ORWIGSBURG - Professional wrestling was a common attraction at the Orwigsburg Veterans Memorial Building just a few decades ago. Now that the borough is working to revitalize the building, it may be that way once again.

World X-Treme Wrestling C4 held its "Memorial Showdown" on Saturday evening at Veterans Memorial Building. The event helped raise funds for the Orwigsburg Veterans Memorial Development Task Force, a group of individuals working to renovate the structure. Tickets at the gate were split between the wrestling company and the task force.

"It's good to see everyone come out and support the renovations to the building," The Great Samu Anoa'i, company owner, said Saturday. "It's a good cause for the veterans."

The 8,100-square-foot building located at 300 Grove St. was dedicated July 16, 1950, in honor of all veterans. It was closed in 2010 due to safety issues and reopened last year after improvements were made.

"This is great," borough Manager Mike Lonergan said Saturday. "It's great to see the building in use and the community supporting it and I hope it brings in more events like this one. This is what we were looking to do when we talked about it years ago."

Lonergan said the borough used to own a ring for wrestling events many years ago.

"There's a long history of wrestling in this building," Lonergan said.

Greg Stewart, president of the task force, also recalled coming to professional wrestling events featuring big names at the building when he was younger.

"It's great to see this building being used again," he said. "It shows that we are doing the right thing in getting this building back on track."

State grants and donations have been used to pay for various renovations over the last few years. As of December, more than $1 million has been raised for renovations. The next project for the building is to replace the roof and other exterior work, Stewart said.

Stewart said Gene Snisky, a former WWE wrestler now living in Orwigsburg, was key in bringing professional wrestling back to the borough,

"This building has an enormous wrestling history and everyone knows that," Snisky said. "Just for me to be part of the group of guys to help bring it back is quite an honor."

Snisky said the first event WXW had at the building was successful and there was even a larger crowd there Saturday.

"Hopefully we can make it a regular thing," he said.

At the last show in August, the company champion Lance Anoi was still recovering from a broken leg. On Saturday, he issued an open challenge to defend his championship.

"I'm a little nervous but excited as always," Anoi said before the show. "I enjoy every time I'm with the fans."

For results, videos and more information about WXW C4, visit the organization on Facebook.

Deeds

Ashland - Shirley M. Klinger to Susan K. Snyder and William Earl Klinger; 2133 Walnut St.; $1.

Anne Felker to Donna M. Felker; 915 Walnut St.; $1.

Barry Township - Lester H. and Lucille M. Ludwig to Marie A. and Ted J. Reinoehl; property on Deep Creek; $1.

Blythe Township - Michael C. Tranosky and Ronald P. Tranosky to Sharon L. Tranosky and Michael A. Tranosky; 209 Market St., Cumbola; $1.

Branch Township - Franklin C. Reed to Ryan J. Weachock; 67 Old Llewellyn Road; $52,000.

Butler Township - Ivan W. Quick Sr., Barry T. Quick and John W. Quick to Ivan Jr. and Kathy L. Quick; 41 White Lane; $1.

Cressona - Kevin Jacobs, individually and as administrator of the Estate of Keith M. Jacobs; to Troy Grogan; 87 Pottsville St.; $87,000.

East Brunswick Township - David F. Wetzel to Alicia M. Bieber; 1493 Reddale Road; $144,000.

East Union Township - Veronica Podany to Judith A. Merrill; 191 Fourth St., Oneida; $1.

Julia A. Fasti, individually and as attorney in fact for Michael J. Fasti, to Julia A. Fasti; 130 Peace Pipe Drive, Eagle Rock; $1.

Gilberton - Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Jorge Martinez; 168 Long Row Road; $872.

Girardville - Borough of Girardville to Charles Heizenroth III; 13-15 E. Main St.; $3,000.

Mahanoy City - Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Hector Trinidad; 1111 E. Pine St.; $1,179.

Kim Valinski to John Hindermyer; 1033 E. Centre St.; $4,000.

Minersville - Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Jason Keller; 603 Front St.; $3,250.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Jason Keller; 406 Sunbury St.; $3,095.

Pine Grove - Imobiliaria LLC to Nathan L. and Rose M. Lapp; 68 E. Pottsville St.; $8,000.

Pine Grove Township - Mary A. Lehman to Lonnie H. Snyder; right of way across property on Beuchler Lane; $1,000.

Lonnie H. Snyder, executor of the Estate of Dorothy E. Snyder, to Galen S. Martin; property; $80,000.

Jonas Z. and Rachel F. Stoltzfus to Charlotte A. Stoltzfus; 166 Rock Road; $1.

Porter Township - Ervin C. Fetherman to Rick Bender and Brian Bender; property at Second and Maple streets, Joliett; $15,000.

Pottsville - Phoenix Associates LLC to Chester E. Shanoskie Jr. and Nancy E. Jones; 1324 Mahantongo St.; $1.

Schuylkill County District Attorney Christine Holman and county Detective Dennis Clark are asking for the public's help in locating a Shenandoah woman wanted for failing to appear in Schuylkill County Court last year.

Police said they are looking for Amber Nicole Murphy after she failed to appear for pre-trial conferences on Oct. 11.

Murphy is described as being white, about 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighing about 200 pounds. Her last known address was 407 W. Oak St.

Murphy was charged with possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia in connection with an incident in Shenandoah.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of this woman or any other fugitive in Schuylkill County is asked to call the district attorney's office at 570-628-1350.

Anyone who may see or come in contact with Murphy is asked to call the Schuylkill County Communications Center or their local police department immediately.

Callers are asked to refer to incident 01-12-14 when calling with information on the whereabouts of Murphy. All information received will remain confidential.

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

PAHS

Members of the Pottsville Area High School publications staff received recognition for publications excellence on the national and state level during the summer of 2013.

The Hi-S-Potts yearbook, Tide Lines newspaper and Expression Through Creativity literary art magazine were entered for judging in three contests, as well as 170 student-created stories, spread designs and photos.

On the national level, the National Scholastic Press Association named the 2013 yearbook an All-American, one of the highest honors the organization bestows. To earn this rating, the yearbook had to earn a near perfect score on its evaluation, and received 4,270 points out of a possible 4,500 in addition to marks of distinction in at least four out of five judging categories. The 2013 Hi-S-Potts yearbook received marks in concept, design, writing/editing and photography.

The literary magazine earned a first-class rating and three marks of distinction for content, writing and editing and concept, while the newspaper received a second-class rating as judged as a hybrid of print issues and online content.

Another national level recognition came from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, affiliated with the Graduate School of Journalism at Columbia University, New York, N.Y., for the newspaper. Judged as a hybrid print and online resource, the association awarded the newspaper a gold medal, the newspaper staff received 802 out of 1,000 points on its evaluation and the magazine earned a silver medalist ranking. The association conducted its yearbook evaluation in the fall and will announce the results in March.

On the state level, the Pennsylvania School Press Association ranked Tide Lines and Expression Through Creativity as silver award winners and the yearbook as a gold award winner. The yearbook was entered into the association's Keystone All-State competition with six other yearbooks statewide.

Individually, 45 publications students from three staffs garnered 131 awards for their work submitted on the state level for evaluation.

The 2013 Hi-S-Potts winners include: 2013 graduate Mairead Casey, three gold awards and one silver for student life and sports photos; graduate Molly Zwiebel, five gold and three silver awards for sports, student life and academic photos; graduate Alexia Tobash, gold award for community feature design; Tobash and graduate Nicole Stephens, gold award for cover design; graduates Tobash, Stephens, Tucker Smink and Tori Saunders, silver award for theme development; senior Timothy Pancheri, one gold, four silver and two bronze awards for sports, activities and student life photos; senior Brittany Sullivan, two gold and five silver awards for sports and student life photos; junior Corey Schuster, four silver and two bronze awards for academic and sports photos; index staff members, including graduates Tobash and Macey Brinich, seniors Taylor Repp and Caitlin Croley and junior Anya Wood, gold awards for index design and content and sports reference sections; people staff members, including graduates Amber Morris, Alexandra Mullin, Brianna Kessock, Stephens and Tobash; senior Angela Wilson; juniors Rachel Salata and Nichole Killeen, three silver and one bronze awards for spread content and design; student life staff, including graduates Tobash and Stephens, seniors Isabel Miske, Brianna Lotz, Allison Soubik and Mikaela Soubik; juniors Rachel Coyle, Maci Roos and Olivia Campion, six gold and 12 silver awards for spread content and design; sports staff, including graduates Cody McDonald, Stephens and Tobash, senior Alyssa Riegel; juniors Lily Keitsock, Haley Ragazinsky, Campion, Roos and Patrick Coyle, eight gold and eight silver awards for spread content and design.

The 2013 Tide Lines winners include: 2013 graduate Ashley Delp, four silver and one bronze award for column and feature writing; graduate Kimberly Kroznuski, four gold, one silver and one bronze award for column, review, feature writing and feature page design; graduate Tyler Pangonis, two gold and four silver awards for straight news, review, feature and sports feature writing; former publications staff member Jacob Shoener, one silver and one bronze award for computer-generated art and infographic design; senior Angelo Disabella, two gold, two silver and one bronze award for computer-generated art; senior Kelsey Hranchock, three gold awards for column and editorial writing; senior Seanna McCabe, two gold, two silver and one bronze for straight news, review and feature writing; senior Adalie Zanis, two gold, one silver and one bronze award for straight news and editorial writing; junior Patrick Keating, one gold, one silver and one bronze for straight news and sports feature writing; junior Autumn Minnich, one gold, two silver and one bronze award for straight sports and straight news writing.

The 2013 Expression Through Creativity winners include: a gold award for the staff for theme selection and development; juniors Olivia Campion and Aaron Tranquillo, silver award for cover design; Campion, silver for a photo; senior Timothy Panchari, one silver and one gold award for photos; senior Shea Polley, one silver and one bronze for photos.

David J. Rossi

TREMONT - A Tremont man is headed for Schuylkill County Court after a preliminary hearing Thursday on charges resulting from a December 2013 incident in Tremont Township.

Brandon S. Fritz, 31, of 103 Spring St., faces charges of carrying a firearm without a license, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, carrying loaded weapon, disregarding traffic lane and seat belt violation.

Magisterial District Judge David J. Rossi ordered all charges held for court after the preliminary hearing.

State police at Schuylkill Haven have charged Fritz with possessing the gun, drugs and paraphernalia on Dec. 8, 2013.

Rossi allowed Fritz to remain free on $5,000 unsecured bail pending further court action.

Other defendants whose cases Rossi considered on Thursday, the charges against each one and the judge's dispositions of the matters included:

Justin E. Englehart, 29, last known address of 64 Hunters Drive, Pine Grove; criminal mischief; right to preliminary hearing waived, charge bound over for court.

Sarah M. Krammes, 31, of 239 W. Laurel St., Tremont; two counts of bad checks; charges held for court after preliminary hearing.

Brian J. Lengel, 51, of 63 Deer Lane, Pine Grove; theft of lost property; charge held for court after preliminary hearing.

Robert E. Schoffstall, 62, of 52 Camp Road, Tremont; driving under the influence and public drunkenness; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Steven M. Smith, 27, of 229 Pine Crest Village, Pine Grove; DUI, careless driving and reckless driving; charges held for court after preliminary hearing.

Once each month, Pottsville Open Writers group gathers in a room on the second floor of the Pottsville Free Public Library to share their work incorporating a specific theme.

The theme Saturday was "success," a word that can also be used to describe Pottsville Open Writers as the writing group celebrated its fifth anniversary.

"All you need is a passion for writing," Lisa Walsh, Pottsville, said Saturday.

Walsh was one of a few members Saturday who has been with the group since its inception.

The informal group was founded to support and encourage each member in writing original works. The group is free and has no formal structure, with a different person leading the group and choosing the subject each month.

"Keeps people motivated in their work," David Carroll, Pottsville, said of the leadership format.

Richard Wolff, who has also been a part of the group for the last five years, said Pottsville Open Writers offers a creative outlet.

"One of the key elements is supporting others in their works," Wolff said.

Usually about 10 people show up each month, with at least one new face, Wolff said.

Drew Speback, Pottsville, said he has been involved in similar groups but enjoys the more informal approach of Pottsville Open Writers.

"I was just looking for people to sit down and discuss ideas and read their stuff," Speback said.

Speback has been with the group from the beginning, as well.

"I think there are people out there looking to explore their creativity in the medium," he said. "You don't have to have the goal of being published. I do it for fun."

Walsh said her involvement in the group has made her more comfortable talking in front of people and discussing personal topics with others. She also said the group has helped forge friendships.

"It's just a really nice group of people, and I look forward to coming here," she said.

For more information about Pottsville Open Writers, visit www.pottsvillelibrary.org/POW.htm, email the group moderator, Sally Weaver Morgan, at powpot@yahoo.com or call the Pottsville Free Public Library at 570-622-8880.

n Frackville: The Frackville Free Public Library, 56 N. Lehigh Ave., has scheduled its annual meeting for 6:30 p.m. Jan. 22 at the library. The meeting, according to Elaine M. Mykolayko, director, will feature a recap of library events and projects from 2013 as well as plans for the upcoming year. The meeting will be presented by the director and board of trustees and the public is invited to attend. For more information, call the library at 570-874-3382.

n Frackville: The Frackville Area Fireworks group will stage its first Mardi Gras from 8 p.m. to midnight Feb. 15 at the Good Will Hose Company No. 1, 225 S. Balliet St. The event is for people 21 and older and proceeds will benefit the annual community fireworks display. Doors will open at 7 p.m. Entertainment will be by disc jockey 1:01. Tickets will include beer, soda and a snack. Other drinks and food will be on sale. Advance tickets are available at the Frackville Free Public Library, 56 N. Lehigh Ave. For more information, call 570-874-3382.

n Lancaster: The Second Indianhead Division Association Inc., Penn-Jersey Branch, will holds its annual reunion May 2-4 at the Continental Inn, Lancaster. All veterans of the Army's Second Infantry Division are invited, according to a press release. For more information, call Jack Woodall at 610-274-1409 or email worriorvet@verizon.net.

n McAdoo: Keystone Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, Grant and Hancock streets, will hold a food sale from noon to 5 p.m. today at the fire house. The menu includes potato cakes for $1 each or six for $5; a cheesesteak hoagie, $6; a chicken cheese steak hoagie, $6; cold cut hoagie, $6. The cost includes a choice of any or all toppings for hoagies, including sauce, onions, sweet peppers, hot peppers and mushrooms. Plain pizza will be available for $8 per pan. Toppings available, at $1.50 extra per topping, include sausage, pepperoni, sweet peppers and mushrooms. To order today, call 570-929-1696.

n McAdoo: Our Lady of Lourdes Roman Catholic Church will hold a feast day dinner and show, titled "The Honky Tonk Kids Show," on Feb. 9. The show will feature Jerry Smith and Dolores Younker, who live by the saying, "There is a little bit of a kid in all of us, and you just have to let it out." The two began their act in 2013 as a way to give back to the community and have been entertaining people in senior living facilities, hospitals and churches with their mix of rock, country religious music, popular music and dance. Younker is a former professional skater and restaurant manager. She and her late husband, Charles, skated for President Jimmy Carter at the White House in 1980. She is a native of Weatherly. Smith, a singer/songwriter from Weatherly, is a pilot who has always had a love for performing. His first group, The Invaders, formed in 1965 and during his 40-year residency in Chicago he played with four other bands. The dinner menu for the show will include seafood bisque soup, barbecue spare ribs, red potatoes, baked beans, coleslaw, vegetable, dessert and beverages for $15. Take-out dinners will be served from noon to 2:30 p.m. and eat-in dinners will be served at 12:30 p.m. with the show starting at 2 p.m. Reservation forms are available in the church bulletin and must be returned with payment by Feb. 2. Payment and the form can be deposited in the collection basket at Mass, by mail or in person to the rectory. A minimum of 80 advance dinner reservations are needed to prevent cancellation of the event. A limited number of dinners will be available at the door.

n Tamaqua: The Tamaqua Community Arts Center, 125 Pine St., will mark International Women's Day: Women in the Arts, on March 8 with a silent auction opening from 4 to 5 p.m., dinner and a movie, "Lost in Living" by Mark Trunk, from 5 to 7 p.m., a motivational speaker and entertainment by KJ Smile from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and the silent auction ending at 8:30 p.m. Advance dinner registrations are required. RSVP by Feb. 28. For more information, call the center at 570-668-1192.

American

Kirsten N. Bickelman, an international relations major, was named to the dean's list at American University, Washington, D.C.. for the fall semester.

A 2013 graduate of Blue Mountain High School, she is a daughter of John and Diane Bickelman, Schuylkill Haven.

Alfred

Lauren Brilla, a sophomore majoring in communications, was named to the dean's list at Alfred University, Alfred, N.Y., with a 4.0 GPA for the fall semester.

She is a 2012 graduate of Pottsville Area High School and a daughter of Steve and Nancy Brilla, Pottsville.

Wyo. Seminary

Ryan Guers, Orwigsburg, a sophomore at Wyoming Seminary College Preparatory School, Kingston, was named to the dean's list for the fall semester.

Ryan is a son of Steven Guers and Dr. Michell Guers, Orwigsburg.

Mansfield

Steven Harrison, a senior fisheries biology major at Mansfield University, was named to the president's list for the fall semester with a 4.0 GPA.

A 2010 graduate of Williams Valley High School, he is a son of Doug and Jennifer Harrison, Tower City.

Penn State

Kelsey E. Holland, a sophomore kinesiology major, made the dean's list for the fall semester at Penn State University, University Park campus, with a 4.0 GPA.

A 2012 graduate of Pottsville Area high School, Kelsey is a daughter of Dave and Cheryl Holland, Pottsville.

Codi Wood, a freshman mechanical engineering major at Penn State University, University Park campus, was named to the dean's list for the fall semester.

A 2013 graduate of Pottsville Area High School, Codi is a son of Tom and Stephanie Wood, Pottsville, and a grandson of Ann Marie Codi Campion, Pottsville.

Clarion

Bridget Holohan, a speech language pathology major at Clarion University, was named to the dean's list for the fall semester with a 4.0 GPA.

A 2012 graduate of Nativity BVM High School, she is a daughter of Donald and Antoinette Holohan, Orwigsburg.

Temple

Brianne N. Hughes, a freshman business major at Temple University, Philadelphia, made the dean's list for the fall semester with a 3.88 GPA.

Brianne is a 2013 graduate of Nativity BVM High School and a daughter of Dave and Kathy Hughes, Schuylkill Haven.

Lock Haven

Allyssa Idacavage, a junior majoring in disability and community services, was named to the dean's list at Lock Haven University for the fall semester.

She is a 2011 graduate of North Schuylkill High School and a daughter of Al and Lisa Idacavage, Ringtown.

Luzerne

Brian Jenkins, Ashland, a elementary education major at Luzerne County Community College, was named to the dean's list for the fall semester with a 3.5 GPA.

A 1999 graduate of North Schuylkill High School, he is a full-time machinist at Ashland Foundry and Machine Shop.

He is a son of Barbara Jenkins.

Slippery Rock

Trevor Lotz, Pottsville, a freshman majoring in athletic training, was named to the dean's list for the fall semester with a 4.0 GPA at Slippery Rock University.

He is a 2013 graduate of Pottsville Area High School.

Bloomsburg

Brandon McCloskey, a sophomore majoring in speech pathology/audiology at Bloomsburg University, attained dean's list for the fall semester with a 3.93 GPA.

A 2012 graduate of North Schuylkill High School, he is a son of Ron and Nancy McCloskey, Frackville.

Millersville

The following local residents were among 1,560 students named to the dean's list for the fall semester at Millersville University:

Eli Brill and Olivia Brill, both of Pine Grove; Benjamin Daum, Orwigsburg; Derick Duffy, Ashland; Kianna Fiscus, Pottsville; Lauren Haines, Pine Grove; Jacob Hikes, Friedensburg; Emily Kaledas, Saint Clair; Tiana Kelly, Tower City; Adam Konsavage, Orwigsburg; Matthew Koppenhaver, Tremont; Marie Lynagh, Orwigsburg; Casey Prosick, Frackville; Max Shirey, Pottsville; Amanda Sleinkofer, Schuylkill Haven; Chicory Snyder, Pine Grove; Kaitlyn Stanton, Pine Grove; Jennifer Steffy, Schuylkill Haven; Kymberlyn Swanger, Hegins; Constantino Varano, Lykens; Mary West, Auburn.

Texas A&M

Joseph Natishak, a freshman accounting major at Texas A&M University, was named to the dean's list for the fall semester with a 3.79 GPA.

A 2013 graduate of Pottsville Area High School, he is a son of Joe and Monica Natishak, Pottsville.

Widener

The following local students were named to the dean's list for the fall semester at Widener University, Chester:

James Deiter, Williams-town, a freshman finance major; Brianna Englert, Pottsville, a junior biology major; Taylor Englert, Pottsville, a sophomore chemical engineering major; Cassandra Miller, Pottsville, a freshman biomedical engineering major; Megan Van Buskirk, Pottsville, a sophomore psychology major.

York

The following local students were named to the dean's list for the fall semester at York College of Pennsylvania:

Heather Dachiu, Shenandoah, a senior early elementary/special education major; Richard Jones, Tamaqua, a freshman mechanical engineering major; Briana Rubright, Tamaqua, a sophomore political science major; Nevin White, Pine Grove, a freshman accounting major.

Cooley Law

Gregory Zitka, Schuylkill Haven, made the dean's list and the honor roll at the Thomas M. Cooley Law School, Lansing, Mich.

He is a graduate of Blue Mountain High School and Millersville University.

Gregory is a son of Walter and Kathleen Zitka, Schuyl-kill Haven, and a grandson of Anthony and Kathryn Tomalonis, New Philadelphia.

Saint Clair woman

faces charges

MINERSVILLE - Minersville police filed charges against a Saint Clair woman after an incident about 12:45 p.m. Dec. 30 in the 100 block of Westwood Street.

Police said Nicole M. Lewis, 36, of 149 N. Mill St., was charged with two counts of harassment after she threatened a Minersville woman in a repeated course of conduct.

The charges against Lewis were filed with Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko, Port Carbon, police said.

Minersville man

harasses woman

MINERSVILLE - A borough man was charged by Minersville police after an incident at 3:50 a.m. Dec. 28 in the 300 block of North Street.

Police said Thomas L. Unverdorben Jr., 32, of 457 Carbon St., was charged with two counts of harassment after calling a woman 32 times in one night and using obscene language.

Unverdorben will have to answer to the charges before Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko, Port Carbon.

Ringtown man

injured in crash

SHEPPTON - One person suffered minor injuries in a crash that occurred at 1:25 p.m. Thursday on Route 924, just west of Mountain Drive in East Union Township.

State police at Frackville said Daniel Vangieson, 26, of Ringtown, was driving a 2003 Ford Focus south when he lost control.

The car slid across the oncoming lane, spun around 90 degrees and then went off the road and hit the guiderails adjacent to the north shoulder, police said.

After hitting the guiderails, police said, the vehicle spun an additional 180 degrees and struck the guiderail again before coming to a stop.

Police said Vangieson was not hurt, but his passenger - William Vangieson, 57, also of Ringtown - suffered a cut above his right eye.

Police said Daniel Vangieson will receive a citation as a result of the crash and that Sheppton-Oneida firefighters assisted at the scene.

Orwigsburg man

faces DUI charges

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN - An Orwigsburg man faces charges of driving under the influence of alcohol after driving his vehicle into a utility pole at 1:45 p.m. Thursday on Route 61, near the Days Inn, North Manheim Township.

State police at Schuylkill Haven said Robert Darcanelo, 66, was driving a 2003 Toyota Corolla south on Route 61 and lost control of the vehicle, traveling onto the west berm and hitting a guide post for a PPL utility pole.

Police said the guide post was sheered off and fell on a 2008 Buick Lucerne parked in the area.

Police said Darcangelo completed a standardized field sobriety test and was then placed under arrest and transported to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street for a blood test.

Charges will be filed with District Magisterial Justice James R. Ferrier, Orwigsburg.

Police investigate

Route 61 crash

Pottsville police investigated a crash that occurred at Mauch Chunk Street and Route 61 about 3 p.m. Thursday.

Police said Ernest Fegley, 88, of Pine Grove, was driving a 2007 Chevrolet Equinox north on Route 61 in the left lane when he reached the intersection and turned into the path of a 2004 Ford F-150 truck being driven south on Route 61 by Wayne Horbal, 50, of Pottsville.

Police said neither driver required treatment for injuries and that Fegley will receive a citation for vehicles turning left.

Both vehicles were towed from the scene, police said.

Miss Delaware

Kelsey Miller, daughter of Jeff and Karen Raczka Miller, was crowned Miss Delaware USA 2014 in Nov-ember 2013.

Kelsey competed in her first pageant in November 2008, when she was crowned Miss Delaware Teen USA 2009. She then went on to compete in Miss Teen USA in the Bahamas in the summer of 2009.

A senior leadership/communications major at the University of Delaware, she is studying abroad in Vietnam. She plans to graduate in May and then pursue a career in broadcasting.

Kelsey will be competing this summer in the Miss USA pageant, which will be televised on NBC at a date to be announced. During Kelsey's reign, she will be doing multiple appearances throughout the state of Delaware and represent the state as a positive role model.

Kelsey was born in Pottsville, March 20, 1991, and raised there until her family moved to Delaware in 2001. Her parents were born and raised in Pottsville. Her father is a 1981 graduate and her mother is a 1984 graduate of Pottsville Area High School.

Kelsey is a granddaughter of Skip and Carole Miller, Middletown, Del., formerly of Pottsville, and a granddaughter of Vince Albo, Seltzer, and the late Joan Albo, and Frank Raczka, Palo Alto.

York

The following local students graduated Dec. 18 from York College of Pennsylvania:

Todd Humphrey, Pottsville, received a bachelor's degree in history; and Phillip Cavaluchi, Port Carbon, received a bachelor's degree in business administration.

A Mahanoy City man sits behind bars after being sentenced Wednesday in Schuylkill County Court on a charge stemming from an October 2011 accident in Rush Township.

Joel M. Kerestus, 25, must serve six to 23 months in prison and undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation, Judge John E. Domalakes ruled.

"I have to agree with the commonwealth," Domalakes said in imposing the sentence prosecutors recommended.

Domalakes imposed that sentence after revoking Kerestus' probation.

Kerestus had admitted violating probation by failing to report to his supervising officer, having new charges against him and failing to pay on his costs and fines. Assistant District Attorney Jennifer N. Lehman said those violations justified a significant prison term.

"A six-month sentence would send a message that you have to follow the rules," Lehman said.

Assistant Public Defender Andrea L. Thompson, Kerestus' lawyer, unsuccessfully asked for a shorter minimum sentence.

Kerestus originally pleaded guilty on July 25, 2012, to driving under the influence, accident involving death or personal injury and driving under suspension, with prosecutors withdrawing charges of careless driving and failure to drive at a safe speed. At that time, Domalakes sentenced him to spend six months in the intermediate punishment program and 12 months consecutive probation, pay costs, $700 in fines, $100 to the Substance Abuse Education Fund, $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account and $60 restitution to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street, amounts Kerestus remains obligated to pay.

Rush Township police had alleged Kerestus was DUI and caused the accident on Oct. 22, 2011, in the township.

DELANO - The current owner of a property that was the site of a former silver recycling plant and later a cable recycling operation in Delano Township is concerned about contamination left by the former operations.

However, an official from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency stated that while there had been hazardous chemicals found inside the building, a cleanup project was conducted that removed those chemicals.

The large one-story building at the former industrial site at 599 Lofty Road, located in a remote area about a mile from Delano, was severely damaged by fire July 25, 2013. A state police fire marshal ruled two days later that it was an arson. No one has been charged in causing the fire.

The property is designated a federal Superfund site. According to the EPA website, Superfund is the name given to the environmental program established to address abandoned hazardous waste sites. It allows the EPA to clean up such sites and to compel responsible parties to perform cleanups or reimburse the government for EPA-led cleanups.

According to a site report dated July 14, 1986, from the then-state Department of Environmental Resources, which is now called the Department of Environmental Protection, former owner, AGMET Inc., processed X-ray and photographic film and waste film developer solution to yield it suitable for smelting and recovery of silver. Smelting for final silver recovery occurred off-site.

The site was later the location of operations for American Cable Recyclers Inc., which is currently located in Mahanoy City.

Robert Bonaccolta, Lebanon, purchased the property for $8,500 in 2010 from the Schuylkill County Tax Claim Bureau. In that year, he began correspondence with DEP and had site visits from its officials.

"In the ground there is buried trash. Nobody wants to do anything about that right now. I had to buy it," Bonaccolta said. "I had to make a decision about what's more important - me and my name and issues I'm going to have, or people's lives that are worth more to me than anything else. There is a nightmare there."

Referring to the $2.2 million cleanup by EPA, Bonaccolta said, "From that you have to know that there were toxic chemicals there. And then there was a fire there, and I don't know who set that on fire. It's still under investigation."

He added, "I asked for an investigation in 2010, but nobody got arrested and nothing is being done. It's ridiculous. And when the place burned down, the fire department told me if those chemicals were in that plant, people would have died if they breathed in any of those chemicals. People would have been gone, and I would have gotten in so much trouble that I would be in jail right now because it's in my name. I'm the bad guy now. I saved the town, and I uncovered a nightmare and these people are coming down on me."

Regional Press Officer Bonnie Smith of EPA's Philadelphia office said that EPA did respond to remove hazardous materials from the site in the years before the fire.

"Bottom line, EPA took two actions. First, we did what is called an 'emergency response' or an 'emergency action,' which was started in September of 2010 and ended in March of 2011," Smith said. "After that, there was a need for an additional removal and EPA did the removal."

Smith said the documentation of the actions by EPA are available on the EPA website.

"Generally speaking, we did a removal of drums and hazardous materials from inside the building from October 2011, and we finished the final action in June 2012," Smith said. "EPA took those actions and under the Superfund law, there is a concept that the polluter pays."

As for the filing of a $2.2 million lien on the property, Smith said that the current property owner is responsible for the cleanup costs.

"The property owner was aware there was contamination on the site when he purchased the property," Smith said. "EPA has taken these actions to be protective of human health and the environment. EPA also coordinated with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, and we worked specifically with the Wilkes-Barre office. Our work was inside of the facility. Our actions were taken. Our actions are complete. We used taxpayer dollars through Superfund to clean this up, and through the Superfund is that we go to the potentially responsible party to recoup those dollars."

Smith explained the reason why the lien was filed against the property.

"Liens are a tool that EPA has to facilitate the recovery of EPA's response costs," Smith said. "It's one of the tools. Liens are common, though they are not routine. We don't use them all the time. There is a part of the Superfund law that allows us to do that."

Smith added that any funds that are received for reimbursement of cleanup costs go back into the fund for use in other cleanup projects and not into the EPA operating budget.

During the fire, Delano fire Chief Paul Kuropatsky had contact with EPA and DEP officials to confirm the building did not contain hazardous materials. Smith confirmed that EPA was contacted.

"They (fire officials) may have contacted other places, they definitely contacted us and we were able to confirm that our removal was complete," Smith said. "After the fire, our on-scene coordinator did go and look at the site, and we did not observe evidence of additional hazardous waste."

As for any contamination the land beyond the building, Smith said that there are certain conditions that need to be met for any addition cleanup actions.

"As to his (Bonaccolta) claim that additional work is needed, our assessment is that additional soil study is not warranted," Smith said. "Superfund things need to rise to a certain level. We do assessments involving risk. We look at historical data and we decided that a soil study was not warranted. This is an industrial site. Additional analysis may be needed depending on what the owner might use the site for."

The stars of the celestial dome we see night after night, at least when the clouds decide to stay out of the way, are random arrangements of stars in a huge range of brightness. Of course, in the urban lit areas, you only see the brighter ones.

I actually enjoy how the stars are randomly thrown against the sky. To me, it makes stargazing more of an enjoyable challenge. People throughout the eons tried to make sense of what they saw, looking for "pictures" made up by the stars that represented characters in stories, legends or mythologies. These pictures in most cases demand incredible level of imagination to see them as what they are suppose to be. These pictures in the stars are what we call constellations.

Most of the tales that are best known in this part of the world are spinoffs of Greek and Roman mythology. While different cultures have their own unique mythology, all the constellations are pictures of the characters that make up these soap operas of the night sky. You have to constantly remind yourself though that as you witness the stars and constellations they aren't all painted on a flat canvas. You are really looking at a three dimensional field. There's no such thing as chartering a spacecraft in the future and zooming out to the constellation of Orion the Hunter. That can't happen since the stars that make the mighty hunter widely varying distances from your backyard, or wherever you stargaze from.

Some constellations though do display some pretty unique geometrical shapes. Astronomers call them asterisms.

The connecting lines of stars in the constellation Cassiopeia the Queen resembles a giant W in the heavens that's now hanging nearly upside down in the evening in the northwest. The right side of the constellation Leo the Lion now rising in the east after twilight outlines a backward question mark. The constellation Auriga the Chariot Driver now shining very high in the southeast sky looks like a lopsided pentagon.

One of the best patterns is that of the seven stars that make up the rear end and tail of Ursa Major the Big Bear. Those stars also make what we call the Big Dipper, presently standing diagonally on its handle in the low northeast sky.

There are much larger asterisms in the sky that use stars from several adjoining constellations. These can be great tools in learning constellations. One of these is known as the Summer Triangle made up the brightest stars from three separate constellations. At the corners are: Vega, the brightest star in the constellation Lyra, Deneb in the constellation Cygnus the Swan and Altair in the Aquila the Eagle. Each one of these stars is the brightest shiner in their home constellation. The Summer Triangle is so easy to see at a glance in the summer and autumn sky and can be a very good tool in helping you find your way around that part of the celestial theater.

The very best asterism of the night sky right now, at least in this stargazer's opinion, is the Winter Triangle on display in the southeastern sky. Without stretching the truth a bit, the Winter Triangle is a perfect equilateral triangle made up three bright stars from three separate constellations. Unless you're viewing from right under a street lamp or your neighbors annoying yard light is bombing your eyes, you should have no trouble spotting it.

It's made up of the stars Betelgeuse from the constellation Orion the Hunter, Procyon, the brightest star in the constellation small Canis Minor the Little Dog and Sirius, the brightest star in Canis Major the Big Dog. Sirius also happens to be the brightest star available in the night sky. These three stars are the brightest star-like luminaries in that part of the sky with the exception of very bright planet Jupiter shining off to the upper left.

Sirius and Procyon are almost twice the diameter of our sun and are more luminous than our home star, but the main reason they're so bright in our heavenly dome is they're relatively close to the Earth. Procyon is 11 light years away and Sirius is a bit more than 8 light years away.

With one light year equaling just under six trillion miles, it would still take much more than a long weekend to journey to those shiners. In fact, if you flew to Sirius in a jet airliner averaging 500 miles per hour, it would take you more that 11 million years to get there. They better have meals and movies on that flight.

Sirius can be a whole lot of fun to view through even a small telescope. That's because it never gets up very high in the sky, and its light has to travel through much more of Earth's blurring atmosphere to reach our eyes. If upper air winds are strong and there's a lot of turbulence, Sirius can appear as a changing kaleidoscope of colors while its light rays get bounced around.

The third star of the perfect Winter Triangle, Betelgeuse, is a huge star well over 500 light years away. This super red giant star is almost a billion miles in diameter, and sooner or later, will burst in a colossal supernova explosion, maybe within the million years if you feeling like waiting up for it. Until then, you can see the upper right hand member of the Winter Triangle shining brightly sporting an easily seen reddish hue. I'll have more on Betelgeuse next week.

It's just amazing to me that these three stars that make up the absolute perfectly proportioned Winter Triangle just happen to be positioned the way they are in the winter sky. Coincidence or divine intervention? That's your call.

Celestial huggings

Check out the full moon passing by the bright planet Jupiter in the southeastern evening sky this week. On Tuesday, the moon will pass about six degrees to the right of Jupiter. Enjoy the hugging early morning risers.

(Lynch is an amateur astronomer and author of the book, "Stars, a Month by Month Tour of the Constellations." Contact him at mikewlynch@comcast.net.)

Like any officer of the law, Janine Choplick goes into work each morning not knowing what surprises the day holds.

Choplick is one of five registered humane officers at Hillside SPCA in Pottsville.

"We get anything from puppies, cruelty calls to vet visits all in a day," she said Wednesday. "You just never know what is going to happen."

Humane society police officers are registered under the state Department of Agriculture and are appointed by the county court of common pleas to prevent cruelty to animals.

"I can go out in the county and make a difference in all those animals' lives," Choplick said.

To become a humane officer, a person must be a resident of the state for at least 12 months; provide a criminal history report from the Pennsylvania State Police; and not have been convicted of any felonies or serious misdemeanors or any violations, including a summary offense, relating to cruelty of animals, or any similar offenses in another jurisdiction, state or country.

Each officer needs at least 60 hours of training and is required to complete continuing education courses every two years. Choplick said courses are offered in Harrisburg and at Penn State University.

Animal organizations are not required to have a humane officer on staff, Choplick said, but most have at least one. Each county has to have at least one, she said.

Ruth Steinert Memorial SPCA, Pine Grove, and Tamaqua Area Animal Rescue, Tamaqua, each have two registered humane officers. Current registrations will expire in May, according to the Department of Agriculture.

According to commonwealth law, animal cruelty occurs when someone ill treats, overloads, beats or otherwise abuses any animal, neglects any animal he or she has a duty to care for or otherwise abandons or deprives any animal of necessary food, drink, shelter or veterinary care.

"Animal abuse and negligence are very serious offenses," Choplick said.

Criminal charges are a misdemeanor of the third degree and can carry a fine up to $1,000 or imprisonment up to 90 days, or both. Penalties can also include civil charges with payment of up to $1,000.

The jurisdiction of a humane officer is limited to the county of appointment. They have the authority to file a notice with the county district attorney and each officer is issued a badge like that of a police officer and a photo ID. Humane officers also have to be sworn in by a county judge.

"Police are often burdened with other calls," Choplick said. "When they are out there taking care of other things, we can tend to animal calls."

Choplick said Hillside has at least five calls on the message machine every morning.

"We as humane officers only do humane calls while dog catchers go after dogs at large in the county," Choplick said. "We work together, but we have different jobs to do."

Dog wardens are employed by local government and are responsible for picking up strays, answering nuisance complaints and enforcing dog laws licenses.

Humane officers from the different organizations are always in contact with each other, Choplick said. They also have a good relationship with local and state police, she said.

"We have contacts in each local police force," Choplick said. "The state police are also great help. We always work together."

Not only do humane officers help animals in need, but they also look to educate people so that they can take better care of their animals and recognize abuse. If someone refuses to surrender their pet, they show them how to take care of them, she said.

"Education is a big part of what we do. We have to explain the law," Choplick said. "Many times people just don't know the law while some people just don't care."

Choplick said the hardest situations for humane officers are cases involving animal hoarding. The Hillside SPCA has been called to homes throughout Schuylkill County within the last few months where each case involved as many as 20 animals.

"I'm not sure if it's becoming more common or if more people are becoming aware of what's going on and reporting it," Choplick said.

In most hoarding cases, Choplick said residents may have good intentions, but they take on way more than they can handle. Choplick said those people are referred to as "overwhelmed caregivers."

"Some people think they are saving the dogs but some of the conditions are absolutely appalling," she said. "It's an overload for everyone involved and it's traumatic for the animals."

The work of a humane officer isn't for everyone.

"It's emotional, it's not an easy thing to jump into," Choplick said.

Not everyone can handle the various situations, especially when it involves walking away, but a humane officer has to follow the law, Choplick said.

"It's not an easy job," she said. "It's hard to walk away from something but sometimes you have to."

Maureen Graf, 26, works at the Hillside SPCA and hopes to become a humane officer.

"I just think they could use some more help," Graf said Wednesday.

But the job has its own rewards, Choplick admitted while petting a basset hound recently taken into custody at the shelter.

"It is rewarding to us to see the changes that are made and see that the dog has a better life," Choplick said.

For more information on approved training opportunities, visit www.humaneinpa.org.

Did you know that there are places around your house where art and antiques don't belong?

Most of us know that attics and basements are poor choices for the storage of art and antiques, yet most of the time that is where the antiques are found. Antiques are commonly squirreled away in attics, rafters, basements, beneath floorboards, etc. They are among the worst places to store antiques, but if you are looking for antiques in Grandma's house, these bad places are the first places you should look.

The foyer is not the best place to display your antiques. The front door is the major culprit. The door opens and closes all the time, and temperature and humidity changes are often drastic in your foyer. These seasonal changes in temperature impact the condition of an oil-on-canvas painting, a Victorian hall stand made of oak or a vintage ceramic floor vase holding umbrellas and walking sticks. This is why I suggest that you decorate your foyer, the main entryway to your home which sets the tone for all of your home décor, with wreaths and such. Save the antiques for the main areas of your home, like living rooms, studies and dens.

Art and antiques need ventilation, air flow and consistent temperature and humidity levels, and need to be kept away from direct sunlight. Don't place art or antiques near radiators, heaters, air vents, air conditioning units, etc.

Here are the worst places for art and antiques:

- In an attic: there is too much heat with poor ventilation.

- In a basement, which are generally too damp with high mold or mildew levels.

- In a storage locker. You may forget about the valuable objects stored there; many people do. I have appraised serious valuables in storage lockers near and far.

- In an exterior shed, garage or barn. This is not much different than putting your rare antiques directly outside in the elements.

- Under a bed. Laying your works of art flat attracts dirt and bugs. It is best to hang works of art or store them upright.

- In a kitchen. Heat, cooking odors and dirt can damage art and antiques.

- In a laundry room. Washing machine moisture and dryer heat are very bad.

- In a bathroom. Water, odors, steam; need I say more?

- In an air-tight china cabinet. Make sure you open your china cabinet once in a while to let heat escape.

- Anywhere food or drink may be served. Spills happen.

Art and antiques like to live where you like to live. If I had a dime for each time I have made this exact statement in front of my live audiences around the world, I'd be banking with Oprah and Bill Gates.

Happy collecting.

(Dr. Lori Verderame hosts antiques appraisal events worldwide. Bring an antique for a free appraisal by Dr. Lori at Suburban Home & Garden Show in Oaks Feb. 21 through 23. Dr. Lori is the star appraiser on Discovery channel. Visit www.DrLoriV.com, www.Facebook.com/DoctorLori, Lori Verderame on Google+ or @DrLori on Twitter.)

Schuylkill County has a larger than national number of elderly residents. However, our older adults have remained spry and active. Must be something in the local water. In my experience, they make up our largest age group of volunteers. You'd be hard-pressed to name a non-profit that isn't enriched by a senior volunteer.

RSVP of Schuylkill County will be celebrating a special birthday this year and the following was provided by Director Carol Bowen.

As a society, we celebrate milestones by marking special occasions. Ringing in the new tear comes with fanfare and a nostalgic look back at the year past, introspection, pledges for change and plans for a better future. For RSVP of Schuylkill County, 2014 contains all these and a celebration of 30 years.

On Jan. 1, 1984, the Schuylkill County Office of Senior Services (then known as the Schuylkill County Area Agency on Aging) embarked on implementing a federal start-up grant to launch the Schuylkill County Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, a program that engages volunteers age 55 and over to provide volunteer services where needed in the community.

The past 30 years has brought many changes in funding, age requirement, volunteer opportunities, personnel and areas where volunteers serve. Even the name, Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, has changed to just RSVP. What has not changed is the dedication of staff and volunteers to provide meaningful volunteer solutions to our community's pressing needs.

Stella Williams, of Tamaqua, and Mary Butera, of Pottsville, were the first two volunteers enrolled in March 1984. Williams signed up to be a friendly visitor for the Area Agency on Aging, helping to alleviate loneliness. Butera became one of the first members of the RSVP advisory council and helped several non-profit agencies with fundraising efforts. Each will be remembered for their energy, compassion and willingness to serve their communities. Since that time, nearly 2,000 volunteers have contributed their time and talents through RSVP.

Today, RSVP has 416 volunteers enrolled and engaged in service to Schuylkill County. They provide support to more than 40 nonprofit agencies throughout the county. Volunteers tutor students in schools, shelve books in libraries, tutor adults in reading and math, work in non-profit gift shops, provide direction and help at information desks in medical facilities, assist non-profits with fundraising initiatives, help resolve issues with Medicare and foster a healthier environment by assisting with recycling efforts, environmental clean-up initiatives and stream monitoring.

RSVP volunteers donated more than 1.58 million hours of service to Schuylkill County over the past 30 years. RSVP is unique in that it enrolls only volunteers over the age of 55 who are placed to serve with agencies on an ongoing basis. They do not just volunteer one time, but become part of the culture of the agency where they serve, helping to meet the goals established by that agency. Many RSVP volunteers have served with agencies for 15 or more years with several volunteering at their agency for more than 25 years.

"As we embark on our next decade (our 31st year) of enhancing the quality of life for Schuylkill County residents we set a goal of increasing the number of volunteers working in significant focus areas by 31," Bowen said.

The focus areas include after-school program homework helpers, tutors for adult literacy, GED and ESL, drivers to take older residents to medical appointments, grocery shopping helpers, visitors to alleviate loneliness, respite care volunteers, ambassadors to identify and access benefits for residents age 60 and over and helpers to prepare and/or deliver meals to homebound residents.

RSVP is funded in part by a federal grant from the Corporation for National and Community Services and the Schuylkill County Board of Commissioners and is locally sponsored and housed at the Schuylkill County Office of Senior Services.

If you would like to be part of this wonderful group of people who are striving to make significant changes in people's lives and are over the age of 55, contact RSVP at the Schuylkill County Office of Senior Services at 570-622-3103.

TOWER CITY - One assistant and two volunteer coaches were approved Dec. 19 by the Williams Valley school board for the 2013-14 school year.

Stephen Barner, Tower City, was approved as assistant baseball coach, while Paul Herb, Lykens, will serve as volunteer assistant baseball coach and Curtis Woodford, Pottsville, will be a volunteer assistant wrestling coach.

The board also heard concerns about allowing younger children to be present while practices for extra-curricular events were being conducted. Solicitor Richard Thornburg will draw up a waiver for the district to use and present to parents of those children involved.

In other business, the board approved:

- Closing the athletic fund Mid Penn Bank and Pennsylvania School District Liquid Asset Fund bank accounts. The state Department of Education has directed that the athletic fund be combined with the general fund.

- Taxpayer Relief Act Resolution for the 2014-15 school year

- A resolution to comply with the Safe Harbor requirements of the Affordable Care Act

- 2013 Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act Resolution

- A letter of agreement for the provision of Student Assistance Services between the district and Schuylkill County Mental Health/Developmental Services/Drug & Alcohol Programs, effective Jan. 1 through Dec. 31.

The board amended a request from the Williams Valley Elementary Basketball organization to allow access to the elementary gym on Sundays as needed.

Tax time is quickly approaching.

Ahead of the April 15 deadline, the IRS will start accepting taxes Jan. 31.

There are some things people should do in preparation of filing their taxes.

"The first thing we'd want you to do is bring your prior year tax return," if you are a new client, Toni Everdale, a certified public accountant with St. Clair & Associates, Pottsville, said Thursday.

The tax form should include dependants, address information, names and refund, among other information

Some people visit the office because they are not comfortable completing them.

"We can give them security that they are getting an accurate return," Everdale said.

"Keep careful records and maintain those records for at least three years after you file your tax return" William E. Kirwan, owner and CPA at the firm, said.

The IRS can audit returns three years after they are filed. In cases where fraud is suspected, it can be six years, he said.

"We recommend you keep your actual tax return indefinitely," Kirwan said.

The firm has been in business for 50 years and serves businesses and individuals. Kirwan and Everdale both have 25 years of experience as a CPA.

Everdale said business tax returns should be kept for "at least seven" years.

"That's a common question. How long do I have to keep this stuff?" she said.

The firm can file electronically or the tax filer can request taxes be filed by paper.

Submitting returns electronically results in a faster refund.

"You can use software but if it doesn't ask you the right questions, you don't get the right answer," Kirwan said, adding the experience of the firm is an asset.

They can find ways to help clients save money and pay only the taxes that they must.

"The government has to have its due, but it doesn't have to have more than its due," Kirwan said.

No one has filed their taxes yet and will not until closer to the end of the month, he said.

Student loan interest deductions, mortgage interest, mortgage insurance deductible and business expenses can be deducted if certain guidelines are met.

H&R Block, Pottsville, also has people on staff to assist with taxes.

They opened for the tax season last week and have had about four or five people file so far.

Returns are transmitted but can't be accepted by the IRS until Jan. 31.

A wide variety of reasons brings taxpayers to the H&R Block office.

"Some people say they are not good with numbers," Helen O'Neill, office coordinator, said Thursday. She said other people have said they don't have the time or they want to make sure their taxes are done correctly.

It's important to remember your photo identification, social security card, W2s and other important tax information when you visit. Completing taxes might tax an hour or so, she said.

An appointment isn't needed.

Those with incomes of $57,000 or less can file certain tax forms for free, which will be available starting Jan. 31.

Schuylkill Community Action will have six locations for those who qualify for tax help to receive assistance until April 15.

In addition to its office at 225 N. Centre St., Pottsville, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fridays, those locations are:

- Deiter Construction, 551 Greenwood Road, Tower City, 5 to 8 p.m. Mondays

- Terence P. Reiley Community Center, 216 N. 12th St., from 9 a.m. to noon Mondays and 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays

- Lehigh Carbon Community College, 234 High St., Tamaqua, from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays

- Frackville Free Public Library, 56 N. Lehigh Ave., Frackville, from 9 a.m. to noon Thursdays

- McCann School of Business & Technology from 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays

Schuylkill Community Action will be available for questions from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday by calling 570-622-1995.

The free tax assistance of all locations starts Jan. 21 and ends at the close of business April 14.

Assistance is available to those who are at or below 125 percent of the federal poverty level or who are eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit. An appointment is needed.

The organization has about 18 volunteers but could use more. To volunteer, call Schuylkill Community Action's office.

Last year, 373 returns were completed amounting to $662,956 in refunds, Marie Fertig, income assistance coordinator for Schuylkill Community Action, said.

An average of $1,431 in earned income tax credits was claimed for tax filers, she said.

The credit is available to low income individuals.

Money from the IRS, banks and a foundation made the help a reality, Fertig said.

For a list of deductions and for questions, visit IRS.gov, or call 800-829-1040 for individuals or 800-829-4933 for businesses.

BARNESVILLE - Each of the 21 high school juniors competing for the title of Greater Pottsville Winter Carnival Snowflake Princess carefully chose their outfits for the fashion show Sunday at Mountain Valley Golf Course to best show off their style and personality to the judges and audience.

Some wore formal dresses, like North Schuylkill's Taylor Lindenmuth.

"It was my formal dress and I love it," Lindenmuth said. "It's blingy."

Others wore more casual attire and a few picked outfits to stand out.

Brooke Miller, Williams Valley, wore her cheerleader outfit.

"That's my life," she said. "I've been cheering since second grade and plan to cheer in college."

Kate Chapman, Mahanoy Area, wore firefighter's gear, including her helmet.

"It's different from what everyone else is wearing and it will make me stand out," she said.

Chapman is a member of the Humane Fire Company, Mahanoy City, and said her parents were firefighters.

"My whole life I watched them do it and I want to grow up to be exactly like them," she said.

The high school contestants were the first to have their fashion show for the 47th annual Greater Pottsville Winter Carnival. It was also the first time they met the judges with a reception earlier in the day.

Chapman said before the show, she was less nervous after having met the judges.

"I feel I can go out and be confident and show them that this is who I am," she said.

Mary Ella Hallick, chairwoman of the Snowflake competition, said each contestant could wear two different outfits Sunday. The first was anything of their choice while the second was formal attire for the interview session.

The number of contestants in the Snowflake pageant is up from previous years as each school in the county was now allowed to send up to three students, Hallick said.

"Each school has a different way of choosing who goes to the carnival," Hallick said.

For example, Mahanoy Area students had to write an essay explaining why they would be a good candidate while students at Pottsville Area had to give a speech, Hallick said.

The next Winter Carnival event will be the Snowflake costume fashion show at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Boscov's auditorium at Fairlane Village mall, Pottsville.