DANVILLE - Family and friends of critically injured Shamokin motorcycle rider Cory Thompson are encouraging people to donate blood at drives next week.

A Facebook post said Thompson, 29, a National Guardsman who served multiple tours in the Middle East, had used more than 50 units of blood since his hospitalization Sunday and asked that people "show their support" at blood drives scheduled Tuesday at Geisinger Medical Center, where Thompson remains in critical condition, and Friday at Geisinger-Shamokin Area Community Hospital, Coal Township.

The blood drives are those regularly scheduled by Geisinger. Tuesday's is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the main lobby, near the gift shop. Friday's at G-SACH is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the cafeteria.

Geisinger public relations specialist Michael Ferlazzo said Kathy Rowinski, who organizes blood drives for the Geisinger Blood Center, has heard that many in the community are talking about donating at those two drives "to honor Cory and others like him who serve the country."

Thompson is a member of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 103rd Armor Regiment. His service has included missions in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Also, an online fundraising effort for medical bills has begun in Thompson's name at youcaring.com, a free online fundraising site. The page shows a picture of Thompson in uniform and with the title, "Help Our Hometown Hero Fight His Battle."

MOUNT CARMEL - Realty World Molesevich and Associates and the law offices of Wiest, Muolo, Noon, Swinehart and Bathgate will mark their one-year anniversary Friday, Aug. 1, together at their shared location at 18 E. Fifth St.

The law firm, initially established in 1966 by Roger V. Wiest, with its primary offices being in Sunbury, had a branch office in Mount Carmel from 1981 to 1985.

Realty World Molesevich and Associates, established in 2007 by Dennis Molesevich Jr., was originally located in The Plaza at Coal Township. In 2013, Molesevich moved his team to the new location at the corner of Fifth and Oak streets. The building has served many purposes over the years and required several months of renovation to make a modern and professional office.

Along with the new address, Molesevich, broker of records, and Realtors Peggy Delorso, Lynn Kufta and Jana Horn, gained some new friends with the law office.

The Realtors have a combined 40 years of experience in real estate sales. Their goal is to make their clients' dreams of home ownership an easy and quick experience.

As the broker, Molesevich has worked to develop a professional office that puts the well-being of the community first, and looks forward to the revitalization of the entire region. The Realty World team is focused on positive change for local communities and to "bring the area back," he said.

When Robert J. Muolo joined Wiest in his law firm in 1981, the pair opened an office in Mount Carmel and maintained it for four years. After its closing, the firm maintained a presence in the Mount Carmel area, but worked primarily out of Sunbury.

Since then, the law firm has gone through several transitions, adding four new partners. Today, the partnership consists of five partners and the founding member, Wiest, who was admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar in 1965. In addition to practicing law, he has been an integral part in the evolution of First National Trust Bank, Second and Oak streets in Mount Carmel and 400 Market St. in Sunbury, into what is now Susquehanna Bank. Wiest recently retired from the board of directors of Susquehanna Bank.

Muolo has represented at varying times the borough of Kulpmont, Mount Carmel Township and the Kulpmont-Marion Heights Joint Municipal Authority. Muolo's areas of practice include negligence, real estate and business law.

David Noon and William Swinehart joined the firm in the late 1980s. Noon joined after his previous position as assistant district attorney under then-District Attorney Robert Sacavage. Noon's practice concentrates on criminal and domestic law.

Swinehart joined the firm after serving as a law clerk in Mercer County. His area of practice includes banking, estate planning and social security disability.

In 2001, Wiest's son, Roger V. Wiest II, joined the firm. His area of law practice includes real estate, domestic and criminal law.

It was 2004 when James Bathgate joined the firm. He maintains a generalized civil practice with emphasis on municipal zoning and negligence law. Bathgate is a U.S. Navy veteran and a Penn State graduate.

To reach the law offices of Wiest, Muolo, Noon, Swinehart and Bathgate, call 570-339-1935.

For more information on Realty World Molesevich and Associates, visit www.realtyworldma.com, and see postings of all their listings at Facebook, Zillow, Trulia and Realtor.com, as well as through local newspaper and television advertising. Call 570-339-2243 or stop and visit.

SHAMOKIN - Two Shamokin area doctors say new guidelines for prescribing opioids for chronic pain will not have any effect on how they practice because the prescriptions they write already fit the criteria

The guidelines, crafted by the Pennsylvania Medical Society (PAMED) in May and announced July 10, establish a pattern of behaviors for doctors to follow when prescribing opiates to relieve pain for conditions that will not quickly be resolved.

Behaviors include discussing the risk of addiction with the patient, assessing the patient's history for addiction risk, using non-opioid analgesics whenever possible, watching for aberrant drug-related behaviors and engaging the patient in pain-reducing therapies.

"It sounds like common sense things that we should all be practicing," said Dr. Wayne Miller, an internist who operates a private practice on Spruce Street.

Dr. Samuel Slimmer, associate director of the emergency

medicine residency program at Geisinger Health System, who works in the emergency room at Geisinger-Shamokin Area Community Hospital several times per month, agreed.

"It really doesn't change much for me," said Slimmer. "Most of the primary care physicians and emergency room physicians (at Geisinger) have already been doing this."

The chemicals that make up prescription opioids are almost identical to those of the drug heroin, and can cause the same high and dependency. Addicts will sometimes attempt to get a prescription for an opioid painkiller like OxyContin by claiming chronic pain, or by purchasing the painkillers from someone with a prescription.

The PAMED guidelines are not the first attempt to curb the misuse of opioid painkillers; as the number of prescription opiate overdoses has jumped from 4,000 in 1999 to 15,000 in 2010, more physicians organizations are setting standards designed to avoid patients overprescribing these highly addictive drugs.

Miller said a push to prescribe more painkillers came approximately 10 to 15 years ago when doctors were told that they were not treating pain well enough.

"There were reports that doctors were falling short in managing pain, so we became more likely to treat pain aggressively," said Miller.

In the last five to 10 years, as abuse of painkillers has become more prominent, Miller has seen the reversal of this trend, but is aware that some doctors in the area are still keen to prescribe opiates.

"There's a spectrum of physicians in our community that vary on how easily they prescribe opiates," said Miller. "It seems people in the community know who those doctors are (that prescribe more easily) and take advantage of that."

Slimmer occasionally sees patients who have come to the emergency room seeking treatment for an increase in chronic pain. He said he can often find better long-term solutions for these patients, like surgery to repair a slipped disk or the use of nerve blocker.

"The whole goal is to minimize the use of opiate narcotics," said Slimmer.

Miller said sometimes patients who have a legitimate need for an opioid painkiller are hesitant to use one for fear of addiction. He said these types of people, and people with a genuine need for a strong, short-term painkiller, are highly unlikely to become addicts.

"Like most things in life, when done appropriately, things go well," he said. "Rarely it's the patient that begins narcotic use for legitimate reasons that continues for inappropriate reasons."

WASHINGTON - Bill Tighe, chief of staff for U.S. Rep. Tom Marino, said he spoke to press secretary Ryan Shucard following his arrest on a gun possession charge and was told he made "a terrible mistake."

After less than two months in his new job, Shucard was arrested Friday for trying to bring a gun into the congressional office building where he works.

He was arrested about 9:15 a.m. as he tried to enter the southeast doors of the Cannon Office Building, according to Capitol Police. Police found him in possession of a Smith & Wesson 9mm handgun and a magazine of ammunition. Capitol Police charged him with carrying a pistol without a license, a felony that carries a penalty of up to five years in prison. They declined to elaborate further on the incident or the charge.

Police found the gun during a routine search required for entry into the building. Everyone entering a congressional office building must pass through a metal detector. Bags and other belongings are passed through an X-ray scanner.

Marino's office is at 410 Cannon Office Building.

Tighe said Shucard, who started his job May 27, was immediately placed on unpaid leave. Shucard's salary is $52,000 a year.

"He's a firearms owner in Virginia. He forgot that he had it with him," Tighe said.

Capitol Police told him they do not believe Shucard brought the gun to work with him to harm anyone, Tighe said.

He emphasized that Marino, even though he favors a person's right to carry a gun, was upset at Shucard.

"Tom is pro-Second Amendment and we are deeply, deeply disappointed," Tighe said. "This shows a lack of judgment and a real disregard and knowledge of firearm laws. It's irresponsible."

Shucard came to Marino after nine months as media relations manager for the American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries, according to Shucard's LinkedIn page.

A native of Littleton, Colo., he is a 2006 graduate of Columbine High School and earned bachelor's degrees in political science and government and journalism in 2011 from the University of Northern Colorado. He worked for almost 18 months as aide to U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman, then seven months at DDC Advocacy in a Maryland suburb of Washington before joining Marino's office.

In March 2007, an aide to U.S. Sen. James Webb of Virginia was arrested for trying to bring a loaded gun into the Russell Senate Office Building. A federal prosecutor dropped the charge a month later, saying he could not prove the charge beyond a reasonable doubt.

Knights picnic is today

KULPMONT - Kulpmont Council 4281 Knights of Columbus annual picnic is 1 to 4 p.m. today at Holy Angel's grounds. Members and families are invited.

Vacation Bible schools starting

Two more vacation Bible schools start at local churches this week.

"SonTreasure Island" is the theme for those at Bethany Bible Church, 654 Wilburton Road (across from Mount Carmel Estates). The program runs from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Friday for children ages four through sixth grade. Transportation is available.

Oak Grove United Methodist Church invites children ages 4 to 12 to "Weird Animals: Where Jesus' Love is One-of-a-Kind," from 6 to 8:20 p.m. Monday through Friday. Children will learn about some of God's most creative creations as they participate in memorable Bible-learning activities, sing catchy songs, play teamwork-building games and test out "sciency fun gizmos" they'll take home. Each day concludes with The Tail End, a celebration that gets everyone involved in living what they've learned. Family members and friends are encouraged to join in daily for this special time at 8 p.m.

Kids at Weird Animals VBS will join an international mission effort to share God's love by providing water for school children in India.

Closing program is 9 a.m. Sunday, with a continental breakfast to follow.

For more information, call 570-898-9093.

DANVILLE - Authorities say they are investigating the death of a 20-year-old man struck and killed by an excursion train traveling through the borough Saturday morning as a possible suicide.

Montour County Coroner Scott Lynn said the man, who is believed to have been homeless, was killed shortly after 10 a.m. in an area between Route 54 (Continental Boulevard) and Rooney Avenue, a few hundred yards from where a North Shore engine pulling cars filled with passengers had just left the Big Mill Station, next to the Danville Middle School, for a roundtrip ride to Bloomsburg. The train rides are part of the weekend-long Iron Heritage Festival and have been conducted for many years.

The identity of the man, believed to be from out of state, was being withheld Saturday until family is notified, Lynn said.

According to other reports, earlier in the morning, the man had been seen lying on asphalt behind the Alpine Animal Clinic and near the train tracks.

The Iron Heritage Festival embarking station for the excursion train ride was moved to Mill Street.

HARRISBURG - Navy Petty Officer Third Class Tyler A. Foura participated in Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Disposition Services second annual Overseas Contingency Operations Readiness Training exercise. This year's iteration, which consisted of the mostly hands-on training at various Michigan military installations, paired more than 50 DLA military reservists and members of the agency's Civilian Expeditionary Workforce to prepare expeditionary units capable of rapidly deploying, fully constructing work sites and starting property receipt in less than 100 hours - at almost any location in the world. As it relates to this training, Foura will be deploying to Afghanistan for DLA this summer.

Foura is currently serving as Logistics Specialist with DLA Distribution, Naval Operations Support Center, Harrisburg.

Foura is a son of Douglas Foura and Heidi Ferguson, of Sunbury.

He is a 2007 graduate of Shikellamy High School, Sunbury. He earned an master's degree in 2013 from Bloomsburg University, Bloomsburg.

Property transfers

Joseph S. Kidron (estate), Dawn Dent (executrix), to Dale D. and Nancy A. Breech, property in Shamokin, $10,000.

Federal National Mortgage Association, aka Fannie Mae, to Ansley Rentals LLC, property in Shamokin, $6,000.

Helen Swartz (estate), Helen Schwartz (estate) and Lorraine J. Halcovich (executrix) to Dehlilah Betz-Lebleu, property in Shamokin, $3,000.

Helen Swartz (estate), Helen Schwartz (estate) and Lorraine J. Halcovich (executrix) to Dehlilah Betz-Lebleu, property in Shamokin, $3,000.

Dennis E. and Carol G. Reitz to Joseph R. and Gail E. Weigley, property in Lower Mahanoy Township, $650.

Harry W. Portzline Jr. (estate), Nicole P. Miller and Kristina M. Portzline (co-administrators) to Nicole P. Miller, property in Jackson Township, $1.

David A. John to Patrick and Sandra L. Halcovich, property in Mount Carmel Township, $1.

Carol L. Hartman to Carol L., Justin R. and Nikole C. Hartman, property in Shamokin Township, $1.

Mildred B. Strantz (estate), Colette Strantz Detz (executrix), to Autumn R. and Remington T. Hupp, property in Mount Carmel Borough, $10,000.

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. (by agent) and Daniel A. McGovern (agent) to Matthew D. and Molly Reed, property in Zerbe Township, $9,000.

John E. Yost Jr, Noreen A. Yost, Louise E. Ratallack, Mya M. Hornberger and John M. Hornberger to Daniel L. and Marsha E. Fleming, property in Ralpho Township, $115,000.

Vincent J. III and Tracy Yuskoski to Vincent J. Yuskoski III, property in Mount Carmel Township, $1.

Lewis W. Moore Sr. (estate), Cindy L. Reigel and Kathleen J. Palacz to Edward J. Morrison III and Kelley A. Morrison, property in Ralpho Township, $22,000.

Francis J. Hertzog (estate), Jennie Wilds-Hertzog (executrix), to Patricia A. Carroll, property in Shamokin, $500.

Dorothy J. Wagner to James J. and Carollynn A. Carnuccio, property in Coal Township, $1.

Alexander J. Wasileski (estate), Alex J. Wasilewski (estate), Alex J. Wasileski (estate), Cyril Wasileski and Cyril R. Wasilewski (executors), to John M. and Janene E. Shepard, property in Coal Township, $60,000.

Paul J. Krayniak to Daniel Soos, property in Coal Township, $15,000.

Eleanor Pelosi and Eleanor E. Andrulewicz to Anthony J. and Holly J. Serafini, property in Ralpho Township, $224,500.

Harvey C. Jr. and Dorothy A. Boughner to Betty Jo Zegler and Jennifer L. Miller, property in Zerbe Township, $1.

John J. and Sandra A. Bradley to John J., Sandara and John Kevin Bradley and Melissa A. Shurock, property in Mount Carmel Township, $1.

Linda K. Kline to Matthew A. Whary, property in Lower Mahanoy Township, $117,000.

Dorothy A. Kort (estate), Paul T. Kort (administrator), to Deborah Wolfe Adams and Kenneth J. Adams, property in Mount Carmel Borough, $13,000.

ARH Properties LLC to Maria M. Bueno, property in Coal Township, $1,626.

Northumberland County Sheriff and Virginia L. Hart to JP Morgan Chase Bank, property in Shamokin, $2,485.57.

Northumberland County Sheriff and Colleen A. Luta to Federal National Mortgage Association, property in Shamokin, $1,106.01.

Laurel Lane LLC to Roland Shirk, property in Kulpmont, $22,000.

Roger P. Grattan to Danielle and Brad Kublic, property in Shamokin, $9,200.

SUNBURY - Dr. Donna Pinter, clinical director of Psychological Services in Sunbury, Danville and Bloomsburg, is the recipient of the 2014 Pennsylvania Psychological Association's Psychology in the Media award.

Pinter is a licensed psychologist and received her doctorate from the University of California, Berkeley. She has extended herself to the public in a variety of endeavors, including her newspaper column, "Slice of Life," which appears in The News-Item once a month. She has written nearly 100 columns on topics including listening, mindfulness, the value of kindness, first impressions, procrastination, fear of public speaking, motivation, optimism, common sense and parenting.

Pinter said she and her staff also reach 500 students weekly with interventions at area schools. These programs are developed to promote positive social/emotional functioning in students.

Pinter's staff also addresses middle and high school groups. Trainings and workshops are also available.

ELYSBURG - Ralpho Township Community Park was the scene Saturday afternoon for the 100th anniversary of the Swank family reunion, believed to be one of the oldest and continuous gatherings of descendents of one family in Northumberland County and possibly in the state. Nearly 100 family members attended.

Swank family pioneers, who contributed to the founding of Ralpho Township, have been meeting at the "All Homes Day" park location for about 50 years, but the reunion was once held at Ash Grove Church, along Route 61

just west of Paxinos. There was a time during those years that a horse and buggy would be sent to the train station in Paxinos to pick up family members coming in from out of town and take them to the church.

The earliest reunions were organized by Allen and Percy Swank, and their descendants continue to faithfully gather.

While Saturday's event is regarded as the 100th consecutive reunion, the family notes that a reunion was not held for three years during World War II because the family felt it wasn't an appropriate time to celebrate.

Attendance has dwindled in recent years, but organizers used letters and emails to push for a larger attendance for the 100th year. Attendees came from across the country and represented a number of states. Prizes were awarded in many categories to descendants who came the farthest, those who were the oldest and youngest and many other categories.

Officers in charge of planning the reunion included Wayne Swank, director; Calvin Swank, director; Paul Swank, director; Pearl Swank, secretary and treasurer, Barry Swank, president, and Mark Swank, vice president.

PETERSBURG, Va. - As an engineer for the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Co., Henry Pleasants knew mining.

As the commanding officer of the 48th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, Lt. Col. Henry Pleasants knew he could count on his regiment of coal miners from Schuylkill County.

And, in the predawn hours of July 30, 1864, he counted most on Lt. Jacob Douty and Sgt. Harry "Henry/Snapper" Reese to carry out a life-threatening mission. Pleasants had lit the fuse to the charge of 8,000 pounds of gunpowder under Confederate lines in the 511-foot long tunnel his men had begun digging in June.

Because the inferior fuse required multiple splices it became obvious that there was a break in the line. Pressured by his superior officers, who only got onboard with the plan in the final days of the project, Pleasants had no choice other than accept the offer by Douty and Reese to enter the tunnel to repair and relight the fuse.

After accomplishing their mission, Douty and Reese scrambled on hands and knees out of the tunnel, which was just 3 feet in height and tapered at the top. It is said that when they emerged they somewhat calmly said the explosion would occur in 15 minutes and sure enough at 4:44 a.m. the gunpowder rocked the Rebel lines, but instead of producing a Union victory inept leadership resulted in the disaster that became known as the Battle of the Crater.

Only the most basic information is known of Douty, a boiler maker from Cressona who was 28 years old when he joining the 48th as a second lieutenant, Oct. 1, 1861. Along with the rest of the regiment he saw action at the Second Battle of Manassas, the Battle of Antietam and the Battle of Fredericksburg.

By 1864, he had been promoted to first lieutenant and accounts have him working side-by-side with Pleasants during the digging of the tunnel. With Reese leading the way with a lantern, Douty is credited with using his folding knife to repair the fuse that had broken approximately halfway to the powder charge.

Douty left the army when his three-year term of service ended in September 1864. After the end of the Civil War he settled in Philadelphia, where he died April 13, 1895, at the age of 62.

Pleasants was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and was 13 when he was sent to the United States to attend school in Philadelphia. In 1857 he moved to Pottsville, but with the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861 he joined the 6th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry with the rank of second lieutenant on a three-month enlistment.

In July 1861 Pleasants enlisted as a captain in the 48th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry and served with the regiment in the Western Theater before it was shipped to the Eastern Theater. By 1864 he had obtained the rank of lieutenant colonel and was in command of the regiment.

For his role in the tunnel project at Petersburg, Pleasants was promoted Aug. 1, 1864, to command the 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, IX Corps. He was brevetted as a brigadier general March 13, 1865, with his citation recognizing his service at Petersburg and exonerated for the bungling of other officers.

After the war, Pleasants returned to Pottsville in 1865 and resumed his career as a mining engineer for the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Co. He eventually served as chief engineer and then superintendent, dying at the age of 47 and being buried in the Charles Baber Cemetery.

In every sense of the word Reese has to be described as a "character" who lived life to the fullest extent. He was born Aug. 5, 1835, in Monmouthshire, South Wales, and when still a young child moved with his family to Minersville, where he was listed on the 1870 census.

According to family history, sometime during the 1850s he moved to Shamokin to protect a mine superintendent from a threat received from the Molly Maguires. With the outbreak of the Civil War he enlisted April 21, 1861, in the 48th with the rank of private, being promoted to sergeant when he re-enlisted three months later.

In August 1864, Reese was promoted to the rank of first sergeant, and early in 1865 was promoted to the rank of captain. He was discharged from service July 17, 1865, and resumed his occupation as a miner until being hired as chief of police in Shamokin.

Among those who were his close associates were Col. William F. Cody, who would visit Reese when touring in the area with his "Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show," and Capt. Jack Crawford, a civilian cavalry scout during the Sioux War of 1876-77 who had worked with Reese in the mines when both lived in Minersville. Both Cody and Crawford were said to have spent most of their time in the area at a bar owned by Reese.

While no Confederate bullet was able to take the life of Reese, he was done in by a tooth infection, dying May 3, 1893. According to newspaper accounts, his funeral was described as the largest ever in Shamokin, where he is buried, with an estimated crowd of 7,000 paying its respects. A letter home from the front

Below is the text of a letter written by Lt. Col. Henry Pleasants, commanding officer of the 48th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, describing the digging of the tunnel and its purpose during the siege of Petersburg, Virgina, by the Union Army to his uncle in Pottsville and is on display at the Eastern Front Visitor Center at the Petersburg National Battlefield.

Near Petersburg, Va.

July 23, 1864

Dear Uncle,

I have rec'd both yours and uncle James' welcome letters, but I have not had time to answer them. I have worked harder of late with body & brain than I ever did in my life before. I have projected, undertaken & completed a gigantic work & have accomplished one of the greatest things in this war: I have excavated a mine gallery from our lines to & under the enemy's works. This mine is 511 feet in length and has lateral galleries of 75 ft. making total distance 586 ft.

I am under one of their principal forts, and as soon as the "high authorities" are ready, will put 12,000 (twelve thousand) lbs. Of powder in 9 enormous magazines & will blow fort, cannon & rebels to the clouds.

The Chief Engineer of the Army & the rest of the regular army wiseacres said ti was not feasible: that I could not carry the ventilation that distance without digging a hole to the surface & that I would either get the men crushed by falls of earth or have them smothered. Old Burnside stood by me. Told me to go ahead & I have succeeded.

When I began I have neither an inch of board or a single nail. I caused our big picks to be made smaller; got cracker boxes and made hand-barrows out of them, and went ahead day & night until I finished it.

I now wait the order to put in the powder & reap the fruits of the work. It is terrible, however, to hurl several hundred men with my own hand at one blow into eternity; but I believe I am doing right.

Be sure not to speak of this matter outside of uncle James & Aunt Emily; until the thing is done: - Then I will give you a fuller account.

Love to all, Affec.

Henry

PETERSBURG, Va. - They were just coal miners from Schuylkill County, but they could have been heroes - if just for one day.

As the nation continues its ongoing 150th anniversary remembrance of the American Civil War, our area has had many reasons to pause and reflect on the contributions and sacrifices made by local troops who helped preserve the Union. In the minds of most, the pinnacle of those efforts was recognized last summer with the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg.

This summer, however, what is arguably the most iconic event of all involving area troops during the four-year war will have its 150th anniversary. That event was the digging of the famous tunnel under Confederate lines by the 48th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry in the early stages of the 10-month siege at Petersburg, Va., that resulted in the infamous "Battle of the Crater."

These coal miners - many of Irish descent - from Schuylkill County upheld their part of the project in digging the 511-foot tunnel that had two T-shaped wings once it reached the Confederate lines under Fort No. 5. That those efforts resulted in such a disaster through no fault of their own is somewhat reminiscent of the alleged comment by an Irish shipbuilder at Holland and Wolff Shipyards in Belfast after the sinking of RMS Titanic that "There was nothing wrong with her when she left us."

Had there not been a regiment with the pluck of the 48th, which covered itself in glory Sept. 17, 1862, in the action at Burnside's Bridge during the Battle of Antietam at Sharpsburg, Maryland, one would have most likely been created for a historical novel. In addition, the 48th earned recognition for its action in the fighting at Fredericksburg, Second Manassas and the Wilderness.

Likewise, the 48th had such larger-than-life characters as Lt. Col. Henry Pleasants, Pottsville; Sgt. Harry "Henry/Snapper" Reese, Minersville, and Lt. Jacob Douty, Cressona, and one is left to wonder why a made-for-television movie - at the very least - has not been produced focusing on the action at Petersburg. Pleasants was able to convince his skeptical superiors that his "boys" could accomplish the construction of the tunnel, and Douty and Reese entered the tunnel to "touch" the shortened fuse after the initial lighting attempt failed due to a broken splice.

Activities to commemorate the 150th anniversary battle - complete with a re-enactment of the explosion under Confederate lines - get under way on July 30, the date of the action that resulted in Union casualties of 504 killed, 1,881 wounded and 1,413 missing or captured. Confederate losses that day were 361 killed, 727 wounded and 403 missing or captured.

Additional activities are scheduled for Aug. 1 and 2 that range from tours and lectures to living-history presentations. Many of the events will be held in Old Towne Petersburg, where the producers of the Revolutionary War docudrama "Turn" are filming much of the AMC television series.

Clearly, the men of the 48th, dubbed the "Schuylkill Regiment," did their jobs - and then some. From the beginning of the project, however, it seemed doomed by lack of support from within the high command of the Union Army, the tension of social unrest at home in the coal fields and decisions made at the front for apparent political reasons.

Drawing on his expertise as a mining engineer, Pleasants outlined his plan to tunnel under Confederate lines and set off a powder charge that would create an opening in their defenses. His plan was approved by Maj. Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside, best known for his troops suffering defeats at the Battle of Fredericksburg and the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House. There was little support - and actual disdain - from those higher in the chain of command, including Army commander Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and Maj. Gen. George Meade.

While Grant wanted to avoid a prolonged siege like the one he oversaw in 1863 at Vicksburg, Mississippi, both he and Meade doubted if digging the tunnel would achieve a strategic advantage. In fact, both officers are reported to view the project as a way to keep the troops "occupied."

No matter how sound the plan, most likely Meade would have not been supportive of anything suggested by Burnside, who was finally removed from duty after the disaster of the crater. In a classic example of history repeating itself, during World War II generals Dwight Eisenhower and George Patton had a similar abrasive relationship.

Other parallels are that the trench warfare carried on in France during World War I was similar to that at Petersburg. Also, the draft riots of 1863 in New York City and some with wealth buying their way out of military service were similar to events that would take place some 100 years later during the Vietnam War.

Not even the most basic tools such as wheelbarrows and picks were issued by the Quartermaster Corps to the 48th, leaving the troops no choice other than modifying their shovels and devising their own handmade tools. In order to haul the dirt out of the tunnel they used converted wooden hardtack cases, one of which is part of a display on the Battle of the Crater at the Eastern Front Visitor Center at the Petersburg National Battlefield.

Taking it upon themselves to assist the 48th by cutting timber and collecting lumber to support the shaft was a division of United States Colored Troops under the command of Brig. Gen. Edward Ferrero. This division had been trained for the express purpose of attacking the Confederate lines after the explosion, with one of the two brigades going to the right and the other to the left of the crater.

In addition to being trained for carrying out the attack, these troops had the advantage of being fresh, as they had not been involved in the beating taken by the Union forces at Cold Harbor immediately before the army's arrival at Petersburg in June. On the eve of the attack, however, Meade, who along with Grant now supported the plan, pulled the USCT in favor of other units that had not been trained how to carry out the attack.

Adding to the irony was the bond that was formed between the 48th and the USCT because back in Schuylkill County the previous summer there was unrest between Irish miners who were losing their jobs to migrating recently freed slaves from the South who were truly being paid "slave" wages to dig coal. Troops had actually been sent to Pottsville to keep order, and the Bishop of the Philadelphia Diocese traveled to Schuylkill County and preached against secret societies in general and the Molly Maguires in particular.

Still, the men of the 48th persevered, and began digging the tunnel in late June, making modifications as needed. One of the more ingenious aspects of the project was constructing just one air shaft that used a fire to draw air into the tunnel and circulate it so the miners were able to breath.

"It became clear to the Confederates that something was going on, but they really didn't think it would work," Park Ranger Grant Gates said. "As the tunnel got near the Confederate lines the miners could actually hear them talking in their underground bomb proofs."

Finally, the main tunnel reached the Confederate lines July 17, but even then Army of Northern Virginia commander Gen. Robert E. Lee was skeptical. It would be two weeks before he ordered a countermining attempt, but the Rebels lacked the skill to carry out the project and the tunnel was not detected.

Meanwhile, the "T" wings were added under Confederate lines and packed with 8,000 pounds of gunpowder in 320 kegs just 20 feet beneath the surface. With the support of Grant and Meade, the charges were armed July 28 and set to be detonated July 30 between 3:30 and 3:45 a.m.

It was in the final hours that Meade made the decision to pull Ferrero's USCT who had been trained for the assault and instructed Burnside, who was not known for thinking on his feet, to select other troops for the attack. He did this by having his division commanders draw straws, and drawing the short straw was Gen. James Ledlie.

Often described as "the worst general of the Civil War," there are multiple reports that Ledlie remained in his tent and was inebriated by the time the explosion rocked the Confederate lines at 4:44 a.m. Inferior fuses had been supplied to the 48th and they required multiple splices to run the length of the tunnel.

Pleasants lit the fuse at the appointed time, but after waiting nearly an hour, Reese and Douty volunteered to crawl into the tunnel to find the problem. Sure enough, the fuse had broken at a splice, which was repaired and relit, and the ensuing explosion created a crater 170 feet in length, 100-120 feet in width and 30 feet in depth.

Had the attacking Union forces been trained for the assault, they would have known to attack around the outside edges of the crater. Instead, they rushed down into the crater and the slaughter lasted into the afternoon.

"I believe Meade pulled the United State Colored Troops because of political reasons, as it would have reflected poorly on Lincoln if they had been sent in first and been slaughtered," Gates said. "Also, he was still under a lot of pressure and was still answering for not pursuing Lee's retreating army at Gettysburg the previous summer."

After the explosion, the Confederates quickly regrouped in the 10-minute delay by Ledlie's untrained troops, who were apparently unprepared for the explosion. When they finally attacked there were no footbridges in place so they could quickly cross their trenches, and once they stumbled upon the crater they thought it was a rifle pit for them to take cover and fire at the Confederates.

In a cruel twist of fate, during the latter stages of the battle many of Union casualties were suffered by the USCT that had been held in reserve. Many of those troops were shot and bayoneted after surrendering by Confederate troops, but even worse, some suffered the same fate at the hands of their fellow Union soldiers hoping to escape the same fate from the Rebels.

Pleasants and the 48th had no role in the attack and he later was praised for his idea and carrying out the digging of the tunnel. He was appointed a brevet brigadier general, March 13, 1865, and received a citation that mentioned his role.

In his testimony before the Committee on the Conduct of the War, Grant said that he believed that attack would have been a success had Burnside been allowed to use his USCT at the front. Although Meade had been censured for his decision, Grant stopped short of hanging him out to dry.

"I believe if he had done so it would have been a success," Grant said. "Still, I agreed with Gen. Meade as to his objections to that plan.

"Gen. Meade said that if we put the colored troops in front (we had only one division) and it should prove a failure, it would then be said and very properly, that we were shoving these people ahead to get killed because we did not care anything about them. But that could not be said if we put white troops in front."

Although the Battle of the Crater is viewed as a Confederate victory, they gained no strategic advantage. Meanwhile, the siege continued until the final days of the war in April 1865.

If you go

With some advance planning of a trip to Petersburg, Va., much time can be saved when visiting the Eastern Theater of the battlefield, where the crater is located, and the Western Theater, where much of the action occurred in the final days of the war. As there are also other attractions in the area, seeking lodging between modern Petersburg and Old Towne Petersburg at hotels such as the Hampton Inn in Colonial Heights makes for easy travel.

While many of the national chain restaurants are in the area, a better choice is to eat in one of the locally owned restaurants in the Old Towne. Many of them have Civil War Era menu items, and some of them have been used to film scenes for the AMC television series "Turn" and the film "Lincoln" that stared Daniel Day Lewis.

A vacation planning guide is available from Petersburg Area Regional Tourism by calling 804-861-1666 or 877-730-7278. Information is also on its website at www.petersburgarea.org.

Battle of the Crater events

For information on the Battle of the Crater 150th anniversary events call the Petersburg National Battlefield Park Rangers at 804-732-3531, ext. 200.

Here is a schedule of events:

Wednesday, July 30: A commemorative program will take place at 5:45 a.m., which is the daylight savings time adjusted approximate hour of the explosion. A keynote address will be given at midday and ranger tours will be provided in the morning and afternoon.

Friday, Aug. 1: A morning panel discussion will be held from 10 a.m. to noon at Gillfield Baptist Church, 209 Perry St.; an afternoon panel discussion will be from 1 to 3 p.m. at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 10 Union St. Both discussions will have three speakers and a Q&A session. One will address the battle and the other impacts of the siege on those living in the city.

Saturday, Aug. 2: Living history programs on the battle, the soldiers and their weapons and field medicine will be held throughout the day. Union and Confederate artillery will present a live fire demonstration and re-enactors portraying Generals Grant and Lee will present their thoughts on this battle.

TREVORTON - Empty hills and empty roads have translated to empty coffers for Trevorton businesses.

A series of crackdowns on the illegal off-road riding taking place on Reading Anthracite Company's property located in Zerbe Township is proving detrimental to Trevorton businesses who have come to rely on out-of-town ATV riders.

"Our sales went down probably 85 percent," Debbie Shingara, owner of Mountainside Motorsports, said Saturday.

Located nearly adjacent to a piece of Reading property known as Coal Hill, Shingara said riders would visit her store for parts and repairs when their vehicles broke down.

With riders scarce, she said, she has few customers.

"We lost our out-of-staters; we lost everybody," said Shingara.

Angela Wilkinson, owner of Angie's Market, declined to comment on the issue Saturday, but confirmed that her business has been slower since the crackdowns began.

Sonya Lebo, co-owner of Dals Pizza, estimated her business has dropped by about 50 percent since the first crackdown occurred at the end of May.

"In the summer, a lot of local people leave the area to go on vacation," said Lebo. "A lot of our business does come in from out of town."

Lebo was one of more than two dozen residents and small business owners who turned up at the Zerbe Township meeting Monday night to voice concerns on how the attempt to stem illegal riding has caused a downturn in customers.

Jason Wolfe, owner of Hannah's Restaurant, said business has always been "hit or miss," and the recent crackdowns has not greatly affected him, but he attended the township meeting to support the other town businesses because he does not agree with how the situation has been handled.

An AOAA connection?

Speaking separately, Wolfe, Lebo and Shingara all said that they believed supervisor Mike Schwartz's seat on the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area (AOAA) authority has led him to push Reading into the crackdowns so riders will have to visit the new park.

"They're trying to direct people to the AOAA," said Shingara.

"The signs got posted almost to the day the AOAA was opened," said Lebo.

"It's a conflict of interest," said Wolfe.

Schwartz categorically denied staging the crackdowns for the purpose of driving riders to the AOAA. He said the timing was coincidental, and he and the other supervisors have been asking Reading to do something about their property for years because of complaints made at township meetings.

He said the arrival of Rich Morgan as security manager for Reading has enabled them to facilitate the crackdowns.

"I think Rich is willing to work with us," said Schwartz. "He understands where our problems are and is trying to initiate the cleanups."

Calls coming in

A sign that Morgan has been more receptive to Trevorton's illegal riding issues is the approval by Reading for sales of its passes at Mountainside Motorsports.

Previously, riders could only purchase passes directly through Reading online or in-person at Reading's headquarters in Pottsville.

"It's helping (Reading), and it's also helping us," said Shingara.

As of Saturday, 21 passes to Reading's property have been sold, said Shingara, with many calls coming in from interested parties.

"People are just finding out about us," said Dustin Ulrich, an employee at Mountainside Motorsports.

Shingara said that while most riders have been OK with paying to purchase Reading's passes, she has had to turn away numerous potential customers because they could not or did not want to buy a state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) tag, which is required by Reading.

Similar to automobile registration tags, DCNR tags can only be issued for ATVs with proven ownership.

Proceeds from tag purchases are used in grant funding for off-roading projects statewide, including at the AOAA.

Buyers of secondhand ATVs, especially from third party websites like Craigslist, do not always receive titles that prove the transfer of legal ownership of the ATV.

"It's hard to get titles," said Ulrich.

Without receiving a title, a purchaser cannot prove the ATV was not stolen.

Pennsylvania State Police Auto Theft Task Force has been present at the crackdowns to check tags.

Schwartz said the AOAA also requires DCNR tags and this has not been an issue.

Seeking options

The business owners in Trevorton were all in agreement that they supported a transition to legal ridership.

"I don't have a problem with them trying to enforce making it legal," said Wolfe.

He said that in the past he's seen near-miss accidents caused by ATVs driving on the road, which is illegal, and had the stones in his parking lot thrown by riders careening through on ATVs.

Lebo agreed that ending the illegal riding is acceptable, but she would like a solution that more directly benefits the town.

"Zerbe Township could have sold the permits and instead they started this little tiff with Reading," said Lebo.

PITMAN - Exotic fir varieties drew approximately 130 Christmas tree farmers to Mahantongo Valley Farms Saturday for the Pennsylvania Christmas Tree Growers Association's (PCTGA) summer meeting.

The tree farm, which boasts 28 varieties of firs, also hosted an event Friday for the Exotic Conifer Association, an international group focused on cultivating exotic firs.

Larry Snyder, co-owner of Mahantongo Valley Farms, said exotic firs, like the Korean/Corkbark fir and the Turkish fir, are becoming more important to Christmas Tree growers because of the changing environment.

"They're becoming difficult to grow," said Snyder. "We're looking at alternatives that grow better in these conditions."

Attendees of the PCTGA meeting were provided with plenty of opportunity to learn about exotic trees.

In addition to speakers lecturing on the cultivation of such trees, a tour of the farm wound through the tree fields.

The tour stopped at several different varieties of exotic firs. At each stop, Larry Downey, of Downey Tree Farm and Nursery in Cookshire, Quebec, shared knowledge of techniques that would lead to each tree growing into a picturesque piece of Christmas décor.

A visit to a segment of Korean fir, recognizable by a flash of white revealed when its needles are lifted, brought great admiration for two perfectly conical, evenly branched trees.

Andrew Haas, a relative associated with Mahantongo Valley Farms, said these two trees may be removed from the property and taken somewhere for horticulturists to use them to cultivate a new stock.

A tent at the base of the farm was the site for other activities, including lessons on creating professional grade wreaths and grafting limbs.

In addition to Snyder and his wife, Joanne, Mahantongo Valley Farms includes Aaron and Sarah Snyder and Lydia and Andrew Bomgardner.

COAL TOWNSHIP - The helping hands of 387 volunteers from 12 states will saw boards, pound nails and paint drywall in nearly 70 area homes this week as part of this year's Group Cares Workcamp.

The Christian mission work camp, which is run by non-denomination Group Mission Trips, will begin work on the homes of low income, elderly or disabled residents in Coal Township, Shamokin, Elysburg, Kulpmont, Marion Heights, Mount Carmel and Trevorton.

Volunteers with the program, which is officially titled "Repair: The Story of a Transformation," are mostly high school age, with older adults serving as team leaders and managing the projects.

They will all live in classrooms in the Shamokin Area Middle-High School, sleeping on air mattresses on the floor and showering in the gym.

The ascetic lifestyle allows the $459 paid by each volunteer to fund the cost of construction materials.

Kim Sawyer, camp director, said extravagant lodgings are not necessary for the volunteers because the trip is rewarding for other reasons.

"I love to talk to campers on the first day because they're scared to death," said Sawyer. "Every one of them meets a new person, and on the last day they're exchanging e-mail addresses, phone numbers."

Camper Celia Nuzzolo, 16, of Glastonbury, Conn., said she had been on other youth trips and was excited to be a part of the Group Cares Workcamp.

"I'm looking forward to meeting new people and helping," said Nuzzolo.

Nuzzolo's group arrived in Shamokin around noon after a six-hour drive. She and her friends were in awe of the mountains they saw on the drive to the high school.

"It's so hilly. It reminded me of San Francisco," said Jen Conran, 17, of Glastonbury.

Her friend Elle Voss, 16, of Glastonbury, noted how different the architecture is from her hometown.

"All of the houses are stuck on top of each other," she said.

The girls will get to check out some of the houses up close today when they head out at 9 a.m. to begin working on their projects.

Ladders needed for Work Groups

SHAMOKIN - The Work Groups Camp coming into Shamokin today is in need of ladders. Anyone wishing to lend or donate their ladder can contact Keith Sawyer at 570-713-4578. The ladders will have the owner's named placed on it and will be returned to the owners at the conclusion of the Work Groups week Friday.

HARRISBURG - The ink is barely dry on the new $29 billion state budget, but spending cuts or freezes to keep it balanced loom.

Interest groups frequently point to line-item victories when a budget is signed. But the response has been muted this year because people don't want to put too much stock in what could be taken away.

The concern expressed by everyone from Budget Secretary Charles Zogby to county commissioners is that the revenue projections supporting the spending won't hold up completely over the fiscal year.

The budget relies on overly optimistic estimates of tax revenue coming in and takes money from state funds set aside for special purposes, said state Auditor General Eugene DePasquale, a Democrat. An enormous budget deficit will become evident in six months to nine months, he added.

A revenue shortfall would leave the governor in office as of January, either incumbent Republican Tom Corbett or Democratic challenger Tom Wolf, with tough decisions to make to adjust spending.

It has happened twice during the past four years, a reflection of Pennsylvania's chronic fiscal problems since the 2008 nationwide recession.

Both Corbett and his predecessor Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell in early 2012 and 2010, respectively, cut more than $150 million in spending to offset revenue shortfalls.

Sometimes the cuts are described as freezes or placing money in budgetary reserve.

But the result is the same because the money isn't coming back, said Gary Drapek, president of the United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties. The Human Services Development Fund, used to fund county safety net programs, got hit during the cuts in 2012 and 2010.

These cuts ultimately affect individuals - the senior citizen in Olyphant depending on Meals on Wheels or the mentally disabled person who loses services and then regresses, said Drapek.

He said social service agencies plan on having the budgeted dollars to provide services and are forced to cancel them if cuts are made. After six years of fiscal problems, few have reserves to draw on or lines of credit, he said.

The problem with having a budget that doesn't add up is the governor has sole power to decide where to order cuts to balance it, said DePasquale.

"There's no checks and balances," he said.

This budget is largely the product of House and Senate Republican leaders. Corbett didn't sign off on the final deal and vetoed nearly $100 million, mostly in legislative spending, when he signed it.

Pennsylvania wrestled with a $1.5 billion revenue problem this spring. The budget keeps the spending in check and avoids hiking the state cigarette tax or levying a severance tax on natural gas production, said GOP leaders.

"Facing a deficit that exceeded $1 billion, we were able to craft this budget by transferring excess balances from existing state funds," said House Speaker Sam Smith, R-66, Punxsutawney. "As opposed to imposing new or expanded taxes that could have a detrimental impact on the state's economy, we chose to live within our means by reallocating funds in current accounts to cover our spending priorities."

The supporting revenue estimate is higher than what the state Independent Fiscal Office has predicted, but that's based on the fact that revenues during June were significantly stronger than originally anticipated, said Erik Arneson, spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi, R-9, Chester.

The budget is taped together with quick fixes, said the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center, a Harrisburg think tank that advocates for a severance tax.

For example, the center points to an assumption that unspent money from the prior budget will total more than $400 million instead of the normal range of $100 to $150 million.

The Commonwealth Foundation, a free-market, conservative think tank, said relying on fund transfers and one-time revenue sources is not sustainable. The budget shields taxpayers, but action is needed to reduce public pension costs, according to the foundation.

SHAMOKIN - It's time to stock up on Popsicles and head out to the pool: this week's supposed to be a scorcher.

David Martin, forecaster at the National Weather Service office in State College predicts temperatures will top the 90s on Tuesday and Wednesday.

On Thursday, cool relief will arrive when a low pressure system moves off the southeast coast, taking temperatures back down to the upper 70s.

Temperatures in the 90s is not unusual for typical July weather in the region, but this summer the mercury has rarely reached so high.

Martin said this summer's warm, rather than hot, weather is a result of evening thunderstorms.

The moisture that has been on the ground, Martin said, has been absorbing energy that would otherwise become heat as it evaporates and turns into clouds. When the clouds turn into precipitation, the less humid air feels even cooler.

Martin said Julys in the past have been hotter because they were drier.

"When it's really dry and it's very dried out you can have more of a persistent heat wave because the energy isn't going to evaporate so much moisture," said Martin. "We're reasonably wet for mid-July."

Martin said that he couldn't be certain if the area's precipitation is higher than average this year because the National Weather Service doesn't track Shamokin's weather patterns and the precipitating systems that have moved through Pennsylvania this year have been spotty and uneven.

Williamsport is only one-tenth of an inch off of the normal, said Martin.

"That's pretty darn normal," he said.

In contrast, Harrisburg is about 5.5 inches above normal for July, and about 10 inches above normal for the year.

Martin said the moisture that has kept temperatures in check during the day has also contributed to warm nights.

He added that he can't predict if Tuesday and Wednesday will be the only hot days this summer in Shamokin.

"You can still get some hot weather here and cooler patterns," said Martin. "You just don't get the long stretches of 90 degree weather you've seen in the past."

John Gembic III, Shamokin

Shamokin Properties, of Danville, against Phyllis Reichenbach and Jon Koons, both of Shamokin, for $1,100, filed July 18. A hearing is scheduled for August 4.

William S. and Lisa A. Karpinski, both of Coal Township, awarded $2,429.88 July 14 in rent and court costs from Tracy Vetovich, of Shamokin.

Joseph Pearson, of Mount Carmel, awarded $2,433.60 July 14 in rent and court costs from Darrell Jackson, of Shamokin.

Hugh A. Jones, Mount Carmel

Costello Realty, Inc., of Mount Carmel, against Carmine Simone, of Mount Carmel, for $800, filed July 18. A hearing is scheduled for July 31.

Apartments and Acquisitions, of Mount Carmel, awarded $623.50 July 17 in rent and court costs from Abby Burd and Troy McMunn, both of Mount Carmel.

Apartments and Acquisitions, of Mount Carmel, awarded $1,883.50 July 17 in rent and court costs from Sam and Jamie Peters, both of Mount Carmel.

SUNBURY - Three Shamokin area residents were sentenced on various charges Monday in Northumberland County Court.

Ariel Parker, 27, of Coal Township, was sentenced by President Judge William H. Wiest to serve 90 days on house arrest after pleading guilty to his second offense of driving under the influence of alcohol. Parker also was ordered to pay a $1,500 fine plus costs and complete a DUI counter measure program.

He was charged by Coal Township Patrolman Joshua Wynn in connection with a Sept. 24 motorcycle crash near the intersection of State and Jackson streets.

Parker was represented by Attorney Antonio Michetti.

Eric J. Ginck, 35, of Shamokin, was sentenced by Wiest to two years consecutive probation and fined $150 for possessing an instrument of crime and given credit for time served in Northumberland County Prison, fined $150 and ordered to make restitution totaling $7,611.94 to Andrew Huber for criminal trespass.

Ginck, who was represented by county special conflicts counsel Sue Schwartz, remains in prison, but is scheduled to be released in the near future.

He was charged by Shamokin Patrolman Scott Weaver in connection with a July 15, 2013, break-in at a storage trailer at the rear of CVS Pharmacy.

Ginck also was charged by Mount Carmel Lt. Christopher Buhay relating to an Aug. 14 burglary at 544 W. Second St.

Keith R. Nixon Jr., 27, of Shamokin, was sentenced by Judge Charles Saylor on a felony of possession with intent to deliver cocaine to two years of intermediate punishment with the first three months on house arrest. He also was ordered to pay a fine plus costs.

He must provide a DNA sample, undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation and avoid all bars and drug users or sellers.

Nixon, who was represented by Attorney James Best, was charged by Shamokin Cpl. Bryan Primerano with selling cocaine and marijuana to a confidential informant Oct. 11 in the city.

Assistant district attorney Julia Skinner represented the commonwealth at the sentencings for Parker and Ginck, while ADA Tony Matulewicz was the prosecutor at Nixon's sentencing.