n Ashland: Due to a water main break in the borough, a boil-water advisory has been issued, according to borough Manager Raymond Jones Jr. After repairs have been completed, the water system will be chlorinated and flushed. The affected area includes all customers of the Ashland Area Municipal Authority. Bacterial contamination can occur due to breaks in the distribution system, Jones said. Water customers will be informed when tests show no bacteria and it is no longer necessary to boil water. Jones said customers should not not drink water without boiling it first. Bring all water to a boil for one minute and let it cool before using, or use bottled water. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes and food preparation until further notice. For more information, call borough hall at 570-875-2411.
n Ashland: The Ashland Crime Watch group will meet at 7 p.m. today at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Joseph Groody, Schuylkill County sheriff, will be the guest speaker. All residents are encouraged to attend, spokesman Frank R. Rice said in a press release. Anyone with questions should call 570-875-4190.
n Hamburg: A group of 12 borough residents, in a bid to prevent crime, meets monthly to discuss incidents in the borough during the previous month, share observations and discuss how prevention strategies can be implemented. The goal, according to a press release from the Our Town Foundation, Hamburg's community revitalization organization, is to launch a full-fledged Crime Watch, partnering with the borough police department, which is regularly represented at the meetings. "The cooperative efforts provided by" the police department "and a strong crime watch program will result in a safer community with a sense of kinship to the borough of Hamburg," Pedro Rivera, borough police chief, said in the release. A watch program mobilizes residents of all ages to be the eyes and ears of the town and to report crime in action or suspicious behavior to the police force, which can quickly act on tips. Crime watches are said to be the most cost-effective way to reduce crime in a given area, according to the release. Hamburg's Elm Street Neighborhood initiated the meetings as part of its five-year strategic neighborhood plan. The group decided to expand the program to the entire borough to cover more ground and foster more resident involvement. Thus far, the group has held four meetings and has picked up members one by one, nearing its goal of reaching 15 or more people. Darla Rodriguez, Hamburg, said group members "care about our neighborhood and want to keep it a safe place to raise our young family. Being active in the watch can help make our community strong against potential crime." Meetings currently are held at 7:30 p.m. the fourth Monday of the month at the senior center inside the municipal building, 61 N. Third St. For more information about the initiative, call Angela Kase at 610-562-3106 or via email at elmstreethamburg @verizon.net.
n Mahanoy City: First United Methodist Church, Fourth and Mahanoy streets, will sponsor a craft and vendor show from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. The public is invited to attend. Hot food and baked goods will be on sale. The church will also stage a free concert by Pauline Williams, Christian singer and songwriter, at 1:15 p.m. Sept. 29. There will be refreshments following the concert. People can listen to Williams online at www.paulinesmusic.com. Everyone is welcome to the concert. At 6 p.m. Sept. 30, the church will have a diabetes education workshop open to the public.
n McAdoo: A Zumbathon for a Cause will be held from 10:30 a.m. to noon Saturday at The Strand Roller Rink recreation center, 110 W. Blaine St. Registration is $15. All proceeds will benefit Romy Paredes Castillo's Uncle Jimenez, who was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. For more information, search Facebook or friend request Romy Paredes Castillo.
n Tower City: The Tower Porter Old Home Week second annual Fall Festival is set for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at 1 Midway Road, South 10th Street, Route 325. There will be an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet from 7 to 10 a.m. The festival will include crafters, a variety of food offerings including soft pretzels, French fries, kettle corn, kettle bean soup as well as a paddle wheel game, color wheel game, bingo, 50/50 drawing, afghan drawing and a cake wheel. The Discovery Channel's "Amish Mafia" star Lebanon Levi will be on hand to sign autographs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Children's activities will include a pumpkin wheel, bean bag toss, disco game, bounce house, basketball challenge, face painting and trick-or-treat coloring bag with treats. Everyone is welcome.