SHAMOKIN - City council has added two more members to its redevelopment authority.

Michael Catino, owner of engineering firm Catino Associates, and Joseph Galina, local businessman and owner of Original Italian Pizza, were appointed Monday by Mayor William D. Milbrand.

They join Lanza Williams, advertising sales representative for The News-Item, and J.P. Jacoby, of Shimock's Furniture. The fifth and final position remains vacant. Milbrand is seeking candidates.

Redevelopment Authority members must be city residents or operate a business in the city. Members are appointed by the mayor.

The authority operates the Mill Road Square property and, according to a previous statement from Milbrand, acquire and rehabilitate properties and sell them to bolster the tax rolls.

All five positions were vacant as of March 31 when three members resigned. Two other vacancies had previously existed.

Pool to open

The Lawton W. Shroyer Memorial Swimming Pool, 132 N. Rock St., will open June 6. Hours opening weekend are noon to 6 p.m. The pool will be open weekdays between June 8 and 12 from 3 to 7 p.m., the final week of school, before returning to normal operating hours of noon to 6 p.m. the rest of the season.

Admission: adults, $6; senior citizens and students age 5 to 17, $4; children age 2 to 4, $3; under age 2, free. New this year, admission is half price after 3 p.m. Season passes available for June and July. Daily admission only in August.

Other business

Council is moving forward with the sale of the gravel municipal parking lot along Third Street. City Administrator Robert Slaby was authorized to seek an appraisal. The plot of land is two parcels, split at Water Street. It will then be put up for sale through a sealed bid process.

A vote to advertise the position of administrative assistant was tabled.

Klacik & Associates was contracted to perform the city's 2014 financial audit at a cost of $17,500 and an additional $7,500 for a single audit, if needed.

Margaret Knopoka was reappointed to the board of directors of the Shamokin-Coal Township Public Library.

A public meeting on a potential land bank initiative will be held with Pat Mack, Northumberland County's planning director, at 6 p.m. May 21 at the Coal Township Municipal Building.

A public hearing on the city's 2015 Community Development Block Grant program will be held at 6:45 p.m. June 8, just prior to council's regular monthly meeting.

MOUNT CARMEL - Nearly three dozen blighted properties once owned by a notoriously negligent landlord have been renovated after a failed business partnership resulted in the turnover of properties to a new company.

Apartments & Acquisitions, co-owned by George Atiyeh and Harry Z. Brill, has turned over 34 properties to Brody Properties LP, of Allentown.

Brody Properties, formed March 3, is a general partner of HZB LLC. Neither is owned by Atiyeh, said Mount Carmel code enforcement officer Robin Williams.

Williams has been working with the owners of Brody Properties to bring Atiyeh's former properties up to code. He asked the owners to spend money on repairing the houses in exchange for dropping code violation tickets. The arrangement has been working so far.

"We made a lot of headway," he said.

The majority of the 28 Mount Carmel properties transferred to Brody Properties are in good repair and rented. Four condemned properties owned by Brody Properties are being worked on, said Williams. He expected to visit them in the coming days to potentially lift the condemnation orders.

The remaining six Apartments & Acquisitions properties turned over to Brody Properties are in Mount Carmel Township.

Only nine properties remain deeded to Apartments & Acquisitions in Mount Carmel Borough. Four are fire-damaged, one is condemned and two are dilapidated, said Williams. He was unsure of what would become of these properties, but he said based on his experience so far with Brody Properties, he hoped the new company would acquire them.

But Atiyeh said he will continue to own the fire-damaged homes and was looking forward to bringing them up to code.

"I would love to fix those," he said Thursday. "Those are the most challenging ones that I own."

Partnership breakdown

The division of property stems from a breakdown of the partnership between him and Brill, Atiyeh said. He said the transfer of properties is complete, and that Brill acquired most of the properties in Mount Carmel Borough and some in Schuylkill and Lackawanna counties. Atiyeh said he will retain the others he owns in the region, including those in Shamokin and Coal Township.

Atiyeh said the "feud" with Brill was a reason so many properties remained blighted.

"A feud between my partner and I has been resolved," he said. "We each know which properties we have and we're both moving in the right direction."

In September 2013, Atiyeh petitioned for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for Apartments & Acquisitons and Jamilie LLC, a company also co-owned by Atiyeh and Brill that was merged with Apartments & Acquisitions. Less than 10 days later, Brill objected, claiming as co-owner of the company he had not given permission for the move.

The objection ultimately led a judge to dismiss the bankruptcy filings.

Court documents show another business partnership involving Atiyeh is falling apart.

Jerry Rehrer, of Point Pleasant, N.J., filed a lawsuit Dec. 26 against Brill and Atiyeh. He said he purchased a 50 percent stake in Northeast Apartments LLC, co-owned by Atiyeh and Brill, through a verbal agreement and was made a 50 percent stakeholder in House Flex LLC and Garage Flex LLC but has yet to see any income from rent.

He also alleges Atiyeh failed to make any repairs to the properties with the rent income, allowing the properties to fall into disrepair and tax delinquency.

Atiyeh in the past has denied contributing to blight issues in the area and cited overzealous code officers has hampering his effort to bring investment money to the area.

"A lot of these code guys become like pit bulls and they try to ruin the reputation of any investors," he said again Thursday. He added he was trying to work out a payment plan for his delinquent taxes.

Requests for comment by attorneys for Brill and Rehrer received no response.

SHAMOKIN - A tense situation on Market Street resulted in minor injuries to two police officers after a person attempted to fight a firearm away from one officer's holster.

Officers from six other police departments converged on the area of Market and Pine streets after Charles H. Cathcart, 27, of 28 Roosevelt St., New Brunswick, N.J., fought with Shamokin City Police Chief Darwin Tobias III and Patrolman Raymond Siko II Wednesday night.

According to court documents, Cathcart told police afterwards he was troubled about something and had been previously diagnosed with mental illness. Despite fighting with police, Cathcart apologized and called the officers "sir" once in custody.

The incident started at approximately 9:59 p.m. when Siko was on patrol traveling south on Market Street. He saw Cathcart, wearing a dark sweatshirt and blue jeans, walking north in the southbound lane of travel and a motorist swerving to miss him.

Siko stopped his vehicle to speak with him, but Cathcart shouted an obscenity and racial slur at Siko and kept walking. Siko got out of the car and asked Cathcart to stop. Once again, Cathcart yelled at Siko and then placed his right hand in his pants pocket.

Siko identified himself as a police officer and told Cathcart to show him his hands, but he refused.

After Siko pointed his Taser at him, Cathcart allegedly said, "Tase me, n----r. I'll punch you in the f------ face."

Cathcart then continued to walk north on Market Street. He stepped onto a grassy plot between the two lanes, turned around toward Siko and made a motion like he was removing something from his pants pocket. He then screamed at Siko to shoot him, then crossed the southbound lane onto the sidewalk at Market and Pine streets.

Fought two officers

Tobias arrived, took a position of cover and began shouting commands at the suspect, but Cathcart continued to say "shoot me," and then turned toward Tobias in a threatening manner. Siko deployed the Taser into Cathcart's lower back, but it had no effect. Cathcart continued moving toward the chief.

Cathcart then swung at Tobias with a closed fist, but missed and Siko used the Taser again unsuccessfully.

The two officers wrestled Cathcart to the ground, but he refused to follow commands, keeping one hand underneath him. The suspect then began fighting with officers. Police had to use substantial force to take him into custody, but could not get him handcuffed.

While on the ground, Siko said Cathcart grabbed his weapon and was attempting to pull it from its holster. Siko then rolled onto his right side to put his weapon underneath him, keeping it from Cathcart.

During the struggle, both officers had their radio mikes ripped from their uniforms, but Tobias was able to get to the radio and access an emergency distress button, and the county 911 center dispatched additional officers to the scene.

When help arrived, Cathcart was taken into custody and handcuffed. No weapon was found on his person, despite his threats.

'I'm sorry, sir'

After a check for injuries by EMS workers, the suspect was taken to the Shamokin Police Station for questioning. He told police he had moved to Shamokin from New Jersey a couple of weeks ago to get out of New Brunswick.

Cathcart told police he was under a lot of pressure "because of something that happened," and had been previously diagnosed with depression and schizophrenia. When asked about the incident by Siko, he told police he knew who they were and that he was just mad.

Siko asked when Cathcart threatened to assault the officer if his intention was to hurt him. He replied, "Yea, I probably would have. I was just mad. I'm sorry, sir."

Both Siko and Tobias received cuts and scrapes in the fracas, but did not require medical treatment. Cathcart had marks from the Taser in his lower back and a small abrasion on his left knee.

Felony counts

He was arraigned at 2 a.m. Thursday and placed in Montour County Prison on $50,000 cash bail. Cathcart was charged with two felony counts of aggravated assault of a police officer, and misdemeanor counts of resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, obstructing a highway and attempting to disarm a law enforcement officer. A preliminary hearing on the charges is scheduled for Tuesday before Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III.

Assisting Shamokin Police in the incident were officers from Coal Township, Ralpho Township, Kulpmont, Mount Carmel Township, Mount Carmel Borough and state police at Stonington.

MOUNT CARMEL - A Mount Carmel man is facing felony charges of motor vehicle insurance fraud after a borough police officer said he found evidence contradicting the defendant's Feb. 13 story of a hit-and-run accident.

Charles Phillip Oushick, 66, of 224 W. Cherry St., was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Hugh A. Jones Wednesday on felony counts of motor vehicle insurance fraud and criminal use of a communications device and misdemeanor counts of criminal attempt of theft by deception and making false reports.

Patrolman Matthew Dillman said in the criminal complaint he was called to Oushick's house at 4:10 p.m. for a hit and run. Oushick showed him a large scratch on his red Chevy Monte Carlo, which was parked outside his house.

Dillman said that despite Oushick insisting the accident had happened recently, the scratch had no paint transfers from the other vehicle and no paint had flaked onto the ground. The scratch also had minor rust spots. No tire tracks were visible on the ground near where Oushick said the accident had occurred, Dillman said.

Dillman said Oushick had called Progressive Insurance earlier that day and said he had heard a bang during the night and discovered his car struck. After Dillman visited the scene and questioned the evidence, Oushick canceled the claim.

Oushick was released on $10,000 unsecured bail.

READING - UGI Central Penn Gas (UGI) announced that its purchased gas cost rates will decrease June 1. As a result, the average residential heating customer's bill will decrease by approximately 1.6 percent. UGI will also submit its Dec. 1 natural gas cost rate projection in an annual filing with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC). At this time, UGI projects no additional change from the rates implemented June 1.

"Nearly 90 percent of UGI's natural gas supplies now come from locally produced Marcellus shale, and our customers are benefitting from this plentiful, reliable supply," Paul Szykman, vice president of rates at UGI, said. "The seven-year trend of moderating gas prices continues despite a second consecutive winter of below-normal temperatures and related record, or near-record, customer demand." UGI is required to file its gas cost rates annually for review with the PUC and may adjust these rates quarterly to reflect changes in wholesale natural gas prices. By law, utilities cannot earn a profit on the natural gas commodity portion of a customer's bill.

Utilities are required to pass the cost of the natural gas they purchase directly through to customers without any markup.

Beginning June 1, the bill for a typical residential heating customer who uses about 68.4 hundred cubic feet (ccf) of natural gas per month will decrease from $80.27 to $78.95.

The bill for a typical commercial retail customer using 23.7 thousand cubic feet (Mcf) per month will decrease from $192.41 per month to $187.91 on June 1. The bill for a typical industrial retail customer using 154.6 Mcf per month will decrease from $1,086.82 per month to $1,057.51 on June 1. Customers may call UGI at 1-800-652-0550 to receive further information on the proposed rates or to find out what actions they may take. UGI encourages customers to use energy wisely and make efficiency improvements in their homes. All customers are encouraged to sign up for UGI's free budget billing program, which spreads bills out over a 12-month period. Customers with a limited or fixed income should call UGI at 1-800-UGI-WARM to determine if they are eligible for one of several energy assistance programs.

Any customer who is behind on their gas bills should contact the utility as soon as possible to discuss a payment arrangement.

SUNBURY - Northumberland County District Attorney Ann Targonski reported her office has received information regarding a fraudulent email scam indicating the recipient owes money to PennDOT.

The subject line of the email indicates "action required - fine for traffic violations." The body of the email further states that "a vehicle registered to you was captured running a red light" along with a violation date, ticket number and specified fine amount.

There also are various links to click on to view photos, pay the fine or for more information regarding the email security service. These links redirect the user to other websites not affiliated with PennDOT.

There are signs that indicate the email is a scam, including poor spelling or grammar within the message. This message not only has "violation" spelled incorrectly, but also lists two different violation dates.

Additionally, citations or traffic tickets issued in Pennsylvania are not paid directly to PennDOT.

MOUNT CARMEL - Country recording artist Michael Carl will sing Sunday at the United Presbyterian Church.

The service begins at 11 a.m., and the public is invited.

Carl is a country singer and pianist from Catawissa. He has been singing since he was 5 years old. In 2002, he won the Colgate Country Showdown at Hershey Park and was named the Pennsylvania state champion. That year, he opened for country music legend George Jones at the Pat Garrett Amphitheater in Strausstown.

Carl has recorded two albums and is currently signed with IMC Artists from Nashville, Tenn. He has performed locally at the Bloomsburg, Montour-Delong and Gordon fairs, and has been a church organist for 28 years.

The Rev. Edmund Minnich will bring the message, "Lest We Forget."

Sewer office to move to Shamokin

SHAMOKIN - On Monday, the offices of the Shamokin-Coal Township Joint Sewer Authority will temporarily move to 520 N. Shamokin St., until further notice. Office hours will remain the same, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Bills can be paid on the Independence Street side of the building, where a walk-up window will be established.

Volunteers sought for event

MOUNT CARMEL - Registration for the 21st annual Celebration of Special Athletes will be held June 6 at the Mount Carmel Area Silver Bowl; opening ceremonies begin at 9:45 a.m. Rain date is June 7. Volunteers are needed. Contact Tara Avellino at 570-274-4894 or Bob Lapinski at 570-373-3634 for more information.

SHAMOKIN - The WhatNot Shoppe Cafe, 139 E. Independence St., celebrated its third anniversary Friday.

The unique downtown cafe has focused on offering a relaxing atmosphere where customers can make memories without feeling rushed, said Cindy Carpenter, who owns the restaurant with her husband, Tom.

The Carpenters operated a cafe in Vermont prior to moving to Shamokin in 2008 and opening the WhatNot Shoppe in 2012.

"We used the menu from Vermont when we first opened, but it was more vegan and organic," said Cindy Carpenter, who is also chief cook.

She noted the menu has evolved over the past three years to incorporate regional and ethnic fare.

"I try to hit all these regional favorites as specials if they are not on the menu," she said. "I am still finding out what people like, and I like suggestions from customers."

The cafe caters to customers with special diets and dietary needs, she said.

For her part, Cindy Carpenter says she believes in the city of Shamokin and feels it can be reborn.

"I think we can have that and people want that," she said.

The cafe is family run and includes five of Tom and Cindy's children who still live at home, as well as employee Suzanne Conley.

Wafflewich special

One of the cafe's most popular items brought to Shamokin is their wafflewich; a sandwich with two freshly made Belgian waffles replacing the bread. It can be made using ham, turkey, cheesesteak or a burger.

On May 22 and 23, customers can get two wafflewiches for $7 as part of an Anthracite Heritage Festival of the Arts special. Free drink samples will be offered those two days.

For the month of May, bagels are on special for $4.50 for a dozen, normally $6 a dozen.

Starting Wednesday, the WhatNot Shoppe will offer a lunch, soup, salad and bread bar starting at $5.99.

Other features include fresh, homemade bread, pigions, haluski, a full espresso, cappuccino and latte bar, fresh organic teas and teapot service, frozen drinks, including coffee, smoothies, creamies, slushies and ice cream and sundaes, among others.

They offer delivery service for orders over $10, catering for events in or out of the cafe and private parties outside of their regular business hours.

Other items and services include tea parties, complete Thanksgiving meals for purchase and reservations only Mother's Day and Valentine's Day dinners.

Giving back

They have also provided free community Thanksgiving Dinner on Thanksgiving Day in conjunction with God's Chuck Wagon, Salem UCC Church and the Shamokin Rotary Club.

"We all need to give back and that is who I am," Cindy said.

The restaurant is also a vendor for events at the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area.

Hours of operation are 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Longer days and evening hours are being planned for the summer with dates yet to be determined. For more information or to place an order, call 570-259-4739.

"There is a lot of good food in the region. Getting people here is the trick," Cindy Carpenter said.

BURNSIDE - The Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area (AOAA) quietly celebrated its first anniversary Friday afternoon with a small gathering of employees, dignitaries and riders.

The event marked the conclusion of a year of tepid optimism and steady growth for a experimental collaboration between the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and Northumberland County that sought to take control of former mining land and provide economic stimulus to the region.

In comparison to a year ago, when authority members spoke cautiously of the road ahead, the atmosphere Friday was ebullient. Buoyed by the announcement that the park had surpassed $200,000 in pass sales in its first year, Authority Chairman Jim Backes had only positive thoughts of what is to come.

"I'm very happy with the progress we've made," he said. "We've exceeded our first year expectations. With the continued support we received from DCNR and with the event center coming, we will continue to expand this project."

Seeing smiles

Though the higher-than-expected number of riders flooding the park - recent weekends have averaged 300 to 500 riders - is a statistical mark of the success of the AOAA, Backes pointed to other signs of triumph.

"To hear the feedback from the many riders - how excited they were to ride our trails, and how it exceeded their expectations," he said. "And they continue to come back again and again."

Operations Director Dave Porzi said it was "hard to pinpoint one thing" has the highlight of the first year, but agreed the positive reactions from the customers was a signal the park is successful.

"We're seeing the smiles on the customers coming in," he said.

Porzi came onboard at the AOAA in July, months earlier than the authority had anticipated hiring an operations director. He immediately set a goal of opening the park five days per week, which he said he will accomplish this month.

Backes and the other authority members have had their own set of hurdles. With an outspoken base of local residents claiming they will continue to ride county land without purchasing passes, the authority has fought to maintain gates and roadblocks to keep trespassers out - and roaming passholders in.

"Property control," he named as the biggest adversity the AOAA overcame this year. "A lot of our trails led off our property onto a neighbor's property."

The task of controlling the property will expand this year as the authority opens the Western Reserve, land across Route 125 that is currently part of the park but closed to riders. The authority has also leased approximately 350 acres in the area to fill in gaps between county land parcels.

An expansion of buildings is planned for the coming season. A $788,000 event center, which will provide covered area for vendors and event registration, will break ground in July.

In addition to the construction jobs created by the park, more than $50,000 in payroll was paid out to employees during the first year. Porzi said he hopes to expand staff this year and is actively seeking applications for several positions.

The AOAA has also kept its commitment to the local community through numerous charitable donations throughout the year, including hosting rides for the Children's Miracle Network and Make-A-Wish, which raised $6,000 and $4,500 respectively.

Donations

At Friday's celebration, Backes announced the AOAA had one last contribution to make for the first year - donations to its six adjacent municipalities. Checks of $1,500 were presented to Coal Township manager Rob Slaby and Zerbe Township supervisor Mike Mazer for their community's coffers. Another $1,500 was sent to the City of Shamokin and $250 was given to East Cameron, West Cameron and Mount Carmel townships.

The donations were a symbol of the gratitude each of the park's employees and authority members expressed to the people who supported it in its first year.

"The big thing is, it's a success with the help of a ton of volunteers," said Porzi. "We are very thankful that this place is being successful and for the support we've gotten over the years - and the support we continue to get."

As for what's to come in the second year, Porzi said he doesn't anticipate a sophomore slump.

"No way. I'm not letting that happen," he said, laughing.

KULPMONT - Borough Councilwoman Stephanie Niglio challenged council candidate Walter Lutz's residency during a tense exchange at Tuesday night's council meeting.

But a check with tax and voting records indicates Lutz meets the requirements for running for borough office.

Niglio, who is not running this year to keep her council seat, questioned Lutz's residency status after he once against criticized council for its controversial plan, now abandoned, to build a new borough building.

She inquired about his address and asked whether he owns property in the borough.

Lutz, who lists an address of resides at 860 Oak St., said he does not own property but pays taxes in the borough.

"I pay a lot of taxes, as a matter of fact," Lutz replied.

Local since 2014

According to the Northumberland County Assessor's Office, Lutz has been on the personal tax rolls in Kulpmont since April 2014.

Niglio asked if he is the same person who was involved with the Mill Road Square project in Shamokin, and Lutz confirmed he was.

"And you stay at 860 Oak St. how often? How long during the year?" Niglio asked.

"I'm a resident there," Lutz answered. "I could start giving you a schedule."

Niglio said her line of questioning of Lutz, who has been an outspoken critic of the council in the past, was designed to give residents an idea of the person running for council. Lutz said he encourages such inquiries.

"I moved back to Kulpmont from New Jersey in 2013," Lutz said. "In 2014, I was here the whole year."

He then started to make light of the inquiry.

"In 2015 to date, I went to Puerto Rico, which was very nice, especially when it was snowing up here," he said. "I've been in Mississippi, and I've been to Italy."

Using information from an online background check, Niglio rattled off a list of residences for Lutz going back decades, including Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, Illinois and Virginia.

"You've been checking up on me," Lutz said. "Did you check that I was in Fort Benning, Ga., when I was in the service?"

"That has no bearing on what you're doing presently," Niglio retorted.

'Prove it'

From there, the discussion broke down. After Lutz told Niglio that he lives in Kulpmont, the two shared a mocking laugh.

"I don't know how you can say that. You don't live here," Niglio said. "You do not reside in this borough."

"You don't know what you are talking about," Lutz said. "This is where I am most of the time."

Niglio said if Lutz is elected, he would have to move here permanently. Lutz told Niglio to prove where he lives if not in Kulpmont most of the time, but the councilwoman said she does not have to prove anything.

"You have to. You are making an assertion that I am not a resident of Kulpmont," Lutz said. "Prove it."

"I can make an assertion; you make a lot of them. Council has a right to know certain things, also," Niglio snapped back.

Voter registration records, according to the Northumberland County Board of Elections, show that Lutz is a resident of 860 Oak St. County tax records show the property is owned by Lutz's fiance, Cathy Allen, of Meridian, Miss. Lutz said Friday he rents the home from Allen.

The board of elections uses voter registration records to determine residency for local races. According to its records, Lutz has been registered to vote in Kulpmont since Aug. 30, 2005, and last voted in Kulpmont in November.

Contacted Friday about the accusation, Lutz said he left his hometown of Kulpmont when he was 17, and until November 2012, he was a resident of Asbury Park, N.J., before moving back home.

"I worked for Shamokin Filler from June 2013 to January 2014, and started a business selling and collecting antique furniture, and rented a warehouse in Brady to store it. In September 2014, I did some consulting in Charleston, S.C., and spent time there working," Lutz said.

As far as how much time he spends in Kulpmont, Lutz estimated it is about "eight or nine months out of the year," saying he has a love of traveling and does head down to Mississippi to visit Allen and vice versa.

"I have a Pennsylvania driver's license, am a registered voter in town and pay state and local taxes," he said. "I don't know what Mrs. Niglio's problem is, but I will not shy away from her questions."

SUNBURY - The Northumberland County Board of Elections has ruled that county Commissioner Stephen Bridy can serve as a judge of elections for the upcoming primary since he is not officially a candidate at this time.

Northumberland County Democratic Committee chairman Rodger A. Babnew reported to The News-Item he heard from Alisha Herb, director of elections for Northumberland County, about a complaint he made on May 8 about Bridy serving as a judge of elections.

The three county commissioners serve as the judge of elections board unless they are candidates for re-election. With Rick Shoch running for the Republican nomination, he was replaced by county President Judge William H. Wiest.

Bridy, elected in 2011 as an Independent, has until Aug. 3 to file their petition for candidacy, and Bridy said he has not officially announced a candidacy despite multiple media references of his intent to run. Bridy said May 8 he has been in "deep thought and prayer" with his family over the decision, but had not made up his mind. He recused himself from all votes at a recent election board meeting.

In her letter to Babnew, Herb cited conversations between Bridy and board solicitor Frank Garrigan.

"To my knowledge, based on the conversations, Mr. Bridy has not circulated petitions, gathered any signatures, announced his candidacy, formed any sort of committee or advertised his candidacy," Herb wrote. "Prior to the last meeting of the board, Bridy also stated he has not received any campaign contributions."

Babnew said the letter was forwarded to Wiest, who verbally concurred with Herb.

"I think its a whole lot of nothing. I haven't even voted on that board this year, but someone sees me as a kink in the chain," Bridy said Friday.

He said he will be on hand for the vote count following the primary, but when it's time for the vote to certify results, he will abstain.

"There will be two votes either for or against, so the results will be certified," Bridy said. "I'm abstaining until I make a decision one way or another."

In a letter to The News-Item, Babnew said that Tuesday will mark the first time Northumberland County voters will have to wonder if the results were accurate because of the perception of impropriety.

"Why is he playing the system?" Babnew wrote. "Why does he not recuse himself and follow the spirit of the law instead of playing games with the letter of the law?"

Babnew said voters have the right to put their trust in the election judges and not worry why he's in the room when he could do the right thing and step aside.

"I do hope that when he announces for reelection the people will remember his actions," Babnew said.

SHAMOKIN - Two new businesses have quietly opened their doors in Shamokin, filling a vacuum created by the closure of several local icons.

A Piece of Cake, a coffee and bake shop at 618 N. Eighth St., and Farmer Bill's Market, a produce market at 329 W. Spruce St., are open and welcoming customers.

"It's good to see new businesses coming into town," said Whitney Fetterman, director of the Brush Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce. "I think I can speak for everyone in the area when I say we were sad to see Mac's (Hoagies), Martin's (Chicken and Ribs) and Harry's (Restaurant) close. They were coal region favorites."

Bill Stewart, namesake of Farmer Bill's Market, said he planned to carry on the traditions of at least one of the three defunct businesses. Though he does not yet have the set-up complete, he purchased Helen Martin's equipment when she closed, including the necessary pieces to make the meal for which she was known best.

"I'm extremely excited to have Martins-style fried chicken," Stewart said.

In the meantime, Stewart is offering a selection of fresh fruits and vegetables, baked goods and local eggs.

Right now, he purchases much of the produce at auctions, including imported bananas and pineapples. He will soon be bringing harvests in from his own farm, located near Sunbury.

"We grow a lot of stuff in season," Stewart said.

He also plans to purchase seasonal produce from other local farms and sell it in his shop as well as at his stand at the Shamokin farmers market, which he's operated for six years.

Stewart's products are priced lower than those found in grocery stores. He attributes this in part to his flexibility in the foods he chooses to purchase.

"Our business changes so fast," he said, describing the process of obtaining produce shortly after it's brought to the area from a distant farm. By bidding on the produce at auction each week instead of working with a planned distribution schedule, he's able to bring quality products at lower prices.

"Why would you want to pay more?" he said.

Another method he uses to keep prices low is selling pick-outs - fruits and vegetables that have the same nutritional quality but possessing visual marks, like insect bites or hail damage.

A basket of pick-out tomatoes costs just $2 at Farmer Bill's Market and comes with a guarantee of high quality.

"It's extremely important that we maintain the integrity of the food," he said. If customers are unhappy with purchases, they will receive a refund or replacement, he said. "People's guarantee of the food they buy is the fact they're buying from me."

Stewart said his decision to sell pick-outs stems from the large family he raised with his wife.

"We learned to eat well economically with five children," he said.

They would use the produce in recipes, eliminating the need for visual perfection. To help his customers with ideas, he posts some of his family's recipes on his website, www.farmerbillsmarket.wordpress.com.

A Piece of Cake, at the former Jen's Flowers, has already picked up on the low prices of Stewart's produce. He said he's sold bananas - too ripe for a typical consumer but perfect for baking - to the bakery.

The bananas likely come in handy in baking "Elvis Presley" cupcakes, a banana cupcake with peanut butter icing nicknamed by bakery owners Bill and Jill Smith after the singer's favorite sandwich.

The recipes come from Bill Smith's mother, Peggy Smith, who is the inspiration for the bakery.

"She's been doing this a long time," said Bill Smith, referring to the baked goods his mother churned out for friends and family. He said she wanted to open a bakery for many years.

"'Someday, Mom, your name's going to be in lights for your cakes,'" he recalled telling her. He gestured to the bakery. "We made it happen."

A Piece of Cake is located behind a welcoming storefront in downtown Shamokin with large plate glass windows looking in at a tidy interior. Inside, the stark white of the walls are punctuated by teal and magenta counters and stools. The couple have maintained a white tin ceiling, detailed like the icing of a cake. Large glass cases show off the day's baked goods.

Jill Smith said the design embraced nostalgia - more "shoppe" than shop, she said.

"We wanted something bright, fun, cheery," she said.

The atmosphere is perfect for an early morning cup of coffee. The bakery offers more than 10 flavors of gourmet coffee, a unique offering in Shamokin.

"I was a little hesitant about the gourmet coffee, but it's taken off," said Bill Smith.

Though the bakery is open early, the Smiths aren't planning to add traditional breakfast foods to the menu. Instead they're sticking to pastries. The specialty is the store's namesake - a piece of cake for just $1.99.

The Smiths said they offer a standard selection of cakes and cupcakes daily with special flavors listed on their Facebook page.

Though the couple tried to open the business quietly, the few announcements they've made have brought customers in droves, Bill Smith said.

"I never dreamed it would be like this," he said.

Fact box

Farmer Bill's Market

329 W. Spruce St., Shamokin

Hours: Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., soon to be expanded to 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

A Piece of Cake

618 N. Eighth St., Shamokin

Hours: Tuesday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 6 a.m. to noon

My wife Jo Ann receives at least 20 greeting cards from friends and family for her birthday. However, she received only two cards for Mother's Day.

The oddity is not that she received only a pair of cards for Mother's Day; it is that she received two cards despite the fact that Jo Ann and I were never blessed with children. But perhaps the cards are not difficult to understand.

The Greeks had four words for love: "eros" for physical attraction; "phileo" for love of affection; "storge" for the love between mother and child or among family members; and "agape" for a self-sacrificing love for others no matter how we "feel" about them.

One card Jo Ann received was from an aunt, who astutely noted, "You are a mother to so many people - that's why the card." The other was from a young engaged couple who have "adopted" Jo Ann as an "unofficial mom" in addition to their own wonderful mothers. They wrote: "To the best Mom we know! Thank you for all your loving support."

As someone who has experienced all four types of love for and from Jo Ann in the 25 years we have known each other and the nearly 24 years we've been married, I agree wholeheartedly with the sentiments expressed in her Mother's Day cards.

Jo Ann has a bond of love and a self-sacrificing love for family and for those who have become like family.

It is the special kind of love that makes her a "mother" with no children and, even more importantly, a daughter of the source of all love - God.

+++

We show ourselves as true children of God by the way we love His other children.

WILLIAMSPORT - A hearing will be held in federal court June 4 to determine if a preliminary injunction will be granted to prevent the elimination of the Northumberland County Weatherization Department.

U.S. District Judge Matthew W. Brann set the date Friday morning during a conference call with legal counsel involved in the case. The hearing will begin at 9:30 a.m.

Attorney Michael Zicolello, of Williamsport, represents seven weatherization program employees in a lawsuit filed against Northumberland County and Commissioners Vinny Clausi and Stephen Bridy. County Solicitor Frank Garrigan initially served as counsel for the defendants, but has withdrawn from that position. Attorneys Nicole C. Freiler, David J. MacMain and Brian Leinhauser of the MacMain law firm in Malvern is now representing the defendants.

On Monday, Brann denied a motion for a temporary restraining order (TRO) against eliminating the department because the plaintiffs - 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.

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

"A TRO may not exceed 14 days," Brann wrote in his order. "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 lawsuit, which was 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 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.

BENSALEM - Local women were represented at the 51st biennial state convention of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas (CDA) held in April in Bensalem. The theme for the convention was "Faith plus Family equals Future."

Members attended Mass each day and participated in business meeting. Guest speakers included Deacon Richard Napoli from St. Andrew Parish in Newtown, Courage Lion President John Ramming, Pat Gildea, CDA state parlimentarian, and the Rev. Anthony Gargotta, pastor of St. Bernadette Church.

Members elected state officers for the 2015-17 term. Plans are being made for Pennsylvania Catholic Daughters to host the CDA national convention in Pittsburgh next year.

Court Our Lady of Victory 588 in Mount Carmel received a second place certificate for increase in membership. Nora Avellino, treasurer of the local court, gave a presentation on St. Pauline. Mary Catherine Wydra, financial secretary of the local court, was selected by the state regent to carry the CDA banner throughout the convention and was also elected chairperson of the state nomination committee. Wydra, who is also the state chairperson for quality of life, presented a two-year report.

Members of the local court wore orange clothing and distributed more than 150 orange ribbons to attendees along with a prayer for Christians facing violence, captivity, persecution and brutality at the hands of ISIS and other terrorist groups.

Barletta issues statement regarding bill

WASHINGTON - Congressman Lou Barletta, PA-11, issued a statement regarding House passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 1735).

"The most basic responsibility of the federal government is to protect our nation and its citizens. When we fund our military, we do just that. This plan is fiscally responsible, and also maintains our support of a strong national defense. It improves pay for service members, reforms outdated regulations, supports and protects the National Guard, and protects troops from sexual assault. Importantly, it restricts the president's ability to transfer captured terrorists from Guantanamo Bay to other countries, preventing them from rejoining the battlefield to attack Americans. We must ensure that we are vigilant on every frontier if we are to fight emerging threats, such as ISIS.

"I am pleased that the House removed the provision that would have encouraged the Secretary of Defense to allow illegal immigrants to enlist in the U.S. military. Under the president's amnesty program, there is no dependable mechanism for screening recipients, meaning the military would have no idea exactly who would be enlisting. I continue to believe that the president's actions on illegal immigration are unlawful, and therefore had no business being enshrined in the defense authorization bill."

MYERSTOWN - Nelson Alleman, of Myerstown, formerly of the Shamokin area, graduated from Evangelical Seminary in Myerstown May 8.

Alleman earned a Master of Divinity. He received the Kenneth and Doris Weaver Award, presented to a student who has demonstrated passion for and commitment to the ministry of evangelism.

He will serve Bethany United Methodist Church in Lebanon as a provisional elder, beginning July 1. He plans to pursue ordination with the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church.

Evangelical Seminary, founded in 1953, "develops servant leaders for transformational ministry in a broken and complex world by nurturing rigorous minds, passionate hearts and Christ-centered actions." It enrolls about 200 students.

BURNSIDE - An overnight rain and morning sunshine brought ideal conditions to the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area (AOAA) for Yamaha Motor Corp. to demonstrate its new Wolverine side-by-side.

The off-road vehicle manufacturer was at the AOAA offering test rides of its equipment Friday and Saturday to anyone willing to take a spin on the mountain.

Yamaha will stay on site through Tuesday hosting dealer training. Matt Potter, Yamaha Motor Corp. Regional Marketing Manager, said 75 dealers would filter through training sessions over the next three days.

Yamaha has previously brought its equipment to the park for demonstrations, most notably at last year's opening weekend.

"Our image is very family-oriented," he

said, crediting the "family atmosphere" of the AOAA as the reason the company has returned several times.

The company has been a supporter of the park since before it opened. Operations Director David Porzi noted grants from Yamaha purchased the Carsonite fiberglass signs strewn throughout the park informing riders of directions, trail difficulty and borders.

Potter said the company plans to continue supporting the AOAA. Customers needed places to ride, he said, so supporting the park was a no-brainer.

"We want to help grow the relationship," said Potter.

Even if you're new to stargazing, no doubt you've seen the seven bright stars that outline the Big Dipper in our skies, and this time of year, they are easy to find. As soon as it's dark enough after sunset, look high in the northern sky near the overhead zenith for the upside down Big Dipper.

Believe it or not, the Big Dipper, as bright and well known as it is, is not an official constellation. Back in the 1930's, astronomers from all around the world got together and agreed on a standard set of 88 constellations - and the Big Dipper wasn't one of them. You would think the most famous star pattern known would rate the title of constellation, but instead, it's what astronomers call an asterism.

The Big Dipper, my favorite asterism, is actually part of the official constellation known by its Latin name as Ursa Major, or in English as the Big Bear. Ursa Major is one of the largest constellations in the heavens, and the Big Dipper is the brightest part, making up the rear end and the tail of the bear. This is a great time to see the upside down Big Bear because it's so high in the sky. Even if you're stargazing in a light polluted urban or suburban locale you still have a really good chance to see all of Ursa Major. It will take a bit of work and a little bit of imagination though. I also highly recommend a comfortable lawn chair to lie back on. That will make it much easier on your neck and back.

Start your celestial Big Bear hunt using the Big Dipper. The handle of the dipper outlines the unusually long tail of the bear, and the four stars that outline the pot are the bear's rear end. Look just to the lower left of the pot section for three dimmer stars forming a skinny triangle that allegedly outlines the Big Bear's head. That's one of the dimmest parts of the Big Bear, so once you've seen that, the rest of Ursa Major should be easy.

From that skinny triangle, look to the upper left for two stars right next to each other that should jump right out at you. These are called Talitha and Al Kapra, and they mark the bear's front paw. Between the front paw stars and the triangular head is a star that makes up the bear's knee. Once you spot that you've seen one of the front legs of Ursa Major. Unfortunately, there are no stars that make up the other front leg. To see that second front leg, you really have to put your imagination in overdrive.

There are two curved lines of stars that outline the Bear's back legs, but the one in the foreground is much easier to see. Unless you're in the dark countryside, I wouldn't even bother with the other back leg. Its stars are just too faint. To see the back leg in the foreground, go back to Talitha and Al Kapra (that make up the front leg) and gaze to the upper right of those stars for two more stars right next to each other. Those are Tanis Borealis and Tanis Australis that make up the back paw. They're not quite as close to each other as Talitha and Al Kapra, but they're still in a pretty close embrace. From Borealis and Tanis Australis look for two more stars that form a curved line to the lower right that links up with the bright star Phecda and the corner of the Big Dipper's pot (or the rear end of Ursa Major). Once you see this rear leg, you've done it. You've just seen the Big Bear, one of the largest constellations in the heavens.

Little Dipper

The seven stars that make up the Little Dipper are the same seven that outline the Little Bear, otherwise known as Ursa Minor. The Little Dipper is not nearly as easy to see as the Big Dipper, especially if you're viewing from light polluted areas. The best way to see the Little Dipper, or Little Bear, is to find Polaris the North Star at the end of the handle of the Little Dipper, or the end of the tail of the Little Bear. Polaris is not the brightest star in our sky, but it is a very significant one because it shines directly above the Earth's North Pole. Because the Earth spins on its axis once every 24 hours, it appears to us that all of the stars in the sky whirl around the North Star in the same period. I call it the "Lynchpin" of the sky. Use Dubhe and Merak, the two bright stars in the pot of the Big Dipper, as pointer stars to Polaris. The North Star should be about three of your fist-widths at arm's length to the lower right of Dubhe and Merak.

The Little Dipper will be below the Big Dipper in the early evening this time of year and is standing on its handle. Polaris is at the end of the handle. The next brightest stars you see to the upper right of Polaris are Kochab and Pherkad. The line between these stars makes up the outer edge of the Little Dipper's pot opposite the handle. Your mission, and it's not an easy one, is to find the four very dim stars between Polaris and Kochab/Pherkad that make up the rest of the pot and handle of the Little Dipper.

Ursa Major and Ursa Minor, the Bears of the sky, have quite a story. I'll cover that tale of the tails in next week's Skywatch.

Celestial hugging

From Wednesday through Saturday, the new crescent moon will be passing by both Jupiter and Venus in the early evening western sky. Venus is a little over 77 million miles away and Jupiter is just over 511 million miles from our backyards this week.

(Lynch is an amateur astronomer and is author of the book, "Stars, a Month by Month Tour of the Constellations." Contact him at mikewlynch@comcast.net.)