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Shout Down Drugs -Vote for a Finalist ... Click me: Kristen Alexis Berezniak | |
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Carbon monoxide scare in Coaldale
duplex Reported on Thursday, January 27, 2011 Coaldale firefighters and police
responded during yesterday' snow to an unknown alarm call at a duplex home
located at 127-129 East Ridge St. in Coaldale. The fire company evacuated
everyone after they tested and found dangerous levels of carbon monoxide,
CO, in both homes. Firefighters gained entry into 129 East Ridge Street
via a window and determined the cause to be pieces of the chimney
collapsing inside the ductwork, eventually blocking the furnace's exhaust.
Firefighters removed the obstruction and cited maintenance, as well as
placed large ventilation fans at various openings to expel the CO. No
injuries were reported. Coaldale Fire Police directed traffic around the
area for the response. | |
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On this date Reported on Friday, January 21, 2011
January 21, 1974 About 300 persons were in attendance at the third annual
Firemen's Ball, sponsored by the Coaldale Volunteer Fire Company No. 1. It
was held in the Coaldale Victory Band Hall. The highlight was the crowning
of a queen, Donya Warcholak, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Warcholak.
Her court consisted of Cindy Hedes, Lisa Zubey, and Peggy Matula. The
funds raised will be used towards the purchase of much needed
equipment. | |
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ANNOUNCEMENT - Carbon County Area
Sports Hall-of-Fame Banquet
Date/Time: 1:00pm, Sunday, May 29,
2011 Coaldale Inductees: Coach FRANK DeFEBO, RICH MILLER (CHS
’63), BOB SCUTTA (CHS ’56) Ticket Cost $35 – Memorial Hall in Jim
Thorpe Contact TED BORTNICK: (570) 645-9575. If you’d like to sit
near other teammates/friends/fans of Frank, Rich, and Bob at the banquet,
then please specify that you’d like to sit at the “Coaldale table(s)” when
you buy your ticket. | |
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Carbon County announces 2011 Hall
of Fame class Reported on Friday, January 14, 2011 The 18th annual induction class for the 2011 Carbon County
Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame has been
announced. Following are the members of the class of
2011: | |
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Smoldering Coaldale fire quickly
extinguished Reported on Thursday, January 13, 2011
After the homeowner reported smelling something burning,
firefighters from Coaldale, Tamaqua, and Lansford responded to a house
fire at 42 W. Howard Ave. in Coaldale yesterday evening around 6:30
p.m. When firefighters arrived, they found the homeowner
ripping away at his floor and wood pellet stove. They quickly removed the
heavy stove and after ripping out parts of the wood floor, extinguished
smoldering hot spots. "The family was lucky it happened during the day, when the
family was awake," Chief Richard Marek stated. A neighbor and witness on the scene stated that most
people don't know to buy a protective floor pad when using a pellet stove
and wondered why the stove manufacturers don't provide them with their
stoves. Lansford and Coaldale fire companies remained on scene for
the duration. Lansford Ambulance also responded. Coaldale Fire Police
directed traffic around the scene. No serious injuries were
reported. | |
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Lansford releases ambulance
report Reported on Wednesday, January 12, 2011 Lansford Ambulance has released its 2010 report. The
association responded to a total of 954 calls, including 484 in Lansford;
245 in Coaldale; 189 in
Tamaqua; 18 in Summit Hill; seven in Schuylkill Township; four in
Hometown; three in Nesquehoning; two in West Penn Township and one each in
Walker Township and Jim Thorpe. | |
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Hospital grant for Coaldale
sought Reported on Wednesday, January 12, 2011 Planned is new operating room By CHRIS PARKER [email protected] Coaldale Borough Council on Tuesday unanimously approved
St. Luke's Miners Memorial Hospital's $1.5 million state grant application
that would help pay for a new operating room and recovery
room. The resolution, which does not in any way obligate the
borough financially, allows the hospital to submit an application for
funding to the state's Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program. Hospital
director of development Micah Gursky spoke with council before Tuesday's
regular public meeting about the borough's role in the grant application,
which is due in Harrisburg by Friday. The program requires local
government approval of the application, he said. Council had invited Gursky to speak because of concerns
about whether, given the borough's tight budget, it would be prudent to
become involved. Council plans to seek grants to repair the Coaldale
Complex, and some council members wondered if the hospital's grant would
hinder the borough's ability to obtain government
funds. Gursky said that it would not. The new operating and recovery room, a $3 million project,
would be built where the former intensive care unit was located. The
hospital unveiled its new, $1.9 million ICU in
September. Gursky said that the hospital is asking for $1.5 million,
it may not get that full amount. St. Luke's already has $535,000 in
private donations, he said. "We've seen a lot of support for the project," Gursky
said. "The grant funding would certainly get us there a lot more
quickly." Gursky said the "goal of the project is to bring a
state-of-the-art operating room and recovery room, and to use those
facilities to attract the best and brightest surgeons and specialists to
come here to Coaldale and take care of people." The Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program is managed by
the state Office of the Budget, and used to fund economic, civic,
cultural, historic improvement projects. Due to the recent economic
upheaval, the money will be prioritized for projects that create jobs,
according to the program's website. Gov. Tom Corbett has the final say in
which projects are selected, Gursky said. Gursky also offered to help the borough find grants to
repair the complex building, which is the former Coaldale High School.
Council suggested that the hospital may, at some point, consider renting
part of the building. The 88-year-old complex, at Sixth and Phillips
streets, was built in 1922 as the borough high school. The borough
acquired it in 1974, after the Panther Valley School District was formed,
uniting high schools in Coaldale, Summit Hill, Nesquehoning and Lansford.
It now houses the Pathstone Carbon County Head Start
program. The building's second floor has been damaged due to years
of roof leaks, and engineers have estimated repair costs at $590,000.
Council on Dec. 20 took back the operations and maintenance of its complex
building from the commission that has been managing it since the
1980s. In a related matter, council discussed how to best manage
the building. Mayor Richard Corkery recommended putting Councilman David
Yelito, who lives close to the complex, as director of operations of the
building. Solicitor Michael Greek advised creating a commission,
whose five members would serve at council's will. Council would need to
approve an ordinance to create the commission, which should include one
council member, and define its duties and limitations, he
said. | |
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Published: January 7,
2011 Coaldale The public is invited to learn how to take
pounds off sensibly at the regular weekly meeting of the Coaldale
Chapter of TOPS.
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Coaldale trims tax hike to 2
mills Reported on Wednesday, December 29, 2010 By CHRIS PARKER [email protected] Coaldale Borough Council on Tuesday adopted a 2011 budget
fueled by a trimmed-down property tax increase of 2
mills. The proposed budget had called for a 2.5 mill
increase. The additional 2 mill levy brings the tax rate from 20.54
to 22.54 mills. That means the owner of a home assessed for taxes at
$25,000 will pay $563.50 in property tax next year. That's $50 more than
this year's bill. The spending plan anticipates about $1.5 million in
expenses. Each mill generates about $20,000. The millage breaks down to 19.54 mills for the general
fund; 1.5 mills for street lighting; 1 mill for fire protection and 0.5
mill for the pension fund. Council trimmed the spending plan by cutting half a mill
from the street light budget. Councilman Steve Tentylo was the sole opposing vote to
adopt the budget. Councilman Andrew Girard was absent. Council also cut a planned $10,000 allocation to the
borough's volunteer fire company to $2,500. Fire Chief Richard Marek told
council he was grateful for whatever the fire company received, although
he did say he would likely ask for help again next
year. Marek said the fire company recently received a $500
donation from Lehigh Natural Resources for a controlled burn of a
dilapidated office trailer. Councilwoman Nancy Lorchak and Councilman Tom Keerans,
both on the Budget and Finance Committee, in response to pleas from
resident Paul Coppie and from Councilman Joe Hnat to cut the tax hike,
pointed to the former Lehigh Coal and Navigation Co., since acquired by
BET Inc. The company, they said, owes the borough about $60,000 in
delinquent property tax. Further, some residents fail to pay their trash
collection fees, they said. Further, the borough's Workers Compensation premiums
doubled this year to $20,000 - about one
mill. | |
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Police: Coaldale teen died of a
drug overdose Reported on Tuesday, December 28, 2010 By CHRIS PARKER [email protected] A Coaldale teenager whose body was found in his bed on
Nov. 29 died of an overdose of methadone, Police Chief Tim Delaney said
Tuesday. Police are asking the public's help in finding out who
Cody Wentz, 19, of Bull Run Street, was with the day before his death, and
where he spent his time that day. Delaney said police are investigating
the source of the drug, which is a synthetic narcotic used to treat
addiction or to relieve severe pain. Anyone with information can call police at (570) 645-3060,
or at (570) 645-5789 to leave an anonymous message. "We have some leads," Delaney said. Those leads include
the names of some of Wentz' friends, he said. Schuylkill County Pathologist Dr. Richard Bindie on Dec. 9
said he was awaiting results of toxicology tests before making a
determination as to how and why Wentz died. A family member found Wentz'
body at about 1:30 p.m. Nov. 29. Wentz was the son of Lisa M. (Wentz), wife of William
Shiffert of Coaldale, with whom he lived, and Terry L. Wentz and his wife,
Jennifer, of Lehighton. | |
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Coaldale takes back
complex Reported on Monday, December 20, 2010 By CHRIS PARKER [email protected] Coaldale Borough Council is taking back the operations and
maintenance of its complex building from the commission that has been
managing it since the 1980s. Watkins and Hnat attended a September council meeting, and
said the lack of money prevented them from doing maintenance and repairs.
The issue arose after council hired Alfred Benesch & Co. engineers in
July to inspect the 88-year-old building. `The engineers' report concluded that it would take
$590,000 to properly repair the building, the former Coaldale High School,
whose second floor was damaged from years under a leaking roof. The roof
was replaced in 2002. The exterior also has problems, and the engineers
advised putting scaffolding over the doors to prevent people from being
hit by falling bricks. The inspection was done because some council members and
Mayor Richard Corkery have said the hulking building is dangerously
deteriorated. On July 13, council voted, with Councilman Tom Keerans
opposing, to pay Benesch $3,800 to thoroughly inspect the building for
structural defects. The Coaldale Complex stands at Sixth and Phillips streets.
It was built in 1922 as the borough high school. The borough acquired it
in 1974, after the Panther Valley School District was formed, uniting high
schools in Coaldale, Summit Hill, Nesquehoning and
Lansford. | |
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Coaldale approves 2.5-mill tax
hike Reported on Wednesday, December 15, 2010 By CHRIS PARKER [email protected] Coaldale homeowners will likely have to dig a little
deeper into their wallets to pay their property tax next year. Council on
Tuesday voted to approve a proposed budget that calls for a 2.5-mill tax
increase. A special meeting will be called within weeks to adopt a final
budget. The levy would bring the tax rate from 20.54 to 23.04
mills. That means the owner of a home assessed for taxes at $25,000 will
pay $576 in property tax next year. That's $63 more than this year's
bill. The spending plan anticipates about $1.5 million in
expenses. Each mill generates about $20,000. Council had initially proposed a 2-mill tax hike, but
added another half-mill to the proposed 2011 budget after listening to an
impassioned plea from Fire Chief Richard Marek. This year, council
allocated 1 mill for fire protection. The additional half-mill means the
volunteer fire company would receive 1.5 mills, or a total of $30,000,
next year, said council President Sue Solt. The volunteer firefighters desperately need the money,
Marek said. "We're in trouble. Quite frankly, I don't know if we're
going to make it through this year," he said. Marek pointed to dwindling revenues this year's fund drive
netted only a 27 percent return and a spaghetti dinner drew fewer than 50
people and steadily rising fuel, maintenance for its aging equipment,
insurance and utility costs. "The bottom line here ladies and gentlemen is, we're going
to have to close our doors if we don't get some financial help somewhere,"
he said Councilwoman Nancy Lorchak at first explained to Marek
that the borough had cut all it could from the budget to try to make ends
meet, and that meant eliminating any increase in the fire protection
tax. "We cut everywhere we could possibly cut. I realize you
need money. However, with the increase in workman's comp, and just the
expenses to run the borough, there just isn't enough to go around," she
said. Lorchak said the borough has lost about $50,000 from its tax
base. "It was a hard decision," she said. Fire company President Kevin Steber also spoke, saying
that in addition to fighting fires, the volunteers also help police, pump
flooded basements, painted the borough flagpole this summer and recently
rescued a cat trapped under a concrete slab. In addition to the fire tax, line items that council
anticipates spending more for next year include secretarial, from $13,562
to $20,605 due to the hiring of a part-time clerk; engineering, from
$1,000 to $5,000; building/general government, from $76,370 to $80,072;
health and human services, from $1,500 to $1,700; sanitation, from
$183,760 to $249,390; highways, from $177,750 to $190,400; snow removal,
from $17,500 to $22,500; street signs, from $3,000 to $6,000; workers'
compensation, from $22,700 to $45,000; and liability insurance, from
$17,345 to $18,306. | |
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CLSH Sewer Authority won't
exonerate fire co. Reported on Tuesday, December 14, 2010 Says the only exception to fees is borough
hall By RON GOWER [email protected] The Coaldale-Lansford-Summit Hill Sewer Authority will not
exonerate the building housing the Summit Hill Fire Department from sewage
fees. Summit Hill Borough Council said Monday night a request it
made for the $40 quarterly exoneration was rejected, even though the
building is owned by the borough. Correspondence from the authority said the only exceptions
are borough buildings which house monthly council
meetings. Some council members questioned if correspondence from the
authority indicated the vote against the exemption, but it didn't. The
council noted that there are three representatives from each of the three
boroughs on the authority and they wondered how the Summit Hill
representatives voted on the matter. The authority said if the bill is paid, it will waive a
late charge. The council agreed not to pay the bill and instead ask for
reconsideration of the fee waiver. In other business last night: Abridged ... | |
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Coaldale man gets state jail time
on endangering charge Reported on Friday, December 10, 2010 By AL DIETZ [email protected] A Coaldale man was one of 14 who entered guilty pleas to
criminal charges in Schuylkill County court and were sentenced by Judge D.
Michael Stine. | |
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Coaldale snow parking rules
listed Reported on Friday, December 10, 2010 Coaldale Borough has released its parking rules for
winter: Between Nov. 1 and April 1, nonmotorized vehicles,
recreational vehicles, motor homes, all-terrain vehicles, boats, campers
and trailers may not be parked on borough streets. Moser Avenue between Fisher Avenue and Sixth
Street; Howard Avenue between Second Street and Seventh
Street; Fisher Avenue between High Street and Ridge
Street; Coal Street between High Street and Phillips
Street; Earley Avenue between Second Street and Seventh
Street; Sixth Street between Ridge Street and Water
Street; Seventh Street between Ridge Street and Water
Street. Vehicles parked on the following streets will be parked
facing north (toward Route 209): First Street between Moser Avenue and water
Street; Second Street between Moser Avenue and water
Street; Sixth Street between Ridge Street and Phillips
Street; Seventh Street between Ruddle Street and Ridge
Street; East Street between High Street and Phillips
Street. Vehicles parked on the following street will park facing
east (toward Lansford): Vehicles parked on the following street will park facing
west (toward Tamaqua): Ridge Street between Fourth Street and Fifth
Street. The borough ordinance requires every person (owner,
tenant, occupant, lessee or otherwise) to clear adjacent sidewalks a
minimum of 24 inches wide within 12 hours after the cessation of any snow,
sleet or freezing rain. The ordinance also prohibits the deposit of snow or ice
immediately next to any fire hydrant, sidewalk, street, highway or
roadway, or loading/unloading areas of public
transportation. | |
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Coaldale man's appeal of drug
conviction rejected by state court Reported on Wednesday, December 8, 2010 By AL DIETZ [email protected] A man serving a state prison sentence after being
convicted in Schuylkill County Court by a jury who found him guilty of
criminal conspiracy to possess a controlled substance and delivery of
drugs, lost his appeal of the conviction. The state Superior Court
affirmed the conviction in a recent ruling. Brandon Ross Snyder, 27, of 107 Second St., Coaldale, was
found guilty in December 2009 and sentenced by Judge Charles M. Miller in
January to serve 21 to 42 months in a state correctional
institution. Crucial testimony was provided by Det. Leo A. Securda, of
the Schuylkill County District Attorney's Drug Task Force, who testified
he was contacted by a confidential informant (CI) who informed him she
could make a buy of heroin from an individual named Tanya Viars. The
informant was supplied with prerecorded buy money and a buy was later made
in a parking lot at a shopping mall. Snyder was arrested on Aug. 21, 2009, on the charges and
at the trial the CI testified when she entered the car to purchase the
heroin, the defendant was one of three people in the vehicle who handed
the bags of heroin to Viars, who in turn handed them to her in exchange
for the money. Last March Snyder filed an appeal claiming there wasn't
sufficient evidence for the jury to find him guilty because the CI's
testimony about his involvement in the drug transaction was insufficient
to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he conspired to possess and
deliver heroin. The state court ruled that based on the testimony there is
sufficient evidence to support his conviction and there is no reason to
grant him a new trial. | |
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Bank relocating to
Lansford
RON GOWER/TIMES NEWS The Jim Thorpe National Bank, which
currently has a branch office in Coaldale, has filed an application with
the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, New York, N.Y., to relocate
the office from 100 E. Phillips St. to the vacant building, shown above,
at 430 W. Patterson St., Lansford, adjacent to the Panther Valley High
School Football Stadium. The OCC is a bureau of the U.S. Department of the
Treasury which oversees banking regulations, including licensing
matters. | |
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Coaldale police probe death of
19-year-old Reported on Tuesday, November 30, 2010 By CHRIS PARKER [email protected] Police are investigating the death of a 19-year-old boy in
Coaldale. The teenager's body was found in his bed by a family member at
about 1:30 p.m. Monday in a home on Bull Run Street, said Police Chief Tim
Delaney. -It's under investigation," he said. Delaney said an
autopsy is expected to be performed today by Schuylkill County Pathologist
Richard Bindie. | |
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Military sculptor visits his work
at Coaldale Memorial Reported on Tuesday, November 16, 2010 By CHRIS PARKER [email protected] Renowned military sculptor and naval historian Andrew
Chernak recently visited the Coaldale Veterans and Women's
Memorial. "We are very fortunate to have two of Andrew Chernak's
creations here at the Coaldale Veterans and Women's Memorial," said
William Gaddes, designer of the Coaldale Memorials. In 2009, memorial organizers dedicated a "Gold Star
Mother" bronze plaque. In October, through Chernak, they received the
magnificent Battlefield Cross. "We have attempted to honor not only those who served our
nation, but those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. There
are 53 stars on our 15 granite columns, representing those who were killed
in action in World War II. Immediately in front of the wall is the 'WW II
Walk of Honor' for those 53 young men," Gaddes said. In the sidewalk leading to the Women's memorial Garden,
there is a "Gold Star Mother Walk of Honor," containing the names of the
mothers of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in World War II and in
the Vietnam War. The Battlefield Cross will be dedicated during Memorial
Day services in May of 2011. "This beautiful and significant monument will honor those
who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom," he
said. The helmet can be "rung," emitting a beautiful tone. This
will be done at the ceremony to honor those veterans who have passed
between May 30, 2010 and May 30, 2011. The Battlefield Cross will complete the Coaldale Veterans
Memorial. The Memorial to Women remains to be completed. Plans include a
statue honoring those women who prayed for the safe return of their loved
ones from "Harm's Way," and four black granite images of Coaldale women
contributing to development of our nation. These will be placed on the
Wishing Well Memorial. For more information about the Memorial to Women, contact
Mildred Flyzik at (570) 645-9605. | |
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Coaldale: The Bach and Handel
Chorale will present a concert of Christmas music at 3 p.m. Dec. 12 at the
Angela Triplex Theater, 133 E. Phillip St., Coaldale,
sponsored by the Coaldale Revitalization Committee. Spokeswoman Kathy
Ruff, in a press release, said the chorale was founded in 1984 and has
performed for audiences in and around Carbon County. Randall Douglas Perry
is the conductor of the nearly three dozen singers. The concert will
include "And the Glory of the Lord" and "O Holy Night" plus other carols
dating from the 15th century to the present. Tickets are $10 each before
Nov. 30 and $15 thereafter and at the door. Tickets are available at the
theater, Coaldale's Jim Thorpe National Bank, the Dimmick Memorial Library
and other locations. For more information about the concert or tickets,
call Ruff at 645-3059. Randall Douglas Perry, founder, conductor and music
director of the Bach and Handel Chorale and Festival Orchestra of Jim
Thorpe, has served as organist and director of music for eight
parishes. republicanherald.com/ | |
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Coaldale launches
website Reported on Friday, November 12, 2010 By CHRIS PARKER [email protected] Coaldale has entered the digital age. Now, with the click
of a button, people can download applications, read minutes from public
meetings and even learn about the borough's history. The site includes a calendar of events that includes
meetings, trash and recycling pickup dates, applications for building,
moving, occupancy and athletic fields use permits, and links to Schuylkill
County government, state government and the Panther Valley School
District. Councilman Tom Keerans is pleased with the
project. "It is very refreshing to see that Coaldale has joined the
21st century information age. While the website is in its infancy, I feel
that it will help the members of our community or those considering to
relocate to Coaldale valuable tools to make coexistence between the
borough and its residents much easier," he said. The website, http://www.coaldaleborough.org/
was designed by Jeffrey D. Leslie of Leztek Systems, Jim
Thorpe. Leslie also created websites for the Jim Thorpe police
department Leztek, which operates from 534 Center St., Jim Thorpe,
will hold a grand opening and ribbon cutting at 10 a.m. Saturday. An open
house will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. As the site develops, Keerans said, the flow of
information between borough government and citizens will
increase. "Along with time, we can only expect that the interaction
between the borough government and it citizens will continue to grow in a
positive manner, as the website matures," he said. "It has been a long
time coming and I am very glad to see this to
fruition." | |
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Where will their children go if
Coaldale Complex is sold? By CHRIS PARKER [email protected] When Coaldale Council on Oct. 12 voted 4 to 3 to sell the
former town high school, it made the decision in the borough's best
interests. Council on Tuesday reversed its decision, voting to keep the
building. But some parents of the 81 children who attend Carbon
County Head Start programs in the building, known as the Coaldale Complex,
still fear for their future there.
Problems with damage caused by a roof that leaked for
years and deteriorating exterior walls prompted council to hire engineers
to perform a structural review of the building this summer. They said the
building is safe, provided the borough took some interim steps, including
installing scaffolding above doors and under roof supports. The borough
complied with the measures. Parents remain concerned about whether the programs will
have to move from the Coaldale Complex and whether the massive 87-year-old
building at Sixth and Phillips streets is safe. Council's primary reason
for selling the building is that it needs about $590,000 worth of
permanent repairs. Earlier this year, Pathstone spent at least $175,000 to
refurbish the first floor of the building to accommodate a new
program. Some parents have pulled their children from the Head
Start program because they were unsure of the soundness of the
building. As children played nearby, Washington on Tuesday assured
parents that both the borough's structural engineers and the structural
engineer hired by Pathstone have pronounced the building
safe. Shortly after the meeting at the complex, Washington,
Zinkand, along with Head Start grandparent Paul Coppie, parent Deb
Whately, staff member Viki DeMarco and others attended the regular public
borough council meeting to ask borough leaders to reverse the Oct. 12 vote
to sell the complex. Council did just that. At the complex meeting, Washington said that by
approaching council, "I think that they'll see that we do care about this
facility." The building isn't just important for the Head Start program,
but also houses public social events, such as the borough's CHOSE
community improvement group's events. "It's for the community," Washington
said. Head Start has been housed at the complex since 1980.
Pathstone has been proactive, looking for alternative space for about four
months. The organization is willing to provide two temporary spaces,
perhaps at the Lehighton program, until a permanent home can be found for
the programs. Pathstone has "team of management staff, local staff,
parents, two realtors and a local developer searching for space,"
Washington said. But moving the program would be costly, and Pathstone
would rather stay at the complex. One option would be to buy the building
from the borough. But Washington said that would be a lengthy process for
Pathstone, "due to the all of the Head Start Performance Standards and
other requirements." Another, more realistic option, would be for Pathstone to
help the borough by applying for grants to make the Zinkand said Pathstone would need the borough's permission
to undertake any work on the building. The group discussed the possibility of moving to the
former Lehighton High School, where the other Head Start program is
housed, but quickly realized there is no room there. But the troubles also include the Coaldale Complex
Commission, an independent entity which operates the building for the
borough. One mother said the Commission has been unfriendly toward the
program, not allowing crafts involving glitter or glue. "They don't want
us here," she said. Tuesday's meeting was the second Washington has had with
staff and parents and grandparents concerning the building. The first was
on Oct. 21, and drew about 60 parents and grandparents. In addition to
Washington, that gathering included Zinkand, Mary Mailey, Director CFDS,
and Bernetta Frantz, Deputy CFDS. Washington assured the parents there would be a Head Start
program and building in the Coaldale area. "We will not stop looking and
planning until a location is secured," she said. "Our goal is to provide
services in a safe facility with as little disruption as
possible." Washington said parents and staff at that meeting wanted
to know where the programs would relocate and whether the community
supports the programs. according to Washington, the questions included why the
programs were late in opening in the fall. "An anonymous phone call was placed to the Department of
Environmental Protection, which prompted an unannounced visit to our
center on Oct. 14 by DEP to collect samples for asbestos testing," she
said. "Therefore, PathStone made a corporate decision, for the safety and
well-being of our children, families, and staff to suspend use of the
building until the results of the tests was received." The test results showed the substance was not asbestos at
all, but gypsum. | |
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Coaldale residents to be
surveyed Reported on Wednesday, November 10, 2010 By CHRIS PARKER [email protected] If you live on High Street, Moser Avenue or Lehigh street
between Third and Fourth streets in Coaldale, you can expect a knock on
your door and the smiling face of council president Sue
Solt. Solt will be going door-to-door in the neighborhood today,
Thursday and Friday to ask residents to answer a few simple questions that
reap big grant money to fix alley ways. Residents will be asked whether their incomes fall below
or above a certain amount, who is the head of the household, whether there
are any handicapped people in the household, and their
race. "People don't have to sign their names, they print," said
councilman Joe Hnat. "It's just a survey." Borough engineers from Aldred Benesch & Co. are
applying for Community Development Block Grants to resurface the alley
ways. Hnat canvassed his neighborhood earlier. "There's a good
shot at it if we do this properly," he said. Grants to repave the alleys in the two areas would be
$38,000 and $55,000 respectively, said borough secretary Louise
Lill. The grants are crucial to the projects, Hnat said.
"There's no way we're going to raise taxes to fix them," he
said. | |
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It's not for sale Reported on Wednesday, November 10, 2010 By CHRIS PARKER [email protected]
Coaldale Borough Council on Tuesday reversed an earlier
decision to sell the Coaldale Complex.
On Oct. 12, council had voted 4-3, with Tentylo, Hnat and
Solt opposed, to sell it because it needs about $590,000 in repairs, money
the borough does not have. The building has been damaged by years of roof
leaks and neglect. Borough structural engineers say the building is safe
now that interim fixes have been made, including installing scaffolding
over doors and under roof supports, and removing items stored on the
second floor, which has borne the brunt of the roof leak
damage. Officials from Pathstone, the organization that
administers the Carbon County Head Start program, offered to help the
borough obtain grants to make permanent repairs to the building, and to
serve on the Coaldale Complex Commission, an independent entity appointed
by the borough to operate the building, which is owned by the
borough. Council has had issues with the commission, most notably
with the commission's reluctance to reveal financial details, such as how
much rent it collects and how it uses the money. Council held an executive session on Tuesday to discuss
the commission, but took no action after returning to the public
meeting. Resident Paul Coppie, who has a grandchild in the Head
Start program, urged council to reverse its vote to sell the
building. "I don't believe that you made the right decision, and I
would like to ask you to rescind your vote and vote again," he said. "I
believe it's going to cost you more to sell that building than it would to
keep it." He said the borough would have to repay the hundreds of
thousands of dollars obtained by Pathstone in the past seven years to
refurbish and repair the building if it was sold. Coppie and Lorchak
disagreed about who would be responsible. Lorchak said a federal grant
coordinator she was referred to by Congressman Tim Holden told her it
would be Pathstone's responsibility while Coppie believes it would fall on
the borough, because that's who owns it. "The residents would have to pay that back," he said.
"You'd have to raise taxes to pay that back." Council heard next from Kay Washington, Senior Executive
Director for Pathstone in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. "It is our Head Start program, and we did put money into
the building," she said. Washington has been "meeting with parents, and
they would, and we would like, to stay there. Not only would we like to
stay, we would like to give an assist in writing some grants, on behalf of
the building, to fix it up. We want a pretty building, one that the
parents feel proud to bring their children to." Beth Jaharias Zinkand, Senior Director, Child and Family
Development Administration for Pathstone said the organization hired its
own structural engineer, who said the building was safe after
precautionary measures had been taken. She said there were four
recommendations made by the engineer, which Pathstone met before allowing
children back into the building. Zinkand gave the borough a copy of the
engineer's report. Washington said the program plans further services,
including those for older children and teenagers, and she wants to know
where the rent money is going and what repairs are to be
made. "It's safe now, but what about the future?" she
asked. She also said some parents believe the borough wants the
program out. Mayor Richard Corkery, who with Yelito has been the
driving force behind questioning the safety of the building, said the
borough wants the program to stay. Borough Fire Chief Richard Marek said the second floor of
the building looks bad, but is safe. "That second floor has been in that shape for the past 20
years. I said it before and I'll say it again: It's cosmetic," he
said. Girard then moved to rescind the vote to sell the
building. Later, he moved to appoint Coppie and Pathstone officials to the
Complex Commission. Washington said she would be willing to
serve. A Head Start parent and a staff member spoke with council
about how the program has helped their own children learn to value
education | |
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C.H.O.S.E. Hosts 8th Annual
children's Halloween party
Reported on Wednesday, November 3, 2010 The C.H.O.S.E. (Church, Home, Organization, School,
Environment) Recreation Organization in Coaldale held its free 8th Annual
Community Children's Halloween Celebration recently at the Coaldale
Complex.
| |
 Reported
on Wednesday, November 3, 2010 | |
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NOTED MILITARY SCULPTOR VISITS
COALDALE VETERANS AND WOMEN’S MEMORIAL
William Gaddes, designer of the Coaldale Memorials,
remarked “We are very fortunate to have two of Andrew Chernak’s creations
here at the Coaldale Veterans and Women’s Memorial. In 2009, we dedicated
a “Gold Star Mother “ bronze plaque. Today we received our magnificent
Battlefield Cross. We have attempted to honor not only those who served
our nation, but those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.
There are 53 stars on our 15 granite columns, representing those who were
killed in action in WW II. Immediately in front of the wall is the “WW II
Walk of Honor” for those 53 young men. In the sidewalk leading to the
Women’s memorial Garden, there is a “Gold Star Mother Walk of Honor”,
containing the names of the mothers of those who gave the ultimate
sacrifice in WW II and in the Vietnam War.
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Coaldale airman's remains
unlikely to be returned home Reported on Tuesday, October 26, 2010 By CHRIS PARKER [email protected] Airman Andrew E. Rajnic's plane, on its way from China,
bound for India, went down in a thunderstorm over the Himalayan Mountains
on Sept. 17, 1944. The family of the young Coaldale native, who was a
radio operator on the cargo plane, was informed of his death by telegram
days later; his mother is sent her dead son's toothbrush, a Rosary and a
pipe. Rajnic's stepbrother, Bill Hook of Lansford, has tried to
persuade the Army to bring Rajnic's remains home for burial. But, 66 years
after the fatal crash, the remains, along with those of pilot Robert W.
Tinsley of Pennsylvania, and co-pilot Charles M. Adams of Camden, N.J.,
lie high atop a mountain peak in a remote area of India, where they were
found in November 2009 by Arizona adventurer Clayton
Kuhles. Although the U.S. Army is aware of where his remains are,
it is unlikely they will ever be recovered. "In 2008 and 2009, JPAC (Joint Prisoners of War, Missing
in Action Accounting Command) conducted operations in India to recover the
remains of our servicemen missing from World War II; however, Private
Rajnic's case was not among those they investigated," Robert J. Newberry,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Affairs, wrote
in an Aug. 6 letter to state Rep. Keith McCall. Hook had enlisted McCall's help in nudging the military to
recover Rajnic's remains. "Please be assured that it was not as much a matter of
priorities of which cases to pursue but rather a matter of complexities in
how we are able to work in India," Newberry wrote. Our ability to conduct
operations there is influenced by difficult terrain, high elevation and
the short time each year in which weather in the area these losses
occurred is conducive to operations. Moreover, India has limited us to
conducting either one investigation or one excavation each year. Despite
these difficult circumstances, JPAC has reviewed the information Mr.
Kuhles provided, as well as official records, and is carefully considering
its next steps for investigating this case." Newberry
wrote. JPAC has not returned telephone calls seeking more
information. McCall has since written the U.S. Army Human Resources
Command at Fort Knox, Kentucky, asking for its help in "prioritizing and
pursuing the recovery of the remains of an Army Private (Rajnic) who
perished during World War II. Like so many, he sacrificed his life for his
country. Unlike many of our World War II heroes, his remains have yet to
be brought home to be afforded appropriate military honors and a proper
burial." McCall on Friday said he'll keep fighting. "While the
response from the Department of Defense is disheartening, it hasn't
changed our resolve one bit. Airman Rajnic deserves the hero's burial on
American soil he's earned, and his family deserves the peace of mind that
their loved one is finally 'home.' We'll continue to do all we can to urge
the department and the Indian government to let us bring Airman Rajnic's
remains back," he said. The lack of progress has left Hook
disappointed. "I think it has gone as far as it's going to go. I'd be
totally shocked if something did come out of it," he
said. The mission to bring Rajnic home for a proper burial has
at least brought Hook one thing: A photo that Rajnic sent their mother
early in his tour of duty. It was a photo of himself, and, in his typical
wry humor, Rajnic had drawn lieutenant's bars on his uniform. The photo
had ended up with a relative in Maryland, who framed it and sent it to
Hook. The cargo plane Rajnic was in was piloted by Robert W.
Tinsley of Pennsylvania, with Charles M. Adams of Camden, N.J., as
co-pilot. Having lifted off at Chanyi, China, bound for Misamari, India,
the plane crashed on a mountaintop in India, 11,000 feet up and surrounded
by dense jungle. Although the Department of Defense considered the crew
lost in action, it wasn't until Jan. 24, 1945, four months after the
crash, that a military search and rescue team spotted the wreckage.
Although an April 19, 1945 report gave the exact coordinates of the crash
site, the report noted that the elevation and terrain made it impossible
to reach by ground crew. Rajnic, 28, was one of more than 1,000 military men who
died "flying the Hump," a hazardous, 530- mile-long supply route over the
Himalayan mountains. Hook learned in April that his stepbrother's remains had
been found. The news came via an email message from Gary Zaetz of Cary,
N.C., who researches the relatives of soldiers missing in action. Zaetz
sent an email about Kuhles' find to Hook's niece, Monica Lewellis of
Allentown. She contacted Hook's nephew John Rajnic, who lives in New York
City. John Rajnic sent the news to Hook's daughter, Geri Vavra of
Coaldale. who broke the news to her father. Hook immediately contacted the U.S. Army Casualty Office,
which asked for a sample of his DNA to match with any remains that might
eventually be recovered from the crash site. Hook also contacted McCall
for help in urging the Department of Defense to pursue recovery of the
remains. | |
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C.H.O.S.E. Halloween Reported on Friday, October 22, 2010 The Coaldale C.H.O.S.E. Recreational Organization will
hold its Halloween Festivities at the Coaldale Complex, Sixth Street
entrance, Coaldale, on Sunday, Oct. 31 at 1 p.m. A luncheon will be served with lots of goodies, games,
prizes and awards. All children up to age 12 are
welcome. There will be a costume parade prior to the festivities
beginning at 12:30 p.m. from the Borough Hall, Third Street down to the
Coaldale Complex. It began with a parade departing from the Coaldale Borough Police Station and ended at the Coaldale Community Complex, which was turned into a scary Medieval castle where nearly 100 costume-wearing children were treated free-of-charge to lunch, music, games, prizes, dancing, and contests. | |
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No. 9 haunted mine tours
planned Reported on Wednesday, October 20, 2010 The Second Annual 'No. 9 Haunted Mine Tours' will be
presented at the No. 9 Coal Mine and Museum in Lansford on Friday and
Saturday evenings during October 22, 23, 29 and 30th. Tours will be offered each evening beginning at 5 p.m.
with the last tour going into the mine at 9:30. Tours will go into the
mine every half hour. This unique underground haunted mine tour is believed to
be one of the only haunted mine tours offered in the country. No. 9 Mine
can be a spooky, gorry, and creepy place once inside the cold, damp, dark
and dismal tunnels beneath the town of Lansford. According to Foundation
members, strange and unusual sights and sounds occur each year inside the
mine around the time of Halloween. Each year, the group will open the mine for special tours
during Halloween allowing visitors the opportunity to see for themselves
what lurks deep in the coal veins beneath the surface of the Panther Creek
Valley. Visitors will ride into the dark tunnels of the mine on the train.
Once inside, they will exit the cars for a walking tour of the haunted
mine. Ghosts of those who worked in the mine generations ago are believed
to still lurk deep inside. Visitors will hear tales of tragedies and see the remains
of accident victims who were never recovered. Only brave souls with a
strong heart and stomach are encouraged to go on the tour. Danger lurks
below and not all who enter may make it out alive! Children age 5 or older
are permitted, but must be accompanied by an adult. Call the No. 9 Coal
Mine and Museum at (570) 645-7074 for more information. Food and
refreshments will be available for sale each night in the picnic
pavilion. The inside of the complex was almost entirely covered with Medieval props, Masquerade apparel, and Halloween themed characters. | |
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Coaldale GOP to hold 25th campaign
dinner Reported on Monday, October 18, 2010 The 25th Annual Fall Campaign Dinner of the Coaldale
Republican Party will be held on the Sunday, Oct. 31, at the Viennese
Villa, Sixth and Ruddle streets, Coaldale. A social hour will start at 3:30 p.m., with dinner and a
program to take place at 4 o'clock. Guests of honor for the banquet will be Senator and Mrs.
David Argall and State Representative and Mrs. Jerry Knowles. Sen. Argall
is a candidate for the U.S. 17th Congressional District and Rep. Knowles
is seeking re-election to the 124th District of the Pa. General
Assembly. A family style dinner will be served. Reservations may be made by contacting Coaldale GOP town
chairman Bob Ames, 645-3587. Reservations must be made by Oct. 26. There
will be no ticket sales at the door. The Coaldale Republican Party traditionally holds this
banquet on the Sunday before every General and Primary Election to give
the candidates an opportunity to meet the voting public. | |
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Veteran donates experimental
helmet to Air Force Museum Reported on Saturday, October 16, 2010
William Gaddes said he came into possession of the helmet,
which was used in crew station mock-up studies and in actual simulations
of B-52 missions, while he worked at IBM. The company was "heavily
involved" in United States manned space missions. Gaddes, who had served during the Korean War, was hired by
IBM the same year he graduated from Lehigh University with the first
Master of Science degree in Human Factors Engineering. "This discipline
involves fitting man into space and other complex systems, primarily
military," he said. His first job at IBM was "conducting Human factors studies
of the Radar Navigator position on the new B-52 nuclear bomber, which
would operate at extreme altitudes for that time. The helmet in question
was used in crew station mock-up studies and in actual simulations of B-52
missions," he said.
"IBM designed and developed the guidance system for
Gemini, which proved the concept of orbital rendezvous. The helmet was
used in mock-ups and in simulations of the rendezvous of the Gemini and
another orbiting object. This formed the basis for Apollo, during which
IBM played a major role in guidance and in ground systems," Gaddes said.
"IBM also was involved in a highly classified United States Air Force
manned orbital program called MOL." By then, the helmet had been retired, and in Gaddes'
possession. He hoped someday to see it in a museum. "There is an identical one in the Smithsonian Aerospace
Museum in Washington, DC," he said. "I saw it there several times, so I
figured that ours would have historic significance as well. It has found
an appropriate home at Castle AFB; and will be cared for by the Curator,
who was very glad to get it." Curator Tony Rocha is indeed thrilled with the donation.
In a Sept. 15 emailed message to Gaddes, he wrote: "Received the helmet
today in good condition. It's a very unique artifact and we are glad you
thought of us here at Castle Air Museum." | |
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Three Coaldale Catholic churches
added to tax roll Reported on Friday, October 15, 2010 By AL DIETZ [email protected] Three Catholic church buildings and other properties in
Coaldale belonging to the Diocese of Allentown were removed from the tax
exemption list by the Schuylkill County Tax Appeals Board on motions made
by the Panther Valley School District because they are no longer devoted
to religious worship. They will be subjected to real estate tax in
2011. SS. Cyril and Methodius, 29 Ruddle St., had the market
value set at $358,680 and assessed at $179,340; and for a lot consisting
of 0.11 of an acre used as a parking lot, The market value was set at
$7,500 and assessed at $3,750. For Saint Mary's Roman Catholic Church, Second Street, the
market value was set at $187,420 and assessed at $93,710; and for a vacant
lot where a former school building stood consisting of 0.57 of an acre on
Second Street, the market value was set at $12,500 and assessment at
$6,250. For Saint John's Lithuanian Roman Catholic Church, 225 W.
Phillips St., the market value for the former church building was set at
$110,730 and assessment at $55,365; and for a lot consisting of 0.31 of an
acre on Phillips Street, the market value was set at $27,550 and
assessment at $13,775. Panther Valley School District also won appeals on five
homes in Coaldale. Michael and Sheila Carota, owners of property at 290 S.
Third St.,had the market value increased from $9,440 to $33,280 and
assessment increased from $4,720 to $16,640, an increase of $11,920 in
assessment. Anthony Turrano, owner of property at 2 W. Ruddle St., had
the market value increased from $46,170 to $63,400 and assessment from
$23,085 to $31,200, an increase of $8,115 in
assessment. Kathleen Holland, owner of property at 119 W. Phillip St.,
had the market value increased from $36,180 to $51,830 and assessment from
$18,090 to $25,915, an increase of $7,825 in
assessment. Susan Hanwalt, owner of property at 256 E. Phillip St.,
Coaldale, had the market value increased from $52,030 to $81,540 and
assessment from $26,015 to $40,770, an increase of $14,775 in
assessment. For Stephen McGregor, owner of property at 110 E. High
St., the market value increased from $35,080 to $56,160 and assessment
from $17,540 to $28,080, an increase of $10,540 in
assessment. Teri Mack, owner of property at 119 W. Lehigh St., had the
market value increased from $33,660 to $46,590 and assessment from $16,830
to $23,295, an increase of $6,465 in assessment. No change Several property owners had appeals heard by the board and
decisions were made as follows: MJF Realty Inc., 12 Willow Lane, Nesquehoning, owners of
an industrial warehouse at 92 Progress Drive, Rush Township, were denied
their appeal for reduction and the board ruled the market value of the
property remains at $3,571,440 and assessment remains at
$1,785,720. Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad Company, main
office in Hamburg, appealed for exemption on two properties on Spruce
Street, Tamaqua. The board denied their request and ruled the market value
on a tract containing 10.5 acres remains at $52,500 and assessment stays
at $26,250; and for a lot containing 0.81 of an acre, the market value
will remain at $6,360 and assessment at $6,180. Bet Lehigh Real Estate, LLC, Horsham, were denied any
reduction in their appeals on three tracts located in the Tamaqua-Coaldale
area. On a tract containing 1,337.6 acres along SR209 in Tamaqua, the
market value remains at $183,7890 and assessment at $91,890; on a tract
containing 833.7 acres with a building in Tamaqua, the market value
remains at $104,910, and assessment at $52,355; and on a tract containing
3,397.2 acres along SR209 in Coaldale the market value remains at $89,840
and assessment at $44,920. Above news abridged, see below: | |
 A light for Seek MemorialReported on Friday, October 15, 2010 Coaldale's VFW and American Legion joined forces to buy a
solar-powered light for the Seek memorial. The American flag at the
memorial, at Route 209 and Bull Run Street, was removed several weeks ago
after borough officials received complaints that it was left up after
nightfall with no illumination. The flag has flown at the memorial since
the 1930s. Borough council on Sept. 15 agreed to remove the flag, except
for special occasions, until a light could be installed. Council on
Tuesday voted to send letters of thanks to the
organizations. | |
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Coaldale Complex for
sale
Reported on Wednesday, October 13, 2010
'Save the Tiger!' implores official By CHRIS PARKER [email protected] With at least $590,000 in repair work looming, Coaldale
borough council on Tuesday, by a split vote, agreed to try to sell its
87-year-old former borough high school, now known as the Coaldale Complex.
Council also voted unanimously to demand a full financial disclosure for
the past three years from the Coaldale Complex Committee, which operates
the building for the borough. The borough will continue to make the inexpensive
temporary fixes recommended by engineers in order to keep the massive
structure at Sixth and Phillips Street safe for the youngsters who attend
the Carbon County HeadStart program on the first floor. The vote to sell was 4-3. Councilman Andrew Girard moved
to sell the building, with David Yelito supporting his motion. Council
members Tom Keerans and Nancy Lorchak also voted in favor of selling, with
Steve Tentylo, Joe Hnat and council President Sue Solt
opposed. The borough cannot afford the more than half-million
dollars it would take to fix the building. "Our backs are up against the wall financially," Keerans
said. He said raising property taxes is not an option. The sale offers the building along with a playground and
one-third of the land. Hnat initially proposed accepting no less than $300,000
for it. He said the building has been appraised at
$360,000. The decision to sell the old school, which opened in 1923
and closed in 1964, when the Panther Valley School District was formed,
uniting high schools in Coaldale, Summit Hill, Nesquehoning and Lansford,
was difficult for some. Solt urged council to set aside personal feelings
and work together on the issue. "Save the Tiger!" Tentylo, who attended the high school
and serves as head of council's Complex Committee, implored a reporter
after the meeting. The school's colors were orange and black, and its
mascot a tiger. Earlier in the meeting, resident Margaret Sullivan, who
also attended the school, told council she was worried about a tax
increase to pay for repair work, and suggested that selling it would be a
better option. Sullivan said people would always have their memories of
the school. Later in the meeting, resident and former councilwoman Ann
Girard implored council to sell the building, even if it has to offer it
for a dollar to Pathstone, the company that administers the HeadStart
program. -;I'll pay the buck," she said. Solicitor Michael Greek said the law requires the borough
to seek bids for the building; it cannot be "gifted." Pathstone recently spent at least $175,000 to refurbish
the first floor of the building to accommodate a new program. Bernetta
Frantz, director of Children and Family Development Services for Pathstone
attended the meeting, but aside from assuring Sullivan of the children's'
safety, did not speak. Keerans moved for the financial
disclosure. "I want to know where the money is going," he said. The
Complex Committee collects rent from Pathstone and organizations that use
the building. The money is meant to be used for repairs and maintenance.
Keerans said council has asked for the information for years, but gets
only "bits and pieces" from the committee. The vote followed a lengthy discussion about the condition
of the building and recent efforts to make it safer. The borough acquired
the building in 1974, but it is operated by the Coaldale Complex
Committee. Engineers from Alfred Benesch & Co. inspected the
building for safety on July 27. They found the building was safe, but the
second floor has been substantially damaged by earlier roof leaks. The
engineers in an Aug. 25 letter to council urged immediate action on four
temporary safety measures: placing support scaffolding under two weakened
second-floor roof arches to keep them stable and over exits to protect
people from falling brick or stone, and removing stored items from a
second-floor room. But at a special public meeting on Sept. 29, engineer
James D. Pudleiner took council to task for failing to act on the
measures. Pathstone canceled classes for the next day until the
scaffolding over the doors was in place. The safety measures are being done by Coaldale Complex
officials David Hnat and Harold Watkins and borough
workers. Councilman Joe Hnat called Pudleiner and engineer Gregory
Kuklinski back on Oct. 7 to look at the building. They weren't happy with
the progress. "It wasn't up to snuff the way they wanted it done," Hnat
said after the meeting. In a letter written that same day to Solt, Pudleiner and
Kuklinski reported that the stored items have been removed. However,
that's where the good news stopped. The engineers listed three areas
inside the building that were of immediate concern: 1. Temporary shoring for missing concrete arch roof joists
in classroom 21 are not shored properly. Proper scaffolding should be
placed immediately in classroom 21 to shore these joists
immediately. 2. Temporary shoring for the three concrete arch roof
joists in west corridor 28 have not been shored properly. The arch joists
should be supported immediately with two 2 x 10 wooden-made 'H' shaped
columns for each concrete joist. 3. The Pryobar blocks on east corridor 32 at the top
corner of the doorway (inside corridor and inside library) should be
removed to prevent them from falling. Pryobar is a fireproof building
material. "Since then, we did correct those actions in all three
areas upstairs," Hnat said. "We have one more area to do, which is going
to be taken care of starting at 7 a.m. (Wednesday)." In a related matter, council voted to have two additional
sets of keys made to the building, one for borough Supervisor Kenny Hankey
and the other to be kept at borough hall. That way, workers would be able
to gain access to start work early, Hnat said. The outside of the building fared no better. Engineers
advised that, in order to be able to remove the temporary-measure
scaffolding, the borough would have to do a lot of work. However, council
agreed the permanent repair work would be too
expensive. "We just can't afford it," Hnat said. | |
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The Coaldale Tax Office will be
closed Oct. 12-18. Regular office hours will resume on Tuesday, Oct.
19. Taxpayers are reminded to return the exoneration form
along with proof of eligibility, so as not to be turned in as delinquent,
if they qualify. This applies to both county/municipal and school
taxes. | |
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Coaldale man charged in Tamaqua
burglary Reported on Wednesday, September 29, 2010 By KATHY KUNKEL [email protected] A Coaldale man is in custody after police said he admitted
to a burglary at Pieracini's Market in Tamaqua.
The burglary was one of several reported to Tamaqua Police
over the weekend. According to the report, Kunkel entered the store, located
at 107 Hunter St., Tamaqua, early Saturday morning after he jimmied open a
window on the south side of the building. Once inside, he proceeded to
take cigarettes, gum, candy and cash and placed the items in a bag. Total
value of the stolen items was listed at $4,381. Kunkel was transported to the Schuylkill County Prison,
Pottsville, last night and video arraigned before District Judge David
Platchko on charges of burglary, criminal trespass, theft by unlawful
taking and criminal mischief. Bail was set at $35,000. Unable to post the
required 10 percent, Kunkel was lodged in the county
prison. In addition to the burglary at Pieracini's, police are
investigating similar crimes at the Tamaqua Pawn Shop on Center Street and
the Chili Dog on East Broad Street. Both of those burglaries also took
place on Saturday morning. Police said Kunkel has admitted to those crimes
and additional charges are pending. Also under investigation are a string of burglaries that
occured Sunday morning at the former Jamesway Plaza. The Tamaqua YMCA,
Tamaqua Day Care Center, Grande Pizza and BRL Groceries were all
burglarized during the early morning hours. The Tamaqua Crime Watch
organization is offering a $500 reward for information leading to an
arrest and conviction in those crimes. Anyone with information may contact Cpl. Woods at (570)
668-5000. | |
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What the Coaldale Complex inspection revealed Reported on Thursday, September 30, 2010 By CHRIS PARKER [email protected] A report compiled by engineers hired by borough council to
inspect the Coaldale Complex includes the following
findings: Roof: The 10-year-old roof is a concrete deck under rubber
roofing. The engineers observed that there was significant cracking that
would allow water to enter, but there were numerous soft spots on the
rubber membrane. The chimney has missing bricks and cracked mortar joints,
and the rubber roof membrane is improperly flashed to the brick on all
sides. Caulk is being used as the main deterrent to allowing water into
the chimney. Exterior: The brick masonry is in fair to good condition,
but the report cited several maintenance issues. If the items were not
repaired, they could lead to structural problems. The issues included
cracks, deteriorated steps (no longer used), loose limestone trim and an
unused coal bin opening that is not properly blocked poses a safety
concern. Interior: Water damage was observed in many areas. Ceiling
tiles were stained, there was mildew, plaster had fallen and steel was
rusted. Analysis: Engineers concluded the building is in "poor to
fair structural condition" and that most of the damage was due to the roof
leaking over many years. It appears the leaking has stopped, and that the
damage was confined to a large extent to the second floor. The main
structural system appears to be in fair condition. Concrete roof support joists, which support the roof
between the main structural members were seen to be deteriorated, rusted,
and missing from various locations. "Without doing a detailed structural
analysis, there is a concern" in corridor 28, "that a snow load could
cause failure of these members." The outside is in fair condition, with cracking caused by
water expanding and contracting with temperature
changes. The first floor, they wrote, is in fair to good condition,
with only minor signs of water damage. The basement is in good structural
condition. | |
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No sale; Complex to be made
safer Reported on Thursday, September 30, 2010 Coaldale borough council on Thursday voted unanimously to
take four simple steps to make the deteriorated Coaldale Complex safe for
the children and staff who occupy a Carbon County Head Start program there
more than two weeks after engineers urged immediate
action.
Councilman David Yelito supported the motion, but council
members Steve Tentylo, Nancy Lorchak, Joe Hnat, Andrew Girard and
President Sue Solt opposed selling the building. The scaffolding to be loaned to the borough by Hnat was to
be placed this morning and is a temporary fix as council seeks bids to
reconnect loose bricks to areas above the exits. In addition to the
scaffolding, workers will remove items stored on the second
floor. Permanent repairs to the interior and exterior of the
building are estimated to cost about $590,000 and will be discussed by
council at future meetings. The cost of the permanent repairs include
$500,000 for second floor structural rehabilitation; $30,000 for metal
coping on the parapet, and $60,000 for exterior brick and stone
work. Keerans moved to do the immediate fixes, which were urged
by Alfred E. Benesch & Co. engineers, hired by the borough to inspect
the building for safety. The inspection was done on July
27. Senior project manager James D. Pudleiner, who attended
the special meeting with project engineer Gregory J. Kuklinski, was
shocked that council failed to immediately take the safety measures, which
were listed in an Sept. 14 letter to the borough. "It's been how many weeks since we put this report out,
and nothing has been done," Pudleiner said. "Frankly, I'm shocked that we
came up here and that stuff wasn't shored. It doesn't cost that much to do
and it's something that can be done in one day." The engineering firm, not just the borough, could also be
held liable for injuries, he said. "We stuck our neck out by having this
thing go two weeks with nothing being done. What we're asking, we felt is
not that much to make it safe." Pudleiner said the work should only take a couple of
hours. "It's not rocket science," he said. "It's not a lot of
money." Solt told her colleagues to make phone calls immediately
after the meeting to get workers ready. Carbon County Head Start program director Bernetta Frantz
said children would not be attending the Coaldale center
today. Kuklinski, who performed the inspection, said that
although the second floor is in bad shape due to years of water damage
from a leaky roof, the building is safe provided the four immediate safety
steps are taken. "The building is not going to fall down," he
said. A new roof was put on the building in 2002 to stop the
water damage. After Kuklinski walked council through his 54-page report,
council members discussed the cost of the needed repairs and who was
responsible for them. The borough owns the building, but it is operated by the
Coaldale Complex Committee. Yelito asked who is responsible for the
repairs and maintenance of the building. "It's your building," Greek said. The committee manages the money that comes from the Head
Start rental, games and other activities. It does not share details of its
accounting with the borough. Lorchak said that some time ago, the
committee gave council a list of expenses, but not
revenue. Committee members Harold Watkins and Dave Hnat attended
the meeting, and said the lack of money prevented them from doing
maintenance and repairs. They don't even have sufficient funds, Watkins
said, to pour concrete into a former coal bin entrance that may pose a
danger to children who use the playground at the school. Under questioning
from Girard, Watkins said an exposed junction box in the gymnasium would
be covered. Girard and others suggested grant money could be found to
make the repairs. Lorchak also questioned how Head Start, a federal program,
could have gotten a grant to refurbish the first floor of the building to
accommodate a new program when the second floor was in such bad
shape. Yelito wanted to know why the Head Start rent was so low.
Watkins said it was $2,300 a month. That prompted Hnat to ask Yelito what
his motive was. Mayor Richard Corkery said the motive was
safety. Tentylo suggested that Yelito, who with Corkery has been
vocal about safety problems at the building, wants to raze the former high
school for a parking lot. Yelito denied the suggestion. Greek urged council to meet with the committee to forge a
maintenance agreement. | |
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St. Luke's Miners to offer flu
shots Reported on Tuesday, September 28, 2010 St. Luke's Miners Memorial Hospital has announced the
upcoming dates when they will be offering the seasonal flu vaccination to
community members. Adults 18 years of age and older are eligible. Medicare
will be billed for eligible enrollees; all others will be charged $25.
Cash and check are accepted methods of payment. Appointments are required.
Please schedule your appointment by calling the site. 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., October 4: St. Luke's Health Center –
McAdoo, 14 North Kennedy Drive (Route 309), approximately two miles south
of the Drivers' License Center. Call 570-645-1880 or 1-877-346-0357 to
schedule your appointment. 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., October 6: St. Luke's Urgent Care Center
– Jim Thorpe, 1104 North Street, Jim Thorpe. Call 570-325-2400 to schedule
your appointment. 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., October 8: St. Luke's Health Center –
Nesquehoning, 108 West Catawissa Street, Nesquehoning. Call 570-669-9787
to schedule your appointment. 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., October 13: St. Luke's Health Center –
Hometown, 253 Claremont Avenue (Route 309), between McDonalds and Walmart.
Call 570-668-6111 to schedule your appointment. | |
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Coaldale plans on getting
tougher on renters who deal, use drugs Reported on Thursday, September 16, 2010 By CHRIS PARKER [email protected] It might just get a little tougher for people convicted of
using or selling drugs in rental housing in Coaldale, if borough council
follows through with changes to its landlord licensing
ordinance. Council this week asked solicitor Michael Greek to draft
changes to the ordinance based on those being considered in
Allentown. Now, the borough's ordinance includes a "three strikes"
rule, calling for the eviction of renters who rack up three citations for
misbehavior. Council wants to toughen those rules to include evictions for
those tenants who are convicted of selling or using drugs in their rental
housing. Landlords who fail to comply would face the loss of their
licenses. In other matters Tuesday, council: Ÿ Learned it would cost about $43,680 to fix a section of
Moser Avenue between Fourth and Fifth streets. Council also agreed that a
section of Phillips Street will be fixed starting Monday. The job is
expected to cost between $3,000 and $5,000, said Councilman Tom
Keerans. Ÿ Accepted the resignation of Community Emergency
Management Agency coordinator Daniel Urban, who wrote that he could not
continue the job because of employment demands. Council also affirmed its
Sept. 13 choice of Tommy Polischak to replace Urban. Ÿ Agreed, at the request of Councilman Andrew Girard, to
use $564 from the community improvement fund to buy equipment for the Seek
playground. Borough workers will install the equipment. Ÿ Agreed to take down the American flag that flies at the
Seek Memorial because it is not illuminated at night. The flag will be
flown only on special occasions until lighting possibly solar to save
money is arranged. Ÿ Discussed in executive session a grievance filed by
borough workers over recent work done for a couple of non-governmental
organizations. Ÿ Discussed proposed changes to a lease with the Radocha
company for borough land it has been using. Council agreed to hire a
surveyor to define the boundaries of Radocha's
property. Ÿ Greek said he would write a more-strongly worded letter
to Municipal Energy Managers of Moscow, Lackawanna County. The firm, which
the borough contracted to save Coaldale thousands of dollars in street
lighting costs through purchasing them rather than leasing them from PPL,
has not responded to numerous letters sent by borough secretary Louise
Lill about faulty lights. It also has not responded to a previous letter
sent by Greek. Lill finally contacted PPL, which fixed the
lights. Several local municipalities have banded together to file
a formal complaint with the state Public Utility Commission against MEM
for failing to fulfill its promises. Ÿ Decided to apply for a grant through Schuylkill County
for Legislative Initiative Funding. Council also learned that president
Sue Solt has been taking classes in grant writing at Lehigh Carbon
Community College's Tamaqua campus. Ÿ Learned that borough Code Enforcement Officer Mark
Richards plans Oct. 17 as a low-cost neutering day for cats, including
those with homes and those that are strays or feral. Greek advised council
that Richards' request to use a borough vehicle for transporting the cats
to local clinics is fine, as long as it is an unmarked
vehicle. | |
|
Complex would cost $590,000 to
repair Reported on Thursday, September 16, 2010
The information is contained in a report compiled by
Alfred Benesch & Co., whose engineers on July 27 inspected the
massive, 88-year-old building, which currently houses the Carbon County
Head Start program. Borough council members were given copies of the report on
Tuesday. A summary page obtained Wednesday by the TIMES NEWS included the
cost of the immediate repairs. Council expects to study the report and discuss it when it
meets next at 7 p.m. Oct. 12. An engineer will meet with council at 6:30
p.m. to answer any questions council members may have about the
report. Senior project manager James D. Pudleiner and project
engineer Gregory J. Kuklinski recommended the
following: Ÿ An environmental inspector should conduct an inspection
of the entire school to determine if air quality in the school is in good
condition. Ÿ The crack in classroom 25 should be further
analyzed/investigated to check for movement in that room. There were
cracks on the outside of the building in that location. Ÿ The exterior entrance of the coal bin should be sealed
off. Pudleiner and Kuklinski advised the following four
immediate safety recommendations that need to be addressed if there are
people in the building: Ÿ The deteriorated roof joists in corridor 28 should be
temporarily supported to prevent progressive collapse of the
member; Ÿ The missing concrete arch roof joists should be
temporarily supported on the second floor in classroom
21; Ÿ All of the storage items on the second floor should be
removed and placed on the first floor. Access should only be granted to
the second floor to borough officials. Anyone walking on the second floor
should wear a hard hat, safety goggles and work boots at all
times; Ÿ All loose trim stone and bricks should be reconnected on
the exterior of the school. In an Aug. 25 letter to council, the engineers wrote that
the first floor of the building, used for the Head Start program, should
not be occupied when there is snow on the roof. However, if the four
immediate safety recommendations are met, the "school can remain open and
during a snow event," engineers wrote in their summary
report. They offered a preliminary cost estimate for the work:
$500,000 for second floor structural rehabilitation; $30,000 for metal
coping on the parapet, and $60,000 for exterior brick and stone
work. | |
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Coaldale sues former engineer
for return of documents by peter e. bortner (staff writer
[email protected]) Published: September 4, 2010 The Borough of Coaldale sued its former engineer Friday in
Schuylkill County Court, alleging he has refused to turn over to it maps
and other documents. In a two-page complaint, the borough alleged the documents
belong to it and not its former engineer, Edward J. Gaydos,
Orwigsburg. "Since the Plaintiff paid for the services of the
Defendant in preparing various maps, drawings, surveys, documents and
reports, those things are property of the municipality," the lawsuit reads
in part. Coaldale asked the court to require Gaydos to turn over
the documents to the borough. Alternatively, the borough asked the court to award it
unspecified money damages of more than $50,000, plus interest and the
costs of filing the lawsuit. Coaldale alleged that Gaydos had been its engineer for
more than 40 years until it appointed Alfred Benesch & Co.,
Pottsville, to that position on Jan. 1. Gaydos had prepared numerous documents during those years
and had been paid for his services, according to the
lawsuit. On April 21, borough solicitor Michael S. Greek, Lansford,
wrote to Gaydos, requesting that he turn over all such documents to it,
but Gaydos has not responded, according to the lawsuit.
"Despite the demand ... (Gaydos) refuses to turn over the
Borough work products," the lawsuit reads in part. The borough needs the documents in order to continue with
planned and future projects, and would have to duplicate the work now in
Gaydos' possession in order to do so, according to the
lawsuit. | |
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CARBON COUNTY AREA SPORTS
HALL OF FAME -- UPCOMING EVENTS:
BANQUET (MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND, MAY 2011): The next induction banquet of the Carbon County Area
Sports Hall of Fame will be held on Memorial Day Weekend, 2011. Watch this
space for more details to be announced later. MEMBERSHIP DRIVE (ONGOING NOW): The Carbon County Area Sports Hall of Fame, in association
with the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, is conducting a membership
drive. The cost of membership is $5.00 per year. Your membership entitles
you to vote on the 2011 State Hall of Fame ballot. Make your $5.00 check
payable to "Carbon County Area Sports Hall of Fame" and give the check, or
mail the check, to Teddy Bortnick, 55 W. Ridge Street, Coaldale, PA,
18218 | |
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Play ball!
Reported on Saturday, September 4, 2010 By CHRIS PARKER [email protected]
"Back in the old days, Little League was a big thing,"
Figner said. Coaldale used to support its own Little League team, and
Figner often played on the field in the Seek section of town. Playing at
the Seek field "was almost an everyday occurrence," he
said. In those days, the late 1960s and early 1970s, young teens
typically spent most of their free time outside in the fresh air and
sunshine. In more recent years, teens are more likely to spend their
time sitting on the sofa playing video games. The ball field where Figner
and his buddies once played has fallen into disrepair: Weeds have grown up
on the now rocky, hard-packed infield and there are no benches or fences.
Instead of well-attended baseball games, the field is now mostly used for
practice, when it is used at all. Now, the ball field, in the Seek section of Coaldale, is
up for a second inning. A group of volunteers, led by borough resident
Robby Krapf, is bringing the field back to its glory days. The volunteers
gather at the field on weekends to shovel dirt, pull weeds and spread
infield mix. "There are a lot of weeds that need to be cleared out. On
the infield, a lot of infield mix needs to be put down yet," Krapf said on
one recent Saturday. "We're hoping to get some of the topsoil on the
outfield and start on the seeding." The project began "a few years ago, basically with talk,"
Krapf said. "We talked about what needs to be done." It was the experience of his 8-year-old son, Bryan, that
gave Krapf the motivation to get the ball rolling to restore Seek to a
popular game field.
"I started working on the field in the beginning of June,
after my son Bryan didn't want to go to baseball practice because the
little guys didn't have a regular ball field to practice on. Lansford
Little League had such a great turnout this year that it became hard to
get all of the teams on the fields to practice. Thanks to Mike Turrano,
Jim Kindt and Paul Blasko, they gave Bryan a chance to try out for the
9-10 year old team, which turned his season around," he
said. The playing field crunch prompted Krapf to take a harder
look at the Seek field, which was "sitting there idle, as it was too rocky
and rough for kids to play on." He started out paying out of pocket for the infield mix
and materials. "However, I knew I could not afford to do this all on my
own," he said. Krapf approached his employer, Hart
Metals, which agreed to donate two tons of sand for the
project. His sister-in-law, Angela Krapf, mentioned that the
Coaldale community improvement group CHOSE also planned some work at the
park. "So we agreed to pool our resources in hopes that the
infield would be ready for play and the outfield ready for seeding in the
fall of this year," Krapf said. "Angels" have been contributing to the project through
volunteer work or by buying material. "We've been doing (the infield mix and topsoil) a scoop at
a time. The majority of the money came out of my pocket, and a lot of my
friends and family," Krapf said. "Everything put down so far has been
donated, and I hope that continues." The group is also seeking donations to buy fencing and
benches for team seating.
David and Nancy Reed of Andreas loaned the use of their
dump truck. But much more infield mix and topsoil is needed, he
said. In June, the physical work of clearing the field, putting
down infield mix began. The mix is sand, silt and clay. Before that, the
infield was sand, stone and dirt. "That would make the turf unsafe for a slide," Krapf
said. The old stuff must be cleared off the infield before the
new mix is put down so it doesn't creep up through the
mix. That Seek field looks a lot nicer than it used to," Figner
said. He recently brought his small tractor to the field to help spread
infield mix. Krapf's goal is to have the infield done and the outfield
covered with topsoil and seeded, and some benches installed, by
fall. "That's the bare minimum goal," he said. "But there's
still quite a bit that needs to be done."
"To finish the field, bases, pitchers
mound, home plate, fence it in, provide seating for at minimum the players
probably somewhere in the neighborhood of $8,000, depending on fencing
(which will be one of the largest expenses)," Krapf said. "So you can see
why we are working so hard to get these items donated." "If we had the money to buy the materials we could
complete the project within a two-month period; without the money it may
take years to complete. The field will be ready to play on by the spring
of next year. Whether its fenced in and there is seating will depend on
funding." | |
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Coaldale news Reported on Thursday, August 26, 2010 Coaldale First Congregational Church Morning Worship will be held at 9 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 29, at First
Congregational Church, Ruddle Street, followed at 10 a.m. by Adult Sunday
School. A service will be held at the Hometown Nursing Home at 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 31. St. Luke's Miners and MapleShade services will be conducted at 11 a.m.
and 1:30 p.m., respectively, on Wednesday, Sept. 1. Also on Wednesday, Sept. 1, choir rehearsal will be held at 6:30 p.m.
New members are welcome to attend. On Sunday, Sept. 5, Morning Worship will be at 9 a.m. and Adult Sunday
School will be at 10 a.m. Coaldale alumni reunion There will be a Coaldale High School Alumni Reunion on May 28, 2011, at
Genetti's Hall, Hazleton. Letters will be in the mailed within two weeks. Anyone not receiving a
letter may obtain one by calling (570) 645-9733. Those who attended Coaldale schools for any length of time are
invited. | |
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Burglary suspect caught in
Coaldale Reported on Monday, August 23, 2010 A Coaldale man with a long police record was caught red-handed,
allegedly burglarizing a borough home on Sunday morning about 4
a.m. Gary M. Heller, 51, of 222 W. Early Ave., remains in Schuylkill County
prison under $20,000 straight cash bail, said Police Chief Tim
Delaney. Heller was charged by Officer Scott D. Cramer with burglary, criminal
trespass, possessing an instrument of crime, theft by unlawful taking,
receiving stolen property and criminal mischief. Here's what happened, according to an affidavit of probable cause filed
with District Judge Stephen Bayer of Tamaqua: Police responded to a call about a break-in in progress at 144 Sixth
St. The caller said she saw a man in the home next to hers taking things
out of the home. Upon arrival in the area, Cramer was advised that the man
was returning. As he approached the home, he saw a white male walking
toward the back of the house. The man was arrested and identified as
Heller. Heller said he lives at a home on West Early Avenue and that his
girlfriend had sent him to get cigarettes. Heller was bleeding from both
arms, and told police it was from bug bites he had scratched
open. The witness told police Heller was the man she had seen going in and
out of the home several times. She said she had been awakened by noises
coming from the home. She knew the residents were not at home, and there
should not have been anyone there. From her back porch, she saw the man
come out of the home carrying boxes of items, and take them into the
basement of a home at 222 W. Early Ave. He would then return to her
neighbor's house and take out more items. When he arrived, Cramer found a stereo with compact discs, video tapes
and a stereo cabinet on the street. The witness said Heller had removed
them from her neighbor's home and was trying to take them into the home at
222 W. Early Ave. Heller had allegedly entered the home by breaking a window to the rear
on the back porch, and was cut by the broken glass; blood was found in the
home. Heller was on all levels in the home, including the basement, first
floor, second floor and the attic, according to the witness. Heller told police he lives with a Carol Cichello at 222 W. Early
Ave. Officers contacted Cichello, who told them she did not send Heller for
anything, and that she was sleeping and had no idea what was going on. She
told police she owns the house and that Heller had been living with her
for about a year. Cichello gave police permission to search her basement. Police checked,
and found items that had been taken from the Sixth Street
home. Police also recovered multiple items of drug paraphernalia, which
Cichello said belong to Heller. Heller was advised by police that he was under arrest for burglary, and
read his Miranda warnings. Photos were taken of the scene, and police
found two paper towels freshly stained with blood. They collected evidence
and took DNA swabs of the blood in the Sixth Street home. Heller was taken to the police station, where he was checked for
injuries. Police found two cuts, one on his right forearm and the other on
his left elbow. The bleeding had stopped, and Heller refused medical
treatment by emergency responders. | |
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Safe driving course scheduled
in Coaldale Reported on Monday, August 23, 2010 An AARP driver safety course will be presented at the St. Luke's Miners
Memorial Center, 360 W. Ruddle St., Coaldale, Sept. 18 from 9 a.m. to 1
p.m. This class is the four hour refresher class. Proof of completion of a
previous AARP or other driver safety course within the last 36 months must
be provided for admission to the class. The class is designed for drivers
50 years old and older and is classroom instruction only. Drivers completing the AARP driver safety course receive a certificate
which entitles them to a rate reduction on auto insurance. Persons
interested in taking the course should check with their auto insurance
company as to the discount percentage. The certificate is valid for three
years from date of course completion. Persons interested in taking the course should contact the center at
877-610-6161. Class size is limited. Class materials cost $12 for AARP
members and $14 for non-members and is payable by check to AARP at the
start of class. Enrollment is open to the public and AARP membership is
not required. | |
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Volunteers sought to restore
Seek ballfield Reported on Friday, August 20, 2010 By CHRIS PARKER [email protected] A group of Coaldale residents is seeking volunteers to help restore the
Seek ball field. The group, led by Robby Krapf, will gather at the field from 11 a.m. to
1 p.m. Sunday. Volunteers are asked to bring brooms, rakes and shovels.
Krapf will also be picking up donations of sand, topsoil and infield mix
on Saturday. Anyone wishiong to donate or help wiith the grounds work is asked to
call him at (570) 645-6267. | |
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The next Coaldale High School
Alumni Reunion will be held May 28,
2011 at Genetti's in Hazleton. Letters will
soon be sent out. | |
|
Coaldale honors WWII
vets
Reported on Monday, August 16, 2010
"The skipper told us. He first said 'I think the war is over', but he
didn't say for sure. Then, 15 minutes later, they got the word that it was
all over," he said. "It was exhilarating. It was over, we were jumping up
and down. It was a great feeling." Tentylo was among at least 20 Coaldale World War II veterans honored
Saturday at a ceremony held in the borough's Veterans Memorial Garden on
Third Street. Saturday was the 65th anniversary of Japan's Aug. 14, 1945
unconditional surrender; eight days after the United States dropped an
atomic bomb on Hiroshima. The following day, Aug. 15, 1945, was celebrated
as VJ (Victory over Japan) Day. The ceremony was bittersweet; the now-aging veterans, many supported by
walkers or canes, are among the last of their generation of soldiers,
sailors and pilots. On Saturday, they sat in folding chairs in front of
the gray granite pillars bearing their names, and the names of those
veterans who have passed. "The men gathered here before our World War II Memorial Wall represent
just a small fraction of those from Coaldale who unselfishly and valiantly
served our nation's military during a period of great crisis," said master
of ceremonies William Gaddes, himself a Korean War veteran. "These men and
women were responsible for saving the free world ... 53 men from Coaldale
gave the ultimate sacrifice."
"When World War II began, there were about 5,900 people in Coaldale,
and there are 1,355 names on the wall," Gaddes said. "That represents more
than 22 percent of the population ... versus approximately 11 percent for
the nation as a whole." Borough council President Sue Solt reminded the crowd that 405,000
Americans died during World War II, along with countless numbers of
allies. "These brave men and women demonstrated courage," she said. "They
demonstrated selflessness. they stood up for good against evil, for you
and me, all in the name of freedom." Mayor Richard Corkery held up a yellowed, fragile copy of the
Philadelphia Record, with a headline proclaiming "War is
Over." He read the proclamation, and spoke of the veterans'
sacrifices. "No one could ever, ever begin to thank you for the service that you
have rendered our country at its most difficult time," he said. Corkery
spoke of the controversy surrounding the dropping of the atomic
bomb. "However, (then-President) Harry Truman at that time indicated that it
would take 250,000 American lives to invade Japan and bring it to an end,
and he just would not stand for that," he said. Corkery said that in all
probability, not all of the veterans attending the service would be here
today had "Harry Truman not had the backbone and the guts and the courage
to make that decision." The Rev. Daniel Matthewson, pastor of St. Mary's Orthodox Church, said
several of the veterans are parishioners. "Our lives are built upon those who have given their lives up for us,"
he said. Matthewson said World War II veterans are dying at a rate of
about 1,000 a day. "We thank God for you," he told the veterans assembled behind him. "We
thank God that you stand for this freedom that we're here about." He
pointed out that the veterans' names are carved into granite. "Not on
sandstone, but on granite something that's going to last for a long time.
Of course, even this granite will eventually pass away, but it's symbol
stands true, and that is that we need to give our lives and our hearts to
a dedication to freedom," he said. Matthewson encouraged his audience to "give your lives to God. That is
where the ultimate freedom is found. Even beyond our own doubt, our
dedication to Him represents complete and utter freedom for eternity. One
day, by God's grace, we will join with those men who gave their lives
again. We'll join with them in paradise to sing the praises of God for
true freedom." The ceremony also acknowledged Coaldale Navy veteran Norman Richards,
who was laid to rest on Saturday.
| |
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Veterans who were
honored Reported on Monday, August 16, 2010 By CHRIS PARKER [email protected] Coaldale World War II veterans were honored at a ceremony Saturday, the
65th anniversary of V-J Day. They included: Chester Gangaware, Nick Paraschak, Steve Tentylo,John King, William
Balazovich Steve Balazovich, Charles Herring, Edwin (Pee Wee) Mantz, Simon
Stafiniak George Vincent, George Wenzel, August Gulla, William Stoffey, John
Stoffey Thomas Dally, William Vavro, Peter Stricek, Sylvester Vavra, Bill
Derr, Nicholas Macenka, Anthony Konecney, Edward Pascoe, Howard
Williams Theodore Haldeman. Charles Gangaware, William (Lefty)
Koperna Evan Brode, Mike Semko, John King, Paul Byble William Byble (First draftee from Coaldale),Stanley Costello, John Wieksner, Norman Richards (deceased), John
Puschak | |
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Judge awards Bentley to
Coaldale man BY PETER E. BORTNER (STAFF WRITER) Published: August 14, 2010
"I had a friend of mine who had one. I really liked it," the Coaldale
man said after Schuylkill County Judge John E. Domalakes awarded him
ownership of the classic car. Yelito said he has been working on the car for one and a half years
since buying it for $500 from Matthew Van Gruten, El Paso,
Texas. "I had to go back to Texas ... and bring it back," he said. "It's a
four-door, built by Rolls-Royce in Crewe, Cheshire (East), England," he
said. Yelito testified Thursday that he could not get the official title from
Texas officials because another man was the listed owner, and that man
could not be found. Domalakes ruled that the hearing was properly advertised and notice
properly given in Pennsylvania and Texas. "No one has appeared to contest this proceeding," the judge said in
ruling the car belongs to Yelito. Domalakes directed state Department of
Transportation officials to accept his order as proof of Yelito's
ownership and issue him a registration. Domalakes' ruling doesn't change the fact that the Bentley needs work,
Yelito said. "Is the vehicle in running condition?" asked Yelito's lawyer, Keith D.
Hoppes, Tamaqua. "No. It sat for almost 20 years," Yelito replied. However, Yelito said he will devote himself to getting the car
working. "I hope to have it done by the end of the summer," Yelito said. "Now, I
can finish doing the engine and the transmission. I work on it when I
can." Yelito intends to paint his Bentley white when he's finished restoring
it, and he looks forward to using it as well as maintaining
it. "I might show it," he said. "People have asked me." | |
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Coaldale burglary suspect faces
charges in Lansford Reported on Friday, August 13, 2010 A North Carolina man accused of burglaries in Coaldale has
now been charged in Lansford. Christopher Link, 21, of 2254 RL Routh Dr., Franklinville,
NC., faces a charge of false identification to law enforcement. He was
arraigned before District Judge Casimir Kosciolek of Lansford and remains
jailed under $1,500 for that charge. According to an affidavit of probable cause filed by
Lansford officer Joshua Tom on July 15, here's what happened: At 10 p.m.
July 4, Tom was on duty when he spotted a male setting off a large
firework in the middle of West Ridge Street. He stopped and told the man
to stop doing that. Tom tried to identify the man through driver's license
or photo identification for his report, but the man became very
argumentative, demanding to know why Tom was asking "all these
questions." The man finally told Tom he was Brian Link, 23. But he
could not provide an address, just that he was from North
Carolina. The conversation was interrupted by Lisa Raposo, who is
identified as Brian Link's girlfriend's mother, who took the blame for the
fireworks in the street. "Brian" Link then fell back in with the
crowd. After clearing the call, Tom, considering how nervous Link
appeared during their conversation, decided to check with the Carbon
County Communications Center, asking them to run Brian Link for further
information in Pennsylvania and North Carolina. The Communications Center found nothing on the man, given
the information he had provided. Tom spoke with Lansford Officer Jeff Ohl, who told him the
man was actually Christopher Link, and that he may be wanted in North
Carolina for burglaries and drug offenses. Ohl is currently investigating
Link on another case; personal property and possible identification were
found, but nothing with a picture. On July 6, Tom checked with Adult Probation in North
Carolina and confirmed that there is only a Christopher Link, who is 21,
6-foot, 3 inches tall, weighs 175 pounds, with brown hair and hazel eyes.
Tom then double-checked with the help of Lansford Detective-Sargeant Jack
Soberick with the information provided by North Carolina and ran Link's
name through the JNET system. The search revealed that Link has an
outstanding warrant in North Carolina. That state's adult probation
department also provided Tom with a recent photo of Link, which positively
identifies him as the same person Tom spoke with on July
4. Link, who was staying at 139 Second St., Coaldale, faces
charges of burglary, criminal conspiracy, criminal trespass, receiving
stolen property, theft by unlawful taking or disposition; violations of
persons not to possess, use, manufacture, control, sell or transfer
firearms; violations of the Controlled Substance Act: drugs, poisons, and
dangerous substances; possession of drug paraphernalia, criminal mischief,
and unlawful possession of cocaine, ecstasy, vicodin in that
borough. The charges stem from Link's alleged burglary of a home at
163 Second St., Coaldale, breaking in through a basement window during the
day in late July and stealing $2,750 in cash bills, jewelry and collector
coins. A confidential informant alerted Lansford police, who had a warrant
out for Link's arrest, of his whereabouts. The informant told Soberick
that Link and his girlfriend, Nicole Raposo, had bragged about the
burglary at 163 Second St. and at homes in Lansford. Link remains in Schuylkill County prison under $50,000
straight cash bail in addition to the $1,500 bail on the Lansford
identification charge. Coaldale Police Chief Tim Delaney said Link
allegedly sold several of the items stolen in his borough to a pawnshop in
Lehighton. Delaney said another handgun, a .357 Magnum, remains
unaccounted for. | |
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Coaldale looking at proposed state law to help them in war against
blight Reported on Thursday, August 12, 2010 By CHRIS PARKER [email protected] Coaldale officials are hoping a proposed law slowly
wending its way through the state legislature will give them powerful
ammunition in the war against blight. Following pleas from two High Street women who are
contending with rats, raw garbage and overgrown weeds on a vacant
neighboring property, Mayor Richard Corkery spoke in favor of Senate Bill
900, also known as the Neighborhood Blight Reclamation and Revitalization
Act. The proposed legislation, introduced in 2008 by the late
State Senator James J. Rhoades, which would give municipalities the power
to place liens on the personal assets of the owners of deteriorating
properties after a court decree is entered against them, passed the Senate
by a unanimous 50-0 vote on July 2, according to a letter from state Sen.
David G. Argall to municipal officials in the his 29th legislative
district. It is now in the House Urban Affairs Committee, the letter
said. The proposed legislation would also make it easier to
clarify who owns the property, and would include language that would
require mortgage lenders to maintain the properties - keeping the grass
cut, the windows whole and trash cleared - when the owners default. it
would also deny municipal permits pending correction of serious violations
and payment of municipal taxes and services, the letter said. The bill
also provides for extradition of the owners of blighted properties to
Pennsylvania to address the problems, Argall wrote. Argall, who sponsored the bill in the Senate, said in the
letter that Pennsylvania has about 300,000 vacant and abandoned
properties. "Blight causes financial problems for our downtowns and our
neighborhoods," he wrote. He asked municipal officials to contact his office with
specific information about how the bill would help them in their own fight
against blight. Council's discussion of the bill followed complaints by
Lillian Holota of 28 E. High St. and Ann Gallagher of 26 E. High St. The
women are concerned about the condition of a property at 22 E. High
St. The owner of the property, a half-double, is the Atkinson
Real Estate Group. According to Schuylkill County tax records, the
Atkinson Group, which lists its owner as Frank Atkinson of 247 Doney Run,
Weatherly, bought the property in 2007 for $18,000. Borough zoning officer Mark Richards has cited Atkinson.
Richards at a public meeting last month said he now believes Atkinson is
in New York. Holota told council she recently found a dead rat on her
porch, and believes it came from the Atkinson property. She is also
concerned about a trampoline on the property that neighborhood children
are using. She asked if the borough could dismantle it, but Councilman Tom
Keerans said the trampoline was a liability issue for the owner, but that
the borough could "not just go in things off peoples'
properties." Gallagher said she believes the grass has not been cut on
the property at all this year, and that there are bags of raw garbage in
the yard between her house and 22 E. High St. Some neighbors, she said,
have been gradually cutting the grass in the back of the house. Further,
the back window of the house has been open, and Gallagher said she worries
that someone has broken in. A broken couch from the property is lying
against her house, she said. The house "could be a moneyma "This is just absentee landlords buying properties,
putting less than desirable people in the properties," Gallagher said. "If
we could just cite the owners, bill the owners ..." That prompted Councilman Joe Hnat to say that Atkinson had
been cited in July and again this month. He said the situation "now sounds
like a health problem." Hnat wants to at least get rid of the
garbage. He said that the borough has cut the grass and cited absentee landlords, but "we never get paid. We've got five or six places in town, every year we've got the same problem." | |
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Study completed, results still
awaited on Coaldale Complex Reported on Thursday, August 12, 2010 By CHRIS PARKER [email protected] Engineers inspected the former Coaldale High school, now
known as the Coaldale Complex, on July 27. But it will be at least another
two weeks, possibly a month, before the public knows what the study
revealed. Council on Tuesday said the report, compiled by borough
engineers Alfred Benesch & Associates, would likely be discussed at
its September 14 public meeting. The inspection was done because some council members and
Mayor Richard Corkery have said the hulking building is dangerously
deteriorated. On July 13, council voted, with councilman Tom Keerans
opposing, to pay Benesch $3,800 to thoroughly inspect the building for
structural defects. The Coaldale Complex stands at Sixth and Phillips streets.
It was built in 1922 as the borough high school. The borough acquired it
in 1974, 10 years after the Panther Valley School District was formed,
uniting high schools in Coaldale, Summit Hill, Nesquehoning and
Lansford. Corkery and Councilman David Yelito, who lives across the
street from the complex, have been warning the building, especially the
second and third floors, is falling apart, and that an exterior wall is
bulging. It currently houses the Carbon County Head Start program
on the first floor. Head Start is renovating the first floor of the
building to accommodate a new program. As part of that renovation,
engineer Rick Harmon of Barry Isett & Associates examined the complex
to determine whether it met building codes. Harmon, at Corkery and
Yelito's request, wrote to council with a list of possible need
areas. | |
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Coaldale solicitor to
contact firm that promised lighting cost savings Reported on Thursday, August 12, 2010 By CHRIS PARKER [email protected] Coaldale Borough solicitor Michael Greek will contact a
Lackawanna County firm that promised to save the borough thousands of
dollars in street lighting costs through purchasing rather than leasing
them from PPL. That promise has yet to be fulfilled, and Greek on Tuesday
agreed to make the contact after borough secretary Louise Lill said she
has been trying to get in touch with the company, Municipal Energy
Managers of Moscow, because of complaints about malfunctioning lights, but
has gotten no response. MEM officers had promised council that any problems would
be resolved within one or two days. Coaldale signed onto the MEM ownership vs. leasing deal in
Feb. 2009. Under the contract, the borough leases its street lights from
PPL for $28,000 a year. The borough borrowed $182,400 from Jim Thorpe
National Bank at a 4.45 percent fixed rate to acquire the street lights
after listening to a presentation by James Schlesinger of Concord Public
Financial Advisors Inc., Reading, and Tim Moran of MEM. Once the $182,400 debt is paid, the borough would own the
lights and save about $18,500 a year, given an anticipated 3 percent PPL
annual rate increase for leasing the lights. Moran said at the time that
the borough's savings are guaranteed under the proposed 20-year contract.
Under the contract, MEM would upgrade and maintain the lights for a flat
annual fee through 2037. But last August the project came to a standstill
when PPL said it would not negotiate with MEM because it had no
documentation that the company was acting on the borough's behalf. It was
not clear Tuesday whether that problem is close to being
resolved. Jim Thorpe Borough and Tamaqua have also been having
similar issues with the firm. | |
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Coaldale's workers' comp
insurance not to be renewed Reported on Thursday, August 12, 2010 By CHRIS PARKER [email protected] Coaldale's workers' compensation insurance rates have
soared, and the policy will not be renewed due to claims, council learned
Tuesday. "Our worker's comp is not even going through the roof,
it's going up into the atmosphere," said councilman Tom Keerans on
Tuesday. The borough had been paying $25,000 a year for worker's
comp. The cost has jumped to about $43,000, said borough secretary Louise
Lill. One of the biggest claims came from a police officer
injured in the line of duty. Sgt. Keith Krapf was hurt on March 2 when a
man, Ian Patrick McGregor, 25, of 110 E. High St., who had been driving
erratically assaulted him after a traffic stop at about 10:30 p.m. on Bull
Run Street. McGregor also attacked Office Charles Andrew Blesse, who came
to Krapf's aid. McGregor's case is wending its way through the Schuylkill
County court system. "I think we should send a letter to the district
attorney's office because this young man is going to be up for sentencing
soon. We should try and seek restitution possibly, for his part what the
borough is going to have to fork out for worker's comp. And even if we
can't get restitution for that, we should just make it known to the DA
what he did to this borough and everybody who is living in it," Keerans
said. Krapf has only recently been able to return to work, and
his worker's comp claims were substantial. "It had a direct impact on this
being non-renewed," Keerans said. "I think we should send notice to this
young man and anyone else that if you do this in Coaldale, you're going to
be held accountable for it." Even if the borough cannot get restitution, it can still
ask that the judge consider the impact during sentencing, he
said. Police Chief Tim Delaney said he would keep council
apprised of the progress of the case. McGregor, who waived his right to a
preliminary hearing in April, was formally arraigned in county court on
June 7 on charges of driving under the influence, driving under the
influence of drugs, two counts each of simple assault, recklessly
endangering another person and harassment and one count each of disorderly
conduct by engaging in fighting, and summary charges of failing to drive
on right side of road, overtaking a vehicle on the right side, careless
driving and failing to wear a seat belt. | |
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Coaldale to honor World War II
vets Reported on Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Coaldale will honor her World War II veterans
at 11 a.m. Saturday - the 65th anniversary of the end of WW
II. The ceremony will be held at the Coaldale WW
II Veterans and Women's Memorial Garden, adjacent to the Coaldale Borough
Hall. The veterans will be presented with a proclamation suitable for
framing. After the event, the veterans will be treated to a luncheon at
the Coaldale Rod and Gun Club. Any Coaldale WW II veteran who has not
received a written invitation by Wednesday should contact Mildred Flyzik
at (570) 645-9605. | |
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Coaldale fire company seeks more
funding Reported on Wednesday, August 11, 2010 By CHRIS PARKER [email protected] As the economy continues to cool, Coaldale's fire protection tax is
heating up. "As it looks right now, we're going to be looking for an increase,"
Coaldale Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1 Chief Richard Marek told borough council
at a public meeting Tuesday. "We can't operate on what we're currently
getting." Marek asked that the Budget and Finance Committee sit down with the
company's chief financial officer, Ron Polischak, to discuss the costs of
the borough's fire protection needs before council begins crafting the
2011 budget. Currently, the borough dedicates 1 mill, which generates about $20,000
annually, to the fire company. But, Marek said, with more people out of work and cost of living
rising, the fire company's fundraising efforts are falling
short. "Our fund drive has dropped off dramatically," he said. "As of December
of last year, we had $1,200 left in our treasury. That doesn't leave a lot
of money when your fund drive doesn't start until February and you've got
light bills, you've got water bills, you've got sewer bills, you've got
insurance bills, you've got maintenance on the trucks, you've got upkeep
on the trucks, and I could go on and on and on." Councilwoman Nancy Lorchak said budget workshops would start soon, and
that she'd contact Polischak to schedule a time to meet. The fire company has been protecting Coaldale's residents and
neighboring communities since 1906, according to its website. The
volunteers fight house fires and car fires, handle carbon monoxide
incidents, help out at vehicle accidents, perform search and rescues,
clean up hazardous materials incidents and more. In a February interview with the TIMES NEWS, second assistant fire
chief and financial secretary Louie Mitchalk said that in 2009, only 27
percent of the community donated a total of $16,000 to the fund
drive. | |
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HONORING COALDALE’S WW II
VETERANS ON AUGUST 14, 2010 LOCATION: COALDALE’S VETERANS AND WOMEN’S MEMORIAL
GARDEN PROGRAM OPENING REMARKS: WILLIAM GADDES PROCLAMATION: COALDALE MAYOR RICHARD
CORKERY PRESENTATION OF PROCLAMATION TO WW II VETERANS ATTENDING:
MILDRED FLYZIK BLESSING OF ATTENDEES AND WW II MEMORIAL WALL: REVEREND
MATTHEWSON PASTOR, COALDALE ORTHODOX PARISH HONOR FIRING OF RIFLES: McADOO VFW POST 6708 HONOR
GUARD “TAPS”: ROBERT KISTLER: ”BUGLES ACROSS
AMERICA” CLOSING REMARKS: WILLIAM GADDES THE COALDALE UVO AND WW II MEMORIALCOMMITTEE WILL HOST THE
ATTENDING WW II VETERANS AT A LUNCHEON TO BE HELD AT THE COALDALE ROD AND GUN CLUB. . | |
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Coaldale girl remains critical Reported on Friday, August 6, 2010 A six-year-old Coaldale girl, who was struck by a pickup truck while
riding her bicycle along Old Route 209 in Newkirk, Schuylkill Township, on
Wednesday afternoon, remains in critical condition at the Lehigh Valley
Hospital, Salisbury Township, where she was flown by Medevac helicopter
after the accident. State police at Frackville have declined to release her name. The
driver of the pickup truck was Daniel Farber, 30, of Tamaqua. Troopers
said the girl rode her bike into the path of Farber's truck about 4:45
p.m. He applied his brakes in an attempt to avoid hitting the girl but
could not, troopers said. The girl was with her mother, who was visiting a relative who resides
in Newkirk, when the accident occurred. The investigation into the crash is continuing, troopers
said. Young bicyclist struck by pickup Reported on Thursday, August 5, 2010
| |
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Coaldale plans street paving Reported on Wednesday, August 4, 2010 Street paving will take place in the borough of Coaldale this week.
Drivers should be alert and are asked to use caution as street closures
and new traffic patterns are in place. Residents are asked to be alert for posting of signs as no parking will
be permitted during the time of paving. Streets to be paved include sections of Phillips, Ridge, Sixth and
Seventh streets. | |
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Coaldale burglary suspect nailed Reported on Monday, August 2, 2010 http://www.tnonline.com/node/121761 CHRIS PARKER/TIMES NEEWS Drugs and a glass pipe used for smoking drugs,
allegedly in the possession of burglary suspect Christopher Roger Link.
Link is accused of burglarizing homes in Coaldale and Lansford. ‹‹3 of 3
Many stolen items found By CHRIS PARKER [email protected] Coaldale police, assisted by Lansford and Nesquehoning police
departments, swooped down on a house at 139 Second St. at about 5 p.m.
Saturday and arrested a North Carolina man accused of burglarizing homes
in the borough and in Lansford. Christopher Roger Link, 22, whose home address is 2254 RL Routh Dr.,
Franklinville, NC., faces seven charges: burglary, criminal conspiracy,
criminal trespass, receiving stolen property, theft by unlawful taking or
disposition; violations of persons not to possess, use, manufacture,
control, sell or transfer firearms; violations of the Controlled Substance
Act: drugs, poisons, and dangerous substances; possession of drug
paraphernalia, criminal mischief, and unlawful possession of cocaine,
ecstasy, vicodin. Link was arraigned before District Judge Bernadette Nahas of
Frackville, and jailed in Schuylkill County prison under $50,000 straight
cash bail. Link is suspected of burglarizing a home at 163 Second St., Coaldale,
breaking in through a basement window during the day last Wednesday and
stealing $2,750 in cash bills, jewelry and collector coins. Police
described the burglary as "professional." The homeowners discovered the
burglary when they returned home after work, police said. The victims
provided police with a list of the stolen items. An investigation by Officer Scott D. Cramer and Criminal Investigator
Todd Weiss led them to Link, who was staying at 139 Second St. According
to Schuylkill County property records, the house is owned by Thomas and
Rosemary Peto, who bought it in 2008. A confidential informant alerted Lansford police, who had a warrant out
for Link's arrest, of his whereabouts. The informant told Lansford Sgt.
Jack Soberick that Link and his girlfriend, Nicole Raposo, had bragged
about the burglary at 163 Second St. and at homes in Lansford. The informant also told Soberick that Link had in his possession drugs,
jewelry, coins, cash, televisions and multiple firearms, including a
Taurus 9 mm handgun, all stolen from the homes. Police from both boroughs located Link at the 139 Second St. house,
and, with the tenant's permission, entered the home and arrested Link. At
one point, Coaldale Police Chief Tim Delaney said Monday, officers had to
shock Link with a Taser when he refused to remove his hands from his
pockets and they feared he may be armed. Police searched the house and recovered many of the stolen items. The
handgun's serial numbers matched one reported to Lansford police as having
been stolen. Police took Link and Raposo to the police station and read them their
Miranda rights. Both said they understood the rights, and said they would
talk with police without having a lawyer present. Police recorded Link's confession of the burglary at 163 Second St.,
along with his stated knowledge of other burglaries in
Lansford. Link told police he was helped by another person, whose identity police
have not disclosed. Delaney on Monday said Link allegedly sold several of the items to a
pawnshop in Lehighton. Delaney said another handgun, a .357 Magnum,
remains unaccounted for. | |
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Coaldale break-in Reported on Friday, July 30, 2010 Coaldale police are investigating what they describe as a
"professional" hit on a borough home Wednesday. A burglar or burglars broke into a home at 163 Second St. through a
basement window between 8:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. and stole a large amount of
money and jewelry from a safe. The thief or thieves apparently searched for more valuables, going
through drawers, but tidied up to hide their activities, said Police Chief
Tim Delaney. "They knew what they were doing," he said, describing the heist as
"professional." Police have been canvassing the neighborhood and talking with people
who live in the area. They ask that anyone who saw anything suspicious, be
it people or vehicles, to call them at (570) 645-3060. | |
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Class reunion Panther Valley HS Class of 1985 Reported on Monday, July 12, 2010 Class officers of the Panther Valley High School Class of 1985 are
asking their classmates to save the date for the 25-year
reunion. The Class of 1985 will hold its reunion on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2010 at
6 p.m. at the Split Rock Resort at Lake Harmony. Classmates are asked to send their updated home address and e-mail to
Chrissy Rutch Mayernik, class president, at
[email protected]. | |
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Coaldale cracking down on owners of
dilapidated properties Reported on Wednesday, July 14, 2010 By CHRIS PARKER [email protected]
Lillian Halada asked council's help with a property at 22 E. High St.,
which she said has been vacant for several months. A trampoline remains in
the back yard, which Halada worried would attract children who could get
hurt. The grass is high, and old furniture and garbage are strewn about.
"The smell is getting to us," she said. 'Why isn't anything being
done?" According to Schuylkill County tax records, the home, a half-double,
belongs to the Atkinson Real Estate Group, which bought it for $18,000 in
2007. The owner is listed as Frank Atkinson, of 247 Doney Run,
Weatherly. Richards said he sent Atkinson a violation notice, but believes he is
now in New York. Solicitor Michael Greek said police can issue citations
and take the owners before Distict Judge Stephen Bayer of Tamaqua after a
certain number of days if the property owner fails to act within a certain
number of days after the violation notice is sent. Halada said she saw a violation notice on the door of 22 E. High St.
and that it had been there at least 22 days. Richards said a citation will be issued, and that the borough would
likely have to clean the place up. That prompted council president Sue Solt to note that the borough is
handling an increasing number of property complaints, and that the borough
cannot afford to have its workers routinely cut grass and clean up trash.
Although the borough charges the owners of the properties for the work,
getting the money is tough, she said. She urged Richards to "be more
aggressive:" in pursuing the owners. "The borough workforce is not a property-tender," she said. Councilman Joe Hnat took Richards to task for not citing property
owners. He said no citations were issued in May or June. Richards, who
works a full-time job in addition to being code enforcement officer, said
he's doing the best he can under the circumstances. He said this is "the worst year we've had for complaints" about
properties. Councilman Steve Tentylo asked how much money the borough gets from
fines against the property owners. Not much, other council members replied. Councilman Tom Keerans asked about another vacant, trashed home, at 132
W. Ridge St. In May, a resident complained the property was attracting
rats. Richards said he has been unable to track down the owner, but said
he heard she was living in town. Tentylo said borough workers cut through
the fence a couple of weeks ago to cut the grass. Councilman David Yelito said he was concerned about borough workers
having to clean out trash-strewn homes because of possible health hazards.
Greek suggested hiring contractors to do that work. Ann and Charles Miller asked council to help with a derelict home at
171 Second St. The Millers live in the adjoining duplex. Ann Miller said
the problem had been going on for 25 years. The home's windows are now
boarded up, but the property has been left to deteriorate. Another resident, Maury Rutch, would like to buy the home for a
business, she said. Rutch, who also attended the meeting, confirmed
that. The home is owned by Joseph and Patricia Black, Hnat said. Black has
become notorious for buying vacant homes and letting them rot. However,
the 171 Second St. property is in compliance with borough code, now that
the windows are boarded, he said. Greek said Black "has a tendency to pay his fines, but then the
problems aren't corrected." He said the Millers could start a civil suit
against Black if their own home is affected by Black's
negligence. "This guy is shrewd," Hnat said. "We can't win." According to county property tax records, the Blacks own properties at
250 W. Water St., 223 Ridge St., 215 Ridge, 70 First St., 207 E. Ridge
St., 77 Second St., 75 Second St., and 171 Second St. He bought the properties in the 1980s and 1990s, according to the
county records. Council asked Richards to inform Black he has a buyer for the
property. Bill Strauch complained of high grass at 7 E. Phillip St., and Mike
Doerr said a building at 146 Fisher Ave. is in bad shape, with its roof
caving in and porches falling down. Jamie Lee Nicholas complained about
burned-out buildings near his Greenwood Street home. In addition to being unable to find many absentee property owners,
council is stymied by the cost of demolishing the bad buildings: It has
some money, about $4,000, in a demolition fund it started last year. But
tearing down buildings costs a lot more than that. Council will look into grants, but even government money won't be
enough. Council faces the prospect of either "slashing services or jacking
up taxes," Keerans warned. Greek, however, said council could borrow from its sewer fund, but
would have to pay back the money. Further, he said, the borough must own a
property before it can demolish it. Money has to be there before the
borough buys a building, because it would be liable if anyone is hurt as a
result of the building's condition. | |
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Coaldale Complex to undergo extensive
inspection Reported on Wednesday, July 14, 2010 By CHRIS PARKER [email protected] The former Coaldale High School, now known as the Coaldale Complex,
will undergo a thorough top-to-bottom, inside-and-out inspection by
borough engineers Alfred Benesch & Associates at a cost of
$3,800. Council on Tuesday approved the expenditure; a date for the inspection
has yet to be decided upon. Councilman Tom Keeran cast the sole opposing vote; Councilman Joe Hnat
abstained. The massive light brick complex, at Sixth and W. Phillips streets, has
been the source of much contention at council meetings. Councilman Andrew
Girard in June asked council to have it inspected. His request followed a
lengthy debate about the building's safety. Council expects the inspection to help it determine whether it should
take over operations of the building from the Coaldale Complex Commission,
which several council members have suggested has become lax in its duties,
or sell or even demolish the building. The study, said Mayor Richard Corkery, will help the borough "find out
if we have a building that might have to be closed." Councilwoman Nancy Lorchak wondered where the borough would get the
money to repair the building. Corkery and Councilman David Yelito, who lives across the street from
the complex, say the building is in dangerously bad shape. Hnat said he
believes the building is structurally sound. The building and the 1.61 acres of land it sits on has a fair market
value of $369,270 and an assessed value of $184,635, according to
Schuylkill County property tax records. The borough acquired the building,
built in 1922, from the Coaldale School Board in 1974, according to the
records. The school board closed the building in 1964 when the Panther Valley
School District formed; it now houses a Carbon County Head Start program,
which is remodeling its ground floor space in anticipation of an Early
head Start program that will serve an additional eight
children. Corkery and Yelito said the second and third floors and the exterior,
are in deteriorated condition. Corkery said one exterior wall is bulging
outward, and that program director Bernetta Frantz had closed a playground
on that side of the building for safety reasons. Frantz, who attended the meeting with another Head Start employee, did
not respond. The complex has been the source of much debate. On June 7, Rick Harmon
of Barry Isett & Associates inspected the old school to see if it met
building codes as part of Head Start's renovations. Corkery and Yelito
asked Harmon to point out what they believe are hazardous areas of
deterioration. Harmon sent a letter to council that week, listing several
areas that he believes need to be addressed. Solicitor Michael Greek said
at the June 14 council meeting that Benesch would inspect the building for
structural defects; Harmon's inspection was to see if it met maintenance
code requirements. In other matters Tuesday, council, at Police Chief Tim Delaney's
request, named police officer Todd Weiss the department's criminal
investigator. It also authorized a cable franchise agreement with Blue
Ridge Cable Technologies, Inc. Under the agreement, Blue Ridge Cable will
construct, install, maintain, extend and operate a cable system in the
borough. Council also voted to move a sign at the complex playground advising
dog owners to clean up after their pets on Phillips Street, where people
apparently need to be reminded to do that. No dogs are allowed on the playground; a new sign will be installed
there to that effect. Council also discussed the wave of vandalism that has hit the borough
recently, particularly at the complex park. The lights in the park may be
kept on later to combat the problem. | |
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Coaldale Alumni meeting There will be a meeting of Coaldale alumni at 1 p.m. Thursday, July 15,
at the usual meeting place on Ruddle Street. | |
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Celebrating coal region
history Reported on Saturday, July 10, 2010 Andrew Leibenguth/times news One of the event's focal points of
Sunday's Coal Miner's Heritage Festival will be an antique 1948 green
"White Palm" coal delivery truck, with less than 40,000 miles, owned by
Keller Coal and Oil Company of Northampton. Pictured are truck and Keller
Coal co-owners Steve Keller and Frank Keller Jr. Not pictured are
co-owners Ed Keller and Kathy Bartholomew. Coal Miners Heritage Fest
Sunday at No. 9 Coal Mine and Museum The third annual Coal Miner's Heritage Festival, a celebration of coal
region history, culture, is set for tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., on
the grounds of the No. 9 Coal Mine and Museum in Lansford. The event has drawn about 5,000 visitors each year and is presented by
the No. 9 Coal Mine and Museum. Admission to the festival is
free. Underground tours of the No. 9 Coal Mine, which last about 45 minutes,
will be available throughout the day. Visitors will ride into the mine in
the safety of mine cars that are pulled by an original mine motor or
engine. The nearby No. 9 Coal Mining Museum, housed in the original 1920s era
miner's wash shanty, houses one of the largest and finest collections of
anthracite coal mining artifacts, tools, photographs and memorabilia
anywhere in the coal fields. Admission is charged for the coal mine and
museum tour. The first 200 visitors to purchase tickets for any of the first five
scheduled mine tours that morning will receive half price admission
sponsored by the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor. The
D&L Corridor, a proud supporter of No. 9 Coal Mine and Museum, will
also have a display booth and literature available at the
festival. Many unique attractions and exhibits are featured at the festival. In
keeping with the theme, the coal miner's competition and demonstrations
will be educational as well as fun. The public is invited to participate in the coal shoveling competition
where competitors shovel a half ton of coal in the shortest time. In past
years, this had been a very competitive event drawing numerous
competitors. Unique trophies will be awarded to the winners. Other miner's demonstrations include mine timbering, debarking, coal
cracking, and blacksmithing. Visitors always enjoy posing for photos by historic mine lokie No. 51,
once owned and operated by Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company in the
Panther Creek Valley. The lokie has been cosmetically restored by
volunteers at No. 9 and is proudly displayed on the grounds outside the
museum. Exhibitors and vendors will fill the grounds surrounding the museum,
offering a large variety of homemade and traditional crafts and sale
items, coal region T-shirts and souvenirs, coal region artwork, local
history books signed by authors, hand crafted jewelry, reproductions of
coal region maps and photographs, photo restoration and reprints,
reproduction vintage signs, cast iron toys, stained glass creations, wood
crafts, rocks, minerals and fossils, wooden whirligigs, coal souvenirs,
music on CDs and tapes and more. Local artist Renee Novak will feature a life-size paint on canvas
titled 'Anthrasight' which will be displayed on the side of the loading
platform near the mine entrance. Joseph Evanousky will display his original works and prints done in
charcoal, pen and ink, and Tom Williams and Joe Matukonis will display and
sell their photography. The private exhibits feature coal region ethnic and cultural
memorabilia, local history memorabilia from the Lansford area, a display
of antique coal company signs from the region, a large collection of
antique beer trays advertising small town breweries in eastern Pa., WWI
Coal advertising posters, coal mining and railroad artifacts and station
signs from well-known coal towns in the region. There will also be Molly Maguire memorabilia, and an exhibit on 19th
century funeral practices in the region, a beautifully restored 1930s
antique coal delivery truck from Heller Brothers on Northampton, a 1929
huckster truck, a 1933 Plymouth replica Coal and Iron Police car, a 1949
Chevrolet pickup truck selling bagged coal, Mine Safety and Rescue
displays, a restored vintage mine train, an antique moonshine still,
antique cloths washing devices, and an antique miners bathtub
display. The Victorian Hi-wheelers will ride their vintage bicycles and perform
during the day. A variety of music typically found in the coal region will be featured
throughout the day including a live broadcast of the WMGH Polka Joe
Manjack show from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Visitors will be able to dance to the
polka music in the parking lot if they would like. Also featured will be the ever popular 'Breaker Boys' singing and
performing coal region folk songs during the day, old time fiddle music
will be provided by Paul Riffon from 1 to 5 p.m., and DJ Shawn will be
playing the best of mining, railroad, bluegrass and polka music all
day. An old time air powered calliope mounted on a truck will play unique
music from the 20s and 30s from 11 to 2 p.m. Reenactors from the Eckley Players will stroll the grounds in their
authentic 'patch town' outfits, performing skits, telling stories, and
sharing tales throughout the day. A visit by famed early 20th century labor organizer "Mother Jones" is
also planned. A wide array of homemade, coal region, ethnic foods and festival
favorites will be featured for sale including halushki, pierogies, potato
pancakes, open pit chicken BBQ, a pig roast, turkey fingers, fried
vegetables, sweet potato fries, french fries, funnel cake, hot dogs,
cheeseburgers, fresh lemonade, sno-cones, homemade fudge and chocolates,
fresh strawberry shortcake, waffles and ice cream, soft pretzels and
more. A variety of children's entertainment will be offered including the
popular old time coal sack races with prizes for the winners. Buster the
Clown will be making balloon animals for the children. Other offerings
include a golf game, balloon pop game, EGW Wrestling games, face painting,
creating sand art, and a moon bounce. Numerous organizations and agencies from throughout the coal region
have already signed up to participate in this unique coal region
celebration with exhibits and informational booths. Among them are the
Carpatho-Rusyn Society, DEP Mine Safety and Rescue Unit, Holmes Mine
Safety Assn., Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway, Delaware and Lehigh National
Heritage Corridor, the National Canal Museum, Eckley Miners Village,
Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railroad, Schuylkill County Visitors Bureau, Mauch
Chunk Lake Park, Lansford Rotary, Lansford Historical Society, Lansford
Alive, Summit Hill Community Organization. Underground Miners Association
and the Old Forge Coal Mine Project. The Miller-Keystone Blood Mobile will also be on hand allowing visitors
to donate much needed blood while they visit the festival. The public is
encouraged to help out during this important time. The Coal Miners Heritage Festival is sponsored in part by a grant from
the Carbon County Commissioners through the County Room Tax
Fund. To register as a participant, contact Dale Freudenberger, event
coordinator, at [email protected] or by phone at (610)
377-4063. | |
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AARP driver safety course scheduled for
Coaldale Reported on Thursday, July 1, 2010 An AARP driver safety course will be presented at the St. Luke's Miners
Memorial Center, 360 W. Ruddle St., Coaldale, July 17 from 9 a.m. to 5
p.m. This class is the eight hour class and is designed for those attending for the first time or those desiring a more in-depth
presentation. The class is designed for drivers 50 years old and older and is
classroom instruction only. Drivers completing the AARP driver safety course receive a certificate
which entitles them to a rate reduction on auto insurance. Persons
interested in taking the course should check with their auto insurance
company as to the discount percentage. The certificate is valid for three
years from date of course completion. Persons interested in taking the course should contact the hospital at
877-610-6161. Class size is limited. Class materials cost $12 for AARP
members and $14 for non-members and is payable by check to AARP at the
start of class. Enrollment is open to the public and AARP membership is
not required. | |
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Man given jail term for Lansford
incident Reported on Wednesday, June 30, 2010 By DEN MCLAUGHLIN [email protected] A former Coaldale resident was sentenced to a Carbon County prison term
on Tuesday after pleading guilty to charges stemming from an incident in
Lansford. He was one of several defendants in pending criminal cases to
enter a guilty plea before Senior Judge Richard W. Webb. James Scott Nahf, 44, pleaded guilty to one count each of persistent
disorderly conduct, criminal mischief and a summary offense of public
drunkenness. Nahf was arrested on April 6 when Lansford police was called to the
rear parking lot of the Bank of America building, off SR209 (Patterson
Street) to a man lying in the lot. Upon arrival officers found Nahf, who was highly intoxicated. Upon
awakening Nahf he became unruly and disorderly yelling louder and using
obscene language, police said. He had to be subdued by officers and then
placed in a police cruiser. He then damaged a window on the
cruiser. Webb noted that Nahf has a long list of prion arrests including six
convictions for drunk driving. Webb added, "Obviously you have a serious
alcohol problem." Webb sentenced him to serve six to 12 months in jail on the mischief
and disorderly counts, with the terms running concurrently. On the
drunkenness charge he was fined $100 and costs. Webb also ordered Nahf to get a drug and alcohol (D&A) evaluation
and follow any recommendation for treatment, imposed zero tolerance on
D&A use and make restitutiion of $1,274.65 to the borough for damages
to the cruiser. However, Nahf has challenged that figure and Webb said he
would conduct a hearing on the restitution figure at a later
date. Nahf was given credit for 85 days spent in jail to date on the
charges. | |
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Coaldale mom and daughter both on the
dean's list Reported on Wednesday, June 30, 2010 By CHRIS PARKER [email protected]
But Barbara Kohler of Coaldale and her daughter Briane Shane share
something else: Both are college students, and both recently made the
Dean's list at their respective schools. Kohler, 44, is studying accounting and human resources management at
LCCC. Briane, 21, is studying interior design with a minor in art history
at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Kohler, who just completed her freshman year, earned a 3.75 cumulative
Grade Point Average, earning a spot on the Dean's list in both the fall
2009 and the spring semesters; Shane, who has made the Dean's list four
times, earned a 3.42 cumulative GPA for the academic year. "This spring, we both made the Dean's list together," Kohler
said. Shane is participating in IUP's Ronald E. McNair Scholar's Program, a
federal program named after the late Dr. Ronald E. McNair, an African
American physicist and NASA astronaut who died in the 1986 Challenger
explosion. The program supports students who have demonstrated a strong
academic potential to on to graduate school and who are from disadvantaged
backgrounds. Shane intends to pursue a Master's degree and, eventually, a doctoral
degree. For her mother, the goals are much more immediate:
employment. Kohler, a single mother, moved with Shane from their Upper Dauphin
County home in Sept. 2007 to be closer to her bookkeeping/office manager
job in Saint Clair. As her employer shed workers, Kohler found herself
doing the work of more than three people. She said she had gotten a
business grant for the company that allowed it to expand and negotiated a
health-care package that saved her employer $20,000 over two
years. "Five months after I moved, he let me go," she said. "I had been with
him since Sept. 2005." With three weeks of unemployment left, her savings gone, and with a
mortgage and a car payment to scrape up each month, Kohler is under the
gun. "I got out there and looked for work," she said. She was hired by Mahoning Valley Country Club, but the business was
undergoing woes of its own, and, after working 10 weeks without pay, she
said, Kohler was again out of a job. She had read about LCCC's Employment Retraining Opportunity program,
which is designed to get workers back into jobs by offering free tuition.
She still had to buy books, however. She visited the CareerLink office in Pottsville to apply, and started
at the college last fall. "As long as I'm not getting hired, as long as I'm not finding work out
there, I may as well go back to school and get my degree since a lot of
businesses are looking for a degreed person to do their bookkeeping and
office administration/human resources," she said. Kohler anticipates graduating with dual Associate's degrees in 2012.
She's taking her courses online so she can look for work and be available
if a job becomes available. "If it's possible down the road, after that, I will go for my
bachelor's degree," she said. | |
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Coaldale news Reported on Wednesday, June 16, 2010 Flag committee forming Coaldale is forming a flag committee to take responsibility for the
borough's American flag displays. A meeting for anyone interested in joining is scheduled for 7 p.m.,
June 21 at the American Legion Post 170. The meeting is open to all Coaldale-based nonprofit
organizations. Officers will be elected, and the group plans to discuss fundraising
and how the town will display its flags for veterans' and summer
holidays. Refreshments will be served. C.H.O.S.E. hosts movie night The C.H.O.S.E. Recreation Organization of Coaldale will be having its
first summer event at 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 18. Rain date will be
Saturday, June 19 at 7:30 p.m. There will be a movie for all children up to 13 years of age. Prior to
the movie there will be fun games, treats, and special prizes. for each
child. C.H.O.S.E. invites all children to join the organization for a fun
evening. | |
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'Our way of giving back' Reported on Saturday, June 12, 2010 Shoot for a Dream event raises over $21K for Dream Come True By GAIL MAHOLICK [email protected]
The shooters spent most of the morning and early afternoon shooting at
little discs of clay to raise $21,120 for Dream Come True, Blue Ridge
Chapter. The high overall shooter was Jason Steigerwalt of Coaldale, who won a
shotgun for his marksmanship. The event was coordinated by Dr. Ed Miller and Larry Richards, of ARRIS
Global Communications. Dr. Miller has a practice in internal medicine at Franklin Medical
Center, Franklin Township. More than four years ago at a B-Cap shoot, Richards and Miller decided
to start the fundraiser to help these children. "It is our way of giving back" said Miller. "Of course none of this
would be possible if it was not for friends like you." Team taking first place for the fourth year was Dr. Miller, Daniel
Miller, Allen Minnic, Glenn Freed and Carl Forester. Finishing second was the Service Electric Cable TV team of Damian Joy,
Mikela Buda, Charles Wayno, Jackie Capparel and Jack Capparel. Placing third was the ARRIS Global Communications team of Larry
Richards, Zoran Maricevie, Tim Stone, Angelo Tolerico and Scott
Pincombe. The event wasn't all about shooting. It was a great place for
nonshooting participants and wives to meet new people and have fun. The
nonshooting members enjoyed a cooking demonstration by Chef Lou Giovanni.
Entertainment during dinner was provided by the Dream Come True
Chorale. Special guests at the event were Sean Miller of Bowmanstown, who was a
recipient of a dream trip to Florida attractions by Dream Come True; and
Laura Vino, who donated part of her liver for her niece, Kendra, who was
also at the event. Sponsors of the event were the Gans family, who own Whitetail Preserve,
along with HATS Outdoor Sportsman Support Group. Whitetail Preserve was established in 1988 by six hunting enthusiasts
after they returned from a South Dakota pheasant hunt to recreate the
experience they had there by developing a continental style pheasant hunt.
The preserve offers field hunts, sporting clays and trap and skeet
shooting. Whitetail Resort is located outside of Hazleton, in the Conyngham
Valley. It also supports and works with children of special
needs. Children who are recipients of dreams from Dream Come True are between
the ages of 4 and 17. Dreams may include a trip, meeting a celebrity, a
special gift such as a computer, a shopping spree or bedroom. Dream Come True is a local all volunteer organization which fulfills
dreams of children who are seriously, chronically or terminally ill and
reside in the greater Lehigh Valley area. See the Web site at
www.dreamcometrue-brc.org. "It was a successful shoot this year with more participants than ever,"
said Dr. Miller. "It's great to see everyone get involved to make Dreams
come true for the children with terminal or depilating illnesses. Everyone
had a great time renewing old friendships and the wonderful feeling that
comes with the knowledge that they were helping to make dreams come
| |
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Graduates from U.S. Naval Academy Reported on Friday, June 11, 2010
Ens. Zebian successfully completed four years of intensive academic,
physical, and professional training, resulting in a bachelor of science
degree with a major in political science. As a graduate of the Naval Academy, Zebian completed a four-year, total
immersion program where a strong, balanced academic program, focused on
the educational needs of the Navy and Marine Corps, is superimposed on a
strict, professional military training environment emphasizing the
development of leadership skills. Following graduation, Zebian has been assigned to Everett, Washington
where he will begin service aboard the guided-missile frigate, USS Ford
(FFG-54). Zebian also received the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal,
the Midshipman Action Group Founder Award, the Commander Frank J. Graziano
Memorial Award for the midshipman most proficient in navigation, and was
inducted into Pi Sigma Alpha, the National Political Science Honor
Society. Considered one of the top educational institutions in the country, the
U.S. Naval Academy was founded in 1845 and has graduated more than 60,000
men and women as Naval and Marine Corps officers. Its graduates include
4,000 admirals and generals, one president, 200 members of Congress, three
governors, 73 Medal of Honor winners, one Nobel Prize winner, and 40
astronauts. The Naval Academy currently has more than 4,000 students who comprise
the Brigade of Midshipmen and who come from every state in the
union. Zebian is the grandson of Mrs. Theresa Zebian of Coaldale and Mrs. Rita
Sweeney of Allentown. | |
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Old high school to be inspected
Reported on Wednesday, June 9, 2010 By CHRIS PARKER [email protected] Coaldale Borough Council on Tuesday agreed to have its engineer inspect
the old Coaldale High School to determine whether it is structurally
sound. Borough secretary Louise Lill will contact engineer Jennifer M.
Kowalonek of Alfred Benesch & Company, the borough's engineering firm,
to start the process and determine how much the inspection will
cost. The action, prompted by a motion by Councilman Andrew Girard, followed
a lengthy discussion about the massive 1923 building at Sixth and W.
Phillip streets. Known as the Coaldale Complex, the building, which was closed as a high
school in 1964, now houses the Carbon County Head Start
program. The program is remodeling its ground floor quarters in preparation for
a new Early Head Start program that will serve an additional eight
children. Council has been concerned about the state of the building for a long
time. Although the section that houses Head Start is well-maintained, the
second floor and exterior have deteriorated. On Monday, Rick Harmon of Barry Isett & Associates inspected the
old school to see if it met building codes as part of Head Start's
renovations. Councilman David Yelito, who lives near the building, and Mayor Richard
Corkery said they approached Harmon to point out what they believe are
dangerous aspects of deterioration. Harmon on Monday wrote to the borough listing several structural issues
that need to be addressed. Solicitor Michael Greek said Benesch will inspect the building for
structural defects; Harmon's inspection was to see if it met maintenance
code requirements. Councilman Steve Tentylo, who represents the Coaldale Complex
Committee, called Corkery's remarks - Corkery says the building is
dangerous - "alarmist." The results of the inspection may help council determine whether the
borough should take over operations of the building from the Coaldale
Complex Commission, which several council members say has become lax in
its duties, or sell the building. In other matters Tuesday, council authorized Greek to take legal action
to recover any borough documents or materials in the possession of its
former engineer, Edward Gaydos. Greek said Gaydos had not responded to
letters or telephone messages. Council also wants Code Enforcement Officer Mark Richards to attend
meetings to establish better communication. Several people, including
borough officials, have complained Richards is hard to reach. Council also learned that police Sgt. Keith Krapf may return to work
soon, and agreed to ask its Workers' Compensation carrier to get in touch
with Krapf's doctors. Krapf suffered fractured ribs and an injured shoulder when he was
assaulted by a borough man, Ian Patrick McGregor, 25, of 110 E. High St.
The assault allegedly happened after Krapf stopped McGregor's car after a
near-head-on collision with Krapf's police cruiser. Another borough
officer, Charles Andrew Blesse, arrived as Krapf stopped McGregor's
car. McGregor has since been released on bail. Also on Tuesday, council approved a $4,880 project to replace windows
in the borough hall basement. The work will be done by Radocha Excavating
for $2,500 and by K&M Builders for $2,380. Both companies are located
in Coaldale. In other matters, council agreed to hire two part-time police officers,
Todd Woodward and John Pruitte, on an as-needed basis, and to hire a
part-time assistant, Rebecca Mantz, for Lill. Council also granted a special parking permit for Marie Griffiths of
Hair Mechanics. The permit would restrict one parking space in front of
Griffith's business to customers only between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday
through Friday. Griffiths paid $125 for the needed
sign. | |
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Oven fire in Coaldale Reported on Friday, June 4, 2010
Coaldale firefighters were called to a possible structure fire at 300
Ridge Terrace in Coaldale a little after 6 p.m. Thursday. The residents of
the home luckily managed to extinguish the flames with baking soda just
before firefighters arrived. The quickly extinguished fire was the result
of an oven grease fire. Firefighters placed smoke exhaust fans at the
home's entrance. No major damage was done to the home or kitchen. Besides
a minor burn to the arm of one of the tenants, no other injuries were
reported. Coaldale Fire Company and Coaldale volunteer Fire Police
responded. | |
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Renaissance Faire this weekend at No. 9
Mine Reported on Friday, June 4, 2010 An exciting new event will make its debut this weekend on the grounds
of the No. 9 Coal Mine and Museum in Lansford. Reenactors from the
Markland Medieval Mercenary Militia will converge on the grounds
surrounding the No. 9 Coal Mine and Museum for a weekend long encampment
and Renaissance Faire. Some reenactors have begun arriving beginning
Thursday, with others expected to arrive this evening to set up their
Renaissance Period camps for the weekend. The Renaissance Period began in the 14th century in Europe, and lasted
through the 16th century. It was commonly referred to as "The Thinking
Man's Era". It was a time when great minds like Galileo, Da Vinci and
Michelangelo greatly influenced the world. During this period, the world
experienced its greatest growth in the sciences, art and religion. Humans
developed a new sense of self awareness. Some of the world's greatest
writers, artists and architects also lived during this period. Admission to the Renaissance Faire and encampment is free, but visitors
may also choose to ride the train underground to tour the fascinating No.
9 Coal Mine beneath the town of Lansford. A jam packed Mining Museum and
gift shop are located just outside of the coal mine. The main day for
visitors to the Renaissance Faire will be Saturday according to event
organizers. Saturday's free events include the great battle at noon which will
include sword fights, and the firing of canons. Strolling the grounds,
visitors will see the blacksmith at work making chainmail, the leather
crafter, the swordsmith making swords, and the fire juggler. There will
also be an art show. At 3 p.m., a real Renaissance Period wedding will take place on the
grounds. This will be the first couple ever married on the grounds on No.
9 Mine and Museum and something they will be sure to remember for the rest
of their lives! At 4 p.m. will be the reception for the wedding
participants. Celebrants will feast on a Turkey dinner and dance to the
music of 'Sticky Frog' beginning at 5 p.m. At 6 o'clock, there will be a
fire show demonstrations on the grounds. The event ends for the day at 7
p.m. The encampment will be there through part of the day on Sunday as
well. A variety of great festival foods will be available for sale to the
public such as birch beer, sarsaparilla or root beer served in an old time
tin mug, roast pork and chicken platters, hot dogs, French fries, funnel
cake, waffles and ice cream, sandwiches, fried pickles, fried oreo cookies
and more! For more information, contact the no. 9 Mine and Museum at
570-645-7074. | |
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LC&N sold at auction Reported on Friday, June 4, 2010 By RON GOWER [email protected] Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company, which owns about 8,000 acres
spanning Tamaqua to Jim Thorpe, has been sold at an auction. The buyer is reportedly the Toll Brothers, who own The Bruce and Robbi
Toll Foundation, one of the firms which forced LC&N into
bankruptcy. LC&N came close to foreclosure last year when it was provided with
a $3.5 million loan from BET Associates IV LLC last summer to continue
operating while in bankruptcy. According to several sources, LC&N has been purchased by Toll
Brothers, who are affiliated with BET Associates, during an auction held
May 24 at the Dilworth Law Office in Philadelphia. BET Associates, Toll Brothers, and Dilworth Law Office spokespeople
could not be reached for comment this morning on the sale. The sale of LC&N occurred on the same date that the Pa. Department
of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced that it had suspended all
mining activities of LC&N in Carbon and Schuylkill
Counties. Nobody was available from DEP this morning to comment on the sale. The
Pottsville office of DEP referred calls to Harrisburg, which referred
calls to Wilkes-Barre office, where it was reported the public information
officer is on vacation this week. On May 24, DEP said, "The current Lehigh Coal and Navigation management
has shown a persistent unwillingness and inability to mine in accordance
with state and federal law or address the reclamation and water treatment
needs of this mine site." A spokesperson for LC&N, who asked not to be identified, has
confirmed the sale to Toll Brothers, which has several
subsidiaries. In an involuntary bankruptcy petition filed on July 15, 2008 against
LC&N, three creditors Primerock Capital of Pittsburgh, Bruce and Robbi
Toll Foundation of Horsham, Montgomery County, and Douglas Tompkis of New
York City listed claims of $7.43 million. BET initially filed the
foreclosure suit on behalf of the creditors. In August 2009, BET loaned LC&N $3.5 million so it could continue
operating in the hope it could stabilize and eventually pay its
bills. LC&N said Toll Brothers is based in New York and is affiliated with
BET Associates. It is not known if Toll Brothers will have to secure a new mining
permit to operate the LC&N site, if the permit must be transferred
from LC&N to Toll Brothers, or if the company has other plans for the
site. LC&N has a history which goes back to the formation of the Lehigh
Coal Mining Company in 1792 and the Lehigh Navigation Company in 1798. The
Lehigh Navigation Company was formed for canal building. The companies
merged in the 1820s. In 1919, LC&N was the sixth largest producer of anthracite coal,
selling more than 4.7 million tons. That year, the firm had 7,121
miners. Earlier this year, James J. Curran, owner of LC&N, said the firm
had 110 employees. Most are currently laid off because of DEP's directive at shutting down
mining and sales operations. | |
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Coaldale news from the past
June 2, 1952 A pretty 18-year-old Schuylkill County girl reigned today as queen of
the Pennsylvania Lions Club 29th annual state convention in Pittsburgh.
Melorose Hoffman, a senior at Coaldale High School, will be crowned at
coronation ceremonies tonight. As state queen, she will journey to Mexico
City on June 18 to attend the group's international convention. There she
will vie for the Lions' International queen title. Times News, Lehighton, PA, Wednesday, 02 June 2010 | |
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Old soldiers stand tall during Sunday
services Reported on Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Common themes stitched together both services, one at the Seek memorial
and the other at the Veteran's Memorial Garden, next to borough hall on
Third Street. Speakers urged those attending to weave the threads of love
of country, gratitude for the sacrifices made by those in the military and
their families, and the need to keep alive the memory of their valor, into
a legacy to be handed down, like a well-loved quilt, to future
generations. "Our ranks are getting smaller," said U.S. Air Force veteran Nick
Paraschak as he prepared to read the names of the fallen. The ceremonies this year honored Vietnam veteran Leonard Zellner.
Zellner, who died in December, served two combat tours in Southeast Asia,
was wounded and was awarded the prestigious Combat Infantryman Badge, two
Purple Hearts, the Vietnam Service Medal with clasp for Valor, the Vietnam
Campaign Medal, among other combat decorations. The ceremonies brought generations together. Bryce Krapf, 7, and Vaughn
Flyzik, 8, did their part by handing out programs. The Panther Valley
School District JROTC and high school band lent their presence, as were
members of the Coaldale UVO, which organized the services. Speakers included U.S. Air Force veteran William Gaddes, Mayor Richard
Corkery, Cassandra Hoben, Stephany Mills, and PVJROTC cadet Stephanie
Stoffa. Cadet Gabrielle Booker sang the national anthem. The Rev. Daniel
Matthewson of Saint Mary's Orthodox Church offered prayers. Keynote speakers, the Rev. William H. Edwards and U.S. Army Major
(Ret.) Kenneth Markovich, encouraged the audience to pass down the need to
honor veterans to future generations. Markovich quoted Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.'s 1884 memorial Day
address. "But even if I am wrong, even if those who come after us are to forget
all that we hold dear, and the future is to reach and kindle its children
in ways as yet unrevealed, it is enough for us that this day is dear and
sacred."
"Go out and tell our story, to your daughters and your sons. Make them
hear you. Make them hear you. Proclaim it from your pulpit. In your
classroom with your pen," she sang. Markovich, who also leads the Panther Valley School District's JROTC
program, is aware of the need to drive home the message. He recalled asking his freshman class what Memorial Day meant to them.
"I was shocked to see some write that it meant a day off from school, or
it meant nothing at all," he said. "They had no idea. I asked myself, how
does a freshman not know what Memorial Day is about. That's when I knew we
were failing to follow the simple instructions left for us." But Markovich was heartened when, as his cadets placed flags on
veterans' graves in Summit Hill last week, "Cadet Lazur Zenon, without
instruction, after placing a flag would stand at attention and render a
sharp hand salute before moving to the next. That's respect and honor," he
said. Markovich asked veterans to "hand down your stories, get the shoebox of
pictures from the attic to give to your children and grandchildren. Let
them gather them, copy them, record them and post them in our digital
world ... Take up this quest so that we may learn and never
forget." For many, including the speakers, the sacrifices hit close to
home. Edwards, a Vietnam veteran, recited a song "The Wall" about the 58,000
names inscribed on the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, DC. "On panel 18, line 29, is the name of my classmate, teammate and
friend, Norman Nesterak," Edwards said. "On panel 24 are three members of
my platoon." Edwards also spoke of the sacrifices made, and the legacy left, by the
women who volunteered to enlist as nurses. Their names, too, are on The
Wall. He recited a poem he wrote in their honor, "Why Is Grandma Crying?" The
poem inspired a song, "She Still Cries," about a Vietnam nurse grieving
for the soldiers she couldn't save. The poem tells of the nurse's first visit with her family to the
Vietnam Women's Memorial. Her grandchild asks, "Why is Grandma crying?"
and is told of her service. "Now she holds the memories, of all the pain and death. Frightened boys
whose hands she held, as they took their final breath. And, of course,
there are the times, when grandma cannot sleep. Visions of some hopeless
sight, aren't buried very deep. But most of all, Grandma grieves, for the
boys she couldn't save. And a mother on Veteran's day, as she weeps at her
son's grave," the lyrics say. Edwards also sang "She Still Cries," bringing tears to the eyes of many
in the audience. The services marked the 65th anniversaries of the end of World War II
and of the battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa and the 35th anniversary of the
end of the Vietnam War. | |
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Coaldale man stabbed Reported on Friday, May 28, 2010 Click above for more photos. A young man is fighting for his life after being stabbed in a home just
a short distance from the Coaldale police station.
Neighbors said the ambulance, accompanied by two police cars, raced
down High street while en route to the hospital. Hospital staff at St. Luke's, Fountain Hill, said they had no record of
the patient as of early Friday. The stabbing reportedly occurred in a home located at 101 E. High St.,
at the intersection of Third and East High streets. Coaldale police were
assisted by Lansford and Tamaqua police. Area residents reported the man to be 21 years old and had a girlfriend
who was being interviewed by police. There were also reports of two men
running from the scene just after the incident. According to Schuylkill County property records, the house at 101 E.
High St. is owned by Michele L. and Daniel Romig. The records list the
deed transfer for the house as May 12. Police Chief Tim Delaney, reached early Friday, said he was on vacation
and that Officer Todd Weiss is handling the case. Efforts to reach Weiss
were unsuccessful. | |
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Two Memorial services planned in
Coaldale Reported on Thursday, May 27, 2010 Coaldale Borough will commemorate its fallen soldiers with ceremonies
at 1 p.m. Sunday in the Seek section of town and at 2:30 p.m. at the
Veterans Memorial Garden next to borough hall on Third Street.
Sponsored by the Coaldale United Veterans Organizations, the program
will feature opening remarks by Bill Gaddes, USAF Korea. The invocation
will be offered by the Rev. Daniel Matthewson of St. Mary's Orthodox
Church, Coaldale. Panther Valley High School student Virginia Rivera will speak on "Our
World War II Heritage," and Lincoln's Gettysburg Address will be recited
by Cassandra Hoben, a 7th grade student at Our Lady of the Angels
Academy. Mayor Richard Corkery will offer remarks, and the Panther Valley High
School band, under the direction of Mark Christ, will perform patriotic
selections. Panther Valley High School student Stephany Mills will recite "In
Flanders Field," and Brittany Erbe will sing a patriotic song. Ken Markovich, Major U.S. Army, Ret., and Edwards will offer the
keynote speeches; Markovich at Seek and Edwards at the Memorial
Garden. Edwards graduated from Coaldale High School in 1963. He received
theological training at Philadelphia College of Bible (now Philadelphia
Biblical University) and spent 30 years in Christian ministry. He received
clinical training in sports medicine, post rehab, massage therapy, and
sports training specialties from Penn State University, Essex College,
University of Pittsburgh, Mt. Nittany Institute of Natural Health, and the
American Academy of Health and Fitness Professionals. Edwards is a former
teacher, head football coach and Director of Admissions at Riverdale
Baptist School in Largo, Maryland, where he won an outstanding teacher
award from St. Mary's College. He is the founder of the Bedford County
Youth Achievement Association and the Summit Quest All-Star Classic. A
former Army paratrooper and decorated Vietnam veteran, Edwards served as a
long range recon team leader attached to the 101st. Airborne Division. He
currently serves as strength/conditioning coach and athletic trainer for
Penn State DuBois. Edwards lives with his wife, Pixie, and 5-year old
daughter Mia, and continues to consult on issues of sports training and
nutrition.
He graduated from Kutztown University in 1991 with a degree in
telecommunications. While at the college, Markovich participated in its
senior ROTC program and was commissioned as a second
lieutenant. he is a graduate of Infantry basic training, Armor Officer Basic
school, Infantry Mortar Leader Course, Infantry Captains Career Course and
Scout Platoon Leader Course and has the Airborne qualification
badge. Markovich's jobs included infantry and mortar platoon leaders, tank
company commander, Battalion S-3 and Brigade Assistant S-3. he finished
his career as the 55th brigade Public affairs officer. In 2002, he was deployed to Germany for Operation Enduring Freedom.
Major Markovich lives in the Pottsville area with his wife, Lisa, and
their children Angelo, 10, Madison, 4, Mackenzie, 2 and Cole,
1. The programs will be rounded out with Edwards singing a song he wrote
about military nurses, "She Still Cries." Nick Paraschak, USAF Ret., will read the roll of deceased veterans and
the Panther Valley JROTC unit will perform a rifle salute of the honored
dead. Robert Kistler of Bugles Across America will play Taps, and Rev.
Matthewson will offer the final blessing. Brochures for the program are being donated by John Yurchak; Mark
Blasko will provide the sound system. | |
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DEP suspends LC&N permit Reported on Tuesday, May 25, 2010 Company cited for failure to conduct reclamation, address water
quality By RON GOWER [email protected] Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company, at one time the mightiest
corporation in the region, was essentially put out of business Monday by
the Pa. Department of Environmental Protection. The firm, headquartered in Pottsville, owns more than 8,000 acres
sprawling from Tamaqua to Jim Thorpe. A release issued by the DEP yesterday said: "Persistent illegal mining practices, repeated water quality
violations, and an ongoing failure to reclaim mined lands, which is
required to protect the public from unsafe mining sites, have prompted the
Department of Environmental Protection to suspend Lehigh Coal and
Navigation's mining activities in Carbon and Schuylkill
Counties." The decision halts all mining activities and coal sales. DEP said prior to this, it has issued 24 compliance orders against
LC&N since 2008, resulting in civil penalties of more than $91,000,
along with five three-day permit suspensions. The company has been cited
twice this year for attempting to develop unpermitted and unbonded mine
pits in violation of state and federal law. The firm has been working to reorganize in federal bankruptcy court for
nearly two years, with claims in the millions of dollars filed in the
involuntary petition. Several firms have attempted to purchase LC&N, but were rejected by
the bankruptcy court. The latest rejection occurred Monday because of
complications involving state tax provisions. The suspension of LC&N operations isn't likely to harm the supply
of coal to dealers. Michael Radocha, owner of Peter J. Radocha & Sons Coal and Oil in
Coaldale, said at one time LC&N was the top supplier of anthracite
coal for local delivery, but not recently. "They were selling more raw coal than prepared coal," he
said. Raw coal is sold to breakers to be converted into prepared coal – such
as chestnut, pea, and other coal sizes. Radocha said there are several breakers in the area and they will get
their raw coal from other sources. "I don't think it will affect the supply of coal," he said. He added that it could affect other businesses, including a mini mart
that's at the main entrance to the LC&N mining site in
Coaldale. LC&N has been in disputes with local and county taxing authorities
over real estate taxes. Efforts made this morning to contact LC&N were unsuccessful. A
message left at the Pottsville corporate office was not returned. The
Panther Valley number listed on the firm's website has been
disconnected. Environmental Protection Secretary John Hanger said, "The current
Lehigh Coal and Navigation management has shown a persistent unwillingness
and inability to mine in accordance with state and federal law or address
the reclamation and water treatment needs of this mine site. The
department does not take this type of action lightly, but we cannot allow
LC&N to continue to ignore the law and leave the bill for cleanup of
this site to the taxpayers." Hanger added that the permit suspension will remain in effect until the
entire 8,000-acre site is brought into full compliance with conditions in
the mining permit. The DEP claims the site does not have a sufficient reclamation bond,
which is required to cover the cost of reclaiming a site if the mine
operator is unable or unwilling to complete reclamation. Also, says the DEP, a large mine discharge from abandoned underground
workings impacts water quality in the Little Schuylkill River. Earlier this year, LC&N faced a foreclosure for failing to repay
$5.5 million in mortgage debt – plus interest and other charges – to a
Montgomery County firm. At the time, LC&N owner James J. Curran remarked, "We're trying to
get some money to finance our way out of bankruptcy." LC&N at the time had 110 employees, Curran said. The history of LC&N goes back to the late 1700s, starting with the
Lehigh Coal Mining Company's formation in 1792, and the Lehigh Navigation
Company's, founding in 1798. The Lehigh Navigation Company was formed for
canal building. The companies merged in the 1820s. In 1919, LC&N was the sixth largest producer of anthracite coal,
selling more than 4.7 million tons. That year, the firm had 7,121 miners.
Employees at that time ranged in age from 12 to 75. DEP said it has attempted to work with the current owner to continue
mining while reclaiming the site and treating the discharge. However, the
company has repeatedly failed to meet its obligations or maintain
negotiated agreements. | |
|
Coaldale tax office to be closed Reported on Monday, May 24, 2010 The Coaldale Tax office will be closed May 25 through June
14. Please mail payments for taxes or sewer maintenance to P.O. Box 96,
Coaldale, PA 18218. Please send a self-addressed stamped envelope with
your payment iof a receipt is required. For inquiries, call (570) 645-7986 and leave a message with your name
and phone number. | |
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Well groomed lawn in Coaldale Reported on Monday, May 17, 2010
| |
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Coaldale seeks to resolve faulty alert siren
issue Reported on Wednesday, May 12, 2010 By CHRIS PARKER [email protected] Coaldale Borough came one step closer to resolving the dilemma of what
to do about it's 30-year old alert siren. Borough Fire Chief Richard Marek on Tuesday agreed to get together with
Councilman Andrew Girard, who is head of the Fire and Ambulance Committee,
to visit a New England Valley company, Martin's Electric, to see what they
could do to fix the siren. They plan to take the siren's schematics with
them so the experts at Martins can study it to see how it should be fixed.
The siren, installed in 1970s by the federal government as a civil defense
measure, was designed to emit a variety of alerts for different
emergencies. However, it has for some time apparently been stuck on a
shrill "attack" warning sound. Marek said he described the siren to Martin's, which said it was "state
of the art" for its time. Last month, council agreed to study how much it would cost to repair or
replace the siren. Several residents have complained about its piercing
noise. Council discussed the siren at a Feb. 23 council meeting after
Mayor Richard Corkery called it a nuisance and suggested it be
silenced. That triggered strong opposition from Marek, who said the siren is
needed to alert his firefighters to emergencies. Not all of them have
pagers, which cost about $500 each, he has said. In other matters Tuesday, council agreed to start an ambitious road
repair project by fixing a portion of Phillips Street. Also, council learned from grant writer Daniel Yelito that the borough
may qualify for a $300,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural
Development grant, to be used for buildings and/or equipment. The borough
would have to ante up a 25 percent match, however. Yelito suggested it do that by selling old equipment. The deadline to
apply is June 1; the grant would be awarded in September. Council agreed
the borough could use a new salt shed, a front-end loader, a roller and a
backhoe. Solicitor Michael S. Greek urged caution, reminding council that old
equipment doesn't sell for much and that the 25 percent match is not in
the borough's budget. In other grant news, C.H.O.S.E. officer Angela Krapf said she has
spoken with Jason Boris of the Eastern Schuylkill Recreation Commission
about a $20,000 grant to provide equipment for the playground near the
Coaldale Complex. The grant would require a $3,000 match. the grant
application can't be submitted until Jan. 2011, so Krapf is getting a good
head start. Also on Tuesday, council asks that anyone with interesting information
about the borough contact secretary Louise Lill to see about it being
posted on a website for the borough. Lill can be reached at
570-645-6310. People should also contact Lill about any malfunctioning street
lights. | |
|
Coaldale Republicans to hold dinner
rally Reported on Monday, May 10, 2010 The 26th Annual Spring Primary Dinner Rally of the Coaldale Republican
Party will be held Sunday, May 16, at Costello's Restaurant, 100 E. High
St., Coaldale. The buffet dinner and program will begin at 6
p.m. State Senator Dave Argall, candidate for the 17th Congressional
District, and State Representative Jerry Knowles, candidate for
re-election to the 124th Legislative District in the Pennsylvania House,
will be the guest speakers for the evening. Reservations for the dinner can be made by contacting Bob Ames, town
chairman, 645-3587. Coaldale voters are reminded the Middle and West wards have been
consolidated into one precinct, named the West Ward. The voting for the
new West Ward will take place at the Ambulance Building on Route 209
effective this Primary. The East Ward has not been changed with voters
still voting at the borough hall. | |
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Coaldale man awaits verdict in DUI
case Reported on Friday, May 7, 2010 By AL DIETZ [email protected] A non-jury trial before Judge D. Michael Stine was held on behalf of
Timothy Stephen Keer, 46, of 101 E. Phillip St., Coaldale, Thursday in the
Schuylkill County court. Keer was charged with driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol by
Patrolman Charles Blesse, Coaldale police, on Dec. 29, 2008. Patrolman
Blesse testified on that afternoon he had returned to the police station
on Third Street when he heard wheels squealing, tires spinning and then
saw a car pass him and slam on brakes and slide through the intersection
without stopping for a stop sign and then proceed on First
Street. Blesse testified he gave chase and stopped the vehicle. He approached
the car and identified the driver as Keer. Keer asked the officer why he
was bothering him. Blesse said further questioning the driver revealed he had a few beers
and a shot coming home from work. He said Keer failed the sobriety test
given on the scene and was taken to the police station for a breathlayzer
test. The reading was above the limit permitted under law. Keer did not take the stand but had two witnesses whom he worked with
that day state that Keer did no drinking on the job. However, a girlriend,
Melissa, testified she picked him up at work and they stopped at a liquor
store for wine and at a beer distributor but she claimed he had only one
sip of the wine. Stine announced he would hand down a decision at a later
date. | |
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Coaldale news Reported on Wednesday, May 5, 2010 Coaldale Community yard sale The Coaldale Borough will holds its community yard sale on Saturday,
May 15 from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Every borough resident is invited to participate free of charge.
Residents should put items for sale in their yards by 8 a.m. on Saturday,
May 15, and provide their own tables if necessary. Rain date will be Sunday, May 16. | |
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On this date Reported on Friday, April 30, 2010 April 30, 1973 Navy Lieutenant Michael J. Panchura Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Michael J.
Panchura Sr., Coaldale, participated in the massive flood relief
operations in the Medjierda River Valley in Tunis. He is a 1963 graduate
of Coaldale High School and a 1968 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy. As
a member of Antisubmarine Helicopter Training Squadron Three, Panchura
helped in rescuing Tunisians found clinging to trees, roofs, or high
ground in the stricken area. His squad also transported food, medical, and
other relief supplies. | |
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SPECIAL TO THE TIMES NEWS
The Coaldale Fire Department and Brush Fire Team responded to a brush
fire that started just after 4 p.m. Saturday in Coaldale. It was located
in a dense wooded area about one quarter of a mile behind the Coaldale Rod
and Gun Club. Officials stated the brush fire covered 200 square feet. Due
to the fire's dense wooded location, only off-road vehicles and special
fire apparatus could reach the fire. A witness said she saw kids in the
affected woods prior to the brush fire. The Coaldale Fire Police limited
traffic to the entrance area for duration. | |
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SCFCA announces formation of football coaches
hall of fame Reported on Tuesday, April 20, 2010 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY HAS ONE OF THE RICHEST HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
TRADITIONS IN THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA, AND THE SCHUYLKILL COUNTY
FOOTBALL COACHES ASSOCIATION HAS TAKEN ACTION TO HONOR THE MEN WHO HELPED
FORGE THAT HERITAGE BY ESTABLISHING THE SCHUYLKILL COUNTY FOOTBALL COACHES
ASSOCIATION HALL OF FAME. THIS YEAR'S INAUGURAL CLASS CONSISTS OF ONE INDUCTEE FROM EACH OF THE
ACTIVE SCHOOLS IN THE SCFCA: BLUE MOUNTAIN, JIM THORPE, MARIAN, MAHANOY
AREA, MINERSVILLE, NATIVITY, NORTH SCHUYLKILL, PANTHER VALLEY, PINE GROVE,
POTTSVILLE, SCHUYLKILL HAVEN, SHENANDOAH VALLEY, TAMAQUA, TRI-VALLEY AND
WILLIAMS VALLEY. SCHOOLS ARE FINALIZING THEIR HONOREES, WHICH WILL BE
ANNOUNCED LATER, AND INDUCTION CEREMONIES WILL TAKE PLACE DURING THE
HALFTIME OF THIS YEAR'S SCFCA ALL-STAR GAME, WHICH WILL BY HELD SATURDAY,
JUNE 12, 7 P.M., AT ROTARY FIELD, SCHUYLKILL HAVEN. FOR THE INAUGURAL CLASS, THE ASSOCIATION UNANIMOUSLY VOTED THAT EACH
SCHOOL BE PERMITTED TO HAVE AN INDUCTEE. EACH SCHOOL WAS PERMITTED TO USE
ITS OWN CRITERIA IN SELECTING INDUCTEES, BUT IN FUTURE YEARS HEAD COACHES
WILL VOTE ON A LIST OF CANDIDATES SUBMITTED BY A NOMINEE COMMITTEE THAT IS
NOW BEING FINALIZED. "SCHUYLKILL COUNTY HAS PRODUCED SOME OF THE FINEST COACHES IN THE
HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL," SCFCA PRESIDENT AND
POTTSVILLE COACH KEVIN KEATING SAID. "TWO YEARS AGO, WHEN OUR ASSOCIATION
HELD ITS MEETING TO SELECT THE NORTH AND SOUTH ALL-STAR TEAMS, A
DISCUSSION TOOK PLACE ABOUT THE BEST WAY TO HONOR THE COACHES FROM THE
PAST. "MANY OF US WHO ARE NOW COACHING PLAYED FOR SOME OF THESE MEN, AND ALL
OF US OWE SO MUCH TO THEM FOR HELPING MAKE SCHUYLKILL COUNTY FOOTBALL WHAT
IT IS TODAY. "OUR PLANS ARE TO HAVE A CLASS INDUCTED INTO THE HALL OF FAME
AT EACH YEAR'S ALL-STAR GAME, AND AN ENGRAVED PLAQUE WITH THE NAMES OF
EACH YEAR'S CLASS WILL BE DISPLAYED IN THE MEZZANINE AREA OF MARTZ HALL.
BEGINNING NEXT YEAR AN "AT-LARGE" CATEGORY WILL BE ADDED SO THAT COACHES
FROM NOW-DEFUNCT SCHOOLS WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR NOMINATION AND
INDUCTION." | |
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Coaldale to research cost of repairing or
replacing siren Reported on Monday, April 19, 2010 By CHRIS PARKER [email protected] Coaldale borough council on Tuesday agreed to research how much it
would cost to either repair or replace the town's fire siren, which has
prompted several complaints from residents. Councilman Andrew Girard, head of the Fire and Ambulance Committee,
asked council to approve the research and to authorize Councilman David
Yelito to seek grant money to help pay for the project. The agreement to research the costs is "fact finding," said Councilman
Joseph Hnat. Council expects to discuss the matter further when it meets
at 7 p.m. May 11. The matter surfaced at a Feb. 23 council meeting when Mayor Richard
Corkery called the siren a nuisance and suggested it be
silenced. That prompted a strong response from borough Fire Chief Richard Marek,
who said the siren is necessary because not all of his firefighters have
pagers, which cost about $500 each. Marek also said the siren, installed
by the federal government as a civil defense measure in the 1970s, alerts
citizens to emergencies. Surrounding communities, including Tamaqua,
Lansford, Summit Hill, Hometown and Hauto, also have sirens. Only eight
communities in Schuylkill County do not use the sirens, Marek
said. The siren was designed to emit a variety of sounds, one for each type
of alert. Now, however, the siren is stuck on the piercing "attack"
sound. In a related matter, council urged Coaldale residents to subscribe to
Lansford Ambulance services. Lansford Ambulance provides the borough's
Basic Life Support services. | |
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Rat problem frustrates Coaldale
officials Reported on Monday, April 19, 2010 By CHRIS PARKER [email protected] Coaldale Borough council is frustrated that it cannot take more
effective action to eradicate a rat problem on W. Ridge
Street. Ruthanne Kehl of 134 W. Ridge spoke at a public council meeting
Tuesday, saying she was concerned about a property at 132 W. Ridge
St. She said there were dead rats lying on the property, and holes in the
foundation. They're coming on to my side. I'm sure they are going to take over if
they are not taken care of," she said. She said a woman with three
children lives in the house. Garbage is strewn on the back porch and in
the basement, she said. The rats, Kehl said, "are going to
multiply." She called borough code enforcement officer Mark Richards, who came to
inspect, but said there was nothing he could do unless he talked to the
homeowner. Richards did cite the occupant for the garbage,
however. Councilman Joseph Hnat sympathized with Kehl, but said the borough's
hands are tied. "I wish we could go in and take the place apart, but we
can't," he said. Solicitor Michael Greek said Kehl could bring a civil action against
the neighbor. Further, if she fails to comply with the citations and pay
the fines, the borough could send the matter to a district judge. "If
there are rats, it could be considered a danger to the community at
large," he said. A borough clean up would be a last resort, he
said. In a related matter, Kehl and other W. Ridge Street residents
complained about flooding on the street between Fifth and Sixth
streets. Also on Tuesday, Council agreed to donate up to $1,000 to replace
American flags in town from Phillips Street to Bull Run, and from Third
Street to High Street. Secretary Louise Lill said the funds are avialable
in the borough's Improvement Fund account. Jimmy Rickert of the Coaldale American Legion approached council to ask
if the borough would help buy the 85 flags. Rickert said the VFW and Lions
Club were also on board with the project. Rickert said the estimated cost
would be $45.20 per pole - $3,842. "This is just the rough cost. This is not the final cost," he
said. Rickert also said the Legion wants to turn the flags over to the
borough, which would then take responsibility for putting the flags up and
taking them down and making sure they are in good condition. He said a flag committee should be formed; Councilman Andrew Girard
will serve on that committee. The flags will be up from Memorial Day through July 4, Rickert said.
Previously, the flags were up through Labor Day. However, Rickert said,
"it takes a big toll on the flags to leave them up that extra two
months." Also on Tuesday, Council agreed to sell a police cruiser to the highest
bidder, Ronald Winkelvoss of Wallingford, Delaware County, for $2,776.
Winkelvoss would have to come pick up the car, however. if he doesn't, the
car would go to the next-highest bidder, Grace Quality Used Cars, a police
car dealership which has a branch in the Philadelphia
area. | |
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Injured police officer takes councilman to
task over alleged remarks he made Reported on Wednesday, April 14, 2010 By CHRIS PARKER [email protected] A Coaldale police officer who was seriously injured last month when he
was attacked by a man he had pulled over for erratic driving took a
councilman and the mayor to task at a public meeting Tuesday. Patrolman Keith Krapf, whose injuries have kept him off the job since
the March 2 attack, is angry over remarks Krapf said Councilman David
Yelito made in public to a borough worker. "Mr. Yelito, you have a problem with the way I handled an incident?
There's my chief (referring to Police Chief Tim Delaney) you can speak
with him, you can confer with the borough solicitor…" "You told me what happened," Yelito interjected. The two exchanged
heated words. "Personnel issues stay in here," Krapf said. "Not in the
street." Krapf then turned to mayor Richard Corkery. "Why did you run for mayor of Coaldale?" Corkery wanted to know why he was asking. "I'm a citizen and a taxpayer, and I am asking you a
question. "To do the best I can for the borough," Corkery said. He answered in
the affirmative when Krapf asked him if he liked the borough. "Then why do
you want to change everything about it?" Krapf asked. "I think the changes I have in mind are for the betterment of the
community," Corkery said. Krapf referred to a local radio program on which Corkery said he wanted
to change the borough's name. "That's true, but that was a long time ago," Corkery said. "That's
true. I did come out with that, but that's not necessarily Coaldale per
se. It was everything. But that was a long time ago." "What seems to be the problem with you?" he asked Krapf. Krapf also told council about the difficulties he is having with the
insurance carrier, saying they refuse to return phone calls, are making it
hard for him to obtain proper medication and see the right
doctors. "I'm going through hell with this insurance company," he
said. Krapf praised borough secretary Louise Lill for her efforts to get the
company to work with him. Council has said it is looking into the problems, and have suggested
the borough intends to drop the company when its contract ends in the
fall. Earlier in the meeting, Krapf's wife, Angela, also chastised Yelito for
his alleged remarks. He did not respond to her statements. She said Yelito made the remarks shortly after the March 9 public
council meeting at which she opposed Mayor Richard Corkery's plan to raise
the speed limit on Kline's Hill, in the couple's neighborhood, and about
her husband's struggle to obtain treatment through the borough's new
workers' compensation insurance carrier. Yelito's conversation was at the corner of Sixth and Philips streets,
she said Tuesday. Angela Krapf said Yelito was heard saying "who does she (referring to
herself) think she is? It takes a lot of (testicles) coming to a council
meeting saying she was almost hit seven times on Kline's
Hill." Krapf said the matter affects her family's safety and that she has
"every right to come here." She said that, in the same overheard conversation with the borough
worker, Yelito also wondered why the officers "didn't just tase him,"
referring to Krapf's attacker. Yelito also said Krapf "does smoke a lot, and it puts him back," she
said. "How much he smokes has nothing to do with this," she said. The officers did not use the Taser, Angela said, because "there wasn't
time. And even if there was time…the other officer who wasn't firing it
would have gotten tased as well." "What they were doing was safety for each other," she said. Keith Krapf has worked for the borough "for almost six years," Angela
said. "He lives to protect this town and he takes pride in doing it.
Anybody who knows him and anybody on this council cannot deny
that." "You, Mr. Yelito, are here for three months. You come to my home the
day after he's injured, and you question him on how he was hit off that
car. That, to me, was just disrespectful." Yelito at that point began speaking, but Angela asked him to wait until
she was finished speaking. "How dare you? The bottom line is, your actions and your remarks are
unacceptable and they need to stop." She said the "next time any remarks are made about myself or my
husband, they will be addressed by our attorney." If Yelito has further questions, she said, he could accompany Keith to
the doctor or visit their home and "see the devastation in him when he
finds out he is off yet again for another month because of some guy he was
trying to get off the street." Krapf suffered fractured ribs and an injured shoulder when he was
assaulted by Ian Patrick McGregor, 25, of 110 E. High St. Krapf had pulled
McGregor over after the man almost hit Krapf's police cruiser head-on.
McGregor had also drawn the attention of another officer, Charles Andrew
Blesse, who arrived as Krapf stopped McGregor's car. McGregor has since been released on bail. | |
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Coaldale woman killed
Township police Chief Rich Sinton said Patricia A. Vidzicki, 41, of 8
E. High St., was fatally injured in the crash. According to Sinton the crash occurred about 4:32 p.m. along SR54 at
Hillside Drive. Police said a Dodge Dakota pickup truck, operated by
Alberta Davis, 77, of Lost Creek, Shenandoah, was stopped on Hillside and
pulled out into the path of Vidzicki, who was operating a Kawasaki Vulcan
bike eastbound at the time. | |
 Going
for the limitReported on Saturday, April 10, 2010 | |
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Coaldale Cub Scouts to hold science
fair Reported on Saturday, April 10, 2010 The Coaldale Cub Scout Science Fair and Movie Day is Sunday April 11
from noon until 4 p.m. at the Angela Theatre in Coaldale. The troop is
accepting members for the 2010-2011 Scout Year. The Cubs meet on Sunday
evenings from 6-7 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus in Coaldale.For more
information, call Regina (570) 645-9234. | |
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Police kept busy by one
individual Reported on Saturday, April 10, 2010 Lansford police have had their hands full with James Scott Nahf, 43,
whose last known address was 44 Bull Run St., Coaldale. Between March
11-22, they issued nine nontraffic citations to the man, who had allegedly
been making a nuisance of himself. On April 6 at 4:10 p.m., police received a call about a man passed out
in the parking lot of the Bank of America in Lansford. Officers Chris
Ondrus and Joshua Tom arrived to find Nahf unresponsive. They called an
ambulance, but Nahf, who appeared highly intoxicated, came to and refused
treatment. When the officers asked him where they could take him, he became
belligerent and aggressive, refusing to cooperate. They arrested him and
took him to the police station, where he continued his tirade, threatened
the officers and their families, kicked out a window frame in the police
cruiser and damaged a rear taillight. Police charged him with persistent disorderly conduct and public
drunkenness. Nahf was arraigned before on-call District Judge Joseph D. Homanko of
Weatherly and jailed under $500 straight cash bail. A preliminary hearing
before District Judge Casimir Kosciolek of Lansford is scheduled for April
14. Further charges are pending against Nahf. Nahf's outburst was the third incident police had with him that day.
Earlier, he had been panhandling money from people and then had tried to
get money from people at a social club, Ondrus said. | |
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A Coaldale rebirth
| |
 Jumping into springReported on Tuesday, April 6, 2010
| |
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Foreclosure suit against coal
company Reported on Thursday, March 25, 2010 LC&N owes $5.5M in mortgage debt By CHRIS PARKER [email protected]
Lehigh Coal & Navigation Co. "is in default of its obligations
pursuant to the loan documents for, among other things, the borrower's
failure to pay the loans in accordance with the terms of the loan
documents, including upon maturity," the suit states. "Accordingly, as of
March 12, 2010, the sum of $5,991,610 is immediately due and owing from
the borrower on account of the loan documents." The interest continues to mount at a rate of $1,986 a day, according to
the suit. LC&N owner James J. Curran remains hopeful his company will weather
this storm. "We're trying to get some money to finance our way out of bankruptcy,"
he said in a telephone interview Thursday morning. "We have 110 jobs, and
we're fighting to keep them and continue our operations. These are
recessionary times – they are difficult times for everybody." BET Associates IV, LLC filed the foreclosure suit on March 17 against
Lehigh Coal & Navigation on behalf of The Bruce and Robbi Toll
Foundation, Bruce Toll and Douglas Topkis, Horsham. The firm wants the
property foreclosed upon and sold to repay the debt. A similar foreclosure suit is expected to be filed in Schuylkill County
Court on property the company owns in that county. LC&N owns about 8,000 acres of coal land in the two
counties. According to the 400-page suit, Toll, Topkis, the Foundation and
Primerock Capital, LLC, sued LC&N in July 2008 in federal court to
force it into Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. LC&N consented to an
order for relief on Aug. 28, 2008. In August 2009, BET loaned the LC&N $3.5 million so it could
continue operating in the hope that it could stabilize and eventually pay
its bills. "Given the current state of the coal market, and the fact that the
debtor is currently in bankruptcy, the debtor is not in a position to
obtain unsecured credit or unsecured debt to pay its necessary operating
expenses," the court request for BET and the others to make the loan
states. The loan also would, the firm hoped, "preserve the value of the
collateral." A month later, that amount was increased to $5.5 million. The loans
were secured by an open-end mortgage, assignment of leases and security
agreement. The mortgages were recorded in both Carbon and Schuylkill
counties because LC&N's property stretches into both. The company, which has touted itself as the first producer of
anthracite in the country, was founded in 1822, when Josiah White and
Erskine Hazard merged their companies, Lehigh Coal Mining Company and
Lehigh Navigation Company. The new company shipped coal along by river to
Philadelphia and other cities to fire up manufacturing plants. Lehigh Coal & Navigation remained the largest producer of
anthracite until about 15 years ago. But plummeting coal prices in 2000
forced LC&N to shut down, resulting in the loss of 163 jobs. A $9
million loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture allowed it to reopen
in 2001, but the company has been plagued by troubles. The state Department of Environmental Protection in 2006 revoked
LC&N's permit and imposed a new management team, Coaldale Energy, on
the company after it was found to have violated regulatory rules by
failing to refill a huge strip mine in the Panther Valley, failing to post
a large enough bond to guarantee the pit would be filled and did not
comply with other environmental regulations. The change created tension within the company, and in December 2008,
LC&N reached a settlement with DEP, allowing it to reorganize and
therefore avoid being forced into bankruptcy by creditors, including BET,
Toll and others, to whom it owed about $7 million. But by then, the new management team – headed by Sean Curran, the son
of LC&N's owner and President John Curran – had also failed to fill in
the pit and post the bond, and had accumulated an additional $2.5 million
in debt, according to federal court documents. According to documents filed in federal bankruptcy Court, Wilkes-Barre,
in 2008, LC&N has lost $14 million since 2002. In December 2008,
LC&N sued Coaldale Energy owner Sean Curran and his brother and
Vice-President of operations James J. Curran III, in federal court,
claiming they had "squandered assets" of the company for their own
benefit. Information on the outcome of that case was
unavailable. | |
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Coaldale fire chief honored Reported on Friday, March 12, 2010
Mayor Richard Corkery read a resolution honoring the longtime
chief. "This gentleman is a real hero," Corkery said of Marek. He said Marek
was a role model for children to emulate, unlike many other current
high-profile people such as Tiger Woods. Corkery acknowledged that he and Marek sometimes clash, but thanked him
for "volunteering endless time and energy" for the good of the borough,
including fighting fires, being a driving force in building the fire
station, animal rescue and fire prevention education. Marek, who joined Coaldale Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 in 1976 and was
named chief in 1990, thanked his fellow firefighters and thanked council
for the recognition. "Trust me, it means a lot," he said. | |
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Coaldale to join study about regional
police Reported on Wednesday, March 10, 2010 By CHRIS PARKER [email protected] Tamaqua Mayor Chris Morrison visited a public meeting of Coaldale
Borough Council on Tuesday to encourage the board to join several
communities in asking the state to study whether a regional police
department would work. Coaldale council later agreed to join in the request for the study, to
be done free of charge by the state department of Community and Economic
Development. Morrison said that in addition to Tamaqua, West Penn,
Schuylkill and Walker townships have agreed to join the
request. Rush Township supervisors have also talked about forming a regional
police department. Coaldale Councilman Tom Keerans said that while there would be no
charge, the study would take time from the police chief. The study, which could take more than a year, would look at each
borough's crime rate, budget, police force and population, among other
factors. About five years ago, Nesquehoning, Lansford and Summit Hill ventured
into the possibility of joining police forces. The three small boroughs
would have saved money and improved their policing, a study by DCED
concluded. But the concept was dropped after Nesquehoning decided to opt
out. After Morrison spoke Tuesday to Coaldale council, Mayor Richard Corkery
asked him if he could help Coaldale to "get out of the Panther Valley
School District and into Tamaqua." Morrison said he could not help Corkery
with that. | |
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Mayor's efforts to increase speed limit,
scrap fire siren, is opposed Reported on Wednesday, March 10, 2010 By CHRIS PARKER [email protected] Coaldale Mayor Richard Corkery's move to increase the speed limit on
West Phillips Street, known locally as Kline's Hill, was met with furious
opposition at a public borough council meeting Tuesday. His suggestion, made Feb. 23, that the borough's fire siren be removed
also drew heated protests Tuesday from Fire Chief Richard Marek and
Assistant Chief/Communications Officer Kevin Steber. Corkery wants the speed limit on Kline's Hill increased from 25 mph to
35 mph. He called the lower limit "ridiculous." The 25 mph speed limit signs were recently taken down under Corkery's
direction. That didn't sit well with residents, including Marek, former
mayor Claire Remington and Angela Krapf, whose husband Keith is a borough
police officer. Corkery came under fire for directing the street crew to remove the 25
mph signs. As mayor, he does not have the power to do that. Only council
can change the speed limits on borough streets, said Councilman Andrew
Girard. Councilman Tom Keerans said the borough Police Committee "did not enact
or tell anybody to go ahead with this, or remove signs or anything else.
The mayor brought up the subject, and we said we would look into it and
bring it to council. All of a sudden, the signs are down." Solicitor Michael Greek said the street is residential and, if not
posted, by state law must by 25 mph. It turned out that a miscommunication between Corkery and Greek led
Corkery to believe he could have the signs removed. Corkery said his
action was based on advice from Greek. Greek said he spoke about removing
the signs as an option, but did not tell Corkery directly to go ahead and
do that. Greek took responsibility for the miscommunication. Corkery said the 25 mph limit was done improperly because no state
traffic study was done. However, Greek said because it is not a state
road, no traffic study was necessary. Council had set the 25 mph speed limit in 1995, said Councilwoman Nancy
Lorchak. Angela Krapf, who lives on that street, said increasing the speed limit
would endanger the people who must walk on the street because there are no
sidewalks, and the children who play there. Resident Perry Weaver also said that people "fly" through there now,
especially when St. Luke's Miners Memorial Hospital has a shift change. If
the speed limit is increased to 35 mph, he said, it will be
worse. "Please put the signs back up," Weaver said. "People need to see that
it is 25 mph." Marek, who lives on the street, called Corkery's action "totally
disrespectful." He said that in removing the signs, Corkery "made a
terrible mistake." "You can't just arbitrarily remove signs," Marek said. Councilman Joseph Hnat asked Greek to look into what would be involved
with increasing the limit in some sections of the street to 35
mph. Marek also took Corkery to task for suggesting the fire siren be
silenced. Corkery on Feb. 23 called the siren a nuisance, and said firefighters
have pagers, so the siren is not needed. He said Nesquehoning has removed
its siren because its firefighters have pagers. Marek said not all Coaldale firefighters have pagers, which are
expensive. If Coaldale had the budget that Nesquehoning fire department
has, it could afford to purchase them for all of its members. The Coaldale
fire department has a small budget based on fund drives - Marek said only
26 percent of residents donated last year - fund raisers and the small
amount the borough allocates. "Trust me, it's not a lot of money," he said. The siren also alerts residents that there is an emergency. The siren
was built by the federal government in the 1970s as a civil defense
measure. He said surrounding communities, including Tamaqua, Lansford,
Summit Hill, Hometown and Hauto, all have the sirens. In fact, he said, 47
municipalities in Schuylkill County have sirens; only eight do
not. Marek acknowledged the siren is a nuisance. "It is a nuisance. It's a
big nuisance to us when we have to leave our families at all hours of the
day and night and go out and do what we have to do to perform our duties.
Even if it's a nonsense call, we're still out. But we do it." Hnat said he was told that the siren's loud blast frightens children on
the playground, which is next to the siren. He said two children were
frightened and ran into a pole. Marek said the playground was built after the siren was in place. "Why
would you build a playground directly beneath an active fire siren?" he
asked. "The siren was there first, not the playground." For people who "move into the area and don't like (the siren), live
with it or move," he said. Hnat asked Steber about pagers. Steber said the pagers cost $500 each. The Coaldale department has
13-15 of them, he said. Further, if a firefighter is mowing his lawn or if
the tower is down, he will still be able to hear the siren. he urged
council to "think long and hard" before taking any action to remove the
siren. | |
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Cop's wife makes plea Reported on Wednesday, March 10, 2010 Coaldale officer was attacked while on duty By CHRIS PARKER [email protected] The wife of a Coaldale police officer wept as she described for borough
council Tuesday the violent attack on her husband on March 2 by a man he
had pulled over for erratic driving. Angela Krapf said her husband, Sgt. Keith Krapf, suffered fractured
ribs and an injured shoulder when he was assaulted by Ian Patrick
McGregor, 25, of 110 E. High St. Krapf had pulled McGregor over after the
man almost hit Krapf's police cruiser head-on. McGregor had also drawn the
attention of another officer, Charles Andrew Blesse, who arrived as Krapf
stopped McGregor's car. Krapf will be out of work until at least the end of the month, she
said. Angela Krapf broke into tears as she asked council to drop any
proposals to decrease the number of officers on duty at night because, she
quoted someone as saying, "there's no crime in Coaldale." "You can thank the officers you do have here for that," she said to a
round of applause from the audience. "They really do their
job." At least two officers are needed for the night shift, she said, citing
the attack. "I just thank God there was somebody out there with him, because I
don't know what would have happened to him," she said through tears. "If
nothing else, that should be a reason why there should be two people
on." That somebody was Blesse, who helped subdue McGregor. She reminded council that "it is your job to protect them and give them
what they need to be safe and to keep this town safe." Angela Krapf also asked council to help with the problems her husband
has been having with the new insurance company the borough hired to handle
workers' compensation matters. She said doctors on the company's list were
not accepting new patients and the company has not returned her
calls. The company, she said, "has not been very helpful." Councilman Joseph Hnat said he was "very concerned" about the
insurance. "We're not having good coverage there. Is there any way we can look
into it a little more and find out what the devil's going on?" Borough secretary Louise Lill said Krapf's was the first claim
submitted to the new company. She said she also has had trouble getting
the company to return calls. The borough has a contract with the company
and cannot change at this point, Lill said. "I've been making calls every day since he was hurt. I'll keep doing
it. They keep telling me 'we'll get back to you, we'll get back to
you'...," she said. McGregor is in Schuylkill County prison under $35,000 percentage bail
after being charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly
endangering another person, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, driving
under the influence, harassment, failing to drive on the right side of the
highway, meeting vehicle proceeding in the opposite direction, overtaking
a vehicle on the right, careless driving and failure to use restraint
systems. According to an affidavit of probable cause, Blesse and Krapf smelled a
strong odor of alcohol from McGregor's face, and he had slurred speech and
glossy, bloodshot eyes. McGregor swore at the officers, and then attacked,
kicking and elbowing them. | |
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Injured policeman remains off duty Reported on Thursday, March 4, 2010 By CHRIS PARKER [email protected] A Coaldale police officer injured in the line of duty Tuesday remains
off work and in a lot of pain, Police Chief Tim Delaney said early
Thursday. Sgt. Keith Krapf was injured by Ian Patrick McGregor, 25, of 110 E.
High St. as Krapf and Officer Charles Andrew Blesse were trying to get
McGregor into the back of a police cruiser. McGregor, according to a
police report, was combative, elbowing and kicking the officers. Krapf was
taken to St. Luke's Miners Memorial Hospital, Coaldale, after McGregor
allegedly kicked or elbowed him in the ribs, injuring him so badly he was
unable to walk. The officers stopped McGregor's car after McGregor was spotted driving
erratically and almost hit Krapf's cruiser head-on. McGregor is charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly
endangering another person, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, driving
under the influence, harassment, failing to drive on the right side of the
highway, meeting vehicle proceeding in the opposite direction, overtaking
a vehicle on the right, careless driving and failure to use restraint
systems. | |
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Coaldale police officer assaulted,
hospitalized Reported on Wednesday, March 3, 2010 By CHRIS PARKER [email protected] A Coaldale police officer was hospitalized Tuesday after being
assaulted by a borough man who had earlier came close to hitting the
officer's cruiser head-on. Ian Patrick McGregor, 25, of 110 E. High St., is charged with
aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person,
resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, driving under the influence,
harassment, failing to drive on the right side of the highway, meeting
vehicle proceeding in the opposite direction, overtaking a vehicle on the
right, careless driving and failure to use restraint systems. He is in Schuylkill County prison under $35,000 percentage bail after
being arraigned before on-call District Judge Carol Pankake of
Tremont. According to an affidavit of probable cause filed by Patrolman Charles
Andrew Blesse, the officer was on patrol at about 10:30 p.m., traveling
west on Route 209, when he saw a blue Dodge Daytona traveling east on the
same highway. There was a vehicle in front of the suspect's vehicle,
making a left-hand turn onto Greenwood Street. The suspect's vehicle then
proceeded to go around the vehicle making the turn and went up into a snow
bank. Blesse turned around to see if the driver was OK. The vehicle then
proceeded to make a right-hand turn onto Bull Run Street. Blesse followed, and saw Sgt. Keith Krapf, who was in a marked police
vehicle, turn his vehicle around and activate his emergency lights and
sirens to make a traffic stop. Blesse, who also had his lights and sirens
going, followed Krapf. Upon speaking with Sgt. Krapf, he stated that the suspect vehicle went
out of his normal lane of travel and almost collided head-on with his
patrol vehicle. Blesse and Krapf approached the stopped car from the driver's side.
They both smelled a strong odor of alcohol from McGregor's face. McGregor
had slurred speech and glossy, bloodshot eyes, police said. He told the officers he had had one beer. When asked to step out of his car for a field sobriety test, McGregor
swore at the officers, calling them pigs, and became combative and refused
to comply with the officers' demands. McGregor was given many reasonable
warnings to comply, but said he was going to "wreck us and we were nothing
but fat pigs." McGregor was arrested for suspicion of DUI. When the officers tried to
handcuff him, he started "pushing and elbowing both myself and Sgt.
Krapf." The officers wrestled McGregor to the ground while he kicked at them.
McGregor continued to kick and elbow the officers even after being
handcuffed. As they tried to get him into the back of Blesse's cruiser,
McGregor either kicked or elbowed Krapf in the ribs so hard Krapf was
unable to walk. Krapf was taken to the emergency room at St. Luke's Miners
Memorial Hospital in the borough and treated for chest injuries. The
extent of his injuries were unknown as of early Wednesday. McGregor was put in the back of Blesse's cruiser with help from borough
Fire Chief Richard Marek, Tamaqua, West Penn, Summit Hill and Lansford
police. "It was a great response," Police Chief Tim Delaney said Wednesday of
the other departments' assistance. "I appreciate it." Once inside the cruiser, McGregor began banging his head on the cage of
the cruiser, kicking and punching it. He was taken to St. Luke's Miners to
be checked for injuries to his head from hitting it off the cage. He was
also given a blood-alcohol test. The results of that test are
pending. | |
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Coaldale memorial gardens' brick project
will end April 1 Reported on Monday, March 1, 2010 Times is running out to have your loved one's name inscribed on one of
the bricks that line the Coaldale Veterans and Womens memorial
gardens. The cutoff date is April 1. The bricks, which will line the sidewalk of the gardens on East
Phillips Street, will be in place by Memorial Day. The bricks will help defray the cost of the cost of the
gardens. To order a brick, call Mildred Flyzik at 570-645-9605; or Linda Miller
at 570-645-6162. The Veterans Memorial Garden and the adjacent Women's Memorial were
designed by William Gaddes of Lake Hauto and built by the Coaldale World
War II Veterans Committee. The Veteran's Garden features polished granite
columns inscribed with the names of those who served. The Women's Memorial
features a wishing well and an 8-by-12-foot mural, painted by borough
artist Sue Frendak, depicting the Vietnam Women's Memorial in Washington,
D.C. | |
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Women and heart disease presentation
scheduled Thursday St. Luke's Miners Memorial Hospital, Coaldale, is hosting a
presentation on women and heart disease. Jeanette Richards, MSN, CRNP will
discuss how women can take charge of their heart health and wipe out heart
disease. The presentation will be held on Thursday, Feb. 25, at 5 p.m. in the
board room at St. Luke's Miners Memorial Hospital, 360 West Ruddle Street,
Coaldale. Richards is an adult nurse practitioner with St. Luke's Physician Group
– Tamaqua Family Practice and is board certified from the American Nurses
Credentialing Center. | |
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New polling places for area are
set Reported on Monday, February 22, 2010 By AL DIETZ [email protected] New election polling places in Schuylkill County, selected after the
county court reduced the number of districts to 125 which became effective
Dec. 31, 2009, and will be used for the first time in the Primary Election
on May 18 were announced by Election Director Frannie Brennan. Coaldale had its number of precincts reduced from three to two and
their locations are, East Precinct, Borough Hall, 221 Third St. and West
Precinct, Ambulance Building, SR209. Article was abridged from: | |
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Coaldale native's dog a
winner Reported on Wednesday, February 17, 2010
By RON GOWER [email protected] Rita, a 5-year-old Chesapeake Bay retriever co-owned by a former
Coaldale resident, was an award winner in Tuesday's judging at the
prestigious Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in Madison Square Garden, New
York City. She won "Best of Opposite Sex," losing out to a male dog from Texas
named Ferris. Rita is owned by Cynthia "Cindy" Meyer – the former Cynthia Hedes – of
Salisbury Township, who is a 1974 graduate of Panther Valley High School.
Jo Martin of Cabin Ridge Kennels, Middletown, N.Y. is also an
owner. This was Rita's second year at the dog show. Last year Rita received an
Award of Merit at Westminster. Rita, whose kennel name is Ch Abin Ridge's Mega Margarita, has been
owned by Meyer since the dog was just 1 1/2 years old. Her breeders are
Juli and Joe Koval from the Lehigh Valley. She was sired by Ch Chesshores Crazy As A Loon and Ch Mala of Mt.
Breeze Chesabar. Rita is shown by Kevin Bednar of Blandon, Berks County. He and his wife
Heather Bremmer have been showing Rita since October 2007. Meyer has been showing Chesapeakes since 1998, when she was the owner
of Chesapeake Katie. Last year was her first showing at
Westminster. She is the daughter of Catherine Hedes of Coaldale and the late Edward
Hedes. The Chesapeake that beat out Rita in points is a 4-year-old owned by
Stacy George of Alamo, Texas. His kennel name is Ch Chesabar's Anyone Anyone. Another dog, owned by local residents and shown at Westminster, failed
to make the cut. Maddox, a 2-year-old chow chow co-owned by Karen Tracy of Franklin
Township and handled by Jan Kolnik of Towamensing Township, had been
ranked the number one chow dog in the country going into the
judging. The chow chow competition was won by Ch E-Lynn Traveling Man, also 2
years old, which is owned by Victor Fernandez and breeder Linda Albert of
Hauppauge, Long Island, N.Y. Judging for the chow chows occurred on Monday. | |
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Coaldale Fire company fund drive
underway Reported on Friday, February 12, 2010 By AMY ZUBEK [email protected] Coaldale Volunteer Fire Company No. 1's annual fund drive is under
way.
Kevin Steber, first assistant fire chief and president of the
department, said that the company operates mainly on donations and through
the company's fundraising efforts. "We understand the hard economic times," Steber said. "The $40, $50,
$60 dollar donations are great, but anything a person can donate is a
plus." Louie Mitchalk, second assistant fire chief and financial secretary,
added that last year, 27 percent of the community donated a total of
$16,000 to the fund drive. That means that the firefighters, who are all volunteers, were left to
raise any additional funds needed to cover insurances, heating oil,
vehicle fuel, electrical, water, sewer, equipment upgrades, and vehicle
maintenance costs. To make ends meet, the volunteers organize spaghetti dinners, car
washes, wrestling events, Chinese auctions, doughnut sales, and bake sales
throughout the year. "Every little bit helps," said Steber. "We sit here and look at the
bills and hope and pray that nothing breaks." Rich Marek, fire chief, noted that one of the fire trucks is going to
need tires, which cost around $350 apiece. "We scrimp and scratch to make ends meet," Marek said. "The volunteers
do everything they can to fix broken equipment to make them last
longer." Last year, the company, which has about 25 active members, answered 105
emergency calls in the area. These calls not only included fires, but also
CO2 calls, police and ambulance assistance, rescue missions, and
more. "Any type of public services, we are involved in," Steber said, noting
that this includes everything from house fires to painting flag poles and
hanging billboard signs. The company also logged 1,100.5 man hours, 1,115 training hours in the
company, 224 training hours in the state classes, over 231 hours in
meetings, and countless hours fundraising and other miscellaneous
activities. Amy Ciavaglia, secretary and lieutenant, reminds everyone that they can
do their part to help the fire company. "You don't' have to be a firefighter," she said. "You can help with
fundraisers. We can always use help." To donate to the Coaldale Fire Company, follow the directions on the
mailers. A second mailing will be sent out at the end of
April. | |
 Keeping up with the snowfallReported on Monday, February 8, 2010 Tony Radocha of Peter J. Radocha and Sons Inc., Coaldale,
clears the parking lot at Genetti's Shopping Center in Tamaqua on Saturday
morning after nearly 5 inches of snow fell in the
borough. | |
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Adopt a fire hydrant this winter to help fire
companies Reported on Monday, February 8, 2010 Coaldale Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 is asking area residents who live
by fire hydrants to "adopt a hydrant" during the winter
months. This means that during and immediately following a snow storm, like the
one forecasted for this upcoming Wednesday, residents should shovel around
the hydrant so in case of a fire, crews can access the fire hydrant
quickly, without having to first clear a path to be able to access the
water supply. The fire company is asking for the community's help because this will
help volunteers better serve a person in need in the event of a house
fire. | |
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Thursday, February 4, 2010 St. Luke's Miners unveils expanded geriatric Day
Room Reported on Thursday, February 4, 2010 JOE PLASKO/TIMES NEWS Deb Holmberg, administrator for the St. Luke's
Miners Memorial Hospital Geriatric Center, thanks the donors who made
renovations to the Day Room possible. Behind Holmberg is Micah Gursky, the
hospital's director of development. Click for original article and photos: http://www.tnonline.com/node/68486 By JOE PLASKO [email protected] From the festive atmosphere present Wednesday evening at the renovated
Day Room on the fifth floor Geriatric Unit at St. Luke's Miners Memorial
Hospital, Coaldale, there was a feeling that the expanded facility is
money well spent. The informal social gathering was held to unveil the refurbished Day
Room as well as to thank the donors who made it possible. "There has never been a time when philanthropy and the generosity of
donors to this hospital hasn't been appreciated," said Micah Gursky, St.
Luke's Miners director of development. That is particularly true in the current economic climate, which has
been tough on smaller, rural medical facilities such as St. Luke's Miners,
Gursky added. This year the hospital is celebrating its 100th anniversary of its
founding in 1910. "Its mission then, as it is now, is taking care of local people," noted
Gursky. The new Day Room is about three times the size it was previously and is
a place for geriatric residents to eat meals, have family visitations,
activities and events. "It is like the living room for our home," remarked Gursky. The hospital holds two major fundraising events each year, a golf
tournament and the Black Diamond Dinner. The initial Black Diamond Dinner
was held two years ago at Penn's Peak, Jim Thorpe, with the theme A Night
at the USO. A slide show from that inaugural event played on the monitor
of the flat screen television mounted on the wall of the Day
Room. "From those events, we were able to raise $115,000 from over 200
donors," related Gursky. "No government grants have gone to improve this
room here. Your donations make a difference each and every
day." This year's Third Annual Black Diamond Dinner will be held on March 13
at Penn's Peak, with the goal of raising funds toward the hospital's $3
million Intensive Care Unit project. Gursky said the hospital also benefits from other philanthropic works,
such as those of the Tamaqua LEO Club, which started the facility's first
endowment fund, The Art of Caring, in which artwork hanging in the
hospital corridors is sponsored by donors. Jill Hoppes, LEO Club historian, reported that $7,500 of the $10,000
goal for the endowment fund has been raised to date. Deb Holmberg, administrator for the geriatric unit, sees the Day Room
utilized regularly by its residents. "I've never had a job where I look forward to coming to work each day
like this one, and there is never a minute this room is not used," said
Holmberg. "We're very community-oriented here at Miners, and we're one big
family. Every day, you can hear a laugh coming from the residents, and
with that, we're very blessed." Kids For America, which features members of the Gilbert family from
Easton, performed three songs during the social, including "Sing,"
"Sisters" (from the movie White Christmas), and a medley of "Battle Hymn
of the Republic" and "God Bless America." It was an encore performance at
the hospital by the group, which raises funds for families with members in
the military. | |
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$1.7 million water project set for
March Reported on Monday, February 1, 2010 By CHRIS PARKER [email protected] A $1.7 million project to improve Lansford's water system is expected
to begin in March. The Lansford-Coaldale Joint Water Authority had anticipated starting
the project last fall. The delay, said water authority Chairman Toby
Krajcirik, "had to do with the closing of our PennVEST loan and because of
the weather we didn't want to start a major project like that in
winter." The project is expected to take about a year and includes refurbishing
and painting the borough's 1.5 million-gallon storage tank, building a new
715,239-gallon storage tank, replacing the 125,000-gallon storage tank in
Coaldale and replacing the water main along East Abbott Street in
Lansford. The water tanks are 30 years old and are rusting and corroded and the
water main is too small and too old to ensure sufficient flow to fight
fires, water authority officials have said. The boroughs use an average of 700,000-800,000 gallons of water a
day. The project will require excavation along 3,100 feet of East Abbott
Street and digging along a short stretch at Walnut and Abbott streets in
Lansford, a section that was repaved after the borough's $2.9 million
sewer separation project. Bids for the work were opened in September. Corrosion Control Corp., New Castle, Del., will refurbish and paint the
1.5 million gallon water tank in Lansford for $377,900. P.S.I. Pumping
Solutions, Inc., York Springs, Adams County, will build a 715,239-gallon
tank in Lansford and replace the 125,000-gallon tank in Coaldale for
$556,000. Chilewski Enterprises, Fleetville, Lackawanna County, will do
the related electrical work for $16,700, and Bellview Pump Sales and
Service, Walnutport, will replace the water main along East Abbott and
Pardee streets for $542,120. The cost of the project also includes engineering fees. The water authority is paying for the project through a $2.1 million
financing agreement from PennVEST, and has applied for federal stimulus
grant money. It also raised the water rate from $52.30 to $68 a quarter
for the first 7,000 gallons, the first increase since
1995. | |
|
St. Luke's layoffs Reported on Thursday, January 28, 2010
By JOE PLASKO [email protected] St. Luke's Miners Memorial Hospital, Coaldale, announced today it is
eliminating 30 positions from its staff, as well as reducing hours for six
additional positions. According to a news release from the hospital, the positions to be
slashed include full-time, part-time and per diem employees. It includes
management and staff in clinical and nonclinical jobs. The announcement cited economic reasons. St. Luke's Miners is reporting
a loss of over $1.1 million over the last half of 2009, particularly due
to a decline in the areas of acute care and skilled nursing
admissions. The employees affected were to be notified today of the hospital's
action. The following is the text of the announcement that was made by the
hospital: "The nation's economic crisis continues to negatively affect hospitals
across the nation, especially rural hospitals whose smaller size and slim
margins make them more vulnerable to the impact of market and economic
changes. St. Luke's Miners Memorial Hospital in Coaldale is no exception.
Despite having achieved a remarkable turnaround over the last decade
adding physicians, services, technology and facilities and growing
Emergency Department visits by 80 percent and outpatient visits by 77
percent, the hospital has seen its acute care and skilled nursing
admissions decline 9.6 percent over the past six months. "Despite a number of aggressive cost-cutting measures, St. Luke's
Miners recorded a loss of $1,139,000 over the past six months (July 1-Dec.
31, 2009)." "We cannot continue to sustain these losses and ensure the region's
ongoing access to the quality care provided by our hospital," says William
Crossin, president, St. Luke's Miners Memorial Hospital. "Our expenses are
greater than our current income. At this point, we simply must better
align our workforce with our reduced inpatient volume." Today, the hospital announced the elimination of 30 positions
(including full-time, part-time and per diem positions), as well as
reduced hours for an additional six positions. Over the past few months, St. Luke's Miners previously eliminated six
other positions through retirements, attrition and
termination. Affected employees include management and staff in clinical and
nonclinical positions from across the hospital. "The affected positions were carefully chosen to avoid any negative
impact on the quality of care provided to our patients," Crossin said. "In
some cases, our decisions have enabled us to provide a more highly-trained
clinician in a direct patient care role. "Let me assure you, we are agonizingly aware of the pain this
announcement brings, most especially to our affected employees and their
families. This decision was made after long and careful reflection and
analysis of the hard economic factors facing Miners. I firmly believe this
is the right decision at this time and that it is in the best interests of
the hospital and ultimately of the community we serve. I also believe
Miners and our remaining 322 full-time employees will not only rebound,
but become even stronger. Nonetheless, this is a very difficult time for
our hospital family," Crossin said. St. Luke's Miners joined St. Luke's Hospital and Health Network in
2000. Richard A. Anderson, president and CEO, St. Luke's Hospital &
Health Network observed, "We have faith in the hospital and we believe in
its future. Rural hospitals are an integral and essential part of the
communities they serve. Miners has an engaged and loyal board, dedicated
and loyal physicians and employees and enjoys outstanding community
support. Anderson also noted, "In the last five years, Miners' operating margin
has increased from a negative 6 percent to a positive 1.8 percent. This is
an exceptional achievement for any hospital, let alone a smaller rural
hospital. They have every reason to be proud of what they have achieved
and to look forward to more success as the economy recovers." The impact of the economy on Miners is not unique. More than half the
nation's hospitals have been forced to reduce staff according to a recent
report by the American Hospital Association. Looking ahead, St. Luke's Miners is actively engaged in developing
strategies and services to improve the hospital's financial performance.
These include: bringing additional highly-trained physician specialists to
the hospital, developing new outpatient services, opening a new rural
health center in McAdoo and completing a new, state-of-the-art Intensive
Critical Care Unit. | |
|
St. Luke's Miners Memorial hosting blood
drive January 27 Reported on Wednesday, January 13, 2010 St. Luke's Miners Memorial Hospital, 360 W. Ruddle Street, Coaldale,
will be hosting a Red Cross blood drive on from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on
Wednesday, Jan. 27. "Our regional hospitals require over 450 units of blood daily to care
for their patients, which include premature infants, accident and burn
victims, and cancer patients," explains Marie D'Amato, donor resources
representative. "Therefore, it is vital that blood used today be replaced
today to maintain a safe, stable and constant blood supply in our
community. We encourage all eligible blood donors to support a vital
community service by donating at this drive." Individuals registering to
donate at this blood drive, or at any MKBC community blood drive or donor
center during the month of January, can also enter a raffle to have their
next (residential) heating bill paid for by the Blood Center! For more
information on this, or other upcoming promotions, visit the Blood
Center's web site at www.GiveAPint.org. In order to donate, individuals must be 17 years of age or older, weigh
a minimum of 110 pounds and be feeling healthy; they must not have donated
in the past eight weeks. All donors must also provide valid identification; ID must have the
donor's name printed on it, as well as a photo and/or signature. Walk-ins
are welcome at this blood drive. For more information or to preregister for donation, call Bill
Paslawsky at (570) 645-8222. | |
|
Exotic animal ordinance adopted in
Coaldale Reported on Wednesday, January 13, 2010 By CHRIS PARKER [email protected] if you're thinking a bear, pig, monkey, alligator, weasel, venomous
snake or scorpion might be just the pet for you, better think again if you
live in Coaldale. Council on Tuesday adopted an ordinance which bars residents from
keeping wild and exotic creatures as pets. If you already owns such an pet, you have 45 days to apply to the
zoning office for a permit and nonconforming status for the
animal. Violating the rules could cost you up to $500 in fines and/or 90 days
in jail. The ordinance does allow ferrets, provided they are de-scented, spayed
or neutered, vaccinated, kept leashed or caged when they are outdoors and
not bred. Vietnamese Potbellied Pigs are also allowed, but their owners must
obtain a document from a licensed veterinarian that the animal is indeed a
Vietnamese Potbellied Pig. the animals also must be spayed or neutered,
vaccinated and not bred. Also, the fostering or keeping of a service animal is permitted, but
limited to one animal and its owner must have documentation that is has
been trained or is being fostered with a training program administered by
a nonprofit organization. The ordinance further bans the trade, selling, adoption, exchange or
transfer of wild or exotic animals. Violators must remove the animal from
the borough, or turn it over to a borough official, who is authorized to
give it to a zoo, release it to the wild or dispose of it in a humane
manner. The owner is liable for the cost of removing or placing the
animal. | |
|
Council member's brother to help with grant
applications Reported on Wednesday, January 13, 2010 By CHRIS PARKER [email protected] The brother of Coaldale's newest council member is poised to bring
much-needed money into the borough by way of grants. Council on Tuesday agreed to have Daniel Yelito of Tamaqua, brother of
Councilman David Yelito, write grant applications at no cost to the
borough. Yelito would take a percentage of each grant received. The amount would
vary, depending on the terms of the grant, said solicitor Michael
Greek. Yelito comes well-qualified. He's worked for eight years for the
Private Industrial Council of the Lehigh Valley. He has a background in
planning and transportation, and works with the Lehigh Valley Planning
Commission. Mayor Corkery suggested having Yelito write grants for the borough with
the hope of obtaining money to fix Coaldale's streets. The subject rose after resident Garth Jones complained about the
condition of West Moser Avenue, which he said is in terrible condition.
Council agreed most of the streets are in dire need of repair. Councilman Joseph Hnat also said he hopes Yelito can bring in grant
money to further upgrade the Coaldale Complex, which houses the Carbon
County Head Start program. In other matters, Council discussed the possibility of posting weight
restriction signs at all intersections in an effort to stop people from
parking tractor trailers, large trailers and similar vehicles on borough
streets. The big rigs block views of oncoming traffic and are hard on the
already-deteriorating streets. In another streets matter, council warned people to move their
basketball backboards away from the street. A borough snow plowing truck
was recently damaged by hitting one of the backboards, which had been
placed too close to the street. Police will give residents a verbal warning. If the offending equipment
isn't moved, it will be removed by the borough. In other matters Tuesday, Councilman Tom Keerans thanked police
officers Scott Cramer, Keith Kropp and Charles Blesse for helping the
victims of a Christmas Eve house fire in Tamaqua. The blaze, on Washington
Street, destroyed the home, killed pets and left the Valentine family,
which has eight children, with nothing. | |
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Coaldale Fire Company project
approved Reported on Thursday, January 14, 2010 By AL DIETZ [email protected] The Schuylkill County Commissioners sat in a special session Wednesday
morning to review the county's proposed 2010 Community Development Block
Grant (CDBG) program and proposed a budget for $380,000, based on
anticipated funds from the state. Commissioner Mantura Gallagher reported
if additional funds are received additional projects will be undertaken.
The board allocated funds for the following: Coaldae Fire Company, 121 W. High St., $36,400 for replacement of an
oil burner unit with coal fired unit. | |
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Coaldale's gift to Rush Twp. Reported on Thursday, January 7, 2010
Recently, Rush Township supervisor Steve Simchak learned of the
decorations and approached the borough about sharing them. Now, the
festive decorations deck the Rush Township municipal
building. | |
|
New Coaldale mayor, council members
seated Reported on Thursday, January 7, 2010
Newly-seated Coaldale Borough officials: left to right: Councilman
Joseph Hnat, tax collector Cathy Papesh, Mayor Richard Corkery,
Councilwoman Sue Solt and Councilman David Yelito. By CHRIS PARKER
[email protected] Coaldale Borough council on Monday seated one new and two returning
members and a new mayor. Following a group recitation of The Lord's Prayer, David Yelito was
sworn in by newly-seated mayor Richard Corkery. Corkery also swore in
returning council members Susan Solt and Joseph Hnat for four-year
terms. Council will continue to meet at 7 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each
month. It meets next on Jan. 12. Solt was elected president by a 4-3 vote. Corkery announced he will be
at the borough hall from 11 a.m. to noon each Wednesday for residents to
stop by and chat about whatever might be on their minds. On Sunday, the public is invited to meet their public officials from
2-4 p.m. at the Coaldale Complex. Light refreshments will be
served. Corkery welcomed the new and returning council members, saying that
much can be accomplished if officials "agree to disagree" in a civil
manner while keeping their eyes on the goal of bettering the
community. He also extended sympathy to Councilman Steve Tentylo, who recently
lost Helen, his wife of 58 years. Solt, once seated, named committees: Buildings: Hnat, Yelito and
Tentylo; Utilities: Hnat, Nancy Lorchak and Yelito; Recreation: Hnat,
Andrew Girard and Yelito; Grants: Tentylo, Hnat and Thomas Keerans;
Fire/Ambulance: Hnat, Yelito and Girard; Police: Lorchak, Keerans and
Girard; Streets: Tentylo, Lorchak and Keerans; Handicapped Parking: Hnat,
Tentylo, Girard, Police Chief Tim Delaney and Corkery; Finance: Lorchak,
Keerans and Tentylo; Coaldale Complex: Tentylo, Yelito and Hnat;
Demolition: Tentylo, Hnat and Yelito; revitalization: Lorchak, Hnat and
Keerans; Personnel: Lorchak, Keerans and Tentylo; Police Pension: Bob
Melloy, Lorchak, Delaney and Louise Lill. Council also kept Michael Greek as solicitor, named Mark Richards to
the Board of Health and Richard Marek as fire chief, pending approval by
the fire company. Lill will remain as
secretary/treasurer. | |
|
State court rejects Coaldale man's appeal of
state sentence Reported on Wednesday, January 6, 2010 By AL DIETZ [email protected] A Coaldale man lost his appeal in Pennsylvania Superior Court from a
sentence imposed on him to do time in a state correctional institution,
after being convicted by a jury of three counts of possession of a
controlled substance. Jeffrey Schaller, of 227 W. Ruddle St., was sentenced by Judge John E.
Domalakes on Oct. 20, 2008 in Pottsville, to serve one to three years in a
state correctional institution, and when released to serve five years on
probation. He appealed the sentence to the Superior Court, which affirmed.
Domalakes had summarized the facts underlying the appeal; as
follows: "Jonathan Butroch testified that he was addicted to cocaine, had
overdosed and almost died, realized that he could not refrain from
purchasing illegal controlled substance as long as a dealer remained in
business, and, therefore, in order to save his own life approached
Coaldale police and informed on Schaller's drug activities. Police used
Butroch as a confidential informant and in June 2007, he went to
Schaller's home and purchased two bags of crack cocaine and 98.6 grams of
marijuana." Police then brought charges against Schaller and a jury subsequently
convicted him of three counts of possession. In his appeal Schaller raised two questions whether the trial judge
abused his discretion in failing to order a new trial due to the fact that
the evidentiary weight of the commonwealth's chief witness (Butroch) was
so weak as to be incapable of believe as a matter of law, and whether
Butroch's testimony was sufficient to establish the crimes charged against
him. The state court rejected those contentions in its
opinion. | |
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Crash closes Rt. 209 in
Coaldale
Reported on Monday, December 21,
2009 State Route 209 was closed in Coaldale Sunday morning after a car
struck a utility pole near the Lansford, Carbon County border. The
incident occurred at 7 p.m. as a female motorist was operating her car
along route 209. She apparently lost control leaving the north berm of the
roadway impacting with a utility pole carrying electrical line. The
roadway was closed at First street in Coaldale and near the Lansford pool
by Coaldale and Lansford fire police and Coaldale and Lansford police. The
victim was transported to the Miners Memorial Hospital, Coaldale with non
life threatening injuries. | |
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Firefighters save home in
Coaldale Reported on Monday, December 21, 2009
BY ANDREW LEIBENGUTH TN Correspondent [email protected] Coaldale, Lansford, and Tamaqua emergency responders, firefighters and
police responded quickly to a house fire located at 122 East Ruddle St. in
Coaldale Sunday afternoon. When they arrived, the home was filled with black smoke. The home was
rented by a mother with four children. The names of the family weren't
disclosed. Fire officials stated the fire started accidentally from an electric
space heater located in the children's bedroom on the top floor. The
mother was at work and the children were being cared for by a babysitter
when the fire started. The babysitter smelled smoke and noticed black
smoke coming down the steps. She quickly grabbed all four children, who were with her downstairs,
and ran outside, where neighbors called 911. The fire was quickly put under control by all the fast-acting
firefighters. Most of the damage was limited to the top floor. Neighbors and family stressed their appreciation for all the
firefighters who extinguished the blaze so quickly, while also limiting
the water-damage done to the home. No one was hurt during the
fire.
The adjacent connected property, located at 124 East Ruddle St., also
appeared to have minor damage. The fire victims are staying with family while they wait for repairs to
be done by their landlord. The family is being helped by the Tamaqua Salvation Army. Clothing and
new-toy donations can be dropped-off in the Tamaqua Salvation Army
building located at 105 West Broad St., Tamaqua. The children's ages are
1, 4, 5, and 8. Monetary donations for the fire victims can made out to
"Tamaqua Salvation Army." Put "Dec. 20, 2009 Fire Victims" in the comment
line. The Tamaqua Salvation Army's phone number is (570)
668-0410. | |
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Melodies of Christmas ring out in
Coaldale
Reported on Friday, December 18, 2009 The melodies of Christmas music and angelic voices graced the main
theatre of Coaldale's Angela Triplex Theatre as members of The Bach and
Handel Chorale performed a special Christmas | |
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Coaldale Borough office closed Reported on Friday, December 11, 2009 Coaldale Borough administrative office will be closed from Monday, Dec.
14, to Friday, Dec. 18. The office will open on Monday, Dec.
21. | |
|
Coaldale passes budget, tax rate to stay
the same Reported on Thursday, December 10, 2009 By CHRIS PARKER [email protected] Coaldale Borough Council on Tuesday approved a 2010 budget that calls
for the tax rate to stay the same at 20.54 mills. That means the owner of a home assessed at $25,000 will pay $513.50 in
property tax next year. The spending plans projects $1,495,000 in revenue
and $1,420,000 in expenses. In other matters, Council agreed to buy a new police cruiser, a Crown
Victoria, for $32,043.40 and a used backhoe for $19,500. The backhoe
purchase was from Medico Industries Construction Equipment, which offered
the lowest of four bids. Councilman Joseph Hnat said he would re-open discussion on salaries and
benefits paid to officers of the Lansford-Coaldale Joint Water Authority
in January. Council on Monday met in special session to discuss the
matter, but took no action. Lansford Councilman Tommy Vadyak has been
pursuing changes in the amounts the officers, who are also employees, are
paid. Several Coaldale Council members are also unhappy with the generous
salary/benefit package. Also on Tuesday, newly-elected Mayor Richard Corkery announced plans
for an Open House at the Coaldale Complex from 2-4 p.m. Jan.
10. | |
|
Coaldale officials say water authority
officers make too much money Reported on Tuesday, December 8, 2009 By CHRIS PARKER [email protected] Coaldale Borough officials agree with a Lansford Borough Councilman
that Lansford-Coaldale Joint Water Authority officers make too much money
and benefits for the hours they put in. But water authority members who attended a special meeting held Monday
to discuss the matter say the salaries, health care, pension and workers'
compensation benefits are justified. After about 30 minutes of discussion, Mayor Claire Remington proposed
limiting the number of 5-year terms that any officer can serve on the
authority. Coaldale solicitor Michael Greek said at an earlier meeting
that council's only recourse is to appoint new people to the authority
when seats open. "I think some people are getting some good bucks up there," Remington
said. Lansford Councilman Tommy Vadyak, who has for years sought to cut back
the salaries and benefits, has said the compensation set by the boroughs
is $25 a month or $300 a year. Each borough appoints the officers; Lansford three and Coaldale two.
The officers set their own salary and benefit packages and establish their
own working conditions. According to water authority records, the board
chairman (Toby Krajcirik, Lansford) earns $15,000 a year; the vice
chairman/superintendent (John Surma, Coaldale) $47,000; the treasurer
(Richard Pogwist, Lansford) $8,000; the secretary (Bob Demyanovich,
Coaldale) $8,000 and the assistant secretary/treasurer (Frank Horvath,
Lansford) $6,800. In addition, the chairman receives a $2,250 annual
stipend; the vice chairman, treasurer, secretary and assistant
secretary-treasurer each receive an annual $2,150 stipend. Surma,
Demyanovich and Krajcirik received health benefits. They, and Pogwist, are
enrolled in a pension plan. Hourly employee wages range from $13.50 to
$16.21. All employees, including the officers, who define themselves as
full-time employees, are eligible for medical benefits. Under questioning, Demyanovich on Monday said the Pennsylvania
Municipal Authorities Act allows the officers to be paid the health
benefits regardless of how many hours they work. "So you can put one hour
a week in up there and be eligible for health benefits?" asked
Councilwoman Joanne Melloy. "If you are a salaried employee," Demyanovich said. Coaldale Councilman Joe Hnat initially asked for a closed session to
discuss the matter. Greek denied the request, saying that to do so would
violate state Open Meetings laws. Hnat said council was never informed of
the officers change in status or salary, which he called
"outrageous." Surma said the changes were instituted in Jan. 2007 after auditors
hired following the embezzlement of about $80,000 by a longtime water
authority employee advised the officers to become more involved in the
day-to-day operations. Letters explaining the changes were sent on Jan. 31, 2007, to both
councils, Demyanovich said. He read aloud the letter, and said he and
Surma had attended the following council meeting to answer
questions. Councilman Tom Keerans quizzed Demyanovich about his jobs at St. Luke's
Miners Memorial Hospital, a minimart and for the water authority. Keerans
wanted to know how Demyanovich can work full-time for the Water Authority
while holding down the other jobs. "I have the probably the best employer that anybody could have, because
they don't have a problem with me running to the office, they don't have a
problem with me getting phone calls, they don't have a problem with the
service men seeing me every day," he said. "I'm available all the
time." Melloy was skeptical that brief conversations with people would
constitute work. Demyanovich said he also researches and writes grants. "It's an
everyday thing for me," he said. He said health insurance is available
through his hospital job, but he would have to pay a premium
there. Borough Fire Chief Richard Marek supported the officers, saying they
have come to training with firefighters to learn more about the borough's
water systems. Remington also chided the water authority for what she said was
nepotism and for holding meetings during the day, when few people can
attend. Vadyak has taken his complaints to Carbon County District Attorney Gary
Dobias and to state agencies. County Detective John Mauro on June 6, 2008, sent Vadyak a letter
saying that no criminal misconduct was found. State Ethics Commission
Executive Director John J. Contino in a March 14, 2008, letter to Vadyak
wrote that his complaint failed to provide specific information to allow a
determination. The state's Local Government Commission in a letter dated Nov. 12, 2008
wrote that if the water authority officers created their offices for
financial gain, it could be a violation of the state ethics laws. It also
said that employees, not officers, were allowed benefits (Krajcirik said
the officers are salaried employees) and that if the officers were paid
for hours they didn't actually work, it could be a violation of ethics
laws "as well as a possible crime." The dispute is unlikely to go away anytime soon: On Aug. 5, Vadyak
filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the state Municipal
Retirement Board for details on money water authority officers were having
set aside in a pension fund. On Oct. 28, water authority solicitor James R. Nanovic sent a letter to
the Municipal Retirement System, saying that he is investigating possible
"inappropriate " contributions made several years ago to the authority's
pension fund. | |
|
Coaldale choral concert set for
Sunday Reported on Monday, December 7, 2009 By DONALD R. SERFASS [email protected] A live concert will usher in the holidays as members of the Bach and
Handel Chorale present a special Christmas program beginning at 3 p.m.
Sun., Dec. 13, at the Angela Triplex Theatre, Coaldale. In addition to the concert, Tom Storm, an award-winning photographer,
will exhibit and have available for sale his photography. Storm recently
took second place in a national photo contest, the Microsoft/Lenovo "Win
Your Dream Assignment" highlighting his series, "The World in a
Bubble." Seating is limited. Tickets can be purchased at any Jim Thorpe National
Bank branch, the Angela Theatre or through the Bach and Handel Chorale.
For more information about the concert or for tickets, call Kathy Ruff at
(570) 645-3059. The Bach and Handel Chorale has performed for audiences since its
founding in 1984 and is well known in the Carbon County area for its
holiday performances. Randall Douglas Perry, founder, conductor and music director of the
Bach and Handel Chorale and Festival Orchestra of Jim Thorpe,
Pennsylvania, has served as organist and director of music for eight
parishes, nineteen years having been spent at the Episcopal Parish of St.
Mark and St. John in Jim Thorpe. He is a 1983 graduate of Wilkes College,
in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, with a Bachelor of Music
degree. A freelance photographer since 2003, Tom Storm has traveled extensively
stateside from coast to coast as well as abroad to Ireland, Norway,
Sweden, Denmark, Great Britain, Italy, Germany and Poland. His work has
exhibited at a number of galleries including the PUNKT Gallery in Gdansk,
Poland. Storm specializes in creative portraiture and vacation travel
photography as well as fine art prints. For more information on Tom Storm and his work, visit www.tomstorm.net.
For more information on the Bach and Handel Chorale, visit
http://bachandhandelchorale.homestead.com. The event is sponsored by the Coaldale Revitalization
Committee. | |
|
"Sometimes, unfortunately, we take those sacrifices for granted,"
Argall said. He recalled a time 22 years ago, when he was in Rieneck,
Bavaria as part of a Boy Scout gathering. He saw a monument to those who
died in World War I and World War II. | |
.
Andy Leibenguth/special to the times news
Firefighters remove a wood pellet stove, the source of last evening's
house fire in Coaldale. By Andy Leibenguth TN Correspondent
Following a lengthy discussion at a public meeting
last week, council agreed to send a letter to the three-person Coaldale
Complex Commission giving notice that the borough will now manage the
building and collect the rent from its tenant, Pathstone, which
administers the Carbon County Head Start program.
Reported
on Monday, December 6, 2010 
Chernak's sculptures are located at many military installations and
military cemeteries, including Gettysburg. Chernak, of Philadelphia, is
the holder of the Purple Heart, Air Medal, and other combat decorations
earned during service in Vietnam. He recently finished a very large bronze
mural for a new Veterans Affairs Hospital in Miami, Florida. The mural,
honoring a U.S. Army corpsman who won the Medal of Honor, is in the main
lobby of the hospital.
Head Start parents, grandparents and staff met Tuesday
afternoon with Kay Washington, Senior Executive Director for Pathstone in
Pennsylvania and New Jersey and Beth Jaharias Zinkand, Senior Director,
Child and Family Development Administration for Pathstone. Pathstone is
the organization that administers Head Start programs. The Coaldale
building houses Pathstone Head Start, Early Head Start, Pre-Kindergarten
and the Healthy Marriage program.
permanent repairs, and to make the building more attractive,
Washington said.
The
2-5 vote to keep the massive, 87-year-old former Coaldale High School
followed pleas from Pathstone Head Start parents and staff to keep the
building, at Sixth and Phillips streets. Councilmen David Yelito and Tom
Keerans opposed keeping the building. Council members Joe Hnat, Andrew
Girard, Nancy Lorchak, Steve Tentylo and president Sue Solt voted in favor
of keeping it.
Andrew Chernak of Philadelphia, renowned military sculptor and naval
historian, recently visited theCoaldale Veterans and
Women’s Memorial. Sculptor and Naval Historian Chernak’s sculptures are
located at many military installations and military cemeteries, including
Gettysburg. Andrew Cernak is the holder of the Purple Heart, Air Medal,
and other combat decorations earned during service in Vietnam. He recently
finished a very large bronze mural for a new Veterans Administration
Hospital in Miami Florida. The mural, honoring a US Army corpsman who won
the Medal of Honor, is in the main lobby of the
hospital.
The Battlefield Cross will be dedicated during Memorial Day services in
May of 2011. This beautiful and significant monument will honor those who
gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. The helmet can be “rung”;
emitting a beautiful tone. This will be done to honor those veterans who
have passé during the period 30 May 2010 and 30 May 2011. The Battlefield
Cross will complete the Coaldale Veterans Memorial. The Memorial to Women
remains to be completed. Plans include a statue honoring those women who
prayed for the safe return of their loved ones from “Harm’s Way”, and four
black granite images of Coaldale women contributing to development of our
Nation. These will be placed on the Wishing Well Memorial. Those wishing
to assist in funding the Memorial to Women may contact Mildred Flyzik at
570-645-9605; e-mail 
The C.H.O.S.E. (Church, Home, Organization, School,
Environment) Recreation Organization in Coaldale held its free 8th Annual
Community Children's Halloween Celebration recently at the Coaldale
Complex.
A Lake
Hauto Air Force veteran has donated an experimental helmet to the Castle
Air Force Base Museum in Atwater, California.
Gaddes
eventually became the Project Manager for Human Factors, and the
simulation laboratory at the company.
Franklin John Kunkel, 19, of 101 E. High St., Coaldale, turned himself in
to Tamaqua Police last evening after Tamaqua Cpl. Henry Woods had secured
a warrant for his arrest. The warrant was based on video surveillance from
the market that clearly identified Kunkel as the
culprit
Minutes after the vote to have borough workers place support scaffolding
under two weakened roof arches to keep them stable and over exits to
protect people from falling brick or stone, council by a 5-2 vote rejected
a motion by Councilman Tom Keerans to put the massive, 87-year-old former
high school, at Sixth and Phillips streets, up for sale. Keerans described
the building as a money pit.
It would cost Coaldale Borough $590,000 to make needed repairs to the
former Coaldale High school, now known as the Coaldale Complex, according
to engineers.
As a
teenager, Coaldale resident Wayne Figner often stepped up to the plate on
the Seek ball field to take his turn at bat for the Merchants Little
League team.
Krapf recalls "hearing stories of how the park used to be, the
games that were played here. How there were actually 12 baseball teams in
Coaldale at one time in the 1950s or 1960s. I would love to see this field
back to its former glory. Basically there is this piece of local sports
history sitting vacant with only a backstop and a field completely
overgrown," he said.
"A majority of the infield mix, topsoil and grass seed has been
donated by members of my family, Including myself and my wife Kristen,
parents Robert and Robin," Krapf said. "My son and daughter saved their
allowances to buy a scoop of infield mix. Keith and Angela Krapf donated
infield mix, Stone Garden of Tamaqua donated some infield mix, the
Coaldale Cub Scouts donated infield mix. Aimee Wood donated grass seed,
Donnette and Donovan Miller donated topsoil and grass seed, Jim and Kelly
Kindt donated infield mix, Rosella D'urso donated one and a half scoops of
infield mix, Jake Adamitis donated grass seed."
The volunteer labor is priceless, given the expected cost of the
restoration.
Steve
Tentylo was in a submarine at the bottom of the ocean, bound for Tokyo,
when he heard the news that Japan had surrendered, bringing World War II
to an end.
Many
believe that Coaldale ranks first in the United States in the number of
people, per capita, who served in the military during World War
II.
POTTSVILLE - Philip J. Yelito loves working on cars and motorcycles, and
on Thursday, he officially became the owner of what soon could be the gem
of his collection: a 1950 Bentley.
A
six-year-old girl from Coaldale was seriously injured when she was struck
while riding a bicycle in the village of Newkirk, Schuylkill Township,
just west of Tamaqua. The incident occurred about 4:45 p.m. Wednesday as
the child and her mother were visiting a relative along Old Route 209.
According to state police at Frackville, who declined to release the
girl's name, Daniel Farber, 30, of Tamaqua, was driving a 2002 Chevrolet
2500 pickup truck northbound and passed the intersection with Lehigh
Street when the child entered the road in front of him. Farber attempted
to brake and avoid the girl but could not and his truck hit the bike. The
girl was thrown from the bike and came to rest on the road about 35 feet
from the point of impact. The girl was treated at the scene by members of
the Tamaqua ambulance and Lehighton paramedics then flown by Medevac
helicopter to the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township. Troopers
said she is listed in critical condition. The roadway was closed for
several hours. Also assisting at the scene were volunteers from the
Tuscarora Fire Company. The investigation into the accident is continuing,
troopers added.
Coaldale borough council on Tuesday asked code enforcement officer Mark
Richards to be more aggressive in citing the owners of dilapidated
properties and discussed ways to track down the properties' absentee
owners and pay for demolition costs after hearing complaints from a number
of residents.
Mothers
and daughters typically share recipes, secrets, even fashions.
The
weather was hot and the 33 shooters were sizzling for the Fourth Annual
Shoot for a Dream event held June 5 at Whitetail Preserve in
Conyngham.
Zebian
U.S. Navy Ensign Cory Zebian, son of Robert and Rita Zebian of
Colleyville, Texas, graduated from the United States Naval Academy in
Annapolis, Md., on May 28, and was commissioned as an Officer in the U.S.
Navy.
Their numbers are dwindling; Coaldale lost 39 of its veterans in this year
alone. But although some leaned heavily on canes, and their hands shook as
they saluted the American flag, those remaining old soldiers stood tall
and strong as they honored the fallen the borough's traditional two
Memorial Day services.
His words reflected the sentiments of the lyrics of a song sung by
Brittany Erbe of Coaldale, "Make Them Hear You."
The
incident unfolded just after 7:30 p.m. Thursday when the victim apparently
tried to make his way to the police after being stabbed in the neck,
possibly in the throat. He was treated by members of the Lansford
ambulance and Lehighton paramedics, and rushed to St. Luke's Miners
Memorial Hospital, Coaldale, where he was treated and later transferred to
St. Luke's Hospital in Fountain Hill. A medical transport helicopter was
requested but because of the strong storms in the area, the transfer had
to be by ground.
The
solemn day of remembrance will begin with a special 9 a.m. service at
First Congregational Church. The Rev. William H. Edwards, SSGT, U.S. Army
Vietnam, will deliver the sermon.
Markovich is a 1984 graduate of Panther Valley High School and former
JROTC Panther Battalion Commander. He joined the Pennsylvania National
Guard as a high school senior, spent the next 24 years moving up the
ranks, retiring in 2008.
Reported on Monday, April 26, 2010 
A
Coaldale woman was killed when a pickup truck pulled into her path
yesterday in Ryan Township, Schuylklll County.
One highly visible improvement is all it takes to ignite a
spark for the entire community. On Thursday morning, that spark was
ignited in the heart of Coaldale, with the kick-off of a $165,000 business
district improvement project which many say will be a new beginning for a
town with a rich and proud heritage. "It'll be a boon to Coaldale,"
announced Sue Solt, borough council president. "This is a great part of
Schuylkill County. Welcome to the eastern post."
A
Pottsville coal company that once fueled the Industrial Revolution now
faces foreclosure for failing to repay $5.5 million in mortgage debt Plus
interest and other charges to a Montgomery County firm, according to
papers filed in Carbon County Court.
William Gaddes is shown holding a photo of the B-29 “ENOLA GAY”
´tail gunner sight; while Pete Pettit is holding a model of the B-29
Superfortress in which they both flew as tail gunners. The sight
they have donated to the USAF Enlisted Heritage Hall is identical to
the one shown.
Coaldale Fire Chief Richard Marek was honored Tuesday by borough council
for his 20 years of service.
Chesapeake Bay retriever is Best of Opposite Sex at Westminster
The organization, which serves the borough of Coaldale, as well as assists
in emergency situations in Lansford, Summit Hill and Tamaqua, is asking
the community for donations to help keep the fire company in operation.
Mailings for the 2010 fund drive went out in late January.
St.
Luke's Miners Memorial Hospital, Coaldale. Miners Hospital cuts 30 jobs,
reduces hours for others; reports loss of more than $1.1 million in 6
months
CHRIS PARKER/TIMES NEWS A Christmas gift from Tamaqua Borough to Coaldale
is now being shared with Rush Township. A few years ago, Tamaqua gave
Coaldale some of its gently used outdoor Christmas decorations, including
a tree and wreaths. Coaldale was unable to use them and had been keeping
them in storage, said Coaldale council president Sue Solt.
CHRIS
PARKER/TIMES NEWS 
ANDREW
LEIBENGUTH Smoke pours from an upstairs bedroom window in Coaldale Sunday
afternoon. 
A
firefighter uses a large fan to remove smoke from a Coaldale home
following a fire Sunday afternoon.
Concert. The theatre-filled event was sponsored by the Coaldale
Revitalization Committee. The Bach and Handel Chorale has performed for
audiences since its founding in 1984 and is well known in the Carbon
County area for its holiday performances. Randall Douglas Perry, founder,
was the conductor and music director of the Bach and Handel Chorale. In
addition to the concert, Tom Storm, an award-winning photographer,
exhibited his photography. Storm recently took second place in a national
photo contest, the Microsoft/Lenovo "Win Your Dream Assignment"
highlighting his series, "The World in a Bubble".
