SUNBURY - Northumberland County's four treatment courts, which have changed the lives of many of its participants through the years, celebrated two milestones Tuesday.

For the first time, graduation ceremonies were held the same day for the drug, DUI, behavioral health and veterans courts, while the DUI court reached the century mark.

The ceremonies also marked the last graduation program for chief probation officer Michael Barvitskie, who has accepted a supervisor's position with the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole in Williamsport.

Barvitskie, 36, who has been a county probation officer for 14 years, was promoted to supervisor in 2009 before becoming chief probation officer in July 2013.

The Paxinos resident, whose county salary is approximately $61,000, will begin his new duties April 21.

He thanked all the judges, commissioners and county residents he has worked with over the years and believes his valuable experiences with the adult probation department will greatly assist him in his new position.

He has been involved with the treatment courts since 2009.

Northumberland County Judge Charles H. Saylor, who oversees the treatment courts, presided at separate ceremonies and presented certificates and plaques to each of the graduates. He spoke about how successful each of the treatment courts have been and commended participants and members who have helped improved their lives.

Clayton Sheldon, 29, of Sunbury, one of three behavioral court graduates, stated, "The support team we had was great. They always steered you in the right direction. This program was simple to follow. You make an appointment and you keep it, or you go to jail or do community service. I've had a very positive experience by completing the program."

Sheldon, who is a native of upstate New York, was charged by Sunbury police with aggravated assault and related offenses for allegedly striking a police officer. He entered the treatment court in February 2013 and works as a private landscaper.

Other behavioral court graduates included Kenneth Holland and Ricky Buckles.

"I'm very thankful for having this court available to me and I've had a lot of guidance," commented Leon Phillips, the lone graduate of the veterans treatment court.

The 42-year-old Coal Township resident, who has completed three deployments in Afghanistan, said he paid off all his fines and is looking forward to the future.

He thanked Saylor and his mentors.

"This is a great thing. It recognizes that some veterans need help and it has definitely opened a lot of doors for me. God bless you for being there for me," Phillips said.

Phillips, who entered veterans court in February 2013, advised veterans to take advantage of the program.

He was charged by Coal Township police with driving under the influence of alcohol and has been a correctional officer at SCI-Frackville for 10 years. He and his wife have five children.

Jeremy Fisher, 32, of Kulpmont, a graduate of the DUI treatment court, spoke of the highs and lows he experienced in the program after battling alcohol addiction on and off for 10 years.

"Before entering the program, I thought about drinking myself to death," he said. "And even when I enrolled in treatment court, I thought it was impossible to complete. Being on house arrest was awful. But I was able to persevere and my life has changed because of this program. I couldn't be happier. I owe my sobriety and well being to this program."

He also thanked Saylor and members of the treatment court team. "You showed you cared for us and always treated us with respect," he said. "We were able to better ourselves and develop great relationships with each other in the program."

Fisher is employed at Lowe's Distribution Center near Minersville. He became a father for the first time in January.

He also is a drummer in a band called Wars Over Wails.

Anessa Renn, 39, of Dalmatia, also talked about the struggles she endured after being charged with DUI and how thankful she was for the opportunity to complete treatment court.

"I had a lot of anger, shame and denial when I entered the program," she said. "I cost my family a lot of pain, but I grew in the program and realized that I had to admit that I did wrong so I could move forward. I would not be sober today without this program."

Renn, who is a teacher, thanked her family, Saylor, members of the treatment court team and other graduates and concluded her remarks by reading a poem about yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Other DUI court graduates included Dan Hulsizer, Rodney Braczeski, Sharon Miller, Norman Miller, Blake Young, Anne O'Rourke and Chris Klinger.

The last graduation ceremony was for drug treatment court and featured comments by participant Coryn Renner.

Other graduates were Stacy Huber, Nicholas Nelling, Michael Filarski, Anthony Derck, Jesse Beck, Candace Young and Gary Vanwhy.

Drug treatment court, which was established in 2005, now has 49 graduates. Behavioral health court, which started in 2006, has 22 graduates. Veterans court founded in 2011 has 10 graduates. DUI court, which began in 2007, has 100 graduates.

Participants in each of the courts are given the necessary tools to maintain their sobriety and deal with issues that resulted in their arrests. The courts have proven successful in reducing the rate of recidivism and have a profound impact on improving the lives of graduates and their families.

In order to successfully complete the programs, participants must secure employment and maintain sobriety for at least three months prior to graduation. A participant must be a repeat offender. The DUI, veterans and behavioral health treatment courts last a year while drug court takes 18 months to complete.

UPPER AUGUSTA TOWNSHIP - Firefighters were called to Anthracite Industries around 8 p.m. Tuesday when a machine caught fire and ignited a wall.

Upper Augusta Township Assistant Fire Chief Matt Bellman said he saw heavy smoke inside one of the buildings when he arrived on scene.

"After speaking with the employees, we determined the source of the fire was one of the machines inside the manufacturing facility that had spread to several walls and a barn door-type entrance," Bellman said.

Once tankers arrived and solved a water supply issue, firefighters had the blaze under control within minutes. Damage was limited to the walls around the machine and the outside walls of the building.

Approximately 12 employees working Tuesday evening were evacuated from the plant, but no injuries were reported.

"It was a good stop, real quick," Bellman said.

The assistant chief said that a state police fire marshal and inspectors from the Pennsylvania Bureau of Mine Safety will be on scene Wednesday to determine a cause of the fire.

The plant, which processes coal, is located along Anthracite Road, between Route 61 and Snydertown Road, and is a division of Asbury Carbons, of Asbury, N.J.

Responding to Tuesday's blaze were crews from Upper Augusta Township, Stonington, Sunbury, Shamokin and Shamokin Dam, and the Americus Ambulance, Sunbury.

RIVERSIDE — The Danville-Riverside Bridge will be closed to all truck and non-local traffic for three days in June to facilitate the replacement of a railroad crossing here.
That was what officials from PennDOT and Canadian Pacific, owners of the crossing, told a room full of local residents who attended a public meeting Tuesday evening at St. Peter’s Fellowship Hall. A similar meeting involving stakeholders, including representatives from Geisinger Health Systems, Knoebels Amusement Resort and elected officials from Riverside and Danville, was held last month.
The crossing will be closed between 6 p.m. Friday, June 20, to 6 p.m. Monday, June 23, in order for crews to remove the approaches and deteriorated crossing and lay down a new 120-foot cement panel and to regrade and pave the approaches.
Rationale for the plan
Officials said the date was chosen to avoid school functions, community activities and times of high traffic volume. It is estimated that 12,500 vehicles per day travel over the crossing.
Eastbound traffic traveling toward Elysburg and trucks traveling in either direction will be directed to use Route 11 to Route 42 near Bloomsburg, to Route 487 in Catawissa. Six message signs will be positioned throughout the region, including one in Elysburg, to help direct motorists.
Local traffic traveling west on Route 54 towards Danville will be allowed to cross the bridge via D and H Avenue. Traffic will be directed through the intersection at the bridge to South D and H Avenue to Chestnut Street, where flagmen will direct them to make a 180-degree turn onto North D and H Avenue. Motorists will gain access to the bridge at the end of the block. Emergency apparatus will be allowed to travel in both directions.
Several people asked why D and H Avenue can not be used for both west and east bound traffic during construction. Stephen Mutchler, assistant traffic engineer for PennDOT, said curbing installed during bridge construction in 1998 has made the street too narrow for two lanes of travel. He also said that vehicles traveling in both directions and attempting to negotiate the 180-degree turn would cause an “unbearable” backup.
“Even this local detour is going to back up,” Mutchler said. “We came up with the best plan that impacted you the least.”
Residents upset
Mutchler’s response did not quell emotions from angry Riverside residents, many who will be forced to take a 30-mile detour to get home, a drive that normally takes less than 5 minutes. Several residents recommended that IDs or passes could be used to determine who is or who isn’t a Riverside resident, but Mutchler ended the debate when he said two-way traffic over the bride was a “dead issue.”
Dave Muchal, Canadian Pacific regional track superintendant, said crews will work around the clock to have the road open by 6 p.m. Monday. The only thing that could delay the opening would be rain, he said.

KULPMONT - During Kulpmont Borough Council meeting Tuesday, services and facilities committee chair Nicholas Bozza informed residents the street sweeper will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday on Chestnut Street and asked that no vehicles be parked on the street during that time.
“With the amount of dirt on the road, we may have to do two or three passes with the sweeper, so we are asking the people to be patient,” Bozza said. “We will be ticketing any vehicle not moved as well.”
 

Daffodils still available

SHAMOKIN - Daffodils are still available for purchase at Beverly's Flower Shop, 9 E. Independence St.

Bunches of 10 flowers are $5 each, and proceeds from the sale will benefit the Coal Region Relay for Life event to benefit the American Cancer Society.

Food pantry to hold distribution

ATLAS - The Mount Carmel Township Food Pantry will have its monthly distribution from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the township complex. Residents in Atlas, Diamondtown, Strong, Locust Gap, Connorsville, Dooleyville and Beaverdale who signed up previously are eligible.

Report cards to be distributed Friday

COAL TOWNSHIP - Report cards will be distributed to students in grades seven through 12 of Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School Friday.

God's Chuck Wagon back in Trevorton

TREVORTON - Pastor Jim Bowers of God's Chuck Wagon said the mobile soup kitchen will begin serve meals again at the Foundry parking lot from 4 to 5 p.m. Wednesday.

Also, those receiving meals Monday, April 14, and Tuesday, April 15, will be treated to Easter dinner.

God's Chuck Wagon is looking for hams to be donated. Anyone wishing to donate can contact Pastor Bowers at 570-492-2392.

UPPER AUGUSTA TOWNSHIP - A state police fire marshal wasn't able to determine what started a fire Tuesday night that destroyed a piece of machinery and damaged walls at Anthracite Industries.

Township Assistant Fire Chief Matt Billman said fire marshal Kirk Renn was on scene Wednesday for about two hours.

"There were a couple of variables that we looked at, but we couldn't pinpoint an exact cause," Billman said.

Tim Hendricks, general manager at the plant, said the "pulverizing machine" that was destroyed represents less than 5 percent of Anthracite Industries' processing capability; the plant was in operation Wednesday morning.

He said the machine was destroyed, but the company is insured for the loss. The machine is used for one of the plant's specialty products.

Fire from the machine spread to and damaged several interior and exterior walls. It is not considered suspicious.

Firefighters were called to the plant at 8:02 p.m. Tuesday and had the fire knocked down quickly. The plant does not have a hydrant on the grounds, so firefighters had to set up a portable pond. They were prepared to go to a nearby sportsmen's club to access water, but the initial supply from tankers was enough to douse the flames, Billman said.

"The fire departments did an outstanding job putting out the fire quickly," Hendricks said. "Upper Augusta Township and the neighboring fire companies did a great job."

Per regulations, the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration was contacted within 15 minutes of the fire. Hendricks said MSHA has been in contact with the company, but he is not sure if the agency will conduct an investigation. The company has been asked to forward a copy of the fire marshal's report to MSHA, he said.

ELYSBURG - Statistics can only tell so much about the story of drug abuse in America. It's the human element that opens others' eyes to the toll addiction can have on a user and a family.

A story about a well-to-do girl stealing her mother's jewelry to feed her heroin addiction caught the attention of the 60-plus people who attended a police presentation Wednesday at Elysburg Fire Company.

The girl sold the jewelry - tens of thousands of dollars in jewelry passed from one generation of the family to the next - for pennies on the dollar, and she wound up in state prison.

Ralpho Township Patrolman Chris Grow, Sunbury Patrolman Travis Bremigen and Locust Township Patrolman Chris Snyder all stressed that addiction to heroin, pills and crystal meth is spreading throughout Northumberland and Columbia counties.

'In every household'

Grow began working in narcotics about three years ago. He often got tipped off to who was dealing pot locally. Those tips have changed. Now it's frequently about who's selling heroin.

"It's in every household. No one can tell me they don't know one person that they're related to or friends with" who are involved with drugs, Grow said. "It's everywhere."

A typical glassine packet of heroin, about 3/10 of a gram, was selling on the street for between $20 and $25 five years ago, Bremigen said. A bundle, 10 to 12 of the packets sold in bulk, had cost between $160 and $200. That same packet is now sold for $4 and the bundle for $40, he said.

"It's so readily available it's ridiculous," Bremigen said.

Perhaps more accessible is prescription narcotics, available free of charge in many medicine cabinets. Teenagers have taken a growing liking to pills, Bremigen said, which some crush and snort.

Snyder spoke of methamphetamine addiction, a problem exposed in Berwick, Catawissa and surrounding areas but hardly contained to Columbia County. Bremigen said an uptick in its use is expected locally.

"It's in our area and it's here to stay due to it being so cheap to make," Snyder said.

"A lot of labs pop up. A lot are from people who smell something funny and they alert us," he said of the strong chemical odor associated with cooking crystal meth.

Five ODs weekly

The three officers sought to inform the crowd on the drugs' physical and mental effects, what the drugs look like and how they're packaged, types of paraphernalia, associated slang terms and what signs to look for if someone is using or overdosed.

Photos taken by Grow of drugs repackaged for sale on the street were displayed on a projection screen. One photo showed an estimated 800 glassine packets of heroin, paraphernalia and $2,000 in cash. The bust was made locally in November. Had it not occurred, Grow estimated it would have been sold in as little as two days.

Prior to the meeting, Grow said on average there's five heroin overdoses reported weekly.

"The people that are using in these towns, they're local," Grow said. "The problem here is the people bringing it here."

He cited the arrest of Juan Carlos Alvarez, 28, of Hazleton, currently incarcerated in Lackawanna County Prison, who, at the time of his arrest in September, was charged with bringing at least $2 million of drugs into Pennsylvania since 2012.

MOUNT CARMEL TOWNSHIP - The loud booms heard in the Mount Carmel area from about 9:30 to 10:30 p.m. Tuesday were the result of someone shooting at exploding targets, authorities said Wednesday.

The target practice was taking place at the former police shooting range near Mount Carmel Estates on Mid Valley Mountain north of the borough.

According to a Facebook comment made late Tuesday night, an individual, Jason Bower, of Mount Carmel, claimed responsibility for the incident.

"IT WAS ME! GEEZ!," Bower wrote in response to a Facebook post about the loud noise. "I was at the shooting range at the top of the mountain! I had a really (expletive) day and didn't know the sound would carry as much. Some ppl get hammered after a bad day. Me? I like to shoot guns. My bad. It was out of Borough limits and I didn't think it'd be that bad..."

Township Police Chief Brian Hollenbush said his department served a search warrant Wednesday in the borough in relation to the incident, and it remains under investigation.

"One of our officers said he could feel the percussion from the explosions," Hollenbush said Wednesday. "It was ridiculous."

A number of people in the Mount Carmel area reported hearing the sounds, prompting various theories as to the cause, including a meth lab explosion and officers being shot.

Exploding targets, or reactive targets as they are called, consist of two inert components that, when mixed, blow up if impacted by a high-velocity projectile, such as a bullet fired from a gun.

IRISH VALLEY - Clark's Grove United Methodist Church will host an organ recital by Marcos Krieger at 3 p.m. Sunday.

Krieger, an associate professor of music and chapel organist at Susquehanna University, is a keyboard artist with extensive training in early music and early keyboard technique.

While pursuing his doctoral degree under the supervision of the renowned Bach scholars Quentin Faulkner and George Ritchie, Krieger studied the keyboard literature of central Germany. He expanded his repertoire by further studies in Spain, Italy and Germany, exploring the Iberian and Italian repertoire and technique for early keyboards.

A citizen of Brazil and Germany, Krieger was raised in the Brazilian Amazon region, where his parents are missionaries to the Xerente tribe. He started his musical training at the Music Conservatory of the Universidade Federal de Goiás, in Brazil. After further studies in Germany, he relocated to the U.S. and completed graduate degrees at Brigham Young University and the University of Nebraska at Lincoln.

Krieger has performed solo organ and harpsichord recitals in Germany, Italy, Spain, Brazil, Canada and the U.S. In addition to his solo organ and harpsichord recitals, he often performs with early music ensembles, having played for all the major orchestral and choral works of J.S. Bach and Heinrich Schütz, among others. He is also an active musicologist and ethnomusicologist and produced works on the Christian hymnology of the Xerente Tribe, Portuguese Lyrical Diction and early music treatises related to keyboard repertoire.

MOUNT CARMEL - Four Mount Carmel Area School District students competed in the regional high school computer fair March 24 at the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit.

Briana Chapman and Desirae Derk won first place with their "Legally Blonde The Musical" website.

Placing first in the graphic design category was Madeleine Lyash with her "Cupcake Genius" entry.

Senior Jesse Hoffman won third place for his entry in logo design.

In addition to competing, students had the opportunity to try the new technologies Google Glass and Segway Robots.

First-place winners advance to the state competition May 20 at Dickinson College in Carlisle. Trish Stockalis, business and computer teacher, is the faculty adviser.

MANDATA - The Nutrition Group will continue to manage Line Mountain School District's food service program.

A contract approved by the school board Tuesday guarantees the school $4,000 in savings, with administrative and management costs at $13,548.65 and $9,740, respectively, in 2014-15.

The price of a meal in the school cafeteria will remain unchanged next school year.

Nancy Kohl, regional vice president for The Nutrition Group, told board directors that a formula that determines food costs suggested a 10 cent increase. However, the district chose to eat the cost.

Kohl was asked about the number of students eating in the cafeteria and if current prices have hurt participation. Kohl couldn't provide that information Tuesday but said $2 is the usual benchmark, noting for every 5 cents over that price, a school district can expect a 1 percent drop in customers.

At $1.90, the middle/high school lunch is nearing that benchmark.

Board President Troy Laudenslager estimated that two-thirds of the district's student population is enrolled in free or reduced lunch.

It's been reported that millions of students nationwide have quit buying a school lunch based on requirements of a healthy eating initiative endorsed by First Lady Michelle Obama. Line Mountain is "in the middle" of the requirements to date, Kohl said, but starting next year the district must transition to all whole grains for bread and pasta.

Director David Bartholomew asked about alternatives to wheat bread, suggesting many students prefer white. Director Dennis Erdman asked Kohl to look into the price of using white whole wheat, which Kohl said is costlier. Noting the district's guaranteed savings, Erdman said he's less concerned about making a profit and more concerned that students are eating.

In other business the school board voted to:

- Enter a $8,400 contract with Mastercraft Sports Flooring, Lima, to refinish gym floors at the elementary, middle and high school.

- Approve the reimbursement percentages for two bonds that have been refinanced.

- Approve Beth Ann Reed and MaryAnn Taxis for work beyond the school day at a $22 hourly rate. They'll each work an additional 43 minutes for a child study meeting;

- Hired Kyle Mace and Ariel Harro for up to $2,175 collectively to work part time in the information technology department from May 12 to Sept. 12.

A vote on a 38-month agreement with electricity supplier Direct Energy Business, Pittsburgh, was tabled for further discussion. Line Mountain currently purchases energy independently from Direct Energy on a month-to-month basis. After averaging about 6.5 cents per kilowatt hour the district experienced a spike in January and February with rates reaching approximately 16 cents. A company representative spoke to the board directors about perhaps joining the Pennsylvania Energy Consortium to increase its buying power and hedge on potentially lower rates, but the board held off to explore other options, such as a purchasing consultant.

Also, the regularly scheduled board meeting on April 22 was rescheduled for April 29, during which the 2014-15 budget is expected to be discussed in detail.

Representatives of the district and its teachers union will meet April 22 for a contract negotiation session. Bids for the sale of the district's former school buildings in Leck Kill and Dalmatia will also be opened.

MOUNT CARMEL - Owners of classic and antique vehicles and street rods are welcome to display their treasured vehicles in advance of the Mahoney Brothers' concert Saturday night at the Mount Carmel Area High School auditorium.

Vehicles will be at the parking lot starting at 5 p.m. Doors for the concert open at 6:15 p.m. and the show, "The World's Greatest Musical Impersonation Show: Jukebox Heroes Live," starts at 7 p.m.

The car show involves no registration fee or prizes; it's simply a chance to help set the mood for a night of rock 'n' roll entertainment, said organizer Joe Cesari.

Elvis, Neil Diamond, Willie Nelson, Jerry Lee Lewis, Buddy Holly, Jimmie Buffet, The Everly Brothers, The Beatles, The Beach Boys and others will be represented by the Mahoney Brothers. They use replica instruments of those used by the original performers and groups.

During the winter months, the Mahoney Brothers perform on cruise ships in Finland and Scandinavia, and their 50th year Beatles performances in Pennsylvania and New Jersey casinos have been played to standing-room-only crowds. Their concert in Mount Carmel is arranged each year through Cesari, of Kulpmont, who raises money for various local youth-related projects and nonprofit organizations.

Scranton and Wilkes-Barre area Keystone Kids Starmakers, young entertainers ranging in age from 6 to 16 with girls dressed in their poodle dresses and guys dressed in black leather jackets and slicked back hair, will entertain before the main show in the hall outside the auditorium. They will also dance to 1950s and '60s music in the auditorium.

Tickets may be purchased at Academy Sports in Mount Carmel or Subway at Walmart in Coal Township, or by calling Cesari at 570-373-3561.

KULPMONT - Five landlords have yet to pay the borough's annual registration fee and have received $200 citations, code enforcement officer Russ Moroz told council members at their meeting Tuesday night.

The borough had sent a letter March 20 reminding landlords the fee was due March 1. The letter threatened to take action in five days, including issuing the fine, and it warned that 30 days in jail was possible.

However, the borough actually allowed two weeks before issuing the fines, Councilman Joseph Winhofer said.

Council voted last May to raise the landlord registration fee to $120 per unit, effective Jan. 1. After several landlords protested, saying the amount was exorbitant, council voted to postpone the effective date to March 1 while they reevaluated the fee. On Feb. 26, council voted to change the fee to $50 per unit, but kept the March 1 effective date.

Fees paid before the new system was agreed upon were kept in escrow.

Bill Henry, one of the delinquent landlords, complained at Tuesday's meeting that he hadn't received enough notice before being slapped with a $200 fine. But Henry said Wednesday a clerical error was made on his end.

Eagle Sign complaint

Sandy Ditchey, of Chestnut Street, raised concerns about the former Eagle Sign Company, which partially collapsed Feb. 21. Ditchey's father lives next to the property at 13th and Oak streets and said debris from the collapse has not yet been cleaned up.

"There has been debris in my father's yard for the past six weeks," she said.

Moroz said the building's owner, Thomas Valeiko, of Commack, N.Y., has hired a crew to remove metal from the building. Moroz said he will talk to Valeiko about cleaning up the debris.

New borough building

Robert Chesney once again implored council to take a hard look at the costs of constructing a 4,000-square-foot municipal building and a 5,000-foot borough garage on Fir Street. The plan is to move borough operations from the former Wilson Grade School to the new location.

"It was one year ago that I presented to council a petition from the citizens of Kulpmont that were opposed to the new building asking them to stop until all the findings were done, but it hasn't happened," Chesney said.

He implored council to be "extremely diligent" on the building and its costs.

There was no reaction from council members.

Street sweeper today

Services and facilities committee chair Nicholas Bozza said the street sweeper will be running on Chestnut Street from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today and asked that no vehicles be parked on the street during that time.

"With the amount of dirt on the road, we may have to do two or three passes with the sweeper, so we are asking the people to be patient," Bozza said. "We will be ticketing any vehicle not moved as well."

Bozza also said there will be flyers in the borough office to help residents access a website where they can request more natural gas lines to be placed in the borough.

The borough's food surplus program will have a distribution from 8 a.m. to noon Thursday, April 17.

RIVERSIDE - The Danville-Riverside Bridge will be closed to all truck and non-local traffic for three days in June to facilitate the replacement of a nearby railroad crossing.

That's what officials from PennDOT and Canadian Pacific, owners of the crossing, told a room full of local residents who attended a public meeting Tuesday at St. Peter's Fellowship Hall. A similar meeting involving stakeholders, including representatives from Geisinger Health Systems, Knoebels Amusement Resort and elected officials from Riverside and Danville, was held last month.

The crossing will be closed between 6 p.m. Friday, June 20, and 6 p.m. Monday, June 23, while crews remove the approaches and deteriorated crossing and lay down a new 120-foot cement panel and to regrade and pave the approaches.

Rationale for the plan

Officials said the date was chosen to avoid school functions, community activities and times of high traffic volume. It is estimated that 12,500 vehicles per day travel over the crossing.

Eastbound traffic traveling toward Elysburg and trucks traveling in either direction will be directed to use Route 11 to Route 42 near Bloomsburg to Route 487 in Catawissa. Six message signs will be positioned throughout the region, including one in Elysburg, to help direct motorists.

Local traffic traveling west on Route 54 toward Danville will be allowed to cross the bridge via D and H Avenue. Traffic will be directed through the intersection at the bridge to South D and H Avenue to Chestnut Street, where flaggers will direct motorists to make a 180-degree turn onto North D and H Avenue. Motorists will gain access to the bridge at the end of the block. Emergency apparatus will be allowed to travel in both directions.

Several people asked why D and H Avenue cannot be used for both west- and eastbound traffic during construction. Stephen Mutchler, assistant traffic engineer for PennDOT, said curbing installed during bridge construction in 1998 has made the street too narrow for two lanes of travel. He also said that vehicles traveling in both directions and attempting to negotiate the 180-degree turn would cause an "unbearable" backup.

"Even this local detour is going to back up," Mutchler said. "We came up with the best plan that impacted you the least."

Residents upset

Mutchler's response did not quell emotions from angry Riverside residents, many of whom will be forced to go 30 miles out of their way. Several residents recommended IDs or passes could be used to determine who is or who isn't a Riverside resident, but Mutchler ended the debate when he said two-way traffic over the bride is a "dead issue."

Dave Muchal, Canadian Pacific regional track superintendent, said crews will work around the clock to have the road open by 6 p.m. Monday. The only thing that could delay the opening would be rain, he said.

COAL TOWNSHIP - The Catholic Council of Catholic Women of Our Lady of Hope Church met to plan future events. The meeting was opened by Margaret Forbes, president, with the Good Counsel prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.

A $50 scholarship will be awarded to a graduating senior.

The convention will be held May 5 at the Keeler Center in Harrisburg. The Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Ronald Gainer. A bus will be provided. Coffee and doughnuts will be served before Mass. The theme for 2014 is "Be the Voice of Catholic Women." A silent auction will be held, for which donations are accepted. Father Stephen and Deacon Robert Mack will be invited.

Council members were asked to donate baby clothing which will be distributed among the parishes.

A money tree will be made to be chanced off at the silent auction.

A pot luck supper was held before the 40 Hours devotions on March 25.

The meeting closed with prayers. Refreshments were served.

Jean Wolf will be the hostess for next meeting, which will be held Tuesday

MOUNT CARMEL - The former wife of a Mount Carmel man accused of attempting to kill her and their 7-year-old son while allegedly driving drunk has no ill feelings toward the defendant and trusts a judge will sentence him fairly for his alleged criminal acts.

Manjit Dhindsa, 34, of 538 W. Third St., Mount Carmel, talked with a News-Item reporter about Saturday night's incidents that landed her ex-husband, Preetinder Singh Dhindsa, 34, of 327 S. Beech St., in county jail.

Multiple offenses

Wednesday morning's interview occurred shortly after the defendant waived his right to a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Hugh Jones on multiple offenses, including two counts each of driving under the influence of alcohol and unlawful restraint. Dhindsa was released from Northumberland County Prison early in the afternoon after Jones reduced his $20,000 cash bail to unsecured bail and ordered him to appear for a pre-trial conference at 9:15 a.m. June 6 in the Court of Common Pleas, Sunbury.

Jones ordered the defendant to avoid contact with his ex-wife and refrain from drinking alcohol and going to establishments that sell alcoholic beverages.

Dhindsa, who has been divorced from the defendant for about two years, believes alcohol was the major contributing factor for her ex-husband's decision to drive at a high rate speed following a disturbance at her home and crash his car into a monument at the entrance to St. John the Baptist Cemetery near Beaverdale at about 11 p.m.

Manjit Dhindsa and Haneet Dhindsa were passengers in the vehicle. All three occupants escaped injury.

"He has been very nice to me since our divorce," she said. "He has remarried since then and has another child. I believe everything happened that night because he was drinking."

She added, "He loves our son madly and has paid the rent for our home in Mount Carmel since our divorce. I trust in God and leave his punishment up to the judge who will sentence him."

Manjit said she and her son got into Preetinder's vehicle only to talk with him and had no intentions of riding in the car following an argument outside her home.

Manjit said she moved to Mount Carmel with her son in November after living in Iselin, N.J. She said her ex-husband has resided in Mount Carmel for about two years. She lived with Preetinder and their son in Bunjab, India, prior to coming to America. She said her ex-husband has regular visiting rights with his son.

Following the hearing, Haneet Dhindsa ran up to his father and gave him a hug and kiss. He also presented his dad with a card and wanted to talk with the judge when he was available.

The defendant, who was wearing an orange prison jumpsuit, white socks, sandals, handcuffs and a restraint belt, smiled at his son and thanked his attorney, Greg Stuck, for requesting the judge to lower his bail.

Preetinder said he understood the ramifications of forfeiting his hearing as he signed the appropriate papers sending the case to county court.

The defendant also met briefly with his brother-in-law, Balwinder Singh, before leaving the courtroom.

No prior record

Stuck, who noted his client has no prior criminal record, said he expects Preetinder to enter a guilty plea and receive the minimum sentence for the DUI offense, which includes supervised probation.

In addition to the unlawful restraint and DUI offenses, the defendant is charged by Mount Carmel Township Patrolman Daniel Politza with misdemeanors of recklessly endangering another person, simple assault, endangering the welfare of a child, and summary offenses of reckless driving, accidents involving damage to unattended property and failure to give immediate notice of an accident to police.

Following the accident, Manjit Dhindsa told police her ex-husband was trying to kill her and their son. She said the trio got inside her former husband's vehicle and began traveling west on State Route 2038. She said Preetinder Dhindsa drove at a high rate of speed despite her attempts to get him to slow down.

As the car crested a hill on State Route 2038 near St. John the Baptist Cemetery, the defendant reportedly jerked the steering wheel, causing the auto to strike a large cement monument at the entrance to the cemetery. After hitting the monument, Dhindsa turned the vehicle around and began to go east on the highway before finally stopping the car near the entrance to Dooleyville.

Police said the defendant submitted to a preliminary breath test with the results being .168 percent. He also agreed to have a blood test taken at Geisinger-Shamokin Area Community Hospital. Results are pending.

MOUNT CARMEL - The owner of a borough pizza shop was jailed Thursday for allegedly having unwanted sexual contact, making lewd remarks and providing alcohol to three of his former female employees between November and the beginning of February at his business.

Michael Gerard Stranko, 41, of 110 E. View Circle, Sugarloaf, who has owned and operated Winkie's Pizza, 120 E. Third St., for approximately 20 years, was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Hugh Jones on multiple misdemeanor and summary offenses.

He is accused of placing his hands down the pants and up the shirts of two 18-year-old females, making lewd comments toward them and a 17-year-old girl, and harassing all three while they were employed at the pizza shop.

All three victims reported the allegations to police Feb. 3.

One of the 18-year-olds, who began working as a delivery person at Winkie's in January, told police Stranko made inappropriate comments toward her and placed his hands on her buttocks on numerous occasions. She said Stranko also made her drink alcohol while she was working.

The victim, who told police she was afraid of Stranko because he is much bigger than she, said the defendant called her a lewd name, grabbed her by the arm and pushed her around when she refused to take shots of liquor.

She said most of the harassment occurred in the basement of the business, where Stranko often touched her inappropriately. The victim said Stranko kissed her multiple times and placed his hands in flour before putting flour hand prints on her buttocks.

The victim said Stranko accompanied her on deliveries Feb. 2, which made her uncomfortable to the point where she would cry. The victim said she was terrified to return to work and quit her job that night.

The other 18-year-old victim, who began working at Winkie's just before the beginning of the year, provided police with similar accusations. She claimed Stranko made her consume alcohol, lifted her up against a wall against her will and pushed her on numerous occasions. The victim said Stranko told her if she would drink a few shots, maybe he would look handsome.

While in the basement, the victim said Stranko told her that if she would "bribe" him, she would be able to leave work early. She claimed to be afraid of Stranko because she didn't know what he was going to do to her. She also quit her job Feb. 2.

The 17-year-old victim, who began her employment in November before quitting Jan. 8, said Stranko harassed her in similar ways. She claimed Stranko made her drink shots of vodka, called her lewd names multiple times and asked her sexually related questions.

When police interviewed Stranko about the allegations Feb. 17, he requested legal counsel.

Patrolman Justin Stelma filed three criminal complaints against Stranko.

He is charged with corruption of minors, selling or furnishing liquor or alcohol to minors and harassment in connection with the incidents involving the 17-year-old female. Stranko also is charged with two counts each of indecent assault, harassment and selling or furnishing liquor or alcohol to minors relating to the incidents with the two 18-year-old females.

Stranko was committed to Northumberland County Prison in Sunbury in lieu of $45,000 cash bail. He is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing before Jones on April 16.

A young man working at the pizza shop early Thursday afternoon said he was made aware of Stranko's arrest, but declined comment. He said the business would remain open.

HERNDON - Music, fun food and physical fitness will mark the first Herndon Heritage Day Saturday.

The event was planned as a way to celebrate refurbishment of the borough playground along Pennsylvania Avenue. Equipment was replaced and landscaping and pathways are still to be finished. The work was funded with a $40,000 grant the borough received from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources last year.

Zion Church will start the day with a pancake and sausage breakfast at the church at 7 a.m. It's $5 for all you can eat.

Otherwise, food stands open near the playground at 8 a.m. An Easter Bunny breakfast will be held at that time.

Also at 8 a.m. will be the start of the Herndon Hills Half-Marathon. Runners will travel on Pottsville Street to Route 147, Upper Road, Herndon Road, Swepp's Road, Peifer's Church Road, Mandata Road, Herndon Road, Amish School Road, Otto Station Road, Herndon Bypass and Route 147 back to Pottsville Street.

At 10 a.m., a 5K race will be held, again starting at Pottsville Street. Those participants will run on Pottsville Street, Route 147, Upper Road, Herndon Road and back to Pottsville Street.

An Easter Egg hunt will be held at 10 a.m., and all vendor booths will be open by that time. Games and activities include a bounce house, duck pond, bean-bag toss and egg toss.

Zumba fitness will be featured at 11 a.m. and Fusion Sounds will perform from 11 a.m. to noon.

The Michael Sweigard Band will be on stage at noon; an armed forces tribute featuring Northumberland County President Judge William Wiest as speaker will start at 2 p.m.; singer/guitarist Bob Hollenbach will perform at 3 p.m.; the Flint Zeigler Band performs at 4 p.m., and Danelle Cressinger will sing at 6 p.m.

SHAMOKIN - With the help of local fire companies, Northumberland County Commissioner Vinny Clausi has organized a fundraiser to help the Dissinger family.

Representatives of Shamokin and Coal Township fire companies will go door to door in those communities from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday to collect money.

The effort has been endorsed by the Coal Township Board of Commissioners and Shamokin City Council, Clausi said.

Clausi said he will match up to $10,000.

The commissioner has been touched by the tragedy, in which an April 3 fire killed three of Christine A. Dissinger's sons and destroyed their home near Snydertown.

SHAMOKIN - A Womelsdorf woman has been cited in connection with a two-vehicle accident along Route 61 that seriously injured a Coal Township man.

Tracey Delp, 26, was cited Thursday morning by Patrolman Nathan Rhodes for careless driving, driving at an unsafe speed and failure to drive in a single lane relating to the 8:30 p.m. March 21 crash near Pool World.

Carl Yucha, 76, of 1517 South St., a passenger in a Honda Accord operated by Donna Yucha, 51, of the same address, suffered serious injuries and was transported by AREA Services to Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, where he remained in critical condition before being transferred to Geisinger Health South.

A family member said Carl Yucha remains incapacitated at the rehabilitation center. His condition was not made available by Geisinger.

Donna Yucha also was injured and transported by AREA Services Ambulance to Geisinger, where she was admitted before later being discharged.

Delp, who was driving a Subaru Legacy, refused medical treatment at the scene. Her passenger, Scott Oswald, 33, of Shamokin, was transported by ambulance to a local hospital, police said.

Shamokin police said Delp was traveling north on Route 61 at a high rate of speed when her vehicle crossed the center line and collided with Yucha's Accord.