James R. Ferrier

ORWIGSBURG - A Cressona man faces Schuylkill County Court action after waiving his right to a preliminary hearing Tuesday on charges he threatened and harassed a Schuylkill Haven woman in October at her residence.

Charals Schrader, 19, of 37 Grove St., must defend against charges of terroristic threats and harassment. Magisterial District Judge James R. Ferrier bound over those charges for court after Schrader waived his right to a hearing.

Schuylkill Haven borough police alleged that Schrader threatened and harassed Catlin Killian at 10:45 a.m. Oct. 3 at her 426 Dock St. residence.

Police said Schrader, who was staying with Killian, pushed her against a wall, causing her to hit her head.

Later, Schrader telephoned Killian, who had called law enforcement, and threatened to kill her, according to police.

Schrader is free on $2,500 straight cash bail pending further court action in the case.

Other defendants whose cases Ferrier considered on Tuesday, the charges against each person and the judge's dispositions of the matters included:

Scott K. Bainbridge, 54, of 707 N. Cherry St., Shamokin; driving under the influence and careless driving; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Toni L. Cook, 34, of 521 W. Norwegian St., Pottsville; DUI, disregarding traffic lane, failure to drive at a safe speed, careless driving and seat belt violation; right to preliminary hearing waived, failure to drive at a safe speed charge withdrawn, other charges bound over for court.

Chad M. Evans, 35, of 40 park St., Landingville; two counts of possession of a controlled substance and one count each of DUI, possession of a small amount of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and reckless driving; right to preliminary hearing waived, possession of a controlled substance, DUI and reckless driving charges withdrawn, other charges bound over for court.

Thanks to a blocked drain at South Centre and Hotel streets in Pottsville, pale orange mine water is flowing toward Mount Carbon.

"It's mine water. It's draining right off of Sharp Mountain, just like it has been for more than 100 years," Daniel E. Kelly, city superintendent of streets, said Tuesday.

The blockage occurred two weeks ago and the city and the Greater Pottsville Area Sewer Authority plan to fix the problem within a week, Kelly said Tuesday.

"We had this problem last year, same place. Last year was the first time it happened," Kelly said.

Kelly said the blockage occurred in a pipe the sewer authority installed a few years ago as part of the state-mandated stormwater-sewer separation project.

"When they did work in that area, they went through the arch and put a piece of pipe in. Last year, there was something jammed in it, fall leaves and twigs. We worked together last year to get it unblocked. Now, it's blocked again," Kelly said.

Timothy R. Yingling, the sewer authority's executive director, did not return calls for comment Tuesday.

To unblock the pipe, city workers must use a hose.

"Last year, we had to have one of the workers climb down the manhole across the street and use a high-pressure hose to flush out the debris," Kelly said.

A week ago, the city and sewer authority stopped the water from flowing into the intersection.

"We put a little mound of blacktop there to divert it," Kelly said.

The city also placed an orange and white striped barricade near the mine water fountain to discourage pedestrians and vehicles from going near it.

The orange-tinted water is a reminder of the mountain's anthracite coal mining past, according to Dr. Peter Yasenchak, executive director of the Schuylkill County Historical Society.

On Tuesday, Yasenchak delved into the archives of at the society's headquarters at 305 N. Centre St. to find some of its history.

According to the "Joseph H. Zerbey History of Pottsville and Schuylkill County," published in 1936, Pottsville Gap Colliery opened on Sharp Mountain in 1826. It closed in 1839. Then, the Sherman Coal Corp., Pottsville, opened there in 1917, according to the Zerbey history.

"The Sherman Coal Co. was originally formed by Dr. George Sherman of Detroit, Mich., a man who was prominent in the medical world and the head of the Sherman Vaccine Laboratories in Detroit. The colliery was opened in March 1917," according to the Zerbey history.

The operation focused on the mammoth split vein at Sharp Mountain Mine, according to J. Stuart "Stu" Richards, Orwigsburg, who has written articles about mining for his online blog, coalregionhistorychronicles.blogspot.com.

Its offices were at 537 Hotel St. in Pottsville, according to the editions of Boyd's Pottsville City Directory published in the 1920s.

Sherman Coal Corp. changed hands a few times and became Bergen Coal Co. Inc. in 1936, according to the 1936-37 edition of Boyd's Pottsville City Directory.

Based on his research, Yasenchak believed the mine closed in the early 1940s.

Purse stolen

in Mahanoy City

MAHANOY CITY - Mahanoy City police are investigating a strong-arm robbery and theft of a woman's purse about 6:15 p.m. Monday in the parking lot of Agosti's Mahanoy City Food Store at Main and Pine streets.

Police said Meghan Scheeler, Mahanoy City, was leaving the store and walking to her vehicle when two males ran up behind her.

Police said one of the men pulled Scheeler's pink Vera Bradley wrist purse from her hand and the two fled the area west on Pine Street and then south on Locust Street.

The man who stole the purse is described as being white, between 18 and 21 years old, 5 feet 8 inches or 5 feet 9 inches tall with a thin build. He was wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, jeans, sneakers and a hat, police said.

The second man was described as having darker skin and facial hair and was wearing a dark blue hooded sweatshirt, police said, adding that one of the two also had a skateboard with him.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at either 570-773-2310 or 570-773-2313. All information will remain confidential.

Police probe

identity theft

WESTON PLACE - West Mahanoy Township police are investigating an incident of identity theft that was reported Friday.

Police said Kathleen Erlich, 170 Weston Place, Shenandoah, reported someone accessed her bank account and made two unauthorized purchases of $20 gift cards via iTunes.

Information provided by the woman showed that the purchases were made in California, police said.

Man charged

with harassment

SAINT CLAIR - State police at Frackville charged a 46-year-old Saint Clair man with harassment after an incident at 144 Arnot St. in New Castle Township about 11:50 p.m. Friday.

Police said Jon Koons will have to answer to the charge before Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko, Port Carbon.

Police said Koons and Christopher Burke, 32, of Saint Clair, were watching an NFL football game and after the game, Koons, who was intoxicated, grabbed Burke, who was also intoxicated, and threw him to the ground.

As the two men were falling, they reportedly fell into a stove in the kitchen and shattered the glass of the door, police said, adding that neither of the men were hurt.

Checkpoints set

in county

The North Central Regional Sobriety Checkpoint DUI Taskforce announced that sobriety checkpoints and roving DUI patrols will be conducted today through Monday on routes 61, 183, 901, 209, 1006, 309, 443, 895, 125, 25, 924 and 54.

Travelers are reminded to call 911 if they suspect a drunk driver or to call toll-free, 888-UNDER21 to report underage drinking.

Police offer

seat inspections

HAMBURG - State police at Hamburg reported will be conducting free child safety seat inspections from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. today at their station at 90 Industrial Drive.

Trained Child Seat Passenger Safety Technicians will be on hand to check child seats and booster seats to ensure they are safely installed.

For information or to schedule an appointment call police at Hamburg 610-562-6885 or 877-523-6373.

ORWIGSBURG - For some, Thanksgiving poses a challenge.

"It's just another day to enjoy but if you overeat, you're not going to enjoy yourself," Donna Foster of Takes Off Pounds Sensibly said Monday during the group's weekly meeting in Orwigsburg. "Enjoy yourself and eat moderately."

The national nonprofit weight loss program was founded in 1948 by Esther S. Manz in Milwaukee to offer mutual encouragement to fellow dieters, according to the organization's website at www.tops.org. Weight maintenance goals are set by each member's doctor.

There are about five members of the Pennsylvania TOPS Chapter 945, which meets in the conference room at the ambulance building every Monday.

On holidays and other events that feature large amounts of food, Foster said she usually eats as if she were taste testing for a competition.

"I usually have a small saucer plate with a little bit of everything," Foster said about the holiday. "Taste it, but don't forget that your diet starts again the next day."

Advice from the group this Thanksgiving includes having a small meal before dinner, eating more fruits and vegetables, drinking a lot of water and focusing on family and friends instead of the food.

The group agreed that dessert is the biggest challenge for them on Thanksgiving.

"Sometimes, if you don't take something, you take too much of it later, so the key is to try things, just limit yourself," said the group's president, Margaret Latshaw, New Ringgold.

Latshaw said making a game out of weight loss also helps. She said one of the games the group plays is a version of baseball where each pound lost advances a base runner and a five-pound loss is a home run.

"This is keeping us going and active," Foster said.

Foster is the group's weight recorder. She said numbers are kept private and members do not know each other's weights.

Last year, the group won an award for pounds lost. Foster said they placed second in the state with an average of 17.5 pounds lost per member last year.

Doris Brignola, Schuylkill Haven, is the group's only KOP, or Kept Off Pounds Sensibly member. She has maintained her goal since 2009.

"She's our inspiration to keep going," Foster said.

Brignola credited the support of fellow members for maintaining her goal.

"I have found that since I became a member of this group, I don't eat as much as I used to or I take less," Brignola said.

She said she has given up ice cream and only eats one doughnut a year, on Fasnacht Day.

"It is a sacrifice that really means something. You want to keep fighting and it keeps you motivated. If you accomplish your goal, it really makes you feel much better," Brignola said.

Brignola said TOPS is different from other weight loss groups because membership dues are much lower at only $28 for a year.

"It's not dieting. It's changing your lifestyle," Foster said. "It's really mind over matter and having a support group really helps."

Additional weight loss tips from the group included exercising if you can, portion meals, eat leaner meat and reading labels. Each member also keeps a daily log of what they eat to pinpoint what might be causing weight gain.

People looking to join the group are invited to attend one of the group meetings for free at 5 p.m. every Monday.

"I wish more people would come in and not be ashamed. We are like a family and keep in touch and enjoy each other's company. It would be nice to have more people join."

For more information on TOPS, visit www.tops.org. For information on this local chapter or to join, call Donna Foster at 570-366-0226, Margaret Latshaw at 570-943-2722, or Sandy Zendrosky at 570-366-0762.

NEW PHILADELPHIA - The Gillingham Charter School students have already hit the hardwood.

The school's basketball team held its first mandatory practice Friday at the gym at Simon Kramer Institute, which is the former Blythe Township High School.

"The school is both excited and nervous," Devin Rushanan, the school's athletic director, said in an email. "This is a big step for us and we wanted the students to understand how to compete. Sports teach students how to compete and that will help them later in life when they are competing in the job market and in college."

The team, the Wolfpack, followed the practice with its first scrimmage Monday. Basketball started with a club team at the school and is now Gillingham's second competitive team sport. Last year, the school started an archery team, which also started as a club team.

"We wanted to give the students an opportunity to compete in athletics and this was the starting point. The goal for this year is to show our student athletes how to compete against other teams while emphasizing sportsmanship," Rushanan said. "It is important for the school to have athletics because it allows the student athletes to compete against others and gives them an opportunity to use teamwork and show their athleticism."

There are nine students on the team, according to coach Chris Blackmon, who also teaches fifth and sixth grades at the school.

"We are doing everything we can to get this program rolling," Blackmon said. "The kids want to be here. They are really excited."

"We chose the Wolfpack because it was the popular vote at school and the wolf is loyal to it's pack and they all work together for the good of the pack," Rushanan said. "We thought this represented what we do at the school, we work together to educate and make our students better citizens in society."

The Wolpack will play home games at the newly-renovated basketball court at Simon Kramer Institute. The school is still making final plans with the cancer institute to use its facilities. The agreement will also include a weight room, track and football field.

"Without them, I don't think we would be able to have the team," Storm Hutchinson, an assistant coach, said.

Hutchinson's wife, Nicolle M. Hutchinson, is the director of education and CEO at the school.

"There is so much community support for the school, I'm sure it will carry over to the athletic program as well," Hutchinson said.

In September, Gillingham was denied participation in the Schuylkill League for at least two years because schedules for that time period had to be submitted in 2010. The school can reapply for the fall 2014 season.

Until then, the team will play in non-league games against other charter and private schools and public schools in tournaments.

"I'm pretty excited," Isaiah Thompson, 14, of Saint Clair, said at practice Friday. "I've been playing with the same people for years, and this is a chance to play with different people."

Thompson said he played basketball since fourth grade and was worried there wouldn't be enough players for a team.

Alexander Saoefski, 13, of Tamaqua, participates in many club sports at the school and wasn't worried about not having enough players.

"I was pretty confident they would have a team," he said. "I'm glad I didn't have to play for another team. I like to play for my school.

"We all get along pretty well because we are all friends at school," Saoefski said. "We have the same classes so we already know each other well."

Saoefski is excited to travel out of the area to play games.

"I'm looking forward to traveling and meeting other teams and players," he said.

Rushanan said he is completing the schedule, which consisted of 13 games as of last week.

The school also has golf, tennis and soccer clubs and hopes they will be varsity sports in the future.

Club sports are offered to students in grades seven through 10 and students are also allowed to participate in a varsity sport at their home school district if the charter school doesn't offer it. Students at other school districts can also participate on a team at Gillingham if their school doesn't offer it.

An Orwigsburg man will likely spend the rest of his life behind state prison bars after admitting Tuesday in Schuylkill County Court that he sexually assaulted a boy six times over five years.

David A. Noll, 41, who already is in a state correctional institution for a similar incident, pleaded guilty to six counts of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse.

Judge John E. Domalakes accepted Noll's plea but did not immediately sentence him, instead ordering the state Sexual Offenders Assessment Board to prepare an evaluation of the defendant to determine whether he is a sexually violent predator. He said he would schedule the sentencing after the board finished its evaluation, which is required under state law.

"The law precludes us from sentencing you today," Domalakes told Noll, who is an inmate at SCI/Laurel Highlands in Somerset County and participated in the hearing by video conference.

Domalakes said that under the terms of the plea agreement between Noll and prosecutors, the defendant would be sentenced to spend 30 to 60 years in a state correctional institution consecutive to his current sentence.

State police at Frackville charged Noll with sexually abusing the boy six times between Dec. 1, 1998, when the victim was 10 years old, and Dec. 31, 2003, when he was 15.

First Assistant District Attorney William C. Reiley said the six incidents all occurred in Orwigsburg.

Noll said little during the hearing except to indicate that he understood his plea and that it was voluntary.

This case represents the second time Noll has admitted committing sexual crimes.

Noll pleaded guilty Nov. 21, 2006, to one count each of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, aggravated indecent assault, indecent assault, corruption of minors and endangering the welfare of children. Prosecutors withdrew 19 counts of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and nine each of aggravated indecent assault, indecent assault, endangering the welfare of children and corruption of minors.

Domalakes accepted Noll's plea and, on Feb. 27, 2007, sentenced him to serve four to nine years in a state correctional institution.

State police at Schuylkill Haven had charged Noll with committing those crimes against a child on Aug. 1, 2003, at his former residence.Defendant: David A, Noll

Age: 41

Residence: Orwigsburg

Crimes committed: Six counts of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse

Marriage licenses

Joshua George, Minersville, and Tracey Sisko, Minersville.

William R. Fetterolf, Tremont, and Tina M. Reightler, Tremont.

Robert E. Bixler, Klingerstown, and Jessica R. Schwalm, Klingerstown.

Roy Murton, Pottsville, and Jennifer Donton, Pottsville.

Divorces

Jan M. Kovaleski, Lehighton, from Benjamin E. Kovaleski, Myerstown.

Wendy Miller, Schuylkill Haven, from Gary Miller, Schuylkill Haven.

Todd Fekete, Schuylkill Haven, from Valerie Fekete, Pine Grove.

Kimberly L. Chiao, Morea, from Michael A. Chiao, Morea.

Randy R. Hentz, Tower City, from Brooke M. Hentz, Tower City.

Catherine M. Davidavage, Pottsville, from Francis A. Davidavage, Pine Grove.

Dana M. Houser, Virginia Beach, Va., from Jeffrey L. Houser, Frackville.

FRACKVILLE - During its meeting Nov. 14, the borough council decided not to deal with code violations through a Quality of Life ordinance and stick with property code requirements already on the books.

Councilman Bradley Gotshall raised the issue during the October meeting, when he made the motion to create such an ordinance. The motion died for lack of a second.

Gotshall once again made the same motion, with Councilman Brian Dillman providing a second. Dillman was not in attendance in October.

Gotshall said the measure would give the borough "real teeth to go after violators of the code." He called the ordinance a "common sense approach" to dealing with blight issues.

The ordinance is designed to address problems that degrade the physical appearance of the community. The detrimental effects inhibit economic development, reduce business and tax revenue, which has a negative impact for citizens involving their quality of life and community pride. It would allow the borough code enforcement officer and police officers to issue tickets similar to parking tickets when code violations are found, such as trash, high weeds, animal feces and snow and ice removal.

After much debate among council members, the motion was defeated in a 3-4 vote, with Gotshall, Dillman and council President Ron Jordan voting in favor. Voting against was Peter Zuber, Karen Domalakes, Charles Berger and John Morgan.

Since the meeting, council members discussed their positions.

"After several discussions, several members of council felt that the people would be held hostage," Dillman said after the meeting. "According to Karen (Domalakes), who helped compile amendments to the ordinances that were not added to the borough code book, we have ordinances to enforce what would be in a Quality of Life Ordinance."

"With the current system, officials of the borough give residents warnings of a violation and then follow up lack of action with a citation," Gotshall said.

"You don't have to wait that 30 or 60 days until you go to the magistrate," Dillman said.

Domalakes said that 80 to 90 percent of the violations are currently being corrected by code enforcement officer Larry Levy, which showed the new ordinance was not necessary.

Dillman said there was also concern by some council members that while Levy does work with residents in getting violations corrected, he said a future code officer may not permit a person to correct the problem and just issue a citation.

"That's what they were afraid of," said Dillman.

Gotshall said of the vote, "It is a shame that our council let the residents of Frackville down with this vote. We now have an opportunity to be in real control of our community, and I am deeply disappointed that our board couldn't come to a consensus on this issue."

The communities of Pottsville, Mahanoy City, Shenandoah, Hazleton, West Hazleton and Reading have adopted similar ordinances. At its Nov. 8 meeting, Girardville approved advertising an ordinance similar to those in Shenandoah and Mahanoy City, with plans to formally adopt it at its December meeting.

Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street

To Ralph and Allison Vance, Frackville, a son, Oct. 24.

To Richard and Sonja Jones Ritter, Tamaqua, a daughter, Nov. 9.

A Pottsville man heard harsh words from the Schuylkill County judge who sentenced him on Monday to prison and additional probation for two separate sets of crimes.

"You've got to toe the line," Judge Charles M. Miller told Jamell C. Boyd, 30, after sentencing him to spend 11 1/2 to 23 months in prison, plus an additional 12 months on probation, for drug- and assault-related crimes.

Miller also sentenced Boyd to pay costs, a $100 fine, $100 each to the Substance Abuse Education Fund and the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account and $113 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem. The judge made the sentence effective at 9 a.m. Dec. 26 in order to give Boyd a chance to participate in the work release program.

Boyd had asked for the chance to work while behind bars, saying he has a job interview on Nov. 27 and wants to help his children.

"I want to be a positive role model for my kids," he testified. "The change has got to come from within me."

However, Miller did not like that Boyd has had his six children with four women, pays support for only one of the youngsters and lives with none of the women or children.

"Don't have any more children. You have plenty. You can't even raise them," Miller said. "Start being a dad. You have a lot of work to do. You're not accepting your responsibility as a father. You don't even understand what it is to be a father."

Boyd pleaded no contest on Oct. 18 to possession of a controlled substance, possession of a small amount of marijuana and disorderly conduct in one case and two counts of simple assault and one each of false imprisonment and harassment in the other. By pleading no contest, Boyd did not admit committing the crimes, but offered no defense to the charges, agree prosecutors had sufficient evidence to prove him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and agreed to be sentenced as if he had been convicted of, or pleaded guilty to, the offenses.

Pottsville police had charged Boyd with committing the first set of crimes on May 21, 2011, while Minersville police had charge him with committing the second set on Jan. 6.

Also on Monday, Miller sentenced Donald G. Baker Jr., 31, of Pottsville, to spend 12 months on probation, pay costs, a $50 CJEA payment and $1,917.31 restitution, perform 25 hours community service and undergo a mental health evaluation.

Baker pleaded guilty on Oct. 18 to criminal mischief. Pottsville police had charged him with vandalizing a police officer's private car on Nov. 15, 2011, in the city.

"It was a foolish thing to do," Miller told Baker.

Miller also sentenced Thomas M. Howard, 56, of Pottsville, on Monday to serve 18 months on probation, pay costs, a $50 CJEA payment and $2,901.16 restitution, and submit a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities.

Howard pleaded no contest on Oct. 18 to access device fraud, theft and receiving stolen property. Pottsville police had charged him with committing those crimes on Dec. 14, 2011, in the city.

Also on Monday, Miller sentenced Joseph E. Boris III, 22, of Pottsville, to spend 12 months on probation, pay costs, $50 in fines, a $50 CJEA payment and $1,152.17 restitution.

"Any time you come into court, these are serious matters," Miller told Boris. "You can't continue to act like a little kid."

Boris pleaded no contest on Oct. 18 to criminal mischief, harassment and purchase, consumption, possession or transportation of an alcoholic beverage. Pottsville police had charge him with damaging an automobile belonging to Michael Morgan on March 18, 2011, in the city.

"If he's not paid off (with restitution), I want to know why," MIller said of Morgan, who had told the judge he needed the money to have his car repaired.

n Hometown: The Rush Township tax office of Dolores Walck will be open from 10 to 11 a.m. and 5 to 6 p.m. Nov. 28. It will also be open from 10 to 11 a.m. and 5 to 6 p.m. Dec. 26, according to a release from Walck, who also said bills can be paid by mail to her office at 117 Cumberland Ave., Tamaqua, PA 18252, as long as they are postmarked by Dec. 31.

n Port Carbon: The Port Carbon Fire Department, 88 Washington St., will sponsor a Christmas tree sale beginning Saturday. The sale of Fraser firs and Douglas firs will go from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday to Friday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

n Ringtown: St Paul's United Church of Christ will host the annual community Thanksgiving Eve service at 7:30 p.m. today. The service will be led by the local clergy and will feature the Ringtown Community Chorus. Refreshments will follow. Attendees are asked to bring a non-perishable food item for the Ringtown Area Food Pantry.

n Saint Clair: The Schuylkill Transportation System will provide all fixed-route passengers with an opportunity to participate in Holiday Dollar Days special rides Nov. 23 and 30 and Dec. 7, 14 and 21. Fare-paying passengers who board any fixed-route bus will be able to ride all day, any time, any bus for $1, according to Joan M. Breslin, STS marketing and service support coordinator. Senior citizen passengers always ride free with their senior citizen bus passes and children up to age 8 also ride free. For children 9 to 12, the fee is 50 cents. All children must be accompanied by a fare-paying adult passenger. For more information about the rides or about scheduled time and pick up locations throughout the county, call STS at 800-832-3322 or locally at 570-429-2701.

n Schuylkill Haven: Penn State Schuylkill is inviting the local community, students, faculty and staff to attend the annual informative speech contest set for 7 p.m. Nov. 29 at the John E. Morgan Auditorium in the Student Community Center on campus. One student from each of the seven public speaking (CAS 100) classes will be selected to participate. Each will present his/her informative speech to the audience and to a panel of three judges from the local community, according to a campus press release. The judges will be provided with objective criteria through which they can judge each speech. Opening and closing remarks will be made by Dr. Valerie Schrader, assistant professor of communication arts and sciences. After deliberation, the judges will choose a first-, second- and third-place winner. The winning students will receive gift cards redeemable at the Penn State Schuylkill Bookstore. Light refreshments will be provided after the event. The contest celebrates the accomplishments of Penn State Schuylkill's public speaking students.

n Shenandoah: The Shenandoah Valley Student Council is sponsoring the sale of Christmas wreaths to benefit the Hillside SPCA, Pottsville. The sale includes the following items and prices: Decorated wreaths, $25; undecorated wreaths, $20; door charms-decorated centerpieces, $20 each; basket centerpieces, $18; window swags, $10. To order, contact any student council member or teacher Barb Boyer at 570-462-1957, ext. 3126. The delivery date is Dec. 6.

n Shenandoah: St. Michael Ukrainian Catholic Church is taking orders for nut or poppy rolls at $10 each, and apricot rolls at $10.50 each. Homemade bread is also available, baked fresh and frozen. The sale is by order only and the deadline to order is Dec. 7. Pickups will be on Dec. 18 in the church hall, 300 W. Oak St. To order or for more information, call the parish office at 570-462-0809.

n Tamaqua: The Tamaqua Community Arts Center will host a presentation titled "Musical Trip Around the World" 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the center, 125 Pine St. The musical tour guide, Barry Gangwer, will draw examples of music from or about places on every continent and tell stories about the music, the composer and the site depicted. The program will also feature slides of the various places. This is the first program in a series that will continue with "The Sounds of Unusual Instruments" on Dec. 4. The program on Dec. 11 will feature "Sounds of Christmas." For more information or reservations, contact the arts center at 570-668-1192.

n Tremont: Tremont's 21st annual community tree lighting will take place at 6:30 p.m. Saturday in Veterans Park, Main Street. The Tremont Community Band will play holiday music while children decorate the tree. A Children's Christmas Party will follow at 7 p.m. at the Clay Street borough building with Santa Claus, cookies and hot chocolate. Registration forms (birth to age 12) are available at Dee's Flowers and Tremont Area Library. Sponsored by Tremont Community Organization.

Altamont: The Altamont Fire Company will hold its monthly breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m. Sunday, at the firehouse, Morea Road near Frackville. The cost is $8 for adults and $4 for children under 12. The menu includes ham, sausage, bacon, scrapple, eggs, French toast and other fare. The company sponsors breakfasts on the fourth Sunday of the month. The next two will be held Dec. 23 and Jan. 27.

Frackville: St. Michael Ukrainian Catholic Church, Oak and Second streets, is taking orders for Christmas nut rolls to be picked up from 5 to 6 p.m. Dec. 15 and 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Dec. 16 at the church. The cost is $14 and varieties include English walnut, poppyseed, apricot, prune and seedless red raspberry. The deadline to order is Dec. 9. To order, call 570-874-2169.

Girardville: The Good Time Club is selling its annual Christmas ornament featuring Girard Hose Company No. 1, which is celebrating its 130th anniversary this year. The ornament may be purchased from any club member or by calling Jeanette at 570-276-6356 or Edna at 570-276-6430.

Mahanoy City: A few reservations are available for the bus trip to the Hunterdon Hills Christmas show set for Dec. 2, sponsored by the Mahanoy City Woman's Club. The bus will depart at 12:30 p.m. from the Service Electric Cablevision parking lot, West Centre Street. Participants must make their choice of a dinner menu at the time of the reservation. For reservations or more information, call Rose Kern at 570-773-3975.

Mechanicsville: Fire Chief Michael E. Welsh said recently installation of any alternative fuel-burning appliances such as pellet stoves, coal burners or wood burners need to have a permit and must be inspected by the appropriate municipal officials before the appliance can be used. The law applies to Mechanicsville and Port Carbon. For more information, contact Welsh at 570-628-2858.

Pottsville: Pottsville Area High School will host a financial aid night at 7 p.m. Nov. 29 in the high school auditorium, according to an announcement from Ellen T. King, post-secondary counselor. Parents of seniors and juniors should attend, she said, adding guest speakers will discuss changes in the FAFSA and local scholarship applications.

Pottsville: The Watoto Children's Choir from Africa is on a five-month tour of the eastern United States that will include performances in Auburn, Pottsville and Schuylkill Haven. In Auburn, the group will perform at 7 p.m. Saturday at St. Paul's Summer Hill United Church of Christ, 1235 Summer Hill Road. The Pottsville performance will be at 10:15 a.m. Sunday at Evangelical United Methodist Church, 305 S. Centre St. The choir will perform at 6 p.m. Sunday at First United Methodist Church, 420 Saylor St., Schuylkill Haven. According to a release, the choir "acts as Watoto ambassadors to raise awareness about the plight of the orphaned and vulnerable children of Africa." Watoto is a holistic child-care solution initiated to serve the needs of "Africa and her people." Each of the children in the choir has suffered the loss of one or both parents. They live in Watoto children's villages, where they receive the care and nurturing they need to grow up as productive citizens, according to the release.

Saint Clair: The annual Santa arrival and lighting of the community Christmas tree is set for 6 p.m. Sunday at Admiral Boone Park, South Third Street. A new Christmas tree, which was donated by Reading Anthracite Co. in memory of Jack and Terry Rich, was planted in Boone Park in October, organizers said in a release. The Cressona Band will lead Santa to the park where the St. Clare of Assisi Roman Catholic Church Choir will perform at 5:30 p.m. Two lucky children will help Santa light the tree, after which Santa will be at the St. Clare of Assisi church hall, Hancock and Mill streets, for treats and refreshments. Everyone is welcome.

Schuylkill Haven: Neighbors Helping Neighbors, a partnership among Catholic Charities, the Diocese of Allentown and St. Joseph Medical Center, will offer a free presentation on elder abuse/elder fraud from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 3 at Lori's Angels Conference Center. In a press release, Catholic Charities' Dave Dagon said the presentation is for family members, caregivers, volunteers and any other interested community members and professionals. An RSVP to Joanne at 570-628-0466, ext. 306, is required.

Woman faces

several charges

A 28-year-old woman was committed to Schuylkill County Prison on charges of theft, receiving stolen property and possession of drug paraphernalia after Pottsville police investigated a complaint that she was soliciting funds Tuesday on the 100 block of East Norwegian Street.

Police said Michaela Hasenhauer, no known address, was going door-to-door Tuesday collecting money while claiming to represent a local sports team.

She was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker, Shenandoah, and committed to prison in lieu of $15,000, 10 percent bail.

Pottsville police remind residents to use caution when dealing with any home solicitations. All suspicious activities should be reported to the police department by calling the non-emergency number at the Schuylkill County Communications Center at 570-628-3792.

Police arrest

Hamburg woman

HAMBURG - Tare Marie Flammer, 22, of Hamburg, was taken into custody by state police at Hamburg on a warrant for 10 unauthorized access device transactions totaling $1,168 at four locations in Berks and Dauphin counties between Aug. 16 and Aug. 24.

Tamaqua woman

injured in crash

FRACKVILLE - An 81-year-old Tamaqua woman suffered moderate injuries and was flown to St. Luke's Hospital, Bethlehem, after her vehicle struck a Rush Township police vehicle at 12:56 p.m. Wednesday on Route 309 and Ye Old Dam Road in Rush Township.

State police at Frackville said June Camerini was driving a 1998 Toyota and pulled out in front of a 2011 Crown Victoria driven by Sgt. Dwayne Frederick, Rush Township police, on northbound Route 309.

Police said both drivers were wearing seat belts and Frederick was not injured. The Camry sustained moderate damage and had to be towed from the scene while the police vehicle sustained only light damage.

Assisting at the scene were Hometown and Tamaqua fire companies and Tamaqua EMS, police said.

Woman hurt

in Haven crash

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN - A 68-year-old New Ringgold woman was transported to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street after a two-vehicle collision at 2 p.m. Wednesday on Chestnut Road, 180 feet northeast of Gun Club Road, West Brunswick Township.

State police at Schuylkill Haven said Matthew P. McTiernan, 25, of Frackville, was driving a 2011 Chevrolet Aveo north on Chestnut Road and attempted to make a left turn into the parking lot of Harding Farm Market, striking a 1998 Mercury Sable driven by Matthew R. Mackintosh, 42, of Staten Island, south on Chestnut Road.

Police said Rachel M. Mackintosh, a passenger in the Sable, was taken to the hospital. Police said David W. Selsman, 43, of New Ringgold, was also a passenger in the vehicle but was not hurt. McTiernan, who also escaped injury, was cited for the accident.

Assisting at the scene were Orwigsburg EMS, Orwigsburg Fire Department and fire police.

Antiquated equipment. Rising health care costs. Inflation.

The creepy spectres of revenue-syphoning line items have haunted city officials for years, forcing the City of Pottsville to increase taxes in 2011 and 2012.

And they are rising again.

After an hour-long budget meeting workshop at City Hall on Tuesday afternoon, City Clerk Julie D. Rescorla added up what the budget might be if all department requests - plus all of that - is taken into account: $8,478,229.

"That number will probably change," Rescorla said.

Otherwise, the city may have to increase taxes again in 2013.

The 2012 budget was $8,058,299. According to the Schuylkill County website, the millage rate was 18.47 mills, or $18.47 for every $1,000 of assessed property value.

"We don't want to see a tax increase," Councilman Michael Halcovage said.

The council may know better if another hike is needed at its second budget workshop scheduled for 4 p.m. Monday at second-floor conference room in City Hall.

Trends

Right off the bat, City Administrator Thomas A. Palamar said health care, insurance costs and pension contributions will increase next year.

"There's some big numbers that have come in that are a little troubling to us," he said.

The city has 60 full-time employees.

So far, the city has paid more than $1 million for health care in 2012, Rescorla said. Palamar said it will go up an average of 17 percent in 2013.

"I think they're blaming it on the federal health care mandates and some requirements that are being placed upon the providers, as well as employers, to jack that number up," Palamar said. "The good news for us is, even though it's a 17 percent increase, we're only looking at that 17 percent for half of the year. Our renewal is July 1."

Concerning insurance, including workers' compensation, liability and property insurance, the city paid $340,903 in 2012. In 2013, it will go up to $430,607 - a 21 percent increase, or $89,704, Rescorla said.

Palamar said the brunt of that was workers' compensation.

"Workers' comp went from $134,210 to $221,569," he said.

Looking at pension contributions, the city paid $417,511 in 2012. In 2013, it will go up $246,291, for a total of $663,802, a 22.7 percent increase, according to Rescorla.

"It's the stock market. And this pension crisis is the same for every employer in the world," Palamar said.

Revenue questions

Uncertain expected 2013 revenue is a big problem Rescorla and Palamar have in preparing the budget.

In July, the Schuylkill County Tax Collection Committee officially dropped the Central Tax Bureau of Pennsylvania, "Centax," as its local services tax collector. Centax was failing to process tax bills in a timely manner. Since then, the committee hired Berkheimer Associates, Bangor, Northampton County, for the job.

"We're still dealing with the Centax debacle," Rescorla said.

She couldn't estimate how much revenue to expect in 2013 because she wasn't sure how much it received to date in 2012.

"We think we have all of our money. What we don't know is who didn't actually submit returns," Rescorla said.

"We base our revenues on what we received. Some of it's on projection but it's usually based on actuals," Palamar said. "We don't have the actuals and we felt a bit uncomfortable coming to you with a revenue sheet today."

Palamar and Rescorla only presented Mayor John D.W. Reiley and the council members and city department heads who showed up with a tentative list of expenditures Tuesday.

Public safety

The City of Pottsville hasn't given its fire companies an increase in contributions since 2008, Kurt Shelhamer, Yorkville Hose Company captain, said at the workshop session.

Shelhamer was there with city Fire Chief Todd March. There are seven fire companies in the city with about 150 volunteers, Shelhamer said.

"Just as the city is experiencing increases in costs, so are the city's fire departments, and $22,230 per department per year doesn't cover our expenses," Shelhamer said. "That's why our fundraising is so vital."

The city had eight fire companies in 2007, giving each an allotment of $21,409.50.

In 2008, the city still had eight fire companies, and the city gave them a 5 percent increase with each company receiving $22,230, Shelhamer said.

In 2009, one of the city's fire companies, Greenwood Hill, went out of service. That year, the city gave the remaining seven companies an allotment of $22,230 each. The allotment that would have been given to Greenwood Hill was divided among the other seven companies, coming to $3,175 per company, Shelhamer said. After that year, the Greenwood Hill allotment ceased.

The seven fire companies each received a $22,230 in 2010, 2011 and 2012. Shelhamer and March asked the city to consider a 5 percent increase in the allotment for the companies in 2013.

"In the overall scheme of things, it's not that much money," Shelhamer said. "We're not asking for anything more than you're giving other departments, except we haven't gotten an increase in the last few years."

Old equipment

The computer software used by the city accounts and finance department is vintage 1999, Rescorla said.

"We've been limping along," Palamar said.

"In terms of computers, it's like hundreds of years old," Rescorla said.

"It's computer BC, but we make it work," Palamar said. "The reality of it is, it really is unsupported software. We make it work because people here just understand it and they know how to make it work."

But other departments are complaining about antiquated equipment as well.

The city police want to buy two new cruisers. The streets department would like to replace a truck that's been in use since 1987. The parks department would like a new lawn tractor, according to the agenda handed out at the meeting.

David A. Plachko

PORT CARBON - A New Philadelphia man is headed for Schuylkill County Court after a preliminary hearing Nov. 15 on charges resulting from two separate incidents this year in his hometown.

Willis A. Fredericks Jr., 45, of 58 Wiggan St., faces charges of aggravated assault and simple assault in one case and a charge of resisting arrest in the other. Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko ordered all charges held for court after a preliminary hearing.

State police at Frackville filed both sets of charges against Fredericks.

In the first, they allege that Fredericks committed the assault on Aug. 6, while in the second, they allege he resisted arrest on Sept. 27.

Fredericks sits in prison in lieu of $50,000 straight cash bail pending further court action.

Other defendants whose cases Plachko considered on Nov. 15, the charges against each one and the judge's dispositions of the matters included:

Christine L. Carranza, 36, of 814 W. Race St., Pottsville - retail theft and receiving stolen property; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

James C. Coleman, 43, of 114 Walnut St., Tuscarora - terroristic threats, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, reckless driving and two counts of harassment; charges dismissed.

Brooke C. Ditzler, 19, of 296 N. Eighth St., Pottsville - driving under the influence, minor prohibited from operating with alcohol, driving unregistered vehicle, disregarding traffic lane and purchase, consumption, possession or transportation of an alcoholic beverage by a minor; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Jamie Ludwig, 31, of 142 North St., Minersville - retail theft; right to preliminary hearing waived, charge bound over for court.

Emily Muniz, 22, of 816 W. Ninth St., Hazleton - receiving stolen property and retail theft; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Kelli L. Nettles, 41, of 504 N. Delaware Ave., Minersville - DUI and reckless driving; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Kelly S. Roos, 39, of 1526 Mount Hope Ave., Pottsville - DUI and no headlights; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Robert J. Rountree, 43, of 49 Water St., New Philadelphia - simple assault; charge held for court after preliminary hearing.

William R. Thompson, 47, of 410 Kanter St., Minersville - aggravated assault, defiant trespass and two counts each of simple assault and harassment; right to preliminary hearing waived, aggravated assault charge withdrawn, other charges bound over for court.

Kayla Wallace, 21, of 211 McComb St., New Philadelphia - simple assault and harassment; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

William A. Wallace, 22, of 420 E. Race St., Pottsville - attempted burglary, attempted criminal trespass, criminal mischief and two counts of conspiracy; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

Robert F. Willie III, 24, of 344 Sunbury St. Apt. 3, Minersville - possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.

David R. Baldinger wants taxpayers in Schuylkill County and elsewhere in Pennsylvania to join him in an effort to eliminate school property taxes permanently.

"This is as close to a taxpayer initiative as you're going to get," Baldinger, Reading, said Tuesday in an interview with The Republican-Herald Editorial Board. "This is our legislation."

Baldinger is a spokesman for the Pennsylvania Coalition of Taxpayer Associations, a nonpartisan alliance of 76 local groups that are pushing for an end to what they believe is the unconstitutional and outdated system of using property taxes to fund the Keystone State's schools.

"What we have lacked in the past was a real grassroots component," state Sen. David Argall, R-29, said of the effort to eliminate school property taxes.

The coalition is campaigning for passage of the Property Tax Independence Act, as proposed in House Bill 1776 and Senate Bill 1400. Although the bills stalled in committees during the 2012 legislative session, each will be reintroduced in January.

Under the proposed legislation, the state income tax would be increased to 4.34 percent from 3.07 percent, and the state sales tax would be raised to 7 percent from 6 percent and cover more goods and services. Proponents say that according to the analysis by the state Independent Fiscal Office, those increases would exactly compensate for the lost revenues.

"(It's a) dollar for dollar replacement for every school district," Baldinger said. "Whatever the school district loses ... they'll get right back again."

Baldinger said the continuation of school property taxes would be terrible for Pennsylvania.

"It's a great burden for small business. It's going to be totally unsustainable for homeowners as well as for small business," Baldinger said.

Argall and Berks County state Rep. Jim Cox, R-129, who were each re-elected Nov. 6, are the prime sponsors of the Senate and House bills.

"There has been traditionally a lack of political courage," Argall said in explaining why such measures have not succeeded in the past.

However, with reassessments generating controversy in the state's two most populous counties, Philadelphia and Allegheny, there might be more support for the legislation, according to Argall.

"They now start to understand our pain a little bit," he said.

The legislation also would limit increases in school budgets to the rate of inflation, Baldinger said. While it would stop school boards from raising taxes at will, it would allow them to impose an earned income tax for special projects for a specified time that could not exceed four years, Baldinger said.

Some groups, most notably the Pennsylvania State Education Association and the Pennsylvania School Boards Association, are opposing the proposal, Baldinger said.

"The special interests were out in full force" to stop the legislation, Baldinger said.

Argall said opponents do not always have specific reasons for their positions.

"Some of it's just fear of change," he said. "This is a complete revamp."

While he would not mind ending all property taxes, Baldinger said the coalition is focusing on school property taxes because they are the largest chunk of them and that the thousands of municipalities across Pennsylvania have different requirements.

Argall said that municipalities have strict ceilings on the amounts of taxes they can levy.

Baldinger said approximately 10,000 families lose their homes in Pennsylvania every year due to property taxes, and the state should not allow that to continue.

"The best thing we can do for this state is to get rid of the property tax altogether," he said.

Argall agreed that eliminating school property taxes would benefit everyone, especially senior citizens.

"It's an unfair tax, it's an archaic tax, it's a hated tax," he said.

Before leaving for the holiday break, elementary teachers throughout Schuylkill County made sure their students understood the meaning of Thanksgiving.

On Tuesday, the first-grade classrooms of Regina Freiler and Bev Dillow at Pottsville Area School District's John S. Clarke Elementary Center celebrated their own Thanksgiving with a play, song and dance, and a meal prepared by the teachers.

"Every year we do this together, to teach them about the very first Thanksgiving. We tell them that the Pilgrims and Native Americans came together because they were thankful for the harvest," Dillow said.

Dressed as Pilgrims or American Indians, the students sat across from each other as their desks circled the room. Each said what he or she was thankful for before digging into portions of turkey, corn bread, popcorn, pumpkin bread and cranberries

"Many of them participate in Thanksgiving at home but don't know why. We try to explain it to them," Dillow said.

Freiler said it was important for the students to learn about the holiday.

"It's the founding of our country," Freiler said. The students seemed to understand the concept of Thanksgiving.

"I'm thankful for my family," Faith Toothaker said.

Toothaker also said she learned about all the hardships the Pilgrims faced on the long journey to America.

"I am thankful for our veterans," Olivia Peleschak said.

Peleschak said she enjoys spending time with her family on Thanksgiving.

"I am thankful for my friends," Samarra Reedy said.

Reedy said her favorite part of her family's Thanksgiving meal is the corn.

Jessica Johnson said she was thankful for her imagination.

"I'm looking forward to spending time with my family," Johnson said.

At Blue Mountain Elementary East, the first-grade students in Jennifer Oswald's classroom wrote what they were thankful for on a paper turkey feather, which became part of a giant paper turkey on the wall.

Oswald said Thanksgiving was tied to a social studies lesson all month about the difference between wants and needs.

"We wanted to explain to them that there's a reason why we are off of school," Oswald said. "We did a lot of history and showed them what it was like to live on the Mayflower."

The giant turkey project was organized by Colleen Kiernan, a student teacher from Kutztown University.

"I just thought that it was a creative way for them to express themselves and see what others were thankful for. Not everyone is thankful for the same thing. They were excited to see the finished product," Kiernan said.

"It's such a major holiday and sometimes it gets overlooked and the meaning is lost."

While the students were thankful for many different things, each answer reflected what they had been learning in their social studies lesson. Some of the students, and what they were thankful for this year included: Brody Haskin, his family; Jillian Gipe, God; Delaney Courcelle, her cat; Abbey Caracappa, her mom; and Tyler Sifeller, his family.

Also at Blue Mountain East, students in the third-grade class of Emily Caracappa made miniature paper turkeys with one thing they were thankful for on each feather.

"I wanted them to think beyond the toys and video games and tell me what they were really thankful for," Caracappa said Monday. "I was really proud with what they said. I think now that they are a little older, they understand it is not just about eating but to be thankful."

Jonathon Rauch, a student teacher from Kutztown University, organized the project.

"There's so many things in life, it is easy to overlook the simple things," Rauch said. "I think they really enjoyed the project and it was really good for them to self-reflect. It was nice to see what they were all thankful for and see what their classmates were thankful for. Maybe it was something that they didn't even think about before."

Across the hall in Shannan Burcik's fourth-grade classroom, Norah Gohsler said she was thankful for all the food and spending time with her family on Thanksgiving. John Bachert also said he was thankful for his family and enjoys playing with his friends and family on the holiday.

Carter Gelches was thankful for many things, including his family, two dogs and imagination.

"I look forward to turkey and celebrating with my family," Gelches said. "But mostly turkey, it puts me to sleep every time."

Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street

To Craig and Angela Fike Lengle, Schuylkill Haven, a daughter, Sept. 9.

Geisinger Medical Center

To Dino DeGennaro and Tamie Woodruff, Ashland, a son, Nov. 9.

To Timothy Becker and Erica Onusconage, Catawissa, a daughter, Nov. 13. Grandparents are Robert and Dolores Becker, Frackville, and John and Ruthann Onusconage, Wilburton.

To Ty A. Zerby and Caitlin R. Johnson, Kulpmont, a son, Nov. 15. Maternal grandparents are Robert and Donna Miller, Kulpmont, paternal grandparents are Brian and Deb Zerby, Mount Carmel, and George and Jessica Troutman, Ashland.

Holy Spirit Hospital, Camp Hill

To Cristian Gonzalez and Kimberly Ann Kessler, Mechanicsburg, a daughter, Nov. 2. Grandparents are Joseph and Jean Kessler, Girardville, and Marty and Virginia Honegger, Camp Hill area.

by peter e. bortner

A Schuylkill County judge has lowered the fair market values of two properties in the South Manheim Township section of Lake Wynonah.

In a six-page opinion filed Wednesday, Judge John E. Domalakes reduced the values of 1947 Wynonah Drive and 1949 Wynonah Drive, which are each owned by Igor and Nora Maidansky, Lake Wynonah, to $55,000 and $40,000, respectively. Each property had been valued at $113,520 by the county Board of Assessment Appeals.

"Taxpayers have overcome the presumption of validity of the county's tax determination," Domalakes wrote.

Domalakes' decision means lower tax bills for the Maidanskys and lower tax receipts for the county, township and Schuylkill Haven Area School District.

In his opinion, Domalakes wrote that he accepted as credible the testimony of Judith Barket, a licensed real estate appraiser, as to the properties' values.

The 0.5-acre property at 1947 and the 0.4-acre property at 1949 flank one on which the Maidanskys' home sits, according to Domalakes. However, 1947 and 1949 each failed a percolation test and, as a result, are usable only for accessory uses to the main property, Domalakes wrote.

The properties, for which the Maidanskys had paid $120,000 each in 2011, are on Lake Wynonah but are steeply sloped, Domalakes wrote.

Barket concluded that 1947 has the higher value because it has a garage and boat dock while 1949 is vacant, and Domalakes concurred with her findings.

Deer Lake Mayor Michael Cooper received one of the state's first Bronze Star license plates Tuesday.

The plates, made available by Act 103 of 2012, allow military veterans who earned certain achievements, including the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Bronze Star for Valor, Distinguished Service Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross, Navy Cross and Air Force Cross, to obtain specialty license plates showing their awards.

"Mayor Cooper first brought this issue to my attention and I'm pleased to see it finally signed into law," state Sen. David Argall, R-29, said. "These new license plates are another way for our veterans to proudly display their achievements."

Argall, along with state Reps. Mike Tobash, R-125, Jerry Knowles, R-124, and Neal P. Goodman, D-123, gave Cooper one of the first 10 plates distributed. Cooper received the plate at the senator's Pottsville office.

Argall, who sponsored the Senate version of the new law in 2009, Senate Bill 468, said the matter was first raised in 2005 by state Rep. William Adolph, R-165, with House Bill 1552. The bill failed to pass.

Cooper, who served in the Army from 1991 to 2006 and last served in Iraq, said he has supported the legislation since 2005.

While Cooper supported the legislation from the beginning, it wasn't until 2009 when he asked Argall to support it.

"People are always saying, 'Where do ideas for legislation come from?' " Argall said. "It took a little longer than we would have planned."

Argall said the Senate version he sponsored mirrored the original bill by Adolph. Knowles co-sponsored the House version of the bill this year that Gov. Tom Corbett signed into law during a ceremony Nov. 12 at the Pennsylvania National Guard's Keystone Conference Center at Fort Indiantown Gap. The bill was one of seven pertaining to veterans signed by Corbett that day.

"I hope I speak on behalf of fellow veterans and myself. We're glad that there is an option for us now to display our military accomplishments," Cooper said. "These new plates recognize some of the highest military awards for all branches of service, and it allows the veteran the choice whether they want to display these accomplishments or not. I would like to thank Sen. Argall and all the others for their support in getting this bill passed."

The legislators highlighted Cooper's activism on behalf of his fellow veterans.

"I'm happy to see someone from our area being instrumental and one of the first people to be the beneficiary of this legislation," Tobash said. "Many of our service men and women have been honored by our military and it's great to see that more people will recognize their commitment and dedication to our country."

"The Bronze Star Medal can only be awarded to a soldier who has actually been in a combat situation," Goodman said. "Because Marines are ground pounders, the Bronze Star is highly coveted, regarded and well-respected by all who earn it."

Veterans who are interested in a specialty plates can visit Argall's website, www.senatorargall.com, or call his office at 1-877-DARGALL (327-4255).