January 24, 2007 Release

Paul Reduzzi Named Pen Argyl Head Football Coach

PEN ARGYL- Pen Argyl Area School District has named Paul Reduzzi the head coach for the school’s high school football program. Reduzzi is a graduate of Pen Argyl Area High School and holds a bachelor of science degree in secondary mathematics education from East Stroudsburg University. His first head coach opportunity came at Belvidere High School in 1994. During his final year in 1999, he was named Express-Times Coach of the Year and Star Ledger West Jersey Coach of the Year. Also in 1999, the team was North 2 Group 1 State Sectional Champions. Following a single season as an assistant at Watchung Hills Regional High School, Reduzzi became the head football coach at Hopatcong High School in 2001. During his first season, he led his team to become the North 2 Group 1 State Sectional Champions and took home the NJ Herald Coach of the Year. Reduzzi won the award again in 2005 and led the team to become North 2 Group 1 State Sectional Champions and Sussex County League Champions.

“We are very pleased to announce Paul as our new head football coach. He was a successful player and student here at Pen Argyl. As a professional educator, he has proven himself an exceptional teacher in both the classroom and on the field of competition. Paul has a proven track record as a veteran coach, lifelong ties to our community, a genuine interest in the student athletes of our school district and a tremendous respect for the game of football. He has assembled an outstanding staff, and we believe that the work ethic, competitive nature, attention to detail and unique insight of this group, under Paul’s leadership, will serve our program well for many years to come,” said Athletic Director Dwight Repsher.

Pius X High School Holding Open House

BANGOR- Pius X High School will be celebrating Catholic Schools Week with open house days. Visitors will be able to experience Pius X while classes are in session, on Tuesday, January 30 and Friday, February 2 from 8 AM to 12 PM. Student Ambassadors will lead tours and prospective students and their parents will be able to meet the administration and staff. A second open house event will be held from 9 AM to 1 PM on Sunday, February 4. Refreshments will be available during both events. Pius X High School is located at 580 Third Avenue in Bangor. For more information, call 610.588.3291.

Local Students Named to Northampton Community College Dean's List

The following students have been named to the Deans' List for the fall semester at Northampton Community College (NCC). The honor is reserved for students who achieved a minimum grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale.

Bangor: Marissa Baddick, Lindsey Berger, John Cascioli, Donna Chart, Daniel Crafa, Sara DeBoer, Becky Dillman, Kandi Dugan, Susanna Flohl, Franklin Furry, Douglas Gebhart, Rebecca Griffin, Michael Grohol, Kristie Hess, Barry Hocking, Kathryn Hontz, Jason Janis, Elizabeth Keiser, Tyler Kutzman, Elizabeth Maginley, Kevin McCabe, Jacquelyn Miller, Claire Mitchell, Lisa Nasatka, Beth Pantofel, Kristina Pribic, Carla Renna, Roxanne Riotto, Catherine Rue, Elizbeth Rue, Kristina Rupp, William Schrack, Krystal Sheredos, Kelli Siegfried, Elaine Silfies, Lynne Spagnola, Susan Stiuso, Brian Swanson, Katrina Templeton, Ryan Vanderhoff, Desiree Vanwhy, Jennifer Vedral, David Wojtkowski.

East Bangor: Eric Eger, Samantha McCarthy, Jessica McLain.

Mount Bethel: Jaclyn Bergstol, David Bishop, Kristin Daly, Melissa Dean, Robert Hernandez, Jennifer Lomerson, James Nasatka, Matthew Palka, Jennifer Peterson, Mark Pugliese, Anthony Serio, Laurin Wollan.

Pen Argyl: Faith Austin, Diane Bayard, Kristen Brobst, Joanna Brooks, Kelly Capone, Kathy Chelednik, Michael Correll, Lisa Grose, Stacey Hildabrant, Robert Kinsey, Larry Laubach, Mary Miller, Thomas Neill, David Pastula, Matthew Renkert, Stefany Schwartz, Alexandra Tanghe, Mallory Tarnoski, Mark Taylor, Virginia Thornton, Tanya Waberski, Douglas Williams, Rebecca Williams.

Portland: Theresa Hoskins.

Roseto: Richard Boos, Emine Pacha, Kelly Ringland.

Wind Gap: Christine Berman, Terry Cornell, Jennifer Dillman, Jarrod Findon, Camille Kreidler, Lisa Little, Timothy Mccarty, Katherine Nichols, Heather Owen, Christina Pirre, Celinda Pysher, Tracey Riedinger, Scott Rodney, Kelly Sealey, Jeffrey Smull.

Bangor Elks & Bangor Boys Basketball Club Holding Comedy Night

The Bangor Elks is hosting Comedy Night, sponsored by the Bangor Boys Basketball Club, on Saturday, January 27. Doors open at 6:30 PM and the comedy begins at 7:30 PM. The cost is $25 per person and includes beer, soda, appetizers and dessert. Cash bar will also be available.

East Bangor Seeking to Fill Council Vacancy

The Borough of East Bangor is seeking to fill a vacancy on borough council. Interested parties should submit a letter of interest to East Bangor Council at 204 Bray Street, East Bangor, PA.

Five Points Inn Hosting Slate Belt Chamber Winter Business Luncheon

The Slate Belt Chamber of Commerce is holding its Winter Business Luncheon at 12 PM on Tuesday, February 27 at Five Points Inn and Deli. Marilyn Rettaliata will be the guest speaker and lecture on records management. The cost of the luncheon is $10 for members and $12 for non-members. Attendees will have the opportunity to introduce themselves and their business or service. Those wishing to attend must contact the chamber at 610.863.0315 by February 20. Five Points Inn and Deli is located at 1003 Route 512 in Mt. Bethel.

2007 Slate Belt Little League Registration

Slate Belt Little League will hold registration for the 2007 season on Saturdays, January 20 and February 3 from 10 AM to 12 PM at the Mt. Bethel Fire Hall. Those wishing to register must bring a photocopy of their child’s birth certificate. Mt. Bethel Fire Hall is located on Route 611 in Mt. Bethel. For more information, call 610.588.0224.

Trinity United Church of Christ Spaghetti Dinner & Bake Sale

Trinity United Church of Christ is holding a spaghetti dinner and bake sale from 4 to 7 PM on Saturday, February 10. The menu includes spaghetti and meatballs, salad, bread with butter, coffee or tea, and homemade ice cream. The cost is $7 for adults, $4 for children (5-12), and children under age 5 eat free. Tickets will be available at the door. Trinity United Church of Christ is located at 632 South Delaware Drive in Mt. Bethel. For more information, call 610.588.1989.

Wind Gap Area Athletic Association January Public Meeting

WIND GAP- The Wind Gap Area Athletic Association (WGAAA) will hold a general meeting on Monday, January 29. The meeting will be held at the field house and is set to begin at 7:30 PM. The public is invited to attend and each public comment will be granted approximately five minutes. For more information, visit www.wgaaa.org.

Immaculate Conception School Holding Open House

Immaculate Conception School is celebrating Catholic Schools Week with an open house event on Sunday, January 28 from 1 to 4 PM. Visitors will be able to tour the school and speak with teachers and parents. The school will also provide a presentation of student activities. Refreshments will be provided and those wishing to register for the 2007-2008 school year may do so.

2007 Baseball & Softball Registration at Plainfield Twp. Municipal Building

Registration for the 2007 baseball and softball season will be held at the Plainfield Township Municipal Building on Saturday, January 27 and Tuesday, January 30 from 5 to 7 PM. Registration is open to the entire Pen Argyl Area School District. The Plainfield Township Municipal Building is located at 6292 Sullivan Trail in Pen Argyl. Contact 610.252.3037 with baseball questions and 610.614.1137 with softball questions. More information can also be obtained at www.ptaa.us.

Slate Belt COG Holding January Meeting

The Slate Belt Council of Governments (COG) will meet at 7:30 PM on Wednesday, January 24 at the Washington Township Municipal Building. The public is encouraged to attend and discuss ways to improve the service to the Slate Belt COG municipalities. The Washington Township Municipal Building is located on Route 191 in Washington Township.

St. John’s United Church of Christ Holding Pastie Bake

St. John’s United Church of Christ will be holding a pastie bake on Wednesday, February 7. Orders can be placed by calling 610.588.1782 before Sunday, February 4. The pasties will be available for pick up at the church between 12 and 2 PM on February 7. St. John’s United Church of Christ is located at Third and Market Streets in Bangor.

PPL and DEP Agree on 2005 Ash Spill Settlement

PPL Corporation has reached a tentative agreement with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to pay $1.5 million to settle the lawsuit filed by the agency in connection with a fly ash spill 17 months ago, company officials said on January 15.

Cleanup of the spill has been complete since March 2006. A review by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency determined that PPL took all appropriate steps in the cleanup. Testing and continued monitoring have shown no adverse effect on area drinking water, no evidence that the spill affected the safety of fishing, boating or swimming in the Delaware River and or short-term biological effects on the river.

The plant equipment that caused the August 2005 spill at the Martins Creek power plant in Lower Mount Bethel Township, Pa., has been repaired and redesigned. PPL also has made changes at other plants where ash basins had a similar design.

For more information, visit www.pplweb.com.

Sign Up for Wind Gap Baseball and Softball on Jan. 27 & Feb. 3

Wind Gap Area Athletic Association will hold baseball and softball sign-ups on Saturdays, January 27 and February 3. Registration will be from 10 AM to 1 PM in the Wind Gap Middle School gymnasium. Registration is open to boys ages 5-15 and girls ages 5-14. For more information, call Jim Mahachek at 570.992.9876.

Holy Family School Holding Open House

Holy Family School and Holy Family Pre-School will be hosting an open house for Catholic Schools Week on Sunday, January 28 from 10 AM to 1 PM. Visitors will receive a guided tour of the school and there will be displays throughout the hallways and classrooms. Faculty and staff, students and representatives from the school’s various organizations will also be available to answer questions. Holy Family School is located at 17 North Convent Avenue and Holy Family Pre-School is located at 500 West Center Street, both in Nazareth. For more information, call
610.759.0711.

American Cancer Society Mails Daffodil Days Brochures

The Lehigh Valley Unit of the American Cancer Society announced that the brochures for the 2007 Daffodil Days pre sales campaign have been mailed to businesses, schools, churches, day cares and individuals across the Lehigh Valley. Over 3500 brochures have been mailed.

This year the Daffodils will offer the following items for sale: A bunch of 10 Daffodils for $8, half box of Daffodils (25 bunches) for $200 and a full box of daffodils (50 bunches) for $400. This year there are two new items for sale, a clear 6”etched vase (with daffodil design) and a bunch of daffodils for $15. Also available is the third edition to the Boyds Bear collection (Hugh R. Hope) and a bunch of daffodils for $25. This Boyds bear is a collectible designed exclusively for the Daffodil Days campaign.

The delivery of the daffodil orders will begin on March 21. Orders of $100 or more to one address will be delivered free. There will be pick up locations in the Lehigh Valley for orders under the minimum. If you would like to be a pre sale coordinator at your company, church or school, please call the office. The deadline for Daffodil orders is February 16.

There will be over 50 direct sales sites across the Lehigh Valley from March 21 to March 25. The Boyds bear and the vase are only available as pre sales.

Daffodil Days was started in 1973, by the American Cancer Society, and were chosen as the Flower of Hope, because they are the first flower of spring. The daffodils are grown in the State of Washington and delivered to the packing locations via refrigerated trucks. If you would like to volunteer the week of Daffodils please contact the office. The money raised through the Daffodils Days campaign helps to fund the American Cancer Society to attain their mission, through research and advocacy and provide local services to cancer patients in the Lehigh Valley. For more information call Rosemarie 610 921 2329 ext 3109.

DEP Secretary Urges Pennsylvania Homeowners to Test For Radon

Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen A. McGinty today urged all Pennsylvania homeowners to test their homes for the presence of radon gas, which is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. and is responsible for an estimated 22,000 deaths every year.

“Lung cancer from radon is preventable, but the only way to know the radon level in your home, and to know if you need to take action to lower that level, is to perform this simple and inexpensive test,” McGinty said. “Matt and Kelly Mowry did the right thing to protect their health and that of their son, and I urge all Pennsylvanians to follow their example.”

“It’s best to conduct the test during the colder months when your home is closed, and radon is most likely to be trapped and build to unhealthy levels,“ McGinty said. “You will gain peace of mind that comes from knowing you and your family are not being exposed to a known killer.”

Radon is a colorless, odorless gas that occurs naturally through the breakdown of uranium in soil and rocks. It seeps into homes through cracks in basements and foundations, and high levels of radon have been found in homes throughout Pennsylvania. The EPA recommends taking action to lower the level of radon in your home if the level is 4.0 pico Curies/liter (pC/l) or higher. The Mowry’s home showed a radon level of 17.8 pC/l in February of 2006. Following installation of a mitigation system, the home showed a level of 0.9 pC/l.

Under the direction of Governor Rendell, the commonwealth has taken the lead on radon education and outreach, and launched a successful effort last year to increase the number of hospitals participating in DEP’s newborn radon program, which gives new parents information about radon along with a certificate for a free radon test kit. The initiative has increased hospital participation in the past year from just over 50 hospitals to more than 70. The Mowrys received their free test kit from the newborn radon program at West Penn Hospital in Pittsburgh. Radon test kits cost about $25 and are available at many home improvement, hardware, outdoor supply, lawn and garden, and department stores. Most people can do radon tests themselves. After performing the test, the information is sent to a lab where the sample is analyzed and the results sent to the homeowner.

Radon mitigation systems typically cost between $800 and $1,200 and most homeowners will want to hire a radon mitigation professional to install the system. In Pennsylvania, anyone who tests or performs mitigation work for radon on a home other than the one in which they live must be certified by DEP. A list of certified radon contractors is available at www.depweb.state.pa.us, or by calling 1-800-23 RADON.

Homeowners are not required to test for radon. However, if a home has been tested, the results of that test must be disclosed when the home is sold. More information about radon is available at DEP’s Web site, or by calling the radon hotline listed above.

Northampton County SPCA Offering Low-Cost Vaccinations

Northampton County SPCA is holding a low-cost dog and cat vaccination clinic from 10 AM to 2 PM on Saturday, January 27 at Phillips Feed Outlet Store on Route 512 in Bath. No appointments are necessary. Dogs must be on leashes and cats in carriers. Payment can be in the form of cash or check.

Gang Prevention Task Force Providing Grants

Gang Prevention Task Force of Easton is providing grants to non-profits, churches, organizations, and citizens of the Easton area for gang suppression and intervention. For more information, call Terrence Miller at 610.923.7371 or email hopeunseen@verizon.net.

Lehigh Valley EDC Holding Annual Meeting

The Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation will hold its annual meeting from 4:30 to 7:30 PM on Thursday, January 26. The meeting will be held in Lehigh University’s Zoellner Arts Center in Bethlehem. The guest speaker for the evening will be Leslie Sayoko Parks. Call 610.266.6775 or visit www.lehighvalley.org for more information.

Boscola Says New Health Insurance Plan “Covers All Kids”

Pennsylvania’s Children’s Health Insurance Program has expanded to cover all uninsured children, and parents can apply now, according to State Senator Lisa Boscola.

“This new program, called ‘Cover All Kids’, ensures that all families have access to affordable healthcare,” said Boscola, who supported the legislation that created this comprehensive program.

“With this health coverage, children will spend fewer days home from school with illnesses and parents will not have to worry about large hospital bills,” Boscola said. “This expanded healthcare plan also reduces uncompensated care costs for hospitals,” she said. “I encourage families who need coverage for their children to apply for this program.”

Cover All Kids provides free or low-cost health insurance for children whose families earn too much to qualify for Medical Assistance, but not enough to purchase private health insurance.

Health coverage is free for children whose family’s combined income is under 200 percent of the federal poverty level — $40,000 for a family of four — who do not qualify for Medical Assistance.

Children whose family’s combined income is up to 300 percent of the poverty level, $60,000 for a family of four, can receive health coverage at a reduced rate. Families making more than this amount could purchase CHIP at cost.

To apply for coverage or for more information, call Capital BlueCross at 1-800-543-7101. More information is also available by contacting Sen. Boscola’s district offices in Bethlehem 610-868-8667, Whitehall 610-266-2117 or Stroudsburg 570-420-2938 or online at www.senatorboscola.com.

NCC Offering OSHA Safety Training

Northampton Community College (NCC) will offer "General Industry OSHA Safety Training," a 30-hour class for safety and health managers, industrial hygienists, safety supervisors/coordinators, and human resource managers, on Thursdays, February 15 - April 19 from 6 to 9 PM at NCC Main Campus, 3835 Green Pond Road, Bethlehem Township (Hartzell Hall). Using OSHA standards as a guide, the class will review OSHA standards and procedures as well as general industry safety and health principles. To register for classes, call 877.5430998 or go to www.northampton.edu.

Gown & Dress Fundraiser Jewish Family Service of the Lehigh Valley

Jewish Family Service of the Lehigh Valley (JFS-LV) will hold a sale of wedding gowns and special occasion dresses, to benefit the agency’s programs, on Sunday, January 28, from 10 AM to 5 PM and Monday, January 29 from 10 AM to 7 PM at the Jewish Community Center, 702 N. 22 Street, Allentown.

The wedding gowns, originally priced at $900 and up, will sell for $200. The special occasion dresses, originally priced at $200 and up, will sell for $50. The garments are new and were donated by Jon’s Bridal Shop. Only cash will be accepted.

JFS-LV is a not-for-profit, faith-based agency providing a wide range of social services, including counseling, case management, geriatric care management, information and referral, adoption home studies and counseling, volunteer services, hypnotherapy, and educational programs. The agency serves individuals, families and groups without regard to race, gender, national origin, religion, disability or age. For more information, call 610.821.8722.