n Frackville: A halupki sale will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday in St. Michael Church Hall, West Oak Street. Halupkis are $2 each. For a dozen or more, people are asked to call 570-874-3777 in advance. All are welcome to participate.

n Gordon: Shelley Hikes, director of Child Evangelism Fellowship Schuylkill County, will greet children and their families at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Simpson United Methodist Church. Called “Slices with Ms. Shelley,” the event will combine pizza and refreshments with the opportunity to personally meet Hikes, according to a release. Adults interested in children’s ministry in the Gordon area are invited to convene at 7:30 p.m. in the church’s Christian education classroom. CEF is an international Bible-centered organization that evangelizes and disciples children through numerous and various avenues, primarily Good News clubs, Five-Day clubs, party clubs and Good News day camps, officials said in the release. Hikes has been director of CEF Schuylkill County since 2004. She is assisted by Connie Wright, Linda McCarthy, Jimmie Lu Smallwood and 43 volunteers for the Good News Club program. She also supervises numerous summer Good News day camps. For more information, call the CEF office at 570-682-9790 or the Simpson UMC office at 570-875-2056.

n Mahanoy City: The Mahanoy City Public Library recently acknowledged the following memorials: For Wanda Kenesky from Mike and Peg Grigalonis; for Betty Kuczynski from Mary Edith Rhoades; for Josephine Niziolek from Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Shimkus and daughter, John Shimkus and family, Joan Shimkus, Suzanne and Charles Connely and family, Kevin and Barbara Mailey and family and Lenore and Joseph Schell and family; for Warren Seddon from Thomas and Dorothy Ward; for Gary Karpovitch from Tina Davidson. The library also acknowledged the following book memorials: For Vic Ball Jr. from Betsy Day (two books); for Antoinette Houser from the Mahanoy City Public Library Book Discussion Group.

n Pine Grove: The Pine Grove Temple Association will have a deep-fried beer-battered haddock, grilled ham steak, steak and grilled chicken breast meals with dessert from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at the Pine Grove Masonic Lodge, 23 Oak Grove Road. Meals are $12 each and children’s platters will be available. All are welcome. For more information, call 570-345-0165.

n Pottsville: An American Red Cross blood drive will be held from 1 to 6 p.m. Nov. 21 at Life Center Foursquare Church, 2300 Mahantongo St. People 17 and older (16 with parental consent), weighting at least 110 pounds and in general good health are urged to donate blood. Walk-ins are welcome. For more information or to arrange for an appointment, call 800-733-2767.

n Pottsville: The Pottsville Rotary Club recently welcomed November students of the month Noelle Steele and Nick Quinn of Nativity BVM High School and Brianna Strickland and Collin Herndon from Pottsville Area High School. The students told Rotarians about their school and community activities and plans for the future. Rotarians will participate in Salvation Army bell ringing on Dec. 17 at Boscov’s in Fairlane Village mall.

n Shenandoah: An information session will be held at Trinity Academy in the Father Walter J. Ciszek Education Center, 233 W. Cherry St., at 1:30 p.m. Nov. 20 for students and families to learn about the school’s mission and curriculum, meet the faculty and administration and tour the school. Trinity Academy is the regional parochial school that serves all of northern Schuylkill County. Kindergarten and first-grade classes will have a fall-themed craft and storytime. For more information, call Christine Zuber Fannick, development director, at 570-462-3927.

n Tamaqua: Kids’ pottery involving a snowman plate is on tap from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 3 at the Tamaqua Community Arts Center, 125 Pine St. The cost is $15 which includes all supplies. There will be a second visit, included in the original fee, for firing the painting piece. For more information, call the center at 570-668-1192.

Hoping to save up to thousands on health insurance, the Pottsville city council Monday switched providers.

“This is something Tom and Lisa and their staffs have worked very hard on,” Councilman Mark Atkinson said, referring to Thomas A. Palamar, city administrator, and Lisa M. Kral, city clerk.

Currently, the city’s employees are covered under Highmark Blue Shield. In 2017, the city will become a member of the Pennsylvania Municipal Health Insurance Cooperative, according to Palamar.

“That will provide our employees with better benefits while reducing our costs with a very significant savings. We will save off the top $75,000 a year and have the potential to go upwards of a half a million a year in insurance costs alone,” Atkinson said.

It will also help the city balance its budget for 2017.

The city council will discuss others steps it’s taking at a public budget workshop to be held at 4 p.m. Nov. 22 in the second-floor conference room of city hall.

The city council will hold the first reading of the 2017 spending plan at 4 p.m. Nov. 30, and give the budget final adoption at 4 p.m. Dec. 28, Kral said.

Using a $40,000 federal grant, the city police will buy body-worn cameras for its 23 officers.

At the city council’s November meeting Monday night, the council voted to allow Police Chief Richard F. Wojciechowsky to accept the 2016 Body Worn Camera Federal Award and proceed with the implementation of the program.

In other matters related to police, the police received $2,078 from the Department of Justice through its 2016 Bulletproof Vest Partnership Award program, according to Kral.

Last year, the police received $7,419.42 through that program, and on Sept. 14, 2015, the city spent $15,554.80 on body armor, Kral said.

In other matters at Monday’s meeting, the council hired Levkulic Associates, Pottsville, to design improvements to the City Hall elevator at a cost of $23,250.

This is one of the reasons the city borrowed $1,727,438.75 for municipal projects in July.

On Monday, the council also approved Lehigh Valley Health Network’s request to refinance more than $45 million of Schuylkill Health’s debt.

Schuylkill Health has two outstanding bond issues, a 2014 bond issue of $29.7 million and a 2016 bond of $20 million.

Lehigh Valley is hoping to refinance the bonds with an interest rate which is “a little above 3 percent,” Edward O’Dea, executive vice president of finance and the chief financial officer for Lehigh Valley Health Network, Allentown, said Nov. 3.

During the public portion, Tom Biddle, Pottsville, complained about one of the flags on display outside City Hall.

“Last week I happened to notice something, and I didn’t realize what it represented until I researched it,” Biddle said.

It’s the Thin Blue Line American flag, which are sold through many vendors online, according to www.bluelivesmatter.blue.

Its design is similar to the traditional American flag. It has white stripes and white stars. The star field is black. So are most of the stripes. One is bright blue.

A version of this flag is hanging above the doorway to the police station on the north side of the building. Palamar said it’s been on display for at least a month.

“I absolutely respect the police 100 percent. This is not an anti-police thing at all. But as a veteran myself, I completely disagree with the idea that any organization can take the American flag and desecrate it and turn it into a symbol to represent anything. Hundreds of thousands of people have died for that flag,” Biddle said.

“This is a public building, and I don’t think a flag that represents something almost political should be attached to it. I don’t think we need a desecrated American flag attached to City Hall. I don’t know who authorized the displaying of a desecrated flag at City Hall, but I personally think it should be removed,” Biddle said.

The council did not respond to Biddle’s statement.

Wojciechowsky could not be reached for comment Tuesday night.

A Frackville man is headed to state prison after being sentenced Monday in Schuylkill County Court for threatening a woman in December 2015 in East Union Township.

Daniel J. Wylie, 46, must serve one to two years in a state correctional institution and pay costs and $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account under the terms of President Judge William E. Baldwin’s sentence.

Wylie pleaded guilty on Sept. 28 to terroristic threats, with prosecutors withdrawing charges of aggravated assault, unlawful restraint and recklessly endangering another person.

State police at Frackville charged Wylie with making the threat about 10 p.m. Dec. 6, 2015, at 40 Main Blvd., Brandonville. Police said Wylie was intoxicated when he started arguing with the victim, pulled out a pocket knife and threatened to kill her.

Also on Monday, Joshua Dewire, 27, of Plymouth, also will go to state prison after having his probation revoked in three cases by two judges.

Dewire admitted violating his probation by committing new crimes, using drugs and not making payments on his costs and fees.

Baldwin and Judge John E. Domalakes each sentenced Dewire to serve one to two years in a state correctional institution, although the sentences will be served concurrently instead of consecutively.

Dewire pleaded guilty on Sept. 25, 2013, to two counts of harassment and one each of simple assault and public drunkenness, with prosecutors withdrawing two counts of criminal trespass, two additional counts of harassment and one count of disorderly conduct. At that time, Domalakes sentenced him to spend two years on probation consecutive to his existing sentence and pay costs, $300 in fines and a $50 CJEA payment.

Tamaqua police charged Dewire with committing these crimes on April 9, 2013, in the borough.

He also had pleaded guilty on May 25 to all three counts of possession of a controlled substance, with prosecutors withdrawing charges of possession of drug paraphernalia, public drunkenness and disorderly conduct. At that time, Baldwin sentenced him to spend 12 months on probation and pay costs, $200 to the Substance Abuse Education Fund, $100 in CJEA payments and $352 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem.

Tamaqua police charged Dewire with possessing drugs on July 12, 2015, and again on Aug. 17, 2015, in the borough.

In Schuylkill Count Court on Thursday, a Tamaqua man was sentenced on all three sets of charges and is headed to state prison.

John L. Smith II, 27, must serve one to two years in a state correctional institution, Baldwin ruled.

Baldwin, who made the sentence concurrent with one Smith already is serving, imposed it after revoking Smith’s probation, which the defendant admitted violating by failing to report to his supervising officer on numerous occasions.

Smith originally pleaded guilty on Oct. 14, 2015, to defiant trespass, possession of drug paraphernalia and theft, with prosecutors withdrawing two additional counts of defiant trespass and one count each of disorderly conduct, criminal mischief, conspiracy and receiving stolen property. At that time, Baldwin placed Smith on probation for 23 months and also sentenced him to pay costs, $100 to the SAEFund and $100 to the CJEA, amounts he still must pay under the terms of Thursday’s sentence.

Coaldale police filed all three sets of charges against Smith, alleging he committed the theft on June 1, 2014, possessed paraphernalia on Oct. 22, 2014, and trespassed on Oct. 28, 2014. Police said all three incidents occurred in Coaldale.

Also on Thursday, Baldwin revoked the probation of Scott M. Kline Sr., 29, of Saint Clair, and sentenced him to serve four to 23 months in prison.

Baldwin revoked Kline’s probation after the defendant admitted violating it by using drugs, failing drug tests and missing mental health meetings.

Kline originally pleaded guilty on June 22 to retail theft. At that time, Baldwin placed him on probation for 23 months, and also sentenced him to pay costs and a $50 CJEA payment, which he still must pay under the terms of Thursday’s sentence, and submit a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities.

Saint Clair police charged Kline with committing the theft on Oct. 27, 2015, in the borough.

In another county court case, Judge Charles M. Miller on Wednesday admitted Jesse R. Smith, 26, of Ashland, who had been charged with driving under the influence, into the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program.

If Jesse Smith successfully completes the program, including payment of all costs of participation, a $100 SAEF payment, a $50 CJEA payment and $400 restitution to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Schuylkill S. Jackson Street, compliance with directives from the court and the county Adult Probation and Parole Office, and performance of 10 hours community service, he will have the charge dismissed and can petition to have his record expunged.

Shenandoah police alleged Jesse Smith was DUI on March 21, 2015, in the borough.

Prosecutors withdrew a charge of driving unregistered vehicle in that case and a second count of DUI and a charge of improper stop in another case.

In that second case, West Mahanoy Township police had alleged Jesse Smith was DUI on June 5, 2015, in the township.

In other Schuylkill County Court action Wednesday, two men admitted that they violated protection from abuse orders, one of them saying he did so three times in three days.

Paul S. Hutnick, 46, of Ashland, pleaded guilty to three charges of indirect criminal contempt, which is contempt committed outside the courtroom.

Judge Jacqueline L. Russell accepted his plea and sentenced him to spend six months on probation, pay costs and $900 in fines and undergo mental health treatment.

“If you violate the PFA (again), or if you get in any trouble at all, you can be brought back here,” Russell warned Hutnick.

Ashland police filed three separate charges against Hutnick, alleging he violated the order on Oct. 13, 14 and 15 by going to the victim’s residence.

“The PFA prohibits contact of any sort,” Assistant District Attorney A.J. Serina said.

Russell also warned Hutnick not to have any more contact of any kind, either direct or indirect, with the victim.

“You may not have any contact with her,” including telephone calls, emails and text messages, she said. “Just forget about her.”

In the other case, Gerald D. Lightcap Jr., 46, of Schuylkill Haven, pleaded guilty to indirect criminal contempt. Russell sentenced him to spend 90 days on probation, pay costs and a $300 fine, and undergo a mental health evaluation.

Saint Clair police charged Lightcap with violating the order against him by having contact with the victim on July 20, 21, 23, 24, 26, 27 and 28. Serina said Lightcap violated the order’s no-contact provision by sending text messages to the victim.

“Just follow the order and you’ll be OK,” Russell told Lightcap.

A Pottsville man must comply with Megan’s Law sanctions for 25 years due to his sex-related offenses, a Schuylkill County judge ruled Monday.

Although Pedro L. Carmenate Jr., 23, is not a sexually violent predator, he still must be follow the sanctions, Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin said. Dolbin already had determined that Carmenate is not a sexually violent predator.

The Megan’s Law sanctions to which Carmenate will be subject after he leaves prison will require him to provide his name, address, employment, any schools he might attend, registration of any vehicles he owns and other information to the Pennsylvania State Police. Any violation of the sanctions would be an additional crime and subject Carmenate to further prosecution.

Carmenate pleaded guilty Aug. 17 to corruption of minors and indecent assault, with prosecutors withdrawing a charge of aggravated indecent assault. At that time, Dolbin sentenced him to serve two to four years in a state correctional institution and pay costs and $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account.

Pottsville police charged Carmenate with engaging in inappropriate sexual behavior with a 15-year-old girl on Jan. 3.

Police said the incident occurred at the teen’s home where Carmenate had been residing at the time and was reported to Pottsville authorities on March 1.

Carmenate already is an inmate at SCI/Camp Hill in Cumberland County, and Dolbin conducted the hearing by videoconference.

Woman accused

of making threat

NEW PHILADELPHIA — A borough woman allegedly threatened to burn another woman’s house down in the borough Saturday, police said.

State police at Frackville said the 4:45 p.m. incident occurred in the 100 block of Kimber Street as Chrystal Filer, 51, told Dorothy Thorne, 49, of New Philadelphia, that she was going to burn her house down. Thorne called the police.

Harassment charges will be filed against Filer as a result of the investigation in the office of Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko, Port Carbon, police said.

New Ringgold

rec area damaged

NEW RINGGOLD — Someone damaged the macadam at the Kock Street Basketball Court and grass near the court, police said.

State police at Frackville said the incident occurred between midnight Nov. 6 and 9 a.m. Nov. 7. The mayor and president of the borough council discovered the damage, police said.

According to police, the vandals drove a vehicle on the macadam and grass, doing burnouts, and then fled. Anyone with information is asked to call state police at Frackville and reference Incident PA-16-832980.

Items removed

from garage

NEW RINGGOLD — Someone removed items from a garage last weekend in the borough, police said.

State police at Frackville said someone broke into a garage at 321 Hughes St. between 3:45 and 5:30 p.m. Nov. 7 and stole a Lincoln electric Pro-Mig Welder, serial number M3151006418; Lincoln welding helmet, black welding stand, Dewalt grinder, serial number 695011; Dewalt 20V circular saw; Dewalt 20V impact drill, Dewalt 20V screw gun, and a Milwaukee 18V drill.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call state police at Frackville.

Weedwhacker

reported stolen

TUSCARORA — State police at Frackville are investigating a burglary that occurred over the weekend at a residence in Schuylkill Township.

Police said between noon Nov. 8 and 11 a.m. Friday, someone entered a garage at 302 Mulberry St. owned by John Push, 76, of Tuscarora, and stole a gas-powered weedwhacker and fled the scene.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call police at 570-874-5300.

Harassment

charge filed

LOST CREEK — A village man faces harassment charges stemming from an incident that occurred Nov. 8 in West Mahanoy Township.

State police at Frackville allege Brian Andrewsky, 45, harassed someone and hit two females, ages 16 and 46, at 8:30 p.m. at 493 Mt. Olive Blvd.

West Mahanoy Township police were not working when the incident took place, police said.

Police: Student

under influence

FRACKVILLE — A 17-year-old girl from Mahanoy City faces a charge of underage drinking stemming from an incident that occurred Wednesday in New Castle Township, police said.

State police at Frackville said the girl, a student, arrived at school at 101 Technology Drive, at 8:30 a.m. under the influence of alcohol. She had a strong odor of alcohol on her breath, slurred speech and glassy eyes when school staff noticed her, police said.

Charges will be filed in the office of Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko, Port Carbon, police said.

Police charge man

in hit-and-run

TAMAQUA — A Marietta man faces charges after he wrecked his car and left the scene Friday in Schuylkill Township, police said.

State police at Frackville said Corey Fritz, 27, was westbound on Route 209, east of Tuscarora, about 11:30 a.m. when he steered left, causing the 2000 Ford F-150 he was driving to leave the roadway and hit the guide rail. The vehicle flipped several times, eventually stopping in a grassy area on the south side of the road, police said.

Fritz left the scene on foot and did not report the crash, police said, and was found in Tamaqua Borough on Saturday morning.

While Fritz was cited as a result of the crash, police said, he was wearing his seat belt and was not injured.

November 11, 2016

Richard W. Mervine, 65, of Frackville, passed away Friday evening at the Broad Mountain Health & Rehabilitation Center, Frackville.

Born in Ashland, Dec. 31, 1950, he was a son of the late George and Edith Miller Mervine.

Richard was a graduate of North Schuylkill High School, Class of 1970.

He was of the Protestant faith.

Richard served in the Army during the Vietnam War as a combat medic and marksman in Berlin, Germany, attaining the rank of private first class. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the Marksman-M16 award.

Following his military service, Richard operated heavy equipment for area coal mines, most recently working for Gilberton Coal Co. until his retirement.

He was a member of American Legion Post 398, Frackville.

Preceding him in death, in addition to his parents, were sisters, Edith Harris and Mae Mervine; brothers, George, Robert and Henry Mervine; a nephew, Mark Steward.

Survivors include his companion, Jean Zimerofsky, with whom he was with for 22 years; nieces, Christine Sutton and husband, Jason, Frackville, Kimberly Minnig and husband, Edward, Atlas, and Terri Puka and husband, Andy, Frackville; nephews, David Merwine, Pottsville, Henry Mervine Jr., Schuylkill Haven, Robert Harris Jr. and wife, Julia, Gordon, and Thomas Steward and wife, Jill, Frackville; great-nieces and -nephews.

Friends and relatives are invited to attend a funeral service with military honors at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, with the Rev. David Borton, chaplain, Hospice of Central PA, officiating. Richard W. Fritz Funeral Home, Ashland, has charge of arrangements. Visit Fritzfuneralhome.com.

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Barefield Development Corp. wants to bring life to a vacant Pottsville building it owns.

“It’s been vacant for over 10 years. This is one of the last buildings we have to rehab,” Craig Shields, Barefield chief executive officer, said as he stood in the building last week at 200 S. Centre St.

While the ground floor houses Farlow’s sub shop, the top floors are unused. Paint was peeling off the walls and dust covered the steps.

The plan is to put in seven apartments — four on the second floor and three on the third. All apartments would be one-bedroom with individual heating and air conditioning available. Pets will not be permitted. No decision has been made on how much monthly rent will be.

“We’ll just gut this whole building,” Shields said.

Cost to do so could be half a million, he said.

On why it took so long to repair the building, Shields said they were busy working on other projects.

Before all of that comes to fruition, Barefield must get a variance from the Pottsville Zoning Hearing Board. A hearing is set for 6:30 p.m. Thursday at City Hall, 401 N. Centre St.

Barefield has applied for a variance. According to the application dated Oct. 26, the plan is to use the second and third floors for residential use, which changes the use to multi-family for six residential units — though this was later noted to be a discrepancy, and should be seven residential units. Barefield is requesting a variance regarding the use of the property, which is in a commercial zone, and off-street parking.

William C. Reiley, solicitor, signed the application. Farlow’s will remain on the first floor. The application said there is a need for housing near city services for residents who do not have vehicles.

“If I don’t get my parking variance, I’m not going to do it,” he said.

He said the project could start in March or April of next year and be finished in 2017 if all goes well.

PINE GROVE — Out-of-towners find Pine Grove’s Christmas spirit endearing, according to Richard Becker, chairman of the Pine Grove Area Christmas Light Committee. So do the locals, he believes, based on the vast support the committee has received for almost two decades.

That’s something he knows would have pleased his late wife, Carol.

“I started this in memory of my wife after she died of cancer,” Becker said of the effort to light up the borough for the holiday. Prior to her passing, Carol had mentioned to her husband that Christmas lights were what Pine Grove needed.

Since then, others joined Becker, making contributions in memory of their own loved ones or just donating to the effort to beautify the borough for the holiday. Becker, who’s served as committee chairman for more than 16 years, said initially there were 24 lights to be hung. That number has grown to 62 large lighted, multi-colored decorations with garland, worth $35,000, he said.

On Monday crews used a lift truck and began decorating a 40-foot-tall pine tree at Werner Ace Lumber’s lot with hundreds of ornaments and nearly 5,000 lights. The culmination of the borough’s annual Christmas lighting festivities will be a free, public celebration, beginning at 2:30 p.m. Nov. 26 at the town “square” at Werner’s lot, where Route 125 (Tulpehocken Street) meets Route 443, at the only traffic light in town.

Becker said Bob Kensinger, with Pine Grove Community Church, will offer the opening prayer and has said he will provide 100 chairs so elderly guests will have a place to sit to enjoy the lighting. Santa Claus will make his appearance on a float and will be handing out 100 gifts. The Pine Grove JROTC will present the colors. The Pine Grove Community Band, the Pine Grove Area High School Chorus, and Teen Challenge Choir of Rehrersburg will offer musical selections.

The committee will provide free hot dogs and birch beer, Becker, 81, said.

“The people have been so good to me and our committee, I wanted to show my appreciation to them from the light committee,” he said.

According to Becker, when some passersby have seen the borough’s lit-up decor, it’s left an impression.

“A woman had a relative in Pine Grove and she had been up here visiting from Virginia. She sent a beautiful thank you note and a check for $200,” he said.

“A lady from Williamstown called me who works in Lebanon. She said she thought our tree and town looked beautiful and wanted to know the secret to lighting the tree. I told her we run our lights up and down, instead of around. That made me feel good to hear that,” Becker said.

“All of this has been made possible by the community and the committee members. When I first started this, PPL had to put sensors at the pole that we plug the lights into. That was $13,000,” he said. “Sandy Werner worked so hard with me. We held spaghetti dinners and bake sales,” Becker said.

Although the Nov. 26 celebration is free, anyone wishing to donate may do so. They can write a check to Pine Grove Christmas Lights, c/o Marie Long, 24 Wood St., Pine Grove, PA 17963.

October 15, 2016

June C. Kozura Ruscavage passed away quietly at home Oct. 15 in Mt. Laurel, N.J., surrounded by her loving family.

She was born in Minersville, June 4, 1929, to the late Andrew and Sophia Onushko Kozura.

A 1949 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Nursing School, June worked as a registered nurse in several hospitals in Pennsylvania and New Jersey before retiring in 1986. She loved being with her family, playing the piano, singing and reading.

June was preceded in death by her brother, John Kozura; her sister, Sonya Eramo; her former husband, Joseph “Pat” Ruscavage.

She is survived by her children, Beverley (Jim) Cosentino, Patrice (Kevin) Mullen, Michele (the late Dennis) McNulty, and Drew Ruscavage; grandchildren, Kara McNulty, Jared Mullen and Nicole Cosentino; great-grandchildren, Liyanna and Cameron Williams.

Her graveside service will take place at 1 p.m. Friday in St. George Ukrainian Cemetery, Minersville.

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NEW PHILADELPHIA — The Blythe Township Solid Waste Authority received seven bids Monday for the next phase of the development of the Blythe Recycling And Demolition Site, the excavation.

The solid waste authority opened the bids at a special meeting at the headquarters of the Blythe Township Water Authority. The board decided to have its engineering consultant, Martin and Martin Inc., Chambersburg, Franklin County, review them before voting to accept one.

The lowest was the bid of $5,792,419 from Earthmovers Unlimited Inc., Kylertown, Clearfield County.

Rick Bodner, president of Martin and Martin, opened and read aloud the bids at the meeting.

The other six bidders and their bids were:

• Reading Anthracite, Pottsville, $7,205,000.

• Berg Construction LLC, Morgantown, Berks County, $7,799,700.

• Kinsley Construction Inc., York, York County, $8,114,000.

• Popple Construction Inc., Laflin, Luzerne County, $9,202,665.

• James T. O’Hara Inc., Covington Township, Lackawanna County, $9,535,000.

• Linde Corporation, Pittston, Luzerne County, $10,892,000.

According to a legal notice published in the Oct. 13 edition of the newspaper, the bids are for “bulk excavation and fill, including installation of a 42-inch diameter pipe.”

“The bids will be reviewed and evaluated by the authority’s engineer to, number one, confirm we have all responsible bidders and, number two, that all of the bidders were responsive to the bid specifications in and of themselves,” Gino O. DiNicola, Pottsville, the township solicitor, said.

Blythe Township and a private entity called FKV LLC have been working for more than a decade to develop BRADS on a 252-acre tract in Silver Creek along Burma Road.

Meanwhile, the Borough of Saint Clair has been fighting the proposal in the courts. In June, the state Environmental Hearing Board dismissed the borough’s appeal.

On July 6, the Blythe Township Board of Supervisors adopted an ordinance to organize the solid waste authority. On Sept. 7, the authority and the township supervisors agreed to borrow $30 million to build the landfill. On Monday, the authority held its first regular monthly meeting.

On Nov. 7, the solid waste authority reported the front entrance to the future BRADS along Burma Road was complete. Fidler Brothers Construction Co., Pottsville, was the primary contractor on the job, which cost about $130,000, according to one of FKV’s principal investors, David A. Ventresca, Pottsville.

The authority did not say when the bid for the excavation work would be awarded but said it would be during a public meeting.

When it is awarded, Bodner said the work would take “several months.”

“After the excavation, the next step of the process is the actual cell construction, the disposal footprint itself,” Bodner said.

All members of the solid waste authority were present at Monday’s meeting. They include: James E. Zembas, New Philadelphia, a member of the township supervisors and chairman of the township solid waste authority; Albert J. Lubinsky Sr., Cumbola, chairman of the township supervisors and vice chairman of the authority; Keith Rokosky, Cumbola, the township auditor and a member of the authority; Edward Stillwagner, Cumbola, a member of the authority; and Adam J. Nothstein, Kaska, a member of the township supervisors and a member of the solid waste authority.

Present at Monday’s meeting were FKV’s principal investors: Ventresca; Steve Field, West Brunswick Township, the president of Weiner Iron & Metal of Pottsville; and William F. King III, Princeton, New Jersey, president of a real estate development firm, King Interests.

Also present was Paul J. Datte, Pottsville, the attorney representing FKV.

The authority meets at 4:30 p.m. the first Monday of every month at the water authority building, 375 Valley St., New Philadelphia.

PARK PLACE — A family of six was displaced from its Park Place home late Saturday after the ground gave way next to their house in a mine subsidence.

Sam and Tracey Quick and their four children evacuated the home at 267 Park Place Road, Route 1014, in Mahanoy Township after 11 p.m. Saturday when they heard cracking sounds and later found a 30-foot-deep hole in their backyard, exposing their concrete basement wall just outside the sliding back doors.

Officials from the state Department of Environmental Protection, the federal Office of Surface Mining, fire and emergency management officials from the township and Mahanoy City, and others were at the site Sunday and Monday to evaluate the situation and determine a resolution. The Quicks are living with family members in Park Place.

“This is a nightmare,” Tracey Quick’s mother, Susan Yedsena, said, who also lives in Park Place. “They can’t stay in the house. They have four young children.”

The mine subsidence measures about 35 by 40 feet in area and is more than 30 feet deep. The section of the yard that did not completely fall in shows that it did sink, and “tension cracks” show that the area affected extends to about 70 feet from the house. The edge of the in-ground swimming pool shows some settling.

The hole is against the back of the house, exposing the foundation. A broken water line hangs from the side inside the pit and caused service interruptions to the Quick home and the last two homes to the west served by the Hazleton City Authority , which provides water to Park Place.

The Quicks watched the activity of those evaluating the situation and answered questions as notes were taken by many experts.

“It was on Saturday evening about 11 o’clock,” Tracey Quick said. “I was up that late because my daughter was actually at Hershey Park Candyland, so I was staying up for her. I heard some cracking. I got my husband, and we checked it out. At first it sounded like a settling crack, but then right before the hole opened up, that’s when it sounded like everything was cracking. We got the kids outside and then the hole opened up.”

She called DEP very shortly afterward and someone from the agency arrived Sunday morning.

“Then we called the Mahanoy City Fire Department and they did an evaluation,” Tracey Quick said. “And now this is where we are. It’s a nightmare.”

The Quicks do not have mine subsidence insurance, which is purchased through DEP.

“That’s the scary part. That’s terrifying,” she said. “I hope we can save the house.”

Township emergency management coordinator Thomas Ward Jr. was working with the mining officials by providing information about the area.

“I got the call on Sunday morning after it happened Saturday night about 11 o’clock,” Ward said. “It all just went down at one time.”

Mahanoy City Fire Chief Daniel J. Markiewicz was on scene and called in the ladder truck from the Citizens Fire Company in Mahanoy City to allow the mining and other officials the ability to get an elevated view over the subsidence for photographs.

Markiewicz said the home did sustain damage, and the nearby in-ground pool was affected.

“There are cracks inside the house,” Markiewicz said. “Look at the pool. You can see that dirt was tight up against the concrete and it pulled away a few inches.”

Markiewicz came to the property on Sunday after being notified about the incident.

“The fire department was notified of it yesterday,” Markiewicz said. “The appropriate calls were made. The Schuylkill County EMA (Emergency Management Agency) is aware of it. All of the proper agencies have been notified.”

Ward said there had been underground mining in the area at least five decades ago.

“They had gangways out here. The slopes came up here and the coal was taken out,” Ward said, pointing to different spots behind the home. “The void goes all the way down on an angle about 300 feet. There was a slope down at Meyers (village to the west of Park Place) and that’s where they brought the coal out. It’s all undermined.”

Ward added, “I’ll have to see what they can do to fill the hole and rectify the situation. They’ve contacted engineers that are specialists and the reclamation people are here.”

A work crew from HCA used a backhoe to dig a trench to access the water main to the east of the home. Equipment operator Neil Dagrosa said a temporary fix will be used to provide water to the effected customers.

“The waterline comes through this property and feeds two houses down the road,” Dagrosa said. “If you look in the hole, you can see the waterline suspended in there. So, we’ll run hoses from here around his (Quick) property and tie those people in with an active line, and we’ll do that to his garage.”

Dagrosa explained that a more permanent solution will be found to reroute the water service, which most likely will be along the highway around the Quick property.

Planning Unit Engineering Manager Bernard Walko of DEP’s Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation was on site. His duties with the bureau include investigations of subsidences.

“I got a call about 2 o’clock Sunday morning and I got out here about 9 a.m. Sunday,” Walko said. “We took some information and looked at mine maps, which are sparse for the area and incomplete. We can’t say what we’re going to do because we’re still evaluating. Once everyone takes all their measurements, we’ll go back to see what we have.”

Walko said some local maps were provided to his office by Ward.

“We’re going to borrow them and scan them and see if they give a little more evidence on how we can work with this,” Walko said. “And then we’ll put out an emergency contract the best way that we can to try to abate the hazard. What the bureau does is try to stabilize the ground under the footings, and it’s the property owner’s responsibility to fix the house itself. Right now we’re evaluating it and find what is the best action we can take here.”

Sandra Holoman, P.E., mining engineer with DEP’s Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation, said the investigation is at the stage of compiling information.

“We’re all getting to look at this for the first time,” Holoman said. “Then we have to go back and get more mine maps, and once we get all that info together, and then we’ll have a better idea what we can do or if we can do anything. These cropfalls (subsidence) are bad because they are so dangerous. With a shaft you kind of know, but these you don’t know how far it can go width-wise, depth-wise. They were telling me the gangway is down about 200 feet. It’s possible that a lot of the material got lost into the gangway or down below if there’s a connection to lower coal veins.”

November 13, 2016

Bernice Paltanavage, 51, of New Philadelphia, passed away unexpectedly Sunday evening at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Schuylkill E. Norwegian Street.

Arrangements will be published upon completion by Thomas J. Bartashus Funeral Home, New Philadelphia.

November 14, 2016

Sandra A. Peiffer, 70, of Courtney’s, Cass Township, died unexpectedly Monday at home.

Mahal-Ritzel Funeral Home Inc., Minersville, is in charge of arrangements.

ORWIGSBURG — There is a vacant seat on the borough council.

The council accepted the resignation of Ed Mady at its Wednesday meeting, effective Nov. 1. Mady moved out of the borough. He did not attend the meeting.

“If anyone is interested in serving on borough council, send a letter of intent to borough hall addressed to either council or the borough manager and we will see what interest we have and then discuss that at the next work session,” council President Buddy Touchinsky said.

The council also accepted the resignation of Nicholas Bagdonis from the municipal authority and the planning and zoning commission and Joshua Meade from the zoning hearing board. Bagdonis was later appointed to the zoning hearing board effective Nov. 9. Anyone interested in the aforementioned open positions should contact borough hall.

Touchinsky thanked everyone for their service to the borough.

In other matters, solicitor Paul Datte talked about the Pine Creek Adult Community Plan, which was approved in 2009 by the borough council. That plan included underground parking and 400 rental units on a 27.725-acre site that it owns along East Market Street between Breezy Acres and Kimmels roads for different age groups. In August 2015, the council denied four requests for zoning ordinance amendments.

The Rhodes Organization, Boyertown, wants to develop the property.

“Today (Nov. 9) was the deadline to comply with the conditions of the original plan including both the entry into the land development agreement and the posting of financial security. It is my position and I would suggest the position of the borough that we have not received the land development agreement nor have we received the financial security and under the Municipalities Planning Code the plan expires and is deemed to be revoked actually without further action of the borough,” Datte said.

He suggested the letter be sent to the owner and developer so they can act accordingly.

“I’ve asked the solicitor to forward a letter,” Orwigsburg Borough Manager Robert Williams said.

The council previously granted additional time until Nov. 9. The developer had to have the financial security in place (which pays for costs for improvements if they are not completed) and a land development agreement, something they did not do.

Shelby Hostetter, an attorney on behalf of the Rhodes Organization, spoke briefly about Pine Creek Retirement Community.

“We do want to build. We have no intention of abandoning the plan. Obviously, it’s clear we have a difference of opinion on the analysis of the 90-day period and the financial security,” she said.

There is a difference in opinion in how long the plan can sit without action.

When asked for additional comment, Hostetter declined. The applicant can appeal to the Schuylkill County Court of Common Pleas.

Datte talked about the 7 p.m. Nov. 29 hearing at Orwigsburg Borough Hall before the Orwigsburg Zoning Hearing Board regarding the Blue Mountain Retirement Community. That plan is proposed to be built on the same parcel of land if the Pine Creek Retirement Community is not built. It also involves 400 rental units, which would be rented to different age groups.

“In the meantime, everything is on hold until we get a decision by the zoning hearing board,” Datte said.

The plan is extended through Dec. 30. Hosteter did not have any comments about the Blue Mountain Retirement Community. An application fee has not yet been provided yet.

Another plan also was discussed briefly during the meeting.

Brian Kobularcik is a partner in B5K-K46, headquartered in Sinking Spring, Berks County. It is seeking to develop the property it owns between Grove Street and Hope Avenue on Route 443 East into a 33-townhouse development. The council gave conditional approval for the plan on April 8, 2009. The property, now held by the limited partnership, was bought from a bank in lieu of foreclosure, former Borough Manager Mike Lonergan said in December 2013.

Datte said an extension granted for a land development agreement for the planned Villas of Orwigsburg and financial security expired Wednesday.

“Financial security was not provided,” he said, adding that according to the MPC it suggests the plan is revoked.

Datte suggested a letter similar to the one that will be sent to the Pine Creek Retirement Community be sent for the Villas of Orwigsburg.

In speaking about the Pine Creek plan and the Villas, Datte said the “financial security has to be posted within 90 unless that time frame is extended and it was extended in this case.”

He continued, “If you don’t post financial security, the borough can still approve the plan, but then you have 90 days to post the financial security.”

Christina E. Hale

FRACKVILLE — A borough man charged with entering a towing business and taking his vehicle without paying the fees owed had charges against him held for court during a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Christina E. Hale.

Richard Arrigo Jr., 24, of 418 S. Lehigh Ave., was arrested by Frackville police Patrolman Philip Petrus and charged with theft of services and defiant trespass. Hale determined the commonwealth proved a prima facie case and ordered both charges held for Schuylkill County Court.

Petrus said a vehicle owned by Arrigo was impounded and taken for storage at Hoffman Towing on Oct. 6. He was told he could not re-take possession until the $380 in towing and storage fees were paid.

Petrus said Arrigo entered the storage lot on private property without permission and took the vehicle without paying Hoffman Towing the money owed.

In another case, Arrigo had charges of tampering with or fabricating physical evidence and possession, sale or use of display documents also held for court.

Other court cases included:

Suzanna M. Zamudio, 20, of 921 Centre St., 1st Floor Rear, Ashland — withdrawn: unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and criminal attempt to commit driving without a license.

Zachary Yoder, 23, of 133 A St., Girardville — withdrawn: theft, receiving stolen property.

Jason E. Greiner, 42, homeless — dismissed: prohibited possession, resisting arrest, defiant trespass, possession of drug paraphernalia, criminal mischief, public drunkenness.

Ryan J. Briggs, 29, of 36 Pattersonville Road, Ringtown — withdrawn: simple assault, harassment and criminal mischief.

William L. Schultz, 55, of 416 Centre St., Apt. 3, Ashland — waived for court: public nuisance.

Abagail R. Cooney, 21, of 89 Ye Old Hauto Road, Tamaqua — held for court: possession of drug paraphernalia and public drunkenness.

Angela L. Shelitsky-Lindenmuth, 39, of 229 S. Spencer St., Frackville — withdrawn: making repairs to or selling offensive weapons. Waived for court: possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Allen J. Zimmerman, 31, of 228 N. Nice St., Frackville — waived for court: receiving stolen property and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.

Chantelle A. Klinger, 34, of 749 Seltzer Road, Pottsville — waived for court: DUI-controlled substance, disregard for single traffic lane and careless driving.

William J. Mooney, 43, of 8 S. First St., Mahanoy City — withdrawn: making repairs to or selling offensive weapons, possession of a controlled substance. Waived for court: possession of drug paraphernalia.

n Ashland: The Ashland Area Ministerium will hold its annual Thanksgiving Eve ecumenical prayer service at 7 p.m. Nov. 23 at St. Charles Borromeo Roman Catholic Church. The Ashland Area Community Choir will perform at 6:45 p.m. before the service begins. The Rev. Rose Marquardt, pastor of Grace Evangelical Independent Church, Locustdale, will present the message. The public is welcome.

n Ashland: The Ashland Area Ministerium food pantry will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Thursday at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 35 N. Ninth St. People must enter through the back door from the parking lot. The food pantry is a week early due to Thanksgiving Day.

n Gilberton: Continental Hose Company No 3, Main Street, will have a hoagie sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Hoagies are $6 each and varieties include Italian, regular, ham and cheese, turkey and meatball. For more information, call 570-874-2224.

n Mahanoy City: The Mahanoy Area High School Class of 1971 will hold its 45th-year reunion from 6 to 10 p.m. Nov. 26 at Mountain Valley Golf Course, Barnesville. To register or for more information, call Kathy at 570-773-6243.

n Pottsville: The Pottsville Area High School Drama Club will present “A Dickens Christmas Carol” at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Wachter Auditorium at Pottsville Area High School. Admission is free but donations will be gratefully accepted. Refreshments will be on sale. All are welcome. For more information, call 570-691-4602.

n Pottsville: The Schuylkill County Council for the Arts will present Christkindlmarkt from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 3 and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 4 at the historic Yuengling Mansion, 1440 Mahantongo St. People will be able to shop inside and out for fresh greens and wreaths, food, pottery, jewelry, cards, fine art and crafts, books/book signings and other items. Thirty juried and professional artists and crafts people will sell their works. All are welcome. For more information, call 570-622-2788.

n Pottsville: Lehigh Valley Hospital-Schuylkill will host a community open house for its new emergency department at the East Norwegian Street hospital, 700 E. Norwegian St., from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday. Visitors should use the parking garage elevator and exit at the first floor, level 1H, to enter the new emergency department, which was under construction since June and will feature enhanced diagnostic services and improved facilities to allow physicians, nurses and staff to better provide care. The facility also offers “a more pleasant and comfortable experience for patients and their families in what often can be a very traumatic time,” officials said in the release. For more information, call 570-621-5555, visit www.lvhn.org or follow on facebook.com/LVHealthNetwork and twitter.com/LVHN.

n Schuylkill Haven: Dr. John Mellon will be the keynote speaker at noon Friday in the Fryer Conference Center on Penn State Schuylkill campus for the celebration of Global Entrepreneurship Week. His topic is titled “Untapped Markets.” All are welcome. For more information, email Laura Hoppes at leh37@psu.edu.

n Shenandoah: The William Penn Fire Company, Route 54, and Altamont Fire Company near Frackville are having a Christmas stocking-stuffer raffle featuring 21 gift card prizes, at total of $585. Members will go door-to-door with tickets, which are also on sale in Shenandoah businesses. The drawing will be held on Dec. 3. People may also see any companies’ members for tickets.

n Valley View: Orders are being accepted for a David A pizza sale with pickups set for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 3 at the Valley View Gun Club. The cost is $7 for plain, $8 for pepperoni and $10 for special, which includes bacon, ham, pepperoni, Italian sausage, mushrooms and onions. The deadline to order is Nov. 28. Proceeds will benefit the Sacramento Fire Company Santa parade. To order, call the gun club at 570-682-3424 or Dave A at 570-628-9140.

Man, woman jailed

after disturbance

MAHANOY CITY — A man and woman were arrested by Mahanoy City police after an incident about 4:20 p.m. Nov. 4 at their 730 E. Pine St. apartment building.

Police said James Lee Hamby Jr., 39, was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, persistent disorderly conduct and public drunkenness while Jessica Lee Veen, also 39, was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia.

Police said officers were called to the home for a report of a disturbance and found Hamby on the sidewalk wobbling and screaming. Hamby was taken into custody and officers entered the home to check on the caller, Veen, who said she could not exit her apartment since the door was damaged by Hamby.

Veen told officers that Hamby had been acting crazy and eventually jumped through a third-floor window onto a garage roof. While inside the apartment police officers found, in plain view, a grinder with a green leafy vegetable matter and a pipe commonly used for methamphetamine.

3 arrested

at Cocoa Hut

MAHANOY CITY — Three people were arrested by Mahanoy City police after an incident about 5:50 p.m. Saturday at the Cocoa Hut store, 101 E. Centre St.

Police said Jason Oshman, 29, of 605 W. Penn St., Shenandoah, was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and prohibited offensive weapons while Heather M. Bowden, also 29, was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia.

Police said officers saw Bowden sitting inside a vehicle on the store parking lot and knew the woman was wanted on a warrant from Schuylkill County Adult Probation.

While Bowden was being taken into custody, police said, Brandon Deesing approached the vehicle and was taken into custody on an outstanding felony warrant.

Also, police said, Oshman approached the vehicle, entered and removed a black bag that was later found to contain syringes, items of drug paraphernalia and a dagger-type knife with a handle wrapping in string and a blade covered with electrical tape.

Deesing, whose age and address were not available, was arraigned on the felony warrant and committed to Schuylkill County Prison in lieu of $25,000 straight cash bail while Bowden was also jailed on the probation warrant, police said.

2 arrested on

drug charges

MAHANOY CITY — Two borough men were arrested by Mahanoy City police on drug charges after an incident about 7:50 p.m. Nov. 3 in the 1000 block of East Pine Street.

Police said Colin M. Hasara, 36, of 401 W. South St., was charged with possession of a small amount of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia while William J. Sanchez Jr., 27, homeless, was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and persistent disorderly conduct.

Police said officers were called to the area for a disturbance with a report of a man under the influence kicking a vehicle. Officers found Sanchez there, who began yelling and screaming at them and resisting being taken into custody.

Inside a vehicle that Sanchez was near, police said, they found Hasara. After receiving permission to search the vehicle, police said, officers found an eye glass case near where Hasara was sitting.

That case, police said, contained a small glassine baggie with a white powder that tested positive for heroin, green vegetable matter that tested positive for marijuana along with various items of drug paraphernalia.

On the roof of the vehicle near a hat and wallet belonging to Sanchez police said they found a cigarette pack that contained prescription medication — Vicodin and Carisoprodol — along with a bundle containing 10 bags of heroin.

Police: Man drove

under influence

MAHANOY CITY — An incident at 826 E. Pine St. in the borough on Aug. 30 led to charges being filed against a 21-year-old man.

Mahanoy City police said Trace Michael Miller, 826 E. Pine St., was charged with DUI, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Police said Mahanoy Township police reported they followed and stopped a vehicle driven by Miller at his home after seeing the man driving recklessly.

Miller agreed to have his vehicle and home searched that resulted a glassine baggie containing heroin found inside the vehicle along with drug paraphernalia. Inside the home, police said, officers found another glassine baggie that contained heroin and various items of drug paraphernalia.

A subsequent blood test on Miller determined that he had been operating his vehicle while under the influence of three different controlled substances.

Woman charged

for harassment

NEW PHILADELPHIA — A 51-year-old borough woman was charged with harassment by state police at Frackville after an incident about 4:45 p.m. Saturday in the 100 block of Kimber Street.

Police said Chrystal Filer told Dorothy Throne, 49, also of New Philadelphia, that she was going to burn her house down.

Filer will now have to answer to the charge before Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko, Port Carbon.

Man not injured

in 1-vehicle crash

TUSCARORA — A Marietta man escaped injury when the 2000 Ford F150 he was driving crashed about 11:30 a.m. Friday along Old Route 209, just east of this Schuylkill Township village.

State police at Frackville said Corey Fritz was driving went when for some unknown reason he steered to the left, went off of the road and struck a guide rail, causing his truck to flip several times before coming to a stop.

Fritz fled the area on foot, failing to report the crash, and was located during the morning hours Saturday in Tamaqua,

As a result of the crash, police said, Fritz will be charged with immediate notice of accident to police.

None injured in

vehicle collision

KRUMSVILLE — Five people escaped injury in a two-vehicle crash that occurred Sunday on Krumsville Road, just west of Zettlemoyer Road in Greenwich Township, Berks County.

State police at Hamburg said Carolyn R. Smith, 18, of Downingtown, was driving a 1999 Volvo S70 making a right turn off the Interstate 78 off ramp to travel south on Krumsville Road when she entered northbound lane and collided with a 2001 Ford F650 being driven north by William R. Schlott, 38, of Hamburg.

Both drivers and three passengers in the Schlott vehicle, James M. Adkins, 45; Colleen Fitzgerald, 47; and, Donovan Fitzgerald, 13, all of Stony Run, escaped injury, police said, adding that Smith will be cited for not driving on roadways laned for traffic as a result of the crash.

Police: Woman

possessed drugs

MAHANOY CITY — A borough woman was arrested by Mahanoy City police on drug charges after an incident about 12:40 a.m. Sunday at the Cocoa Hut store, 101 E. Centre St.

Police said Nicole Lynn Kressler, 32, of 1100 E. Pine St., was charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia and will now have to answer to those charges before Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker, Shenandoah.

Police said officers stopped a vehicle driven by Kressler in the parking lot of the store for an equipment violation. While being interviewed, police said, Kressler became hostile toward officers and was told to drop her purse on the seat of her vehicle.

In an open side pouch of the purse, police said, officers saw two glassine baggies that contained a powder that field tested positive for heroin and back at the police station another glassine baggie was found in the woman’s wallet, police said.

Police announce

checkpoint results

The North Central PA Regional DUI Enforcement Program announced that a Sobriety Checkpoint was conducted Oct. 28 in West Penn Township resulting in 139 vehicles contacted, 11 detained and two drivers tested for DUI.

There were two DUI arrests made along with seven traffic arrests, three criminal arrests and three warning notices issued.

The checkpoint was conducted by nine officers from five departments.

Police planning

DUI checkpoint

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

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

Dubbed the “west-enders” or “folks from the valley,” residents in Schuylkill County’s west side can enjoy the perks of country living, while celebrating what draws others in for a visit.

From picturesque parks to swimming pools, and week-long community celebrations, the Hegins and Tower City areas offer a range of activities within a family-friendly atmosphere.

“We have the craft faire and the wine festival at Hegins Park, and events at the Valley View Park,” Gary Harner, Hegins Township supervisor chairman, said.

“The township sponsors the pool, which gives people something to do in the summer,” he said. “Fortunately, we have people that take care of the Hegins and Valley View parks, and we have a lot of people coming into our valley for different events.”

Hegins Park

In 2017, a new feature will be available at Hegins Park, according to John Stutzman, Hegins Park Association past president and current volunteer.

“We hope to make a walking trail, and have it done by spring, in memory of Bob Tobash,” Stutzman said.

The late J. Robert “Bob” Tobash was a former park association member, and former president of the Fred Coleman Memorial Labor Day Pigeon Shoot, whose proceeds benefitted the park. After the shoot was banned, park volunteers sought an alternative way to raise funds. Eventually, the Schuylkill County Wine Festival emerged, with Tobash and his wife, Mary, serving as co-founders of the event.

Hegins Park will host the ninth annual Schuylkill County Wine Festival on Sept. 3, 2017.

Right before the 2014 wine festival, Bob Tobash passed away unexpectedly. A team of people stepped up to take over some of the duties previously completed by Tobash and his wife, according to the festival’s web page, schuylkillwinefestival.com.

The Wine Festival Committee members for 2016 included: Mary Tobash, John Stutzman, Terry Stutzman and Delbert Hauck, current Hegins Park Association president; Kathryn Otto and Sharol Snyder, table decorating committee co-chairwomen; Robin Otto, vendor coordinator, and Jack Specht, Ken and Lois Graham, Randy Koppenhaver, and Tom Stutzman, all volunteers.

All proceeds from the annual Schuylkill County Wine Festival benefit the Hegins Park Association, local churches, Tri-Valley Community Pool, fire and ambulance companies and local events.

“Financially, we do better with the wine festival than we did with the pigeon shoot. It’s been a win-win for us. It’s a super event and is a family affair. We have a big, open field and places to get shade and it’s a perfect set-up,” John Stutzman said.

The Hegins Park encompasses nearly 15 acres, according to Stutzman, and has three softball fields: One of the softball fields is lighted; a Teener field; two Little League baseball fields, one of the baseball fields is lighted; six buildings; two stages; two tennis courts; a volleyball court; playground, and a recently resurfaced basketball court.

“I think it’s a peaceful valley, the people here are good working people and it’s a safe community to live in,” John Stutzman said.

Craft Faire

Another event that draws thousands to the valley is the area’s craft faire.

The 28th annual Hegins Valley Arts & Crafts Faire will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 16, 2017, at Hegins Park, off Park Lane. Always held the third Saturday in September, the event features 225 hand-selected craftsmen and artisans, as well as food vendors.

“We had more food sales this year than last year, and our attendance continues to go up. We’ve always done very well and the park is a beautiful location,” Cindy Herring, craft faire committee treasurer and one of the event’s original organizers, said.

Herring said 14 community organizations benefit from the faire’s proceeds.

Hegins-Valley Fire Rescue will once again host a fire company carnival in the summer of 2017 at Hegins Park. Specific dates have not been determined.

The park is also rented out for the Independent Anthracite Coal Miners’ Picnic every August, and for family reunions and other celebrations throughout the year.

The Tri-Valley Lions Club, Route 25, East Main Street, Hegins, provides homemade food sales throughout the year, including its Pennsylvania Dutch pot pie.

Valley View Park

Valley View Park is just south of the village of Valley View at 524 Gap St. It contains 124 acres of beautiful hardwood forest, and the scenic Pine Creek and Rausch Creek flow through it. Portions of the park are leased to the Valley View Gun Club, Buck Tree Archery Club, Valley View Legion and Valley View Boy Scouts.

Dave Williams, Valley View Park Association president, said it was a collaborative effort for the park’s refurbishment.

“The park was inactive for many years except for the traditional family reunions, graduation parties and birthday parties,” Williams said. “Much work and activity began after August 2014, to re-establish the park to the nostalgia days of many years ago when the park was famous for hosting famous entertainers and serving good food.”

A new event has been added to the December schedule at the park this year.

“Several ladies from the Hegins Valley area got together recently to plan a ‘Christmas in the Park’ event to be held on December 17 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.,” Williams said. “The event will utilize the park in several ways.

“A Christmas tree decorating contest is planned. Participants will be given a tree to decorate that will be judged. The participants can be organizations, groups, businesses or individuals.”

Contest entry forms and rules are available by calling 570-573-9467 or emailing dwleejean@comcast.net. The decorated trees will be available to be viewed by the public for several weeks. The stage will be enclosed and vendors will be selling Christmas items there along with a craft station to create a Christmas-style item.

Santa will also visit the park and a cottage will be decorated to Santa’s wishes. The eating house will be used to serve hot foods, and a cookie decorating station will be situated there to allow children to create their own style cookies. Various groups will participate in caroling in the park.

Williams provided the following details of the cooperation involved with the Valley View Park Association, and the park’s renewal and upcoming community events:

“Re-establishing the stage that was built in 1932 was the first focus of the organization. The stage had been damaged some years ago by a large tree that fell down and landed on the roof. The tree was removed, but the stage was not repaired.

“Rick Lettich of Valley View inspected the stage and determined how the roof structure could be repaired. Miller Brothers of Schuylkill Haven paid for the materials to fix the structure and James Artz of Valley View made the repairs. Jim Lemmon of Good Spring also repaired a portion of the wooden floor.

“Andy Musser then visited the Valley View Park in August of 2014. Musser has been the manager of Coleman’s Park in Lebanon for almost thirty years. Musser provided expertise on many matters that needed to be addressed in the park and guidance on how to operate the park. His knowledge was invaluable.

“Near the end of August 2014, Mike Rothermel of Klingerstown and John Schieb of Spring Glen removed the old cement foundations that were originally used to place planks for seats. They placed stone on the seating area. The stone was obtained from their company’s operation at the Summit Quarry. The original planks had been cut at Forest Koppenhaver’s sawmill from trees that were cut down in the park. Koppenhaver was a descendent of the original settlers that lived in the park. The planks were rotted and the old cement foundations had deteriorated.

“Steve Bowman of Valley View from Bowman Brothers compacted the stones into the ground. Benches were then erected. Mrs. Lesher of Chicken Concrete Co-op from Gratz made the cement ends at the rate of 10 per week until 112 were completed. Fourteen men volunteered to erect the benches.

“On April 15, 2015, Steve Deppen of Valley View placed the final bolt in the final bench to finish the project as Andy Schwalm of Sacramento assisted. Donations towards the bench project were made by Frank Krammes Excavating of Valley View and Morgan Oil of Hegins. The benches have a capacity of 340 people, and much more room is also available for lawn chairs.

“Kathy Zerbe of Valley View began painting the stage and the former hamburger stand. As old paint was removed from the front of the stage, ancient letters were discovered beneath the old paint that were scribed into the wood. The outline of the letters was saved and when they were repainted, they spelled ‘Valley View Park’.

“The hamburger stand was cleaned up and old cooking equipment disposed. Melvin and Brenda Stutzman donated a refrigerator; Robert and Trudy Molnar donated an electric stove; and Clair and Twila Artz donated another electric stove. The former Valley View Fire Company donated two electric French fryers. Terry Schwartz of Hegins and Jim Zerbe of Valley View rewired the facility and installed an electric hot water heater. Jim Zerbe installed additional lighting in the park that had come from the Earl Kieffer Estate and was donated by his daughter, Kay Morgan and her husband, Lee Morgan of Hegins. Zerbe also installed six stage lights that were donated by Ozzie Tolleson of Hegins.

“A public advertisement sign was erected near the entrance to the park in September 2014. Upcoming events are posted on the sign.

“Alvin Sitlinger, Valley View, built a weatherproof sign board that was installed on the north side of the stage building which posts all the events of the season.

“A stage committee was organized in the Spring of 2015. The original members were Jim Reed, Kay Morgan, Emilee Mattern and Ozzie Tolleson. Since then, Jeanie Herb has also joined the committee. Businesses from the area were solicited for donations to help with the entertainment for the stage. The local business responded very well and made the drive a complete success.

“Entertainment in 2015 consisted of Elvis impersonator Brad Crum and the Jimmy Sturr Polka Band. The stage has also been converted into an outdoor movie theater. The original movie screen from the former Tremont Movie Theater was donated to the park by Larry Graver of Pine Grove.

“The Tri-Valley Ministerium sponsors a ‘Christian Movie Night’ in June. A special ‘Old Anthracite Coal Mine Film’ night is shown in July. Home style films taken by local miners of their underground anthracite coal mines from years ago are shown. The films are converted to DVDs and then edited to last between 20 to 25 minutes in length. Training films on anthracite coal mining are also shown. The DVDs are available for sale after the event as a fund raiser for the park.

“A working model of an underground anthracite coal mine using numbered coal lumps is used to select the winning number for a 50/50 chance at this event. The model was built by Jim Williams of Shamokin. In August of 2015, Ozzie Tolleson of Hegins performed a one man comedy play he had specially written for the event. He was 78 years old when he performed the show and had memorized every line. The show lasted over an hour and was professionally recorded. Many DVDs were sold.

“The entertainment on the stage is augmented by other events in the park. The Crackerjacks began using the park in May of 2015. The Crackerjacks are a club dedicated to the enjoyment of fireworks. They are professionals that use the park to train their members on safety and new technology. They build their own fireworks and also have a rocket division. The event is now an annual event and is held on a Friday and Saturday in mid-May. The event is coordinated with the Hegins Valley Fire Rescue Company. The public is invited to the park on Saturday night to watch the competition fireworks.

“These fireworks are some of the best seen in the country, and include the introduction of new fire works that have never been used before,” Williams said.

“Since 1950, the St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church’s Men’s Bible Class has sponsored an annual Father’s Day Breakfast with attendances reaching 672 and now averaging 500. The breakfast is by donation and runs from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m.

“In 1976, the Johannes Schwalm Historical Association initiated a reunion for the descendants of Johannes who came to this country as a Hessian solider during the Revolutionary War. The reunions are held in July and have been annual events since then. The reunion is open to the public and displays significant historical information of the Schwalm family. In recent years, Civil War re-enactors have camped in the park and participated in the programs.

“In August 2015, the Tri-Valley Ministerium began sponsoring an ‘All Churches Picnic’ in the park. The event starts with various competitive games. A favorite has become bingo in the eating house. A covered dish dinner is then held at the pavilion. Bill Wehry of Pitman has prepared a pig roast for each event. Ice cream and old-fashion birch beer is provided. The event concludes on the stage with Christian musical entertainment. The picnic is free to the public.

“The St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church of Valley View sponsors a fundraiser in the park called the ‘Apple Festival’ to benefit the ‘People Fund.’ It is scheduled for the last Saturday in September.

“The People Fund is a local organization that helps people in need from the area. Apple products are sold that include apple pies, apple dumplings, apple fries, apple cider and apple butter. Other foods are also available in the eating house. The apple cider is made fresh in the park using four old cider presses. Musical entertainment is provided on the stage.

“The stage committee scheduled more events for the 2016 season after getting input from the community. Oldies and country bands were requested along with Christian musical groups. The New Individuals is an oldies band that performed in June. Reckless is a country band that performed in July and Re-Creation’ is a Christian musical group that performed in August.

“A new event that occurred in the park in early May of 2016 included the mine rescue training of the Anthracite Underground Mine Rescue (AUGER) from Tremont. The organization consists of three teams of anthracite coal miners that are required to train for emergency underground anthracite coal mine rescue situations.

“Another event that started in the beginning of July 2016 was the invitation to the Cressona Band to perform a ‘Patriotic Program’ endorsed by the Valley View Legion. It has been requested by many to continue this program as an annual event.

“In July 2016 a Wilderness Day Camp was conducted by ‘Porcupine’ Pat McKinney of the Schuylkill County Conservation Office, according to Williams. The event, for children in grades 1 through 4, taught them about wildlife and nature, and was scheduled in the morning for three days.

“It was well attended and will become an annual event,” Williams said.

The cost of the event was covered completely by a donation from the Vacation Bible School of St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church under the guidance of Cathy Miller, Valley View. Adult helpers at the program were Dorothy Klouser and Sandy McCullough Stutzman, both of Valley View, and Miller.

The park is rented throughout the year for family reunions, birthday parties, graduation parties, church picnics, youth groups and weddings; and the ballfield is also available upon request.

“The park contains an old and new playground facility which has become one of the most used facilities in the area,” Williams said. “The old playground contains traditional swings, sliding board, merry-go-round and seesaw.

“An area was cleared out in September of 2015 by the Rausch Creek Trail Riders to access the old Spring House that was built in 1936 with beautiful mountain stone. The spring consists of steps on both sides to reach the gated spring. Brian Clark of Hegins has helped this past year with his equipment to prepare the site for seed. Roger Wetzel and Steve Deppen of Valley View helped in seeding the area with grass.

“The local youth soccer organization under the direction of Scott Ballay of Spring Glen also began using the park for soccer practice in September 2015. The program concludes with an ice-cream social in the eating house.

“This past year also started the ‘Flea Market’ program in the park on Saturday mornings. The program was started under the direction of Al Schwab of Valley View. Much information was gathered this year concerning flea markets and the event will continue next year with a few adjustments.

“The revitalization of the Valley View Park was made possible by the combination of three items. The first item was that local people wanted to help make a difference in their community and came to help perform many of the projects and duties that were suggested by Chuck Musser of Coleman Park. The second item was that local businesses were generous in their financial donations to help make some of the work financially possible. The third item was the donation of items needed in the park like stoves, refrigerators and lighting.

“A tremendous amount of work and improvements has been accomplished in the park because of this. The success of the park is a direct measure of the helpfulness and generosity of the people from the Hegins Valley area,” Williams said.

Current officers who were elected in January include Williams, president; Dorothy Klouser, vice president; Jenifer Neye, secretary; Terry Maurer, treasurer and Jim Zerbe, financial secretary. Business meetings are held every second Wednesday of the month.

The board of directors for the Valley View Park Association include: Tri-Valley Church of God; Trinity Lutheran Church; St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church; Calvary Christian; American Legion; Veterans of Foreign Wars; Valley View Fire Company; Valley View Fire Company Auxiliary; Tri-Valley Senior Citizens; Hegins Valley Rotary Club; Lions Club; Valley View Gun Club, and Tri-Valley Bucktree Archery.

Hot Potato 5K

Sterman Masser Inc. will host Hegins Valley’s Fifth annual Hot Potato 5K Run/Fun Walk, which will include the Tater Tot Trot for children ages 12 and under on June 10, 2017, along West Maple Street in Valley View.

As a result of the race, the Tri-Valley Youth Activities Fund was established in 2015, as a nonprofit 501c(3) charitable organization. The TVYAF board awards race proceeds generated to Tri-Valley youth and child associations.

The date for the call for grant submissions for the next round of TVYAF youth activities grants is Jan. 23, 2017, according to Julie E. Masser Ballay, CFO/vice president, Sterman Masser Inc. More details on the race can be found at www.hotpotato5k.org.

Tri-Valley

Community Pool

The Tri-Valley Community Swimming Pool, 306 S. Goodspring Road, Hegins, provides an Olympic-size pool, kiddie pool, pavilion, benches, picnic tables, concession stand and locker room facilities. It has easy access from Hegins Park.

The pool, managed by volunteer Linda Morgan, offers swimming lessons throughout the summer and aerobics. In 2016, an early morning swim was added from 6 to 8 a.m., Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The facility is available to rent for parties.

Tri-Valley Public Library

The Tri-Valley Public Library, 633 E. Main St., Hegins, provides resources and a variety of community events.

Friends of the Tri-Valley Public Library will offer “A Dickens Tale” put on by the Bright Star Touring Theatre. The show will be 2 p.m. Sunday at Friedens UCC Church (the stone church) on Chestnut Street, Hegins. It is being presented by the library especially for children, but adults will also enjoy the show and there is no charge.

This performance — which recreates Victorian England in this beloved retelling of the Charles Dickens Classic, “A Christmas Carol” — is made possible by a grant from the TVYAF.

From 10 a.m. to noon Dec. 3, the Friends of the Tri-Valley Public Library will hold a Christmas Party for children in the Tri-Valley area at the library. The library will be decorated for the holiday and activities will include stories read by various community members, crafts, snacks and possibly a visit from Santa.

Parents and grandparents will also be able to have their children’s pictures printed on ornaments as a keepsake. There will be a charge for the ornaments, but everything else will be free of charge. A drawing for the library’s latest fund raiser, a meat raffle, will also be held during the party.

Library hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, but is closed from noon to 1 p.m. those days; 1 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, with closure from 5 to 6 p.m.; and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.

The library hosts “Storytime” on Wednesday for children ages 3 to 5 with a story and a craft, and an Alzheimer’s group meets there at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

In the summer, children can also participate in the Summer Reading Club.

Library volunteers are needed, according to Loretta Lee, the new library director.

Monument

The Tri-Valley Area Veterans Memorial is located near Friedens Lutheran Church, 510 E. Main St. (Route 25), Hegins. It offers a lighted monument and seating area for reflection and patriotic tributes.

Hegins and Valley View are part of the Tri-Valley School District in Hegins Township.

Tower City

Meanwhile, the nearby borough of Tower City is part of the Williams Valley School District. The borough is surrounded by the smaller villages of Reinerton, Orwin, Muir, Sheridan and Rush Township.

One of the largest, ongoing events in Tower City is a week-long celebration known as “Tower Porter Old Home Week.” In 2017, it will mark the 70th anniversary for the event, according to Peter Hoffman, committee treasurer.

“It started in 1947, which we’re proud of. It’s a pretty tough feat, especially with having the rides to keep something like this going,” Hoffman said.

Nonweiler Amusements, Lehighton, will provide the carnival rides again for 2017, he said.

Although details on the daily entertainment are still being finalized, Hoffman said ZY Pyrotechnics, Wapwallopen, will provide the grand finale fireworks.

The week’s festivities will run June 26 through July 1, 2017 at the carnival grounds, 1 Midway Road, Route 325, South 10th Street, Tower City. The daily schedule is 6 to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 6 to 11 p.m. Friday, and noon to midnight Saturday.

There is traditionally entertainment offered every evening on the stage, and community organizations provide a range of food items for sale, he said. For more information, visit the Facebook page at TPOldhomeweek.org.

Library

The Tower Porter Community Library, 230 E. Grand Ave., Tower City, provides reading materials, resources, computer internet access and printers to library patrons. Librarian Tom Houtz said it doesn’t cost anything to become a patron, people just need to fill out an information card.

The library is open from 1 to 8 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday; 1 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. The library is closed Friday and Sunday.

Houtz said the library needs volunteers. To volunteer or learn more about the library programs available, call 717-647-4900.

Some Tower City residents said it’s that sense of a tight-knit group of neighbors that gives them a positive reason to remain in the borough.

Bruce Schneck, Tower City Borough Council president, grew up in Muir, stayed in the area and has served on council for nearly two decades.

“You usually know everyone in the valley and there’s a small-town closeness,” he said.

Something he enjoys in his community is attending high school and youth sporting events, he said.

The Porter Tower Recreation Little League Baseball will be hosting sign-ups Jan. 12, 14 and 21, 2017. Youth must be 4- to 9-years old, and 10- to 12-years old before April 30, 2017. For details, visit the baseball league’s Facebook page.

Pool

The Porter Tower Community Swimming Pool operates from 1 to 8 p.m. seven days a week in the summer, according to Bonnie Raho, Tower City Recreation Board president. It usually opens the first week in June, she said.

The facility, located south of Legion Road and 12th Street in Tower City, offers swimming lessons, pool parties and aerobics and there’s a playground nearby.

Activities

Several Williams Valley area churches hold a CROP Walk in the fall. The walk sometimes starts in Muir, and at other times at Trinity United Church of Christ in Tower City, according to Raho. St. Peter’s Lutheran Church also has a fall festival each year.

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church has St. Paul’s Community Labyrinth, 449 E. Grand Ave., that’s open to the public for walking and reflection from dawn to dusk.

The borough hosts a Memorial Day parade, as well as a Halloween parade and trick-or-treat night.

Irene Dubbs, Tower City borough secretary, said every year, there’s a Christmas Tree Lighting on Advent 1, the last Sunday in November, near the square,between Fourth and Fifth streets along Grand Avenue. The borough also puts up its decorative, snowflake and angel lighting along Grand Avenue to mark the season.

Organizations

The Porter Tower Lions Club, Loyal Order of the Moose and Tower Porter Rotary Club are three organizations offering support to community activities. The Lions frequently host chicken barbecue dinners, bingo on Friday nights and on occasion, a seafood dinner.

The area is also served by local fire companies in Tower City, and neighboring Orwin, Reinerton, Muir, Sheridan and Rush Township.

Memorial

The Veterans Memorial in the town square along Grand Avenue, between Fourth and Fifth streets, is open to the public and is a gathering place for patriotic events.

FRACKVILLE — The trees along a major thoroughfare in Frackville received a much-needed trimming on Tuesday thanks to some North Schuylkill students and expert advice from forestry professionals.

The project of the Frackville Downtown Economic Development group, the effort was to trim branches at the lower levels of the 28 Callery pear trees on both sides of Lehigh Avenue, routes 61 and 924. Most were planted about 20 years or more ago and appear to have never been trimmed, according to retired state district forester Frank Snyder, who provided a training session for the students on the ins the outs of tree trimming. Working with Snyder was current District 18 (Schuylkill) service forester Steve Ziegler of the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Bureau of Forestry.

The Frackville Borough streets crew was on hand to assist with hauling the trimmed branches. Snyder said the Callery pear was very popular as a landscaping tree in local towns, though they have fallen out of favor in recent years.

“They were planted widely years ago, but now they’re finding out that these trees have some problems with dominant stems that break in wind and snow storms, so they’re planted less and less,” Snyder said. “They are also considered an invasive species. We’ve been finding them seeding in wild, native areas. They’re tough trees and can take tough environments. They grow quite well in towns.”

The students gathered at a tree on the west side of the unit block of South Lehigh Avenue as Snyder began his tree-trimming lesson, explaining what certain things should and should not be done.

“Pruning trees means that we’re going to take budding parts of the tree off,” Snyder said. “If the tree is quite small, we can actually correct future problems. We can also help the trees be better suited to where they are planted. For example, we can do clearance. Instead of having someone walking down the street and get hit in the face with a branch, we can cut it off. We can also prune a tree to make it prettier. There are lots of reasons why we prune trees.”

The organizer of the event was Patti Domalakes, who also gave tips on the best ways for tree pruning. In one example, Domalakes said pruning the tops of trees causes more harm that good.

“If you’re driving down the street and you see a tree that it looks like it got a crew cut, it’s wrong, and you’re actually doing more damage to the tree,” she said. “It’s in worse condition because those water shoots that grow up (after the cutting) are very weak and could fall off and onto your house.”

Ziegler said November is a very good month to trim trees.

“I was telling the students that research shows November is the best month because the collar heals over the branch stub that you cut off,” Ziegler said. “It grows at the fastest rate in November as compared to other months. We’re doing this at the perfect time.”

North Schuylkill environmental science/biology teacher Morgan Bretz accompanied 16 of her students from 10th through 12th grades for some hands-on field study.

“They love the hands-on stuff, to come out and volunteer to get out in their community, help out and make it look a lot better is an amazing thing for them to experience,” Bretz said. “It’s neat to get them out of the classroom and experience things that they can carry on throughout their lives.”

“There is nothing like a hands-on experience when you think about it,” Domalakes said. “When they are going down the street, they’re going to look and say ‘I did that’ and they’ll have that knowledge that they can take to their own homes and for the rest of their lives. And it might spur them on to taking up some vocation into forestry or something like that.”

Bretz agreed that the experience might provide a career option that the students did not consider before.

“I want to get them exposed to as much as I can in different areas, like tree trimming,” Bretz said. “Maybe one of them might really enjoy this and want to do this.”

“And it will give them a new appreciation for the trees,” Domalakes added. “The trees just don’t stay like this. They need care.”

“They don’t see people do this, but people actually have to do this. This needs to be done,” Bretz said. “I hope one day they’ll say, ‘I drove past and they look really good. We did that.’ ”

ORWIGSBURG — A Luzerne County man must go to Schuylkill County Court after a judge determined Tuesday that prosecutors had presented sufficient evidence to support charges he had improper sexual contact with a teenage girl in 2015 in Orwigsburg.

Raymond J. Peters Jr., 48, of 328 E. Beech St., Hazleton, faces charges of corruption of minors and indecent assault.

Magisterial District Judge James R. Ferrier ordered both charges held for court after the hearing, ruling the evidence was legally sufficient for each charge. Ferrier allowed Peters to remain free on $10,000 unsecured bail pending further court action.

Orwigsburg police alleged that Peters indecently assaulted a 13-year-old girl in the autumn of 2015 in the borough. Police said he assaulted the girl three or four times over the course of one or two weeks, with each assault occurring between 3 and 5 a.m.

Police said that during each of the assaults, Peters pulled off the bed covers, pulled down the victim’s pajama pants put his hand inside her underwear and touched her.

“While doing this, the defendant also placed a finger from his other hand in the victim’s mouth ,” according to the Affidavit of Probable Cause that police filed in the case.

Defendant: Raymond J. Peters Jr.

Age: 48

Residence: Hazleton

Charges: Corruption of minors and indecent assault