SUNBURY - The Northumberland County Coroner's Office is looking for any relatives of Nellie Nicholas, who passed away Sunday evening at the Sunbury Community Hospital.
Mrs. Nicholas is formerly of the Allentown area.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Northumberland County Coroner's Office at 988-4539.
SUNBURY - The Northumberland County Domestic Relations Office is offering an amnesty period through Thursday, Aug. 8, for people with outstanding domestic relations bench warrants.
During the period, those with warrants can avoid arrest and/or jail time for failure to pay child support. The amnesty will not forgive the debt of outstanding child support.
Clients must visit the domestic relations office, 320 N. Second St., between 9 and 11:30 a.m. or 1 and 3:30 p.m.; provide current employment information and address; make a good faith payment and set up a payment plan.
President Judge Robert B. Sacavage said in a press release that the domestic relations office is not pursuing arrests during the amnesty period, but those defendants may be arrested on any other warrant that may be outstanding for any other violations.
Outstanding warrants:
- Earl M. Adams Jr., warrant issued July 1, $6,017.23.
- Manuel Alier, warrant issued Nov. 9, 2012, $5,532.38.
- Charles J. Ammon, two warrants issued March 27, 2012, $3,390.46 and $21,275.
- William R. Anderson, two warrants issued May 15, $5,255.82 and $6,115.83.
- Kimberly M. Baker, warrant issued Sept. 25, 2012, $2,559.11.
- Russell L. Bastian Jr., warrant issued April 25, $39,047.63.
- James D. Batdorf Jr., two warrants issued June 17, $39,047.63 and $46,418.12.
- Steven T. Beaver, warrant issued March 8, $8,662.25.
- Tyrone Berry, two warrants issued June 24, $4,762 and $1,295.99.
- Nicholas M. Boscolovich, warrant issued May 2, $2,551.59.
- Bradley R. Bucher, two warrants issued June 4, $13,154.52 and $4,554.76.
- Christopher M. Burns, warrant issued on June 4, $3,260.49.
- Kaitlin N. Burns, two warrants issued on Dec. 19, 2012, $4,946.80 and $4,631.82.
- Gordon B. Byers, warrant issued on Jan. 16, $1,379.49.
- James A. Campbell Jr., warrant issued on March 23, 2012, $5,565.25.
- Jonathan G. Chalkan, warrant issued Feb. 7 and two warrants issued Feb. 8, $1,202.36, $269.96, and $1,426.04.
- Bruce Collier, three warrants issued March 26, $4,458.11, $11,347.51, and $19,951,45.
- Michael J. Conches, warrant issued March 27, $3,492.58.
- Breann L. Culp, warrant issued June 21, 2012, $2,368.35.
- James L. Cundiff Jr., two warrants issued June 24, $4,203.43 and $1,256.52.
- Fernando R. Dalton, warrant issued Jan. 13, 2009, $29,231.24.
- Edwin M. Delapaz, two warrants issued June 3, $2,924.55 and $11,982.30.
- Paul J. Delbo Jr., warrant issued June 27, 2012, $20,962.83.
- William W. Dewalt, warrant issued June 3, no amount given.
- Brian K. Donner Sr., three warrants issued May 15, $3,931.57, $3,353.20 and $2,899.44.
- Joshua M. Dorney, warrant issued Nov. 28, 2012, $4,325.81.
- Daniel J. Ehman, three warrants issued Nov. 21, 2012, $5,525.58, $18,777.32 and $2,065.68.
- Jeremy M. Erb Sr., two warrants issued May 13, $12,723.67 and $2,143.71.
- Jesse J. Feudale Sr., warrant issued Nov. 20, 2012, $30,812.37.
- James M. Fisher, warrant issued Feb. 4, $5,287.11.
- William E. Fox, warrant issued May 18, 2012, $10,812.35.
- Michael J. Fuller Sr., warrant issued June 19, $4,697.69.
- Eric J. Ginck, warrant issued Jan. 16, $7,664.05.
- Allen J. Godfrey Sr., warrant issued Oct. 18, 2012, $2,342.72.
- Danielle L. Gower, warrant issued Dec. 19, 2012, $1,789.37.
- Barbara A. Greer, three warrants issued April 9, $10,345.43, $588.68 and $19,501.62.
- Neil A. Haddock, warrant issued Feb. 21, 2012, $13,987.99.
- Glenn C. Hart, warrant issued March 8, 2012, $14,979.25.
- Michael T. Herman, four warrants issued July 1, $14,749.06, $729.43, $14,904.65 and $12,012.55.
- Lewis A. Hine, two warrants issued April 25, $981.43 and $13,516.77.
- Paul A. Hoffman, warrant issued March 15, $27,765.97.
- Nicholas A. Kahley, warrant issued July 1, $18.024.51.
- Michael T. Karpinski Sr., three warrants issued Jan. 4, $450.51, $9,725.77 and $1,078.14.
- Chad M. Keefer, warrant issued April 9, $6,176.92.
- Dustin J. Keefer, warrant issued June 20, $6,385.21.
- Christopher A. Kessler, two warrants issued Dec. 21, 2012, $1,998.47 and $3,658.38.
- Benjamin Kehler Jr., three warrants issued April 19, $10,625.30, $15,861.10 and $31,174.45.
- Denny E. Keim, two warrants issued April 18, $4,253.81 and $4,253.82.
- Christopher R. Kern, warrant issued Feb. 4, $8,072.09.
- Crystal A. Kerner, warrant issued May 3, $1,572.80.
- Dale A. Kipple Jr., two warrants issued Oct. 12, 2012, $10,372.77 and $5,176.29.
- Edward J. Kleman, warrant issued Sept. 21, 2012, $176.54.
- Matthew E. Koveleskie, warrant issued Jan. 16, 2013, $7,856.87.
- Joseph A. Krajewski, two warrants issued May 2, 2012, $878.71 and $19,257.89.
- Lucas E. Krankowski, warrant issued Jan. 11, 2012, $17,521.70.
- Kenneth A. Latshaw, warrant issued June 17, $1,207.83.
- Jeff D. Leach, warrant issued May 4, $20,095.91.
- Herman Lloyd Jr., warrant issued Nov. 21, 2008, $3,218.47.
- Brandon R. Lopez, warrant issued May 20, $1,698.05.
- Stacy L. Malkoski, warrant issued June 13, $1,638.67.
- Heather L. Mattingly, warrant issued May 17, $3,797.32.
- Jason J. McCormick, two warrants issued Feb. 4, $1,665.95 and $4,561.53.
- William F. McGeehan, warrant issued July 30, 2012, $9,592.34.
- Michael McGuire, two warrants issued April 19, $4,198.42 and $8,401.15.
- James G. McNeill Jr., warrant issued Nov. 26, 2012, $10,406.07.
- David Mellor, warrant issued June 21, 2012, $27,104.51.
- Carrie A. Miller, warrant issued May 30, $860.15.
- John J. Miller Sr., warrant issued Sept. 22, 2011, $1,191.25.
- Robert L. Miller Jr., warrant issued June 28, 2011, $5,416.71.
- Reader J. Moten III, two warrants issued March 8, $3,568.07 and $32,369.29.
- Chad M. Neiman, five warrants issued Dec. 27, 2012, $1,105.60, $4,870.21, $18,941.99, $7,157.82 and $468.13.
- Timothy M. Nye, two warrants issued Oct. 3, 2012, $2,006.78 and $14,093.73.
- Christopher A. Osman, two warrants issued Dec. 7, 2012, $2,515.95 and $4,174.81.
- Patricia J. Parker, warrant issued March 26, $15,794.48.
- Timothy W. Piper, warrant issued Oct. 27, 2011, $6,324.42.
- Orlando L. Poke, two warrants issued May 17, $1,725.18 and $2,127.26.
- Robert C. Porter, warrant issued June 27, $11,462.47.
- Christine A. Poticher, warrant issued June 18, $12,207.72
- Robert A. Potter, two warrants issued Jan. 4, $7,676.50 and $1,352.22.
- Joshua A. Reichenbach Sr., warrant issued April 1, $27,914.84.
- Shane J. Reichenbach, warrant issued March 11, $8,264.53.
- Alice Reichwein, warrant issued July 1, $2,929.76.
- Ira P. Renn II, two warrants issued Feb. 7, $6,874.87 and $398.16.
- Justin M. Ressler, warrant issued May 6, $27,579.55.
- Joshua A. Russell, four warrants issued Dec. 18, 2012, $8,599.48, $23,759.06, $45,561.94, and $13,297.32.
- David Sanchez, two warrants issued Feb. 28, $5,960.97 and $15,592.57.
- Chris Sarfine, warrant issued April 25, $368.65.
- Nicholas A. Schindler, warrant issued March 21, $4,802.99.
- Joshua A. Schleig, warrant issued Oct. 2, 2012, $1,104.
- Joshua M. Seedor, warrant issued March 5, $2,066.69.
- Toby T. Shade, warrant issued May 14, $9.914.42.
- Jacob V. Shellhamer, warrant issued May 22, $3,298.92.
- Brittany E. Shiffer, two warrants issued April 27, $1,365.92 and $5,118.25.
- Gerald Simpson, warrant issued Sept. 10, 2012, $14,482.94.
- Thomas Smith, warrant issued Jan. 7, $8,816.38.
- Melissa C. Snyder, warrant issued March 10, $400.20.
- Ronald F. Sobol, warrant issued May 22, $2,801.08.
- Jean A. Steele, warrant issued April 8, $29.473.96.
- Gerald L. Stock Jr., warrant issued May 22, $2,801.08.
- Aaron Strassner, warrant issued Nov. 10, 2011, $17,378.61.
- Sean P. Sutton, warrant issued March 21, $1,487.93.
- TJ C. Tanner, warrant issued June 7, 2012, $7,646.63.
- Barry W. Thorpe, two warrants issued March 19 and May 16, 2011, $2,458.58 and $20,772.29.
- Wayne A. Wagner, warrant issued May 22, $1,400.38.
- Andrea L. Wayland, two warrants issued Feb. 11, $12,731.34 and $2,599.75.
- Douglas J. Weaver Sr., warrant issued Feb. 4, $2,922.18.
- Shari A. Weaver, two warrants issued June 20, $1,958.90 and $1,059.18.
- Toni L. Welliver, warrant issued April 30, $11,011.72.
- Jeremy M. Wertz, warrant issued June 21, $9,879.26.
- Michael W. Wolfe Jr., two warrants issued June 21, 2011 and Feb. 28, $5,668.52 and $799.32.
- Brian D. Wolfgang Jr., warrant issued March 1, 2011, $6,513.22.
- Kelly A. Wondoloski, warrant issued June 18, 2012, $644.49.
- James H. Wood, warrant issued June 13, $1,067.96.
- Brian L. Woodson, warrant issued Feb. 14, $6,239.13.
- Scott R. Wright II, warrant issued May 7, $13,615.90.
- Steven A. Yagle Jr., warrant issued Sept. 13, 2010, $9,968.93.
- Rhonda S. Yeager, warrant issued March 6, 2012, $5,163.04.
- Jason P. Yoder, two warrants issued Sept. 12, 2012, $5,366.88 and $27,688.67.
SHAMOKIN - A former city councilman questioned the city clerk on the potential cost of historical restoration of the "99 Steps."
Garth Hall said during Monday's monthly meeting at City Hall that a $175,000 estimate used in the city's successful acquisition of a matching grant from the state is way too high.
The stone "99 Steps" near Lincoln and Liberty streets, long closed by the city due to disrepair, actually consists of 88 steps, he said. When the steps were made of wood, there were 99 of them, creating the nickname. When the span was re-created with stone, the number of steps was reduced by 11. That puts the estimate at nearly $2,000 a step, Hall said.
When Hall was on council with Mayor George Rozinskie - Hall resigned in September 2008 after nine months in office - he said the two agreed the wall on the steps was solid and the staircase wasn't in too dire of shape. Now, looking at the estimate, he wonders what has changed.
Pennsylvania Historic Museum Commission awarded the city $25,000 for the first phase of the project. The city is required to come up with $35,000. City council plans to use funds from its annual Community Development Block Grant allocations.
Hall asked where the remaining funds will come from to complete the project at the estimated cost. He said information on the project published in The News-Item did not lay it out for the public in full detail.
Hall and City Clerk Steve Bartos argued, and at times interrupted each other, about the tone of Hall's questions and, of course, about the cost.
Bartos said the estimate is just that, an estimate, which was used to secure the grant. It is not the actual project cost because it has not yet been put out to bid, Bartos said.
The project itself, Bartos said, would be completed in two phases and would use CDBG funding.
Other business
Council voted 3-1 in favor of a plan by SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority to pursue the acquisition and demolition of a former comfort station at 515 N. Market St. as part of a rail crossing upgrade. The building is currently occupied by Sterling Tattoo Co., which has been at the site since 2001. In favor were Mayor George Rozinskie and councilmen Michael Snyder and William Strausser. Councilman William Milbrand dissented.
Council also voted to install a "miner" sign within the city, subject to PennDOT approval, if necessary. Northumberland County Council for the Arts and Humanities Executive Director Jeanne Shaffer has requested the sign, which has been displayed at the annual arts festival, be placed in a lot along Route 61 at the eastern entrance to the city.
The Barley Snyder law firm was approved by city council to move forward with negotiations of a new contract with the police union.
Milbrand said the diving board at the public pool was removed by city employees to avoid serious injury and a potential lawsuits. Several people slipped, tripped or fell, he said. The city received two estimates to replace the board: one for $3,900, and the second for $3,400, but the second company cannot deliver the board until September. No action was taken.
The city is nearing a lease agreement with a firm to occupy the basement of the American Legion Building. Eric Brightbill, of Shamokin, is planning to open an under-21 club, Club Echo, there. Bartos has been seeking a vendor to operate concessions in the space that has been planned for a community center. The city already has approved purchase of thousands of dollars of furniture for the space. The city anticipates completing renovations soon, when it will then be operated by the vendor. A contract is expected to be voted on at a special city council meeting planned for 6 p.m. July 23 at City Hall.
HARRISBURG - Fallout continues from the stalled effort to generate billions of dollars of new state revenue for road and bridge projects and mass transit.
Lamenting the loss of a construction season, Gov. Tom Corbett sought to blame House Democratic lawmakers Tuesday for the lack of a transportation funding bill.
The House should have passed a transportation bill on a bipartisan vote like the Senate, said Corbett at an event in Hershey. House Minority Leader Frank Dermody, D-33, Allegheny County, was wrong to tell his caucus members not to vote for it, he said.
"I truly believe the people of Pennsylvania are the losers in the transportation bill not passing the House," said Corbett.
Dermody, D-33, Allegheny County, said the governor is wrong to claim he told his caucus not to vote for the bill. He said the GOP-drafted bill before the chamber clearly didn't provide enough money to adequately tackle transportation problems, especially for mass transit.
"If we are going to vote on this, it has to be a (bill) that solves the problem." said Dermody.
Corbett set transportation funding, liquor store privatization and public pension reform as three legislative priorities he wanted enacted along with the state budget for fiscal 2013-14. A $28.375 billion budget bill was enacted, but lawmakers were unable to close the deal on the three priorities.
The governor signed a batch of laws Tuesday to sell the former Serrenti Army Reserve Center in Scranton to Scranton School District, add 10 more counties to the human services block grant program, narrow the scope of the "Delaware loophole" that allows businesses to avoid paying the state Corporate Net Income tax and establish a new venture state tax credit to replenish funding for several technology development programs.
Concerning the unfinished transportation issue, a Senate-approved bill would generate up to $2.5 billion annually within five years by lifting the cap on a state wholesale tax on gasoline within three years and increase motorist fees and a surcharge for moving traffic violations. Of that amount, $510 million would go under the Senate bill to 36 mass transit agencies.
A bill approved by the House Transportation Committee would generate up to $2 billion for road and bridge work within five years by lifting the wholesale tax cap within five years. This bill would fund mass transit with a $1 increase in a tire tax, 3 percent vehicle lease fee hike and transfers of some fee revenue from the Motor License Fund.
House Democrats suggested levying a state severance tax on natural gas production to support mass transit.
Dermody said fee hikes alone won't sustain mass transit needs. GOP leaders were unable to make specific vote commitments despite having a large majority of 111 votes, he said.
The House faces a return to session soon in order to pass one remaining budget-related bill, but Dermody said that won't provide enough time for a transportation agreement.
CSVT
Since the transportation funding bill was not passed, $408 million of the seed money for the Central Susquehanna Valley Thruway (CSVT) is not available, and, as of now, the project is at a standstill.
"We can't start without the funding, and since it was not passed, we are in limbo right now," Sandra Tosca, PennDOT District 3-0 executive, said Friday.
The remaining $150 million in funding will come from the Applachian Regional Commission, which has already pledged its support for the thruway.
The 13-mile road and bridge project, expected to take 10 years to construct, would help alleviate congestion on the Routes 11 and 15 "strip" between Selinsgrove and Shamokin Dam and Route 147 in the Northumberland area.
In an April press conference announcing the state commitment, PennDOT Secretary Barry J. Schoch said the project is important to the economy, safety and lifestyle of the area surrounding Routes 11 and 15.
"When you're sitting in traffic on a daily basis and congestion, that's not supporting your lifestyle," Schoch said in April. "When you're waiting and you don't know how long it's going to take to get home, that's not supporting your lifestyle."
State Rep. Lynda Schlegel Culver maintains that the purpose of the transportion bill is not just to have the CSVT in place, but to make Pennsylvania's roads and bridges safer.
"The thruway is something we've been working on since 1997, and it will not only alleviate congestion but bring economic development as 10,000 jobs will be created to construct it," she said.
Culver added, "This bill will also result in 150 bridges in Northumberland County being rehabilitated. The cost was analyzed to be $2.50 extra spending a week for consumers, but isn't that amount worth it for safety?"
PennDOT officials said that the plans are in place, and they will act aggressively if the funding comes through.
"As I understand it, the legislature will revisit the transportation budget in September when lawmakers come back into session," Tosca said. "We will study what we need to do and go from there."
"We will be meeting in August and figuring out how to proceed," Culver said. "It's my hope that we can get this passed. If something happens to the bridge or there is a flood, there is no access in that area. There is no way we can ignore this anymore," Culver said. "Based on the letters and emails that I've received from my consitutents, many people want to see these investiments go through."
SHAMOKIN - WNEP weatherman Joe Snedecker will pedal into Shamokin on July 23 for that night's 7 p.m. live broadcast as part of his 16th annual Go Joe bike ride in support of St. Joseph's Center in Scranton.
Snedecker's visit comes on the second leg of his five-day event. He will begin in Lehighton, traveling Route 209 to Jim Thorpe before passing through Tamaqua on Route 443 and on to Orwigsburg for the noon broadcast. From there he will take Route 443 to Route 61 and pass through Schuylkill Haven, Pottsville and Frackville, turn west onto Route 54 in Shenandoah and pass through Ashland before turning up the Merriam Mountain and into Mount Carmel. His route ends with a trip on Route 61 into Shamokin.
The Lehighton-to-Shamokin trip is estimated by Google maps at nearly 80 miles and more than 8 hours by bicycle.
The city is throwing a party as part of his arrival from 2 to 8 p.m. at Independence and Eighth streets in the downtown. There will be two bounce houses for kids go jump around inside along with games like ring toss and the goldfish carnival game.
Several food vendors will be on hand selling pizza, cheese steaks, cotton candy and the other usual festival fare.
Local bands Red Halo and RATL will each perform live with music in between sets provided by J&D DJs.
WNEP will broadcast live from the downtown intersection during their shows at noon, 5, 6 and 7 p.m. Councilman R. Craig Rhoades, who provided details of the event, said station producers chose the location in order to use the public mural painted on the side of the Bressi & Martin building.
More vendors can participate in the event at no cost. For vendor information, contact Jeanne Shaffer at 850-9121.
Contact Police Chief Ed Griffiths at 648-5708 for more information on the event.
Go Joe begins July 22 in Hazleton and ends July 26 in Scranton. Snedecker's previous 15 Go Joe events have seen him travel through 16 states and more than 7,600 miles. It has raised $1.6 million for St. Joseph's Center, which helps children and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
TREVORTON - Timetables are set for two major construction projects in Zerbe Township.
At Monday's board of supervisors meeting, Chairman Michael Schwartz and supervisors Mike Mazer and Gene Geise outlined schedules for the First Street culvert project and the construction of a new wastewater treatment plant.
Bids for the culvert project, which will repair creek walls and help alleviate flooding, were advertised Friday in several newspapers. The bids will be opened at a special meeting 6 p.m. Monday and are expected to be awarded at a meeting at 6 p.m. Monday, July 22, after they have been reviewed by engineers.
Language of the contract will require that the work be completed in 30 days from the time the bid is awarded; if not, the firm will pay a $200 per day penalty. As far as the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency is concerned, the work must be completed by Sept. 15 or the township risks losing state funding.
The timetable, solicitor Roger Wiest II said, is contingent on owner clearances on four adjacent properties, which are owned by two private citizens, Northumberland County and a railroad company. The township already has approval from the county and will be contacting the citizens and railroad, Wiest said.
In July 2012, PEMA awarded $472,233 in disaster relief funds to fix damage from Tropical Storm Lee, which flooded parts of Zerbe Township and washed out the First Street Bridge. On Sept. 7, 2011, rapidly rising water forced the evacuation of three homes in the area and a water rescue of five residents.
The board also heard from William Hill, of Gettysburg, the engineer assisting the township with planning for the wastewater treatment plant. In his 20-minute presentation, several issues were raised, but the township still plans to advertise bids on July 20 and open them on Aug. 21.
In April, PennVEST approved $4 million in funding for the project, $2.9 million in a low-cost loan and $1.1 million dollars in grant money. More than likely, residents and businesses will see a rate increase to help pay back the loan.
The new plant, scheduled to be finished by December 2014, was mandated by the state.
In awarding the grant and loan, state officials cited possible economic development in the township from the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area, and the need for a modernized treatment system.
In other business:
- The township is looking for individuals, preferably with contracting experience, to be part of its Uniform Construction Code (UCC) appeals board, which meets only when someone files an appeal to a UCC decision. Anyone interested should contact the township office.
- Residents are reminded to remove trash from their properties, per a number of complaints of trash not being removed on a regular basis at some locations. - Surveys regarding income levels will soon be distributed to residents on Schwartz Hill Road, Mountain Street and First Street on income levels to see if the township can qualify for funding future projects based on low income status.
SUNBURY - A motion to suppress DNA evidence in the armed robbery case against Erik Jamel Harrington was denied Tuesday by Northumberland County President Judge Robert B. Sacavage.
The squashed motion, made by Harrington's attorney, Peter Campana, of Williamsport, said evidence found at the scene of the July 16, 2005, crime should not be allowed because the forensic examiner, Pennsylvania State Police forensics scientist Jeff Sachetti, had a predisposed notion that DNA found at the scene matched Harrington's.
The determination was made, Campana said, because of results from a previous sample that was improperly obtained, according to a October 2012 court ruling.
"The court previously granted a motion to suppress," Sacavage wrote in his ruling. "That suppression motion was granted due solely to a procedural defect in the warrant," and shouldn't apply to the new sample.
DNA tests
Campana's concern about the evidence dates to 2009, when Harrington, 23, of Selinsgrove, was arrested for another felony, and had to submit a DNA sample via mouth swab. Harrington's DNA was then compared to that of a soda bottle found at the robbery scene.
Following testing, Sachetti reported he couldn't exclude Harrington from the scene of the robbery. On April 30, 2009, a search warrant was issued by Northumberland County Judge William Wiest for Harrington to submit a blood sample.
That sample was compared to the DNA found at the scene and allegedly was a match for Harrington, according to Sachetti.
A 2012 ruling threw out the DNA evidence because the search warrant was improperly filled out. The investigating officer, Trooper Ronald Zanella, of the Stonington barracks, then got another search warrant, this time from a magisterial district judge, for another swab from Harrington.
The sample was received and sent to Sachetti, who reported the DNA at the robbery scene matched Harrington's.
Invalid argument
"It's hard to believe that in the first DNA swab taken, no definitive match could be made, but on the second swab, Sachetti is sure that Harrington is a match," Campana argued in court Monday, calling it "fruit from the poisonous tree."
Sacavage did not find any validity in the defense attorney's argument.
"The prior ruling did not foreclose the commonwealth from obtaining a valid warrant, based on probable cause," Sacavage wrote. "The 'fruit of the poisonous tree' argument is unconvincing, given the circumstances of a new valid warrant based on probable cause."
Any argument on Sachetti's results can be done at Harrington's trial, scheduled to start Aug. 1. Jury selection is scheduled to begin Monday.
"The questions raised in the motion are more properly questions of credibility of the witness, which are the province of the jury if and when the witness testifies," the judge wrote.
One of four suspects
Harrington was one of four suspects in the July 2005 armed robbery at the residence of 55-year-old James Honecker, of Paxinos, who suffers from multiple sclerosis and is confined to a wheelchair.
Harrington, Kasey A. Sees, 26, formerly of Sunbury, and two other assailants are accused of entering Honecker's home at 1:30 a.m. 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 pay approximately $8,800 in 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.
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.
No food pantry distribution in July
MOUNT CARMEL - Due to circumstances beyond anyone's control, there will be no food distribution for the month of July at the Mount Carmel Food Pantry.
Residents are reminded that new signup sheets are available at the Notary Shop, Oak Street, for the coming year. Signups can be done from noon to 6 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, noon to 5 p.m. Fridays and noon to 3 p.m. Saturday.
Marriage licenses
Joseph P. Bernathy to Connie M. Kondisko, both of 348 S. Oak St., Mount Carmel. Issued July 11.
Brandon Thomas Alderson to Solana Dione Cruz, both of 29 N. Hickory St., Mount Carmel. To be issued July 15.
Jedidiah David Labella to Heather Tracy Rutledge, both of 143 S. Locust St., Mount Carmel. To be issued July 15.
Haskell O. Walls to Kathy A. Pincoskie, both of 4256 State Route 61, Paxinos. To be issued July 15.
Aaron L. Mattern, of 197 Mattern Hill Rd., Dornsife, to Kristie Lynn Tucker, of 552 E. Ridge Road, Sunbury. To be issued July 15.
Property transfers
Patricia L. Fine estate, and James H. Fine, executor to James H. Fine, two properties in Jackson Township, $1 each.
Stuart A. Lenker and Lois K. Lenker to Lenker Irrevocable Residential and Income Trust (by trustee), Stuart A. Lenker and Lois K. Lenker, trustees, property in Lower Mahanoy Township, $1.
Theresa M. Cimino to David S. Fantini and Catherine R. Fantini, property in Mount Carmel, $4,000.
Lee J. Phillips Jr. and Rachel G. Phillips to David W. Lupold and Mary L. Lupold, property in Shamokin, $1.
Thomas J. Stinsky and Gayle E. Stinsky to Thomas J. Stinsky, Gayle E. Stinsky, Thomas J. Stinsky Jr. and April L. Masick, property in Mount Carmel Township, $1.
Chelsea Elaine Rossman to Robert James Yerger Jr. and Tina Sue Yerger, property in Mount Carmel Township, $1.
Bryan D. Toms to Shannon C. Kuhns, property in Mount Carmel, $20,000.
Thelma E. Kane estate and Robert K. Varano, executor, to Robert M. Ditchey, property in Mount Carmel, $101,850.
Northumberland County Sheriff's office, David R. Mayer and Rose M. Mayer to Dennis J. Cousentino, property in Coal Township, $1,242.86.
Northumberland County Board of Commissioners to Coal Township, properties in Coal Township, East Cameron Township, West Cameron Township and Zerbe Township, $1.
Northumberland County Sheriff's office and Robert J. Reukauf to JP Morgan Chase Bank NA, property in Mount Carmel, $1,755.33.
Gloria R. Sigafoos to Lenker Real Estate Inc., property in Zerbe Township, $100,000.
Rhona Pope Kershaw to Samuel Kershaw, property in Shamokin, $1.
Northumberland County Tax Claims Bureau and Randy Horne to Amber Balonis, property in Coal Township, $1,560.63.
Northumberland County Tax Claims Bureau and Robert D. Kline Jr. to Christian Davis Castro, property in Rockefeller Township, $5,900.
Northumberland County Tax Claims Bureau and George L. Cologne to Apical Properties Inc., property in Mount Carmel, $1,604.01.
Northubmerland County Tax Claims Bureau and Alton R. Henry to Bernard Olszewskie and Patricia Olszewskie, property in Marion Heights, $2,500.
Northumberland County Tax Claim Bureau and James R. Knipe to Justin Fisher and Carol Fisher, property in Shamokin, $1,288.78.
Northumberland County Tax Claim Bureau, Margaret A. Smallets, John J. Smallets, Marie R. Katalenas and Joanne M. Smith to Daniel Rowe, property in Shamokin, $1,820.46.
Francis E. Daya Sr. estate and Deborah Ann Feudale, executrix, to Deborah Ann Feudale, Carol Ann Pachutski and Antoinette Troutman, property in Mount Carmel, $1.
Wendy M. Grybos, Wendy M, Dombroskie and Daniel F. Dombroskie to Restoration Ministries Church of Shamokin Inc., two properties in Coal Township, $1 each.
Harry D. Wehr and Barbara A. Wehr to Erik S. Kline and Stephanie M. Kline, property in Shamokin, $1.
Kris I. Kauffman and Bonita J. Kauffman to Daryl R. Miller and Jennifer Miller. property in Upper Augusta Township, $1.
Leon S. Shaw and Melaine T. Shaw to Surinder Pal Singh, property in Shamokin, $60,000.
Stark Ridge Investments LP and Herndon Investments Inc. to Jesse Snyder and Mara L. Snyder, property in Jackson Township, $42,500.
Neal Muhlberg, executor, and Julius Muhlberg estate to Thomas A. Griffith, property in Shamokin, $1.
Equity Trust Company (custodian), Dennis Brubaker IRA (by custodian) and Gerald Stauffer IRA (by custodian) to Equity Path LLC (custodian), Dennis Brubaker IRA (by custodian) and Gerald Stauffer IRA (by custodian), three properties in Mount Carmel and one property in Kulpmont, $1 each.
Northumberland County Sheriff's office, Clark A. English estate and Laura D. Hurst, administrator, to Champion Mortgage Corporation, property in Marion Heights, $1,581.84.
Thomas E. Boop and Donna J. Spangler-Boop to Justin H. Ross and Ellyn B. Ross, property in Upper Augusta Township, $1.
Elfnesh Legesse to BWH Properties LLC, property in Mount Carmel, $1,000.
Conduit Estates LLC to Frederick J. Conetta Jr., property in Mount Carmel, $3,500.
MOUNT CARMEL - Students in the Mount Carmel Area School District who had perfect attendance in the 2012-13 school year received certificates and Walmart gift cards.
Students with perfect attendance are:
Kindergarten - Brody Brinkash, Kayla Kressler, Jonathan Morgante, Cody Rogers and Ava Smink.
First grade - Hannah Benedict, Ava Chapman, Seth Reinoehl and Natali Vezo.
Second grade - Nadine Clayburger, Jayden Keyser, Kelli Lawton, Alivia Miller, Lea Rusinko and Ryan Weidner.
Third grade - Rayne Beury and Krysta Kimsal.
Fourth grade - Scott Castellano, Austin Garancosky, Destiny Keyser, Tommie Mowrer, William Mullins, Addison Odorizzi and Michael Reed.
Fifth grade - Hailey Derk, Eliza Nevis, Emily Olszewskie and Dylan Pupo.
Sixth grade - Sierra Coleman, Joshua Derr, Ainsley Fegley, Miranda Fiamoncini, Cyric Kasenych, Dustin Siko and Bethany Wesloskie.
Seventh grade - Rosolino Mangiapane, Karin Martinez and Aiden Wesloskie.
Eighth grade - Carl Darrup, Bryce Dauber, Maura Fiamoncini, Nicole Hooper, Marissa Kleman, Donald Malick and Kelsi Wayne.
Ninth grade - Dylan Fiamoncini, Brett Katalinas, Evan Mikulski, Miranda Moser and Natasha Nevis.
10th grade - Joshua Ashbaugh and David Seltner.
11th grade - Bryce Fiamoncini, Lauren Hause and Taylor Stefovic.
12th grade - Douglas Katalinas, Tyler Kwiatkowski and Nicholas Steffanick.
SHAMOKIN - An alarm will be installed at a drain and pump system on South Rock Street in an effort to avoid street flooding such as what occurred June 27.
The pump, which was installed near Patsy's foot bridge following the Flood of 2011 to help drain water during periods of heavy rain, was working fine, but multiple power surges during last month's storm caused it to shut off, said Paul Petrovich, general manager of the Shamokin-Coal Township Joint Sewer Authority (SCTJSA).
"The surges caused the pump to go into a mode that stopped it before the motor could burn itself up," Petrovich said Friday.
At least two inches of rain fell during a 90-minute period that day, and three homes experienced basement flooding. Firefighters from the nearby Friendship Fire Company eventually forced the water out of the 16-inch storm drain and over a wall into Shamokin Creek, draining it from the street.
While they are called to help and are happy to do so, Shamokin Fire Chief Robert Wolfe always hopes that a fire doesn't break out while firefighters are stuck on a flooded basement or street call.
"Really, we are only supposed to use the pump if the water is threatening any electricial services, but we went above and beyond that. In the last storm, we were using equipment that costs hundreds of thousands of dollars to suck water off a street so it was clear for emergency vehicles," Wolfe said.
Routine checks
Petrovich said sewer department workers are now routinely checking the pump every two to three days.
"When we had four inches of rain in 2012, the pump worked fine," he noted.
But because of the problem on June 27, Petrovich said the authority will install an early warning system that will activate an audible and visual alarm if the pump doesn't work, giving emergency responders a head start on pumping the water away and ensuring public safety.
"The alarm will be loud enough to alert residents," Petrovich said. "If the red light comes on, a sign near the pump will direct residents to call 911."
SCTJSA will instruct the county 911 center that when someone calls about the pump, sewer authority workers, city fire chiefs and police officers on duty will be asked to respond.
"This is something we want to correct," Petrovich said. "The pump has worked several times to curb the flooding, and the early warning system is just another added level of protection."
On behalf of the Shamokin Fire Department, Wolfe thanked the authority for the improvement.
"We're all for anything that can be done to improve the system, prevent flooding and keep the streets clear for emergency vehicles," Wolfe said.
RUSH TOWNSHIP - A 27-year-old Elysburg man was killed in a violent two-vehicle accident on Route 54 between Elysburg and Riverside Sunday morning, according to state police at Stonington.
Trooper Daniel Wilk said Brian Stanley lost his life when the 1990 Toyota he was driving was struck head on by a 1994 Dodge Dakota being driven by Christopher Long, 49, of Shamokin, at 11:20 a.m. Sunday, just northwest of High Road.
Police said that Long was driving westbound on Route 54 (Elysburg Road), left his lane of travel and drifted into the path of Stanley, who was traveling eastbound on the same road.
Long's vehicle came to an eventual rest on its roof in the westbound lane on Route 54 facing east, and Stanley's vehicle came to ended up on its passenger side partially in the eastbound lane of Route 54 facing north.
Long and a 13-year-old male passenger from Shamokin suffered major injuries and were transported to Geisinger Medical Center, Danville.
Long was listed in critical condition Sunday night while his passenger, who was not identified by police, was listed in fair condition, according to a nursing supervisor at the hospital.
No one was wearing seatbelts, police said.
Both vehicles sustained disabling damage, police said.
State police were assisted on the scene by emergency services from Elysburg, Overlook and Danville. Geisinger's Life Flight was also on the scene.
The road was closed from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Kulpmont signups for food distribution
KULPMONT - Signups for enrollment in Kulpmont Borough's Food Surplus Program will be held from 8 a.m. to noon Wednesday at the borough hall. All residents currently enrolled in the program must sign up again for the 2013-14 program year.
Grants available from mental health orgs
HARRISBURG - The Stigma Project, administered by the Pennsylvania Mental Health Consumers Association and funded by the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council, is offering two mini-grants to Central Pennsylvanians toward showing people with disabilities in a positive light or challenging the stigma or stereotypes associated with disabilities.
Two $2,500 grants will be offered to individuals or organizations in a 25-county Central Pennsylvania region in 2013, including Northumberland County. Deadline for applications is July 26. Applications are available online at http://bit.ly/1buvcgq.
POTTSVILLE - City lawyer Frederick J. Fanelli said Monday the George Zimmerman case revived memories of one that started five years ago Friday in Shenandoah - the killing of Luis Eduardo Ramirez Zavala.
"It seems to be nearly an identical fact pattern," Fanelli said of the cases. "You had a fight in the street. Because of the race issues involved, it generated a lot of intensity."
Fanelli represented Brandon J. Piekarsky, of Shenandoah Heights, one of three young men charged in connection with the death of Ramirez, 25, of Shenandoah, as the result of a fight on July 12, 2008, on West Lloyd Street. Ramirez died at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, two days after the fight.
In the case of Zimmerman, it is the Hispanic man who faced criminal accusations as the result of a race-tinged incident.
A six-woman jury on Saturday acquitted Zimmerman, 29, of Sanford, Fla., of all charges in connection with the fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin, 17, on Feb. 26, 2012, during a fight between the two. Zimmerman had been facing a possible prison sentence of 25 years to life if convicted of second-degree murder.
In the Ramirez case, a Schuylkill County jury convicted Piekarsky and Derrick M. Donchak, Shenandoah, on May 1, 2009, of simple assault and alcohol-related offenses, while acquitting each of more serious crimes, including third-degree murder in Piekarsky's case.
However, on Oct. 14, 2010, a jury in U.S. District Court in Scranton convicted both men of violating Ramirez's civil rights.
Senior U.S. District Judge A. Richard Caputo, who presided over the men's trial, sentenced each to serve nine years in a federal correctional institution. Donchak, now 23, is serving his sentence at FCI/Otisville in New York, while Piekarsky, now 21, is serving his sentence at FCI/Beckley in West Virginia.
The Ramirez case drew national attention due to issues of racism and illegal immigration.
Shenandoah Borough Manager Joseph L. Palubinsky said Monday that the community is moving forward but otherwise declined to talk about the Ramirez case.
Donchak's lawyer in the county case, Jeffrey M. Markosky, Mahanoy City, also said Zimmerman's trial reminded him of the Ramirez case.
"Some of the same racial overtones are present," he said.
Fanelli said he believes Zimmerman, like Donchak and Piekarsky, is not through with the legal system.
"I'd be surprised if (federal prosecutors) didn't attempt to pursue a civil rights claim against (Zimmerman)," Fanelli said.
Because of the dual sovereignty doctrine, which holds that the state and federal governments are independent and allows each of them to prosecute criminal cases, separate prosecutions of a defendants in state and federal courts do not violate the Fifth Amendment's ban on double jeopardy.
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder has confirmed that the Department of Justice is investigating Zimmerman.
Markosky said federal authorities never should have prosecuted Donchak and Piekarsky.
"I thought the verdict in the county court was appropriate," he said. "They should have served the sentences from (President) Judge (William E.) Baldwin in county court and that should have been the end of it."
On June 17, 2009, Baldwin sentenced Donchak to seven to 23 months in prison and Piekarsky to six months and one week to 23 months in prison.
Baldwin declined to be interviewed about any comparisons between the Zimmerman and Ramirez cases.
Fanelli, who agreed with Markosky that the county sentences were sufficient in the Ramirez case, also said Zimmerman had the benefit of two superb lawyers, Mark O'Mara and Donald West.
"I thought his lawyers were top-notch and terrific," Fanelli said.
OVERLOOK - Firefighters from Ralpho Fire Company continued to mourn and reflect Monday following a fatal accident Sunday that took the life of one of their own.
The head-on crash on Route 54 just north of Elysburg claimed the life of Brian Stanley, 27, of 210 Quarry Road, Elysburg, a father of two who has been described as "dedicated" and "well liked" by fellow firefighters. He had been a member of the company since 2007.
Injured in the accident was Christopher Long, 49, of Shamokin, and a 13-year-old passenger. Long remained in critical condition Monday evening, according to a GMC nursing supervisor, while the teen passenger was still listed in fair condition.
Flag at half-staff
Several firefighters who praised Stanley's life Monday were dispatched to the scene of the crash as first responders.
"We are doing the best we can in this type of situation," company chief Clint Herr said Monday. "It's a big loss for us."
Herr said Stanley, employed as a machine operator in Frackville, loved being a firefighter and was very active in the company. He attended work sessions and training and also volunteered at the Elysburg Haunted House, according to the chief.
The last call Stanley responded to was an oven fire on Hillside Avenue in Elysburg - less than 24 hours before the accident.
"He was there for us all the time and made a majority of the calls," Herr added. "He was a dedicated guy."
The American flag has been lowered to half-staff at the station in Stanley's honor.
Any assignment
Capt. D.J. Spotts remembered Stanley as a great guy who was very friendly and willing to work any assignment at a fire scene.
"It didn't matter if it was a four-alarm fire in Shamokin or a tree down in Elysburg," Spotts said. "He was always working and did what needed to be done."
Herr expected to speak with Stanley's father, Jim, who serves as president of the company, about the possibility of the organization honoring Stanley. Herr said he will leave that decision to the family.
Investigation
Trooper Daniel Wilk, of state police at Stonington, said Stanley lost his life when the 1990 Toyota he was driving was struck head on by a 1994 Dodge Dakota being driven by Long at 11:20 a.m. Sunday, just northwest of High Road.
Police said Long was driving west, left his lane of travel and drifted into the path of Stanley's pickup. Stanley was traveling east.
The passenger was not identified by police.
HARRISBURG (AP) - Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane has succeeded in ousting a state judge who specialized in overseeing secret, statewide grand jury investigations, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported Monday.
The state Supreme Court sided with Kane in May in her effort to remove Barry Feudale, 67, of Coal Township, from the position, the Inquirer reported. The proceedings were kept under seal and the Inquirer did not say how it learned about it.
However, the newspaper report said Kane made the move after discovering an email Feudale had sent to a former top state prosecutor criticizing both Kane and her predecessor, Linda Kelly.
Kane also told the court about an incident involving a knife, something Feudale says was taken out of context when he stopped by her offices and showed a secretary a 10-inch Gurkha dagger he keeps in his office.
Asked about the allegations, Feudale called them "a sneak attack" that had twisted the facts.
According to Inquirer, the dispute features strong personalities. Feudale is a hiker, climber and kayaker, is fond of flying his Cessna to county courthouses across the state and is "blunt-spoken on and off the bench," the newspaper states.
The Inquirer report said that the dispute that resulted in Feudale's removal is part of a larger battle between the newly elected attorney general, a Democrat, and the entrenched state prosecutors who had worked in the office under Republicans, who had controlled it for decades up until January.
Feudale has overseen grand juries in some of the attorney general's office's biggest cases, including the recent corruption scandal in the Legislature and the Jerry Sandusky child sexual abuse case at Penn State.
'Political intent'
Feudale sent the email to Frank Fina, a onetime top prosecutor who has since left for the Philadelphia district attorney's office after building many of the attorney general office's biggest cases.
In it, he wrote: "The Last General aka 'Private' Kelly, could not lead and was indecisive to the point that she was almost ineffective."
The judge also disparaged an inquiry Kane has launched into how the attorney general's office pursued the Sandusky case, a promise on which Kane campaigned.
The inquiry, he wrote, was "PATENT in its POLITICAL intent," but he advised Fina, who led the Sandusky investigation, to cooperate with it. The email was among the items Feudale gave to the former Philadelphia federal prosecutor, H. Geoffrey Moulton Jr., who is leading the review of the Sandusky investigation.
Feudale expressed regret about his criticism of Kelly, calling it a cheap shot, the Inquirer reported. However, he did not back off his criticism of Kane.
"Kane is a politician first, second, and third, and perhaps an AG ... fourth and fifth," he told the Inquirer.
Kane's communications director, Joe Peters, rejected the criticism.
"She's attorney general, first and only," Peters said.
Feudale said the knife incident was distorted and that he had been branded as "some wingnut with a Gurkha knife." According to Feudale, he had kept the knife in his office as a conversation starter and was taking it home when he stopped at Kane's office to ask about a new filing in the Penn State cases.
While there, he showed a secretary the knife, and teased her about how he slipped it through the office's security apparatus, he said.
A Democrat, Feudale was a Northumberland County judge from 1987 to 1997. He worked as a "floating" senior judge, assigned by the Supreme Court to hear cases in 63 of the state's 67 counties.
He has been appointed to preside over a series of investigating grand juries by chief justices over the past 12 years.
BUSHKILL - On June 2, an exemplification of the Fourth Degree of the Knights of Columbus was held at Fernwood Resort and Hotel in Bushkill Falls. More than 100 Knights from northeast and central Pennsylvania councils took the degree to become Sir Knights. Noted for their tuxedos, capes, chapeaus and swords, the principle of the degree is patriotism.
Taking the degree and becoming Sir Knights in Bishop Lawrence F. Schott Assembly 959 of Mount Carmel were Louis Dondero, Steven Dondero, Thomas Nowroski and Edward Tevan.
The degree was under the direction of James Bailoni, master of the Pennsylvania Central District, Calvert Province.
On Sunday, June 30, nearly 20 men took their first degree to become members of the Knights of Columbus. Held at the Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Church, Elysburg, the degree was sponsored by Rev. Charles R. Slough Council 14161. Learning the principle of charity, Stephen Marshalick became a Knight in Mount Carmel's Bishop Lawrence F. Schott Council 628.
The degree was under the direction of District 54 Deputy David Shinskie.
SHAMOKIN - There is a $2,000 "bounty" being offered toward the arrest of the vandals who cut down metal gates at access roads to the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area (AOAA).
The reward consists mostly of pledges from local elected officials, AOAA Authority board members and its solicitor; the money coming from their own pockets.
The gates were erected in May at the entrances to dirt roads known locally as "Red Ash Road" and "Tower Road" along Route 125, south of Burnside. They were built by students in a welding class at the Northumberland County Career and Technology Center, Coal Township, and were in place a little over one month before they were cut from wooden posts and tossed roadside between July 1 and 11.
Jim Backes, chairman of the AOAA Authority board, said during Monday's monthly meeting that "we're working with the Coal Township Police Department and we have a $2,000 bounty."
He added that the authority doesn't care to know the name of any tipster who provides information leading to an arrest and successful prosecution in the case.
Tipsters can work with township police and also receive the reward through the department.
Pledging toward the reward are Northumberland County Commissioner Vinny Clausi, $500; Coal Township Commissioners Bernie Rumberger and Gene Welsh, $250 each; Backes and fellow authority members Dave Crowl, Mike Schwartz, Pat Mack and Barry Yorwarth, $100 each, and authority solicitor Frank Garrigan, $100. The remaining $300 would come from the authority's coffers.
Other business
- Rules and regulations governing visitor behavior and equipment was adopted. There are 66 rules on the document. Yorwarth called it a "living" document that will likely be amended over time. Among the provisions: no alcohol, no firearms except those approved during hunting season, no construction and no "blazing" of new trails. Also, don't feed the animals. There are varied stipulations on vehicle equipment and permissible riding areas. The full list is available from the authority.
- Construction of the trail head is underway. A concrete pad and the main catch basin have been installed, and the authority voted to allow the county planning department to cut a check totaling $68,667.30 to Paul Risk Associates, the general contractor. The authority is awaiting PennDOT's approval of specifications to put the access road construction project out to bid.
- There's been a snag with the electrical contractor on the welcome center construction project. J.B. Electric Corp., of Minersville, submitted a low bid of $92,390 to work on the project. However, Backes said their "good faith" documentation had been rejected by the state. It asks that disadvantaged businesses, minorities and women be offered the opportunity to compete for contracting, or in this case, subcontracting work. One of the firms listed on J.B. Electric Corp.'s "good faith" documents was rejected as ineligible to meet those standards, he said. If the matter isn't cleared up, they'll contract with the second lowest bidder. None of the authority members knew the name of that firm, they said.
- The public trail ride that authority members had hoped to host in June remains on hold. Backes said they're "shopping around" for insurance, and until an insurance contract is ratified the AOAA won't be hosting a public ride. Organizers of events held at the site carry their own insurance, he said.
- Upcoming rides are Anthracite Trail Riders, Saturday; a Polaris group, Aug. 2; Eagle Valley Off Roaders, Sept. 21-22.
SUNBURY - The 8-year-old armed robbery case against Erik Jamel Harrington scheduled for jury trial Aug. 1 has been delayed again.
Following a pre-trial conference Friday where the defendant chose not to enter into a plea agreement, Northumberland County President Judge Robert B. Sacavage granted a request by Harrington's attorney Peter Campana of Williamsport to postpone the two-day trial until 9:15 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9.
Campana asked for the continuance so he could have more time to hire an expert witness to combat a determination by Pennsylvania State Police forensics scientist Jeff Sachetti that DNA found at the scene of the July 16, 2005, robbery matched Harrington's.
On July 9, Sacavage denied Campana's motion to suppress DNA evidence. The defense attorney had argued that DNA evidence should not be allowed because a previous sample was improperly obtained.
Northumberland County Assistant District Attorney Michael Toomey opposed the continuance.
In his order issued Friday, Sacavage said all expert reports must be completed within 30 days and served on the opposing party. He scheduled an initial pre-trial conference for 9:15 a.m. Friday, Sept. 6, and a final pre-trial session for 9:15 a.m. Friday, Oct. 4.
Sacavage said no additional continuances will be granted unless for extreme unforeseen circumstances beyond either party's control.
Jury selection is scheduled for 9:15 a.m. Monday, Oct. 7.
Campana's concern about the evidence dates to 2009, when Harrington, 23, of Selinsgrove, was arrested for another felony, and had to submit a DNA sample via mouth swab. Harrington's DNA was then compared to that of a soda bottle found at the robbery scene.
Following testing, Sachetti reported he couldn't exclude Harrington from the scene of the robbery. On April 30, 2009, a search warrant was issued by Northumberland County Judge William Wiest for Harrington to submit a blood sample.
That sample was compared to the DNA found at the scene and allegedly was a match for Harrington, according to Sachetti.
A 2012 ruling threw out the DNA evidence because the search warrant was improperly filled out. The investigating officer, Trooper Ronald Zanella of the Stonington barracks, then got another search warrant, this time from a magisterial district judge, for another swab from Harrington.
The sample was received and sent to Sachetti, who reported the DNA at the robbery scene matched Harrington's.
Harrington was one of four suspects in the armed robbery at the residence of 55-year-old James Honecker, of Paxinos, who suffers from multiple sclerosis and is confined to a wheelchair.
Harrington, Kasey A. Sees, 26, formerly of Sunbury, and two other assailants are accused of entering Honecker's home at 1:30 a.m. 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 pay approximately $8,800 in 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.
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.
SHAMOKIN - The following hearings took place July 2 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 Vincent James Bressi, 58, of 521 Webster St., Ranshaw, waived to court two counts of driving under the influence of alcohol, careless driving and operating a vehicle with a broken brake light relating to a Feb. 15 traffic stop at the intersection of Scott Street and Route 890 in Trevorton.
Cpl. George Ritchey of state police at Stonington filed the charges.
n Christian Luke Dawson, 19, of 10 N. Seventh St., Apt. 2, Shamokin, waived to court multiple charges filed by Shamokin police involving three separate incidents.
Dawson waived to court charges of criminal mischief and disorderly conduct filed by Patrolman Raymond Siko II in connection with an April 1 incident. Police said Dawson allegedly threw lit cigarettes on the carpeted porch of his neighbor, Sue Belles, of 14 N. Seventh St., causing the carpet to burn.
He waived to court charges of possession of a small amount of marijuana and failure to obey traffic control devices filed by Cpl. Jarrod Scandle relating to a Feb. 25 traffic stop near Shamokin and Spurzheim streets.
Dawson also waived to court a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia involving a May 18 incident at his residence. Scandle filed the charge.
n Melinda Bugg, 25, of 230 S. Coal St., Shamokin, waived to court charges of burglary, criminal trespass, theft, receiving stolen property, criminal conspiracy and criminal solicitation to commit burglary relating to the May 13, 2012, theft of more than $500 worth of jewelry from the residence of Dale Swank, of 907 N. Shamokin St., Shamokin.
Cpl. Bryan Primerano filed the charges.
n Jessica Yetter, 29, of 1135 Susquehanna Ave., Sunbury, waived to court charges of delivery of cocaine, criminal conspiracy and criminal use of a communication facility in connection with an April 18 incident in Shamokin.
Cpl. Bryan Primerano filed the charges.
n Raymond K. Villari III, 28, of 224 E. Dewart St., Shamokin, waived to court charges of retail theft and driving under suspension.
The charges filed by Coal Township Patrolman Edward Purcell relate to a May 18 incident at Wal-Mart Supercenter along Route 61.