The Journal-Herald, Thursday, February 8, 2024 by canwinjournal

the

CONTINUING: THE WHITE HAVEN JOURNAL ESTABLISHED 1879–145th YEAR, NO. 11

SINGLE COPY– 75¢ (USPS 277440)

CONTINUING: THE WEATHERLY HERALD ESTABLISHED 1880–144th YEAR, NO. 37

Detours and road conditions main East Side concerns about I-80 bridge project

PROJECT MANAGER Elliot Fink from Michael Baker International points out part of the area in East Side to be impacted by the Interstate 80 bridge replacement project. JH: Ruth Isenberg by Ruth Isenberg The John Murphy Room at the White Haven Area Comunity Library had a larger-than-usual crowd for the February 1 East Side Borough Council meeting. In addition to all council members and several guests, a contingent was on hand to provide information to council about the impact the Interstate 80 bridge replacement will have on the community. A presentation on the library’s big screen laid out the basics of the project, very similar to a presentation several months ago in White Haven. Topics touched on incuded the original P-3 bridge project that had proposed tolling the new bridges to pay for them, the demise of that plan, the need to protect public lands and environmental and cultural resources, including the Lehigh River itself, a water trail. New information to most of

the East Side and White Haven officials who attended was the description of detours that will be necessary during some of the construction. The eastbound on-ramp is being relocated and lengthened for the new eastbound bridge, which will be built first, slightly south of the current bridge. That will take about 18 months. When it’s done, eastbound traffic will be moved to that bridge, and westbound traffic will be moved to the old eastbound bridge. The old westbound bridge will be demolished, and a new westbound bridge built in its place. Traffic will be routed to the new bridge, and then the old eastbound bridge will be demolished. As part of this process, the westbound off-ramp will be closed for about five months, a temporary ramp will be open for about 12 months, and then the off-ramp

will be closed again for about three months. River Road, Route 1005, will be closed for the duration of the project, April 2024 through June 2028. Heavy equipment will be staged on the road, and traffic will be detoured via Route 534. East Side officials were concerned about the condition of River Road even before construction vehicles are moved in. Mayor Eric Siglin noted that a tri-axle had collapsed the side of the road last year, rolling into the embankment. Contractor Dan Wagman promised to look closely at the condition of the road before any equipment comes in. “We’re here to do a good job and be a good neighbor for the next four years,” he said, noting that his firm would have its local headquarters on Main

Street in the former PNC Bank building. He also noted that Wagman would be hiring local crews to work on the project. Council also expressed concerns about River Street (Route 940 out of the borough to Kidder Township), and heavier traffic as a result of the detours. Council member Louis Esa said he would like to see a written commitment to Route 940 improvements once the project is over. Route 940 is scheduled for resurfacing and minor repairs in 2029; River Road is not included, but PennDOT would be open to discussing it. Various suggestions to slow down detoured traffic were made. Council president Liz Berger asked for good

DETOUR AROUND RIVER ROAD in East Side. Other detours on page 6.

communications, especially with emergency services, and asked if the Weatherly Area School

See EAST SIDE, page 6

PAGE 2 — THE JOURNAL-HERALD, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

THE JOURNAL-HERALD (USPS 277-440) Published weekly at 211 Main Street, White Haven, PA 18661

Telephone (570) 215-0204 Subscription Price—$40 per year in Luzerne & Carbon Counties, Pennsylvania, payable in advance. $45 per year elsewhere, payable in advance. Periodicals postage paid at White Haven, PA 18661. POSTMASTER, send address changes to:

THE JOURNAL-HERALD 211 Main Street, White Haven, PA 18661 (JAY E. HOLDER, Co-Publisher 1954-1997; CLARA HOLDER, Co-Publisher 1954-2014)

Seth Isenberg, Advertising Sales Ruth Isenberg, Editor Steve Stallone, Sports Editor Member, Greater White Haven Chamber of Commerce Carbon County Chamber of Commerce Pocono Mountains Chamber of Commerce © Copyright 2024, The Journal-Herald

Editorial

Planning…short-, medium-, and long-term by Ruth Isenberg We learned a bit more about what to expect during the four-year construction project to replace the Interstate 80 bridges during the February East Side Borough Council meeting. Representatives of PennDOT’s developer, Michael Baker International, and constructor, Wagman Construction attended to bring the community’s officials up to speed on the undertaking, which is scheduled to begin in April. Dan Wagman confirmed that his company will be headquartered here, in the former PNC Bank building. That’s a positive development. It should provide some increased traffic for local businesses — the same businesses that expect to be hurt by the traffic changes and heavy equipment staging during the project. Even more important, it will offer some real accountability when things don’t go as planned, and some real incentive to come up with solutions. PennDOT provided details about an aspect of the project that hadn’t received a lot of attention previously — the need for detours throughout much of the construction. Traffic won’t be detoured off Interstate 80, but some of the time on and off ramps will be closed, and traffic will have to be rerouted. Detours take traffic through White Haven and East Side, to the ramps at Route 534 just past the truck stops. Of particular interest to East Side, River Road will be used for staging heavy equipment throughout the project, and will be closed. Period. All traffic will have to use Route 534 or the Tannery Road to access the area past the staging. Short-term, this is going to take getting used to. Controlling vehicle speed, especially trucks, will be critical. Medium-term, we will cope. The project is necessary for safety. Long-term, we will have two brand new bridges, safer accesses, and restored roads. Some of the safety measures that are developed may be lasting changes that help us all.

Archives From The Journal-Herald Issue of February 3, 1994 Editors & Publishers Jay and Clara Holder Kidder Township supervisors met last week and accepted the resignation of township manager Leroy Fetterman on a vote of 3-2 – in favor Jeffrey Jones, Kevin Nally and Charles Getz, and opposed Harry Klotz and Kord Spielman. The letter of resignation stated that he “felt he would not fit into a new and as yet unstated agenda.” There was no discussion before the vote. Fetterman has held the position since 1987. His final day of work would be February 11. The photo on the front page of this issue is of a nearly frozen across Lehigh River from the Route 940 bridge. A rotating series of community Lenten services will be held each Wednesday at various Weatherly churches. A community Good Friday service will be held at St. Nicholas Catholic Church. The Rev. Michele Kaufman recently began serving as pastor of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in White Haven. The Weatherly Area High School Alumni Association is planning a testimonial dinner to honor longtime WAHS teacher Reid R. Rahn. Rahn retired as High School principal in 1967, and has been heavily active in Weatherly area community projects since. The event will be April 16, 1994, at the middle school cafeteria.

Cosgrove Sporting Goods will no longer ship UPS packages. Due to inclement weather, it was not possible to take utility meter readings during the month of January in Weatherly so the usage was estimated on the February bill, and will be adjusted up or down March. Country Line Dance lessons will be starting up again this Wednesday and following Wednesday nights in the White Haven Community Building. Amy Sandt nets 37 as the Lady Wreckers rolled past Jim Thorpe 51-31. The Weatherly Junior League held its foul shooting contest on Jan. 29, with Scott Gallagher of Hinkle Roofing netting 60% of his attempts. The Storks remain on top with an 11-1 record, with Hinkle Roofing 9-3. The Storks needed a come from behind win over Hinkle Roofing 23 -20 to preserve their hold on first place. Phil Engman Rambled On about Dallas defeating Buffalo in the Super Bowl, noting the future looks bright for the Dallas team… and to not count Buffalo out next season. The Blue Heron Grille in Lake Harmony served up tasty swordfish in a sesame butter sauce for Seth and just right Duck a l’Orange for Ruth (not too sweet). The finale was warm apple cobbler. Throughout was the fine view over the lake towards Big Boulder.

A new 4-H Club is forming in White Haven.

From The Journal Issue of February 3, 1944 Publisher W. C. Taylor

James Lachette was elected president of the White Haven Business Improvement Committee for 1994. Past president Steve Timinsky will serve as vice-president. A meeting is set to start planning for the 1994 White Haven Festival.

Meeting as institution boards, the Luzerne and Carbon County commissioners agreed at Mauch Chunk in the courthouse there on a deal to sell the Laurytown almshouse to the Carbon County Institution District for the sum of $117,500. The Middle Coal Field Poor

See ARCHIVES, page 5

THE JOURNAL-HERALD, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024 — PAGE 3

New worship leader in Weatherly

Public Notices PUBLIC NOTICE

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS WEATHERLY BOROUGH NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN Weatherly, 61 West Main Street, that sealed bids for the Multi-Use Weatherly, PA 18255 during ofTrail Phase 1 Tree Clearing Projfice hours Monday – Friday 8:00 ect and Base Trail Construction, A.M. – 4:00 P.M. Bidders can bid will be received by the Borough on one or both Contracts. of Weatherly, until 9:00 A.M. on The Borough hereby reserves Tuesday, February 20th. Bids will the right, which is understood be opened and read aloud Monand agreed to by all bidders, to day, February 20th at 9:00 A.M. refuse any or all bids submitted; The bid award will immediately and also reserves the right to follow bid opening. waive any informality in bids received, but any contract awarded Bids will be received for Conwill be to the lowest responsive, tract No. 7 – responsible bidder. Multi-Use Trail Phase 1 Tree There are no Davis-Bacon reClearing, Trail Station 42+00 to quirements associated with the 43+97 AMLER Program. Prevailing wage rates are also not required And for grants. To schedule a time to visit Bids will be received for Conthe Project Area, contact Harold tract No 8 – Pudliner at (570) 427-8640. No Multi-Use trail Phase 1 Base visits will be scheduled within Trail Construction, Trail Station two (2) days of the date to re42+00 to 43+97 ceive the bids. Each Contract is to be substantially completed in Bids will only be received in 3 weeks and final completion in person and all documents and 4 weeks. solicitation details are available Harold Pudliner at no cost at the Borough of Borough Manager

LEGAL NOTICE

Estate of John A. Olek a/k/a John Olek Late of Penn Forest Township, Carbon County, Pennsylvania Letters Testamentary in the above estate have been granted to the undersigned, who requests all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same, and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment, without delay to: Robert B. Olek P.O. Box 1807 Albrightsville, PA 18210 or to his Attorney: THOMAS S. NANOVIC, ESQUIRE NANOVIC LAW OFFICES 57 Broadway, P.O. Box 359 Jim Thorpe, PA 18229-0359 2/8

Visit our website at pocononewspapers.com for in-between-issue stories and events

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Letters Testamentary have been granted to William Patterson, of Rock Glen, Pennsylvania, in the Estate of Dale E. Webster, late of Rock Glen, Pennsylvania, who died on December 20, 2023. All persons indebted to said Estate are requested to make payment and those having claims or demands to present the same without delay to the Executor named or to: Alexis C. Falvello, Esquire THE FALVELLO LAW FIRM, P.C. 641 State Route 93 Sugarloaf, PA 18249 2/8

Atty. Cindy Yurchak Carbon County Law Office since 1991

•Family Law •Real Estate •Civil Law •Criminal Defense Carbon, Luzerne & Schuylkill Counties

570-427-9817

121 Carbon St., Weatherly

First Presbyterian Church of Weatherly worship will be led by Tommy Campbell this year. Campbell is a seminarian who previously served as director of Camp Kirkwood. He is currently also leading worship at Freeland Presbyterian Church. Sunday services in Freeland begin at 9:15 a.m. Weatherly services begin at 11 a.m. JH: Ruth Isenberg

PAGE 4 — THE JOURNAL-HERALD, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

Obituaries PHYLLIS J. MARTIENSSEN Phyllis J. (Graaf) Martienssen, beloved mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, 92 years of age, of Hudsondale Street, Weatherly, passed away on Friday, February 2, 2024, at the home of her brother Marvin Graaf of West Hazleton, while in the loving care of her family. Born Monday, April 20, 1931 in Weatherly, she was the daughter of the late John “Frank” and Irene (Knepper) Graaf. Phyllis was also predeceased by husband, Charles W. Martienssen; sisters, Rosanne Coxe, Helen Youthers, Christine Zamesky, and Laura A. Richie; brothers, Robert, Wallace, Gerald, and Raymond Graaf. Surviving are daughter Irene M. Hughes, wife of Terence of Birdsboro; son Charles

Philip J. Jeffries Funeral Home & Cremation Services A Branch of Holmes – Griffiths F.H., Inc. 211 First Street, Weatherly, PA 18255

570-427-4231 E. Franklin Griffiths III F.D. Philip J. Jeffries F.D./Supervisor www.griffithsfuneralhomes.com A new approach to funeral and cremation care. Looking forward to serving White Haven, Dennison, Lehigh, and Foster Townships. All arrangements and consultations from the comfort of your home.

Guiding families through difficult times.

Martienssen and his wife Carolyn of West Hazleton; brothers Marvin Graaf and his wife Sharleen of West Hazleton, and John Graaf of Stockton; grandchildren Samantha Jean Gibbs and her husband Tyler, and Terence Francis Hughes IV; great-grandchild Landon John Hughes. Many nieces and nephews also survive Phyllis. A 1949 graduate of Weatherly High School, Phyllis retired from Tung-Sol in Weatherly having worked 33 years. After retiring from Tung-Sol, fostering her love of children, Phyllis worked as a child care aide at the church pre-school. A member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church of Weatherly, Phyllis belonged to the Friendship Club, Grey Ladies, V.F.W. Ladies Auxilliary, Hazleton Legion Post # 8253, and Weatherly Flower Club. Phyllis also volunteered at the Shepherd House affiliated with Zions Evangelical Lutheran Church, and was an ardent supporter of scouting during her children’s scouting tenure. A devoted mother and grandmother, Phyllis was a talented sewer, and avid reader. She loved the holidays, and kept her tree decorated year-round. Family reunions allowed Phyllis the opportunity to put her cooking and baking skills to use. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Philip J. Jeffries Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Weatherly. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, February 7, at 11 a.m. from the funeral home. Friends may call from 9:30 until the time of services. Interment will be in Union Cemetery, Weatherly. Memorials in Phyllis’s name to: Zions Evangelical Lutheran Church 335 Third Street Weatherly, PA 18255 Online condolences may be made to the family at www. griffithsfuneralhomes.com

CLIFFORD E. BURKEY Clifford E. Burkey, beloved husband, father, grandfather, greatgrandfather, 95 years of age of Weatherly, passed away on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, as a guest of The Manor at St. Luke’s Village in Hazleton. Born Wednesday, November 28, 1928 in Beaver Meadows, he was the son of Abraham, and Ella (Drumbor) Burkey. Clifford was also predeceased by his brother, Paul. Surviving are his wife of 71 years, Martha M. (Woodring) Burkey; daughter, Bonnie S. Michael and her husband, Art of Weatherly; grandchildren, Michelle McCloskey and her

companion Brandon, and Scott Michael and his wife Jaime; great-grandchildren, Cameron, and Adleigh. Clifford is also survived by two nieces and cousins. A 1946 graduate of Weatherly High School, Clifford served honorably in the United States Army during the Korean War. Clifford retired from the Weatherly Post Office having worked as a Rural Route Carrier, and previously worked at TungSol in Weatherly. Clifford was a long tenured PIAA District 11 basketball referee. Private arrangements were entrusted to the Philip J. Jeffries Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Weatherly. Interment will be in Union Cemetery Weatherly. Online condolences may be made to the family at www. griffithsfuneralhomes.com

JOSEPHINE M. KRULL Josephine M. Krull, 74 years of age, formerly of Freeland, passed away on Thursday, February 1, 2024, as a guest of Mountain City Health and Rehabilitation Center in Hazleton. Born Saturday, August 27, 1949 in Hazleton, she was the daughter of the late Stephen, and Josephine (Falinsky) Chrastina. Josephine was also predeceased by sisters, Rosemary Christina; and brothers Peter Christina and Adam Falinsky.

Surviving are daughter, Jillian C. Krull; sisters, Chrissy Chitswara and Stephanie Kluck; and five grandchildren. A graduate of Hazle Township High School, Josephine was a beautician. She loved to dance. Private arrangements have been entrusted to the Philip J. Jeffries Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Weatherly. Online condolences may be made to the family at www. griffithsfuneralhomes.com

Lehman Family Funeral Service, Inc. White Haven, PA

PATRICK M. LEHMAN, PRESIDENT RUSSELL C. TETER, JR., SUPERVISOR

Serving White Haven, Weatherly and surrounding communities

www.LehmanFuneralHome.com Branch of Lehman Family Funeral Service, Inc.

(570) 443-9816

THE JOURNAL-HERALD, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024 — PAGE 5

Kidder Township Supervisors say hello, and goodbye

Kidder Township Chief of Police Matthew Kuzma presented now retired KTP patrolman Austin Bott with a beautiful custom plaque in honor of his 33+ years of service to the department and the township. Photos by Seth Isenberg by Seth Isenberg Kidder Township supervisors held their regular monthly meeting on January 23 and introduced the new Township Secretary/Treasurer Cindy Norato, filling an important vacancy. Norato has served as planning commission administrator. Code enforcement officer Andrew Ray stepped up to add parttime Zoning Officer to his titles and workload. Sonia Pate is a new hire, and will be a township clerk and assistant Right-To-Know officer. In new business, Preservation Graystone LLC requested and was given permission to do timber harvesting on their property to help set up the first steps towards new homes being built on their 7,000-acre Albrightsville property. After comments by members of LOVE Kidder Township, the township made special presentations of a beautiful plaque honoring the recently retired Austin Bott, and the Lake Harmony Rescue Squad

also offered a “thank you” and a plaque. A thank-you was also given to road forman Pete Lambert for his work in keeping roads clear as some branches have been falling onto the township’s roads. In other reports, police reports show 212 total call through December 31. Of note: 3 violations for speeding on Route 940 and 2 on Route 903. A STOP sign violation in Lake Harmony. Trucks equipment violations: 4 on Route 903 and 16 on Route 940, and a license violation on Route 903. Moving violations – 6 on Route 940 and 4 in Albrightsville. Kidder Police officers issued 9 warnings in Albrightsville, 6 on Route 940 and 5 in Lake Harmony. KTP is due to be getting a new police cruiser to replace its oldest vehicle.

And more love for the retired Austin Bott as the Lake Harmony Rescue Squad presented him with a plaque as well. Here are LHRS Assistant Chief Kerril Lanum, Bott, and Scott Wuttke, LHRS’ Operations Director.

Archives

Continued from page 2 District was founded in 1855 and the almshouse for the lower Luzerne and upper Carbon dependents was put up in Carbon County. County Treasurer Peter D. Clark reports that his office will not be able to issue dog license tags until March 1. He says the tags have been delayed in delivery due to the scarcity of materials needed in their manufacture. Last year, a fiber tag was used, and it was found that the dogs chewed these into pulp. Two corps of Army Engineers are in town surveying for a flood control dam to be located on the Lehigh River in the vicinity of the mouth of the Bear Creek.

Coming Events SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11— Breakfast, 7 a.m.-12 p.m., Silver Ridge Hunting Club, Weatherly SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17—Basket Auction to benefit Amanda & Nathaniel Neidlinger, 1-5 p.m., Lehigh & Lausanne Fire Company, Lehigh Gorge Drive (take-out Spaghetti Dinner, 2-5 p.m.), 570-956-1530 to donate SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18—Arts & Crafts Fair, 11 a.m.4:30 p.m., Blakeslee Community Center SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25— Soup & Chili Contest, sponsored by White Haven Firemen’s Social Club to benefit White Haven Community Lunch Program, 1-3 p.m., WHFC Social Club SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25—Designer Purse Bingo, sponsored by Mountain Top Rotary to benefit Crestwood School District students, Noon, Crestwood High School cafeteria, 570-262-0548 THURSDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 29-MARCH 2— The Sound of Music, Zion Opera Workshop, 7:30 p.m., Zion UCC, Lehighton (also 2 p.m. March 2), 610-392-1810 SATURDAY, MARCH 9— Pysanky Egg Workshop, 12 p.m., White Haven Area Community Library

PAGE 6 — THE JOURNAL-HERALD, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

East Side

Continued from page 1 communications, especially with emergency services, and asked if the Weatherly Area School District had been notified, since school buses utilize River Road. Wagman said that first responders would be talked to immediately, as part of the

health and safety plan. A follow-up session will be scheduled to answer the questions that were raised. Candidate for Congress Keith Dellecker made a presentation to council about his candidacy. The meeting closed after several pieces of routine business were conducted. East Side borough council meets next at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 7.

Need an Extra Copy of this issue?

The Journal-Herald is for sale at: White Haven Market, 940 Plaza, and Soapy Bee in White Haven, Wawa at the Turnpike in Kidder, Weasel’s in Dennison, and TJ’s One Stop in Weatherly.

HAZLETON • PHILADELPHIA

THE JOURNAL-HERALD, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024 — PAGE 7

Seth’s Sightings

Library Corner The White Haven Area Community Library continues to celebrate ‘Love Your Library Month’ throughout February. Children are invited to stop by the circulation desk and pick up a piece of poster board and a coloring page to decorate about why you love your local library. All completed artwork will be displayed during the month. Winners of the poster contest will be determined at the end of February and receive a prize. Throughout the month, you can show your library some love in a unique way. Stop by the library and chose a heart from the tree in the lobby. Each heart contains an item the library needs. If you can, we would be so grateful if you could donate the suggested item to the library. The White Haven Lions Club will hold their monthly meeting at the Library on Thursday, Feb. 8 at 6:30 p.m. The Library Board Meeting will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 13 at 6:30 p.m. Scrabble Club meets on Thursday, Feb. 15 at 6 p.m. There will also be an Adult Board Game Night on Tuesday, Feb. 20 at 6 p.m. The Fiber Arts Group meets on Thursday, Feb. 22 at 10 a.m. A Pysanky Egg Workshop is planned for Saturday, March 9 at Noon. Stay tuned for more information on this event.

The Library will host another concert in March with the Northeastern Pennsylvania Chamber Music Society. Mark your calendars now for Sunday, March 17 from 3-5 p.m. Tickets are available at the library for $25. There will be refreshments prior to the concert. Seating is limited. Be sure to check out the library Facebook page for more information on events.

WASB budget committee meets The Budget/Finance Committee of the Weatherly Area School District Board of Directors will hold a meeting on Wednesday, February 14, at 5:15 p.m. in the MS LGI Room prior to the regular meeting.

A little tickle in the throat as the week wrapped up turned into a full-blown cold by Sunday, so being out and about was somewhat limited. I donned a mask to go out on Saturday night to Penns Peak see Tony Kishman’s Live and Let Die show — a tribute to Paul McCartney and his Wings days. The mask limited my singing along, but this was a great show, with Kishman as Sir Paul (looking like a middle-aged version of him with his hair (wig?)) and sounding just fine. He and his band hit all the notes. At Penns Peak, we sat main floor in the middle, looking straight in on stage center — perhaps 30 feet from the stage. It was a great spot and acoustically awesome. We also had some good luck with a close by parking spot which made a huge difference leaving the venue after the show — there was a cold, cold wind blowing, but a beautiful night. Penns Peak has a lineup of Tribute shows these next couple of weeks — The Sixties Show on the 9th, Sugar Mountain — a Neil Young tribute on the 10th, Glenn Hughes performs Deep Purple on the 17th for all you space truckers on the 17th, Tusk — the Fleetwood Mac tribute is March 2, 1964 — tribute to the early Beatles is March 9, and for Pink Floyd fans, The Machine comes to take you to the Dark Side of the Moon on the 16th. Find more shows at pennspeak.com. Sunday was spent resting except for a trip to the walk-in

by Seth Isenberg

clinic to learn if I have COVID … NO … and to get a prescription for antibiotics (big pills). Monday featured some work (masked) and more rest. We tuned in to the AHL All-Stars night of 3-on-3 hockey and saw the team from our WBS Penguins’ division, Team Atlantic, earn a trip to the finals. Having put on a show with their 10-minute games with fast and showy offense and solid goaltending featuring the Penguins’ Joel Blomquist, they gave up one goal too many in the finals versus the Pacific division team. On Tuesday as I write this, I am turning the corner and heading for healthy although Ruth has started sniffling. Assuming we are both well, we hope to also go to see some shows at the Mauch Chunk Opera House (Dancin’ Machine this Friday, The ELO Tribute Show next Saturday). I am grateful to the odd mid-winter warm-up to keep warmer during my hopefully brief cold. If nights are cold enough for snowmakers to work to cover the slopes, I’m happy to see just a few snowflakes at the Journal office. As for next week, shovels at the ready as some accumulating snow is forecast. Go Kansas City for the Super Bowl with hopes that Travis Kelce does well. I’ve been a strong fan of big receivers who have the tools to make the big plays (future hall-of-famer Rob Gronkowski as a noted example). The rest of you stay healthy…

Hours Monday thru Saturday 9a to 6p, Sunday 9a to 5p. with/Appt.

HOSTS: Alex & JoAnne Zidock THURS. 9:30 PM

Replays: FRI. 8:30 AM & 9:30 PM SAT. 12:30 PM • SUN. 1 AM & 11:30 AM MON. 12 AM & 6 AM • TUES. 7:30 AM

ALL OUTDOORS • WILDLIFE HUNTING & FISHING CONSERVATION • ENVIRONMENT

E-file begins Jan. 29, 2024

Must bring 1095-A forms if you have ObamaCare Medical Insurance

Must have current valid ID to match Tax Return

Property Tax Rebate & Rent Rebate Income limit increased to $45,000

PAGE 8 — THE JOURNAL-HERALD, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

Coffee Talk brings Hickory Hills neighbors time to talk

Coffee Talk, a weekly gathering, gives residents of Hickory Hills an opportunity to meet neighbors and play games, as well as enjoy coffee and dessert. Photos: Alice Lachewitz

Here’s what’s happening this week at Tavern on the Trail 520 Main St., White Haven Open 7 days a week for family-friendly dining

570-443-9044

Friday, Feb. 9 Live Music by Sovereign Soul-Yacht Rock Trio 7:30-10:30

Please visit our Facebook page for more info

Super Bowl Party Line Up–starting 5 p.m. Sun., Feb. 11 $1 Wings. Slider Combos: CheeseSteak, Cheese Burgers, Pulled Pork or Wings w/Mozzarella Sticks, French Fries or Potato Wedges. Chicken Philly CheeseSteak. Special Drinks | $2 Drafts during the game.

THE JOURNAL-HERALD, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024 — PAGE 9

Grier is January Weatherly Area Middle Milana Senior of the Month at WAHS School Honor Roll The following is the honor roll list from the Weatherly Area Middle School for the second marking period which ended January 22. PRINCIPAL’S HONOR LIST The criteria for students to earn Principal’s Honors is to attain an average grade of 95 or better in major subjects with no grade below 90 in any subject taken. 6TH GRADE: Stephen Delman, Sophia Durham, Corbin Gerhard, Elsie Gower, Lilah Gower, Troy Holman, Dinah Janiec, Evan Janiec, Ada Kresge, Mikayla Kuntz, Carter Minnick, Emma Moyer, Emma Posser, Mikayla Pugh, Evan Snyder, Austin Suveg, Ruby Torgersen, Camden Zimmerman. 7TH GRADE: Levi Aneskevich Brandon Antolick, Melina Ayala, Elizabeth DiGennaro, Jillian Esposito, Maci Kane, Alexia Kehler, Katie Knock, Madison Makowiec, Derek Moyer, Ava Zimmerman. 8TH GRADE: Joseph Esposito, Kolton Reiner. FIRST HONORS The criteria for students to earn First Honors is to attain an average grade of 90 or better in major subjects with no grade below an 85 in any subject taken. 6TH GRADE: Raymond Almonte Jr., Gianna Buonaiuto, Yessiniah lynn Cruz, MaBella Gerhard, Ryley Jacoby, Aubrey Slovik, Sophia Stewart, Katherine Morales. 7TH GRADE: Raven Biles, Eli Brown, Dominick Gudoski, Lillian Keiper, Willow Lare, Mason Sholtis, Lillianna Sincavage, John Thomas. 8TH GRADE: Vincent Cuddeford III, Mikayla Haraschak, Tyler Keck, Noah Mayernick, Kyle Reiner. SECOND HONORS The criteria for students to earn Second Honors is to attain an average grade of 85-89 in major subjects with no grade below an 80 in any subject taken.

6TH GRADE: Riley Bachert, Gabriel Blackwell, Forrest Clark, Gianna Guerra, Tyler Nelson, Mason Russell. 7TH GRADE: Maura Brewer, Jameson DeLauretis, Jaycie Donadi, Kendall Gerhard, Linda Houser, Jaxon McKeegan, Kaylee Morales, Jaxson Schaeffer, Carl Schweitzer, Trinity Spence, Jacob Yanac, Riley Zawilsky. 8TH GRADE: Mya Binder, Samantha Generose, Maddie Heister, Mitchel Knock, Edward Masterson III, Aiden Slovik.

Milana Grier, daughter of Jackie and Charlie Grier, Weatherly, has been named Senior of the Month for January at Weatherly Area High School. Milana serves as vice president of FBLA, and is also a member of Interact, SGA, the varsity soccer team, and the Weatherly Area High School chapter of the National Honor Society. Milana recently became an FBLA state qualifier, and will be attending the state competition in April. In the community, Milana has volunteered her time with the Weatherly Hillclimb and Festival, and various community service activities through NHS. Milana is employed by A&A Pizza and Italian Food in Beaver Meadows.

Sponsor for the month of January is Broad Mountain Stone, LLC, in Weatherly.

n O s ’ p u So

ff o k o o C i l i h Soup & C ny Social Club ompa C e ir F n e v a H e Whit 1-3 p.m. , 5 2 y r a u r b e F , Sunday d chilis —

s an all the soup le p m sa s! to 0 $1 your favorite p chilis and vote for soups & 2 to p to 3 e th r fo Cash prizes is $15 Cost to enter 85 t 570-443-88 a b lu c e th ll To enter ca bartender or talk to the gram unity Lunch Pro m m Co n ve a H fit White Proceeds bene

PAGE 10 — THE JOURNAL-HERALD, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

WAHS Honor Roll Weatherly Area High School principal Anthony DeSpirito has released the Honor Roll for the Second Marking Period. PRINCIPAL’S HONOR ROLL Students must achieve a 95 average or better with no grade below 90. FRESHMEN Matthew Adler, Jr., Rebecca Caldwell, Josef Corso, Aiden Foley, Willem Grant, Kameron Jacoby, Ben Kropp, Madeline Rhodes, Liam Savakinus, Chance Stauffer. SOPHOMORES Keira Culp, McKenna Gerhard, Emma Heister, Raymond Montz, Grace Portell, Kelly Reiner, Niko Saldukas, Mason Veasie, Abigail Weston, Aisha Zuberi. JUNIORS Ryan Breslosky, Hayden DiGennaro, Kiley Holman, Izabel Jones, Kaiya Kunkle, Mackenzie McGill, Vincent Paisley, Mackenzie Rhodes, Alexander Rosenlund, Rachel Rosenlund, Ava Sahaida. SENIORS Taylor Davidovich, Niklaus Eroh, Kaylee Gaydoscik, Kendall Gerhart, Milana Grier, Isobel Hoffman, Bethany Houser, Jack James, Robert Kephart, Mellanie Marshman, Trinity McCutcheon, Naneque Pehala, Erin Prete, Brianna Pugh, Jonathan Sachs, Reina Whalen.

FIRST HONORS Students must achieve a 90 average or better with no grade below 85. FRESHMEN Mary Portell, Emilio Valenzuela. SOPHOMORES Jasmine Bresnak, Sienna Brown, Sofia Evans, Antoinette Guerra, Zane Lare, Ian McKeegan, Kendra Moyer, Amanda Whale. JUNIORS Ethan Darraugh, Olivia Johnson, Sebashtain Kokinda, Conner McAuley, James McLaurin, Abigail Teodorescu. SENIORS Juliette Bartel, Jaelyn Curtis-Zumar, Jude Dempsey, Riley Foley, Roxana Gonzalez, Rebecca Green, Dillon Kiddish, Dante LoBello, Serenity Stoudt. SECOND HONORS Students must achieve an 85 average or better with no grade below 80. FRESHMEN Jackson DiGennaro, Dominick Kokinda, Jillian Russell, Cortney Snyder. SOPHOMORES Grace Hinger, Franklin Schoch, III, Corbin Wagner. JUNIORS Kenneth Decker, Alyssa Demshick, Rachel Downs, Mekena Eubanks, Trent Higgins, Christian Hoffman, Cheyenne Holguin. SENIORS Mason Claypoole.

ALA Happenings American Legion Auxiliary Unit 360 in Weatherly will hold its monthly meeting on Monday, February 12, at the post home starting at 6 p.m. All members are urged to attend.

Pizza Sale American Legion Auxiliary Unit 360 in Weatherly will hold its monthly unbaked pizza sale on Friday, February 16. Pick up is 4-6 p.m. at the post

home. Deadline to order pizza is Friday, February 9. A regular pizza is $12, and additional toppings are $3 each. Toppings include extra cheese, 3-cheese, mushroom, sausage, and pepperoni. Contact Georgia Farrow directly to order your pizza at 570-427-4527.

Visit our website at pocononewspapers.com for in-between-issue stories and events

Breakfast Sunday at Silver Ridge Silver Ridge Hunting Club, Weatherly, will hold its all you can eat breakfast from 7 a.m. to Noon Sunday, February 11, at the clubhouse. The menu includes eggs (any style), home fries, bacon, sausage, ham, pancakes, toast

and creamed chipped beef (while it lasts). Drinks include coffee, tea, hot chocolate, orange juice, and tomato juice. Take outs are available. Cost is adults $10, children under 6 free.

Fairview Honor Roll Principal Kevin Seyer has announced the following sixth grade students have achieved Principal’s Honors at Fairview Elementary School for the 2nd Quarter of the 2023-2024 school year. The Crestwood School District Elementary Honor Roll (6th Grade) reflects that the student has attained an A in all courses offered. Inclusive are English Language Arts, Math,

Social Studies and Science. Honor students are Enzo Bellizia, Mariana Brogna, David Buchanan, Elysia Cleveland, Alexis Coltrane, Hailey Coltrane, Samuel Janosczyk, Kenzie Kochanski, John Kondraski, Avery Lokuta, Kenley Long, Wyatt Lupcho, Anna Morris, William Rutala, Fallen Stavish, Addison Wychock, John Zaroda, Ryder Zurawski

Bach and Handel Chorale slate Palm Sunday evening concert The Bach and Handel Chorale, based out of Jim Thorpe, will present The Passion of Christ composed by George Frideric Handel in 1719, with text composed by Barthold Heinrich Brockes on Palm Sunday evening, March 24, at 4 p.m. in St. John’s Lutheran Church, 319 South Avenue, Jim Thorpe. There is no admission fee; a free will offering will be accepted. The text and music was

originally written in German and much longer than the edition that will be presented by the chorale. This edition is approximately 45 minutes in length, is sung in English and will draw solo work from members of the chorale. Maestro Randall Douglas Perry, Founder, Artistic Director and Conductor of the chorale, will also accompany them on the piano.

On the Sly

THE JOURNAL-HERALD, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024 — PAGE 11

Our Super Bowl prediction is in, and you can bet on it by Steve Stallone Sports Editor The San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs touched down in Sin City on Monday in their preparation for Super Bowl LVIII. Sunday’s NFL championship game is in Las Vegas for the first time, and appropriately, more than 23 billion dollars is expected to be bet on the game. According to a survey by the American Gaming Association, a quarter of the adult population in the United States will be placing bets on 58th Super Bowl — the second between the 49ers and Chiefs. The Chiefs, directed by former Eagles head coach Andy Reid, are trying to become the first team to win back-to-back Super Bowls in 20 years. They are playing their fourth Super Bowl in the past six seasons with Patrick Mahomes as the starting quarterback. It is that experience — led by Reid and Mahomes — that has me leaning toward the Chiefs as the favorites for this weekend’s showdown in Vegas. The last team to go backto-back is the New England Patriots, who won it all in 2003-04. That team was quarterbacked by Tom Brady, who owns the record with seven Super Bowl victories — six with the Patriots. A win Sunday would give

Mahomes three championships in the past five seasons. He got his first one against the 49ers in Super Bowl LIV four years ago, and won again last year against the Philadelphia Eagles. Mahomes and the Chiefs lost to Brady’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl LVI. While he is not yet in Brady’s class, Mahomes is closing fast, and is already one of the NFL’s most successful signal callers ever. And he has one of the game’s all-time greatest tight ends in Travis Kelce, who just surpassed Jerry Rice as the career leader in postseason receptions. This current team has been built by general manager Brett Veach, who was a high school football star at nearby Mount Carmel High School right here in the Coal Region. While I see the Chiefs as a slight favorite, they are no shoe-in for a third championship with Reid, Mahomes, Kelce and company. Across the way is the NFC’s top seed, a San Francisco team that has been building for this moment since coming up short in last year’s NFC title game against the Eagles. It’s a franchise that is no stranger to the biggest stage. San Francisco has won five Lombardi Trophies as Super Bowl champions, second only to New England (6) and the Pittsburgh Steelers (6). The Niners have won five of their seven Super

Bowl appearances, although all of their titles have come in a 13-year window from 1982-95. Under seventh-year head coach Kyle Shanahan this season, the Niners rallied past the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions to capture a harder-than-expected berth in the title game. With second-year quarterback Brock Purdy, standout running back Christian McCaffery, star receiver Deebo Samuel, and tight end Greg Kittle, the 49ers have plenty of offensive firepower to keep up with the Chiefs in what could be a shootout come Sunday. The defenses will ultimately decide the outcome. Which defense will come up with the biggest stop at the biggest moment? Our bet is it will be the Chiefs. In what could come down to the game’s final series, I see it being....Kansas City, 38-35. HIGH-PRICED AFFAIR — Want to head to Vegas to watch the game in person? You better bring a pretty fat wallet. The least expensive ticket to get into Allegiant Stadium on Sunday stands at just under $7,000 as of this writing. The average price of a ticket is $9,850. And that’s just to get in the door. Add the price of a hotel room (ranging from $400 to $1,800), air fare, food, and of course, a little black jack, Super Bowl weekend in Vegas could cost you well over $10,000. I’ll be watching on TV at some Super Bowl party at a far more affordable price, thank you. PACKERS SIGN PEARSON — The Green Bay Packers — a team that beat the Chiefs this season and nearly knocked off the 49ers in the NFC Divisional Round — reported a few transactions about a weekand-a-half ago that had a local family feeling pretty good. Henry Pearson, a rookie fullback who spent all but two weeks on the team’s practice squad, was signed to a futures contract with the Packers. Pearson played in two games this season — the win over the Chiefs and a victory over the Detroit Lions.

He is the son of Margaret and Scott Pearson, who have a home in Foster Township and a business in nearby Berwick. GOODBYE, DOLLY — One of my favorite people in White Haven passed late last month. Clara “Dolly” Uryc left us after serving this community for many, many years. I first met Dolly and her husband, Marvin, shortly after moving to White Haven in 1988. It didn’t take me long to locate the beer distributor in town, Hazle Beer near Interstate 80. Marvin passed away a few years later, and Dolly ran the business for all these years since. Every time I went there for a case of beer, Dolly’s smiling face was at the window inside, with a big container full of lollipops for the kids. I would always bring the guys with me, and they would stand up on an empty case of returnables by the window and dig into the container, looking for their favorite sucker flavor. Of course, one was never enough. She always said “take more.” As the kids dug and I got my beer, we’d always talk about something, usually what was happening in the community or the latest news from the area. I have no doubt many of you reading this had similar memories with Dolly. As the boys made their way through T-Ball, Minor League and Little League, the season-ending picnic at Lehigh Park always included a keg of Birch Beer, compliments of Dolly and Hazle Beer. She donated it every year. Years later, after we moved to Weatherly, I would go out of my way to come up to White Haven to get my beer. I just wanted to make sure we gave her our business, and also catch up with Dolly about whatever was the topic of the day. And Dolly NEVER charged me when I needed a bag of ice or two or a keg party or to fill my cooler. I’m not sure what will become of Hazle Beer, but I do know that the community has lost one of its finest people, someone who gave back to the young people with her small gestures of kindness over many years. Rest in peace, Dolly.

PAGE 12 — THE JOURNAL-HERALD, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

Weatherly Area Girls’ Basketball Roundup

Lady Wreckers top Bethlehem Christian for non-league victory Kelly Reiner scored a gamehigh 13 points, including three triples, and the Weatherly Area girls turned back visiting Bethlehem Christian 30-18 on Saturday at the Weatherly Area Middle School gym. With Bethany Houser scoring seven of her eight points, the Lady Wreckers pulled out to a 17-4 halftime lead en route to the non-league victory. Rex paced Bethlehem Christian (8-8) with six points.

Marian 54, Weatherly Area 9 - Frankie Martinelli scored 17 points, including five 3-pointers, as Marian rolled past the Lady Wreckers in a Schuylkill League Division III game last week in Weatherly. Addison Fritz added 10 points, Aliya Tikhtova had nine and Deanna Pugh seven for the Fillies, who improved to 18-2 overall and 11-1 in Division III. Brianna Pugh had three points for Weatherly.

BETHLEHEM CHRISTIAN (18) — Kreidler 0 0-0 0, Schwartz 0 0-0 0, Kasper 2 0-0 4, Hernandez 1 0-0 2, Khachadourian 0 2-8 2, Wilson 0 0-0 0, Rex 3 0-6 6, Debmer 0 0-0 0, Cornelius 1 0-0 2, Meyers 0 2-4 2, Quarmount 0 0-0 0. Totals 7 4-18 18. WEATHERLY AREA (30) — Gaydoscik 2 0-0 4, Binder 0 0-0 0, Houser 3 1-2 8, Davidovich 0 3-4 3, Reiner 5 0-0 13, Weston 0 0-0 0, Pugh 1 0-0 2, Gordick 0 0-0 0. Totals 11 4-6 30. Beth. Christian.......2 2 4 10 — 18 Weatherly Area.....11 6 7 6 — 30 3-pointers: Reiner 3, Houser.

MARIAN (54) — Tikhtova 3 2-2 9, Fritz 4 1-2 10, Pugh 1 4-4 7, Hasara 1 2-4 5, Hannis-Miskar 1 0-0 3, O. Thomas 1 1-2 3, Martinelli 6 0-0 17, Kattner 0 0-0 0, Corrado 0 0-0 0, K. Thomas 0 0-0 0. Totals 17 10-14 54. WEATHERLY (9) — Gaydoscik 0 0-0 0, Binder 0 0-0 0, Houser 1 0-0 2, Davidovich 0 2-5 2, Reiner 0 2-2 2, Weston 0 0-0 0, Pugh 0 3-6 3, Gordick 0 0-0 0, Snyder 0 0-0 0. Totals 1 7-13 9. Marian...................8 14 18 14 — 54 Weatherly Area..... 0 2 0 7 — 9 3-pointers: Martinelli 5, Tikhtova, Fritz, Pugh, Hasara, Hannis-Miskar

Minersville 85, Weatherly Area 12 - Brooke Kopinetz knocked down seven 3-pointers on her way to a game-high 30 points, powering Minersville to the Division II-III crossover win, in Minersville. Keera Brennan added 17 points for the Division II-leading Miners (17-2, 10-1 league), Kaycee Raczka tallied 11 and Taylor Conti joined them in doubles with 10. Minersville finished with 13 3-pointers in all. Bethany Houser’s five points led Weatherly. WEATHERLY AREA (12) — Gaydoscik 0 0-0 0, Binder 1 0-0 2, Houser 0 5-6 5, Russell 0 0-0 0, Davidovich 0 0-0 0, Reiner 1 1-2 3, Weston 0 0-0 0, Pugh 1 0-0 2, Snyder 0 0-0 0. Totals 3 6-8 12. MINERSVILLE (85) — Conti 3 2-2 10, Brennan 7 1-2 17, Kopinetz 10 3-3 30, Burgess 2 1-2 5, Castle 3 0-0 8, Horoschak 0 2-2 2, Raczka 5 1-2 11, Miklesavage1 0-0 2. Totals 31 10-13 85. Weatherly Area.....2 8 2 0 — 12 Minersville..........31 22 19 13 — 85 3-pointers: Kopinetz 7, Conti 2, Brenna 2, Castle 2.

Nativity 48, Weatherly Area 24 Hannah Zimerofsky led a trio of Nativity players in double digits with 12 points as Nativity pulled away from Weatherly in a Divison III game Monday atop Lawton’s Hill in Pottsville. Reagan Bennett scored 11 points and Grace Brennan had 10 for the Golden Girls. Taylor Davidovich emerged as the high scorer for the Lady Wreckers (3-17) with nine points, and Kelly Reiner had eight.

WEATHERLY AREA (24) - Gaydoscik 0 0-0 0, Binder 0 0-0 0, Houser 3 0-3 6, Russell 0 0-0 0, Davidovich 2 4-6 9, Reiner 3 1-4 8, Weston 0 0-0 0, Pugh 0 1-2 1, Gordick 0 0-0 0. Totals 8 6-15 24. NATIVITY (48) - Ziegmont 1 0-0 2, Daynorowicz 0 0-0 0, McNamara 0 0-0 0, Leskin 0 0-0 0, Zulick 0 0-0 0, Bennett 5 0-0 11, Brennan 4 0-0 10, Walborn 1 0-0 3, Zimerofsky 6 0-0 12, K. Pinkey 1 0-2 2, E. Pinkey 4 0-0 8. Totals 22 0-2 48. Weatherly Area.....6 6 9 3 - 24 Nativity................14 11 11 12 - 48 3-pointers: Davidovich, Reiner. Brennan 2, Bennett, Walborn.

Weatherly Area Boys’ Basketball Roundup

Rangers top Wreckers in non-league boys’ b-ball action On Saturday in Weatherly, Josh Miner scored 22 points with five 3-pointers, and Northwest used a 19-11 opening quarter to gain separation en route to a 63-48 non-league boys’ basketball win over the Wreckers. Ryan Miner added 18 points and Brady Shea and Jace McCoy combined for 17 more to help power the Rangers’ attack. Niko Saldukas topped the

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Wreckers (2-18) with 13 points, Ian McKeegan followed with 12, while John Donish and Corbin Wagner each scored eight. Weatherly’s junior varsity team opened the night with a 48-45 victory as Dominic Kokinda poured in 24 points and Matt Adler pitched in 15. Billy Jones paced Northwest’s jayvees with 19 points. NORTHWEST (63) — J. Miner 7 3-4 22, R. Miner 8 0-0 18, Shea 3 2-2 9, McCoy 4 0-0 8, Crawford 1 2-5 4, Chonko 1 0-0 2. Totals 24 7-11 63. WEATHERLY AREA (48) — Kokinda 0 0-0 0, Adler 0 0-0 0, Donish 3 2-3 8, McKeegan 4 3-6 12, Saldukas 5 2-4 13, Wagner 3 1-1 8, Lamonica 3 0-0 7, T. Hinkle 0 0-0 0. Totals 18 8-14 48. Northwest........... 19 14 18 12 — 63 Weatherly Area.....8 12 18 9 — 47 3-pointers: J. Miner 5, R. Miner 2, Shea. Lamonica, McKeegan, Saldukas, Wagner.

Marian 78, Weatherly Area 47 - All five Marian starters reached double figures, led by Julius Currie’s game-high 21 points, as the Colts eased past the Wreckers in a Schuylkill League Division III

game last week in Hometown. Jacob Miller added 19 points for the Colts (12-8, 7-4 league), while Bruce Hopeck tallied 15, Jesse Rodino canned 12 and James Rodino netted 11. Austyn Lamonica led the Wrecker attack with 20 points, while Corbin Wagner rimmed 15. Marian opened the night with a 50-23 junior varsity win. WEATHERLY AREA (47) — Kokinda 1 0-0 3, Adler 0 0-0 0, Donish 0 0-0 0, McKeegan 0 1-2 1, Saldukas 2 2-4 6, Wagner 4 4-8 15, Lamonica 7 3-3 20, T. Hinkle 1 0-0 2. Totals 15 10-17 47. MARIAN (78) — Miller 8 0-0 19, Rosario 0 0-0 0, Ju. DeLaCruz 0 0-0 0, Ja. DeLaCruz 0 0-0 0, Je. Rodino 4 4-6 12, Tom 0 0-0 0, Thomas 0 0-0 0, Ferreira 0 0-0 0, Currie 7 4-6 21, Ja. Rodino 5 1-4 11, Hopeck 5 2-6 15. Totals 29 11-22 78. Weatherly Area.....8 12 18 9 — 47 Marian.................17 13 24 24 — 78 3-pointers: Kokinda, Wagner 3, Lamonica 3. Miller 3, Currie 3, Hopeck 3.

Minersville 56, Weatherly Area 26 Leading by five points after one quarter, visiting Minersville used a 13-2 second-quarter burst to pull away to the Schuylkill

League Division II-III crossover win last week in Weatherly. Dante Carr and Bradley each scored 14 points, and Shazier Bethea added 12 points for the Miners (12-7, 6-5). Ian McKeegen was the lone Wrecker in double figures with 10 points. Minersville slipped past the Wreckers 46-41 in the junior varsity contest despite 12 points from Weatherly’s Chance Stauffer and 11 from teammate Dominic Kokinda’s 11. MINERSVILLE (56) — Hutsko 1 0-0 2, Zimerofsky 1 0-0 2, Fessler 0 0-0 0, Bethea 4 3-4 12, Yourey 2 0-0 4, Kostishak 6 2-2 14, Eisnehart 1 0-0 3, Halford 1 0-0 3, Rogers 0 0-0 0, Carr 7 0-2 14, Mealey 0 0-0 0, Dube 1 0-0 2. Totals 24 5-8 56. WEATHERLY AREA (26) — Kokinda 0 1-2 1, Adler 0 0-0 0, Ortiz 0 0-0 0, Stauffer 0 0-0 0, Donish 1 0-0 2, McKeegen 5 0-0 10, Saldukas 0 1-2 1, Wagner 2 0-0 5, Lamonica 3 0-0 7, Hinkle 0 0-0 0. Totals 11 2-4 26. Minersville............15 13 24 4 — 56 Weatherly Area.....10 2 9 5 — 26 3-pointers: Bethea, Halford, Eisenhart. Wagner, Lamonica.

THE JOURNAL-HERALD, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024 — PAGE 13

Crestwood Boys Basketball Roundup

Comets crush Bulldogs, keep pace in WVC playoff chase The Crestwood boys rolled past Berwick 60-25 last week, rebounding from a loss to rival Hazleton Area to keep their hopes alive in the Wyoming Valley Conference playoff race. The Comets outscored Berwick 16-2 in the first quarter and kept their foot on the gas throughout to outclass the Bulldogs and end a two-game losing streak in conference play. Derek Johnson (19) and Chaz Wright (12) combined for 31 points and led the early surge with four points apiece as Crestwood (14-6 overall, 9-3 WVC) remained on the heels of both Wilkes-Barre Area and Hazleton Area in the WVC Division 1 standings. Kaden Hickman topped the Bulldogs with 11 points.

BERWICK (25) — Marquez 0 0-0 0, Hickman 4 0-0 11, Guzman 1 0-0 2, Howie 3 1-2 7, Seely 0 0-0 0, Hellenthal 1 3-6 5, Phillips 0 0-0 0, Cornelio 0 0-2 0. Totals 9 4-10 25. CRESTWOOD (60) — Sechleer 0 0-0 0, Porro 2 0-0 5, Czapla 3 0-0 6, Johnson 7 3-3 19, Sklarosky 3 1-2 7, Wright 4 4-4 12, Jennings 3 0-0 6, Barna 1 0-0 2, Feisel 0 0-0 0, Biscotti 0 0-0 0, Nulton 0 0-0 0, Amend 0 0-0 0, Canela 1 0-0 3, Grevera 0 0-0 0, Wagaman 0 0-0 0, Rodgers 0 0-0 0. Totals 24 8-9 60. Berwick...............2 9 10 4 — 25 Crestwood..........16 16 21 7 — 46 3-pointers: Hickman 3. Johnson 2, Porro, Canela.

Hazleton Area 68, Crestwood 46 — Hazleton Area avenged a 12-point loss to the Comets eight days earlier with a dominating homecourt win in their second meeting of the season. Joey Marshall scored a game-high 16 points and helped the Cougars dominate in the paint for a 22-point victory last Tuesday in Hazle Twp. The

Cougars (11-7, 8-2) also beat first-place Wilkes-Barre Area last week to tighten the WVC Division 1 race, handing the Wolfpack their first conference loss in the process. Six Cougars scored at least nine points against the Comets, with Luke Gennaro and Luis Guzman each scoring 12 points, Nikoli Santiago netting 10 and Dylan Stish and Sam Guzman rimming nine apiece. Crestwood led 10-9 early before the Cougars ran off the final nine points of the first quarter to take an 18-10 lead they would never relinquish. Crestwood played without injured big man Ayden Agapito and also without head coach Mark Atherton. Assistant coach Len Butczynski filled in for

Atherton. Matt Sklarosky and Derek Johnson each scored 12 points, and Chaz Wright had 10 for the Comets, who were to face Dallas and first-place Wilkes-Barre Area this week to close out WVC play. Wins against both are needed to keep them in the WVC playoff picture, as only to top two teams in Division 1 advance to the semifinal round.

CRESTWOOD (46) — Sechleer 1 0-0 3, Porro 2 0-0 4, Czapla 2 0-0 5, Johnson 5 0-0 12, Sklarosky 4 2-2 12, Wright 4 2-4 10, Jennings 0 0-0 0, Barna 0 0-0 0, Feisel 0 0-0 0, Biscotti 0 0-0 0, Canela 0 0-0 0, Grevera 0 0-0 0, Wagaman 0 0-0 0, Rodgers 0 0-0 0. Totals 18 4-6 46. HAZLETON AREA (68) — Gennaro 4 1-2 12, Santiago 4 0-0 10, Stish 4 0-0 9, S. Guzman 4 1-1 9, Saladin 0 0-0 0, Diaz 0 0-0 0, Staffin 0 0-0 0, L. Guzman 4 4-4 12, Ortiz 0-0 0, Marshall 6 3-3 16, Reimold 0 0-0 0. Totals 26 9-10 68. Crestwood.......... 10 11 11 14 — 46 Hazleton Area.....18 14 15 21 — 68 3-pointers: Johnson 2, Sklarosky 2, Sechleer, Czapla, Gennaro 3, Santiago 2, Stish, Marshall

Crestwood Girls Basketball Roundup

Crestwood girls upset Hazleton Area, inch closer to WVC playoff berth The Crestwood girls kept their Wyoming Valley Conference playoff hopes very much alive, and crept closer to front-running

Lehigh Gorge Notary Liz Berger has been providing Tag & Title, DCNR, Boat and Fish Commission, and general Notary services in White Haven for over 30 years. As the local community Notary Public with years of experience, there is no question she can’t answer. Find her at Lehigh Gorge Campground, 4585 State Street in East Side, or under the More tab at: lehighgorgecampground.com

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Hazleton Area by knocking off the Lady Cougars 59-48 last Monday night, in Wright Twp. That win, coupled with a 47-27 victory at Berwick later in the week, moved the Lady Comets to 10-2 in league play, one game behind Hazleton Area (11-1) and in line for one of the two WVC playoff berths from Division 1. Against Hazleton, the Lady Comets used a halfcourt, buzzer-beating shot from Keira Dougherty to gain momentum and surge past the Lady Cougars to avenge an overtime loss at HAHS earlier this season. Jackie Gallagher scored a game-high 22 points to lead the Crestwood offense, and the Lady Comets outscored Hazleton Area 18-8 in the third quarter to gain control. From there, they kept the Lady Cougars at arm’s length, and dealt them their first loss since December. It was

Crestwood’s fifth straight win. Dougherty finished with 14 points, and dissected Hazleton Area’s vaunted press to help key the win. Kate Gallagher added 12 points. Kaitlyn Bindas scored 14 to lead Hazleton Area (17-2 overall), Sophia Shults had a dozen, and Kayla Lagowy netted 10. Only four Lady Cougars reached the scoring column. Hazleton Area won the junior varsity game, 50-34. HAZLETON AREA (48) — Marolo 0 0-0 0, Benyo 3 0-0 6, Bindas 5 2-2 14, Williams 0 0-0 0, E. Shults 0 0-0 0, Lagowy 3 1-2 10, Reimold 3 0-0 6, S. Shults 4 3-6 12. Totals 18 6-10 48. CRESTWOOD (59) — Vieney 1 1-2 3, Hiller 1 0-0 2, Petrosky 2 0-0 4, J. Gallagher 9 2-2 22, Andrews 1 0-0 2, K. Gallagher 5 1-2 12, Dougherty 4 5-8 14. Totals 23 9-14 59. Hazleton Area.....11 16 8 13 — 48 Crestwood.......... 15 13 18 13 — 59 3-pointers: Lagowy 3, Bindas 2, S. Shults. J. Gallagher 2, K. Gallagher, Dougherty.

Crestwood 47, Berwick 27 - At Berwick, Keira Dougherty scored 15

points, Charlie Hiller had 10, and Crestwood won its sixth straight by beating the Bulldogs last week. Jackie Gallagher added eight points and Jordan Andrews scored six as the Lady Comets (14-6 overall) remained a game back of first-place Hazleton Area heading into the final week of conference play. Alysa Lewis led Berwick with nine points. CRESTWOOD (47) — Dougherty 4 5-6 15, Hiller 4 2-2 10, J. Gallagher 1 6-6 8, Andrews 3 0-0 6, K. Gallagher 2 0-0 4, Seifert 1 0-0 2, Vieney 1 0-0 2, Lenahan 0 0-0 0, Petrosky 0 0-0 0, Jacobson 0 0-0 0, Kijek 0 0-0 0, Sklarosky 0 0-0 0. Totals 16 13-14 47. BERWICK (27) — A. Lewis 3 0-0 9, R. Andreas 2 0-3 5, E. Klinger 1 0-0 3, L. Farmer 1 0-0 3, K. Fraind 1 0-0 2, L. Switzer 1 0-0 2, G. Starr 1 0-2 2, G. Robbins 0 1-2 1, A. Knorr 0 0-0 0, C. Ochs 0 0-2 0, A. Knorr 0 0-0 0. Totals 10 1-9 27. Crestwood..... 8 9 15 15 — 47 Berwick..........8 2 6 11 — 27 3-pointers: Dougherty 2, Lewis 3, Andreas, Klinger, Farmer.

PAGE 14 — THE JOURNAL-HERALD, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

Journal-Herald Classifieds

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THE JOURNAL-HERALD, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024 — PAGE 15 Miscellaneous

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Tundra

by Chad Carpenter

PAGE 16 — THE JOURNAL-HERALD, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024

Journal-Herald Sports

Crestwood wrestlers lay claim to WVC tournament championship Crestwood crowned a pair of individual champions and finished with 10 wrestlers in the top-six of their respective weight classes to capture the Wyoming Valley Conference Tournament championship Sunday at Wilkes-Barre Area High School. Sam Jeckell won the 127pound title, and Kyle Draina capped the day with by winning the 285-pound crown for the Comets, who rebounded from a semifinal loss in the District 2 Class 3A Duals five days earlier. Jeckell, seeded fourth at 127, knocked off top-seeded Simon Zamudio of Hazleton Area with a first-period pin

in the semifinals. He followed that up with a 3-2 decision over Wyoming Valley West’s Louden Giza, getting a late escape to secure the decision and the title. Lincoln Bibla was a runner-up at 215 pounds for the Comets. falling to Pittston Area’s Brody Spindler 9-1 in the finals. That match was scoreless heading into a frenzied final period, where Spindler scored seven points in the final 1:15 to pull away. Three Comets netted thirdplace finishes to help them pile up points and pull away to the team championship. Pittston Area (167) finished

second in the team race to the runaway Comets, who tallied 196.5 points in the day-long competition. Berwick (154.5) was third. The Comets are off until next Monday, when they host Columbia-Montour Vo-Tech. Following a home match with Berwick next Wednesday, the Comets will set their sights on the District 2 Class 3A Individual Championships slated for Feb. 23-24 back at Wilkes-Barre Area.

WVC Wrestling Championships Team Results 1. Crestwood (CRE) — 196.5 points; 2. Pittston Area (PA) — 167; 3. Berwick (BER) — 154.5; 4.

Dallas (DAL) — 132.5; 5. Hazleton Area (HAZ) — 123; 6. Wilkes-Barre Area (WBA) — 122; 7. Wyoming Valley West (WVW) — 98; 8. Lake-Lehman (LL) — 77; 9. Tunkhannock (TUN) — 71; 10. Wyoming Area (WA) — 66; 11. Hanover Area (HAN) — 65; 12. Nanticoke Area (NAN) — 57; Championship Round 107 — Taylor Daniels (TUN) pinned Oscar Ciriaco (PA), 5:39; 114 — Carlo Salinas (WBA) dec. over Derek Warman (HAN), 10-3; 121 — Connor Novakowski (WA) dec. over Sidney O’Donnell (DAL), 5-2; 127 — Sam Jeckell (CRE) dec. over Louden Giza (WVW), 3-2; 133 — Caleb Hoffman (WVW) dec. over Johnathan Stone (WA), 12-5; 139 — Lucas Tirpak (DAL) pinned Tyler Winter (BER), 5:12; 145 — Liam Evanko (WBA) dec. over Dominic Innamorati (PA), 5-2; 152 — Julian Everitt (PA) dec. over Myles Tirpak (DAL), 6-1; 160 — Patrick Munley (TUN) dec. over Braylon Hawkins (BER), 6-1; 172 — Jimmy Mitkowski (LL) dec. over Mason Marolo (HAZ), 4-2; 189 — Robbie Anderson (HAZ) dec. over Jonas Aponick (HAZ), 6-0; 215 — Brody Spindler (PA) dec. over Lincoln Bibla (CRE), 9-1; 285 — Kyle Draina (CRE) dec. over Peter Youngcourt (HAZ), 3-0.

Here’s My Pick in Super Bowl 58 by Joe Platania I come into the final game of the NFL season on a high, having picked 10 of 12 winners correctly this postseason (83%), including (and painfully) the Chiefs to beat my Ravens in Baltimore. Now it’s time to predict who will take all the marbles. In some years, making that call is a real headscratcher. Not this year, though, and here’s why. Football is a game of momentum, and despite the parity and unpredictability that reigns in the NFL these days, it’s also why the cream always seems to rise to the top when it comes to the last two teams standing. Like baseball, sustaining momentum often depends on who’s the starting pitcher, and both teams have that in future NFL Hall of Famer Patrick Mahomes and Brock Purdy, who may end up being the biggest NFL story in years. Purdy went from being “Mr. Irrelevant” (the last player taken in the NFL Draft) to a rookie NFL starter to (perhaps) a Super Bowl winner. While both teams deserve a lot of credit for getting to the big

game, there’s a big difference between these teams. Ever since New England took some major steps backward after Tom Brady’s departure, the Chiefs have been the league’s reigning dynasty for a reason: experience, both on the field and off. Veterans like Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Kadarius Toney on offense, Chris Jones and Nick Bolton on defense, and the venerable Andy Reid on the sidelines have given this team an ability to win in all situations, against all obstacles and, this year, in all locations, including the road. Meanwhile, the ‘Niners, playing at home, had to rally to beat a pair of young teams in Green Bay and Detroit. And for all the praise San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan gets, he has personally thrown away two opportunities to win a Super Bowl, occasionally getting a little too cute with his play-calling and outsmarting himself quite often. Four years ago, these two teams staged a great Super Bowl, and they probably will again. But dynastic teams win

games like this much more often than not, and sometimes, they do so by pulling away at the end. Kansas City 34, San Francisco 26 WHAT: Super Bowl 58, for the 2023 championship of the National Football League WHEN: 6:30 p.m. (ET), Sunday, February 11 WHERE: Allegiant Stadium; Las Vegas (71,835) NFC champions (visitors): San Francisco 49ers, 14-5, NFC West Division champions, No. 1 NFC playoff seed AFC champions (home): Kansas City Chiefs, 14-6, AFC West Division

champions, No. 3 AFC playoff seed TV: CBS with Jim Nantz, Tony Romo, booth; Tracy Wolfson, Evan Washburn, sidelines RADIO: Westwood One with Kevin Harlan, Kurt Warner, booth; Laura Okmin, Mike Golic, sidelines REFEREE: Bill Vinovich (third Super Bowl) __________ Joe Platania has been a Colts, then Ravens, beat writer for over four decades. These days he covers the Ravens and the NFL for The Sports Column.