MOUNT CARMEL - James Britt, a 1989 graduate of Mount Carmel Area High School and an account manager in the oil and gas industry, was appointed Thursday night to fill a vacancy on the Mount Carmel Area School Board.

The 43-year-old Mount Carmel resident will serve as a director to complete the remainder of Thomas Ditchey's term that expires in December. Ditchey, who formerly served as board president, resigned last month.

Britt said he plans to run for a four-year term upon the completion of his interim appointment.

He is employed as an account manager for Baker Hughes in Mill Hall.

Britt said he's looking forward to working with other board members for the best interests of the students and taxpayers.

"I want to be part of a positive change in the district," he said. "This board has a lot of tough decisions to make in the future."

The 1994 graduate of Bloomsburg University said the appointment is his first experience in politics.

Approving the appointment were board President Robert Muldowney, Bill Brecker, Tony Mazzatesta, Michael Brinkash, Michael Rovito and Joseph Zanella. Board members Donna James and Ray Kraynak were absent.

Muldowney said Britt was among seven people who initially showed an interest in the position.

One of the individuals pulled out while another candidate failed to attend an interview.

Upon being questioned by school board candidate Michael Venna of Mount Carmel how the appointee was chosen, Solicitor Edward Greco said all five candidates were well qualified for the post and had different areas of expertise. He said the decision to appoint a new member was not based on any certain criteria, factor or attribute.

"We were impressed by the number of candidates who showed an interest and it was a difficult choice for the board to make," Greco said.

In other business

The board unanimously passed a resolution for the issuance of a tax-exempt, general obligation bond in the maximum amount of $4,570,000 for 2015 to replace a previous bond issue. The district will purchase the 2015 bonds from RBC Capital Markets LLC, Scranton.

Directors rescinded the resignation of Kelly Ann Crissman as school psychologist and approved the establishment of the Mount Carmel Area Reading Club.

SUNBURY - Andrew Beers denied having problems with depression and anxiety when he arrived at Northumberland County Prison and was scheduled for a psychiatric evaluation at the time he hanged himself in the jail, lawyers representing the county and prison said Thursday.

The claim is in response to a lawsuit filed Dec. 11 by Beers' mother, Sherry Beers, of Paxinos, claiming the county, prison and its medical provider, Prime Care Medical Inc., acted with intentional malice and reckless indifference by refusing her son's requests for psychiatric care before he hanged himself Aug. 13, 2013. She is seeking more than $75,000.

In the 16-page response, the county and prison cite 16 defenses to Sherry Beer's claim, including that the county and prison did not act with deliberate indifference, that Andrew Beer's injuries were the result of his own actions or inactions, and that the claims are barred by a two-year statue of limitations as well as sovereign immunity.

The county and prison also deny knowledge that Andrew Beers made suicidal threats, had chronic anxiety and was at risk for suicide. When Andrew Beers did request treatment, the prison arranged for a psychiatrist to visit him, the brief says.

"While the file of (Andrew) Beers identified past treatment for anxiety depression, decedent denied those problems upon intake," the brief says. "His request for a psychiatric visit came later and he had been scheduled for an evaluation at his time of death."

The county and prison demand proof of most of Sherry Beer's claims, such as that county and prison personnel knew Andrew Beers had depression and a prescription for depression medication but never sought out his medical provider to determine the full extent of his psychiatric history to determine suicide risk.

Prime Care Medical Inc., represented by John R. Ninosky of Johnson, Duffie, Stewart & Weidner, of Lemoyne, denied the allegations in a response filed Jan. 5.

The county and prison are represented by Sean P. McDonough of Dougherty, Leventhal & Price LLP, Hazleton.

KULPMONT - The following memorials and special intentions were received by the St. Pauline Center in memory of:

Patricia A. Tetkoskie by William and Mary Lou Altmire, Carol Patten, Nick and Shirley Gard, Rose and Janice Witrosky.

Brian Cesari by Gerry and Marty Zarkoski.

Helen Serovich by daughter Gerry.

Tekla Bernas by Cecelia Papp.

Helen and Joseph Serovich by daughter Gerry.

Frank Perles by Andrew Di Nobile.

Hank Smink by Dot Smink.

Lawrence Schwartz by sister Bo.

Frank "Pap Pap" Perles by Mr. and Mrs. Frank Gaffney, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Aris, Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Yasenchak, Guido and Michelle Varano, Joseph and Barbara Bock, Marlin Brosius, John and Maryann Lazarski.

Anthony Bagushinski by Jack and Rita Laukaitis, Bob Greco family

James "Jip" Menapace by Jack and Rita Laukaitis, Bob Greco and family, Connie Wenrich and Dave, Johnny and Jackie Wenrich.

George S. Sims by Al and Henrietta Visintainer, sister Marcella Hombosky.

Shirley R. Tomtishen by Michael and Rosalie Ziegler and family.

Edward Hombosky (Christmas candle) from Marcella Hombosky.

Dorothy DeMarco by Lubow Gluchowski.

Charles Madara by Bob Greco and family.

Lena Wynne by Bob Greco and family, Donna and Louis Greco, Connie Wenrich and Dave, Nick and Shirley Gard.

Mary J. Stellar by John and Maryann Lazarski.

Clara Bartlinski by Bob Greco and family, Atty. Edward Greco and family.

Mary Jane Bradley by Jack and Rita Laukaitis, Al and Henrietta Visintainer.

Jean Theresa Brokus by Jack and Rita Laukaitis, Pearl Martello.

Victor R. Martello by Gerry and Marty Zarkoski, Rose Witrosky.

Julia Tomol by Gerry and Marty Zarkoski, St. Pauline Society.

Gertrude R. Nolan by Al and Henrietta Visintainer.

Bernice C. Smith by Nick and Shirley Gard.

Irvin Gary Kehler by Nick and Shirley Gard.

Margaret Lutz by Nick and Shirley Gard.

Francis Kalejta by St. Pauline Society.

Rosemarie Dempsey by Donna Greco.

Bertilla Maciejewski by Donna Greco.

Vicky Sullivan by Rosary Group.

Bernie Gidaro by Rosary Group.

Verna Kashinski by Rosary Group.

Robert Probert by Bob Greco and family.

Ann Walejko by Dorothy Klokis.

Louis Papp by Corinne Klose.

In honor of All Saints and All Souls by Karen Gates.

Diabetic intentions - Mr. and Mrs. Richard Smith, Tom Sullivan, Joyce Carolan, Mrs. Lillian Cornman, Gina Mazzola, Jean Puskar, Edward Forbes.

MOUNT CARMEL - Dianna Debra Lupold, 36, of 45 S. Fifth St., Apt. 1, Shamokin, was charged by Mount Carmel Borough Cpl. David Donkochik with two felony counts of violating Megan's Law requirements after she was found living with relatives and their two children at 311 W. Fig St.

Donkochik said Lupold's cousin contacted him at around 9 a.m. Sunday and said Lupold had been residing at his residence for approximately one week.

The cousin said Lupold's ex-boyfriend had originally contacted him because he didn't want Lupold at his house anymore. The cousin took Lupold, who he knew had been in jail for ten years but did not know why, and her possessions to his home where he resides with his fiancee and two children, aged 11 and 12, said the criminal complaint.

The ex-boyfriend then told the cousin that Lupold was a Megan's Law offender and showed him proof that she was on the Megan's Law list. The cousin subsequently contacted police and emphasized that he did not want his children taken away because of this problem, police said.

The Pennsylvania Megan's Law database shows Lupold was convicted in 2003 of two charges each of rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a person under 13 years old and indecent assault of a person under 13 years old.

Donkochik and Patrolman Justin Stelma visited the home at around 3:30 p.m. Monday and took Lupold into custody. While at the Mount Carmel Police Department, Lupold admitted she had been staying with her cousin and had not disclosed her Megan's Law status despite the two children in the home. She also admitted to knowing she was wanted on outstanding warrants for unpaid fines, police said.

Lupold was arraigned Monday before Magisterial District Judge Michael I. Diehl and remanded to county prison in lieu of $40,000 bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.

SHAMOKIN - City council is one step closer to ratifying its state-sponsored Act 47 recovery plan, but council members reiterated the local governing body maintains final control over what recommendations to execute.

City solicitor Frank Konopka said the plan is not binding, and state officials all along have said much the same: that city council has the final say on the implementation of 120 suggested initiatives.

No one on the five-member council supports a recommendation to explore closing the police department for four hours each night. None has expressed any interest in eliminating a requirement, one that has been collectively bargained, to discontinue a minimum of two police officers on duty each shift.

But everyone also is in agreement that many other changes suggested by the plan's authors are necessary, including reducing the costs of employee health care and reforming retirement plans for future employees.

"I have no other recourse than to support what (the plan's) saying," council member R. Craig Rhoades said after Thursday night's meeting, at which council OK'd a first reading of the plan.

"We don't want to go into receivership," council member David Kinder said of the possibility of bankruptcy and losing local control over city government.

Council members voted unanimously during the 10-minute special meeting at the Northumberland County Career and Arts Center to approve the first reading of three ordinances: adopt the recovery plan, raise the Earned Income Tax to 2 percent, change the title of city clerk to city administrator or manager. Eleven people attended.

A final vote on each will be held at 6 p.m. Feb. 23 at City Hall, 47 E. Lincoln St. The recovery plan and its accompanying tax increase will be considered by a judge for court approval.

Konopka expects a hearing to be held Feb. 25 before Northumberland County President Judge William H. Wiest. The judge is familiar with the city's financial standing. He ruled in December to allow Shamokin to raise its general fund tax to 35 mills - 5 mills above the state maximum - in order to balance its 2015 budget.

'Poor decisions'

Shamokin was accepted in June into Act 47. The plan was prepared by private financial consultants contracted by the state Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). It is designed to eliminate systemic deficits, projected to build up to $4.4 million by 2020 if no action is taken, and leave Shamokin with an estimated $600,000 surplus upon exit from Act 47 in five years.

Plan initiatives include freezing employee pay, capping the cost of health benefits, eliminating or scaling back pensions and maintaining an increased earned income tax at 2 percent - 1.5 percent for the city and 0.5 percent for the Shamokin Area School District. The tax is currently at 1 percent and split in half between the two taxing entities.

City Hall's single largest expenditure is personnel costs - estimated at $2.26 million, or 78.4 percent of total city spending in 2015. Council member Charlie Verano sympathized with Shamokin's 17 police and non-uniformed union employees. He said they're taking the brunt of the scrutiny into city finances, but agreed it's only natural since personnel expenses are so prominent.

Calling himself a "union man," Verano blamed past council members for "poor decision-making" during prior contract negotiations. He said he hoped both unions would "come to the table and have true dialogue." Both union contracts are expired, and the police contract is currently in arbitration.

Verano balked at hiring part-time employees, saying he'd be open to it but wouldn't yet commit one way or another. He did say a clause in the non-uniform contract that disallows layoffs for economic reasons must be eliminated. And Verano believes the city must work with neighboring Coal Township and the Shamokin Area School District to share in services to reduce costs all around.

Pensions

Rhoades said there's nothing the city can do about current pension plans, and he and Kinder each said they wouldn't support seeking repayment of "overpayments" of pension money alleged by the state. New hires must be placed under a different retirement investment program, though, Rhoades said.

"At no fault of their own, these pensions were awarded and the employees should not be penalized," Kinder said.

Council member Barbara Moyer is supportive of initiatives that will increase communications within departments and with City Hall. She also believes in the initiation of employee evaluations and is happy to have the state's support in seeking grant funds aided by the Act 47 designation. She expects the plan will be considered throughout the year incrementally. Council will need the additional time, Moyer said, to consider all options rather than rubber stamping each of the plan's suggestions.

Rhoades said he was disappointed the plan didn't give more attention to fire service. He favors consolidation of the city's fire departments and believes it would save money.

"I don't think anybody would argue the fact that we have more equipment than we need," Rhoades said.

Pussycat Plunge scheduled

SUNBURY - Bressi Critter Crusaders will be raising funds to start a trap, neuter, release program for stray cats in the Shamokin and Mount Carmel areas with a Pussycat Plunge at noon Feb. 28 at the Bressi Farm, 451 S. Main St.

The event is similar to a polar plunge and costs $25 to attend regardless of participation in the plunge. All attendees will receive a t-shirt, light lunch and refreshments.

Dressing as a cat is optional but recommended.

Using funds raised, the Bressi Critter Crusaders will provide spay and neuter services, including transportation to a veterinarian, for just $75. Cats are also available for adoption.

For more information, call Maria at 570-335-8749 or Danielle at 570-259-0686.

EIT tax return forms available

SHAMOKIN - Taxpayer Annual Local Earned Income Tax Return forms are now available at the city treasurer's office, 51 E. Lincoln St., next to City Hall.

Those from Coal Township and other Northumberland County communities can also obtain them there.

SASB meeting scheduled

COAL TOWNSHIP - The regular monthly meeting of the board of directors of the Shamokin Area School District will be held at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in the board conference room.

Hugo Selenski's second double-murder trial has ended, but prosecutors are left to deal with one more mystery: a fifth set of remains.

When former friend and alleged accomplice Paul Weakley led police to the back of Selenski's Kingston Township house in June 2003, investigators unearthed the remains of five people during an extended search that lasted more than a month.

Two of them were the relatively intact bodies of pharmacist Michael Kerkowski and his girlfriend, Tammy Fassett, who Selenski has been found guilty of killing May 3, 2002.

More remains were discovered in and near a burn pit at the property at 479 Mount Olivet Road, and investigators had to sift through the teeth, jaws and bones to learn the death toll.

Investigators confirmed the site contained three sets of remains because they found three left mandibles, or jaw bones, Luzerne County Coroner Bill Lisman said Monday.

"There was no identification ever made on the third left mandible," Lisman said. "No death certificates were ever issued on any of the three, including the first two that they had the trial on, because there was no way we could confirm identity."

Murder charges have been filed over four victims, but no charges have ever been filed for the fifth set of human remains. Experts say prosecutors will have their work cut out for them making a case for unidentified remains that were discovered nearly 12 years ago.

Luzerne County District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis, citing a gag order imposed by county Judge Fred A. Pierantoni III, declined to comment on those remains earlier this week, saying they are too closely connected to the current trial.

Many complications

But Duquesne University law professor Wesley M. Oliver said an unidentified body would make for a challenging prosecution in any case.

"It's very difficult," Oliver said. "To establish that one person killed another, you have to show that there's a connection of some sort."

Tying a suspect to a crime without witnesses or DNA evidence would be "quite difficult" in a case with an unidentified body, he said. Unidentified remains also make it hard to know how the body got where it was found, as well as when and how the death took place, he said.

"You don't know if the person who's suspected in the wrongdoing encountered the body while (the person) was still alive, or whether it was already a corpse when this person got a hold of it," Dr. Oliver said. "There are all kinds of complications."

The exhumation operation began at Selenski's house June 5, 2003, after Weakley led police to the scene and a cadaver dog sniffed out human remains.

Although jurors have never heard it, Selenski allegedly told investigators what to expect in his yard shortly after they arrived. Jurors in this latest trial heard that Selenski was "shocked" when police showed up to search for bodies, but prosecutors have been barred from telling them that when a state trooper initially asked Selenski if any bodies would be found, Selenski said, "Yeah, five of them."

In December 2005, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court upheld a ruling that prosecutors could not use that statement because Selenski was being detained on robbery charges at the time and had not been read his Miranda rights.

Investigators spent more than a month searching the property, digging up the bodies of Kerkowski and Fassett, both 37, near a well in the backyard, as well as remains from three others in the burn pit. Authorities said two sets of remains belonged to drug dealers Frank James, 29, and Adeiye Keiler, 22.

Selenski was first charged with murder in the deaths of James and Keiler, who authorities say were killed May 14, 2003. Prosecutors alleged Selenski fatally shot the pair and burned them in a pit, shoveling their remains into garbage bags.

Selenski's associate, Patrick Russin, 44, pleaded guilty to being an accomplice to third-degree murder in the case, and earned the moniker "Pat the rat" after testifying at Selenski's first murder trial in 2006. A jury convicted Selenski of abusing corpses, but acquitted him of murder, saying they thought he was involved but they couldn't put his finger on the trigger. The prosecution's case was filled with holes, key witnesses were admitted liars and questions went unanswered, jurors said at the time.

Minutes after Selenski's acquittal, investigators arrested him on new murder charges in the deaths of Kerkowski and Fassett. Earlier during this trial, Weakley testified that he and Selenski tortured and strangled the couple with flex ties in an attempt to rob Kerkowski of thousands he made illegally selling prescription painkillers.

Weakley has pleaded guilty to the murders and is serving life in prison.

Shamokin-Coal Township

The deadline to sign up for March 12 chicken and waffles luncheon is March 4. Cost is $7.

Monday - Center closed. Presidents Day.

Tuesday - Poker game, 8:30 a.m.; walk-a-mile, 9:30 a.m.; computer lessons, 9:30 to 11 a.m.; lunch at Annabelle's Resturant, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; bridge, 11:45 a.m.; aquacize, noon.

Wednesday - Morning cards, 8:30 a.m.; bridge lessons, 9:30 a.m.; Wii bowling, 10 a.m.; game show, 11 a.m.; pinochle and Pokeno, 12:30 p.m.

Thursday - Morning cards, 8:30 a.m.; walk-a-mile, 9:30 a.m.; VNA checking blood pressure and blood sugar, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.; luncheon prepared by vo-tech students, 11:30 a.m., sign up required, $6, menu includes pork chops, stuffing, seasonal vegetables, salad, roll, dessert and coffee or tea; nickel bingo, 12:30 p.m.

Friday - Morning cards, puzzles and shuffleboard, 8:30 a.m.; Wii bowling, 10 a.m.; nickel bingo, noon.

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

Mount Carmel

Monday - Center closed. Presidents Day.

Tuesday - Morning talk show and coffee, 9 a.m.; bean bag competition, 11 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; unlucky 7's, 12:30 p.m.

Wednesday - Ash Wednesday; Wii games, 10 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; speaker from LATS, 12:30 p.m.; nickel bingo 1 p.m.

Thursday - Exercise, 9 a.m.; Vo-Tech luncheon at Shamokin Senior Action Center, 11 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; unlucky 7's, 12:30 p.m.

Friday - Wii games, 9:30 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; Pokeno, 1 p.m.

Kulpmont

Monday - Center closed. Presidents Day.

Tuesday - Center closed.

Wednesday - Socialize with coffee and snacks in the morning; hand held games and puzzles, 10 a.m.; Wii bowling, 10:30 a.m.; bring a friend who was never a member to the center today and they get their first year membership half price; LCR, 12:30 p.m.

Thursday - Center closed.

Friday - Puzzles and socialization in the morning; bean bang, 10 a.m.; Wii bowling, 11 a.m.; lunch at O.I.P., 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., $2; nickel bingo, 12:30 p.m.

Centralia- Wilburton

Monday - Center closed. Presidents Day.

Tuesday - Coffee and cake, 9 a.m.; chair exercise with Carol, 10:30 a.m.; Presidents Day trivia, 12:30 p.m.

Wednesday - Doughnut Day; trivia, 10 a.m.; birthday party bingo, 12;03 p.m.

Thursday - Bring a friend day; coffee and snacks with socialization, 9 a.m.; Linda Tarlecki giving help with income taxes, 9:30 a.m.; Wii bowling, 12:30 p.m.

Friday - Fun Friday! Open activities.

Elysburg

Income taxes will be done again this year at St. Mark's Church from noon to 3 p.m. Saturdays and from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 16. Schedule an appointment by calling Joe at 570-644-6575 ext. 171.

Tuesday - Royal rummy, 10 a.m.; Pokeno, 11:30 a.m.; Healthy Steps, 8:30 a.m.

Wednesday - Healthy Steps, 8:30 a.m.; royal rummy, 10 a.m.; bingo, noon. VNA checking blood pressure and blood sugar, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.; VNA speaking on heart disease, 11 a.m.; Center birthday party.

Thursday - Vo-Tech serving lunch at the Shamokin Senior Action Center, 11:30 a.m., $6, meal includes breaded pork chops, stuffing, vegetables, salad and dessert.

Friday - Crafts, 9:30 a.m.; pinochle, noon.

Trevorton

Coffee, Wii Fit, exercise bike and puzzles are available daily.

Monday - Center closed. Presidents Day.

Tuesday - Making doughnut holes for refreshments only, 9 a.m.; exercise, 10 a.m.; Scrabble, 10:30 a.m.; evening bingo, 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday - Exercise, 9:30 a.m.; board games, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; monthly craft, 12:30 p.m.

Thursday - Exercise, 10 a.m.; mind games, 12:30 p.m.; culinary luncheon at Shamokin Senior Action Center, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Friday - Wii games, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:30 a.m.; bingo, 12:30 p.m.; members birthday party, 5 p.m.

TREVORTON - Forty-five fourth grade students in Diane Rompallo's chorus class at Line Mountain Elementary School are just about ready for their close-up next week.

They will perform "The Star Spangled Banner" Wednesday prior to the Penn State University's men's basketball team's home game against the Wisconsin Badgers at the Bryce Jordan Center, University Park.

Rompallo said the athletics department at Penn State contacted the school and asked if they had a group of students who would be willing to perform the national anthem.

"They are very well prepared," Rompallo said, noting students already sing it regularly as part of their curriculum starting in third grade.

In addition to the performance, the youngsters will get a tour of the campus and the Penn State Creamery.

The school's Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) is paying for the bus transportation to Happy Valley.

The trip is also a part of the Line Mountain School District's effort to expose students at a younger age to different educational and career paths.

Within the past month, students have taken tours of the Northumberland County Career and Technology Center as part of that effort.

COAL TOWNSHIP - Members of the Shamokin-Coal Township Senior Action Center received a special Valentine's Day treat from their next-door neighbors Thursday.

Pastor James Bowers, his wife, Janet, and volunteer Kevin Wetzel from God's Chuck Wagon mobile soup kitchen spent Wednesday preparing and Thursday morning cooking a full meal for the seniors for their holiday luncheon. The meal was free for the 45 seniors on hand, and included turkey, roast beef, barbecue sausage, mashed and sweet potatoes, corn, gravy, stuffing, cole slaw and cranberry sauce, as well as pies and cakes for dessert.

"You can't have a meal without dessert," Pastor Bowers said.

God's Chuck Wagon, which uses a bus to make weekly street-stide visits to five local communities, is shut down during January and February.

But, "we wanted the community to know that we still care," Pastor Bowers said about how the senior action center meal came about.

He would like to make it an annual event.

"Judging by the reactions, I think they will have us back," he said.

"Very good," "excellent" and "delicious" were a few of the compliments given to the pastor as he made his way among the diners.

While there was no charge, many patrons made donations.

"I have absolutely no complaints about anything," Christine Anderson said as she finished up her meal. "Everything was tasty."

She was enjoying her meal with Joanne Pitfido and Virginia McWilliams.

"We haven't tried dessert yet. The chocolate cake with nuts on top looks good," McWilliams said.

"We'll shove it down," Anderson joked when asked if the group even had room for dessert.

There were plenty of leftovers to take home, and many folks at the center went up to the kitchen for a platter.

"I think this was a very nice gesture on their part," Pitfido said.

God's Chuckwagon calls the former St. Joseph's rectory, 815 W. Chestnut St., Coal Township, its home.

It will resume its regular rounds March 2, adding two Schuylkill County boroughs, Shenandoah and Mahanoy City, to the stops it already makes in Kulpmont, Mount Carmel, Shamokin, Trevorton and Tharptown.

Southern Columbia Area Middle School

CATAWISSA R.R. - The Southern Columbia Area Middle School has announced the distinguished and regular honor rolls for the second marking period of the 2014-15 school year.

Distinguished Honor students are those with a grade average of 95 percent or better.

Honor roll students are those with an average of 88 to 94 percent.

Distinguished Honors

Grade 5 - Clayton Bennage, Colby Bernhard, Chase Billig, Kole Biscoe, Morgan Brill, Jacob Cambria, Savich Chapman, Brock Dunkelberger, Brady Feese, Jaron Ferrara, Clarissa Fox, Gavin Garcia, Avery Konyar, Matthew Masala, Alexander Morrison, Madelina Natale, Mackenzie Palacz, Joseph Quinton, Kylee Reeder, Wyatt Roadarmel, Giana Rovito, Carson Savitski, Cassidy Savitski, Paige St. Andre, Olivia Thompson, Ella Trathen, Kailey Wagner, Ashley Whyne, Gauge Wommer Michael Yancoskie, Patrick Yost and Michael Zsido.

Grade 6 - Joshua Bainbridge, Emily Callahan, Faith Callahan, Megan Champoux, Maddelynn Griscavage, Chade Haladay, Garrett Hummel, Hannah Knoebel, Garrett Krebs, Meadow Morris, Chase Petro, Campbell Reck, Karly Renn, Colin Sharrow, Sienna Sosnoski, Jayden Toczylousky and Paige Urban.

Grade 7 - Jared Broscious, Mikaela Brouse, Victoria Brown, Madison Colella, Jessica Delbo, Kayla Gallagher, Gaige Garcia, Gina Gratti, Cameron Haladay, Kayla Hauer, Sophia Koschoff-Rapkin, Allyson Kranzel, Taylor LeVan, Meghan Morrison, Kathryn Pollard, Lear Quinton, Emilia Raup, Brady Reese, Emma Rosko, Elijah Rush, Erick Shufeldt, Aden Trathen, Chloe Wegrzynowicz, Rilyn Wisloski, Leslie Wolfe and Mary Zakrzewski.

Grade 8 - Allison Beaver, Colt Bernhard, Jadyn Brezinski, Carly Britch, Kari Cambria, Haleigh Carter, Autumn Chassie, Morgan Cole, Hanna Davis, Benjamin Dodson, Troy Donlan, Jilian Dunkelberger, Jared Ebersole, Kortney Fasold, Susan Gembic, DeeDee George, Tiffany Horton, Gabriella Kaminski, Lindsey Kerstetter, Ethan Knoebel, Brooklynn Kuijpers, Allyson Leiby, Caitlyn Lichtel, Meghan Longenhagen, Maria Maresca, Jillian Marks, Connor McGinley, Shane Miller, Calista Noll, Gabriel O'Donnell, Samantha Palacz, Sarah Rodriguez, Viktoria Romania, Haley Scopelliti, Marley Seger, Alec Sharrow, Cassandra Sharrow, Kevin Sincavage, Michael Steele, Emma Steely and Alexandra Willhouse.

Honor Roll

Grade 5 - Emily Allen, Sarah Allen, Wesley Barnes, Landon Beagle, Mallory Betts, Natalie Bodnar, Owen Bosworth, Ryan Brown, Stephanie Campbell, Justin Chen, Nicholas Chesney, Chase Conway, Evelyn Cook, Mason Cooper, Toren Cooper, Logan Corrigan, Cailee Davis, Nataliah DeMarco, Emily Dodson, Michael Evert, Connor Gallagher, Keir Hill, Stanley Hodder, Rachel Hollenbach, Gatlin Hovenstine, Nathan Hoy, Matthew Hricenak, Reese Humphrey, Kelly Irons, Hanna Keller, Ryan Kerstetter, Liam Klebon, Abigail Knoebel, Abigail Knouse, Dylan Kramer, Olivia Long, Wyatt Mack, Hailee Mayernick, Mallory McBride, Rayne McCoog, Elizabeth Miller, Jillian Morgan, Tyler Novak, Rylee Petro Riley Reed, Austin Reeder, Madison Reidinger, Kianna Rizzo, Janet Rodgers, Griffin Romania, Jake Rose, Tammy Schultz, Faith Seedor, Dakota Simpson, Lauren Smith, Jacob Snyder, Marlee Swank, Kiya Thomas, Kathryn Waltman, Haley Wegrzynowicz, Christian Woodruff, Lexi Yeager, Trevor Yorks and Alexis Zanini.

Grade 6 - Emily Bender, Zackariah Buono, Grace Callahan, Taylor Christman, Kylee Danglovitch, Jacob Davis, Chase Derk, Tyler Derk, Lauren Duncan, Patrick Edmondson, Brionna Gallagher, Brandon Gedman, Tyler Hajdu, Elijah Helms Cordell Helwig, Tyler Jeffrey, Taylor Keller, Bradley Klaus, Gabriel Kulick, Jordan Letterman, Caleb Levan, Kayla Levan Marissa Levan, Madison Longenhagen, Monica Maresca, Jennifer Maurer, Rachel Maurer, Troy Meier, Ruth Miller, Nicholas Miner, Katherine O'Donnell, Jaymie Petro, Bryson Pita, Logan Potter, Jaxson Purnell, Emma Schultz, Addison Sharrow, Alexis Steenburg, Lucas Stewart, Lily Sudol, Hunter Thomas, Tyler Waltman, Timothy Witcoskie, Ian Yoder and Thomas Ziemba.

Grade 7 - Alyssa Barnes, Evan Bebenek, Maura Blusius, Franklin Brassard, Kiersten Brecht, Hannah Bridy, Grace Bzdak, Jamie Chen, Hailey Ciocco, Max Clark, Halle Cox, Elliott Dobson, Stephanie Dunkelberger, Tiffany Dunkelberger, Amelia Esposito, Kaylin Fetterolf, Cal Haladay, Ethan Haupt, Braden Heim, Jacob Herr, Matthew Hess, Nathaniel Hicks, Nathan Hunsinger, Nathan Kearney, Makenna Keefer, Michelle Kerstetter, Wade Kerstetter, Brianna Kopp, Aaron Koschoff-Rapkin, Austin Leiby, Devon Lindenmuth, Cade Linn, Sierra Long, Veronica Manuel, Morgan Marks, Gage Michael, Ian Nevius, Owyne Pursel, Ayzah Quinn, Ty Roadarmel, Lauren Rose, Hunter Shoup, Kaitlynn Shultz, Keegan Shultz, Haley Snyder, Alyssa Strocko, Max Tillett, Alicia Trathen, Brandon Walz, Bristol Welliver, Dorran Wetzel, Madison Wilcox, Teagan Wilk, Thomas Williams, Preston Zachman and Ronald Zsido.

Grade 8 - Zachary Bainbridge, Hannah Bradley, Brett Brassington, Cara Cecco, Gavin Corrigan, Nathaniel Crowl, Emily Davis, Ethan Dunkelberger, Alexus Fetterman, Julian Fleming, Jacob Gessner, Abigail Henrichs, Reese Houseknecht, Matthew Irons, Kaitlyn Karlovich, Nicole Kerstetter, Jonathan Knisely, Tyler Kriebel, Kaitlyn McHale, Michael Miner, Kevin Olvany, Jacob Petro, Bryce Reidinger, Michael Sabo, Cally Seidel, Parker Shadle, Johnathan Sherman, Oak Six, John Stabinski, Jacob Stahley, Shayla Swartz, William Wegrzynowicz and Ross Wertman.

COAL TOWNSHIP - The honor roll for the second quarter at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School has been announced.

Distinguished honors

Seniors - Jessica Delong, Dakota Maneval and Grace Rompolski.

Juniors - Cage Crissman, Kendal Krebs and Emily Troutman.

Sophomores - Carmella Bickel, Olivia Giles, Tanner Maneval and Angelica Masser.

Freshmen - Selina Albert, Emma Gownley, Philip Hutnick-Kenenitz, John-Daniel Kerris, Maria Nguyen, Carmine Picarelli, Nora Rompolski, Alesha Rutledge and Dawson Williams.

Eighth-grade - Frances Czeponis, Charles Keer, Madison Munson, Mary Richardson, Thomas Schultz and Hailey Swaldi.

Seventh-grade - Alison Barvitskie, Abigail Doss, Anna Gownley, Kolbi Krebs and Caitlin Shulski.

First honors

Seniors - Caitlin Funk, Regina Perez and Claudia Rawa.

Juniors - Taylor Bozza, Maya Khanna, Kayleigh Shovlin and Maya Yoder.

Sophomores - Elizabeth Alexander, Michael Anzulavich, Kelsey Conner, Jacob Feese, Elijah Gusick, Brooke Korkuch, John Nguyen, Jarrid Todd and Zachary Zarkowski.

Freshmen - Stephen Gresh and Zachary Smith.

Eighth-grade - Giavanna Candelora, Sierra Coleman, Cydney Crissman, Michael Czarnecki, Emily DeManicor, Connor Fenix, Anthony Getchey, Riley Keiffer, Olivia McGinley, Ryan Mirarchi, Behret Steinbauer, Christopher Stewart and Jared Stewart.

Seventh-grade - Hanna Bozza, Leanna Nguyen and Ethan Sten.

Second honors

Seniors - William Allen, Taryn Riegel and Bailey Trell.

Juniors - Nicholas Adams, Kira DeHaven, Erika Kapushinski, Kristen Komara, Nicole Komara, Brittney Lahr and Tommy Nguyen.

Sophomores - Charles Aurand, Larry czeponis, Olivia Dobson, Michael Henninger and Shaylee Miller.

Freshmen - Amanda Horan, Mary Frances Komara, Katianna Lapotsky, Jessica Milewski and Madison Sandri.

Eighth-grade - Lilyauna Bickel, Jenna Jerdon, Channing Maneval, Elizabeth Nguyen, Gianna Picarelli and Lillian Yushock.

Seventh-grade - Mackenzie Catino.

SHAMOKIN - A local nonprofit offers job seekers a new resource to find work.

Central Susquehanna Opportunities Inc. has launched JOBS - Job Opportunities Build Self-sufficiency. The program is geared for low-income or long-term unemployed residents, and looks to link job candidates with local openings.

Seven computer terminals are set up in Room 307 of the Northumberland County Career and Arts Center, Eighth and Arch streets, with a comprehensive list of job search websites and resources. An all-in-one printer and telephones are also available.

Candidates receive direct guidance from CSO staff on how to create or update a resume, transportation solutions if they don't own a car, and how best to leverage existing skill sets to find work. They're informed of local job fairs and civil service opportunities, and assisted in creating a profile with the Pennsylvania CareerLink JobGateway. Help is also offered in submitting unemployment claims.

Thirty-five visits have been made to the JOBS center in the past three weeks. Lisa Milbrand, CSO projects coordinator, said many of the visitors have been prepped for job interviews, and she knew of at least one hire.

"Most don't have a suitable resume, they're old or outdated," Milbrand said. "We want to make sure it's current."

JOBS is a result of CSO's annual needs assessment survey of its 5,000 clients in the three counties the nonprofit serves.

Gale Zalar, Community Action Agency director, said employment and transportation are routinely cited among the greatest needs. But local employers have identified needs, too, she said.

"Our employers are saying they have positions but need people to fill them," Zalar said.

A chest in Zalar's office is stocked with basic toiletries for clients in need. Gift cards are also available to purchase new clothing to wear to job interviews.

The state Department of Community and Economic Development awarded CSO a grant of $85,200 to establish JOBS, including making a full-time hire itself for the program.

A grand opening will be held 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 17, with a mini job fair of local employers. The JOBS Center is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. For more information, call 570-644-6575 ext. 136 or ext. 119.

COAL TOWNSHIP - Two male juveniles who escaped from Northwestern Academy Thursday night were taken into custody without incident Friday afternoon at a Shamokin residence.

A 16-year-old Milton boy and a 17-year-old Washingtonville male are facing escape charges by Coal Township police.

Authorities reported the teens fled on foot from a cafeteria in the shelter care program at the academy shortly after 7 p.m. and were able to make their way to 720 E. Race St., where a female acquaintance of the 16-year-old resides.

The juveniles were taken into custody at about 2 p.m. by Shamokin Patrolmen William Miner and William Zalinski, Coal Township Police Chief William Carpenter and Northumberland County Juvenile Probation Officer Shawn Kalman.

Coal Township Cpl. Terry Ketchem and Patrolman Edward Purcell and Chad Yoder searched for the teens for more than three hours in bone-chilling temperatures. The officers found some of the boys' footprints in the snow, but were unable to locate them.

Police believed the teens were heading toward Shamokin and later received a tip that the juveniles may be at the Race Street home. Miner said the female resident at the home, whom he preferred not to identify, will not be charged with harboring the teens because she reportedly did not know they were on the run.

Carpenter said the teens, who were wearing sweatshirts, hoodies and sneakers when they escaped, were not a threat to the community and did not possess any weapons.

Authorities reported the 16-year-old male, who lived in Shamokin as a child, was on the run for five weeks after absconding from a foster home in Milton. He was taken into custody by Shamokin police at another home Tuesday and placed in the shelter care program at Northwestern Academy.

His 17-year-old friend arrived at Northwestern Academy Feb. 6 after committing a probation violation. He had previously been charged with theft-related offenses.

Both teens were transported from Shamokin Police Station by Montour County Juvenile Court authorities to a secure juvenile facility.

COAL TOWNSHIP - As of Friday, there were 44 fewer county inmates than a month ago when fire destroyed the jail in Sunbury.

The county inmate population totals 164, including 131 males at SCI-Coal Township, 27 females at SCI-Muncy and six males at Snyder County Prison. When fire ravaged the 139-year-old county prison Jan. 14, there were 208 prisoners, including 32 females.

Prison Commander Brian Wheary, who is working from an office at SCI-Coal Township, attributed the population decrease to judges sentencing more defendants to house arrest and time served, and more inmates being granted parole. Those practices were encouraged in an effort to lower the population and, therefore, costs to the county.

The state Department of Corrections (DOC) allowed county inmates to stay at the state facilities at no charge to the county for the first 28 days, which ended Wednesday. Starting Thursday, the state began charging $60 per inmate per day until a decision is made on how to replace the county prison. The county had estimated it cost $55 per inmate per day when the county jail was operating.

Commissioner Stephen Bridy, chairman of the county prison board, said DOC will be billing the county monthly.

'PTSD, flashbacks'

In several letters sent to The News-Item, inmates claim to be suffering from "PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder), flashbacks and nightmares" as a result of the fire. They said they ran from their cells once released, stood in the yard while it and the building filled with smoke, and were hit with water from firefighting apparatus while it rained down on the complex before they were led outside the prison's large stone walls. One inmate wrote that the "entire yard was overtaken by black smoke."

"In the staff yard, the fire was worse, and we were packed in there with 200-plus inmates that were terrified about the whole situation," he wrote.

Wheary said all inmates were evaluated by mental health personnel at SCI-Coal Township "and no major issues or concerns" were reported.

"The fire was a traumatic incident for everyone at the prison, but there have been no signs of PTSD by inmates or staff to my knowledge," he said.

Wheary said the transition to being housed at a state facility was difficult for prisoners and staff initially, but is becoming smoother as time passes.

"The transition period was the hardest part," he said. "You get used to things being one way at the county jail and then you have to conform to another system here (SCI-Coal Township). It was rough at first, but every day it's getting better."

Bridy said he hasn't received any complaint letters from inmates, and he said he typically does when there are concerns.

Recreation time

Wheary commended SCI-Coal Township Superintendent Vincent Mooney for his assistance since county inmates were transferred to the state facility.

"He's been very helpful and made the transition less difficult," Wheary said. "Having to house county inmates has been a burden on him and his staff as well."

Wheary said county inmates housed at the state prisons are being provided two hours of recreation time each day. He said prisoners in disciplinary confinement are only allotted one hour per day for recreation.

"State law requires us to provide the general population a minimum of two hours recreation per day," Wheary said.

Two of the prisoners who sent letters to the newspaper claimed inmates are locked down for 22 hours in their new housing unit.

Wheary said county prisoners remain locked down (confined to their cells) for longer periods of the day due to the housing configuration at SCI-Coal Township and rotating recreation periods.

"At the county prison in Sunbury, we had two wings and a female division," Wheary said. "At SCI-Coal Township, all the county inmates are confined to one unit, which means less recreation time because we can't let all the inmates out for recreation at one time."

He said weather conditions also dictate how much recreation yard time inmates receive.

Wheary estimated that inmates in the county jail were locked down an average of 15 hours per day. Currently, the prisoners are locked down an average of 20 hours per day at SCI-Coal Township.

He said inmates spend the remaining four hours eating meals, taking showers and participating in recreation.

Wheary said there is no work release program available to county inmates at SCI-Coal Township.

Food, services

Although meal times have changed a little from the county prison, Wheary said inmates at the state correctional institutions still receive three meals each day and they're the same as those fed to state prisoners. He said exceptions are made to the menu for dietary, religious and medical reasons.

He said visitations are restricted to one hour per prisoner Tuesday and Wednesday during the day. At the county jail, one-hour visitations were available at assigned times throughout the week.

He said county prison officials are continuing to work hard to meet inmates' needs, and that they're receiving proper commissary items. They also are being offered General Educational Development (GED), religious, drug and alcohol programs and other counseling services as needed, Wheary said.

SHAMOKIN - Board members of area school districts expressed mixed reactions to Gov. Tom Wolf's announcement Wednesday to restore school funding by taxing natural gas extraction.

Wolf's plan calls for the generation of as much as $1 billion in revenue through a 5 percent severance tax on the value of the gas plus 4.7 cents per thousand cubic feet of gas extracted from the Marcellus Shale formation. He said the majority of the money would be directed to schools but did not give a specific breakdown of spending.

Mixed reactions

At Mount Carmel Area School District, board members are struggling to keep up with ballooning payments to the Public School Employees' Retirement System. A tentative budget with a more than $1.3 million deficit was approved in January.

Donna James, secretary of the Mount Carmel Area School District Board of Education, said she is not familiar with the details of Wolf's plan but welcomed any new income to the cash-strapped school.

"Anything that would be beneficial to any school district I would definitely be interested in," she said.

Shamokin Area Superintendent James T. Zack echoed James' sentiments, calling Wolf's plan a "welcome change" from former Gov. Tom Corbett's cuts to public education spending.

"It's a great idea. That's one of the reasons he was supported so heavily by the education community (during the election)," Zack said. "We'd love to restore our art and music programs at the elementary school."

But Troy Laudenslager, president of the Line Mountain School Board of Directors, warned that the money has to come from somewhere.

"Everyone needs to remember that the government can't give you anything without taking it from you first," he said. "All taxes flow downhill and will promptly be passed onto us, the consumers."

He was also wary of Wolf's announcement to direct money toward education without giving specifics of the spending plan.

"Public education is one of the most popular topics used to convince people to spend more money because there are young kids involved," he said. "Not telling us how much would go toward education troubles me because it is most likely a sneaky way to fund other projects that wouldn't be supported by the general population."

Instead, Laudenslager hopes Wolf would find ways to decrease the budgets of schools.

"I would rather see the governor eliminate the overwhelming mandated spending forced on local school districts, compared to just trying to tax your way out of spending issues," he said.

Southern Columbia Area School District Superintendent Paul Caputo said he is aware of the concerns raised by opponents of the proposed tax, but appreciated Wolf's support of education.

"There's some opposition or concern that it could impact the gas drillers, so again it does need to be studied," he said. "But I think the idea that the governor is promoting and understands that schools are hurting and that they do need additional relief from the state level is appreciated."

Caputo described the funding cuts that have left Southern Columbia's budget in the red as a "fiscal dagger hanging over our heads year after year." Entering a school year with a balanced budget will provide peace of mind in knowing that no programmatic or staffing cuts will have to be made, he said.

"All schools have been doing their best to provide the best education with less funding and less support," he said. "Just to be able to have a balanced budget would be a relief off everyone's mind."

Three from county remain on death row

Three men remain on Pennsylvania's death row for convictions of murders committed in Northumberland County.

- Kevin Marinelli, of Shamokin, was sentenced to death in the beating and shooting death of Conrad Dumchock during a home invasion at the victim's Kulpmont home on April 26, 1994.

- James E. Frey Jr., Sunbury RD, was sentenced to death after pleading guilty to kidnapping and shooting his wife, Debra Frey, on Jan. 5, 2004.

- Brent Michael Sherwood, of Northumberland, was sentenced to death for the beating death of Marlee Reed, 4, on Dec. 7, 2004, in Northumberland.

Festival planning meeting

SHAMOKIN - A meeting for the 10th annual Anthracite Heritage Festival will be held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24, at the Northumberland County Council for the Arts and Humanities art studio (handicapped entrance) in the Northumberland County Career and Arts Center, Arch and Eighth streets. Anyone wishing to volunteer to help plan the festival is asked to attend.

Kulpmont, Marion Heights office closed

KULPMONT - The Kulpmont-Marion Heights Joint Municipal Authority office will be closed Monday in observance of President's Day.

Shamokin offices closed

SHAMOKIN - Shamokin city offices, including city hall, the tax office and the code office, will be closed Monday in observance of Presidents Day.

SHAMOKIN - More than $500,000 in grant money has been awarded to the Shamokin and Northumberland County housing authorities for capital improvement projects.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced Thursday the release of $1.8 billion through its Capital Fund Program to about 3,100 public housing authorities across the country, including $114.1 million in Pennsylvania.

The Shamokin Housing Authority will receive $237,041. About $96,000 will be used for an annual bond payment for the Harold E. Thomas High Rise, according to Ron Miller, executive director. More than $1 million in bonds is to be repaid over 20 years for the 2004 construction project in which additions were built onto the high rise.

Remaining grant funds will be used on roofing projects at the authority's housing complexes on Spruce and Harrison streets, and for sidewalks and curbing at Raspberry Hill.

The Northumberland County Housing Authority will receive $270,749. Ed Christiano, executive director, said the bulk of it would be used at Milton Towers, a 130-unit elderly high rise. There will be work performed on the boiler, water heaters will be replaced and new handicapped ramps installed. Other funds will be used to construct an addition to the authority's satellite office at 420 W. Seventh St., Mount Carmel.

HUD awarded $396,078 to the Sunbury Housing Authority.

The Capital Fund Program money is awarded annually. Miller said the funding has been in decline. Prior to 2010, the Shamokin Housing Authority received in excess of $300,000, he said.

SHAMOKIN - Five repeat offenders of the city's nuisance code were again cited for blighted conditions at their properties.

Richard K. Miller, 41, of 395 Old Route 15, Port Trevorton, was cited for 102 S. Pearl St. The rain gutter is detached, the chimney is collapsing, the roof is deteriorated and there is broken glass, according to the citation.

John E. McCabe, of 59 Floyd St., Staten Island, N.Y., was cited for 116 S. Pearl St. Building materials are falling from the structure, and the front porch floor is damaged and collapsing, according to the citation.

Christopher M. Elsayed, 39, of 201 E. Sunbury St., Shamokin, was cited for 116 W. Sunbury St., where police said building materials and shingles are falling off, glass is broken, and the building's southeast corner is collapsing.

Leonard F. Adams III and Stacey L. Adams, both 34 and of 12251 N. Center St., Conneaut Lake, Crawford County, were cited for 101-103 N. Second St. Building materials are falling off and the porch is collapsing, according to the citation.

Leonard F. Adams Jr., 58, of 341 Main St., Aristes, was cited for 620-622 N. Third St., where police said building materials are falling off, glass is broken and the rear porch is collapsing.

All five were previously issued citations, in some cases dating as far back as October.