ELYSBURG - The WVIA Original Documentary Film, "Knoebels" chronicles and celebrates the history and heritage of the Knoebel family and its collective ambition of providing a unique environment for people to come and enjoy themselves. "Knoebels" premieres at 7 p.m. tonight on WVIA TV.

Nearly 200 years ago, a man of faith took a leap of faith and left his home to touch souls. For six generations, the family that followed him, in their own way, has also followed that calling. But instead of preaching the doctrine of the Christian Reformation, they evangelized through the communion of dreams and memories, and created a salvation of sorts - a place where, for a while, there is peace on earth. That place is Knoebels.

The film blends an extraordinary range of archival materials from the Knoebels Museum with original cinematography shot on-location at the park throughout the 2014 season to visually document the evolution of the family homestead from its roots as a wilderness haven for immigrant coal miners at the start of the 20th century to its current status as a preeminent amusement resort destination.

Viewers are introduced to an idiosyncratic cast of characters that have comprised the Knoebel family through four generations of direct stewardship of "Knoebels Grove," the original name given to the property by H.H. Knoebel, or as he is best remembered, "Ole Hen." Ole Hen was the grandson of the Rev. Hartman Henry Knoebel, a German immigrant circuit preacher who, in 1820, acquired 200 acres originally deeded by William Penn's son as "Peggy's Farm". Knoebel farmed the land with his family for 40 years, but by the arrival of Ole Hen and the third generation, the desire to farm had diminished. It became replaced by an entrepreneurial energy rooted in a logging operation and a uniquely personal vision inspired by the farm's prodigious shade trees and two mountain streams.

The documentary connects Knoebels beginnings with the end of the Golden Age of amusement parks in the United States. Since that time, the Knoebel family and Peggy's Farm have endured an almost epic course of history. They have survived devastating floods, endured financial downturns, witnessed the change in family recreational habits, and urban migration to the suburbs.

Today, the park houses three world-class wooden roller coasters, as well as nearly 60 rides. Many of these rides are pristinely preserved classics, some old enough to have been ridden by the grandparents who bring their grandchildren to the park to experience the same excitement they felt when they were young.

For many families in many places, Knoebels has become a touchstone. Like the rides residing under the emerald canopy of Peggy's Farm, they return, generation after generation, to remember and to renew.

Encore presentations of "Knoebels" will be broadcast at 8:30 p.m. tonight immediately following the broadcast premiere; 9 p.m. Sunday; 11 a.m. Sunday, May 24 and 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 2, on WVIA TV.

Offices closed

SHAMOKIN - Shamokin City Hall and the tax office will be closed today for the primary election.

Board meeting

COAL TOWNSHIP - A special meeting of the Board of Directors of the Shamokin Area School District will be held for fact-finding and projects financing purposes at 6 p.m. Thursday in the board conference room.

KULPMONT - June will be a busy month in the borough of Kulpmont with several events planned.

During his report at a May 12 meeting, borough mayor Bernie Novakoski spoke of events including a visit from the circus, the annual car cruise and a community-wide yard sale.

The circus will be in town June 10 at the Veterans Memorial Complex and will benefit the Mother Pauline Center. The community yard sale will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 20, with a rain date of June 27.

Secretary Rhonda Wilk noted that a special event permit has been approved for the annual Kulpmont Car Cruise Saturday, June 21.

Other notable dates are the monthly food surplus distribution from 8 a.m to noon Thursday at the borough garage for those who signed up, and Holy Angels Church's annual block party Aug. 7 and 8.

In other business:

- Approval was given for $5,249 to repair the borough's street sweeper - the first real repair the unit has had in 10 years. Council also voted to change the firm that does traffic signal maintenance to Kraco Electric at a cost of $103, compared to a $1,000 bill they were receiving.

- Special thanks was given to Giorgini Construction for their assistance in placing banners, flags and Christmas decorations on the borough's light poles as a volunteer service.

- Residents are reminded all outside trash should be kept in closed containers per the borough's quality of life ordinance. Those who fail to do so, especially during the summer months, will be fined.

- The board voted unanimously to advertise a new ordinance on "jake-brakes" in the borough and to place a sign at the intersection of Sixth and Fir streets restricting tractor-trailers in that area.

All motions were approved on a 6-0 vote with board members Motyka, Nicholas Bozza, Joseph Winhofer, Bruno Varano, Phil Scicchitano and Stephanie Niglio voting yes. Council member Clarence Deitrick was absent.

Susquehanna Valley gas prices dropped six cents last week to $2.745 a gallon, according to AAA East Central's Fuel Gauge report. The price was just above the national average of $2.705 Monday.

On the national front

One week from the Memorial Day holiday, the national average price for regular unleaded gasoline has increased on 32 of the past 34 days, reaching Monday's price of $2.71 per gallon.

Despite the national average continuing to register new highs for 2015, drivers are still experiencing significant yearly savings at the pump and Monday's price is discounted by 94 cents year-over-year, making it the lowest average for this date since 2009. Pump prices have moved higher nationwide in recent months, largely due to the global rally in crude prices.

The global oil market remains oversupplied, but market watchers are closely monitoring U.S. production and the recent outbreak of violence in the Middle East for any impact that could shift this balance. Volatility will likely continue to characterize the global market in the near term as traders closely watch the balance between supply and demand.

In particular, more expensive crude could lead to an increase in production and supply, which could put a ceiling on the current rally in price. Speculators are also interpreting the latest action by the so-called Islamic State, who seized control of the city of Ramadi, Iraq, as a reminder of regional instability in the near term.

At the close of Friday's formal trading on the NYMEX, West Texas Intermediate was down 19 cents and settled at $59.69 per barrel.

(AAA East Central is a not-for-profit association with 83 local offices in Kentucky, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia serving 2.7 million members.)

WEIGH SCALES - A female driver ejected from her vehicle during a crash along Route 61 near Irish Valley Road Monday afternoon succumbed to her injuries at an area hospital.

Monique Azure Moll, 44, of Shamokin, was driving a 1994 Dodge Intrepid north on Route 61 and attempted to veer the car back onto the highway after it left the road, police said. Moll lost control of the car, which crossed the southbound lanes of traffic, hit a dirt berm, flipped several times in the air and landed on its roof in the parking lot of Stepp's Auto Sales, police said.

Moll was transported to Geisinger Medical Center where she later died.

Loud bang

The business owner, Bruce Stepp, was working outside to install a new handicapped ramp when he said he heard a loud bang and then looked up.

"I heard the crash and saw this vehicle in the air, coming toward me, so I wanted to get out of the way quickly."

Stepp said the car was about eight feet off the ground, flipping end over end and coming close to touching a wire that was about 15 feet off the ground.

Police said Moll was not wearing a seatbelt and the airbags did not deploy. She was ejected while the vehicle traveled through the air.

Car parts and items from inside the vehicle were strewn throughout a large area around the accident scene. Among them was a personalized plate that said "Moni and Chris Forever." No other vehicles were involved in the crash.

Assisting state police at the scene were officers from the Shamokin, Coal Township and Ralpho Township police departments; Coal Township, Ralpho Township and Stonington fire departments, and AREA Services.

SUNBURY - An ex-patrolman of the Mount Carmel Township Police Department lost an appeal of his conviction on traffic violations that resulted from a Labor Day hazing of a rookie officer.

Northumberland County Judge Anthony J. Rosini upheld a district magistrate's prior ruling in finding David J. Stamets, 27, guilty of driving a vehicle without a registration plate, failing to pull over for an emergency vehicle and a stop sign violation. Fines and costs total $330.50.

"If this was intended to be a joke, it showed extremely poor and immature judgement," Rosini said. "If this was a civilian, he would have been charged and probably more severely."

The prank cost Stamets his job, and it could cost him and everyone involved more time in court as a second appeal to the Pennsylvania Superior Court is planned, according to defense attorney Albert Evans. An appeal must filed within 30 days.

Evans wouldn't comment on the possibility that Stamets would file a civil suit against his former employer. Stamets also declined comment.

'Toying with him'

Stamets was driving an unregistered Jeep Wrangler and fled into the coal lands in Marion Heights to culminate a low-speed chase - estimated at 35 mph - that began downhill in Kulpmont. A pack of lit firecrackers was tossed from the Jeep shortly before midnight Sept. 2 at Chestnut and Sixth streets, causing Patrolman David Tomtishen to give chase, albeit briefly.

"We were looking for officer Tomtishen to play a joke on him. We ... I then lit a pack of fire crackers," said Kulpmont Patrolman Patrick A. McAndrew during testimony Monday. "We thought at that point that (Tomtishen) was toying with us as we were toying with him."

After a quick turnabout on borough streets, the pursuit led uphill into Mount Carmel Township where three stop signs were allegedly disobeyed. Stamets drove through the coal lands known as the "black desert" and ultimately to his home. He was off-duty, as were all three of his police officer passengers.

District Attorney Ann Targonski initially cleared the officers of any criminal wrongdoing. After 9-1-1 audio confirmed details of the pursuit Targonski had dismissed as speculative and inaccurate, summary traffic offenses were filed against Stamets.

McAndrew pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct and paid a fine and costs of $303. Kulpmont's police chief, Michael Pitcavage, and township Patrolman Matthew Filarski were not cited.

Stamets was fired Nov. 6 by township supervisors. McAndrew and Pitcavage both resigned as part-timers with the township department, while Filarski was suspended three days without pay. Stamets didn't testify Monday, but the three passengers did. So did Tomtishen, township Patrolman Kelly Campbell, who assisted during the pursuit, and state troopers Phil Davis and Cpl. John McGeary.

Timing

Tomtishen never filed citations, and was never ordered by Pitcavage not to do so, he said during testimony Monday, but he did call township Police Chief Brian Hollenbush for advice. The Milton station of the Pennsylvania State Police handled the investigation on request of the Mount Carmel Township Board of Supervisors.

Troopers took over Sept. 8 and filed citations against Stamets Oct. 7. However, since the incident began Sept. 1, Evans argued that the state failed to meet the 30-day window allowed for filing a summary citation.

"It doesn't matter that it bounced around police departments," Evans told the court.

Rosini agreed with Assistant District Attorney Julia Skinner who said Stamets missed his opportunity to file a motion to dismiss the case on the timing issue. Evans said the 30-day window would be at the heart of an appeal.

Intent

Monday marked Evans' first court appearance in the case. Stamets represented himself in district court in January. Evans occasionally mispronounced names of the officers involved, and more frequently attributed them to working in out-of-area police departments.

The defense attorney attempted to establish that because Stamets had no intention of breaking the law, insinuating his citations resulted from McAndrew's actions, the citations shouldn't have been filed.

"Is that correct?" Rosini asked. "That an inadvertent violation can't be filed by police? Show me the case law."

"You're hanging one guy for the conduct of other officers," Evans said shortly thereafter.

"We're only here on Mr. Stamets' behavior," Rosini said.

SHAMOKIN - To demonstrate the toughness and ease of cleaning its Smartstrand Forever Clean Silk carpet, youngsters attending the Anthracite Heritage Festival of the Arts have a chance to get a little dirty.

Dobson's Carpet Service, Walnut Street, Shamokin, will have a "little mudders" obstacle course set up at the festival, with children being able to run their feet through the mud and then onto a 12-by-4 foot piece of white carpet in the street.

The carpet will be laid over a premium Smartcushion pad, a memory foam pad that, when installed under any Smartstrand carpet, acts as a moisture-resistant barrier to the floor underneath.

At 1 p.m., after three hours of collecting muddy footprints, Dobson's will show how easy the carpet is to clean, steam cleaning half of it with only water. They'll leave the other half dirty for comparison sake for the rest of the afternoon. The carpet sample will also hang in Dobson's showroom next week.

Parents need not worry as the business will have a pool of water available so children can clean their feet before enjoying the rest of the festival.

Dobson's Carpet Service is an authorized Mohawk Colorcenter. Dupont Smartstrand Silk is sold exclusively at Dobson's, which is a full-service floor covering store offering top of the line carpeting, hardwood, ceramic tile, laminate and linoleum.

COAL TOWNSHIP - Candidates and their supporters spent Tuesday doing what they do most every election - showing their faces, handing out tchotchke and attempting to sway voters' minds as they walk into the polls.

District Attorney Ann Targonski and the challenger looking to take over her office, Tony Matulewicz, were campaigning within feet of each other outside the Shamokin Area Middle/High School.

The school is the polling location for Coal Township's Sixth Ward, among the largest in the county and a hot spot for political glad-handing.

At one point Tuesday afternoon, Tom Aber and Myron Turlis, seeking the Democratic nomination for the office of county commissioner, were sharing shade from the same tree. Steps away were representatives for two other Democratic candidates - the daughter and niece of George Zalar and the husband of Kym Best.

Pete Long was the lone municipal candidate with representation at the school at the time. The Coal Township commissioner hopeful was there all day. It culminated a campaign that saw him going door to door in search of support.

Turlis said he enjoyed the campaign experience and the respect the commissioner candidates showed one another.

"It was on the facts, what we'd do if elected," Turlis said. "I made some friendships along the way. ... I'll be glad when it's over, but I think it's fun."

Like Turlis and others, Targonski had supporters at locations throughout the county. The Elysburg Fire Company, Northumberland County Career and Technology School and the Mount Carmel Senior Action Center were among the more active spots in the county's eastern end.

She was matter of fact about the importance of having a presence at the polls: "What am I going to do, sit around and do nothing?"

Alisha Herb, director of elections for Northumberland County, said volunteers for candidates at multiple locations had to be warned to stay at least 10 feet from the doors of polling stations. Sunbury Constable Robert Heller and members of the election board visited a polling location at Scott Tower, Sunbury, at least twice between 7 and 10 a.m. to give such warnings.

A petition was circulating at different polls in support of three men hoping to crack the two-party system. Libertarians John Burd, Dale Wolf and Ed Quiggle were collecting signatures toward finding a spot on the general election ballot. Burd was vying for commissioner, Quiggle for either commissioner or sheriff, and Wolf for Shamokin Area School Board.

Republican candidate Samuel Schiccatano appeared later in the day at the Sixth Ward. He was leaning on name recognition and core support to push him through to November. If he makes it to the general election, he'll ramp up campaign activity.

"People know what they're going to do before they get to the polls. Most people have their minds made up," Schiccatano said. "I think we did enough to hopefully make it to November, and we'll see tonight."

(Staff writeres Mark Gilger and Sarah DeSantis contributed to this report.)

SUNBURY - Two Northumberland County officials - Sheriff Robert Wolfe and Treasurer Kevin P. Gilroy - were nominated Tuesday without opposition.

Wolfe, a Democrat, who became sheriff upon the resignation of Chad Reiner, had 4,768 votes. Since there were also 377 write-in votes for sheriff cast in the Republican primary, it's possible he may have also received a GOP nomination.

Gilroy, a Republican, was nominated with 4,734 votes, also without opposition. There were only 77 write-in votes cast in the Democratic primary for treasurer, not enough for Gilroy to receive a second nomination.

Voter turnout 25%

Voter turnout in Tuesday's election was approximately 25 percent. A total of 11,772 ballots were cast out of 46,570 eligible registered Democrats and Republicans.

Brown, McGaw in Shamokin

SHAMOKIN - John J. Brown, a former police officer, and Dan McGaw, who ran unsuccessfully for mayor in 2013, will be on Shamokin City Council in January.

Brown and McGaw, both Republicans, were nominated with 222 and 221 votes, respectively. They had no opposition in the Republican primary.

They will probably have no opposition in the general election either, because there were not enough write-in votes cast in the Democratic primary to nominate anyone in that party for council.

Same faces on SASB

COAL TOWNSHIP - Five incumbent Shamokin Area School Board members are guaranteed re-election in November.

Jeff Kashner, Robert Getchey, Charles H. Shuey, Bernard M. Sosnoskie and Ronald McElwee were unopposed in both Republican and Democratic primaries.

On the Democratic ballot, it was: McElwee, 1,035 votes, Shuey, 982; Kashner, 918; Sosnoskie, 891, and Getchey, 786.

On the Republican ballot, the totals were: Shuey, 763; McElwee, 698; Kashner, 645; Sosnoskie, 616, and Getchey, 508.

Malakoski, Lutz in Kulpmont

KULPMONT - In a year with a lack of candidates on the ballot, Walt Lutz and George Malakoski were the only candidates winning nominations outright for borough council.

Lutz, a Republican, had 104 votes, and Malakoski, a Democrat, had 349.

It's possible there will be more Democratic candidates on the ballot in November, since there were 179 write-in votes.

In the only other races, Donna Rompallo was nominated for auditor with 344 votes, and Lawrence Rompallo had 368 votes for constable. Both are Democrats, and they had no opposition.

Incumbents win in Ralpho Twp.

ELYSBURG - Two incumbent supervisors in Ralpho Township won renomination to the board Tuesday.

Stephen A. Major had 228 votes, and Vincent Daubert had 176. Both are Democrats. No Republicans filed for the position.

Amy Snyder, a Democrat, was nominated without opposition for a two-year term as tax collector. She had 248 votes. There was no Republican candidate.

Schwartz nominated in Zerbe

TREVORTON - Incumbent Mike Schwartz received the Democratic nomination for Zerbe Township supervisor with 68 votes. He was unopposed.

Three write-in votes were recorded for supervisor in the Republican primary, which is not enough for anyone to earn a nomination. Ten write-in votes would be needed.

No candidates in Shamokin Twp.

STONINGTON - There were no candidates in either party in Shamokin Township.

It's possible, however, that Republican and Democratic voters nominated candidates via write-in for township supervisor.

Forty-seven Republican write-ins and 22 Democratic write-ins were recorded. The official count, which begins Friday, will determine whether any candidate secured the requisite number of votes (at least 10 in this race) to qualify for nomination.

Sheptock candidate in Heights

MARION HEIGHTS - Frank Sheptock was the only candidate on the ballot in Marion Heights.

He was nominated by Republicans to borough council with 27 votes. There were not sufficient write-ins to nominate a Democratic candidate or candidates in either party for a two-year term for tax collector.

Line Mtn. School Board

MANDATA - There was no suspense in the Line Mountain School District, with all candidates on the ballot receiving nominations.

In Region 3, which includes West Cameron and Zerbe townships, David Scott Bartholomew and Marlin F. Yeager Jr. received both Democratic and Republican nominations. They had no opposition.

In Region 2, Lauren Hackenburg and Troy Laudenslager won Republican nominations. Hackenburg also won a Democratic nomination; Laudenslager did not file in the Democratic primary. Region 2 includes Jackson, Jordan and Lower Mahanoy townships.

No candidates filed for a single seat open in Region 1, which includes Herndon and Little Mahanoy, Upper Mahanoy, Lower Augusta and Washington townships.

Southern Columbia School Board

CATAWISSA RR - In the first completely at-large election in the Southern Columbia Area School District, the results in Ralpho Township were:

With four to be nominated: Democrats, Thomas R, Reich, 204; Gary Wilson, 196; Gail Zambor Schuerch, 176, and Kay Keller, 172; Republicans, Reich, 239, Wilson, 229; John O. Yocum, 192; Keller, 170, and Schuerch, 164.

There results do not include municipalities in Columbia County.

No one filed for a two-year term that was also on the ballot.

Foura wins in East Cameron Township

EAST CAMERON TOWNSHIP - Norman A. Foura, the only candidate in East Cameron Township, was nominated for township supervisor with 39 votes in the Republican primary.

No Democrats filed for the office.

Moore in West Cameron

WEST CAMERON TOWNSHIP - Michael M. Moore received the Republican nomination for supervisor in West Cameron Township with 28 votes. He had no opposition.

Floyd Maurer, also a Republican had 30 votes for constable.

There were no Democratic candidates in the township.

MOUNT CARMEL - Five candidates won double nominations for seats on the Mount Carmel Area School Board, virtually assuring their election in November.

Winners are Jessica M. Delaney and James P. Britt, who were appointed to the board this year to fill vacancies, incumbent director Robert E. Muldowney, Brian Shurock and Michael Scott Venna.

There were six candidates on the ballot, but John Laughlin died April 15. His name remained on the primary election ballot because the ballot had already been printed. Had he won either primary, the respective political party could have substituted someone else for the general election.

Breakdown is:

Democrats: Muldowney, 1,098; Venna, 1,085; Delaney, 911; Shurock, 867; Britt, 772, and Laughlin, 507.

Republicans: Venna, 387; Muldowney, 352; Shurock, 306; Delaney, 259; Britt, 253. and Laughlin, 172.

2015 Anthracite Heritage Festival of the Arts

Committee members

Maryann Levins, Dolores Splane, Garth Hall, Jeanne Shaffer, Jeri Lynn Miner, Kevin Richardson, Pam Burns, Lanza Williams, Lisa Welch, Bobby Diamond, Deb Yeager and Lisa Haas.

Sponsors

Clearwater Pools, More Than Just Hair, Tom Olcese Pharmacy, Olvany Insurance, Aqua Pennsylvania Inc. Coca-Cola, M&T Bank, Susquehanna Bank, The Plumbing Outlet, Medicine Shoppe, First National Bank, PPL.

Special acknowledgements

Shamokin Mayor William Milbrand, council members Dave Kinder, Charlie Verano, Barbara Moyer, R. Craig Rhodes, city clerk Robert Slaby and Kevin Richardson and the city crew, the Shamokin Area football team, Shamokin Fire Police, The News-Item, Dave Burns, Northumberland County, Independence Fire Company and the Shamokin and Coal Township Police and Fire Departments.

SHAMOKIN - It was a simple question during a conversation some 10 years ago that spurred Jeanne Shaffer into action.

She was speaking with someone planning a trip back to the area on Memorial Day weekend for the Shamokin High School Alumni Association reunion. Graduates of other former high schools in the region do the same that weekend.

The question that was posed: "So what else is there to do in town?"

As director of the Northumberland County Council for the Arts and Humanities, Shaffer began to formulate a plan.

It resulted in the first Anthracite Heritage Festival of the Arts in 2006.

This Saturday, the festival will mark its 10th anniversary. A three-block area of Market Street will come alive with vendors, art, food, dancing, music and a community togetherness unmatched by any other local event. Thousands will flock to the city for the festival, which runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

When it started in 2006, Shaffer said she never imagined it would last and grow as it has, but she's not surprised considering the effort of her small but mighty committee.

"It totally amazes me," she said, noting how many people adjust their plans to be able to be at or participate in the festival.

In just its second year, the festival expanded to two days, with the addition of a parade, luminary service and concert Friday night, and that's continued since 2007. From the first year of the parade, the sidewalks along Independence and Market streets have been packed with people.

And over the last decade, the festival has grown steadily.

"When we started, we had just the one tour, the horse-drawn carriage tour," Shaffer said. "This year, there are seven different tours available."

New this year is a tour featuring stops associated with Thomas Alva Edison's time in Shamokin. The famous inventor is being saluted with the festival theme "It's Electric."

It still takes a lot of work to get the festival organized every year, but in some ways it's taken on a life of its own.

"I have one vendor that will pay me cash the day of the festival for next year," Shaffer said. "Vendors want to be locked into the same spots. I didn't think that would be possible when we started this."

She said the festival has become a family day; a day to reunite; a day to celebrate.

"And it all started when people, coming back to connect with their roots, wanted something else to do," she said. "It all just jelled from there."

SHAMOKIN - Attractions and events for the 10th annual Anthracite Heritage Festival of the Arts.

Cemetery tour

The Shamokin Cemetery Tour is a chance to walk through history and hear tales of the life and times of many former Shamokinites, including Alexander Caldwell, J.J. John (who held many jobs in town and was mentioned in "Bell's History of Northumberland County") and Mary Jane Bird, the first child born and who lived in the first house in Shamokin on Commerce and Shamokin streets.

One tour will be presented this year, at noon. Cost is $10 for adults and children under 12 accompanied by an adult will be admitted free.

The tour will gather at the entrance of the Shamokin Cemetery. Parking is on your own, but you can either drive or walk up to the cemetery.

Carriage, trolley tours

New this year is the Edison Trolley Tour, which will intrigue riders with facts about one of the greatest inventors of all times who spent time in Shamokin. Take the tour with Dolores Splane and be "electrified" with details. This tour is sponsored by Susquehanna Bank.

A horse-drawn carriage will wind and twist through the streets of Shamokin for a half-hour tour with Jeri Lynn Miner, who will show the many historical sites, such as where the first house was built in Shamokin and where coal was first discovered. The tour is sponsored by M&T Bank.

The Edgewood Trolley tour will take you through the Edgewood district of Coal Township to reminisce with Lisa Haas. See where the pole stands that was part of the original entrance to Edgewood Park. Sponsored by Aqua Pennsylvania.

All tours start at 11 a.m. and will run every half-hour and end at 5 p.m. There will be a break between 1 and 1:30 p.m. and 3 and 3:30 p.m. Tours will leave promptly on the half-hour and tickets can be purchased. Cost for tickets are $5 each for adults and $3 each for children 12 and under. For groups of 15 or more, the cost is $4 each.

Exhibits and children's activities - Chestnut and Market streets

Folks Butterfly Exhibit: A walk-through educational exhibit experiencing the beauty of the butterfly. Admission is $2, the exhibit is located at Olvany Insurance. Sponsored by Antioch Place/Lifetree Cafe.

The Bug Exhibit: Meet Ryan "The Bug Man" Bridge and all his critters as you interact with his educational exhibit of holding and petting his bugs. Located across from booths 32 and 33.

Brent Kessler: Roving entertainment by magician Brent Kessler as he dazzles with the feats of magic from noon to 3 p.m. Sponsored by Clearwater Pools.

Traveling Woodmobile: A 34-foot trailer exhibit to learn about the state's forest resource and project history. Located next to the Independence Fire Company, Market and Arch streets.

Clothesline art: "Don't Bug Me" clothesline art display created by the students of the Lisa Welch Art Studio, located on the festival's second block on Market Street.

Masonic Lodge

Tour the Masonic Lodge room above the Fun Shop from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. You will be amazed as you enjoy the open staircase and the beautiful historic architecture of the building located on the second floor.

Church tours

The following churches on Shamokin Street will be having self-guided tours throughout the day.

Mother Cabrini - Established in 1864, it was the first electrified church by Thomas Edison and features a coal altar. Open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Transfiguration of Our Lord Ukrainian Catholic Church - The church is known for its stunning architecture. Someone will be available for tours and information from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Train rides

SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority presents a ride on the Short Line Railroad. Board the train behind Rite Aid on Water Street. Rides at 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. go to Mount Carmel while a 1 p.m. tour travels to Paxinos. The tour guide is Shamokin Mayor Bill Milbrand. Sponsored in part by More Than Just Hair Designs.

Career and Arts Center

The following exhibits can be found at the Northumberland County Career and Arts Center, Arch and Eighth streets.

Art Gallery: Peruse the gallery and enjoy the paintings of Nicole Quinlen in the Fine Arts Gallery

Welsh Art Studios: Exhibit entitled "Edison and the Age of Electricity", made for the 10th anniversary of the Anthracite Heritage Festival.

Movies in the former SHS High School auditorium: View movies of six parades from Shamokin's 1939 Diamond Jubilee, a 1940s tour of Shamokin churches and downtown businesses and a tribute to Thomas Edison. Movies will be shown continuously throughout the day, running from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

There will also be self-guided tours of the building, the former Shamokin High School

SCRA Tours

The Shamokin Creek Restoration Alliance will offer a tour upon request to site 15 along Route 901, or site 48 near the Northumberland County Career and Technology Center. Tours will be held at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. and leave from SCRA's booth No. 2

Special displays

At the American Legion building on Independence Street, enjoy a miniature train display showing the area in the 1940s and 1950s, running from noon to 4 p.m.

Thousands of pieces of Shamokin's memorabilia will be on display at the Anthracite Heritage Museum, located in the legion building above the library.

Other activities

Balloon artists will create a balloon of your choice, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the festival's first block on Market Street, sponsored by the Medicine Shoppe.

The Victorian Highwheelers will have a display of their antique machines in booth 80.

The WISL Booth with Tom Kutza will be at Spruce and Market streets, booth 64.

The Combat Field Memorial will be presented at 1 p.m. at the Hiker monument at Lincoln and Market streets. The moving and meaningful ceremony will honor all the deceased veterans who died in combat. Taps will be played and butterflies released in memory of those who so faithfully served our country.

Roving fiddler Paul Riffon will interact with the crowd throughout the day. Mickey and Minnie Mouse will greet festivalgoers from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., sponsored by Tom Olcese Pharmacy.

SHAMOKIN - The lineup and schedule for Friday's Anthracite Heritage Festival parade has been set.

Schedule

5 p.m. - Parade begins to line up in one straight line on Water Street between Rock and Market streets.

5:45 p.m. - Vintage car caravan to begin. Cars should be lined up by 5 p.m. in the alleyway between Rock Street and the police station.

6 p.m. - Parade begins at the intersection of Rock and Water streets. Parade will move one block on Rock Street, turn west onto Independence Street, proceed to Market Street, turn south on Market Street and end at the corner of Pine and Market streets.

Lineup

Section 1 - Color guard, grand marshal William A. Welker, sports heroes, Shamokin mayor William Milbrand, Sen. John Gordner vehicle, Rep. Kurt Masser vehicle, Shamokin Area High School band, trolley, Shamokin Crimewatch, baseball teams, girls softball teams, AOAA.

Section 2 - Brady Fire Company flag, Shikellamy marching band, Knights of Columbus, State Farm Insurance, Knoebels, Jeep/John Rowe (Sump Pumpers), motorcycle - Mr. Neidig, Catawese/LATS.

Section 3 - Hawk Mountain Highlanders, Movement Arts, United Way, Geisinger Magnet nurses, Rotary Float, Woodforest Bank, H&R Block, AOH-Jim Kelley, KORVA.

Section 4 - Clear Channel Radio, Knights Templar, Jack Williams Tire, Victorian Highwheelers, DMS, Zimmerman Motors, The News-Item, additional participants who did not pre-register and AREA Services and all other emergency vehicles.

Judges

Lanza Williams and Dave Kinder will serve as judges, and a third judge has yet to be determined. Prizes will be handed out following the parade.

Emergency vehicles and fire trucks are asked to use the Water Street parking lot between Eighth and Market streets to assemble. It is requested the municipal parking lot be vacant to all the high school bands to have adequate space for their formations. The bands will enter the parade from the municipal lot on Independence Street.

SUNBURY - In the end, it was perhaps the four most familiar faces in the race for Northumberland County Commissioner who ended up moving on to November's general election.

Rick Shoch, an incumbent, and Samuel Schiccatano finished atop the three-man field for the Republican nominations. Kym Best and George Zalar, respectively, were the top two among the five Democrats.

Tuesday's primary election results are, for now, unofficial. Barring any surprises when the official count ends, the tickets are set.

Total vote count for both parties was neck and neck - 9,594 votes cast in the Democratic race, 9,446 in the Republican race.

Shoch led all candidates with 3,765 votes. Schiccatano followed with 2,981, enough to top Republican challenger Michael Millett's 2,307.

Best earned the most votes among the Democrats. With five challengers, votes were naturally spread more thin. Best took in 2,674, unofficially. Zalar followed with 2,229 votes, edging Myron Turlis, who earned 2,013. Nathan Savidge finished fourth with 1,313, and Tom Aber fifth with 1,284.

"Very humbling," Shoch said of the unofficial returns. "I'm just really grateful to all the people who came out. I'm hopeful that's a sign of the message I've been sending, a change in Northumberland County government and how we do things."

He was texting Schiccatano throughout the night to update his fellow Republican on the election returns. Like Tuesday's results, it's not official, but Shoch said they'll likely work together.

"We're the Republican ticket. It's no secret we've helped each other throughout the campaign, and we anticipate that's going to continue," Shoch said.

While Shoch celebrated with friends at home, Best spent her night at James' Pizza in Shamokin's Fifth Ward. The self-described Sunbury girl said she was humbled by the amount of support she's received in the coal region.

Mostly, Best said, she felt accomplished.

"I was fired," Best said of having once been booted from the position of county clerk years ago. She has since settled a wrongful termination lawsuit. "I was on unemployment. I had only a blow-up bed in my apartment," she said.

Asked if she felt vindicated, Best said no. "I know that's the headline you want, but I don't actually feel that way," she said.

Best said she wants a month off. Her campaign manager, Brendan Murray, wasn't so sure that would happen.

"After all these months, it's kind of like, now what?" she said to supporters.

Her husband turned to her, "The reward of it is six more months," he said of the general election.

"Fundraising! Yay!" Murray exclaimed.

Zalar was at home in Coal Township. The butterflies in his stomach had long since flitted away as he claimed victory.

"There's nothing worse that waiting for numbers to come in," he said.

And now it's back to the grindstone, Zalar said, with an eye to November.

"Like I did in this race, I'll be myself, move forward and let the people know who George Zalar is and hopefully I'll be elected and help move the county forward," he said.

COAL TOWNSHIP - Bernie Rumberger is out as a Coal Township commissioner, unless he pulls off a write-in campaign for the November general election.

Rumberger, who is serving his first term on the board of commissioners, was bumped from a spot on this year's Democratic ticket by newcomer Peter Long.

Rumberger received 407 votes and Long garnered 563.

Incumbents George L. Zalar and Gene A. Welsh Jr. also received nominations on the Democratic ticket at 523 and 534, respectively.

Zalar also received a nomination from the Democratic party for county commissioner. He previously stated if he won both he would withdraw from the township race.

Although 120 write-in votes came in on the Republican party ticket, the total did not top votes for Republican candidates Jamie Saleski and Walter Quade, who appeared on the ballot. Vote tallies for Saleski and Quade came in at 243 and 214, respectively.

Schedule of events

The annual Anthracite Heritage Festival of the Arts takes place in downtown Shamokin.

Friday, May 23

5:30 p.m. - Lineup begins for parade on Water Street

6 p.m. - Annual Anthracite Heritage Festival of the Arts Parade, traveling from Water Street to Rock Street, Rock to Independence Street,, and Independence to Market Street, where parade ends on Chestnut Street. Vintage vehicles will embark first on parade route.

Following parade - Memorial luminaries will be lit in the Market Street park plots.

Saturday, May 24

All activities will take place at the festival's main stage, Market and Chestnut streets, unless otherwise indicated.

9:50 a.m. - Church bells ring.

10 a.m. - Cameron Colliery whistle blows, followed by the playing of "In Shamokin" by Chris Farrell and the singing of the national anthem by Angela Kinder. A dedication service will be held, with the singing of God Bless America by Angela Kinder.

10:30 a.m. - Performance by piano soloist Seth Barrett.

11 a.m. - Performance by the Covered Bridge Cloggers.

Noon to 2 p.m. - Coal Region Talent Showcase, sponsored by Holdren Notary.

1 p.m. - Combat Field Memorial service, at the Hiker Monument, Lincoln and Market streets.

2 p.m. - Performance by the Motivation Station.

2:30 p.m. - Performance by singer-songwriter-guitarist Shannon Marsyada.

3:30 p.m. - the Ko-i-nike' West African Drum Ensemble.

4 to 5 p.m. - Performance by Haela.

BURNSIDE - Local businesses will soon be looking for a new leader.

Whitney Fetterman, director of the Brush Valley Region Chamber of Commerce, announced at Tuesday's chamber luncheon she will be stepping down from her duties, effective Friday, to take a position at Evangelical Community Hospital, Lewisburg.

Fetterman came onboard in June 2013, filling the position previously held by Sandy Winhofer for six years. The 27-year-old was selected in part for her youth and vibrancy.

"She's going to be greatly missed," said Steve Minker, chamber president.

May's chamber luncheon was held at the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area (AOAA). The chamber previously met at the AOAA in February 2014, three months before the grand opening of the park.

Authority member Pat Mack addressed the chamber on the AOAA's first year and what's upcoming for the park's second year. Two highlights for the future, he said, are the event center and new trails specifically designed for mountain bikers.

"Mountain biking is as big as the motorized user if you do it right," he said, adding the authority hoped to connect trails directly to Shamokin through the Fifth Ward.

The event center will be 60-by-100 feet and have four stalls for vendors. Mack said the building will be a boon to local businesses who want to reach out to AOAA users.

"It was really hard for existing business owners to adapt," he said, referring to how many food vendors had to bring food trucks, tents or other portable preparation equipment.

David Porzi, operations director, said the AOAA is continuing to expand while also tailoring its needs to specific user segments.

"We're not growing, we're evolving," he said.

Following the luncheon, Porzi and Mack led a tour of the property. Yamaha Motor Corp., which has been at the AOAA since Friday providing demonstrations of new equipment, provided vehicles and safety equipment for chamber members during the tour.

Parking restrictions Friday

KULPMONT - There will be no parking allowed on Chestnut Street in Kulpmont from 8 a.m. to noon Friday so the borough can paint lines and do street sweeping.

What to do when life is unfair?

SHAMOKIN - What to do when life seems unfair will be examined at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Lifetree Cafe event at Antioch Place, 531 N. Market Street.

The program, titled "Where's the Justice," includes a filmed interview with Jasmine Lima-Martin, whose husband, Rene Lima-Martin, served 10 years in prison on a robbery conviction. After rebuilding his life and finding employment, Rene was sent back to prison when it was discovered the court made a mistake regarding the length of his sentence.

"He didn't have any idea this would happen, and neither did I," Lima-Martin says. "A sentence of 98 years is essentially life in prison. He'll never be able to play with our kids again."

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.