DANVILLE - A small fire caused by a welding torch in a room that is under construction at Geisinger Medical Center was quickly extinguished Monday.

The (Bloomsburg) Press Enterprise reported no one had to be evacuated when the fire broke out on the fifth floor of the Bush Pavilion. There were no patients or staff on the floor, and no one was in any danger, Geisinger spokesman Mike Ferlazzo said.

Mahoning Township Department Fire Chief Leslie Young told The Press Enterprise a welding torch ignited insulation inside a wall. Firefighters tore the wall apart to locate the insulation, used a water extinguisher and then vented smoke from the area.

The fire alarm was sounded at 11:30 a.m., and it was extinguished by noon.

Former state Senate Democratic Leader Robert J. Mellow and five others charged with rigging bids for the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission will face trial later this year, a judge ruled Tuesday.
Defense lawyers argued for dismissal of all charges, stating that prosecutors presented “no evidence” during a preliminary hearing for the six men. However, Magisterial District Judge William C. Wenner ruled there was enough evidence to send all the charges against the six men to Dauphin County Court after a state prosecutor argued  Mellow and turnpike officials used their official positions to turn the turnpike into a campaign fundraising operation in violation of state law.
Senior Deputy Attorney General Laurel Brandstetter said hearing evidence showed Mellow enjoyed a close relationship with turnpike officials who used turnpike vendor lists and pressured vendors to raise money for his campaigns and those of other politicians.
Brandstetter reminded Wenner that Mellow and Senate Democratic Caucus chief of staff Anthony Lepore met with turnpike chief executive officer Joseph Brimmeier, who promised loyalty to the senator just after taking office in 2003.
“In particular, Brimmeier told Mellow he was going to be his guy,” Ms. Brandstetter said, citing  Lepore’s hearing testimony about what happened.
The promise and the relationship that followed meant  Mellow had a say in contracting and hiring at the turnpike, she said.
The hearing resumed after a two-week recess that gave lawyers time to prepare legal briefs and formulate closing arguments. It resumed in the judge’s local courtroom instead of the Dauphin County Courthouse where hearing testimony took place.
Mellow is charged with bid-rigging, running a corrupt organization, ethics violations and other counts. The other five who were the part of the hearing are Brimmeier, former chief operating officer George Hatalowich, former commission chairman Mitchell Rubin and two turnpike vendors, Dennis Miller and Jeffrey Suzenski.
Brandstetter did her best to turn a key defense argument — that no witness testified to being asked to contribute in exchange for a specific contract or official action — into a strength. She said that defense lawyers’ “quid pro quo” argument was “too narrow.” She said the public had a right to expect the turnpike would not be used as a way of raising money for political campaigns, but that’s what happened.
When the former senator needed campaign money for his or other campaigns, Lepore testified, his boss had him reach out to Brimmeier and Rubin for help, Brandstetter said.
She said evidence showed vendors felt pressured to contribute, uncomfortable when they did and sometimes uncomfortable when they were not asked to be part of fundraising because of their belief it was necessary to do business with the turnpike.
She said  Mellow pushed  Lepore hard to get turnpike bond work for PNC Bank, whose Northeast Pennsylvania regional president, Peter Danchak was a close friend of  Mellow’s.
Defense lawyers portrayed that as nothing more than advocating for a constituent, but Brandstetter said Mellow accepted gifts from PNC, including tickets to baseball games, that he did not disclose on state ethics forms.
The defense said Mellow had no obligation to disclose it because state law exempts disclosure of gifts from friends, but Brandstetter said disclosure would have solved the problem.
“If this is true friendship, disclose it,” she said.
Meanwhile, despite the friendship, Danchak submitted receipts for reimbursement by the bank, she said.
“Their friendship is being expensed,” Brandstetter said.
Her closing followed a spirited final argument by Scranton attorney Sal Cognetti Jr., one of  Mellow’s lawyers, who accused prosecutors of fashioning a case based on “myth and fiction” in arguing his client committed no crime and should have corruption charges against him dismissed.
“They’re trying to connect unrelated dots,”  Cognetti said.
The prosecution did not present one witness who said Mellow took anything in exchange for the turnpike awarding a contract to a favored person or vendor, Cognetti said.
Feudale connection
After the ruling, the judge, at Cognetti’s request, ordered prosecutors to preserve all emails related to the case, citing a Philadelphia Inquirer newspaper story that reported Monday that Kane had asked for the removal of the judge, Coal Township’s Barry F. Feudale, supervising the grand jury that issued the presentment in the turnpike case.
Cognetti said the story suggests “irregularities in the grand jury.”
He said he does not know of specific irregularities.
“We as defense attorneys are obligated to pursue that,” he said.
Feudale has disputed his removal, claiming politics by Kane.

MOUNT CARMEL - Just in time for Christmas in July celebrations, Anthracite Citizens' Theatre (ACT) will present "A Christmas Carol," story by Charles Dickens and adaptation by Sharon Glassman and William Sanders, 7 p.m. July 25 to July 27 in the Mount Carmel Area Junior-Senior High School Auditorium.

The play, narrated by the storyteller, Conor Stefanowicz, of Coal Township, features Dan Heiser, of Girardville, as Bob Cratchet, Scrooge's humble and dedicated clerk and the head of a large and very poor family that includes Barbara Malick, of Mount Carmel as his wife; Michael Spotts, of Frackville, as his son, Tiny Tim, and his daughters Martha, Liz, Belinda and Mary, respectively played by Emiliee Barnhardt, of Kulpmont, and Katy Horsfield, Sandy Horsfield and Alivia Miller, all of Mount Carmel.

Some people from Scrooge's past encourage him to lighten his behavior. Mr. Fezziwig, played by Joseph Revenis, of Mount Carmel, was known for his wonderful Christmas parties along with his wife, played by Kathleen Gadinski, of Ashland. Another strong influence is Jacob Marley, played by Bill Fisher, of Ashland, Scrooge's deceased miserly partner who is attempting to save him from the same fate he experienced.

The three spirits who visit Scrooge are the Ghost of Christmas Past, which represents memory, played by Loretta Murphy, of Ashland, the Ghost of Christmas Present, which represents celebration and charity, played by Rose Zimmerman, of Ashland, and the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come, which represents death, played by Erica Sechler, of Elysburg.

Street urchins who are constantly creating mischievous behavior on the stage include Nastissja Lapotsky and Krystof Lapotsky, of Trevorton, and Tyler Barnhardt, of Kulpmont. Angela Kane, of Ashland, portrays Nancy, and Katianna Lapotsky, of Trevorton, is Belle Fezziwig.

The cast is rehearsing three nights per week, under the direction of Christopher Olson, in preparation for the premiere. The stage crew has spent a number of hours transferring the stage into a fantasy. Hours of labor have been spent in an un-airconditioned environment, drawing, stapling, building and painting scenery that will bring magic to the performance.

Volunteers include Sean and Barb Malick and Maryann Palovick, all of Mount Carmel, Jason and Margaret Barnhardt, of Kulpmont, Chris Zimmerman, of Ashland, Donna Spotts, of Frackville, and Tom, Dawn and Dan Heiser, of Girardville.

Tickets, which are $10 each, can be purchased at the Mount Carmel Area Public Library, Community Pharmacy in Mount Carmel, Shamokin-Coal Township Public Library, Beverly's Flower Shop in Shamokin, from any cast member or at the door.

OVERLOOK - A unique fundraising event will be held Saturday at Northumberland County Airport to benefit a 10-year-old Trevorton boy diagnosed with brain cancer.

The first annual "Boys and their Toys" event will feature a car show, an air show and plane rides. Admission is free, and all proceeds from food and vendor sales will benefit Ian Latsha.

Buddy Carl, of Paxinos, one of the event organizers, encourages everyone to attend. He understands that money is tight for many families, and said he'll make sure all who show leave with a smile and a full belly.

"We're not going to let anybody out," Carl said of the plane rides and food. "This is about people. We'll make sure they're fed. We will ask for a donation. ... If somebody doesn't have the funds to do that, we want them to feel just as important as the next guy who has a dollar in his pocket."

The event kicks off at 8 a.m. with breakfast food available. Airplane rides will begin at 9 a.m.

Anyone interested in entering a vehicle in the car show - be it a classic car, hot rod, truck, Harley, crotch rocket or 4-wheeler - should arrive at the airport between 10 and 11 a.m. "If you consider it your toy, bring it in and we'll find a category for it," Carl said. Latsha will pick his favorite rides from each category and will hand out awards.

A small air show will start at 11 a.m. It will feature a stunt plane and others performing low passes and demonstrations. "It won't be the Blue Angels," Carl said of the famed Naval flight squadron. "It's certainly going to be something that somebody will watch and say, 'that was cool.'"

Lunch food will be served from 11 a.m. through the event's end. It will feature barbecue chicken, pulled pork and other favorites, along with homemade ice cream made by using a hit-and-miss engine. A bounce slide will also be on site.

Carl hangars his own plane at Northumberland County Airport. The network among fellow casual pilots is wide. He expects people from Pittsburgh, New Jersey, Delaware and New York to fly in for the event, and is hopeful locals will drive out, too.

Of Latsha, Carl said there's "a lot of concern right now. It's been hard on him. He's been struggling."

"We're just depending on people to have a heart and see the need."

Carl hopes Boys and their Toys becomes an annual fundraiser, with a new benefactor each year. He thanked the airport's authority for their generosity in making the event possible.

Northumberland County Airport is located along Airport Road, about midway between Routes 61 and 54. The event will be held from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Call Carl at 490-5138 or email goathead001@hotmail.com for more information.

Iron Heritage events listed

DANVILLE - Events are scheduled beginning this evening through Sunday for the annual Iron Heritage Festival.

At 6:30 p.m. today, dedication of the "Iron Fountain" will take place in Riverfront Park. The design of the new fountain is a replica of previous one. The new fountain is being placed at nearly the exact spot of the old fountain, which was dedicated in 1913.

The annual parade starts at 7 p.m. Friday at the corner of Railroad and East Market streets. It travels on East Market to Mill and ends at the Coles Hardware parking lot.

For more details, go www.ironheritagefestival.net.

Reminder to parents about buses

COAL TOWNSHIP - Shamokin Area School District reminds parents who have changed addresses, sitters, or day-care providers that their children will require a different bus stop than last year.

Those who have made changes over the summer months should notify the district's transportation office as soon as possible. Changes requested late in August may not take effect until after the school year starts.

Stop by any district office to fill out a change of address form. Forms also are available on the district website at www.indians.k12.pa.us under the "business office" tab; click on "documents and forms" and "parent forms" to find the change of address file, call 648-5752 or send requests to Transportation, Shamokin Area School District, 2000 W. State St., Coal Township 17866.

Swimming lessons at Shroyer Pool

SHAMOKIN - Swimming lessons will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday to Friday, July 26, at the Lawton Shroyer Memorial Pool on North Rock Street.

Registrations are accepted at the pool. The registration fee is $5.

For more information, call the pool at 644-4789.

COAL TOWNSHIP - Quick work by responders kept damage from a fire to a minimum at a three-story apartment building on West Arch Street, Coal Township, late Wednesday afternoon.

Fire crews were called to the building at 1246 W. Arch St. at 4:57 p.m. for a report of smoke in the structure. Within 10 minutes, despite heavy smoke, the blaze was extinguished. Damage was limited to a living room on the second floor, with smoke and heat damage on the first and third floors.

"These are the kind of stops you hope for on days like this," Coal Township Fire Chief Russ Feese said.

Resident sees smoke

Crews were called to the

apartment building after the third-floor resident, Caitlynn Dewitt, 18, arrived home and saw smoke coming out of the second floor of the building.

"When I got here and looked around, I saw the smoke just pouring out," Dewitt said. "When I saw the smoke coming from the second floor through a fan, I ran and called 9-1-1."

Authorities said the fire started in the second-floor apartment, which is rented by Jen Lisiewicz, 36, who lives there with her fiance, Andrew Beal, and their eight-month old son, Remington.

"We left the house just an hour before, and nothing was wrong," Lisiewicz said.

"We were grocery shopping when we got the phone call, and just raced here," Beal said.

Upon arriving, firefighters did have difficulty entering the structure, since the only access was a long stairway up to the second floor from the rear of the home.

"When we opened the door, the smoke was really pouring out," one firefighter said. "Once we got past the smoke and could ventilate the windows, we got a handle on it."

Feese said the fire started in the front room of the Lisiewicz's apartment and then extended into an adjacent closet.

Feese said the damage was limited to that front room, with apartments on the first floor occupied by Mark Shuey, and Dewitt's residence sustaining heat and water damage. The building is owned by Joel Stafford, of Turbotville.

The chief said all the occupants were displaced from their homes due to the electrical power being shut off. The American Red Cross was assisting the second- and third-floor occupants, and Shuey is staying with a relative.

Second alarm

Fire officials immediately called in a second alarm in the fire, not because of the intensity of the blaze but because they wanted to ensure there would be sufficient manpower to combat the 90-degree temperature firefighters faced while attacking the fire in full gear.

"On a day like this, it's good to have people available in this heat. Stopping the blaze that quickly is always helpful, too," Feese said.

Feese said a state police fire marshal will be at the scene this morning to help investigate the cause of the blaze.

Catty-corner to the scene was another reminder of how fire can quickly spread. Three homes remain boarded up and damaged from a May 25 fire where police had to kick in the door to wake up the residents.

The cause of that fire, which destroyed the home at 1239 W. Arch St. and damaged homes at 1237 and 1235 W. Arch, was ruled undetermined by a state police fire marshal.

COAL TOWNSHIP - A reported electrical fire inside Coal Township Walmart Supercenter Wednesday morning was caused by a malfunctioning deli case, according to Deputy Fire Chief Kevin Malukas.

Malukas said sparks were shooting from the deli case, causing smoke, but there were no flames. He said a switch on the case burned out.

The fire was reported at 7:42 a.m., and all township fire units and emergency crews responded. The building was evacuated as firefighters worked inside, where they located the panel box and cut power to the kitchen unit.

Employees and customers waited in the parking lot until being allowed access later in the morning.

Susquehanna Valley gas prices are up almost 11 cents this week, according to AAA East Central. A gallon of gas averages $3.540.

Across the nation

Tuesday's national average price for regular unleaded gasoline is $3.635 per gallon. This price is two cents higher than one month ago, 15 cents more expensive than one week ago and 24 cents higher than the same day last year. The national average has now increased for nine days in a row, but remains almost 16 cents lower than the peak price this year of $3.79 on February 27.

Gas prices appear to have hit a summer-low of $3.47 on July 7, near the same date as the seasonal low price in recent years. In 2011, the national average bottomed at $3.54 per gallon on June 30. In 2012 it reached as low as $3.33 on July 2.

While motorists across the country are feeling the squeeze of rising pump prices, the national average is still a full 50 cents below the all-time daily high of $4.11 per gallon on July 17, 2008.

Drivers in most states are paying more for gasoline today than one week ago. Motorists in the Midwest are seeing the most dramatic increase, led by a spike of 32 cents in Indiana and 30 cents in Michigan. These Midwestern increases are just the latest chapter in what has been a historically volatile several months for drivers in the region. Prices started rising sharply in recent weeks because of new refinery issues, continued tight supplies and higher crude oil prices.

Expensive crude oil costs have pressured gasoline prices higher across the country. Events and unrest in Egypt have been a primary factor in surging oil prices. While Egypt is not considered a major oil producer, its proximity to the strategically important Suez Canal and major oil producing nations raise concern of a potential disruption to supply should violence escalate or spread. Pending an unforeseen market moving development, it seems likely that consumers will face increased retail prices in the coming weeks.

The price of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil settled 37 cents higher Monday at $106.32 per barrel. This price is just 30 cents shy of the 15-month high set last Wednesday.

(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.)

This week's Susquehanna Valley average price: $3.540

Average price during the week of July 9, 2013: $3.434

The following is a list of the average price of unleaded self-serve gasoline in various areas:

Lewisburg - $3.531

Mifflinburg - $3.547

Milton - $3.552

Selinsgrove - $3.538

Shamokin - $3.535

Sunbury - $3.538

HARRISBURG - Special earmarks are on the rise in the new state budget as lawmakers take care of local projects.

The fiscal code bill awaiting Gov. Tom Corbett's signature provides $29.3 million in earmarks, a reincarnation of the old controversial "walking around money," for several dozen items, including $150,000 for the RiverQuest science education program in Pittsburgh, $450,000 to reimburse costs tied to the Battle of Gettysburg's 150th anniversary and $50,000 for a job skills partnership in Scranton.

The latter is Skills in Scranton, a partnership between the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce and area educators and workforce programs to improve job skills in specific areas for prospective workers.

Workforce Wayne receives $143,000 in an earmark to continue efforts regarding workforce development in Wayne and Pike counties, said the office of Sen. Lisa Baker, R-20, Lehman Township, Luzerne County. Workforce Wayne recently achieved status as a community education council and the sum recognizes that achievement. But Northeast Pennsylvania gets relatively few earmarks in the fiscal 2013-14 budget.

The appearance of earmarks follows statements by Gov. Tom Corbett and lawmakers that the practice known as WAMs, slang for "walking around money," would be a thing of the past.

Starting in the 1980s, WAMs were doled out to lawmakers by legislative leaders who tapped appropriated money under the heading "community revitalization" or something similar.

These earmarks are something different and described separately in legal language in the fiscal code bill.

"It's to more publicly describe where some of the programs are being funded," Stephen Miskin, spokesman for House Majority Leader Mike Turzai, R-28, Pittsburgh, said Tuesday.

He said the earmarks are a product of the budget negotiations.

The earmarks bear close public scrutiny to make sure they aren't distributed as political favors to allies, said Barry Kauffman, executive director of Common Cause Pennsylvania.

The earmark language reflects effort by lawmakers to meet a state constitutional prohibition against special legislation targeting one individual, program, local government or business.

Therefore, bill writers will routinely create a class for which a provision can apply even if only one entity can actually qualify. This can be seen by the phrase "$50,000 for an education partnership located in Lackawanna County that previously received funding from the department for a postsecondary career training grant and is currently providing community education services which support business education," translated as Skills in Scranton.

If lawmakers want to provide special earmarks, they should vote on them as "non-preferred" bills that require supermajorities for passage, said Kauffman.

"Those are the kinds of safeguards built on our Constitution," he added.

The $28.3 billion state budget for fiscal 2013-14 was enacted June 30 just ahead of a deadline, but lawmakers, legislative aides and advocacy groups are still analyzing the details.

Other earmarks included: $1 million for the Gertrude Barber School in Erie, $14,000 for a school math lab in Jeanette, $50,000 for state programs to identify children needing eye exams and coordinate donated dental services, $700,000 for violence prevention programs run by Big Brother and Big Sister programs in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, $300,000 to create an agricultural resource center at Pennsylvania State University, $500,000 to restore a historic property for affordable housing in Franklin County, $150,000 to treat depression among older residents in Allegheny County and $150,000 to fund independent research in natural gas drilling, according to budget documents and legislative staffers.

The fiscal code bill won final approval in the House Monday, a two-week delay due to the need of the House and Senate to agree on a single bill version.

MOUNT CARMEL - A Mount Carmel man accused of threatening to kill himself and his family waived criminal charges filed against him to Northumberland County Court.

Shane Joseph Geary, 29, of 338 S. Chestnut St., is scheduled to be arraigned by a county judge at 9 a.m. Aug. 19 in Sunbury. He faces 13 charges including terroristic threats.

He was returned to Northumberland County Prison, Sunbury, where he has been held on a probation detainer since his July 7 arrest. A revocation hearing is scheduled for Aug. 6.

Bail in the case is set at $20,000 cash.

Geary was scheduled for a preliminary hearing Wednesday before Magisterial District Judge Hugh A. Jones, and had been assigned a public defender, Paige Rosini.

Mount Carmel Township Police say he fought with and threatened the lives of himself and his family, including his mother and father, Don and Ann Marie Geary, while at their house in Shady Acres in the early morning hours of July 7.

His father told police Geary was highly intoxicated at the time, and that he threatened to get a gun before storming out of the house. The family locked the doors and called 9-1-1. Geary was found a short time later hiding in bushes near the home.

Don Geary is a retired police chief of Mount Carmel Township, where Shane Geary had once been a police officer.

The Civilian Conservation Corps, a New Deal-era work program, gave hope to young men during the Depression by providing them with a way to support their families while helping to make life better for succeeding generations.

Among the CCC's stellar accomplishments in Pennsylvania was the construction of infrastructure that became the foundation for Poe Valley and Poe Paddy state parks in Centre County. The contributions of the roughly 2,800 men who worked at the Poe Valley camp from June 1933 through April 1941 will be celebrated Sunday during CCC Legacy Day at the Poe Valley park. Among their ranks were men from the Shamokin area.

Bill Marcum, of Spring Mills, an organizer of the celebration and a CCC historian, said that, sadly, very few of these men are still alive today, although he expects one or two surviving CCC veterans to attend the festivities Sunday. One of them worked at the Poe Valley camp; the other is a Sunbury

man who was assigned to a different camp. In all, there were 147 CCC camps in the state, Marcum noted.

"The effort here is to provide a way for family members - children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews - to learn more about what their relatives were part of," he said. Legacy Day, which runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, rain or shine, should also be of interest to local historians and anyone who wants to learn more about how CCC camps operated.

Marcum explained that during the eight years the camp was in operation, the men performed forestry services, such as preparing and clearing trails, timber management, eradicating unwanted vegetation, creating and clearing fire trails, constructing a fire tower and building roads into and out of the camp. They also built an earthen dam to create a manmade 25-acre lake. The 700-foot-long dam, with masonry spillway, is still is service today, Marcum noted.

The CCC was open to single men between the ages of 17 and 25. Marcum explained that in the early days of the program when so many people were out of work, service in a camp was limited to six months. Later, as economic conditions improved and there were not as many men applying for the program, it was possible to have service extended for a full year.

"The U.S. Army managed the program, so the camp was conducted in a military fashion," Marcum said. The Army supplied three or four officers, of lieutenant and captain rank, to supervise operations.

"The men wore Army surplus clothes," Marcum explained. "They looked like they were in the Army, except instead of carrying rifles, they were often seen carrying their shovels."

Marcum noted that when a new camp was first established, a company of men in the CCC were mobilized, while living outside in tents, to construct the camp buildings, such as barracks, a mess hall, an operations building, recreation, education and service buildings, maintenance shops, parking garages, and accessory structures. The camps were laid out like a small military installation.

Men in the CCC earned $30 per month. Of that, $25 was automatically sent home. Although the young men were kept very busy, they were often very far from home. Marcum explained that in the CCC's earliest days, the program avoided assigning CCC participants near their hometowns.

Marcum became interested in the CCC because his grandfather was a senior foreman at the Poe Valley camp. "When he passed away, he left a large box full of stuff related to the CCC. I was in the military at the time, so I asked my mother to hold onto it," Marcum said. "Years later, I went through it, learned more about him and the CCC and, as a result, I began coordinating reunions."

Over the years, Marcum got help from his wife and, at times, some camp veterans. He now partners with Rory Bower, Poe Valley park manager, and Vonnie Henninger, of the Penns Valley Area Historical Association in Aaronsburg, in organizing the reunion.

In addition to interesting presentations on the CCC camp's history by Bower, Henninger and Marcum, those attending Sunday's program can tour the original campsite and view camp memorabilia. Of particular interest will be the viewing of a recently acquired film clip on the Poe Valley camp. Those attending may bring a picnic lunch or buy food at the park concession stand.

SHAMOKIN - A couple are in custody on drug charges that were filed after police searched their residence and found 34 bags of heroin in a purse.

Police said Zackary Maurer, 23, and Kaitlin Rudy, 22, both of 543 Main St., Coal Township, were taken into custody by Hazleton City Police after they were named wanted persons by Shamokin City Police in the National Crime Information Center database.

Cpl. Bryan Primerano said Shamokin officers picked them up Wednesday and transported them to Northumberland County

Prison for arraignment at a later date.

They were both charged June 7 with possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, criminal conspiracy, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

According to court documents, city police served a search warrant April 25 when the couple were living at a apartment at 615 N. Shamokin St. As Primerano attempted to pick up a purse lying next to Rudy, she reportedly grabbed it and attempted to take it back. After police explained the purse was covered under the search warrant, Rudy let go of it.

Police said inside the purse, they found 34 full bundles and one partially-used bundle of suspected heroin, plastic packets and rubber bands used to package heroin and a plastic straw, used to ingest heroin.

Also found in the purse were Maurer's driver's license, cards belonging to Rudy and $455 in money.

Police said after they advised Maurer that the search of his person was completed, they asked him if the heroin was his and Rudy's or just Rudy's, and Maurer told them it didn't belong to him. Police then told him that he was free to go while police continued to search the apartment, but charges might be filed against him later.

Before leaving, Maurer asked to speak to an officer. According to police, he told them, after he was shown the bundles, that he and Rudy acquired the heroin from a source close to them, and that there should be two grams of the drug in the apartment.

When asked, Rudy concurred with the story her boyfriend gave.

Police filed the charges against them June 7, but they were not arraigned because they had left the area. The date has not been set yet for their arraignment before Gembic.

BLOOMSBURG - Bloomsburg University announced its area graduates for the spring semester:

- Shannon Splitt, of Elysburg, Master of Science in nursing.

- Edward Albert, of Coal Township, Bachelor of Science in digital forensics.

- Justin Augustine, of Kulpmont, Bachelor of Science in digital forensics and criminal justice.

- Donna Bertone, of Sunbury, Master of Science in nursing.

- John Brosious, of Sunbury, Bachelor of Science in business administration, management.

- Lisa Burns, of Coal Township, Bachelor of Science in speech pathology and audiology.

- Christopher Carnuccio, of Coal Township, Bachelor of Science in digital forensics.

- Jennifer Carpenter, of Sunbury, Bachelor of Science in social work.

- Allen Cole, of Shamokin, Bachelor of Science in business administration, marketing.

- Gordon Cole, of Paxinos, Bachelor of Science in nursing, licensed registered nurse.

- Gary Daddario, of Sunbury, Bachelor of Science in business administration, marketing.

- Kristen Diehl, of Paxinos, Master of Science in special education, exceptionalities.

- Kristine Eyer, of Elysburg, Bachelor of Arts in history.

- Tyler Foura, of Sunbury, Bachelor of Science in business administration, information and technology management.

- Christina Funk, of Paxinos, Bachelor of Science in nursing.

- Nicholas Gallinot, of Paxinos, Bachelor of Arts in English.

- Jordan Gerrity, of Elysburg, Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice.

- Taryn Gilger, of Shamokin, Master of Education in elementary education.

- Brett Glowatski, of Mount Carmel, Bachelor of Science in business administration, management.

- Kelsey Goodman, of Paxinos, Bachelor of Arts in psychology.

- Kyle Higgins, of Mount Carmel, Bachelor of Science in health physics.

- Jaimie Hoffman, of Kulpmont, Bachelor of Arts in political science.

- Shanne Hoffman, of Sunbury, Bachelor of Arts in English.

- Tad Kalcich, of Sunbury, Bachelor of Science in special education/elementary education.

- Casey Kane, of Mount Carmel, Bachelor of Arts in psychology.

- Kristen Klock, of Elysburg, Bachelor of Arts in secondary education and mathematics.

- Donovan Krebs, of Coal Township, Bachelor of Arts in theatre arts.

- Marisa Labosky, of Elysburg, Master of Education in reading.

- Shannon Langton, of Mount Carmel, Bachelor of Science in nursing.

- Brandon Lepley, of Mount Carmel, Bachelor of Science in digital forensics.

- Chad Levan, of Herndon, Bachelor of Science in business administration, accounting.

- Ashley Lopez, of Sunbury, Bachelor of Arts in Spanish.

- Kayla Mazer, of Trevorton, Bachelor of Science in business administration, management.

- Tyann McGinn, of Shamokin, Bachelor of Arts in art studio.

- Margarita Menapace, of Kulpmont, Bachelor of Science in business administration, marketing.

- Lyndsey Michael, of Dalmatia, Bachelor of Science in business administration, accounting;

- Hannah Mitchell, of Elysburg, Bachelor of Arts in communication studies.

- Clark Morris, of Sunbury, Bachelor of Science in business administration, accounting.

- Matthew Muncer, of Sunbury, Master of Education in counseling.

- Janeen Nahodil, of Locust Gap, Bachelor of Science in speech pathology and audiology.

- Kyle Nicholas, of Sunbury, Bachelor of Arts in geography.

- Jeremy Oshman, of Elysburg, Bachelor of Science in secondary education, English.

- Christian Perles, of Kulpmont, Bachelor of Science in business administration, management.

- Ashley Procopio, of Mount Carmel, Bachelor of Arts in psychology.

- Betsy Renn, of Herndon, Bachelor of Science in business administration, accounting.

- Kriza Rusnak, of Mount Carmel, Bachelor of Science in health sciences.

- Christine Shearn, of Mount Carmel, Master of Education in reading.

- Kaitlyn Sienkiewicz, of Coal Township, Bachelor of Science in nursing.

- William Stump, of Coal Township, Bachelor of Science in exercise science.

- Daniel Wetzel, of Shamokin, Bachelor of Science in medical imaging.

- Jessica Willis, of Coal Township, Bachelor of Science in biology.

- Amanda Yuschock, of Mount Carmel, Bachelor of Science in social work.

- April Brennan, of Ashland, Bachelor of Arts in English.

- Tristan Decarlo, of Ashland, Master of Education, elementary education.

- Kayla Oxenrider, of Ashland, Bachelor of Science in special education, early childhood.

- Karen Wolfe, of Ashland, Bachelor of Science in social work.

KULPMONT - Kulpmont Borough put its police force temporarily out of service Wednesday evening, citing insurance problems.

Kulpmont Borough Council did not say much following a nearly two-hour executive session, but announced the move after the meeting ended at 8:50 p.m.

"The board met in executive session starting at 7 p.m. on a personnel issue," was the official word from solicitor William Cole. Chief of Police Richard Wilson elaborated a bit more.

"We were told that all operations were suspended due to an insurance issue," Wilson said as he left the meeting. The chief, along with two union representatives, met with council for

about 30 minutes.

Council President Bruno Varano said the Pennsylvania State Police has been notified and will patrol the area and respond to calls.

"They were in the area earlier today responding to an incident," Varano said. "We are working to have this matter resolved as quickly as possible."

Word of the shutdown started to filter out earlier in the afternoon when a constable told a News-Item reporter at Magisterial District Judge Hugh Jones's office that he guesses he wouldn't be transporting any prisoners for Kulpmont since the department was being disbanded as of 3 p.m.

Before he was admitted to the meeting, Wilson confirmed that was the information he received.

"I got the call this morning that the department was shut down as of 4 p.m.," Wilson said outside council's meeting room. "I'm here to discuss the issue."

Wilson was mum after the discussion, saying only that the department was suspended due to an insurance issue.

COAL TOWNSHIP - Geisinger officials cut the ribbon Friday morning to officially open the new $1.4 million Geisinger Ophthalmology-Shamokin clinic on the campus of Geisinger-Shamokin Area Community Hospital (G-SACH).

The new facility combines state-of-the art technology with the experience and familiarity of Dr. William LeMasters, who has been practicing ophthalmology in Shamokin for nearly 28 years. Officials praised Geisinger Health System for making this commitment to the Shamokin campus.

"With today's opening, Geisinger has spent a total of $9 million in investments to this hospital," said Thomas Harlow, G-SACH's chief administrative officer.

During his remarks at Friday's ceremony, Harlow thanked those who had a hand creating the clinic, including construction crews, Geisinger's executive staff, LeMasters and Dr. Herbert J. Ingraham, director of Ophthalmology for the Geisinger Health System.

"Both doctors had the vision - pun intended - of what this clinic should be, and we are extremely grateful for that," Harlow said.

Ingraham echoed Harlow's sentiment in his remarks to those attending the ribbon cutting.

"This clinic truly exemplifies the commitment that Geisinger makes for quality care close to home," he said. "There is a high demand for ophthalmology services in lower Northumberland County, and we plan to be helping the area's patients successfully overcome the many eye diseases that affect our aging population."

Latest equipment

The new 4,000-square-foot clinic, located within the Geisinger Speciality Care building on the G-SACH campus, will offer additional speciality care to patients in the Shamokin area. The clinic expands facilities for the diagnosis and treatment of eye disorders and diseases, including cataracts, glaucoma, dry eye, corneal disease, retina disease, macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.

The clinic will feature the latest in diagnostic equipment, including new lasers and scanning tools, with two new doctors providing outreach specialty services in the Shamokin clinic.

The clinic features an expanded waiting room and four exam rooms featuring exam chairs that will slide away to accommodate patients in wheelchairs.

Several sophisticated diagnostic tools such as the Heidelberg OCT and Fluorescein Angiography, which is used for optic nerve and retinal imagine in diagnosing retinal disease, are being used in the Shamokin area for the first time.

"In the past, patients would have to travel to Danville for such tests," said operations director Marsha Morgan. "Now, it is right here in Shamokin."

The clinic also features rooms in which minor procedures, such repairing retinal tears and detachments, in house.

'Very pleased'

LeMasters, the elder statesman of the clinic, has been a part of the Geisinger Health System since 2012. The doctor completed his residency at Geisinger in 1985 and opened his comprehensive practice for ophthalmology, cataract and implant surgery practice in Shamokin, formerly seeing patients at his office on Commerce Street.

"I'm very pleased on how it all turned out and am looking forward to serving my patients here," LeMasters said.

It will be the new home for LeMasters and his staff of six technicians.

"I've been working for Geisinger for a while," said technician Sandy Krebs, "and I transferred to work here and this new clinic."

"It's like I've died and gone to heaven with this new facility," clinic nurse Barbara Patrick said.

In addition to LeMasters, two new providers to Geisinger Medical Center, oculoplastic and orbital surgeon Dr. Gregory Notz and retina specialist Dr. Benjamin Hale, will also provide outreach specialty services in the Shamokin clinic.

Hale got his first look at the facility Friday and walked around with a smile on his face.

"The equipment is top-notch and the whole clinic looks great," he said. "It's going to be a pleasure working here."

All Saints

All Saints Evangelical Lutheran, 12th and Scott streets, Kulpmont.

Pastor - The Rev. Alfred J. Bashore.

Worship service with word and sacrament - 9 a.m.

Participants - Richard Kovach, communion assistant and acolyte; Marsha Karnes, altar guild.

Assumption BVM

Assumption BVM Ukrainian Catholic Church, Paxton Street, Centralia.

Pastor - The Very Rev. Archpriest Michael Hutsko.

Confessions - Sunday, 10:30 a.m.

Divine liturgy - Sunday, 11 a.m.

Augusta Baptist

Augusta Baptist Church, 1371 Boyles Run Road, Sunbury.

Pastor - Robert S. Commerford.

Sunday school - 9 a.m.

Morning worship - 10:15 a.m.

Evening service - 6:30 p.m.

Activities - Sunday, youth group, 6 p.m., Kids Club, 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday, Bible study and prayer meeting, 6:30 p.m.; fourth Thursday of the month, L.I.F.E. for seniors age 55 and up, noon.

Augustaville Wesleyan

Augustaville Wesleyan Church, 2556 State Route 890, Paxinos.

Pastor - Greg Clendaniel.

Sunday school - 9:30 a.m.

Worship service - 10:40 a.m.

Evening service - 6 p.m.

Activities - Wednesday, adult Bible study, Faith Weaver Friends and youth Bible bowl, 7 p.m.

Bethany Bible

Bethany Bible Fellowship Church, 654 Wilburton Road (across from Mount Carmel Estates), Mount Carmel.

Pastor - Philip Norris.

Sunday school - 9:30 a.m.

Morning worship - 10:45 a.m.

Evening worship in the pavilion - 6 p.m.

Activities - Monday through Friday, "SonWest Roundup" vacation Bible school, 6:30 to 8 p.m., call 339-4693 to register.

Bethany EC

Bethany EC Church, 1238 Market St., Ashland.

Pastor - Mark Brownson.

Sunday school - 9:15 a.m. (adults and children).

Worship service - 10:30 a.m.

Activities - Wednesday, Bethany Bible club, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., kindergarten through sixth grade, prayer meeting, weekly, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.; free clothing closet, every first and third Saturday of each month, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Bethel Union

Bethel Union Chapel, West Cameron Township.

Pastor - Dave Butler.

Sunday school - 9:30 a.m. (all ages).

Morning worship and junior church - 10:30 a.m.

Special music - Dane Wells.

Nursery - Kristen Knocks and Alicia Varney, 10:30 a.m.

Activities - Monday through Friday, Bible school for ages 4 to 12 from 6 to 8:30 p.m., anyone is welcome. Closing program Friday.

Calvary Bible

Calvary Bible Fellowship Church, 35 S. Second St., Shamokin.

Pastor - Ferdie Madara.

Sunday school - 9:30 a.m.

Morning worship service - 10:35 a.m. Praise team. Message by Pastor Madara.

Evening prayer service - 6 p.m.

Activities - Sunday, Coal Township High Rise service, 2 p.m.

Church of Our Lady

Church of Our Lady, 47 S. Market St., Mount Carmel.

Pastor - The Rev. Francis J. Karwacki.

Weekday Masses - 8 a.m. Monday through Saturday.

Weekend Masses - Saturday, 4 p.m.; Sunday, 8:30 and 11 a.m.

Confessions - Daily before 8 a.m. Mass; Saturday, 3 to 4 p.m.

Church of Nazarene

Church of the Nazarene, Route 901, Lavelle.

Pastor - Jeremy Smallwood.

Sunday school classes for all ages - 9:30 a.m.

Worship service - 10:45 a.m.

Clark's Grove UMC

Clark's Grove United Methodist Church, Irish Valley Road, Paxinos. Handicapped accessible.

Pastor - Billy Frick.

Early service - 8 a.m.

Sunday school for all ages - 9 a.m.

Worship service - 10:10 a.m.

Divine Redeemer

Divine Redeemer Church, West Avenue and Poplar Street, Mount Carmel.

Administrator - The Rev. Martin O. Moran III.

Weekday Masses - Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 7 a.m.; Saturday at 8 a.m.

Weekend Masses - Saturday, 4 p.m. (Sunday obligation); Sunday, 8 and 10:30 a.m.

Holy day Masses - 6 p.m. eve of holy days. 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., holy day.

Holy hour - First Friday of the month, 3 to 4 p.m.

Confessions - Saturday, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.; after morning novena Thursday, during First Friday Holy Hour or any time by appointment.

Novenas - Monday, Miraculous Medal novena after morning Mass; Thursday, St. Jude Thaddeus novena after morning Mass; Saturday, St. Francis novena after morning Mass.

Elysburg Alliance

Elysburg Alliance Church, 113 W. Alpha Ave., Elysburg.

Interim pastor - The Rev. Stan Sanger.

Morning worship - 8 and 10:30 a.m.

Sunday school for all ages - 9:15 a.m.

Kids' Konnection - 6 to 7:30 p.m. Ages 4 to 11.

Activities - Collide youth group, 6:45 to 8:15 p.m.; adult Bible study and prayer, 7 p.m.

Elysburg Presbyterian

Elysburg Presbyterian Church, 320 W. Valley Ave. (Route 487), Elysburg.

Pastor - Matthew Young

Worship service - 9 a.m., with nursery provided.

Sunday school - 10:30 a.m., for all ages.

Message by Pastor Young - "I Believe in the Holy Spirit, Part III - The Spirit's Groaning for Us."

Scripture reading - Romans 8:22-27.

Musicians - Debbie Cecco, organist; Eileen Reigel, pianist, and contemporary praise group.

Activities - Sunday, Lifetree Cafe, "Toxic Faith" 7 p.m.; Monday, Bear Gap Anchor Group, 7 p.m.; Thursday, women's prayer group, 6:30 p.m., session meeting, 6:30 p.m.; Friday, Breakfast with Jesus, 8:30 a.m.

Elysburg UMC

Elysburg United Methodist Church, 171 W. Center St., Elysburg.

Pastor - The Rev. Michelle Beissel.

Morning worship - 8:30 a.m, Nursery care provided for children up to four years of age. Children's Sunday school during worship. Coffee fellowship.

Adult Sunday school - 9:30 a.m.

Participants - Lisa Shappell, scripture reader; Dean George, head ushers; Gregory Rishel, acolyte; Joyce Rumberger and Arlene Gutekunst, greeters; Joyce Rumberger, shepherding; Olivia Bodner, organist; Nan Willer, choir director.

Activities - Monday, United Methodist Men at Clark's Grove UMC, 6 p.m.; Tuesday, Circle of Prayer.

Emmanuel UMC

Emmanuel United Methodist Church, 328 Center St., Coal Township.

Pastor - The Rev. Betty Ford.

Coffee fellowship - 8 to 9 a.m.

Worship - 9:30 a.m., with children's Sunday school.

Activities - Tuesday and Thursday, exercise class, 6:30 p.m.; third Wednesday of the month, cookie ministry, 5 p.m.; second Saturday of the month, health screening, 8 to 10 a.m.; fourth Sunday of the month, movie night, 5 p.m.

Faith Bible

Faith Bible Church, Burnside.

Pastor - Perry Ross.

Pianist - Robert Witmer III.

Sunday school - 9:30 a.m.

Worship service - 10:30 a.m.

Evening service - 7 p.m.

Activities - Wednesday, Kids Club, Bible study and prayer, 7 p.m.

Faith Community Church

Pastor - Dale Hill, 751-5101.

Sunday worship - 10:30 a.m.

First Baptist, Shamokin

First Baptist Church, 10 E. Lincoln St., Shamokin.

Pastor - The Rev. Samuel Derr.

Church school - 9:45 a.m.

Morning worship - 10:45 a.m.

Choir organist - Judith Pensyl.

Evening service - 6 p.m.

Pianist - Redelia Shoffler.

Activities - Wednesday, choir rehearsal, 6 p.m., prayer, praise and testimony, Bible study, 7 p.m.

First Baptist, Trevorton

First Baptist Church, 510 S. Ninth St., Trevorton.

Pastor - Dan Conklin.

Sunday school - 9:30 a.m.

Worship service - 10:40 a.m.

Evening service - 6 p.m.

Activities - Sunday, youth group, 5:45 p.m., choir practice, 7 p.m.; Tuesday, ladies Bible study, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.; Wednesday, prayer and Bible study, 7 p.m.

First Presbyterian

First Presbyterian Church, Sunbury and Liberty streets, Shamokin.

Pastor - Pastor Jeff Russell.

Worship - 10:30 a.m.

Activities - Tuesday, session will meet, 7 p.m.; Aug. 12 to 16. "Kingdom Rock" vacation Bible school, 6 to 8 p.m. for ages 4 to 12.

First UMC, Kulpmont

First United Methodist Church, Ninth Street, Kulpmont.

Pastor - Beverly Petrovich.

Worship - 9:30 a.m., with children's Sunday school.

Activities - Second Saturday of the month, Angels Table luncheon, 11 a.m. All are welcome.

First UMC, Mt. Carmel

First United Methodist Church, 46 N. Hickory St., Mount Carmel.

Pastor - The Rev. Susan J. Roehs.

Worship service - 9:30 a.m. held in the social room downstairs.

Sunday school - 9:45 a.m.

Sermon - "BFFs" by Pastor Roehs.

Participants - Sharon Styer, organist; J. Kevin Jones, head usher; Kevin Styer, sound technician; Deborah Beck, liturgist; Pastor Susan, children's time; Cameron Getty, acolyte; Jim Weissinger, counter.

Activities - Monday through Friday, vacation Bible school, sign-ups Monday at 5:30 p.m., sessions running from 6 to 8 p.m., all children welcome; Tuesday, no brownie or Al-Anon meetings this week.

First UMC, Shamokin

First United Methodist Church, Sunbury Street, Shamokin.

Pastor - Zachary Hopple.

Adult and children's Sunday school - 9:15 a.m.

Worship service - 10:30 a.m.

Participants - Kay Berry, liturgist; Rob and Susan Shoop, greeters.

Activities - Monday, Bible study, 6 p.m., in the parlor.

Good Shepherd

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 35 N. Ninth St., Ashland.

Pastor - The Rev. Dana Heckman-Beil.

Worship service - 9 a.m.

Grace Chapel

Grace Chapel, 126 Airport Road, Shamokin.

Pastor - Alan Langelli.

Morning worship - 9:30 a.m.

Bible fellowship groups for all ages - 10:45 a.m.

Evening worship, youth group - 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday Bible study and prayer. - 6:45 p.m.

Nursery care is provided for all Sunday services.

Participants - Vic Klein, Jim Zimmerman, John Kurtz and Mike Flore, ushers; Duane Donmoyer, Bible reading and prayer.

Praise team - Cathy Klinger, music director, pianist and vocalist; Rob Klinger, drums; Marcy Donmoyer, flute; Emma Donmoyer, keyboard; Edwin Karns, Donna Blue, Diane Seger, Karen Graboski, Lori Langelli, Sandy Thomas and Ed Begis, vocalists; Luke Donmoyer, sound system; Joe Long, camera; Charlie Wayne, computer system.

Upcoming events - Sunday, CLD leaders meeting; July 28, VBS appreciation pizza party; Aug. 3, free clothing giveaway; Aug. 8, men's prayer breakfast; Aug. 11, baptism service, outdoor evening service; Aug. 13, business meeting; Aug. 14, ladies fellowship; Aug. 20, Red Cross blood drive; Aug. 25, old-fashioned hymn sing.

Grace Evangelical

Grace Evangelical Independent Church, Locustdale.

Pastor - The Rev. Rose M. Marquardt.

Sunday school - 9:45 a.m.

Worship service - 11 a.m.

Children's Sunday school - 11 a.m.

Grace Lutheran

Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, 10 S. Seventh St., Shamokin.

Pastor - The Rev. David M. Byerly.

No Sunday school for the summer.

Service of the Word and Sacrament - 10:15 a.m.

Participants - David Kopitsky Sr., worship assistant; Tyler Keiser, acolyte; Sara Yoder family, communion bearers; Shelley Faust and Sara Yoder, altar care; Barry and Elgie Schleig, greeters; Jeffrey Clutcher, Bill Hoffa, Jim Shingara, John Strausser, Ron Weller and Frank Yost, ushers; Walter Boyer, organist; Charlene Pell, choir director.

Activities - Tuesday, reconciliation team, 7 p.m.; July 27, joint outdoor worship and picnic preparation.

Grace Lutheran

Grace Lutheran Church, 146 W. Avenue, Mount Carmel.

Interim pastor - The Rev. Joan Brown.

Service with communion - 10:45 a.m.

The Ninth Sunday after Pentecost.

Guest speaker - Ronald Weller.

Participants, Linda Rubendall, organist; Zachary Hunter, lector; William Brass and Robert Brass, ushers; Charles Barnes, bell ringer; Judy Barnes, secretary.

Grace UCC

Grace United Church of Christ, Third and Market streets, Mount Carmel.

Pastor - The Rev. Joan A. Brown

Morning worship - 9 a.m.

Participants - Bryan Lapinski, organist; Trevor Shuder, acolyte; Roy Edmonds and Dennis Stone, ushers.

Activities - Aug. 11, picnic at Green's Grove.

Harvest Worship

Harvest Worship Ministries, 2079 Upper Road, West Cameron Township, 850-4280, harvestworshipministries.com

Pastor - Sandy Wary.

Sunday school - 9:30 a.m.

Worship service - 10:30 a.m.

Hidden Valley

Hidden Valley Community Church, 162 Hidden Valley Lane, Mifflinburg. A non-denominational Bible church.

Pastor - Gary L. Owens.

Adult Sunday school - 8:45 a.m., under the direction of Tom Welling.

Coffee fellowship - 9:30 a.m.

Worship service - 10 a.m., clubhouse. Casual dress welcome.

Participants - Steve Foster and Eunice Boyer, pianists; Dustin Pfirman, head usher; Bill Wolfe, Galan Beach, Pat McGovern and Earl Bowersox, ushers; Jean Welling, communion steward; Sharon Stamm and Jean Welling, prayer lists and card ministry.

Activities - Today, kids carnival to benefit Operation Heal Our Patriots via Samaritan's Purse, 9 a.m.; July 29 to Aug. 2, vacation Bible school, "Fiesta," for children up to and including sixth grade, 9 a.m. to noon.

Himmel's Church

Himmel's Church, 1941 Schwaben Creek Road, Rebuck, 425-2200.

Pastor - Pastor Jane H. Compton.

No Sunday school.

Worship service - 9 a.m. Outdoor service at the picnic grove.

Communion is celebrated the first Sunday of every month.

Activities - Aug. 25, outdoor service at the picnic grove; Sept. 8, homecoming/heritage service with speaker Bill Swinehart and communion, covered dish lunch to follow; Sept. 15, social, 9 a.m., Rally Day service with puppets, 9:30 a.m.

Holy Angels

Holy Angels Church, 855 Scott St., Kulpmont.

Pastor - The Rev. Andrew Stahmer.

Confessions - Saturday, 4 to 5 p.m.

Weekday Masses - Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 8 a.m., Monday and Thursday, 6:30 p.m.

Weekend Masses of Obligation - Saturday, 5:30 p.m.; Sunday, 8:30 and 10:30 a.m.

Activities - Monday, bloodmobile in Holy Angels Activity Center, 1 to 6 p.m.; Tuesday, bingo in Holy Angels Activity Center, doors open at 4:30 p.m., games begin at 6:15 p.m.; Wednesdsay, picnic committee meeting, 7 p.m.

Holy Trinity

Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 150 E. Lincoln Street, Shamokin.

Clergy - The Rev. Fred Stevenson and Deacon Richard Hazzard.

Sunday worship - 10 a.m. with Holy Eucharist. Children's Sunday school during worship. Coffee hour following worship.

Participants - Susan Zaner, greeter; Elaine Bogetti, lector; Esther Bashore, intercessor; Joe Dobrzyn and Chester Wolfe, ushers; Joshua Bashore, Hannah Bashore and Kyrsten Kinneman, altar servers; Grethel Vinup, organist.

Activities - Wednesday, Holy Eucharist and healing, 10 a.m.

Hope Community Church

Hope Community Church, non-denominational Bible church, 551 W. Fourth St. (formerly Lazarski's Banquet Hall), Mount Carmel.

Pastor - Dan Renno.

Christian education for all ages - 9 a.m.

Fellowship time - 9:45 a.m.

Praise and worship service - 10:15 a.m.

Irish Valley UMC

Irish Valley United Methodist Church, Irish Valley Road, Paxinos.

Pastor - Beverly Petrovich.

Sunday school - 9:30 a.m.

Worship service - 11 a.m.

Johnston City UMC

Johnston City United Methodist Church, 200 Main St., Ranshaw.

Pastor - Dan Siddle.

Worship service - 9 a.m.

Worship leaders - Barbara Cummings and Janette Nute, greeters; Rena Keegan and Jane Klembara, acolytes; June Ramer, Rena Keegan and Janette Nute, ushers; June Ramer, Jane Klembara, Rena Keegan and Myra Golden, liturgists; Jane Klembara, musician; Pastor Siddle, speaker.

Living Power Ministries

Living Power Ministries, 45 E. Fourth St., Mount Carmel.

Pastor/teacher - Walt Kriskie.

Pre-service prayer - 10 a.m.

Praise and worship - 10:30 a.m. directly followed by a celebration service.

Sunday evening service - 6 p.m.

Scripture - Proverbs 3:9-10 - "Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the First Fruits of all you have, then your homes will be filled to overflowing, brimming over in abundance."

Sermon - "AVODAH - Do Everything unto God.

Activities - Every Wednesday, mid-week Bible study, 7 p.m., refreshments served.

Miller's Crossroads

Miller's Crossroads UMC, 1929 Plum Creek Road, Stonington, Sunbury RR 4.

Pastor - Michelle Beissel.

Sunday school - 9:30 a.m.

Worship service - 10:45 a.m.

Participants - Betsy Bradigan, organist.

Ministry of the Water and Spirit

Ministry of the Water and Spirit Church, 110 Church St., Locust Gap.

Pastor - James Bowers.

Sunday service - 10:30 a.m.

Mother Cabrini

Mother Cabrini Church, North Shamokin Street, Shamokin.

Pastor - The Rev. Martin Kobos, O.F.M. Conv.

Parochial vicar - The Rev. Adam Ziolkowski, O.F.M. Conv.

Sunday Masses - Saturday, 4 p.m.; Sunday, 7, 9 and 11 a.m.

Confessions - Daily, 7:30 to 7:50 a.m.; Saturday, 3 to 3:45 p.m.

Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Religious education program registration continues through Aug. 26 during regular business hours.

Activities - Saturday through Thursday, St. Anne Novena, following the 8 a.m. Mass; Monday, bingo in church hall, 6:15 p.m.; Friday, Feast of St. Anne.

Mountainside

Mountainside Assembly of God, 1900 Trevorton Road, Coal Township.

Pastor - The Rev. Richard H. Earl.

LIFEQuest breakfast for all - 9 a.m.

LIFEQuest classes for all ages - 9:30 a.m. with nursery available.

Morning worship - 10:30 a.m.

Evening activities - 6 p.m.

Activities - Wednesday, SUPERKids for ages 5 to 11 and adult discipleship, 6:30 p.m.

Mount Zion

Mount Zion Welsh Congregational United Church of Christ, Grant and Church streets, Shamokin.

Pastor - Gerald Lloyd Jr.

Worship service - 10:30 a.m.

Scripture - Colossians 1:15-28, Luke 10:38-42.

Sermon - "The Image of God."

Participants - Philip Maue, organist.

New Life Church

New Life Church of God, 129 W. Second St., Mount Carmel.

Interim pastor - The Rev. John D. Ashbaugh.

Sunday school - 9:30 a.m.

Worship service - 10:30 a.m., with junior church and nursery available.

Handicap accessible, wheelchair available, church side/back entrance.

Activities - Prayer room open mornings; prayer, fellowship and coffee, Saturday mornings, 9 a.m.; July 28, evening praise and worship service, 7 p.m.

Oak Grove UMC

Oak Grove United Methodist Church, Marley Road, Overlook.

Pastor - The Rev. Zachary Hopple.

Worship - 9 a.m.

Sunday school for all ages - 10:35 a.m.

Activities - Monday, Bible study, 6 p.m., at First United Methodist Church; Thursday, free karate classes at church, children ages 5 to 12, 6:30 to 7:15 p.m.; 13 and up, 7:30 p.m.; Open Arms outreach, 6 to 8 p.m., first and third Fridays .

Our Lady of Hope

Our Lady of Hope Parish, Chestnut and First streets, Coal Township.

Pastor - The Rev. Adrian Gallagher, O.F.M. Conv.

Daily Masses - Monday through Friday, 7 a.m., Holy Spirit chapel.

Weekend Masses - Saturday, 4 p.m.; Sunday, 7 and 11 a.m.

Holy Day of Obligation Mass - 5:30 p.m. Vigil Mass and 7 a.m. morning of the holy day.

Sacrament of Reconciliation - Saturday, 3 to 3:45 p.m.

Peifer's Evangelical

Peifer's Evangelical Congregational Church, Mandata Road, Herndon.

Pastor - Bradley D. Hatter.

Sunday school - 9 a.m.

Worship - 10:30 a.m.

Queen of the Most Holy Rosary

Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Church, 599 W. Center St., Elysburg.

Pastor - The Rev. Alfred P. Sceski.

Masses - Weekdays, 8 a.m.; Saturday, 5 p.m.; Sunday, 8 and 10:30 a.m.

Confessions - Saturday, 4 to 4:30 p.m.

Restoration Ministries

Restoration Ministries Church, 525 W. Chestnut St., Shamokin.

Pastor - Paul K. Eby.

Pre-service prayer - 9 a.m.

Sunday school - 9:30 a.m. for all ages, JoAnne Long, superintendent.

Sunday worship service - 10:30 a.m. Pastor Paul will speak. The worship team will lead praise and worship. Special prayer will be available. Nursery care will also be available.

Children's church - 11:15 a.m. for ages 4 through 11, directed by Shirley Cintron.

Student Life Ministry youth service - 6:30 p.m. for all teens ages 12 to 18.

Activities - Monday, God's Grub for the community, 5 to 7 p.m.; Tuesday, cross training youth disciple class, dinner at 3 p.m., class taught by Fran Jones from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.; Saturday, Soul Seekers group for ages 18 and older, 7 p.m.

St. John Lutheran

St. John Lutheran, 29 High Road Danville.

Interim pastor - Bruce Amme.

Sunday school - 9 a.m.

Worship service - 10:30 a.m.

St. John's UCC

St. John's United Church of Christ, 117 N. Eighth St., Shamokin.

Pastor - The Rev. Dr. Robert B. Peiffer.

Contemporary service - 9 a.m., Fellowship Hall.

Sermon - "Redeeming Democracy."

Special music - Praise team.

Coffee social hour - 10 a.m., Fellowship Hall.

Sunday school classes do not meet during the summer months.

Traditional service - 10:30 a.m., sanctuary.

Sermon - "Because of his Importunity: The Boldness of God's Friends."

Special music - Thomas and Kathi Christ.

Children's message - Sherry Romanoskie.

Participants - Margaret Morris, organist; Casey Henninger, pianist; Lisa Newton, lay reader, and Michael Newton, acolyte.

Activities - Tuesday, praise team rehearsal in Fellowship Hall, 6 p.m., cleanup at the Shamokin Cemetery, 6 p.m.; Thursday, youth choir rehearsal in Lark Chapel, 5 p.m., Road to Vitality team meeting, 6 p.m.

St. John's UMC

St. John's United Methodist Church, 1218 W. Arch St., Coal Township.

Pastor - The Rev. Karyn Fisher.

Lay leader - Paul Stehman.

Worship - 9 a.m.

Nursery available during worship for children up to age 5. Children's church available during worship following the children's message for ages 6 to 10.

Sunday school for all ages - 10:15 a.m.

First Sundays, holy communion; Sundays, youth fellowship with Kool Kids for ages 4 to 9 and Lifesavers for tweens and teens, 5:30 p.m.; Monday, men's work group, 6 p.m.; Wednesday, Bible study, 6:30 p.m.; Friday, Narcotics Anonymous, 8 p.m.; Saturday, choir practice, 8 a.m., "Book and Breakfast" women's fellowship, 9:15 a.m.

Confirmation class forming for the fall.

St. Joseph's Church

St. Joseph's Church, 11th and Walnut streets, Ashland.

Pastor - The Rev. John W. Bambrick.

Sister Elizabeth Kealy, IHM, director of religious education.

Confessions - Saturday, 3 to 3:30 p.m. Any time by appointment.

Rosary prayed before all Masses.

Mass schedule - Today, 4 p.m. (Vigil for Sunday); Sunday, 8:30 a.m.; Monday and Tuesday, 8 a.m.; Wednesday, adoration all day from 9 a.m., concluding with night prayers, benediction and Miraculous Medal devotions at 4:45 p.m., Mass at 5 p.m.; Thursday, 8 a.m.; Friday, noon; first Fridays Sacred Heart devotions.

St. Ann's Chapel, open each day for prayer. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Wednesday, 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon; Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

St. Mark Lutheran

St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 225 N. Market St., Elysburg.

Interim pastor - Bruce Amme.

Worship service - 9 a.m.

Activities - Wednesday, AA meeting, 7 p.m.

St. Matthew Lutheran

St. Matthew (Slovak) Lutheran Church, 301 W. Avenue, Mount Carmel.

Interim pastor - The Rev. Joan Brown.

Service with communion - 10:45 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, 146 W. Avenue, Mount Carmel, during July.

St. Michael Orthodox

St. Michael's Orthodox Church, 131 N. Willow St., Mount Carmel.

Pastor - The Very Rev. Michael H. Evans.

Divine liturgy - 9 a.m.

St. Patrick

St. Patrick Church, 331 W. Shamokin St., Trevorton.

Pastor - The Rev. Adrian Gallagher, O.F.M., Conv.

Weekend Masses - Sunday, 9 a.m.

Weekday Mass - 8 a.m. Wednesday.

Sacrament of reconciliation - Wednesday after morning Mass or during the day.

St. Paul Lutheran

St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, 4663 Upper Road, Gowen City.

Pastor - The Rev. David Byerly.

Service of Word and Sacrament - 8:15 a.m.

Participants - Cindy Henninger, lector; Holly Kerstetter and Carol Shinskie, communion assistants; Brianna Bonshock, acolyte/crucifer; Walter Boyer, organist and choir director.

Activities - Tuesday, Pastor Byerly holds reconciliation team meeting, 7 p.m.; July 27, joint picnic and outdoor worship preparation.

St. Paul's Reformed

St. Paul's Reformed United Church of Christ, Gowen City.

Pastor - Jerry Schlegel.

Worship time - 9 a.m. Manna for the Many donations today.

Scripture - Philippians 4:10-13.

Message - "Having a Contented Spirit."

Participants - Cliff Artman, organist.

St. Pauline Visintainer

St. Pauline Visintainer Center, 1150 Chestnut St., Box 115, Kulpmont.

"Chapel of the Crucified."

Eucharistic adoration - Friday, noon to midnight, and Saturday, 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

St. Pauline Visintainer Center, open Saturday, Sunday, noon to 6 p.m.

Relics on display of Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, spouse of Mary, and St. Peter Apostle.

St. Peter's Lutheran

St. Peter's Evangelical Church, Aristes.

Interim pastor - The Rev. Joan Brown.

Service and Sacrament of Holy Communion - 9 a.m.

SS Peter and Paul

SS Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church, Avenue and Beech Street, Mount Carmel.

Pastor - The Very Rev. Archpriest Michael Hutsko.

Confessions - Saturday, 3:15 p.m. and Sunday, 8:15 a.m.

Weekday divine liturgies - 8 a.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Weekend divine liturgies - 4 p.m. Saturday and 9:15 a.m., Sunday.

Religious education classes - 6 to 7 p.m. Monday.

St. Peter's UCC

St. Peter's United Church of Christ, Overlook.

Pastor - Paul T. Gurba Jr.

Morning worship - 8:30 a.m.

Sermon - "A Personal Letter to Timothy: Lead by Example."

Verse - 1 Timothy 6:11b - "Follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness."

Organist - Virginia Nefsky.

St. Stephen's

St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Fourth and Maple streets, Mount Carmel.

Clergy - The Rev. Frederic Stevenson.

Service - 8:30 a.m., Holy Eucharist.

Handicapped accessible.

Activities - Second and fourth Saturdays, 6:15 p.m., Holy Eucharist at the St. Stephen Center.

Salem UCC

Salem United Church of Christ, 1300 W. Pine St., Coal Township.

Pastor - The Rev. Jean Eckrod.

Morning worship - 9 a.m.

Participants - Sadie Komara, acolyte; Suzzette Steinhart, lay leader; Julie Updegrove and JudyLynn Weaver, beginners class; Barbara Skrivanek, junior class; Judie Zabawsky, organist; Helen Martin and Peggy Taylor, greeters; Lorrie Logic, Helen Martin, Nancy Weaver and Gerry Woland, ushers; Frank Garrigan, lighting/sound.

Pennies for Sergio will be received Sunday. Members are asked to bring pennies to support the church's sponsored child from Guatemala.

A quiet room for infants and nursery care for intants and toddlers is available during the morning worship at 9 a.m. Christian education is provided for children 3 to 12 years old immediately after children's time at the beginning of morning worship.

Salvation Army

Salvation Army Christian Enrichment Center, 1300 W. Spruce St., Coal Township.

Commanding officer - Maj. Tina Streck.

Holiness meeting (worship) - 9:30 a.m.

Sunday school - 10:45 a.m.

Seibert Evangelical

Seibert Evangelical Congregational Church, Route 147, Herndon.

Pastor - Bradley D. Hatter.

Worship - 9 a.m.

Sunday school - 10:15 a.m.

Seventh Street

Seventh Street Primitive Methodist Church, 34 N. Seventh St., Shamokin.

Pastor - The Rev. David Wildoner.

Sunday school - 10 a.m.

Morning worship and children's church - 11 a.m.

Message - "Fruit of the Spirit - Joy."

Participants - Kathy Albright, station steward; Joseph Rodman, head usher; Benjamin Brudnicki and Alaina Glowatski, acolytes; Bryan Lapinski, organist; Betty Maskowski, greeter for July; Art Walburn, servant of the month; Tammy Glowatski, children's church teacher; Sandy Linton, nursery workers.

A nursery is available for children up to five years during the morning worship service. Children's church is provided for children over five years.

Manna for the Many for the month of July is salad dressings.

Activities - July 29, anniversary committee meeting, 7 p.m.; Aug. 5, trustee board meeting, 7 p.m.

Shamokin Alliance

Shamokin Christian and Missionary Alliance Church, Second and Arch streets, Shamokin.

Pastor - Samuel Bellavia.

Sunday school - 9:45 a.m. Classes available for all ages.

Worship services - 8:30 and 10:50 a.m.

Evening service - 7 p.m.

Offered are small groups and cottage prayer meetings for adults. Contact church at 644-1718.

Shamokin Seventh-Day Adventist

Shamokin Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 7 E. Sunbury St., Shamokin (former Jewish synagogue), 648-7770.

Pastor - John Peters.

Saturday sabbath school - 9:30 a.m., with classes for children and adults.

Saturday worship - 11 a.m.

Activities - Tuesday, Bible studies, 5 p.m.

Stonington Baptist

Stonington Baptist Church, Hosta Road, Paxinos.

Pastor - The Rev. J. Douglas Hallman.

Sunday school - 9 a.m.

Morning worship - 10 a.m.

Evening service - 6 p.m.

Activities - Wednesday, AWANA clubs for children in kindergarten through sixth grade and Word of Life clubs for grades 7 to 12, 6:30 p.m., prayer service, 7 p.m.; July 28 to Aug. 1, vacation Bible school, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Children pre-K to sixth grade can register by logging onto the VBS website, www.groupvbspro.com/vbs/hl/stonington.

Trevorton UMC

Trevorton United Methodist Church, Shamokin Street, Trevorton.

Pastor - The Rev. Al Schell Jr.

Sunday school - 9:30 a.m.

Worship service - 10:45 a.m.

Participant - Nancy Korenkiewicz, pianist, organist and choir director.

Activities - Thursdays, Bible study taught by Roxanne Klinger, 7 p.m.; second Tuesday of the month, United Methodist Women, 7 p.m.

Trinity Evangelical

Trinity Evangelical Congregational Church, 28 W. Arch St., Shamokin.

Pastor - The Rev Brian C. Betsworth.

Sunday school - 9:50 a.m.

Worship service - 11 a.m. A congregational meeting will be held following the worship service.

Activities - Wednesday, prayer and Bible study, 7 p.m.

Trinity Lutheran

Trinity Lutheran Church, 65 E. Sunbury St., Shamokin.

Pastor - The Rev. David Hauck.

Worship service - 10 a.m.

Participants - Andrew Jones, lector; Earl Brosius, communion assistant; Jan Morrison, organist; Don and Sue Ponatoski, altar guild; Don Ponatoski, counter.

True Grace

True Grace Bible Ministry, 950 W. Arch St., Coal Township.

Pastor/teacher - Michael Marcheskie.

Sunday school - 9:30 a.m.

Sunday service - 10:30 a.m., with children's study time.

United Presbyterian

United Presbyterian Church, 100 E. Fifth St., Mount Carmel.

Lay minister - William Ronald Dixon.

Worship service - 11 a.m.

Message - "The Journey."

Scripture - Acts 28:23-31.

Participants - Dale Schimpf, organist; Deb Wydra, acolyte; Ellsworth George, Andrew Mekosh and Robert Shaw, ushers; Deb and Nick Wydra, greeters.

Victory Bible Church

Victory Bible Church, Snydertown Highway, three miles from Elysburg.

Pastor - Kevin Kline.

Worship - 10 a.m., with Sunday school for youth at the same time.

Evening worship - 7 p.m.

Wilburton UMC

Wilburton United Methodist Church, Wilburton.

Pastor - Rose M. Marquardt.

Worship service - 8:45 a.m.

Children's Sunday school - 10 a.m.

Zion UMC

Zion United Methodist Church, Aristes.

Pastor - The Rev. Rose M. Marquardt.

Worship service - 9:50 a.m.

Children's Sunday school - 10 a.m.

Zion Methodist

Zion United Methodist Church, Trevorton Road, Coal Township.

Pastor - Rev. Betty Ford.

Sunday school - 10:30 a.m.

Worship - 11 a.m.

Activities - Wednesday, Bible study, 1 p.m.; first Tuesday of the month, United Methodist Women, 7 p.m.

SUNBURY - A Mount Carmel man charged in a strong-arm robbery of a Marion Heights woman in October was released from Northumberland County Prison last month on nominal bail because he wasn't brought to trial within 180 days of his incarceration.

Robert Warren Powers, 27, who has been incarcerated since October, was set free June 20 after posting $1 bail before Judge Charles Saylor. He is scheduled to appear for a pre-trial conference Sept. 6.

Northumberland County District Attorney Tony Rosini said several continuances were granted in the case that allowed Powers to be released after serving 180 days in prison. He said Powers was scheduled to go to trial this month, but was granted a continuance to secure a new attorney. He is now represented by county conflicts counselor Sue Schwartz.

Powers will not go to trial until at least the next term of criminal court in October.

Although he is free, Rosini said Powers remains under supervised bail conditions that prohibit him from leaving the state and having contact with the victim or any witnesses in the case. A parole officer is assigned to monitor Powers' whereabouts and actions.

A defendant who is incarcerated must go to trial within 180 days following his incarceration unless the defense seeks continuances in the case, which extends the 180-day period. A defendant who is free on bail must go to trial within 365 days unless the defense seeks continuances in the case, which extends the 365-day period.

Robbed on porch

Powers and 24-year-old Vanessa Ann Steigerwalt of Mount Carmel were charged by Mount Carmel Township police in connection with an Oct. 9 robbery of 53-year-old Lisa Beury. Police said Powers robbed Beury on her front porch at 6:30 p.m. after she cashed a $500 Lottery ticket at Boyer's Food Market in Mount Carmel Township. Beury was allegedly knocked to the ground by Powers during the robbery and had her purse stolen.

Following the robbery, Powers fled and entered a vehicle operated by Steigerwalt, police said.

Police reported Powers discarded Beury's purse. Police said Powers stole only $50 and failed to notice that the remainder of the money from the Lottery ticket was contained in a side pocket of the purse.

Police said Steigerwalt was taken into custody at Boyer's Food Market, where she was employed. She moved to Mount Carmel in January 2012 from Sellersville in Bucks County.

Powers, who is from Camden, N.J., was apprehended in the 200 block of East Seventh Street, about a block away from his home.

Steigerwalt, who agreed to testify against Powers, was sentenced by President Judge Robert B. Sacavage on Feb. 25 to 9 to 23 months in Northumberland County Prison on four criminal charges. She was given credit for 133 days previously served in prison.

The defendant, who pleaded guilty in December to criminal conspiracy to commit robbery, criminal conspiracy to commit flight to avoid apprehension, criminal conspiracy to commit theft and false reports, also was given 2 years consecutive probation and ordered to pay $450 in fines and an assortment of costs and fees. She was required to make $472.56 in restitution and avoid contact with Beury and Powers. She also was prohibited from going to bars.

SUNBURY - A Sunbury police officer who shot a teen while the youth allegedly attempted to run over the officer last month was justified in his actions because he was protecting himself and preventing a felon from fleeing the scene, said Northumberland County District Attorney Tony Rosini.

Rosini, who issued a six-page release regarding an investigation into the shooting late Friday afternoon, also has authorized 17-year-old Naheem Reams to be charged as an adult, with one of the offenses being aggravated assault for using the vehicle as a weapon.

Juveniles can be charged as adults if they are over 15 years of age and use a deadly weapon in the commission of aggravated assault.

Reams, who suffered a gunshot wound to his abdomen during a high-speed chase shortly after 1 a.m. June 5, remains in an undisclosed juvenile detention facility. He was discharged from Geisinger Medical Center in Danville on June 25 and went before Northumberland County Judge William H. Wiest the next day for a dispositional review hearing involving a warrant issued May 20 by the county juvenile probation department. Details of the case related to the warrant have not been made public.

State police probe

Rosini, who did not identify any of the officers involved in the chase and shooting, said he has reviewed the entire state police investigation of the incident, which includes a video of the pursuit recorded on one of the police cruisers, photographs of the shooting scene, the location of Reams' vehicle and damage to the road caused by Reams driving at a high rate of speed over railroad tracks.

Also reviewed were radio transmissions from the officers to the county 911 center during the pursuit, written and recorded statements by three officers involved in the incident, notes from an interview with a civilian witness who observed the incident at Front and Chestnut streets, interviews with other parties who live in the area, laboratory reports from testing of the juvenile's blood for alcohol and controlled substances, ballistic reports on the weapon and ammunition used in the incident, medical reports on treatment of the juvenile, a juvenile probation file on Reams, reports of examinations of the vehicles involved in the chase and the vehicle operated by Reams.

Street sweeper

Rosini said evidence he reviewed reveals two Sunbury officers in a marked police car were attempting to clear the 400 block of North Fifth Street of parked vehicles for sweeper operations at 1:06 a.m. June 5 when they came upon a Saturn with its lights on parked on the west side of Fifth Street.

The district attorney said the officers pulled along side the vehicle to speak to the driver, whose window was closed. Her said the officers attempted to get the driver's attention to ask him to move the vehicle for the street sweeper to access the area. Rosini said the person, who was later identified as Reams, kept his head down and did not acknowledge the officers. The officers did not recognize Reams or his age.

The district attorney said Reams then suddenly fled from the scene at a high rate of speed in what the officers described as an extremely reckless manner.

The investigation revealed the police officers activated their lights and siren and followed the vehicle. The vehicle did not stop for a stop sign at Line and Fifth streets and sped through the intersection before turning left onto Line Street. Reams continued to drive at a high rate of speed east on Line Street and ran stop signs at three intersections before going partially airborne at two locations due to the grade of the street and high rate of speed, police said.

Reams then turned right and traveled the wrong way (south) on Fairmont Avenue and continued at speeds in excess of 60 miles per hour without slowing down or stopping at several intersections.

Rosini said the police slowed down for safety reasons when they approached Market Street. The suspect crossed Market Street without stopping and had to swerve to avoid striking a second police cruiser, which followed Reams' car.

Wrong way on Chestnut Street

Reams' Saturn then proceeded across Market Street and continued south on 10th Street to Chestnut Street without stopping and began to travel the wrong way (west) on Chestnut Street while increasing his speed to more than 70 miles per hour.

The investigation revealed Reams continued through two controlled intersections without slowing or stopping and his car became airborne over the railroad tracks located near Third Street. The officers spotted sparks when the vehicle landed and gouges were later found in the street from the car.

While Reams approached Front Street, he slowed down, which enabled the pursuing cruiser to maneuver in front of him and cut off his entrance to Front Street, which is a heavily traveled road near the downtown area.

While the cruiser pulled in front of Reams's car, Reams stopped the vehicle but struck the cruiser a few seconds later.

Rosini said it was the officer's opinion that Reams intentionally rammed the cruiser with an officer inside, causing damage to its passenger side rear.

The second cruiser pulled along side the suspect's vehicle in an attempt to prevent Reams from exiting his car and fleeing. Rosini said the officer in the passenger seat of the second cruiser began to exit his vehicle. While he was exiting, Reams sped backwards at a high rate of speed and struck the door of the cruiser, which in turn, struck the officer on his forehead and briefly pinned him between the door and door frame.

Reams's car continued backward at a high rate of speed, ascended a curb, struck a sign and hit a tree on the south side of Chestnut Street. The car then paused momentarily while the officer who was exiting the passenger side of his cruiser approached Reams' vehicle with his gun drawn. Rosini said the officer shouted several commands for the driver to get out of his vehicle, but Reams ignored the demands.

No attempt to veer

The officer was standing directly in front of Reams' Saturn on the driver's side, and the suspect began revving his engine. Reams' car then suddenly shot forward coming directly at the officer at a high rate of speed. Police said the suspect made no attempt to veer to avoid the officer. The other officers at the scene believed the officer was struck by Reams' vehicle.

The officer was able to maneuver to his right and fired one shot at Reams, striking the teen in the abdomen. The bullet exited above Reams' right hip. Rosini said the bullet traveled front to back on a left to right angle.

The bullet was subsequently recovered from the upper portion of the driver seat on the right side.

Rosini said the officer used his duty weapon, a .45-caliber Glock pistol, and standard police or law enforcement ammunition in the shooting.

Police said the suspect failed to stop after the shot was fired and continued across Chestnut Street, mounted a curb on the north side and went onto Front Street. The vehicle then traveled at an angle across Front Street before mounting a curb on the west side and coming to a halt near a tree and partially on a sidewalk in Merle Phillips Park.

Reams then exited the vehicle with his hands over his head and complied with police commands before being taken into custody.

The entire chase lasted less than five minutes, police said.

Upon observing Reams' wound, police requested an ambulance.

During the chase, police had radioed information on the incident to the 911 center and requested assistance.

The first officer at the scene had EMT training and initially treated Reams to stop his bleeding. An ambulance arrived within three minutes and transported Reams to the hospital.

A civilian witness who was on her porch at the time the vehicles arrived at Front and Chestnut streets verified the facts as the officer had presented them and said the officer had "no choice" but to shoot the driver to stop him.

When necessary

Rosini said a police officer is permitted to use deadly force when he believes it is necessary to prevent death or serious bodily injury to himself or others, or stop a suspect who has committed a forcible felony offense from escaping.

"In this case, the officer had just been the subject of an assault by the driver of a motor vehicle and was injured as a result of the initial contact when the suspect backed up past him," Rosini said. "The suspect had also struck the cruiser blocking his entrance to Front Street, which was occupied by an officer. The suspect was attempting to escape and run down a police officer who was standing in front of him, demanding he exit the vehicle as a result of his reckless and dangerous driving and assaults on the officer and the striking of the police cruiser."

He added, "It is easy in the calm of daylight and comfort of our homes to Monday-morning quarterback these situations or second guess in hindsight what actions could have been taken. That is not the issue, however. A review of the officer's actions must be done with a consideration of the circumstances as they existed at the time of the incident.

"Under these circumstances, the officer was justified in using deadly force to defend himself, his fellow officers and the public who were operating vehicles on Front Street."

Rosini said attacks on police officers using a vehicle can be deadly incidents. In 2012 and the first half of 2013, he said FBI statistics show that three law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty by suspects using vehicles as deadly weapons.

KULPMONT - The mayor announced Friday afternoon that the police department is going back in service after a two-day shutdown.

Myron Turlis told The News-Item at approximately 4:15 p.m. that an agreement with a "high-risk" insurance carrier had been reached. With that, "we should have officers on the street this (Friday) evening," he said.

Turlis said Kulpmont will be paying a "significantly higher" premium than the $1,500 originally budgeted. He said he cannot say how much more because it relates to a "personnel issue" expected to be settled at an executive session of council planned for Tuesday.

"The amount of the premium is dependent on how the personnel issue goes," Turlis said. "If it goes one way, it's a lower amount than if it goes the other way. Either way, the price of our coverage is going up."

Turlis could not comment on which employees would be discussed at the executive session.

'High risk'

The department was placed out of service at 4 p.m. Wednesday. Chief Richard Wilson III, the department's only full-time officer, said later that day it was because of an "insurance issue," which was not defined at that time.

Turlis and Council President Bruno Varano said Friday the borough's insurance broker, Gannon Insurance Agency, informed them on April 1 the previous carrier of the police department's liability insurance was terminating their police policy on July 17 - the day police operations were suspended. The agency said it was looking for another insurance carrier, but it was having a difficult time because the department was given a "high risk" designation.

"When we learned of the policy being canceled, we worked for three months to find another carrier," Turlis said.

That didn't happen until Friday, he said.

Related to lawsuit?

Turlis and Varano wouldn't give specifics Friday, but the insurance problems may relate to a civil rights lawsuit brought against the borough and Wilson over the treatment of a female the chief took into custody in 2011. The suit was recently settled out of court for an undisclosed amount. Testimony during a hearing in the criminal case in March 2012 brought to light several past employment problems for Wilson, who was suspended for 47 days from the Kulpmont force in 2009 over what he said was political retaliation.

Council met in executive session for two hours Wednesday night, with about half of that session conducted with Wilson and officers from the chief's employment union. Councilmembers and solicitor William Cole wouldn't provide any details. They said state police would be available to answer calls and patrol the borough in the local officers' absence.

Wilson is assisted by several part-time officers. Kulpmont has nearly 24-hour coverage with borough officers, and state police covers off-hours.

Author volunteers at train display

DANVILLE - A former Bloomsburg University professor who is the author of a nationally published book on model trains has become a volunteer partner in Danville's Saturday Trains program. The air-conditioned train program at Christ Memorial Episcopal Church, Pine and Market streets, will have extended hours from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today for the Iron Heritage Festival.

Dr. David Greenwald, who taught sociology at the university for 37 years, has already made important improvements to the model train programs at Christ Memorial Episcopal Church in Danville and to the Wheelchair Engineers program at the Columbia Mall near Bloomsburg, said Bob Bomboy, who founded the program in 2005.

Greenwald is the author of "Easy Electronics Projects for Toy Trains."

The free Saturday Trains full-size model railroad display includes snow-covered mountains, more than 400 evergreen trees, four tunnels, a lighted ski slope, a farm, two villages, and two frozen lakes with ice skaters. Children and adults can now run five O-Gauge trains on 18-foot loops of track and use the more than 20 buttons that operate accessories. More than 1,000 icicle lights decorate the train room.

Food surplus distribution set for Friday

KULPMONT - The borough will be holding a food surplus distribution from 8 a.m. to noon Friday, July 26, in the borough garage. Residents enrolled are reminded to bring their bags.