This year marks the 30th anniversary of Schuylkill County's Retired Senior Volunteer Program and 25 years of service for one volunteer.

"Being that I was retired, instead of just sitting at home and feeling sorry for myself like a lot of people do, I wanted to help people because I get a good feeling when I do," Sylvia Yonalunas, 88, of Frackville, said Monday. "I guess that part of being a nursing aide is still in me."

Sponsored by the Office of Senior Services, the program recruits volunteers ages 55 and older for a variety of needs throughout the county.

"RSVP is unique in that it enrolls only volunteers over the age of 55 who are placed to serve with agencies on an ongoing basis," Carol Bowen, RSVP director, said Friday. "They do not just volunteer one time, but become part of the culture of the agency where they serve, helping to meet the goals established by that agency. Many RSVP volunteers have served with agencies for 15 or more years with several volunteering at their agency for more than 25 years."

The program has its origins from the White House Conference on Aging in 1961 and was officially created in 1969. Schuylkill County started its program in 1984 with the Area Agency on Aging serving as its sponsor. Since then, the county's volunteers have contributed more than 1.58 million hours of volunteer service for numerous municipalities, social service agencies and nonprofit groups. Volunteers contribute an average of 52,000 hours each year.

Last year in the county, 431 active volunteers contributed 43,794 hours.

"Obviously, RSVP provides an important service, both for the volunteers who want to give their time and the agencies that need their help," Bowen said. "In a society that throws out the old and embraces the new, the fact that RSVP has been in Schuylkill County for 30 years speaks volumes. The program works. It fills a critical need. Our volunteers make Schuylkill County a better place for all of us."

RSVP is funded through the National and Community Services federal grant and matching funds from the Office of Senior Services. The Schuylkill County program has volunteers working with dozens of nonprofit organizations, schools, hospitals, nursing homes, libraries, food banks, animal shelters and human service agencies throughout the county.

Yonalunas said she discovered the program through friends who were involved and started volunteering a few years after retiring in 1986 as a nursing aide at the former Ashland State General Hospital.

Earlier in her volunteer work, Sylvia said she would visit people in nursing homes and help deliver food. Now she is not able to travel as much, Yonalunas makes phone calls from her home as part of the Operation Reach Out program while still volunteering at local blood drives.

"Right now, I am slowing down because I am 88 years old, but I don't want to give it up yet," Yonalunas said.

The Meals on Wheels programs delivers food to people on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. An important part of that program is human interaction, Bowen said. On days when there is not a delivery, the volunteers with the Operation Reach Out program make phone calls to check on the individuals.

"They want people to check up on them," Yonalunas said. "Volunteers like me are assigned so many people and we make calls to make sure they are alright, that they are warm and have enough food and just to talk with them."

"They wait for my calls and are always happy to talk to me. We get a conversation going and next thing you know we are talking about our families."

She also volunteers at local blood drives.

"I enjoy doing it," Yonalunas said. "I enjoy helping people and if I have the time I don't mind doing it. I enjoy being with people and helping them. As long as I am able to do it I will continue doing it."

On Jan. 15, the county commissioners proclaimed 2014 as RSVP year in Schuylkill County. Yonalunas was at the courthouse with Bowen to accept the proclamation. Yonalunas recommended that other seniors consider getting involved with RSVP.

"I would tell them that instead of sitting alone and feeling sorry for yourself, there are a lot of things you can do to help others and yourself," she said. "As long as you are able, there is always something to do to help others."

For more information about the Schuylkill County RSVP program, call 570-622-3103 or visit the office of senior services.

Lebanon Valley Midwifery and Women's Wellness, Womelsdorf

To Brandon T. and Karen L. Hardy, Auburn, South Manheim Township, a daughter, Jan. 15.

Deeds

Coaldale - Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to U.S. Bank NA; 118 E. Ruddle St.; $1,082.02.

East Union Township - Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Eric M. and Freida R. Elechicon; Lot 232HF3, Eagle Rock; $27,900.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Quintino G. and Daisy P. Teague; Lot 237HF3, Eagle Rock; $29,900.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to John M. Jr. and Christine J. Freund; Lot 262HF3, Eagle Rock; $34,900.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Elvira P. Felts; Lot 279HF3, Eagle Rock; $29,189.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Maria B. and Ronovex C. Banay; Lot 300HF3, Eagle Rock; $26,900.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Arsenio H. and Leonora B. Butic; Lot 363HF3, Eagle Rock; $26,900.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Wang To Wong; Lot 104HF3, Eagle Rock; $36,900.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Haobo Ren and Caixia Zhao; Lot 151HF3, Eagle Rock; $38,703.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Jian Li and Yiwen Bu; Lot 152HF3, Eagle Rock; $35,793.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Supatra and Kampol Ngamlerdsuwat; Lot 162HF3, Eagle Rock; $39,289.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Chenghui Zhu; Lot 171HF3, Eagle Rock; $31,209.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Stanley M. Maina and Stella M. Mwangi; Lot 172HF3, Eagle Rock; $36,259.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Raul U. Diamante Jr. and Marian P. Suson; Lot 77HF3, Eagle Rock; $29,900.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Jess C. and Eva V. Santiago; Lot 94HF3, Eagle Rock; $32,219.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Chriselda S. Arroyo and Maria Clarissa A. Gaspi; Lot 100HF3, Eagle Rock; $48,300.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Joseph C.M. and Jacqueline D. Nguyen; Lot 102HF3, Eagle Rock; $38,500.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Joseph C.M. and Jacqueline D. Nguyen; Lot 103HF3, Eagle Rock; $38,500.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Haydee Loo Lim; Lot 10HF3, Eagle Rock; $37,370.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Song Hua Zheng; Lot 14HF3, Eagle Rock; $37,269.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Xue Ding Lin and Xiu Fang Tang; Lot 18HF3, Eagle Rock; $37,269.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Biao Cheng and Lin Qiu; Lot 19HF3, Eagle Rock; $37,269.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Natividad L. Desucatan; Lot 75HF3, Eagle Rock; $29,900.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Pamela Dunuan; Lot 364HF3, Eagle Rock; $26,900.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Ruby De La Cruz and James K. Davis; Lot 368HF3, Eagle Rock; $26,900.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Vivianne B. and Randy C. Sebastian; Lot 376HF3, Eagle Rock; $27,900.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Lovelyn M. and Ericson Mercado Bulatao; Lot 388HF3, Eagle Rock; $27,900.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Beatrice W. and Ruben B. Bumalo; Lot 398HF3, Eagle Rock; $28,900.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Henning V. Falster and Lengxi Gao; Lot 175HF3, Eagle Rock; $33,853.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Khaja M. and Nazia Z. Mohammad; Lot 176HF3, Eagle Rock; $35,249.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Kajia Yuan and Lin Ming; Lot 177HF3, Eagle Rock; $34,823.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Jian J. Xu and George X. Guo; Lot 189HF3, Eagle Rock; $35,890.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Rajasekhar S. Bandi and Himabindu Vada; Lot 191HF3, Eagle Rock; $32,219.

East Union Township - Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Reicarthy Magno; Lot 220HF3, Eagle Rock; $26,900.

Eagle Rock Resort Co. to Russell Abuyan Babia and June Collado Fernandez; Lot 221HF3, Eagle Rock; $26,900.

ANDREAS - A man died when the vehicle he was driving crashed in West Penn Township early Sunday morning.

Schuylkill County Coroner Dr. David Moylan said Brian Watkins was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash on Andreas Road just before 3 a.m.

Watkins, whose age and address were not available, was pronounced dead by Deputy Coroner Larry Neff, Andreas.

Moylan said a virtual autopsy determined Watkins died of blunt force trauma to the chest and internal bleeding as a result of injuries he suffered in the crash.

West Penn Township police are investigating the incident that occurred in the area of 25 Andreas Road, where Watkins' black Nissan Titan struck a tree.

Police said it appeared Watkins lost control, went off of the road and was ejected from the truck that then landed on top of him.

Reports from the scene indicated that Watkins was traveling south when his truck went off of the road and then crashed.

In addition to West Penn Township Police, responders included volunteers from the Tamaqua Rescue Squad, West Penn Township Fire Company and Penn Mahoning and Lehighton EMS units.

Andreas Road was closed for more than an hour while police investigated.

A medical helicopter was placed on standby but then canceled when it was learned Watkins had suffered fatal injuries.

The investigation into the crash is continuing and police had no other information available late Sunday night.

HARRISBURG - A new push to have Pennsylvania legalize marijuana use for medical reasons focuses heavily on the potential benefit for sick children.

The issue will be in the limelight Tuesday when the Senate Law and Justice Committee holds a hearing on a bill known as the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Act.

This measure would allow the use of medical marijuana by patients with a recommendation from an attending physician.

Sen. Daylin Leach, D-17, King of Prussia, a bill cosponsor, has launched a social media campaign called Meet the Kids (#MeetThePAKids) that highlights the cases of children who could benefit from prescribed use of marijuana.

Leach features photos and stories of children with epilepsy and seizure disorders on his website. He said children with these illnesses can benefit from the medicinal qualities of marijuana.

Leach urged Gov. Tom Corbett to meet with some of the families.

The governor opposes the legalization of marijuana for medicinal and recreational uses, Corbett spokesman Jay Pagni said Friday.

However, Corbett has said he's interested in seeing the results of any trials by the federal Food and Drug Administration on the effects of cannabidiol, a non-hallucinogenic compound in cannabis, Pagni added.

The bill's other sponsor, Sen. Mike Folmer, R-48, Lebanon, brings a personal perspective to the matter.

"As a cancer survivor, I believe under the guidance of a medical professional, patients should have every opportunity to combat their illness and have the liberty and ability to use cannabis as a weapon in their arsenal of treatment," Folmer said.

He suggested that medical marijuana can offer an alternative to addictive prescription drugs.

The bill drew support last week from the Pennsylvania State Nurses Association, which represents registered nurses.

"SB 1182 both protects patients from prosecution when seeking the use of medicinal marijuana and protects health care providers who suggest medical marijuana to relieve intractable medical conditions or symptoms," the association said in a statement.

The senators carefully noted their bill is the first to be introduced in the Senate with bipartisan support. But medical marijuana bills have been introduced in previous sessions without seeing much headway.

A House committee held a hearing in 2009 on a Philadelphia Democratic lawmaker's bill to provide for state licensing and inspection of "compassion" centers where marijuana could be used with a doctor's recommendation by patients suffering from HIV, AIDS, cancer and other illnesses.

That hearing drew testimony from supporters who argued that medical marijuana is a way to ease pain and suffering. Opponents voiced concerns the bill would weaken existing drug laws and make a controlled substance more available.

TREMONT - Charlie Huntzinger does not view himself as special.

The 75-year-old Tremont resident said he loves helping give back to the community. He said it is something he will continue to do even though he is no longer the president of the Tremont Community Organization, which contributes to causes and organizations in the borough.

"It's my town. It's where I was born," he said Wednesday.

He has served as a borough council member, mayor, board member of the Tremont Area Free Public and member and treasurer of the Tremont Area Historical Society

A Navy veteran, he served in the military from 1956 to 1960. After that, he worked for Exxon for 40 years as a supervisor of production and a human resource analyst.

Huntzinger had been president of TCO for 14 years until Karl Kimmel, 66, of Tremont, assumed the role earlier this month.

He asked Kimmel, then vice president, if he was interested in the role.

Huntzinger will keep giving back "until the good Lord says I had enough."

Kimmel said they will still continue to do things they have done with success.

Huntzinger was humble when he spoke about the organization. He didn't say very much about himself.

"A very good man. He'll do anything for you that you ask," Kimmel said about Huntzinger.

It seems Huntzinger has always been making the borough a better place for its residents.

"I have been doing community service here all my life," he said.

When he was younger, he carried dirt over to fill what would later become a swimming pool. The pool is still located near the borough building.

Later, he started the effort to save the former Pine Street School building in 1998. The building houses the district magistrate office, the borough police department, the Tremont Area Senior Citizens Group, the Tremont Area Free Public Library, Cub Scouts and the Tremont Area Historical Society.

The county was going to demolish the building, Huntzinger said.

Huntzinger said he went to the school on Pine Street. He also attended the old Tremont High School, 139 Clay St.

With donations from the school's alumni, the county and grant funding from former state representatives Bob Allen and James Rhoades, the building was saved.

As circumstances would have it, Huntzinger was part of the effort to save the high school after it was absorbed into the Pine Grove Area School District. The district had decided to close the school in 2002. Students in kindergarten through fourth grade attended the school. A grant was obtained for the upgrades to the school.

The building now is home to the borough office, food pantry, TCO and Diakon-sponsored nutrition center for seniors.

Huntzinger and Kimmel said volunteers are always needed for the organization, which originally formed in 1948 and reactivated in 1999.

Huntzinger said there were no officers or members from the 1970s to '90s due to a lack of interest.

"Our average membership age is about 70," Huntzinger said.

The group meets at 7 p.m. the last Monday of each month.

There are about 20 to 25 active members.

For those interested in joining, call 570-695-3792

In recognition of his service and that of his wife, Betty, secretary, the couple was honored with a plaque last year.

Huntzinger, who gave a speech during the event, didn't know the recognition was planned.

He thanked everyone for the pleasure of serving but reminded them there is still work to be done.

"We must continue to provide good things for our community. Harry S. Truman once said,

'It's amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.'  "

BARNESVILLE - One loves to go hunting and two are volunteer firefighters.

During a cold Sunday, people came out to Mountain Valley Golf Course, Barnesville, to watch the senior princess contestants at the Senior Princess Fashion Show in the Greater Pottsville Winter Carnival.

"Thank you all for coming out tonight. Your support means the world," said Corene Parrish, 2013 Winter Carnival Princess.

With two contestants absent, 16 women were judged on appearance, personality, poise and voice projection.

The fashion showcase opened the event. Parrish described the dresses or other outfits of choice worn by each contestant

Many of the women wore dresses accentuated by jewelry, such as necklaces or earrings.

Darion Turner, Pottsville, wore a simple black dress by Anne Klein with a pearl necklace and bracelet.

After the contestants were announced, Henry Nyce, publisher of The Republican-Herald, asked the women questions.

The questions pertained to their goals, why they entered the career field they did and what their experience has been with Winter Carnival thus far.

"How did you learn to walk on stilts?" Nyce asked Robin Lee Bozeman, 22, of Pottsville.

She said her step-father taught her.

Bozeman was one of two contestants who are volunteer firefighters, the other being Carley Tutko, Shenandoah.

Bozeman said motorists should be more respectful towards fire trucks, especially when they are going to help someone.

Tutko wore her firefighting turnout gear Sunday. She volunteers with the Ringtown Valley Fire and Rescue.

"What's the best thing about being a volunteer? Nyce asked her.

"Being able to help people and save people," Tutko said.

Kaitlyn O'Neill, Orwigsburg, wore a yellow ball gown and carried a red rose. A yellow ribbon adorned her hair. She was asked about some of the health issues residents of Schuylkill County must address.

People need to eat better, she said.

Of her experience with the Winter Carnival, she said, "It's kind of like this little adventure you get to go on and you remember for a long time."

Kelly Malone, one of the judges, said all of the contestants should be proud of themselves.

They demonstrated they were civic minded, cared about more than themselves and displayed poise and personality, she said.

Nicolle M. Hutchinson, Pottsville, Gillingham Charter School's director of education/chief executive officer, would like a Gillingham representative on the Special Education/Alternative Education/Charter School Committee the Pottsville Area school board unveiled earlier this month.

"A Gillingham representative on the board would add value. We would like to engage in a conversation with the Pottsville school board to explore this collaborative relationship. Will the Pottsville school board be open to this option?" Hutchinson asked Wednesday.

"That will be taken back to the board for the board to discuss," Linda Grube, chairwoman of the new committee, said Thursday.

At its first workshop of 2014, Pottsville Area School District introduced the new committee, which will focus on alternative education in the district, including Gillingham Charter School. Gillingham representatives expressed concern and, on Thursday, Grube and Pottsville Area Superintendent Dr. Jeffrey S. Zwiebel addressed them.

"Please explain the purpose of the committee. Several members of our community have expressed concerns that the committee is investigative or founded with hostile intent," Hutchinson said Wednesday.

"There's a misconception in the community that we're trying to target people or schools and that's not the purpose of it. It's the same as the board's other committees, like the finance committee or the building and grounds committee. It's a vehicle to funnel information and reports to the board at public meetings regarding not just charter schools but cyber charters, alternative education programs and special education. We are not targeting anyone or anything," Zwiebel said.

However, Zwiebel and district Business Manager Stephen C. Curran said the school board is concerned with how much money is spent on charter and cyber charter schools.

Since the Pottsville Area School District does not receive any reimbursement from the state for the state subsidy it uses on tuition for children in charter and cyber charter schools, the school board is keeping a sharp eye on the number of children enrolled in those programs, Zwiebel said.

The school district's 2013-14 budget is $40,404,588. Of that, $1.6 million is set aside for cyber/charter schools, Zwiebel said.

"And Gillingham Charter School accounts for $1 million of that total," Zwiebel said.

The tuition cost to educate a regular public school student at Pottsville Area is $9,200.08. And the cost to educate a special education student at Pottsville Area is $11,459.03, Zwiebel said.

"The tuition cost for each special education student varies depending upon their disability and the program they are educated in," Zwiebel said.

At Pottsville Area, there are 2,343 regular students and 493 special education students for a total enrollment of 2,836 students, Zwiebel said.

The cyber/charter school tuition rate is $9,756.14 for regular students and $21,066.91 for special education students, Zwiebel said.

At Gillingham, at the start of the school year, there were 61 regular education students and 17 special education students, for a total enrollment of 78 students. And at the start of the school year, there were 33 regular education cyber school students and six special education students, for a total of 39 students enrolled in cyber school, Zwiebel said.

The cost to enroll students in the cyber school program called eBridge Academy in Lehighton is cheaper.

"The tuition is half the cost of the tuition at Pottsville Area," Zwiebel said.

At the start of the school year, there were 10 regular education Pottsville Area students enrolled in eBridge and one special education student enrolled in that program, for a total enrollment of 11 students, Zwiebel said.

At the school board meeting Jan. 8, board President John F. Boran said: "We have constant issues with students transferring in and out. The committee will keep us updated on what's going on in that arena."

"Transferring in and out of where? The district? Gillingham? If the district, to where are they transferring? Gillingham only? And if he means students are transferring in and out of Gillingham, what data is he basing that statement on? Over what period of time?" Hutchinson asked Wednesday.

According to records Zwiebel had with him Thursday, the Pottsville Area School District has had cyber charter students since the 2008-09 school year.

Students at the district first enrolled in eBridge in the 2010-11 school year, according to those records.

On June 7, 2011, the State Charter School Appeals Board unanimously approved the Gillingham Charter School Collaborative's charter for five years. And Gillingham opened for the 2011-12 school year.

"It's not just Gillingham," Zwiebel said.

"It's cyber charter too," Grube said.

"And we have students coming and going all the time," Zwiebel said.

The district has to study the traffic flow for a few reasons. It must record how many students enroll and leave these programs from a financial perspective, but the school board also has to keep an eye on trends, Curran said.

"If there's a spike all of a sudden and there's a lot more students leaving one program or another, we have (to) figure out why is that. And from what we see in our figures over the last three years, we're seeing a downward trend. More students are staying or coming back here," Zwiebel said.

At Gillingham, there were 88 students enrolled at the end of the 2011-12 school year, 84 students enrolled at the end of the 2012-13 school year and 78 students enrolled at the start of this school year, Zwiebel said.

On Friday, Hutchinson said there was "around 206" students in grades K through 11. Gillingham has 10 students in 11th grade and she's planning to have a 12th grade in September for the start of the 2014-15 school year.

In cyber schools, there were 70 students enrolled at the end of the 2011-12 school year, 44 students enrolled at the end of the 2012-13 school year and 39 students enrolled at the start of this school year, Zwiebel said.

At eBridge, there were 21 students enrolled at the end of the 2011-12 school year, 35 students enrolled at the end of the 2012-13 school year and 11 students enrolled at the start of this school year, Zwiebel said.

The committee is not promoting or discouraging charter or cyber schools, Zwiebel said.

"It's neutral. We're just trying to present all the facts and figures at our public meetings so the taxpayers know. This isn't a problem that's unique to the Pottsville Area School District. Every public school in the commonwealth (has) charter or cyber charter students," Zwiebel said.

"I appreciate the clarification on what the committee is going to do. That's helpful," Hutchinson said Friday.

"And I understand about having different committees. We actually have a Charter Compliance Committee. They read through the charter and they make sure the things we said we would do we're doing," Hutchinson said.

Gillingham formed that committee in August. Members of the Gillingham Board of Trustees who make up that committee include board President Marsha Chwastiak, board Treasurer Lori Quinn and board member Mindy Heppe.

"School boards have these different committees and need to get reports to see how things are going. The job of the board is to hold the school accountable and to make sure they're doing what they said they would do," Hutchinson said.

When the Pottsville Area school board introduced its Special Education/Alternative Education/Charter School Committee Jan. 8, Boran named Grube its chairwoman.

"Linda has a unique perspective, having been a special ed teacher," Zwiebel said.

Grube was a full-time aide at Pottsville Area from 2006 to 2008.

According to Grube, the committee also includes Boran and board Vice President Scott D. Krater.

ORWIGSBURG - The Blue Mountain Recreation Commission has been awarded a $50,000 grant from the state for its efforts to update its Comprehensive Park and Recreation Plan.

Now, the commission needs to come with local money to match the grant funds.

"It was a nice holiday send-off," Mark Palerino, recreation director, said Monday about the grant he applied for in April through the Community Conservation Partnerships Program, a recreation-focused effort of the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

He said an employee in the office of state Sen. David Argall, R-29, told him about the good news around Thanksgiving. He was later notified by DCNR in December.

Palerino said he was confident in getting the grant that requires matching funds, which, potentially, could come from the county and other municipalities. A committee will be formed to represent each municipality that is participating in the plan.

"Right now, I think it's hard to get any grant," Palerino said. When the match is finalized, a consultant could then be hired to complete the plan, he added.

The plan would say what recreational facilities there are, the condition of them and address other issues including a possible recreational trail in the area. The public would also have the opportunity to comment on the plan and on areas of need. Work on the plan might occur by the fall, Palerino said.

The current plan was last updated in 1975. The move for this update started in 2012, as Palerino wanted to know how he could improve after being chosen by the Blue Mountain Recreation Commission Board as director in 2011.

All municipalities within the Blue Mountain School District participate in the commission. They include Auburn, Cressona, Deer Lake, New Ringgold and Orwigsburg boroughs and East Brunswick, West Brunswick, North Manheim and Wayne townships. They contribute through earned income taxes. The school district also contributes money to the recreation commission through its collection of the earned income tax. People also pay to take part in more than 50 recreation programs provided by the commission.

Palerino said $28,320 is the amount available from the recreation budget for the municpalities that are already part of the commission.

Palerino letters were sent last week to Landingville, Port Clinton and Schuylkill Haven boroughs and South Manheim Township about the plan after they had expressed interest. There would be a cost involved, based on population, to update the plan. The municipalities that are part of the commission will not incur an extra cost as it is already in the recreation budget, Palerino said

He said the cost for Landingville would be $240; Port Clinton, $440; Schuylkill Haven $7,520 and South Manheim, $3,480.

Palerino said the commission might have to come up with additional money, make other decisions or not be able to use the entire $50,000 if the funds from the county or the four additional municipalities do not materialize.

Schuylkill Haven Borough Manager Scott Graver and council President Marlin Berger Jr. declined to comment Monday on the issue.

The Schuylkill County commissioners could contribute $10,000 toward the effort but the board would have to vote on it.

"We think this is a very good project," commissioners Chairman Frank J. Staudenmeier said by phone Monday.

A letter was sent to the commissioners last year outlining the project, Palerino said.

Funding could come from the Marcellus Legacy Fund, which supports conservation and environmental projects and efforts, Staudenmeier said, adding, "We think this its a good use of the money."

Deeds

East Union Township - Francis and Dorothy Hayes to Marie Clark, Caroline McColl, Colleen Fowler and Darryl Daley; property on Main Street, Brandonville; $1.

Kline Township - Metro Postic, Roberta Miller and Metro Postic to Metro Postic and Metro Postic; 4 E. Market St., Kelayres; $1.

Mahanoy City - Jodi Dubuc, executrix of the Estate of William D. Cunningham, to Jodi Dubuc; 207 E. Pine St.; $1.

Jodi Dubuc, executrix of the Estate of William D. Cunningham, to Amy Schmerfeld; 216 W. Pine St.; $1.

North Manheim Township - Michael Naydock to Michael Naydock, trustee of the Michael Naydock Revocable Trust; 1009 Woodland Drive; $1.

Orwigsburg - Lynda B. and Wayne S. Hamilton to Hamilton Funeral Home Inc.; 116 S. Liberty St.; $280,000.

Pine Grove - Snyder's Furniture Store Inc. to Tulpehocken Rifle and Pistol Club; Rear 13 Mill St.; $300.

Pine Grove Township - David L. Fritz, executor of the Estate of Dorothy J. Fritz, to David L. Fritz; 164 Long Stretch Road; $1.

Mark T. Hindman to Gene C. Hindman Jr.; 0.4-acre property; $1.

Ralf and Jennifer Haspert to Kevin J. Powell and Triana Aungst; 38 Owl Lane; $128,000.

Port Carbon - Vincent J. Sheaffer to Marianne Sheaffer; 224 Pine St.; $1.

Pottsville - Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to Bank of America NA; 227 Nichols St.; $1.

Joseph W. and Kathleen M. Vernay to Kathleen M. Vernay; 2400 W. Norwegian St.; $1.

Joseph Reppert to David Strack; 527 N. Third St.; $4,500.

Joanne Gretsky-Polak to Rita M. Sponenburg; 8 York Farm Road; $38,000.

Reilly Township - Joseph and Beth Karmazin to Joseph and Beth Karmazin; 18-19 State Road, Branchdale; $1.

Ringtown - William J. and Alice E. Jarzinko to Jason Muraczewski; property on Legislative Route 755; $55,000.

A Mahanoy City woman will spend time in prison after being sentenced Jan. 22 in Schuylkill County Court.

Nicole L. Kressler, 29, must serve 11 1/2 to 23 months behind bars, Judge John E. Domalakes ruled.

Domalakes made the sentence, which he imposed after revoking Kressler's probation, concurrent to one the defendant is serving from Bucks County for drug-related crimes.

"You blew it by being convicted of serious crimes," Domalakes told Kressler, who admitted violating her probation by committing new crimes and failing drug tests.

Kressler originally pleaded guilty on June 11, 2012, to retail theft. At that time, Domalakes placed her on probation for 23 months, and also sentenced her to pay costs, $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account and $22.85 restitution, amounts she still is obligated to pay.

Shenandoah police charged Kressler with committing the theft on Aug. 14, 2011, in the borough.

Kressler pleaded guilty on Nov. 14, 2013, in Bucks County Court to two counts each of delivery of a controlled substance, criminal use of a communication facility and possession of drug paraphernalia, with prosecutors withdrawing one count each of possession of a controlled substance and possession of a small amount of marijuana.

Bucks County Judge Rea B. Boylan sentenced her to serve four to 23 months in prison, pay costs and $100 to the Substance Abuse Education Fund, and submit a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities.

Quakertown police charged Kressler with delivering drugs and possessing paraphernalia on Dec. 31, 2012, in that borough.

Also on Wednesday, Domalakes revoked the probation of Brandi Benjamin, 23, of Ashland, and sent her to State Correctional Institution/Camp Hill for evaluation for participation in the state intermediate punishment program, which combines incarceration with treatment for substance abuse problems.

Domalakes revoked Benjamin's probation after the defendant admitted violating it by failing to report to her supervising officer, moving without permission and not making payments on her costs.

He rejected Benjamin's request to be sent to a faith-based rehabilitation facility in New York.

"I don't want to be around the people I affiliated with" while getting in trouble, Benjamin testified.

In another case, Domalakes revoked the probation of Trevor M. Carl, 23, of Minersville, resentencing him to time served to 18 months in prison with immediate parole and a drug and alcohol evaluation.

Carl originally pleaded guilty on Dec. 12, 2012, to theft, with prosecutors withdrawing a charge of receiving stolen property. At that time, Judge Charles M. Miller placed him on probation for 18 months and also sentenced him to pay costs and a $50 CJEA payment.

Pottsville police charged Carl with committing the theft on May 4, 2012, in the city.

Carl admitted violating his probation by being charged with a new crime and failing drug tests.

Also, prosecutors withdrew charges of possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia against Andrew R. Kelley, 49, of Mahanoy City.

Mahanoy City police had alleged Kelley possessed marijuana and paraphernalia on Feb. 23, 2013, in the borough.

President Judge William E. Baldwin entered an order allowing prosecutors to withdraw the charges and directing the commonwealth to pay the costs of the case.

Port Carbon man

cited in accident

Pottsville police investigated a two-vehicle crash that occurred in the 200 block of North Claude A. Lord Boulevard at 7:40 a.m. Monday.

Police said Shawna Malloy, 26, of Girardville, was driving a Subaru south in the passing lane when Joseph Krynock, 85, of Port Carbon, tried to exit the Pottsville Diner parking lot and cross three lanes of traffic to get into the left turn lane. Police said the front of Malloy's vehicle hit the back of the Krynock Honda, causing disabling damage to both.

Malloy was treated at the scene by Pottsville-Schuylkill Haven Area EMS for minor injuries and Pottsville firefighters assisted, police said.

Krynock will be cited for his role in causing the crash, police said.

Man accused

in theft of TV

SAINT CLAIR - Borough police charged a Pottsville man with retail theft after an incident at Wal-Mart Supercenter on Jan. 17.

Police said Michael T. Eiler, 21, of 320 North St., along with another man tried to steal an LG 60-inch LED television set valued at $648.

Eiler will have to answer to the charge against him before Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko, Port Carbon, police said.

Charges in theft

of baby formula

SAINT CLAIR - Two Reading men were charged by Saint Clair police in connection with the theft of baby formula at Wal-Mart Supercenter on Nov. 10.

Police said they charged Stephen Murray, 25, of 1211 Avenue C, and Richard Vazquez, 34, of 645 N. Sixth St., with one count each of retail theft and conspiracy. The men will have to answer to the charges against them before Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko, Port Carbon.

Police said the men stole 65 cans of Similac powder valued at $15.78 each and two large cans of Similac Advance valued at $30.98 each. The total cost of the items is $1,132.04, police said.

Police allege

items stolen

SAINT CLAIR - A Pottsville woman was charged with retail theft by Saint Clair police after an incident at Wal-Mart Supercenter on Saturday.

Police said Julia Evans, 22, of 422 Boone St., stole items valued at $81.24 and will have to answer to the charge against her before Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko, Port Carbon.

Alleged dispute

results in charge

SAINT CLAIR - Borough police charged a Saint Clair man with harassment after an incident at his home at 9:25 p.m. Saturday.

Police said David Hower, 24, of 235 N. Second St., second-floor apartment, will have to answer to the charge against him before Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko, Port Carbon.

Police said officers were called to the apartment for domestic incident and were met by Hower, who had a large laceration to his throat that was self-inflicted. Police said the man told officers he tried to kill himself because his wife was leaving him.

Police said Hower was taken to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street for treatment. The man's wife, Candice Hower, 21, had a minor scratch on her face, police said.

Vehicles collide

on Route 61

SAINT CLAIR - Borough police investigated a crash that occurred about 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Route 61 north and West Russell Street.

Police said Dawn M. Collins, Pottsville, was driving north on Route 61 when she ran into the back of a truck being driven by Matthew J. Witherow and owned by Axiom Inc., Schuylkill Haven. The impact caused Collins' vehicle to spin and exit Route 61, coming to a stop on West Russell Street, police said.

Collins was taken to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street for injuries by Saint Clair EMS while her passenger, Jeremy A. Dean, was not hurt.

Police schedule

checkpoints

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, 1008, 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.

BUCK RUN - Joseph J. Roperto said Monday he will not let his dream of restoring the James B. Neale mansion die, in spite of this month's fire that ravaged the interior of what once was Foster Township's most glorious home.

"I would like to rebuild it. We are going to try," Roperto said while walking around what is left of the 78 Hill Road building where he played as a child.

Roperto, 82, of Gainesville, Va., had nearly completed renovation of the mansion when fire struck on the morning of Jan. 10, leaving walls, floors and little else except broken glass, broken doors, broken roofs and broken dreams.

"We were so far along," Roperto said while gazing at the charred remains that retain the scent of the fire. "We would have been able to move in by the middle of this month."

Instead, he spent Monday examining the shattered remnants of the mansion and wondering what would become of it.

State police at Frackville said the fire began on the first floor as the result of an accident with an extension cord. Police said the fire caused about $400,000 in damage.

However, Roperto said he is dissatisfied with the official explanation of the cause and is bringing in a private investigator to examine what is left of the mansion.

He also wonders why no water originally flowed from the nearest hydrant, which he said took 20 minutes to open.

Burned tools, and even an old dartboard retaining a single dart, littered the floor of the mansion's main room as Roperto and his foreman, David Salazar, Falls Church, Va., looked to salvage what they could and plan what they might do to restore the devastated building.

Roperto bought the mansion in May 2012 from the township, which had fought for many years to save the building that Neale, one of the county's best-known and best-liked coal barons, had built in the early 1900s.

The $400,000 in damage is close to the amount of money Roperto said he put into the restoration.

Salazar said he and his crew of three men had worked on the mansion for 17 months.

"I started with carpentry, then the roof," he said. "(I) installed all the roof, removed all the floors, replaced the floor beams."

On the south side of the mansion, one room, the library, retains a working door, walls and a floor. The adjoining bedroom, however, is gutted.

"It was almost finished," Salazar said of the bedroom.

The ceiling no longer covers the main room, which was the mansion's largest. Windows are shattered and the room contains much of the ruined and charred roof.

"I'm sick," Roperto said. "This was a dream for me."

He said that dream started taking shape after his wife of 55 1/2 years died. He said his doctor recommended the project to keep busy.

"Everything we did was so perfect, so right," including zoned heating systems, redone floors and water-repellent materials.

Unfortunately, Roperto had not been able to obtain fire insurance for the property before the blaze, having been turned down by one company.

"It wasn't that I didn't try," said Roperto, who had obtained liability insurance.

Salazar said he thinks the mansion can be salvaged, although it will take a month just to clean up the damage.

Roperto said he will need financial help, and a fund has been set up at First National Bank of Minersville for donations. Donations can be sent to the Neale Mansion Rebuilding Fund, First National Bank of Minersville, 260 Sunbury St., Minersville, PA 17954.

He also hopes that historical societies can help.

"We have to get it cleaned up," he said. "We're just at the beginning of this again. We're going to have to figure out what we're going to do and how we're going to do it."

MINERSVILLE - The Minersville Area school board approved a motion Monday night to discontinue a petition for Schuylkill County to accept a bid in the private sale of a property in Reilly Township.

The school district's solicitor, attorney Nicholas A. Quinn, Pottsville, said that the district had been petitioning the county to accept a $25,000 bid in the private sale of the property that has been off the books since the 1940s.

The motion was accepted since the property, only known as parcel No. 24-2-25, was sold at a judicial sale on Jan. 10 to Watermelon Realty LLC, Route 183, Schuylkill Haven, for $71,000.

In other business, the school board approved the appointment of Jamie Rizzardi to the elementary center as a temporary professional employee effective Dec. 11, 2013, at a salary of $34,700.

Minersville Area Elementary Center Principal James Yacobacci said that Rizzardi will be teaching all four sections of social studies in sixth grade and a double period of sixth-grade math.

Rizzardi spent the last five years working at Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29.

Deeds

Auburn - Federal National Mortgage Association to Lance A. Brubaker; 217 Orchard St.; $48,000.

Branch Township - Edward J. and Antoinette Wenner to Edward J. Wenner Jr., Thomas Wenner and Kimberly Moran; 0.625-acre property on Township Road T-553; $1.

Miners Bank to T&J Realty Restoration LLC; 0.488-acre property on Route 901; $130,000.

Butler Township - Bank of America NA to Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; 147 Laurel St.; $1.

Cass Township - Marie Tokarchek to David W. Califf II; property on Thomaston Road; $1,000.

Coaldale - William G. Schwab, trustee for Charles J. Bott Sr., to Scott Fritzinger; 147-149-151 Second St.; $16,000.

ORWIGSBURG - David Rubright, a retired business owner, is the newest member of Orwigsburg Borough Council.

At a special meeting Thursday night, council members choose him, in a split 3-2 vote, for the two-year term.

Rubright takes the seat vacated by Barry Berger, who was elected mayor in November.

Rubright could take his seat at the 7:30 p.m. Feb. 5 council meeting.

Council member Edward Mady nominated Rubright. Council member Darle Cresswell nominated Brian Baldwin.

Seconds were not needed for nominations, borough Manager Mike Lonergan said. Cresswell then motioned that the nominations be closed and was seconded by Mady.

Council members Mady, Susan Murphy and Angela Hoptak-Solga voted for Rubright, Lonergan said.

Council President Buddy Touchinsky and Cresswell, voted "no" for Rubright.

Rubright could not be reached for comment.

Four people, including Rubright, applied for the post. The three others were Joshua Kreitzer, an employee of Kreitzer Sanitation; Regnal Leibensperger, former owner of the Deer Lake Inn, and Brian Baldwin, a 10-year resident and father of four who is also the borough engineer for Saint Clair.

In other business, Lonergan said that, while in executive session, the borough interviewed an applicant for a full-time police officer position formerly held by Scott R. Davis, who resigned last year.

Seven people applied for the job. There is one more interview to go, Lonergan said, adding that a decision could be made at the 7:30 p.m. Feb. 12 meeting.ORWIGSBURG

To kick off National Catholic School Week, Nativity BVM High School, Pottsville, honored students and teachers from its Schuylkill County's Catholic "partner" schools Monday night during a basketball game at the school.

Jennifer Daubert, director of development at Nativity, said that for the kickoff, which was Partner School Night, students and teachers from not only Nativity, but from all of its partner schools, were invited to the high school to watch the Nativity-Weatherly basketball game.

"What we are doing is we gave a free ticket to the game for everyone of our students and all four of our partner schools that feed into Nativity High School," Daubert said. "Every kid got a free ticket to the game. We have cake and free drink for all the kids and a reception for our teachers from all of our partner schools that feed into Nativity High School."

The students and teachers came from Assumption BVM School, Pottsville; St. Ambrose School, Schuylkill Haven; Trinity Academy in the Father Walter J. Ciszek Education Center, Shenandoah, and St. Nicholas School, Minersville.

According to the National Catholic Educational Association website, National Catholic Schools Week is the annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States that starts the last Sunday in January and runs all week - Jan. 26 to Feb. 1 this year.

Schools usually observe National Catholic Schools Week with Masses, open houses and other activities for students, families, parishioners and community members.

"This is the beginning of Catholic Schools Week for us," Daubert said. "We are working this event into Catholic Schools Week to honor them for their hard work and everything they do for our school and the partnership that we have with each other."

In between the junior varsity and varsity games, Daubert had all in attendance come onto the court. Then she introduced the students and teachers to the crowd.

There were about 80 students in attendance from the partner schools.

The partner night was only one of the events scheduled this week. Others include students from Nativity going to the different schools to hold pep rallies. On Monday, students at Assumptions BVM had a green and gold dress-down day to honor Nativity.

All Catholic schools in the nation have activities planned for the week.

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN - A Deer Lake man faces 63 felony charges after he allegedly defrauded a Schuylkill Haven car dealer of $202,050.

Schuylkill Haven police charged Robert D. Schappell Jr., 42, of 440 Lake Front Drive, with 21 third-degree felony counts each of theft, theft by deception and receiving stolen property.

Schappell was arrested Jan. 20 by Patrolman Vincent McDonald, arraigned by on-call Magisterial District Judge David J. Rossi, Tremont, and committed to Schuylkill County Prison in lieu of $80,000 bail.

McDonald said the scam came to light in November when Bruce Stidham, owner of Bruce's Auto Mall on Centre Avenue, reported the theft.

Stidham said that, in June of 2013, Schappell approached him and said he had a person in the Pottstown area able to get Corvettes for low prices. Stidham, who had dealt with Schappell before, agreed to make a series of transactions, giving checks and cash to the man. However, he never received any vehicles.

McDonald said that Stidham contacted Schappell several times about the transactions and was told that the money was being deposited in a bank in Wyomissing and the vehicles were being held up by title issues.

Stidham told McDonald that he gave Schappell until Nov. 25 to return the money and he also gave police copies of the checks given for the vehicles.

The money given to Schappell included:

On June 25, $14,250 for the purchase of three Corvettes; $7,200 on Aug. 16 for a 2009 Corvette; Aug. 17, $9,900 for the purchase of a 2008 Cadillac sedan and a 2013 Cadillac truck; Aug. 17, $8,000 for a 2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer and a 2012 Cadillac Escalade; and Sept. 6, $12,000 for a Ford rollback truck and a 2008 Corvette; on Sept. 6, $3,000 for a 1969 Corvette and the same day $14,000 for a 1964 Corvette and a 1959 Corvette; Sept. 9, $8,500 for a 2012 Corvette; Sept. 12, $3,800 for a 2010 Corvette; Sept. 14, $6,800 for a 2009 Lexus and a 1964 Corvette; Sept. 17, $13,000 for a 2011 Lexus and a 2010 Toyota 4 Runner; and Sept. 27, $8,800 to clear the balance on three vehicles.

Stidham issued $14,000 on Oct. 1 for two 1953 Corvettes; on Oct. 3, $20,000 for three vehicles; Oct. 5, $9,200 for a 2006 Corvette and the same day $2,800 for a 1988 Calloway Corvette; Oct. 7, $7,000 for a 2013 Chevrolet truck; Oct. 8, $8,000 for a 1966 Corvette and also $11,000 for a Corvette; and on Oct. 23, $8,500 for a 2013 Corvette.

McDonald also said that, on Sept. 30, Stidham gave Schappell $12,300 in cash to clear four vehicles.

When interviewed by police, Chief Jeff Walcott said Schappell was not able to provide information on where the money stolen from Stidham was nor was he able to return any of that money.

Schappell will now have to appear for a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge James R. Ferrier, Orwigsburg.

ENGLEWOOD - Six people were displaced and two cats died in an early Monday morning fire in this Butler Township village.

Edward Beneshunas, chief of the Friendship Fire Company, said crews were called to the home at 717 W. John St. just before 2:30 a.m. and found heavy fire on the first floor of the double home.

He said firefighters from Englewood, Frackville and Altamont responded and quickly knocked down most of the blaze.

The home was occupied by Alfred and Shirley Robbins, who had their three grandchildren staying with them at the time of the fire.

One man lived in the attached home at 719 W. John St., but Beneshunas said he did not have his identity.

Beneshunas said one person from the 717 W. John St. home chose to seek medical attention for apparent smoke inhalation. No other injuries were reported.

Two pet cats died inside the 719 W. John St. home that sustained smoke and water damage, the chief said, adding that the fire was contained to the first floor of the Robbins property.

Beneshunas said Butler Township Fire Marshal Mark Cuttic investigated the blaze and determined that it appears to have started in a chimney.

Beneshunas said the fire does not appear to be suspicious.

Firefighters from Mahanoy City assisted at the scene along with a Rapid Intervention Team from the Pottsville Fire Department while Mahanoy City and Shenandoah firefighters were on standby in the Goodwill Fire Company station in Frackville. Frackville EMS also assisted at the scene.

The American Red Cross provided the resident of 719 W. John St. with food, clothing and lodging while the Robbins and their grandchildren indicated they would not need Red Cross services.

Red Cross officials said they will follow up with the individual for additional services as needed.

n McAdoo: Our Lady of Lourdes Roman Catholic Church will hold a feast day dinner and show, titled "The Honky Tonk Kids Show," on Feb. 9. The show will feature Jerry Smith and Dolores Younker, who live by the saying, "There is a little bit of a kid in all of us, and you just have to let it out." The two began their act in 2013 as a way to give back to the community and have been entertaining people in senior living facilities, hospitals and churches with their mix of rock, country religious music, popular music and dance. The dinner menu for the show will include seafood bisque soup, barbecue spare ribs, red potatoes, baked beans, cole slaw, vegetable, dessert and beverages for $15. Take-out dinners will be served from noon to 2:30 p.m. and eat-in dinners will be served at 12:30 p.m. with the show starting at 2 p.m. Reservation forms are available in the church bulletin and must be returned with payment by Feb. 2. Payment and the form can be deposited in the collection basket at Mass, by mail or in person at the rectory. A minimum of 80 advance dinner reservations are needed to prevent cancellation of the event. A limited number of dinners will be available at the door. All are welcome to participate.

n Pine Grove: A basic boating course for a certificate will be held Feb. 8 at the clubhouse at Sweet Arrow Lake County Park. The course will go from 8 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 5 p.m. with a break for lunch noon to 1 p.m., according to a release. Upon successful completion of the course, participants will be able to apply for a boating safety education certificate, which is required for all persons born on or after Jan. 1, 1982, to operate a motorboat powered by a motor of 25hp or more. Also, all operators of personal watercraft (commonly referred to as jet skis) are required to have a boating safety education certificate regardless of when they were born. The course is free but advance registration is required. To register, email revanchalk@co.schuylkill.pa.us or call 570-527-2505.

n Pottsville: The Schuylkill County Sportsmen's Advisory Board has announced that it is partnering with D.G. Yuengling & Son Inc. to promote Schuylkill County tourism and outdoor recreation at the Great American Outdoor Show Feb. 1-9 at the Farm Show Complex, Harrisburg. The advisory board, according to a press release, will unveil its revised third edition of the Schuylkill County Outdoor Recreation Map and the Schuylkill County Visitors Bureau's new guide for the county. "We believe that Yuengling's presence will attract people to our booth, where we can sell them on Schuylkill County," Craig R. Morgan, advisory board chairman, said in the release. "We have an abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities because of our plentiful natural resources and because of the sportsmen's and other outdoor organizations in the county," Morgan added, pointing to groups such as the Friends of Schuylkill Parks and Recreation, Sportsmen's Association and its member clubs, watershed groups, conservancy and others. "Yuengling is the key," Scott Fellows, advisory board vice chairman, said. "Well known in the Eastern United States, Yuengling will certainly attract show goers to our booth where we can introduce what Schuylkill County has to offer." He said the booth - No. 3,726 - will also feature free promotional items from Yuengling. For more on the show, go online to www.greatamericanoutdoorshow.org.

n Tamaqua: The Tamaqua Community Arts Center, 125 Pine St., will mark International Women's Day: Women in the Arts, on March 8 with a silent auction opening from 4 to 5 p.m., dinner and a movie, "Lost in Living" by Mark Trunk, from 5 to 7 p.m., a motivational speaker and entertainment by KJ Smile from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and the silent auction ending at 8:30 p.m. Advance dinner registrations are required. RSVP by Feb. 28. For more information, call the center at 570-668-1192.