Culver will hold meeting about Shikellamy State Park

SUNBURY - In an effort to ensure residents of the 108th District are familiar with information related to the 2014 boating and marina schedule at the Shikellamy State Park Complex before summer arrives, Rep. Lynda Schlegel Culver (R-108) will host her annual public meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Degenstein Community Library, 40 South Fifth St.

John Clifford, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' new manager at Shikellamy State Park, will provide an overview of the 2014 park complex, current and future plans for the marina, and information about seasonal activities scheduled to happen at the park. Culver and Clifford will be available before and after the meeting to answer any related questions from the public.

May is Amnesty Month at library

RALPHO TOWNSHIP - May is Amnesty Month at the Ralpho Library, when patrons can return all library material free of charge and fines.

Students are encouraged to check their lockers and homes for misplaced library materials.

SHAMOKIN - Two men accused of delivering 10 packets of heroin to a confidential informant Monday are behind bars after being charged by local police with multiple felony offenses.

Jeremy Green, 26, of 189 Wilson Road, Hughesville, and Lonnie Bixler, 46, of 6 N. Coal St., Shamokin, were taken into custody following a drug transaction at about 5:30 p.m. in the parking lot at a convenience store on East Sunbury Street.

According to a criminal complaint, the men allegedly sold an informant 10 packets of heroin for $180. After police conducted a vehicle stop on a gray sport utility vehicle occupied by Bixler and Green, Bixler told officers Green supplied him with a bundle of heroin in blue packets that he delivered to the informant. Bixler said he used two packets of heroin provided by Green while traveling to Shamokin.

Green was charged with felonies of delivery of heroin, possession with intent to deliver heroin, criminal conspiracy and criminal use of a communication facility. Bixler was charged with the same offenses and an additional misdemeanor of driving under the influence of heroin.

All the charges were filed by Shamokin Cpl. Bryan Primerano and Coal Township Cpl. Joshua Wynn, who are members of the Northumberland-Montour Drug Task Force.

Green and Bixler, who were placed in a holding cell overnight at Northumberland County Prison in Sunbury, were arraigned by video at 11 a.m. Tuesday by Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III and committed to jail in lieu of $50,000 and $10,000 cash bail, respectively.

SHAMOKIN - The padlock and chain that have kept the Shamokin Street playground closed the past seven months is expected to come off the main gate this week.

The playground could reopen as early as Thursday, according to Kevin Richardson, public works foreman.

It had been locked down since mid-October by former Police Chief Edward Griffiths, who cited bad behavior by teenagers and young adults along with dozens of lewd messages scrawled in marker on a sliding board.

The hard courts at the playground had also been locked, although limited access had been granted to members of a local street hockey league.

New mulch was spread, a swing was repaired and litter has been picked up. The sliding board will remain closed until an anti-graffiti paint can be applied.

Councilwoman Barbara Moyer, director of parks and public buildings, said some residents who live near the playground are anxious to see it reopen. She expects there will be an increase in routine police presence.

Moyer said she was "put off" after reading some of the writings on the sliding board, and that she "would not want any children exposed to that."

The anti-graffiti paint needs consistent nights with temperatures above 50 degrees for it to dry effectively. The weather hasn't been very cooperative, otherwise the playground would have reopened already.

"I don't want people to think we're just blowing it off. I really want that playground open," she said.

It's not unusual to hear over an emergency scanner that city police officers are being dispatched to the Shamokin Street playground for fights and foul language. Griffiths said in October that bad behavior has kept well-meaning parents and their children away from the facility.

Damage to the playground over the years has gone beyond simple wear-and-tear. Two swing set chains were intentionally broken. A toddler swing seat was knifed apart. No less than 10 holes were cut into the chain link fence. A gate was knocked off its hinge. A memorial sign was sheared off at its base. Caps on a retaining wall were pulled off. And mulch was set on fire.

Two times each week, for 20 to 30 minutes, a pair of street department employees would pick up litter in the playground.

There's a bit of vandalism at every city playground, but nothing like at Shamokin Street, Richardson said in October.

A nearby city-owned skate park on Rock Street had been closed due to vandalism and drug activity.

SUNBURY - A Port Trevorton man charged with homicide by vehicle pleaded guilty Monday in the deaths of a man and his young son on Veterans Memorial Bridge July 2012.

The Daily Item reported Brian Glass, 27, was in court for jury selection when he entered his plea on several felony charges and driving under the influence of a controlled substance.

Chemical testing performed shortly after the accident showed Glass was drunk and high when he drove an unregistered Jeep into a vehicle driven by Kirk Mahaffey, of Northumberland; Mahaffey's three-year-old son, Mason, was a passenger. Several experts said Glass was mentally ill and suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder after several years of service in the military, the newspaper said.

Glass' brother, Cody, who was interviewed November 2012, said he and Brian Glass had snorted Vicodin and drank alcohol several hours before Brian drove a Jeep Liberty into the path of Mahaffey's vehicle, causing a head-on collision, the newspaper reported.

The brothers had also smoked marjiuana and drank vodka shortly before the accident.

Blood tests on Brian Glass were positive for marijuana and morphine; his blood-alcohol content was .14, the newspaper reported.

Glass will be evaluated again. Sentencing is scheduled before Northumberland County Judge Charles Saylor June 26.

BLOOMSBURG - A camp counselor accused of sexually assaulting a hearing-impaired girl pleaded guilty Monday to a lesser charge after the alleged victim didn't testify.

Karisa A. Zapotocky, 21, of Allentown, pleaded guilty to false imprisonment and may face a probation sentence, according to The Press Enterprise.

Police said Zapotocky pulled the teenager into a shower room and forced the girl to perform sexual acts in August 2011 at Camp Hero, a program for the hearing impaired held on the grounds of Camp Victory near Millville.

The victim had testified at a preliminary hearing and said she was scared of Zapotocky, who held her forcibly and intimidated her with an "angry look" during the encounter, the newspaper reported. The girl's mother was critical of camp officials, who she said tried to keep the story from going public.

Police said Zapotocky initially denied the allegations, but later admitted to having a sexual encounter, calling it consensual, the newspaper reported.

Investigators said Zapotocky, who was assigned to help campers age 7 to 9, allegedly washed several of the younger campers in the showers, which is against camp policy. However, camp officials were not aware of those encounters until the last day of camp, the newspaper said.

KULPMONT - Tempers flared between borough council President Bruno Varano and Bob Chesney, a leading voice opponent of the proposed new borough complex, when word came out the borough may be looking for bids in the near future.

Before their argument, Stephen Motyka, who has been the spearhead the building project for council, said test bores would be drilled at the site starting Wednesday, and once the results are analyzed and the exact site placement is made, the construction could be put out on bid within the next two months.

Chesney and Varano went at it at Tuesday's council meeting during the public comment portion after Chesney once again expressed frustration about what he says is a lack of public information about the plan to construct a 4,000-square-foot building and a 5,000-foot borough garage along Fir Street.

"I've always said that we should have regrouped and discussed things more, but that plea has fallen on deaf ears," Chesney said. "Last April, I brought in a petition that was signed by more than 300 people that I got in two days about it, but it was rejected. We've asked to put it on the ballot, but that never happened."

Chesney said in more than 70 percent of the meetings that were held in the last year, nothing was discussed about the new borough building.

"We, the citizens, have had no input on this $1 million project except for one meeting two years ago. You discussed ordinances earlier tonight and it takes two meetings and a number of discussions on it to change an ordinance. On the new building, you've only had one meeting," Chesney said.

He said the confidence he and other citizens had in borough council has been shaken because their voices were not being heard.

"With the 4 1/2 mill-tax increase and you not hearing us out, we feel betrayed," Chesney said.

The discussion began to break down when Chesney made a suggestion on how to pay for the new building.

"The seven of you want the building," Chesney said, referring to council. "Then the taxpayers will pay for it five months out of the year, and you pay for it the other seven months for 40 years."

Varano cut him off, stating his three minutes to give public comment was up.

"We hear this month after month. It's the same thing over and over," Varano said.

"But nothing is ever done," Chesney answered back. "I want the point made that we have been ignored for the last year and a half on this matter."

Stephen Motyka, chairman of the building committee, said the borough has worked to keep costs down on the building's construction and that savings in utilities will more than pay for the building.

"God bless you for that," Chesney said. "Still, we could have had one more meeting on the matter to discuss it. Why is that so hard?"

"We had a meeting, one person showed up. We've been working on this project for the last five years and we hear this every month," Varano fired back.

"Unless I brought the matter up, the topic was only discussed seven times by borough council in the last five years," Chesney retorted. "I've read the minutes from every meeting. For $1 million, if one person showed up for the first meeting, maybe there should have been another meeting."

Resident Ed Wojcik asked, "Why wasn't the matter put on the ballot?"

Varano responded, "Your concern is duly noted."

In other business

- Councilmember Stephanie Niglio reported that a special traffic safety session concerning the proper use of the pedestrian channeling devices seen in the borough will be held June 19 at the borough's senior action center and will be open to the public. Details and times will be announced.

- Council voted to purchase more signs to warn dog owners at the Veterans' Memorial Complex to not allow dogs to run without a leash and to clean up after them.

- Approval was given to pay $12,000 to Shaffer Design Associates for design work and $4,900 to Advance Engineers for geotechnical engineering services related to the new borough complex.

- Council voted to send a letter to the state legislature in support of House Bills 1272 and 1340, which would allow local police departments to use radar guns in speed enforcement.

- Thank you letters will be sent to Kulpmont Sportsman Association, The Kulpmont American Legion Post and the Kulpmont Knights of Columbus for their donations to help defray the cost of new flags that will be hung on Chestnut Street.

- Borough council reminded residents that all chimineys, according to borough ordinance, must be 20 feet from any structure and that they must be registered with the borough code office with a no-fee application. Council will also look into an ordinance concerning gas grills on front porches and near structures.

- Approval was given to the street department to purchase new equipment, mainly 11 sign poles, 11 stop signs and 50 "no parking-temporary police order" signs, at a total cost of $756.96. There was also approval given to enter into a new contract with DMS for summer trash hauling and to purchase a new alternator for the fire police vehicle.

- The annual Kulpmont Community Yard Sale will be held Saturday, June 21, with a rain date of June 28.

Road work near Catawissa starts today

MONTOURSVILLE - A PennDOT maintenance crew in Columbia County will replace a large pipe beneath Route 3016 (Hollow Road) in Catawissa Township to improve drainage. The pipe is located about one mile north of Catawissa.

Weather permitting, the work will take place from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and Friday.

A red-arrow detour will be in effect on Route 487 (River Hill Drive), Route 42 (West Main Street) and Second Street in Catawissa.

OLOL announces year-end activities

COAL TOWNSHIP - Year-end activities at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School will begin at 9 a.m. Tuesday with the annual May crowning ceremony in the Lee Korbich Memorial Gymnasium.

The senior awards program will be held at 9 a.m. Wednesday with baccalaureate the same day at 7 p.m. The Rev. Al Sceski, school chaplain and pastor of Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Church in Elysburg, will be the celebrant at baccalaureate. The Rev. Martin Kobos, pastor of Mother Cabrini Church in Shamokin, will be the homilist. Area pastors will concelebrate the Mass.

Graduation ceremonies for 18 seniors will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 22.

Guest speaker at graduation will be Amanda (Swartz) Sbriscia, a 2002 graduate of Lourdes who is the director of annual giving and alumni relations at Bay Path College in Longmeadow, Mass.

Livia A. Riley, superintendent of schools for the Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg, will preside and confer diplomas at graduation.

SUNBURY - Brian Glass pleaded guilty but mentally ill Monday to two counts of homicide by vehicle while DUI in relation to a July 2012 accident that killed Kirk Mahaffey, of Northumberland, and his 3-year-old son, Mason, on Veterans Memorial Bridge.

Those charges carry a mandatory three-year sentence on each count, and by law must be run consecutively, District Attorney Tony Rosini said in clarifying a report from Wednesday's edition.

Glass also pleaded guilty to one count of DUI for having a blood-alcohol content of .146 at the time of the crash. He is to receive a concurrent sentence on that charge, Rosini said.

Glass, 27, of Port Trevorton, provided a report from the Veterans Administration that indicated that, as a result of his service and being in situations where he observed individuals killed and wounded, he suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, according to Rosini. Judge Charles Saylor held a separate hearing, after the plea was entered, and accepted that report as sufficient evidence to establish that he had a mental illness necessary for the entry of the plea under the statute.

A defendant who pleads guilty but mentally ill and who is sentenced to a state prison must be provided treatment by the state for his illness, if he is found to still be suffering from it when he enters the state system. If the court accepts the plea, Glass will receive a six- to 12-year sentence and, if necessary, any treatment will be provided by the Department of Corrections (DOC), Rosini said. This will be in a secure state prison facility.

He still must serve his sentence and if treatment is necessary and provided, once he has recovered, he will be returned to a state prison, Rosini said.

Sentencing is scheduled for 1 p.m. June 26 before Saylor.

SUNBURY - Northumberland County Prison Board agreed Wednesday to purchase eight additional security cameras and related equipment totaling approximately $8,500.

Warden Roy Johnson thanked the board for approving the purchase of the equipment that will enhance security at the prison while eliminating liability concerns involving proper surveillance.

He said the new cameras will have more clarity and color and provide better coverage than the ones they will replace.

The $8,529.25 purchase from Keystone Communications in Northumberland includes eight cameras with a total value of $3,929.25, an $825 external storage unit, a $445 port switch to power the cameras, $450 in miscellaneous items and $2,880 for the installation and optimization of eight cameras into the existing camera system.

"I believe this is the most cost-effective way to purchase the cameras," Johnson said. "It's critical that we replace these cameras over the years as needed, especially in special places in the prison that require more surveillance."

Johnson said money is budgeted for the purchase, which was previously denied a few times.

The warden said Keystone Communications has provided excellent service to the prison in the past and its pricing is very competitive.

The purchase was approved subject to review of the bidding requirements for the cameras.

Keystone Communications, which also submitted a $71,158.25 proposal for 51 security cameras and related equipment, was the lone bidder for the work.

Prison board members approving the purchase were Commissioner Richard Shoch, District Attorney Tony Rosini, Sheriff Robert Wolfe and Controller Chris Grayson. Commissioner Stephen Bridy was in attendance for most of the session, but had to leave prior to the vote to attend another meeting. Commissioner Vinny Clausi was absent.

Chairman election

The election of a new chairman was tabled until all board members were present.

Shoch, who has been in charge of prison board issues and conducting meetings for the past five months, recommended Rosini for the post because of his vast experience on the board and offered his full cooperation if the district attorney accepted the position. Shoch, who serves as vice chairman, said he was tired of the chairmanship being an issue, noting that the board failed to fill the position in March despite several members being nominated for the post.

"I think Mr. Rosini would provide good leadership. He has more experience on the board than anyone," Shoch said.

Rosini said he will consider the position, but said he would delegate a lot of the chairman's duties to other board members if he accepts the post because of his heavy workload as district attorney.

Other business

Earlier in the meeting, Rosini pointed out that 29 percent of the inmates in April were on psychotropic medications. Denise Gemzik Jeniola, regional manager for Prime Care Medical Inc., Harrisburg, which provides medical services to county inmates, said 26 to 29 percent of inmates throughout the state are on psychotropic medications when they enter jail.

Rosini and Jeniola said the reduction of state mental health institutions has contributed to more inmates being on psychotropic medications.

Johnson said the current prison population is 196, which is a decrease over recent weeks.

The warden agreed with Rosini that the installation of a holding cell at the county prison that expedites the arraignments of inmates has helped reduce the population.

Johnson said some minor glitches still exist with the holding cell process, but is confident they will be worked out.

A brief executive session was held for personnel reasons.

Here's what happening this weekend as part of the AOAA grand opening.

Friday

A ribbon-cutting will be held at 1 p.m. Speakers will be state Sen. John Gordner, state Reps. Kurt Masser and Lynda Schlegel Culver, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Ellen Ferretti, Northumberland county Commissioners, and representatives from local government and the state Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) and Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

An invitation-only tour ride will take place following the ribbon-cutting. The public is welcome to attend the ceremony as spectators.

Saturday

Public grand opening with trails open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

These vendors are scheduled to be at the AOAA for Saturday's grand opening, and some on Sunday as well:

Yamaha Motor Corp.

Schreffler Equipment Inc.

R.E. Davidson & Son

Zimmerman Enterprises/Zimmerman Jeep

Geisinger Life Flight

Rec Rider Magazine

The Pennsylvania Off-Highway Vehicle Association

Earthday Campground

Newsradio 1070 WKOK

One Smart Cookie

Forest Hill Fire Company

Anthracite Trail Riders

Notes

- Yamaha will have a trailer filled with ATVs and side-by-sides. Demo rides will be available throughout the weekend. The company will also provide other activities, such as an inflatable bounce house for kids.

- One Smart Cookie will be catering on-site on Saturday and Sunday for the duration of the park's hours. Their menu will include: Homemade chili, chicken wings, turkey legs, assorted panini, homemade potato chips in assorted flavors,

side and garden salads, including strawberry and blueberry salads.

- Anthracite Trail Riders and the Forest Hill Fire Company will also have food stands.

- Forest Hill Fire Company will host a washdown station for muddy equipment.

- The AOAA will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

- The park also recently announced that it will be open on holidays this summer as follows: Monday, May 26; Friday, July 4, and Monday, Sept. 1.

Fifth in a series

BURNSIDE - The 6,500-acre Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area (AOAA) is generating a buzz within the national ATV community ahead of its official opening this weekend.

Equipment manufacturers like Yamaha, Polaris and Kawasaki have already shown support for the AOAA's development.

Yamaha, in fact, granted the county $20,000 for trail development, mapping and signage. It is investing heavily in the opening by sending a tractor-trailer filled with demo equipment and activities. Representatives will be available throughout the weekend to guide riders in testing out Yamaha ATVs and side-by-sides.

"It's a pretty big deal for us to take (the trailer) off the road and bring it in," said Steve Nessl,‎marketing manager for Yamaha Motor Corp. "It's an indication of how big a deal it is for us and the (riding) community in general."

Polaris awarded the county a $10,000 grant for trail design and development and one of its local dealers, Schreffler Equipment, Pitman, will be among the vendors at the park this weekend.

Kawasaki's media representative, Jon Rall, said that although the company was not hosting a vendor site, he plans to travel from California to attend the opening weekend.

"I'm just coming to support it," said Rall. "It's a great place for our consumers. It's just a gorgeous area."

'Positive attitude'

Local small businesses have been eagerly anticipating the opening of the AOAA, which was designed with tourism and economic development in mind.

Tom Sebastian, owner of Gap Racing in Locust Gap, has been watching the development of the AOAA since it was first announced about five years ago. He plans to have a small display at the site on opening weekend.

"A lot of manufacturers and suppliers and businesses in the industry are anticipating (the opening) with a positive attitude," said Sebastian.

As the operator of one of the area's largest off-road parts stores, Sebastian frequently interacts with local ATV riders. He said sentiments from riders in the region are mixed; many are excited, while others are cautious of the park's longevity or prepared for its failure.

"It just seems like the negativity seems to still linger even though the park's a reality right now," said Sebastian. "I feel it's going to be very successful."

'Exceptional' riding

As an administrator for the Pennsylvania Off Highway Vehicle Association, Tom McClure has a broader view of the conversations being generated by the AOAA. He indicated that riders across the state are eager for the AOAA to open.

"The buzz that exists within the community is excitement and always positive," said McClure. "I have no doubt that it will be a heavily used riding facility."

Because of the AOAA's mountainous location amid abandoned coal lands, the terrain is vastly different from other ATV sites.

"It's a spectacular site geographically," McClure said. "The topography is extraordinary. The riding opportunity is exceptional."

Nessl agreed the AOAA is unlike any other site.

"It's a unique situation in general to be able to do what they're doing, to take an area that's there and turn it into a riding area based on what it used to be," said Nessl.

Family friendly

Sebastian believes the AOAA's well-planned and monitored land offers something other locations - including local riding at places such as Coal Hill in Trevorton - don't.

"I think there's a definite need for controlled riding areas," he said. "There are a lot of good, family-oriented people that like to ride ATVs and motorcycles, and (they) just feel a little unsafe being in outlaw areas where people just go berserk and don't have any rules to follow." Rall agrees the atmosphere at the AOAA is one that will attract a demographic of adults with children.

"It'll be a good place for families to come and spend a weekend," he said.

Sebastian said he was grateful to the government entities that invested in bringing the AOAA to fruition.

"I've ridden all over the country and I've seen on numerous occasions that parks have closed down," he said. "I think we take it all for granted how lucky we are to have such vast riding areas in our own backyard. And if we have to pay a small fee, that's really a drop in the bucket compared to what we have."

SHAMOKIN TOWNSHIP - Township supervisors, hoping to capitalize on the establishment of the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area (AOAA), will explore the possibility of creating a tax-free industrial zone at the former Kirsch manufacturing plant in Reed Industrial Park.

Supervisor John Klinger recommended Wednesday night that the zone be established to attract industry to the township that could be spawned by the AOAA, which officially opens Saturday.

Klinger cited the "Can Do Project" in Hazleton as an example of how an area can be drastically transformed by the creation of industry.

"The AOAA is big and it's only going to grow in the future," Klinger said. "You are talking about entrepreneurs from all over the world coming to the AOAA. I think we should pursue the matter more."

Klinger's fellow supervisors Greg Rachau and Paul Rapp agreed with Klinger's recommendation and will request Northumberland County planning director and AOAA authority member Pat Mack to attend next month's meeting to further to discuss the tax-free industrial zone.

Klinger said Mack told him he supports his recommendation 100 percent.

Klinger reported supervisors previously attempted to establish a tax-free incentive at the former Kirsch building, but failed to receive approval from Shamokin Area School District. He said the township and county were in favor of the idea, but school district officials were fearful the district would lose too much tax money by offering the incentive.

"It will benefit a lot of people if we can get a new business to come here," Klinger said.

In other business, an extensive discussion was held about possibly vacating a section of Rose Road.

Jeff Kurtz, owner of Jeff's Auto Body and Recycling Inc., whose property could be affected by vacating the road, said he's willing to work with his competitor and neighbor Dennis Stoneroad on the issue to save the township money even though he has several environmental concerns about Stoneroad's business.

"I think it's important to make this township a place where people will want to drive through, not around," he said. "I believe the township has to get more involved with environmental issues."

Solicitor Jim Bathgate said he will set up a meeting with Stoneroad's attorney Frank Garrigan, railroad officials and supervisors in an attempt to make an amicable decision about Rose Road.

Supervisors agreed to bid on a John Deere 5510 tractor with a mower Friday on the Municibid auction site.

Roadmaster Jon Clemens reported milling and pipe replacement will be conducted next week on Hosta and Old Reading roads.

KULPMONT - Borough officials are looking to unload some property in order to keep good relations with Northumberland County.

Three votes were taken at Tuesday's council meeting involving the solicitation of bids to sell the property at 916 Chestnut St. and pay back $9,057.76 that Northumberland County gave the borough to clean up a debris pile at that site.

The remnants of David Dubbs house, which was destroyed along with three other structures in a 2013 fire, led to a standoff between Dubbs and the borough. After several citations, fines totaling $85,000 and several court hearings, Dubbs eventually signed over the 12-by-150-foot lot to the borough in November in order to have the citations and fines expunged.

Kulpmont entered into an agreement with the county in December to use Act 137 Affordable Housing Trust Fund money for the cleanup, but with a mortgage attached. The mortgage says if Kulpmont sells the property, all proceeds up to the loan amount would be paid back to Northumberland County and the fund.

Another provision says if the property is sold for less than the sum that was given to Kulpmont, the county agrees to forgive the remainder.

At the start of Tuesday's meeting, borough council president Bruno Varano said Kulpmont received an offer on the property, but could not accept it.

"In the borough code it states that any property that the borough owns and wants to sell that has a value of $1,500 or more must be put out through the bidding process," said solicitor William Cole.

Councilmember Phil Scicchitano made a motion to advertise for bids with a reserve price; it was seconded by Nick Bozza. But when asked, council did not want to state a reserve price. Scicchitano then amended the motion for no reserve. On a roll call vote, it was Scicchitano, Bozza and Clarence Deitrick voting to approve the motion, with Varano, Stephanie Niglio, Stephen Motyka and Joseph Winhofer voting no, defeating the motion 3-4.

'Don't want to insult the county'

Northumberland County Commissioner Vinny Clausi addressed council on the matter.

"I think you need to make an effort to sell the property so that we can recoup our money," he said. "You also put a minimum price on the property, or if you put it out on bid, reserve the right to reject all bids if they are too low. What chance do we have, if you don't try to sell it, to recoup the money?"

"The county has given us the money for the project, but you don't want to lose any money, do you?" Winhofer said. "To me, the minimum should be the amount that was paid to us, the $9,000. I voted no because there was no minimum."

"We don't want to insult the county with a $2,500 bid," Varano said.

Varano asked Clausi if there is any more money available to seed the property to grow grass, but Clausi said the borough has gotten enough money.

Near the end of the meeting, Varano made another motion to advertise the property with a reserve bid of $9,300. It was seconded by Deitrick and passed on a 6-1, with Scicchitano casting the lone dissenting vote.

Following a 70-minute executive session, Varano's motion was rescinded and another motion was made to advertise for bids on the property, this time with no reserve, with Deitrick seconding the motion. This time, the motion was approved unanimously.

"Since we have the right to reject all bids, and it is in the mortgage that the debt will be paid from the proceeds, that is why we took off the reserve," Varano said Wednesday.

Varano said council discussed the property in the executive session and after receiving a proposal for $935 to put grass seed down for planting, and the cost of maintaining the lot, council members were motivated to unload the property.

More properties in distress

Code enforcement officer Russ Moroz gave updates on two other properties in disarray, starting with the former Eagle Sign building at 13th and Oak streets owned by Thomas Valeiko, of Commack, N.Y., which collapsed in February and was torn down by the borough.

"Mr. Valeiko is being fined daily since the property is not being cleaned up," Moroz said. "He has not returned my calls, and we are at a standstill with the property."

Moroz said a crew employed by Valeiko has been in to strip metal from the building, but has not returned since and ceased correspondence.

Cole informed council he has been in contact with the chief and that criminal charges for Valeiko are pending.

"Let's get on the ball with this," Winhofer added.

Ed Wojcik, a neighbor of the property, informed council his property was damaged in the demolition, and that repairs done by the contractor were not done correctly. Varano said council will contact the contractor.

"There is also a truck on the property that has gas and oil in it that was crushed by the falling bricks," Wojcik said. "It should be removed."

Legally, the borough cannot go onto the property, but it can be investigated from Wojcik's property to see if there any issues.

The other property in question is the former Kulpmont Textile Mill, last owned by Buzzy Inc.

"The mill is still a dangerous structure, and everyone should stay out of it," Moroz said. "We met last week with DEP (Department of Environmental Protection) and three asbestos abatement contractors. The asbestos in the property in the boiling room is very bad. The only thing helping is that water is getting in the room and keeping the airborne asbestos down."

Moroz said the property owners have been given 90 days to take care of the asbestos and the hazardous waste inside, but nothing else can be removed until the asbestos is out.

Maple Street behind the mill will remain closed to traffic until both smokestacks at the mill come down, and the property owners have been made aware of that, according to Moroz.

COAL TOWNSHIP - William H. Stewart III has been named valedictorian of the 2014 graduating class at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional High School.

Nicholas Peter Taylor earned salutatorian honors.

Rachel Leigh Schultz is the third-ranked student, while Peyton Klembara and Shawn Khanna are the fourth and fifth-ranked students, respectively.

Graduation ceremonies are scheduled for Thursday, May 22.

William H. Stewart III

Stewart is a son of Bill and Karen Stewart, of 2361 Mile Post Road, Sunbury, and grandson of William H. Stewart Sr. and the late Ellen Stewart, and the late Richard and Verna Kenner.

He is a member of St. Monica Church, Sunbury, where he is a lector and altar server.

Stewart will attend Pennsylvania State University at University Park, where he has enrolled in the College of Engineering.

His high school activities include football, track, soccer, basketball, baseball, chorus, band, drama club, Respect Life club, Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) and French club.

He is a member of the National Honor Society and French National Honor Society.

His community activities include 4-H Club, Little Eddie Griffiths Scholarship Pig Roast, Mount Pleasant United Methodist Church Youth Group and Elijah's Bowl volunteer.

He is employed by Stewart Family Farms.

Nicholas Peter Taylor

Taylor is a son of Randal and Brenda Taylor, of 753 Creek Road, Shamokin, and a grandson of Robert and Joan Taylor.

He is a member of Transfiguration Ukrainian Catholic Church, Shamokin, where he is a lector, altar server and parish block party worker.

He will attend Luzerne County Community College to study surgical technology.

His high school activities include SADD, boys service club and Respect Life club. He is captain of the soccer team.

He is a member of the National Honor Society and Spanish National Honor Society.

Taylor is a volunteer with Manna for the Many and also tutors students.

He is employed at Knoebels Amusement Resort.

Rachel Leigh Schultz

Schultz is a daughter of T.J. and Michelle Schultz, of 211 S. Vine St., Mount Carmel, and a granddaughter of Mary Ann Balonis and the late Robert Balonis, and the late MaryLou and Thomas Schultz.

She is a member of Holy Angels Church, Kulpmont, where she works at the parish picnic and bingo.

She will attend Elizabethtown College, where she will major in accounting and play basketball.

Her high school activities include being captain of the basketball and soccer teams and serving as a student ambassador. She is a member of SADD, Respect Life club, science club and math club.

She also is a member of the National Honor Society and Spanish National Honor Society.

Schultz works at the Elysburg Rod and Gun Club.

Peyton Klembara

Klembara, who resides at 1812 W. Walnut St., Coal Township, is a daughter of Tara Brokenshire and Andrew Klembara, and a granddaughter of Thomas Brokenshire and Michael and Jane Klembara.

She is a member of Mother Cabrini Church, Shamokin.

She will attend Susquehanna University to major in pre-med.

She is president of the National Honor Society and a member of the Spanish National Honor Society.

She is also president of Respect Life club, vice president of student council, an officer with SADD and a member of Girls Action League, science club, art club and HOBY Alumna.

She is a student ambassador and captain of the softball and volleyball teams.

Shawn Khanna

Khanna is a son of Dr. Sudhir and Catherine Khanna, 379 Overlook Blvd., Shamokin, and a grandson of Santosh Khanna and Jean Brokus.

He is a member of Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Church, Elysburg.

He will be attending Susquehanna University.

His high school activities include French club, Respect Life club, boys service club, chorus and math club.

He is a member of the National Honor Society.

BLOOMSBURG - A Natalie woman is helping to organize an event to raise money to fight the disease that took her mother's life.

Sharon Cichon and five others are serving as co-chairpersons for the fourth annual Jorge's Walk to Defeat ALS, set for 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Town Park.

The two-mile walk and related events will raise money for the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the ALS Association, which studies the cause and cure of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. The association also lends motorized wheelchairs and speech devices at no cost.

For Cichon, the fight against the disease is personal. Her mother, Roseann Nagy, died from ALS Jan. 4, 18 months after she was diagnosed.

"I can vividly recall the day my mom called me and told me about the diagnosis," Cichon said. "I was driving and needed to pull off the road. I remember asking the neurologist how sure he was that she had this, because we were all in denial."

ALS is a progressive disease that affects the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. When the motor neurons that control muscle movement throughout the body die off, the ability of the brain to initiate and control muscle movement is lost.

"Although each case of ALS varies individually, people who are diagnosed with this disease gradually lose their ability to walk, talk, eat and swallow," Cichon said. "They are no longer able to move their arms and legs, and in most cases, their body is rendered motionless, leading to the person being paralyzed, and eventually death."

Cichon and her family experienced that heartbreaking scenario with her mother.

Without mechanical ventilation, the average life expectancy of a patient at the time of diagnosis is two to five years. Nagy survived 18 months after being diagnosed at age 71.

In addition to being a co-chair, Cichon also captains "Team Roseann's Rainbows" for the event.

"The one thing that ALS did not take away from mom was her smile," Cichon recalled. "She continued smiling when someone entered the room and always remained determined and strong. It was because of that inspiration that we came up with the team name. She will always be the rainbow that brightens our day with a wonderful memory."

There is only one drug approved for ALS treatment, but it doesn't cure the disease, only slow its progression by three months, and its extreme cost makes it unaffordable impossible for some people.

The Bloomsburg walk started in 2010 after Rosalba Snyder, now event chairwoman and founder, lost her father to ALS.

"It is because of my family's personal experience with ALS that I have gotten involved. My goal, and the goal of anyone affected by this, is to educate more people about the devastation this disease causes, and how badly a cure is needed in order to kill ALS, rather than have it kill others," Cichon said.

Anyone interested in taking part in the two-mile walk can register online at www.alsphiladephia,org, or come to Town Park starting at 9 a.m. to register. Those attending don't even have to walk as there will be a DJ providing entertainment, free food, 50/50 drawings and raffles for donated items.

Joining Cichon as co-chairs are Mandy Podehl, Roy Snyder, Jennifer LaRegina, Stephanie Greene and Kathy John.

COAL TOWNSHIP - Shamokin Area Elementary School announced its distinguished honor roll and honor roll for the third marking period of the 2013-14 school year.

The honor roll is based on the average of the major subjects. Distinguished honors is the range of 95 to 100 percent and honor roll is 90 to 94 percent, along with earning "satisfactory" in conduct and minor subjects.

Distinguished honors

Grade 6: Kanwal Alvi, Jacob Alvord, Conner Anascavage, Lily Avans, Ivan Bilbay, Margaret Bowers, Gabriel Burns, Morgan Clemens, Violet Dales, Raven Depeal, Joshua Dombrowski, Blake Hartzel, Leslie Haupt, Rhaeghan Henz, Brian Hornberger, Blake Kane, Devin Kays, Hunter Kerstetter, Rachel Kerstetter, Kaylee Koshinski, Farrah Krum, Janet Kulish, Emma Laughlin, Brittney Lute, Alexandria Madison, Cherie Martin, Sheyenne Moore, Will Orme, Abby Rodman, Sophie Rossnock, Jasmine Scandle, Angelina Schaeffer, John Schofield Jr., Isibelle Sienkiewicz, Emily Slanina, Molly Stevens, Myah Thompson, Angel Velazquez, Logan Williams and Katelyn Zawalick.

Grade 5: Amanda Angstadt, Joshua Bashore, Hunter Bates, Kaine Bressi, Devin Britton, Nathan Buranich, Alexis Carl, Faith Carpenter, Olivia Coller, Emma Dailey, Kyele Dehoutaint, Ryleigh Faust, Diana Faust, Tessa Fegley-Kublic, Victoria Fellin, Adam Guzik, Blake Harris, Olivia Haupt, Rosalind Kane, Zackary Kinsey, Jaden Kodack, Hayden Kramer, Emma Kramer, Destinee Leonard, Dylan Liebl, Maximus Madden, Diana Martinez, Rylie Mccarty, Matthew Metzger, Edward Morales, Grace Nazih, Ariana Nolter, Ashlea Oakum, Ian Paul, Nathanael Pennell, Alyssa Persing, Brent Reed, Sydney Rhoads, Mackenzie Roman, Aleyna Russell, Casen Sandri, Akeya Schartiger, Aaron Shicora, Caleb Shingara, Jessica Simpson, Kathryn Slotterback, Destiny Smith, Elizabeth Swilp, Joseph Tarr Jr., Haelee Taylor, Nicholas Velez, Tyler Whary, Kayla Yadlosky and Emma Zimmerman.

Grade 4: Kathleen Amato, Skye Balonis, Sarah Blenkinsop, Kameron Bowers, Jordan Cruse, Dominic Delorso, Dominic Diehl, Abigail Eschbach, Tricity Frederick, Mason Hogancamp, Isabelle Kapushinski, Craig Kerstetter, Garrett Kitchen, Colin Malkoski, Dominic Michaels, Savannah Monroe, Marcus Moyer, Morgan Nolter, Bryce Pancher, Noah Phillips, Odin Rabka, Hunter Rodman, Brenden Rogers, Molly Rossnock, Mackenzie Rowe, Colin Seedor, Claudia Seidel, Dakota Shaw, Jadyn Shipe, Jesse Shultz, Kandi Slodysko, Airiana Smallwood, Carter Smink, Camden Smith, Madisen Smith, John Swank, Kyle Todd, Madyson Waugh and Christian Wesloskie.

Honor roll

Grade 6: Bryce Anderson, Sara Baney, Paige Campbell, Eric Curran, Stacie Dees, Abbey Diorio, Madelyn Donahue, Deven Elliott, Kayla Erdman, Jayce Fagerstrom, Holly Fegley, Mason Filarski, Madison Foulds, Tate Frederick, Allie Godfrey, Gabrielle Greager, Callen Herb, Daniela Herrera-Chavez, Victoria Hine, Destiny Jones, Kirstyn Kehler, Blake Markowski, Makayla Moroskie, Tori Moser, Zachery Moyer, Sierra Neidig, Samantha Pennycoff, Nathan Persing, Kayla Pietkewicz, Ashley Ponatoski, Robert Prawdzik, Hunter Rodarmel, Brianna Roth, Kyra Sanders, Kody Scicchitano, Telaysia Shafer, Savanah Smith, Alyssa Snyder, Alyssa Swartz, Emma Tomcavage, Jonathan Washuta, Cheyanne Wolf, Megan Wywadis, Shen Yeager and Chloe Yoder.

Grade 5: Alexa Bainbridge, Jonathan Bevan, Emilee Bland, Collin Bozza, Tia Bressi, Brianna Bullock, Sean Calabro, Grace Carpenter, Katye Clark, Joseph Daya III, Jaiden Dees, Gavin Degreen, Paige Ditzel, Collin Duganitz, Aaron Frasch, Kieran Gallagher, Jackson Hancock, Seth Hart, Austen Heffner, Thomas Herrold, Shane Hess, Damian Hile, Carole Hinkle, Tumaje Islam, Shanon Jilinski, Tyler Kalman, Cassandra Kilkenny, Mark Kiracofe, Paige Kleman, Gabrielle Kurtz, Kali Leiby, Brenton Mccaffery, Dennis Mcfee, Ian Morris, Nicolas Neidig, Noah Orner, Alexia Ortiz, Megan Roman, Paige Shoffler, Gwen Sulouff, Mariah Surace, Jacob Turner, Dominic Wilson, Brionna Wyland, Michael Zimmerman II.

Grade 4: Skye Adams, Wade Alleman, Katrina Angstadt, Cameron Annis, Arissa Arnold, Samantha Bainbridge, Kloey Baney, Xander Baylor, Julissa Bednar, Makenzie Bixler, Logan Brill, Gina Carapellucci, Janetssa Carter Montanez, Mackenzie Clattenburg, Terelina Conbeer, Abigail Cryts, Robert Depeal, Gavin Dietterick, Cody Dombrowski, Braelyn Duncheskie, Zandra Finkelstein, Olivia Geist, Kayla Harvey, Presley Herman, Destiny Hinkle, Emily Honicker, Leann Johnston, David Kaleta, Skye Keefer, Caydin Kern, Frank Kinger, John Kodack III, Kalli Lahr, Riley Macaluso, Adell Munson, Xavier Negron, Samantha Nicola, Gavin Nye, Airin Petrovich, Ethan Roughton, Joseph Sacco Iv, Francis Sanzotto, Hannah Schaeffer, Anastasia Schank, Rachael Schoch, Dallas Scicchitano, Daniel Serrato, Xaiver Smith, Sarah Snavely, Scott Snyder Jr., Henry Stevens, Taylor Swank, Robert Tilley, Emily Wheary, Elyse Whitmer, Alexis Zawalick and Kolbie Zuech.

MOUNT CARMEL - The Brush Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Compass Academy, 30 W. Third St., celebrated the academy's three years of success in the community with an open house and ribbon cutting Thursday.

The academy is a part of Justice Works Youth Care, which has services in 26 counties in Pennsylvania as well as several other states.

Compass Academy is an approved provider for Alternative Education for Disruptive Youth (AEDY) by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. It provides alternative education programming that is designed to reduce drop-out rates, increase school attendance and develop skills that enhance academic performance and increase graduation rates, according to their website.

The academy is contracted with eight area school districts including Shamokin Area, Mount Carmel Area, Line Mountain, North Schuylkill, Mahanoy Area, Southern Columbia and Shikellamy.

Students who attend the academy are referred there from their home school district, which also funds the student's attendance there.

They also work closely with the families of the students.

"Our students may have problems with behavior, truancy, academic issues, being expelled or suspended and overall just not doing well in a traditional public school setting," said Marc Silvetti, Program Director at Compass Academy.

The academy currently has 25 students, but can accommodate between 35 and 40. It has a staff of six teachers, according to Silvetti. The amount of time a student spends there varies from a few marking periods to a year.

Students at the academy attend basic academic classes, including math, English, science, physical education and social studies.

They also learn to address the issues that have caused them trouble in mainstream schools.

"Behavior modification is our first priority to get them to deal more appropriately with issues that come up in a public school setting," Silvetti said.

Along those lines, the academy has a "WhyTry: Resilience Education" life skills class that deal with such issues as peer pressure, defense mechanisms and labeling.

The students also help in the community by doing volunteer work in local Mount Carmel businesses, such as Scicchitano Ace Hardware and Hollywood Pizza.

"The local businesses have been good at accepting volunteer work from our students," Silvetti said. "They have really embraced us."

The Northumberland County Area Agency on Aging will offer a limited number of cooking classes at senior centers.

Classes will be from 6 to 9 p.m. (doors will open at 5 p.m.) at the following locations:

Thursday, May 22 - Sunbury Senior Action Center , 601 Pennsylvania Ave., Sunbury.

Thursday, May 29 - Lower Northumberland County Senior Action Center, 5089 State Route 147, Herndon.

Tuesday, June 3 - Shamokin/Coal Township Senior Action Center, 821 W. Chestnut St., Coal Township.

Jim Schiavoni, culinary arts instructor at the Northumberland County Career and Technology Center (NCCTC), will be the chef instructor.

Schiavoni is a skilled chef who provides a wealth of information in the field to his students. Prior to his work at NCCTC, Schiavoni was chef at Mohawk Mountain House, New Paltz, N.Y., and the Host Inn, Harrisburg, and served as regional manager at Nutrition Management Services.

There is no fee for the classes; however, participants will be asked to give a tax deductible donation to the James J. and Patricia C. Rosini Culinary Arts Scholarship Fund.

Class is limited to the first 12 registrants ages 55 and older. Call Sue Barnhart at 570-495-2384, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. for additional information and to register for these classes. Participants can register for more than one class pending availability.

MOUNT CARMEL - Contract negotiations between the Mount Carmel Borough Police and the borough have ended amicably, said borough president Tony Matulewicz at Thursday's borough meeting.

In the contract that will end in 2016, the police and the borough agreed to a 25-cent raise per year for 2014, 2015 and 2016. Police will also now contribute a percentage toward health insurance: nine percent in 2014 and 2015 and 10 percent in 2016.

Each police officer will receive a base salary, used for the purpose of establishing a pension amount.

To determine an officer's pension, his base salary will be calculated as his regular hours multiplied by his wage plus no more than $3,125 in overtime per year.

Matulewicz said the overtime cap in calculating base salary will help control ballooning pensions by ending overtime spiking.

"I'm happy with the contract," said Matulewicz.

Police had been working under an expired three-year contract that ended Dec. 31. Pension and health care costs have been the major points holding up the negotiations over the last year.

By far, police salaries and benefits, at a projected $999,465.40, are the largest part of the borough's 2014 spending plan, taking up approximately 60 percent of the $1,652,431 budget. Salaries for eight full-time and four part-time officers cost the borough $450,256; health, pension and other benefits total $549,209.

Officers did not receive a raise in 2011, but their hourly wages increased by 25 cents in 2012 and 35 cents in 2013.

Additionally, they received $75 a year for every year of service to the borough - up from $50 in the previous contract. For example, if an officer is employed at the borough for 15 years, he receives an extra $1,125 annually.

Officers had been contributing 5 percent of their salaries toward their pensions and a flat $500 toward their health care plans each year. The borough contributed $120,000 in pension benefits in 2012, which includes past retired officers, and have budgeted $80,000 for officers for health care this year.

Attempts to reach police officers for comment Thursday were unsuccessful.

On a recent cruise sailing from Florida to the Caribbean, two vacationers were surprised to find they shared a hometown.

James Maurer, of West Allis, Wis., said he and Robert Narcavage, of North Kingstown, R.I., came face-to-face for the first time May 3 during a meeting of former veterans on the MS Freedom of the Seas.

Both grew up in Shamokin and later served in the military.

Maurer graduated in 1964 from Our Lady of Lourdes. He served four years in the Navy, including a year in Vietnam. A retired cook, he prepares meals for the homeless on Thursdays and works at the Renaissance Place in Milwaukee, helping with wedding events.

Narcavage also originates from Shamokin. He was in the Marine Corps in the late 1960s and served a tour of duty in Okinawa, Japan. Narcavage returns to Shamokin to visit his family, Mr. and Mrs. Lorrine Schenewerk, and John and Sandra Schenewerk.