The Schuylkill County commissioners approved an agreement Wednesday for mitigation services in the death penalty case against Shavinskin N. Thomas, who is one of two men accused of killing a Pottsville man in August 2015.

The agreement is with Juandalynn Taylor, of the Taylor Advocacy Group, which is based in San Antonio, Texas, with an office in Ardmore, Pennsylvania. As an independent mitigation specialist, Taylor will be a member of the criminal defense team that provides supportive research and a documented history of the defendant to the defense counsel. A mitigation defense is required for capital punishment cases.

Pottsville police allege that Thomas and Joshua M. Lukach entered John Brock’s home at 14 S. 12th St., Pottsville, and fatally stabbed him with a knife and box-cutter knife and took his debit card. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for each man.

Thomas is represented by Assistant Public Defender Andrea L. Thompson, which is why the commissioners’ approval was needed for the agreement. Lukach is represented by Jeffrey J. Markosky, Mahanoy City, and Julie A. Werdt, Orwigsburg.

The agreement with Taylor is for $100 an hour and $50 an hour for travel. She is expected to start Friday, Michael J. Stine, chief public defender, said Wednesday.

In other news, the commissioners approved agreements with SimplexGrinnell, for testing, inspection and maintenance of the fire alarm systems at the 15 county-owned buildings. The three-year agreements are through June 30, 2019, and cost $54,822.

The commissioners also issued three proclamations Wednesday.

They proclaimed April as “Duck Month” in Schuylkill County in honor of Avenues’ 28th annual Duck Race on April 24. Thousands of rubber ducks are available for adoption to be entered into the race on the banks of Mill Creek in front of Wal-Mart in Saint Clair.

April is also “Donate Life Month” in Pennsylvania. Nationally, more than 121,000 people are awaiting life-saving transplants. That number has tripled within the past decade. Ron Boris Jr., a heart-transplant recipient from Lake Wynonah, accepted the proclamation. Boris received his new heart seven years ago.

“Without organ donors, I wouldn’t have a second chance, so I ask you to consider becoming an organ donor,” Boris said.

April 10-16 is “National Telecommunicator Week.” Staff at the Schuylkill County Communications Center accepted the proclamation. The county communications center answered and dispatched more than 135,000 calls for service in 2015.

Beginning this weekend, Pottsville police will be conducting several concentrated neighborhood foot patrols independent of, and in addition to, the daily patrols.

Chief Richard F. Wojciechowsky said that the proactive patrols will consist of at least two uniformed officers working as a team to focus on a specific ward of the city in order to promote personnel interaction with residents of the particular geographic area being addressed that day.

During the first wave of this program, Wojciechowsky said the citizen contact patrols will be completed in each ward of the city on separate weekends.

Following the completion of each assignment, the participating officers will provide department management, as well as fellow officers, with a review of their contacts as well as a summary of information gathered through personal observations and conversations with residents.

“The primary goal of this endeavor is to promote additional positive police interactions throughout the City of Pottsville,” the chief said.

He added that the interactions will occur separate from official police responses to calls for protection or service and will include residents who may otherwise have limited personal contact with the department.

Wojciechowsky said that in addition to talking with people encountered in public, officers will be knocking on residents’ doors to initiate these conversations.

A secondary goal of the program is to accumulate beneficial input from the members of the community to identify matters of importance to our residents.

The chief said that this data will aid in creating future focus points for normal patrol activities and will also be used in analysis pertaining to future decisions concerning the best applications of the department’s resources.

Schuylkill Health and Lehigh Valley Health Network publicly announced their future plans at a Thursday press conference in Schuylkill Medical Center-East Norwegian Street.

“Today is a very special day for our community and health care in Schuylkill County. Perhaps you’ve already heard, but allow me to make it official. Schuylkill Health and Lehigh Valley Health Network have signed a definitive agreement to merge, and we are both excited and pleased to be able to share this news with you today,” Marc H. Lory, interim president and CEO of Schuylkill Health, said.

Lory, Brian Nester, president and CEO of Lehigh Valley Health Network, John Stanley, chairman of the board of trustees of Lehigh Valley Health Network, and Anthony Baran, chairman of the board of directors of Schuylkill Health, all spoke during a brief 11:30 a.m. news conference.

“With the signing of the definitive agreement, our journey continues in a new way. We must now go through a regulatory process, which we expect to be completed by the end of 2016,” Lory said.

Employees were told of the news earlier this week.

Lory was appointed by the board of directors of Schuylkill Health in September 2014 and started Oct. 6 after former CEO John E. Simodejka resigned in August 2014. In November 2014, Lory announced Schuylkill Health was looking to form a partnership with another entity.

Nester said LVHN wants to bring more services to the area.

“We intend to invest here, in people, in services, in facilities and in technology. We’re committed to increasing the number of primary and specialist physicians in this region,” he said.

Lehigh Valley Health Network includes five hospital campuses in Lehigh and Luzerne counties; Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, Lehigh-Valley Hospital 17th and Chew Streets, and Lehigh Valley Health Network-Tilghman, all in Allentown, Lehigh Valley Hospital-Muhlenberg, Bethlehem, and Lehigh Valley Hospital-Hazleton, Hazleton.

Baran said there were initially seven potential parties interested in Schuylkill Health. This was reduced to two. Officials never revealed who any of the prospective entities were.

“This affiliation will increase the level of services available locally and lessen the need to go out of the area for care. We are anxiously looking forward to becoming a part of the Lehigh Valley Health Network and really advancing the level of health care delivery to the residents of Schuylkill County,” Baran said.

Lory and Baran thanked the employees of the hospitals and those involved in bringing the merger to where it is today.

Schuylkill Health employs 1,341, of which 592 are at East Norwegian Street, the former Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center, and 749 are at South Jackson Street, the former Pottsville Hospital & Warne Clinic.

At this stage of the process, representatives of neither organization could provide details about jobs, management, departmental organization and other things of interest to hospital employees and the community.

When asked about employment and organization, Lory said, “That’s to be determined and we don’t have all the answers yet. I think, at least for Schuylkill Health, the issue for us was announcing the partnership has occurred.”

“This is the merger of two nonprofit entities, so the term acquisition does not come into play. There are no assets that are being acquired for a price. So it is not an acquisition. It is a true merger of two corporate entities. It will form a single corporate entity when we are done and the assets of the organizations just get shared,” Lory said.

However, Nester said a change might be in order.

“I think the needs will change. Certainly I think what this community needs is a single hospital entity that can address all concerns of the community and provide exemplary high quality service,” he said.

Residents have a chance to kick back and enjoy a beer with an old Scranton friend this weekend.

Creed Bratton, a former member of rock band The Grass Roots who played a fictionalized version of himself on NBC’s “The Office,” will appear at Electric City Craft Brew Fest’s spring/summer session.

Due to growing popularity, the Times-Shamrock Communications event, which boasts 100 varieties of high-quality beers from 50-plus craft breweries, extends to two days.

Brew Fest kicks off with the VIP session from 5:30 to 9 p.m. today. Two general admission sessions take place from noon to 3:30 p.m. and 5 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, all at Lodge at Montage Mountain, 1000 Montage Mountain Road.

Tickets to the 21-and-over event are $59 in advance and $79 at the door for the VIP session, or $29 in advance and $40 at the door for the general admission session. Attendees receive a sampling glass with 2-ounce pour line.

Bratton stops by Brew Fest to catch up with fans on Saturday, one day before he is set to perform an all-ages music and comedy show presented by Flying Fish Brewing Co. in Shopland Hall at Scranton Cultural Center at The Masonic Temple, 420 N. Washington Ave.

“Creed happened to be coming through and it happened to be the weekend that worked out for him,” said Tim Holmes, Times-Shamrock regional director of marketing and events.

This marks Bratton’s third time coming through the Electric City. The former quality assurance director from the fictional Dunder Mifflin Paper Co. appeared in Scranton for “The Office” Convention in 2007 and the sitcom’s wrap party in 2013.

“He’s looking forward to coming back,” Holmes said.

Bratton performs at 4 p.m. Sunday at the cultural center. Preferred seating tickets will be available at Brew Fest and are $29 in advance. General admission is $19 in advance, also available at Brew Fest, or $25 the day of the show.

Between the spring/summer and fall/winter sessions, this counts as the eighth Brew Fest overall. Holmes is glad to add a beloved piece of Northeast Pennsylvania culture to an already popular event.

“There are still fans of ‘The Office’ looking for a reason to come back to Scranton which is pretty cool,” he said.

Deeds

East Union Township — Ricky L. and Lorie J. Longenberger to David J. and Jessica E. Domelle; 34 Corral Road, Eagle Rock; $350,000.

Paul E. and Jackie L. Firuta to Steven J. Lukas and Shu Yu Chen; Lots 38WSS and 39WSS, Eagle Rock; $230,000.

Hegins Township — PNC Bank NA to William W. and Rebecca D. Toothaker; 207 W. Main St., Valley View; $41,500.

Kline Township — James Petruncio to Michael Koshmieder and Nancy Kunkel; 1010 N. Green St., Haddock; $135,000.

McAdoo — Vanessa L. Koshmieder and Nancy Kunkel to Frank C. Helmer Jr.; 227 Rear E. Blaine St.; $88,000.

Minersville — Susan Castle to Nathaniel C. Nouzovsky; 528 Sunbury St.; $31,500.

Schuylkill Haven — Donald Dress to Donald Clarence Dress; 205 Centre Ave.; $1.

Shenandoah — Andre Marine and Mario DeJesus Hierro to Andre Marine; 326 W. Lloyd St.; $1.

Andre Marine to Natividad Hierro Rosario; 222 E. Centre St.; $6,000.

South Manheim Township — Darvin H. Messimer, by attorney in fact Dana L. Radel, to Alyssa Thomas; 1590 Stag Drive, Lake Wynonah; $158,000.

West Penn Township — Sherry DeHart to Daniel Christopher Hart; 15 Wild Life Trail; $50,000.

RAVEN RUN — The Municipal Authority of the Borough of Shenandoah board decided to table an idea to add GPS units to authority vehicles until after a new distribution manager is hired.

The board discussed the issue at its March 29 special meeting. Board Chairwoman Donna Gawrylik said adding GPS devices to vehicles had been raised before without any action.

“The GPSs were discussed a couple of years back and nothing materialized with it, so what we’re doing now is discussing it for security, safety and insurance purposes so we know where our men are at all times,” Gawrylik said. “With the spring approaching and the work that has to get done, we really need to know.”

Authority manager Mary Lou Jaskierski said asked for proposals and received one from the state’s COSTARS program. She is awaiting another proposal. Jaskierski said COSTARS proposal would cost the authority $134.75 per month for five vehicles through a lease agreement for 36 months, after which the authority own the equipment and will cost the authority $18.95 per vehicle ($94.75 total per month) for the service.

Board member Donald E. Segal asked whether the existing cellphones have GPS service, to which Jaskierski said the cellphones do not have data plans, which is needed for GPS, and that the phones are basic flip phones.

Chief clerk Jennifer Hepler said data plans on new phones would cost $40 a month per phone.

Board member Joseph Rosselli questioned the need for a system to keep track of employees in the field.

“I have an issue with this. The town is approximately one square mile, and we are in the process of hiring a distribution manager who will be in charge of knowing where his employees are,” Rosselli said. “I just think we have a better use for $135.”

“It’s going to be his responsibility of knowing where his men are,” Segal said. “If the men are working at the reservoirs, the distribution manager will report that to Mary Lou.”

In addition to Shenandoah Borough, the water authority services customers in West Mahanoy and Butler townships and has reservoirs in West Mahanoy and Union townships. Jaskierski said the employees do travel out of the borough at times, giving an example of going to the Girardville area for water samples or to the reservoirs.

Gawrylik asked Jaskierski where the street employees were at the time, with Jaskierski replying that they were on East Centre Street in the borough for a water leak.

“My suggestion is let’s see how this distribution manager supervises the crew and how he handles assignments,” Rosselli said.

Gawrylik agreed to Rosselli’s suggestion to wait and allow the yet-to-be-hired distribution manager to direct employees and keep Jaskierski apprised of where and when employees are assigned, noting that accountability is an important aspect of keeping track of employees.

“Being the manager, he’s going to have to have a work schedule every day, and that schedule takes place between he and Mary Lou.”

“We’ve put the process in place. We just have to implement it,” Rosselli said.

The board took no action on the GPS discussion.

During the public portion, Glenn R. Hetherington, owner of farmland in Union Township near Reservoir No. 5, asked the board about purchasing a 10.3-acre parcel of authority land in the township.

“It’s on the opposite side of Reservoir Road and No. 5 reservoir,” Hetherington said. “The property is watershed to the reservoir as a vast majority of the land slopes away from the reservoir. It is adjacent to the property that I own. It was farmed up to approximately 20 years ago, but is now grown up with trees and bushes. My intention is to clear it and annex it to my farm. The farm is presently high on the waiting list to be entered into the agriculture preservation program.”

According to the Schuylkill Conservation District website, the “Agricultural Land Preservation” program is designed to preserve the most productive farmland by means of a perpetual agricultural conservation easement, which is a way of preventing development on the farmland permanently. Through this program, the landowners sell the development right on the farm to the state and/or county. The landowner is fairly compensated for selling this right. In turn, the state and/or county is able to prevent further development, and would only own this one specific right to the farm, which the landowner would retain all other property rights and is still the owner of the farm.

“When accepted into the program for agricultural preservation, this land can never be developed,” Hetherington said.

Rosselli has been reviewing the request and the program and had a few questions for Hetherington.

“Are you going to farm this land once it’s cleared?” Rosselli asked, to which Hetherington said it would be.

“I want to recommend to the board that we get the conservation people involved to see that if you are farming it, that any chemical herbicides or whatever you would use would not run into our reservoir through ground seepage or runoff,” Rosselli said. “You must understand that we have to protect that reservoir.”

Rosselli said the authority must also investigate the value of the property and to research the deed.

“When that property was given to us, and I don’t know if it came from Girard Estate or if we bought it, we need to look into that,” Rosselli said. “If we got it from Girard Estate, then we need to look at that deed to make sure we can sell it. So, there is work involved.”

Gawrylik told Hetherington that the authority will look into the points that Rosselli raised and the board could possibly make a decision at a near future meeting.

One of Schuylkill County’s 67 municipalities is missing from the monument commemorating its 2011 bicentennial.

The granite monument at the center of the Courthouse Commons features the outline of the county with its original settlements and alphabetically lists each current municipality — except Middleport.

“How we missed Middleport is anyone’s guess,” Gary Bender, co-chairman of the bicentennial committee, said Wednesday.

The public garden sits in the grassy area in front of the courthouse along Laurel Boulevard. The monument is about 10 feet wide and 5 feet tall, sitting on a base measuring 2 feet, 8 inches tall. The square is surrounded by an 18-inch granite wall that also acts as a bench. In the middle of the square are more than 750 commemorative bricks with names or messages from those who purchased them prior to construction.

The project was announced in 2011 to coincide with the county’s bicentennial, but was completed by Heim Construction Co., Pottsville, in 2014. It was designed by Pottsville architect Yongcheol Kim and cost about $200,000.

“I’d call it a group error,” Bender said. “A lot of people looked at it and no one came up with it.”

The omission was noticed by David P. Carroll, Pottsville, who pointed it out to county officials and The Republican-Herald.

Incorporated in 1859, Middleport has only 405 residents and lies midway between Pottsville and Tamaqua.

Bender said the committee has been working on adding Middleport to the monument after Carroll had contacted them. Eric Schlosser Memorial, White Hall, has priced the work at about $200.

“We will get the work done,” Bender said. “It’s already approved by the bicentennial committee.”

2 face charges

for retail thefts

HOMETOWN — Two people were charged by Rush Township police after separate incidents at Wal-Mart earlier this month.

Police said Samantha Weaver, 25, of Jim Thorpe, will be charged with retail theft and receiving stolen property after stealing items valued at $71.51 on April 2 while Joseph Holland, 34, of Tamaqua, will be charged with identical offenses for stealing items valued at $59 on April 6.

Both will now have to answer before Magisterial District Judge Stephen J. Bayer, Tamaqua, police said.

City man charged

with retail theft

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — A Pottsville man was arrested by state police at Schuylkill Haven and charged with retail theft after an incident at Adult Book Shop 61 in North Manheim Township on March 10.

Police said Joshua Cahill will have to answer to the charge before Magisterial District Judge James R. Ferrier, Orwigsburg.

Police said Cahill was seen by store employees placing items on his person and leaving the store without paying.

Man hits utility

pole with car

SUMMIT STATION — A 57-year-old Minersville man escaped injury when the 2001 BMW he was driving crashed about 12:45 a.m. Sunday on Route 443, Long Run Road, just west of Fisher Road in Wayne Township.

State police at Schuylkill Haven said Robert D. Rose was driving east when he crossed over the westbound lane, went off of the road and hit a utility pole. Police said Rose fled the scene but was found a short time later walking west on Route 443.

Rose will be charged with not driving on roadways laned for traffic as a result of crash, police said.

McAdoo man

charged with theft

McADOO — A borough man was arrested by McAdoo police and charged with retail theft after an April 1 incident at Fegley’s mini mart.

Police said store cameras captured Thomas Gaughan taking $20 cash from a side counter while the cashier was distracted.

When the cashier returned the video shows Gaughan trying to help the employee locate the missing money but instead of returning it he purchases cigarettes and leaves the store.

The charge against Gaughan was filed with Magisterial District Judge Stephen J. Bayer, Tamaqua.

Woman steals food

from mini mart

McADOO — McAdoo police filed charges of retail theft against a Freeland woman after an incident April 6 at Fegley’s mini mart.

Police said Kim Cangiano, 36, will have to answer to the charge before Magisterial District Judge Stephen J. Bayer, Tamaqua.

Police said store video shows the woman taking Cracker Barrel cheese from a cooler but the item was gone when she approached the counter. While the cashier was distracted police said the woman also took two chocolate Easter eggs and put them in her pocket without paying.

Children and parents can learn and have fun together at the Early Childhood Fair on Saturday at Fairlane Village mall, Pottsville.

The fourth annual fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the mall’s center court. The event is sponsored by the Early Childhood Community Partnership of Schuylkill County.

Held in coordination with Week of the Young Child, the free educational fair features games, crafts, stories and prizes. Children are asked to register at the Local Interagency Coordinating Council table to get a participation ticket. The LICC is a community-based collaboration that includes parents, professionals and providers of early intervention services for children.

Alretta Schwenk, service coordinator for the Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29, Early Intervention Program and a member of the LICC, said children who fill out their ticket with stamps and stickers by visiting each of the fair’s participants will receive a free activity packet.

Schwenk said this year’s fair will have 22 participants, including schools, child cares, libraries and organizations such as Service Access and Management Inc. Home Depot will also have a bird house project, which is a popular activity with the kids, she said.

Schwenk said the fair pulls in more than 100 people, with last year’s attendance topping out at 137. She said the event is geared toward children up to age 8, but kids aged 12 or 13 have participated.

The participants will have activities for the children to do, each lasting about five minutes to give the children time to visit every table.

Schwenk said the fair’s format is beneficial for all attendees because organizations get to share their information to new people and families learn about resources that could be useful to them.

The Week of the Young Child is an annual celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children for early learning, children, teachers and families. The event was established in 1971 to recognize that the early childhood years — birth to age 8 — lay the foundation for a child’s success in school and life. For more information, visit www.naeyc.org/woyc. The motto for this year’s celebration is “2016 Celebrating Our Youngest Learners.”

To learn more about the Early Childhood Fair, call 570-544-9131, ext. 1222.

n Frackville: An American Red Cross blood drive will be held from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Schuylkill Mall. 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 make an appointment, call 800-733-2767

n Heckscherville: The Clover Fire Company will have a breakfast from 7 a.m. to noon Sunday at the fire hall, 8 Clover Road. The cost is $8 for adults and $3 for children. For more information, call 570-294-0612.

n Hegins: The Friends of the Tri-Valley Library support group will have a tea show from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. May 1 in the social hall of the Sacramento Fire Company. The cost is $15. The event will include a four-course meal with entertainment. Groups of six or more may reserve a table. Participants are asked to bring a tea cup. For reservations or more information, call 570-682-9225 or 570-682-9845.

n Mahanoy City: The Mahanoy City Elks Lodge, 135 E. Centre St., will have a Chinese auction from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday at the lodge. The cost is $2 per sheet or three for $5. There will be large door prizes, large and small tables and special tables. Food will be available. The auction will begin at 2 p.m. For more information, call 570-573-2649.

n New Philadelphia: The AMVETS post will meet at 7 p.m. April 28 at Vetts Inc., 96 McComb St., to plan for Memorial Day activities. For more information, call 570-277-6031.

n Orwigsburg: The Orwigsburg Area Free Public Library will have a “blow-out book sale” from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 23 at the library, 214 E. Independence St. The cost is $5 per bag of books. For more information, call 570-366-1638. The library will also have a Jane Austen Tea Party from 2 to 4 p.m. May 1. The cost is $10 per ticket. Attendees may wear period costumes if they wish. Call the aforementioned number for more information.

n Primrose: St. Nicholas Church will have a chicken and halupki dinner from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday in St. Nicholas Hall, Route 901. The cost is $10 per meal, tickets only. Patrons will be able to eat at the hall or take meals out. Meals will also include mashed potatoes, filling, green beans and roll. For more information, call 570-544-4581.

n Shenandoah: The Polish American Fire Company, 115 W. Centre St., is taking orders for its 100th anniversary history book. The books, which have more than 100 pages, are $20 each. For people who want to have a book mailed to them, there is an additional $5 fee for postage. Payments should be made by check in an envelope that includes your name, address and phone number, marked “Attention History Book Committee.” The envelopes can be left at the company grill after 3 p.m. daily or mailed to the fire company. The deadline to order is Sunday. For more information, call 570-788-4498.

n Shenandoah: An open house will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Shenandoah branch of National Penn Bank, 5 N. Main St. It will be a “celebration to show our appreciation for our community, firefighters, clients and friends,” organizers said in a flier. A fire in adjacent North Main Street structures earlier this year forced the branch to close for more than a week for cleanup and repairs.

n Shenandoah: The 10th annual May procession by Trinity Academy in the Father Walter J. Ciszek Education Center will be held at 6:30 p.m. May 11 at Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Roman Catholic Church, Mahanoy City. The gathering time is 6:15 p.m. The annual procession to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary, according to a school release, is one of the dearest traditions of the elementary school, which is a regional parochial school that includes all of northern Schuylkill County. Each year the procession is held at one of the parish churches of the Trinity Academy students. The first procession held in May 2007 was held in Ashland (beginning alphabetically) and has rotated through the towns. The public is welcome.

HEGINS — Students will be paying slightly more for their lunches in the 2016-17 school year under a plan approved Wednesday by the Tri-Valley school board.

The board, by an 8-0 vote, approved the 2016-17 projected budget with Chartwells School Dining Services for paid lunches and breakfasts. Director Karrie L. Bowman was absent. The elementary paid lunch and high school paid lunch will both increase 5 cents to $2.30, and $2.55, respectively. The adult lunch price will increase 10 cents to $3.60. The elementary and secondary paid breakfast will remain $1.15. Milk prices will rise 5 cents to 60 cents.

The board is scheduled to vote on several key items at its next regular meeting at 7:30 p.m. May 11.

Budget and Finance Committee Chairman Roger D. Heidlebaugh said there will be a request for approval of the 2016-17 proposed budget at that time. The board will also make a decision on the revised extracurricular payment plan, previously called the “Athletic Payment Plan” at that May meeting. Director Kenneth L. Smeltz said a proposed transportation contract with Bowman Brothers Trucking Inc. to provide services for the 2016-17 school year was included in board members’ packets for review. The transportation contract is scheduled for a vote in May as well.

The building principals noted dates for upcoming events.

Elementary Principal Gerald J. Anderson said kindergarten registration will be held May 9 and 16. Any parent or guardian who has not received a mailing can call the district office at 570-682-9013 for information. The elementary spring band concert will be 7 p.m. May 10 at the Tri-Valley High School, and a “Career Day” will be held May 13 for all sixth-graders and students from the North Central Secured Treatment Unit are scheduled to present a program in the afternoon. May 6 will be an Act 80 day, Anderson said.

High School Principal Charles W. Hall announced the high school junior/senior chorus spring concert will be 7 p.m. April 28; the high school junior/senior band spring concert will be 7 p.m. May 5; the National Honor Society is hosting an American Red Cross Blood Drive on April 22; the FFA banquet and awards ceremony will be held May 13; and the junior/senior prom will be May 7.

Hall said dates for the high school’s end-of-year ceremonies are: baccalaureate, June 1; senior awards night, June 2; and commencement, June 3.

Hall extended congratulations to the German students and German teacher Jenna Shafer. At the Penn State German Day competition, Tri-Valley students placed third out of 17 schools in Pennsylvania. He also announced Rotary student of the month for April is Kelly Romberger; and Lions student of the month in the arts for April is Skylar Gunning.

The board approved the following:

• Michael Romberger as assistant junior high girls’ basketball coach at a salary of $1,880 for the 2016-17 school year.

• Appointing Joanne Risso as a volunteer volleyball coach for the 2016-17 school year.

• Facility requests, as submitted, by Superintendent Mark D. Snyder.

• An affiliation agreement with the University of Phoenix.

• An amendment to the Telecommunications Service Agreement with Conterra Ultra Broadband LLC, beginning July 1, for the in-district Wide Area Network. This is the first of three available five-year extensions, Snyder reported.

• Adding the following to the 2015-16 substitute teacher list: Kelly Pleva and Joel Whitehouse, guest teachers.

• Retroactively accepting the resignation of Melissa Beaver, part-time aide, effective April 8.

• Retroactively transferring Sally Kissinger from substitute aide to part-time aide, effective April 11.

• Appointing Lisa Tyrpin as a substitute aide at a rate of $9 per hour, pending receipt of clearances.

• Volunteers, pending receipt of clearances: Julie Specht, at Hegins-Hubley; and Tammy Dengler, Mahantongo PTO.

• Temporary summer cleaners for the summer of 2016: Lauren Deibert, $9 per hour; Crystal Geist, $12 per hour; and Karen Harman, $12 per hour (Geist and Harman both returned from previous years.)

• The Schuylkill Intermediate Unit Administrative and Program Budget for the 2016-17 fiscal year; director Carl D. Shankweiler abstained.

• The proposal for technology services from the Schuylkill IU 29 for the period July 1 to June 30, 2017 at a rate of $70,835.

• The special education plan for submission to the state Department of Education.

Board member John E. Schmeltz said a copy of the LEED Gold Certificate, letter and checklist for the Hegins-Hubley Elementary School, as required by the ACE grant, has been submitted to the state Department of Community and Economic Development as proof that the Hegins-Hubley Elementary School has officially met LEED requirements. The district anticipates receiving Mahantongo Valley Elementary School’s certificate soon, he said.

Prior to the regular meeting, the board held a committee of the whole meeting and an executive session for legal and personnel issues. A budget meeting also followed Wednesday’s board meeting.

Three credit unions offer an alternative banking experience to residents in Schuylkill County.

As the only financial institutions based solely in the county, the three credit unions are nonprofit organizations that, like banks, accept deposits, make loans and provide a wide array of other financial services, according to the National Credit Union Administration’s website www.mycreditunion.gov.

But as member-owned and cooperative institutions, credit unions are owned and controlled by those who use their services and the profits are returned to its members in the form of reduced fees, higher savings rates and lower loan rates. A volunteer board of directors is elected by members to manage a credit union.

According to NCUA’s credit union locator, there are three credit unions in Schuylkill County: Schuylkill Federal Credit Union, 101 E. Union St., Pottsville; CACL Federal Credit Union, 1800 W. Market St., Pottsville; and Hidden River Credit Union, which has two locations at 60 Westwood Road, Pottsville, and 705 W. Market St., Orwigsburg.

There are also credit unions in Hamburg, Lebanon and Hazleton.

Credit unions were formed under the Federal Credit Union Act by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt on June 26, 1934. The act authorized the formation of federally chartered credit unions in all states, helping to make more credit available, and promote the principle thrift through a national system of nonprofit, cooperative credit unions, according to the NCUA.

Many employers sponsor their own credit unions while most members’ families join. Many credit unions also serve anyone that lives, works, worships or attends school in a particular geographic area. Membership in a group, such as a place of worship, school, labor union or homeowners’ association may qualify someone to join.

CACL Federal Credit Union has 7,920 members. Chartered since 1953, the credit union started as a postal employee credit union, which is where its name comes from, Francesco Mercuri, chief operating officer, said Wednesday. CACL was named for the Carriers and Clerks that worked there.

“We hung onto it because the customers liked it and it was what it was known for,” Mercuri said.

Now, membership is open to anyone who lives, works, worships or attends school in Schuylkill County, he said. It is also open to businesses based in Schuylkill County or do business within the county.

“We like to differentiate ourselves from banks,” Mercuri said. “When you join a credit union, you become a member here. Everybody who joins gets one and only one vote.”

While banks answer to shareholders, credit unions answer to members.

“Our members can decide what we do,” Mercuri said. “At a credit union, we are not-for-profit and consider ourselves member-owned. We like to pride ourselves on having better member service, lower interest rates on loans and higher interest rates on deposit products.”

CACL is also the fastest growing credit union in the county.

Mercuri said the credit union’s assets, which are determined by deposits and investments, went from $65 million in 2014 to over $92 million this year.

Meanwhile, membership at the Schuylkill Federal Credit Union has been more exclusive, but that will be changing when it merges with Hidden River Credit Union in May.

“We are different than the other two credit unions,” Cindy Nettles, manager and CEO, said Wednesday. “We are SEG based, select employer group.”

That means in order to join the Schuylkill Federal Credit Union, a person’s employer must already be a member. Chartered in 1958, the credit union currently has roughly 2,500 members, Nettles said. The largest employer members are the county, city and Schuylkill Medical Centers.

“We are not-for-profit and the profit that we do make at the end of the year we try to give back to our members in cutting loan rates or increasing deposit rates,” Nettles said.

The Schuylkill Federal Credit Union will become a third location for Hidden River Credit Union in May. Chartered in 1953, Hidden River Credit Union has about 12,000 members, John Murga, CEO, said Thursday.

“I think it is going to expand services for both memberships,” Murga said.

Membership will still be open to anyone who lives, works, worships or attends school in Schuylkill County.

“Essentially, their members will become members of Hidden River Credit Union,” Murga said.

Murga explained the difference between credit unions and banks as how each is able to raise capital. While banks can go to capital markets, credit unions are not allowed to engage in various commercial ventures.

“Credit unions won’t do financing for a five-story office building downtown,” Murga said.

The other difference is organization. Like the other credit unions, Murga said each member has one vote and the board of directors are volunteers. As a nonprofit, fees are also only used to cover costs.

“It is certainly true that credit unions have better rates and are more competitive on the loan side and we serve our members. We treat them like owners,” Murga said.

Murga said people are getting tired of the changes with some of the larger banks.

“I think financial institutions are changing,” Murga said. “Banks certainly have their purposes, but I think credit unions are geared more towards the customer and go out of their way to serve their members.”

TOWER CITY — The Williams Valley school board on Thursday approved payment for the first installment of Phase II of the district’s summer building renovation project, as well as several educational summer programs.

Business Manager Anthony Aukstakalnis said the payment to McClure Company Inc., Harrisburg, was $711,000. That was part of the Phase II renovations, slated to address heating, ventilation and air conditioning this summer. Last summer, Phase I made improvements to the roof system at the elementary and junior-senior high complexes, as well as other renovations.

The high school and elementary building had limited areas where air conditioning was available. After Phase I, the elementary cafeteria was slated to receive air conditioning. After Phase II is complete, all of the high school rooms, including classrooms, will have air conditioning capability.

According to The Republican-Herald archives, the high school uses a combination of propane and electric. The high school’s HVAC system is more than 40 years old and the ventilation system needs to be brought up to code.

The elementary building uses oil and electric. Its HVAC system is 22 years old. Improvements would include converting the elementary boilers to propane.

All of the renovations are part of a $7.36 million, two-year plan that began in 2015.

The following summer programs received the board’s nod:

• 2016 Summer Science Enrichment Program for the elementary school with a wildlife theme. It will run from 9 a.m. to noon July 11 to 28 for students and from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for teachers. Sharon Scheib, Suzanne Deiter and Tiffany Underkoffler will staff the program, with Christal Troutman and Carmen Moore serving as substitutes. Costs will include teachers’ salaries and a $500 requisition budget for supplies.

• 21st Century Community Learning Center at the elementary school, complying with the Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29/state Department of Education grant, with the theme of “Explore the World with STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math).” The program will be for fifth- and sixth-graders and will run from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. July 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20 and 21 for students and from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for teachers. Susan C. Diegert will serve as site coordinator. It will be staffed by Wendy Hueston, Kristina Miller, Mandi Jobe, Morgan Williard, Edith Tanner, LeAnn Unger and Chelsea Artz.

• Summer Time Travel Camp from June 20-23 and June 27-30. The focus of the history camp will be World War II. Sixth-grade students who have a grade average of 93 percent or higher in social studies will be invited to participate. The students will attend from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and the teachers from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Teachers guiding the program will be Jennifer Matz and Kristina Miller. A tentative trip is scheduled to Fort Indiantown Gap. Costs include teachers salaries.

In other business, the board heard an end-of-season report from head wrestling coach Jason Chamberlain. He reported the Vikings had “a banner year,” winning their division for the second year in a row. Athletes also finished scholastically better than last season. The team placed sixth in districts, 14th at regionals and 29th at states. There were two All-State wrestlers and a wrestler placed third at states. Chamberlain said Williams Valley was one of the smallest schools wrestling in double AA competition and was able to fill every weight class.

Board director Tedd Johns thanked Rebecca Carroll for assisting with students competing at the state Future Business Leaders of America competition. The board also recognized Johns’s daughter, Lexi Johns, who qualified for national FBLA competition in June.

Director David Ferraro also announced that Les Brown Big Band Weekend will be held this weekend.

In other action, the board approved:

• Purchasing a 25-second play clock for the football field

• Guest teachers Kelly Pleva, Schuylkill Haven, and Joel Whitehouse, Pine Grove

• Family and medical leave request for elementary teacher Gloria Noecker.

• Coaches for the 2016-17 school year: volunteer assistant boys’ basketball coaches Dennis Kasper Jr. and Charles Culton, Williamstown; volunteer seventh- and eighth-grade boys’ basketball coach Stephen Sedesse, Tower City; head football and basketball cheer coach Jann Stroup, Tower City.

MECHANICSVILLE — A crowd of more than 30 people visited the Schuylkill County Islamic Society mosque Friday for a special open house.

“It is an interfaith outreach for the Islamic Society. We do this at least once a year. Our last one was in December,” Zarina Wahaab, the society’s president, said at the mosque at 1043 E. Norwegian St.

There were speakers, including Kay Jones, Orwigsburg, executive director of Schuylkill County VISION, and students from Alvernia University, Reading, like Sydni Gajewski, Pottstown.

Gajewski said she did not grow up following a particular faith.

“There’s a Buddha in my house, but my mom follows the Methodist church. And I’ve grown up accepting many faiths, and I enjoy making an effort to get a better understanding of many faiths so I can relate to others to see where they’re coming from. And I’m a health care science major and I want to work with people of all different types,” Gajewski, a sophomore at Alvernia, said into a microphone when introducing herself at the mosque Friday.

“I’m so happy that you’re here tonight because this is so important. And it’s incredibly important today because we’re living in a very chaotic time and there are people that don’t understand how we’re worshipping in different ways,” Jones told the crowd.

“So what we have to do is break some of these barriers down. And we feel it’s extremely important to do that because we’re Americans and we’re living together and we really need to understand each other,” Jones said.

One of the members of the mosque, Rubina Tareen, is an interfaith chaplain at Alvernia.

“This is our first time here, but Rubina has led trips to other mosques,” said Joseph J. Cicala, vice president for University Life and Dean of Students at Alvernia.

Cicala said he hopes such visits give his students “understanding and a greater sense of the harmony in the world.”

“This is my third time to a mosque and I’ll come back every time I’m invited,” Gajewski said.

Another Alvernia student there was Becky Jones, Reading, a freshman social work major.

“I love to learn new things and this seemed like a great opportunity,” Jones said.

“One of the things a lot of people don’t know about Alvernia is it’s a Franciscan university,” Cicala said, referring to St. Francis of Assisi. “And for Francis, the very essence of our humanity is to live in harmony with one another and with creation and with our creator.”

“I thank you so much for coming tonight. This is really important and I hope when you go back to your congregations and communities that you talk about your experience here,” Jones said.

The event also included food and a prayer service, Wahaab said.

Pottsville’s code enforcement office this week condemned a downtown building owned and occupied by The Community Mission, David J. Petravich, city building code officer, said Friday.

On March 16, Petravich served the owners, Robert J. Alonge and his wife, Renata L., Pottsville, with a notice of violation that stated the structure was “unfit for human occupancy.” On Wednesday, Petravich taped a red notice on the front window. It states: “Condemned as dangerous and unsafe.”

Robert Alonge said Friday he’s challenging the city’s claims and has filed a complaint with the Human Relations Commission in Harrisburg.

“These code violations, we contend, are unfair, misapplied and discriminatory,” Robert Alonge said Friday.

On Jan. 29, Robert and Renata Alonge bought the property at 2-4 N. Centre St. from Mike Ghannoum, Pottsville, for $155,000, according to the online Schuylkill Parcel Locator.

Since then, the property’s address has become simply 2 N. Centre St., Petravich said Friday.

The Community Mission has offices in Saint Clair. Earlier this year, it opened a pre-K-to-12 school for “accelerated Christian education” — The Shepherd’s Fold Christian Academy and Bible Institute — at 2880 Pottsville-Minersville Highway, Suite 110, which is part of a strip mall, Miners Plaza.

Since then, Petravich said he learned there were “up to six people” living in the property. That prompted his investigation.

“We bought the property as a single family home, that has a commercial property on the first floor, that we will eventually use as such. As for now, we are living as a family that we are. We are not a program — just a family — large as it is and complexly made up. Our other sites serve our other ministries,” Robert Alonge said Friday.

On March 16, Petravich, city Fire Chief Todd March and city Health Officer Frank Spleen inspected the property for code and zoning violations.

“Inspected the property for violations and found bathrooms without tubs or showers. We observed several bedrooms without smoke detectors, new wiring, electrical baseboard heat in place but not wired, outlets without covers, unfinished bathrooms, new plumbing, new framing, habitable spaces without wall covering or unfinished walls, dwelling units that were once office space that, in our opinion, is now dwelling units which are zoning violations,” according to a notice of violation Petravich prepared for the property owners that day.

They included the following:

• Violations of the 2009 International Property Maintenance Code, in particular sections 108.1.3, 503.2, 704.1 and 704.1.1.

• Violations of the City of Pottsville Zoning Ordinance.

Petravich insisted the property owners register all occupants 18 years of age or older with the city and said “architectural stamped drawings of changes that were made need to be reviewed and approved by this office.”

Petravich gave the property owners 10 days to respond, according to the notice.

“Mr. Petravich believes that we — my family and The Community Mission — is something that it is not, and the commercial/residential building that was bought for the purpose of housing my family and extended family — church staff — in this very large building — that was always used as a residence. The last home we lived in — the former St. Pat’s Convent — had over 25 bedrooms in it and, according to city laws, we could only use five of the bedrooms for non-family, which we always did. As a ministry, when someone has a need, we provide for it — and we always have to stay within the law, which we respect,” Robert Alonge said.

He continued, “In the past year, our needs also changed, as our grown children moved in with us. We sought a property that would house us all, which we thought we did with the 2-4 N. Centre St. property. It fits our current needs and future needs of opening up a store to sell arts/crafts and allow other churches and vendors to act as independent contractors, basically a co-op. Because of these delays caused by the city, this plan has been halted. The commercial space is also planning on being used for church meetings, etcetera, as we see fit. Because our church in Saint Clair cannot house our family, we are utilizing the property as our parsonage, since the pastors and other staff already live in the building.

“We have been working on the repairs that we have been asked to do, despite the fact that they are unreasonable and misapplied to us as a family unit. The code that we have been asked to comply with is not for residential dwellings but for commercial only buildings, like apartment buildings, hotels, rooming houses, etcetera. We have been asked to put in a sprinkler system for crying out loud and to get a stamped architectural blueprint in order to be in compliance with code. We are actually doing this, but finding the right person takes time and money we don’t have. What other person who bought a residential home in Pottsville has been asked this? This is our civil rights complaint that we will pursue.

“We have also retained an attorney with expertise in this area to represent us and will stand for our constitutional rights, no matter the cost. We also have three contractors waiting to start future repairs to our property, once this is resolved. Anyone interested in helping our cause is free to contact me.”

Deeds

Ashland — Guardian Angel Homes LLC to Charles T. Bechtel; property at 13th and Brock streets; $1,040.

Guardian Angel Homes LLC to Charles T. Bechtel; property at Brock Street; $1,000.

Guardian Angel Homes LLC to Charles T. Bechtel; 1228 Brock St.; $58,500.

Cass Township — Rosemary Guidas, individually and as executrix of the Estate of Nicholas J. Antonelli, to David Franklin Seiders Jr.; 33 N. Birch Lane, Forestville; $5,500.

East Union Township — Todd Lorah to Brian Grutza and Marie Grutza; property at Centre Street and Brandon Avenue, Sheppton; $15,000.

State police probe

mall store theft

FRACKVILLE — State police at Frackville have charged a Luzerne County woman with stealing children’s clothes on Tuesday afternoon from The Bon-Ton department store at Schuylkill Mall in New Castle Township.

Police allege Esperanza M. Olmedo, 40, of Wilkes-Barre, took 10 children’s outfits from The Bon-Ton without paying for them at 2:45 p.m. Olmedo admitted stealing the items, which have a total value of $200, according to police.

Police will file a charge of retail theft against Olmedo with Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko, Port Carbon.

State police said township police were not working at the time of the incident.

Port Carbon man

arrested for drugs

ORWIGSBURG — A traffic stop by Orwigsburg police Tuesday resulted in a man taken into custody on an outstanding warrant and also being in possession of methamphetamine.

Police said officers initiated a traffic stop about 7:35 p.m. in the 800 block of West Market Street for speeding and learned that the driver was operating the vehicle with a suspended license and that a passenger, Zachary Freeze, 29, of Port Carbon, had a warrant against him by Schuylkill County Adult Probation.

Freeze was also found to be in possession of methamphetamine that was packaged for sale as well as additional packaging materials, police said.

Freeze was initially committed to Schuylkill County Prison on a detainer by adult probation and then arraigned by Magisterial District Judge James R. Ferrier, Orwigsburg, on charges of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia, police said.

Ferrier set bail at $10,000 straight cash and scheduled a preliminary hearing for April 25.

n Barnesville: The Schuylkill County Volunteer Firefighters’ Association will hold its second 2016 quarterly meeting at 2 p.m. April 24 at the Ryan Township Fire Company, Route 54. All Schuylkill County fire companies and association members should have a delegate attend. For more information, call SCVFA recording secretary Leroy Boyer at 570-789-9526.

n Coaldale: St. Luke’s Hospital-Miners Campus will unveil a new all-private unit — the Universal Care Suite — on Monday with private media tours at 2:30 p.m. and guests at 3 p.m. Community leaders, legislators and hospital officials will gather for the event. St. Luke’s Hospital-Miners Campus is a member of St. Luke’s University Health Network and is an accredited Level IV trauma center, according to a release. It provides inpatient and outpatient care to more than 25,000 people annually, serving Carbon, Schuylkill and Luzerne counties. For more information, call 484-526-4134 or 484-526-4131 or email Mariella.Miller@sluhn.org or Kate.Raymond@sluhn.org.

n Mahanoy City: An American Red Cross blood drive will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday at Mahanoy Area High School. 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 slate an appointment, call 800-733-2767.

n Pine Grove: The Family Fun Fishing Event at Sweet Arrow Lake County Park is set for April 24. Check-in will begin at 6:30 a.m. at the clubhouse area or at the state Fish and Boat access area pavilion. For those who register in advance, there will be no need to check in until they need their food vouchers. Registration will remain open at the clubhouse until 1:15 p.m. Registration forms are due by April 24. Registration is $20 individual and $40 family. There will be more than $5,000 in prizes redeemable until the 2017 event. Breakfast will begin at 6 a.m. and lunch will be available at the clubhouse and will benefit the Schuylkill County Sportsmen’s Association. The disk golf course, trails, canoe and kayak rentals, and playground will be open. For more information or a sponsorship, call Craig R. Morgan at 570-739-2627.

n Pottsville: The Schuylkill County Sheriff’s Office is sponsoring a spaghetti dinner and Chinese auction on Friday for the benefit of Deputy Sheriff Charlie “Chuck” Dries, who is undergoing treatment for leukemia and is in need of a bone marrow transplant. The event will be held from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at the Humane Fire Company, Third Street and Laurel Boulevard. Takeouts will be available. The cost is $12. For tickets, call the sheriff’s office at 570-628-1440. Checks and donations should be made out to: Chuck Strong Fund, c/o Schuylkill County Sheriff’s Office, 401 N. Second St., Pottsville, PA 17901.

n Saint Clair: A children’s carnival sponsored by Save the Strays Schuylkill is set for 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. April 30 at Tractor Supply Co., 550 Terry Rich Blvd. at the Coal Creek Commerce Center. The event is free but donations will be accepted. Tractor Supply is hosting the event and Save the Strays Schuylkill will have a food stand as a fundraiser. All are welcome. For more information, call 570-952-4441.

n Shenandoah: Borough council President Donald E. Segal has reminded residents that the borough provides municipal trash collection services as required by Ordinance Chapter 20 Solid Waste. All residential trash generated within the borough must be collected by the borough’s sanitation department. Failure to adhere to the ordinance may result in penalties, Segal said.

n Shenandoah: The Shenandoah Rotary Club will sponsor a pet inoculation against rabies, with Jessica Weiderhold, doctor of veterinary medicine, from 9 to 11:30 a.m. May 7 at the Rescue Hook & Ladder Company, 201 N. Main St. The cost is $10 per shot. Other inoculations will be available for extra fees. Pets must be leashed and kept under control by owners.

MOUNT PLEASANT — Five calves died in a crash in the southbound lanes of Interstate 81 on Friday morning in Foster Township.

The trailer was being pulled by a pickup truck en route from New York state to Hagerstown, Maryland, when the crash occurred.

Inside the trailer were 78 calves destined for Georgia, the driver of the pickup truck, Jacob D. Murchison, said at the scene.

The 73 other animals were placed in another trailer that was brought to the scene to take them to Maryland where they will be examined for injuries and given food and water.

Less than a week old, the calves will be taken to Georgia after the break in Hagerstown, Murchison said.

Each of the animals is valued at $150.

State police at Frackville said the crash occurred as Murchison, 31, of Thomson, Georgia, was driving south in the area of mile marker 115.1 in Foster Township.

Trooper Michael Pahira said Murchison fell asleep behind the wheel of the 1999 Ford F-350 he was driving and was awoke from the sound of the rumble strips he drove over while leaving the road.

Pahira said that Murchison was already off the road alongside the passing lane when he tried to correct the vehicle but over compensated, causing the truck and trailer to jackknife and the trailer to flip onto its left side. Murchison was wearing a seat belt and was not injured.

Southbound traffic was slowed for several hours while crews worked to get the calves onto the second trailer and workers from Hoffman Services and Act Towing removed the pickup truck and trailer from the roadway.

As a result of the crash, Pahira said, Murchison will be cited for not driving on roadways laned for traffic.

The annual spring Schuylkill Keep It Pretty begins next week as a four-day program for the first time in the organization’s 30-year existence.

The SKIP event will be held from 9 a.m. to noon April 21 to 24 at sites throughout the county.

Darlene D. Dolzani, Orwigsburg, has been involved with SKIP since its creation in 1986 as a board member and earlier this year took over the reins as executive director.

Drivers and walkers along any road in Schuylkill County will see litter and trash, though there seems to be a visible reduction in many areas.

“It’s not as bad as it used to be. They’re getting harder to find,” Dolzani said. “I was out looking for them (littered areas) with Joe Scribbick, who is the county’s solid waste and recycling coordinator. When we founded SKIP in the 1980s, we used to take elementary students to an illegal dump site where they could see the trash and the rats running around. They would be freaking out about that. And then we took them to the landfill at Pine Grove and show them the right way to do things.”

Dolzani said the idea was to start working again with the elementary students, but the lack of dump sites near roads made it not safe for the students. However, Dolzani said, students today are more aware of caring for the environment, which helps with keeping areas cleaner.

“Part of the improvement is that the kids today have the green thumb, the ecology clubs in schools,” Dolzani said. “A lot of elementary kids are taken out from the schools for the cleanup. The school districts are more active in it. When SKIP started, the requirement was that the executive director had to be a certified school teacher, but the schools picked it up for the students and SKIP no longer required having the executive director as a school teacher.”

According to its website, www.skiplitter.org, SKIP is a cooperative effort between the SKIP board of directors, Schuylkill County commissioners, Schuylkill County Solid Waste & Recycling Coordinator’s Office and the people of Schuylkill County.

A nonprofit corporation, SKIP was established in 1986 to manage Schuylkill County cleanups, teach environmental education to the county’s youth and to assist in litter enforcement. SKIP’s goal is to clean up the litter and educate our youth on solid waste management and, hence, Schuylkill County will be a better place in which to live and work.

Dolzani said making the cleanup a four-day event provides more opportunities for people to participate.

“SKIP always had a one-day cleanup for three hours. You can’t accomplish what’s needed in one day and three hours,” Dolzani said. “As the new executive director, I set it as a four-day cleanup and PennDOT will pick up what is collected on Monday. I think we’re going to see more of a cleanup this time.”

Another change will be the timing of the annual fall cleanup. Dolzani said. Prior years the fall cleanup was held in October. This year it will be in August.

“At the end of October you can’t find the trash for the leaves,” Dolzani said. “So I’m going to have a late summer one in August and that way it will be more conducive for a good cleanup,” she said. “No one is going to root through leaves to get to the litter. A lot of common sense has to go into this.”

Dolzani mentioned that state Sen. David G. Argall, R-29, will participate in a cleanup in the Tamaqua area, and noted his interest in being part of the cleanup. Schuylkill County Court of Common Pleas Judge John E. Domalakes will once again be part of the Frackville Rotary Club’s cleanup of the Frackville Industrial Park.

“He is extraordinary,” Dolzani said of Domalakes. “He’s out all the time cleaning up. I took his supplies up to the courthouse two weeks ago. I spend a lot of time delivering supplies.”

Dolzani said there are many organizations, schools, companies and individuals providing the volunteer help for the cleanup. As of Tuesday, Dolzani said more than 700 volunteers are registered, adding there are some companies who have indicated they will participate but have not gotten back to her to say how many volunteers will participate.

“We have over 700 now, and I’m hoping it will go to 800 or 900,” she said.

Anyone interested in participating or would like more information can call Dolzani at 570-943-2403 or email ddolzani0531@gmail.com.