CATAWISSA - Southern Columbia Area Superintendent Paul Caputo reported to the board Monday night that the administration is revising their advertisement policies following two recent meetings at which some board members said it was a waste of money to advertise in local newspapers.

The district spent $8,120 from July 1, 2011, through June 30, 2012, in The News-Item and The (Bloomsburg) Press Enterprise.

Caputo said the district will continue advertising for certain things such as high-profile vacant positions, but may seek other means for other positions, such as assistant coach, or fill the spot with an in-house applicant if there is one interested.

In accordance with a state Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) waiver, the board is permitted to advertise on their website, but has still been advertising in print media.

Caputo noted the district will use social media, such as Facebook and Twitter, to advertise also.

The issue was brought up last week when board vice president Charlie Porter learned the vacant position for head girls track coach was not advertised in local newspapers after Tom Donlan resigned.

The board unanimously approved Kristen Diehl Monday night as the head coach at a salary of $3,500 for the 2012-13 school year. She had previously been a volunteer assistant coach.

High school principal James Becker said they advertised for a similar position last year in the newspapers, but there were no interested applicants.

New water pump

The board also approved a labor contract Monday night for more than $18,000 to install a new water pump system intended improve the water system in the middle and high school.

The bid was awarded to Yannuzzi Inc., of Hazleton, at a cost of $18,277, while the Grundfos Hydro pump system with a controller and expansion tank was approved last month at a cost of $25,356 from Ram Industrial Services.

Business Manager Michael Sokoloski said the price includes copper pipes, electrical work and labor in order to make the system live.

The two current pumps have been working at full capacity to service the district building and the new additions, he said.

Tim George, supervisor of buildings and grounds, previously explained the system was holding up, but if one of the pumps were to break, the second pump could not handle the whole system.

Sokoloski said the issue was overlooked during the construction project, and the district is waiting to see who is responsible for the oversight.

Bognet Inc., of Hazleton, also bid on the project at a cost of $35,333.

SHAMOKIN - During a recent meeting, Shamokin Area Lions Club members approved donating cans of soup, which were presented to Manna for the Many; authorizing an ad for the playbill of the upcoming Shamokin Area Middle/High School musical, "Jekyll and Hyde," donating to the Bernie Romanoskie Hall of Fame and approving another year of having a Lions banner hung on fencing at a local baseball field.

Yaacov Yisreal, Shamokin Area's new head football coach, will be guest speaker at the club's meeting Thursday. Members are encouraged to attend and bring a guest.

Waiting in line for the bus, a Pennsylvania kindergartener tells her pals she's going to shoot them with a Hello Kitty toy that makes soap bubbles.

In Maryland, a 6-year-old boy pretends his fingers are a gun during a playground game of cops and robbers.

In Massachusetts, a 5-year-old boy attending an after-school program makes a gun out of Legos and points it at other students while "simulating the sound of gunfire," as one school official put it.

Kids with active imaginations? Or potential threats to school safety?

Some school officials are taking the latter view, suspending or threatening to suspend small children over behavior their parents consider perfectly normal and age-appropriate - even now, with schools in a state of heightened sensitivity following the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in December.

The extent to which the Newtown, Conn., shooting might influence educators' disciplinary decisions is unclear. But parents contend administrators are projecting adult fears onto children who know little about the massacre of 20 first-graders and six educators, and who certainly pose no threat to anyone.

"It's horrible what they're doing to these kids," said Kelly Guarna, whose 5-year-old daughter, Madison, was suspended by Mount Carmel Area School District last month for making a "terroristic threat" with the bubble gun. "They're treating them as mini-adults, making them grow up too fast, and robbing them of their imaginations."

Mary Czajkowski, superintendent of Barnstable Public Schools in Hyannis, Mass., acknowledged that Sandy Hook has teachers and parents on edge. But she defended Hyannis West Elementary School's warning to a 5-year-old boy who chased his classmates with a gun he'd made from plastic building blocks, saying the student didn't listen to the teacher when she told him repeatedly to stop.

The school told his mother if it happened again, he'd face a two-week suspension.

"Given the heightened awareness and sensitivity, we must do all that we can to ensure that all students and adults both remain safe and feel safe in schools," Czajkowski said in a statement. "To dismiss or overlook an incident that results in any member of our school community feeling unsafe or threatened would be irresponsible and negligent."

The boy's mother, Sheila Cruz-Cardosa, said school officials are responding irrationally in the wake of Sandy Hook. She said they should be concentrating on "high school kids or kids who are more of a threat, not an innocent 5-year-old who's playing with Legos."

Though Newtown introduces a wrinkle to the debate, the slew of recent high-profile suspensions over perceived threats or weapons infractions has renewed old questions about the wisdom of "zero tolerance" policies.

Conceived as a way to improve school security and maintain consistent discipline and order, zero tolerance was enshrined by a 1994 federal law that required states to mandate a minimum one-year expulsion of any student caught with a firearm on school property. Over the years, many states and school districts expanded zero tolerance to include offenses as varied as fighting, skipping school or arguing with a teacher.

Some experts say there's little evidence that zero tolerance - in which certain infractions compel automatic discipline, usually suspension or expulsion - makes schools safer, and contend the policies leads to increased rates of dropouts and involvement with the juvenile justice system. Supporters respond that zero tolerance is a useful and necessary tool for removing disruptive kids from the classroom, and say any problems stem from its misapplication.

The original 1994 federal law, and most state and local zero tolerance policies, give school administrators the flexibility to tailor punishments to fit the circumstances, noted school safety expert Kenneth Trump.

"Contrary to the myth of zero tolerance, most school board policies provide options and flexibility for administrators. What you see is poor decision-making and poor implementation of the policies, rather than the fact school administrators are handcuffed in terms of their discretion," he said.

Trump said most school officials bend over backward to be fair. But he added there's no question that Sandy Hook weighs heavily.

"It's a normal occurrence to have a heightened sensitivity after a high-profile tragedy, but that does not negate the need for common sense," he said.

Maryland father Stephen Grafton said common sense was in short supply in a case involving his 6-year-old son, who he said was suspended from White Marsh Elementary School in Trappe for using his hand as a "gun" during recess.

Grafton, a staff sergeant in the Army's 82nd Airborne Division, said administrators were criminalizing play. He said he told his son he shouldn't shoot pretend guns because it makes some children upset, "but it was a difficult conversation to have because he didn't do anything wrong."

The school lifted the suspension after a day and removed it from his record, Grafton said.

"It's a very hypersensitive time," he said. "But, still, common sense has to apply for something like this, and it looks like common sense just went completely out the window."

The school principal did not respond to messages.

Zero tolerance traces its philosophical roots to the "broken windows" theory of policing, which argues that if petty crime is held in check, more serious crime and disorder are prevented. So it's no accident that students are often harshly punished over relatively minor misbehavior, said Russell Skiba, a zero tolerance expert at Indiana University's Center for Evaluation and Education Policy.

"We've seen literally thousands of these kinds of episodes of zero tolerance since the early 1990s," said Skiba, who co-authored a 2006 study for the American Psychological Association that concluded zero tolerance has not improved school security.

In the Pennsylvania case, Guarna, a former police officer, said she was summoned to her daughter's school last month and told that 5-year-old Madison had talked about shooting her pink bubble gun.

The kindergartener was initially suspended for 10 days and ordered to undergo a psychological evaluation, according to documents supplied by Guarna's attorney. The suspension was later reduced to two days, and the incident was reclassified as "threat to harm others."

But Guarna wasn't satisfied. The counselor who evaluated Madison indicated she was a "typical 5-year-old in temperament and interest." Guarna and her attorney, Robin Ficker, demanded the district expunge Madison's record, apologize and make policy changes.

The parties met recently and Guarna went away happy, though she said she was asked not to reveal the terms of her agreement with the district. The district's attorney declined to comment, citing privacy law.

Guarna said she intends to push for changes in state law.

"My daughter had to suffer. I don't want to see other kids suffering," Guarna said.

Mark Terry, a Texas principal and president of the National Association of Elementary School Principals, said most principals he knows are "not big supporters" of zero tolerance policies because they discount professional judgment.

But when discipline policies do provide leeway, he said: "I would hope that principals would, number one, use discretion and common sense. And if you do make a mistake, apologize and say, 'Hey, that was a boneheaded move.' Our sensitivities are just too high and we need to back off a little bit and take a look at what our real safety plan is."

LEWISBURG - The Nrityagram Dance Ensemble will perform at 8 p.m. Friday, March 1, at the Weis Center for the Performing Arts at Bucknell University. The event is sponsored, in part, by Gary and Sandy Sojka.

The Nrityagram Dance Ensemble is regarded worldwide as one of the foremost dance companies of India. The ensemble has earned national and international acclaim for its ability to redefine both dance and theatre, to create and communicate with powerful imagery and captivating dance.

Kathryn Maguet, executive director of the Weis Center, says, "This exquisite company performs with exceptional synchronicity, compelling physicality and emotional honesty. This overwhelmingly beautiful program will leave audiences in awe of the dancers' powerful imagery and captivating movement."

At Nrityagram dance village, dance is a way of life. The founder, Protima Gauri, converted 10 acres of farmland into an ideal setting for the study, practice and teaching of classical Indian dance. It is a creative space where dancers, musicians and choreographers live together, sharing their skills and developing their art. The Indian dance group incorporates mythology and the epics, Sanskrit, yoga, meditation and the martial arts, while also carrying Indian dance into the 21st century.

The outside world also is an integral part of Nrityagram. Choreographers, movement specialists, sculptors, painters, writers, musicians and theatre people from all over the world frequently visit the village to perform and give workshops and seminars on their art.

Since 1996, the year of their life-changing New York debut, they have toured the U.S. annually. They have performed at sold-out shows from New York to Hawaii and Bozeman, Mont., to Key West, Fla. In addition, the ensemble has performed in Denmark, Holland, Portugal, the Middle East, Singapore, Japan, and many other countries.

The New York Times says of their ensemble, "One of the most luminous dance events of the year! In addition to impressive technical expertise, they performed with a burnished grace, a selfless concentration and a depth that reflected their intensive training in dance, music, literature, language and philosophy."

Tickets for the performance are $20 for adults, $16 for seniors ages 62 and older and $10 for children under 18. Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.bucknell.edu/BoxOffice, in person at any box office location, or by calling the campus box office at 577-1000.

SHAMOKIN - The Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area (AOAA) Authority announced Tuesday night plans are in place to construct a permanent building this year at the park's trailhead.

AOAA Authority chairman James Backes presented the blueprints for the Trailhead Overall Plan at the authority meeting in the Northumberland County Career and Arts Center.

The documents, created by Pennoni Associates, of Mechanicsburg, must be approved by Northumberland County Planning Commission, Northumberland County Conservation District, Coal Township Planning Department, PennDOT and Verizon Wireless.

The authority, which had its first meeting Jan. 29, was formed to oversee the operation and maintenance of the AOAA, which is being developed on 6,500 acres on county-owned forest and coal lands in Coal, East Cameron, Mount Carmel, West Cameron and Zerbe townships.

The main access road, at Route 125 south of Burnside, will be up to federal standards and lead to an administrative building, which will have an office, conference room and three maintenance garages, Backes explained.

There will be 75 parking places on a paved lot and there will be 180 spaces on a gravel lot, with additional overflow parking, he said.

Additional details include an area for an ATV safety course, benches, lights and signs, authority member Pat Mack said.

The money to fund the designs and eventual construction is coming from a $1.5 million grant that was awarded in 2011 from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). Mack said very little of the money was used for the creation of the master plan.

Once the plans are approved by the agencies, the authority can advertise the construction plans and eventually contract a company. The authority members are hopeful they can have the construction completed before 2013 ends.

Watershed funding

Jaci Harner, watershed specialist with the Northumberland County Conservation District, also presented information to the authority that would allow them to apply for a maximum amount of $300,000 to improve the Carbon Run watershed.

The funding source comes from Act 13 of 2012: Marcellus Legacy Fund, which is money taxed from the Marcellus Shale natural gas industry and organized by the Commonwealth Financing Authority.

Applications to apply for the grant money are due by July 1, and will recipients will be awarded Nov. 13.

It is recommended that access to the Carbon Run Shamokin Creek Restoration Association (SCRA) Site 42 should be prohibited and protected by structures, such as fences or large boulders, to secure against future damage.

It was also recommended that three crossings be abandoned and secured, or Best Management Practices (BMPs) be employed to prevent erosion and sedimentation.

The last recommendation was for a fourth crossing in which a construction would divert storm water into a designed sedimentation pond.

Jeers, cheers

Coal Township resident Bill Knapick, who has been a long-time critic of the park, asked members if the county taxpayers would be reimbursed for trees cut by North Jersey Shore Jeep Club to create new trails in December 2011, which he says is a violation of the AOAA master site plan and state game commission regulations.

"In short, no," authority member Barry Yorwarth said.

Yorwarth repeated what he has previously said when Knapick raised the issue in several county commissioner meetings: the issue has been addressed, and the county, authority, DCNR and game commissioner are satisfied with the outcome and are moving on.

After Knapick called the situation a "cover up," Yorwarth told him he should file the charges he's been threatening to file instead of coming to the meetings to "bicker."

Backes assured Knapick any new trails in the park would be approved through the proper channels.

"We'll do our homework and we'll do it right," he said.

Joe Bressi, of East Cameron Township, defended the AOAA after Knapick sat down, saying the park is "the best thing since they discovered coal here two centuries ago."

"We have to get behind this and support this authority 100 percent," he said.

Bressi is developing a camping ground for park users on 117 acres of land at 140 Blacks Lane, between Trevorton and Gowen City.

His first phase is to develop 75 campsites on 26 of those acres, he said.

"In two years, I should have a full-blown campsite," he said.

COAL TOWNSHIP - Change at the top of Shamokin Area's administration led to a reshuffling of positions Tuesday.

Business Manager Stephen Curran's resignation effective April 1 was accepted by the school board during its monthly meeting.

A Minersville resident with deep roots in Schuylkill County, Curran worked nearly 10 years at Shamokin Area. He accepted a job last week at Pottsville Area, which he will begin full-time July 1.

"I've got mixed emotions," said Curran.

Reflecting briefly on his time at Shamokin Area, he cited building and maintenance projects and curriculum changes as positive projects with which he was involved. "I'm proud of what we did here," he said.

Curran's salary in 2012-13 is $94,287.08. He'll earn $98,200 next year at Pottsville Area.

Karen Colangelo, former federal programs coordinator and assistant elementary principal, was promoted as his replacement effective

today. She will continue with dual roles, only now as business manager and federal programs coordinator.

Colangelo will earn a beginning salary of $87,000 plus benefits as part of a three-year contract, up from the $75,010.74 in her former role. She will retain her seniority and has an option to return to a different administrative position.

Curran said he has already begun helping Colangelo transition into her new role and will continue to do so until his last day. As federal programs coordinator, he said she already has ample experience in budgeting federal funding.

Shannon Fetterman, second grade teacher, was appointed as acting assistant elementary principal, also effective today. She will leave her classroom, at least in the interim, and will be replaced by a substitute teacher, Director Ron McElwee said after the meeting.

Fetterman holds bachelor's and master's degrees and also has K-12 principal certification, according to the district website. Her $50,003 salary will remain unchanged, according to the meeting agenda.

In other business, the school board voted to:

- Push back the last day of school from June 6 to June 7, which will be an Act 80 day;

- Move a bus stop at Shamokin and Pine streets to Shamokin and Chestnut streets, and a bus stop at Mulberry and Pearl streets to Chestnut and Pearl streets;

- Adopt revised policies on middle school curriculum and student promotion and retention;

- Approve a job description for armed school police officers with power of arrest;

- Pass Resolution honoring the late LaRue Beck, a longtime school board member and school district figure who passed away last month;

- Permit the high school band to perform at Dixie Classical Festival and Adjudication in Virginia in April at no cost to the district;

- Approve a Saturday PSSA Reviews program for fifth- and sixth-grade students from 9 to 11 a.m. March 9, 16 and 25, and seek four teachers for math and reading lessons at an hourly rate of $18.50. Mary Teresa Komara, elementary principal, expects approximately 40 students to participate. At least 75 had participated in past reviews which were open to third- and fourth-grade students before federal funding for the lessons were slashed.

The board also voted to:

- Enter another consulting agreement with Fit for Funds LLC to develop a run-a-thon fundraiser, for which they will receive 10 percent of collections but no less than $500. The firm organized a fundraiser for the district last spring;

- Appoint teachers Donna Nahodil and Colette Long as after-school elementary tutors at $18.50 per hour;

- Hire Sol Bidding and Jerry Cavanaugh as independent contractors to provide security at $9 an hour, working as necessary;

- Approve elementary field trips at no cost to the district, with dates to be confirmed shortly: K4, Red Deer Farm; kindergarten, T&D Cats of the World, Penns Creek; first grade, Lake Tobias Wildlife Park, Halifax; second grade, Montour Preserve, Washingtonville; third grade, Zoo America and Chocolate World, Hershey; fourth grade, Harrisburg; fifth grade, Camp Victory-Nature's Classroom, Millville; sixth grade, to be determined.

SHAMOKIN - For more than 20 years, the mother and daughter duo Patricia White and Melissa White have been displaying and promoting the arts in the area. Beginning Friday, their work will be showcased at the Northumberland County Council for the Arts Fine Art Gallery.

The exhibit, "Journey Through Nature," features the photography of the Whites focused mostly on local landmarks and nature subjects.

Pat and Melissa have participated in several juried art shows and festivals. Patricia's primary subjects are nature and wildlife through photographic images. Melissa demonstrates details of nature through photographic processed and digital art manipulation.

The public is invited to preview the work and meet the artists at an opening reception at 6:30 p.m. Friday. Light refreshments will be served.

The gallery is located inside the Northumberland County Arts Center (the former Shamokin High School) at 8th and Arch streets. Visitors should use the lower handicapped entrance and follow the signs to the gallery.

MANDATA - Line Mountain Junior-Senior High School announced its distinguished honor roll and honor roll for the second marking period of 2012-13.

Distinguished honors

Grade 12 - Colton Bowman, Kaitlyn Boyer, Katia Carl, Shawn DeLong, Kelsey Derrick, Dalton Frits, Heidi Gessner, William Grove, Britton Heim, Lucas Hoffman, Zachery Kemberling, Tia Kissinger, Ciera Lahr, Alyssa Letterman, Kyle Mace, Ryan Paczkoskie, Kerri Pickett, Carl Pollard, Jeremy Renn, Steven Shepperson, Abbie Shervinskie, Erik Smeltz, Autumn Wehry, Tysha Wilhour and Victoria Wolfe.

Grade 11 - Paige Adams, Hannah Campbell, Kaitlyn Kembel, Madison Lagerman, Janelle Lahr, Shandi Lenker, Dillon London, Brooke Long, Olivia Poltonavage, Courtlyn Trautman, Colleen Troutman, Brianna Wagner, Falconer Walshaw-Wertz, Jessica Wittig and Allison Wolfe.

Grade 10 - Breanna Boyer, Mary Erdman, Samantha Hertz, Isabel Kissinger, Olivia Kleman, Amanda Klinger, Blair-Anne Klinger, Ashley Lehman, Christian Lerch, Michael Lessing, Deidre Long, Meredith Long, Candis Mattern, Jordan Norgaard, Kortnee Schwartz, Logan Shaffer and Sherylyn Wilkinson.

Grade nine - Maddison Adams, Michaela Bensinger, Britney Bidding, Maddy Carl, Rachel Clark, Amanda Deeben, Christopher Deppen, Olivia Elia, Kristin Erdman, Laine Hackenberg, Kourtney Heintzelman, Wade Houseman, Morgan Hunsberger, Quentin Kaleta, Shjon Kern, Tommy Kittle, Dylan Latsha, Jonathan Lenker, Makayla Lorenz, Kiana Lukoskie, Kurt Mace, Rebecca Masser, Lauren Scheib, Briana Shervinskie, Abriana Smink, Teresa Stutzman, Madison Trautman, Cheyenne Weiser, Abby Witmer, Alison Wolfe and Gabrielle Yerger.

Grade eight - Brianna Adams, Nicole Adams, Benjamin Bidding, Autumn Bohner, Kayla Brosious, Victoria Duffy, Nathan Dunkelberger, Breanna Ebright, Makenzie Erdman, Samuel Ferster, Megan Finlan, Grace Halfen, Katiemae Hoffman, Justin Kaleta, Myah King, Mia Kissinger, Collin Klinger, Brandon Knarr, Autumn Kritzer, Bailey masser, Desarae Moore, Alexander Rissinger, Colton Schaible, Dawson Scott, Joelle Snyder, Sarah Stutzman, Kaitlyn Troutman, Meadow Walshaw-Wertz, Ashley Wilga, Tyahva Wilhour, Christian Williams, Victoria Wolfe and Mekeala Woods.

Grade seven - Sierra Bobb, Tyler Boyer, Kyle Brosh, Dillan Brown, Brookelynn Day, Kayla Ebersole, Jacob Foulds, Camilla Gessner, Baylee Hawk, Hunter Herb, Nathan Hoffman, Rachel Keiter, Margo Kessler, Christopher Koperna, Kolden Kosmer, Alyssa Lambert, Kylee Lerch, Wesley Long, Lillia Lucas, Maura Lundy, Kayla Ray, Andrew Rissinger, Joseph Sanzotto, Natalie Scheib, Rogen Shaffer, Jordan Smith, Janessa Snyder, Karl Troutman, Maria Troutman, Sadie Walshaw, Colton Wehry, Emily Wolfe and Emily Zerbe.

Honor roll

Grade 12 - Brittany Arbogast, Michael Benner, Dylan Brosius, Dylon Failor, Amanda Feger, Danielle Flynn, Joseph Katalinas, Seth Lansberry, Kimberly Latsha, Alexis Lee, Cally Lenig, Samantha Lesher, Nathan Levan, Jade London, Michael Lorenz, Dillan Michael, Cole Rickert, Samantha Schlegel, Nicholas Seybert, Olivia Souder, Brittany Straub, Courtney Whary and Kyle Zimmerman.

Grade 11 - Nikolas Bigger, Jessica Bingaman, Megen Bordner, Kaitlyn Erdman, Christopher Feliciano, Kaleb Portzline, Stephany Reader, Kelsea Rebuck, Madeline Reed, Kalan Schlegel, Emily Shrawder, Jared Specht, Cory Warford and Jessica Zimmerman.

Grade 10 - Alexandra Balavage, Zachery Bobb, Courtney Bonawitz, Justin Boyer, Kaleb Brosious, Blake Carl, Christopher Erdman, Kristen Erdman, Corina Finlan, Colton Gaw, Amber Glace, Sabrina Hertz, Hunter Hojnacki, Skyler Hoover, Shania Kerstetter, Matthew Kirk, James Lenker, Jayci London, Zachary Long, Chad Mace, Tina Rebuck, Madison Reed, Logan Snyder, Tanner Spatzer, Austin Spotts and Bianca Torres.

Grade nine - Dylan Bartholomew, Katelyn Campbell, Sara Cunningham, Mikayla Derck, Nathaniel Gessner, Michaela Haddock, Caitlin Heim, Logan Ingram, Crystyn Masser, Ashley Pennell, Brendan Renn, Emily Riehl, Kadence Selig, Christian Stump, Abagail Wilkinson, Vaughn Witmer, Yvonne Wittig and Courtney Yeager.

Grade eight - Aryanna Boyer, Kenneth Boyer, Colyn Buddock, Arianna Davidson, Brian Earlston, William Foulds, Cole Hauck, Bryce Hoffman, Kristin Hughes, Destiny latsha, Shelly Long, John Miller, Breanna Minnier, Collin Ney, Brent Osman, Hali Phillips, Zoe Phillips, Kylee Rosso, James Weiler and Jacob Wolfe.

Grade seven - Brittany Bendas, Gage Bowers, Andrew Cesari, Danielle Collazo, Alaina Eyster, John Hackenberg, Cameron Hauck, Kambria Herb, Gage Hertzog, Abigail Klinger, Cassidy Koperna, Austin Lahr, Robert Malafi, James Masser, Craig Reichard, Audrianna Reiner, Emily Shepley, Chloe Snyder, Lacey Snyder, Montana Sprenkle, Bradyn Thomas, Nathan Troutman and Kirsten Ulsh.

State Rep. Kurt Masser leaves little doubt he supports state government getting out of the booze business.

"State government should not be any kind of food business," said Masser, R-107, who knows a bit about that

industry as long-time owner of the Wayside Inn Sports Bar and Grill, one of his family's Shamokin-area food establishments. "Government should only provide core services to the people."

He hopes to influence the historic change as a member of the House Liquor Control Committee, which will be involved in crafting legislation later this year.

Fellow Republican and state Sen. John Gordner, R-27, meanwhile, is reserving judgment until he sees a proposal in writing. He notes there is a reason privatization got nowhere in attempts by past governors, Dick Thornburgh and Tom Ridge.

"The devil's in the details," he said.

Under Gov. Tom Corbett's plan, announced Jan. 30, state liquor stores would be privatized and licenses for 1,200 stand-alone wine and spirits stores - twice what exists now - would be auctioned throughout the state. The proposal would also allow beer and wine to be sold at grocery stores, pharmacies and convenience stores, and beer distributors, who only sell beer by the case now, could obtain an enhanced license that allows them to sell beer in smaller quantities.

24-hour booze

Among Gordner's concerns is 24-hour availability of booze.

"I, for one, do not want people to have access to spirits or hard liquor 24/7, 365 days a year," he said. "I don't want to see Wal-Mart selling grain alcohol at 3 a.m."

Also, he said one of the benefits of the state system is the even geographic distribution of stores. That could change if the state sells licenses to the highest bidders.

"You know that Bloomsburg, Selinsgrove and Lewisburg will get them," because they are college towns, he said. "There is no assurance there will be one in the Shamokin-Mount Carmel area unless either a Wal-Mart, Weis or Giant get one."

Corbett's proposal does call for every county to be allocated at least as many wine and liquor stores as it now has, officials have said, but that doesn't mean they'd be spread out in each county.

Masser also noted concern among smaller beer distributors. They could bid for liquor licenses and become the only places to get wine, beer and liquor, but they will have to go up against large grocery chains and big-box stores who will also bid, then also compete against the lower prices those stores would likely offer.

"These are people that some have been in business for many years, and have followed the rules to the letter, and now there is a proposal to change those rules midstream," he said about distributors. "As a member of the state House Liquor Control Committee, we will be looking very closely into that."

No matter the challenges, Masser and Gordner acknowledge the public support for a change. In a recent poll conducted by the Commonwealth Foundation, a pro-free-market organization, three out of five Pennsylvanian voters support privatizing the 80-year-old state store system, with more than 41 percent strongly favoring the measure.

"An overwhelming amount of the population wanted something like this," Masser said.

"I have some issues, but I know the public wants us to do something," said Gordner.

Lottery: 'Bad idea'

Gordner is much more matter-of-fact with his opinion on Corbett's plan to privatize operation of the state Lottery.

"It's a bad idea," Gordner said, politics not standing in the way of his criticism of a fellow Republican's idea. "When the governor's executive team came to meet with me, I told them I would be opposed."

New Attorney General Kathleen Kane is also opposed, and announced last week she had rejected a contract Corbett had arranged with British firm Camelot to take over the Lottery. The governor is weighing his legal options while the terms of the proposed contract have been extended until Friday.

"Not one of my constituents has commented to me that they want to see it privatized," Gordner said. "The Pennsylvania Lottery has been in operation for over 40 years, operates extremely well, is coming off a year with record profits, and is being run by a good administration. Why does it need to be privatized?"

Masser said his primary concern is that the Lottery continues to fund programs for older Pennsylvanians, including shared rides and prescription medication needs.

"We have to make sure we take care of seniors, that we have the money to meet their needs," he said. "Also, I would have rather seen a Pennsylvania company take it over if the state wanted out of the lottery business."

HARRISBURG - Gov. Tom Corbett's drive to privatize parts of state government has made its greatest strides so far on the transportation front.

The Pennsylvania Public Private Partnership (P3) Board was created through a state law enacted last year to encourage private companies to tackle transportation-related projects, and has led to consideration of private companies rebuilding deteriorating bridges and charging tolls on them.

Corbett signed the P3 law last summer after a decade of debate, while the governor's plan to privatize the state-owned liquor stores faces uncertain prospects in the Legislature. Another plan, to privatize operation of the Pennsylvania Lottery, faces a new hurdle following Attorney General Kathleen Kane's rejection last week of a proposed management contract with a British-based firm.

The P3 board, meanwhile, is seeking proposals from private firms to operate the state-run 511 traffic information program, Adopt-A-Highway program and also participate in sponsorship rights at state welcome centers and rest areas. P3 projects also can involve highways, tunnels, overpasses, parking facilities, bus routes, terminals and airports owned by a state agency or municipal authority.

Metropolitan focus?

Bridge projects are getting the most attention since a new two-year federal transportation funding act paves the way for tolling by states on bridges where substantial work is needed.

The likeliest candidates for tolling would be major bridges that carry interstate traffic, said Transportation Secretary Barry Schoch, who heads the P3 board. He doesn't foresee privatization projects involving bridges that carry a lot of local commuter traffic.

P3 projects are more likely to occur in the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh metro areas where roads see heavy traffic, said Rep. Mike Carroll, D-118, a member of the House Transportation Committee.

"I don't think there will be many P3 projects in Northeast Pennsylvania," said Carroll. "We don't have the traffic volumes, and we have alternate routes people can use to avoid a toll."

Rep. Kurt Masser, R-107, said the only local project he could think of that might benefit from P3 involvement might be the Central Susquehanna Valley Thruway, which is intended to ease heavy traffic along Routes 11 and 15 north of Selinsgrove.

State Sen. John Gordner, R-27, is optimistic that wouldn't be necessary because of the $300 million recommended for the project by the Appalachian Regional Commission.

"We just have one hurdle at the federal level, and that is to have the transportation chair lift the cap on spending, and we could start at least two of the three phases of the project very shortly," Gordner said. "I'm hopeful that the ARC funding is the way to go."

Funding transportation

P3 projects are seen as a secondary revenue source for transportation.

The bulk of new state transportation revenues would come from Corbett's proposal to gradually lift the cap on the Oil Company Franchise Tax, a levy on wholesalers such as gas stations, over five years. Corbett wants to reduce the state gasoline tax paid at the pump from 12 cents a gallon to 10 cents a gallon over two years.

The P3 board has the authority to solicit proposals for specific privatization projects, such as the 511 system, and consider proposals made by private firms.

Lawmakers can take action to rescind a privatization project approved by the board.

In addition to Schoch, the board consists of state Budget Secretary Charles Zogby; Nicholas DeBenedictis, president of Aqua America Inc. and former state environmental secretary; Ronald Drnevich, former CEO of Gannett Fleming Inc.; Michael Murchie, M&T Bank executive; Ryan Boyer, business manager of Laborer's District Council of Philadelphia, and Rep. Steve Santarsiero, D-31, Newtown.

Private-public risk

The advantage with P3 projects is that the financial risks are not just borne by the taxpayers, said House Majority Leader Mike Turzai, R-28, Pittsburgh. He predicted that most new highway construction projects will have private-sector investment.

It's unclear whether P3 projects will see widespread use in Pennsylvania, wrote Attorney James W. Kutz in a recent article for Highway Builder magazine.

"Another critical obstacle is whether a private entity will view a P3 project as worth the financial risk in the current economic climate, particularly given the safeguards in the P3 law with respect to public bidding, payment of prevailing wages and requirement to hire employees who may lose their jobs due to the agreement," wrote Kutz.

(Staff Writer Rob Wheary contributed to this report.)

By Rob Wheary

PAXINOS -Brush Vallley Regional Chamber of Commerce members learned Tuesday about a week-long summer program in Williamsport that helps develop a business acumen among today's high school students and future business leaders.

Pennsylvania Free Enterprise Week (PFEW) was the topic during the membership luncheon held this month at Masser's Restaurant.

Presented by the Foundation for Free Enterprise Education, PFEW welcomes more than 1,600 high school juniors and seniors from across the state to Lycoming College for what Bethany Adamski, a senior at Southern Columbia Area High School and past participant, called "Business Camp."

"I didn't know one person there," Adamski said. "After going through the process, I'm not only a better person, but I got a little glimpse into a future I hope to achieve and gain the knowledge as to how a business is run, and made some great friends I keep in contact with."

Adamski and her group formulated a marketing plan and ran a fictional company that created the "Brush-Flex," a new toothbrush on the market. Commercials were developed, stockholder meetings were held and she gained an appreciation for the whole process.

Dave Hall, a retired colonel in the U.S. Air Force and director of operations for Heritage Aviation LLC, based at the Penn Valley Airport, Selinsgrove, has been a volunteer at PFEW for several years, including as a keynote speaker.

"Many of the business leaders that volunteer their time for this event say it is one of the most rewarding weeks they are part of," Hall said. "This is the largest program of its kind in the country," and other states are starting it look to Pennsylvania as a model.

More than 600 businesses and 100 chambers of commerce sponsor students to attend the event. Adamski was sponsored by the Columbia-Montour Chamber of Commerce. It costs $525 to send one student to the workshop.

More information about PFEW can be found through high school guidance departments or at www.pfew.org.

Hall spoke on behalf of John J. Trombetta, president and CEO of the Foundation for Free Enterprise Education, who was originally scheduled to speak but could not attend.

Sandy Winhofer, Brush Valley chamber director, welcomed Mount Carmel Outpatient Rehab and Fitness, represented by the director of outpatient rehabilitation, Frank Oswald, as a new member.

Tuesday's luncheon was sponsored by Mountain View: A Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Coal Township, represented by Amy Zalar, director of business development; Cindy Goretski, assistant director of nursing and Chris Derr, director of environmental services.

Zalar reported Mountain View will host an American Red Cross Bloodmobile from 1 to 6 p.m. Friday, March 1.

The next chamber membership luncheon is set for Tuesday, March 19, at Harry's Grill, Shamokin, with a representative of Geisinger-Shamokin Area Community Hospital speaking.

Bucknell University's Small Business Development Center will host a special First Step Pre-Business Workshop at the chamber office from 9 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 3. The workshop is for aspiring entrepreneurs to begin the process of successful business ownership including evaluating business ideas, developing a business plan and exploring financial options.

Thanks to a special sponsorship donation by First Columbia Bank and Trust, the workshop is free, but registration is required. Call the center at 577-1249, e-mail SBDC@bucknell.edu or visit www.bucknell.edu/scrpit/sbdc/seminars.asp.

April 3 will also be the date of the chamber's annual job fair, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Masser's Banquet Hall, Paxinos. More details on the event will be upcoming.

SHAMOKIN - The following hearings took place Tuesday before Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III. Defendants ordered to appear for plea court March 25 at Northumberland County Courthouse, Sunbury, can plead guilty or no contest, or seek a trial by pleading not guilty.

n Richard S. Anderson, 46, of 145 S. Sixth St., Shamokin, was held for court on two driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) complaints after failing to appear for his preliminary hearing.

Anderson was charged by Shamokin Patrolman Raymond Siko II with two counts of DUI, illegally operating a vehicle not equipped with an ignition interlock system, disorderly conduct and public drunkenness relating to a March 23 incident on East Lincoln Street.

He also was charged by Siko with two counts of DUI, illegally operating a vehicle not equipped with an ignition interlock system, driving under suspension and driving on the wrong side of the road involving a Sept. 18 incident in the 500 block of North Franklin Street.

n Stephen M. Hornberger, 27, of 1450 Irish Valley Road, Paxinos, waived to court on charges of theft and receiving stolen property.

Hornberger was charged by Trooper Todd Leiby of state police at Stonington with stealing 20 sections of wrought iron cemetery fencing and two ornate wrought iron gates from Irish Valley United Methodist Church in Shamokin Township on Jan. 4 and Jan. 5.

n A charge of unauthorized use of a vehicle filed by then-Zerbe Township Patrolman Joshua Moyer against Patrick K. Gearhart, 25, of 225 W. Shamokin St., Trevorton, was withdrawn when the victim refused to testify.

Gearhart was charged with taking a car from his sister, Faith Gearhart, without her permission on July 30 from in front of 225 W. Shamokin St., Trevorton.

n Amy Gearhart, 39, of 117 Hart St., Lot 4, Shamokin, waived to court a felony of criminal trespass, a misdemeanor of criminal trespass and loitering and prowling at night relating to a break-in at 30 N. Eighth St. on Dec. 21.

The charges were filed by Shamokin Cpl. Bryan Primerano.

n John E. Persing, 39, of 22 N. Market St., Apt. 1, Shamokin, waived to court charges of driving under the influence of alcohol and Alprazolam, driving under the influence of alcohol, driving under the influence of a combination of drugs and alcohol and careless driving in connection with a Nov. 25 incident in the first block of North Coal Street.

The charges were filed by Shamokin Cpl. Darwin Tobias III.

n Timothy L. Burkholder, 25, of 35 N. Rock St., Shamokin, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor of disorderly conduct and was ordered to pay a $300 fine plus costs and write a letter of apology to his neighbors. He also was placed on supervised probation for one year. A summary offense of disorderly conduct was withdrawn.

Burkholder was charged by Shamokin Patrolman Nathan Rhodes with playing loud music at his residence and yelling obscene language at Rhodes shortly before 2:30 a.m. Jan. 12.

n Dylan Sessions, 19, of 332 S. Seventh St., Shamokin, and Autum Nowroski, 18, of 24 E. Willow St., Shamokin, pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct and was ordered to pay a $300 fine plus costs and placed on supervised for six months. A charge of underage drinking filed against both defendants was withdrawn.

Sessions and Nowroski were charged by Shamokin Cpl. Bryan Primerano and Patrolman Shane Mowery in connection with a Jan. 11 disturbance at Nowroski's residence.

n Brian Heffner, 32, of Dalmatia, was held for court on a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia when he failed to appear for his preliminary hearing.

The charge was filed by Shamokin Cpl. Bryan Primerano in connection with a Jan. 12 incident at 620 Cleaver St.

Susquehanna Valley gas prices have climbed this week as local motorists paid an average two cents more at the pump. Tuesday's average was $3.804, said Megan Amrich, AAA East Central.

According to the nonprofit association's Fuel Gauge, gas prices are continuing to rise across the country. The national average is $3.748, up 15 cents over last week and 45 cents this month. The state with the lowest average price is Wyoming at $3.189. Hawaii drivers are paying the highest average, $4.282 per gallon.

High oil prices, regional refinery issues, speculation and the approaching switchover to summer-blend gasoline have played a role in the rising gasoline costs.

A fuel cost calculator, found at www.fuelcostcalculator.aaa.com, lets users calculate their fuel cost for a trip by entering their vehicle year, make and model and specifying their starting point and destination.

This week's average prices (As of Tuesday morning):

Susquehanna Valley Average - $3.804.

Average price during the week of February 12, 2013 - $ 3.780.

Average price during the week of February 21, 2012 - N/A.

Today's National Average Price - $ 3.748.

Following is a list of the average price of unleaded self-serve gasoline in various areas:

Lewisburg - $3.791

Mifflinburg - $3.804

Milton - $3.787

Selinsgrove - $3.821

Shamokin - $3.817

Sunbury - $3.804

(AAA East Central is a not-for-profit association with 82 local offices in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, New York and Kentucky servicing 2.7 million members. Its report is published each week in The News-Item.)

By News-Item Staff

Jack-knifed tractor-trailers were blocking highways and vehicles were sliding into poles and trees Tuesday morning, when snow caused more than a dozen accidents in eastern Northumberland County.

A mountainous section of Route 54 was closed for more than an hour because of treacherous conditions while police tried to reach accident scenes.

A small accumulation of snow and rain was forecast to start mid-morning, but the intensity of what was mostly snow for much of the morning took motorists by surprise. One to 2 inches accumulated quickly.

From 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., what had been mostly rain showing on the AccuWeather radar available at newsitem.com switched to almost all snow across central Pennsylvania, from the southern to northern borders of the state.

National Weather Service Meteorologist Craig Evanego said the wintery mix dropped less than 2 inches in most of Northumberland County. Most places in the state experienced between 1 and 3 inches of snow and sleet, he said, while Sullivan County recorded about 5 inches of snow.

The higher elevation of Route 54 in the Natalie and Bear Gap areas made the snowfall more troublesome there. By 11 a.m., reports of vehicles being stranded along the highway were mounting. A police officer said he had just traveled across the mountain from Elysburg to Strong and said the highway was in poor condition. He informed county communications he hadn't see any PennDOT trucks.

About a two-mile section of the highway would eventually be shut down, from Route 61 in Strong to Park Avenue near Marion Heights, in part due to a tractor-trailer stuck in the snow.

Pregnant woman hurt

A tractor-trailer crash on Route 61 between Kulpmont and Wal-Mart was one of three snow-related accidents in Coal Township. There were no serious injuries, although a pregnant woman was hospitalized after suffering abdominal pain.

The first occurred at 10:40 a.m., when the snow was quickly accumulating on roads. Patrolman Chris Lapotsky said Adrienne Purcell, 24, of 1240 W. Spruce St., Coal Township, was driving a Jeep Wrangler down a steep part of West Spruce Street when she lost control of her vehicle. It struck an unattended parked truck owned by Dominic Higgins Jr., 66, of 1144 W. Spruce St., before hitting a parked car operated by Jacqueline Hoffa, 57, of 1725 Motters Lane, Williamsport, and a PPL pole with its front end.

Purcell, who is pregnant, suffered abdominal pain and was transported by AREA Services Ambulance to Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, where she was listed in fair condition late Tuesday afternoon.

The second accident involved a jackknifed rig, and occurred at 11:56 a.m. just north of the Kulpmont line.

Lapotsky said Charles Johnstone, 56, of 706 Main Ave., Hickory, N.C., was driving toward Shamokin when a pickup truck operated by Mary Nowroski, 60, of 137 E. Saylor St., Atlas, who was in front of Johnstone's tractor-trailer, lost control of her vehicle on the snow and ice. Police said Johnstone swerved his rig to avoid striking Nowroski's truck and lost control of his rig, causing it to jackknife across all four lanes and strike guide rail.

The tractor-trailer had front-end damage, but after it was pulled away from the guide rail by a tow truck from Dave's Auto Body, Johnstone was able to drive away. Nowroski's truck was not damaged.

The third crash occurred at noon on Route 901 near Excelsior.

According to Lapotsky, Jessica R. Kuhns, 32, of 215 E. Buick St., Mount Carmel, was driving a 2005 Ford Escape west on the snow-covered highway when she lost control, causing her vehicle to slide into a culvert and dirt bank. Kuhns suffered a minor head injury, but did not require medical attention. Her Escape was towed by Dave's Auto Body.

10 other crashes

Approximately 10 other weather-related accidents were reported in the area Tuesday, according to Northumberland County Communications Center.

After Route 54 was reopened Tuesday afternoon, two accidents were reported on the Natalie Mountain.

One of the incidents involved a van driven by Jeffrey Thomashefski, of Mount Carmel, who was traveling south toward Natalie and lost control of his vehicle near the Roaring Creek Watershed entrance. The van crossed the opposite lanes, went though an accumulation of wet snow on the eastern berm and crashed over the embankment, narrowly missing several large trees. Thomashefski escaped serious injury, according to reports at the scene.

Meanwhile, the timing of the storm did not force local schools to cancel or close early.

Dusting, and more?

There is a 40 percent chance of snow showers today, Evanego said, with only a "dusting" expected.

There's a possibility of more precipitation Friday evening, but it's too early to tell if it will be snow or rain, he said.

Mass to recognize Pope Benedict XVI

HARRISBURG - Bishop Joseph P. McFadden will celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving for the Ministry of Pope Benedict XVI at noon Friday at St. Patrick Cathedral. The Mass is open to the public.

"The Holy Father has never tired of proclaiming the true face of Jesus Christ. And so, our hearts are grateful for his unwavering commitment to the Gospel," McFadden said in n a statement about the recently announced papal resignation.

On the calendar of the Catholic Church, the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter is celebrated on Feb. 22. This feast dates to the mid-fourth century and celebrates the ministry of the Apostle Peter, who accepted pastoral responsibility and authority from Jesus Christ and became the first pope. Pope Benedict XVI is the 264th successor to St. Peter, which makes him the 265th pope of the Catholic Church.

'A Day at the Beach' planned for kids

BLOOMSBURG - Local children may enjoy an afternoon filled with beach-related activities during the Kids Fun carnival from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, March 3, at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania's Nelson Field House.

The Kids Fun carnival is an annual event where youngsters can play games, make crafts and participate in a variety of activities. BU students from organizations such as DASL (Developing Aspiring Student Leaders) run the carnival each year. This year's theme is "A Day at the Beach."

The Kids Fun carnival is sponsored by the Bloomsburg University SOLVE office and is open to the public free of charge. For more information, contact the SOLVE office at 389-4788 or stvolser@bloomu.edu.

SHAMOKIN - The city code officer says beginning Monday he will file citations against landlords who fail to register residential rental properties.

There were 131 registrations filed by Wednesday afternoon, generating $9,250 in revenue for the city. Rick Bozza, code officer, noted 209 registrations were made in 2012, and those who fail to register by week's end can expect legal action.

"I'll look over the list and be consistent," Bozza said of reviewing last year's registrations. "Everybody who didn't pay or called and said they were paying are going to get cited Monday morning."

Few exceptions were made for out-of-area landlords who vowed to pay in person. If they don't honor their word to pay by a certain date, they'll also be cited, he said.

Bozza said he was happy with the start to 2013 and credited the landlords who met, or nearly met, the Feb. 15 deadline. He noted that letters to previously registered landlords informing them of the deadline were mailed six weeks back.

Upward of 20 citations were filed last year for violations of the ordinance, he said. Several times when the matter reached district court, a deal was made with the violators to simply pay the $25 registration and avoid legal action.

"This year we're not withdrawing any" citations, Bozza said.

Ordinance adopted midway through 2011 requires all landlords to purchase a $25 annual license for each rental unit and inform the city of who is living in each unit. If occupancy should change at any time, that change must also be noted for city records but does not require additional fee within the calendar year.

A license does not have to be purchased for unoccupied units.

Penalty is a fine of $100 to $500 dollars, and there are avenues for violations to be upgraded to misdemeanors.

The ordinance generated $18,975 revenue in 2012, greatly exceeding expectations. Outside of the monetary benefit, the record-keeping of tenant occupancy assists in emergencies and criminal investigations and can also add people to the tax rolls.

ATLAS - Mount Carmel Township Supervisors took steps to fight blight and code violations by making those responsible for causing such conditions accountable with the passage of one ordinance and plans to advertise a second.

At their meeting Wednesday evening, the supervisors voted 3-0 to approve the "Mount Carmel Township Neighborhood Blight Reclamation and Revitalization Ordinance," which authorizes supervisors to deny permits and approvals for serious code violators until their violations are corrected.

The ordinance, recommended by the Northumberland County Blight Task Force, is adopted from a state law by the same name that went into effect in April 2011.

If a code violation is left unaddressed by a property owner for six consecutive months, the law allows a municipality to take action, including having an out-of-state offender extradited for prosecution. Also, punishment can include placing a lien against other properties owned by the alleged offender, or against a mortgage lender, limited partner and others, to recoup costs.

The motion was made by vice chairman Reynold Scicchitano and seconded by secretary-treasurer Joe ZanellaChairman Charles Gasperetti also voted yes.

In addition, the board voted 3-0 to advertise another ordinance which regulates the occupancy of dwelling units by the prior issuance of a occupancy permit, establishes fees for inspection and penalities for violations.

The ordinance, which amends one that was enacted in 1994, establishes a $25 fee for a housing inspection by the code enforcement officer prior to receiving the occupancy permit, adding a $25 fee if deficiencies in the inspection are not corrected within five days, and setting the fines for violations from $100 to $300 per day, along with a 30-day imprisonment if there is a default on the fines.

Other items approved at the meeting inlcluded the appointment of Brian Carnuccio as liaison for the police department and entering into collective bargaining negotiation with the police officers on a new contract. The current pact expires Dec. 31, 2013.

Rich Mychak, of Shady Acres, made supervisors aware that cracks are appearing in a street paving job done approximately three years ago, and asked what steps the supervisors will take to correct the measures.

"When the job was done in the past, the contractor did not follow the original agreement for the contract, and the company got belligerent with me," Mychak said.

Mychak said it might be the best interest of the township to hire qualified inspectors when work is done for the township in order to make sure it is done properly.

Solicitor Vince Rovito said he would research the past contract if any remedy is available to take care of the problem.

A representative from Congressman Lou Barletta's office will be conducting a community outreach program at the township building from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday, March 12. Also noted was that any organization outside of Mount Carmel Township that wishes to solicit donations from the residents must first contact the township supervisors by letter to ask for permission.

MANDATA - Line Mountain eighth-grade student Victoria Duffy will don the iconic red dress and curly hair next week in the school's production of "Annie."

Students tweaked dance steps and practiced marks Wednesday while they prepared for the show, which will be presented 7 p.m. March 1 and 2, and 3 p.m. March 3 in the junior/senior auditorium.

Duffy, a newcomer to the high school stage, said she is excited and "ready to go" to play little red-haired orphan Annie. Duffy keeps the musical moving with her articulation and expressions.

Stage veterans Courtlyn Trautman, a junior, and Victoria Wolfe, a senior, command the roles of Lily and the alcoholic Miss Hannigan. Trautman portrayed Bonnie in last year's production of "Anything Goes." Wolfe recently dazzled audiences as Dorothy in Anthracite Citizens Theatre's (ACT) production of "The Wizard of Oz."

Supporting cast includes Sam Ferster as Oliver Warbucks, Nathanial Wetzel as Rooster, Casey Klinger as Grace, Falconer Walshaw-Wertz as FDR, Abbie Shervinskie as Pepper, Alyssa Lambert as Molly, Meadow Walshaw-Wertz as Tessie and Madison Trautman as Duffy.

Dozens of students also serve as additional cast, orchestra members, set designers and stage and tech crew. The show is directed by Christine Sanders.

Line Mountain students receive free admission, as do senior citizens who present a senior citizen card. Ticket prices are $7 for adults and $5 for students from other districts and also children. To reserve tickets, call 758-2011 or email llong@linemountain.com.

MOUNT CARMEL - The mother of a 7-year-old boy who was found three times walking barefoot by himself on Route 487 and Spruce Street in Elysburg left the courtroom of Magisterial District Judge Hugh Jones in tears Wednesday afternoon after waiving her right to a preliminary hearing in an effort to become eligible for the county Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) program for first-time offenders.

Debbie Ann Lisiewicz, 38, of 153 Spruce St., Elysburg, told Jones she understood the ramifications of forfeiting her right to a hearing on a felony of endangering the welfare of children, a misdemeanor of endangering the welfare of children and a misdemeanor of recklessly endangering another person.

Lisiewicz, who was represented by Northumberland County Public Defender Paige Rosini, hopes to reach an agreement with the district attorney's office to have the felony reduced to a misdemeanor and then apply for the ARD program, which is available for non-violent, first-time offenders. If Lisiewicz, who has no prior criminal record, becomes eligible for the program and successfully completes it, she could have the charges expunged.

Lisiewicz, who is free on $10,000 bail, cried as she exited the courtroom.

The charges filed by Ralpho Township Cpl. Bryon Chowka relate to incidents that occurred Oct. 7 on the highway (West Valley Avenue) near Spruce Street, Oct. 20 in the 200 block of Spruce Street, and Dec. 8 on Spruce Street near West Center Street.

According to a criminal complaint, Ralpho Township Officer Chris Dailey responded to the Oct. 7 incident involving Lisiewicz's son walking without shoes at about 3:30 p.m. Police said the child was unsupervised and wearing a pair of jeans and a short-sleeve T-shirt.

Police said personnel from Northumberland County Children and Youth Services were contacted about the incident and responded to the township police department. At about 4:50 p.m., police said Lisiewicz contacted Northumberland County Communications Center to report her child missing. She later came to the police station and identified the child as her son, who is autistic.

At about 9:40 a.m. Oct. 20, Ralpho Township Chief of Police Stuart Appel observed the unsupervised child walking on the road in the 200 block of Spruce Street without shoes. The child was returned to his mother, who said they just moved and didn't have enough door locks.

Jeff Crowl told police he was traveling on Spruce Street toward West Center Street between 9 and 9:30 a.m. Dec. 8 when he observed an unsupervised child standing on Spruce Street wearing only a diaper and T-shirt. Crowl said he attempted to communicate with the boy so he could find out where he lived, but the child had difficulty speaking. Crowl said he led the boy from the road and approached a nearby house where Crowl's son, who was with him, believed the child lived. Crowl said a frantic woman inside the home, who was later identified as Lisiewicz, answered the door and immediately stated, "Nobody called the cops, did they?"

Crowl later reported the incident.

Lisiewicz told police her son was able to exit the home through a kitchen door and basement door, respectively, on the second and third occasions.

MOUNT CARMEL - A borough man has been charged with drugging three women he picked up at local bars and having sex with them at his residence without their consent or knowledge.

Barry Thomas Adams, 30, of 111 N. Market St., who was already in county jail on theft-related charges, was arraigned at 2:45 p.m. Wednesday by Magisterial District Judge Hugh Jones on multiple felony offenses including rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and sexual assault relating to incidents that occurred Feb. 27, Sept. 7 and Nov. 2.

He is accused of raping one woman and having sexual contact with two other females after allegedly drugging them with a prescribed narcotic, which made the victims drowsy and dizzy and impaired their balance and cognitive and motor performance.

Police said Adams had made prior contact with each of the victims on Facebook.

Adams is charged by Cpl. David Donkochik and Patrolman Justin Stelma with two felony counts of rape and involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, a felony of sexual assault and two misdemeanors of indecent assault in connection with the Feb. 27 incident.

According to a police statement provided by a 32-year-old Ashland rape victim, Adams met the woman at Shaulinski's Bar at 9:30 p.m.

She admitted drinking a bottle of beer, three-quarters of another beer and taking two sips of liquor from a plastic cup. The woman said she went to the ladies' restroom, returned to her booth and sat down, but couldn't recall any other details of that night.

The victim said she woke up naked at 7 a.m. Feb. 28 in Adams' bed. When she asked Adams why she was naked, he responded, "You don't remember?"

After being told by Adams that they had sex, the victim said she got dressed and left the residence.

Adams admitted to police that he had sexual intercourse with the woman.

The defendant is charged by Donkochik and Chief of Police Todd Owens with two counts of indecent assault and one count of recklessly endangering another person involving a Sept. 7 incident.

According to a criminal complaint, a 26-year-old Danville woman told police she had some drinks with Adams at Shaulinski's Bar before going to Dorko's Cafe, where they consumed more alcohol. After drinking a rum and Coke, the victim said she lost all memory of the events that took place afterward.

Adams admitted to having sex with the woman at her house and giving her two Tylenol PMs at Dorko's for a headache.

Donkochik and Stelma also charged Adams with two counts of indecent assault and one count of recklessly endangering another person, theft and receiving stolen property relating to the Nov. 2 incident.

Police reported a 57-year-old Elysburg woman told them she had two rum and Cokes with Adams at the Hard Coal Cafe when she started to feel lightheaded and dizzy. The woman said Adams then drove both of them to his residence because she was incapable of driving. She said Adams began taking off all her clothes, but didn't recall anything after that.

The victim said she didn't see Adams slip anything into her drinks at the bar, but had heard he may have done it in the past to other women.

She told police when she awoke naked at Adams' residence. When she asked Adams what happened, he told her nothing happened. The woman then left the house.

Adams, who admitted having sex with the Elysburg woman at his home, also is accused of stealing $100 from the victim's purse.

On Nov. 9, police obtained a search warrant for Adams' home, where they found several items of interest, including Clonazepam prescribed to the defendant. Police said Clonazepam can cause dizziness and drowsiness, impair balance and interfere with cognitive and motor performance.

Adams was recommitted to Northumberland County Prison in Sunbury in lieu of $175,000 cash bail on all charges and is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing at 1 p.m. Feb. 27.

The defendant also waived his right to a preliminary hearing Wednesday on charges of unauthorized use of a credit card, theft and receiving stolen property involving a Dec. 14 incident.

He is charged by Patrolman Kevin Katch with stealing a Discover card owned by Barbara Puketza from 138 S. Locust St. and using it to purchase various items and withdraw money from the victim's account. Police said total restitution involved in the theft is $1,816.18.