Editor's note: Andrew and Robert Wislock, of Shamokin, provided this latest story of their hiking adventures and the sharing of time between father and son in honor of Father's Day.

They keep you coming back.

The White Mountains of New Hampshire have a strange allure that invites you back for more challenges to hike their slopes. Like we did last year, we arrived near North Conway in mid-May and discussed some possible treks with seasoned hikers in town. They advised us to stay with the hiking treks in the southern part of the White Mountain National Forest and not to venture in the northern section; many of the northern mountains still had significant snow and ice on their trails. In fact, Mount Washington in the Presidential Range had snow down its slopes, and it had snowed the week before on this mountain.

A second reason to pursue the southern mountains was that their slopes are more gentle, and with the long winter, one's conditioning and endurance needs to be built up over a period of time.

The first mountain we attempted to hike was White Ledge on a sunny day with temperatures in the mid-70s. White Ledge near Iona Lake is a 2,010 foot high mountain and is a moderate hike which is four miles in length. After crossing two small brooks at the trailhead, the mountain ascends upward to a constantly rising grade. Suddenly, after one mile, the trail descends rapidly to level ground. This second part of the trail is very confusing because one expects the trail to keep rising.

This mountain surprised us again when we began to ascend the mountain upward for another mile. The mountain then opens up into large granite fields with excellent views of the nearby mountains and valleys.

After having lunch on the summit and enjoying the panoramic views, we began to descend the western side of the mountain, which was very rocky and steep. This early hike in the season certainly challenged our abilities and the lessons learned from last year.

With warm temperatures and steep slopes, the need to carry enough water and food to stay hydrated and keep your energy up throughout the trek and to use hiking poles to stabilize yourself are essential. In addition, the ability to enjoy hiking is to convince yourself that it is not a race to the top, to take necessary breaks on the trail and to enjoy discussions with your fellow hiker and the changing views of wildlife and plant life.

A trip to Maine's shore

To rest our legs for a day, we traveled 60 miles southward from North Conway to the city of Portland located on the Maine coastline. After enjoying an early lunch of a lobster roll, we took the ferry to Peaks Island on Casco Bay which is a 20-minute ride from the city.

This small island is dotted with quaint and beautiful homes along a rocky island coast. The island is home to bird sanctuaries and also antiquated World War II outposts guarding the harbor's entrance. The views of the Atlantic Ocean are magnificent with rolling waves over the large rocks.

Renting inexpensive bikes, we rode the paved and level streets along the shimmering blue waters of the bay and the ocean and relaxed at various rest stops along the way.

While we ferried back to Portland, the scene of Portland Head Lighthouse, which was built in 1790, stood out with its majestic tower peering out over the open Atlantic Ocean.

Returning to North Conway early the next day, we decided to hike two connecting trails and mountains in the Green Hills Preserve. This overall hike in the preserve was 5.1 miles in length.

The first mountain, known as Middle Mountain, is approximately 1,857 feet to the summit and it has a continuously rising trail. One of the outstanding features of this trail is the rushing and clear brook that runs from near the top of the mountain down to its trailhead. The excellent views from the summit allow hikers to see into the various valleys and mountains to the south, east and west

Coming midway down this trail, we connected with the Peaked Mountain Trail which led us to the summit of Peaked Mountain, which is 1,739 feet high. This trail climbs moderately uphill and then opens up into open mountain ledges with excellent views of the Presidential Mountain Range to the north. The Presidential Range consists of the highest mountain ranges in New Hampshire.

The mountains of New Hampshire and the coast of Maine do provide lasting impressions. But some of the most relaxing and peaceful moments are the simple things that you experience when you sit on a mountain ledge and look out over valleys. Seeing the waves continually crash over the rocky shores or riding a bike with your son with a gentle breeze blowing in your face: those are times that are meaningful and priceless.

Lock Haven University

LOCK HAVEN - Rachel H. Niglio, a daughter of Paul and Stephanie Niglio, of Kulpmont, graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in health sciences at Lock Haven University May 10.

She plans to further her education at Drexel University in the fall of this year. She is a granddaughter of Paul and Helene Niglio, Kulpmont, and the late Stephen and Josephine Nemchick.

Future plans

COAL TOWNSHIP- The guidance office of Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School, reported the future plans of members of the 2014 graduating class.

McCann School of Business

GIRARDVILLE - William Bittner, of 1 Wildcat Road, will major in computer networking and security at McCann School of Business.

William is a son of Kathleen Gilfert and Alan Gilfert, Dave Bittner Sr., and a grandson of Edward and Barbara McDonald, Linford Bittner Sr., and William and Donna Gilfert.

He is a member of the Eagle Scouts, and church youth group. His activities at Lourdes included, Boys Service Club, SADD and Respect Life.

Embry Riddle

COAL TOWNSHIP - Anthony Catino, of 1215 W. Spruce St., will major aeronautical science.

Anthony is a son of Wendy and Michael Catino, and grandson of Angela Wilkinson, Keith Troutman and Lorraine Catino.

He is a member of St. Patrick Church where he serves as an alter boy.

His activities at Lourdes included student council president, SADD officer, Boys Service Club officer, varsity soccer, math club and science club.

Bloomsburg University

MOUNT CARMEL - Riley Feese, of 21 S. Maple St., will major in computer science at Bloomsburg University.

Riley is a son of Amy and Todd Feese, and grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Dale Feese, Judith Polites, and the late Edward Polites.

He is a member of Divine Redeemer Church where he is a parish volunteer.

His activities while attending Lourdes include Boys Service Club, Respect Life, French club vice president, robotics club, choir, Lourdes singers, band, varsity soccer, math and science club, SADD, district jazz band and performing arts.

Lebanon Valley College

SHAMOKIN - Michael Gilger, of 137 S. Franklin St., will attend Lebanon Valley College undeclared.

Michael is a son of Mark and Paula Gilger, a grandson of the late Paul Polifka and Rose Polifka, and the late William Gilger and Elizabeth Gilger.

He is a member of Mother Cabrini Church where he served as an alter boy.

His activities at Lourdes include SADD, class president, captain of Our Lady of Lourdes basketball team and team captain of Mount Carmel Area football team.

SHAMOKIN - Aaron Greager, of 336 S. Diamond St., is a son of Leroy and Nancy Greager, and grandson to Lorraine Greager and the late Roy Greager, and the late Joseph and Jadwidge Petroski.

He is a member of Mother Cabrini Church.

Activities at Lourdes include SADD, Boys Service Club, robotics club, Respect Life, track and field and captain of the boys soccer team.

Luzerne County Community College

SHAMOKIN - Edward Harry Kurtz III, of 543 S. Seventh St., will attend Luzerne County Community College.

Edward is a son of Edward Harry Kurtz Jr. and Brandy Lee LaForme, and a grandson of Edward and Marie Kurtz, and Terry and Lisa LaForme.

His activities at Lourdes include band, chorus, SADD, district band and Respect Life.

SHAMOKIN - Daniel Kevin Menapace, of 1217 N. Pearl St., will major in surgical technology at Luzerne County Community College.

Daniel is a son of Ronald and Patricia Menapace, and grandson of Ann Latsha.

He is a member of Mother Cabrini Church where he helps at parish picnics and also helped with Manna for the Many.

His activities at Lourdes include SADD, student council treasurer, Boys Service club, sophomore class president and Respect Life.

Kutztown University

DORNSIFE - Wyatt Kenneth Hoffman, of 1419 Cherrytown Rd., will attend Kutztown University majoring in business or accounting.

Wyatt is a son of Kenneth and Diane Hoffman, and grandson of Eleanor Kunz and the late Gerald Kitz, and the late Charlotte and Woodrow Hoffman.

He is a member of St. Monica Church where he attended chicken BBQs and cleaned the church.

His activities at Lourdes included football, soccer, Student Council secretary, senior and junior class secretary, SADD, Respect Life and Boys Service Club.

He was a volunteer at Down's Society and Manna for the Many.

COAL TOWNSHIP - Cody Rothermel, of 1137 W. Willow St., is a son of Donna and Donald Rothermel, and the grandson of Henrietta Przekop and Charles Rothermel.

He is a member of St. Patrick Church.

His activities at Lourdes include SADD, Boys Service Club and Respect Life.

He often helped at the Manna for the Many.

Pennsylvania College of Technology

COAL TOWNSHIP - Alexia Wheary is attending Pennsylvania College of Technology.

Alexia is a daughter of Denise Wheary and Tim Purcell, of Coal Township, and granddaughter of Dorothy and Lawrence Morata.

She is a member of Holy Angels Church where she was in the youth and adult choir.

Her activities at Lourdes include SADD, Girls Action League officer, class officer, Respect Life, soccer and basketball.

COAL TOWNSHIP - Gabriella Richelle Long, of 1636 W. Lynn St., will major in radiology at Pennsylvania College of Technology.

Gabriella is a daughter of Peter and Kelly Long, and granddaughter of Wayne and Donna Reed, Mike and Kathy Long, Joe and Cindy Carta, and great-granddaughter of Carol Meisberger, and the late Pete and Betty Brown.

She is a member of Our Lady of Hope Church.

Her activities at Lourdes include basketball, softball, soccer, SADD, Girls Action League, Respect Life, math and science clubs.

Indiana University of Pennsylvania

MOUNT CARMEL - Kelsey Williams, of 314 S. Locust St., will attend Indiana University of Pennsylvania where she hopes to major in health and human services.

Kelsey is a daughter of Melissa and Jack Williams, and granddaughter of Jack and Marilyn Williams, and Charles and Rose Venna.

She is a member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church.

Her activities at Lourdes include SADD, Girls Action League officer, Respect Life, soccer and cheerleading captain.

George Mason

KULPMONT - Angelique Pennypacker, of 1324 Poplar St., will major in nursing at George Mason University.

Angelique is a daughter of Henry and Annette Pennypacker, and granddaughter of the late Glenn and Helen Pennypacker, and Joseph Scicchitano and the late Ann Scicchitano.

She is a member of Holy Angels Church where she attended parish picnics.

Her activities at Lourdes include science, math, robotics and art clubs, class vice president, volleyball, softball and basketball.

SHAMOKIN - White picket fence syndrome, that's partly what helped Stacy Huber keep secret her addiction to pain pills.

A wife, a mother, a nurse - that's who she was, but not all of who she was. She hid another part of herself away.

She was also a drug addict.

That would be the hardest part for people in her life to deal with, she says, that she had them fooled.

Not everyone was fooled. Not on Dec. 5, 2011. She'd written a prescription herself from a pad she had stolen from her boss. She'd forged 21 others just like it, feeding an addiction to oxycodone. Chasing a high had left her feeling like an end was near. It came with a pharmacist's suspicion. She'd been caught.

"I knew then that this was going to end badly," said Stacy, now 29, of Shamokin.

Two days later, Stacy checked herself into rehab for 28 days. After that, she turned herself over to the Mount Carmel police. She spent about four months in jail.

She's confronted her addiction each day since, leading her back, in a way, and, in another way, leading her far beyond where this story first started.

A wife, a mother, a graduate of Northumberland County's drug court, an aspiring drug rehabilitation counselor. Also, Stacy awakes today as a graduate of Gaudenzia's drug treatment program.

Addiction

The birth of Stacy's only son, Jax, in 2010 occurred with complications. She was given a prescription for pain medication. She'd struggled with addiction before. It didn't take long for her to become hooked again.

She was arrested six months after her son's birth on two felony counts related to forgery and possession, a precursor to the 12 felonies - 34 counts in all - that would be filed against her one year later.

That happened in 2011 after she stole a prescription pad from Newton Psychiatric Clinic, Mount Carmel. She'd written nearly two dozen prescriptions in her name and that of her husband, David, for whose involvement she takes the blame. They got 1,527 medications in a little over four months. She says she was taking a handful of pills as a time and up to 30 a day. No one was questioning her, no one really knew.

Guilt

Stacy struggled with guilt at rehab. She felt ashamed, felt that she had ruined her life.

She pulled the plug on her relationships, completely cut herself off from family and friends. She wouldn't accept letters or phone calls. Visits were off. She focused solely on recovery. The silence upset her family and she says now that it was selfish, but it's what she felt was best at the time.

After leaving rehab, she went to the Mount Carmel Police Department and turned herself in. Once in court, she pleaded guilty.

Having kick-started her recovery with the inpatient rehab, Stacy continued counseling inside Northumberland County Prison. That's where she met Julie Albright, an addictions counselor with Gaudenzia.

"I think Stacy's one of the exceptions to the rule. Most people don't have it together the way Stacy did and still manage to maintain an addiction," Julie said.

"She was very successful and very good at hiding her addiction. I'm sure when people found out she was arrested, people were like 'what?' She was able to live that double life for awhile."

In many ways, Stacy was just like Julie, a recovering alcoholic. When Julie was drinking, like Stacy, she had a husband and a family. She had gotten a promotion at her job, the whole nine yards. But it took her a long time to accept her reality. She believes it came more quickly for Stacy.

Stacy agrees. She was ready for change, welcomed it. Drugs were snuck into the jail, but she resisted. If she couldn't stay clean in there, why bother?

"Why should I even waste everybody's time at home? I'd be spitting in everybody's face," she said.

Getting out

Stacy's family stuck by her. Visitors came weekly, her son among them. Her father came, too. John J. "Taxi" Hutnick believed in her, wanted her out of jail. He lobbied for her to get enrolled in drug court.

Todd Owens, Mount Carmel police chief, had nominated her, put in a good word, and she was accepted.

"She was in a dark place in her life. She was a functioning addict. ... It wasn't like she was burglarizing houses at night or stealing from convenience stores," Owens said. "She admitted she needed help. That's the one thing we'd like to hear more often, but we don't."

John's influence couldn't have been ignored. He called probation officials so often that, when she left jail, they asked her to be sure and tell him he needn't call any longer.

Stacy counts her release from jail among her happiest days. Julie worried that the short window between release and her enrollment in Gaudenzia's intensive outpatient program would lead to a slip up. It didn't. She made it to counseling and continued those sessions, group and individual, several times a week.

Count intelligence among Stacy's character traits. She's stubborn, also. Julie picked up on that early. She laughs, saying she knew the counseling was working when Stacy started to argue a little less.

Sober mom

Parents of young children gush about Christmas, especially when their children reach a certain age. Stacy was in rehab when Jax first reached that age. She missed him tearing the wrapping paper from his presents for the first time. She'd miss his second birthday; the everyday milestones, too. It's a guilt she still deals with.

When she returned home after five months away, she not only had an addiction to control, she had a son to raise. For the first time, she was doing it sober. Jax clung to Stacy. She says simply dealing with his normal childhood behavior was frustrating.

"I wasn't a (sober) mom yet. I didn't even really know how to experience all these things without drugs," she said.

Her secret had long been revealed. Her crime made the news. People talk, of course, and she was open about it. But she was too embarrassed to pick Jax up from day care. Others filled in for months before she worked up the courage. She remembers how panicked she felt when she arrived. She was shaking. A day care worker hugged her, heard her out and eased her fears.

"It was really hard in the beginning because I felt like I had to prove myself, not just to him, but to everyone who was in contact with him," she said.

Coping

Stacy had picked up running as a hobby. She weighed 270 pounds when she left jail and vowed to get fit.

When Stacy is happy, she's running. When she's stressed, she's running. She's completed half-marathons, and belongs to a running group in Elysburg. She's dropped more than 100 pounds since she committed to exercise.

"It has become my way now to deal with life's problems," Stacy said.

The problem life dealt her in January was almost too much to bear.

Toward the end of her stint in jail, Stacy learned her father was terminally ill. He was suffering from end-stage COPD and emphysema. He lived to see her release and was there while she recovered. But on Jan. 4, more than two years into Stacy's sobriety, he passed away. Stacy isolated herself at her parent's house.

"I didn't know how I would ever live without my dad," she said.

Her behavior worried her, so she emailed Julie, told her where she was, what she was doing. Julie told her to put on her shoes and coat and go to a meeting. Stacy trusted the advice, and it helped.

No hiding

It's not clear yet to Stacy what impact her addiction has had on her son. When she was locked up, relatives told her little about Jax outside of small talk. He was OK, they said.

Between jail and rehab, she was gone about five months. Mentally, she was checked out even longer, she says, about 1 1/2 years.

Other challenges remain. Money is tight and she no longer has a career in nursing. She lost her driver's license, and as a felon, struggled to find work.

There may come a time when Jax asks about what his mom went through. Stacy prides herself on being honest. Addiction is a disease, and it can be passed on from parent to child. She doesn't want Jax thinking experimenting with drugs is acceptable. When he's ready, she'll tell him.

"I don't have anything to hide anymore," she said.

'It can work'

Stacy is a house manager at Gaudenzia's Fountain Springs location. She helps the clients in their daily routines: cleaning the house, feeding their children, disciplining their kids when they act out of line - all these things that can get away from someone struggling with addiction.

Relating to the clients' troubles comes naturally. It's been helpful, too, to experience addiction from a different perspective. She hopes to lead by example. Judging by some words she recently overheard at work, it's working.

Stacy was dressed for her graduation interview last month. A client mentioned her clothing to another and was told why she was dressed up. She made the connection that Stacy had already graduated from drug court. She saw that Stacy was taking the next step.

"'See, it can work,'" Stacy recalls the client having said.

"That was my only goal, to let one person see that it does work, and she said it," Stacy said, flashing a smile like the one she said she couldn't get rid of that day on the drive home from work.

Julie was immediately impressed by Stacy's openness. It's a rarity among addicts, something that should prove useful as Stacy works to become a counselor herself.

Julie thinks her former client will make a great counselor. It's an emotional job, it's difficult, but it's rewarding. She knows it first hand, and she expected to shed a tear at Saturday's graduation ceremony.

"You can see the passion in her. She wants people to have what she was given. She wants people to get back," Julie said. "When you see a success story, somebody like Stacy, it makes it worthwhile."

Thomas Jefferson University

PHILADELPHIA - Ashley Donn, a daughter of Barbara and the late Robert Donn Jr., has been named to the dean's list for the fall 2013 and spring 2014 semesters at Thomas Jefferson University with a 3.75 GPA. Donn is a nursing major and is involved with the Student Nurses Association of Pennsylvania and is vice president of the Global Nursing Club. She is also a member of the Philadelphia Medical Reserve Corps. Donn plans to further her education and obtain a Master of Science in nursing to become a nurse practitioner.

Author to discuss recent book

SUNBURY - Local author Robert Miller will present a program on his recent book, "The Cogan Legend," at the Thursday's meeting of the Northumberland County Historical Society beginning at 7 p.m. at the Hunter House, 1150 N. Front St.

Miller's presentation will follow a brief business meeting which begins at 7 p.m. A reception will follow. The program is free and open to the public. For more information, call 570-286-4083.

Miller will discuss how ideas for his first book evolved and the characters developed. Even though the book is fictional, history played a big role and provides a strong foundation for the novel that combines things real and imagined.

"Many of my thoughts for the novel revolved around an area close to Dalmatia called the Cogan. As I walked through this wooded area, ideas led to various scenes in my mind. Sunbury and Fort Augusta are also important places in the novel. As the characters developed, I placed them into these various local settings," said Miller.

The author was born and raised in central Pennsylvania and is retired from grants administration. He enjoys the outdoors and spending time with family and friends and is most at home waking up and breathing the air of the peaceful surrounding mountains.

The book was produced by Sunbury Press, headquartered in Mechanicsburg.

Bloomsburg University

BLOOMSBURG - Mark Rocco Anonia, of Paxinos, a junior secondary education-citizenship major, was recently inducted into Phi Alpha Theta National History Honor Society in recognition of conspicuous attainments and scholarship in the field of history during Bloomsburg University's history department banquet.

Undergraduate students must have at least a 3.25 GPA in their history courses, and a 3.0 GPA or better overall.

Anonia is a 2011 graduate of Shamokin Area High School, and is a son of Mark and Christine Anonia, of Paxinos, and a grandson of Dr. Francis and Barbara (Quinn) Anonia, and the late Albert and Virginia (Moore) Scicchitano.

DANVILLE - Danville will play host this year to the 111th annual Six-County Firemen's Association convention. The two-day affair will be held Friday, June 27, and Saturday, June 28, and is hosted by the Danville Six-County Firemen's Association.

The convention will open at 9 a.m. Friday at the Washington Fire and Hose Company No. 2, 400 1/2 Railroad St., with registration beginning at 8 a.m. The business session will adjourn at 11 a.m. for a memorial service.

Located at 500 Bloom Road, the memorial service will be held at the Shiloh United Church of Christ at 11:15 a.m.

The convention will resume at 1:30 p.m. and highlighted with the election and swearing in of the new officers for the 2014-15 year.

The ladies auxiliary will hold their meeting Friday afternoon at the East End Fire Company, 1344 Bloom Road.

The delegates' banquet will be held at the Washington Fire Company starting at 6:30 p.m. Valor and Courage awards and the Walter Sawchak Fire Prevention Award will be presented. This year the Association will begin awarding the Mark Coons Memorial Scholarships in honor and memory of a past president who was a member of the Crystal Fire Company, Jermyn, Lackawanna County. Doors open at 6 p.m.

The convention parade will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday. Registration and judging will be held at the Danville Area Middle School, Northumberland Road, from 9 a.m. to noon. Following the parade, food and refreshment and the presentation of trophies will be held at the F.Q. Hartman Field on Front Street. Music will be provided by DJ JZ Sounds.

The first convention took place at the Diamond Fire Company in Hazleton June 2, 3 and 4, 1904. Then known as the Four-County Firemen's Association, it was comprised of fire companies from Columbia, Lackawanna, Luzerne and Schuylkill Counties. In 1906 it was decided to add Mountour and Northumberland counties and the name was changed to the Six-County Firemen's Association. John Spohr, of Hazleton, served as its first president.

This is the ninth year Danville has played host to a convention. Other conventions were held in 1909, 1930, 1945, 1955, 1972, 1988 and 2011. The 2015 convention will be held in Nanticoke and will be hosted by the Honey Pot Active Fire Company No. 6.

Current Association officers are Gary Perna Jr., Kelayres, president; John R. Nilles, Hazleton, secretary; Joseph Simonovich, Warrior Run, treasurer; Michele Fry, Bloomsburg, first vice-president; Gerald Guscott, Hazleton, second vice-president; William Tarby, Throop, third vice-president; Deanna Force, Danville, fourth vice-president; Robert Leshko, McAdoo, fifth vice-president; David Berezovski, Mount Carmel, sixth vice-president, and Robert Mandak Sr., Hazleton, chaplain.

Elizabethtown College

ELIZABETHTOWN - Christine Mrozek, a senior at Elizabethtown College, was named to the dean's list for the spring semester with a 4.0 GPA. She is majoring in biology and pre-med and minoring in both Spanish and studio art. Mrozek, a 2011 graduate of Mount Carmel Area Junior-Senior High School, is a daughter of Raymond and Maribeth Mrozek, of Kulpmont. She is a granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph D. Wanzie, Clara Mrozek and the late Alex Mrozek, of Kulpmont.

Allegheny College

MEADVILLE - Michael Purcell, a son of Kenneth and Tara Purcell, of Kulpmont, graduated from Allegheny College May 10.

A 2010 graduate of Mount Carmel Area Junior-Senior High School, Purcell received a Bachelor of Arts from Allegheny with a major in political science and a minor in religious studies. While at Allegheny, Purcell played varsity football for the Allegheny Gators and help to create the Allegheny Mock Trial Team.

To fulfill the requirements for a degree, Allegheny students must complete comprehensive senior projects in their majors. The senior project is a significant piece of independent study, research or creative work requiring an oral defense. Allegheny is one of a few select institutions in the country that require an independent senior project prior to graduation.

Purcell's senior project was entitled "Effectively Using Structural Mapping to Reduce the Lethality of Terror Organizations."

One of the oldest colleges in the country, Allegheny College will celebrate its bicentennial in 2015.

The following landlord-tenant judgments were filed in magisterial district court:

John Gembic III, Shamokin

Rhoades, Matz, Usuka and Klinger Partnership, of Shamokin, awarded $2,474.60 on June 9 from Daniel Ahlers, of Shamokin.

Stout/HBS Property Man. on Behalf of Rent, of Shamokin, awarded $1,224.60 on June 9 from Norman and Pearl Hemberger, of Shamokin.

COAL TOWNSHIP - Shamokin Area Middle/High School announced its distinguished honor roll and honor roll for the fourth marking period of 2013-14.

A student must achieve an average of 90 to 94.9 for honor recognition; 95 or higher for distinguished honors. All subjects except driver training are included. Also, all subjects must be passed and a minimum of 90 percent in deportment is required.

Distinguished honors

Grade 12: Batool Alvi, Jacob Arnold, Steven Balonis, Elizabeth Bednar, Alisha Black, Brianna Bonshock, Olivia Bonshock, Alyssa Britton, Logan Carpenter, Joseph Colangelo, Nicole Cullen, Daniel Delbaugh, Cody Derr, Breanna Dowling, Noelle Erickson, Justin Forbes, Alyssa Green, Nathaniel Haggerty, Mitchell Haupt, Samantha Holdren, Corey Levi, Dana Madl, Mariah Mong, Laryah Moyle, Catelin Pancher, Adam Richardson, Melissa Rishel, Levi Rosini, Anthony Shalamanda, Alyssa Shuey, Kaitlyn Shultz, Melissa Smallets, Caleb Stahl, Helana Supsic, Erik Taylor, Corrine Weikel and Natalie Wolfe.

Grade 11: Michelle Bressi, Brandon Brida, Jill Britton, Tyler Candelora, Samantha Carpenter, Jasmine Coleman, Joseph Deptula, Megan Dimmick, Heather Elliott, Draven Faus, Bridgette Hine, Darian Jones, Elizabeth Kapushinski, Megan Kerstetter, Zachary Koharski, Brett Long, Kathryn Madara, Brianna Martin, Rhiannon McKinney, Brianna Moore, Rachel Poplaski, Graeme Shappell, Jacob Snyder, Taylor Tobias, Dylan Williams, Jarret Willis, Casey Wilson, Tucker Yost and Cierra Zimmerman.

Grade 10: Jensen Bordell, Michael Britton, Thomas Campbell, Patricia Clark, Caleigh Corrigan, Jeannette Costa, Justin Deutsch, Jacob Dirienzo, Brady Haupt, Russell Henz, Evelyn Madrak, Emily McDevitt, Maxwell Morrison, Brayson Pawelczyk, Christopher Petraskie, Isaiah Reiprich, Kelsey Rogers, Ivy Savidge, Kayla Schell, Paige Sherman, James Snyder, Sarah Thomson, Christina Troutman and Cameron Wayne.

Grade 9: Kayla Baney, Alex Black, Madison Blackwell, Patrick Bradigan, Scarlett Brown, Cheyenne Burasz, Samuel Deptula, Cierra Eby, Thomas Eby, Aleea Faus, Amy Frasch, Brandi Hatzel, Cameron Jacoby, Lindsey Miller, Carson Quinn, Jarred Rachau, Anne Richardson, Madison Rodarmel, Kaitlyn Schrader, Andrew Shalamanda, Julianna Shuman, Ellen Spotts, Kelsie Stewart and Page Wormald.

Grade 8: Abagail Blass, Kiara Bonshock, Michael Breslin, Alexandra Campbell, Jacob Carpenter, Emma Clark, Madison Clauser, Trent Curcie, Anna Delbaugh, Matthew Dimmick, Kelsee Dunn, Katlyn Ehman, Maryssa Erdman, Brittney Farner, Michael Faust, Summer Finkelstein, Abbi Fiorey, Mackenzie Hasuga, Brooke Hovenstine, Jacob Jeremiah, Jennifer Kozlowski, Dalton Madara, Emma Mangiaruga, Mckenna Markowski, Sadie Miller, Kamilyah Nazih, Joseph Olah, Madison Pancher, Colton Pollock, Kali Rebuck, Cameron Scandle, Jenna Sebasovich and Ciara Tharp.

Grade 7: Emily Backes, Spencer Balonis, Alexis Barnes, Krista Baumeister, Sarah Baumeister, Mariah Benedict, Jared Berkheimer, Colby Bixler, Aidan Blackwell, Bethany Bordell, Karrie Bower, Marshall Buggy, Sierra Burd, Steven Carpenter, Alyssa Charriez, Gavin Clattenburg, Chloe Dales, Juliana Degreen, Lydia Deptula, Sabian Ebersole, Alyvia Erb, Rebekah Faust, Nicholas Feudale, Jeffrey Fuernisen, Aubree Haight, Dakota Hart, Mara Hasuga, Teagan Heath, Zoey Hockenbroch, Chryssa Kehler, Collin Kern, Jayla Klase, Chloe Kramer, Jameson Kramer, Xavier Lehman, Cordell Lucas, Samantha Magee, Joseph Masser, Morgan McGinn, Abigail Nye, Jessa Paczkoski, Autumn Purcell, Robert Rebuck, Lake Rodarmel, Quinn Rollman, Destiny Sassani, Joan Schaeffer, Matthew Schiccatano, Andrea Segura, Peyton Shurock, Mason Smink, Brooke Strausser, Matthew Swartz, Jose Tejada, Ethan Tharp, Abigail Thew, Skylar Truchon, Savannah Vercruyssen, John Wagner, Lauren Wagner, Dylan Walters, Payton Whary, Valerie Yost, Blake Zalar, Clif Zheng and Zoe Zimmerman.

Honor roll

Grade 12: Jamine Breslin, Kylie Christiana, Andrew Claycomb, Jordan Collins, Eryn Cook, Tabitha Demsko, Michael Donahue, Megan Goodrich, Kayla Gordon, Katelyn Green, Ned Hartman, Molly Haupt, Stefanie Hile, Faith Hornberger, Austin Huntington, Ashley Huxta, Richard Jones, Jeffrey Kashner, Kevin Keefer, Zachary Lehman, Selah Lucas, Jaelyn Madara, Sean McLaughlin, Caroline McSurdy, Marielle Miller, Draven Miller, William Moll, Danielle Polidario, Morgan Purcell, Matthew Renn, Lea Richardson, Elizabeth Roberts, Trisha Rosini, Lydia Sandri, Kevin Searls, Courtney Shirmer, Jodi Smith, Victoria Snyder, Abrielle Snyder, Michael Som, Bailey Stank, Austin Stine, Abigail Troutman, Brianna Wengrenovich and Ronald Zimmerman.

Grade 11: Jacquelyn Augustitus, Tara Blom, Alek Bonshock, John Brown, Richard Brown, Kendall Forney, Tevin Gonzalez, Derek Gross, Chyna Haley, Ronald Laniewski, Stephen Latsha, Carleton Lloyd, Brittany Madison, Christopher McCabe, Mitchell McGinn, Nicholas McWilliams, Josiah Miller, Zachary Moyer, Carley Nash, Thomas Reed, Ronald Rhoads, Joshua Rosini, Daniel Snyder, Taylor Steinhart, Feliph Taylor and Jenna Wasarhelyi.

Grade 10: Sierra Bryant, Logan Bulchie, Preston Burns, Samantha Chykosky, Cheyenne Collier, Claudia Collins, Dilin DeCample, Jared Dunn, Haley Erb, William Faust, Chelsey Garancheski, Ryan Gass, Megan Grinaway, Dexter Haight, Kaylan Haight, Jessica James, Andrew Jones, Kyle Kauffman, Cassandra Kulish, Amanda Lucas, Abigail Pennypacker, Adam Philhower, Kasey Puchalski, Donna Rania, Brett Rebuck, Danielle Reed, Tamara Sassani, Jesse Seebold, Christina Snyder, Darcey Swift, Jakob Weaver and Garrett Zalar.

Grade 9: Desserae Allen, Zachary Anascavage, Guenivere Angstadt, Madison Bateman, Robert Carapellucci, Desiree Cohoon, Brittany Dascani, Rebecca Delbaugh, Zachary Druckenmiller, Emilee Dunn, Briana Erdman, Cameron Fenix, Alexis Herb, Carollyn Hine, Jarred Jones, Alicia Kapushinski, Jenna Keisling, Mackenzie Koharski, Leilani Mikulak, Kiara Moore, Abigale Mummey, Sara Popewczak, Vivian Prokopiak, John Pufnak, Gregory Rishel, Anthony Roughton, Gabrielle Ruiz, Jaden Schlagle, Dylan Smith, Lauren Stanchick, Samantha Startzel, Gabrielle Velez, Matthew Vrona, Aleksandr Washuta, David Wolfe and Brittany Wondoloski.

Grade 8: Jane Adams, Abigail Aurand, Kalei Bogetti, Randall Brosius, Kasey Brown, Haley Burd, Taylor Cullen, Ariane Daya, Madison Daya, Emily Demartino, Charles Diehl, Gloria Drayer, Colby Edmondson, Warren Eveland, Kira Golden, Kiera Griffiths, Robert Hogan, Samantha Howell, Gaige Johns, Jessica Kimsal, Nicholas Kirkner, Dharma Koser, Patrick Latsha, Ethan Lawton, Jordan Leiby, Kayla Martins, Victoria Nicola, Heather Reigle, Bryan Sakalosky, Noah Sessions, Kayla Shaffer, Rebecca Shevitski, Elizabeth Stevens, Wanda Sulouff and Brianna Wary.

Grade 7: Melania Amato, Nicole Bainbridge, Sarah Bainbridge, Ashley Beach, Erin Biddiscombe, Jolene Boscolovich, Thomas Brown, Jasaiah Capps, Reina Cardona, James Coleman, John Delorso, Jenna Dilliplane, Lauren Drumheiser, Jacob Eschbach, Skylar Figard, Mackenzie Glosek, Stephen Gundy, Cain Herb, Barbara Jemmott, Taylor Kashner, Timothy Kile, Abigail Kinsey, Deven Klock, Matthew Knowles, Brianna Lehman, Owen Long, Joshua Mackenzie, Caitlin Madison, Tyler Marcinick, Bryce Mummey, Cameron Orner, Madison Reigel, Shyann Rubio, Arcadio Saez, Kylee Shultz, Jacob Thompson and Richard Wright.

Awards

MOUNT CARMEL - The following awards were presented to seniors graduating from Mount Carmel Area High School during a ceremony Monday.

The Mount Carmel Eagles Aerie 464 - $50, by The Eagles Worthy Secretary Michael Novotny Sr. to Lauren Hause, Morgan Miriello, Jayme Lentini and Derek Thomas.

Aqua Pa Award - $200, to Alison Varano.

Cohen Memorial Award - $50, to Alison Varano.

Anthracite Area Penn State Club's Edward M. Griffiths II Memorial Scholarship - $750, by Anthony J. Rosini, Northumberland County District Attorney to Zachary Wasilewski.

In Memory Of Greg J. Leso - $500, by Greg's Brother Josh And Sister Lexi Leso to Dominico Stellar.

Class Of 1956 - Presented two $50 awards to Alison Reinhardt and Brandon Smallets.

Sigma Chapter Of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International Recruitment Grant - $350, to Darla Hood.

Babe Ruth Foundation - Zachary Wasilewski and Alison Varano.

The District IV Most Valuable Athlete Plaque - Zachary Wasilewski and Alison Varano.

The District IV Sportsmanship Award Plaque - Benjamin Scicchitano and Lauren Hause.

David Hodrick Award - Jacob Jones.

The Perseverance Award - Two $50 awards, Morgan Miriello and Benjamin Scicchitano.

The Tornado Pride Award - $ 50, Cody Deitz.

Principals' Award - Lauren Hause and Brianna Lutz.

The Superintendent Award - Luke Duceman

The Michelle Louise Whyne Memorial Girls Track Scholarship - $250, by the family, friends, and former teamates of Michelle Whynne to Alison Varano.

Kulpmont Lions Club Presents - $100, award In memory of teacher Miss Pella to Brandon Young.

The Kulpmont Lions Ladies - $50, to Jessica Pachuski.

Kulpmont Centinial Committee - $50, to Jessica Pachuski.

VFW Post 2110 Mount Carmel - Six $100 awards to Gary Bregensir, Dominico Stellar, Angela Mining, Brianna Lutz, the U.S. Army; Shawn Deromedi, U.S. Air Force; Jessie Gibson, U.S. Navy.

VFW Post 2110 of Mount Carmel - $50, to Kyle Price.

Northumberland County Recreation Committee 2014 Scholar Athlete Award - Two $100 awards, to Bryce Fiamoncini and Alison Varano.

Interact Club - Two $250 scholaships, to Olivia Bressi Harmon and Morgan Miriello.

Mount Carmel Area Mini-thon Staff - Sonya Grohowski, Morgan Miriello, Jasmine Jones, Alison Varano, Jenna Jurasich and Brett Zosh.

VFW Post 2110 of Mount Carmel annually sponsors The Voice Of Democracy essay contest - Brianna Chapman, Erin Scicchitano, Shawn Deromedi and Alison Varano.

The 2013 Laurel Queen - Jessica Pachuski.

Outstanding Art Club Achievements - Thomas Evans, gold; Sierra Nolter, silver, and Caity Avellino, bronze.

Perfect Attendance - Bryce Fiamoncini and Heather Raker.

Highest average, English - Taylor Stefovic.

Highest average, science - Taylor Stefovic.

Highest average, social studies - Alison Varano.

Highest Average, mathematics - Alison Varano.

COAL TOWNSHIP - Shamokin Area Elementary School announced its distinguished honor roll and honor roll for the fourth 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, Margaret Bowers, Gabriel Burns, Paige Campbell, Morgan Clemens, Violet Dales, Stacie Dees, Raven Depeal, Joshua Dombrowski, Madelyn Donahue, Madison Foulds, Blake Hartzel, Rhaeghan Henz, Victoria Hine, Brian Hornberger, Devin Kays, Kirstyn Kehler, Kaylee Koshinski, Farrah Krum, Janet Kulish, Emma Laughlin, Brittney Lute, Alexandria Madison, Cherie Martin, Sheyenne Moore, Connor Nye, Will Orme, Ashley Ponatoski, Hunter Rodarmel, Abby Rodman, Sophie Rossnock, Jasmine Scandle, Angelina Schaeffer, John Schofield Jr., Rachel Shader, Telaysia Shafer, Isibelle Sienkiewicz, Emily Slanina, Alyssa Snyder, Molly Stevens, Myah Thompson, Emma Tomcavage, Angel Velazquez, Jonathan Washuta, Chloe Yoder and Katelyn Zawalick.

Grade 5: Amanda Angstadt, Alexa Bainbridge, Joshua Bashore, Hunter Bates, Emilee Bland, Tia Bressi, Kaine Bressi, Devin Britton, Nathan Buranich, Alexis Carl, Olivia Coller, Emma Dailey, Gavin DeGreen, Kyele Dehoutaint, Ryleigh Faust, Diana Faust, Tessa Fegley-kublic, Victoria Fellin, Adam Guzik, Blake Harris, Olivia Haupt, Austen Heffner, Shane Hess, Rosalind Kane, Zackary Kinsey, Mark Kiracofe, Jaden Kodack, Hayden Kramer, Emma Kramer, Kali Leiby, Destinee Leonard, Dylan Liebl, Maximus Madden, Diana Martinez, Rylie McCarty, Matthew Metzger, Edward Morales, Grace Nazih, Ariana Nolter, Nathanael Pennell, Alyssa Persing, Brent Reed, Sydney Rhoads, Mackenzie Roman, Aleyna Russell, Casen Sandri, Aaron Shicora, Caleb Shingara, Jessica Simpson, Kathryn Slotterback, Destiny Smith, Gwen Sulouff, Elizabeth Swilp, Joseph Tarr Jr., Haelee Taylor, Nicholas Velez, Tyler Whary, Kayla Yadlosky, Emma Zimmerman and Michael Zimmerman II.

Grade 4: Skye Adams, Kathleen Amato, Cameron Annis, Skye Balonis, Sarah Blenkinsop, Kameron Bowers, Abigail Cryts, Dominic Delorso, Dominic Diehl, Gavin Dietterick, Zandra Finkelstein, Tricity Frederick, Kayla Harvey, Presley Herman, Mason Hogancamp, Isabelle Kapushinski, Craig Kerstetter, Garrett Kitchen, Riley Macaluso, Colin Malkoski, Dominic Michaels, Marcus Moyer, Adell Munson, Morgan Nolter, Noah Phillips, Odin Rabka, Hunter Rodman, Brenden Rogers, Molly Rossnock, Hannah Schaeffer, Colin Seedor, Claudia Seidel, Jadyn Shipe, Kandi Slodysko, Airiana Smallwood, Carter Smink, Madisen Smith, Xaiver Smith, Scott Snyder Jr., John Swank, Kyle Todd, Sarah Vazquez, Madyson Waugh and Christian Wesloskie.

Honor roll

Grade 6: Bryce Anderson, Sara Baney, Matthew Bellis, Ivan Bilbay, Samantha Cryts, Eric Curran, Abbey Diorio, Deven Elliott, Jeremy Erb Jr., Kayla Erdman, Holly Fegley, Mason Filarski, Jared Foreman, Tate Frederick, Benjamin Ginck, Allie Godfrey, Gabrielle Greager, Brayden Gruszewski, Leslie Haupt, Destiny Jones, Blake Kane, Hunter Kerstetter, Rachel Kerstetter, Amber Klinger, Sarah Kratzer, Lane Lewis, Ciera Malloy, Blake Markowski, Samantha Martinez, Matthew Masser, Emily Molina, Makayla Moroskie, Tori Moser, Sierra Neidig, Andrew Nelson, Ryan Nolan, Nathan Persing, Robert Prawdzik, Brianna Roth, Kyra Sanders, Trinity Schwab, Savanah Smith, Austin Straub, Alyssa Swartz, Logan Williams, Cheyanne Wolf and Megan Wywadis.

Grade 5: Jonathan Bevan, Clarissa Blom, Collin Bozza, Thomas Bramhall, Brianna Bullock, Sean Calabro, Savanna Carl, Faith Carpenter, Grace Carpenter, Katye Clark, Joseph Daya III, Jaiden Dees, Cornell Delvalle, Alyssa Derck, Paige Ditzel, Collin Duganitz, Ethan Eltringham, Aaron Frasch, Madison Frey, Kieran Gallagher, Jackson Hancock, Seth Hart, Thomas Herrold, Carole Hinkle, Hannah Hockenbroch, Tumaje Islam, Alexa Jacobs, Zajorie James, Shanon Jilinski, Cassandra Kilkenny, Paige Kleman, Conner Kurtz, Marissa Lehman, Gabrielle Marrone, Brenton McCaffery, Dennis McFee, Timothy Michaels Jr., Shanikwa Moore, Ian Morris, Nicolas Neidig, Ashlea Oakum, Noah Orner, Alexia Ortiz, Ian Paul, Annabelle Rapp, Megan Roman, Akeya Schartiger, Corrina Schweinebraten, Daniel Shepherd, Jantzen Shoff, Paige Shoffler, Mackenzie Snyder, Mariah Surace, Jacob Turner, Dominic Wilson and Brionna Wyland.

Grade 4: Wade Alleman, Katrina Angstadt, Arissa Arnold, Samantha Bainbridge, Miranda Balthaser, Kloey Baney, Julissa Bednar, Jaedyn Brown, Santino Carapellucci, Gina Carapellucci, Janetssa Carter Montanez, Mackenzie Clattenburg, Terelina Conbeer, Jordan Cruse, Robert Depeal, Cody Dombrowski, Braelyn Duncheskie, Abigail Eschbach, Rachael Fortune, Olivia Geist, Destiny Hinkle, Emily Honicker, Annie Hornberger, David Kaleta, Skye Keefer, Caydin Kern, Mitchell Knowles, John Kodack III, Kalli Lahr, Colton Lynch, Iris Mckown, Josiah Molina, Savannah Monroe, Samantha Nicola, Brianna Pancher, Airin Petrovich, Ethan Roughton, Joseph Sacco IV, Francis Sanzotto, Anastasia Schank, Rachael Schoch, Dallas Scicchitano, Daniel Serrato, Dakota Shaw, Libby Shingara, Paige Shingara, Jesse Shultz, Camden Smith, Sarah Snavely, Henry Stevens, Robert Tilley, Dennis Vanness, Isabella Wagner, Allison Walters, Emily Wheary, Elyse Whitmer, Jesse Worgen and Alexis Zawalick.

Student awards

COAL TOWNSHIP - Student awards were announced at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School for grades first to sixth.

Distinguished honors (97 percent or higher)

Sixth grade: Mackenzie Catino, Abigail Doss, Kaitlyn Dunn, Anna Gownley, Kolbi Krebs, Meghan Morrison, Caitlin Shulski, Ethan Sten.

Fifth grade: Ashley Albert, Brianna Barwick, Meryl Czeponis, Christopher Feudale, Monica Maresca, Robert Scalia.

Fourth grade: Gabriel Leffler.

Academic excellence (93 to 96 percent)

Sixth grade: Alison Barvitskie, Hannah Bozza, Nathan Grimes, Caycee Kalinoski, Leanna Nguyen, Krystof Lapotsky, Julianna Picarelli, Jasmine Slodysko, Briana Tamborelli.

Fifth grade: Alessandra Albert, Katelyn Deitz, Gabrielle Doss, Caroline Feese, Peyton Kehler, Anne Elizabeth Metrocavage, Hunter Reed, Todd Scheuermann, Emily Shaffer, Eric Shoch.

Fourth grade: Jordan Ballard, Cody Brokenshire, Lindsay Dunn, Michael Keer, Ryan Kerris, Caden McBride, Alexander Morrison, Nicholas Nestico, Trinity Whyne.

Religion

(Highest average sixth grade only, all categories): Abigail Doss, Kolbi Krebs, Meghan Morrison; second highest, Caitlin Shulski.

Math: Highest average, Abigail Doss; second highest, Kolbi Krebs, Ethan Sten.

ILA: Highest average, Abigail Doss; second highest, Ethan Sten.

Science: Highest average, Abigail Doss, Caitlin Shulski; second highest, Kolbi Krebs, Ethan Sten.

Social studies: Highest average, Mackenzie Catino, Kolbi Krebs; second highest, Abigail Doss, Meghan Morrison, Caitlin Shulski.

Faithful Christian awards

First grade: Anna Krebs, Anna Keer.

Second grade: Victor Maresca.

Third grade: Hannah Yucha, Chloe Yablonski.

Fourth grade: Ryan Kerris.

Fifth grade: Christopher Feudale, Monica Maresca.

Sixth grade: Krystof Lapotsky, Mackenzie Catino.

Kindhearted Awards:

First grade: Ella Kerris, Estella Bressi.

Second grade: Kira Wesloskie.

Third grade: Austyn Lamonica, Leonard Machesic.

Fourth grade: David Slavish.

Fifth grade: Brianna Barwick, Katelyn Deitz.

Sixth grade: Alison Barvitskie, Brent Barwick.

Sports, physical activities

Second grade: Gavin Marshalek.

Third grade: Mason Barvitskie, Tasmiya Russell-King.

Fourth grade: Sadie Komara.

Fifth grade: Hunter Reed, Nicholas deManincor.

Sixth grade: Kaitlyn Dunn, Garrett Timco.

Art

First grade: Ava Carnuccio, Molly Pancher.

Second grade: Jelena Czeponis.

Third grade: Gage Romanoskie, Aiden Krebs.

Fourth grade: Gabrielle Wagner.

Fifth grade: Mariah Sullivan, Ashley Albert.

Sixth grade: Mackenzie Catino, Connor Weaver.

Music

First grade: Olivia Kopitsky, Gabrielle and Gianna Venna.

Second grade: Jelena Czeponis.

Third grade: Cassandra Drumheiser, Lillian Scalia.

Fourth grade: Lindsay Dunn.

Fifth grade: Emily Shaffer, Caroline Feese.

Sixth grade: Julianna Picarelli, Nathan Grimes.

Perfect attendance

Third grade: Cassandra Drumheiser, Brayden Whary, Victoria Lindenmuth.

Fourth grade: Vincent Sawyer, Caden McBride.

Fifth grade: Peyton Kehler.

Sixth grade: Garrett Timco.

Father Charles R. Slough Scholarship: Benjamin Snyder, Katelyn Deitz.

Helpful hands: Sixth grade, Abigail Doss, Aaron Christiana.

Improvement award: Sixth grade, Briana Tamborelli, Nathan Maguire.

KULPMONT — The East End Fire Co. is in jeopardy of foreclosure and its captain warns that the terms of a loan agreement for the newly opened social hall could endanger emergency services.
Matt Siko says company firefighters were shocked to learn that the truck room and some equipment inside was used as collateral for a $674,800 loan taken in 2010 to build a brand new social hall next door.
Firefighters were under the impression that the board would use nothing related to the fire service as collateral. When a third party recently told them differently, the company’s board members were confronted.
According to Siko, board members said the East End is behind on the loan in excess of $20,000, and that warnings had already been received about defaulting. Should a single $3,200 payment be missed, he said the foreclosure process will begin.
“Really what they did as a whole, it just goes against every value we have as firefighters,” Siko said. “There was a lot of shock. It took a while to wrap our heads around it, to be honest.”
The East End’s engine is borough-owned and a majority of the firefighting equipment belongs to the Volunteer Firemen’s Relief Association, Siko says, and all of that is safe.
At risk is the truck room itself, constructed in 1991, along with the Emergency Squad apparatus used on medical calls and a utility vehicle. Also, future purchases could be at risk, and Siko fears the potential impact the loan could have on grant applications.
Should the East End default, the loan agreement states that the government can take immediate possession of the collateral. That would leave the engine and the 25 active firefighters that operate it without a station.
The 5,000-square-foot social hall and banquet facility at Chestnut and Eighth streets opened in spring 2012 and was built for $830,900 in combined U.S. Department of Agriculture Community Facilities loans and grants. A breezeway connects it to the truck room, which was built in 1991.
The East End and West End fire companies make up the Kulpmont Fire Department. The department’s fundraising drive is about to begin, with money split between the companies. Siko stresses that all funds for the East End will be used solely for fire service and not for anything related to its social hall.
“At no time will any money be filtered to any bar. That is exclusively for the purpose of fire suppression and for the operation of the fire department,” Siko said.
Siko says the company’s firefighters will work to protect the East End’s fire service assets.
An official letter about the situation was shared last week with borough leaders, although there was no talk of it at the borough council’s monthly meeting. He hopes to meet with the loan lender and representatives of the USDA together to discuss the situation. He also hopes for accountability from the company’s board.
“The message we want relayed loud and clear to the community is that if we were to lose our assets, even the squad and the utility and our equipment, that can be detrimental to the community,” Siko said.
Attempts to reach a company board member were unsuccessful Sunday.
Siko said the East End recently received a state grant to paint the truck room. He doesn’t want people to think the fire service is spending unwisely in light of the loan situation.

SHAMOKIN - Four queens will be crowned Sunday for the city's 150th anniversary celebration.

The queens will be crowned at 4:30 p.m. at the Independence Fire Co., Arch and Market streets. All 17 contestants will ride on a float in the July 5 parade.

The contestants are divided among four categories. They raised $6,133 total through bake sales, raffles and other fundraising events to be used for celebration activities.

Contestants are, little queen (ages 3 to 7), Maggie Villari, Kara Smith, Kendra Jones, Brea Whitmer, Emily Goodrich, Katie Cox, Emily Brokenshire, Kelsey Olszewski, Baylee Latshaw and Caylee Latshaw; junior miss (ages 8 to 12), Shannon Jilinski, Nina Wilk and Elyse Whitmer; teen queen (ages 13 to 17), Daizy Barrett and Morgan Schminkey; queen (age 18 and over), Lydia Sandri and Maria Silcox.

The queen contest was organized by Margaret Heim.

Ball planned

The Shamokin 150th Anniversary Committee announced Monday an anniversary ball will be held Thursday, July 3, at the Loyal Order of Moose, Lodge 1149, Rock Street.

The dress is semi-formal. No jeans or shorts allowed.

Tickets can be purchased at the door for $10, which includes a buffet and entertainment by DJ Chad Evans. There will be a cash bar.

SUNBURY - Northumberland County Commissioner Rick Shoch has a plan to fill the vacant chief clerk's position that he said could save $105,000 annually.

Commissioners Stephen Bridy and Vinny Clausi don't see it that way. They dispute his figures, and Clausi questions his motivation.

Jerome Alex, the county's administrating officer of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Services (BHIS), should be appointed chief clerk, Shoch said, instead of spliting the duties among two current employees as proposed by Clausi, board chairman.

Appointing Alex as chief clerk would save $75,000, Shoch said. A second personnel move - reverting the assistant solicitor position to part time - would save an additional $30,000. Both moves would leave enough money to fund a new assistant district attorney position and still retain an estimated $40,000 savings each year.

Shoch said his plan "dwarfs the savings that Mr. Clausi alleges would result from his proposal."

The reinstatement of a fifth assistant district attorney position was approved on a split vote by the salary board in May. Added mid-year, the position wasn't included in the 2014 budget, which Clausi and Bridy cited in their opposition to the move. District Attorney Tony Rosini pushed for the addition, saying his staff has struggled to handle its case load.

Plan opposed

Shoch's proposal was shared by email with Bridy and Clausi one day before today's meeting of the county salary board to vote on a different plan to replace former chief clerk Gary Steffen, who retired June 6.

Clausi slammed Shoch for the timing of the email. He questioned Shoch's figures and said the plan had no merit. Since Alex's department is largely funded with state and federal resources, Bridy said Shoch's estimates of savings to county taxpayers doesn't add up.

However, the savings would be able to be applied to other programs to benefit BHIDS clients throughout the county, Shoch said in an email Monday night.

Alex had once been the county's public safety director. He was appointed to the position in February 2012 and resigned in September that year, citing health concerns related to the job.

Clausi said the clerk's position oversees 60 departments, not just one. Both he and Bridy said if Alex couldn't handle a single department, they doubt he could manage all of county government.

"I think Jerome's a decent fellow. However, he had to resign from public safety because it was too taxing," Bridy said. "I don't understand how he could take on the role of chief clerk where every problem of the county rests on your shoulders."

Sharing duties

Clausi said he'd like to hire someone to replace Steffen. Problem is, he said, no one wants the job. Six different candidates turned him down. Some were retired and didn't want to return to a county job, while others expressed concern about job security with the 2015 elections looming.

In turn, Clausi recommends the chief clerk's duties be split between administrative assistant Janet Povish and assistant solicitor John Muncer, both of whom are already full time. That would result in a raise for each - $15,000 for Povish and $20,000 for Muncer - but an overall savings of $40,000 for the county, Clausi said. Steffen was earning $51,002 plus benefits valued at more than $24,000.

Povish and Muncer have already begun taking on the chief clerk role. Their hours were raised from 33 to 43, Bridy said, and over the past two weeks, they've proven they can handle the work.

Povish currently earns an annual salary of $35,833, while Muncer's salary is $65,180. As head of BHIS, Alex earns $51,692, comparable to Steffen's.

Avoid politics

Hiring Alex would avoid the concerns shared by other candidates who opted against taking the job, Shoch said.

Shoch said the proposal to appoint Alex "de-politicizes" the situation because he is a civil service employee and could return to BHIS within one year. The makeup of the board of commissioners could change in the 2015 election. This would allow Alex to retain a job in the event the next board would hire its own candidate for chief clerk. It would also allow Alex to act outside the influence of the county commissioners and department heads, Shoch said.

"This status would remove one of the stumbling blocks that Mr. Clausi has experienced in trying to persuade others to take the position," Shoch writes in his proposal. "I believe he will serve the citizens of the county rather than any particular commissioner, which is what we all should want from a chief clerk."

Another cut?

Under Shoch's proposal, Alex's duties at BHIS would be divided among other department employees at no additional cost. The same measure was taken when Alex was chosen to become the county's public safety director.

In response, Clausi said Shoch's plan makes clear that Alex's position isn't needed. Bridy agrees since those duties can be split among other employees, Clausi said he'll look into eliminating Alex's job at BHIS.

"If they don't need him, get rid of the position," Clausi said.

Labor law

Shoch voted in December 2012 against changing the assistant solicitor position from part time to full time. He said the move has failed to meet the rationale put forth by the board majority when the switch was made. Muncer was to handle labor law matters, but he said outside counsel continues to handle labor-related negotiations and litigation. Also, Muncer recently resigned from representing the county prison board, further reducing his duties.

"As we all know, that scenario has not materialized, nor should it since Mr. Muncer is not practiced in the area of labor law. The fact of the matter is that we have not only continued to use outside labor counsel to handle labor-related negotiations and litigation, we recently acknowledged need for such expertise by approving an increase in that counsel's hourly rate," Shoch states in his proposal.

"The savings related to returning the assistant solicitor position to its former part time status would accrue directly to the general fund and could be used to significantly offset the costs associated with funding the assistant district attorney position," he said Monday.

Clausi said the outside labor attorney, qualified to handle issues with labor unions, is a necessity and has saved the county "millions" the past 2 1/2 years.

"That's the way it's going to be," Clausi said of having a full-time assistant solicitor.

SUNBURY - The death of an inmate at Northumberland County Prison on Sunday night was ruled a suicide by the county coroner Monday.

Cyrus Lewis, 34, of Shamokin, was found unresponsive inside his cell by a prison officer during a routine check about 9:25 p.m., according to Warden Roy Johnson. He was alone, and was last seen alive about 15 minutes prior. A prison nurse responded and checked his vitals before using a defibrillator and also continuing CPR until ambulance personnel arrived, Johnson said.

Lewis was taken to Sunbury Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly before 10 p.m.

He was jailed Tuesday night, June 10, following a string of alleged crimes that culminated with a failed attempt to steal a pickup truck from the parking lot of a Shamokin convenience store.

Coroner James Kelley deferred further comment Monday, saying more details would be released upon the completion of an investigation.

Johnson cited federal privacy regulations when asked if Lewis was on suicide watch. County Commissioner Rick Shoch, a prison board member, also refrained from comment. However, Shoch said, "whatever measures that were appropriate for (Lewis) were being followed."

A joint investigation between prison staff, the coroner and Sunbury police continues.

Surveillance footage from inside the prison confirmed Lewis was alone in his cell at the time of his death, Kelley said in a press release Monday.

Officers' written reports are being used to create a timeline of events.

Foul play is not suspected, Johnson said.

The cell in which Lewis was found - right wing, first floor - has been secured. Johnson said a wooden door was hung over the cell door to prevent anyone from reaching inside the cell or tossing something inside. There are no other restrictions in place related to the investigation on the other inmates, he said.

Second in 10 months

Lewis' suicide is the second at Northumberland County Prison in 10 months. Andrew W. Beers, 27, of Paxinos, was found dead inside his two-man cell from an apparent hanging in August.

His suicide prompted the prison board to establish protocols for unnatural inmate deaths, including having Sunbury police respond and secure the facility as a crime scene.

COAL TOWNSHIP - A township girl who was reported missing by her parents Sunday, June 8, has returned home safely Saturday.

Coal Township police said Annette Price, 15, of 849 W. Spruce St., was located over the weekend at the home of a relative near Mechanicsburg. She has since been reunited with her parents.

Price had been reported missing after she failed to return home from a trip to Weis Markets.