MOUNT CARMEL - A notorious landlord previously cited more than 150 times for code violations in Northumberland County spent more than five hours Thursday shackled to a chair at the office of Magisterial District Judge Hugh Jones before being released when approximately $5,200 in fines were paid on 19 citations filed against him.

George Atiyeh, 55, of 147 S. Maple St., Mount Carmel, who is wanted on multiple warrants for failing to pay fines and costs for various summary violations at properties he owns in Northumberland, Schuylkill and other counties, was taken into custody in Ashland by Patrolman Kyle Schauer and transported to Jones' office at about 11 a.m. He remained there until 4:45 p.m.

Atiyeh, who operates Apartments and Acquisitions and Northeast Apartments, made arrangements through a local property manager and a court-appointed receiver to pay via credit card $4,445.20 in fines and costs on 16 citations dealing with properties listed under Apartments and Acquisitions. Atiyeh himself, after being freed, paid $770.50 in fines and costs owed on three properties he owns under Northeast Apartments.

The citations, of which Atiyeh was previously found guilty, were filed by Mount Carmel Code Enforcement Officer Robin Williams and Kulpmont Code Officer Russ Moroz. They are for incidents in 2012, 2013 and 2014.

The citations include quality of life ordinance violations such as failure to obtain occupancy permits, failure to remove snow and rubbish, high weeds, dangerous structures, unfit living conditions and poor building maintenance.

Atiyeh, a native of Allentown, is scheduled to appear before Jones at 10 a.m. Tuesday on 23 other citations that he hasn't responded to. He entered a plea of not guilty Thursday to those citations.

Jones pointed out that Atiyeh would have been incarcerated Thursday if he failed to pay the fines and costs.

"This is obviously a situation where someone has ignored most of the citations filed against him," Jones said. "I wasn't going to release him until he paid the fines and costs."

Jones said Atiyeh has a dubious reputation in several counties for not properly taking care of his properties and failing to pay for citations.

'Good landlord'

Atiyeh's property manager, who preferred not to be identified, was at Jones' office for a couple hours until his boss was freed.

He described Atiyeh as a good landlord who has invested a lot of money in the coal region, but has not been able to recoup his investment for several reasons.

The property manager said Atiyeh owns approximately 200 properties between Shamokin and Pottsville.

"He has fixed up many of the properties, but a lot of his tenants don't pay rent," the property manager said. "Many of his tenants are unemployed and on HUD, SSI or SSI disability, and the economy in the coal region is very poor."

The property manager, who has worked in the area with Atiyeh for abut two years, said the landlord has purchased many properties at county tax sales, but has not bought one in more than a year.

He said many of the properties Atiyeh purchased were blighted.

"He's worked hard to fix up the homes, but with the cost of renovations and sewer fees, it's been difficult to make any money," he said.

The property manager said Atiyeh and his associates are currently in the midst of dissolving Apartments and Acquisitions and Northeast Apartments.

Liens, fines

Atiyeh or his firms have been found guilty 59 times since 2011 of violations ranging from garbage and high grass to the deteriorating condition of properties.

There are many citations left unresolved in Shamokin, Coal Township, Kulpmont and Mount Carmel. The cases are pending in two district courts.

As of late last year, fines totaled nearly $14,000, and that's just a fraction of the $134,000 owed in delinquent property taxes before a proxy cut a check in mid-September to cover roughly half what was past due.

Shamokin-Coal Township Joint Sewer Authority sought 43 liens against Atiyeh's companies for unpaid sewer bills and costs exceeding $20,000, with $9,800 still outstanding. Another five are pending with the Kulpmont-Marion Heights Municipal Authority of more than $4,800.

The information used in a previous News-Item story was compiled from records searches of online criminal and bankruptcy dockets, and at the Northumberland County Courthouse and the Northumberland County Tax Claims Bureau.

Local code officers point to Atiyeh as the leading offender in an area riddled with blight. They say he's been out of touch and largely unresponsive, even after judgments have been made against him.

Atiyeh waded into the county's housing market in December 2010, acquiring two properties through Apartments & Acquisitions, a jointly held company. The next month, he jumped right in, purchasing 14 - the first of 85 properties bought in 2011. All told, Apartments & Acquisitions and Northeast Apartments, a company he holds solely, own a combined 125 properties in the county, with 61 purchased through tax sale. Roughly one in three are occupied.

BURNSIDE - Less than a year after opening, the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area (AOAA) has been recognized by a national off-roading magazine as one of the best places to ride.

The park was ranked by ATV Rider's Top 10 ATV Trails in America, released Wednesday on its website, www.atvrider.com.

The magazine credits the proximity of the AOAA to major cities like New York City and Baltimore and the variety of available off-roading activities for its placement on the list.

"Currently in the initial phase of development and with phase one already open, there are approximately 250 miles of trails with varying degrees of difficulty," the magazine says. "Whether it's mud, rock crawling, or beautiful wooded trails, AOAA has it covered."

Dave Porzi, operations director at the AOAA, said the recognition came as a pleasant surprise.

"We're extremely excited to be only several months into being open and being on a top ten list to be listed nationally as some place to ride," he said.

The story describes the ten locations as a "bucket list" and includes riding locations in Maine, Colorado, Oregon and Hawaii. Porzi said he expects the national attention to contribute to the growing ridership at the park.

"I have a feeling we're going to be very busy because of it," he said. "It's going to open up a lot more doors for us."

The national audience of the magazine leads Porzi to believe the AOAA is serving one of its primary goals - economic development.

"It's definitely going to increase the tourism here in Northmberland County," he said. "The future's very bright."

SUNBURY - A New York man in court for a bail hearing pleaded no contest Thursday to a felony drug offense and was sentenced to 1 1/2 to 3 years in state prison.

Esteven Soto, 30, of Bronx, accepted a plea agreement from the district attorney's office that calls for his cooperation in an attempted homicide investigation involving his friend and co-defendant Rafael A. Diroche Jr., 29, of Mount Carmel, formerly of Boston.

Northumberland County Judge Charles Saylor sentenced Soto on one count of possession with intent to deliver heroin relating to a Feb. 8 incident in Mount Carmel. Two additional counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, three counts of possession of a controlled substance and a firearms violation were not prosecuted.

Soto, who has already served 362 days in prison, was fined $100 and placed on two years probation upon his release from prison. He can apply for parole upon completing his minimum sentence in about six months.

The defendant represented by Public Defender Paige Rosini was sentenced within the standard range for the felony offense.

By pleading no contest, Soto is neither admitting nor denying guilty, but realizes enough evidence exists against him that could lead to a conviction at trial.

Assistant District Attorney William Cole, who prosecuted the case, said, "Given the circumstances, this was a fair plea agreement for him. We encouraged him to take the agreement and cooperate in the attempted homicide investigation involving Mr. Diroche."

District Attorney Ann Targonski added, "It's always good when we are able to remove drug dealers from our streets. Mr. Soto's agreement was made after careful consideration of the facts of his case and cooperation with authorities."

Rosini, who declined comment about the plea, was scheduled to argue for nominal bail for her client because he has been incarcerated since February 2014 without being brought to trial. But that argument became moot when Soto agreed to the no-contest plea.

Rule 600 allows a defendant to be held on bail 180 days prior to trial. Court procedures, including motions and hearings, can add days to the process. Previous motions for a bail reduction were denied.

Soto, who was being held on $250,000 cash bail, was returned to Montour County Prison, where he will await transfer to a state correctional institution.

Last month, Saylor denied a request by the commonwealth to consolidate the cases of Soto and Diroche.

Diroche was charged Nov. 10 by state police at Stonington for the attempted murder of Salicia Yost, who was shot in the head Feb. 8, 2014, along Irish Valley Road in Shamokin Township.

Diroche and Soto were charged by Mount Carmel police with possessing heroin, cocaine and marijuana, and firearms offenses relating to a Feb. 8, 2014, incident at Diroche's apartment at 250 S. Poplar St., where Soto was staying.

In addition to the attempted homicide, aggravated assault, attempted aggravated assault and corrupt organizations charges filed in the shooting incident, Diroche faces six counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, six counts of illegal possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm without a license, receiving stolen property and criminal use of a communication facility, all of which are felonies. He is also charged with misdemeanors of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Diroche is being held in lieu of $500,000 cash bail at SCI-Coal Township with other county prisoners.

Grounds committee meeting

COAL TOWNSHIP - The Shamokin Area School Board District Building and Grounds Committee will meet at 6 p.m. Wednesday in the board conference room.

Dog licenses now past due

SUNBURY - Northumberland County dog licenses are now past due. All dogs older than 3 months must have a current license. Pay online at www.padoglicense.com or in person at the Northumberland County Treasurer's Office, 399 S. Fifth St., from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Call 570-988-4161 if ownership status has changed.

Assumption BVM

Assumption B.V.M. Ukrainian Catholic Church, Paxton Street, Centralia.

Pastor - The Very Rev. Archpriest Michael Hutsko.

Confessions - Sunday, 10:30 a.m.

Divine Liturgy - Sunday, 11 a.m.

Augusta Baptist

Augusta Baptist Church, 1371 Boyles Run Road, Sunbury.

Pastor - Robert S. Commerford.

Sunday school - 9 a.m.

Morning worship - 10:15 a.m.

Evening service - 6:30.

Activities - Sunday, youth group, 6 p.m., kids club, 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday, Bible study and prayer meeting, 6:30 p.m.; fourth Thursday of the month, L.I.F.E. for seniors age 55 and up, noon.

Augustaville Wesleyan

Augustaville Wesleyan Church, 2556 State Route 890, Paxinos.

Pastor - Greg Clendaniel.

Sunday school - 9:30 a.m.

Worship service - 10:30 a.m.

Evening service - 6 p.m.

Activities - Wednesday, adult Bible study, children's ministry and youth Bible bowl, 7 p.m.

Bethany Bible

Bethany Bible Fellowship Church, 654 Wilburton Road, across from Mount Carmel Estates.

Pastor - Philip Norris.

Sunday school - 9:30 a.m.

Morning worship - 10:45 a.m.

Message - "Guarding Against Enticement."

Activities - Sunday, choir practice, 7 p.m.; Tuesday, senior saints fellowship at Pine Burr, 10 a.m.; Wednesday, children and youth programs and adult prayer and Bible study, 7 p.m.; March 14, men's conference, 9:30 a.m.

Bethany EC

Bethany EC Church, 1238 Market St., Ashland.

Interim pastor - Marlin Lafferty.

Sunday school - 9:15 a.m. (adults and children).

Worship service - 10:30 a.m.

Activities - Wednesday, weekly Bible study, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.; free clothing closet, every first and third Saturday of each month, 10 a.m. to noon.

Bethel Union

Bethel Union Chapel, West Cameron Township.

Pastor - Dave Butler.

Sunday school - 9:30 a.m. for all ages.

Morning worship - 10:30 a.m.

Special music - Sherri Keefer.

Nursery - 10:30 a.m.

Junior church - 10:30 a.m., with Opal and Audrey

Evening worship - 6 p.m.

Activities - Monday, ladies meeting, 6 p.m.; Tuesday, prayer worship, 6 p.m.; Wednesday, Bible study, 6 p.m., King's Kids, 6:30 p.m.

Calvary Bible

Calvary Bible Fellowship Church, 35 S. Second St., Shamokin.

Pastor - Ferd Madara.

Sunday school - 9:30 a.m.

Morning worship - 10:35 a.m.

Special music - Praise team.

Message - Pastor Madara.

Evening prayer service - 6 p.m.

Activities - Sunday, AWANA Kids Club and youth group, 5:45 p.m.

Church of the Nazarene

Church of the Nazarene, Route 901, Lavelle.

Pastor - Jeremy Smallwood.

Sunday school classes for all ages - 9:30 a.m.

Worship service - 10:45 a.m.

Clark's Grove UMC

Clark's Grove United Methodist Church, Irish Valley Road, Paxinos. Handicapped accessible.

Pastor - Billy Frick.

Sunday school for all ages - 9 a.m.

Worship service - 10:10 a.m.

Youth service - 6:30 p.m.

Activities - Wednesday, prayer and Bible study, 6:30 p.m.

­Divine Redeemer

Divine Redeemer Church, West Avenue and Poplar Street, Mount Carmel.

Pastor - The Rev. Martin O. Moran III.

Weekday Masses - Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 8 a.m.

Weekend Masses - Saturday, 4 p.m. (Sunday obligation); Sunday, 8 and 10:30 a.m.

Holy day Masses - 6 p.m., eve of holy days. 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., holy day.

Confessions - Saturday, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.; after morning novena Wednesday, or any time by appointment.

Novenas - Monday, Miraculous Medal novena after morning Mass; Wednesday, St. Jude Thaddeus novena after morning Mass; Saturday, St. Francis novena after morning Mass.

Elysburg Alliance

Elysburg Alliance Church, 113 W. Alpha Ave., Elysburg.

Pastor - The Rev. Andrew Knisely.

Service - 8 and 10:30 a.m., with a message from Pastor Knisely.

Sunday school for all ages - 9:15 a.m.

Activities - Sunday, AWANA for children age 4 to fifth grade, 6 to 7:30 p.m., junior high youth for grades 6 to 8, 6:15 to 7:15 p.m.; Wednesday, prayer ministry, 7 to 8 p.m., youth group for grades 9 to 12, 7 to 8 p.m.

Elysburg Presbyterian

Elysburg Presbyterian Church, 320 W. Valley Ave. (Route 487), Elysburg.

Pastor - Matthew Young.

Sunday school for all ages - 9 a.m.

Worship service - 10:30 a.m. Nursery provided. We will be welcoming the Boy Scouts as they participate in this service on Boy Scout Sunday.

Scripture - 1 Corinthians 9:16-23.

Message - "St. Paul, the Minister."

Musicians - Eileen Reigel, pianist.

Activities - Sunday, fellowship hour, 11:45 a.m., junior high youth group, 3 to 5 p.m., senior high youth group, 5 to 7 p.m., Lifetree Cafe, "Keeping Love Alive - Keys to Staying Close Everyday", 7 p.m.; Tuesday, deacons meeting, 6:30 p.m.; Wednesday, choir practice, 6:30 p.m., bell choir practice, 7:30 p.m.; Thursday, staff meeting, 3:30 p.m., session meeting, 6:30 p.m.; Feb. 18, Ash Wednesday service, 7 p.m.; Feb. 21, men's prayer breakfast, 8 a.m.; March 3, blood drive, 1 to 6 p.m.

Elysburg UMC

Elysburg United Methodist Church, 171 W. Center St., Elysburg.

Pastor - The Rev. Michelle Beissel.

Morning worship - 8:30 a.m. Children's Sunday school during worship.

Participants - Richard Swank, head usher; Arlen Gutekunst and Joyce Rumberger, greeters; Siena Rovito, acolyte; Ruth Wiehe, scripture reader; Lucy Bidelspach, shepherding, and Olivia Bodner, organist.

Activities - Thursday, Elysburg food pantry, 10 a.m. to noon.

Emmanuel UMC

Emmanuel United Methodist Church, 328 Center St., Coal Township.

Pastor - The Rev. Betty Ford.

Coffee fellowship - 8 to 9 a.m.

Worship - 9:30 a.m., with children's Sunday school.

Activities - Tuesday and Thursday, exercise class, 6:30 p.m.; third Wednesday of month, cookie ministry, 5 p.m.; second Saturday of the month, health screening, 8 to 10 a.m.; fourth Sunday of the month, movie night, 5 p.m.

Faith Bible

Faith Bible Church, Burnside.

Pastor - Perry Ross.

Pianist - Robert Witmer III.

Sunday school - 9:30 a.m.

Worship service - 10:30 a.m.

Evening service - 7 p.m.

Activities - Wednesday, Kids Club, Bible study and prayer, 7 p.m.

Faith Community Church

Pastor - Dale Hill, 570-751-5101.

Sunday worship - 10:30 a.m.

First Baptist, Shamokin

First Baptist Church, 10 E. Lincoln St., Shamokin.

Pastor - The Rev. Samuel Derr.

Church school - 9:45 a.m.

Morning worship - 10:45 a.m.

Choir organist - Judith Pensyl.

Evening service - 6 p.m.

Pianist - Redelia Shoffler.

Activities - Wednesday, choir rehearsal, 1 p.m., prayer, praise and testimony and Bible study, 7 p.m.

First Baptist, Trevorton

First Baptist Church of Trevorton, 510 S. Ninth St., Trevorton.

Pastor - Dan Conklin.

Sunday school - 9:30 a.m.

Morning worship - 10:40 a.m.

Evening service - 6 p.m.

First Presbyterian

First Presbyterian Church, Sunbury and Liberty streets, Shamokin.

Pastor - The Rev. Jim Phillips.

Worship - 10:30 a.m.

Participants - Noriene Ladd, organist; Mary Anne Stump, assistant organist; William Milbrand, choir director; Bill Persing and David Boyer, ushers and greeters; Andrew Ladd, acolyte; William Persing Sr., sexton; Charlene Lesher, Terry Persing and Wendy Wary, Sunday school; Wendy Wary, secretary.

Activities - Wednesday, youth group, upstairs, 6:15 to 7:30 p.m., session meeting, 7 p.m.; Thursday, Bible study, 6:30 p.m.

First UMC, Kulpmont

First United Methodist Church, Ninth Street, Kulpmont.

Pastor - Beverly Petrovich.

Worship - 9:30 a.m., with children's Sunday school.

Activities - Second Saturday of the month, Angels Table luncheon, 11 a.m. All are welcome.

First UMC, Mount Carmel

First United Methodist Church, 46 N. Hickory St., Mount Carmel.

Pastor - The Rev. Susan J. Roehs.

Worship service - 9:30 a.m.

Sunday school - 10:30 a.m.

Sermon - "Christ in Mount Carmel."

Participants - Sharon Styer, organist; Rick Schnee, head usher; Bret Getty, sound technician; Barb Bettleyon, liturgist; Jonas Bettleyon, acolyte; Rick and Barb B., counting team; Pastor Susan, children's time.

Activities - Monday, administrative council meeting, 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday, Girl Scout troop meeting, 6 p.m.; Thursday, OA meeting, 7 p.m.; Friday, AA meetings, 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

First UMC, Shamokin

First United Methodist Church, Sunbury Street, Shamokin.

Pastor - Zachary Hopple.

Adult and children's Sunday school - 9:15 a.m.

Worship service - 10:30 a.m.

Participants - Cindy Powell, liturgist; Margaret Heath and Linda Pita, greeters.

Activities - Monday, Bible study in the parlor, 6 p.m.

God's Missionary Church

God's Missionary Church in the Valley, 768 Bear Valley Ave., Shamokin.

Pastor - The Rev. Howard R. McKenzie.

Sunday school - 9:45 a.m.

Sunday worship and children's church - 10:45 a.m.

Evening service - 6 p.m.

Activities - Thursday, prayer meeting, 7:30 p.m.

Good News Bible Church

Good News Bible Church, 221 Main St., Locustdale.

Sunday worship - 3 p.m.

Guest speaker - Pastor Alva Cassel.

Message - "The Cross" based on I Corinthians 15:1-11.

Participants - Shirley Brass, prayer chain coordinator; Bob Keener, church ministry coordinator, and Jill Keener, music coordinator.

Coming soon to Good News Bible Church - "Blessings to You" free clothing ministry.

If services and activities must be canceled due to inclement weather, members will be contacted by telephone.

Activities - Wednesday, prayer gathering and Bible study, 6:30 p.m.

Good Shepherd

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 35 N. Ninth St., Ashland.

Pastor - The Rev. Dana Heckman-Beil.

Worship service - 9 a.m.

Grace Chapel

Grace Chapel, 126 Airport Road, Shamokin.

Pastor - Alan Langelli.

Sunday Bible fellowship groups for all ages - 9:30 a.m.

Sunday morning worship - 10:30 a.m.

Nursery child care is provided for all Sunday services.

Evening worship, young couples/young adults class, youth group and Discovery Station, 6:30 p.m.

Activities - Every Monday, ladies Bible study; Every Thursday, ladies Bible study and men's Bible study; Tuesday, business meeting; Wednesday, ladies' fellowship; Thursday, men's prayer breakfast; Feb. 28, shepherd's meeting.

Grace Evangelical

Grace Evangelical Independent Church, Locustdale.

Pastor - The Rev. Rose Marquardt.

Sunday school - 9:45 a.m.

Worship service - 11 a.m.

Children's Sunday school - 11 a.m.

Grace Lutheran, Shamokin

Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, 10 S. Seventh St., Shamokin.

Pastor - The Rev. David M. Byerly.

Service of the Word and Sacrament - 10:15 a.m.

Adult Sunday school starts at 9 a.m.

Participants - Mark Cupp, worship assistant; Cameron Wayne, acolyte/crucifer; Mr. and Mrs. William Hoffa, communion bearers; Treva Madison and Joanne Templin, altar care; Mr. and Mrs. Bill Joraskie, greeters; David Kopitsky Sr., driver; Jeanne Hoffa, Beverly Deitz, Nancy Joraskie, Treva Madison, Susan Marsh, Jeanne Romanic, and Joanne Templin, ushers; Walter Boyer, organist, Charlene Pell, choir director; Shelley Faust, cantor.

Activities - Monday, Brownies in Fellowship Hall, 5 p.m.; Tuesday, joint council meeting in Fellowship Hall, 10 a.m.; Wednesday, Pastor Byerly has worship at Mountain View, 2:30 p.m.; Thursday, table tennis club practice in Fellowship Hall, 6:30 p.m.

Grace Lutheran, Mount Carmel

Grace Lutheran Church, 146 W. Avenue, Mount Carmel.

Interim pastor - The Rev. Alfred Bashore.

Guest speaker - Kevin Snyder.

Services during February will be held at St. Matthew's (Slovak) Lutheran Church.

Grace UCC

Grace United Church of Christ, Third and Market streets, Mount Carmel.

Pastor - The Rev. Joan A. Brown.

Morning worship - 9 a.m.

Sunday school - 9 a.m.

Participants - Bryan Lapinski, organist; Noah Berkoski, acolyte; Don Hildenbrand and Carol Tarlecki, ushers.

Activities - Sunday, annual congregational meeting, 1 p.m.; Monday, confirmation class, 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Mr. Sticky sticky bun delivery; Wednesday, supper club will meet at new Italian restaurant in Ashland.

Harvest Worship

Harvest Worship Ministries, 2079 Upper Road, West Cameron Township, 570-850-4280, harvestworshipministries.com.

Pastor - Sandy Wary.

Sunday school - 9:30 a.m.

Worship service - 10:30 a.m.

Hidden Valley

Hidden Valley Community Church, 162 Hidden Valley Lane, Mifflinburg. A non-denominational Bible church.

Pastor - Gary L. Owens.

Pastor Gary can be reached by calling the office at 570-966-1330, or by cell at 570-486-3967.

Himmel's Church

Himmel's Church, 107 Covered Bridge Road, Dornsife.

Pastor - Jane H. Compton.

Sunday school - 9 a.m.

Worship service - 10:15 a.m., with communion the first Sunday of every month.

Holy Angels

Holy Angels Church, 855 Scott St., Kulpmont.

Pastor - The Rev. Andrew Stahmer.

Confessions - Saturday, 4 to 5 p.m.

Weekday Masses - Monday and Thursday, 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 8 a.m.

Weekend Masses of obligation - Saturday, 5:30 p.m.; Sunday, 8:30 and 10:30 a.m.

Activities - Sunday, Holy Name Society at the 8:30 a.m. Mass with meeting to follow, PREP for grades 6 to 8, 9 a.m.; Monday, PREP for grades 1 to 5, 5:30 p.m.; Tuesday, bingo in Holy Angels activity center, doors open at 4:30 p.m., games begin at 6 p.m.; Wednesday, adult choir practice, 7 p.m.; Thursday, finance council meeting, 7:15 p.m.

Holy Trinity

Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 150 E. Lincoln Street, Shamokin.

Clergy - The Rev. Frederic G. Stevenson, rector, and Deacon Richard Hazzard.

Sunday worship - 10 a.m., with Holy Eucharist, in the parish house. Children's Sunday school during worship. Coffee hour following the service.

Participants - Esther Bashore, greeter; Linda Riley, lector and intercessor; Oliver Fesniak and Frank Zaretski, ushers; Joshua Bashore, Hannah Bashore and Kyrstin Kinnaman, altar servers; Grethel Vinup, pianist.

Activities - Wednesday, Holy Eucharist and healing, 10 a.m.

Hope Community Church

Hope Community Church, non-denominational Bible church, 551 W. Fourth St., Mount Carmel.

Pastor - Dan Renno.

Christian education for all ages - 9 a.m.

Fellowship time - 9:45 a.m.

Praise and worship service - 10:15 a.m.

Living Power Ministries

Living Power Ministries, 45 E. Fourth St., Mount Carmel.

Pastor/teacher - Walt Kriskie.

Pre-service prayer - 10 a.m,

Praise and worship - 10:30 a.m., followed by celebration service.

Sunday evening service - 6 p.m.

Activities - Wednesday, mid-week Bible study, 7 p.m., refreshments served.

Miller's Crossroads

Miller's Crossroads UMC, 1929 Plum Creek Road, Stonington, Sunbury RR 4.

Pastor - Michelle Beissel.

Sunday school - 9 a.m.

Worship service - 10:15 a.m.

Participants - Betsy Bradigan, organist.

Ministry of the Water and Spirit

Ministry of the Water and Spirit Church, 915 High Road, Helfenstein.

Pastor - James Bowers.

Sunday service - 10 a.m.

God's Chuck Wagon is an outreach of the Ministry of the Water and Spirit.

Mother Cabrini

Mother Cabrini Church, North Shamokin Street, Shamokin.

Pastor - The Rev. Martin Kobos, O.F.M., Conv.

Parochial vicar - Adam Ziolkowski, O.F.M., Conv.

Sunday Masses - Saturday, 4 p.m.; Sunday, 7, 9 and 11 a.m.

Confessions - Daily, 7:30 to 7:50 a.m.; Saturday, 3 to 3:45 p.m.

Activities - Sunday, religious education classes for fifth through eighth grade, 10 a.m. to noon in the church hall. Students are to meet in the church hall at 8:45 a.m. to attend the 9 a.m. Mass as a group, a requirement of the class; Monday, bingo in the church hall, 6:15 p.m.; Tuesday, choir practice, 6 p.m.

Volunteers needed to help making Easter eggs Tuesday through Friday in the church hall following the 8 a.m. Mass.

Communion calls to the scheduled parish homebound on Tuesday and Wednesday after 9 a.m.

Mountainside

Mountainside Assembly of God, 1900 Trevorton Road, Coal Township.

Pastor - The Rev. Richard H. Earl.

Coffee and breakfast snacks for all - 9 a.m.

LIFEQuest Sunday school classes for all ages - 9:30 a.m., with nursery available.

Morning worship - 10:30 a.m. Nursery and children's church.

Youth night - 5 p.m. every other Sunday.

Activities - Wednesday, adult prayer and Bible study, Royal Rangers, ages 5 to 18, girls ministry, 6:30 p.m. Coffee served.

Monthly activities - First Sunday, communion and children's sermon, during 10:30 a.m. service; second Tuesday, Women of Purpose meeting, 7 p.m.

Mount Zion

Mount Zion Welsh Congregational United Church of Christ, Grant and Church streets, Shamokin.

Pastor - Gerald Lloyd Jr.

Worship service - 10:30 a.m.

Participants - Philip Maue, organist.

Sacrament of Holy Communion is celebrated the first Sunday of every month.

New Life Church

New Life Church of God, 129 W. Second St., Mount Carmel.

Interim pastor - The Rev. John D. Ashbaugh.

Sunday school - 9:30 a.m.

Worship service - 10:30 a.m. Junior church and nursery available. Handicapped accessible, wheelchair available.

Activities - Prayer room open mornings; prayer, fellowship and coffee, Saturdays, 9 a.m.; Feb. 22, evening praise and worship service, 7 p.m.

Oak Grove UMC

Oak Grove United Methodist Church, Marley Road, Overlook.

Pastor - The Rev. Zachary Hopple.

Worship - 9 a.m.

Sunday school for all ages - 10:35 a.m.

Activities - Monday, Bible study, 6 p.m., First United Methodist Church; Thursday, free karate classes at church, children ages 5 to 12, 6:30 to 7:15 p.m., 13 and up, 7:30 p.m.; First and third Fridays, Open Arms outreach, 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Our Lady of Hope

Our Lady of Hope Parish, Chestnut and First streets, Coal Township.

Pastor - The Rev. Steven G. Frenier, OFM Conv.

Daily Masses - Monday through Friday, 7 a.m., Holy Spirit Chapel.

Weekend Masses - Saturday, 4 p.m.; Sunday, 7 and 11 a.m.

Holy day of obligation Mass - 5:30 p.m. Vigil Mass and 7 a.m. morning of the holy day.

Sacrament of reconciliation - Saturday, 3 to 3:45 p.m.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, 47 S. Market St., Mount Carmel.

Pastor - The Rev. Francis J. Karwacki.

Deacon - The Rev. Mr. Martin McCarthy.

Weekday Masses - 8 a.m. Monday through Saturday.

Weekend Masses - Saturday, 4 p.m.; Sunday, 8:30 and 11 a.m.

Holy days of obligation - 6:30 p.m. on the eve, 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. on the holy day.

Confessions - Daily 7:30 to 7:55 a.m. including Saturday or any time by appointment; Saturday, 3 to 3:50 p.m.

Peifer's Evangelical

Peifer's Evangelical Congregational Church, Mandata Road, Herndon.

Pastor - Bradley D. Hatter.

Sunday school - 9 a.m.

Worship - 10:30 a.m.

Queen of the Most Holy Rosary

Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Church, 599 W. Center St., Elysburg.

Pastor - The Rev. Alfred P. Sceski.

Masses - Weekdays, 8 a.m.; Saturday, 5 p.m.; Sunday, 8 and 10:30 a.m.

Confessions - Saturday, 4 to 4:30 p.m.

Restoration Ministries

Restoration Ministries Church, 525 W. Chestnut St., Shamokin.

Pastor - Paul K. Eby.

Pre-service prayer - 9 a.m.

Sunday school - 9:30 a.m. for all ages, JoAnne Long, superintendent.

Sunday worship service - 10:30 a.m. Pastor Paul will speak. The worship team will lead praise and worship. Special prayer will be available. Nursery care will also be available.

Children's church - 11:15 a.m. for ages 4 through 11, directed by Shirley Cintron.

Student Life Ministry youth service - 6:30 p.m. for all teens ages 12 to 18.

Activities - Monday, soup kitchen, 5 to 6 p.m.; Tuesday, cross training youth disciple class, dinner at 3 p.m., class taught by Fran Jones from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.; Saturday, Soul Seekers group for ages 18 and older, 7 p.m.

St. John Lutheran

St. John Lutheran, 29 High Road Danville.

Pastor - Kris Brown.

Sunday school - 9:15 a.m.

Worship service - 10:30 a.m.

St. John's UCC

St. John's United Church of Christ, 117 N. Eighth St., Shamokin.

The Fifth Sunday after Epiphany.

Lay leader and speaker - David L. Spotts.

Coffee hour/fellowship time in church parlor - 9:15 a.m.

Sunday school - 9:30 a.m., and 9:45 a.m. for early elementary students ages 2 to 9.

Blended worship service - 10:30 a.m. in the main sanctuary.

Children's mesage - David L. Spotts.

Ministry of music - Maxine Harvey.

Guitarist/soloist - Geof Levan.

Participants - Jerry Wagner, lay reader; Chloe Frost, acolyte.

Activities - Today, Dutch cake orders pickup in Fellowship Hall, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Monday, Cub Scouts/Webelos 1 and 2, 5:30 p.m.; Tuesday, prayer group meeting in the study, 2 p.m., Cub Scouts/Tiger and Bear dens, 5:30 p.m., Boy Scouts, 6:30 p.m.; Wednesday, Bible study in the parlor, 6 p.m.; Thursday, Cub Scouts/Wolf den, 5:30 p.m., consistory meeting in the parlor, 7 p.m.\

St. John's UMC

St. John's United Methodist Church, 1211 W. Arch St., Coal Township.

Pastor - The Rev. Karyn Fisher.

Worship - 9 a.m.

Special message from Pregnancy Care Center at 9 a.m. worship.

Sunday school for all ages - 10:30 a.m.

Starting Monday, Feb. 16 - Soup of the Soul "24 Hours that Changed the World." Come together for hearty soup, fresh bread and a closer look at the events that led up to the day we call Easter.

Activities - Tuesday, men's group, 6 p.m.

Ash Wednesday service - 7 p.m. Feb. 18.

St. Joseph's Church

St. Joseph's Church, 11th and Walnut streets, Ashland.

Pastor - The Rev. John W. Bambrick.

Sister Elizabeth Kealy, IHM, director of religious education.

Confessions - Saturday, 3 to 3:30 p.m. Any time by appointment.

Rosary prayed before all Masses.

Mass schedule - Today, 4 p.m. (Vigil for Sunday); Sunday, 8:30 a.m.; Monday and Tuesday, 8 a.m.; Wednesday, adoration all day from 9 a.m., concluding with night prayers, benediction and Miraculous Medal devotions at 4:45 p.m., Mass at 5 p.m.; Thursday, 8 a.m.; Friday, noon; first Fridays Sacred Heart devotions.

St. Ann's Chapel, open each day for prayer. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Wednesday, 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon; Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

St. Mark Lutheran

St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 225 N. Market St., Elysburg.

Worship leader - Pastor Kris Brown.

Worship service - 9 a.m.

Activities - Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Elysburg Senior Center open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Wednesday, AA, 7 p.m.; Thursday, Boy Scouts, 8 p.m.

St. Matthew Lutheran

St. Matthew (Slovak) Lutheran Church, 301 W. Avenue, Mount Carmel.

Interim pastor - The Rev. Alfred Bashore.

Service - 10:45 a.m.

Guest speaker - Kevin Snyder.

Participants - Linda Rubendall, organist; Kenneth Kautter, lector; Joseph Melichercik, president; Thomas Pivarnik and William Snyder, ushers; Donna Lindemuth, treasurer.

Services for February will be held at St. Matthew's.

St. Michael Orthodox

St. Michael's Orthodox Church, 131 N. Willow St., Mount Carmel.

Pastor - The Rev. Theophan Marckey.

Divine Liturgy - 9 a.m.

St. Patrick

St. Patrick Church, 331 W. Shamokin St., Trevorton.

Pastor - The Rev. Steven G. Frenier, OFM Conv.

Weekend Mass - Sunday, 9 a.m.

Weekday Mass - 8 a.m. Wednesday.

Sacrament of reconciliation - Wednesday after morning Mass or during the day.

St. Paul Lutheran

St. Paul Lutheran Church, 4663 Upper Road, Gowen City.

Pastor - The Rev. David M. Byerly.

Service of Word and Sacrament - 8:15 a.m.

Participants - Bill Smith, lector; Stephanie Boyer and Cindy Henninger, communion assistants; Jack Tobias, acolyte/crucifer; Walter Boyer, organist and choir director.

Activities - Tuesday, joint council meeting at Grace Church Fellowship Hall, 7 p.m.; Wednesday, Pastor Byerly has worship at Mountain View, 2:30 p.m.

St. Paul's Reformed

St. Paul's Reformed United Church of Christ, Gowen City,

Pastor - Jerry Schlegel.

Worship time - 10 a.m.

Scripture - Mark 4:30-34.

Message - "Our Favorite Stories."

Organist - Cliff Artman.

St. Pauline Visintainer

St. Pauline Visintainer Center, 1150 Chestnut St., Box 115, Kulpmont.

"Chapel of the Crucified."

Eucharistic adoration - Friday, noon to midnight, and Saturday, 6 to 7 p.m.

St. Pauline Visintainer Center, open Saturday, Sunday, noon to 6 p.m.

Relics on display of Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, spouse of Mary, and St. Peter Apostle.

St, Peter's Lutheran

St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Aristes.

Interim pastor - The Rev. Alfred Bashore.

The Service and Sacrament of Holy Communion - 9 a.m.

Guest speaker Betty Schaffner.

Participants - Linda Rubendall, organist; Carol Buffington, choir director; and Matthew Sommers, lector.

SS Peter and Paul

SS Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church, Avenue and Beech Street, Mount Carmel.

Pastor - The Very Rev. Archpriest Michael Hutsko.

Confessions - Saturday, 3:15 p.m., and Sunday, 8:15 a.m.

Weekday Divine Liturgies - 8 a.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Weekend Divine Liturgies - 4 p.m. Saturday and 9:15 a.m. Sunday.

Religious education classes - 6 to 7:15 p.m. Monday.

St. Peter's UCC

St. Peter's United Church of Christ, Overlook.

Pastor - Paul T. Gurba Jr.

Morning worship - 8:30 a.m.

Sermon - Putting Your Faith to Work Part 2."

Verse of the day - Matthew 8:13a: "And Jesus said unto the centurion, go thy way, and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee."

Organist - Virginia Nefsky.

St. Stephen's

St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Fourth and Maple streets, Mount Carmel.

Clergy - The Rev. Frederic Stevenson.

Service - 8:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist.

Handicapped accessible.

Second Saturday, 5 p.m. Holy Eucharist at the St. Stephen Center.

Salem UCC

Salem United Church of Christ, 1300 W. Pine St., Coal Township.

Pastor - The Rev. Jean Eckrod.

Worship - 10 a.m.

Participants - Michael Toter, acolyte; Brian Williams, lay leader; Julie Updegrove and JudyLynn Weaver, beginners class; Barbara Skrivanek, junior class; Grace Stank, pianist; Millie Mowery and Carolyn Weaver, greeters; Karen Berkheiser, Judy Laubach and Gerry and Bill Woland, ushers; Grace Stank, lighting/sound.

Pennies for Sergio will be received Sunday. Members are asked to bring pennies to support our sponsored child from Guatemala.

A quiet room for young infants and nursery care for infants and toddlers is available during the morning worship hour at 10 a.m. Christian education is provided for children ages 3 to 12 immediately after children's time at the beginning of the worship service.

Activities - Sunday, fundraiser at Brewser's from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Wednesday, Senior Day will be at "A Taste of Italy" in Bloomsburg; Big Lots after lunch, leaving church at 11:15 a.m.

Salvation Army

Christian Enrichment Center, 1300 W. Spruce St., Coal Township.

Commanding officer - Maj. Tina Streck.

Holiness meeting (worship) - 9:30 a.m.

Sunday school - 10:45 a.m.

Seibert Evangelical

Seibert Evangelical Congregational Church, Route 147, Herndon.

Pastor - Bradley D. Hatter.

Worship - 9 a.m.

Sunday school - 10:15 a.m.

Seventh Street

Seventh Street Primitive Methodist Church, 34 N. Seventh St., Shamokin.

Pastor - The Rev. David Wildoner.

Sunday school - 10 a.m.

Morning worship and children's church - 11 a.m.

Guest speaker - Dale Lahr from The Gideons.

Participants - Kathy Albright, station steward; Joseph Rodman, head usher; Benjamin Brudnicki, Alaina Glowatski and Jordon McDowell; Bryan Lapinski, organist; Kathy Albright and Jennifer Brudnicki, greeters for February; Dr. Richard Albright, servant of the month; Kathy Jeremiah, children's church teacher; Jennifer Brudnicki, nursery worker.

A nursery is available for children birth of age 5 during morning worship service and children's church is available for children over 5 with focus on lessons from the Bible.

Manna for the Many item for February is canned fruit.

Activities - Feb. 18, Ash Wednesday service; Feb. 25, Lenten service at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church; March 4, Lenten service at the church.

Shamokin Alliance

Shamokin Christian and Missionary Alliance Church, Second and Arch streets, Shamokin.

Pastor - Samuel Bellavia.

Sunday school - 9:45 a.m. Classes available for all ages.

Worship services - 8:30 and 10:50 a.m.

Wednesday ministries - 6 to 7:30 p.m. Age range is four years to high school senior.

Evening service - 7 p.m.

Offered are small groups and cottage prayer meetings for adults. Contact church at 570-644-1718 for information.

Shamokin Seventh Day Adventist

Shamokin Seventh Day Adventist Church, 7 E. Sunbury St., Shamokin (former Jewish synagogue), 570-648-7770.

Pastor - John Peters.

Saturday sabbath school - 9:30 a.m., with classes for children and adults.

Saturday worship - 11 a.m.

Tuesday, Bible studies, 5 p.m.

Stonington Baptist

Stonington Baptist Church, Hosta Road, Paxinos.

Pastor - The Rev. J. Douglas Hallman.

Sunday school - 9 a.m.

Morning worship - 10 a.m.

Evening service - 6 p.m.

Activities - Wednesday, AWANA clubs for children in kindergarten through sixth grade and Word of Life clubs for grades 7 to 12, 6:30 p.m., prayer service, 7 p.m.

Trevorton UMC

Trevorton United Methodist Church, Shamokin Street, Trevorton,

Pastor - The Rev. Al Schell Jr.

Sunday school - 9:30 a.m.

Worship service - 10:45 a.m.

Nancy Korenkiewicz, pianist, organist and choir director.

Activities - Thursdays, Bible study taught by Roxanne Klinger, 7 p.m.; second Tuesday of month, United Methodist Women, 7 p.m.

Trinity Evangelical

Trinity Evangelical Congregational Church, 28 W. Arch St., Shamokin.

Pastor - The Rev. Brian C. Betsworth.

Sunday school - 9:50 a.m.

Worship service - 11 a.m.

Activities - Wednesday, prayer and Bible study, 7 p.m. Recovery in Christ, a new Bible-based 12-step support group, 6 p.m., Wednesdays. For more information, call Betsworth at 570-648-1682.

Trinity Lutheran

Trinity Lutheran Church, 65 E. Sunbury St., Shamokin.

Pastor - The Rev. David Hauck.

Worship service - 10 a.m.

Participants - Jon Hoover, lector and communion assistant; Corey Levi, cantor; Andrew Jones, acolyte; Jan Morrison, organist; Mary Tharp, altar guild; Ron Manney, counter.

True Grace

True Grace Bible Ministry, 950 W. Arch St., Coal Township.

Pastor/teacher - Michael Marcheskie.

Sunday school - 9:30 a.m.

Sunday service - 10:30 a.m., with children's study time.

United Presbyterian

United Presbyterian Church, 100 E. Fifth St., Mount Carmel.

Guest Minister - The Rev. Edmund Minnich.

Worship service - 11 a.m.

Message - "The Cross."

Scripture - Matthew 16:21-28.

Participants - Dale Schimpf, organist; Deb Wydra, acolyte; Ellsworth George, Andrew Mekosh and Robert Shaw, ushers; Dorothy Snyder, greeter.

Victory Bible Church

Victory Bible Church, Snydertown Highway, three miles from Elysburg.

Pastor - Kevin Kline.

Worship - 10 a.m., with Sunday school for youth at the same time.

Evening worship - 7 p.m.

Wilburton UMC

Wilburton United Methodist Church, Wilburton.

Pastor - Rose M. Marquardt.

Worship service - 8:45 a.m.

Children's Sunday school - 10 a.m.

Zion UMC

Zion United Methodist Church, Aristes.

Pastor - The Rev. Rose M. Marquardt.

Worship service - 9:50 a.m.

Children's Sunday school - 10 a.m.

Zion Methodist

Zion United Methodist Church, Trevorton Road, Coal Township.

Pastor - The Rev. Betty Ford.

Sunday school - 10:30 a.m.

Worship - 11 a.m.

MOUNT CARMEL - On National Wear Red Day Friday, millions of people chose to wear red and speak up against heart disease. Family Home Medical helped fight heart disease by wearing red, educating members of the community and helping to raise money for the American Heart Association to support research and education about heart disease.

"Family Home Medical is excited to provide local support for Go Red for Women and the American Heart Association. It is a very important and worthwhile cause," said Tara Venna, market development coordinator Family Home Medical. "It gives our employees another reason to discuss cardiac disease with their patients, their family members and co-workers and encourage them to take action." Said Venna, "It's meaningful and it's a great way to educate our community."

According to the American Heart Association, heart disease is still the number one killer of women, killing almost 1,100 women a day. One in every three female deaths is caused by cardiovascular disease. There are many women who die each year because they are unaware of this statistic. Many women believe that cancer is more of a threat, but they're incorrect. Nearly twice as many women in the United States die of heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases than from all forms of cancer, including breast cancer.

Since the first National Wear Red Day in 2003, Go Red for Women has captured the passion and intelligence of women to work together to wipe out heart disease. Family Home Medical is encouraging women and men in our region to take heart disease personally. It is important for them to learn their risk for heart disease, know how to live a heart healthy lifestyle, and recognize the signs and symptoms of heart disease in the event they need evaluation and treatment. Go Red for Women is nationally sponsored by Macy's.

MOUNT CARMEL - A package containing 20 Catholic crucifixes was stolen from a doorjamb of a residence after the U.S. Postal Service delivered them Thursday. The owner wants the religious artifacts returned, no questions asked.

The theft was reported to the Mount Carmel Police Department after a box containing the crucifixes was stolen between 4:30 p.m. and midnight Thursday from 224 S. Oak St. The owner, who does not want publicity and asked to remain anonymous, said that a postal worker left the package at a doorjamb at 4:30 p.m. following its arrival to the Mount Carmel Post Office from Canada. The crucifixes were purchased from Ebay.

"These are Catholic crucifixes; they are not gold," she said. "I just want them back."

The crucifixes range in size from 3 1/2 to 10 1/4 inches in length. They are of different compositions, including brass, bronze and silver. Some have ebony inlays.

One crucifix, she said, was made prior to 1772 and is very rare.

She believes someone was walking by and decided to steal the package without knowing the contents. She hopes the person will return the crucifixes now that they realize they took religious items. She is offering a $100 reward for their return.

"There will be no questions asked," she said.

Police Chief Todd Owens said the total estimated value of the items is approximately $3,000. He said if anyone sees someone offering the crucifixes for sale on Facebook or Ebay that they should contact the Mount Carmel Borough Police Department via the Northumberland County 911 Center at 570-648-3868.

TREVORTON ROAD - The county's weatherization department coordinator has accused Commissioner Vinny Clausi of threatening to fire him, close down the program and arrest him for fraud.

Dwayne Scicchitano, who has worked for the weatherization program for 17 years, claims Clausi's alleged "bullying tactics" have caused a "hostile and uncomfortable" working environment.

He has sent a letter signed by himself and five other union weatherization department employees to county Human Resources Director Joseph Picarelli requesting action be taken against Clausi for his alleged inappropriate behavior.

Scicchitano also blames his recent problems with Clausi as the reason the commissioners voted 2-1 in September to place the weatherization department under the supervision of the planning department. Clausi and Commissioner Stephen Bridy, who noted both departments handle similar grants, approved the action while Commissioner Richard Shoch voted against it because he didn't know it was going to be on the meeting agenda.

In a telephone interview Friday, Clausi denied Scicchitano's accusations, but said he didn't feel it was appropriate for a commissioner to discuss personnel matters with the press.

The commissioner sticks by his previous decision to have the state Attorney General's Office and Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), which provides grant money to the weatherization department, conduct an investigation into Scicchitano and the operation of his department.

Several incidents

Scicchitano said the latest incident involving Clausi occurred last month when he and two other employees were verbally criticized for not rectifying a heating situation at the home of a friend of Clausi's in Shamokin.

Last spring, Scicchitano claimed Clausi accused him and other staff of lying about an issue involving the purchase by the county of a state-owned truck used by the weatherization department. Scicchitano said a discrepancy that was later rectified occurred with the title of the truck that temporarily delayed the county from purchasing it to haul voting machines.

During that dispute, Scicchitano said Clausi used obscene language while threatening to fire him and have him arrested for fraud.

The weatherization department coordinator also recalled a 2012 incident in which he claims he was chastised by Clausi for not approving the replacement of a boiler in a home occupied by relatives of Clausi's.

Scicchitano said an inspection by department employees revealed the boiler was operating properly and didn't need to be replaced. He said the heating unit was eventually replaced after another inspection was done by Jim Olcese, a heating, ventilation and air conditioning contractor used by the weatherization department.

Scicchitano said the boiler issue prompted Clausi in September to make allegations involving misuse of funds and coercion against the county weatherization department.

Clausi said at the time that complaints were received from employees and a contractor "that they were being coerced by Scicchitano to sign statements implicating him in alleged wrongdoing."

Clausi ordered county District Attorney Ann Targonski to conduct an investigation into the alleged coercion. Targonski turned the matter over to the state Attorney General's Office, which reportedly is still conducting the probe.

Contacted Friday, Targonski said she has not been contacted by the state agency and was not aware of Scicchitano's letter, received Thursday by Picarelli, who forwarded it to Clausi. The letter also was sent to Von Treas and Patty Shurock, representatives of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union that represents Scicchitano and the other five employees in his department.

'Tired of being threatened'

Scicchitano, who previously denied any coercion on his part, said Friday, "I'm tired of being threatened by Mr. Clausi and being called a liar. I am bringing this to the public's attention because I want people to know the truth about Mr. Clausi."

Prior to the 2012 incident, Scicchitano said he didn't have any problems with Clausi, who previously lauded the weatherization department for being the best in the state.

Energy auditor Bob McAndrew, who also has worked in the weatherization department for 17 years, added, "I'm not going to put up with being threatened over the phone. I come to work and do my job."

In a letter provided to The News-Item by Scicchitano, the weatherization department head said numerous calls were made by Clausi during the week of Jan. 12 requesting employees to help an 88-year-old woman who Clausi claimed had no heat in her bathroom.

According to the letter, McAndrew and Pam Bollinger, an intake specialist who has been with the department for 18 years, talked to Clausi and explained that the woman's income would have to be within the guidelines and directives of the LIHEAP program. Clausi instructed the employees to help the woman and said he didn't care if they called the FBI, the letter states.

On Jan. 20, Scicchitano said he received a call from Clausi that if the department didn't help the woman, he was going to contact the press and embarrass the weatherization program before shutting it down.

Witnesses shocked

On Jan. 21, Bollinger said she received a call from Pat Mack, director of the planning department, asking her to call Clausi. Bollinger, who was at a hair appointment at the time, talked to Clausi, but said the commissioner started yelling at her for not helping the woman with the heating problem despite being told to do so two weeks prior.

Bollinger then gave Clausi the LIHEAP Crisis numbers and told him to talk to a supervisor to see if a referral was ever made for the work.

She said Clausi then called back demanding that she and Scicchitano come to his office at 10 a.m. the next day, and that the press would be there.

Bollinger said customers in the beauty salon were shocked at how Clausi talked to her on the phone and that they could hear him yelling from across the room.

Bollinger declined comment for this story.

Bathroom warm

At 3:45 p.m. Jan. 21, McAndrew received a call from Clausi questioning him about who was on call that day. When McAndrew said he was on call, Clausi asked him why he didn't answer the phone right away. McAndrew said he told the commissioner that he was putting a heater in a truck for a client.

McAndrew then gave Clausi an on-call number, but felt Clausi didn't believe him at first. He said the commissioner then called back yelling and cursing about the woman's heating problem.

McAndrew said Clausi told him to come to his office with Scicchitano and Bollinger the next day. The commissioner told McAndrew the press would be at his office and that he was going to shut the program down.

On Jan. 22, McAndrew and Scicchitano performed an assessment of the woman's home and rejected her application because the temperature of the home's first floor was 74 degrees and the bathroom was 72 degrees.

Scicchitano said the LIHEAP office was notified about the rejection.

The next day, Scicchitano said he was called by Mack to go to the woman's home to meet Olcese to do an assessment. Scicchitano and McAndrew met Mack at the home and once again rejected the application for LIHEAP because of the temperatures, which were the same as the prior day.

Scicchitano said Olcese later went to the home on his own in an attempt to get more heat.

Scicchitano said Olcese made several statements to him and McAndrew that the weatherization program was going to be shut down at the end of the LIHEAP crisis season (beginning of April). Scicchitano and McAndrew said they're puzzled how Olcese was certain the program was going to be shut down.

Efforts to reach Olcese for comment Friday were unsuccessful.

'Very hostile, uncomfortable'

The letter states, "The weatherization employees feel all of these incidents are making our work place very hostile and uncomfortable. We as a group are respectful to all of our superiors and commissioners, and would like to be treated with the same respect. We don't like being called during or after working hours, being cursed and screamed at and threatened by a commissioner who wants to go to the press and shut down the program for following the mandated rules and regulations set by the LIHEAP Crisis Program.

"We as a group are fearful of losing our jobs because we would not go against federal and state directives and income guidelines that are mandated for the weatherization program so that our employees will not be subject to fraudulent charges."

SUNBURY - A Shamokin man who spent more than two months running from police pleaded guilty to felony charges of flight to avoid apprehension and criminal trespassing, and two misdemeanor counts each of resisting arrest and simple assault Friday.

James H. Latshaw, 48, of 126 E. Arch St., accepted a plea deal from the county district attorney's office before President Judge William H. Wiest, which resulted in numerous charges being dropped. The offenses were filed in connection with several foot chases involving police, threats and physical contact made against Latshaw's girlfriend and a break-in.

The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced March 30 following a pre-sentence investigation.

Latshaw was captured in the End Zone Bar & Grill sitting at the bar with a beer in front of him Oct. 22 after police, state constables, probation officers and a K-9 unit spent the afternoon hunting a wooded area along Brennan's Farm Road near Den-Mar Gardens.

He had been wanted by Coal Township police on charges of terroristic threats, simple assault and harassment since an Oct. 2 incident in Coal Run in which he allegedly threatened to kill his girlfriend, choked her and held a knife to her. The following day, he was spotted in the 400 block of West Chestnut Street, but managed to escape after leading police on a foot-race through backyards.

He ran again from police Oct. 5. after hiding in the back seat of his girlfriend's Explorer. When an officer stopped the vehicle, Latshaw took off into a wooded area.

Latshaw engaged police in a similar pursuit Aug. 20 when he leapt from the roof at his residence onto a neighboring property. He ran for several blocks before being caught by police, who had been attempting to serve him a warrant for breaking into a vacant house in the 300 block of South Seventh Street.

SUNBURY - The case against a Zerbe Township woman accused of conspiring with her grandson to shoot at her stepson will go to trial.

Carol Ann Whary, 62, of 439 Trevorton Road, is charged with four felonies, including attempted criminal homicide, and multiple misdemeanors for her alleged role in the Dec. 9 shooting incident.

Police said Whary fired a two-shot rifle at her stepson, Dean Whary, and then shouted, "How do you like being shot at?" while her 14-year-old grandson, Gage Hertzog, fired an AK-47 at him.

Whary, dressed casually in a pair of worn white sneakers, said little during the hearing and had no questions for Saylor when he asked if he needed to clarify anything for her.

Her public defender, John Broda, told Saylor he filed for discovery on Dec. 23, indicating that Whary has been consistent in her desire for a trial.

At her preliminary hearing on Dec. 16, Whary was more vocal in the courtroom. She refused a plea deal, telling Broda, "I'm not pleading guilty to something I didn't do."

Whary was released on bail Jan. 22 and is living at 49 N. Grant St., Shamokin, because the judge ordered her to stay away from her home on Trevorton Road, which is next door to the home of her stepson.

WILLIAMSPORT - A former Northwestern Academy employee has sued, claiming he was not promoted, and was later fired, for being diabetic.

Russell J. Kanowicz, of 220 N. Walnut St., Mount Carmel, filed the suit against NHS Human Services Inc., of Lafayette Hill, Monday in U.S. District Court. Kanowicz claims he was discriminated against for a disability. He lost his job of four years at the Coal Township academy in June 2012.

Kanowicz's attorneys, Kymberley Best and Timothy Bowers, of Sunbury, said he was hired as a part-time YSS-1 direct care associate at the academy in March 2008. Under a collective bargaining agreement, Kanowicz was entitled to be promoted to full-time status after completing a 90-day probationary period.

During his employment, Kanowicz suffered from diabetes, which "rendered him prone to infections and abscesses" and "impedes major bodily functions." He said he informed the company of his condition, was under the care of a physician and was taking medication.

"At all times relevant, NHS regarded Kanowicz as having an impairment in the form of diabetes," the complaint says.

Workers designated as YSS-1 are normally scheduled for eight-hour shifts, but were occasionally asked to work beyond their shift in the event other staff did not report to work. Under a doctor's order, Kanowicz was unable to work more than eight hours in a 24-hour period.

He claims NHS failed to promote him after the 90-day period because diabetes prevented him from working beyond an eight-hour shift.

"(He) was at all times capable of performing the duties of a YSS-1 and any position to which he might have been promoted with the reasonable accommodation of limiting Kanowicz's working day to the standard eight-hour shift," the complaint reads. The suit alleges NHS failed and refused to make that concession.

In May and June 2012, Kanowicz had to take medical leave to treat complications of his diabetes. On July 6, 2012, NHS terminated him, retroactive to June 14.

Kanowicz claims NHS violated the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act and that he has suffered lost wages and benefits, medical expenses and emotional distress.

He is asking for compensatory damages, punitive damages, interest, costs, expenses and counsel fees.

An NHS official said Thursday the company would not comment on the suit.

If Reader's Digest still ran the "my most unforgettable character" series, Bob Donovan would have made an ideal subject.

Bob was my brother Phil's Sigma Chi fraternity brother and roommate at the University of Pennsylvania, but I only met him a half-dozen or so times. The last time I saw him was more than 30 years ago when he sported a fancy cane as a member of Phil's wedding party.

It wasn't until Bob died unexpectedly last June that I became acquainted with an unusual piece of information. I knew he was about 10 years older than Phil and that he was Phil's worldly mentor when it came to enjoying life.

Although I was aware that Bob served in the U.S. Navy before attending Penn, I did not know that he had an intense fear of water. It turns out that one reason Bob joined the Navy was to conquer his fear.

I didn't find out until recently that Bob had something in common with St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, who was the first American citizen to be canonized. The Italian-born sister had a morbid fear of water, yet crossed the Atlantic Ocean more than 30 times in order to found missions, schools and hospitals.

So, what did Bob's and Mother Cabrini's experiences teach me?

In Bob's case, I came away with a greater admiration of a man who faced his own worst fear in order to overcome it.

In Mother Cabrini's case, I learned the lesson we can overcome our deepest fears if are doing something for God and for others.

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God inspires love, not fear.

TREVORTON - Trevorton Patsies Senior Adult Ministry held a December Christmas banquet at Hannah's Restaurant. Thirty-six members attended.

Prayers were offered, carols were sung, games were played and door prizes were awarded. December birthdays were celebrated.

A donation was sent to the Pregnancy Care Center in memory of Frances Kalejta.

The next meeting will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, March 16, at St. Patrick Church Hall.

MOUNT CARMEL - Thanks to information from witnesses and a pawn shop employee, a borough man was arrested on charges of stealing several religious artifacts.

Police charged Nicholas P. Koons, 29, of 244 S. Oak St., Mount Carmel, with misdemeanor counts of desecration of venerated objects, theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property and tampering with physical evidence Saturday. He was found in a local pawn shop less than 48 hours after the crime attempting to sell the religious items.

"I'm very happy that an arrest has been made," Chief Todd Owens said Saturday. "This was just good old-fashioned police work."

Twenty crucifixes, some dating back to the 1700s and valued at $3,000, were stolen when the package in which they were shipped from Canada was stolen from a doorjamb of a residence sometime between 4:30 p.m. and midnight Thursday. According to court documents, Koons resides in the same building with the person who ordered the artifacts.

The victim, who asked to remain anonymous, told police that some of the artifacts were going to be returned to various orders of the Catholic faith.

After the theft was reported, officers began to work on the case with the help of Postmaster Curt Evert of the U.S. Post Office in Mount Carmel.

"Evert came in on his day off to try and obtain information that would assist in the case, which he passed on to Officer William Adamski," Owens said.

At a pawn shop

At approximately 1:13 p.m., Adamski received information that Koons might have been the one who took the crucifixes. A female witness told the officer she observed Koons with what she believed were the artifacts.

Adamski found Koons standing at the counter of an Oak Street pawn shop and questioned him. The employee handed Adamski a backpack he said belonged to Koons. Inside it were several crosses.

The employee said Koons walked into the store and asked if the pawn shop would buy them, but the employee threatened to call police. Koons then told police the employee had the crosses and was going to sell them and split the profit with him after he had found the package in the area of Second and Oak streets.

At the police station, Koons first said the package was mistakenly delivered to his door, but then allegedly admitted to police the box was at the bottom of the stairs leading up to his apartment. The suspect said after he opened the package, he cut up the box and threw it in the garbage. He took the crosses to Oak Street to see if he could sell them, according to police.

Police took Koons to his apartment to retrieve the box, which contained a Canadian postal label.

Owens said that upon examination of several photos, it appeared Koons had the reported stolen items.

Koons was videoarraigned before Magisterial District Judge Hugh Jones, of Mount Carmel, and was placed in Snyder County Prison on $20,000 cash bail.

Owens is happy to see the case solved so quickly because of its nature.

"Although it wasn't a more significant violent crime, it was significant to the religious community in the area and we are very happy that the items will be returned to the victim," the chief said.

COAL TOWNSHIP - Dressed in shimmering gowns and waving their wands, 38 young princesses learned what is expected of them in their lives.

Learning good manners, the "Frozen Princess-In-Training" event presented at Nos'Trovia Saturday afternoon, gave these young ladies 4 years old and older a look at how a "princess" should act.

With the help of her four "head princesses," venue owner Mary Lenig and her volunteers shared the story of Princess Bryanna, a young lady that enjoyed talking with her mouth full, interrupting people and not being very lady-like.

"It was so much fun learning with these kids about good manners," said "Princess Bryanna" Bryanna Stamets. "Everyone really got involved with making sure the lessons we were teaching were great. I also loved stuffing my face with blueberry pancakes, which were really good."

While the princess showed the youngsters, all dressed as their favorite princesses, what not to do, everyone recited little poems about good manners, such as "A lovely princess she would say 'Please' and 'Thank You' everyday," and "A training princess she is fine patiently waiting for her place in line."

"I'm very pleased with all the kids here and how they are participating in the lessons," Lenig said. "Imagine how much better this world would be with good manners, and if we can teach them at such a young age, that will carry all through their life."

Following a snack, the princesses all gathered in front of the ice castle built for the event to sing "Let It Go" from the movie "Frozen." As if the song was a beacon to call her, the group was joined by "Queen Elsa," portrayed by Angela Kinder.

"Look at all the lovely princesses here," Kinder told the crowd, many of the youngsters dressed in Elsa costumes. "You are all just wonderful princesses."

Kinder reinforced the lessons taught earlier and added a few of her own, showing the young princesses how to curtsy and pick up items in a ladylike fashion, before joining the princesses in more songs from Frozen.

The event will be presented again today for those who have signed up previously.

WILLIAMSPORT - The U.S. Court of Appeals has denied the right to appeal to former Mount Carmel Borough police officer Blaine Handerhan in an order submitted Friday.

U.S. Circuit Judge Marjorie O. Rendell wrote the order that denied the right to appeal for Handerhan, incarcerated since 2012 in federal prison after pleading guilty to a charge of possession of child pornography and sentenced to eight years in prison.

Handerhan said he made the plea reluctantly due to the stress of defending himself against the allegations, and that he was given bad advice from his defense counsel, Matthew R. Gover, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor and then terminal brain cancer. Gover gave up his law practice and passed away in 2012 after the case was finished.

Handerhan said consideration must be made considering Gover's illness and the effect it was having on his defense.

If the appeal would have been granted, Handerhan asked the court to be released to help prepare his case.

The right to appeal was denied in September 2014 and Handerhan, acting as his own attorney, made a motion for the court to reconsider.

In denying the motion, Rendell wrote, "(Handerhan) has not made a substantial showing of the denial of a constitutional right."

The judge wrote that Handerhan also failed to show that jurists would find anything wrong with the rulings made by U.S. District Court judges.

Police said more than 147,000 images and 1,200 video files were discovered on Handerhan's personal computer at his home in Swatara Township, Lebanon County. Handerhan said peer-to-peer file sharing software allowed remote access to his machine.

Divorces

Kathleen E. Niccoli, 26 S. Sherman St., Coal Township, from Charles J. Niccoli, 2400 Lebanon Church Road No. 1, West Mifflin. Married Oct. 15, 2001.

Christopher M. Wetzel, 1115 W. Spruce St., Coal Township, from Beth Ann Bellve, 551 North St., Marion Heights. Married Nov. 14, 2009.

Jo Ann Waugh, 255 State Route 2026, Coal Township, from Yhya Elsayed, 119 Chestnut St., Apt. 1, Pottstown. Married April 1, 2014.

Colleen B. Hess, 255 Missouri Lane, Kulpmont, from Matthew C. Hess, 42 S. Market St., Mount Carmel. Married July 23, 2005.

Laurie A. Shawda, 5228 Lower Road, Shamokin, from Rodney K. Shawda, 170 Mikalonis Road, Shamokin. Married Feb. 11, 1995.

Pamela J. Snyder from Brian C. Snyder, both of 1139 Scott St., Kulpmont. Married Jan. 13, 1996.

Mary Kerstetter, 149 Nevada Drive, Apt. 35, Kulpmont, from Shawn T. Kerstetter, 1742 W. Holly St., Coal Township. Married Oct. 30, 1993.

Marriage licenses

George P. Pellowski Jr. and Kelly E. McElwee, both of 915 N. Vine St., Shamokin. Issued Feb. 5.

Vincent Edward Lushinski and Shelly Lee Supatina, both of 427C Bear Gap Road, Elysburg. Issued Feb. 6.

Property transfers

Gloria Rich estate and Maria Curran Cantwell (executrix) to Maria Curran Cantwell (trustee) and Gloria Rich Revocable Trust (by trustee), property in Mount Carmel Township, $1.

Adam Brooks and Po Brooks to City of Shamokin, property in Shamokin, $1.

Lawrence W. Morata (executor) and George Kotchic estate to Michelle Leigh Knapick and John R. Finlan, property in Marion Heights, $52,000.

Michael A. Tetkoskie to Lisa M. Tetkoskie, property in Coal Township, $1.

Gene aka Gene A. Levan estate and Michelle L. Partington (executrix) to Robert McAnnaney, proeprty in Shamokin, $500.

Wendy L. Lentes to Candy Freed, property in Shamokin, $20,000.

Raymond J. Siko II and Shannon M. Siko to Raymond J. Siko II, property in Coal Township, $1.

Carolina Carports Inc. to Carolina Carports Inc., properties in Shamokin Township and Ralpho Township, $1.

Justine A. Phillips to Justine A. Phillips and Michelle A. Montgomery, property in Lower Mahanoy Township, $1.

Jacqueline Young to Courtney M. Cydis, property in Upper Augusta Township, $72,000.

Roxanne Mabe and Robert Mabe to Scott Douglas Evans, property in Mount Carmel, $1.

Thomas D. Nowroski and Alicia Nowroski to Karen Gerrity, property in Mount Carmel Township, $15,000.

Northumberland County Sheriff's Office and Jeffrey L. White, to Wells Fargo Bank NA, property in Shamokin, $2,639.14.

T. Clayton aka Thomas C. Witmer and Nancy L. Witmer to Linda L. Balliet, Deborah A. Hayes and Brenda M. Perroto, property in Upper Augusta Township, $1.

Joshua T. Scholl and Heidi N. Scholl to Joshua T. Scholl and Heidi N. Scholl, property in Rockefeller Township, $1.

Charles V. Gratti Jr. and Tami M. Gratti to Tami M. Gratti, property in Kulpmont, $1.

Northumberland County Sheriff's Office, Maria C. Latsha, and Maria C. Templin to UNB Bank, property in Shamokin, $2,909.94.

Michelle A. Drager to Carol M. Snyder, two properties in Coal Township and one in Zerbe Township, $1 each.

Betty C. aka Bette C. Willis estate and Richard D. Willis (executor) to Joan M. Pickering, property in Coal Township, $20,000.

Susquehanna Bank to Thomas S. Ward, property in Shamokin, $5,000.

Doris Ann Kodak and Doris Ann Kodack to Robert Mikal Krepshaw and Cathy Mae Krepshaw, property in Ralpho Township, $1.

L. David Porzi and Lorena A. Kutza-Porzi to Rodney Buraczeski, property in Mount Carmel Township, $80,000.

COAL TOWNSHIP - Craig Fetterman's face strains while his left leg is stretched at the hip and pushed toward his right side.

The grimace he wears belies the benefit of the exercise. It's not something he can do on his own. He can't move his left leg much at all, definitely not at that angle. The partial paralysis of his left side is a result of a trip-and-fall that nearly killed him.

Jenna Lenig eases up, repositions herself around Fetterman's leg and bends it in another direction. He jokes about being photographed with a woman in his bed, and warns against any photos should he decide to use a Shake Weight.

"As you can see," Lenig said dryly last week, "Craig hasn't lost his sense of humor."

The physical rehabilitation will help Fetterman, a 36-year-old former sales manager, regain his motor skills and balance lost after his accident April 18. He was living at the time in a second-floor apartment above his brother Pat's garage in Coal Township's west end. While leaving his apartment that night, he tripped on the landing and fell down the staircase. He smashed into the door at the bottom, breaking it, and nearly ripped the banister off the wall. Gobs of blood dripped from his head onto the garage floor. He made it outside and into the cab of his brother's truck where he was found the next morning - keys still dangling in the lock to the apartment door.

37 days

Seven hours after he arrived at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, his head was cut ear-to-ear and the front bone flap of his skull removed to relieve pressure. It was the first of three brain surgeries during a five-week stay in the Intensive Care Unit, 37 days of which he laid in a coma. His body shook from fever, and he suffered respiratory failure.

He has no memory of any of it.

"I just remember waking up in the hospital the next morning," Fetterman said.

"Well, to you it was the next morning. To us it was 37 days," said his mother, Jean Fetterman.

He was transferred to Geisinger HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital, where he initially drank from a sponge and could only control his right side. After six weeks, he did well enough to walk with a cane out of the hospital for good.

It was a hellish experience, and no less challenging nearly 10 months later. His left shoulder and tail bone still ache. Movements the able-bodied think nothing of require Fetterman's absolute concentration. It's a slow stiff rise to his feet when he stands up from a chair inside his parents' home on Trevorton Road, where he lives for the time being. He looks to summon all of his strength to simply walk from the living room to his bedroom, minutes passing for what would otherwise take seconds for a healthy adult.

But there are many signs of progress. A scar still visible in early January on both sides of his head is now hidden beneath his dark hair. He's ditched both a wheelchair and a walker for a quad-cane, and is working on walking the stairs on his own. Getting in and out of cars isn't easy, but he can do it mostly without help. He's reading, he's writing and he's rehabbing five days a week - two days at HealthSouth and three days at home.

Apart from being sore, Fetterman said he's bored. He's getting out a bit more of late, including to the movies, to a friend's place to watch the Super Bowl, and on a trip to the casino. On Thursdays, he makes it to the Forest Hill for chicken wings. That's where he used to tend bar.

Changes

Corey Proctor had worried Fetterman would wake up a different person. He wondered how his friend's personality would change. For a long stretch, Fetterman could only offer one-word answers to questions, allowing only silence in moments normally filled with words. As the winter holidays approached, though, Proctor said Fetterman began to engage in conversations. His humor remained.

As if on cue, Fetterman proved it. He tells of what he really remembers about waking up. He hadn't had a bowel movement in a while, and the nursing staff attempted to change that through the uncomfortable procedure of an enema. It jarred him awake.

"Yeah, I threw a pillow at her," Fetterman said, adding more colorful language in describing the nurse's use of medical tools. He laughs along with his dad, also named Craig. It trails off, and he said the nurse never did give him the pillow back.

His humor is a hopeful sign. It helps him battle anxiety about his injuries and about the burden he feels he is on his family. Recovery could take up to another year. The life-altering accident happened at a time in his life when divorce and a layoff already knocked him down, so to speak. The timing of it all isn't lost on him.

He reflects on what he describes as an independent lifestyle he lived before April 2014, including traveling for work across the nation and outside its borders.

"Mentally, I have to realize that that's my life now. That's the hard part," he said of relying on others.

Days limited for walker

Fetterman suffered a setback Thursday when he had a seizure during rehab at HealthSouth. He was treated at Geisinger Medical Center, had a CT scan performed and was released with a stronger dose of medication. Like when he returned to social media after a long time away following his accident, his friends offered their support.

His mother teared up, naturally, while she filled in the holes of the story missing from her son's memory. Discussing his hospital stay hit her hardest, and she dabbed a tissue at her eyes.

As the one-year anniversary draws closer, she's looking forward to at least one thing.

"I'm going to throw that walker out the door," she said, giving fair warning to the medical equipment resting unused in the living room.

Back in his bedroom and back at work with Lenig by his side, Fetterman curls light weights in each arm. He talks about the screenplay he's writing, and about the actors he'd cast to portray his friends on film. He gestures to a wooden box on the dresser.

"My brother was nice enough to bring my dead dog's ashes over," he cracks. "I was like, 'Thanks for cheering me up.'"

Another joke, another laugh and another sign that not all has changed.

SUNBURY - Northumberland County Commissioner Chairman Vinny Clausi said allegations made about him by employees in the weatherization department are false and that he won't be intimidated by the union.

Clausi, in a press release issued Saturday, said the controversy originated with an 89-year-old woman who had no heat in her bathroom, and that weatherization department employees failed to fix the problem.

The allegations, contained in a letter from the department's six employees to the county human resources department and local AFSCME union representatives, were detailed in a story in Saturday's edition. Dwayne Scicchitano, who has worked for the weatherization program for 17 years, says "bullying tactics" by Clausi have caused a "hostile and uncomfortable" working environment, and that Clausi has threatened to have the department shut down.

"I'm tired of being threatened by Mr. Clausi and being called a liar," Scicchitano said.

He said the issue with the elderly woman was just the latest of several in which Clausi has made false accusations involving the department's work.

'False' allegations

Clausi offered a limited response Friday. He denied Scicchitano's accusations and said he stood by his previous decision to have the state Attorney General's Office and Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), which provides grant money to the weatherization department, conduct an investigation into Scicchitano and the operation of his department.

Upon seeing more details of the employees' claims in Saturday's story, Clausi responded further.

"As a commissioner, I take a hands-on approach to all the departments in the county. When I am called with complaints from taxpayers, I look into those complaints immediately," he said.

He said the elderly woman in this case told him last month she had not had heat in her bathroom since September and that the weatherization department was aware of the problem.

"The weatherization program was primarily created to help aging, low-income taxpayers, just like this 89-year-old woman only earning $640 per month," he said.

He said the weatherization department claimed there was no problem with her heat, but when he contacted the department's crisis line, he found out they were aware of the problem since September.

"I immediately contacted the weatherization department and asked them why they do not have this as part of their records. They, of course, did not have an answer for me," Clausi's press release says.

He said weatherization program employees attempted to repair the issue but claimed there was a blockage keeping heat from the woman's bathroom.

"In order to fix the problem, I sent my own company with my own funds out to this 89-year-old woman's home and installed electric heat in her bathroom," he said.

Clausi addressed the workers' complaints that he cursed and yelled during phone calls, in one case, they said, berating an employee while she was at a hair salon to the point where employees and other customers could hear him.

"For the record, yes, I was upset when I have to make over a dozen phone calls to help a senior citizen," he said. "I will not be intimidated by the union, and I will fight for our senior citizens till the day I die."

Otherwise, he said, "These allegations are false."

UNIVERSITY PARK - The following area students were named to the dean's list for the fall semester at Penn State University:

Cenan F. Abdul-al, Elysburg, University Park Campus.

Alyssa D. Bielski, Kulpmont, University Park.

Brianna Bonshock, Paxinos, University Park.

Thomas D. Boyer, Coal Township, World Campus.

Sarah J. Breech, Catawissa, University Park.

Michael A. Bunner, Pitman, Schuylkill Campus.

Rachel A. Burke, Elysburg, Schuylkill.

Michelle N. Cortelyou, Herndon, Harrisburg Campus.

Alyssa D. Crowley, Sunbury, Harrisburg.

Meghan R. Delsite, Sunbury, Altoona Campus.

Michael A. Eccker, Ashland, University Park.

Katharine K. Ferster, Coal Township, University Park.

Andrew J. Gantz, Ashland, Schuylkill.

Bryan C. Gedman, Paxinos, University Park.

Lori A. Gilger, Elysburg, Harrisburg.

Miranda Green, Locust Gap, Schuylkill.

Jeffrey D. Hall, Elysburg, University Park.

David J. Hall, Ashland, Schuylkill.

Donald L. Hall, Sunbury, Harrisburg.

Kendra L. Hepler, Pitman, University Park.

Kirstie M. Herb, Sunbury, University Park.

Raymond A. Heromin, Elysburg, University Park.

Richard M. Huntsinger, Ashland, University Park.

Katherine M. Kauffman, Sunbury, University Park.

Cortney A. Koschoff, Mount Carmel, Harrisburg.

Caleb T. Latovich, Coal Township, Schuylkill.

Nathaniel L. Leiby, Catawissa, University Park.

Shaine M. Lepley, Mount Carmel, University Park.

Christian E. Lippay, Shamokin, University Park.

Samantha A. Lohr, Dalmatia, Harrisburg.

Matthew Lupold, Elysburg, University Park.

Angela Maschuck, Coal Township, Schuylkill.

Michelle Menko, Trevorton, University Park.

Kianna Morgan, Catawissa, Hazleton Campus.

Samantha C. Ramp, Shamokin, World Campus.

Ashley M. Roberts, Elysburg, University Park.

Richard T. Roughton, Coal Township, University Park.

Alexandra Singh, Elysburg, University Park.

Gabrielle Singh, Elysburg, University Park.

Cara F. Sinopoli, Kulpmont, University Park.

Shelby A. Snyder, Sunbury, University Park.

Timothy M. Sokoloski, Ashland, Schuylkill.

Barry A. Strausser, Mount Carmel, Hazleton.

Robert J. Taylor, Sunbury, University Park.

Robert Varano, Paxinos, University Park.

Alexa Wallauer, Ashland, University Park.

Alexander K. Weisbeck, Ashland, Schuylkill.

Emily A. Werner, Paxinos, University Park.

Scott A. Wilson, Coal Township, Harrisburg.

Samuel Zartman, Sunbury, University Park.

Brandon J. Zoch, Sunbury, University Park.