Parishes collect for tornado victims

Parishes in the Diocese of Harrisburg will hold a special collection to aid in the recovery for the victims of the Oklahoma tornadoes. The collection will be taken up during Masses at all parishes Saturday and Sunday.

The Diocese will send all funds collected to Catholic Charities USA for distribution.

As this heartbreaking situation continues to develop, Catholic Charities USA is monitoring the situation on the ground and is helping emergency personnel in disaster response and recovery - assisting families and individuals with shelter, food, and other immediate and long-term needs.

According to Catholic Charities USA, "Your donation is urgently needed to assist people impacted by the recent tornados in the Midwest. Your contribution will save lives, rebuild homes, provide shelter and supplies, and restore hope."

The mission of Catholic Charities agencies is to provide service to people in need, to advocate for justice in social structures, and to call the entire church and other people of good will to do the same.

For those who may want to contribute by check, please have checks made payable to the local parish with "Oklahoma" or "tornado relief" in the memo line.

More information about Catholic Charities USA is available by calling 1-800-919-9338 or visiting www.catholiccharitiesusa.org

Shamokin Area Summer School will begin on Monday, June 17 and conclude on Thursday, July 18, for students in grades 7-12. Courses will be offered in Math, Science, Social Studies, Language Arts, and PE/Health. For more information, please contact the guidance department in the middle/high school at 648-5731.

Ranshaw yard sale

RANSHAW - The annual Ranshaw Community Yard Sale will be held Friday, June 14, and Saturday, June 15.

Interns making visits to farms

Northumberland County Conservation District (NCCD) will be sending interns to visit as many as possible, if not all farms in Northumberland County during the months of May through August 2013. Districts are being mandated by DEP through the Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP) to complete these visits. This WIP was required by EPA through the President's Executive Order of May 12, 2009 regarding the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. The purpose of the visits is not for enforcement, but purely for education. If an intern visits your home, NCCD asks that you welcome them and review the packet of information they provide. If you have any questions or concerns regarding these visits please contact the NCCD office at (570) 495-4665.

HARRISBURG - In recognition of national Emergency Medical Services Week, which runs through May 25, PennDOT today encouraged Pennsylvanians to sign up for two free programs aimed at saving lives in emergency situations - the Yellow Dot and Emergency Contact Information (ECI) programs.

"Emergency responders need as much information as possible as quickly as possible when victims are in a crash or emergency situation," PennDOT Secretary Barry J. Schoch said. "These programs provide vital information on victims when they can't speak for themselves."

Participants in the Yellow Dot program fill out the program form with their emergency contact, medical contact and medical information, insert it in the program's folder and then place it in their vehicle's glove compartment. Participants then place a yellow dot sticker on their vehicle's rear window. This sticker alerts emergency responders to check a vehicle's glove compartment for the folder, helping emergency responders provide specific care to participants after a crash.

The ECI program offers Pennsylvania driver's license and PennDOT-issued ID holders the opportunity to log into a secure database and list two emergency contacts. Customers can update the information as needed, but only law enforcement officials can view their information in the system. In emergencies, law enforcement can use participants' ID to find their emergency contact information.

While the Yellow Dot program is used only in vehicle crashes, the ECI program is usable in other emergencies as well as crashes.

Since Governor Tom Corbett announced the programs in November 2012, nearly 100,000 Yellow Dot kits have been distributed and 12,400 people have registered for the ECI program.

To learn more about the Yellow Dot program or to sign up for a program folder, visit www.YellowDot.pa.gov. To sign up for the ECI program, visit www.dmv.state.pa.us and click on the program icon.

All centers will be closed today in observance of Memorial Day.

Shamokin-Coal Township

Tuesday - Morning cards and puzzles, 8:30 a.m.; bridge, noon.

Wednesday - Morning cards and puzzles, 8:30 a.m.; blood pressure and blood sugar screening, 9 to 10:30 a.m.; bridge lessons, 9:30 a.m.; Wii bowling, 10 a.m.; pinochle and Pokeno, 12:30 p.m.

Thursday - Morning cards and puzzles, 8:30 a.m.; aerobics, 9:30 a.m.; indoor picnic, 11 a.m., desserts needed; bingo, 12:30 p.m.

Friday - Morning cards and puzzles, 8:30 a.m.; bingo, noon.

Saturday - Cards, 7 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Mount Carmel

Tuesday - Wii bowling, 10 a.m.; favorite TV show, 11 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; Unlucky 7s, 12:30 p.m.

Wednesday - HSIM, 10 a.m.; crossword puzzle, 10:30 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; bingo, 1 p.m.

Thursday - Brain teasers, 10 a.m.; Search-A-Word, 10:30 a.m.; favorite game show, 11 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; pinochle, 12:15 p.m.

Friday - HSIM-Exercise, 10 a.m.; healthy living, 10:30 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; Pokeno, 1 p.m.

Kulpmont

Tuesday - Wii in the morning; VNA blood pressure-blood sugar screening, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.; pinochle-cards, noon.

Wednesday - Wii, knitting, puzzles and noodle balloon in the morning; bunco and LCR, 12:30 p.m.

Thursday - Wii, 10 a.m.; bingo, 12:30 p.m.

Friday - Wii, knitting and noodle balloon in the morning; Linda Walker speaking at noon on "Friendship" with nickel bingo to follow.

Centralia-Wilburton

Tuesday - Dave Millard presentation on "Identity Theft" at Bloomsburg Senior Center.

Wednesday - Cards and Bingo.

Thursday - Cook out picnic for the veterans.

Friday - Center closed.

Elysburg

Wednesday - Healthy Steps, 8:30 a.m.; bingo, noon.

Friday - Crafts, 9:30 a.m.; pinochle, noon.

The June picnic will be held on Wednesday, June 12, at Knoebels. The VNA will also be having a health fair. Tickets will be available at the center.

Trevorton

Tuesday - Free members breakfast, 8:30 a.m.; honoring all older members; Wii bowling practice, 10 a.m.

Wednesday - Exercise, 10:30 a.m.; movie and snack, 12:30 p.m.

Thursday - Scrabble, 9 a.m.; beanbag toss, 10:30 a.m.; chronic disease management class session 4, 1 to 3:30 p.m.

Friday - Wii games, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:30 a.m.; bingo, 12:30 p.m.

KULPMONT - For those who are looking to pick up some reading material this summer, 860 Oak St., is the place to go.

In a little garage area at the home of Walter Lutz, more than 400 books sit on several tables and racks waiting for someone to read them.

"I wish I had a couple more racks, because we have a few more books in the garage," Lutz said.

When Lutz, inspired by a news report on a similar project last summer, began the Kulpmont Lending Library, there were approximately 300 books available from his own collection and from donations. With the help of Mount Carmel Area senior Cathy Fletcher and the public, the library now has 700 books available.

Lutz's idea is simple: Bring out the books on nice days and hope someone takes advantage of discovering something new to read.

"There is nothing to sign. Just take a book that catches your eye and bring it back when your are done with it, or bring one of your own to enjoy," Lutz said.

Student Mary Scopeletti is a fan of the Kulpmont Lending Library, traveling from Elysburg to check out the books at Lutz' home.

"I love coming here, because there are so many books. Over the summer, I could read a book a day," Scopeletti said.

"If all this inspires a love of reading in someone, then it's all worth it," Lutz said.

To celebrate the opening, Lutz wrote letters to more than 100 people asking if they had a favorite author or book that inspired them. Lutz said he will post the responses.

One letter he received came from former Super Bowl MVP Kurt Warner, who said the book that inspired him the most is the Holy Bible.

The Bible can be found at Lutz's location, along with the Physicians Desk Reference and a good mix of fiction and nonfiction.

"I have a table and chairs here that someone can just sit here and lose themselves in a good book," Lutz said.

CATAWISSA RR - Members of the Southern Columbia Area (SCA) Relay for Life committee have decided to make some changes to the event in hopes of attracting more participants and a larger audience.

While Relays are usually 24 hours, committee member Brian Major explained the May 31 event at the SCA athletic complex will be 15 hours, 9 a.m. until midnight that Friday.

"We wanted to make it more appealing for people to come and see and participate. Attendance has been going down," he said. "Our hope, by condensing it, is we can get people from the community to come. We're hoping for more of a celebration."

Last year, the event was cut short by severe thunderstorms. The shorter event took a lot of stress off the organizers who usually stay awake for the full event, Major said.

Furthermore, he said, the distance from the outlying communities to the school district campus is a factor in the low attendance. Community members who leave don't always want to come back later for additional events.

Others downsize

The SCA Relay is not the only local relay to make some changes this year. This year's Mount Carmel Relay for Life is set for June 22 to 23 at town park instead of the Silver Bowl. Line Mountain Relay for Life will be holding an event later this summer, most likely in September, due to scheduling conflicts. It has already downsized from the high school to Himmels Church Grove in Rebuck.

Shamokin Relay for Life will be held June 7 and 8 at Kemp Memorial Field, as usual.

Student involvement

Not only has the time for SCA's relay changed, but so has the format. The first six hours will be geared toward district students who will be in class that day. Each class will be brought to the track one at a time for educational purposes. There will different stations for students to learn about various topics, such as protection from the sun to avoid skin cancer and the dangers of lung cancer from smoking. There will also be games.

At 3 p.m., the opening lap for the community will begin, in which school students and staff will be joined by relay teams and members of the public.

This year's theme is "We Can Be Heroes." Teams are encouraged to dress up as their favorite superheroes and dress their tents up likewise.

"We can all be heroes in the fight against cancers, so don't just let somebody else do it," Major said.

The goal is $42,500, and the teams have already raised more than $27,600 as of this week.

Other events during the Relay include flag football, amazing race, relay idol singing competition, dodgeball performances by Deuce and Pet Rock and the popular luminary service.

The three chairwomen this year are Sherri McDonald, Lauren Day and Karen Marinelli.

Schedule

9 a.m.: Relay recess and school-wide relay

3 p.m.: Community opening lap

4 p.m.: Flag football

3:30 to 7 p.m.: Pork BBQ sandwich pick up

3:45 p.m.: Amazing Race (teams of two)

4:30 p.m.: Relay Idol audition

4:45 p.m. Survivor/caregiver meal

5:30 p.m.: Cancer prevention education

6 p.m.: Honorary survivor speech

6:15 p.m.: Survivor/caregiver lap with butterfly release

6:30 p.m.: Relay Idol competition

6:45 p.m.: Dodgeball

7 p.m.: 5K Twilight remembrance of life run/walk ($15)

7:45 p.m.: Performance by Deuce

9 p.m.: Luminary program (featuring SCA Gospel Choir)

10:15 p.m.: Performance by Pet Rock

11 p.m.: Pizza party

11:45 p.m.: Closing ceremonies

SHAMOKIN - Duty, honor and country. Protect and serve.

Those words served as the theme of the annual Memorial Day March and Service Monday morning, when veterans, police and firefighters from Shamokin and Coal Township joined together to honor the lives of their fallen comrades and those still serving to protect the freedoms Americans enjoy.

The program sponsored by the Joint Area Veterans Organizations and Shamokin and Coal Township firefighters and police officers began at 9 a.m. at the Timothy A. DiOrio Memorial on Cliff Street near Arch Street.

Brian Williams, a firefighter from Maine Fire Company in Coal Township, placed a wreath at the memorial in honor of DiOrio, who was the only Coal Township firefighter killed in the line of duty. DiOrio died Nov. 1, 2002, at the age of 36 while battling a fire in Trevorton. He was an active member of Maine Fire Company.

The Rev. Tammy Gessner, who serves as chaplain for Maine Fire Company, recited a scripture reading and offered a prayer during the brief ceremony at the memorial. Gessner is pastor of Richfield United Church of Christ and serves as chaplain at Geisinger Medical Center.

Witmer memorial

The march then moved to the Cpl. David Witmer Memorial at the intersection of Independence and Sixth streets. A service was held at the memorial featuring a Fraternal Order of Police prayer and tribute given by Shamokin Cpl. Darwin Tobias III to Witmer and other officers who paid the supreme sacrifice while protecting and serving the lives of others.

Shamokin Patrolman Nathan Rhodes, who is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, placed a wreath at Witmer's memorial, while Seth Lowe played Taps.

Witmer, who was killed in a shooting in Zerbe Township on Nov. 13, 1983, was the only city policeman to die in the line of duty.

Firemen's memorial

Another brief service was conducted a block away at the Shamokin Fireman's Memorial at Independence and Market streets.

Shamokin Councilman and longtime firefighter William Milbrand gave a welcoming address and led a group of firefighters in prayer, while Dave Britton, a firefighter of Liberty Fire Company, placed a wreath at the memorial.

The procession of veterans, police, firefighters, officials from Coal Township VFW Post 317, Shamokin American Legion Post 73 and its ladies auxiliary, a military vehicle operated by welding instructor Michael Bradley from Northumberland County Career and Technology Center and a horse named Ope handled by U.S. Air Force veteran Ken Dugan then proceeded to the Price of Freedom Memorial on Lincoln Street, where the main program was held featuring guest speaker Tommy Symons, of Primrose.

John M. Schenewerk, commander of Coal Township VFW Post 317 and chairman of the Memorial Day March and Service, served as master of ceremonies for the program.

'Decoration Day'

Following the singing of the national anthem by the Shamokin Area High School Band under the direction of Kevin Styer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, the Rev. Karyn Fisher, pastor of St. John's United Methodist Church, Coal Township, gave the invocation that stressed a "passion for peace."

The band then played "America the Beautiful," while Lowe played "Amazing Grace" on bagpipes.

Symons, who was in the Army Reserves from 1969 to 1975, discussed the origin of Memorial Day - or Decoration Day, as it was initially known. He said Gen. John Logan, commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, issued an order May 5, 1868, designating May 30 as the day to remember fallen comrades in the Civil War by decorating their graves with flowers.

The speaker, who is a historian with the John Kehoe Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians in Girardville, past president of the Minersville Area Historical Society and chairman of the annual Decoration Day Program at Union Cemetery in Minersville, talked about the importance of remembering DiOrio and Witmer, along with Sgt. Ralph Starr, who was the area's oldest living veteran, and Col. Ben Purcell, the highest ranking prisoner of war of the Vietnam War, who both recently passed away.

"This weekend, from the smallest village to the largest city, not only in the United States, but around the world, Americans will stop and remember the sacrifices made by our brave men and women," he said. "It is right we gather today to remember them and their deeds. It is right to place flowers and wreaths at their graves and memorials. And it is right to thank their family and friends for the sacrifices made. But it is also right to thank those who survived, those who stand among us everyday."

He added, "Without the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, the Amvets or Vietnam veterans, we would have no parks, no memorials, no memories of the brave who gave all for us. They are continuing the tradition started by the Grand Army of the Republic more than 140 years ago. Let us thank them now before they are gone."

Symons told the crowd, "Never forget that it is the veteran who gives us freedom of speech. It is the veteran who gives us the right to vote. And it is the veteran who defends our flag and country."

Symons has a son, Spec. Thomas F. Symons, who is a cavalry scout with the 82nd Airborne Division in the U.S. Army.

Names read

Bonnie Alleman, president of the Shamokin American Legion Ladies Auxiliary, recited a tribute to veterans known as "The Path of the Warrior" from the Humanity Healing Network that stresses courage, commitment and resilience and states that the purpose of war is ultimately peace.

Following the band's playing of "God Bless America," Schenewerk and veteran Christopher Christian, who also is a member of the Memorial Day March and Service Committee, read a list of members of Coal Township VFW Post 317, Shamokin American Legion Post 73 and Amvets Post 80 who passed away during the past year. As each name was read, a bell was tolled in their honor.

Wreaths were then placed at the memorial by representatives of the local veterans organizations.

Schenewerk thanked all participants and citizens who attended. He also praised Stephanie Moore, of Berwick, for making flowers for the program, Mary and Mike Duganitz for providing the sound system, other committee members John and Angie Arnold and Sandra Schenewerk, and Mary, Frank and William Schmidt for donating a floral arrangement. The Schmidts, who are grandchildren of the late Max Schmidt, co-founder of the Fuhrmann and Schmidt Brewing Company, served as grand marshals in Friday night's Anthracite Heritage Parade.

Residents of several local communities gathered Memorial Day to honor men and women of the armed forces who have made the supreme sacrifice.

Memorial Day activities began Monday Morning at Geist Berkanski American Legion Post 91, Avenue and Maple Street, Mount Carmel, where wreaths were placed at a memorial that honors those who gave their lives in the service of their country. The flag was lowered to half-staff while trumpeters Ashley Donn and Brandon Ashbaugh played "Taps." A gun salute was also part of the ceremony.

Participants then traveled to memorials at the northeast corner of Oak and Second streets, where a ceremony of similar fashion was held. The Mount Carmel Area High School Band played patriotic music and the "Star-Spangled Banner."

Following the ceremony, veterans were honored with a parade that traveled within the borough. Participants included the band, and Scouts from Cub Scout Pack 178 and Boy Scout Troop 3178, both of Mount Carmel, who carried American flags.

Mount Carmel Area students Alyssa Bielski, Klye Price and Chris Stellar took turns performing "Taps" at other ceremonies, including St. Mary's Cemetery in Beaverdale, Mount Carmel Cemetery and St. Joseph Cemetery in Locust Gap.

Kulpmont

A parade down Chestnut Street in Kulpmont honored veterans and servicemembers. The parade lineup included veterans, the high school band and dozens of softball and baseball players from the Kulpmont Football and Baseball Association, who waved flags to people watching from homes and sidewalks.

The parade ended on Spruce Street at Roosevelt Court, where a service of tribute was held near monuments honoring veterans of the Korean War, Vietnam War, World War I and World War II.

The band performed the "Star-Spangled Banner," and an American flag was raised. Veteran Jerry Buchinski then played "Taps" on the bugle. Members of American Legion Post 231, Kulpmont, also fired a gun salute.

Mayor Myron Turlis remarks centered around the origin of Memorial Day, which is believed to have its beginnings in Waterloo, N.Y., in 1886. He also commented on the sacrifices veterans, servicemembers and their families have made for their country.

"They are ordinary people in extraordinary times who served our country. We are here today to honor service members," he said of veterans and servicemembers. "We are here today to honor our heroes."

Line Mountain elementary students exhibited their artwork at the Susquehanna Valley Mall May 3 to 11.

The pieces were displayed by Sandra Kessler, art teacher, and encompassed drawings, paintings, collages and wire sculptures.

The theme was hopes and dreams.

Kessler said art is a form of expression as well as communication, and creativity for children is a basic tool that is essential throughout the 21st century.

SHAMOKIN - A man whose threats against his wife drew several police officers to the emergency room at Geisinger-Shamokin Area Community Hospital last month pleaded guilty Tuesday to disorderly conduct.

Andrew J. Mensch, 27, of Catawissa, was ordered by Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III, Shamokin, to pay a $300 fine and court costs.

The plea allowed Mensch to avoid prosecution and the possibility of up to one year in prison and a $2,500 fine.

Mensch and his wife, Anna, went to the hospital's emergency room together on April 19 after she became ill. His wife told police that her husband, who remained in the lobby, became upset because another person came into the emergency room while she was being treated.

Police said Mensch then left the hospital but called his wife a short time later claiming he was going to return with guns to take care of the people who were there. His wife alerted hospital staff about the threat and police were dispatched shortly thereafter.

Mensch was found by police in Mount Carmel Township within the hour without any weapons and the scene was cleared about 2:30 p.m.

Assisting Coal Township police were officers from Ralpho Township, Shamokin, Mount Carmel Borough and Mount Township.

SHAMOKIN - Two young tenants of a city rental home allegedly broke into a neighboring property to rummage through items left behind by a recently deceased homeowner.

Christen Gearhart, 18, and Justin N. Valerio, 21, both of 150 S. Pearl St., were found hiding in the attic of 154 S. Pearl St. after a witness called police to report a break-in shortly before midnight Tuesday, according to court papers.

City police were assisted by officers from Coal Township and Ralpho Township in setting up a perimeter around the home. Three officers entered the home through a door and a window and found the two alleged burglars in the attic.

The former owner of 154 S. Pearl St. died in March.

Gearhart and Valerio were handcuffed and transported to the city police station, where each gave a statement admitting they were inside the home, according to court papers.

Both said they were looking through pots and pans, with Gearhart adding she was looking at lamps and knickknacks, "anything nice to put in my house."

Gearhart and Valerio are each charged by Shamokin Police Cpl. Jarrod Scandle with one felony count of burglary and a misdemeanor count of loitering and prowling at night time.

The pair were arraigned Tuesday afternoon by Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III, Shamokin, and remanded to Northumberland County Prison, Sunbury, in lieu of $5,000 cash bail.

They were taken aback by the amount of bail owed, with each saying theirs was a first offense.

"I guess there's a first time for everything," Valerio said of facing the next week in county prison ahead of a preliminary hearing set for June 4.

"I don't understand," Gearhart said after Gembic set bail and briefly left the courtroom.

"What's not to understand? You're charged with a felony and you're going to jail," Shamokin Patrolman Scott Weaver replied.

A former local police officer's promise to law enforcement agents that he wouldn't be taken alive after allegedly shooting a man in the foot during an argument with an ex-girlfriend in her Mount Carmel home was kept Tuesday night when police in Delaware County shot and killed him in a hotel less than 18 hours after the incident.

James Burke, supervisory deputy with the U.S. Marshals, confirmed Tuesday night that Anthony Galla, 31, of 38 E. Pine St., Apt. 3, Cleona, Lebanon County, was killed in a room at Summit Inn Hotel, 351 E. Township Line Road, Upper Darby, at approximately 6:30 p.m.

While the details in finding his location were not being released Tuesday night, Burke said the investigation led the marshals, state police and Upper Darby Police Department to the building.

A perimeter was established and Galla was shot multiple times by police within 30 minutes of their arrival, Burke said.

No one else was injured in the incident, but a male and a female were taken into custody for their involvement in the case, Burke said.

A handgun was also recovered at the scene, he said.

Mount Carmel Police were searching for Galla Tuesday after charging him with attempted homicide, aggravated assault and other crimes following a shooting at 12:55 a.m. Tuesday at the home of Marlene Lloyd, 244 S. Walnut St., in which police found seven spent shell casings from a 40-caliber hand gun.

The victim, Daniel McNally, 48, of Hegins, was taken to Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, where he was to undergo foot surgery. He was listed in fair condition Tuesday night, and his injuries are not considered life threatening. He reportedly suffered shattered bones in his foot.

Woken by flashlight in face

A criminal complaint filed by investigating officers Cpl. David Donkochik and Patrolman William K. Adamski said the shooting stemmed from an argument between Galla and Lloyd that started after Galla entered her home and shined a flashlight in her face, waking her up.

They describe Galla as a former police officer "with military experience," having served in the U.S. Marine Corps.

McNally told police at the hospital that the two were in the bedroom sleeping when he was awakened by his girlfriend screaming, "Anthony, no!" Blinded by the flashlight, McNally said the intruder asked him if he was "Dan," and he said "yes."

Galla and Lloyd went into the hallway and when McNally went to check on them, he said Galla pointed a semi-automatic handgun at him.

"The boyfriend retreated, saying 'I will leave' several times and got on the floor beside the bed," the complaint states.

At that point, McNally said Galla entered the room, stood approximately six feet from him and fired one round, missing him.

Police said Galla paused and looked at Lloyd before turning his attention back to McNally. He fired the gun again several times, hitting him once in the foot. Galla left the residence when Lloyd went to check on McNally, police said.

Police recovered seven spent .40 caliber shell casings from the bedroom. They also recovered a key in the front door lock. Lloyd told police the key was hidden in the front porch area, but Galla had knowledge of it.

She told police she and Galla had resided together until they broke up.

Lloyd and two other occupants in the home, her son and brother, were not harmed, police said.

'Two ways this will end...'

At 3:25 a.m., while police were processing the scene, Adamski was informed Lloyd was speaking to Galla on the phone. When they were finished, police spoke to him via speakerphone.

When police asked him to come and speak to officers, Galla told them no, and that he knew what was going to happen. Adamski asked him again to come back to town or they could come and meet him.

Galla refused, and told police, "the real Anthony Galla is back."

He then told police he isn't dumb, and that there are "two ways this will end - one is good and one is bad."

The suspect then asked if the Emergency Response Team was out to get him; he also asked Adamski to read him his Miranda rights over the phone, but before that happened, Galla said he had to go and ended the call.

In addition to attempted homicide, other felony charges filed against Galla include burglary, criminal trespass, aggravated assault-attempts with indifference to life, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, discharging a firearm into an occupied structure and flight to avoid apprehension. He also faces misdemeanor counts of simple assault, attempted assault by physical menace, recklessly endangering another person and loitering and prowling at night.

Pops and thuds

As rain fell on South Walnut Street Tuesday morning, daylight saw a much more serene setting than a few hours earlier when the night was filled with strange sounds and flashing lights.

Barbara Parrish, who lives at 238 S. Walnut St., three doors down the hill from Lloyd's home, was watching TV at approximately 1 a.m. when she heard noises outside.

"I heard about four pops around that time," Parrish said. "I didn't look outside until I saw the lights flashing and then saw the cop cars and ambulances.

Claire Jurasich, who lives next door to Lloyd at 246 S. Walnut St., was asleep when she heard a thud against a wall in her home.

"I had no idea what was going on. I looked out a little bit later and saw all the commotion," she said.

Both neighbors said those living at 244 S. Walnut St. are quiet neighbors.

"They often kept to themselves, but if you saw them outside, they talked to you," Jurasich said.

Tracking the suspect

Galla was believed to have been operating a silver 2003 Honda CRV with Pennsylvania registration HHD-1926. Police had asked the public to utilize caution and noted he may have been in possession of law enforcement credentials.

It was not known whether he was headed back to his home in Cleona, about 50 miles south of Mount Carmel near Lebanon, or to New Jersey, where he also has family.

Mount Carmel Borough Police Sgt. Christopher Buhay said police were following any and all leads as to Galla's whereabouts.

Borough Police Chief Todd Owens said that officers have been in contact with officers in Cleona and the New Jersey State Police all day updating them.

The chief also said they were in communication with the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Emergency Service Operations out of Hershey, and the U.S. Marshalls office and their Fugitive Task Force.

The official count of ballots cast for the Shamokin Area School Board resulted in a tie in the Republican primary for the fourth, and last, nomination.

On election night, the unofficial count put Matthew Reed Losiewicz in fourth place, 12 votes ahead of Diane Serafin. However, Alisha Herb, director of the Northumberland County Bureau of Elections, reported the official count showed Losiewicz and Serafin tied with 415 votes.

The contest will be settled by a tie-breaker to be held at 4 p.m. Friday, June 7, in the public meeting room at the county administration building in Sunbury. Herb said the tie-breaker process will involve each candidate randomly drawing one of 16 numbered pills; the candidate drawing the highest-numbered pill will be declared the winner. This is identical to the procedure used to determine candidates' order of position on primary election ballots.

The other three school board nominees on the Republican ticket are Edward M. Griffiths, Rosalie Smoogen and Richard A. Kashnoski.

Herb said the Democratic results for Shamokin Area School Board are unchanged. Nominees are Griffiths, Kashnoski, Smoogen and Losiewicz.

If Losiewicz emerges as the Republican nominee, the school board race will be virtually decided, since four candidates will be seeking election with double nominations. If Serafin is the winner, there will be five candidates vying for four spots.

A tie-breaker will also be used to determine the Republican nominee for mayor of Kulpmont. Nicholas Goretski and Bernard Novakoski each received 14 write-in votes, and, according to Herb, neither received any additional votes through absentee ballots. Novakoski defeated Goretski for the Democratic nomination.

MOUNT CARMEL - Borough police investigating Tuesday's shooting where the suspect was a former police officer with military training acknowledged that it would have changed the approach of the investigation had the suspect not been shot in Upper Darby.

Sgt. Christopher Buhay said it would have put officers and suspect Anthony Galla, 31, of Cleona, "on a level playing field."

Galla would have known some of the ways police were going to track him and would have tried to cover those up, Buhay said.

Because of that, Buhay said police were erring on the side of caution in terms of information revealed to the media, and would otherwise be especially diligent in their police work.

With today's technology and good police work, he could have only done so many things to keep on the run, he said Tuesday afternoon.

Mount Carmel Borough, Mount Carmel Township and Kulpmont police departments employed Galla, a former U.S. Marine, at one point on a part-time basis, including in early 2011, before he took a full-time job with Hazleton city police in July 2011.

According to a past story in the Hazleton Standard-Speaker, Galla left that job after three months. Hazleton Police Chief Robert Ferdinand didn't elaborate on the reasons at the time, describing it as a personnel matter.

He was last employed by the Butler Township police department. Chief Edward Tarantelli on Tuesday referred all questions to township Solicitor Christ Reidlinger, who was not available.

As millions of motorists kicked off the summer travel season this week, Susquehanna Valley gas prices edged up four cents to $3.492 per gallon.

On the national front

Today's national average price for regular unleaded gasoline is $3.63 per gallon. This price is 13 cents more expensive than one month ago, but it is 3 cents less expensive than one week ago. The average American motorist has enjoyed a lower year-over-year pump price for 87 consecutive days, but those savings have narrowed substantially to less than two cents per gallon, down significantly from the peak year-to-date discount of 39 cents on April 18.

The recent decline in the national average has been keyed by dramatic price drops in the Midwest where many motorists have seen pump prices retreat from historic highs. Following a breakneck run up due to low gasoline supplies and significant refinery maintenance - both planned and unplanned - a handful of states in that region have registered week-over-week declines of more than 10 cents per gallon.

While national gasoline markets have been driven by regional supply and production issues, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil prices remained relatively flat in recent weeks. At the close of today's formal trading on the NYMEX, WTI settled up 86 cents at $95.01 per barrel.

(AAA East Central, part of the AAA family, serves members in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, New York and Kentucky. Fuel Gauge is published each week in The News-Item.)

MCA Spring Concert today

The Mount Carmel Area Senior High School Chorus and Jazz Band will present their annual spring concert on 7 p.m. today in the Richard F. Beierschmitt Auditoirum at Mount Carmel Area Junior/Senior High School. The concert will feature the high school chorus, senior spotlights and the high school jazz band. Bernard Stellar is the director of the jazz band and Sharon L. Styer is the director of the high school chorus. Admission is free. The public is invited to attend.

Food pantry distribution is Saturday

ATLAS - The Mount Carmel Township Food Pantry will hold its monthly distribution from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the township complex. Residents in Atlas, Diamondtown, Strong, Locust Gap, Connorsville, Dooleyville and Beaverdale who signed up previously are eligible.

Lifetree Cafe to celebrate nature

ELYSBURG - How to respond to illegal immigration will be discussed at Lifetree Cafe from 7 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Elysburg Presbyterian Church, 320 W. Valley Ave.

The program, titled "Kids Without a Country: An Illegal Immigrant's Story," features the filmed story of Reyna Grande, who crossed the border with her family illegally when she was 9 years old. The Lifetree program explores the challenges facing immigration reform, including issues surrounding children of illegal immigrants.

Grande, now a teacher and author, describes the border crossing and her subsequent life as an illegal immigrant. She's the author of "The Distance Between Us." Admission to the 60-minute event is free. Snacks and beverages are available.

Lifetree Cafe is a place where people gather for conversation about life and faith in a casual coffeehouse-type setting. For more information, call 672-2873 or go to www.facebook.com/LifetreeCafeAtEPC.

Day of mourning for Marie Kondisko

MOUNT CARMEL - Borough Mayor J. Kevin Jones has proclaimed Thursday a day of mourning for Marie Kondisko. Marie was an architect of the Mount Carmel Lions Meals on Wheels holiday program, quietly helping thousands of seniors over 30 years. She was also a dedicated member of Our lady of Mount Carmel church and a devoted cook for the church picnics.

"On behalf of borough council and all our citizens, we honor the memory of Marie as a leading citizen, church member, loving mother, wife and humanitarian to the community," said Jones. "She will be greatly missed. All our thoughts and prayers go out to her family."

SHAMOKIN - A Philadelphia man arrested last month after a series of controlled drug buys waived his right to a preliminary hearing Tuesday before Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III.

Terrance Giddings, 34, is accused of selling more than $1,000 worth of heroin, cocaine and spice (synthetic marijuana) to confidential informants in April.

He has three sets of charges filed against him by Cpl. Bryan Primerano totaling four counts of delivery of a controlled substance, five counts possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, three counts of criminal use of a communication facility and a misdemeanor count of possession of drug paraphernalia.

Those counts will not be prosecuted in Northumberland County Court. He was returned to Northumberland County Prison, Sunbury, in lieu of $50,000 bail.

The disposition of other hearings held Tuesday before Gembic are as follows:

n Tyler Smith, 19, of 421 W. Market St., Trevorton, waived one felony count of burglary and one misdemeanor count of loitering and prowling at night, and was released from the county prison on $12,000 unsecured bail. He was arrested May 18 on accusations that he had burglarized and ransacked 108 Elm St., Shamokin.

n Glen Alan Shurock Jr., 20, of 15 N. Diamond St., Shamokin, waived misdemeanors of simple assault and harassment and a summary count of underage drinking, and was released from the county prison to a Coal Township address on $2,500 unsecured bail. He was arrested May 18 on accusations that he struck a woman inside the home they shared.

n Samantha M. Bell, 24, of 406 S. Market St., Shamokin, waived one count of endangering the welfare of a child, and remained free on $5,000 unsecured bail. She is accused of having been found intoxicated and unresponsive inside her home May 6 with four young children living inside the visibly unkempt home.

n Kayla Wehry, 26, of 1008 N. Vine St., Shamokin, pleaded guilty to one count of disorderly conduct and was fined $300. Charges of theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property and access device fraud were withdrawn. She was accused of stealing a debit card from someone and withdrawing $500 from an ATM on April 21.

n Robert Dewald, 65, of 1220 W. Water St., Coal Township, had two counts of driving under the influence, one count of careless driving and two summary offenses held for court after he failed to show for Tuesday's hearing. The charges were filed following an accident April 13 on North Second Street.

n Jarrad Mariano, 33, of 1212 W. Fern St., Coal Township, waived one count each of DUI and careless driving, and remained free on $2,500 unsecured bail. The charges stem from a April 15 accident in the 1000 block of West Mulberry Street.

n Stephen M. Hornberger, 27, of Box 826, Paxinos RR 1, waived counts of theft and receiving stolen property, and remained free on $2,500 bail. He is accused of stealing a trailer Jan. 7 and selling it to Jeff's Recycling.

n Brian L. Jeremiah, 25, of 1101 W. State St., Coal Township, waived two counts of DUI and one count of driving under suspension, and remained free on $2,500 unsecured bail. The charges stem from a March 12 accident on Sterling Street between Jackson Street and Venn Access Road.

DALMATIA - Dalmatia Elementary students started chanting Wednesday morning during the school's final assembly inside the gymnasium.
“We are...!” they shouted, followed by “...Line Mountain!”
The phrase is telling, since these students  - as well Leck Kill Elementary students – will not be back to their familiar small schools next school year.
Instead, all students in grades kindergarten through fourth will attend classes at Trevorton, where an addition is being constructed. An addition is also being built to the seventh- and eighth-grade wing at the junior/senior high school in Mandata to accommodate all district fifth- and sixth-graders.
At Dalmatia Wednesday morning, teachers prepared a slideshow for students that showed past and present photographs of the school, and photographs of the Trevorton school and the high school in Mandata where they will be attending in the future.
Following the presentation, students paraded around the school one last time with parents and other relatives watching and taking pictures.

More on this emotional day at Dalmatia in Thursday's print, online and e-editions of The News-Item.

RIVERSIDE - A three-vehicle crash involving an AREA Services ambulance and a car that landed on its roof in the middle of the highway shut down Route 54 in the "Narrows" just east of here Wednesday morning during rush hour.

Borough police were among those responding to the crash. Traffic was backed up for miles toward Elysburg as emergency personnel worked to clear the scene of the 8 a.m. accident.

In addition to the car that landed on its roof, a second vehicle had moderate damage to its rear end. The ambulance had what appeared to be minor damage to its front end.

Police had not issued a report as of Wednesday night.

SHAMOKIN - A special informational session tonight will show local business people how to take advantage of a two-fold benefit - earning tax credits for themselves and helping students earn a Catholic school education.

The session, starting at 6 p.m. at Harry's Grill, Shamokin, is being hosted by the Our Lady of Lourdes Alumni Foundation, which, through the Pennsylvania Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program, netted $246,213 in scholarship money for Lourdes Regional School in Coal Township, money that could offset the full cost of tuition for nearly 85 students in the coming school year.

The money, which was given to the Diocese of Harrisburg's Neumann Scholarship Foundation, is earmarked for Lourdes and will be awarded in June.

According to Glenn Boyet, of the OLOL Alumni Foundation, more than $218,000 in pledges have already been received.

Any financial restrictions on the scholarship are well above average households incomes reported in local communities, according to 2010 Census data.

Household income guidelines must be below $75,000 for each dependent to qualify for the Neumann Scholarship, with $15,000 added to the threshold for each dependent, meaning a household with two children would have to earn less than $105,000 to qualify.

EITC is a state program that offers businesses state tax credits in exchange for money pledged to an educational foundation.

Business people are invited to tonight's event to learn how they can take advantage of this program with presentations from school staff and foundation representatives.

A smiley face sign hangs in the hall way of Dalmatia Elementary School on Wednesday morning and says "have a terrific summer" and

St. Pauline auction set for Saturday

KULPMONT - A children's charity auction by the St. Pauline Center at Camp Pauline is set for Saturday at the center, located on Chestnut Street (Route 61).

Originally scheduled for Nov. 3 but postponed due to concerns related to recovery from Hurricane Sandy, the inaugural auction will benefit Camp Pauline for Children with Diabetes, held ever year in July; the annual children's Christmas show, held annually at the Mount Carmel Area High School, and the children's circus held every year at the Veterans Sports Complex.

Items, which will be viewable to the public from 10 a.m. to noon, include a Ron Turcotte-autographed Riding Secretariat Masterpiece collage, Yogi Berra autographed photograph with Babe Ruth, Lou Holtz autographed Notre Dame sign, Eli Manning autographed football and Giants helmet, LeSean McCoy autographed Eagles helmet, Joe DiMaggio autographed baseball, Mickey Mantle autographed baseball, Henry Hynoski autographed Giants football, a tricycle autographed by Robbie Knievel and more.

Adopt a Plot at Shamokin Cemetery

SHAMOKIN - Citizens for a Better Community will host another Adopt a Plot cleanup from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, weather permitting, at the Shamokin Cemetery. Residents, students and organizations are welcome to help preserve a piece of history.

People are asked to bring weed wackers and rakes. Drinks will be provided and any help would be greatly appreciated. For more information, call Rick Jilinski at 809-2848 or Kathleen Shevitski at 898-1166 after 4 p.m.