COAL TOWNSHIP - The Coal Township High School Alumni Association celebrated its 79th anniversary with a banquet at Brady Fire Company Banquet Hall May 23. Two hundred twenty-seven classmates assembled.

The opening invocation and the blessing were provided by President Sam Weaver.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited, followed by the singing of the national anthem led by Weaver, Class of 1964.

A military presentation was given by Walter Summers, class of 1948, honoring 52 veterans in attendance. A moment of silence was observed in memory of all departed veterans. The playing of "Taps" and a "Salute" concluded the program.

Roland Ferent, Class of 1937, and Jerome Blasko, Class of 1939, were recognized for their presence at the Coal Township Alumni Banquet. The Class of 1940 was recognized as the 75th year alumni class. Other class anniversaries were noted by the classes of 1945, 1950, 1955, 1960 and 1965.

Twenty-four members from the final class graduating from Coal Township High School, Class of 1965, celebrating their 50th year anniversary, were awarded a pen and pencil set from the alumni by Sherry Deitrich Criniti, alumni historian and member of the Class of 1965. The Class of 1965 presented a check for $2,400 to the alumni association.

Weaver paid tribute to the late Teresa Sandri, Class of 1943 and banquet decorating committee chairperson, for her years of loyalty to Coal Township High School and service to the association.

Elected officers for the 2015-16 year are: President, Weaver; vice president, Raymond Lauer, Class of 1943; secretary, Doris Olley Ziemba, Class of 1964; treasurer, Diane Grego Kerstetter, Class of 1964, and historian, Sharon Dietrich Criniti, Class of 1965.

Fifty-three Shamokin Area High School seniors took a competitive test for nine Coal Township scholarships. The recipients are:

Brett Long, George Nagle Scholarship, $3,000 per year.

Elizabeth Kapushinski, Frank Marcinek Scholarship, $2,500 per year.

Graeme Shappell, George Lytle Scholarship, $2,000 per year.

Casey Wilson, Coal Township Alumni Scholarship, $2,000.00 per year.

Richard C. Brown, Coal Township Alumni Scholarship, $2,000.00 per year.

Zachary Moyer, Coal Township Alumni Scholarship, $2,000.00 per year.

Megan Dimmick, Coal Township Alumni Scholarship, $2,000.00 per year.

The Knopoka Scholarship of $2,000 per year rewarded to the third rank student will be announced June 10.

A Northumberland County Career and Technology Center student will be chosen by the school staff and administration and will receive the James Gresavage, Sr. Scholarship for $2,500 per year from the alumni.

The Lewis R. Evans Memorial Scholarship will be awarded this year for the first time. Bob Evans, Coal Township Class of 1952, on behalf of his father, Lewis, is creating a scholarship endowment at the Bloomsburg University Foundation to benefit a Coal Township student going to Bloomsburg University. The scholarship will be awarded to the highest ranked student based on the scholarship test administered by the SAHS guidance office. It is a $1,000 scholarship annually, and it is renewable to the same student so that they may have it for all for years at Bloomsburg University. 

The Coal Township Alumni Association continues to serve the young people in the Shamokin Area community. In 2014, 28 high school graduates received $64,000 in Coal Township Alumni Scholarship monies. Class and individual donations made to the scholarship fund and the generosity of the Andrew C. Long Foundation support the scholarships and will continue to finance the CTHS scholarships well into the future. The alumni association expressed gratitude to all for their continued support. Class members donating $100 or more to the scholarship fund become members of the Coal Township Alumni Century Club. The previous year's Century Club donors are listed in the annual alumni newsletter. The "Long" and "Galiley" funds, along with generous donations, make it all possible, alimni officials said.

Weaver thanked the banquet committee members, Kerstetter, banquet chairman, Ziemba, Criniti, Sarann and Thomas Keyack and Genevieve Daniels. All members were encouraged to become more active with the alumni association which meets six times a year.

The business meeting closed with the singing of the Coal Township alma mater, led by Weaver.

Anniversary class pictures were taken by Harry Deitz.

During the afterglow, The Shoreliners entertained the assembly. A ligh buffet was served.

MOUNT CARMEL - Jennifer Bolick, the valedictorian of the Mount Carmel Area High School Class of 2015, took the audience back in time 30 years, and hopes the results are the same.

At Friday's graduation ceremony, in the high school gymnasium, Bolick talked about her parents graduating from MCA in 1985 and through her life, witnessed her parents' continued friendships with high school classmates.

"Their careers and geographical locations have never mattered. The friendships they built in these hallways remain strong today," Bolick said. "So I spread this message to you regardless of which path each one of us will take to find our journey in life. My wish for us is that we will keep the bonds that have been created and enjoy them in many years to come."

Bolick spoke about challenges in her address to the class, talking about how the 97 members of the graduating class have faced so many, including the biggest one - the decision process for what they will do with their lives following graduation. With more challenges to come, Bolick encouraged them to face them to define their character.

"Don't underestimate your full potential. Hold your heads high and never give up. Be confident knowing you are well prepared for whatever life has to offer. Make each and every challenge an opportunity to grow as an individual and to find success," she said.

Rise

The Commencement ceremony's guest speaker, 1995 graduate Dr. Michael Higgins told the graduating seniors that change is inevitable. He told the story of how in the summer of 1995, he was the big man on campus.

"I had just won a state championship in football and a district title in basketall, won a scholarship to Franklin and Marshall and was the valedictorian of our class," Higgins said.

But things changed quickly for him.

"In the first semester, I got the first 'D' grade in academic career, I lost the scholarship because my grade point average was too low, and was benched my freshman football season after the first game due to a lackluster performance in the opening game," he said.

The key to success, Higgins said, is that everyone, no matter how they crash and burn, has the ability to rise up from the ashes. While change in life will come, the one thing that won't, he said, is their upbringing.

"Your roots are like your DNA, never changing. You are all the influence of your upbringing, and background will be the foundation of your life forever," Higgins said.

Education is a passport

In her welcoming address, class president Isabella Stellar talked about how it wasn't a speech she wanted to make - or even write.

"I've been avoiding having to look back and write about the last six years of our lives, the years that, believe it or not, taught us all so much," Stellar said. "I've been avoiding this speech because I knew the day I'd finally be reading it would be the last day of this unforgettable journey... of high school."

Stellar said she and her fellow graduates have the power to make a new and better tomorrow, remembering the words of Malcolm X, "Education is our passport to our futures, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today."

"As we prepare to leave Mount Carmel Area High School tonight, do so with your head held high, with pride, and with excellence. And always remember, to become as much as we can, we must dream of being more, and believe we can become more," Stellar said.

In her address at Friday's ceremony, salutatorian Joanna Rompallo peppered it with quotes from various Dr. Seuss books, and joined with the class of 2015 to thank those that got them to this point, teachers, parents, family, classmates and elementary school best friends, neighbors and community.

Rompallo used social media for inspiration as well asking the Facebook community to describe in one word how they felt about graduating, with the most popular answers being "excited, nervous, happy, sad and bittersweet."

"My personal favorite was blindsided. Despite the fact that we have been waiting our whole lives for this moment, it seems to have come so suddenly," Rompallo said. "It's understandable to be scared. It's understandable to be excited. And it's most definitely understandable to have absolutely no idea how to feel right now. This time in our lives is filled with uncertainity, but within the beauty of uncertainty lies the possibility of exploration."

Mount Carmel Area's commencement also featured the presentation of awards, and several musical selections from the chorus, including the class song, "Defying Gravity" from the Broadway musical "Wicked."

Graduates

Graduating from high school in Friday's ceremony were:

Cody Allen, Lee Daniel Amarose, Macie Leigh Anderson, Joshua Ian Ashbaugh, Jeffrey Michael Ballard, Danyel Cambrea Balonis, Nathaniel Douglas Bartos, Glenn Joseph Barwacki Jr., Brian Bryce Beaver, Jacob Michael Belfanti, Colin Ray Bettleyon, Thomas Bielski, Brett Barrett Bolam, Jennifer Marie Bolick, Andrew Ryan Campbell, Timothy Campbell, Jonathan Charles Capozello, Taylor Nicole Conches, Caitlyn Marissa Curran, Tina Mary Delbo, Paige Grace Dombroski, Maliyah Janae Edwards, Jonathan Thomas Engelke and Jessica Ashley Feldman.

Nadia Alexandra Ferri, Hannah Laura Fetterolf, Ciaran Patrick Fisher, Sean Michael Fisher, Celina Isabel Frieswyk, Brianne Graff, Shane Michael Gudonis, Zachary Lee Guthrie, Linda Nicole Haas, Sheila Harris, Matthew James Haught, Amalia Hope Hinkle, Austin Lee Joraskie, Michael Bernard Kaminsky, Daniel Edward Kanowicz, Christian Robert Kelley, Jordan David limas, Jordan Daniel Klingler, Amber Nicole Kogut, Tyler J. Kruskie, Haley Kathryn Lahr, Daniel James Linn, Cody James Little and Thomas Joseph Lynott IV.

Amanda M. Manning, Eric Anthony Mazurkevich, Corey William McAndrew, Tyler James McCarthy, Shamus Ryan McGovern, Maura Kristen Mengel, Thomas James Moser, Brenda Lee Neidig, Kevin Patrick Nolder, Benjamin Ortega Jr., Brendin Gregory Pancher, Blake Aaron Panko, Charles Anthony Parkansky, Dylan Edward Patrick, Sean M. Percy Jr., Michael Reno Pupo, Gerard Michael Reichwein, Robert E. Rogers II, Joanna Cecelia Rompallo, Nicholas Vincent Rossi, Bianca Sandoval, Charlotte Judith Sarisky, Joseph Robert Schmoyer and David Fox Seltner II.

Jocelyn Shustack, Tia Nicole Slusser, Michael S. Snauffer, Rachel Angela Startzel, Christopher Michael Stellar, Isabella Janine Stellar, Rachel Ann Stevens, Ashley Elizabeth Stief, Juwan Donte' Sullins, Caitlyn Michelle Taggart, Shannon Marie Tanney, Zachary Robert Tocyloski, Jocelyn Taylor Trocki, Brianna Vincenzes, Michael Paul Vincenzes, Madison Berezovske Watkins, Treyvon Robert-Matthew White, Dylan Robert Williams, James J. Williams Jr., Jordan Taylor Winhofer, Kayla Marina Witt, Amanda Claire Wolfgang, William Sebastian Wolfgang, Kayla Ann Wondoloski and Brandon Lee Yuschock.

NORTHUMBERLAND - The Child Advocacy Center of the Central Susquehanna Valley, a division of Geisinger Health System's Janet Weis Children's Hospital, has been awarded a grant of $5,000 from the Sunbury Area Health Fund, which is affiliated with the Central Susquehanna Community Foundation (www.csgiving.org). The grant was used for the purchase of new forensic video recording equipment at the center.

The CAC was established to embrace victims of child abuse and provides young victims interviews by trained forensic interviewers, as well as medical examinations, crisis intervention counseling and ongoing case tracking.

"Through this grant, we have purchased new video recording equipment which is vital in gathering forensic information from our interviews to be used in child abuse cases," said Melissa DeBaro, coordinator at the Child Advocacy Center. "We are grateful to the Sunbury Area Health Fund for providing us the financial assistance to make this important purchase."

The CAC conducts 500 interviews with potential child abuse victims annually.

WILLIAMSPORT - An injunction hearing concerning the closing of Northumberland County's weatherization department wrapped up around noon Friday, but not before the county planning department director took the stand and said he was asked to address allegations the weatherization head demanded statements from employees against Commissioner Vinny Clausi.

Northumberland County Planning Department Director Pat Mack said he was asked one Saturday in September to defuse a situation in the weatherization department. He said he was told coordinator Dwayne Scicchitano was allegedly coercing employees to give written statements accusing Clausi of wrongdoing within the program.

Mack, who had been appointed that month to oversee the department because of its falling rating from the state Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), testified about the situation Friday morning during day two of an injunction hearing requested by weatherization department employees who have sued the county over its vote to disband the department and use SEDA-COG's program instead.

The April decision takes effect July 1, but the injunction to keep the department open until the suit is settled was requested because it is unlikely the lawsuit, filed in May, would be resolved by June 30.

All seven employees are part of the suit.

The hearing concluded shortly before noon with a request by Judge Matthew W. Brann for more information from both parties on multiple legal issues, including details on the scope of the requested injunction and the likelihood of the success of the employees' First Amendment claim the vote to close the department violated their right to organize as a union.

Brann issued an order later Friday requiring the parties to have their post-hearing briefs in by June 15.

Brann said he expected to make a ruling on the injunction by June 26.

'Defusing' tension

During Thursday's full-day session, intake specialist Pam Bollinger was shown a document she had signed describing coercion by Scicchitano into giving a written statement accusing Clausi of wrongdoing. Under oath, she denied any such instance had taken place and said the document contained statements that were not hers.

Bollinger said she only recalled Scicchitano asking contractor Jim Olcese for a statement and that someone then called Mack.

But Mack said a couple weeks after he had been tasked with overseeing the department he was called into the office on a Saturday because Scicchitano was demanding statements be made by employees and contractors regarding improperly completed work. When he arrived he asked Scicchitano to leave to "diffuse" the situation.

"He was upset, but he did what I asked and left," Mack testified. The other employees at the office, which included Bollinger and Robert McAndrew, appeared "relieved" when Scicchitano left, he said.

Mack then suspended Scicchitano with pay for a week while he conducted an investigation.

Scicchitano admitted during testimony Thursday he had been suspended, but denied knowing the reason. He also denied pressuring coworkers and contractors to write a statement against Clausi.

But Mack said when he suspended Scicchitano "it was very clear" why it was happening. Scicchitano was not recalled to testify again Friday.

After Scicchitano had left the office, Mack said he verified with Bollinger and McAndrew that Scicchitano had been demanding statements.

Mack and county Human Resources Director Joseph Picarelli said they interviewed Bollinger and McAndrew and that they provided the signed statements saying Scicchitano was forcing them to provide the statements critical of Clausi's actions.

They each identified the signed statements Bollinger denied having offered as authentic and true to her responses during the interview.

Firings recommended

Assistant county solicitor and chief clerk John Muncer testified he participated in Mack and Picarelli's interview with McAndrew. During the interview, said Muncer, McAndrew admitted fraudulently altering documents after Scicchitano pressured him to do so. The admission of illegal activity alarmed Muncer.

"My recommendation was that Mr. Scicchitano and Mr. McAndrew should be fired," Muncer testified.

He said he believed a criminal investigation was necessary and alerted the district attorney's office, which contacted the state attorney general's office.

McAndrew reaffirmed he committed the fraud during his testimony Thursday, and stated he had confessed the acts during two interviews with the county and one with the state attorney general. The fraud included changing numbers so unqualified residents would receive services, he said.

Mack said two instances of services being rendered to unqualified residents has jeopardized state funding for the department.

During cross examination of Mack, Michael J. Zicolello, who represents the weatherization employees, pointed out that both residents in question were friends or relatives of Clausi. But Mack and Muncer both testified that the investigation by the attorney general's office cleared Clausi of any wrongdoing.

The allegations of Clausi coercing employees to perform work for friends and relatives is at the heart of whistleblower and retaliation claims in the lawsuit to be further explored at hearings related to the whole case, attorneys said. Only the First Amendment violation claim was heard at the injunction hearing.

Additional testimony by Mack included confirmation that conversations he had with Muncer likely resulted in the wording on the approved agenda item about the department closing. This wording, which stated the move of weatherization services from in-county to SEDA-COG would result in reduced overhead and more residents served with the money received from the state, had been criticized by the plaintiffs during testimony as false.

"I believe that constituents would see more money," Mack testified. He said he had "communicated to Mr. Muncer on multiple occasions" this belief, alongside other concerns, including the department's declining performance and that he discovered DCED would likely be implementing new constraints and reporting mandates.

"I wasn't confident we were prepared for these changes," he said.

Recalled to the stand, Bollinger criticized Mack's knowledge of the department. She said she had only seen him six times since he took the job in September, not counting meetings, and his office is 16 miles from the weatherization department's office.

But when cross-examined by Brian H. Leinhauser, who represents Clausi, Bridy and the county, Bollinger could not say for certain that Mack was not receiving reports of the department from Scicchitano. She then became agitated when questioned if Mack's position required him to be on site or if Scicchitano was responsible for daily oversight.

Albert Benedict Jr., a weatherization employee, was also recalled to the stand to question Mack's credibility. Benedict said he was a relative of a county-employed secretary and when Mack met him and discovered this relationship, he said, "Oh good. We have someone on the inside."

Mack denied any recollection of the conversation.

COAL TOWNSHIP - The following awards were presented to students at a year-end program at Northumberland County Career and Technology Center:

Coal Township Alumni Association Scholarship to a deserving student ($2,500), presented by Coal Township Alumni Association - Cierra Zimmerman.

The Dean Carl Memorial Scholarship in memory of Dean Carl, presented to a deserving senior student furthering his or her education ($1,000) by the Carl Family - Keith Long.

James J. and Patricia C. Rosini Culinary Arts Scholarship to a deserving student in culinary arts ($2,500), presented by Patricia Rumberger - Teya Smeal.

Area Agency on Aging recognition award to the NCCTC for intergenerational collaboration in culinary arts and cosmetology, presented by Patricia Rumberger.

Geisinger Blood Center High School Scholarship Program to an outstanding health occupations student (two at $625), presented by Shawn James - Ronnie Rhoads and Jackie Augustitis.

Villians Motorcycle Club, Shamokin Award to a deserving student ($2,000), presented by Traci Beck - JP Lenker.

Shamokin Area Rotary Club Student of the Year to a deserving Rotary student of the year ($200), presented by a member of the Rotary - Cierra Zimmerman.

Family Home Medical Award to an outstanding health occupation careers student ($250), presented by Warren D. Altomare - Cierra Zimmerman.

Shamokin High School Class of 1965 Award to a deserving senior ($1,965), presented by Roger Alleman and Robert Kramer - Tara Blom.

Sylvia Buriak Memorial Award in memory of Sylvia Buriak to a deserving student ($100), presented by Barry M. Buriak - Celina Frieswyk.

Jeremy James Dinklocker Scholarship in memory of Jeremy James Dinklocker presented to a deserving senior student furthering his or her education ($500) by the Erdman family - Teya Smeal.

The News Item Achiever Award to a deserving student ($500), presented by Andrew Heintzelman - Darian Paul.

Elmer "Tim" Shuey Memorial Award to an outstanding senior student ($250) presented by Charles Shuey - Logan Carl.

Shamokin Housing Association Lincoln Towers High Rise Award for an electrical student (two at $50), presented by Traci Beck - Cole Fegley and Christian Duganitz.

Shamokin Housing Association Lincoln Towers High Rise Award for a cosmetology student (six at $35), presented by Traci Beck - Devvon Gallie, Chastity Wimberly, Mary Lolla, Kayleen Reigle, Jessica Tumolo and Madison Reed.

Shamokin Area Lions Club Award to a deserving senior ($100), presented by Traci Beck - Andrew Campbell.

T.J. Schrader Arcos Award to a senior in welding going on to higher education ($250), presented by Traci Beck - Keith Long.

American Legion Post 231, Kulpmont, to a senior in the welding program (two at $100), presented by Traci Beck - Samuel Scretching and Ronald Laniewski.

American Legion Post 231, Kulpmont, to a senior in the electrical program (four at $50), presented by Traci Beck - Levi Long, David Derk, Corey McAndrew and Joseph Peeler.

A&F Automotive Award to a deserving Mount Carmel senior ($100), presented by Traci Beck - Dylan Williams.

Keystone Fish and Game Awardto deserving students (five at $100), presented by Dan Straub - Carleton Lloyd, Erich Meloy, Rachel Stevens, Tyler Kruskie and Josh Feitner.

Northumberland County Career and Technology Center Student Achievement Award to deserving students (eight at $100), presented by Traci Beck - Daniel Searls, Celina Frieswyk, Jonathan Engelke, Rebecka Lippincott, Brenda Neidig, Logan Shaffer, Paul Quincy and Kendall Forney.

Nicole Bramhall Memorial Award to a deserving student ($100), presented by Traci Beck - Eric Weikel.

PSEA Local 603 Award to a deserving senior ($50), presented by the PSEA Local 603 Union - Madison Reed.

Dave Barvitskie Award (two at $25), presented by Traci Beck - Sara Snyder and William Perocier.

Yearbook award to an outstanding member of the yearbook ($50), presented by Traci Beck - Darian Paul.

CATAWISSA RR - The following students were recognized during an awards program Wednesday at Southern Columbia Area High School:

Elysburg Rotary Club Service above Self Award ($1,000) - Seth Joseph.

Jane Quinton Memorial Scholarships (two at $500) - nursing, Connor Houseknecht, and music, Anthony Rodriguez.

Locust Township Police Officers Association ($500) - Kirstein Sharrow.

Catawissa Garden Club Rae Atherton Memorial Scholarship ($300) - Brandon Ciocco.

Ralpho Area Women's Club ($250) - Katelin Ivey.

PEO Star Scholarship ($2,500) - Alyssa Stavinski.

Pheasants Forever ($100) - Brandon Ciocco.

Columbia County Farm Bureau Scholarship - Nicole Hoffman.

Jill Bidelspach Rouse Writing Award ($500) - Tia Billig.

SCA Class of 1979 Scholarship - Kyle Mostik.

SCA Music Booster Scholarships (four at $250)- Adam Mommo, RoseEllen Fahringer, Anthony Rodriguez and Kirstein Sharrow.

Army National Guard Excellence in Leadership Award (certificate) - Austin Wilcox.

Topnotch Woodworks Athletic Scholarships - Bailey Carl and Trent Donlan.

Northumberland County Recreation Committee Scholar/Athlete (two at $100) - Alyssa Stavinski and John Wilson.

Luzerne County Community College certificates of achievement - Brandon Ciocco, Trent Donlan, Michael Klebon and Michael Newton.

Kevin Collins Memorial Scholarship ($200) - Brandon Ciocco and Taylor Hoffman.

Freda Dalious Memorial Scholarship ($500) - Rebecca Harder.

Hospice Memorial Nursing Scholarship ($350) - Rebecca Harder,

Outstanding Visual Artist Award ($200) - Madison Yocum, Samantha Gregorowicz and RoseEllen Fahringer.

Stephen G. Talarovich Memorial Scholarship (two at $250) - Katelin Ivey and Rebecca Harder.

SCEA Tiger Paw Scholarships (four at $250) - Bailey Carl, Samantha Gregorowicz, Anthony Rodriguez and Adam Mommo.

National Honor Society Award ($200) - Anthony Rodriguez.

Tricia Hoffman Honorary Scholarships (four at $100) - Luke Rarig, Kent Lane, Rebecca Harder and Taylor Hoffman.

History Award ($100) - Michael Newton.

Senior Student Coordinator of Forensics ($100) - Thomas Marinelli.

Poppy Grace McCoog Memorial Scholarship ($100) - Rebecca Harder.

SCA World Language Award ($300) - Olivia Green.

The Sandy Rarig Foreign Language Awards (two at $250) - Kirstein Sharrow and Alyssa Stavinski.

Bryan Day Memorial Scholarship - Thomas Marinelli, Michael Newton and Amanda Burns.

FBLA Award ($300) - Madison Yocum.

Cooperative Education Student of the Year (two at $150) - Cole Roadarmel and Brandon Ciocco.

Ralpho Township Business Association Award (two at $500) - Madison Yocum and Olivia Lunger.

Marilyn Henry Memorial Scholarship ($150) - Rebecca Harder.

Geisinger Blood Center High School Scholarship (eight at $250) - Brandon Ciocco, Samantha Clark, Alexandra Evans, Connor Houseknecht, Seth Joseph, Thomas Marinelli, Brady Petrovich and Madison Yocum.

Catawissa American Legion Auxiliary Scholarship ($1,000) - Alyssa Stavinski.

Sons of Catawissa American Legion Post #541 Scholarship ($1,000) - Brady Petrovich.

Catawissa American Legion Post 541 Dennis Haladay Award ($2,000) - Natalie George.

Catawissa American Legion Post 541 Home Association Award ($2,000) - Trent Donlan.

Veterans of Foreign Wars Catawissa Post 8306 (two at $1,000) - Miranda Payeskie and Samantha Schultz.

Catawissa VFW Voice of Democracy Essay Awards - first place ($500), Olivia Bodner; second place ($300), Jansen McDonald, and third place ($200), Alexys Yannes.

Regina Huber Scholarship VFW Post 8306 Ladies Auxiliary ($500) - Kirstein Sharrow.

Bloomsburg Elks Past Exalted Rulers Scholarship ($300) - Kasey Fabian.

Bloomsburg Elks Ray Harley Award ($500) - Vanessa Thomas.

Joseph Makowski Memorial Scholarship ($1,000) - Brandon Ciocco.

First Columbia Bank and Trust Co. ($500) - Adam Weissert.

John D. Hughes Memorial Scholarship ($500) - Katelin Ivey.

Margaret E. Artley Memorial Scholarship ($200) - Kyle Mostik.

Southern Columbia Perfect Attendance for the Year ($25) - Grade 9, Gabrielle Bebenek, Sheila Brassard, Joseph Evans, Domunic Gaines, Andrew Haupt and Ashwini Patel; Grade 10, Leo Bradley and Jessica Henrichs; Grade 11, Tyler Tomaschik; Grade 12: Alexandra Evans and Megan Lunger.

Ralpho Township Alumni/Alvin Pensyl Memorial - Katelin Ivey, Michael Newton and Bradley Noll.

Roaring Creek Valley Grange Awards (two at $100) - Nicole Hoffman and Connor Houseknecht.

Anthony A. Abraczinskas, Jr. Memorial Scholarships - $200, Madison Yocum and Katelin Ivey; $100, Nicole Hoffman and Adriana Townsend.

Elysburg Garden Club ($200) - Adriana Townsend.

Edgar "Ted" Fenstermacher Scholarship ($100) - Nicole Hoffman.

Trichelle Grove Memorial Scholarships (two at $100) - Michael Klebon and Kirstein Sharrow.

Miranda Rose Memorial Scholarship ($500) - Michael Newton.

Terry Stellfox Academic/Athletic Scholarship ($100) - Lucy Williams.

Terry Stellfox Music Award ($100) - Charles Wertman.

The Carissa Berkheiser Memorial Scholarship ($500) - Kessler Crowl.

Stanley (Danny) Quinn Memorial Scholarships (two at $100) - Amber Welkom, softball, and Brandon Ciocco, baseball.

Pennsylvania Wrestling Coaches Association Scholarship - Kent Lane.

Catawissa Lumber Scholarship (two at $500) - Tia Billig and Dustin Durovick.

SCA 700 Club Awards - John Wilson, Ryan Matukaitus, Steven Hricenak, Brady Petrovich, Elyse Noll and Olivia Green.

Calvin Henderson Memorial Award (four at $500) - Alexandra Evans, Collin Dudanowicz, Kyle Mostik and Taylor Hoffman.

Bloomsburg University certificates of achievement - Dustin Durovick, Bradley Noll and Julia Mudrock.

Aqua PA Water Company, Roaring Creek Division Science Achievement Award ($200) - Connor Swank.

William E. Hoffner Post Secondary Education Award ($1,000) - Kessler Crowl.

The SCA Positive Role Model Award in honor of teacher Brent Kelchner ($300) - Bradley Noll.

The Foundation of the Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce Scholarships ($100) - Trystanne Toczylosky.

Values and Character Awards by anonymous donor - Kyle Mostik.

12th Grade Technology Education Achievement Award ($100) - Charles Wertman.

David Walburn Memorial Scholarship ($100) - William Schu.

Thaddeus Trometter Technology Education Achievement Awards (11th grade) - Aaron Kroh and Jacob Potter.

Knoebels Family Farms Scholarships (two at $500) - Nicole Hoffman and Amber Welkom.

William and Dora Kalnoski Memorial Scholarship ($1,900) - Kyle Mostik.

Shoup Family Scholarship ($3,000 year for four years) - John Wilson.

Girls Soccer Booster Scholarship ($500) - Alyssa Stavinski.

Frank Fullmer Memorial Scholarship - Samantha Schultz.

Boys Soccer Booster Scholarship - $200, Jacob Trathen, and $100, Connor Swank.

Boys Basketball Booster Scholarships (three at $350) - Brandon Ciocco, Kyle Mostik and Michael Klebon.

Eric Barnes Memorial Scholarship ($500) - John Wilson.

Tarik Leghlid Memorial Scholarship ($750) - Trent Donlan.

The Justin DeGreen Memorial Scholarship Fund ($500) - Matthew Jeremiah.

Recognition of State Champions - Luke Rarig, Kent Lane and Jacob Ryan.

District IV Female Outstanding Athlete Sportsmanship Award (plaque) - Samantha Schultz.

District IV Male Outstanding Athlete Sportsmanship Award (plaque) - John Wilson.

District IV Outstanding Female Athlete (plaque) - Julia Mudrock.

District IV Outstanding Male Athlete (plaque) - Luke Rarig.

SCA Female Outstanding Athlete (plaque) - Adriana Townsend.

SCA Male Outstanding Athlete (plaque) - Trent Donlan.

Ronald Scott Kohler Memorial Scholarship ($3,300) - Kent Lane.

SHAMOKIN - The Shamokin Area High School alumni held their 132nd annual reunion May 23 at Masser's Banquet Hall, Paxinos.

President Sandra Dilliplane Rossnock (1992) sent 440 letters to alumni scholarship winners asking for a "selfie" of themselves and what they are now doing. The 39 who responded were included in a slide show.

Rossnock presented the Class of 2015 to those attending the banquet, welcoming them to the Alumni Association. Tyler Candelora, denior class president, presented the class pennant to the association.

Entertainment for 202 alumni, seniors, parents and friends was presented by the senior cChoral students under the direction of Mary Anne Brennan Stump (2000). They sang two musical numbers, "Wooly Booly," a 1965 hit by Sam The Sham & The Pharoahs, and "It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing), a 1931 composition by Duke Ellington.

Mary Anne Pitorak Miller (1974), with the help of attending seniors and Bill Korbich (1954)'s grandchildren, coordinated the prize drawings.

Todd Nye (1989), vice president, recognized anniversary classes and where applicable, their contributions to the education and general Funds:

- 1945 Class: One class member donated more than $400. A check for $1,408 was given to the association.

- 1955 Class: Nine members attended, presenting $2,227.

- 1960 Class: One member presented a check for $555 for the education fund. Two members attended from the Class of 1970.

- 1975 Class: Two members attended. A 40-year reunion is planned for Aug. 15, and memorial contributions will be collected then for class adviser Charles Bartol.

No members attended from the classes of 1950, 1980, 1985, 1995, 2000, 2005 and 2010. One member from the diamond anniversary class of 1940 attended.

Two members from the silver anniversary class (1990) presented a check for $250.

- Twenty-five members from the golden anniversary class (1965) presented a check for $1,140..

The class of 1956 has presented a check annually for $195.60 and encourage other classes to make the same effort.

Al Fecko from the Class of 1936 was recognized.

The distance award was presented by Nye to Carol Lark (1965), who came from Carmel, Calif.

Eugene Boughner (1960) and Haas '75 presented the alumni scholarship awards. These are awards for four years. Forty-six students took the test. Seven awards are from the Coal Township Alumni Association, and eight are from Shamokin Area High School Alumni Association (SA).

Recipients' yearly awards amount, college choice and their major emphasis are:

- 1st - Brett Long, (CT), $3,000, Drexel University, engineering.

- 2nd - Jacob Snyder, (SA), $3,000, Bucknell University, engineering.

- 3rd - Elizabeth Kapushinski, (CT), $2,500, Seton Hill University, biology/psychology.

- 4th - Joseph Deptula, (SA), $2,500, Penn State University, civil engineering.

- 5th - Zachary Koharski, (SA), $2,200, Misericordia University, physician assistant.

- 6th - Graeme Shappell, (CT), $2,000, Messiah College, music education.

- 7th - Casey Wilson, (CT), $2,000, Bucknell University, engineering.

- 8th - Richard Brown, (CT), $2,000, Lebanon Valley College, music business.

- 9th - Zachary Moyer, (CT), $2,000, Penn State University, civil engineering.

- 10th - Megan Dimmick, (CT), $2,000, Penn State University, bio med engineering.

- 11th - Stephen Latsha, (SA), $2,000, Penn State University, undeclared.

- 12th - Megan Kerstetter, (SA), $1,800, York College, nursing.

- 13th - Jarret Willis, (SA), $1,500, Bloomsburg University, biology.

- 14th - Rhiannon McKinney, (SA), $1,200, Penn State University, pre-med.

- 15th - Jasmine Coleman, (SA), $1,000, Delaware Valley University, livestock science management.

Chris Venna, high school principal, reported the school's Stock Market Team placed in top 1 percent in the state (out of 2,865 teams). Teacher Dave Kopitsky was named Teacher of the Year by Economics Pennsylvania.

He reported on students' scores on advanced placement exams, new athletic equipment, students' athletic successes. music and arts and year-end programs.

Boughner acknowledged Korbich, who is retiring as treasurer of the sssociation after 20 years of service. Haas presented him with a money tree in appreciation for his many years of service. 

Named to the education (scholarship) committee for a five-year period were Haas, Frances Brennan Culp (1963), Dr. Raymond General (1991), and Jeffrey Clutcher (1978), who will serve the unexpired term of David Donmoyer until 2018.

Approved as officers were: Nye, president; Tammy Linton Glowatski (1987), vice president; Jamie Hoffman Bordell (1975), secretary; Gregory Dwulet (1968), treasurer; Clutcher, registrar, and Helen Jane Murphy (1943), historian.

PAXINOS - The Northumberland Chapter of the Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees (PASR) recently held its annual spring meeting at Masser's Restaurant in Paxinos. Almost 30 members attended.

Guest speaker was Jeanne Shaffer, director of the Northumberland County Council for the Arts and the Humanities. She talked about the group's activities, especially Shamokin's 10th annual Anthracite Heritage Festival of the Arts.

Shaffer also spoke about the Kallaway House along Lincoln Street in Shamokin. She told members how the house was acquired and about ongoing activities there. She invited all to visit the house and participate in the activities.

President Peggy Morris conducted the meeting, which included a mini-food drive to benefit the local pantry and solicitation of officers and members' volunteer hour forms. Carole Hepner conducted a memorial service for recently deceased members.

The next meeting of the Northumberland Chapter of PASR will be in October. New members and potential officers are welcome. For further details, contact Morris at 570-648-2808.

MOUNT CARMEL - The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of Mount Carmel Lodge 356 announced the Mount Carmel Area Elks Students of the Year. Students were presented with certificates by Elks lodge representatives.

Student of the Year is a senior, Chris Stellar, a son of Bernard and Michele Stellar of Den Mar Gardens. Stellar is president of the chemistry club, vice president of the senior high chorus, marching, symphonic, jazz and pep bands and a captain of the varsity soccer team. He is also a member of the tech ed club and Spanish club and had a lead role in school musicals for the past three years. Chris has participated in District 8 Band and jazz and Susquehanna University and Lebanon Valley College honors bands. He has been chosen as this year's WVIA Artist of the Week, is a member of the National Honor society and is on the distinguished honor roll. In his free time he enjoys playing soccer and video games and playing and listening to music. He plans to attend Susquehanna University to major in music education.

Junior student of the year is Carl Darrup, a son of Jim and Anne Darrup, of Mount Carmel. Darrup's activities include marching, symphonic, jazz and pep bands, chorus, the high school musical, Interact club, peer mediation, Odyssey of the Mind, Future Nurses of America and scholastic scrimmage. He is an altar server for his church and was also the sophomore class president. Darrup won the Elks teenager of the month and teenager of the year in 2014. He is in the junior National Honor Society and on the distinguished honor roll. His interests include music, readingand spending time with friends and family.

Teenager of the Year is freshman Ben McFadden, a son of William and Ann McFadden, of Oak Rridge Estates. He is a former Merit award winner and Elks Teen of the Month. He is a three-time winner of the entrepreneurship challenge and is a member of Odyssey of the Mind. He is on the freshman football team, a member of the MCA band, TV studio, and is an altar server for Divine Redeemer Church. McFadden is also in Boy Scouts and is working toward his Eagle Scout award. He likes to watch television, play video games and read graphic novels. He plans to attend college to major in engineering.

Junior teen of the year is seventh grade student Michael Balichik, a son of Michael and Kathy Balichik, of Mount Carmel. He is on the distinguished honor roll, was a 2014 Merit Award recipient and a recent junior high pride award winner. He is an altar server at Divine Redeemer Church, and is also a member of the Girardville Basketball league, Black Diamonds Travel Baseball and VFW Little League. His hobbies include reading and playing sports.

SUNBURY - The 59-year-old man police say delivered a fatal dose of prescription painkillers to a 9-year-old boy in October claims media coverage of his case will prevent a fair trial.

A motion was filed Friday on behalf of Victor W. Hare III, of 196 Springhouse Road, Point Township, asking that a Northumberland County judge transfer the trial to another county or bring in an out-of-county jury. A hearing on the motion is requested. Trial isn't expected until October at the earliest.

Police said Hare provided oxycodone and alcohol to Korbin Rager during a sleepover at Hare's home Oct. 12 to 13. Toxicology testing found Rager had 12 times the maximum therapeutic range of oxycodone for an adult in his system. An autopsy ruled his death a homicide.

Hare's motion cites the victim's "tender age" and resulting publicity through local and national media coverage as well as public memorials, fundraisers and word of mouth. Hare's name and criminal history have been widely reported as a result, the motion states, jeopardizing his right to a fair trial as guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment.

"Defendant believes and therefore avers that the sensationalized and inflammatory expansive pretrial publicity in this matter has indeed prejudiced his right to a fair and impartial jury chosen from the citizens within Northumberland County," the motion states.

Hare previously asked a judge to issue a gag order to the media, an impossible request. A gag order could be issued to specific participants in the case from speaking with the media.

Hare has been jailed since his arrest hours after the overdose on charges of endangering the welfare of a child and unlawful possession of a firearm. Toxicology results spurred a new set of more serious charges filed in March, including drug delivery resulting in death and involuntary manslaughter. Total bail on all charges remains $1,040,000.

District Attorney Ann Targonski intends to withdraw the initial child endangerment charge.

Two counts of endangerment are included in the new set.

Hare appeared Friday before Judge Charles H. Saylor for a pre-trial conference. At one point, he became agitated, raising his voice and appearing visibly upset while speaking with his attorney, county conflicts counsel Kate Lincoln. He quieted after Lincoln asked him no fewer than five times to calm down.

Saylor denied Hare's request to speak during the conference, saying there was no court reporter on hand to record his comments. The judge directed him to voice his concerns with his attorney. When the proceeding ended, Hare was led out of the courtroom by county prison staff and a deputy sheriff as he twice muttered, "This is bull----."

Although the overdose trial was continued Friday into the fall, the firearms charge, filed as a separate case, remains scheduled to be tried in July. Saylor granted Targonski's request that it remain on the summer docket. The prosecution will largely rely on police officer testimony, much less complicated than the forensic evidence and expert testimony likely for the overdose case, she said.

HARRISBURG - State Sen. John R. Gordner (R-27) has been unanimously elected chairman of the Capitol Preservation Committee. Gordner is only the third chair in the 33-year history of the committee and is the first Senate member to be elected to the position.

The committee was created by the General Assembly through legislation in 1982. Its purpose is to conserve, preserve and maintain the Capitol Building, considered to be the most ornate of the 50 state capitol buildings. It is an independent committee consisting of members of the Senate and the House, along with a representative of the courts, the Secretary of General Services, a member of the state Historical and Museum Commission and private citizens appointed by the governor.

"The Capitol had fallen into a state of disrepair by the early 1980s. House Speaker Matthew Ryan and former Speaker K. Leroy Irvis led efforts to create the committee, which was then charged with restoring the Capitol to its original state by the 100th anniversary in 2006," Gordner was quoted in a press release from his Harrisburg office. "Having met that goal, the committee now focuses its efforts on historic maintenance of the building, along with the Capitol grounds and other historic structures in the Capitol complex."

The committee funds restoration projects and operating expenses through a modest line item in the state budget, while a Capitol Restoration Trust Fund consisting of private donations and sales of commemorative items finances special projects, such as original art and furniture acquisitions.

"I encourage all Pennsylvanians to visit our beautiful state Capitol to learn about the history of the commonwealth as well as enjoy the splendid architecture and artwork in the building," Gordner said.

Gordner has been a member of the Capitol Preservation Committee since 2007 and had served as treasurer.

Beach at Locust Lake closed

BARNESVILLE - The state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced Thursday that the beach at Locust Lake State Park is closed until further notice due to high coliform levels.

SASB to hold special meeting

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

Website open to report Internet crimes

SUNBURY - Northumberland County District Attorney Ann Targonski announced the availablity of a website for the public to report crimes involving the Internet.

The website, the "Internet Crimes Complaint Center," was established as a partnership between the FBI and the National White Collar Crime Center to receive Internet-related criminal complaints and to further research, develop and refer the complaints to federal, state, local or international law enforcement and/or regulatory agencies for any investigation they deem to be appropriate.

Citizens who have been victimized by Internet scams or other unlawful behavior involving the Internet are strongly encouraged to visit www.IC3.gov and click on the "File a Complaint" tab found at the top of the home page.

SAN ANTONIO, Texas - Air Force Airman 1st Class Jodi A. Smith graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.

The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.

Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

Smith is a daughter of George and Joanne Smith, of Shamokin.

She is a 2014 graduate of Shamokin Area Middle/High School.

SUNBURY - The Cook Smart, Eat Smart cooking program will teach you how to prepare simple, healthy, and delicious food for you and your family.

Cook Smart Eat Smart keeps it simple - simple healthy preparation techniques, simple ingredients, and simple equipment. Each session contains basic cooking techniques and topics related to eating and preparing foods at home. Learn how to prepare tasty and healthy meals at home you and your whole family will enjoy. Save time, money and make new friends.

Class appropriate for college students, young adults, a parent and teen, or anyone who wants to learn how to cook. Lessons include food demonstrations, student hands on food preparation and tastings. Topics include knife skills, one pot meals, packet cooking, salad dressings and marinades, understanding Nutrition Facts labels, family-favorites, entertaining, and more.

The program will be held from 6 to 8 p.m.Wednesdays July 15, 22 and 29 and Aug. 5 at the Penn State Extension office in Northumberland County, 443 Plum Creek Road, Sunbury. The registration fee is $65 for all four classes, or $20 per class. It includes cookbook, handouts, food and food thermometer. Cost is $40 extra for a couple. Registration deadline is July 13,.

There are three ways to register:

- Online at http://extension.psu.edu/health Look under events, scroll down to Cook Smart Eat Smart classes. Payment can be made using any major credit card.

By phone at 570-988-3950.

- By mail together with your check made payable to "PSCE Program Fund" to: Penn State Extension Northumberland County, 443 Plum Creek Road, Sunbury,17801.

For more information about the Cook Smart Eat Smart program, contact course instructor Lynn James at Ljames@psu.edu or 570-988-3950. A limited number of course scholarships are available; contact the office for more information.

SUNBURY - The suspect jailed in a near deadly shooting on Irish Valley Road in February 2014 is accused of preying on the victim's emotions in an attempt to convince her not to cooperate with investigators.

State police say Rafael A. Diroche Jr., 30, of Mount Carmel, used the telephone accounts of other inmates at Northumberland County Prison to call Salicia Yost, of Milton, and plead, threaten and coerce her to lie about the shooting and skip hearings.

Diroche is charged by Trooper Kevin Kearney of the Stonington station with felony counts of intimidation of a witness and crimi-

nal solicitation of perjury. He was arraigned Wednesday before Magisterial District Judge Benjamin Apfelbaum, and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 16. Bail is set at $750,000, raising the total to $1.25 million. He's held in the county prison section of SCI-Coal Township.

According to a criminal complaint filed Monday, he pledged to buy a home in the Dominican Republic where he and Yost would live a "happy life" together and have a child in exchange for her obedience.

"He apologizes for what he did that night and that he overreacted," the complaint alleges.

Multiple conversations were recorded between the two from Nov. 14, 2014, until the prison was destroyed by fire Jan. 14, according to the complaint. An announcement is made at the outset of prison calls that all calls are recorded. Police say Diroche dismissed the warning since he was using others' accounts. Yost reportedly acknowledges that police obtained text messages shared between her and Diroche, and that she had already told investigators it was Diroche who shot her.

Diroche has maintained innocence against state police accusations that he shot Yost in the head point blank Feb. 8. She was discovered by a passerby alone inside a vehicle along Irish Valley Road. The gunshot nearly killed the 22-year-old Milton woman and left her legally blind.

In a November interview video recorded by The Daily Item, Yost said Diroche wasn't the shooter, that confusion and a resulting head injury led her to initially implicate him to police, and that she was not dealing drugs as alleged by police. Police claim the two were partners in the drug trade and also lovers, and that a heated exchange ended with the gunshot.

The latest charges are an addition to an already loaded docket against Diroche: attempted homicide, aggravated assault, attempted aggravated assault and corrupt organizations. He's also charged by Mount Carmel police with 22 counts including felony drug possession and illegal possession of a firearm. The shooting and drug cases have since been merged.

SHAMOKIN - Saturday morning marked a slow start to the 2015 season at the city's public swimming pool, and that suited city technician Larry Strausser just fine.

It allows time to work out the kinks before business picks up once school's out for summer.

When temperatures are high and the air is muggy, somewhere between 400 and 500 customers show up to cool off at the 400,000 gallon pool on Rock Street, formally known as the Lawton W. Shroyer Memorial Swimming Pool. Between 200 and

300 come when the weather isn't quite as hot.

"Obviously, if it's hot, they come. If it's not, they don't. It's a pretty simple formula," Strausser said with a laugh.

Hamburgers sizzled on a griddle as the noon hour approached Saturday. The window from the concession stand was opened, and pop music played from the radio. Five lifeguards hung whistles around their necks and positioned themselves about the pool.

A dozen people showed up within minutes of the noon opening. They were regulars. A pair of moms bought season passes for themselves and their children. Yana Swilp, of Shamokin, said she will come daily; it's nice and quiet.

Weston French, 14, of Coal Township, was enthusiastic about the pool's opening. He and Patrick Gibson, 15, of Shamokin, were hanging about the clubhouse. They're regulars, too.

"I like the pool because it's quiet and real peaceful," French said. Moments later he called out to Strausser, "How's the water, Larry?"

The water was cold Saturday - about 70 degrees. It'll warm up as the sun beats down daily. About 78 degrees is ideal, Strausser said.

There were no significant upgrades this year, but general maintenance kept Strausser and city employees busy ahead of opening day. The shell was painted and patched, new signs were installed. A chair lift is on order. The wading pool is temporarily closed and will open after it's also painted.

The wading pool is in line for renovations, perhaps as soon as next year. Strausser said it will be enlarged and converted into a zero depth entry so people can walk in rather than drop down. Features like water buckets and squirt guns may be added, too. About $100,000 in state grant funding will be needed, Strausser said. A splash pad would be a great addition, Strausser said, but at three times the cost, it isn't affordable.

The swimming pool is by no means a moneymaker. Strausser estimates its revenues fall short between $10,000 and $15,000 annually. The recreation tax makes up the difference. The pool has been targeted by some in the community as a candidate for closure since Shamokin's finances are troubled. Strausser doesn't agree with that idea.

Mount Carmel's pool is closed. Trevorton's too. The value of Shamokin's pool can't be measured in revenue; rather, it should be viewed as one of few recreational options in a town in need of more.

"What else do these kids have?" he asked.

Hours today are noon to 6 p.m. This week it will open 3 to 7 p.m. as the school year winds to a close before again reverting back to noon to 6 p.m. Saturday for the remainder of the summer. New this year is half-price admission after 3 p.m.

Daily admission is $6 for adults, $4 for students and senior citizens, $3 for kids 2 to 4 years old and free for children younger than that. Family and individual passes are available, and the pool is available to rent for parties. For more information, call 570-644-4789.

Divorces

Michael J.R. McDevitt, 174 N. Main St., Herndon, from Pamela J. McDevitt, 1593 Urban Road, Herndon. Married Aug. 27, 2005.

Marriage licenses

Michael W. Gerrity and Nicole Marie Persing, both of 42 Mountain Road, Shamokin. Issued June 4.

Robert John Anderson and Nichole Nahodil, both of 724 E. Cameron St., Shamokin. Issued June 5.

Angel Luis Perez Jr. and Leticia Guadalupe Vasquez, both of 722 S. Front St., Sunbury. Issued June 5.

Jordan Ryan Bixler and Kathleen Marie Yost, both of 725 Mahanoy St., Trevorton. Issued June 6.

Ralph O. Alderson Jr. and Ann M. Steinhart, both of 101 N. Ash St., Apt. 607, Coal Township. To be issued June 8.

Nathan Roy Thompson, of 367 Front St., Apt. 1, Northumberland, to Bethany Nan Guthrie, of 139 Spruce St., Elysburg. To be issued June 8.

Charles Vincent Gratti Jr. and Melanie Lisa Blank, both of 428 Center St., Coal Township. To be issued June 8.

Michael Joseph Macaluso and Nicole Marie Lewis, both of 36 S. Seventh St., Shamokin. To be issued June 8.

Jesse Darren Newcomer, of 126 S. Front St., Milton, to Megan Rose Rickert, of 299 Doutyville Road, Shamokin. To be issued June 8.

Bruce L. Long Jr. and Brandy M. Latsha, both of 1072 Hickory Road, Dalmatia. To be issued June 8.

Matthew RJ Siko and Amy Lynn Johns, both of 610 Pine St., Kulpmont. Filed May 24.

Property transfers

Dennis Kodack Jr. to Daniel C. and Candis I. Bensinger, property in Shamokin, $17,000.

Lucetta E. Moyer estate, Susan E. Portzline Marsh, Thomas E. and Timothy L. Moyer, Margie L. Wolfgang to Michael F. Gilroy, Cathy L. Persing, property in Sunbury, $99,700.

Brient A. and Louise A. Wiest to Brandi L. Boyer, property in Zerbe Township, $1.

Jeremy L. and Cathy A. Reichenbach to Jeremy L. Reichenbach, property in Shamokin, $1.

David W. and Debra L. Drumheller to Dustin A. Letterman, Marissa A. Rhine, property in Jackson Township, $175,000.

Shirley O'Neil to Jon S. Ferguson, property in Riverside, $40,000.

Wayne R. and Cindy Herb, Jennifer A. Eisenhauer, Jennifer A. Rupp to Jennifer A. Rupp, property in Lower Mahanoy Township, $1.

Gene and Shirley M. Harris to Todd M. and Karen A. Mace, property in Lower Mahanoy Township, $175,000.

Kendall L. and Michelle Martin to David Laray Hurst, David Lamar Hurst, Dorcas E. Hurst, property in Rush Township, $240,000.

Landmark Signature Homes LLC to John W. and Erin R. Ross, property in Riverside, $466,000.

Thomas R. Zujkiewicz to Thomas R. Zujkiewicz, Cynthia F. Startzel, property in Mount Carmel Township, $1.

Matthew M. Miller, Chelsea M. Lopez, Chelsea M. Miller, William G. Lopez to Jeff D. Hampton, property in Mount Carmel, $18,000.

Amanda L. Miller, David J. Lauer to Charles J. Furdalewicz, property in Coal Township, $2,000.

George Mall, Pearl Yodis to Mary Ann Abate, property in Mount Carmel Township, $1,000.

PQ Housing LLC to Joseph A. Porcelli, Abigail A. Ruk, property in Riverside, $154,000.

Marion K. Kreitzer estate, John H. Kreitzer II, Joanne E. Goode to John H. Kreitzer II, Joanne E. Goode, property in Sunbury, $1.

Mid State Realty LLC to Geisinger Clinic, property in Sunbury, $1.

James A. and Melissa A. Brouse to Melissa A. Brouse, property in Ralpho Township, $1.

Angelique M. Shaffer, Angelique M. and Benjamin J. Heim to Holly M. Temple, property in Sunbury, $30,000.

Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to Lisa A. Thompson, property in Shamokin Township, $16,000.

John R. Simeone, Shirley O. and Michael Reigle to John R. and Karen L. Simeone.

William H. and Cheri A. Hoffman to Cheri A. Hoffman, Stephany L. Humenik, property in Herndon, $1.

Jamie J. Imes, Jamie J. and Zachary Hess to Frederick A. and Elizabeth A. Gonsar, property in Sunbury, $75,000.

Richard A. Steinhart to Richard A. and Virginia A. Steinhart, property in Coal Township, $1.

Johnston City United Methodist Church to Ranshaw Civic Association LLC, property in Coal Township, $1.

Joseph L. and Loretta J. Dinger to Kelly A. Snyder, property in Coal Township, $45,000.

Greta A. Wagner to Heather M. Betz, property in Riverside, $199,000.

Bradley G. and Jessica V. Haas to Robert C. and Molly A. Haas, property in Riverside, $1.

Janet R. and Diane J. Wolfe to Diane J. Wolfe, property in Jordan Township, $1.

Kenneth D. Miller to Kenneth D. and Susan E. Miller, property in Upper Augusta Township, $1.

Linzy LLC to Wert Investments LLC, property in Upper Augusta Township, $840,000.

HARRISBURG - A bill that would allow counties to collect up to $15 on deeds and mortgages they record to establish a demolition fund for use on blighted properties is expected to come up for a vote in the Senate next week.

Sen. John Gordner (R-27) said he supports the bill, which is sponsored by Sen. David Argall of Schuylkill and Berks counties. If approved by the Senate, the bill would move to the state House of Representatives.

Jon Hopcraft, Argall's communication director, said the senator wanted to create a specific fund for the use of demolishing blighted properties. He explored multiple methods of raising money before settling on the recording of deeds and mortgages because it "made the most sense," Hopcraft said.

Ed Christiano, leader of Northumberland County's Blight Task Force, said demolition funds are needed, especially in the southeastern portion of the county.

"The Shamokin-Mount Carmel area seems to have the most blighted property that just owe for back taxes

and sit there. Year after year they get worse," he said. "A lot of them can't be rehabbed - they're just that far gone."

Christiano said some state and federal grants are available to demolish blighted properties, but many times a county match is needed. Because this legislation stipulates all money raised in the county remains there, he hopes the fund would make matching grants easier.

Mary Zimmerman, county register and recorder, said 5,253 documents were recorded last year, which she said is a typical number. If the maximum $15 fee was imposed, approximately $79,000 would have been raised.

Christiano said he was unable to estimate the amount needed to demolish all of the county's blighted properties that could not be rehabilitated.

"We're talking big bucks," he said.

Rick Bozza, Shamokin code officer, said the city had 40 or 50 blighted properties that need to be demolished, a fraction of the "well over 100" total blighted properties.

"A lot of them I'd like to rehabilitate to keep them on the tax rolls," he said. "We have other avenues for that."

Edward T. Cuff III, Mount Carmel Borough manager, provided a list of 22 properties that should be demolished, including several damaged by fire. He estimated it would cost $365,000 to demolish all - nearly five times the total amount the fee would raise county-wide.

Tony Matulewicz, borough council president, said blight is the number one issue council members receive complaints about. While he said he typically opposes new taxes, he believes removal of blighted properties would result in increased property values throughout the borough - a benefit he thought outweighed the small fee.

"No one wants to purchase a home or build a new home anywhere near a blighted property," he said. "The few that we can afford to remove are only the worst of the worst."

Christiano said the blight task force is currently working on an ambitious project that would rehabilitate and demolish blight in the Shamokin-Coal Township area. Though the project is funded by a million dollars of state and local money, only a fraction of the total blight will be removed.

To continue fighting blight, more demolition money will be needed because many of the buildings are so damaged a private sector buyer could never turn a profit on them, he said.

"That's where the public sector needs to step up," he said.