by justin strawser

CATAWISSA RR - Southern Columbia Area Superintendent Charlie Reh will be available as superintendent between his last day on campus when he retires next month and the incoming superintendent's first day.

Reh previously reported that his official retirement date is Feb. 4, 2013, but his last day on campus will be Jan. 18, 2013, the last day of the first semester.

Paul Caputo, who was hired as Reh's successor Monday night at the board meeting, will start Feb. 4.

Reh said Tuesday he would likely be taking vacation days to finish off his term, but would still be available for whatever issues arise during that time.

"Between the 18th and the fourth, I'm still the superintendent," he said.

The school board approved hiring of the 51-year-old Caputo, the current superintendent at Upper Dauphin Area School District, at an initial annual salary of $103,000 Monday night at a special board meeting. Caputo will opt out of the health insurance policy because he is covered by his wife's policy at Shenandoah Valley School District.

Comparatively, when Reh was hired as superintendent July 1, 2007, he started at a salary of $94,000. Reh will leave the district at a salary of $106,000. His contract had called for him to make $109,000 in his last year, but he took a pay freeze to assist the district in budget concerns.

Caputo will start date will remain as long as he has been released by his current employer. The Southern contract, which he describes as a "lateral move" in pay, runs through June 30, 2016.

Caputo graduated in 1983 from Kutztown University with a Bachelor of Science in social studies. He was part of the Southern Columbia District from 2003 to 2006. He was hired in 2006 as supervisor of curriculum, technology and federal programs at North Schuylkill School District. He was hired at Upper Dauphin in June 2010. He was also employed for 11 years at Carbon County Area Vocational-Technical School, where he served as a social studies teacher, assistant principal and principal.

Caputo attended the meeting with his wife, Michele Caputo, and their two sons, Luke, 11, and Joel, 14. They live in Ringtown which is a 50 minute commute to the district. He and his wife have another son, Paul, 19, who is a freshman at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Following the meeting, Paul Caputo, who said he has a special place in his heart for Southern, said he admires the commitment the staff, board and parents have to the students of the district.

"They want excellence, and they have it. They should be very proud of what they have here," he said.

In a difficult time for school districts, Caputo said he will work hard to maintain what Southern has achieved.

In his first year as superintendent at Upper Dauphin, he said he faced a $2 million deficit in the budget.

Everything, including tax increases and cuts to programs and positions, had to be considered to save money, and the budget was balanced because of that and "a little bit of luck," he said.

It was later determined that the transportation provider for Upper Dauphin was overcharging the district, and the transportation line item was reduced from $1.5 million to $813,000, he said.

"I'm hoping to bring new insights," he said.

Directors Timothy Vought and John Yocum made and seconded the motion to hire Caputo, and it passed 6-1 with Vice President Charlie Porter voting against it.

During the meeting, Porter said to Caputo, "Even though I voted no, I wish you success."

When asked about his vote, following the meeting Porter said he liked some of the other candidates and thought someone else would be a better fit for the district, but he said he did not want to elaborate.

Eleven people applied for the position, and the board interviewed four candidates. Caputo and Evan Williams, the former assistant superintendent at Waynesboro Area School District, were the only two asked back for a second interview.

Director Eric Stahley, who was late due to an expulsion hearing at the Northumberland County Career and Technology Center, was unable to vote on the superintendent item.

SHAMOKIN - The following hearings took place Tuesday before Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III. Defendants ordered to appear for plea court Jan. 14 in Northumberland County Court, Sunbury, can plead guilty or no contest, or seek a trial by pleading not guilty.

- Janet M. Dowkus, 50, of 124 Nesterick Road, Coal Township, waived to court two counts of driving under the influence of alcohol relating to an Oct. 13 incident on Trevorton Road.

The charges were filed by Coal Township Patrolman Matthew Hashuga.

- Angela Hopper, 35, of 505 S. Market St., Shamokin, and Rhonda S. Ostrander, 45, of 402 S. Bay St., Coal Township, waived to court charges of retail theft and criminal trespass filed by Coal Township Patrolman Christopher Lapotsky.

Hopper and Ostrander were charged with stealing $254.61 worth of merchandise from Wal-Mart Supercenter along Route 61 on Oct. 28.

- Ronald C. Bowman, 33, of 908 W. State St., Coal Township, was held for court on two felony counts of aggravated assault and a misdemeanor of simple assault filed by Zerbe Township Police Chief Robert John.

Bowman, who was taken into custody Nov. 14 for a parole violation, had eluded authorities for approximately six months after a warrant was issued for his arrest in the May 26 assault of Brian Kitchen, 47, of Coal Township, in a mountainous area known as the "Sands" in Zerbe Township. Kitchen suffered two broken eye orbits, a broken nose and two broken ribs that required him to be treated at a local hospital, police said.

Bowman was recommitted to Northumberland County Prison in Sunbury.

- Timothy A. Raab, 24, of 112 Short St., Ranshaw, was held for court on charges of recklessly endangering another person, simple assault, disorderly conduct and harassment relating to a disturbance at 129 S. Franklin St. on Nov. 22.

The charges were filed by Shamokin Patrolman Raymond Siko II.

Police reported Raab went to the South Franklin Street home at about 12:30 p.m. in an attempt to remove his 1-year-old daughter, who was in the care of her grandmother, Catherine Barrett, 79, of 129 S. Franklin St. Barrett told police Raab pushed her in an attempt to enter the home. Barrett told police she picked up the child and ran outside.

Police said Barrett then attempted to get into her car, but Raab allegedly chased her, pushed her against the vehicle while she was holding the child, grabbed the infant around her chest and pulled her from Barrett's arms.

Police said Raab allegedly shoved Barrett to the ground, causing her to fall onto her right side and suffer injuries to her right leg and right arm.

Raab then fled the scene with the child before being apprehended by Coal Township police about 30 minutes later at his residence.

- Curtis Groom, 23, of 205 Third St., Ranshaw, pleaded guilty to a summary of harassment and was ordered to pay a $100 fine plus costs. An additional charge of simple assault was withdrawn.

Groom was charged by Coal Township Patrolman Jason Adams with assaulting his live-in girlfriend, Felisha Albertson, on Aug. 28 at their residence.

- Erion Beshiri, 24, of New York City, N.Y., pleaded guilty to a summary of not having a valid Class M motorcycle license and was ordered to pay a $25 fine plus costs. Additional charges of illegally operating a vehicle not equipped with ignition and failure to wear protective equipment to operate a motorcycle were withdrawn.

Beshiri was charged by Shamkokin Patrolman Raymond Siko II in connection with a July 11 incident at Market and Commerce streets.

- Marlon Bechtel, 24, of 1703 Mohawk St., Coal Township, pleaded guilty to harassment and was ordered to pay a $100 fine plus costs. An additional charge of simple assault was withdrawn.

Becthel was charged by Coal Township Patrolman Christopher Lapotsky with assaulting his 17-year-old brother causing injury, at 1703 Mohawk St. on Sept. 16.

- Caitlin E. Oshowy, 25, of 138 W. Third St., Mount Carmel, waived to court charges of driving under the influence of alcohol, two counts of driving under the influence of drugs, driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, careless driving and driving a vehicle without insurance in connection with a July 28 accident in the 100 block of North Market Street.

The charges were filed by Shamokin Patrolman Raymond Siko II.

- Robert David Bendas, 37, of 101 Fifth St., Ranshaw, waived to court charges of driving under the influence of alcohol, driving under suspension, careless driving, driving on the wrong side of the road, restrictions on alcoholic beverages and a restraint system violation.

The charges filed by Shamokin Patrolman Raymond Siko II relate to an Aug. 8 incident in the 1000 block of East Webster Street.

- Leon R. Vincent, 24, of 209 W. Commerce St., Shamokin, waived to court charges of theft and receiving stolen property involving the July 11 theft of a gold wedding band valued at $1,430, two diamond rings valued at $100 each and approximately $500 in cash from the residence of Angie Arnold, of 1004 E. Sunbury St. He also is accused of stealing a gold wedding band, a turquoise ring, a diamond engagement ring and approximately $150 in cash from his grandmother, Marjory Miller, with whom he resides.

The charges were filed by Shamokin Patrolman Raymond Siko II.

Deadline has been extended until Sunday for collection of items by the Mount Carmel Rotary Club, along with Shamokin, Elysburg, Sunbury and other groups, for victims of Hurricane Sandy.

The goal is to fill a 53-foot tractor trailer with necessary items for victims. Karpinski Trucking, Sunbury, will be making the delivery.

Items being accepted are:

Cleaning supplies - Bleach, buckets, soap and detergents, mops, scrub brushes, brooms and plastic trash bags (heavy gauge).

Baby supplies - Diapers, baby wipes, baby formula and juice.

Food - Canned food, peanut butter and jelly, canned veggies/fruit, Ensure or equivalent, non-perishable food items.

Clothing (no used clothes for Ocean City N.J., area) - Work gloves, winter hats, new socks, new underwear (men's, women's or children's) and new baby clothes.

Household - Paper products, batteries, AA, C, D, pet food and supplies and ZipLock bags.

Personal - Bar soaps, hand sanitizer, feminine products, bathing and dental products, first aid items, peroxide, isopropyl alcohol, band aids, etc.

Drop-off sites

- Elysburg Rotary Club, contact Pam Yeager, 274-6083.

- Mount Carmel Rotary Club: contact Pam Konopka, 267-975-0240, or Frank Sawicki, 339-4170.

- Mount Carmel Area High School, 600 W. Fifth St. (for student drop-off only).

- Mount Carmel Area Public Library, 30 S. Oak St. Call 339-0703 or Pam Konopka's phone (267)975-0240.

- Pine Burr Inn, 70 E. State St, Route 61, Atlas, 339-3870, from noon until 5 p.m. daily.

- Shamokin Rotary Club, contact Judy Drumheller, 644-0229, or Sherry Shebelski, 648-4802.

- Bader's Furniture Store, corner of Sunbury and Liberty streets, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday.

- Sunbury Rotary Club, contact Cheryl Beeler, 286-9744.

- Degenstein Library, 40 W. Fifth St., first floor, Sunbury, 1 to 9 p.m., Monday and Thursday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday.

When the trailer is full, items will be delivered to Church Of Grace and Peace in Toms River, N.J., to be distributed to those in need.

KULPMONT - Resident Walter Lutz has been an outspoken critic regarding a potential tax increase as a result of Kulpmont Borough Council's plans to build a new borough hall.

That discussion continued at Tuesday's council meeting at which a $2,142,825 budget for 2013 was passed unanimously.

The spending plan includes a $1.5 million increase in order to reflect a construction loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the new building which will get them out of their current home, the former Wilson Grade School.

Borough officials previously estimated it would cost $750,000 to repair the building plus heating costs.

During the public comment section, Lutz asked council to see the loan application submitted to the USDA and questioned if the $750,000 in estimates came from independent, third-party sources. Council responded that those figures came from verbal quotes from the borough's engineering firm.

"Have all the alternatives been exhausted at this point?" Lutz asked. "A million and a half dollars is a lot of money."

"We are hoping it doesn't cost that amount," council president Bruno Varano said, adding he thought council has done their best to this point.

Lutz informed council of a petition he created asking, "Should Kulpmont Borough borrow money and/or raise taxes in order to build a new borough building?" He challenged Varano and borough council to be the first to sign the petition, but Varano refused.

"Think about what you are doing to the elderly population here, who are on fixed incomes," Lutz said. "I am one of those people," Varano joked.

"Then you should be agreeing with me," Lutz answered. "My contention is that more work should be done."

Following his comments, Mayor Myron Turlis addressed Lutz, taking him to task on comments he made in a Dec. 9 letter to the editor.

"Councilmen Bruno Varano (president), Winhofer, Deitrick and now Mayor Myron Turlis have been/were on the council long enough that they could have done something about the needed repairs on the current borough hall. Why didn't they do something?" Lutz wrote.

"As public officials, we expect to be criticized and sometimes we deserved to be criticized," Turlis said. "Your recent article was totally inaccurate. Over the last few years, there was probably $150,000 to $200,000 on repairs spent on this building."

"It appears that $750,000 needed to be spent on the building," Lutz retorted.

Turlis then rattled off a list of repairs already done, including masonry work, two rubber roofs, a new boiler at a cost of $50,000, bathrooms brought up to handicapped code and a new stair chair lift.

"There comes a point in time when you either outgrow the facility you are in, or the facility you are in becomes too big for what you need," The mayor said. "At this point, this facility is too big and we can no longer afford to maintain it."

In other business, council announced that the borough playground will close in a few days for the winter months, with a tentative reopening date of March 1, weather permitting.

The Shamokin Rotary Club Santa Sleigh will visit Kulpmont Town Park from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, and there will be free hot dogs and hot chocolate available. Mayor Myron Turlis also commended the Kulpmont Knights of Columbus for a successful wine festival in October, saying the event was very well run and a great day for Kulpmont.

The next borough surplus food distribution will be held from 8 a.m. to noon on Thursday, Dec, 20 at the borough garage, and recycling will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 2 instead of the first Tuesday of the month, which is a holiday.

Clover Hose sponsors food drive

MOUNT CARMEL - The Clover Hose Company and Mount Carmel merchants are working together on a food drive for the Mount Carmel area. All food collected will be donated to a local food bank. Organizers planned the drive as way to help neighbors and give back to the community.

Food donation barrels have been set up at Academy Sports Center, Boyer's Food Market, Clover Hose Company, Community Pharmacy, Grayson's, Hollywood Pizza, Mount Carmel Area Public Library, Scicchitano's Ace Hardware, Sheila's Deli, Silver Spur, Winkie's Pizza and Winnie the Pooh Daycare.

A food barrel is also located at the entrance to Train Land. Visitors are welcome at Train Land, located on the second floor of the Clover Hose Company, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. every Friday, Saturday and Sunday until Dec. 30. Please enter through the truck room.

Food pantry distribution Saturday

ATLAS - The Mount Carmel Township Food Pantry will hold its monthly distribution from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the township complex. Residents in Atlas, Diamondtown, Strong, Locust Gap, Connorsville, Dooleyville and Beaverdale who signed up previously are eligible.

Road to recovery program

All cancer patients are eligible for free rides to and from treatments through the American Cancer Society's "Road to Recovery" program.

"Road to Recovery" is a free volunteer transportation program which provides rides to those with cancer to and from treatments and related medical appointments. All people with cancer are eligible for this program; there are no financial eligibility requirements.

A curbside to curbside program, trained volunteers pick patients up at their place of residency and bring them to where they are receiving treatment, and take them back home again.

There are local programs in your area. To arrange a free ride, please call 1-800-227-2345 as soon as you know you need a ride.

Anyone interested in becoming a "Road to Recovery" volunteer is asked to call 1-888-227-5445, option 3.

Don't feed the deer

MOUNT CARMEL - Mount Carmel Mayor J. Kevin Jones asked the public to not feed deer on display in cages or pens in town park, in accordance with U.S. Department of Agriculture rules.

Jones said Wednesday he was recently made aware of the rule by a department representative.

SUNBURY - A former substitute teacher at Shamokin Area School District pleaded guilty Wednesday morning to a felony of unlawful contact with a minor and a misdemeanor of corruption of minors, and will be sentenced within 90 days.

Michael S. Zack, 24, of 201 Warsaw St., Marion Heights, entered his plea before President Judge Robert B. Sacavage after being charged March 15 by Coal Township Detective Jeff Brennan with sending approximately 4,300 text messages to two 17-year-old females and two 16-year-old girls who attended Shamokin Area at the time. Many of the messages, which were sent between March 15 and Oct. 30, 2011, depicted sexually graphic material, police said.

Police said the incidents occurred in the east end of the township and at Shamokin Area Middle/High School.

A misdemeanor count of sending obscene and other sexual materials will not be prosecuted at sentencing.

First Assistant District Attorney Ann Targonski said the standard range sentence for the felony count is three to 12 months in county prison. She said the sentence will most likely involve intermediate punishment, including at least 90 days of house arrest. The misdemeanor charge could involve a sentence of five years of probation, which would run consecutive to the felony sentencing.

Targonski said there is no mandatory sentencing requirements involved in the case.

Prior to his plea, Zack voluntarily signed an affidavit surrendering his teacher's license, which had been suspended, Targonski said.

Zack was hired as a 180-day substitute teacher in the district in August 2011 and terminated by the school board at its December 2011 meeting, retroactive to Nov. 16, 2011.

Zack, who has no prior criminal record, told Sacavage he fully understood the ramifications of his guilty plea, which include waiving his right to trial and limited appeal options. Zack also waived his right to withdraw his plea.

Sacavage ordered the defendant to undergo a sexually violent predator assessment. The judge ordered a pre-sentence investigation in the case and said the defendant will be sentenced within 90 days.

Zack's attorney, Marc Lieberman of Elysburg, and Targonski reserved comment about the guilty plea.

Mount Carmel Township Police Chief Brian Hollenbush said the couple who is accused of stealing an SUV from a Coal Township resident and evading police for nearly nine hours has a history of run-ins with the law. The following is a collection of incidents involving David Pavloski, 22, of 10 Front St., Wilburton, and Courtney Klemick, 21, of 222 Second St., Wilburton, from The News-Item archives.

- In January 2011, Pavloski faced two counts of driving under the influence of alcohol, fleeing or attempting to elude police, flight to avoid apprehension, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, public drunkenness, underage drinking, operating a vehicle with alcohol in his system while being a minor, restriction on alcoholic beverages, reckless driving, driving under suspension, operating a vehicle with an expired inspection sticker and operating a vehicle without any rear lighting. The charges related to incidents that occurred Jan. 25 on Route 2032 in the Diamondtown area.

- In January 2010, Pavloski, who worked at the Knoebels recycling building, and his alleged accomplices, Daniel Jarvis Grohowski, who was 18 and living at 614 E. Fourth St., Mount Carmel, at the time, and Kylee Elizabeth Wargo, who was 21 and living at of 600 W. Girard St., Atlas, at the time, faced burglary and theft charges after allegedly stealing a golf cart from the park and attempting to sell the parts for scrap. Grohowski and Pavloski were also facing charges of criminal trespass and criminal mischief, and Pavloski was also charged with criminal solicitation.

- In February 2010, Pavloski and Klemick, along with two juveniles, were charged with felonies of criminal mischief and institutional vandalism, and a misdemeanor of desecration of venerated objects for causing more than $5,000 in damage to 64 tombstones at Odd Fellows Cemetery in Centralia in December 2009. Because Klemick and the two other girls were under 18 at the time, Pavloski was also charged with corruption of minors.

- In October 2010, Pavloski, Klemick and a 17-year-old Mount Carmel male were cited for underage drinking relating to an incident on Sunbury Street near Market Street, Shamokin.

- Pavloski has also had multiple incidents with police involving separate charges of DUI, resisting arrest, possession of marijuana and disorderly conduct between May 2009 and November 2010.

SUNBURY - A 33-year-old Mount Carmel man sentenced earlier this year to serve 3 1/2 to 7 years in a state correctional institution is seeking a new trial after claiming he was not properly represented by his former attorney.

Northumberland County Judge William H. Wiest, who presided over a post-sentence motion hearing Wednesday afternoon for Jason M. Bozarth, said he will issue a written ruling in the case after listening to testimony from the defendant and his former lawyer, Northumberland County Special Conflicts Counsel Michael Seward.

Bozarth was charged by Mount Carmel Cpl. Christopher Buhay with assaulting Richard McPeak, of Mount Carmel, a state correctional officer, on Aug. 18, 2010, in the area of Market and Sixth streets in Mount Carmel. McPeak suffered a broken jaw and numerous cuts, scrapes and abrasions in the assault, police said.

Bozarth was convicted by a jury Feb. 17 of multiple charges, including felonies of aggravated assault and criminal conspiracy to commit aggravated assault and sentenced by Wiest on April 9 to serve 3 1/2 to 7 years in state prison. In addition to the state prison sentence, Bozarth was ordered to pay $1,700 in fines and make restitution totaling approximately $22,450.

His new defense attorney, Michael Rudinski, of Williamsport, argued Wednesday that his client was provided ineffective counsel by Seward, whom he claimed failed to pursue various issues raised at trial.

Bozarth testified that Seward failed to bring to the jury's attention his claim that he would have seriously injured himself if he hit McPeak with a cast on his hand as alleged by police. Bozarth said he had two pins through four of his fingers under his cast and that a doctor told him he would have seriously injured his hand by hitting McPeak with the cast.

Rudinski said Seward failed to question a police report regarding blood spotted at the scene of the assault and a claim by his client that Buhay was biased because he knew the victim. The defense attorney also argued McPeak told police he didn't recognize who assaulted him until seeing Bozarth's photograph in a local newspaper and didn't identify Bozarth as the defendant until his trial.

Rudinski said Seward failed to pursue claims that McPeak may have instigated the assault by continuing to argue with Bozarth.

Seward, who was called to the witness stand by Assistant District Attorney Michael Toomey, disputed Bozarth's claim that a doctor told him he would have been seriously injured if he hit McPeak with a cast and pointed out that other witnesses testified that they saw Bozarth hit McPeak with his cast.

Seward said a police officer testified that there was blood on Bozarth's arm, but not on his cast. The attorney said he believed challenging Buhay's credibility about knowing the victim would not have helped his client's chances with the jury.

Seward also pointed out that Bozarth was the only person involved in the disturbance who was wearing a cast on his hand.

As for the claim made by Rudinski and Bozarth that McPeak was aggressive during the incident, Seward characterized McPeak as an "unpredictable" witness who seemed to embellish everything he said at the trial.

Seward said he didn't cross exam McPeak because he thought his testimony was less credible than his client's.

During their closing arguments, Rudinski requested a new trial, while Toomey said Bozarth was properly represented by Seward and justly convicted.

Toomey argued that the hearing was premature because Rudinski hadn't filed a post conviction relief order, but Wiest ruled it was proper for the hearing to proceed.

At the beginning of the hearing, Rudinski withdrew three motions previously filed by Bozarth that claimed the defendant received an "unduly harsh sentence" by Wiest. Rudinski said his client misunderstood that his sentence was at the bottom of the standard range for the offenses he was convicted of committing.

Shamokin-Coal Township

Thursday - Morning cards and puzzles, 8:30 a.m.; Christmas party catered by Martin's Chicken and Ribs, dinner served at 11 a.m., $5 gift exchange optional, desserts needed; bingo, 12:30 p.m.

Friday - Morning cards and puzzles, 8:30 a.m.; nickel bingo, noon.

Saturday - Cards, 7 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Mount Carmel

Thursday - Christmas visit by Winnie the Pooh, 10 a.m., the seniors will provide children with small gifts and a snack after the program; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; favorite TV game show, 12:30 p.m.

Friday - Christmas music, 10 a.m.; lunch, 11 a.m.; Christmas ornament exchange, noon; Pokeno, 1 p.m.

Kulpmont

Thursday - Wii and noodle balloon in the morning; guest speaker Linda Walker on "Laughter," noon; bingo, 12:30 p.m.

Friday - Wii and noodle balloon in the morning; lunch at the Indies, van leaves center at 10:30 a.m., cost $2; nickel bingo, 12:30 p.m.

Centralia-Wilburton

Thursday - Food bank pantry.

Friday - Trip to Living Christmas trees in Iola, call 339-1386 for a ride.

Elysburg

Thursday - Healthy Steps, 9:30 a.m.

Friday - Crafts, 9:30 a.m.; pinochle, noon; center Christmas party at Masser's for those who signed up.

NORTHUMBERLAND - Point Township supervisors will seek a meeting with Northumberland County commissioners to resolve their highly publicized differences.

According to The Daily Item, the meeting was proposed during a township meeting Tuesday when Supervisor Montie Peters objected to earlier attacks by Commissioners Vinny Clausi and Stephen Bridy on township officials over the municipality's problems with a housing grant from the state Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). The problems were subsequently resolved.

Peters said Clausi and Bridy attacked Point Township as a way of "getting at" Commissioner Rick Shoch, who is also the township solicitor.

Although Peters and township Supervisor Randy Yoxheimer doubted whether a meeting with Clausi and Bridy would be productive, Supervisor Justin Dunkelberger said it is important that both sides attempt to work out the disagreements. He said a meeting should be scheduled, and the media should be invited also.

COAL TOWNSHIP - Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School will present a special concert of Christmas music and stories at 6:30 p.m. Friday in the school gymnatorium.

The concert will feature selections by the bell choir and the senior high chorus. Students in Pre-K, kindergarten and first-grade classes performing "The Living Creche," a joyous musical celebration that weaves scripture, ancient legend and carols into a richly colored Christmas tapestry.

The concert will begin with individual performances by students and the school's bell choir. Jane Fitzpatrick and Erica Kapushinski will perform "Silent Night," and Kapushinski will sing a solo, "Mary's Song." Brian Christiana will perform "Joseph's Lullaby." "O Holy Night" will be sung by John Daniel Kerris.

The bell choir will perform two selections, "Away in a Manger" and "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing."

The senior high chorus will perform "Carol of the Bells," "A Child is Born On A Silent Night," various themes on "Fa-La-La," "Ave, Ave, the Angel Sang," "African Noel," "Calypso Carol" and "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen."

The chorus, under the direction of Sandra Snyder, will be accompanied by Bonny Klinger. In addition to Friday's performance, the chorus will present the program at Geisinger-Shamokin Area Community Hospital's rehabilitation unit Monday and at the Mount Carmel Senior Living Center Tuesday.

In "The Living Creche," which will be performed by the younger students, attendees will enjoy performances of "O Little Town of Bethlehem," "To a Virgin Meek and Mild," "The Holly And The Ivy," "The Friendly Beasts," "Rocking," "We Three Kings," "O Come Little Children" and "He is Born, Gloria!"

The audience will be invited to join the cast in singing "Silent Night," "Angels We Have Heard on High" and "The First Noel," with lyrics shown on a PowerPoint presentation.

There will be refreshments in the cafeteria following the concert. Everyone is invited to attend.

PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. - Marine Corps Pvt. Christopher L. Bennage, a son of Becky B. Bennage, of Danville, earned the title of U.S. Marine after graduating from recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot.

Bennage participated in 13 weeks of entry-level military training, with subjects including close-order drill, marksmanship with an M-16A4 rifle, physical fitness, martial arts, swimming, military history, customs and courtesies.

One week prior to graduation, Bennage endured The Crucible, a 54-hour final test of recruits' minds and bodies. Upon completion, recruits are presented the Marine Corps emblem and called Marines for the first time.

Bennage is a 2012 graduate of Danville Senior High School.

POTTSVILLE - Some labor-inducing meds helped usher baby Jet Ryan Jamison, Pottsville, into the world at 12:12 p.m. Wedesday, 12/12/12.

But a sense of humor for numerology helped.

His parents, Rachel Krise, 25, and Adam Jamison, 26, of Pottsville, arrived at The Birthplace at Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street, Pottsville, at 6 a.m.

But Krise said she wasn't thinking about dates or times.

"It went fast. It went really fast. I can't believe how fast it went. I expected to have to push a lot longer. I was really worn out. I was getting false contractions for a month. I was happy just to be able to hold him. He was out. He was healthy and crying," Krise said.

Within minutes after the boy was born, the family learned another child was born at The Birthplace at the same time. Dr. Ilene Weizer delivered a girl, Ainsley King, of Williamstown.

She's the daughter of Ashley Morris and Kurtis Lee King, both 23, of Williamstown. And, like Jet Ryan, Ainsley was brought into the world with the same dose of labor-inducing meds and love for numbers.

After he learned his daughter was born at that time, King said, "someone told me I should play the lottery."

"I was surprised when I heard we had one child born at 12:12 on 12/12/12. Then I heard there were two; not twins, but children born in different rooms from different parents. That's pretty exciting stuff," said M. Michael Peckman, hospital spokesman.

Jet Ryan Jamison was 7 pounds, 4 ounces and 19 inches long.

Ainsley King was 7 pounds, 6 1/2 ounces and 19 1/2 inches long.

Wednesday's popularity

Fans of numbers and dates around the globe either tied the knot on Wednesday or wanted their baby to be born on 12/12/12, the century's last sequential date.

According to the website for the UK Daily Mail, requests for caesarian births rose on Wednesday.

"Astrologers believe those born on the century's last sequential date will inherit the qualities of planet Jupiter, a symbol of prosperity," according to the website for the UK Daily Mail.

Peckman confirmed the Jet Ryan Jamison and Ainsley King were not caesarian births.

In fact, the only one of the parents who held a special place in her heart for the date Dec. 12 was Krise.

"Today's my dad's birthday and my great-grandfather's birthday," Krise said Wednesday.

Krise's father, Kerry Krise, Tremont, turned 50 on Wednesday. Her great-grandfather, the late John Kupusnick, was a World War II veteran, she said.

Krise and Jamison have two other children, Alyssa Jamison, 5, and Emily Jamison, 2, and Jamison has a daughter from another relationship, Kylie Stephany, 8.

Krise has been pregnant with Jet for 39 weeks and five days. Her due date was Dec. 14, but pains encouraged her doctor to schedule her to come to the hospital to be induced into labor.

"For about a month now I've been having regular contractions, but they weren't doing anything," Krise said.

She said she needed the doctors to induce her pregnancy. " I couldn't even rest anymore. And with two other kids it was getting really, really difficult."

Xenophon said when Krise came into the hospital Wednesday morning, he gave her a dose of Pitocin, a commonly used synthetic hormone.

Day late

Morris and King have a child, Oakley King, 1, and King has a son from another relationship, Brayden Tucker, 3.

Morris has been pregnant with Ainsley for 40 weeks and one day.

"Tuesday was my due date," Morris said.

On Monday, she scheduled to come into The Birthplace to have her pregnancy induced. "They gave me the medication around 7:15 a.m. or 7:30 a.m.," Ashley Morris said.

When she was in labor around noon, Ashley Morris wasn't thinking about the significance of dates and times either. "She wasn't thinking. Trust me," King said.

The next time three date numbers will align will be on Jan. 1, 2101, or 01/01/01.

SHAMOKIN - Seven individuals have been cited by Shamokin Police for six vehicles found to be in violation of the city's abandoned and junk vehicle ordinance.

The citations were filed Tuesday after those originally ticketed on Nov. 28 and 29 failed to pay the fines associated with the vehicles.

Those cited are Joann M. Dobrzyn, of 418 S. Market St.; Linda L. Travitz, of 928 Race St.; Veronica L. Yoder and Virginia and Kenneth Pawelczyk, all of 12 S. Shamokin St., and Renette M. Knopp, of 822 N. Rock St., all in Shamokin, and Russell E. Lewis, of RD 6, Lot 15, Danville.

Five of the six vehicles were ticketed by Cpl. Bryan Primerano between 1 and 1:30 a.m. on Nov. 28. Travitz's vehicle was ticketed at 2:50 a.m. Nov. 29.

All six vehicles were ticketed because of expired inspection stickers, ranging in dates from May to September 2012.

Shamokin City Council recently adopted a new procedure for code enforcement and police officers, allowing them to ticket those who do not follow the city's trash or abandoned or junk vehicle ordinances and the likes in hopes of speeding up the process of both punishment and remediation.

The fines are $25 per violation for a first offense. The severity increases on subsequent offenses - $50, $100, $300.

Violators have 10 days to pay a ticket before a citation is issued, which occurred in these incidents, and the matter lands in court.

SHAMOKIN - Hours after being charged for allegedly fighting with Shamokin police, smashing a window on a cruiser and spitting on two officers, a 19-year-old Shamokin woman joined her 21-year-old sister Wednesday afternoon in Northumberland County Court, where they both entered guilty pleas for various offenses.

Marissa Diane Birster, of 11 S. Market St., Apt. 3, was committed to the county prison on a parole violation early Wednesday morning and later charged with a felony of aggravated harassment by a prisoner, misdemeanors of resisting arrest, institutional vandalism, tampering with evidence, disorderly conduct (three counts) and simple assault, and summaries of criminal mischief, theft by unlawful taking and underage drinking.

The charges filed by Shamokin Patrolman Scott Weaver relate to disturbances at 1:44 a.m. Wednesday outside 707 W. Chestnut St. and Shamokin Police Station. Birster's sister, Stormie Birster, of 27 E. Sunbury St., Apt. 3, Shamokin, also was cited for disorderly conduct in connection with the incidents.

According to an affidavit of probable cause, Coal Township police notified city officers of a disturbance at Second and Chestnut streets, which is near the Coal Township line. Upon arriving at the scene, Weaver said he observed a group of people on a second-floor deck yelling. As Weaver climbed the steps to the second floor, the officer said he spotted Coal Township Patrolman Chad Yoder telling a female to calm down while she swung her arms and pointed at someone directly behind Yoder.

When Weaver got to the top of the steps, he saw the Birster sisters screaming and refusing to obey orders to stop.

Weaver said he immediately handcuffed Stormie Birster and escorted her down the steps and placed her in the back of a police cruiser. The officer said he then went back up the steps to further assess the situation. Police then spotted Marissa Birster shouting obscenities on the street below.

Police warned Marissa numerous times to stop yelling, but she continued and told police that she had been involved in an incident at the apartment.

Weaver went down the steps to speak with Marissa. When he went back up the steps to the deck, Marissa followed him and refused to be detained by Yoder, Coal Township Patrolman Chris Lapotsky and Ralpho Township Officer Steve Spade.

When Weaver ordered Marissa to go down the steps, she replied, "Go ahead Weaver, (expletive) arrest me."

Weaver then told Marissa she was under arrest for disorderly conduct, which prompted her to run down the steps in an effort to flee police.

The Shamokin officer was able to apprehend Marissa on Chestnut Street, handcuff her and place her in a police cruiser.

Upon talking to a male and female inside the Chestnut Street apartment, police were informed that Marissa and another female had assaulted the female occupant of the apartment and was in possession of her coat, cell phone and keys. Police, who did not identify the inhabitants of the apartment, learned that Marissa was in the apartment because she was a friend of the male resident's niece.

Police then were told that Marissa broke the framework on the rear door of the police cruiser and pushed the glass outward and spit on Spade, who was trying to stop her from damaging the vehicle.

Marissa continued to struggle with Spade, Lapotsky, Yoder and Shamokin Cpl. Bryan Primerano and refused demands to stop her behavior. Police said the defendant used her legs to block police from closing the door on the police car, which forced officers to try to place her into the same cruiser where her sister was sitting. Police said Stormie attempted to calm her sister down, but Marissa used her legs in an attempt to damage the door and door frame.

Police said Marissa continued to cause a disturbance as police attempted to place her into another police cruiser.

Urinated in cell

Police transported Marissa to Shamokin Police Station, where she was placed in a holding cell. While being escorted to the cell, police said the defendant spit on Spade and Yoder and also spit on a wall near the holding cell.

While she was in the holding cell, four employees from AREA Services Ambulance responded on Marissa's request for medical assistance, which was made by Marissa on a cell phone on her way to the police station.

Police said Marissa refused to allow medical personnel to evaluate her and, at one point, urinated on the floor of the holding cell and took off one of her socks and rubbed it into the urine. While she was rubbing her sock in the urine, Marissa told police she was HIV positive before waving the sock at police.

Upon learning that Marissa had an active bench warrant for her arrest, Shamokin Police Chief Edward Griffiths and Special Officer II Norman Lukoskie responded to the station to transport her to the county prison. But Marissa continued to carry on before her sister was able to calm her down. Stormie also was able to retrieve a cell door key Marissa had taken from police during the disturbance at the station and disposed of the urine-soaked sock in a garbage can.

Police later found a cell phone in two pieces in the holding cell toilet.

Court date

Marissa was eventually transported by Griffiths and Lukoskie to the county jail, where she escaped near the front of the prison and ran down the street for approximately a block before being recaptured by Griffiths, who was assisted by Sunbury police. Griffiths said escape charges will be filed against Marissa by Sunbury police.

The Birster sisters didn't have much time to rest because they had a court date at 2:15 p.m. before President Judge Robert B. Sacavage.

Marissa pleaded guilty to simple assault involving an Oct. 6, 2011, disturbance in Shamokin that resulted in injuries to two county adult probation officers. She was sentenced by Sacavage to two years probation and ordered to pay a $300 fine, an Act 35 supervision fee and costs, while being given credit for five days previously served in the county prison.

She also was ordered to obtain a General Educational Development (GED) certificate within six months and write a letter of apology to probation officer Matthew Narcavage.

Her sister pleaded guilty to aggravated assault relating to the Oct. 6, 2011, disturbance. She also pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol involving a May 29, 2012, incident in Shamokin and possession of drug paraphernalia relating to a July 24, 2011, incident in the city.

She will be sentenced on those charges within 30 days following the completion of a records check.

Adult probation officers also had a bench warrant for Stormie for failing to pay fines and costs on crimes she committed as a juvenile, but Sacavage gave Stormie until noon today to pay off the fines and costs, which she last made payment on March 13.

The Birster sisters were represented at the guilty pleas by Attorney Michael Rudinski of Williamsport.

Assistant District Attorney Michael Toomey represented the commonwealth.

Marissa was recommitted to the county jail following her sentencing. Her sister remains free.

Steven L. Rivera, 21, of 11 S. Market St., Apt. 3, Shamokin, who was charged with aggravated assault, institutional vandalism, simple assault, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct in connection with the Oct. 6, 2011, incident, is scheduled to face a trial early next year.

Rivera, who remains incarcerated at Northumberland County Prison, was Stormie Birster's live-in boyfriend at the time of the disturbance.

WILBURTON - Kerry Klemick held his 9-month-old grandson in his arms early Wednesday afternoon at his home at 222 Second St., Wilburton, telling the child over and over that he was safe and God had taken care of him.

Less than an hour earlier, the boy was with his mother and her boyfriend, David A. Pavloski II, who police say stole a vehicle in Coal Township and evaded police for nearly nine hours.

"I'm feeling good that my grandson is rescued," said Kerry, 57, just moments after the infant, Cole Stanton, was returned safely to him. "I was ready to take justice into my own hands, but I'm glad I didn't, under advice from police."

It was a happy ending for the boy, but Courtney Klemick, 21, and Pavloski, 22, both of Wilburton, are behind bars at Northumberland County Prison on multiple charges relating to the theft of the vehicle; charges related to their alleged evasion of police are pending.

And this isn't the first time the young couple has been in trouble with the law.

Phone call at 2:30 a.m.

Kerry said he first learned something was wrong at 2:30 a.m. Wednesday when a friend of Courtney's from Coal Township called him while he was at work and said Courtney and Pavloski, who have been dating for three months, were at the friend's house looking "mangled." Apparently, Kerry said, they were drunk and Courtney had bruises on her face and a black eye.

Kerry only knew the friend's first name, Jessie. Police said later the address of the owner of the vehicle is 1125 W. Gowen St., Coal Township, but they did not provide a name Wednesday. Theresa Powell is listed at the address in the phone book, and whitepages.com lists Powell as well as Christopher Powell and Jessica Long.

The friend told Kerry the couple allegedly stole the friend's maroon 2003 Buick Rendezvous. The friend called police, who, according to Mount Carmel Township Police Chief Brian Hollenbush, spotted the vehicle several times driving between Coal Township and Wilburton.

The police avoided approaching the vehicle aggressively because the child was in the SUV. Police did not activate their emergency lights, Hollenbush said.

Hollenbush noted the driver of the Rendezvous, at one point, ran a red light on Route 901.

The search was called off early Wednesday morning.

Spotted at home

After he arrived home from work at about 4:30 a.m., Kerry said he camped out at the window in his Wilburton home and watched 10 Front St., where Pavloski lives, just a short distance away.

At approximately 9 a.m., Kerry said he saw Pavloski exit his house, walk down a dirt path into the woods and drive the Rendezvous - which had apparently been hidden from view - into an alley. He then went back in the residence, Kerry said.

Kerry said he immediately called police and attempted to block the alley with his vehicle, but his daughter and Pavloski, with the baby, ran out of the house, got inside the vehicle and drove away the opposite direction "into the bush," Kerry said.

Between 9 a.m. and 11:15 a.m., a search was conducted by police from Mount Carmel Township, Mount Carmel Borough and Kulpmont police, along with state constables and a state police helicopter from Harrisburg.

Vehicle located

At approximately 10:45 a.m., another friend of Courtney told Kerry the car was ditched somewhere in the woods and the couple and baby were back inside 10 Front St.

Police located the abandoned vehicle along a rocky mountain path behind Tiffany Lane. Mount Carmel Borough Chief Todd Owens, borough Cpl. Christopher Buhay and Constable Larry Rompallo searched the vehicle, and Owens drove it out of the forest.

Shortly after, at approximately 11:15 a.m., Kerry said he watched the officers surround Pavloski's house.

Hollenbush said they knocked four times. When there was no answer, police forcibly entered the home, the chief said, kicking in a door.

Kerry said the last thing he uttered to himself before police entered was: "My grandson, please. My grandson, please."

'It was a miracle'

Hollenbush said Courtney and Pavloski were found in a bedroom on the second floor of the house with the baby in a playpen in the same room. They were taken into custody without further incident.

Pavloski lives at the house with his father, who is wheelchair-bound, a sister and the sister's boyfriend. No charges will be filed against Pavloski's family members, Hollenbush said.

After Pavloski and Courtney were taken into custody and placed in the back of police cruisers, Hollenbush said Kerry was escorted into the house to retrieve his grandson.

"It was a miracle," Kerry said. "The police are heroes and a 9-month-old boy is unharmed. They (his daughter and Pavloski) were evading police. Anything could have happened."

Pray, father asks

He was asking anyone he talked to Wednesday to pray.

"I know my daughter is going to jail, but the Lord answers prayers," he said, noting the safety of his grandchild.

He also commended Hollenbush and the officers who were involved in the search.

A case worker from Columbia County Children and Youth Services was expected to visit Kerry, who lives at his house with his son and another daughter. However, Kerry said the boy's father, Thomas Stanton, of Shenandoah, was expected to take the child with him Wednesday night.

Conyngham Township Patrolman William Spickler remained with Kerry in his home until CYS arrived.

Pair in prison

Courtney and Pavloski were video-arraigned by Magistrate Judge John Gembic III at approximately 1:30 p.m. from the Coal Township Police Station on charges of a felony count each of theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property and a misdemeanor count of criminal mischief.

Bail was set at $20,000 cash each. After failing to post bail, they were transported to Northumberland County Prison, where they remained as of late Wednesday afternoon.

The charges were filed by Coal Township Patrolman Edward Purcell.

Hollenbush said additional charges will be filed at a later date by Mount Carmel Borough Patrolman Dan Politza. Those charges will likely include criminal conspiracy, receiving stolen property, fleeing or attempting to flee police, resisting arrest, recklessly endangering another person, recklessly endangering the welfare of a child and reckless driving. Pavloski will likely also be charged with driving under suspension due to previous DUI charges, he said.

Mount Carmel Township Patrolman Kelly Campbell, Kulpmont Patrolman Michael Pitcavage, Coal Township Patrolman Michael Hashuga, Constable Patrick Reynolds and Locust Township Police Chief Allen Breach were also involved in the search.

State police at Bloomsburg were unavailable to provide assistance and Conyngham Police Department had no officers on duty at the start of the incident, which is why Hollensbush was in charge, he said.Harry Deitz/For The News-Item

WILLIAMSPORT - The attorney for former Northumberland County Prison deputy warden John Conrad and his wife reported the lawsuit they filed against Northumberland County was settled for $87,500.

Attorney Joshua J. Cochran, of the Schemery Zicolello law firm, Williamsport, confirmed the amount, but offered no other comments about the case, which was settled Nov. 15.

The deputy warden and his wife, Lisa, filed the lawsuit in 2009 after Conrad was first suspended without pay in February 2009 and was fired one month later.

Conrad alleged a conspiracy against him, wrongful termination, defamation and violation of due process, equal protection rights and whistleblower rights in the lawsuit. His wife's claim was for a loss of consortium.

The couple had filed the suit in U.S. Middle District Court and named the county, its prison board, county President Judge Robert Sacavage, district attorney Tony Rosini, sheriff Chad Reiner, commissioner Vinny Clausi, former commissioners Kurt Masser and Frank Sawicki, former county controller Charles Erdman and former prison warden Ralph "Rick" Reish as defendants. On Nov. 14, U.S. District Judge John E. Jones III dismissed all defendants from the suit, except the county.

Later that day, Cochran submitted a letter to Jones, stating the suit had been settled.

"Please be advised the parties have reached an agreement to resolve the above-captioned matter. Accordingly, the Court can issue its standard dismissal order," it read in part.

MOUNT CARMEL - The following hearings took place Wednesday before Magisterial District Judge Hugh Jones. Defendants ordered to appear for plea court Jan. 14 in Northumberland County Court, Sunbury, can plead guilty or no contest, or seek a trial by pleading not guilty.

n Darryl L. Kashner Jr., 27, of 1125 W. Montgomery St., Coal Township, was held for court on charges of false identification to law enforcement authorities, corruption of minors, restrictions on alcoholic beverages, possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession with intent to deliver cocaine.

Police said the charges filed by Ralpho Township Patrolman Chris Dailey relate to an April 5 incident on Bottle Drive in Paxinos.

n Richard A. Gallinot, 59, of Box 258, Elysburg RR 1, waived to court two counts of driving under the influence of alcohol and charges of driving an unregistered vehicle and careless driving relating to a Sept. 7 accident at 27 S. Hickory St., Elysburg.

The charges were filed by Ralpho Township Patrolman Christopher Grow.

n Anthony R. Snyder, 27, of 420 E. Fourth St., Mount Carmel, waived to court two counts of driving under the influence of alcohol and charges of careless driving and driving the wrong way on a one-way street.

The charges were filed by Mount Carmel Patrolman Shane Reamer in connection with an Oct. 13 traffic stop in the first block of North Oak Street.

n Daniel Allan Link, 44, of 226 S. Franklin St., Shamokin, waived to court charges of careless driving, driving under the influence of alcohol, driving at an unsafe speed and failure to drive within a single lane involving an Oct. 23 incident on Route 901 between Boylan's Garage and Excelsior.

Mount Carmel Township Patrolman Matthew Filarski filed the charges.

n James M. Ball, 43, of South Oak Street, Mount Carmel, waived to court charges of delivering heroin, three counts of criminal conspiracy, three counts of possession of a controlled substance, criminal use of a communication facility and driving under suspension relating to a Jan. 21 drug bust.

Mount Carmel Patrolmen Matthew Dillman and Shane Reamer, who are members of the Northumberland-Montour Drug Task Force, filed the charges.

n Shane Joseph Geary, 28, of 129 Oak Lane, Shady Acres, waived to court charges of driving under the influence of alcohol and careless driving relating to a Sept. 19 accident in the 100 block of West Sixth Street.

The charges were filed by Mount Carmel Patrolman Kevin Katch.

n Jill Marie Fisher, 33, of 477 W. Saylor St., Atlas, waived to court charges of terroristic threats, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, false imprisonment, false reports and harassment.

The charges filed by Mount Carmel Township Patrolman David Stamets Jr. relate to incidents that occurred Nov. 1 at Fisher's residence.

n Peter J. Amarose Jr., 29, of 233 S. Poplar St., Mount Carmel, waived to court a charge of endangering the welfare of a child involving a Nov. 16 incident at his home.

The charge was filed by Mount Carmel Patrolman David Donkochik.

n George P. Mitchell, 30, of Girardville, waived to court charges of forgery and receiving stolen property relating to incidents that occurred between April 23 and April 30 at Susquehanna Bank, Kulpmont.

The charges were filed by Kulpmont Patrolman Joshua Pastucka.

n Mark D. Carl, 55, of 3882 Upper Road, Shamokin, waived to court charges of simple assault and harassment relating to an Oct. 5 disturbance at 5609 Lower Road, East Cameron Township.

A co-defendant in the case, Justin Douglas Carl, 23, of 1046 W. Willow St., Coal Township, pleaded guilty to harassment and was ordered to pay a fine and costs totaling $454. A simple assault charge was withdrawn.

Trooper Daniel Wilk of state police at Stonington filed the charges.

n Heather Ann Scott, 35, of 801 E. Dewart St., Shamokin, pleaded guilty to one count of fictitious reports and was ordered to pay a $500 fine plus costs and placed on probation for 12 months. An additional count of fictitious reports and a charge of false reports were withdrawn.

Scott was charged by Ralpho Township Patrolman Chris Dailey in connection with a Nov. 16 incident at Glosser Motor Inn on Route 487 in Paxinos.

(Editor's note: This story about Stanley Radzai, a Kulpmont native now living in Adams County, appeared in the Gettysburg Times. It is reprinted with permission.)

Seventy-one years ago on Dec. 7, Sgt. First Class Stanley Radzai was sleeping in a cot shortly before 8 a.m., at Wheeler Field, Honolulu, Hawaii, when he heard a ruckus. Radzai had a good time with friends at the non-commissioned officers club the night before, and only wanted to catch a few extra minutes of sleep.

"The first bomb came down and practically knocked me out of the cot. I said 'That damn Navy is acting up again,' they do tricks like that with us. I looked out, saw the red circle and said 'Oh boy, this is the real stuff," Radzai, now 95 years old, said.

Two years prior, Radzai joined the Army because there were very few jobs following the Great Depression. When he completed basic training, Radzai was assigned to the Army Air Corps simply because he had a high school diploma and many of his peers did not. All of a sudden, the mechanic in the Army Air Corps' 78th Pursuit Squadron, Seventh Air Force was witnessing the Japanese attack Wheeler Field on their way to Pearl Harbor and the start of the United States' involvement in World War II.

Radzai quickly started to get dressed, but before the current resident of Gettysburg had one complete leg in his coveralls, more bombs fell. He ran down to the hangers and realized his unit lost half of its airplanes.

Thirty-eight men died that day at Wheeler Field and about 2,400 died at Pearl Harbor. Radzai considered four of them his friends.

"Stacy, a buck sergeant, came running out of the barracks. I mean a lot of these guys went crazy, I don't want to brag, but I still had my wits about me. So when I came running out the door, I saw the Japanese come straight for us, but I hid behind a big column, beautiful columns. Stacey came running out of the window and I said 'Stacey,' and I tried grabbing him by the collar. I missed. He ran out to the road and that's where he got it," Radzai recalled. There was no time to grieve, only time for action.

"After the attack, we worked night and day to put the airplanes together," he said.

Some thought the Japanese would invade again, but Radzai had a different opinion.

"We had enough airplanes the next day, we could have engaged them," he said.

After the attack, bulldozers removed all of the P-40 airplanes except for the 12 Radzai's squadron managed to salvage. Radzai stayed at Wheeler Field for about six months. In June 1942, his skills as a mechanic were needed on the central Pacific island of Midway. United States aircraft flying from USS Enterprise, USS Hornet, and USS Yorktown attacked and sank four Japanese carriers. This was considered the turning point of the war in the Pacific.

"We flew from Hawaii to Midway Islands, that was about 1,800 miles, and we flew it non-stop," he said.

Radzai returned to Wheeler Field six months later. By then, he was an instructor of mechanics. He was discharged in the latter part of 1945 and moved to Maryland with a woman from near his hometown whom he married while on furlough in 1943. As the decades as well as the Pearl Harbor survivors started to pass, so did Americans' perception of the importance of Pearl Harbor Day.

"I have my license plate, 'Pearl Harbor Survivor,' nobody even notices it. I think that since I have had it, 10, 12 years, there was two people who noticed it," he said.

Radzai has a personal goal of being the last of the Pearl Harbor survivors. After that, he imagines Dec. 7 will become just another day mentioned in history books.

"They are just forgetting. I have to say, it was horrible. Wheeler Field was bad enough, but two hours later I went to Pearl Harbor and it was in shambles," he said.