LEWISBURG - Parents say good babysitters are hard to find, according to a new American Red Cross poll.

The poll found that in the past 24 months, 55 percent of parents surveyed decided to stay home because they couldn't find a babysitter. The survey also found that nearly a third (30 percent) of parents rejected a potential babysitter because of safety concerns.

Parents want to entrust their children to babysitters trained in first aid, CPR and childcare skills, and more than 80 percent of parents believe that teenaged babysitters should be paid more if they have these skills. However, eight in 10 parents (83 percent) have looked to adult relatives, while nearly half (48 percent) have relied on adult friends to watch their children.

"It can be hard for parents to trust someone to care for their children when they're not at home. It's only natural to want someone who isn't just a loving playmate but who is also trained in what to do during an emergency," said Anne Smith, communications specialist. "The Red Cross babysitting courses help teens feel fully prepared to act quickly to aid a child if needed, which parents really value."

The Red Cross babysitting, CPR and first aid courses teach teens how to care for young children and handle emergency situations. The American Red Cross Babysitter's Training course gives youth the knowledge and confidence to care for infants and school-aged children.

A majority of parents believe sitters should be paid more if they are trained to help a child who is choking, recognize potential emergency situations, identify items that could be hazardous to small children, and give first aid for minor cuts and bruises. More than three in four (77 percent) of parents with children younger than 17 feel teenagers should receive some training before they begin babysitting.

About half (51 percent) of Americans rely on unpaid babysitters, and nearly a quarter (24 percent) pay between $6 and $10 an hour for someone to watch their children. Ten percent pay between $11 and $15 per hour; while four percent pay between $16 and $20 per hour, making babysitting potentially lucrative.

Adults should also boost their lifesaving skills by enrolling in CPR and first aid courses. To learn more about Red Cross training courses, go to redcross.org.

WATSONTOWN - A 85-year-old Watsontown man shot and killed a woman with whom he lived before taking his own life with a gunshot to the head Tuesday in their Delaware Township home.

Earl Beck shot Joann Mitchell, 69, in the chest Tuesday inside a home at 232 Shreck Road and, shortly after, turned the gun on himself, according to state police and county coroner reports.

The incident occurred between noon and 5 p.m., according to Trooper Ty Brininger of the Milton station.

Beck was found inside his garage and pronounced dead at 6 p.m. by James F. Kelley, Northumberland County coroner.

Mitchell was found inside the basement and pronounced dead at 6:05 p.m.

Because the police investigation continues, Brininger would not comment on the nature of their relationship or what type of weapon was used in the incident.

He did say an "associate" of one theirs discovered the bodies.

Third in a series

COAL TOWNSHIP - Research into a hereditary disorder turned into a labor of love for a Reading man who will share his knowledge with anyone interested in learning about family history and relatives buried at local Catholic cemeteries.

John J. Haile Jr., who has already published a 860-page keepsake book on burials at St. Edward's Cemetery, will be available beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday to help residents and visitors explore and discover the roots of their heritage, a new part of the Anthracite Heritage Festival of the Arts.

Haile will be at the gates of the St. Edward's Cemetery, where he will provide alphabetical listings and grave locations of more than 15,600 people buried at St. Edward's Cemetery, St. Stanislaus Polish Cemetery, St. Michael's Lithuanian Cemetery and St. Mary's Slovak Cemetery in the Springfield section of the township.

"I want to make my information available to as many people as possible free of charge. The information I was looking for just did not exist at the time, and I simply don't want people to go through what I went through to find the burial places of my family members," Haile said.

'Yellow pads, typewriters'

Haile's first foray into his own family's genealogy started in 1971 when his aunt, Sister Josita Marie, RSM, passed away and he began reading her typed family genealogy charts and stories.

"There were no computers or Internet research," Haile said. "It was plain old yellow pads and typewriters."

What drew Haile were the humorous stories she wrote, including a tale about his great-grandfather who was run over by a train.

"He lost a few fingers and his leg," Haile recalled. "She wrote that he lived the rest of his life with one foot in the grave."

In 1985, Haile discovered he had a hereditary disorder called hemochromatosis and wanted to pinpoint the genetic origin of the disease. He started looking for tombstones of family members who died in their 40s and 50s.

"Early on, there was little information available on the disorder," he said.

He had trouble locating graves, so Haile asked then-pastor of Mother Cabrini Church Rev. Dennis Grumsey for help.

Haile asked for an alphabetical listing of burials at St. Edward's Cemetery. Grumsey said no such document existed, but suggested Haile draft one.

Haile wasn't able to remove private records from the rectory to work on at his home in Reading, so he employed a devised solution.

"I photographed the records, as would a secret agent. I put the record sheet in front of me on a table or chair, and click, I had a digital photo of the record," he said.

He also photographed individual gravesites, estimating he took about 500 to 600 photos a day.

Book published

Two years after he started the process, the St. Edward's Cemetery listing was published in book form in 2006.

He started working on the other Catholic cemeteries, finishing the late photo on June 28, 2010.

His efforts, he said, has helped hundreds of people throughout the United States find their family members.

"A week does not go by that I don't get an inquiry for more information, such as other family members buried nearby or a request for a photo of the memorial to be uploaded," he said.

The mission he took upon himself has paid dividends through the joy he brought to others.

"A gentleman was looking for the grave of his mother who died on the day of his birth, and I found her buried with the grandparents he never knew. Through census checking, I found out his grandmother was an 'over-the-fence' member of my own documented family," he said.

Haile said the most enjoyable aspect of his research is "putting families together again."

No tickets are required for cemetery tours, and Haile will have a special cell phone number, (610) 655-5926, available on Saturday for the event.

Inquiries for his information can be asked at any time by emailing him at HaileJohnJr@msn.com.

CATAWISSA RR - While the school board discusses budget holes and impending staff furloughs, Southern Columbia Area School Board Vice President Charlie Porter wants to seriously discuss implementing sport and extracurricular pay-to-participate programs for the 2012-13 school year.

"We need to get creative in how we handle finances and ways to look for income," Porter said this week.

There have been significant changes in the structure of state funding for public schools, leaving boards scrambling in the past two budget seasons to fill large deficits. Since these issues have arisen, the Pennsylvania School Board Association and Pennsylvania State Athletic Directors Association released a survey early this month that reports the number of schools charging a fee for sports and extracurricular programs have more than doubled in just two years.

"To be fair, when we get into times that are tough, does the burden rely totally on the taxpayer? Or should some of the actual users be paying? There's significant money that went into the gym and fields, and taxpayers are picking up the bill," Porter said.

This mindset was shared by several students, who expressed their support to "pay to play" during a May 14 meeting. The district announced at that meeting it may need to furlough at least 16 employees and cut four sport programs to compensate for a massive deficit - a decision that would eliminate music and art positions.

"Do you suppose that we as the upcoming generation would mind paying a fee in order to expand our talent and participate in making Southern Columbia a great place? That we would mind ensuring the men and women we love could continue doing what they love and what they're most passionate about? I know I wouldn't," said Rachel Gleeson, a junior from Cleveland Township active in the art and music programs.

"When we start looking at cutting parts of the curriculum, and cutting music and art, and we don't look at pay to participate, I wonder about the fairness of that. It's an opportunity to add some income and save some activities," Porter said.

Director Eric Stahley, in a short discussion at Monday night's board meeting, said the district has an obligation to charge fees before they cut programs.

Then, he said, if it doesn't work, the board can say they did their "due diligence."

This kind of change, however, is not welcome by high school principal Jim Becker.

"We try to remove hurdles from kids' lives and help them make good choices. Every time you put another hurdle in front of them, it makes their journey more difficult," he said. "I would hate to see any kid not participate in any activity because there's a fee."

If students are discouraged to participate because of a fee, Becker fears they'll find negative activities to fill their time.

$11,000 possible

Last month during a finance committee meeting, Porter asked Becker how much money could be generated with a pay-to-participate program.

Seventy percent of approximately 700 students in grades seven through 12 are involved in extracurricular activities. With a $25 per student activity fee, the program would bring in $11,000, Becker said.

"I don't think it's a substantial amount of money to offset the harm it will do," he said.

That amount of money in a $16 million budget is small, and would do little to offset an approximate $300,000 athletic budget in the upcoming school year, Becker explained.

According to the survey, 30 percent of the state's public school districts charged an average fee of $65 to participate in scholastic athletics. The fees range between $10 to $250.

Number of concerns

At the finance meeting, Porter said he and Stahley were in favor of bringing the proposal to a regular board meeting, but the majority of the board was not in favor of this.

"The vote at the finance meeting was never completed, and I didn't push the issue," Porter said. "It doesn't hurt to have more discussion about it, and I plan to bring it up in light of the budget issues."

A number of concerns arise in these types of discussions, both Porter and Becker said.

Some of the activities are extracurricular, such as sports and certain clubs, while others are co-curricular, such as band or music programs that count for grades.

"I certainly would not want to charge a fee for a student getting a grade," Porter said.

There are also the extracurricular activities that are self-sufficient, such as the Ski Club, which already has a $1 registration fee and makes the students pay when they go skiing.

"You can't charge a fee for an activity where the board is not burdened with the funding," Becker said.

Furthermore, there are students and parents who might be unable to afford fees, which could be identified by students eligible for free and reduced lunches.

"Therefore, the school is not identifying arbitrarily who is needy and who isn't. It's already defined," Porter said.

Some pay at MCA

The study found that the number of districts charging the fee is spread evenly across the state, representing 16 of 29 intermediate units and 20 of 67 counties.

The fees are not implemented at Line Mountain or Shamokin Area, but some student athletes at Mount Carmel Area and Our Lady of Lourdes pay fees through a co-op program between the public and private schools.

AMES, Iowa - Mount Carmel Area's Odyssey of the Mind team is repairing props and scenery in preparation for long-term problem solution as it competes at the World Finals at Iowa State University this week.

The team took part in the opening ceremonies Wednesday night inside the huge Iowa State Hilton Coliseum, which seats more than 14,000 people.

This marks the third year in a row that Mount Carmel Area is represented by a team at the world finals.

Odyssey of the Mind is an international educational program that provides creative problem-solving opportunities for students from kindergarten through college. Teams have eight minutes to complete a specific problem.

The MCA team is once again coached by Aaron and Kelly Domanski. Members include Stef Cimino, Joe Zanella, Kristen Duceman, Cathy Fletcher, Bryson Purcell and Michael Swatski. Robert Varano is another team member, but he wasn't able to make it to Iowa because he is competing in the state track and field championships Friday and Saturday at Shippensburg University.

Below is the first of regular blogs from the team. This was filed late Tuesday.

We began our journey to the World Finals yesterday. A 17-hour drive lies ahead! As we departed the high school, our king coal motor coach was greeted with a barage of thunderstorms as we headed west on I-80.
Entering Ohio, we were delightfully surprised at the beautiful rest stops throughout the state. A definite must stop if you are ever passing through!
Due to coach bus daily driving limits, we decided to conclude our first day by stopping at the University of Notre Dame. We hit campus just right. Commencement was held Sunday so students have left for summer break.
The team was so excited to see the golden dome, Basillica of the Sacred Heart, the grotto, Notre Dame stadium, and Touchdown Jesus, which is the front facade of the school's library.
We got some great photos, learned some pretty amazing history and had the opportunity to see one of the greatest universities in our country.
Shortly we will embark on the second leg of our journey to Iowa!

Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School

COAL TOWNSHIP - Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School has received the following memorials for the month of March and April 2012.

Anita Gurski from George and Rosaire Miller.

Charles W. Finn from Catherine (Finn) Peckne.

James and Patricia Rosini from Martha Keller, Ronald Ripley, Howard Kearns, Joe and Florence Ecker, Brian and Carrie Johnson, Rekord Printing Company, Yolanda Clem, Shamokin-Coal Township Senior Action Center. Northumberland County Area Agency on Aging, Richard Feudale, Esq., Mr. and Mrs. John Dent, John and Margaret Merlino, Anna Adams, Mr. and Mrs. Blair Faust, Robert and Melissa Wydra, Carol Gill, Lisa Delbaugh, Trisha Christopher, Michael Wehr, Kerri Taylor and Andrew Goeller, Delores Markle and families, Columbia/Montour Bar Association, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Anonia, Nancy McElwee, Mary Jean Wolf, Geisinger Health System, Molly Dormer, friends and co-workers of Sheila Dormer, Carter and family, Mr. and Mrs. J. Edward Ludes, Greg and Sheila (Dormer) Sutton, Andrew Mudrock, Margaret (Peggy) Timco, Jamie Wisz, David George, Dr. and Mrs. Raymond Roth, Christine Hudson, Elizabeth Hudson, Joanne Waters, Nick Ikida, William Murphy, John and Kimberly Giansante, Northumberland County Bar Association, Victor and Diana Ginitz, Freda Boblick, Mr. and Mrs. Victor Bogetti and several anonymous donations.

William Rosini from Mr. and Mrs. Frank Anonia, Nancy McElwee, Mary Jean Wolf, Geisinger Health System, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Barber, Mr. and Mrs. J. Edward Ludes, Andrew Mudrock, Dr. and Mrs. Raymond Roth, Christine Hudson, Margaret (Peggy) Timco, Christine Hudson, Elizabeth Hudson, Andy and Ann Marie Slodysko, William Murphy, Victor and Diana Ginitz, Mr. and Mrs. Victor Bogetti, Dr. Kimberly A. Skelding and some anonymous donations.

Deborah Korbich from Mary Jean Wolf, SCI Employee Recreation Association, Mr. and Mrs. J. Edward Ludes, Andrew Mudrock, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Harmon, Margaret (Peggy) Timco and Andy and Ann Marie Slodysko

Joseph J. Stutz Jr. from Mr. and Mrs. Barry Lentz, Knights of Columbus No. 628 and Dan and Nancy Kerris

Joseph Lizzul from Masai Shakong, Andrew Mudrock, Jane Loeper and Diane Altomare

Mary Muccari from OLOL administration, faculty and staff, Howard and Theresa Sandri, Josephine and Rose Feudale, Haile family, Ann Shirmer, Fran and Bob Bogutskie, Barbara Lizzul and family, Margaret Bilder, Mr. and Mrs. Saverio Feudale, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Sosnoskie, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Timco, Don and Joannie Yuricich, Rose and Al Zawalick and Christine Hudson.

Mike McGee from Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Fallat.

Richard Martini from Mrs. Albina Primerano.

Lois Ford from Mrs. Albina Primerano.

Rosemarie Gunther from Mrs. Albina Primerano

Frank A. Pupo Sr. from Victor Pupo and family.

Joseph Mirack from Fran and Bob Bogutskie, Mr. and Mrs. Barry Lentz, Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Fleming, Richard and Ann Weikel, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Wurster, Connie Fabrizio

Robert Starke from Mr. and Mrs. Robert Dondero.

Joseph Yadlosky from Andrew Mudrock.

Gerald Witman from Mr. and Mrs. Robert Wurster.

Paul Corrigan from Ann and John Benedict.

Rita Krantz from Joseph Litchko.

Robert Conniff from Dorothy Tomtishen and Dan and Nancy Kerris.

Albert Tomtishen from Dorothy Tomtishen.

Nancy Bobkowski from Kathy and Joe Smith.

Elizabeth Schultz from Nancy Kerris.

Thomas Brian Scholtes Sr. from Mr. and Mrs. Barry L. Lentz, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Turner and Kevin Reiprish.

Charlotte Yucha from Howard and Theresa Sandri.

Adam Mackel from Linda and Mike Sowash and family.

James Scicchitano from Mary Ann Balonis and Mr. and Mrs. Larry Morata.

Anna Dietterick from Mary Ann Balonis and Laura Zevetski.

Violet Dudeck from Bob and Mary Ann Barrett and family, Richard and Ann Weikel, Eugene and Theresa Fleming and Howard and Theresa Sandri.

Aloysius Yurkiewicz from Judy Polites.

Jean L. Sandri from Howard and Theresa Sandri and Ann and John Benedict.

Leon Sieklicki from Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Reiprish, Mr. and Mrs. John Reiprish and Chris, Michael Reiprish, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Reiprish and Mr. and Mrs. Robert Wurster.

Church hosting seniors' driving course

URBAN - St. Paul's United Church of Christ will host an AARP driving course Wednesday, June 13.

Formerly "55 Alive," the course is especially for drivers age 50 and over. Participants do not need to be a member of AARP to attend.

The 8-hour event will begin at 8 a.m. and is taught by trained volunteers. There are no tests to pass.

The fee of $12 per person for AARP members and $14 per person for non-AARP members, which covers course materials and administrative costs.

The Northumberland County Agency on Aging will pay 50 percent of the registration fee for Northumberland County residents who register before June 10.

Light refreshments will be provided, but participants are asked to bring a lunch.

Call 758-4010 to register.

MOUNT CARMEL - PPL will cut power to approximately 60 customers in the borough on June 7 as it makes equipment upgrades and adds a new customer to the power grid.

The outage will occur between 8 a.m. and noon along Apple Street between Third and Fourth streets, according to Terri Macbride, PPL community relations director.

The work will be performed June 8 in the event of inclement weather or technical problems.

PPL mailed customers a warning of the outage on May 18. In the letter, it advises customers to not use electrical appliances during the interruption, adding that items such as water pumps or electric-powered garage doors will not operate.

The company also advises all residents affected by the outage to unplug computers and other sensitive equipment when the power is turned off to prevent damage to the equipment when power is restored.

BLOOMSBURG - One-hundred seventeen area residents were named to Bloomsburg University's dean's list for the spring semester.

To qualify for dean's list, a student must earn a quality-point average of 3.5 or higher (based on 4.0) during the semester.

- Ashland - April Brennan, Nicole Henning, Kimberly McIntyre, Timothy Nestor, Kayla Oxenrider, Taylor Petrole, Stasia Rudiman, Ryan Smolock, Tracy Stutzcage and Amanda Yanek.

- Catawissa - Holly Baruch, John Becker, Ralph Beishline, Lindsey Bell, JoEllen Blass, Nicholas Diak, Bethany Homiak, Ryan Keefer, Krista Kobbe, Kayla McCloskey, Dorothea Meyer, Adrienne Miller, Taylor Rhodes, Bryan Snyder, Hannah Stauder, Jacob Townsend and Alisha Winter.

- Coal Township - Scott Bradley, Lisa Burns, Jennifer Herb, Kallie Liendo, Janine Mensch, Joseph Oquendo, Kaitlyn Sienkiewicz, Justin Suerken and Kathryn Zaborny.

- Dornsife - Kyle Dewalt, Ranee Landis, Kyle Long, Lyndsey Michael, Meagen Shomper and Guy Snyder.

- Elysburg - Dante Anskis, Cortlyn Appel, Lindsey Clark, Joshua Crisp, Elizabeth Dorkoski, David Fegley, Tyler James, Kristen Klock, Michael Molesevich, Alexandra Oley, Wendy Quinton, Steven Roth, Taylor Shutt, Kyrie Snarski and Tessa Varias.

- Herndon - Justin Erdman, Lauren Erdman, Christina Lahr, Chad Levan and Lindi Snyder.

- Kulpmont - Brooke Bartol, Samantha Spieller and David Tomtishen.

- Leck Kill - Curtis Gessner.

- Locust Gap - Janeen Nahodil.

- Marion Heights - Casey Smink.

- Mount Carmel - Kayla Bressi, Alyssa Butkiewicz, Mary Campbell, Brynna Ditchey, Douglas Dobak, Abbi Grabowski, Kyle Higgins, Cassandra Mace, Megan McAndrew, Michelle Miller, Jared Morgan, Lauren Sosnoski and Jonathan Thomas.

- Numidia - Lindsey Scherer.

- Ranshaw - Steven Feese.

- Paxinos - Janelle Dowkus, Meghan Duell, Nicholas Gallinot, Kevin Mostik, Jordan Shiko, William Shoop, Kayla Sommers and Donald Wilson.

- Shamokin - Michelle Carey, Whitney Catizone, Jennifer Corcoran, Taylor Donahue, Nicole Erdman, Alex Katona, John Katona, Kandy Krebs, Brandon Noll, Alexandra Reed, Sarah Reed and Kelani Walter.

- Sunbury - Benjamin Attinger, Joseph Costa, Gary Daddario, Jennifer D'Amico, Kelsey Gamble, Michael Gimino, Lindsay Johnson, Tad Kalcich, Kyle Nicholas, Bryce Perles, Amy Thomas and Brianne Witmer.

- Trevorton - Rachel Fisher and Samantha Kaminskie.

BETHLEHEM - Melissa S. Andreas graduated May 12, from Moravian College, Bethlehem, receiving a Bachelor of Science in mathematics, graduating magna cum laude.

She will continue her education at Kutztown University in the master's program.

She is a daughter of Earl and Laurie (Madden) Andreas, of Bethlehem, and a granddaughter of Pauline Madden and the late Robert Madden, of Ranshaw, and Howard Andreas and the late Doris Andreas, of Allentown.

COAL TOWNSHIP - Amanda Miller was named to the dean's list at Art Institute of Philadelphia, where she is studying animation. She also won "best of quarter" for her artwork. She has been drawing since the age of 3 and has remained focused on her chosen career.

Miller has won many awards and contests. Two of her works were featured on the Anthracite Heritage Festival commemorative note cards in 2007 and 2008.

Miller resides on Walnut Street in Coal Township with her parents, Donna (Kopyscianski) and Harold Miller. She is a 2011 graduate of Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School, where she was a member of the Spanish Honor Society. She works part time at Knoebels Amusement Resort and is a member of Transfiguration Ukrainian Catholic Church in Shamokin.

ELYSBURG - Michael Molesevich, a son of John and Donna Molesevich, of Elysburg, graduated cum laude May 12 from Bloomsburg University. he received a Bachelor of Science in health science.

Molesevich will attend Lock Haven University, Harrisburg, to pursue a master's degree in the physician assistant program.

He is a grandson of Kathleen Varano and Tony Varano.

SHAMOKIN - One of the Anthracite Heritage Festival of the Arts' founding members will be remembered through a special tribute and dedication by those who credit him with laying the groundwork for the annual celebration.

Frederick "Fritz" Reed - called "invaluable" and "instrumental" by Northumberland County Council for the Arts and Humanities executive director Jeanne Shaffer - will be honored with a butterfly release Saturday. The event's Shamokin Cemetery tours will be dedicated to him, also.

"He will be missed this year and will always be a part of this festival," Shaffer said.

Reed, the coordinator and guide of the annual Shamokin Cemetery tours that have been part of the festival since its inception in 2006, passed away Dec. 22 following a long illness. During his life, he served seven terms as the county's register and recorder and was mayor of Shamokin during the flood of 1972.

It was his hobby to learn about the county's history and share that knowledge with anyone who would listen. It gave him much joy.

'Priceless'

"Fritz was a very knowledgeable person and a personable guy," Shaffer said. "Every time he talked, it was so interesting and you didn't even realize that you were learning something from him. I don't think anyone got to know everything that he did, because he knew so much."

Reed was one of the first people Shaffer called when she had the idea to create the Anthracite Heritage Festival.

"When I first spoke to him about the festival, he was immediately on board and said he would take care of the cemetery tours in order to help them raise funds," Shaffer said. "He truly helped me lay the groundwork for this event and the tours that were part of it. He was priceless."

Reed walked with people around the cemetery, introducing them to historical figures, played by re-enactors, who were instrumental in the coal region's past.

The tours will continue at this year's festival and will be conducted by Shamokin Cemetery Historian Tracy Donnelly.

"I'm a little nervous about it, because to me, Fritz was the heart of Shamokin," Donnelly said. "I know I've got some pretty big shoes to fill."

Donnelly said five or six re-enactors will share their stories, but she looks forward to bringing her own take to the cemetery's history.

"There is a story beneath every stone, and the research I've been digging through shows how much our culture has changed through the ages and the causes of death of those buried here," Donnelly said.

Tickets

Tickets for the cemetery tour are $10 for adults and children 12 and under accompanied by an adult will be admitted free. Tours will be given at 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. and those attending are asked to meet at the cemetery's entrance. It is possible to drive to the meeting area, but the tours are given on foot.

Donnelly and the rest of the Shamokin Cemetery board has dedicated this year's tour to Reed, and a special tribute to him is planned for 10:15 a.m. Saturday at the festival.

"I wanted to do something in his memory, for being such and integral part of this festival," Shaffer said. "When I saw Mountain View do its butterfly release, that was the perfect choice."

Following the invocation by the Rev. Sam Bellavia, Reed's daughter, Debbie Losiewicz, will release 24 monarch butterflies into the air in Reed's memory.

Shaffer said that even though he is gone, Reed's presence will be felt.

"He will be very much missed, but the work he has done for us will be enjoyed for years to come," Shaffer said. "He's introduced the community to its roots, and his work will go on and on through this festival."

CLEVELAND TOWNSHIP - The disgruntled R2 District residents of Cleveland Township are aware of an amendment to a local concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO), but will not be pursuing any action against it, according to Thomas and Johanna Lucid, of 24 Wynn School Road.

The owners of GNH Farms LLC, the chicken and hog CAFO at 224 White Church Road, are applying to change and update their existing CAFO permit, said Todd C. Rush, a consultant with TeamAg Inc., who have been assisting owners Gregory and Noreen Halady with the process.

"Nothing is being added. Nothing new is being built. Laying chickens are the only thing allowed under the existing permit. At the time, the chickens and the hogs were different operations," Rush said.

The change was a management decision and the new permit will reflect all the animals, he added.

The existing farm has 95,000 laying chickens and 2,100 hogs, according to a public notice of intent in the May 14 edition of The News-Item.

"It's more of a paperwork issue, but we're still required to go through the process," Rush said.

There are two CAFO farms in the township and three CAFO operators.

Ban requested

A petition was presented to the Cleveland Township Board of Supervisors in April asking for an amendment to the zoning ordinance to ban large-scale animal farms within 500 yards of a residential dwelling in their district.

The amendment is to the zoning ordinance that permits agriculture and horticulture within the R2 Residential Medium Density District designated by the township zoning ordinance to provide orderly expansion to residential development.

The amendment, which would ban a CAFO from exceeding 100 livestock animals within 500 yards of a residential dwelling in the R2 District, was supported by the petition signers who say a large-scale pig operation would be detrimental to the health of the residents and the value of their properties.

Johanna Lucid, one of the major players behind the petition, said she researched GNH's public notice as soon as she and her husband noticed it.

"We're just watching it at this point. We know about it, but it's in an agricultural area. We're not going to push it," she said.

At the Tuesday night board meeting, the supervisors announced they would forward the proposed amendment to the existing ordinance onto the planning department, who will review and take action on it at a later date.

Lucid said a health ordinance passed by Lehigh Township in Northampton County was presented to the supervisors as well Tuesday night by their attorney, Joseph Michetti.

The Acre Law (Act 38), which cannot be overruled by local ordinances, addresses management practices for CAFOs, but not potential health issues, such as pathogens problems, water contamination or air quality.

30 days to comment

The public has 30 days to comment on the GNH application, starting on May 14, and DEP must address those contacts or contact Rush to address them or clarify questions or concerns.

Rush said he had not yet received any public comment nor had DEP contacted him.

Once the permit is issued, it will be valid for five years and supersede the previous permit, Rush said.

For additional information on the application, contact Rush at 672-8620. To provide public comment, contact DEP at their North-Central Regional Office, 208 W. Third St., Williamsport, or call 327-3636.

COAL TOWNSHIP - The 2012 graduating class of Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School gave its collective "goodbye" during commencement Thursday night.

Twenty-one seniors were given diplomas and together turned their tassels atop their mortar boards, making them Lourdes' newest alumni.

Be brave

Rachel Davis, valedictorian, urged fellow graduates to build on the courage instilled in them while in school.

Courage was needed when, as underclassmen, they began their high school journey together - some of

whom, like her, were strangers to one another.

"We found this courage through our newly formed friendships, our faith and our education," Davis, who came to Lourdes as a freshman after spending her previous school years at St. Monica School, Sunbury, said during her valedictory address.

"It took courage for kids from other schools to enter into a group of people who knew each other already and to befriend them. And it took courage for those who were willing to accept us."

Courage was needed, she said, for students to excel in athletics and education, and also in discovering their own true selves.

Her fellow graduates must continue to foster this courage as they move on in life, she said.

"As we ready ourselves to take the next step, whether we are going to college or getting a job, we need to build upon what we have learned at Lourdes, about ourselves, our faith, and what it takes to succeed, and apply it to our new situations.

"It will take courage, starting tomorrow morning, to leave behind the routine and safety of high school," said Davis, who will attend Misericordia University.

Stay curious

Apart from being brave, Salutatorian Elizabeth Korbich said her fellow graduates must also remain curious, asking themselves what the result would be if they focused harder on collegiate studies, on making the world a better place or on simply being kinder.

For her, curiosity helped her foster her own talents through success and failure, be it as an athlete or artist, but most importantly as an individual.

As a collective, she said curiosity lead to the 2012 graduating class to make a $1,000 donation to the Thomas Aquinas Society, a scholarship for Lourdes eighth graders in need of financial assistance.

"Big things can start with one person, and we can all be that one person, we can all make a difference," said Korbich, who also will attend Misericordia University.

"We must keep the beliefs and ideals we've learned in our time here close at heart at all times. As the world continues to rush on around us, those beliefs and ideals will keep us centered."

Plan, work, accept, know

Guest speaker was Dr. Cristina Silvestro, a 1983 Lourdes graduate who attended the Catholic school as a foreign exchange student from Udine, Italy.

Silvestro spoke of her experiences at the school and the guidance provided by its leaders.

She left the Class of 2012 with four guidelines to live by: set goals and plan accordingly; work toward dreams; accept adversity and obstacles, knowing that how they're dealt with is how one builds character and matures, and know that anything is possibly with commitment, determination and hard work.

"I am a perfect example of what it means to take advantage of an opportunity through hard work," said Silvestro, who holds degrees from both Penn State and Michigan universities and, along with her husband, operates a dentistry practice in Massachusetts.

"Lourdes paved the way for me and I maximized my potential to follow my dream," she said.

It was announced the Class of 2012 earned $975,190 in grants and scholarships.

William Korbich was honored during the ceremony as recipient of the school's 22nd George P. Bartos Award for Teaching Excellence.

Class of 2012

In addition to Davis and Korbich, both of whom will attend Misericordia University, members of this year's graduating class and their immediate post-high school plans are: Felicia Bartello, Misericordia University; Aisha Bucanelli, Bloomsburg University; Zachary Chesney, will enter the workforce; Devyn English, King's College; Michael Feudale, Luzerne County Community College; Taylor Glassic, Luzerne County Community College; Christina Jones, Lock Haven University; Lauryn Leach, Shenandoah University; Molly Loftus, University of Scranton; J. Grier Melick, Stevenson University; Elen O'Donnell, King's College; Caitlyn Persing, Kutztown University; Tristen Riegel, King's College; Annie Seif, Bloomsburg University; Cassondra Senoski, Luzerne County Community College; Alexandra Singh, Penn State University; Annie Stewart, Misericordia University; Erienne Strouse, Luzerne County Community College, and Tyler Wolfe, Luzerne County Community College.

ELYSBURG - A 44-year-old suicidal male barricaded himself in his West Valley Avenue apartment while possessing a loaded gun Wednesday night for about 30 minutes before police were able to convince him to surrender, according to police.

Ralpho Township police, who did not reveal the man's identity, were dispatched to 1045 W. Valley Ave. (Route 487) at about 9:45 p.m. after receiving a report of a man threatening to commit suicide inside his second-story apartment above Timber Creek Family Restaurant, which was closed at the time of the disturbance.

Police said no injuries were reported and no charges have been filed.

Police said the man, who was alone in his apartment, refused to adhere to several commands by police to exit the building, which prompted officers from multiple municipalities to respond to the scene.

After approximately 30 minutes of negotiations that included police using a public address system from a cruiser, the male agreed to exit the apartment. He was transported to Ralpho Township Police Station and evaluated by a caseworker from Northumberland County Mental Health Department before reportedly being hospitalized.

Police reported several other loaded weapons were found in the apartment near the main entrance.

The scene was cleared shortly after midnight Thursday.

According to scanner reports, part of Route 487 was closed during the incident, but that was not confirmed by police Thursday.

Assisting Ralpho Township police were officers from Shamokin, Coal Township, Kulpmont, Mount Carmel, Mount Carmel Township, Locust Township and Riverside, and state police from Stonington.

COAL TOWNSHIP - Shamokin Area teachers will not accept a wage freeze next school year, a move that drew the ire of several school directors.

Members of Shamokin Area Education Association voted overwhelmingly Thursday against taking a wage freeze (130 against, 10 in favor) and against forgoing tuition reimbursement (131-9) for the 2012-13 school year.

According to union President Sam Schiccatano, members want to see other "factions" in the district make more concessions "before giving up anything else."

The district asked for the concessions as the school board works to erase the remaining $2 million from a budget deficit that had once topped $5.6 million. It was projected that the two moves would have saved the district an estimated $400,000.

District administrators have yielded some one-time concessions in their existing contract to the tune of an estimated $260,000. Members of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) union have given none to date.

While Schiccatano refused comment on the situations of administration or of AFSCME members, Director Charlie Shuey said he believed that the teachers' vote is a direct response to what administrators have given up, or lack thereof.

"I'm disappointed but not surprised," Shuey said. "I heard over past few days that the teachers were disturbed by the lack of concessions offered by administration. They felt as a result they weren't under any obligation to make any concessions themselves."

Board President Tracey Witmer responded in shock when told of the voting margin. She called administrative concessions "a tiny nibble" but said they were "something."

"(The teachers) could have turned around and gave us something too. I'm disappointed, I really am. God, I can't believe them," she said.

Edward Griffiths, director, called the vote "sad."

As chief of police of Shamokin, he negotiated the officers' current contract - a contract in which they forfeited pay raises in the first year.

"I've been there, I know what it is," he said of foregoing a pay increase. "If I was these young teachers that got furloughed, I would be highly upset."

'Greed'

Director Brian Persing deemed the voting margin a "slap in the face."

"I'm very disappointed in the teachers. Very disappointed," said an irate Persing. "To me, this tells me the teachers are only thinking about themselves. It's greed. I want that in. It's greed. My assertion is that the teachers are greedy."

Witmer agreed, saying "It could have saved a teacher or two, or brought one back, or two. To me, it's greed. I'm sorry, it's greed."

The four directors along with Director Ron McElwee expect further furloughs will result.

The average raise for teachers next school year is $2,200, according to benefit and salary calculations prepared by the district business office for the 2011-12 and 2012-13 school years.

Persing, McElwee, Griffiths and Shuey said those savings were being eyed to reinstate the music programs at the elementary and middle school levels and bringing back some of the 19 teachers furloughed in April.

The furloughs were cited by Schiccatano as a reason as to why union members voted against the concessions, adding that members were fully aware that additional layoffs could lay in wait as a result.

There are 36 union members who will leave their positions by this school year's end - 22 staff members who were furloughed in April by the school board, 11 who will retire and three who have resigned.

Schiccatano said these moves have cut more than $2 million from the budget already.

"They feel they're the only group that are making big sacrifices that are trying to make this budget meet," Schiccatano said of district teachers. "They need to see some signs that other people within the school district are willing to make sacrifices also before they even consider looking at anything further."

The majority of one-time savings made by administrators come through the demotion of one member and retirement of another. As part of the deal, their contract was extended two years.

Not enough

Noted as a good start by the board members in favor of the move, the concessions also were criticized by others as not being near extensive enough.

Controversy also came with a vote by district employees belonging to Local 2434 of AFSCME. They turned down the district's request to forego pay raises next school year; however, the chapter's bargaining agent said the vote was invalid as proper protocol was not followed.

There's been no word yet if AFSCME members will vote again. McElwee said even if a official vote is had, he expected AFSCME members would vote against any concessions.

Of all the directors reached Thursday, Persing took the vote the hardest.

Persing said he'd now begin to "hawk" over the teachers, especially making sure they're working the full 180 days and not winding down on their duties because the end of the school year is near.

He also said he will make a motion at the school board's June meeting to charge a $500 parking permit fee for all district employees. That, he said, would raise more than $150,000 for the district.

The contracts for both unions expire in June 2013. When it comes to negotiating with the teachers, Persing said took a hard stance.

"As far as I'm concerned, they can go on strike next year," he said.

"You know who's getting hurt? The kids are getting hurt," Persing said. "They're not helping our children. They don't have our children's best interest at heart."

The school board will meet Tuesday in executive session. The next scheduled public meeting is June 18.

MOUNT CARMEL - On April 15, the Mount Carmel Area Joint Veterans Committee held its 429th Changing of the Colors flag ceremony in honor and memory of a veteran of America's greatest generation.

Michael Glowa was born Dec. 10, 1921, in Shamokin, a son of Wasil and Marie (Dowd) Glowa.

Glowa enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps at Philadelphia on March 11, 1941, and was honorably discharged as a private first class on Nov. 16, 1945, at Separation Battalion Redistribution Regiment, Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, Calif. He was an automatic rifleman and guard patrolman who was a marksman with both the rifle and pistol.

Stationed in the Asiatic Pacific Theater, Glowa participated in the capture and defense of Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, in Operation Watchtower from Aug. 7, 1942, through Feb. 9, 1943. He saw action again against Japanese forces on Cape Gloucester, New Britain Papua New Guinea as part of Operation Cartwheel in 1943. He also was stationed in the New Hebrides Islands, Australia, and the Mariaras Islands.

Glowa was employed at The Bed Barn, Stonington, and was a member of Transfiguration Ukrainian Catholic Church, the Holy Name Society and Knights of Columbus Council 458, all of Shamokin.

Glowa died Oct. 17, 2011, and is buried in Transfiguration Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery, Coal Township. He is survived by a brother, nieces and nephews.

Ceremony

The flag that was flown for the past two weeks was in honor and memory of Mark Thomas Candelora who served in the U.S. Army. Taps was played on the bugle by Frances Stutzman as the flag was lowered by Candelora's brother, Anthony. It was folded by Joseph Candelora Sr., Dennis Curran and Anthony Candelora. The flag was presented to Candelora's mother. Barbara, by Walter Summers.

The Glowa flag was escorted to the service by Jacob Zerby. It was presented by Summers to Joseph Candelora Sr. Andrew Bubnis raised the flag while the national anthem was played. David Berezovske read the military records of Candelora and Glowa. The ceremony ended with a silent salute to all veterans.

William Begis carried the American flag to the ceremony and Bubnis carried the U.S. Marine Corps flag. The rifle escort was provided by Ronald Halcovich and Dennis Koprowski. Dick Amershek provided traffic control. Also participating in the ceremony were Joseph Candelora Jr., Dennis Curran, David McGlynn, Charles Noskoviak, Thomas Shimko, Connie Andrews, Ann Ray Begis and Peggy Summers.

The next flag ceremony will be at 1 p.m. Sunday at Second and Oak streets, when the flag will be raised in honor and memory of Samuel O'Donnell, a veteran of the Civil War. Area veterans and the public are invited to attend.

HARRISBURG - A retired Mount Carmel police officer awaiting sentencing on a charge of possession of child pornography has been granted permission by a federal judge to visit family members in Mount Carmel this weekend.

In an order issued Thursday, U.S. District Judge William W. Caldwell continued the sentencing of Blaine R. Handerhan from June 5 to 9:30 a.m. July 10, and granted him permission to travel to Mount Carmel without being subjected to electronic monitoring today and Sunday between 9 a.m. and 10 p.m.

The continuance in sentencing and visitation privileges without electronic monitoring were requested on Handerhan's behalf by his attorney, Matthew R. Gover of Harrisburg. Assistant U.S. Attorney James T. Clancy, the prosecutor in the case, didn't oppose the continuance or modification of the defendant's condition of release.

Handerhan, who pleaded guilty Oct. 5 in federal court to one felony count of possession of child pornography, had his April sentencing date continued to June 5 by Caldwell at Gover's request due to trials involving other clients the lawyer was representing. The continuance also was granted because an expert report concerning Handerhan's background and history has not been received. Gover said the report is critical to a variance issue Handerhan intends to raise before sentencing.

The 56-year-old Handerhan of East Pennsboro Township, who faces a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine, entered a guilty plea before Caldwell a week before he was scheduled to go to trial, which had previously been continued five times.

Handerhan, who served as a Mount Carmel policeman for 30 years before retiring Oct. 30, 2005, at the rank of lieutenant, was indicted Oct. 13, 2010, on charges of possession and distribution of child pornography.

Clancy said a search warrant was obtained by state police for Handerhan's former home in Jonestown in Lebanon County in February 2006. Clancy said computer equipment seized from the residence revealed 2,995 images of child pornography and an additional 44 videos of child pornography, with each video containing 75 images.

When state police uncovered the child pornography on the computer, Clancy said Handerhan told authorities his life was over, threatened to kill himself and started praying for a resolution to his problems, which indicated an admission of guilt, according to the prosecutor.

The defendant moved from Jonestown to East Pennsboro Township a few years ago.

WATSONTOWN - The woman gunned down in her Delaware Township home was in the process of moving out when the murder occurred, according to published reports.

A neighbor told The Daily Item Joann Mitchell's killer, her boyfriend of 30 years, 85-year-old Earl Beck, had cursed at her recently, causing her to want to leave their home.

Beck shot Mitchell, 69, in the chest about 4:45 p.m. Tuesday inside 232 Shreck Road before shooting himself.

Mitchell was found inside the home's basement while Beck was found inside the garage.

The victim had been moving out since May 15, a neighbor told the Sunbury newspaper, and was moving furniture when she was shot.

Movers who arrived at the property discovered the bodies, according to the newspaper.