Profiles
Across the Generations
By Oceana O’Boyle Interview in Honor of 90 Years My grandma Irene Capone was born on August 9, 1928. She turned 90 this year and we held a surprise birthday party for her. She was so shocked. She has lived in town her whole life, and... Read More
New Borough Manager in Mahanoy City
By Myla Wall I interviewed the new Mahanoy City Borough Manager, Cindy Soley, about her job. She said she thinks it’s great that young people are learning and experiencing careers in journalism through Coal Cracker, especially during a time when journalists seem to be getting attacked... Read More
Flying with Mark Bullet Wartman
By Joei Shaller “Where words fail, music speaks,” wrote Hans Christian Andersen. Music and songwriting are outlets. Some of us dream about being famous musicians, but believe it’ll never happen. But what if it really is possible? Mark “Bullet” Wartman had the same dream and is now fulfilling it. He... Read More
Deanne Rupert’s Debut Novel
By Taylor Evans Deanne Rupert is a 2009 alumni of Mahanoy Area who has taken off on a career as a writer with her debut novel, “To Live Without Knowing.” She is self-taught and worked hard to get to where she is today. I interviewed Deanne to learn more about... Read More
Quiz Time for Two New Principals
By Joei Shaller and Myla Wall COAL REGION–This year, Mahanoy Area and Shenandoah Valley high schools welcomed new principals into their school communities. We caught up with each principal to ask some questions about themselves and the year ahead. Coal Cracker: What was the biggest reason... Read More
Gary Perna Journalist
By David Lindenmuth HAZLETON–For as long as he can remember, 2010 Mahanoy Area graduate Gary Perna has wanted to be a news reporter. “I grew up watching Nolan Johannes every night on WNEP and always wanted his job,” Perna said. In 2012, Perna earned an Associate’s... Read More
Meet Virginia Laurusevage
By Emma Shaller Many people may know Virginia Laurusevage as a local seamstress with a shop at 439 East Mahanoy Street, but there are a lot of things you may not know she has done for our community. For example, she has made tons of beautiful... Read More
Coalcracker Bushcraft
By Meredith Rhoades When you think of Schuylkill County, do awesome hiking trails or spectacular views come to mind? For Dan Wowak (above), a Mahanoy City native, the local woods sparked his passion for the outdoors and led to a career in wilderness survival skills, which... Read More
Leslie Richardson: Coal Cracker Project Coordinator
By Meredith Rhoades The Coal Cracker Kids Board of Directors recently hired Leslie Richardson, of Mahanoy City, as the new Project Coordinator to lead development of Coal Cracker youth-led news. Here, we introduce our readers to Richardson with a quick question and answer session to help... Read More
Channel Your Inner Honey Badger
By Meredith Rhoades Living your life like a honey badger may sound bizarre, but to Sharon Smith, it means that she is doing exactly what she is meant to do. Sharon is a Mahanoy City native who has recently discovered a love for ultramarathons — which... Read More