SUNBURY - An alleged heroin and cocaine addict, who claims a deputy attorney general has a personal vendetta against him because he refused to testify against other drug dealers, was sentenced Thursday to 9 1/2 to 20 years in state prison.

Darryl L. Kashner Jr., 29, of Shamokin, who pleaded guilty to 11 felony-drug-related charges in November, received the stiff sentence from Northumberland County Judge Charles Saylor. He was ordered to serve 8 to 16 years for criminal conspiracy to deliver cocaine and 18 to 48 months for criminal conspiracy to deliver heroin. The sentences run consecutive to each other.

Kashner also received individual sentences of 24 to 48 months or 30 to 60 months on multiple other charges including four counts of delivery of cocaine, two counts each of delivery of heroin and possession with intent to deliver cocaine, and one count of possession with intent to deliver heroin. Those penalties run concurrent to the conspiracy offenses, which means they get merged for sentencing purposes.

If the sentencings on the charges ran consecutive to each other instead of concurrent, Kashner would be facing a maximum of 115 years in prison and $1.4 million in fines. Numerous other charges were not prosecuted under a plea agreement with the state attorney general's office.

The defendant must pay $1,000 in fines plus costs. Kashner, who has been incarcerated on the drug charges since Aug. 28, 2012, was given credit for jail time already served.

'Unjustly punished'

Kashner, who appeared in court wearing a bright orange county prison jumpsuit, did not comment when asked by Saylor if he wanted to say anything prior to being sentenced.

But he has sent recent letters to The News-Item complaining that he was unjustly punished and targeted for not fully cooperating in an investigation involving a $2 million drug ring allegedly led by Juan Carlos Alvarez, 29, of Hazleton.

Kashner's attorney Peter Campana of Williamsport attempted to get a 5 to 10 year state prison sentence for his client based on his cooperation with authorities during a grand jury investigation and letters of commendation from his family and friends.

Campana told Saylor, "I'm asking for a reasonable sentence. The goal is to rehabilitate my client. He has taken steps to rehabilitate himself while in county prison. He has behaved in prison. These crimes were not committed because of greed. They were a conduit for my client to get drugs."

Campana said Kashner has a good family who has supported him through his serious drug problems and deserves a chance to turn his life around and become a productive citizen instead of spending many years in jail.

The defense lawyer claimed Kashner stopped cooperating with authorities because he feared for his life if he was labeled a snitch.

Senior Deputy Attorney General Patrick Leonard, who prosecuted the case against Kashner and other defendants involved in the grand jury probe, said he felt the sentence imposed by Saylor was justified due to the seriousness of the offenses and Kashner's role in the crimes.

Leonard did not oppose Campana's recommendation to have Kashner serve his jail sentence in SCI-Coal Township so he can be closer to his family. The judge took note of Campana's request, but it's up to the state Department of Corrections to determine where Kashner will be incarcerated.

Kashner and his family members declined comment to a News-Item reporter after sentencing. About 10 relatives and friends were present for the sentencing.

The defendant and several other county inmates with court proceedings were transported by county correctional officers back to SCI-Coal Township, where they have been housed since a Jan. 14 fire destroyed Northumberland County Prison in Sunbury.

'Personal vendetta'

In his letters, Kashner claimed he refused to testify against Alvarez or defendant Charles T. Picarella Jr., 35, of Elysburg, if their cases went to trial. He states, "I plead guilty to a whole slew of drug charges and accepted an open plea not to exceed no more than 10 to 20 years. That is not what I wanted to do, but the day of my trial when 21 witnesses showed up to testify against me, there wasn't much of a chance on winning. Plus, I didn't feel like getting a 115-year sentence if I were to lose at trial. I feel as if Mr. Picarella, Mr. Alvarez and myself are being selectively prosecuted. Other co-conspirators that were just as involved as us, if not more, are walking away with probation and county sentences, with the majority of them having extensive criminal histories."

He added in the letter, "Mr. Patrick Leonard of the attorney general's office has a personal vendetta against me because I refused to testify against Mr. Picarella and Alvarez. When I told him I wouldn't be testifying, I was threatened with historic charges in which I received at a later date."

Kashner goes on to call Leonard "corrupt when he doesn't get his way" and also accuses him of "coaching" his witnesses.

Leonard reserved comment about Kashner's accusations.

"The sentence I'm about to receive is unfair," Kashner says in a letter. "This selective prosecution is making a mockery of a system that is suppose to treat everyone equally. I now understand why loyalty is a quality rarely found today since our judicial system rewards those who turn their backs on their peers."

Pleaded guilty

Attorney General Agent David Jordan, Shamokin Cpl. Bryan Primerano and Ralpho Township Patrolman Chris Grow filed the charges against Kashner involving the distribution of heroin and cocaine in Northumberland County and offenses committed in Shamokin and Coal Township. Primerano and Grow, who are members of the Northumberland-Montour Drug Task Force, were assisted in the probe by officers from Mount Carmel, Shamokin, Coal Township and Ralpho Township.

Kashner pleaded guilty to delivering .72 grams of cocaine on Adams Street in Shamokin May 6, 2012, 3.4 grams of cocaine at the former Uni-Mart on East Sunbury Street in Shamokin Aug. 6, 2012, and 7.8 grams of cocaine at the intersection of Bear Valley Road and Route 125 in Coal Township Aug. 14, 2012.

He pleaded guilty to delivering 3.5 grams of heroin in Ranshaw, possessing with intent to deliver 19.1 grams of heroin and 49.4 grams of cocaine at the former Uni-Mart in Shamokin, and possessing with intent to deliver 9.52 grams of cocaine at his former residence at 615 N. Shamokin St., Apt. 4. All those offenses occurred Aug. 28, 2012.

He also pleaded guilty to possessing with intent to deliver cocaine and heroin between January and August 2012 involving the distribution of heroin and more than 1,000 grams of cocaine in Northumberland County.

Drug-related offenses involving five other cases filed against Kashner were withdrawn by the commonwealth. Leonard said four of the cases were withdrawn because an informant used in the drug buys has died since the incidents occurred. The other case was withdrawn due to insufficient evidence.

Jordan said Kashner was working with Alvarez from the Dominican Republic to bring narcotics from the Hazleton area into Northumberland County from 2009 to 2012. Kashner, Alvarez, Picarella and more than a dozen others were arrested as part of the investigation.

Alvarez, who remains in federal custody, reportedly plans to take his case to trial.

Picarella was sentenced in December by Northumberland County President Judge William H. Wiest to 10 to 20 years in state prison on felony drug and gun charges.

SHAMOKIN - The Northumberland County Council for the Arts and Humanities (NCCAH) Gallery will host its annual invitational art exhibit in June and is inviting regional artists to participate.

The theme for this year's invitational is "tropical." Visual artists and photographers are encouraged to enter work that fits with the theme for consideration and display.

The Children's Gallery, located at the rear of the gallery, will also host a children's exhibit with the same theme. All school-age children from the region are encouraged to participate.

The show will open with a luau-style reception at the NCCAH Gallery at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 25, and run through July 31.

Artists can request an application and complete rules by contacting gallery director Claude Harrington by phone 973-632-2513 or by email claudeharrington977@gmail.com

The NCCAH Gallery is a non-profit, volunteer-staffed art space located inside the Northumberland County Arts Center, 2 E. Arch St., Shamokin. Gallery events are free and open to the public. There is plenty of free parking in the rear of the building. Visitors should use the rear lower handicapped entrance and follow the signs. Normal gallery hours are from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

MOUNT CARMEL - A somber and apologetic 54-year-old man charged in connection with a head-on crash on the Natalie Mountain that claimed the lives of two elderly cousins was released Thursday morning on $50,000 unsecured bail at his arraignment.

Glenn D. Meredith, of Strong, who is still recovering from serious injuries suffered in the Feb. 4, 2013, two-vehicle accident, asked Magisterial District Judge Hugh Jones to have his Feb. 25 preliminary hearing continued until he undergoes hip replacement surgery.

Neither Jones nor Mount Carmel Township Police Chief Brian Hollenbush, who filed 15 counts including homicide by vehicle against Meredith, opposed the continuance. But the judge told the defendant to have his attorney make the request in writing.

Meredith, who has not yet secured an attorney, told a News-Item reporter just prior to his arraignment that "it was a tragic accident" and apologized to the victims' families.

Accompanied to the legal proceeding by his wife, Meredith told the judge he understood the charges filed against him and the consequences if he fails to abide by the bail conditions set by Jones. Since Meredith's bail is unsecured, he didn't have to post any money to be free.

Meredith, who has cooperated with police and agreed to voluntarily appear for his arraignment, walked very slowly into the courtroom with the aid of a cane. He was on a respirator for two weeks during his lengthy hospital stay after suffering multiple injuries, including internal injuries. Since the accident, Meredith has undergone a knee replacement.

Police said Meredith was under the influence of prescription painkillers 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.

The cousins' driver and relative, Tina Alexander, 40, of Gordon, also was seriously injured.

Meredith's charges include 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 and operation of a vehicle without certificate of inspection, summary offenses.

Four witnesses identified in a criminal complaint say Meredith's eastbound 2001 Dodge Dakota swerved several times, onto the berm and then over 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.

Police said there were no signs of braking and no signs of evasive driving by either driver. 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, Danville, 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 nature of the investigation into a DUI accident involving prescription medications, rather than alcohol, and the severe nature of the defendant's injuries led to the long duration before charges were filed, Hollenbush said.

MOUNT CARMEL - Identical bomb threats typed on a pair of graphing calculators Thursday caused the evacuation of Mount Carmel Area Junior-Senior High School and landed two senior students in jail.

There was no bomb, and the threats were ruled a hoax. The school-owned calculators were traced back to Jeffrey M. Ballard and Dylan E. Patrick. Police said the teens signed the devices out for a probability and statistics class and were the last to use them.

Ballard, 18, of 123 W. Fifth St., Mount Carmel, and Patrick, 19, of 1048 Scott St., Kulpmont, were jailed at Snyder County Prison, Selinsgrove, on $10,000 cash bail each.

They were arraigned via video conference by Magisterial District Judge Hugh A. Jones on felony counts of threat to use a weapon of mass destruction, terroristic threats and causing or risking catastrophe, and misdemeanors of recklessly endangering another person and disorderly conduct. Charges were filed by Mount Carmel Township Patrolman Brian Carnuccio, the district's school resource officer.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at Jones' office.

'Goofy messages'

According to a criminal complaint, Ballard and Patrick confessed to writing silly messages using the calculator's text function. They said they meant no harm when they typed out "There is a bomb in the school," and intended to delete the messages before leaving fifth-period class after 11:30 a.m.

Patrick's police statement stated, "We were writing goofy messages to each other because we learned new features on a calculator and the bell suddenly rang. I thought I pushed delete once I put it back but must have hit the wrong button. It was a childish prank gone wrong and I apologize to anybody involved."

Another pair of students attempted to use the devices about 1:30 p.m. When they powered up the calculators, the threatening messages flashed on screen. The students alerted their teacher, Carol Hoagland. Principal Lisa Varano was contacted immediately and summoned police.

"They did the right thing by reporting it to the teacher," Carnuccio said.

Police units, including bomb-sniffing dogs, from Dauphin and Union counties were en route but subsequently canceled following the seniors' confessions.

Evacuated to elementary school

Temperatures were estimated in the low-teens to single digits when approximately 700 students and 70 faculty and staff were evacuated. Rather than gather everyone outdoors, they stayed inside the elementary school gymnasium until dismissal at 2:20 p.m. It was a cold walk from one building to the other, especially for students dressed in shorts.

Superintendent Bernard Stellar said the evacuation went smoothly, attributing it to drills and safety protocols.

"The parents need to know their kids, and staff, were safe at all times," Stellar said.

Expulsion possible

Carnuccio said Ballard and Patrick were each suspended for 10 days and could face expulsion nearly three months shy of graduation. Stellar declined to confirm the discipline, citing privacy policy.

Mount Carmel Borough Police, Northumberland County probation officers and Mount Carmel Fire Police assisted at the scene.

MILTON - Geisinger's Autism & Developmental Medicine Institute (ADMI) is teaming up with the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit (CSIU) to offer a free program to better prepare caregivers for when individuals with developmental disabilities reach puberty.

"From the Clinic to the Classroom: Preparing for Puberty in Individuals with Developmental Disabilities," will take place from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday at the CSIU Conference and Learning Center, 90 Lawton Lane.

The program will feature a presentation by Dr. Cora M. Taylor, a pediatric psychologist at Geisinger's ADMI. It will cover a range of topics related to puberty in individuals with special developmental needs, including:

- Helping children understand and prepare for body changes associated with puberty

- Encouraging good hygiene

- Understanding public/private behaviors.

- Handling issues surrounding sex and relationships.

While the program is free, registration is required and is available at www.csiu.org by clicking on the Act 48, Professional Development & Personal Computer Training link (https://events.csiu.org/) located in a box on the left side of the home page. Questions may be directed to meepler@geisinger.edu, or by calling 570-522-6281.

Susquehanna Valley gas prices rose for the second straight week, climbing eight cents to $2.395 a gallon, according to AAA East Central's Fuel Gauge report.

On the national front

The national average price for regular unleaded gasoline has increased every day since Jan. 27 for a total of 22 cents per gallon over 22 days. Gas prices have increased sharply due to more expensive crude oil costs and the start of refinery maintenance season. Gas prices typically increase this time of year as refineries conduct maintenance, which can limit fuel production. Rising crude oil costs have also made it more expensive for refineries to produce gasoline, which has contributed to higher pump prices.

Even with the national average trending higher, ample gasoline supplies and lower crude oil costs than in recent years should prevent prices from rising as high as in recent memory. In addition, severe cold weather, particularly in the Northeast and Midwest, may limit driving and gasoline demand in the near term. Barring any major disruptions in supply, AAA anticipates drivers will continue to pay below $3 per gallon throughout 2015.

OPEC's decision not to act as a market stabilizer is beginning to impact global energy development, as companies in countries with more expensive production costs have reportedly begun curtailing investments and employment.

The global price of Brent crude rallied this past week and closed above the $60 per barrel benchmark for the first time in 2015. This represents an increase of more than 30 percent since mid-January and is reflective of the global oil market's overall volatility. At the close of Friday's formal trading on the NYMEX, domestic West Texas Intermediate crude settled at $52.78 per barrel, up $1.57 on the day.

This week's Susquehanna Valley average price - $2.395

Average price during the week of Feb. 9, 2015 - $2.316

Average price during the week of Feb. 18, 2014 - $3.578

The following is a list of the average price of unleaded self-serve gasoline in various areas:

Lewisburg - $2.392

Mifflinburg - $2.399

Milton - $2.406

Selinsgrove - $2.396

Shamokin - $2.378

Sunbury - $2.397

PAXINOS - A driver took a wild ride off of Route 61 Thursday morning, his out-of-control Chrysler PT Cruiser striking a snow bank and nipping a utility pole before coming to rest backed up against the porch of Masser's Restaurant just a few feet from the building.

The vehicle was traveling south about 6:15 a.m. and went out of control on the slippery highway while rounding a slight curve. It crossed the northbound lanes and slid broadside through the restaurant parking lot, including through a few empty parking stalls, clipping the pole with its front end.

The Cruiser knocked a parking block out of place and stopped up against a concrete porch/sidewalk about 8 inches high that borders the front of the restaurant.

The driver was taken inside the restaurant and did not appear to be seriously injured.

A light coating of snow fell late Wednesday into the overnight, and road conditions remained less than ideal because of extremely cold temperatures, which were in the single digits again early Thursday.

MOUNT CARMEL - The story of Chris Herren's rise and fall and redemption has been told in print and on film in ESPN's remarkable "30 for 30" documentary series.

In September, Herren will tell the story himself during a public speaking engagement at Mount Carmel Area Junior-Senior High School.

"I'm not going to come in here and tell you how to reach your goals," Herren says in his documentary, "Unguarded," directed by Jonathan Hock. "I come in here and I tell you my nightmare. I tell you the story that I lived."

Herren will appear at a Drug Awareness Expo sponsored by state Rep. Kurt Masser (R-107). The event will be held at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 15, and is the latest in a series of drug expos held since last year.

Herren also is slated to speak to the student-body during a closed session, according to Glenda Bonetti, director of Northumberland County Drug and Alcohol Program. Bonetti said Herren's background as an athlete and his struggles with substance abuse is relatable to both students and adults.

"That's exactly why we got him. Sports isn't everything," said Bonetti, whose agency directed more than 80 people to rehab between July and December 2014. "I'm just hoping this presentation changes attitudes. I have parents calling in saying (their kids) were smoking pot and it wasn't a big deal. Now they're on to bigger things and you can't overlook it anymore, and therein lies the problem."

The Drug and Alcohol Program is funding his appearance, Bonetti said.

A native of a basketball-crazed town in Massachusetts, Herren was a McDonald's All American and prized college recruit. A wrist injury coupled with a series of failed drug tests ended his Boston College career after his freshman year. He transferred to Fresno State and starred under the late legendary coach Jerry Tarkanian, but continued to struggle with addiction, including a stint in rehab.

He was a second-round draft pick of the Denver Nuggets and was traded in his second season to the Boston Celtics - his final season in the National Basketball Association. He played professionally overseas as his addiction worsened.

Alcohol, cocaine and marijuana were his initial drugs of choice. As his addiction evolved, he began abusing prescription painkillers and, eventually, heroin and crystal meth.

Herren has seven drug-related felonies on his record. He overdosed four times, and was revived by paramedics after his heart stopped for 30 seconds. In his documentary and in his memoir, "Basketball Junkie," he details the effect his addiction had on his marriage, his children and his career.

He's been sober since Aug. 1, 2008, operates a basketball player development company, and is the founder of The Herren Project, a nonprofit dedicated to drug awareness education.

"It has a very impactful message that I believe our students and community will benefit from," said Bernard Stellar, Mount Carmel Area superintendent. "Unfortunately, substance abuse is part of our community and it's a constant struggle for families, students and for our school community. Hopefully it will help families in our community deal with this growing problem."

SHAMOKIN - Relatives of Ellen Jackson are remembering a sweet lady who baked pies over the holidays and loved her old-fashioned ways.

Jackson, 66, died Monday at Geisinger-Shamokin Area Community Hospital (G-SACH). Northumberland County Coroner James F. Kelley announced a joint investigation with Shamokin City Police after an autopsy showed the cause of death was "hypothermia and other pre-existing medical conditions."

Two of her sons, Darrell Jackson and Kennith Jackson, both of Shamokin, have expressed concerns to Kelley about circumstances surrounding their mother's living conditions and the fact that the furnace wasn't working in her house. Kelley confirmed Friday he has spoken to the sons and other family members and his investigation is continuing.

For now, he said, the family is concentrating on traveling to West Virginia this weekend for Ellen Jackson's funeral.

"Her husband, who passed in 2012, and two other children are buried there," Kachurka said Friday.

That's where the family is from, said Joyce Phillips-Kachurka, Darrell Jackson's fiancé. Darrell was the first to move to the area in 1995. His parents visited him later and decided to stay; other family members joined them soon after.

Killer pies

Darrell was overcome with emotion while speaking of his mother Friday."

My mother was a great, loving person," he said. "She would make a killer meatloaf and some killer pies."

Kachurka remembered Jackson's attention to detail in her baking.

"In this day in age, most of us would go and buy instant pudding and put that in a pie shell," she said. "Ellen couldn't do that. Everything with her had to be homemade, right down to cooking the pudding on the stove before putting it in a homemade pie shell."

Her pies were coveted by family members, Kachurka said.

"There were fights between the brothers about those pies; they were just all so good," she said.

"My mother would make great chocolate pudding pies and coconut cream pies, and I told her that if she didn't make a pie of each just for me, I didn't want any of it," Kennith said.

Kachurka offered some other memories.

"I have these old set of drinking glasses that she gave me, and I love them," she said. "She was a very sentimental girl and loved the old-fashioned life."

Before Ellen Jackson's eyesight started to fail her, she loved to do needlepoint crafts, family members said. They said she adored her three grandchildren, Karen, Joseph and Kameron.

"After her husband passed away, she lived for her grandchildren," Kachurka said. "She loved them to pieces."

There was also some good-natured ribbing between Darrell and his mother when Jackson began having trouble seeing.

"When her eyesight was getting worse, we were mean and played little tricks on her, like moving stuff around and other pranks," Darrell recalled. "One time, we lit every candle in her home, and she wasn't happy about it."

Kennith recalled his mother's love of music, particularly gospel music.

"Every Sunday morning, she would listen to the gospel music, and if you turned the station, you would have a pillow thrown at you," Kennith said. "It didn't matter if it hit you or not, but it was getting thrown."

In addition to sons Kennith and Darrell, she is survived by a third son, Charles, who lives in North Carolina; a daughter, Mary Collins, and three grandchildren, Karen, Joseph and Kameron. Her husband, Roy Paul Jackson, preceded her in death in 2012.

Homes condemned

Ellen Jackson's body temperature was recorded at 81 degrees at the G-SACH emergency room, Kelley said. Hypothermia occurs when the body temperature drops below 95 from its normal of 98.6.

Jackson was taken to the hospital between 10 and 11 a.m. Monday after emergency medical services was dispatched to 600 Spurzheim St. That address is part of a triple home at 600-604 Spurzheim St., but Jackson's address is listed at 602 Spurzheim St.

Kelley said Jackson arrived at the hospital between 10 and 11 a.m. and was pronounced dead at 1:50 p.m.

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 the low was -9.

Shamokin Code Officer Rick Bozza said Jackson's daughter, Mary Collins, and her ex-fiance, Don Geise, are listed as residents of 600 Spurzheim St. It was originally reported that the couple were married, but Geise said Friday the two were only engaged, and have been separated for six months. He declined to comment further.

Bozza said all three homes were condemned Friday because they lack heat and because of deplorable interior conditions.

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

All other utilities were working, Bozza said Thursday.

The home is owned by Jim Bressi, of Paxinos, who said he has a "rent-to-own" arrangement with Geise.

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

Bressi said he learned Thursday the couple may have no longer been living at 600 Spurzheim St. Bozza reported the same information.

SHAMOKIN - The city's pending Act 47 plan was decidedly influential on a new police union contract: All five major terms and conditions to be implemented mirror the financial recovery strategy.

A binding arbitration ruling will allow the city to hire part-time police officers, thought to ease the burden of overtime costs. It will also eliminate the two-officer minimum for each shift, freeze officers' wages at existing rates and allow for increases to employee contributions for health care. The exploration of regionalization or shared services with Coal Township is required.

A 2-1 vote of the arbitration panel approved the award Feb. 13. It orders changes to the previous collective bargaining agreement ratified in 2009. Arbitrators noted Shamokin's fiscal standing and steps taken to enroll in the state's Act 47 program. The panel's impartial chairman, John M. Skonier, sided with the city's arbitrator, Susan R. Friedman. Richardson Todd Eagan, the union's arbitrator, dissented.

Terms of the contract are retroactive to Jan. 1, 2014, when the previous pact expired, and remain in place through Dec. 31, 2016. There is no appeals process, according to state law.

The city and union waived the state's normal time limits for arbitration, which includes 30 days for a ruling, and the process lasted nearly one year. A hearing was held in March 2014, and an executive session of the arbitral tribunal followed in June. Deliberations continued into January ahead of the ruling.

Contract changes

The ruling will allow the city and its police chief to decide on shift staffing, rather than a mandate in the collective bargaining agreement. Change to the previous two-officer minimum may not be imminent because all parties involved expressed opposition to a reduction, citing safety concerns, but the flexibility to do so now exists.

Part-time positions hadn't been allowed under previous contracts, but are eligible now. The city can pay part-timers $15 hourly. They can't work more than 25 hours a week, on average, but are eligible for overtime over 40 hours. Overtime neared $75,900 in 2013, more than double the $36,942 budgeted.

Full-timers will continue to pay $25 weekly toward medical coverage, including dental and vision. What's new is their responsibility to cover potential cost increases. The city must cover initial increases, up to 5 percent. Additional increases between 5 and 10 percent are paid by the employee. After that, costs are split between the city and employee.

Base salaries will hold at 2013 levels. Seven officers earn $49,422.16, and two officers earn $52,387.49. The 10th officer, the chief of police, is an administrator and is not subject to the contract. The chief's salary in 2015 is $60,000.

Holiday pay and bonuses along with longevity pay are maintained as before. New for officers is a one-time lump-sum payment of 1.5 percent, non-cumulative and not added to base salaries. The payments total $741.33 or $785.81.

'On target'

Council member David Kinder, public finance director, said the new contract is the best the city could ask for from a financial standpoint. He wasn't surprised that the arbitrators leaned on the findings of the Act 47 plan. The ruling will help reduce operations and benefits costs, he said, but is another indicator of Shamokin's poor finances.

"All these things are painful. It's not enjoyable to have to make these decisions, but there are times in life where the rubber hits the road and if things need to be done, they need to get done," Kinder said.

"I thought it was pretty much on target for the situation that the city's in. I hope both council and the police can be satisfied with this until we get back on our feet a little better."

Kinder said the salary freeze and changes to health care contributions were necessary. He isn't sold on the idea of hiring part-time police officers. His concerns are about the quality, experience and reliability of part-time candidates.

"I want to make sure we do it with qualified people who know what they're doing and aren't going to jump in, stick around for a while and take off for full-time jobs," Kinder said.

The arbitration ruling does not address the union's pension plan. The state Auditor General's Office has flagged the plan for noncompliance in six consecutive audits.

When it comes to pensions - the city has two separate plans - Kinder said the city can't offer them to future employees. But Shamokin must also focus on finding ways to narrow existing fund gaps to ensure the plans' viability for retirees and current employees, he said.

Neither the police plan nor the plan for non-uniformed employees are keeping pace with obligations to beneficiaries. The police plan is funded at 61 percent and is short by $3.17 million, according to the Act 47 plan. The non-uniformed plan is funded at just 55 percent and shy by $424,384.

Vote Monday

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 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. Of that, the police budget is estimated at $1.2 million.

Council members are slated to vote during a special meeting at 6 p.m. Monday at City Hall to finalize the Act 47 plan. The proposed increase to the earned income tax will be brought before Northumberland County President Judge William H. Wiest for approval.

Shamokin's non-uniformed union - street department employees and the city technician belong to AFSCME - is operating under a contract that expired Jan. 1. City Clerk Robert M. Slaby said this week that attention would soon turn to negotiating a new pact.

SHAMOKIN - The latest winter storm is forecast to drop between 5 and 9 inches of snow today followed by a coating of ice, according to the National Weather Service.

Central Pennsylvania is under a winter storm warning beginning 11 a.m. today and ending 9 a.m. Sunday. Snowfall is expected before noon. The heaviest snow is predicted in the late afternoon and into early evening today, followed by freezing rain tonight into early Sunday morning.

The weather is anticipated to create hazardous travel conditions. Several local fundraisers and high school athletic contests have been postponed as a result.

The recent run of frigid temperatures is expected to break for one day. Sunday's high is forecast at 35 degrees Fahrenheit, well above the high temperatures in the teens and low-20s this past week. It was -2 degrees Friday morning, similar to the sub-zero weather early Monday.

Above-freezing temperatures won't last long. Monday's high is forecast at just 13 degrees, with another predicted low of -2. It will remain in the single digits, teens and 20s the rest of next week, the National Weather Service forecasts.

It's hard to believe, but it has been nearly 18 years since Father Charles A. Procopio died. The reason I looked up that fact is because the final time my wife Jo Ann and I saw Father Procopio was the last time we saw Peter Bartos. Peter was on his way to pay a visit to the priest whom we had just left.

Peter Bartos came to mind when his obituary appeared last week stating that the Vietnam War veteran died Feb. 11 at the age of 69.

Peter must have entered the Marine Corps shortly after graduation from Mount Carmel Catholic High School in 1963. He earned a Vietnam Service Medal with two stars and several other military honors before his honorable discharge in 1967.

I didn't know Peter before he was sent to Vietnam, but I am certain he returned home a much different man than the 18-year-old Catholic High grad who entered the Marines.

The Peter I did get to know as an acquaintance was a man of peace and not war. For many years, whenever someone needed help at the former St. Casimir's Church in Kulpmont, he would volunteer.

His obituary noted that for many years he volunteered his time under the direction of Msgr. Matthias Siedlecki and the Rev. Aloysius Siedlecki.

Jo Ann and I got to know Peter when he was helping Rev. Francis Karwacki, pastor, and Father Procopio in the final years of St. Casimir's Parish.

Peter was willing to do anything that was asked of him. His love of God was evident in his devotion to his church, his spiritual shepherds and anyone he could help.

No, Peter was not the same young man who had entered the service and served in the Vietnam War. He was a gentle man of God whose faith was a product of love. He is a man I hope one day to meet again.

+++

We serve God by serving others.

Shamokin-Coal Township

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

Monday - Poker game, 8:30 a.m.; game show, 11 a.m.; world news, noon; unlucky 7's, noon.

Tuesday - Morning cards, 8:30 a.m.; computer lessons, 9:30 to 11 a.m.; walk-a-mile, 9:30 a.m.; game show, 11 a.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.; pinochle and Pokeno, 12:30 p.m.

Thursday - Morning cards, 8:30 a.m.; walk-a-mile, 9:30 a.m.; Wii bowling, 10 a.m.; Linda Walker of Focus Health presenting "Hands on CPR," 10:30 a.m.; 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 - Board games and bagels, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:30 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; Pokeno, 1 p.m.

Tuesday - Morning talk show and coffee, 9 a.m.; trip to Jay's Tiffany's Restaurant, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; unlucky 7's, 12:30 p.m.

Wednesday - Wii games, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:30 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; nickle bingo, 1 p.m.

Thursday - News and morning coffee, 9:30 a.m.; horseshoe competition, 11 a.m.; chili day pick up, 11:30 p.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; unlucky 7's, 12:30 a.m.; pinochle, 12:30 p.m.

Friday - Wii games, 9:30 a.m.; VNA blood sugar and blood pressure checks, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; Pokeno, 1 p.m.

Kulpmont

Monday - Coffee and gab in the morning; bean bag, 10:30 a.m.; Wii bowling, 11 a.m.; Pokeno, 12:30 p.m.

Tuesday - Closed.

Wednesday - Chair exercise and music in the morning; games, 9:30 a.m.; Wii bowling, 10:30 a.m.; LCR, 12:30 p.m.; tacos will be served at break, cost $1.

Thursday - Closed.

Friday - Wii and bean bag in the morning; games, 9:30 a.m.; Linda Walker speaking at noon.

Centralia-Wilburton

Monday - Coffee and current events, 9 a.m.; CRL game, 10:30 a.m.; bingo, 12:30 p.m.

Tuesday - Coffee and toast, 9 a.m.; chair exercise with Carol, 10:30 a.m.; Wii bowling, 12:30 p.m.

Wednesday - Coffee and muffins, 9 a.m.; reminisce, 10:30 a.m.; bingo, 12:30 p.m.

Thursday - Coffee and cookies, 9 a.m.; Pokeno, 10:30 a.m.; trivia, 12:30 p.m.

Friday - Fun Friday! Open activities.

Elysburg

Monday - Healthy Steps, 8:30 a.m.; royal rummy, 10 a.m.; Pokeno, noon.

Wednesday - Healthy Steps, 8:30 a.m.; royal rummy, 10 a.m.; bingo, noon.

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

Trevorton

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

Monday - Members breakfast, 8:30 a.m.; Wii bowling, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10 a.m.; Coal Township Walmart Supercenter trip, 12:30 to 2 p.m.; Pokeno, 12:30 p.m.; evening card party, 7 p.m.

Tuesday - Making soup, 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.; soup sale, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Thursday - Exercise, 10 a.m.; lunch at Goodwill's Restaurant in Montandon, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; card games, 12:30 p.m.

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

Kulpmont snow emergency

KULPMONT - Mayor Bernard P. Novakoski declared a snow emergency in Kulpmont beginning at noon today.

Parking is prohibited along Chestnut Street until the snow stops and is plowed back to the curb by the PennDOT plows. Violators will have their vehicles ticketed and may be towed at the owner's expense.

St. Francis Assn. cancels band

SHAMOKIN - The performance of a band scheduled tonight at the St. Francis Home Association has been postponed because of the expected inclement weather.

The following is a list of local agencies that individuals can call for emergency assistance on home heating issues.

- Northumberland County Area Agency on Aging for elderly adults facing a heating crisis - 570-495-2395

- Salvation Army, of Shamokin - 570-644-0486.

- Northumberland County Weatherization - 570-644-4472

- CSO - CSO CARES program at 570-644-6575, ext. 171

- United Way of Central Susquehanna Valley, heating assistance for residents of Sunbury only (restrictions placed by funding source) - 570-988-0993.

- LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) through the Northumberland County Assistance Office - 570-988-5996 or (800) 332-8583.

COAL TOWNSHIP - Tickets are now on sale for Shamokin Area Middle/High School's 2015 musical, "Sugar," being presented March 20 and 21 at 7 p.m. in the high school auditorium.

From the hilarious 1959 Jack Lemon, Tony Curtis and Marilyn Monroe screen success "Some Like It Hot," "Sugar" comes to the stage with the same memorable characters that made the screenplay so popular. Joe (Cole Supsic) and Jerry (Nick McWilliams), two down-on-their-luck musicians wandering through Chicago who witness a gangland hit in the Clark Street Garage. The rub-out was ordered by Spats Palazzo, a notorious Chicago hood. Spats and his boys immediately chase after Joe and Jerry, determined to silence them as witnesses to the crime. Desperate for a quick way out of town, Joe and Jerry hear about jobs available for a saxophone and a bass player, which are their specialties. There is only one problem - the band is all female. With a bit of costuming, makeup and slight voice adjustments, Joe and Jerry become Josephine and Daphne - and then chaos ensues.

Additional cast members include Jackie Augustitus, Daizy Barrett, Alex Black, Jill Britton, Richard Brown, Emma Clark, Jeannette Costa, Austin Dannheimer, Emily DeMartino, Zach Druckenmiller, Tom Eby, Amy Frasch, Tevin Gonzalez, R.J. Gurba, Brady Haupt, Olivia Hausman, Kyle Kauffman, Eli Kolovic, Katie Madara, Kayla Martins, Leah Mirolli, Madison Pancher, Alania Pearson, Annie Richardson, Jessica Schleig, Kaitlyn Schrader, Graeme Shappell, Wanda Sulouff, David Wolfe and Jessica Wywadis.

The production is under the direction of Kevin Styer. Assistant director is Mary Anne Stump. Scott Anderson is technical director. Choreography is by Natalie Page.

Tickets are available in the district business office from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, or by calling 648-5752, ext. 4114. All seats are $10.

A live feed on the Pennsylvania Game Commission's (PGC) website continues to give viewers a glimpse of how bald eagles care for their eggs.

A high-definition video has been showing an eagle's nest perched high up in a tree in Codorus State Park in York County since Jan. 14. The PGC confirmed via its Facebook page that an eagle laid a second egg around 5 p.m. Tuesday.

The eagle cam attracted more than 3 million viewers worldwide during its debut in 2014, according to the PGC. This year's live feed shows a different pair of eagles in a new location. The camera is hard-wired to a power source, to ensure constant video.

"There are never any guarantees in nature," Game Commission Executive Director R. Matthew Hough said in a press release. "When it comes to a project like this, you keep your fingers crossed and hope that in the coming days, weeks and months you're fortunate enough to witness an eaglet make the transition from a simple egg to a bird strong enough to fly from the nest."      

According to PGC, Eagles build the largest nest of any North American bird. Pennsylvania boasts more than 250 nests. The wingspan of a bald eagle ranges from 5.5 feet to 8 feet. Both sexes will sit on the nest and protect the eggs or young and will exchange places while the other looks for food. The incubation period is around 35 days.

This project is being done in coordination with Comcast Business, HDOnTap, Swam Electric, Sunbelt Rentals, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Codorus State Park and the Friends of Codorus State Park.

To view the eagle cam, go to www.pgc.state.pa.us and click on the eagle cam icon found near the top of the homepage. The live stream can be accessed on the page that will open.

Even in the dark Saturday night an eagle could be seen sitting it its snow-ringed nest, the lights from nearby buildings and streets visible in the background.

Divorces

Wendy Delorso, 1144 Pulaski Ave., Coal Township, from John M. Delorso, 1916 Trevorton Road, Coal Township.

Married Aug. 10, 2002.

Edwin P. Howerter, 1428 Chestnut St., Kulpmont, from Diane A. Howerter, no address listed. Married Feb. 15, 1992.

Joseph L. Fiamonicini from Roxanne L. Fiamoncini, both of 210 Saylor St., Atlas. Married Sept. 6, 2002.

Marriage licenses

Leon Richard Vincent, of 209 W. Commerce St., Shamokin, to Autumn Bree Nowroski, of 319 E. Sunbury St., Apt. 1B, Shamokin. Issued Feb. 21, 2015.

Brian Hill Jr. to Jessica Marie Lenosky, both of 248 E. Center St., Elysburg. Issued Feb. 21, 2015.

Joshua Allen Besek to Amanda June Rothermel, both of 430 W. Railroad St., Trevorton. To be issued Feb. 23, 2015.

James Patrick Neely to Katia Edmee Leon, both of 512 Super Drive, Dornsife. To be issued Feb. 23, 2015.

Property transfers

Maria Grill (administrator) and Richard D. Sawicki (estate) to Roy A. Whitehair, property in Shamokin, $3,000.

Leonard J. Meckley, Leonard J. Meckley Jr., Joseph C. Michetti Jr. and Home Lots Realty LLC to Joseph C. Michetti Jr. and Ruby M. Michetti, property in Lower Mahanoy Township, $1.

Grace Reichold to Aaron W. Kerstetter, property in West Cameron Township, $1.

Project Realty LLC to Allen J. and Katie L. Klinger, property in Shamokin Township $34,500.

William R. and Jan Marie Williams to Jeffrey D. Long, property in Shamokin, $1.

Anthony M. Venturino to Damon Knowles, property in Shamokin, $75.

Anthony M. Venturino to Damon Knowles, property in Shamokin, $75.

Kristine M. and Bruce F. Simons to Thomas Urbanowicz and Briana Peterson, property in Shamokin, $15,000.

Corrected deed, Northumberland County Tax Claim Bureau and Joseph Pearson to David Pearson, property in Mount Carmel Borough, $1.

Frank J. Brosh III, Angela A. Brosh and Angela A. Permar to Angela A. Brosh, property in Mount Carmel Borough, $1.

Lloyd V. and Pamela J. Reitz to Lloyd V. and Pamela J. Reitz, property in Shamokin Township, $1.

SHAMOKIN - A storm predicted to drop between 5 and 9 inches of snow Saturday changed course, leaving a meager 2 to 3 inches in its wake.

At around 1 p.m. Saturday, the National Weather Service (NWS) canceled the

winter storm warning that was to be in effect throughout the night and issued a winter storm advisory in effect until 7 a.m. today.

Craig Evanego, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in State College, said around 9 p.m. Saturday that most of the snow in Northumberland County had ended. He expected less than an inch more of precipitation, including some "freezing drizzle," overnight.

Although snow curmudgeons will likely complain about the winter wonderland that arrived Saturday, the storm also brought in a burst of warm weather.

"We're up in the low 20s, which feels good compared to recent days," Evanego said Saturday night.

But locals shouldn't break out their shorts and T-shirts just yet - single digit temperatures will return by tonight, with temperatures forecast to dip as low as -4 degrees Monday night.

"It's just kind of a chilly, quiet week after tomorrow," said Evanego.