n Jim Thorpe: Free parking at all regular borough downtown parking meters will be in effect now through Jan. 2. The borough meters are on Broadway, Susquehanna, Hazard and Quarry streets.
n Lansford: Students at Our Lady of the Angels Academy took part in the school's annual Christmas performances in St. Katharine Drexel Roman Catholic Church. Students in fourth through eighth grades performed "A Christmas Carol: Scrooge in Bethlehem" and youngsters in pre-kindergarten through third grade performed "The First Christmas."
n Lansford: The Panther Valley Public Library, 117 E. Bertsch St., held its final preschool story hour for the year from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Dec. 17. Participants listened to "The Night Before Christmas," enjoyed snacks and visited with Santa, who presented each child a gift. Story hour at the library will resume in March.
n McAdoo: The final day for borough property owners to pay 2013 Schuylkill County, borough and Hazleton Area School District real estate taxes is Tuesday. Reminders have been mailed to all borough property owners who have not paid their real estate taxes, officials said in a release, adding Schuylkill County per capita taxes may also be owed. Collection hours are slated from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday at the residents of Andrew DeBalko, borough tax collector. If both real estate taxes are owed, residents should write separate checks when paying. For more information regarding any of the taxes, call DeBalko at 570-929-1628.
n McAdoo: The McAdoo Community Civic Association is still collecting donations for its Christmas holiday lights. Through donations from the community, the group was able to purchase two new snowflake lights and members want to buy two additional new lights this year.
n Orwigsburg: The Blue Mountain School District has been offering a community educational series for parents and community members to get information on the educational opportunities in the district. The third session is scheduled for 7 p.m. Jan. 21 in the middle school cafetorium, with a snow day of Jan. 28. Debra Heim, Schuylkill County Interagency Team coordinator, and Linda Jones, of Access Services, will focus on community outreach. The fourth session is set for March 3. Charlotte Granito, academic language practitioner and dyslexia therapist, and Alison Foura, occupational therapist, will focus on what accommodations can help a child with a specific learning disability, spectrum disorder and sensory issues.
n Pottsville: In observance of New Year's Day, the Schuylkill Transportation Authority fixed route bus service will follow a Saturday schedule on Tuesday. STS bus and van service will not operate Wednesday. Regular fixed route bus and van service will resume Thursday. If there are any questions regarding the schedule, please call STS at 800-832-3322.
n Shenandoah: In line with a borough ordinance, residents must clear their sidewalks, providing at least a 30-inch-wide path, within 24 hours of an accumulating snow or ice event. Borough council President Leo Pietkiewicz reiterated the ordinance requirements during a recent council meeting. He also said residents should not throw snow onto streets, a practice that is prohibited by the ordinance. People who do not adhere to the requirements can face penalties.
n Summit Hill: The Summit Hill Heritage Center, with Church on the Rock, 1 W. Hazard St., held a Christmas sing-along Dec. 11. The event was free and open to the public. Light refreshments were served.
n Tamaqua: The Tamaqua Historical Society will meet at 7 p.m. Jan. 23 in the Tamaqua Art Gallery, 114 W. Broad St. The society meets regularly on the fourth Thursday of the month. Anyone may stop by to inquire about joining or talk about ways to help keep the history of Tamaqua in the eyes of the public.