MAHANOY CITY — The borough council is considering new rules regarding snow removal, utility work on borough streets, swimming pools and barbecue grills.

Council members discussed some of them at a special public forum at the borough hall Thursday night. They generated some ideas for changes to the “Code of the Borough of Mahanoy City.”

“We started going through some of the codes and outlining which ones we think are OK and what ones we think need to be tweaked. That’s why we asked for public input tonight. We have ideas on what we think should be updated. A lot of people think there are codes for things out there and there isn’t,” Councilwoman Diane Rachuck, who chairs the council’s Code Committee, said.

“One we looked at involves public utility and excavations of the streets,” William F. Killian III, the borough’s full-time code enforcement officer, said.

“They’re only responsible for the hole that they create for one year. After that, it then falls back on us. In year two, if the area deteriorates and falls apart, it would be our liability. So we want to be more strict, maybe having a representative of the borough there, whether it be the engineer or the street department there to watch how they fill the hole, to make sure it’s done properly,” Killian said.

“Thom had an idea about snow removal,” Rachuck said, referring to council President Thom Maziekas. “Some people come in to do snow removal, especially like some of the businesses downtown, and all they do is push the snow and leave it there. Some have already blocked the street by doing it.”

“It wasn’t my idea. It was Billy and the street department,” Maziekas said, referring to Killian.

“But some people who have a snowplow on the front of their pickup truck think they can push the snow wherever they want to,” Rachuck said.

“If they move it, they have to remove it,” council Vice President Francis P. Burke said.

“So is there going to be a fine associated with that?” a citizen, Susan Kester, said.

“You can’t fine anyone until we have a code, correct?” Rachuck asked.

“Correct,” Killian said.

“So this is one of the codes we want to work on first,” Rachuck said.

“We do not have a code that deals with barbecue grills, any facet of them,” Killian added.

Killian plans to recommend users have fire extinguishers handy and make sure grills in use are attended at all times.

“And there are so many things that can go wrong if it’s on the front porch instead of the backyard,” borough Officer-In-Charge Charles Kovalewski said.

The council may also develop rules regarding swimming pools.

“One I mentioned was having swimming pools on the pavement, where you can’t walk around them,” Rachuck said.

There’s nothing about that in the borough code.

“In the borough’s quality of life ordinance, it just says that all swimming pools must be maintained and in good working condition. It doesn’t tell you where it can and can’t be,” Killian said.

“I think it’s a huge safety hazard. It doesn’t stop a child from walking by and being curious and jumping in there if it’s not attended. And God forbid if something happens. It needs to be addressed,” Killian said.

“And we also have people with their perpetual yard sales all year long. Maybe we should have a rule which says you can have one yard sale a month,” Rachuck said.

“Another issue we have a lot of times too is nuisance burning complaints. The code is very vague and there’s an opportunity for people to get away with it. And that’s something that we have to decide. Do we allow it? Or not?” Killian said.

“What kind of burning?” a citizen, Teckla McCabe, asked.

“You’ll have someone with a fire pit and they get wet wood or something,” McCabe said.

“Wet wood isn’t really the problem. The smoke from the wet wood is. The problem is people start piling more and more wood on. And you have these big fires with embers flying everywhere. And then they throw garbage on and any paper product when it burns has the tendency to float up. It’s a hazard,” Kovalewski said.

“We’ve been very fortunate, knock on wood, that we haven’t had an actual full-scale incident because of it,” Killian said.

Citizens can still make suggestions. The council will hold its next regular meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday. The council will be accepting ideas until sometime in 2018, when it will give a list of changes to the code final approval. Burke estimated there would be more than 20.

Also present at the meeting were council members Patricia C. Mullins and Louis Huber.

After the council approves that list, the information will be submitted to General Code, a publisher in Rochester, New York. The new code book should be completed by late 2018 or early 2019, according to Matthew P. Domines, a research associate with the Pennsylvania Economy League.

The project’s cost is estimated at $15,000 and it will be paid for by funds the borough will receive as part of a $145,000 financial recovery grant, Domines said.

The borough was declared a financially distressed municipality under state Act 47 on Feb. 18, 2016, by the state Department of Community and Economic Development. Domines is the borough’s Act 47 coordinator.

Contact the writer: spytak@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6011

VALLEY VIEW — Hegins Township supervisors Wednesday approved Entech Engineering to receive the paperwork to conduct a task activity report on the Act 537 sewage plan.

The vote was split, 3-2, with supervisors Chairman Gary Harner, Bruce Klouser and newly appointed Douglas Lucas voting in favor, and supervisors Mike Begis and Brad Carl opposed.

The report would be of an Act 537 plan solely for Hegins Township, not the joint Act 537 sewage facilities plan previously been approved by the state Department of Environmental Protection for both Hegins and Hubley townships.

That joint plan is currently under appeal in Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court.

Solicitor Donald Karpowich said Entech will review the existing Act 537 plan to make sure the township doesn’t have any duplicates. Carl had asked if that meant the engineering firm was creating a whole new Act 537 plan for Hegins Township. The activity report does not do that but is simply a review, Carl was told.

“Brad, you just like to be heard. Hegins Township is moving forward,” Harner said.

“The Act 537 plan is on appeal,” Carl said, questioning why the township should spend the money now when the township may need to borrow money to pay its regular bills.

The motion to approve Entech to do the task activity report was voted on and approved 3-1 in August. Wednesday’s action was to give Entech the actual plan the township wanted reviewed.

Carl and Begis questioned the $1,200 cost of the activity report. Harner did not expect the cost would exceed that. Karpowich said, however, that it was a proposal and could cost more.

In other business, the township made a motion to hire a road crew employee to fill a vacancy left by the retirement of Neal Schadel. The supervisors said the candidate will contact his employer and give proper notice before the township would release the name of the hire. The board held an executive session to discuss personnel prior to the start of Wednesday’s meeting.

On another personnel matter, Lucas will be able to wear two hats in the township, according to Karpowich. He said that Lucas, who also serves on the township’s planning commission, can continue to serve on that commission as a voting member while supervisor.

Police Chief Beau Yarmush said he and Sgt. Matthew Dillman would like to host a meeting next month to establish a community watch group. A date for the meeting will be announced.

Road Foreman Craig Coleman said the road crew mowed some right-of-ways, replaced speed limit signs on Deep Creek Road, assisted with moving a shed and fall cleanup, repaired potholes, painted white speed limit signs, moved playground equipment, attended a pesticides class, and paved a pipe ditch on Valley Road. Coleman said representatives from Williams Pipeline would be meeting with him Thursday, and would be doing a video of the township’s roads, in preparation for the company’s work throughout the township.

In other action, the board:

• Approved payment of $158,119 for the East Mountain Road culvert box. The township will use $82,620 from liquid fuels and $75,499 from the general fund.

• Announced a Fire Relief Association check for $18,496 was received. It would be presented to Hegins Valley Fire Rescue fire company at next month’s meeting.

• Approved Cathy Moyer’s treasurer’s report as of Sept. 30 showing total income of $19,141.20; total expenses of $47,428.66; a deficit of $28,287. The general fund balance was $98,480; state fund account balance was $106,215; and the pool account was $19,178.40.

• Approved Yarmush’s police report for the month of September showing 147 calls to service, 20 offense reports, four non-traffic citations, one felony arrest, 17 traffic citations and 10 traffic warnings issued. Total mileage on the police vehicles was 2,140 for the month.

• Approved subdivision for Hegins Valley Fire Rescue, waiving engineer review.

• Tabled approval the Shadle/Schwalm subdivision and annexation until more information is received.

• Announced Trick or Treat night will be Oct. 29; next board meeting will be Nov. 1 and next food pantry Nov. 15.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6007

Andreas

The annual Andreas Halloween Parade is scheduled for 7 p.m. Oct. 18, sponsored by the West Penn Lions/Lioness Club and the Andreas Sporting Club. Formation will begin at 6:15 p.m. at the sporting club. The rain date is Oct. 19. There will be two categories for individuals and groups — marching and floats. All participants should register in advance to be eligible for cash prizes. A representative from each entry must be at the sporting club when prizes are announced. Refreshments will be served to parade participants. Becky Neumoyer is the parade committee chairwoman. For more information or to register, call Neumoyer at 570-386-3045.

Mahanoy City

The Mahanoy Township High School Alumni will meet at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Good American Hose Company, Eighth Street and Mahanoy Avenue. Plans will be made for the reunion to be held in 2018. For more information, call 570-668-6707.

Pottsville

For the city’s annual downtown trick-or-treat night, the Pottsville Free Public Library, 215 W. Market St., will have a free haunted house and Halloween party from 4 to 6 p.m. Oct. 26. The event will include games, crafts and treats. The library’s teen advisory board will put up the haunted house. The event is for youngsters ages 3 to 12. For more information, call 570-622-8880.

Sacramento

St. Paul’s United Church of Christ will celebrate its annual homecoming service at 10 a.m. Oct. 15. The service began in 1945. The 2017 event will include music by Saving Grace Band, Mifflinburg, and a catered luncheon by Traci’s Place. The guest speaker will be the Rev. Jimmie Schwartz, a graduate of Tri-Valley High School. Tickets are $12 for adults, $6 for children 12 and under, and free for children 2 and under. For tickets or more information, call 570-682-9828.

Schuylkill Haven

An all-you-can-eat chicken pot pie dinner will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday at Liberty Fire Company No. 4, Columbia and St. James streets. The cost is $8 for dinners, $7 for quarts and $4 for children under 12. Dinners include pot pie, lettuce with hot bacon dressing, bread/butter, beverages and desserts. Takeouts will be available, as will free delivery in the Schuylkill Haven area. For delivery or more information, call 570-385-3341.

Sheppton

The Sheppton-Oneida Fire Company’s monthly bingo games will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday in the firehall, 900 Center St. Prices vary, food and refreshments will be available and all are welcome. For more information, call 570-233-0935.

Tamaqua

The America Needs Fatima prayer group will pray the rosary and other prayers publicly at noon Oct. 14 at four local sites: in front of the fountain at Depot Square Park, Five Points, Tamaqua; Kennedy Park, Lansford; the gazebo in Ludlow Park, Summit Hill; and St. Patrick’s Cemetery, across from Turkey Hill, Nesquehoning. Oct. 14 was chosen as this year’s date because it is close to Oct. 13, “the day God worked the Miracle of the Sun at Fatima, Portugal,” in 1917, according to the group. The regional effort will join with more than 20,000 other America Needs Fatima groups throughout America and other countries at the same time according to their own time zones. The public display of faith in God is the groups’ answer to the ongoing turbulence in the world.

Tamaqua

The Tamaqua Area Water Authority has finished installing new meters for its Hometown customers and will now put its attention on customers who live within Tamaqua borough. Authority personnel have begun replacing meters on Arlington Street and will continue going street by street, alphabetically, until all 2,000 meters have been replaced. Workers will have photo IDs. If a resident is not home at the time workers visit, they will have the opportunity to schedule the work at another time. For more information, call Tamaqua Borough hall at 570-668-3444 or 570-668-0300.

A federal judge on Thursday at least temporarily stopped Mahanoy Area High School from disciplining a student for her use of foul language in an off-campus internet post.

Senior U.S. District Judge A. Richard Caputo issued a temporary restraining order barring the school from removing the 15-year-old girl, identified only as B.L., from the junior varsity cheerleading squad due to the Snapchat post in which she used profanities.

In issuing the order, Caputo, who held a hearing on Monday in his Wilkes-Barre courtroom, ruled the girl is likely to succeed in her claim that the school violated her First Amendment rights in attempting to punish her for off-campus speech.

B.L. published the post on Snapchat, a photo-sharing app, according to her lawyers from the American Civil Liberties Union. The post contained a picture of her with a friend with their middle fingers extended and a series of obscenities, according to the complaint filed Sept. 25.

“(The post) was not accessible to the general public,” according to the complaint.

Although B.L. shared the photo only with friends, school officials eventually received a copy of it and imposed the discipline, according to the complaint.

Because it involved only off-campus speech, the punishment imposed by the school violates B.L.’s constitutional rights.

In addition to reinstatement and removal of the incident from school records, B.L. and her parents asked for a declaration that the school’s cheerleading rules are unconstitutional as applied to off-campus speech, and to be awarded attorney fees and monetary damages to be determined at trial.

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

POTTSVILLE — A Northampton County man will not have to go to prison after a Schuylkill County judge sentenced him Sept. 28 for endangering his children in August 2016 in Kline Township.

Instead, Timothy I. Serrano, 39, of Northampton, will spend three years on probation under the terms of Judge Charles M. Miller’s sentence. He also must pay costs, $100 to the Substance Abuse Education Fund and $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account, and keep current with his child support payments.

“It looks like you’re sincere in not trying to work the court system,” Miller told a relieved Serrano. “Be the best father you can be.”

Serrano had pleaded guilty on July 12 to three counts each of endangering the welfare of children and recklessly endangering another person. Prosecutors withdrew three counts of violation of safety restraints and one of driving under the influence.

Kline Township police had charged Serrano with endangering his three children on Aug. 12, 2016.

“What drug were you using that day?” Assistant Public Defender Michael A. O’Pake, Serrano’s lawyer, asked his client.

“Heroin,” Serrano answered.

Serrano testified he now sees his children daily.

Also on Sept. 28, Judge James P. Goodman sentenced Sarah A. Bensinger, 26, of Tamaqua,to serve three to 12 months in prison.

“You’ve got to address you drug situation,” Goodman told Bensinger.

Goodman imposed the sentence after revoking Bensinger’s probation, which the defendant admitted violating by failing to report to her supervising officer, using drugs, not making payments on her costs and fees and committing new crimes.

Bensinger originally entered the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program on Nov. 19, 2015, after being charged with possession of drug paraphernalia. If she had successfully completed that program, the charge would have been dismissed.

However, Senior Judge D. Michael Stine removed her from the program on Aug. 22, 2016, and Bensinger pleaded guilty to the charge on Nov. 30, 2016. At that time, Goodman placed her on probation for 12 months, and also sentenced her to pay costs, a $100 SAEF payment, a $50 CJEA payment and $60 restitution to Lehigh Valley Health Network.

Tamaqua police originally charged Bensinger with possessing paraphernalia on Feb. 7, 2015, in the borough.

In another Sept. 28 case, Goodman revoked the probation of James F. Goliwas, 26, of Schuylkill Haven, and sentenced him to serve two to five years in a state correctional institution.

Goliwas admitted violating his probation by committing new crimes.

He originally pleaded guilty on Nov. 12, 2015, to burglary, theft and criminal mischief, with prosecutors withdrawing a charge of criminal trespass. At that time, Goodman placed him on probation for 24 months, and also sentenced him to pay costs and a $50 CJEA payment, and submit a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities.

State police at Schuylkill Haven charged Goliwas with committing his crimes on March 17, 2015, in North Manheim Township.

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

SHENANDOAH — A Shenandoah teenager died hours after the bicycle he was riding struck a vehicle in the borough Wednesday afternoon.

Shenandoah police Lt. Gary Keppel said Scott Ort, 13, of 407 W. Cherry St., was severely injured in the crash about 5:15 p.m. at Centre and Gilbert streets.

Ort was treated at the scene by Shenandoah ALS and taken to a Pottsville hospital. Keppel said the teen was flown from there to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, Allentown, where he was pronounced dead at 3:18 a.m. Thursday.

Lehigh County First Deputy Coroner Eric D. Minnich said that Ort died from a closed head injury suffered in the crash and ruled the manner of death accidental.

Keppel said Ort was riding his bicycle north on South Gilbert Street, downhill, when he entered the intersection and collided with a 2009 Dodge Journey driven by Kara Moser, 40, of Lansford.

Moser was traveling west on Centre Street at the time of the crash, going to Shenandoah Valley High School for her daughter’s basketball game, Keppel said. Moser and her three passengers — her husband, her son and a juvenile girl — escaped injury.

Keppel said that Ort collided with the vehicle and was thrown onto its hood and then into the windshield.

Keppel said no charges are pending against Moser, and that Shenandoah firefighters and fire police assisted at the scene.

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

POTTSVILLE — Still smirking in spite of his multiple convictions, Juan J. “Montana” Perez headed to state prison Thursday after a Schuylkill County judge sentenced him for kidnapping a man in December 2016 in Shenandoah.

“You’re a dangerous guy,” President Judge William E. Baldwin told Perez, 32, of Pottsville, formerly of Shenandoah, before sentencing him to serve 12 1/2 to 25 years in a state correctional institution.

A jury of eight men and four women deliberated almost three hours on Aug. 24 before finding Perez guilty of kidnapping, prohibited possession of firearm, carrying a firearm without a license, unlawful restraint, simple assault and false imprisonment, and not guilty of conspiracy and corruption of minors.

Shenandoah police alleged Perez and two other men kidnapped William Murphy, 26, of Shenandoah, from a borough street about 8 a.m., forced him to return to his residence, kept him there for several hours and then drove him to Reading.

Baldwin, who presided over Perez’s one-day trial, emphasized Thursday that this event was not the defendant’s first brush with the law.

“You have a huge, lengthy criminal record, repeated convictions for drugs and assaults,” Baldwin told Perez, who sat through the hearing wearing a prison jumpsuit, handcuffs and a belt.

Baldwin also noted that there was talk during the incident of killing Murphy.

Perez had little to say Thursday.

“I’ll be filing an appeal,” was his only comment.

Jeffrey J. Markosky, Mahanoy City, Perez’s lawyer, declined to comment on the case.

District Attorney Christine A. Holman, on the other hand, had plenty to say.

“Mr. Perez is going away to state prison for 12 1/2 to 25 years, where he deserves to be,” Holman said.

She also emphasized the length and seriousness of Perez’s criminal record.

“I ... feel that Mr. Perez is a danger to society” and so did Baldwin, Holman said.

She also commended Assistant District Attorney David J. Rice, who prosecuted the case against Perez.

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

The defendant

· Name: Juan J. Perez

· Age: 32

· Residence: Pottsville, formerly of Shenandoah

· Crimes committed: Kidnapping, prohibited possession of firearm, carrying a firearm without a license, unlawful restraint, simple assault and false imprisonment

· Prison sentence: 12 1/2 to 25 years in a state correctional institution

Geisinger Medical Center, Danville

To Kristie Shafer and Anthony Perez, Hazleton, a daughter, Sept. 3. Maternal grandparents are Tammy and Kevin Muldowney, Port Carbon, and Richard Shafer Jr., McAdoo. Paternal grandparent is Bethsaida Cruz, Hazleton.

Deeds

Coaldale — Yliana Trabal to Erick Trabal; 122 First St.; $1.

Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Wells Fargo Bank NA; 29 W. Ridge St.; $1,178.24.

Eldred Township — Mary J. Reiner to Dawn M. Lesher and Barbara A. Messner; 2.066-acre property at Legislative Route 53053 and Township Route 395; $1.

Gilberton — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Borough of Gilberton; 1226-1228 Main St.; $1.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Borough of Gilberton; 2403 Water St.; $1.

Hegins Township — Bonnie A. Bim Angst to Carol E. Coller; property on East Main Street, Hegins; $15,000.

Mahanoy City — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Borough of Mahanoy City; 1115 E. Pine St.; $1.

Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to Borough of Mahanoy City; 412 W. Mahanoy Ave.; $1.

Orwigsburg — Brian C. Kimmerle and Michelle R. Hanley-Kimmerle to Brandon Sterner and Kristen McGowan; 122 Lincoln Ave.; $135,000.

Pine Grove — Margery W. Mattox to Margery W. Mattox; 205 S. Tulpehocken St.; $1.

Pine Grove Township — Donna L. and Chris W. Ney to Travis R. Behm; 237 Sweet Arrow Lake Road; $102,000.

Gary R. Shadle, Laurie J. Shadle and Scott T. Shadle to Gary R. Shadle and Scott T. Shadle; 130 Mexico Road; $1.

Gary R. Shadle, Laurie J. Shadle and Scott T. Shadle to Gary R. Shadle and Scott T. Shadle; 173 Stanhope Road; $1.

Porter Township — Grace Evangelical Congregational Church to the National Conference of the Evangelical Congregational Church; 107 W. Wiconisco St., Muir; $1.

Kenneth A. and Jessica M. Grimm to Mark A. McAloose; 1848 E. Grand Ave., Reinerton; $107,500.

Pottsville — Francis DeVizia to Fatih Ozgul; 522 Harrison St.; $2,800.

Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Wells Fargo Bank NA; 617 Pierce St.; $1,472.45.

Lisa Bercher to Kathleen Vanderpool and Trista L. Denning; 1913 West End Ave.; $33,000.

Reilly Township — Robert N. Guidas to the Andrea M. Godwin Revocable Trust; property on Meadow Street, Branchdale; $30,000.

Rush Township — LNV Corp. to Vicki L. Valentine; 48 Heckman St., Quakake; $44,900.

BARNESVILLE — Pennsylvania’s half-completed budget is down to about $100 million in disputed funding, and local legislators said Friday that they could resolve the dispute soon.

“We need to get this done,” state Rep. Jerry Knowles, R-124, Rush Township, said during the Legislative Roundtable at Mountain Valley Golf Course.

State Rep. Neal P. Goodman, D-123, Mahanoy City, who often disagrees with Knowles on policy matters, did not this time, although he said the contentiousness in Harrisburg over the budget is at a level he has not seen before.

“I think he hit it on the head,” Goodman said.

The state’s budget problem — legislators and Gov. Tom Wolf have agreed on a $32 billion 2017-18 spending plan but not how to pay for it — dominated the roundtable, which was sponsored by the Northeast PA Manufacturers and Employers Association.

The association also honored numerous local businesses, including The Republican-Herald, on National Manufacturing Day.

Legislators emphasized that they are within $100 million of reaching an agreement on the spending plan, although there is not yet a consensus on how to take that final step.

“We didn’t have an agreement on where the money would come from,” state Rep. Tarah Toohil, R-116, Butler Township, Luzerne County, said. “It’s very disconcerting that your government would work that way.”

State Sen. David G. Argall, R-29, Rush Township, said legislators are looking for ways to save money in order to eliminate the gap and finalize funding.

“I think we’re almost there,” he said.

While various taxes are being discussed, legislators expressed reservations about many of them.

Goodman, the only Democrat at the roundtable, said proposed hotel and warehouse taxes are unpalatable. The hotel tax would become the highest in the nation if approved, he said, while the proposed warehouse tax would be disastrous for his district, which includes several regional distribution centers, including Lowe’s and Wegmans.

State Rep. Mike Tobash, R-125, Pottsville, whose district includes the Big Lots distribution center, agreed that the proposed warehouse levy would hurt Schuylkill County. He emphasized the significant amounts of property taxes they pay.

“These facilities are helping us fund our schools,” he said. “(The proposed tax hike) would be a huge detriment.”

Tobash said he could support a reasonable severance tax on the natural gas industry if it were accompanied by a reduction in the regulatory burden on that industry and a part of an overall energy policy.

State Rep. Aaron Kaufer, R-120, Kingston, Luzerne County, did not like the idea of any new taxes, saying spending is the problem. Growing revenue and cutting spending are the ways to fix state budgetary problems, he said.

Welfare reform also is important, Kaufer said, noting that he and Tobash are working on tightening work requirements for recipients and imposing time limits on how long people can receive benefits.

Tobash and Toohil also said Pennsylvania needs to restrict welfare benefits.

“If we don’t get tougher ... we’re going to be at $35 billion just like that,” Tobash said.

“It has to be cut off at a certain point, and people have to go back to work,” Toohil said.

A proposed hike in the minimum wage, first to $12 an hour, and then to $15 an hour, provoked disagreement.

Argall said the proposal has moved very slowly in the Legislature.

Goodman said such an increase actually will help the state by getting people off welfare and giving workers more money to spend. He said giving five people a raise is better for a business than hiring five new ones.

Knowles said such a hike would chase jobs out of Pennsylvania, and especially hurt young people and senior citizens who work such jobs.

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

The Northeast PA Manufacturers and Employers Association honored the following businesses at Friday’s Legislative Roundtable

Altadis U.S.A.

Cardinal Systems Inc.

CTC Manufacturing Inc.

Gas & Air Systems Inc.

Guilford performance textiles

InterMetro Industries Corp.

Johns Manville International

Michael Foods Inc./Papetti Hygrade Egg products

Mrs. T’s Pierogies

Omnova Solutions Inc.

Prysmian Group

The Republican-Herald

South Schuylkill News

The Standard-Speaker

A banner that proclaimed “Jesus loves us for free” was hung during a football game last week between a public high school and a Catholic high school, attracting the attention of spectators and drawing an apology from a superintendent.

After noticing the banner on the Panther Valley High School side of the field during the Sept. 29 game at Marian High School, two spectators wrote letters to The Standard-Speaker.

T.J. McCall, Summit Hill, wrote that Jesus loves everyone for free, but education costs money. Parents who pay tuition to send children to Marian, McCall wrote, also pay taxes that support public schools like Panther Valley.

Joe Sterns, Deer Lake, regarded the banner as a taunt and was surprised that adults on the Panther Valley side thought it was OK.

It is unknown who hung the banner, which remained up during the game that Marian won, 48-12.

Panther Valley Superintendent Dennis Kergick attended the game but didn’t see the sign.

When told what it said, he apologized.

“It’s not what the public school system or any school system would stand for. I find it disturbing ... appalling,” Kergick said.

The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association, he pointed out, forbids spectators from using banners, noisemakers and other cheerleading props in basketball championships.

For all sports, PIAA by-laws discourage spectators from using religion to bait, intimidate or denigrate “a student, school, contest official or other spectators.”

Spectators who break the rule can be banned from future events.

Administrators from the two schools have not discussed the banner, Stan Dakosty, the athletic director at Marian, said.

Kergick wants students to learn to share the world with people from different backgrounds and different schools, adding he hopes that graduates will develop “an appreciation for diversity, an appreciation for each other.”

Contact the writer: kjackson@standardspeaker.com; 570-501-3587

HAMBURG — In March 2014, the nonprofit Our Town Foundation launched a campaign to raise $200,000 to make improvements to The Strand, a one-screen vintage movie theater it acquired in 2013.

On Thursday, Deena Kershner, foundation executive director, said she believes the goal will be met by year’s end with an event scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Oct. 29, a fundraiser called “Save Our Strand” at St. Mary Catholic Church, 94 Walnut Road. Tickets are $30 in advance.

The 97-year-old theater at 6 S. Fourth St. is a 198-seat venue.

“Our campaign began in 2014 with the hopes of raising $200,000. To date, we have received approximately $156,356 through donations, fundraisers and grants which allowed us to make improvements,” Kershner said.

Improvements have included installation of a digital projector, film screen and sound system, new rubber roof, two bathrooms, refurbishment of the historic marquee and entry doors, repair and stabilization to the exterior brick wall, improvements to the heating and cooling system, new stage flooring and a new popcorn machine, she said.

Our Town Foundation would like to do more.

“Our capital campaign will conclude at the end of 2017. Therefore, we are hopeful that this gala event, along with donations, will raise the additional $43,644 needed to reach our original goal. The additional funds raised will go toward painting the interior of the theater, better lighting, purchasing a point-of-sale system, converting the garage into a staging area and paying down the mortgage,” she said.

On Thursday, Kershner visited The Strand with theater’s coordinator, Stephanie Adam, Shoemakersville, Berks County; Adam’s daughter, Bethany Sholl, Deer Lake, who is the theater manager; and Sholl’s two children, Hudson, 2, and Henley, 9 months.

The theater is housed in a building constructed in 1799, one of the first properties built when the community was laid out, according to the theater’s website.

“It was a federal-style house, which was later turned into a restaurant before being converted to the theater in 1920,” according to the website.

David and Ella Schlear opened The Strand on Christmas Day 1920. At the time, it had 500 seats. In 1935, their son, Ed, became owner and added a new entryway, ticket booth, marquee and neon lights, according to the website.

In March 1930, The Strand screened its first talkie, “Untamed (1929),” starring Joan Crawford.

Over the years, it has had numerous owners and eventually became a 198-seat venue.

In 2013, Our Town Foundation, a 501(c)3, bought it from William Rhoads and Barbara Starr for $110,000.

In September 2014, the foundation bought a $58,000 digital projector paid for by a grant from the state Department of Community and Economic Development office and public donations. The theater no longer has its 35 millimeter projector. It was removed when the digital projector was installed.

Contact the writer: spytak@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6011

POTTSVILLE — The Salvation Army of Pottsville will accept applications for its holiday assistance program next week.

People have already been calling to ask about holiday assistance for Thanksgiving and Christmas, Envoy Brad Harris of the Pottsville Salvation Army said. The program provides food for families in need and toys for children up to age 12. The applications for both holidays will be accepted from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 10, 11 and 12.

Thanksgiving basket distribution will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 20 at the Salvation Army, 400 Sanderson St., Pottsville. The Thanksgiving basket will likely include stuffing, potatoes, cranberries, fruits, vegetables and turkey. There must be at least four people in a household to receive a basket.

Volunteers are needed and food donations are also appreciated.

The pantry, which provides food for those in need, is in need of mashed potatoes, green beans, peas, sweet potatoes, canned fruit and peanut butter. Koch’s is donating turkeys for Thanksgiving, but more will likely be needed.

“It is looking a bit bare,” Dolly Ebert, a volunteer with the Salvation Army, said.

There will also be a Thanksgiving meal from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Sanderson Street location. Meals could be delivered in Pottsville and the immediate area.

The toys distributed for Christmas will be from the Toys for Tots campaign and Angel Tree, a program where people buy gifts for children. Angel Tree tags with gift ideas written on them will be available at various sites. Donations should be dropped off by Dec. 8.

Ed Quirin, chairman of Schuylkill County’s Toys for Tots drive, said Wednesday that 150 boxes will be in various locations in Schuylkill County. Boxes will be placed mid-November for donations.

Suggestions for donation items include educational toys, sports equipment, games and stuffed animals. All items must be new and unwrapped.

The Toys for Tots drive is run by the Marine Corps League based in Schuylkill County, of which Quirin is a member.

Most toys collected are given to the Salvation Army of Pottsville for children. Some of the toys are also given to children who have experienced a tragedy such as a house fire.

The holiday assistance program also provides a Christmas food basket. Countywide distribution is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 18 at Foursquare Gospel Church, 2300 Mahantongo St. Citywide distribution is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 19 at the same site.

Usually, winter items are available for those in need. However, if the weather turns cold early this year, the Salvation Army has little to give out.

“At this point, we have no coats,” Mary Metzger, case aide/office manager for the Salvation Army, said.

They do have some hats and gloves and other winter wear.

“It’s not going to carry us through the winter,” she said.

New and gently used items are appreciated. The winter wear will be given away as needed. Donations can be dropped off at the Salvation Army.

Proof of household income and expenses are required along with photo identification; proof of current address or lease if recently moved; working phone number; Social Security cards for all those in household; and birth certificates for those younger than 12 years old.

Call the Salvation Army office at 570-622-5252 for more information.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6028

POTTSVILLE — The Salvation Army of Pottsville is in need of bell ringers for the upcoming Red Kettle Drive.

Only a few people have expressed interest in ringing the familiar bell, a traditional sign of the holiday season.

The drive is the largest fundraising event of the year for the organization. Money donated during the campaign helps provide food, rent, utility assistance and funds for the soup kitchen and other programs.

“We will work with all the volunteers the best we can,” Mary Metzger, case aide/office manager for the Salvation Army, said.

Volunteers must register online at pottsville.savolunteers.org. A background check will be conducted for free.

Some volunteers will be out Nov. 17 and the drive ends Dec. 23.

This is the first year for the local Red Kettle Drive under Envoy Brad and Gina Harris’ leadership. The goal is $92,400. The goal was $90,000 last year, of which $85,000 was raised. Harris said he believes the goal is attainable.

“There are some very generous folks out there,” he said.

New this year, people can text a donation by typing “SAPVL” to 41444.

Exact locations of bell ringers have not yet been provided. Harris said they are looking to have kettle workers in Pine Grove and Valley View, something new this year.

Harris said they can help more people by adding bell-ringing locations.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6028

LEHIGHTON — A documentary about the Mahoning Drive-In Theater will premiere this month, according to its director, Alexander Monelli.

“It’s called ‘At the Drive-In.’ It’s a feature-length documentary. And this is my first feature. I wanted to take my style and method of making short documentaries and test myself to see if I could make a feature. It’s an 80-minute feature,” Monelli said.

On Sept. 28, Monelli, 31, of Lancaster, visited the drive-in at 635 Seneca Road, Lehighton, Carbon County, to talk about the project and upcoming screenings.

The drive-in was built in 1948 and opened in 1949. It’s remained the Mahoning Drive-In Theater ever since.

A few years ago, its existence was threatened by changing times. Its managers were unable to afford a $50,000 digital projector to continue screening current films.

In 2014, Jeff Maddox, Kutztown, became owner of the business. He brought on two business partners: film enthusiasts Matt McClanahan, Harleysville, Montgomery County, and Virgil Cardamone, Kempton, Berks County.

Instead of embracing the future, they decided instead to celebrate nostalgia and screen only 35 millimeter prints.

“We’ve been, for the past three years now, funneling everything that we make into the theater. Really, we’re not breaking the bank here. It’s not gangbusters. We make enough to keep it running, to make repairs and to program our next show. And everything we do kind of builds on that. So we don’t take paychecks, not yet. We’re doing it purely out of love for the drive-in and love of history,” McClanahan, 27, said.

The theater opens at the end of April and closes for the season the last weekend of October. To hear films screened, motorists can tune to radio frequencies including 89.3 FM.

“And that’s how it’s been for three years,” Monelli asked.

“In 2014, Virgil and I started working with Jeff. And our first retro-show was at the end of that season. And our long-term goal is to keep it going and growing,” McClanahan said.

Some short documentaries have been made about the Mahoning Drive-In.

“But nothing has been done to tell this specific story,” Monelli said.

In 2016, Monelli was looking to make a documentary about a drive-in movie theater. A friend of his, James Mills, Clarks Summit, Lackawanna County, suggested he tell the story of Mahoning Drive-In.

“So I came down here and I just fell in love with it. I started shooting March 12, 2016. I showed up here with a camera,” Monelli said. “I didn’t want to make a history retrospective of the Mahoning.”

People who have worked at the drive-in over the years are interviewed. They include a Eugene DeSantis, Nesquehoning, Carbon County, who was a projectionist at the theater in its early days.

At 6 p.m. Oct. 20, the documentary will be screened as part of the Northeast Pennsylvania Film Festival at The Waverly Community House, 1115 N. Abington Road, Waverly, Lackawanna County.

It will be screened as part of the 26th Philadelphia Film Festival, which runs Oct. 19 to 29, Monelli said.

It will be shown at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 3 at Zoetropolis Art House, 315 W. James St., Lancaster. Monelli will be there for a question-and-answer session.

It will also be screened at the Reading Film Festival in Reading, Berks County, and Savannah Film Festival, Monelli said.

For more information, visit Monelli’s website at www.monellifilms.com or the documentary’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/AtTheDrivein.

Contact the writer: spytak@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6011

Altamont

Altamont Fire Company, 215 S. Green St., will have an open house and fire equipment demonstration from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday. The company will also have a burger night from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 27 featuring several variation of burgers plus fries and beverages. Patrons may eat at the firehall or take food out. To order that night, call 570-874-4384. For more information, email jabroniw@gmail.com.

Frackville

A fall food festival at Holy Ascension Orthodox Church, 209 S. Lehigh Ave., is set for 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 14 featuring pierogies, halupki, halushki, soups, baked goods, homemade pies and bread. There will also be a Baba’s Attic from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. featuring household items, toys, linens, books, decorations and other items. All are welcome. For more information, email helen.kuchta@gmail.com.

Minersville

The Minersville Fish and Game Club, Live Oaks Road, will have a cheesesteak sale from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday. The cost is $8 for cheesesteaks and fries and the clubhouse will be open. For more information, call 570-294-9808.

Pottsville

A Family Fun Night at Friendly’s Family Restaurant near Fairlane Village mall will benefit Clinical Outcomes Group Inc. from 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 18. The event will also include a bake sale and “Dog Tag” sale, according to a release. For more information, call 570-628-6990.

Pottsville

An old-fashioned rummage sale and soup sale will be held from 3 to 8 p.m. Oct. 13 and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 14 at Trinity Episcopal Church Hall, Second Street and Howard Avenue. All are welcome.

Primrose

The South Cass Citizens Fire Company, 14 Water Lane, will have a haunted hay ride from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Oct. 13 and 14. The cost is $8 per adult and $4 per child 6 and younger. Food and refreshments will be available. For more information, call 570-544-2805.

Schuylkill Haven

A blessing of animals will be held at noon Sunday at First United Church of Christ, 110 Route 61 South, adjacent to Penn State Schuylkill. Pets must be leashed or in secure containers for the safety of all. All are welcome. For more information, call 570-385-2049.

Whitehall

More than 200 pieces of stained glass from 12 closed churches, two convents and a chapel in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Allentown will be available for sale from 9 to 11 a.m. Oct. 14 at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church, 618 Fullerton Ave. The parking lot for the site is on Pershing Boulevard. The diocese, according to a press release, is sponsoring the sale through Beyer Studio, Philadelphia. Proceeds from the sales will be returned to the parishes into which the closed parishes were consolidated or merged. The glass pieces for sale will range in size from 8 by 11 inches to 24 by 50 inches. Many of the stained-glass panels are sized to fit in a normal-sized residential window with attached hanger so they can easily be hung. Several of the pieces are windows, without religious art, still in their wooden frames. Prices will range from $25 to $700 and are determined by uniqueness, condition and size, according to the release. The stained-glass pieces were created from stained-glass windows that were part of: St. Joseph Convent and St. Mauritius Church, Ashland; St. Stanislaus Church, Bethlehem; Ss. Cyril and Methodius Church, Coaldale; St. Anthony of Padua Church, Cumbola; St. Joseph Church, Frackville; St. Joseph Church, Girardville; Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, Gordon; St. Kieran Church, Heckscherville; Missionaries of Charity Convent, Mahanoy City; St. Kunegunda Church, McAdoo; Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel, Middleport; Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Minersville; Sacred Heart Church, Nesquehoning; and St. George Church, Shenandoah. For more information, call Matt Kerr at 610-871-5200, Ext. 2265.

Two not hurt after

camper jackknifes

MAHANOY CITY — Two people escaped injury when the 2014 Dodge Ram they were in was involved in an accident about 1:45 p.m. Tuesday in the southbound lanes of Interstate 81, at mile marker 129.7 in Mahanoy Township.

State police at Frackville said Huguette M. Poulin, 66, of Torrington, Connecticut, was driving the pickup truck with a fifth wheel camper when the vehicle jackknifed, causing the camper portion to come to a stop on its side in the right lane.

Poulin and her passenger — Michael Poulin, 68, also of Torrington — were not hurt and the back of their pickup truck sustained minor damage.

Huguette will be cited for not driving on roadways laned for traffic as a result of the crash and troopers said the right lane of the Interstate was closed for about an hour until the camper was removed.

Man jailed after

domestic dispute

PALO ALTO — A borough man was jailed after being arrested by Palo Alto police following a domestic incident about 9 p.m. Wednesday.

Police said officers were called to a home at 130 E. Bacon St. and learned that Kurtis Downey became involved in a verbal argument with his wife.

The argument escalated with Downey punching the woman in her forearm with a closed fist and causing her to land on a coffee table and break her arm, police said.

Downey was taken into custody and arraigned on various charges as a result of the assault before on-call Magisterial District Judge James R. Ferrier, Orwigsburg.

Downey was then committed to Schuylkill County Prison unable to post $10,000 straight cash bail, police said.

Police said that they were assisted by officers from Pottsville and Port Carbon.

Man faces DUI

charge after crash

MILLERSBURG — An Elizabethville man escaped injury when the 2000 Ford Focus he was driving crashed about 1:35 a.m. Sunday on Union Street, just east of Market Square in this Dauphin County community.

State police at Lykens said Brett A. Hoke, 30, was driving east on Union Street when he ran into the back of a 2006 Honda Civic that was parked in a parallel parking space.

As a result of the crash, police said, Hoke was charged with DUI, disorderly conduct and summary traffic violations.

Title incorrect

Joe Monahan is an officer with Shenandoah Heights Fire Company.

His title was incorrect in a photo caption with the Coffee with a Cop article in Thursday’s edition.

ELIZABETHVILLE — Schools, churches and theaters using wireless microphones are among the entities facing a financial outlay for upgrades due to a recent auction by the Federal Communications Commission.

Upper Dauphin Area School District is one of them. Other school districts, like Pottsville and Tri-Valley, were just learning of the news this week.

The FCC in April auctioned the 600 MHz frequency band to make room for new technologies, like mobile devices, according to James Byron, manager with Connected Sight & Sound, Binghamton, New York, a vendor that has been servicing some of the schools.

The FCC auction means anyone using wireless microphones in those 600 MHz frequencies must stop using them by 2020, or even sooner.

“There’s still some time. The musical can still happen this year. It’s something, though, that has to be planned and budgeted for, so they’re not scrambling,” Byron said.

Another vendor, Chris Reindollar, general manager with CSESI, Columbia, Lancaster County, said, “We work with a lot of the schools and churches and a lot of them are uninformed.” Reindollar is scheduled to offer a presentation about the FCC changes to the Upper Dauphin Area school board on Tuesday.

Reindollar said different models of wireless microphones can range in price from $350 to $1,200. Some microphone manufacturers, like Audio Technica, are offering rebate programs, Reindollar said. If the older microphones are returned and new microphones are purchased, the manufacturer will offer a rebate.

Most school microphones are in the $400 to $500 price range, according to Byron.

Acting Upper Dauphin principal Jared Shade and buildings and grounds coordinator David Talhelm showed the current equipment in the projection room above the high school auditorium in Elizabethville on Wednesday.

Anticipated changes are relocation of the district’s Soundcraft LX7 mixing board and Audio Technica receivers from above the auditorium to the back of the auditorium at seat level. Lights will still be controlled in the projection room.

Talhelm said he’s served the district for more than 20 years and the sound system has been replaced at least once before. Upper Dauphin has 13 wireless mics and, of those, eight will need to be replaced due to the FCC auction.

Talhelm said he’s heard some districts are leaning toward new digital microphones because they may have a longer life span of eight to 10 years. Digital microphones work on the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz bandwidth frequencies on networks that are shared with Wi-Fi.

“We call that the ‘wild west,’ because it’s unregulated,” Byron said of the 2.4 GHz band.

Meanwhile, other districts are just learning of the changes. Tri-Valley Superintendent Mark D. Snyder said the district does have wireless microphones in its high school auditorium.

“The district has taken no formal action on this and will do more investigating on the matter,” he said.

Pottsville Superintendent Jeffrey S. Zwiebel said he was also unaware of the changes Thursday.

“It is something we’ll have to look into,” Zwiebel said.

Zwiebel said he contacted Paul Moyer, salesperson with Moyer Electronics, 330 E. Norwegian St., Pottsville, the firm which serves the district’s communication needs. Across the Pottsville district, there are approximately a dozen wireless microphones, including a few 500 MHz, a few 600 MHz and some older models, Moyer said.

“It’s a shame. This is the second time around.” Moyer said, noting the FCC previously sold off the high end of the 600 MHz and 700 MHz band frequencies. Moyer said wireless microphones started on VHF (very high frequency), then moved to UHF (ultra high frequency).

The electronics store had just received additional information Wednesday about informing customers of the changes, according to Moyer.

Part of the FCC Consumer Disclosure requirement states: “In adopting a Consumer Disclosure requirement, the Commission explained that consumers will need to be informed of the changes that will affect their use of wireless microphones in the portion of the TV bands that is being repurposed following the broadcast television incentive auction, the conditions associated with their continued use of the 600 MHz service band during the 39-month post-auction transition period, and their need to cease operations in the 600 MHz service band no later than the end of this transition period.

“Specifically, the Commission required that anyone selling, leasing, or offering for sale or lease, wireless microphones that operate in the 600 MHz service band provide the Consumer Disclosure to consumers. These entities must display the Consumer Disclosure at the point of sale in a clear, conspicuous, and readily legible manner. In addition, the Consumer Disclosure must be displayed on the website of the manufacturer (even if the manufacturer does not sell wireless microphones directly to the public) and of dealers, distributors, retailers, and anyone else selling or leasing the devices.”

Byron recommended visiting the FCC website, www.fcc.gov/general/wireless-microphones-0. According to the site, “Beginning in 2017, the amount of TV band spectrum available for wireless microphone use is decreasing as a result of the incentive auction, which was completed on April 13, 2017. A significant portion of the TV band spectrum in the 600 MHz band, including most, but not all, of the spectrum on TV channels 38-51 (614-698 MHz) has been repurposed for the new 600 MHz service band for use by wireless services, and will not continue to be available for wireless microphone use.”

“Specifically, wireless microphones that operate in the new 600 MHz service band (617-652 MHz and 663-698 MHz frequencies) will be required to cease operation no later than July 13, 2020, and may be required to cease operation sooner if they could cause interference to new wireless licensees that commence operations on their licensed spectrum in the 600 MHz service band.”

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6007

Frackville Rotary

Hon. John E. Domalakes, Frackville Rotary Club’s Schuylkill Keep It Pretty chairman, thanked Rotarians Karen Domalakes, Bob Savitsky, Noreen O’Boyle, the Schuylkill County Juvenile Probation Office and Manuel Gutierrez-Pena, Rotary Ex-change student, for their participation in the SKIP cleanup on Sept. 21. The club has participated in every SKIP cleanup since its inception in 1986.

In other Frackville Rotary news, Dr. James Greenfield, medical director of Cornerstone Coordinated Health Care LLC, 40 W. Frack St., Frackville, the site of the former Town Clock School building, addressed the club at a recent meeting at Cracker Barrel Restaurant, Frackville. He told the group that the medical practice includes primary care, counseling, treatment for drug addiction and has a nurse psychiatrist on staff. It has qualified as a rural health center designed to accommodate an under-served population.

Greenfield has joined a team of “trekkers” that is raising funds for Care Highway International, which seeks to nourish and educate children in Kenya, Africa, so they can become productive in their own country to improve the situation there. CHI is a registered charity in the United States, United Kingdom, Spain and Kenya.

Greenfield is an organization volunteer. His commitment to it was galvanized during a 2016 medical expedition when he treated a young boy who almost passed out from hunger. CHI provided the boy and his family with food and medical care.