annual community drive.”

n Pottsville: Diakon Living and Learning has a host of activities, classes, workshops and creative initiatives on its agenda to be held at a wide variety of locations. For more information regarding costs and types of sessions, call Susan Long at 570-624-3018 or email her at longs@diakon.org. More information also is available online at www.diakon.org/community-services/Living-Learning-After-50.

n Shenandoah: The Greater Shenandoah Area Historical Society will have a Chinese auction March 20 at its history center, 201 S. Main St. Doors will open at noon and the auction will begin at 1:30 p.m. There will be a shop-and-drop from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $3 and refreshments will be available. Everyone is welcome.

n Shenandoah: The Schuylkill Historical Fire Society Museum, 105 S. Jardin St., is open for fire department, school and private tours. There is no charge for tours but donations are gratefully accepted, according to the society website, which also lists museum hours as 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Appointments can be made for visits at other times by contacting President Michael Kitsock at 570-628-3691 or Vice President William Kline at 570-622-3678. Membership inquiries are welcome. The museum’s phone number is 570-462-4400. The museum was formally dedicated in 1999 with several commemorative events and a dedication parade. Housed in the former Columbia Hose & Steam Fire Company station, the site also serves as the society’s headquarters. Its collection of equipment and other artifacts is among the finest anywhere. For more about the society and photos of antique equipment, go to its website at www.theshfs.org.

n Shenandoah: Divine Mercy Roman Catholic Parish will hold a summer music camp for children ages 7 to 13 at the Annunciation Rectory, West Cherry Street, June 14 to 25 (weekend excluded). The 10-day program, according to a bulletin announcement, will end with a mini-concert by the participants at 7 p.m. June 25 at Divine Mercy Church, Cherry and Chestnut streets. During the camp, children will be taught the vocal techniques of breathing, dynamics and pitch matching. The fee is $200 per child. For more information or registration, call Father Johnson, parochial vicar, at 570-599-5265 or the parish office at 570-462-1968.

Ashland Rotary

Patrick Gownley, a North Schuylkill High School senior, was named student of the month for January by the Ashland Area Rotary Club.

Patrick’s high school activities include football (captain), track (captain), chorus, Schuylkill County Chorus, Theatre Arts, Envirothon, Teens Against Tobacco, Students Against Destructive Decisions, North Schuylkill Newscast, presidents club, captains club, Best Friends Forever, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Future Business Leaders of America, pep club, peer mediator, National Honor Society and Math, Science, Social Studies and Tri-M Music national honor societies. His community service includes altar server at St. Charles Borromeo Roman Catholic Church, Ashland, and a counselor at Camp Spifida.

He is a son of Michael T. and Mary Alice Gownley, Ashland. Patrick plans to attend college and pursue a career in civil engineering.

Frackville Rotary

Gena Williams, daughter of Bruce and Melissa Williams, Frackville, was honored as Frackville Rotary student of the month for January at a meeting of the club at Cracker Barrel Restaurant, Frackville.

A junior at North Schuylkill High School, Gena is a three-year member of the varsity volleyball and softball teams. She has participated in Frackville Girls Softball League since age 6, Pottsville Synergy Travel Ball League and is a four-year member of the North Schuylkill chorus.

A distinguished honor student throughout her high school career, she is a member of Teens Against Tobacco, Students Against Destructive Decisions, Forever Friends and Spanish Club.

Gena’s community service includes Big Brothers/Big Sisters Bowl for Kids’ Sake. She volunteers at the Schuylkill Medical Center Car Seat Safety Fair.

She plans to major in actuarial sciences or engineering and is interested in attending Penn State or Villanova universities.

Mahanoy Middle

Robert McCarthy and Madison Denchy were chosen students of the month for January by Mahanoy Area Middle School faculty.

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

Robert is a son of Robert and Diane McCarthy, Mahanoy Plane, and a member of St. Charles Borromeo Roman Catholic Church, Ashland. He is involved in Theatre Arts, intramural basketball and National Junior Honor Society and volunteers at American Hose Company, Mahanoy Plane. He plans to attend college.

Madison is a daughter of Neil and Kimberly Denchy, Barnesville, and a member of Christ Lutheran Church, Mahanoy City, where she is a volunteer assistant Sunday school teacher. She is National Junior Honor Society secretary, a seventh- and eighth-grade Republican/Herald Spelling Bee representative and plays seventh- and eighth-grade girls’ basketball and intramural basketball and volleyball.

Madison is the seventh- and eighth-grade wrestling manager, middle school representative for the high school marching band and a participant in PMEA Elementary District Band, PMEA Intermediate District Band, Junior County Band, ski club, chorus and Theatre Arts. She volunteers at church functions, Ryan Township Fire Company bingo and wing sale and Mahanoy City Girls Softball clean up crew.

Madison plans to attend college and major in child psychiatry/psychology.

Adam Soriano and Payton Martin were named students of the month for December by the Mahanoy Area Middle School faculty.

Adam is a son of Lisa Soriano, Mahanoy City, and a member of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Roman Catholic Parish, Mahanoy City. He is involved in seventh- and eighth-grade boys’ basketball, cross country, track and field and National Junior Honor Society. He volunteers with Biddy Basketball.

Adam plans to attend college, get a scholarship for running or basketball and major in law enforcement.

Payton is a daughter of Kris and Josette Bet, Barnesville, and Ken and Shannon Martin, Saint Clair. She is a member of St. Richard Roman Catholic Church, Barnesville.

Payton is involved in National Junior Honor Society, student council, Theatre Arts, ski club, chorus, seventh- and eighth-grade cheerleading, intramural volleyball and basketball, Anthracite volleyball, Mahanoy City Softball League and CYO basketball. She volunteers for various programs at her church and is manager of the high school volleyball team.

Payton plans to attend college, get a scholarship for volleyball and major in education.

Pottsville Rotary

Pottsville Area High School seniors Taylor Young and Ryan Scanlan and Nativity BVM High School seniors Ashley Strausser and Rebecca McCloskey were honored as Pottsville Rotary students of the month for January.

Ashley is a daughter of Alan and Michelle Strausser, Port Carbon, and attends St. Stephen Roman Catholic Church, Port Carbon, where she is an altar server. She is involved in varsity volleyball, basketball, track and field, Interact Club, student ambassador, art club, National Honor Society and science club. She has received many awards, including outstanding student ambassador, distinguished honors, highest achievement in psychology, outstanding effort in advanc-ed pre-calculus and first honors.

She plans to attend a college or university to pursue a doctorate in physical therapy.

Rebecca is a daughter of Joe and Karen McCloskey, Pottsville, and attends St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, Pottsville, where she is an altar server and church picnics volunteer. She is involved in competitive and social cheerleading, softball, Interact and math clubs, student ambassadors, yearbook, campus ministry, student government and international club. She is an American Red Cross blood drive coordinator and Meals on Wheels volunteer.

An All-American Cheerleader, Rebecca received the America Needs Cheerleaders Leadership Award, outstanding effort award in pre-calculus and advanced algebra 2/trigonometry. She plans to attend Drexel University, Philadelphia, and major in mechanical engineering.

Taylor, a daughter of Dan and Darlene Young, Pottsville, is a member of the National and Spanish National honor societies, Quill and Scroll Honor Society and received the AP Scholar Award. She is a four-year member of the Spanish and ecology clubs, marching and concert bands and AID. She is also a member of publications and student council.

Taylor is captain, lettered in and is a four-year member of the swim team, lettered in and is a three-year member of volleyball and lettered in and is a one-year member of water polo. She is also a scholar athlete.

She plans to attend Penn State University and major in environmental science with a minor in environmental engineering.

Ryan, a son of Douglas and Mary Scanlan, Pottsville, is a member of St. Clare of Assisi Roman Catholic Church, Saint Clair. He is a member of the National Honor Society and Spanish National Honor Society, plus a four-year member of cross-country, swimming, Spanish Club, track and field and Leo Club. Ryan is also a member of the ecology club and SADD. He lettered four years in swimming and serves as captain, and three years in cross-country and track and field.

Ryan plans to attend Temple University, Philadelphia, and major in pre-pharmacy.

NEW RINGGOLD — Firefighters in Blythe Township and the surrounding area are working to figure out what started a fire Saturday afternoon that severely damaged a quonset hut that a local man used for deer processing.

Chad Felty, fire chief of the Walker Township/New England Fire Company, wasn’t sure what caused the smoky blaze at the hut owned by Richard Baver, which is behind Baver’s home at 505 Mountain Road in Blythe Township.

The fire was reported at 3:45 p.m. Responders included firefighters from Kaska, New Ringgold, Tamaqua, Tuscarora and Walker Township.

Felty said the quonset hut is one of a collection of sheds behind Baver’s home.

“When I got here, I saw flames were pouring out of the main shed. There are additional sheds in the back. I’d say four or five of them have been burning,” Felty, who was in charge of the scene, said.

Getting water to the scene was a challenge, since there were no fire hydrants in the immediate area. Firefighters had to travel 3 to 5 miles for water, Felty said.

“This is rural firefighting at its best. We’re getting water from Rosemont Dam and Kunkel’s Dam,” he said.

Just after 5 p.m., there were more than 50 firefighters on scene. One was using a K-12 fire rescue circular saw to cut holes in the metal sides of the quonset hut for ventilation.

Among the numerous country songs Seamus Moore wrote about his native Ireland is “Take Me Back To Tipperary.”

Megan Ditzler, Schuylkill Haven, the 2015 Schuylkill County Fair Queen, said Saturday that’s where her great-grandfather is from.

“I’m not sure exactly where Tipperary is, but, yes, I’m Irish. And I’m really proud of my Irish roots, so I’m really excited to be here and represent the fair. This is the first time I marched in this parade,” Ditzler, one of more than 200 marchers in the 41st annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday in Pottsville, said.

With her were 2015 county fair Princess Madeline Schuettler, Pottsville, and 2015 county fair Little Miss Julie Beth Wychunass, Orwigsburg.

Last year the St. Patrick’s Day Parade was canceled due to snow. But this year, sunny skies and 45 degree temperatures welcomed the marchers to the parade.

“It’s beautiful out,” Pottsville Mayor James T. Muldowney, who was there in a bright green blazer, said. Since last year’s parade was canceled, Saturday’s event was the first St. Patrick’s Day Parade during his term as mayor.

“Today, it’s absolutely gorgeous. I hope it’s nice next week for the Girardville parade,” Walter J. Choplick, Shenandoah, financial secretary for the Upper Schuylkill Marching Band, said.

“It’s a beautiful day. It’s a great day for the Irish, our heritage, our culture. And it’s a lot better than knocking snow off our shoulders. You couldn’t ask for a nicer day than this,” Thomas Symons, Primrose, president of the Schuylkill County Ancient Order of Hibernians, said.

Symons was marching with the John “Jack” Kehoe Ancient Order of Hibernians Div. 1, Girardville. He was dressed in the kind of vintage clothes worn by 19th century working class folks in Schuylkill County, including a plaid button-up shirt and vest.

“We are the John Kehoe division, so I always try to honor his memory and the memory of the miners,” he said.

He helped Girardville AOH members John Schenewerk, Shamokin, and Jim Mitchell, Mahanoy City, set up the marching banner.

City Councilman Mark Atkinson, the division piper with the Ancient Order of Hibernians, John F. Kennedy Div. 2, was there in a traditional Irish “full-military dress.”

Schuylkill County Coroner Dr. David J. Moylan III led the parade Saturday. Moylan was selected to serve as grand marshal by the Ancient Order of Hibernians, John F. Kennedy Div. 2, which sponsors the event. Moylan was chosen as grand marshal because of his dedication to his profession and his contribution to the Schuylkill County community, according to a press release from the AOH.

“I joined the AOH in 1997 or 1998. I’m overwhelmed by the honor of being asked to do this. This morning we had a wonderful breakfast down there at Trippin’ Billies. I was reminded that it’s been 17 years since I’ve been Irishman of the Year. So these are real nice bookends of my career in the AOH,” Moylan said.

During the parade, he was seated in the back of a 2014 red convertible Chevy Camaro, which was driven by its owner, Frank Yanosky, Pottsville.

“The reason why he got grand marshal is because he’s a hell of a man,” Yanosky said of Moylan.

“We need to get some younger people involved in AOH. March is Irish American Heritage Month. We’re going to plan to have a series of lectures on Irish heritage. Did you know that 2016 is the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising? That was the beginning of freeing Ireland. April 24, 1916, was the event,” Moylan said.

Performers in the parade Saturday included the Pottsville Area Marching Band, the Nativity BVM Marching Band, the Hawk Mountain Highlanders and the Upper Schuylkill Marching Band.

The parade formed on West Market Street between 12th and 14th streets and it headed east to Second Street, then south to Mahantongo Street, east to Centre Street, north to Laurel Boulevard and west to Third Street.

Then, the Humane Fire Company hosted its annual Grand Irish Party, featuring music by Celtheart, an Irish band from New Jersey.

Following the Pottsville parade, Symons and members of the Girardville AOH headed to Conshohocken, Montgomery County, to march in that community’s St. Patrick’s Parade.

“That parade’s at 2 o’clock. I think 15 of us are going. I believe four of five guys already went down ahead of us. We’ve been doing that every year, for at least 10 years. We go to their parade because they come up to our parade every year,” Symons said.

St. Patrick’s Day is Thursday.

The 13th annual Girardville St. Patrick’s Day Parade will begin noon Saturday, according to that parade’s Facebook page.

The Yuengling Light Lager Jogger 5K was such a success the past three years that it will be held again this year, on April 9. While the race may be sold out, they invite you to join them for their festive post-race block party. The street will come alive with laughter, food, fun, music, charity and much more.

The race and block party will be held at the brewery. There will be a letter writing station for runners to sign a Yuengling Lager Jogger postcard with well wishes for military. The postcards will be sent to Operation Gratitude, the official race charity, a nonprofit organization that assembles and sends care packages to deployed military, their families and Wounded Warriors. Additionally, the block party will feature a charity raffle, food, vendors and live music.

An event this big wouldn’t be successful if it were not for the kind spirit and generosity of time from volunteers. There are two key areas where volunteer help is needed. Prior to the race, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 7 and from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. April 8, helpers are needed to distribute race bibs and other information to registered runners. The Packet Pick-Up station will be at the Ramada Inn in Pottsville. Anyone interested in helping with packet distribution can email volunteer@lagerjogger.com with the subject “Packet Pick-Up Volunteer.”

Volunteers are also needed on the day of the race to help with a variety of tasks. The race starts at 9 a.m. and volunteers are asked to arrive at 7 a.m. You can help with race day by registering at www.racemine.com/ckrunning/volunteers/1076. You can also contact Kathryn Ross at kathryn@lagerjogger.com.

D. G. Yuengling and Son Inc. thanks past participants and volunteers and hopes to see you there again this year.

Your blood is one of the most precious gifts you can give. One donation can save the lives of up to three people. Premature babies, accident victims and cancer patients are in constant need of fresh blood.

There will be blood drives at the Good Shepherd Building in Minersville and at the Schuylkill Mall on March 14 and at Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church in Schuylkill Haven and the Pine Grove Ambulance Building on March 17. Everyone who weighs at least 110 pounds and is in general good health is encouraged to donate.

“Indian Mound Builders of the Mississippi Valley” will be presented at Sweet Arrow Lake County Park, Pine Grove, at 7 p.m. March 22. The slide presentation will explore the huge Monks Mound near St. Louis, the strange Serpent Mound and Cahokia, the city of 15,000 Indians and more. Discover the civilization of the Mississippi before the Europeans arrived.

The presentation will be conducted by noted Indian expert, Dave McSurdy. The free event is suitable for teens and adults. Call 570-345-8952 for details.

The Walk In Art Center announces a MoMA Bus Trip on April 9. The bus departs from Schuylkill Haven for a day at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. After the museum, use your free time to explore the city before returning home.

The guided tour of MoMA and round bus trip ticket is $90. Unguided tour and round trip bus trip ticket is $80. Reserve your seat today. Tickets can be ordered online at www.walkinartcenter.com. Call 570-732-3728 for information.

Just a reminder that the 41st annual Seedling Sale to benefit Sweet Arrow Lake is still accepting orders. Bundles of five or 10 healthy seedlings, 8 to 28 inches, sell for $8 or $9. They arrive bare root. Order deadline is April 6. Pick up at Sweet Arrow Lake is April 30. Seedling description and order forms can be found at www.sweetarrowlakepark.com. Call 570-622-4124 for information.

Community Volunteers in Action is the volunteer center for Schuylkill County. Use the preceding contact information for those specific opportunities and search other listings on our website at www.schuylkill.us/cvia. Find us on Facebook. Call us at 570-628-1426 or email to jjohnston@co.schuylkill.pa.us.

Historical society

volunteers

Time: Flexible.

Responsibility: Help with a variety of tasks including filing and data entry, light cleaning, assisting patrons with research, scanning photos for electronic storage, gift shop.

Skills: Reliable and friendly.

Location: Schuylkill County Historical Society, 305 N. Centre St., Pottsville

Call: 570-622-7540.

Actor Jack Black, who has belted out soul and rock songs with his band Tenacious D and in films like “High Fidelity” and “School of Rock,” plans to sing some polka.

Black has been tabbed to play Hazleton’s fallen band leader Jan Lewan in a movie based on the 2007 documentary film, “The Man who would be Polka King.”

A native of Poland, Lewan gained a following as a polka band leader in Hazleton. He and his orchestra played northeastern Pennsylvania but also performed at the casinos of Atlantic City and Las Vegas and received a Grammy Award nomination in 1995.

A friend of labor leader and future Polish President Lech Walesa, Lewan, whose given name is Lewandowski, led tours to Poland. He brought back jewelry and other goods to sell in his gift store in Hazleton.

To support the store, he also sold shares in the business and promised returns of 12 percent and 20 percent to investors, many of whom had traveled with him.

The state of Pennsylvania warned him to stop selling securities, but he continued.

His band’s van was in a crash that killed two musicians in 2001, the store went bankrupt, and Lewan went to prison for defrauding some 400 people in 22 states of millions of dollars.

While in prison in Delaware in 2004, Lewan survived after a cellmate slit his throat.

After serving five years in prison, Lewan returned to Hazleton and performed a reunion concert with many of his old band members at the J.J. Ferrara Performing Arts Center in 2010.

Telephoned on Friday in Florida where he now lives, Lewan said he heard about the plans for the movie, but didn’t have permission to talk about it.

A post on his Facebook page said Lewan plans to lead a 12-day trip to Poland in September.

John F. Mikula, a co-director of the documentary, didn’t respond to text and email messages Friday.

Lewan owed restitution of $4,944,593 in 2012 when he finished serving three years of probation following his five years in prison.

He had repaid $14,379 by then and was to continue making monthly payments of at least $400, according to a court order that U.S. Circuit Judge Thomas Vanaskie signed when making the debt a civil obligation on March 2 that year.

In Delaware, Lewan was ordered to pay restitution of $87,000 to three people when released from probation in 2010, Carl Kanefsky, spokesman for the Delaware Department of Justice, said by email.

Man flips pickup,

flees scene on foot

Pottsville police investigated a crash that was reported at 10:51 p.m. Friday in the 400 block of East Norwegian Street involving multiple vehicles with entrapment.

Police said that at the scene, officers saw a Ford pickup truck resting on its driver’s side blocking the roadway and two damaged parked vehicles.

While verifying if the vehicle was occupied, multiple bystanders stated the driver had left the scene heading east on East Norwegian Street.

The driver, Jeffrey McNitsky, 40, of Pottsville, was quickly located in the 700 block of East Norwegian Street and, after showing signs of being under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance, was taken into custody for a blood alcohol test, police said.

The subsequent investigation showed that McNitsky had been traveling east in the 400 block of East Norwegian Street when he lost control of his vehicle due to a combination of being under the influence or a controlled substance.

The man’s truck struck two Ford pickup trucks that were legally parked on the south side of the 400 block of East Norwegian Street before flipping onto its driver’s side, at which time McNitsky attempted to flee the scene.

Police said McNitsky’s vehicle and one of the parked trucks sustained severe damage and were towed from the scene while the other parked vehicle sustained minor damage.

Police said appropriate charges will be filed against McNitsky at the conclusion of the investigation, including results of the blood test, and that Pottsville firefighters assisted with traffic control and scene clean up.

Police investigate

damaged window

NEW PHILADELPHIA — A vandal damaged the rear window of a parked vehicle early Friday, according to state police at Frackville.

The vehicle is owned by Jennifer Neifert, 44, and the incident occurred at 32 Valley St. at 8:30 a.m. Friday. New Philadelphia police were not on duty at the time of the incident, state police said.

Anyone with information is asked to call state police at 570-874-5300.

Police search for

hit-and-run driver

CRESSONA — State police at Schuylkill Haven are looking for a hit-and-run driver who hit the back of a vehicle on state Route 183 on Wednesday afternoon, police said Friday.

The incident occurred at 1:44 p.m. Wednesday as Debra Schwartz, 53, of Valley View, was driving a 2003 Dodge Dakota south on Route 183 when she stopped for traffic. The back of her vehicle was struck by another vehicle about 115 feet east of North Sillyman Street, police said.

Schwartz pulled into the parking lot of a Mobil gas station, but the vehicle which hit her failed to stop, police said.

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

The Easter Bunny hippity-hopped into the Schuylkill and Fairlane Village malls on Saturday to be greeted by many children who wanted to meet the floppy-eared, furry celebrity.

Hundreds of parents brought their children to Fairlane Village mall to get pictures with the affable rabbit.

“It’s the memories that he gets to see each year of having a picture with the Easter Bunny,” Veronica Rosado, Pottsville, said of her son, Xiomar, 3. “When I was a kid. I missed out on it.”

The mall hosted an “Easter Egg-stravaganza” on Saturday, featuring a performance by “International Stars of Magic John Bundy and Morgan,” South Planfield, New Jersey. Bundy encouraged the more than 100 people crowded around his stage to welcome the Easter Bunny with some magic words.

“It’s about that time. If everybody’s ready, and everyone’s willing to say those magic words one more time really, really loud, maybe, just maybe we’ll get that Easter Bunny to come visit us this year at the Fairlane Village mall. So, when I count to three, say ‘jumping jellybeans.’ One. Two. Three!” Bundy told the crowd.

As the crowd of children cheered, Xiomar put his hands over his ears.

“Oh, he doesn’t like loud noises,” Rosado said.

“The first 100 kids to visit the Bunny will receive a coupon for a free kids meal at Friendly’s,” according to the mall’s website.

Other families in line to see the Easter Bunny at Fairlane Village on Saturday were Jennifer Crisafulli, Minersville, and her four children, Emily, 2, Mathew, 3, Cameron, 5, and Alexander, 6 months.

“My kids love to watch the magic show. And it’s comfortable. We like coming out to a place that we know,” Crisafulli said.

She decided to have all of her children pose with the Easter Bunny in one photo.

“The Easter Bunny will hold the baby and my other three will stand around him,” she said.

Jess Morgan, Shenandoah, was there with her children, Alexis, 11, Graydon, 10, Miley, 9, and Kayla, 8.

“I’m originally from Pottsville and I did this when I was a kid. Actually, one year I found out my high school softball coach was the Easter Bunny. And I never knew it. My kids love this. They love the magic show. They like the bunny. They’ll sit down and see him. But they love the magic show,” Morgan said.

The magic show wrapped with a classic song from 1984, “You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)” by Dead or Alive.

Meanwhile in Frackville, before the Easter Bunny arrived, a special program was held called “Andrew and His Toys” behind the center court stage. The show was performed by Andrew Scharff, who has performed in more than 35 states, in European and Asian countries, and around the globe on cruise ships. Scharff also performed before Pope St. John Paul II more than 10 years ago.

As usual, the center court area was decorated with a huge bunny backdrop for the big chair for the Easter Bunny. Children and their parents lined up down the main aisle for the chance to sit on the bunny’s lap, have a photo taken by Mike Bailey Photography and get a lollypop.

Children were also lined up for face painting and balloon figures, and in another section there was a cupcake decorating activity where children could eat their creations. An inflatable double slide kept many going up and down multiple times, and the Appalachian Petting Zoo brought some common and more exotic animals, including a ringtail lemur.

At noon, Scharff held his 35-minute program. Scharff is a clown, physical comedian, juggler, circus performer, yo-yo guy and a funny guy that had the children laughing loudly at his antics and pratfalls. Some children were selected to become part of his show.

After his program, Scharff, 38, said he was with a circus performing in Rome in 2004 when he met the pope.

“It’s not uncommon for people in Rome with shows and sporting events to go have an audience with the pope, but I actually got the chance to perform,” Scharff said, explaining that the general audience was held in the Pope Paul VI Audience Hall in January.

“I grew up in Philadelphia and went to a school that kind of pushed everybody in doing a little performing, and that interested me,” Scharff said. “I then went to clown college and that led to the circus in this country, Europe and Japan, and now then doing shows on cruise ships. My next goal is to go to every country in South America and do performances at schools and orphanages and hop from country to country.”

Sailor of the Year

Petty Officer 2nd Class Brandon Williams, Pine Grove, serving with Strike Fighter Squadron 211, earned Junior Sailor of the Year for 2015.

The Sailor of the Year Program recognizes superior performance of enlisted personnel emphasizing outstanding achievements, exemplary personal conduct and military bearing and demonstrated initiative in the performance of duty. This program also motivates personnel to strive for improvement in their assigned duties and leadership.

As an aviation machinist’s mate, Williams is responsible for maintaining, inspecting, troubleshooting, preserving and de-preserving aircraft engines and their related systems.

Williams, a 2007 graduate of Pine Grove Area High School, has served in the Navy for eight years.

Marines training

Trent A. Kaufman, son of Mark and Pam Kaufman, Ashland, graduated Jan. 29 from the Marine Corps at Parris Island, South Carolina.

He is in combat training at Camp Geiger, with graduation set for Tuesday, and will continue with his schooling for logistic specialist.

He plans to attend Lock Haven University in August to study environmental science.

Open government is critical to public accountability and newspapers play an important role in informing communities about what constitutes a public record and what must be available for review.

The Republican-Herald is participating in the Pennsylvania Newsmedia Association’s first “Transparency Toolkit” to grade several governing bodies in Schuylkill County. They each received passing scores.

PNA’s Transparency Toolkit is modeled after a recent series by the Lebanon Daily News and features questions with yes or no answers that lead to a report card and grading scale, allowing the newspaper to assign grades to municipalities and school districts.

There are four rubrics — one for requesting the minutes, one for requesting agendas, one for evaluating minutes and one for evaluating agendas.

The Pennsylvania Sunshine Act requires agencies to deliberate and take official action on agency business in an open and public meeting. It requires that meetings have prior notice, and that the public can attend, participate and comment before an agency takes that official action.

Although the Sunshine Act does not expressly require agendas, it does require agencies to provide the public with a meaningful opportunity to comment on matters that are or may be before the agency. Providing agendas in advance of a meeting is the easiest, most efficient way to satisfy this requirement.

Unable to include all governmental bodies in the county in the report, The Republican-Herald picked six — county, three municipalities and two school districts — based on size and location. The report includes Schuylkill County government; the county’s only city, Pottsville; one of its largest boroughs, Schuylkill Haven; and one of its largest townships and one of the few with a website, Mahanoy Township. The report also includes two school boards — Blue Mountain School District and North Schuylkill School District.

The information is being published the week of March 13-19 to celebrate Sunshine Week, a national initiative spearheaded by the American Society of News Editors to educate the public about the importance of open government and the dangers of excessive and unnecessary secrecy. Established in March 1995, Sunshine Week coincides each year with James Madison’s birthday and National Freedom of Information Day on March 16.

All the governmental bodies included in this report had the required elements in both the meeting minutes and agendas. That includes time, date and location, board member attendance, record of votes and names of citizens providing comment and a brief summary of those comments. If no comments were provided, the minutes noted so. The agendas all provided time for public comment and if anyone requested ahead of time to be on the agenda.

Most of the entities also had the latest approved meeting minutes available online. However, not all have held their March meetings yet to approve the February minutes. Those that did not meet yet this month still had the January minutes available online.

The different grades were largely due to the availability of agendas prior to the meetings. Those that scored a “B” on the agenda section were due to not posting agendas online prior to the meetings. However, the “B” rating also means they provided an advanced copy upon request.

• The Blue Mountain school board was the only one to post agendas online prior to the meeting and thus the only governmental body in the report to score an “A” for both its meeting minutes and agendas.

• The Schuylkill County commissioners and scored an “A” on its minutes and a “B” on its agendas.

• Schuylkill Haven Borough Council scored an “A” on its minutes and a “B” on its agendas.

• The City of Pottsville council scored a “B” on its minutes because they are not posted online and a “B” on its agendas as well.

• Mahanoy Township board of supervisors scored a “B”on its minutes because they are not posted online and a “B” on its agendas as well.

• North Schuylkill school board scored a “B” on its minutes because they are not posted online and a “B” on its agendas as well.

Pottsville Area

Cody Gemmel, a senior percussionist, represented Pottsville Area High School at the PMEA District 10 Orchestra Festival that was held Jan. 13 through 16 at East Stroudsburg High School South.

He is a son of Shawn and Christine Gemmel, Saint Clair.

McCann

Three local students who graduated from the Pottsville campus of McCann School of Business & Technology passed their National Healthcareer Association accredited exams. These exams validate the skill sets learned in each individual program and are often needed or preferred by employers.

Kristy Reis, New Ringgold, who graduated from the phlebotomist program, passed the certified phlebotomy technician exam.

Haley Lewars, Pottsville, and Marisa Matukiewicz, New Ringgold, graduates of the medical billing and coding program, passed the certified medical billing and coding program.

MMI

The following local students have earned President’s List recognition at MMI Preparatory School, Freeland, for the first semester of the 2015-16 school year: Rachael Betz, Tamaqua, sixth grade, and Marcus Danchision, Ringtown, and Natalie Graham, Tamaqua, both seventh-graders.

Widener

The following local high school students are recipients of the Widener University High School Leadership Awards.

The program recognizes students from high schools in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware who demonstrated courage and leadership within their communities.

Luis Moreno, Hamburg, a junior at Blue Mountain Academy, is recognized for going above and beyond in many areas of leadership on his high school campus. He assists daily in the business office by organizing student accounts and managing secretarial items, all while excelling academically.

Rachel Rubright, Kaska, a junior at Pottsville Area High School, is recognized for going above and beyond with community service and volunteer efforts at her church, local nursing home and cancer treatment center.

Nikki Schnoke, Schuylkill Haven, a junior at Schuylkill Haven Area High School, is recognized for advocating for those with special needs and participating in student council, German and biology clubs and National Honor Society.

Rocco Roguskie, Shenandoah, a junior at Shenandoah Valley High School, is recognized for organizing a donation drive for Soles4Souls that raised more than $200 and collected more than 612 pairs of shoes for people in Haiti. He was also selected as his school’s Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Ambassador.

Alexa Hromyak, Tamaqua, a junior at Tamaqua Area High School, is recognized for participating in many activities such as soccer, basketball, chorus and Spanish National Honor Society. She plays a crucial role as editor of the school magazine in valuing her peers and ensuring topics of importance are addressed.

Erica Wessner, Tower City, a junior at Williams Valley High School, is recognized for involving herself with student council, participating in drama club and leading the soccer team as a co-captain.

Deeds

Port Carbon — Weiner Iron & Metal Corp. to Bruce and Tammy Brown; 20 Main St.; $20,000.

Pottsville — Nancy Hrenyo, by attorney in fact Brenda J. Guldin, to Crystal N. Reed; property on Davis Avenue; $4,750.

Northampton

Barbara Dimon, Pine Grove and Victoria Koch, Saint Clair, were awarded associate degrees Jan. 30 from Northampton Community College, Bethlehem.

IUP

Corina Lynn Torres, Auburn, received a bachelor’s degree in natural science/pre-dentistry from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in December.

Albright

Andrew Leahy, Pottsville, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies, and Michele Hoshauer, Hamburg, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in information systems and management, at the Dec. 19, 2015, winter commencement at Albright College, Reading.

The 23rd annual American Cancer Society Relay for Life will not be held in the event’s traditional venue in Pottsville.

Instead of returning to Veterans Memorial Stadium at Pottsville Area High School, it will be held May 21 and 22 on The Island in Schuylkill Haven, Charles R. “Chuck” Joy, Port Carbon, the event’s chairman, said at a special event before more than 200 people at the Pottsville Ramada on Saturday night.

“We had the opportunity to go to a new area. And I like the facility, setup wise, the opportunities for parking and handicapped accessibility. Schuylkill Haven’s been vying to take us out there. So we wanted to move forward to seize this opportunity,” Joy said.

Plus, the Borough of Schuylkill Haven, which manages The Island, is allowing the organizers to use the venue with an offer they couldn’t refuse. “They waived the fees for us,” Joy said.

He made the announcement at a Mardi Gras-themed Celebration Event at the Ramada in Pottsville. “It used to be known as the ‘kick off dinner,’ ” Joy said.

Officials at Pottsville Area were not sure why the relay event decided to move.

Last year, the Relay For Life paid a total of $2,048.05 to rent the stadium, according to an invoice provided by Stephen C. Curran, Pottsville Area’s business manager.

“We did not receive a request for the use of the facility, hence we cannot speculate as to why or why not,” Curran said Wednesday.

“To the best of my knowledge, the Relay for Life committee did not submit any paperwork to utilize our facilities this year,” Pottsville Area Superintendent Jeffrey S. Zwiebel said Thursday.

The Relay for Life committee had “no major issues” with Veterans Memorial Stadium, Joy said.

“It’s been a great venue. The hospitality has been good with the school board and the school district,” Joy said.

Zwiebel had no comment on the relay moving to a new venue.

“We receive many requests to utilize our facilities from both school-based groups and community organizations throughout the year. We try to accommodate as many requests as possible. The philosophy of the board of directors, as it is listed in the Pottsville Area School District Application and Procedures for The Use of School Facilities, reads ‘Since public schools belong to the people of the school district, and since plant facilities are established, maintained and operated by funds largely provided by local taxes, the board accepts the responsibility for making the public school facilities available to the community for appropriate activities which do not infringe upon, nor interfere with, the conduct and best interest of the school system. It is the board’s intention to grant the use of school facilities in accordance with board policy 707. Since use of school facilities does result in additional operational costs to the district, a fee schedule has been established to recover appropriate expenses and all groups requesting the use of district facilities will uniformly be assessed these fees,’ ” Zwiebel said.

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life began in May 1985 in Tacoma, Washington, as the City of Destiny Classic 24-Hour Run Against Cancer, according to the American Cancer Society website, www.cancer.org.

Over the years, the American Cancer Society Relay For Life has become an international movement that has raised more than $5 billion for the effort to end cancer, according to the website.

Since the Pottsville relay began in 1994, it’s raised more than $3,561,065, Trysha D. Leigel, one of the co-chairpersons of the event, said at the start of the May 2015 relay.

In its quest to raise $137,000 in May 2015, the volunteers at last year’s annual American Cancer Society Relay for Life in Pottsville managed to acquire $105,000 by the end of its 24-hour relay.

This year, the goal is to raise $120,000, Joy said Saturday.

“We have several new teams signed up and our previous years’ teams are on board as well. With the relay theme ‘Paint Your World Purple,’ our Celebration Event is the start to a great relay of the Pottsville area,” Joy said.

Penn State

John P. Shoener, a junior music education major at Penn State University, University Park campus, was selected as the recipient of the Ned C. and Janette M. Diehl Scholarship. This is the highest scholarship a music student can receive at Penn State and was established to recognize extraordinary talent and dedication of a Blue Band member in consultation with the director of concert bands and athletic bands.

A dean’s list student, John serves as the section leader of “The Great 68” trumpet section in the Penn State Marching Blue Band. He is also a member of the Symphonic Wind Ensemble and Centre Dimensions Jazz Band.

A 2013 graduate of Pottsville Area High School, he is a son of Craig and Patricia Troy Shoener, Pottsville.

Elizabethtown

Sage Garvey, Auburn, a sophomore health and occupation major, and Brady Morgan, Ashland, a sophomore biology major, were named emergent scholars at Elizabethtown College for the 2015-16 academic year.

Two students from Barnesville were inducted into Gamma Sigma Epsilon national chemistry honor society: Tyler Butkus, a junior chemistry and business administration major, and Holly Sofka, a junior biochemistry major.

Westminster

Lindsey Clauser, Schuylkill Haven, a senior music education major at Westminster College, New Wilmington, was among nine students chosen to participate in the Pennsylvania Intercollegiate Honors Band that was held Thursday through today at Elizabethtown College. She plays the horn.

She is a daughter of Robert and Dana Clauser.

Wilkes

Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre, honored freshmen students for academic excellence with induction into the Alpha Lambda Delta honor society Feb. 6. Eligible students with a GPA of 3.5 or higher during their first term or year of college while enrolled full time are invited to join.

Local students who were inducted are Seth Kunkel, Hamburg, Devon Bashore, Schuylkill Haven, and Rachel Wood, Pottsville.

Lebanon Valley

Nine Lebanon Valley College student proposals are one step closer to implementation thanks to inaugural Student Innovation Fund grants announced by LVC President Lewis E. Thayne.

Nine grants were awarded to 20 students, including Julian Gerace, Tamaqua, for projects ranging from sustainability and outdoor appreciation to student programming and the arts.

Julian, a graduate of Tamaqua Area High School, is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in music recording technology and music at The Valley. Beautifying the walls and public spaces of the college is the goal of this grant. Artify LVC aims to demonstrate the creative skills of students and alumni by placing student work throughout campus and commissioning artists of every kind to create content. This project shows LVC’s commitment to encourage learning and growth in all areas of life and it will give confidence to those who display their art.

Detectives said Tyler Shortway, 24, has a bench warrant issued against him for original charges of two felony counts of possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance, one felony count of criminal use of a communications facility and a misdemeanor charge of possession of a controlled substance.

Shortway has a last known address of 2593 Buck Mountain Road, Weatherly, detectives said. He is described as being about 6 feet tall and weighing about 170 pounds.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of this man or on any other fugitive in Schuylkill County is asked to call the district attorney’s office at 570-628-1350 or your local police department.

In addition, anyone who may see or come in contact with Shortway is asked to call the Schuylkill County Communications Center immediately.

All information received will remain confidential.

A complete list of Schuylkill County bench warrants is available on the Schuylkill County website at www.co.schuylkill.pa.us.

ORWIGSBURG — A developer wanting to build a 33-townhouse development answered questions Wednesday at a borough council meeting.

Brian Kobularcik is a partner in B5K-K46, headquartered in Sinking Spring, Berks County. It is seeking to develop the property it owns.

Kobularcik discussed the business’ plans to develop a property between Grove Street and Hope Avenue on Route 443 East. The council gave conditional approval for the plan on April 8, 2009. The property now held by the limited partnership was bought from a bank in lieu of foreclosure, former Borough Manager Mike Lonergan said in December 2013.

Current Borough Manager Robert Williams said the council asked Kobularcik to attend this week’s meeting because he owes money to the borough for work done on the plan.

Paul Datte, borough solicitor, said Kobularcik owes money to the borough because the borough has incurred the fees from the engineers and Datte because of work done on the plan.

“It’s their (the borough’s) professionals who review it,” Datte said.

The borough’s subdivision and land development ordinance and the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning code outline the method for plan submission, payment and other issues.

“By law, those fees have to be reimbursed,” Datte said, adding there are legal guidelines to follow if the amount is being challenged, which is not what is happening here.

Documents provided by the borough show a balance has been owed since Dec. 18, 2014, that has been increasing since then for work done on the project since the original bill. The balance owed prior to a $250 payment paid to the borough Wednesday was $3,616.98. The amount originally was $1,311.19 as of Dec. 18, 2014.

Kobularcik said Lonergan told him he would consider a reduction of the original amount because of financial difficulties. Williams said this is true. Still, no payment was made until the one was made Wednesday, Williams said.

The council also previously adopted a resolution stating that final plan approval for the Villas of Orwigsburg is contingent on approved financial security within 90 days for the land development plan. The borough has given three extensions. Datte said the financial security has yet to be posted.

Council member Darle Cresswell asked why the development should get a break in paying in payments. Kobularcik said he understood his concern but appreciated the effort by the borough for payments and also said he was willing to pay interest if necessary.

Council President Buddy Touchinsky said the council would like an update on the project for its 7:30 p.m. May 4 work session.

After the meeting, Kobularcik said he was trying to pay the entire balance. When asked what the delay is on the project, he said, “The market is not there.”

“I am hoping that we are able to bring something to construction this year,” he said Wednesday.

In December 2013, Kobularcik said the intent was to break ground in spring or early summer 2014. As recently as August 2015, he said work could start possibly in the spring of this year.

In other matters, Orwigsburg Police Chief Stan Brozana spoke to the council about the list of items that Brozana said the council should address.

“We got a list together and are talking about $50,000. Of that before you have a heart attack and we have to do CPR, $40,000 of that is going to be the license plate readers and associated systems that come with that,” Brozana said.

The state Department of Transportation is eliminating the registration stickers for vehicles. The last registration sticker will be issued in December.

The elimination of the registration stickers by 2017 is part of Act 89, the state’s transportation plan signed by former Gov. Tom Corbett in November 2013. The state said it will save money with the change.

The last registration sticker will be issued Dec. 30. Vehicle owners will still have to register their vehicles with PennDOT. Motorists can also print their registrations after accessing their account online.

Brozana said he is not optimistic of seeing any grant funding for the license plate readers.

“According to PennDOT, there is going to be grant money available, when something freezes over, you might get it (because) every time we apply for grant money we don’t have enough crime. We don’t have enough incidents. We don’t have enough whatever. That is money we are going to have to consider in next year’s budget, but I’m bringing it up to you now so you are well aware of it,” Brozana said.

The other items on the list included vests for police officers, training certification, Internet and firewall upgrades.

“Everything is basically a priority except for the license plate readers for next year,” Brozana said.

Williams said the council will look at the list.

The council also took other action including giving an additional $1,500 to the Orwigsburg Historical Society & Museum as a 2016 contribution. The funds will be from the council of governments account.

The council had authorized a $500 contribution last month. A boiler malfunctioned in January and it will cost thousands to fix it, Williams said.

n Ashland: Members of the Ashland Area Rotary Club recently welcomed student of the month Kelsy Burns of North Schuylkill High School. Burns told Rotarians about her school and community activities and plans for the future. The Rotarians voted on the yearly distributions of the club’s charitable fund, which is administered by the Schuylkill Area Community Foundation. Checks, according to the Rotary Bulletin, will be sent to Rotary International for the PolioPlus effort and to 19 local organizations to support their programs.

n Deer Lake: The Deer Lake & West Brunswick Fire Company will have bingo games from 6 to 8:45 p.m. Tuesday at the firehall, 1 Ash Road. Doors will open at 5 p.m. For more information, call 570-366-0152.

n Pottsville: The Pottsville Free Public Library, 215 W. Market St., will have a children’s St. Patrick’s Day party from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday featuring crafts, games, music and prizes for children ages 3 to 12. For more information, call 570-622-8880.

n Pottsville: The Pottsville Free Public Library recently acknowledged the following memorial donations: For Reba Franklin from Paul and Joanie Dimmerling; for Pat Piccioni from Nancy Smink; for Valentina Lizak from Nancy Smink, Pottsville Free Public Library Board; for The Honorable George W. Heffner from Jeanne Heffner, Dr. and Mrs. William R. Davidson, John and Agnes Reiley, attorneys Ronald and Linda Pellish, Joan M. Urenko; for Barbara Kull from Sandra Berger; for Andrew Susylo from Carol and David Bowen; for Annie Marie McSurdy from John and Agnes Reiley; for Georgine Tidmore from Paula Parez and Savannah Rea.

n Shenandoah: Divine Mercy Roman Catholic Parish will present a free religious movie, “The Passion of the Christ,” at 3 p.m. Sunday in the parish’s St. Stephen Hall, Main and Oak streets. The movie contains graphic content, according to the parish bulletin. Two donation boxes for the needy will be available at the hall, one for canned goods and the other for used clothes. Admission is free. Donations are not required, but will be appreciated, according to the bulletin. Free refreshments will be available. The hall is accessible to the handicapped. For more information, call the parish office at 570-462-1968.

n Shenandoah: The 10:30 a.m. service in St. Michael Ukrainian Catholic Church, Chestnut and Oak streets, on Palm Sunday, March 20, will be in memory of the late Dr. Stanley G. Rakowsky, former superintendent of the Shenandoah Valley School District.

n Shenandoah: The theme/logo for the borough’s sesquicentennial celebration this year is “Shenandoah Strong --- 150 Years Long,” which was selected last September by the Shenandoah Sesquicentennial Committee and created by borough native and resident William Savitsky. To volunteer to help with the celebration, call the office of the revitalization group Downtown Shenandoah Inc. at 570-462-2060.

n Tamaqua: An American Red Cross blood drive will be held from 1 to 6 p.m. March 23 in the gymnasium of the Tamaqua Salvation Army, 105 W. Broad St. People 17 and older (16 with parental consent), weighing at least 110 pounds and in general good health are urged to donate blood. For more information or to register in advance, call 800-733-2767.

n Tamaqua: Multiple Schuylkill County communities have been chosen to be featured in a documentary series titled “Skook Tales: Written by You.” The communities, according to a release from Justin Stephens, were chosen for their diversity and melding of various cultures and for their historical significance. The series will include unique tales of Skooks. Lavendar Lady FX Group, Tamaqua, will film at locations such as Girardville, Tamaqua and Shenandoah. The public is welcome to attend, have their tales filmed and be included in the series. The first event to be filmed will be Saturday at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Girardville. Lavendar Lady will set up at 1 W. Main St. inside the historical society building. People are asked to “like” the group on Facebook at Lavendar Lady FX Group.

GIRARDVILLE — The borough council formally adopted an ordinance at Thursday’s meeting that requires owners of rental properties to apply for a rental occupancy permit.

The ordinance (2016-1) states the application for the permit is submitted to the borough secretary and allows for the inspection of the rental property in order to obtain the occupancy permit.

Borough solicitor Christopher Riedlinger explained the ordinance, saying it requires any borough landlord to file an application for a rental permit. If the permit is granted, the code enforcement officer would be entitled to “do an inspection of the property to make sure it meets with all of our maintenance codes,” Riedlinger said.

Riedlinger added, “If there are code violations upon inspection, the code officer will be proceeding with a notice of violation and citations under the property maintenance code, not under this ordinance itself. This ordinance only prohibits landlords from renting out their property without the permit, and to get the permit you have to undergo the inspection. I will certainly be available to answer any questions from the code enforcement officer on a case-by-case basis.”

Riedlinger said the rental occupancy permit is good for two years and must be renewed.

“If the property does meet with the maintenance codes, the permission for the rental permit is given and is valid for a period of two years,” Riedlinger said. “If it doesn’t meet with the code revisions, the permit is not issued until it is brought up to code. After two years when the permit expires, the process is repeated. There will be another inspection, and if there are code violations at that time, there is no new permit issued. If it meets the code at that time, another two-year permit is issued.”

The ordinance states that if a “certificate of noncompliance” has been issued, the owner will make the rental unit and the structure to which it is located available for an inspection within 30 days of a request by the code enforcement officer or other borough designee after the expiration of the days given the owner to correct the condition cited on the certificate of noncompliance. After the inspection, a rental occupancy permit will be issued if the violations have been corrected, or if not, or another noncompliance certificate will be issued. If the latter, the procedure repeats itself until the violations are corrected or the owner removes the rental unit from consideration for lease.

Riedlinger said the application fee is $10. The inspection fee per rental unit is $60.

“There is a separate resolution (2016-6) setting those two costs that can be adjusted from time to time by a resolution without the formality of advertising another ordinance,” Riedlinger said.

The ordinance states that an owner of a rental unit that is not a “natural person,” such as a limited liability corporation, must name a person, with an address and phone number, on the application and who can be contacted by the borough to deal with issues pertaining to the rental unit and who may be subject to being cited for any violations of the ordinance.

Enforcement of the ordinance can be enforced by, and citations for violation, can be filed by any borough police officer, the mayor or the code enforcement officer.

The ordinance and resolution were adopted in one unanimous vote.

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — The process to construct an amphitheater on The Island in the borough took a step forward Thursday with the Island Committee voting for a proposal to examine the suitability of locations there.

However, the go-ahead with the proposal is conditional on the borough council agreeing to an amphitheater at one of the proposed locations on The Island, which is located off Fritz Reed Avenue. The three proposed locations are near the soccer fields, in the grassy area behind the concession stand and between the two softball fields. The first two locations are in the flood plain while the third is in an area where people can park for events.

The committee gathered at the Neighborhood Center for its 6 p.m. monthly meeting and learned about a proposal from Greg Stewart, an engineer with Alfred Benesch & Co., Pottsville. The $16,000 study will survey the area, conduct a hydrologic and hydraulic evaluation and provide other useful information. A map was done in 2006 or 2007 by the borough as an initial concept but that vision of what they want to see has changed.

“We’ve got to do something,” said Albert Evans, chairman of the Island Committee, a 501(c)3 organization, originally known as the Island Commission when formed in 2006.

He said the study will help the committee in determining the feasibility of each proposed site.

“We should pick the best place,” he said.

Stewart said if the committee wanted to build in the flood plain, it would have to construct the amphitheater high enough off the ground that it would not be affected by any floodwaters. The initial engineering for the proposal will take about three months, Stewart said.

Evans said the action taken by the committee is the next step in the eventual development of the Island. A concession stand, soccer field, pavilion, multi-purpose field and two softball fields are at the site. Electronic scoreboards are also there.

“We would hope that we would start construction in 2017-2018,” Evans said, adding it would be better to have most of all of the funds in place prior to construction.

The committee has $76,557.11 total in its account, $69,000 of it in checking and $7,400 in its money market account, Evans said.

He said the community has been instrumental in bringing the development of The Island to a reality. Since about 2007, $558,504.60 has been donated for the cause. Those who wanted to contribute a tax deductible donation to the development of the Island can write a check to The Island Committee Inc. and drop it off at Schuylkill Haven Borough Hall, 333 Center Ave.

Schuylkill Haven Mayor Mike Devlin said he will talk about the committee’s actions at Wednesday’s borough council meeting.

“It takes a while, but we are finally taking our first big step toward the amphitheater,” he said.