BY LARRY Deklinski

NORFOLK, Va. - Emotional. That is how David Jepko of Mount Carmel describes stepping onto the USS Enterprise (CVN 65) nearly 44 years after his late father helped save fellow sailors aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier during a massive fire Jan. 14, 1969.

Jepko, his brother, Robert, and sister, Sandra, along with their families, honored their father's heroic actions by attending a Fire Memorial and Inactivation Ceremony Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 at Pier 12 of the Norfolk Naval Station. Following an inactivation phase that will last until 2017, the ship will be towed to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility for dismantlement and recycling.

A chief machinist mate born in Atlas, Zachary Jepko served on the Enterprise from 1966 to 1970. He escaped injury on a lower deck while fighting flames caused by a MK-32 Zuni rocket, which overheated and exploded while loaded on a parked F-4 Phantom jet. A chain reaction of explosions followed, which ultimately claimed 28 sailors.

"He was instrumental in helping people that were hurt," Jepko said. "He also was one of the people who made sure there wasn't more damage to the ship."

The Enterprise, commissioned Nov. 25, 1961, completed 25 deployments in its 51 years of service. It is 1,123 feet long, 250 feet high, and has a flight deck of 4.5 acres.

Jepko said the crowd of 12,000 people at the Inactivation Ceremony were ecstatic when Capt. William Hamilton Jr., who was moved to tears at the mention of the men who saved the carrier, announced that the CVN 65 would not be the last carrier to bear the name "Enterprise."

Touring the carrier was especially important to Jepko's son, Eric, who was only seven years old when his grandfather passed away in 1997 at the age of 60.

"When we found out about the last voyage, we thought it would be a good vacation to show our son the carrier his grandfather worked on," Jepko said. "I felt like another part of my dad was gone when I found out they were going to scrap it and never see it again."

The fire

David was seven years old, Robert, six and Sandra not even born yet when the fire occurred. Their mother, Elaine, waited anxiously for two days at their home in Alameda, Calif., to hear if Zachary had survived, but phone lines were overrun by the thousands of sailors aboard, causing a delay in communication. When their father did manage to call home, it was short and to the point.

"We weren't sure if he was alive or not. My mom waited for dad to call," Jepko said. "About a day or two after the fire my mother got a call. He said, 'It's me. I'm OK. I have to go.' Then he handed the phone to the next person."

Jepko said his father kept most of the details about the fire quiet, even after he retired from the Navy after serving 20 years. The family keeps reminders of that day, in the form of newspaper clippings and a "yearbook" from that tour of duty.

"He was private about the incident," Jepko said. "Back in those days, you did your job, and did what was expected, and that's it."

Retirement

Jepko and his wife moved to Charleston, S.C., where he opened up a plumbing and heating business - a trade he excelled at during his years of service. He successfully operated the business until 1975, before moving back to Atlas.

Looking back, Jepko said his family is proud of the courage and bravery their father showed throughout his career in the Navy.

"He loved it," Jepko said. "I mean it was hard. He was away for six months at a time, but he saw the world," Jepko said. "He loved that life."

MOUNT CARMEL - The Mount Carmel Area School District will present a special holiday concert, featuring students from their junior high music programs, starting 7 p.m. Tuesday.

The program, which feature the seventh and eighth grade chorus groups and the junior high school band, will each present individual concerts, followed by all groups joining together in the show's finale of "We Wish You A Merry Christmas."

All groups are under the direction of Sharon L. Styer, with Rachel F.W. Ulsh providing the accompaniment for the chorus groups. District Superintendent Bernard Stellar will join Styer in directing the finale.

The eighth grade chorus will open the program with the musical numbers "The Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth," made popular by Bing Crosby and David Bowie; "Sparklejollytwinklejingley" from the Broadway musical "Elf"; the Michael W. Smith song "Christmas Angels," and the "Glee" holiday classic, "Extraordinary Merry Christmas."

The Mount Carmel Area Junior High School Band will present the musical selections "A Christmas Fanfare," "At the Feast of Stephen," "A Christmas Proclamation," "Toboggan Run," "Santa Rocks The House!" and "The Polar Express."

The seventh grade chorus will then sing "Jubilate! Alleluia!" from Peasant Cantata No. 212; the song "Hip-Hop Reindeer," featuring rappers Tyler Adams, Luke Adzema, Daniel Barker, Emilee Barnhardt, Matthew Daubert, and Brandilee Holmes; "Winter, Bring Me Home" using the words of poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, and the swinging song, "Santa Claus Boogie."

COAL TOWNSHIP - The Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School community is coming together to bring joy to needy children this holiday season.

Collections are being accepted as part of the annual Lourdes Toys for Children project, capping off with a special liturgy at the school.

"Every year in December the faculty, staff, students, parents, alumni and friends of Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School experience the true joy of sharing and caring by their participation in the Toys for Children liturgy," said Violette Feudale.

The school community donates new toys and presents them at a Christmas liturgy held at the school.

This year, Mass is scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 19 in the school gymnatorium. Many Lourdes alumni return to participate in this touching liturgy. The graduates bring toys and join in the "procession of gifts" to the altar. The gifts are then donated to The Salvation Army for local distribution to needy families.

Anyone wishing to contribute a new toy is welcome to bring the gifts to the Lourdes main office Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The public is invited to attend the Mass and participate in this beautiful Christmas tradition. The collection of toys will continue until Tuesday, Dec. 18.

For more information, please call the guidance office at 644-0375 ext. 119.

The Lourdes Toys for Children project is sponsored by the Boys Service Club and the Girls Action League, moderated by Feudale.

SUNBURY - Northumberland County commissioners said they are pleased the county has joined the Coast2Coast Rx Card program, which is now active.

The new Coast2Coast Rx card will allow all Northumberland County residents, regardless of income, age or health status, to participate in the program and save on the cost of their medications. This program saved card holders throughout the nation an average of 60 percent in 2012 on the cost of prescription drugs.

Even pets and people living outside the county are able to take part in the program.

The card will be distributed free of charge and may be used at all pharmacy chains and most independent pharmacies in Northumberland County and includes more than 60,000 drugs in its formulary.

"With health care costs on the rise, prescription drug discounts will help ease some of the financial burdens individuals and families are facing at a time when they need it the most," said Commissioner Stephen Bridy.

"There are no eligibility requirements, so the Rx card is expected to have a sizeable impact on uninsured residents or residents facing high insurance deductibles," he said. "If a particular drug isn't covered under a person's health plan, they can use the card to save on those prescriptions."

Bridy said providing savings for residents through the program will come at no expense to the county. In fact, Coast2Coast Rx will pay the county a royalty of $1.25 per prescription and the royalty does not increase the card holder cost.

In addition to the discount on prescriptions, the card also provides discounts on dental, vision, veterinary and hearing services, lab and imaging tests, and diabetes supplies and equipment for all family members.

The Coast2Coast Rx card will be available for residents at most participating pharmacies, county offices, libraries and county health facilities. Residents will also be able to print the card and view the nearest participating locations at www.coast2coastrx.com.

ELYSBURG - Ralpho Township supervisors unanimously approved a $1.3 million budget Tuesday night calling for a 1-mill property tax increase that will require the average homeowner to pay an additional $20 to $25 in 2013.

One mill in the township is equivalent to approximately $50,000.

Making the motion to approve the budget were Supervisors Daniel Williams and Blaine Madara. Also approving the spending plan were Supervisors Stephen Major, Vince Daubert and Chairman William "Chip" Wetzel.

The budget total is about the same as last year's and is split up into the following real estate taxes: General purposes, 4 1/4 mill; fire protection, 1/2 mill; equipment, 1/2 mill; library, 1/4 mill, and street lighting, (depending on location) .20, .21, .32 or $6.17.

General fund anticipated receipts total $1,311,620, while expenditures are listed at $1,302,181, leaving a projected surplus of $9,439.

State funding receipts total $212,497, while expenditures are listed at $178,900, leaving a projected surplus of $33,597.

Supervisors also passed a resolution re-enacting the following Act 511 taxes: Per capita, $5; occupation, 100 percent; real estate transfer, 1 percent; earned income, 1 percent; LST, $52 on earnings exceeding $12,000; TV franchise, 2 percent, and mechanical amusement, $50 per machine.

Supervisors approved a purchase for six tires for a Ford 550 truck.

The board granted permission to Meadowview Christian School to use the township gym from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 11, Jan. 25, Feb. 8, Feb. 22, March 8 and March 22.

Supervisors thanked Drug Plastics & Glass Company for donating a water fountain for the municipal building. The water fountain in the gym area is expected to be repaired today.

The board approved its regular monthly meeting dates for 2013 for the planning commission and supervisors. The supervisors' meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month, while the planning commission sessions will be conducted at 6:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month. The board of supervisors will hold its reorganization meeting Jan. 7, while the planning commission will hold its reorganization meeting Jan. 8.

An executive session was held at the end of the meeting to discuss litigation matters.

by justin strawser

CATAWISSA RR - The first report for the 2013-14 general operating budget for Southern Columbia Area puts the district more than $643,000 in the hole.

But, said school board Vice President Charlie Porter Monday night at a special meeting, the final budget is not close to completion and will require more discussion and "lots of tweaks."

Porter is on the finance committee with Directors Eric Stahley and Gail Zambor Schuerch. Stahley is the chair, but arrived late to the meeting due to other responsibilities.

Expected revenue is $17,717,944, and expenditures are expected to be $18,361,275, which would put the deficit at $643,331, Porter said.

This takes into account a tax increase of 2.2 percent, which is the maximum allowed by the state, that would generate approximately $140,000 into the budget, he said.

In order to balance last year's $17,537,041 budget, the board approved to furlough three employees and increase taxes by 2.05 mills in Northumberland County and 4.67 mills in Columbia County.

If the 2.2 percent increase is approved, taxes in Northumberland County would increase from 49.95 mills to 51.30 mills. An average property owner with an assessed property at $25,000 would pay an additional $33.75 a year.

In Columbia County, it will increase from 34.20 mills to 34.75 mills. An average property owner with an assessed property at $25,000 will pay an additional $13.75 a year.

Porter also reported that negotiations with American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), the union that represents non-instructional staff such as aides, custodians, bus drivers, secretaries and maintenance and cafeteria workers, are looking favorable.

The current contract expired July 1, 2012, and the ACSCME employees have been operating under the old agreement. The new contract will be retroactive to the expired date and will active until June 30, 2015, Porter said.

The district is negotiating the "whole package," which includes salaries and benefits, he said.

"I think we came to an agreement. It just needs to be on paper," Porter said.

Once the union's proposal is physically presented to the negotiation committee - which consists of Porter, John Yocum and Mike Yeager - they will review it and send it back to the union board.

"It will be up to them to take it back for a vote. The Union votes on the contract before the board does. If they vote for it, it will come up to the board, assuming everything has been put in that we verbally agreed on," Porter said.

He would not say whether there would be any savings for the district in new contract.

The Southern Columbia Educational Association, the union which represents the teachers, expires next June, and Porter said the committee will start the negotiation discussion after the first of 2013.

MOUNT CARMEL - A borough woman is in Northumberland County Prison on charges she stole more than $4,500 worth of jewelry from a residence and then tried to sell it to a local coin shop.

Mount Carmel Borough Police charged Sherry L. Wright, 38, of 251 E. Buick St., with theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property following the investigation into the Aug. 23 jewelry theft from the Ashbaugh residence on East Second Street.

According to court documents filed by Patrolman Jason Drumheller, officers were called to the home by Lisa Ashbaugh, who informed police that a family friend, who works as their cleaning lady, came to the residence on Aug. 23 with Wright. She told police that they knew Wright but haven't spoken to her in years.

While both ladies were at the home, Ashbaugh received a call from her husband, saying he was broken down on the highway. Ashbaugh then left the home leaving the two women there. When Ashbaugh returned, she observed Wright in a nervous state while closing up her purse. When asked what was wrong, Wright allegedly told Ashbaugh that she lost her baby's pacifier.

Later that evening, the family discovered two wedding sets, a wedding band and a diamond, a diamond necklace, a cherry pendant and numerous jewelry items were missing from the home and called police.

One week later, Drumheller received a call from Richard Wright, owner of Ye Olde Coin Shoppe in Shamokin, who told police Sherry Wright, no relation, came to the store on Aug. 23 and attempted to sell some of the jewelry there. An employee told police she recalled Wright attempting to sell a cherry pendant, which allegedly matched the description of the one stolen from Ashbaugh, along with rings, a multicolored bracelet and a pocket watch.

Drumheller said that the items described matched all the property missing from the Ashbaugh residence. According to an inventory sheet given by the family, 15 items, valued at $4,645.75, were stolen.

Wright was arraigned Monday before Magisterial District Judge Hugh Jones, of Mount Carmel and placed in prison on $20,000 bail. A preliminary hearing on the charges is set for Wednesday, Dec. 19.

HARRISBURG - An Ashland man received an early Christmas present with a $50,000 win from a lottery ticket in November, according to the Pennsylvania Lottery's Website.

In a list of winners of $1,000 or more, Joseph Reed claimed the area's top prize for the month. winning on a $20 Merry Millions ticket. Two players, Dale D. Wilk, of Coal Township, and Donald R. Kessler, of Herndon, each claimed $1,000 twice in November on instant ticket wins.

In total, area winners claimed $83,000 in November. For 2012, area winners have claimed more than $2.8 million in prizes.

Winners, by town name, are:

Ashland

- James M. Dywer Jr., $2,500, Big 4, 50-cent bet.

- Joseph Reed, $50,000, Merry Millions, $20 instant ticket.

- George F. Parnell, $1,000, Black Tie, $10.

Catawissa

- Wanda E. Shadle, $1,000, $, $5.

- Lee Leiby, $1,000, 10X the Cash, $10.

Coal Township

- Dale D. Wilk, $1,000, Instant Millions, $20.

- Dale D. Wilk, $1,000, Kings of Cash, $20.

- John P. Topolski, $1,000, Kings of Cash, $20.

Danville

- Scott A. Reiner, $1,000, $, $5

- Kevin J. Martz, $1,000, Kings of Cash, $20.

- Joseph A. Showers, $1,000, Merry Millions, $20.

- Roxanne Longo, $1,000, Money Vault, $3.

Elysburg

- Brian E. Snyder, $1,000, Kings of Cash, $20.

- Lisa M. Moyer, $1,000, Kings of Cash, $20.

- Gary J. Reisinger, $1,000, Ca$h In, $3.

- Steve Servose, $1,000, Platinum Millions, $20.

Herndon

- Donald R. Kessler, $1,000, Kings of Cash, $20.

- Donald R. Kessler, $1,000, Platinum Millions, $20.

Kulpmont

- Victoria K. Bogutskie, $1,000, Kings of Cash, $20.

Mount Carmel

- Anna Pekera, $2,500, Big 4, 50-cent bet.

- Robert Pekera, $2,500, Big 4, 50-cent bet.

- Brandon M. Marlano, $1,000, $250,000 a Year for Life, $10.

Paxinos

- Scott Weikel, $1,000, Platinum Millions, $20.

Shamokin

- Drew Kramer, $2,500, Quinto, $1 bet.

- Angelina L. Sisson, $1,000, $100 Million Cash Extravaganza, $20.

- Tiffany Straub, $1,000, Big Money, $20.

- Luis Castaneda, $1,000, The Price is Right, $5.