UNIVERSITY PARK - The following area residents earned degrees from The Pennsylvania State University at fall commencement ceremonies:

Nicole E. Attinger, Sunbury, University Park Campus, Bachelor of Science in psychology and Bachelor of Arts in crime, law and justice.

Christopher R. Barrett, Coal Township, University Park, Bachelor of Science, biobehavioral health.

Lisa M. Erdman, Coal Township, Schuylkill Campus, Associate of Science, two-year radiological sciences.

Nicholas L. Laspina, Gordon, University Park, Bachelor of Arts, film-video.

Hanqing Masser, Klingerstown, University Park, Ph.D., materials science and engineering,

Adam C. Menko, Trevorton, University Park, Bachelor of Science, electrical engineering.

Leonard K. Murin, Kulpmont, University Park, Bachelor of Arts, telecommunications.

Kyle P. Myhre, Catawissa, University Park, Bachelor of Science, management.

Michael J. Nard, Mount Carmel, Harrisburg Campus, Bachelor of Arts in American studies and Bachelor of Science in information sciences and technology.

Joseph C. Sulouff, Sunbury, Harrisburg, Bachelor of Humanities, communications.

Keenan M. Sweigart, Ashland, University Park, Bachelor of Arts, German.

Richard S. Trautman, Ashland, Schuylkill, Associate of Science, two-year radiological sciences.

Like countless other Scranton area residents, Dr. Ken Gentilezza, lives for Penn State football. But it's fair to say the Waverly Township, Lackawanna County, resident has taken his fandom to the next level.

He never misses a home game at Beaver Stadium and has attended dozens of away games and postseason bowls.

Every year, he and his wife, Susan, give a partial scholarship to a deserving member of the Nittany Lions.

When he became dissatisfied with the quality of the PSU clothing sold in State College's many stores, he simply started producing his own custom line through local wholesaler Kevin's.

And then there's the spacious finished basement of his home, a veritable shrine to Nittany Nation.

Just about every square inch of wall space in Gentilezza's man cave is dedicated to his four decades-long devotion to Penn State. He's never done an official count, but there's easily several hundred items, from signed helmets, jerseys and footballs to blown-up photos to a handwritten note by Penn State's former coach, the late Joe Paterno.

The leather couches he and guests sit on to watch Penn State away games are Nittany blue. So is his bar. Even the bathroom is decked out in full PSU-themed splendor.

Besides Paterno, many of Penn State's all-time greats make appearances throughout, including Scranton's own Mike Munchak, Eric Shrive and Matt McGloin. Former coach Bill O'Brien, who recently left the Lions to coach the NFL's Houston Texans, has a more modest bit of space dedicated to his brief yet effective tenure.

Gentilezza views the collection, and Penn State football in general, as a full-blown hobby. He derives the same pleasure from it that other guys do from hunting or fishing.

"This," said Susan as she surveyed the fruits of her husband's labors on a recent afternoon, "is definitely his passion."

"It just gives me a great feeling," said Gentilezza, the managing partner at Northeastern Rehabilitation Associates, P.C.

Passion starts

Gentilezza, 55, first started decorating the basement around 1996, about four years after he and his wife built the house.

By then, he had been a Penn State diehard for more than 20 years. It started, he said, when his father, the late Angelo Gentilezza, took him to a game at Beaver Stadium during the early 1970s. At the time, Heisman Trophy-winning running back John Cappelletti was the Lions' biggest star.

"We lost to Navy in the rain," said Gentilezza, a West Scranton native. "But it didn't dampen my spirits. I caught the bug."

He ended up getting his bachelor's degree in biology from Penn State, and continued to faithfully follow the Nittany Lions during his medical studies.

For one of his first dates with Susan, he took her to the 1985 Penn State-Notre Dame game at Beaver Stadium. They ended up having to wear garbage bags to protect them from the horrible weather.

"I said to myself, 'Who is this guy?' " she joked.

"Our first two years of being together, Penn State only had one loss. So, she had no real idea what I was like after a loss," Gentilezza said with a laugh.

Eventually, Susan was fully assimilated into Nittany Nation. The couple became season-ticket holders, and during the early 1990s they started attending bowl games, where interactions between fans and the team are more commonplace, resulting in greater autograph opportunities, Gentilezza said.

It was then that his collection began to grow, and grow, and grow some more.

Museum atmosphere

Today, the setup has a museum-esque sophistication to it, curated into specific sections and themes. Gentilezza often takes older stuff down and replaces it with newer additions.

The oldest artifact is a 1933 Penn State pennant that sits in a glass display case that also includes a football from the 1994 Rose Bowl, in which Penn State clobbered the Oregon Ducks to put the capper on a perfect 12-0 season.

The oddest piece might be the helmet Gentilezza won as a door prize at a luncheon held before the 2005 Orange Bowl. Half of it is Nittany Lion white and navy, while the other half is the red and gold of the Florida State Seminoles.

The Lions triumphed in that game and were led to a 12-1 record that season by quarterback Michael Robinson, whose official Big 10 jersey hangs in a full-size wood locker Gentilezza installed next to the bar. It looks exactly like the real deal, right down to the shoulder pads Gentilezza put in it.

Other jerseys sit on the wall behind glass. They include the numbers of some of Penn State's finest linebackers, among them Paul Posluszny, Shane Conlan and Jack Ham, who went on to become one of the anchors of the Pittsburgh Steelers' four-time Super Bowl-winning defense.

All of those jerseys are white, with the exception of Ham's, who gets sole navy blue treatment "because he was fierce," Gentilezza said.

Some objects hold a special sentimental value for Gentilezza. His late mother, Carmella Gentilezza, collected bells, so there's a PSU bell on display in her honor. Situated near that is an old Citrus Bowl baseball cap Gentilezza's father started wearing a few years before getting to attend the actual bowl, a PSU win over the Tennessee Volunteers. A few months later, he passed away.

"That was a great trip. So that hat is a reminder of it," Gentilezza said.

Big picture

A good deal of wall space is devoted to enlarged photos of iconic on-field moments, like the Sports Illustrated cover showing Penn State receiver Gregg Garrity after his last-minute catch against the Georgia Bulldogs in the 1982 Sugar Bowl, and Don Graham's jubilant pose following the Lions upset of the Miami Hurricanes in the 1986 Fiesta Bowl. Both wins earned Penn State the National Championship.

Gentilezza purchases the photos from newspapers, magazines and Internet dealers. Many were in frames at one time, but he recently started converting them into painting-like canvas wrap.

"The frames are good, but I think this has a nicer appearance," he said.

Other photos show him, family members and friends at games and other team-related functions. In one, the Gentilezzas are partying with a shaggy, gray-haired USC fan before the 2008 Rose Bowl. The guy was none other than the father of Rivers Cuomo, frontman of the popular band Weezer.

Not long ago, Gentilezza converted daughter Olivia's old playroom into a pictorial documenting the 2012 season, when the Lions managed to post an impressive 8-4 record despite crippling NCAA sanctions in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky scandal. He has a picture with the signatures of every senior member of that team.

"That 2012 year was so special. I honestly believe those young men saved the program," he said. "It was probably my favorite year following Penn State football."

Of course, McGloin, now a quarterback with the NFL's Oakland Raiders, was a huge part of the team's success. Gentilezza has become close with him, as well as Shrive, an offensive lineman who just graduated from Penn State, and both of their families.

One of Gentilezza's favorite photos is a candid shot of McGloin and Shrive standing not far from each other in a throng of PSU players. Also in his possession is the first helmet the two ever signed.

"Matt didn't even have a number yet," said Gentilezza as McGloin's No. 11 jersey loomed a few feet away, part of another section dedicated to 2012. "Matt, really to me, you can say what you want about Bill O'Brien, but I think Matt made Bill O'Brien as much as Bill O'Brien made him."

Like McGloin, Paterno has his own dedicated section of the basement. Gentilezza had the chance to chat extensively with the coaching icon on a few occasions. During one such encounter, Paterno signed a football for Gentilezza.

"You can see I was a rookie back then, because I didn't know about white-paneled footballs," said Gentilezza with a laugh as he pointed at the brown regulation football etched with Paterno's scrawl.

Gentilezza's daughter also had a couple of successful encounters with Coach Paterno. At a luncheon before the 2002 Capital One Bowl, Olivia ran behind the dais and had Paterno sign her American Girl autograph book. Following a big PSU win at Northwestern during the '05 season, Paterno signed a hat for her as he walked to the team bus.

As Gentilezza walks through the basement, beaming from ear to ear while recounting the stories behind each piece, it's clear that the collection is as much a time capsule as it is a showpiece. All the great times he's had through the years because of Penn State football come rushing back in an instant.

"It's a lot of good memories," he said. "That's what it is. Memories." Priceless possession

One of the stand-out objects in Dr. Ken Gentilezza's Penn State memorabilia collection has to be the hand-written letter, below, the late Joe Paterno sent him in June 2009.

Paterno had visited the Scranton area a few weeks earlier. During that visit, Gentilezza not only had the chance to chauffeur the legendary coach but also had a good, long conversation with him.

In addition, Gentilezza gave Paterno several Penn State football sweatshirts and pullovers that he designs through local clothing wholesaler Kevin's.

Paterno happily accepted the gifts, and a few weeks later he sent Gentilezza this note, written on official Penn State football stationery, to inform him that he had worn one of the tops to the office that morning on account of the "cooler" weather.

"They are great," Paterno wrote, before adding, "I enjoyed my visit to Scranton - I always do - because of the great people of N.E. PA."

A Kulpmont landlord's cost to rent properties under the borough's new fee set to take effect March 1 would be the area's second highest if considered over a five-year period.

The News-Item compared fees in seven municipalities using the example of a landlord purchasing five rental units in each town and having them occupied for all five years. (See accompanying chart, Page A6.)

Under the $120 per unit proposal in Kulpmont, the total would be $600 a year or $3,000 over five years.

Through 2013, Kulpmont was charging a $100 registration fee per landlord, no matter how many properties they

rented. With that, landlords paid $500 over five years.

Shamokin, Coal Township and Mount Carmel charge a $25 per rental unit fee yearly, putting their five-year costs at $625 each.

Extra costs, however, come from occupancy inspection fees, charged when a code enforcement officer inspects the property when a new tenant moves in. Kulpmont and Coal Township charge a $25 fee for each inspection. Mount Carmel charges $25 for each apartment and $40 for each house inspection.

While Shamokin doesn't currently have one, an occupancy inspection fee is in the works and could be in place in the early part of 2014, said code enforcement officer Rick Bozza.

Sunbury tops at $6,250

The only local municipality with fees higher than Kulpmont's proposal is Sunbury, which has an initial one-time fee of $1,000 per rental unit for all new landlords.

A new landlord, therefore, would pay $5,000 in year one to cover five rentals. He also pays $50 per year per rental, or another $250 in year one. He pays the same $250 per year over the next four years, but doesn't have to repay the $1,000. The five-year total equals $6,250.

Sunbury does not charge an occupancy inspection fee for new tenants, but has all properties on a three-year inspection cycle, said code officer Mike Rhoads.

"If we inspect a property and there are no problems, we won't come back for three years," he said. "If there are some issues, we will give them time to correct them and come back and inspect again, charging a $25 reinspection fee. If we have to keep coming back, the fee escalates until the matter is corrected."

While the $1,000 upfront fee per unit is steep, Rhoads said it serves its purpose.

"This helps us weed out the bad apples," he said.

SHAMOKIN - The city is offering prorated snow plow permits for the remainder of the winter - either that or a citation.

Permits normally cost $50. City council amended an existing ordinance on Thursday to prorate the cost through March 31. The amendment didn't provide detail on how great the reduction will be, although $20 or less was discussed.

Rick Bozza, code enforcement officer, said the permits apply to anyone with a plow of any variety, be it on a pickup truck, an ATV or a piece of heavy equipment like a skid loader. It does not apply to snow blowers.

If a plow is used in the city, a permit is required - whether it's a contractor plowing for a fee or a citizen plowing their own property, Bozza said.

Anyone found plowing snow without a permit will be cited, said Mayor William D. Milbrand.

Hazards created

City officials have been irked by the continued piling of snow near intersections. Bozza said he and Kevin Richardson, street department foreman, got "beat up" after last week's snowfall by citizens lodging complaints about snow-plowers.

One contractor was paid $150 to clear snow on Chestnut Street, Bozza said. The snow was pushed between islands on Market Street. It caused a large enough

hazard that city workers hauled it away, and it took 15 truckloads to do so, he said.

"They got paid to do it and our guys spent hours ... to remove the snow," Bozza said.

Milbrand said such work takes city employees away from obligations such as clearing the business district and intersections.

"The private snow-plowers are making piles and the city employees have to come and haul those piles away. The man-hours and the labor that it's costing to do all of that is ridiculous," Milbrand said.

Fines $100-$1,000

Bozza has asked for the support of the city police department in citing violators of the existing snow plow ordinance. An ordinance violation, such as for plowing without a permit or for illegally dumping snow, can bring a fine from $100 to $300. Dumping snow into a body of water like the Shamokin Creek can bring a fine of $1,000.

The directive for the permit push came from Councilman R. Craig Rhoades, public safety director, and Charlie Verano, public works director, Bozza said.

Bozza had suggested that permits be issued at no cost for the remainder of 2014. Upon further consideration, city council decided to issue prorated permits.

"Those guys plow one block, they get $100, $150 in a block," said Police Chief Edward Griffiths.

Snow plow permits for 2014-15 will remain at $50 and will be valid from Oct. 1 through March 31, 2015.

Councilman David Kinder suggested anyone plowing snow on city streets should be obligated to remove it. Others on council agreed, but no one had an answer as to where the snow could be legally dumped.

SHIPPENSBURG - Kortni Koshinskie, a freshman biology student at Shippensburg University, was named to the university dean's list for the fall semester with a 3.75 grade point average. A 2013 graduate of Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School, Coal Township, she is a daughter of Donald and Lisa Koshinskie, of Coal Township, and a granddaughter of Theresa Koshinskie, of Coal Township, and the late Diane Kehler, formerly of Shamokin.

Marriage licenses

Corey Adam Barley to Shirley Ann Foreman, both of 405 S. Fifth St., Shamokin. To be issued Feb. 10.

Michael Scott Inch to Tracy Lynn Stoneroad, both of 348 Hatchery Road, Dalmatia. To be issued Feb. 10.

Ronald Ray Gessner Jr. to Carrie Lucille Schadel, both of 337 Ash Road, Shamokin. To be issued Feb. 10.

Brian Lee Koharski to Miranda Elaine Bower, both of 154 Lower Patch Road, Coal Township. To be issued Feb. 10.

David William Rogers, of 21 Greenough St., Apt. 2, Sunbury, to Leanna Elizabeth Hackenburg, of 2137 Mile Post Road, Sunbury. To be issued Feb. 10.

Kyle Taylor Tamecki to Alexa Marie Snyder, both of 248 E. Diehl Road, Danville. To be issued Feb. 10.

Timothy Scott Hoffman to Brenda Durkacs, both of 228 Walnut St., Sunbury. To be issued Feb. 10.

Divorces

Peggy Delorso Bressi, 1639 W. Independence St., Coal Township, from Jamie Bressi, 622 Scott St., Apt. D., Kulpmont. Married June 28, 2008.

Christina K. Lebo, 819 A Mahanoy St., Trevorton, from Leroy A. Lebo Jr., 135 N. Marshall St., Shamokin. Married Feb. 28, 2005.

Shawn R. Mummey, 3014 State Route 61, Sunbury, from Shelbie L. Mummey, 312 W. Center St., Tharptown. Married June 30, 2012.

Helen M. Lytle, 120 N. 12th St., Sunbury, from Jeffrey A. Lytle, 678 Shipe Road, Paxinos. Married May 14, 2003.

Matthew A. Bednar, 908 Trevorton Road, Coal Township, from Angela M. Bednar, 117 B, Creek Road, Dornsife. Married Sept. 25, 2010.

Michael Kerrick, 207 S. Lemon St., Mount Carmel, from Judith Kerrick, 104 E. Saylor St., Atlas. Married June 3, 2006.

John Roman Kuczynski, 801 E. Dewart St., Shamokin, from Connie Kuczynski Sensenig, 7 West View Drive, Akron. Married June 21, 2008.

Property transfers

Alan R. Sr. and Deborah B. Lawson to John E. Konstalid, property in Ralpho Township, $169,000.

Wesley L. III and Lisa M. Tillett to Beneficial Consumer Discount Co., Beneficial Mortgage Co. of Pennsylvania, property in Coal Township, $1.

Francis M. Anonia, by agent, Mark Anonia, agent, Barbara Ann and Francis M. Anonia Jr. to Jeffrey E. Fromm and Barbara S. Moyer, property in Shamokin, $2,000.

Randall P. and Karen R. Dealy to Edward M. Jr. and Marjorie L. Neff, property in Rockefeller Township, $120,000.

Wilbert C. and Marlene L. Smeltz, Mary P. Snyder and WMMG Apartments to Maureen E. Keenan, property in Jackson Township, $101,000.

Service 1st Federal Credit Union to Mark F. Schmid, property in Shamokin, $20,000.

John E. and Jackie L. Genth and Jackie L. Cope to Kimberly E. Harris, property in Riverside, $110,000.

Gertrude T. Snyder to LBS Properties LLC, property in Shamokin, $8,000.

Marie M. Kahler estate, Marie M. Kahler and David W. Kahler, executor, to Maria Petruskevich, property in Coal Township, $40,000.

Regina Graeber to Cheryl Balogansky, property in Shamokin, $27,900.

Fannie Mae, by agent, Federal National Mortgage Association, by agent, Phelan Hallinan LLP, agent, to Clear Choice Properties Spa LLC, property in Shamokin, $16,000.

Lawrence A. and Rebecca L. Coutlee to Clear Choice Properties CTPA LLC, property in Coal Township, $2,500.

Christopher J. and Lori E. McCabe to Antoinette Scicchitano, property in Coal Township, $1.

Cajun and Claudia Sweitzer to Claudia Sweitzer, property in Mount Carmel, $1.

Florence Rosini to Douglas M. Billig, property in Coal Township, $73,900.

Northumberland County Tax Claim Bureau, Stanley and Frederick Covaleski to Mount Carmel Township, property in Mount Carmel Township, $1.

Northumberland County Tax Claim Bureau and David H. Ervin to Shamokin City, property in Shamokin, $1.

Daniel J. Jr. and Adrianne D. Rowe to Daniel J. and Ruth M. Rowe, property in Shamokin, $29,000.

Alfred E. and Barbara G. Bailey to Luella J. Miller, property in Shamokin, $1.

Theresa Pickles to Edmund J. Jr. and Mary M. Goodeluinas, property in Kulpmont, $2,000.

Theresa Pickles, Anna Goodeluinas, Irene Homski, John Wargo, Louise La Manna, Patricia Cesare, David Wargo and Dale Wargo to Edmund J. Jr. and Mary M. Goodeluinas, property in Kulpmont, $1.

Lower Northumberland County School Building Authority to Line Mountain School District, properties in Lower Mahanoy, Upper Mahanoy and Zerbe townships, $1.

Northumberland County Sheriff, John C. Garrett and Jenette M. Kifo to PHH Mortgage Corp., property in Ralpho Township, $1,041.11.

Northumberland County Sheriff and James C. Fenstermacher Jr. to US Bank NA, trustee, Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, property in Sunbury, $1,192.94.

Wells Fargo Bank NA to Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, property in Sunbury, $1.

Northumberland County Sheriff and Louis J. Dascani to Federal National Mortgage Association, property in Mount Carmel, $2,177.29.

Norman C. and Janet I. Allis to Norman C. and Janet I. Allis, trustees, Irrevocable Allis Asset Protection Trust, by trustee, property in Ralpho Township, $1.

Mark G. Gulla and Mark G. Gula to Mark G. Gula, property in Ralpho Township, $1.

M-C Federal Credit Union to Lloyd B. and Verna G. Zimmerman, property in Rush Township, $225,000.

Lester O. Duttinger estate, Wade M. Duttinger, executor, to Wade M. and Susan A. Duttinger, property in Upper Augusta Township, $1.

JP Morgan Chase Bank NA to Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, property in Mount Carmel, $1.

George R. and Cathy A. Derck to Troy L. Kerstetter, property in West Cameron Township, $1.

Rodney C. Thiry estate, Beverly T. Pesarchick, administratrix, to Brian D. Olsheskie, property in Mount Carmel Township, $59,000.

Reading Anthracite Co. and Schuylkill Carbon Fuels Inc. to Mount Carmel Cemetery Co., property in Mount Carmel Township, $1.

John W. and Helen I. Michaels to Julie A. Michaels, property in Sunbury, $1.

Brady E. and Teresa K. Brosious to Robert B. and Sean H. McAllister, property in Sunbury, $1.

Average cost for property owners, renting five units over a five-year period.

Shamokin: $625

$25 per rental unit, charged yearly.

Coal Twp.: $625*

$25 per rental unit, charged yearly.

*The township also charges a $25 occupancy inspection fee each time a new tenant moves in.

Mount Carmel: $625*

$25 per rental unit, charged yearly.

*The borough also charges an occupancy inspection fee each time a new tenant moves in - $25 for an apartment, $40 for a house.

Mount Carmel Twp: $0*

*A $25 occupancy inspection fee is charged each time a new tenant moves in.

Ralpho Township: $0

- No landlord fees, only a requirement to notify when a new tenant moves in.

Sunbury - $6,250

Costs includes one-time new rental registration fee of $1,000 per unit. $50 per rental unit fee charged yearly.

Kulpmont - $3,000*

*Tenative $120 per rental unit, charged yearly. Approved in May, scheduled to go into effect March 1.

Five-year costs for other proposals discussed last week:

First proposal: $1,700

$100 for first rental unit, $60 for each additional unit

Second proposal: $2,300

$120 per unit for first year, $100 per unit for second year and $80 per unit third year and each additional year afterward, if the property is not cited for violations.

Third proposal: $1,875

$250 annual landlord registration fee, plus $25 per rental unit, charged yearly

Fourth proposal: $600

$100 for the first four rental property units, and $25 for each additional unit

WILLIAMSPORT - The judge who ruled in the Audriana Beattie case granted an extension for paperwork deadlines and rescheduled the initial case management conference.

The conference involving Beattie's parents' federal lawsuit against Line Mountain School District over her participation in the district's all-male wrestling program is now scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Thursday, March 26. It will involve court personnel and legal representation from the two sides, according to documents filed Friday by U.S. District Judge Matthew W. Brann in the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

Brann also gave the district until March 13 to respond to Brian and Angie Beattie's Jan. 27 request for the district to pay $140,681.89 in legal fees to the Flaster/Greenberg law firm and the Women's Law Project.

Audriana, a seventh-grader, had wrestled for the district's elementary program, but last school year her parents were told of the district's gender-specific policy that would prevent her from competing on the junior and senior high levels.

The issue came to a head in April when the Beatties confronted the school board. With no resolution, they filed for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction, citing equal rights discrimination violating both the state and federal constitution.

A federal judge granted both - a temporary order on Nov. 1 and the preliminary injunction on Jan. 13. The orders have allowed Audriana to continue wrestling with the district program until the case is resolved, either by settlement or by trial.

KULPMONT - Borough leaders and landlords discussed revising a proposed landlord registration fee during a 30-minute meeting last week. After the contentious debate, borough council deadlocked on two votes and, in the end, nothing was settled.

The topic is likely be raised at council's monthly meeting Tuesday, but it's not known whether the proposed $120 per rental unit registration fee, its Jan. 1 implementation already delayed, will go into effect as planned on March 1.

Silence, then a motion

About 13 landlords attended a special council meeting Tuesday to discuss changing the $120 fee, part of an ordinance that council approved in May. Through 2013, Kulpmont was charging a $100 yearly registration fee per landlord, no matter how many properties they rented.

Two proposals were voted on, but neither passed because the vote came out 3-3. Council member Joseph Winhofer and Mayor Bernie Novakoski were absent. While the mayor doesn't typically vote, he can in the case of a deadlock.

Council President Bruno Varano informed those in attendance from the start that he wasn't sure if any vote was going to be taken.

"Let's all just try to be civil with each other," he said. "I know every one is in a hyper state over this."

Asked for public comment at the start, the landlords were silent, waiting instead to see if council would vote.

Varano said several proposals had been presented, but that council members were looking for more suggestions that night. He said council could mull over the suggestions in advance of this week's regular meeting.

Hearing none, Varano was ready to move on, but councilman Phil Scicchitano said he wanted to settle the issue.

Scicchitano made a motion to change the fee to $100 for the first rental unit and $60 for each additional property.

Using an example of a landlord owning five properties, that would drop the fee from $600 to $300 a year.

The motion was seconded by Nicholas Bozza, but before a vote was taken, Councilman Stephen Motyka spoke up. It was Motyka who made the motion back in May to increase the fee to $120 per rental per year.

Good, bad landlords

"The way I see it, that puts all landlords on level ground," he said about Scicchitano's motion, "but it doesn't get to the core root of the problem in which there were a couple of bad apples that cause problems for the rest of the group."

"In that reasoning, we should increase the fines on the bad apples, not punish the good landlords," council member Clarence Deitrick replied.

Motyka then made a subsidiary motion that would reward good landlords.

"We would start the landlords at one set price at $120 per unit in the first year, and if they are not cited, the fee drops to $100 the next year, and then down to $80 in the third year," Motyka said.

If the landlord is cited for a violation in any year, the fee would go back up to $120 per unit.

Stephanie Niglio seconded Motyka's motion. On the subsidiary motion, Motyka, Niglio and Varano voted yes and Deitrick, Schicchitano and Bozza voted no.

Council then voted on Schicchitano's motion, with the votes being reversed - Bozza, Deitrick and Schicchitano voting yes and Motyka, Niglio and Varano voting no.

Varano then said he received a suggestion for a $250 overall fee and $25 per unit, but everyone in attendance seemed to agree that wouldn't be fair for landlords who only have one or two units to pay such a high overall fee.

"It's going to be tough for everyone to find a happy medium in this matter," Varano responded.

Discussion breaks down

At that point, the meeting began to break down as landlords complained about how they were being treated and whether the fee justifies the cost for code enforcement officer Russ Moroz.

"Has there been enough study done on how much time he spends on landlords?" asked landlord Rhonda Pollock, who lives in both Mount Carmel and Berks County. "There are some properties that are impeccable that he might spend 15 minutes inspecting and others that he spends three hours at. We need to see those logs to determine if the fee justifies the time."

The leader of the effort against the fee, Steve Matzura, of Kulpmont, had the last word.

"It's obvious the borough didn't research the matter before raising the fee," he said. "No one knows what the number should be. The number must be what it takes for Russ to regulate the landlords and provide code enforcement services."

"Well, it takes a lot more than $25 per unit," Varano said.

"And that's your opinion," Matzura answered, "but there is no documentation to show that."

"The ordinance itself doesn't say we need documentation," Varano fired back.

"But the law does," Matzura retorted.

Moving out

Some landlords see the fee and the controversy surrounding it as the proverbial "last straw."

"I own two properties that I haven't started renting out yet, but I'm about ready to sell them off and say the hell with it. This is ridiculous," landlord Sondra Krebs said during the meeting. "Why not go after the people that are causing the problem?"

"We cannot balance a budget on fines," Varano said in response.

SUNBURY - Alyssa Koshinskie graduated summa cum laude in January from McCann School of Business and Technology, earning an associate degree in respiratory therapy. A 2006 graduate of Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School, Coal Township, she is a daughter of Donald and Lisa Koshinskie, of Coal Township, and a granddaughter of Theresa Koshinskie, of Coal Township, and the late Diane Kehler, formerly of Shamokin. She is employed by Geisinger Medical Center, Danville.

Marine Corps League to meet

SHAMOKIN - The Marine Corps League, Black Diamond Detachment 846, will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Knights of Columbus, 400 E. Independence St.,

Membership is open to men and women, officer and enlisted, active duty, reserve Marines, honorably discharged Marine veterans and qualified FMF Corpsmen.

Register children for school

COAL TOWNSHIP - Shamokin Area School District is taking appointments for its 2014-15 kindergarten program on March 3, 4, and 5 at the Shamokin Area elementary building.

Call the elementary office at 570-648-5721 extension 2900 to make an appointment.

Children must be 5 years old by the first day of school, tentatively scheduled for Sept. 8.

Democratic committee to meet

SUNBURY - The Sunbury Area Democratic Committee's monthly meeting is set for 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 24, at the Degenstein Library, 40 S. Fifth St.

Meetings are held the fourth Monday of each month.

WILLIAMSPORT - The Department of Environmental Protection invites middle school teachers of grades four through eight, administrators and building managers to a training workshop on the Keystone Energy Education Program (KEEP), to be held in State College Thursday, March 6. The purpose of the workshop is to teach and track energy efficiency in school buildings and homes.

The workshop is free and will be from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Penn State University's Sackett Building, Room 309, on West College Avenue.

Workshop participants will learn about and explore energy issues, including fundamentals and impacts, electricity generation, transportation fuels, careers, energy conservation, student teams and school building energy benchmarking through presentations, tours and hands-on activities.

The workshops are based on Pennsylvania's Academic Standards and Assessment Anchors for environment and ecology, science and technology and engineering education. Participating teachers will receive background information, standards-based curricular materials and energy conservation material kits.

Participating teachers will also be eligible for seven Act 48 credit hours.

Space is limited. Registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. For more information, contact KEEP coordinator Susan Gove at 412-431-1010, or at sgove@gove.org.

SHAMOKIN - The city's half-century-old downtown street lighting system will be overhauled beginning next week.

A contractor for PPL Electric is expected to mobilize after President's Day and begin replacing 44 street lights along Independence Street. The project will start at Shamokin Street and move west toward Market Street.

It is expected to be completed by mid-May.

Shamokin and PPL officials gathered Friday at city hall for a pre-construction meeting to discuss scope, time line and communication.

Portions of the street lighting system will be de-energized as the project progresses, but Teri MacBride, regional affairs director for PPL, said Friday that "it will not be the entire system at any one time."

The existing "cobra-style" aluminum posts and lamps will be replaced with the same style of equipment, including high-pressure sodium bulbs. Underground conduit will be dug up and new wiring installed.

Portions of the road and any sidewalks and curbing dug up will be replaced, MacBride said.

Given the scope of the construction and the location, disruptions are expected

downtown.

"We realize the work will, at times, affect pedestrian and motor traffic along Independence Street. Working in cooperation with the city, we'll do our best to limit inconveniences to commerce and people visiting the business district," Christina Sepich, regional director of operations for PPL Electric Utilities, said in a press release.

A contract is expected to be awarded this week, MacBride said. Once workers are on site, they will be speaking with business owners, and project updates will come from PPL, she said.

The system will be owned and maintained by PPL. Shamokin pays a combined $11,200 in monthly tariffs, $134,400 annually, to cover maintenance and distribution charges for all 664 street lights in the city. The tariffs are funding the project and there is no additional cost to the city.

"This project will not affect the tariff or the amount the city pays," MacBride said.

A different company, Constellation Electric, supplies electricity to the street lighting system. They're paid about $1,200 monthly for the service.

Shamokin's downtown street lighting has increasingly malfunctioned over the years, including during heavy rainfall and at times leaving parts or all of Independence Street in the dark.

The replacement project had always been targeted by PPL for 2014, MacBride said.

It actually was on the company's construction schedule in 2013 but was ultimately moved to this year after city officials explored the possibility of purchasing its own system from another vendor.

The project was turned over to the Shamokin Planning Commission for its members to explore the cost of decorative lighting and an energy efficient system such as LED. PPL offers limited decorative options and does not offer LED systems.

It was ultimately determined by city council that it was too costly.

IRISH VALLEY - A gunshot victim was discovered after crashing a car along Irish Valley Road early Saturday, prompting a day-long investigation into what police say was an attempted homicide.

Salicia Yost, 20, of Milton, was alone and reportedly incoherent inside a red Chevy Sonic when emergency personnel responded at about 5:30 a.m.

A search warrant was issued at 11 a.m. for Yost's vehicle and cell phone, and one male was detained in the Mount Carmel area about 4:45 p.m.

It was unclear late Saturday if an arrest had been made.

A state police public information officer confirmed the incident was a shooting and later issued a brief press release with the victim's name. However, Trooper Matthew Burrows wouldn't offer any details on the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

The crash occurred in Shamokin Township, about 100 yards west of the tunnel on Irish Valley Road (Route 4026), just off Route 61 near Weigh Scales.

Yost was treated on scene and Burrows confirmed she was transported to Geisinger Medical Center, Danville.

Neither a nursing supervisor nor a Geisinger spokesman would release any information on Yost's condition Saturday night.

Return to scene

Yost, whose age is listed as 21 on a court document for a prior traffic citation, was driving on Irish Valley Road toward Route 61 when she apparently lost control and crashed into a snow mound.

The vehicle did not appear to have sustained major damage.

The accident scene was cleared, but fire police were called out about 12:40 p.m. as police ordered Irish Valley Road blocked off from Route 61 to Badman Hill Road, a distance of about one mile. It's believe the gunshot injuries weren't discovered until sometime after she was hospitalized, prompting the return of authorities to the crash scene.

Work at the scene reportedly involved the use of metal detectors.

By 3 p.m., the scene was again cleared.

Shift to Mount Carmel

By Saturday afternoon the investigation was focused at least in part in the Mount Carmel area.

The male was detained about 4:45 p.m. at a South Poplar Street residence. Police had also been searching in an area cemetery, but for what is unclear.

Cruisers from state police at Stonington and Mount Carmel Township remained parked outside the borough station Saturday night, and Police Chief Todd Owens confirmed his department was assisting state police in the probe. He declined comment on all other questions, referring them to state police.

An official from Northumberland County Children and Youth was also at the station.

Warrants issued

Magisterial District Judge Hugh Jones confirmed Saturday evening that he had issued the two search warrants to state police about 11 a.m.

Jones was aware of police activity in the borough Saturday night and had heard there was some focus in the area of Sixth and Poplar, but said he was "totally unaware" when told it may be have been connected to the crash.

Jones said he is the on-call weekend magistrate for Northumberland County, and as such he would be contacted if there was an arrest or if another search warrant was needed.

He said the off-hour warrants he did issue were not yet recorded at his office and that he couldn't provide further details other than they were for the car and phone.

Trooper Kevin Kearney of state police at Stonington is the investigating officer. Ralpho Township police had originally responded to the crash, along with Elysburg and Ralpho Township firefighters and emergency squad, Elysburg ambulance and Stonington firefighters.

COAL TOWNSHIP - Shamokin Area Middle/High School announced its distinguished honor roll and honor roll for the second marking period of 2013-14.

A student must achieve an average of 90 to 94.9 for honor recognition; 95 or higher for distinguished honors. All subjects except driver training are included. Also, all subjects must be passed and a minimum of 90 percent in deportment is required.

Distinguished honors

Grade 12: Batool Alvi, Jacob Arnold, Elizabeth Bednar, Alisha Black, Brianna Bonshock, Olivia Bonshock, Alyssa Britton, Kelsey Bryant, Logan Carpenter, Joseph Colangelo, Eryn Cook, Nicole Cullen, Daniel Delbaugh, Cody Derr, Noelle Erickson, Justin Forbes, Kayla Gordon, Alyssa Green, Katelyn Green, Nathaniel Haggerty, Mitchell Haupt, Samantha Holdren, Austin Huntington, Zachary Lehman, Dana Madl, Draven Miller, Mariah Mong, Laryah Moyle, Catelin Pancher, Matthew Renn Jr., Adam Richardson, Melissa Rishel, Levi Rosini, Kevin Searls, Anthony Shalamanda Jr., Alyssa Shuey, Kaitlyn Shultz, Melissa Smallets, Michael Som, Caleb Stahl, Helana Supsic, Erik Taylor and Corinne Weikel.

Grade 11: Michelle Bressi, Brandon Brida, Tyler Candelora, Samantha Carpenter, Jasmine Coleman, Joseph Deptula, Megan Dimmick, Heather Elliott, Draven Faus, Bridgette Hine, Darian Jones, Elizabeth Kapushinski, Megan Kerstetter, Zachary Koharski, Kathryn Madara, Kayla Marchetti, Brianna Martin, Brianna Moore, Graeme Shappell, Jacob Snyder, Taylor Tobias, Jarret Willis, Casey Wilson and Cierra Zimmerman.

Grade 10: Jensen Bordell, Michael Britton, Patricia Clark, Cheyenne Collier, Claudia Collins, Caleigh Corrigan, Jeannette Costa, Dilin DeCample, Justin Deutsch, Jacob DiRienzo, Brady Haupt, Russell Henz Jr., Evelyn Madrak, Emily McDevitt, Travis Nelson, Brayson Pawelczyk, Christopher Petraskie, Isaiah Reiprich, Kelsey Rogers, Ivy Savidge, Kayla Schell, Dakota Sutsko, Sarah Thomson, Christina Troutman, Rebecca Wargo, Cameron Wayne and Jakob Weaver.

Grade 9: Kayla Baney, Alex Black, Madison Blackwell, Scarlett Brown, Samuel Deptula, Cierra Eby, Thomas Eby, Aleea Faus, Amy Frasch, Jarred Rachau, Anne Richardson, Madison Rodarmel, Kaitlyn Schrader, Ellen Spotts and Samantha Startzel.

Grade 8: Abagail Blass, Kiara Bonshock, Michael Breslin, Randall Brosius, Alexandra Campbell, Emma Clark, Anna Delbaugh, Matthew Dimmick, Kelsee Dunn, Maryssa Erdman, Abbi Fiorey, Mackenzie Hasuga, Nicholas Kirkner, Jennifer Kozlowski, Dalton Madara, Emma Mangiaruga, McKenna Markowski, Sadie Miller, Kamilyah Nazih, Joseph Olah, Madison Pancher, Colton Pollock, Kali Rebuck, Cameron Scandle, Jenna Sebasovich and Ciara Tharp.

Grade 7: Spencer Balonis, Krista Baumeister, Ashley Beach, Jared Berkheimer, Aidan Blackwell, Karrie Bower, Marshall Buggy, Sierra Burd, Steven Carpenter, Alyssa Charriez, Gavin Clattenburg, Chloe Dales, John Delorso, Lydia Deptula, Alyvia Erb, Jeffrey Fuernisen Jr., Mara Hashuga, Teagan Heath, Jayla Klase, Chloe Kramer, Jameson Kramer, Samantha Magee, Joseph Masser, Morgan McGinn, Abigail Nye, Jessa Paczkoski, Autumn Purcell, Robert Rebuck, Lake Rodarmel, Andrea Segura, Peyton Shurock, Mason Smink, Matthew Swartz, Abigail Thew, Skylar Truchon, John Wagner, Lauren Wagner, Payton Whary, Valerie Yost, Blake Zalar, Clif Zheng and Zoe Zimmerman.

Honor roll

Grade 12: Steven Balonis, Daulton Baumerts, Elizabeth Bensinger, Jasmine Breslin, Kylie Christiana, Jordan Collins, Michael Donahue, Breanna Dowling, Sara Drumheiser, Caitlin Fellin, Megan Goodrich, Kenya Graham, Molly Haupt, Stefanie Hile, Jennifer Hornberger, Skylar Hughes, Ashley Huxta, Richard Jones, Jeffrey Kashner Jr., Corey Levi, Selah Lucas, Jaelyn Madara, Sean McLaughlin, Caroline McSurdy, Marielle Miller, Joshua Pappas, Danielle Polidario, Morgan Purcell, Noah Rachau, Lea Richardson, Elizabeth Roberts, William Ruch, Michael Rumberger, Lydia Sandri, Kristina Slodysko, Jodi Smith, Victoria Snyder, Bailey Stank, Austin Stine, jasmine Wagner, Ryan Wilk, Natalie Wolfe and Ronald Zimmerman Jr.

Grade 11: Tara Blom, Jill Britton, John Brown, Richard Brown, Kourtnie Chapman, Cole Fegley, Devvon Gallie, Tevin Gonzalez, Derek Gross, Chyna Haley, Carson Houser, Aaron Kalinowski, Ronald Laniewski III, Brett Long, Brittany Madison, Christopher McCabe, Mitchell McGinn, Rhiannon McKinney, Josiah Miller, Carley Nash, Rachel Poplaski, Paul Quincy Jr., Ronald Rhoads, Jessica Schleig, Daniel Searls, Teya Smeal, Taylor Steinhart, Jenna Wasarhelyi, Dylan Williams and Tucker Yost.

Grade 10: Kyran Brown, Preston Burns, Thomas Campbell, Bradley Carpenter, Autumn Craft, Brandon Dorsett, Gabrielle Erb, Haley Erb, Ryan Gass, Megan Grinaway, Ashley Gruszewski, Andrew Jones, Cassandra Kulish, Emma Miller, Ashley Pennell, Samantha Perocier, Adam Philhower, Kasey Puchalski, Donna Rania, Brett Rebuck, Danielle Reed, Paige Sherman, James Snyder, Tye Som, Cole Supsic, Nicole Thompson, Garrett Zalar and Callie Zimmerman.

Grade 9: Zachary Anascavage, Guenivere Angstadt, Patrick Bradigan, Cheyenne Burasz, Robert Carapellucci, Brett Derck, Tiffany Gordon, Brandi Hatzel, Carollyn Hine, Cameron Jacoby, Jarred Jones, Jenna Keisling, Mackenzie Koharski, Leon Malkoski, Jenai McKeen, Lindsey Miller, Abigale Mummey, Vincent Quincy, Carson Quinn, Jaden Schlagle, Andrew Shalamanda, Julianna Shuman, Aubrey Snyder, Brianna Stanke, Kelsie Stewart, Gabrielle Velez, Matthew Vrona, Aleksandr Washuta, Brittany Wondoloski, Page Wormald and Tobias Zerbe.

Grade 8: Kasey Brown, Haley Burd, Jacob Carpenter, Madison Clauser, Taylor Cullen, Madison Daya, Ariane Daya, Emily DeMartino, Charles Diehl, Gloria Drayer, Colby Edmondson, Katlyn Ehman, Brittney Farner, Michael Faust, Summer Finkelstein, Kira Golden, Brooke Hovenstine, Jacob Jeremiah, Gaige Johns, Dharma Koser, Patrick Latsha, Ethan Lawton, Victoria Nicola, Kaile Pancher, Cameron Popiel, Noah Sessions, Keyona Shoff, Stephen Smith, Jadyn Snyder, Elizabeth Stevens, Brianna Travitz, Jasmine Wasilewski, Tessa Wheary, Mackenzie Young, Daniel Zaborny, George Zalar and Dakota Zimmerman.

Grade 7: Melania Amato, Emily Backes, Alexis Barnes, Sarah Baumeister, Mariah Benedict, Colby Bixler, Reina Cardona, Juliana DeGreen, Lauren Drumheiser, Jacob Eschbach III, Ryleigh Fegley-Cull, Nicholas Feudale, Skylar Figard, Mackenzie Glosek, Stephen Gundy, Zoey Hockenbroch, Barbara Jemmott, Taylor Kashner, Chryssa Kehler, Collin Kern, Timothy Kile, Deven Klock, Matthew Knowles, Brianna Lehman, Xavier Lehman, Cordell Lucas, Joshua Mackenzie, Ferdinand Madara, Tyler Marcinick, Christina Marquez, Cameron Orner, Lauraleigh Pease, Quinn Rollman, Destiny Sassani, Joan Schaeffer, Matthew Schiccatano, Kylee Shultz, Brooke Strausser, Jose Tejada, Ethan Tharp, Jacob Thompson, Savanna Vercruyssen and Richard Wright III.

A partial list of fundraisers being conducted to benefit The Relay for Life of the Coal Region and the American Cancer Society:

Wednesday, Feb. 12

LCCC will sell food and baked goods at its Shamokin campus from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Sunday, March 9

Vera Bradley bingo, at Lourdes Regional cafeteria. Doors open at 11:30 a.m., first game starts at 1 p.m. Cost is $20 for 20 games, with special games, raffles and food available.

Saturday, April 26

The Coal Region Race to Beat Cancer, at the Mount Carmel Town Park gazebo. Registration at 7:30 p.m., race begins at 9 p.m. Early registration costs $15, with a free goody bag filled with participant thank you gifts, until April 20. Day of event registration at $20 with a goody bag while supplies last. Awards to be presented to the top three finishers male and female in adult and youth divisions. Children 8 and under can participate for free. To register, return form with cash or check (made out to the American Cancer Society) to the Notary Shop, 215 S. Oak St., Mount Carmel or register online at www.active.com/mount-carmel-pa/running/distance-running-races/the-coal-region-race-2-beat-cancer-2014.

Sunday, May 18

Benefit event at Brewser's SportsGrille in which 20 percent of each customer's bill goes toward Relay for Life. To have a copy of the form, see Connie Long or Earl Reed or email coalregionrelay@gmail.com.

Friday, May 30

Sixth annual Mighty Masser "After Dark" 5K, 9 p.m. start at Kemp Memorial Stadium, Coal Township. Race Day registration starting at 7:30 p.m., rain or shine.

Saturday, June 14

Butterfly release, 9:30 a.m. at Kemp Memorial Stadium. Butterflies can be released in memory of a loved one or in honor of someone special. $10 per butterfly and forms must be received no later than May 20. To download a form, visit http://relay.acsevents.org/site/DocServer/BF_Release_Form.pdf?docID=337965.

Saturday, June 21

Bark for Life of the Coal Region, MCA Town Park, time and details to be announced.

Mount Carmel Area School District

MOUNT CARMEL - The Mount Carmel Area School District has announced its honor roll for the first marking period of the 2013-14 school years.

Distinguished honors

Grade 4 - Cedar-Anthony Bolam, Amelia Chapman, Koryn Ennis, Matthew Kelley, Judy Kanafani, Mohamed Ammar Kanafani, Elise Makowski, Cole Marquardt, Damen Milewski, Dalton Moser, Devin O'Hearn, Molly Petrucci, Kenneth Wetzel III, Livia Zlockie, Brian Donner, Mason Fretz, Avery Dowkus, Michael Farronato, Christina Kurtz and Jasleen Dhillon.

Grade 5 - Tyler Owens, Kaylee Kane, Lauren Ayres, Mackenzie Zerbe, Caroline Fletcher, Reed Witkoski, Andrew Wasilewski, Rebekah Troup, EmmaRae Shimko, Lauren Shedleski, Tori Sanko, Marley Rusinko, Michael Reed, Isabel Parker, Claudia Morris, Derek Lawler, Cameron Mannion, Margaret McCracken, Molly McCracken, Talia Mazzatesta, MaKenna Lengle, Austin Garancosky, Gabriella Trocki, Julia Burns and Rileigh Nowroski.

Grade 6 - Anthony Stutzcavage, Michael Balichik, Tyler Barnhardt, Brooke Bernini, Kyra Stickler, Lindsey Klusman, Grace Menko, Michael Scicchitano, Tyler Winhofer, Zane Zlockie, Dylan Duceman, Emily Olszewskie, Ryan Green, Eliza Nevis, Damon Dowkus, Hailey Derk, Emily Szatny and Cierra Clayton.

Grade 7 - Casandra Latshaw, McKenna Fletcher, Hailey Swaldi, Haley Paul, Brady Campbell, Ainsley Fegley, Miranda Fiamoncini, Tanner Karycki, Daniela Mangiapane, Gabrielle Taylor, Colin Herb, Dante Sabolchick, William Anderson, John Chapman III, Nicholas Troutman, Logan Wills, Ava McGee and Darren Rosenstein.

Grade 8 - Dylan Farronato, Emilee Wasilewski, John Ayres, Emilee Barnhardt, Tyler Krah, Rosolino Mangiapane, Benjamin McFadden, Matthew Cimino, Ethan McLeod, Braedon Stickler, Adam Weissinger, Donovan James, Sarah Cooper, Mia Kaminsky, Nicole Varano, Zachary Hunter, Sara Davitt, Raykal Adiansjah and Tyler Ham.

Grade 9 - Kevin Stancavage, Aleah Alderson, Sydney Spears, Carl Darrup, Aurora Froutz, Madeleine Lyash, Anna Zeluskey, Austin Reed, Sara Parker, Kasey Rompallo, Madelyn Witkoski, Alyssa Menko, Erin Smink, Marissa Kleman, Olivia Lubinski, Rachel Brown, Maura Fiamoncini, Hayley Palek and Sara Nicola.

Grade 10 - Dominic Farronato, Ryan Little, Allen Yancoskie III, Tyler Thompson, Ethan Bartos, JoAnna Davidson, Joseph Rossi, Dylan Fiamoncini, Allison Parker, Brianna Malkoski, Cameron Getty, Vanessa Klemas, Mason Duran, Natasha Nevis, Elizabeth Cooper, Miranda Moser, Jessy Stankavage, Karissa Schoonover, Jacqualin Lyden, David Fletcher, Mitchell Fletcher, Chantelle Skavery, Luke Darrup and Paige Wichurowski.

Grade 11 - Christian Kelley, David Seltner II, Zachary Tocyloski, Erin Scicchitano, Lee Amarose, Jennifer Bolick, Paige Domboski, Thomas Moser, Joanna Rompallo, Nicholas Rossi, Christopher Stellar, Michael Vincenzes, Jordan Winhofer, Madison Watkins, Kayla Witt, Ciaran Fisher, Glenn Barwicki, Isabella Stellar, Kevin Nolter, Amber Kogut, Thomas Lynott, Nathaniel Bartos, Taylor Conches, Michael Kaminsky, Caitlyn Curran, Sean Fisher, Joseph Schmoyer, Jessica Feldman, Zachary Guthrie and Maliyah Edwards.

Grade 12 - Zachary Wasilewski, Brett Zosh, Kaitlin Horsfield, Jenna Jurasich, Brandon Toter, Jasmine Jones, Morgan Miriello, Dylan Combs, Alex Mrozek, Jonathan Phillipine, Briana Chapman, Jessica Pachuski, Taylor Stefovic, Anna Marie Raybuck, Coral Swank, Cody Deitz, Benjamin Scicchitano, Sonya Grohowski, Nicole Brosius, Darla Hood, Alison Varano, Nicholas Stancavage, Ronald Lutes, Brock Susnoskie, Bryce Fiamoncini, Lauren Hause, Heather Raker, Olivia Bressi-Harman and Jessie Gibson.

First honors

Grade 4 - Daymon Haupt, Courtney Troutman, Brittany Neumeister, Evan Bronkoski, Regan Duceman, Brynn Evert, Matthew Scicchitano, Maura Higgins, Devin Palek, Thomas Davitt, Jaiden Alvarez, Desirae Mattis and Kaylei Flaim.

Grade 5 - Aaron Elliott, Jacob Evans, Giavanna Yancoskie, Valeria Mangiapane, Eric Bubrowski, Noah Wolfgang, Isabella Ryan, Alana Oakley, Katie Miller, James Rusk IV, Caiden Williams, Bryce Adams, Brynn Marlow, William Mullins, Montana Spangler, Tommie Mowrer III, Destiny Keyser and Jim Smith.

Grade 6 - Kassandra Troutman, Dylan Latshaw, Angel Barwicki, Victoria Belfanti, Erin Bossler, Lillian Britt, Connor Krakowski, Connor Brown, Michael Bucher, Bruce Carl, Cade Geary, Tiffany Koreisl, Bryson Zvoncheck, Mya Okronglis, Jason Patrick, Makayla Purcell, Makenzie Pyle, Joshua Ritz, Shawn Sheptock, Joshua Vellner, Elijah Watkins, Zackary Moore, Haley Bressi, Trevor Shultz, Vanessa Walter, Rileigh Engelke, Olivia Rusk, Kaleb Tyson, Angelina Torres, Peyton Galitski, Sydney Marquardt, Niklas Misner, Kimberly Schmidt, Riley Findeis and Naomi Mumford.

Grade 7 - Quentin Nahodil, Lorena Barrientos, Karisa Kehler, Michael Makowski III, Madison Mengel, Alexia Curran, Joseph Dudeck, Brock Evert, Danielle Hooper, Emily Krulak, Bradley Shurock, Kayla Wesloskie, Allison Shurock, Brianna Ryan, Nichalous Diminick, Samantha Darrup, Iyana Crew and Olivia McGinley.

Grade 8 - Alexander Brzostowski, Keith Ruskuski, Anthony Moser, Kourtney Honicker, Matthew Ziv, Chloe Smith, Aidan Wesloskie, Mackenzie Witt, Myia Miriello, Alexa Collins, MaKayla Green, Walter Kalinoski, Daniel Snarski, Camlin Bogutskie, Daniel Ahlers, Zoey Rompallo, Symphony Yoder, Maci Mazzatesta and Dawson Shoffler.

Grade 9 - Amanda Arellano, Jordan Reed, Haley Weidner, Nicole Hooper, Christina Kleman, Lauren Zanni, Jaecob McGinn, Selena Guererro and Lane Tanney.

Grade 10 - Brett Katalinas, Logan Hixson, Megan Troutman, Madison Shurock, Logan Kuzo, Gabriel Bogutskie, Patrick Rhoads, Bret Williams, Peyton Worhach, Jeffrey Leins, Leah Nicola, Michael Bergamo Jr., Marcus English, Tyler Diotte and Tyler Schmidt.

Grade 11 - Treyvon White, Blake Panko, Tina Delbo, Brendin Pancher, Haley Lahr, Gerard Reichwein, Amalia Hinkle, Brianne Graff, Hannah Fetterolf, Josiah Skavery, Thomas Bielski, Dylan Williams and Derek Weaver.

Grade 12 - Sabrina Allen, Thomas Evans III, Luke Duceman, Paige Hornung, Emily Padula, Brianna Lutz, Samantha Miscavage and Ezekiel Zsido.

Second honors

Grade 4 - Logan Olbrish, Zachary Reed, Devin Peters, Gianna Belfanti, AngieMarie Fetters, Olivia Long, Zoie Moore, Tyler Ozlanski, Lindsay Schuck, Faythe Timmins, Rylie Krovitskie, Logan Chapman, Braylin Kemfort-Huth, Jetly Gonzalez and Kristen Deitz.

Grade 5 - Chase Fishburn, Jacob Gilotti, Alex Wolfley, Dante Crispell, Robert Harris Jr., Alyssa Swetra, Michael Getchey, Breayna Dietz, Addison Odorizzi, Ryleigh Geary, Malakai Corley, Payton Carl, Emily Yuskoski, Trevor McDonald, Michael Sykes Jr., Ethan Fanella, Juliana Demetrius, Savannah Castellano, Jazmine McClelland, Michael Deitz III, Bria Shoffler and Mick Zwolinski

Grade 6 - Marissa Matukaitis, Austin Reed, Madison Sosky, Gregory Keiper, Olivia Reiner, Jacob Adzema, Robert Bush, Ramsey Fisher, Cloey Heim, Evan Hornberger, Trent Moser, Gryffan O'Donnell, William Savadge Jr., Jonathan Slovick, Nathaniel Malkoski, Brayden Harvey, Brandon Moore, Tyler Weaver, Josilyn Adams, Cody Wilhelm, Micheal Nahodil, Charity Reigle, Austin Molnar, Cheyenne Derk, Jacob Raker, John Frieswyk and Zachary Williams.

Grade 7 - Noah Berkoski, Dustin Siko, Draven Murray, Crystal Aponte, Shane Weidner, Kaitlyn Bulliner, Olivia Bratcher, Christopher Ehmann, Katie Flynn, Megan Green, Chloe Frost, Avery Demko and Rita Hanson.

Grade 8 - Matthew Daubert, Michael Cuff, Alyssa Karycki, Collin Krakowski, Zachary Zvoncheck, Zachary Sodrick, Morgan Zarko, Jacob Klokis, Carly Jurasich, Emily Wills, Hannah Nolter, Jeffrey Weidner, Sandra Horsfield, Bradley Neidig, Tyler Golazeski, Alyssa Lebo, Skylynn Janoka, Michael Hood, Gianna D'Agostino, Evan Salamone, Cecillia Labate, Trenton Koons, Audrey Wilkins, Alesha Rutledge, Stephen Laurie Jr. and Bailey Little.

Grade 9 - Johnny Bossler, Kasey Grohowski, Dylan Carey, Breanna Kruskie, Bryce Dauber, Adam Maschal, Amanda Rimokaitis, Kaitlyn Trent, Jacob Weissinger, Justin Parker, Timothy Glowatski, Hannah Hornung, Samantha Zigarski, Lauren Startzel, Robert Koch Jr., Julia Ballard, Kelsi Wayne, Alexa Schmidt, Lindsay Rasley, Blake Seigrist and Sarek Grubb.

Grade 10 - Jesse Elliott, Jonathan Rosetta, Taylor Haladay, Aaron Butkiewicz, Ryan Walter, Kaylene Sinopoli, Maddie Kelley, Karley Spangler, Desirae Derk, Rylee Neitz, Russell Ensor, Shawn Steigerwalt and Jade Lommerin.

Grade 11 - Dylan Patrick, Brenda Neidig, Shannon Tanney, Jacob Belfanti, Colin Bettleyon, Austin Joraskie, Shane Gudonis, Jordan Klimas, Lynn Womer, Amanda Manning and Joseph Dormer.

Grade 12 - Kassondra Martz, Nicholas Bozza Jr., Marcus Maschal, Caitlyn Avellino, Jason Eichelberger, Jarret Schultz and Karena Schmidt.

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

John Gembic III, Shamokin

Michael R. Kaleta, of Mount Carmel, awarded $1,324 on Feb. 3 from Rex Hepner, of Shamokin, for unpaid rent and court costs.

Sara Radomski, of Shamokin, awarded $724.60 on Feb. 3 from John Seedor, of Shamokin, for unpaid rent and court costs.

Northeast Apartments, Mount Carmel, awarded default claim on Feb. 6 against Lewis Harrington, of Coal Township. No judgment amount provided.

Harvey Green, of Kulpmont, awarded $1,316.60 on Feb. 6 from Curt and Maria Lahr, of Coal Township, for unpaid rent and court costs.

Shamokin Housing Authority, Shamokin, awarded $376.60 on Feb. 6 from Kendra Dowell, of Shamokin, for unpaid rent and court costs.

Shamokin Housing Authority, Shamokin, against Kayla James, of Shamokin, for $110, filed Feb. 6. Hearing scheduled for Feb. 20.

Hugh A. Jones, Mount Carmel

Apartments and Acquisitions, Mount Carmel, awarded $2,276.70 on Feb. 5 from Robert and Melissa Zimmerman, of Mount Carmel, for unpaid rent and court costs.

Kent A. Knorr, of Hegins, against Lori A. Knopp, of Mount Carmel, for $4,187.47, filed Jan. 24. Hearing scheduled for Feb. 12.

Stacey and Jonathan Fisher, of Kulpmont, against Jennifer and Brian Kerner and David Tracy, all of Kulpmont, filed Feb. 5. No claim amount provided. Hearing scheduled for Feb. 19.

Joe Gushen, of Mount Carmel, against Debra Campbell, Melissa Cromwell and Crystal Mann, all of Mount Carmel, for $2,450, filed Jan. 14. Hearing postponed until March 5.

Conservation district reorganizes

SUNBURY - The Northumberland County Conservation District has an active agenda for 2014, including multiple farm projects, stream bank restoration projects along Little Shamokin Creek and updates to a passive mine treatment system on Carbon Run at Site 42 of Shamokin Creek.

The district will also be holding multiple meetings once again throughout the year to educate the agricultural community, municipalities, and contractors about the importance of protecting our natural resources. They include a Winter Forum on March 4, a workshop for consultants in late March and a Twilight Meeting for the agricultural community in the fall. Details on district events can be found online at www.nccdpa.org.

Representatives of the Department of Environmental Protection, Regional Director Marcus Kohl, Local Government Liaison Dan Vilello, and District Field Representative Bill Kahler were present to provide DEP's goals for 2014 in working with conservation districts.

Northumberland County Conservation District meetings are held the first Thursday of every month at 12:30 p.m. December through April, and 7 p.m. from May through November.

(Note: A photograph of the reorganized board was published in Saturday's edition.)

Soldiers Circle committee meets Tuesday

SHAMOKIN - Soldiers Circle Veterans Committee will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Knockers, Market Street.

A Sunday afternoon snowstorm was blamed for multiple accidents in the area.

Several inches of snow accumulated during the storm. The heaviest snowfall began about 3 p.m., and reports of crashes followed shortly thereafter.

The most serious of the accidents occurred about 3:30 p.m. on the Merriam-Mount Carmel Highway in Mount Carmel Township.

Rachel Bobenreith, 29, of Shamokin was driving a 2003 Chrysler Sebring toward Mount Carmel when she lost control of the vehicle, according to township Patrolman Kelly Campbell. It reportedly spun in a circle into the oncoming lane and into the path of Charles Matern, 57, of Frackville, who couldn't stop his 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe in time to avoid a collision.

The Santa Fe struck the Sebring's rear driver-side.

Bobenreith and a passenger, a 9-year-old Shamokin girl who was extricated from the vehicle, each suffered injuries. So did Matern's passenger, 46-year-old Mary Garraway, of Frackville. All three were taken by ambulance to Geisinger Medical Center, Danville.

Bobenreith was being treated at the hospital's emergency department Sunday evening while Garraway was treated and released, according to a nursing supervisor.

A 4-year-old Shamokin boy, also a passenger of Bobenreith's, and Matern did not report an injury, Campbell said.

Both vehicles were towed.

The roadway was closed for 1 1/2 hours.

Assisting at the scene was Mount Carmel Township Police Chief Brian Hollenbush and personnel from Mount Carmel Rescue Squad, Locust Gap Fire Co. and AREA Services.

Campbell said several other non-reportable accidents occurred in Mount Carmel Township due to the weather, including one on the Natalie Mountain.

Two crashes occurred on Route 61 in Coal Township within about 15 minutes.

The first at about 3:15 p.m. happened when a 2004 Ford Focus driven by Ryan Bourinski, 21, of Coal Township, slid off the highway's northbound lane and into a utility pole near Center Street, Tharptown.

The second occurred just about 3:30 p.m. when a Ford Taurus driven by Naomi Saga, 57, of Coal Township, slid off the highway's southbound lane and struck a guide rail at the red light near McDonald's.

No injuries were reported in either accident.

In Ralpho Township, there was a report of a black car stuck on Route 54 near Sleepy Hollow Road that posed a hazard to other motorists.