Year in Review – July

By Pearlie S. Pinkerton Last updated Dec 30, 2021

July, 1st

In response to COVID-19, the federal government handed out billions in stimulus funds to schools across the country, including $ 6 billion in Pennsylvania, easing the tightening of the budget season. It helps schools prepare to return to a regular school year this fall.

After more than 70 years in the food industry, the Berger family of Pine Grove handed over the keys to Berger’s Market Inc, to Boyer’s Food Markets.

The Berger family on the last day of ownership on June 6, 2021 is, from left to right, Roger Spancake, Lisa Spancake, Mae Berger, Richard Berger, Paul Berger, Doris Berger, Melanie Wiscount, Paula Elenchin and Gerry Elenchin. (Courtesy of Melanie Wiscount)

Schuylkill Women in Crisis will operate at the Schuylkill Hope Center for Victims of Domestic Violence.

July 8

Vince McDonald was hired as Orwigsburg Police Chief. McDonald’s was hired to replace Chef John Koury, who retired in March.

Orwigsburg Police Chief Vince McDonald puts a focus on community in his new job. (Courtesy of Janis McGowan)

A vacant supermarket in downtown Pottsville will begin its transformation to become the University of Alvernia’s newest satellite campus.

The 2021-2022 spending plan that was approved by the legislature last week and signed by Gov. Tom Wolf on Wednesday increases education funding by $ 416 million, the largest increase in state history .

July 15th

Bird lovers in parts of Pennsylvania, including Schuylkill County, are urged to remove feeders and close their bird baths to stop the spread of a mysterious disease that is killing songbirds.

Schuylkill Haven is another small step towards the erection of a memorial in the city in homage to the first settler in the region.

Kudos to the Tri-Valley High School Girls’ Softball Team for winning the PIAA Class 1A title with a spectacular 2-1 victory over the West Pennsylvania Power Plant West Greene in the Penn State University. The Bulldogs scored two runs in the seventh inning for the win. The Bulldogs, who also won the District 11 Class 1A title by beating Nativity BVM, finished the season with a 25-2 record. (Courtesy of the Tri-Valley School District)

Schuylkill County organizations have received more than $ 980,000 in grants to fight the scourge.

July 23

The COVID-19 delta variant is now the dominant strain of the virus in the United States. It appears to be more infectious than the original virus and the earlier dominant strain, the alpha variant.

The Walk In Art Center celebrates National Girlfriend Day with Girlfriend Experience, a women-only beauty and wellness exhibit.

Emmanuel (Manny) Risso was honored as an Outstanding Arts Student of the Valley View Tri Valley Lions Club.

Valley View Tri-Valley Lions Club Arts student, Emmanuel Risso with his mother, Joanne, and Tom Kroh, president of the Lions Club. (Courtesy of Valley View Tri-Valley Lions Club)

July 29

The Blue Mountain School Board voted to approve and submit a 2021-2022 health and safety plan that would not require students to wear masks.

At the Schuylkill Haven Borough Council meeting on July 21, Ellen Smith, who heads the Frontier Girls, told council she wanted to set up at least five other small libraries at all of the city’s playgrounds.

Brood X’s cicadas go off and leave the damage to the trees behind.

Year in Review – July

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