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JANUARY 6-12, 2022
Birth Announcement
submitted by MARIA BLASKO Marc and Maria Blasko, of Jenkins Township, announce the birth of their son, Luke Owen Blasko. Luke’s paternal grandparents are Joseph Blasko, of Pen Argyl and MaryAnn Pany, of Northampton. His maternal grandparents are Joseph and Dor-
othy Sagliocco, of Jenkins Township, Pa. Paternal great-grandparents are Frank and Agnes Blasko, of Bath, Pa.; and the late Nicholas and Thelma Petruccelli. Maternal great-grandparents are Dorothy Dzurisin, of Swoyersville, Pa.; the late Paul Dzurisin; and the late Joseph and Rosalie Sagliocco.
Dedicated Allen Township supervisor Thanked for his service
By KERI LINDENMUTH Long-time Allen Township supervisor Bruce Frack has been honored for his nearly two decades of dedication to the township. Frack’s resignation was announced in December, marking the end of his term. Frack served the township as an elected official for 18 years, even serving as both vice chairman and chairman of the board. He helped the township make decisions on roadwork, budgeting, development, public safety, parks and recreation, and more. Full-time, he was employed as a Senior Project Manager for the Lehigh-Northampton Airport
Authority for over 44 years. Township Manager Ilene Eckhart, who worked alongside Frack during his service, praised him for not only his involvement in the community, but for his positive attitude. Eighteen years, she said, is an impressive amount of time for someone to dedicate to their community. “[Mr. Frack] has always been a joy to work with,” she said. “He is very personable, very knowledgeable, and a very positive person to be around.” After his years of service, Frack will be spending some much-deserved time with his family.
50 cents
Bath Tony Pristash sworn in Borough As Northampton Mayor Council Welcomes Some New, and Familiar, Faces
By KERI LINDENMUTH The Bath Borough Council reorganization meeting was held on Jan. 3, 2022. During the first meeting of the year, three new councilmen and one returning councilwoman were sworn in by Mayor Fiorella Mirabito. Mirabito is entering her third term as mayor, having won reelection in 2021. Newly elected councilmen Jim Lisiecki and Doug Hamadyk took the oath of office alongside re-elected councilwoman Michele Ehrgott. Ehrgott begins her third term on council. In addition to swearing in Lisiecki, Hamadyk, and Ehrgott, Mayor Mirabito had the opportunity to swear in someone very special. Her husband, Manny Mirabito, was also sworn in as a councilman during the January 3 meeting. Mirabito will fill the seat vacated by former Councilman Mark Saginario. Saginario resigned effective December 31. Mirabito submitted a letter of interest to the borough and will be completing Saginario’s term until the end of 2023. This is not the first time Mirabito has sat on borough council. He previously served as council president in the 1990s. “I think Manny is going to be a great addition to this borough because of his experience,” said Councilman Barry Fenstermaker. Mayor Mirabito, Ehrgott, and Borough Manager Brad Flynn all thanked Saginario for his decadeplus of service and wished him well on his new journey as borough manager of Tatamy. Continued on page 4
On Monday, January 3, Tony Pristash was sworn in as Mayor of the Borough of Northampton by Superior Court Justice Jack Panella.
When not to seek a Covid test
Submitted by SAM KENNEDY St. Luke’s University Health Network reminds the public that the Network requires a doctor’s order for Covid-19 tests at its testing sites. Currently, the lines and wait-times at testing sites are hours long. People who are symptomatic and have tested positive using an at-home test should not seek a second, confirmatory laboratory test from the Network. (An athome test that produces a positive result in a symptomatic individual is considered highly accurate, so a second, laboratory test is not necessary to confirm the diagnosis.) People who believe they have been exposed to Covid but are not symptomatic should not go to a St. Luke’s hospital emergency department or a St. Luke’s Care Now urgent care location for a Covid test to rule out infection. Additionally, people should not go to the hospital emergency department or a St. Luke’s Care Now urgent care location for a Covid test for travel needs. “Our region is experiencing a surge in demand for testing because of the Omicron variant,” said Jeffrey Jahre, MD, St. Luke’s
Senior Vice President of Medical & Academic Affairs and Section Chief Emeritus of Infectious Diseases. “We ask for the public’s thoughtful cooperation to ensure our region’s health care resources are available and accessible in a timely manner to those patients with the greatest need.” If you develop a fever and symptoms such as a cough or difficulty breathing, call your doctor for medical advice. For St. Luke’s patients, please do one of the following: • Call your St. Luke’s Physician Group practice. • Download the St. Luke’s app to utilize the video visit feature to connect with a doctor. For patients without a doctor, please call the St. Luke’s Coronavirus hotline at 1-866-STLUKES (785-8537), option 7. Fully vaccinated and boosted
Continued on page 3
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PHOTO OF THE MONTH CONTEST
January theme: Wildlife
Deadline- Jan. 24 • Winner featured in Jan. 27 issue
Email photos along with contact info and description of photo to cstroh@homenewspa.com