MANDATA - Four different firms will work on bringing a new heating and air conditioning system to the Line Mountain Junior-Senior High School as part of a new remodeling project at the school.

Line Mountain School Board approved a $9.7 million construction project that will bring geothermal wells and the new HVAC system to the Mandata campus, along with other renovations, including the replacement of the wooden windows in the building, construction of a free-standing maintenance garage with a salt shed and resurfacing of the main access road and the parking lot where about 100 geothermal wells will be drilled.

Following a 90-minute discussion at Tuesday's meeting, the board voted 7-2 to award $9,726,812 in contracts to drill geothermal wells on the campus and install a new HVAC system throughout the school.

The firms awarded the contracts and the amounts approved, including the alternates are:

General construction - Zartman Construction Inc., of Lewisburg, $776,000 base bid, $54,000 for driveway resurfacing, $78,000 for driveway/parking lot resurfacing, $270,000 to construct the maintenance building, and $185,000 for window replacement;

HVAC construction - Frey Lutz Corporation, of Lancaster, $4,069,000 base bid, reduction of $48,900 for geothermal vault, $277,000 for Climacool Water Source heatpump, $23,000 for maintenance building work;

Plumbing construction - Silvertip, Inc., of Lewisburg, $49,600 base bid;

Electrical construction - G.R. Noto Electrical Construction of Clarks Summit, $388,000 base bid, $37,000 for maintenance building work.

Voting to award the contracts were directors Troy Laudenslager, Dennis Erdman, Lawrence Neidig, David Bartholomew, Lauren Hackenburg, Ronald Neidig and Daniel Zablosky. Directors Lamont Masser and Marlin Yeager Jr. voted against the project.

In a geothermal HVAC system, a liquid called glycol - a coolant similar to antifreeze - is distributed in and out of wells through a series of pipes and cycled through the building in a closed loop to either heat or cool the rooms, depending on the need.

Energy recovery units are placed on the roof to allow fresh air into the building.

At Trevorton Elementary, the wells are underneath the school's playground.

The new system will give climate control to each classroom, something superintendent Dave Campbell wanted to see.

"You see businesses doing renovations to create a better working environment for their employees," Campbell said. "We are trying to create a learning environment for the 21st century. Students that are sitting here sweating and uncomfortable are not productive and learning."

Secondary school principal Jeffrey Roadcap made an impassioned plea for the new system.

"When we did the renovation back in 1998, we had the opportunity to do this right, and it wasn't done," Roadcap said. "In April, May and September, it does get miserable in here, and the more bodies we have in this school, the warmer it gets."

The total amount of all the projects comes to $11,226,812, but the district is planning on using $1.5 million in capital reserve funds for the projects, bringing the total down to $9.7 million. A bond issue is needed for the rest with an annual payment of $398,588. The district had originally budgeted $280,000 for it, so the additional money needed equates to a possible 1,29-mill tax hike.

"You have a bare bones budget now," the superintendent told the board. "I just want to prepare you for the sticker shock next year when figures go up and we don't take action to prepare ourselves."

In other business, the board agreed to:

- Advertise for bids on voice/data network switches at the school buildings in Mandata and Trevorton, approved on a 9-0 vote.

- Purchase 75 Lenovo laptop batteries for replacement in the Classroom for the Future laptops at the junior/senior high school at a cost of $6,600 from CDWG, of Vernon Hills, Ill, approved on an 8-1 vote with David Bartholomew casting the lone no vote.

- Approve the 2013-14 breakfast and lunch prices, with only a change in one ala carte item, the participation in a employer-sponsored 529 college savings plan, and rates for medical, vision and dental insurance, all on 9-0 votes.

- Donate soccer net cages at Leck Kill and Dalmatia Elementary School to local AYSO soccer groups and accept a donation of a new batting cage for the softball team on school grounds.

SOMERSET - The Northumberland County Career and Technology Centers (NCCTC) Family Career and Community Leaders of America Student Career and Tech Student Organization recognized eight students as medal winners at the Pennsylvania State Leadership Conference held March 13 to 15.

More than 500 students competed from chapters statewide.

The NCCTC chapter, comprised of students from the Line Mountain, Mount Carmel Area and Shamokin Area school districts, entered eight students in the many workshops, meetings and trainings and STARS competition. Of the eight medal winners, two earned a bronze, five earned silver and one student earned gold.

Award winners are:

Crystal Chatterton, Mount Carmel Area, job interview, bronze; Desiree Dannatimer, Shamokin Area, pastry arts/cake decorating, bronze; Shannon Levi, Shamokin Area, culinary arts, silver; John Wondoloski, Shamokin Area, culinary arts, silver;

Nick Seybert, Line Mountain, culinary arts, silver; Christopher Pierce, Shamokin Area, table service, silver; Mary McKimm, Shamokin Area, pastry arts/baking, and Jessica Ramer, Shamokin Area, early childhood education, gold.

McKimm received the highest score in the baking competition and was awarded more than $9,000 in scholarships to a variety of schools.

Ramer, NCCTC's lone gold medalist, received more than $4,000 in scholarships. She was named to the National FCCLA (Family, Career and Comnunity Leaders of America) team representing Pennsylvania. She will have the opportunity to take her talents to a higher level and demonstrate her skill and expertise at the National FCCLA Competition in Nashville to be held in July.

The FCCLA club has been a part of NCCTC for 17 years. The advisers are Jim Schiavoni, culinary arts instructor, and Gwen Spurr, occupational child care instructor.

SHAMOKIN - The Lower Anthracite Region United Way (LARUW)'s annual campaign will end Saturday with an official total of $43,352.39.

LARUW expressed appreciation to small businesses, corporations and individuals for their generous donations. They are PPL Corporation and PPL employees, Susquehanna Bank and Susquehanna Bank employees, Weis Markets, Wal-Mart, IBM, Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC, The News-Item, Geisinger employees, Penndel Containers, Boyer's Food Market in Mount Carmel, Farrow's Funeral Home, Aqua PA, UGI Utilities Inc. employees, VNA Health Systems, Sunbury Motors, Eyesense, The Medicine Shoppe, Coal Township commissioners, State Farm Insurance Agency, Roadarmel Springer LLC, Nationwide, Union National Bank of Mount Carmel, Olvany Insurance, Verizon and Wells Fargo.

The United Way organization also expressed gratitude for residents for their support of the campaign.

LARUW serves part of Northumberland County, including Shamokin, Coal Township, Elysburg, Mount Carmel, Kulpmont, Paxinos and the Trevorton area.

All campaign funds are donated to charitable organizations in the Lower Anthracite region. Currently, the 10 member agencies that LARUW designates its funds to are Central Susquehanna Opportunities, Central Susquehanna Sight Services, Manna for the Many, American Red Cross, Northumberland County ARC, Girls Scouts of America, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Avenues and the VNA.

The United Way office is at 2 E. Arch St., on the second floor of the Northumberland County Career and Arts Center.

Shamokin Area maintained its lead in the high school division and pulled ahead in the middle school division after Week 5 in the Economics Pennsylvania Stock Market Game. Advisers for the teams are David Kopitsky, high school, and Stephen Keller, middle school.

The Stock Market Game is sponsored by The News-Item and Sunbury Motors.

The Stock Market Game is an award-winning educational program in which students are given a virtual cash amount of $100,000 and are encouraged to create the best-performance portfolio using a live trading simulation. Students work in teams.

(While there are multiple teams taking part in the game at each participating school, Economics Pennsylvania is reporting the dollar amount for the leading team at each school for this weekly report.)

Fire police seeking members

ATLAS - Anyone 18 years and older who is interested in joining the Mount Carmel Township Fire Police Unit as auxiliary fire police is asked to contact the municipal building at 339-1287 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Volunteers needed for cleanup

HARRISBURG - The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is seeking volunteers for this year's Great American Cleanup of Pennsylvania effort that runs through May 31.

The cleanup event is an annual effort sponsored by PennDOT, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, the state Department of Environmental Protection and other partners. Groups involved in PennDOT's Adopt-A-Highway (AAH) program, which involves volunteers cleaning roadsides year round, are also encouraged to participate in the cleanup.

For more information, go to www.gacofpa.org.

To adopt a section of highway, call the local PennDOT county maintenance office and ask for the AAH coordinator, or go to www.dot.state.pa.us.

This year, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful is hosting its first-ever Great American Cleanup video contest. Interested individuals can send a three-to-five-minute video of their cleanup event to Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful by May 24. For contest rules and information, go to www.gacofpa.org.

The pope is the face of the Roman Catholic Church, and the change in the Church's top leadership has generated considerable discussion ahead of the holiest of Christian holidays, Easter Sunday.

But as the Rev. John Szada, pastor of Divine Redeemer Church, Mount Carmel, reflected on the recent installation of Pope Francis, he reiterated a point the new pope himself made just before the 2013 papal conclave.

"He warned against spiritual worldliness," Szada said earlier this week. "That particular speech seemed to have a very profound impact on the cardinals. What he's talking about more than anything else is that the Church must reflect the face of Christ.

"It's not about the Church, it's Christ. What we have to do is rely on God and the Holy Spirit to guide us."

When Pope Francis was elected by the cardinals on March 13, his elevation to the papacy was met with hope and optimism, in no small part because of his reputation for humility.

A powerful man of great influence in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and beyond, he lived in a simple apartment, cooked his own meals and often used public transportation. His work with the poor carried over to his papacy with his choice of name, inspired by St. Francis of Assisi.

As an archbishop, he performed a ritual foot-washing on Holy Thursday in hospitals and jails, and he continued with that practice this year as pope at a juvenile detention facility in Rome.

In many way, he appears more approachable than recent predecessors.

"He's very gregarious. He really reaches out to people. I've never seen, in the past, popes actually hugging people," the Rev. Francis Karwacki of Church of Our Lady, Mount Carmel, said.

Pope Francis exchanged hugs and kisses with journalists while in Rome, Karwacki said, and he shared more hugs with parishioners at Mass. "He acted," Karwacki said, "like a regular pastor."

His behavior and his attitude make him very relatable to people of all walks of life, Karwacki added.

Pope Francis caused a stir among both conservative and liberal Catholics Thursday when, while washing feet at the detention center, he did so for two young women. It was a first for a pope, scholars say, and a break from church tradition.

While much has been made about the man's humility, Szada said people should use caution when reading into the new pope's humble background. Pope Francis has many positive qualities and is quite sincere, but he said that should not be interpreted that he has a liberal attitude.

"There's a hidden danger of people reading into his personality," Szada said.

As for potential changes in church teaching on contraception, ordination of female priests, abortion and homosexuality, "I don't think you're going to find them in this pope," Szada said.

Although women are barred from becoming priests, Karwacki stressed that they do play a "tremendous role" in the Church. The chancellor of the diocese is a woman, he said. However, when it comes to the priesthood, the priest acts in the person of Christ, Karwacki said, and a literal interpretation of those actions requires the priest to be what Christ was, a man.

"The Church will remain conservative," Karwacki said. "We don't change with public opinion."

DORNSIFE - Despite their quick response, all that firefighters were able to salvage from a modular home on Hooflander Road Saturday morning were eight guns and a knife.

The rest of the home, owned by William Whary, of Washington Township, was destroyed, according to Herndon Fire Chief Tony Gilligan, in a fire that started at approximately 7:30 a.m..

Because it was a double wide modular home, Gilligan said firefighters followed a different approach to fighting the blaze.

"Modular homes are a lot more dangerous to fight. Floors are made from particle board and everything is smaller in scale. They just burn hotter and quicker," Gilligan said.

Gilligan said when firefighters arrived on the scene, flames were shooting out the front door and the rear of the house.

"It was pretty much fully involved when we arrived," Gilligan said.

Add to the situation that water to fight the blaze had to be trucked in on tankers and several firefighters were at a training exercise, there was not much that could be done, Gilligan added.

"Because of the light-weight construction, the structure collapsed in the basement and the flames were shooting up from that," he said.

Whary was not home at the time of the fire. He has been staying at his son's home in Maryland while his wife is convalescing at a nursing home.

Gilligan said the fire is believed to have started in the living room, but there may be too much damage to determine an exact cause. State Police Fire Marshal Kirk Renn will be at the scene Monday morning to investigate .

The scene was cleared at 11:30 a.m. Fire crews that responded were Northumberland County crews from Herndon, Dalmatia, Hickory Corners, Klingerstown, Trevorton and Sunbury and crews from Pillow and Berrysburg in Dauphin County.

PAXINOS - "On a hill far away, stood an old rugged cross, the emblem of suff'ring and shame. And I love that old cross where the dearest and best. For a world of lost sinners was slain."

These words, the beginning of the hymn, "The Old Rugged Cross," were sung by 375 people, another record crowd, who attended the annual Service at the Cross. The service, traditionally held on Easter Saturday near the top of the Paxinos

Mountain, is hosted by Boy Scout Troop 250.

The cross, which is visible from Route 61 coming into Paxinos, has been placed on the mountain during the Easter season for the past 52 years. This year's service was the 26th edition; it wasn't held in 1994 because the grounds were inaccessible due to heavy snow cover.

"It seems like every day we have been praying for good weather, and now we finally have it," organizer Harvey Buriak said in his opening remarks. The crowd was treated to blue skies, sunshine and temperatures in the 40s.

At the start of the service started, Buriak was honored for his 45 years of Scouting leadership and his efforts in planning the service since it began in 1987.

Scout leader Kevin Shervinskie spoke about Buriak's leadership in getting the grounds ready for the service and constantly improving them.

"Harvey is a leader who leads by example," Shervinskie said. "The cross provides a light in us, but it is Harvey's spirit that lights up the cross."

Buriak was honored by several dignitaries in attendance, including State Reps. Kurt Masser and Lynda Schlegel-Culver, Northumberland County Commissioner Richard Shoch and Shamokin Township Supervisor John Klinger.

Masser and Culver passed on not only a citation from the State House of Representatives for Buriak, but one from the state Senate from Sen. John Gordner.

"He is truly an example for his Scouts, showing them the best qualities of the human spirit," Culver read from Gordner's citation.

Masser also read a letter from Congressman Lou Barletta, calling Buriak "an incredible asset to the community," by preserving the tradition of the cross.

Klinger announced the Shamokin Township supervisors proclaimed Saturday as Harvey Buriak Day in the township.

"This is all about the Scouts and the leaders, not me," Buriak said. "All I do is delegate what the Lord's work is."

The return guest speaker for the service was Dave Kyllonen, who brought with him two fellow ministers in music, Duane Nicholson and Neil Enloe, three original members of the gospel group, The Couriers, to perform a concert.

"We have played in about 10,000 churches in our careers, but this may be the biggest church we've ever performed in," Kyllonen said. "The ceiling here goes all the way up to the heavens."

Attendees enjoyed the concert, clapping along and singing some of the old hymns that were part of their song, "The Country Church."

Following the concert, Kyllonen preached, telling the story of Easter through the eyes of Pontius Pilate and how Pilate wrote a letter to Caesar Tiberius about Jesus.

"I watched this man and spoke to him, and all he wanted to talk about was me," Kyllonen said as Pilate. "I've looked at him and saw he has the eyes and the hands of a king, and I will not lift a finger to him unless I am commanded to do so."

He then spoke about how the crowd let Barabbas free and yelled to crucify Jesus Christ.

"Crucify Him! Crucify Him! That is what they shouted, and it echoes as loud today as it does back then when we are not part of the living church and we are AWOL from worshipping him." Kyllonen said. "Make this Easter the day you come back to the Church and back to Jesus."

Following the service, the Scouts provided hot dogs and baked goods for those in attendance.

Boy Scout Troop 250 gave special thanks to the following for their help in preparing for this year's service: Buddy Knoebel, Vought's Equipment Rental, Don Purcell, Bob and Peg Yarger, Ed Heitzman, Ed Begis, Bob Hile, Eleanor Shervinskie, Chuck Hopta, Jeff Probst and John Kurtz, Adam Krushinski, Ryan Shevitski, Joe Long, Ted Heitzman, John Miller and Adam Richardson.

Dialing local numbers will require entering the 570 area code starting Sept. 21.

The state Public Utility Commission announced Thursday that the "permissive dialing period" has begun, meaning people can still dial seven digits to place a call, but beginning Sept. 21, adding the area code will be necessary.

The change is in place to cope with a new area code, 272, which will apply to consumers who receive a new phone number starting Oct. 21, spokeswoman Denise McCracken said Thursday.

"Everyone who has a phone line keeps their number … but after a certain date anyone who applies for a new number will get the new 272 area code," she said.

Callers will have to dial 1 plus the area code and telephone number for all long distance calls, although the price of a call, coverage area or other rates and services will not change.

Dialing 911 will also remain the same.

The move toward a new area code and 10-digit dialing will not be unique to the area.

"We've seen it happen all over the state over the past couple decades," McCracken said.

If your lender canceled or forgave your mortgage debt, you generally have to pay tax on that amount. But there are exceptions to this rule for some homeowners who had mortgage debt forgiven in 2012.

Here are 10 key facts from the IRS about mortgage debt forgiveness:

1. Canceled debt normally results in taxable income. However, you may be able to exclude the canceled debt from your income if the debt was a mortgage on your main home.

2. To qualify, you must have used the debt to buy, build or substantially improve your principal residence. The residence must also secure the mortgage.

3. The maximum qualified debt that you can exclude under this exception is $2 million. The limit is $1 million for a married person who files a separate tax return.

4. You may be able to exclude from income the amount of mortgage debt reduced through mortgage restructuring. You may also be able to exclude mortgage debt cancelled in a foreclosure.

5. You may also qualify for the exclusion on a refinanced mortgage. This applies only if you used proceeds from the refinancing to buy, build or substantially improve your main home. The exclusion is limited to the amount of the old mortgage principal just before the refinancing.

6. Proceeds of refinanced mortgage debt used for other purposes do not qualify for the exclusion. For example, debt used to pay off credit card debt does not qualify.

7. If you qualify, report the excluded debt on Form 982, Reduction of Tax Attributes Due to Discharge of Indebtedness. Submit the completed form with your federal income tax return.

8. Other types of canceled debt do not qualify for this special exclusion. This includes debt canceled on second homes, rental and business property, credit cards or car loans. In some cases, other tax relief provisions may apply, such as debts discharged in certain bankruptcy proceedings. Form 982 provides more details about these provisions.

9. If your lender reduced or canceled at least $600 of your mortgage debt, they normally send you a statement in January of the next year. Form 1099-C, Cancelation of Debt, shows the amount of canceled debt and the fair market value of any foreclosed property.

10. Check your Form 1099-C for the canceled debt amount shown in Box 2, and the value of your home shown in Box 7. Notify the lender immediately of any incorrect information so they can correct the form.

Use the Interactive Tax Assistant tool on IRS.gov to check if your canceled debt is taxable. Also, see Publication 4681, Canceled Debts, Foreclosures, Repossessions and Abandonments. IRS forms and publications are available online at IRS.gov or by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).

Free Tax Help for Military Personnel and Their Families

Many members of the military are able to get their tax returns prepared for free on or off most military bases including overseas locations. The U.S. Armed Forces participates in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program sponsored by the IRS. VITA provides free tax advice, tax preparation, tax return filing and other tax help to military members and their families.

Here are four things you need to know about free military tax assistance:

1. Armed Forces Tax Council. The Armed Forces Tax Council oversees the military tax programs offered worldwide. AFTC partners with the IRS to conduct outreach to military personnel and their families. This includes the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard.

2. Volunteer tax sites. Military-based VITA sites staffed with IRS-trained volunteers provide free tax help and tax return preparation. Volunteers receive training on military tax issues, such as combat zone tax benefits, filing extensions and special benefits that apply to the Earned Income Tax Credit.

3. What to bring. To receive free tax assistance, bring the following records to your military VITA site:

Valid photo identification

Social Security cards for you, your spouse and dependents, or a Social Security number verification letter issued by the Social Security Administration

Birth dates for you, your spouse and dependents

Wage and earning statement(s), such as Forms W-2, W-2G, and 1099-R

Interest and dividend statements (Forms 1099)

A copy of last year's federal and state tax returns, if available

Checkbook for routing and account numbers for direct deposit of your tax refund

Total amount paid for day care and day care provider's identifying number. This is usually an Employer Identification Number or Social Security number.

Other relevant information about income and expenses

4. Joint returns. If you are married filing a joint return and wish to file electronically, both you and your spouse should be present to sign the required forms. If both cannot be present, you usually must bring a valid power of attorney form along with you. You may use IRS Form 2848, Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative for this purpose.

There is a special exception to this rule if your spouse is in a combat zone. The exception allows a spouse to prepare and e-file a joint return with a written statement stating the other spouse is in a combat zone and unable to sign.

IRS Publication 3, Armed Forces' Tax Guide, has more helpful information for members of the military. You can download free publications from the IRS.gov website or order them by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).

Tax Rules on Early Withdrawals from Retirement Plans

Taking money out early from your retirement plan can cost you an extra 10 percent in taxes. Here are five things you should know about early withdrawals from retirement plans.

1. An early withdrawal normally means taking money from your plan, such as a 401(k), before you reach age 59½.

2. You must report the amount you withdrew from your retirement plan to the IRS. You may have to pay an additional 10 percent tax on your withdrawal.

3. The additional 10 percent tax normally does not apply to nontaxable withdrawals. Nontaxable withdrawals include withdrawals of your cost in participating in the plan. Your cost includes contributions that you paid tax on before you put them into the plan.

4. If you transfer a withdrawal from one qualified retirement plan to another within 60 days, the transfer is a rollover. Rollovers are not subject to income tax. The added 10 percent tax also does not apply to a rollover.

5. There are several other exceptions to the additional 10 percent tax. These include withdrawals if you have certain medical expenses or if you are disabled. Some of the exceptions for retirement plans are different from the rules for IRAs.

For more information on early distributions from retirement plans, see IRS Publication 575, Pension and Annuity Income. Also, see IRS Publication 590, Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs). Both publications are available at IRS.gov or by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).

Divorces

Timothy S. Bower from Dixie M. Bower, both of 336 Fairmont Drive, Watsontown. Married June 11, 1981.

Bryan M. Hayter, 269 Second St., Northumberland, from Jamie Hayter, Shamokin. Married June 15, 2012.

Brenda M. Lang from Leonard J. Lang, both of 332 Boiardi Lane, Milton. Married Sept. 27, 2008.

Pamela L. Pellowski, 1200 Maple St., Kulpmont, from George P. Pellowski Jr., 41 N. Sixth St., Mount Carmel. Married May 18, 2002.

Karen S. Stahl from Brian E. Stahl, both of 108 Autumn View Lane, Northumberland. Married June 30, 1984.

Dennis L. Lower, 3709 Mahantongo Creek Road, Halifax, from Laura L. Lower, 340 Mountain House Road, Halifax. Married Sept. 21, 1996.

Janine A. Brosius, 119 Walnut St., Apt. 101, Mifflinburg, from Andrew M. Brosius, 109 1/2 Mahoning St., Milton. Married Nov. 19, 2005.

Peter S. Damgaard, 7 Sumac Lane, Elysburg, from Trina Damgaard, 281 Hillside Drive, Elysburg. Married April 8, 2000.

Melissa Erdman, 175 Whitetail Run Road, Shamokin, from Kenneth Erdman, 825-A, W. Shamokin St., Trevorton. Married Aug. 8, 2000.

Marriage licenses

Chad R. Houser, of 1151 Pottsville St., Herndon, to Colleen Joy Dopke, of 331 Maple St., Freeland. Issued March 28.

Gary R. Watts, of 13 Joann Lane, Milton, to Vicki A. Kitchen, of 700 E. Cameron St., Shamokin. Issued March 28.

Dean W. Kramer, of 239 Doutyville Rd., Shamokin, to Shana Beth Ritter, of 208 Pennsylvania Ave., Sunbury. Issued March 30.

Peter L. Gorney and Katherine G. Blessington, both of 317 E. Water St., Mount Carmel. To be issued April 1.

Property transfers

Jessica Greco and Daniel W. Greco Jr. to John Woodruff, property in Shamokin, $10,000.

U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Pennsylvania, Jesse Lee aka Jesse L. Volinski and Misty L. Volinski to Thomas A. Griffith, property in Coal Township, $14,000.

Cora I. Baily (by agent) and Sharon L. Williams (agent) to Thomas A. Griffith, property in Shamokin, $17,500.

Gertrude L. McCormick estate, Larry E. McCormick (executor) and Leanne L. McCormick (executrix) to Don Cotner Farms LP, property in Rush Township, $475,000.

Northumberland County Sheriff's Department, Elizabeth A. Orluskie estate and Lawrence B. Orluskie (executor) to First National Bank of Pennsylvania, property in Coal Township, $3,023.92.

George R. Derck and Cathy A. Derck to Jamie L. Seger and Kerry J. Seger, property in West Cameron Township, $1.

Kerry A. Hoffman and Kimberly A. Hoffman to Benjamin W. Harris, property in Rush Township, $200,000.

Albert M. Raybuck Jr. to Albert M. Raybuck Jr., property in Mount Carmel Township, $1.

Classy II Inc. to Albert M. Raybuck Jr., property in Mount Carmel Township, $1.

Classy II Inc. to Classy II Inc., property in Mount Carmel Township, $1.

Pamela J. Martz to Michael J. Martz, property in Lower Mahanoy Township, $1.

Paul R. Belfonti to Martha J. Klaus, property in Mount Carmel, $82,000.

Northumberland County Commissioners to MRK Realty Inc., property in Mount Carmel, $1.

MRK Realty Inc. to Ronald Ryan and Joan Ryan, property in Mount Carmel, $1,000.

Jane L. aka Jane Louise Levan estate and Donita Jo Mudis (executrix) to James A. Yocum, property in Jackson Township, $42,500.

The following landlord/tenant judgments were filed in Magisterial District Court last week:

Office of John Gembic III, Shamokin

- T&V Partners, of Sunbury, awarded $2,240 on March 25 for rent in arrears and court fees from John Purcell, of Shamokin

- Jamil Chaundry, of Selinsgrove, awarded $1,523 on March 25 for rent in arrears and court fees from Sharne K. Geary, of Shamokin.

- Delbert Mincemoyer, of Watsontown, awarded $846.93 on March 25 for rent in arrears and court fees from John and Adam Bush, of Paxinos.

- Robert A.A. Leffler, of Coal Township, awarded $2,943.65 on March 21 for rent in arrears and court fees from Darrell Jackson and Joyce Phillips-Kachurka, of Shamokin.

Office of Hugh A. Jones, Mount Carmel.

- Judgment in favor Mike and Lisa Lopez, of Elysburg, rendered March 20, from whom Marcus Winnick, of Edwardsville, had sought $1,198.20.

- Marie Danko, of Wapwallopen, awarded $3,088.50 on March 13 for rent in arrears and court fees from Joseph Linn and Brenda Linn, of Locust Gap.

- Janet Picarella, agent for Victor Picarella, of Mount Carmel, awarded $697.65 on March 26 for rent in arrears, physical damages to property and court fees from Lewis Barnes and Yvonne Barnes, of Mount Carmel.

By Justin Strawser

Joanne Risso has worn many different hats in her life.

The 40-year-old Australian native has worked as a teacher for World Youth International in Kenya, an immigration officer at the Australian High Commission in London, a caregiver in Holland, is a published author and English as a Second Language (ESL) instructor in America.

So how did someone with such a fervor for globe trotting find herself living in Pitman and teaching in the Mount Carmel Area School District?

Call it true love and the desire to start to a family.

"I met Pete, and it changed both our plans," she said recently during an interview with The News-Item.

Born and raised in Gippsland, Victoria, in Australia, Risso graduated from high school in Pakenham Secondary College in 1990. She took a few years off to travel to work at a summer camp in Wisconsin and live in Ottawa, Canada, before returning to Australia to acquire two bachelor's degrees in education from Deakin University in 1995 and 1996.

After that, she barely looked back, traveling from country to country and working in whatever field brought her the most adventure.

"Once Australians get out of the country, they just have to go," she said, explaining that Australia is so isolated from the rest of the world.

A round trip airline ticket costs the same as a "world tour" ticket in Australia. As long as an Australian keeps heading west around the world, they are allowed six stops in any country before coming home.

Fourteen years ago, she was planning to teach English at a teacher's college in China for two years, but she noticed a man playing Frisbee with a 60-year-old American woman, and she was smitten.

"I introduced myself right away," she said about the American man named Pete. "We were married nine months later."

What should have been two years in China turned into four months because Risso spent the summer with Pete in America to explore whether the budding relationship with this central Pennsylvanian was the real deal.

She and Pete now have four children, Matilda, 11; Emanuel, 10; Nerida, 7, and Samuel, 6. They live on Main Road in Pitman with an Australian Shepherd named Foster, three house cats named Phoebe, Towhee and Mo and two geckos named Percy and Piper.

Pete Risso grew up in New Berlin and graduated from Bloomsburg University with a degree in cultural anthropology. He has been teaching social studies for the last 10 years in the Tri-Valley School District. Joanne Risso, who worked as a substitute teacher for years, landed a full-time position at MCA last year as an ESL teacher.

At Mount Carmel this year, Risso had six students originally from China, one student from the Dominican Republic, one from Thailand, one from Mexico and two from Syria.

Although not fluent in any other language, she uses the Rosetta Stone program with most of the students. If a child cannot speak any English, she uses pictures with their language on the back. The student will tell her what the word is in their original language, Risso will say it in English and the student will copy it.

"Sometimes there are lots of gestures and pointing," she said.

Keeping in touch

Risso's parents visit often, and she stays in contact with her family through webcams and computers, but when she misses home, she can look outside her window.

"This area looks very similar to what it looks like in Australia where I grew up. It was hilly. This looks similar to a point. There are no gum trees here. How it looks in the winter without the snow is how it looks in Australia in the summer. Brown and dry," she said.

Life as an author

While Risso once had a focus in making and selling quilts, she would now rather pick up her laptop and write. She is the author of two children stories called "Over the Sea" and "In the Field."

The first book, "Over the Sea," was published in 2011 by Sunbury Press, of Boiling Springs, and is illustrated by Kathy Connelly.

The story, which is based on her oldest daughter Matilda, is about a young girl named Tilly who hates taking baths, so she devises a plan to rid her house of all water by running the faucets. However, her actions dry up all the rivers and lakes around her house.

"Her actions have consequences and she needs to change how she thinks and acts," Risso said.

Her second book, "In the Field," was published last month by Sunbury Press, and is illustrated by Missi Allen.

The story is again based on one of her children, this time 10-year-old Emanuel. The boy in the story, Manny, would pick all the flowers in the field for his mother, but they would eventually dry up and die.

"He wouldn't understand why I was so upset. If there are no flowers, no one else can look at them," Risso said.

Both stories have an environmental message about conservation, she noted.

"You take from the earth, you got to give something back. If you take too much, something bad is going to happen," she said.

Both books can be purchased for $9.99 at sunburypressstore.com or amazon.com. Signed copies can also be purchased through joannerisso.com.

Risso plans to write more children's books. She has one written about her youngest son, but she is still trying to place Nerida in one of the stories. She also plans to write a young adult novel based loosely off stories of the cadets she met when she worked at Northwestern Academy, Coal Township.

She can be found at Mount Carmel Area School District until April 4 as the author-in-residence, during which time she will be signing her books and providing an author discussion for grades kindergarten through sixth.

The event fundraiser, which was organized by the parent teacher association (PTA), involved a $1 donation for every pre-ordered book to the PTA.

She will also be attending the Book Expo America, a national event held in New York City, on June 1.

A complete list of appearances can be found on her website.

Learn to cook large meals safely

SUNBURY - Fairs, church dinners, fire company chicken barbecues, booster club hoagie sales, organizational bake sales and nonprofit food fundraisers are an excellent way to socialize with the community while earning money for organizational activities. However, more than 1,700 people became ill from food purchased at such events over the past decade.

Learn how to keep fundraisers safe from food-borne illness at a Penn State Extension workshop from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 15, at Penn State Extension Northumberland County, 443 Plum Creek Road. Topics covered include causes of food-borne illness, planning a safe event, safe food purchasing, storage preparation, service for a crowd, monitoring and record keeping, cleaning and sanitizing.

The workshop costs $20. To register, call (800) 851-9710.

MOUNT CARMEL - The Mount Carmel Area Public Library is grateful for the following donations, which are the most important and basic source of funds to library.

The library extended a special thanks for a generous donation from James R. Jones.

Easter memorial

Karl L. Schu from Nancy.

Birthday memorial

Joseph Guzevich Jr. from sister, Irene Casari.

Carol Santelli from daughter and son-in-law, Beth and Dean Readler, and grandchildren, Alex and Grace.

In memory of

Steve Ardan from Ted and Jackie Matlow.

John Bailoni from Angie Credito, Leo Ferrari Jr., James and Faith Ann Johns, Paula Newhook and John Pisarchick, Leon and Mary Kay Polites, Tony R. Polites, William J. and Andrew Polites, Millie and Leo Powell, Dave and Joann Shinskie, Clara Shuda and family.

Ann Baskera from Frank and Rose Pecaitis.

Daniel Baskin from Don and Marianne Millard, Lauren Millard,

Eric Baskin from Art and Maria Catino, Lauren Millard,

John P. Brophy Jr. from Fritz and Eleanor O'Hearn.

Joseph Costello from Cousin Phil.

Carl J. Criniti from wife, Lorraine M. Criniti.

Valerie Evans from Mr. and Mrs. Jan Evans and family, Mr. and Mrs. Walter J. Evans III.

David R. Ficca from Victor Concini, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Tabachini.

Ida Frank from Joy Berry and Helen Nolter.

Joyce Sylvia Goguts from John and Carol Strocko.

Olive Green from Ben-David, Robert Brezinski, John and Donna Buhay, Irene Casari, Jennifer and Albert Cheung, Lorraine M. Criniti, Rita Criniti, Dianne and Bryant Farrence, Steve Fedock, Dan Ficca, Ted and Deb Gownley, Donald and Joan Hildenbrand, Chris and Kelly Kaminski, Kanezo family, Kory, Rachel and Kasia Kennedy, Blaine and Joyce Kessler and family, Daniel and Linda Kessler, Robert and Carol Kessler, James and Helen Kopenhaver, Steve and Carole Krehel, Cathy Lacroce, John Lawler, Trina and John Leshinsky, Fred and Dolores Lutz, Randy Lutz, Ted and Jackie Matlow, Judy and Tom Matukaitis and family, Karen and Reed Messmore, Don and Marianne Millard, Gary and Virginia O'Bryan, Margaret and Daniel Ozlanski, Frank J. Ragalyi, Hilda J. Rothermel, Mary M. Rudisill, Johanna Sayre, Agnes and Cindy Saukaitis, Maria Scicchitano, Nancy Schu, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Swartz, Dan Tracy and children; Jim, Ashleigh, Debbie (Lawler) Vogel, Melanie Wengrenovich, Vera and Stanley Zbicki, Association of Mount Carmel Retired Educators, staff of Anderson Elder Law, Media.

Edward Hixson from Tara Kimsal.

Thomas Hombosky from Marcella Hombosky.

Horan and Stine families from Joseph and Judy Horan.

Rose Hynoski from Art and Maria Catino, John Costello, Dr. Frank J. and Suzanne Ferrari, Mr. and Mrs. Alex Filhoski, Jeff Kanezo, Kanezo family, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Kostenbauder, Antoinette Niglio, Frank and Kathy Pupo, Joe and Anet Thiroway, Lucy Underkoffler, board of ACT.

Fred Kopyscianski from Arlene Lubinski.

John Kuzo III from Gloria, Paula and Brock, Ed and Janice Smith Dudginski, Fred and Dolores Lutz, Clara Shuda and Family, Joyce Yodis.

Phil Lockcuff from Frank and Rose Pecaitis.

Mike Molesevich from Dave and Joann Shinskie.

Robert Pekera from Victor Concini, Tom and Gayle Pivarnik and Family, Ann Swatsky, Sylvia, Academy Sports Center.

George Raab from Leon and Mary Kay Polites.

William E. Retallack from Kathy and Jim Darrup, Gayle and Tom Pivarnik and Family.

Stephen Salva from James and Faith Ann Johns, Leon and Mary Kay Polites, Tony R. Polites, William J and Andrew Polites.

Sister Mary Benfield, IHM from Fritz and Eleanor O'Hearn, Mount Carmel Catholic High School Class of 1957.

Wanda Smith from Joy Berry.

Edward Stabinsky from Chris and Norman Williams.

Pauline M (Babilya) White from Mount Carmel Area High School Class of 1959.

SHAMOKIN - The solicitor for Watsontown Borough says a potential lawsuit against Northumberland County related to the costs of prisoner transports is still being discussed.

Attorney Ryan Tira said Tuesday that while nothing has been filed in court, the matter has not been put to rest. He offered no further comment.

Watsontown's intentions came to light in January after it sent invitations to Northumberland County municipalities to join a lawsuit against the county. Shamokin accepted the invitation, while Coal Township turned it down. It's not known which other municipalities may have accepted Watsontown's invitation.

Participating municipal parties would equally split legal costs. Constables were also being sought to join the litigation, but would not pay any legal costs.

The threat of legal action came after the county quit its long-standing practice of paying state constables for prisoner transports, saying it lost $104,000 from the transports in 2011.

When the New Year arrived, the burden fell on municipal police departments, several of which in the southeastern portion of the county opposed the move. Those opposed say the new methods chew up officers' time, keeping them on the road or in a courtroom when they could be performing police work, and could also increase overtime.

HARRISBURG - Trooper Scott A. Maskowski, 39, a native of Shamokin, was among 98 cadets to graduate from the Pennsylvania State Police Academy during ceremonies Dec. 21 at Central Dauphin High School.

Maskowski, who was the only cadet from Northumberland County in the graduating class, is a 1992 graduate of Shamokin Area High School.

Maskowski has been assigned to Pennsylvania State Police Troop F in Montoursville.

He and his wife, Cory, reside in Northumberland County. He has a 6-year-old stepson, Connor.

SHAMOKIN DAM - The state Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and state legislators will be holding a press conference today regarding a "major announcement" about the Central Susquehanna Valley Thruway (CSVT) project.

The event is set for 11 a.m. at the Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce office along Routes 11-15.

PennDOT Secretary Barry Schoch will be joined by state Sens. John R. Gordner (R-27) and Gene Yaw (R-23) and state Reps. Lynda Schlegel Culver (R-108), Garth Everett (R-84), Fred Keller (R-85) and Kurt Masser (R-107) for the announcement.

The project, which is intended to ease heavy traffic along Routes 11 and 15 north of Selinsgrove at an estimated price tag of $400 million or more, has been stalled numerous times for more than a decade.

In February, Gordner said he was optimistic the transportation chair of the Appalachian Regional Commission would lift the cap on spending so the project could receive the $300 million recommended through that agency. In 2010, it was approved to be part of the Appalachian Development Highway System corridor, a move that was expected to help fund the project.

Gordner also co-sponsored a resolution in July 2011 calling on Congress to reauthorize toll credits as part of any new Surface Transportation Act. The resolution noted that several Pennsylvania road projects, including the proposed CSVT, are dependent upon toll credits.

The thruway would start at what is currently the northern terminus of the Selinsgrove bypass and be routed west of and roughly parallel to the current Routes 11-15 north to Winfield. A new bridge would connect the thruway to Route 147 north of Northumberland.

Susquehanna Valley motorists can breathe a sigh of relief while gas prices hold steady this week at $3.628.

Today's national average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline is $3.637. This price is two cents less expensive than one week ago, 12 cents less than one month ago and 29 cents less than one year ago. An increase in refinery production and lower oil prices in early March have combined to provide rare falling prices for motorists in comparison to recent years.

Prices have fallen for drivers in the vast majority of the country. Forty-two states have a lower average price today than one week ago, led by declines of more than a dime in three states: Indiana (15 cents), Ohio (14 cents) and Michigan (12 cents).

Motorists in Wyoming and Montana still pay the least in the nation for a gallon of gasoline at $3.33 and $3.36 respectively. Drivers in only two states pay an average of more than $4 - Hawaii ($4.38) and California ($4.04) - which is the lowest since Feb. 19.

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) settled 16 cents lower at $97.07 per barrel Monday at the close of formal trading on the NYMEX.

(AAA East Central, part of the AAA family, serves members in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, New York and Kentucky. Fuel Gauge is published each week in The News-Item.)

SUNBURY - Judges, prosecutors and other law enforcement officials in Northumberland County have been threatened in the past, but the killings of two Kaufman County prosecutors in Texas in a span of eight weeks have heightened their awareness about safety in the workplace and at home.

Kaufman County District Attorney Mike McLelland, 63, and his wife, Cynthia, 65, were found shot to death inside their home in Forney, Texas, Saturday. McLelland was the 13th prosecutor killed in the United States since the National Association of District Attorneys began keeping count in the 1960s.

On Jan. 31, one of McLelland's lead prosecutors, Mark E. Hasse, 57, was shot and killed as he walked to his office at the county courthouse.

The killings have prompted a broad investigation by local, state and federal agencies, including the Texas Rangers, the FBI and federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Northumberland County District Attorney Tony Rosini, who described the recent killings as "horrible," said, "I've had threats on my life over the years and it's important to be conscious of your surroundings. It's one of the risks of being in the profession. But the recent killings certainly bring it home more for people involved in the court system. It's a stark reality that things like this can happen, but you can't let it change your life around to the point where you are scared all the time. Most people are venting and aren't serious, but you must always be aware that someone is out there who may act upon their threats."

Rosini is in his 17th year as district attorney.

"The shootings have definitely had a chilling effect on people who work in the criminal justice system," commented Northumberland County President Judge Robert B. Sacavage. The judge said it's tragic when police officers on the front lines are killed, but it's even scarier when prosecutors and members of their families are gunned down.

"Personally, it's caused me to pause and reconsider safety factors," Sacavage said. "We've actually beefed up security in various areas at the courthouse over the years. Since the 9/11 disasters, there have been many more precautions taken. But no matter how much security is in place, you still worry. The recent killings in Texas have certainly heightened my awareness in the workplace and outside the courthouse."

Sacavage said it's vital today for more citizens to report any suspicious behavior to law enforcement officials. "What we need here is good, old-fashioned participation by the public to help detect threats of any kind," he said.

Over his long career in the court system, Sacavage said defendants have threatened to kill him. He said bomb threats also have been received at the courthouse.

But Sacavage, who is very active in the Mount Carmel community, said the recent shootings have made him more concerned about his safety after work than when he's sitting on the bench or in chambers at the courthouse.

Sacavage has been a county judge for 18 years. He was a district attorney for 12 years and also served as county solicitor for four years. He has been an attorney for 37 years.

Deputy Court Administrator Kevin O'Hearn, who is a member of the county's Safety and Security and Emergency Planning Committee, said the group meets once a month to review all concerns involving safety and security throughout the county. He said the committee establishes short- and long-term operation plans for emergencies and conducts various drills throughout the year, including fire drills, at all county buildings.

O'Hearn, who shares the same sentiments, said additional cameras have been installed inside and outside the courthouse in recent years for employees' safety. He said counties receive grants for security upgrades through the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts (AOPC), which oversees the state's unified judicial system.

He said the county judges - Sacavage, William H. Wiest and Charles H. Saylor - are each assigned one deputy sheriff during their legal proceedings. "They (deputies) not only provide security to the judges and public, but they also maintain order in the court," O'Hearn said.

He said additional deputy sheriffs are provided during high-profile court cases such as murder trials.

Chief Deputy Sheriff Randy Coe said his department is always looking at ways to improve security at the courthouse.

"Since the killings in Texas, we have been briefing our employees on security measures they can take at home and developing better communication between different law enforcement agencies in the county," Coe said.

In addition to Coe and Sheriff Chad Reiner, there are five deputy sheriffs in the county.

Ronald Yeager, director of county security who co-chairs the Safety and Security and Emergency Planning Committee with county chief clerk Gary Steffen, said his department does "everything possible" to protect all county officials and employees during the work day.

Yeager said there are six-full time security guards in the county, including himself, and three part-time guards.

Yeager provides security at the county administration building. One full-time security officer and one part-time employee are assigned to the courthouse daily, where they "screen" the public with metal detectors upon entering.

The security director said approximately 4,000 people go through the screening devices each month. On average, he said approximately 100 items that can be used as weapons are taken from people each month.

He said a full-time security guard is assigned to each of the three buildings at the Human Services Complex that houses various county offices. In addition to the full-time guards, a part-time officer rotates among the three buildings.

Yeager said there is a full-time security guard employed at the Northumberland County Career and Arts Center in Shamokin during the day Monday through Friday. He said a part-time officer also is assigned to the center from 5 to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday while classes are conducted at Luzerne County Community College on the fourth floor of the building.

The security director said all the county buildings, except for the career and arts center, have one entrance and exit for the public. He said the center has a top and bottom entrance/exit. He said employees sometimes utilize side entrances at the various buildings.

Other than the prison, he said the only time he could recall a county facility being "locked down" for security reasons was when Richard C. Curran, of Shamokin, shot and killed his former wife, Tina Curran, 31, of Mount Carmel, Aug. 24, 2005, at a loading dock at Shamokin Area Community Hospital, where she worked as a nurse.

Yeager said the county Children and Youth Services Office was "locked down" as a precaution because Richard Curran was involved in cases with the agency.

Curran is serving a life sentence for the murder.

As for the murders in Texas, Yeager said, "Those types of killings have been very unusual over the years. Law enforcement officials usually aren't targeted. We know it's an inherent part of our job, but when people start targeting family members as well, that takes it to a whole other level. You are going to make enemies in the law enforcement profession, but your job has nothing to do with your family and it's very sad when they are victimized as well."

Yeager is in his 12th year as county security director. He retired from Shamokin Police Department after a long career that included a stint as chief.

Northumberland County Commissioner Chairman Vinny Clausi said it's very sad when law enforcement officials are killed for upholding the law and believes anyone guilty of such a heinous crime should get the "electric chair."