KULPMONT - Borough officials and the North Central Highway Safety Network (NCHSN) will host a presentation on pedestrian safety June 19.

The program will start at noon at the Kulpmont Senior Action on first floor of Kulpmont Borough Hall at Ninth and Spruce streets.

For Kulpmont, the problem is the main thoroughfare, Chestnut Street, is also State Route 61. Kulpmont Borough Councilmember Stephanie Niglio, the chair of the program, said motorists do not yield to a pedestrian in the crosswalk.

"We also have issues with some of the pedestrians crossing in the middle of the streets and not at the crosswalks. Hopefully, people will learn about pedestrian safety through this program," Niglio said.

According to statistics provided by the North Central Highway Safety Network, Northumberland County has seen 79 pedestrian accidents in the last five years; five of them were fatal.

"We live in a town with a large population of seniors, and now with summer coming, the children are out of school, so motorists will need to be even more aware," Niglio said.

The program will feature a powerpoint presentation by Bob Schaeffer, traffic safety coordinator for the highway safety network, and a presentation by Kulpmont Police Chief Michael Pitcavage, discussing enforcement topics and speed changes.

"Motorists have to realize that if you are caught not stopping while a pedestrian is in the crosswalk, it will be a $50 fine and two points onto your license," Pitcavage said. "Those are the points we want to stress, so that we can keep everyone safe."

Bill 95 will also be in attendance with several giveaways and door prizes.

"I hope to get a big attendance for this program and we can get the message across that people live in this town and motorists should be aware of them," Niglio said.

SHAMOKIN - A city man jailed Monday following an attempted vehicle theft from a Sunbury Street convenience store is accused of burglarizing a tattoo parlor minutes earlier.

Police said a witness identified Cyrus Lewis, 34, as the suspect in a burglary at Relentless Tattoos, 228 W. Independence St., about 8 p.m. Monday, less than 30 minutes before he was apprehended in the attempted theft of a pickup truck from the parking lot of Friendly Choice convenience store, 517 E. Sunbury St.

Officers were dispatched to the tattoo parlor and spoke with the witness, who said a male - later identified as Lewis - was standing near a side window. Lewis had also spoken with a woman in a brown Chevy, according to a police affidavit. The witness provided the vehicle's registration.

The affidavit says the witness told police an air conditioner that had been in the property's side window was later observed to be on the ground, and that Lewis had walked out the property's front door and around the corner to Coal Street.

Police used the registration information to identify the vehicle's owner as Heather Nolter. According to the affidavit, Nolter told police she drove Lewis to the property, waited while Lewis "disappeared" and picked him up on Coal Street after he had called her cell phone.

Darren Miller, owner of Relentless Tattoos, confirmed the break-in to police, reporting two tattoo guns and a laptop computer were stolen. Other electronics were stacked by the front door, he told police, adding that he suspected Lewis in the theft.

The witness was asked by police to go to the Geisinger-Shamokin Area Community Hospital, where he saw Lewis and told officers he was "probably" the man he observed breaking into 228 W. Independence St.

Lewis was at the hospital to undergo blood testing as he was suspected to be intoxicated when he allegedly jumped into a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado about 8:25 p.m. Monday and drove out of the convenience store parking lot in reverse, across Sunbury Street and into a tree. The vehicle's owner, Trevor Tamkus, had jumped partially inside too, holding onto the truck while he struggled with Lewis to prevent the theft. Lewis was kept on scene by Tamkus and a witness until police arrived.

Lewis was found in possession of syringes and a spoon, police said.

Tamkus told police he observed Lewis acting suspiciously outside the store just prior to the attempted theft.

Lewis is charged in the Independence Street break-in with felony counts of burglary and criminal trespass and a misdemeanor count of theft. Charges against him in the Sunbury Street incident are two felony counts of robbery, felony theft, misdemeanor counts of possession of drug paraphernalia, simple assault, reckless endangerment and driving under the influence and a summary count of driving with a suspended license.

He was arraigned on all charges Tuesday by Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III and returned to Northumberland County Prison, Sunbury, in lieu of $30,000 cash bail. Preliminary hearings for both cases are scheduled for Tuesday morning.

Additional charges are pending against Lewis stemming from a one-vehicle accident Saturday along Route 901. Coal Township police took him into custody on suspicion of driving under the influence after he crashed a Dodge Neon head-on into a tree near Industrial Park Road.

Two cases are pending against Lewis in Perry County for separate incidents involving an alleged theft in February and a traffic accident in March.

ELYSBURG - Ralpho Township supervisors will revise its driveway permit form to make it mandatory for property owners to use amesite rather than concrete from the township's right-of-way to the road.

During a brief meeting Tuesday night, supervisors reported damage has been done to township snow plows due to concrete in some driveways being too high.

Roadmaster Howard Shadduck said the current driveway permit ordinance is outdated and needs to be revised. Supervisors agreed to have solicitor Todd Kerstetter develop a revised ordinance including the amesite requirement.

The board passed a motion to amend a dangerous structure ordinance that will allow the township to place a lien against residents who don't take proper care of their properties. The revised ordinance also will give supervisors authority to deny municipal permits to owners of dangerous structures.

Township manager Joseph Springer reported the township received approximately $5,000 from Centax bonding company for expenses incurred by the township when it paid Centax to collect earned income tax. The collection agency declared bankruptcy and ceased operations Sept. 21, 2012.

Supervisors tabled the issue of purchasing a new police vehicle. The township, which is considering purchasing a Ford Taurus or Ford utility vehicle, has $35,000 in the police budget for capital equipment purchases.

Supervisors directed Shadduck and Kerstetter to contact PennDOT about an unpaved grate in front of Farnsworth Camping Center along Route 54 (Market Street).

An executive session was held at the end of the meeting for land acquisition and litigation matters.

Supervisors in attendance were chairman Daniel Williams, William "Chip" Wetzel, Stephen Major and Vince Daubert. Blaine Madara was absent.

LANCASTER - Deborah Burge, of Mount Carmel, was among the 196 graduates of Lancaster Bible College Capital Seminary and Graduate School who received degrees or certificates at the annual commencement exercises on Saturday, May 10, and Saturday, May 17. Burge received a Bachelor of Science in education in early childhood education and a Bachelor of Arts in biblical studies.

CATAWISSA - Board members at the Southern Columbia Area School Board meeting were shocked to hear their sports insurance premiums may quadruple.

Last year, the district spent $14,193 on sports insurance that covers student athlete injuries that occur during a sanctioned sporting event or practice.

Lanny Diltz, the district's account manager from Yoder Insurance, said at Monday's meeting that equivalent insurance would run the district around $60,000 for the 2014-15 season, but that the district would have to choose a different, less comprehensive plan because the company will not offer the school's current plan.

"I've been doing this 35 years and this is the highest premiums I've ever seen," said Diltz.

The jump in premiums and change in coverage results from the number of claims the school filed over the past four years.

The loss ratio on the policy for the 2013-14 year was 200 percent. Loss ratios on the 2012-13, 2011-12 and 2010-11 years were 371 percent, 591 percent and 74 percent, respectively.

Diltz said the high number of claims was caused by students who have no regular health insurance.

When a student receives medical treatment for an injury received during a practice or game, the student's primary medical coverage is applied first. The district's sports insurance is designed to pick up the remaining charges.

Students who have no health insurance, though, have been billing their sports-related injuries directly to the school's sports insurance, causing the number of claims and the total cost of claims to skyrocket.

The school district offers a student insurance plan that provides basic medical coverage to students. The cost is approximately $30 for coverage during school hours and around $120 for 24 hour coverage.

The current student insurance plan covers all sports except for high school football.

Three serious football injuries - two knee injuries that occurred to one person and one shoulder injury to another athlete - make up the bulk of the claims in the 2013-14 season.

The board discussed several options of lowering claim amounts to control premium increases in the futures. Requiring all student athletes to have personal health insurance was an option considered, but board members were unsure about the legality of such a rule.

Diltz said that currently no injury reports were being filed so it was difficult to suggest a solution to preventing injuries. He suggested that if athletic trainer Katie Fisher was unavailable, the team coaches should fill out an incident report to help track claims.

The board is also interested in speaking with Fisher for suggestions on cutting back on injuries or high cost claims, like those that require multiple physical therapy sessions.

Sports insurance is not required by law, but the board members were interested in continuing some form of coverage.

Prospective plans for the 2014-15 year were $49,000 for a two-year benefit period plan, $45,000 for a one-year benefit period plan, $45,600 for a two-year benefit plan with 80/20 coinsurance and $38,000 for a one-year benefit plan with 80/20 coinsurance.

A decision on the insurance needs to be made before the 2014-15 season kicks off Aug. 11.

KULPMONT - A resident of the borough informed council Tuesday night that he intends to challenge the loan application for the borough's new municipal complex.

Walter Lutz, a resident of Oak Street, informed the board of his intentions during the public comment portion of borough council's meeting.

"I took a visit to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and read everything in the file, which is about a foot thick," Lutz said. "I had issues with several things in the file, so it is my intention to contact the Inspector General's office to issue a challenge to review a number of issues in the file."

Lutz said Wednesday he is waiting for a response from the department on how to file the protest and under what parameters he can do so.

"I am just looking for everyone to just calm down and look at everything with great detail and an open mind," Lutz said Wednesday.

One item that Lutz didn't like in the file, he said, was a letter sent by Kulpmont Borough Council president Bruno Varano to the federal agency.

"The letter states that the population of Kulpmont is greatly in favor of the project with only two residents in opposition," Lutz said. "I think if you look at (Robert) Chesney's petitions, there are a few more that are against the plan that just two."

Chesney spoke at Tuesday's night meeting, complaining that council is ignoring the 300 signatures he got on a petition against the building project, which will put a new borough hall and garage on a lot in the 800 block of Fir Street, and another 134 that signed during an exit poll he took at a polling place during the primary election in May.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which has awarded the borough a $1.47 million loan for the engineering and construction of the complex, may not be the only organization that hears from Lutz.

"I'm going to make a visit to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture to look over the plans," Lutz said. "During a heavy rain, that site turns into a duckpond, but they were going to blacktop the area, but I want to see what will happen with the drainage and where the rainwater will go."

In other business

- The board voted 4-2 to sell the lot at 916 Chestnut St., the former David Dubbs property, to Eastern Enterprises Inc., for $2,560. Members Stephanie Niglio, Nicholas Bozza, Philip Scicchitano and Bruno Varano voted yes, and members Stephen Motyka and Joe Winhofer voted no.

"I just want to remind everyone that $9,000 of taxpayer money was used to clean that building up and $100,000 in fines were wiped clean on this property," Winhofer said before the vote.

The money from the sale will be returned to Northumberland County, who loaned Kulpmont the money to clean up the fire debris from the lot.

- Borough council also approved the advertisement for bids for streets to be paved in the near future. Service/facilities chair Nicholas Bozza reported that the borough has between $50,000 and $55,000 in its budget for street paving this year, but will decide what two or three streets will be done this year with that money.

- It was announced that the borough food surplus distribution will be held from 8 a.m. to noon Thursday, June 26. Other notable events in the borough this month will be the Kulpmont Community Yard Sale Saturday, June 21 and the Great Kulpmont Cruise Sunday, June 22.

Susquehanna Valley gas prices fell slightly to $3.73 a gallon this week, according to AAA East Central.

On the National Front

The national average price for regular unleaded gasoline was $3.65 per gallon Tuesday. This time last year, consumers were paying two cents less at the pump ($3.63), and the national average was beginning to trend downward toward the summer low of $3.47 (July 7, 2013).

The price at the pump in 35 states has remained relatively stable (+/- 2 cents) over the past seven days, and only two states are posting fluctuations of more than a nickel, both to the downside: Kentucky (-6 cents), and Ohio (-12 cents). Motorists in 31 states are paying a year-over-year premium, and of this total more than half are paying an additional 10 cents or more per gallon, led by Pennsylvania (+25 cents), Nevada (+21 cents), South Carolina (+19 cents).

Market watchers continue to monitor the ongoing unrest in Libya and Ukraine, and its impact on global crude prices. Additionally, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has a meeting scheduled for this week and the proceedings will be closely monitored to see if there are any indications that production levels will be adjusted in the near future.

At the close of formal trading on the NYMEX on Monday, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil settled $1.75 higher at $104.41 per barrel, which is the highest settlement since March 3.

(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 - $3.728

Average price during the week of June 2, 2014 - $3.754

Average price during the week of June 11, 2013 - $3.453

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

Lewisburg......... $3.730

Mifflinburg....... $3.759

Milton................ $3.702

Selinsgrove....... $3.719

Shamokin......... $3.735

Sunbury............. $3.723

COAL TOWNSHIP - A May protest at the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area didn't draw a crowd, but it did cost Coal Township $1,504.23 to have eight officers on scene.

Township commissioners point the finger at protest organizer Matt Reidinger. They say he encouraged others to join him in committing the crime of defiant trespass, creating a need for police to be prepared for a large turnout.

Commissioner Gene Welsh said at the June 5 board meeting that the township will review the situation, "and hopefully we can do something there." He expanded further Wednesday, saying that while he didn't think the township could charge Reidinger to cover the cost, the commissioners should work with the township solicitor to see how they could respond if the situation were to arise again.

Reidinger, 31, of Coal Township, said Friday his message all along was that the May 3 protest would be peaceful, and that he was in "constant contact" with township police leading up to the protest.

He believes the township went "overboard" with the police presence, and that he regrets the cost incurred by taxpayers.

"They were turning this into something it wasn't," Reidinger said. "I don't want to see taxpayer money wasted."

Eight township officers spent a combined 40 hours at the AOAA - 10 hours for two officers on duty and 30 hours of overtime for six other officers. They were backed by a sheriff's deputy for about 6 hours - an estimated cost of $150 including mileage and insurance, according to the sheriff's office. A state trooper on duty was on scene a short while and left because there was no protest to monitor.

Opposing views

Reidinger attempted to organize a protest in opposition to the county government's control of the 6,500-acre park. He turned to Facebook to rally others in the community who were like-minded. A stretch of land at the park was designated for protesters - a safety precaution, officials said. Reidinger said some planned to peacefully cross the line onto the AOAA property and comply with officers if placed under arrest for defiant trespass. He likened it to civil disobedience.

Police Chief William Carpenter didn't see it that way, saying Reidinger invited people to break the law.

"Matt Reidinger made it clear he was going to defiantly trespass onto that property. He wanted to be charged. That's not a peaceful protest, that's committing a crime," Carpenter said during the June 5 meeting.

Civil defiance

The protest never materialized. Reidinger thinks the police presence contributed.

"They went out to intimidate people, that amount of police presence, and it worked," Reidinger said.

John Burd, a Coal Township resident and chairman of the Susquehanna Valley Civil Libertarian party, supports Reidinger. Despite the criminal act being phrased as "defiant trespass," he said Reidinger's intent was not to behave outrageously.

"Nobody said anything about any violence or anything that would require a $1,500 expenditure from the township," Burd said during the meeting.

Carpenter said no one could predict the behavior of any protesters assembled that day, and the police presence was justified. Township manager Rob Slaby said even if a group were peacefully disobedient, such as sitting in a line across the park road, if the group of protesters was large enough, it would take more than two officers to handle the situation.

Commissioner George Zalar said citizens have a right to protest, but if defiant trespass is threatened the police department has to "prepare for the worst."

Money spent

Both Welsh and Zalar said the money could have been spent for better purposes.

Reidinger agrees. Further, he said the township commissioners must move to enact a proposed amusement tax on the AOAA to cover anticipated road maintenance costs. The AOAA authority has asked for the tax to be delayed at least one year to allow it to get up and running, but the township will have to maintain the road in the winter.

As to wasting money, Reidinger sees the commissioners' unwritten policy allowing township employees to use equipment for personal purposes as a serious waste that should be stopped.

Welsh said such practice is on a case-by-case basis.

"If someone goes the extra mile for us, I don't think it's totally wrong to go the extra mile for them," he said.

Free oral cancer screenings Friday

COAL TOWNSHIP - Owens Dentistry, Shamokin, will perform free oral cancer screenings during Friday's Relay for Life event at Shamokin Area's Kemp Memorial Stadium. The screenings will be offered 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 7 p.m., in partnership with The Oral Cancer Foundation in honor of Oral Cancer Awareness Month.

Is God fair?

Why a caring God would come to the aid of some but not all will be discussed at Lifetree Cafe programs this coming week in Elysburg and Shamokin.

The program, titled "Does God Play Favorites? Why Would a Caring God Bless Some and Not Others?" features the filmed stories of people affected by a devastating fire.

Some residents describe how their house was "miraculously" spared, while others tell how their possessions were lost in a forest fire. Admission to the 60-minute event is free. Snacks and beverages are available.

The program will be presented from 7 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Elysburg Presbyterian Church, 320 W. Valley Ave., Elysburg, and from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday, June 19, at 531 N. Market St., Shamokin.

For more information, contact Kathy Vetovich at 570-672-9346 or kvetovich@gmail.com.

Shamokin

Code Office

Calls 42

Property visits 36

Citations 28

Walk-in complaints 13

Police calls 2

Fire calls 2

Warnings 7

Health inspections 4

Building permits $808

Dumpster permits $175

Excavation $9,985

Health inspections $400

Landlord/tenant $350

Market stall permits $150

Paid parking $119

Code tickets $150

Second hand goods $100

Planning application $100

Citation revenue $428.54

Total $12,665.54

Police Department

Criminal complaints 31

Traffic citations 44

Non-traffic citations 28

Warnings 9

Parking tickets 162

Calls 1,192

Miles 3,338

Sweeper tickets 189

Code tickets 40

Coal Township

Police Department

Complaints 343

Miles 7,570

Abandoned vehicles/abated 10/9

Vehicle accidents 13

Parking tickets 18

Complaints, citations 43

Traffic citations 99

Code tickets 5

Total arrests 165

Fire department

Accidents, mutual aid 3

Accidents 1

Automatic fire alarm 1

Carbon Monoxide incident 1

Fire bush 1 mutual aid

Fire dwelling 2 (1 mutual aid)

2nd alarm 2

Fire, unknown 1

Fire investigations 1 (2 mutual aid)

Police assist 1

Rescue-search detail 1

Stand-by, event 2

Training, 1

Friday

10 a.m. - Relay begins.

10 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Entertainment by Hazleton Our Town Radio DJ.

11 a.m. - Food stand open for lunch.

11 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Owens Dentistry free oral cancer screening.

11:30 a.m. to noon - Performance by the Motivation Station.

Noon to 2 p.m. - Live broadcast from Bill 95 FM.

1 to 3 p.m. - Performance by Red Halo.

3 to 7 p.m. - Owens Dentistry free oral cancer screening.

3:30 to 5 p.m. - Performance by Haela.

4 p.m. - Survivor registration begins.

4 to 9 p.m. - Ms. Relay Contest.

4 to 8 p.m. - Bounce house from Arctic Igloo will be open.

5 p.m. - Opening lap with all teams participating.

5:30 p.m. - Opening ceremony with the national anthem by Angelica Masser, an invocation and an inspirational message from Rep. Kurt Masser.

5:45 p.m. - Linda's Crew team skit.

6 p.m. - Survivors and caregivers lap, dinner for survivors and caregivers with words from honorary survivor Linda Reed.

7 to 9 p.m. - Performance by Pandora.

7 to 9 p.m. - Pepe Ice Cream truck.

9:30 p.m. - Luminaria service.

10 p.m. - Ms. Relay crowning.

10 p.m. to midnight - Performance by We the Assembly.

Saturday

Midnight to 4 a.m. - DJ Mike Slodysko.

6 a.m. - Breakfast at the food stand.

8 a.m. - Zumba on the field.

8:45 a.m. - Basket raffle drawing.

9 a.m. - Butterfly registration/pick-up.

9:30 a.m. - Butterfly release.

9:55 a.m. - Closing ceremony/final lap.

KULPMONT - Once again, tempers flared at the Kulpmont Borough Council meeting Tuesday between citizen Robert Chesney and council president Bruno Varano over the lack of information being given to the public on the new municipal building project.

In past flareups, Chesney waited until the public comment period at the end of the meeting to address the board. This time, he commented at the beginning with criticism of items that are on the agenda, specifically the opening prayer council reads at the start of the meeting.

"Part of your prayer at the beginning deals with the satisfaction of the citizens. I really think you have let that part down, especially in the last year and a half, two years in this council chamber," Chesney said.

Chesney continues to question council about the fact that it has been two years since council had a meeting to invite public input on the building project. Varano has been at odds with Chesney, with Varano saying the discussion is getting old.

"You say its getting old for you, well, its getting old for us, too," Chesney said. "It is old and tiring that we cannot come to grips with getting a meeting and trying to get some information as to how much has been spent without one shovel of dirt being taken out."

Chesney also criticized the fact that there has been no reports on the agenda on the building project in many months.

Varano then fired back saying, "You come here month after month, and you ask for this and asked for that and we've given you..."

"Nothing," Chesney interrupted.

"What do you mean nothing?" Varano said. "You asked us to take the basement out, to get seniors and the weight room out of the building. We minimized everything and up to this point, you have not given us one alternative."

"The biggest problem that we have, the one thing you haven't given us, is a time or another meeting on a $1.4 million building project," Chesney said. "None since July 2012."

"We had the meeting and not one taxpayer showed up. The community didn't care," Varano said.

"Maybe, if I would have seen that no one showed up, that would have told me to have another meeting," Chesney said. "This is critical for our economy. Maybe when you give me the final figure about how much has been spent before a shovel of dirt comes out of the ground, then we'll see."

At that point, other councilmembers entered the discussion.

"Every meeting here is critical for the residents of Kulpmont, every month. It doesn't matter what the topic. Why are the landlords not here anymore every month? Because nothing's critical to them anymore," Stephanie Niglio said.

"Why not ask the taxpayers about the money to heat this place? Are you okay with spending another $30,000 to heat this building in the winter?" Nicholas Bozza said. "That's three mills."

Chesney was pleased with the argument going on saying, "This is what we should have been doing a year and a half ago."

"But you weren't here a year and a half ago," Niglio answered. "You are only here five months out of the year, and try to make up for the lost time."

The discussion ended and the meeting went on, with Chesney reiterating his point about only having one meeting about the project. There was no argument in the second discussion, lasting only about a minute.

MOUNT CARMEL - The Mount Carmel Elks Lodge No. 356 will conduct its annual Flag Day ceremony at the Town Park gazebo at 1 p.m. Saturday. Attendees are asked to bring their lawn chairs.

The idea of a Flag Day service was first suggested to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (BPOE) by the then Grand Exalted Ruler at the 1907 Grand Lodge session in Philadelphia. Of the dates submitted for consideration at the time, June 14 was adopted by the session and was called "Elks Flag Day." The following year, the Grand Lodge approved a ritual for the Flag Day ceremony.

In 1911, the Grand Lodge made the observance of Flag Day mandatory for subordinate lodges by the adoption of the statute that states: "It shall be the duty of each subordinate lodge to hold the service known as 'Flag Day Services' at the time and in the manner prescribed by the ritual of the Order."

It wasn't until Aug. 3, 1949, when President Harry S. Truman, a member of the Elks, made the proclamation that June 14 would be a day of national observance for the symbol of the United States of America.

The BPOE was not only the first fraternal organization to celebrate Flag Day, but had made this ceremony mandatory years before the date on which the observance became a nationwide practice by legal decree.

Boy Scout Troop No. 174 will assist lodge officers with conducting this year's program by presenting the flags that were used throughout the history of our country. The guest speaker will be Edward Teevan, a past exalted ruler and current trustee of the Mount Carmel Elks Lodge. Teevan is a federal employee working for the Center for Disease Control. He was part of the disaster medical team at the site of the World Trade Center destruction on Sept. 11, 2001, in New York City.

The ceremony is open to the public and all are invited to attend this patriotic program.

Knights of Columbus 14161

ELYSBURG - The monthly meeting of the Elysburg Knights of Columbus Council 14161 was held May 14 with the following activities discussed.

The Easter Egg Hunt was held April 13 at Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Church with a luncheon served to 140 youngsters and their parents after the hunt. Bevo Forti and Vic Lisiewski organized the event.

The 13 Week Party was held April 27 at the Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Social Hall. Two hundred and ten people attended the event that featured food and music. Dave McAnnaney was the chairman for this 13 Week Club, which sold a total of 322 tickets.

The Appreciation Breakfast for members of Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Church, shows the Knights' appreciation for the support the parishioners show throughout the year. Ed Gappa and Bevo Forti were the organizers.

The annual scholarship recipient was announced at the breakfast. The Scholarship Committee chose John Stanishefski out of the five entries that will graduate this year. Stanishefski completed the essay, volunteered service to the church and is a son of a Knights of Columbus member belonging to Council 14161. Stanishefski also became a member of the Knights of Columbus recently.

Grand Knight Dave Mrozowski presented the scholarship and certificate to Stanishefski at the May meeting of the Elysburg Council 14161.

A bus trip to see the Phillies play Sunday is being organized by Lou Odorizzi and Don Purcell.

The annual picnic for Knights and their families will be Aug. 10 at the Elysburg Fish and Game Picnic Grounds.

SHAMOKIN - The first-ever Coal Region Relay for Life is ready to go, according to organizers who joined two communities together in the fight against cancer.

Teams from Shamokin and Mount Carmel will converge at Kemp Memorial Stadium from 10 a.m. Friday until 10 a.m. Saturday for the annual event that raises money for the American Cancer Society.

"At the last count, we have 21 teams and more than 200 participants that will be part of the Coal Region Relay for Life," co-chair Joe Phillips said. "We have a lot more participants than last year, so that's a great sign."

Phillips and his co-chair, Heather Fernandez, of Trevorton, are inviting community members from Shamokin, Mount Carmel and everywhere in between to come out to the stadium and be a part of the event.

"You don't have to walk laps or raise money," Fernandez said. "We are trying to bring the communities together, raise awareness and have some fun in the mean time."

Some of the special events coming to this year's Relay includes the survivors and caregivers lap at 6 p.m. Registration starts at 4 p.m. at the stadium. Those in Mount Carmel that want to participate but need a ride can call Phillips at 570-850-0810 and a van will pick them up and bring them to Shamokin.

The luminaria service will begin at 9:30 p.m. Friday and the butterfly release will be held at 9:30 a.m. Saturday.

"The butterflies are $10 each and can be done in honor or memory of someone," Phillips.

Walkers at the Relay will be invited to try to join the "Catherine Reed 100 lap club."

"If you purchase a lap counter band for $3, you add a bead for every lap you do," Fernandez said. "Those that reach 100 laps, a distance of 25 miles, will receive a special t-shirt we designed for members of the club."

Reed, of Shamokin, said she began participating in the relay because several members of her family have been stricken with cancer through the years.

Throughout the event, bands such as Haela, Pandora and We the Assembly will perform, along with a number of DJs.

"We want to thank all of the bands and the DJs for donating their time to help our cause," Phillips said.

Relay for Life is not only about raising money, but awareness. Information about several American Cancer Society programs will be available, and Dr. J.C. Owens, a Shamokin dentist, will provide a free oral cancer screening from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday.

For those who can't attend the Relay in Shamokin, the annual Bark for Life event will be held in Mount Carmel's Town Park at 3 p.m. Saturday, June 21.

COAL TOWNSHIP - Police are continuing to search for a 15-year-old girl who was reported missing by her parents at 6 p.m. Sunday.

Police said Annette Price, of 849 W. Spruce St., failed to return home after being sent on an errand to Weis Markets in Shamokin.

Price is 5 feet, 2 inches tall and weighs 165 pounds. She has green eyes and blonde hair and was last seen wearing a black tank top with white stripes, jean shorts and possibly black sneakers. At the time she was last seen, Price was not wearing glasses or jewelry.

Coal Township police urge anyone with information about Price to contact them immediately at 570-644-0333.

HARRISBURG - A $5 ticket brought a $100,000 windfall to an Ashland woman, according to records released by the Pennsylvania Lottery and the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue.

April Wytovich, of Ashland, won $100,000 on a $5 Cro$$word 5x ticket in April.

James Kodack, Shamokin, claimed a $30,000 price on the $30 Three Million instant ticket.

The highest winner in number game drawings during April was Maryann Elhossary, of Mount Carmel, who won $10,000 in a Powerball drawing.

In March, lottery players claimed $214,089 of prizes of $1,000 or more. This puts the year-to-date total at $458,794.

Winners, by town name, are:

Ashland

- April Wytovich, $100,000, Cro$$word 5x, $5 ticket.

- Kenneth Thomas, $1,000, Match for Cash, $5.

- William Nahobil, $1,000, Three Million, $30.

- Brenda Holmes, $1,000, Three to Win, $2.

- Frank Mattis, $2,500, Big 4 (night), 50-cent bet.

Catawissa

- Raymond Danilowicz, $1,000, $1,000,000 Diamond Dazzler, $20.

- Wanda Shadle, $1,000, Crazy Wild Ca$h, $10.

- Wanda Shadle, $1,000, Max-A-Million, $20.

- Ken Beisswanger, $1,000, Neon 9s, $10.

- Henry Musselman, $1,000, Three Million, $30.

Coal Township

- Margaret Roman, $1,000, Aces and 8s, $5.

- Deborah Kalejta, $1,000, Crazy Wild Ca$h, $10.

- Sandra Davies, $1,000, Bullseye Bucks, $3.

- Francis Sobotor, $1,000, Match for Cash, $5.

- Christine Dworchak, $1,000, Million $$ Match, $20.

- James Searls, $1,000, Million Dollar Multiplier, $20.

- Alicia Herb, $1,000, Three Million, $30.

- Brittany Hartz, $1,000, Pyramid Riches, $3.

- Rickey Miller, $1,000, Three Million, $30.

- Chad Brokenshire, $1,000, Three Million, $30.

- Steven Wilson, $1,000, Three Million, $30.

- David Hine, $1,000, Three Million, $30.

- William Marcheskie of Coal Township, $2,500, Big 4 (night), 50 cent bet.

- Louise Sahonick, $2,500, Big 4 (night), 50 cent bet.

- Patrick Switaj, $1,005, Match 6, $1 bet.

Dalmatia

- Joanne Bitting, $1,005, Match 6, $1 bet.

Danville

- Alvah Carl, $1,000, $10,000 a Month for Life, $5.

- Paul Diehl, $1,000, $10,000 a Month for Life, $5.

- William Nuss, $1,000, Crossword Time, $3.

- Eileen Lynn, $1,000, Gold Mine, $3.

- Andrew Brown, $1,000, Million Dollar Multiplier, $20.

- Jennifer Merrill, $1,000, Neon 9s, $10.

- David Shultz, $2,524, Match 6, $1 bet.

- Gidget Brecht, $1,050, Match 6, $1 bet.

- Jacqueline Woolcock, $1,005, Match 6, $1 bet.

Dornsife

- Patrick Flynn, $1,000, Max-A-Million, $20.

Elysburg

- Steven Servose, $1,000, $1 Million Spectacular, $20.

- James Moncavage, $1,000, Winning 777, $10.

Kulpmont

- Frank Doone, $1,000, Monopoly, $5.

- Charles Dakshaw, $2,500, Mega Millions with megaplier, $2 bet.

Mount Carmel

- Betty Stoner, $1,000, Bingo Star, $5.

- Gerald Delaney, $1,000, Crazy Wild Ca$h, $10.

- Raymond Bartosic, $1,000, Cro$$word 5x, $3.

- Christopher Slodysko, $1,000, Crossword Time, $3.

- Gerald Delaney, $1,000, Million Dollar Multiplier, $20.

- Barbara Weikel, $1,000, Neon 9s, $10.

- Julia Barron, $1,000, Neon 9s, $10.

- Roxann Hall, $1,000, Three Million, $30.

- Christine Shearn, $2,500, Big 4 (night), 50 cent bet.

- Maryann Elhossary, $10,000, Powerball, $2 bet.

Paxinos

- Annmarie General, $1,000, Bingo Plus, $3.

- Susan Mower, $1,000, Million Dollar Multiplier, $20.

- Robert Leshinski, $2,500, Big 4 (night), 50-cent bet.

- William Wysock, $1,000, Three Million, $30.

Shamokin

- Victoria Wood, $1,000, Crazy Wild Ca$h, $10.

- Jody Pensyl, $1,000, Crazy Wild Ca$h, $10.

- Brian Swank, $1,000, Crossword Time, $3.

- Karen Buranich, $1,000, Gold Mine, $3.

- Rosemary Albertini, $1,000, Match for Cash, $5.

- Michael Schneider, $1,000, Max-A-Million, $20.

- David Marcheski, $1,000, Million $$ Match, $30.

- Gary Bramhall, $1,000, Monopoly Jackpot, $5.

- James Kodack, $30,000, Three Million, $30.

- James Kodak, $1,000, Winning 777, $10.

- Jessica Wilk, $1,000, Three Million, $30.

- Brian Villari, two wins of $2,500, Big 4 (night), 50-cent bet.

ZERBE TOWNSHIP - The following motions were approved and passed by Zerbe Township supervisors during Monday's meeting:

- To approve Kreco Electric Inc., to change wiring from three-phase to one-phase at the recreation area at a quote of $1,335.62.

- To approve requests by LMES-Social Worker, the LM CSIU, LMES Barb Manning and LMES.

- A donation from the Anthracite Trail Riders for $703 to the Trevorton Fire Company. Supervisor Gene Geise amended the original proposal to split the money between the fire company and Trevorton Ambulance because only the fire company provided support during the fundraising ride, which resulted in the approval. Geise then abstained from the vote due to his affiliation with the ambulance company.

- A request from St. Patrick Church to use the picnic tables from pavilions B and C for its annual block party Aug. 8 and 9.

- A request from Trevorton Ambulance to take the company's side-by-side to Sunbury July 12 to assist Americus Ambulance from 8 to 11 a.m. Geise abstained.

- A request from Trevorton Heritage Society to remove non-supporting interior cinder block walls at the former pool building. Supervisors were assured a structural engineer had examined the walls and determined they were non-supporting.

- Oct. 11 as the date for this year's fall festival. The parade will kick off the festival at 11 a.m. and the events will end at 6 p.m. Cristy Stiely is the chairperson.

- Purchasing a gear reduction box for the sewer, with a cost not to exceed $5,000. The equipment will not work with the new sewer system but the current treatment system will not work without the part.

RALPHO TOWNSHIP - The owner of a trucking company whose tractor-trailer was involved in a four-vehicle crash more than a year ago that critically injured a New York man has been charged by state police and Ralpho Township police with 17 violations.

Joshua Seth Kovaschetz, 34, of 2273 Mile Hill Road, Sunbury, owner of Kovaschetz Trucking LLC, P.O. Box 301, Sunbury, could be fined more than $4,000 after being charged with a misdemeanor of recklessly endangering another person and 16 summary equipment violations involving his tractor-trailer in a March 25, 2013, crash on Route 54 near Farnsworth Camping Center.

The vehicle was operated by David P. McGuinn, of Paxinos, who has not been charged.

The accident left Richard Shaw, of Johnson City, N.Y., confined to a wheelchair and also caused serious injuries to his wife, Brenda. The rig rear-ended Shaw's car, causing it to strike another vehicle nearly head-on.

In an August 2013 article, Shaw was critical of Kovaschetz and Ralpho Township police for not charging McGuinn.

Four vehicles

According to a report issued by Ralpho Township police shortly after the accident, Shaw was driving a Ford Mustang east about 2:30 p.m. when it was rear-ended by a tractor-trailer driven by McGuinn.

The collision forced the Ford into the westbound lane, where it collided head-on with a Toyota Prius driven by David L. Wolfe, of South Sixth Street, Shamokin. The Prius was subsequently rear-ended by a Dodge Dakota driven by Ricardo Contreras, of Hart Road, Danville.

The Shaws and Wolfe were extricated from their vehicles by emergency responders.

Wolfe and two passengers, his wife, Judith Wolfe, and their son, David, all suffered injuries.

McGuinn and Contreras were not injured.

Shaw, who pursued legal action against Kovaschetz Trucking LLC, said he and his wife together suffered about 25 broken bones in the accident.

"I just don't understand how the tractor-trailer driver (McGuinn) failed to stop in time," Shaw said in August. "I was stopped and turning left and had my turn signal on. A witness verified all that, but the tractor-trailer left no brake marks on the highway, indicating the driver never intended to stop. There was no reason for him to slam into me."

Charges

In addition to recklessly endangering, Kovaschetz is charged with violations involving an automatic air brake adjustment system, clamp brake adjustments and tire tread; having holes in the truck's spring brake housing, allowing the trailer to have an inoperable license plate light; having defective brakes; not having required upper body markings/reflective material on the rear of the tractor-trailer or a required lower bumper bar marking/reflective material on the rear of the trailer; failure to have insurance and allowing the vehicle to be operated after it was deemed out of service from an inspection March 21, 2013.

The charges were filed by Pennsylvania State Police Cpl. George Ritchey and Ralpho Township Sgt. Chris Kreisher at the office of Magisterial District Judge Hugh Jones in Mount Carmel.

Kovaschetz is scheduled to face a preliminary hearing on the charges before Jones July 23.

MANDATA - In addition to an 8-0 vote to pass the 2014-15 budget with no millage increase in taxes, the Line Mountain School District Board of Directors discussed and voted on nearly four dozen other agenda items. Director Dennis Erdman was absent from the meeting, which lasted late into Tuesday night. Among the highlights:

Tim Lagerman, director of plant and operations, presented a list of items that needed to be repaired or replaced on the district's property. The sign in front of the elementary school in Trevorton needs to be partially or wholly replaced to reflect the change in name from Trevorton Elementary School to Line Mountain Elementary School, he said. The design Lagerman presented for the new sign did not please the board and he will present additional plans at the next board meeting. The cost to replace the necessary portion is an estimated $380.

The brickwork on the front of the Line Mountain Middle/High School needs to be repointed. Lagerman said 100 percent of the brick required repointing and the aesthetic appearance of the front of the building would improve greatly from the work.

A salt storage facility is awaiting a redesign due to a necessary increase in height. The building will cost an estimated $20,500 and will allow the district to purchase and store salt in anticipation of winter weather.

A set of metal security doors in a Roman gate or shutter grill style are needed to secure the cafeteria. Superintendent David M. Campbell said the primary purpose of the gates would be to secure students in the cafeteria in the event of an intruder. Lagerman estimated the cost at $4,100 for all cafeteria doors.

Recreation

The board debated at length the cost of replacing playground mulch annually and installing a rubber mat with a higher up-front cost and asked Lagerman to research the matter further. Lagerman had presented information that installing a rubber mat would cost what the board perceived to be an exorbitant amount. Director Lauren Hackenburg cited other area playgrounds that had used such a rubber mat and asked Lagerman to research where these were purchased to see if they could find a more affordable supplier.

Purchasing new scoreboards for athletic fields will be held off until the outdoor electrical system is upgraded to handle the increase in wattage.

Lagerman said it would cost $4,585.15 to replace the baseball backstops, which are original from the creation of the fields. The baseball boosters would handle the installation. The board approved the purchase.

The board tabled a discussion on purchasing a new portable sound system at a cost of $1,111.49. Lagerman said the system would be used to make announcements at sporting events. Board president Troy Laudenslager said he does not feel the equipment was necessary, but Campbell said the system would also be used for graduation, and equipment was borrowed for this year's graduation because the existing system had problems.

The board approved purchasing a new golf cart at a cost not to exceed $4,600. Laudenslager said if a dealer offered a trade on the existing golf cart that would bring the sum paid for a slightly more expensive cart below this amount, that would also be acceptable.

Insurance

Nathan T. Troutman, insurance broker for Deibeler, Straub and Troutman, Inc., (DST) presented recommendations at the meeting for the district to renew several plans. The board approved renewing property, general liability, school leaders, automobile, inland marine, crime, equipment breakdown and umbrella coverage through DST for $63,264. Troutman said the amount decreased by $3,733, or less than one percent, due to the district selling the Dalmatia and Leck Kill properties.

The board also approved renewing sports accident and student accident insurance coverage through DST. The rate rose by $1,000 due to an approximately 100 percent claim ratio, which Troutman said was an abnormality in the district's trend.

Workers compensation insurance coverage was also approved for renewal through DST. The amount rose 18 percent to $37,424 due to claims.

Troutman discussed an environmental impairment liability policy with the board. The policy, which provides $1 million in coverage with a $10,000 deductible per claim, costs $7,324.86 and would cover the Line Mountain Elementary and Line Mountain Middle/High School. The board tabled the discussion until Troutman provided additional details concerning what would be covered under the plan. Troutman said the plan would not have covered the Dalmatia Elementary School heating oil spill that occurred in February because the system was antiquated.

Sunday activities

A discussion on approving the use of Line Mountain High School facilities lasted late into the night. Campbell said he thought the board should limit Sunday activities and that he could remember a time when the board did not approve anything on Sundays because it was considered family time.

"I guess I'm being a stubborn old coot," said Campbell.

Other board members agreed the number of activities on Sundays had grown at an unreasonable pace. Laudenslager said the Line Mountain Elementary field hockey team had requested use of the fields every Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Sept. 7 to Nov. 1, which he feels is excessive. Campbell said he thought that permitting the requests allowed other schools that did not permit Sunday activity to abuse the policy by hosting all matches at Line Mountain.

Coaches salaries

The following coaches and salaries were approved by the Line Mountain School Board of Directors Tuesday: Michael Martz, head varsity wrestling coach, $2,980; Charles Johnson, assistant wrestling coach, $2,380; Darin Keim, junior high head wrestling coach, $1,615; Robert Renn, junior high assistant wrestling coach, $2,335; Michael Reed, head varsity girls basketball coach, $3,280; Jon Raker, assistant girls basketball coach, $2,470; Craig Reichard, head varsity boys basketball coach, $2,080; Pjay Hunsberger, assistant boys basketball coach, $1,570; Williard Reed, junior high head boys basketball coach, $1,190; Heather Kieffer, head field hockey coach, $2,980, and Danielle Jacukowicz, assistant fall cheerleading coach, $1,120.