The Times News region is blessed with scores of individuals who on a daily basis contribute to the betterment of our communities. Several of them were honored in 2025 for the impacts they have had on our residents.

Among them were:

January

• A woman was rescued by a passer-by after being trapped in her Polk Township home, which had caught on fire.

Fire Chief Billy Tippett said firefighters were dispatched to a home at 708 Burger Hollow Road and found flames shooting through the roof of the two-story wood frame single-family home.

The passer-by, who notified 911 that there was entrapment, was able to get the victim, an adult woman, out of the house before the fire company’s arrival.

• A fire service award winner, along with several firefighters were recognized for over 50 years of dedicated service when the Aquashicola Volunteer Fire Company presented the awards.

Firefighter Chris Jahelka was honored with the Chief Warren Fury Memorial Firefighter of the Year Award. Jahelka serves as assistant chief/treasurer.

Firefighters Chris Kegel (58 years), Rory Koons (56 years), Larry Arner (52 years), Larry Hahn (50 years), George (50 years) and Mark Semmel (just shy of 50 years) were also recognized.

May

• The Lansford American Legion Post 123 honored Richard “Monk” Pogwist as its person of year.

He was presented the Tom Dobosh Memorial Lansford Person of the Year Award from Commander Nate Krajcirik, who said Pogwist was selected “because of his lifelong service to the community.

• Reilly Bauer of Lansford was crowned Pennsylvania Miss Amazing Junior Miss Queen. The win follows her 2021 Miss Amazing Pennsylvania Teen Queen and Miss Amazing National Teen Queen wins. It also follows Reilly’s bout of homelessness — an experience that she shed light on during the Miss Amazing pageant at West Chester University.

Reilly’s platform advocated for breaking the cycle of poverty by speaking about her story with being homeless and how it affected her as someone with a disability.

• Dr. Gregory Dobash, M.D., of the St. Luke’s University Health Network, was named Humanitarian of Year by the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce.

Dr. Dobash has a history of caring for the desperately needy, at-risk and neglected populations in the county, so a special award was created.

• James Supra, a Palmerton man who survived numerous medical issues, was recognized as an award-winning musician.

A noted harmonica player, Supra formed his own band, the James Supra Band, about 20 years ago, during which time he captured numerous Lehigh Valley Music Awards, this despite having to overcome a brain tumor surgery, outlast kidney cancer and adjust to a knee replacement.

August

• Carbon County Magisterial District Judge William Kissner was honored with the John T. Jeffers Memorial Award at the Special Court Judges Association of Pennsylvania annual conference held in Fayette County.

Kissner was nominated by his peers from across the commonwealth in recognition of his dedication, commitment and unselfish service to the SCJAP. The factors to be considered include outstanding service, participation, motivation, cooperation, knowledge and accomplishments for the good of the SCJAP.

• Avril “Abbie” Guardiani of Nesquehoning was selected by the Carbon County Community Foundation to be the second recipient of the annual Elissa M. Garofalo Community Impact Award. The award is presented in memory of Elissa Garofalo to someone who demonstrates leadership, vision and impact in Carbon County.

A lifelong resident of Nesquehoning, Guardiani has dedicated her personal and professional life to service. She spent 35 years as the nurse at Lehighton Area High School, caring for countless students and families, and has given generously of her time and talents to a wide range of community organizations.

September

• The Tamaqua Area Chamber of Commerce named its 2025 annual honorees.

They include Vince Boyle, of the Vince Boyle Team/Century 21 Ryon Real Estate, Business Person of the Year; Holman and Pitts Law, Business of the Year; and Sharon and Julie Stokes of Stokes Ministry and G-Lady’s Food Pantry, the Joseph M. Plasko Citizenship Award.

Aimee Dotson, the chamber’s executive director, said, “The chamber is proud to call these honorees our neighbors, colleagues and friends. The theme of this year’s dinner, ‘Stronger Together,’ reminds us that when one business or individual succeeds, we all succeed. Their achievements shine a light on what makes Tamaqua such a special place to live and work.”

• Parryville Borough hosted a 150th anniversary celebration.

Fire companies from around the area, the historical society, dignitaries and many of Parryville’s 450 residents were in attendance to celebrate the town’s founding.

Although Parryville wasn’t formally established until 1875, the town’s rich history dates back almost 100 years before that. A stone gristmill was built in 1781 along the Pohopoco Creek. Parryville became a key shipping hub and an anthracite blast center.

• The general manager of the Lehighton Burger King, Bob Malick, won a top national honor.

Known as “Burger King Bob,” he was named Burger King Restaurant General Manager of the Year at the annual Burger King convention in Phoenix, Arizona. He won $10,000 and an engraved trophy.

“Burger King Bob” began his 40-year career with Burger King as a crew member at 15 years old and has since risen to the ranks of general manager.

• Kidder Township honored Ralph Lennon for 60 years of service to the Lake Harmony Fire Department.

Police Chief Matt Kuzma presented Lennon a plaque and said, “No matter what time of day it is, his (Lennon’s) are always the first eyes on the scene.”

The township supervisors adopted a resolution proclaiming Sept. 25 as “Ralph Lennon Day” in the township.

October

• The Diligence Fire Company No. 1, Summit Hill, honored its longtime fire chief during a new truck dedication.

The members gave their chief a distinctive honor by dedicating the company’s 1,250 gallons-per-minute Pierce pumper in his name.

Fire Company President Kevin Steber said the pumper was named in Hoben’s honor “in recognition of his many years of service, dedication and continued commitment to the mission of the Diligence Fire Company No. 1.”

November

• Marian Catholic High School 2019 graduate Zachary Boyer of Tamaqua was named to a national science fellowship program.

He is one of two Yale University researchers who have been selected for the prestigious National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program, a five-year fellowship that gives them an opportunity to make groundbreaking research achievements.

He is a son of Lori Boyer of Orwigsburg and Bill Boyer of Tamaqua.

December

• Summit Hill firefighter Riley Hoben, son of Fire Chief Shawn Hoben and his wife Judy, received the “Paul Pawlky Yuricheck Firefighter of the Year” from Diligence Fire Company No. 1.

The award is given to a firefighter who demonstrates “dedication, commitment and honor.” Also recognized was Michael Alabovitz, owner of Ace Electric, as the “Friend of the Firemen” award winner, and Jay Horvath as the recipient of the “Volunteer of the Year” award.