SUNBURY - The Northumberland County Bar Association welcomed four new members to its ranks during a June 22 ceremony at the county courthouse.

New members sworn in by President Judge William H. Wiest and Judge Charles H. Saylor include Julia Skinner, of Mount Carmel, Rachael D. Glasoe, of Potts Grove, William J. Novick IV, of Tatamy, and Tiffanie Baldock, of Selinsgrove.

Bar association president and Northumberland County District Attorney Ann Targonski stated, "It is with great pleasure that I present to the court four new members to the ranks of the Northumberland County Bar. It is refreshing to have these four young and energetic attorneys to present to the court."

Skinner is a 2006 graduate of Purdue University and 2013 graduate of Widener University School of Law in Harrisburg.

She has been working as a Northumberland County assistant district attorney since July 2014 and was previously employed in Monroe County as a law clerk to President Judge Margherita Worthington.

She also was employed as an intern with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission and the Appellate Division of the Cumberland County District Attorney's Office. She served as a research assistant at Widner University for Professor Juliet Moringiello.

Skinner was born and raised in Mount Carmel. She is a daughter of John and Judy Skinner, of Mount Carmel, and a graduate of Mount Carmel Area High School.

Glasoe was born and raised in Erie. She graduated from Alfred University in New York and the University of San Diego School of Law in San Diego, Calif.

She worked in the Brazoria County District Attorney's Office and Caldwell County District Attorney's Office for eight years as a prosecutor for the juvenile divisions and as the Child Protective Services attorney. She prosecuted misdemeanor and felony cases ranging from fine only matters to full jury trials.

Glasoe resides with her husband, Tom, in Potts Grove, where he serves as pastor at Follmer Lutheran Parish. They are the parents of a 15-month-old son, Jackson,

Novick is a 2009 graduate of St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia, and received his Juris Doctorate in 2012 from William & Mary School of Law in Williamsburg, Va.

During law school, he worked as a research fellow for Professor John Lee, where he researched a variety of tax issues for presentation in 2011 at the law tax conference at William & Mary. He also interned at the Internal Revenue Service in the spring of 2012.

Following graduation, he worked as a law clerk for the Honorable Arthur L. Zulick in Monroe County.

Novick has been employed part time in the Northumberland County District Attorney's Office since March.

Baldock, a native of Pennsville, N.J., graduated from Penn State University at University Park.

She became a member of the Pennsylvania and New Jersey bar associations in 2013 following her graduation from Rutgers University School of Law in Camden, N.J.

During her law school years, she worked in the Federal Prisoner Re-Entry Project at Rutgers.

She also interned with Judge Charles Cunningham III in Philadelphia as well as the State Commission of Investigations in Trenton, N.J.

She is serving as a law clerk to the Honorable Charles H. Saylor in Sunbury.

Following the swearing-in ceremonies, new members were invited to lunch at the Edison Hotel in Sunbury as guests of the Northumberland County Bar Association.

SHAMOKIN - One building was torn down in the city Wednesday while another across town inched further toward falling down on its own.

A double-home at Pearl and Commerce streets is expected to undergo emergency demolition as soon as late next week. A partial collapse occurred Wednesday, the latest in a series of partial collapses that has clearly marked 625-627 E. Commerce St. among the most dangerous of the blighted properties in Shamokin.

The state Department of Community and Economic Development is asked by the city to immediately release a portion of its Community Development Block Grant funds. Two quotes have already been submitted by demolition contractors with a third expected today.

Debris has fallen from the top floor to the first floor. Support beams are bending and a staircase has completely

collapsed. The deterioration is easily visible through a gaping hole opened floor-to-ceiling on the Pearl Street side.

"It is abundantly clear that the structure presents immediate danger," city engineer Mike Brinkash wrote in a letter to city council following an inspection at 10 a.m. Wednesday. He and a colleague looked it over from the street. It's too dangerous to enter. Brinkash recommends evacuating the immediate area for initial demolition, and it has since been closed off.

The property owner is nowhere to be found, and it's not as if city officials haven't been looking for Jhoel Leonardo, a New York man. Code officer Rick Bozza began enforcement efforts in August 2013. Attempts to contact Leonardo failed repeatedly. Six citations followed over the past two years, including three from Cpl. Bryan Primerano. None were ever answered. An arrest warrant was issued for Leonardo, and New York state troopers went to the Queens address the city has on record. Bozza said it was invalid.

The city had more luck with a blighted home at Arch and Coal streets, across from the Independence Fire Company.

Like the Commerce Street property and dozens of others, Bozza and Primerano targeted the owner with citations. At a recent hearing before a district judge, Bozza said Cynthia Romig agreed to hire a contractor to demolish 224 W. Arch St.

An excavator began tearing at the roof Wednesday morning. By evening the site was largely cleared of debris.

The property was in the news in September 2012 when a Shamokin man attempted to burn it down by setting four separate fires inside. Police say he was trying to cover up the theft of copper wiring. He was arrested, and the fire was extinguished before it could cause any major damage.

There are 72 properties in the city currently on the code office's blight list. At the least owners have been sent notice that the properties need to be brought to code or torn down. Citations follow. Nine properties in the program have been successfully addressed, Bozza said.

One of the absconded Northumberland County criminals to be featured on billboards, which weren't completed as expected Wednesday, is already in custody anyway - on a murder charge.

Angel Colon, 36, of Atlas, is in the New York state prison system, it was confirmed within an hour of posting his and three other faces - the same four intended for the billboards - on the sheriff office's Facebook page Wednesday morning.

"In this case, we didn't do our job and now someone is dead," said Justin Dunkelberger, county prothonotary and a member of the Cost Collection Task Force that created the billboard idea. "If anything, this shows that we need to do a better job of getting the people on these warrants in custody."

A second of the four featured criminals is also already in custody.

Featuring "wanted" men who aren't on the lam is indicative of a sour introduction for

the much-anticipated billboards, located along Route 901 near Ranshaw and on Route 54 in Natalie. The choice of four men who were all released from Northumberland County custody on nominal bail because of not being brought to trial in 365 days raised suspicions from the district attorney that the project had a political slant.

Topping it off is the fact that the firm hired to paste up the new art on the billboards didn't get them done Wednesday. At last word from Dunkelberger, they were still at work in Tunkhannock at 3 p.m., and the billboards, erected a month ago without faces or names, remained in that state as of 10 p.m. Wednesday.

Politics at work?

DA Ann Targonski, upon learning that all four men chosen for the billboards are "Rule 600 cases" and were released on $1 bail, suggested the picks were politically motivated to help her opponent in November's election. She's running against Tony Matulewicz, who is solicitor for the sheriff's office, and Sheriff Robert Wolfe is on the collections task force.

"I find it very interesting that these four would be on the billboard," Targonski said, noting bail and the speed of the judicial process were issues in the primary campaign. "I have my suspicions about the thought process used. I certainly hope that public funds are not being used to influence a political campaign."

Wolfe and Matulewicz, who, like Targonski are Democrats, refuted those claims.

"That idea never came into my head. None of that information was placed into our discussion," the sheriff said. "We have to remember that each and every person on the list, for whatever reason, has a warrant for their arrest, and we decided this time to go after some pretty bad individuals."

Wolfe, who said he has no favorites in the DA race, said he had a private conversation with Targonski Wednesday afternoon about the matter.

"I would appreciate it if the candidates for district attorney would keep their political business out of my office," he said Wednesday evening, noting he has his own election to worry about. "I never played politics and never will."

Matulewicz, who won a write-in campaign on the Republican ticket in May, said he has had "little to no input" with the task force.

"The sheriff asked me about what to look for when screening the comments made to the Facebook page and the legalities of it," Matulewicz said. "Other than that, I was not asked about the billboards and was not involved with them."

In addition to Colon, the others scheduled for the billboards were Donald Anderson, 42, of Mount Carmel; Donnie Carl Sr., 28, of Hegins; and Jason Russell, 29, of Harrisburg.

Targonski noted that none of them owe any money to the county, but were merely wanted for failing to appear in court.

"An individual does not owe any court costs or fines unless they are convicted, and none of these people was convicted," Targonski said. "It's a waste of resources if their goal was to collect money for the county."

Dunkelberger, who along with Wolfe serves on the task force with Chief Adult Probation Officer Jim Cortelyou and President Judge William H. Wiest, said there was considerable publicity about the intent being to catch those delinquent on child support or who owe restitution to crime victims, but that wasn't necessarily an accurate reflection of the plan. The motivation was to bring criminals to justice, he said.

"This first one is showing some pretty bad people that we want to get off the streets," Dunkelberger said. "What we are hoping is that those that owe fines or court costs see what we are doing and do everything they can not to be up on the billboard."

Northumberland County's warrant on Colon was issued on Aug. 1, 2013, after he missed a status conference on charges of aggravated assault, simple assault, harassment, disorderly conduct and driving while his operating privileges are suspended.

Carl, wanted for missing a bench hearing on firearms charges, was arrested Jan. 2 in Berks County on narcotic offenses and is in county prison in Leesport on $50,000 bail, awaiting an Aug. 19 trial date.

Targonski said that was easy to find out with a quick computer search.

"I found the information in five minutes," she said.

Dunkelberger said the names selected came from the sheriff's office and probation department, with the prothonotary's office consulting with county Children and Youth and the Public Defender's office where applicable.

He noted the effort to gauge impact on home life, including affecting the defendants' children.

"There are a couple of individuals on our list that we are holding off on because of factors with children," he said.

Russell faces eight counts of delivery of a controlled substance; he's charged by Shamokin police with selling narcotics to a confidential informant on six occasions. A bench warrant was issued March 6 after he failed to appear for a pre-trial conference.

Anderson, 42 was charged by state police at Milton for unlawful contact with a minor-sexual offenses, with a warrant issued on July 11, 2014, after he missed a pre-trial conference in county court.

Call or Facebook

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the fugitives can contact the warrant line at 570-863-3503 or send tips through the Northumberland County Sheriff's Office Facebook page.

Dunkelberger and Wolfe said they will be working on new names to place on the billboard in the next day or two because of two already being in custody.

The plan involves pasting new faces on the billboards and on Facebook after 30 days. The preliminary billboards that went up included five blank faces, and one will remain that way with the words, "This could be you," in the empty silhouette.

WILLIAMSPORT - Northumberland County Commissioners Stephen Bridy and Vinny Clausi have appealed federal Judge Matthew W. Brann's order granting a preliminary injunction that revokes their vote to eliminate the weatherization department June 30.

Meanwhile, the seven weatherization department employees are continuing to perform their normal duties while their federal lawsuit against the county and the two commissioners who voted to close their department moves forward.

While the workers were on the job Wednesday, Attorney Brian H. Leinhauser of The MacMain Law Group, Malvern, which represents the defendants, filed a motion Tuesday in federal court in Williamsport seeking clarification or reconsideration of Brann's order.

The motion requests Brann to enter an amended order to stay implementation of the commissioners' April 7 vote, pending the outcome of a trial on the merits of the allegations contained in the plaintiffs' amended complaint.

Bridy and Clausi said they remain confident the county will prevail in the lawsuit and an unfair labor practice filed against them by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, which represents the weatherization employees.

A hearing on the unfair labor practice is scheduled for Dec. 14 before the state Labor Relations Board in Harrisburg.

Lawyers for weatherization department employees Dwayne Scicchitano, Pamela Bollinger, Robert McAndrew, David Yakoboski, Barry Schweitzer, Jim Bressi and Albert Benedict Jr. have 14 days to respond to Leinhauser's motion. If no response is issued in the next two weeks, Brann will rule on the motion.

'Excuse' to lay off

Wednesday morning, Scicchitano, the department coordinator, and Bollinger reserved comment about the defendants' motion and referred questions to their legal counsel, Amy Boring and Michael Zicolello, of Williamsport.

In an email sent to The News-Item, Boring wrote, "It is our understanding that the state Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) is providing funding to the Northumberland County weatherization department. Any hesitation by the county to move forward in providing weatherization services to its citizens is unfounded and merely an attempt to find an excuse to lay off the employees."

After being notified Friday that the injunction was granted, Scicchitano said his department applied for an additional $75,000 in LIHEAP (Low Income Heating Energy Assistance Program) standard funding to continue weatherizing homes in July, August and September. He said $167,144 in funding from the state Department of Energy is expected to be received in August.

He said the LIHEAP contract doesn't expire until Sept. 30.

Bollinger, who serves as intake specialist/energy coordinator, said LIHEAP Crisis, LIHEAP Standard and the Department of Energy are the three funding sources for the weatherization department. She said $415,127 in funding from LIHEAP Crisis and LIHEAP Standard for the period covering July 1, 2014, to Sept. 30, 2015, has been exhausted, while $132,022 worth of funding from the Department of Energy for the same period is nearly depleted.

Bollinger thanked the public, department vendors and Commissioner Richard Shoch, who voted against shutting down the program and was not named in the suit, for supporting them in their efforts to keep the department in the county instead of having SEDA-COG operate it, which was recommended by Clausi and Bridy.

Clarification sought

The motion filed by the defendants states that good faith efforts to obtain funding have been and continue to be made by Scicchitano, county planning director Pat Mack, who oversees the weatherization department, and counsel for Northumberland County since Friday's order.

"Nevertheless, it is unclear at this time whether Northumberland County will be able to secure funding for the weatherization department beyond June 30, 2015," Leinhauser said. "As discussed during the preliminary injunction hearing, in the past when funds for the weatherization department were unavailable, weatherization department employees were laid off and became eligible for unemployment." The motion sought "clarification" on whether the county could lay off employees if funding was not secured by the end of business Tuesday.

The motion states that if permission was not granted, Northumberland County would be forced to fund the weatherization department out of its general fund with no assurance whatsoever that it will be reimbursed for those costs.

"The court's order doesn't appear to require such an expenditure by Northumberland County, but in an abundance of caution, we seek the court's direction on whether the county may continue to operate the program under the pattern of conduct previously exercised and testified to at the hearing," Leinhauser states in his motion.

In regard to Brann revoking the commissioners' vote to eliminate the weatherization department, Leinhauser said the purpose of a preliminary injunction is to preserve the status quo, not to decide the issues on their merits.

The lawyer said his clients would be precluded going forward from re-implementing a proper vote of the board since the court would have erased by revocation the action that is the subject matter of the litigation. He said the court's preliminary decision would eliminate the role of the jury as well, who is ultimately to be the fact finder on the merits of the case.

Brann filed an order Friday granting a preliminary injunction that revokes the commissioners' vote to eliminate the weatherization department, prohibits the commissioners from eliminating the department based on union activity and mandates the county immediately apply for state funding to continue operating the weatherization department.

In seeking the injunction, the plaintiffs cited a violation of their First Amendment rights to organize as a union.

Clausi testified at a hearing June 4 and June 5 that he was "merely trying to shrink the government" - an argument Brann found insufficient.

"Clausi's suggested motivation for eliminating the department rings hollow given his lack of knowledge of the topic of privatization and his explicitly anti-union statements," he wrote in his ruling.

Brann sided with the department that it was likely for the ultimate ruling in the case to find Clausi was motivated by a dislike of unions to close the department.

COAL TOWNSHIP - Northumber-land County law enforcement agents will be out in force this upcoming holiday weekend looking for impaired drivers.

Police will be taking part in the "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" campaign, showing zero tolerance for drunk driving with no excuses, said Cpl. Terry Ketchem, Coal Township police.

"Drivers can show their patriotism by helping to make Northumberland County roads safer for everyone," said Ketchem, county coordinator for the North Central Regional DUI Enforcement Program. He said officers are not messing around this holiday, and those caught driving drunk will be arrested, a move that can lead to serious consequences even if no one is hurt or killed.

"A DUI arrest can mean time in jail, loss of your license and steep financial expenses. The average DUI costs about $10,000," Ketchem said.

From 2009 to 2013, nearly 40 percent of all traffic fatalities over the Fourth of July period occurred in alcohol-impaired driving crashes. In 2013, Forbes magazine named it the "most dangerous holiday of the year."

Over the 2013 Fourth of July Holiday period - 6 p.m. July 3 to 5:59 a.m. July 8 - 199 people were killed in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes nationwide.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Association reports that 35 percent of young drivers 18 to 34 were driving drunk in fatal crashes over the July 4 period in 2013.

To prevent drunk driving, Ketchem offered these simple tips:

- Plan a safe way home before the fund begins.

- Before drinking, designate a sober driver.

- If you're impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation.

- If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, don't hesitate to contact police.

- If you know someone who is about to drive or ride while impaired, take the keys and help your friend make other arrangements to get to where he or she is going safely.

SUNBURY - Have fun this holiday weekend, but if you drink, don't drive - and that includes boats.

That was the message Wednesday as local law enforcement and safety officials used a boat dock at the Shikellamy State Park Marina as a backdrop for a July 4 weekend DUI enforcement warning.

The seven officials involved in a brief press conference all stressed the message of having fun, but not drinking and driving - or boating and driving, which is also against the law.

Pennsylvania continues to take an aggressive posture to prevent and deter drinking and driving, particularly through the widespread use of sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols, and you can expect that this weekend, said David R. Everly, regional sobriety checkpoint coordinator for the North Central Highway Safety Network (NCHSN).

An overview

- In Pennsylvania, drinking and driving remains a top safety issue. In 2014, alcohol-related crashes decreased to 10,550 from 11,041 alcohol-related crashes in 2013. In 2014, alcohol-related deaths decreased to 333 from 381 alcohol-related deaths in 2013.

- Of particular concern is the involvement of drinking drivers under the age of 21. Thirteen percent of the driver deaths in the 16 to 20 age group were drinking drivers, down from 19 percent in 2013. "Improvement in this age group is a very important need," NCHSN reports.

- Of equal focus is the 21 to 25 age group, in which 43 percent of the driver deaths were drinking drivers. This age group had the worst percentage of all groups, and was down from 44 percent in 2013. The 26 to 30 age group decreased to 31 percent from 34 percent in 2013.

- In 2014, alcohol-related deaths were 28 percent of the total traffic deaths, less than in 2010, 2011 and 2012.

Skewing the numbers

Although alcohol-related crashes accounted for approximately 9 percent of the total crashes in 2014, they resulted in 28 percent of all persons killed in crashes. Alcohol-related crashes were 4.1 times more likely to result in death than those not related to alcohol (2.9 percent of the alcohol-related crashes resulted in death, compared to 0.7 percent of crashes which were not alcohol-related).

SUNBURY - Money doesn't always equate to victory in politics, but in the May 19 primary election, the winning candidates in Northumberland County races were, generally speaking, the ones who spent the most on their campaigns.

Candidates for county judge filed their reports, which are available online, with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Elections. Candidates for county commissioner, district attorney, treasurer and sheriff filed their reports with the Northumberland County Board of Election; those reports are available for inspection in the elections office in Sunbury.

Figures below combine expenditures for two separate reports - pre- and post-primary election.

County judge

The Bipartisan Committee to Elect Judge Hugh Alan Jones reported total expenditures of $13,025 through the last reporting period that ended June 8.

The Committee to Elect Paige Rosini Judge reported total spending of $32,464.

Two judgeship positions are open this year and since Jones and Rosini each received Democratic and Republican nominations, it is a virtual certainty both will be elected in November.

A third judge candidate, H. Robert Mattis Jr., reported spending a total of $4,523.

County commissioner

George Zalar's campaign committee, Friends of George Zalar, reported total expenditures of about $15,300 in the primary campaign, the most of all eight candidates. Zalar earned a Democratic nomination, as did Kym Best. Her committee, Friends of Kym Best, filed reports listing expenditures that amounted to approximately $9,500.

Among the other Democratic candidates for commissioner, the Tom Aber for Commissioner Committee reported expenditures of $4,700, Friends of Myron Turlis, $5,271, and Nathan Savidge, approximately $1,400.

For the two eventual Republican commissioner nominees, the Committee to Elect (Samuel) Schiccatano reported spending about $2,280, and Citizens for Rick Schoch listed expenditures of approximately $4,000.

Michael Milett, a third Republican commissioner candidate, reported spending $1,169.

District attorney

In the Democratic primary for Northumberland County District Attorney, the Committee to Elect Tony Matulewicz reported spending about $22,600, and the Committee to Elect (Ann) Targonski listed expenses of approximately $18,200.

Targonski won the Democratic primary, but the contest will continue through November since Matulewicz won a Republican nomination through write-ins.

Kevin Gilroy, incumbent treasurer, who won the Republican primary without opposition, spent no money in the campaign.

The Keep Bob Wolfe Sheriff Committee reported spending about $2,100. Wolfe was unopposed for the Democratic nomination and also won a Republican nomination through write-ins.

MOUNT CARMEL - Sheila Zanella, along with her sons, Sean and Joey, and daughter, Rachel, will dedicate a memorial to all area veterans in a ceremony at 10 a.m. Saturday, fulfilling a promise to her late husband and family patriarch Joe Zanella. The event is open to the public.

One of Joe Zanella's last wishes before losing a five-year struggle with cancer last March was that a veterans memorial he and his sons had begun years earlier be completed. Zanella never served in the military, but wanted to honor his late father and uncle and friends who had.

Joe Zanella and several of his fellow firemen constructed a large, multi-faced, brick memorial complete with pavers in front of the Beaverdale fire house, where he once served as chief. But the memorial lacked a plaque that would identify any honorees. The project was put on hold when he was sick, and there was even a threat to tear it down when weeds grew between the pavers, some bricks were accidentally plowed up and a flagpole disappeared.

When Zanella died, his wife of 38 years asked immediate and extended family for help completing the memorial. They determined it would take about $6,000, which included the purchase of a 3-by-4-foot bronze plaque. Her eight siblings, including four of six brothers who had served in uniform, agreed.

Word got out to friends and there were stories in two area newspapers. Contributions came from family, friends and strangers, through a fundraising dinner and a fundraising website.

By mid-June the goal was reached and the plaque, ordered from a Pittsburgh company, was paid off. It reads:

In tribute to all generations of area veterans

In all conflicts who have served our great nation

With honor, commitment and pride

And I heard the voice of the Lord saying

"Whom shall I send,

And who will go for us?"

Then I said, "Here am I! Send me." Isaiah 6,8

"We are grateful to everyone who reached out to our family and made this event possible," said Zanella. "We've got a wonderful ceremony planned for a special day in our great nation's history, and we hope that folks will come out and celebrate it with us."

DANVILLE - Members of Our Lady of Lourdes High School Class of 1965 gathered June 26 at the Pine Barn Inn to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their graduation. Classmates were anxious to reconnect with friends throughout the weekend of scheduled activities which began with a banquetFriday evening.

Fifty-four classmates, along with their spouses, traveled from states as far as California to join in the festivities. Carol Salwocki and Pat McCall Comoss served as greeters and distributed name tags upon arrival. Throughout the social hour, classmates viewed a DVD photo presentation designed by Dave Berran, with a special section devoted to the memory of deceased members of the class. A copy was made available to all who attended the gathering.

Charlie Gappa, of Forth Worth, Texas, gave the invocation. Special prayerful remembrance was given to classmates Lester Schiccatano, Rich Hubert, Robert Gill, and Linda Procopio Fedorczak. who planned to attend but had to cancel due to illness. Following dinner, attendees were treated to a "walk down memory lane" with a skit created by John Marcheski. Following a video appearance from then school Principal Msgr. Thomas Leitch, players Mike Marcinek, Jim Walsh, Ron Pisani, John Marcheski and Sally LaCross Kanaskie entertained the group with a flashback to freshman year Latin class and a trivia quiz.

Classmates then danced to the music of the oldies provided by DJ Brian Young. Table decorations were provided by Jackie Owen Muggio, Chris Haile Palacz and Linda Hudock Ross. Ron Pisani provided specially designed anniversary T-shirts for the door prizes. As a tribute to their 50th anniversary, classmates received a special gift DVD created by Garth Hall entitled "Shamokin: My Home Town."

In gratitude for their education, class members raised a total of $7,250 for Lourdes Regional School. The gift will help fund the refurbishing of the school's science lab.

Heavy rainfall Saturday forced the cancellation of the golf outing that had been scheduled and the picnic at Knoebels. However, classmates were still able to continue their celebration thanks to the hospitality of the inn. They attended Mass at St. Joseph Church, Danville, Saturday and then returned to the inn for dinner.

After breakfast Sunday, excited about their experiences together, they began their travels home with the intention of arranging another gathering in the near future.

COAL TOWNSHIP - Members of the Mount Carmel and Shamokin ministeriums attended a meeting and training session at Geisinger Shamokin Area Community Hospital recently to prepare for implementation of PRAYERnet on the campus.

PRAYERnet, created at Geisinger Medical Center in 2006, is a large nondenominational prayer chain intended to generate hope and healing through the collective power of prayer. PRAYERnet has experienced significant growth since its inception, touching the lives of more than 4,800 patients, friends and families in the Geisinger system with praying supporters from more than 80 countries.

Mary Tiffin educated members on the enrollment process, including the use of iPads to enroll patients in PRAYERnet. Theresa Burns-McCormack will be available on the G-SACH campus to visit patients and provide assistance with PRAYERnet.

The phrase, "Be in good health, experience the power of prayer," will be used on posters, banners and other printed information to educate patients and the community about PRAYERnet. Participation is voluntary and is HIPAA compliant.

MOUNT CARMEL - Chelsea Lentini, of Mount Carmel, has been named to the dean's list at Luzerne County Community College. A criminal justice major, she earned a 3.75 grade-point average for the spring semester.

Lentini, a 2010 graduate of Mount Carmel Area High School, is a daughter of James Lentini and Diana Parker Lentini, and a granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Archie Lentini and Helen Parker, all of Kulpmont, and the late Clement Parker.

All four inmates chosen for the Northumberland County Cost Collection Task Force's "wanted" billboards are "Rule 600" cases: they were released from prison on nominal bail, typically $1, because they weren't brought to trial in the time prescribed by law.

Rule 600 motions are allowed as part of the Pennsylvania Code in an effort to move criminal cases along in the court system.

Rule 600 allows a defendant to be held on bail for up to 180 days prior to trial. Court procedures, including motions and hearings, can add days to the process. The rule also states that prosecutors have 365 days from the date a complaint is filed to bring the case to trial.

"When a defendant has not been brought to trial within the time periods ... at any time before trial the defendant's attorney, or the defendant if unrepresented, may file a written motion requesting that the charges be dismissed with prejudice on the ground that this rule has been violated," the code reads.

Those chosen for the billboards - Angel Colon, Donnie Carl Jr., Donald Anderson and Jason Russell - all failed to appear for court hearings after being released on Rule 600, earning them fugitive status.

Anderson, of Mount Carmel, first charged by state police April 10, 2012, filed six Rule 600 motions through the three attorneys who represented him and while acting as his own counsel during the 27 months his case was on the court docket. It was after he filed the sixth one that his fifth motion was granted May 14, 2014. Once out, Anderson missed a pretrial conference June 16, 2014, during which a trial date was set for July 2014, prompting Judge William H. Wiest to issue a bench warrant for his arrest.

Other Rule 600s

Anderson and the other billboard selectees aren't the only recent Rule 600 cases in the county.

Naheem Reams served 424 days in prison before pleading guilty to a number of charges Dec. 12. 2014, related to charges he attempted to run down a Sunbury City Police officer following a vehicle chase in June 2013. His attorney had attempted to have his charges dismissed on Rule 600 as it relates to the 365 days to be brought to trial.

Victor Swaboski III, accused of driving drunk when he struck a group of students walking along a highway near Mount Carmel in 2012, applied for his charges to be dropped more than two years after they were filed July 31, 2014. The petition was denied in October 2014 and Swaboski soon thereafter pleaded guilty.

In Swaboski's case, there were several appeals to state Superior Court on county court rulings that stopped the 365-day clock.

Accused drug dealer Pedro Acosta, of Brooklyn, N.Y., was released in May on $1 bail by Montour County Court. He was back in court just this week, on Tuesday, at which time he pleaded guilty to four counts of delivery of a controlled substance. Sentencing is scheduled for July 30.

Esteven Soto, 30 of the Bronx, N.Y. was scheduled to have a hearing to have his bail reduced to $1, but later accepted a plea deal to narcotics charges in exchange for his assistance in the attempted murder prosecution of Rafael Diroche in the 2014 shooting of Salicia Yost along Irish Valley Road.

WILLIAMSPORT - Jacob Phillips, of Coal Township, has been named to the dean's list at Lycoming College. He attained a 3.8 grade-point average for the spring semester of his junior year. He is majoring in business.

He is a son of Robert and Kathleen Phillips and a grandson of Betty Purcell, all of Coal Township, and the late Francis Purcell and James and Teresa Phillips.

Phillips expects to graduate in the spring of 2016 with a degree in business/finance and a minor in economics.

He is a 2011 graduate of Shamokin Area High School.

COAL TOWNSHIP - The invasion of the gypsy moth worms is over - for now. The vast majority of the creepy crawlers moved on to the pupa stage and have emerged as moths.

The moth, or adult stage, only lasts about a week. In that time frame, female moths, which do not fly, will lay eggs that could emerge next spring as another wave of caterpillars that this spring devoured leaves and left most trees and shrubs bare.

Most trees are recovering from the invasion by growing a new set of leaves. According to studies, trees can withstand two to three years of defoliation.

Such is the case of the oak trees on Jake Berkheiser's property at 1658 Trevorton Road.

His property across from Annabelle's Restaurant felt the brunt of the attack. The worms nearly destroyed the trees that are at least 75 years old. Adding to the mess was the worms' fecal matter which stained the exterior of his house and left behind a nasty stench.

"It was a nightmare," Berkheiser said Thursday. "The trees are doing great now. There are a lot of moths, but the worms are all gone. Thank God they're all gone."

Once the worms transformed, Berkheiser spread lime to get rid of the smell, shampooed his porch carpet and powerwashed the house and tool shed.

Berkheiser said all of his trees have new leaves on them. A few of his neighbor's spruce trees, however, may not be as lucky. The trees have barely any needles on them and show few signs of life.

One tree - the couple's least favorite - suffered no damage at all.

"The only tree they did not touch was this catalpa tree. My wife hates that tree and wouldn't have cared if they would have eaten it," he said. "I guess the gypsy moths didn't like it either."

Kill egg masses

Egg masses have started to appear on rocks, manmade objects and other places near the ground since the caterpillars emerged as moths. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) recommends people destroy any egg masses with a 50-50 mix of soybean oil and water.

They caution that eggs should be destroyed rather than scraped off a tree since eggs on the ground are still viable and can actually benefit from the insulating effect of snow cover.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church

MOUNT CARMEL - Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church announced the following memorials were received in June:

Margaret "Peggy" Shannon from Maria Kaminski, Cecilian Club of Shamokin, Sunbury Motors, Our Lady's Church choir, Rosemarie Koronkiewicz, Judi and Leonard Rakowsky, Mary Snyder, Bob Zavatski.

Frank Conches from Kyle Grybos, Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Grybos, Mr. and Mrs. Gerard Higgins.

Ziggy Wydra from Bob Zavatski.

John Katch from Bob and Jeanne Zavatski, Mary and Lou Snyder, Jason, Christine and Patricia Shutt.

Jackie Katch from Bob and Judy Kramer.

Ann Flynn (in honor of her 95th birthday) from Julie and Bob Griffiths.

In thanksgiving of healing graces from Ann Flynn.

Edward Dallatore from Claire Kornacki.

Marie and Aloysius Callahan from Skavery and Callahan families.

Elizabeth Buhay from Rita Buhay.

Julie McAndrew from daughter Midge May.

Mary Ann Ciocco Wolfe from Bob Zavatski.

The Rev. Hubert Kealy from Bob Zavatski.

John Ruginis Jr. from Elaine Lindenmuth.

Mary Hogan (birthday) from Theresa Conniff.

Robbins and Moave families from Liz.

Jack Callahan from Bob and Anne Marie Devine, Millie Mushalko and family.

Father's Day

Frank Siano from daughter Chris.

Francis L. Joraskie from daughter Michelle.

John May Jr. from family.

Fred Kline from daughter Patsy.

Frank Rogutski from Joan Owens.

John E. Owens from John, David and Michael.

Bernard I. Flynn from daughter Julie.

Roman Kenenitz Sr. from Roman and Christine Kenenitz.

SUNBURY - Unbeknownst to county officials, Angel Colon was already incarcerated when his name was selected from a list of outstanding warrants to be featured on the Northumberland County Cost Collection Task Force's new "wanted" billboards, a fact quickly revealed when the sheriff's office posted the billboard artwork on its Facebook page Wednesday morning.

Not only that, it was determined Thursday Colon had already been incarcerated for five months when the county first issued a bench warrant for his arrest more than two years ago.

County officials couldn't produce a good explanation for the lack of knowledge about Colon's status Thursday, but they did have good news in that the crime for which he was jailed in New York wasn't murder as they had been told Wednesday.

It was attempted murder.

"Thank God no one is dead," Sheriff Robert Wolfe said Thursday.

On Wednesday, Prothonotary Justin Dunkelberger, who serves on the task force with Wolfe and two others, had lamented the county's failure to adequately track warrants had led to someone's death.

Meanwhile, the much-anticipated billboards, along Route 901 near Ranshaw and Route 54 in Natalie, were finished Thursday, a day behind schedule, by Stop N Go Signs, Shamokin Dam. But, at the county's direction, they only include two of the four names and faces originally intended because Colon and Donnie Carl Sr. are already in custody. A fifth silhouetted face remains blank as originally planned, reading, "This could be you," because the county hopes to persuade those wanted on warrants to turn themselves in.

Wrong Angel Colon

Colon, 36, formerly of Atlas, was already facing aggravated assault charges for a 2012 incident in Mount Carmel when he was arrested and imprisoned Feb. 27, 2013, for stabbing another individual. It's not known where he was originally jailed, but since March 27, 2015, he has been in Green Haven Correctional Facility, a maximum security prison in the New York state system.

Arlene Hackel, deputy director of communications for the New York State United Judicial System, was researching the case for The News-Item Thursday, but hadn't provided any details by the end of the day.

Wolfe said Thursday that when officials called New York Wednesday after receiving information from the public that he was in custody there, they were told Colon was in jailed on a charge of second-degree murder. But a New York corrections official called Thursday and apologized for the mixup with another Angel Colon.

A search of the New York State inmate locator finds four inmates named "Angel Colon" currently incarcerated in the state.

"In New York, Angel Colon is as common of a name as Joe Smith," Wolfe said.

Colon's earliest date of release is Jan. 5, 2020, 13 months before his sentence ends.

Sgt. Dwayne Pidcoe, a Northumberland County deputy sheriff, said with extradition agreements in place, Colon will be picked up when his New York prison sentence ends to answer for his crimes in Northumberland County.

Bail reduction

Colon was one of four criminals selected by the Northumberland County Cost Collections Task Force to be placed on the billboard. All four are wanted for missing court proceedings on serious offenses.

He was charged Feb. 14, 2012, by Mount Carmel Borough Police Cpl. David Donkochik for a Jan. 23 altercation outside of Puff's Cigarette Outlet in the 100 block of South Oak Street.

According to News-Item archives, Colon allegedly assaulted Albert Lotis Jr. in front of the store. Police said at the time Lotis was seriously injured in the assault and required medical treatment at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville.

Colon was charged with a felony count of aggravated assault, a misdemeanor count of simple assault and citations for harassment, disorderly conduct and driving with a suspended license. He was placed in Northumberland County Prison on $20,000 cash bail March 2, 2012.

The charges were held for county court following a preliminary hearing on March 7, 2012, and the case was continued.

On May 18, 2012, Colon's attorney, public defender Paige Rosini, filed a motion for a bail reduction, which was granted by then-President Judge Robert Sacavage. The order changed Colon's bail to $10,000 percentage bail.

Rosini sought dismissal of the charges Aug. 27, 2012, pursuant to Rule 600 of the Pennsylvania Code, which pertains to the time it takes to bring a defendant to trial. Sacavage did not order the charges dismissed, but gave Colon nominal bail, $1, Sept. 20, 2012, as a habeas corpus writ was being considered by the court.

It was during his release from custody that Colon was charged in the New York state stabbing.

Meanwhile, in Pennsylvania, the writ was denied July 11, 2013, and a status conference was scheduled for Aug. 1, 2013. When Colon didn't show, the bench warrant was issued.

'Bad dude' in custody

Bench warrants are issued by the court at the request of a county agency, either the DA's office when a person misses a court appearance, or other offices when costs are not paid.

Wolfe, who took office in January 2014, said there are about 1,000 open warrants in Northumberland County currently, and he hopes the billboard helps to curb the number. That's already occurred with Colon.

"We got information on this individual an hour after putting it up on Facebook," he said. "It's good to know this bad dude is in custody. I hope this will encourage others to check the page and give us more tips, and get other individuals off the street."

Dunkelberger, Wolfe, county chief adult probation officer Jim Cortelyou and Judge William H. Wiest are part of the task force. For his part, Wolfe said Thursday he's learning more about how to use online records to track criminals' status, including the Pennsylvania's Unified Judicial System portal, a publicly accessible website that, with Carl's name plugged in, quickly provided his incarceration status.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the fugitives can contact the warrant line at 570-863-3503 or send tips through the Northumberland County Sheriff's Office Facebook page.

Offices closed for holiday

KULPMONT - The borough's municipal, code and street departments will be closed today in observance of Independence Day.

SASB committee meeting Tuesday

COAL TOWNSHIP - The Shamokin Area School Board's buildings and grounds committee will host a public meeting at 4 p.m. Tuesday in the board conference room at the middle/high school.

Recruitment event at JOBS center

SHAMOKIN - A job recruitment event will be held with Home Instead Senior Care from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Thursday at the Central Susquehanna Opportunities JOBS Center, second floor, Northumberland County Career and Arts Center, Eighth and Arch streets.

Shamokin-Coal Twp.

Monday - Poker, 8:30 a.m., new players welcome; game show, 11 a.m.; world news, noon; unlucky 7s, noon, new players welcome.

Tuesday - Morning cards, 8:30 a.m.; walk-a-mile, 9:30 a.m.; shopping at Boscov's, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; bridge, noon.

Wednesday - Morning cards, 8:30 a.m.; bridge lessons, 9:30 a.m.; Wii bowling, 10 a.m.; pinochle and Pokeno, 12:30 p.m.

Thursday - Morning cards, 8:30 a.m.; walk-a-mile, 9:30 a.m.; Wii bowl, 10 a.m.; game show, 11 a.m.; world news, noon; nickel bingo, 12:30 p.m.

Friday - Morning cards, puzzles and shuffleboard, 8:30 a.m.; Wii bowling, 10 a.m.; game show, 11 a.m.; nickel bingo, noon.

Saturday - Cards, 7 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Mount Carmel

Monday - Board games, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; Pokeno, 1 p.m.; root beer floats, 2 p.m., cost $1.50.

Tuesday - Wii games, 10 a.m.; trip to Chinese buffet, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; unlucky 7s and pinochle, 12:30 p.m.

Wednesday - Board games, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; speaker Ellen Walker, 12:30 p.m.; nickel bingo, 1 p.m.

Thursday - Wii games, 10 a.m.; horseshoe competition, 11 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; pinochle and unlucky 7s, 12:30 p.m.

Friday - Morning talk show, coffee and laughs, 9 a.m.; exercise, 10 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; speaker from VNA on home safety, 12:30 p.m.; Pokeno, 1 p.m.

Kulpmont

Monday - Coffee and gab in the morning; puzzles, 10 a.m.; bowling, 11 a.m.; Pokeno, 12:30 p.m.

Tuesday - Music in the morning; hand held games and puzzles, 10 a.m.; cards, 12:30 p.m.; bowling, 12:30 p.m.

Wednesday - Games and music in the morning; exercise, 10 a.m., LCR, 12:30 p.m.

Thursday - Puzzles and coffee in the morning; bean bag, 10 a.m.; bowling, 11 a.m.; bingo, 12:30 p.m. with special - buy one card, get one free.

Friday - Exercise 10 a.m.; bowling, 11 a.m.; lunch at Kreekside 2 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., you must be signed up for this trip, cost $2; nickel bingo, 12:30 p.m.

Centralia-Wilburton

Monday - Coffee and current events, local newspaper, 9 a.m.; puzzle, 10:30 a.m.; shopping at Wal-Mart, 12:30 p.m.

Tuesday - Coffee and snack, 9 a.m.; chair exercise with Carol, 10:30 a.m.; remminisce/good old summertime, 12:30 p.m.

Wednesday - Center closed for a trip to the Pioneer Tunnel. Catawissa and Montour centers will be joining us.

Thursday - Food pantry and food bank boxes, 9 a.m.; coffee and English muffins, 9 a.m.; bingo, 12:30 p.m.

Friday - Fun Friday with open activities.

Elysburg

Monday - Healthy Steps, 8:30 a.m.; royal rummy, 10 a.m.; Pokeno, 11:30 a.m..

Wednesday - Healthy Steps, 8:30 a.m.; royal rummy, 10 a.m.; LIFE Geisinger speaking at 11 a.m. on the services they have to offer; bingo, noon.

Friday - Crafts, 9:30 a.m.; pinochle, noon; members meeting with "make your own Sundae," noon.

Farmers market vouchers are still available at the center. The center is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Trevorton

Monday - Wii bowling, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10 a.m.; Pokeno or pinochle, 12:30 p.m.; last day to order special luncheons for July 7 and 16.

Tuesday - Exercise, 10 a.m.; Rummikub, 10:30 a.m.; picnic lunch, 11:30 a.m.; evening bingo, 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday - Exercise, 10 a.m.; Scrabble, 10:30 a.m.; lunch at Palermo's Restaurant, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.; pokeno, 12:30 p.m.

Thursday - Exercise, 10 a.m.; board games, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Friday - Wii games, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:30 p.m.; bingo, 12:30 p.m.; evening card party, 7 p.m.

SHAMOKIN - The Shamokin Fire Bureau and the United States Fire Administration (USFA) has provided these tips on grilling and fireworks safety to make sure everyone enjoys a safe and happy Fourth of July.

The USFA reports an estimated 5,700 grill fires on residential properties occur annually in the United States, causing $27 million in damage and 150 injuries a year.

For safe grilling

Choose the right equipment and use it properly

- Always use cooking equipment tested and approved by a recognized testing facility.

- Follow manufacturers' instructions and code requirements when installing and operating cooking equipment.

Use barbecue grills safely

- Never leave a barbecue grill unattended.

- Place the grill well away from siding, deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches. Don't use or store on a porch or balcony.

- Place the grill a safe distance from lawn games, play areas and foot traffic.

- Keep children and pets away from the grill area. Have a 3-foot "kid-free zone" around the grill.

- Put out several long-handled grilling tools to give the chef plenty of clearance from heat and flames when cooking food.

- Periodically remove grease or fat buildup in trays below grill so it cannot be ignited by a hot grill.

- Use only outdoors. If used indoors, or in any enclosed spaces, such as tents, barbecue grills pose both a fire hazard and a risk of exposing occupants to carbon monoxide.

Charcoal grills

- Purchase the proper starter fluid and store out of reach of children and away from heat sources.

- Never add charcoal starter fluid when coals or kindling have already been ignited, and never use any flammable liquid other than charcoal starter fluid to get the fire going.

- Dispose of charcoal coals only after they are cool. Empty the coals into a metal container with a tight-fitting lid that is used only to collect coals. Place the container away from anything that can burn. Never empty coals directly into a trash can.

Propane grills

- Check the propane cylinder hose for leaks before using it for the first time each year. A light soap and water solution applied to the hose will reveal escaping propane quickly by releasing bubbles.

- If you determined your grill has a gas leak by smell or the soapy bubble test and there is no flame:

- Turn off the propane tank and grill.

- If the leak stops, get the grill serviced by a professional before using it again.

- If the leak does not stop, call 911.

- If you smell gas while cooking, immediately get away from the grill and call the fire department. Do not attempt to move the grill.

- All propane cylinders manufactured after April 2002 must have overfill protection devices (OPD). OPDs shut off the flow of propane before capacity is reached, limiting the potential for release of propane gas if the cylinder heats up. OPDs are easily identified by their triangular-shaped hand wheel.

- Use only equipment bearing the mark of an independent testing laboratory. Follow the manufacturers' instructions on how to set up the grill and maintain it.

- Never store propane cylinders in buildings or garages. If you store a gas grill inside during the winter, disconnect the cylinder and leave it outside.

- Light a propane grill only with the cover open.

Fireworks safety

Consumers who decide to purchase legal fireworks are encouraged to take the following safety steps:

- Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.

- Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them.

- Avoid buying fireworks that come in brown paper packaging, as this can often be a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and could pose a danger to consumers.

- Adults should always supervise fireworks activities. Parents often don't realize that there are many injuries from sparklers to children under five. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees - hot enough to melt some metals.

- Never have any portion of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Move back to a safe distance immediately after lighting.

- Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not fully functioned.

- Never point or throw fireworks at another person.

- Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.

- Light one item at a time then move back quickly.

- Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.

- After fireworks fully complete their functioning, douse the spent device with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding to prevent a trash fire.

SUNBURY - Northumberland County's weatherization department has been approved for an additional $75,000 in LIHEAP standard funding, meaning the program will be operational for at least the next three months.

County planning director Pat Mack, who oversees the weatherization department, said he was informed Thursday the funding was approved.

"The program will now be able to continue to provide services to eligible residents until at least the end of September when the contract with LIHEAP expires," Mack said.

The funding approval comes two days after county Commissioners Stephen Bridy and Vinny Clausi appealed federal Judge Matthew W. Brann's June 26 order granting a preliminary injunction that revokes their vote to eliminate the weatherization department June 30.

The seven weatherization department employees are continuing to perform their normal duties while their federal lawsuit against the county and the two commissioners who voted to close their department moves forward.

Attorney Brian H. Leinhauser of The MacMain Law Group, Malvern, which represents the defendants, filed a motion in federal court in Williamsport seeking clarification or reconsideration of Brann's order.

The motion requests Brann to enter an amended order to stay implementation of the commissioners' April 7 vote, pending the outcome of a trial on the merits of the allegations contained in the plaintiffs' amended complaint.

Bridy and Clausi said they remain confident the county will prevail in the lawsuit and an unfair labor practice charge filed against them by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, which represents the weatherization employees.

Commissioner Richard Shoch voted against eliminating the department and is not named in the lawsuit.

A hearing on the unfair labor practice is scheduled for Dec. 14 before the state Labor Relations Board in Harrisburg.

Lawyers for weatherization department employees Dwayne Scicchitano, Pamela Bollinger, Robert McAndrew, David Yakoboski, Barry Schweitzer, Jim Bressi and Albert Benedict Jr. have 14 days to respond to Leinhauser's motion. If no response is issued in the next two weeks, Brann will rule on the motion.

Scicchitano said his department applied for the $75,000 to continue weatherizing homes in July, August and September. He said $167,144 in funding from the state Department of Energy is expected to be received in August.