COAL TOWNSHIP - Two refurbished and modern physics, chemistry and biology labs mark a successful fundraising campaign and the biggest visible change welcoming an increased student population back to Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School for the 2015-16 school year.

Also, Lourdes students this school year will have access to a "Virtual High School" that will offer 100-plus extra courses to take during study halls or after school.

"We are so grateful to the community, alumni and benefactors that helped raise money," Jacqueline Kerris, the school's director of development, said about the lab project.

The school had a goal of $120,000 to cover the cost, but raised $150,000. The extra money came in handy when Lourdes ran into additional costs, something that typically comes into play whenever a major renovation is undertaken.

"It was a tremendous success and we raised everything we needed and more," High School Principal Deacon Martin McCarthy said. "The lab was over 55 years old, and it took about six or seven months to renovate."

American Lab Design, which specializes in science labs for charter, Catholic and private schools, designed the two labs.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony with Diocese of Harrisburg Bishop Ronald Gainer is planned for late October.

Lourdes also has been approved for a $10,000 grant from the Merck Pharmaceutical Co. for the purchase of science and laboratory equipment.

The biggest improvement not readily apparent when entering the school is the $20,000 spent on new fiber optics throughout the facility to boost Wi-Fi service and upgrade the internal network and computer capabilities.

Student enrollment is up throughout the school at 302, up from 292, in the elementary section and 200, up from 171, in the high school, bringing the total to 502.

"Our goal was to get enrollment up to 500," Kerris said.

Elementary Principal Sister Margaret Quinn said an additional third-grade class has been added to accommodate the increased enrollment. It be taught by Tara Bregensir, an Our Lady of Lourdes alumni.

'Virtual High School'

The school is in the process of converting the library into an all purpose media center, with one of the library's adjacent rooms being used for a new program available this school year to students called "The Virtual High School." It's an online service that offers students advanced placement courses, honors courses and credit recovery courses, which would be an alternative to summer school. The Virtual High School offers more than 100 classes for students who could take the courses during study halls or after school.

"The Virtual High School's offerings are way beyond what the school can offer," said Doug Rubendall, business manager, dean of studies, math teacher and IT person at Lourdes. "Our students can potentially have class with students in 24 countries."

Rubendall noted that teachers at Lourdes will be trained to offer classes for The Virtual High School, which is based in Massachusetts.

Ten new computers, six for The Virtual High School, will be purchased for the library/media center.

Gym upgrades

The gym has seen some improvements over the summer. The windows high above the gym floor were taken out and the holes covered with insulation and sheet rock. The plan, according to McCarthy, is to paint the logos of the sports teams of the historic "feeder schools" to Lourdes, including St. Ed's, St. Stan's, Transfiguration, St. Monica's Holy Spirit, Mount Carmel Catholic and many others, in those locations.

Also in the gym, new doors are being installed and nine new ceiling fans that resemble large hair dryers are now in use to improve circulation. There are also many continuing smaller projects that are being done to improve the facilities, according to McCarthy.

Staffing and co-op

Former high school Spanish teacher Brian Major is returning on a part-time basis to teach Spanish at the elementary level and Sister Emily Vincent has come aboard for religious enrichment for elementary-aged students. The school will also be adding a development office assistant this fall who will work with Kerris.

The sports co-op with Mount Carmel Area School District continues this year and is described by Kerris as a "win-win for both schools." The program shares young athletes in football, volleyball, soccer, golf, swimming, baseball, softball and football cheerleading.

"The Mount Carmel Area School Board has been very cooperative in this endeavor and it has been very successful," McCarthy added.

This past weekend saw another annual successful Raiderfest, 5K Run/Walk and open house on Friday and Saturday, as well as a meet the teachers day on Sunday for parents.

Our Lady of Lourdes is also preparing for its second annual wine festival on school grounds Saturday, Sept. 19.

"We ended last school year in the black and we are looking forward to another great year," Kerris said.

The first day of school for grades 1 through 9 is Wednesday. Thursday is the first day for grades 10 through 12, whereas grades 7 through 9 are off that day. Pre-K and kindergarten start Thursday Aug. 27 and Friday Aug. 28 with half days. Everyone will be in class on Friday

First Day: Wednesday or Thursday (depending on grade)

Total enrollment: 502

New teachers:

Denise Williard - high school math

Colleen Kane - high school English

Shane Corrigan - high school chemistry and biology

Tara Bregensir - third grade

Katie Davis - first grade

Sister Emily Vincent - religious enrichment

Brian Major - elementary Spanish (part time)

COAL TOWNSHIP - As summer winds down, Northumberland County police are ramping up their enforcement efforts as part of a national crackdown on drunk driving.

The 20-day, high visibility campaign, "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over," is a partnership with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to curb impaired driving and save lives.

From Aug. 21 to Sept. 7 (Labor Day), law enforcement partners nationwide will show zero tolerance for drunk driving. Increased state and national messaging about the dangers of driving drunk, coupled with checkpoints and increased officers on the road, aim to drastically reduce the toll of drunk driving.

And what a toll it is.

In 2013, there were 10,076 people killed in drunk-driving crashes, almost a third of all traffic fatalities. Thirty-eight percent of crash fatalities on Labor Day weekend that year involved drunk drivers (with blood-alcohol concentrations of .08 or higher), amounting to 161 lives lost. And we're not just talking about a little bit of alcohol either. More than a quarter (27 percent) of the crash fatalities that occurred on Labor Day weekend involved drivers with BACs of .15 or higher - almost twice the illegal per se limit.

"Too many people think their actions don't affect anybody else," said Coal Township Cpl. Terry Ketchem. "They know it's illegal. They know it's wrong. But they do it anyway. They make decisions as if those statistics just can't happen to them."

The reality is people aren't invincible. Of the 10,076 people who were killed in impaired-driving crashes in 2013, 65 percent were the drunk drivers themselves. Those 6,515 drunk drivers planned on making it to their destinations, but they didn't.

In every state, it's illegal to drive with a BAC of .08 or higher.

Ketchem reminded Northumberland County drivers that it's not a recommendation, it's the law.

And during the enforcement period, there will be a special emphasis on drunk-driving enforcement. Local drivers should expect to see more patrol vehicles, DUI checkpoints and increased messaging about this reckless, preventable crime.

"The number of people who are still drinking and driving is unacceptable," added Ketchem. "Yes, we want to increase awareness for the campaign, but we want the effects to be permanent."

NHTSA data shows that repeat offenders are an especially dangerous facet of the drunk-driving problem. In the month of August from 2009 to 2013, of the drunk drivers involved in fatal crashes, almost one out of 10 of them had already been convicted of at least one drunk-driving offense.

Ketchem emphasized the preventable nature of drunk driving.

"All it takes is a little planning ahead," Ketchem said. "Designate a sober driver or call a cab. But whatever you do, don't drink and drive."

NHTSA has made it even easier to get home safely when you've been drinking. The new SaferRide mobile app (free from the iTunes store and Google Play) can help users call a taxi or a friend for a ride home. The app can even help you identify your location so you can be picked up.

"So this August and year-round, remember that there's no excuse for drunk driving, Ketchem said. "If you choose to break the law, Northumberland County police will see you before you see them. Drive sober or get pulled over."

SUNBURY - A 36-year-old Mount Carmel man accused of masturbating in public twice on Easter Sunday was convicted Monday by Northumberland County President Judge William H. Wiest of multiple charges including indecent exposure.

Brant James Stultz, of 142 N. Plum St., will be sentenced by Wiest at 9:15 a.m. Nov. 30 after being found guilty of two counts each of displaying obscene and other sexual materials, indecent exposure and open lewdness. He was found not guilty of one count of loitering or prowling at night.

The charges were filed by Mount Carmel Cpl. David Donkochik in connection with two incidents April 5.

District Attorney Ann Targonski prosecuted the case. Stultz was represented by Public Defender Paige Rosini.

Two juveniles and a woman testified at trial about two different incidents when Stultz exposed himself and engaged in lewd conduct.

"Officer Donkochik did an outstanding job in his investigation of this matter," Targonski stated in a press release following the conviction. "He was organized and his work made our presentation to the court clear and concise."

Targonski said the offenses will require Stultz to register under the Sexual Offender's Registration Act, formerly known as Megan's Law. Stultz will undergo an evaluation by the Sexual Offenders Assessment Board and a pre-sentence investigation will be conducted in the case.

Stultz is accused of masturbating while standing on the sidewalk near Fifth and Market streets, just outside Magisterial District Judge Hugh Jones' office and across the street from Turkey Hill Minit Market. A female witness was driving with small children in her vehicle at 8:39 p.m. when she called 911 to report the incident.

Shortly after 9 p.m., two male teenagers were sitting on a bench at Third and Oak streets when someone shouted to them from behind. Police said they turned around and witnessed Stultz with his pants around his ankles, again performing the sex act. Stultz fled the scene.

Police were dispatched to Stultz's home at 10:12 p.m. after he allegedly threatened his mother, with whom he lived at the time, police said. But Stultz was gone by the time police officers arrived, although clothing matching the description of the man sought for indecent exposure was discovered in his home.

Stultz, who agreed to be interviewed by police, denied the allegations.

Stultz remains incarcerated at SCI-Coal Township in lieu of $50,000 cash bail.

Stultz has a history of indecent exposure arrests.

A case is pending against him in Schuylkill County stemming from a Dec. 28 incident in Shenandoah. In 2013, he pleaded guilty in Carbon County following his arrest in Nesquehoning. He was sentenced to jail and probation for similar charges between 2011 and 2012 for two arrests in York County and one in Adams County.

Donkochik said Stultz also was previously arrested in other states on similar charges.

ELYSBURG - A toaster is believed to have ignited an early evening fire that heavily damaged an Elysburg home Monday.

Anna Mudrick, of 114 Pocahontas Lane, alerted emergency dispatchers at 7 p.m. to the fire at her neighbors' house, 118 Pocahontas Lane, after she smelled a strong smoke odor.

"I came out front and black smoke was coming out the living room window," she said.

Mudrick said she had seen the renters, Anthony and Christine Luongo, leave the house approximately a half hour earlier. Their two young children were also not at home.

The owner of the house, Jerry Splitt, said he was most grateful for the family's safety.

"Thank God no one was hurt," he said.

Upon arrival, firefighters tamped down the blaze within 15 minutes.

"I think it was an excellent stop by our initial crew," said Elysburg Fire Chief Dennis Kroh.

The majority of the damage was to the kitchen, where he believed a toaster ignited the fire, but the rest of the house had smoke, water and heat damage. The roof had been cut and the windows broken to ventilate the house.

"It was very hot in there," said Assistant Fire Chief Bob Dluge.

The fire had not spread into the adjoining unit, 116 Pocahontas Lane, but Kroh said it may have had minor smoke damage.

118 Pocahontas Lane would need major repairs before it would be habitable again, he said.

Splitt said the house was insured.

Assisting the Elysburg Fire Departments at the scene were firefighters from Stonington, Shamokin and Coal Township. Ralpho Township police were also on scene.

MONTOURSVILLE - A PennDOT bridge crew in Northumberland County will begin work today on a bridge on Route 4006 (Mile Hill Road) in Rush Township at Klines Grove.

The road will be closed intermittently to traffic between 6 a.m. and 2 p.m. for approximately four weeks. The bridge will be open to traffic after 2 p.m. each day. School buses will have access to the bridge.

During closures, a detour will be in effect using Mount Pleasant Road and Route 4004 (Mile Post Road).

Motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 770 traffic cameras.

511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional Twitter alerts accessible on the 511PA website.

CATAWISSA RR - Southern Columbia Area Middle School will hold fifth-grade orientation at 6 p.m. Thursday in the middle/high school cafeteria.

The program will begin at 6 p.m. in the cafeteria with Principal William Callahan, principal, welcoming the parents. Callahan will then give information for both students and parents/guardians about their school day.

The students will be sent to their homerooms to receive their locker numbers and combinations. Students will have time to practice opening their lockers and listen to their homeroom teachers discuss homeroom procedures.

Meanwhile, the parents/guardians will remain in the cafeteria to hear from Callahan, who will speak about school rules; Jessica Walters, guidance counselor, who will talk about guidance services and the SAP team; and Kathy Holleran, food service director, who will speak about the café. Students can bring money to put in their café account on this night.

Later, the parents/guardians will meet up with the students in their homerooms to get important back-to-school information and forms. These forms must be returned on the first day of school. Also, students will receive their schedules and be able to walk around the school to locate their classes.

The school district hopes all fifth-graders and their parents/guardians will attend on this date.

Pre-order lobsters pick-up times

ELYSBURG - Pre-ordered lobsters will be available for pick up at Holy Rosary Lobster Fest, 599 W. Center St., from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday. A pre-ordered lobster dinner will be served at 5, 6 and 7 p.m. Other foods are available for purchase. There will be entertainment from 7 to 10 p.m. by Double Talk, a basket raffle and activities. Call 570-672-2302 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Thursday. Everyone is welcome.

SHAMOKIN - A busted water line discovered inside the former Shamokin Dress Company building on Bunker Hill has compounded already deteriorated conditions at the hazardous property.

City officials aren't sure what caused the domestic water line to break. Mayor Bill Milbrand said the line, between 1 and 2 inches, is broken right where it enters the building along Packer Street.

Water is pouring from the pipe and into a stairwell, where it's rushing into a basement and dumping into a storm drain that runs downhill beneath Shamokin Alley. It's rushing at such a rate that it is easily audible both in the alley and outside a stairwell door on Packer Street.

Three valves were shut off to the separate sprinkler systems inside the facility but didn't stem the flow of water. The shutoff for the domestic line couldn't be found. Milbrand said Aqua PA will likely have to dig Packer Street to find it.

"They've got to find a way to shut it off," he said.

Commonly referred to as the Shroyer building, thousands worked there before it closed in the fall of 1984 after 70 years of operation. It takes up a full block east to west between Shamokin and Rock streets and a half-block north to south between Cameron and Packer. The city has long eyed the building for demolition, to no avail.

Stella P. Alli, formerly of Massachusetts and now of Sunbury, bought the one-time dress factory and longtime eyesore for $100 in June 2013 from the Northumberland County repository list. She envisioned a soup kitchen, retail space and affordable housing.

A large portion of the building has already collapsed, and a facade and chimney in the 1000 block of North Shamokin Street is in danger of crashing onto the sidewalk and street below.

Alli's been cited eight times by city police and the code office. She appeared in court Monday before Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III, Shamokin, and was ordered to tear down the facade and chimney within 30 days. That was before city officials and Aqua PA responded to the water line break after 3 p.m. Monday.

Neighbors hope the building will be demolished in full.

Tracy Nacinovich, who has lived at 412 E. Cameron St. the past four years, downhill from Shamokin Alley, fears water will burst from two basement doors and rush straight into her home. The ground outside the doors was wet Monday afternoon as water seeped through.

Margaret Grinaway, of 411 E. Cameron St., lives just behind the decrepit factory building. Her backyard butts up against it. She moved there in 1969 and rented it from the Shroyer family, who she said took great care of the building when it was in their care, especially when the factory was operating. Since it's closed, it's fallen apart.

"It kept changing hands, and you never knew who was responsible," she said.

John Madl, of 1000 N. Shamokin St., lives nearby. He echoed Grinaway's comments about how well the building had been kept decades ago. He recalled that the namesake himself, Lawton Shroyer, once paid for sewage repairs in Shamokin Alley and handed his father $50 cash and a case of beer for the trouble it caused.

Shroyer passed away before the old factory could be transformed into something else, Madl said.

"It could have been something," Madl said.

Another Alli-owned property was cordoned off Saturday in Mount Carmel. The top floor of the former Thurner building is kicking inwards at Second and Poplar streets. Alli also bought the building for $100 from the repository list. She had been ordered in January 2014 by Magisterial District Judge Hugh A. Jones to demolish the structure within 60 days or face fines. She had been cited 11 times by the borough code office.

DANVILLE - A leading oncologist at Geisinger said a main concern for his former patients who have recovered from one or more cancers is a disregard for screening for additional occurrences of new types of cancer.

Dr. Rajiv Panikkar, director of medical oncology at Geisinger Medical Center and co-leader for the cancer service line at Geisinger Health System, said his cancer survivors often forego routine screenings, like pelvic exams and colonoscopies, in exchange for their cancer-specific tests, like PET and CAT scans.

"A PET scan isn't a good way to find a colon problem," he said. "A woman may say, 'Do I really need to get a mammogram?' The answer is yes."

Panikkar said cancer survivors may be more likely to avoid regular screenings because of a fear of finding something new.

"Psychologically it's difficult because they don't want to look for trouble," he said. "You still want to maintain the proper cancer screening, try to catch things early, intervene early."

For cancer survivors, making a new diagnosis as early as possible is especially important because previous treatments can affect options, even if the cancers occurred years apart and in different areas of the body.

Psychological support

Panikkar said a more significant impact of developing a second cancer is the psychological side effects.

"When they get a second cancer, it's incredibly stressful," he said.

A second diagnosis can be particularly emotionally draining because patients will often fear the same difficulties they faced during their first cancer, even if medicine has progressed significantly since then, Panikkar said.

"If it's a decade or two later, treatments are different," he said.

Many cancer treatment teams at Geisinger Medical Center include psychologists, who can assist patients with their fears and emotions following a cancer diagnosis. Support groups can also be effective ways for patients to connect with people in similar situations.

"People need a lot of support when they go through cancer at any stage, particularly a second or sometimes the third time around," he said.

Panikkar said his team dislikes repeat patients, but they try to focus on making those facing new types of cancer as calm and comfortable as possible.

"When I discharge a patient from my office, I hope to never see them in my office again. We hope to see them on the street," he said. "It is hard when you have to sit down with someone and give a second diagnosis. But a familiar face sometime makes it easier to deal with than meeting an all-new team."

SHAMOKIN - The synthetic drug "flakka" is reportedly spreading across the country, according to a report by The Associated Press, but three local officials say they haven't encountered it yet in Northumberland County.

"I have heard of it but, luckily I can say we have not dealt with it yet," said Todd Owens, Mount Carmel police chief and a member of the Northumberland-Montour Drug Task Force.

Owens has read up on the drug, similar to "bath salts" and also referred to as alpha-PVP, shorthand for its chemical makeup. The information was forwarded to other task force officers, he said.

"I am sure that it will only be a matter of time before we see it in Northumberland County," Owens said.

Shamokin Police Cpl. Bryan Primerano said he was unaware of the drug locally, but felt the same as Owens in that it's bound to appear in the county. Glenda Bonetti, director of Northumberland County Drug and Alcohol Program, also was unaware of flakka's use locally, but said bath salts is still being abused.

Flakka is typically sold in white or pink crystalline form. Its smell is foul. The drug can be eaten, snorted, injected or vaporized in an e-cigarette, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. The institute included flakka on its list of emerging trends.

COAL TOWNSHIP - A Coal Township resident and Southern Columbia graduate has self-published a children's book.

"The Underground Toy Society," written and illustrated by Jessica D. Adams, tells the story of two toy dolls who become separated and must search for each other.

Adams said she came up with the idea for the story as a child.

"My story finally all came together after I had my own children and they had way too many toys," she said.

More information on "The Underground Toy Society" can be found on Adams' website, onesweetday48.wix.com/undergroundtoysociet, or by searching for the book on Facebook. Her book is also available for sale through Amazon.

DANVILLE - Six-year-old Isabella "Izzy" Yasenchak, of Irish Valley, experienced a thrill of a lifetime Friday when she and other pediatric patients at Janet Weis Children's Hospital received a visit Friday from IndyCar race driver Justin Wilson.

Unfortunately, the happiness enjoyed by the children and their families turned to sadness Monday night when the 37-year-old Wilson died from a head injury suffered when a piece of debris from another car struck him during Sunday's race at Pocono Raceway.

Wilson, a British driver who lived in Longmont, Colo., was very popular and respected for his kindness, character and humility, and his legion of fans grew during his visit to the hospital on the campus of Geisinger Medical Center.

Izzy, a daughter of Michael and Brandy Yasenchak, was admitted to Geisinger Aug. 18 after a piece of food became lodged in her throat the night before. After undergoing tests for four days, Izzy was visited by Wilson in conjunction with Racing for Kids, a Detroit-based national charity founded in 1989 that uses the popularity of motorsports to focus public awareness and funding on the health care needs of children.

The organization has visited more than 28,000 children in more than 550 children's hospitals in the United States, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Japan and Australia while raising more than $6 million for the hospitals visited and other children's health institutions.

Wilson posed for photos, signed a red racing hat for Izzy and talked for a few minutes to the girl and her parents about the race at Long Pond.

According to Brandy Yasenchak, who serves as Northumberland County court administrator, her daughter was surprised at Wilson's height of 6 feet, 4 inches. Because of his height, Wilson said there was room for little else in the tight cockpit of his race cars. He also talked to Izzy about his two daughters. Izzy shared her enjoyment for speed and her love of roller coasters, while Justin laughed and said he enjoyed going fast as well.

Izzy is a first-grade student at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School, Coal Township. She is a granddaughter of Ray and Cathy Scott, Mount Carmel, Randolph and Christine Yasenchak, Irish Valley.

Boys from Elysburg and Selinsgrove were among the others Wilson met with Friday.

Wilson's younger brother, Stefan, announced Monday night that his brother's organs will be donated.

ELYSBURG - Setebaid Services is holding the 2015 Setebaid Walk and invites the public to help more than 300 children and their families who are living with Type 1 diabetes. It will be held from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, at the parking area at Knoebels Amusement Resort.

Setebaid is a name created by children by spelling diabetes backwards. They said it reflects programs that "turn my diabetes around!"

To start a walk team, sponsor a team or otherwise participate, or become a corporate sponsor, visit www.setebaidwalk.org. Those interested in helping but unable to participate can learn more at the website, too.

Setebaid Services is a not-for-profit organization which operates diabetes camps and other diabetes education programs for children and teens.Setebaid programs include Camp Setebaid at Mount Luther, Mifflinburg, Camp Setebaid at Swatara, Bethel, the Harrisburg Diabetic Youth Camp and the Diabetes Family Day held at Knoebels Amusement Resort.

For more information, please contact Setebaid Services at 570-524-9090 or info@setebaidservices.org.

SHAMOKIN - Ann Targonski, Northumberland County district attorney, was awarded a campaign contribution by the Pennsylvania Federation of Democratic Women (PFDW) on Sunday.

Targonski is seeking election to a full term as district attorney. She was appointed district attorney in Northumberland County in July 2014.

The mission of the Pennsylvania Federation of Democratic Women (PFDW), founded in 1927, is to promote the election and appointment of Democratic women to responsible positions in all branches of government, encourage the advancement of women in both public and private sectors, and to advocate the principles of the Democratic party.

"The PFDW has a rigorous application process designed to identify women in races where the PFDW's assistance can make a difference in the outcome," said Gwen Collins, president. "We feel that Ann Targonski is an outstanding candidate with the experience necessary to protect the families and children of Northumberland County. We are willing to put our money and other assistance behind her."

Targonski said, "I'm grateful for the support of the Pennsylvania Federation of Democratic Women and especially for the Shamokin Area Democratic Women's Club and the confidence they have placed in my candidacy."

Job recruitment for Great Dane

SHAMOKIN - One Source will be recruiting new applicants for Great Dane Trailers' Danville location from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday at the CSO JOBS Center, 2 E. Arch St., Shamokin. Please bring two forms of identification.

Legion meeting is Thursday

KULPMONT - American Legion Post 231 will have their regular monthly meeting Thursday at the post home, 855 Ash St. Directors meet at 6:30 p.m. A-Members meet at 7 p.m. B-Members will follow the regular meeting. A social will be held after the meeting.

Lourdes mum sale this weekend

SHAMOKIN - The annual mum sale to benefit Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School will be held at the Williams residence, 603 W. Chestnut St., from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Mums are $7 each.

All '80s MCA reunion scheduled

MOUNT CARMEL - A Mount Carmel Area "all '80s" class reunion is being planned for Saturday. Oct. 24. For more information, contact Cathy Besser at 570-556-9851, academycb@outlook.com or at the "all '80s" reunion facebook page.

SHAMOKIN - The dog days of summer wind to a close on Labor Day with a K-9 Splash at the Lawton W. Shroyer Memorial Swimming Pool, 132 N. Rock St.

Dogs get the last dip in the pool from 1 to 4 p.m. Entry is $5, with portions of proceeds benefitting Mostly Mutts animal rescue. It's the first event of its kind at the city pool.

Limit one dog per handler. Proof of rabies vaccine necessary. Dogs must be licensed and leashed. No aggressive dogs permitted.

Staff from Mostly Mutts will be on hand to assist and answer questions about their rescue efforts.

For more information call 570-644-4789.

SHAMOKIN - Charges of simple assault and harassment that were previously dismissed against a Shamokin man have been refiled by the alleged victim.

Faith A. Smink, 63, of 1564 Pulaski Ave., Coal Township, filed the charges Thursday in a private criminal complaint against Brian Poplaskie, 47, of 3072 Upper Road, Shamokin. The complaint was approved by Northumberland County District Attorney Ann Targonski and Magisterial District Judge Michael Diehl of Milton. A preliminary hearing will now be held before Diehl, who will be the third judge involved in the case.

A criminal complaint was initially filed against Poplaskie by Coal Township Detective Jeff Brennan at the office of Magisterial District John Gembic III. Police said Poplaskie was accused of kicking Smink in the groin, causing injury, outside Smink's home June 12.

But Gembic recused himself because he's Smink's neighbor and the case was assigned to Magisterial District Judge Benjamin Apfelbaum, who dismissed the charges at a preliminary hearing due to lack of evidence.

By Kendra Jones

DANVILLE - Every animal brought into the Danville branch of the Pennsylvania SPCA has its own unfortunate story.

It may have suffered abuse or its owner may have died. Or, it may have been surrendered because the owner can no longer afford it - or doesn't want it anymore.

A brown furry rabbit and a pair of 2-year-old Miniature Pinschers are good examples.

The rabbit, sitting inside the front door on a recent day, was given to the SPCA after the owner was convinced not to set up a cage in the yard and shoot it.

As for the Pinschers, a woman brought them in saying she couldn't afford them, but that they were nice dogs and had not show signs of aggression. But when Donielle Aulenbach, site supervisor, took the dogs for behavioral tests, they fought with each other and one tried to attack her. By policy, the shelter refused to take the aggressive dogs.

Volunteers in demand

Often when the doors to the SPCA open at noon, there are already people waiting outside to surrender their animals.

With only six staff members to feed, care for and test animals, plus assist customers, seven days a week, volunteers are greatly appreciated.

Volunteers can help from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily after signing an application and waiver, and they can walk dogs, brush cats, clean horse stalls and interact with the horses. They must be 18 or older for liability reasons. Children of age 13 and up must be accompanied by an adult to volunteer, working with the cats. Hours can also be recorded if needed for a project or community service.

Silke Wittig, a dog trainer and owner of HeRo K9 Consulting, partners with the SPCA, training shelter dogs and giving a discount in training to those who adopt.

Although there are 19 dog kennels, room for 50 cats, outdoor space for 10 horses and a pig enclosure, many animals are turned away because the shelter is often at capacity.

"We receive about 10 phone calls a day asking if a cat can be dropped off," said Aulenbach.

The shelter tries to fit as many animals as possible, including by making temporary kennels and housing.

With the focus on domestic animals such as cats, dogs and rabbits, other animals such as birds and reptiles are occasionally taken in, but on a case-by-case basis.

Shelter network

Shelters in the area act as a team to care for and find homes for animals. If the SPCA is full, animals can be transferred to other shelters and vice-versa.

Also, donations at one shelter may be given to another in need if that location already has enough of a given product.

Also, multiple shelters in the area serve as a network to find lost dogs and to re-home a dog that the owner does not want to place into a shelter.

The SPCA heavily relies on donations from the public, whether it is monetary, food or bedding. The SPCA has no state funding.

The demand is great, Aulenbach said, noting the Danville shelter uses 200 ounces - 12.5 pounds - of wet cat food every day.

Other services

The shelter offers the Danville Trap Neuter Release Program; someone can call on Mondays to have a stray cat spayed or neutered, vaccinated and treated for ear mites, fleas and ticks for $40 before it is then picked back up so it is prepared to find a home.

When a dog is brought into the SPCA by an owner or as a stray, it goes through a behavioral and medical assessment and is vaccinated, spayed or neutered and microchipped. Strays are held for 48 hours and information about them is posted on social media to try to find the owner.

"We reach out to vets asking if a stray described sounds like a patient they have had recently," said Aulenbach.

The price of adoption at the SPCA varies by the type and age of each animal and includes spaying or neutering, vaccinations and the microchip.

Vaccine clinics are held twice month through December.

A potential SPCA community event is being planned for Oct. 8 and 9.

COAL TOWNSHIP - Diabetes is known as "the silent killer," and a local group hopes to raise awareness about the disease that's often undiagnosed and under reported as a cause of death, according to the American Diabetes Association.

The Central PA Diabetes Community Walk will be held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 26 at Shamokin Area School District's Kemp Memorial Stadium. It's the first diabetes fundraiser of its kind in the area, according to organizer Kristen James.

James herself has Type II brittle diabetes. She was diagnosed six years ago. Checking her blood sugar has become routine, marked by the pinpricks on her fingertips. She checks her sugar levels 10 times daily on average, and takes at least four insulin shots each day, too. A strict diet is a necessity, and can be a struggle.

She underwent surgery in June to treat nerve damage in her left arm caused by diabetes. Her right arm will need the same procedure.

As much as the disease has hampered her health, diabetes has also taxed James' emotions. Rather than wallow, she chose to fight back.

"I needed something positive to do," James said. "I just want people to be more aware."

She began planning for the event in June. Many people have come forward as having been diagnosed themselves, or having a relative or friend with the disease. James said it opened her eyes to how many people are affected locally.

The group behind the Central PA Diabetes Community Walk includes James' father, Joe, her fiance, Brian Ammerman, along with Barb Ammerman, Amanda Sockloski and Bill Chase. They're a part of Team Jarrod, in memory of the late Jarrod Tehansky, who also was diagnosed with diabetes. Tehansky was helping James organize the event before his death in June.

There's no fee to join the Community Walk. Walkers are encouraged to purchase a T-shirt as a donation. Proceeds will be donated to the American Diabetes Association.

Geisinger Health Plan will conduct wellness screenings, and information on diabetes will be distributed. There's a morning Zumba lesson, auctions and raffles, children's activities, entertainment by the band RATL, and a balloon release at 5 p.m. Each balloon will be released in memory or honor of someone affected by diabetes during a service led by Marty Sinopoli of Marty Sinopoli Ministries. Walkers will get a free Chinese auction ticket every four laps. A pair of Penn State Football tickets with parking passes for an Oct. 10 game against Indiana will be raffled.

Active fundraising includes the sale of T-shirts and candles; sales of both end Friday. A hoagie sale continues, as does the sale of balloons for the memorial release and bracelets in Tehansky's memory. A community night at Wendy's is planned for Sept. 8, with 10 percent of all sales between 5 and 8 p.m. donated to the Community Walk. Additional volunteers and fundraising ideas are welcome. Call 570-648-8228 or 570-259-8566 to place an order or volunteer. Find the Central PA Diabetes Community Walk on Facebook.

SHAMOKIN - Three different cases involving blight in the city had different outcomes Tuesday when they went before Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III.

The judge issued an arrest warrant for George Atiyeh, 56, of 147 S. Maple St., Mount Carmel, after he failed to appear for his preliminary hearing on misdemeanors of causing a public nuisance and disorderly conduct relating to a blighted and long-vacant property at 805 E. Commerce St. that partially collapsed Aug. 1. The building is owned by Atiyeh under the name of Apartments and Acquisitions, according to Cpl. Bryan Primerano, who filed the charges.

Atiyeh faces prison time and additional fines and costs if an agreement isn't reached to rectify conditions at the blighted property.

On Monday, Gembic found Atiyeh guilty ex-parte of a summary offense of causing a nuisance at multiple properties in the city and Coal Township when he failed to appear for a trial at his office and ordered the defendant to pay fines and costs.

Atiyeh has 30 days to appeal Gembic's ruling on the summary offenses.

Police said a 10-year-old boy set fire to 805 E. Commerce in 1995. The third floor was removed and efforts to top the second floor with a new roof were futile. Apartments & Acquisitions bought the building from Northumberland County Tax Claims Bureau in July 2011 for $2,000, according to a deed. A "For Rent" sign was hung on the rotted front porch soon after that, and served to draw more attention to the blight from motorists passing on Route 61.

Mayor William D. Milbrand said the city will pursue emergency demolition of the property and the half-double next door at 807 E. Commerce St. owned by Northumberland County.

Primerano said Atiyeh had been cited in the past for conditions at 805 E. Commerce, along with other properties he owns in Shamokin. Atiyeh previously appeared in court before Gembic and, according to Primerano, said he'd demolish the structure, but that never happened.

Back taxes totaling $216.41 are currently due on the property.

Atiyeh or his firms have snatched up 125 properties in Northumberland County since December 2010. At last count in the fall 2014, he or his companies had been cited more than 100 times in Shamokin, Mount Carmel and other communities, and was fined nearly $14,000. More than $134,000 in delinquent taxes were due before a proxy cut a check in mid-September to cover roughly half that amount. Shamokin-Coal Township Joint Sewer Authority sought 43 liens at the time against Atiyeh's companies for unpaid sewer bills and costs exceeding $20,000.

Charllyn Ruiz, 31, of 3 S. Shamokin St., and his wife, 32-year-old Mary T. Ruiz, who were each charged by Primerano with misdemeanors of causing a public nuisance and disorderly conduct involving offensive and unsanitary conditions at their home, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to a summary offense of unsanitary conditions after the misdemeanors were withdrawn by the officer. They are scheduled to face a trial on the summary offense before Gembic at 9:15 a.m. Sept. 28.

Gembic gave the couple 10 days to remove garbage from their property or face fines, costs and possible imprisonment. Gembic said, "Going to jail for garbage would be idiotic. I suggest you clean up the property as soon as you can."

The couple, who brought their young daughter to the scheduled hearing, asked police and code enforcement officer Rick Bozza if the city had any resources to help them clean their property. After being told that the cleanup would be their responsibility, Charyllyn Ruiz said, "We will do our best."

Bozza and Primerano have previously charged Guillermo Ruiz, 51, of New York, multiple times for failing to dispose of refuse at 3 S. Shamokin St., which he owns and formerly occupied. He is the father of Charllyn Ruiz.

Charllyn and Mary Ruiz are accused of amassing piles of debris and household trash in their backyard.

Used furniture, tires, bicycles and children's toys were strewn about the backyard. A portion of the garage was falling into a neighboring yard, police said.

Bags of household trash were piled along the rear of the house, at points higher than a fence and spilling into an adjacent yard. Police said the odor was strong, attracting pests and animals, and some of the trash appeared to have been decaying for months.

A preliminary hearing scheduled for Miguel A. Gonzalez, 36, of Brooklyn, N.Y., who is charged by Primerano with a misdemeanor of causing a public nuisance at a blighted property he owns at 415 S. Market St., was continued after the defendant conferred with Primerano and Bozza, who inspected the building.

Primerano said he would consider withdrawing the charge if Gonzalez brought the property up to code by October.

According to a criminal complaint, shingles and roof materials are falling from the property. The roof and exterior walls are deteriorated and broken and unsecured glass is in the building. The rear porch is unsecured and dangerous to walk on and the chimney is damaged. Wooden eaves also are falling from the building.

Gonzalez was previously cited six times for causing a public nuisance. Each of the citations carries a $200 fine plus costs.