All centers will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 28 and Friday, Nov. 29 in observance of Thanksgiving.

Shamokin-Coal Township

Monday - Morning cards, puzzles and board games, 8:30 a.m.; crafts, 12:30 p.m.

Tuesday - Morning cards and puzzles, 8:30 a.m.; Walk a Mile, 9:30 a.m.; bridge, noon.

Wednesday - Morning cards and puzzles, 8:30 a.m.; Wii bowling, 10 a.m.; pinochle and Pokeno, 12:30 p.m.

Saturday - Cards, 7 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m.

The center is making assorted Christmas cookies as a fundraiser, $3 for six and $5 a dozen. Orders must be in by Dec. 2.

Center Christmas party, catered by Martin's Chicken and Ribs, will be served at 11 a.m. Christmas carols will be sung at 10 a.m. $5 gift exchange optional. Sign up by Dec. 6.

Mount Carmel

Monday - Center visit to Winnie the Pooh Daycare for Thanksgiving, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; bean bag, 12:30 p.m.; Pokeno, 1 p.m.

Tuesday - Morning coffee and the news, 9:30 a.m.; game shows, 11 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; pinochle, 12:15 p.m.; unlucky 7s, 12:30 p.m.

Wednesday - Exercise/games, 10:30 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; bingo, 1 p.m.

Kulpmont

Monday - Puzzles in the morning; bean bag, 10:30 a.m.; Pokeno, 12:30 p.m.

Tuesday - Wii, knitting and puzzles in the morning; cards, noon.

Wednesday - Wii, knitting, bean bag and puzzles in the morning; LCR, 12:30 p.m.

Centralia-Wilburton

Monday - Cards and bingo, food boxes.

Tuesday - Exercise with Carol Burton.

Wednesday - Sharing memories and laughter.

Elysburg

Monday - Healthy Steps, 8:30 a.m.; royal rummy, 10 a.m.; Pokeno, 11:30 a.m..

Wednesday - Healthy Steps, 8:30 a.m.; royal rummy, 10 a.m.; bingo, noon.

Trim a tree party will be Monday, Dec. 2 at 9:30 a.m.

The center Christmas party will be at 12:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13 at Masser's Restaurant. The cost of the dinner is $14 and the entertainment will be by Vic Boris. Tickets available at the center.

Trevorton

Monday - Members breakfast, 8:30 a.m.; Wii practice, 9:30 a.m.; shopping at Walmart, 11:30 to 1 p.m.; card games, 12:30 p.m.; evening card party, 7 p.m.

Tuesday - Exercise, 9:30 a.m.; Scrabble, 10 a.m.; evening bingo, 6 p.m.

Wednesday - Bean bag toss, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:30 a.m.; cards, 12:30 p.m.

MOUNT CARMEL - Bishop Mark, of Baltimore, administrator of the Diocese of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania, celebrated a Hierarchal Divine Liturgy Oct. 13 at St. Michael's Orthodox Church in honor of Archpriest Michael Evans, who retired at the end of October.

Several other priests served during the liturgy, including the Very Rev. Claude Vinyard, a prior rector at St. Michael's, and the Rev. James Chuta. Deacons Gabriel Bilas and Ignatius Gauvain from St. Tikhons Seminary and parishioners Stanley Zbicki, David Bushick, Charles Timpko and John Chidovich assisted with the service.

St. Michael's Choir performed beautiful acapella music that was arranged by Peter Yastishak. Choir members are Julie Bushick, Chris Bushick, Olga Thomas, Jean Mathias, Vera Zbicki, Valerie Winnick, Sandy Tosca, Chris Mathias and Hal Smith.

Father Michael and Matushka Sonya were married Sept. 17, 1972, at St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church in Edwardsville. Father Michael was ordained one month later in October 1972 at the same church. They have a son, Michael, who is a graduate of Mount Carmel Area High School.

Father Evans obtained a Master of Science in religious education from Marywood University, while Matushka Sonya attended Wilkes-Barre Business College.

Father Evans served many parishes, all in Pennsylvania, during 40 years of service, including St. Vladimir Church in Lopez, St. Basil the Great in Simpson and St. Mary's in St. Clair. He and Matushka arrived at St. Michael's in 1989. In addition to serving at St. Michael's, he has also been the priest-in-charge for the past 17 years at Holy Ascension Church in Lykens.

Father Michael and Matushka Sonya were joined by many family members and friends at a dinner provided by the parish in the church hall following the Divine Liturgy. Among those who spoke at the dinner were Bishop Mark, who reviewed the vows an Orthodox priest makes during his ordainment. He also talked about the sacrifices priests make, sometimes at the expense of their families. He thanked Father and Matushka Evans for their years of service.

Archpriest John Kowalczyk, chancellor of the Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania, who attended the seminary with Father Evans, talked about the pastor's artistic ability and generosity. The Very Rev. Michael Hatrak, dean of the Frackville Deanery, talked about a bus trip from the Pittsburgh area that he and Father Evans took to St. Tikhons, which became their inspiration to enter the priesthood.

Father Michael Hutsko, rector of SS Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church in Mount Carmel, commented on how Father Evans was the elder of the local clergy in the area and how he appreciated Father Evans' leadership among the group.

The Evans' son, Michael, his wife, Jen, and children, Owen Michael and Mya Natalia, were also in attendance.

Parishioners offered expressions of appreciation for Father and Matushka Evans' service and for the spiritual leadership Father Evans provided to St. Michael's for 24 years. It was noted that Father and Matushka were always willing to help with parish projects, especially the monthly pierogie project, Parishioners commented that they left a positive imprint not only on St. Michael's Church, but on the entire Mount Carmel community, and will be missed.

They plan to spend their retirement in their house in Edwardsville.

St. Michael's was founded in 1908. Services are held at 9 a.m. Sunday, and all are invited.

MOUNT CARMEL - The Northumberland District Council of Catholic Women held its deanery meeting Nov. 10 at Divine Redeemer Parish Hall. Deanery president Rosemary Boyer called the meeting to order.

Members joined in saying the Prayer to Our Lady of Good Counsel and Holy Spirit, prayer for the seminarians followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Rita Pizzoli did the Bible enthronement. Parish host president Carol Altomare welcomed everyone. The treasurer's report was given. Boyer appointed Debbie Gownley of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church as the new treasurer.

Boyer thanked Elaine Jurgill and her committee for their hard work for the appreciation dinner. Announcement was made that Karen Hurley was elected national president.

The Council of Catholic Women convention will be held May 5 at the Cardinal Keeler Center in Harrisburg. The Northumberland Deanery is in charge of the liturgy. The Rev. Frank Karwacki will have the information for the liturgy submitted before March 1 for approval or any changes.

Upcoming events in the district include a cookie walk at Our Lady of Hope from 8 a.m. to noon Dec. 15. Karwacki will show a movie at 6:30 p.m. today in the parish hall about the monks killed in Algeria by radical Islamists. A book about one of the monks who survived will be on sale.

The next deanery meeting will be in March at Our Lady Help of Christians in Lykens. The meeting was closed with prayers for the sick and deceased members and for a new bishop. The meeting was adjourned and a luncheon followed.

HARRISBURG - Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane put a spotlight Tuesday on a new command center to track and apprehend child predators, the result of a $3 million funding boost for one of her top priorities.

"We're making arrests almost every day at this point," Kane said about efforts by the newly created Child Predator Section in the attorney general's office to combat what one agent calls an epidemic.

The guided tour was conducted in part to show what a state budget appropriation can do.

State funding for the program is now at $4.3 million. That enabled Kane to create the child predator section, hire additional agents and attorneys, upgrade the software and purchase two mobile forensic trucks to do on-the-scene analysis.

The increased enforcement shows up in arrest statistics - 105 so far this year compared to 19 arrests in 2012, officials said.

More sophisticated computer software is one of the tools agents use to nab child predators who commit crimes such as sexually abusing children, enticing them to meet for sex and manufacturing, distributing or possessing child pornography.

The software allows agents to monitor file-sharing Internet networks associated with child pornography. It also lets them chat and text with suspects who think they are communicating with children, and then apprehend them using image-tracking devices and search warrants, officials said.

The nerve center for these operations is a converted room in the attorney general's downtown office where a group of lawmakers and reporters toured.

With more than 2,800 identified child predators in Pennsylvania, agents said they are busy keeping up with the underground trafficking in child pornography. "We can do this 24 hours, 7 days a week and there are still people out there," said David Peifer, special agent-in-charge.

Kane described an agent's job in graphic terms.

"The Child Predator Section views thousands upon thousands of photos and videos that child predators download and distribute," she said. "These images are difficult to remove from the brain, and, as a mother, I commend my agents for their strength and commitment to identifying would-be abusers."

SUNBURY - Northumberland County Coroner James F. Kelley is requesting the public's assistance in locating blood relatives of 64-year-old Charles G. Keiper.

Keiper passed away at 9:05 p.m. Monday at Milton Nursing and Rehabilitation Center (formerly Kramm Healthcare). It is believed he had at one time resided in Shamokin, Sunbury and Lewisburg.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Kelley through the Northumberland County Emergency Communications Center at 570-988-4539.

WILLIAMSPORT - Audrianna Beattie, the 12-year-old Line Mountain seventh-grade student who is fighting for a permanent spot on the all-male wrestling team, was confident Wednesday in federal court that gender shouldn't play a part in whether she's allowed to compete with boys.

"I'm on a boys team. It doesn't matter that I'm a girl, because I'm just as good as they are," she said Wednesday in Courtroom 3 at the Herman T. Schneebeli Federal Building and United States Courthouse, 240 W. Third St., in front of U.S. District Judge Matthew W. Brann.

It's been the only public testimony or statement the girl has given thus far.

A federal lawsuit was filed last month by her parents, Brian and Angie Beattie, against the school district that has barred her from wrestling, arguing the program is gender-specific and that allowing her to join opens the district to liability.

By keeping her off the team, her parents say the district is discriminating on the basis of sex in violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) of the state constitution.

The Beatties were represented by Philadelphia attorneys Terry L. Fromson, of Women's Law Project, and Abbe F. Fletman, of Flaster/Greenberg PC, while the district was represented by attorneys Chris Conrad and Nicole Ehrhart, of Marshall Dennehey Warner Coleman & Goggin in Camp Hill.

Audrianna was one of seven individuals who took the stand over a period of 5 1/2 hours.

Also testifying was her father, Brian; Line Mountain Superintendent Dave Campbell; school board President Troy Laudenslager; board members Lauren Hackenburg and Ron Neidig, who participated by phone, and middle school wrestling coach Darin Keim.

'Keeps me fit'

Audrianna, a straight-A student, said she also participates in soccer, softball and equestrian activities, but she pushes herself in wrestling because it's one of her passions.

"I like it because it keeps me fit," she said. She also said she enjoys the individual aspect of the game - winning or losing is all up to her.

"I've been bullied in the past, and (wrestling) helps me get over it," she said. "I can take my anger and use it, but not in a mean way, and do good."

Audrianna started wrestling in third grade. She was a member of the wrestling club in LeMars, Iowa, in fourth and fifth grades where she practiced with boys and girls and competed against boys in approximately four tournaments per year, placing second, third and fourth.

After the Beattie family moved to Herndon in summer 2012, Audrianna attended the elementary school and wrestled on the youth team that was open to elementary students through sixth grade. During this time, she practiced with boys and participated in every dual meet in at least five tournaments, competing against boys and a girl who was on the Shamokin Area School District team. She finished the 2012-13 school year with a 5-3 record.

"In sixth grade, I did fairly well. I won some, I lost some. It's the way it goes, but it's not the end of the world," she said.

Some of the male students are stronger and can pick her up easily, but she noted she is hard to pin. If she realizes a male opponent is stronger, she wouldn't grapple with them. Instead, she would attempt to take them down and "boom, boom, boom" it would be over, she said.

Audrianna wanted to continue wrestling when she started seventh grade in the 2013-14 school year, but there is only a boys team.

'I did cry'

Neiding testified that he is concerned for Audrianna after watching a match last year in which a stronger male opponent who Laudenslager described as a "brute" beat her.

"It ended quickly. When the match was over, she was upset and looked to be in pain," Neidig said.

Asked about this match later during the hearing, Audrianna said it's normal for people who lose to be upset.

"I did cry. It's normal," she said. "I've seen a lot of boy's cry and throw a fit and throw their headgear on the ground. I wasn't hurt or in pain. It was just a matter of being emotional."

Fletman asked Neiding how many of Audrianna's matches he watched and he said at least one. She also asked him if he ever saw boys cry after matches; Neiding said yes.

It doesn't matter to Audrianna if she stays on the all-male team or participates on all-female team.

"I will wrestle a girl or a boy," she said.

However, if she only has one girl in her weight class with whom to practice - which district officials said they would prefer - she said it wouldn't help her grow as an athlete.

"You don't get as much experience or learn all the moves and techniques," she said. "If you're less experienced, you learn from the more experienced (people) you wrestle."

If the district keeps her off the team, Brian Beattie said it would be damaging to tell his daughter the district believes "she's not as good as boys, that there's some difference that makes her inferior."

The district's witnesses argued they would be willing to sponsor a girls team if there is any interest. There are also other options for Audrianna, such as the Bison Club at Bucknell University, and the district booster club would fund her participation, district witnesses said.

Gender differences

The district's witnesses reiterated the 65 pages of documents and statements in which they say they are protecting Audrianna and male athletes from potentially awkward situations and sexual contact during practices and matches, and the psychological scarring and inevitable injury and defeat of female wrestlers.

Neiding said he's concerned about the "lose-lose" situation with male athletes: if they win, they've beaten a girl; if they lose, they are harassed by their teammates for being beaten by a girl.

The wrestling moves are also inappropriate for girls and boys to practice together, he said.

Laudenslager said men don't develop breasts, and there are a lot of wrestling holds that focus around the chest.

"You're supposed to stick your face in the girl's chest. Anywhere else you would be suspended," he said.

As a coach demonstrating moves on students, he said they would have to ask themselves if they are expected to stick their faces in breasts. Coaches then have to wonder whether they lingered too long or shook their heads, he said.

Hackenburg said it would be difficult to teach that certain acts are not permitted during school hours but they are permitted behind closed doors on a wrestling mat.

"I don't think it's OK. I think it sends mixed messages," she said.

It's inconsistent to teach male students that it's fine to be aggressive and pin women down during a sport, she said.

Laudenslager said he has significant concerns with consideration to the anatomical differences of males and females; they should be treated separately.

In wrestling, athletes are categorized by weight class but also percentage of body fat, he said.

But, he added, girls genetically have different percentages of body fat than males in the same weight class.

Fletman asked Laudenslager if he is an expert on biology or whether he could cite a specific case study in a specific publication to support his views. Laudenslager said no.

Sexual harassment

Fletman asked each witness if male athletes ever touch intimate parts of other male athletes, and each said yes. She also asked if there are policies in place to punish male students who inappropriately touch female athletes during practice or vice versa, and each said yes.

Asked by her attorney if she was ever taught the difference between "good and bad touch," Audrianna said her parents and school teachers explained it and if she ever felt like someone was taking advantage of her during wrestling, she would push them away and go for help.

Laudenslager said it would be impossible to determine whether someone intentionally sexually harassed someone during wrestling because of how some of the moves look to spectators. He also said it would be difficult to determine if a male wrestler tried out for the sport for the sole purpose of harassing a female wrestler.

Plus, he said, it is the school district's job to prevent sexual harassment, not to just punish harassers.

Fletman also asked whether boys were at risk for injury and whether an individual girl could be as strong if not stronger than an individual boy, and the witnesses said yes.

Campbell said the administrators must act as parents when the students are in the school and it their job to foresee potential problems.

He wondered if male students should be punished if they or their parents are uncomfortable wrestling a girl.

The growth of female wrestling is a good thing, but he believes the differences between boys and girls should keep the genders separate, he said.

Next steps

The judge said the transcript of the hearing will be completed Wednesday. The Beatties and their attorneys will have until Dec. 9 to file a conclusion with the court, and the district's deadline is one week later. The Beatties will then have an opportunity to respond to the district's conclusion, and a ruling by the court will follow at an undetermined date.

The Beatties and their attorneys declined comment following the court proceeding.

However, Campbell said, "If the judge rules in favor of the district, I can assure you, I will personally work with the Beatties to do anything to help Audrianna to reach her goals. If they rule in favor of the Beatties, we will honor it, and continue the process of girls and boys competing."

Brann ruled Nov. 1 that Audrianna is allowed to participate in the wrestling program until the suit is settled. Campbell said the district is following the order. Practices started Monday.

MOUNT CARMEL - Mount Carmel Mayor J. Kevin Jones and Mount Carmel Borough Council presented a plaque of appreciation to UNB Bank, Third and Oak streets, Wednesday for all its help and efforts to fight blight in the borough. Frank S. Morrison, president and CEO of UNB Bank; Ruth Skonecki, assistant vice president and trust officer and Bill Kuzo, senior vice president accepted the plaque. Skonecki was also presented with a certificate of appreciation for her efforts.

In May, UNB contributed $50,000 to raze four long-time eyesores at 420, 422, 424 and 428 E. Center St. along with a dilapidated structure at 242 S. Poplar St.

The properties were demolished through a Neighborhood Assistance Program established to reduce blight in Northumberland County. The program was spearheaded by the Northumberland County Blight Task Force.

"Our contribution of $50,000 toward this important project demonstrates our commitment to the residents of Mount Carmel Borough and the quality of life of the people who live there, as well as our optimism that by getting rid of eyesore properties, we will see private investment occur that will result in the creation of new businesses and jobs," Morrison said in May when the donation was announced.

Also on hand for the presentation were Mount Carmel Borough Manager Ed Cuff, Council President Tony Matulewicz and Councilman Clem Plisiewicz.

MOUNT CARMEL - Anthracite Steam Fire Company No. 1 has elected the following officers for 2014:

James Williams Sr., president; Eric Troutman, vice president; David Berezovske, recording secretary; Marilyn Williams, financial secretary; Susan Hawkins, treasurer; Edward Kinn, Jack Williams Sr. and Sean Williams, trustees; David Dorgotch, sergeant at arms; and Troutman, chief engineer.

Death fund officers are John Williams Jr., president, and Jack Williams Sr., secretary-treasurer.

Mount Carmel Volunteer Emergency Services Association Inc. delegates are Troutman and james Williams Sr.

Anthracite Firemen's Relief Association delegates are Berezovske, Tammy Mench, John Williams Jr. and Sean Williams. Michael Ledger Jr. is a one-year delegate to the Volunteer Fire Department, of Mount Carmel.

Break begins Tuesday for SASD

COAL TOWNSHIP - Students of Shamokin Area School District will be dismissed early Tuesday for an Act 80 day, the start of Thanksgiving break.

Students at the middle/high school will be dismissed at 12:18 p.m.; elementary, 12:45 p.m. There will be class for afternoon K-4 students.

District schools will be closed Wednesday through Monday, reopening Dec. 3.

Other motions from SASB meeting

COAL TOWNSHIP - At Tuesday's Shamokin Area School Board meeting, the board voted unanimously to correct the salary for Lauren Swartz, licensed social worker, to $26,520 for 145 days during the 2013-2014 school year, and to name Kristy Hoffman as a long-term substitute guidance counselor for the remainder of the school term,

On a 6-1 vote, with member Edward Griffiths abstaining, Stephen Bamford was named as a groundskeeper/maintenance worker for 260 days a year, eight hours a day, at a rate of $15.75 an hour, effective Nov. 25, and 10-cent raises were granted for secretaries Kayleen Griffiths, Alexia Herb, Lucy Quincy and Sharon Slodysko.

Healing service set for Sunday

MOUNT CARMEL - A special Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at 3 p.m. Sunday at SS Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church, West Avenue and North Beech Street for the intention of healing the soul and body. Very Reverend Msgr. Myron Grabowsky, pastor of St. Michael's Ukrainian Catholic Church in Shenandoah and St. Nicholas Church in St. Clair, will be the main celebrant along with the Very Rev. Archpriest Michael Hutsko, pastor at SS Peter and Paul.

At the conclusion of the liturgy, there will be an opportunity for all to come forward for a personal anointing and to receive special prayers for healing.

For more information, contact the church office at 570-339-0650.

SHAMOKIN - High school students from Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School will return to the stage and present "The Wizard of Oz" at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Northumberland County Career and Arts Center.

"Bye Bye Birdie," performed in April 2011, was the last musical presented by the school which involved high school students.

The cast of 25 students from grades seven through 12 is led by sophomore Erika Kapushinski, who portrays Dorothy. Last summer Kapushinski played a "Candy Kid" in Anthracite Citizens' Theater's production of "Willy Wonka."

The Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion are played by seniors Shawn Khanna, William Stewart and Riley Feese, respectively.

Khanna is relatively new to the musical scene, but lent his guitar skills to "The Roads," an original musical comedy written and directed by Meagan Baumgartner.

Stewart and Feese are stage veterans. Stewart starred in "Bye Bye Birdie" and Feese participated in the school's 2010 production of "Godspell."

The "Wizard of Oz" also features Angelica Masser as "The Wicked Witch" and Katianna Lapotsky as "Glinda."

The musical is under the direction of Sandra Snyder, high school music and elementary band teacher. Staff are Joyce Sickora and Katrina Gownley, assistant directors; Bonny Klinger, accompanist; Mike Barry, drums; Lee Ann Smith, costume coordinator, and Matt Leavens and Victor Ginitz, art directors.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students. Children not yet in school will be admitted for free.

HARRISBURG - Today's vote in the state House is the "last hurdle" for a comprehensive transportation funding plan, and, thereby, the last hurdle for the long-awaited Central Susquehanna Valley Thruway (CSVT) project.

State Sen. John Gordner (R-27) is "very optimistic" it will pass, setting in motion the collection of $580 million in funding for CSVT over the next 10 years.

"I believe we will have a groundbreaking before the end of next year" on part of the thruway, Gordner predicted Wednesday in an interview an hour after senators gave their 43-7 approval to a House funding bill.

The bill goes back to the House for its final "concurrent" OK today, which is expected late this afternoon.

What the Senate voted on Wednesday was to approve the language of an amendment the House approved Tuesday, on its third try. That language was inserted into an existing House funding bill that was also then passed by the Senate, Gordner said.

He cited the funding plan's impact on jobs - it's expected to create 60,000; how it will improve health and safety by improving roads and bridges and eliminating congestion; and how it will spur economic development.

In fact, he said, a multimillion-dollar project will get under way in Point Township once the thruway's northern section is completed. He couldn't comment further, but the project is unrelated to - but helped by the existence of - the thruway.

The thruway's three parts include a bypass around congested Routes 11-15 in Hummels Wharf and Shamokin Dam; a new bridge from Routes 11-15 over the Susquehanna River at Winfield; and a new connector on Route 147 from the bridge to Route I-180 north of Northumberland.

Gordner said the plan enjoyed broad bipartisan support, but noted it was a "tough vote" because of the impact it's expected to have on gas prices and motor vehicle related fees.

He said the $2.3 billion in revenue tagged to the bill is actually what would be generated in year five - 2017-18.

The plan also includes money for hundreds of other state and local bridge projects, Gordner said, and the revenue is targeted specifically for those needs and won't end up in the "black hole" of the general fund.

WILLIAMSPORT - A Coal Township man was sentenced to a year of probation on a charge of failing to report income to a retirement board.

In a hearing Wednesday in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg, Paul J. Orner was sentenced by U.S. Magistrate Judge William I. Arbuckle III, to not only the probation term, but also to pay a fine totaling $3,372.

In a plea deal reached Aug. 26, Orner admitted he "willfully and knowingly" failed to report and provide information to the Railroad Retirement Board that he was employed and earning funds at Q-Stix Pool and Game Room, Independence Street, while he was receiving disability payments, thereby resulting in his receipt of disability overpayments.

In exchange for the guilty plea, the district court will not bring any other criminal charges against Orner that directly arise out of his involvement with the offenses. He waived his right to a jury trial.

As part of the plea, Orner agreed to fully disclose all his assets, including those held by a spouse or other third party. After analyzing his assets, the court assessed the amount of the fine and said that a special assessment of $25 was due immediately, and the balance of the fine, $3,347, must be paid within 10 months.

The amount Orner received in overpayments was not revealed.

The plea agreement was signed by Orner and his attorney, Ronald C. Travis, July 12, and prosecuting assisting U.S. attorney Wayne P. Samuelson July 22.

WASHINGTON - On Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta (R-11) championed the use of public-private partnerships to redevelop underused federal real estate in an effort he says could save taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars.

As chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee's Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management, Barletta has worked with ranking member Rep. André Carson (D-Ind.) and Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), to identify nearly $500 million in savings by addressing underused office space.

During the hearing, Barletta related he had toured a similar site, known as Southeast Federal Center, which is already being hailed as a public-private partnership success.

"As a former mayor, it almost made me want to be mayor again," Barletta said. "Seeing the excitement of taking a very challenging project because of environmental concerns there and turning it into a real tax base again. And there's no question that projects such as this could take the more difficult pieces of real estate and turn them into an economic advantage, where the local community is a winner. With increased tax revenue, the taxpayer is also a winner, and the federal agencies as well."

One building in another location, the Cotton Annex at Federal Triangle South, has approximately 89,000 square feet of space and has sat vacant for six years. The Congressional Budget Office has estimated that the sale value of the Cotton Annex alone with its surrounding vacant land is $150 million. The Government Services Administration (GSA) has requested input from the private sector regarding the development of the property that will stimulate a vibrant mix of uses, such as residential, commercial, civic, institutional and public sector.

"There are key challenges that we face today with managing the federal real property inventory. One challenge is to get federal agencies to think differently about the space they use," Barletta said. "While the private sector understands that space is money and so has moved towards smaller, more efficient space solutions, the federal government has been slow to adopt this philosophy."

In July, Barletta introduced the Public Buildings Savings and Reform Act of 2013 (H.R. 2612), which addresses a number of key issues identified through committee investigations, Government Accountability Office studies and Inspector General Reports. The bill establishes limitations on and better oversight of space acquisitions. It also freezes GSA's current physical footprint, limits the size of courthouses and requires reports on all leases signed in a given year. The bill also limits and provides greater oversight of agencies with independent leasing authorities, and increases transparency and ensures there is good data on which decisions can be made. H.R. 2612 has passed the full Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on a voice vote.

SHAMOKIN - The following hearings took place Tuesday before Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III. Defendants ordered to appear for plea court on Monday, Dec. 30, in Northumberland County Court, Sunbury, can plead guilty or no contest, or seek a trial by pleading not guilty.

n Robert A. Potter, 43, of 1262 Hillside Drive, Sunbury, waived charges of fleeing or eluding police, driving with a suspended license, overtaking a vehicle on the right, and various traffic offenses in his preliminary hearing.

Potter was charged by Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Daniel Wilk of the Stonington barracks following a chase with police on Route 61 near the barracks on July 11.

n Charges of retail theft and criminal conspiracy were waived to court by John P. Hassinger, 35, of 9A E. Commerce St., Shamokin, and Beth Ann Orner, 23, of 1130 W. Water St., Coal Township.

Hassinger and Orner were charged by Coal Township Police Patrolman Edward Purcell after a Sept. 17 theft incident at Walmart, Route 61, Coal Township.

n Samuel Mull, 20, of 385 Spruce Hollow Road, Northumberland, waived a charge of unsworn falsification to authorities in his hearing.

Mull was charged by Shamokin City Police Patrolman Shane Mowery after an incident on Sept. 27 when Mull allegedly made a sworn statement to police that his vehicle was stolen. Police said Mull later revealed he drove the vehicle onto a dirt road near the Bunker Hill ballfield and struck a stump, causing damage.

n Ronald R. Dimm III, 28, of 22 S. Fifth St., Shamokin, waived the charges in three separate cases during his hearing Tuesday.

In two cases filed by Coal Township Police Det. Jeffrey Brennan, Dimm waived charges of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility after Dimm allegedly sold heroin to individuals on Feb. 2 and Feb. 16.

In the third case, filed Tuesday by Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Daniel Wilk, of the Stonington barracks, Dimm waived charges of burglary, criminal trespass and criminal attempt of theft. According to a criminal complaint, Dimm allegedly broke into a garage along Dogwood Road at 3:34 p.m. Sept. 24 to steal scrap metal.

n Laura Jane Getz, 23, of 1060 Main Road, Lehighton, waived charges of possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

She was charged by Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Wendy Keefer for allegedly possessing a smoking pipe and a small amount of marijuana during a random vehicle search at SCI-Coal Township June 15.

n Darryl Elliot, 27, of 487 S. Grant St., Apt. B, Wilkes-Barre, waived charges of possession with intent to deliver heroin, delivery of heroin and criminal conspiracy in his hearing.

Elliott was one of the 16 individuals charged by the attorney general's office and the Northumberland-Montour Drug Task Force in a Sept. 19 drug raid.

n Michael Lassiter, 31, an inmate at SCI-Mahanoy, waived charges of aggravated assault, simple assault and harassment in his hearing.

He was charged by Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Mark Adams of the Stonington barracks following a July 10 incident when he allegedly punched Corrections Sgt. Derek Nejedly in the head and face, causing injury, in a dining hall at SCI-Coal Township where Lassiter was incarcerated at the time.

SHAMOKIN - Four owners of blighted property were cited Wednesday by city police and another three owners were issued code violations.

The legal maneuvering is part of a concerted effort between Cpl. Bryan Primerano and Code Officer Rick Bozza to target owners of the most deteriorated properties in Shamokin and push them to fix them up or tear them down.

Bozza targets a blighted property and files three citations against the owner if no remedy is made. Primerano then files citations of his own, at least three, with the goal of convincing Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III to upgrade the violation from a summary offense to a misdemeanor charge. That potentially means larger fines with the possibility of jail time.

Bozza said 28 property owners have either been cited or are nearing citations since he and Primerano began working together. Three cases have gone to magisterial court and all three ended with guilty verdicts, he said.

Brenda E. Keller, 50, of 331 S. Rock St., Shamokin, was cited by Primerano for a nuisance violation. It follows three nuisance violations filed by Bozza within the past week.

Work admirable, debris unsightly

Keller owns 101-103 W. Montgomery St. The double home began to collapse in August. Last month, she and other volunteers tore the structure down themselves. While the labor was free, the cost to dispose the debris is not. She was hopeful people would salvage wood from the pile. A sizable portion of the debris was removed over the last week but much of it remains.

Next door neighbor Rose Bridgeford, of 109 W. Montgomery St., expressed frustration at the Nov. 13 meeting of city council. She repeated what she's said before: She admires Keller and her volunteers for taking initiative to demolish the structure, but the debris pile poses a danger and is just plain unsightly.

Larry Burda, 63, of Shamokin, was found guilty of 36 code violations last month for property deficiencies at 701-703 N. Shamokin St. He was cited again by Primerano for the same property after metal roofing blew onto Commerce Street. Bozza said the material wasn't fastened to the structure, rather, it had been weighted down with buckets.

Burda also has an obligation to remediate another structure on the same block, 717-719 N. Shamokin St., which was damaged by arson in September 2012. The rear had been collapsing and debris strewn about. Portions have since been torn off and disposed.

That property is condemned as is neighboring 721-723 N. Shamokin St., owned by Ray Gautam, 325 E. 41st St., Apt. 302, New York, N.Y. That structure also is in danger of collapse, Bozza said, adding that it has broken glass and is exposed to potential rodent and animal inhabitation. Gautam was issued a code violation by Bozza, his first.

Commerce Street

One block away at 625 E. Commerce St. sits a property collapsing from the inside out. Debris has fallen from the top floor to the first floor. Support beams are bending and a staircase has completely collapsed. The deterioration is easily visible through a large hole that has opened almost floor-to-ceiling on the Pearl Street side. A passerby could hypothetically walk right into the structure from the sidewalk. It appears in danger of immediate collapse.

It's owned by Jhoel Leonardo, of 13201 95th Ave., South Richmond Hill, Queens, N.Y. He was issued a citation by Primerano, his fourth since Oct. 31. Bozza had cited him three times between Oct. 21 and Oct. 31.

Mulberry Street

That's the same time frame and same number of citations - four by Primerano, three by Bozza - for which Ola A. Adedeji, no known permanent address, was cited for the condition of 204-206 W. Mulberry St., between Market and Coal streets.

Bozza said a side porch is in danger of collapsing and that interior floors have already collapsed. He estimated there is also 4 feet of standing water in the basement.

Other properties

Two other property owners were issued initial code violations by Bozza - Bradley Lee Defenberg, owner of 501 S. Grant St., and Adam Brooks, owner of 821 Mount Carmel St. (Route 61).

At Defenberg's property, Bozza said siding and roof shingles are falling off, that garbage is piling up and that the porch roof is in danger of collapsing.

A chimney is in danger of collapsing at Brooks' property, as is a brick wall on the south side of the building, Bozza said. Also, siding and shingles are falling off, windows are broken and exposed to potential animal inhabitation, and there are high weeds.

Should neither Defenberg nor Brooks address these issues they can expect to receive several more citations from both Bozza and Primerano.