MAHANOY CITY — Schuylkill County Crime Stoppers and Mahanoy City police are asking the public’s help in identifying at least three people involved in a drive-by shooting in the borough last month.

The incident occurred about 2:40 p.m. Oct. 28 at a home at 28 E. Pine St., across from the U.S. Post Office.

Three Hispanic men inside a black four-door Infinity car with out-of-state license plates drove east on East Pine Street and fired five shots into the home, police said.

The men were unable to be identified because they had hoods over their heads, police said, adding that the subsequent investigation revealed the occupants of the car were inside the Mahanoy City Food Store on South Main Street prior to the shooting.

The home that was shot at is occupied by four people — two adults and two children — who were not hit by the bullets, police said.

Police said the shots were fired from a small caliber semi-automatic handgun, possibly a .380 caliber, and one or more of the men involved may have tattoos on their necks.

After the shooting, the car fled the area east on East Pine Street, possibly out of the borough toward Interstate 81.

Schuylkill County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 for information on the identity of the people responsible for this crime or on any other unsolved crime in Schuylkill County. Callers are asked to refer to case 11-13-16 when calling with information on the Oct. 28 drive-by shooting in Mahanoy City. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers, toll-free, at 877-TIPS4SC (877-847-7472). Callers can also relay their information directly to Mahanoy City police at 570-773-2313 or through the Schuylkill County Communications Center at 570-462-1991.

All information receiving will remain confidential.

4 hikers reported

lost found on trail

RAUSCH GAP — Authorities found four hikers Thursday who had been reported lost on the Appalachian Trail, east of Rausch Gap in Dauphin County, according to state police in Lykens.

At 6:30 p.m. Thursday, state police in Lykens received a frantic call for assistance from Joseph Macintosh, New Jersey. Macintosh stated that his 7-year-old granddaughter, hiking along with her parents, had become lost on the Appalachian Trail somewhere between Hershey and Harrisburg. Macintosh could not provide additional information, police said, but he did provide their cellphone numbers and stated the last message he received from them, before losing contact, mentioned a fire tower.

Cellphone “pings” placed the hikers in the area east of Rausch Gap. Phone calls to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, the U.S. National Park Service, state police in Harrisburg, PSP Aviation, and the Pennsylvania Game Commission went out requesting assistance.

Karen L. Lutz, director of the Mid-Atlantic Region, suggested that the hikers would be in the area of the fire tower at the top of the ridge off of Rattling Creek Trail, police said.

Officers from Lykens and Harrisburg state police units arrived at the fire tower area of State Game Lands 211, found signs of recent activity, but could not locate the hikers. PA Commission Officer Scott S. Frederick, a trained man tracker skilled in rural search management tactics, located the victims’ vehicle off Route 325 at the Appalachian Trail parking area.

With the assistance of state police and PSP Aviation, Frederick conducted “hasty” searches along possible trail corridors in the vicinity.

Frederick located the four hikers at 1 a.m. Friday and found them to be in good spirits. They were one mile southeast of the fire tower area. Frederick secured and transported them back to their vehicle off Route 325.

Police said the victims were Eric Silverman, 39; Daniel Silverman, 37; Cathleen Macintosh, 24; and Elizabeth Macintosh, 7.

None injured

in 1-vehicle crash

HEGINS — No one was injured in a one-car accident that occurred 11 a.m. Nov. 3 in the 1900 block of East Main Street, according to Hegins Township police.

Robert Slotcavage, 61, of Frackville, was driving west on East Main Street and lost control of his 2002 Chevrolet Impala when he failed to properly follow a left turn in the roadway, police said. The car veered onto the north berm of the roadway and struck a PennDOT sign. Neither the driver, nor the passenger, who police did not identify, reported any injuries.

Police: Woman

struck truck

VALLEY VIEW — A Kulpmont driver escaped injury after her vehicle struck a parked truck at 1010 W. Main St. in Valley View, Hegins Township police said.

Yvonne Derr, 28, was driving west on West Main Street about 10:55 a.m., Nov. 4 when she lost control of her 2010 Volkswagen Golf and struck an unattended 2012 Chevrolet truck that was legally parked in front of 1010 W. Main St., police said.

Police cite 3

for harassment

ELIZABETHVILLE — State police at Lykens responded to Upper Dauphin Area High School on Thursday for a reported harassment incident between three males.

Police said at 7:15 p.m. there were three males causing a disturbance inside and outside the school building, causing the public to be alarmed.

They were identified as Kirkland Scott Snyder, 19, of Lykens; Matthew Colby Miller, 19, of Elizabethville; and a 17-year-old Lykens male.

Citations of harassment were filed through District Magisterial Judge Rebecca J. Margerum, Elizabethville, police report.

They shared that bond while breaking bread. It’s a bond, they say, that only a fellow veteran knows.

Approximately 215 veterans enjoyed a free breakfast Saturday morning courtesy of Lehigh Valley Hospital-Schuylkill at the East Norwegian Street campus.

There were World War II veterans in their 90s who attended, fathers and sons, and high school classmates from Jalappa who headed into service under the “buddy system.” About 25 Lehigh Valley Health Network employees and 10 of their children joined in to serve a hot breakfast to those who served their country.

George V. Jackson Jr., soon to be 93-years-old, came to the breakfast with another member of the Schuylkill Haven American Legion Post 38, G. Nevin Strock, Friedensburg.

Jackson, now of Landingville, served in WWII with the Army’s 101st Airborne after being drafted. He was struck in the shoulder with shrapnel on Christmas morning 1944 during the Battle of the Bulge.

“It’s still here. I carry it with me,” Jackson said, pointing to his shoulder.

“They only gave us eight rounds of ammunition and four grenades. They dropped us off, and that was it,” he said. “I had a good bunch of guys with me and I think it’s all about keeping a good attitude.”

Another WWII veteran, Edward Paukstis, New Philadelphia, came upon the breakfast by accident. He was entering the hospital for a test on his leg, when he and his wife of 58 years, Bernadine, were invited into the Wall Auditorium for the meal. Saturday was his wife’s 81st birthday.

Paukstis, 91, served as a dental technician in the Navy from 1943-46 in Norfolk, Virginia.

“We enjoyed everything,” said Paukstis, who was also a former post office letter carrier and clerk.

“They couldn’t have been nicer. It was like one, happy family. The meal was delicious, and the service was great,” his wife said.

Carl Hafer, Tamaqua, sat with his son, Greg, director of the IT department for LVHN. Hafer was a specialist-T, trained in instrument flying with the Navy during World War II from 1943-45. After leaving the military, he worked in a Western Electric machine shop in Allentown.

“I’ve been here four times. I like meeting up with all the people,” Carl Hafer said.

Also at his table were two brothers, Harry Spangler, Llewellyn, and James Spangler, West West Terrace. All six of the Spangler brothers served in the military, they said. The four eldest, who are now deceased, served in World War II. Harry and James served during the Korean War; Harry enlisted and served in the Air Force as a courier, mailman and chauffeur for commanding officers from 1954-58; and James was drafted and became an Army medic from 1953-55. Their late father, Herbert, served in WWI and was a forester for the Weiser State Forest District; and their mother’s uncle was killed during his service in the Civil War.

James said he ran Memorial Day events in Llewellyn, Phoenix Park and Stein’s Mill. Harry assisted with area Boy Scouts.

“We try to give back to the area,” James said.

William J. Reppy, LVHN president and a Navy veteran, said more than 200 people registered for the breakfast and told those attending it was an “honor” to serve them.

He then introduced Senior Medical Director Lawrence M. Riddles, who was greeting guests at the door to the Wall Auditorium, where breakfast was served. Riddles served in the Air Force as a physician. He attained the rank of colonel, retiring in 2012.

“It’s nice to support these members who served our country. We are a product of what they did. I talk to my kids and tell them that freedom’s not something you find; you have to earn it,” Riddles said.

Meanwhile, Pottsville High School 1968 graduates, Dale Williams, George Mataka and Bill Walters, attended the annual breakfast for the first time. All of them grew up in the Jalappa section of Pottsville. Today, Mataka and Williams reside in the Mill Creek area and Walters in Schuylkill Haven.

Walters enlisted and served in the Navy from 1968-72. He served nine months at Bien Hoa, Vietnam, as a yeoman and postal worker.

Williams and Mataka both received their draft notices and decided to enter the Army together under the “buddy system.” Williams and Mataka went in under the Army’s delayed enlistment, serving from September 1969 to December 1972. They attended basic training together and shipped out to Herzog base, Germany, and Augsburg, Germany. They had some of the highest security clearances, worked as Morse Code intercept operators and were part of the Army Security Agency.

“I give credit to the guys with boots on the ground in Vietnam,” Williams said.

He prompted the friends to get together for the breakfast.

“I invited Bill. I think Bill and George hadn’t seen each other in years,” he said.

Schuylkill County Register of Wills Theresa Santai-Gaffney also attended. She was a combat medic in the Army Reserves. She said her father, the late Edward “Smoky” Santai, was a former Pottsville police officer and was in the Navy. He and his 11 brothers all served their country, she said. She said she appreciated how the veterans were being honored Saturday.

Mike Peckman, director of public relations, said Saturday’s turnout was one of the largest they’ve had. There were 214 veterans registered and several more that attended. They hosted 197 veterans last year, he said. He brought his own children, Nate and Aliyah, to assist.

“The veterans love it, and it’s a good experience for the kids,” Peckman said.

Kyle Reppy, William Reppy’s 17-year-old son, volunteered to serve breakfast.

“They fought so hard for my freedom. Personally, I’ve been blessed in my life, and I wanted to do something to give back to the community,” the Blue Mountain High School senior said. “It’s been great to hear some the veterans’ stories, and I think it’s nice that they hold this breakfast for them because they deserve it.”

Lehigh Valley Hospital-Schuylkill S. Jackson Street

To Mark and Ashley Tassone Anthony, Pottsville, a daughter, Aug. 29.

To Kyle Linkchorst and Jennifer Jones, Frackville, a daughter, Oct. 26.

To Steven and Selena Egan Slackus, Pine Grove, a daughter, Oct. 28.

Do you feel like giving back to your community but don’t know where to start?

If you’re looking for an easy way to help your neighbors that requires little effort but is so vital to someone in need, becoming a Community Contact may be the perfect fit for you.

Community Contacts is a two-time award-winning program that’s been providing a referral service to those in need in Schuylkill County since 1996. It’s a group of about 60 county residents who have been trained in the basic services provided by some of our largest county government human services and other agencies. They act as a referral source to guide those in need to the agency that can best offer them assistance.

Contacts combine their life experiences with the information they gain during training to become a dynamic, compassionate resource for those experiencing hardship.

After a few hours of training, the volunteer can choose to either have his name go on a contact brochure for distribution or he can simply help the people they come across in person without being listed in the brochure. Contacts do not provide case management, fill out forms or provide transportation. They’re strictly a referral source, but a vital one.

This is also an excellent way for the staff of nonprofits or other social service agencies to learn of local services and get a better understanding of ways to help their consumers. We invite them to take advantage of the free training.

Recruitment is going on now for the Class of 2017. Three hours of training, in one afternoon, will take place in February. It’s that simple. Contacts are given all the reference materials they’ll need. If you’d like to join the Community Contact program to provide your neighbors with the resource tools they need, call this office at 570-628-1426.

Get a head start celebrating Christmas festivities in Shenandoah. Christmas in Whoville will take place at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 25 in downtown Shenandoah. There will be horse-drawn trolley rides, vignettes from “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas” and live holiday music.

The Gabriel Chamber Ensemble will present a concert on Dec. 4 at Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church, Schuylkill Haven. Ticket information can be found on their website at www.gabrielensemble.org or by calling 570-943-2558.

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.

Child Development Head Start classroom volunteers

Times: Flexible, as often as you prefer.

Responsibility: Assist with classroom activities, upkeep and renovation of centers, playground and other similar tasks.

Skills: Volunteers need to complete free background checks, disclosure statement.

Location: Head Start centers throughout the county.

Call: Sabrina Smitrovich, 570-544-8959

Child Development office assistants

Time: Flexible, choose own availability.

Responsibility: Help with office tasks such as making copies, laminating, assembling packets, mailings and many other projects.

Skills: Volunteers need to complete free background checks, disclosure statement.

Location: Administrative Office, Pottsville-Minersville Highway

Call: Sabrina Smitrovich, 570-544-8959.

MINERSVILLE — A borough man was jailed after being arrested by Minersville police in connection with an attempted stabbing on Friday.

Patrolman Jeffrey Bowers charged Joseph Kaplan, 35, with two felony counts of aggravated assault, two misdemeanor counts of simple assault, one misdemeanor count each of recklessly endangering another person and possessing instruments of crime, and a summary offense of harassment.

Kaplan, who has no known address, was arraigned early Saturday morning by on-call Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker, Shenandoah, and committed to Schuylkill County Prison, unable to post $25,000 straight cash bail.

Bowers charged Kaplan in connection with an incident that occurred about 4 p.m. at 255 Sunbury St. in the borough.

The officer said he was called to that address for a report of a suspicious incident where a man tried to stab another man.

At the scene, Bowers said, he spoke with a resident — Jake Revelette — who said he was smoking a cigarette in the vestibule of his apartment when he was approached by Kaplan and another man, who asked him if he had drugs for sale because they wanted to party.

Revelette reported telling the two that he does not sell drugs and to “get lost,” which caused Kaplan to become enraged. Revelette said Kaplan pulled a knife out of his pocket and charged at him with it, yelling that he would cut him, Bowers said, adding that Revelette was able to flee into his apartment and lock the door behind him.

Bowers said that Kaplan and the other man fled on Sunbury Street but a description given by Revelette allowed officers to determine the two men had been inside a nearby business just prior to the attempted stabbing.

Surveillance video was obtained and still images were obtained and placed on the Minersville Police Department Facebook page, resulting in information that led to one of the men being identified as Kaplan.

Bowers said that he and officers Eric Sterner, Richard Clink and William Kattner went to an address at 111 Sunbury St., Apt. 2, and took Kaplan into custody.

At that address, Bowers said, a woman told officers Revelette was the person responsible, saying, “That guy pulled a knife on him (Kaplan).”

Kaplan also said he did not pull a knife on Revelette, adding that he was defending a friend from Revelette, Bowers said.

Kaplan will now have to answer to the charges against him at a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko, Port Carbon.

Pennsylvania voters decided on Tuesday to raise the mandatory judicial retirement age to 75 from 70, a choice that Schuylkill County President Judge William E. Baldwin said will benefit his court.

“Had it not been extended, Judge (Cyrus Palmer) Dolbin and Judge (John E.) Domalakes would have had to retire at the end of next year,” Baldwin said Thursday. “I would have had to retire by the end of 2018. When you have one-half of your experienced judges retiring, it creates a break.”

However, the new retirement age, which Baldwin termed “reasonable,” means Schuylkill County’s judges, as well as those in Pennsylvania’s 66 other counties and on its appellate courts, can remain on the bench longer. Baldwin said the change means he will run for retention in 2017.

“I’m definitely going to run for retention. I don’t feel like I’m ready to retire yet,” said Baldwin, who has been on the county bench since being sworn in, in January 1988, and has served as president judge since January 1997. “I feel that I’m still able to do my work. I take work home with me every night and every weekend.”

Schuylkill County has six full-time judges — Baldwin, Dolbin, Domalakes, Jacqueline L. Russell, Charles M. Miller and James P. Goodman — plus Senior Judge D. Michael Stine. Judges, both county and appellate, serve 10-year terms; after their first election, they run for retention, which gives the voters a yes-or-no choice on whether they want to keep him or her in office.

Senior judges do not stand for election or retention, but can only work a certain number of days, do not handle a full caseload and can be assigned to other counties, although having Stine available is a big help, Baldwin said.

Tuesday’s vote on the retirement age question was 2,471,143 in favor of the change and 2,379,159 against it. Baldwin said he was glad the measure appeared on the General Election ballot instead of the primary election one, as originally was planned.

“I never thought it should have been on the ballot in the (May 17) primary,” since voters who are registered independent do not vote in primaries, he said.

Baldwin said voters still have the option of deciding how long a judge should serve.

“We stand for retention. If the voters think we’re slipping or not doing a good job, they can refuse to retain us,” he said.

He also said a judge will not be able to conceal how he is handling his caseload.

“If you’re not fit to handle it, it’s going to show up,” Baldwin said.

That is not a problem on the county court, even though caseloads are growing, according to Baldwin.

“Everybody works hard, contributes,” he said. “They’re disposing of the cases in a timely manner.”

MINERSVILLE — Chadwick Thomas, the champion, is championing a cause dear to his heart.

Thomas, the 2016 Mr. Anthracite Natural, and his mother, Penny Copeland, hosted a fundraising event for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals on Saturday.

The Training with Mr. Anthracite event at Champs Fitness and Sports Center, 36 Kings Village Road, Minersville, featured a family-fun exercise carnival for children and their families. It also gave visitors a chance to meet Thomas, now a professional bodybuilder, who overcame his own physical struggles to reach the top.

“With the Children’s Miracle Network, it all goes back to the kids. I want to thank everyone who’s donated or volunteered. It means so much,” Thomas, 29, of Minersville, said.

When Thomas was born at Geisinger, he weighed just over three pounds, was 2 1/2 months premature and had a life-threatening blood infection that resulted in him spending 45 days in the neonatal intensive care unit, his mother said. Thomas also had to recover when he was severely injured in a fiery motorcycle accident following his graduation from Shikellamy High School, Sunbury.

“It’s so nice to run into people that have been inspired by our story,” his mother said.

A final tally for funds raised Saturday continues. Anyone unable to attend Saturday’s event may still donate, Thomas said. They can send contributions to Children’s Miracle Network, 100 N. Academy Ave., MC-50-20, Danville, PA 17821. Checks should be made payable to Geisinger Health System Foundation with “Training With 2016 Mr. Anthracite Natural” in the memo line.

According to www.geisinger.org, the “Children’s Miracle Network at Geisinger raises funds to provide equipment, programs and services for children at Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital in Danville, as well as pediatric services throughout the Geisinger Health System. Recent items funded by Children’s Miracle Network at Geisinger include cardiovascular ultrasound equipment, new ventilators in the Neonatal Intensive Care Units, language interpretation equipment, drug and alcohol education programs in the area.”

Thomas won the 2016 Mr. Anthracite Natural title during his fourth time in the competition, he said. He began training intensely for that particular competition in January 2016. He said he initially weighed 255 pounds, dropped to 212 pounds and finally down to 180 pounds for the day of the competition.

“I usually give myself three or four months of prep,” Thomas said.

During his first time participating in a bodybuilding show at Plymouth Meeting in 2010, he captured first in a Novice Class, third place in light heavyweight and fourth in the age 23 years and under category.

Warren Egebo, Hegins, is the organizer of the Mr. Anthracite Natural Bodybuilding Competition and a promoter with the National Gym Association. Egebo attended Saturday’s benefit. Copeland said Egebo’s guidance was appreciated.

“He helped us work through everything,” she said. “It’s been a learning experience.”

Volunteers for the event included Heather McDonald, who taught aerobics; Yvonne Cunningham, who awarded children’s prizes; Samantha Gutowski, manager of the fitness center; Rich Stevenosky and Jake Cotner, Mr. Anthracite Natural 2013.

Donors could enter a chance to win prizes. Those winning three-month memberships to the center were Jared Menne and Brian Eikert. Four people won tickets to see next year’s Mr. Anthracite Natural and Mr. Coal Show on April 6 at the Ramada, Pottsville. Those winners were Brian Marhon, McDonald, Jared Nouzousky and Stanley Leonard.

Those wishing to learn more can follow the bodybuilder on his Facebook page at “Chadwick Thomas.”

SHENANDOAH — A long service tradition of the Ashland Area Rotary Club continued Nov. 2 as free student dictionaries were distributed in local schools.

The Ashland club’s dictionary project has been a staple part of its community outreach for years. The Ringtown Rotary Club and Frackville Rotary Club also have their own community service project at the schools.

On Nov. 2, the Ashland club went to North Schuylkill Elementary School to distribute the dictionaries to the third-grade classes and then headed to Trinity Academy in Shenandoah to give out dictionaries to the 23 students in the third-grade class of Kimberly A. Kringe. Distributing the paperbacks were club President Elaine Stone, former president and district governor A. James “Jim” Gruber and Rotarian Darles “Darcie” Gruber.

Jim Gruber spoke to the children after the red-covered dictionaries were presented and asked them if they knew anyone who were Rotary Club members from Ashland and Ringtown, with a few replying that they did, and one student with a relative in the Mahanoy City club. He spoke about what Rotary is all about.

“Rotary is a service club. Do you know what that means?” Gruber asked. “That means we think of other people before we think of ourselves. Our motto is ‘Service Above Self.’ The Rotary organization goes all around the world. We have over a million people in Rotary. That’s a lot of people, isn’t it?”

Jim Gruber also told the students of Rotary International’s project to eliminate poliomyelitis, commonly called polio, throughout the world through its PolioPlus program.

“Our goal was to wipe out polio throughout the world and we’re doing it,” he said. “There are only a couple of cases of polio in Afghanistan. Bill Gates of Microsoft has given Rotary over $350 million to help wipe out polio throughout the world.”

Darcie Gruber added that Rotary International also helps in the world with fresh water through new wells, along with providing farming equipment.

“That helps the people plant their own food gardens so they have healthy food to eat,” she said. “Rotary does a lot of good.”

Jim Gruber said the club has been giving out dictionaries for at least 15 years.

“They come right in the nick of time because we just worked on the first draft of our writing piece and we’re at that point where we’re going to look for the spelling mistakes,” Kringe said. “These dictionaries couldn’t have come at a better time. It’s perfect timing.”

“We enjoy helping our community,” Stone said.

As the presentation ended and the Rotarians left to applause, the children began looking through their new books, looking up words with much excitement. Kringe had them look up “Rotary.”

The Frackville Rotary has distributed thesauruses to the seventh-grade classes at North Schuylkill and will soon bring them to Trinity Academy. The Ringtown Rotary visited Trinity last Friday and provided copies of Andy & Elmer’s Apple Dumpling Adventure books to second-graders and have done the same at North Schuylkill.

The Schuylkill County Suicide Prevention Task Force want people to know that it is OK to ask for help this month with several events and an awareness campaign highlighting resources available in the county.

“It is OK what not to do, but know that there is help out there,” Kelly Reno, a therapist with the Psychiatric Association of Schuylkill County, said Thursday.

Suicide rates have increased each year both nationally and in the county.

According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States with 42,773 suicide deaths each year.

In 2006, there were 14 suicides reported in Schuylkill County. In 2015, there were 33. That is one for every 11 days.

There has already been 33 suicides this year as of September.

“It’s a real issue everyone needs to realize and it needs to be addressed,” Kay Jones, executive director of Schuylkill’s VISION, said.

The county’s Suicide Prevention Task Force was formed as part of the county’s mental health committee, which is a partnership between the county mental health department and Schuylkill County’s VISION established in 1998. The task force is open to anyone and consists of county officials, nonprofit organizations, educators, clergy and the public.

For the next three month, everyone that goes to the Pearl Stadium 8 at the Schuylkill Mall will see a 30-second public service announcement on suicide paid for by the task force. It will also be played in the concession area.

“It’s short, but really to the point,” Kathy Quick, mental health committee chairwoman and coordinator for the county Child and Adolescent Service System Program, said.

The video shows facts relating to suicide with voiceovers from people sharing personal stories. The testimonials were taken from a junior advisory board project from a few years ago called “To Save A Life.”

“Every person going to the movies will be exposed to the clip about 6 times,” Quick said.

The video urges people do something by calling the county’s mental health mobile crisis intervention hotline at 877-993-4357 or calling 911.

“If people are more aware of what to look for and more confident to reach out, I think it could have an impact,” Quick said.

The mental health committee has also added a fourth card to its “Five Facts” campaign that focuses on suicide and depression. The business cards are distributed to local schools and organizations. The back of the card has the county crisis hotline while the front side lists the following:

1. In 2013, one person died by suicide every 12.9 minutes in the U.S. This number is expected to increase in 2016.

2. In 2015, a suicide was completed every 11 days in Schuylkill County.

3. More than two-thirds of people who die by suicide communicate not wanting to live prior to completion. Nearly half see their doctor in the months before their death.

4. Hopelessness, withdrawal, severe loss or stressors and giving away possessions are significant warning signs.

5. If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms — Do something! Get help!

“It gets people to recognize there are things they can do,” Jones said.

“It also gives information to people who live with them so they know what to do and who to go to and that it is OK to ask for help,” Keith Semerod, county Mental Health and Developmental Services deputy assistant, said.

Schuylkill County HALOS is also sponsoring an event called “Painting With a Purpose” from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Creative Changes Center for Arts and Humanities, Brockton. HALOS, which stands for Hope After a Loved One’s Suicide, is a support group for suicide survivors (people grieving the loss of a loved one to suicide).

The event is free, but participants must be someone whose life has been affected by suicide and register by calling Linda Wagner at 570-778-6412.

Participants will paint an image of hope while giving them the opportunity to be with others who share similar experiences.

“Just going into a room with people having something in common, even if they don’t want to share, shows them that other people have gone through the same thing,” Reno said.

“It is a way to express something without words,” Jones said.

“It helps take away the negative feelings,” Reno said.

HALOS will have its eighth annual Remembrance Vigil at 6 p.m. Saturday at Yuengling Park on Mahantongo Street, Pottsville. The candlelight vigil is held annually on National Suicide Survivor’s Day when people come together to celebrate the memories of their loved ones. Reno completed her dissertation in July and based her research in Schuylkill County. She talked with people who survived the loss of a loved one from suicide and found that many of them were not aware of the support groups and other resources available. She also said there was a stigma associated with suicide that prevented them from asking for help.

Reno said there is an average of six survivors for each individual who completed suicide. Being a survivor also puts them at higher risk of committing suicide, she said.

There will also be training for youth mental health first aid from 8 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Dec. 15 and 16 at the Schuylkill Technology Center-South Campus, Mar Lin. The eight-hour training teaches participants how to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. The free course is designed for adults who work with young people, such as teachers, coaches, social workers and parents.

The Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29 has offered the training for teachers and other professions for about the last year. At least 300 people have participated in the training. However, this is the first time the course is open to the general public.

For more information about the training, email Larissa Russell at russl@iu29.org.

The Schuylkill County Land Bank on Wednesday hired a contractor for its first major project, the renovation of a vacant home.

In a meeting held by conference call, the board hired William G. Davidson Electrical, Port Carbon, as the general contractor to do work at 228 Lewis St., Minersville, at a rate of $35,375.

“There is a heating plant that will be installed as part of this, a furnace. There will be general repairs. The major items would be installing new flooring, specifically carpeting and ceramic tile. They’ll be replacing doors and updating the electrical system. They’ll be replacing the heating system and repairing walls and ceilings. They will add appliances, repair the bathrooms, make porch repairs,” the land bank’s consultant, Chris Gulotta, with the Gulotta Group, Carlisle, said Wednesday.

The land bank chose the lowest of five bids.

The other bidders and their bids were: E.A. Johnson Group, Schuylkill Haven, $37,996; Primeau Services, Tremont, $38,616.39; Tim Bayliff Remodeling, Schuylkill Haven, $42,217; and Reilly Mechanical, Minersville, $49,625, according to Gulotta.

Wells Fargo donated the property to the land bank in July.

A three-story row home, it was built in 1920. In February, Wells Fargo acquired the property from James C. Leonard, according to the online Schuylkill Parcel Locator.

Wells Fargo donated $10,000 to the land bank to use for the property’s rehabilitation. To finance the rehabilitation project, the land bank will also use Act 137 funds it received from Schuylkill County, Gulotta said.

Schuylkill Community Action, Pottsville, developed the specifications for the rehabilitation work.

At the meeting held by conference call Wednesday night, eight of the 11 members of the Schuylkill County Land Bank were in attendance.

Present were Ken Karlavage, chairman; Carl McBreen, vice chairman; Ian Mahal, secretary/treasurer; and members Joseph Brady, Gary Bender, Jeff Feeser, Ray Jones and Sean Macleary, according to Mahal.

Not present were Jack Hurst, Dan Lynch and Don Segal, according to Mahal.

A land bank is a public or community-owned entity established to acquire, manage, maintain and repurpose vacant, abandoned and foreclosed properties, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development website.

The Schuylkill County Land Bank was the first land bank established in the county since the state House and Senate approved Act 153 of 2012, which enabled municipalities in Pennsylvania to create them.

Its members include the boroughs of Ashland, Frackville, Girardville, Mahanoy City, Minersville and Shenandoah and Delano Township.

HARRISBURG — Consigned to the “deep minority,” as one member put it, Democratic lawmakers face challenges next session delivering on legislative priorities as Pennsylvania continues to grapple with fiscal issues.

The wave of voters in rural and suburban areas that put Republican Donald Trump in the White House also helped Republicans boost already sizable majorities in the General Assembly.

The Senate breakdown next session is 34-16, putting Republicans at the two-thirds threshold needed for some confirmation votes. That threshold makes it easier for GOP senators to override a veto by Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and deprives the Democrats of political leverage when nominees for judicial seats or independent agencies are before the Senate.

The new lineup leaves the Senate Democrats holding just three seats west of the Susquehanna River.

It will be difficult next session for Senate Democrats holding just 16 seats, Sen. John Yudichak, D-14, Plymouth Township, said.

“To have one-party rule in the General Assembly is unhealthy,” he said.

Republicans control the House 122-81, a net gain of three seats. Two Democratic incumbents in western Pennsylvania were defeated for re-election.

In Northeast Pennsylvania, Democrat Maureen Madden of Tobyhanna unseated GOP Rep. David Parker of Stroud Township in the 115th House District. Democrat Kevin Haggerty of Dunmore returns to the House to represent the 112th District.

Republican Jonathan Fritz, a Wayne County commissioner, fills the 111th House District seat vacated by Rep. Sandra Major, R-Bridgewater Township.

The House and Senate meet briefly this week to elect caucus leaders, welcome new members and possibly address one or two lingering bills.

Speculation has Yudichak or Sen. Anthony Williams, D-8, Philadelphia, potentially challenging Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa, D-43, Pittsburgh, for his caucus leadership post.

“I have no comment on this at all,” Yudichak said, referring to what he called the Harrisburg rumor mill.

GOP legislative leaders said their historic majorities reflect efforts to hold the line on the state personal income tax and state sales tax during the state budget stalemate that occupied much of the 2015-16 fiscal year.

“(Voters) clearly approved of our holding in check Gov. Tom Wolf’s tax-and-spend agenda,” House Speaker Mike Turzai, R-28, Pittsburgh, said.

Rep. Mike Carroll, D-118, Avoca, chairman of the House Democratic Campaign Committee, doesn’t buy that argument.

The heavy turnout of nontraditional voters for Trump had an effect on down-ballot races, he said.

Having 34 Senate seats will strengthen the resolve of Senate Republicans to complete outstanding issues like curbing public pension costs, Jennifer Kocher, spokeswoman for Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman, R-34, Bellfonte, said.

“Now that lift becomes easier,” she said.

Wolf said his priorities include providing substantial school property tax relief, protecting jobs and helping manufacturing, and making sure 700,000 Pennsylvanians don’t lose medical assistance if the federal Affordable Care Act is dismantled.

The governor said dealing with large GOP majorities is nothing new for him and voiced optimism that bipartisanship can continue.

Meanwhile, the fiscal problems continue despite passage of a $31.5 billion state budget in July.

The state tapped a line of credit from the treasury to keep the mainstay General Fund from going into the red.

The House and Senate are at loggerheads over an expansion of legalized gambling to generate a projected $100 million in new revenue to shore up the budget.

State tax revenue collections are $182 million below estimates for this fiscal year, although collections improved in October.

A Frackville woman charged by Ashland police with hitting a Coal Township man with her vehicle and killing him last year is among those scheduled to plead not guilty Thursday during arraignment in Schuylkill County Court.

Ashley Leibig 28, of 237 S. Nice St., was arrested by Patrolman Brandon Cohick and charged with homicide by vehicle while under the influence, accidents involving death or personal injury, accidents involving death or personal injury while not properly licensed, homicide by vehicle, driving under the influence of drugs, recklessly endangering another person, reckless driving, careless driving, right of way of pedestrians in crosswalks and driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked.

Cohick and Ashland Police Chief Mark O’Hearn charged Leibig with hitting and causing the death of Walter Bogus, 85, of 1003 W. Spruce St., at 19th and West Centre streets about 7 p.m. Dec. 11, 2015.

Cohick said Bogus was crossing Centre Street from north to south when he was struck by a vehicle heading east on Centre Street by Leibig, who continued east without stopping. Leibig returned to the scene a short time later and confirmed she struck Bogus, saying he “came out of nowhere” and “bounced off my car,” Cohick said.

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

Danielle Kapes, 36, of 312 W. Mahanoy Ave., Mahanoy City — DUI, driving under combined influence and careless driving.

Jean M. Markiewicz, 59, of 411 S. Broad Mountain Ave., Frackville — DUI, DUI-highest rate and failure to drive on roadways laned for traffic.

Keith J. Laudeman, 38, of 1904 Third Ave., Pottsville — DUI-high rate, failure to obey traffic control signals and careless driving.

Collin A. Bevin, 22, of 2008 West End Ave., Pottsville — DUI, DUI-highest rate, driving under the influence of drugs and reckless driving.

Shane P. Sprenger, 23, of 66 N. Berne St., Schuylkill Haven — driving under the influence of drugs and careless driving.

Lacey J. Kroh, 20, of 221 W. Main St., Tremont — DUI-minor, driving on the wrong side of the road, driving at an unsafe speed and careless driving.

James C. Evans, 52, of 302 W. Main St., Girardville — DUI and DUI-highest rate.

Corey A. Pronio, 22, of 118 Raven Run Road, Box 148, Lost Creek — DUI, DUI-highest rate and careless driving.

Jesse J. Aungst, 25, of 518 Birds Hill Road, Pine Grove — DUI-highest rate, reckless driving, violation of period requiring lighted lamps, stop and yield sign violations and restrictions on alcoholic beverages.

Terry L. Knorr, 56, of 422 Broad St., Box 55, Hegins — driving under the influence of drugs, failure to drive on roadways laned for traffic and driving on the wrong side of the road.

Alex C. Long, 26, of 322A W. Main St., Girardville — driving under the influence of drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked.

Jose C. Espinosa, 26, of 628 E. Market St., Mahanoy City — DUI, DUI-highest rate, careless driving and failure to be licensed.

Robert M. Stout, 42, of 55 Railroad St., Cressona — DUI, failure to drive on roadways laned for traffic, careless driving, failure to give information and render aid and failure to be licensed.

Daniel N. Diaz-Walton, 19, of 103 Farm View Road, Schuylkill Haven — driving under the influence of drugs, possession of a small amount of marijuana and failure to drive on roadways laned for traffic.

Jeffrey R. McNitsky, 40, of 743 E. Norwegian St., Pottsville — driving under the influence of drugs, possession of a small amount of marijuana, accidents involving damage to unattended vehicles and careless driving.

Robert J. Sadusky, 44, of 447 E. Norwegian St., Pottsville — DUI, DUI-highest rate, careless driving and driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked.

Danielle M. Townsend, 27, of 330 Dock St., Schuylkill Haven — endangering the welfare of a child, driving under the influence of drugs, recklessly endangering another person, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving at an unsafe speed, driving on the wrong side of the road, failure to drive on roadways laned for traffic and restraint system violations.

Vicki L. Beury, 47, of 121 W. Pine St., Mahanoy City — DUI, failure to drive on roadways laned for traffic, careless driving and driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked.

Nicholas A. Degel, 23, of 1 Ridge Lane, Box 109, Gordon — driving under the influence of drugs, possession of a small amount of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, operation following registration suspension, driving an unregistered vehicle, surrender of registration plates and cards and driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked.

Brian K. King, 40, of 8 Broadwing Circle, Hamburg — DUI and DUI-highest rate.

Steven A. Lorah, 31, of 213A Laurel St., Minersville — DUI and careless driving.

Daniel J. Leibenguth, 42, of 212 Race St., Tamaqua — driving under the influence of drugs, possession of a small amount of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and general lighting requirements violation.

Jill M. Lick, 54, of 66 Avenue C, Schuylkill Haven — DUI and DUI-highest rate.

Desmoine Cage, 36, of 200 W. Tammany St., Orwigsburg — possession of drug paraphernalia.

James E. Snowell, 37, of 319 W. Market St., Suite 3, Pottsville — identity theft and access device fraud.

John A. Burget, 40, of 194 Long Road, Lykens — unlawful duplication.

Adrienne N. Weist, 24, of 1915 W. Norwegian St., Box 272, Pottsville — theft and receiving stolen property.

Marybeth Howley, 26, of 208 N. Wayne St., Orwigsburg — theft and receiving stolen property.

Matthew J. Zelwalk, 34, of 339 First St., 2nd Floor, Port Carbon — criminal mischief.

Casey Woolson, 27, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Kyle M. Hoppes, 28, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a firearm with an altered manufacture’s number, receiving stolen property, carrying firearms without a license, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Heather L. Heckman, 25, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — theft and receiving stolen property.

Brittany M. George, 30, of 16 Westwood St., Minersville — possession of drug paraphernalia.

Buddy C. Noel, 37, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — possession of drug paraphernalia.

Haadee A. Bennett, 30, of 629 N. Second St., Apt. 2, Pottsville — bad checks.

Joseph D. Borinsky, 48, of 800-37 N. Second St., Pottsville — criminal mischief and harassment.

Randy A. Zimmerman, 57, of 305 Mahantongo St., Pottsville — defiant trespasser.

Melissa A. Lucas, 36, of 733 Walnut St., Ashland — possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Robert J. Bainbridge, 43, of 334 S. Jackson St., Pottsville — possession of drug paraphernalia and lack of required financial responsibility.

Jamal S. Singletary, 23, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — simple assault.

Garry Timberlake, 55, of 724 W. Market St., 1st Floor, Pottsville — possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Keith E. Wykle, 28, of 825 Mount Hope Ave., Pottsville — possession of drug paraphernalia.

Alyssa M. Brennan, 24, of 800-33 N. Second St., Pottsville — possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Leroy A. Long, 45, of 222 W. Harrison St., Pottsville — bad checks.

William J. Clark, 31, of 319 W. Market St., Apt. 1, Pottsville — simple assault and harassment.

Peter E. Fulton, 21, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville — arson, risking a catastrophe, criminal mischief and recklessly endangering another person.

Robert Adams, 73, of 567 E. Market St., Pottsville — risking a catastrophe and recklessly endangering another person.

Shy A. Kilraine Richter, 27, of 735 Valley Road, Pottsville — possession of drug paraphernalia.

Jennifer R. Fenstermaker, 25, of 712 Mahantongo St., Apt. 4, Pottsville — possession of drug paraphernalia.

Christian I. Feno, 20, of 733 N. Second St., Pottsville — possession of drug paraphernalia.

Jamal S. Singletary, 23, of 575 Peacock St., Pottsville — possession of a small amount of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Joseph M. Kline, 27, of 712 Mahantongo St., Apt. 4, Pottsville — possession of drug paraphernalia.

Larry R. Dettery, 38, of 432 E. Arlington St., Shenandoah — possession of drug paraphernalia.

Kyle T. Burfield, 23, of 322 N. Delaware Ave., Minersville — possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Rikki J. Williams, 21, of 711 W. Race St., Pottsville — possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Chad A. Shade, 32, of 132 Sunset Lane, New Philadelphia — disorderly conduct.

Bradley Dembinsky, 35, of 1327 Centre St., Ashland — possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Brandon L. Brill, 18, of 224 N. Second St., Pottsville — possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Cassandra L. Carter, 27, of 607 Fourth St., Mar Lin — possession of a controlled substance.

Kelly A. Starr, 53, of 90 N. Maple St., Pottsville — possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting arrest.

Clarance M. Wetzel Jr., 23, of 124 Rock Road, Pine Grove — simple assault and harassment.

Randy S. Reidler Jr., 37, of 600 E. Wiconisco St., Tower City — delivery of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Steven W. Anspach, 47, of 18 Circle Drive, Pine Grove — bad checks.

Tiffany A. Black, 34, of 34 S. Saint Peter St., Schuylkill Haven — possession of drug paraphernalia and driving at an unsafe speed.

Jill M. Lick, 54, of 66 Avenue C, Schuylkill Haven — criminal mischief, driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked, careless driving, accidents involving damage to unattended vehicles or property and reckless driving.

Anthony A. Rizzuto, 41, of 58 Burma Road, Schuylkill Haven — terroristic threats and harassment.

Trent A. Schaeffer, 23, of 64 Cherry St., Cressona — possession of drug paraphernalia.

Thomas A. Tessitore, 34, of 213 E. Broad St., Apt. 5, Tamaqua — theft by deception, receiving stolen property and theft.

Stacey A. Beyers, 39, of 47 N. Lehigh Ave., Frackville — forgery, identity theft, theft and receiving stolen property.

Shauna L. Weber, 23, of 36 Oakland Ave., Ashland — access device fraud and identity theft.

Jessica M. Gualtier, 34, of 123 McKnight St., Box 218, Gordon — robbery of a motor vehicle, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Steven R. Melsom, 21, of 310 W. Mount Vernon St., Shenandoah — burglary, criminal trespass, theft and receiving stolen property.

Heather M. Tobias, 26, of Box 1022, Pottsville — forgery, theft and receiving stolen property.

Diane M. Doncheski, 56, of 318 N. Fourth St., Apt. 1, Pottsville — theft, receiving stolen property and defiant trespass.

Joshua S. Siluk, 23, of 882 Garfield Ave., Pottsville — possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Shirley M. Hazlett, 29, of 53 Fox Run Road, New Ringgold — possession of drug paraphernalia.

Andrew R. Bassininsky, 30, of 44 Line Ave., Minersville — possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, defiant trespass, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

2 drivers not hurt

in crash on Rt. 443

PINE GROVE — Two Pine Grove drivers escaped injury Saturday when one car rear-ended another in Washington Township, police said.

State police in Schuylkill Haven said Tara L. Brown, 44, was traveling east in a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze on Route 443 at 1:56 p.m. when she slowed down to turn right onto Lengle Homestead Road. A 2001 Ford Focus driven by Frank M. Keller, 62, was also traveling east on Route 443 when it struck Brown’s car from behind at Deturksville Road’s intersection with Lengle Homestead Road, police said.

Keller’s vehicle came to a controlled final rest on Route 443, facing east, along the shoulder while Brown’s car came to a controlled final rest in a private driveway on Lengle Homestead Road.

Both drivers were wearing lap and shoulder belts, police said, and Pine Grove EMS assisted at the scene.

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

Tractor-trailer hits

bridge on Rt. 209

PORT CARBON — A 2013 Freightliner tractor-trailor became disabled after striking a guide rail and the side of a bridge on Mauch Chunk Street, Route 209, on Friday, police said.

Police said James F. Hancock, 63, of West Columbia, South Carolina, was traveling north on Route 209 at 11:40 a.m., about 755 feet west of Coal Street. Hancock swerved to the right to miss a vehicle that was driving on the double yellow line when the right side of his truck struck the guide rail. After impact with the guide rail, one of the tires struck the side of the bridge and then another section of the guide rail, police said. One of the axles became damaged, disabling the truck against the guide rail, and the truck was facing north at the point of final rest.

Police were assisted on scene by several passersby and the Port Carbon Fire Company.

Water, sewer

chamber focus

SHENANDOAH — Donald E. Segal, president of the Shenandoah Borough Council, spoke to directors of the Greater Shenandoah Area Chamber of Commerce during their October meeting about challenges facing the borough regarding the water and sewer systems.

Segal, according to chamber meeting minutes provided by Secretary Betty Ann Bugden, said a “Phase I” audit found the borough “working well.”

He also said a “Phase II” state Department of Community and Economic Development intervention program review of the water and sewer authorities is underway. He said the borough is awaiting the final results and when it receives them the results will be distributed to businesses.

His comments apparently were in reference to inquiries made during the September chamber meeting by Thomas Twardzik, president of Ateeco Inc., manufacturer of Mrs. T’s Pierogies, Shenandoah’s top employer. Twardzik sought the chamber’s views on the water/sewer situation and it was noted there had been some speculation about the Schuylkill County Municipal Authority assuming operation of the borough sewer and water systems.

Twardzik wanted to know about the systems’ future for his firm to be able to know what its water and sewer expenses will be.

Segal during the October meeting said the borough had applied for a small water supply grant.

Concerning another issue, Beth Cataldo of BB&T’s Shenandoah branch office at Main and Centre streets said rumors regarding a closing of the branch are not true. She said the branch is neither closing nor relocating.

The chamber is continuing its Light Up the Park Christmas lighting and decoration efforts in Girard Park. In a new feature, directors are urging people, social and civic organizations and businesses to sponsor 4-foot wooden candy canes — in any colors desired with names inscribed — that will be added to the park display this year. Names can be of family, individuals or businesses. Jerry McCabe, the Christmas decoration/lights installer, will produce the canes. Order forms are available from chamber members.

The chamber’s Santa in the Park effort is part of Shenandoah’s Black Friday kickoff of daylong festivities that will begin at noon with the annual Santa sky dive into Shenandoah at Shenandoah Valley’s Veterans Memorial Stadium, sponsored by Ateeco Inc.

Santa also will be at the entrance to Girard Park starting at 6 p.m. Nov. 25 to greet and have photos with children, each of whom will receive a candy cane.

Kay Jones of Schuylkill County’s VISION attended the chamber meeting and presented a video titled “Walk Works — Steps to a Healthier You,” a program that promotes walking with tips about preparing for a walk and maps of walking areas in Shenandoah. Jones also distributed printed information to chamber directors and guests.

Chamber Treasurer Mark Bernardyn, chairman of the chamber’s farm market committee, said the 2016 downtown market will continue until Thanksgiving on the east side of the first block of South Main Street near the more than century-old former Bolich & Burke building.

In the report from the Shenandoah Rotary Club, it was noted that the Rotarians will again provide holiday dinners Nov. 23 to residents of Shenandoah Village Apartments, West Coal Street, and the Shenandoah High Rise apartments, Main and Oak streets.

The monthly chamber meetings alternate between Shenandoah Senior Living Community and Ridgeview Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center. The next meeting will be at 8 a.m. Wednesday at Ridgeview.

St. Luke’s touts

offices, physician

NEW RINGGOLD — St. Luke’s Health Network recently held a ribbon cutting and open house for St. Luke’s Medical Offices in West Penn, which houses the network’s seventh Care Now walk-in facility that includes outpatient physical therapy and diagnostic and occupational medicine services.

The offices are at 2092 West Penn Pike, New Ringgold.

St. Luke’s also welcomed Dr. Joshua Wert, a pain specialist, to St. Luke’s Spine and Pain Associates, at the St. Luke’s Tamaqua Medical Center facility, 120 Pine St., Tamaqua.

The developments were announced in press releases issued by St. Luke’s.

The Carbon, Schuylkill and Tamaqua chambers of commerce participated in the ribbon cutting for the West Penn medical offices and the opening included screenings, giveaways and refreshments.

St. Luke’s also celebrated the relocation of Physical Therapy at St. Luke’s, the outpatient PT practice at 2083 West Penn Pike. As of Nov. 14, it also move into the new West Penn offices and will be joined by lab, X-ray and occupational medicine services.

For information or to make an appointment at the Tamaqua office, call 570-645-1510. Wert also sees patients on Mondays and Wednesdays at St. Luke’s Spine and Pain Associates at 830 Ostrum St., Bethlehem.

St. Luke’s Health Network includes St. Luke’s Hospital-Miners Campus, Coaldale.

YEA! Schuylkill

gains state status

The Schuylkill Chamber Foundation, a 501(c)3 charitable organization, has been approved as an Educational Improvement Organization by the state Department of Community and Economic Development for its YEA! Schuylkill Program.

Pennsylvania businesses that have been approved for EITC credits through DCED are able to donate to the Schuylkill Chamber Foundation in support of the Young Entrepreneurs Academy.

Donors should designated the Young Entrepreneurs Academy as their EIO and “share your application process with YEA! Schuylkill,” according to the flier.

For assistance or more information, call YEA! Program Manager Mary Jo Moss at 570-294-6568 or email her at mjmoss@schuylkillchamber.com. People may also call the Schuylkill chamber office at Union Station, Pottsville, at 570-622-1942.

Bon-Ton ready

for holiday sales

MILWAUKEE — The Bon-Ton Stores Inc., which operates Bon-Ton, Boston Store, Bergner’s, Carson’s, Elder-Beerman, Herberger’s and Younkers stores, will open its doors at 5 p.m. Nov. 24, Thanksgiving Day, for its “biggest-ever after-Thanksgiving sale.”

In Schuylkill County, there is a Bon-Ton at the Schuylkill Mall near Frackville.

For the after-Thanksgiving sale, Bon-Ton will offer more than 700 door-busters, special coupons and other deals.

For full in-store and online sales and door-buster offers and the dates they will run, visit www.bonton.com/blackfriday.

McCann collects

items for troops

McCann School of Business & Technology Pottsville campus is collecting supplies to prepare and ship care packages to troops stationed overseas. Supplies will be collected until Dec. 11 and mailed to soldiers for holiday delivery.

Items can be dropped off at the McCann Pottsville campus, 2650 Woodglen Road.

For more information, call 570-391-3064 or email Karen.damiter@mccann.edu. For more information about McCann, visit www.mccann.edu.

Railroad notes

continued growth

PORT CLINTON — The Blue Mountain, Reading & Northern Railroad is growing.

Despite a “soft market” for anthracite coal, Reading & Northern’s freight traffic “has grown over our record-setting 2015 pace,” officials said.

“Our merchandise traffic (non-coal) traffic to our customers is up almost 15 percent. Our passenger excursion business, which saw a record 100,000 visitors in 2015, is also running 15 percent ahead of last year’s pace,” they added.

PADCO, RBMN

Santa train rides

The Pottsville Area Development Corp. and Reading, Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad and Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway will present Santa Claus Train Rides on Dec. 3 and 11 departing from Union Station, Pottsville.

Trains will depart at 10:30 a.m., 1 and 3:30 p.m. The trains will head toward Port Clinton in rides that will last 70 to 80 minutes.

People can buy tickets in advance at PADCO, 1 S. Second St., Pottsville, PA 17901, call 570-628-4647. Checks or cash will be accepted.

Santa train rides

to go in Minersville

MINERSVILLE — Steam-powered Santa trains will operate from the borough on Dec. 4 and 18 with three trains moving each day from the Minersville Station to south of Schuylkill Haven, a 15-mile round trip.

Departures will be at 10:30 a.m. and 1 and 3:30 p.m. Santa will ride on every train and talk with every child passenger.

Tickets are $13 for people 12 and older and $9 for children ages 3 to 11. One free child’s ticket comes with every adult ticket sold. All those under 3 may ride free, but every rider of any age needs a ticket.

Families wishing to ride can order their tickets by sending a check, made out to Project 113, to 113 E. Sunbury St., Minersville, PA 17954. Indicate the date of the ride, the time of the train, and number of adult, children’s and free tickets. Ticket orders must come with a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Project 113 does not accept reservations or credit cards.

Tickets are on sale at Minersville Borough Hall, 2 E. Sunbury St., from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays to Thursdays and 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Fridays. The borough also accepts only cash or checks.

On the days of the trips, riders must park at the Schuylkill Intermediate Unit at 17 Maple Ave., Pottsville, a mile south of Minersville, and ride buses to the Minersville station. People should arrive at the parking area at least 45 minutes ahead of train time.

For more information, call 570-544-8300 or visit www.RRProject113.org.

Chamber updates

agenda activities

The Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce and SCORE are presenting an educational session on growing business with email and social media from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Tuesday at the chamber/SEDCO conference center in Union Station, Pottsville.

The cost is $10 per person per session for chamber members and $15 for nonmembers.

People may register for chamber events at www.schuylkillchamber.com.

An employer forum is on tap for 10:30 a.m. to noon Thursday at the chamber/SEDCO Union Station conference center in conjunction with Pennsylvania CareerLink. It is for businesses to learn about programs to fund training for their workforce and “develop pipelines for new employees,” according to a chamber flier. Presenters will include Sharon Angelo of CareerLink; Stu Bass of Keystone Development Partnership; Courtney Fasnacht of the Luzerne/Schuylkill Workforce Investment Board Inc.; and Maureen Donovan of the Center for Leadership & Workforce Development Center LCCC. The registration deadline is today.

The chamber’s Business after 5 O’clock Mixer is set for 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday hosted by Sophy Jewelers at the Coal Creek Commerce Center near Saint Clair. There is no cost to attend but registration is requested to ensure an accurate count.

A nonprofit lunch and learn will be held from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday at the chamber/SEDCO Union Station conference center titled “Best Kept Secrets” involving programs and services for nonprofits. The presenters will be Lisa Glovich of AARP and Eileen Kuperavage of the Schuylkill Area Community Foundation. The cost is $15 for chamber members and $20 for nonmembers. The reservation deadline is today.

HEGINS — They’re looking for you.

Members of the Tri-Valley Area Veterans Committee Inc. hope service members or their families will respond to their call. The nonprofit organization is putting together its fifth book in the series, “Defending Our Freedom, Tri-Valley Area Veterans, Past, Present and Future” and is seeking input from those who served in the military.

“All of our books have been inducted into the National Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.,” Leon Maurer, Hegins, committee president, said. “Teachers use our books in school.”

Other committee members include Eugene Seip, vice president, Walter Rebuck, Bobby Shadle, Alfred Harner, Robert Klinger, and Herbert Borchert, secretary/treasurer.

To be eligible to be included in the latest book, the only requirement is to be a native, or to have resided in the Tri-Valley School District, in Barry, Eldred, Hegins, Hubley or Upper Mahantongo townships.

So far, nearly 470 profiles of service members, and many photos, have been published in the first four publications. The books cost $15 each and can be obtained by any committee member or at Moore’s Hardware, Tri-County Insurance and Bixler’s Meats. A copy of each book is also available at the Tri-Valley Free Public Library. MET & Associates, 307 Walnut St., Valley View, publishes the book series and will also publish the fifth book when it’s completed.

Maurer said the book submissions are open to all veterans.

“Everybody had a job to do,” he said.

Some people wondered if their loved one who served stateside during peace time was eligible. They are, indeed.

Each year, Maurer releases some trivia questions about people in the series as a way to generate interest in the cause.

This year’s questions are:

1. Who was on a transport plane when he ran into Charles Lindbergh and got his autograph on a piece of German money?

2. Who was a crew chief on a “Flying Fortress?”

3. There were five brothers who were in the service. Their two sisters would pick burlap bags full of milkweed used to make parachutes. Who were they?

4. Who went to a Masonic meeting in Allentown to hear Navy Commander Paul Carlson, astronaut John Glenn’s instructor, speak only to find out that 20 years earlier the speaker was the helicopter pilot that picked him up after being shot down?

5. While in service, the community’s local doctor, Dr. Glenn Schwalm, came to one of the barracks and announced he was going to take a private out for several hours. Who did Schwalm take out?

6. Robert Karterman’s cruiser stopped at Pearl Harbor. Who was the PBY pilot he saw there from Pitman?

7. Where was the parachute factory in Valley View?

8. Who wrote in a letter home, “Yesterday I did something unusual for a change. I went to town and took a bath in a tub. Women filled the bath neck high. It was my first tub bath since leaving home and did I enjoy it.”?

9. At an Air Force base in Germany, two jeep drivers almost ran into each other. When they got out of their vehicles to talk, they realized they were neighbors in Spring Glen. Who were they?

10. Who was in heavy artillery known as “Hell on Wheels?”

The series initially began when a photo album kept by his late mother-in-law, Helen Harner, was found, Maurer said. She had kept newspaper clippings of service members from the community, and Maurer’s daughter-in-law, Heather Maurer, put them into a booklet. Then Leon Maurer met with Shadle and spoke with other veterans interested in forming the committee to preserve the history of all Tri-Valley area veterans, and the committee began the compilation for the books.

If anyone has submissions for the fifth book, they may contact any committee member or call Maurer at 570-682-9266.

VALLEY VIEW — The Hegins Area Ambulance Association is now offering courses designed for emergency responders.

Interested individuals now have the opportunity to take the state-certified Emergency Medical Responder and Emergency Medical Technician courses through a partnership between Hegins Area EMS and SafeTec Training Services.

Ricky Ney Jr., an EMT instructor with SafeTec, said the EMT course, 210 hours, began in September and will continue through mid-January, when students will be tested according to state Department of Heath guidelines.

Brian Musolino, training coordinator for the EMT/EMR programs, said Hegins Area EMS partnered with the Bucks County SafeTec company and over the summer months sponsored an Emergency Medical Responder course attended by eight people.

Of the eight people taking the class, six passed the state test on their first try, and the remaining two will take their tests in the near future.

“Six passed it with a 100 percent on the first shot,” he said.

The Emergency Medical Responder course was conducted prior to the EMT class allowing the association to “get its feet wet” as far as being a training facility, Musolino said.

An Emergency Medical Technician course was offered in the past at the former Pottsville Hospital School of Nursing but that program disbanded about two years ago.

Since that time, Musolino said anyone needing or wanting to obtain EMT certification could not get that training in Schuylkill County.

Hegins Area EMS wanted to change that.

“It’s been a dream of Hegins Area EMS for a long time,” Musolino said of sponsoring EMT and EMR training.

If the program in Hegins is successful, it will fill a void in the ability to get training, thus allowing others interested in volunteering with ambulance associations the opportunity to become EMTs without traveling out of the area.

In addition to classroom training, both textbook and practical work, Musolino said Hegins Area EMS is using one of its out-of-service ambulances as a mobile classroom.

Both Ney and Musolino said that giving students a chance to work in the back of an ambulance to practice their skills allows them to work in what will be a real life situation.

“This allows the students to get true hands-on training in the back of an ambulance along with in a building or classroom,” Musolino said.

Currently in its early stages, he said the ambulance will be eventually converted into a Mobile Simulation Lab.

Musolino said that the courses at Hegins Area EMS would not be possible without the assistance of Lisa Garrity of the Eastern Pennsylvania Emergency Medical Services Council in Allentown, and Fred Ellinger, owner of SafeTec and course coordinator.

“This was a cooperative effort, an effort that was designed to bring EMT training to our area and proved to be a success,” Musolino said.

Taking the maiden course were Randi Miller, Tremont, Jodi Romberger, Hegins, Christina Karinch, Pottsville, Kaitlyn Trent, Mount Carmel, Tyler Perry, Pottsville, and Brock Deibert, Hegins.

Musolino said these six students, along with those who completed the EMR course, will soon be able to join volunteer ambulance services and serve their respective communities.

He said this will be an asset since volunteer ambulance services through the commonwealth are struggling due to a lack of trained people.

Nuremberg EMS will shut its doors at the end of the year while other local services are struggling, some out of service as much as 60 percent of the time.

“By offering the training locally, we hope more people will show an interest, take the classes and then join units in their respective areas,” Musolino said. “Without training personnel these organizations cannot function.”

The association is also offering to take its courses out of the area.

Beginning in January an EMR program will be offered at the Frackville EMS building, taught by Hegins and SafeTec instructors.

“We want to give people the chance to have the training come to them instead of them traveling to the training,” Musolino said. “This will make it convenient and can also be used as a recruitment tool to get new members.”

Approved by the state Department of Health/Bureau of EMS Basic Training Center, SafeTec offers Emergency Medical Technician training in an accelerated 12-week program. In addition to EMT training, the company offers continuing education courses for EMS responders of all levels.

SAINT CLAIR — The borough council on Thursday voted to back out of a 25-year contract it entered into last month to buy additional electric power through a solar project in development.

Developed by American Municipal Power Inc., Columbus, Ohio, it’s called AMP Solar Project II.

“The project is no longer in the economic interest of the borough,” Robert J. Petrozino, the Saint Clair electric department superintendent, said Thursday.

“We recommend forgoing this opportunity for more stable long-term pricing,” James J. Havrilla of Utility Engineers, a consultant for the borough, said in a Nov. 8 letter to Roland Price, the borough manager.

In September, Schuylkill Haven entered into the same solar contract with AMP. Recently Havrilla, who is also a consultant for Schuylkill Haven, sent a similar letter to Schuylkill Haven borough council, Michael Devlin, mayor of Schuylkill Haven, said Thursday night.

The Schuylkill Haven council may discuss the matter in an executive session during its next regular meeting, slated for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.

“Because it’s a contract, we’ll discuss it during an executive session,” Devlin said.

Both Saint Clair and Schuylkill Haven have separate existing energy contracts with NextEra Energy Resources that expire in 2022. Next-Era supplies energy to AMP, which is a nonprofit wholesale power supplier and services provider.

On Oct. 4 in a 5-2 vote, the Saint Clair Borough Council decided to enter into the 25-year AMP Solar Project II contract to buy additional electrical power. Michael Petrozino, the council vice president, believed the project might save the borough thousands after five years of participation in the program.

Havrilla was skeptical.

“We have tracked price increases for the NextEra buy-out prices associated with the proposed solar project purchase. Because the borough is locked into a full requirements load following the contract through 2022, NextEra as the borough’s supplier through AMP would assess a true-up (exit fee, cost adjustment or penalty) for any additional purchase outside the original contract,” Havrilla said in his Nov. 8 letter.

“The estimated leveled cost of the project remains at $33 per megawatt hour for a term of 25 years,” Havrilla said.

“However, the increases in these true-up charges make the cost valuation of the proposed project purchase more expensive than the existing load following contract purchase through the term of the existing purchase agreement ending in 2022,” Havrilla said.

“With the increase, the annual premium, additional cost, over the existing contract to be paid through 2022, for 486 megawatt hours is $2,547. In our professional opinion, the project is more expensive through 2022 than the existing contract resources. The premium paid through the end of the existing contract would increase borough power supply costs through 2022. Absent an actual or pending legal requirement for a renewable portfolio, we recommend forgoing this opportunity for more stable long-term pricing. The borough is well served, considering load variations and price, with our existing long-term load following contract resource,” Havrilla said.

On Thursday night, the Saint Clair Borough Council voted unanimously to rescind its Oct. 4 decision to participate in AMP Solar Power II.

Michael Petrozino said backing out of the contract will not cost the borough any penalties or additional fees.

“We never submitted it,” he said.

Present at Thursday night’s meeting were, Petrozino and council members John R. Burke, Joann Brennan, Rebecca “Becky” Kovich, William M. Dempsey and Tom Dempsey.

Council President James D. Larish was absent.

Bethany Babb’s reality means she puts the needs of her 4-month-old son, Alexander, first.

Babb, 17, served as a volunteer for the Silver Ring Thing event Sunday evening at Pottsville Area High School. Care Net Pregnancy Center of Schuylkill County, Pottsville, and several area businesses sponsored the program, which promotes sexual purity and abstinence until marriage, centered around a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Babb volunteered, she said, because she appreciated the guidance she received as a teen mother at Care Net.

“They helped me with everything and with being ready to be a parent. I still take free parenting classes there,” Babb, Summit Station, said. “We can get diapers and things by attending the classes. There’s always someone non-judgemental to talk to, and I’m also a member of the Teen Mom’s group.”

Babb joined her mother, Rae Huneke, as they assisted with tickets Sunday for the nearly 280 people in attendance.

Parents went upstairs to hear a message custom-made for them, learning about the development of the decision-making teen brain and resources available to help them guide their sons and daughters. Meanwhile, their children heard SRT’s program in the auditorium that was filled with music, skits and videos. Parents joined their mostly teen children for the final portion of the two-hour program.

“It’s a great message and the way they put it out there was good,” Babb said after hearing the SRT performance. “I liked that they talked about redemption and they didn’t exclude anyone. One of the hardest parts about being a teen parent is not being able to do the normal teenage stuff. It’s a little sad. It’s hard to find people to be friends with you once you have a baby.”

Sarah L. Hahner, teen health director for Care Net, invited guests to get out their cellphones and enter the center’s phone number, 570-624-7244. She presented gift cards and prizes before turning the program back over to SRT staff.

Louis Phillips, 25, of Beaver Falls, serves as SRT tour director.

“Our platform is abstinence and our goal is in the Gospel,” he said.

“I would like them to know that God loves them and what culture has defined as sex is so wrong. I believe sex education should be all-encompassing and that abstinence is a viable option,” Phillips said when asked if abstinence education is relative today in a world bombarded with easy access to sexual images via the internet and smartphones. “Some may say it’s not possible, but when we challenge each other, we can help each other make the best decision. Some may not agree with you, but they will respect you if your follow your convictions.”

Elaine Sparrow and Tina Duke, wife of pastor Kerry Duke, joined 15 members of the youth group from Auburn Church of God.

“All this information was not available years ago. It helps you understand what kids are going through, so you can help them better,” Sparrow said.

“I’d also like to know more about Care Net and what they do and how we can help them,” Tina Duke said.

A worship and youth leader, Lance Brubaker said he was glad so many young people heard the SRT message.

“Keeping pure is very important, and I say that coming from personal experience. It’s not only important for girls, but also for the guys,” Brubaker, 28, of Auburn, said. “Their message was about staying pure according to God’s standards and they used performance and videos well, which kept the kids’ attention the whole time.”

Andrea Zook, 15, of Auburn, liked SRT’s performance style.

“They modernized how to stay pure and used funny memes and commercials, and their music was more modern and appealing for people our age,” she said.

Destinee Cureton, 14, originally from Louisville, Kentucky, agreed. She’s now an Auburn youth member and shared what she learned Sunday.

“People today have so much of it (sexual images) in their lives, that they get desensitized to it,” Cureton said.

Zook and Cureton bought silver rings, which were available for $20 after the show, and demonstrated the decision to remain pure.

Lilliane Wishavura, Schuylkill Haven, also sported her new ring.

“I think it’s important to wait until you’re married, and this ring will help me remember what they said in the show,” she said.

Sharon Dudanowicz and her husband, Rob, came to the show with their 15-year-old daughter, Kirsten.

“With her being 15 and growing up in today’s society with all the peer pressure, we thought this was a great opportunity for her to witness this,” Dudanowicz said.

TOWER CITY — It used to be that the drop of a dime could get you your favorite jukebox hit.

The Williams Valley School District is hoping to bring some of those memories alive this month, when it hosts the Mahoney Brothers for a musical benefit show called, “Jukebox Heroes Live!”

The program features nationally known entertainers — Mike, Brian and Tim Mahoney — performing as a wide array of artists including Elvis Presley, The Beatles, The Beach Boys, Neil Diamond and Willie Nelson, just to name a few.

“The Mahoneys have presented this show in the past at Williams Valley and received a great reception. The last time they were with us was in 2014 when they presented ‘The Concert that Never Was — music of Elvis and The Beatles,’ ” John C. Paul, event coordinator, said.

“What really stood out in that concert was The Beatles portion where they would change costumes to match the timelines of the various Beatles songs over the years,” he said.

This will be the fourth time that the district has hosted the Mahoneys.

“I think the reason that they are always so well received is due to their talent and professionalism. Not only are they a good impersonation band, but they are a talented band overall. When you see them onstage, they not only resemble the acts they are impersonating, but when you hear them you actually feel that you are seeing those artists in person,” Paul said.

The concert will be held on Sunday at the high school, Route 209, Tower City. A spaghetti dinner, which is included in the price of admission, will be held in the cafeteria from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Doors to the auditorium will open at 1 p.m., and the Mahoneys take the stage at 2 p.m. Ticket prices are $20 for adults and $10 for students and can be ordered by calling the school at 717-647-2167, ext. 1243 or 1224. Proceeds from this year’s concert will benefit the Williams Valley musical and scholarships for seniors who excel in community service.

According to the entertainers’ website, www.mahoneybros.com, the band came to the attention of Seattle-based veteran producer/director Greg Thompson:

“So impressed with the Mahoneys’ ability to reproduce a wide range of musical acts and styles, Thompson hired the brothers throughout the 1990’s for a series of long-term casino revues built around the ‘Jukebox Heroes Live’ theme and The Mahoney Brothers’ ever-growing roster of impersonations (now spanning more than 60 years of music, from the 1930s Benny Goodman to the 1990s Garth Brooks). The Greg Thompson productions included performances in Atlantic City, Gulfport, Seattle, starring roles in ‘Wolfman Jack’s Rock & Roll Revue,’ and partnering with Dick Clark for the 1996 smash hit show, ‘Dick Clark’s Golden Age Of Television.’ ”

The Mahoneys also made prime-time appearances on The Disney Channel, The Family Channel, The Nashville Network and CBS’s “A Busch Gardens/Sea World Summer Safari,” the website states.

According to Paul, the generosity of local businesses who sponsor the show has been appreciated.

“We put an ad book together to serve as a program. This year, over 80 local businesses took ads to help defray the costs and benefit the play and the scholarships. As always, if not for our local businesses, this event would not be successful,” he said.