The Schuylkill Haven Borough Water Department filed a request with the state Public Utility Commission on Tuesday to increase its water rates.

The filing requests an overall increase of $283,079, or 31 percent, over current yearly revenues, according to a press release. The increase is needed to cover increases in costs of operating the borough’s water fund since the last general rate hike in 2006.

The borough council approved the filing of the rate request “not to exceed 35 percent” on Feb. 18.

Borough Manager Scott Graver said previously that the rate hike request will affect all Schuylkill Haven water customers inside and outside the borough. The borough provides water and fire protection to North Manheim Township, Cressona and the borough. Graver said there are about 826 connections in Cressona, 243 in North Manheim Township and 2,106 in Schuylkill Haven.

If approved, the average residential customer using 3,000 gallons of water a month could see their bill increase from $25.86 to $33.20, or 28.4 percent. A typical commercial customer using 34,000 gallons a month would see their bill increase from $238.77 to $317, or by 32.7 percent. A typical industrial customer using 15,000 gallons per month would see their bill increase from $110.28 to $148.50, or by 34.7 percent, according to a news release.

The new rates are proposed to be effective May 4. The rate hike does not get approved automatically. If the PUC does not approve it before the proposed effective date, the increase in rates is suspended for up to seven months to give the PUC time to review the request. An administrative law judge is assigned to the case and formal hearings are held to give the public a chance to comment. The judge then makes a recommendation. The five member board of commissioners then votes at a public meeting on the issue.

Additional information on the filing with the PUC is available by calling the borough water department at 570-385-2841 or visiting the borough’s website at www.schuylkillhaven.org.

MAHANOY CITY — Mahanoy Area Elementary School students learned Tuesday about “Oh, The Places You’ll Go” through the joy and fun of reading.

The 18th annual Read Across America Day was celebrated at the school to promote reading among the elementary students on the 111th birthday — albeit one day late — of the late Theodor Seuss Geisel, best known as Dr. Seuss.

The special school event was created in 1998 by the National Education Association and continues to be sponsored by the organization, which represents three million members working in education around the country.

The entrance, hallways and classrooms were decorated with illustrations of Dr. Seuss characters, balloons and streamers, and students and teachers were wearing Dr. Seuss-related clothing and handmade items, along with the famous red and white floppy stovepipe hat of “The Cat in the Hat.”

Third-grade teacher Natalie Zawada, the head of the English Language Arts Department, was dressed for the day as the Cat in the Hat, complete with red and white hat down to the red and white striped stockings.

“Today, we planned for Read Across America Day for the students,” Zawada said. “We have guest readers from retired teachers to school board members to the (Mahanoy City) chief of police to read to the students their favorite Dr. Seuss book. The kids have also created the ‘Oh, The Places You’ll Go’ theme, so students can dress in a different theme, such as a career. They could wear their favorite college T-shirt where they may want to go to college in the future, or dress in Dr. Seuss attire. We created balloons where they could tell us what they want to do when they grow up.”

“Dr. Seuss made reading fun and that’s why we celebrate reading on his birthday,” teacher-librarian Michelle Wells, who also helped coordinate the event, said. “We’re just celebrate reading and bring reading into the community, that we’re a community of readers and that you’re never to old to read. When we say the ‛Reader’s Oath,’ we say, ‘feeding my brain what it needs everyday.’ I tell the kids that you brush your teeth everyday, you wash your hair everyday, you have to exercise your body and exercise your brain every day.”

There were 19 guest readers on the schedule, spaced out to visit classroom between 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. In the kindergarten classroom of teacher Thomas Dulsky, Mahanoy City borough Manager and school board member Daniel Lynch read the Dr. Seuss book “Oh, Say Can You Say” as the children sat on the floor around him.

After the reading, Lynch asked the children, “Did you like the book?”

All the children said, “Yes,” and he said, “Good. I’m very happy, and thank you for letting me come in to read it to you.”

In the fourth-grade classroom of teacher Keri Kardisco, Mahanoy City Public Library director and retired school district librarian Tom Seiberling read “The Seven Ravens,” written by the Brothers Grimm.

In another classroom, retired first-grade teacher Carol Kalista read Dr. Seuss’ “Wacky Wednesday” to the second-grade students of teacher Nicole Anthony.

Other readers were police Chief John Kaczmarczyk, Mahanoy City Postmaster James Mayberry, school board members Nancy Boyle and Karen Yedsena, Superintendent Joie Green and many retired teachers.

The writer and illustrator of children’s books told in rhyme, Geisel was born on March 2, 1904. The school was ready to celebrate on Monday, but a winter weather delay moved the reading party to Tuesday, though the children and teachers did not seem to mind.

The title of the Dr. Seuss book, “Oh The Places You’ll Go,” was chosen as this year’s theme to mark the 25th anniversary of the book’s publication. He wrote 46 books, including “Green Eggs and Ham,” “The Cat in the Hat,” “One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish,” “Horton Hears a Who!” and “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!”

His first published book was “And to Think That I Saw it on Mulberry Street” in 1937, and the last book published before Geisel’s death in 1991 was “Oh, The Places You’ll Go” in 1990. Three other books — one complete and two other from his notes and sketches — were published in the 1990s. A new book, “What Pet Should I Get?” from recently found notes and sketches will be published in July.

Elementary Principal Susan Scheeler said events like “Read Across America” are great for the students.

“The children are very excited,” Scheeler said. “They love things like this. The elementary kids should have things like this. This is what makes reading very exciting for them. The more we put into it, the more they see how exciting books can be.”

Scheeler said planning for the day begins months in advance.

“My English language arts teachers start planning this right after Christmas. We start in early January to get it ready and make sure we have everything in place,” Scheeler said.

The snow caused an early dismissal and postponed the planned afternoon assembly in the auditorium, which the taking of the Dr. Seuss’ reader’s oath, Scheeler singing a reading song and reading the book “Oh! The Places You’ll Go.” The students will learn about Dr. Seuss followed by a trivia game. The assembly will be held today.

RAVEN RUN — The frigid temperatures in the past month have caused many frozen pipes in municipal and private water systems and water-line problems for customers.

For the Municipal Authority of the Borough of Shenandoah, keeping water mains open and repaired to provide service are also an expense that the financially struggling authority does not need.

Authority manager Mary Lou Jaskierski said this had been a terrible winter to deal with.

“This winter is horrible. This is the worst. This is by far the worst,” Jaskierski said. “It’s never been like this. And I know they say it’s like this all over, and it is. We’re short-handed. You don’t have the manpower to be running everywhere.

“We have several issues here,” Jaskierski continued. “We have problems with frozen lines, but a majority of them are inside issues that we’re aware of for a lot of the customers. In addition to that, we have leaks. What can go wrong is going wrong.”

Jaskierski said the distribution lines have been freezing due to the sub-zero cold.

“We’ve had a few frozen mains and we actually had to run a temporary line for a customer,” she said. “We have four big issues right now that we believe, though 100 percent, are the authority’s problem. The problems all are over. The other authorities are dealing with the same issues that we are.”

When asked about freezing problems in the Turkey Run section of Shenandoah, Jaskierski said, “The people who called the office from Turkey Run about problems had neighbors who had water, which led us to believe it wasn’t the main but the service line going into the property,” Jaskierski said. “Our advice is to have a plumber come in and thaw the lines. The authority doesn’t thaw the lines. We also had a lot of frozen meters at properties, so when our guys would go down and replace the meters, they would tell the customers to wrap them with insulation and that kind of advice.”

Jaskierski said authority employees do try to help in providing information to plumbing companies.

“When a plumber is trying to thaw a line, we have someone who can help him try to locate a curbstop. It’s been really rough.”

Jaskierski said that last winter was also cold and had many of the same problems.

“We had a few frozen meters that burst last year, but that was it,” she said. “We didn’t have as many frozen lines as this year, which is taken a toll. Even our big 16-inch main near the (Raven Run) reservoir froze and we had to get that fixed. That froze, and when we thought we had it thawed, then it went to another section and blew a piece of pipe out. We were working three or four days last week. Finally, late last Friday night we got it opened.”

She said that when a warm-up happens, there could be more problems.

“When the warm-up comes, we’re going to get a lot of leaks that will break out. That’s usually what happens,” Jaskierski said.

Her advice is to keep basements as warm as possible, wrap pipes with insulation, and keep the water running a little.

“It may cost a little more in the bill, at least you’ll have water,” she said. “If a customer sees their water turning a little brown, that’s a possibility the water could be freezing. Leave it run. When a customer calls and says they have brown water, we’ll say it’s ready to freeze. Sometimes they’ll say that haven’t had any water freeze in 40 years, but it doesn’t matter.”

Jaskierski said a major issue is the growing number of vacant structures with no heat.

“There are so many vacant buildings in the town that used to have heat. They’re not heated now and that does affect your home,” Jaskierski explained. “You can get a draft in your basement than can freeze your pipes.”

The financial side of the freezing problems has MABS looking for help.

“We’re out reaching out for help from everybody. We’re short on manpower and money. It’s horrible,” Jaskierski said. “We’ve reached out to Schuylkill County Emergency Management (Agency) and Senator (David) Argall’s office. We’re trying everything and anything to see if there is anything out there. We’re looking for something financially out there to help.”

SHENANDOAH — The Shenandoah Valley School District and the borough will team up to make improvements at Bicentennial Field in the near future.

The field, located at the south side of the borough, is the home field of the district’s Lady Devils softball team but is borough property. The main project will be the removal of the two dugouts, which are in poor shape, and construct new ones, with the plan to have the work done in time for the 2015 season.

Borough and school district officials were in contact with each other. Former Borough Manager Joseph L. Palubinsky and district Maintenance Supervisor David Lukashunas discussed about what could be done, which was followed by a letter from district Superintendent Stanley G. Rakowsky with the particulars on what was discussed.

After Palubinsky’s resignation on Jan. 30, a follow-up letter was sent by Rakowsky to council President Donald E. Segal reiterating what had been discussed.

“The school district is going to build the dugouts,” Rakowsky said on Monday. “Don had called me and said there was no problem.”

During the borough council meeting of Feb. 23, Segal read the letter from Rakowsky to Palubinsky, leading to a unanimous vote for the use of borough equipment for the project. The motion was made by council Vice President Leo Pietkiewicz, seconded by Councilman Ronald Michalowski.

In the letter to Segal, Rakowsky wrote, “The softball field at Bicentennial Park has long been the home field for the Shenandoah Valley High School girls’ softball team. Working together, Shenandoah Borough and Shenandoah Valley School District, have been able to provide a venue for this activity beneficial to both the school and community. On a yearly basis, the district recognized its responsibility to provide for basic maintenance of the facility. However, as with all structures over time, the dugouts have become less than accommodating.”

Last year, Lukashunas was directed by Rakowsky to initiate discussion with the borough with the goal being to improve the dugouts for the 2015 season. The discussion led to a decision to demolish the dugouts as soon as weather permits and construct suitable replacement dugouts.

“They’re not going to be like Phillies’ dugouts, that’s for sure,” Rakowsky said. “But they will be something with a roof on it and a fence in front of it and some benches, at least for this year. The school board felt that most of the use of the field is by the school district, so therefore it is an investment in ourselves, even though it is owned by the Borough of Shenandoah.”

The discussion between the borough and district officials led to the following plans:

• Razing the current dugouts is a priority.

• The actual demolishing of the dugouts and removal of debris would be a joint effort between the school district and borough personnel.

• Shenandoah Valley would provide the manual labor to raze the dugouts and the borough would provide the backhoe and dump truck for removal of the debris. The school district will be responsible for the dugout construction.

• Soliciting funds through fundraisers or booster clubs for replacing the dugouts.

After the dugouts are removed, Dymatex fill will be placed on the field as needed, followed by the replacement of the dugouts.

Rakowsky said that there is no cost estimate on the project.

“It’s another example of the town-gown working together,” Rakowsky said on Monday. “We not just the school district down here and the borough up there. This is another example of working together.”

Schuylkill County residents can expect more snow today, although not too much.

“If people are expecting a big snowstorm, I don’t think it’s going to happen,” Kevin Fitzgerald, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, State College, said Wednesday.

The area is in a Winter Weather Advisory from 7 p.m. Wednesday to 7 p.m. today. Total accumulation will be between 2 to 4 inches, Fitzgerald said.

“It will probably start out as heavy (snow),” he said.

The website for the National Weather Service, www.weather.gov, said 2 to 5 inches are possible. The snow was expected to start Wednesday evening and should end by this afternoon or be very light, Fitzgerald said.

Fitzgerald said the temperatures will be “quite cold” today, “holding at the mid-20s.” The low today will be near zero. Friday will be a “very cold day” and temperatures will be in the mid-to-low 20s, with a low of about 10. Saturday and Sunday will see high temperatures in the 30s and lows in the 20s. The normal high temperature is in the mid-40s for this time of year, he said.

No additional snow is forecast for the weekend, Fitzgerald said.

Dan Kelly, superintendent of streets for Pottsville, has had enough of the snow.

Workers will be out as needed during the inclement weather.

“As long as it snows, we are not bad,” he said about using any rock salt on the roads, which the street department has only a limited amount remaining. Additional rock salt ordered has yet to arrive. The city still has anti-skid material remaining. It received 100 tons of anti-skid Wednesday. The city has 125 tons of anti-skid and 25 tons of salt.

Kelly said with the winter weather Tuesday, the road crew was split up so they could get rest. Some of the workers were out until midnight Tuesday and the rest came in early Wednesday. He has not spent much time so far looking at the weather forecasts because he has been busy getting ready for the next round of winter weather. Workers were busy preparing the trucks Wednesday for use that day into today.

Boy drove ATV

on roadway

ELIZABETHVILLE — A 17-year-old boy was cited for several traffic violations Feb. 26 after police responded to the report of a ATV on the roadway.

State police at Lykens said the 5:19 p.m. incident occurred at Camp Street, Elizabethville, Dauphin County. Police said the boy was also using obscene language directed at the officers.

A nontraffic citation was filed in Magisterial District Judge Rebecca J. Margerum’s Elizabethville office.

Police investigate

break-in attempts

WILLIAMSTOWN — Police are looking for a man suspected of attempting to burglarize several area homes about 2:10 p.m. Feb. 26.

State police at Lykens said a neighbor reported that a man in his early 20s, who wearing a black, Philadelphia Eagles jacket and red plaid pants, tried to enter several homes in the 100 block of East Street. Police remind residents to lock their doors and vehicles.

Anyone with information about this incident or the identity of the individual is asked to call 717-362-8700 and reference incident H04-2367459.

Fire companies in the Pottsville area will be the first in Schuylkill County to receive new portable radios.

The county commissioners approved an agreement Wednesday with 20 fire companies in the city and surrounding area for 25 mobile and 127 portable radios. The agreement includes insurance and replacement policies.

A training session will be held for two officers from each company within the next few weeks. Companies will receive the portable radios during the training and mobile units will be installed later, Scott Krater, Schuylkill County Communications Center director, said. Krater said the 107 fire companies in Schuylkill County were divided into eight groups for agreements that will be presented to the commissioners. Radio allocations are different for each company.

Fire companies included in Wednesday’s agreement are East Norwegian Township Fire Company; Mount Carbon/North Manheim Township Fire Company No. 1; Citizens Fire Company, Palo Alto; East End Fire Company, Palo Alto; Good Will Fire Company, Port Carbon; Good Intent Fire Company, Pottsville; Phoenix Fire Company, Pottsville; Humane Fire Company, Pottsville; Good Will Fire Company, Pottsville; West End Hose Company, Pottsville; Yorkville Hose & Fire Company, Pottsville; American Hose Company, Pottsville; Saint Clair Fire Company; Alert Fire Company, Saint Clair; Columbia Hose Company, Saint Clair; Rescue Hook & Ladder, Saint Clair; Phoenix Hose Company, Saint Clair; West End Fire Company, Saint Clair; Mar Lin Citizens Fire Company, Mar Lin; and Seltzer Hose Company, Seltzer.

The county commissioners approved more than $5 million in funding on Dec. 24, 2014, to purchase 1,140 mobile and portable radios from Motorola Solutions Inc. for fire companies and to supplement police and EMS agencies. The Schuylkill County Fire Chiefs Association drafted the policies and procedures.

The plan is to provide one mobile radio for each front line apparatus, which includes engine, ladder, tanker and rescue vehicles, and then four portables per engine, ladder with pump and two portables per ladder, tanker and rescue.

The commissioner also approved an agreement Wednesday for six radios from Motorola Solutions Inc. for the Adult Probation department. The contract is for two APX 6500 mobile radios and four APX 6000 portable radios for $25,934. The radios are being paid for by the department’s supervision fund.

In other news, the Office of Senior Services is accepting bids to provide congregate and home-delivered meals and for a registered dietitian.

Due to new aging program directives that went into effect this year, the department needed to hire a registered dietitian to monitor senior center and adult day care food programs, train providers, staff and participants and approve menus.

“I think it will help improve the program and educate the staff to better advise them on nutrition,” DeAnna Orlowsky, senior services deputy administrator, said.

Bids for the contracts are due in the county controller’s office, located in the courthouse at 401 N. Second St., Pottsville, by 3 p.m. April 13.

The commissioners retirement board will meet immediately following the public meeting March 11.

HARRISBURG — Gov. Tom Wolf is going where few governors have with his plan to link substantial school property tax cuts with higher state taxes.

The Democratic governor asked lawmakers Tuesday to approve hikes in state personal income and sales taxes to help reduce school property taxes by more than $3 billion, thereby providing an estimated $1,000 cut for average homeowners.

Rising school property taxes have been Pennsylvania’s No. 1 open political sore for at least four decades.

Wolf’s decision to tackle property taxes raises the stakes for what would be a tough budget year anyway. Pennsylvania has a projected $2 billion deficit and has run out of short-term options to balance the next budget as required by state law.

The governor’s chief of staff, Katie McGinty, called agreement on property tax relief the linchpin to an overall budget accord with the Republican-controlled Legislature. The proposed budget also calls for increased education spending with revenue from a severance tax on natural gas production and changes to business taxes.

GOP focus on hikes

GOP lawmakers have roundly criticized the tax hikes while giving varied responses to the prospect of property tax cuts.

Wolf wants to distribute the new property tax relief the same way that casino slots revenues are earmarked for property tax relief. That would favor school districts with high property taxes and poverty levels. Also, an estimated 270,000 households headed by senior citizens would have their school property taxes eliminated, officials said.

For more than 100 school districts, Wolf’s proposal brings an added dividend if enacted.

These school districts will receive enough state-funded property tax relief under the plan to go above a threshold on how much money can go to homestead property tax exemptions. These exemptions are capped under the state Constitution at 50 percent of the median household’s tax bill in that district. These district will be required to use the extra state funds to reduce the property tax millage rate on all residential and business properties.

Property tax cuts can be a driver for lawmakers to consider Wolf’s tax proposals, said Christopher Borick, Ph.D., a Throop native who is director of Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion. Without the property tax part, Wolf would have a very limited chance to get his proposals enacted, he added.

Senior citizens vote on a regular basis and will pay attention to the property tax cut debate, Borick said.

Wolf’s plan calls for providing the property tax relief in October 2106, one month before the presidential election.

A festering issue

The Pennsylvania Lottery was created in 1972 to provide property tax rebates to lower-income seniors. But agitation for property tax relief continued and governors formed study commissions in response.

Gov. Robert Casey pushed for an overhaul of the entire local tax structure, but voters defeated his plan amid fears that pensions would be taxed at the state and local level. Lawmakers approved a $100 “centennial” property tax rebate in 2000.

Pennsylvania has provided property tax relief for nearly a decade through an earmark of casino slot revenues, but the average $187 annual tax cut is a disappointment to many.

Rep. Aaron Kaufer, R-120, Kingston, said he wants to make sure Wolf’s plan provides more relief than promised with the casino earmark.

Wolf’s plan faces opposition from taxpayer groups who want to eliminate property taxes with a combination of state income and sales tax hikes. They believe that eliminating the tax under the Property Tax Independence Act is the only way to make sure that school boards don’t hike it in the future.

“You might see a few years of help but, in the end, the property tax will go right back to where it was before but with the new replacement taxes to pay,” David Baldinger, spokesman for the Pennsylvania Coalition of Taxpayer Associations, said.

The House approved an optional school property tax reduction bill and voted down a property-tax elimination amendment in the fall of 2013. The measure has yet to reach the Senate floor.

To keep property taxes down, Wolf would keep the current voter referendum rules on property tax increases above inflation. He proposes to prohibit districts with an unreserved fund balance of more than 4 percent of their budget from raising property taxes. The current threshold in this regard is 8 percent to 12 percent.

This lower threshold would keep 412 districts from hiking property taxes, officials said.

The Greater Pottsville Area Sewer Authority recently issued two refunds, one to a Pottsville resident and the other to the Borough of Port Carbon, Timothy R. Yingling, the GPASA executive director, said Wednesday.

At its last public meeting, held Feb. 25, the authority refunded $4,305.68 to Jean Abrachinsky, 402 Prospect St., Pottsville, for plumber and clean-up costs after a sewer back-up occurred on Jan. 27, Yingling said.

“Her line was broken out at the main and it caused a back-up into her house. So we reimbursed her for her plumber and clean-up costs. And we fixed the sewer main,” Yingling said.

The authority also reimbursed the Borough of Port Carbon for a sewer cost associated with the state’s demolition and rebuild of the Pottsville Street Bridge.

“The Borough of Port Carbon requested a partial refund on sewer payments made during October and November 2014 since the contractor, Heim Construction, used water during construction activities, but the water didn’t go into the sewer system. It was my understanding they were using it to keep the concrete cool. It was curing. The refund amount was $1,073.09,” Yingling said.

Also at the Feb. 25 meeting, GPASA approved raises for its six nonunion staff members. The members and their 2014 salaries and 2015 salaries are:

• Timothy R. Yingling, executive director; 2014 salary, $96,415.80; 2015 salary, $99,500.

• James W. Quinn, office manager; 2014 salary, $53,125.60; 2015 salary, $54,325.60.

• Joseph A. Brahler, pretreatment program coordinator; 2014 salary, $52,275.92; 2015 salary, $53,475.92.

• Ellen J. Quinn, billing clerk; 2014 salary, $48,740.64.; 2015 salary, $49,740.64.

• Brenda L. Schuettler, billing/collection supervisor; 2014 salary, $47,916.52; 2015 salary, $49,216.52.

• Christina M. Herndon, administrative secretary; 2014 salary, $32,023.88; 2015 salary, $33,223.88.

The authority’s 12 contract employees also received raises this year, according to figures provided by Yingling. The employees, their titles, their 2014 salaries and their 2015 salaries are as follows:

• Robert J. Brennan Sr., assistant plant operator; 2014 salary, $50,190.40; 2015 salary, $51,334.40.

• Jason M. Conway, street crew laborer; 2014 salary, $49,920; 2015 salary, $51,064.

• Ronald D. Dermo, assistant plant operator; 2014 salary, $46,820.80; 2015 salary, $47,964.80.

• Michael R. DiCello, assistant plant operator; 2014 salary, $49,566.40; 2015 salary, $50,710,40.

• William M. Haley, maintenance; 2014 salary, $49,920; 2015 salary, $51,064.

• David L. Kraft, chief operator; 2014 salary, $56,763; 2015 salary, $57,907.20

• Emidio A. Piccioni, assistant plant manager; 2014 salary, $50,190.40; 2015 salary, $51,334.40.

• James J. Pugh, maintenance; 2014 salary, $49,920; 2015 salary, $51,064.

• Vincent D. Riotto, street crew supervisor; 2014 salary, $55,931.20; 2015 salary, $57,075.20.

• John R. Ross, assistant plant operator; 2014 salary, $49,982.20; 2015 salary, $51,126.40.

• Jerome R. Setlock, street crew laborer; 2014 salary, $50,366; 2015 salary, $51,480.

• James D. Thomas Jr., street crew laborer; 2014 salary, $49,920; 2015 salary, $51,064.

HOMETOWN — Rush Township was awarded an Appalachian Regional Commission grant of $50,000 that will be used for a sewer line extension in the township.

The grant tops off funding for other sources to begin the bidding phase for the Lincoln Drive Sanitary Sewer Line Extension project.

U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright announced the grant award in a media release on Feb. 27.

“I am pleased that ARC has chosen to award Rush Township with a grant that will expand sewer access along Lincoln Drive,” Cartwright, D-17, said. “The extension of this sewer line will ensure proper sewage disposal, protecting local soils and improving watershed quality. The ARC has consistently benefited municipalities in the 17th congressional district, and I am a firm supporter of the organization and the work they do.”

ARC is a regional economic development agency that represents a partnership of federal, state, and local governments, including those in Cartwright’s district of Carbon, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe and Schuylkill counties.

The Lincoln Drive Sanitary Sewer Extension project will alleviate current on-lot sewage disposal systems and provide long-term sewage disposal for nine households and four business sites in the area. A total of 3,735 linear feet of sanitary sewer line will be installed and wastewater treatment will be by agreement between the Tamaqua Borough Authority and Rush Township.

In addition to ARC funds, state sources will provide $500,000 and local sources will provide $406,178, bringing the total project funding to $956,178. The ARC funding will provide an important supplement to local and state funding to allow the project to move forward.

William N. McMullen, project manager with ARRO Consulting Inc., the township’s consulting engineer, said the $500,000 from the state are Community Development Block Grant funds. The $406,178 are from the township’s Hometown Sewer Fund.

“We’ve been working on this project since 2013, and probably the grant application before that,” McMullen said.

McMullen said that the available funding is enough to move the project forward with a tentative completion in early fall.

“We’re waiting for a few easements, and, hopefully, this project will be bid in April or May of this year, with shovels in the ground in May or June, with completion by September or October,” McMullen said.

Township Vice Chairman Robert J. Leibensperger said both the ARC and CDBG grants will help getting the sewer line project started.

“Right now we have on-lot sewage systems in that area of the township, and they’re in areas where streams run along one side of Route 309 and also toward the Wal-Mart side toward the pristine water for the Lehigh (River),” Leibensperger said. “We’ve had some issues where the on-lot sewage for some of the residents fail.”

Leibensperger said that the on-lot systems in the area were placed in the 1970s and 1980s when the regulations were not as stringent, particularly to the minimum size needed for a property to have such systems.

“You didn’t need to have stringent on-lot sewage disposal like you do now,” he said. “Right now a lot of them would not qualify.”

He added that many businesses are using holding tanks for sewage, and a collection system will help those businesses and future ones.

Leibensperger added, “Because many of those residents are low- and moderate-income, there will be no hookup fees involved. They’ll just be able to hook on. In certain parts of the township, the hookup costs can range from $3,000 to $6,000 because we have some areas that need to have grinder pumps, and this area will all be gravity fed.”

This new collection system will also allow property owners who want to add a building to a lot will be able to do so.

Leibensperger said that the state grants, such as CDBG, are very important to small municipalities such as Rush Township and other local ones, and he hopes the grants will continued to be available for project such as Lincoln Drive.

“Unlike cities, we do not have high-end revenue that we can plug in for projects, so we’re hoping that the governor doesn’t go after those items that allow small municipalities like Rush the ability to expand and develop their infrastructure and provide a quality of life for our residents.”

Leibensperger said the current Hometown sewer system that the Lincoln Drive will connect to has more than 900 equivalent dwelling units that include residential, commercial and industrial customers, including those in the TIDE Industrial Park. An EDU is a standard service unit is defined as one single-family dwelling unit or its equivalent.

Twenty firearms confiscated from a Carbon County man will not be returned to him but must be given to his daughter, a Schuylkill County judge ordered Wednesday.

Judge Charles M. Miller ruled that under state law, Terry R. Boyer, 58, of Jim Thorpe, cannot own the guns, but is entitled to turn them over to Kelly A. Lewis, 37, of Walker Township.

“He does have a right ... to transfer ownership of any weapons” under the Pennsylvania Uniform Firearms Act, Miller said.

All 20 guns are long guns, Deputy Sheriff Gerard Daley told Miller.

However, Boyer’s June 2007 conviction for aggravated assault makes him ineligible to own or use any of the guns, Miller said. Lewis, who has a license to carry firearms, said she would not allow Boyer access to the rifles.

After a two-day trial, a Schuylkill County jury convicted Boyer on June 5, 2007, of three counts of aggravated assault and seven of recklessly endangering another person. On July 26, 2007, Miller, who presided over the trial, sentenced Boyer to serve 32 to 64 months in a state correctional institution, pay costs and $3,500 in fines and submit a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities.

West Penn Township police charged Boyer with committing his crimes on Sept. 13, 2005, in the township.

Prosecutors on Dec. 8, 2014, filed the petition to destroy the guns.

Miller ruled that since there was no evidence that any of the guns were used in committing the crimes, Boyer had the right to transfer them. If prosecutors had proven that one or more of the weapons had been used to commit the crimes, that gun or guns would had to have been destroyed, according to Miller.

“We have no reason to believe that any of these weapons were used in that act,” Deputy Assistant District Attorney John T. Fegley said.

ORWIGSBURG — The Blue Mountain school board approved a new contract for teachers with a pay raises and higher insurance costs.

The school board voted Feb. 26 for a contract with the teachers that also includes pay increases for coaches and extracurricular advisors.

“It’s a one-year contract,” Blue Mountain Superintendent Robert Urzillo said Wednesday.

The contract covers the time period from July 1, 2014, to June 30. The teachers had been working without a contract since last June. Urzillo said the teachers get a raise amounting to about 2.3 percent. The amount of the raise varies depending on how much the teacher makes, Urzillo said. School board President Heather Gosch said there are about 200 teachers in the district. An exact amount the coaches and extracurricular advisors will receive was not available. Gosch said between $13,000 to $15,000 was allocated for that step increase.

There were nine provisions in the contract and the first eight were agreed to by an 8 to 1 vote. Board member Herman Fligge abstained from the vote for items one through eight because he was a teacher previously. All other board members voted in favor of the contract items one through eight. Gosch abstained from the increase for the coaches and extracurricular advisors because her husband is an assistant wrestling coach for the high school.

The eight contract items focused on revisions, one being the elimination of traditional health insurance effective July 1. The cost for the deductible for Preferred Provider Organization went to a $350 deductible up from $250 for a single and family coverage deductible went to $700 from $500 effective July 1. Other options included for employees to select a qualified high deductible health insurance plan starting January 1, 2016. Such a plan can save an individual a lot of money and could also bring significant savings to the district, Gosch said. An additional $50,000 was added for the salary scale for the teachers.

Gosch said between 40 to 50 employees would be affected by the step movement for coaches and extracurricular advisors.

In other news, the board approved the payment of $37,554 to Tanner of PA Inc., Harrisburg, for new cafeteria tables at Blue Mountain Elementary East. The board voted previously for the purchase. The board also approved the purchase of wireless equipment for the middle school at a cost of $54,123.23. The district’s share of the project will be $21,649.29 and will be paid from the capital reserve fund. The project is contingent on other funding.

Janel Hansbury was voted as interim assistant principal at Blue Mountain Elementary Cressona and West schools starting about April 6 and ending five days later than the last day of the current school year. She will receive an additional $20 per diem in addition to her daily teacher rate. Hansbury is filing in for Kristin Frederick, assistant principal at the Cressona and West schools. Frederick is on maternity leave and will return for the 2015-16 school year.

The board accepted the resignation of Terence Laughlin as Blue Mountain Virtual Academy teacher. Lauren Shimer and Michael Burcik were hired as teachers for the academy for the second semester of the current school year. The board also accepted the resignations of Rick Jones as junior high assistant track and field coach and Tracy Rogers as assistant girls’ softball coach.

n Fountain Springs: The North Schuylkill School District will conduct kindergarten registration Monday until March 13. For kindergarten for the 2015-16 school year, students must be 5 years old by July 1. Parents/guardians should contact the school to set up a registration time, according to a release from Jim Gross, athletic/public relations director.

n Gordon: The Friends of Gordon and the Citizens Fire Company will sponsor the Gordon Chili Cook-off from 7 to 11 p.m. March 7 in the fire company social hall, Plane and Otto streets. Admission is $20 and includes chili tasting contest, an event mug and beverages. Organizers of the community’s first chili cook-off said in a release the motto is “Chilly Outside; Chili Inside.” For more information, call 570-875-1045.

n Lehighton: St. John’s Church of Mahoning, 826 Mahoning Drive (west), will sponsor an AYCE community spaghetti dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. March 14 to benefit Hilbert Green and his family. He was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. The cost is $8 for adults, $4 for children 5 to 12 and free for youngsters under 5. Meals will include spaghetti, homemade meatballs, salad bar, bread, applesauce, beverage and homemade dessert. For more information, 570-386-9960.

n Minersville: Ss. Peter and Paul Orthodox Church is taking orders in its nut roll and paska sale. The order deadline is March 13. To order, or for more information, call 570-544-2690.

n Minersville: The New Minersville Fire Company will host a soup sale from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the firehouse, 500 Line St. The cost is $8 per quart. Flavors will include chicken rice, beef vegetable, Italian wedding, bean and halushki. Free local delivery will be available. To order or for more information, call 570-527-4995.

n Orwigsburg: A Jonathan Bond artist reception is set for 5 to 8 p.m. March 6 at the Walk In Art Center, 220 Parkway, in conjunction with the center’s first invitational art exhibit. For more information, call 570-640-2090.

n Pine Grove: The Pine Grove Wesleyan Church will sponsor a Jesus film showing from 4 to 5:30 p.m. March 8 at the Pine Grove Theater, 213 S. Tulpehocken St. The showing is a fundraiser to support the showing of the film in other countries through missions of the Weslyan Church. For more information, call 570-915-6165.

n Pottsville: A Schuylkill County man is among “24 elite drivers from Pennsylvania” who are among 1,445 worldwide newly inducted into the Circle of Honor, an honorary organization for United Parcel Service drivers who have achieved 25 or more years of accident-free driving. The county inductee is Robert Schwalm, Pine Grove, who works out of the Pottsville UPS site. According to a UPS release, Pennsylvania has 281 active Circle of Honor drivers. Globally, 7,878 active UPS drivers are members of the circle.

n Pottsville: McCann School of Business & Technology Pottsville campus will host a financial aid night from 6 to 8 p.m. March 19 open to all students looking for more information about aid. The school also has a special high school senior event planned. The discussion will include FAFSA and why an application must be completed, what is needed to fill out the form and how to do so. There will also be a question-answer session. Advance registration is required. To register, call Ashley Drummer, high school admissions representative, at 570-391-3055 or email her at ashley.drummer@mccann.edu.

n Ringtown: A book signing titled “The Cellar” is set for 4 to 7 p.m. March 17 at Ringtown Area Library, 132 W. Main St. Autographed novels will be available for $10 each. A free raffle will be held for a door prize. For more information, call 570-773-2468.

n Schuylkill Haven: Diakon Living and Learning will sponsor a session on basic crocheting from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. March 19 at the Schuylkill Haven Center, 340 Haven St. The cost is $40 for four sessions. Participants will learn to make items such as scarves and hats. For more information or to register, call 570-624-3018 by March 12.

n Schuylkill Haven: Diakon Living and Learning will sponsor an introduction to genealogy from 1 to 3 p.m. March 10 at Lori’s Angels, 25 W. Main St. Tickets are $10 each. To register or for more information, call 570-624-3018. Diakon will also sponsor a session on budgeting from 1 to 3 p.m. March 24 at Lori’s Angels. The cost is $10. Use the aforementioned phone number.

MAHANOY CITY — A Shenandoah man was charged by Mahanoy Township police after a chase that began about 10:05 p.m. Monday.

Police said the incident began on Route 54 at the St. Nicholas Breaker, near the intersection with Route 4030, and involved Scott T. Sajda, 27, of 19 S. Bower St.

Patrolman Elliott Burlett charged Sajda with felony fleeing or attempting to elude police, misdemeanor endangering another person and summary offenses of reckless driving, driving at an unsafe speed, careless driving, stop and yield sign violations, trespass by motor vehicle and turning movements and required signals.

Butlett said he was sitting on Route 4030 in a marked police cruiser when he saw a dark Jeep Cherokee fail to stop for a clearly posted stop sign coming off Route 54.

The driver, later identified as Sajda, turned right onto Route 4030 and was traveling at a high rate of speed, coming close to the police vehicle, Burlett said.

The officer said he activated his emergency lights and tried to pull the vehicle over, but Sajda continued south on Route 4030 at speeds of more than 60 mph and then quickly turned right onto the private property of Reading Anthracite.

While taking the back, dirt roads, Burlett said, Sajda almost lost control two times due to driving conditions and the speed he was traveling.

Burlett said he notified the Schuylkill County Communications Center and about three minutes later, about 10:08 p.m., Sajda exited the dirt roads and began to travel toward Shenandoah on Route 54 at a high rate of speed.

After entering Shenandoah, Burlett said, Sajda turned left onto the back streets of the borough, at which time the pursuit was ended due to the high speeds and icy road conditions.

About 10:11 p.m., Burlett said he located the vehicle parked on Grant Street, near Oak Street, where Sajda abandoned it and fled the area on foot.

After running the license plate, Shenandoah police Patrolman Joshua Pastucka and West Mahanoy Township police Patrolman Marvin Livergood went to a home at 19 S. Bower St. where Sajda came to the door, turned himself in and said he “should not have done that” and that he had been drinking, Burlett said.

Sajda was taken to the Shenandoah police station for evaluation and then to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street for a blood alcohol test.

When interviewed about 12:10 a.m. Tuesday, Burlett said, Sajda admitted drinking about 12 cans of beer and smoking marijuana within 24 hours of the incident.

Charges against Sajda were filed Wednesday with Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker, Shenandoah.

A Pottsville man is one of 12 people charged Wednesday by the state attorney general’s office in connection to what officials describe as a prescription drug scheme.

Nicholas M. Brown, 32, of 511 Spruce St., faces one count of acquiring or obtaining possession of a controlled substance by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception or subterfuge.

His preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Joseph S. Lindsey, Harrisburg, is scheduled for 3:15 p.m. April 10.

Agents from the office of state Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane alleged Brown is one of 12 people who obtained fraudulent prescriptions from Dr. David Wait, who was charged in December 2014 with selling prescriptions for cash.

The prescriptions were filled at dozens of pharmacies in Allegheny, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lebanon, Perry and York counties, the office alleged. Many of the people who received prescriptions were not Wait’s patients, and some never met him, according to the office.

Brown allegedly committed his crime in Lower Paxton Township, Dauphin County, the office alleged.

State police, the federal Drug Enforcement Administration and the state Office of Inspector General assisted with the investigation.

The other defendants include the following:

• Neil Alexander, 30, of Masontown

• Jerry Burrall, 32, of Lemoyne

• Thomas Carricato, 52, of Harrisburg

• Robin Clark, 50, of Canton

• Clayton Foster, 26, of Harrisburg

• Joseph Mitchell, 32, of Newport

• Sean Reiley, 24, of Palmyra

• Nicholas Sexton, 29, of Wormleysburg

• Ashlee Shul, 22, of Harrisburg

• Carlos Soto, 50, of Trooper

• Gina Swartz, 47, of Enola

Deputy Attorney General Bob Smulktis will prosecute the cases, including Brown’s.

In their heyday, The Jordan Brothers had their music published on labels including Philips, Cheltenham and London.

On Thursday, Frank Jordan, 73, of Pine Grove, recalled when the band’s version of “Gimme Some Lovin’ ” was released on 45 rpm. It had a black label and the word “PHILIPS” was emblazoned across the top in bright orange.

“There were so many labels. We even found out at one point our music was on a Mexican label. The sad part about that was we never knew about those labels,” Frank recalled.

Fans of The Jordan Brothers can share their memories of the band’s music when two of the group’s members, Frank and his brother, Joe, make an appearance at an record collectors event Sunday in Lancaster County.

From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, they will be at the Keystone Record Collectors Pennsylvania Music Expo, which will be held at the Continental Inn, 2285 Lincoln Highway East, U.S. 30, near Dutch Wonderland in Lancaster.

Admission to the expo, which begins at 9 a.m. and ends at 3 p.m., is free, according to Eddie Collins, Pottsville, who is vice president of Keystone Record Collectors.

“This is the first time that Joe is going. I’ve done the show previously. I made an appearance there about two years ago. It’s great. The vendors come with so many vinyl records. You have to see it to believe it. Then you meet people who collect these records and they tell us how they follow the band and it brings back great memories,” Frank said.

The expo, which celebrates its 36th anniversary this year, will have more than 60 vendors in two showrooms, Collins, a veteran entertainer, radio personality and music historian, said. He will also serve as the show’s announcer.

“Frequent meet-and-greet autograph sessions and mini performances are held at the show. These events have featured numerous national artists and music industry celebrities,” Collins said.

Based in Schuylkill County, The Jordan Brothers were a rock ‘n’ roll band active from 1954 to 1986. It was made up of four brothers: Frank, a vocalist who played tenor sax and bass guitar, resides in Pine Grove; Joe, a vocalist, keyboard player, Chordovox piano player and organist, resides in Butler Township; Lew, a vocalist who played lead guitar, resides in Frackville; and Bob, the band’s drummer, who passed away in 1993.

Their parents were Angelo F. Jordan, who was born in 1920 and died in 1987, and Adele A. Jordan, who was born in 1922 and died in 2002, according to www.findagrave.com.

The band performed on “American Bandstand” with Dick Clark.

“We were on three times when the show was in Philadelphia, and once when it moved out to California,” Frank said.

The Jordan Brothers are known for their version of the song “Gimme Some Lovin’ ” written by members of The Spencer Davis Group including Steve Winwood. According to Frank Jordan, The Jordan Brothers released the track in America a year before The Spencer Davis Group did.

“I think that was 1963. I’m pretty sure,” Frank said.

The Jordans were also known for their cover of “Heart,” a song written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil in 1963. It was originally made popular by Kenny Chandler, Harrisburg.

“My mom loved the song and she was the ticket seller at Willow Lake. We were a cover band back then, but we were also trying our own thing. I think we did it in 1963, and we played that song up at Willow Lake,” Frank said.

To learn more about The Jordan Brothers, visit their official website at www.thejordanbrothers.com.

After a little more than a year in litigation, Hamburg officials have settled the lawsuit field by a borough police officer.

Keven Chase, West Lawn, had filed the lawsuit on Jan. 15, 2014, in U.S. District Court against the borough, police Chief Pedro A. Rivera and Patrolman Angel Cabrera.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Henry S. Perkin, who had been presiding over the case, recently issued an order announcing the settlement.

Terms of the settlement were not made public.

Wayne A. Ely, Penndel, Chase’s lawyer, declined to comment on the terms of the settlement or any other aspect of the case.

Anthony R. Sherr, Blue Bell, the borough’s lawyer, could not be reached for comment on the case.

In the complaint, Chase alleged he suffered an on-the-job injury in August 2012 and received workers’ compensation payments for approximately six months.

However, Rivera became upset and started a campaign against Chase, including libelous statements that he was “a dirty cop,” according to the complaint.

Eventually, the borough council voted on June 10, 2013, to fire Chase and refused to reinstate him as the result of defamatory comments about him by Rivera, according to the lawsuit.

Chase alleged that the borough council failed to grant him an adequate hearing, discharged him because of Rivera’s abuse of his authority, discriminated against him under the terms of the federal Rehabilitation Act and wrongfully fired him because he had made a workers’ compensation claim.

He also alleged Rivera and Cabrera conspired to violate his rights, and Rivera gave borough officials false information that Chase had been involved in illegal activity.

These actions destroyed Chase’s reputation, cost him his job and caused him severe emotional distress, the lawsuit reads in part.

Well folks, we spring ahead this weekend. Finally, some light at the end of the tunnel! I’m not a winter person. I’m sure you know this by now as I’ve mentioned it about a thousand times over the years but anyway, we spring ahead in just a mere matter of hours.

Hopefully the increased hours of sunlight will begin a much-needed thaw here in the mountains of east central Pennsylvania.

Believe it or not we’ve got a fair amount of outdoor activities scheduled for March. And why wouldn’t we? Didn’t I just say that the spring thaw is under way this month? (I find it’s best to stay positive in most matters, especially the weather.) Several hikes, birding and Easter egg hunts are a few items that come to mind.

Our friends at Hawk Mountain are having a guided winter hike Saturday and the Spring Equinox Celebration on March 21.

Schuylkill on the Move has three hikes scheduled this month. The Oak Loop Trail Hike with Robin Tracey at Locust Lake is on March 14. The Schuylkill Haven Heritage Trail Hike with Mike Centeleghe at Bubeck Park is on March 28 and the Schuylkill Valley Sojourn with Jim Eisenhart is on March 29. Sometimes these hikes are easy. Sometimes they’re challenging. Sometimes you can bring your dog. Sometimes you can’t. Many offer intriguing historical aspects, too. But no matter what, they always connect us to our natural surroundings and offer enjoyment.

Complete information and the full schedule of Schuylkill On the Move hikes can be found at www.schuylkillcd.org under departments and environmental education or give them a call at 570-622-4124, ext. 113.

Even though the calendar declares it’s spring this month, odds are we won’t be seeing any green outdoors with the exception of those of us inclined to be “Wearin’ O’ the Green”! And as always, we have two weekends in Schuylkill County for celebrating.

The Pottsville St. Patrick’s Day parade is March 14 followed by a celebration at the Humane Fire Company and another one still later that evening at The Greystone restaurant. The Troubles will be joining McCormick’s School of Irish Dance on March 15 at Tamaqua Community Arts Center. On March 21 in Girardville, the St. Patrick’s Day parade begins at noon and travels over a mile, until it concludes in front of the Hibernian House on Beech Street.

Another upcoming holiday with plenty of activities throughout March is Easter. The bunny himself arrives at the Schuylkill Mall on March 21. He’s also scheduled some train rides with the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway in Schuylkill County, too!

Easter Bunny train rides are running in Minersville at 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. March 28. Advanced tickets are highly recommended and you can get them by calling 570-544-8300.

Easter Bunny train rides are also running from Pottsville’s Union Station at 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. April 4. Again, these rides sell out quickly and I just can’t stress it enough to purchase advance tickets. You can get Pottsville tickets by calling 570-628-4647.

Lessie’s Garden & Greenhouse hosts its annual spring fling on March 28 where you can paint an egg, plant a pot and learn gardening tips from Penn State Master Gardeners.

Pottsville’s Easter Egg Hunt is on March 29 at Alumni Field and be sure to wear your bonnet for the contest, too!

The list of non-holiday related entertainment is impressive this month as well.

Our own community chorus, the Schuylkill Choral Society presents Music Madness at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at United Presbyterian Church in Pottsville.

The Majestic Theater brings us several opportunities to get out and enjoy ourselves with “Applause: A Majestic Cabaret” on Sunday, The Troubles on March 13, “Maleficent” on March 21, Music at the Majestic on March 28 and A Miner’s Tale on March 29, for which they’ve partnered with the Schuylkill County Historical Society.

The historical society has also teamed up with the Schuylkill Conservancy to bring us the Southern Schuylkill Bus Bash on March 28. The bus bash combines interesting local history and nature in our own backyard. Registration and ticket information are available by emailing porcupinepat@yahoo.com or calling 570-622-4124, ext. 113.

The Tamaqua Community Arts Center brings us Chad Reinert in concert on Saturday and an Andrew Lloyd Webber Cabaret on March 14.

The Walk In Art Center’s first Invitational Exhibition opens today and features Jonathan Bond. Bond began painting and drawing as a 5-year-old and has painted professionally for more than 35 years. He is well-known for his murals, which adorn many businesses, barns, homes and churches in Berks, Lehigh and Schuylkill counties. The exhibit runs through April 19 so be sure to make time to get to the Walk In.

Sweet Arrow Lake, Pine Grove, is having a Break the Ice Oldies Dance tonight and the ever-popular Maple Syrup Pancake Breakfast on March 14. The snow date for the breakfast is March 21 so there’s no good reason not to get out and support our beautiful county park and fill your belly, too!

There’s lots more going on this month: Casino Night at the Schuylkill Country Club on Saturday, Sunday Brunch at The Maid’s Quarters on Sunday, Shenandoah Area Historical Society’s Chinese auction on March 22, and a blood drive at the Simon Kramer Cancer Institute, New Philadelphia on March 16 and Schuylkill Fire dogs basketball games on Saturday, March 21 and 28, just to name a few.

For all these and many other activities, you can check out our calendar of events at www.schuylkill.org and get ready to get out and enjoy Schuylkill County this month!

(Gargano is executive director of Schuylkill County Visitors Bureau)

Woman charged

in 1-vehicle crash

PINE GROVE — State police at Jonestown investigated a crash that occurred about 3:45 a.m. Monday in the northbound lanes of Interstate 81, at mile marker 103.4 in Pine Grove Township.

Police said Lucilia Diaz, 34, of Hazle Township, was driving a 1999 Honda Accord north when she lost control while driving along a downhill left curve. The vehicle went off the road and onto the median, where it struck a tree before coming to a stop.

Diaz was taken to Schuylkill Medical Center-East Norwegian Street by Pine Grove Area EMS for treatment of minor injuries while her passengers — Kiaraliz Berberna, 12, and Yamilet Berberna, 10, both of Hazle Township — were not hurt.

Police said that Diaz will be cited for driving at an unsafe speed as a result of the crash.

Frackville man

may face charges

DELANO — A Frackville man was taken into custody on suspicion of DUI after a crash about 2:35 a.m. Sunday in the southbound lanes of Interstate 81, at mile marker 135.5 in Delano Township.

State police at Frackville said officers were on patrol when they found Michael J. Reber Jr., 27, stuck in the snow inside his 2001 Subaru Outback. The man smelled of alcohol and was taken to the state police barracks for testing.

Police said charges against Reber are pending the results of a breath test the man submitted.

State police arrest

man for drugs

WILLIAMSTOWN — State police at Lykens recently captured a man who attempted to flee and elude officers.

Police said Mark William Stine was seen at 7:25 p.m. Feb. 26 leaving 312 Vine St., Williamstown Borough, Dauphin County.

He was arrested and found with drugs and drug paraphernalia when police apprehended him.

Charges were filed in Magisterial District Judge Rebecca J. Margerum’s office, Elizabethville.

Police probe crash

on snowy roads

PINE GROVE — State police at Jonestown investigated a one-vehicle crash that occurred about 8:15 p.m. Sunday in the southbound lanes of Interstate 81, at mile marker 98.2 in Pine Grove Township.

Police said Devonya L. White, 26, of Baltimore, Md., was driving south in the right lane when she lost control, went onto the right shoulder of the road and hit a guide rail. After hitting the guide rail, police said, the vehicle continued into the driving lanes and went off the road onto the left shoulder, where it came to a stop.

Police said the roads were snow-covered at the time of the crash and that White was not injured. However, police said, White will be cited for driving at an unsafe speed as a result of the crash.

3 charged in

separate incidents

HOMETOWN — Rush Township police said charges are pending against three men after separate incidents in their coverage area last month.

Police said Walter Deets, 44, of Coaldale, is facing a misdemeanor charge of altered, forged or counterfeit documents or plates after being stopped about 9:50 p.m. Feb. 23 on Pine Creek Drive.

Deets altered a friend’s registration plate that expired in 2005 and is also facing summary charges of driving without a valid driver’s license and driving without insurance.

Nathaniel Afro, 20, of Summit Hill, will be charged with retail theft after he stolen items valued at $299.76 from Wal-Mart about 9:45 p.m. Feb. 24.

Finally, police said Jordan Ohl, 19, of Tamaqua, was taken into custody about 11:40 p.m. Feb. 25 on an outstanding warrant out of Carbon County.

Police said Ohl was committed to Carbon County Prison after being picked up to await further court action.

Charges against Deets and Afro will be filed with Magisterial District Judge Stephen J. Bayer, Tamaqua, police said.

3 escape injury

in 2-vehicle crash

NEW PHILADELPHIA — Three people escaped injury in a two-vehicle accident about 209 Tuesday on Route 209 near Pine Street in the borough.

State police at Frackville said Krysten E. Furman, 20, of Frackville, was driving a 2008 Pontiac G5 south on Route 209 around a left curve and lost control on a snow-covered road. The vehicle started to fishtail, spinning 180 degrees, and slid into the oncoming lane backward. The rear of the Pontiac hit the front of a 2011 Jeep Liberty driven by Kimberly A. Steigerwalt, 45, of Tamaqua, police said. Steigerwalt was driving north on Route 209 and approaching a right curve.

Furman, her passenger, Mark, D. Furman, 50, of Frackville, and Steigerwalt were not hurt and they were all wearing seat belts, police said.

Both vehicles were towed from the scene. Responding to the scene were Good Intent Fire Company, New Philadelphia, Kaska Fire Company and the Branch Township Police Department. Furman was cited with driving a vehicle at an unsafe speed.

The Schuylkill Choral Society is looking to score big Saturday as it presents a concert featuring hit songs from sports movies.

Music Madness will begin at 7:30 p.m. at United Presbyterian Church, 214 Mahantongo St., Pottsville. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for senior citizens and students.

The show is inspired by March Madness, the name of the NCAA basketball college playoffs. The sports-related songs cover a variety of styles and come from movies, musicals and athletic venues used to pump up a crowd or celebrate a victory.

Johanna Zmuida, head of advertising and society board member, said the music will be uplifting and a way to beat the late winter blues.

According to the concert program, the chorus will perform songs such as “Small Town” by John Mellencamp and the theme from “Chariots of Fire” by composer Vangelis.

The ensemble will sing “New York, New York” and “High Hopes,” while the men of the chorus will perform a combination of “In the Good Old Summertime” and “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.”

Other songs on the program include “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” “We Will Rock You” by Queen and “Eye of the Tiger” from “Rocky III.”

“(The audience) will identify and recognize the songs,” Zmuida said.

Zmuida said director Mark P. Thomas came up with the theme, a first for the choral society.

“Mark is always trying to come up with a different theme. This is a new one and I think the audience will be very pleased,” said Zmuida, who has been a member of the chorus for more than 20 years.

The chorus will be accompanied by Kimberly Breiner-Stoudt. Zmuida said there will also be a guitar and drums used for some songs.

Zmuida said the chorus members will be dressed in their favorite sports team’s attire and the audience is encouraged to wear a jersey or T-shirt of their favorite team.

“The concert should be a fun, relaxed experience for all ages,” Zmuida said.

The concert is part of the 2014-15 season, the choral society’s 42nd in Schuylkill County.

Later this month, the choral society will present “The Seven Last Words of Christ” on Palm Sunday, March 29, at United Presbyterian Church.

The season will conclude on May 9 when the choral society holds a special concert featuring the Anthracite Philharmonic and Minor Notes Chorale.

For more information or to buy tickets, call the choral society at 570-628-3388.