Local News

The Tamaqua Family Practice will be having an H1N1 flu clinic on Dec. 17 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The vaccine is free to anyone over the age of 6 months.

It is located at 34 S. Railroad Street. Tamaqua the group asks that the public does not call their front desk since this would jam their switchboard. However, they can be reached directly at extension (570) 668-0180, extension 704. Please call if you need further information.

Kassandra Martinez, 12, of Brodheadsville and a 7th grade student at Pleasant Valley Intermediate School, has won the 2009 West End Rotary Club holiday card art contest. She is the daughter of Lisa Marie Martinez and Anthony Ruffino.

"I was really excited when I learned I won first place. It's my first time getting first place in anything," says Kassandra.

Her drawing of a snowman peeking into a living room will appear on the cover of the club's holiday cards this season. The inside of each of the non-denominational card reads, "Warmest wishes during this holiday season."

When Ben Verta purchased his sprawling building on West Bertsch Street, adjacent to the Panther Valley football stadium, the economy was better than it is now and he was optimistic it was ideal for his soap manufacturing business.

Not only did the economy hammer his business, but the building began to rapidly deteriorate. Yesterday, Verta appeared before District Judge Casimir Kosciolek to answer 14 citations he received from Lansford building inspector Kathy Labosky.

Two Mahoning Township supervisors and the board's solicitor were honored for their years of service during last evening's board meeting at the township building.