SUNBURY - An inmate at SCI-Coal Township charged with stabbing another inmate in the neck with a six-inch metal shank in December 2011 will face trial on multiple charges in May.

During a brief pre-trial conference Tuesday morning, President Judge Robert B. Sacavage said jury selection in the attempted homicide case for 23-year-old Ramon Aikeen Frazier will begin May 6. Frazier's trial will follow the completion of jury selection.

Sacavage set the date after conferring with Frazier's attorney, James Best of Sunbury, and District Attorney Tony Rosini. The judge ordered Rosini to turn over discovery evidence to Best, who must file any pre-trial motions within 30 days. Another pre-trial conference in the case has been scheduled for April 5.

Best, who serves as independent conflicts counsel for the county, was reassigned the case last week from Northumberland County Public Defender Michael Romance.

Frazier is charged with felonies of criminal attempt to commit homicide, aggravated assault (two counts) and assault by a prisoner, and misdemeanors of possessing instruments of crime and possessing a prohibited offensive weapon.

The charges were filed by Troopers Ronald Zanella and Kevin Kearney of state police at Stonington.

Surgery required

Frazier is accused of stabbing 24-year-old inmate Dashawn Anthony Harris, in the neck with a six-inch metal shank made from a piece of heavy-gauge fencing while the victim was playing basketball in the west yard of the state correctional institution at 2:20 p.m. Dec. 1, 2011.

Police said Harris, who was attacked from behind and had the metal shank stuck in the right side of his neck, was conscious but complained of having no feeling in his limbs upon being treated at the scene and transported to Geisinger Medical Center in Danville.

Harris, who was admitted to Geisinger with what police described as a potentially life-threatening injury, required "emergency operative intervention" by a neurosurgeon. He was returned to SCI-Coal Township, but is still undergoing physical therapy for his injury, according to police.

Police said Frazier is a native of Delaware and resided in the Pittsburgh area at one time.

According to prison records, Frazier is serving a 2 1/2 to 7-year state prison sentence on criminal conspiracy and robbery charges committed in Northampton County. Frazier was committed to the state prison system May 2, 2007, and was incarcerated at SCI-Pine Grove on July 26, 2007. He remained at SCI-Pine Grove before being transferred to SCI-Coal Township on April 12, 2010.

Harris, who is from the Pittsburgh area, is serving a 7 1/2 to 20-year state prison sentence for first-degree murder committed in Allegheny County. He was incarcerated at SCI-Pine Grove on Sept. 13, 2007, and remained there until being transferred to SCI-Coal Township on Nov. 15, 2011.

L.M. boosters plan craft show

MANDATA - Line Mountain Softball Boosters will hold its annual craft show Saturday, March 9. The 22nd annual event will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Line Mountain Junior/ Senior High School, Route 225.

One hundred vendors will sell homemade crafts, raffles and food, including homemade ham and bean soup and chicken-corn soup.

Admission is free. Proceeds go to the girls softball team.

BU Quest to hold winter festival

BLOOMSBURG - The Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania Quest program will host the annual Human-Powered Winter Festival from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9, on BU's upper campus. The event is free and open to the public.

Several outdoor activities will be held throughout the day, including kayak sledding, snowshoeing, mock ice climbing and cross country skiing. The Quest members will also hold a number of workshops covering topics from hypothermia management and prevention to what outdoors enthusiasts should pack to eat while on the trails in the winter.

For more information, contact the Quest office at 389-4323 or visit http://quest.bloomu.edu/.

SUNBURY - A Shamokin man who refused to leave a Northumberland County commissioners' meeting last week after posing questions implying various allegations will not be charged in connection with the incident.

In a letter dated Friday to Commissioners Vinny Clausi, Richard Shoch and Stephen Bridy, Sunbury Police Chief Stephen A. Mazzeo said his department's investigation into Kaleta's actions at the Jan. 22 meeting did not reveal any "prosecutable violations." He said the probe included a review of the audio tape of the meeting provided by the county and consultation with county District Attorney Tony Rosini.

Clausi reserved comment about no charges being filed against Kaleta.

Kaleta said Tuesday he didn't expect any charges to be filed against him because he doesn't believe he did anything wrong.

Police 'bill' county

In the letter, Mazzeo requested payment of $700 from the county for services rendered to conduct the investigation, which he said normally would have been performed by the county detective, a position that was eliminated in the district attorney's office due to budget cuts.

Mazzeo said police spent seven hours at a rate of $100 per hour on the probe.

Clausi said he since discussed the issue with Sunbury Mayor David Persing, who told him to forget about it.

"Mayor Persing told me to throw the bill in the garbage can," Clausi said.

He added, "I think it was ridiculous for the police to expect us to pay for the investigation. Why would they even consider that?"

Questions asked

During the meeting in question, Kaleta, who has spoken out against the county's development of the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area (AOAA), rattled off a list of 16 questions to Clausi - a majority of them related to a recent claim by the state that the county unjustly awarded grant money to the relative of a county employee, but others suggesting more serious wrongdoing.

Clausi said Kaleta was out of order, and asked him to leave or he would call police. Clausi said he was also upset that Kaleta used foul language at a public meeting when he quoted something Clausi allegedly said to him three years ago.

Kaleta refused to leave, even after a request by county security director Ronald Yeager.

The meeting soon ended, however, and Kaleta left prior to police arriving, which was about 90 minutes later because they were notified it wasn't an emergency and that Kaleta had left.

Clausi said county officials also are considering filing a lawsuit against Kaleta for the questions he posed at the meeting.

COAL TOWNSHIP — A faulty electrical outlet is being blamed for a fire that gutted a township home and killed several animals Monday evening.
Coal Township Deputy Chief Kevin Malukas reported Tuesday that, following the investigation of a state police fire marshal earlier in the day, the fire at 1479 Wabash St. was accidental in nature.
“The investigation showed that an outlet on the first floor of the structure malfunctioned and sparked the blaze,” Malukas said. “It is being ruled accidental in nature.”
Emergency crews responded to the scene of the fire, at the corner of Wabash and Sherman streets at 7:25 p.m. and found the first floor of the structure fully engulfed in flames, Firefighters had it under control in a half-hour and left the scene at 10:25 p.m., just in time to respond to another fire call in Shamokin.
The occupants of the home, Mike Borich and Lizzette Velazquez, came home after being out to dinner to find their home on fire. Borich raced inside the basement to save a pet pit bull, but another pit bull, a cat and several snakes on the first floor perished.
Malukas said fire damage was heavy on the first and second floors. Borich and Velazquez were renting the home from Bart and Danielle Koser, of Coal Township, and doing renovations on the place.
The deputy chief reported that Koser is insured for the structure, but Borich and Velazquez did not have insurance for their possessions.

SUNBURY - A Selinsgrove man charged in an armed robbery at a Paxinos home 7 1/2 years ago faced two separate hearings before different judges Thursday afternoon to determine if he goes to trial or remains free.

Arguments were made by attorneys over whether prosecutors violated Rule 600 that requires defendants to be brought to trial within 365 days after they are charged, and if a search warrant was legally signed. But no rulings were issued in the ongoing case of 23-year-old Erik Jamel Harrington.

The defendant is charged by Trooper Ronald Zanella of state police at Stonington with multiple offenses in connection with the July 16, 2005, armed robbery at the Paxinos residence of 55-year-old James Honecker, who suffers from multiple sclerosis and is confined to a wheelchair.

A criminal complaint was filed against Harrington on March 4, 2010, but the defendant reportedly fled to North Carolina, where authorities said he has relatives. He was taken into custody April 29, 2011, by authorities in North Carolina and was arraigned May 17, 2011, by Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III on felony offenses of robbery, burglary, aggravated assault, theft, criminal conspiracy to commit robbery, criminal conspiracy to commit burglary, aiding the consummation of a crime and simple assault.

After his extradition to Pennsylvania, he was incarcerated in prisons in Snyder and Northumberland counties. But his bail was reduced by Judge William H. Wiest from $100,000 cash to $50,000 cash at a hearing May 24, 2012. The commonwealth opposed the reduction, but it was still granted, and Harrington was able to hire a bondsman to post the bail. He was released from Northumberland County Prison on Oct. 9.

Thursday's first hearing before Wiest dealt with Rule 600 and included testimony from Zanella, Gembic and Northumberland County Adult Probation Officer Esther Rhodes.

Warrants issued

Zanella presented a history of the armed robbery investigation. The trooper said police were able to obtain enough evidence, including DNA from the crime scene, linking Harrington to the robbery.

The trooper said he talked several times with Rhodes, who was Harrington's probation officer at the time, in an attempt to inform him that he was being charged in the robbery. He said Rhodes told him Harrington was not living at his last known residence in Selinsgrove.

He said Rhodes advised the defendant about turning himself into authorities, but the defendant failed to do so and reportedly fled to North Carolina.

Zanella said arrest and fugitive warrants were issued for Harrington. He said one of the warrants included an extradition order. He also said Harrington's name was entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) system and the U.S. Marshal's Service was made aware of the arrest warrants for Harrington.

But the trooper said the defendant wasn't taken into custody until April 2011.

Gembic confirmed the date when the charges were filed against Harrington and when he was arraigned. The judge said requests were made for fugitive and bench warrants against the defendant. He said a warrant was served on Harrington on May 16, 2011.

He said Harrington's initial preliminary hearing set for June 2, 2011, was continued until July 29, 2011, at which time the defendant waived his case to the Court of Common Pleas in Sunbury.

Rhodes testified that Harrington absconded from authorities, who were unable to locate him until April 2011. Rhodes said she informed Harrington that he was wanted on a bench warrant and advised him to turn himself over to authorities. She said Harrington did not inform her of his whereabouts when they communicated with each other.

The probation officer, who noted Harrington owed fines and costs, said her office did not take additional action against Harrington after the warrant was served for his arrest.

'Insufficient activity'

In his closing argument, Harrington's attorney, Peter Campana of Williamsport, argued that police and prosecutors did not exhibit due diligence in their efforts to locate Harrington after he left the state. He told the judge, "They didn't go to his former residence to check if he was there or confer with any of his friends who may have known where he was. I believe there was insufficient activity on their part."

Assistant District Attorney Michael Toomey said, "There was more than due diligence in trying to locate him. Who would know more about his whereabouts than his probation officer? He was on the lam and wasn't coming back. By fleeing the state, that implies guilt, and he had to be extradited."

Campana and Toomey were each given 10 days by Wiest to present case law supporting their arguments.

Second hearing

The defendant and the attorneys then walked next door to President Judge Robert B. Sacavage's courtroom to hear arguments over a motion filed by Campana to suppress evidence.

Zanella, who was the only witness at the second hearing, testified that he applied and obtained a search warrant from Wiest.

Campana said the search warrant issued by Wiest was not valid because the judge failed to sign his name on the line indicating probable cause. He cited case law in his argument and discussed a similar incident that occurred in Northumberland County.

He also argued that probable cause did not exist to issue the warrant.

He said authorities were only told that Harrington couldn't be eliminated from the list of people who may have the same DNA collected at the scene of the robbery, which he said was a far cry from proving it was his client's DNA.

Campana said, "There is no search warrant signed by the judge in this case. Perhaps, he meant to sign it, but he can't amend it."

Toomey disagreed with Campana's arguments about the search warrant being invalid and the DNA analysis.

He said Wiest signed two other parts of the search warrant and cited case law indicating the warrant was still valid.

The assistant district attorney said police established probable cause to have the warrant issued and that authorities were told it was impossible to exclude Harrington's DNA from matching DNA found on a soda bottle at the robbery scene.

Sacavage said he would carefully study both arguments before rendering a decision, but the judge gave no time frame when he would issue a ruling.

If Wiest rules that prosecutors violated Rule 600, Harrington, who is currently free on bail, would not have to face trial. If the judge rules in favor of the commonwealth and the case proceeds to trial, Sacavage's ruling on the motion to suppress evidence would determine if the search warrant and DNA analysis could be used as evidence at trial.

Possible trial in April

Harrington was scheduled to go to trial the week of Feb. 11, but with attorneys being granted a total of 20 days to file case law before Wiest renders a decision on the Rule 600 issue, the trial will probably be rescheduled for the April term of criminal court.

Honecker, who is disgusted and frustrated that Harrington is free and hasn't been brought to trial yet, was not in attendance at either hearing. He had been present for numerous other legal proceedings related to the case.

Police said Harrington, Sees and two other assailants, all wearing dark clothing, hats and bandanas across their faces, are accused of entering Honecker's home at 1:30 a.m. and holding him at gunpoint in his living room while threatening to kill him.

Police said the robbers demanded money, ransacked the home and removed 12 rifles and shotguns, knives, ammunition, cash, jewelry, an amplifier and prescription narcotics with a total value of $5,590. Police said the robbers also caused approximately $300 in damage by pulling telephone cords from the wall and damaging two televisions.

Sees was charged by state police at Stonington on Aug. 15, 2006, and eventually pleaded guilty to felony charges of burglary and robbery. He was sentenced to 3 1/3 to 6 2/3 years in state prison and ordered to pay $300 in fines plus costs, make $4,000 restitution to Honecker and approximately $8,800 restitution to Honecker's insurance company.

Sees has since completed his state prison sentence and is free, and Honecker said he's received a few hundred dollars in restitution.

The other two assailants Honecker claims were involved in the robbery were never located or charged, police said.

OWINGS MILLS, Md. - Grier Melick has been named to the dean's list at Stevenson University for the fall semester. He is a member of the men's cross country team.

A son of Andrew and Ann Melick, of Catawissa, he is a 2012 graduate of Our Lady of Lourdes High School.

MOUNT CARMEL - The fight against Mount Carmel Borough Council's decision to reduce the salary of the borough tax collector by $20,000 was cut short by the current tax collector himself when he learned there is someone else in the borough willing to do the same job at the reduced compensation.

With a look of defeat, Christopher Grayson, who spent approximately 30 minutes Thursday night during a special meeting trying to justify why he thinks he deserves to be paid at the current rate, said he didn't need any more time once President Tony Matulewicz read a letter from Debra Kaleta, of West Fourth Street.

Earlier this month, council voted to change the compensation rate of the tax collector, which would go into

effect Jan. 1, 2014, to $1.50 for every real estate tax bill, $.25 for every per capita tax bill and $1 for every occupation assessment tax bill - similar to how Mount Carmel Area School District and Northumberland County compensate the tax collector.

The borough was previously paying Grayson 3.5 percent for every individual real estate, per capita and occupation assessment bill he collects in a year.

Grayson, who is up for re-election this year, argued no one would be willing to run for the elected position with such a low compensation rate. If Grayson doesn't run and no one else was elected, the borough would have the option of appointing a bank to take on the duties - Susquehanna Bank officials already submitted a $4,200 a year proposal to take on the tax collector duties.

Since Grayson was planning on presenting arguments against why appointing a bank would not be a good idea, Matulewicz decided to read the letter from Kaleta.

"It appears that some members of council and the public are concerned that if the tax collector's rate of compensation is reduced in 2014 that no one will want to run for that office. I would like to alleviate any concerns of that type," she wrote.

Kaleta decided to run to save the taxpayers money and because she enjoys spending time assisting residents with questions and interacting with her neighbors on a daily basis, she wrote.

Grayson immediately stopped his presentation.

"If the banks are out of the question, this meeting is out of the question. That's it," he said. "You got what you want."

Several council members assured Grayson the decision to reduce the compensation rate was not a personal attack nor a commentary on his performance as a tax collector.

According to figures provided by the county, borough and school district, Mount Carmel is paying more than four times the amount of the county and school district.

"One entity is bearing the brunt of the other two. How do I justify that to the taxpayers when it's the same service?" Councilman Joseph Lapotsky said.

During the first half hour of the meeting, Grayson said his job was more than just accepting money from the taxpayers. He works 40 hours a week, and has administrative duties such as pulling receipts for the elderly, filing address changes and removing taxpayers who have moved or died.

He argued that it was against a court decision to lower the rates so low that tax collectors would not run.

State law prohibits a school district from implementing a lockbox system - where banks collect taxes and the taxing body provides customer service by offering lower pay to motivate tax collectors out of office.

In October, the state Supreme Court sided with tax collectors when Pennridge and Central Bucks school districts reduced their compensation by so much that the collectors were not being adequately compensated for their time.

Following the meeting, Grayson was asked by a News-Item reporter if he had anything he'd like to say.

"No, nothing," he said.

Grayson, who is in his second four-year term, had previously said he would not run again if the council kept the change.

Borough resident Tom Koch was not happy with the direction the borough was taking.

"I believe losing the tax collector in Mount Carmel would be a great deficit in this area. You have to stand behind the people who stand behind the community," he said. "I came here tonight to make sure no one was taken advantage of."

Northumberland County Chief Assessor Al Bressi, who answered any questions Grayson or the council had, said he was satisfied with the outcome.

"Going with a bank is not a good idea," he said.

If the borough collects its own taxes by appointing a bank, Bressi said the county would also have to collect its own from the borough taxpayers, and the shared cost of bills in relation to postage and paperwork would increase from $2,827 each to $5,620 each.

In 2012, the borough paid Grayson $19,480.64 for real estate bills, $4,253 for occupational assessment bills and $412.03 for per capita bills. Since there's also 7.65 percent on the real estate bills for Social Security and Medicare that goes to Grayson, the borough's total bill to the tax collector was $25,636.07 in 2012.

The school district pays $1.25 commission on every real estate tax bill and $1 commission on every per capita and occupation assessment tax bill. The county pays $1.50 for every real estate tax bill and $.25 for every per capita and occupation assessment tax bill.

Comparatively, the school district compensates Grayson at $5,908.25 and the county compensates him at $6,282.75 - roughly four times less than what the borough pays.

STONINGTON - Route 61 near Stonington Fire Company was closed for more than 10 hours Thursday while crews worked to clear the road of debris caused by a downed tree and utility pole.

At the time of the 7 a.m. incident, the National Weather Service (NWS) reported wind speeds between 40 and 50 mph.

A detour was in place at Captain Bloom and Anthracite roads in Shamokin Township.

The 911 center said the highway was closed in the area from the Stonington State Police barracks to Northumberland Memorial Park Cemetery.

According to PPL spokesperson Martha Herron, a tree fell, ripping out the primary lines and snapping a pole, which were spread across both lanes of traffic.

PPL crews cleared the tree and downed lines and Verizon crews also cleared their fiber optic cable, she said.

However, shortly after, another tree fell in the same area, snapping another line, Herron said.

According to the outage center on PPL's website at 9 p.m. Thursday, power was restored to 33 customers in Snydertown and 18 customers in Shamokin Township.

Additionally, the website listed that power was also restored to 1,322 customers in Point Township, five customers in Milton and one customer each in Sunbury and Upper Augusta Township. Only one customer remained without power in Rockefeller Township.

NWS Meteorologist John LaCorte said the wind gradually fell to between 40 and 45 mph by the afternoon, and will slowly taper off and be approximately 30 mph today.

"It will be less than today (Thursday), but still not nice with the temperatures," he said.

The highest temperature is expected to be in the mid 20s today, he reported.

Additionally, LaCorte said, they recorded approximately 1.44 inches of rain from the storm.

Rick Mason, public information officer with PennDOT District 3-0, said the detours ran smoothly and he was not made aware of any additional issues throughout the day.

Other roads closed

At 6 p.m. Thursday, PennDOT closed Route 54 on Natalie Mountain because it was a "sheet of ice," according to a representative from Northumberland County 911 Center.

Road crews treated the road, which was reopened at 6:30 p.m.

Trevorton Road was closed for a short time after a rock slide created a traffic hazard at 5:45 p.m. Thursday, according to the 911 center. PennDOT took over the clean-up and opened the road to traffic after only a short delay.

SCRANTON - Sara Melick has been named to the dean's list at Marywood University for the fall semester.

She is a member of the women's volleyball team and was named to the CSAC honor team for 2012.

A daughter of Andrew and Ann Melick, of Catawissa, she is a 2010 graduate of Our Lady of Lourdes High School.

COAL TOWNSHIP - A Coal Township commissioner says a proposed ordinance taxing recreational permits sold for coal land access will be put on hold.

This comes in the wake of a Tuesday meeting between officials of both Coal and Zerbe townships and a Reading Anthracite executive.

"As of this time, we have no plans of moving forward on (the ordinance)," Jerry Waugh, Coal Township commissioner, said Thursday.

Reading Anthracite sells access permits to its coal land, believed by and large to be purchased by off-road vehicle enthusiasts. Coal Township commissioners viewed this as a misuse of land zoned and taxed for coal production. They also expressed concern for the cost and risk of providing emergency services on the privately owned land.

In December, they announced ordinance that, if adopted, would demand 25 percent of revenue from the sale of access permits on all coal land.

That money would be used to offset the cost of emergency services on privately owned coal lands, officials said.

Permits were sold by Reading Anthracite at $125 apiece in 2012. If the tax were in place, Coal Township would have sought $31.25 on each one.

"It is believed that it is in the best interest of the taxpayers of Coal Township that these entities, who use coal production zoned land for other than coal production, pay for the additional costs of police, fire and emergency services that must be made available to those within the boundaries of Coal Township," the proposed ordinance states.

It's not clear if any other coal land owner sells access permits in Coal and Zerbe townships or if Zerbe Township supervisors discussed similar ordinance.

Coal Township's solicitor Vince Rovito said he was told Reading Anthracite began selling the permits after an estimated $22,000 damage was caused to heavy equipment on its property. The thought behind the permits was not to generate revenue but to essentially have paying customers police themselves and others, he said.

They were "out to recruit eyes," as Rovito put it.

Tuesday's meeting proved productive and positive enough that Waugh said all sides now have a better understanding of one another's concerns - concerns that appear similar.

Coal and Zerbe township officials have spoken in the past of the burden borne by emergency responders and taxpayers for all-terrain vehicle accidents and the like on privately owned coal strippings.

According to Rovito, the president of Reading Anthracite, Brian Rich, said he also is concerned with accidents and crimes like vandalism and illegal dumping that occur on his company's property.

An attempt to reach Rich for comment Thursday was unsuccessful.

While nothing is concrete, Waugh said there were discussions about a potential partnership between the municipalities and the coal company to bolster police presence and emergency services on Reading Anthracite property.

Reading Anthracite owns land adjacent to the developing Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area. Both Waugh and Rovito said Rich expressed interest in the motorized and non-motorized recreation area being created by Northumberland County.

"This man wants to get actively involved in our area," Rovito said. "It's as much a benefit for himself as it is for us."

Waugh credited Rich for coming to the Coal Township Municipal Building for the meeting, and for pledging to keep an ongoing dialogue.

Michael Schwartz is Zerbe Township's supervisor chairman. Attempts to reach him for comment on Thursday were unsuccessful, as were attempts for comment from both Schwartz and fellow supervisors in December.

Along with Waugh, Rovito and Rich, also at the meeting were Schwartz, Coal Township Commissioner Gene Welsh, Coal Township Manager Rob Slaby, Zerbe Township Solicitor Roger Wiest, and attorney Gretchen Stern for Reading Anthracite.

MOUNT CARMEL - A 51-year-old Mount Carmel man is facing multiple charges after he barricaded himself in a second-floor bathroom at his home late Wednesday night and threatened to kill himself with a large hunting knife.

Andrew Zakashefski, of 507 E. Avenue, was taken into custody shortly before midnight after police used a pepper spray canister to draw him out of the room before deploying a Taser gun.

Zakashefski suffered a wrist laceration from falling after being stunned with the Taser gun and was treated at the scene by personnel from AREA Services Ambulance. He was then transported to Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, where he was involuntarily committed for evaluation on a mental health "302" warrant.

The disturbance began at about 10:40 p.m. when borough police were called to Zakashefski's home for a possible burglary in progress.

Shortly after arriving at the residence, officers observed Zakashefski on a second-floor back porch armed with a large hunting knife he was holding up to his neck. Zakashefski then ran into the home and barricaded himself in a second-floor bathroom, police said.

Police reported Zakashefski began throwing household items out the windows and refused demands by police to exit the home.

Officers made entry into the residence to check on the safety of Zakashefski's 47-year-old live-in girlfriend, Kathy Lewiski, who was found unharmed.

Police then began a dialogue with Zakashefski in an attempt to get him out of the bathroom. According to police, Zakashefski became increasingly agitated and began making statements that he was going to cut his throat and kill himself.

After talking with Zakashefski for about an hour, police threw a pepper spray canister through an exterior bathroom window, which caused Zakashefski to open the bathroom door moments later. But police said Zakashefski still refused verbal commands to show his hands so police could determine if he still had the large hunting knife on his possession, which he did.

Police then used the Taser gun on Zakashefski.

Police believe Zakashefski may have been under the influence of bath salts, which contributed to his behavior.

Police reported multiple criminal charges will be filed against Zakashefski.

Assisting Mount Carmel police at the disturbance were officers from Mount Carmel Township, Kulpmont and Ralpho Township, and firefighters from Anthracite Fire Company, who provided ground ladders.

ELYSBURG - The Elysburg Fire Department Emergency Medical Services has mailed 2013 subscription requests to residents of municipalities where it provides services.

Flyers for the 2013 drive are in a newly designed format, which is more cost-effective. Residents are advised to be attentive to this new subscription format.

Individual memberships are $45, while family memberships are $60.

In addition, local businesses may request a customized subscription.

The subscription drive constitutes a significant portion of the company's yearly income and assists in purchasing the latest life saving emergency equipment and offsetting day-to-day operating expenses.

While the cost of equipment, maintenance and fuel continue to rise, so too does the cost to provide this necessary service, EMS officials said. The ambulance service has needed additional revenue over the past year to assure uninterrupted service to the community and depends on and appreciates the community support to continue this vital service.

Elysburg Fire Department Ambulance provides basic and advanced life support services to Ralpho Township and surrounding communities. The company employs professional staff 24 hours a day, seven days a week, out of its East Mill Street location.

MOUNT CARMEL - The annual fund drive of the Mount Carmel Area Rescue Squad begins today.

Now in its 37th year of operation, "the rescue squad has been serving our community with dignity and pride since 1976 and has been recognized as one of the best emergency service organizations in the area," according to a press release.

Donation requests were mailed to residents of the organization's primary coverage area. Residents are asked to mail their donations to Mount Carmel Area Rescue Squad at P.O. Box 372, Mount Carmel 17851.

Rescue squad officers stress that no telephone or door-to-door solicitations will be made.

Primary revenue

"When an emergency call goes out, the rescue squad is there to give whatever assistance is needed. Once each year, the rescue squad requests the citizens of the Mount Carmel area to help them continue their vital emergency services by asking each household to contribute $20 to our annual fundraising drive," the press release states.

The annual fund drive is the primary source of revenue to pay for the rescue squad's continually increasing operating expenses.

"The cost of running your household goes up every year. The costs of keeping our rescue units operational and paying utility costs have also increased dramatically," Jason Godin, rescue squad president, said in the press release. "Each year the rescue squad asks area residents for contributions to pay for our ever-increasing operating costs and each year the community responds allowing us to continue to provide emergency services for another year. The continued operation of the rescue squad is solely dependent on residents' response to this annual appeal for donations.

"Members would like to remind residents that no direct municipal tax dollars have ever been used for the purchase of rescue squad vehicles, equipment or building construction costs.

"The rescue squad is finding it increasingly difficult to meet the spiraling costs of providing our services to the community. We rely on the support of area residents because without it we will not be able to continue operation. The members of the rescue squad ask that our citizens contribute as generously as possible to this year's drive so that we can continue to provide vital emergency services," Godin said.

"We hope that you will answer our call for help so the Mount Carmel Area Rescue Squad will be able to be there to answer a call if you ever need emergency help."

HARRISBURG - Following this week's joint legislative hearing of the Senate and House labor and industry committees, the committees' four chairs said they are committed to a bipartisan effort to work with the Department of Labor and Industry to address the difficulties unemployment compensation claimants have experienced in filing claims.

Senate Labor and Industry Chairman John R. Gordner (R-27) will convene a working group to include Senate Minority Chairwoman Tina Tartaglione (D-2, Philadelphia), House Labor and Industry Committee Chairman Mario Scavello (R-176, Monroe) and House Minority Chair Bill Keller (D-184, Philadelphia), according to a statement from Gordner's office.

"Call volume at the UC service centers is dramatically increasing due mostly to technology problems, while at the same time, claims are decreasing," said Gordner. "It is unacceptable that persons who are entitled to benefits are having difficulty in obtaining them. I am pleased that the department is taking steps to address this; however, my colleagues and I will work to provide better resources to address this matter."

Administration of unemployment compensation benefits is 100 percent federally funded, and Labor Secretary Julia K. Hearthway testified before the committees that funding has been reduced by $30 million in the current fiscal year. She expects further federal cuts approaching $10 million for the coming fiscal year.

Hearthway further told the committees that the preferred method for claimants to file for benefits by is by Internet; however, many times claimants receive a message to call the service centers to provide more information. This has resulted in numerous busy signals and delays in claims, according to Gordner's release. The department has updated its phone system and added dedicated fax lines in efforts to speed service to claimants.

Claimants should first attempt to file claims by Internet at www.uc.pa.gov. If claimants do not have internet access or receive a message to contact the centers, the toll-free phone line is 888-313-7284. Claimants may also fax to 717-525-5150, which will prompt a UC service center representative to contact the claimant within three days.

Gordner said Hearthway will update both the Senate and House appropriations committees on this issue during budget hearings in February and March.

"In the meantime, the four chairs will work with the department on legislation to provide it with the best resources - whether it consists of continuation of technology upgrades, more claims processors, or both," Gordner was quoted.

COAL TOWNSHIP - A Shamokin area man was extradited from New Jersey Thursday and charged in connection with a December disturbance that involved him allegedly punching two adult males and kicking his 4-month-old son in the head.

Craig C. Becker Jr., 26, was video-arraigned early Thursday afternoon by Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III on a misdemeanor of recklessly endangering another person and a summary of harassment relating to the Dec. 5 disturbance at his former residence at 915 W. Mulberry St.

The charges were filed by Coal Township Patrolman Terry Ketchem.

Becker, who was wanted on the charges, was extradited by Coal Township police from Warren County Correctional Facility in Phillipsburg, N.J., where he had been detained after being arrested on a warrant.

Child not hurt

He is accused of entering the residence and punching Aaron Lutcher and Ed Yoder. While he was fighting with both men, police said Becker kicked his son. The infant, who was not injured, was evaluated at the scene by personnel from AREA Services Ambulance before being transported to Geisinger-Shamokin Area Community Hospital for further evaluation.

Brittany Shiffer, the mother of the infant, told police she, Lutcher, Yoder and two others were sitting in the living room watching a movie when Becker slammed open the front door and began punching Lutcher and Yoder before kicking the baby during the fight.

Lutcher told police he was struck three or four times in the face by Becker before the defendant went after Yoder. Lutcher said Becker yelled at him to get out of the house. After Lutcher ran out of the house and started walking down the sidewalk, he claimed Becker came after him again and struck him three or four more times in the back of the head, police said.

Becker was committed to Northumberland County Prison in lieu of $20,000 cash bail.

Master Gardeners offering workshop

SUNBURY - The Penn State Master Gardeners of Northumberland and Snyder counties will present a program at the Degenstein Library, 40 S. Fifth St. at 1 p.m. Saturday. Some common and uncommon bulbs, tubers and rhizomes that need to be stored for the winter will be discussed. A small selection of bulbs will be for sale. Call the Penn State Extension Office at 988-3950 to register.

Free meal at Ashland church

ASHLAND - Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 35 N. Ninth St., will host "The Shepherd's Table," a free meal for those in need and who wish to socialize with others, from 3 to 5:30 p.m. (or until the food is depleted) Wednesday. Families are welcome.

Those attending are asked to enter through the rear entrance of the church at the parking lot. The meal is eat-in only; there will be no takeouts.

Report cards to be distributed

COAL TOWNSHIP - The Shamokin Area Middle/High School will be distributing report cards to students Monday.

MOUNT CARMEL - The Mount Carmel Area Joint Veterans Committee held its 438th Changing of the Colors flag ceremony Jan. 20 at the Susquehanna Bank flag pole in honor and memory of a Korean War veteran.

Born in Mount Carmel, Aug. 21, 1930, Paul Jerome Saukaitis was a son of John and Mary (Hudock) Saukaitis, and was a graduate of Mount Carmel High School.

He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on Jan. 10, 1951, at Baltimore, Md., and was honorably discharged as a seaman Dec. 7, 1954, at U.S. Naval Registration Station, San Francisco, Calif.

Saukaitis served aboard the USS Oriskany-CVA 34, a Ticonderoga Class aircraft carrier, during the Korean War, and earned the National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Medal, China Service Medal and Navy Occupation Medal.

Total service to his country was three years, 10 months, 28 days, of which foreign service totaled three years, eight months.

On July 6, 1957, at Our Mother of Consolation Church, Mount Carmel, he married the former Catherine Mirarchi. Together with his wife, they were proprietors of Barkers Bakery in Mount Carmel for almost 50 years before retiring in 2009.

Saukaitis was a member of Divine Redeemer Church, the former Holy Cross Church, American Legion Post 91, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2110, all of Mount Carmel; Fountain Springs Country Club and Lithuanian Knights and was past president of Mount Carmel Rotary Club.

He died Dec. 11, 2012, and is buried in Holy Cross Cemetery, Mount Carmel Township. In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter and a granddaughter.

The flag flown the previous month was done so in honor and memory of William S. Whitmore, who served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Taps was played on bugle by Ann Ray Begis as the flag was lowered by Anthony Candelora. The flag was folded by Begis, William Begis and Candelora.

The Saukaitis flag was escorted to the service by Andrew Bubnis. The flag was presented by Saukaitis' wife, Catherine, to Bubnis. Candelora raised the flag as "The Star-Spangled Banner" was played. David Berezovske read the military records of both veterans. Bubnis led everyone in reciting "The Lord's Prayer." The ceremony ended with a silent salute to all veterans. Bubnis thanked the families and friends of both veterans in attendance for their participation in the ceremony.

Charles Noskoviak carried the American flag, and James Kealy provided traffic control.

The next flag ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. Feb. 24 at Second and Oak streets. Area veterans and the public are invited to attend.

Voters in Northumberland County can count on seeing an abundance of names on the May 21 municipal primary ballot.

The crowded ballot will reflect the large influx of candidates who will be seeking the nomination of their respective political parties for four county row offices, seats on local school boards, mayor in boroughs and cities and seats on township boards and city councils. In addition, the Milton area has a race for a magisterial district judge position, which has been vacant since early 2012.

Starting Feb. 19, candidates are allowed to circulate nomination petitions. Deadline for filing the petitions with the county board of elections is March 12.

Judge, county

Alisha Herb, county director of elections, said the elections office has already received several inquiries about the race for magisterial district judge in the Milton area. Voters in that district will elect a new judge for a six-year term.

Following the retirement in 2011 of District Judge William F. Kear after 25 years, District Judge Robert Bolton of Sunbury was reassigned to the Milton district court. Bolton also retired in February 2012 and since then, Senior District Judge Richard P. Cashman has been serving as a temporary replacement.

The Milton area magisterial district consists of Delaware, East Chillisquaque, Lewis, Point, Turbot and West Chillisquaque townships and McEwensville, Milton, Turbotville and Watsontown boroughs.

Candidates for magisterial district judge are permitted to cross-file on both the Republican and Democratic ballots.

County positions that are up for election in 2013 are controller, prothonotary, register and recorder and coroner. Incumbents are: Tony Phillips, controller; Kathleen Strausser, prothonotary; Mary Zimmerman, register and recorder, and James F. Kelley, coroner. Phillips, Strausser and Zimmerman are Republicans, and Kelley is a Democrat.

The position of Northumberland County jury commissioner will no longer be on the ballot. The county commissioners, as now permitted by state law, voted in late 2011 to abolish the office. The last two elected jury commissioners, George Dorko and Sam Deitrick, are serving until the expiration of their terms at the end of 2013.

Required signatures

To qualify for placement on the primary election ballot, candidates for county, district judge and most city (Shamokin and Sunbury) offices must obtain at least 100 valid signatures. Candidates for township and borough offices must have at least 10 signatures.

Candidates for school director in the Mount Carmel Area, Danville, Line Mountain, Milton Area, Southern Columbia and Warrior Run school districts are required to obtain 10 signatures on each petition. Shamokin Area and Shikellamy school board candidates, however, must obtain 100 signatures because parts of the districts (Shamokin City and Sunbury, respectively) are third class cities.

Candidates for school director may submit nomination petitions to run in both the Democratic and Republican primaries.

Candidates for judge of election need 10 signatures, and inspector of election require five.

Herb said the elections office makes sure each petition meets all the legal standards - the proper number of signatures, the petition circulator belongs to the same political party as the candidate and that the petition is properly notarized.

Candidates may sign their own nomination petitions.

Filing fees

The following filing fees are in effect:

$100 - County controller, register and recorder, prothonotary and coroner.

$50 - Magisterial district judge

$25 - City mayor, city council, city treasurer and city controller.

$10 - City, township and borough constable.

No filing fee - School director, township commissioner or supervisor, borough mayor, borough council, township and borough tax collector, borough and township auditor, judge and inspector of election.

The last day to register to vote prior to the primary is April 22. The last day to apply for an absentee ballot is May 14.

SHAMOKIN - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has no plans to charge the city with any violations related to the demolition of two partially collapsed buildings on North Shamokin Street, according to an agency spokesman.

"The site has been remediated and asbestos hazards present as a result of the building collapse have been removed for proper disposal. The agency considers that the ultimate desired outcome has been achieved, protection of public health and the environment," Michael H. Frankel, communications coordinator, said by email Wednesday.

"Based on the current information, no further action is anticipated at this time," he said.

Two vacant commercial buildings at 709-715 N. Shamokin St. partially collapsed June 15. Demolition and debris removal continued for about two weeks, but the work stopped for four months when city officials and the project's original contractor, Robert Gusick Demolition, became embroiled in an unsettled dispute.

EPA launched an investigation in mid-October after suspicions of asbestos-containing material were raised, based largely on a positive test sample presented by city resident Matt Stevens.

Independent testing was commissioned on eight shared samples by both EPA and the city. They shared the same results, too - one sample out of eight tested positive for asbestos. EPA's confirmation of test results came Wednesday, more than two months after the city shared its results.

Despite being exposed for four months, another EPA spokesperson said previously that nearby residents and passersby were in no health risk.

EPA visited the demolition site at least six times while the cleanup progressed under a second contractor, Madonna Enterprises. The last inspection came Dec. 19, nearly two weeks after the firm finished working, and agency inspectors confirmed all debris was removed and disposed.

Frankel said National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants requirements were abided by both the city and Madonna Enterprises, as were "any requests made by the agency."

He was asked if there had been any violations filed or any violations pending against the city or anyone else connected to the demolition project. He would not give a definitive answer on whether or not the investigation is closed.

EPA requires that demolition of buildings with asbestos-containing materials be reported, and that a remediation expert be on site during demolition. Frankel was careful to say "it appears" neither of those two rules were initially followed when demolition began in June.

A remediation professional did work with Madonna Enterprises for its portion of the project.

City council voted Jan. 22 to use state grant funding to pay invoices totaling $101,973.45 to several firms for the clean up project.

Robert Gusick Demolition is seeking payment of a $98,500 invoice plus interest, and a lawsuit against the city is pending in county court.

Anthracite Citzens' Theatre

MOUNT CARMEL - Anthracite Citizens' Theatre (ACT) held its monthly meeting on Jan. 9, 2013, with 13 people in attendance.

Secretary Louanne Olson read minutes from the previous meeting held Dec. 12. A motion was made by Barb Malick to accept the minutes and seconded by Kathy Gadinski, and the motion carried.

Under previous business, plans were set for the "Hollywood Harmonies" performance, which was held Jan. 13.

Under new business, Christopher Olson will be directing two shows for ACT in 2013: "A Christmas Carol" and "Willy Wonka." Audition and show dates will be advertised soon.

Election of officers was held, and the new officers for a two year term are as follows: president Malick, vice-president Rose Zimmerman, treasurer Dan Heiser, recording secretary Louanne Olson, sunshine Jean Dunkelberger and Maggie Stief will be in charge of publicity.

A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Malick and seconded by Heiser, with the motion carrying. The next meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Feb. 20, a week later than the usual second Wednesday because of Ash Wednesday, in the Mount Carmel Public Library. Everyone is welcome.