SUNBURY - A Trevorton man accused of causing more than $2,000 of damage to a Coal Township apartment he was renting was found guilty of criminal mischief during a May 1 trial.

According to a release from county district attorney Ann Targonski, a jury deliberated for one hour before convicting David Gulba, 36, of 802 W. Coal St., Trevorton, of the charge. Sentencing will be scheduled in the next 90 days.

The case began Dec. 31, 2013, when Coal Township Police Patrolman Chris Lapotsky was dispatched to a West Lynn Street home to investigate allegations of vandalism to an apartment rented by Gulba. Lapotsky observed fresh hammer marks in the siding and walls of the house.

Additional damage to the apartment, including a broken door and garbage strewn in the apartment, was also found.

SHAMOKIN - A combined $43,670 in campaign contributions have been raised by two candidates seeking election to become judges of the Northumberland County Court of Common Pleas.

Paige Rosini leads with $27,375 between March 31 and May 4, followed by Hugh A. Jones' $16,295, according to campaign financing reports released ahead of the May 19 primary election. The third contender, H. Robert Mattis Jr., is not accepting contributions and is funding his campaign on his own.

Rosini received the most contributions of $250 or more with $16,100 to Jones' $10,900. The three all chipped in to fund their respective committees: Rosini $5,000, Jones $4,000, Mattis $500.

Jones leads the three candidates in campaign spending - largely on signage, advertising and promotional material. He reported total expenses of $16,940.90 - $10,266.28 by his committee and $6,674.62 out of pocket. Rosini reported expenses of $13,696.84, including $2,164.27 herself. Mattis spent $4,112.87.

A list of campaign contributors who donated $500 or more to each candidate:

Rosini - Mr. and Mrs. J. Edward Ludes, of Elysburg, $1,100; Richard Knoebel, of Elysburg, $500; John E. Rosini, of Shamokin, $500; R. Michael Kaar, of Milton, $500; Charles R. Williams, of Coal Township, $500; Mr. and Mrs. Edward V. Twiggar II, $1,500; Sheila and Gregory Sutton, of Houston, Texas, $500; Dianne C. Garancosky, of Shamokin, $500; Mr. and Mrs. Don A. Rosini, $1,000; Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Rosini, of Arlington, Va., $1,000; Dr. Jaime and Mrs. Beth Singzon, of Shamokin, $500; Mr. and Mrs. Vinny Clausi, $1,000; Colleen Fessler, of Coal Township, $1,000; Dorothy Goodman, of Coal Township, $1,000; Paige Rosini, of Coal Township, $5,000.

Jones - Richard E. Knoebel, of Elysburg, $500; Vince Guarna, of Mount Carmel, $1,500; Vinny Clausi, of Coal Township, $1,000; Robert E. Diehl Jr., of Sunbury, $1,500; Craig H. Love, of Ashland, $500; Dennis and Mary Molesevich, of Mount Carmel, $1,100; Charles J. Lucas IV, of Mount Carmel, $500; Hugh A. Jones, $4,000.

Mattis - H. Robert Mattis, $500.

SHAMOKIN - Contractors are sought to begin the multi-million dollar flood control and historic preservation project of the channels of Shamokin Creek and Carbon Run.

City council voted Monday to advertise for bids. A contract could be awarded in June with construction to follow in July.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is paying for the repairs in full. FEMA previously approved approximately $3.4 million to fix 1.23 miles of the creek channels damaged by flooding in September 2011. Changes approved as part of the final bid specifications drove the estimate up, said city engineer Mike Brinkash, but an updated dollar amount wasn't made available so as not to "taint" the bidding process.

Deadline for completion is Sept. 12. Brinkash said FEMA is likely to grant an extension. Until then, he advised city council to proceed with caution.

"We ask that you don't award a contract until we have a definitive answer," Brinkash said during Monday's council meeting.

That could complicate the bidding process. FEMA indicated an answer may not come until deadline is nearer, Brinkash said.

Project solicitor H. Robert Mattis told council that any contract approved for the construction will stress that Shamokin will not pay for work beyond Sept. 12 unless an extension is approved.

FEMA has stressed that it would fund only the exact repairs as approved in the final bid specifications, Brinkash said. Strict oversight will be necessary to avoid any out-of-pocket expenses on the part of the city.

"We have to work with the contractor to ensure the plan is followed exactly and that no variations occur without federal and state approval," Brinkash said prior to the meeting, referencing both FEMA and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA).

The project stalled last year as the city awaited responses from FEMA on its final proposal. It was all but officially approved by the agency last month, allowing the bidding process to begin.

Brinkash expects work to begin on the Shamokin Creek channel in the Fifth Ward and proceed downstream. Water will have to be diverted within the channel. He added that work in Carbon Run could occur simultaneously. There are 53 damage sites identified in both channels.

Flood control is the focus on Carbon Run. Same for the north and south ends of Shamokin Creek, except behind the city's downtown. That stretch will undergo much more intricate work.

The stone channels were completed by the Works Progress Administration. Planning is believed to have begun in 1931, with construction performed between 1935 and 1941. It is believed to be among the largest channels of its kind in length and breadth in the state, according to project historian Tom Grbenick.

The stone walls and floor will be removed and set back in place to replicate how it looked before the damage occurred, Brinkash said. The stretch is part of an area designated as a potential site for the National Historic Register.

"You just don't get projects like this. A lot of times its conventional engineering," Brinkash said. "I think its pretty cool actually that (FEMA is) going to pay to put it back to what it was."

Planned upgrades to the Claude Kehler Community Park at Third and Arch streets will be put on hold as the lots near the park are a likely staging area for heavy machinery.

SUNBURY - Brian Shaffer, 27, of Shamokin, pleaded guilty Monday to receiving stolen property, a firearms violation and two counts of simple assault and is expected to be sentenced to at least 3 1/3 to 4 1/3 years in state prison.

Shaffer entered the plea before Northumberland County Judge Charles Saylor shortly before a jury was selected for his trial.

First Assistant District Attorney Michael Toomey, who prosecuted the case, said Shaffer's maximum sentence will be set by the court.

Shaffer will be sentenced by Saylor within 90 days.

The charges filed by Shamokin Cpl. Bryan Primerano arose when Shaffer unlawfully removed a firearm from a victim who lived in Liverpool and brought it to Shamokin to sell. The simple assault charges involve Shaffer assaulting his girlfriend and her friend Sept. 16 and Oct. 28. It is alleged Shaffer choked another victim and threw her to the ground. None of the victims was seriously injured.

District Attorney Ann Targonski commended Primerano for his investigation of the case.

MOUNT CARMEL - The junior high pride award winners for March have been announced.

Seventh-grade winner is Ryan Green, a son of Barb Green, of Locust Gap, and Randy Green, of Ashland. Ryan is a member of the National Honor Society, marching band, junior band, swim team, Boy Scouts and the chess club. His interests are reading and playing video games. His future plans are to become an architect.

Eighth-grade winner is Brady Campbell, a son of Kelly and Joyce Campbell, of Mount Carmel. Brady is a member of the National Honor Society and is a previous merit award winner. He volunteers his time at the annual emergency service charity softball tournament, National Night Out in Mount Carmel Township, and at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church as altar server. He enjoys hunting, fishing, camping and target shooting. Brady also enjoys playing baseball and basketball and plays baseball for the Mount Carmel Lions. He collects Civil War memorabilia and enjoys spending time with family and friends.

WILLIAMSPORT - A federal judge has denied a motion for a temporary restraining order (TRO) against eliminating the Northumberland County Weatherization Department.

However, a hearing to grant a preliminary injunction has been scheduled for today as part of a conference call with all legal counsel.

In a three-page order issued Monday, U.S. District Judge Matthew W. Brann said the plaintiffs, county weatherizations employees Dwayne Scicchitano, Pamela Bollinger, Robert McAndrew, David Yakoboski, Barry Schweitzer, Jim Bressi and Albert Benedict Jr. failed to demonstrate the need for the temporary restraining order, barring the elimination of the department on June 30, before the matter can be heard in court.

Furthermore, Brann said, any TRO would be moot, considering the time frame involved.

"A TRO may not exceed 14 days," Brann wrote. "The plaintiffs allege the Weatherization Department will close on June 30, well after the expiration of any TRO. Consequently, this remedy would be ineffective and would not prevent the harm Plaintiffs seek to avoid."

The suit, filed May 1, asks a judge to halt the privatization of the weatherization department. Commissioners voted 2-1 April 7 to close the department and transfer services to SEDA-COG, effective June 30. Commissioner Richard Shoch dissented.

The suit alleges Commissioner Vinny Clausi demanded the county weatherization department perform services for a relative and friend who did not meet requirements and when employees tried to report the issue, he cut the department.

The employees are being represented by Michael Zicolello, of Williamsport. The county, Clausi and Bridy will be represented in the hearing by county solicitor Frank Garrigan.

Divine Redeemer

MOUNT CARMEL - The following memorials/donations were presented to Divine Redeemer Church in April:

In memory of:

Leonard Revinski from Carol and Matt Altomare and John Carr. Isabell Amarose.

Michael J. Klokis from Rich, Mary, Jonathan and Sarah Novack, Greg and Dee Pulaski.

Joseph Kurland from wife, Irene.

Helen Hynoski from Greg and Dee Pulaski.

Carol Bogush from Greg and Dee Pulaski.

Veronica E. Corona from Carl Zukus.

Rose E. Rakus from Jake and Judy Betz, Leon and Elaine Jurgill, Frank and Mary Sawicki, Rita M. Pizzoli, Claire Kornacki, Carol Ozlanski, JoAnn and Walter Kozlowski, Mick and Rose Petroski, Krisa Moncavage and family, Mr. and Mrs. Charles J. Lucas III, Sara Mirarchi, Anne McAndrew and family, Ralph and Jean Hawk, Robert and Eleanor Brass, Sue Cimino and Mary Thul, Evelyn Pedergnana.

Sandy Politza from Francis "Cosmo" Rossi, Maria Scicchitano, Frank and Mary Sawicki, Jackie Varano and family, Tom and Cimmie Mertz, Mr. and Mrs. Charles J. Lucas III.

Daniel Chimel from Francis "Cosmo" Rossi.

The Rev, Daniel J. Menniti from Mr. and Mrs. Charles J. Lucas III.

Joseph Shuder from Mr. and Mrs. Charles J. Lucas III.

Marion A. Wydra from Ray, Mary Ann and Amanda Bartosic, Rodney, MaryLou, Noah and Maura Blusius, Rita and Karen Alekseyko, Walt and JoAnn Kozlowski, Judy Mazeikas, Rita M. Pizzoli, Leon and Elaine Jurgill, Frank and Mary Sawicki, Maria Scicchitano, John and Sandy Bradley, Isabell Amarose, Sylvia Kapuscinski, Betty Menapace and family.

Karen A. Dallabrida from Frank and Mary Sawicki, Maria Scicchitano, Sylvia Kapuscinski.

Robert Marinelli from wife, Annette, and family.

Albert H. Wargo from Dan and Phyllis Ficca.

Rita R. Kowaleski from Rita M. Pizzoli, Ken and Barbara Pizzoli, Mary M. Rudisill, Isabell Amarose, Mark and Diann Menapace and sons, Dana and Keith Tripp, Kim and Karen Rowe, Carol and Matt Altomare and John Carr, Joe and Jeanette Tomcavage, Fran and Jack Cichon.

Steve (Bado) Darrup from Betty Menapace and family.

Birthday memorial

John Shiko (April 16) from daughter, Irene Kurland.

John and Constance Gallagher (April) from daughter, Annette Marinelli.

In honor of

Vincent Rawa Jr. on his birthday from Gloria Kwiatkowski, Michael Szymanski, Michael P. Marowski, Tom and Fran Taddeo. Joseph and Barbara Klebon and family.

50th wedding anniversary of Dan and Phyllis Ficca from Leon and Elaine Jurgill.

60th wedding anniversary of Leon and Elaine Jurgill from Dan and Phyllis Ficca, Sara Mirarchi, Evelyn Pedergnana.

SHAMOKIN - Some simple advice about the stock market based on results from this past spring:

No. 1. Don't count on Apple.

No. 2. You won't always get a lot of "love" from Southwest Airlines, despite its "Heart sets us apart" catchphrase.

Those tips were offered by students who showed some prowess for investing and won in this year's Stock Market Game Challenge involving local schools. As is tradition, the top performers were treated to a meal and awards at a luncheon Tuesday at Original Italian Pizza.

The game is organized across the state by EconomicsPennsylvania, a nonprofit specializing in economic and financial literacy programs for grades kindergarten through 12th.

Carolyn Shirk, who manages the game in a 21-county area, said she was driven to join the EconomicsPa staff 14 years ago after spending 25 years in banking. She and others were alarmed at how commonplace it had become for customers to overdraw their accounts and pay the resulting penalties.

"If this generation didn't learn to save and invest, we were so scared of what's going to happen," she said. "Don't go down that path," she advised the students.

The winners

EconomicsPa opens a window to personal investing through the Stock Market Game, in which teams of students invest a hypothetical $100,000 over a 10-week period and gain or lose based on the real-life performance of the stocks they choose.

This year's winning teams, their advisers and their ending balances were:

High school:

- Shamokin Area, David Kopitsky, $115,314.

- Mount Carmel Area, Robert Scicchitano, $109,290.

- Line Mountain, Karrie Bowman, $104,972.

Middle school:

- Mount Carmel Area, Aaron Domanski, $102,663.

- Shamokin Area, Ty Crossley, $100,954.

- Our Lady of Lourdes, Katrina Gownley, $100,132.

The top performers at local schools in each division, regardless of whether they finished in the top three, were invited to the lunch. About 40 students and teachers from Line Mountain, Mount Carmel Area, Our Lady of Lourdes and Shamokin Area attended this year. Each winner received a certificate plus gift cards and other prizes.

'It's the teachers'

Locally, the game has grown significantly over the years, which Shirk credited not only to the sponsorship of Sunbury Motors and The News-Item, but to quality teachers.

"It's always been the teachers," she said before the program. Anyone can teach simple math, she offered as an example, but to work with students on the intricacies of the stock market is another matter.

"It takes an extra special teacher to do something more difficult," she said.

As an example of the growth of the game in local schools, Mount Carmel has expanded from just a few small teams to an estimated 120 student participants, said Domanski, a longtime adviser for the game whose teams have won the local challenge on a number of occasions.

"We love the Stock Market Game at Mount Carmel Area," he told the audience.

Tom Mertz, CEO and president of Sunbury Motors, and Andy Heintzelman, editor of The News-Item, each addressed the students. Mertz, whose company has sponsored the challenge for some 16 years, offered some of the guiding principals he uses for making decisions in business. Heintzelman noted how the Stock Market Game is one of the most rewarding projects with which the newspaper is involved.

SUNBURY - Rarely does the issue of bail at a preliminary hearing cause such a boisterous reaction.

But that was the case Tuesday when Magisterial District Judge Benjamin Apfelbaum increased the bail of double stabbing suspect Tyrone W. Lee from $300,000 cash to $1.5 million cash.

While approximately 25 relatives and friends of the two victims burst out in applause when the judge announced he was raising the bail, about 10 family members and acquaintances of the defendant seconds later stood up and vehemently protested upon hearing the new amount.

The commotion continued outside the courthouse. Lee's friends and family members ran over to an enclosed window on a cell in the sheriff's office where Lee was detained and began shouting to the defendant, who yelled back several times. Some of Lee's comments involved racially charged language, yelling at one time he's being treated unfairly because he's a black man in a "white" town.

Both victims are white.

The bail issue arose after the 27-year-old Plymouth resident was held for court by Apfelbaum on two felony counts of criminal attempt to commit homicide, four felony counts of aggravated assault, two misdemeanor counts of simple assault and recklessly endangering another person, and one misdemeanor count of possessing an instrument of crime and tampering with or fabricating evidence.

Lee, who was remanded to Snyder County Prison, is charged by Sunbury Cpls. Jamie Quinn and Travis Bremigen with stabbing 27-year-old Sunbury area resident Benjamin Herrold and 28-year-old James Herb, of Selinsgrove, in the abdomen shortly after 2 a.m. May 3 outside the FuBar, 13 N. Third St.

Responses blurted out by Lee's supporters inside the courthouse included, "Unbelievable, man," "that's crazy," "keep your head up, brother" and "we love you, bro."

Northumberland County Sheriff Robert Wolfe and several of his deputies did a good job restoring order inside and outside the courtroom and keeping the families of the defendant and victims separated as emotions ran high at the conclusion of the hearing.

No injuries or damage were reported.

Moved to courthouse

The legal proceeding was moved from Apfelbaum's small courtroom at the county administration center to Courtroom No. 2 to accommodate the larger audience. Normally, high-profile cases at Apfelbaum's office are relocated to the commissioners' meeting room next door, but that room was filled with voting machines for Tuesdays' primary election.

Herrold and Herb, who both underwent surgery after suffering serious injuries in the stabbings, were among four prosecution witnesses to testify.

Herrold, who suffered severe liver damage and was listed in critical condition for several days at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, before being discharged Monday, walked slowly to the witness stand with the aid of a cane and help from Deputy Sheriff Curtis Cooke.

The victim testified that when he, Herb and Sam Derr walked into the FuBar, a bouncer was escorting a patron from the premises that he did not know.

After drinking some beers at McGuigan's and the FuBar, which are connected, Herrold said he, his two friends and other patrons exited the bar around 2 a.m. and started walking north toward a parking lot. At that point, he recalled Derr attempting to talk to a woman before hearing someone say, "Don't hurt my sister."

The victim said he then spotted Lee and Herb fighting and attempted to break up the scuffle. After separating the two men and holding Lee face down on the ground for awhile, Herrold said he let the defendant go and turned to walk away from the scene with Herb.

At that moment, Herrold said Lee stabbed him in the side, causing him to bleed profusely. He compared the stabbing to being punched in the ribs. Herrold said he recalled Herb yelling, "He stabbed me, too."

Herrold told Northumberland County District Attorney Ann Targonski that he underwent three surgeries at Geisinger for his stab wounds and remained in the intensive care unit for six days. He said his wounds included a lacerated liver and he had to have his gall bladder extracted.

Victims drove to hospital

Under cross examination by Northumberland County Chief Public Defender Edward Greco, Herrold said he knocked Lee to the ground while in the process of trying to separate the defendant and Herb. Herrold said he only took three or four steps in an attempt to walk away when Lee stabbed him. He testified he never saw the knife used in the stabbings.

Herrold said Lee chased after him and Herb before stopping his pursuit.

The witness said he then drove himself and Herb to Sunbury Community Hospital, where they both underwent emergency room treatment before transferred to Geisinger.

Herb said he, Herrold and Derr were walking north toward Danley's Hotel and Bar when he heard the defendant screaming and staring at them. He said Lee then attacked him and stabbed him several times in the abdomen, chest, arm and shoulder areas.

He also told the court he didn't know Lee, and also claimed Lee chased after him and Herrold following the stabbings.

Herb, who was discharged from Geisinger Thursday, denied ever holding Lee down on the ground and testified that the defendant was holding him as he stabbed him.

He recalled Lee telling him, "Don't touch my (expletive) cousin."

Herb said he never touched the female who was with Lee.

Bouncer saw stabbing

Steve Rims, 33, of Sunbury, a bouncer at the FuBar, testified that Lee had been escorted from the bar about 1 a.m. for rowdy behavior that didn't involve Herrold or Herb.

Shortly after 2 a.m., Rims said he was alerted about an altercation outside the bar. Rims said he saw two men on top of Lee, including Herrold, who was holding the defendant's hand down. Rims said he didn't know the identity of the other man, but said it was not Herb.

When he attempted to break up the fight, Rims said he saw a knife in Lee's hand, which prompted him to jump back. He said the defendant then jumped up, stabbed Herrold and Herb and started chasing them.

Rim said he didn't know Lee, Herrold or Herb.

Quinn testified that Lee told her he is left handed and denied having a knife with him during the altercation. She said the knife has not been recovered.

Greco moved to have the attempted homicide and tampering with evidence charges dismissed for lack of evidence. He said the injuries suffered by the victims are more consistent with aggravated assault and claimed there was no intent by his client to kill Herrold or Herb.

Targonski pointed out that both victims suffered serious wounds, with Herrold remaining in critical condition for several days. She said a deadly weapon was used in the attack and that Lee has concealed its whereabouts.

"They (Herrold and Herb) are lucky their guardian angels were with them and they didn't die," Targonski told the court.

'Character assassination'

The commotion about the bail occurred after Greco asked Apfelbaum to modify it to at least 10 percent of $300,000.

Targonski, who advised the victims' relatives and friends not to discuss the case with the media, opposed the bail reduction based on what she claimed was Lee's prior convictions on drug charges in another state and what she said is his self-proclaimed affiliation with an organized criminal gang known as the Bloods.

Greco accused Targonski of "character assassination." He claimed there is no evidence linking Lee to the Bloods. He also pointed out his client was never convicted of any weapons violations.

Apfelbaum based his decision to raise the bail on new information he obtained at the hearing. That information includes Lee's refusal to leave the premises after being escorted from the FuBar about an hour before the stabbings, his possible ties to the Bloods and being a stranger to both victims, he said.

Lee was ordered to appear for a pre-trial conference July 10 in the Court of Common Pleas.

WASHINGTON - U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta, R-11, has undergone a successful cardiac catheterization at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia in order to clear a blocked artery near his heart, according to a press release issued by his office Tuesday.

Barletta underwent the procedure on Monday and was expected to return home to Hazleton later Tuesday afternoon. The congressman expects to return to Washington this coming Monday.

Barletta's communications director, Tim Murtaugh, issued the following statement:

"Congressman Barletta is awake and recovering well and is already regularly communicating with his office in Washington. His doctors expect a full recovery and a return to his normal work schedule next week. They have given him a clean bill of health and say his heart is better than ever.

"Congressman Barletta had experienced some shortness of breath in recent days, which prompted him to seek a checkup. Doctors discovered a blocked artery which required a stent to repair it.

"Congressman Barletta is grateful to the medical team at the University of Pennsylvania and thanks them for their excellent care. He also thanks his doctors in Hazleton, and also the medical staff at the Capitol in Washington. Congressman Barletta also wants this to be a reminder to the people of the 11th District to pay attention to warning signs and have regular medical checkups."

SHAMOKIN - Separate drug cases against a pair of defendants were sent to Northumberland County Court on Tuesday.

Ryan Varano, 28, of 114 S. Fifth St., Shamokin, waived his preliminary hearing. He was arrested after a friend overdosed on heroin inside his mother's day care center.

Varano is charged by Cpl. Bryan Primerano with felony counts of manufacture, delivery or possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, criminal conspiracy and criminal use of a communication facility and misdemeanor charges of possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance and recklessly endangering another person. He also faces counts of criminal trespass, a felony, and a misdemeanor charge of defiant trespass. He remains in Snyder County Prison on $25,000 cash bail.

Ocufi Lawrence, 36, of 204 S. Pearl St., Shamokin, saw his case bound to court by Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III, who refused to reduce the $20,000 cash bail set after his arrest April 30.

Lawrence is charged by Primerano with a felony of possessing with intent to deliver 14 grams of cocaine and misdemeanors of possessing cocaine, false identification to law enforcement authorities and possession of drug paraphernalia. Police say he moved to Shamokin from New York City to sell heroin and crack cocaine. He was taken into custody after stepping off a bus at Independence and Ninth streets.

SUNBURY - A former Northumberland County inmate accused of groping a cell mate last year waived his right to a preliminary hearing Tuesday.

Gerald Isaac Zimmerman, 21, of Watsontown, was ordered by Magisterial District Judge Benjamin Apfelbaum to appear for a pre-trial conference July 10 in the Court of Common Pleas after forfeiting his right to a hearing on charges of indecent assault and harassment.

The charges were filed by Northumberland County Detective Degg H. Stark.

Zimmerman, who was represented by Chief Public Defender Edward Greco, is accused of grabbing the crotch of a cell mate and making unwanted sexual advances toward him Sept. 5 while both were housed in the left wing of the former Northumberland County Prison. After several days, the accuser was moved to the right wing by prison staff, according to a criminal complaint.

A criminal investigation began in February when the accuser, now a state inmate, filed a formal complaint under the Prison Rape Elimination Act. Zimmerman confessed to making a sexual comment to the accuser but denied any physical contact, the complaint states.

Two other inmates held in the six-man cell were present. One backed up the allegations. The second witness, also currently held in a state prison, did not reply to a formal request for comment.

MOUNT CARMEL - The Mount Carmel Area School Board Merit Award winner for March is sixth-grade student Lauren Shedleski, a daughter of Brian and Carisa Shedleski, of Den-Mar Gardens, and a granddaughter of John and Angela Michalowski and Antoinette Shedleski.

Lauren was nominated by her math and homeroom teacher, Jolene Scicchitano, and gym teacher Amanda Stepenaski.

Scicchitano said, "Lauren is an exceptional student and strives to do her best at all times. She is extremely helpful and kind to teachers and other students. She has a great work ethic and always goes above and beyond what is expected."

Lauren plays for the Land Sharks club soccer team, the Shamokin Youth Basketball League and travel basketball team the Lourdes Vipers. She is a member of the USA track and field association where she throws the javelin and was chosen as the 2013 Mid-Atlantic female athlete of the year. She participated in the 2015 K'nex STEM challenge, helps raise money for pediatric cancer through the THINK BIG organization, and attends Holy Angels Church in Kulpmont. In her free time, she likes to draw, read and travel on family vacations.

TREVORTON - Trevorton Patsies Senior Adult Ministry met April 20 in St. Patrick Church hall. Eighteen members attended.

The meeting began with the Senior Adult Ministry prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance and the Over 50 song.

Refreshments were provided by the April birthday celebrants, president Rose Marie Kopyscianski and treasurer Mary Ellen Hoffman. Ron Kuhns made a donation. Hoffman delivered the financial report.

Joyce Koppen announced plans for Patsies' bus trips: The Doo Wop Show at American Music Theater, June 20, and Christmas show at American Music Theater, Nov. 5; and Trevorton Senior Center trips, Wildwood, N.J., June 8 to 12; Dutch Apple Dinner Theater's "Church Basement Ladies," Sept. 24, and Woodloch Pines 50s/60s show, Oct. 13. Contact Joyce at 570-797-3695 or Judi Urick at 570-648-0105 for details.

The Patsies annual Mother/Father's Day turkey dinner catered by Hannah's will be held at 1 p.m. Monday in the hall. Participants were asked to register by May 4.

Winners of the 50/25/25 were Kuhns and Faye Herb.

After the meeting and refreshments, bingo was played.

Meetings are held at 1 p.m. the third Monday of the month. New members are welcome.

MANDATA - The Line Mountain School District will pay $86,000 to the Lower Mahanoy Township Municipal Authority (LMTMA) for damages sustained during a fuel oil leak at the former Dalmatia Elementary School.

The agreement was approved Tuesday by the Line Mountain Board of Directors on a 5-0 vote. Board members Lauren Hackenburg, Ronald Neidig, Marlin Yeager Jr. and Daniel Zablosky were absent from the meeting.

LMTMA placed a lien on the property after the district failed to pay a bill for $143,453.65 for the cleanup of 1,250 gallons of heating oil that spilled into a municipal sewer system during the February 2014 leak. The board agreed to place the amount of the bill into an escrow account at Northumberland National Bank in September in exchange for LMTMA lifting the lien on the property, which had held up finalizing the sale of the school building.

Solicitor Rich Roberts said under the agreement LMTMA and the district would direct an escrow agent to release $86,000 to LMTMA and return any money left in the account, including interest accrued, to the district.

Roberts declined to release the agreement to the public until it had been signed by LMTMA. This will likely occur at LMTMA's May 19 meeting.

The district does not admit any fault in the agreement, Roberts said.

"We don't think we did anything wrong," he said.

MOUNT CARMEL - More than 40 people gathered at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church Tuesday morning to say goodbye to a Hollywood star who called Mount Carmel home.

Ellen Albertini Dow passed away May 4 at age 101.

The Rev. Frank Karwacki recalled Dow's inadvertent interruption of a wedding he officiated in 2012 when the bridal party exited Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church to find Dow riding in a parade celebrating borough's 150th anniversary celebration. She was kind enough to join the group in the town park for photos after, he said.

Karwacki likened her lifestyle to her entertainment career.

"After many scenes, the play reaches its conclusion," Karwacki said. "Her life on earth was a dress rehearsal."

Dow's nephew, Carleton Strouss, recalled her lifelong commitment to education - as a teacher and as a student.

"She was first and foremost a teacher," he said. "She brought many smiles to many people."

At the conclusion of his eulogy, Strouss thanked the choir. He said his aunt would have done the same.

The funeral was attended primarily by family and friends, including several Mount Carmel Public Library workers and former Mount Carmel Mayor J. Kevin Jones.

Dow was interred in St. Peter's Cemetery, Mount Carmel Township, following the funeral. Funeral director Joseph J. Stutz noted the hearse used was the same that transported former Presidents Ronald Reagan and Gerald Ford. She would have appreciated the celebrity connection, he said.

SUNBURY - The lights were out Tuesday in the left wing cell block of the former Northumberland County Prison, and the steel gate was pulled shut.

It was dark and quiet, and has been since a Jan. 14 fire all but destroyed a building that for 139 years embodied punishment for crimes committed from Mount Carmel to Milton and everywhere in between.

There were no inmates behind the 20-inch thick walls, no corrections officers making checks at the 41 cell doors in left wing. A stench of fire was locked inside. Charred remains of the roof above were strewn about a cold, concrete space thousands had begrudgingly occupied since 1876.

County officials opened the prison Tuesday, inviting regional media inside for a post-fire tour.

"I'm afraid it's going to come down one of these days," prison Lt. Jim Smink said, gesturing to the arched brick roof above left wing.

It's unknown, officially, what sparked the fire, which spread from the left wing attic into the tower at the front of the building. It was stopped from spreading into the right wing. All 208 inmates and about 30 staff members evacuated safely.

County officials had speculated that it was caused by an electrical malfunction, but in the days after the fire, state police Trooper Kirk Renn, a state police fire marshal, said he couldn't make a determination, and Sunbury fire Chief Ken Kipple said electrical was likely but not definite.

Tuesday, the tower area appeared skeletal. The surface of the walls was gone, exposing concrete underneath. Wiring dangled between sections of framing meant for drop ceilings. Above in the attic area that had been home to the prison gallows, the staircase to the platform still in place, wooden beams were ashen.

District Attorney Ann Targonski remarked about the building's architecture, pointing out the curved doorways. Warden Bruce Kovach, on the job just eight days before the blaze, said the architecture was fascinating.

"It had to be a showpiece for Northumberland County when it was new," Kovach said.

Commander Brian Wheary noted it cost $125,000 to build in the 19th century. It'd take millions to replicate it today.

"I think this is what jails should be," Smink said. "It's kind of a shame. We wouldn't get a new prison without the fire."

The right wing appeared untouched, as did the basement, but more than 1 foot of water had to be pumped out of the lower level after the flames were extinguished.

The prison yard was the last stop. It was strewn with debris, too. A net that once hung from the walls, designed to catch contraband tossed from the street, laid mostly on the ground. Blue tarp was visible on the prison roof where exposures were covered.

County Commissioner Stephen Bridy, chairman of the prison board, said there have been three offers to salvage river rock and metals from the building. He noted the benefits of free demolition and hauling. The building's future, though, remains in limbo. Bridy and Commissioner Chairman Vinny Clausi voted last week to progress with a sales agreement for the Moran Industries site at the north end of the city, at which a new prison would be built. Commissioner Rich Shoch voted against the agreement, saying more study of the issue is needed.

Neither Clausi nor Shoch were at Tuesday's tour.

Inmates are currently held at state prisons - males in Coal Township and females in Muncy. Renovations to make the areas where county prisoners are held at SCI-Coal Township are nearly complete, and the area will be supervised by county correctional staff.

Offenders newly arrested are sent to neighboring counties, including Snyder, Montour and Columbia, before transfer.

Interview with "The Shack" author

SHAMOKIN - The author of the best-selling book "The Shack" will weigh in on whether God loves imperfect people at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Lifetree Cafe event at Antioch Place, 531 N. Market Street.

The program, titled "Can God Love a Mess Like Me?" features a filmed interview with William Paul Young, author of "The Shack" and "Cross Roads." The Shack" has sold 18 million copies, though Young never intended to publish it.

"I wrote to communicate to my kids about the character of God, to make asking questions about God's kindness and goodness OK."

Admission to the 60-minute event is free. Snacks and beverages are available. For more information, contact Kathy Vetovich at 570-672-9346 or kvetovich@gmail.com.

SUNBURY - Two former staff members at Northumberland County Prison charged with bringing tobacco into the jail were ordered Tuesday by Magisterial District Judge Benjamin Apfelbaum to appear for a pre-trial conference July 10 in the Court of Common Pleas.

Susan T. Studenski, 32, of Sunbury, and Troy M. Tafner, 19, of Strong, who are charged by Northumberland County Detective Degg H. Stark with obstructing administration of the law or other government function, waived their rights to preliminary hearings.

Tafner, a former correctional officer, and Studenski, a former contract food service employee, are accused of bringing tobacco into the jail multiple times between last fall and January.

Studenski told Stark she brought tobacco 40 to 50 times to six different inmates, and in return received compensation. Tafner allegedly brought tobacco into the facility, but did not receive compensation, he told investigators.

MOUNT CARMEL - The Mount Carmel Area Board of Education Merit Award winner for March is Christian Kelley, a son of Robert and Angela Kelley, of Kulpmont.

Christian was nominated for this award by his AP literature teacher, Shanna Haden, who said, "Christian is an amazing individual who has overcome many obstacles to achieve his academic standing; he works diligently to complete all assignments and takes his schooling very seriously. He comes prepared each day having read the material and is prepared to discuss every aspect of the novel and literary theory we are currently using as a literary lens. His writing is phenomenal and is well above his peers. This then lends to his ability to help tutor his peers in my advancement placement class. Christian is always available to offer insight into the readings to his friends in my class and never shies away from donating his notes or time to them."

He was a member the varsity football team and the varsity track team. He is in the tech ed, AP calculus and Spanish clubs. Christian's future plans are to attend Cornell University to play football and pursue a double major in chemistry and economics.