A former Minersville police officer will receive national recognition today in Washington, D.C.

Patrolman Milan Barber, who died in the line of duty June 19, 1970, at age 50, has his name engraved on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, in the 400 block of E Street NW.

Barber will be one of 394 officers to be honored during the 29th annual Candlelight Vigil today at the National Mall between Fourth and Seventh streets.

His name was also added to the Officer Down Memorial Page, www.odmp.org, that honors law enforcement officers who are killed in the line of duty.

Barber suffered a heart attack while attempting to take a suspect into custody in downtown Minersville. He is the only Minersville police officer to die in the line of duty.

“It occurred about two streets over from where I lived,” Tom Barber, 58, of Minersville, the officer’s son, said Friday.

Tom Barber was 11 years old at the time. He said he doesn’t have a lot of memories about his father because he was so young. However, he remembers walking the routes his father used to walk and saying hello to the neighbors in the community.

Tom Barber said his father loved his work.

“Everybody knew him. Everybody loved him,” he said.

In addition to being a police officer, Barber was a Navy veteran.

About 15 family members are in Washington, D.C., this weekend for the service. They also plan to tour the White House and take in other sights.

“This is a little guy from Minersville and now he is going to be immortalized,” he said.

Minersville Police Chief Michael Combs said the honor is well deserved.

“It’s always a tragedy when an officer dies in the line of duty. We are honored he is being placed on the memorial. It is an honor that a Minersville officer that made the ultimate sacrifice is being recognized,” Combs said Friday.

The observance is “a reminder of the danger that police officers face every day,” he said.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6028

Today, 394 law enforcement officers will be recognized on the National Law Enforcement Memorial for paying the ultimate sacrifice while in the line of duty. Of those, 143 died in 2016. Thirty names of people who served in Pennsylvania will be dedicated, including John Dando, Shenandoah, who died Oct. 13, 1898. Dando was a constable who was shot while he was attempting to arrest a suspect.

Submission for the memorial involves filling out a form signed by the head of the agency for which the person worked to the memorial fund’s research department. The fund’s board of directors reviews the submissions to see if they comply with the requirements. If a name is not approved initially, the requestor can re-submit with required information for consideration.

McADOO — Eleven people — mostly juveniles — were arrested after McAdoo police investigated a string of premeditated fights.

Police said six juveniles from McAdoo and two from Kelayres along with three adults were all charged criminally. Among the adults was the mother of one of the fighting teenagers.

The fights, police said, were used to resolve personal disputes between those involved and were ultimately recorded on video for entertainment. Upon investigating multiple reports of the fights and identifying those involved, police said they decided to file misdemeanor graded charges against them due to the seriousness of the situations.

The fights were premeditated and held at predetermined locations such as a park in Kline Township, a cemetery on the southeast side of McAdoo and in the 200 block of East Washington Street, police said, and had crowds of spectators.

The juveniles were charged through the Schuylkill County Juvenile Court.

Frances M. Padilla, 36, of McAdoo, a mother of one of the teens, was arrested after video surfaced showing her directing her son to engage in a fight on video, arrest papers state. Padilla was released on her own recognizance during a May 2 preliminary arraignment by Magisterial District Judge Stephen J. Bayer, Tamaqua, and later waived her right to a preliminary hearing before him. She was charged by McAdoo police with corruption of minors, simple assault and conspiracy and now faces those charges in Schuylkill County Court.

Arrest papers state that in December, borough police were informed of an assault committed by a juvenile, but the victim didn’t want to pursue charges. Padilla, police wrote, confirmed knowledge of her son’s actions in the incident then and as time went on, other disturbances or fights involving youth in the area of Padilla’s home at 210 E. Washington St., continued to be fielded by police throughout 2016.

Then the video surfaced of Padilla’s child engaging in a fight, police wrote. Padilla is also depicted on that video, court papers show, stating “stop talking” and “get up.” The video shows her running up to her child while he is on the ground stating “get back in there,” police wrote. The juvenile did as Padilla said.

Video also showed Evans Olivo, 21, of McAdoo, engage in a mutual fight with another male and shows him taunting and inciting another person to fight. Another video depicted Gregory Reid Jr., 19, of Hazleton, engaging in a mutual fight, police wrote.

Both were charged with simple assault, disorderly conduct and harassment.

Contact the writer: achristman@standardspeaker.com; 570-501-3584

Schuylkill County District Attorney Christine A. Holman and the Schuylkill County detectives are asking the public’s help in locating a man wanted on an outstanding warrant.

Detectives said Gregory Andrew Macalush has an outstanding bench warrant after he was declared an absconder for violating the conditions governing his probation on an original charge of misdemeanor retail theft.

Macalush, 25, is described as being white, about 5 foot 5 inches tall and weighing about 140 pounds.

He has a last known address of 126 W. Rowe St., Apt. 2, Tamaqua, detectives said.

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

Callers can also report information to the Schuylkill County Tip Line at 570-624-3988 or email that information to dadd@co.schuylkill.pa.us.

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

All information received will remain confidential.

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

Contact the writer: fandruscavage@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6013

POTTSVILLE — A Schuylkill County judge on Tuesday dismissed a criminal charge against a Frackville man after prosecutors could not produce enough evidence to support it.

Stephen R. Rutt, 46, had been charged with false identification to law enforcement. Pottsville police had alleged he committed that crime on May 22, 2016, in the city.

However, President Judge William E. Baldwin dismissed the charge after the prosecution witness did not appear for a scheduled hearing.

Also in the county court, Justin M. Mosolino, 30, of Orwigsburg, pleaded guilty on Thursday to possession of a controlled substance in one case and theft in another. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia in the first case and a charge of receiving stolen property in the second.

Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin accepted Mosolino’s plea and sentenced him to spend 12 months on probation and pay costs, $100 to the Substance Abuse Education Fund, $100 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account and $153 restitution.

Schuylkill Haven borough police had charged Mosolino with possessing drugs on June 16, 2015, in the borough, while Pottsville police had charged him with committing a theft on Dec. 12, 2015, in the city.

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

Larry R. Dettery, 38, of Shenandoah; two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia and one each of theft, receiving stolen property and criminal mischief, time served to 12 months in prison, 12 months consecutive probation, $200 in SAEF payments, $100 in CJEA payments and $35.889 restitution. Prosecutors withdrew an additional count each of possession of drug paraphernalia and theft and one count each of defiant trespass, receiving stolen property and driving the wrong way.

Jennifer R. Fenstemaker, 25, of Pottsville; two counts each of theft and possession of drug paraphernalia and one each of possession of a controlled substance, theft by deception and retail theft; 47 months probation, $200 in SAEF payments and $940 restitution. Prosecutors withdrew three counts of receiving stolen property and two of burglary.

Steven Smith, 39, of Berwick; three counts each of conspiracy and retail theft and one of possession of drug paraphernalia; 36 months probation, $100 SAEF payment, $250 in CJEA payments, $356.75 bench warrant fee and $2,457.25 restitution. Prosecutors withdrew two counts of receiving stolen property.

Contact the writer, pbortner@republicanherald.com, 570-628-6014.

The fight continues to find a cure for all types of cancer, Chuck Joy said Saturday, following Pottsville’s annual American Cancer Society Relay for Life, which raised $15,000 over the two-day campaign.

An estimated $45,000 total was generated. Final results are still being tallied, according to Joy.

The event, which began at 3 p.m. Friday, concluded at noon Saturday at Veterans Memorial Stadium at Pottsville Area High School. The relay returned to Pottsville this year, after being held at The Island in Schuylkill Haven last year.

Despite wet weather, several teams, including the SAPA and Hexcel teams, walked through the rain, he said.

This year, there were 25 teams registered and 55 survivors participated, Joy said. The majority of the funds generated goes toward cancer research, with the remainder supporting ACS programs such as the Look Good, Feel Good Program; the ride program, which transports patients to and from their medical treatments and appointments; education initiatives; and prevention efforts.

Peggy Davis and Trysha Liegel served as event co-chairwomen.

“Our volunteers have just been phenomenal,” Joy said.

Anyone wishing to contribute to the cause can still do so by visiting the ACS website, www.cancer.org, and seeking the Pottsville location. The collection year ends Aug. 31, Joy said.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6007

Virgo the Virgin is one of only three constellations representing women that we can see in our Pottsville skies over the course of the year. Andromeda the Princess and Cassiopeia the Queen are the only other ladies of the sky.

I know you’ve seen Cassiopeia before, although you may not have known what you were stargazing at. Cassiopeia is that bright “W” that you see in the northern sky every single night as it makes a tight circle around Polaris the North Star every 24 hours.

This time of year look for the “W” in the very low northern sky. You can’t miss it. It’s as bright as the Big Dipper. The “W” outlines the throne that Queen Cassiopeia is tied into because she boasted that she was more beautiful than Hera, the Queen of all the gods.

Hera had Cassiopeia tied to the throne and tossed into the sky so she could show her “beauty” to everyone on Earth. As she spins around the North Star sometimes she’s lying on her back as she is now, but in the early winter when the “W” is upside down she’s hanging by the ropes! It’s not a good idea to tick off the queen of the gods!

Unfortunately, Virgo the Virgin is not so prominent in the night sky. It’s a large but faint constellation. You need really dark skies and lot of patience to see Virgo. It’s what I call a stargazing “deep track.” How this faint collection of stars about halfway up in the southern sky is supposed to be the goddess of fertility is a mystery to me. It usually only has one bright star, Spica, but this year the constellation Virgo is hosting the really bright planet Jupiter, shining above Spica. Since Virgo is one of the 13 zodiac constellations it does host the moon and planets from time to time.

The best way to find Virgo this spring, at least to start with, is to find Jupiter. Then go to Spica and do the best you can. Admittedly, it’s not only faint, but not all that well defined either. Spica itself is a fascinating star. It’s a blue giant star about 263 light-years, or about 1,519 trillion miles, away from Earth. It’s 10 times as massive and over five times larger than our sun with a girth of almost five million miles.

Spica is a lot hotter than our sun with a surface temperature well over 30,000 degrees. Spica is also moving away from us at a speed of 2,200 miles an hour, although no farewell parties are planned for Spica anytime soon. Despite its tremendous fleeing speed it will still adorn our spring and summer heavens for many evenings to come.

If you have a larger telescope, and you’re really out in the boonies, you have a chance of seeing at least a few of the many galaxies that are about 60 million light years from Earth. As you can see on the diagram, these galaxies are located a little to the right of Virgo. Since Virgo is such a faint constellation it’s easier to use Jupiter as a bearing. The Virgo cluster will be 20 degrees or about two fist-widths at arm’s length above and little to the right of Jupiter.

You are going to need a moderate to larger telescope to see these galaxies, but even with that you might be less than overwhelmed visually. At best, they will mainly be fuzzy patches, but those fuzzy patches are made up of whole islands of stars, each one of them with billions and billions of stars.

By the way, if you flew to the Virgo cluster of galaxies in a jet airliner that flew at an average speed of 500 miles per hour, it would only take you 70,000 trillion years to get there. That flight better have a movie!

To many cultures, including the Greeks and Egyptians, Virgo the Virgin represents the goddess of fertility. She holds in her hand a shaft of wheat. In fact, farmers took the first sighting of Virgo with Spica as a cue to start their spring planting. When she leaves the evening sky four to five months later, the growing season is over. According to the mythology, that’s when Virgo leaves the land of the living and starts her annual search in the underworld for her slain husband Tammuz. At last report, she hasn’t found him yet, but after every growing season she resumes her search. The grand lady of the night sky is truly a loyal lover!

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

Penn State

Stephanie Kemmerling, Pine Grove, a freshman biology major at Penn State, Harrisburg campus, made the dean’s list for the fall semester.

She is a 2016 graduate of Pine Grove Area High School and a daughter of Mike and Kori Kemmerling, Pine Grove.

Tulane

Lucy Murray, a political science/international relations major with a minor in psychology, was named to the dean’s list for the fall semester at Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana.

A 2016 graduate of Pottsville Area High School, she is a daughter of Ed and Bobbi Murray, Pottsville.

Wilkes

Brandon D. Whiteash, a fifth-year student pharmacist at Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre, was named to the dean’s list for the fall semester.

He is a son of David and Beth Whiteash, Minersville, and grandson of Elaine Griffith, Minersville. He is a 2012 graduate of Minersville Area High School.

Villanova

Joseph Howard, a senior civil engineering major at Villanova University and James C. Curvey scholarship recipient, made the dean’s list for the fall semester.

A 2013 graduate of North Schuylkill Area High School, Joshua is a son of Judy and Mike Howard, Frackville.

Wyo. Seminary

Jake Hendricks, New Ringgold, and Connor Kievman, Minersville, both students at Wyoming Seminary College Preparatory School, Kingston, were named to the dean’s list with high honors for the winter 2016-17 academic term.

Jake, a junior, is a son of Glen and Jennifer Hendricks, New Ringgold.

Connor, a freshman, is a son of Jay and Mary Kievman, Minersville.

McCloskey Nursing

The following students made the director’s academic honor list at the completion of Nursing 200, Nursing 201 or Nursing 202 courses at the Joseph F. McCloskey School of Nursing, Pottsville:

Nursing 200 — Kelly Mitchell, Michelle Roberts, Kristen Ruskuski, Mikayla Davidson.

Nursing 201 — Madison Blasko, Diane Cunningham, Alexandra DiNicola, Devin Smith.

Nursing 202 — Michelle Boniscavage, Brian Noonan, Shelley Borzok, Michaela Connors, Katey Scheeler, Lindsey Seltzer, Morganna Semanchyk, Shannon Goodman, Krystal Londono, Terri Starr, Sarah Mansell.

The following students made the director’s academic honor list at the completion of the Nursing 101 course at the nursing school:

Megan Bowers, Adrienne Pinchot, Diana Cost-enbader, Mariah Sabol, Allyson Finster, Mariah Sands, Tawny Gilbert, Samantha Savitsky, Christina Green, Amber Sem-anchyk, Samantha Green, Victoria Yaracz, Miranda Neary, Michael Neidlinger, Cady O’Malley, Christopher Paroby.

Central Penn

The following local residents were named to the dean’s list for the winter term at Central Penn College, Summerdale:

Heather Leininger and Bobbi Tobias, both of Pine Grove; Alyssa Raho, Williamstown; John Ransom, Lykens; Amy Smith, Minersville.

Cedar Crest

Maxine Erdman, Hegins, and Courtney Kramer, Auburn, made the dean’s list for the fall semester at Cedar Crest College, Allentown.

Colgate

Christian Puzzi, Orwigsburg, earned the fall dean’s award for academic excellence at Colgate University, Hamilton, New York.

Gordon

Citizens Fire Company No. 1, Plain and Otto streets, will have a Memorial Day block party from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. May 29 with food, beverages, music and kiddie attractions. All are welcome. For more information, call 570-590-9004.

Gordon

AMVETS Post 44 will have a Memorial Day service and parade May 29 beginning at 9 a.m. outside borough hall. An indoor service will be held at 10 a.m. All are welcome.

McAdoo

Borough officials have issued a reminder to property owners/residents who are current with their garbage bill that one bulk item will be picked up on the second Monday of each month. Monday is a scheduled bulk pickup day. Bulk items do not include appliances, electronics, tires, batteries or hazardous materials. Future pickup dates are June 12, July 10, Aug. 14, Sept. 11, Oct. 9, Nov. 13 and Dec. 11. For more information, call the borough at 570-929-1182.

Minersville

St. Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church will have a night at the races beginning at 6 p.m. Saturday in the parish center cafeteria, 538 Sunbury St. Tickets are $5 each. People may take a chance to win $25 by sponsoring a horse for $5. Food will be available. BYOB. For more information, call 570-544-4407.

Nuremberg

The annual Nuremberg community yard sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 3. Anyone interested in participating can call Marion Ulshafer at 570-384-4429 or Elaine Croll at 570-384-4310. A $2 contribution per family is requested to cover advertising. A list of participants will be provided at various locations, so participants should include their name, physical address and number of families participating along with the fee to Marion Ulshafer, P.O. Box 23, Nuremberg, PA 18241. Space is available at North Union Township Park for anyone wishing to set up tables for an additional $10 fee, which will go directly to the township. Pavilion tables may be reserved by calling Croll at 570-384-4310.

Pine Grove

The Pine Grove Temple Association will have a deep-fried beer-battered haddock or pork and sauerkraut dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at the Masonic lodge, 23 Oak Grove Road. The cost is $12; children’s platters will be available as will take-outs. For more information, call 570-345-0165. The association will also have a May 29 Memorial Day Kauffman’s chicken barbecue with baked potato, roll and beverage. The cost is $8. There will also be a bake sale and craft show. For tickets call 570-345-3351 or 570-345-3498.

Pottsville

The Pottsville Free Public Library, 215 W. Market St., will have a free block party beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday for children ages 3 to 6. It will involve playing the blocks and other items and learning skills. For more information, call 570-633-8880.

Pottsville

Trinity Lutheran Church, 300 W. Arch St., will sponsor a meatloaf dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. May 25. The cost is $8.50 for adults and $4.50 for children 5 to 11. Meals will also include mashed potatoes, green beans or carrots, coleslaw, dessert and beverage. Tickets are available at the church office. For more information, call 570-622-9910.

Ringtown

St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, 100 E. Main St., will have an ice cream social beginning at 5 p.m. May 21. There will also be hot dogs, barbecue, homemade soup and pierogies. All are welcome. For more information, call 570-889-3494.

Woman in custody

in Pottsville incident

ASHLAND — Ashland police took a woman into custody after officers were called about 4:15 p.m. Thursday to 938 Centre St. for assistance.

Police said the caller, Nicholas Popp, said his wife, Crystal Popp, 30, was acting out and abusing her prescription medication and that she may be wanted in Pottsville for an incident that happened there recently.

Nicholas Popp said that his wife has been known to act out with police by kicking, punching and biting and was also known to carry knives.

The investigation determined that Crystal Popp was wanted by Pottsville police and officers, with the assistance of Butler Township police, took the woman into custody and handed her over to Pottsville police.

Wanted woman

taken into custody

ASHLAND — A woman wanted in Luzerne County was taken into custody about 1:55 a.m. Thursday by Ashland police in the 400 block of Centre Street.

Police said officers saw Kyle Elizabeth Wargo, 113 S. Lemon St., Mount Carmel, and a man, later identified as Daniel Grohowski, in an argument. When officers stopped and began to investigate Wargo ran from the area but was apprehended after a brief foot pursuit.

Grohowski ran in the opposite direction and was chased by another responding officer but could not be located, police said.

Wargo confirmed the identity of Grohowski and said he ran because he was wanted on a warrant by state parole agents.

Police said Wargo was committed to Schuylkill County Prison on the bench warrant issued by Luzerne County Court for failure to appear for sentencing on March 17.

Police charge man

with harassment

CUMBOLA — A 45-year-old Cumbola man was charged with harassment by state police at Frackville after an incident about 5:20 p.m. Thursday at his 174 Market St. home.

Police said they were called to the home for a report of a domestic situation involving Richard A. Viars and his 54-year-old paramour.

The woman, police said, reported that the two were involved in a verbal argument that escalated with Viars pushing, punching and kicking her.

Viars was removed from the home and the charge against him will be filed with Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko, Port Carbon, troopers said.

Man faces charges

of DUI, possession

SHOEMAKERSVILLE — A 39-year-old Shoemakersville man was arrested by state police at Hamburg after police were called about 7:30 p.m. to the area of Franklin Street and Rose Lane for a report of an unconscious man inside a vehicle.

Police said they found Andrew Lee Brensinger, who then fled to the area of the 600 block of Water Street and taken into custody.

As a result of the incident, police said, Brensinger will be charged with DUI and also with drug possession offenses.

Police investigate

credit card theft

CARSONVILLE — An unknown person used the credit card of a 62-year-old woman without her permission, state police in Lykens said.

Police said sometime between Jan. 27 and Feb. 15, the person used the woman’s credit card, making almost $2,000 in purchases at Macy’s.com. The incident occurred on Back Road in Jefferson Township, Dauphin County, police said. A police investigation continues.

Police investigate

attempted burglary

TREMONT — State police in Schuylkill Haven are investigating an attempted burglary on West Main Street in Tremont.

Police report sometime between 3 p.m. March 18 and 10 p.m. April 14, someone climbed up onto the victim’s roof, causing damage to the shingles and gas grill. A side extender to an air conditioning unit that was still inside the window was also damaged, police said.

The name of the victim was not released.

Anyone with information can call state police at 570-739-1330 and reference incident number PA 2017484568.

Man arrested for DUI twice in 1 day

POTTSVILLE — A 58-year-old Pottsville man was arrested twice for DUI following incidents in North Manheim Township, state police in Schuylkill Haven report.

These incidents occurred between 6 a.m. and 1 p.m. on May 13, police said, when they first responded to a disabled vehicle in the area of Greenville Road. It was determined the operator of the disabled vehicle was under the influence of alcohol and controlled substances. The operator, who police did not name, was placed under arrest and subsequently released.

Later in the afternoon, police responded to a crash in the area of West Second Mountain Road. Upon arrival at the scene, the operator in the crash was identified as the same operator of the earlier disabled vehicle. The man was placed under arrest for DUI a second time, police report.

An immigrant from southern Italy, the late Gennaro Fierro believed his son, Maurice, should learn a trade once he entered his teenage years.

“At the age of 13, I was put with the Mercantino family ... a father and two sons were tailors,” Maurice Fierro, 92, of Hazleton, said. “It was a horrible first two weeks. I did not like the confinement, the work and all that went with tailoring.”

He remembered secretly crying with his mother, the late Grace DiScianni Fierro.

“The response from my mother was that it was a wish of your father and that settled it,” Fierro recalled. “I began to accept the tools of the trade.”

Decades later, Fierro continues to sew, although no longer for a living. He came to respect the decision of his father, who labored in the area’s coal mines to support his wife and nine children.

Fierro recently looked back on his apprenticeship, and an early sacrifice he made in order to learn the trade. As a student at the former D.A. Harman School, Fierro learned how to play the clarinet, and in high school, he was committed to after-school rehearsals.

“After a few rehearsals, Sally Mercantino said, ‘Maurizio, it is either tailoring or the clarinet,’ ” he said. “I don’t have to tell you of my decision.”

Fierro studied with the Mercantinos at their Broad Street shop until he graduated from the former Hazleton High School in 1943. A few months later, the 18 year-old was drafted.

Following training stateside and in the United Kingdom, Fierro and troops landed on the beaches of Normandy.

“I speak very little of this episode in my life,” he said.

Later in 1945, troops were sent to Germany.

“My trade showed up in the Hurtgen Forest during the Battle of the Bulge. It was cold. Fear of frostbite, I cut the woolen army blankets and made booties for our group to protect their feet,” he said.

After the war, he was sent to work at an interment camp with top Nazi officials, he said. On Dec. 25, 1945, he set sail for Hazleton.

It would take about two weeks to return. In 1946, he was discharged from the service.

“As an ex-GI we had the privilege of school and a $69 monthly stipend,” he said. Fierro chose the Cybick School of Design in New York City to study pattern making, grading and tailoring of men’s and women’s coats and suits.

He also taught tailoring for some time.

Fierro married the former Doris Baran in 1949 and set up a small shop in his North Church Street home. He’d later build a larger shop.

He did quite a business, and even created ties, ascots, scarves and bow-ties for opera singer Luciano Pavarotti. Fierro became friends with Pavarotti in 1968, when the tenor made his debut in the role of Rodolfo in “La Boheme” at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City.

“Lucky me, I had no sign out front, no listing in the phone directory and the clients came to me by word of mouth where I did ladies’ coats and suits,” he said.

He continued crafting these items until his wife’s death in 2014.

Now, he visits his shop daily to work on bursettes, or small ladies’ purses, and to do alterations. And despite his age, he doesn’t need glasses to thread needles.

He stays active in other ways, too, including tending to a large backyard garden. Until his wife’s death, he skied and did other physical activities. He was a senior citizen when he picked up roller blading, a hobby that he also recently retired.

He exercises daily at home, and when he goes to large supermarkets, he uses a shopping cart as a walker.

“I go up and down the aisles and pick up a few items so I don’t look like an idiot. I never use escalators up, I use the stairs,” he said.

When he looks back on his career — and his father’s wish — he has no regrets.

“It served me well and I made many people happy with my work,” he said.

Contact the writer: jwhalen@standardspeaker.com; 570-501-3592

Tamaqua Area

Allie Gerber, a senior at Tamaqua Area High School, was selected for the Sutton Scholars academic achievement scholarship program at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

A daughter of Terry and Darlene Gerber, Tamaqua, Allie is a music student of the month and received Pennsylvania Music Educators Association scholarships. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Math and English national honor societies, PMEA band, chorus and orchestra, pit band, Gabriel Youth Orchestra and Anthracite Youth Wind Symphony.

She volunteers at Calvary Evangelical United Methodist Church, Lewistown Valley, and plans to major in music education at IUP.

PSEA

Abigail Brickler was one of five graduating high school seniors recognized and honored with a scholarship from the Pennsylvania State Education Association Eastern Region.

Abigail received the award April 28 during a banquet and ceremony at Bear Creek Mountain Resort, Macungie.

More than 90 students applied for the scholarship by submitting an essay about their experience through the public education system. One student was selected per county — Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Northampton and Schuylkill — to receive a $1,000 scholarship.

PINE GROVE — They called themselves the “die-hards.”

Sixteen players weathered Saturday’s torrential downpours to compete in the Throw for the Lake 2 disc golf tournament at Sweet Arrow Lake County Park, Pine Grove.

“We wanted to try to get people out to play on our course, plus it benefits the Friends of Schuylkill Parks and Recreation. We wanted to give revenue back to them because of how much they support us,” Drew Kline, park manager, said of the group.

Richard Matyas drove an hour from his home in Sugarloaf to compete in the Grandmaster category for players age 50 and above.

“It’s recreational and it keeps you in shape,” Matyas, 55, said.

Last year, he competed in a doubles tournament in Pine Grove, he said.

“It’s a nice little course,” he said.

Most disc golf courses Matyas plays on are located in state parks. He’s been playing disc golf for about a decade and also visits courses at Hickory Run and Frances Walter Dam.

On days like Saturday, Matyas offered the tip, “Bring lots of towels.”

Kerry Martin brought along his son, Jevon, 18, to compete. Martin said he’s played the Pine Grove course a few times. He started playing disc golf about two years ago.

“A friend of my son’s invited us, and that’s when I got started,” Martin, Lebanon, said.

Players gathered at the Waterfall Parking Lot pavilion then began two rounds of play at 10 a.m. with a shotgun start.

According to Kline, the tourney is a C-Tier singles event, meaning that it’s sanctioned with the Professional Disc Golf Association. It’s the second year the county park has hosted the event. Last year, players had perfectly clear weather conditions and there were about 25 competitors, Kline said. Other disc golf tournaments offered in the county include events at Twin Grove in Pine Grove and Villas Crossing in Tamaqua, he said.

Disc golf was implemented at Sweet Arrow Lake in 2013, and there were some course re-designs and upgrades made in 2015, Kline said.

Several community businesses sponsored the event and were included on the back of the golf course map and program. Dynamic Discs, Kansas, provided some merchandise items and discs that could be used as prizes. Other prizes included trophies, T-shirts, disc golf bags and hats.

Winners were Amateur Divisions/Men’s Advanced: first, Ricky Dunkailo; second, Brandon Gubish; third, Drew Kline; Men’s Intermediate: first, David Heckman; second, David Highley; third, Frank Nick; Men’s Recreational: first, Josh Ambearle; second, Ernie McCracken; and third, Nathan Heckman.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6007

LOYALTON — The images can speak for themselves, Upper Dauphin Area High School Principal Matthew Schwenk told those gathered at Tuesday’s school board meeting.

“Culture impacts outcomes,” he said.

Schwenk showed videos of UDA High School students in action as part of the school’s Discovery Program. Two examples of the students’ community service efforts showed them collecting and distributing Easter baskets and presenting historical insights at the Elizabethville Founder’s Day. Other images showed accomplished high school graduates.

Schwenk said the high school began its culture-enhancing Discovery Program in January. He described it as a “standard operating procedure for how we interact with other people.”

The program has five components: 1. Academic, for enrichment or intervention; 2. Community service; 3. Discussion seminars about life lessons and character building; 4. Activity clubs; 5. Team-building activities where students frequently participate in the gym to problem solve or complete an objective or obstacle course.

Schwenk said there are about 20 Discovery groups, made up of 18 to 20 students each, and are mixed groups comprised of students in grades 9 to 12. There’s a schoolwide flex period built into the schedule where students can take their Discovery program. “Good News Postcards” are sent home to parents when someone sees their child doing well. Each Discovery group gets points for how many postcards get sent home, and there’s a Derby Cup for the team that garners the most points.

Victoria Koontz, a senior, Vicky Smith, a high school biology teacher, and Eric Fite, a high school English teacher, also addressed the board about their experience with the Discovery Program. Koontz said she’s more considerate toward others and described the Easter basket distribution as one of the highlights of her high school career. She also offered to serve as a student math tutor.

Fite and Smith confirmed that the remedial portion of the program had already shown benefits. Fite said teachers were using a USA test prep system that enabled students to work on their skills anywhere.

“It made a much bigger difference than I would have expected,” Smith said.

Schwenk said although there are many factors that contributed to improved student performance, it appears the Discovery Program has proved to be a positive influence. There’s been an 11 percent reduction in overall discipline referrals from the first semester to the second semester at the high school, Schwenk said. The program takes a proactive approach and fosters resiliency, according to Schwenk. A link to the videos is on the districts website, www.udasd.org.

Directors Roni Mace and Angela Mattern were absent.

In other business, the board announced a negotiating meeting was planned between the board’s negotiating committee and the teachers’ union. A contract for the Upper Dauphin Area Education Association expires next month.

The last contract for the education association ran July 1, 2014, through June 30, 2016, according to Superintendent Evan Williams. That pact was extended for a year through June 30, 2017. An education association representative attended Tuesday’s board meeting but offered no details on the current talks.

The board entered into an executive session to discuss negotiations and personnel.

In other action, the board approved:

• The Nutrition Group to provide cafeteria services, beginning the 2017-18 school year with the option to renew for four additional years.

• Fall coaches for the 2017-18 school year, with Director Kathryn Talhelm voting “no.”

• Support staff substitute starting hourly wages for the 2017-18 school year, with Talhelm abstaining.

• Support staff increases, with Talhelm abstaining and the Rev. Nathan Minnich, director, opposed.

• Switching the positions of the health and physical education teachers. Anthony Weaver, currently serving at the high school, will move to the elementary position while Brian Hoover, currently at the elementary school, will move to the UDA high school, effective July 1. Superintendent Evan Williams said the move was a voluntary one on behalf of the two staff members.

• A request from Fran Eure to retire, effective at the end of the 2016-17 school year.

• A $700 stipend for the archery adviser for the 2017-18 school year.

• Weight room donation, including two 65-inch televisions, sound system and speakers, cable mounts and adapters, and a Trojan Strength sign board.

• Committing any remaining fund balance as follows: 80 percent to capital reserve and 20 percent to Pennsylvania Public School Employees’ Retirement System reserve.

The next board meeting will be at 7 p.m. June 6.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6007

Nichole Kristen Lucas and Brett Lavern Weiser were united in marriage at Kemfort’s Cottage, Pottsville.

Mayor Michael Devlin officiated at the 3 p.m. ceremony May 28, 2016.

Given in marriage by her father, the bride is a daughter of Ken and Kathi Lucas, Cumbola.

The groom is a son of Brian and Mary Weiser, Cumbola.

Rebecca Strauss, Saint Clair, was maid of honor. Bridesmaids were Chelsea Lucas, Cumbola, bride’s sister; Holly Zindel, Orwigsburg, groom’s sister; Kerry Anaganti, Palmyra, bride’s sister; Rochelle Jones, Barnesville, and Nicole Bernstein, Palmyra. Julianna Laine, Oakton, Virginia, bride’s cousin, flower girl.

Keith Weiser, Cumbola, groom’s brother, was best man. Groomsmen were David Kuperavage, Pottsville; Brendan Zindel, Orwigsburg, groom’s brother-in-law; Jordan Oswald, Hamburg; Jacob Gogno, Lehighton, Jevin DiCello, Seltzer. Ryan Anaganti, Palmyra, bride’s nephew, and Bradley Zindel, Orwigsburg, groom’s nephew, were ring bearers.

After a reception at Hillcrest Hall, Minersville, the couple took a wedding trip to Oahi, Hawaii.

The bride is a 2008 graduate of Pottsville Area High School and a 2014 graduate of Penn State University with a bachelor’s degree in nursing. She is employed by Lehigh Valley Hospital-Schuylkill E. Norwegian Street as a registered nurse.

The groom is a 2009 graduate of Pottsville Area High School and a 2014 graduate of Penn State University with a bachelor’s degree in environmental resource management. He is employed by Sapa Extrusions, Cressona, as a lab analyst.

They live in Palo Alto.

LAKE HAUTO — A man died Saturday when the car he was driving crashed into another vehicle and caught fire in Rush Township.

The crash occurred just after 3 p.m. on Route 54, about a mile east of the entrance to Lake Hauto to the west and near the Schuylkill-Carbon county line to the east.

The driver of the Buick was pronounced dead at the scene at 3:41 p.m. by Schuylkill County Deputy Coroner Edward Smith, Tamaqua.

Smith said the identity of the victim was not being released until his next of kin are notified.

Rescuers from Tamaqua, Hometown and surrounding communities worked to free two people from inside the other vehicle, a white SUV, that came to a stop over an embankment alongside the westbound lane.

It took firefighters about 35 minutes to remove the occupants from the SUV and get them into awaiting ambulances.

Both the driver and passenger were taken to area hospitals by ambulance for treatment of what officials said were non-life-threatening injuries.

The Buick came to a stop partially off the eastbound lane, facing west.

State police at Frackville are investigating the crash with the assistance of their Collision Analysis Reconstruction Section division.

The crash and subsequent investigation forced investigators to close Route 54 east at the Hometown Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and west just past the Carbon County line.

The road was closed for more than five hours with fire police from Hometown, Quakake and Tamaqua directing drivers onto alternate routes.

EMS units from Tamaqua, McAdoo and Lehighton treated the injured while Quakake and Nesquehoning firefighters assisted at the scene.

Police said that additional information on the crash will be made available as the investigation continues.

Contact the writer: fandruscavage@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6013

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — With open arms, Schuylkill County welcomed home its Vietnam veterans Saturday, fulfilling a promise.

Retired NATO Supreme Allied Commander Gen. George A. Joulwan returned for the 20th anniversary ceremony marking the dedication of the Schuylkill County Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Joulwan, a county native and two-tour Vietnam veteran, had served as honorary chairman of the memorial committee and attended the dedication. He shared a message of remembrance.

“As I said 20 years ago, I’m proud to be a Vietnam veteran. The men who served their country did so with pride, dedication and commitment, and must never be forgotten.”

Sadly, he noted, many Vietnam veterans returned home and did not receive parades, but were spat upon and treated with ridicule. They had trouble finding jobs and getting medical treatment.

“This monument is Schuylkill County’s way of finally saying to those who paid the extreme sacrifice in Vietnam, the hundreds of thousands still alive, ‘Welcome home, thank you for your service.’ To the Gold Star families who are with us today, we share your pain and grieve your loss. May this memorial be a reminder for you that your sons did not die in vain.”

Joulwan received a standing ovation. Joining him was his wife, Karen, originally from Orwigsburg.

Joulwan was an infantry company commander and battalion and brigade operations officer during his tours in Vietnam. He received two Silver Stars for heroism and numerous awards for valor.

It was standing room only as a crowd of several hundred gathered during the event held at the First United Church of Christ, next to the memorial along Route 61 in Schuylkill Haven. The names of 43 men — 38 killed during the war, one missing in action and four killed while en route — are memorialized on the county monument. A new addition to the memorial, a Soldier’s Cross, was also unveiled during the anniversary service.

Legacy

Guy Wiederhold, commander of Veterans of Vietnam War Inc. Post 29, Schuylkill County, introduced the master of ceremonies, Lt. Col. Howard “Chip” Hall.

Hall is a Schuylkill Haven native who’s serving as director of operations for the 5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade. He’s preparing for his fifth deployment to the Middle East.

“The current generation of veterans is no doubt successful, but we’re not the ones who have created that level of success. We were handed that legacy of excellence from those who have gone before us. That includes very many of the veterans who are in this room with us today and, most importantly, Vietnam veterans. Ladies and gentlemen, I’m glad you can join me in giving them the welcome home they did not get,” Hall said. A standing ovation followed Hall’s request.

Members of the Veterans of the Vietnam War Inc. Post 29 had been meeting at the Schuylkill Haven American Legion Robert E. Baker Post 38 to prepare for Saturday’s ceremony. Bill Higgins, chairman of the anniversary committee; Carl “Boonie” Sterner, vice chairman; John L. Russell, Post 29 vice commander; and Wiederhold coordinated efforts to locate Gold Star mothers and families and invite them to the program. An estimated 30 Gold Star family members took part.

Gold Star families

Two of the Gold Star Mothers there for the unveiling of the Soldier’s Cross were Sally McMonegal, Girardville, who lost her son, John J. McMonegal Jr.; and Joan Moyer, Orwigsburg, who lost her son, David F. Heiser.

“It was really beautiful and makes us appreciate what veterans have done for us,” McMonegal, 89, said as she viewed the addition. She recalled when the memorial effort just got off the ground and her conversation with veterans who were part of Post 29.

“They had a Mother’s Day dinner for us and at that time, they promised us that they’d build a monument. They stuck to it. We helped with the car washes and spaghetti dinners,” she said. McMonegal attended with her son, Jim McMonegal, Holland, Bucks County.

Moyer also appreciated the memorial and the county’s interest in fallen veterans like her son.

“This was something to see,” Moyer said. “I’m glad that they’re not being forgotten.”

Gold Star family members Grace Karrer, Saint Clair and Shirley Myers, Orwigsburg, helped with the unveiling of the Soldier’s Cross. Hall had explained its symbolism.

“It was very emotional and I think they did a good job,” Karrer said as she spoke of the ceremony and her late first cousin, Michael C. Reed, Saint Clair. “He was too young and died in 1966.”

Karrer was joined by her sister, Dorothy Pomian, also of Saint Clair.

“It took a while for him to get home. His Jeep ran over a mine. I believe it was about six weeks,” Pomian said, noting Reed had re-enlisted and was on his second or third tour of duty when he was killed. They said five family members attended the anniversary service.

Soldier’s Cross

The Soldier’s Cross, also called a Field Cross, is a 42-inch bronze statue on a black granite base. It features boots, a rifle, helmet and the words, “All gave some, some gave all” engraved on the base. The statue was erected to the front of the Last Patrol plaque at the memorial. It had been stored at Harold D. Sausser Memorials in Schuylkill Haven by the owner, Mike Sausser. Matthews International Bronze Co., Pittsburgh, made the statue, Sausser said, and Sausser’s company did the engraving. Bob Greene, owner of Pioneer Pole Buildings Inc., Schuylkill Haven, and his wife, Diane, donated $7,500 toward its purchase. Higgins presented Greene with a plaque of appreciation on behalf of the post. Higgins also presented Joulwan and Hall with gifts.

Joulwan insight

During his address, Joulwan also reflected on advice that was once given to then Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower and Gen. George Marshall. “Never fight unless you have to. Never fight alone. Never fight for long.”

He emphasized the importance of strategic deterrents and the clarity of the mission. He also stressed that NATO is not obsolete.

“The U.S. must lead, not from behind, but from the front,” Joulwan said.

Dignitaries

Several dignitaries offered proclamations Saturday. Those attending included: state Sen. David G. Argall, R-29, Rush Township; state Rep. Jerry Knowles, R-124, Rush Township; state Rep. Neal Goodman, D-123, Mahanoy City; state Rep. Mike Tobash, R-125, Pottsville; Schuylkill County Commissioner Gary J. Hess; Marta Gabriel, a representative for U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey; and Sabrina McLaughin, a veterans affairs representative from the office of Congressman Matt Carwright, D-17, Moosic.

Monsignor Edward Zemanik, of St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church, Schuylkill Haven, and Pastor Shawn VanDyke, of First United Church of Christ, Schuylkill Haven, provided the opening prayer and benediction, respectively. Zemanik offered the Soldier’s Cross blessing following its unveiling.

Cosette Pohronezny, president, and Kristina Miller, vice president, represented the American Legion Post 38 Auxiliary, which provided the POW/MIA table. They, along with Hall, explained its symbolic significance. They also conducted the roll call during the service, reading the names of the fallen service members and tolling the bell after each name.

Diane Roeder sang the national anthem and Jan Enders offered the vocal selection, “Thank You is Never Enough.” Schuylkill Haven High School student Ethan Mikos shared two patriotic poetry readings from “The Brave” and “Lest We Forget.”

Former editor of the newspaper, when it was called the Pottsville Republican & Evening Herald, James C. Kevlin, introduced Joulwan, sharing how Joulwan was the appropriate choice to serve as honorary chairman, and Joulwan’s immediate commitment to assist and recognize the local Vietnam veterans’ efforts to garner the funds necessary to build the monument.

Idea

The idea for the county’s monument arose after area veterans had viewed the traveling replica of “The Wall” when it was in Pottsville in May 1986. They promised the county’s Gold Star Mothers that Post 29 would build a memorial in their sons’ honor. After years of veterans’ fundraising efforts were slow to gather the $75,000 needed for the monument, the newspaper began running articles about the county’s Vietnam fallen. Schuylkill County generously responded, and the monument was dedicated in May 1997. Newspaper representatives at the time — Kevlin, Terry Rang, former managing/news editor, and Paul Olson, former marketing director — were invited and attended the anniversary ceremony, catching up with many of the veterans who launched the campaign drive. Representatives of The Republican-Herald were also invited to attend. A reception at the Legion in Schuylkill Haven followed.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6007

POTTSVILLE — Even though the Pennsylvania Charter Hearing Board has yet to decide its fate, the Gillingham Charter School has developed a budget for the 2017-18 school year.

Nicolle Hutchinson, Gillingham’s director of education and CEO, said Friday the public can view a copy of it at Gillingham’s administration building at 912 Howard Ave. during its office hours, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

In June 2016, the Gillingham Charter School Board of Trustees approved the school’s 2016-17 budget, a spending plan made up of $3,450,752 in revenue and $3,392,042 in expenditures.

The draft of the charter school’s budget for 2017-18 is made up of $3,558,637 in revenue and $3,542,477 in expenditures.

Hutchinson said the charter school’s board of trustees are expected to approve the 2017-18 budget at its next public meeting, 7 p.m. June 15 at the schoolhouse at 915 Howard Ave.

At the board’s May meeting Thursday, Hutchinson reminded the board of the upcoming hearing regarding the school’s quest for a second five-year charter.

The Pennsylvania Charter School Appeal Board will discuss Gillingham’s case at 1 p.m. June 13 at the state Department of Education, Honors Suite, First Floor, 333 Market St., Harrisburg.

The Pottsville Area School District has traditionally been opposed to the charter school. Over the past year and a half, Gillingham and Pottsville Area have spent more than $401,000 in taxpayer money on legal and expert witness fees during the charter-renewal process.

Hutchinson anticipates a decision will be handed down in July.

In other matters at Thursday’s meeting, the board created a new position, assistant director of organizational development.

“It’s a new position to give more assistance in that department,” Hutchinson said Friday.

In the 2016-17 school year, Rosella D’urso was the school’s programs and compliance coordinator and she had a salary of $30,375, according to newspaper archives.

On Thursday, the board promoted her to assistant director of organizational development and gave her a salary of $40,000 for the 2017-18 school year.

Gillingham’s enrollment and communications coordinator, Alexandra Catizone, tendered her resignation because she is moving out of the state.

In the 2016-17 school year, she had a salary of $30,000.

On Thursday, the board accepted her resignation and hired Andrew Moran as the enrollment and communications coordinator for the 2017-18 school year at a salary of $30,000.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6011

Blue Mountain

Stephen Johnson and Kaitlyn Schneider were named students of the month for May at Blue Mountain High School.

Stephen, a senior enrolled in the college preparatory curriculum, is a son of Edward and Christine Johnson, Orwigsburg. He is president of the Science Honor Society, vice president of the Math Honor Society and a member the National Honor Society, History and English societies. He is involved with the physics club and mini-THON.

Athletically, Stephen is co-captain and a four-year member of the swim team. He plans to attend Boston University to major in mechanical engineering and swim at the collegiate level.

Kaitlyn, a senior enrolled in the college preparatory curriculum, is a daughter of Troy and Terri Schneider, Orwigsburg. She is a member of the National Honor Society, English, History, and Phi Sigma societies. She is involved with prom committee, art club and competitive cheerleading.

She plans to attend Penn State Schuylkill campus.

Minersville Area

Minersville Area High School seniors Allison Polinsky and Samuel DiBiase were named students of the month for May.

Allison is a daughter of Jeff and Christine Polinsky, Pottsville. Her school activities include SADD, TAT, yearbook committee, National Honor Society and Youth Summit student ambassador.

She is a member of the softball and soccer teams. and volunteers for the American Red Cross blood drive, youth basketball and baseball games.

Allison plans to attend Bloomsburg University to study nursing.

Samuel is a son of Richard DiBiase and Christina Anton, Minersville. His school activities include National Society of High School Scholars and the varsity boys’ soccer team.

He is a member of the Al-lied Artists Association and a contributing patron to the annual Block of Art exhibitions. He plans to attend Pratt Institute for an education in fine arts to become a fine arts professor and independent artist.

Pottsville Rotary

Emily Witmier and Jeremy Dellock represented Pottsville Area High School and Cassie Wranitz and Michael Winter represented Nativity BVM High School as Pottsville Rotary’s students of the month for March.

Emily is a daughter of Ja-son and Candi Witmier, Pottsville. She is a member of the National Honor Society, de-bate club, drama club, sketch club, Vans Custom Culture group and Interact Club. She is a volunteer firefighter and a soup kitchen volunteer.

She plans to study chemistry at Elizabethtown College.

Jeremy, a son of Susan and Stephen Dellock, Pottsville, is a member of the National Honor Society, student council and debate club, where he is secretary and treasurer.

Jeremy is a former member of the Trinity Lutheran Church Council, a Sunday school guide and a volunteer at Humane Fire Company. He is a Pennsylvania Free Enterprise Week graduate and plans to study computer science at Penn State Harrisburg campus.

Cassie, a daughter of Bill and Theresa Wranitz, Auburn, is a member of St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church, Schuylkill Haven, where she is a youth retreat team member, helping candidates prepare for the sacrament of confirmation.

At Nativity, she is a member of the National Honor and Science National honor societies, science and Interact clubs and is ski club co-president. She is an intern with Schuylkill Keep It Pretty and a member of the Schuylkill County Drug and Alcohol Junior Advisory Board.

Cassie is a competitive dancer and student dance teacher in Hamburg. She has been a Girl Scout for 13 years and earned several awards.

She plans to attend Rutgers University, New Jersey, to major in social work.

Michael, a son of Natalie and Kenneth Winter, Pottsville, is a member of the Nat-ional Honor and Science National honor societies, math, science and Interact clubs and senior class vice president. His extracurricular activities include varsity football, basketball and baseball.

Michael plans to attend Drexel University, Philadelphia, and major in biomedical engineering.

Nativity BVM High School seniors Mallory Sanders and Anthony Lutchkus and Pottsville Area High School seniors Sarah Griffiths and Jackson Gunelson were named Pottsville Rotary students of the month for April.

Mallory is a daughter of Laurie and Anthony Sanders, Deer Lake. She attends Kimmels Church, Orwigsburg, where she is active in missionary efforts.

She is involved in basketball, track and field, Interact Club, student ambassadors, prom committee, yearbook and campus ministry.

Mallory plans to attend the University of Mount Union, Alliance, Ohio, to major in communications studies and to continue her track and field career.

Anthony is a son of Linda and Vincent Lutchkus, Minersville, and attends St. Matthew the Evangelist Roman Catholic Parish, Minersville, where he is an altar server.

He is a member of the Interact and Campus Ministry clubs and is a student ambassador. Anthony has been involved in student government throughout his years at Nativity, plus he is a member of the football and track and field teams.

He plans to attend DeSales University, Center Valley, and major in criminal justice.

Sarah lives in Palo Alto and is a daughter of Jody Kaczynski and William Griffiths. She is sketch club president and a member of stage crew, drama club, ecology club, Interact and senior mural and senior prom committees. She participated in the Vans Custom Culture contest.

Sarah raised more than $100 for the Paris attack victims in 2015 and worked at the 2016 election polls. She has had artwork selected to be shown in area art shows, like the Schuylkill County Council for the Arts gallery.

Sarah is a National Honor Society member and plans to attend Ohio University and major in zoology/photography.

Jackson is a son of Theresa Davis and Gregor Gunelson. He lives in Pottsville and is a volunteer at the Pottsville Free Public Library and for the Boy Scouts.

Jackson is editor in chief of Tidelines, the school newspaper, and a member of drama club, eSports club and is an Eagle Scout. He is equipment manager and first trombone in the band, and won the Xerox Award of Excellence in Technology.

Jackson plans to attend Kutztown University and major in electronic media.

Although Gov. Tom Wolf had vowed to veto a bill that would allow school employees to carry firearms, state Sen. David Argall, R-29, Rush Township, said the proposed legislation will clarify existing rules and regulations.

Sponsored by Sen. Don White, R-41, Indiana, Senate Bill 383 would allow school boards to permit staff, including teachers, to carry firearms. The bill would require staff to volunteer for the armed position, hold a concealed carry permit and complete training.

The Senate Education Committee voted 9-3 on April 19 to make the bill available for eventual consideration by the full Senate. It was made available for second consideration Wednesday.

“The current law is unclear as to whether or not school boards are allowed to authorize employees who legally possesses a conceal carry permit to carry a firearm on school property,” Argall said. “Senator White’s proposal provides clarity to the law and would allow school boards to adopt a policy to allow a limited number of employees to carry a firearm under strict guidelines. Most importantly, it would be up to each school board to determine whether or not arming its employees is in the district’s best interest.”

The state crimes code prohibits firearms on school grounds under penalty of being charged with a low-grade felony, however, the law also permits firearms on school grounds for “lawful purposes.”

White’s memo accompanying his proposed legislation said that can be interpreted as school boards already having the authority to allow their employees to carry firearms on school property.

Blue Mountain School District has had two armed staff members patrol its buildings since 2013: Jeff Faust, director of facilities, and Rick Wanamaker, assistant director of facilities. Both completed Act 235 training.

The decision came within a year after the 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. Wanamaker retired earlier this year. Faust spoke to the Senate Education Committee in 2014 when White first introduced his legislation.

“I don’t think personally it is good to have everyone carrying weapons, but we learned a lot from other tragedies that the sooner you have an armed response to an armed intruder, lives are saved,” David Helsel, Blue Mountain superintendent, said. “Once you have an armed response there, it usually brings closure. In that respect, having a staff member as an armed response will decrease the likelihood of death.”

Helsel said district teachers are trained in how to respond to a shooter at the school. In case of an emergency, the Orwigsburg Police Department would respond to the middle school and Blue Mountain Elementary East. State police would respond to Blue Mountain Elementary Cressona, Blue Mountain Elementary West, Friedensburg, and the high school.

If Senate Bill 383 were to become a law, Helsel said it would still be up to the school board to arm teachers.

“I can see if the right people are interested in getting Act 235 trained and we would see it being helpful to the safety of our students, we would certainly consider it,” Helsel said.

There has been a lot of oppositions to the bill.

Pennsylvania State Education Association President Jerry Oleksiak said in an April 19 statement that the legislation is misguided and would make students less safe.

“Teachers are not trained law enforcement officers — their job is to educate children and act as role models,” he said.

“PSEA is not opposed to the use of appropriately trained and armed school safety personnel in schools, like the school safety officers that some districts employ. What our association does oppose is arming teachers, education support professionals and other school staff. This legislation would create more problems for first responders arriving at the scene of an armed confrontation, making it more difficult to immediately distinguish a perpetrator from a school employee. PSEA is for strategies that keep students safe. This bill doesn’t keep students safe. That’s why we oppose it.”

Oleksiak is a special education teacher in the Upper Merion Area School District.

Meanwhile, Wolf’s Press Secretary J.J. Abbott released the following statement on April 19.

“Gov. Wolf strongly opposes this bill and will veto it. School personnel shouldn’t be told that the only help they will get from Harrisburg to make schools safer is the option to carry a loaded gun around their students,” he said. “Harrisburg can help schools be safer by giving them adequate funding so schools can hire trained security professionals like school resource or police officers should school professionals feel they need it, and counselors and support staff for students. Gov. Wolf would also support increasing funding for the Department of Education’s Safe Schools Initiative.”

Contact the writer: mgilgerjr@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6023

TOWER CITY — Taxes remain stable under a $16.3 million preliminary budget for 2017-18 approved Thursday by the Williams Valley school board.

Voting in favor of the spending plan were directors Daniel Stroup, Tedd Johns, Tracey Minnich, Michael Minnich, David Ferraro and Joanna Stroup. Board members Christopher Stroup, John Mika and Jennifer Kramer were absent.

The general fund budget for the period July 1, 2017, until June 30, 2018, shows expenditures of $16,334,662 and anticipated revenues of $15,712,259. Superintendent Diane Niederriter said the district has historically been conservative with its expenditures, and for the 2017-18 school year a retirement incentive was also offered.

Health care in retirement was offered to employees who met certain criteria, including having at least 20 years of uninterrupted service with the district; being at least 60 years old; or having at least 30 years of service with the Public School Employees Retirement System, Niederriter said. That health care would be provided until the retiree became eligible for Medicare, she said. There were eight people who were eligible for the retirement incentive, although Neiderriter did not share how many actually took it.

Williams Valley includes two counties, Dauphin and Schuylkill. The real estate tax rate will remain at 16.46 mills in Dauphin County and 34.68 mills in Schuylkill County. Business Manager Amy Tomalavage said the median home property values were the same as last year.

For Dauphin County, the median home property value is $45,000, or an average real estate tax of $740, while the median home property value for Schuylkill County is $19,300, or an average real estate tax of $669.50. Other levies remain unchanged and include a $205 occupation tax and two $5 per capita taxes for a total of $10.

In other matters, Niederriter said she had recently attended two events recognizing the academic accomplishments of students across Schuylkill County. She said Williams Valley’s representatives stood out nicely.

In other action, the board approved:

• Hiring the following coaches for the 2017-18 school year: Zachary Reichert, Pottsville, assistant girls’ soccer coach, salary per the collective bargaining agreement; and the following volunteer assistant girls’ soccer coaches: Michael Lauver, Williamstown; Cameron Smith, Williamstown; Kelly Fetterhoff, Lykens; and Carl Klinger, Tower City.

• Ashley Machamer, Wiconisco, as a guest teacher for the 2016-17 school year.

• Accepting the resignation of attorney Richard Thornburg as school solicitor, effective June 6.

• Hiring attorney Nicholas Quinn as school solicitor, effective June 7.

• WV Dental Group, Williamstown, as the school dentist for the 2017-18 school year at the same rates as last year.

• The first reading of new policies, No. 917 on Parental/Family Involvement; and No. 918 on Title I Parental Involvement.

• Permission to plant a tree and place a memorial marker on elementary grounds in memory of Sue Brown, who served as elementary nurse from 2003 to 2016. Maintenance personnel were requested to plant the tree.

• The Susquehanna River Basin Commission to install a camera on a vacant pole for use of flood monitoring in Dauphin County at no cost to the district.

• A two-year contract with Schlegel Photography, effective July 1 through June 30, 2019.

• Cafeteria pricing for the 2017-18 school year.

The next board meeting will be 7:30 p.m. May 25.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6007