Senior center closed today

ELYSBURG - The Elysburg Senior Action Center will be closed today. Also, the center will be closed in the morning hours on Tuesday, Oct. 30, opening from noon to 4 p.m.

New signals activated today

HEMLOCK TOWNSHIP - The new traffic signals installed at the intersection of Route 42 and Perry Avenue in this Columbia County township, north of the Bloomsburg Fairgrounds, will be activated today, starting at approximately 10 a.m.

The new signals will first be turned on to flash, and stay in that mode for seven days. On Tuesday, Oct. 30, at 10 a.m., they will be fully activated.

Oct. 24

SHAMOKIN - Annual Halloween parade, sponsored by First National Bank and The News-Item. Registration and formation begins at 5:30 p.m. at the Claude E. Kehler Jr. Community Park. Parade beings at 6:30 p.m. Rain/snow date. Oct. 25.

Oct. 25

KULPMONT - Annual Halloween parade. Registration and formation begins at 6 p.m. at the Holy Angels picnic grounds, with the parade starting at 7 p.m.

Oct. 27

MOUNT CARMEL - Annual Halloween Parade, sponsored by Union National Bank. Registration begins at 11 a.m. at the Elks on Oak Street. Parade forms on Second Street in front of VFW and starts at noon. Register at the Mount Carmel Public Library until Friday. Rain/snow date is 1 p.m. Oct. 28.

GOWEN CITY - Halloween party for children of East and West Cameron townships, 1 to 2:30 p.m., St. Paul's United Church of Christ. For children up to and including 10 years old.

SHAMOKIN - Zombie Run, a zombie-inspired race featuring the living and the undead, kind of. An approximate 2.7-mile dash around city streets. $20. Register at 11 a.m. at municipal parking lot by city post office. Race at 1 p.m. Photo tent, zombie face painting, food and games at lot. All proceeds benefit Shamokin Cemetery and Shamokin's 150th anniversary celebration.

KULPMONT - Trick or treat night, 6 to 9 p.m. Please have porch light on to accept visitors.

Oct. 28

ELYSBURG - Trunk or treat, 6 to 8 p.m., Elysburg Alliance Church, 113 Alpha Ave. Kids up to age 12 and their families. Decorated trunks, candy, games, crafts, prizes and food, all free of charge. For more information or questions call 672-2176.

OVERLOOK - Light the Night event, 5 to 6:30 p.m., Oak Grove Church, 133 Oak Grove Road. Free hayrides, games, prizes, pumpkin painting, drinks and treats. For more information or directions to the church, call 898-9093.

ASHLAND - Halloween parade, 3 p.m. , 19th and Centre streets. Costumed children accompanied by parents or guardians will march down Centre Street to the post office on Ninth Street, where treats will be distributed to the costumed children.

Oct. 29

ELYSBURG - Trick or treat night, 5 to 8 p.m. Ralpho Township EMS will be handing out free glow sticks as part of Operation Be Seen.

Oct. 31

SHAMOKIN - Trick of treat night, 6 to 9 p.m. Also, Trunk or Treat, 6 to 8 p.m., municipal lot, Independence and Rock streets, sponsored by Citizens for a Better Community.

COAL TOWNSHIP - Trick or treat, 6 to 8 p.m.

TREVORTON - Trick or treat night, 6 to 9 p.m.

MOUNT CARMEL - Trick or treat night, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

MOUNT CARMEL TOWNSHIP - Trick or treat night, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

MARION HEIGHTS - Trick or treat, 6 to 8 p.m. Leave porch lights on.

SUNBURY - Northumberland County Prison Board ratified last week's suspension and firing of correctional officer William Reber during a special meeting Tuesday afternoon.

When the meeting reconvened after a one-hour executive session, Commissioner Stephen Bridy, chairman of the prison board, made a motion that was unanimously approved by the board to ratify Reber's suspension with pay and firing.

On Oct. 17, Reber, 23, of Watsonton, was suspended with pay by Bridy before being fired the next day by Warden Roy Johnson for allegedly wrestling with a male prisoner four weeks ago and providing him with Tylenol after he was injured in the scuffle.

Commissioner Vinny Clausi previously said Reber admitted to wrestling with the inmate, causing the victim to fall and injure his neck. Clausi said Reber provided the inmate with Tylenol to sooth the pain associated with his neck injury.

Reber, who is named as a defendant in two recent lawsuits filed against eight current or former prison personnel relating to alleged beatings suffered by two inmates, had worked at the prison for approximately two years, including the past six months as a full-time employee.

Reber is a member of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Union.

During the commissioners' meeting that preceded the prison board session, Bridy's motion to seek cost proposals for high-definition audio and video cameras at the prison was unanimously passed.

by justin strawser

CLEVELAND TOWNSHIP - An early Tuesday afternoon fire destroyed the summer kitchen of a three-story home in Cleveland Township, but no one was injured in the blaze, according to Locust Township Police Department

Police Chief Allen Breach reported that emergency responders were dispatched to 64 Roosevelt Road at 1:58 p.m. where they found the white house fully involved. They cleared at the scene at 5:45 p.m.

The home is owned by three siblings, Gary Welkom, Michael Welkom and Carol Griffin, but no one was living there at the time of the fire, Breach said.

Gary Welkom's grandson was the last person to reside in the home, but he left this past Saturday to attend school. The home was still furnished, he said.

The one-story attached kitchen and breezeway were destroyed, and there was extensive smoke and water damage to the living quarters, and fire damage to the third floor, Breach said.

The fire is believed to have originated in the kitchen, but a cause has not yet been determined, Breach reported.

State police Fire Marshal Cpl. Shawn Hilbert, out of the Hazleton barracks, will be investigating the scene today.

The three-alarm fire brought out Valley Chemical Fire Company, Numidia; Catawissa Fire Company; Aristes Fire Company; Overlook Fire Company, Ralpho Township; Elysburg Fire Company; Montour Township Fire Company, Bloomsburg; Espy Fire Company, Bloomsburg; Buckhorn Community Volunteer Fire Company, Bloomsburg; Greater Columbia Medical Transport Service, Bloomsburg; AIR Unit, Bloomsburg; and Locust Township Police Department.

DANVILLE - The absence of Congressman Lou Barletta at a campaign event Tuesday night rankled his election opponent, Gene Stilp, and lead to unanticipated debate over the event's format.

The candidates for the 11th Congressional District were expected to debate each other at the American Legion during a Candidates Night hosted by the Danville Area League of Voters.

Instead, it was Stilp and a congressional aide trading barbs.

Stilp attacked Barletta for skipping the event, while Shawn Kelly, Barletta's communications director, said the congressman was simply keeping a prior commitment.

"What event takes precedence over this debate?" Stilp asked Kelly.

Kelly took a long pause and followed with an explanation that, as a employee of his congressional office and not his campaign, he did not know what event Barletta was attending Tuesday.

He did, however, say that "He committed to an event over two months ago and he's keeping that commitment."

Lance J. Stange Jr., Barletta's campaign manager, said the event his boss was attending was not a fundraiser, as stated by Stilp.

Barletta was a guest speaker at a Republican Party dinner in Dauphin County, Stange said.

Stange said the Danville event wasn't billed as a debate in an invitation faxed to the congressman on Oct. 15, the day a reservation was sought. The invitation did say that a representative could fill in at the Candidates Night, but it also included language about a question-and-answer session from a moderator and from audience members.

Stilp opposed the League of Voters' decision to allow Kelly to fill in for him at the debate table, calling it an unexpected change in protocol.

When the debate got under way, Stilp and Kelly engaged in often testy exchanges on health care spending and reform, jobs creation and the national deficit, and engaged in clumsy exchanges of a microphone that underscored the evening's awkwardness.

Stilp spoke on the prominence of Montour County's own Geisinger hospital and health system. He supports health care coverage for preexisting conditions and for preventative medicine, and keeping adult children on parents' health care plans.

As for President Obama's health care plan, he said changes must be made to ease the financial burden on small businesses.

Kelly countered, saying Stilp supports the president's plan.

"What Mr. Stilp isn't going to tell you is that he supports Obamacare," he said.

Kelly said his boss, Barletta, voted 33 times to repeal Obamacare. He said the congressman does support some provisions of the plan, including allowing small businesses to pool resources to lessen the cost of employee health care. However, he said changes to health care can not be wide sweeping and immediate.

Stilp noted more than once his involvement in bringing to light well-documented controversies surrounding a late-night pay raise for state legislators and the "bonusgate" scandal in Harrisburg.

If he were to be elected to Congress, Stilp said he would look to circumvent the "gridlock" that has consumed Washington, D.C., working with representatives of all parties.

Kelly said Barletta has already done that, working with Democrats on a transportation bill and disaster relief for Pennsylvania and beyond following last year's flooding.

The congressional debate was preceded by a debate between state Rep. Kurt Masser, R-107, and his Democratic challenger, Ted Yeager, which was their second debate of the day.

MANDATA - The Line Mountain School Board authorized Tuesday the continuation of analysis for a new geothermal heating and air conditioning system at the high school following successful testing by its engineers and architects.

Approval to continue came on a 7-1 vote with members Troy Laudenslager, Dennis Erdman, Lawrence Neidig, David Bartholomew, Denise Clouser, Ronald Neidig and Marlin Yeager Jr. voting yes and Lauren Hackenburg casting the lone dissenting vote. Board member Lamont Masser was absent.

Project manager Joshua Bower from Crabtree, Rohrbaugh and Associates and John Solarczyk from Pyramid Engineering gave a presentation on testing at the high school campus in Mandata, comparing the results to a geothermal system used at the Trevorton Elementary School.

"Our tests showed that conditions are very favorable for a geothermal system like you have at Trevorton," Bower said.

The district wants to convert the school's heating, venting and air conditioning system to geothermal for about the same amount as what the district is paying in energy costs now.

"Our electrical costs may go up," superintendent David Campbell said, "but it will be a wash with the costs to do the project and our savings from not being dependant on 'black gold'."

In a geothermal HVAC system, A liquid, called glycol - a coolant similar to antifreeze - is distributed in and out of wells through a series of pipes and cycled through the building in a closed loop to either heat or cool the rooms, depending on the need.

Energy recovery units are placed on the roof to allow fresh air into the building.

A project estimate put the new system's cost of the project at approximately $4 million, but bids could come in lower, Bower said.

About 100 wells would be drilled in the parking lot between the school and the stadium and then, once the closed loop system is installed, the lot would be repaved to hide the inner workings. At Trevorton Elementary, the wells are underneath the school's playground.

The board also discussed three alternatives for other renovations on campus, including the replacement of the wooden windows in the building, construction of a free-standing maintenance garage with a salt shed and resurfacing the main access road.

BY LARRY DEKLINSKI

SHAMOKIN - Don't be alarmed. Although their reputation precedes them, the zombies who will walk the streets of the city this weekend are not on a quest for human flesh; rather, they are part of a family-friendly event that aims to raise money to benefit the city.

Coal City Revitalization Inc, a local non-profit, will be sponsoring a Zombie Run Saturday that will take participants on a 2.7-mile trek through the city while being chased by an infestation of the undead.

Matt Losiewicz, a representative of Coal City Revitalization Inc., said, "there will be no winners, just victims and survivors."

A team of makeup artists will transform ordinary-looking people into flesh-eating corpses who will then be set free to take over the city. The goal for participants is to avoid being "tagged" by a zombie and declared a "victim" before continuing with the sprint. Victims caught will provide their bib number to differentiate the victims from the survivors.

The start and finish line will be at the municipal parking lot on East Independence Street, across from the U.S. Post Office. Participants will travel west on Independence Street to Market, south on Market to Arch, west on Arch to Third, south on Third to Mulberry, east on Mulberry to Diamond, north on Diamond to High, east on High to Grant, north on Grant to Lincoln, west on Lincoln to Market, north on Market to Independence, and back to the lot.

Losiewicz said arrangements have been made for traffic control on Market Street (Route 125).

Activities at the lot include a zombie photo shoot by Carriage House Studio, zombie face painting, food by Mother Cabrini baseball team and Hillbilly Kettle Korn, a live radio broadcast by Y-106.5 and custom-made decor by Wedgetown Crafts.

Registration will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The entry fee is $20.

Proceeds will benefit the Shamokin Cemetery and Shamokin 150th Anniversary Celebration in 2014.

SUNBURY - Northumberland County commissioners say they can no longer afford the funding cuts to human services prompted by Act 22.

With that, the commissioners voted Tuesday to begin the disenrollment process for the Aging Waiver Program while it furloughs non-essential staff and discontinues funding of transportation fares for all residents under 65 years of age, effective Dec. 1.

Commissioners Vinny Clausi, Richard Shoch and Stephen Bridy said the changes are necessary due to the fiscally challenging times facing all Area Agency on Aging (AAA) offices across the state, and said the budget constraints are a "direct result" of the Act 22 regulations.

Act 22, in effect for the 2011-12 fiscal year, granted Secretary of Public Welfare Gary Alexander the ability to institute changes in programming without formal legislative approval. The intent of the act was to reduce fraud and abuse in the welfare system, but even Republicans who supported it have acknowledged its "unintended consequences" in human services funding.

Alexander cut Aging Waiver service coordination reimbursement rates to the state's AAA offices. Service coordinators are responsible for arranging and coordinating various personal care services that allow waiver enrollees to remain out of institutional settings. Due to extremely low reimbursement, the Northumberland County AAA will have a deficit of $120,000 this year if the agency continues to administer the waiver program.

Transition plan

Patricia A. Rumberger, AAA administrator, said a transition plan will be established for county residents that will involve another service coordination, agency or entity providing services under the waiver program, for which there are 151 county residents enrolled.

"There will be no interruption of services throughout the transition, which could take up to four months," Rumberger said.

As for the transportation aspect, she said the county AAA is one of the few agencies in the state that has offered free transportation to county residents between ages 60 and 65.

Flat funded

In a press release issued after Tuesday's meeting, Rumberger said AAA offices in Pennsylvania are finding it increasingly difficult to fund programs and services for older adults as the baby-boomer population turns 60 years old. She said AAA offices have been flat funded for the last 11 years while the number of older adults requesting services has continued to increase.

"These regulations will place seniors at risk and significantly limit the capacity of AAAs to serve older Pennsylvanians," Rumberger said. "The Northumberland County Area Agency on Aging currently has a waiting list of 53 consumers for the personal care/bathing service in the Options Program and the waiting list increases daily."

She said the agency doesn't have the financial resources to continue to supplement a Medicaid program with Aging block grant funds, and has no choice but to begin the process of disenrollment in the waiver program.

Rumberger said 16 of the 52 AAAs throughout the state will no longer have service coordinators for the program by the end of the year. If service coordination rates do not increase, all 52 AAAs will no longer provide the service.

(Questions can be directed to Rumberger or AAA deputy administrator Karen Leonovich at 495-2395.)

By Mark Gilger

SUNBURY - In what may have been their final action before turning over decisions regarding the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area (AOAA) to a five-member authority that takes office in January, Northumberland County commissioners enacted an ordinance on a split vote Tuesday that enforces regulations outlined in a policy adopted last week by the commissioners.

The policy and ordinance formally in place, it ironically leaves David M. Kaleta, 54, of 146 E. Sunbury St., Shamokin - who sued the commissioners and county last month for banning him from the AOAA property and allegedly violating the Sunshine Act - as the lone individual with full access to the AOAA until the authorized hunting time begins next month.

That's because Northumberland County Judge Charles Saylor last month approved Kaleta's request for an injunction that stops the county from banning him from the property while his lawsuit proceeds.

However, Kaleta's access may be short-lived, too.

The commissioners, on the same 2-1 vote, with Stephen Bridy and Vinny Clausi approving and Richard Shoch opposed, authorized Attorney Robert Hanna of Harrisburg to file a motion in federal court to lift the injunction involving Kaleta so the same rules and regulations pertaining to others for the AOAA will apply to him as well.

Two weeks ago, Hanna filed a motion in federal court to dismiss Kaleta's suit with prejudice, claiming he doesn't state a viable First Amendment retaliation claim in the complaint and that Saylor erred by stating Bridy and Clausi violated the Sunshine Act by taking action to ban Kaleta from the property.

Too quick

Shoch said the policy was put together too quickly and doesn't accommodate enough hunters and bikers. He also claimed too much power was given to the planning department in developing the rules and regulations.

As Shoch was finishing his comments, Clausi accused the commissioner of being a "troublemaker" for inviting people to the meeting to voice opposition to the AOAA rules.

The 6,500 acres of county-owned land that will make up the AOAA has been open to hunting for decades, but development of the off-highway vehicle park and a controversy over access to the property this fall has resulted in action on the new policy.

Hunting will be allowed, at no cost, on all AOAA land, but only between the middle of November and end of January.

The county planning department will be responsible for enforcing rules and regulations for the park until the authority takes over.

The ordinance states that any person violating the rules and regulations of the AOAA will be ordered to pay the county a fine of not more than $600 plus court costs for each violation, and/or face possible imprisonment of not more than 10 days.

Kaleta only one, for now

Hunters object

Prior to the ordinance being adopted, Kaleta and several others questioned the commissioners about hunting restrictions on AOAA property and other concerns.

Kaleta advised the commissioners to "take a step back" from the ordinance so other residents can use the land for hunting before the authority takes over operation of the property in January.

Kaleta's wife, Kathi, told the commissioners to put aside personal grudges and do what's right for the county. "We must unite the county instead of creating a wedge between people," she said.

She also said there are special days set aside by the state game commission for hunting, which would be prohibited under the policy for the AOAA.

Bridy responded, "We need this proposed ordinance so we aren't open to lawsuits that will hurt the taxpayers."

Patrick Bendas of Kulpmont, an avid hunter and ATV rider, said he is opposed to not allowing hunting until mid-November because it leaves out the fall turkey and archery deer seasons.

Richard Post of Shamokin told the commissioners they were "pushing for big money" while "pushing little people out" by developing the AOAA.

James Koharski of Coal Township asked if there are any activities planned for the AOAA before January. Pat Mack, county planning and industrial development director, said there are a few events planned.

Kallie Liendo of Coal Township said enforcement of the rules for the AOAA will be very difficult and could lead to taxes being increased if police patrols are utilized for added security.

Year round hunting?

Clausi, who repeatedly told citizens the policy and ordinance could change when the authority takes over, said there are plans in place for next year for approximately 500 acres of AOAA property to be set aside for hunting year-round. Although he didn't specify what area, Mack said after the meeting that he expects the 342-acre Alaska site near Excelsior to be included in that 500 acres.

SHAMOKIN - Ted Yeager challenged state Rep. Kurt Masser on his contention that he fought to get $100 million restored to the state education budget during the controversial funding battle last spring.

Yeager, the Democratic challenger for the 107th Legislative District, said it wasn't a matter of restoring the money.

"There wasn't a fight to put money back in. That money was there," he said during a debate Tuesday afternoon sponsored by the Brush Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce in front more than 40 people.

But Masser quickly countered.

"I disagree. There was a fight; I was there; I was part of the fight," he said. "There were 203 people with 203 different ideas of where that money should go. Oh, there was a fight, and we won that fight."

It was one of the more lively exchanges during the one-hour debate, held at the social hall at Christian and Missionary Alliance Church. The chamber, which typically has a candidates' forum each fall, instead organized this year's luncheon as a debate between the two 107th candidates, who are both from Elysburg.

Questions were asked by a three-member panel that included Sandy Winhofer, chamber director; Andy Heintzelman, editor of The News-Item; and Gabriel Beaulieu, a Susquehanna University student from Coal Township.

Education funding

The Republican versus Democrat debate over whether education funding was cut or only had federal stimulus dollars removed last spring is still alive, judging by the candidates' comments.

Masser said it is "an outright lie" to suggest he and other Republicans voted to cut spending for education. Instead, it is now at historic levels, he said.

At the same time, he said, education funding can't grow unchecked.

"Staffing across the senatorial district has gone up in every school district (while) enrollment in every school district has gone down," and that's not sustainable, he said.

But Yeager said the state budget overall wasn't as dire as the Corbett administration made it sound, and education funding didn't have to be an issue.

"When Gov. Corbett said the money was not there, in that same year, there were $500 million in tax cuts and a $700 million surplus in the budget. The money was there," he said.

Also, he said Masser's "historic" funding numbers for education include money for pensions, which the state has had to raise considerably, and Social Security - things that don't impact students.

Asked what he would do if faced with cutting education in order to balance the state budget, Yeager, who retired from teaching after 33 years, related ideas about trimming costs. Noting he was an athlete in high school and college, he suggested nonetheless that sporting programs may have to cut the number of games they play to save on transportation costs.

"Does it hurt the athletic program to have fewer games? I don't think so. Does it save the taxpayers money? Sure it does," he said.

He also noted the dire costs of unfunded mandates on local schools.

Masser said education is "far too important to look at a funding cut" and he hopes next year's budget might include a "modest increase" in education funding.

Both candidates agree the funding formula for cyber-charter schools is unfair as it exists, and Masser said he wished the state could have passed reform this fall. A bill to do so recently stalled out.

Marcellus shale

The state's decision earlier this year to impose an impact fee but not a tax on the large oil and gas companies tapping Pennsylvania's Marcellus Shale fields was another source of division between Yeager and Masser.

Yeager said the thought that a tax would chase away these companies is wrong considering there is more "energy" under Pennsylvania than there ever was under Texas before they took a drop out of it, he said, citing Shell Oil.

"Taxes are not what oil companies and gas companies use to determine where they are. What determines it is what's the supply and how do you get to it," he said. "Right now, it's easier in Pennsylvania to get natural gas than anywhere else."

He said the state has missed out on revenue from Marcellus Shale. Had it done the same as West Virginia, which taxes production, it could have generated $378 million in revenue between July 2009 and the end of 2011.

But Masser said taxes as a whole need to be considered in the Marcellus Shale debate, and to suggest Pennsylvania is letting these companies off at the lowest cost of any state is wrong.

"These companies are paying all the other taxes other companies in the commonwealth are paying. When you take taxes on a whole, we're not at the bottom," he said.

The candidates also debated at several times the extent to which the state is keeping an environmental check on gas drilling. Masser said state agencies monitoring production have more "boots on the ground than Texas." He said the state is "twice as diligent on environmental standards" than in previous years, and, in a spinoff discussion about coal, he said regulatory processes that are too difficult keeps miners out of work.

Yeager countered that while coal companies pay an extraction tax, gas companies do not. He expressed concerns about balancing income with environmental concerns.

"We're not as diligent as we need to be with our environment and the overview of gas companies," he said.

Masser, who noted local truck drivers who are employed because of gas drilling and that it has had a positive impact on jobs in the region and throughout the state, began and ended his points on Marcellus Shale by calling it a "game changer."

AOAA discussion

Both candidates were generally supportive of Northumberland County's Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area (AOAA), planned for 6,500 acres of county-owned land, but both expressed a few concerns.

Yeager said it sounds like a good idea, but that any funding he would seek at the state level for the park would receive the same scrutiny he'll apply to all state spending to be sure there's a return on investment.

"I would lean more toward a slower approach rather than try to go full guns and get it done right away," Yeager said. "Let's make sure if we're going to do it, let's do it correctly."

Masser said slower isn't necessary considering the park has been in the works for seven or eight years.

"We're sitting on a gold mine out there as far as I'm concerned for the potential to bring outside riders and their dollars into our region," he said. "You talk to any businesses, certainly along Market Street (in Shamokin), I think they're excited about this project and what it means for extra traffic going by their doors every day."

He did express concerns about how much local residents would be charged to use the park, and the recent change in plans - possibly temporary - that would no longer allow hunting year-round at the 342-acre "Alaska site" that's part of the AOAA.

Other subjects covered in the debate included health care, jobs, term limits and state government reform.

SHAMOKIN - In what could be a record for The News-Item Football Contest, 63 contestants correctly picked 12 out of 12 games correctly in week eight.

All 63 contestants will be entered into the drawing for the $200 grand prize at the end of the contest, but three entries correctly picked 50 points as the top score of the week, following USC's 50-0 drubbing of Colorado Saturday.

A random drawing was held to determine the three place-winners. Joe Consevage, of 33 S. Spruce St., Mount Carmel, took first, winning a $50 gift certificate for any of the participating sponsors in the contest. Second place and a $25 gift certificate went to Blair J. Faust, of 1424 W. Pine St., Coal Township. The third place winner was Jim Kozlowski, of 487 W. Saylor St., Atlas, who won a $15 gift certificate.

Scores from last week's games were: Mount Carmel Area 41, Hughesville 13; Florida State 33, Miami 20; Danville 24, Shikellamy 0; Clemson 38, Virginia Tech 17; Southern Columbia 45, Shamokin Area 6; Penn State 38, Iowa 14; Selinsgrove 36, Jersey Shore 0; Georgia 29, Kentucky 24; North Schuylkill 30, Mahanoy Area 0; Stanford 21, California 3; Bloomsburg 39, Mifflinburg 22; USC 50, Colorado 0.

TREVORTON - The Trevorton Senior Adult Ministry met at St. Patrick Church hall on Oct. 15 for their regular meeting and an Octoberfest covered dish social. There were 29 members present.

The meeting opened with the Senior Adult Ministry Prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. A prayer was given before the meal by Robert Sager in thanks to all who contributed the vast variety of covered dishes.

After the meal, the regular meeting continued with the treasurer report by Mary Ellen Hoffman, which was approved as read.

The secretary report was given by Edwina Savidge and was also approved as read.

Joyce Koppen, a member of the travel committee, gave a report on an upcoming trip to American Music Theatre with lunch at Shady Maples for Nov. 1.

October birthday celebrants include Kenneth Gurba, Faye Herb, Ruth Klock, Barbara Leah, JoAnn Pitfido, Mary Ryan and Joyce Thomas. Birthday donations were given by Ben and Celeste Blascovich, Dixie Heath, Anita Lagerman, Naomi Mielke, Teena and Jim Blessing and Faye Herb.

A greeting card was sent to Naomi Mielke.

A reminder about the Dec. 17 meeting, which is the Christmas banquet catered by Hannah's Restaurant in Trevorton, was announced. The meal will consist of roast pork and all the trimmings plus coffee and dessert. Those interested in attending should contact Rose Marie at 648-3035 or add their name to the sign-up sheet, which will be available at the November meeting. Cost of the dinner for registered members is $13.

The 50/25/25 winners were Lavon Swank and Kay McBride.

A thank you was extended to everyone present who contributed to the wonderful feast of delicious foods and desserts.

The next regular meeting will be Nov. 19, and everyone is encouraged to bring friends and neighbors to join the group.

Meeting was adjourned and cards and bingo followed.

Diorio to be remembered at 10th year

COAL TOWNSHIP - Maine Fire Company will expand its annual private service to a public one when it recognizes the 10th anniversary of the death of firefighter Timothy Diorio.

A service is scheduled for 1 p.m. Sunday in front of a memorial for Diorio at Water and First streets. Themes for the ceremony are "A Celebration of Timmy's Life" and "How Has Timmy Affected Others?"

DiOrio died early Nov. 1, 2002, while helping fight a fire in Trevorton. He was employed at the time as a state police trooper.

Maine Fire Company decided to expand its annual service to include all local fire company, ambulance and police personnel, including those who were involved on the night of the fire.

The public is welcome, too, and the event will be held rain or shine.

Overflow parking will be accommodated in the Susquehanna Bank parking lot next to Turkey Hill on Second Street.

Registration open for assistance

COAL TOWNSHIP - The Salvation Army is accepting appointments for registration to its Christmas food and toy assistance program.

Registration is by appointment only.

Please call 644-0486 for more information.

Signal activation delayed until today

HEMLOCK TOWNSHIP - Due to Tuesday's rain, the flash-mode activation of the new signals at Route 42 and Perry Avenue, near the Bloomsburg Fairground will take place beginning today.

Next week's schedule is unchanged, becoming fully active at 10 a.m. Tuesday.

Food surplus distribution in Kulpmont

KULPMONT - Kulpmont Borough will hold the monthly distribution for its food surplus program from 9 a.m. to noon Thursday. Residents who have signed up previously are eligible and are reminded to bring their assigned bags.

Lions sponsoring parade

KULPMONT - Kulpmont Lions Club is the sponsor of the annual Halloween parade in Kulpmont.

The parade starts at 7 p.m. Thursday. Registration and formation begin at 6 p.m. at the Holy Angels picnic ground.

SAHS Competition Band wins championship

BLOOMSBURG - The Shamokin Area High School Competition Band won the

Tournament of Bands Group 2-A Chapter 4 Championship on Saturday, October

20, 2012 at Bloomsburg University.

The band obtained a score of 89.8 and received specialty awards for High Music,

High Visual, High Guard, and High Drum Major. They will be competing in the Tournament of Bands Atlantic Coast Group 2-A Championship on Saturday, October 27 at Central Dauphin High School, Harrisburg, PA. The competition starts at 3:30 PM with Shamokin performing at 5:56 PM. Awards will be presented at 10:00 PM.

The Atlantic Coast Championships include 9 states and over 100+ bands.

BLOOMSBURG- Rabbi Nina Mandel will talk about "Judaism: Religion? Culture? or Something Else?" on Monday, Nov. 5, at 7 p.m. in Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania's McCormick Center, room 1303. This event is free and open to the public and is sponsored by the College of Liberal Arts, the Middle East studies minor and the Protestant Campus Ministry.

Mandel leads Congregation Beth El in Sunbury, where she served as a part-time student rabbi before being ordained in 2003. She is also a professor at Susquehanna University, lecturing on topics regarding Jewish, women's and diversity studies. She is a member of several organizations, including Rabbis for Human Rights and the National Religious Council Against Torture, and received a Human Rights Award from Church Women United Inc. in 2009. Mandel has lived and studied in Israel.

For more information regarding this event, contact Nawal Bonomo, assistant to the dean, College of Liberal Arts, at nbonomo@bloomu.edu.

SUNBURY - The warm glow of candle lanterns and the dancing flames of a crackling campfire will add to the ambience of the evening as tour guides attired in 18th-century period clothing conduct Lantern Tours from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday at the site of Fort Augusta.

The Northumberland County Historical Society will host this free event, which is open to the public, at its headquarters at 1150 N. Front St. Visitors will view the two remaining fort features on the property - the well and the powder magazine, and the Hunter-Grant cemetery.

Those attending will also see several scenes from Fort Augusta's history portrayed by members of the Augusta Regiment and other re-enactors which will focus on the relationships between traders, soldiers and the Native Americans as well as everyday life at Fort Augusta. The fort served as a frontier stronghold along the banks of the Susquehanna.

In addition, the Fort Augusta exhibit in the Hunter House will be open. It features an extensive collection of artifacts recovered on the fort site during a number of archaeological digs over the years. Volunteers will serve light refreshments

Constructed by the British in 1756 as part of its defense against the French and Indians moving eastward from the Allegheny region, Fort Augusta was Pennsylvania's largest provincial fort. It later served as the headquarters of American forces in the upper Susquehanna Valley during the Revolutionary War and protected area settlers from the attack of Native American tribes who were allies of the British. The fort was never under siege and was dismantled in 1794.

The evening Lantern Tours is the final Living History Days event planned for 2012. Living History Days is an educational program series designed to appeal to all ages.

The Northumberland County Historical Society is a private, not-for-profit organization dedicated to encouraging awareness and stimulating interest in the county's rich history, heritage and diverse culture through its educational facilities and programs.

COAL TOWNSHIP - Devin Conrad, a sophomore at Saint Francis University in Loretto, was recently inducted into the Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society.

She is a daughter of Jeffrey and Sandra Conrad, of Coal Township, and a granddaughter of Steven and Margaret Conrad, of Shamokin, Dorothea Yancoski, of Kulpmont, and the late Eugene Yancoski.

Conrad, a physician assistant science major, was on the dean's list her freshman year at Saint Francis University.

Phi Eta Sigma is the first and largest honor society devoted to the achievement of first-year college students. Established at the University of Illinois in 1923, Phi Eta Sigma has chartered more than 350 chapters and inducted over 900,000 members.

SUNBURY - A request by Northumberland County Register and Recorder Mary Zimmerman for pay increases for her two deputies was denied during Tuesday's salary board meeting.

Voting against the increases were Commissioners Clausi, Richard Shoch and Stephen Bridy, and Controller Tony Phillips, who are permanent members of the salary board. Zimmerman voted in favor of the increases.

Zimmerman requested an $1,800 increase for second deputy Mary Cathy Scott and a $2,500 increase for first deputy Tina Mertz. The increases would bring the salaries of Scott and Mertz to $31,273 and $35,170, respectively. Scott has worked in the register and recorder's office for 13 years, while Mertz is a 19-year employee.

Zimmerman's request was not listed on the meeting agenda, but the board agreed to address it even though they recommended tabling the issue until the end of the year when the county's future financial outlook becomes clearer.

But Zimmerman insisted on taking a vote, noting that she had requested increases for the positions three years ago, but never was able to get them on the agenda.

Zimmerman said two union employees in her office were granted $1,800 and $1,400 salary increases in 2011 and 2010, respectively, which brought their salaries close to those of her deputies.

She also pointed out that other employees, including court personnel, were previously granted salary increases.

Clausi said the court personnel received their increases from Act 35 money rather than the general fund.

At the commissioners' meeting that followed the salary board session, Clausi announced health insurance for Northumberland County employees is expected to increase by $2 million next year, which will only add to the county's financial problems and could lead to a significant tax increase for residents.

The commissioner said health insurance costs will rise from $5 million to $7 million next year.

He said the majority of the 539 county employees have health insurance coverage through the county.

In other business, the commissioners entered into an agreement with Attorney Vincent V. Rovito Jr. of Shamokin to represent the county in matters relating to the condemnation actions and anticipated sale of the Northumberland-Montour County Airport in Riverside.

Clausi said the county hopes to sell its interest in the airport because it has not been cost effective to operate in recent years. The commissioner said the county, which jointly owns the airport with Montour County, was forced to pay $150,000 last year over an imminent domain dispute involving the expansion of the airport runway.

"The gravy train has to end," he said. "This airport is turning into a private club and it's hurting the county financially."

The board awarded a contract to Superior Plus Energy Services of Exton at their bid price of $.1450 per gallon, dealer handling charge, for supply and delivery of home heating oil at various county buildings. Superior Plus was the lone bidder.

A&S Mechanical of Milton was awarded a $99,600 contract for a natural gas boiler system at the courthouse. Six bids were submitted for the project.

Dabulis Masonry of Coal Township was awarded a $49,910 contract for chimney restoration at the courthouse. Three bids were submitted for the work.

Jeffery Fetterman was promoted to director of information services at a salary of $51,280.84. He replaces David Fisher, who resigned Sept. 28.

Eric Wendt was appointed to succeed Fetterman as assistant director of information services at a salary of $37,470.90.

Justin Dunkelberger of Northumberland was appointed to the SEDA-COG Foundation, with his term beginning immediately and ending July 31, 2015. Clausi said Dunkelberger was the only applicant for the post.

The commissioners passed a resolution to apply for a Keystone Communities Grant from the state Department of Community and Economic Development for blight strategy development being coordinated by the Northumberland County Housing Authority.

TREVORTON - Zerbe Township supervisors have approved a zoning change in anticipation of further economic development related to the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area (AOAA).

Monday night's 3-0 vote by Gene Geise, Mike Mazer and Michael Schwartz came after some opposition at a 45-minute public hearing. Township leaders, however, said there was a need to update outdated zoning designations, last changed in 1966, while also allowing business growth along the main township thoroughfare, Route 225, or Shamokin Street, in the village.

"There are things happening in Zerbe Township that made it necessary to update the ordinance and make it more consistent with what is going on around here," Todd Kerstetter, zoning solicitor, said during the hearing.

Schwartz was recently named to the five-member AOAA Authority, which will begin formal operation in January to govern the off-highway vehicle park.

The 6,500-acre property, owned by Northumberland County, stretches across five townships, its western end starting in Zerbe.

What changed

The key changes are as follows:

- The "commercial-neighborhood zone," which previously extended along Route 225 at the west end of Trevorton for 4 1/2 blocks - from the midpoint of Sixth and Seventh streets at Trevorton Fire Company west to 11th Street - was extended east all the way to the border with Coal Township. In its new territory, a distance of about 3 miles, it replaces the previous "multi-family residential" designation.

Those living along the highway now don't have to do anything, because the new designation allows businesses and homes to be in the same area.

- A one-block area from 11th to 12th streets at the west end of town, previously in the "multi-family residential," was changed to "commercial-heavy." That designation already existed from 12th Street west a short distance out of the village, to about the area of the township sewer plant. It now backs up one block into Trevorton.

Kerstetter noted that Union Bank and Trust Co., Angie's Market and a few restaurants were technically in a residential zone under the old statute.

"It is surprising that there were all those things in the residential zone," he said.

Regarding the second change, it was done to allow Mountainside Motorsports, an ATV service shop which opened in 2010, to also now sell ATVs and other vehicles.

Kerstetter said township leaders hope the zoning changes pay off.

"I drove through the area today and saw some empty garages, buildings that aren't looking so good," he said. "Hopefully, these changes will help economic development and people can buy these dilapidated buildings, tear them down and make something out of the area."

ATVs 'not too good'

Brient Wiest, of East Market Street, was among several residents in the group of 12 at the hearing to voice objections. A stenographer was present, and all who testified had to swear under oath.

"I just wonder why we have to change the zone. Why don't we keep it the way it was and give out variances?" Wiest asked.

Even with the AOAA, development may not occur, he said.

"What I see running around in Trevorton with the ATVs now isn't too good for a bedroom community," Wiest said.

Former township supervisor Edward Hull took an opposing viewpoint.

"I think it's a great idea," he testified. "When we went through the paperwork for the Dollar General store in 2005, we only had two people against running the (commercial) zone all the way through (the township). We have nothing in town now. It's not going to hurt a thing along Trevorton Road."

"I just can't see any good coming from the ATVs and what they bring to Trevorton," Wiest retorted. "I see it now in my neighborhood. I disagree with you, Ed."

After the meeting, Wiest approached supervisors and township solicitor Roger Wiest to further question the decision.

"So the three of you voted, and that's it? The residents don't get a vote?" he said.

"That's why you elected them," Roger Wiest calmly retorted. "To make the decisions in the best interest of the township."

A map detailing the zoning changes is posted for public display for 30 days. Appeals must be filed by Nov. 21.

Puzzle Place feature corrected

SHAMOKIN - The Puzzle Place feature on Page 16 of Wednesday's edition was a repeat from last week.

Wednesday's and today's Puzzle Place are in today's classified section.

The News-Item apologizes for the inconvenience.

Parking restricted for tonight's parade

KULPMONT - There will be no parking allowed on Chestnut Street from 6 to 8 p.m. to to make room for the Kulpmont Halloween Parade.

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

n Tiffany Fye, 33, and Thomas Crosson Jr., 31, both of Harrisburg, waived to court charges of simple assault, criminal trespass and harassment involving a Sept. 9 disturbance at 32 N. Second St., Shamokin.

Fye and Crosson were charged by Shamokin Patrolman Shane Mowery with assaulting Brian Petrovich, causing injuries to his face, mouth and arm.

n Nathaniel Yoder, 34, of 753 Chestnut St., Kulpmont, waived to court charges of stalking, loitering and prowling at night and harassment.

Yoder was charged by Shamokin Patrolman Shane Mowery in connection with incidents that occurred Sept. 14 outside the residence of Heather Nolter, 123 S. Shamokin St., Shamokin.

According to a criminal complaint, Yoder is accused of repeatedly making anonymous telephone calls to Nolter, following her in a vehicle around the streets of Shamokin, circling the victim's home and prowling through various yards, including Nolter's backyard.

Cpl. Darwin Tobias III found Yoder in the 100 block of South Franklin Street and took him into custody. Police said Yoder was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and a black bandana. Police also discovered a fully-loaded, black 12-gauge shotgun partially hidden on the concrete steps of a demolished house, where Yoder was initially spotted.

n Robert D. Weisman, 36, of 323 Avenue B, Riverside, waived to court charges of stalking, loitering and prowling at night and simple trespass relating to a July 7 incident at the Coal Township property of William Rosini Jr.

The charges were filed by Coal Township Deputy Police Chief Chris Williams.

n Gregory Poltenovage, 43, of 1440 Hemlock St., Coal Township, pleaded guilty to a summary of harassment and was ordered to pay a $100 fine plus costs.

A charge of possession of synthetic potpourri/spice was withdrawn.

Poltenovage was charged by Coal Township Patrolman Chad Yoder in connection with an Aug. 1, 2011, incident at his residence.

n Roger Facer, 25, of 403 E. Sunbury St., Shamokin, pleaded guilty to possession of drug paraphernalia and was ordered to pay a $300 fine plus costs and placed on supervised probation for six months.

Facer was charged by Shamokin Patrolman Jarrod Scandle in connection with a July 16 incident at his apartment.

n Matthew Raynor, 26, of 101 S. Franklin St., Shamokin, was held for court on charges of criminal mischief and disorderly conduct relating to an Aug. 31 disturbance at 241 S. Vine St. in which Raynor is accused of breaking a window.

The charges were filed by Shamokin Patrolman William Miner.

n Tasha Bowie, 37, of 145 S. Pearl St., Shamokin, pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct and was sentenced to serve 30 days in Northumberland County Prison while receiving credit for prison time previously served. An additional charge of public drunkenness was withdrawn.

Bowie was charged by Shamokin Patrolman Shane Mowery in connection with an Aug. 31 incident at 150 S. Pearl St.

n Billie Jo Weaver, 42, of 1741 W. Mulberry St., Coal Township, pleaded guilty to criminal mischief and was ordered to pay a $200 fine plus costs and make restitution totaling $1,638. She also was placed on supervised probation for six months. A charge of unauthorized use of a vehicle was withdrawn.

Weaver was charged by Shamokin Patrolman William Miner in connection with an Aug. 30 incident in the city involving a vehicle owned by James J. Tuzzi III, of Bloomsburg.

n Tiffany Haddock, 28, of 719 E. Independence St., Shamokin, was held for court on charges of theft by unlawful taking of movable property, receiving stolen property and possessing a firearm without a license.

The charges relate to the July 27 theft of a handgun owned by John J. Oravitz Jr., of 612 N. Shamokin St., Apt. 104, Shamokin.

The charges were filed by Shamokin Patrolman William Miner.

SHAMOKIN - Cpl. John Brown admits he doesn't want to stop working at the police department.

After 20 years on the job, however, he says retirement is an opportunity to devote more time to being a husband and a father.

"You put in 20 years here and you miss a lifetime," he said of time spent away from his wife and three children.

"I love Shamokin and I love the people who live here," Brown said. "If the city ever needs me for anything, my God, I'd be back in a heartbeat to help them out."

Brown is only 43 years old, and when he turns in his badge this week, he's not exactly heading to his Shamokin home to man the rocking chair. He will take a maintenance job with the Lincoln Towers elderly living apartment building. The hours are during the day: No more swing shifts, midnight shifts and 16-hour shifts, like the one he'll work on his final night that was to begin Wednesday and carry over into this morning.

"I'll be like a real human," he said of the daytime hours.

"I'm going to miss him. We came on together, we're working midnight together to finish up," said Chief Edward Griffiths.

Brown graduated the police academy in 1992, and his first job in law enforcement became his last when he was hired by Shamokin Police Department.

He rose as high as the department's top cop when former Mayor Ronald Bradley appointed him police chief in January 2006, a position he held until a new mayor took office in January 2010.

Brown says he'll miss interacting with city residents most, and he'll miss the camaraderie with his fellow officers. What he'll miss least is losing out on time with his family - a solution found in retirement, even if reluctantly.

He and his wife, Denise, have been married 19 years. They have three children: Dallas, 23, John IV, 15, and Katie, 13.