Regional update, February 2, 2023 | police reports

SCHUYLKILL HARBOR — Neeli Bendapudi, President of Pennsylvania State University, will be the keynote speaker for a Business Executive Forum rescheduled for Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. due to inclement weather delaying the January event. Registration has been reopened to anyone unable to attend the original date.

Sponsored by Penn State Schuylkill, the forum will be held at the Penn State Schuylkill Health and Wellness Center, 200 University Drive.

All are cordially invited to participate in the lunch table. The fee is $50 for Chamber members and $100 for non-members. For more information, contact the chamber Samantha Chivinsky at 570-622-1942 or email [email protected]

Chamber Seeks Nominations for Awards POTTSVILLE – The Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce Awards Committee is calling for nominations for the annual awards Business Woman, Business Man, Entrepreneur, Young Professional, For-Profit Organization, Nonprofit Organization ‘ and – new this year – ‘Small Business of the Year’.

The deadline for submitting nominations is March 3, according to a chamber release from Samantha Chivinski.

Winners will be recognized during the annual awards dinner on May 5th at Mountain Valley Golf Course in Barnesville.

CAMP HILL – LINKBANK announced the appointment of Doug Klinger as Regional President for the Upper Dauphin, Northumberland and Schuylkill markets.

In this role, Klinger will “help lead the bank’s growth initiatives in the Northern Region markets,” according to an event release, which noted that Klinger has 29 years of banking experience.

According to the press release, Klinger “grew up in the northern region” and earned a BS in finance with a minor in economics from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

LINKBANK is a department of Gratz Bank. Further details can be found online at www.linkbank.com.

Schuylkill River Greenways makes annual grants to private and government organizations working to improve conditions in the Schuylkill River watershed and has announced the opening of grant applications for the 2023 Restoration Fund.

The deadline for the first submission ends on February 16 at 4:00 p.m. Those invited to complete the full scholarship applications have until April 13 at 4:00 p.m. to submit their material.

The grants to improve water quality in the catchment are focused on three main sources of pollution: stormwater runoff, agricultural pollution and abandoned mine drainage. Information on previous grants and the application process is also available on the website.

HAMBURG — The revitalized Hamburg Strand Theater, 6 S. Fourth St., has a new series of films and attractions in the coming weeks, according to news from community revitalization group Our Town Foundation.

POTTSVILLE – The locally based Northeast Pennsylvania Manufacturers and Employers Association offers a variety of training and other sessions for regional employers.

To register for programs or for more information about programs and pricing, call 570-622-0992 or email Christine Robbins at [email protected] You can also find more information at www.nepamaea.com.

Darlene J RobbinsMAEA President, can be reached at the above telephone number or by email at [email protected]

HAZLETON – The Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce is looking for companies to attend the 2023 Greater Hazleton Job Fair, taking place March 23 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Laurel Mall, Route 93.

This one-day event provides attendees with an informal but confidential forum to discuss career opportunities and options with people from across the Hazleton area and beyond.

Participating employers may accept CVs; Offer information on professional fields and employment opportunities; To hold an interview; promote their business; and are also looking for interns, summer jobs and full and part-time positions.

Corporate participation fee is $350 for Chamber members and $500 for non-members. Non-members wishing to join the chamber will be credited with $150 for membership after joining.

PORT CLINTON — The locally based Reading, Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad, the state’s largest private railroad, has again broken its own records for freight and excursion ridership, according to an RBMN publication.

Incoming freight traffic increased by more than 4,000 carloads, or 15.4%, offset by a 1.5% decline in total North American rail volume. RBMN’s success has been fueled by shipments of anthracite coal and the opening of its new fracking sands terminal at Tunkhannock, according to the press release.

Regarding anthracite shipments, railroad officials said, “Everything changed for RBMN and much of the world when Russia invaded Ukraine,” resulting in a sharp increase in demand for Pennsylvania anthracite. RBMN’s coal business rose by 2,624 carloads, or almost 40%.

Officials also cited RBMN’s diverse transport base as a strength, which includes forest products, plastics, food, metals and chemicals. The passenger business exceeded 250,000 passengers for the first time in its history, an increase of 10%.

SHENANDOAH — The winners of the annual Christmas decorating contest sponsored by the Greater Shenandoah Chamber of Commerce were announced during the Chamber’s January meeting.

First place was him Helen Michita Residence; Second place went to the Juan Zamudio Residence; and third place went to the Michael Cadu Residence.

Chamber directors also said, according to the meeting minutes, that the chamber provided financial assistance to victims of a late November fire that damaged five homes and displaced several people in the 200 block of East Coal Street.

Although no specific amounts for the assistance were mentioned in the chamber log, it was noted that the group received an anonymous donation of $1,000 in addition to the chamber’s contribution to the fire victims.

Chamber directors thanked Tom and Pam Twardzik for providing the chamber with an area to store the vast amount of Christmas decorations involved in the annual downtown and park exhibits.

SHENANDOAH – Downtown Shenandoah Inc. revitalization group will celebrate 20 years of “service to our community” in 2023, according to their DSI Herald newsletter.

“This exciting milestone gives us reason to reflect and celebrate everything we have already achieved together,” Susan Wilhelms, Executive Director of DSI, wrote in the newsletter, adding, “It is also an opportunity to look forward to new opportunities and excitement that CEBA will bring to us.”

She was referring to DSI’s major project to build and furnish a new incubator/innovation center called the Center for Education, Business & Arts on the 100 block of North Main Street.

POTTSVILLE – The Nominating Committee of the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce is seeking candidates to serve on the Chamber Executive ballot for the July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2025 term.

Those interested in being put on the ballot or those who wish to nominate someone for the board should seek advice Robert S Carl Jr.Chamber President and Chief Executive Officer, no later than March 3.

As part of the nomination process, prospects should submit introductory emails with background information on the nominee and a completed Board Commitment Form.

The committee reviews nominations submitted by chamber members.