Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street

To Solomon and Katie Downey Peel, Mahanoy City, a daughter, Dec. 4.

To Matthew Andrews and Holly Shoemaker, Pottsville, a son Dec. 6.

To Kevin Fontinel and Jody Fidler, Auburn, a son, Dec. 6.

To Mike Kosick and Angela Sedicino, Schuylkill Haven, a daughter, Dec. 16.

To Sean Black and Christine Turolis, Pottsville, a son, Dec. 16.

To Matthew Tassone and Danielle E. Moe, Minersville, a son, Dec. 17.

Geisinger Medical Center, Danville

To Phillip M. and Melissa A. Weand Strouse, Shenandoah Heights, a son, Dec. 4.

Cushing Memorial Hospital, Leavenworth, Kansas

To Everett and Melissa Pothering Maness, Pottsville, formerly of Leavenworth, a son, Oct. 31.

Lenny McHugh can now easily go to concerts.

The 67-year-old Pottsville man, who is blind due to a genetic disease, depends upon his guide dog, Toga, to help him walking. However, while the dog makes up for his lack of his visual sense, the animal's keen sense of hearing usual kept him out of musical performances.

"I never went to concerts," McHugh said. "I would ask, should I take Toga or shouldn't I? I can now.

"I went to a Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert and put cotton in Toga's ears, but the cotton wasn't comfortable for her," McHugh said.

McHugh would have to leave Toga, 7, or his previous guide dogs, Michah and Indy, at home or he would not go at all.

Recently, he learned about Mutt Muffs and bought a set two weeks ago for his dog.

Mutt Muffs, which harness to the animal's head and look like headphones, muffle sounds but do not completely eliminate noise. Toga can still hear commands.

Mutt Muffs normally cost $50 to $60 and are sized from extra small to extra large to fit any type of dog.

Mutt Muffs were created in 2005 by Safe and Sound Pets when the founder, Michele Mcguire, decided to start taking their dog on airplane rides and the question arose, "How loud is your cockpit?"

After a few prototypes, the final design of Mutt Muffs was created in 2005.

The first time McHugh used Mutt Muffs on his guide dog was at a Pottsville Area High School band concert earlier this month.

McHugh bought Mutt Muffs about two weeks ago after he found out about them on a guide dog user list. Those on the list use Mutt Muffs for different types of occasions, including hunting, fireworks and for those who are in bands.

McHugh was born with Retinitis Pigmentosa, which affects a person's night and peripheral vision. For much of his life, McHugh had relied on his cane rather than a freedom guide dog to get around.

"I always liked dogs, but I was a little skeptical about trusting one with my life," McHugh said on his website, www.lennymchugh.com.

McHugh finally looked into a guide dog after a surgery made his arms much weaker. After a year of physical therapy, he had only gained 40 percent of his movement back in his left arm and realized that in order to gain his independence back, he would need to have a guide dog. McHugh obtained his first guide dog, Indy, in April 1998.

Toga was sponsored by the Saratoga Lions Club. The club, who named the dog, thought Sara was too common of a dog name and decided on Toga.

"I'm glad they didn't name her Saratoga because it would be a mouthful to direct her," McHugh said. "Saratoga sit, Saratoga right, Saratoga left, you know?"

MAHANOY CITY - William Killian Jr. of Humane Fire Company No. 1 was named Mahanoy City Fire Department Person of the Year on Friday during an awards ceremony.

Killian, who serves as assistant fire chief and president of his company, received the award from Thomas Ward, the 2012 recipient.

Ward said Killian comes from a long line of firefighters and has served his company for more than 45 years. He started as a firefighter, then foreman - or captain as called in today's fire service - and then to assistant chief.

He has also been instrumental in the administrative side of the company, serving as president for the past two years and spearheading various fundraising and other activities.

Ward said Killian was a member of the department when he joined and has always been a dedicated firefighter and fair fire officer.

"I have always had an admiration and respect for this man," Ward said.

He said Killian has taken classes at the state Fire Academy in Lewisburg that included structural firefighting and officer command and can be seen at every fire call outside directing operations along with Chief Randy Kalce and other assistant fire chiefs.

Ward said Killian was instrumental in his company changing over to large diameter hose, or LDS, that is seen on most fire engines today, obtaining and training on self-contained breathing apparatus or air packs and making the use of thermal imaging cameras a common practice.

In accepting the award, Killian said that in his more than four decades as a firefighter in Mahanoy City, he has watched the department evolve to the professional organization it is today.

"I have seen it come a long way since I first started," he said.

Killian said as an assistant fire chief, he has the opportunity to work not only with his own company but also with members of the borough's other four fire companies.

The department's degree of professionalism and training ranks with the best departments in the country, he said.

"You are one of the best equipped and trained," he said. "You are as good as anyone anywhere."

"You guys and girls made this department very proud," he concluded.

Before the presentation, Kalce addressed more than 50 firefighters attending, saying that as of Dec. 15, the department responded to 283 incidents, down from 301 in 2012.

He highlighted several incidents including the August fire that destroyed the Washington Hook and Ladder Company aerial device and building, a large fire at what once was the General Cigar Co. and an East Centre Street fire that claimed the lives of two people.

For that fire, Kalce said firefighters were able to rescue a handicapped man and received awards from the Six County Firefighters Association and two others also received the Spirit of Courage Award.

During each of the incidents, Kalce said there were no significant safety incidents involving members of the department.

"Hats off to everyone," Kalce said. "I am proud to be the chief."

HARRISBURG - Gov. Tom Corbett signed into law Wednesday legislation requiring carbon monoxide alarms in most residential properties.

Senate Bill 607, which establishes the Carbon Monoxide Alarm Standards Act, was sponsored by Sen. Pat. Browne, R-16, with Sen. David Argall, R-29, serving as co-sponsor.

The bill requires carbon monoxide alarms in residential properties that burn fossil fuels as a heating source or have an attached garage. It also requires a disclosure regarding the installation of carbon monoxide detectors in the statement about a property when it is being sold.

Argall said this issue hits home for many Pennsylvanians.

"Many of us know local people who have tragically lost their lives through carbon monoxide poisoning," Argall said.

The Senate Urban and Housing Committee, which is chaired by Argall, unanimously approved the bill in March.

Nationally, carbon monoxide poisoning results in nearly 400 deaths and 20,000 emergency room visits each year. The odorless, tasteless and colorless gas is produced by several household appliances, including water heaters, cooking ranges, wood-burning stoves, fuel-burning space heaters, furnaces, as well as automobile engines. When trapped in a closed space, like an idling car in a garage, the gas becomes dangerous, yet is often undetected.

The new law takes effect immediately.

Car damaged

in Shenandoah

SHENANDOAH - Borough police are investigating a hit-and-run incident that occurred Sunday at Gilbert and West Oak streets.

Police said a 16-year-old Ringtown boy reported that his 2002 Pontiac Sunfire was parked on South Gilbert Street facing north but when he went to get into it about 7 p.m. he noticed that it was on the curb and the rear passenger side bumper and tail light were damaged.

Anyone with information about the hit-and-run is asked to call police.

Woman injured

in I-81 crash

TREMONT - A Clayton, N.C., woman suffered minor injuries in a one-vehicle accident on Interstate 81 south on Dec. 16 in Tremont Township, police said in a release Monday.

State police at Jonestown said Gloria J. Drolet, 64, was southbound at 9:33 a.m. in the right lane of I-81 when she lost consciousness while rounding a slight right curve in the roadway. Police said the 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan that Drolet was driving drifted onto the west shoulder of the roadway and across both southbound lanes.

Police said the van struck a guide rail on the east shoulder before spinning counterclockwise across both lanes and coming to rest facing northwest in the right lane.

Police said Drolet, who was wearing a seat belt, was taken to Schuylkill Medical Center-East Norwegian Street by Tremont EMS for treatment. Police said the woman will be cited for failure to drive on roadways laned for traffic as a result of the crash.

Charges pending

in traffic stop

RINGTOWN - Charges against a Shenandoah man are pending the outcome of a blood-alcohol test following a vehicle stop Saturday night on Pattersonville Road in Union Township, police said.

State police at Frackville said Juan Zamudio Ruiz, 41, was stopped at 11:35 p.m. for a traffic violation, and police said the man was under the influence of alcohol. He was taken Schuylkill Medical Center for a blood-alcohol test, police said.

New Philly man

charged in dispute

NEW PHILADELPHIA - A borough man was charged with harassment in connection with an incident that occurred at 8 p.m. Sunday on Water Street, police said.

State police at Frackville allege Thomas Colton, 64, was involved in a physical domestic dispute with a 36-year-old New Philadelphia woman. A non-traffic citation was filed against Colton through the office of Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko, Port Carbon.

Hamburg man

stopped on Rt. 61

SHOEMAKERSVILLE - A Hamburg man was stopped for a vehicle code violation and arrest on suspicion of DUI Monday evening at Route 61 and Zweizig Road in Perry Township, Berks County, police said.

State police at Hamburg said Joseph Dunlap, 32, was stopped at 8:08 p.m. Charges are pending the outcome of blood test results, police said.

Gregory L. Wabo said he'll never forget Christmas 2011.

He spent that Yuletide at Schuylkill County Prison in Pottsville, while serving a nine-month sentence on drug charges.

"I remember I was looking forward to lunch. I heard they were supposed to do something special. And they gave us these two little round things. It was supposed to taste like ham. It was some kind of turkey ground up and processed. It was garbage. And when you're in prison, you're stuck in there," Wabo, 43, of Pottsville, said Dec. 17.

While the prison kitchen staff and the local chapter of the Salvation Army make a few efforts to remind the prison's 258 inmates - 211 men and 47 women - that there's something special about Dec. 25, Christmas in jail isn't supposed to be festive, prison Warden Eugene W. Berdanier said Dec. 17.

"Christmas is difficult in a correctional setting, obviously for people being away from their families. We try to recognize it without going to extremes. You don't want to make the environment look too Christmassy. That could add to their anxiety of them not enjoying it with their family and friends. We don't go overboard with decorating the facility. We try to, essentially, make it as low key as possible," Berdanier said.

While the thought might bring a tear to a mother's eye, not all are opposed to it.

The morning of Dec. 17, there were snowflakes in the air as Kate Bardo, Ringtown, stood outside the castle-like fortress at 230 Sanderson St., Pottsville.

She was waiting for the guards to call her name and give her the opportunity to visit her son, William Navitsky, 22, of Shenandoah, one of the inmates.

"He got picked up on a parole violation," Bardo said.

He's been in county prison more than a month, she said.

"He doesn't talk about how difficult it is or anything like that. All he says is how overcrowded it is and how the food is terrible," Bardo said.

Despite that, she had no plans to bail him out for the holidays.

"He could have gotten out, but we left him in there. We could have bailed him out but we decided it was better to teach him a lesson," Bardo said.

Just another day

At the Schuylkill County Prison, Christmas Day will, for the most part, be like any other day, Berdanier said.

The only decoration the prison staff put up earlier this month to mark the season was a green wreath as big as a sailboat life preserver. It's on the wall near the visiting rooms.

The kitchen will add a little something special to the lunch menu on Christmas Day, according to Alicia Watson, the prison's food service director.

"We'll have T-ham. It's turkey ham. It's a turkey product. We'll also have mashed sweet potatoes, peas and carrots, bread and butter and they're getting iced pumpkin cake," Watson said.

The mashed sweet potatoes and the pumpkin cake are the special menu items, she said.

"And we bake our own cakes," Watson said.

Watson said she makes an effort to do a little something special for inmates on holidays.

"At Thanksgiving, I made potato bread filling for the inmates. I try to do a little bit of something from home, something they don't have when they're here," she said.

This week, the inmates will also be given gifts from the local Salvation Army, according to Lisa Mills, a part-time staff member at Salvation Army Pottsville Corps.

"We deliver slipper socks to inmates. We drop them off at the prison December 23," Mills said recently.

Gregory's story

At an office run by Recovery Edge Inc. in Pottsville, Wabo told his story Dec. 17.

"I got caught selling drugs. I used to be a heroin addict. I was a slave to heroin," Wabo said.

In 2011, he was selling prescription Ativan on the street to afford to buy heroin to support his habit.

"They were my pills, pills that were prescribed to me. I was selling my pills. It was for ADD, Attention Deficit Disorder. And I used the money from that, all the money I had and my food stamps just to get heroin. I got it from dealers on the streets. I don't even remember their names anymore and I'm glad because I don't want to talk to them people anymore," Wabo said.

On Oct. 13, 2011, Wabo was one of eight people city police arrested as part of an ongoing investigation of prescription drug sales.

Pottsville police charged Wabo with selling $10 worth of a prescription drug to a confidential informant on Aug. 12, 2011, in the city, and $20 worth of a second prescription drug to a confidential informant on Aug. 30, 2011, according to newspaper archives.

He was jailed on $20,000 bail.

To pass the time, he said he read the Bible.

For the most part, when you're stuck in prison, he said, what you think about is "being out here."

"And I thought about all the heroin stuff I did. I decided I didn't want to do that stuff anymore. Sometimes I have those memories in the back of my head and they make me cry. I don't want to go back to shooting heroin again. I drink a beer once in a while, but I don't want to get back into that," Wabo said.

Young people don't think about the reality of time in prison or the consequences of using illegal drugs, he said.

"You know, I wish they would. They don't know what it is to be up there. That place is not fun and they don't understand the reality of what recovery really is," Wabo said.

Christmas in county jail can wear on inmates in different ways, Wabo said.

"Some people get angry. Some are calm. I had good cellmates. Mostly people left me alone in there and I pretty much stayed to myself. I was calm. I was just waiting for my time to get out of there," Wabo said.

He heard inmates at the county prison were supposed to get a gift of some sort.

"I heard it was supposed to be a pair of socks, but all we got was a deck of cards," he said.

In June 2012, before Schuylkill County Judge Charles M. Miller, Wabo pleaded guilty to two counts each of delivery of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance. Miller sentenced him to nine to 23 months in prison.

"I spent a year in prison. I got nine months, but I had to wait in there until I found a place to stay," Wabo said.

Recovery Edge offered Wabo an apartment in Pottsville until he got back on his feet. Today, he works in the Pottsville area as a janitor.

This Christmas, he has a waist-high artificial tree strung with lights at his home in Pottsville. "This year, I got a whole turkey for Thanksgiving. I'm getting a lot better with my budget and things are working out for me," Wabo said.

Rebecca Margerum

ELIZABETHVILLE - A Lykens man charged with driving by another man on several occasions and pointing a handgun at him waived his right to a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Rebecca Margerum.

Lee Donald Gass, 52, of 904 Main St., was arrested by state police Trooper Anthony Chomiszewski of the Lykens station and charged with simple assault, disorderly conduct, recklessly endangering another person and harassment.

By waiving his right to a hearing, Gass will have to answer to all four charges against him in Dauphin County Court.

Chomiszewski said that on Nov. 3, John Evans Jr. of 807 Main St., Lykens, was outside working on his vehicle when Gass, a neighbor, drove by on several occasions, each time pointing a handgun at him.

Chomiszewski said a Ruger 9mm handgun was found inside the Gass vehicle and when interviewed, Gass admitted driving by Evans and pointing the weapon because he did not like him.

Other court cases included:

Andrew Pizzo, 23, of 23 Circle Drive, Box 26, Barnesville - waived for court: possession of a small amount of marijuana, DUI-controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and turning movements and required signals.

Jonathan P. Diehl, 31, of 335 E. Market St., Williamstown - waived for court: DUI, DUI-high rate, disregard for single traffic lane and careless driving.

Ashley M. Confair, 28, of 527 Moore St., Box 23, Millersburg - waived for court: retail theft.

Anthony P. Koons, 37, of 201 E. Spruce St., Apt. B, Williamstown - waived for court: possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Joshua Lee Koons, 26, of 14 Autumn Drive, Williamstown - waived for court: possession of a controlled substance, possession of a small amount of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and making repairs to or selling offensive weapons.

Earl W. Boyer, 48, of 1010 E. Grand Ave., Tower City - dismissed: failure to keep right, disregard for single traffic lane and failure to use safety belts. Waived for court: DUI and no headlights.

Sandra Lee Vandermark, 51, of 476 E. Market St., Williamstown - waived for court: manufacture of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Anthony J. Kilker

SHENANDOAH - A Mahanoy City man charged with making false reports to Shenandoah police on Oct. 23 waived his right to a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker.

Ethan C. Kennedy, 29, of 400 W. Mahanoy Ave., was arrested by Patrolman Joshua Pastucka and charged with false reports, false identification to law enforcement. driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked and driving a vehicle with a suspended registration.

By waiving his right to a hearing, Kennedy will have to answer to all four charges against him in Schuylkill County Court.

Pastucka said he stopped a vehicle driven by Kennedy and during the stop, Kennedy said he did not have a driver's license and identified himself as Robert Kennedy and said he was 34.

Pastucka issued citations to Kennedy and about two weeks later was contacted by Ronald Kennedy who reported he was not driving the vehicle at the time and identified the driver as his brother Ethan Kennedy.

Other court cases included:

Debra Horvath, 55, of 2008 Main St., Mahanoy Plane - waived for court: possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance and retail theft.

Charles C. Alexander, 35, of SCI/Mahanoy, Frackville - waived for court: possession of a controlled substance.

Michael M. Medina, 25, of 238 W. Arlington St., Shenandoah - waived for court: possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked, driving an unregistered vehicle, driving without insurance and driving a vehicle without a valid inspection.

Norman J. Tarantino, 53, of 154 N. Lee Court, Hazleton - withdrawn: terroristic threats, impersonating a public servant, defiant trespass and harassment.

Vanardi Legrand Jr., 35, of 1100 E. Pine St., Mahanoy City - waived for court: DUI, DUI-highest rate, careless driving and turning movements and required signals.

James W. Rumbel, 52, of 37 N Sixth St., Ringtown - waived for court: DUI, DUI-highest rate, duties at a stop sign and driving at an unsafe speed.

Donna M. Staskel, 52, of 1177 Schuylkill Mountain Road, Schuylkill Haven - withdrawn: defiant trespass. Waived for court: resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.

Samuel B. Collazo-Guzman, 25, of 425 Jardin St., Shenandoah - withdrawn: acquiring or obtaining a controlled substance by misrepresentation. Waived for court: forgery and counterfeiting a simulated mark stamp.

Mark P. Georgeff, 52, of 201 W. Centre St., Shenandoah - waived for court: recklessly endangering another person, accidents involving damage to attended vehicles or property, duties at a stop sign, driving the wrong way, driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked, careless driving, reckless driving, driving an unregistered vehicle, fraudulent use or removal of a registration plate, driving over a divider, driving without insurance and fleeing or attempting to elude police.

Hector Marte, 32, of 221 W. Oak St., Shenandoah - withdrawn: defiant trespass. Held for court: resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and public drunkenness.

Jason J. Pesavage, 35, of 435 W. Penn St., Shenandoah - held for court: criminal trespass.

Ryan A. Chladek, 26, of 2012 Main St., Mahanoy Plane - held for court: possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Teddy A. Fishburn Jr., 20, of 1003 Brock St., Ashland - withdrawn: burglary, criminal trespass and terroristic threats. Waived for court: public drunkenness, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.

Pauline Kolnik, 55, of 205 W. Coal St., Shenandoah - withdrawn: criminal trespass and criminal mischief.

Santos Torres, 35, of 118 S. Jardin St., Shenandoah - waived for court: theft of services and criminal mischief.

Steven R. Mahmod, 46, of 26 Chelton St., Shenandoah - withdrawn: driving with a suspended or revoked license. Waived for court: DUI, DUI-highest rate, driving without insurance and driving an unregistered vehicle.

Jonathan R. Dombrowski, 25, of 324 W. Mahanoy Ave., Mahanoy City - waived for court: DUI, DUI-high rate, driving with a suspended or revoked license, failure to keep right and accidents involving damage to unattended vehicles or property.

Christina E. Hale

FRACKVILLE - A man picked up last month on a fugitive warrant for sexual assaults of a minor that occurred in Ashland more than a decade ago waived his right to a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Christina E. Hale.

Christopher S. Novak, 30, whose address is listed as 171 Sussex St., Old Forge, was arrested by then Ashland police Patrolman Joseph Groody, now Schuylkill County sheriff, and charged with one count each of indecent assault on a person less than 13 years old, indecent exposure and corruption of minors.

By waiving his right to a hearing, Novak will now have to answer to all the charges against him in Schuylkill County Court.

Groody charged Novak with having sexual contact with a boy who was 8 years old at the time while he resided at 919 Walnut St., Ashland. When interviewed at the time, Groody said Novak admitted having sexual contact with the child.

Other court cases included:

Brittany A. Marks, 21, of 53 N. Railroad Ave., Frackville - dismissed: simple assault and harassment.

Cynthia A. Donmoyer, 52, of 357 Preston Ave., Girardville - waived for court: DUI-highest rate.

Alyssa L. Shellhamer, 23, of 558 State Road, Barnesville - waived for court: forgery, access device issued to another person, identity theft, theft and receiving stolen property.

MAHANOY CITY - The state Department of Transportation approved an engine brake retarder restriction in Mahanoy Township, but the outgoing supervisor is not in favor of the restriction.

The subject was discussed at length during the supervisor's meeting Dec. 19, with Supervisor Timothy Bradbury voicing his opposition on the grounds that safety could be compromised if truck drivers could not use the devices when needed.

The engine brake retarder, usually referred to as a "Jake brake" or "Jacobs engine brake," is a compression release braking system on large diesel trucks for additional braking power beyond the normal braking system. While effective, the braking system makes a great deal of noise when operating.

The PennDOT approval is for Route 54 from the village of Coles to the west end of the Mahanoy City municipal line with the township. The section of highway goes past the township municipal building.

"We will be getting the permit for the Jake brake restriction out here, and we will have to pass an ordinance," supervisor Chairman James Stevens said. "The state (PennDOT) did the study and said we could do it. We'd have to put the signs up when the weather breaks and then our officers will be able to enforce it."

"They (truck drivers) are waking up the people down here," supervisor Vice Chairman Sharon Chiao said, referring to the area west of the borough.

Stevens added that a request was made for a Jake brake study along the Morea Road, though the township has received nothing on a study or determination.

"PennDOT said that the way the hill is, there is no need for the trucks to use them," Stevens said.

According to information provided by PennDOT, the following criteria for engine brake retarder prohibition are to be considered:

Roadway features

- Downhill grade does not exceed four percent for a distance of 500 feet or more.

- Roadway is not posted with a reduced speed limit for trucks due to a hazardous grade determination.

- Roadway is not posted with a reduced gear zone.

- Posted speed limit, or 85th percentile speed, is not 55 miles per hour or more.

- Roadway is not limited access.

- Roadway is not a ramp exiting from a highway with a posted speed, or 85th percentile speed, of 55 miles per hour or greater.

Crash History

- No history of runaway truck crashes in the past three years.

- No discernible pattern of rear-end crashes in the past three years where a truck was the striking vehicle.

The issue of noise versus safety was also discussed concerning the Jake brake restriction.

"It is a state highway so it's their (PennDOT) decision," Chiao said. "A couple of years ago, we asked about it and they refused it at that time."

"Coming from the patch (Coles) and going over the hill from the bridge, you need it," said Bradbury, who is a former truck driver.

To support his stance on the Jake brake restriction, Stevens countered that the no-cost study by PennDOT was feasible.

"And who's going to be responsible when a truck smashes into something where the Jake brake can't be used?" Bradbury asked.

"I'm sure in an incident where they have to use it, it will be no problem for them to use it," Stevens said.

"Jake brakes restrictions are because of the noise, but there are exceptions, such as people in truck school or the oversize loads," Patrolman Brandon Alexander said.

"I think the state is telling us that the trucks shouldn't be going so fast that they have to use the Jake brakes," Chiao said.

"It's not the fact of going fast," Bradbury said. "It's a matter of safety. I'm telling you that you're doing something wrong. They need those brakes."

Alexander spoke of a recent incident of a truck driver going slow about 10 p.m. using the Jake brakes for no discernible reason but creating a noise problem. He stopped the truck for other violations and warned the driver about what he was doing with the Jake breaks and left him with a warning.

"He was coming from the dollar store (Dollar General) and he would use them, then go a short distance, then use them again," Alexander said. "He was just using them to be a pain."

Stevens said they would look into the issue further before voting on the ordinance.

"Truck drivers need that extra protection. We have all those trucks from the coal companies going past," Bradbury said.

"We're not doing anything against the coal companies," Chiao said.

"In fact, it's the not coal trucks that are the problem," said Bradbury. "From what I've seen, it's the 18-wheelers coming through here, not the coal trucks."

Bradbury said he is not completely against a restriction, but the safety issue concerned him since the entrance road to the Mahanoy Area campus at along that stretch of highway.

Alexander said that even if there is a restriction, it does not prevent truck drivers from using the Jake brakes if they deem they are needed.

"No one is ever going to be cited if the brakes are being used in case of an emergency," Chiao said.

Resident Faith Ward, who will replace Bradbury on the board of supervisors in January, also expressed concern about restrictions but asked if the restrictions could be applied during certain times of the day.

Township solicitor Eric Lieberman said nothing would be enacted at the meeting.

"Bottom line, we don't have anything drafted for tonight, so there can't be any vote on it," Lieberman said.

Meteorologist Tony Mach from the National Weather Service in State College said Thursday night he estimated about an inch or less of snow fell in Schuylkill County, though an exact amount won't be available until today.

Mach said that by 8 a.m. Thursday, there was a half inch in Mahanoy City.

He also said that the county won't see any more snow until Sunday.

"The next chance for precipitation is going to be rain and snow with little or no snow accumulation," Mach said.

During the weekend, the high will be about 43 degrees Saturday and drop to about 29 degrees at night.

On Sunday, there will be a high of 40 degrees and there is a 70 percent chance of rain and snow likely after 1 p.m.

There is a slight chance of rain and snow showers Sunday night with a low of 27 degrees.

MINERSVILLE - The artwork of a fifth-grader at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic School in Minersville will be seen across the state as part of a 2014 calendar to promote a drug-free lifestyle.

Kameron Thomas, 11, of Minersville, entered the 17th annual Drug-Free Calendar Contest sponsored by the office of state Attorney General Kathleen Kane. The contest is open to fifth-grade students from across the commonwealth who create an original work of art illustrating a drug-free message of their choice.

"She was selected for April in the calendar," fifth-grade teacher Michael Curran said. "She went down to Harrisburg and had lunch and awarded prizes. This contest is done throughout the state. This is quite a distinction for young Kameron. They gave her calendars and a big blowup of her artwork."

Thomas also received a Lenovo tablet computer as a prize. Her winning calendar page is prominently displayed near the stairwell on the first floor of the school.

When asked if she has an interest in art, Kameron said, "Not really," though Curran said she is artistic.

"We just finished a production of 'A Christmas Carol,' and Kameron helped me a lot with the design of the sets. She's a very good student," Curran said.

"This is really great," Thomas said. "I got to meet the attorney general."

Thomas got her idea from a ribbon that had words similar to those she used in the poster, which were "Best of Me Drug-Free." Curran said he had a variety of different ribbons that have drug-free slogans from which the students could choose.

The calendar's cover features the artwork of the grand prize winner and the other 12 winners represent each month of the calendar year. The contest is funded through the Community Drug Abuse Prevention Fund from fines and penalties collected from certain types of offenses, such as DUIs.

"Fifth-grade students are at an age when most have not been exposed to drugs or alcohol socially, so the goal of our contest is to engage them before they or their friends make a bad choice," Kane said in her press release about the contest.

"Agents from my office visit schools and meet with children of all ages year round to educate them about the importance of living a drug-free lifestyle," she said. "The drawings and paintings submitted by all of this year's contestants show that the students are paying attention and our message is getting through."

Winners were chosen from more than 720 entries from 210 schools in 52 counties throughout the commonwealth. Their selection was based on the artists' creativity and ability to illustrate and convey a drug-free message.

Curran was informed about the contest by Sister Thomas Hyrnewich, SSMI, principal.

"All of the children participated and I selected three to send to Harrisburg," Curran said. "Of all of the entries, she took April. From what I learned, they liked it because it seemed 'springy.' "

Thomas said she has an increased interest in art after becoming a contest winner. Her classmates were impressed with her win, according to Thomas.

"They were excited and they said 'congratulations,' " Thomas said. "Most of them were asking me what prize I picked."

The other winners were from eight other counties - two each from Armstrong, Beaver, Delaware and Bucks counties, and one each from Lackawanna, Westmoreland, Carbon and Potter.

According to the press release, the attorney general's office has created a number of exciting educational programs to help schools, parents and communities empower children with knowledge to keep them safe. The programs feature customized lesson plans, interactive listening activities and powerful messages that speak directly to kids and adults. They are free of charge and speakers are available to visit schools and community groups to discuss these important subjects, which include online safety, cyberbullying, drugs, gun violence and prescription drug abuse.

To learn more about the other programs available to schools and parents, visit the attorney general's website at www.attorneygeneral.gov or call the attorney general's Education and Outreach Unit at 1-800-525-7642.