Name incorrect

Eddie Maige, 1st vice commander, AMVETS Post 180, Pottsville, was grand marshal of Monday’s Memorial Day parade in the city. His name was incorrect in a photo caption in Tuesday’s edition.

n Millersburg: The Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art has extended the submission deadline for its annual youth art contest. Students may now submit their artworks by June 10. The cost is $8 per submission. For more information, call 717-692-3699 or go online to nedsmithcenter.org.

n Pine Grove: Hose, Hook and Ladder No. 1 will hold its carnival from June 14 to 18 at Fireman’s Park. Family-friendly activities will include rides, games, bingo and nightly entertainment as follows: Route 61 Band, June 14; disc jockey Kevin Sibbitt, June 15; Classics Live band, June 16; Mindset, June 17, and Reckless, June 18. Wrist band nights will be 6 to 10 p.m. June 15 and 16. Fireworks will be featured June 17 with a rain date of June 18. The Lions Club will give away a bike every night of the carnival. No animals or bicycles are permitted on carnival grounds. All are welcome.

n Pottsville: An American Red Cross blood drive is slated for 1 to 6 p.m. June 8 at the Salvation Army, 400 Sanderson St. People 17 and older (16 with parental consent), weighing at least 110 pounds and in general good health are urged to give blood. For more information or to arrangement for an appointment, call 800-733-2767.

n Pottsville: Church of Broken Pieces Ministries will present “Under Construction Weekend” Friday through Sunday. The relationship, marriage and leadership conference will be held at 6 p.m. Friday and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Peacock Center, 46 Peacock St. A religious service will be held at 11 a.m. Sunday in the sanctuary of Church of Broken Pieces, 41 N. Front St., Minersville. The event involves three days of “training, equipping and building in the lives of God’s people,” according to a church release. The Rev. Kelvin Solco and his wife, Demetria, will be featured guests. They are marriage, relationship and leadership specialists. Tickets are $20. For more information, call the church at 570-544-9630.

n Schuylkill Haven: The second annual Service to Youth & Community Breakfast to benefit Scouting programs in Schuylkill and Carbon counties will be held from 8 to 9:30 p.m. June 9 at the Hawk Mountain Scout Reservation Marlin Miller Conference Center, 402 Blue Mountain Road. According to a release, it will be a social and business networking event to give people and businesses a chance to learn more about Scouting in both counties. Highlights will include honoring people with the Service to Youth & Community Award, meeting and learning from Scouts — future leaders, plus entertainment and food. Schuylkill County For more information or to attend the event, call 610-926-3406.

n Shenandoah: The annual Kielbasi/Pierogie Open golf tournament is set for June 17 at Mountain Valley Golf Course, Barnesville. Registration and lunch will be from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. and the shotgun start will be at 1 p.m. Lunch will be provided by the “three Kielbasi Kings” — Kowalonek’s Kielbasy, Capital Food Market and Lucky’s Deli — and the “Pierogie Queen,” Mrs. T’s Pierogies, all of Shenandoah, according to a press release. Refreshments will be available all day on the course and dinner will be at 5:30 p.m. The cost is $75 if paid before Monday and $80 thereafter. For more information, call the office of the revitalization group Downtown Shenandoah Inc. at 570-462-2060.

n Shenandoah: The Shenandoah Rotary Club and the group Healthy Shenandoah will sponsor a “Walk for Doc,” a memorial walk for the late Dr. Stanley G. Rakowsky, former Shenandoah Valley School District superintendent, at 10 a.m. Saturday at the district campus, West Centre Street. Rakowsky, who also was a Rotarian, was “instrumental” in creation of the 1.25-mile walking path on school district property, according to a Rotary release. The path was dedicated on Nov. 6, 2015, and Rakowsky died on Nov. 6, 2015, after a lengthy illness.

n Tremont: Tremont Fire Company No. 1, 21 Middlecreek Road, will hold a drive-through chicken pot pie sale on June 18. Pickup is slated from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The cost is $7 per quart. For tickets or more information, call 570-695-3647.

MOLINO — The driver of a tractor-trailer escaped without injury when the vehicle rolled down an embankment just before noon Tuesday along the northbound lane of Route 61, just south of Route 895, near the Little Schuylkill River, West Brunswick Township.

State police at Schuylkill Haven said Paul Breiner, Andreas, was driving a Peterbilt tractor truck owned by Leiby’s Inc. north on Route 61 when, for unknown reasons, it began to drift off the roadway and hit the guide rail. Police said the vehicle continued hitting the bridge, riding alongside it for about 200 feet. The vehicle drove alongside a second guide rail after the bridge and then turned over on its right side and down an embankment about 20 feet from the roadway.

The tractor-trailer was hauling nearly 80,000 pounds of gravel and stone.

Breiner was able to escape the vehicle and was not injured. He will be charged with a summary traffic citation, police said.

Deer Lake/West Brunswick Fire Department, Orwigsburg Friendship Hose Company, Auburn Ambulance, Schuylkill EMS, V&M Towing and Soley’s Garage assisted at the scene.

Marriage licenses

Christopher T. Frindt, Valley View, and Braxton C. Shingara, Valley View.

Bruce A. Zehner, McAdoo, and Diane C. Pasco, Lattimer Mines.

Beau J. Troutman, Hegins, and Dara L. Dietrich, Hegins.

Michael J. Limoges, Indiana, and Laura M. Cronin, Wayne.

Bradley J. Epler, Schuylkill Haven, and Ashley M. Valentine, Schuylkill Haven.

Daren R. Blood, Minersville, and Shannon M. Adamick, Minersville.

Alan M. Kogoy, Wilkes-Barre, and Veronica Ann Corby, Minersville.

David S. Carl, Pine Grove, and Laura E. Fritz, Pine Grove.

Christopher L. Hauer, Bethel, and Alexa R. Jones, Tamaqua.

Joseph T. Tarlecky, Schuylkill Haven, and Eileen J. Perfetto, Schuylkill Haven.

Walter C. Fenstermacher, Orwigsburg, and Sherry M. Edwards, Orwigsburg.

Khalil Murray, Huntingdon, and Dena Youngblood, Philadelphia.

Thomas C. Rentschler, Reading, and Natalie J. Bartush, Orwigsburg.

Nicholas Fultz, Tremknt, and Kelly M. Adams, Tremont.

Jeffrey L. Berger, Schuylkill Haven, and Michele A. Miller, Schuylkill Haven.

Kirk A. Tuttle, Tower City, and Deanna M. Wiscount, Tower City.

John K. George, Mar Lin, and Misty L. Ball, Mar Lin.

Steven J. Ripley, Schuylkill Haven, and Tiffany A. Youst, Schuylkill Haven.

Shawn M. Conville Sr., Pottsville, and Carol A. Horan, Pottsville.

Charles Carrington, Frackville, and Nykeisha M. Taylor, Philadelphia.

Hunter D. Jenkins, Klingerstown, and Miranda A. Morgan, Klingerstown.

Divorces granted

Patricia Sherry, Schuylkill Haven, from Kenneth Sherry, Orwigsburg.

Paul Grigg, Minersville, from Melanie Grigg, Girardville.

Raleigh Wagner, Tamaqua, from Angela Wagner, Tamaqua.

Deeds

East Union Township — Robert D. and Jane Reynolds, Thomas E. and Maria Paula Raices Reynolds and Raymond and Deborah McDonald to Robert D. and Jane Reynolds and Thomas E. and Maria Paula Raices Reynolds; 60 Adobe Way, Eagle Rock; $1.

Pottsville — Jesse Roman to Sergio A. Villalba; 415 E. Market St.; $7,500.

Jay Tran and Tu Duong to Julia Edythe MacDonald; 1312 W. Norwegian St.; $55,000.

John P. Leffler to Taralyn Mahoney; 1 N. 22nd St.; $96,000.

Saint Clair — Mary Prokop to Chanda M. and Randy L. Tower; 60RR Ann St.; $1.

Schuylkill Haven — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Secretary of Veterans Affairs; 204 W. Main St.; $1,227.79.

Wayne Township — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to The Bank of New York Mellon; 2496 Wagonwheel Drive, Lake Wynonah; $1,176.94.

MAHANOY CITY — Mahanoy Area School District Business Administrator John J. Hurst provided an overview to the school board of the financial burden involving charter schools and other issues during last week’s board meeting.

During the meeting, Hurst presented to the school board the proposed final budget for the 2016-17 fiscal year/school year that included a 1.7-mill real estate tax increase. The budget will be formally adopted at the June meeting.

Hurst spoke of the costs of charter schools as a major part of a school district’s budget.

“We’ve been talking about this for many, many years, and it’s really killing us and other schools financially,” Hurst said. “Back in 2007, we were paying a little over $30,000 for charter schools, and this year we’re projecting around $785,000. Had those kids been here (in district schools), we’d be obviously in a positive situation budget-wise.”

An option that the school district is considering to bring students back is connection with eBridge Academy, Hurst said.

“One thing we are doing is partnering with a company called eBridge that will significantly save us money if we can get all the kids go to that cyberschool,” Hurst said.

According to the eBridge Academy website — www.ebridgeacademy.com — “Students are referred to eBridge Academy by their home school district. eBridge Academy is not a cyber charter school ... Administration and guidance departments at each student’s district use their unique graduation requirements to assist students with the selection of courses within the eBridge Academy framework. The home district administers the PSSA tests and manages senior graduation projects. Students enrolled in eBridge Academy participate in their schooling at home and graduate from their home schools. eBridge Academy is not a cyber charter school, but an online educational option.”

The website states that eBridge classes are created by Pennsylvania-certified teachers. These classes are currently used by more than 12,000 teachers in Pennsylvania and more than 60,000 students. The curriculum meets the anchors and academic standards established by the state Department of Education, which licenses eBridge.

District Superintendent Joie Green said a contract has been signed with eBridge, which will hold an open house in the summer.

“What eBridge is going to do is come in this summer and have an open house with the kids who are already in these charter schools and show how eBridge might be better for them,” Green said. “Hopefully, we’ll get some of them come over to eBridge.”

Board Secretary Nancy Boyle agreed that the cost for charter/cyber schools is a burden on school districts.

“It’s an outrageous amount of money for us, especially when we’re a poorer district,” Boyle said.

Hurst said, “It’s roughly 9 1/2 mills in taxes.”

Hurst said the legislative issues that need to be addressed are the adequate funding of schools and finding a solution to the charter schools financial matter.

“The charter school issue must be addressed. The current funding formula is unfair and not reflective of actual costs to operate charter schools,” Hurst said. “As our costs go up each year, our charter school costs go up even though their costs may not be going up accordingly. And we know are costs are going up because our PSERS (Public School Employees’ Retirement System) rates are going up each year. So, they (charter schools) going to get an increase.”

The school board acted on the following agenda items:

• Approved the sale of two speakers at $5 each to Trinity United Church of Christ, Shenandoah. The speakers are from the former Assumption BVM Roman Catholic Church that is owned by the school district.

• Donated old pole vault mats to the Schuylkill County Volunteer Firefighters Association.

• Approved the following depositories for the 2016-17 school year: M&T Bank, Pennsylvania Local Government Investment Trust, and the Pennsylvania School District Liquid Asset Fund.

• Approved the Homestead/Farmstead resolution for the 2016-17 school year. Each approved property will see a reduction of $189.95 in real estate taxes.

• Authorized filing assessment appeals on properties sold in the 2015-16 school year that will result in additional tax revenue in excess of $200.

• Retained Jones & Co., P.C., to perform the 2015 tax collector audits and the annual audit for the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2016, at the costs of $5,400 and $17,000, respectively.

• Approved the 2016-17 fee schedule with Highmark Blue Shield for administration services related to the PPO Blue health insurance plan and the PPO Blue Qualified High Deductible health insurance plan. The monthly fees are $40.50 for each plan.

• Approved the provision of occupational therapy services to the North Schuylkill School District at $60 per hour.

• Approved receiving speech therapy services from North Schuylkill at $42 per hour for the Extended School Year Program.

• Contracted with Highmark Blue Shield for the 2016-17 fiscal year for monthly administration of health savings accounts at a cost of $4.55 per participant per month.

• Approved the following monthly health insurance rates for the 2016-17 school year:

PPO Blue Qualified High Deductible — Medical: $442.40 monthly, $1,092.62 two-party and $1,199.28 family. Prescription: $104.12 single, $253.11 two-party and $253.11 family.

PPO Blue — Medical: $533.72 single, $1,318.15 two-party and $1,446.83 family. Prescription: $123.61 single, $305.36 two-party and $305.36 family.

• Contracted with J&J Auction Service, Sheppton, to provide auctioneer services related to surplus property with an auction June 18 at the former Assumption BVM Church building. There is no auction fee to the school district, but there will be a 13 percent buyer’s premium charge that will go the J&J. The district will be responsible for advertising costs, as well as an approximate $2,000 labor fee to J&J.

• Accepted a resignation of Jerome Pakalinsky as a special education teaching assistant, effective May 20.

• Appointed Kimberly Chernewski, Mahanoy City, as a special education teaching assistant retroactive to May 10 at an hourly rate of $8.75. She is assigned to the middle school.

• Removed the positions of high school director, $4,014.35, high school community services-music, $1,715.53, high school marching band assistant director, $2,573.31, high school marching band front coordinator, $2,573.30, and middle school director, $331.

• Added the positions of band director, $5,729.87, assistant band director, $2,573.31, and band front coordinator, $2,573.30.

• Approved job descriptions for band director, assistant band director, band front coordinator and assistant cheerleading advisor.

• Appointed James A. Bishop, Schuylkill Haven, as band director at $5,729.87, effective July 1.

• Appointed Tom Flamini, Mahanoy City, as assistant band director at $2,573.31, effective July 1.

• Appointed Sara Karnish, Barnesville, as band front coordinator at $2,573.30, effective July 1.

• Appointed Erin Manley, Barnesville, as head middle school cheerleading advisor at a salary of $669.05.

• Approved the revised Mahanoy Area School District-Schuylkill Intermediate Unit No. 29 agreement for Title I services to the non-public schools in the county based on the reported final allocation, effective Aug. 25, 2015, to June 10, 2016.

• Approved an agreement with the North Schuylkill School District to provide summer school instruction to their students in grades seven to 12. The summer school instructors will receive $18 per hour and $25 for each North Schuylkill student.

• Approved the Summer Slide Reading Program for students in kindergarten and first grade from 8 a.m. to noon Aug. 1 to Aug. 25, excluding Fridays. The program will be led by Robyn Sincavage, with up to two teachers per grade level, at $18 per hour. Sincavage will be one of the teachers. Transportation will not be provide and students will be invited to a pool party at the end of the season.

• Approved the use of the Mickey Holland Gymnasium and middle school locker rooms for professional wrestling events from about 3 to 11 p.m. Aug. 6, Aug. 15 and Dec. 3, the request being made by NWA Northeast promoter Melissa Lindenmuth. There is a facilities fee of $400, plus applicable personnel costs and an additional $60 for chairs per event if needed.

• Approved the exterior of the athletic grounds for a fireworks display after graduation Friday, from about 9 to 10 p.m. as per request from Class of 2016 advisor Jon Shirvinski.

• Approved the use of baseball and softball fields, athletic building restrooms and baseball concession stand for the Jonathan Palubinsky Memorial Softball Tournament from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. July 9 and 10 as requested by the Mahanoy Area Boosters Inc. president Cheryl Fegley.

• Approved the use of the district stadium and practice fields for the Mahanoy Midget Football practices and games from the end of July through November as requested by the program secretary Angel Burnham-Mitchell.

• Approved the use of the district stadium for the annual Senator Rhoades Youth Track Meet from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday as per request from James Rhoades Jr. of the James J. and Mary Edith Rhoades Foundation. The meet was originally scheduled and approved for May 21, but due to inclement weather was rescheduled.

• Approved Bollinger Inc., Short Hills, New Jersey, to provide voluntary student accident insurance for the 2016-17 school year at annual premiums of $40 for school-time only coverage and $144 for 24-hour coverage.

ORWIGSBURG — Joan M. Lechleitner, who bought a winning Cash 5 lottery ticket in 2015, did so with stolen money, police said Tuesday in charging her and three other employees with taking more than $175,000 over almost five years from a Cressona business.

Lechleitner, 51, her fiance, Kerry T. Titus, 54, both of 2269 Panther Valley Road, Pottsville, Samantha M. Schaeffer, 25, of 519 Harrison St., Pottsville, and Tyler M. Schappell, 21, of 210 W. Tammany St., Orwigsburg, each face four counts of conspiracy and one each of theft, theft by deception, receiving stolen property and tampering with records.

Magisterial District Judge James R. Ferrier arraigned the defendants on the charges and allowed each to remain free on $25,000 unsecured bail. He scheduled their preliminary hearing for 11:30 a.m. July 5.

State police at Schuylkill Haven charged the four participated in the thefts from Cressona Agway (Cressona Country Properties Inc.), 22 N. Second St., at various times beginning on May 2, 2011, and continuing through March 7.

Police allege that when no customers were present, Lechleitner, the store’s bookkeeper, Titus, the store’s manager, Schaeffer and Schappell would made numerous returns and then take money from the cash register.

“All (four defendants) admitted ringing in fraudulent sales returns” and then taking money, police said in their Affidavits of Probable Cause filed with each complaint.

Furthermore, business owner Ronald Yordy installed hidden cameras in January that showed the four taking money from the register, and seized internal register tapes that previously had been thrown away, according to police.

“On several occasions, employees would document a cash return, take money from the register and exchange money between each other,” according to the affidavits. “A review of the video footage reveals a similar pattern and scheme of documenting cash returns and taking money out of register drawers. (Defendants are seen) at various times purchasing lottery tickets and scratch off lottery tickets.”

Police said Certified Forensic Accountant Daniel Ryan of Information Network Associates Inc., Harrisburg, reviewed the tapes, interviews with the defendants and the video surveillance system, and determined that the business had lost $175,082.11 as a result of the thefts.

Yordy told police he had to take out loans to keep the business from failing.

Lechleitner had bought the winning lottery ticket in September 2015 at Cressona Agway and shared with three other people the cash prize of $1,047,618. She said Titus bought a pickup truck with part of the money.

The defendants also used the stolen money to buy a variety of other things, police said.

Defendants: Joan M. Lechleitner, 51, of Pottsville; Samantha M. Schaeffer, 25, of Pottsville; Tyler M. Schappell, 21, of Orwigsburg; and Kerry T. Titus, 54, of Pottsville

Charges: Four counts of conspiracy and one each of theft, theft by deception, receiving stolen property and tampering with records

Although he came to Schuylkill County Court on Tuesday to be sentenced, alleged child pornographer Kenneth T. Lipiec instead withdrew his guilty plea when the judge indicated he would not accept the proposed sentence that was part of the plea agreement.

Lipiec, 64, of Shenandoah, had been scheduled to be sentenced on five counts of sexual abuse of children-child pornography and one of criminal use of a communication facility, charges to which he had pleaded guilty on Feb. 17. Prosecutors had withdrawn two additional counts of sexual abuse of children-child pornography and one of criminal use of a communication facility.

However, President Judge William E. Baldwin told Assistant District Attorney Debra A. Smith and Joseph P. Nahas Jr., Frackville, Lipiec’s lawyer, that he would not accept the proposed sentence of three to 23 months in prison, with the three-month minimum to be served on house arrest.

“It’s not a minor thing,” Baldwin said of the crime. “Three months of electronic monitoring doesn’t seem appropriate to me.”

A judge has the right to reject a proposed guilty plea agreement, although he must then give the defendant the option of withdrawing his plea.

Smith and Nahas resumed negotiations, but Baldwin also rejected a second proposed sentence of six to 23 months in prison, with the six months to be served on house arrest, plus 12 months consecutive probation. At that point, Lipiec talked further with Nahas and decided to withdraw his plea.

Prosecutors have the options of taking the case to trial or negotiating a new plea agreement with Lipiec.

The state police Bureau of Criminal Investigation has charged that Lipiec possessed the child porn, and used his computer to obtain it, between Jan. 1, 2015, and Feb. 13, 2015.

Police said computer technicians at a local company found images of child pornography on Lipiec’s computer. Police said they investigated the matter and determined that Lipiec had at least seven images of child pornography that he downloaded over the internet.

ORWIGSBURG — The Blue Mountain Retirement Community withdrew their appeal to the Orwigsburg Zoning Hearing Board last month.

The board met briefly May 19 to hear an appeal by the Rhodes Organization, Boyertown, pertaining to comments about the retirement community by Tom Yashinsky, the borough code officer. Both Gretchen Coles-Sterns, the attorney for J. Jerome Skrincosky, president of Hawk Valley Associates PC, Mohnton, attended the hearing.

The comments in a Nov. 12. 2015, letter address issues such as parking, setbacks and open space and signs.

Iles Cooper, solicitor for the zoning hearing board, told Coles-Sterns and Skrincosky the 30-day time limit to appeal the comments from Yashinsky had expired. The appeal then was withdrawn.

Coles-Sterns said in an email Tuesday the Blue Mountain Retirement Community plan is still in play.

“With respect to the Blue Mountain Retirement Community, the applicant is making certain revisions to the plan and resubmitting it to streamline any further reviews and/or appeals. The Pine Creek Adult Community remains an approved plan, and the Rhodes Foundation may decide, in the future, to build that Plan and is reviewing that as an option,” she said.

A date was not provided when an additional submission could take place.

Skrincosky did not return a call for comment Tuesday.

Orwigsburg Borough Manager Robert Williams said that as of Tuesday he had not received an updated plan. The council has until Dec. 30, 2016, to act on the current plan.

The borough Planning and Zoning Commission voted March 16 to recommend denial of a retirement community plan. The Blue Mountain Retirement Community plan proposed by the Rhodes Organization seeks to develop a 27.725-acre site that it owns along East Market Street between Breezy Acres and Kimmels roads. It planned for 400 rental units open to different age groups.

Extensions of 90 days were previously provided to the borough for it to act on the plan. The borough acted in April to grant an extension up to Dec. 30, 2016, for the current plan before it, which is proposed to have above ground parking. Before this project was submitted, the Rhodes Organization had The Pine Creek Adult Community plan approved in 2009 by the borough council. That plan was similar but included underground parking and other changes.

Sterns had submitted the Blue Mountain Retirement Community Plan in August 2015 after the borough council denied requests for zoning ordinance amendments by the Rhodes Organization for the Pine Creek Retirement Community.

ELIZABETHVILLE — Barbara Minchhoff believed Wednesday’s Upper Dauphin Area High School graduation called for a “baton moment.”

Minchhoff, a retired UDA social studies teacher, served as the distinguished guest speaker during the 51st annual commencement held at the UDA Athletic Field. She explained when she wanted to capture students’ attention while teaching, she would bring out her baton.

“Please realize your worth,” she said, as she twirled, encouraging graduates to remember the kind voices, not the critical, and to recognize the worthiness of others. “A calling defined by your gifts is something you discover, not what you choose.”

The ceremony before 98 graduated frequently highlighted the rural school community, the perseverance of the farmer and how graduates should work hard to move forward.

Minchhoff drew laughs when discussing her own strengths and weaknesses. She recalled substituting for an agriculture class when the lesson was on tractor maintenance and 10-hour and 100-hour grease jobs.

“I was thinking if it took a farmer 100 hours, when would a farmer ever get anything done?” she asked.

It was 100 hours after usage, not the length of time to complete the greasing, she said.

“We all have limitations, but please recognize your gifts,” she said.

Nathaniel Campbell and Travis Deitrich shared the co-valedictorian title and addressed their fellow graduates.

Campbell crafted his words of advice for life, based on the ideals of farming, he said. They include hard work, navigating unpredictable circumstances and using your skills to help others.

An important aspect of running a successful farm, he said, is to work hard.

“If we want to get something out of life, we have to put something into it,” he said.

Just as a farmer faces drought conditions, after working diligently, so it goes in life.

“Life is not always going to be easy. There’s no reason to let the unpredictable times bring us down,” Campbell said.

Campbell, 17, a son of Lori and Glen Campbell, Elizabethville, will study Agricultural Engineering at Penn State Harrisburg.

Deitrich spoke of the class’s perseverance in the classroom, and of its dedication to academics, athletics and to the nation for those headed into the military. He thanked the district’s teachers, administration, school board, family and friends for their support.

“Take that match and light that fuse,” Deitrich said, referencing a quote from former New York Mayor Ed Koch, who said, “The fireworks begin today.”

Deitrich, 18, a son of Pam and Brad Deitrich, Elizabethville, will begin studies at Harrisburg Area Community College and transfer to Penn State, studying math sciences. He hopes to become an actuary.

School Board President David A. Barder and Superintendent Evan P. Williams offered congratulatory remarks. Williams warned against dwelling in the past.

“Memory lane is only a pleasant place to visit,” he said. “In life, drive on ... become someone new every day, a new person, better than before.”

Trojan Stadium was filled with family and well-wishers. Erique Klinger, Elizabethville, came to watch her daughter, Grace P. Klinger, receive her diploma. Grace had already served a year and a half in the National Guard, her mother said. She’ll attend Penn State Hazleton to pursue a corporate communications degree and play softball.

MAR LIN — When addressing the 2016 graduates at Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29 on Wednesday morning, the principal told them to reach for the stars.

“We wish all the graduates all of the best in their futures. Our hopes for you are that you strive to achieve all of your dreams and are happy in all you do. Good luck in all you do and always remember the only limits you have in life are those you allow others to place upon you,” Paula Hromyak, principal at the Maple Avenue Campus, said before more than 150 people at the ceremony at the school’s gymnasium.

Participating were five of the nine graduates: Kendra Hamilton, Minersville Area; Rebecca Hossler, Minersville Area; Damien Layton, Shenandoah Valley; Joseph Miklesavage, Pottsville Area; and Tytwan Sherman, Pottsville Area.

The other four will be participating in commencement exercises at their home school districts: Damian Lutz, Tamaqua Area; Joshua Maurer, Williams Valley; Cody Morris, Pottsville Area, and Darian Wise, Pottsville Area, according to Debra Arnold, IU 29 director of special education.

“The students standing before you have made us laugh, cry, smile and celebrate. They have all made great strides and have become well-rounded individuals. The graduates have become part of our family over the years and we are proud to have the honor to have been part of their lives,” Hromyak said.

Speakers included a group of educators: Natalie Stramara, life skills support teacher; Keith Mentzer, emotional support teacher; Gerald Stock, multiple disabilities support teacher; and Rochelle Angelo, physical support teacher.

Stramara said Hamilton was in her class.

“One of the many joys of teaching at the Maple Avenue Campus is that I have my students for several years in a row. This provides the opportunity to really get to know and appreciate each of the individuals who come into my room each day,” Stramara said.

“Yesterday I asked Kendra how long we’ve been together. She couldn’t quite remember. So I rummaged through my desk, and I discovered that Kendra first came to my classroom in the fall of 2011. And here are some of the wonderful things I learned about Kendra in the past year. First, she is a loyal and true friend. Friends she made as a young teenage girl are the young women that she is friends with today. She loves animals, especially her bunnies. And Kendra is quick to see the humor in situations and quick with a witty comment,” Stramara said.

Mentzer said Miklesavage was one of his students.

“I’ve also been around this building long enough to know Kendra, Tytwan, Rebecca and Damien. And it’s certainly been a pleasure to see all these young people mature, grow and come out of their shells,” Mentzer said.

Layton, the class president, gave a short speech: “On behalf of all the seniors graduating, I’d like to thank everyone who has touched our lives at one time or another. We will cherish the days we had together at the Maple Avenue Campus. The work-mentor program and the holiday games in the gym are among some of the many memories that we will take with us. The Class of 2016 appreciates all the help and support. The skills we have learned will be useful as we become part of our community here in Schuylkill County or wherever life may take us.”

The Schuylkill County commissioners bid farewell Wednesday to county administrator Mark Scarbinsky, who is retiring at the end of the week.

Scarbinsky, 67, of Saint Clair, has been county administrator since August 2009. He has been with the county for 17 years, 11 of which were as director of economic development. He thanked the county for the opportunity at his last commissioners’ meeting Wednesday.

“It has been a real challenge, but also a learning experience,” Scarbinsky said. “I can truthfully say that I am working with true professionals. You have a good group management in this community that I am really enthralled about. There is no doubt that Schuylkill County can match up with any community in the state.”

Scarbinsky said the board needs to continue to keep an open line of communication with the row offices and maintain the working relationship.

“You are the glue that has kept everything together,” commissioners Chairman George F. Halcovage Jr. said. “The county administrator position is such an important position and I think the county has been well served and was in really capable hands with that you brought. Not only do you bring the expertise, but you also have the passion. You are one of those people that really care about the community.”

Halcovage said Scarbinsky provided the board with the information to make educated decisions.

Commissioner Frank J. Staudenmeier said he has worked with Scarbinsky at the county for 14 years. He said their relationship actually goes back about 25 years to when he was working at PPL and Scarbinsky was at Schuylkill Economic Development Corporation.

“Mark and I probably go back about 25 to 30 years and I consider him more than a fellow employee,” Staudenmeier said. “I consider him a friend. You know Mark, I wish you nothing but the best.”

Commissioner Gary J. Hess thanked Scarbinsky for his guidance when he joined the board in 2012.

“Coming in here, it was nice to have someone that could help lead us through the process and lay things out on the table,” Hess said. “... Thank you for leading this county through some difficult decisions we had in the last number of years. With your help, it was in the best interest of everyone in the county.”

Paul Buber, county finance director, said he has worked at the county for nearly 30 years and there were about 12 different administrators over that time.

“There is only one or two in my opinion that really rose to the top and really just stand out and Mark was one of those,” Buber said. “He brought a lot to the table and did a lot of nice things, not only from an operations standpoint but from a finance perspective as well. I was so glad to have Mark to lean on when I found myself in a difficult situation. His advice was invaluable and of course I am going to miss him.”

County Controller Christy Joy, Treasurer Linda Marchalk, Human Resources Director Martina Chwastiak and Assistant County Solicitor Glenn Roth also thanked Scarbinsky for his work as administrator.

“It’s not about me, it’s about the team — everyone sitting at the table and the team I have worked with,” Scarbinsky said. “I could not have accomplished what I accomplished without their support. I do appreciate everybody.”

Halcovage said the county is still interviewing candidates to replace Scarbinsky as county administrator.

In other news, the county recently shipped inmates to the Columbia County Prison, Bloomsburg. Halcovage, who also serves as prison board chairman, said there were 221 inmates at the prison Tuesday. The board approved the agreement last week at a rate of $60 a day per inmate.

The county also has housing agreements with George W. Hill Correctional Facility, Thornton and Centre County Correctional Facility, Bellefonte, and are negotiating a similar contract with the Berks County Prison.

The commissioners also approved the final invoice for the new Children & Youth building at 324 N. Centre St. A $60,200 invoice came from WJP Engineers, Pottsville, which designed the building. That brings the entire cost of the project, including the building purchase and renovations, to $3.1 million, Buber said.

Meanwhile, the contents of the building came from the Children & Youth departmental budget and cost about $400,000, Buber said. The county also received a $500,000 state grant that will come in the form of reimbursements.

The county acquired the building in January 2012. Renovations wrapped up in January of this year and employees started to move in from across the street in February. A dedication ceremony was held March 30.

HARRISBURG — Children with serious medical conditions will have first access to legal medical marijuana in Pennsylvania, possibly as soon as next month, state Health Secretary Karen Murphy said Wednesday.

Murphy, R.N., Ph.D., a Scranton native, outlined the department’s plans to write temporary regulations so those children under the age of 18 and their caregivers can obtain medical marijuana in other states where it’s legal while Pennsylvania’s new medical marijuana law is fully implemented.

The regulations to be issued in July will spell out how they can obtain ID cards so they can purchase marijuana from dispensaries in other states and not run afoul of current Pennsylvania law.

The aim is to bring relief as quickly as possible to children suffering from such conditions as epilepsy and seizures, Murphy said at a press briefing.

“Their day-to-day life is severely challenged,” she said.

The medical marijuana law enacted in April after a half-dozen years of legislative debate allows use for patients certified by a doctor with a range of conditions, including cancer, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, autism, Huntington’s disease, post-traumatic stress disorder and spinal cord damages.

The law has numerous provisions to control and regulate medical marijuana from the growing stage to its legal use as an oil, pill or liquid.

The regulation involving younger patients and out-of-state access is just one of a set of regulations being developed during the next 18 months to two years. Meanwhile, the department plans to hire a medical marijuana program director by July in addition to filling other positions.

“What we are doing is implementing a new industry in Pennsylvania,” Murphy said. “We want to be sure this is a patient-centered program. It is a very complex process.”

She described it as comparable to licensing slots casinos a decade ago.

Another priority is writing temporary regulations so medical marijuana growers and processors can obtain licenses and start to produce products.

Murphy plans monthly briefings on the law’s implementation.

n Ashland: Ashland American Legion Bernard J. Dolan Post 434 is looking for veterans — male and female — from all wars to join. Regular meetings are at 6 p.m. the first Thursday of each month at the post home, Centre and Fifth streets. Members hold monthly hoagie sales on the last Wednesday of each month — plain or Italian at $5 each. For more information, call 570-875-0086, 570-205-4079 or 570-590-1666.

n Gordon: Christ’s United Lutheran Church will sponsor a bus trip Aug. 4 to Sight & Sound Theater for the production of “Samson ... The Original Superhero.” The cost is $95 for adults and $59 for children ages 3-12. The event will include lunch prior to the show at Hershey Farms Grand Smorgasbord. For more information, call Joanne Young at 570-875-2586.

n Hegins: An American Red Cross blood drive is scheduled for 2 to 7 p.m. June 14 at Hegins Valley Fire and Rescue, 720 E. Chestnut St. People 17 and older (16 with parental consent), weighing at least 110 pounds and in general good health are urged to donate blood. For more information or to arrange for an appointment, call 800-733-2767.

n Ringtown: The Ringtown Area Library will hold a 40th anniversary Wine and Food Gala from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the library, 132 W. Main St. Food will be prepared and provided by local restaurants and culinary artists. Guests will taste a variety of local, national and international wines. Non-alcoholic beverages also will be available for all guests. The cost is $40 per person and tickets are available at the library, which also is inviting all interested businesses and individuals to become an event sponsor. Sponsorships will help to defray the costs associated with the fundraiser and ultimately benefit the library’s annual operating costs. For tickets or sponsorship information, visit the library, email to ringtownlibrary@epix.net or call at 570-889-5503.

n Ringtown: The Ringtown Recreation Committee will lead “The Loop,” a 3.1-mile excursion from 9 a.m. to noon June 18 with start and finish at the Ringtown Recreation Complex, North Center Street. There are a “few mild hills” at the center of the course, according to a committee press release. All are welcome. For more information, call 570-956-3534.

n Shenandoah Heights: West Mahanoy Township officials have warned people they are cracking down on illegal dumping throughout the township. Officials said illegal dumping is not allowed and anyone caught will be prosecuted. The township also has an ordinance that prohibits all outside burning. Still, there are some who defy the law and burn outdoors. Township officials during a recent meeting issued a reminder and warning about the law.

2 children hit

by car in Tamaqua

TAMAQUA —Tamaqua police reportedly are investigating an incident in which two children were struck by a vehicle late Wednesday morning.

According to the Citizens Fire Co. No. 1 Tamaqua Facebook page, first responders set up a landing zone at Tamaqua Middle School about 10:50 a.m. after two helicopters were requested by emergency medical services for the victims.

According to two people in the area of Railroad Street at the time, two girls were hit by a vehicle on the road about 10:40 a.m. near the Five Points intersection.

Tamaqua police haven’t released information on the incident.

Pottsville man

arrested for theft

A city man was jailed after being arrested by Pottsville police after officers were called about 10:10 a.m. Saturday to 430 Harrison St. for a theft report.

Police said a Pottsville man reported someone stole a pressure washer from his property and after reviewing security camera footage, he learned that about 9:15 p.m. Friday a white man wearing long pants, a tank top shirt and a bandana and sunglasses walked up his front steps, into a breezeway along the east side of his home and stole the Max 1700 psi pressure washer.

The man then fled the area east on Harrison Street, the resident reported.

On reviewing the security tapes, police said, they determined the man responsible was Michael J. Spirko, 43.

About 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, police said, they located Spirko in the 400 block of North Centre Street, took him into custody and a subsequent interviewed resulted in the stolen machine being recovered.

Spirko was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge James K. Reiley, Pottsville, on charges of theft, receiving stolen property, criminal trespass and loitering and prowling at night.

He was then committed to Schuylkill County Prison unable to post $10,000 straight cash bail, police said.

No injuries in

ambulance fire

ANNVILLE — A Pine Grove Area Community Ambulance vehicle was destroyed Tuesday after it caught fire while transporting a patient through Lebanon County.

The fire was discovered about 1 p.m. as the ambulance was being driven south on Interstate 81, between the Annville Exit and junction with Interstate 78.

The driver of the ambulance, an emergency medical technician in the back along with a woman they were taking to Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center all escaped injury.

The driver was traveling south when smoke apparently began to appear inside the vehicle prompting him to pull off to the side of the road and exit the vehicle along with the attendant with both then removing the patient from the back.

Shortly after, the vehicle burst into flames and was destroyed.

2 escape injuries

in Dumpster crash

WICONISCO — The driver of a car escaped injury after his vehicle hit a Dumpster in this Dauphin County community recently.

State police at Lykens said Allen T. Hand, 16, of Wiconisco, was driving a 2008 Pontiac G6 and hit a Dumpster on the side of the road at 8:56 p.m. Monday on Center Street 180 feet east of Stone Street.

Neither Hand or his passenger, Ryan L. Hand, 21, were injured, police said. Both were wearing seatbelts.

The vehicle was towed from the scene. Allen Hand was cited for failure to obey traffic control devices.

Man hits fence,

flees from scene

WILLIAMSTOWN — A man escaped injury after driving too fast and hitting a fence with his vehicle and leaving the scene, state police at Lykens said.

The accident took place at 12:03 a.m. May 15 at Orange Street near Umholtz Street in Williams Township, Dauphin County, as Anthony E. Keppol, 35, of Williamstown, was driving a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 around a left curve, police said. He was going too fast and drove off the roadway and struck a fence with the right front of the truck, police said.

He fled the scene north on South Orange Street.

He was charged with driving a vehicle at a safe speed.

Police: Bicycle

found, turned in

ENGLEWOOD — A bicycle was turned into the Butler Township police after it was found in shrubs along a house.

A full size mountain bike, a description not provided, was turned into the department Tuesday after it was found in shrubs at a home in the Englewood section of Frackville.

Contact the Butler Township Police at 570-875-4131 if you have any information on the bicycle or to claim it.

Frackville police are reminding motorists there will be traffic restrictions in the borough this weekend due to the scheduled Frackville Downtown Revitalization Car Show.

The show will be held from 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday with a rain date set for Sunday.

Police said there will be no parking in the unit block of North Lehigh Avenue and also in the unit block of South Lehigh Avenue.

All through traffic will be diverted according to a detour route that will be posted until the conclusion of the event, police said.

Date incorrect

The Tri-Valley Community Pool, 306 S. Good Spring Road, Hegins, will open for the regular season at noon Friday with free admission. The day was incorrect in Wednesday’s edition.

Names incorrect

Ed Honicker, an Air Force veteran, was on the left; and Ralph Falls, a Navy veteran, was on the right in a photo of the Memorial Day service at Garfield Square in Pottsville in Tuesday’s edition. The names were switched in the caption.

Times-Shamrock Communications rolled out a sleek, vibrant new design Wednesday for its daily newspapers’ websites and mobile platforms.

Featuring bolder type, larger fonts, faster speeds, a new color scheme and a more user-friendly mobile system, the redesigned website promises subscribers a more convenient, seamless and pleasant online reading experience.

The newly designed website went live first for The Times-Tribune early Wednesday afternoon, then for the Times-Shamrock-owned Citizens’ Voice, Republican-Herald and Standard Speaker later Wednesday.

“Our overall goal was to create a site that is easy to navigate and use with a special emphasis on a mobile platform that delivers news in an instant,” said Larry Holeva, executive editor at The Times-Tribune, Citizens’ Voice and The Standard-Speaker. “We’ve simplified the navigation tools and created a site that is more adaptable to the fluid nature of the news.”

Traffic to both the newspapers’ web and mobile components has grown substantially over the years, garnering feedback that designers considered when building the new sites.

“One of the things people asked for was an easy to navigate site,” Edward Pikulski, digital audience director for Times-Shamrock, said. “People wanted more photos, larger photos, and they wanted the site to be less busy. We cleaned it up and made the overall presentation more modern.”

It took Pikulski and his team five months to design and build the new website, which he called “the best site we’ve ever put out for our readers.”

Subscribers who get their news on smart devices should notice both technical and aesthetic improvements.

“We’ve optimized the mobile sites so that they’ll work across all devices,” Pikulski said. “Whether you have a tablet or a phone, you will be served an optimized version of the site that will look best on the device you are using.”

A new Times-Tribune mobile app was released Wednesday. Similar apps for the other newspapers will be released in the coming days.

Other reader-friendly features include increased speeds, simplified sharing tools for social media, options for changing font size and more aesthetically pleasing layouts. The new sites will also better serve advertisers.

Online and mobile readers should enjoy a seamless transition to the new platforms, but anyone with questions, feedback or concerns can contact Times-Shamrock Communications at contactus@timesshamrock.com.

“We think that we just launched far and away the best news site in Northeast Pennsylvania, and we think it’s a site that competes with major news organizations,” Pikulski said. “We already know that we have great content, and we wanted to put it in a package our readers would enjoy.”

Deeds

Cass Township — Helen Melusky to Bradley J. Hall; 135 Schaeffer Hill Road, Duncott; $37,000.

Mahanoy City — Barbara M. Derstine to Carole E. Alexander; 535 E. Pine St.; $3,000.

Nancy Vukaj, Hazir Vukaj and Gezim Vukaj to Werlyn and Mildred Santana-Mejia; 625 E. Mahanoy Ave.; $4,000.

Nancy Vukaj, Hazir Vukaj and Gezim Vukaj to Werlyn and Mildred Santana-Mejia; 627 E. Mahanoy Ave.; $4,000.

Nancy Vukaj, Hazir Vukaj and Gezim Vukaj to Guillermo Ramirez; 537 E. Mahanoy Ave.; $20,000.

Nancy Vukaj, Hazir Vukaj and Gezim Vukaj to Guillermo Ramirez; 539 E. Mahanoy Ave.; $25,000.

McAdoo — Estate of Rose M. Yanetti to PA Property LLC; 14-16 N. Manning St.; $30,000.

North Manheim Township — Rodney L. and Laurie D. Everett to Gordon Land Corp.; 0.645-acre property on Township Road T-694; $110,000.

Port Carbon — Joseph Reppert to Chokan Investment Group LLC; 129 Pike St.; $8,000.

Secretary of Veterans Affairs to Brian K. and Jade M. Moyer and Kenneth R. Moyer; 112 North St.; $23,500.

Pottsville — Federal National Mortgage Association to Ann L. and James R. Coulson; 1611 Elk Ave.; $56,000.

Schuylkill Haven — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Carrington Mortgage Services LLC; 14 Parkway; $1,266.51.

Schuylkill Township — Mary Jo Burke-Kelly to Door to Door Properties LLC; property at Catawissa and Port Carbon streets, Tuscarora; $18,000.

South Manheim Township — Joseph G. Groody, sheriff of Schuylkill County, to Bank of America NA; 798 Cherokee Drive, Lake Wynonah; $151,101.

Tamaqua — Wisam Abazly to Wisam Abazly and Susan A. Abazly; 136 Schuylkill Ave.; $1.

Edward W. Miller to M. Holly Cadwallader; property on Spruce Street; $53,200.

Tremont — Anna E. Esten, executrix of the Estate of Harry C. Donmoyer, to Bary R. and Sharon Y. Spittler; 102 Spring St.; $15,000.

Washington Township — Blackstone Funding LLC and LJE LLC to Dennis and Patti White; 133 Covered Bridge Road, Rock; $105,000.

FOUNTAIN SPRINGS — Members of the North Schuylkill Class of 2016 spent an enjoyable and introspective morning at the elementary school for the final time before their graduation.

Dressed in their caps and gowns, the seniors walked through the halls to remember their years of education and met with their younger counterparts, including those in the sixth grade who are preparing to move from elementary to the junior high school level, and many of their former teachers, who were thrilled to see how much their former students have grown academically and physically.

Most of the seniors attended their last year at the school in the 2009-10 school year. The elementary school was opened in 2007 when the Ashland and Frackville elementary centers closed and moved the students to the district campus in Fountain Springs. Ringtown area students came to the new school in 2009.

The seniors, led by the district mascot “Sparty,” marched from the football field, where they were practicing for commencement today. The long line of red- and blue-garbed students walked into the traffic circle in front of the school, eliciting cheers from elementary students and teachers in the playground until the seniors passed by. The march went around the building to the lower entrance.

As the seniors entered the hallway, they were greeted by third-grade students cheering them on while holding homemade signs with artwork and “happy graduation,” “good luck” and “congratulations, graduates.” As they walked along the hall, they were cheered on by more students and got to a stairwell to the next floor.

The seniors walked up to the top floor where the sixth-grade classrooms are. As they reached the end of the hallway, they received a special treat — letters that they wrote when they were in the sixth grade. The letters were personal messages to themselves about what they wanted to be and other thoughts they had at the time in 2010.

The writing of letters has been a long-standing tradition at North Schuylkill, but this was the first time the letters were distributed at the school. In previous years, the letters were picked up on graduation day from the high school guidance office.

One of the distributors of the letters was sixth-grade teacher Beverly Ney, who was all smiles as she handed out the letters, greeting her former charges and hugging some of them.

“This class that is graduating this year actually has seven sixth-grade classes, so they’ve come a long way,” Ney said. “When they were in sixth grade, they didn’t have recess, which made them the only sixth grade class that didn’t have recess, though that got them really ready for seventh grade. They had seven teachers. There was no down time and stuck together all day long.”

Ney is very impressed on how the seniors matured over the years.

“How they’ve grown and matured is so amazing,” Ney said. “They’ve matured so much. And I know a lot of them from sporting events.”

Ney spoke of the letter-writing tradition that she knows from her 18 years as a North Schuylkill teacher.

“We’ve done it every year since I’ve been here,” Ney said. “What they do is write a letter to themselves, because they are actually graduating sixth grade, and they’ll get the letter back when they graduate high school. They see how their friends change, their taste in music, how they’re handwriting change, what subjects they liked, and just how they’ve grown in general as a person. I like this tradition to give out the letters here at the school because now we get to see them.”

The visit to the elementary school is also a plus for the students.

“They get to look up them,” Ney said.

Senior Bryel Frasch, Ashland, read from her letter and found her predictions were fairly accurate and funny.

“It is so funny,” Frasch said. “I began, ‘You made it. You finished high school. There are some things that are happening now. I am in Mrs. Herring’s homeroom. It is June 2, 2010. We have three days left of school. My favorite color is purple. Hayden my brother is seven and Isabell is three. My favorite animal is a dolphin.’ ”

She continued, “ ‘My pinky toe is broken, and I’m wearing a walking shoe. Barack Obama is president, there’s a huge oil spill down in the Gulf of Mexico.’ I guess I was very interested in the news. I wrote, ‘I want to become a singer when I grow up. Right now, you should be thinking about what college to go to and how you will express your voice to the world. You will get a degree so that if your singing career doesn’t take off, you’ll have something to fall back on. Have a happy graduation. Love, Me. P.S., Drive safely.’ ”

Frasch was amused and surprised about the letter.

“I thought I was going to open it and be shocked at spelling errors,” she said. “I’m terrible at spelling now. I think I was better then. I really wish I would have written a friends list because I read some other letters and found it interesting to see who their friends were in sixth grade and how everything changes.”

Frasch agreed with Ney that the elementary visit should continue every year.

“That’s our childhood in that building and walking through the building and seeing the teachers and all the new kids who are in our places,” she said.

Senior Abbey Peleschak, Ringtown, also found her letter interesting to see after six years.

“This is by far the most memorable year of elementary school,” Peleschak read from her letter. “So far we are undefeated for the 2010 softball season. This past winter in basketball I made the All-Star team. One time during a tournament, our team started talking about cheese. Cheese is good on any food. Cheese is so yummy and is the favorite food of the North Schuylkill All-Star team Sixth Grade 2010. “After every tournament and most games we would go to Rita’s and celebrate. We would always go to eat together. When I grow up, I want to go college and either become an occupational therapist or a dermatologist.”

On the visit, she said, “Kids were handing out little notes to all of us, and one I got said, ‘Good luck at college. Get a diploma.’ ”

About seeing her letter written six years ago, Peleschak said, “It’s kind of surreal. I haven’t cried much yet, so I don’t think it’s hit me yet. It’s sad but it’s also happy times. It’s exciting.”

As for her career prediction, Peleschak said she will major in food science and minor in agricultural business at Penn State University Park.

“Cheese makes an appearance again from my love of food,” Peleschak said with a laugh.

Frasch will also attend Penn State main campus to major in biology.

The visit ended in the kindergarten wing before they left the building to return to graduation practice.

SAINT CLAIR — Reading Anthracite Co. did not submit required plans to state or county agencies before timbering a hillside in Saint Clair a few weeks ago, Colleen Connolly, the community relations coordinator for the state Department of Environmental Protection, said Wednesday.

“It has not been determined yet if Reading Anthracite violated any law or regulation. At this time, they did not have an erosion and sediment control plan available on site and must produce one. They also have to work to stabilize the embankment where they are working,” Connolly said.

Reading Anthracite has until Friday to respond to such requests which resulted from an investigation being conducted by DEP and the Schuylkill Conservation District. The company also has to tell them why the trees were cut down in the first place, Connolly said.

“Reading has to get us, DEP and the SCCD, that information by June 3rd. If the violations are not corrected then they would be in violation of the Clean Streams Act and the Chapter 102 regulations regarding erosion and sediment control. The department and SCCD still have not determined if Reading will face and civil penalties for the unauthorized work,” Connolly said.

Contacted for comment on Wednesday, Deborah A. Fehr, executive secretary at Reading Anthracite Co., 200 Mahantongo St., Pottsville, referred all questions on the matter to Brian R. Rich, president of Reading Anthracite. Rich did not return a call and an email for comment Wednesday.

Hearing concerns from officials in Saint Clair borough and New Castle Township about the “Reading Anthracite Timber Harvest” along Route 61 near Coal Creek Commerce Center, the Schuylkill County Conservation District started an investigation on May 11.

“The Schuylkill Conservation District is leading the investigation, as they are the DEP’s delegatory agency on matters that affect streams or creeks,” Connolly said.

Two conservation program technicians from the Schuylkill Conservation District, Pottsville, Christy Zulli and Stephanie M. Lubinsky, conducted an on-site investigation on May 16 and submitted a report to DEP on May 18.

“An inspection was conducted in response to complaints of trees being cut down without erosion controls. The SCD contacted Reading Anthracite to request a site meeting, inquire about the project and to discuss access to the site,” according to the report.

They made four observations:

• “It appears the timber operation has ceased. No workers, timber, tree tops, equipment, etc. were seen at the site.”

• “It appears that the existing Pottsville Materials quarry roads were used by timber equipment to access the site. A skidder was observed on an existing quarry road.”

• “An area, approx. 1.5 acres, has been disturbed by its use as a landing/staging area. Wood chips and large equipment tracks were observed in this area above the timber harvest site.”

• “The disturbed landing has not been stabilized (temporarily or permanently) with a Best Management Practice.”

They also noted that certain permits were not filed:

• “Failure to have an E&S Plan available on site.”

• “Failure to implement effective E&S Best Management Practices.”

• “Failure to provide temporary stabilization of the earth disturbance site.”

• “Inspection of this project has revealed site conditions which constitute violations of 25 Pa. Code Chapters 92a and/or 102 and the Clean Streams law, the act of June 22, 1937, P.L. 1987, 35 P.S.”

Before concluding the investigation and recording violations, DEP and SCD requested the following information from Reading Anthracite by Friday:

• A copy of the Erosion & Sediment Control Plan for the Schuylkill Conservation District. “A written E&S Plan is required to be developed and kept on site for activities disturbing 5,000 square feet or more,” according to the report.

• “If this project is a phase of proposed land development plan, please contact SCD to schedule a meeting.”

• “If this project is a phase of a mining activity, please notify the SCD and the DEP District Mining Office.”

• “Implement E&S Control BMPs to minimize the potential for accelerated erosion and sedimentation.”

• “Stabilize disturbed areas to minimize the potential for accelerated erosion and sediment pollution.”

• “Please submit a written response to the SCD indicating how the above items will be addressed.”

Failure to take corrective actions to resolve the violations can result in administrative, civil and/or criminal penalties instituted by the state, as defined in Section 602 of the Clean Streams Law of Pennsylvania.

“The Clean Streams Law provides for up to $10,000 per day in civil penalties, up to $10,000 in summary criminal penalties and up to $25,000 in misdemeanor criminal penalties for each violation,” according to the report.