SUNBURY - Accused arsonist James L. Neidlinger Jr. will undergo an incompetency examination to determine if he understands the ramifications of pleading guilty or facing a trial.

Shortly before 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Northumberland County Judge William H. Wiest ruled that Neidlinger's testimony at a brief hearing earlier in the day was sufficient proof to question his competency and allow the defendant to undergo an incompetency exam.

Wiest granted county conflicts counsel John Broda permission to hire a licensed psychiatrist to conduct the exam at a cost not to exceed $4,400, which the county will be ultimately responsible to pay.

At last week's hearing, Broda claimed his client should be granted the exam because he had doubts whether the defendant knows the difference between right and wrong.

Neidlinger, 22, of Shamokin, who has been incarcerated since Jan. 29 at Northumberland County Prison in lieu of $250,000 cash bail, testified that he was previously diagnosed by a local doctor as being bipolar. The defendant, who was slow in responding to questions posed by Broda and Assistant District Attorney Michael Toomey, told the judge he receives supplemental security income (SSI) and disability payments.

He said he has suffered from depression, but is not currently taking any medication.

Neidlinger is charged by Shamokin Patrolman and Fire Investigator Raymond Siko II with intentionally setting fires at 717 N. Shamokin St. on Sept. 5, the former Hardshell Cafe and an adjacent building in the 400 block of North Shamokin Street on Jan. 24, and a triple home in the 600 block of East Sunbury Street near Franklin Street on Jan. 28.

BLOOMSBURG - Taryn Gilger of Shamokin graduated May 17 from Bloomsburg University with a Master of Science in elementary education. Her degree certifies her in elementary education for kindergarten through sixth grade and health education for kindergarten through 12th grade.

Gilger graduated from Bloomsburg University in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science in exercise science.

A 2007 graduate of Our Lady of Lourdes Regional High School, she is employed as an exercise specialist at the Employee Recreation Center at Geisinger Health System, Woodbine Clinic, Danville.

She is a daughter of Bill and JoAnne Gilger and a granddaughter of Elizabeth Gilger, all of Shamokin.

SUNBURY - A Selinsgrove man is scheduled to go to trial eight years after being charged in an armed robbery at the Paxinos residence of a disabled individual.

Erik Jamel Harrington, 23, will face a jury Aug. 1 before Northumberland County President Judge Robert B. Sacavage. Jury selection is scheduled for July 15 and a pre-trial conference will be held July 12.

Harrington, who remains free on bail, was scheduled for a hearing to suppress evidence late Monday morning before Judge William H. Wiest, but the legal proceeding was continued until 2:45 p.m. July 8 at the request of his attorney Peter Campana of Williamsport. The defense lawyer wanted Sacavage to rule on his motion since he had handled a previous request to suppress evidence in the case. Sacavage is currently on vacation, but will return to the bench Monday.

After arguments by Campana and Assistant District Attorney Michael Toomey over whether prosecutors violated Rule 600 that requires defendants to be brought to trial within 365 days after they are charged, and whether a search warrant was legally signed, the court ruled the case should proceed to trial.

Defendant fled

The defendant is charged by Trooper Ronald Zanella of state police at Stonington with multiple offenses in connection with the July 16, 2005, armed robbery at the residence of 55-year-old James Honecker, who suffers from multiple sclerosis and is confined to a wheelchair.

A criminal complaint was filed against Harrington on March 4, 2010, but the defendant reportedly fled to North Carolina, where authorities said he has relatives. He was taken into custody April 29, 2011, by authorities in North Carolina and was arraigned May 17, 2011, by Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III on felony offenses of robbery, burglary, aggravated assault, theft, criminal conspiracy to commit robbery, criminal conspiracy to commit burglary, aiding the consummation of a crime and simple assault.

After his extradition to Pennsylvania, he was incarcerated in prisons in Snyder and Northumberland counties. But his bail was reduced by Wiest from $100,000 cash to $50,000 cash at a hearing May 24, 2012. The commonwealth opposed the reduction, but it was still granted, and Harrington was able to hire a bondsman to post the bail. He was released from Northumberland County Prison on Oct. 9.

Campana previously argued that police and prosecutors did not exhibit due diligence in their efforts to locate Harrington after he left the state, while Toomey disagreed. The assistant district attorney said Harrington's decision to flee the state implies guilt.

Honecker remains disgusted and frustrated that Harrington is free and hasn't been brought to trial yet.

Theft, damage

Police said Harrington, Kasey A. Sees, 26, formerly of Sunbury, and two other assailants are accused of entering Honecker's home at 1:30 a.m. July 16, 2005, and holding him at gunpoint in his living room while threatening to kill him.

Police said the robbers demanded money, ransacked the home and removed 12 rifles and shotguns, knives, ammunition, cash, jewelry, an amplifier and prescription narcotics with a total value of $5,590. Police said the robbers also caused approximately $300 in damage by pulling telephone cords from the wall and damaging two televisions.

Sees was charged by state police at Stonington on Aug. 15, 2006, and eventually pleaded guilty to felony charges of burglary and robbery. He was sentenced to 3 1/3 to 6 2/3 years in state prison and ordered to pay $300 in fines plus costs, make $4,000 restitution to Honecker and approximately $8,800 restitution to Honecker's insurance company.

Sees has since completed his state prison sentence and is free, and Honecker said he's received a few hundred dollars in restitution.

The other two assailants Honecker claims were involved in the robbery were never located or charged, police said.

SHAMOKIN - City police contacted explosive specialists to diffuse a potentially dangerous situation at a Sunbury Street home Monday afternoon.

Officers from the Pennsylvania State Police Emergency and Special Operations Squad, based out of Hershey, were called to 619 E. Sunbury St. after a World War II-era Japanese mortar round and fuses were found in the home's attic.

According to Shamokin City Police Cpl. Jarrod Scandle, the bomb squad arrived on scene at approximately 4:30 p.m. when the discovery had been made.

"A person, who has power of attorney for the owners of the home, was in the process of cleaning it out when the mortar round was found in the attic," Scandle said.

Scandle said only one round was found in the house, along with 10 fuses for the explosive.

The officer said experts did not x-ray the round to see if it was live, but placed it into a containment unit and transported it back to headquarters, where it will be properly disposed.

The scene was cleared at approximately 5:30 p.m.

Shamokin Police did not identify the person who reported the mortar.

The home sits near the Sunbury Street playground.

Calls to the State Police bureau offices in Hershey were not answered.

NEWTOWN SQUARE - Christina Halcovich, formerly of Paxinos, has graduated with high honors from the The Episcopal Academy High School.

She was a member of the National Cum Laude Society, Sociedad Honoraria Hispanica, Robert R. Bishop National English Honor Society, Key Club, World Affairs Council, varsity track team, and founder and president of the school's first animal/environmental protection club.

She was a four-year recipient of the Walter W. Buckley Scholarship in recognition of her "strong academic record, depth of interest and involvement in extracurricular activities, and leadership potential," and was awarded the Alumni Prize for highest standing in English in the graduating class.

Outside of the Academy, she is an eight-year member of the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth and has studied advanced mathematics at Johns Hopkins and Stanford universities. Last summer, she completed courses in biology and economics at Cambridge University, England, and most recently, traveled to Rome, Italy, where she researched and designed a teen travel guide.

She enjoys volunteering at the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, tutoring math, and fundraising for an impoverished inner-city school.

In the fall, she will attend Yale University, New Haven, Conn., where she will study molecular biology and anthropology.

She is a daughter of John and Alice Halcovich.

INDIANA, Pa. - The following students from Northumberland County have been named to the spring 2013 dean's list at Indiana University of Pennsylvania:

Elysburg - Kayla Marie Bobber, interior design; Jonathan Thomas Harlow, management/entrepreneurship and small business, and Monica Christianne Manney, nursing.

Marion Heights - Corrine Jacqueline Filipczak, criminology.

Mount Carmel - Matthew Charles Altomare, West Fifth Street, B.S.Ed. in Music Education.

Paxinos - Brett Andrew Duell, chemistry.

Sunbury - Bradley Robert Deppen, accounting; Michelle Giordani, physical education and sport/exercise science; Haily Nichole Moody, early childhood and special education, and Ian William Sterner, communications media.

Trevorton - Martin Michael Beninsky, nursing.

Students are named to the dean's list when they are full-time (12 or more credits) with a grade point average of 3.25 or higher.

SUNBURY - A Northumberland County judge tossed a city contractor's claim last week that the City of Shamokin breached a contract to demolish a partially collapsed building last summer in the 700 block of North Shamokin Street.

Judge Charles Saylor found that no "valid 'agreement'" existed between City Hall and Robert Gusick Demolition.

"The mayor or chief clerk of a third class city does not have the authority, even if considered an 'emergency,' to enter into an agreement for demolition work at a fixed sum on a non-competitive basis and without the approval of city council," Saylor wrote in his ruling issued Wednesday.

Although Saylor sided with the city's petition to dismiss the breach of contract claim, the judge said Gusick could seek compensation through two other claims in his filing, unjust enrichment and quasi-contract. He will need to "set forth the specific items and amounts related to each item" that comprise his claims, the judge wrote.

An amended complaint must be filed within 20 days.

H. Robert Mattis, the city's solicitor, said Monday that "we're happy to see that the judge granted our prelim objection. We await the amended complaint ... (and) the city will respond accordingly."

He would not comment on the possibility of an out-of-court settlement.

Gusick is represented by Sunbury attorney Joel Wiest. He could not be reached for comment.

Verbal agreement

Gusick's firm was brought in under emergency order by way of verbal agreement after a portion of the former Shamokin Health Spa, 709-715 N. Shamokin St., collapsed into the street on June 15, 2012. The contractor knocked down the building and disposed of debris.

Work was ordered stopped by City Hall shortly afterward over dispute of project scope. The city says he was only to knock a portion of the building down; the contractor said he did as he was told and did so under watch of some city officials, estimating he completed 75 percent of the work.

He submitted a written estimate for $98,500. It included no detail of costs. The city asked for but did not receive a more detailed invoice, saying it was necessary if it were to seek approval to utilize state grant funding to pay for the project.

At loggerheads, Gusick filed suit in October seeking payment in full, interest and attorney fees.

The project was completed by Madonna Enterprises, Port Carbon, with the assistance of Forrester Environmental Inc., Bloomsburg, after suspected asbestos was found on site. Neither contractor had been paid as of mid-May because the city was awaiting approval to use Community Development Block Grant funding to pay their invoices and two others related to the project.

SCRANTON - Megan Anne O'Neil received a Master of Science with honors from the University of Scranton in community counseling on May 25. She completed three years of course work at the university and a one-year internship at the Community Medical Center in Scranton and the Scranton Counseling Center.

She is a member of Chi Sigma Iota, the national honors organization for counseling majors.

She plans on furthering her career by obtaining certifications for marital and family counseling. She also recently passed the National Counselor Examinations to become a nationwide certified counselor.

O'Neil is a 2009 graduate of Penn State University, where she earned a bachelor's degree, and a 2005 graduate of Our Lady of Lourdes High School in Coal Township.

O'Neil is a daughter of Patrick Dunn O'Neil and the late Patricia Ann Callahan O'Neil. She is a granddaughter of Irene Callahan, a resident of the Mount Carmel Senior Living Community, and Joseph E. Callahan, and the late W.J. and Kathryn Dunn O'Neil, who lived in Coal Township. She is also the niece of John C. Callahan, of Coal Township.

SHAMOKIN - City officials were working Monday to expedite the emergency demolition of an abandoned double home in the 600 block of West Spruce Street that partially collapsed in the early morning hours.

The second story at the rear of 613-615 W. Spruce St. collapsed into the first story shortly before 6 a.m. Monday. A portion of the roof bumped into and is now leaning against neighboring 617 W. Spruce St., the home of Elaine Kramer.

Kramer was fast asleep when the collapse occurred. It was loud enough to wake some neighbors, but not her.

After being roused from her sleep, she learned what had happened and said it came as no surprise.

She was advised by city officials to temporarily leave her home out of fears that it was in immediate danger. Kramer chose to stay put.

"Now they say it's a safety hazard. Well, it's been a safety hazard for three years," she said while surveying the damage from a rear window inside her home. "This is my house. I don't think it's right that I should have to move."

Kramer said her husband, Gerald, who passed away June 10, had periodically reported the structure's deteriorating condition over the past three years. He had been sleeping on a hospital bed in their home's living room on the first floor and told his wife that he could hear it "creaking and moaning" through the walls.

Judicial sale

Former owner James E. Hovenstine died in August 2011 while working on its roof. Firefighters used a ladder truck to retrieve him because a staircase inside the structure had collapsed. His wife, Katherine, survives, but has since moved away and the homes have been vacant ever since.

According to Northumberland County Tax Claims, taxes on the properties had not been paid in full since 2008. Partial payments were made in 2011. The home was scheduled to be put up for judicial sale as early as next year.

Kramer is dismayed that no one moved sooner to prevent the structure's complete deterioration.

Felt it coming

Another neighbor, Kelly Lynch, of 619 W. Spruce St., also made reports to City Hall. Rick Bozza, city code officer, got the ball rolling earlier this month after more fears of collapse were expressed.

Lynn Dixson, community development officer, began filing paperwork with the state on June 14 to amend the city's budget for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding to include the demolition of 613-615 W. Spruce St. While the filing process was unfolding, the area had been on the receiving end of severe rainstorms, particularly in the past few days. It's believed the heavy rains helped push the roof to its breaking point.

"With all this rain, I knew it would come down sooner or later," Lynch said.

The city declared a state of emergency at 8 a.m. Monday. Utilities to the structure were shut off and residents were warned to stay away. Pedestrian and vehicle traffic to the 600 block is supposedly limited to pedestrians only, but as of Monday afternoon, there were no barricades preventing vehicles or pedestrians from passing near the site of the collapse.

Bureaucratic process

Steve Bartos, city clerk, said before the city can demolish 613-615 W. Spruce St. under emergency, approval must be received from Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the federal agency that oversees states' CDBG programs.

"Until that approval comes, you can't do anything or you can't use CDBG funds," Mayor George Rozinskie said.

Bartos said the city can't assume the financial burden of the demolition project without using state grant funds. He expressed frustration in the paperwork process in the face of emergency.

"We have to stop all work and wait. It's not a practical way to handle this. We have a building collapse into another person's home and we have to sit and wait? It's crazy," Bartos said.

The city needs a minimum of three quotes from qualified contractors for demolition and debris disposal to meet bidding requirements. It also must provide written technical specifications to state Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), Bartos said.

Environmental clearances are also needed, Dixson said.

Ten contractors were telephoned by the city Monday, and three stopped by City Hall by late morning to pick up bid specifications, she added.

The intricacies of the filing process put the city at odds against HUD and others when a dilapidated commercial building partially collapsed in the 700 block on North Shamokin Street in June 2012.

TREVORTON - The Patsies Senior Adult Ministry held its monthly meeting June 17 at St. Patrick Church. Twenty-two members attended.

The meeting opened with the Senior Adult Ministry Prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.

The secretary's report, read by Edwina Savidge, was approved, as was the treasurer's report, read by Mary Ellen Hoffman.

A report on upcoming trips was read by Judie Urick. The trips are: July 18, a mystery trip; Sept. 19 "Noah" at Sight and Sound, and Nov. 7, American Music Theatre for the Christmas show. All trips include transportation, lunch and show. Contact Joyce at 797-3695 or Urick at 648-0105 for more information.

The June birthday members were Helen Delorso, Edith Fisher, Ronald Kuhns, Kathryn McBride, Marlene Reck, Shirley Treon and Joe Savidge. Cakes were brought by Savidge and Kuhns and the club. Donations were received from Dot Bowers, Koppen and Kathryn Lebo.

The next meeting, to be held July 15, will be a covered dish social at the Shikellamy Marina. Lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m. with time provided to socialize and play cards or bingo or relax at the river. The Patsies will provide barbeque, and the group expects a variety of new dishes of the members' choice to share. Attendees should bring their own drinks, tableclothes and serving utensils.

The annual Senior Adult Ministry banquet will be held in October at the Cardinal Keeler Center, Harrisburg. I

The 50/25/25 drawing was won by Bowers and Koppen.

Army Reserve Pvt. Justin Vu has graduated from basic infantry training at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga.

During the nine weeks of training, the soldier received training in drill and ceremonies, weapons, map reading, tactics, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid, and Army history, core values and traditions. Additional training included development of basic combat skills and battlefield operations and tactics, and experiencing use of various weapons and weapons defenses available to the infantry crewman.

Vu is a son of Dung Vu, of Chestnut Street, Kulpmont.

He is a 2012 graduate of Mount Carmel Area High School.

HARRISBURG - Reps. Kurt Masser (R-108) and Lynda Schlegel Culver (R-107) both voted in favor of the state's $28.376 billion budget on Sunday.

"This budget marks the third consecutive year that Pennsylvania's state spending plan was passed on time, something that was never accomplished under the previous administration," said Masser. "Once again, this year's budget contains no tax increases, and still provides for core government services, such as education, public safety and health and human services."

The 2013-14 budget includes a $122 million increase in funding to our state's basic education system - establishing a record high of $10 billion total state dollars invested in K-12 education.

"The most state money ever appropriated to Pennsylvania's basic education system is included in this year's budget," said Masser. "This budget not only replaced the $1 billion worth of federal stimulus money Pennsylvania's education system lost, but we're now spending more than $10 billion on education, which equates to 41 percent of this entire budget."

Additionally, the funding schools will receive includes $3 million for grants to career and technical schools to purchase new equipment so the Commonwealth can expand career and technical education opportunities, and funding for the Safe Schools Initiative.

"This budget supports students of all ages," said Culver. "By continuing the governor's increase of $6.4 million for Head Start and Pre-K Counts early childhood programs, and providing $5 million more for services to children ages 3 to 5 with developmental disabilities, our youngest students are included in the benefits this budget provides."

This spending plan increases funding in the Department of Health by $1.5 million for items like cystic fibrosis, hemophilia and epilepsy technology research. It also continues the $50 million in additional lottery funds for expanded home- and community-based services for senior citizens, and adds $10 million for long-term senior care - items that they both fought for during this budget season.

The county conservation districts will receive a total of $8.4 million through a combination of General Fund appropriation and Act 13 impact fees. This is a $2 million increase from last year's budget. An additional $4.6 million was allocated to the Department of Agriculture, and restores funding for agriculture research, the Pennsylvania Preferred program, and other department associated programs.

"With agriculture being our state's No. 1 industry, I was glad to see funding go toward that important issue," said Culver. "I believe this is the best budget agriculture has seen in many years."

"Because I served on the County Conservation Board for seven years, I am very familiar with the vital services they provide to our residents," said Masser. "This was one of the issues important to me that we adequately funded this program and that this budget addressed this."

The Pennsylvania State Police was provided an additional $14.7 million, which will aid in the training of 290 new state troopers and 90 civilian dispatchers.

Mount Carmel Area Public Library

MOUNT CARMEL - The Mount Carmel Area Public Library is grateful for the following memorial donations, the most basic and important source of funds.

Birthday memorial

Eliza R. Cohoon from Nancy.

Karl L. Schu from Nancy.

In Memory Of

Rosemarie Amershek from Mr. and Mrs. Louis Swatski.

Marsha Barnes from Paul and Judy Bartko; Frank and Mary Sawicki.

Richard F. Beierschmitt from Francis and Mary Bach; Michael and Ida Balichik; Paul and Judy Bartko; Angel Belfanti and girls; Jim and Gingie Britton; Irene Casari; Victor Concini; Angela Credito; Jim Darrup; Phil and Elaine Gergen; the Kanezo family; Ray and Ellie LaTorre; the McCracken family; Charles and Sue Mannello and family; Mr. and Mrs.Thomas Matukaitis and family; Dian Ondo; Rose and Frank Pecaitis; Tom and Gayle Pivarnik and family; Carrie and Donna Sawicki; Reynold and Patty Scicchitano; Melanie Wengrenovich; Hank and Loretta Witkowski; Mount Carmel Area Retired Educators Association.

Agnes Bolstrum from Rosemarie Koronkiewicz.

Deceased Members of Mount Carmel Joint High School Class of 1956 from Mount Carmel Joint High School Class of 1956.

Edward Dersavage from John and Mary Mazurkevich; Leon and Mary Kay Polites; Joyce Yodis.

Carl Ditchey from Carl and Lorraine Kutza.

Blanche Eichenmeyer from Michael and Ida Balichik; Fred and Dolores Lutz.

Veronica Endrizzi from Jim and Gingie Britton; Jim Darrup.

Sarah Herritt from Mayor J. Kevin and Donna Jones

Mary (Betty) Hertzog from Leo and Joan Ferrari; Lisa Owens.

Judith A. Kaufman Class of '60 from Tom and Gayle Pivarnik and family.

Marie Kondisko from Don and Susie Abraczinskas; Lisa Owens; Frank and Mary Sawicki; Nancy Schu; Marilyn Steinhart.

Marcella McCoy from Patty and John Bush and family.

Eleanor Mattucci from Academy Sports Center.

George Mensch from John and Donna Buhay.

Shirley Merena from Jim Darrup.

Charles Mihalik from Roger and Martina Boyle.

Ethelwyn Fodor Mikalonis from Michael and Ida Balichik; Deb Matulewicz; Reynold and Patty Scicchitano

Helen Nolter from Patty and John Bush; Cheryl and Kevin Kwiatkowski; Deb Matulewicz; members of Catasauqua Area Showcase Theatre.

Geraldine (Gerry) Palewicz from Ted and Deb Gownley; Don, Joan and Robert Hildenbrand; Mr. and Mrs. William Joraskie; Chris and Dawn Kanezo and family; Rose Marie Koronkiewicz; Kevin and Cheryl Kwiatkowski and family; Nancy Marshalick; Ted and Jackie Matlow; Joe and Tammie Matulewicz Sr; Donna Mordan; Mr. and Mrs. Harold Morgan; Ron and Carol Morgan; Dan, Ruth Skonecki and family; Marilyn and Jack Williams; Dolly Yocum; Richard Zinda; Carmelite 50 Plus Club.

Irene Redd from Gen Zankoskie and family.

Hilda J. Rothermel from Perino and Mary Bevivino; Claire and Bill Dunn; Ted and Deb Gownley; the Kanezo family; Fred and Dolores Lutz; Gayle and Tom Pivarnik and family; Joyce Yodis.

Al Sidisky from Jim Darrup.

Millie Sienkiewicz from James and Mary Rowland.

Joanne Stavinsky from Ray and Jerry Krouch; Academy Sports Center.

Henry Szymanski from Academy Sports Center.

Ronald Troutman from Josephine and RoseMarie Feudale; Mary Hirsch; Mr. and Mrs. Saverio Feudale.

Neil E. Williams from Mr. and Mrs. Blaine Kessler Sr.; Mr. and Mrs. James J. Williams and sons.

Thomas Wills from Tony and Mary Andrade; Anita; Viola Bolick; Patty and John Bush; Angie Credito; Jim Darrup; Jim and Kathy Darrup; Carl and Lorraine Horsfield; Sylvia Hynoski; Nancy and Bill Joraskie and Sons; Gloria Klemas; Peggy McAndrew and Kyle Petruskevich; Jean Mahalik and Mary Lutz; Jeanette Roscoe and family.

Pauline Wisniewski from Melanie Wengrenovich and Mike Terrizzi.

SHAMOKIN - The following hearings took place Tuesday before Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III. Defendants ordered to appear for plea court Aug. 5 in Northumberland County Court, Sunbury, can plead guilty or no contest, or seek a trial by pleading not guilty.

n Scott Wilson, 40, of 121 E. Sunbury St., Shamokin, waived to court a theft charge.

Wilson was charged by Shamokin Cpl. Jarrod Scandle with removing a cherry hardwood floor, a refrigerator, an oil burner, plumbing, an electric water heater and 88 feet of high-quality cast iron baseboard heat and plumbing from a house he was renting from Curtis Mays. Police said the theft occurred Jan. 13.

n Robert Dewald, 65, of 1220 W. Water St., Coal Township, waived to court charges of driving under the influence of alcohol, driving with a blood-alcohol content of .16 percent or higher, careless driving, failure to drive on the right side of the road and driving with an expired license relating to an April 13 two-vehicle accident in the first block of North Second Street.

The charges were filed by Shamokin Cpl. Jarrod Scandle.

n Jeffrey Trice, 26, and Jessica Wiest, 22, both of 404 E. Sixth St., Mount Carmel, waived to court charges of criminal conspiracy, two counts of forgery, unsworn falsification, false reports and false identification. Trice also waived to court additional charges of driving with a suspended license, driving an unregistered vehicle and failing to stop for a red light, while Wiest waived to court an additional offense of allowing a violation of her vehicle's title.

All the charges relate to an Oct. 24 traffic stop by Coal Township Patrolman Edward Purcell on Route 61 near McDonald's.

n Sonya M. Wyland, 29, of 114 Second St., Ranshaw, waived to court charges of simple assault and disorderly conduct filed by Coal Township Patrolman Edward Purcell.

Wyland was charged in connection with an April 13 incident in which she allegedly threatened to commit a robbery at the Optima gas station at Wal-Mart Supercenter along Route 61.

n Jeremy Rickert, 20, of 641 S. Market St., Shamokin, waived to court charges of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, two counts of delivering a controlled substance, two counts of corruption of minors, resisting arrest, possession of a small amount of marijuana with intent to distribute and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The charges relate to a June 20 traffic stop conducted by Coal Township Patrolman Edward Purcell in the 1300 block of Tioga Street in which police found 92 packets of heroin in Rickert's possession.

n Donald Clymer, 32, of 151 S. Locust St., Hazleton, waived to court a retail theft charge filed by Coal Township Patrolman Joshua Wynn in connection with a June 25 incident involving an alleged theft and gun threat at Wal-Mart Supercenter on Route 61.

Raymond Heller, 29, of the same address, who was charged by Wynn with retail theft, simple assault and possession of a small amount of marijuana in connection with the same incident, had his preliminary hearing continued.

SUNBURY - Despite a settlement reached May 25 in a civil lawsuit filed by the Pennsylvania State Sportsmen's Association (PSSA) against Valley Gun and Country Club in Elysburg, lawyers for both parties were back in court Tuesday arguing whether the case will proceed to trial.

During a 90-minute status conference before Northumberland County Judge William H. Wiest, Attorney Paul M. Perlstein of Doylestown claimed the gun club changed the language and conditions set forth in the agreement by requesting two easements to the property that would allow for egress and regress to certain areas of the land. He also claimed the gun club refused to sign a deed that would convey all but 3.471 acres of property sought by the association over to PSSA.

"They (gun club) drafted the agreement the way they wanted it," Perlstein told the court. "They changed the terms of the agreement. This isn't what my client agreed to. We didn't come up here to renegotiate the agreement. We'd like to get litigation going because we believe the agreement signed in 1995 is binding. They owe us the land and we plan to go to trial."

Attorney Helen L. Gemmill of Harrisburg, who represents Valley Gun and Country Club, argued that her client and PSSA settled the lawsuit May 25 and was willing to change some of the language in the agreement if necessary to satisfy PSSA. "We have settled the case with an enforceable agreement," she stated. "The gun club has a right to use certain areas of the property, but needs access to those areas. That's why we asked for the easements in the agreement. A deed has not been signed yet conveying part of the property over to PSSA, and the gun club plans to sell other parcels of the property."

Perlstein said he and PSSA remain frustrated over the ongoing legal battle that both parties thought was settled in May, but has a right to take the case to arbitration.

Gemmill said her client also is frustrated. "We want to follow the settlement agreement and I don't understand why the attorneys for both parties just don't sign the deed, get the exhibits in order and get this done," she said.

Gemmill, who compared the issue to selling a house, said the lawsuit settlement contains an arbitration clause that allows either party to contest it within a certain time period.

The attorney said she couldn't release details of the settlement.

Wiest, who also was under the impression the case had been settled, said he will issue an order in the near future requesting all exhibits be accessible to both attorneys. The order also will establish a schedule for future court proceedings in the case, including a pre-trial conference.

Last month, PSSA President Mike Schuler of Bradford told The News-Item both parties reached an agreement at the end of May that the PSAA would not pursue its lawsuit filed in March 2012 in Northumberland County Court and that PSSA and the gun club would meet this week to finalize the deal.

Schuler has been involved with the PSSA for about 25 years, but was not an officer at the time of the 1995 agreement. He is in his fourth year as president.

The agreement reportedly assured that the Pennsylvania State Shoot would remain on the grounds of the Valley Gun and Country Club.

The dispute centers on an agreement signed by the parties in 1995 in which the PSSA agreed to pay $550,000 annual payments to the club, in addition to paying property taxes, in exchange for club land in order to expand the shoot as needed over time. The state shoot is the second largest trapshooting event in the United States.

The suit, which claimed the club violated the 1995 agreement, was filed against Valley Gun and Country Club and its officers: President John S. Mushalko Jr., Vice President Edward D. Rakoskie, Secretary Lamar Richie, all of Elysburg, and Andrew Panko, of Catawissa. One condition the PSSA said the club violated was that it agreed not to accept introduction, election to or membership of any additional 'A' members after the date of the agreement.

Another condition stated that upon the death of the last of any of the existing 'A' members, operation and assets of the club would be turned over to the PSSA.

PSSA had threatened to leave the Elysburg site in the future, taking the state shoot and other smaller events held during the year to another part of the state, which would have been an economic hit to the area of about $1 million a year, according to official estimates.

Mushalko and Rakoskie attended the status conference, but reserved comment. PSSA Treasurer Tom Burkey, of Chambersburg, who also was in attendance, said PSSA owns approximately one third of the 174-acre site in Elysburg while the gun club owns the remainder of the property.

Coping with grief discussed

ELYSBURG - Ways to cope with grief and find peace after loss will be presented at Lifetree Cafe from 7 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Elysburg Presbyterian Church, 320 W. Valley Ave.

The program, titled "Coping with Grief: Find Your Path to Peace," features a filmed interview with Ken Doka, author of more than 20 books, including "Grieving Beyond Gender: Understanding the Ways Men and Woman Mourn."

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, e-mail elysburgpresby@verizon.net or go to www.lifetreecafe.com

July schedule for Rep. Culver

SUNBURY - Rep. Lynda Schlegel Culver (R-108) has announced several constitutent outreach events for the month of July:

- Veterans assistance hours will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today at Culver's district office at 106 Arch St., Sunbury. To make an appointment, call 286-5885.

- Satellite office hours will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. Thursday, July 11, at the Washington Township municipal building, 398 Brier School Road, Rebuck, and on Thursday, July 18, at the Lower Augusta Township municipal building, 609 Hallowing Run Road, Sunbury.

- Senior Action Center Outreach will be held at 1:30 p.m. at the Lower Northumberland Senior Action Center, 5089 State Route 147, Herndon.

- Town hall meetings will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 11, at the Degenstein Library, 40 S. Fifth St., Sunbury, and on Monday, July 22, at St. Peter's Methodist Church, 240 Sunbury Road, Riverside.

By AAA EAst Central

Holiday travelers may have more than July 4th to celebrate, according to AAA East Central. Susquehanna Valley gas prices fell more than three cents this week to $3.464.

On the national front

Tuesday's national average price for regular unleaded gasoline is $3.478 per gallon. This is eight cents less expensive than one week ago and 14 cents less than one month ago, but it remains 15 cents higher than the same day last year. The national average has now declined for 19 straight days and 34 of the last 40.

Regional supply disruptions in May and early June propelled gas prices sharply higher in some parts of the country - first the Northwest and then the Midwest - even as retail prices in the rest of the country drifted lower. As these production and distribution issues were resolved, prices for states in the impacted regions have plummeted back to earth.

Gas prices across the country are finally moving lower in lockstep, leading up to the Fourth of July, which is welcome news for the 34.4 million travelers that AAA expects to travel by automobile this holiday period. Prices in every state and Washington D.C. have dropped over the last week, led by substantial declines in a number of Midwestern states.

In both 2011 and 2012, the national average reached a summer-low near today's date. In 2011, prices bottomed at $3.54 per gallon on June 30. In 2012, they bottomed at $3.33 on July 2.

The national average may continue to drift lower in the coming days, especially as prices in the Midwest and Great Lakes retreat from near-historic highs. However, crude oil prices remain substantially higher than last year and are likely to limit the amount further that the national price will fall.

Barring a decline in crude oil prices, gas prices may turn higher in July as the summer driving season ramps up, demand for gasoline increases and the hurricane season continues. The national average rose 17 cents per gallon in July 2011 and 16 cents in July 2012.

The price of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) has pulled back slightly from the multi-month high of $98.44 per barrel on June 18, however it remains more than ten dollars above the price a year ago. WTI settled at $83.75 per barrel to begin July last year. At Tuesday's close of formal trading on the NYMEX, WTI settled at $97.99 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.)

SHAMOKIN - A contractor could mobilize heavy equipment as early as today to the site of a partially collapsed double home on West Spruce Street.

That the demolition process could begin shortly was good news to Elaine Kramer. The rear of the vacant 613-615 W. Spruce St. collapsed Monday and shifted further Tuesday morning against her home at 617 W. Spruce St.

"I just heard wood crackling and then another 'boom.' I'm like, 'Oh, I'm afraid to look!'" Kramer said of the shifting wreckage, which occurred about 10:30 a.m.

"That would be wonderful," she said of learning through the city that the contractor would soon be on site.

Councilman R. Craig Rhoades said the state will allow the city to order a contractor to proceed with the emergency demolition of 613-615 W. Spruce St. ahead of final approval of a contract. It may not be a long wait for the final approval because city council could vote on a contract tonight prior to its monthly workshop session at City Hall.

Three unsealed bids were submitted by contractors to the city. Officials were in touch with the lowest bidder, who indicated if manpower is available on Thursday, Independence Day, they would work the holiday to lessen the hazard, Rhoades said, adding that the contractor understood the emergency at hand.

He would not name the contractor who submitted the low bid because the bonding process was pending.

Rick Bozza, code officer, said the contractor guaranteed they'd be on site no later than the weekend. Bozza also did not disclose the contractor's name. However, he identified the three contractors that submitted bids: Eastern Industries, Knoeppel's Coal Deliveries and Demolition and Madonna Enterprises Inc.

The potential cost of the demolition project is not yet known. It will be paid with state Community Development Block Grant funding, a plan that Bozza said has also been approved by the state.

Monday's collapse

The second story at the rear of 613-615 W. Spruce St. collapsed into the first story shortly before 6 a.m. Monday, and the city declared a state of emergency at the site.

The double home had been owned by Katherine Hovenstine and the late James E. Hovenstine, who died in August 2011. It is now vacant and is in the steward of Northumberland County after property taxes went unpaid in full since 2008.

Kramer and another neighbor, Kelly Lynch, of 619 W. Spruce St., say complaints about the property's condition had been made to City Hall periodically over at least the past three years.

Kramer's home has sustained water damage which she believes is a direct result of being partially attached to 613-615 W. Spruce St. Her insurance company disagreed, she said, but she believes the collapse is overwhelming proof.

The roof that collapsed appeared to have much patchwork. Lynch said bricks were used to keep an exhaust pipe upright.

Kramer has refused officials' requests that she temporarily leave her home. She said she will leave, though, while contractors work to demolish the structure.

SUNBURY - A Port Trevorton man accused of causing a wreck last year on Veterans Memorial Bridge that killed a father and his young son is charged with vehicular homicide.

Trooper David Townsend, state police at Stonington, filed 22 counts against 25-year-old Brian Scott Glass Jr. Charges include two counts each of homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence, aggravated assault while DUI and homicide by vehicle.

Other charges are five variations of DUI, one of which alleges a combination of alcohol and drugs, two counts of involuntary manslaughter, one count each of recklessly endangering another person, driving an unregistered vehicle, driving without insurance and six other summary traffic violations.

All of the DUIs were a first offense, according to court paperwork.

The charges were filed Monday. He was arraigned Tuesday afternoon before Magisterial District Judge Benjamin Apfelbaum and remanded to Northumberland County Prison in lieu of $250,000 cash bail.

A preliminary hearing before Apfelbaum is scheduled for 1 p.m. Tuesday.

Police say Glass was drunk and high on drugs on July 17, 2012, when he drove a 2002 Jeep Liberty into the oncoming lane and crashed head on with a 2005 Chevrolet Equinox driven by Kirk A. Mahaffey, 22, of Northumberland.

Mahaffey was pronounced dead at Sunbury Community Hospital following the 8 p.m. accident. His 3-year-old son, Mayson, was airlifted to Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, where he also was pronounced dead.

Police say Mayson was in a child safety seat, but was not properly restrained. His father was not wearing a seat belt.

Both Glass and a passenger, 20-year-old Cody A. Glass of Port Trevorton, suffered what police described at the time as "moderate injuries." They were wearing seat belts.

Trooper Angela Jankoviak, of state police in Stonington, originally was the lead investigator in the crash. She remains with state police but is no longer with the Stonington station.

Police did not indicate the relationship between Glass and his passenger, and that information was unavailable when the Stonington station was contacted.

SUNBURY - Northumberland County Area Agency on Aging is actively seeking dedicated volunteers for its ombudsman program.

According to the agency, approximately six out of 10 nursing home residents never receive a visitor. That sobering statistic is just one reason the agency is reaching out to the community and asking them to consider becoming involved in the program.

An ombudsman is a citizen advocate. With free, specialized training, volunteers could be the visitor long-term care consumers need. Volunteer ombudsmen make monthly, unannounced visits to the long-term care facilities in Northumberland County. They are not inspectors, regulators or surveyors - their purpose is to connect with the consumers, educate them about their rights and resources available to them and help the residents achieve the best possible quality of life and care.

Ombudsmen come from all walks of life and have varied backgrounds. Anyone over the age of 18 and has some time to give is welcomed by the agency. Those who are compassionate, patient and interested in making a real difference in the life of a resident in a long-term care facility are welcome. Anyone interested in giving back to those who blazed the trail for them is perfect to be a volunteer ombudsman.

Contact the Northumberland County Area Agency on Aging for more information and addition details. Volunteers will be asked to participate in a background check and a basic orientation, then scheduled for their free day of training. After that, the agency will work to help the ombudsman become more comfortable and confident in conducting facility visits.

With 28 long-term care facilities in Northumberland County, there is a tremendous need for additional ombudsmen. The next training is scheduled to be conducted in Northumberland County on Wednesday Aug. 7.

If interested in learning more about becoming a volunteer ombudsman, contact the Northumberland County Area Agency on Aging at 495-2395 or (877) 622-2251 and ask to speak with Dianne Garancosky.