HARRISBURG - PennDOT is asking motorists to join the department in its efforts to keep roadways safe through the winter driving season.

PennDOT has 5,400 operators and more than 2,250 trucks ready to maintain more than 40,000 miles of state-maintained roadway.

"That is an enormous undertaking to keep the public safe regardless of what winter throws our way," said Secretary Barry J. Schoch. "Drivers too play a key role in making sure that we all get home safely, so preparing for winter driving is essential."

During storms, interstates and expressways are PennDOT's primary focus and equipment may be redirected to these routes during significant winter events. During heavier storms, motorists may find deeper accumulations on less-traveled routes and should adjust their driving for those conditions.

If motorists encounter snow or ice-covered roads, they should slow down, increase their following distance and avoid distractions. Last winter, there were 427 crashes resulting in two fatalities and 130 injuries on snowy, slushy or ice-covered roadways where aggressive-driving behaviors such as speeding or making careless lane changes were factors in the crash.

Motorists should carry an emergency kit with items such as non-perishable food, water, first-aid supplies, warm clothes, a blanket, a cell phone charger and a small snow shovel. However, motorists should tailor their kits to any specific needs that they or their families may have. Consider adding baby supplies, extra medication, pet supplies and even children's games.

Last winter, PennDOT used more than 901,574 tons of salt on state-owned roads. Currently, PennDOT has approximately 550,000 tons of salt stockpiled and will continue to take salt deliveries throughout the winter.

PennDOT has agreements with more than 680 municipalities to clear state roads within their borders. The department also rents approximately 271 trucks and operators to assist with snow removal, as needed.

Motorists can check road conditions on more than 2,900 miles of state roads by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, average traffic speeds on urban interstates and access to more than 650 traffic cameras. 511PA also provides easy-to-use, color-coded winter road conditions for all interstates and other routes covered in the 511 reporting network. Access to 511PA is also available by calling 5-1-1.

For more information, go to www.dot.state.pa.us/winter.

MOUNT CARMEL - Beginning this weekend, church bells will be ringing again at Divine Redeemer Church after an absence of many years.

The church's 118-year-old bell tower has been silenced because the equipment that houses and rings the bells has become dangerously fragile and is in need of replacement.

The church, on the corner of West Avenue and Poplar Street, has embarked on a two-phase project to renovate the cast iron bells. The first phase is a new carillon system that will be used for the first time Saturday and Sunday at Masses.

"The church has played a major role in so many Catholic and non-Catholic lives in the community," said the Rev. Martin Moran III, church administrator. "The bells and church history connect with so many people."

The church is raising donations for Phase II of the project - the restoration of the cast iron bells. Total cost is under $60,000. The hope is to complete Phase II within the next few years.

Phase I, the new carillon system, has been completed at a cost of approximately $18,000. Moran noted that Phase I has been completed in time to close the Year of Faith, which has been celebrated by Catholics throughout the world.

The carillon bells will ring for the first time after this weekend's Masses - 4 p.m. Saturday and 8 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday. Church and community members are invited to share in the blessing of the new system and hear the sounds by gathering at the bell tower immediately after each Mass.

"It's giving the church a voice again," said Bill Ditchey, chairman of the parish buildings and grounds committee. "It's making people aware that the church is here, both in sight and sound."

The Rev. Jonathan Sawicki, a native son of the parish, said he is looking forward to hearing the bells ring again. "The call to worship became one of the hallmarks of the bells before the church services," he said. "As an altar server, I enjoyed ringing the bells by pulling the rope."

Phase II, the restoration of the church bells and ringing equipment, will be completed by the Verdin Company of Cincinnati, a 166-year-old, fifth generation, family-owned firm. Moran noted that although the bells are designed to last for centuries, the bolts and equipment that hold and ring the bells have become corroded, making them unsafe to ring. The bolts and equipment will be restored in Phase II.

Contributions for Phase II may be sent to Bell Restoration Fund, Divine Redeemer Catholic Church, 438 W. Avenue, Mount Carmel 17851.

MANDATA - Line Mountain has been billed $4,268 so far in legal fees by the firm defending the school district in a federal lawsuit filed by the parents of a female student who wants to join the district's all-male wrestling team.

The total for legal representation, however, won't exceed $10,000, which is the amount of the deductible for the district's liability policy with Liberty Mutual, said solicitor Rich Roberts.

The district on Friday replied to a right-to-know request filed by The News-Item Nov. 15 to obtain copies of invoices for legal services submitted by Marshall Dennehey, Warner Coleman & Goggin in Camp Hill.

The first invoice, dated Sept. 16, was for $3,039.49; a second, dated Oct. 15, was for $1,228.50.

The firm will continue billing the district until $10,000 is reached, and then Liberty Mutual will be billed, Roberts said.

The district pays $62,598 for insurance coverage, which includes property, crime, inland marine, general liability, professional liability, automobile, umbrella and accident, said business manager Phil Rapant.

School board Director Lamont Masser reiterated his views Friday that the district is wasting time and taxpayer money by defending the lawsuit, filed by Brian and Angie Beattie, Herndon, on behalf of their daughter, Audriana, a seventh-grader.

"I think it's an unnecessary distraction. It's an unfortunate circumstance all around," he said.

At last week's board meeting, a motion by Masser to allow Audriana to participate in the wrestling program and take steps to withdraw from the lawsuit received no support from fellow board members.

Masser said the lawsuit is distracting the board from its focus on education.

The district argues that Beattie can't join the team because the wrestling program is gender-specific and that allowing her to join opens the district to liability. It says they are protecting Audriana 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.

Her parents say the district is discriminating on the basis of sex in violation of equal protection and rights under the national and state constitutions.

A hearing was held Wednesday in Williamsport at which seven witness, including Audriana, took the stand to testify over a period of 5 1/2 hours. U.S. District Judge Matthew W. Brann won't be ready to rule until mid to late December.

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

Club's motion denied

Brann also denied a motion this week by Pennsylvania Wrestling Club to intervene in the federal lawsuit and be added as a plaintiff while asking that the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) be added as a defendant.

The club argued that Line Mountain can't establish a statewide female wrestling program, but the PIAA can.

Club attorney Lawrence M. Otter, Doylestown, filed a motion Tuesday to halt Wednesday's court hearing so the club and PIAA could be added. He apologized for the "11th hour motion," saying he was tied up in other litigation and traveling between Bucks County and Harrisburg.

An arraignment has been scheduled for Wednesday in the case of an Elysburg man who allegedly sold marijuana to an undercover police officer and fled the scene in Ocean City, Md., June 14.

Robert Beierschmitt, now 20, of 11 Columbia Drive, Elysburg, was charged by Ocean City Detective Kyle Murray with a misdemeanor offense of possession of marijuana under 10 grams and a felony offense of distributing marijuana. A third charge of resisting arrest will not be prosecuted.

If convicted, Beierschmitt faces up to 5 years and 90 days in jail and or $15,500 in fines.

According to a criminal complaint, Murray and fellow officers were working undercover in an unmarked vehicle in the area of the 10 block of Seventh Street in Ocean City at 12:40 a.m., June 14, attempting to purchase controlled dangerous substances from various individuals.

At that location, Murray discussed purchasing marijuana with a male, later identified as Beierschmitt. Murray said Beierschmitt told him he could get a "sack," slang for a bag of marijuana.

Murray asked Beierschmitt if he could get a "dub," slang that describes $20 worth of marijuana. Beierschmitt left and returned a few minutes later with a plastic bag containing marijuana. Beierschmitt asked Murray if he was a police officer. Murray said no.

After the transaction, Murray signaled additional officers, who announced themselves as police officers. Beierschmitt began to run, and, after approximately a two-block foot chase, Beierschmitt tripped and fell.

A criminal trial date has been scheduled for Feb. 10.

MANDATA - Line Mountain School District is keeping the appraisals of Leck Kill and Dalmatia elementary schools close to the vest while the school board members determine what they want to do with those properties.

A Right To Know Request was filed by The News-Item Nov. 15 to obtain copies of documents that would reveal the appraisal information from Real Estate Appraisal and Marketing Associates, Sunbury, who was hired in August.

That request was denied Friday by Superintendent Dave Campbell, the district's Right To Know Officer, on the basis of the exceptions of Section 708(b)(22) of the state Right To Know Law.

That sections excepts "the contents of real estate appraisals, engineering or feasibility estimates, environmental reviews, audits or evaluations made for or by an agency relative to the following: the leasing, acquiring or disposing of real property or an interest in real property; the purchase of public supplies or equipment included in the real estate transaction; and construction projects."

However, according to the law, these items shall not be exempt "once the decision is made to proceed with the lease, acquisition or disposal of real property or an interest in real property or the purchase of public supply or construction project."

The two schools were closed before the 2013-14 school year as part of an overall district consolidation plan. School buildings in Trevorton and Mandata were expanded to accommodate a realignment of the school district. Students in grades kindergarten through fourth are attending class in Trevorton, while fifth and sixth graders are attending class in the new addition of the high school building.

The current Leck Kill building, a 13,350-square-foot structure at 3664 Old State Road, was constructed in 1927. The current Dalmatia building, a 36,000-square-foot structure at 162 School Road not far from Route 147, was built in 1934.

Both buildings have gone through many name changes and renovations over the years.

School board members have not yet decided whether they want to keep the buildings, donate them back to their respective municipalities, hold a public auction or hire a realtor to conduct a private sale.

They will likely discuss their options at one of the next public meetings Dec. 10 or Dec. 24.

HARRISBURG - A Lycoming County judge ruled Friday that Northumberland County Commissioner Stephen Bridy is entitled to information involving what the City of Shamokin has paid to provide health insurance to its employees, including elected officials.

In granting Bridy access to all records he sought through a Right-To-Know (RTK) request within 30 days, Judge Richard A. Gray said the health care information is a public record that isn't exempt from disclosure under federal or state law or regulations, or judicial orders or decrees, or is not protected by a privilege.

Gray said the purpose of the RTK Law is to promote access to official government information in order to prohibit secrets, scrutinize the actions of public officials and make public officials accountable for their actions.

In his ruling, Gray said the court concluded that it doesn't matter whether the purpose of the request for records was politically motivated. He said if Shamokin has a covered health plan under HIPAA, the information sought by Bridy doesn't fall into the category of "protected health information."

Gray, who was appointed to the case after all three Northumberland County judges recused themselves, said Shamokin did not prove that any of the requested records are exempt from public access by a preponderance of the evidence. The judge said Bridy requested records that disclosed the public officials who receive health insurance coverage for themselves and their families. He said Bridy did not request medical information or records that are exempt under the law such as personal identification (Social Security number, driver's license number, financial information, cell or telephone numbers, etc.) or a spouse's name, marital status or beneficiary or dependent.

Gray states, "Without access to information about the benefits provided to our elected officials as a result of their election to office, the populace cannot fully consent to be governed by them. Consent of the governed is a fundamental cornerstone of democracy."

'Deserve to know'

When contacted Friday night about the ruling, Bridy said, "It's unfortunate they took up everyone's time, capital and resources to withhold information every municipality is forthcoming with. The taxpayers of Shamokin deserve to know how their hard-earned money is spent by their elected officials."

Northumberland County Commissioner Vinny Clausi said he is pleased with the judge's ruling that reinforces his opinion about Bridy's request.

"Shamokin City Council and the mayor tried to hide the insurance they are receiving in addition to other expenses paid for by the taxpayers of Shamokin," Clausi said. "We will request all necessary information so we can tell the people of Shamokin the truth about how much money they wasted."

In addition to paying their own attorney fees, Clausi and Bridy said city officials may have to pay the legal fees of Attorney John Muncer, who privately represented Bridy. Muncer also serves as assistant solicitor for the county.

Barley Snyder of Reading had billed the city $9,795 through September for its legal representation in the case.

Clausi said he hopes city clerk and RTK officer Steve Bartos - who refused to divulge the health information to himself, Bridy and the media - gets fired over the issue.

"That information should have been released before this matter went to court," Clausi said.

Happy it's resolved

Current Shamokin Councilman and mayor-elect William Milbrand said he is happy the situation has been resolved. He stated, "From the beginning, I've never had anything to hide in regard to health care benefits and I provided my health care benefits to The News-Item before my campaign and the election."

Milbrand believes the city wasted a lot of money in its reluctance to divulge the health care information.

Milbrand pays $100 per month toward a health care insurance plan that, for single-person coverage, costs the city $813.59 a month.

Also, Milbrand receives $3,250 annually, a stipend paid to all councilmembers in monthly installments of $270.83.

Milbrand, who's been on the health care plan all four years he's been in office, said he didn't put much thought into the financial impact the insurance has on the city budget. But he does now.

Bartos, who has been on medical leave for eight days, said he wasn't aware of the ruling until notified by the media Friday night. He reserved comment.

Shamokin Mayor George Rozinskie also declined comment.

City solicitor H. Robert Mattis was unavailable for comment Friday evening.

Year-long fight

Bridy filed the RTK request in an unofficial capacity, but the commissioner connection complicated the case.

Bridy requested details on what the city has paid to provide health insurance to its employees, including elected officials, since 2006. It was denied in February by Bartos, who said the request was viewed as a "serial filing" to similar requests made by Clausi. Bartos said in his denial letter the commissioners did not comply with "applicable appeal procedure."

Clausi's four requests made in November and December 2012 for individually specific financial information on the city's health insurance were also denied. The city argued the records are exempt under a medical records provision of the RTK law, and that they are confidential under the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Bartos said the city consulted with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in making its determination.

Bartos did provide Clausi aggregate amounts of health insurance spending highlighted in city budgets over the past four years, along with general information on benefits offered under the health care plan.

In the 2013 budget, group benefits for council members, the mayor, controller, solicitor, community development officer and a secretary are lumped into one line item totaling $121,901 for health, life and vision.

An appeal by Clausi to the state's Office of Open Records (OOR) failed in January on a filing error. However, Bridy was successful in his appeal, an OOR appeals officer ruling in May that the records applying specifically to benefit costs and not to individually identifiable health information are not exempt and should be provided.

The city, however, decided to fight the appeal, which, per the RTK Law, took the case to county court.

SHAMOKIN - A subcommittee consisting of people connected to the Fifth Ward of the city has been formed to organize a grand parade next year in celebration of Shamokin's 150th anniversary.

Committee member Bill Dudeck, of South Shamokin Street, is seeking volunteers to assist with the parade at 2 p.m. Friday, July 5.

Dudeck said the subcommittee is working with the main 150th anniversary committee that is planning special events to mark the historic occasion.

He said $10 tickets are being sold for a chance to win a white, automatic 2014 Camaro convertible from B&L Chevrolet-Buick in Coal Township. The winner of the car will not be responsible for sales tax, title work or transfer fees. Dudeck said B&L is providing a discount on the car.

Less than 7,000 tickets will be sold to purchase the car and sponsor the parade. Dudeck said the goal is to generate approximately $35,000 for the parade.

A drawing will be held in front of Shamokin-Coal Township Public Library at 10 a.m. on parade day. The winner of the car will serve as grand marshal for the parade.

Dudeck came up with the idea to have "Fifth Warders" organize the parade so city officials and main committee members could concentrate on other festivities being held to commemorate the city's 150th anniversary.

"The most expensive and time-consuming event in the celebration will be a grand parade," Dudeck said in a recent letter issued to residents of the Fifth Ward. "We are forming a committee to plan and finance the parade as a birthday gift to the city."

He added, "We do not think small up here in the Fifth Ward. Current and former residents of the Fifth Ward and friends of the Fifth Ward are undertaking this task. The tickets will make a great Christmas gift or stocking stuffer."

Dudeck said plans call for the parade to start at Shamokin and Willow streets in the Fifth Ward.

He said approximately 40 people attended the initial subcommittee meeting Nov. 17 at the Shamokin Knights of Columbus. He said additional meetings will be conducted after the holidays.

He encouraged his fellow "Fifth Warders" and those with connections to the Fifth Ward to participate in the project.

"It will be great fun," he said. "Fifth Warders" were always unique and united behind many causes and celebrations in the past. Now is the time to do it again bigger and better than ever."

For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Vanessa Dudeck at 570-863-8410 or Marian Edmondson at 570-648-5813.

MOUNT CARMEL - James A. Garfield Camp 34, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil, elected officers for 2014 at a meeting Nov. 13.

Elected were David Berezovske, commander; William Beaumont, senior vice commander; Bruce Petro, junior vice president; J. Kevin Jones, Mark Kline and Walter Watkins IV, council; Hugh Jones, secretary and treasurer; William Van Stone Sr., patriotic instructor; Harry White Jr., memorials officer; Ray Rothermel, Civil War memorials officer; J. Kevin Jones, Eagle Scout coordinator, and Hugh Jones, graves registration officer and historian.

Meetings in 2014 will be held March 12, May 14, Sept. 10 and Nov. 12. The camp meets at 7:30 p.m. at the Lithuanian Social Club.

Perpetuating the memory of the Grand Army of the Republic and the men who saved the Union from 1861 ro 1865, Garfield Camp is the oldest veteran-affiliated organization in Mount Carmel. It was organized May 9, 1883, and chartered Aug. 9 of that year.

Each year for the Memorial Day holiday, the camp decorates the graves of 166 Civil War veterans buried in Mount Carmel, St. Mary, Oak Hill and St. Joseph (Locust Gap) cemeteries. Males descendants 14 years and over who can trace their lineage to an ancestor who served in the Union during the Civil War ot those who do not have lineage but meet all other requirements are eligible to join.

The camp is a member of the Mount Carmel Area Joint Veterans Committee.

DANVILLE - Thanks to a multi-year $250,000 donation by Weis Markets to the Geisinger Genomic Medicine Institute to create the Family Health History Campaign, families gathered to share a holiday feast on Thanksgiving are being provided educational tools to also share important health information that can save lives.

"Thanksgiving is also National Family History Day, providing a great opportunity to spark a discussion about family health history, which is known to be a risk factor for many common chronic diseases," said Family History Campaign leader Andrew Faucett, director of policy and education, Geisinger Health System. "Through a gift from Weis Markets, we've developed a series of educational tools that will help guide the discussion and make it into a group activity. This program has the potential to identify potential health issues early when they are most treatable."

The Family History website offers users:

- An interactive activity packet that guides the collection of a family health history in a fun-based format.

- Educational tools to explain the importance of family history in preventive health.

- A guide to enable family history collection.

- A template to discuss family history with health care providers.

- Opportunities for online, telephone or in-person review of a community member's family history by a genetic counselor.

- The option to explore additional resources addressing family health history and health risks.

Weis Markets will also have free handouts of the education of the education materials at its pharmacy during the grand reopening celebration of its Danville store.

"Geisinger is known for its innovative programs and personal approach to treatment, and Weis Markets is proud to support such an important program," said Rick Seipp, vice president of pharmacy for Weis Markets. "We're fortunate to live in a region with many multi-generational families and mapping family history is one of the least expensive, most accessible and surefire ways to get an estimate of the genetic-linked disease risk, in addition to gathering anecdotal information about known environmental exposures, such as drinking and smoking."

Funding for the Family Health History Campaign was provided through a $250,000 donation from Weis Markets, in addition to funds from the Geisinger Genomic Institute. For more information, visit Geisinger.org/familyhistory.

SHAMOKIN - Because Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires, the Shamokin Fire Bureau, United States Fire Administration and the National Fire Protection Association has shared some fire safety tips and recommendation to the residents:

Safety tips

- Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stovetop so you can keep an eye on the food.

- Stay in the home when cooking your turkey and check on it frequently.

- Keep children away from the stove, deep fryers, knives, electrical cords, matches, lighters, lit candles and hot food and liquids.

- Keep the floor clear of items that could cause someone to trip.

- Make sure smoke alarms are working.

- Keep towels, pot holders and curtains away from flames, ovens, and stove tops.

- Clean cooking surfaces regularly to prevent grease buildup, which can start fires.

- Never use the stove or oven to heat your home.

- Double-check the kitchen before you go to bed or leave the house to make sure all appliances are turned off.

- Don't wear long or flowing clothing while cooking.

- Heat cooking oil slowly to avoid burns from spattering grease. Be extra careful when cooking deep-fried food.

Turkey fryer safety tips

Keep fryer away from buildings - Set up the turkey fryer more than 10 feet away from structures and never leave it unattended.

Find flat ground - The oil must be even and steady at all times to ensure safety. Place the fryer on a flat, level surface and carefully gauge the amount of oil needed.

Use a thawed and dry turkey - Extra water will cause the oil to bubble furiously and spill over. If oil spills from the fryer onto the burner, it can cause a fire.

Monitor the temperature - Use caution when touching the turkey fryer. The lid and handle can become very hot and could cause burns. Also be sure to keep track of the oil's temperature because many fryers do not have their own thermostats.

Be prepared - Have a fire extinguisher (multipurpose, dry-powder) ready at all times in the event the oil ignites.

Just in case

- If you are cooking and a fire starts, turn off the stove or burner and put a lid on the pan to smother the flames. Never throw water on a grease fire.

- Prepare an escape plan and practice it twice a year. Make sure everyone in your family knows at least two escape routes from their bedrooms.

- Always call 911, even if you think the fire is out.

SHAMOKIN - The News-Item and Tom Kutza will launch their 11th year of Letters to Santa at newsitem.com on Monday, Dec. 2.

Kutza, with his "personal" connection to Santa Claus, started Letters to Santa during his days as the voice of WISL 1480 Radio. When the station went silent in the late 1990s, Letters to Santa was silenced, too.

It was revived in 2003 through The News-Item's website and continues to be a popular local tradition.

Hundreds of children send their letters each year for Santa to read. Daily shows involving a handful of letters are read on weekdays leading up to Christmas. The names of the children whose letters will be read that day are published along with a Christmas countdown on the front page of The News-Item.

Special music and other programming is broadcast on weekends.

Letters must be emailed to santa@newsitem.com and must be received by Dec. 13.

Letters to Santa is free.