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Swimmer attacked by river otter in lake at Bear Creek Village

<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; The Martz Group bus company has deployed its Florida operation to help victims of the historic Harvey storm.</p><p>John Henry, director of communications for Martz in Wilkes-Barre, said the company received a call from the Federal Emergency Management Agency on Aug. 28, requesting help in the disaster relief effort.</p><p>Henry said Martz immediately got prepared and sent seven full-size buses from its St. Petersburg, Florida, location to assist FEMA with hurricane evacuation in Texas. Henry said the buses traveled 1,307 miles &#8212; a 30-hour drive &#8212; to pick up evacuees and take them to the evacuation centers appointed by FEMA.</p><p>&#8220;The impact of Harvey has affected tens of thousands of individuals,&#8221; said Scott Henry, chairman of the Martz Group. &#8220;As all the communities fight to overcome this natural disaster, we are willing and able to help in any way possible during this difficult time. We are very fortunate to be able to help in such times of need. We want to show our support for Texas and let them know the rest of the country is here to help and support them in any way possible.&#8221;</p><p>The seven buses, which are capable of moving 385 people with each trip, will be used to transport commodities as well as evacuees. Supplies such as trash bags, water bottles, and non-perishable food items were sent with the buses. The seven buses, seven drivers and one mechanic will be stationed in Houston indefinitely.</p><p>&#8220;We are fortunate to have equipment and drivers willing to go help assist the needs of Texas,&#8221; said Craig Smith, CEO of the Martz Group. &#8220;We are proud of our team for their willingness and enthusiasm to step up and help.&#8221;</p><p>Smith said Martz is planning to stage its drivers and equipment in Texas indefinitely until the affected communities have been assisted.</p><p>Jan Williams, general manager for Martz in St. Petersburg, said Florida has a long history with hurricane devastation.</p><p>&#8220;The entire country had a front row seat to the devastation that south Texas endured with Hurricane Harvey,&#8221; Williams said. &#8220;We know with experience how it affects our families, our homes, and our loved ones. It is difficult to imagine the feelings of hopelessness the victims feel unless one has experienced it.&#8221;</p><p>&#8220;We wanted to help,&#8221; he added. &#8220;The trip to Texas was exhausting, but our drivers didn&#8217;t complain. They just wanted to get there and help those in need. We are blessed to be there and will do whatever it takes to help get these families safe. That is what families do.&#8221;</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">A rainbow appears over one of the seven Martz buses that are being used to help in the disaster relief effort in Texas. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/web1_Martz-bus-helping-Harvey-1.jpg</photo0><caption0>A rainbow appears over one of the seven Martz buses that are being used to help in the disaster relief effort in Texas. </caption0><photoCredit0>Submitted Photo </photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Bill O&#8217;Boyle</p><p>boboyle@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><factboxMeta><p><strong>How Martz is helping</strong></p><p>&#8226; The company has devoted seven buses, seven drivers and one mechanic to relief efforts in Texas. Each bus can seat 56 passengers for a total of 385 seats.</p><p>&#8226; The buses traveled 1,307 miles to Houston, from St. Petersburg, Florida. The left St. Petersburg on Aug. 28 and will remain stationed in Texas indefinitely.</p><p>&#8226; TMS Logistics, a FEMA contractor for Hurricane Harvey relief, collaborated with the Martz Group to send all the buses it could to help with evacuation.</p></factboxMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Bill O&#8217;Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Martz sends seven buses to help in the Harvey recovery effort