Geisinger Medical Center, Danville

To John O’Donnell and Audrey Yawornicky, Girardville, a son, May 7.

Deeds

Pottsville — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Deutsche Bank National Trust Co.; 1747 West End Ave.; $1,393.77.

Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Pennymac Loan Services LLC; 909 W. Race St.; $1,172.21.

Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Federal National Mortgage Association; 610 W. Norwegian St.; $1,114.52.

ASHLAND — The borough council adopted two ordinances as part of the borough’s participation in the Schuylkill County Land Bank at Wednesday’s meeting.

The borough council approved becoming part of the land bank at the December meeting. The cost to be a member is $1,000 per year. Many municipalities and school districts are also members as part of an effort to reduce blight in the county.

Borough Manager Raymond Jones Jr. said that the first ordinance adopted, titled the “Ashland Borough Neighborhood Blight Reclamation and Revitalization Ordinance,” is required by the land bank for blight. According to the opening summary, the ordinance authorizes “the denial of permits and approvals in accordance with Act No. 90-2010 for serious code violations and to further authorize the recovery of costs and penalties, including attorneys fees for the abatement or prevention of serious code violations by an action in court to the full extent allowed by that Act while preserving all remedies to the recovery, prevention, abatement or restraint of code violations under other statutes and ordinances.”

As explained in the ordinance, in order to address deteriorated properties as nuisances that have an impact on crime, the quality of life of residents and require significant expenditures of public funds to abate and correct, it is appropriate to deny certain governmental permits and approvals in order:

• To prohibit property owners from further extending their financial commitments so as to render themselves unable to abate or correct the code, statutory and regulatory violations or tax delinquencies.

• To reduce the likelihood that this municipality and other municipalities will have to address the owner’s neglect and resulting deteriorated properties.

• To sanction the owners for not adhering to their legal obligations to the Borough of Ashland, as well as to tenants, adjoining property owners and neighborhoods.

The ordinance addresses applications for permits, their denial in appropriate situations, and the ability to appeal denials of permits.

“Basically, we would deny permits for serious code violations,” Jones said.

The ordinance was adopted with a 5-0 vote. Not in attendance was council Vice President Adam J. Bernodin Jr. and Councilwoman Ann Marie Groody.

The second ordinance authorizes the borough to enter into an inter-municipal agreement with the Schuylkill County Land Bank for the cooperation of parties dealing with vacant, abandoned and tax delinquent properties, and the acquisition, cleanup and sale of such properties, as well as addressing the costs associated with such action, as well as the forgiveness of taxes and other indebtedness.

“Our solicitor (James Diehl) just felt that we should do that to join the land bank so we had it on record,” Jones said.

The agreement ordinance was also adopted unanimously.

In other business, the council hired Daniel Weikel III as a full-time patrolman with a 5-0 vote on a motion by Thomas Joyce, seconded by Francis Menne. Weikel had been working as a part-time borough patrolman. The hiring brings the police department to two full-time officers, the other being Chief Mark O’Hearn. Weikel was hired at an annual salary of $35,625.

“The General Government Committee did interviews about two weeks ago,” Jones said.

The borough council approved a resolution designating Jones as the disaster assistance agent for the borough in applying for state aid from the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency for any snow assistance costs reimbursement claims due to Winter Storm Jonas in January.

The inspection and maintenance of the borough’s two traffic lights will be done by C.M. High Inc., Myerstown. The borough council awarded the annual maintenance contract, which retains the company for the work. The contact rate is $800 for two inspections per year (spring and fall), plus labor if any work has to be done. The company is an electrical contractor with a traffic division that is a state Department of Transportation-certified installer and maintenance provider of highway lighting and traffic signals.

The council also approved a request from Ashland Community Enterprises to hold the annual Pioneer Day event on Aug. 20 at Higher Up Park.

Another approval by the borough council was given for payment to the law firm of Saul Ewing LLP for outside legal counsel involving the ongoing negotiations between the borough and the state for the lease on borough hall, which is owned by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Jones said the legal counsel cost for this billing period is $1,570, which will be divided equally between the borough and the Ashland Area Municipal Authority.

At the request of the Veterans of Foreign Wars O’Donnell-Martin-Baldino Post 7654. Ashland, the borough council approved the Memorial Day parade and program on at 11 a.m. May 30. The parade will move east on Centre Street, turn left onto Hoffman Boulevard for the program at the Mother’s Memorial.

In correspondence, Jones said U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-17, contacted the borough about holding a town hall meeting in the borough in the future. The borough council approved the request, but no date has been set.

Schuylkill County District Attorney Christine Holman and Schuylkill County detectives are asking for the public’s help in locating a man who failed to appear and begin serving his sentence at the Schuylkill County Prison.

Jeffrey A. Hoppes, 36, is described as being white, about 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing about 190 pounds. His last known address is 113 S. Fourth St., Tower City.

Detectives said the original charges against Hoppes are felony burglary and fleeing or attempting to elude police and misdemeanor offenses of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

A warrant was issued for Hoppes after he failed to report to prison as required, detectives said.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Hoppes, or on any other fugitive in Schuylkill County, is asked to call the district attorney’s office at 570-628-1350 or Schuylkill County tip line at 570-624-3988.

In addition, anyone who may come in contact with Hoppes are asked to immediately call the Schuylkill County Communications Center or their local police department.

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.

HAMBURG — The creativity of Berks and Schuylkill counties were on display downtown Saturday for the sixth annual Hamburg Arts & Crafts Fest and Car Show.

Organized by the Our Town Foundation and its Hamburg Area Arts Alliance committee, the event lasted from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and featured numerous art displays and activities, music and magic, and craft and food vendors.

“It’s part of the overall mission of the Art Alliance and Our Town Foundation, which is to support and showcase regional artists and encourage people to visit the community,” Deena Kershner, executive director of the Our Town Foundation, said. “It brings a lot of people into Hamburg to support the downtown businesses.”

Dina Madara, art director for the Arts Alliance, said the gallery has about 50 members from Berks and Schuylkill counties.

“We try to promote regional artists,” Madara said.

Every year, the gallery has an art contest with a theme. This year the theme was “Chicken or the egg.” Most of the artists submitted paintings, but there were also other items like a paper mache chick.

There were two categories. One was for cash prizes, which had an entry fee, and the other was for a ribbon, which was free to enter.

Cash prize winners were Wade Phillips, first, $150; Brenda Binns, second, $75; and Martha Ressler, third, $50. Ribbon winners were Izabelle Scheffler, first; Bryn Havens, second; and Gracie Long, third.

Children also joined in on the art. They painted blocks in the street and took turns splashing their brushes on large murals sponsored by local businesses.

Two-year-old Norah Neff looked like a natural artist as she added even more color to the mural outside Ruth’s Dress Shop. Her parents, David and Diana Neff, said they were walking to the park when the different activities caught their daughter’s attention.

“It was kind of unexpected,” David said.

David said they just moved to Hamburg about six months ago and were looking for things to do in the community.

“I think this is awesome,” he said. “It’s neat to see all the other families. We are always looking for younger families to connect with.”

Also a painter, David said the event helps get children away from computers and television.

“It helps them understand and get interested in art,” he said.

Melanie Schappell, a volunteer with the Our Town Foundation and a teacher, said it also gets children to interact with new people.

“It’s just so good for them creatively,” Schappell said. “They all get to interact with each other and make new friends while doing it.”

The creativity spilled over into the car show.

John H. Dundon Jr., Reading, had his 1928 Model A Ford on display. The classic car had everyone’s attention with its seemingly random items scattered about its rusted frame. Among the items were numerous fake rats, a mailbox belonging to the Munsters at 1313 Mockingbird Lane and a saw blade used as a visor.

“People are always giving me rat stuff, so it’s an ongoing project,” Dundon said.

Dundon said it has become a challenge to find a use for some of the things people give him for the vehicle.

“The last guy said ‘I have something you won’t be able to use’ and he gave me his dad’s false teeth,” Dundon said. “So I put the teeth in the skeleton’s mouth.”

“It’s just out-of-the-box thinking,” Dundon said.

The inside of the vehicle may look a bit cramped, but Dundon said he takes the vehicle everywhere.

“I have a lot of fun with it,” he said. “As soon as you get in it, you’re smiling.”

Robert Morris

Michael L. Yob III, Schuylkill Haven, a student at Robert Morris University, Moon Township, has accepted membership in the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.

He was named to the School of Engineering, Mathematics and Science dean’s list for the fall semester.

He is a son of Michael L. Yob Jr., Schuylkill Haven, and Judy Yob, Pottsville.

IUP

Kaitlyn Adams, Valley View, was selected for the Sutton Scholars academic achievement scholarship program at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

A Tri-Valley High School senior, she is cheerleading squad captain, a Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership ambassador, Lions Club student of the month, class treasurer and yearbook editor. She is a quiz bowl and National Honor Society member.

Kaitlyn is a daughter of Stacy and Tori Miller and Tom Adams, and a member of St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church, Valley View.

Kutztown

Michael Lado, Orwigsburg, was inducted into Alpha Sigma Lambda honor society at Kutztown University.

Adelen Geiger, Schuylkill Haven, was inducted into the Gamma Sigma Alpha Honor Society at Kutztown.

Widener

Cassandra Miller, Pottsville, was inducted into the Widener University chapter of Kappa Theta Epsilon, the National Honor Society for Cooperative Education.

The following local students were inducted into Phi Eta Sigma at Widener:

Joseph McLaughlin, Schuylkill Haven; Emily Wessner, Tower City; Jamie Wolfgang, Lavelle.

Bloomsburg

The following area residents were inducted into the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Societyat Bloomsburg University:

Gabriella Bonchack, Minersville; Emily Bumbulsky, Tamaqua; Dakota Rakus, Shenandoah; Justin Sharp, Girardville.

Lycoming

Coral Chiaretti, Ashland, was initiated into the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society at Ly-coming College, Williamsport.

Susquehanna

Leah Leahy, Mahanoy City, and Grace Smith, Schuylkill Haven, are working as tour guides this year at Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove.

Leah, a senior communication arts and German major, is a 2012 graduate of Mahanoy Area High School and a daughter of Thomas Leahy and Katherine Joscht-Leahy.

Grace, a sophomore business administration and strategic communications major, is a 2012 graduate of Blue Mountain High School and a daughter of Jeff and Linda Smith.

Lebanon Valley

Amanda Howard, Frackville, and Ashley Schultz, Ashland, were inducted to Tri Beta, the biology honor society.

Both are graduates of North Schuylkill High School and are pursuing bachelor’s degrees in biology at Lebanon Valley College, Annville.

CYO Spelling Bee

The following are winners of the District 5 CYO Spelling Bee:

Grade 2

First place — Noelle Kalbach, St. Joseph Regional Academy, Jim Thorpe; second — James Gomez, St. Jerome Regional School, Tamaqua; third — Aidan Winas, St. John Neumann Regional School, Palmerton.

Grade 3

First place — Giovanni Rojas, St. Jerome Regional School; second — Delia Winas, St. John Neumann Regional School; third — Lauren Sheckler, Our Lady of the Angels Academy, Lansford.

Grade 4

First place — Tori Moore, St. Joseph Regional Academy; second — Matthew Kelshaw, Our Lady of the Angels Academy; third — Nova McGuire, St. Jerome Regional School.

Grade 5

First place — Jenna Goff, St. Joseph Regional Academy; second — Anthony Fairchild, St. Jerome Regional School; third — Christopher Ross, St. John Neumann Regional School.

TREMONT — More than 300 off-road vehicles will be at the Rausch Creek Off-Road Park on May 21 to raise money for the Pennsylvania and Maryland chapters of the Concerns of Police Survivors nonprofit organization.

“Krawlin for COPS,” now in its third year, was previously held in Maryland and West Virginia. The event has grown from about 50 vehicles and 200 people to about 120 vehicles and 300 people last year, Brandt Bartman, one of the event organizers, said Tuesday. Bartman, who organizes the event with Kevin McMullen, said that they outgrew those locations.

“It keeps getting bigger and bigger,” Bartman said Tuesday. “Rausch Creek is a big place and it is well known throughout the off-road industry.”

Bartman said there were 300 vehicles already registered for the event on Tuesday. Registration is open until the day of the event.

Registration is $25 and can be done online at www.nfgoffroad.com, where more information is also available.

The event will benefit the Pennsylvania and Maryland chapters of COPS, a nonprofit organization that provides resources and assistance for family members and friends of police officers who died in the line of duty.

They event will also feature 162 sponsors, food vendors and about $40,000 worth of raffle prizes. It starts at 7 a.m. and runs until midnight. Check-in starts at 8 a.m., Bartman said. Raffles start at 6 p.m.

“It’s definitely going to be fun,” Bartman said.

A police officer for Amtrak in Baltimore, Bartman said he started the event to support an organization that helps families like his own.

“These are people that I never met in my life, but I am thankful there is a charity out there that is helping families who had a loved one die in the line of duty,” Bartman said. “I do this because I never know if I’m going to come home at the end of my shift. We never know what is going to happen. I enjoy this event and helping families.”

n Ashland: Zion’s Reformed United Church of Christ will have a flea market and soup and bake sale from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the church, 2400 Centre St. Admission is free and the cost to rent a table is $5. To rent a table or for more information, call the church at 570-875-2700. Soup is $5 per quart and varieties include vegetable, bean, wedding, chicken noodle and stuffed pepper. Chili is $6 per quart.

n New Philadelphia: A group called SMILE Mothers hosts monthly cash bingo games at Advanced Sports Development in the Simon Kramer building, 15 Alliance St. on the first Thursday of the month. Doors and concessions open at 5:30 p.m. and bingo begins at 6:30 p.m. and includes 25 games, players’ pool and jackpot. The cost is $25. For more information, call Melissa at 570-527-9634.

n Pine Grove: The Pine Grove Temple Association will have a deep-fried beer-battered haddock, grilled ham steak, steak or grilled chicken breast meal with dessert from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at the Pine Grove Masonic Lodge, 23 Oak Grove Road. The cost is $12 per meal. The event is open to the public and children’s platters will be available. For more information or takeouts, call 570-345-0165. The association will also have a Kauffman’s barbecue from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 30 at the lodge. The cost is $8 per ticket and Saturday is the deadline for tickets. The event is open to the public and will also include a craft show. For tickets for barbecue, call Terry at 570-345-3351 or Duckey at 570-345-3498. For information on the craft show, call Deb at 570-345-3130.

n Pine Grove: A spring benefit auction will be held Saturday at Outwood Lutheran Church Pavilion, 934 Oak Grove Road. Breakfast will be served from 6:30 to 9:30 a.m., with the live auction to begin at 10:30 a.m. Bidding for the silent auction will close at 2 p.m. Silent auction proceeds will support the Pine Grove Area Church School Maintenance Fund. Lunch, including black kettle bean soup, will be available and Girl Scout Troop 31046 will have a bake sale. All are welcome.

n Pottsville: An auction and food sale for the Dan Jenkins Medical Fund will be held from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Mechanicsville Game & Fish club, 925 First St. The cost is $5 for a sheet of 19 tickets or four sheets for $18. There will be a shop-and-drop from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday. For more information, call 570-640-0279.

n Saint Clair: The Saint Clair Community and Historical Society is sponsoring a day bus trip July 22 to Fonthill Castle, Mercer Museum and the Moravian Pottery and Tile Works at Doylestown. Fonthill Castle was the home of American archeologist and tilemaker Henry Chapman Mercer. The cost of the trip is $90, which includes transportation, driver tip, admission and tours of all three Mercer buildings and a box lunch with three options. The bus will depart from Saint Clair at 8 a.m. To make reservations or for more information, call Dawn at 570-429-2060.

n Tamaqua: An American Red Cross blood drive is scheduled for 1 to 6 p.m. Wednesday at St. John’s United Church of Christ, Pine and Biddle streets. People 17 or 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 arrange for an appointment, call 800-733-2767.

n Tamaqua: First United Methodist Church, 124 W. Broad St., will sponsor a pancake breakfast from 8 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday. Tickets are $6 each and are available from any church member or at the door. Proceeds will be used for the upcoming roof repair project. The menu includes pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, orange or apple juice, coffee or tea.

n Wiconisco: Calvary United Methodist Church will have a cemetery tour titled “Remembering Wiconisco’s Civil War Soldiers” from 7 to 8:30 p.m. May 29 at the church cemetery, Cemetery Road. Local historian Jake Wynn will be on hand and there will be a memorial program commemorating the lies of the region’s Civil War veterans. People will meet at the flagpole in the lower part of the cemetery. All are welcome. For more information, call 717-395-8707.

Two men admitted Wednesday in Schuylkill County Court that they violated protection from abuse orders.

Eric M. Christopher, 22, of Barnesville, pleaded guilty to indirect criminal contempt, which is contempt committed outside the courtroom.

Senior Judge D. Michael Stine accepted the plea and sentenced Christopher to time served to 90 days in prison, pay costs and a $300 fine, and undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation.

State police at Frackville alleged Christopher violated the order against him on April 18.

Jeffrey S. Seveland, 42, of Lebanon, also pleaded guilty to indirect criminal contempt. Stine sentenced him to serve one day in prison and pay costs and a $300 fine.

Schuylkill Haven borough police alleged Seveland violated the order against him by sending text messages to the victim on April 10 in the borough. Stine warned him not to do it again.

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

Jonathan O. Jenkins, 59, of Frackville; two counts of aggravated assault; four to eight years in a state correctional institution, $50 payment to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account, 40 hours community service and submission of a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities. Prosecutors withdrew four counts of simple assault and two of harassment.

Molly J. Jenkins, 29, of Tower City; possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance; one to 12 months in prison, $100 payment to the Substance Abuse Education Fund, $50 CJEA payment, $302 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem and submission of a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities. Prosecutors withdrew an additional count of possession of a controlled substance and a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.

Lewis J. Kovach, 24, of Pottsville; possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance; 132 days to 12 months in prison, $100 SAEF payment, $50 CJEA payment, $113 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem and submission of a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities. Prosecutors withdrew charges of false identification to law enforcement and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Glenalban Lugo, 50, of Pottsville; resisting arrest; six to 12 months in prison and $50 CJEA payment. Prosecutors withdrew two counts each of aggravated assault and simple assault, and one each of terroristic threats, recklessly endangering another person and harassment.

David P. Smith, 30, of Frackville; defiant trespass; seven days to 12 months in prison and $50 CJEA payment. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of criminal trespass.

Michael Straka, 21, of Schuylkill Haven; endangering the welfare of children and recklessly endangering another person; sentencing deferred until 2:30 p.m. Friday. Prosecutors withdrew two counts of simple assault and one each of aggravated assault and harassment.

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

Lebanon man, 21,

killed in crash

LEBANON — A 70-year-old Schuylkill County man was involved in a fatal accident at 12:44 p.m. Thursday at Route 501 and Old Mill Road, Heidelberg Township, Lebanon County.

State police at Jonestown said Steven JA Monett-Adino, 21, of Lebanon, was driving south on Route 501 where he failed to stop at a stop sign and drove directly into the path of another vehicle driven by Carl Henry Wehry. Police said Wehry’s vehicle struck the right passenger side of the Monett-Andino vehicle, pushing both across the road into the guide rails.

A deputy coroner pronounced Monett-Andino dead at the scene.

Pottsville flags

to fly at half-staff

Today is National Peace Officers Memorial Day.

In conjunction with this event, Pottsville Police Chief Richard F. Wojciechowsky said the flag at Pottsville City Hall, as well as other city government properties, will be flown at half-staff through sunset.

The chief said the flag will be flown in that way to “respectfully honor the deceased dedicated members of our profession who protected and served the public with bravery and commitment.”

“We encourage all citizens to take a moment this day to remember peace officers who have positively affected their lives in the past and ask all businesses and private residences displaying an American flag to join us in the symbolic gesture of lowering their flag to half-staff during daylight hours,” Wojciechowsky added.

Rebecca Margerum

ELIZABETHVILLE — A Hubley Township woman is headed to Dauphin County Court after waiving her right to a preliminary hearing Wednesday on five charges stemming from an incident in March in Gratz.

Sharon A. Lentz, 46, of 640 Fearnot Road, Sacramento, faces charges of simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, disorderly conduct, harassment and operating vehicle without valid inspection.

Magisterial District Judge Rebecca J. Margerum bound over all charges for court after Lentz waived her right to the hearing. Margerum allowed Lentz to remain free on $5,000 unsecured bail pending further court action.

State police at Lykens alleged Lentz committed the assault and other crimes on March 15.

Lentz’s formal arraignment is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. June 17 in Harrisburg.

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

Dustin R. Buffington, 33, of 1835 Luxemburg Road, Lykens; driving under the influence and careless driving; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Falisha M. Chubb, 21, of 672 Hofflander Road, Dornsife; possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Marvin S. Corby, 27, of 17 Fern Crest Drive, Tunkhannock; possession of drug paraphernalia, DUI, disregarding traffic lanes, careless driving, reckless driving and violation of restrictions on alcoholic beverages; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges of possession of drug paraphernalia and DUI bound over for court, other charges withdrawn.

Mark A. Daniels, 42, of 113 E. Market St. Apt. 2, Williamstown; DUI, failure to obtain emission certificate, driving unregistered vehicle, failure to keep right, disregarding traffic lanes, careless driving and operating vehicle without valid inspection; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Mary G. Garcia, 30, of 605 North St., Lykens; harassment and disorderly conduct; charge of harassment withdrawn. Garcia pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct. Margerum sentenced her to pay costs and a $50 fine.

Austin E. Kerr, 19, of 815 Gobin Drive, Carlisle; possession of a small amount of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and purchase, consumption, possession or transportation of an alcoholic beverage; charges held for court after preliminary hearing Kerr did not attend. Margerum asked the court to issue a bench warrant for Kerr.

Charles D. Miller, 38, of 329 W. Grand Ave., Sheridan; five counts each of retail theft and conspiracy, and one each of theft, theft of lost property and receiving stolen property; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Danielle M. Miller, 31, of 329 W. Grand Ave., Sheridan; six counts each of retail theft and defiant trespass and five of conspiracy; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Isaac L. Morris, 53, of 1211 N. 15th St., Harrisburg; possession of a small amount of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving under suspension-DUI related; charges held for court after preliminary hearing Morris did not attend. Margerum asked the court to issue a bench warrant for Morris.

Eugene J. Mulitsch, 76, of 495 Shippen Dam Road, Millersburg; two counts of disorderly conduct and one each of resisting arrest and harassment; charges withdrawn.

Colby J. Schadel, 31, of 448 Landfill Road, Millersburg; simple assault, harassment and disorderly conduct; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Patrick R. Shay, 34, of 329 E. Arch St., Pottsville; retail theft and conspiracy; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Gary S. Shomper, 23, of 7854 State Route 147, Sunbury; possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia; charge of possession of a controlled substance withdrawn. Shomper pleaded guilty to possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Margerum sentenced him to pay costs, $50 in fines and $100 to the Substance Abuse Education Fund.

Thomas K. Snyder, 57, of 240 Goodling Road, Millersburg; theft by deception; right to preliminary hearing waived, charge bound over for court.

Jason N. Vivian, 22, of Eagleville; disorderly conduct; Vivian pleaded guilty. Margerum sentenced him to play costs and a $75 fine.

Tiffany A. Webster, 25, of 107 S. Second St., Gratz; retail theft; right to preliminary hearing waived, charge bound over for court.

20th at McCann

Jo Ann Bartusik recently celebrated her 20th anniversary working at the McCann School of Business & Technology Pottsville campus.

Bartusik’s current roles, according to a McCann press release, include associate director of education, registrar, online coordinator and library coordinator.

She started her career at McCann in 1996 when the Pottsville campus first opened. During her time at the school, Bartusik worked as a full-time instructor for communication and computer application classes and taught as an adjunct instructor with the Miller Motte online program.

Bartusik received a bachelor’s degree in communications from Kutztown University, a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from Bloomsburg University and master’s degree in teaching and learning with technology from Ashford University.

Way, way out in the Atlantic Ocean, at a point where one of Earth’s four cold-water currents meets the searing African desert winds, nights are as dark as prehistory. Once the sun sets on the volcanic archipelago known as the Canary Islands, a misty net of extraterrestrial white light blankets the sky from horizon to horizon. Until dawn, every ray of visible starlight in the entire Northern Hemisphere and much of the Southern Hemisphere gathers overhead. That sprawl of sky over a small island speck on the black ocean suggests, like few other experiences, the nanosecond that is human life.

Such black nights and clear skies have beckoned astronomers to install some of the world’s most powerful telescopes on volcanic peaks in this archipelago off the northwestern coast of Africa. As scientists use these state-of-the-art observatories to search out signs of the Big Bang, at sea level 8,000 feet below, tens of thousands of mostly British pensioners and brides-to-be on “hen parties” are getting drunk and sunburned.

Five million tourists annually visit this Spanish territory from colder climes to bask in Europe’s only subtropical weather. The port at Tenerife, the largest island, is the third-most-visited cruise ship destination in Europe.

Behemoth floating parties disgorge thousands of passengers daily in wintertime, the high season. Most of them are oblivious to the fact that they have just disembarked on an island with three official UNESCO-sanctioned Starlight Reserves — locations where efforts are being made to fend off light and air pollution to protect access to starlight. Only a small percentage of tourists make the two-hour nauseating and twisting ascent to the telescopes — giant, bulbous white towers, perched at the windy top of Mount Teide.

Birth of astrotourism

That may be about to change. Astrotourism is already a component of the Canaries’ booming tourism industry, drawing about 200,000 visitors annually. But with the 2014 designation of the islands as part of a larger EU SkyRoute itinerary for visitors, and the creation in 2011 of a music and astronomy festival, Canarian officials believe more star trekkers will soon be taking the winding drive up the mountain at dusk to sit on what might be called one of nature’s sky-decks.

Island officials and the Spanish government are trying to cement the islands’ reputation as a key destination for both amateur and professional astronomers. In 2007, scientists and policymakers from some 50 countries met on the smaller island of La Palma for the first International Conference in Defense of the Quality of the Night Sky, producing a declaration on “protecting the sky as a basic right for all humanity.”

Among other matters, they discussed outlawing light pollution in La Palma, home to the world’s largest optical telescope at the Roque de los Muchachos observatory. The island is the second-best location for infrared and optical astronomy in the Northern Hemisphere, after Mauna Kea Observatory in Hawaii, according to astronomers.

The Canary Islands telescope sites are run by astronomers at the Institute of Astrophysics in Tenerife, a local research organization that operates the European Northern Observatory. The islands have also hosted telescopes from 28 nations over the last few decades.

With the support of UNESCO, the institute in 2007 created a Starlight Foundation and a Starlight Initiative, devoted to keeping night skies dark. With UNESCO, the institute has been certifying “Starlight Reserves” — defined as sites dedicated to protecting darkness from light and air pollution — around the world. Starlight Reserves are certified in Chile (also home to one of the world’s largest telescopes), Nova Scotia and Portugal, in addition to the Canary Islands.

Officials in Tenerife also took the lead in the European Union in promoting stargazing as a tourism pastime in other nations, too. They spearheaded the creation of the EU Sky Route, which traces “an astronomical highway” for tourists across seven participating territories sharing exceptionally dark night skies, including locations in Bulgaria, Greece, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Poland and the Canary Islands.

Serious work

Mount Teide forms a black pyramid at the center of the half-barren, half-green island of Tenerife. Teide is a UNESCO World Heritage site and also a designated Starlight Reserve.

On the highest point on the nearby island of La Palma, at the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory, hundreds of researchers work at the Gran Telescopio de Canarias (Great Telescope of the Canary Islands).

La Palma, population 70,000, is home to a large colony of scientists and the remnants of a 1960s German commune, and it is also a tiny center for astrotourism. The economy revolves around astronomy, and besides the telescope and research center, there are 13 sky-viewing points on La Palma. Vacationers can even rent telescope-equipped holiday houses and sip a vintage called “stellar wine” from local grapes.

By day from some points near sea level on Tenerife, one can see the white columns of the telescopes perched miles high on the old volcano. Researchers use them to look back in time at starlight generated millenniums ago and to advance humanity’s developing perceptions about space and time.

The winners of the 43rd annual Pottsville Area Soap Box Derby said Saturday they kept their heads as low as possible while racing down Laurel Boulevard.

Aiden Beach, 8, of Mechanicsville, and Bradeyn Ditzler, 10, of Shamokin, placed first in the stock and super stock divisions, respectively. They will compete against other racers from around the world in the All-American Soap Box Derby World Championship from July 12 to 13 in Akron, Ohio. The whole week is filled with activities starting July 10.

From about 9 a.m. into the late afternoon Saturday, 34 children raced down the hill from Seventh to Second streets to record the fastest times. About 12 of them were first-time racers.

Depending on size and weight, racers can participate from age 7 to 18.

The derby consists of two separate divisions — stock and super stock. Once a racer wins the stock race, they move up to super stock. When they win the super stock, they can no longer compete in that division.

Stock place winners were: Beach, first; Gia Chiccine, second; Jacinda Webber, third; and Kerra Brennan, fourth.

Super stock winners were: Ditzler, first; Roxanne Geiger, second; John Fenstermacher, third; and Angel Geiger, fourth.

“He lost his first heat but came back and won,” Aiden’s father, Robert Beach, said.

It was his first time racing. Beach said he is excited to go to the championship races.

Ditzler also won in his first year in the super stock division.

“It’s just fun,” Ditzler said.

His father, Emri Ochs, said his brother raced in the soap box derby growing up and got his son interested.

“One thing that I really appreciate in any form of racing is the sponsorships. That’s why they can do it,” Bradeyn’s grandfather, William Ochs, said.

M&T Bank is the primary sponsor of the derby, while various other businesses sponsored cars. Beach drove the car sponsored by Humane Fire Company, Pottsville, and Ditzler was in one sponsored by West End Precision, Tremont.

Pottsville Auto Parts is a stock car division sponsor and Womer’s Garage, Pottsville, and Sommer Inc., Schuylkill Haven, are co-sponsors of the super stock division. Two new sponsors joined the list this year — Schaeffer’s Motorsports, Orwigsburg, and Hammer’s Towing, Pottsville.

Although only the stock and super stock winners are going to the championships, there was an exhibition race Saturday featuring two master division cars, which have a lay-down design. That division is for those who win super stock.

“They enjoyed it,” Barbara Carroll, Pottsville, secretary for the soap box derby, said.

Carroll said they want to have six racers compete in its masters division before they send a winner to the championships.

Q: What has been the environmental impact of the Volkswagen emissions cheating scandal?

— EMILY WARDEN, PHILADELPHIA

A: An analysis by The Guardian in September revealed that affected VWs in the U.S. are likely emitting between 10,392 and 41,571 tons of toxic nitrogen oxides (NOx) into the air every year, based on typical annual mileage counts. If those vehicles had complied with federal pollution standards, they would have emitted just 1,039 tons per year.

Researchers believe Volkswagen has added between 10 and 40 times more NOx pollution into our atmosphere than the Environmental Protection Agency considers safe for people to breathe. According to The Guardian, the 11 million affected diesel-engine VWs on the road worldwide could be emitting some 237,161 to 948,691 tons of NOx annually. In contrast, Western Europe’s biggest electrical power station emits just 39,000 tons each year.

Meanwhile, a study released in October by public health researchers from Harvard and MIT found that 59 Americans will die prematurely from the excess pollution caused by Volkswagen having cheated emissions tests in the U.S. Researchers calculated the amount of extra particulate and ozone pollution put out by the rigged vehicles between 2008 and 2015 to arrive at their conclusions — and recommend that VW prevent another 130 early U.S. deaths by recalling all affected cars by the end of 2016.

The health implications in Europe are even more troubling given that half of the passenger cars on the road there are diesels (including 8 million affected VWs), compared with just 3 percent in the U.S.

The U.S. government and Volkswagen reached a tentative deal in April under which the company would compensate some 500,000 U.S. VW owners.

Environmental groups aren’t letting Volkswagen off-the-hook just yet, and not only because the company hasn’t agreed to specifics.

“The final settlement needs to fix or remove all of the polluting cars still on the road, make whole the consumers who trusted the vehicles were lower-polluting, and compensate for the pollution the faulty cars created,” says Kathryn Phillips, the Sierra Club’s California director. It’s unclear if there is any nod to Phillips’ last requirement — a key sticking point for greens intent not to let the German automaker off the hook — in the agreement.

For its part, VW isn’t taking the scandal lightly, recently announcing that it was setting aside $18.2 billion — more than double the amount it originally anticipated — to help fix the situation amid an environment of overall declining sales.

Hopefully VW is now committed to solving the problem and will stay on the right side of regulators moving forward, but who knows how many other large industrial companies are skirting rules and spewing dangerous levels of pollution into our skies, land and water?

EARTHTALK is a trademark of the nonprofit Earth Action Network. For information or to make a donation, visit www.earthtalk.org. Send questions to: question@earthtalk.org.

Sergeant rank

Joshua Skibiel, a son of Steve and Tina Skibiel, Heckscherville, attained the rank of sergeant on April 1.

Joshua is a 2005 graduate of Minersville Area High School and a 2010 graduate of Penn State University.

He is married to the former Caitlin Shields.

Now that we’re well into spring you can easily see the Big Dipper at the start of evening, suspended upside down, high above the Pottsville northern horizon. In fact it’s nearly overhead.

If you’re facing north, it looks like the Big Dipper is pouring its celestial magic onto our part of the Earth. According to old-time lore, the overturned Dipper is one of the reasons we get so much rain this time of year. That and some tender loving care will keep lawns green, gardens growing and farm fields productive, along with helping maintain weeds and dandelions.

At my stargazing programs and parties, I always ask the folks how many constellations they can find in the sky. Most of them can point out two or three, but just about everyone can locate the Big Dipper. Actually, the Big Dipper is not a constellation. It’s what astronomers refer to as an asterism, which is defined as an easily recognized pattern of stars in the sky, but is not one of the “official” 88 constellations that can be seen from Earth, as agreed on internationally back in 1930.

The Big Dipper actually makes up the rear and the tail of the constellation Ursa Major, otherwise known as the Big Bear. The four stars that outline the pot section of the Big Dipper also outline the bear’s derriere. The three stars of the handle outline the bear’s stretched out tail. How it got stretched out is a story for another day. The rest of the stars that make up the head and legs of the Big Bear aren’t nearly as bright, but can be spotted fairly easily this time of year, even in areas of moderate light pollution.

Just as the official constellations have mythology and lore associated with them, so does the Big Dipper. In fact, it can be argued that it’s as American as apple pie.

Prior to the settling of America by the Europeans, the stars we know as the Big Dipper weren’t called the Big Dipper. In England, the Big Dipper was known as the Plough. In Germany, those stars were called Charles’s Wagon; in Ireland, King David’s Chariot; and in ancient Egypt, the leg of the Bull.

Several Native American tribes pictured the bowl of the Big Dipper as a giant bear. They imagined the three handle stars as a family chasing the bear, with the father leading the charge, followed by Mom with a frying pan and one of the kids tagging along in the rear.

No one knows for sure how the Big Dipper got its name in America, but there’s reason to believe that African American slaves, prior to the civil war in the 19th century, had a lot to do with it. They drank from dippers made from hollowed gourds. The slaves pictured a bright giant gourd in the northern stars and referred to it as The Drinking Gourd. They associated it with freedom because it’s always in the northern sky, in the direction of where they could experience freedom. Slaves that managed to escape followed that drinking gourd northward to a new life. Eventually the gourd evolved to the present day moniker, The Big Dipper.

Constellations or asterisms in the night sky are mainly just an accidental scattering of stars that appear in the same general direction of space. Physically, the stars have nothing to do with each other. One big exception is the Big Dipper.

Five of the seven stars in that constellation are believed to have formed together in the same nebulae, beginning their stellar life about 200 million years ago as a small cluster that’s been breaking apart ever since.

There are more than 30 other stars in the sky that also used to be part of this same cluster. Dubhe and Alkaid are not part of the cluster, but the rest of the stars in the Big Dipper are. All of these stars are about 80 light-years away, give or take.

There’s a wonderful natural eye test in the Big Dipper, in the form of double stars Mizar and Alcor in the middle of the handle. Mizar is a bright star, but Alcor is much dimmer. If you can see Alcor, your long-range vision is in great shape; if you can’t, maybe it’s time to visit the eye doctor and spruce up your vision.

Alcor and Mizar are sometimes called the horse and rider, with the brighter star Mizar playing the part of the horse and dimmer Alcor as the rider. Looks can be deceiving though.

These two stars are what’s known astronomically as an optical double star; that is, they have no relation at all physically, they just happen to be in the same line of sight. Mizar is 78 light-years away and Alcor is nearly 82 light years distant. By the way just one light year equals about six trillion miles!

Take a look at Alcor and Mizar with even a small telescope, though, and you’ll see that Mizar itself is a double star system. But, high-tech astronomical analysis reveals that Alcor also has a companion star that’s invisible to the naked eye, and that the two stars are a binary system, slowly orbiting around each other. Get this though! Astronomers have also discovered in the last year that Mizar is more than just a binary system. It’s actually a quintuple star system with five stars in a very complicated orbit around each other.

Forget about Mizar and Alcor being the horse and rider, but rather five horses being driven by a pair of riders!

Celestial hugging

this weekend

The waxing gibbous moon on its way to being full passes below the bright constellation Leo the Lion and hugs up to Jupiter. The largest planet in our solar system is by far the brightest star like object shining high in the southwestern sky. Just with a pair of binoculars or a small telescope you can see up to four of Jupiter’s largest moons. Jupiter is presently about 474 million miles away. It’s so big more than 1,200 earths could fit inside of it!!

(Lynch, an amateur astronomer and professional broadcast meteorologist, can be reached at mikewlynch@comcast.net)

Pottsville man

jailed in burglary

A 21-year-old Pottsville man was jailed after being arrested by Pottsville police in connection with a burglary that was reported about 12:45 a.m. Thursday.

Police said officers were called to 507 Mahantongo St. for a report of a stolen vehicle and spoke with a woman who reported that about 12:30 a.m. someone entered her home, stole the keys to her silver 2003 Kia Rio and took the vehicle that had been parked along the north side of Mahantongo Street across from her home.

Cigarettes and a wallet containing a bank card were also reported taken, police said.

It was learned that about 1 a.m. an attempted purchase was made at Wal-Mart Supercenter, Saint Clair, using the stolen card but the purchase was declined.

Police said security video from the store revealed that Thomas Cholko was the person who tried to use the card and drove the stolen vehicle to the store.

Cholko was subsequently located in the city, interviewed and admitted to entering the home, stealing the items and vehicle and trying to use the bank card at Wal-Mart, police said.

The man was charged with felony burglary, criminal trespass and theft and two counts of receiving stolen property.

He was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge James K. Reiley, Pottsville, and committed to Schuylkill County Prison unable to post $20,000 straight cash bail, police said.

Police added that the stolen vehicle was located in the parking lot at Schuylkill Medical Center-East Norwegian Street and returned to the victim.

3 face charges in

Rush Twp. cases

HOMETOWN — Three people were arrested by Rush Township police stemming from separate incidents that occurred at Wal-Mart.

Police said Samantha McGeehan, 24, of Lansford, is facing charges of retail theft and receiving stolen property after stealing items valued at $27.44 on April 29

That same day, police said Marian Miller, 20, of Coaldale, stole items valued at $24.74 and is also facing charges of retail theft and receiving stolen property.

In the third case, police said Edward Coyle, 35, of Tamaqua, is facing charges of retail theft, receiving stolen property and false information to law enforcement after an incident at the store on May 3.

Police said Coyle stole items valued at $35.91 and then provided three different names to officers. He was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Stephen J. Bayer, Tamaqua, and it was also learned the man was wanted on a warrant from the state of New Jersey.

Police investigate

collision in city

Pottsville police investigated a crash that occurred about 2:50 p.m. Friday at South Centre and Mahantongo streets.

Police said Brian J. Morit, 33, of Frackville, was driving a Jeep Cherokee north on Centre Street when he tried to turn left onto Mahantongo Street and turned into the path of a 2012 Cadillac being driven by a 66-year-old Pottsville man.

Police said no injuries occurred, and Morit will be cited for vehicles turning left as a result of the crash.

Charges filed in

Mahanoy incident

MAHANOY CITY — A Shenandoah woman was charged by borough police after an incident about 2:15 a.m. April 9 in the parking lot of the Cocoa Hut store, 101 E. Centre St.

Police said Amy Dower, 41, of 34 W. Penn St., was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, DUI and driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked.

Police said officers saw a vehicle driven by Dower pull into the business and knew the woman had a suspended license.

Dower was found to be under the influence, and inside the vehicle in plain view officers found clear baggies with residue, items commonly used for packaging drugs, along with other items of drug paraphernalia.

Police said the woman was taken to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street where a blood test later determined she had codeine and heroin in her system.

Police: Man lied

about identity

McADOO — Borough police said Saturday that they charged a Barnesville man stemming from a March 8 incident in the borough.

Police said Eric Christopher, 22, was charged with false identification to law enforcement and will have to answer before Magisterial District Judge Stephen J. Bayer, Tamaqua.

Police said officers stopped a vehicle driven by Christopher for an equipment violation and were told by the man that his name was Keith Christopher and that he was 20 years old.

A few weeks later, police said they received information that Keith Christopher is in the Navy and as deployed at the time of the traffic stop. It was learned that the man driving the car was Eric Christopher, Keith Christopher’s brother, and that he had a suspended license, police said.

Drug possession

charges filed

McADOO — McAdoo police charged a borough man with possession of drug paraphernalia and public drunkenness after an incident at Fegley’s Mini Mart on May 4.

Police said officers were called to the business for a report of a man lying on the floor inside the store and found Christopher Furlani, 44, extremely intoxicated.

While Furlani was rolling on the floor, police said officers were able to see several syringes and a knife inside his pockets.

Furlani was taken to Hazleton General Hospital for treatment of low body temperature and intoxication and later transferred to an Allentown hospital, police said.

Charges against Furlani were filed with Magisterial District Judge Stephen J. Bayer, Tamaqua, police said.

Vehicle stop nets

charges for man

PORT CARBON — A Minersville man is facing charges by Port Carbon police after officers pulled over a vehicle wanted by Tamaqua police about 1:15 p.m. Friday.

Police said officers stopped a vehicle driven by Christopher M. Fessler, 30, of 101 N. Fifth St., after learning he was wanted for the theft of an employee’s purse at Fegley Mini Mart, Tamaqua.

During the stop of Fessler, police said items of drug paraphernalia, including a syringe and baggies, were found inside the vehicle.

The investigation also determined that Fessler took the vehicle he was driving from his grandfather without permission, police said.

Police said Fessler was turned over to Tamaqua police, and charges against him stemming from the vehicle stop were filed with Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko, Port Carbon.

Saint Clair and Minersville police assisted Port Carbon officers.

SHENANDOAH — The retiring religious teacher at St. Michael Ukrainian Catholic Church in the borough watched Sunday morning as her four last students received their Solemn Holy Communion during the Pentecost Sunday Divine Liturgy.

Parishioner Alice Breznik, Ringtown, has been educating children in their Catholic faith at the church for the past 34 years, but has decided to step down to allow others to take on the important role in future years.

The parish children — three girls and one boy — were dressed in their Sunday best, processing down the center aisle to the front pew to receive the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ under the outward form of bread and wine. In Eastern Rite Catholic churches, as well as in Orthodox churches, cubes of leavened bread and wine are distributed together after the consecration.

This was not the first time the children have received Holy Eucharist (Communion). When they received Baptism as an infant, they also received the two other Sacraments of Initiation — Holy Eucharist and Confirmation (Chrismation) — at the same time. The Solemn Holy Communion on Sunday followed the First Penance (Confession) of the children on Saturday.

The children participating were Kyla Elizabeth Carado, Sean Foley, Gianna Danielle Perri-Detore and Destiny Ray Green.

After Holy Communion, the children lined up in front of the iconostasis — icon wall — for photos with Monsignor Myron Grabowsky, pastor, and while there, Grabowsky announced the retirement of Breznik, who was brought to tears when he thanked her for the work she did educating the children in the faith. Grabowsky called her up and presented Breznik with a bouquet of red roses and asked her to stay for photos with her last religion class.

An insert in the church bulletin had a page “In Gratitude” for Breznik with the following message:

“As we celebrate the First Holy Communion class of 2016, we also want to take this time to say ‘Thank You’ to our long time religious education teacher, Alice Breznik.

“Alice has been involved with the religious education program since its inception in the early 1980s, and over the past several years, she has been the First Holy Communion preparation educator of our parish.

“A lifelong mother and homemaker, Alice’s desire to help instill the values of our church to our youngest parishioners has been her mission. The future of our parish lies within our youngest members, and over the years Alice has introduced many new faces of our parish to the teachings and ways of our church, beginning at an early age.

“As Alice now makes the decision to pass on this role to someone new who is willing to be the mentor for another generation of our children, we wish Alice all the best and hope that her successor continues her legacy.”

After the Divine Liturgy, Breznik spoke about becoming the parish religious teacher.

“I would come to church all the time and my kids were small and I was taking them to religious instructions,” Breznik said. “Albie (Albert) was the first one, followed by John, who was two years younger than Albie. And then my daughter, Cynthia, and then Stephen. There was a nun who used to teach the kids.”

She was asked in 1982 by the pastor at the time, the Rev. John Bura, if she would be interested in helping out. Bura is currently the auxiliary bishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia, which includes Schuylkill County.

“I said I would, and ever since I’ve been here,” Breznik said.

Breznik has no special training to provide the instruction, using her lifelong knowledge of the Catholic faith as her base. Except for summers, classes were held weekly on Sunday. She began instructing and preparing the children for First Penance and Solemn Communion six years ago.

“I hope they all remember something,” she said. “I love kids and I enjoyed it.”

Grabowsky praised Breznik for her parish work.

“She has been a help to the parish, especially to the children,” Grabowsky said. “She helped give them a love for God that they need, and especially bring to them the awareness of who they are in Christ. That really is the basic thing that she taught untiringly. If it wasn’t for her, how many children would not have been instructed, and that is something that she dedicated her life to instructing the children and bringing them closer to the Lord. Her love of the Lord is manifested to the children.”