David J. Rossi

TREMONT — A Minersville man is headed to Schuylkill County Court following a preliminary hearing Dec. 15 on charges stemming from an automobile accident in which he allegedly was driving under the influence in September in Reilly Township.

Chester R. Sattizahn, 33, of 7 Edgar Lewis St., faces charges of driving under the influence, aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI, recklessly endangering another person, failure to keep right, failure to yield right of way, disregarding traffic lane, failure to drive at a safe speed and careless driving.

After the hearing, Magisterial District Judge David J. Rossi ruled prosecutors had produced sufficient evidence to support all the charges, which he ordered held for court. He allowed Sattizahn to remain free on $25,000 unsecured bail pending further court action.

State police at Schuylkill Haven alleged Sattizahn was DUI and caused the accident on Sept. 25.

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

Kathren M. Adams, 35, of 106 E. Grand Ave., Tower City; possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia; right to preliminary hearing waived, charge of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance withdrawn, other charges bound over for court.

John L. Amend, 35, of 404 High Road, Ashland; criminal mischief, DUI, defiant trespass and careless driving; charges of criminal mischief and DUI dismissed. Amend pleaded guilty to defiant trespass and careless driving. Rossi sentenced him to pay costs and $125 in fines.

Michael R. Angelo, 45, of 221 Willing St., Llewellyn; simple assault and harassment; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

William E. Burdick, 53, of 108 Jodi Lane, Tazewell, Tennessee; disorderly conduct; charge dismissed.

Jolena A. Deeter, 29, of 235 Second St., Tremont; possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Steven L. Dorman, 47, of 1047 Rock Road, Pine Grove; prohibited possession of firearm, terroristic threats, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and harassment; right to preliminary hearing waived, charge of prohibited possession of firearm withdrawn, other charges bound over for court.

Michael L. Felty, 33, of 101 S. 17th St., Lebanon; three counts each of delivery of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Trisha M. Fetterhoff, 27, of 513 Blue Mountain Drive, New Ringgold; three counts of conspiracy and two each of delivery of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Jeffrey A. Hoppes, 36, of 113 S. Fourth St., Tower City; possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Conner M. Klingensmith, 21, of 284 Turkey Farm Road, Titusville; DUI, disregarding traffic lane and careless driving; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Kati R. McManus, 21, of 232 Ann St. Apt. 12, Middletown; DUI and violation of hazard regulation; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Adam S. Purcell, 27, of 136 High Road, Pottsville; carrying a firearm without a license; right to preliminary hearing waived, charge bound over for court.

Brittany M. Shadle, 25, of 267 Hill Road, Hegins; delivery of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Ethan B. Stiles, 22, of 218 W. Market St., Williamstown; delivery of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Eric S. Traub, 37, of 508 W. Grand Ave., Sheridan; four counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, three each of delivery of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance and one each of criminal use of a communication facility and possession of drug paraphernalia; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

CRESSONA — A Reading man was flown by MedEvac 7 to a Lehigh County hospital after his vehicle overturned Wednesday on Route 183.

State police at Schuylkill Haven said the driver, Joseph Soto, 28, fell asleep at the wheel while driving south on Route 183. As he approached the intersection near Earl Stoyer Drive in Wayne Township, he drifted off the road, hitting an embankment causing it to overturn about 10 feet from impact.

Soto was taken to a Lehigh Valley Hospital for non life-threating injuries. Trooper Daniel Phillips said the man was conscious before being taken away in a Schuylkill Area EMS vehicle. He did not know the extent of his injuries but said there was no blood visible in the Honda that Soto was driving. The ambulance left the scene at 4:59 p.m.

“They were able to pull him out. I didn’t even get to talk to him,” Phillips said of firefighters and EMS personnel who pulled the man to safety.

His brother, Michael Soto, 27, was a passenger in the car. Michael Soto said he was not injured. He said they had recently left work at Northeast Prestressed Products when the accident took place, although he doesn’t know how.

“I was sleeping,” he said.

Michael Soto was awoken by the jolt of the car. He got out on his own. Both were wearing seat belts, police said.

The accident took place about a quarter of a mile north of Route 443. Traffic was backed up going south on 183 in the vicinity of the accident.

A supervisor with the Schuylkill County Communications Center said the accident with entrapment was called into the center at 4:15 p.m. The supervisor said he believed that the patient was taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, Allentown.

The vehicle was towed from the scene shortly after 5 p.m.

Summit Station Fire Company and Friedensburg Fire Company responded to the scene, along with Schuylkill County Probation.

Phillips said Joseph Soto will be cited for careless driving and driving while suspended.

Federal officials announced Wednesday that a grand jury in Scranton has indicted two inmates for allegedly trying to obtain marijuana and synthetic marijuana at Federal Correctional Institution/Schuylkill.

William Bonilla Jr., 31, and William Davis, 29, each face charges of conspiracy and attempt to obtain marijuana and synthetic marijuana, also known as ADB-FUBINACA, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced.

In the indictment, the grand jury alleged that Davis and Bonilla made telephone calls in January to try to arrange for the importation of both the marijuana and synthetic marijuana into FCI/Schuylkill, and that a third person, identified only as W.B., then tried to bring the drugs into the prison in Butler Township.

Bonilla and Davis each face a possible maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, supervised release following release and a $500,000 fine.

The FBI and the Federal Bureau of Prisons investigated the case, which is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd K. Hinkley.

Senior U.S. District Judge A. Richard Caputo will preside over the case.

Deeds

Butler Township — Francis P. and Donna Miller to Tina M. and David J. Janovich; property in Lavelle; $1.

Robert F. and Rita M. Remaley to Robert F. Remaley Jr. and James E. Remaley; property on Helfenstein Road; $1.

East Brunswick Township — Kathleen M. Feher, executrix of the Estate of Sylvia A. Shoener, to Breezy Acres Farms LLC; 151 W. Schmaltzdahl Road; $288,000.

Shenandoah — Miguel Vasquez Torres to Miguel Vasquez Torres and Ruth Romero De Bonilla; 111 W. Coal St.; $1.

South Manheim Township — Clinton J. Leibold to Brynell Spencer Stevens and Eric L. Stevens; 189 Stony Mountain Road; $310,000.

Gloria Bambrick to Dane Jr. and Catharine Hardinger; 506 Meadow Drive; $1.

Timothy J. and Debra A. Killeen to Danny C. Banes; 1481 Bearcat Cove, Lake Wynonah; $315,000.

Tamaqua — Kingdom First Properties LLC to Interstate Housing Opportunities LLC; 3 Cherry St.; $1,000.

Craig and Helen Walters to Gregory R. Lobichusky; 144 Owl Creek Road; $194,900.

Michael J. Estojak to Tamaqua Area Community Partnership; three properties; $100,000.

Upper Mahantongo Township — Brenda M. Reiner, Laurie M. Schwenk, Amy M. Reiner and Scott A. Reiner to Scott A. Reiner; 1446 Ridge Road, Klingerstown; $1.

Wayne Township — Robert L. and Linda A. Lash to Jason A. and Amy L. Landis; 1427 Fair Road, Summit Station; $320,000.

Kent R. and Treasure D. Hatter to Michael L. and Kelly L. Freed; 5 Allenwood Drive; $320,000.

West Brunswick Township — Sherri L. Powell to Hope Brilla; 1831 Ridgewood Road; $225,000.

West Mahanoy Township — Fred J. and Mary Ann Kushwarra to Taylor E. Pecika; 137 S. Spencer St., Altamont; $30,000.

Deeds

Hegins Township — David R. and Judith A. Schmaldienst to Stacy L. Hoover; 619 E. Chestnut St., Hegins; $119,900.

Minersville — Raymond F. and Anne Marie O’Boyle to Kathleen M. Kerick, Raymond F. O’Brien, Barbara A Kohler, Daniel F. O’Boyle and Mary E. Cordle; 412 Carbon St.; $1.

New Philadelphia — Albert P. and Kathleen A. Shebakis to Albert P. Shebakis; 6 Klim Ave.; $1.

Orwigsburg — Heffner Investment Properties to Nicholas K. Marcalus; 305 E. Market St.; $156,000.

Palo Alto — Carol Newton to Marcelline Bair; 233 E. Bacon St.; $102,500.

Pine Grove — Jared D. Himmelberger and Alicia S. Dannenhower to Andrew K. Tran and Samantha J. Riffon; 305 Cherry St.; $175,000.

Porter Township — Annette Ebersole Brilla to Garrett Hentz; 2021 E. Center St., Joliett; $63,500.

Rush Township — Anna Balas, by attorney in fact Barbara A. Balas, to 77 Fairview Street LLC; 10.038-acre property; $146,000.

Floyd L. and Sylvia I. Bachert to Karl B. and Lynn A. Bachert; 18.22-acre property on Legislative Route 53090; $1.

Saint Clair — Lori A. Kelly to Mario and Salvatrice Conigliaro; 13 S. Front St.; $53,000.

Schuylkill Haven — G. David and Mary Jean Manbeck to Tanya Bedway and Craig Manbeck; 113 Roosevelt St.; $1.

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — A six-pack of Yuengling, Guers Iced Tea, Mrs. T’s pierogies, Roma Pizza and boilo are just some of local flavors you can find with the “Skook” versions of Santa and Mrs. Claus by local artist Missi Allen.

The Pottsville artist started her series of “Skook” Christmas oil paintings last year with Santa. Modeled after her grandfather, “Skook Santa” sports a “Got Coal” hat, camouflage pants and a Swisher cigar hanging from his mouth while carrying a box of Roma Pizza, a six-pack of Yuengling Lager and Guers Iced Tea.

“Santa looks like my grandfather,” Allen said Monday in her studio at the Walk In Art Center, Schuylkill Haven. “He always had a Swisher hanging out of his mouth.”

This year, Allen started painting Mrs. Claus in July stirring a pot of boilo on an old-fashioned stove that also has a pot of bean soup, Mrs. T’ pierogies, Kowalonek’s kielbasa and pickled eggs.

“Mrs. Claus is my aunt, Irene Miller,” Allen said. “She was that firehouse lady we all love and was known for making her own halupki.”

Allen sells Christmas cards, cut-out ornaments, mugs, gift bags and tags with the images of Skook Santa and Mrs. Claus on them and individual prints. She said she has gotten many requests through social media and has sent orders to Virginia, Oregon, Florida, Texas and Canada.

“I think people that live here or those who have left can readily identify with it,” Allen said. “It is so identifiable that it is easy for people to latch onto it. It is something we can all identify with living here.”

Painting since she was 6 years old, Allen said her first piece focusing on something unique to Schuylkill County was an oil painting of a Guers Iced Tea carton in 2009.

“Ever since then, I have been rolling with it and I just had to do something for Christmas so I thought what would a Skook Santa Claus have on?” Allen said.

Paintings of local landmarks like the former Hollywood Theatre and portraits including that of Dick Yuengling also stick out among her various other works on display in her studio.

“It’s all about the things people here associate with where we are from,” Allen said. “I wanted to give them things people here can appreciate.”

While her Skook Christmas paintings have proven to be popular gifts over the past two holiday seasons, not everyone in Schuylkill County likes hearing the term “Skook.” Allen said she does not think the term should be viewed as derogatory in any way.

“I think it is a really cool thing that Schuylkill County residents have their own phrase for the culture here,” she said. “I think that is such a testament to having a culture that is exclusive to here. I don’t know of any other county that has their own nickname for it.”

For more information about Allen and how to buy her art, visit her website at www.MissiAllenArt.com.

Pottsville police

investigate crash

Pottsville police investigated a crash that occurred about 10:55 a.m. Monday at the intersection of Third and West Market streets.

Police said Cassidy Nush, 20, of Pottsville, was driving a 2002 Suzuki XL7 west in the 200 block of West Market Street when she failed to stop for a steady red light at the intersection with Third Street and struck a 2011 Cadillac being driven north on Third Street by a 75-year-old Schuylkill Haven woman.

No injuries were reported and police Nush will receive a citation for failure to adhere to traffic control devices as a result of the crash.

Pottsville firefighters assisted at the scene and police said the Nush vehicle was towed from the scene.

Police: Man not

injured in crash

PATTERSONVILLE — A 19-year-old Ringtown man escaped injury when the 2006 Toyota Tacoma he was driving crashed about 7:15 p.m. Wednesday on Ringtown Boulevard, just east of Firehouse Road in Union Township.

State police at Frackville said David Zienkiewicz was driving south, uphill and following a left curve, when he hit a large patch of ice, causing his vehicle to fishtail. The truck went off of the road and struck an embankment, causing it to roll over 1 1/2 times before coming to a stop on its roof, police said.

The man was secured by safety belts and was able to climb out of the vehicle’s window without being hurt.

Ringtown and Shenandoah firefighters and Shenandoah ALS assisted at the scene, police said.

Man charged with

simple assault

PINE GROVE — A 28-year-old Pine Grove man was arrested by state police at Jonestown and charged with simple assault and harassment after an incident about 8:30 p.m. Dec. 9 on Suedberg Road in Pine Grove Township.

Police said Matthew P. Miller will have to answer to the charges before Magisterial District Judge David Rossi, Tremont.

Miller was charged after he assaulted a 32-year-old Pine Grove woman, police said.

Police: Woman

damaged window

MAHANOY CITY — A Girardville woman was charged with criminal mischief by state police at Frackville after an incident about noon Wednesday at 22 Coles St. in the Mahanoy Township Village of Coles.

State police at Frackville said Sarah Purcell will have to answer to the charge before Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker, Shenandoah.

Police said Purcell used a plastic construction cone to break a single-pane window at the home of Faith Morgan.

Man faces rape,

assault charges

LYKENS — State police at Lykens charged a man from Lykens with the rape and aggravated indecent assault of a child, incidents which occurred over a number of years, police said Thursday.

Toby Leroy Koppenhaver of 512 S. Second St., Lykens, was charged. He confessed to the allegations, was arraigned at the Dauphin County Judicial Center and placed in Dauphin County Prison in lieu of $100,000 straight bail, police said Thursday.

The incidents occurred in Lykens between April 11, 2012 and Nov. 17, police said.

The victim, a girl police did not identify, reported that she was being molested and raped by Koppehaver since she was 10 years old. When the victim turned 12, Koppenhaver began having sexual intercourse with the victim, police said.

Police said Koppenhaver was interviewed and confessed to the allegations. He was charged with rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and aggravated indecent assault, police said.

Tilden police

advise caution

The Tilden Township Police Department on Thursday advised the public to be cautious when being approached by strangers.

At 2 p.m. Thursday at The Dollar Tree, 1780 Tilden Ridge Drive, Tilden Township, Berks County, a man in a Jeep attempted to lure a 16-year-old male into the vehicle, according to Tilden Township Police Chief William J. McEllroy III.

“A white male, with face stubble, possibly short clean cut brown hair, wearing a dark colored beanie hat and black jacket, was in the front right passenger seat of a black Jeep Cherokee SUV that approached the front of The Dollar Tree store,” the chief said.

“The passenger spoke with a 16-year-old male who was walking by. The passenger attempted to lure the child into the back of the vehicle by telling him that he had won a ‘home entertainment system.’ The child did not comply and reported the incident to a parent,” the chief said.

Anyone with any information on this incident is asked to call Tilden Township police at 610-562-9001.

“Our department received a phone call this evening from a male in his 30s that described a similar incident around the same date and time in the same strip mall in which the same subject talked to the complainant about winning a home entertainment system.

“Information received from other law enforcement sources today shows similar scams in other areas. Whether child luring or a scam, persons of all ages should be cautious when approached by strangers,” the chief said.

Police: Man

attacked woman

State police at Lykens charged a 19-year-old man from Pillow, Dauphin County, with simple assault, after the man attacked a young woman with an X-Box controller, police said Wednesday.

The incident occurred at 6:11 p.m. Dec. 18 at 182 Market St., 2nd Floor, Pillow, according to a police.

Noah Robert Gallagher choked and struck the victim, an 18-year-old woman from Pillow, with the video game controller. The victim suffered extensive red and swollen marks, police said.

Police charged Gallagher with simple assault, terroristic threats and harassment, police said.

Police investigate

Wal-Mart thefts

Early Tuesday, a man and two women stole four X-Box One video game systems valued at $1,076 from Wal-Mart, 200 Kocher Lane, Washington Township, Dauphin County, state police at Lykens said Thursday.

The incident occurred at 7:08 a.m. The suspects were described as white, police said.

Anyone with information can contact state police at 717-362-8700 and reference incident PA16-990602.

In another incident, state police at Lykens charged a man from Elizabethville, Dauphin County, with stealing $480 worth of food and beverage merchandise from a Wal-Mart over the course of three and a half months, police said Thursday.

The incidents occurred between Sept. 1 and Dec. 13 at Wal-Mart, 200 Kocher Lane, Washington Township, Dauphin County. Police charged Robert Earl Kline, 25, of Elizabethville, with retail theft. Kline was caught on video surveillance, police said.

Charges will be filed in the office of Magisterial District Judge Rebecca J. Margerum, Elizabethville, police said.

In a third incident, state police at Lykens are looking for a woman who stole $756 worth of merchandise from the Wal-Mart in Washington Township, Dauphin County, on Dec. 18, police said Thursday.

At 7:06 a.m. Dec. 18, a woman entered the store, removed four KitchenAid-brand mixers, placed them in a cart and left the store without paying for them, police said.

Anyone with information can contact state police at 717-362-8700 and reference incident PA16-991041.

Police seek

vehicle vandal

State police at Lykens are looking for the vandal who recently scratched and threw food on a parked vehicle in Elizabethville, Dauphin County.

The incident occurred between 5 p.m. Dec. 17 and 4 p.m. Dec. 19 on West Broad Street. The victim is Jeffrey Gototweski, 43, of Elizabethville. The vehicle was a black-cherry 2011 Kia Sorento, police said Thursday.

Anyone with information can contact state police at 717-362-8700.

The holidays will get a jolt of energy as Twelve-Twenty Four returns to Pine Grove tonight.

The high-energy rock concert will be held at 7 p.m. at Pine Grove Area High School, 103 School St. Tickets are $20 and are available at the school office, at the door or online at the band’s website, www.twelvetwentyfour.net. Online sales stop at noon today. The show is a fundraiser hosted by the Pine Grove Area Cardinal Band Boosters in support of the band program.

Twelve-Twenty Four is a Tran-Siberian Orchestra cover band celebrating its 15th anniversary holiday tour. Established in 2002, the band is the original and longest recreation of TSO in the nation, according to its website. They have also released two albums of original material, “Miracle on Rock Street” and “Light in the Dark.”

This year’s show will feature music from the band’s two albums as well as favorite selections from TSO.

Twelve Twenty-Four has performed annual concerts at Pine Grove Area since at least 2008, according to newspaper archives.

Ken Gibson, high school band director, said the concert draws 400 to 500 people and, including concession stands, can generate thousands of dollars for the band program.

Twelve-Twenty Four is a group of 13 professional and talented performers, including a six-piece rock band, multipiece string section and a variety of vocalists from Pennsylvania. They are Lenny Kucinski, guitar; Jason Santos, keyboard and vocals; Richie Kossuth, drums; Dirk Yahraes, bass; Kevin Reilly, guitar and vocals; Frank Gruden, keyboard; Cierra Cellerari, vocals; Joey James, vocals; Shannon Tiboni, vocals; Ekat Pereyra, vocals; Jill Trapane, violin; Michaelina Trapane, violin, and Nelson Berger, cello.

In addition to TSO, the band cites Dream Theater and Mannheim Steamroller as influences.

The group’s holiday concert season started Nov. 19 and concludes Dec. 28 at Wiltsie Center, Hazleton. On Thursday, they performed a concert at Berwick High School, Berwick, and will pick up after the holidays on Dec. 27 at the Zoellner Arts Center, Bethlehem.

For more information, visit the band’s website or Facebook page.

Two new statewide anti-blight measures should help authorities in Schuylkill County fight decaying buildings, state Sen. David G. Argall said Thursday at a local meeting intended to encourage the battle against community eyesores.

Argall, R-29, said that starting in January 2017, counties will be able to add a $15 fee to the recording of a deed or mortgage, with the money devoted to fixing or demolishing rundown buildings.

Argall, the prime sponsor of the bill, said that alone should raise approximately $140,000 in this county, with more to follow in other anti-blight measures.

“There should be some good money flowing through the pipe soon,” he said.

The other measure, sponsored by state Rep. Neal P. Goodman, D-123, reduces the amount of time the buyer of a blighted property has to correct known code violations to 12 months from 18 months and imposes a minimum $1,000 and maximum $10,000 fine on the buyer for each uncorrected violation.

The meeting, called by District Attorney Christine A. Holman and attended by about a dozen local officials, is part of a countywide effort to combat blighted buildings. Many municipalities have been aggressive in trying to rid themselves of eyesores, and Holman wants to help them do so, saying her staff is available to help any municipality.

“Blight, in fact, is a crime. Blight is a serious problem in Schuylkill County,” she said. “Schuylkill County really seems to be focusing on eliminating blight. There’s an (assistant district attorney) on call 24/7.”

In meetings across the county, Argall has heard about some buildings that are too far gone to remain standing.

“We aren’t going to be able to save every old miner’s home,” he said. “That means demolition.”

Holman said communities should try to go after individuals. She said that while many rundown buildings are owned by limited liability companies and corporations, people who control such organizations often do not follow the required legal formalities in forming or operating them. That, in turn, allows individuals to be held liable for the buildings owned by those entities, Holman said.

David J. Petravich, Pottsville building code officer, said the city gets 10 to 15 calls a day about allegedly blighted buildings. He said he acts promptly on each call, immediately going to the site, taking photographs and starting the enforcement process.

The meeting should help local authorities in their efforts to combat blight, Argall said.

“We’re trying to give you more tools,” he said. “We’re talking about improving the reality.”

When trying to describe what makes him stand out as a performer, singer-songwriter Hayes Carll couldn’t pinpoint just one aspect.

“My angelic voice? My debonair fashion sense? My dance moves? Probably none of those things,” Carll joked. “I like to think of myself as a storyteller. Some of the stories are funny, some are sad, some are good for thinking about things and some are good for not having to think. I hope people walk out of the show entertained and in a better headspace than before they walked in.”

The Grammy-nominated country folk artist plays at F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts at 8 p.m. Wednesday as a part of the venue’s Live from the Chandelier Lobby series. Alt-country singer Allison Moorer sets the stage as the opening act, and will join Carll on stage during his set as well, according to the singer.

Carll is best known for his roots-oriented music, mixed with sarcastic humor. He was awarded Song of the Year for his song, “Another Like You,” by American Songwriter in 2011, the same year he was nominated for Artist of the Year at the Americana Awards.

Originally from Texas, he said his upbringing had a “reverse” influence on his writing.

“I grew up in the suburbs in what they called a ‘planned community,’ so I think that generic quality of life fueled my attraction to storytellers, outlaws and rebels,” Carll said.

His newest album, “Lovers and Leavers” hit the record stores in April, five years after the release of his fourth and most successful album, “KMAG YOYO.” “Lovers and Leavers” reflects Carll’s brand as a singer-songwriter more so than his prior records, with a much more serious tone overall.

“It’s the most sonically cohesive record I think I’ve made,” Carll said. “It’s certainly got the most room to breathe of anything I’ve done. It’s maybe a bit more serious than my previous stuff. I’m not going for laughs as much on this one. My favorite song changes all the time but right now it would have to be ‘Sake of the Song.’”

Although Carll said he loves to travel and see the world firsthand, sometimes the on-the-road lifestyle wears on him, making it hard to stay healthy and connected to those he cares about.

“I just want to living a creative life and keep chasing down this whole ‘happiness’ thing,” Carll said.

At an early morning meeting Thursday, the Pottsville Area school board decided to convert the former business manager’s status from paid to unpaid leave.

The board then authorized its administration to prepare a statement of charges against him if necessary.

Stephen C. Curran was put on administrative leave Nov. 6 for undisclosed reasons.

The school district has not made a decision to fire Curran, Richard A. Thornburg, the board solicitor, said at Thursday’s meeting at the Howard S. Fernsler Academic Center.

“He’s still considered an employee. In order to be terminated, the board would have to take formal action. And before they can do that, he would have to be accorded a right to a hearing if he wanted one,” Thornburg said.

Curran is being represented by Sudhir Patel, an attorney with the law firm of Fanelli, Evans and Patel, P.C., Pottsville.

“I think it’s pretty safe to say that if Pottsville Area School District is going to convert the suspension with pay to a suspension without pay, or if the district is planning on taking steps to try to terminate Mr. Curran, we’re going to be requesting a full hearing, a full public hearing, which is provided for under Section 1089 of the School Code,” Patel said.

Patel said Thursday afternoon he hadn’t been given formal notification of the action the school board took Thursday morning.

“I have not seen anything from PASD’s board, solicitor, the superintendent or specially retained counsel on any action taken regarding Steve Curran. As such, I am not in a position to comment on the specifics of what Steve is alleged to have done or not done,” Patel said Thursday.

Patel is still awaiting a response from the district regarding a due processing hearing for Curran that was held Monday at the academic center.

In 1985, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling establishing the Loudermill Right, providing constitutional protection even if an employee’s contract does not mention it.

“That decision guarantees public employees the right to an evidentiary hearing before a dismissal, demotion or suspension is imposed,” Nicole Reigelman, press secretary for the state Department of Education, Harrisburg, said Thursday.

“This is called a Loudermill hearing. A Loudermill hearing provides the employee with the following: notice of the charges against him/her, a summary of the evidence, the opportunity to respond,” according to the website for the Pennsylvania State Education Association.

“I am expecting to receive a formal decision on the outcome of the Loudermill hearing. Typically after a Loudermill hearing, if the district administration is going to take a recommended action, an action that’s going to affect either status or compensation, we would expect that we would receive something formal,” Patel said Thursday afternoon.

Patel would not discuss details of what occurred at the Loudermill hearing.

At Thursday morning’s meeting at the academic center, the first motion the school board took regarding Curran was to cut his pay.

Curran’s salary for the 2016-17 school year was $103,766.78, according to the newspaper’s archives.

“Mr. Curran’s biweekly salary was $3,843.21,” Patricia A. Lombel the acting business manager, said Thursday.

“Based on the recommendation from our superintendent, the personnel committee authorizes the administration to convert the paid leave of Steve Curran to unpaid leave, based on the Loudermill hearing that has been held,” board member Christina M. DiCello said at the meeting, held at the Howard S. Fernsler Academic Center.

“And that is the solicitor’s recommendation?” Boran asked Thornburg, regarding the issue of Curran’s paid leave.

“Yes. That’s the motion based on the recommendation of the superintendent, who was present for the hearing,” Thornburg said.

He was referring to Pottsville Area Superintendent Jeffrey S. Zwiebel, who was present at Thursday morning’s meeting.

The motion passed in a voice vote. Also present at Thursday’s meeting were board members Patrick F. Moran, Charles R. Wagner, Ann Blankenhorn, William Davidson and Scott Thomas.

Karen E. Rismiller, the board vice president and chairwoman of the personnel committee, was absent.

Knowing that’s a possibility, Thornburg asked the board for permission for him to prepare the casework.

“I’d like to ask, again based on the recommendation of the administration, and since we’ve had a Loudermill hearing on the Steve Curran matter, that if necessary the administration be authorized to prepare a statement of charges and, if necessary, to be signed by the president and the secretary of the board,” Thornburg said.

On paper, the motion was: “Also on the authorization of the administration and on recommendation of the Personnel Committee, the administration is approved to prepare a statement of charges, if necessary. The president and secretary are authorized to sign such statement, if necessary, without further board action.”

Boran is the board president. On Nov. 16, the school board named Lombel the acting business manager and acting secretary to the board.

The motion to accept Thornburg’s request was made by DiCello, seconded by Blankenhorn and carried unanimously in a voice vote by all board members in attendance.

Explaining the motion, Thornburg said: “If we decide to take this to a hearing we have to present Mr. Curran with a statement of what he’s allegedly done. And it will be sent to Mr. Curran and his attorney. And if there’s a board hearing, they would be submitted as evidence at the hearing. It’s not prepared yet. The vote was to allow the administration to prepare one if necessary.”

Boran once again would not comment on why the board put Curran on leave in the first place.

But Patel said: “I’ll reiterate that I think what’s being done to Mr. Curran is unwarranted. There’s a lot more that will be discussed and talked about if we have to proceed to a public hearing. But it’s important to stress that there is absolutely no merit to any position that money is missing or Mr. Curran did anything improper or criminal with district funds.”

In other matters at the board’s special meeting Thursday morning, the board hired Caroline Schuster as an athletic event game worker for the 2016-17 school year at a rate of $10 per hour.

The board approved the following substituted cafeteria and lunch aides, effective Dec. 23: Judy Botek, Monique Craig and Carmen Murhon.

The board approved an unpaid leave for Geraldine Schwartz, a paraprofessional at the D.H.H. Lengel Middle School, from Jan. 3 to Jan. 6.

The board also hired Molly Bressler as a kindergarten instructional aide at the John S. Clarke Elementary Center at a rate of $12.60 per hour starting Jan. 3.

At a special meeting Monday morning, the school board voted to accept the Dec. 7 resignation of board member Gary A. Cortese.

On Thursday, Boran said the board will accept applications for the position until 3 p.m. Dec. 30. Those interested in serving are encouraged to submit a letter of interest addressed to Boran and send it to 1501 Laurel Blvd., Pottsville, PA 17901.

Boran said the board had 30 days from Monday to fill his position.

“The actual acceptance of his resignation is when the 30 days begin,” Davidson said.

The board’s next public meeting will be a workshop at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 4.

The board’s next general business meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 18.

Cabinet plans to spend some time in Pennsylvania, doing a show it’s done before — the annual holiday show in downtown Wilkes-Barre.

The roots, folk and bluegrass band plays at 8 p.m. Friday at F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts on Public Square.

Since its formation in 2006, Cabinet played cross-country in venues of all sizes, even at large music festivals. For the past three years, the Scranton band booked the historic Kirby Center, but this year the group graduates from the Chandelier Lobby to take over the theater’s main stage.

“It’s fantastic,” singer and mandolin player J.P. Biondo, said. “I’ve gone to see many a show at the Kirby, and I just love it. We’re super excited and proud and honored.”

Biondo grew up surrounded by music, especially within his extended family.

“Myself and my cousin Patrick, who plays banjo, grew up in a nice, big musical family — a family of wackos, but a lovely family,” he joked. “Growing up, there was always some sort of music playing, whether it was mom playing Paul McCartney on the record player, or at a reunion with everyone singing. We love to harmonize, us Biondos. That was instilled in me at a young age.”

After graduating high school, Biondo began playing with friends at open mics as the rest of the band began to fill in. Through writing songs on guitar and mandolin — not fully understanding the genre of music they were creating — and performing semi-regularly at the River Street Jazz Cafe in Plains Township, Cabinet rounded out as a unique, Americana-blended group.

In addition to Biondo, the band now consists of Mickey Coviello, guitar and vocals; Patrick “Pappy” Biondo, banjo and vocals; Dylan Skursky, bass; Todd Kopec, fiddles and vocals; Jami Novak, drums and percussion; and Josh Karis, drums and percussion.

The landscape of Northeast Pennsylvania seemed to influence the group when it came to writing its multi-genre music.

“When we first started writing, we were writing based on experience in our lives around this area,” J.P. Biondo said. “The landscape, more so than anything. Some would be relationship-based, but mostly the landscape really inspired us. It wasn’t really like any other music from around here, but just the lay of the land created us. How it’s just home.”

So it only makes sense that the septet return each year for the ongoing tradition of performing in their hometown. J.P. Biondo credited the fans in region for boosting their popularity and embracing the group, claiming it “wouldn’t have been possible” without them.

“I always feel very lucky to be playing with this band with the guys, I do,” he added. “Beyond that, I think our fan base really drives this part of it home — we’re good people, too. We just like to have a good time and share some smiles, hang out with friends. At the end of the day, we’re just regular dudes, and that point gets across to our fans. They hold onto that pretty strongly. ... They know that when they come out and see a Cabinet show, they are going to be having a good time with friends and like-minded people.”

While Cabinet works to create a fun atmosphere at its concerts, it makes writing new music on tour difficult. But for now, J.P. Biondo said, the group is focused on enjoying its upcoming shows, both at the Kirby Center and its New Year’s Eve concert at the Theatre of Living Arts, Philadelphia.

“We have the greatest job in the world,” he said. “Once you’re on that stage, there’s nothing else like it. You get to express your art and yourself, and do it with your friends. We play some fun awesome music and get paid for it. For me, that’s not even part of the job; getting in the van and driving for eight hours is the job. Playing on stage is all gravy.”

Kira Krakovesky’s Instagram profile keeps it simple: “I sing and play with hair.” Those two hobbies leave her busy.

The Drums native spends time in New York City and Northeast Pennsylvania, styling and coloring hair, modeling and singing at different venues. As part of the duo Kira + Brooke with Brooke Gerhart, she performs locally at places such as the bars inside Mohegan Sun Pocono.

She belts out the vocals on covers of “What’s Up,” “Creep” and “Sweet Child O’ Mine,” and she and Gerhart even earned a slot opening for Foreigner at the Pavilion on Montage Mountain a few years ago. Krakovesky recently took time to talk about her music career.

Q: How did you get involved in music?

A: I got involved in music from a young age. I always really enjoyed singing and entertaining people. I eventually picked up piano and took lessons, and it just inspired me to be able to accompany myself and write.

Q: What do you remember about the first time you performed in public?

A: I was about 12. It made me feel alive and like I could really express myself.

Q: How have you changed as a musician over the years?

A: I changed throughout the years in the sense of what genres I enjoy and the different directions I’ve chosen to follow career-wise as a musician.

Q: How did you end up teaming with Brooke?

A: Brooke and I have been friends for nearly 10 years. ... Music actually brought us together back in the days of Myspace, and from there we’ve played shows together on and off in our own separate musical endeavors. We’ve remained friends throughout the years and just ended up doing acoustic duo stuff within the past year. We work so well together because we are musically compatible (and) flow harmoniously together while also adding our individuality and just simply have fun playing. Our personalities mesh so well together that music just becomes an extension of that.

Q: Who has influenced you over the years?

A: I’ve had a lot of huge influences over my life. ... I grew up with a lot of classic rock. I would have to say Stevie Nicks has played a huge role in inspiring me, not just as a writer but also having stamina and holding her own as an independent female artist in this industry.

Q: How have you developed a fan base over the years?

A: Social media. I think social media has been a great influence in connecting with people and just reaching out or keeping them involved in different events.

Q: What is the most challenging part of being a musician?

A: The most challenging part of being a musician is keeping your head up and keeping your passion strong throughout the downfalls and flaws of what the music industry has become. Everyone has an opinion, and everyone is constantly trying to change you. I would have to say the biggest challenge is staying true to yourself.

SHENANDOAH — The members of the Greater Shenandoah Area Chamber of Commerce held a laid-back breakfast meeting Dec. 14 as everyone prepared for the upcoming holidays.

A small number of members attended the meeting at the Shenandoah Senior Living Community. Shenandoah Valley student council officers and adviser Anthony Pytko also were in attendance.

Chamber secretary and Christmas Lighting Committee co-chairwoman Betty Ann Bugden reported on this year’s holiday decorating in the borough.

“We are still receiving contributions from the community and still accepting them,” Bugden said. “As far as Main Street goes, I think our town is covered with decorations.”

A major addition to the decorating this year are large personalized wooden candy canes placed in Girard Park and along Main Street. The decorations are about 4 feet long and handmade and painted by Jerry McCabe, who took over organizing and placement of the Christmas lights in Girard Park and on Main Street in 2015.

“Candy canes are still available,” Bugden said. “You can have them ‘In Memory of’ or ‘The Family of’ or your business.”

“They’re past 50 candy canes,” committee co-chairman Mark Bernardyn said. “At $40 a cane, there are over 50 canes out there. You have to give credit for that. Jerry paints them in his garage. We’ll keep them up until after Greek Christmas.”

The initial sponsorship of the candy canes is $40 for the first year, and then stored for future years. Sponsorship in subsequent years is $25 each. Sponsors have a choice of red, green or blue stripes with the white stripe and the color of the lettering can be red, green or blue. For more information, call Bugden at 570-462-0811, Bernardyn at 570-462-2734 or Beth Cataldo at 570-462-2731. Sponsor forms are available at Bugden’s shop on South Main Street.

Bernardyn said the winners of the holiday lighting contest were announced Monday. Judges travel in the Shenandoah area and see decorated homes and later decide on the top three best decorated homes.

“We’ve had this going on for over 20 years,” Bernardyn said.

The annual “Santa Trot” was a success, according to Renee Buchanan. The event was held Dec. 10 with almost 200 people participating by visiting Who’s Place Bar, Lyric Bar and Restaurant and La Casita de Familia. Cost was $20 each.

In other business, Bernardyn said the farmers market has ended for the season, though one vendor continues to stop with end-of-season product.

Bernardyn reminded businesses to clean ice and snow from their sidewalks.

The chamber will next meet 8 a.m. Jan. 18 in Ridgeview Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, Shenandoah Heights.

Soon after a local rabbi set up a menorah with electric lights at Garfield Square in Pottsville on Thursday afternoon, people started to gather around it.

Mike Swilp, Cumbola, was driving westbound on West Market Street when he saw the display and pulled up to say hello to the man who set it up, Rabbi Nachman Nachmenson, of the Chabad-Lubavitch of Schuylkill County.

Nachmenson handed Swilp a jelly doughnut wrapped in plastic and said: “That’s for a blessing.”

“I’m coming back,” Swilp said. He did, and he was among the eight people who were there to hear Nachmenson as he spoke near the display.

“It’s very interesting. I like to learn different things. This is the first year we’ve come out for this. Everybody should respect each other. That’s why the world is the way it is. Nobody respects anybody else’s religion,” Jon Ann Cromyak, Schuylkill Haven, who was there with her daughter, said.

“I came here last year, and I was impressed,” Issac Harris, Pottsville, said.

Nachmenson said this is the third consecutive year he’s set up a menorah in Garfield Square.

A candelabrum with nine lights, it’s made of metal and stands more than 6 feet high.

Nachmenson said it was built and donated by Ben Felner, New Jersey.

Even though it’s taller than he is, Nachmenson said he set it up himself.

“It’s in two parts. I brought it over in my mini van,” Nachmenson said.

“This is really a victory of the lighting in the Temple in Jerusalem,” Nachmenson said.

He was referring to the victory in December of the year 165 BCE when the Jews were able to purify and rededicate the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.

Nachmenson gave the people who came out jelly doughnuts he brought from New York City. Each was individually wrapped in a plastic bag.

Nachmenson also handed out copies of his business card. Printed on the back were “The Seven Universal Laws, The Way to True Peace.” They are outlined at www.chabad.org.

“Seven is a holy number. There are seven days in a week. With each light on the menorah, you can learn how to keep the commandments,” Nachmenson said.

“God bless all of you to have success and a happy and healthy family. Happy Hanukkah!” Nachmenson said to those in attendance.

Hanukkah begins Saturday night and continues through Jan. 1, according to www.chabad.org.

According to the Judaism 101 website, www.jewfaq.org, Hanukkah is the Jewish festival celebrating the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after it was defiled by the Seleucid Greeks. It begins on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev and lasts eight days.

While “Chanukah” is the proper spelling of the Hebrew word, “Hanukkah” is the most widely used spelling, according to www.time.com.

In recent years, Nachmenson has held events for the Jewish community at 382 S. Second St., Pottsville.

FOUNTAIN SPRINGS — The Butler Township supervisors formally adopted at Tuesday’s meeting the 2017 operating budget that includes no real estate tax increase.

Chairman David Kessler and Supervisor Bob Burns voted in favor. Vice Chairman Paul Fetterolf was absent.

The budget totals $1,966,286, an increase over the 2016 budget of $1,817,170. Real estate taxes will remain at 10.65 mills. Each mill brings in about $54,000.

Township Secretary Kate Staudenmeier said the 2016 budget included a $30,000 payment on a loan that the township expected to receive, but since the loan was not received, she said the funds are in the new budget and could be used for a small road program and/or the purchase of a new truck to replace a 2001 Ford F-550 vehicle.

The Fountain Springs Day Care Center, which is used by Child Development Inc., is part of the budget and shows a small surplus.

Adjustment were made to the millages in the Fire Fund and the Light Fund, increasing the first by decreasing the second, which will allow the township’s donation to the fire companies to be paid wholly from the fire fund instead of taking a portion out of the general fund.

The police department has requested a new SUV patrol vehicle since the current vehicle has more than 100,000 miles.

The 2017 budget includes the following funds and breakdown of the total real estate millage for the top three funds:

• General fund — $1,438,768 (8.87 mills).

• Fire fund — $84,450 (0.93 mills (0.73 mills in 2016).

• Light fund — $94,403 (0.85 mills (1.05 mills in 2016).

• Liquid fuels fund — $307,650.

• Day care fund — $41,015.

Solicitor Christopher Riedlinger presented two resolutions for votes, the first being the tax resolution to set the tax millage rates in 2017. The second resolution adjusts the contribution rate for pensions from non-uniform employees from 3 to 5 percent, effective Jan. 1. Both resolutions were approved.

In other business, the supervisors changes its workers’ compensation carrier to MRM Workers’ Compensation Trust.

Staudenmeier said the Wildcat Road rehabilitation project has been completed and the township is waiting for the final engineering bill.

The reorganization meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Jan. 3 at the municipal building.

n Girardville: Rangers Hose Company, 6 E. Ogden St., will host a Geisinger Blood Center blood drive from 1 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the firehouse. To schedule an appointment, call Julie at 570-276-6922 or go online to geisingerbloodcenter.org and click on “Make an Appointment.” Walk-ins are also welcome.

n Minersville: The Minersville Area Food Drive Committee is conducting its 32nd annual holiday food drive now until Feb. 28. The purpose of the drive is to provide economically disadvantaged people in the Minersville area with food during the holiday season. Donations of non-perishable items (canned goods) can be made by calling 570-544-2739. Monetary donations can be mailed in care of Minersville Area Food Drive Committee, 529 Lytle St., Minersville, PA 17954. For more information, call Chairman Edward M. Butler at 570-544-2739.

n Nuremberg: Holiday hours at the local branch of the Hazleton Area Public Library will be as follows: Closed today and Monday; 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesday; 1 to 5 p.m. Wednesday and Dec. 30; closed Jan. 2.

n Orwigsburg: An American Red Cross blood drive will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 31 at the Masonic Lodge, 1000 E. Market St. People 17 and older (16 with parental consent), weighing 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: People are being encouraged to make memorial gifts to Lasting Legacy in memory of loved ones. “Your contributions for Pottsville may be given at any time and in any amount,” Jerry Enders, Lasting Legacy board member, said in a press release. He also said it is common for family members to request memorial donations in an obituary and suggested they request memorials to Lasting Legacy of Pottsville forwarded to the Schuylkill Area Community Foundation, c/o Lasting Legacy, 216 S. Centre St., Pottsville, PA 17901. Donations are accepted by check and through PayPal. People should follow the instructions at www.sacfoundation.com and click on Donate Now at the top of the page. For more information, call the SACF office at 570-624-7223.

n Shenandoah: The effort to transform the former J.W. Cooper High School building at White and Lloyd streets into a multi-purpose community center is ongoing and people are welcome to become part of the restoration and revitalization effort. Supporters are led by jeweler Kent Steinmetz and a board of directors. Steinmetz bought the building in 2009. Although progress has been slow due to funding restraints, work is continuing thanks to volunteers and local companies who periodically provide material and equipment. Supporters also have been buoyed by word that similar efforts in other communities to save and revitalize landmark school buildings have been met with overwhelming community support. The Cooper building’s historic nature is without rival. The J.W. Cooper Community Center is the official name under which the building is listed with the Internal Revenue Service as a non-profit entity under Section 501(c) 3 of the Internal Revenue Code since 2014 — meaning contributions to the effort are tax deductible. To reach Steinmetz, call 570-617-8920 or email kent@steinmetzjewelers.com. For more information about the community center, go online to www.jwcoopercenter.org.

n Shenandoah: There will be no praying of the Divine Mercy Chaplet today and Dec. 30. The chaplet, which is normally prayed at 3 p.m. every Friday in Divine Mercy Roman Catholic Church, Cherry and Chestnut streets, will resume on Jan. 6, according to a church bulletin announcement.

n Sheppton: The East Union Township Sewer Authority has issued a notification to customers that payment booklets for 2017 have been mailed. Any customer who did not receive one should call the authority office at 570-384-3125.

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — Seven people are displaced and a man suffered burns after an early Thursday morning apartment fire in the borough.

All three fire companies in the borough responded to the 12:24 a.m. fire at 18 St. John St. Schuylkill Haven Assistant Chief Jim Reed said the exact cause of the fire is unknown.

“We do know that it was not intentionally set. It was accidental,” Reed said.

The occupant of the second floor front apartment, Rick Jefferson, discovered the fire.

“He told the police officer he came out of the bathroom and the fire was there,” Reed said.

The man then used a fire extinguisher to attempt to douse the flames. He did have working smoke detectors, but they were all but melted in the apartment, Reed said.

“He had some burns on his face, his hands and his hair was singed,” Reed said, adding the skin on Jefferson’s hands was coming off.

Reed said the man is fortunate to be alive. The drop ceilings in the apartment helped him because the smoke partly went up there. When firefighters arrived, no flames were showing from the exterior of the building. There was heavy smoke and some fire in apartment. Upon leaving, Jefferson also closed the door to the apartment, which helped contain the fire, Reed said.

The apartment is not habitable.

“It certainly can be fixed,” he said.

Firefighters contained the fire in about 15 minutes. The scene was cleared approximately 5 a.m. John Burns, state police fire marshal, Frackville, was on scene and was called as a precaution. He arrived shortly before 3 a.m.

Jefferson was later flown to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, Allentown, because of his injuries.

Brian Downs, director of media relations for Lehigh Valley Health Network, said Jefferson was in “critical but stable” condition.

Al Nester, the bartender at the D&D Grille & Bar, 16 St. John St., said about eight people were in the bar when the smoke alarm went off.

“I seen smoke coming out of the wall,” he said.

Everyone in the bar escaped unharmed. He went upstairs to the two apartments and started knocking on doors. He said Jefferson looked badly burned. Schuylkill Haven police knocked on doors in the building next door.

Patty Daley, disaster captain of the Tri-County American Red Cross, said seven people were displaced. In addition to Jefferson, a Joe Wells and Holly Marczak lived upstairs at 18 S. John St. rear apartment. Daley said they smelled smoke and opened a door and saw flames. They took their dog and escaped. Their apartment sustained smoke and fire damage, Daley said. They were provided food, lodging and clothing. Reed confirmed the rear apartment sustained some fire damage but not a lot.

The apartment next door also had smoke damage. Kathleen Yakaitis and her brother, Anthony Yakaitis, live at 22 St. John St. and their apartment had smoke damage. They were staying with friends and didn’t need assistance. John and Donna Buchwalter live at 20 S. John St. They were provided lodging and food assistance. John said they went to sleep about 45 minutes before the fire. They were awoken by the banging on the doors.

The Buchwalters’ had renters insurance. Wells and Marczak did not, Daley said.

All apartments had working smoke alarms, Reed said.

Several of those displaced tried to keep warm with the blankets provided by the Schuylkill EMS and the Red Cross.

The bar also sustained some water and smoke damage, Reed said. The owner of the bar is listed as Richard Spitler, according to the pnline Schuylkill County Parcel Locator.

Reed said a damage estimate is not available.

FRACKVILLE — The aroma of making the homemade holiday drink boilo wafting through the air is a Christmas tradition in many homes, and a Frackville native has found a way to put that aroma into a candle.

Peter Miernicki remembers the days of coming home to smell the many aromas of citrus and other ingredients of the homemade liquor and the memories they evoke that are part of the boilo-making process, which gave him the idea that the aroma could be put into a candle when a pot of steaming boilo was not around.

The drink, based on traditional yuletide spiced honey liqueur made in the homes of Lithuania (called “krupnikas”) and Poland (called “krupnik”), is popular in the Pennsylvania Anthracite Coal Region.

“There’s a beverage out of Poland that is more like a honey whiskey which seems to be the true inspiration, but my understanding is that it’s more of a melting pot of a few things just from that region of the world,” Miernicki said.

Recipes can vary widely with the ingredients, including the type of liquor, which can range from the regionally popular Four Queens blended whiskey to grain alcohol, moonshine, bourbon, vodka and more. Different types of citrus and spices help tweak the taste to the liking of the maker and their family and friends. It is a crafted drink that is very individual. Miernicki has on the candle that boilo is the “Coal Cracker Cocktail of Choice.”

Miernicki, 30, works in information technology at Drexel University in Philadelphia. He got the idea for “The Original Boilo Candle” when he walked in his home while boilo was being made and the aroma gave him the inspiration.

“Probably about five years ago we were making boilo and when I walked in and it smelled so good,” Miernicki said. “The idea came to me like a lightning bolt and I thought ‘How come there isn’t a candle?’ ”

Miernicki realized that while boilo is popular in the Coal Region, it is not as well known outside the area.

“Obviously, boilo is not as well known and is a smaller regional delicacy,” Miernicki said. “So then I started thinking about how you make a candle. So, for the past four years I’ve been learning candle making and a lot of it has been just for family and friends. I’ve gotten to a point where I now have a candle that smells just like boilo and I’m very confident it’s a good candle and something that people would like and I’d be proud to sell it.”

Miernicki said there was a lot of trial and testing to come up with a quality candle, which is made from premium-grade 100 percent soy wax for an environmentally conscious, clean and consistent burn for 25 to 35 hours. Miernicki said the soy wax is purchased from a company in Louisville, Kentucky, that makes a very good product that throws the smell very well. The premium quality ingredients with natural essential oils create distinctive true-to-life scents.

“I started from scratch and I take a lot of pride in the quality of the candle,” he said. “A lot of times you find another scented candle that doesn’t smell like it says. We’ve been working hard toward getting it right on point that it actually does smell like boilo.”

“I’m self-taught. There are a lot of resources online. I do have a bit of a chemistry background and that gave me a bit of a head start,” he said. “There were a few vendors I worked with who steered me in the right direction when I came up to a wall. I was able to find two mentors who were very helpful.”

The marketing of the idea and sales led to the creation of his own company called Jabberwocky Candles.

“Now I’m looking forward to get the awareness of the candle,” Miernicki said. “There is a lot of good stuff in Schuylkill County. I look up to Mrs. T’s Pierogies and what the Twardzik family does, and also what Yuengling has done and still does. I don’t see any reason why we can’t have more products being made out of the Schuylkill County region and celebrating the heritage that we have. And I’m trying to celebrate something that’s pretty good and get the awareness out. I’d love to see the fourth hour of the Today Show featuring the making of boilo to celebrate the area. The way the country’s climate is moving, there’s probably going to be a bit more of an opportunity to invest in areas like Schuylkill County.”

Miernicki is also learning about marketing, and while the internet helps, the effort is still there to get the word out, and he looks to someday look to the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh areas to market the candle.

“It’s a fun thing. Boilo is one of the few things where even people who don’t regularly drink will have a glass once a year and enjoy it,” Miernicki said. “It’s a fun part of the holiday.”

Mail orders can be placed through www.jabberwockycandles.com or www.boilocandle.com, in addition for purchase at Boyer’s Food Market in Frackville.

“Boyer’s has been a very, very big help to me,” Miernicki said. “They’re happy to promote a local business and helping me get into a retail space.”

n Ashland: American Legion Bernard J. Dolan Post 434 is selling commemorative bricks to be placed in the “Walk of Honor” in front of the post home. Regular-size bricks are $100 with inscription and military branch, and $200 for double-size bricks with inscription and military branch. To order or for more information, call 570-985-1026, 570-875-0086 or 570-875-3428.

n Pottsville: The local community of Lay Carmelites meets monthly on the second Saturday in the meeting room of the Lower Chapel of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church. The meeting is held after the 8 a.m. Mass. All are invited to “come and see” if they may be called to be part of the community. Blessed scapular pendant medals will be available.

n Schuylkill Haven: An American Red Cross blood drive is scheduled for 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. Jan. 5 at Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church, 252 Dock St. People 17 and older (16 with parental consent), weighing at least 110 pounds and in general good health are encouraged to donate blood. Walk-ins are welcome. For more information or to arrange for an appointment, call 800-733-2767.

n Schuylkill Haven: Re-enactors, including people in the role of President Ulysses S. Grant and Mary Pickersgill, will be among education groups present for an American Flag Education and Retirement Ceremony sponsored by the Schuylkill Frontier Girls from 2 to 5 p.m. March 11 at the Schuylkill Haven Island Park. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, people may email the troops at schuylkilltroop351@yahoo.com or go to its Facebook event page: American Flag Education and Retirement Ceremony.

n Shenandoah: Copies of the picture history book “Shenandoah, Pennsylvania: A Look Back in Time,” compiled by retired Shenandoah Valley history teacher Robert Yudinsky, are on display at a variety of locations in the community. People can look over the books at the Shenandoah Area Free Public Library, Washington and Main streets; Catizone’s Barber Shop in the 100 block of North Main Street and at the Greater Shenandoah Area Historical Society’s history center, 201 S. Main St. The book includes photos from the 1800s up to the 1980s.

n Shenandoah: An American Red Cross blood drive is scheduled for 1 to 6 p.m. Jan. 4 at the Shenandoah Senior Living Community, 101 E. Washington St. People 17 and older (16 with parental consent), weighing at least 110 pounds and in general good health are encouraged to donate blood. Walk-ins are welcome. For more information or to arrange for an appointment, call 800-733-2767.

n Shenandoah: M&T Bank’s Shenandoah office has completed its annual coat drive, according to an M&T press release. Coats collected were distributed to St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 115 W. Cherry St., Shenandoah, and to New Hope Wesleyan Church, at 32 S. Spencer St., Frackville. St. John’s is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. The next food/clothing day at New Hope Wesleyan is 9 to 10:30 a.m. Jan. 25. All are welcome. M&T thanked all who donated coats.

n Tamaqua: A paint & sip fundraiser for the Crohns & Colitis Foundation of America will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Jan. 14 at the Tamaqua Community Art Center, 125 Pine St. The cost is $40, which includes all supplies and snacks. Each person may bring his/her favorite nonalcoholic beverage. The snow date is Jan. 21. The hosts will be artists Nikki Scheman Kucharek and Bridgette Shinton. For more information, call the center at 570-668-1192. There will be a candy bar bingo at the center from 7 to 8 p.m. Jan. 27. People should bring one full-size candy bar as admission. Anyone wishing to donate refreshments, bottled drives and bagged snacks should call the aforementioned number. For more information about the bingo, call 570-778-4861. Call the center for more information.