Marriage licenses

George G. Roberts, Ringtown, and Patricia T. Lombardo, Ringtown.

Damion J. Foster, Bellefonte, and Katina M. Lee, Scranton.

David R. McNamee, Mount Joy, and Tracey Ann Moros-Gretsky, Auburn.

Bryan S. Nolen, Muir, and Jessica L. Wenrich, Muir.

Gerald Budravage, New Ringgold, and Jenny Lynn Hine, New Ringgold.

William D. Hennessy, Frackville, and Irene Kadziela, Frackville.

George G. Roberts, Ringtown, and Patricia T. Lombardo, Ringtown.

Brandon R. Reed, Kelayres, and Emily R. Jones, Kelayres.

Kevin Umpleby, Bellfonte, and Sara Jean Miller, Kane.

Divorces granted

Brandy Fenstermacher, Schuylkill Haven, from Casey Fenstermacher, Pine Grove.

Dean Mullin, Pottsville, from Lisa Mullin, Pottsville.

Brent Reed, Schuylkill Haven, from Karen Reed, Auburn.

Jason B. Bausher, Reading, from Kelly L. Bausher, Pine Grove.

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — Schuylkill County Commissioners Chairman George F. Halcovage Jr. called them the “rock stars of the county fair.”

Hundreds attending the 2017 Schuylkill County 4-H Achievement Night Banquet on Friday at St. Ambrose School, Schuylkill Haven, also showed their appreciation for the work of the county’s 4-Hers, their dedicated leaders, and a century of commitment to extension services.

Briana L. Luckenbill, extension educator and 4-H coordinator, welcomed guests to the program. She noted 2017 is the 100th anniversary of Penn State Extension in the county. Next year will be the 100th anniversary for 4-H in the county.

A display paid tribute to the extension anniversary, and showed several photos, including a picture of Walter J. Bollinger, the first county agent in Schuylkill County who served from 1917 to 1938.

State Rep. Jerry Knowles, R-124, Rush Township; state Rep. Mike Tobash, R-125, Pottsville; and the Schuylkill County commissioners presented proclamations recognizing the 100th milestone. Knowles also presented a proclamation on behalf of Sen. David G. Argall, R-29, Rush Township.

Tobash said he was proud of the 4-Hers’ work, and said it was gratifying to see the volunteerism and contribution to their community.

Many families at the banquet had multiple generations who participated in 4-H. Jessica Geary, Pine Grove, brought her two daughters, Kellie, 7 and Emilie, 3. This was Kellie’s first year in the 4-H Cloverbuds, her mother said.

“My husband, Kevin, was in 4-H, all the way through school. Kellie loved it, and we’ll continue on in 4-H,” Geary, who’s family has a small steer and grain farm, said.

Emily Scheidel brought five of her children to the banquet, Grace, Justice, Leah, Jude and Lucy.

“It’s nice for the kids to see their work and the work of their friends be acknowledged. You really get an idea of how many people support the program,” Scheidel, Schuylkill Haven, said.

4-Her Madalyn Gruber, Auburn, meanwhile, said she was already looking forward to the Pennsylvania Farm Show in January. Her family would be entering two Maintainer breed beef and a new beef heifer hybrid breed, called “Chi”, she said.

Schuylkill County Fair Princess for 2017, Haley Rymarkiewicz, thanked the 4-Hers for promoting agriculture and shared her experiences.

Throughout the evening, Luckenbill ran a series of photos showing the work of the club. Over the past year, the 4-H program reached over 1,200 youth in the county. Youth participated in 4-H clubs, school programs, summer 4-H programs and camps, and afterschool offerings. This year, there were two new 4-H clubs added in Shenandoah and Tower City.

Several members of the extension staff had a chance to reconnect with the Schuylkill County 4-H Development Board members and Penn State Master Gardeners during the banquet. Among those attending were Greg Gnatt, extension business operations manager for Schuylkill, Berks, Lebanon, Lancaster, Chester and Delaware counties; Stephanie Shirk, extension client relationship manager for the same counties as Gnatt; and Dwane L. Miller, Penn State Agriculture Extension Educator, Schuylkill.

Luckenbill announced the 4-H participants and award winners. They were called to the front podium to receive their gifts and posed for photos in a staging area set up at the rear of the banquet room.

Those winning the “Outstanding 4-Her Awards” in the junior division were: Samantha Strouse, steer; Alexis Butler, dairy beef; Peyton James, market goat; and Marissa Miller, dairy. In the intermediate division, winners were: Stefani Strouse, leadership; Sara Strouse, lamb; Allison Butler, dairy beef; Makayla Rioux, lamb; Peyton Nuske, leadership; and Collin Felty, alpaca. In the senior division, winners were: Jill Heffner, leadership; and Allison Miller, dairy.

Heffner and Allison Miller were both named the 4-H Advisory Board Scholarship recipients, receiving $250 each and a certificate.

The Blue Mountain 4-H Livestock Club was named Outstanding 4-H Club; and Heather Wehry, of Bridle Wild 4-H Horse Club received the Schuylkill County 4-H Leader Award.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6007

Tilden Twp. fire

ruled accidental

HAMBURG — A fire that injured a man and damaged a garage and home in Tilden Township, Berks County, Thursday night has been ruled accidental.

State police at Reading said flames broke out at 160 Cheese Lane just after 7 p.m. when firefighters were called for a report of a fire in a garage.

Police said Paul Correll Jr., 63, called 911 from inside the garage to report the fire.

Arriving at the scene, firefighters found no obvious signs of fire but heard Correll banging on the garage door calling for help.

At that time, police said, smoke became visible and Shoemakersville Fire Chief Rusty Wagner, Hamburg Fire Chief Troy Hatt and Tilden Township police started to force the garage door open with pry bars.

Firefighters and police were then able to enter the garage and remove Correll seconds before the garage became engulfed in flames.

Police said the rescue effort was hampered by a loss of electricity that prevented the garage doors from opening and the fact that Correll is confined to a wheelchair.

Correll suffered burns to his legs along with smoke inhalation and was flown to the burn unit at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, Allentown, police said, adding that damage was estimated at $100,000.

Police said the investigation determined the fire started inside the garage due to a rag coming in contact with a portable light fixture and ruled accidental.

A cat was successfully recovered from the home and the American Red Cross is assisting, police said.

POTTSVILLE — The superintendent of streets for the City of Pottsville made his prediction for winter: it’s going to be bad.

“I predict a worse winter than last year,” Tom Whitaker said Friday.

He believes the winter will produce more snow events. The temperature fluctuations this year have been numerous, he said.

“It was just too easy for two years,” he said.

Workers were busy preparing the 18 plow trucks Friday. Employees started getting ready in October.

“Right now, every truck is ready,” Whitaker said.

The Schuylkill County Communications Center or city police inform Whitaker of the condition of the streets when a snowstorm hits.

“Every truck has a plow and a salt spreader,” Dave Williams, street department shop foreman, said.

“We will be plowing snow for December,” Whitaker said.

Last year, the city was pummeled 16 to 21 inches of snow in March due to Winter Storm Stella. Whitaker didn’t know how much snow fell in the city last winter season. Craig Evanego, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, State College, didn’t have an exact total for Schuylkill County on Friday but said there were 46 inches of snow in Mahanoy City last winter, which is about six inches more than normal. About half of that was due to the March snowstorm.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted above normal temperatures and precipitation for the 2017-18 winter season.

“That doesn’t mean there won’t be cold stretches,” Evanego said.

Pottsville city street workers were out applying salt to several roads in higher elevations Nov. 7 — the first time it snowed this winter season — for about 90 minutes in the evening. Whitaker said 4 tons of salt were used.

“It was mostly preventative,” he said.

The street department has about 180 tons of salt on hand and more than 300 tons of ash and anti-skid material. More can be ordered if needed. Anywhere between 30 and 200 tons of material for the roads can be used during a winter event, Whitaker said.

He pays attention to the weather a lot during the winter. By January, he is usually tired of the snow.

He said there are no streets in the city the street department does not plow.

“Pottsville has 55 miles of streets,” he said.

During a snow event, street department workers are busy keeping roads clear for motorists and emergency vehicles. Residents are urged to be patient and give plow trucks enough room to safely work.

“Parking issues and people throwing snow out into the street are our two biggest obstacles,” Whitaker said.

Residents can also help by shoveling out nearby fire hydrants.

“It benefits everybody in the neighborhood to shovel their own fire hydrants out,” Whitaker said.

Whitaker said waiting until snow has stopped to clear driveways is best if possible.

Snow that is plowed and hauled away goes to parking lot at the JFK Recreation Complex. There are several snow emergency routes in the city. Motorists are prohibited from parking on snow emergency routes when a snow emergency is declared. Information is found on the city website at www.city.pottsville.pa.us or people may call City Hall at 570-622-1234 or 570-622-7690.

Street workers are still fixing potholes with cold patch. To report a pothole, call the city garage or complete an online submission form on the city’s website.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6028

POTTSVILLE — A Northumberland County man will spend time behind bars after a Schuylkill County judge sentenced him Monday in a driving under the influence case.

Gregory Swatsky, 64, of Mount Carmel, must serve 72 hours to six months in prison, pay costs, $1,025 in fines, $100 to the Substance Abuse Education Fund, $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account and $400 restitution to Lehigh Valley Health Network, and undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation, under the terms of Judge Jacqueline L. Russell’s sentence. Russell allowed Swatsky to remain free on $5,000 unsecured bail pending an appeal.

“I am greatly concerned about your prior criminal record, which indicates you’ve gotten into trouble later in life,” Russell told Swatsky. “It appears that your problems involve not only substance abuse, but also mental health issues.”

In a 90-minute nonjury trial, Russell found Swatsky guilty on Sept. 22 of DUI and driving on the sidewalk, but not guilty of disregarding traffic lane. Swatsky did not attend the trial, since he was in Centre County Prison at the time.

Shenandoah police alleged Swatsky was DUI at 2:40 a.m. Sept. 20, 2015, on Centre Street in the borough.

Also on Monday, President Judge William E. Baldwin revoked the parole of Johnathan R. Grove, 30, of Coal Township, but immediately granted him reparole.

Grove, who admitted violating his parole by committing new crimes, failing a drug test, using drugs and trying to submit a false drug test pleaded guilty on June 2, 2016, to one count of indecent assault and no contest to a second, with prosecutors withdrawing two counts of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and one of rape of a child.

State police at Frackville had charged Grove with committing the assaults against a preteen boy in 2003 in Gilberton.

On Nov. 29, 2016, Baldwin sentenced Grove to serve eight to 16 months in prison, pay costs and submit a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities. In a precedent-setting decision, Baldwin did not impose Megan’s Law sanctions on Grove because he had been a juvenile at the time he committed the crimes.

In other criminal court action, a Schuylkill County judge dismissed charges earlier this month against two defendants, ruling prosecutors did not bring them to trial within prescribed time limits.

Kerry T. Burford, 37, of Reading, had been charged with two counts of simple assault, while Christopher M. Tobias, 31, of Pottsville, had been charged with burglary, criminal trespass, theft and receiving stolen property.

Baldwin ruled Thursday in each case that prosecutors had violated Pennsylvania Rule of Criminal Procedure 600 by not bringing Burford and Tobias to trial within 180 days of nonexcludable time.

Pottsville police had filed the charges in each case. They alleged Burford committed the assault on Sept. 17, 2016, in the city, and that Tobias had committed his crimes on March 6, 2014, also in the city.

Also on Thursday, Lisbeth A. Mendez, 22, of Lancaster, California, pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct, with prosecutors withdrawing a charge of resisting arrest and two additional counts of disorderly conduct. Baldwin sentenced her to pay costs and a $300 fine.

McAdoo police had charged Mendez with being disorderly on May 28 in the borough.

In another Thursday case, Judge James P. Goodman revoked the parole of William J. Higgins, 23, of Pottsville, and recommitted him to prison to serve his full sentence, which runs out on May 2, 2018.

Higgins originally pleaded guilty on Nov. 12, 2015, to possession of drug paraphernalia. At that time, Goodman placed him on probation for 12 months, and also sentenced him to pay costs and a $50 bench warrant fee.

Pottsville police charged Higgins with possessing paraphernalia on July 21, 2014, in the city.

On Sept. 29, 2016, Goodman revoked Higgins probation and sentenced him to serve three to 12 months in prison.

Also on Thursday, Baldwin revoked the probation and parole of Patrick S. Gulden, 34, of Shenandoah, and sentenced him to serve three to six months in prison and an additional 12 months on probation.

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

GIRARDVILLE — Borough Fire Chief Frank Zangari Jr. has been selected as one of only two volunteer fire chiefs to be appointed to a joint state commission dealing with fire company and EMS operations.

“I am proud to receive the appointment,” Zangari said. “Who would have thought a fire chief from a little town like Girardville in Schuylkill County would even be considered.”

Zangari, a fire officer in Girardville for more than 35 years, was selected earlier this month by the state House of Representatives while William Jenaway, Upper Merion Township, Montgomery County, was selected for the commission by the state Senate.

The governing bodies also chose a representative from among municipal fire companies. The House selected John Bast, Easton, Northampton County, while the Senate selected Tim Gregg, Lancaster, Lancaster County.

Zangari said that as a group, the commission will review laws and regulations regarding both the career and the volunteer fire services as well as emergency medical services.

Zangari said that, along with the four chiefs, a further eight fire or emergency medical services representatives have been chosen from Dauphin, Chester, Butler, Allegheny and Perry counties. He said the group will work together on important issues pertaining to emergency medical and fire services.

“We all bleed the same, we have to be one voice,” he said about fire and emergency medical services.

Among the topics the commission plans to review are laws requiring sprinkler systems for all new construction, creating an insurance trust for workers’ compensation, increasing the Medicaid payment of EMS service and a common-standard reporting system across all emergency services with a common database.

One issue Zangari said he wants to see become a reality is that all Firemen’s Relief Associations have a base funding of $10,000.

Also at the top of his list is trying to institute online training for firefighters and EMS personnel in areas such as obtaining recertification.

With the increasing time restraints and expenses of having a family, Zangari said emergency service personnel, both career and volunteer, simply do not have the time or money to travel to class, possibly miss work or even leave their families in order to obtain the credits.

“We have to make this change,” the chief said. “We’re seeing a decrease in volunteers simply because people don’t have the time or money.”

Also on the agenda will be the ongoing issue of fire company mergers throughout the state. With dwindling manpower and decreased funding, merging fire company and emergency medical services is in the best interest of all involved.

“There will be less need for fundraising, half of the expenses and possibly double the amount of manpower and equipment,” he said.

Zangari said he looks forward to working with representatives not only in recommending legislation and guidelines regarding fire and emergency medical services, but also changing laws and guidelines that may be out of date.

“I want the fire service to know that, with me, we have a strong voice in Harrisburg,” he said.

Zangari said those appointed to the commission have a dedication to both the fire and emergency medical services throughout the commonwealth and by getting together and brainstorming only good things can be accomplished.

Along with being Girardville fire chief for more than two decades, Zangari has been the president of the Schuylkill County Fire Chiefs’ Association since 1999 and is an active member and chairman of the Schuylkill County Fire School Committee.

His education ranges from training at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland, and the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy as well as studies at Penn State University, the University of Florida, Marywood University and community colleges in Harrisburg, Bucks County and Williamsport.

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

FRACKVILLE — Safety concerns about two-way traffic on West Pine Street in the borough could lead to a change to a one-way pattern following a review.

The Frackville Borough Council last week listened to resident Raquel M. Swies, who lives near Pine and Balliet streets. Swies spoke during the public portion at the Nov. 8 meeting about how the two-way street with an incline that slopes toward Balliet Street with parking on both sides is a problem when precipitation slicks the street.

“Mayor, president and members of borough council, I am here once again to address the situation with Pine Street and making it a one-way,” Swies said. “Traveling from Ninth and Pine down to Balliet and Pine in winter is a hazard. One problem is parking upward, and two, because of the hazard of not being able to come down the street, let alone going up the street. It is also a hazard because people have to pull over to let someone else through. The street is not wide enough for it to be a two-way street or for it to be passable in a safe manner.”

“All other streets that are the same width are only one-way streets,” Swies said.

She added that a majority of traffic travels west to east and the narrowness causes vehicles to be sideswiped.

“Also there is a blind spot coming out of the alley at Ninth Street because of cars being parked close to the alleyway and you have to pull halfway out into the street to look both ways and merge onto Pine Street,” Swies said.

Swies asked whether there would be a possibility of restricting parking in a one-way direction to help.

“So your focus is from Nice to Balliet?” council President Ronald Jordan asked.

“Well, it could be the entire Pine Street,” Swies replied. “Even coming here, I traveled upward and by Wolfe’s Garage there were cars parked on opposite sides of the street making it impossible to have it as a two-way street.”

Councilman Charles Berger asked about rules involving parking on both sides of the street, with Police Chief Richard Bell explaining that vehicles must park in the direction of traffic. Mayor Kim Phillips said Pine Street is a major street and has been a two-way for many years, and there would be issues for local residents on nearby streets to adapt to a one-way traffic pattern.

“I travel that portion from my house to my business, and I can’t remember one day that I had clear sailing,” council Vice President Peter Zuber said.

Berger said, “Can’t we look at this? I think you (Swies) have a real good idea, but I think we have to address the whole area. I think she has a valid point.”

“It’s something that we’re going to have to look at,” Bell said.

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

Ashland

The borough office will be closed Thursday and Friday in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. All trash will be picked up one day earlier than the normal schedule. The Santa parade and lighting of the community Christmas tree will be held beginning at 7 p.m. Saturday. The parade will form at the top of town and proceed down Centre Street to Hoffman Boulevard, where the tree lighting will occur and Santa will greet and distribute treats to all youngsters in front of the Mothers Memorial. In case of inclement weather, Santa will greet the children at the American Legion home, Fifth and Centre streets, at 7 p.m.

Deer Lake

The Deer Lake & West Brunswick Fire Company will sponsor bingo from 6 to 8:45 p.m. Tuesday in the firehall, 1 Ash Road. Doors will open at 5 p.m. For more information, call 570-366-0152.

Frackville

An American Red Cross blood drive is set for 1 to 6 p.m. Dec. 11 at Elks Lodge 1533, South Third Street, sponsored by the lodge. Walk-ins are welcome. To make an appointment, call 800-733-2767.

Gordon

The annual tree-lighting ceremony hosted by Simpson United Methodist Church and the group Friends of Gordon is set for 5 p.m. Dec. 3 following the children’s Christmas party. Hot chocolate will be provided, according to an event release.

Mahanoy City

A retirement banquet honoring organist R. Arlene Davidson will be held at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 13 in St. Paul’s United Church of Christ Fellowship Hall, Main and Pine streets. Tickets are $17 for adults and $8 for children. Children 5 and younger are free. Davidson has given 70 years of service. The deadline for tickets is Dec. 6. For tickets or more information, call 570-773-0467 or 570-467-2612.

Pine Grove

Jacob’s Church will sponsor a buffet breakfast beginning at 8 a.m. Dec. 2 at the Pine Grove Masonic Lodge Hall, 23 Oak Grove Road. The cost is $8 for adults, $4 for children with youngsters 5 and younger free. All are welcome. For more information, call 570-345-8216.

Pottsville

The winter Lunch & Learn series for Luther Ridge at Seiders Hill, 160 Red Horse Road, will include a Merry Mingle and professional networking event from noon to 1 p.m. Dec. 13. The topic will be speed networking with a holiday twist. Participants should bring a wrapped present ($10 value). To register, call 570-621-7200 or email Melissa.E.Clarke@consulatehc.com.

Schuylkill Haven

Bingo to benefit the Penn State Schuylkill THON is set for 1 to 5 p.m. Dec. 10 at the Walk In Art Center. The cost is $20 in advance and $25 at the door. The Penn State Schuylkill Alumni Society is sponsoring the event to aid the Penn State Panhellenic Dance Marathon held annually at University Park to bolster the fight against childhood cancer. The Penn State THON is the largest student-run philanthropic event in the world. Locally, there will also be a 50/50 raffle and concession stand with proceeds benefiting the Alumni Scholarship Fund at Penn State Schuylkill. For more information, call Patty Schoener at 570-385-6262.

Tamaqua

The borough’s weekly street sweeping schedule has been halted for the winter season. The sweeper won’t return until spring 2018. For more information, call 570-668-3444 or 570-668-0300, or stop in at borough hall, 320 E. Broad St., 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.

William Penn

The William Penn Fire Company, Mount Olive Boulevard (Route 54 just west of Shenandoah), will have a cheesesteak meal sale beginning at 3 p.m. Dec. 2. The cost is $8 per platter. To order and for free local delivery, call 570-462-0338.

Deeds

Ashland — Peter J. and Pamela J. Cherapan to Peter J. and Pamela J. Cherapan; 814 Brock St.; $1.

Butler Township — John J. and Catherine E. Hornung to Michael T. and Kaitlin E. Hansbury; 4.43-acre property on Tielman Road; $62,500.

Mary Ann Stutzman, executrix of the Estate of George F. Parnell, to Jean E. Parnell; 9 Rapp St.; $1.

East Norwegian Township — James E. Reiley Sr. and Helen M. Juba to James E. Reiley Sr.; 31 Bryn Mawr Ave.; $1.

East Union Township — Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Edwin and Lilybeth Hisona; Lot 170HF4, Eagle Rock; $33,229.

Frackville —Brian R. Wagner to Christopher Zilker; 22 N. Railroad St.; $79,000.

Hegins Township — James L. Geist to JHT Storage LLC; 631 E. Chestnut St., Hegins; $1.

Lacy L. Kazmarczyk to Nathan T. Scheib; property in Valley View; $110,000.

POTTSVILLE — There are many distinctive sights and sounds connected to the Christmas season, with one being the familiar red kettle and the ringing of bells of the Salvation Army.

The Pottsville Corps kicked off its bell-ringing season at 11 a.m. Saturday near the M&T Bank, Centre and Norwegian streets, with the hope of raising money to help fund many programs that are a benefit to many people at different levels.

A pouring rain did not stop the placing of a “kettle house” at the location and the singing of Christmas songs under a tent.

The kettle drive will run through Dec. 23, with the Pottsville Corps sponsoring 15 stands. The Tamaqua Corps will sponsor kettle drives in their part of the county.

“The first weekend before Thanksgiving and until Black Friday, we only have six stands opened,” Envoy Brad Harris of the Pottsville Corps said. “Those include two stands at Walmart, two at Boscov’s and the Redner’s in the area. The remaining nine stands open up on Black Friday at the Boyer’s markets. We have expanded out to Pine Grove this year at BG’s Market, and we’re also at the Redner’s in Hegins, which will be our first year there.”

The kickoff at M&T Bank had something new this year that brought back an old idea.

“Back in the 1950s and 1960s, they had a ‘kettle house’ that was put on Centre Street, and this year we built a new one as a nostalgic item,” Harris said. “It might bring some memories for people. That’s part of our campaign this year.”

Harris, Al Barnes Jr. and Rich Jobrey constructed the kettle house to make it in sections so that it could put together and dismantled easily in order to transport it to different locations. The house is bright red in traditional Salvation Army color, made of wood with a peaked roof, front window with the kettle hanging just outside the opening, and access for the volunteer in the rear.

“I had a plan to do this, and we talked about it, but we weren’t sure what we were going to do,” Barnes said. “When I was a kid it was up at Pomeroy’s and the 5&10, and the original ones has flat roofs. We’re not quite done with it because we ran out of time. We had to make it collapsible to put it on the trailer. I remember them as a kid from downtown Pottsville. My dad built the first ones down here. We couldn’t find pictures (of the original houses).”

The kettle house provides some amenities for the volunteers.

“It will have heat and a light inside. There will be a small portable generator so it will be warm for them. When we put it at Walmart, it’s going to keep them warm over there,” Barnes said.

Helping with the work was Envoy Gina Harris, who painted the house, and Judy and Charles Zimmerman of Vision Sign Co., Pine Grove, who donated the signs on the side of the kettle house.

“We wanted something that would stand out,” Barnes said. “Kids today don’t know what it’s like to walk past a kettle house. We’re going to put music in it at some point to play Christmas music. Of course, back in the old days we had a record player, and today we’ll use an iPod. It’s an old style with modern touches.”

Brad Harris welcomed everyone, followed by a prayer by Maj. James Shotzberger.

“Lord, bless us today as we gather here. We’re grateful to be part of this wonderful seasonal ministry,” Shotzberger said. “Bless, O Lord, our effort that we may be successful so that we can help our brothers and sisters who are in need. For all of these things we ask in your name. Amen.”

After the prayer, Chris Kull entered the kettle house and stood at the window. The rain kept foot traffic to a minimum, but some people walked over to place money into the kettle.

The live music started, with Brad Harris on the guitar and everyone singing along. He also got out his banjo for some Christmas-style “pickin’ and grinnin’.”

The history of kettle drives goes back 126 years, according to the Salvation Army USA website, when in 1891, Salvation Army Capt. Joseph McFee was concerned about so many people going hungry in San Francisco. During the holiday season, he resolved to provide a free Christmas dinner for the destitute and poverty-stricken, but as in modern times, his major hurdle to overcome was funding the project.

After worrying, thinking and praying for a time on how he could feed 1,000 of the city’s poorest people on Christmas Day, he thought about his days as a sailor in Liverpool, England, and remembered how at the Stage Landing, where the boats came in, there was a large iron kettle called the “Simpson Pot” into which people passing by would toss a coin or two in to help the poor.

Using that idea, McFee placed a similar pot at the Oakland Ferry Landing with the sign, “Keep the Pot Boiling.” He was able to raise enough money to feed people in need. The idea grew on the West Coast, and six years later the idea made it to Boston, the New York City, and had spread to other countries. Today in the United States, the Salvation Army helps more than 4.5 million people during Thanksgiving-Christmas season each year.

Harris said the Salvation Army tries to have the same people work at each location every year.

“We try to keep the same folks because we have a good relationship with them and try to do that when we can,” he said.

Harris and his wife, Gina, have been at the Pottsville Corps location since June, noting that Pottsville is about the same size of where he was raised in Ohio.

“Actually, Pottsville is about the same size as our hometown in Ohio, except the hills are higher here,” Harris said.

Harris said the kettle drive outreach is very important and allows people to help their local area.

“It is a grand opportunity for the people in the community to invest in their community,” Harris said. “So many folks need help. We provide rental and utility assistance, youth programs free of charge four days a week, and we send underprivileged children to camp during the summers, and, of course, we have our Thanksgiving meal, and our Thanksgiving and Christmas food baskets. We partner with Toys for Tots. We have so many programs that help our community through the year, so this (kettle drive) does give our community an opportunity to partner with us financially to provide these programs to help those in need. It also helps us to connect with those in the community, to be able to have conversations with them and tell them what we’re doing and to hear their stories. It’s a time when we’re most visible to the community.”

Harris said it has not been difficult to get volunteers to help with the seasonal fundraising.

“I’m very amazed and really pleased with the folks who are willing to volunteer,” he said. “We’re just glad to have anybody to be of help to us and to volunteer to help us raise funds. Most of our volunteers are volunteering from 10 in the morning to 8 p.m. in the evening. We’re still welcoming people who can maybe do a couple of hours one or two days a week. We would appreciate it.”

Anyone who is interested in volunteering with the kettle drive or for more information, they can call the Pottsville Corps at 570-622-5252 and ask for Harris or Woody Orndorff, who is the kettle coordinator.

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

Anthony K. Kilker

SHENANDOAH — A Vermont man charged with having growing marijuana plants in his vehicle that was stopped by state police on Interstate 81 in Delano Township on Sept. 25 appeared for his preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker.

John Edward Darling, 46, of 254 Lost Lake Road, Arlington, was arrested by Cpl. Daniel Conville of the Frackville station and charged with two felony counts of possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance, one misdemeanor count each of possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia along with a summary charge of exceeding the speed limit.

Prosecutors withdrew the felony charges and Darling then waived the remaining three offenses to Schuylkill County Court.

Conville said he stopped a vehicle being driven south by Darling who was traveling 85 mph in a 65 mph zone and detected a strong odor of alcohol prompting him to ask Darling to step out.

After speaking with Darling, Conville said, the man showed him the back seat area of the car where there were 11 small marijuana plants in an empty box. Darling also produced a small blue jar that contained processed marijuana buds, the corporal said.

Conville also reported that Darling went on to tell him that he had marijuana “butter” in a cooler in the rear passenger area of the car and that he was traveling with his wife from Vermont to Virginia to visit a friend and deliver the plants.

Other court cases included:

Cheryl Ann Bloss, 42, of 90 N. Centre St., Box 297, Ringtown; waived for court: robbery, theft, receiving stolen property, harassment and disorderly conduct.

Travis G. Beaver, 18, of 163 Pioneer Road, Shenandoah; waived for court: defiant trespass, retail theft, theft, receiving stolen property, theft from a motor vehicle, resisting arrest and flight to avoid apprehension, trial or punishment.

Evelis J. Brown-Delgado, 24, of 10 Creek Lane, Jonestown; withdrawn: burglary, criminal trespass, terroristic threats, defiant trespass, harassment and disorderly conduct. Waived for court: criminal mischief.

Kathleen E. Keeth, 37, of 801 E. Mahanoy Ave., Mahanoy City; waived for court: retail theft, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Jordan Matthew Ebert, 18, of 2319 High Road, Mahanoy Plane; withdrawn: turning movements and required signals and possession of drug paraphernalia. Waived for court: possession of a controlled substance.

Krista M. Stevens, 37, of 309 E. Pine St., Mahanoy City; waived for court: possession of drug paraphernalia.

Seirra J. Alansky Cooke, 22, of 514 W. Mahanoy Ave., Mahanoy City; withdrawn: resisting arrest. Waived for court: DUI, DUI-highest rate, DUI-controlled substance, careless driving and accidents involving damage to unattended vehicles or property.

Misael O. Pacheco-Hernandez, 25, of 238 W. Oak St., Shenandoah; withdrawn: simple assault and harassment.

David J. Rossi

TREMONT — Defendants whose cases Magisterial District Judge David J. Rossi, Tremont, considered, the charges against each one and the judge’s disposition on the matters, included:

Dennis E. Leedy, 60, of 413 Jonestown Road Apt. 24, Jonestown; DUI, possession of marijuana, improper turning movements, failure to drive at a safe speed and no turn signal; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Matthew A. Miller, 46, of 554 U.S. Highway 1, Houlton, Maine; possession of a controlled substance, DUI and careless driving; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Jared S. Venszl, 40, of 75 Suedberg Road, Pine Grove; DUI, careless driving and violation of restrictions on alcoholic beverages; charges held for court after preliminary hearing.

Carlos A. Villanueva, 24, of 54 E. Pottsville St., Pine Grove; aggravated assault, strangulation, harassment and two counts of simple assault; charges dismissed.

POTTSVILLE — The holiday season for many people is a time of joy and excitement. For others it is a time of struggle not only for those considering suicide, but also for the survivors who have experienced the loss of their loved ones.

The ninth annual candlelight remembrance vigil was held Saturday evening at Yuengling Bicentennial Park and Gardens in Pottsville to bring together those left behind and celebrate memories of loved ones they have lost through suicide and offer support to each other. The vigil was held on International Suicide Survivors Day, which is held the Saturday before Thanksgiving Day.

Those who attended the vigil brought photos, poems, mementos and, most importantly, what could not be seen — the love and memories in their hearts.

The vigil was held in conjunction with the Schuylkill County Suicide Prevention Task Force, whose mission is to prevent suicide through public education and awareness, community action and local grassroots advocacy, and Schuylkill County HALOS (Hope After a Loved One’s Suicide). The task force is a strategic partner with Schuylkill County’s VISION.

There were 15 people attending the vigil, including its organizers, Karen and Don Spencer, Deer Lake, who lost their son, Scott, 13 years ago on March 24, 2004, to suicide at 36.

“It’s a day you don’t ever forget,” Karen Spencer said. “He had a brain tumor and surgery for it and went through all of that. He did really well for four years. When he came out of the surgery, he was paralyzed on the right side. He would say he’s a half a man. He had difficulty doing things, but he never saw the improvements that he made. The day he had the surgery was March 24, 2000, and it was the day he killed himself. That was his target date and that told us he felt that he had been dead since the surgery and hoped he would have died.”

She added, “It’s something that never goes away. It sort of gets softer over time and you can talk about it better without going to tears all the time. Different things remind you as you go through life and will trigger a memory.”

Don Spencer began the candlelight vigil service, followed by a song from Angela Nardini, Lansford, who lost her brother, Robert J. Nardini, to suicide about 30 years ago. She sang “In My Life” by The Beatles. Nardini sang two other times during the vigil.

Throughout the program, the sadness on everyone’s faces was very evident, with some showing tears and others closing their eyes while prayers were said.

Five electric candles were lit during the candlelighting ceremony.

“Candles are a symbolic part of services in many traditions,” Karen Spencer said. “We will light five candles in honor of our loved ones.”

Each candle represented either grief, courage, hope, memory or love. She read what each candle meant while Don Spencer lit them.

Each person was given a battery-operated candle. Karen Spencer took a candle and walked around the gazebo to each person and symbolically lighted each one as she moved around the gazebo.

At the conclusion of a responsive prayer, Karen Spencer read, “So long as we live, they too shall live, for they are now part of us, as we remember them.”

A day before the event, Child and Adolescent Service System Program coordinator Kathy Quick with the Schuylkill County Mental Health and Developmental Services said the vigil is an important way to support those who lost family members and friends to suicide and show the support they need.

“The whole idea is for survivors to come together to celebrate their memories,” Quick said. “I know there has been a little bit more awareness this year. I hope people become more aware.”

In 2016, there were 39 suicides in Schuylkill County.

“That doesn’t sound like a lot in a way, but that is one suicide every 9.3 days in Schuylkill County,” Quick said. “To date (this year) we have had 25 suicides in Schuylkill County, with the two major holidays still pending. That makes a suicide in Schuylkill County every 12.8 days so far this year. This is still a terrible number, one which we are working diligently to eliminate altogether.”

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention reported that nearly three times as many people die by suicide in Pennsylvania annually than by homicide. In 2015, 1,894 died from suicide in the state.

The word about suicide is put out in different venues, Quick said, such as public service announcements played this year and in 2016 at Pearl Theatres at the Schuylkill Mall.

“And we still have events through the course of the year for survivors through the Suicide Prevention Task Force,” Quick said. “We have some fundraisers so we can get our message out there. Others have done fundraisers for us. I think we need to look at our numbers again and figure out what we can do.”

Quick said one outreach for suicide prevention is in the high schools.

“There is no other time that I can think of that people, kids in particular, are under more stress than in high school,” she said. “Kids are under stress all the time and we kind of blow it off as adults, but I feel like they are looking at everything they know is now going away. When they’re graduating, everything they know is changing and it’s got to be scary. One thing we did last year is create a video for mental health in a high school setting, and it was surrounding mostly depression and anxiety, to be shown in high school so that kids can realize that in life we all have anxiety, we all have depression sometimes. It’s when is it an issue. How do you know that it’s time to reach out for help? Maybe it’s a little bit past what’s normal or what you can handle on your own and who do you ask and where do you go to get help. We have that out there. We need more awareness across the board. Just because I have depression doesn’t mean I’m crazy. It just means that my brain is unable to regulate itself. It’s an illness like any other. I just wish people would be more aware and not look at it as such a stigma.”

A mental health awareness presentation by professionals on suicide awareness/prevention will be held at Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29 Maple Avenue Campus from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 13. Stories of personal experience will be shared and information on Schuylkill County crisis services will be available. For more information, contact Larissa Russell at 570-544-9131, Ext. 1219 or at russl@iu29.org.

Crisis services are available through the Schuylkill County Mental Health Crisis Hotline, which is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by calling 877-9WE-HELP or (877-993-4357). The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 800-273-8255.

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

This Thursday evening, after the Thanksgiving feast and the football games, take a walk under the stars.

It’s a great way to fight off the drowsing effects of tryptophan and to get away from relatives, even the ones you like! Seriously, it’s a magical activity on any night this time of the year because of the early sunset and the fact that it’s generally not too outrageously cold yet.

The first thing you’ll notice later this week or this weekend is the lovely crescent to half moon perched in the southwestern Pottsville sky. If evening twilight is still going on, catch the great conjunction or celestial hugging between Saturn and Mercury in the very low southwest sky. You’ll need a fairly “clean” horizon with a low tree line to see them.

Even though they appear close together in the sky, there’s a quite a distance between the two. In fact, near a billion miles separates them! You can try to look at Saturn through a telescope but I guarantee it’ll be super fuzzy because of the thicker blanket of air near the horizon.

While there aren’t any turkey constellations on the celestial stage, there’s a lot of other birds up there. In fact, out of the 88 human-made constellations seen from Earth, nine of them are birds, more than any other animal. Through the course of a year over Minnesota and Western Wisconsin, we can see four of the bird constellations and the two biggest ones are available now in the evening skies.

Cygnus the Swan and Aquila the Eagle are currently flying in the low western sky. They’re easy to spot by using the Summer Triangle, not a constellation but a very handy tool. Just look for the three brightest stars you can see in the western sky and that’s it. I know it’s strange to be talking about a summer triangle in November, but believe it or not there are still a few summer stars and constellations hanging in there in the western sky. The highest star is Deneb. The star on the lower left is Altair. The brightest star, Vega, occupies the lower right corner. All three of these stars are the brightest in their respective constellations.

Two of the Summer Triangle constellations are birds. Deneb is the brightest star of Cygnus the Swan that’s currently making its annual swan dive toward the western horizon. It’s easier at first to see Cygnus by its nickname, “ The Northern Cross.” Deneb is at the top of the nearly upright cross and just below it are three moderately bright stars arranged horizontally that depict the crosspiece of the cross. Pan down from the crosspiece and the next brightest star you’ll see is Albireo that marks the foot of the cross.

Turning the Northern Cross into a swan is easy with a meager amount of imagination. Deneb is the tail of the swan, Albireo’s the head and the crosspiece becomes the major section of its wingspan. Look for a dim star to the upper left of the crosspiece and two dim stars to the upper right. Join them all together and you’ll end up with the nice curved wingspan.

Altair, on the lower left corner of the Summer Triangle, is the brightest star in Aquila the Eagle and marks the eagle’s heart. Look for a large sideways diamond that outlines the wingspan of mighty eagle. Altair is on the top corner of the diamond. Off the lower corner of the diamond see if you can spot a faint line of stars that makes up Aquila’s tail feathers.

The brightest star, Vega, at the lower right corner of the Summer Triangle is also the brightest star in the very small constellation Lyra the Lyre, which is an very oldfashioned harp. That wasn’t always the case though. In India, over 2,000 years ago, Lyra was seen as a heavenly vulture, as contrary as that sounds. Arabs saw Lyra as a goose and in fact in early American history, Lyra was seen as a small eagle with a harp clutched in its beak.

All three of these birds, or if you prefer, the two birds and an old-fashioned harp are about history for the season. As 2017 eases into 2018, all three constellations will start each evening lower and lower in the western sky and will eventually slip below the western horizon before sunset. The birds will be back again next spring flying into the eastern skies after a well deserved winter slumber.

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

Blue Mountain

Blue Mountain High School seniors Karl Usuka, Miranda Freeman and Katarzyna Popow were named students of the month for November.

Karl, enrolled in the college preparatory curriculum, is a son of Devyn and Anne Usuka, Schuylkill Haven. He is vice president of the Science Honor Society, secretary of the English Honor Society and is also involved in the National, Foreign Language, and History honor societies.

He has been a four-year member of the swim team, band and chorus, the latter of which he is president. He is also involved in the drama, Leo, diversity and international clubs and student council.

Karl achieved the rank of Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts of America. He plans to attend college to study internal business or law.

Miranda, enrolled in the college preparatory curriculum, is a daughter of Jason and Jennifer Freeman, Orwigsburg. She is a member of the National, Science and Social Studies honor societies, is treasurer of the green club and a member of the international club and Mini-THON. Her athletic participation includes four years of varsity swimming and two years of track.

Miranda plans to attend college to major in medical studies and hopes to become a physician’s assistant.

Katarzyna, enrolled in the plumbing/heating program at Schuylkill Technology Center, is a daughter of Marek and Barbara Popow, Orwigsburg. She has been coordinator of the green club for the past two years and has been a member for four. She is also involved with the art and anime clubs and the Gay Straight Alliance.

Upon graduation, Katarzyna will be seeking an apprenticeship for plumbing/HVAC.

Pine Grove Area

Rachel Edge and Emily Cooper were named Pine Grove Area High School students of the month for November.

Rachel is a daughter of David and Sarah Edge, Pine Grove. She studies in the honors and advanced placement curricula.

Her high school activities include varsity soccer (captain), varsity basketball (captain), varsity and recycling clubs, Envirothon, SADD (president) and National Honor Society. She plans to attend Slippery Rock University to major in biology and to play soccer.

Emily is a daughter of John and Stacy Cooper, Pine Grove. She studies in the college preparatory, honors and advanced placement curricula.

Her high school activities include FBLA (president), student council (vice president), SADD, diversity club (treasurer), history club, prom committee, varsity, accounting and statistics club, varsity cheerleading and Class of 2018 secretary.

Emily plans to attend college to major in elementary education.

Frackville Rotary

Scott Grigas, a son of Kim and Ed Grigas, was honored as Frackville Rotary student of the month for October at a recent club meeting at Cracker Barrel Restaurant.

A senior at North Schuyl-kill High School, Scott is a high honors student and a member of the National Honor Society, Teens Against Tobacco and Students Against Destructive Decisions.

Scott participated in varsity baseball, where he is his team’s second baseman and was a member of the Spartans’ 2016 District 11 Class AA championship team and Class AA state semifinalist. He is also a member of the track and field team. In 2016, he was Schuylkill League runner-up in the 100-meter race and a member of the 2016 District champions 4- by 100-meter relay, where his team was a PIAA Class AA quarter finalist.

Again, in 2017, Scott was league runner-up in the 100-meter race and league champion in the 200 meter. He took 12th place in the state semifinals PIAA Class AA 200 meter. He is also a member of the varsity football team, where is a leader in scoring, receptions and receiving yardage.

Scott volunteers helping the elderly by doing lawn work, delivering meals and running errands. He helps each summer at the North Schuylkill Youth Baseball Camp and does community cleanup with his football teammates.

Scott plans to attend college to study computer science and hopes to continue to play football and run track in college.

Geisinger Medical Center, Danville

To Danielle E. VanHorn and Angel R. Torres, Shenandoah, a son, Nov. 1.

Lehigh Valley Hospital-Schuylkill S. Jackson Street

To Jacqueline Chattin and Robert Matier Jr., Ashland, a son, Oct. 12.

To Rustin and McKayla Shade Smith, Hegins, a daughter, Oct. 29.

CRESSONA — At its November meeting Thursday, Blue Mountain school board took a step toward bringing air conditioning to the high school this spring.

“They will be new units. We’re looking to install them ASAP, as soon as we can get the electrical work and whatever permits are needed and follow the process. We want to do that ASAP so it’s up and running for the spring or it hits a hot spell early on,” David H. Helsel, superintendent, said after the meeting at Blue Mountain Elementary Cressona. “We don’t have any air conditioning at the high school. We found a cost-effective way of installing it.”

The board approved the transfer of $65,717 from the district’s capital reserve account to the general fund to cover the cost of the high school air conditioning units, paid to Johnstone Supply Inc., according to the agenda.

In other matters, the school board hired two third-party collection agencies to tackle delinquent taxpayers.

First, the board approved a resolution directing the Schuylkill County Tax Claim Bureau not to collect delinquent 2017 real estate taxes and future real estate taxes on behalf of the Blue Mountain School District. Then the board approved an agreement allowing Portnoff Law Associates Ltd., King of Prussia, to collect delinquent real estate taxes for years 2017, 2018 and 2019.

The board also approved a resolution approving collection procedures and adopting interest and schedule of attorney fees and charges to be added to the amount collected as part of unpaid real estate taxes for delinquent accounts.

The board then terminated its contract with Powell, Rogers & Speaks, Halifax, as the district’s collector of delinquent occupation assessment taxes.

“It’s because we decided to use another firm,” Helsel said.

Then the board approved a resolution appointing Berkheimer Tax Innovations, Lehigh Valley, as its exclusive tax collector for the collection of delinquent occupation assessment tax for an initial term to begin Jan. 1, 2018, and end Dec. 31, 2021. The board also approved the agreement with Berkheimer for that term.

The board also approved a “confidentiality resolution” for the purpose of Berkheimer sharing confidential tax information with the district in regard to those taxes. The board also approved a resolution appointing Berkheimer as the district’s tax hearing officer for the collection of those delinquent occupation assessment taxes, for the purpose of adjudicating appeals.

Board members present at the meeting were Anne Usuka, president; Scott W. Reichert, vice president; Michelle Z. Vesay, secretary; W. David Lafko, treasurer; and members Herman R. Fligge, Mark B. Hoover and Mary Jo Moss. Absent were members R. Dean Gherghel and Timothy G. Grube.

In other matters, the board authorized the administration to hire a technology support specialist for the high school at the board’s December meeting. That meeting will be at the high school at 7:15 p.m. Dec. 14.

In December 2014, the board hired Francis Sisko as a technology support specialist at a prorated salary of $39,500. Recently, Sisko and the district parted ways. Helsel would not say why.

“That’s a personnel issue. We can’t discuss that. But that position has been open at the high school for more than a month. He was officially no longer an employee in September,” Helsel said.

The district traditionally has technology support specialists in its elementary, middle and high schools.

“We have two but we’re short one. We’ve been running light for a month and a half,” Helsel said.

The board also agreed to transfer Marie Ryan from accountant to secretary for the Blue Mountain High School principal at the hourly rate of $16.25.

At the start of Thursday’s meeting, a student council representative, Emily Laughlin, a Blue Mountain senior, said a coffee shop recently opened at the high school.

“The high school’s coffee shop had its soft opening yesterday and teachers could purchase coffee in the morning. The students running the shop were excited to show off what they have learned and are looking forward to the shop’s full implementation,” Laughlin said.

The board announced its reorganization meeting will be at 7:15 p.m. Dec. 7 at the Blue Mountain District Office Conference Room.

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

Schuylkill County District Attorney Christine A. Holman and county detectives are asking for the public’s help in finding a man who should be serving a jail sentence.

Detectives said Harold John Fowler failed to appear in Schuylkill County Court to begin serving his prison sentence of nine to 23 months.

The original charges against Fowler that resulted in the sentence include theft and receiving stolen property, both misdemeanor offenses, detectives said.

Fowler, 42, is described as being white, about 6 feet tall and weighing about 185 pounds.

His last known address is 514 W. Spring St., Frackville, detectives said.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Fowler, or any other fugitive in Schuylkill County, is asked to call the district attorney’s office at 570-628-1350 or the Schuylkill County Tip Line at 570-624-3988.

Information or tips can also be sent by email to dadd@co.schuylkill.pa.us.

In addition, anyone who may see or come in contact with Fowler 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 bench warrants is available on the Schuylkill County website at www.co.schuylkill.pa.us.

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

FRACKVILLE — The Frackville Area Municipal Authority board is considering a drug and alcohol policy for all employees that will address the usage of legal and illegal substances because of safety concerns.

The authority does not have an official written policy in those situations. Solicitor Paul G. Domalakes provided each board member with a draft of the five-page policy for discussion.

“This is a resolution adopting an employee drug and alcohol policy that states the obvious that you’re not supposed to use drugs or alcohol on the job,” Domalakes said. “That sounds obvious, but it also goes into some detail about levels of alcohol, and it also points out that a lot of medications can have negative effects if you’re working on machinery or a lot of complicated testing on equipment that we have.”

Domalakes gave an example of someone on a prescription of oxycodone or other medication that could affect an employee’s performance on the job.

“It (the policy) also provides for testing upon reasonable suspicion and searching in the event that there is some indication that someone has illegal drugs or substances,” Domalakes explained. “I think that’s a problem that we have, and I hope we never have it.

The authority has five full-time and one part-time employees.

The proposed policy includes a “Reasonable Suspicion Checklist,” which is to be completed when there is reasonable suspicion that an employee is under the influence of drugs or alcohol. As explained on the checklist, “Any one of the following can create a reasonable suspicion. All pertinent behavior and physical signs or symptoms should be noted.”

“It’s the kind of checklist that Lon (Antalosky, plant manager), for example, as a supervisor, or the personnel chairman or board member, can use if you’re down at the plant and somebody’s breath smells like alcohol or the eyes are glassy or their speech is slurred. They’re rambling, they won’t stop talking, they won’t talk. They’re just acting very odd. Any one of these could get a drug test or alcohol test. Hopefully they collect dust somewhere and are never used, but it’s good to have this kind of policy.”

In the first numbered section of the proposed resolution, “FAMA declares it to be the policy that the work areas of the facilities, including the offices, are to be drug and alcohol free zones and the use or possession of any alcoholic beverages or controlled substances without a valid prescription is strictly prohibited. Examples of such substances are alcohol, medications that cause drowsiness, including over the counter medications; marijuana, including medicinal marijuana; heroin and methamphetamine, bath salts, substances that cause excitability, or the like.”

Where an employee would go for testing has not been determined, and Domalakes pointed out that the person would need to be driven to the testing facility for safety reasons.

“What if we go down there and we see something and they say, ‘I’m not going?’ ” board member David Gera asked.

“Refusal to take a test is an automatic positive result, which results in immediate suspension until further disciplinary action by the board,” Domalakes replied.

In the case of what would be necessary to return to work, Domalakes read from the resolution, “Employees who have tested positive for drugs or alcohol cannot resume performing job responsibilities until they pass a return to duty test. This return to duty test need only be for the substance(s) whose misuse caused the employee to be removed from service. Refusal to submit to a reasonable suspicion test will be considered to be a positive test and may be grounds for termination.”

With regard to follow-ups, the police state that a positive drug test may require three subsequent tests over each 12-month period at the discrection of the FAMA board.

If the positive test result involves a legally prescribed medication, it will be the employee’s responsibility to provide to the board a written report from a qualified medical provider that such continued use of the prescribed medication does not pose a safety hazard or otherwise impair the employee in the performance of his or her duties.

“Any member of the personnel committee, an officer of the board or an employee’s supervisor may, upon reasonable suspicion that an employee is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, may direct the employee to undergo a test for the same,” Domalakes said.

“This is something that is meant to bring us up to the 21st century,” Gera said.

“Yes, because if you don’t have this, sooner or later some insurance carrier is going to say where is your drug policy,” Domalakes said.

The authority does have pre-employment testing included in the policy, but the authority has had that requirement.

“We’re not anticipating random testing just to do it,” Domalakes said. “We’re talking about reasonable suspicion. I tried not to put in things in like ‘They shall do this’ or ‘They must do this,’ because there is a difference between somebody showing up with too much cough syrup that may affect them. OK, you can go home for the rest of the day. You can do that without necessarily testing anybody. If someone is on medication, they’re required to tell you that my doctor prescribed something with codeine or whatever it is. They have to tell you so you can make a judgment about working. We’re not talking about things like antibiotics.”

Domalakes recommended that the board members look over the proposed policy until the next meeting, when the policy may be adopted.

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

Distinguished alum

The Danville Area School District Alumni Association announced Doyle Dietz, Orwigsburg, as its honoree for lifetime achievement and community service.

A 1964 Danville graduate, Dietz has always been a sports enthusiast, participating in various capacities in football, baseball, basketball, and track and field. He turned his passion into a career that has lasted a lifetime.

Dietz started by freelancing his journalist skills, contributing high school football articles to a local newspaper. This led to positions with the Tamaqua Courier and The Pottsville Republican.

His ultimate career move came when he assumed the role of lower anthracite regional sports editor and outdoors writer for The Reading Eagle. In this capacity, Dietz covered various professional, collegiate and high school sports. He developed lifelong relationships with most of the coaches in the area, covered high school athletes as they moved to college and, for some, to professional careers.

After retiring in 2005, Dietz continues to contribute to newspapers, as well as several state and national outdoor magazines, including Pennsylvania Game News, Muzzle Blasts, Bear Hunter, Pennsylvania Outdoor News and Lake Ontario Outdoors. He continues to cover many high school football teams and Bloomsburg University football. He has expanded his media talents to hosting a weekly radio program, “Experience the Outdoors.”

Dietz has been honored by both the Pottsville and Mount Carmel chapters of the Pennsylvania State Sports Hall of Fame for his coverage of high school sports. Other awards and recognitions include: POWA Award for Best Outdoor Radio program in Pennsylvania, Pioneer Lifetime Achievement Award from the Federation of Black Powder Shooters, the Schuylkill Conservation District Media Award and Friends of Schuylkill County Trout Unlimited Award.

Before moving to Orwigsburg, Doyle was founder of the Panther Valley Babe Ruth Baseball League, and for several years was head coach of the Lansford team. He was also head coach in the Panther Valley Elementary School Basketball League and assistant coach in the Panther Valley Knee-High Football League. He has also done fundraising to sponsor trips to Yankees and Shea Stadiums to benefit youth.

Dietz and his wife, the former, Betty Seidel, DHS Class of 1965, are active volunteers in their church, Salem United Methodist Church, Orwigsburg. They have participated in the annual Ride for Life sponsored by their local Harley-Davidson club and have been recognized for their fundraising on behalf of the Muscular Dystrophy Association. The Dietzes also donate their time to present outdoor seminars at various church, fraternal and social organizations, as well as state parks.

Civilian service laud

The Department of the Army conveyed upon Christina M. McDermott an Achievement Medal for Civilian Service for her outstanding performance as a police records clerk and directorate of emergency services at the Army Garrison located at Fort Detrick, Maryland.

At her award presentation, Commanding Officer Col. Scott M. Halter acknowledged McDermott for her outstanding achievement and performance that is in keeping with the highest traditions of government service, management and command of the Army.

Upon graduation from high school, McDermott enlisted in the Marine Corps, serving as a lance corporal with a job description as an administrative assistant. She then attended Liberty University in Virginia where she earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Upon graduation, she became a civilian worker with the Army and is currently attending Liberty University, where this spring she will be awarded a master’s degree in human services and military resilience.

Her eventual goal is to provide counseling for active duty personnel and military retirees struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder and counsel veterans suffering with traumatic brain injury and addiction.

A daughter of August and Marion Futyma, Shenandoah, McDermott is a 1987 graduate of Shenandoah Valley High School.

VP of product

Bill Bainbridge, FSA, MAAA, CERA, a son of Fred and Marylou Bainbridge, Minersville, was appointed senior vice president and leader of all product development and in-force management for Voya’s Annuities and Individual Life businesses. He will oversee a team of more than 40 professionals and report to Carolyn Johnson, chief executive officer, Annuities and Individual Life.

Bainbridge served as vice president of pricing for Voya’s Annuities and Individual Life businesses since November 2016. He previously oversaw product development for the company’s annuities business since December 2013. In this role, he helped contribute to increases in sales and return on capital in the annuities business, working closely with members of the company’s distribution, risk management and finance areas. He joined Voya as a senior actuarial associate in August 2005, and began his career at Buck Consultants as an associate in June 2003.

Bainbridge received his bachelor’s degrees in actuarial science and economics from Lebanon Valley College, Annville. He is a fellow of the Society of Actuaries and holds the chartered enterprise risk analyst designation.

Bainbridge is married to the former Jamie Cronin and has three children, Austin, Evan and Anna. The live in Exton.

With several irons in the fire, Rob Hoyt, Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, is focused on creating a brighter future for himself and others, despite facing the prospect of completely losing his sight in the next three to five years.

Already legally blind because of complications associated with type 1 diabetes, Hoyt has been busy generating more than 200 artistic works while starting up a new small business and designing what he calls a “grass-roots movement” to help children who have been labeled “learning disabled” thrive in the classroom.

Holding an electronic device that looks like a small iPad, Hoyt explained he uses a video magnifier to help him see what he’s sketching or painting.

“It takes me maybe two or three times longer than a normal artist would take, but I still don’t let it stop me,” he said.

He only started painting after his vision took a turn for the worse in March.

“You want to appreciate what you can see? Have somebody tell you in three to five years you’re not going to see anything,” Hoyt said before browsing through some of his works in his North Franklin Street home.

In addition to portraits of famous entertainers drawn with India ink, Hoyt works with oils and acrylics on recycled materials such as cabinet doors, sections of tongue-in-groove flooring and pieces of a mahogany table rather than canvas.

Sometimes he’ll affix items he finds on the street such as an old baby shoe or boot, calling the works “pop sculpture.”

“I know I’m on borrowed time,” he said. “I might as well just make hay while the sun shines.”

Many of his works are on display in more than 40 downtown businesses, he said.

Training the mind

A California native who has worked as a licensed psychotherapist, a drug and alcohol counselor and a clinical director at a pain clinic while presenting seminars on speed reading and “accelerated learning,” the 56-year-old wants to get back to helping make learning easier for others.

“Most people only tap 5 percent of their brainpower,” Hoyt said. “Would you accept that from your car — a 5 percent output? That’s just unacceptable.”

Hoyt said he learned techniques for accelerated learning as an undergraduate, and they helped him earn 23 As in 24 graded classes while pursuing his master’s degree.

“My business is called Mynd Max Training and I’m excited about it. I probably already helped a couple thousand people pass (medical and law school exams). I’m an expert in test taking and the whole process. I’m an expert in accelerated learning,” Hoyt said.

“Just because I lost my eyesight doesn’t mean I lost the ability to help people, and that’s what I’m excited about,” he added.

Part of his technique is based on peak-performance psychology, which he said uses guided imagery and positive visualization.

“Guided imagery starts with a special place in your mind — like, go to a beach. It can be any place — real or imagined. If you can go to that place, it becomes the place you can train your mind,” Hoyt said.

Guided imagery, he said, is “the doorway” to positive visualization, which means “seeing the achieved outcome before you’ve achieved it. (Olympic sprinter) Michael Johnson saw himself on the podium having the gold medal put around his neck hundreds of times before it happened. I call it remembering the future. You can’t achieve it if you don’t see yourself already achieving it.”

Hoyt said he teaches his clients “to go into RLS — a resourceful learning state. It enhances memory, it sharpens the imagination. I want to sharpen my students’ imaginations because imagination is the cornerstone of memory.”

Hoyt said he’s working with the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business and Industry’s business incubator. He already has a business plan and is working on getting office space.

“I’m going to be available for people to come in on an individual basis and to do seminars for students en masse,” Hoyt said.

“Corporate America is fascinated by this concept because they’re bottom-line about performance and money and they want their employees to be amazing learners,” he said.

Paying it forward

Hoyt said he’s also initiating a “Stay Genius” movement. He decided on the title because he believes all children are born with genius potential, but most people “dumb down” the older they get.

“The 10 Ways of Stay Genius” involves working with a child having learning problems, and teaching the child and family techniques to help the child learn better.

“The 10 ways are based on the fact that a black belt in martial arts is based on 10 fundamental moves. I’m going to teach them 10 fundamental moves to stay genius,” he said.

Hoyt said he’s working with a family with a child he believes has been misdiagnosed as learning disabled.

“I have clinical skills to diagnose learning disabilities. I said he’s bright, he’s hands-on and they’re mismatching his learning style,” he said,

“It’s an epidemic. Kids were being diagnosed with ADD (attention deficit disorder) all over the place and they get put on Ritalin or Adderall. They wake up and they say, ‘What the hell happened?’ They’re angry. There are other ways to teach kids to focus,” he said.

Hoyt said he’s dedicated to helping change the way children learn.

“I’ve been there. I was put in remedial courses. I didn’t need that. I know what it’s like to be mislabeled,” he said.

“What needs to change and what I learned is the ‘how’ of learning — how to go into the proper brainwave state,” Hoyt said.

Instead of accepting payment, Hoyt said he’s asking the family to “pay it forward.”

“I said, ‘You don’t pay me, you invite another family to your house and you show them what I’ve taught you and you start making a difference,’ ” Hoyt said.

Contact the writer: smocarsky@citizensvoice.com; 570-821-2110