On Monday, President Judge William E. Baldwin declared a mistrial in the case of Clarence E. Eckert Jr., 47, of New Philadelphia, who is charged with aggravated assault, recklessly endangering another person and simple assault.

Saint Clair police alleged Eckert stabbed his estranged wife, Tracy Eckert, on Oct. 9, 2015.

“He pulled a knife out ... saying he was going to kill me,” Tracy Eckert testified before Baldwin declared the mistrial. “He poked me in the neck.”

“Did you actually feel the knife up against your throat?” Assistant District Attorney A.J. Serina asked her.

“Yes,” she answered.

Tracy Eckert then testified the defendant also stabbed her in her right arm.

When cross-examined by Assistant Public Defender Paul G. Domalakes, Clarence Eckert’s lawyer, Tracy Eckert said she never sought medical attention for her arm.

In other recent Schuylkill County Court action, Judge James P. Goodman accepted guilty pleas from, and, pursuant to agreements between prosecutors and defendants, imposed the indicated sentences on, these people:

Matthew M. Szilagyi, 19, of Bristol; disorderly conduct and criminal mischief; 12 months probation. Prosecutors withdrew four counts of harassment, two of simple assault, one of obstruction of highways and two additional counts of disorderly conduct.

Rebekah A. Ulrich, 32, of Mahanoy City; simple assault, disorderly conduct and criminal mischief; 12 months probation, $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Account payment and $15.88 restitution. Prosecutors withdrew two counts of harassment.

Stephen L. Usalis, 22, of Pattersonville; criminal trespass; $100 fine and $1,966 restitution. Prosecutors withdrew an additional count of criminal trespass and a charge of defiant trespass.

Hannah Valeno, 35, of Ashland; delivery of a controlled substance and resisting arrest; 123 days to 23 months in prison, $100 Substance Abuse Education Fund payment, $100 in CJEA payments, $113 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem and submission of a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities. Prosecutors withdrew charges of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance.

Matthew M. Weismiller, 27, of Pottsville; careless driving; $25 fine. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of DUI.

Allen J. Zimmerman, 31, of Frackville; resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and harassment; 41 days to 23 months in prison, $25 fine and $50 CJEA payment. Prosecutors withdrew a second count of harassment and charges of defiant trespass, simple assault and public drunkenness.

In other court action, Baldwin recently accepted guilty pleas from two defendants in Schuylkill County Court, but did not immediately sentence either one.

Timothy Kreiser, 27, of Pine Grove, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia, with prosecutors withdrawing a charge of possession of a controlled substance. He remains in prison in lieu of $5,000 straight cash bail pending further court action.

Pine Grove police charged Kreiser with possessing drugs and paraphernalia on July 10, 2015, in the borough.

Holly A. Schaffer-Heiser, 32, of Pottsville, pleaded guilty to driving under the influence, driving under suspension-DUI related, operating a vehicle without required financial responsibility and careless driving. She is free on $5,000 percentage bail pending further court action.

State police at Frackville alleged Schaffer-Heiser was DUI with a suspended license, but without insurance, on Dec. 29, 2014, in Pottsville.

In each case, Baldwin ordered preparation of a presentence investigation and said he would schedule sentencing at a later date.

All defendants who were sentenced must pay costs as a part of their sentences.

Lock Haven

Danielle Nicole Polansky, daughter of Lisa Polansky, Minersville, and the late Daniel Polansky, graduated magna cum laude from Lock Haven University on May 7 with a bachelor’s degree in health science.

She will attend graduate school to continue her education to become a physician assistant.

A 2012 graduate of Minersville Area High School, Danielle is a granddaughter of Thomas and Carol McGovern, Branchdale, and Russ and Maryann Polansky, Minersville.

Arizona State

Virginia A. Beck, New Ringgold, graduated magna cum laude from Arizona State University with a bachelor’s degree in business communications from the W.P. Carey School of Business, and a minor in media analysis from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

York

Michael Sands, Frackville, graduated May 14 with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from York College of Pennsylvania.

Wilkes

Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre, awarded 715 doctoral, master’s and bachelor’s degrees to students graduating after the completion of the spring semester.

The following local students received bachelor’s degrees:

Lindsey Damiter, Frackville, nursing; Carly Hoffman, Pine Grove, nursing; Megan Powers, Pottsville, accounting; Jacob Rakowsky, Pottsville, environmental engineering; Cyril Shickora, McAdoo, environmental engineering; Zachary Sullivan, Pottsville, environmental engineering.

The following received doctorate degrees:

Jillian Mullen, New Ringgold, higher education administration; Christine Trusky, Hegins, pharmacy; Brittany Wills, Orwigsburg, pharmacy.

The following received master’s degrees in education:

Addie Billingham, Pottsville, Brittany Buchanan, Shenandoah, Amber Forster and Alexa Jones, both of Tamaqua; Sheri Kaufman, Pine Grove, Melissa Tenaglia, Frackville; Ian West, Pottsville.

Shippensburg

Jennifer Spehrley, Pottsville, graduated May 7 from Shippensburg University with a bachelor’s degree in marketing.

She was also named to the dean’s list for the spring semester.

A 2012 graduate of Pottsville Area High School, she is a daughter of Jim and Jane Spehrley, Pottsville.

Lehigh

During commencement ceremonies May 23 at Lehigh University, Bethlehem, the following local students graduated with bachelor’s degrees:

Joshua Eye, Girardville, accounting; Brittany Cutrona, Frackville, chemical engineering; Cody Kievman, Minersville, psychology.

John Keller, Orwigsburg, graduated with a master’s degree in computer science.

IUP

Katie Fessler graduated May 7 from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a bachelor’s degree in fashion merchandising.

She was also named to the dean’s list for the spring semester, and a member of Sigma Alpha Lambda national leadership honor society while at IUP.

Katie has accepted a position with Nordstrom, Tysons Corner, Virginia.

A 2012 graduate of Blue Mountain High School, she is a daughter of Mike and Jackie Fessler and a granddaughter of Guy and Judy Fessler, all of the Summit Station area.

Joanne Reitano is a professor of history at LaGuardia Community College in Queens. She writes wonderful books about the history of the city and state, and has recently been spending many hours — sometimes all day — at her computer to revise her first book, “The Restless City.” But while sitting in front of the screen, she told me, “I developed burning in my eyes that made it very difficult to work.”

After resting her eyes for a while, the discomfort abates, but it quickly returns when she goes back to the computer. “If I was playing computer games, I’d turn off the computer, but I need it to work,” the frustrated professor said.

Reitano has a condition called computer vision syndrome. She is hardly alone. It can affect anyone who spends three or more hours a day in front of computer monitors, and the population at risk is potentially huge.

Worldwide, up to 70 million workers are at risk for computer vision syndrome, and those numbers are only likely to grow. In a report about the condition written by eye care specialists in Nigeria and Botswana and published in Medical Practice and Reviews, the authors detail an expanding list of professionals at risk — accountants, architects, bankers, engineers, flight controllers, graphic artists, journalists, academicians, secretaries and students — all of whom “cannot work without the help of computer.”

And that’s not counting the millions of children and adolescents who spend many hours a day playing computer games.

Common problems

Studies have indicated 70 to 90 percent of people who use computers extensively, whether for work or play, have one or more symptoms of computer vision syndrome. The effects of prolonged computer use are not just vision-related. Complaints include neurological symptoms like chronic headaches and musculoskeletal problems like neck and back pain.

The report’s authors, Tope Raymond Akinbinu of Nigeria and Y.J. Mashalla of Botswana, cited four studies demonstrating that use of a computer for even three hours a day is likely to result in eye symptoms, low back pain, tension headache and psychosocial stress.

Still, the most common computer-related complaint involves the eyes, which can develop blurred or double vision as well as burning, itching, dryness and redness, all of which can interfere with work performance.

One reason the problem is so pervasive: Unlike words printed on a page that have sharply defined edges, electronic characters, which are made up of pixels, have blurred edges, making it more difficult for eyes to maintain focus. Unconsciously, the eyes repeatedly attempt to rest by shifting their focus to an area behind the screen, and this constant switch between screen and relaxation point creates eyestrain and fatigue.

Another unconscious effect is a greatly reduced frequency of blinking, which can result in dry, irritated eyes. Instead of a normal blink rate of 17 or more blinks a minute, while working on a computer the blink rate is often reduced to only about 12 to 15 blinks.

Distance learning

But there are additional problems. The head’s distance from the screen and position in relation to it are also important risk factors.

To give the eyes a comfortable focusing distance, the screen should be about 20 to 26 inches away from the face. The closer the eyes are to the monitor, the harder they have to work to accommodate to it.

In addition, when looking straight ahead, the eyes should be at the level of the top of the monitor. The University of Pennsylvania’s ophthalmology department advises that the center of the monitor should be about 4 to 8 inches lower than the eyes to minimize dryness and itching by lessening the exposed surface of the eyes because they are not opened wide. This distance also allows the neck to remain in a more relaxed position.

Yet, in a study in Iran of 642 pre-university students reported in Biotechnology and Health Sciences last year, 71 percent sat too close to the monitor for comfort, and two-thirds were improperly positioned directly opposite or below the monitor.

Improper lighting and glare are another problem. Contrast is critical, best achieved with black writing on a white screen. The screen should be brighter than the ambient light — overly bright overhead light and streaming daylight force the eyes to strain to see what is on the screen. A bright monitor also causes your pupils to constrict, giving the eyes a greater range of focus.

You might need to reposition the desk, use a dimmer switch on overhead lights, or lower window shades to keep out sunlight. In addition, using a flat screen with an anti-glare cover, and wearing glare-reducing or tinted lenses can help minimize glare.

Be sure to use a font size best suited to your visual acuity, and have your eyes examined regularly — at least once a year — to be sure your prescription is up-to-date. This is especially important for people older than 40 and for children who are heavy users of computers because visual acuity can change with age. Make sure, too, that your monitor has a high-resolution display that provides sharper type and crisper images. And clean the monitor often with an anti-static dust cloth.

Those who work from printed materials, moving back and forth from them to the screen, could minimize neck strain by mounting documents on a stand next to the monitor. If, like me, you use many different printed documents at the same time, consider getting special computer glasses — bifocal or progressive lenses with the upper portion ideal for screen reading and the lower designed for print distance.

Marriage licenses

Sheila M. Snyder, Pottsville, and Caitlin M. Pellechio, Pottsville.

Christopher M. Tobias, Pottsville, and Bridget Ann Steffie, Pottsville.

Bradley W. Daley, Ringtown, and Jennifer A. Karpovich, Ringtown.

Robert J. Decarr, Mount Carmel, and Brandy L. Elias, Mount Carmel.

Christopher R. Glessner, Frackville, and Meghan D. Brennan, Frackville.

Robert Herndon, Pottsville, and Victoria Campbell, Pottsville.

Daniel L. Daub, Tower City, and Dawn M. Reibsane, Tower City.

James B. Chadwick IV, Orwigsburg, and Nicole E. Truax, Orwigsburg.

Robert L. Horvath, McAdoo, and Renee M. Kennedy, McAdoo.

Morgan R. Yarnall, Ashland, and Cassie L. Allen, Tremont.

Mark A. Smith, Huntingdon, and Aliyah Abdullah, Philadelphia.

Joshua W. Hoppes, Tower City, and Karen A. Breech, Tower City.

Divorces granted

Kris Refer, Schuylkill Haven, from Kimberly Feger, Schuylkill Haven.

Jennifer Lambert, Pottsville, from Carl Lambert Jr., Rockwell City, Iowa.

Deeds

Ashland — Robert G. Tiley to Joseph R. Derr; property on Centre Street; $8,000.

Butler Township — Tax Claim Bureau of Schuylkill County to David and Mary Faith; 32 Homesville Road; $1,125.

Cressona — Chad M. Hepler to James M. and Tricia L. Haas; 66 Spruce St.; $200,000.

East Union Township — Harvey Floray to Brooke Manjone; 140 First St., Oneida; $35,000.

Frackville — Deborah L. Misunas to Alfred N. De Vito Jr.; 130 S. Second St.; $45,000.

Dawn Gregoire Seasock to Matthew M. Williams; 102 S. Fourth St.; $39,900.

Gordon — Michael Daka to Scott Bowers; 105 S. Gordon St.; $15,000.

Deeds

Mahanoy City — Carrie Lyon to Tabitha Custer; 1039 E. Mahanoy Ave.; $1,000.

William L. Paul, administrator of the Estate of Jean M. Jones, to Joseph P. and Linda B. Hynes and Alice L. Hynes; 125 W. South St.; $3,000.

McAdoo — Joanne Samitz, individually and as attorney in fact for Steven Samitz, to Bajram Kolenovic and Nirveta Basic; 16 W. Monroe St.; $15,000.

Minersville — Matthew S. Roerig to Joshua George; 109 Middle St.; $1.

Bernard J. Bernatonis to Donald Bernatonis; 411 St. Francis St.; $1.

Schuylkill Haven — E. Lewis Hummel and Henry H. Hummel to Terry L. and Estelle N. Bensinger; 34 Blossom Lane; $145,000.

Shenandoah — Dorothy Swies to George and Maria M. Cristobal; property on West Cherry St.; $14,000.

Paul Gavala to Fogarty Property Management LLC; property on West Lloyd Street; $10,000.

Tamaqua — Home America LLC to Home America Fund I LP; 325 Penn St.; $19,960.

Tremont Township — Rausch Creek Industrial Park LP and Rausch Creek Land LP to Rick E. and Lori Bender; five properties; $49,000.

Wayne Township — John H. and Carol A. Spratt to John H. Spratt; 2.53-acre property; $1.

n Aristes: The Aristes Fire Company will have an all-you-can-eat breakfast from 7 a.m. to noon June 19 at the firehouse. The cost is $9. The company will also have a meat bingo at 1 p.m. June 26. Doors will open at noon. Admission is $25 and refreshments will be available.

n Ashland: The Ashland Area Historical Preservation Society will meet at 7 p.m. June 22 at its 318 Centre St. headquarters. Kerry Kehler will make a presentation on the family butcher business in Locustdale. There is no admission fee, all are welcome and refreshments will be served. For more information, call 570-590-9044.

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 Frackville: Zion Lutheran Church, Oak and Nice streets, will have a strawberry festival from 4 to 6 p.m. June 22. Tickets are $8 for adults and $4 for children 10 and younger. The menu will include a hot dog or barbecue, chips, strawberries and ice cream and a baked good. For tickets or more information, call 570-874-1190.

n Mahanoy City: Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Roman Catholic Church will hold a food and bake sale beginning at 11 a.m. June 25 in the rectory garage, 300 W. Market St. The menu will include barbecue, bean soup, cold red beet soup, babka, chicken pot pie, halupkie, halushkie, pierogies, pulled pork, stuffed shells, funnel cakes and baked goods.

n Minersville: Minersville Fire-Rescue’s annual block party is set for July 7 to 9 at 300 North St. with entertainment by Another Side on July 7, Tool Shed Jack on July 8 and Hooligan on July 9. The event will also include rides, homemade food, refreshments and games of chance. All are welcome.

n Orwigsburg: Holy Family Adult Day Care is continuing to accept applications for the day care program, which is located along Route 443 at the former St. Francis Orphanage building. The program is licensed from the state Department of Aging and provides social and activity programs, therapeutic care and support services, according to a Holy Family release. Other benefits include daytime support for caregivers, meeting the special needs of adults with Alzheimer’s disease or stroke who need supervision but not 24-hour care, assistance with medication and personal care. It provides breakfast and cooked lunch with a snack in the afternoon. Anyone 60 or older and who meets program requirements is eligible. Hours of operation are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information or to schedule a visit, call 570-366-2924.

n Pine Grove: The Pine Grove Temple Association will have deep fried beer-battered haddock, grilled ham steak, steak or chicken breast with dessert from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at the Pine Grove Masonic Lodge, 23 Oak Grove Road. The cost is $12 and the public is welcome. Children’s platters will be available. For more information or takeouts, call 570-345-0165.

n Schuylkill Haven: Covenant United Methodist Church, 215 E. Main St., will have Cafe Covenant from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. June 25. The event will include music with Brian Reading. Refreshments will be available. People should bring their own lawn chairs. In the event of rain, the event will be held indoors. For more information, call 570-385-1401.

n Shenandoah: For Youth Day, Aug. 22, during the Shenandoah sesquicentennial celebration week, the Greater Shenandoah Area Historical Society has extended an invitation for all area youths including from Shenandoah Valley and from the northern Schuylkill regional parochial school Trinity Academy in the Father Walter J. Ciszek Education Center, to view displays and gather information about history. The society’s history center is at 201 S. Main St. For more information, call 570-462-4402.

SAINT CLAIR — In a 6-1 vote Tuesday evening, the Saint Clair Borough Council decided to apply for a second grant in an effort to find funding to help it replace the aging Lawton Street Bridge, which crosses Mill Creek.

In December, the council applied for a grant from the 2015 Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Multimodal Transportation Fund for the project, which has a $1,130,000 cost estimate. If the borough receives the grant, it would cover most of the project cost. The borough would have to put up 30 percent, $339,000, Brian W. Baldwin, a project engineer for Alfred Benesch & Co., the borough engineer, said in his written report to council Tuesday.

The borough may receive notification about that grant in July, according to the report, which was approved at the council’s June meeting Tuesday.

The grant the council agreed to apply for Tuesday is similar to that PennDOT grant.

It’s a grant from the 2016 Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Commonwealth Financing Authority Multimodal Transportation Fund. If the borough receives it, the borough would still have to put up 30 percent of the project cost, Baldwin said in his report.

The borough may receive notification about that grant in November, Baldwin said in his report.

Roland Price Jr., the borough secretary, suggested if the borough does not receive the first, it might receive the other.

Council Vice President Michael Petrozino made the motion to apply for the DCED grant. It was seconded by council President James D. Larish, and the motion was carried by council members Joann Brennan, John R. Burke, Rebecca “Becky” Kovich and Tom Dempsey.

Council member William M. Dempsey voted “no.” He also voted against applying for the PennDOT grant in December.

While he’d like to see the bridge replaced, Dempsey said he wishes the council could find another way to finance such a project.

“It’s going to get us into debt,” he said.

Baldwin was not present at Tuesday’s meeting.

While the council was not certain when the Lawton Street Bridge was constructed, Baldwin said previously he believed it was either in the 1920s or 1930s. It’s a two-lane bridge made of adjacent concrete beams. And he said less than 1,000 vehicles cross the bridge per day.

In other matters, the council voted to spend $1,878 to buy two basketball backboards for the Third Street Playground.

Q: Why did Ringling Brothers stop using elephants in its circus?

— MARIANNE LUSKO,

BERN, NORTH CAROLINA

A: After enduring years of criticism from animal rights activists, Feld Entertainment, the parent company of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, announced in March 2015 that it would phase out the use of endangered Asian elephants in its circus performances within three years. Then, less than a year later, the company said it was expediting the process and would be retiring the 11 elephants still travelling for circus shows even earlier — by May 2016.

These last working circus pachyderms are now able to join 31 of their predecessors at the Center for Elephant Conservation, a 200-acre elephant refuge in central Florida created by Ringling Bros. in 1995 to care for, conserve, breed and study Asian elephants.

“There’s been somewhat of a mood shift among our consumers,” said Alana Feld, the company’s executive vice president. “A lot of people aren’t comfortable with us touring with our elephants.”

No doubt, part of the reason for that mood shift has been the advocacy work of groups like the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Humane Society of the United States and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals — each of which has campaigned tirelessly to halt the use of Asian elephants in America’s iconic circus act. Testimonials from former circus employees and photographic evidence provided by these groups helped convince the U.S. Department of Agriculture to fine Ringling Bros. $270,000 in 2011 for violations of the Animal Welfare Act.

While circus fans will certainly miss the elephants’ presence in the ring heralding the opening of each show and performing synchronized dance routines, they’ll be glad to know these lovable and endangered animals will no longer suffer abuse or be exploited for their entertainment value.

That said, Ringling Bros. does continue to use lions, tigers, zebras, llamas, goats, horses, camels and dogs in its circus performances — a fact that animal rights activists remain unhappy about. For its part, PETA wants Ringling Bros. to pull all of its animals from their performances immediately.

EARTHTALK is a trademark of the nonprofit Earth Action Network. To donate, visit www.earthtalk.org. Send questions to question@

earthtalk.org.

A Pottsville man’s trial ended on its second day Tuesday when he agreed to admit he was driving under the influence in February 2015 in the city.

Robert Boardman, 52, pleaded guilty to DUI, disorderly conduct and public drunkenness, with prosecutors withdrawing a charge of resisting arrest.

Judge Jacqueline L. Russell accepted Boardman’s plea and, pursuant to an agreement between prosecutors and the defendant, sentenced him to spend 12 months on probation and pay costs and a $500 fine.

Pottsville police said Boardman was DUI to the extent he was incapable of safe driving on Feb. 13, 2015, on West End Avenue near Strikers Pub in the city.

Boardman had testified he was not under the influence of alcohol, while city police Cpl. Brian Reno testified he was not cooperative.

Also in the county court, Brian R. Specht, 47, of Pottsville, pleaded guilty Friday to terroristic threats, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person, with prosecutors withdrawing charges of aggravated assault and harassment.

Judge James P. Goodman accepted Specht’s plea and sentenced him to serve one to two years in a state correctional institution, pay costs and $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account, and have no contact with his victim.

State police at Schuylkill Haven had charged Specht with threatening and assaulting his victim on July 23, 2015.

In another county case, Drai F. Miller, 25, of Pottsville, pleaded guilty Thursday to conspiracy, delivery of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, criminal use of a communication facility and possession of a controlled substance.

Goodman accepted Miller’s plea and sentenced him to serve three to 12 months in prison consecutive to his current sentence, pay costs, $100 to the Substance Abuse Education Fund, $113 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem, and submit a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities.

Pottsville police charged Miller with selling drugs on Dec. 2, 2014, in the city.

In other recent county court action, Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin accepted guilty pleas from, and, pursuant to agreements between prosecutors and defendants, imposed the indicated sentences on, these people:

Justin E. Androsko, 19, of Minersville; possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia; 12 months probation, $100 SAEF payment and $50 CJEA payment.

Scott B. Haluska, 43, of Pottsville; no contest plea to possession of drug paraphernalia; six to 12 months in prison, $100 SAEF payment and $50 CJEA payment.

Heather A. Kessler, 30, of Pottsville; improper furnishing of drug-free urine; 12 months probation and $50 CJEA payment.

Matthew T. Martin, 29, of Tamaqua; attempted access device fraud, theft by deception, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving under suspension; 47 days to 23 months in prison, $200 fine, $100 SAEF payment, $100 in CJEA payments, $50 bench warrant fee and $145.36 restitution. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of receiving stolen property.

Cory M. Ratliff, 39, of Minersville; two counts of retail theft and one of possession of a controlled substance; one to two years in a state correctional institution, $100 SAEF payment, $100 in CJEA payments, $359.56 restitution and submission of a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities.

Kenneth W. Rich, 24, of Pottsville; four counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and two of possession of drug paraphernalia; 87 days to 23 months in prison, $200 in SAEF payments, $100 in CJEA payments, $365 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem and submission of a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities. Prosecutors withdrew three counts of possession of a controlled substance and one of possession of a small amount of marijuana.

Brandin S. Shirey, 25, of Pottsville; statutory sexual assault, corruption of minors and indecent assault; two to four years in a state correctional institution, five years consecutive probation, $50 CJEA payment, no contact with the victim and submission of a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities. Prosecutors withdrew charges of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and aggravated indecent assault.

In recent Schuylkill County Court action, President Judge William E. Baldwin accepted guilty pleas from, and, pursuant to agreements between prosecutors and defendants, imposed the indicated sentences on, these people:

Thomas J. Davidson, 47, of Mahanoy City; possession of a controlled substance; 12 months probation, $100 payment to the SAEF, $50 payment to the CJEA and $113 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem.

Bethany N. Fowler, 30, of Tower City; improper possession or use of documents, operating vehicle without valid inspection and driving unregistered vehicle; one year probation, $200 in fines and $50 CJEA payment. Prosecutors withdrew a second count of improper possession or use of documents.

Michelle M. Houtz, 41, of Ashland; driving under the influence; 25 days house arrest with electronic monitoring, 35 days strict supervision, four months probation, $300 fine, $100 SAEF payment and 20 hours community service.

John C. Paletskie Jr., 38, of Mahanoy City; 15 to 30 days in prison and $300 fine. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of speeding.

Anthony H. Pascoe, 53, of Tamaqua; two counts each of recklessly endangering another person and shooting at a human while hunting and one each of unlawful hunting and shooting at mark or target during season; six to 23 months in prison and $350 in fines, with sentence effective at 8:30 a.m. June 15. Prosecutors withdrew charges of unlawful taking possession of game or wildlife and hunting without securing license.

Lauren J. Ritchie, 39, of Tamaqua; simple assault; 12 months probation, $50 CJEA payment and no contact with the victim. Prosecutors withdrew charges of harassment and disorderly conduct.

William D. Smith, 51, of Mahanoy City; possession of drug paraphernalia; 12 months probation, $100 SAEF payment and $50 CJEA payment. Prosecutors withdrew charges of possession of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana.

Jennifer L. Stabinsky, 33, of Pottsville; harassment; six months probation and no contact with the victim. Prosecutors withdrew two additional counts of harassment.

Michael H. Startzel, 32, of Mahanoy City; possession of a small amount of marijuana; 30 days probation, $100 SAEF payment and $113 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem.

Leanna L. Vidzicki, 31, of Tamaqua; possession of drug paraphernalia; 12 months probation and $100 SAEF payment. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of possession of a small amount of marijuana.

David J. Whipple, 22, of Girardville; possession of a controlled substance; 12 months probation, $100 SAEF payment, $50 CJEA payment and $138.50 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem.

In another matter, instead of taking his case to trial, a Pottsville man admitted Friday in Schuylkill County Court that he possessed two drugs, plus paraphernalia, in April 2015 in the city.

Donald R. Watson, 29, pleaded guilty to possession of a small amount of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving without a license. Prosecutors withdrew charges of possession of prohibited offensive weapon, driving unregistered vehicle and operating vehicle without valid inspection.

Goodman, who had been scheduled to preside over Watson’s jury trial, instead accepted his plea, ordered preparation of a presentence investigation and scheduled his sentencing for 10:45 a.m. July 7. Goodman allowed Watson to remain free on $10,000 percentage bail.

Pottsville police charged Watson with possessing methamphetamine, marijuana and paraphernalia on April 13, 2015.

Also on Friday, Baldwin sentenced Jason T. Kerstetter, 26, of Gordon, to time served to 12 months in prison and undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation. Baldwin imposed the sentence after revoking Kerstetter’s probation.

Kerstetter originally pleaded guilty on March 20, 2013, to simple assault and disorderly conduct, with prosecutors withdrawing charges of criminal mischief and harassment. At that time, Baldwin placed Kerstetter on probation for 12 months, and also sentenced him to pay costs and $50 to the CJEA, each of which he still is obligated to pay under the terms of Monday’s sentence.

Butler Township police charged Kerstetter with committing his crimes on Jan. 3, 2012, in the township.

All defendants who were sentenced must pay costs as a part of their sentences.

This late spring, there’s been a lot of stargazing talk about Mars and for good reason. It’s been as close to Earth as it’s been since 2005 and there’s no way you miss it with that very distinctive reddish hue in the early low southeast sky. It’s only 47 million miles away, and that’s close for Mars. Without a doubt, it’s the brightest star-like object you can see in that part of the sky, and the second brightest star-like object in the entire sky right now. Only Jupiter, now in the southwestern evening sky, outshines Mars, but not by much!

There’s actually a third planet easily available in the Pottsville evening sky now that I’m afraid is being overlooked, literally. It’s Saturn, the ringed wonder of our solar system. Saturn is also rising in the low southeast sky, not more than 18 degrees or about two fist-widths to the lower left of Mars. You’ll have absolutely no problem spotting it since it’s the next brightest object in that part of the sky.

I believe it’s the most breathtaking planet you can view through a telescope, even a small one. When I’m conducting my astronomy and stargazing programs and Saturn’s available to view, it’s hands down the favorite, as folks see it through my arsenal of supersized telescopes. Viewing Saturn has been known to excite folks and really get them jump started into amateur astronomy, especially young people. Again, you really don’t need all that big of a telescope to enjoy it, and now is definitely the time to give it a try.

Earth and Saturn are still at about their closest approach to each other for 2016. This is called opposition. That’s when the Earth in its orbit around the sun finds itself in a line between Saturn and the sun.

This happened last month with Mars, but in the case of the red planet it only occurs every 25 months. With Saturn we enjoy opposition about every 12 1/2 months, a little over one year. Saturn orbits the sun much more slowly than Earth, only once every 29 years. In the 365 days that it takes Earth to orbit the sun, Saturn progresses only about 1/29th of its orbit around the sun.

Because of that, the Earth needs a little time to catch up to be in a line with Saturn, as you can see in the diagram. The ringed wonder of our solar system is still a ways off at 837 million miles, but it’s a heck of a lot closer than it was about six months ago, when it was nearly a billion miles down the celestial block. Another advantage of opposition is that Saturn is available all night for viewing, rising at sunrise and setting at sunset.

Even though Saturn is about 837 million miles away, or more than 17 times farther away than Mars, Saturn is about 17 times the diameter of Mars and that’s not even counting the 185,000-mile-wide ring system diameter! I think it’s much more fun to view than Mars.

In the right conditions, you should be able to easily see the separation between the planet and the ring system, and you’ll probably see at least some of Saturn’s moons that resemble tiny stars swarming the big planet.

All of Saturn’s 60-plus moons are pretty dim with the exception of Titan, Saturn’s largest moon. With a diameter of 3,200 miles, Titan is even a little larger than the planet Mercury, the closest planet to the sun. Titan has a heavy methane atmosphere and even has methane lakes.

One of Saturn’s tinier moons, Enceladus, is truly bizarre. Liquid water plumes gush from cracks in its surface. It’s believed that tidal forces from the much more massive Saturn are strong enough to heat up Enceladus’s interior enough for liquid water. Wherever there’s liquid water, there’s at least a small chance of some kind of life. Stay tuned!

To fully enjoy Saturn though a telescope, timing is everything! The bottom line is to get a really good look at it this summer you need patience, and it helps to be a night owl. At the start of evening darkness, Saturn is so low in the southeast sky that you’ll probably be disappointed with what you see through your scope because it will look really fuzzy. That’s because when you observe any celestial object that’s low in the sky you have to look through more of Earth’s blurring atmospheric shell than you do when it’s higher up.

My advice is to make a late-night viewing party for Saturn. By midnight, Saturn should be high enough to avoid at least some atmospheric blurring. What’s a bummer this summer is that Saturn is not going to get all that high above the horizon, no more than 25 degrees above the southern horizon. Saturn may still be a little blurry even after midnight, but that’s the celestial card dealt to us this year.

With any kind of stargazing, it’s important to let your telescope and all of the eyepieces you’ll be using sit outside for at least 45 minutes before your party with Saturn. They have to acclimate with the outside temperature or you could have some really wacky viewing. Also, start viewing Saturn with your scope using a low power magnification eyepiece and work yourself up to higher magnification. It’s also important to make yourself comfortable and discipline yourself to take long continuous views through your telescope. Your eye needs to adjust to the level of light coming into your instrument.

Remember, no matter how the clear the sky is, upper atmospheric winds can muddy up the image of Saturn or any other planet. Hopefully, if you hang in there and keep your eye over that eyepiece long enough, the winds between you and Saturn may calm down enough, at least temporarily, to give you some clear views.

Saturn is basically a 75,000-mile-wide ball of gas, making it the second largest planet in our solar system. Believe it or not, this planet’s density is less than that of water, so if you could get a swimming pool big enough Saturn would float on it like a colossal beach ball!

Saturn’s hallmark, though, is the ring system. In fact, when you glance at Saturn with just the naked eye most of the light you see from it is the sunlight reflecting off its ring system. As wide as Saturn’s ring system is, it’s less than half a mile thick and in some places less than 30 feet thick. It’s made up of billions and billions of ice-covered rocks that vary in size from pebbles to the size of an average house.

Grab your telescope or borrow one from a neighbor, put on your patience hat, and start your love affair with Saturn. I know it will win you over!

(Lynch, an amateur astronomer and professional broadcast meteorologist, can be reached at mikewlynch@comcast.net)

Sing in Germany

Angelica Dunsavage, Rossford, Ohio, daughter of Joestelle and Ray Dunsavage, Ringtown, has been selected to perform with a choir festival in Germany celebrating the anniversary of the Reformation. The choir, conducted by Helmut Rifting, will sing at Bach’s church in Leipzig.

Dunsavage teaches choir for grades 6 through 12 at Wauseon Exempted Village Schools. She has had students represent the school at the Ohio State Chorus, and this year her a cappella choir will compete at the state level. Last year, the choir took first place in its division and best appearing high school choir in a competition in Tennessee.

The choir recently completed a theater workshop in New York City with members of the cast of “Matilda” the musical and performed in the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, an Episcopal cathedral that is the largest in the world.

Dunsavage is also the choir director of All Saints Catholic Church, Rossford.

She is a granddaughter of Joseph and Estelle DeLuca, Shenandoah, and Helen Dunsavage, Barnesville.

‘Miners Jam’ held

The “Miners Jam” was held April 30 at the Minersville Skateboard Park.

The following are winners from the event:

“Grom” division — first place, Ethan Wagner; second, Ollie Arment; third, Jimmy Fitzpatrick

“Skate Rates” division — first place, Scott Mantua; second, Matt Arment; third, Kody Scicchitano; fourth, Kyle Hinton

“Rippers” division — first place, Dennis Neuman; second, Bobby Murhon; third, Brian Demuro; fourth, Jarred Lafferty.

Schuylkill County District Attorney Christine Holman and county detectives are asking for the public’s help in locating a woman wanted on an outstanding warrant.

Detectives said Andrea Michelle Startzel is being sought on a bench warrant issued in Schuylkill County Court charging her with possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and altered or misbranding a controlled substance.

Startzel has a last known address of 216 Reed St., Girardville.

Detectives said she is described as being 45 years old, about 5 feet 1 inch tall and weighing about 140 pounds.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of this woman, or on any other fugitive in Schuylkill County, is asked to call the district attorney’s office at 570-628-1350, the Schuylkill County Tip Line at 570-624-3988 or your local police department.

In addition, anyone who may see or come in contact with Startzel is asked to call the Schuylkill County Communications Center immediately.

All information received will remain confidential.

A complete list of Schuylkill County bench warrants is available on the Schuylkill County website at www.co.schuylkill.pa.us.

Kutztown man

dies in ATV crash

NEW SMITHVILLE — A man was killed and another person was injured in an ATV crash about 1:25 a.m. Saturday on Stump Road in Greenwich Township, Berks County.

State police at Hamburg said Cameron R. Firestone, 23, of Kempton, and Jordansteffan H. Oraczewski, 24, of Kutztown, were traveling northbound on Stump Road toward Old Route 22. The driver lost control of the 2001 Yamaha Four Wheeler along a right curve in the road, causing the ATV to travel off the road and strike a tree. Both occupants were vaulted from the vehicle. They were taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital, where Oraczewski was later pronounced dead.

Firestone suffered significant injuries. Police said further details were not available.

Kempton Fire Company, Kutztown EMS and Hamburg EMS assisted at the scene.

MECHANICSVILLE — The Islamic Society of Schuylkill County hosted its first weekly dinner Saturday evening celebrating the month-long Ramadan.

The month of fasting commemorates the first revelation of the Quran to the prophet Muhammad, according to Islamic beliefs. Fasting from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, along with declaration of faith, prayer, charity and pilgrimage to Mecca, Zarina Wahhab, president of the Islamic Society of Schuylkill County, said.

Along with fasting, Wahhab said Muslims are also supposed to refrain from drinking liquids, smoking and sinful behavior like lying and fighting. Charity is also especially important during Ramadan, she said.

Every Saturday throughout Ramadan, the Islamic Society hosts a dinner at sunset. Since the Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar and 10 days shorter than the solar calendar, Ramadan occurs 10 days earlier every year. Ramadan 2016 started June 5 and ends July 5.

Before dinner, a call to prayer was issued precisely as the sun set at 8:36 p.m. Saturday.

“The Quran is the living miracle,” Wahhab said. “Whatever shape it came in is still the same. No matter what country you belong, what language you have, the prayers are always in Arabic. No matter what country we go to, we can follow the Quran.”

Muslims living in Schuylkill County, their friends and neighbors, and returning natives attended the dinner Saturday.

“It’s a very special time for us,” Humaira Zafar said about Ramadan.

Zafar, a Cressona native now living in Washington, D.C., said Ramadan is a time to reflect and fasting gives them a personal relationship with God.

“You do it for God,” she said.

However, not everyone is able to fast, such as the young, elderly or people with medical conditions.

“It is not meant to be something that is hard for you,” Zafar said.

It is about endurance and becoming stronger as a person, she said.

“It makes you strong as an individual,” she said. “As a mom, it made me stronger as a mom.”

Dr. Abdul Wahhab, Zarina’s husband, said that although not all Muslims fast, most of them do.

“Fasting is only between you and God,” he said. “Only God knows you are fasting. That is why it is called the highest level of worship.”

ASHLAND — The Ashland Borough Council approved an engineering proposal from Entech Engineering to update the long-term control plan for the wastewater system at Wednesday’s meeting.

The combined sewer overflows control plan is required to be updated every five years and submitted to the state Department of Environmental Protection for its renewal, according to Entech project manager Donald M. Cuff, who made a presentation to the borough council at the meeting.

The proposal for the engineering required to update the plan is $29,600, which was approved unanimously by the council.

“The Ashland borough is served by a combined sewer system, meaning that it just doesn’t carry sewage, but it also carries stormwater,” Cuff said after the meeting. “When it (sewage treatment plant and system) was constructed back in the 1970s, it was permitted to have combined sewer overflows along the Mahanoy Creek. Every five years, DEP requires a plan to be submitted to the department that states how those facilities are being operated.”

The updated plan will incorporate revised DEP regulations.

“In 2013, DEP updated the regulations and is now requiring more information than what the borough had previously submitted,” Cuff said. “That’s not just for the Borough of Ashland, but for any community served by a combined sewer system.”

Cuff and Borough Manager Raymond Jones Jr. recently met with DEP officials to discuss the update.

“They (DEP) laid out a scope for us and what they’re asking for is the study to be submitted by November, which is the same time that the permit renewal is due for the wastewater treatment plant,” Cuff said. “We’ll be out there doing sampling and full measurements and documenting the condition of the seven permitted CSOs.”

Large rain events allow some water going through the sewer system to bypass the treatment plant.

“The water on a regular day goes into the wastewater treatment plant, but when there is heavy rainfall or a wet weather event, a portion of it gets discharged into the Mahanoy Creek, but at that point it’s so dilute that it’s primarily stormwater that’s being discharged.”

Cuff said the Ashland plant is operated very well.

“For the experience we have now in the past year or two, we have to say that it is an exceptionally well-run facility being of 1970s vintage,” Cuff said. “That speaks highly of the work force who runs it.”

In other business, the borough council:

• Approved a request from St. Charles Borromeo Roman Catholic Church to block Walnut Street from 11th to 12th streets in front of the church on July 15 and 16 from 5 to 10 p.m. for the annual block party.

• Acknowledged a letter from the Ashland Public Library thanking the borough council for the annual donation of $2,500.

• Approved a quote from Rick Wetzel Masonry, Ashland, of $6,840 for repairs on the Hoffman Boulevard islands. Jones said the work will include repairs where two vehicle crashes occurred and routine repairs as needed.

• Approved advertising for the sale of the 1992 International trash truck.

• Approved bid preparation for street paving of a portion of Pine Street beginning at 13th Street westward. How much paving will be done will depend on the costs when bids are received.

The borough council went into executive session for personnel reasons at the end of the meeting.

China continues to be one of the hottest destinations for North Americans, with most travelers choosing the “Big Three” triangular route of Beijing, Shanghai and Xian, home of the world-famous terracotta warriors.

Henan Province, smack in the middle of the country and the Big Three, wants to turn that tourist triangle into a square, or at the very least, a side trip.

“We are the cradle of the entire Chinese nation,” said our guide, David. “If you drop a shovel anywhere in Henan Province, you will find a piece of history.”

Well, maybe. But more than 200 emperors who reigned more than 20 dynasties did establish their capitals in Henan, the Silk Road began here, this is the birthplace of Chinese Buddhism, and for Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan fans — welcome to the kung fu capital of the world!

We spent a week with David in Henan Province. These were some of the highlights:

Zhengzhou

Our first stop was the capital of Henan Province and national capital of all of China during the Shang Dynasty. Parts of the city wall built 3,600 years ago still remain.

Despite its jawbreaker name, the city is pronounced simply “Jen-Jo,” like some cool celebrity nickname. Its Confucius Temple is one of the oldest in China.

Situated on the southern bank of the Yellow River, “Jen-Jo” has a population in excess of 10 million and is one of 13 emerging megacities in China. Henan Province’s population is a whopping 100 million. If it were a country, it would be the 12th most populous in the world, surpassing nations like The Philippines and Japan.

Longmen Grottoes

Perhaps Henan’s No. 1 tourist attraction and certainly its most spectacular sight. This large complex of carved Buddha statues on the side of a mountain took more than 400 years to construct, beginning with the Wei Dynasty (386 to 534).

There are more than 200 caves and niches, 70 pagodas and more than 100,000 Buddha statues ranging from miniature to giant carvings. There are also 20 calligraphic gems in the grottoes representing the finest calligraphy of the Wei Dynasty.

The statue of the sole female emperor in Chinese history, Wu Zetian, is in the center of the grottoes and is not easy to miss, standing about 18 meters high. Her outsized ear alone is almost 2 meters. A minimum half-day is required to view the Longmen Grottoes.

Yuntai Mountain

Fantastic views and waterfalls — including China’s tallest with a fall of more than 1,000 feet — are in this mountain range famous for its oddly shaped peaks, no two alike. The mountains are surrounded by clouds year-long, hence the name Yuntai (Cloud Terrace).

More than a thousand steps along cliff-side paths will lead hardy tourists to Zhuyu Peak, 1,308 meters above sea level. There are also a number of stone bridges over cascading waterfalls.

“You can see a waterfall every five paces,” said David, once again getting carried away.

Nonetheless, Yuntai Mountain should be visited as spectacular sights await every step of the way. And there are paths for both the hard-adventure type and people like me.

Luoyang

Situated in the middle reaches of the Yellow River, Luoyang is often referred to as the core of Chinese civilization as it served as the capital city of 13 ancient dynasties. Its old walled city is worth the visit itself. Once you pass the 1,400-year-old city gate, you’ll feel as though you’re strolling through one of those dynasties. Ancient ruins and architecture, artisans doing what they used to do, winding narrow streets, shopkeepers wearing emperor robes … one might even see a chariot or two zip by.

Luoyang also has another permanent “emperor”— the peony. The flower is almost revered here and it seems to bloom everywhere year-round. A peony festival each April attracts tourists from throughout China and the world.

Kaifeng

A medium-size city by Chinese standards (5 million), Kaifeng is among the 24 historical cultural cities in China. It goes back to the Shang Dynasty, and no one even knows when that dynasty began, since it was the first one recorded. The mid-16th century would be a good guess. Lion dancing and stilt walkers were supposedly all the rage back then, and you can see plenty of them today at Kaifeng’s city park.

Throughout the park, you’ll also see fire-eaters, acrobats, hatchet and sword performers and an outdoor stadium where wars on horseback are re-enacted. Once you pass the Iron Tower, a 13-storied octagonal tower billed as the first iron tower in the world (according to David), you can enjoy a gourmet meal on Imperial Street.

Instead of a peony, Kaifeng hails the chrysanthemum, a thousand varieties of them, for which it holds its own yearly festival.

Kung fu

The mere mention of the name Shaolin Temple to any young boy in China, or anyone connected to the martial arts, says it all, for it is the very soul of martial arts. Located in the jungle near the Yuntai Mountains, the temple is world famous as the center of kung fu, but the “academy” stretches for miles and involves thousands of students. The masters, or teachers, are Shaolin warrior monks.

Students from all over China and the world come here for short or long-term stays. It looks more like a vast university spread in the hills, with training and performances going on just about everywhere you look.

“This is where kung fu was born,” David said. “Jackie Chan even trained here.”

Postscript: I later learned that kung fu existed long before the Shaolin Monastery, although Shaolin is still regarded worldwide as the mecca for kung fu. I also learned that the Shaolin Monastery was actually founded by a wandering Buddhist monk from India. As for Jackie Chan, I’ll give David the benefit of the doubt.

(Merle, a Montreal travel writer and co-founder of the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association, can be reached at dmerle@videotron.ca)

Cole Shirk likes to call Aldabra tortoises “dog lawn mowers.”

At Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland in Allenwood, Al, a member of one of the world’s largest tortoise species, doesn’t seem to mind the nickname as he enjoys a good neck scratch while he chomps on grass.

Al isn’t as soft as a dog, but that’s fine by Cole. The animal enthusiast gets a thrill from up-close visits with any species. Reading books about his wild friends wasn’t enough for the 14-year-old, who has spent more than a year making animal education videos.

Every Wednesday, the Dalton, Lackawanna County, resident interviews an expert about that week’s featured animal and uploads it to his YouTube Channel, Cole Shirk.

He and his cameraman — who happens to be his dad, Ken, a fellow animal lover — venture to different zoos to ask experts about some of their animals, like the North American river otter, blue-tongued skink and African penguins.

Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland remains his favorite place, since it’s where he experienced one of his most treasured memories: holding a West African dwarf crocodile.

“The normal person wouldn’t be able to hold an alligator or crocodile like that,” said Cole, an eighth-grader at Lackawanna Trail High School.

“So that’s kind of cool (and) what this series has enabled me to do,” he added. “Like interacting with animals that I wouldn’t (by) just visiting a zoo and learning more than I would reading a sign.”

Cole’s love for animals inspired his dad to pitch the idea of an animal education video series. Cole agreed it sounded like a good idea.

“So one night he comes home from work,” Cole recalled. “And is like, ‘OK, practice your lines, I’m going to get the camera and we’re going to film this.’ ”

The first episode featured one of Cole’s Eastern box turtles, but it wasn’t long before he ventured out of his home to locations like Luray Zoo in Virginia. By his fifth episode, Cole stood unfazed in the presence of the world’s largest venomous snake — the king cobra.

Encounters with breathtaking animals are not the only thing that makes Cole’s experiences worthwhile. His hands-on education brings him to historic sites, such as Binghamton Zoo at Ross Park in New York, the nation’s fifth-oldest zoo, where he returned eight times to see the rose hair tarantula, three-banded armadillo and vultures, among others. Cole even traveled down to Florida, where he brought his viewers on a tour of Walt Disney World Resort’s Animal Kingdom.

His YouTube Channel now has 61 subscribers, among them animal expert Coyote Peterson. Peterson offers Cole advice for his videos, and this relationship is one of many Cole has made during his video series. Other subscribers tell Cole how he has inspired them to own animals, and Cole advises them on the best way to care for their pets.

Much like taking care of an animal, making the educational videos requires commitment. When Cole and his dad started the series, they used a Samsung Tablet before upgrading to the Sony Handycam Cole’s grandfather gave him and his younger brother, Connor, when they were little. They also use a GoPro HERO+ for behind-the-scene tours. Cole’s mother, Dawn, a stay-at-home mom, provides support as Cole and his dad, an IT manager at TMG Health, learn about production all on their own.

In addition to serving as an outlet for his passion, the video series also helps Cole grow comfortable with public speaking. He plans to study zoology and continue his video series for as long as he can manage.

“Both his mother and I are extremely impressed ... he’s really taken to this,” Ken said. “We both have family that lives elsewhere in the U.S., and they all watch the videos. They all give him encouragement.”

Product of environment

Cole’s love for living creatures big and small seemed inevitable.

He grew up in Front Royal, Virginia, with 11 acres of family property at his disposal. He always loved going on hikes and watching animals in their natural habitat, including the 40-plus box turtles he found in his yard.

Steve, Cole’s first pet Eastern box turtle, initiated the reptile collection that now lives in his basement upon his own rescue.

“Unfortunately, the box turtles would just kind of squat in place and Steve shot out of the mower,” Ken explained. “So we kept him, wondering if he was going to live or die, and things became permanent.”

Box turtles remain Cole’s most beloved animal because of the personal connection he’s established. However, Steve was just the start of an ever-growing family.

“I have two Eastern box turtles,” Cole said as he used his fingers to start his list. “I have a tokay gecko, a leopard gecko, a giant day gecko, an eyelash crested gecko, an Eastern painted turtle, a green tree frog, two White’s tree frogs, an American toad and a green frog.”

He and his dad work together to build habitats for each animal they acquire. Using sand for texture or leaves for coverage, the pair ensure every member of the collection is comfortable.

“I go down there three or four times a day and it’s 10 minutes each time,” Cole said. “I have to spray every cage, refill water bowls, make sure they’re all fed.”

While reptiles and amphibians are his favorite groups of animals, Cole has big plans to see all sorts in their natural habitats — everything from saltwater crocodiles in Australia to zebras and giraffes on the African plains.

“I really (would) like to see animals forever,” he said.

Age: 14

Residence: Dalton

Family: Parents, Ken and Dawn Shirk; brother, Connor

Education: Cole is in eighth grade at Lackawanna Trail High School.

Hobbies: Cole uploads an educational animal video to his own YouTube channel every Wednesday and also takes care of 12 reptiles and amphibians that live in his basement.

DEER LAKE — As many people recall moments they shared with the late boxing legend Muhammad Ali at his training facility in Deer Lake, members of the Islamic Society of Schuylkill County also remember how he was a true ambassador for Islam.

“When people think Islam, I want them to think of Ali,” Rubina Tareen, Schuylkill Haven, interfaith chaplain at Alvernia University in Reading, said Saturday. “He really embodied what Islam should be.”

Ali started training in Deer Lake in the late 1960s before building a five-acre training camp in 1971 just off Sculps Hill Road, West Brunswick Township. One of the 12 cabins at the camp housed a small mosque. That was the first mosque built in Schuylkill County, Tareen said.

Dr. Abdul Wahhab and his wife, Zarina, president of the Islamic Society of Schuylkill County, remembered when they first met Ali. Shortly after Ali built the camp, Abdul said “The Champ” came to visit him in the hospital upon learning they shared the same faith.

“There were not many Muslims here at that time,” Zarina said.

Abdul said Ali, who changed his name from Cassius Clay upon converting to Islam in the 1960s, invited him and his family to visit his training facility. Abdul, who said he had just started his practice at that time, said he had no choice but to take him up on the offer and visited the camp many times over the years.

“He was very generous and very friendly,” Zarina said. “It was really amazing. Anytime we went, no matter what he was doing, even if he was eating, he would come out and greet us.”

“He always called everyone brother — Brother Wahhab, he would say,” Zarina said. “That was another amazing thing, he would always call people by their names.”

Abdul said everyone knew who Ali was throughout the world because of his faith.

“That’s how much he was loved,” Abdul said. “And everything he said was just so bright.”

Although controversial, Abdul said Ali’s refusal to serve in the military during the Vietnam War was an act of faith. He said true Muslims do not believe in harming another person, only in self defense.

All three of their daughters remember seeing Ali as children and have been in many photos with him. Dr. Samina Wahhab said visiting the training camp is something she will never forget.

“His conversion to Islam captivated the whole world,” she said.

Tareen said that she too has plenty of pictures of Ali with her and her siblings. She said that she actually had a photo of Ali in her notebook before even coming to America.

“I remember he was very generous,” she said. “Every time he met someone, he would want to give them something.”

She said that when one of her brothers first met Ali, he took off his ring and wanted him to take it. Her brother said he could not take it, she said.

“That’s how he was,” she said. “His generosity was out of this world.”

She also remembered Ali always inviting them to pray with him at the camp.

“He was Muslim, but he respected all the faiths,” she said. “It’s amazing how he brought everyone together. We should all want to be what he was. He left such an incredible legacy.”

Albright

Approximately 100 students at Albright College, Reading, were recognized for academic achievements May 1 at the college’s annual Honors & Awards Ceremony.

Local students who were honored include Rachel Roseman, Ashland, a senior English-theater major, who received Annadora Shirk Readers Theatre Prize, and Laura Wimbrow, Orwigsburg, a sophomore biology major, who received The Classical Languages Department Latin Award.

Misericordia

Mitchell J. Haney, a sophomore at Misericordia University, Dallas, Luzerne County, was inducted into the Beta Beta Beta National Biological Society on April 29. He was also named to the dean’s list for the spring semester.

Mitchell is majoring in biology/chemistry while pursuing his doctorate in physical therapy.

A 2014 graduate of Minersville Area High School, he is a son of Glenn A. and Marybeth Haney, and a grandson of Joseph Baruka, all of Minersville.

Allison McIntyre, Ashland, a senior at Misericordia University, received the Jane DeMaio Clinical Excellence in the Study of Medical Imaging Award at the annual honors and awards ceremony in Lemmond Theater on campus.

Cedar Crest

Britni Houser, New Philadelphia, received the Howard Agar Memorial prize, given to a senior in any discipline who has demonstrated significant ability in the studio arts at Cedar Crest College, Allentown.

Scranton

Mara C. Wolfe, Ringtown, a senior majoring in counseling and human services, was among The University of Scranton students inducted into Tau Upsilon Alpha, the national human services honor society.

Alysha Bixler, Williamstown, a graduate in the Panuska College of Professional Studies, inducted into Chi Delta Rho, The University of Scranton’s chapter of Chi Sigma Iota, the international honor society for counseling.

Lebanon Valley

Lebanon Valley College, Annville, has recognized more than 140 of its first-year students for making an impact on campus as a new student.

The Celebration of Student Success reception, held April 4 in the Mund College Center, honored the students’ achievement. Local students who were honored include: Maggie Kergick, Frackville, a graduate of North Schuylkill High School; Marcus Brown-Dulan, Pine Grove, a graduate of Pine Grove Area High School who is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in physics; Stephanie Senglar, Frackville, a graduate of North Schuylkill High School who is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in actuarial science; Stephen Mazur, Frackville, a graduate of North Schuylkill High School who is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in mathematics; Trevor Skripko, Brockton, a graduate of Tamaqua Area High School.

Kristina Kelly and Alison Semanchick, both of Shenandoah and graduates of Shenandoah Valley High School, were inducted to its Kappa Delta Pi honor society April 12 at Lebanon Valley.

Both women are pursuing bachelor’s degrees in early childhood education and special education.

Marcus Brown-Dulan, Pine Grove, a physics major, received the First-Year Student Leader of the Year Award. He is a graduate of Pine Grove Area High School.

As part of its Inquiry 2016 activities, Lebanon Valley College recognized students at the Spring Awards and Recognition Ceremony for academic achievement in the natural sciences, social sciences, or humanities.

Local students who were recognized include the following:

Amy Karnes, Auburn, a graduate of Blue Mountain High School majoring in music education and music, was awarded The H. Herbert Strohman ’40 and Nora Franklin Strohman ’38 Memorial Award; Kristina Kelly, Shenandoah, a graduate of Shenandoah Valley High School majoring in early childhood education and special education, won the SPSEA Award for Excellence in Teaching Performance in Elementary Education; Paige Mealing, Schuylkill Haven, a graduate of Blue Mountain High School majoring in biology, won the Beta Beta Beta Freshman Achievement Award in Biology; Miranda Milillo, Tamaqua, a graduate of Marian High School majoring in religion and English, was awarded The Dr. George R. Struble Memorial Award; Rebecca Sausser, Schuylkill Haven, a graduate of Schuylkill Haven Area High School majoring in history and religion, won the Baish Memorial History Award; Alison Semanchik, Shenandoah, a graduate of Shenandoah Valley High School majoring in early childhood education and special education, won the Mund Scholarship; Clarissa Shoffler, Gordon, a graduate of North Schuylkill High School majoring in ACS chemistry, won the Dahlberg Chemistry Award.

Kristina Kelly, Shenandoah, and Kyler Burke, Pine Grove, both seniors at Lebanon Valley, were named Green Dot ambassadors for their commitment to campus violence prevention.

Kristina, a graduate of Shenandoah Valley High School, is majoring in early childhood education and special education. Kyler, a graduate of Pine Grove Area High School, is majoring in history.

FRACKVILLE — The American flag was honored Saturday at the annual Flag Day program at the Frackville Elks Lodge 1533.

All member lodges of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks are required to annually honor the flag with a public ceremony on or near Flag Day on June 14.

“The Elks organization is uniquely American, so it only makes sense we would honor the flag that is the symbol of America,” Robert Yutko, exalted ruler at the Frackville lodge, said.

While members of Cub Scout Pack 790 and Boy Scout Troop 789 carried the different flags used throughout the country’s history, E. Lance Nelson, past exalted ruler, read information about each of them. In addition to the current American flag, the Scouts held five flags through the ceremony.

The first flag is known as the “Pine Tree Flag.” Adopted in 1775, the flag was adopted for all colonial vessels and was the banner carried by the Continental forces in the Battle of Bunker Hill. It was then followed by the “Snake Flag” used by the southern colonies from 1776 to 1777.

The next flag was considered by the Continental Congress in the latter part of 1775. The committee recommended a design of 13 alternate stripes of red and white with a blue field in the upper left corner with the red cross of St. George and the white cross of St. Andrew. Although it was only used on naval vessels, it was the first American flag to receive a salute of honor.

Then came the first flag to use stars. Nelson said, “In response to a general demand for a banner more representative of our country, the Congress on June 14, 1777, provided: ‘That the Flag of the United States be 13 stripes of alternating red and white; and that the union be 13 stars, white on a blue field, representing a new constellation.”

It is then said that Betsy Ross suggested the stars should have five points instead of six, Nelson said.

The starry banner was first flown at Fort Stanwix near Rome, New York, on Aug. 3, 1777, Nelson said.

In 1795, two additional stars and stripes were added to represent the admission of Vermont and Kentucky into the Union. Then in 1818, Congress adopted a resolution that the number of stripes should be 13 and that the blue field would carry one star for each of the states in the Union.

Since then, 28 new stars were added before July 4, 1912.

The 48-star flag was the last one carried out by the Scouts. On July 4, 1959, a star was added for Alaska. A year later, the 50th star was added for Hawaii.

Schuylkill County Sheriff Joseph G. Groody served as guest speaker for the ceremony. Groody is a member of the Ashland Elks and has served as district deputy grand exalted ruler of the northeast central district and exalted ruler of the Ashland lodge.

He said that Flag Day is not the only time the Elks demonstrate the values embodied by the American flag. He said many lodges give flags to other groups, newly sworn citizens and local schools.

“I hope that Flag Day is more than just an old day for you,” Groody said. “It should be a day to give respect to our nation’s symbol of respect and democracy, and to remember all those who are serving in our nation’s military and especially to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice defending our flag so all Americans can enjoy the freedom we have. Always remember Flag Day, may God bless us all, may God bless our flag and may God continue to bless the United States of America.”

Members of the Elks also presented a plaque to Angelique Antonini, an eighth-grade student at St. Ambrose, Schuylkill Haven, placing second in a state essay contest about what the American flag means to her.

“It’s like a salute to all the troops who died for the freedom of our country and how thankful we are for them,” Antonini said.