SHAMOKIN - The Franciscan friars, who have served the Shamokin area for more than 100 years, will maintain their ministerial presence in the parishes of Mother Cabrini, Our Lady of Hope and St. Patrick.

That important decision was made during last week's meeting of the Provincial Chapter in Buffalo, N.Y., that also included the official merger of St. Anthony of Padua and Immaculate Conception provinces into Our Lady of the Angels Province.

An announcement regarding the Franciscans' decision to remain in the area was made at weekend Masses at Mother Cabrini, Shamokin; Our Lady of Hope, Coal Township, and St. Patrick, Trevorton.

"I am happy with the decision for us to remain in the Shamokin area," said Father Martin Kobos, pastor of Mother Cabrini Church. "And the friars are very grateful for the great support we have received from our parishioners during this period of discernment."

The priest said 171 delegates, including Minister General of the Friars Marco Tosca, of Rome, Italy, participated in the vote involving the future placement of Franciscans and other important elements of community life during the weeklong meeting.

Kobos, Father Adam Ziolkowski, parochial vicar at Mother Cabrini, and Father Steven Frenier, pastor of Our Lady of Hope Church and St. Patrick, were among the voting delegates from the eastern section of the United States, Costa Rica and Brazil, where many friars serve on mission assignments.

In addition to deciding on the future locations of the Franciscans and merging of the two provinces, Father James McCurry was selected May 5 as the new Provincial Minister of Our Lady of the Angels Province. McCurry had served as Provincial Minister of St. Anthony of Padua Province.

There are between 5,000 and 6,000 friars in the Conventual Branch of the Franciscan Order serving worldwide.

The Franciscan Order was founded by St. Francis of Assisi in the 13th century.

In early March, Jennifer Seidel, a parishioner and employee of Mother Cabrini Church, spearheaded a letter writing campaign encouraging McCurry to keep the Franciscans in the Shamokin area after it was announced that it was possible the friars would no longer serve local parishes due to the merging of the provinces.

Although he couldn't say for sure if the letters helped convince the voting delegation to maintain the friars' presence in the area, Kobos said the efforts by Seidel and others were much appreciated.

Third in a series

BURNSIDE - State and federal grant money totaling $3.7 million has been awarded to the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area (AOAA) to get it up and running, but the goal is for the facility to become self-sustaining, and that, more than anything, will require riders.

Northumberland County commissioners gave their blessing to build the off-highway vehicle park on 6,500 acres of mountainous county-owned land. But they have said taxpayer money will not be used to support the park, and so a profit must be turned.

As the park prepares to officially open to the public Saturday, the AOAA Authority knows it must rely on visitors, property

rentals, sponsorships, private donations and more state and federal grant money to survive.

Hiring begins

According to the 332-page master plan developed by Pashek Associates and released to the public in 2011, major expenses of the park are planning and development, followed by staffing, maintenance, materials, vehicle repairs, utilities, building occupancy and equipment.

Staffing is anticipated to be the largest expense. The plan says two full-time and six part-time positions are expected to be created within five years, with total staff costs for the eight positions estimated at $114,848, not including benefits.

The hiring process has begun. Brian Shurock, former police chief in Mount Carmel, was hired earlier this month as a part-time administrative assistant. He will work 20 to 30 hours weekly and earn $14 per hour.

The authority has advertised for a full-time operations director who, depending on experience, will earn an estimated $36,000 to $48,000 a year, said Jim Backes, authority chairman.

Applications are also being accepted for a part-time maintenance employee who will earn $9 to $12 per hour.

"Until now, everything has been done by volunteers," said Backes.

The authority has received 12 resumes for the manager position. After the opening weekend is out of the way, they'll be more time to focus on reviewing applications and setting up interviews, he said. The state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) will offer its expertise in the process, although authority members will decide who to hire, he said.

To offset the cost of a manager, the AOAA has petitioned DCNR to fund the position through a circuit rider grant. If awarded, it would fully fund the position in the first year, provide 75 percent of the salary in the second, 50 percent in the third and 25 percent in the fourth.

"From the feedback from DCNR, it looks as if we will be awarded the grant," probably this summer, Backes said.

According to the master plan, $80,000 in operating capital and a business loan of $204,000 will be needed to cover expenses until the third year of operation, when it is projected the park would start turning a profit. The estimate takes into account startup costs, repayment of a loan and increased sales of passes.

Authority members took those numbers into consideration when they recently closed on a $250,000 line of credit with M&T Bank at a 3.19 percent interest rate. The authority can draw down on the loan for three years, after which there is a five-year payback.

$100,000 'doable'

Backes said he believes $100,000 of revenue generated from ridership, sponsorship and event hosting is a "doable" number this season. Expectations were lowered from the master plan in part because of opening to the public part way into the riding season.

Backes said a majority of the revenue would come from selling yearly passes, which for county and non-county residents for full-size vehicles is $100 and $140, respectively, and for smaller vehicles (ATVs, UTVs and motorcycles) is $70 and $100. There are other fees for children and passengers. (See sidebar.)

If the authority can sell 500 yearly passes at an average of $100, that's $50,000, Backes said.

It has pre-sold about 65 yearly passes to members of the Anthracite Trail Riders (ATR), a local group that formed in the past few years and has worked closely with the AOAA on fundraisers, trail development and property cleanups. Backes said most were for ATVs, with an approximate 50-50 split of county and non-county purchasers. Those pre-sales have resulted in more than $6,000 in revenue.

Despite the late start to the season and limited trails, Backes said the authority decided for simplicity sake to stick with the full-year rates and not prorate the yearly passes in 2014.

If the weather cooperates, the AOAA will stay open through the winter. While ATV ridership drops in cold weather, the impact on full-size vehicles isn't as noticeable, he said.

Next spring, the hope is that the AOAA will expand from this year's weekends-only schedule to being open five to seven days a week.

The goal is to have the 2015 passes ready for sale this Christmas season, Backes said.

While the authority doesn't anticipate changing the rates in 2015, it's possible, he said, and they could go up or down.

"We just want to try to keep it as affordable as possible so we're not discouraging anyone," he said. "We've seen different pricing levels (of competitors). Some are an extreme bit higher; that's why these riders are anxious to come here," he said. "It's a competitive business; we don't want to get in a position where we price ourselves out of the market, (but) we think we'll be competitive with everybody."

Event income

This will be the third year that Jeep Jamboree USA (JJUSA), a California-based organization that has 30-plus trail-riding events at locations nationwide each year, will visit the AOAA. The club came twice in 2013.

They'll pay the same as in past years - $30 per vehicle for two days of riding, Backes said. But instead of 90 vehicles in the past, they're bringing 115 this year, raising the income to $3,450 for the AOAA.

The $30 fee is at the top end of what JJUSA pays for its events nationwide, Backes said.

The AOAA would normally charge $40 for a two-day pass for an out-of-county resident, plus passenger costs, but Backes said the group events have an even larger impact on the community, and that is taken into consideration.

For example, JJUSA is unique in that its members, who begin arriving on Thursday of event weekend, gather at local establishments for meals involving the entire group of participants.

"They spend more money (per person) in the local community then they do to ride," Backes said.

He said the AOAA's fees will vary from group to group, but won't be higher than the cost of an out-of-county two-day pass for any particular vehicle size.

"We may do discounts for larger groups that are staying in the area, eating in the area," he said. "We need to get enough money in to operate the trail system efficiently, but continue to encourage local purchases. We'll continue to challenge them to spend money locally."

This year, the hope is that some JJUSA members, after their third annual Coal Mountain Jeep Jamboree ends Saturday, Aug. 2, will stay, and pay, for a day of riding on their own that Sunday, Backes said.

Sponsorship money

To generate more income - and in the interest of fairness - the AOAA is welcoming local businesses to become sponsors through a name mention on their website for $100, name and logo for $200 and the website presence plus brochures in the welcome center for $500.

As the rush to opening weekend continues, Backes said the sponsorship work has taken a back seat, but the plan is to get the website updated soon. The interest is there, he said.

"We're actually getting more calls than we have time to respond to," he said Monday.

Among those to take the $500 sponsorship deal is local Realtor Joe Bressi, who is developing Earthday Campground in West Cameron Township to cater to AOAA customers.

Making money for the AOAA is obviously a focus, but getting money into the community is important, too, and the sponsorship program can facilitate that, Backes said.

"We think we're adding real good value for the sponsors, and they get business in return," he said.

But it's ultimately the users who will fund the AOAA, and that's why it's opening without a fully developed trail system and without the other activities - horseback riding, hiking, camping, biking and more - that it eventually hopes to offer.

"By opening, the user fees will help pay for the costs," Backes said. "It's not a thing that will be born by government, but by the people who actually use the park."

SUNBURY - Authorities here were reportedly continuing their search today for a Sunbury man charged in a stabbing last year who left Northumberland County Courthouse Monday afternoon prior to being sentenced on assault charges.

A bench warrant has been issued for 29-year-old Brian Badman for failing to appear for sentencing and violating conditions of his bail supervision.

Badman was scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Charles Saylor at 1:30 p.m., but when his case was called, he couldn't be located, prompting Saylor to issue a warrant.

Sunbury police and county deputy sheriffs joined adult probation officers in conducting a search for the defendant at a residence on Pennsylvania Avenue and other homes where he formerly resided, but were unable to locate him as of Monday evening.

Badman pleaded guilty Thursday to a felony of aggravated assault and misdemeanor of simple assault.

Multiple other charges were scheduled not to be prosecuted at Monday's sentencing.

Badman and his brother, Damian Badman, 31, of Shamokin, were charged by city police with four counts each of aggravated assault and criminal conspiracy to commit aggravated assault, a misdemeanor of possessing an instrument of crime and two misdemeanor counts of simple assault in connection with the Oct. 11 stabbing of Shawn Snurkowski, 26, of North Sixth Street, Sunbury.

Police said Snurkowski was in the 100 block of North Sixth Street with his children when the Badmans and a female arrived and an argument began.

During the argument, police said Damian Badman threw a can of beer at Snurkowski and his children. When the argument escalated, the Badmans allegedly stabbed Snurkowski in the chest, neck and back, in front of witnesses. One witness, Amber Edwards, was cut on her left arm while trying to break up the fight.

Snurkowski and Edwards required treatment at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville.

After the stabbing, the Badmans and the unidentified female fled the scene in a silver Volkswagen Jetta with tinted windows. They were taken into the custody near the Cameron Bridge in Shamokin by Shamokin and Coal Township police.

SHAMOKIN - CSO, A Community Action Agency, will host an anniversary celebration from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 20 at its Shamokin site. The agency is located in the Northumberland County Career and Arts Center at 2 E. Arch St., third floor. May marks the 50th year of Community Action in the United States, and the 10th year that CSO is serving Columbia, Montour and Northumberland counties.

Numerous agency partners will be on hand to provide information to the public, including, Affordable Healthcare Act counselors; American Red Cross; Birthright; Caring Communities; City of Shamokin Housing Authority; Clinical Outcomes Group; Congressman Lou Barletta's office; Experience Works; Housing Authority of Northumberland County; LATS (area transportation); Manna for the Many; North Penn Legal Services; Northumberland County Agency on Aging; Northumberland County Drug and Alcohol and Behavioral Health; Northumberland County Housing Specialist; Northwestern PA Optical Clinic; PA CareerLink and Get2Work youth program; PHEAA; Pregnancy Care Center; Representative Kurt Masser's Office, and VNA Health System.

Free screenings and/or services will be provided by Central Susquehanna Sight Services; Community Clinic; Geisinger Healthcare Family; Nurse Family Partnership; PA Department of Public Health, and SNAP (formerly food stamps).

CSO will provide a free lunch to all who attend. There will also be an indoor yard sale, with proceeds going to the Keep Our Kids Warm winter coat program.

Central Susquehanna Opportunities Inc., is a regional, private non-profit, community-based, charitable organization that is dedicated to helping people make positive changes in their lives. CSO delivers Workforce Development services in the Central Region Workforce Investment Area and provides comprehensive Community Action initiatives to improve local families and communities. CSO strives to address poverty at the local level and move individuals and families to self-sufficiency. For more information about CSO Inc., go to Facebook or call 570-644-6575.

MOUNT CARMEL TOWNSHIP - The man responsible for causing loud booms in the Mount Carmel area April 8 by shooting at exploding targets at a former police shooting range near Mount Carmel Estates has been charged in connection with the incident.

Jason R. Bower, 36, of 6 E. Fourth St., Mount Carmel, was charged by Patrolman Matthew Filarski with recklessly endangering another person and two counts of disorderly conduct.

Police said Bower was target practicing on Mid Valley Mountain north of Mount Carmel at 9:40 p.m.

Bower later took responsibility for the incident on Facebook and claimed he didn't know the sound would carry so far.

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.

150th committee to meet

SHAMOKIN - The Shamokin 150th Anniversary Committee will meet at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Independence Fire Association, Market and Arch streets. New members and interested citizens are welcome.

Chicken barbecue dinner

MOUNT CARMEL - On Sunday, the Mount Carmel Area High School Class of 2014 will host a Kauffmann's BBQ Chicken Inc., chicken barbecue dinner in the field house parking lot from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The dinner includes half a chicken breast, a potato, a roll and coleslaw. There will be takeouts only and cost for one meal is $9. Advance tickets are available by calling the high school office at 570-339-1500, ext. 3110 and a limited number of dinners will be available the day of the event.

Auditions for 'Peter Pan Jr.'

SHAMOKIN - NCCA Children's Theatre Auditions will be held for this summer's production of "Peter Pan Jr." from 5 to 7 p.m. May 19 and 21 at the Arts Center, 2 E. Arch St.

Children currently in second through eighth grades may audition. They will be asked to read a portion of a script, sing a song with the piano (accompanist provided) and do a little dance.

There is a fee for the program; discounts will be available for families with more than one child participating. Show dates are July 18 and 19.

CATAWISSA R.R. - A public information session regarding the current financial state of Southern Columbia Area School District turned into a debate over the merits of one extracurricular activity over another.

Superintendent Paul Caputo faced about 35 members of the public Monday evening during an informal talk about plans to balance and understand the origin of a million-dollar deficit in the 2014-2015 budget.

"We are the first of the local schools in the area that are really feeling the pinch," Caputo told the audience. "Hopefully tonight, we can leave you with a better understanding as to how we got into this position."

Many in attendance questioned the district's cost cutting measure to furlough three teachers next year, two of who are from the music department.

"How is it that you can decide that the music program can be so drastically cut, but not even $10 is being proposed to be cut from the sports budget?" one audience member said.

"We know that there are tough choices to be made," the superintendent answered. "There will be sacrifices all around to help us get this problem in shape."

One way many in the district hope programs can be saved is through a special referendum vote May 20, in which voters will decide to increase taxes over a 2.7-percent raise and exception allowed by state law.

If the referendum passes, Columbia County voters will see a extra 4.88 mill increase. This will mean a $156.45 tax increase for a property assessed at the average assessment of $32,060 in the county.

In Northumberland County, the rate has jumped from 4.46 to 6.52 mills, for a tax increase of $155.01.

Officials said the revenue generated from this increased tax rate will be used to help balance the district's budget for 2014-15. If passed, it will generate about $875,000 more in revenue.

In the first half-hour, Caputo presented the current budget information and blamed the deficit on a number of factors, including the annual increase in the district's payment for the Public School Employees Retirement System.

"Through the Act 1 tax reform bill, we can only increase taxes 2.7 percent and we have applied for and received an exception because of our PSERS payment, that will help us generate an extra $300,000," Caputo said. "The increase to our PSERS payment is projected to be $446,399."

Add to that rising salaries, health care costs and energy spending and it puts them in a million-dollar hole, the superintendent said.

Next, Caputo and district business manager Mike Sokoloski went over several cost-cutting measures the district has already implemented, including switching from oil heat to propane, and using steam heat to heat classrooms.

"Last year, we purchased 110,000 gallons of oil. Switching to propane will save us about $800,000," Caputo said.

Another matter discussed was the pay-to participate rule, which will cost $50 a student to participate in extracurricular activities.

"How can you measure that fee against chorus and Encore (a performing arts group) that has volunteers, as opposed to football which costs much more than the $50 fee to outfit a student?" one parent asked.

"We have been doing our best to live within our means, just like you all do with your budgets," Caputo told the crowd in summation. "We are asking that if you can afford the increase, vote yes. If not, then vote no."

Board president Michael Yeager reminded the audience that those in the district that are registered to an independent political party, that normally do not vote in the state's primary election, should vote on May 20 on a special ballot made for the referendum.

- Yearly passes for Northumberland County- and non-county residents for full-size vehicles is $100 and $140, respectively, and for smaller vehicles (ATV, UTV and motorcycles), $70 and $100.

- Yearly passes for county residents 18 and under are $40, then $20 for each additional child; for non-county residents 18 and younger, the fees are $50 and $25 for each additional child.

- Yearly passes for county- and non-county residents for passengers are $25 and $30. The price for a daily pass is $10 for passengers.

- A one-day pass for county- and non-county residents for full-size vehicles is $20 and $25. The price for smaller vehicles is $15 and $20. A child is $10.

- A two-day pass for county- and non-county residents for full-size vehicles is $30 and $40. The price for smaller vehicles is $23 and $30. A child is $15.

- A three-day pass for county- and non-county residents for full-size vehicles is $40 and $50. The price for smaller vehicles is $30 and $40. A child is $15.

The multiple-day passes must be used consecutively.

There is a $10 fee for a duplicate pass or a magnetic backed pass.

COAL TOWNSHIP - The Shamokin Area Music Department will present its annual Pops Concert at 7 p.m. Friday in the high school auditorium. This year's concert is dedicated to veterans and those currently serving in the United States Armed Forces.

The concert will open with the chamber choir singing the national anthem, followed by the high school chorus performing "Old Time Rock and Roll," "Some Nights," as recorded by Fun., and "Dance Evolution," a medley of past and current popular dance tunes.

The chorus is under the direction of Mary Anne Stump.

The high school band, directed by Kevin Styer, will continue the program with the Queen hit "Bohemian Rhapsody," followed by the songs of the United States Armed Forces and "God Bless America."

The orchestra, under the direction of Barbara DeGaetano, will follow performing past and present pop hits including "America, the Beautiful," a medley of the Beach Boys' "California Girls" and "Fun, Fun, Fun;" "Dumb Love," and Lady Gaga's "Born This Way."

The program will also feature a barbershop quartet comprised of Corey Levi, Cole Supsic, Graeme Shappell and David Wolfe singing "Hello Mary Lou."

The concert will conclude with the band, orchestra, and chorus in a combined performance of "Thank You, Soldiers" in tribute to United States veterans and those currently serving in the armed forces.

The public is invited to this free performance. In appreciation of their service to our country, the music department extends a special invitation to all veterans, current servicemen and women and their families.

SHAMOKIN - Following its success in Elysburg, the Lifetree Cafe program will now be presented in Shamokin, at 531 N. Market St., starting Thursday.

The "conversation cafe" has been running at the Elysburg Presbyterian Church since March 2013, providing thought-provoking talk and information in each 60-minute session.

Local director Kathy Vetovich, host of the program in Elysburg, felt the time was right to bring it to Shamokin with all of its "stories and conversations to feed the soul."

The hour typically includes a short original film and guided conversation with a local host directing the hour.

"It's sort of like a live, local talk show - with an inspirational twist," Vetovich said.

Topics, which change weekly, focus on popular life issues and may include loneliness, immigration, health, angels, guilt, prayer and life after death. The exclusive documentary-style films feature everyday people with unusual stories, as well as nationally known figures.

The Shamokin location's first program will be "To Heaven and Back" featuring an exclusive filmed interview with Todd Burpo, author of New York Times best seller "Heaven Is for Real: A Little Boy's Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back."

In 2003, Todd nearly lost his 4-year-old son, Colton. The boy's appendix burst, and he fought a life-threatening infection. To save Colton's life, emergency surgery was conducted. After the surgery, Colton began telling his parents about his "visit to heaven." Colton's parents had to decide: Had their son gone to heaven and returned? Visit Lifetree Cafe and decide for yourself.

Admission to the 60-minute event is free and snacks and beverages will be available.

The Lifetree Cafe programs will be presented on Sundays at Elysburg Presbyterian Church and Thursdays in Shamokin.

Questions about Lifetree Cafe may be directed to Kathy Vetovich at 570-672-9346 or kvetovich@gmail.com

SUNBURY- At its May meeting Sigma Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma (DKG) Society International welcomed three women educators into active membership. The initiation ceremony was held at the Packer House in Sunbury.

The new members for 2014 are Peggy Long, from Herndon; Jill Lundy, from Dalmatia; and Beth Ann Reed, from Dornsife. This year, all three of Sigma's new members are elementary educators for the Line Mountain School District. Long and Reed are both kindergarten teachers and Lundy is a first grade teacher.

Initiates are invited to join the Society by current members and are selected based on their professional qualifications and leadership potential. This year's nominees for membership were voted on in December and provided orientation in March before being initiated at the May ceremony. Women who accept the invitation to join Delta Kappa Gamma commit to participating in the activities of the Society. DKG is an organization of key women educators with about 100,000 members in eighteen countries. Sigma's membership represents educators from Columbia, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder and Union Counties of Pennsylvania.

TREVORTON - Reading Anthracite Company found that only a minority of Zerbe Township residents were bothered by the dust and noise kicked up by ATV riders.

Richard Morgan, security manager for Reading Anthracite Company, presented this information to the Zerbe Township supervisors at Monday night's meeting.

"The owners are saying they're not seeing the people they spoke to. They're seeing the Coal Hill area as a problem," said Morgan.

The supervisors were quick to disagree with Reading's findings. Supervisor Mike Schwartz requested a copy of Reading's data.

Morgan was in attendance at the meeting to present the findings as well as request support from local police in enforcing permits.

According to Morgan, last year a security team occasionally patrolled Reading's property in Zerbe Township but only handed out warnings. He said that the warnings were because he wanted to act friendly to the riding community, and because he had no authority in issuing citations.

Morgan believes only 10 percent of riders on Reading's property have valid permits.

Supervisor Gene Geise believed the illegal riders were a major contributor to other problems occurring on Reading's property in Zerbe Township, including illegal drug use and garbage dumping.

"I think if you enforced your own permits that would cut that a lot," said Geise.

"There's not a damn thing I can do because I have no enforcement power," said Morgan. "Nothing would make me happier than to catch someone dumping on the flats."

Morgan said he thought Reading and the local police could mutually benefit from an arrangement in which an ATV theft ring would be investigated by checking the vehicle identification numbers on ATVs ridden by illegal riders. In exchange, Reading would cite riders without permits for trespassing.

Schwartz believes Reading needs to take more drastic measures to curb rogue ATV riders.

"I think shutting down Coal Hill is the answer," said Schwartz.

Zerbe Township Police Chief Robert John asked if Reading could provide a separate permit to the Reading property in Zerbe Township. Morgan said he would take that suggestion back to Reading management.

Morgan provided his office number for complaints about ATV riders, but told supervisors that a petition signed by local residents would carry more weight.

The supervisors were interested in circulating a petition, and one resident in attendance offered to be the first signature.

Schwartz suggested that Morgan and his team visit Zerbe Township on a Saturday morning to see the dust for themselves. He recommended that Morgan visit on Memorial Day weekend or the following Saturday, and Morgan said that he is inclined to take Schwartz up on the offer.

Morgan said he would post signs delineating Reading's land and rules shortly before his team would arrive, but could not do so yet because the illegal ATV riders have removed his signs in the past and he needed the signs visible during the patrol.

Supervisor Mike Mazer strongly emphasized his belief that Reading was not doing its part in managing the problems created by the ATV riders.

"You're taking that money for that permit and that money should be going back into security," said Mazer.

In other business:

- Supervisors approved $1,531.40 to TDS Telecom to move a pole. A previous estimate of $15,000 to move the pole had been opposed, and the supervisors felt the long-term benefit of allowing the control room footer to be moved outweighed the new, smaller cost.

- An additional 42 inches of excavation needed to be completed for the new sewer because geotechnicians found stability issues. Supervisors are awaiting an invoice for the additional work, which is estimated to be around $50,000.

- Residents were reminded that Northumberland County has consolidated polling locations, and now the only polling location in Zerbe Township is at the American Legion.

- A request by Ellen Flamini, of 1147 W. Shamokin St., for sewer exoneration was approved. The building has been unoccupied for a significant period of time.

- A Flygt pump from OPSCO Service Inc., at a cost of $7,987, was approved for purchase. The pump is needed for the current sewer system until the new sewer system is finished.

- A payment to Walabax Construction Service Inc., for $132,404.40 was approved. This is the second payment required for excavation of the new sewer system.

- TAA little league baseball's use of four picnic tables on April 26 was ratified.

- A request from Trevorton Ambulance to use six picnic tables May 24 was approved. In an update on the building's status, Geise said an open house of the new ambulance building would be held this day.

- LMES second, third and fourth grades were given permission to use the foundry complex for picnics June 3, May 16 and May 29, respectively.

- The electrical panel in the old pool building at the Foundry needs electrical wiring updated from three-phase to single-phase because of the newly erected poles. A motion was passed to obtain at least three estimates to change the panel.

- Purchasing materials to replace three rusting doors and board up another at the Foundry was approved. Supervisors also approved the use of in-house labor to complete the work.

- A report was given of the annual cleanup performed by the Line Mountain Junior-Senior High School National Honor Society. Mazer reported that 13 girls and one boy, as well as two advisors, gathered 41 bags of trash and 26 tires. They also replaced and painted boards on bleachers, and painted picnic tables and graffiti-covered building walls at the foundry.

- Penn Line will be trimming trees for PPL beginning in late May. A deal was struck to allow parking of Penn Line trucks on township property in exchange for the removal of a tree. The trimming is at no cost to residents.

- A brief discussion on the priority road improvements was held. Geise suggested the recreation area as a priority due to its high traffic volume.

- Jerry Bulchie was recognized for his 30 years of dedicated service to Zerbe Township. He began work May 8, 1984.

Other districts

Shamokin Area and Southern Columbia Area are both engaged in contract negotiations with the districts' respective teachers unions.

A meeting between the union and school district scheduled for Tuesday was canceled by the Southern Columbia Area School Board, according to Mark McDade, a negotiator with the Pennsylvania State Education Association.

McDade said he wasn't sure why the session was canceled but that he didn't believe it to be a negotiating tactic. Another session is scheduled for June 4.

There's been no movement on a contract at Shamokin Area, McDade said.

The last bargaining session was held March 24, and that ended abruptly. The teachers' union has since authorized use of a strike, but McDade said he did not believe any plans were put in motion.

- Eric Scicchitano

SUNBURY - Children Charities of the Saint Pauline Center will hold its annual collectibles auction at the Spyglass Ridge Winery from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, May 24.

Some of the items up for auction include a Denver Broncos football helmet signed by Peyton Manning; a Kansas City Chiefs football helmet signed by Alex Smith; a New York Giants football signed by Henry Hynoski, as well as one signed by Hynsoki and other notable Giants; a Seattle Seahawks football signed by Russell Wilson; a Pittsburgh Steelers helmet signed by Troy Polamalu; a Philadelphia Eagles jersey signed by LeSean McCoy, and a bat signed by Hank Aaron.

Other Items include jewelry, wood carvings, a gold oval medal, gold crucifix with 18-inch chain, household Items and bundled gift cards for local restaurants. Other surprise items will be available.

All money raised will be used to support the Children Charities, which include an annual circus, Christmas show and the diabetic camp.

Ray Moncavage will be the auctioneer.

Admission is $20 and includes wine tasting and appetizers. Tickets are limited with a few remaining. They can be obtained at the center or the St. Pauline Religious store, both on Chestnut Street (Route 61) in Kulpmont, or by calling the center at 570-373-3350 or the store at 570-373-1201.

ELYSBURG - A delivery truck struck a tree and a mailbox before skidding across Route 54 and over an embankment after the driver reportedly fell asleep at the wheel.

The crash at 5 a.m. Tuesday near Sleepy Hollow Road about one mile west of here in Ralpho Township caused a broken leg, lacerations and other injuries to the driver, David Kauffman, 20, of Montoursville, according to township police.

He was transported to Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, by ambulance and was listed in serious condition Tuesday afternoon.

Kauffman was driving east when the accident occurred near a curve in the highway. The truck went off the south berm first, then went across the road and off the north berm. It came to rest on its passenger side. The front of the vehicle struck trees head-on about 40 feet from the road.

The truck was hauling potato chips and cream cheese. It didn't appear that any of the contents spilled from the truck.

Route 54 was closed in both directions for approximately 15 minutes, while one-lane traffic was in effect for about two hours.

Dave's Auto Body, Kulpmont, removed the wreckage.

Elysburg firefighters and rescue unit responded.

Susquehanna Valley gas prices dipped one cent to $3.82 a gallon this week, according to AAA East Central.

On the national front

Just in time for next week's start to a busy holiday travel season, motorists across the country are finally feeling some relief at the pump. Tuesday's national average price for regular unleaded gasoline was $3.644 per gallon. This is two cents less than one week ago and about seven cents more than this same date last year.

Gasoline prices have been declining since the beginning of the month, which is typical for this time of year, following the conclusion of refinery maintenance leading up to the May 1 deadline to begin producing summer-blend fuel. With this transition now complete, falling averages are increasingly likely to reflect that gas prices have reached their peak for the spring in many parts of the country. The national average has now fallen for 14 straight days, which is the longest streak since prices dropped 36 days in a row from Sept. 1 to Oct. 7 of 2013.

The country's record high stockpile of gasoline has the potential to keep downward pressure on prices entering this summer. Due to the increased supplies and relative absence of disruptions to production or distribution, drivers in many states are likely to see prices continue to fall as we approach the Memorial Day holiday. In comparison, over the same seven day period (May 5-12) last year, the national average increased six cents and continued to rise until following Memorial Day.

(AAA East Central - a not-for-profit association with 82 local offices in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, New York and Kentucky servicing 2.7 million members - provides Fuel Gauge each week.)

This week's Susquehanna Valley average price - $3.822

Average price during the week of May 6, 2014 - $3.833

Average price during the week of May 7, 2013 - $3.412

The following is a list of the average price of unleaded self-serve gasoline in various areas:

Lewisburg - $3.792

Mifflinburg - $3.850

Milton - $3.782

Selinsgrove - $3.857

Shamokin - $3.794

Sunbury - $3.858

Fourth in a series

BURNSIDE - County and state officials will be joined by off-road industry representatives and others to mark the official opening of the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area (AOAA) Friday and Saturday.

But not everyone is in a celebratory mood.

Since its inception, the idea of an off-highway vehicle park on 6,500 acres of Northumberland County-owned land has been met by some with questions or outright opposition. The most frequent complaint is that the county will now control what had been unrestricted use of the land for hunting, hiking and off-road riding that locals enjoyed for decades.

Charging to ride

Cliff Garner, of 1102 Bear Valley Road, Coal Township, believes the AOAA is not ready to open and shouldn't be charging county residents to ride.

Garner, who moved from Lancaster County to the Shamokin area 12 years ago with his wife to take care of his elderly mother-in-law, said he's not for or against the AOAA, but has many concerns.

"I wish them the best of luck, but I think they rushed into opening the AOAA," he said.

"Who is going to get hung if it doesn't pan out over time?"

He believes county taxpayers should have full and free access to the property, including for hunting.

"I have serious questions how this park will benefit the majority of residents in Northumberland County," he said. "I believe they are creating public debt that taxpayers may be responsible for down the road."

The AOAA Authority voted to discount costs for county residents to purchase passes for the park. But they've said that those who have been riding there for years were technically trespassing. Even though it's publicly owned property, that doesn't mean it can be used by anyone for anything at any time.

"The only group of people who don't understand this concept is the local community," authority member Barry Yorwarth said last week. "It is because for years their parents and grandparents used it for free and never had to go anywhere."

Yorwarth said he was one of those people and understands the concerns of local residents, but said charging riders to access the land will benefit the community and preserve the riding area.

Garner said he believes more effort should be given to attracting businesses instead of creating an off-road "amusement park," although he does believe some local businesses will benefit from the AOAA.

Garner did credit the authority and county officials for developing the trailhead area at the AOAA off Route 125.

"It really looks good up there," he said.

Garner, who is not an off-road vehicle enthusiast, believes it's more important to develop trails for hiking, biking and equestrian riding. AOAA officials have said the master plan calls for those features at the park, but ATVs and other off-highway enthusiasts are needed first to generate revenue.

Darlene Zurick, who lives along Route 125 in Burnside not far from the park entrance, and whose family has enjoyed riding ATVs above their home for many years, also believes local residents should not be charged to ride on the land.

She believes out-of-town riders don't respect the mountain by littering and often travel at high rates of speed through the village.

"It's already crazy up here on weekends and the park didn't even open yet," she said.

AOAA officials have said the park will, in fact, help bring such illegal riding under control. And most people who travel to such facilities are serious about the hobby and are respectful of the land where they ride, Yorwarth and others have said.

No protest this week

Despite his organization of a protest at the park grounds on May 3, Matt Reidinger, of Coal Township, says it's not accurate to say that he "opposes" the park.

"I am opposed to how the park's board was constructed," he said Tuesday. "I am opposed to their control over public property. They are a small group of unelected individuals enforcing private property rights on public property that the residents themselves have purchased through taxation."

He cites Article One, Section 27 of the state constitution that says, "Pennsylvania's public natural resources are the common property of all the people."

Reidinger, 31, who does not own an ATV, said he hopes the park grows the local economy, but lacks confidence that will happen.

"What worries me is that it is being run by government, which is known pretty well for doing one thing: going into debt," he said.

He said as a Coal Township taxpayer he is urges township commissioners to immediately go forward with their proposal to impose a tax on admissions. (See below.)

Reidinger said he can't put a number on how many local residents are opposed to the park, but said, "I do have people approaching me in public who agree completely with me on the issue thanking me for standing up."

His original protest didn't materialize, but he blamed mostly organizational issues. He said no other protests are planned, but that next time he won't alert the media ahead of time; that led to a massive police presence, which he thinks kept a lot of people away.

He said if he would visit the AOAA this weekend, "You will not see me standing in line to buy a pass. That I can guarantee."

Amusement tax

In March, Coal Township commissioners Craig Fetterman, George Zalar and Paul Leshinskie directed solicitor Vincent Rovito to draft an amendment to an amusement tax ordinance that would apply a 5 percent tax to AOAA admissions to help cover the cost of police and emergency responses to the park. Fellow commissioners Gene Welsh and Bernie Rumberger were opposed. Jim Backes, chairman of the AOAA authority, attended a subsequent meeting to lobby against the tax and ask the commissioners to give the park a year or two to get running before they would impose the tax.

No action has been taken since, but it's still a possibility.

"We are still reviewing the amendment," Zalar said Tuesday. "We want to make sure the amusement tax ordinance is written correctly, and I expect it to be in effect by the end of the year, but I only have one vote.

"I wish the AOAA well with its opening day and I hope the park will be successful," he continued. "But my biggest concern is that the AOAA won't end up costing the residents of Coal Township anything. We can't afford to pay for emergency services at the AOAA."

Zalar said some emergency vehicles cost more than $300,000. Driving them into the coal lands puts a strain on the equipment and takes away time that could potentially be used to serve township residents, he said.

Leshinskie previously said it's not fair to increase taxes on residents when there is none on the AOAA.

Backes said after this season and next, the authority will establish a fiscal history on which to base estimated revenues and expenses, including potential donations to Coal Township and other municipal entities. There's also the potential for businesses to open in the township as a result of the AOAA, he said, creating tax revenue that would exceed what the commissioners have proposed.

If the commissioners aren't satisfied after the 2015 season with the AOAA's financial impact, Backes said they should institute a tax. But he doesn't understand the rush to do so in the park's first year. The township's emergency services have responded to accidents in the coal lands for many decades and will continue to do so, he said.

A fundraising ride hosted by the Anthracite Trail Riders (ATR), a local ATV organization, was held April 26 at the AOAA to benefit first responders in Shamokin and Coal and Zerbe townships and offset some of the cost of emergency apparatus and equipment needed to respond to the mountainous area. Backes said similar events will be held in the future.

Limited hunting

Under current rules, hunting will be allowed on AOAA property only from the middle of November to the middle of January. Backes and Northumberland County planning director and authority member Pat Mack said the current hunting policy will remain in effect until further notice.

The master plan for the AOAA originally called for the 342-acre "Alaska site" near Excelsior to remain open year-round, but an amended policy regarding hunting was approved by county commissioners amid controversy in 2012.

"We plan to revisit the hunting policy and there's a chance the Alaska site could be open to hunting year-round in the future," Backes said. "But for now, hunting will only be allowed for that two-month period."

Mack said the planning department deviated from the master plan in regard to hunting at the Alaska site because it wanted all the land designated for the AOAA to be inclusive in the policy governing use.

He previously said the change wasn't done in spite of a lawsuit filed against the commissioners and county by David F. Kaleta, of Shamokin, for banning him from the AOAA property and violating the Sunshine Act.

Northumberland County Judge Charles Saylor granted Kaleta's request for an injunction, which allows access to the AOAA while his lawsuit proceeds.

Kaleta helped rehabilitate former mining land on the Alaska site, removed trash and planted trees and vegetation that attract animals and birds in his volunteer role as president of the former Habitat for Wildlife. He said he fought to keep the Alaska site open for public use for 12 years and noted the only reason it was gated was because of activities such as illegal dumping and ATV riders running through food plots and freshly planted trees.

Kaleta said Monday his lawsuit is still pending in federal court. With that, he reserved comment about the hunting policy and other aspects of the park.

Mack said some exceptions may be made to the hunting policy. One example was this past Saturday when hunters were allowed on the land for spring gobbler season.

He said phase II of the AOAA, which is expected to cost $500,000, will provide a secondary trailhead and parking for non-motorized activities such as hiking, horseback riding, biking and hunting. The trailhead and parking area will be located approximately three-quarters of a mile east of the existing trailhead.

The park is currently closed to campers, equestrians and bicyclists, but Mack said authority members will allow walkers to use the park until trails are developed.

(Staff writers Larry Deklinski and Andy Heintzelman contributed to this article.)

MANDATA - Two vacant elementary schools were sold separately Tuesday by the Line Mountain School Board at 83 percent below the combined appraised values.

The Leck Kill and Dalmatia buildings were appraised at a combined $450,000 but sold for $75,322 total.

The two properties were advertised for sale for three weeks in three different newspapers, but only two sealed bids were submitted.

A 7-1-1 vote during Tuesday's school board meeting approved the sale of the Dalmatia building to Jeremy Strohecker for $25,100. It was appraised at $220,000. Directors Troy Laudenslager, Lawrence Neidig, David Bartholomew, Lauren Hackenburg, Ronald Neidig, Marlin Yeager Jr. and Daniel Zablosky were in favor. Dennis Erdman opposed. Lamont Masser abstained.

The sale of the Leck Kill building was approved 8-1, which Erdman also opposed. Jamie Reed bought the property for $50,222. It was appraised at $230,000.

Both deals must be closed within 45 days.

Reed intends to convert the Leck Kill building into a senior living community with between 13 and 17 one-bedroom apartments for people 55 years and older. Strohecker sees the Dalmatia building as a multi-use facility including a banquet area in the auditorium, office space and perhaps an underage dance club.

Little interest

Erdman said he dissented because he believed the bids were too low for the properties. Hackenberg and Laudenslager commented that the sale process played out and due diligence was made on the district's behalf to get the best prices it could.

Bob Malafi, a district resident, said the school board should have rejected the two bids and held a public auction. He believed it would have drawn greater interest.

Doing so would have been a risk to Line Mountain. It could have brought more bidders and higher prices, or it could have done the opposite and left Line Mountain with lower bids than what the school board eventually approved. Strohecker himself said he'd likely bid less at public auction, and Reed said such buildings are only enticing to a niche market, thinning the potential pool of bidders.

Hackenberg noted there is much land available for private sale around the Dalmatia building, and it's been that way for years without any takers. The asking prices on some of those lots are between $25,000 and $28,000, she said.

A relative of Ronald Neidig's who works in real estate told him that sealed bids are evidence of the existing market. In Line Mountain's case, there was little interest. With only two bids submitted, he said he was told that a public auction wouldn't do much to improve the market.

Costly to demo, maintain

Cost to demolish the buildings proved exorbitant compared to a sale, even if it fell way short of expectations. Superintendent David Campbell estimated demolition of the near 36,000-square-foot Dalmatia building at as much as $150,014.

Simply keeping both buildings open from July through April cost the district a combined $65,474, $54,000 of which was spent at the Dalmatia building, according to Hackenburg.

A broken pressure gauge leaked 1,250 gallons of fuel oil from the Dalmatia building into the Lower Mahanoy Township Municipal Authority wastewater treatment plant in February.

District investment

Additional acreage for both properties was purchased in 2010 at a combined $115,000.

The 13,350-square-foot Leck Kill building underwent $1.1 million in renovations in 2010. The $6.3 million estimated cost to do the same at Dalmatia proved too expensive to the school board, since the renovation estimate was just $1.7 million less than the cost to build a completely new structure. That led the school board to vote in 2012 to approve realignment.

The buildings were closed at the end of the 2012-13 school year. There were 202 elementary students enrolled at Dalmatia when it closed; 61 at Leck Kill.

Buildings in Trevorton and Mandata were expanded last summer at a combined cost of $3.4 million to accommodate the realignment. Students from kindergarten through fourth grade now attend the Trevorton school, named Line Mountain Elementary School. Fifth-graders and sixth-graders attend class at the middle school, which is an addition to the Line Mountain High School building near Mandata.

Both vacant elementary schools were appraised last year by Real Estate Appraisal and Marketing Associates, Sunbury, but the results were held until after the sales were approved Tuesday.

SUNBURY - The Sunbury police chief has been demoted.

Steve Mazzeo, who accepted the role of chief six years ago under former Mayor Jess Woodring, was demoted Monday during a city meeting, according to The Daily Item.

"The decision was based on serious personnel issues that will not be discussed in public," Mayor David Persing said, reading from a prepared statement.

Mazzeo is an active duty officer, but is currently on a two-week leave of absence with pay and benefits, Persing said.

The newspaper reported Cpl. Brad Hare will take over as chief of police for the next 90 days.

MANDATA - Line Mountain School District teachers are preparing to strike after the latest bargaining session with the school board ended without a new contract, according to the union's chief negotiator.

Mark McDade, of the Pennsylvania State Education Association, said a date to strike hasn't been set and that it could occur either this school year or next school year. He said the state Department of Education would determine how many days the strike could last.

"It appears to be imminent," McDade said Tuesday.

The union voted earlier this year to authorize use of a strike.

Troy Laudenslager, school board president, said when reached for a response that he was unaware of a potential strike, but that it comes as no surprise.

He said he expects union members will target each of the school board's nine members individually.

"We're expecting to be demonized, singled out. They'll put as much heat on us as they possibly can," Laudenslager said.

"That's just one of the tactics they're pulling right out of the playbook. You've got to have thick skin," he said.

Representatives of both the union and school district met Monday for nearly four hours. Four proposals were exchanged from both sides, McDade said. The district adjourned the session with no agreement.

Another bargaining session hasn't been scheduled, but the school district is requesting that state mediator Jack Yanchulis be present. Laudenslager said a scheduling conflict kept him from Monday's session.

Neither McDade nor Laudenslager would address in detail what issues remained sticking points.

McDade said the school district is playing to win rather than negotiating toward finding middle ground. The teachers union was willing to meet some district demands, but he said the district made no attempt to meet the union's.

"I don't know how you can bargain with a group of people who define negotiations as a winner-takes-all approach," McDade said.

Laudenslager said the district made multiple proposals "outside the box" to acquiesce to union demands.

"If they strike, that's their call," he said.

Line Mountain teachers have been working on an expired contract since June 2012. The union has previously threatened to strike and will continue "working to the rule," a position the union adopted Sept. 30, meaning teachers work during the contracted 7 1/2 hours and nothing more.

Teachers received an annual 3-percent raise in the expired pact.

About 100 teachers picketed a board meeting in March, and half returned to a second meeting that month to stand together in silence during the meeting.