SHAMOKIN - Frigid temperatures caused two copper pipes to burst inside the American Legion Building, flooding portions from top to bottom.

Water shot through a half-inch split in a pipe along the rear exterior wall of the third floor, inside a utility closet behind the basketball court. It pooled in a small locker room and flooded into the gymnasium.

While the pitch of the floor directed water away from the court's playing surface, water seeped through and flooded rooms on the second floor occupied by the American Legion Auxiliary and the Anthracite Heritage Museum. It destroyed ceiling panels and caused the wooden and tiled floors to warp. Robert M. Slaby, city clerk, guessed the water was 8 inches deep in some parts. Water also seeped into the mezzanine of the public library.

Rick Weikel, a volunteer with Shamokin Youth Basketball League, was at the gym about 2:30 p.m. Tuesday when he discovered the mess.

"I hear this noise and I said, 'uh oh.' I hear water hitting the door, and I open it and get hit with water," Weikel said Wednesday. Water service wasn't interrupted in the bathrooms, and the youth league continued play Tuesday and Wednesday, he said.

Best Cleaners was on scene Wednesday to clean the mess. Dehumidifiers hummed along on the second floor. Some museum materials were damaged, though library books were spared.

Temperatures dropped below 0 degrees Fahrenheit early Monday morning, and the low was in the single digits Tuesday, but it's not clear when the pipe burst. Direct sunlight on the rear wall is thought to have thawed the pipe and spurred the flooding.

The pipe that burst in the Legion basement was inside a mechanical room, which has a concrete floor. No water made it to the renovated space once occupied as Club Echo and again targeted by city council as a youth lounge. The pipe was replaced.

The American Legion Building opened in 1924.

HARRISBURG - To ensure that much-needed heating fuel can reach Pennsylvanians with no interruptions, PennDOT has temporarily waived certain restrictions on commercial drivers to allow for the smooth delivery of heating oil and propane gas to homes and businesses for heating purposes.

Gov. Tom Wolf's emergency declaration last month allows PennDOT to temporarily waive the normal federal hours of service limitations for drivers of trucks carrying these goods, said acting Secretary Leslie S. Richards. Drivers usually must take a mandatory rest period after 11 hours behind the wheel. The limit for driving hours is extended to 14 hours.

Exemption is also granted from the requirements of the 60/70-hour limits rule, which requires drivers to stop driving upon accumulating 60 or 70 on-duty hours (including all on-duty and driving time) over a period of seven or eight consecutive days, respectively. Any period of seven or eight consecutive days may end with the beginning of any off-duty period of 34 or more consecutive hours.

The waiver will remain in place through 11:59 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28.

TREVORTON - Line Mountain canceled a trip by its fourth-grade chorus to perform the national anthem at Penn State men's basketball game at Bryce Jordan Center in State College Wednesday because of bad weather.

Elementary Principal Jeanne Menko was emotional Wednesday morning while confirming the cancellation. A busload of students and parents would have left for the event around noon.

The National Weather Service (NWS) forecast for State College Wednesday called for periods of heavy snow after 2 p.m., accumulating 1 to 2 inches. Wind chill values overnight were expected to drop as low as -12.

Light snowfall and squalls have caused traffic problems in the past week because precipitation combines with unusually cold temperatures to create especially slick conditions.

The drive to State College was apparently more than school officials were willing to risk.

"The children were so disappointed, as well as the adults," elementary secretary Diane Walshaw said by phone Wednesday afternoon. "It was a tough decision, but we feel it was the right one."

She noted many schools in the State College area were dismissing early Wednesday.

As for rescheduling, Line Mountain is in contact with Marcus Jackson of IMG Learfield Ticket Solutions at Penn State, who is trying to schedule a new date.

Forty-five students in Diane Rompallo's chorus class were set to perform for Penn State's Big 10 game against the Wisconsin Badgers. Rompallo said last week the PSU athletics department contacted Line Mountain and asked if they had a group of students who would be willing to perform the national anthem.

Rompallo said her chorus students already sing "The Star Spangled Banner" regularly as part of their curriculum, starting in third grade.

The students were also scheduled to tour the campus and the Penn State Creamery. It ties into the district's effort to expose students to different educational and career paths at a younger age.

Regardless of whether the children get a new chance to sing, Menko said they'll get the youngsters to Penn State for the tour.

MOUNT CARMEL - The motorist accused of killing a pair of elderly cousins two years ago in a head-on crash on the Natalie Mountain was charged Wednesday with vehicular homicide.

Police said Glenn D. Meredith, 54, of Strong, was under the influence of prescription painkillers Feb. 4, 2013, when he hit a 2004 GMC Envoy along Route 54 between SOS Metals and Turkey Hill in Mount Carmel Township. Charles D. Carl, 92, and Ronald E. Matejick, 76, both of Gordon, were pronounced dead at the scene.

Meredith was severely injured, as was the cousins' driver, Tina Alexander, 40, of Gordon, also their relative.

Magisterial District Judge Hugh A. Jones is scheduled to arraign Meredith at 10 a.m. today on 15 counts, including homicide by vehicle, aggravated assault, involuntary manslaughter and driving under the influence. The charges were filed by Mount Carmel Township Police Chief Brian Hollenbush.

Four witnesses identified in a criminal complaint say Meredith's eastbound 2001 Dodge Dakota swerved several times, onto the berm and then over the double-yellow lines. Alexander was legally passing other vehicles in the westbound lane when her vehicle was struck head-on about 12:15 p.m., according to police.

There were no signs of braking and no signs of evasive driving. There was no precipitation, and the highway was dry. The Envoy's speedometer was stuck at 50 mph after the crash, the criminal complaint states. One witness believed Meredith was speeding.

The accident scene is a half-mile from Meredith's home at 124 Front St. The Gordon relatives were 18 miles away from Geisinger Medical Center, where the cousins were believed to have had an appointment.

Toxicology testing performed 2 1/2 hours after the crash found Meredith to have had diazepam and oxycodone in his system at a combined amount police said was enough to impair his driving.

The full list of charges filed against Meredith: aggravated assault by vehicle while driving under the influence, three counts, second degree felonies; homicide by vehicle, two counts, third degree felonies; involuntary manslaughter, two counts; recklessly endangering another person, three counts; driving under the influence of a combination of controlled substances, misdemeanors; careless driving, driving on roadways laned for traffic, restraint systems, operation of vehicle without certificate of inspection, summary offenses.

SUNBURY - David J. Stamets, a former Mount Carmel Township police officer, has appealed a January conviction on traffic offenses stemming from a Labor Day prank that led to his dismissal.

Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III found Stamets, 27, of Kulpmont, guilty of driving a vehicle without a registration plate, failing to pull over for an emergency vehicle and a stop sign violation.

Stamets filed an appeal Feb. 3 at the Northumberland County Court of Common Pleas. A hearing is scheduled for 9:15 a.m. May 18 before Judge Anthony Rosini.

Stamets was off duty when he became involved in a pursuit with a Kulpmont patrolman shortly before midnight Sept. 1 after a lit firecracker was tossed from his vehicle. He was fired Nov. 6 by the township supervisors.

There were three passengers in the vehicle, all township police officers. One was suspended without pay and two resigned, one of whom tossed the firework and later pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct.

Stamets argued in district court Jan. 29 that the citations were filed outside a mandated 30-day window. The stop sign violation, he said, should have been dismissed on a technicality. Five police officers testified during the hearing.

Gembic sided with the prosecution, Cpl. John McGeary of state police at Milton, who said troopers took the case Sept. 8 on request of the township supervisors, and filed charges Oct. 7. The judge found that it was within the 30-day window, despite Stamets' countering that the case transfer didn't meet the exceptions allowed under Pennsylvania Code.

Stamets, now working with Shenandoah police, was ordered to pay $307.50 in fines and court costs.

Farmers breakfast set for Feb. 27

SUNBURY - Those who work in or are involved with the agriculture industry in the 108th Legislative District are invited to attend Rep. Lynda Schlegel Culver's annual farmers breakfast.

The event will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. Feb. 27 at the Front Street Station, Northumberland. Acting Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding will attend to discuss current state agriculture issues.

Call 570-286-5885 or 1-800-924-9060 to RSVP.

Kindergarten registration open

COAL TOWNSHIP - Shamokin Area School District is currently taking appointments for 2015-16 kindergarten registration to be held from March 9 to 11 at the Shamokin Area Elementary School.

Call the elementary school office at 570-648-5721, ext. 2900 to make an appointment.

Children must be five years of age by the first day of school - tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 1 - to qualify.

Another 'Transportation Tuesday' set

SUNBURY - Pennsylvania CareerLink Northumberland, Snyder and Union counties and Professional Drivers Academy in Milton Industrial Park are offering another "Transportation Tuesday" workshop from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. March 3 at the CareerLink, 225 Market St., third floor of the Sunbury Municipal Building.

In response to high demand for workers in the truck driving industry, these sessions will introduce the process required to attain a CDL license, review possible funding sources and feature former students and representatives from over-the-road and short run trucking companies and local transportation companies hiring auxiliary positions such as yard jockey, dock workers or warehousing/logistics positions. Representatives from PennDOT, Estes Express, San Tran LLC and Camel Express Trucking will present information about jobs.

The demand for CDL A license holders has skyrocketed and far outpaces supply.

Free parking for customers is offered directly behind the CareerLink building, which is next to the courthouse. Call 570-988-7300 to reserve a spot.

WATSONTOWN - Deadline to register for the Northumberland County Conservation District (NCCD) third annual Winter Forum is Friday.

The forum will be held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 3, at the Revival Tabernacle.

Registration is $10, which includes morning refreshments, meeting materials and catered lunch.

Three concurrent sessions are being held covering topics affecting agriculture, contractors and municipalities.

Topics for the agriculture sessions include "Pesticide Labels" and "Top 10 Tips for Applicators," both being covered by Joel Imgrund, Penn State Extension program assistant; "Water Quality Comparisons Prior to Improvements in Turtle Creek," presented by David Rebuck, DEP water pollution biologist; and "Herbicide Resistance Weeds" and "What is New in Weed Control," both presented by Chris Houser, Penn State Extension educator. Two category and two core credits will be available through the state Department of Agriculture for attendees.

Municipality session topics include "Memorandum of Understanding and the District (Why Your Municipality Should Have One)" and "Agricultural Security Areas," presented by Judy Becker, district manager; "Changes to the Dirt, Gravel and Low Volume Roads Program," presented by Eric Nevel of the Dirt and Gravel Roads Center at Penn State; and "Water Quality Comparisons Prior to Improvements in Turtle Creek," presented by Rebuck.

Contractors will be presented with topics on "Permit Responsibilities of Contractors," presented by Michael Lonergan, DEP senior civil engineer; "Best Management Practices and PPL," by Eric Beaver and Jim Clauser of PPL; and "New Policies/Erosion and Sediment Techniques of the Dirt, Gravel and Low Volume Roads Program," presented by Nevel.

For registration forms or more information, visit www.nccdpa.org or contact NCCD at 570-495-4665.

Interested vendors can contact Becker at the number above or at jbecker@nccdpa.org.

SHAMOKIN - Quick work by the police chief and city firefighters saved a South Diamond Street home from further damage after a pot of grease exploded on a stove Wednesday afternoon.

Crews were called to the home of Roxann Feese, 50, of 230 S. Diamond St., at 12:55 p.m. for a kitchen blaze. Feese said she was making some food when the fire occurred.

"I was making a salad and went to boil some eggs for it," she said. "I accidently turned on the wrong burner."

When she realized her mistake, Feese said she reached for the pot to remove it.

"That's when it exploded and burned my hair," she said. Part of her red hair on the left side of her head was burned short, but she wasn't injured.

Feese said after extinguishing her hair, she woke up her daughter, Jessica Wagner, 32, to help get the pets out of the home and call 911.

Firefighters gave credit to Shamokin Police Chief Darwin Tobias for going into the home with a fire extinguisher.

"I would say he got about 90 percent of the fire knocked down before we entered the building," Shamokin Deputy Fire Chief Bruce Rogers said at the scene.

Personnel had the scene under control within a matter of minutes, limiting the damage to the kitchen.

"For a daytime fire, everyone worked together to make this a very quick and great stop," Rogers said in referencing the typical light turnout of firefighters for daytime calls.

Residents of a neighboring home, Harry, 90, and Mary Mattis, 88, were evacuated due to smoke in their home.

Their son, H. Robert Mattis said there was no damage to the structure, and firefighters were using ventilation fans to clear the building.

Responding to the call were all of Shamokin Fire Bureau's apparatus, Coal Township's Maine Fire Company and AREA Services Ambulance.

The Anthracite Fire Company ladder truck out of Mount Carmel was also called, due to the home being part of an extensive series of row homes on South Diamond Street, but it was recalled when the fire was quickly extinguished.

SUNBURY - Only two full-time county prison employees have been laid off in the wake of the Jan. 14 fire that destroyed the jail.

Thirty-eight full-time workers, including administration officials, correctional officers and staff, remain employed at the command post in the county administration center or at SCI-Coal Township, where male inmates have been housed since the fire.

Two full-time employees and 20 part-timers were laid off, officials said Wednesday.

Of those still working, eight correctional officers are transporting prisoners to and from their arraignments and preliminary hearings at the offices of the four county magisterial district judges and to some legal proceedings at the courthouse.

Lt. James Smink, public information officer for the county prison, said county correctional officers are supervising prisoners in E block at SCI-Coal Township during the first and second shifts each day. He said state prison correctional officers provide supervision during the third shifts.

Smink said approximately 20 county employees are working at SCI-Coal Township, with the remainder employed at the administration center.

Sue Bensinger, deputy press secretary for the state Department of Corrections, said Wednesday there have been no issues or grievances filed by the union representing state correctional officers over county prison guards working at the state prison.

No choice

Northumberland County Human Resources Director Joseph Picarelli said Wednesday part-time workers were laid off Jan. 23, while the two full-time employees were laid off Feb. 6.

At the time of the fire, county officials had reported there were 35 full-timers, but that number was actually 40, Picarelli said.

At their Feb. 3 meeting, county commissioners unanimously passed a motion to pay part-time prison employees who are not eligible to collect unemployment compensation an additional two weeks if they agreed to work in other county departments as needed. The action was contingent upon the receipt of a letter or written statement from the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union confirming that it will not file a grievance on behalf of any employee.

Since the union reportedly never responded to the county's request for a letter or written statement, the plan never materialized.

Commissioners voted during an emergency meeting the day after the fire to give two weeks pay to all employees, including the part-timers. Those ineligible to collect unemployment were given a second check for two weeks work.

Commissioner Stephen Bridy, who serves as prison board chairman, said Wednesday he was sorry the county had to lay off employees as a result of the fire, but it had no choice.

He said officials in Dauphin and Columbia counties have expressed an interest in hiring some of the laid-off workers, who can also apply for state prison jobs.

Bridy said using county correctional officers to transport prisoners to their legal proceedings not only keeps them employed, but also alleviates the burden on municipal police departments by allowing officers to remain on the streets instead of being responsible for transporting inmates.

Smink added, "County officials are keeping as many people working as possible under the adverse conditions created by the fire."

Meeting today

Bridy said county officials are scheduled to have an informational session at 10 a.m. today with a representative from CGL Companies of Columbia, S.C., which plans to conduct a feasibility study to develop appropriate options and solutions to the prison crisis. The study will address prison location and capacity and the pros and cons of constructing a new facility versus rehabilitating an existing structure.

As of Wednesday, Smink said there were 175 county inmates, including 139 males at SCI-Coal Township, 27 females at SCI-Muncy and nine prisoners at Snyder County Prison.

When the fire broke out, there were 208 inmates (176 males and 32 females) at Northumberland County Prison, which was built in 1876.

COAL TOWNSHIP - Forty-seven years ago today, a story was published about two local soldiers who had an unexpected reunion near Saigon during the Vietnam War.

John Costa, now living in Irish Valley, and Dale Hoffman, of State Street, Coal Township, were recently paging through some photo albums from war time and came across a clipping that appeared in the Shamokin News-Dispatch on Feb. 20, 1968. With the anniversary of that occurrence so near, they asked that we repeat the story in today's edition.

We're glad to do so. Here it is:

Word was received today that Spc. 4 John Costa, son of Mr. and Mrs. Martin Costa, 1704 W. Mulberry St., and Pfc. Dale Hoffman, son of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Hoffman, 1212 W. Fern St., lifelong friends and both serving with the U.S Army, held a reunion at Cu Chi outside of Saigon. Spc. Costa has spent the past year in Vietnam and has participated in several major operations, including "Yellowstone Operation" and "Landing Zone Burt." He has served with the 25th Infantry Division and is with the 2nd and 77th Artillery. Costa was graduated from Coal Township High School in 1965. He received his basic training at Ford Gordon, Ga., and advanced training at Fort Sill, Okla. He is scheduled to return from Vietnam March 1 and following a leave with his parents will report to Fort Hood, Texas.

Pvt. Hoffman is serving with the 25th Infantry Division and has been in Vietnam three months. He was graduated from Shamokin Area High School in June 1967 and was inducted into the U.S. Army last July 20. He received basic training at Ford Benning, Ga., and advanced infantry training at Fort Polk, La. He left for Vietnam on Dec. 1.

With temperatures falling to below freezing and sub-zero levels, safety officials ask residents to check on their neighbors and relatives to make sure they are okay.

That's the advice from Stephen Jeffrey, Northumberland County's director of public safety, after hearing about the death of Ellen Jackson, 66, of Shamokin due to hypothermia.

"In these cold conditions, it's always a good idea to contact a relative or keep an eye on your neighbors, making sure everything is okay," Jeffrey said.

Pat Rumberger, administrator of the Northumberland County Area Agency on Aging, encouraged family members and neighbors to be vigilant in alerting authorities to people susceptible to hypothermia.

"Be a part of your neighborhood," she said. "If you know there are seniors out there that you haven't seen and you're concerned about them, call us."

Help is available

Rumberger said the agency makes in-person visits to clients vulnerable to freezing temperatures. She said the agency provides assistance to many clients using space heaters, but has also gone to extremes like putting clients up in hotel rooms or providing heating fuel in emergency cases.

"The most important thing is we do assist," Rumberger said.

Jeffrey said that many elderly residents are too proud to ask for help and think they can survive under such conditions.

"Sometimes these cold weather snaps happen suddenly and they aren't prepared," he said. "Those are the people we worry about the most."

He recalled Sunday morning when 23 homes in the Fifth Ward section of Shamokin were without power at 7 a.m. when temperatures were in the single digits.

"When we heard that the power was going to be out for at least four hours, we started making calls to see where we could set up warming stations for residents in case it was needed," Jeffrey said. "We also heard that there was one person that was also on a breathing medication, so that was a double whammy that we were concerned about."

Through such programs as the weatherization department and the Lower Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), help is available for county residents to keep their homes warm or to help pay heating costs.

To alert the Northumberland County Area Agency on Aging of an adult facing a heating crisis, call 570-495-2395.

ELYSBURG - In preparation for its 89th season, Knoebels Amusement Resort has scheduled its annual job fair for Saturday, March 7, at the Elysburg Fire Company Hall, East Mill Street. Those interested in joining the amusement resort's seasonal team can stop by between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. to meet with representatives from each department, fill out an application and schedule an interview.

Most positions will be in the following areas: food service, ride operations, game operations, gift shops, grounds maintenance, recycling, ticket sales, pool staff and lifeguards. While Knoebels is primarily seeking team members aged 16 and older, there are a limited number of positions available for workers aged 14 and 15. School-aged workers are required to have working papers when hired.

Knoebels expects to hire between 600 and 800 new and replacement seasonal team members for 2015. Combined with returning employees, this will total more than 2,000 jobs.

Knoebels offers its employees special events like a block party and a corn roast, a park exchange program that allows them to visit Hersheypark, Dorney Park and others free of charge, and tickets and food coupons for select weeks provided with their paychecks. School-aged workers are encouraged to apply for Knoebels' scholarship program to further their education.

Knoebels, which has been family owned and operated since its start in 1926, is America's largest free admission amusement park and the winner of numerous industry awards. New for this year will be Impulse, a steel roller coaster with nearly 2,000 feet of track, a 90-degree free fall drop from its 98-foot lift hill, several inversions and speeds over 55 mph.

MOUNT CARMEL - By a 4-1 vote Thursday, Mount Carmel Borough Council granted its employees the ability to make brief personal calls and send texts.

Council members amended the employee policy to allow "incidental" personal use of cell phones or smart phones during work hours.

The policy allows concise replies to personal texts and calls while forbidding Internet surfing, using Facebook and gaming.

Mayor Philip "Bing" Cimino, who is not entitled to vote on council motions, spoke out against the policy.

"We had a problem in the past with it and we're going to have the same problem," he said. He added if someone needed to get in touch with an employee for an emergency, "they have their work phones."

"How are we going to know if they are abusing it?" asked Councilman Leroy "Chico" Moser, who was the sole dissenting vote.

Council President Tony Matulewicz said Borough Manager Edward T. Cuff III will be responsible for ensuring all employees are following the policy. Matulewicz has previously favored transitioning oversight of employees from the council to Cuff.

Councilman Joseph Lapotsky noted that borough employees operate in tight quarters, so Cuff can easily monitor everyone's behavior.

"If they abuse it, we could take it away," Councilman David Fantini said.

Gary Hixson and Clement Plisiewicz were absent from the meeting.

Council also approved by 5-0 votes:

- Advertising an amendment to the landlord ordinance requiring carbon monoxide detectors.

- Advertising an amendment adding curfew hours at recreational facilities. Police Chief Todd Owens said at a meeting Monday that the ordinance would only affect loiterers and not people walking through the park or attending events.

- Accepting the recommendation for SEDA-COG to award KPI Technology a contract paying $4,700 in exchange for pre-demolition engineering of 244 E. Second St.

Borough solicitor William Cole said that although Rutledge Excavating, Tyler Hill, was awarded a $9,700 contract to tear down the house last year, that contract and another for $21,440 to demolish the garage located on Oak and Seventh streets were rescinded after the contractor announced it needed to add charges for things like asbestos abatement that made the projects not "fiscally feasible."

Advertising bid specifications for the demolition of the borough garage was also approved.

- Advertising the sale of the garage purchased from the Mount Carmel Municipal Authority.

Council members said at Monday's work session that the garage was purchased for around $90,000 and is made of steel, but because of the way it is constructed, the price tag to build a foundation is too exorbitant for the borough. It is being stored inside the borough garage.

- Adding $8,000 for vehicle fuel, $4,800 for vehicle repairs, $3,900 for software support and $30,000 for tank cleaning to the Mount Carmel Municipal Authority's budget.

- Fixing the wage rate for a vacant sewer department laborer position at $12.50 per hour.

- Authorizing life insurance benefits for all non-uniformed employees.

SHAMOKIN - The furnace wasn't working in the house where a city woman was found suffering from hypothermia and rushed to the hospital Monday, according to the city code officer.

Ellen Jackson, 66, of 602 Spurzheim St., died in the emergency room at Geisinger-Shamokin Area Community Hospital (G-SACH), where her body temperature was recorded at 81 degrees.

Northumberland County Coroner James F. Kelley reported the death Thursday and said in a press release it was due to "hypothermia and other pre-existing medical conditions."

Kelley offered a few more details by phone Thursday. He said he's waiting for results of other testing, but the immediate cause of death is the hypothermia.

The circumstances of Jackson's death are being investigated by Kelley and other officials, who are sorting through what they said is some conflicting information as to her living conditions.

Hypothermia occurs when the body temperature drops below 95 from its normal of 98.6, indicating Jackson's temperature was extremely low by the time she reached the hospital.

Monday was among the coldest days in what has been a stretch of unusually cold temperatures. The National Weather Service said Monday's high was 9 and low was -9.

Building condemned

Shamokin Police Chief Darwin Tobias III said Jackson was transported to G-SACH by EMS workers. Kelley said Jackson arrived at the hospital between 10 and 11 a.m. and was pronounced dead at 1:50 p.m.

While Jackson's address is listed as 602 Spurzheim St., EMS was dispatched to 600 Spurzheim St. Those two addresses and 604 Spurzheim St. make up a triple home.

"We don't know if (Jackson) lived at 600 or at 602," Kelley said. "We are getting conflicting reports from family members."

Shamokin Code Officer Rick Bozza said Jackson's daughter, Mary Geise, and her husband, Don, are listed as residents of 600 Spurzheim St.

Bozza said all three homes will be condemned today. He would have done it right away Thursday, he said, but gave the Geises time to remove belongings.

"The home is being condemned due to no heat in the residence and the conditions of the home's interior," Bozza said.

He said each of the three homes had its own furnace, but was told by Don Geise furnaces at 600 and 602 were broken. The home at 604 Spurzheim St. has been vacant for a significant period of time.

"All other utilities were on at the time," Bozza said of the occupied homes.

Renting to own

The home is owned by Jim Bressi, of Paxinos, who said he wasn't aware of the death until contacted by a reporter Thursday.

Bressi said the Geise family had a "installment sales agreement," or "rent-to-own" arrangement, with him for the triple home for a number of years.

He said the furnaces were oil heat and that, according to the agreement, the Geises were responsible for all repairs and heating costs.

Bressi said he learned later Thursday the Geises may not have been living at 600 Spurzheim St. Bozza reported the same information.

Several attempts to reach Don Geise Thursday were unsuccessful.

Kelley said investigators cannot get into Jackson's home without a subpoena because EMS was dispatched to her daughter's address and not her's.

Kelley said an autopsy was performed Wednesday at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Allentown, by forensic pathologist Dr. Barbara Bollinger.

He said he didn't know what the temperature might have been in the house when Jackson was found.

It's the first known death related to cold weather in the city in recent history that didn't involve someone being exposed to the elements.

What is Hypothermia?

The Mayo Clinic website defines hypothermia as a medical emergency that occurs when your body loses heat faster than it can produce heat, causing a dangerously low body temperature. Normal body temperature is around 98.6 degrees. Hypothermia occurs when body temperature passes below 95.

When body temperature drops, the heart, nervous system and other organs can't work normally. Left untreated, hypothermia can lead to complete failure of the heart and respiratory system and death.

Hypothermia is most often caused by exposure to cold weather or immersion in a cold body of water. Kelley said early signs of hypothermia can be shivering and mental confusion.

Primary treatments for hypothermia are methods to warm the body back to a normal temperature.

MANDATA - The honor roll for the second marking period at Line Mountain High School and Line Mountain Middle School has been announced.

Distinguished honor roll

Fifth-grade - Jasmine Baldwin, Maverick Bradigan, Jordan Brezgel, Christian Bridi, Jaron Carl, Mya Cortelyou, Ainsley Derck, Emily Gonsar, Abigail Hackenberg, Cadence Hepworth, Aidan Herb, Sage Hoover, Brooke Klinger, Rhett Klinger, Morgan Lesher, Mason Leshock, Jaya London, Nathan Masser, Hunter Michaels, Abbie Morgan, Megan Ney, Johna Rebuck, Terri Reichard, Gavin Reigle, Sydney Renninger, Halley Shaffer, Caitlyn Snyder, Steven Spieles, Aspen Walker, Camryn Walshaw, Abigail Wetzel, Riely Williard, Brock Wirt, Riley Young and Paige Zerbe.

Sixth-grade - Olivia Beling, Brianna Bendas, Kayla Bohner, Kameryn Breinich, Devin Brown, Bryce Carl, Rileigh Celsky, Liberty Downs, Cheyenne Ebersole, Kylie Figard, Makenzie Flynn, Joshua Foulds, Kara Heim, James Hommel, Kylie Klinger, Canyon Koperna, Eli Laise, Cody Laudenslager, Aubrey Lenker, Lia Long, Ryan Long, Kaitlyn Long, Addisyn Lundy, Kya Matter, Brandon Naranjo-Cervantes, Joshua Reed, Ariana Rodriguez, Haley Seedor, Lanie Shaffer, Sheridan Smink, Brooke Smith, Connor Swinehart, Connor Troutman, Kaely Walshaw, Nicholas Williams, Seth Wolfe and Andrew Wolfgang.

Seventh-grade - Dillon Bohner, Jenna Brosius, Tyler Brosius, Gavin Burrows, Savannah Conrad, Mason Erdman, Lilliana Feliciano, Keri Ferster, Megan Gaugler, Tricia Harris, Riley Heim, Maycee Henninger, Teagan Hepworth, Colby Herb, Evan Herb, Alora Howard, Glenn Klinger, Chelsea Lahr, Paige Lenig, John Masser, Katelynne Michael, Katherine Negro, Keefer Neidig, Kalina Pechart, John Reidinger, Olivia Smeltz, Samantha Snyder, Caleb Snyder, Alexis Stoneroad-Moyer, Taylor Styer, Ashlyn Walshaw, Evan Wendt, Hollie Williard, Blake Wirt and Abigail Wolfe.

Eighth-grade - Ahmed Abdou, Morgan Adams, Audriana Beattie, Wyatt Bingaman, Emily Bingaman, Kasey Boyer, Marissa Campbell, Faith Candelora, Janae Carl, Michael Clark III, Breven Derk, Serena Feese, MaKayla Gingrich-Ho, Colten Glace, Amber Hackenberg, Chance Hackenburg, Alexandria Herb, Morgan Keim, Cortney Kieffer, Delaney Klinger, Ian Latsha, Taylor Leshock, Katie Mace, Joshua Masser, Damien Moore, Jessie Morgan, Kayla Nowacki, Hannah Randall, Nicholas Rothermel, Tasha Schadel, Alex Schreffler, Justin Scott, Noah Shaffer, Katie Shaffer, Griffin Smeltz, Emilee Smith, Stevie Snyder, Ronee Teitter, Sullivan Tindell, Katelyn Walters, Lauren Wiest, Takia Wilhour, Brooke Wilkinson and Dakota Zeigler.

Ninth-grade - Sierra Bobb, Tyler Boyer, Kyle Brosh, Tyler D'Alesandro, Brookelynn Day, Jacob Foulds, Baylee Hawk, Hunter Herb, Jeremy Hommel, Alyssa Lambert, Kylee Lerch, Wesley Long, Lillia Lucas, Maura Lundy, James Masser, Kayla Ray, Craig Reichard Jr., Andrew Rissinger, Austin Romito, Natalie Scheib, Rogen Shaffer, Emily Shepley, Janessa Snyder, Caleb Spotts, Karl Troutman, Nathan Troutman, Maria Troutman, Sadie Walshaw, Colton Wehry, Emily Wolfe and Emily Zerbe.

10th-grade - Brianna Adams, Nicole Adams, Austin Balavage, Kathleen Barbour, Autumn Bohner, Victoria Duffy, Breanna Ebright, Samuel Ferster, Megan Finlan, Justin Kaleta, Myah King, Mia Kissinger, Collin Klinger, Autumn Kritzer, Bailey Masser. Kaitlyn Troutman, Meadow Walshaw-Wertz, Ashley Wilga, Tyahva Wilhour, Christian Williams, Victoria Wolfe and Mekeala Woods.

11th-grade - Maddison Adams, Michaela Bensinger, Britney Bidding, Carissa Burns, Amanda Deeben, Christopher Deppen, Quentin Kaleta, Dylan Latsha, Jonathan Lenker, Makayla Lorenz, Kiana Lukoskie, Kurt Mace, Rebecca Masser and Lauren Scheib.

12th-grade - Alexandra Balavage, Zachery Bobb, Courtney Bonawitz, Breanna Boyer, Mary Erdman, Madison Ferster, Colton Gaw, Samantha Hertz, Lucas Hoffman, Skyler Hoover, Isabel Kissinger, Olivia Kleman, Amanda Klinger, Blair-Anne Klinger, Ashley Lehman, James Lenker, Christian Lerch, Jayci London, Deidre Long, Meredith Long, Hunter Masser, Candis Mattern, Jessica Outrich, Madison Reed, Kortnee Schwartz, Austin Spotts and Sherylyn Wilkinson.

Regular honor roll

Fifth-grade - Logan Bates, Max Bingaman, Brianna Carl, Taylor Deiter, Dayton Deitz, Daniel Frye Jr., Joseph Geise, Jace Hackenburg, Isabella Herman, Teague Hoffman, Keatin Hughes, Beau Keim, Cortney Keim, Nathan Kohlepp, Kiley Long, Meranda Long, Kira Maurer, Chase Miller, Cassidy Motter, Sky Raker, Kaden Reiner, Alexia Rodriguez, Jacob Specht, Kaleb Styer, Dawlton Wood, Simeon Zablosky and Kole Zeigler.

Sixth-grade - Gabrielle Benedict, Dominic Bridi V, Stephanie Burda, Ian Coller, Kianna Cornell, Maleiah Deibert, Dakota Deitch, Collin Deppen, Cameron Dick, Madison Ebersole, Kelsey Erdman, Jacob Feese, Adam Franke Jr., Benjamin Gessner, Kennedy Groff, Haley Kahler, Owen Keim, Cale King, Damon Kohlepp, Kiera Kosmer, Caden Lahr, Nina Michael, Jaden Myers, Parker Neidig, Samuel Pardee, Ki Phillips, Veronica Rebuck, Kolden Renn, Kerstin Sampsell, Kamden Shaffer, Timothy Shingara, Nathan Snyder, Noah Troutman, Kayla Wertz, Isabel Willyard, Blane Wolfe, Alexis Yost and Kate Zerbe.

Seventh-grade - Emily Baumert, Justin Baumert, Bennett Bingaman, Wyatt Bradigan, Lacey Bradshaw, Sara Canepa, Matthew Coller Jr., Cody Ebersole, Karley Glosek, James Guisbert, Brooke Haas, Michael Harrison, Kelly Herb, Brooke Herb, Jordyn Hill, Brianna Horne, Hayden Klinger, Cydney Lahr, Paige Laudenslager, Jasmine Leitzel, Shelly Lerch, Katrina Lesher, Phil Phillips, Mikayla Ramer, Jason Raup, Nancyann Rivera, Alexandar Rodriguez, Ashley Schreffler, Colton Schwartz, Katelyn Strohecker, Gavin Tice, Abigail Walter, Aubrey Walter, Taylor Wands and Kaleb Warfel.

Eighth-grade - Nicholas Bahner, Jenna Brezgel, Bryson Ebright, Logan Fisher, Cameron Gaw, Tyler Holtzman, Joshua Houseman, Caitlin Keim, Kayla Lower, Jessica Mako, Shaylee Martz, Cassidy Nowacki, Kaitlynn Osman, Colby Paczkoskie, Kyle Ramer, Ciera Rebuck, Tawney Rebuck, Madasan Shiffer, Taylor Swinehart, Leah Vanslavie and Wyatt Wehry.

Ninth-grade - Dillan Brown, Danielle Collazo, Brittney Farner, Camilla Gessner, John Hackenberg III, Samantha Howell, Rachel Keiter, Cassidy Koperna, Christopher Koperna Jr., Kolden Kosmer, Audrianna Reiner, Brandon Shirk, Jordan Smith, Lacey Snyder, Chloe Snyder, Myah Stence, Kirsten Ulsh and Scott Wright III.

10th-grade - Makenzie Erdman, William Foulds Jr., Bryce Hoffman, Katiemae Hoffman, Kirstin Hughes, Garrett Kieffer, Destiny Latsha, Shelly Long, Lucas Norgaard, David Quinn, Alexander Rissinger, Colton Schaible, Dillon Schreffler, Kai Smith, Joelle Snyder, Sarah Stutzman, Dakota Weaver, Claire Witmer and Jacob Wolfe.

11th-grade - Dylan Bartholomew, Austin Baumert, Maddy Carl, Alyson Erdman, Kristin Erdman, Lydia Eyster, Laine Hackenberg, Austin Harris, Caitlin Heim, Kourtney Heintzelman, Wade Houseman, Morgan Hunsberger, Tommy Kittle, Chloe Poltonavage, Kadence Selig, Abriana Smink, Cheyenne Weiser, Raiden Wiest, Abagail Wilkinson, Abby Witmer and Cassidy Yeager.

12th-grade - Luke Bortz, Danielle Botkin, Justin Boyer, Blake Carl, Logan Carl, Kristen Erdman, Corina FInlan, Amber Glace, Rachel Harner, Kelsey Hatzel, Garrett Hepner, Sabrina Hertz, Dallas Hoffman, Hunter Hojnacki, Emilia Johns, Shania Kerstetter, Matthew Kirk, Rebecka Lippincott, Zachary Long, Chad Mace, Jordan Norgaard, Anna Osman, Caitlin Scott, Logan Shaffer, Abigail Smink and Tanner Spatzer,

SUNBURY - Registration is open for the annual Greater Susquehanna Valley United Way Day of Action scheduled for Friday, April 24.

The Greater Susquehanna Valley United Way is working to organize volunteers who will work at nonprofit and human service organizations in Northumberland, Snyder and Union counties. Any individual or group who wants to volunteer can register.

"You don't have to be affiliated with United Way to participate," says Sara Lauver, community investment director. "Any business, church group or other organization that wishes to register a group of volunteers is welcome. We are also asking area nonprofits to register for a project in need of volunteer help, such as office tasks, outdoor landscaping, cleaning or organizing. We find volunteers for it all."

New this year is a book drive leading up to the event. Books are needed to support an early childhood literacy initiative called "Wee Read" where volunteers read books to children in waiting rooms.

"If you are unable to get out of the office to take part in Day of Action, this allows your group or business to participate in a whole new way," says Karen Ulp, early childhood education coordinator. "Donations should be new or gently used books that are geared towards children ages birth to five and should be a story that you would read to your own child."

All book donations will be accepted at the United Way office at 335 Market St. Start a book drive in your office, sign up a group to volunteer, or register your nonprofit for a project needing extra hands this spring.

To volunteer or request volunteers for the 2015 Day of Action, register online at www.gsvuw.org, or for more information, call the United Way office at 570-988-0993.

Gift card bingo postponed

COAL TOWNSHIP - The gift card bingo event scheduled for Saturday at Salem United Church of Christ, Coal Township, has been postponed until Saturday, Feb. 28. Doors will open at 11:30 a.m., and the games begin at 1 p.m.

CATAWISSA RR - The Southern Columbia Area High School has announced its distinguished and regular honor rolls for the second marking period.

Distinguished honor roll students are those that have achieved a grade average of 95 percent or better for the marking period. Honor roll students have achieved an average between 88 and 94.999 percent.

Distinguished honors

Grade 9 - Gabrielle Bebenek, Cassi Bennage, Breanna Burd, Cecelia Cook, Justin Derk, Meghan Duzick, Abigail Hager, Elijah Hoffman, Natalie Hunter, Grace Joseph, Haley Knoebel, Kristin Kremser, Katelynn Kuijpers, Jaret Lane, Jaden Laskoski, Autumn McDonald, Joslin Notestine, Veronica Polyniak, Natalie Ring, Marley Roadarmel, Paige Sharrow, Chase Urban, Casey Winter and Eli Yemzow.

Grade 10 - Phoebe Bridy, Elizabeth Bryden, Alexis Burd, Francesca Forti, Claudia Girardi, Carter Houseknecht, Todd Lane, Mary Scopelliti, Angeli Sen, Tricia Shufeldt, Brianna Snyder and Isaac Wynn.

Grade 11 - Ahmed Abdul-Al, Lena Becker, Casey Bernhard, Olivia Bodner, Kayla Broscious, Gabriel Delbo, Gabriella Delbo, Jackson Dorey, Jadyn Dunkelberger, Kaylee Durovick, Emily Eck, Olivia Greene, Mackenzie Haladay, Stephanie Haupt, Aiyona Hayman, Abigail Herr, Gregory Hidlay, Nicholas Jessick, Blair Johnston, Zsofia Kandrot, Tyler Keiser, Katherine Koschoff-Rapkin, Maggie Kushner, Haley Levan, Blake Marks, Elyse Noll, Nathan Smith, Mitchell Tyson, Alexys Yannes and Samantha Yeick.

Grade 12 - Tia Billig, Bailey Carl, Brandon Ciocco, Trent Donlan, Dustin Durovick, Alexandra Evans, Rose-Ellen Fahringer, Natalie George, Samantha Gregorowicz, Rebecca Harder, Allison Honabach, Connor Houseknecht, Steven Hricenak, Katelin Ivey, Taylor Jones, Seth Joseph, Michael Klebon, Stephen Knouse, Thomas Marinelli, Ryan Matukaitis, Kyle Mostik, Julia Mudrock, Michael Newton, Bradley Noll, Brady Petrovich, Luke Rarig, Anthony Rodriguez, Samantha Romania, Jacob Ryan, William Schu, Samantha Schultz, Kirstein Sharrow, Alyssa Stavinski, Connor Swank, Vanessa Thomas, Trystanne Toczylousky, Adriana Townsend, Adam Weissert, John Wilson and Madison Yocum.

Honor roll

Grade 9 - Hosam Abdul-Al, Seth Barrett, Shannon Bendas, Tyler Bendas, Sheila Brassard, Lauren Carl, Blake Day, Vance Erdman, Joseph Evans, John Fulmer, Domunic Gaines, John Gembic, Albert Goodlunas, Kristina Hallick, Andrew Haupt, Tristan Heim, Megan Kearney, Madison Klock, Justin Kofskie, Lauren Long, Seth Macklem, Anna Manley, Whitney Morris, Alexa Mowery, Lauren Mudrock, Ashwini Patel, Hailey Reeder, Jacob Renn, Rachel Sage, Maleessa Schreffler, Anthony Scicchitano, Abigail Shimock, Brett Szuler, Amanda Unger, Dakota Welkom, Emily Wolfe and Claudia Yorks.

Grade 10 - Mariah Adams, Alana Bendas, Devan Beyer, Noah Bloom, Leo Bradley, Noah Brecht, Kolby Carl, Shane Casey, Zachary Consentino, Hailey Cooper, Howard Cowell, Jessica Derk, Nicholas Fetterman, Miranda Gipple, Matthew Haupt, Jessica Henrichs, Garrett Henry, Elliot Hicks, Lauryn Hower, Samantha Jankowski, Emily Knisely, Lindsay Lindenmuth, Sarah Lupatsky, Kyla Madara, Marc Malkoskie, Julia Moyle, Erika Patrick, Christina Podpora, Raevin Rosenbaum, Jacob Santor, Elijah Seidel, Deryn Seltzer, Jesse Semerod, Brian Sevison, Brooke Sudol, Shane Tripp, Ryley Wetzel, Hunter Whitmoyer, Justin Woods, Marc Yeager and Cameron Young.

Grade 11 - Jessica Adamski, Laken Anderson, Nicholas Becker, Matthew Bell, Tristan Benware, Marc Boyer, Alexandria Brown, Dustin Chaundy, Gregory Delbo, Abby Fleishauer, Hunter Flore, Shylynn Flowers, Hannah Gratti, Megan Greenwalt, Robert Hergan, Shalyn Kashner, Aaron Kroh, Elizabeth Lieberman, William Marzeski, Caitlyn McKinley, Ashley Miller, Hope Miller, Lon Morris, Maxwell Morrison, Amara Nazario, Jillian Oley, Natalia Oliveri, Cassidy Pantalone, Lauren Parsons, Sarah Pollard, Austin Potter, Jacob Potter, Madison Purnell, Regan Roadarmel, Jordyn Ryzner, Hannah Sage, Mackenna Shively, Molly Shoup, Matthew Srednicki, Virgil Sudol, Stephen Toczylousky, Adam Unger, Rachelle Viruet, Bradley Whyne and Joshua Yoder.

Grade 12 - Grayson Belles, Jared Brezinski, Valerie Burkoski, Amanda Burns, Noah Carl, Samantha Clark, Kessler Crowl, Dalton Danglovitch, Collin Dudanowicz, Kasey Fabian, Lauren Gedman, Sarah Gembic, Matthew Gregorowicz, Nicole Hoffman, Amie Klinger, Kayla Levan, Thomas Lynott, Anthony McKenney, Rachel Miller, Adam Mommo, Kailey Morris, Brent Nichols, Robert Oakum, Miranda Payeskie, Julia Podpora, Victoria Ring, Cole Roadarmel, Kortnee Slotterback, Jordan Vincent, Brandon Weaver, Amber Welkom, Charles Wertman, Lucy Williams and Hallie Yacko.

CATAWISSA - The Locust Township Police Department is asking for the assistance of the public to help locate individuals who have outstanding warrants:

Dale Walters, 36; Joanne Colosimo, 40; Andrea Deghetto, 38; Penny Scherer, 50; Ahmurri McKenzie, 23; Nicole Patnaude, 32; James Parks, 51; Brandi Hoke, 19; Lori Kalbach, 37; Lori Mickel, 40; Adam Hartman, 27; Damian Deitrich, 31, and Jeremy Deutsch, 39.

Anyone with information is asked to call 570-799-5806.