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| Rundown properties discussed in Coaldale Wednesday, May 14, 2014 By LISA PRICE lprice@tnonline.com Coaldale residents say they're tired of out-of-town owners who let their properties deteriorate. They came to a council meeting Tuesday seeking answers. "I've lived here for 64 years. I've lived through the coal boom and I've lived here through times of poverty, but I've never had the town look like this," said Ann Gallagher. "I'm insulted that somebody from out of the area thinks he can come here to my town and let things rot." Both Gallagher and a neighbor, Lillian Holota, had complaints about properties on East High Street, where they both live. "We have an ordinance about quality of life, but is it being enforced?" Holota asked. "Just one person moving onto a block can bring down the property value of everybody else." Ruth Ann Kehl, West Ridge Street, said she's been complaining about a neighboring property for four years without results. She said the property has a terrible odor and is in decrepit repair. "I need this council to work with me," Kehl said. "I need help." |
| FIREFIGHTERS RESPOND TO DRYER FIRE IN COALDALE By Andrew Leibenguth on May 14, 2014 • Emergency personnel were called to the basement of a duplex home in Coaldale around 12:10 AM today (Wednesday, May 14, 2014) for a report of a dryer on fire. First responders arrived to see heavy smoke emanating from 242 West Ridge Street, as well as light smoke coming from the adjacent property at 240 West Ridge Street. A short while into the response, firefighters could be seen carrying a smoking dryer out of 242 West Ridge Street and placing it on the sidewalk. That is when firefighters removed the items from the dryer and extinguished them with water. Firefighters also placed large exhaust fans at entrances and exits to the homes to expel the smoke. |
| Coaldale native plays key role in NFL draft Friday, May 9, 2014 By DAN KLAUSNER Special to THE TIMES NEWS A Coaldale native was selected to participate in the NFL Draft which got underway last evening in New York. Ed Edwards of Wilmington, DE, a lifelong Eagles fan, was accompanied to the festivities by his son, Ted. A courtesy of The Membership Club, an NFL league-wide benefits program, Edwards was among the 24 special season ticket members selected to get behind-the-scenes access to the 2014 NFL Draft. Each season ticket member was picked by their respective teams and will have a special role in Thursday's first-round festivities. |
| Coaldale spring cleanup Monday, May 5, 2014 Coaldale Borough will have its annual spring cleanup day on Wednesday, May 14. Large items will be picked up, including washers, dryers, stoves, refrigerators and a limit of four tires/tire rims. All items must have all chemicals removed and doors taken off. In addition, up to 10 bags of garbage will be collected. No TVs or computer monitors/peripherals will be accepted. |
| Three Gridders are Coaldale Inductees The annual Carbon County Hall of Fame banquet will be held on Sunday, May 25 at Memorial Hall in Jim Thorpe. Wednesday, April 30, 2014 This year's inductees are: Lehighton - Norm A. Frey; Jr; Robert Andrews; Lee "Put" Kuntz. Lansford - Ellen Ogozalek; Eileen Ogozalek; Tom Rosahac. Tamaqua - Frank Yusella; Wayne Shickram; Stan Dakosty. Jim Thorpe - Keith Miller; Drew Benyo; Dale Burnhauser. Palmerton - Gene Behler; Georgianna Messinger; Kathy Beck Dekorte; Donald Holland. Summit Hill - Cazzie Kosciolek; Marlene Basiago; Robert Wadyak. Nesquehoning - Mike Bonner; Bob McMichael; Joseph "Maxie" Damiano. Anyone looking for tickets to the banquet can contact any of the following people: Danny McGinley 570-325-3550; Art George 610-826-2830; Jake Boyer 610-751-6634; Tom Wehr 570-366-2694; Trevor Lawrence 570-645-4722; Emmett McCall 570-645-2093; Bob Gelatko 570-645-8652; Tom Pilla 570-669-6666; Bill Gardiner 570-669-6564; Evan Evans 570-645-7716; Vince Spisak 570-645-4542; Dr. Richard Miller 570-645-8567. Following are members of the 2014 Coaldale Hall of Fame Class: |
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| Coaldale man sought in felony shoplifting Monday, April 21, 2014 By CHRIS PARKER cparker@tnonline.com |
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| The annual Carbon County Hall of Fame banquet will be held on Sunday, May 25, 2014, at Memorial Hall in Jim Thorpe. This year's inductees are: Lehighton - Norm A. Frey; Jr; Robert Andrews; Lee "Put" Kuntz. Lansford - Ellen Ogozalek; Eileen Ogozalek; Tom Rosahac. Tamaqua - Frank Yusella; Wayne Shickram; Stan Dakosty. Jim Thorpe - Keith Miller; Drew Benyo; Dale Burnhauser. Palmerton - Gene Behler; Georgianna Messinger; Kathy Beck Dekorte; Donald Holland. Summit Hill - Cazzie Kosciolek; Marlene Basiago; Robert Wadyak. Nesquehoning - Mike Bonner; Bob McMichael; Joseph "Maxie" Damiano. Anyone looking for tickets to the banquet can contact any of the following people: Danny McGinley 570-325-3550; Art George 610-826-2830; Jake Boyer 610-751-6634; Tom Wehr 570-366-2694; Trevor Lawrence 570-645-4722; Emmett McCall 570-645-2093; Bob Gelatko 570-645-8652; Tom Pilla 570-669-6666; Bill Gardiner 570-669-6564; Evan Evans 570-645-7716; Vince Spisak 570-645-4542; Dr. Richard Miller 570-645-8567. During the next several weeks THE TIMES NEWS will be running brief biographies and photos of everyone in this year's class. |
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| COALDALE LIONS CLUB EASTER FLOWER AND CANDY SALE THURSDAY TO SATURDAY By Andrew Leibenguth on April 16, 2014 • Members of the Coaldale Lions Club are holding their annual Easter Flower and Candy Sale this Thursday (April 17, 2014) to Saturday, April 19 at the Coaldale Ambulance Building along US209 in Coaldale. Proceeds will benefit Coaldale Lion supported charities and community organizations. Times for the sales will be: Thursday, April 17 from 10 AM to 6 PM. Friday, April 18 from 10 AM to 6 PM. Saturday, April 19 from 9 AM to 3 PM. For more information, email Laura at lauramcelheny@aol.com or visit the event on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/events/288610831305340/. |
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| ROW HOME DEMOLISHED IN COALDALE By Andrew Leibenguth on April 16, 2014 • H Schuylkill County Parcel lists the Coaldale Borough as the current owner of the property. The property, estimated to be built in 1920, was assessed last year for $20 to Edward and Margaret Smith. The borough has owned the property since August 14, 2013. Demolishing the property are Northeast Industrial SVCS Corporation of Shamokin, who submitted the lowest bid in December ($16,770) to tear it down. When asked who paid to tear it down, they said the invoice stated “Schuylkill County”. A passerby, who wished to remain anonymous, stated how impressed he was that the demolition crew could tear down just the end home without affected the other connected row homes. |
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| Coaldale Coaldale Rod & Gun Club will host its annual egg hunt at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 19 at the club, located at Sixth and Lehigh streets. The event is open to children 10 years old and younger and will be held rain or shine. This is the 60th year for the annual event. THE RESURRECTION OF OUR |
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| Coaldale police restored to full-time status Wednesday, April 9, 2014 By LISA PRICE lprice@tnonline.com Coaldale council has restored its three full-time police officer positions, with benefits, effective today. During a meeting Tuesday, council members brought back their full-timers by a three-two vote; with Harry Hontz, Brenda Hosler and Linda Miller voting in favor of the move, and Thomas Keerans and Mike Doerr voting against it. Council President Angela Krapf, who is the wife of Sgt. Keith Krapf, abstained from voting. Krapf, Charles Blesse and Todd Weiss, who have been working for the borough as part-time officers, will be full-time employees again. The three were furloughed by borough council in 2012, and have filed a lawsuit in Schuylkill Count Court seeking back pay. That lawsuit is still pending. |
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St. Mary's Orthodox Church - Lenten, Holy week and Pascha Schedule - 2014
Lazarus Saturday - April 12 - 9:30am LAZARUS SATURDAY - Hours & Divine Liturgy THE RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD, GOD, AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. |
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| Services set at Coaldale church for Easter holidays Saturday, April 5, 2014 Morning Worship will be held at First Congregational Church, Coaldale, at 9 a.m. Sunday, April 6, followed by Sunday School at 10 a.m. A Palm Sunday service will be conducted at 9 a.m. Sunday, April 13. Confirmation of new members will be conducted and palms will be distributed. The annual Passover Meal and Easter Message in Scripture and Song will take place at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 15. The event is open to the public. Holy Thursday will be observed at a service at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 17. A Good Friday service will be held at 1 p.m. The church will be open for devotions and prayer from noon to 3 p.m. Easter Sunday will be celebrated at a service at 9 a.m. Sunday, April 20 |
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| Coaldale discusses secretary's salary Tuesday, April 1, 2014 By LISA PRICE lprice@tnonline.com Coaldale council held a special personnel committee meeting Monday to discuss the terms of employment for the borough's secretary, Andrea Davis. Davis was hired in October 2013 as secretary/treasurer at a rate of $12 per hour. Prior to that time, the borough had two secretaries. In 2012, the secretary salaries for the year were $37,000 and $10,100; in 2013 the secretary salaries were $24,500 and $10,000, up until October when Davis was hired. Council President Angela Krapf called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. and the board immediately went into executive session. Council members Linda Miller, Brenda Hosler, Michael Doerr and Thomas Keerans were present. The discussion lasted until 7:50, when citizens were allowed back into the meeting room. "We got down some ideas regarding the secretary's salary, which will be voted on at the next council meeting," Krapf said when the meeting reconvened for the public. "Michael Greek (the borough's soliciter) put together a contract for her; she had been working without a contract." Read more... |
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| Coaldale man accused in meth lab out on reduced bail Friday, March 28, 2014 By CHRIS PARKER cparker@tnonline.com A Coaldale man charged with operating a methamphetamine lab at his home is free on reduced bail. Schuylkill County Judge Charles M. Miller on March 21 agreed to reduce Jason John Shiffert's $50,000 straight cash bail to $500 percentage cash bail. But Shiffert must abide by a set of conditions. He must live with his mother at 9 E. Ruddle St., Coaldale, and must not relocate without written permission from the district attorney's office. Read more... |
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| Coaldale wants cops back on job Wednesday, March 12, 2014 Council majority calling for return of full-time force, questions about suit remain By LISA PRICE lprice@tnonline.com The majority of Coaldale council members are so ready to bring back their cops they almost did it during a meeting Tuesday. They just have one unanswered question: "If we bring back the cops, what happens to the lawsuit they filed against the borough, claiming violation of their contracts and seeking back pay and recovery of all costs?" Councilman Harry Hontz, who heads the police committee, said "I think the time has come to bring them all back, full time." Read more... |
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| Meth lab busted in Coaldale Saturday, February 22, 2014 KATHY KUNKEL/TIMES NEWS A Pennsylvania State Police Forensics Scientist neutralizes methamphetamine that was found in a home at 11 E. Ruddle St., Coaldale. A Coaldale resident has been arrested for operating a methamphetamine lab in his home. Read more... |
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| No decision by Coaldale Council on restoring full-time police officers in borough Wednesday, February 12, 2014 By LISA PRICE lprice@tnonline.com Annually, the borough designates $20,000 from tax millage to go to the fire department. During a meeting in January, fire company officials said they were owed several thousand dollars. During Tuesday's meeting, Chief Rich Marek said the fire company was down to about $13 in its checking account. Read more... |
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| Police continue search for missing Coaldale man Monday, February 3, 2014 Corey Michael Samuels By CHRIS PARKER cparker@tnonline.com Read more... |
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| Coaldale budget getting another review Friday, January 17, 2014 Council focuses on police, fire and streets Coaldale officials have reopened the 2014 budget, hoping to find a way to expand services provided by the police, street and fire departments. After a meeting Thursday, they're armed with good information but no closer to answers. They'll meet again at 6:30 p.m. Monday, at the Borough Hall. The budget, if altered, must be posted by Jan. 21. Francis Hutta, one of three residents who attended, summed up the issues the Coaldale board faces, saying, "Making sure citizens have a good quality of life is expensive." Only four board members attended: Chairman Angela Krapf, Harry Hontz, Brenda Hosler and Linda Miller. Absent were Mayor Richard Kellner, and councilmen Thomas Keerans, Steve Tentylo and Michael Doerr. The four who attended took stacks of budget information home to study. |
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| Coaldale reopens budget Tuesday, January 14, 2014 Coaldale borough council expects to meet at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 16 and Jan. 20 to again consider its 2014 budget. The meeting will be held at borough hall, 221 Third St. The millage breaks down to 21.540 mills for the general fund; 2 mills for the light fund; 1 mill for the fire fund and 0.5 mill for the pension fund. |
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| Furloughed Coaldale police open door to talks Thursday, January 9, 2014 By DONALD R. SERFASS dserfass@tnonline.com There could there light at the end of the tunnel for a two-year-old issue involving Coaldale Borough Council and three furloughed police officers. The officers are plaintiffs in an August 2013 lawsuit stemming from the controversial layoff. On Monday, the officers contacted the borough with an offer to open a door to negotiations. At council's reorganizational meeting held Monday at Coaldale Borough Hall, Councilman Harry Hontz Jr. told the board that a letter had been received via Police Chief Tim E. Delaney regarding the officers and the pending litigation. Hontz read the letter aloud: |
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Furloughed officer's wife heads Coaldale Council Tuesday, January 7, 2014 By DONALD R. SERFASS dserfass@tnonline.com The wife of a furloughed borough police officer was elected to head Coaldale Borough Council at Monday's reorganizational meeting. Angela Krapf captured the votes to step in as president, with one negative vote cast. Krapf's husband, Sgt. Keith Krapf, was one of three officers and two borough workers furloughed in 2012 in what council called a cost-cutting move. |
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| Coaldale buys cruiser with funds from St. Luke's Friday, December 20, 2013 By CAJETAN BERGER TN Correspondent tneditor@tnonline.com Coaldale Borough Council at a special meeting on Thursday agreed to use $17,000 contributed by St. Luke's Hospital Network to buy a police car. The move drew criticism from Councilwoman-elect Linda Miller and from borough fire chief and former Councilman Richard Marek. Read more... |
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| Bids for Coaldale demolition project opened by commissioners Thursday, December 19, 2013 By AL DIETZ tneditor@tnonline.com Four bids were opened by the Schuylkill County Commissioners for demolition of the vacant property at 292 S. Third St. in Coaldale Borough. Bidding were: Madonna Enterprises, Inc., Port Carbon; Northeast Industrial SVCS Corporation, Shamokin, $16,770; Penn Earthworks, Inc., Beaver Meadows, $17,150; and Knoeppel Demo and Construction Company, Coal Township, $118,400. The same four companies also submitted bids for demolition of the property at 227 E. Mahanoy Ave., Girardville. Their bids were: Madonna, $17,280; Knoeppel, $20,400; Penn Earthworks, $20,900; and Northeast Industrial, $37,974. Read more... |
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| Coaldale borough council to meet Tuesday, December 17, 2013 A special meeting of Coaldale Borough Council will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19, at the borough building on Third Street for a bid award and general purposes. |
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| Coaldale winter parking rules Wednesday, November 20, 2013 Coaldale Borough wants to remind residents of its winter parking rules: 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. Read more... |
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| Wanted: A new police chief Wednesday, November 13, 2013 Read more...Wednesday, November 20, 2013 |
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| Wednesday, November 13, 2013 Coaldale church hosts ninth annual Veteran's Day tribute Special to the times news Members of the Veteran's Day Community Choir sing during the annual service honoring area veterans Sunday at First Congregational Church, Coaldale. The choir, directed by Faye Lewis, Coaldale, is comprised of members of 27 Panther Valley churches. Veterans attending the service were introduced after a slide show of photographs of 100 local men and women who served in the armed forces. Read...with photo Coaldale Borough wants to remind residents of its winter parking rules: 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. |
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| Yelito voted out in Coaldale Wednesday, November 6, 2013 By AL DIETZ tneditor@tnonline.com Read more... The following streets will have no parking in effect from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. during or following any snowfall of three inches or more: |
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| Mayor, council races in Coaldale highlight Tuesday's election Thursday, October 31, 2013 By AL DIETZ tneditor@tnonline.com Coaldale Tax collector Catherine M. Papesh is unopposed as she won both nominations in the primary. The article is abridged...read on... Ÿ Moser Avenue between Fisher Avenue and Sixth Street; |
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| Coaldale home suffers heavy damage in afternoon fire Friday, October 25, 2013 By ANDREW LEIBENGUTH tnedior@tnonline.com A man is displaced after a fast-moving fire claimed his home and damaged two others yesterday in Coaldale. Firefighters and other emergency responders were called to the 200 block of West Howard Avenue just before 3 p.m. for a working structure. They arrived to see the entire block saturated with white smoke and a rising wall of flames inside the basement garage of 237 W. Howard Ave. During the response, area resident Louis Slakoper could be seen spraying water from a garden hose onto an adjacent property, 235 W. Howard Ave., owned by his brother. Read more... with photos Ÿ Howard Avenue between Second Street and Seventh Street |
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| Paying tribute to lost soldiers Thursday, October 24, 2013 Community honors fallen in 1983 Beirut attack By CHRIS PARKER cparker@tnonline.com At 10:30 a.m. Oct. 23, 1983, Frank Navratil was on guard duty in Beirut, Lebanon, about two miles from the U.S. Marine headquarters building when a truck loaded with explosives rammed into it, killing 241 men. "I saw smoke," the Coaldale resident said of that morning 30 years ago. "I was actually supposed to be there (in the headquarters) that morning." But his guard duty replacement was late, and the attack happened as Navratil waited for the other man to arrive. He lost friends in the blast, including Gunnery Sgt. Matilde Hernandez Jr., of Austin, Texas. Read more... |
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Press Release:
HONORING THE 241 UNITED STATES MARINES WHO WERE KILLED IN ACTION IN BERUIT, LEBANON ON 23 OCTOBER, 1983 We are gathered here today to pay tribute to and to honor the 222 US marines and 19 US Navy Corpsmen who gave their lives in a terrorist attack in Beruit, Lebanon. They died at 1030 hours on 23 October, 1983; 30 years ago to the hour. Five years ago we placed a special plaque on our Iwo Jima mural, honoring the 25 the anniversary of this tragic event. |
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| Real estate firm appeals tax assessment on Coaldale site Thursday, October 24, 2013 A real estate company has filed appeals in Schuylkill County court on the recent decision by the Schuylkill County Assessment Appeals Board which ruled no changes on three of its parcels. The appeal was filed by Reading and Northern Real Estate, a Pennsylvania corporation with an office in Hamburg, Berks County. The subject real estate parcels are located in Coaldale. Read more... |
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| Coaldale Ceremony to honor Marines killed in 1983 Saturday, October 19, 2013 Coaldale veterans' organizations will hold a ceremony at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23 to honor those Marines who were killed in action in Beirut, Lebanon in 1983. The ceremony will be held, rain or shine, in the Veterans Memorial Garden, next to borough hall, 221 Third St. Thirty years ago, 241 Marines were killed when their barracks was bombed. The 24th Marine Amphibious Unit had been stationed there beginning in 1982 to try to buffer the fighting between warring Christian and Muslim factions. At 10:30 a.m., Oct. 23, 1983, a truck loaded with explosives rammed the First battalion, 8th Marines Headquarters building, killing the occupants, which included Marines, sailors and soldiers. Read more... |
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| Coaldale landmark dismantled Wednesday, October 16, 2013 Windows removed from SS. Cyril and Methodius Catholic church By CHRIS PARKER cparker@tnonline.com The massive red brick SS. Cyril and Methodius Catholic church, Coaldale, one of 47 churches closed by the Allentown Diocese in July 2008, stands a little emptier today. On Monday, trucks hauled away the pews, which have been sold to a church in Zachary, La. On Tuesday, workers for Beyer Studio Inc., a Philadelphia online auction house, painstakingly chipped away at the frames holding the vibrantly-hued stained glass windows at the front of the church, one of just three windows left. Read more... |
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| Feeding feral cats is now against the law Wednesday, October 9, 2013 Woman says councilman had her cat taken; she wants it back By CAJETAN BERGER TN Correspondent tneditor@tnonline.com Coaldale borough council on Tuesday unanimously voted into effect a feral cat ordinance that forbids the feeding and sheltering of feral and homeless cats. Violating the ordinance may result confiscation of the cats, fines and summary charges. read more... |
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| Coaldale mayor returns Wednesday, October 9, 2013 Coaldale Mayor Richard Corkery made his first public council appearance at a borough council meeting Tuesday night since his arrest in July 2011 for possession of child pornography. Corkery, whose trial is scheduled for January in Carbon County Court, announced his remorse that secretary-treasurer Nancy Lorchak's was resigning, and then addressed the board and public regarding the police layoffs. read more... |
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| Tuesday, October 1, 2013 Dr. Dillswar Sahoo, longtime Coaldale physician, retires For 31 years Dr. Dillswar Sahoo has served the people of the Panther Valley and surrounding areas from his Coaldale office. Yesterday, he hung his stethoscope for the last time, officially retiring. Dr. Sahoo was known for his warm personality. Taking over his practice will be a physician who also has a reputation of being very compassionate, Dr. Elizabeth Perelli of Summit Hill. Yesterday, a reception was held for Dr. Sahoo at his office, located at 48 W. Phillip St. Dr. Perelli also was in attendance to introduce herself to his patients Read more... |
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| Coaldale councilman's fate depends on pardon bd. Saturday, September 21, 2013 By AL DIETZ TN correspondent tneditor@tnonline.com Yelito was requesting the delay because he filed on June 17, 2013 an application for pardon before the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons and is awaiting their ruling. The petition for a pardon will determine whether Yelito will qualify to be an officeholder since a determination of pardon effectively erases any conviction. Read more... |
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| Coaldale church aiding Syrian Christian refugees Thursday, September 19, 2013 St. Mary's Orthodox Church, Coaldale, will be accepting items to be included in health kits for Syrian Christian refugees. The church is also asking for help to assemble and mail the kits. "Orthodox Christians in Syria are being slaughtered for their faith alone in many cases. We are suffering for our fellow Christians who have fled these war torn regions seeking peace and safety for their families. I spoke with a Syrian friend I know who told me just a week ago that 450,000 Christians had left the country, and that he personally has one cousin that was killed and a friend as well in the last two weeks. So in response we want to partner with International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) to do what we can, said St. Mary's pastor Fr. Daniel Matthewson. St. Mary's will be collecting donations and health kit items through Sunday, Oct. 6. The items will be purchased on Monday, Oct. 7, and the kits assembled on Tuesday, Oct. 8 and Wednesday, Oct. 9. They will be loaded and shipped on Thursday, Oct. 10. The health kit items will be packed in gallon-size zip lock-type plastic bags. They will include one each: hand towel, washcloth, comb, metal nail file or nail clipper, bar of soap (bath size, new and wrapped in original packaging), toothbrush, and six bandages. For more information, call the church at (570) 645-2772 . |
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| Coaldale Ambulance Building, Route 209 The third annual Fall Vendor and Craft Show to benefit the American Cancer Society will be held on Sunday, Sept 22 from 10-3 at the Coaldale Ambulance Building on Route 209. There will be a variety of crafters and vendors that include Avon, Botanically Yours LLC, Clever Container, Mary Kay, Premier Jewelry, Scentsy, and Thirty One This year we will also have mini psychic readings given by Readings by Roseann We still have space available so contact me if you, or someone you know, is interested in being a vendor. Via Andrew Leibeinguth's facebook |
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| Candlelight ceremony held by Coaldale VFW Thursday, September 12, 2013 SHERI RYAN/SPECIAL TO THE TIMES NEWS VFW Quartermaster, Jerimiah Barkman, offers his remarks on the 9/11 attacks during a memorial service at the Coaldale VFW Post Home. A candlelight memorial service was held by VFW Post #6982 and Ladies Auxiliary in Coaldale Wednesday night, to honor those who lost their lives during the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. VFW Quartermaster, Jeremiah Barkman spoke of the impact the attacks had on our nation. Read more...
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| Firefighters respond to hospital in Coaldale Monday, September 9, 2013 ANDREW LEIBENGUTH/TIMES NEWS An equipment malfunction late Friday night resulted in an automatic fire alarm and minor smoke conditions at the 5th floor pent house section of the St. Luke's Miners' Hospital in Coaldale. No residents or staff were required to evacuate during the response. Responding in addition to Coaldale police were firefighters and fire police from Coaldale, Lansford and Summit Hill Photos... |
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| Three laid off police officers sue borough Wednesday, September 4, 2013 Seek back pay, reinstatement By AL DIETZ tneditor@tnonline.com Three former full-time police officers, who were laid off by the Borough of Coaldale, have filed a suit in Schuylkill County court seeking reinstatement and payment of lost wages and benefits. The suit was filed on behalf of Charles A. Blesse, 1019 Clamtown Road, Rush Township, who was employed as a full-time police officer beginning Oct. 14, 2008; Keith A. Krapf, 29 Bull Run St., Coaldale, who was employed as a full-time police officer beginning Sept. 15, 2005; and Todd Weiss, 160 E. Phillips St., Coaldale, who was employed as a full-time police officer beginning July 1, 2007. On March 1, 2012, all three were laid off by the borough for economical reasons Read more... |
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| For those Coaldalites who follow Penn State football.
Freshman Hackenberg leads Penn State past Syracuse with 2 TD passes in 23-17 victory Read more... It is interesting to note that Penn State's Christian Hackenberg is the grandson of Dr. Richard C. Miller who was a graduate of Coaldale High School (1963). Dr. Miller was an outstanding athlete. |
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| CO found in Coaldale home Monday, August 26, 2013 ANDREW LEIBENGUTH/TIMES NEWS Firefighters were called to 258 Fifth Street Sunday around 7:30 a.m. after residents reported an odd smell. Firefighters investigated and found unsafe carbon monoxide levels in the home. "The incident was caused by the furnace," said assisant fire chief Steven Polischak. Responding were Coaldale Police and Coaldale Fire Company. No injuries were reported Read more photo... |
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| Coaldale man's appeal of assault conviction rejected by state court Wednesday, August 14, 2013 By AL DIETZ tneditor@tnonline.com George Joseph Bonetsky, 35, who resided at 262 Fourth St., in his appeal challenged the sufficiency of evidence. The higher court rejected his argument that the commonwealth failed to establish the offenses culpability and agreed with the Schuylkill County Trial Judge Jacqueline Russell that there was sufficient evidence upon which a jury could find him guilty. |
| Quality of life ordinance is adopted in Coaldale Wednesday, August 14, 2013 By CHRIS PARKER cparker@tnonline.com Council on Tuesday adopted a "quality of life" ordinance that allows police to hand out tickets on the spot to people who allow trash, weeds or pet feces to accumulate, or who put old living room furniture or appliances outside, or who otherwise violate the rules. The ordinance, approved by all council members who attended the public meeting, carries fines ranging from $25 to $1,000 or jail time. Councilmen Thomas Keerans, Joseph Hnat, David Yelito, Michael Doerr and John Sherbin voted in favor of the ordinance. Councilman Steve Tentylo and President Susan Solt were absent. |
| Bids opened for Coaldale Fire Company heating system Friday, August 9, 2013 By AL DIETZ tneditor@tnonline.com Three bids were received for the Coaldale project. They were: Reilly Mechanical Company, Branchdale, Branch Township, $64,800 base bid, and $3,900, and $12,850 alternate bids; Sommer Inc., Schuylkill Haven, $59,855 base bid, and $8,536, and $23,858 alternate bids; and Bognet Inc., Hazleton, $58,555 base bid, and $3,377, and $12,333 alternate bids. |
| 'American Pickers' Wednesday, July 31, 2013 Locally filmed episode to air Aug. 5 on The History Channel By DONALD R. SERFASS dserfass@tnonline.com The towns of Lansford and Coaldale will receive national visibility when a national cable television show airs a segment filmed here five months ago. According to a list of new episodes released by The History Channel, an upcoming segment of "American Pickers" titled "Going Hollywood" will reveal that "a Pennsylvania couple has filled two sprawling warehouses with their mammoth collection." That specific show will premiere August 5 from 9 to 10 p.m. |
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| Schuylkill County planners say Coaldale approved plans prematurely Friday, July 19, 2013 By AL DIETZ tneditor@tnonline.com ==================================== Coaldale Borough Planning Commission submitted the plan of Eric S. and Christine A. Zizelmann, to which it also gave final approval. The Zizelmanns seek to convey a 2,500 square foot lot to the First Congregational Church. This is not a building lot, and will be only used for church purposes. The county reviewed the plan and found it met all county land requirements and returned the plan to the Coaldale commission. But it also reminded Coaldale that the county wants a copy of all municipal decisions so that the county board can be more aware of concerns. |
| Coaldale fire company heating project delayed; must be rebid Thursday, July 18, 2013 By AL DIETZ tneditor@tnonline.com The program is being funded by the county's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. Gary Bender, who manages the program, informed the commissioners that Rosenberger Plumbing and Heating Inc., of Pottsville, which submitted the lowest bid of $44,000, withdrew. Bender said the next bidder, Bognet Inc., Hazleton, bid $56,489, which was deemed over the budget allotted for the project. Bender also reported that the plans for the fire house project are being revised to reduce the costs. The original plan was to install a coal burner because the fire company has been offered free coal from a generous coal dealer and also to heat the engine room. The revised plans are to eliminate installing piping into the engine room. |
| Benefit held in Coaldale for McAdoo fire victims Tuesday, July 16, 2013 By ANDREW LEIBENGUTH aleibenguth@tnonline.com Benefit organizers Kelly Gott, Kayla Kerstetter and Tiara Gott, who are all employees at Pappy's Mini Mart in Coaldale, said that they have been longtime friends with Madison's father, John "Jack" Arner. John works off and on at Peter J. Radocha and Sons Inc., which is located adjacent to the mini mart and where the benefit event was held. They added that the event raised over $3,000. |
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| Sale of vacant home in Coaldale ok'd; bridge work bids awarded Thursday, July 11, 2013 By AL DIETZ tneditor@tnonline.com The building is a two story frame home and located at 292 S. Third St. The last owner was Mary Smith. The property was turned over to the borough for a $20 fee. The tax claim bureau acquired the building for delinquent taxes. The borough plans to demolish the structure. |
| Mold-infested house might soon be cleaned Wednesday, July 10, 2013 By CHRIS PARKER cparker@tnonline.com Solicitor Michael Greek said a hearing is scheduled for Aug. 6 in Schuylkill County court for a default status on the house, which is declared unfit for human habitation. That may allow the borough to clean up the interior of the home. |
| Coaldale Neighborhood Watch meeting slated Friday, July 5, 2013 Coaldale borough will hold a Neighborhood Watch meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday, July 8, in the council chambers in the borough hall on East Phillips Street. |
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| DA wants Yelito removed from Coaldale council Friday, June 14, 2013 David J. Yelito The district attorney of Schuylkill County has filed a petition in the county court seeking removal from office a member of the Coaldale Borough Council. The action was started by District Attorney Karen Byrnes Noon versus David J. Yelito, of 202 W. Phillips St., who has served as a councilman in the borough. |
Thursday, June 13, 2013
By CHRIS PARKER cparker@tnonline.com
The four members of Coaldale council who met Tuesday agreed to hire the lowest bidder for street improvements.
Thomas Keerans, John Sherbin, David Yelito and President Susan Solt all voted to hire Alicia Paving Inc., Lehighton, to improve Ridge Street at a cost of $6,844 and Upper Miner Street, from Route 209 to Snedden Avenue at a cost of $11,378.
Alicia was the lower of two bidders
By AL DIETZ tneditor@tnonline.com
Four bids were opened by the Schuylkill County commissioners for upgrading the Coaldale Fire Company's heating system at their work session held Wednesday afternoon at the courthouse in Pottsville. Bids were also opened for other projects.
Urban spent 27 years at the TIMES NEWS and ends a vocation in which his career path took him to three daily newspapers. He served in multiple capacities during periods of great transition in the field
By CHRIS PARKER cparker@tnonline.com
His voice strong and steady, retired U.S. Army Master Sergeant Nick Paraschak, 92, read aloud the names of those old soldiers who had passed on in the year spanning Memorial Day 2012 and ceremonies held in Coaldale this past Sunday.
Paraschak, who served during World War II, then saluted as a rifle squad of Panther Valley JROTC cadets fired three rounds in honor of the fallen heroes and taps was played.
Old Fashioned Miner's Picnic slated Sunday in Lansford
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
It will be a grand old time this Sunday May 26 as the No. 9 Coal Mine and Museum in Lansford, celebrates the holiday with their annual Old Fashioned Miners Picnic and activities. The grounds will be filled with the sound of music, the smells of homemade ethnic foods, the sights of vintage and classic cars, and a special photo exhibit.
By CHRIS PARKER cparker@tnonline.com
Police in Coaldale may be handing out tickets that carry fines of up to $100 for high weeds, piles of dog doo or that tatty upholstered recliner on the front porch.
Council on Tuesday took the first step in adopting a "quality of life" ordinance, aimed at keeping small nuisances from becoming big blight. All council members attending the public meeting Joseph Hnat, Thomas Keerans, John Sherbin and David Yelito voted in favor of beginning the process to adopt the ordinance. Councilmen Mike Doerr, Steve Tentylo, and President Susan Solt were absent.
Driver injured after crashing into pole in Coaldale
Monday, May 13, 2013
ANDREW LEIBENGUTH/TIMES NEWS A Jeep Liberty sits atop a power line after it's driver crashed into it early Saturday morning.
Christopher Puksar, 26, of Lansford, was taken to the hospital around 2:30 a.m. Saturday morning after losing control of his sports utility vehicle and snapping a power line pole along US209 in Coaldale. Firefighters on scene stated that Puksar was injured after stepping outside his vehicle onto the wet ground.
The Coaldale United Veterans Organization will conduct two Memorial Day services on Sunday, May 26. The first service will be held at the Seek Veterans Memorial, on Route 209, at 1 p.m. A second service will be held at the Coaldale Veterans and Women's Memorial, Third and Phillips Streets, at 2:30 p.m.
The featured speaker at both services will be Dale A, Wesner, Captain USMC (Ret.). His talk will emphasize the importance of Memorial Day; and the need to honor the past and current sacrifices of our military in defense of our freedoms.
By AL DIETZ tneditor@tnonline.com
Three Coaldale men were among 23 defendants who entered guilty pleas in Schuylkill County court to criminal charges and were sentenced by Judge Jacqueline Russell.
Domingo J. Cepada, 23, , last known address, 231 Fisher Avenue, Apt. 2, pleaded to a charge of delivery of a controlled substance containing five baggies of heroin to a confidential informant for $100 on Phillips Street last May.
He was sentenced to serve six to 12 months in the county prison with credit for serving 210 days; pay $100 to Substance Abuse Education (SAE) fund, $50 to Criminal Justice Enhancement Account (CJEA) fund, perform 20 hours of community service, and make restitution of $100 to Tamaqua Police Department and $113 to Bethlehem Regional Lab.
Thursday, May 2, 2013
By AL DIETZ dmclaughlin@tnonline.com
The Schuylkill County commissioners gave approval to Grant Writer Gary Bender to seek bids for various projects and services, in action taken at Wednesday's work session held at the courthouse in Pottsville.
One bid is sought for the Coaldale Fire Company to upgrade its heating system. This is a 2010 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) project. Bids will be due in the county controller's office at the courthouse on June 5.
The Carbon County Sports Hall of Fame will induct its 2013 class on Sunday, May 26 at Memorial Hall in Jim Thorpe.
The doors will open at 12:45 with cocktail hour from 1-2 p.m. Dinner will be at 2 p.m. with the induction ceremony to follow.
COALDALE - Pete Radocha, Diana Demianenko, Joseph Ozefovich, John Posta.
"Vietnam was America's longest war," said Korean War veteran William Gaddes of the "Friends of Coaldale High," who purchased the large 15-foot by 25-foot flag. "It cost the lives of nearly 60,000 men and women
COALDALE, PA 1:30 PM APRIL 17, 2013
REMARKS TO ATTENDEES AND PV JROTC
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN; VETERANS. THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING OUR RAISING OF THE NEW GIGANTIC AMERICAN FLAG OVER COALDALE.
A SPECIAL THANKS TO THE PANTHER VALLEY JUNIOR ROTC FOR AN OUTSTANDING JOB. SFC JORDAN; AND CADET BATTALION COMMANDER COLIN JOHNSON; YOU ARE TO BE COMMENDED. WE ALL ARE JUSTLY PROUD OF YOU.
Kelly lived at 123 E. Lehigh St. He was a miner and knew that the noise he heard was the ominous sound that comes from problems underground.
He woke his wife and they sought refuge in the family car.
.Coaldale Police reported that Anne "Demie" Demyanovich, 85, of Second Street, Coaldale, passed away Friday at St. Luke's Hospital in Bethlehem from medical complications.
Demyanovich was being treated at the hospital for injuries she sustained from a vehicle collision with a PennDOT contracted street sweeper on Thursday, April 4, along US209 in the Seek section of Coaldale.
A Coaldale woman was injured after crashing into the rear of a PennDOT contractor's street sweeper yesterday afternoon along US209 in the Seek section of Coaldale. Witnesses in adjacent yards and in vehicles following behind said that that the driver of the car, a 1997 Accura, drove through a cloud of thick white dust before impacting the rear of the street sweeper, which was staged on the right side of the westbound US209 near the West Miners Street intersection.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17TH AT COALDALE COMPLEX
The Panther Valley High School Junior ROTC will participate in the raising of a large American Flag at the Coaldale Complex (Old High School) on West Phillips and Sixth Streets in Coaldale. The event will take place at 1:30 PM on Wednesday, April 17th 2013.
The Panther Valley JROTC, under the direction of SFC Joseph Jordan and Cadet Battalion Commander Johnson; will prepare the flag in a flag-folding procedure at the Panther valley High School prior to transport to the Coaldale Complex. An Honor Squad of Cadets will unfold the flag and raise it on the 50 foot high flagpole that was erected in 1921, and recently refurbished by the Coaldale Fire Company.
William Gaddes of the “Friends of Coaldale High”; who purchased the flag, will make a few remarks regarding the fiftieth anniversary of the beginning of the Vietnam War. America’s longest war, it cost the lives of nearly 60,000 men and women whose names are inscribed upon the Vietnam War Memorial.
All are invited to attend this beautiful and moving ceremony performed by the youth of Panther Valley Schools. All area veterans’ organizations are requested to send representatives. Please support the Panther Valley JROTC; as it is a character-building and achievement-oriented program which has achieved outstanding success.
Interested parties may contact Bill gaddes at 570-645-2762 for further information. Ceremony will occur come rain or come shine. Remember: April 17th; a Wednesday at 1:30PM.
Firefighters quickly respond in Coaldale
By ANDREW LEIBENGUTH aleibenguth@tnonline.com
A fast response from firefighters helped to save a Coaldale home from being destroyed by fire just after 6 p.m. Tuesday.
After seeing flames rise up from the stove and cabinets of her kitchen, tenant Holly O'Shea, 24, of 150 Second St., grabbed her 2-year-old daughter and escaped outside, where she called 911.
National TV antiques show finds bargains in Panther Vy.
By DONALD R. SERFASS dserfass@tnonline.com
The reality television series "American Pickers" came to Carbon and Schuylkill counties on Saturday and hit pay dirt.
COALDALE - Pete Radocha, Diana Demianenko, Joseph Ozefovich, John Posta.
By CHRIS PARKER cparker@tnonline.com
Several Coaldale residents spoke on a variety of matters at a contentious public council meeting Tuesday.
Following another heated discussion involving the February 2012 furlough of the town's three full-time police officers to save money, resident Nick Ritzko, verging on tears, pleaded with council to put to public vote the question of whether the borough should increase its property tax levy to raise enough revenue to rehire the officers and the two borough workers who were also furloughed.
Ritzko asked council to "bring back one worker at a time, one police officer at a time."
Resident levels charges of Coaldale wrongdoing
By CHRIS PARKER cparker@tnonline.com
A Coaldale resident accused several others of wrongdoing at a public council meeting Tuesday. The people named then rebutted his statements in what was once again a series of heated exchanges.
The rowdy public comment portion of the meeting consumed an hour and a half, after which council went through a few committee items before going into executive session.
After an intense investigation into options to save the former nurses' residence at St. Luke's Hospital Miners Campus, the administration and board of directors have reached the decision to demolish the building.
The original 1934 nurses' residence of Coaldale State General Hospital still stands to the rear of the present hospital building. It served the hospital from 1934 to 1973.
Coaldale Fire Company holding annual fund drive
The fire company, which serves the borough of Coaldale, as well as assists in emergency situations in Lansford, Summit Hill and Tamaqua, will be mailing out forms over the next few weeks to all Coaldale residents asking for donations in support of the fire company.
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
CHRIS PARKER/TIMES NEWS New Coaldale borough councilman John J. Sherbin Sr., right, is sworn in by solicitor Michael Greek.By CHRIS PARKER cparker@tnonline.com
Coaldale Borough Council welcomed its newest member Tuesday.
Council voted 3-2, with members Steve Tentylo and Mike Doerr absent, to appoint John J. Sherbin Sr. of 233 W. Early Ave., to the seat recently vacated by Nancy Lorchak, who resigned to become borough secretary.
Council members David Yelito, Joseph Hnat and Thomas Keerans voted in favor of Sherbin; Vacancy Board Chairwoman Joanne Melloy and council President Susan Solt opposed.
Sherbin, who was nominated by Yelito, said he is a Democrat, and is a political newcomer.
Sherbin, 82, said he was born and raised in neighboring Lansford, served in the U.S. Navy after high school, and moved to Coaldale from the Philadelphia area seven years ago. He is a retired paper hanger/painter. A widower, Sherbin said he had the time to devote to borough business.
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
CHRIS PARKER/TIMES NEWS Pennsylvania state trooper Edward Sanchez warns Coaldale Borough Council that it has made a grave mistake in getting rid of its full-time police department.By CHRIS PARKER cparker@tnonline.com
A state trooper warned Coaldale Borough Council Tuesday that by getting rid of its full-time police department, it risks ending up like the notoriously crime-ridden city of Hazleton.
"We see larger boroughs ... an example is Hazleton, with the gangs, and with the drugs, with the crime, with the stabbings, with the shootings. All it takes is for a small borough to take that one step toward letting that criminal element start to take hold, and you can't turn back," Trooper Edward Sanchez told council. "My suggestion would be, you really need your police department in full force."
07 January, 2013
Friends and alumni of Coaldale High School have purchased a new American Flag for the 50 foot pole at the Coaldale Complex (Old High School).
ThisFlag, of the best quality made by Valley Forge Flag Company, measures 15 by 25 feet, and has a retail cost of $784.00. This is the third such American Flag purchased by this group. Unfortunately, "Superstorm Sandy" destroyed the second flag prematurely.
The flag will be raised during a ceremony to be conducted by the Panther Valley High School Junior ROTC. This will take place in late march or early April 2013; weather permitting. The flag is prepared and folded in a special ceremony at the Panther Valley High School by a highly trained team of cadets. The entire ROTC battalion will travel with the flag and will participate in the beautiful flag raising ceremony. The event will be directed by Major Ken Markovich, senior professor of Military Science at panther Valley High School.
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The Coaldale United Veterans Organization (UVO) will participate, as will an Honor Guard from the McAdoo VFW. Pennsylvania AMVETS Post One will attend.
It is expected that several other area veteran’s organizations will respond positively to invitations to this event.
Earning a winter merit badge, scouts with Coaldale's Cub Pack 740 spent time Sunday evening at the Seek Park in Coaldale learning how to construct an igloo with only a saw and a few homemade tools. Scout leaders added that this type of shelter was originally built by the Inuit tribes of Canada's Central Arctic and Greenland's Thule areas. Although some Inuit people tended to use snow to insulate their houses, others opted us to whalebone or animal hides. Snow was preferred as the air pockets trapped in it acted as an insulator from the cold. On the outside, temperatures may be as low as minus 49 degrees Fahrenheit, but inside temperatures can reach up to 61 degrees when the igloo is warmed by body heat alone. Gary Royer, Coaldale Cub Scout Master, mentioned that other scout troops he volunteered with even camped out in them.
Friday, January 4, 2013
By AL DIETZ tneditor@tnonline.com
A property owner has started a civil suit against Coaldale Borough to pay for damages caused to his property by allegedly failing to timely respond and repair damages to a sewer line near his property.
The action was started by Lucky Zavitsky, 35 W. Ruddle St., who is seeking damages of $20,492.06.
According to the suit, Zavitsky began experiencing the problem on Sept. 22, 2011, when he noticed that there was gray water gushing out of the back of his residence. He called 9-1-1 to report the problem.
ouse Demolition, 3rd Street, Coaldale, 4-16-2014 - Contractors spent most of the day today (Wednesday, April 16, 2014) demolishing the property at 292 South Third Street in Coaldale. The home is located at the end of 8 row homes from 278 to 292 South 3rd Street.
