Part 2 of 2

SHAMOKIN - Better coordination locally and tougher laws at the state level have helped in the fight against blight, but state Rep. Kurt Masser (R-107) knows what it will take to continue making progress.

"We need to find a dedicated funding source to address blight," he said. "It always comes down to money."

Among the possibilities tossed about in discussions in Harrisburg is adding a one-half percent surcharge to homeowner insurance policies, something Masser believes would have minimal impact on policyholders while adding up to a considerable pot of money statewide.

There's no formal legislation proposed in that regard, but Masser said the blight issue does get attention from lawmakers because it applies broadly to metropolitan and medium-sized cities and smaller communities such as those in the lower anthracite region.

"There are going to be some votes there (for blight funding); there's no doubt in my mind," said Masser, who is a member of the Urban Affairs Committee that discusses the topic regularly.

Land bank options

Prior to his visit to The News-Item for an interview Thursday, Masser toured blighted properties in the region with Ed Christiano, executive director of the Northumberland County Housing Authority, and Christopher Gulotta, of The Gulotta Group, Carlisle, hired as a consultant when the authority formed a countywide blight task force in 2012. The task force hopes to cut the number of blighted properties in the county in half in five years.

Masser said he asked Gulotta what he could do legislatively to help, which led to a discussion about judicial sales.

Northumberland County has sold hundreds of properties through such sales in the past few years, seemingly reducing blight as individuals and businesses buy up dilapidated properties with no liens attached. Too often, however, these "speculators" are looking for a quick buck and instead get a larger headache then they bargained for.

Soon, they aren't paying their taxes and the same tax-sale process that takes up to three years has to start over. Instead of a solution, the problem drags on longer.

The concept of land banks, part of an anti-blight law that became effective in December, could help, Masser said. The law allows municipalities to acquire, clear and develop blighted property, and court-appointed conservatorships take over the properties from non-responsive landlords.

Masser hopes to arrange meetings with the county commissioners and blight task force to further explain the process.

"The ideal way is for the land bank to be out ahead of this and looking at what properties they think are important, and make sure they're not put back on these judicial sales," Masser said.

A bright spot

Masser did note some progress locally in the fight against blight, including UNB Bank of Mount Carmel contributing $50,000 through the task force's Neighborhood Assistance Program to raze four vacant house in the 400 block of East Center Street and a dilapidated structure at 242 S. Poplar St. in Mount Carmel earlier this year. Businesses like UNB that contribute receive a 75 percent state tax credit.

On Thursday's tour, Masser drove by that area.

"For those folks that live on that block, it's a big deal, because it's a nice block," he said. "They take care of their homes, they take pride in their homes, and you have those four homes in the middle of the block that were just sitting there for 50 years. It's unbelievable - how could they sit there for 50 years?"

All level today, "It looks nice there now," Masser said.

Not only is the blight removed, but now there are now lots on which to build new homes.

"There are people who grew up in Mount Carmel who want to live there," he said.

G-SACH crab fest tickets available

RANSHAW - Geisinger-Shamokin Area Community Hospital will host a crab festival from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6, at the Ranshaw Civic Association Picnic Grounds to benefit programs and initiatives at the hospital.

The event will include all-you-can-eat hard shell crabs, clams, Polish and Italian cuisines, a pig roast, a basket raffle and live musical guests The Fobias.

Tickets are $50. A cash bar will be provided by Brady Fire Co.

To purchase tickets online, visit www.geisinger.org/100. Tickets will also be sold at the G-SACH administrative office from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Call 644-4353 for more information.

Urban Folk Day coming Oct. 12

HERNDON - The 22nd annual Urban Folk Day will be held from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, at the picnic grounds of St. Paul's United Church of Christ, 1473 Urban Road.

Breakfast and lunch will be served, as will home-baked goods and homemade apple butter. Live entertainment will be provided by Saving Grace, Civil War soldiers and The Morgan Family and Uncle Bean. Classic and antique cars and tractors will be on display, and craftsmen will be showing the tricks of their trades. The church's Youth Mission and Service Team will hold a used book sale and there will also be a basket raffle.

Call 758-8404 or e-mail birdsandblooms@tds.net for more information.

The following landlord/tenant claims and judgments were filed in magisterial district court:

Hugh A. Jones, Mt. Carmel

Grace Gober against Gerald Stock and Gerry Kasperhevic, all of Kulpmont, for $890, filed Sept. 17. A hearing is scheduled for Oct. 2.

Conduit Estates LLC, Shamokin, against Edward D'Angiolini and Jolene Alsante, of Mount Carmel, for $1,470, filed Sept. 16. A hearing is scheduled for Sept. 25.

John Gembic III, Shamokin

Barbara Frazier against Michelle and Roy Troutman Jr., all of Coal Township, for $1,850, filed Sept. 18. A hearing is scheduled for Oct. 3.

Jerry and Tracy Whitenight, of Danville, against Joey and Tonya Leschinskie, of Shamokin, no claim amount indicated, filed Sept. 16. A hearing is scheduled for Sept. 30.

Barry Getchey, of Shamokin, awarded $623.65 on Sept. 19 from Janice French, of Shamokin, for unpaid rent and court fees.

Grandstand - Dan and Galla Variety Show, 10:30 a.m. (8 p.m., Millennium Park); Casting Crowns, 7:30 p.m.

Bandshell - Make Mine Country Band, 3, 9 p.m.; Josh Oldaker, 1, 5 p.m.; banjo contest, 7 p.m.

Large Arena - 4-H judging: swine, 8 a.m., breeding beef, 1 p.m., rabbit (small arena), 2 p.m., beef, 2 p.m., dairy cattle, 3:30 p.m.; FFA Skill-A-Thon, 9 a.m.; Hitch Haflingers, Team Oxen, Miniature Donkey, Alpaca, 5 p.m.; Hitch Percherons, 6:30 p.m.; 4-H poster contest, 7 p.m.; 4-H Horse and Pony Drill Team, 7 p.m.

Millennium Park - The Monkey Man Variety Show, noon; The Flying Pages acrobats, 1:30, 3:30, 6:30 p.m.; Big Tiny Young Show, 2, 4, 6 p.m.

Fifth Street Gate - The Dazzling Mills Family, noon, 6 p.m. (Also, 3 p.m., Gate 3.)

Kiddy Rides area - Big Cat Encounter, 1, 3, 6 p.m.

Track - Horse racing, 10:30 a.m. post.

COAL TOWNSHIP - The Shamokin Area High School will hold its homecoming festivities on Friday night at Kemp Memorial Stadium prior to the start of the football game against Lewisburg Area.

The homecoming queen and princess will be crowned at 6:30 p.m. and kickoff will follow at 7 p.m. Shamokin Area's 2012 homecoming queen Megan Sheriff will be in attendance to crown this year's royalty.

The following five senior class members are on the court.

Jasmine Breslin, a daughter of Denise Schwartz and James Breslin, will be escorted by Jordan Collins. Breslin's activities include basketball, Students Against Bullying, The Works Club, Chemistry Club and student council. Upon graduation, she wants to go to college to become an athletic trainer.

Kylie Christiana, a daughter of Dawn Christiana and Rich Christiana, will be escorted by Noah Rachau. Christiana's activities include Students Against Bullying (vice president), Key Club, The Works Club, Chemistry Club, Environment Club, soccer (captain), cheerleading (captain), track and orchestra (treasurer). After graduation, she plans on attending college for nursing.

Jenny Hornberger, a daughter of Michele and Bryan Hornberger, will be escorted by Sean McLaughlin. Hornberger's activities include softball, The Works Club, Students Against Bullying, yearbook, Environmental Club and student council. After graduation, she plans on attending college to become a veterinary technician.

Ashley Huxta, a daughter of Len and Colette Huxta, will be escorted by Draven Miller. Huxta's activities include volleyball, orchestra, AV Club, Bible Club, The Works Club and student council. Upon graduation, she plans to attend college to major in communications.

Natalie Wolfe, a daughter of Robert Wolfe and Maxine Harvey, will be escorted by Shane Williams. Wolfe's activities include softball, band, Bible Club, The Works Club and student council. After graduation Natalie plans on attending a four-year college for criminal justice.

For the second week in a row, Susquehanna Valley gas prices fell almost six cents to $3.54 a gallon this week, according to AAA East Central.

On the national front

The national average price at the pump has fallen for 22 straight days, which is the longest streak in 2013. Tuesday's average price for regular unleaded gasoline is $3.46 per gallon. This price is five cents less expensive than one week ago, eight cents less than one month ago and 35 cents less than the same day last year.

Drivers in every state and D.C. are paying less for gasoline than one year ago. The magnitude of this discount varies greatly depending on what state you're filling up in.

The beginning of the shift to cheaper winter-blend gasoline has helped lead prices lower, although the Midwest bears watching as recent planned and unplanned maintenance at regional refineries has already seen prices in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio jump in recent days.

Barring a hurricane or other unexpected disruption to gasoline production and distribution, AAA expects that retail prices will continue lower in the coming months, as sufficient supplies, flat demand and cheaper winter-blend gasoline mean motorists are likely to pay less to fill their tanks.

As retail gas prices have drifted lower in much of the country, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil prices have remained above $100 per barrel but pulled back somewhat from the recent multi-year high of $110.10 on August 28. At the close of Monday's formal trading on the NYMEX, WTI settled $1.16 lower at $103.59 per barrel - the lowest price since Aug. 8.

(AAA East Central - a not-for-profit association with 82 local offices in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, New York and Kentucky servicing 2.7 million members - provides Fuel Gauge each week.)

CATAWISSA RR - Working at G.C. Hartman Elementary School for the past 17 years as a teacher and principal has been one of the highlights of Joseph Shirvinski's educational career and life.

Shirvinski, who has been K-4 principal since 2007, will be moving on from Southern Columbia Area to accept a position as an elementary school principal in Cumberland Valley School District.

"This is an opportunity for my professional career and growth for myself and my family," the 43-year-old Elybsurg resident said Tuesday in his office. "God opened this door for me and my family."

Shirvinski, who was making $78,063.70 at Southern, will be receiving a salary at $88,632 in his new position, replacing the retiring principal Don Snyder. As principal of Middlesex Elementary School, he will be one of seven elementary school principals in the district of 8,000 students.

In education for 17 years, Shirvinski worked mostly as a teacher at Southern. For approximately 18 months, he was an elementary school principal in Annville-Cleona School District before returning to Southern six years ago when Principal Pat Shultz retired.

Shirvinski credits his educational team, which he considers part of his family, for assisting him as principal for the last seven years.

He is most proud of implementing the School Wide Positive Behavior Supports (SWPBIS), which is a state wide initiative that encourages positive behavior among students, a Balanced Literacy Program, a transitional program from Pre-K to kindergarten and an adult volunteer program.

"I consider it an honor to be a part of this school district for so many years," he said.

Superintendent Paul Caputo said Shirvinski was dedicated to his position and loyal to the staff and students.

"He left a positive mark here. He can be proud of what he accomplished," he said.

New adventure

Although switching schools, Shirvinski will likely feel right at home. The demographics, the staff and the atmosphere are "exactly the same," he said.

Since the job is 90 minutes away from Elysburg, Shirvinski will either commute or stay in the area temporarily. The eventual goal is to relocate his family to his new school district.

Shirvinski and his wife, Wendy, have two school-age children: Abby, a fourth-grade student; and Max, a six-grade student; and three adult children, Samantha, 23, Cory, 25, and Joey, 28. He is also a grandfather of one granddaughter.

Shirvinski's resignation was unanimously accepted at the Sept. 16 board meeting. His last day is Thursday, and he will be starting at Cumberland Valley Sept. 30.

The deadline to submit applications for the elementary school principal position was Friday, and the district has a pool of 21 applicants to choose from, Caputo said.

It's expected there will be a recommendation for the position by either the Oct. 14 or Oct. 21 meeting, he said.

In the meantime, Caputo will be assuming Shirvinski's duties while the interview process takes place.

COAL TOWNSHIP - A Coal Township man suffered serious injuries in a motorcycle crash just after midnight Tuesday near the intersection of State and Jackson streets.

Coal Township police reported Ariel Parker, 26, of 1504 W. Lynn St., was flown by MedEvac helicopter to Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, where he was listed Tuesday morning in serious condition, according to a hospital spokeswoman.

Police said Parker was driving a 1996 Suzuki motorcycle east on State Street at 12:09 a.m. when it continued across the intersection of Jackson Street for no apparent reason and crashed into a wooden fence.

Parker was ejected from his motorcycle and may have lost his helmet in the crash.

A witness who was driving south on Jackson near State Street saw the motorcycle travel through the intersection before hitting the fence at the home of Coal Township Commissioner Bernie Rumberger. The witness, who wished not to be identified, said the cyclist was wearing a helmet when he went through the intersection, but was not wearing it when he checked on his condition.

"I don't know what happened to the helmet," he said. "I rolled him over. He was bleeding from the mouth and nose, but was breathing."

Parker was treated at the scene by personnel from AREA Services Ambulance before being transported by ambulance to the teacher parking lot at Shamokin Area Middle/High School, where a MedEvac helicopter landed and flew him to Geisinger.

Patrolman Joshua Wynn reported the accident remains under investigation with charges pending.

MOUNT CARMEL - One of the borough's oldest buildings is being razed.

The former National Hotel at the corner of Oak and Second streets was recently purchased by the Tri-City Development Co. for $3,000 from owner Sabina C. Deitrick.

Vince Guarna, owner of Tri-City, is in the process of dismantling and tearing down the long vacant property. It will take about two and a half to three months, according to Guarna.

As to what he will do with the property after the site is cleaned up, Guarna said he may build townhouses.

According to a 2004 historical tour guide produced by the Northumberland County Historical Society and authored by local attorney Hugh Jones, the National Hotel was erected by Thomas Scott in the late 1860s. Descendants of the original owners reside in Mount Carmel to this day, Jones wrote.

He noted that when Thomas Edison's electricity plant was being erected in 1882, Edison's representatives stayed at the National Hotel.

MANDATA - The Line Mountain School Board approved a $9,100 change order in relation to the $9.7 million construction project that will bring geothermal wells and a new heating and air conditioning system to the middle and high school building.

At the school board meeting Tuesday night, director of plants and operations Tim Lagerman said Frey-Lutz Corp., of Lancaster, would need to change 12 existing valves in the HVAC unit, which required board approval.

The firm plans to use existing hot water pipes, but will need to install cool water pipes, he said.

The new system will give the school the ability to have climate control in classrooms.

In addition to geothermal, the bid package approved in April also dealt with 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 of the main access road.

Superintendent Dave Campbell said the majority of windows are replaced, but the company still has office and a few senior high windows to install.

The main access road is expected to be paved on Columbus Day when school is not in session, he said.

"We'll cross our fingers and hope for good weather," he said.

Otherwise, there are only a few minor issues to deal with in the building before it can be considered 100 percent complete, Campbell said.

In other business, the board approved:

- To accept a $1,000 donation from Walmart in the form of 20 $50 gift cards as this year's recipient of the Rewards Celebration.

- An agreement with the ambulance service of Americus Hose Company, Sunbury, for services rendered for sporting events throughout the year at a cost of $50 per event plus an hourly rate of $55 for basic life support.

Daily - Barn tours at 10:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

9 a.m. - Judging Holstein cattle, large arena.

9 a.m. - Judging dairy goats, small arena.

10 a.m. - Millville High School Band performance, free stage.

10:30 a.m. - Southern Columbia Area High School performance, free stage.

11 a.m. - E.L. Myers High School Band performance, free stage.

Noon - The Monkey Man variety show, Millennium Park.

1 and 5 p.m. - Demonstration of team oxen, miniature donkey and alpacas, front of large arena.

1 and 5 p.m. - The Tommy Guns Band performance, free stage.

2, 4 and 6 p.m. - The Big Tiny Young Show, Millennium Park.

3 and 9 p.m. - The Mahoney Brothers performance, free stage.

7 p.m. - Livestock banquet in large arena.

7 p.m. - Barbershop Quartet contest, free stage.

7:30 p.m. - A Night with Halestorm, grandstand.

8 p.m. - The Dazzling Mills Family performance, Millennium Park.

SELINSGROVE - Danielle Boyd, of Coal Township, served as an orientation team leader at Susquehanna University.

The orientation team is composed of upper-class students with a desire to help new students make the transition to life at Susquehanna. Team leaders answer questions and help new students and their families unload their cars and move into residence halls. During the four-day student orientation, team leaders also attend orientation events with new students and facilitate small group discussions.

Boyd, a sophomore creative writing and Spanish major, is a 2012 graduate of Shamokin Area High School. She is a daughter of James and Sandy Boyd.

BLOOMSBURG - In their little stand on 11th Street near the fairground's free stage, workers at this Frank's Famous Foods location are preserving the family traditions of good Polish cooking with a little innovation to cash in on the "deep fried fair foods" craze.

Only at this Mount Carmel-based stand can one try deep fried kielbasi chips, an invention of worker Debbie Horoschock.

When asked where the idea came from, Horoschock said there was some nocturnal inspiration for the delicacy.

"It came to me in a nightmare, no, a dream, a dream," Horoschock joked. "In the dream, we were working here and making this dish, so I wanted to make that dream happen."

After describing her idea to her daughter, Horoschock brought some kielbasi home to experiment with.

"She had the deep fryer heating up and several bowls of batter already made," she said. "We found the right combination of batter and kielbasi, created a creamy horseradish sauce that complements the spiciness and here we are."

The recipe is simple - about 10 kielbasi chips are dropped into batter and deep fried, then served with the tangy dipping sauce on the side.

It's a product that no other stand at the Bloomsburg Fair has, and has proven to be a hit.

"We have sold about 400 pounds of kielbasi so far," worker Rosie Costello said. "We had to restock our supply today because we were running out."

For those that are not adventurous, Frank's Famous Foods offers such Polish food staples such as haluski (noodles and cabbage), halupkies (stuffed cabbage rolls), potato cakes and pierogies.

The "Frank" in the business's name comes from Frank Kasinech, the person who developed these recipes.

"These are all my grandfather's recipes that he's used for over 60 years," Costello said. "We even picked the potatoes from Frank's Farm."

The staff says they will sell over 3.500 halupkies this week along with countless other items, all made by family members helping out owner Johnny Koschoff in this and the other two stands at the fairgrounds.

Costello said Frank's Famous Foods are gaining a reputation at the fair for their Polish dishes and those wanting to try them.

"We had an Asian gentleman from California stop by, specifically because he wanted to try this food he had never heard of before," Costello said. "He had the sampler platter which is a little bit of everything, and he was amazed by the good homemade food we gave him."

Good food and working with family will make the week fly by for the crew.

"It's always been a family tradition to make these dishes, and we are making new family traditions with people stopping here to enjoy them," Horoschock said.

Islam and the Middle East explored

ELYSBURG - Commonly held misconceptions about Islam and the Middle East will be debunked at Lifetree Cafe from 7 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Elysburg Presbyterian Church, 320 W. Valley Ave.

The program, titled "On the Brink: Islam and the Middle East" features a film of Carl Medearis, an international expert in the field of Arab-American and Muslim Christian relations. Medearis will address misconceptions about Islam and the Middle East.

Admission to the 60-minute event is free. Snacks and beverages are available.

Lifetree Cafe is a place where people gather for conversation about life and faith in a casual coffeehouse-type setting. For more information, call 672-2873, e-mail elysburgpresby@verizon.net or go to www.lifetreecafe.com.

SHAMOKIN - The following hearings took place Tuesday before Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III. Defendants ordered to appear for plea court Oct. 28 at Northumberland County Courthouse, Sunbury, can plead guilty or no contest, or seek a trial by pleading not guilty.

n Justin A. Tononi, 26, of 821 E. Cameron St., Shamokin, pleaded guilty to possession of drug paraphernalia and was ordered to pay a $300 fine plus costs and placed on probation for six months.

Charges of delivery of marijuana, possession of marijuana and criminal use of a communication facility were withdrawn.

The charges were filed by Shamokin Chief of Police Edward Griffiths in connection with a May 28, 2008, incident at Independence and Cleaver streets.

n Molly Bell, 22 of 655 Bear Valley Ave., Shamokin, and her sister, Samantha Marie Bell, 24, of 406 S. Market St., Shamokin, waived to court charges of simple assault and disorderly conduct.

The sisters were charged by Shamokin Cpl. Bryan Primerano with assaulting Holly Madden and a 13-year-old girl June 12 in front of CVS Pharmacy on West Independence Street. Madden suffered injuries in the assault and underwent emergency room treatment at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, police said.

n Justin H. Dobson, 29, of 313 Center St., Tharptown, waived to court felonies of burglary, theft, receiving stolen property, criminal trespass and criminal conspiracy to commit burglary.

Dobson and Jenna Ocacio-Rodriguez, also known as Jenna Wehr, 28, of the Ashland area, were charged by Coal Township Detective Jeff Brennan with stealing $2,700 in jewelry from the home of Christa Stumhofer, 816 W. State St., April 4. A preliminary hearing for Ocacio-Rodriguez was continued.

n Dawel Lantigua, 20, of Shamokin, waived to court two criminal complaints filed against him by Coal Township police.

Lantigua waived to court charges of resisting arrest and false identification to law enforcement relating to a July 6 incident on Big Mountain Road. Patrolman Joshua Wynn filed the charges.

He also waived to court three counts each of retail theft and defiant trespass involving an incident on Nov. 28, 2011, at Walmart Supercenter. The charges were filed by Patrolman Terry Ketchem.

n Jeremy John Rickert, 20, of Shamokin, waived to court 13 charges including driving under the influence of a controlled substance, reckless driving, possession of heroin, possession of Percocet and possession of marijuana relating to a March 31 accident at the intersection of North Shamokin and Race streets.

The charges were filed by Cpl. George Ritchey of state police at Stonington.

Rickert was found in possession of 3,775 worth of heroin, marijuana and prescription pills and $1,035 in cash.

n Matthew Bird, 35, of 1023 E. Race St., Coal Township, waived to court charges of possession with intent to deliver heroin, delivery of heroin, criminal use of a communication facility, possession of drug paraphernalia and criminal conspiracy relating to an Aug. 16 incident at Dunkin' Donuts in Shamokin.

The charges were filed by Ralpho Township Patrolman Chris Grow and Shamokin Cpl. Bryan Primerano.