©2024, THE JOURNAL-HERALD. All Rights Reserved
CONTINUING: THE WHITE HAVEN JOURNAL ESTABLISHED 1879–146th YEAR, NO. 2
SINGLE COPY– 75¢
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2024 • Volume 44 – No. 15 (USPS 277440)
CONTINUING: THE WEATHERLY HERALD ESTABLISHED 1880–145th YEAR, NO. 28
by Ruth Isenberg
This weekend features more Christmas activities for children and adults.
The annual Holiday Quilts and Crafts Show sponsored by the White Haven Area Community Library takes place on Saturday, December 7, in two locations. Beautiful and unique quilts are displayed both at the library and at the Victorian Connection, a restored Victorian era home built in the 1800s. Featured with the quilts are unique, original art, photography, pottery, holiday decorations, fabric art and more. A large selection of gift baskets will be part of a raffle, and home baked breads and desserts will be offered. Tickets are $5, with all proceeds benefitting the library. Hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with Heritage Hill Senior Community! Check out our annual Hill’s Angels Tree Trimming Contest and Open House on Sunday, Dec. 8, from noon to 4 p.m.
Enjoy refreshments, vote for your favorite tree, and shop for holiday gifts from crafters and other vendors.
At 5 p.m. on Sunday, Weatherly Faith Church will hold a Community Tree Lighting at 202 Carbon Street. Bring the family and enjoy. All are welcome.
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(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
by Ruth Isenberg
The white stuff, that is. There have been beautiful snow showers this past week, many of them occuring quite suddenly. The lacy white flakes coming down from the sky, coating the trees and grass, make for a stunning landscape. Unfortunately, they also make for slippery and dangerous roads, especially for the unprepared.
Strong winds and dropping temperatures can create icy windshields that really do need to be cleared before driving. They also can create slippery black ice, and make it hard to see the edges of the road.
Conditions can change rapidly, and vary from place to place. On a recent evening, there were pretty and delicate flakes flying as we left our office in White Haven. By the county line half-way home to Weatherly, the snow was sticking along the sides of the road. We hit the borough line, and the roads were covered, enough that it wasn’t possible to see where the road stopped and the side yards began.
Reportedly it was even more difficult to get into town from the opposite direction, with cars having a hard time getting up the Broad Mountain, and also coming down Plane Street into town.
We shouldn’t be surprised by extreme conditions. Our summer and autumn have been filled with extremes, from heavy rains and winds to periods of extended dryness. So far, we’ve been fortunate not to experience any of the truly catastrophic conditions that have hit some of our other states, places like Appalachia and the northwest.
Preparation is key. Carry an ice scraper—and use it before you drive. Those few minutes scraping can provide better vision for you as driver, safer than peering through the small opening provided by your car’s defrost function. Once the big snows come, clear your vehicle off. As your car or truck sheds big chunks of snow and ice, road hazards are created.
Most importantly, leave a little extra time for your travels. You may feel perfectly competent to drive through the snow. Not everyone else is. Slow down to keep everyone safe.
From The Journal-Herald December 3, 1981 Jay & Clara Holder, Publishers
White Haven Borough council was faced with the need to appoint a new tax collector, following the death of Alex Piro. Until their meeting scheduled for later in the month, his daughter Marie Piro was handling collections, along with borough secretary Elaine Myers.
A photo on the front page showed fifth and sixth graders at White Haven Elementary School dressed in costume for a Thanksgiving play to be presented at the school prior to being dismissed for their Thanksgiving holiday. Classic Pilgrim head-dresses were worn by both boys and girls. No native Americans seem to have been represented.
Paul V. Yankanich was re-elected as White Haven Fire Company Chief, with John A. Klem, David J. Searfoss, and Paul V. Yankanich Jr. re-elected as Assistant Chiefs.
Re-elected as officers were Searfoss as president, George Seguine as vice-president, Robert Zehner as secretary and financial secretary, and Klem as treasurer.
The White Haven Fire Company was called out on Thanksgiving day to fight a house fire at Pocono Mountain Lake, along with Kidder Township No. 1 (Tannery). They also reported responding to a chimney fire at Penn Lake.
Property owners and tenants of White Haven’s Downtown Renewal Area were reminded not to use salt to melt the ice on their new sidewalks. Sand was stockpiled at the fire house and was being made available for free to sand the walks.
The Greater Weatherly Area Community Chest awarded special request grants to three area fire companies. A front page photo showed treasurer
Taffy Houser presenting checks to Citizens’ chief Robert Sturtevant ($1,100 for purchase of a Porta-Pond), Packer Township Volunteer Fire Co. vice-president Grover Gerhard ($1,500 for their building fund), and L&L Fire Co. vice-president Thomas Hawk ($2,500 for communication equipment for the fire trucks).
The official vote count was completed in Carbon County, and incumbent Andrew Moisey was reelected as District Justice in Upper Carbon County over Paul J. Hadzick.
Weatherly Council held a special meeting, during which it authorized borough manager Beverly Knepper to advertise an ordinance imposing a garbage collection fee. The ordinance was advertised in this issue, setting forth rules and regulations for how garbage should be put out. The actual fees were to be set by resolution, and were not listed. A special meeting was needed, because council had postponed action during its November meeting in order to consider objections from citizens.
Echoes of the Past by Jack Koehler gave details of the first draft contingent and the rousing send-off the borough held to bid farewell to men leaving to report to army camp on September 17, 1917. “Good Luck - Good ByeGod Bless You” was the theme.
Weatherwood scheduled a public EKG Screening Program to detect heart abnormalities, free of charge, under the direction of the Amereican Heart Association’s Mideastern Pennsylvania Chapter.
The White Haven Interchurch Youth Council scheduled several events during December, including two “Re-creation Frivolity” parties from 7 to 10 p.m. in the White Haven Center gym, and a New Year’s Eve party to include a campfire, TV, food, worship and games.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Letters Testamentary have been granted to Susan L. Larock, of Sugarloaf, Pennsylvania, in the Estate of Janet A. Radziewicz a/k/a Janet Radziewicz, late of Sugarloaf, Pennsylvania, who died on August 22, 2024. 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 Executrix named or to: Alexis C. Falvello, Esquire THE FALVELLO LAW FIRM, P.C. 641 State Route 93 Sugarloaf, PA 18249
CREATING: Crystal Tierney creates stock for her Beauty Jewelry stand at the Small Business Saturday craft show to benefit Zions Nursery School. The event at Eurana Park Pavillion featured crafts of all kinds, and food for all tastes.
Silver Ridge Hunting Club, 2200 East Main St. Weatherly, will hold its all you can eat breakfast from 7 a.m. to Noon Sunday, Dec. 8, at the clubhouse.
The menu includes eggs
(any style), home fries, bacon, sausage, ham, pancakes, toast and creamed chipped beef. Drinks include coffee, tea, hot chocolate, orange and tomato juice.
Take outs are available. Children under 6 Free.
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
Albina P. Yarrish, 101, of Mountain Top passed away peacefully on Tuesday evening, November 26, 2024 at Smith Healthcare, Mountain Top.
Born in Wilkes-Barre, she was the daughter of the late George and Pauline Witkowski Koniecy. She was a graduate of Fairview High School.
She worked as an assembler tester for RCA in Mountain Top. She was a member of St. Mary’s Church, Dorrance and the Altar and Rosary Society.
Albina was a member of the Mountain Top Social Club, enjoyed playing bingo, traveling, and an occasional trip to the casino.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband Emil E. Yarrish in 1992; siblings, Joseph Guziak, Josephine Myslowski, Helen Zane and Stella Belleba.
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Left to cherish her memory is her daughter Sharon (Joseph) Gorka of Mountain Top; son Stephen (Mary Jane) Yarrish of Hobbie; grandchildren, Brian, Eric, Steve, Linda; greatgrandchildren, Jenna, Aaron, Aubrey, and Danielle; nieces and nephews.
A funeral service was held December 2, from the Desiderio-Lehman funeral and Cremation, Mountain Top, with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated in St. Mary’s Church, Dorrance. Interment followed in the parish cemetery.
Family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at Smith Healthcare for the excellent care given to Albina during her final days.
Visit www.MountainTopFH. com for additional information.
Sunday, December 8, at 5
p.m., Weatherly Faith Church Community Tree Lighting will take place at 202 Carbon Street. Bring the family and enjoy. All are welcome.
Monday, December 23, at 7
p.m., Weatherly Faith Church will be holding a Christmas Eve Eve candle light service. Everyone is welcome.
Karen von Frisch and Eileen Koehler, members of St. Matthews Church’s Prayer Shawl Group, delivered 36 afghans and pray shawls to American Legion Auxiliary Unit 360. Some of the lap covers were made by the late Helen Gerhard. The items will be given to veterans at Hertiage Hill and Forest Hills for Christmas. Others will be donated to Valor House for homeless veterans. Shown from left are Donna Thomas, Unit 360; Karen von Frisch; Georgia Farrow, Unit 360; and Eileen Koehler.
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WARM TOOTSIES: Members of ALA Unit 360 collected totes placed in the Weatherly Area Elementary/Middle schools for the Warm Tootsies Contest. Seven students who needed service hours for the National Honor Society volunteered to count the socks. The total came to 772 pairs of socks donated by the students for veterans in the Wilkes-Barre VA, Heritage Hill Assisted Living Center, Forest Hills Nursing/ Rehab Center and Valor House for homeless veterans. Mrs. Eroh’s 4th grade classroom was the winner. They will be receiving an in school pizza party on December 16. Shown from left are Unit 360 member Theresa D’Andrea, Avery McLaurin, Melina Ayala, Kendall Gerhard, John Thomas, Maci Kane, Ava Zimmerman, Elizabeth DiGennaro, Unit 360 members Donna Thomas and Georgeann Herling.
by Rep. Doyle Heffley (R-Carbon)
Our founding fathers were very clear in their design of our government – a truly revolutionary notion at the time –that there should be a definitive system of checks and balances. This was their way to guarantee the three branches of government remained equal and the best interests of the citizens were kept at the forefront. Unfortunately, the Biden administration is using its rulemaking and regulatory authority to broaden the reach and power of the executive branch via a rule recently finalized by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The rule in question puts strict emissions standards on auto manufacturers. The standards are so strict they will force the auto industry into producing more electric vehicles than those that run on gasoline. This rule will have farreaching implications on consumers and our economy. It represents a significant increase in the power of the executive branch, limits consumer choice and places additional burdens on an already strained national infrastructure.
The overreach of this rule is so far afield of an agency’s regulatory or rulemaking authority that Congress has now gotten involved. The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed legislation that would overturn the EPA rule. Notably, the bill passed with a bipartisan vote of 215-191, with eight Democrats joining most of their Republican colleagues to move the legislation. There is also
an effort underway to overturn the rule through the judicial branch.
If efforts to combat this new vehicle mandate via the courts or legislative process fail, a dangerous precedent will be set whereby government bureaucrats – who are not elected and not held accountable to the electorate – will have the ability to essentially make law. While our government has evolved and grown over time, I am certain our founding fathers would shake their heads at the notion of an executive agency having such far-reaching power with no real check. Such vast regulatory authority flies in the face of the concept of checks and balances.
But it’s not just the precedent setting that makes this regulation such a bad deal for our country. It’s the impact it will have on everyday citizens – something I can speak to firsthand.
Prior to running for elected office, I worked in the private sector as a trucking consultant. I witnessed the increases in operating costs putting pressure on the industry and consumers. I saw the strain infrastructure issues and shortfalls put on drivers.
This EPA rule is a perfect example of how a government policy can directly impact citizens as they go about their dayto-day lives. This mandate essentially equates to limiting consumer choice. By placing these emissions requirements on the auto industry, the Biden administration is essentially mandating an increase in the number of electric vehicles the industry is forced to produce.
The administration’s own projections show that to comply with the EPA order, 56% of new vehicles for sale will be electric by 2032. That is a significant uptick in electric vehicle production. If this move to electric vehicles was brought by market demand that would be one thing. But this is government interference in the private market. According to a Center Square article, electric vehicles currently only account for 7% of new vehicle sales. There currently isn’t the
consumer appetite for such a dramatic increase in EV production. Another issue that could be problematic is the infrastructure needed to keep electric vehicles literally moving. Electric vehicles run on batteries and charging stations aren’t readily available everywhere and could put an enormous strain on our power grid. This could lead to drivers being stranded in the middle of a road trip or those living in apartments struggling to find a charger or having to pay higher costs for a fast charge. Consumers,
ultimately, should have the choice of what new vehicle to buy that best fits their needs.
The EPA emissions rule is a bad move for our country. It is a gross overreach of executive branch authority and manipulates the private sector and economy while severely limiting consumer choice. It would likely increase costs for consumers and place additional strains on our country’s infrastructure. I urge our legislative branch to exercise its authority and right-size this misguided policy.
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Top left, real reindeer from Spruce Run Farm. Top right, part of the Searfoss Family train display. Second photo at left, arts and crafts time inside the White Haven Area Comunity Library. Below that, Santa’s mailbox. Expect an answer, as long as your letter to Santa is deposited here before December 20. Bottom of page, community Christmas Tree, decocrated and ready for lighting.
and
the
Story & photo
by Suzanne Winters
Kids of all ages greeted Santa as the White Haven Fire Department engine delivered him to the Penn Lake Community House on a cold, wintery day Sunday.
The youngsters waited in line, eager to spend a few minutes with the Jolly Old Elf to whisper their Christmas wishes next to a beautiful tree under twinkling lights.
The day also included crafts and snacks. The annual event was hosted by the Penn Lake Association.
The White Haven Area Community Library is sponsoring several community events throughout December to help celebrate the holiday season. There will be a Holiday Quilts and Crafts Show on Saturday, December 7, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Beautiful quilts will be on display at both the library and The Victorian Connection. There will also be original art, photography, pottery, holiday decorations, fabric art and more. There will be home baked goods and raffle baskets too.
Raffle basket tickets are available at the library. Tickets are 20 for $10, or $1 for one. Winning tickets will be pulled on Tuesday, December 10. Admission to the Quilt Show is
$5 and tickets can be purchased at the library.
Santa Tot time will take place on Tuesday, December 10, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Join us for story time with Santa and do a simple craft. Children aged 6 and under are welcome.
For children aged 7 to 14, there will be a holiday party on Saturday, December 14, from 12 to 3 p.m. Join us for games, snacks and a visit from Santa.
Everyone in the community is invited to a holiday party on Friday, December 20, from 6 to 8 p.m. There will be free live music by The Freeland Brass, as well as food and drink. Registration for this event is required. Call the library at 570-443-8776, stop by in person or email WHACL. LIBRARY@yahoo.com and provide your name, phone, email and how many will be attending.
There will be a Literary Celebration of Christmas Stories performed by Steven Reiss on Saturday, December 21, from 3–4:30 p.m. Readings will include The Polar Express, The Gift of the Magi and ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. The event is free, however registration is required. Stop by the library, call or email to let us know you are coming.
Please continue to support the library by purchasing
Gertrude Hawk Candy Bars. We are proudly selling all 10 available varieties for $2. If you are looking for your favorite flavor, and can’t find it, chances are the WHACL will have it for you to enjoy. If you are interested in volunteering at the library, we would love to meet you. There are a variety of opportunities available for you to share your skills and experience. Please call 570-443-8776 or stop in during library hours.
The WHACL follows the Crestwood School District for weather related closings. If the school is closed, the library is closed. For weather events on days when school is not in session, the decision to close the library will be made at least one hour prior to its scheduled opening and posted on the library Facebook page.
The Jim Thorpers Bicycle Team included the Weatherly Area Community Library among the recipients of its annual giving, presenting a check for $500 during their first fundraiser for the 38th Ben to the Shore Bike Tour on November 3 at Bright Path Brewing Co. in Jim Thorpe. Above are, from left, bike team co-captain Charles Whitehead, WACL treasurer Robert von Frisch, and bike team co-captain Todd Truskey at the event. The Jim Thorpers Bicycle Team raised over $80,000 for the 37th annual Ben to the Shore Bike Tour. Additionally, The Families Behind the Badge Children’s Foundation awarded the $10,000 to distribute to local non-profits. Donations were also given to the Palmerton, Lehighton, Dimmick Memrial, Panther Valley Community and Tamaqua Libraries, as well as the Jimmy Trainer Scholarship Fund of the Jim Thorpe Lions Club, Fairview HOse and Diligent Fire Companies, Tamaqua Community Arts Center, Jim Thorpe Youth Basketball, the Germantown Grove Club for Special Needs Fishing Contest, Rotary Club of Jim Thorpe for Kids Summer Camp, and Camp Red Jacket for Juvenile Diabetes.
Banks Township
Calvin J. Gabos Jr. to Calvin J. Gabos Jr., P.O. Box 373, Tresckow, property at 26 N. Chestnut St., $1.
Lori A. DeAndrea to Lori A. DeAndrea, Edgewater, Florida, parcel No. 125B-3-8.01, 4,497 square feet, $1.
Beaver Meadows
Calvin J. Gabos Jr. to Calvin J. Gabos Jr., P.O. Box 373, Tresckow, property at 15 Broad St., $1.
Kidder Township
127 South Lake Drive, LLC, to South Lake Drive Realty, LLC, Pennington, New Jersey, property at 126 S. Lake Drive, Lake Harmony, $3,175,000.
Philip Bas Le to Vivald14, LLC, Voorhees, New Jersey, property on Chestnut Road, D40, Lake Harmony, $70,000.
Brian Dougherty to Karan Virmani, Scotch Plains, New Jersey, property at 19 Midlake Drive, Lake Harmony, $375,000.
Lakeview Loan Servicing, LLC, to Brian Erwin, Churchville, property at 91 Lakeside Lane, Albrightsville, $95,000.
Troy Cavallaro to Michael Palumbo, East Rockaway, New York, property at 121 Down Hill, Lake Harmony, $227,500.
Amber L. Leon to Amber L. Leon, 36 Helen Way, White Haven, property at 36 Helen Way, $1.
Bridget Jensen to Robert Jensen, Lansdale, property at
105 Telemark, White Haven, $51,746.13.
Robert Jensen to Robert Jensen, Lansdale, property at 105 Telemark, White Haven, $1.
Preservation Graystones, LLC, to Michael Patrick Uhrich, Ambler, property on Wagner Ridge Road, 12.21 acres, $875,000.
Daniel Zola to Gary Gerard Szukalski, Frederick, Maryland, property at 90 S. Lake Drive, Lake Harmony, $70,000.
Ronald Money to Thomas Stanton, Media, property at 41 Skye Drive, Lake Harmony, $769,900.
Edward J. Bonnes to Martin P. Bonnes, Ridley Park, property at 10 Birchwood Road, Lake Harmony, $1.
Robert G. Ganter Jr. to Wayne Carmint Realty, LLC, King of Prussia, property at 41 Lake Drive, Lake Harmony, $460,000.
Kurt Barthel to Kurt R. Barthel, 32 Jonathan Point Drive, SAlbrightsville, property at 32 Jonathan Point Drive, $1.
John J. Zeszut to Siobhan Lawson, 71 Pineybrook Drive, Albrightsville, property at 71 Pineybrook Drive, $210,000.
William R. Yost to William R. Yost Jr., 14 Lee Ron Lane, Tamaqua, parcel No. 21-21-A23, $1.
Ken Witney Hastie II to Shirley A. Dady, Chula Vista, California, property at 7 Wildbriar Court, Lake Harmony, $475,000.
Theresa Maria Brown to Glen P. Datres, Pleasant Valley, New York, property at 322
Hummingbird Way, Unit 273, Lake Harmony, $1.
Timmy Cao to Nagabushan Kancharla, Carlisle, property at 23 Rockspring Court, Lake Harmony, $484,285.
Tax Claim Bureau of Carbon County to Julio Archilda, Trenton, New Jersey, Lot 569, Section C, Ash Lane, Holiday Poconos, $904.
Tax Claim Bureau of Carbon County to Luis Estuardo Atchila Salazar, Trenton, New Jersey, Lot 717, Section C, Pocono Road, Holiday Poconos, $851.
C. Lee Wanner to Margarite Investment Group, LLC, Ridley Park, property at 10 Red Oak Road, Lake Harmony, $250,900.
Lehigh Township
Evelyn Carol McAuley to Josey Kelley, Almond, New York, property at 10 S. Lehigh Gorge Drive, $1.
James McAuley to Josey Kelley, Almond, New York, property at 10 S. Lehigh Gorge Drive, $1.
Ronald F. Lutzick to Ronald F. Lutzick, 1272 S. Lehigh Gorge Drive, Weatherly, property at 1272 S. Lehigh Gorge Drive, $1.
Brian O’Donnell to Jennifer O’Donnell, 1516 S. Lehigh Gorge Drive, Weatherly, property at 1516 S. Lehigh Gorge Drive, $1.
Shawna Mokes to Shawna Mokes, Quakertown, property at 371 Railroad St., $1.
Robert Davis to Robert Davis,
911A North St., Weatherly, property at 911A North St., $1.
Rodney D. Murphy to Edmund Michael Mayernick Jr., 41 Eurana Ave., Weatherly, property at 41 Eurana Ave., $255,000.
Brian Rose to Cristian A. Almanzar, 815 E. Main St., Weatherly, property at 815 E. Main St., $220,000.
John Frable to Carl W. Mengle, 3350 Buck Mountain Road, Weatherly, property at 326 Third St., $160,000.
Robert Davis to Robert Davis, 911A North St., Weatherly, property at 911A North St., $1.
Rodney D. Murphy to Edmund Michael Mayernick Jr., 41 Eurana Ave., Weatherly, property at 41 Eurana Ave., $255,000.
Brian Rose to Cristian A. Almanzar, 815 E. Main St., Weatherly, property at 815 E. Main St., $220,000.
John Frable to Carl W. Mengle, 3350 Buck Mountain Road, Weatherly, property at 326 Third St., $160,000.
After dropping a two-point heartbreaker to Class 6A power Scranton in their home and season opener, the Crestwood boys’ basketball team bounced back in strong fashion less than 24 hours later, routing Hanover Area 56-23 Saturday afternoon at Crestwood High School.
Ayden Agapito rimmed a game-high 19 points, including 11 in an 18-6 first-quarter push, to lead the Comets (1-1). Ryan Sechleer and Connor Wagaman each scored seven points in Crestwood’s balanced win.
Noah Dewey topped Hanover Area with eight points.
HANOVER AREA (23) Josh Rivera 1 1-2
3, Andrew Kistner 1 0-0 3, Kaili Craft 1 0-0 2, Jayden Coleman 0 1-2 1, Noah Sabecky 9 102 1, Gernard Williams 2 0-2 5, Ben Kolbicka 0 0-0 0, Noah Dewey 1 6-8 8. Totals 6 9-16 23. CRESTWOOD (56) Ryan Sechleer 3 0-0 7, Jacob Feisel 2 0-0 5, Gio Barna 1 1-2 3, Connor Wagaman 3 0-0 7, Cameron Scotti 1 0-0 2, Jack Rodgers 1 1-2 3, Brady Grevera 1 0-0 3, Ayden Agapito 8 2-2 19, Kell Edwards 0 2-2 2, Tommy Biscotti 1 0-0 2. Totals 22 6-8 56. Hanover Area.....6 6 5 6 — 23 Crestwood.........18 9 20 9 — 56
3-pointers: Kistner, Williams. Schleer, Feisel, Wagaman, Johnson, Grevera, Agapito.
Scranton 47, Crestwood 45 — The Comets gave the four-time defending District 2 Class 6A champs all they could handle and rallied from a seven-point deficit in the fourth quarter, only to fall two points short in their home and season lid lifter.
Scranton jumped out to a quick 14-6 lead before Crestwood methodically clawed its way back. The Comets outscored the Knights 15-10 in the fourth, only to come up one basket short.
Tony Battaglia and Pedro Lugo scored 13 and 12, respectively, to lead Scranton.
Ayden Agapito tallied a game-leading 16 points for the Comets, and teammate Ryan Sechleer followed with nine.
SCRANTON (47) Gabe White 2 0-0 4, Jonathan Levine 0 1-2 1, Jaheam Roberts 2 0-0 5, Tony Battaglia 5 1-2 13, Deondre Dickey 0 0-0 0, Alex Ludovici 1 0-0 3, Lincoln McIver 1 0-0 3, Jayden Burrell 3 0-0 6, Pedro Lugo 5 2-4 12. Totals 19 4-8 47. CRESTWOOD (45) Ryan Sechleer 4 0-0 9, Jacob Feisel 1 0-2 2, Gio Barna 2 2-6 7, Connor Wagaman 0 2-2 2, Jack Rogers 1 0-1 2, Brady Grevera 3 0-0 7, Ayden Agapito 5 5-5 16, Tommy Biscotti 0 0-0 0. Totals 16 9-16 45. Scranton........14 11 12 10 — 47 Crestwood.......6 13 11 15 — 45
3-pointers: Battaglia 2, Roberts, Ludovici, McIver. Sechleer, Barna, Grevera, Agapito.
Troy Holman, with the buck he got on Round Head Mountain during archery season. He is in 7th grade at Weatherly Area Middle School.
Fresh off an opening-night win over rival Marian, Panther Valley got a wake-up call from visiting Weatherly on Saturday night.
The Wreckers went toe to toe with the Panthers, were tied at 35 heading to the fourth, and were still in striking distance until PV’s late surge resulted in a 56-45 Panther Valley victory.
Logan Fisher netted a teamhigh 15 points for the Panthers (2-0). Connor Penberth scored 10 of his 14 points in the key fourth quarter, when the Panthers outscored the Wreckers 21-10. Brady Jones also scored 13 for PV.
Niko Saldukas hit for a game-high 18 points for the Wreckers (0-1), and Ian McKeegan chipped in with 15.
In the junior varsity contest, Panther Valley posted a 63-38 win behind Chase McCardle’s 17 points and four triples, and Darian Revell’s 13 markers.
Dominick Kokinda paced the Weatherly jayvees with 13 points and Matt Adler was right behind with 12.
The Wreckers were set to host Marian on Thursday in their home and Schuylkill League Division 2 opener.
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1. F, unit of electrical capacity
6. *Buche de NoÎl, e.g.
9. What influencers do?
13. Yemeni’s neighbor
14. Another word for Tokyo
15. Singer Ross of “Where Did Our Love Go” fame
16. Laundry room fire hazard, pl. 17. Much of it about nothing?
18. Furnish with a fund
19. *”A Bad Moms Christmas” actress Bell
21. *Tiny Tim creator 23. Tibetan ox 24. Khrushchev’s domain 25. *Goo on real Christmas tree
28. Sketch 30. *Poinsettia’s motherland
35. “____ ____Good Men”, movie
37. Brussels’ org.
39. Plant fungus
40. Reluctant
41. Klutzy
43. *”It’s beginning to look ____ ____ like...”
44. Domains
46. Bog down
47. Oxen connector
48. Under epidermis
50. Mums’ mums
52. Over, poetically
53. Alleviate
55. ____ Mahal
57. *Tanne in “O Tannenbaum” (2 words)
61. *It is feliz to Feliciano
65. Radioshow host: “Hello, you’re ____ ____”
66. Knot-tying vow (2 words)
68. Dispatch boat
69. Carthage’s ancient neighbor
70. *Egg___
71. Oil lamp dweller
72. Fishing poles
73. Bigheadedness
74. Painter Degas
DOWN
1. Lore people
2. Mideast ruler
3. Hindu princess
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5. Farthest from point of origin
6. Ground beef description
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25. Green side
26. Before, in the olden days
27. J.M. Barrie’s Pan
29. “Howdy, ____!”
31. Internal picture
32. Meltable home
33. Singer Sam of “Twistin’ the Night Away” fame
34. Weasel’s aquatic cousin
36. *”Last Christmas” band, with !
38. Edible pod
42. Busybody, in Yiddish
45. Mountain range
49. Certain fraternity house letters
51. Cruel
54. Isle de la Cité river
56. Tripped the light fantastic
57. *Number of ghosts in “A Christmas Carol”
58. *”He’s Just Not That ____ You”, movie
59. Police’s surprise
60. Habitual twitches
61. Not happening (2 words)
62. Minor bumper damage
63. “Heat of the Moment” band
64. Opposite of talker?
67. *The Grinch’s Max
by Steve Stallone Sports Editor
When history looks back at the 2024-25 Weatherly Area girls’ basketball team, current head coach Jason Kane hopes the story line will read something like this: “These Lady Wreckers stayed together, rode out the storm, laid a foundation and made a huge investment into the future of the program.”
With five seniors and four starters graduated off last year’s squad, headlined by 900-point career scorer and four-year starter Bethany Houser, the Lady Wreckers already knew the sledding would be tough moving forward.
When only four players were showing up to open gym in the fall, and just five arrived for the first official practice, Kane and athletic director Scott Zoscin grew more concerned.
“It was a struggle getting girls,” Kane said. “We didn’t know if we were going to have a team.”
After a meeting at the school, the Lady Wreckers were able to add three additional players to the roster, and will start the season with eight. There will be no junior varsity team.
The good news is that one of them is Kelly Reiner.
The do-it-all junior is entering her third season as a starter, was the team’s second-leading scorer and top rebounder a year ago, and provides instant stability to a program in sore need for some.
At 5-foot-8, Reiner can crash the boards and play big inside, step outside for a 3-pointer, or handle the rock as the point guard. She can play all five positions on the floor.
“Kelly’s the player we are going to lean on. She’s the rock,” Kane said. “She’s been a starter for two years, she’s been in the big games, and she knows what to expect on the floor.
“I feel bad for her because we’re placing a lot of burden on her this year. As a team we’re going to have to learn to help her out as much as we can. She’s also
going to be that third coach on the floor.”
Help should come from the likes of fellow juniors Abby Weston (5-4) and Bria Gordick (5-8), both of whom return with experience, along with secondyear sophomores Courtney Snyder (5-10) and Jillian Russell (5-3).
First-year junior Olivia Marasco (5-8) brings athleticism and size, and freshman Mya Binder (5-10) will add another inside presence for the Lady Wreckers. First-year senior Mackenzie Rhodes (5-6) provides athleticism and muchneeded depth to the team.
“We only have eight girls to start the season. Some of them are athletic, but they’re raw in terms of basketball knowledge,” Kane explained. “Right now we should be running our offenses and defenses and setting up our presses and stuff like that, and we’re still doing fundamentals.”
The Lady Wreckers are getting
a helping hand from an unlikely source the school’s junior high program. The eighth and seventh grade basketball teams have been practicing alongside the varsity, giving them live looks and competition that they otherwise wouldn’t see until game day. Both groups are benefitting, Kane said.
“We’ve been doing joint practices right now because we have so little numbers on the varsity level, so it’s helping us out,” noted Kane, who said they are the future of the program.
“We have three eighth graders coming up next year, and there are 12 seventh graders in the program.
“This year we’re doing two teams, an eighth grade team and a seventh grade team,” he said. “We’ve got to weather the storm and build what we have.”
“We’re going to take our lumps and we know that, but it’s the price we’re going to pay for the future,” stated Kane, who hopes the Lady Wreckers can be competitive with their non-league opponents and gain confidence moving forward. That non-league schedule includes two games with MMI Prep, including this week’s season-opener.
“We know what we’re up against in the Schuylkill League, and we have our normal nonconference schedule. If we can get a win or two against them and give these girls some confidence, that would help,” said Kane, who will be assisted again by Chris Gaydoscik.
“My expectations are to get better from game to game. If
The Lady Wreckers will play in new-look Schuylkill League Division 2, where old rivals like Marian, Nativity, Mahanoy Area and Shenandoah Valley have been joined with Lourdes Regional, Tri-Valley and Williams Valley, making for a rough road ahead.
Members of the 2024-25 Weatherly Area boys’ basketball team include, kneeling from left: Seniors Sebastian Williams and John Donish. Standing, from left: Noah Mayernick, Ian McKeegan, Vincent Cuddiford, Zane Lare, Chance Stauffer, Dominick Kokinda, Brandon Davis, Niko Saldukas, Matt Adler, Corbin Wagner, Jacob Hinkle, Bradlee Conners, and Khrystian Rivera Williams.
The time is ‘now’ for fast-improving
by Steve Stallone Sports Editor
A lot of basketball coaches will tell you the best thing about sophomores is they become juniors.
In other words, players mature both physically and mentally over the course of an offseason.
While Luke Medico didn’t see a ton of physical growth from his players between last season and this one, he saw plenty of growth that you can’t measure with a yardstick.
“The main focus over the summer was to somehow get the boys to take more responsibility for their actions,” Medico, the Wreckers’ second-year coach, said last week. “The kids played in two summer leagues this year and I decided to take a more relaxed hands-off approach. The year before we were together all the time, literally almost every day starting at the beginning of school. This year we’ve had more break and slowly worked into it.
“I don’t know if that was the
main reason for it, but they’ve grown, they’re more mature on the floor and off the floor. They’re still kids and they still have fun, but the quit I saw in them before has disappeared.”
Medico saw that maturity in the team’s scrimmage at Jim Thorpe, where they came out on top in all four quarters. He saw it again in Saturday night’s season opener at Panther Valley, when they took the Panthers to the final minutes before eventually falling by 11.
“It was 100 percent something to build on,” Medico said of the scrimmage. “We’re trending upwards.”
The Wreckers bring an air of confidence in their second season with Medico, with virtually the entire roster back from a year ago.
Led by their trio of junior captains Ian McKeegan, Corbin Wagner and Niko Saldukas the Wreckers are hitting the ground running this time around.
“They averaged from 10-13 points per game last year, and all three could be at 15-20 this year,” Medico said. “The cool thing about them is they’ve
really learned to not care who it is on certain nights. Unselfish basketball, team basketball is what we’re trying to embrace here.”
McKeegan (5-5) is the team’s floor general and ball handler, and is joined in the backcourt by the 5-foot-7 Wagner, a slasher and the team’s top outside threat. Saldukas is a 6-foot-3 forward who can play every position on the floor. All three have raised the level of their play.
“Their basketball games were good last year, but they’re making better decisions,” Medico said.
Continued from page 14
we can improve from game to game, that’s a win to me,” added Kane. “We only have one senior. We have to build these girls and hopefully they come back next season. It’s where we’re at right now as a program.”
ROSTER
Senior Mackenzie Rhodes (5-6).
(x)
(x)
“Three-pointers are cool and important, but they can’t be the foundation of a good offense, and they’re beginning to understand that. Back door cuts, just instinctual basketball. I would be shocked if all three of them didn’t take a big step forward this year.”
Senior banger John Donish (6-3) and sophomore leaper Chance Stauffer (6-0) bring experience and inside presence to the Wreckers, and will round out the starting lineup.
“John Donish is very strong, but he only started playing
See WEATHERLY BOYS, page 16
2024-25 SCHEDULE
December
3 - MMI Prep; 6 - at Marian (x); 10 - Mahanoy Area (x); 13 - Nativity (x); 17 - at Shenandoah Valley (x); 18 - Lincoln Leadership Academy; 20 - Lourdes Regional (x).
January
4 - at Lincoln Leadership Academy; 7 - at Tri-Valley (x); 9 - Williams Valley (x); 11 - at Bethlehem Christian; 13 - Marian (x); 16 - at Mahanoy Area (x); 20 - at Nativity (x); 23Shenandoah Valley (x); 25 - at Columbia-Montour Vo-Tech; 27 - at Lourdes Regional (x); 30 - Tri-Valley (x).
February
1 - Salem Christian; 3 - at Williams Valley (x); 6Northumberland Christian; 8 - at MMI Prep. (x) - Schuylkill League Division 2 game
by Steve Stallone Sports Editor
With the entire roster set to return for a second season under her watch, Crestwood girls’ basketball coach Mary Mushock-Namey and the Lady Comets were a confident bunch following a 16-9 season in 202324, one that ended with the team on the brink of a PIAA Class 5A Tournament berth.
High expectations for the upcoming 2024-25 season took a major hit several months ago, however, when all-star point guard and scoring leader Keira Dougherty suffered a season-ending injury during a summer basketball tournament.
The Lady Comets now must move forward without their junior standout, who averaged 13.7 points per game, dissected opposing defenses with her drive to the basket and gave them fits from beyond the arc (25 3-pointers). Others must step up in her absence if they are to challenge for a Wyoming Valley Conference Division 1 title and the program’s first district championship this winter.
“We are looking for someone to step in for her,” Mushock-Namey said in the preseason.
The Lady Comets do have options at the point, including proven varsity players in senior Jordan Andrews and sophomore Cameron Vieney. Andrews is an athletic player who possesses “great court vision” and Vieney is “an excellent defender” according to their coach. Both saw significant minutes and made key contributions off the bench last season.
They will be part of an experienced lineup that includes four returning starters, including the senior duo of 5-11 post player Kate Gallagher (4.6 ppg) and sharpshooter Kendall Petrosky and sophomore standouts Charlie Hiller (10.4 ppg) and Jackie Gallagher (12.9 ppg. 33 3-pointers).
“We are hoping to get our program to the next level and
compete for conference and district titles,” Mushock-Namey stated. The team proved it is on the brink of that right now.
The Lady Comets finished 11-3 in WVC Division 1 last season, just behind Dallas and Hazleton Area in the standings. They split their two meetings with Hazleton Area this year’s projected frontrunner with all five of its starters back.
Once in the playoffs, the Lady Comets beat North Pocono in their District 2 Class 5A opener
Continued from page 15
basketball two years ago. He’s still very raw,” noted Medico. “And Chance plays like he’s 6-4. He does whatever it takes to win.”
Medico is high on everimproving sophomores Matt Adler and Dominick Kokinda, and also on hustling junior Brandon Davis, three players who will see plenty of varsity minutes but will work on their games with the junior varsity team as well.
Junior sharpshooter Zane Lare, sophomores Jacob Hinkle and Bradlee Conners, and senior Sebastian Williams could also work their way into varsity minutes depending on the opposition and the situation.
Whoever is on the court will be looking to make their presence felt in the new-look Schuylkill League Division 2, where Marian, Shenandoah Valley, Nativity, TriValley, Williams Valley, Schuylkill Haven and Lourdes Regional will be the competition. It won’t be an easy road for the Wreckers, who will need to make big strides on last year’s two-win season if they want to be in the playoff conversation come February.
“It affects you if you think it does. If you don’t, it doesn’t,” Medico said in response to this year’s schedule and new league alignment. “Last year we made the playoffs with a 2-20 record. Out of those 22 games, 17 of them
but lost to Scranton in the semifinals and Dallas in the consolation game, where a win in either game would have sent them to the state tournament.
“Every team in Division 1 and District 2 Class 5A is extremely competitive and well-coached, so we look to be in a battle each and every night,” Mushock-Namey added.
After their home and season opener Tuesday against Scranton, the Lady Comets will compete in the Selinsgrove Tournament
were against teams that made the playoffs. We made the playoffs by strength of schedule.
“This year Nativity and Lincoln Leadership are back in (District 11) Class A. We’re not going to get this free ticket anymore,” he continued. “It doesn’t really matter who’s in our league, who’s in our division, who’s in our playoff bracket. We just have to show up and play basketball to the best of our ability.”
And that means performing. Now.
“Our word of the year is NOW. It’s printed on the back of our sweatshirts. The reason being is that’s all we have is right now,” Medico said. “We don’t have the luxury of time. Everything is now. It’s the present moment. What happened 10 minutes ago or 10 years ago actually only matters now if you say it does.”
The Wreckers plan on continuing to trend upward together.
“We’ve become a lot tighter as a group. We were feeling each other
Thursday and Friday, facing Jersey Shore on Thursday’s semifinal round.
2024-25 SCHEDULE
December
2 - Scranton; 5 - vs. Jersey Shore at Selinsgrove Tournament; 6 - TBD at Selinsgrove Tournament; 10 - at Wallenpaupack; 12 - Williamsport; 14 - vs. Brandywine Heights at Riverfront; 18 - Pittston Area; 20 - at Hazleton Area; 28Pleasant Valley; 30 - Nanticoke Area.
January
3 - Dallas; 6 - at Loyalsock; 9 - Wyoming Valley West; 13 - Wilkes-Barre Area; 15 - at Berwick; 17 - at Pittston Area; 20 - Hazleton Area; 23 - at Dallas; 25 - East Stroudsburg North; 30 - at Wyoming Valley West.
February
3 - at Wilkes-Barre Area; 5 - Berwick.
out last year, but the family aspect of it has grown a lot both on the court and off the court,” Medico said with a smile. “It’s been really cool.”
ROSTER
Seniors
John Donish (6-3), Sebastian Williams (5-10). Juniors Ian McKeegan (5-5), Niko Saldukas (6-3), Corbin Wagner (5-7), Brandon Davis (5-8), Zane Lare (5-9).
Sophomores
Chance Stauffer (6-0), Dominick Kokinda (6-0), Matt Adler (6-3), Jacob HInkle (5-11), Bradlee Conners (5-9), Khrystian Rivera Williams (5-10). Freshmen Vincent Cuddeford (5-9), Noah Mayernick (5-4).
2024-25 SCHEDULE
November 30 - at Panther Valley.
December
5 - Marian (x); 9 - at Schuylkill Haven (x); 12 - at Nativity (x); 14 - MMI Prep; 16 - Shenandoah Valley (x); 19 - at Lourdes Regional (x); 20 - at Bethlehem Christian.
January
4 - at Lincoln Leadership Academy; 6 - Tri-Valley (x); 9 - at Williams Valley (x); 11 - Columbia-Mountour Vo-Tech; 14 - at Marian (x); 17 - Schuylkill Haven (x); 21 - Nativity (x); 24 - at Shenandoah Valley (x); 27 - Millville; 28Lourdes Regional (x); 31 - at Tri-Valley (x).
February
1 - Salem Christian; 4 - Williams Valley (x); 6Northumberland Christian. (x) - Schuylkill League Division 2 game
