ZERBE TOWNSHIP - Mountainside Motorsports began business on West Shamokin Street in Trevorton in 2010.

On July 4 of this year, Kandie's Place opened just a few blocks away - and that restaurant is just down the block from Dal's Pizza, another relative newcomer to the business community.

Meanwhile, landlords are sinking money into homes along Shamokin Street (Route 225), with new siding, porches and sidewalks evident from one end of Trevorton to the other.

And, just this week, township supervisors voted to change the zoning ordinance for the first time in 46 years - a move they believe is necessary to spur even more economic development.

Why all the buzz in Trevorton and Zerbe Township? In short, the AOAA.

The Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area under development on 6,500 acres of Northumberland County-owned land includes a large chunk in Zerbe Township.

The park's primary access is planned just off Route 125 south of Shamokin in Coal Township, but the master plan notes three possible secondary access points in Zerbe Township, two along Route 2044 on the road to West Cameron Township, and one right in Trevorton.

While "ATV" is a bit of a dirty word in Zerbe Township, the community facing regular complaints about riders kicking up dust at Coal Hill at the west end of town. The prospects of a controlled environment on AOAA land is enticing, township leaders say.

"This could be the biggest opportunity we see in Zerbe Township since the mining days," said supervisor board Chairman Michael Schwartz. "The people that have opened new businesses are confident that it will happen."

$80,000 investment

Kandie Rebuck and her husband, Harry, invested $80,000 in Kandie's Place, located in the former Trevorton Odd Fellows Lodge.

They remodeled the building and installed restaurant equipment with the intent of leasing it to someone else.

"That deal fell through, and it was something that I always wanted to do, so here I am running the place," Rebuck said in a recent interview.

"There were so many possibilities we thought of for it," her husband said. "Using it for storage, starting a hardware store or gun shop, but the restaurant seemed like the best fit."

Although there are several food outlets already established, including Dal's a stone's throw away, and the well-established Hannah's, also nearby, the Rebucks believe there is room for everyone, especially once the AOAA opens.

"Some people prefer to go to a hoagie or pizza shop and some will pick up food at the supermarket," Kandie Rebuck said. "Everyone's different. We have so much to offer when the riders come down from the mountain."

Stay a while

Jacob Shingara said when he opened Mountainside Motorsports that he saw possibilities with the planned AOAA park and other local ATV riding. The new zoning ordinance should help his business even more. A change from residential to commercial-heavy for his shop's location allows him to not just service, but to sell ATVs or any type of vehicle.

Township supervisor Mike Mazer said Shingara has also put up storage units at the former Sigafoos Auto Wreckers salvage yard and has discussed building rental cottages in the area.

Supervisors think bed-and-breakfast lodges, too, could cater to those who come to the AOAA.

"I've heard there's an out-of-town family that purchased a home in Zerbe Township and uses it specifically on the weekends when they come in to ride their ATVs," Mazer said.

"I think it will all depend on getting a good access point to the park," said Gene Geise, the third supervisor. If it goes elsewhere, "we might not see the traffic here."

Switching gears

Schwartz, who was recently appointed to the AOAA Authority Board by Northumberland County commissioners, said support for the park is not the same as supporting the kind of ATV riding for which the township is currently known.

"We are an advocate of the AOAA, but not an advocate of Coal Hill," Schwartz said. Supervisors want to stop all riding on Coal Hill, but that would require assistance from the property owner, Reading Anthracite Coal Co., which sells permits to ride on company-owned land for $100 a year.

"Once the AOAA is operational, there are some indications that Reading will come to the table and work with us," Schwartz said.

However, there will likely still be persistent local riders that use Coal Hill because they don't want to pay any fees for the AOAA.

"That is when Reading will have to step up and enforce it," Geise said.

County commissioners, who were under pressure to name municipal representatives to the authority but did not, stressed that Schwartz was named more for his association with the ATV industry and his career in banking than his role as Zerbe supervisor.

All could benefit

The three supervisors hope the outdoor enthusiasts who visit their community will see what they see.

"I've been here all my life, was born and raised here," Schwartz said. "Zerbe has always been a friendly town."

"As a resident for 24 years, I've seen a lot of people that take pride in their community," Mazer said.

"We have a great school district in Line Mountain; that gives a lot of opportunity for our youth," added Geise. "Trevorton also has the last volunteer ambulance service running in Northumberland County."

It's not about supporting one particular idea, they said, but about spurring economic activity that will have wide-ranging impact.

"New and successful businesses will create revenue for the township that will enable us to improve our infrastructure without raising taxes," Mazer said. "If the AOAA comes in, everyone in Zerbe Township could benefit."

MOUNT CARMEL - Two Mount Carmel residents charged in the Oct. 9 strong-arm robbery of a Marion Heights woman waived their cases to county court Wednesday afternoon during preliminary hearings before Magisterial District Judge Hugh Jones.

Robert Warren Powers, 27, of 339 E. Seventh St., and Vanessa Ann Steigerwalt, 23, of 443 W. Third St., were ordered to appear for plea court Dec. 3 at Northumberland County Courthouse in Sunbury, where they can plead guilty or no contest, or seek a trial by pleading not guilty.

Both defendants, who had their arms and legs shackled, were under constant supervision by state Constables Larry Rompallo, Glenn Masser and Patrick Reynolds during their legal proceedings.

Powers was represented by Northumberland County Conflicts Counselor Michael Seward, while Steigerwalt's attorney was Northumberland County Public Defender Paige Rosini.

The defendants and their attorneys declined comment after the hearings.

Powers, who was released from state prison in New Jersey three months ago after serving three years for burglary, and Steigerwalt, 23, were charged Oct. 16 by Mount Carmel Township Patrolman David Stamets Jr. and Chief of Police Brian Hollenbush with felonies of criminal conspiracy to commit robbery with force, robbery with force and flight to avoid apprehension, and misdemeanors of theft, receiving stolen property and simple assault, and a summary of harassment. Steigerwalt, who gave police conflicting statements about the robbery and initially denied her involvement in the crimes, also was charged with misdemeanors of unsworn falsification to authorities and making false reports to police.

They were each recommitted by Jones to Northumberland County Prison in Sunbury in lieu of $150,000 cash bail, which was the same amount set at their arraignments.

They are accused of robbing Lisa Beury, 53, of 142 E. Melrose St., Marion Heights, on her front porch when Beury arrived home at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 9 after cashing a $500 Lottery ticket at Boyer's Food Market. Beury was allegedly knocked to the ground by Powers during the robbery and had her purse stolen.

Powers then ran east on Melrose Street, north on Brunswick Street and east on Coal Street, where he entered a vehicle operated by Steigerwalt before fleeing the scene, police allege.

Police reported Powers discarded Beury's purse along Route 54 between the co-generation plant at Marion Heights and Turkey Hill Minit Market in Strong. Police said Powers stole only $50; he failed to notice the remainder of the money from the Lottery ticket was contained in a side pocket of the purse, police said.

Powers also threw away a green hoodie he was wearing at the time of the robbery, according to police, who later located the sweatshirt near a playground in Strong.

Police said Steigerwalt, who has no prior criminal record, was taken into custody at Boyer's Food Market, where she was employed. She moved to Mount Carmel in January 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.

SHAMOKIN - The following individuals, couples, groups and floats were voted winners in the Halloween parade held in the city Wednesday night.

Individual

1st place: Analeigh Barnes as "Little Mermaid."

2nd place: Brady Kodack as "Old man from the movie 'Up'."

3rd place: Kiralyn Wojciechowski as "Flower in Pot."

Couples

1st place: Ava and Carson Moore as "Chef and spaghetti girl."

2nd place: Mckenzie Young and Sadey Seroskie as "Old lady who lived in a shoe."

3rd place: Stacey Jones and Brett Kleman as "Bride and groom."

Group

1st place: Blake Myers and Reese and Rowen Humphrey as "Smores."

2nd place: Rena Domanski, Dixie Schnee and Amon as "Red Riding Hood."

3rd place: Carole and Ashley Fodor and Dante Fodor-Hamilton and Aaron Hamilton as "FandS."

Small float

1st place: Fourspring and Reuter girls as "Cha cha cha."

2nd place: Leah Shedleski, Katie Witkoski, Alexis Kane, Rachel Witkoski and Frankie Kane as "Rock and Roll is here to stay: 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s."

3rd place: Ava, Ashton and Ella Hughes as "Ghostbusters."

Large float

1st place: Marley and Lea Rusinko, Blake and Mya Wise and Cole and Ty Spears as "The Flintstones."

2nd place: The Olszewski's as "Revenge of the Moonlight Fright Vampires."

3rd place: Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School as "Legos."

A special thank you is extended to the City of Shamokin Police Department, Shamokin Street Department, Shamokin Fire Police, Shamokin Area Junior and Senior High School bands, volunteers and all participating fire department and ambulance services. The support and involvement of everyone who entered and participated in the parade is also appreciated.

Prizes can be picked up at First National Bank in Shamokin during regular business hours beginning Friday. All winners listed, including honorable mention, will receive a prize.

The parade was sponsored by First National Bank, Shamokin, and The News-Item, which provided cider and cookies to participants at the end of the parade route.

HARRISBURG - A bill that raises maximum fines for alcohol offenses and awaits the governor's anticipated signature could generate an estimated $6 million in new annual revenue spread across Pennsylvania municipalities.

The legislation winning final approval last week would increase the maximum fines to $1,000 for underage drinking and public drunkenness.

Currently, maximum fines are $300 for public drunkenness and first-time underage drinking citations. Repeat underage offenders are subject to $500 fines.

Sen. Jake Corman, R-34, Bellefonte, sponsored the legislation to create a greater deterrent to alcohol misuse and to help municipalities meet the costs of responding to alcohol-related offenses.

Corman represents the State College area, and the legislation is sought by

municipalities hosting colleges and universities. Officials in these towns report drinking violations are on the rise. The Pennsylvania Municipal League supports the bill.

"If higher fines are chosen, the municipality and taxpayers will see relief in the cost they bear, this time paid by the actual violator, rather than through increased property taxes," said Corman.

The $6 million revenue estimate comes from fiscal notes on the legislation prepared by the Senate and House Appropriations Committees. As a starting point, the notes cite 2011 statewide statistics from the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts showing 27,309 convictions for public drunkenness, of which 4,584 resulted in a maximum fine, and 13,959 convictions for underage drinking violations, of which 4,117 resulted in a maximum fine.

The estimate assumes that a similar number of convictions will receive the higher maximum $1,000 fine set by the legislation.

The committees have no potential revenue breakdown by municipality.

A related Corman bill to levy an additional fee on alcohol offenses to support prevention programs didn't win final passage before voting on bills ended for this legislative session.

Dear Abby: My wife and I have had many discussions regarding tattoos. She would say she wanted one; I'd disagree.

Well, just before her birthday she had her best friend, a tattoo artist, give her a small tattoo of a dragonfly with dots representing our four children. I didn't know about it for about six weeks, until I walked up behind her at her computer desk and noticed it on her upper shoulder. Our kids knew and hadn't said anything.

I got really mad and left the house for a while. When I returned and began arguing with her, she would say only that it was her body, and she would do whatever she wanted.

I have gotten over the tattoo part, but I haven't forgotten about not knowing and how I finally found out. I am hurt that she didn't tell me. She doesn't think it's worth apologizing for. It seems like everything she does now is one big secret. Please advise. - Hurt To The Bone In Kentucky

Dear Hurt To The Bone: Your wife didn't tell you because she wanted to avoid the argument that she knew would follow. Your children didn't say anything because they were protecting their mother.

It appears that you and your wife have significant communication problems. Counseling might help, and I recommend it because secrets can cause marriages to crumble.

Dear Abby: When I was a young woman, I was a single parent. I did it all - the cooking, the cleaning and working. My friends would laugh at how often I'd say, "I need a wife!" I didn't mean it in a sexual way; I simply hated housework and cooking.

When I started dating my husband, my daughter told him, "Mom will never marry you. Men are just more wash and messes." He told her he would do the housework. Stupidly, I believed him.

The economy tanked, I lost my job and I have become a housewife. I feel like I'm serving a life sentence in a prison of my own making. I tried to convince my husband to move so I could find a job and hire a maid. No luck. He decided that since we didn't need as much money, he would work less. Now he works part-time, and I want out. - Living In Hell In New Jersey

Dear Living In Hell: Tell your husband that you didn't sign up for the role he has assigned to you. I'm sure he already knows you're not happy with the situation. If he is unwilling to resume working full-time, then it will be up to you to find some kind of job that will enable you to save enough money to leave.

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Write Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

** ** **

To order "How to Write Letters for All Occasions," send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $7 (U.S. funds) to: Dear Abby -- Letter Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. Shipping and handling are included in the price.

(EDITORS: If you have editorial questions, please contact Sue Roush, sroush(at)amuniversal.com.)

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TREVORTON - There are few local municipalities that can boast as being the birthplace of a World Series champion, but Zerbe Township can.

Earl "Sparky" Adams was born in the township on Aug. 26, 1894. He had a 12-year career in the major leagues, debuting on Sept. 18, 1922, with the Chicago Cubs and making his final appearance on Sept. 30, 1934, for the Cincinnati Reds. He also played for the Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals.

From 1925 to 1927, Adams led the National League in at-bats with the Cubs. The 1931 season was considered his career highlight when he was named the Cardinals' starting third baseman and hit a career-high 46 doubles as the Cardinals went on to defeat the Philadelphia Athletics four games to three in the World Series. Adams finished ninth in the Baseball Writers Association of America's Most Valuable Player balloting for the National League.

He retired from baseball in 1935 and became a farmer and service station operator in Tremont. He died Feb. 24, 1989, in Pottsville.

Township born in 1853

Trevorton, known as a community and a census-designated place, has an area of 4.3 square miles and had a population of 1,834 people at the time of the 2010 census.

Zerbe Township, which overlaps Trevorton with its 11.6 square miles, had a population of 1,872 residents in 2010.

Zerbe Township was formed by an act of the Legislature on March 11, 1853. According to Bell's History of Northumberland County, the township's first house was built around 1800 by William Cressinger.

The existence of coal in the area was discovered as early as 1827 when a company was incorporated to construct a canal for slackwater navigation from the Susquehanna River to "The Coal Mines" at the mouth of Zerbe Run. The canal was never constructed, but coal interests began to develop.

Shamokin civil engineer Kimber Cleaver laid out the town, with public sale of lots for Trevorton being held on May 28, 1850.

Following the sale, Judge Alexander Jordan deposited a lump of coal from Zerbe Gap and a container of water from the Susquehanna River in a hole that he dug in the ground, proclaiming Trevorton as "the banns between Zerbe Gap and the Susquehanna River," which he predicted would be united by the railroad. That occurred in November.

During World War I, 499,800 tons of coal was produced at the North Franklin Colliery under the ownership of the Philadelphia and Reading Coal & Iron Co. However, in 1929, all operations ceased, and on Jan. 27, 1931, the breaker was destroyed by fire. Meanwhile, the Stevens Colliery continued to thrive. It employed 551 people in 1945 and operated until 1963.

Community pride

In recent years, there have been a number of new events and holiday celebrations to promote community pride.

On Oct. 13, the township held its annual fall festival in conjunction with the Zerbe Township Halloween Parade, with a great turnout at each. A Zerbe Township Christmas was held last December, and the community recognizes National Night Out each year with a large turnout of emergency responders and the public.

The township recreation committee continues to work to improve the Foundry grounds. A tot lot playground has already been installed, and there are plans to resurface the tennis courts.

SHAMOKIN - U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta says his absence from an election event Tuesday night in Danville was a "non-issue" raised by his opponent in an effort to grab attention.

"We offered if they could change the date I would be happy to try to make it. (But) I wasn't going to back out of a (prior) commitment I gave two months ago," Barletta said during a visit Wednesday to The News-Item for a campaign interview that was scheduled several weeks ago.

Barletta and challenger Gene Stilp were invited to a Candidates Night hosted by the Danville Area League of Voters at the American Legion. The congressman couldn't make it and, as offered by the League of Voters in its invitation, he sent someone else from his staff - communications director Shawn Kelly.

Stilp took exception, viewing it as a dismissal of the electorate in a new area for the recently realigned 11th Congressional District. "What event takes precedence over this debate?" he asked Tuesday night.

Wednesday, he said the situation has resulted in his reform list growing longer.

Surrogate allowed

Barletta said the events surrounding his absence were much less of an issue than portrayed by Stilp.

He'd already been expected at a Republican Party dinner for 500 people from Dauphin and Cumberland counties, two new counties in the 11th, that was booked two months ago. He said that was long before an invitation was received from the Danville group. In fact, Barletta said he read about the Danville forum and his anticipated appearance in the newspaper before he was invited.

When he was invited, he said he asked if the date could be rescheduled. It couldn't, and so he sent Kelly in his place, he said.

Kelly works for his public staff and not his campaign. His appearance was not a conflict, according to House ethics rules, because Kelly's appearance was voluntary. Kelly was not paid and no taxpayer resources were used, Barletta said.

He said the Dauphin County dinner was not a fundraiser for his campaign. He did acknowledge it was an opportunity to appear before 500 constituents two weeks before the election.

As for the event itself, Barletta says he was never made aware it would be a "debate."

Barletta has twice debated Stilp, once in a newspaper feature in a Wilkes-Barre publication and once on radio in Harrisburg. A third debate is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 1, to air on WVIA-TV.

Stilp had sought debates in each of the nine counties of the district. Barletta said that request is unreasonable due to scheduling, pointing out that the three debates he has agreed to are two more than offered by his opponent in 2010, former Rep. Paul Kanjorski.

"We're doing as many debates with Mr. Stilp as the (candidates) are doing to be president of the United States," Barletta added.

Chance for reform

Stilp said Wednesday that, beyond the details of who was invited when, he learned something "very interesting" Tuesday night, and he's added it to the list of reforms he hopes to enact if elected.

"At 11:59 a.m. you can be on congressional pay, and at noon you can be on campaign pay," he said. "We need to establish a clear red line between campaign activity and congressional staff activity. The line is totally blurred at this point."

He figures most taxpayers feel the same way.

"It's a clear example of what should not happen: A taxpayer-funded person going to a campaign event to represent a congressman in a debate," he said.

SHAMOKIN - One night a week for the past year, folks in need have received a hot meal from the warm hearts of the organizers and volunteers of God's Chuck Wagon in downtown Shamokin. Tuesday marked the one year anniversary of the mobile soup kitchen started by Pastor Jim Bowers and his wife, Janet, of the Outreach of Ministry of the Water and Spirit in Locust Gap.

"The day we decided to start it, Jim was in the hospital with blood clots in his lungs," Janet said. "I promised him I would do it and I served soup to twenty people that night."

Since then, the menu has expanded. On Tuesday, aside from the usual soup and bread, they were also serving hot dogs, ham sandwiches, bananas, chips, drinks and freshbaked goods made by volunteer Lillian Reader.

The soup kitchen has seen a large influx of people stopping by for a bite to eat over the past year. The couple estimate that they serve approximately 125 people a week in Shamokin and 70 to 80 when they are in Mount Carmel Monday evenings.

"We have moved from using a Chevy Malibu to a van and now, by Thanksgiving, we should have our bus up and running," Pastor Bowers said. They recently purchased a 72-passenger bus and are going to convert it to a true mobile soup kitchen, in part to keep out of the cold in the winter months. The new ride will also allow them to expand to more communities including Trevorton, Kulpmont and Tharptown. (See accompanying photo caption for more on the bus.)

Thanksgiving dinner will be offered during the week of Nov. 19 in both Mount Carmel and Shamokin on the regularly scheduled nights.

The soup kitchen relies solely on donations, but Jim and Janet purchase most of the meat.

"Donations are tough and, sad to say, most of them come from out-of-town," Pastor Bowers said but also noted that Weis Markets and Pepsi have been good to them. They are also partnered with the Shepherd's Table food pantry of Coal Township.

"We love doing this rather than having it in a building. There are no walls here and people feel free and comfortable to come here rather than a church they might not agree with," Pastor Bowers said. They also plan to hand out blankets, scarves, hats and gloves during the winter months.

Tammi Fiorey and her daughter Abbi, 12, of Shamokin, have been helping out when God's Chuck Wagon is in Shamokin on Tuesdays for the past month.

"I just like helping out the community," Abbi said, who was missing soccer practice to volunteer.

Her mother said Abbi is the one that "reminds me to come down every week."

To make a donation or for more information, call Pastor Jim Bowers at 492-3902.

It only takes a small fraction of your time and minimal effort to help carry out various projects to improve the community. The following are upcoming events in need of volunteers:

LARRC seeks volunteers

Members of Lower Anthracite Regional Recreation Committee (LARRC) are working toward constructing a recreation area near Mountain View: A Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, including two soccer fields, batting cages, a walking track and a playground. The group is hoping to break ground this fall. Volunteers are needed to donate time, machines, craftsmanship and any other services. For more information, contact George Zarick at 850-3087, Jerry Waugh at 394-4327 or Coal Township manager Rob Slaby at 644-0395.

Zombie Run

Coal City Revitalization Inc. will hold a 2.7 mile "Zombie Run" at 1 p.m. Saturday. Participants are to meet in the Shamokin Post Office parking lot for registration at 11 a.m. The cost is $20 per person and the proceeds will be donated to local projects to better the community. There will also be activities for kids in the lot.

Community cleanup Nov. 4

A community cleanup organized by Shamokin Elementary fourth-grade student Rosalind Kane will take place from 1 to 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 4. Participants are to meet at the bandstand at Third and Arch streets. Rosalind organized a Labor Day cleanup in which 35 area residents donated an hour to spruce up various areas around town.

(The News-Item is looking to highlight some of the things to which you can contribute time in the area. We will provide that information weekly in Friday's edition. We invite you to submit ideas and existing projects to living@newsitem.com or give us a call and let us know what's going on.)

Committee meeting rescheduled

SHAMOKIN - A meeting of Shamokin's 150th Anniversary Committee will be held at 7 p.m. Nov. 13 in City Hall, 47 E. Lincoln St.

The meeting was rescheduled due to next month's general election.

Anyone from the public interested in participating is urged to attend.

'Operation Be Seen' set Monday

ELYSBURG - Elysburg Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services will sponsor "Operation Be Seen" in conjunction with Ralpho Township Trick-or-Treat night Monday.

Operation Be Seen began last year as a way to increase visibility and, thereby, safety for those trick-or-treating in the township. Employees and volunteers will be in local neighborhoods handing out free glow necklaces to individuals trick-or-treating. As an added benefit this year, trick-or-treaters can stop by either fire station, located on East Mill Street in Elysburg and Overlook Boulevard in Overlook, for free hot chocolate and treats. Employees and volunteers handing out glow necklaces will be in an ambulance or fire department vehicle and will be properly identified.

Operation Be Seen will begin at 6 p.m. and continue until supplies run out.

PAXINOS - The local Marine Corps League detachment is in need of a few good men - and women - to join its honor guard.

Walt Summers said he sees Marine Corps flags proudly flown throughout the greater Shamokin area, and more than a few corps license plates on cars and pickups.

The men and women who served with honor and are proud to be Marines are needed, he said, to help lay fellow Marines and other military veterans to rest.

"We're soliciting all these people who are proud to show they're Marines. They served their country, now come and serve the community," Summers, 82, of Paxinos, said Thursday.

The Black Diamond Detachment 846 of the Marine Corps League was recently certified to serve as an honor guard at all military funerals.

The detachment has 22 members, Summers said, but some of them may be unable to help, especially on short notice, due to doctors appointments and the like or even physical limitation.

"Some of our members are World War II guys," he said. "We need more Marines."

A minimum of eight Marines are needed for any one detachment honor guard. They have at present enough members to handle one funeral at a time, but he said there will be occasions when more than one military funeral would be occurring simultaneously.

Summers says area funeral directors have been made aware of the detachment's availability. They will serve in the areas of Shamokin, Coal Township, Paxinos and Elysburg, so as to not step on the toes of other honor guards, he said.

But when it comes to Marines, he said "we'd go everywhere."

Anyone interested in more information on joining the honor guard can call Summers at 672-1010 or visit the detachment's monthly meetings at 7 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month at the American Legion in Kulpmont.

KULPMONT - Michael J. Fantanarosa, chairman of the Kulpmont Lions Halloween Parade Committee, announced the winners of this year's parade held Thursday evening in the borough.

The winners in the separate categories are:

Grand marshal

"Kiss" - Vikki Boris, Michael Boris, Brendan Boris, Dimitri Boris and Brutus.

Judges trophy

"Cha Cha Cha" - Fourspring and Reuter Girls.

Patriotic

"Military Boys" - Colton, Griffin and Jack.

Individuals

"Lego Man" - Bryson Zvoncheck.

"Miniature Golfer" - Colton Worhach.

"Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf" - Juliana Klusman.

"Itsy Bitsy Spider" - Bailey Pisarz.

"Hot Air Balloon" - Brynnlee Ballict.

"Bush with Dog" - Erin Bossler.

"Evil Jester" - Peyton Galitski.

"My Little Cupcake" - Maggie Jo Gownley.

"Fuzzy Monsters" - Nikki Smith, Sheldon Sassani.

"Joker Scary" - Brandon Pelowski.

"Demon Biker" - John Poponiak.

"Silly Little Monkey" - Bobby Green III.

"Tigger" - C. Mattucci.

"Strawberry Shortcake"- Tori DeFrancesco.

"Old Lady" - Marissa Katinsky.

"Dinky the Dragon" - Maddox Burns.

"The Flower" - Hailey DeFrancesco.

Doubles

"Pirate Ship" - Anthony Gratti III and Trevor Gratti.

"Ice Cream Man and Cone" - Luciano Belgio and Malibu Belgio.

"DMP FD" - Parker Pesarchick and Garrett Pesarchick.

"Toy Story Tots" - Sierra Balonis and Killyun Derr.

"Scary Brothers" - Mikey Higgins and Gabe Higgins.

"Ninja Turtles" - Kamryn Kotzo and Gavin Kotzo.

Groups

"Moonlight Vampires" - Kelsey, Daniel and Bryan Olszewski.

"Rock N Roll is Here to Stay" - Leah Shedleski, Katie Witkoski, Alexis Kane, Rachael Witkoski.

"The Randoms" - Sierra Gratti, Tami Gratti, Rocco Gratti,Scream Gratti, Nibs Gratti.

"Dalton Dinghy" - Jean Quinn, Shannon Quinn, Dalton O'Hearn, Murphy Quinn.

"Flintstones" - Blake and Mya Wise, Cole and Ty Spears, Lea and Marley Rusinko, Colton Habowski.

Judges for the parade were Sherri Bozza, Ann Martino, Elaine Lutz and Mary Kay Bartol.

Providing music for the parade were the Mount Carmel Area High School Band, dressed in costume, and "The Shoreliners" on the Lions Club float. Other participants included Kulpmont Police and Fire Police, East End Fire Company No. 1, West End Fire Company No. 2, Strong Fire Company, Marion Heights Fire Company, Mount Carmel Ambulance, AREA Services and Kulpmont Ambulance.

All participants were treated to refreshments prepared by the Kulpmont Halloween Committee and Lions Ladies served in the West End Fire Company social rooms.

Fantanarosa thanked the parade sponsors, parade committee, Kulpmont Police and fire police, Lions Ladies, parade judges, the Rev. Andrew Stahmer, pastor of Holy Angels Parish; Rhoades Florist, Fantanarosa Transport, Mayor Myron Turlis and Kulpmont Borough Council, St. Pauline Visintainer Center Board of Directors, West End Fire Company and all participants who helped make this year's parade a great success.

Prizes can be picked up from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Kulpmont Lions Den.

SHAMOKIN - James F. Kelley, Northumberland County Coroner, is requesting assistance from the general public in locating "living blood relatives" of Richard Elwood Moser, a 56-year-old white male who last resided on Chestnut Street, Kulpmont.

Moser passed away in his residence Wednesday. Those with information are asked to contact Kelley at the coroner's office at 648-4149 or the Northumberland County Communication Center at 988-4539.

BLOOMSBURG - The Shamokin Area High School Competition Band won the Tournament of Bands Group 2-A Chapter 4 Championship 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. The band will compete in the Tournament of Bands Atlantic Coast Group 2-A Championship Saturday at Central Dauphin High School. The competition starts at 3:30 p.m., with Shamokin Area performing at 5:56 p.m. Awards will be presented at 10 p.m.

The Atlantic Coast Championships include nine states and more than 100 bands.

COAL TOWNSHIP - During her keynote speech at the Northumberland County Juvenile Court banquet, Keri Albright challenged those in attendance to be the leaders - possibly even the surrogate parents - of the troubled youth they interact with on a daily basis.

"Don't waste the opportunity to change that life in front of you," Albright said Thursday evening. "Think about your roles in today's parenting."

Albright, the president and the CEO of the Greater Susquehanna Valley United Way, addressed Northumberland Juvenile Court workers, advisory board members, community leaders and others at the banquet, which was held at the Northumberland County Career and Technology Center.

She kept the audience riveted, not only because of the words she spoke, but because she was speaking in a loud whisper due to the throat surgery she had to undergo four weeks ago.

As the Lewisburg native talked about her experiences working with women in Northumberland County, her words were empowering to many in attendance. She told a story about one woman who reached out to her.

"She wasn't sure if she should reach out to me on the phone, and when I called her back, I asked her why she was afraid," Albright said. "This 30-year-old woman told me her father said she was nothing but a dirty worthless piece of crap and I didn't want her to call me, that I was only being nice."

That was when Albright realized the role parenting has in molding today's youth. She said those who work in the juvenile court system have a great opportunity to be there for these kids when their own family can't.

"What an experience you are all given, to see these young lives at their worst, and then at their best," she said. "Thank you all for righting the wrongs and believing the unbelievable when it comes to these youths."

In awards presented at the banquet, Andy Charnosky was named Juvenile Court Employee of the Year, and supervisor Lisa Donlan was honored for her 20 years of service to Northumberland County Juvenile Court.

Shamokin Police Officer Nate Rhoades was named law enforcement officer of the year, and Shamokin Area teacher Matt Weller was named educator of the year.

Judy Davis administrator for the Behavioral Health and Intellectual/Developmental Services department, was presented with the Samuel C. Ranck Lifetime Achievement Award.

Theo Reynolds and Taylor Glassic were presented with $1,000 awards from the Michael Kivko Memorial Youth Scholarship, and Sunbury Mayor David Persing was presented with the Fred Piermattei Youth Service Award.

SUNBURY - Noted Sunbury attorney Thomas E. Boop was appointed Thursday as a temporary special assistant district attorney for Northumberland County, returning to the office where he served for eight years.

County District Attorney Anthony J. Rosini reported Boop is volunteering his services on a part-time basis to the DA's office to help them clear a backlog of forfeiture cases.

"I'm extremely grateful for Tom's kind offer to help out with our pending forfeiture cases," Rosini said in a press release Thursday. "Given the cuts in our staff, we just aren't able to investigate, file and prosecute all forfeiture cases that are generated by the drug task force in a timely manner."

Drug forfeitures occur when police departments seize money from criminals, happening more frequently in drug cases because of the crime's nature. The seized funds are held by the police as evidence while the case is prosecuted. Once the case is resolved, the Commonwealth can ask to forfeit the cash or other property to be used for law enforcement purposes, if it is related to criminal activity. Funds seized in this way go to the Northumberland/Montour Drug Task Force for drug enforcement efforts.

Rosini has been at odds with the Northumberland Couuty Commissioners after the county salary cut the number of assistant district attorneys from five to four in January, saving the county approximately $80,000 in salary and benefits, but increasing the workload for the remaining attorneys. John Muncer was the attorney cut, but filed a grievance with the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board (PLRB) over the firing.

The PLRB sided with Muncer in August, awarding him $23,000 in back pay for six months lost wages and his job back. Muncer declined; he was appointed assistant county solicitor in February. Rosini maintains the position that the fifth attorney should be reinstated.

From 1978 to 1984, Boop served as an assistant district attorney for the county and successfully prosecuted numerous misdemeanor and felony cases. He was also the lead counsel on two criminal homicide trials that resulted in convictions.

An avid outdoorsman, he recently completed an eight and one-half year term as a board member of the Pennsylvania Game Commission, serving two years as board president. In February, Boop was appointed to Gov. Tom Corbett's advisory council for hunting, fishing and conservation for a one-year term.

The release states Boop will assist the law enforcement committee at no cost to the taxpayers, and will receive an annual salary of $1.

"Tom's assistance will be a great help in keeping our drug task force funded and able to investigate the increased drug activity we are experiencing," Rosini said.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The pre-Halloween hybrid weather monster that federal forecasters call "Frankenstorm" is looking more ominous by the hour for the East Coast, and utilities and local governments are getting ready.

Meteorologists expect a natural horror show of high wind, heavy rain, extreme tides and maybe snow to the west beginning early Sunday, peaking with the arrival of Hurricane Sandy on Tuesday and lingering past Halloween on Wednesday.

With a rare mix of three big merging weather systems over a densely populated region, experts predict at least $1 billion in damage.

The stage is set as Hurricane Sandy, having blown through Haiti and Cuba, continues to barrel north. A wintry storm is chugging across the country from the west. And frigid air is streaming south from Canada.

And if they meet Tuesday morning around New York or New Jersey, as forecasters predict, they could create a big, wet mess that settles over the nation's most heavily populated corridor and reaches as far west as Ohio.

Utilities are lining up out-of-state work crews and canceling employees' days off to deal with expected power outages. From county disaster chiefs to the federal government, emergency officials are warning the public to be prepared. And President Barack Obama was briefed aboard Air Force One.

"It's looking like a very serious storm that could be historic," said Jeff Masters, meteorology director of the forecasting service Weather Underground. "Mother Nature is not saying, 'Trick or treat.' It's just going to give tricks."

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecaster Jim Cisco, who coined the nickname Frankenstorm, said: "We don't have many modern precedents for what the models are suggesting."

Government forecasters said there is a 90 percent chance — up from 60 percent two days earlier — that the East will get pounded.

Coastal areas from Florida to Maine will feel some effects, but the storm is expected to vent the worst of its fury on New Jersey and the New York City area, which could see around 5 inches of rain and gale-force winds close to 40 mph. Eastern Ohio, southwestern Pennsylvania and western Virginia could get snow.

And the storm will take its time leaving. The weather may not start clearing in the mid-Atlantic until the day after Halloween and Nov. 2 in the upper Northeast, Cisco said.

"It's almost a weeklong, five-day, six-day event," he said from a NOAA forecast center in College Park, Md. "It's going to be a widespread, serious storm."

It is likely to hit during a full moon, when tides are near their highest, increasing the risk of coastal flooding. And because many trees still have their leaves, they are more likely to topple in the event of wind and snow, meaning there could be widespread power outages lasting to Election Day.

Eastern states that saw outages that lasted for days after last year's freak Halloween snowstorm and Hurricane Irene in late August 2011 are already pressuring power companies to be more ready this time.

Asked if he expected utilities to be more prepared, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick responded: "They'd better be."

Jersey Central Power & Light, which was criticized for its response to Irene, notified employees to be ready for extended shifts. In Pennsylvania, PPL Corp. spokesman Michael Wood said, "We're in a much better place this year."

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg on Thursday said the city was striking a tone of calm preparedness.

"What we are doing is we are taking the kind of precautions you should expect us to do, and I don't think anyone should panic," Bloomberg said. The city has opened an emergency situation room and activated its coastal storm plan.

Some have compared the tempest to the so-called Perfect Storm that struck off the coast of New England in 1991, but that one hit a less populated area. Nor is this one like last year's Halloween storm, which was merely an early snowfall.

"The Perfect Storm only did $200 million of damage and I'm thinking a billion" this time, Masters said. "Yeah, it will be worse."

As it made its way across the Caribbean, Sandy was blamed for more than 20 deaths. The 18th named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season hit the Bahamas after cutting across Cuba, where it tore roofs off homes and damaged fragile coffee and tomato crops.

Norje Pupo, a 66-year-old retiree in Holguin, was helping his son clean up early Thursday after an enormous tree toppled in his garden.

"The hurricane really hit us hard," he said. "As you can see, we were very affected. The houses are not poorly made here, but some may have been damaged."

___

Associated Press writers Tony Winton in Miami, Fernando Gonzalez in Cuba, Ken Thomas on Air Force One, Michael Rubinkam in Harrisburg, Pa., and Karen Matthews in New York contributed to this report.

SHAMOKIN - Rita J. Varano, 88, of 400 N. Franklin St., passed away peacefully in her sleep Friday morning, Oct. 26, 2012, at Mountain View: A Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Coal Township, where she had been a guest since Aug. 2.

Born in Coal Township, Dec. 31, 1923, she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Lucille (Lizzul) Kirsic.

She was a 1941 graduate of Coal Township High School.

On June 14, 1947, Rita was married in the former St. Joseph Church, Coal Township, by the late Rev. Msgr. Dennis P. Reardon to Vincent J. Varano, who survives.

She was a loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother.

She was a lifelong member of the former St. Edward Church, now Mother Cabrini Church, Shamokin.

In addition to her husband, survivors include a son, Anthony J. Varano, of Elysburg, and his children, Angela and Christopher; a daughter, Andrea Phillips, of Cypress, Texas, and her children, Alea, Kayla and Christian.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Mary Varano.

VARANO - Rita J. Varano, 88, of 400 N. Franklin St., Shamokin. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. Monday at Mother Cabrini Church, Shamokin. Interment in Northumberland Memorial Park, Stonington, will be private at the convenience of the family. Jerre Wirt Blank Funeral Home, 395 State St., Sunbury, has charge of arrangements.

WILLIAMSPORT - A second amended complaint filed in federal court by former Northumberland County chief clerk Kymberley Best reinstates allegations of sexual discrimination and harassment and retaliatory firing into her federal lawsuit against Northumberland County Commissioner Vinny Clausi and former Commissioner Merle Phillips.

The Oct. 19 filing now brings four counts in the suit originally filed in May 2011 following Best's termination as assistant county solicitor and chief clerk.

Throughout the life of the suit, the only counts originally remaining were her charges of retaliation for exercising her First Amendment rights when she spoke during a public comment period at a commissioners' meeting on March 15, 2011. Best spoke about endorsing a code of civility in the county and a violation of the Pennsylvania Whistleblowers law in dealing with air quality problems and damage to the glass dome on the second floor of the Northumberland County Courthouse.

In filing the new complaint, Best's attorney, Amy R. Boring of Williamsport, a member of the same firm as her previous attorney, Michael J. Zicolello, adds charges previously filed in Best's complaint with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

"We have exhausted all of our claims with the PHRC," Boring said Thursday, "so we can now add the allegations to the suit."

A spokesperson in the PHRC's communication office said that the investigation into Best's complaint was started Sept. 30, 2011, and is still considered an open investigation.

Best was hired as assistant solicitor in January 2009 at a salary of $33,133 and was promoted to chief clerk in January 2010 at a salary of $35,568.

In her second amended complaint, Best reiterates her previous claims of Clausi treating her in a hostile, demeaning and intimidating manner. She claims the commissioner deliberately and violently knocked papers off her conference table, followed her around the office, commented on her clothing and hair, and ordered an employee to follow her around to catch her doing something wrong.

During the meeting on March 15, 2011, Best said the county was beset with poor employer/employee relations that were resulting in costly lawsuits due to arbitrary terminations and bad press for the county. In her capacity as a private citizen, Best said she proposed a code of civility as a way to restore the public image of county government, increase the effectiveness of local government and avoid costly lawsuits in the future.

The amended complaint claims Clausi encouraged the firing of Best at the meeting on March 15, 2011. The complaint states Best's firing by Clausi and Phillips took effect March 18, 2011.

Gary Steffen was later hired as chief clerk at a salary of $48,573, while Attorney James J. Rosini was hired as assistant solicitor at a salary of $33,133. Rosini, who was killed in an auto accident Feb. 8 in Everglades City, Fla., was succeeded by Attorney John Muncer at the same salary.

MOUNT CARMEL - The following hearings took place Wednesday before Magisterial District Judge Hugh Jones. Defendants ordered to appear for plea court Dec. 3 in Northumberland County Courthouse, Sunbury, can plead guilty or no contest, or seek a trial by pleading not guilty.

n Thomas W. Walsh, 45, of 1045 W. Valley Ave., Elysburg, pleaded guilty to two counts of harassment and was ordered to pay fines totaling $650.62 plus costs. A charge of simple assault was not prosecuted.

Walsh was charged by Ralpho Township Patrolman Christopher Grow in connection with an Oct. 19 disturbance at Timber Creek Restaurant along West Valley Avenue (Route 487) in Elysburg.

Police said Walsh, who resides above the restaurant, is accused of grabbing his sister, Kathy Gaydos, by the throat and choking her against a wall in the kitchen area of the restaurant at 5:42 a.m. after he allegedly came home intoxicated.

n Melanie J. Guinther, 31, of 133 N. Market St., Apt. C., Elysburg, was held for court on a charge of loitering and prowling at night. An additional charge of criminal trespass was dismissed.

Guinther was charged by Ralpho Township Officer Christopher Grow in connection with a Sept. 28 incident at the residence of Melissa Howard, 343 S. Market St., Elysburg.

n Corey J. Hepler, 35, of 1144 Poplar St., Kulpmont, waived to court charges of theft and receiving stolen property.

He was charged by Mount Carmel Township Patrolman Kelly Campbell with stealing a large amount of money from his parents, Dennis and Susan Hepler, from their home at 125 Beech Drive, Kulpmont, on Oct. 5.

n Damian P. Novotny, 31, of 10 Scenic Drive, Danville, waived to court charges of delivery of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility.

Police said Novotny allegedly delivered suboxone sublingual film to an informant for $30 in Riverside on June 28.

The charges were filed by Riverside Cpl. Kerry Parkes.

n Danielle L. Hein, 24, of 514 E. Front St., Danville, waived to court charges of delivery of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility.

Hein is charged by Riverside Cpl. Kerry Parkes with delivering five glassine packets of heroin to an informant for $120 in Riverside on June 28.

n Daniel K. Luke, 30, of 332 S. Hickory St., Mount Carmel, waived to court charges of possessing a firearm while being a convicted felon and disorderly conduct.

The charges were filed by Mount Carmel Chief of Police Todd Owens.

Police reported Luke was found in possession of a .22-caliber long rifle and ammunition including 10 hollow point rounds on Oct. 20 near Varano's Warehouse at Seventh and Oak streets.

n Brandon T. Chapman, 18, of 119 S. Walnut St., Mount Carmel, waived to court charges of theft and receiving stolen property filed by Mount Carmel Officer Jason Drumheller.

He is accused of stealing multiple types of coins from his mother, Angela Chapman, at their home on Sept. 19.