IRISH VALLEY - The Clark's Grove United Methodist Church will once again present their "Music in the Valley" concert series, set for two Thursdays in June at 7 p.m.

The series promises great entertainment, free food, air conditioning, handicap accessability and no admission fee.

The first in the series, held Thursday will be a "Sing-a-Long with Vic." Vic Boris, a very popular local entertainer, will be singing and leading a sing-a-long of popular music from years gone by.

Harriet Winnick Bennish

The second concert, set for June 18, will be an evening of vocal music featuring Harriet Winnick Bennish. Her recital will include works by Brahms and Copland and some popular Broadway show tunes.

Harriet is a daughter of the late Bernard Winnick, and her mother, Miriam Winnick, still resides in Shamokin. She is a 1968 graduate of Shamokin Area High School and is extremely pleased to be accompanied on the piano by her former classmate, Bonny Klinger.

Bennish is a professional singer and voice instructor residing in Long Beach, Calif., working with children, adults and seniors.

In addition to teaching people how to sing, she works with professionals who depend on their speaking voice to communicate in the workplace.

Bennish attended the Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore, and received a Bachelor of Music in voice and performance from West Virginia University in Morgantown, W. Va. Early on in her career, she was selected as a quarter-finalist in the Los Angeles Regional Metropolitan Opera auditions. Bennish also holds a Masters Degree in social work and has tapped into those skills necessary in working with a diverse population.

In 2011-12, Harriet starred and toured in an all-female cast of a new musical called "We Did It For You: Women's Journey through History." Other musical theater credits include "The American Girls Revue," "The Most Happy Fella," "Carousel," "Fiddler on the Roof," and "Working." Harriet has also been involved with several staged readings of new musicals. Opera credits include "The Marriage of Figaro," "The Magic Flute" and "Madame Butterfly."

For nearly 10 years, Bennish was the soprano soloist and section leader for the widely acclaimed "Long Beach Chorale." As a Cantorial soloist, Harriet has contributed her voice to several synagogues both locally and abroad. Her husband, Dr. Joseph Bennish, is a Professor of Mathematics at California State University - Long Beach, and she is the proud mother of two adult daughters, Rachel and Jessica, who also reside in Long Beach.

The church sponsors these free concerts as a community outreach project. Everyone is invited to come to the valley for free entertainment, free food and great fellowship.

MOUNT CARMEL - A 37-year-old Mount Carmel man has been arraigned on four felony charges after officials with the state Attorney General office said he had at least 17 videos of child pornography on his computer.

Jason Robert Hile, of 336 S. Poplar St., was charged by agent Nicole L. Laudeman with two felony counts of dissemination of child pornography and one felony count each of possession of child pornography and criminal use of a communications facility.

Hile is the second person in one week to be arrested for child pornography on South Poplar Street.

Laudeman said in the criminal complaint Detective Brian Webbe of the Monroe County Office of the District Attorney was conducting investigations on a peer-to-peer file-sharing network on May 2. He identified a computer at an IP address registered to Hile as one that recently conducted searches with keywords related to child pornography.

Webbe successfully made a connection with the computer at Hile's IP address and downloaded a video with at least eight 10- to 14-year-old boys engaged in sexual acts, the complaint said.

Two days later, Webbe downloaded another video showing a naked boy believed to be 12 to 14 years old, the complaint said.

Shortly before 11 a.m. May 26, agents from the state Office of the Attorney General and the Mount Carmel Borough Police Department executed a search warrant on Hile's house and found multiple computers. An eMachines desktop computer was found to have the required program to access the peer-to-peer network and at least 17 videos of child pornography, including the two downloaded by Webbe, the complaint said.

Hile was not home at the time of the search. An arrest warrant was issued and he was arrested and brought before Magisterial District Judge Hugh A. Jones Friday.

He is incarcerated in the custody of the Northumberland County Prison in lieu of $150,000 cash bail. A hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.

On Tuesday, May 26, John J. Rochford, of 250 S. Poplar St., Apt. 2, was taken into custody after Laudeman charged him with 18 felony counts of sexual abuse of children. Laudeman said Rochford had approximately 40,000 images and 15 videos of child pornography on his home computer.

SUNBURY - A former Northumberland County inmate was sentenced Monday by Judge Charles Saylor to six to 23 1/12 months in county prison on a charge of contraband.

Gerald Isaac Zimmerman, 21, of Watsontown, also was fined $50 and ordered to undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation.

He was charged by Northumberland County Detective Degg Stark with possessing contraband in the county prison Dec. 11, 2014.

Zimmerman, who was represented by Chief Public Defender Edward Greco, also is charged by Stark with groping a cellmate and making unwanted sexual advances toward him Sept. 5 while both were housed in the left wing of the former county prison in Sunbury.

He is scheduled for a pre-trial conference July 10 in the Court of Common Pleas on charges of harassment and indecent assault.

MARION HEIGHTS - "Winston," a puppy pug who lost an eye last week after he may have been shot by a paintball gun, is recovering well and has found a forever home.

Samantha Mazius, who rescued the pug Ash Street in Kulpmont May 15, said he is still with her family but will move to a permanent home soon.

"We're happy he has a home," she said.

Winston will have the staples from his eye surgery removed Thursday, she said.

"He's awesome," she said. "He hasn't been having any problems."

Mazius thanked everyone who contacted her with concern for Winston. She said she received more than 50 phone calls, and hadn't been able to respond to all but was grateful for the support for Winston.

COAL TOWNSHIP - Shamokin Area teachers are asking for raises of 3 to 3.65 percent over the life of a five-year contract, while the school district seeks flat raises of $1,200 a year in its proposed four-year deal.

Those are among the details revealed in a Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board (PLRB) fact-finder report released Monday as the two sides continue to work toward a new contract.

Salaries and health care benefits are among 15 points detailed by Walter Glogowski in his report, which the Shamokin Area Education Association (SAEA) had voted to approve May 13, but the board voted unanimously against May 21.

Antonio Michetti, the attorney representing the Shamokin Area School Board in contract negotiations, said Monday the board will vote on the report again within the next five to 10 days.

"The board could have accepted some of the recommendations, but the two primary issues, which have been the focus all along, are the compensation package and the health insurance costs," Michetti said.

Mary Yohe, SAEA president, and PSEA representative Mark McDade, did not respond to requests for comment Monday. McDade, via email, had alerted the media to the release of Glogowski's report.

SAEA announced its intention in April to strike starting May 22 if a contract wasn't reached, but, when the school board requested fact-finding on April 9, SAEA had to agree to begin that process.

Teachers reserve the right to strike, but can't do so until a second vote is taken on the report by both sides.

Approximately 200 union teachers in Shamokin Area School District have been working under the terms of an expired contract for approximately two years.

Glogowski's report was compiled after meeting with both sides at the same time to gather testimony at a hearing May 1. He met again separately with the two sides in executive sessions May 8 and 11.

There are four issues that both sides dispute: the duration of the agreement, tuition reimbursement, health insurance benefits and salaries. The eight-page report, which can be read in its entirety on the PLRB website (see details below), breaks down each issue and lists Glogowski recommendation for each.

The district contends recent contract settlements at other local districts reveal salary increases of 2.5 to 3 percent, and that its proposed $1,200 yearly raises reflect those percentages.

The association called it "unusual" for a teacher contract not to include a salary scale, and proposed to include it in the 2015-2016 year of the contract. They asked for raises that, retroactively, start with 3.65 in 2013-14 and 3.5 for 2014-15, and then seek 3.35, 3.25 and 3 percent for 2015-16, 2016-17 and 2017-18, respectively.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, in 2013 the average teacher salary in Shamokin Area School District was $44,518 a year, while the cost of the benefits teachers received was $28,619 per employee, for a total annual average teacher compensation of $73,138

Glogowski recommends a five-year pact, but otherwise offers a combination of the district and union proposals: raises of $1,200 in each of the first two years and the association's scale in the last three.

"It's a very delicate balance," Michetti said. "You want excellence in education with the Shamokin Area School District with a fair compensation, but not at a detriment to the taxpayer, who is already overburdened. The increase the recommendation suggests is pretty significant."

On health care, the board proposed giving teachers the option of picking a lower-priced plan with a $500 deductible or one with no deductible. In either case, the district would have professional employees pay 10 percent of their health insurance premiums. Currently, teachers pay 1 percent of their salaries toward health insurances.

SAEA asked to switch to a $250 deductible plan, but without a payroll deduction. Glogowski sided with SAEA on the health benefits.

He also sided with SAEA on its proposal for tuition reimbursement and opposition to board proposals to change class size and preparation periods.

He agreed with the district on changes to the open house schedule, school calendar, personal leave, suspension and demotions, professional improvement plans and fees for clearances and background checks.

The complete text of the fact-finder's report is available online at www.dli.state.pa.us/plrb and scroll down to "Fact-Finding Reports."

COAL TOWNSHIP - KrystaLyn Vetovich remembers perusing the shelves at the Shamokin Area Middle/High School library in search of a good book.

The 2008 graduate hopes a student just like her will find inspiration while reading one of hers.

Vetovich, a native of Paxinos, was honored Monday by having a small section of the library dedicated to her work as an author. Three copies of each of her five books is now in the library.

"It's amazing to see my book here where I used to do my reading," Vetovich said Monday. "It's a great honor."

Vetovich got a call from teacher Ed Bailey about the honor on her 25th birthday. Bailey thought it would be a good idea to show students that it's important to have goals.

Vetovich, who will soon be authoring under the pen name "KristaLyn Amber," using her middle name, had a goal in high school of publishing a book before her 18th birthday. She accomplished it in spades, publishing three, the trilogy chronicling the story of sprite Enya Polaris in her first three books, "Enya's Light," "Enya's Shadow" and "Enya's Judgement."

In 2011 she published her fourth book, "The Resistance," a fantasy thriller, topped by the fifth book, "Pure Fyre," her first under the Tate Publishing label.

"It was amazing to have the last book finished and the success it has had," Vetovich said.

School librarian Paulette Reitz is happy to have Vetovich's work in the library.

"The students really need some fresh reading material, and the fact that they were written by a former student that walked the same halls they are now is a great bonus," Reitz said. "They love series-type books and these are perfect for the young reader."

Vetovich's writing career is also moving forward in a new collection of short stories called "Tales from the Vatican Vault," edited by British sociologist David V. Barrett.

The book is a collection of short stories, speculating about the wonders in the Vatican Vaults. Readers get the chance to hear about such an idea with a fictional idea that if Pope John Paul I had lived longer than 33 days and, during his papacy, revealed the secrets inside.

Vetovich's story is entitled "The Will," dealing with the idea that one person controls the book of everyone's life and recruits people to help make the choices to continue on the path that is written.

She also has an idea for a new trilogy, which would be her sixth, seventh and eighth books.

"It's going to be set in an immediate post-apocalyptic Siberia, following a group of people getting things ready for 'the chosen one' who will lead them," she said. "That may also set off another trilogy when 'the chosen one' is there."

COAL TOWNSHIP - A Girardville man is charged with assaulting two ambulance workers during a disturbance in the Walmart parking lot Saturday morning in which he also allegedly refused to be taken into custody by police.

Kurt Hartz, 26, of 243 W. Preston St. was jailed Saturday in Snyder County Prison on $50,000 cash bail after his arraignment on charges of aggravated and simple assault, resisting arrest and related charges, related to the 9 a.m. disturbance.

Coal Township police said Hentz was in the parking lot near the Optima gas station. A member of the store's management team told police Hentz was bothering customers and had approached a woman in a car about her grandson being his son.

Police stopped Hartz and called for an ambulance to assist him, but the suspect became combative and hostile toward emergency personnel, police said. He was taken into custody by police after making numerous attempts to get away, they said.

He was videoarraigned before on-call Magisterial District Judge Hugh Jones, of Mount Carmel, and charged with two counts each of aggravated assault, simple assault, harassment, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and public drunkenness.

SUNBURY - Weis Markets is the recipient of the 2015 "Retail Sustainability Award" from Produce Business magazine for its overall corporate sustainability initiatives. Presented annually to the most progressive North American grocery retailer for their exemplary environmental sustainability and social responsibility efforts, the honor was recently presented to Chief Operating Officer Kurt Schertle and key executives on the Weis sustainability team.

Weis has implemented energy-reducing measures such as LED lighting in refrigerated cases, advanced refrigeration and climate-control technologies that are designed to decrease the store's impact on the environment and reduce refrigerant use by 50 percent. Other key sustainable programs include an expansive recycling program that recycled more than 35,000 tons of materials in 2014, including more than 20,000 tons of cardboard and more than 1,600,000 pounds of plastic bags and film plastics.

"Our sustainability initiative continues to produce results at the store level. It is our goal to reduce our carbon footprint in a way that benefits the communities we serve," said said R. Kevin Small, vice president of construction and development.

Weis was also singled out for its long-standing relationships with local produce growers in the states where the chain operates.

According to Produce Business Publisher, Ken Whitacre, "Weis is one of those companies that has sustained long-standing and multi-generational relationships with its suppliers. The chain does a great job in supporting these growers with signage and ways to engage the growers inside the stores. We see this as a fantastic way to both connect with the consumers and keep the local farmers involved with the community."

Weis Markets also implemented a Green Leader role in each store location to provide enhanced associate and customer awareness of the company's commitment to being good stewards of the environment.

"Our goal is to educate all 18,000 associates with our sustainable message," said Patti Olenick, Weis sustainability manager. "We want them to embrace it at home as well as at work."

Produce Business visited the company's Selinsgrove and Lewisburg stores, as well as its new Urban Fresh concept store outside of Philadelphia, in advance of being selected as the award recipient.

Weis Market is featured at the cover story of the May issue of Produce News. To view the feature article please visit: http://www.producebusiness.com/media/ebooks/15may.pdf.

SUNBURY - A bench warrant was issued Monday afternoon by Northumberland County President Judge William H. Wiest for a 33-year-old Bear Gap woman who failed to appear for a guilty plea proceeding on multiple charges.

Coleen M. Lowry is expected to face jail time when she's picked up on the warrant by authorities.

Lowry was scheduled to enter a guilty plea involving multiple cases. A plea deal was offered to her by the district attorney's office, but the defendant failed to appear.

Her attorney, Susan Schwartz, said she informed Lowry April 22 via a letter about appearing at the proceeding, but did not know her whereabouts Monday when questioned by the judge.

Assistant district attorney Michael Toomey then requested a bench warrant be issued for Lowry, which Wiest granted.

Lowry, who previously was incarcerated, was charged by Coal Township police with burglary, forgery and retail theft involving incidents Aug. 15, 2013, June 25, 2013, and Aug. 15, 2014, respectively. She also faces forgery charges by Shamokin and Ralpho Township police in connection with incidents July 8, 2013, and May 28, 2013, respectively, and a bad check offense filed by Mount Carmel Township police for a June 5, 2013, incident.

SUNBURY - A Mount Carmel man scheduled to be sentenced Monday on rape charges was granted a hearing by Northumberland County Judge Charles Saylor to contest an evaluation by the Pennsylvania Sexual Offenders Assessment Board that deemed him a sexually violent predator.

Barry Thomas Adams Jr., 32, who pleaded guilty March 12 to two counts of rape of an unconscious person and one count of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and indecent assault, made the hearing request by video from SCI-Retreat, where he has been incarcerated for about three months.

Adams conferred privately with his attorney, Tim Bowers, for several minutes before asking for the hearing when court convened. Saylor ordered the hearing to be held in 45 to 60 days.

The proceeding will include testimony from experts presented by the defense and commonwealth.

After the hearing, Saylor will probably immediately sentence Adams, whose guilty plea calls for an eight to 20-year state prison sentence.

Bowers and assistant district attorney William Cole agreed that Adams has a right to challenge the evaluation that found him to be a sexually violent predator. Bowers said the results of the hearing will not have a bearing on the length of Adams' sentence, but will determine if he's required to register for life and undergo counseling under the Adam Walsh Act.

"The hearing will determine if he fits the criteria to be deemed a sexually violent predator," Bowers said. The defense attorney said he received the sexual assessment report May 25.

Faced life

Adams entered his guilty plea minutes before he was scheduled to face a two-day jury trial before Saylor. The Mount Carmel man, who was facing the possibility of spending the rest of his life in jail, is accused of drugging and sexually assaulting four women in 2012.

By pleading guilty to the felony rape counts, Adams faces a maximum penalty of 40 years (20 for each count) and $50,000 fine ($25,000 for each count). The felony of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse carries a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment and $25,000 fine. The misdemeanor of indecent assault carries a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment and $10,000 fine.

Numerous other charges were dismissed or not prosecuted.

Under the plea agreement, the sentences on each of the felony offenses will run concurrent, while the sentence on the misdemeanor charge will run consecutive. If convicted of all the charges filed against him or if all the sentences ran consecutive to each other, Adams could have received at least 65 years in prison.

The eight to 20-year sentence expected to be imposed by Saylor will run concurrent to an 18-month to five-year sentence Adams is currently serving at SCI-Retreat for access device fraud for offenses committed in Mount Carmel in 2012 and 2013.

Drugged victims

Adams pleaded guilty to raping a 26-year-old Danville woman and 36-year-old Ashland woman Sept. 7, 2012, and Nov. 21, 2012, respectively. He pleaded guilty to having involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a 32-year-old Ashland woman Feb. 27, 2012, and indecently assaulting a 57-year-old Elysburg woman Nov. 2, 2012.

The names of the victims that were revealed in previous court proceedings are not being used because of the sensitive nature of the offenses.

Mount Carmel police, who filed the charges, reported the sexual offenses were committed at Adams' residence after he allegedly drugged the victims by putting pills in their drinks at local bars. After spending time in the defendant's company, all four women awoke to find themselves partially undressed at Adams' home without any memory of how they arrived there. They later sought medical attention after leaving Adams' residence.

Prior to pleading guilty, Adams maintained that the four women consented to sexual acts with him.

RANSHAW - A billboard meant to compel scofflaws who owe unpaid child support, restitution and court costs is posted along Route 901 near Industrial Park Road.

It has five blank spaces where photos will be shown, a warning of sorts for people to sort out payments. Starting July 1, names and faces will appear. Content will rotate monthly. Annual cost for the billboard is $750, plus $25 to change each photo.

The billboard, near the road leading to Reinhart FoodService, is one of two planned so far. A second is expected in the Mount Carmel area.

The effort couples the launch of a Facebook page for the sheriff's office. Sixty-five photos along with identifying information were posted to the page since May 18; 41 have since been removed after payments were made or payment plans were established. Nearly $40,000 was collected in the first week, and leads have been plenty.

"It showed results almost immediately," Sheriff Robert Wolf said.

Dunkelberger expects similar results through a billboard campaign. He acknowledged concerns that photos published online and on billboards could negatively impact parents with young children, and said that would be weighed when considering photos. But he reiterated that payments recouped aren't only for the county government, but also for victim restitution. The names and faces of those featured have active warrants for failing to make payment.

"We've had victims of crime for more than 30 years who haven't seen a dime who now feel connected to the county," Dunkelberger said of the collections efforts.

Nearly $23 million in unpaid court costs had mounted since 1965. There were 14,000-plus open cases where money was due. The largest single amount of money owed by one defendant is $194,000. In July, a cost collections task force began a push to recoup as much as possible.

Probation officers and sheriff's deputies went door to door seeking payments. Public notice circulated urging offenders to pay up or establish payment plans. A private collections agency was contracted to concentrate on outstanding costs due between 1970 and 2000.

Dunkelberger said the task force's goal is to collect $2 million in 2015, and he expects to top $1 million this month. The most previously collected in any calendar year was $1.6 million, he said.

MOUNT CARMEL - The flag that was raised Sunday, May 24, as part of the Mount Carmel Area Joint Veterans Committee's changing of the colors ceremony was in honor and memory of a soldier of the Civil War.

Daniel Strauser was born Feb. 25, 1848. He enrolled in Company H, 17th Pennsylvania Calvary on Oct. 18, 1862, in Pottsville, and was mustered into service Oct. 21, 1862, as a private at Camp Simmons, Harrisburg.

On Oct. 1, 1864, he was promoted to corporal. On Dec. 23, 1864, he was wounded at Gordonsville, Va. He also participated in engagements at White House, Trevilian Station and Shepherdstown, all in Virginia. While in the hospital, he was discharged by general order May 22, 1865.

Strauser was a member of Burnside Post No. 92, Grand Army of the Republic.

On the morning of July 4, 1899, Strauser left his home on South Chestnut Street to pick huckleberries. When he did not return home, search parties went out looking for him the next day. During the following weeks, the mountain surrounding Mount Carmel were searched, all reported sightings and rumors were investigated, and even a fortune teller was consulted.

On Saturday, Sept. 16, while hunting for chestnuts near Potts Colliery near Locustdale, Philip Powell and Lewis Heiser discovered bones under a chestnut tree. The remains were that of Strauser and he was identified by his slouch hat, shoes and cane. Foul play was not suspected.

Strauser was interred at Mount Carmel Cemetery, Mount Carmel Township on Sept. 19. At the time of his death, he was survived by his wife, a son and five daughters.

The flag that was flown for the past month was in honor and memory of Russell Macheski, who served in the U.S. Army during World War II. "Taps" was sounded on the bugle by Ann Ray Begis as the flag was lowered by Anthony Candelora. The flag was folded by William Begis and Candelora and presented to Macheski's daughter, Deborah Parrish, by Walter Summers.

The Strauser flag was escorted to the ceremony by Connie Andrews. It was presented by Kevin Jones, past commander of James A. Garfield Camp No. 34, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, to Summers. The flag was raised by Candelora as the national anthem was played.

Chase Petro, a junior member of the Garfield Camp and a re-enactor with the 149th "Bucktails" Regiment, played "1812 Quick Step" and "Minstrel Boy" on the fife. The ceremony ended with a silent salute to all veterans. David Berezovske read the military records of both veterans. Summers thanked the families and those in attendance.

The American flag was carried to the ceremony by Bruce Facer and the rifle escort was provided by Andrew Bubnis and William Begis. James Kealy provided traffic control. Also participating were Lance Nelson, Charles Noskoviak and Bruce Petro, a member of Camp 34 and a 149th re-enactor.

Susquehanna Bank was thanked for displaying Strauser's name on its message board. The next flag ceremony will be at 1 p.m. Sunday, June 21, at Second and Oak streets. Area veterans and the public are invited.

MOUNT CARMEL - Four military veterans who left high school early to serve their country were awarded diplomas Monday at Mount Carmel Area (MCA) High School’s senior awards ceremony.

Charles Noskoviak, John “Jake” Hirsh, Ronald Halcovich and Leonard Smelter were honored through the state’s Operation Recognition program.

Noskoviak, 90, was 17 when he joined the Navy in 1943; Hirsch, 88, was the same age when he joined the Navy, also during World War II; Halcovich, 73, was 17, too, when he joined the Marines in 1959; and Smelter, 82, was 18 when he quit school as a sophomore in 1951 to join the U.S. Navy.

SHAMOKIN - A former Northumberland County resident living in a Texas town devastated by flash flooding said no one could have expected the damage that occurred Memorial Day weekend.

Jessica (Reed) Hughes, 33, a 1999 Line Mountain graduate, said it'd been raining in Wimberley for four weeks straight leading up to the flood. Cell phone alerts telling of extreme weather became the norm. An alert came in May 23 warning of flash flooding.

Tributaries pumped water into the Blanco River at an unprecedented pace. Four feet is the normal depth of the Blanco, according to The Associated Press, and 12 to 16 feet was predicted for the flood. The river surged to above 40 feet, wrecking everything in its path.

"I never thought it was going to be that bad. Nobody did," Hughes, formerly of the Shamokin and Dalmatia areas, said by cell phone Tuesday.

Hundred-year old cypress trees were uprooted. Vehicles were easily rolled downriver. Houses were turned inside out. Eight people went missing from a vacation home five miles from Hughes' house, with the bodies of two women identified Monday. One was a mother whose child also was killed, and another child still missing.

Hughes, her husband, David, and their children were among the lucky. Their home is on a ridge out of the flood zone and wasn't in any danger. A friend who lives on the river is staying with the Hugheses after her home was destroyed. The friend had been out dancing the night of the flooding and heard from a neighbor who told of the destruction.

The next day Hughes and others waited for flood waters to recede. The river calmed, dropping to 8 feet when they drove down. They brought a power washer to help their friend. It was of little use as the house was ravaged - appliances overturned, possessions ripped from walls and thrown from drawers. She estimates 6 feet of water and mud was inside. One of the friend's dogs was able to scale a 7-foot fence and made it to safety; a second dog died.

All around people sat in yards and driveways, some in lawn chairs and others on anything they could gather still strong enough to hold their weight. Their vehicles were swept away; their homes totaled.

"They said, 'I have nowhere to go, I have no vehicle,'" Hughes said.

"I expected to see a lot of people crying, but I didn't see any of that. People were breaking down, but mostly everybody was so grateful to have their lives," she said.

Hughes and her stepson, Trey, combed River Road for valuables lost in the flood. They found photographs, vinyl records and a letter from 1952. Whatever they picked up was turned over to the public library, a clearing house for victims looking to recover their lost possessions.

The population has swollen as volunteers pour into Wimberley to lend a hand. What used to be a five minute ride by car can now take up to one hour, Hughes said.

An elderly woman drove up in a car and rolled down a window. She called out to Hughes and company and invited them to her home for dinner. The local hardware store was giving away coolers; restaurants treated flood victims and volunteers to free meals.

"That just really was very heartwarming to know people are doing anything they can to make it comfortable for others," Hughes said.

Susquehanna Valley gas prices dropped four cents this week to $2.749 a gallon Tuesday, according to AAA East Central's Fuel Gauge report, matching the national average at $2.750.

On the national front

After a steady increase in recent months, it is possible that national pump prices may be near a seasonal peak. Gas prices surged this spring due to a rally in crude oil prices from multi-year lows, seasonal refinery maintenance, the changeover to summer-blend gasoline and domestic refinery issues that have impacted regional production.

While pump prices have been rising, the national average price for regular unleaded gasoline remains significantly discounted versus this same date last year (92 cents) and consumers are on target to pay the lowest prices at the pump during the summer driving season since 2009. Relatively low prices at the pump, combined with a recovering economy, have contributed to drivers traveling more during the first quarter of the year than any other year on record.

There is the possibility that some consumers could see prices temporarily climb higher later this summer if severe weather impacts refinery production. The Atlantic hurricane season is officially underway and spans from June 1 to Nov. 30. These storms have the potential to disrupt production, refining and distribution. Shortages in supply could lead to regional price spikes and/or shortages in select markets should any tropical storms or hurricanes make landfall.

Both Brent and West Texas Intermediate crude oil prices rallied to close out this past week, following reports of violence in Saudi Arabia and weekly U.S. rig counts falling by double-digits.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, domestic gasoline demand is trending higher than in previous years but the impact of this increase on retail gasoline prices is uncertain.

At the close of Friday's formal trading on the NYMEX, West Texas Intermediate crude oil settled $2.62 higher at $60.30 per barrel.

SUNBURY - Karen Leonovich, who has served as deputy administrator of Northumberland County Area Agency on Aging since March 2012, was appointed co-administrator of the agency Tuesday and will most likely be promoted to the head of the department when her boss retires.

Commissioners Vinny Clausi, Richard Shoch and Stephen Bridy, who commended Leonovich for her dedicated service during the past three years, voted to appoint her deputy administrator so she can get more familiar with administrative duties before administrator Pat Rumberger retires Dec. 11. Rumberger, who also was lauded by the commissioners, has been employed by the agency for 31 years.

Leonovich, who was formerly employed at Columbia-Montour Area Agency on Aging, will retain her same salary of $42,788 in the new position. Rumberger's salary is $54,203.

Rumberger is one of 50 county employees who have chosen to take an early retirement incentive offered by the commissioners. Ninety-four employees are eligible for early retirement that requires a minimum of 10 years of service with the county while being at least 55 years of age, or 30 years of service regardless of age.

Summer art workshop for kids

SHAMOKIN - The Kallaway Center for the Arts, Lincoln Street, is hosting the Arts and Ed Kids Summer Workshop, 10 a.m. to noon July 7, 9, 14, 16, 21 and 23. Ages 6-9 are welcome, with a cost of $10 per session or $55 for all six.

Story related snacks and arts and crafts supplies are included. For more information, call and leave a message at 570-648-0510. Register by June 15.

Family adventures discussed

SHAMOKIN - How to have family adventures without digging deep into the pocketbook will be discussed at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Lifetree Cafe event at Antioch Place, 531 N. Market Street.

The program, titled "Low-Cost, No-Cost Adventures," features a filmed interview with the Abbots, a family that regularly sets off on family adventures. Participants will get practical tips for having low-cost or no-cost adventures and explore the barriers to family adventures.

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

SUNBURY - The Northumberland County Salary Board agreed Tuesday to raise Act 35 supervision fees from $50 to $65 per month and increase the hours but limit the overtime of three supervisors, a deputy chief and chief in the adult probation department.

The unanimous action taken by Commissioners Richard Shoch, Stephen Bridy and Vinny Clausi, Controller Chris Grayson and President Judge William H. Wiest will result in a substantial revenue increase and significant salary savings, according to Chief Probation Officer Jim Cortelyou, who made the recommendation to the board.

Cortelyou said raising the supervision fees paid by defendants on probation will generate $288,000 over three years. He said the fees are split between the county general fund and adult probation department.

The board's decision to increase the hours of supervisors Brian Updegrove, Marc Weir and Megan Kriner, deputy chief probation officer Tim Heitzman and Cortelyou from 37.5 to 40 per week and not allow overtime to exceed three hours per pay period (every two weeks) will save the county $98,802 over three years, since part of the agreement means the employees won't receive any raises from 2016 to 2018.

The supervision fees will be increased next week, while the change in employee hours won't become effective until Jan. 1.

Cortelyou told salary board members the Teamsters union representing union employees affected by the changes are not opposed to the move.

Cortelyou said his department's budget cuts will total $120,561 over three years.

He said 4,888 additional hours per year will be worked by the current staff under the changes, which is the equivalent of 2.5 officers. Each new hire would cost $65,146 per year or $195,438 over three years, and two new officers would cost the county $390,876 over three years, he said.

Board members commended Cortelyou and Wiest, who oversees the court as president judge, for developing the cost-savings plan.

The board hired Christina Johnson to the newly created position of senior accounting administrator in the treasurer's office at an annual salary of $31,327 for 71 hours per pay period, effective Sept. 10. Johnson currently serves as administrative assistant in the adult services department, which will be eliminated at the end of the month.

Board members updated the classification and compensation plan for employees that includes only currently funded employee positions. Under the former classification and compensation plan, employees were categorized by their pay grade and step scale, but will now be classified by department.

Unanimous approval was given during a voice vote for employees who come under the courts, district attorney, coroner, sheriff, prothonotary, register and recorder and treasurer departments. Shoch cast the lone dissenting vote on employees under the commissioners' office.

KULPMONT - The 2015 San Marziale procession featuring the music of the Kulpmont Our Boys Band will be held Sunday, July 12, running through the streets of the borough.

The procession gives residents a chance to experience and preserve a piece of history, an opportunity to give back to the community and help those in need, all while having an excellent time.

The procession will begin at 1 p.m. at Holy Angels Church, 855 Scott St. Those who wish to walk in the procession are asked to meet at the church at 12:30 p.m.

The event is organized by Landscape Services, Bressi Family Foods, the Holy Name Society of Holy Angels Church, Holy Angels Church, the Kulpmont order of the Knights of Columbus and various dedicated individuals and local businesses.

The procession will once again showcase the legendary Our Boys Band who put on a truly wonderful, historic and moving performance the last couple of years. The band will play a variety of authentic Italian March music along with some traditional patriotic American songs.

During the procession, onlookers can pin money to the statue. The money will then be donated to Holy Angels Church, and/or needy members of the community. All contributions are tax deductible.

"It continues to be all about turn-out and involvement," said Chris Bressi, one of the organizers of the event. "Much of what we do is a numbers game. The more involvement by the community and local businesses, the bigger and better this event will continue to get for years to come. We are asking for people to participate in any way they can. This is a community focused event that serves an excellent cause."

The procession is held the Sunday following the July 10 feast day of Saint Marziale, the patron saint of Isca sull' Ionio, a small town in southern Italy which was the birthplace of many Italian immigrants who came to America. Many of these immigrants eventually settled in the coal region.

According to legend, St. Marziale was the youngest of seven sons - known as the seven martyrs - of Saint Felicitas and is venerated the patron saint of Isca sullo Ionio in Calabria, Italy, and Torricella Peligna in the Abruzzo region of Italy.

For those who participate and march, there will be food and refreshments available at the Holy Angels picnic grounds. Many people contribute to the food and refreshments, but organizers personally thanked Scicchitano Buono Pizza, Kulpmont, for providing a great spread the past couple of years.

Any local businesses or individuals who want to be a named or anonymous sponsor can call Bressi at 570-373-9433 or Tom Letcavage of Landscape Services at 570-274-1508.