SHAMOKIN - An Allentown landlord has been given 60 days to bring two of his Shamokin properties up to code.

Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III granted George Atiyeh two months to comply with the Building Officials Code Administrators International (BOCA) and Shamokin ordinances by making necessary repairs to 506 Bear Valley Ave. and 549 S. Seventh St.

If the repairs aren't made within two months, the criminal case against Atiyeh will proceed. If he complies with the judge's order, charges may be withdrawn.

The judge made his decision Tuesday morning after conferring with Cpl. Bryan Primerano, Shamokin Code Enforcement Officer Rick Bozza and Assistant District Attorney Michael Toomey. Atiyeh, 54, is charged by Primerano with two misdemeanor counts of creating a public nuisance involving the two buildings. According to a criminal complaint, both properties have created a public nuisance and safety hazard.

Police said there are holes in the front and rear sections of the roof on both properties, which allow rain, snow, wind and animals to gain access.

Atiyeh, who owns a number of other properties in the Shamokin-Mount Carmel area, was present for a preliminary hearing on the charges Tuesday, but that proceeding was continued for two months after the agreement was reached to give Atiyeh time to bring the properties up to code.

Last week, Atiyeh failed to appear for his hearing, prompting Gembic to issue a bench warrant. It was issued because Atiyeh failed to respond to a certified mailing requesting his attendance at the proceeding.

Police reported Bozza warned Atiyeh about the violations several times and ordered him to bring the buildings up to code, but Atiyeh failed to do so.

Bozza filed eight citations against Atiyeh for offenses committed in October and he was found guilty on each of the offenses March 7 after failing to appear for a hearing before Gembic. Atiyeh was ordered by the judge to pay $2,272 in fines and costs. He had not made any payments as of Tuesday afternoon.

LECK KILL - The Leck Kill Elementary School's May Day program featuring a group of baby birds preparing for the world outside their nest can easily be related to current events in the Line Mountain School District. With only a month before the small school in the small village closes , the teachers and parents have been preparing for the next chapter.

They can check off one more final bittersweet moment with this Thursday's last May Day Celebration.

"It's going to be emotional for some. It's always been a community event," said Kristy Boyer, Leck Kill Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) treasurer.

She was helping the students Tuesday afternoon in a practice session for "Tweet," an operetta about birds that will feature all 61 Leck Kill students in first through fourth grade.

The program has been an important part of the Leck Kill community for at least 50 years and has roots in the district as far back as the 1940s, said second-grade teacher Roy Casey, 56.

"It's been a long time. It's going to be a little sad when it's done," Casey said, noting his mother told him stories, he was involved when he was still in school and he has been helping to coordinate the events since he started teaching at the school 35 years ago.

Boyer said the event is about community.

"We bring people together and have a good time. We teach the kids they can do things together. We teach the kids that service is important," she said.

May Day has historically raised money for the PTO, but this year, the money will go to fund a farewell picnic set for May 24. Any leftover funds will be put into funding the joint elementary school fund that will consist of the former Leck Kill, Dalmatia and Trevorton school PTOs.

Boyer said the PTO has traditionally placed a lot of effort into planning events, but they have relinquished some of the responsibilities in these last few months in order to spend more time with the children.

The current district plan is to have the elementary schools in Leck Kill and Dalmatia close at the end of the school year. All students in grades kindergarten through fourth will attend classes at Trevorton, where an addition is being constructed. An addition is also being built to the seventh- and eighth-grade wing at the junior/senior high school in Mandata to accommodate the fifth and sixth graders.

Boyer said it was discussed among the Leck Kill PTO members to continue the May Day celebration, but they probably won't because the number of students once the schools are combined might prove to be too much.

The event will start at 3:45 p.m. Thursday with games and a photobooth. The Leck Kill Alumni Band, which is comprised of high school students who attended Leck Kill, will play at 5:45 p.m. The musical will begin at 6 p.m. and last for approximately 45 minutes. Everyone is welcome to attend, and there will be door prizes given out.

The PTO is also raising money by selling commemorative crocks for $22 with a picture of the school, name, location and dates of existence. For more information, call the school at 425-3671.

SHAMOKIN - Charges will be filed against a suicidal man who allegedly assaulted his wife and threatened to kill any officers who dared enter his Shamokin apartment to arrest him.

The incident, which occurred at approximately 8:30 p.m. Tuesday in an apartment building at 12 N. Market St., brought in law enforcement from three jurisdictions and caused the roadway and sidewalks between West Arch Street and West Chestnut Street to be closed down for approximately 40 minutes.

The man, who was not identified by police, was taken into custody at about 9:15 p.m. He was taken via AREA Ambulance to the Shamokin police station for questioning. At 9:30 p.m., police were awaiting mental health officials to arrive before deciding whether to take him to a hospital.

Patrolman William Zalinski said the station itself received a call shortly before 8:30 p.m. from the man's wife who claimed he had slammed her hand in a door.

While the police were en route to the apartment, located between Harry's Grill and Ernest L. Steinhart III dental office, the man apparently called 911 and threatened to kill himself, and allegedly said he would shoot anyone who tried to arrest him.

Police were told he had a pistol, Zalinski said.

With backup from Coal Township and Ralpho Township, the Shamokin officers treated the individual as a barricaded gunman, he said.

The police officers were able to call the man, and they eventually made entry into the apartment and took him into custody, Zalinski said.

At the scene, officers rushed inside the front door yelling for the man to put his hands up.

Crowds of people were gathered on the street watching the scene unfold while customers of Harry's and residents along the street were asked to remain indoors.

The man, who was handcuffed, was visibly disoriented and needed assistance leaving the apartment building and into an ambulance.

The wife told police he was drunk and had a prosthetic leg, Zalinski said.

No other information was available Tuesday night, but Zalinski said the criminal complaint with names and charges would be filed today.

SHAMOKIN - The following hearings took place Tuesday before Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III. Defendants ordered to appear for plea court June 3 in Northumberland County Court, Sunbury, can plead guilty or no contest, or seek a trial by pleading not guilty.

n Kristin D. Blass, 30, of 534 N. Market St., Apt. 6, Shamokin, waived to court multiple theft-related charges.

Blass was charged by Shamokin Patrolman Raymond Siko II with five counts of retail theft for allegedly stealing $143.99 in various merchandise from the Dollar General Store, Rite Aid Pharmacy, Royer's Crafts, Ye-Old Primitive Crafts and Puff's Discount Cigarette Store on March 22.

She also was charged with theft by unlawful taking by Shamokin Patrolman Scott Weaver for allegedly removing $20 from a purse owned by Ardella Dobson on March 13 at Dobson's Carpet Store.

n Juan D. Santiago, 34, an inmate at SCI-Rockview and formerly of Ranshaw, waived to court two counts of driving under the influence of alcohol, failure to drive in a single lane and careless driving relating to a Jan. 10 traffic stop on Route 61 in Coal Township near the Shamokin City line.

The charges were filed by Trooper James Yankovich of state police at Stonington.

n Norberto Ortiz-Alvarez, 26, of 717 E. Dewart St., Shamokin, waived to court charges of retail theft and criminal conspiracy to commit retail theft involving a Jan. 1 incident at Wal-Mart Supercenter.

Ortiz-Alvarez was charged by Coal Township Patrolman Matthew Hashuga with stealing approximately $500 in merchandise from the store.

n Jimmie Driggers, 23, of 1048 W. Arch St., Coal Township, pleaded guilty to a summary of harassment and was given credit for 30 days served in Northumberland County Prison before being released. An additional charge of simple assault was withdrawn.

Driggers was charged by Coal Township Patrolman Matthew Hashuga with assaulting his girlfriend, Danielle Aikey, on March 29 at their residence.

n Winter Ivory Marie Fann, 21, of Wilkes-Barre, waived to court charges of possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia involving a March 9 incident in the visitor's parking lot at SCI-Coal Township.

The charges were filed by Trooper James Yankovich of state police at Stonington.

n Charges of simple assault and harassment filed by Coal Township Patrolman Joshua Wynn against Allen M. Shoffler, 42, of 822 W. Chestnut St., Coal Township, were withdrawn when the alleged victim, Ann Cress, refused to testify against the defendant.

Shoffler was accused of assaulting his live-in girlfriend at their home April 7.

n Megan E. Holliday, 22, of 163 Colonial Ave., Natalie, waived to court a forgery charge.

She was charged by Coal Township Patrolman Jason Adams with forging a prescription slip given to her by a doctor. Police said Holliday changed the number of Tylenol 3 pills from 18 to 48 pills and attempted to have the prescription filled at the pharmacy at Wal-Mart Supercenter on Route 61 on March 27.

n Brandon M. Garancheski, 19, of 509 S. Seventh St., Shamokin, waived to court charges of possession of five Suboxone tablets, possession of drug paraphernalia, underage drinking and a lighting violation relating to an incident early Easter morning in the 700 block of Bear Valley Avenue.

Shamokin Patrolman Raymond Siko II filed the charges.

n Ashlee Erin White, 27, of Paxinos, pleaded guilty to providing false identification to police and was ordered to pay a $200 fine plus costs and placed on supervised probation for six months. Additional charges of driving under suspension, failure to carry or exhibit a driver's license and driving without a license were withdrawn.

The charges were filed by Trooper Brian Ronk of state police at Stonington in connection with a Jan. 10 traffic stop at Third and Walnut streets in Shamokin.

n Joseph M. Gannecilli, 37, and his wife, Kathleen M. Gannecilli, 41, of Lansford, were held for court on charges of retail theft and criminal conspiracy to commit retail theft.

They were charged by Coal Township Patrolman Matthew Hashuga with stealing more than $1,000 worth of merchandise from Wal-Mart Supercenter on Route 61 on Jan. 1.

SHAMOKIN - The Northumberland County Council for the Arts and Humanities (NCCAH) Fine Art Gallery will be featured on "In Your Neighborhood" on Channel 94 at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

The visit to the gallery, located in the Northumberland County Career and Arts Center, was filmed by CCN, based in Danville. 

Gallery director Claude Harrington, local art teacher Lisa Welch and NCCAH executive director Jeanne Shaffer were involved in the filming. They encourage local viewers to join in the pride of showing off the local gallery.

ATLAS - A suspicious fire early Wednesday morning caused extensive damage to an unoccupied two-story home in the 500 block of West Girard Street and left a neighbor temporarily homeless.

A local fire chief battling the 1:23 a.m. blaze was injured when a five-inch supply line blew off an engine and struck him in the legs.

Mount Carmel Township Fire Marshal and Police Chief Brian Hollenbush, who has ruled the fire suspicious and incendiary in nature, said the blaze started in the middle room of the basement at 524 W. Girard St. and quickly spread throughout the structure, which according to neighbors, hasn't been lived in since last summer.

The fire marshal did not say what evidence was found in the basement to declare the fire suspicious.

Hollenbush said power was still on at the half-double and food and drinks were found inside, indicating someone had been at the house recently.

The property where the fire started is rundown and has debris lying in the front, back yard and rear porch. Neighbors said they have complained about the property to the township code enforcement officer, but claimed nothing has been done to remove garbage, tires and other debris that have accumulated inside and outside the house.

Darryl Walton and his girlfriend, along with Walton's brother-in-law, Andrew Riegel, and his family reportedly were the last people to live at 524 W. Girard St., but currently reside in Shamokin. Neighbors said they seemed to take turns living in the home, which is owned by George Politza, of Gibbstown, N.J.

Hollenbush said he didn't know if Politza is insured.

Dog alerted neighbor

The fire also caused minor fire and heavy smoke and water damage to 526 W. Girard St. occupied by 47-year-old Randy Merlo and his Cocker Spaniel, Oz, who escaped unharmed. Merlo, who has lived in the home for eight or nine years, said he plans to stay with a friend in Atlas until he can return to his home. He grew up only a short distance away from his current dwelling.

Merlo said, "This is a nightmare. All my windows are knocked out, but I guess the firemen had to do that. I appreciate all their help and I'm glad my dog and myself got out safely."

Merlo, who was sleeping on the second floor, said his dog alerted him about the fire.

When asked about the condition of his neighbor's home, Merlo declined comment.

He said he last saw someone at 524 W. Girard St. about two weeks ago. A neighbor told Hollenbush that someone was inside the home Tuesday night.

Merlo rents his home from his nephew, Steve Delbo, of Kulpmont. Hollenbush said Merlo and Delbo are both insured.

Four loud bangs

Greg and Sandra Barkus, who reside at 520 W. Girard St., were sleeping when they were awaken by the fire.

"I was sleeping when I heard this banging," Greg Barkus said. "I thought at first that someone was trying to break into our home, but then I saw the fire truck lights flashing through the windows and spotted smoke outside. The next thing I knew, this place was crawling with firemen, cops, EMTS and ambulances."

His wife added, "I heard four real loud bangs and kept asking Greg what is that. I didn't know what was going on until I saw all the smoke. It's scary and tense when a fire is that close to your property."

Only a vacant lot separates the Barkus residence from 524 W. Girard St.

Other than smelling from smoke, the Barkus home was not damaged.

The couple have lived in their home since August 2001.

Sandra Barkus said, "There is debris all over the place. It's disgusting to have to live like that."

Firefighters brought the blaze under control at about 2 a.m. after battling it from the front, back and sides. They were forced to smash windows on both houses for ventilation purposes and remained at the scene until 4:15 a.m.

PPL employees cut power to both homes.

Firefighter hurt

Hollenbush said Strong Fire Chief Tim Shicowich, who was among several firefighters to respond to the scene, was injured when a five-inch supply line blew off his company's engine and struck him in the legs. Shicowich was transported by AREA Services to Geisinger-Shamokin Area Community Hospital, where he underwent emergency room treatment before being released.

Firefighters from Atlas, Strong, Mount Carmel, Kulpmont and Shamokin battled the fire. Also responding were personnel from AREA Services Ambulance, Mount Carmel Area Rescue Squad and Shamokin Emergency Squad.

Hollenbush is being assisted in his ongoing investigation by Mount Carmel Lieutenant and Fire Investigator Chris Buhay and Shamokin Patrolman and Fire Investigator Raymond Siko II.

Hollenbush said he did not know if Wednesday's fire was connected to a blaze early Friday morning that destroyed two garages in the rear of the 100 block of West Girard Street. The cause of that fire remains undetermined.

HARRISBURG - The Senate on Tuesday approved legislation to end so-called "triple dipping" of unemployment compensation benefits by retirees.

The practice involves an individual who collects a public pension or private retirement benefit while returning to temporary work, only to collect unemployment compensation when leaving the job. Senate Bill 297 introduced by Sen. Patricia Vance, R-31, previously received approval by the Senate Labor and Industry Committee, chaired by Sen. John R. Gordner, R-27.

"Under current law, there is no prohibition against an individual collecting unemployment if he or she leaves a temporary job to continue retirement or annuity benefits," Gordner was quoted in a press release from his office. "In the past three years, more than 600 state retirees have returned to work on a temporary basis, and have then collected $2 million in benefits while receiving a state pension."

Senate Bill 297 now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. Gordner said the General Assembly should complete work on the legislation this spring.

"We've made great strides in the past two years to reform our unemployment compensation system, and we must continue to ensure that the system is strong to provide benefits to those who truly qualify," Gordner said.

Shikellamy State Park meeting today

SUNBURY - State Rep. Lynda Schlegel Culver, R-108, will host her annual meeting on the Shikellamy State Park Complex at 6 p.m. today at the Sunbury Social Club, 352 East Drive.

Frank Nanna, park manager with state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), will give an overview of the park complex and also present plans for the marina and seasonal activities.

The 78-acre Shikellamy Overlook section is on the western shore of the Susquehanna River in Union County. The 54-acre Shikellamy Marina section is in Northumberland County.

For more information, call Culver's district office at 286-5885, or visit LyndaCulver.com or Facebook.com/RepCulver.

Chicken barbecue dinner

COAL TOWNSHIP - Coal Township Rescue Squad will conduct a chicken barbecue at its headquarters, 1130 W. Pine St., from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

The barbecue was originally scheduled to be held Saturday morning at the Coalympics at the Bunker Hill Sports Complex, but that event has been postponed.

The dinner, which includes a half chicken and two side dishes, costs $8.

For more information, contact John Campbell at 648-4554 or 809-4521.

COAL TOWNSHIP - Shamokin Area senior Angela Kinder cried pretend tears when the mock jury read a mock guilty verdict for involuntary manslaughter in the first degree for causing a mock accident due to texting while driving that took the life of one of her classmates.

The mock trial, held Wednesday afternoon in the middle/high school auditorium, was organized by Northumberland County Coroner James Kelley and assistant district attorney Ann Targonski and was staged by 14 students playing characters in a simulated courtroom to demonstrate the consequences of texting behind the wheel of a moving vehicle.

The cast included a jury, judge, bailiff, stenographer, witnesses, a defendant, her attorney and a prosecuting attorney.

Kinder was on trial for causing the mock death of Anthony Carnuccio and injuring two others by being distracted while driving a truck because she was "willfully and negligently" reading and responding to text messages while operating a motor vehicle on the night of May 20, said Senior Paul Gurba, prosecuting attorney.

The girl claimed not to remember sending a text message that night at the time of the accident, but Gurba provided cell phone records to prove there was an outgoing message at the same time of the incident.

Kinder testified she decided to drive because her friends had been drinking. On the way to the prom, she claimed to have ignored one text message from a friend, but read a second one.

"I know it wasn't right, but I read the message. I only looked at it for a second. My eyes were never really off the road," she said.

Kinder also said the sun was bright, and she claimed the other driver had as much difficulty seeing the road as she did and likely swerved into her lane.

During the witness testimonies, senior Kevin Carsto, who played the part of Special Officer Norman Lukoski, explained he was dispatched to a two-vehicle accident outside the school and immediately noticed a teen, identified later as Carnuccio, was on the hood of the passenger side of a car.

"I believe he was deceased upon my arrival," Carsto said.

Carsto also said he saw Kinder exit the driver's side of the truck while on her cell phone.

Freshman Cole Supsic, who played the part of the driver of the other vehicle, said he, Carnuccio and another friend were driving toward the high school parking lot for prom when a truck struck his vehicle head on.

"I had no time to react. Before I knew it, the truck hit my car. I initially though the driver must be drunk or something," Supsic said.

Carnuccio was on the hood of the car, bleeding and moaning, and the other friend was frantic, he described.

Sophomore Richard Brown, who was playing the part of the defense attorney, asked whether Supsic was the one who left his lane because of the bright sun in his eyes, but Gurba objected to the question based on speculation.

Senior Theo Deptula, who was playing the part of a witness in the parking lot, said the driver of the truck, who he identified as Kinder, was looking down rather than watching the road.

The truck was moving fast and swerving before it collided with the car, he said.

"The next thing I heard was screeching tires and smashing glass. People were screaming. Someone flew out the windshield and onto the hood. It was crazy," he said.

While the jury deliberated, Kinder and her attorney spoke to each other and she crossed her fingers in luck. Once the guilty verdict was read moments later, she broke down into tears and was handcuffed by the bailiff.

Five seconds

Following the mock trial, Targonski explained to the students the average time to answer a text is five seconds. If a person is traveling 55 mph in a vehicle, five seconds is equal to the length of a football field.

Surveys show that 95 percent of adults and 60 percent of teenagers text while driving, she said.

"Even though people recognize how dangerous it is to be driving a vehicle and texting, they still do it. Just because you haven't gotten caught doesn't mean the consequences won't be greater," she said.

Targonski and Kelley offered up several examples in the county where it is believed texting was involved in several deaths from vehicular accidents.

"It is an offense you can be charged with, but more importantly, if you have one of your close friends - or anyone for that matter - die as a result of that, no amount of prison time is going to erase from your mind that you had caused a death," Kelley said.

'Effective'

Middle/high school principal Chris Venna complimented the student actors for their performance and the student audience for being "tuned in" to the issue.

"I think it was effective. If it affects one student, it's effective," he said.

There are many individuals who will hear the message and make better decisions based on the performance, Venna said.

He said the program wouldn't have been possible without the help of Kelley, Targonski and the school's audio-visual (AV) department.

The trial was filmed by the AV department and it will eventually be available to view on YouTube. The North Central Highway Safety Network will provide the taping to other schools to use a teaching guide.

SHAMOKIN - A handicap-accessible community garden proposed for Claude Kehler Community Park could be completed in September, according to the city clerk.

Steve Bartos said bid specifications for the project, budgeted at $45,000, could be advertised for three weeks beginning May 22 and a contract awarded June 12. If work begins immediately, he said the garden could be completed by early- to mid-September and perhaps in time for the annual Tunnel to Towers benefit chicken barbecue and 5K being planned for Sept. 14.

The Degenstein Foundation has pledged $20,000 for the project, and the city will use $25,000 in reallocated Community Development Block Grant funds.

A handicap-accessible garden was proposed in March by members of the Self Advocates for Northumberland County. The idea is to provide a site where people with and without disabilities can interact together and produce fruits and vegetables to be shared at no cost.

An architectural drawing of the proposed garden was reviewed and discussed Wednesday by the mayor and city council members during council's monthly workshop session.

The proposed garden serves as an extension of the Kehler Park. The plans call for the garden area to be developed along Carbon Run, beginning behind the new pavilion and bathrooms at Arch and Third streets and continuing a short distance south, ending just around a bend where Mineral Street begins.

One set of raised garden beds would be installed to allow easy access for the disabled. Another set of on-grade planters is planned. They would be placed on either side of an open air pavilion planned for the garden's center. A walking path made of permeable concrete pavers is planned, as are benches and landscaping.

Bartos said Lenape Solar of Sunbury has offered to sell solar lighting equipment at cost for the garden.

The project is modeled after an existing handicap-accessible garden at Degenstein Library, 40 S. Fifth St., Sunbury. A presentation on raised garden beds is planned there for 1 p.m. Saturday, hosted by the Penn State Master Gardeners of Northumberland and Snyder Counties.

Shamokin's garden project is part of a push to reinvigorate the vitality of the Kehler Park. Its use seems on the uptick because events are planned there for the Tunnel to Towers Run along with the Jeep Jamboree registration event on June 6 and a chicken barbecue and 5K to benefit the city's 150th Anniversary Committee on June 22.

City officials are also pursuing a state grant to expand the park across Shamokin Creek, behind the site of the former Coal Hole.

A $200,000-plus upgrade on the park was completed last summer. Funded with state grand money, it brought about the new pavilion and bathrooms, lighting and sidewalks and benches, and repairs to existing park buildings and band shell. At the time of a ribbon cutting in June, state Sen. John Gordner, R-27, and state Rep. Kurt Masser, R-107, talked about the renovation as a jumping off point for further city-state collaboration on revitalization efforts at Kehler Park and beyond.

COAL TOWNSHIP - A Ranshaw woman who allegedly threatened to commit a robbery at a gas station last month, has been charged with simple assault and disorderly conduct.

Patrolman Edward Purcell filed the charges against Sonya M. Wyland, 29, of 114 Second St., in connection with the noon April 13 incident at the Optima gas station at Wal-Mart Supercenter.

According to a criminal complaint filed at the office of Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III, Wyland entered the gas station and told the clerk that she was being robbed and demanded all the clerk's money. When the clerk asked Wyland twice if she was serious, Wyland stated, "Yes, I'm (expletive) serious, give me the money."

The clerk, who was not identified by police, said she believed Wyland would have carried out the robbery if another patron had not entered the store at that time. The clerk told police Wyland then claimed she was only kidding before asking for a pack of cigarettes.

The clerk said Wyland had her right hand in the pocket of her jacket when she demanded money from her.

SHAMOKIN - Police here have identified and charged a 59-year-old Shamokin man who allegedly assaulted his wife and threatened to kill her, police and himself during a standoff at his Market Street apartment building Tuesday night.

Joseph Menapace, of 12 N. Market St., Apt. 12-1-B, was arraigned by video at about 12:15 p.m. Wednesday by Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III on misdemeanors of recklessly endangering another person, terroristic threats, simple assault and disorderly conduct, and a summary of harassment.

The charges were filed by Patrolman William Zalinski.

Following the 8:30 p.m. disturbance Tuesday that forced police to evacuate civilians from the area and cordon off the first block of North Market Street for about 40 minutes, Menapace was taken into custody and later transported by AREA Services Ambulance to Geisinger Medical Center in Danville for evaluation. But sometime Wednesday morning, Menapace was released from the hospital and called his wife, Lucinda Menapace, whom he allegedly assaulted the night before, for a ride home.

Police said Lucinda Menapace refused to give her husband a ride; however, he showed up at their apartment shortly after 9 a.m. Wednesday and began banging on the door, demanding his wallet. Mrs. Menapace summoned police and her husband was once again taken into custody at approximately 9:30 a.m. by several officers, including Zalinski, Chief of Police Edward Griffiths and Patrolmen Nathan Rhodes and William Miner.

Menapace was detained at the station until his arraignment and then transported by Zalinski and Special Officer I Robert Searls to Northumberland County Prison in Sunbury after failing to post $10,000 cash bail.

Police not notified

Griffiths said his department wasn't notified about Menapace's release from Geisinger. The chief said he didn't know how Menapace got back to Shamokin Wednesday morning.

According to a criminal complaint, Lucinda Menapace said her husband assaulted her and claimed he had a handgun and was going to harm her and himself. Police said the defendant stated he "was not going down alone."

After the threats, Lucinda Menapace ran upstairs to a neighbor's apartment, where she called police.

While en route to the apartment building, police received a report of a suicidal male at the same address who had a pistol.

Zalinski and Cpl. Jarrod Scandle then radioed for assistance from Coal Township and Ralpho Township police.

Upon arriving at the scene, Mrs. Menapace, who suffered abrasions on her right hand and swelling on her right wrist as a result of her husband slamming a door on her hand, told police she didn't believe her husband had a gun, but wasn't certain. She told officers that her husband suffered from mental health issues in the past and had been drinking all day.

After evacuating the area, police were able to make telephone contact with the defendant, who refused to exit the apartment peacefully. Zalinski said Menapace threatened to fight police if they came in after him and claimed he was going to hang himself.

After Menapace was engaged in a lengthy conversation with Zalinski, Scandle and officers from Coal Township and Ralpho Township rushed into the apartment and took Menapace into custody without further incident.

Susquehanna Valley motorists can enjoy a slight reprieve at the pumps this week, as gas prices fell almost four cents to $3.39 a gallon.

Nationally

Today's national average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline is $3.51. This price is one cent less expensive than one week ago, 13 cents less than one month ago and 31 cents less than one year ago.

Motorists in the vast majority of states have seen the price of gasoline continue to fall during the last week; however, drivers in nine states, including parts of the Midwest, actually saw prices increase during this period. Gas stations in much of the country must make the retail switch to selling summer-blend gasoline by June 1, however refineries make the shift to summer blend in March and April in order to meet a May 1 production deadline. During this switch regional production is reduced and supplied markets are more sensitive to unexpected disruptions, as was the case during the recent storms in the Midwest.

While retail gas prices have continued to fall nationally, crude oil prices have reversed their recent slide and jumped higher in the last week. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil began last week at $88.76 per barrel but rose sharply to end the week at $93. This increase continued today as a weaker dollar kept upward pressure on oil prices. Oil futures are traded in U.S. dollars and as the dollar weakens against foreign currencies, these futures become relatively less expensive to purchase and are a more attractive investment. At the close of Monday's formal trading on the NYMEX, WTI settled up $1.50 cents at $94.50 per barrel.

(AAA East Central is a not-for-profit association with 82 local offices in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, New York and Kentucky servicing 2.7 million members.)

This week's Susquehanna Valley average price: $3.390

Average price during the week of April 23, 2013: $3.429

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

$3.287 Lewisburg

$3.387 Mifflinburg

$3.328 Milton

$3.465 Selinsgrove

$3.408 Shamokin

$3.464 Sunbury

COAL TOWNSHIP - When the Anthracite Choraliers take the stage for their 37th annual spring concert Sunday, they will be expressing through several selections their grateful appreciation to public servants, veterans and present military personnel for the roles they play in protecting the lives and freedom of our nation and its people.

Appearing at Shamokin Area Middle/Senior High School auditorium for the 2:30 p.m. concert, the 50-member chorus will present a diversified program of sacred, spiritual and patriotic music. The concert will be under the direction of Nan Weller, a retired music education teacher in the Shamokin Area School District. Bonnie Klinger, also a retired music educator in the same district, will again serve as piano accompanist.

In keeping with its tradition, the Choraliers are again including in the concert a tribute to people in the community and nation who serve as police officers, firefighters, ambulance personnel and those who have served or now are serving in the armed forces. One of the selections is entitled "Song for the Unsung Hero." A PowerPoint presentation that was created by Kim Heitzman will be screened during the choral number.

Two other numbers geared to the same theme will be "He's Gone Away" by the ladies' chorus and "The Navy Hymn" by the men's chorus.

Other selections in the first half are "A Mighty Fortress," "Ezekiel Saw the Wheel," "Be Still and Know" and "An American Folksong Spectacular." Specialty numbers during the first half will be presented by Jim Johnson, who will sing "I Believe," and Bob Zedanowich, whose solo is entitled "All of a Sudden My Heart Sings."

The second half, which will feature choral and solo selections from a number of Broadway hits, will begin with the lively number, "It Don't Mean a Thing," followed by "Season of Love" from the Broadway musical "Rent," featuring a solo part by Amber Madden; "The Music of the Night" from the award-winning musical, "Phantom of the Opera," with a solo part by Valentine Mountjoy; "Play for Me a Simple Melody," "Little Boy Lost," "I Can't Give You anything But Love," "Soon It's Gonna Rain," from the long-running Broadway musical "The Fantasticks," and "Sit Down You're Rocking the Boat," from the hit musical "Guys and Dolls," with Ensinger as soloist, Two specialty numbers will be by Mary Hollingshead and Dave Kopitsky, singing "Kids," from the musical "Bye, Bye Birdie," and Cailin Wilson singing, "On My Own," from the musical "Les Miserables."

Since 1976, when the chorus were formed to provide musical selections during the community's observance of America's bicentennial, the organized choral group has continued to provide two outstanding concerts each year, one at Christmas and the other during the spring months. Weller, the original director of the Choraliers, now alternates with Ensinger in that professional role.

Many of the concerts were held at the Northumberland County Career and Arts Center, but the larger auditorium at the middle and senior high school has been selected because it offers more stage room for the expanded number in the chorus. Ample parking was another reason for the move. The price of admission is still $5, which is earmarked for purchase of music and other expenses.

The chorus practices every Tuesday evening from January to early May for the spring concert and from September to early December for its Christmas concert.

Members of the Choraliers are:

Soprano: Pat Albright, Carol Ellis, Chris Hastings, Kim Heitzman, Mary Hollingshead, Kelly Jones, Angela Kuhns, Amber Madden, Valentine Mountjoy, Barbara Moyer, Norma Moyer, Ann Nowaskie, Sarah Purcell, Lisa Romanoski, Pat Romanoski, Cookie Schlader, Grace Shaffer, Sherri Shebelsky, Susan Shoop, Nedra Templar, Clara Weikel and Cailin Wilson.

Alto: Christine Backes, Beverly Cooper, Mary Alice Garrity, Maxine Harvey, Carole Kaseman, Tiffany Kaseman, Pat Klemick, Linda Latsha, Ruth Paul, Peggy Prezlomski, Martha Jane Scholl, Virginia Sinclair, Carol Tarlecki, Carolyn Weaver, Gail Whitley and Mary Wydra.

Tenor: Harry Deitz, Morris Gard, Jim Johnson, Dave Kopitsky, Jim Krebs and Bob Zedanowich.

Bass: Ben Anderson, Rob Ensinger, Bob Kline, Jake Ozga, Richards Parsons and Dan Schwalm.

SUNBURY - A pre-trial conference will be held in June in Northumberland County Courts in the case against a man who threatened his former girlfriend and claimed he would do "worse than what happened in Connecticut" at Priestley Elementary School near Northumberland last year.

Jeremy Church, 37, will appear before Judge Charles Saylor at 9:15 a.m. June 7 before his actual trial, which has not yet been scheduled.

Church last appeared before Saylor on April 15 for a bail reduction hearing, but he was denied that motion and he remains incarcerated in lieu of $125,000 bail at Northumberland County Prison, where he has been since his Dec. 20 arrest.

The defendant has a mailing address of 249 W. Market St., Middleburg, but told police he had been living out of his car at times.

Church is accused of threatening to kill his ex-girlfriend, Valerie Eisenhuth, of Northumberland, and claiming he was going to retrieve their child from Priestley Elementary School and do "worse than what happened in Connecticut." The threat came just six days after the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School, where Adam Lanza shot and killed 20 children and six staff before shooting himself.

Church was taken into custody without incident about one hour after making the threat, which he had made during a phone conversation with Eisenhuth.

No one was harmed, although Priestley Elementary School in Point Township and four other buildings that make up Shikellamy School District were locked down during the incident and police blocked off roads leading to Priestley.

In addition to the charges of terroristic threats filed by Point Township police, Church also was arrested by Point Township police for possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia involving a search of his vehicle Dec. 21.