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Barletta explains vote on budget bill

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WASHINGTON - U.S. Lou Barletta, R-11, released the following statement regarding Thursday's passage of the House budget plan introduced by House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan:

"There is no doubt that the fiscal challenges facing our nation are real and must be addressed. Congress needs to face the reality that our entitlement programs are unsustainable. We must reform these important programs to ensure they are around for current and future beneficiaries like our children and grandchildren.

"That is why I voted in favor of Chairman Ryan's budget proposal. It responsibly reduces our nation's debt, which is 17 trillion dollars and growing; simplifies our nation's tax code; repeals the president's misguided and unworkable health care law; ensures our men and women in uniform have the support they need; and balances our nation's budget.

"Like the bipartisan Ryan Murray budget agreement, I do not agree with everything included in this budget framework, and I will work to improve any future legislation that may be considered as a result of its adoption."


Locals affected by cash gift ban

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HARRISBURG - A cash gift ban bill approved by the Senate on Wednesday will have a direct impact from the statehouse to local municipal authorities if it becomes law, bill sponsor Sen. Lisa Baker said.

The measure headed to the House would apply to state lawmakers, elected and appointed officials at the state and local level and state and local public employees. This would cover townships, boroughs, cities, counties, school boards and municipal authorities, said Baker, R-20, Lehman Twp.

The measure specifically bans cash gifts from lobbyists and individuals seeking an official action such as a vote for a bill or contract. But it provides exceptions for political campaign contribution, prizes in a public contest, commercial loans made during the ordinary course of business and cash gifts from immediate family members and other relatives including stepparents and siblings-in-law not tied to an official action.

Another exception provides for a cash gift involving a "reasonable consideration of equal or greater value."

This would allow an official who owns a diner to serve a meal for a customer at the regular price, for example, said Erik Arneson, spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi, R-9, Chester.

"We tried to incorporate those everyday situations (in the bill)," said Baker.

She said an education effort will be necessary for any new law to be effective.

Baker started drafting the bill several months ago with the example of the Luzerne County public corruption scandal in mind. More than 30 public officials in Luzerne County were snared in a federal corruption probe and a number were prosecuted for taking unreported gifts.

But the revelations last month that four House lawmakers allegedly took large cash gifts from a confidential state informant during a sting operation but didn't report them spurred the Senate action.

Senior Citizen Activities: Week of April 14

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All centers will be closed Friday, April 18, in observance of Good Friday.

Shamokin-Coal Township

Monday - Morning cards and puzzles, 8:30 a.m.; poker game, 10 a.m.; game show, 11 a.m.; world news, noon; crafts, 12:30 p.m.

Tuesday - Morning cards, puzzles and board games, 8:30 a.m.; walk a mile, 9:30 a.m.; Family Medical blood pressure/blood sugar screening, 10 to 11 a.m.; game show, 11 a.m.; bridge, noon.

Wednesday - Morning cards and puzzles, 8:30 a.m.; bridge lessons, 9:30 a.m.; Wii bowling, 10 a.m.; pinochle and Pokeno, 12:30 p.m.

Thursday - Morning cards and puzzles, 8:30 a.m.; Walk a Mile, 9:30 a.m.; Wii bowling, 10:30 a.m.; Easter party; nickel bingo, 12:30 p.m.

Saturday - No cards.

Mount Carmel

Monday - Coffee and gab, 9:30 a.m.; Mahoney Brothers concert on DVD, 10 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; bean bag, 12:30 p.m.; Pokeno, 1 p.m.

Tuesday - Easter celebration with Winnie the Pooh Daycare, 10 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; pinochle, 12:15 p.m.; Unlucky 7s, 12:30 p.m. Sign up for April 22 pork and sauerkraut meal by today.

Wednesday - Morning cup of coffee, 10 a.m.; exercise/games, 10:30 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; bingo, 1 p.m.

Thursday - Morning at the Movies "Gravity," 9:30 a.m.; Special Frey's meal, chicken corn soup/ham salad sandwich at noon, regular meal also available; pinochle, 12:15 p.m.; Pokeno, 1 p.m.

Kulpmont

Monday - Dyeing Easter eggs, 10 a.m.; bean bag, 10:30 a.m.; Pokeno, 12:30 p.m.

Tuesday - Music and gab in the morning; cards and Wii, noon.

Wednesday - Exercise, knitting and puzzles in the morning; crafts with Pat, 10 to 11:30 a.m.; LCR, 12:30 p.m.

Thursday - Wii and bean bag in the morning; soup and sandwich for lunch: chicken corn soup, ham salad, pepper slaw and peanut butter cookies for those who signed up; Jim White speaking on "high blood pressure and signs of a stroke," noon; bingo, 12:30 p.m.

Centralia-Wilburton

Monday - Current events, 10:30 a.m.; picture day.

Tuesday - Exercise with Carol, 10 a.m.; physical therapist Mary Stout speaking on "Balance," 1 p.m.

Wednesday - Screening with Janet from Central Susquehanna Sight Services, 10 a.m.; bookmobile; bingo, 12:30 p.m.

Thursday - Left, Right, Center game, 10 a.m.

Elysburg

Monday - Healthy Steps, 8:30 a.m.; Royal Rummy, 10 a.m.; Pokeno, 11:30 a.m.

Wednesday - Healthy Steps, 8:30 a.m.; VNA blood pressure/blood sugar screening, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.; Royal Rummy, 10 a.m.; Melissa Farrow from CSO speaking with information on "food stamps," 11 a.m. bingo, noon. Soup and sandwich lunch for those who signed up.

Trevorton

Monday - Exercise, 10:30 a.m.; making spring wreaths, 12:30 p.m.

Tuesday - Scrabble, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:30 a.m.; line dancing, 1 p.m.; evening bingo, 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday - Coloring Easter eggs, 10 a.m.; Easter party (ice cream social), 12:30 p.m.

Thursday - Exercise, 10 a.m.; pinochle, 10:30 a.m.; mahjong, 12:30 p.m. Last day to sign up for special lunch on April 25.

Kulpmont landlord citations voided by council

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KULPMONT - Borough council has granted a reprieve to the few landlords who haven't paid their registration fee in 2014.

In a vote taken following an executive session at Tuesday's meeting, council voted 4-1 to void any citations for those who didn't paid the $50 per rental unit by the March 1 effective date.

The motion to to void previously issued citations was made by Joseph Winhofer and seconded by Nicholas Bozza. Winhofer, Bozza, Stephanie Niglio and council president Bruno Varano voted for the measure while Clarence Deitrick was opposed.

"After talking it over, we just felt it was very screwed up with all the votes taken in January and February to make the fee more reasonable that it is possible that some people got confused," Winhofer said Thursday. "We just decided to give everyone the benefit of the doubt."

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 re-evaluated 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 approved were kept in escrow.

Approximately five landlords who hadn't yet paid the fee received a citation with a $200 fine attached to it on April 3, but some claimed they hadn't received the warning letter before getting the fine. After being informed about the situation by one of the landlords at Tuesday's meeting, council discussed the issue in executive session and took the vote when they went back into the meeting.

Code enforcement officer Russ Moroz was instructed to send a new letter giving the landlords 10 days from receipt to pay the fee, but he said Thursday the matter had been rectified.

"I called the landlords personally Wednesday and all but one made arrangements to pay the fee when we spoke, so I'm considering the matter taken care of," Moroz said.

Moran says Pa. can be favored for business

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SHAMOKIN DAM - A local businessman honored Thursday by EconomicsPennsylvania for his entrepreneurship said there's no reason Pennsylvania should not become a favored location for new business.

John D. Moran Jr., president and chief executive officer of Watsontown-based Moran Industries Inc., received the 2014 Adam Smith Award during a luncheon at Susquehanna Valley Country Club, at which he was introduced by Gov. Tom Corbett.

Corbett said the state's economy was struggling when he took office in 2011, and Moran was a valued adviser, serving as the private sector co-chair of the Pennsylvania Foundation/Team PA.

Corbett said they both agree on this: jobs, not taxes.

Mostly, Moran maintains optimism in the economy and the men and women who make it run, the governor said.

"John has embodied that and we're in better shape for having men like John Moran," Corbett said.

Moran grew up in Wilkes-Barre and graduated from Kings College, after which he said many friends moved out-of-state to pursue careers. He stayed in the Keystone State and worked to grow the Moran family business, which includes warehousing and logistics firms, railroad interests, consulting firms and real estate ventures. The collective employs more than 350 people.

"I refused to believe then and I still to refuse to believe now that if Pennsylvania is one of the most attractive places for students in this country to be educated, then why can't it not also be the most attractive destination for job creators and job seekers?" he asked the sold-out crowd.

Moran, gracious and humble in accepting the award, said it's imperative that initiatives are continually pursued to foster economic growth in Pennsylvania and create family sustaining jobs that can retain the state's college graduates and inspire their entrepreneurial spirits.

Apart from policy and legislation, he said initiative must also be taken inside the home.

"I cannot emphasize enough how important I believe it is for parents to educate their children on the worth of a job," Moran said.

Imagine, pursue

Among the audience were high school students who participate in the EconomicsPennsylvania Stock Market Game, five of whom received awards of their own. Moran tipped his cap to them for pursuing business-centric studies and joked about seeking market advice from them, giving thanks for a tip on the Internet entertainment firm Netflix.

"Imagine yourself living the life you want in great detail," Moran told the students, "and then set out to achieve it."

Selina Albert, 14, an eighth-grader from Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School, Coal Township, was given the Carolyn G. Fischer Award for Citizenship. She will also intern with EconomicsPennsylvania in Selinsgrove this summer, a prospect for which she admitted being nervous.

Albert credited Lourdes Regional for its "God-centered education" and also the "leadership of my parents" for her early success. In thanking several people, she noted Andy Russell, a director of EconomicsPennsylvania and a former Pittsburgh Steeler who was at Thursday's lunch.

"I would like to thank Mr. Andy Russell for visiting Lourdes and for teaching us about ANIMALS," she said, drawing laughter for her use of the acronym for Russell's topic when he visits schools - Attitude, Never quit, Integrity, Motivation, Accountability, Leadership and Strength of character.

Four students of Montgomery High School who finished in first and fourth place in the statewide Stock Market Game last fall were given the Don Rosini Award for Excellence in the Study of Economics Award - Sebastian Fields, Sammi Harer, Cody Englehart and Keith Habersham. Rosini, of Coal Township, is a longtime supporter of EconomicsPennsylvania.

Merle's presence

Moran was nominated for the award by the late Merle Phillips, who he warmly remembered for his friendship and mentoring.

"When he nominated him for this award, Merle called John a man of high ideal, vision and integrity. When Merle Phillips, an old Marine who went and served his country with honor and then went into both business and public service says that about you, you have the highest praise a man could ever desire," Corbett said of Moran.

"When 180 businesspeople come out in the middle of the day on a day like today to affirm that opinion, we know that we are recognizing a man who embodies the true qualities of a Pennsylvania entrepreneur."

There was an empty chair at the head table left for Phillips, a framed photograph of the late legislator propped on the table top. A thoughtful remembrance included in the luncheon program was penned for Phillips by close friend Fritz M. Heinemann, EconomicsPennsylvania president and chief executive officer.

Phillips served 30 years as the state representative of the 108th Legislative District. He was involved with EconomicsPennsylvania for 12 years and was the group's inaugural recipient of the Adam Smith Leadership Award in 2002.

His widow, Helen, served as a co-chair for the luncheon. She was greeted warmly by guests and recognized during remarks by state Sen. John Gordner, R-27, who presented her with a bouquet of flowers.

EconomicsPennsylvania, based in Selinsgrove, has as its mission "to ensure that every young person in Pennsylvania understands essential economic and financial literacy concepts, benefits by using economic ways of thinking and problem-solving skills, and has a continuous understanding of the nature and structure of the global economy and its relationship to individual liberty and freedom."

Bishop's Holy Week schedule announced

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HARRISBURG - The Diocese of Harrisburg has announced Bishop Ronald Gainer's schedule of activities for Holy Week.

Sunday - The World Youth Day Palm Sunday celebration in Harrisburg, including pre-liturgy music at the Capitol steps, 2:15 p.m.; blessing of palms and first gospel reading there, 3 p.m., procession to St. Patrick Cathedral to continue celebration of the Eucharist, 3:15 p.m., and procession to Strawberry Square for meal and concert, 5 p.m.

Monday - Chrism Mass, St. Patrick Cathedral, 5:30 p.m. The bishop will bless the holy oils used in sacraments and sacramentals. The oil is distributed to all parishes for various special uses in blessings and anointings during the year. The three types of oil are the Oil of Catechumens, the Oil of the Sick and the Sacred Chrism. Also at the Mass, priests of the diocese formally renew their commitment to priestly service.

Tuesday - National Merit scholars luncheon, noon, Cardinal Keeler Center. Students will be present from diocesan Catholic high schools.

Thursday, April 17 - Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord's Supper, 7 p.m., St. Patrick's Cathedral. The Mass celebrates the institution of the Holy Eucharist and the institution of the priesthood. The celebration includes washing the feet of chosen men which, according to tradition, represents the service and charity of Christ. The bishop will wash the feet of 12 seminarians of the diocese.

Friday, April 18 - Good Friday confessions, 12:30 p.m., St. Patrick Cathedral, followed by Celebration of the Lord's Passion, 3 p.m. The service includes the reading of the Passion of Christ, according to St. John. Those assembled offer special prayers for the whole world and venerate a large crucifix.

Saturday, April 19 - Easter Vigil Mass, 8 p.m., St. Patrick Cathedral, to include creation of a blazing fire to remind all of Christ's conquest over death and darkness, blessing of the water and baptism, confirmation and Holy Communion of new adult Catholics.

Sunday, April 20 - Easter Sunday Mass, 9:30 a.m., St. Patrick Cathedral.

Organization News: Northumberland District CCW

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LYKENS - The Northumberland District Council of Catholic Women held its deanery meeting March 30 at Our Lady Help of Christians Church.

Rosemary Boyer, deanery president, called the meeting to order. Members joined in reciting the Prayer to Our Lady of Good Counsel followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

Terry Bakowicz, parish host president, did the Bible enthronement and welcomed attendees. The roll call was taken and minutes approved. The treasurer's report was read by Debbie Gownley.

Boyer offered an update on the diocesan meeting held March 1. She thanked the Rev. Frank Karwacki for his help in preparing the liturgy for the convention to be held May 5 at the Cardinal Keeler Center.

The wedding anniversary Mass and celebration for couples married 25 years and over will be held at Our Lady Help of Christians Church. The date will be announced, and information provided in parish bulletins.

The next deanery meeting will be held June 22 at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Williamstown.

Karwacki told members about Pope Francis' concern for the poor. He asked everyone to reach out to the poor.

Prayers were recited for sick and deceased members, and an extra prayer was offered for the health of the new bishop, Ronald Gainer. The meeting was adjourned, and refresehments were served.

In bid for second term, Corbett discounts poll numbers

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SHAMOKIN DAM - Gov. Tom Corbett shrugged off a new poll showing more than half of the participants disapprove of the job he's done in his first term in office.

The Mercyhurst Center for Applied Politics released results of the poll Monday, which involved 426 registered voters in Erie County.

Just 29 percent approved of his work as governor, and less than that, 25 percent, said they would vote for him compared to 52 percent for a Democratic candidate.

Corbett is seeking a second four-year term and said election results are the only poll that truly matters.

"We don't look at polls," Corbett told The News-Item prior to the 2014 Adam Smith Leadership Award Luncheon at Susquehanna Valley Country Club, hosted by EconomicsPennsylvania.

"There's only one poll, that's in November."

But Corbett does have a challenger in next month's primary election, albeit "token opposition" as described by The Associated Press.

The nomination petition of Bob Guzzardi, of Ardmore, is being challenged in state Commonwealth Court and a ruling is expected shortly.

Guzzardi raised $4,500 for his campaign compared more than $9 million for Corbett, the AP reported.

Four Democratic challengers are jockeying to oppose the Republican incumbent in the fall general election: Tom Wolf, an entrepreneur and the state's former revenue secretary during the Rendell administration, Katie McGinty, who had led the Department of Environmental Protection under Rendell, U.S. Rep. Allyson Schwartz and current state Treasurer Rob McCord.

Wolf raised more than $14 million, $10 million donated on his own and includes some loans. Schwartz raised $8 million, McCord more than $7 million and McGinty $3.5 million.

Corbett and the four Democrats have spent millions of their campaign money on political advertisements and the like. The governor said none of them have pulled away from the pack, a finding backed by the Mercyhurst poll. However, a Franklin & Marshall College poll released April 2 showed Wolf had the support of 33 percent of the Democrats surveyed, Schwartz had 7 percent, McCord, 6 percent and McGinty, 4 percent. Almost half of Democratic voters (46 percent) remain undecided, it showed.

"There's four of them out there. They have yet to distinguish themselves from each other," is Corbett's assessment.

Corbett avoided campaign talk during his remarks at the luncheon, at which he introduced friend and Smith Award recipient John D. Moran Jr., president and CEO of Moran Industries Inc.


Corbett: Dialogue needed on anger behind mass violence

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SHAMOKIN DAM - Dialogue is needed to learn the roots of anger in perpetrators of mass violence, Gov. Tom Corbett said Thursday.

His remarks were made one day after a 16-year-old student stabbed more than 20 people at a high school near Pittsburgh. Three victims remain hospitalized, Corbett said, calling it a "touch-and-go situation."

Alex Hribal, a sophomore, allegedly went room to room shortly after 7 a.m. with an 8- to 10-inch knife in each hand, slashing and stabbing victims.

The 21 student victims were 15 to 17 years old.

A security guard was also stabbed about five minutes into the incident while he assisted an assistant principal in subduing the suspect.

Corbett spoke with The News-Item outside the Susquehanna Valley Country Club prior to his appearance at the 2014 EconomicsPennsylvania Adam Smith Leadership Award Luncheon honoring John D. Moran Jr. of Moran Industries Inc. and several area high school students, including Selina Albert, of Coal Township.

'What caused this?'

He said Tuesday's incident at Franklin Regional High School in Murrysville, Westmoreland County, raises two issues in attackers: the nature of violent outbursts and what can be done to treat existing mental health issues.

"What caused this to happen? What caused the anger? We see anger in this country and I think it's time for everyone to sit down and do an analysis of what precipitates this. It's hard to say. There's not one item that precipitates the anger," Corbett said.

He pointed to pending legislation sponsored by western Pennsylvania Congressman Tim Murphy, whose Helping Families In Mental Health Crisis Act seeks to enact sweeping changes in the treatment of mental diseases. Among its provisions, it seeks to ease privacy restrictions to allow greater communication between a physician and a mental health patient's family, increase capacity for inpatient treatment and enhance outpatient treatment, and upgrade tele-psychiatry to connect health professionals when treating patients from rural areas.

The legislation was introduced in December, and a congressional subcommittee hearing was held April 3.

The governor said an "after action report" will be compiled on the attack and could yield some of those answers in this case.

Visited school

Corbett canceled a scheduled trip to Lewisburg Tuesday and traveled to Murrysville, where he met with law enforcement and the school superintendent and staff, whom he especially commended for their actions in crisis.

One EMT who responded was a student at Franklin Regional who ran out of the school, retrieved his first-aid gear and returned to treat victims, Corbett said. Cafeteria workers, staff and other students were working to care for and console students.

Corbett hasn't yet met with any of the victims.

"They were all home; that's where they need to be. The families are with their children who are being treated and right now there won't be any meetings for a while. This is a time to heal," he said.

The 'great' students

Corbett directed media assembled in Murrysville on Tuesday to focus on the "heroes" rather than the alleged attacker. On Wednesday during the luncheon, he told the sold-out crowd that, in general, the accomplishments of the state's students must be recognized.

"These young people," Corbett said, referring to high school students in attendance who participate in the EconomicsPennsylvania Stock Market Game, some of whom were award recipients, "are a great example of the vast, vast, vast majority of students we have in Pennsylvania."

Truancy cases were pending before fatal fire

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DANVILLE - Three truancy cases remain active against a mother whose three sons died in a fire in Rush Township April 4, according to court records.

Two of the cases were filed in Montour County and one in Columbia County, The (Sunbury) Daily Item reported this week.

The Danville Area School District filed the private criminal complaints against Christine A. (Hontz) Dissinger for unexcused absences for her son Ryan, 10, a student at Liberty Valley Intermediate School, who survived the fire. They were filed in the office of Montour County District Judge Marvin Shrawder. One citation was for 13 days of unexcused absences from the beginning of school through March 6. Another citation was for 1 and a half days of unexcused absence during the same time period.

Citations also were filed in the office of Berwick Area District Judge Richard Knecht against Dissinger. One remains active; it was filed March 13, according to records. A spokeswoman there said she found three files bearing the name of Dissinger in their office.

Danville District Superintendent Cheryl Latorre said the district has a truancy policy with procedures stating a doctor's note is required after so many days of unexcused absences.

"We can only report it. We report it to the district judge office and to children and youth," she said.

Daniel Gage Dissinger, 13, Gavin Arthur Dissinger, 7, and Arthur Willis Dissinger, 2, were killed when a 1:20 a.m. fire burned their rural home near Snydertown to the ground. State police fire marshal Kirk Renn, of Milton, ruled the cause and origin of the fire were undetermined, due to the amount of damage to the home.

Kristin Dissinger, 14, and Ryan jumped out a second-floor window and ran to a neighbor's house, from where 9-1-1 was called.

All five children reportedly were on the second floor of the home when the fire started, but Daniel, Gavin and Arthur Dissinger perished when they went downstairs or at least attempted to go to the first floor, Riverside Fire Chief Clifford "Butch" Kriner said last week.

He said another sibling, identified as Angel Dissinger, 4, was staying with a family friend.

Christine Dissinger was reportedly at work at the time at Thompson Mailing Corp. near Bloomsburg.

Her husband, Arthur W. Dissinger, the father of all the children except the 2 year old, died April 25, 2010, at the family's home in Schuylkill Haven. He was 60.

The Dissinger family had recently moved into the rented home, according to Kriner.

Motion: Knife in Barbour case obtained with invalid warrant

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SUNBURY - Police confiscated the knife allegedly used to kill Troy LaFerrara using a search warrant that was invalid, and the knife should not be permitted as evidence in the case against Miranda Barbour, according to the woman's attorneys.

A motion to that effect was filed Thursday in Northumberland County Court in the homicide case that has attracted nationwide attention as the "Craigslist killing."

Northumberland County Chief Public Defender Edward Greco and Assistant Public Defender Paige Rosini said the search warrant that led to confiscation of the knife Dec. 9 was served at 101 N. Water St., Selinsgrove, but police had asked for a warrant for 101 N. Market St., about one block away.

"As a result of his invalid search warrant, the evidence of the knife must be suppressed as it was obtained in violation of the United States and Pennsylvania Constitutions prohibiting unreasonable search and seizure," the motion says.

Greco said by phone Thursday he didn't know if the incorrect address used by Sunbury Police Officer Travis Bremigen on the warrant application was the officer's mistake or if it originated with Barbour's husband, Elytte, who is also charged with LaFerrara's Nov. 11 stabbing death, and told police where to find the knife.

Either way, the mistake renders the search warrant and any evidence obtained through it as invalid, according to the motion.

Arrest papers list the Barbours' address as 101 N. Water St.

Northumberland County District Attorney Tony Rosini said he believes there is "sufficient cause to sustain the evidence" despite the address mix-up.

"We had consent from the homeowner to search the home, and the area where the knife was found is not a private area and not an area the Barbours lived in," he said.

The Barbours were reportedly living with others at the home, it has been previously reported.

Miranda, 19, and Elytte Barbour, 22, are charged with criminal homicide and related charges in the death of LaFerrara, 42, a married environmental engineer from Port Trevorton. His body was found near an alley in the backyard of a home along Catawissa Avenue, Sunbury, Nov. 12, with more than 20 stab wounds.

Police tracked Miranda Barbour through LaFerrara's cell phone. She told police she met LaFerrara through Craigslist and he agreed to pay her for companionship. They met the evening of Nov. 11 at the Susquehanna Valley Mall near Selinsgrove and drove to Sunbury. When LaFerrara began to grope and choke her, she stabbed him, Miranda told police Dec. 3, the day of her arrest.

When Elyette was arrested three days later, he said he was hiding in the back seat of his wife's car and, at her signal, began to choke LaFerrara from behind with a TV cable while she stabbed him.

No date for hearing

Miranda Barbour told police she discarded the knife she used in the stabbing in the Susquehanna River along Routes 11-15 south of Selinsgrove five days before her arrest, but her husband told police otherwise.

Bremigen filled out the warrant application and listed the Market Street address three times, Thursday's motion says. It says the officer took an oath before Snyder County Common Pleas Court Judge Michael Hudock in obtaining the warrant that evidence to the homicide was "located at the particular premises."

On the application, typed into a box that asks for a specific description of the premises to be searched, is "101 North Market Street, Selinsgrove, PA 17870. Two story single white residence with the numbers 101 located on the front of the residence."

The inventory sheet notes the item taken was one "knife from attic" but does not indicate what address that it was found in.

Rosini said no date has been set for a hearing on the motion to suppress in Northumberland County Court.

Memorials: Divine Redeemer Church

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MOUNT CARMEL - The following memorials were presented to Divine Redeemer Church during March:

In memory of:

Gloria and Peter Nameth from Virginia and Russ Lindenmuth.

Richard Battista from Virginia and Russ Lindenmuth.

Dorothy Lindenmuth from Virginia and Russ Lindenmuth.

Mary Jo Lindenmuth from Virginia and Russ Lindenmuth.

Sister Mary Liliose from Virginia Lindenmuth.

Albert R. Colross from Bob and Barb Whispell, Rita M. Pizzoli, Ann DiFrancesco, Carl and Lorraine Horsfield.

Jerome J. Andrukanis from Kay and Toni, Francis "Cosmo" Rossi.

Michael J. Romance from Bob and Louise Drumheiser, Wally, Anne and Megan McAndrew.

Carrie Mirarchi from Connie Wenrich and Dave, Frank and Marie Alba.

Kim McAndrew from Connie Wenrich and Dave.

Saverio and Raffaela Miriello from daughters.

Irene V. Wydila from Dora and Joan DiFrancesco.

John W. Deromedi from Dora and Joan DiFrancesco.

Constance Weissinger from Kay and Toni, Don and Diane Ciocco, Mildred Greco, Barbara Iwanski, Sara Mirarchi, Joe and Barbara Jessick.

Dorothy A. Kort from Frank and Mary Sawicki.

Robert J. Templin from Gina Miriello, Anne McAndrew.

Edward P. Hennessey from Mount Carmel Catholic High School Class of 1950, Rita M. Pizzoli.

Birthday

Stella Cichon (March 1) from Jack and Fran Cichon.

St. Pauline Foundation opens Kulpmont store selling religious items

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By Mike Staugaitis

KULPMONT - The Saint Pauline Center now has another outlet for people to get to know the relatively new saint.

The Saint Pauline Religious Store opened this week at 658 Chestnut St. (Route 61), about five blocks east of the center. The store is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

"It is to expand our mission of St. Pauline and give her exposure," said Bob Greco, financial secretary and board member of the Saint Pauline Foundation. "We want to make people more aware of the center itself."

Store manager JoAnn Sassani and others who will man the business are all volunteers.

The shop sells various St. Pauline items, including statues, candles, rosaries, prayer cards, medals, key chains, shirts and tie pins.

Some featured items are original artworks painted by Mount Carmel artist Mark Sassani. He has also refurbished and repainted many small statues for sale at the store.

Other religious items, including holy cards, statues and jewelry, are also sold at The Saint Pauline Religious Store.

Diabetic food items will be sold at the store also. The St. Pauline Center runs a day camp every year for diabetic children. Mother Pauline is the patron saint of diabetics.

Money raised through the store will help offset the cost of operating the center, which attracts visitors from throughout Pennsylvania and other states.

"It costs a lot to keep the center open every day, and we have all these items," JoAnn Sassani said. "We wanted a place that is more convenient to the customer."

The store is starting out small so the foundation can learn what customers need and want.

"Our communities have so much Christianity, and we think there is a need for a shop like this," Greco said. "We are privileged to be a part of it."

Born Dec. 16, 1865, Mother Pauline founded the Congregation of The Little Sisters of the Immaculate Conception in Brazil. She was canonized in Rome by Pope John Paul II on May 19, 2002.

Noteworthy: Friday, April 11, 2014

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Report cards distributed today

MOUNT CARMEL -- Mount Carmel Area School District will distribute report cards today to all students.

Tourney raising money for Dissingers

SHAMOKIN - Two more days remain in the Shamokin Youth Girls Basketball League's second annual Dennis Chaundy Memorial Tournament, which this year is raising money to defray funeral expenses for the Dissinger family.

Games are scheduled for 6 and 7 p.m. today and at 1, 2, 3 and 4 p.m. Sunday at the Shamokin Area School District Annex, West Arch and Seventh streets. Games were also played Wednesday and Thursday evenings. Fourteen teams are competing in the tournament.

The public is encouraged to attend and help the family, which lost its home in an April 4 fire that killed three of Christine Dissinger's sons.

Earlier this year, SYGBL raised money through a tournament for the Memorial Day visit of the Vietnam Memorial Moving Wall to Tharptown.

Pierogies available from church

COAL TOWNSHIP - The Shamokin/Coal Township Senior Action Center will have potato cheese pierogies from Our Lady of Hope Church available for sale today. The cost is $8 per dozen and are available at the center.

Herndon Easter Bunny Breakfast is 8 to 10 a.m.

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HERNDON - The time for the Easter Bunny Breakfast at Zion Church, Route 147, for Saturday’s Herndon Heritage Festival is 8 to 10 a.m. It does not start at 7 a.m. as reported in Friday’s edition. Other food vendors will open at 8 a.m. near the playground along Pennsylvania Avenue. The first Heritage Day will raise money for the borough's playground and recreation area, which continues to undergo renovation funded in part through a $40,000 grant the borough received from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources last year. Events go from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and include a half-marathon, 5K race, music, games and food.


Police: No known target in Pittsburgh area stabbing rampage

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 (AP) — A police chief says no evidence has surfaced yet to show a 16-year-old boy charged in a stabbing rampage at a high school outside Pittsburgh was targeting any particular student.

Chief Thomas Seefeld says a motive for the attack Wednesday on other students at Franklin Regional High School in Murrysville remains unknown.

Seefeld says reconstructing what happened remains difficult because suspect Alex Hribal isn't talking to police at the advice of his lawyer, and many victims are still recovering.

Hribal is accused of stabbing or slashing 21 students and a guard. Eight students remain hospitalized, four in critical condition after one was downgraded.

A prosecutor had said that when Hribal was apprehended, he suggested he wanted to die.

The chief says the boy said "he wanted someone to kill him."

Egg hunt is today

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There was conflicting information in Friday's edition regarding the Mount Carmel Celebration of Special Athletes 10th annual Easter egg hunt. The event is today at noon at Town Park in Mount Carmel. For more information, call Tara Avellino at 570-205-1004.

Cecilian Club to present concert at Clark's Grove UMC

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COAL TOWNSHIP - The Cecilian Club will present a concert at Clark's Grove United Methodist Church, Irish Valley, at 7 p.m. Monday. The theme of this month's concert is "A Walk through a Garden."

The concert will start with a vocal trio as Margaret Morris, Mary Hollingshead and Merle Kashner, accompanied by Grethel Vinup, sing "Where'er You Walk" by Handel. Carolyn Weaver will follow with an organ solo, "Autumn Leaves," arranged by Young. Next will be a vocal solo, as Hollingshead, accompanied by Nan Weller, sings "Don't Sit under the Apple Tree" by Tobias, Brown, and Stept.

Vinup will present a piano solo, "Butterfly," by Grieg. Next, an ensemble composed of Morris, Margaret Schlader, Hollingshead, Marily Stasney, Kathi Christ and Linda Latsha will sing "In the Luxembourg Gardens" by Manning. The group will be accompanied by Mary Anne Miller. Carol Ellis will follow with a vocal solo, "These Precious Things" by Mayerl. Bonny Klinger will accompany Ellis.

Miller will present a clarinet solo, "Country Garden" by Grainger. She will be accompanied by Vinup. "Rockin' Robin," a vocal trio by Thomas, arranged by Funk, will be sung by Nedra Templar, Christ and Miller, accompanied by Weller. Irvin Liachowitz and Klinger will present a piano duet, "Glow Worm" by Lincke.

This will be followed by a vocal ensemble, as Schlader, Grace Stank, Hollingshead, Christ, Weaver, Thomas Christ and Robert Ensinger, accompanied by Miller, sing "Everything's Coming Up Roses" by Styne. The concert will conclude with a French horn solo as Valerie Rheude plays "There Is a Garden" by Bernstein.

The public is invited to join the club for this concert which is free of charge.

Coal Township sweeper schedule announced

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COAL TOWNSHIP - The township street department will be cleaning the following streets this coming week. All vehicles are required to be removed from the designated streets by the designated times. Any vehicles not removed will be ticketed. More streets will be designated for cleaning throughout the month.

West side:

Monday morning: north side of Arch Street from Locust to Woodlawn Avenue.

Monday afternoon: south side of Arch Street from Locust to Woodlawn Avenue.

Tuesday morning: both sides of Water Street and Clinton Avenue from Woodlawn Avenue to Jackson Street.

Tuesday afternoon: both sides of Woodlawn from Independence Street to Lynn Street; both sides of Jackson Street from Clinton Avenue to Park Avenue.

Wednesday morning: north side of Lynn Street from Ash Street to Jackson Street.

Wednesday afternoon: south side of Lynn Street from Ash Street to Jackson Street.

Thursday morning: both sides of Chestnut Street from First Street to Maple Street.

East side:

Monday morning: south side of Hemlock Street from Emory Street to Sherman Street.

Monday afternoon: north side of Hemlock Street from Emory Street to Sherman Street.

Tuesday morning: south side of Hemlock Street from Sherman Street to Meade Street.

Tuesday afternoon: north side of Hemlock Street from Sherman Street to Meade Street.

Wednesday morning: south side of Wabash Street from Howard Street to Meade Street.

Wednesday afternoon: north side of Wabash Street from Howard Street to Meade Street.

Thursday morning: south side of Mohawk Street from Sherman Street to Thomas Street.

Thursday afternoon: north side of Mohawk Street from Sherman Street to Thomas Street.

Lenten poem: The Easter Lily

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The Easter Lily, purest white,

Seems illuminated by a holy light;

Glowing with grace of the risen Lord,

It stands supreme in the dark of night.

A symbol of One who defeated death

To reign in power above all strife,

To beckon all who will believe

And offer them eternal life.

The debt of my sins has been crucified,

Because Christ lives, I too shall live -

All praise and glory to his blessed Name!

The Easter Lily, so pure and white,

Represents Jesus, the risen Lord;

He stands supreme as the one, true God;

My Savior is worthy

To be loved and adored!

- Connie Faust

But, about the Son He says, "Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of Your kingdom." Hebrews 1:8

(Faust, of Shamokin, is providing poems for the Lenten season. Read more at www.authorsden.com/conniefaust)

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