HERSHEY - The News-Item has won first place in the under 25,000 circulation division for the America East 2013 Print Quality Contest.

Judging involves the print quality of newspapers in six different areas, including black ink laydown, color ink laydown, color registration, halftone (photo reproduction) quality, page alignment and overall print alignment and appearance. Beyond the printing itself, the quality of layout and design are part of the judging process.

First through third-place winners in the under 25,000 division, as well as the 25,000 to 50,000 and 50,000 to 100,000 divisions, included newspapers from Maryland, Massachusetts, Florida and Virginia, among others from Pennsylvania.

The News-Item and other winners are in the running for a best of show award, to be announced April 10 at the America East Technology and Operations Conference, an annual media industry trade show held at the Hershey Convention Center.

Days away, sequestration - the dramatic federal spending cuts - may seem like the crisis du jour for the gridlocked U.S. Congress, but the impact would be far-reaching, impacting everything from food inspection, to air traffic control, to defense.

Here's the background on what the sequester is, how it happened and what happens from here:

What is sequestration?

A: Sequestration is a group of automatic, across-the-board spending cuts totaling $1.2 trillion scheduled to being March 1 and ending in 2021. The cuts are evenly split between defense spending and discretionary domestic spending.

Wars and most spending on entitlements such as Social Security and Medicaid are exempt. The White House says cuts in 2013 will total as much as $109 billion.

Who approved this mechanism?

A: Sequestration was part of the Budget Control Act, passed by the Republican-controlled House of Representatives, the Democratic-majority Senate and signed by President Barak Obama. The BCA emerged during a prior fiscal stand-off in which failure to reach a deal nearly led to the U.S. government defaulting on its debt in August 2011. Republicans demanded substantial cuts in exchange for raising the debt limit.

President Obama and Congressional leaders ultimately agreed to the BCA, which raised the debt limit in exchange for the establishment of the supercommittee to negotiate future spending plans. The law required the sequester as a fallback. The intent of the sequester is to create across-the-board pain that would pressure legislators into a deal.

"Congress thinks it can force itself to make tough decisions by creating a ridiculous outcome to their failure to make tough decisions in the first place," said Dr. Jean Harris, chairwoman of the University of Scranton's political science department.

Why does everyone hate the sequester?

A: Legislators on both sides don't like the sequester because the across-the-board cuts take them out of the fiscal equation. Because the cuts hit all programs equally, everyone's ox, theoretically, gets gored.

"Sequestration was created to be hated," Harris said.

How would these cuts affect the country?

A: The White House and various government agencies have been releasing data on how federal agencies would deal with sequestration. Last week, a new report issued by the U.S. Army said Tobyhanna Army Depot could suffer more than $300 million in cuts, slashing its budget by more than one-third by Sept. 30. Fiscal organizations and special interest groups also have been outlining how they feel the cuts will hurt federal activities. While some have estimated longer waits at airport security and fewer food inspections, how the sequester would manifest in the everyday life of Americans is uncharted territory.

Can the sequester be avoided?

A: Yes, so long as Congress passes another budget deal that would achieve at least $1.2 trillion in deficit reduction. Both Democrats and Republicans have offered proposals to do so, but there has not yet been a meeting of the minds. Republicans don't want to raise taxes; Democrats are reluctant to make dramatic cuts.

"They have to do what Congresses past have done: negotiate, compromise and make bipartisan decisions looking more broadly at raising taxes and cutting spending while addressing also Medicare - the fastest growing uncontrolled federal expense," Harris said. "But where are they? They are on recess. Imagine any American worker with something this important to get done and decisions this important to make who went on a break. Most people would agree such a worker should be fired."

SUNBURY -Northumberland County Link to Aging and Disability Resources hosted a training session Feb. 7 at the Northumberland County Area Agency on Aging.

Christina Clausi, Northumberland County's Link coordinator, organized the training to provide information regarding various supports and services available to assist older adults and people with disabilities.

The training presenters discussed Northumberland County's behavioral health, intellectual disabilities and drug and alcohol programs. Information was provided regarding the various services and supports available to county residents involved with these programs.

Presenters were Judy Davis, behavioral health and intellectual disabilities administrator;, Diane Roman, early intervention supervisor; Terry Williams, intellectual disabilities supports coordination director; Carmine Picarelli, adult mental health director, and Glenda Bonetti, drug and alcohol administrator.

For more information on these programs, call 495-2040 or 800-970-6467.

Northumberland County Link is represented by the following Core Partner agencies: Northumberland County Area Agency on Aging, CRI (Community Recourses for Independence), Roads to Freedom Center for Independent Living, UCP (United Cerebral Palsy), and Northumberland County Apprise Program. These agencies are available to provide information and assistance for the aging and disability community in Northumberland County.

LANCASTER - Ian Fucci, of Gordon, made the dean's list for Franklin & Marshall College's fall 2012 semester. Fucci is a son of Paul and Elaine Fucci and is a graduate of North Schuykill Junior/Senior High School.

A student earns honors list recognition for achieving a 3.7 or better grade point average and dean's list recognition for achieving a 3.25 or better grade point average on a 4.0 scale.

SHAMOKIN - VNA Health System will host a dinner show featuring master hypnotist Michael Blaine, Saturday, March 23, at Masser's Banquet Hall, Paxinos.

The dinner show kicks off an important celebration for VNA, said Joseph Scopelliti Jr., president and CEO.

"We are celebrating 100 years of community-based service providing home and hospice care," he said. "In this day and age, many healthcare companies are finding it hard to survive the hardships of our current economy. The VNA Health System continues to flourish, and our 100th anniversary is definitely something to celebrate."

The evening will begin with a meet and greet followed by dinner and the show. Blaine is well-known across the country, and his dynamic antics and hilarious suggestions to participants will fascinate and engage the audience.

"The dinner show promises to be quite entertaining, and is suitable for people of any age," said Jessica A. Trell, director of business development.

Also, a silent auction will also be conducted.

"As a non-profit healthcare organization, we do our best to provide quality, cost-effective services for our patients," she said. "So proceeds from the dinner show and silent auction will benefit our cardiac and Telehealth programs."

"We are very fortunate to have the support of our community," said Scopelliti. "I'd like to thank our sponsors, thus far, for assisting us in our endeavors to bring an event of this caliber to the region."

Sponsors include Geisinger Health System/Geisinger-Shamokin Area Community Hospital, platinum sponsor; Assist Home Care Inc., and Shamokin Carbons, silver; Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School and Mountain View: A Nursing and Rehabilitation, bronze; Ava Care Inc., appetizer sponsor, and East End Auto Sales, sponsor.

Trell said VNA is still accepting sponsorships, including table sponsors, and donations of silent auction items.

Items up for grabs during the silent auction include sports memorabilia, art work, jewelry, sporting event tickets and more.

Trell stated the dinner show is the first of several events planned to engage the community in some fun while celebrating VNA's anniversary milestone. Other events include an art show, Kids Day, anniversary gala and a 5K run/walk. The organization's annual golf tournament, health fair and butterfly release are planned as usual, too.

"We want our community to know we are committed to our mission, and to serving the sick and injured through the next century."

The dinner show is open to the public, but reservations are required. Reservations are $35 per person and $60 per couple. For more information, call 648-8989.

WINCHESTER, Va. - Lauryn Nicole Leach, a 2012 graduate of Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School, achieved dean's list status with a 3.75 grade point average for the 2012 fall semester at Shenadoah University. Leach is majoring in kinesiology/physical therapy with a minor in biology and public health. Leach was invited to be a member of Alpha Lamda Delta National Honor Society and will be inducted into the society on March 3. She is a daughter of John and Linda Leach, of Paxinos, and a grandaughter of Thomas and Joann Mudry, of Kulpmont, and John and Susan Leach, of Shamokin.

Group Cares home repairs

SHAMOKIN - Representatives of CSO Inc. will go door to door in the city Tuesday and place phone calls through March 11 seeking applications for free home repairs to be performed by Group Cares volunteers July 22 to 26. Call City Hall at 644-0876 or CSO Inc. at 644-6575 for information.

150th Anniversary meeting

SHAMOKIN - There will be a meeting of Shamokin's 150th Anniversary Committee 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Independence Fire Association, at Market and Arch streets. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend.

Local school districts have all taken action of some sort in response to the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., on Dec. 14.

- Southern Columbia Area administration met with police chiefs from Ralpho, Catawissa and Locust Townships in January to discuss current policies and security measures at the district buildings.

The district's administrative assistant for safety and security, David McAnnaney, now walks the outside perimeter of all school buildings to ensure all doors are secure, a duty that was recently added.

It was decided to provide blueprints for each district building so first responders would know the layout of each place and best access points. Metal plates with numbers were also mounted on the doors.

Furthermore, the schools have been practicing locks down drills, and the board members have considered purchasing more security cameras and upgrading and expanding the use of card access readers to enter school buildings.

- Line Mountain School Board members have been debating the merits of allowing teachers to be armed in the school settings and whether to hire a professional, such as a School Resource Officer (SRO).

Earlier this month, the board granted Line Mountain Junior-Senior High School Principal Jeffrey Roadcap and construction technology instructor Jared Haas to move forward with building first response boxes for every classroom in the event of a school shooting or other emergency.

The box will be equipped with emergency supplies, including bandages, gauze, burn relief cream, sanitizer, ice packs, CPR kits and 50 other medical materials, and could also include pepper spray, retractable batons and other self-defense mechanisms in the box.

- A week after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, the Mount Carmel Area School Board unanimously agreed to retain a school resource officer (SRO) in the district on a month-to-month basis. Funding for the position, which has been held by Mount Carmel Township Patrolman Brian Carnuccio since January 2009, was provided by the school district and Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, which was set to expire Dec. 31.

An agreement was reached in which the district pays $23,543.73 from January to the beginning of June for the SRO, if he's retained for that entire time, while the township will pay $18,053.48 during the summer months toward Carnuccio's $41,600 salary.

Serving as Mount Carmel Area's SRO, Carnuccio works from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. He leaves the district campus only if he's summoned to assist with a police-related emergency.

- After advertising for the position of full-time armed security staff members, the Shamokin Area School District received 10 applications, and three individuals will likely be hired by April. They will be armed, but they will not have the power of arrest.

It's expected one guard would be hired for each of the three district buildings. Once a staff is assembled, they'll be trained on the district's recently purchased, and recently received, metal detectors.

Shamokin Area spent $16,400 total on four metal detectors last month, and a fifth is expected to be purchased.

Two detectors will be placed at the middle/high school for students, staff and visitors to pass through. Only staff and visitors at the main elementary and the elementary annex must use the detectors at those buildings; students will not have to pass through them. The fifth detector, if purchased, will be used at the middle/high school for large gym bags and music equipment.

COAL TOWNSHIP - This past holiday season was one of the busiest and most successful for the local Salvation Army.

Judy Orner, social services director for the Army, gave her Christmas report during a meeting of the advisory board Thursday at the headquarters at 1300 W. Spruce St.

Orner reported The Salvation Army assisted 681 families from throughout the greater Shamokin-Mount Carmel and surrounding communities. Orner reported 2,417 individuals were assisted, 1,462 children received toys and 5,848 toys were distributed.

She said despite the large number of people assisted, distribution of the Christmas food items and toys went "very smooth." She said it seemed the items arrived earlier this season allowing more time to plan the distribution.

Henry Linton, chairman of the advisory board, said he received numerous "nice compliments" from families served during his travels throughout the communities. Linton called the whole Christmas distribution and fund-raising effort "remarkable."

Board members and Army leaders extended special thanks to Ronald "Buddy" Knoebel, a member of the advisory board, and Knoebels Amusement Resort, for their assistance with the Christmas basket items.

Major Tina Streck, commanding officer, reported that Christmas Kettle collections, despite the economy, were higher this year than the previous season. Also, table-top kettles that were placed at various businesses were also very successful.

Streck thanked the establishments that allowed kettle bell-ringers to stand at the stores and said there is a need for additional bell-ringers next season.

Ned Sodrick, advisory board member, suggested the board and Army administrators make an effort to contact service clubs, businesses and various community and school groups and have them man the kettles for a period of time, allowing the longtime kettle collectors to "get a break" from their duties.

Sodrick said at the same time a sign with the organization's name could be displayed along with the Salvation Army sign.

Chris Venna, Shamokin Area Middle-High School principal, and Brian Persing, Shamokin Area School Board member, both members of the Salvation Army advisory board, attended the session and said they will announce details of the upcoming Salvation Army Adult Benefit Basketball Tournament later this week.

Board members and Army administrators commended Lois McCormick, longtime advisory board member, who is leaving the area and has resigned from the board. McCormick was a very active board member.

Attending the meeting, in addition to Maj. Streck, Linton, Sodrick, Knoebel, Venna and Persing, were Janice Kotwica, Violette Feudale, Harry Deitz, Paul Metrocavage and Bill Richie.

Next advisory board meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 14, at the headquarters.

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THARPTOWN - Geisinger Health System saw a need to expand its Shamokin campus, and with a large elderly population in lower Northumberland County an ophthalmology clinic made sense.

A retina specialist and a glaucoma specialist will move into a 4,000-square-foot addition at Geisinger Specialty Care-Shamokin building, located just next to the century-old hospital in Coal Township.

"Many of our patients come from Mount Carmel, Kulpmont, Paxinos, Trevorton and Shamokin areas. Geisinger wants to provide specialty care close to where the patient lives. The Shamokin area has a large number of elderly patients and having services convenient to their needs is vitally important," Michael Ferlazzo, a Geisinger spokesman, said in an email.

The Danville-based health provider announced earlier this month a $1.2 million expansion of the specialty care building. The addition was approved in 2012, and a contract awarded to R.S. Mowery and Sons Inc., Carlisle. Ground was broken in January, and the addition is expected to be completed in June.

The opthalmology clinic are among other specialty services offered at the clinic.

"There was the need to expand our current location in Shamokin so we could start sending additional specialists to this practice," Ferlazzo wrote.

"One of the commitments made by Geisinger to the local community was to enhance programs and services. This investment is just one of a number of capital investments in the G-SACH campus since the merger was completed in January 2012."

Geisinger took over operation of the coal region hospital last year, about 14 months after a merger was announced.

The specialty care expansion will create more exam rooms, as well as additional diagnostic and updated equipment such as retinal lasers, Fundus cameras and Fluorescein angiography.

Additional staff at the Shamokin practice will include two registered nurses, an ophthalmic photographer, ophthalmology technician and front desk receptionist.

The ophthalmology clinic is not unique to the G-SACH campus as there are other ophthalmology services within the Geisinger system, Ferlazzo said. What it does offer is convenience and parking for local patients.

CATIWISSA RR - Despite the name of the event at Southern Columbia Area High School Sunday, bowls were indeed filled to the brim with soup. And, with the students raising money for Manna for the Many, even more people will have food on their plates.

Thirty-five members of the senior class and art club voluntarily hosted their first Empty Bowl fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday in the high school cafeteria and fed more than 200 people at $5 a bowl.

The aroma of chicken corn, butternut squash, ham and bean, chili and 18 other varieties of soup filled the cafeteria while the handcrafted bowls brought charm to the room with bright colors and creative designs.

The idea was presented by senior Jeff Rooney to senior English teacher Louise Baran, who organized the students and the event.

Baran explained she has been teaching the seniors about a character named Simon from the 1954 novel "The Lord of the Flies" by William Golding.

"Simon is a person who does the right thing for no reward or recognition. This (The Empty Bowl) is the right thing - donating three hours of your time to help people in need," she said.

Casie Baker, high school art teacher, and the art students from grades six through 12 took a month of preparation to handcraft, glaze and paint 250 clay bowls. Guests were asked to keep their selected bowl as a reminder of all the empty food bowls in the world.

"It's a great way for students to connect with the community. It's a fun and creative, and it also is going to a good cause," Baker said.

Each design was different; there was a pirate ship theme, an underwater sea creature theme, optical illusions and breast cancer awareness designs.

The soups were made by teachers, students, family members and cooks at Original Italian Pizza (OIP) in Elysburg and Pine Barn Inn in Danville. OIP also donated bread for 150 people.

A Chinese Auction gave participants the opportunity to win gift baskets and other prizes, some of which were donated by Reichart's Mardigras, in Danville, and Varano's Warehouse Inc., in Mount Carmel.

All proceeds will be donated to Manna for the Many, located at 103 E. Independence St., Shamokin. The organization serves more than 700 families in the area, and provide food and other staples at a rate of 15,000 items every three months.

Baran complimented senior class president Jasmine Olvany, of Elysburg, saying she worked hard on the event and took on a lot of responsibility.

Olvany, who noted she works at Knoebels Amusement Resort and Indian Hills Golf and Tennis Club, said she knows how to handle food from her two jobs.

"As people who are growing up, we (the seniors) need to reach out and help people. It's a skill you need if you plan to be a great person," she said.

In feeding themselves, students and participants feed others at the same time, she said.

Olvany admitted she was surprised with the turnout since there were only 20 tickets sold before the event, but was delighted when more than 200 people showed up.

Superintendent Paul Caputo said he appreciated the collaboration by the students and teachers who worked on the project.

"It's creating a positive message on an issue that not only impacts us globally, but around here as well," he said. Caputo had two bowls of ham and bean soup, a dish he says cannot be avoided at an event like this.

"It was excellent. I don't know who the cook was, but they did a great job," he said.

SUNBURY - "Choose your friends carefully."

That was the advice offered by Northumberland County Judge Charles H. Saylor to Jordan Leigh Derck prior to sentencing the 24-year-old Shamokin woman Monday afternoon to 2 years of intermediate punishment on a felony charge of criminal conspiracy to deliver heroin.

Derck, who was ordered to serve the first three months of her sentence on house arrest, also must pay a $100 fine, various costs and fees. Saylor directed the defendant to continue to undergo drug and alcohol counseling, complete 25 hours of community service, refrain from bars and avoid contact with known drug dealers or users and her former boyfriend, Joseph Patrick Rubendall Jr., 23, of Sunbury, a co-defendant in the case.

An additional felony count of criminal conspiracy and charges of possession with intent to deliver heroin, possession of heroin and possession of drug paraphernalia filed by Mount Carmel Chief of Police Todd Owens and Patrolman Matthew Dillman were not prosecuted. Owens and Dillman are members of the Northumberland-Montour Drug Task Force.

Derck and Rubendall were charged in connection with a July 15 incident outside Turkey Hill Minit Market in Strong.

Rubendall was sentenced in late November to serve 1 to 2 years in state prison after pleading guilty to possession with intent to deliver heroin and possession with intent to deliver heroin, Clonazepam and Suboxone.

Derck, who is free on bail, was charged with conspiring with Rubendall to deliver 10 bags of heroin, six Clonazepam tablets, five Suboxone strips and raw bulk heroin and possessing a cellophane bag containing 10 bags of heroin.

SHAMOKIN - Eighty people attended the men's club breakfast on Saturday in the fellowship hall at St. John's United Church of Christ to hear guest speaker Danny Hale, head football coach of the Bloomsburg University Huskies.

Hale, one of the winningest coaches in all of Division II, had announced the day before his plan to retire later this year.

Hale had a winning record of more than 75 percent during his career. He holds the school record for most coaching victories and is ranked in the top five among active coaches in NCAA Division II.

Hale said he was born and raised in a small town in southwestern Virginia, what he referred to as "true redneck country." He pointed out how he used to carry a hardly used Bible and told everyone falsely that he was a Christian.

As he grew older, wiser and more mature, he said, he changed his life and headed in a more positive direction. Hale showed the men assembled his regularly well-used Bible as a demonstration of where his life is now.

His coaching career had its roots in Biblical teachings, he said, all of which encouraged him to treat his players with athletic enthusiasm, but without cursing or unacceptable behavior.

"Did I ever get in a player's face?" Hale asked. "Absolutely, but I never intimidated or embarrassed a player. In fact, I made my point, then put my arms on their shoulders and professionally explained right from wrong.

"I was tough as nails, but in a right way," he continued. "That's part of learning from mistakes and learning how to handle various situations. God granted me the right way to reach young people, and for that I am forever grateful."

Among those present were the athletic director, coaches and 35 members of the 2013 Shamokin Area High School football team. A meet-and-greet session followed the breakfast.

SUNBURY - A Mount Carmel woman, who has agreed to testify against a co-defendant charged in an October strong-arm robbery of a Marion Heights woman, was sentenced Monday to 9 to 23 months in Northumberland County Prison on four criminal charges.

Northumberland County President Judge Robert B. Sacavage imposed the sentence on 23-year-old Vanessa Ann Steigerwalt, who was given credit for 133 days previously served in prison.

The defendant, who pleaded guilty in December to criminal conspiracy to commit robbery, criminal conspiracy to commit flight to avoid apprehension, criminal conspiracy to commit theft and false reports, also was given 2 years consecutive probation and ordered to pay $450 in fines and an assortment of costs and fees. She is required to make $472.56 in restitution and avoid contact with the victim in the case, Lisa Beury, 53, of Marion Heights, and a co-defendant, Robert Warren Powers, 27, of Mount Carmel. She is prohibited from going to bars.

Beury was in attendance at the sentencing, but did not offer any testimony.

Steigerwalt, who had her legs shackled during the sentencing, has no prior criminal record. Her attorney, Paige Rosini, of the county Public Defenders Office, said her client has cooperated with authorities and agreed to testify against Powers if necessary. Powers, who is awaiting further court proceedings, remains incarcerated at the county prison.

Steigerwalt apologized Monday for her criminal actions and promised to "walk a straight line" in the future.

Northumberland County Assistant District Attorney Melissa Norton represented the commonwealth.

Steigerwalt was recommitted to the county jail following sentencing.

Powers, who was released from state prison in New Jersey seven months ago after serving three years for burglary, and Steigerwalt were charged Oct. 16 by Mount Carmel Township Patrolman David Stamets Jr. and Chief of Police Brian Hollenbush with felonies of criminal conspiracy to commit robbery with force, robbery with force and flight to avoid apprehension, and misdemeanors of theft, receiving stolen property and simple assault, and a summary of harassment.

Steigerwalt, who gave police conflicting statements about the robbery and initially denied her involvement in the crimes, also was charged with misdemeanors of unsworn falsification to authorities and making false reports to police.

They are accused of robbing Beury on her front porch when Beury arrived home at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 9 after cashing a $500 Lottery ticket at Boyer's Food Market. Beury was allegedly knocked to the ground by Powers during the robbery and had her purse stolen.

Powers then ran east on Melrose Street, north on Brunswick Street and east on Coal Street, where he entered a vehicle operated by Steigerwalt before fleeing the scene, police allege.

Police reported Powers discarded Beury's purse along Route 54 between the co-generation plant at Marion Heights and Turkey Hill Minit Market in Strong. Police said Powers stole only $50 and failed to notice that the remainder of the money from the Lottery ticket was contained in a side pocket of the purse, police said.

Police said Steigerwalt was taken into custody at Boyer's Food Market, where she was employed. She moved to Mount Carmel in January 2012 from Sellersville in Bucks County.

Powers, who is from Camden, N.J., was apprehended in the 200 block of East Seventh Street, about a block away from his home.

Nomination petitions filed

SUNBURY - Nomination petitions for the following candidates in the primary election have been filed with the Northumberland County Board of Elections:

Janice Hixson, Republican, auditor, Upper Augusta Township; Joyce S. Williams, Republican, auditor, Upper Augusta Township; David L. Betts, Republican, supervisor, Rush Township; Jean Kline, Republican, tax collector, Delaware Township.

Sandra Sulouff, Republican, judge of election, Point Township West; Joe Oberdorf, Republican, mayor, Riverside, and John Domanski, Republican, Riverside Borough Council.

SUNBURY - A former substitute teacher at Shamokin Area School District charged almost a year ago with sending several sexually graphic text messages to four girls under the age of 18 was sentenced Monday afternoon to 3 years of intermediate punishment and 2 consecutive years of supervised probation.

Michael S. Zack, 24, of Marion Heights, who pleaded guilty in December to a felony of unlawful contact with a minor and a misdemeanor of corruption of minors, also was ordered by Northumberland County President Judge Robert B. Sacavage to pay $600 in fines plus various costs and fees.

The defendant will serve the first six months of his sentence on house arrest that requires him to wear an ankle bracelet, allowing authorities to monitor his movements.

Zack, who was ordered to begin his sentence immediately, is prohibited from having contact with the victims and any other females under the age of 18 unless authorized by adult probation officials.

Not a predator, must register with state police

The judge imposed the sentence after reviewing a pre-sentence investigation report compiled by adult probation department employee Clifford Kinney.

Sacavage said an assessment by the Sexual Offenders Assessment Board determined that Zack is not a sexually violent predator, but reported Kinney found the defendant to be suffering from sexual compulsion.

Although he was not deemed a sexual violent predator, Zack still must register his residence and employment with state police for the next 15 years in accordance with the Adam Walsh Act. He also was ordered by Sacavage to complete a sexual offenders course.

'Surprised' attorney

Zack, who has no prior criminal record, apologized to the court and First Assistant District Attorney Ann Targonski for his actions, but claimed the number of sexually graphic messages was overestimated and that he was not the "aggressor" in the crimes.

The defendant told the judge he has had normal relationships with girlfriends through the years.

His attorney, Marc Lieberman of Elysburg, who was surprised by some of his client's statements, said Zack was taking full responsibility for his actions. He pointed out that Zack never had physical contact with any of the victims. "There was never any person-to-person contact here. It was all done by electronic communication," Lieberman told Sacavage.

At one point, Sacavage, who appeared annoyed when Zack became a bit defensive about the charges lodged against him, asked the defendant, "Are you trying to tell me this is normal activity for a 24-year-old school teacher?" Zack replied, "No, your honor."

Prior to imposing sentence, Sacavage said Zack's case was unusual because of his fine academic, athletic and community-oriented background.

He said Zack was an honor student in college, had a great football career at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional High School and served as a volunteer firefighter. He also said Zack served as a volunteer with the Salvation Army and completed an internship with the county juvenile probation department prior to becoming a substitute teacher.

But he said his alleged crimes embarrassed him, his family and the community.

The judge said he believed Zack was a better candidate for intermediate punishment than jail.

Zack was charged March 15 by Coal Township Detective Jeff Brennan with sending approximately 4,300 text messages to two 17-year-old females and two 16-year-old girls who attended Shamokin Area at the time. Many of the messages, which were sent between March 15 and Oct. 30, 2011, depicted sexually graphic material, police said.

Police said the incidents occurred in the east end of the township and at Shamokin Area Middle/High School.

A misdemeanor count of sending obscene and other sexual materials was not prosecuted.

Prior to his guilty plea, Zack voluntarily signed an affidavit surrendering his teacher's license, which had been suspended, Targonski said.

Zack was hired as a 180-day substitute teacher in the district in August 2011 and terminated by the school board at its December 2011 meeting, retroactive to Nov. 16, 2011.

SUNBURY - Melanie J. Guinther, who was originally charged with 36 criminal counts involving nine separate incidents, including a June robbery of her grandfather, was sentenced Monday to 8 to 23 months in county prison after pleading guilty to 13 offenses.

The remaining charges were not prosecuted.

Prior to being sentenced by Northumberland County Judge Charles H. Saylor, the 31-year-old defendant, who formerly resided in Mount Carmel and Elysburg before being incarcerated more than three months ago, apologized to the court for her crimes and told the judge she has learned a lot while in prison.

Guinther admitted needing help to cope with a drug addiction and said her actions embarrassed her family, including her 79-year-old grandfather, Irvin F. Snyder, of Paxinos, one of the many victims of her crimes.

The defendant said she had been coping with many serious issues during her two-year crime spree, including the suicide of her estranged husband in June.

The judge told Guinther that her life has gone into a "downward spiral" during the past two years.

Prior to sentencing, Snyder told the court he believes Guinther is truly sorry for her crimes. Snyder said he has been "touched" by several letters he has received from Guinther during her incarceration and is confident his granddaughter can recover from her drug addiction and other problems.

In addition to imposing the prison sentence, Saylor ordered Guinther to pay $475 in fines, various costs and fees and make restitution of $2,950 to her grandfather, $1,608.10 to State Farm Insurance and $5 to Turkey Hill Minit Market in Mount Carmel.

The judge granted a request by Guinther's attorney, David Noon of Sunbury, to allow his client to be eligible for work release at the county prison. Noon said Guinther will be eligible for parole after serving eight months in prison.

Assistant District Attorney Melissa Norton represented the commonwealth at sentencing.

Guinther pleaded guilty to criminal conspiracy to commit trespass, criminal conspiracy to commit theft, possession of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, forgery, loitering and prowling at night, bad checks, theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property, theft by deception, criminal trespass, loitering and criminal attempt to commit theft by deception.

During Guinther's guilty plea in November, Saylor ordered the defendant to enter a state intermediate punishment program at SCI-Muncy, where she underwent a rehabilitation program for drug abuse. Saylor denied Guinther entry into the county drug treatment court due to the seriousness of the extensive charges.

Noon told the judge at the November legal proceeding that his client was dealing with many issues. He said Guinther is bi-polar and has a severe drug addiction. He said Guinther was still suffering from the effects of surgery after being involved in accidents. Noon also said his client's estranged husband died and she was pregnant.

Guinther, who had several family members in attendance at sentencing, was charged by Ralpho Township police in connection with a June 2 robbery of 300 prescription pills and $3,150 from Snyder's home.

Robert Forrest Smith, 47, of Coal Township, and Katie Lynn Labus, 20, of Coal Township, also were charged in the robbery, with Smith being accused of stealing the money and pills at knifepoint.

Labus was previously sentenced to 3 to 12 months in county prison. Smith is incarcerated awaiting further court proceedings.

Guinther was charged in connection with the theft of a bracelet from an Elysburg home on Oct. 21, 2010. She was charged with theft by deception involving an incident at Wal-Mart Supercenter in Coal Township on Jan. 22, 2011.

The defendant was charged with trespassing and tampering with evidence in connection with an Aug. 2, 2011, incident at Joe's Auto Body in Natalie.

Guinther was charged with forging a check at a Sunbury bank that was stolen from a Northumberland home on July 12, 2011.

She was arrested for presenting a fake $5 bill at Turkey Hill Minit Market in Mount Carmel on May 9, 2011.

Guinther was charged with possession with intent to deliver three Kadiam capsules and 12 Ropinirole hydrochloride tablets involving a March 11 incident at the intersection of Route 61 and Mid Valley Highway (Route 2032) in Mount Carmel Township.

Guinther was charged with issuing two bad checks at Village Peddler in Elysburg on July 31.

She also was charged with loitering and prowling at night in connection with a Sept. 28 incident at an Elysburg home.

SHAMOKIN - Vincent Chesney will host the fifth annual Slavic performing arts heritage festival at 5 p.m. Monday, March 11, in the auditorium in Luzerne County Community College's Northumberland Center at Arch and Eighth streets.

This year's event is titled "Friends Like Eagles: Polish Officers in America's Civil War." It honors the 150th anniversary of the War Between the States. As in previous years, Chesney offers this event free and open to the public.

Scheduled to speak at this year's event is Dr. James Pula, an award-winning author of more than 15 books. Pula is a professor of history at Purdue University North Central. He will speak about Brigadier General Włodzimierz Krzyanowski, who commanded the 58th New York Volunteer Infantry, known as the "Polish Legion" for its high percentage of immigrant soldiers.

Dennis Kubicki, who holds multiple master's degrees in management, is also scheduled to speak at the event. Kubicki is a military reenactor from Frederick, Md., with three decades experience. He will portray a soldier from Confederate Colonel Valery Sulakowski's 14th Louisiana Infantry, which was nicknamed the "1st Polish Brigade."

Both infantries fought at Gettysburg, among other famous battles. Both men, born into Polish nobility, were prominent in American politics after the war.

Reproductions of each infantry's battle flags will be on display at the event. Ethnic food as well as Civil War era food will also be available. Books and souvenirs will also be available.

Krzyanowski took part in Poland's unsuccessful 1848 uprising against Prussia prior to answering Lincoln's call for volunteers by coming to America with a group of Polish soldiers.

Some may consider these Polish officers to be war hawks while others may see them as eagles for liberty and justice. Sulakowski followed a similar path to America. He sided with suppressed Hungarian forces in the 1848 failed uprising against Austria in a year when Europe was in turmoil.

An adjunct instructor at Luzerne County Community College, Chesney created this event to illustrate the rich history and ethnic diversity of the area as well as connect subjects that students are learning to real life context. Each year the event allows the college and community to share in an entertaining and educational experience.

COAL TOWNSHIP - An unidentified township man, who was the victim of a non-lethal shooting in Hazleton Monday, was escorted by police from a Webster Street home and returned to the Luzerne County city, where officers attempted to learn more about the second shooting there in several days.

Police say an East Stroudsburg man shot the township man in the leg during some type of altercation inside a vehicle on Hazleton's south side Monday afternoon.

Unfortunately for the alleged shooter, Joseph E. Babbitt, 25, state and federal agents were in Hazleton assisting in an unrelated homicide investigation the day he pulled the trigger of a low-caliber gun on another man and fruitlessly tried to drive away.

"It was a very bad day to commit a criminal act four blocks from city hall," Hazleton police Chief Frank DeAndrea said.

Gun under car

At about 3:15 p.m., state police cars and unmarked vehicles operated by state and federal agents joined multiple Hazleton police cruisers as they converged on two areas of Hazleton - one on Lee Court between West Walnut and West Chapel streets and in the area of South Filmore Court and West Walnut Street.

DeAndrea said about 25 law enforcement officers responded.

DeAndrea said Babbitt is accused of shooting an unnamed victim in the right leg, about two inches above his knee, while Babbitt was inside the man's black Dodge Durango in a restaurant parking lot on South Church Street, only a few blocks from Hazleton's police station. DeAndrea said he would not release the victim's name because he is a witness to a crime.

After pulling the trigger, he said, Babbitt began to run from the victim, who chased him in his vehicle. That chase ended after Babbitt allegedly got into a red Chevrolet and drove a few blocks away to a parking lot in the area of Lee Court, between West Chapel and West Walnut streets. But before Babbitt got away, the victim allegedly rammed his Durango into Babbitt's vehicle, DeAndrea said.

Officers took Babbitt into custody on Lee Court near his vehicle, which had damage to the back end and front passenger side. An unidentified woman with him was taken into custody for questioning but later released.

DeAndrea said Babbitt threw the .25-caliber black handgun allegedly used in the shooting under a vehicle in the parking lot where he was found.

As an uninvolved vehicle parked next to the Chevrolet backed up, officers found the gun and placed it in an evidence bag.

Headed home

While police converged on Babbitt, the victim was driving back to his home in Coal Township, DeAndrea said.

About 3:20 p.m., area officers were alerted by emergency communications to be on the lookout for a vehicle registered locally and related to a Hazleton shooting.

Five officers from Coal Township and Shamokin police departments were on scene about 3:40 p.m. with weapons at the ready. At least nine officers responded while the situation unfolded.

No shots were fired and no aggressive actions were observed.

Pedestrian and vehicle traffic was stopped to the east and west of the scene. Several neighbors looked on from their front porches and chatted with each other about the nature of the police activity.

A black Dodge Durango was searched by officers and later towed from a dirt lot at Webster and Clay streets, below Tioga Street, to the township police department at 805 W. Lynn St.

Hazleton police picked up the victim from Coal Township police, DeAndrea said. The man was brought into the Hazleton police station in handcuffs, but was released when police determined he was a victim in the incident, DeAndrea said.

DeAndrea said the shooting was motivated by some type of altercation between Babbitt and the victim that happened Sunday. However, he said neither the victim nor Babbitt would clearly tell police what the altercation was about. DeAndrea said he was unsure if the victim even knew why he was shot.

Babbitt has been charged with aggravated assault and felony weapons charges; the gun Babbitt used had an altered serial number, DeAndrea said.

DeAndrea said emergency workers tended to the victim in Coal Township and again while he was at the Hazleton police station. DeAndrea said it appeared the bullet passed "cleanly through" and the injury is non life-threatening.

Shots heard

According to Dave Basala, general manager for Tech Transport, 343 W. Walnut St., Hazleton, he was taking care of paperwork when one of his employees heard gunfire sometime after 2 p.m.

Basala said he left his building and saw a red Chevrolet stopped at Filmore Court and Walnut Street and a black Durango northbound on Filmore Court.

"And the Durango plows this car," he said.

The sport utility vehicle turned onto Beech Street, where Basala said he lost sight of it.

Multiple police departments were asked to look for a vehicle matching the Durango's description.

Unrelated fatal

Shortly after police talked with Babbitt and the Coal township man, officers took into custody Adami Y. Arias, 20, with a last known address of 561 Seybert St., Hazleton, as a person of interest in a fatal shooting there Saturday night. That shooting is not connected to the incident involving the Coal Township man, police said.

Angel Villalobos, 19, has been identified as the victim of Saturday night's shooting.

He was found by police in the 500 block of West Maple Street after neighbors called 911 upon hearing a series of gunshots around 7:15 p.m. Saturday.

Villalobos sustained multiple gunshot wounds and his death was ruled a homicide after an autopsy was performed at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, acting Luzerne County Coroner William Lisman said.

On Saturday night, Luzerne County Deputy Coroner Jeffrey Stock said Villalobos died in the emergency room at Hazleton General Hospital.

An unidentified 24-year-old man was also found in the same area as Villalobos, but was treated and later released from Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Plains Township, DeAndrea said. The second shooting victim's name has not yet been released by police.

(Staff writer Eric Scicchitano contributed to this report.)

ELYSBURG - A new season of Steppin' Out will begin Tuesday, March 19.

Steppin' Out is a walk/jog/run program initiated in 2010 to engage women and girls 12 and older to become more fit and motivated to achieve healthy goals and to create a positive opportunity for them to unite.

Steppin Out sessions occur at 6 p.m. each Tuesday for about 12 weeks at Elysburg Community Park, site of the All Home Days celebration. Strollers are welcome. Registration is limited to 150 applicants on a first-come, first-serve basis. Cost is $30, although an early bird rate of $25 is available for those who register by March 12. There is no cost for those requesting a scholarship.

Paramount to the Steppin' Out program goals are the development of a positive and affordable program that allows participants to create their own fitness goals and achieve them, coupled with providing the tools to create lifelong changes in their overall health and well-being. It was developed to provide the tools, resources and motivation for participants to make their goals a reality, regardless of fitness level, inability to access a health program and/or financial constraints.

The Steppin' Out program includes:

- A brief educational session each week, then warm-up followed by a group/walk/run with motivational mentors, cool down and motivational message. Sessions last about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

- Specific "at-home" workout plans to incorporate family, etc.

- Brief educational sessions by local health care providers and other experts.

- Mentor support for each level of participant.

- Use of research-based exercise principles.

- Weekly motivational messages, online resources, links to services and personalized support. Accommodations for print materials and weekly phone contacts are made for those participants who are unable to access online information.

Each participant receives a Steppin' Out Technical Shirt after completing at least eight of the sessions (two of three each quarter), followed by a celebration and receipt of a certificate. All participants completing the program will have the base level of fitness to complete a 5 K walk/run; therefore, all interested participants are invited to complete a post program 5K with Steppin' Out mentors to coach them to the finish line.

The Steppin' Out leadership team is comprised of Cindy Wedde, RuthAnn Helfrick, Tara Maurer, Sherry Romanoskie and Mary Leshinskie.

Steppin' Out has developed a strong relationship with the All Home Days Association and the Ralpho Township Rotary, which support mutual goals.

Contact any one of the Steppin' Out leadership committee members with any questions at steppinoutwalkrun@gmail.com.

Registration forms can be obtained by contacting the Steppin' Out committee at the Steppin Out Facebook page, through e-mail or at Little Britches Daycare in Elysburg.

Mail registrations (with the waiver) to Steppin' Out, attn.: Cindy Wedde, 197 Butternut Lane, Elysburg 17824.