FRACKVILLE - State police charged Ryan Township's tax collector Wednesday with stealing more than $171,000 owed to Mahanoy Area School District.

William G. Wildoner, 71, of 689 Barnesville Drive, Barnesville, surrendered to authorities and is charged with one felony count each of theft, receiving stolen property and theft by failure to make required disposition of funds.

Wildoner, who has been the township's tax collector for 35 years, was arrested by Trooper Bernard Walasavage of the Schuylkill Haven station and charged with stealing $171,145 between Jan. 1, 2009 and Dec. 31, 2010.

Walasavage said the thefts came to light April 1, when Wildoner told school district finance officer Michelle Lavelle that he lost a tax deposit for $171,145.

Wildoner told Lavelle that he would send a letter to all the residents who had paid their taxes and advise them to issue another check, Walasavage said. He provided Lavelle with a copy of the letter and list of the taxpayers' names, but Lavelle said the situation seemed odd.

Walasavage said Lavelle spoke to the district business manager and checked the reports and deposit slips provided by Wildoner, along with a computer-generated list of taxes paid.

"All of the numbers did not add up and $171,145 was missing and unaccounted for as of the end of the 2010 tax year," Walasavage said in an affidavit of probable cause.

The trooper said he wrote a letter to the taxpayers asking for information needed for the investigation. Several people responded and confirmed they paid their taxes for 2010 and 2011 and that the checks were cashed by Wildoner.

"They related that they never received any correspondence from the defendant advising that their deposit was lost and requesting a new check be issued for payment of 2010 taxes," Walasavage said.

On June 3, Walasavage said he interviewed Wildoner, who gave a voluntary statement to police. Wildoner admitted taking tax payments beginning in the 2009 tax year and also for 2010 in the form of cash and checks written out personally to him, Walasavage said.

"He admitted that the money taken was not deposited as required and he in fact used the monies for personal expenses to include medical bills, prescription bills and gambling," Walasavage said.

Walasavage said Wildoner cooperated throughout the investigation, which remains ongoing.

Asked if he knew why Wildoner stole the money, Walasavage said, "I believe he was overwhelmed with expenses, unexpected expenses."

Wildoner was arraigned Wednesday by Senior Magisterial District Judge Elizabeth Romig and released on $25,000 unsecured bail. Romig scheduled a preliminary hearing for 10 a.m. Wednesday in her Frackville courtroom.

During his arraignment, Wildoner told the judge that he had collected $40 million in taxpayers' money during his years as tax collector.

Wildoner has yet to resign his post as tax collector, however, and it is difficult to replace him until he does so.

"The public trust has been violated. I hope he will do the right thing and resign," Ryan Township supervisors Chairman Champ Holman said Wednesday. "I would hope we can move on it quickly."

Holman said it is the supervisors' job to appoint a tax collector if Wildoner resigns. If he doesn't, it will be up to the voters to vote him out. He was elected, with no opposition, to a four-year term in 2009 and won't be up for re-election until 2013.

Holman said there are also court proceedings that would allow the township to appoint a new tax collector if Wildoner doesn't resign.

Mahanoy Area School District Acting Superintendent Joie L. Green would not comment on the case Wednesday due to the ongoing investigation.

Business manager Jack Hurst said that although the district is short the amount of money Wildoner allegedly stole, it hopes to be reimbursed soon.

"Our bonding company should reimburse us for the funds," he said.

Walasavage said the district is reviewing all its financial records and more charges could be filed.

"There may be more charges. ... We are still looking at every avenue," Walasavage said.

by justin strawser

CATAWISSA RR - The Southern Columbia Area 2011-12 budget was approved Monday night at the school board meeting with a 4.7 percent increase in property taxes in Northumberland County.

Taxes in the county will increase 2.14 mills from the current 45.73 to the new 47.87. In Columbia County, residents will be see a 5.2 percent increase from the current 28.07 mills to 29.53.

For an average house with an assessed value of $108,000, residents in Northumberland will pay $50.39 extra a year while Columbia County residents will pay $40.31 a year, according to Business Manager Dan Rodgers, who presented the board with a budget presentation.

Rodgers explained he started the budget process with a $1,365,858 deficit due to reductions in state subsidy, increases in salary and insurance costs and the building project.

In order to close that gap, there were many cuts, said Rodgers, which included $80,000 in departmental cuts, $400,000 in nine professional staff retiring, $50,000 in big ticket items, $100,000 in capital reserve projects and $50,000 in text book reduction, among other cuts.

The slashing brought the deficit to zero, making the revenue and expenditures equal to $16,472,216.

Rodgers said the administration will continue to evaluate staff needs and programs in the coming year because the 2012-2013 budget is expected to be equally as difficult. He also suggested seeking new revenue sources including paying to park or participate, grant opportunities, advertisements and sponsorships and tuition for out of district students.

Furthermore, Rodgers said they must await the final passage of the state budget. If the state funding increases, the district will determine the best option of what to do with the money. If the state funding decreases, they have money in budgetary reserve and fund balance or they will consider more staff cuts.

"This has been the most challenging budget since I've been here," said Superintendent Charles Reh.

He complimented Rodgers and the administration for their hard work and cuts, but also noted the following year may be a challenge as well.

Directors Jennifer Oiler and Rick Steele made and seconded the motion to accept the budget. It passed 6-1 with Director Eric Stahley voting against it, saying he would not vote for a budget that was above the Act 1 index.

In other business, the board approved:

- The resignation of Oiler. Oiler, who has been with the board since December 2009, is resigning to focus her time and attention on finding another position since she was furloughed from her position as director of elementary and secondary education for the Bloomsburg Area School District.

- The resignation for retirement of Linda Van Lente from the position of high school Spanish teacher effective June 9. She has been with the district since September 1989. Her position will be advertised for a new teacher.

WEST CAMERON TOWNSHIP - An autopsy performed Wednesday on Adam G. Shaffer, 29, who died Monday night in an accident in West Cameron Township confirmed he died from "multiple blunt force injuries to the dead" and the manner was "accidental" due to a motor vehicle accident, Coroner James F. Kelley reported.

Kelley pronounced Shaffer dead at the scene.

The investigation into the accident continues by Pennsylvania State Police and coroner's office, Kelley said.

COAL TOWNSHIP - Northumberland County will hold its third public input session on the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area (AOAA) Master Plan at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 6, at the Shamokin Area Junior-Senior High School Auditorium, 2000 W. State St..

The county commissioned the study to evaluate and provide recommendations for more than 6,500 acres of county property proposed to become a formalized venue for motorized and non-motorized recreation activities. A draft of the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area Master Plan is available for review at www.northumberlandco.org and www.anthraciteadventure.com.

Consultants will present a draft of the recommendations developed for the proposed facility including facility and activity areas proposed within the AOAA, proposed plan for Phase I funding and development, proposed rules of use for the AOAA and the safety and security of visitors to the AOAA.

Business plan components include the proposed fee structure to cover operating and maintenance expenses and future capital development. Attendees will have the opportunity to comment on the draft recommendations presented in the master plan.

John Buerkle, principal of Pashek Associates, said, "Throughout the process, the community, business leaders and steering committee provided thoughtful input and raised legitimate concerns. That input was taken to heart. Collectively, the committee, the county and the consultants listened to it, reflected on it and responded with a plan that responds to resident's desires.

"Implementing the master plan will formalize and secure public access to the land for current and future residents of the county, provide a safe venue for responsible motorized and non-motorized recreation and provide the county with much needed economic development by spurring the creation of new businesses and jobs, increasing the tax base and increasing spending in the local communities. Economic development was the impetus for the project, and Bloomsburg University has agreed to study and report on the actual economic impact of the AOAA on the region as the plan is set in motion."

Pat Mack, director of the Northumberland County Planning Department, said, "This has been a good process. A lot of issues have been raised, and we believe the plan reflects the appropriate direction for the future of the property. Formalizing the plan opens the opportunity to seek the state, federal and private funding necessary to build the project. This provides an opportunity to legally permit recreation on this property for future generations, as well as much needed economic stimulus to the Lower Anthracite Region."

This is the third of three public input sessions being held during the master planning process for the AOAA.

The master plan is being funded with grants from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. The plan is being prepared by Pashek Associates, a landscape architecture and community planning firm located in Pittsburgh, in conjunction with Pennoni Associates of Mechanicsburg.

The four-day, 335-mile "Pedal Out Polio" bike ride, which is starting Saturday in Renovo, Clinton County, will make brief stops in Elysburg, Shamokin and Mount Carmel on Monday.

Rotary is still accepting riders for the event. They will be required to wear helmets, sign an entry/waiver form, make a minimum $25 donation to the Rotary Foundation for each day they plan to ride and be responsible for any overnight lodging and for making return transportation arrangements.

Riders may join the tour at any departure point and leave when they choose. Signatures of parents or guardians are required for participants under 16.

The third day of riding begins at 9 a.m. in Danville. Riders will travel 9.2 miles on Route 11 to Bloomsburg, where they'll make a stop at 9:45 a.m. at Rotary Pavilion in Bloomsburg Park. From there, the group will ride 12.4 miles to Berwick, then 27 miles on Route 487 to Elysburg, with a stop at First Columbia Bank, 119 Northumberland Drive, at approximately 1:30 p.m. From there, the riders will come to Shamokin, where local Rotary members will greet them at the municipal parking lot off Independence Street, east of the post office, at about 2 p.m. The public is invited to stop by, too.

Riders are due to arrive at a scheduled rest stop at the Silver Bowl stadium in Mount Carmel at approximately 2:45 p.m. Members of the Mount Carmel Rotary Club and affiliated high school Interact Club, as well as the community, are invited to join the brief reception and show their support.

After refreshments and a brief rest, riders will continue toward Ashland.

Frank Morrison, president of the Mount Carmel Rotary Club, invites the community to join in the fight against polio.

"This is a great opportunity for local bike enthusiasts to join the ride and community members to come out and show support," Morrison said.

The Rotary Club of Mount Carmel has pledged to pay the $25 registration fee for the first eight high school or college students to sign up through that club.

For more information or a registration form, visit www.rotary7370.org. Forms are also available at Union National Bank or Community Pharmacy in Mount Carmel.

Tuesday morning, the final day of the ride, participants will leave Ashland and, after various stops, end their four-day effort in Tamaqua.

Donations to help eradicate polio will be accepted at on-site locations or by mail using the online form on the district website. All donations are fully tax deductible and should be made payable to "The Rotary Foundation" with PolioPlus on the memo line of the check. Any gift of $1,000 or more will receive a special recognition from The Rotary Foundation.

On the Net: www.rotary7370.org.

HARRISBURG - Businesses and employees will be able to negotiate work-sharing programs to avoid layoffs and control unemployment compensation costs under changes to Pennsylvania's unemployment compensation system.

The measure signed Friday by Gov. Tom Corbett continues extended jobless benefits for thousands of Pennsylvanians and implements cost savings to help pull the Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund out of the red.

With the work-sharing program, Pennsylvania joins 21 other states that have put these mechanisms in place to potentially spread the pain of economic hard times among the work force.

Basically, the law allows employers and employees to voluntarily develop plans to avoid layoffs by reducing the hours worked by employees "across the board" who would in turn receive pro-rated unemployment compensation benefits for those lost hours.

Employers could reduce normal weekly hours by 20 to 40 percent under a plan. The affected employees would be eligible to receive unemployment compensation benefits in proportion to the reduction in hours.

"It's another tool for a company to use while we continue to have a downturn in the economy," said Sen. John Gordner, R-27, Berwick, sponsor of the law.

While it's too early to say how many work-sharing programs will come into existence, Gordner said a company that sees its business fluctuate depending on what contracts it lands is a good candidate to try this approach.

The new law puts some parameters on work-sharing programs. Employers and employees are left to negotiate a plan, but it will need approval from the state Department of Labor and Industry to take effect.

Employers must agree not to lay off employees during the term of the plan and not hire or transfer new workers to the affected work unit. In a unionized shop, the plan would have to be approved in writing by a collective bargaining representative.

The concept of work sharing or short-time compensation programs dates to the 1980s when a federal law encouraged their use by the states. Supporters say it saves jobs and enables employers to keep trained and skilled workers.

The then Democratic-controlled House approved a work-sharing bill last year and a GOP senator last amended it into the unemployment compensation bill last month.

"It is something that certainly labor was supportive of and the chamber was accepting of," Gordner said.

COAL TOWNSHIP - Shamokin Area School Board member Tracey Witmer couldn't understand why there were four different law firms listed on June's bill list.

During Tuesday night's school board meeting, Witmer asked why legal service bills were presented for an arbitrator, district solicitor Frank Garrigan, the CGA Law Firm in York, and for Kegel, Kelin, Almy and Grimm in Lancaster.

"This is four different attorneys, why do we need them all?" Witmer asked.

Business manager Stephen Curran explained that CGA is representing the district in its appeal of the Joseph Wagner case, a former groundskeeper fired for allegedly threatening his boss.

Wagner took the district to Northumberland County Court, and the decision was upheld. In April, the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania reversed the ruling, saying the firing was improper. One week later, Shamokin Area announced it was going to appeal the case to the state Supreme Court.

Kegel, Kelin, Almy and Grimm in Lancaster is representing the district in a lawsuit against the Northumberland County Tax Collection Committee. Shamokin Area - along with the Milton Area and Line Mountain school districts, the City of Shamokin, Coal Township and Milton - is suing the committee over non-weighted voting used to select a county tax officer to collect all the earned income taxes, beginning in 2012.

According to the bylaws of the committee, non-weighted voting (one equal vote for each member) should be used for all major decisions and weighed voting, using a formula based on population and income tax revenue, would apply to all other matters.

The committee, acting on advice from its former solicitor, said the appointment of a tax officer was a major decision. The plaintiffs disagreed, based on Act 32 of 2008, saying it should have been a weighted vote.

A weighted vote would have named Berkheimer Associates, of Bangor, as the county tax officer, but the committee's director reported to the state that the Capital Tax Collection Bureau, of Harrisburg, was the county tax officer, because it received the highest number of votes from delegates who cast a vote.

Witmer asked if the solicitor could handle these legal needs, saving the district money. Superintendent James Zack said they will consider that possibility in the future.

Despite the explanation, Witmer was the only one voting against paying the bills. The motion passed 8-1 with Mark Anonia, Todd Hockenbroch, Edward Griffiths, Charles Carpenter, Daniel Venn, LaRue Beck, Barry Rebuck and Brian Persing voting to pay the bills.

Witmer also voted against the approving the salary list for assistant fall sports coaches for the coming school year.

"I can't see paying this kind of money for coaches when we are talking about furloughing teachers," she said.

Coaches approved at the meeting, and their salaries are:

- Football - assistants Sam Sciccatano, $3,042; Shawn Zalinski, $2,352; Kurt Troxell in a position shared with Paul Stehman, $1,521.; head ninth-grade coach, Pat Dirienzo, $2,742; assistant Ed Taylor, $2,190; junior high assistant Keith Bonshock, $1,476, and volunteers John Ford and Mike Keefer.

- Boys soccer - assistant Larry Wade, $2,052, and volunteers Brandon Hockenbroch and Joshua Hummel.

- Girls soccer - assistant Kayla Greco, $1,638.

- Cross country - assistant Joelle Reed, $1,752.

- Junior high girls basketball - Eighth-grade coach Edward Getchey, $1,338; seventh-grade coach Eric Heim, $1,200.

- Junior high softball - assistant Jim Campbell, $2,328.

- Volleyball - assistant Steve Cook, $2,742; an open assistant coaching position for $1,500 and volunteers Elizabeth Corcoran and Andrew Arnold.

- Weightlifting - assistants Kurt Troxell and Shawn Zalinski, $2,000 each.

The board also accepted the resignations of elementary teacher Linda Yanick and assistant volleyball coach Terry Krebs. Janet Robinson, Emily Lehman and substitute Janet Lewis were appointed as teacher aides for the summer elementary "Jump Start" program running until July 15. Lisa Palmitessa was appointed as instructor for the Extended School Year Program and Bonnie Rowe was appointed as the program's personal care aide.

Tenure was also granted for professional employees Darren Dusick, Healther Hollowell, Brian Kerbacher, Samantha Leese, Jamie Luff, Janet Robinson, Kathleen Spudes and Dana Sweeney. All other personnel motions passed by a 9-0 vote.

Other business

A three-year contract was approved with Jones and Company, Pottsville, to conduct the district's audit, in order to lock in current rates. The board acknowledged receipt of the audit reports of district tax collectors from Klacik and Associates for 2010, and renewed its annual insurance policies with Myers and Lynch insurance and Ohio Casualty for a total annual premium of $240,880.

Metro Pest Control Services, Shamokin, received a three-year contract for pest control services at the school buildings at a cost of $1,680 per year. Maintenance agreements were also reached with (Tyco) SimplexGrinnell, InTegriTec and Berkshire Systems Group.

HERNDON - An elderly Herndon couple were killed Wednesday morning when their 2000 Buick LeSabre was hit by a train at a crossing in the borough.

Earl E. Hollenbach, 78, and his wife, Edith A. Hollenbach, 76, who lived in the Rivershore neighborhood, apparently crossed the tracks headed west onto Rivershore Drive at about 11:51 a.m. when their vehicle was struck by a southbound Canadian Pacific train that included three engines and 24 cars.

Mr. Hollenbach was driving the car, according to state police at Stonington. He and his wife were pronounced dead at the scene by Jim Gotlob, a Northumberland County deputy coroner. In an autopsy report released later Wednesday evening, Northumberland County Coroner James F. Kelley said that both victims died from blunt force trauma and their deaths were accidental.

Ruby Husband, director of public relations for Norfolk Southern Corp., Plymouth Meeting, said the train was headed from Binghamton, N.Y., to Enola.

The car was pinned under the front of the engine, which pushed it 2,165 feet, or more than four-tenths of a mile, according to police. The couple were trapped in the wreckage of their vehicle, according to Herndon Fire Chief Tony Gilligan.

The crossing, behind Herndon National Bank, is clearly marked with signs and flashing signals and visibility is good in both directions of the train tracks, Gilligan said.

Rivershore Drive is the only public road in the borough that crosses the railroad tracks, not counting a boat access road at the south end of town. There are about 20 houses on "Rivershore," a one-street neighborhood located between the railroad tracks and the Susquehanna River.

Trains going through the town travel at 35 mph, Gilligan said.

"To the north you can see for a mile and to the south you can see every bit of a half-mile," he said, wondering, as others did, why the couple didn't see the train approaching.

"It really threw me for a loop, you never expect anything like this to happen," said Herndon Borough Council President Joel C. Wetzel.

Wetzel said he knew the Hollenbachs his entire life. He lives on Rivershore near their home, which is two doors down from his grandmother's house.

"They were people I saw on a daily basis. They were just normal blue-collar, hardworking, really good people."

A white sheet covered the car after the accident to shield onlookers from the scene until Gotlob arrived. The train and car stopped behind a row of houses that front Route 147 in the borough.

About an hour after the accident, a state police helicopter circled the scene as police took photographs of the area to aid in both theirs and Norfolk Southern's investigation. Rescue crews later surrounded the scene with tarps as they cut the roof from the mangled car to extract the Hollenbachs.

The train's conductor was John Pieklo, 57, police said; they did not provide a hometown. Pieklo was not hurt, police said.

In addition to state police and the Herndon Fire Company, Pillow Fire and Rescue, Lower Mahanoy Fire Company, Dalmatia Area Ambulance, Americus Hose Ambulance of Sunbury and Norfolk Southern's police department responded.

The accident is under investigation by state police, the coroners office and railroad officials.

Third 'large-scale' incident

Gilligan noted that Herndon and surrounding emergency responders have had their share of "large-scale" incidents in the first half of 2011.

"This year seems to be quite the year as far as unusual incidents and the scale of what they have been," he said at the scene Wednesday.

The first incident occurred on Jan. 17 when a 27-year-old transient, suffering from an apparent chemical burn to his stomach, sought medical help, prompting dispatch of a host of emergency responders and a hazardous-materials team. The man had said he rode into town the night before on a train and slept at a pavilion along the railroad tracks not far from the scene of Tuesday's car-train impact. He was sent through a portable decontamination shower in a parking lot near the senior action center that cold afternoon before being transported to a hospital.

Eight days later, sparks from a torch used to remove scrap metal ignited a fire that destroyed one of the large buildings that make up the Herndon Reload complex at the north end of town, also near the railroad tracks. In total, 24 tankers, 11 engines, three ambulances, two ladder trucks and other fire units were dispatched to fight the massive blaze. The building contained an estimated 13 train-car loads of lumber.

MOUNT CARMEL - Members of the Mount Carmel Area School Board said they had to make some tough decisions, but a 2011-2012 budget is in place with a price of furloughs and program cuts.

At its meeting Wednesday night, the board approved a $16,671,332.41 budget for the coming fiscal year. The amount is approximately $1 million less than its preliminary budget, which passed two months ago.

"We have struggled with this for several weeks," board president Rose Marquardt said after the meeting. "I have to applaud the board members that made the tough decisions that we needed to make."

The budget was approved by a 7-0 vote with Marquardt, Charles Mannello, Joe D'Andrea, Nick Goretski, Dr. Raymond Kraynak, Donna James and Judy McCollum voting for the spending plan. Directors Michael Rovito and Robert Muldowney were absent.

The budget does not require tax increase for residents, something the board made a priority.

Without additional tax revenue, the board had to make deep cuts, including the elimination of district's Pre-K program, the assistant athletic director position and the dance team; the furlough of six teachers and 10 aides, and the discontinuation of all field trips. Stipends of all club advisors were cut in half.

A resident asked about the future of the district swimming pool, noting it is the only activity in which handicapped children can participate fully.

The board said that the future of the pool is still being debated.

"We understand that no one wants anything taken away, and that this school is the center of a community that doesn't have too much," D'Andrea said. "We are doing everything in our power to remember that, but by the same token, we have to put the education of the children first."

Farewell, Cheryl

The end of the meeting proved emotional when the board approved by unanimous vote the resignation of Superintendent Cheryl Latorre.

Latorre, a 30-year employee of the district, will step down July 29 to become the new superintendent of the Danville Area School District, where she was hired June 14.

"We thank Mrs. Latorre for all of her work in the district. We have watched her come up from a kindergarten teacher in 1981 to where she is today," Marquardt said. We've read in the papers on how the district has gotten nothing but praise from everyone because of her leadership and the team she has assembled."

Choking up, Latorre praised Mount Carmel Area and reminisced about her time there.

"I have been truly blessed," she said through tears. "I thank this board, school staff, my secretaries here and everyone for all their help in making this district great."

The board will advertise for a new superintendent, but gave no timetable as to when one would be hired.

Shamokin-Coal Township

Sunday - Wii bowling and cards, 2 p.m.

Monday - Morning cards, 8:30 a.m.; puzzles and cards.

Tuesday - Morning cards, 8:30 a.m.; Shopping at Lycoming Mall, van leaves at 9 a.m., cost is $7.80; bridge, 12:15 p.m.

Wednesday - Morning cards, 8:30 a.m.; Wii bowling, 10 a.m.; Kathy Martin, from Orangeville Nursing Home, will speak on "Seeing Through Aging Eyes," with pinochle and Pokeno to follow, noon.

Thursday - Morning cards, 8:30 a.m.; bingo, 12:30 p.m.

Friday - Morning cards, 8:30 a.m.; nickel bingo, noon.

Saturday - Wii bowling and cards, 7 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Mount Carmel

Monday - Wii bowling, 9 to 10 a.m.; Exercise HSIM, 11 to 11:30 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; bean bag, 12:30 p.m.; Pokeno, 1 p.m.

Tuesday - Wii bowling, 9 to 10 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; pinochle and Unlucky 7s, 12:30 p.m.

Wednesday - Wii bowling, 9 to 10 a.m.; Exercise HSIM, 11 to 11:30 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; bingo, 1 p.m.

Thursday - Wii bowling, 9 to 10 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; pinochle, 12:30 p.m.

Friday - Wii bowling, 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.; Exercise HSIM, 11 to 11:30 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m., pokeno, 1 p.m.

Kulpmont

Monday - Bean bag with Wii to follow, 10:30 a.m.; Pokeno, 12:30 p.m.

Tuesday - Wii in the morning; Pinochle and cards, noon.

Wednesday - Wii in the morning; nickel bingo with cards to follow, 12:30 p.m.

Thursday - Wii in the morning; bingo, 12:30 p.m.; evening cards, 5 p.m.

Friday - Wii in the morning; nickel bingo with cards to follow, 12:30 p.m.

Centralia-Wilburton

Monday - After lunch, movie video/treats.

Tuesday - Paige Johnson to do a program on "Shop to Save," 10:30 a.m., open to the public.

Wednesday - Hoagie sale.

Thursday - Playing pinochle, golf and CRL; site manager's meeting, 1 p.m.

Friday - Center closed.

Elysburg

Monday - Pokeno, noon.

Tuesday - Healthy Steps, 9:30 a.m.; line dancing, 11 a.m.; trip to Wal-Mart.

Wednesday - Focus, a non-medical in home service speaking at center at 10:45 a.m.; Bingo, noon.

Thursday - Healthy Steps, 9:30 a.m.; line dancing, 11 a.m.

Friday - Crafts, 9:30 a.m.; pinochle, noon.

Trevorton

Monday - Free members breakfast, 8:30 a.m.; games on the Wii, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.; Unlucky 7s, 12:30 p.m.; evening card party, 7 p.m.

Tuesday - Wii bowling, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.; Chair Dancing through the Decades, 11 a.m.; shopping at Weis Markets, 12:30 p.m., $2 co-pay; evening bingo, 6 p.m.

Wednesday - Center Wii Tournament, 9 to 11 a.m.; Scrabble, 9 a.m.; movie with snacks, 12:30 p.m.

Thursday - Bean bag toss, 10:30 a.m.; Pokeno, 12:30 p.m.; evening bingo, 6 p.m.

Friday - Wii games, 8:30 to 11 a.m.; bingo, noon.

The hair-raising bark of an angry dog. The sight of sharp fangs and incisors.

These signs of danger may drive many people to run and scream, but local experts said that might not be the best thing to do in case of a dog attack.

There may be no sure way for an unarmed person to escape such a situation without suffering an injury, according to Amy Eckert, a state licensed dog cruelty officer for the Hillside SPCA, Pottsville, and Dr. Johanna Andrews, a veterinarian with Mountain Shadow Veterinary Hospital, Schuylkill Haven. But they offered tips on how a dog attack victim can react to reduce the dog's anxiety.

"The big thing people do is run and scream. It's kind of hard not to because it goes against your instincts. That tends to get the dog even more excited. It's hard to tell someone like a child not to scream. But the higher pitch makes that child sound more like a prey animal. The screaming and quick movement tend to make things much, much worse," Eckert said.

The best thing to do in such a situation is to "stand as still as a tree," Eckert said.

"Right. You don't want to challenge the dog and try to hit it to get it away from you because that's just going to elevate the dog's rage," Andrews said.

"Of course, it's kind of hard if the dog is actually biting at that point. But if you stand still, a lot of times it will prevent it from going any further and escalating," Eckert said.

"If you remain standing up, you're higher away from their territory. If you get down on the ground, you're in their territory," Andrews said.

If a dog bites and no one is around to provide assistance, Eckert said dog attack victims might want to take some affirmative action.

"If you can grab the dog near the collar or the ear, most dogs will let go. A lot of times a more forceful voice will help, where you're saying 'No!' Oftentimes that will help," Eckert said.

The website for State Farm Insurance contains tips on preventing dog bites.

"If a dog threatens you, remain calm. Don't scream. If you say anything, speak calmly and firmly. Avoid eye contact. Try to remain still until the dog leaves, or back away slowly until the dog is out of sight. Don't turn and run," according to State Farm's site.

If a dog attack victim is knocked to the ground, according to the State Farm site, they should curl into a ball with their hands over their face and neck.

Eckert is also a dog trainer who started Brierwood Boarding Kennels in Pottsville eight years ago. Since December, she's been training dogs at Schuylkill Mall, Frackville, in the space next to Bath & Body Works.

"We do a lot of in-home classes where we come right to the house, and do classes at the mall as well," Eckert said.

She offered tips to dog owners on how they can reduce the stress levels on their dogs to prevent the dogs from attacking.

"The big thing we see is the lack of socialization. Chained dogs, for example, tend to be more aggressive. They get teased a lot more. They get to watch everybody else running around and playing and they get very frustrated. It's not something we recommend at all, to ever chain a dog," Eckert said.

If a dog must be kept outside, Eckert said it's better to put the dog in a pen.

"Of course, we'd rather see the dog inside as a house pet because they're going to be much more well-behaved. And they're more friendly and socialized then, too," Eckert said.

Dogs bite more than 4.7 million people nationwide annually, and key experts believe that public education can help prevent these bites, according to the website for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In 2010, State Farm Insurance had roughly 3,500 claims and paid more than $90 million in the United States, according its website.

State Farm Insurance said Pennsylvania ranks sixth among the top 10 states for dog bite claims it handled in 2010, with 155 claims and an estimated $3,931,039 paid out for claims. California lead the way with 369 claims and an estimated $11,296,642 paid.

Children make up more than 60 percent of all dog bite victims, according to the State Farm website.

Dog-bite prevention tips

- Teach children basic safety around dogs.

- Do not approach an unfamiliar dog.

- Do not run from a dog and scream.

- Remain motionless ("be still like a tree") when approached by an unfamiliar dog.

- If knocked over by a dog, roll into a ball and lie still ("be still like a log").

- Do not play with a dog unless supervised by an adult.

- Immediately report stray dogs or dogs displaying unusual behavior to an adult.

- Avoid direct eye contact with a dog.

- Do not disturb a dog who is sleeping, eating, or caring for puppies.

- Do not pet a dog without allowing it to see and sniff you first.

- If bitten, immediately report the bite to an adult.

Source: www.cdc.gov

Mayor's walking tour

MOUNT CARMEL - Mount Carmel Borough Mayor J. Kevin Jones said he walked the Third Ward of Mount Carmel Wednesday morning and reported 27 properties to the code enforcement officer for possible violations.

Parking restrictions for car cruise

KULPMONT - Mayor Myron F. Turlis announced the parking restrictions for the ninth annual car cruise set for Sunday.

Beginning at noon, no travel will be permitted from the 600 block of Fir Street to and including the 900 block of Fir Street. Beginning at 1 p.m., parking will be prohibited in the following areas:

- Ninth and Chestnut streets, all the way to Ninth and Fir streets (both sides of the street).

- Chestnut Street, from the 500 block to and including the 1400 block.

Vehicles not removed from any area posted "No Parking" will be ticketed. Areas posted for this year's car cruise should remain free of travel and parking until the cruise is completed.

Movie in the Park Saturday

ATLAS - Organizers remind the public about Movie in the Park night at 8:30 p.m. Saturday at Atlas Fire Company Community Park.

Hosted by the fire company ladies auxiliary, the event is free and open to the public. Bring chairs and blankets.

There will be refreshments available, including hot dogs, candy, drinks and popcorn. The rain date is July 9. Anyone wishing to make donations may call Auxiliary President Betty Jean Bush at 339-2144.

PennDOT to hold public meetings

MONTOURSVILLE - PennDOT District 3-0 and its planning partners will hold a series of open-house meetings to provide the public with information related to transportation programs and needs in north central Pennsylvania, and to gather public input related to transportation.

A brief presentation will be provided at the beginning of each meeting, and stations will be set up so that attendees will be able to walk around and ask questions relating to their individual interests regarding roads, bridges, safety and other topics.

Area meetings will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 6 at the Buckhorn Fire Hall, and from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 14 at Selinsgrove Middle School.

KULPMONT - The Rev. Joanne Young remembers her mother telling her as a child to come home from the party while she was having a good time, so she would remember the day when it was at its best.

"Well, these past 20 years have been the perfect day, and it's time for me to go home from the party," she said.

Young will be officiating at her last service Sunday after 20 years as pastor of the Kulpmont First United Methodist Church.

"She has no idea how many people she has affected," said Ted Kurasavage, of Marion Heights, parish lay leader for the last 10 years. "The whole community will miss her."

Since her first service on June 30, 1991, Young has been very active in the Kulpmont community, even though she lives an hour away in Drums.

"People often tell me that they wouldn't know what this community would do without me, but I'm not doing any more than I'm supposed to," she said.

Although the church has a small congregation, it was able to sponsor the Angels Table dinner, donate food and supply baskets to those in need and participate in many activities with the other churches in the borough.

"Sometimes there's friction between denominations, but that all goes away when you meet her," said Kursavage. "No one questioned what church you were from. The whole community was able to work together."

Young said during one of her sermons, she mentioned that her daughter who was in the service said they didn't have enough blankets in Afghanistan. The congregation rallied together by themselves and donated more than 100 blankets to the troops.

"A lot of the things we do aren't publicized, but that's the way love should be," she said.

Also, despite the limited funds of a small congregation, the church saw many renovations during Young's time there.

"For a church that didn't have a lot of money, we sure had a lot of faith," said Young.

She said parishioners donate enough money so the church has enough funds to maintain operation for a full year without any more offerings.

"It's important to note that because it shows these people want to do all that they can to take care of the church," she said.

In an effort to add to the services, Young often brought in local choir groups to sing.

"I think it helps to lift the self-esteem of the community," she said. "When I open the doors, I can feel the love here."

Local groups like the Barbershop Quartet and Kings Messengers have looked forward to being part of the Young's worship.

"When you leave, you feel much better because of the effort and the love from her," said Kurasavage.

Young said she is going to miss community events the most, events such as the annual Memorial Day parade.

"When you go down the street, you see all the excited kids waving flags. I remember two little girls running down the sidewalk just to give me a hug," she said. "This town has such a wonderful spirit. It is to be envied and emulated."

Methodist tradition forbids Young from returning to the church or having direct contact with the congregation for a year after retirement, but she still plans to continue helping the area by opening a food bank in Mount Carmel. She is also looking forward to spending more time with her daughters in Reading and North Carolina, watching NASCAR, feeding the animals on her farm, quilting and directing a summer day camp in Hazleton.

Beverly Petrovich will split her time as pastor of the Irish Valley United Methodist Church in Paxinos to preside at the church in Kulpmont at 9:30 on Sundays.

"Knowing the people here, I'm sure they will embrace her," said Young.

Young's last service Sunday will feature a song from her daughter, and family, friends and members of the church will then have a dinner in her honor in Ashland.

Young is also considering a singing performance for her final service. Although she said she's not sure if she will sing, she will probably start her sermon with a question that she so often asks her congregation on Sundays, "Have I told you how much I love you people lately?"-"

SUNBURY - The logistics of the much-publicized move of the Pennsylvania CareerLink Northumberland County from Shamokin to the county seat were announced Thursday.

The new CareerLink Northumberland/Snyder/Union Counties is scheduled to open at 225 Market St., in the Sunbury Municipal Building, at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 5. Its move from Shamokin will take place Tuesday and Wednesday of next week, according to a press release issued by Central Pennsylvania Workforce Development Corp. (CPWDC), which operates CareerLinks in a nine-county region.

The Shamokin site remains open until Tuesday. However, to limit disruption in services during the relocation, Luzerne County Community College has offered a computer lab in Room 406 of the Northumberland Career and Arts Center from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily Wednesday through Friday of next week to provide job search assistance. Calls will continue to be answered at the current site through June 30. All calls coming into the site after the number is disconnected will hear a message with the Sunbury phone number.

Job seekers can also access job search services online at www.pacareerlink.state.pa.us from any Internet connection. Those visiting local libraries are reminded that a drivers' license or library card may be required for Internet access.

Call the Shamokin site at 644-6570. The number at the Sunbury site, available as of July 1, is 988-7300.

CPWDC also sent an e-mail blast to more than 2,000 job seekers who have received a service at CareerLink in the last 12 months to notify them of the changes.

The CareerLink site in Selinsgrove will also consolidate in Sunbury later this year.

A grand opening at Sunbury will be scheduled at a later date.

In November, the Workforce Investment Board (WIB) voted 27-4, with one abstention, to not renew leases in Shamokin and Selinsgrove, with plans to close both offices by the end of 2011 and establish one location in the Sunbury area. CPWDC initiated the plan in addressing the loss of $1 million in federal funding. In April, Sunbury Municipal Building was chosen as the new site.

The CareerLink will occupy 15,000 square feet on the third and second floors at the Sunbury Municipal Building, with a lease cost of $6.50 per square foot. Northumberland County was charging $11.35 per square foot for the Shamokin site.

The consolidation, however, sparked controversy from local, county and state officials who said CPWDC did not explore other options or seek cheaper lease rates at the current sites. The issue even prompted state Sen. John Gordner (R-27) to convene a hearing to address the effectiveness of the workforce development programs.

SHAMOKIN - Squabbles dominated the agenda at the Shamokin Housing Authority board meeting Thursday night.

The first disagreement was between board vice chairperson Joseph Rocuskie and authority executive director Ronald Miller. Rocuskie was scheduled to attend a conference with Miller and board chair Raymond G. Splane, but Rocuskie's mother suffered a fall, forcing him to miss the conference.

Miller said under guidelines, Rocuskie is now expected to reimburse the authority for the fees associated with the conference.

"Because my mother fell earlier, you expect me to pay this bill?" Rocuskie said.

"I'm only doing what the guidelines direct me to do," Miller replied.

"Well, have a conversation with my lawyer and we will see about that," the board member responded, later asking for an itemized bill.

Rocuskie was also taken to task later in the meeting after missing a meeting with Splane to go over the new union employee contract.

"Look, I serve on this board because I think I have some expertise with housing. If anyone has any problem with the commitment I can make with the situation I'm in, I can resign."

Following that statement, cooler heads prevailed among members and the meeting continued.

Splane later took umbrage with Betsy Richardson, a visitor to the meeting, over several letters to the editor she has written about the authority.

"You talked about this $2.1 million that we have, and I've spoken to the city and if anyone can find this money, we will give them half of it," Splane said. "That amount is an insurance figure from a state pool."

After the group got into a discussion about Richardson's suggestion about the authority giving the city funds to help pay for a new fire truck, Miller spoke up.

"We have tried to help the city by applying for grants, and every time we came to council when you sat on that board, you voted no, Mrs. Richardson," Miller said.

"If I reviewed it and had to vote over again, I probably would have done the same thing," she answered back.

"We are here to provide low-income housing to the residents of the city of Shamokin. We are not here to be a bank for the city," Miller retorted.

In business conducted at the meeting, the board voted to ask Redstone Contracting for a 60-day extension in its bid for the window project at the Harold E. Thomas High Rise. Originally, the contract was awarded to R. Craig Rhoades Contracting, the husband of board member Pamala Rhoades.

Although the bidding process was fair and Rhoades abstained from the vote, "the shadow of a conflict of interest hangs overhead," according to Splane.

"What we are going to do is apply to HUD (The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) for a waiver on the matter, to make sure what we are doing is OK," board solicitor James Rosini said.

A contract that provided for extra patrols by Shamokin City Police in the Raspberry Hill Housing Complex was extended for a month, pending negotiations on a new yearly contract on the matter with the city.

MOUNT CARMEL - Mount Carmel Area School Board members are seeing bill after bill for the renovations to the Silver Bowl, but some aren't seeing that much progress being made.

"I look at that stadium every day and there is no way that stadium will be ready by football season," member Charles Mannello said.

During Wednesday night's meeting, board members voted on three changes to the renovation plan, two of them correcting mistakes that were not found on the original blueprints given to the architects.

The biggest bill was for $2,361 to repair existing storm water piping. Superintendent Cheryl Latorre told the board the pipe was not on the original plans and was damaged when crews dug into the ground.

"Where does this pipe go or come from, or is it a dead pipe?" Mannello asked.

"It's not a dead pipe. There was water in it. We are not sure where it comes from," Dave Fegley, district building and grounds supervisor, answered.

The board was also presented bills to extend water and sewer utilities to the home concession stand, costing $2,210.63, and to fence in a storm water outlet at the stadium entrance at a cost of $1,054.57.

Mannello, growing frustrated over each bill, expressed his opinion.

"We get bill after bill on this, but the work is not progressing. We are not going to be ready and it looks terrible," he said. "They need to know that if the project is not finished on time, they are going to be penalized."

"We can't do anything to pressure them until the deadline passes," Fegley said. "There aren't enough people doing the work, and we will be doing some of the work ourselves to save money."

The $1.7 million renovation, paid for with federal stimulus funds, includes adding a new fieldhouse, total renovations for both home and visitor side rest rooms, new roofs, doors and paint on all rest rooms, concession stands and press boxes, new ticket booths, completion of work on the storm sewer line in front of the stadium entrance to meet state guidelines, a fresh finish coat of asphalt throughout the stadium complex, a new sidewalk from the relocated handicap parking area and in areas that previously had no asphalt.

Other work includes installing two new telephone poles and components for the electrical service for the complex, new American Disability Act-compliant bleachers for the end zone and sidewalks at both ends of the bleachers, a new sound system, new play clocks, 11 new paved parking stalls along with one for a full-sized bus, and numerous smaller general items throughout the complex.

All three bills were approved by a 5-2 vote with directors Charles Mannello, Joe D'Andrea, Rose Marquardt, Donna James and Judy McCollum, and Nicholas Goretski III and Dr. Raymond Kraynak voting no.

"As far as the fencing goes, I could have done that for $500. It's just four poles and a three-sided fence," Goretski said.

One addition to the stadium that won't be done is the installation of electric heaters for the new ticket booths, a move costing $266.80. That agenda item died for a lack of a motion.

In other business, the district will credit back $68,508.42 to Mount Carmel Housing, Inc., money they overpaid and won in a tax appeal with Northumberland County.

The district will pay back the money in credits over a three-year period, but reserved the right to pay off the money at any point.

The board approved agreements with Berkshire Systems Group, Inc. for the fire alarm and sprinkler systems, with the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit to use a classroom for its Head Start program, and for services with PA Treatment and Healing for students who are expelled.

Donna James was elected by a unanimous vote to serve at school board treasurer for the 2011-2012 fiscal year. James informed the board that the $1,500 stipend she receives for serving as board treasurer will be donated back to the district.

Varano Insurance Agency was awarded Mount Carmel Area's insurance contract for the coming school year at a cost of $150,968.

In personnel matters, the board accepted the resignations of Kathryn Schauer and Diane M. Rumbel as bully prevention coordinators, Tammy Michaels as chemistry club adviser and physical education teacher Benjamin D. McConnell.

All club adviser salaries were trimmed by half for the coming term, and the board accepted retirement letters from Sandra Toy and Patricia Mayton.

Scott Swank was named the new chemistry club adviser for the coming year, with a stipend of $87.50, and the board approved $500 stipends for eight maintenance workers who have driven buses over the past school year.

Directors say that the stipend will be looked at in the coming months.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) said he's pleased to see state government take a "critical step" by banning so-called bath salts, but is "disappointed that Washington has not moved with similar speed to pass a national ban."

Earlier this year, Casey endorsed and co-sponsored the Combating Dangerous Synthetic Stimulants Act (S.409).

"It is time to enact that legislation," he said in a statement issued Thursday. "In addition, the DEA should also use its authority to take these drugs off the streets. This is a grave threat to our communities, and the time for action is now."

S-409 would immediately add the ingredients in bath salts to the list of controlled substances.

In a letter to DEA Administrator Michele Leonhart in March, Casey pointed to recent DEA action to ban synthetic marijuana as precedent to take immediate action against the drugs in bath salts. Casey also supports legislation to give the DEA more flexibility to quickly remove dangerous substances from the market.

The Dangerous Synthetic Drug Control Act of 2011 (S. 605) would amend the Controlled Substances Act, doubling the timeframe the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Department of Health and Human Services have to emergency schedule substances from 18 months to 36 months.

Rachel Labosky, of Elysburg, has been named to the dean's list at the University of Pittsburgh for the spring semester with a grade-point average of 3.81. She is majoring in communications and English writing with a minor in theater.

Labosky is a co-chair on the public relations committee for the Pitt Program Council and a social chair for the Heinz Chapel Choir. She is a 2009 graduate of Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School.

She is the daughter of John and Karen Labosky.

n MOUNT CARMEL - Leonard A. Zlocki Sr., 81, of 445 North St., Marion Heights, waived to court on Wednesday charges of terroristic threats and disorderly conduct regarding an incident that occurred on April 16 at 535 Park Ave., Marion Heights. Police said Zlocki used profanity and threatened to punch an officer in the face after a discussion concerning a downed power line. Zlocki was arranged on May 19 before Magisterial District Judge Hugh A. Jones, of Mount Carmel, before bail set at $1,000.

n MOUNT CARMEL - Karen Marie Lee, 34, of 412 Main St., Apartment No. 5, Watsontown, waived to court on Wednesday charges of access device fraud, identity theft, forgery and theft in connection to a charge from March 22. Police said Lee accumulated 66 purchases totaling $4,155 with the unauthorized use of a Wal-Mart/Discover Card belonging to Sharen Ann Beaver.

A story in Wednesday's edition erroneously reported that the vote to accept the resignation of Mount Carmel Area School District Superintendent Cheryl Latorre was unanimous. In fact, the vote was 5-2 with Judy McCollum, Dr. Raymond Kraynak, Rose Marquardt, Joe D'Andrea and Charles Mannello voting to accept the resignation and Nicholas Goretski III and Donna James voting against it.

Goretski said at the meeting that his "no" vote was because it was a terrible time to be losing her, and James said that she would never vote for her to go and because no letter of resignation was given to the board.

Also, the vote to enter into a co-op program with Lourdes Regional was a 6-1 vote, not a 7-0 as reported. Charles Mannello cast the lone dissenting vote, as he has consistently voted against any co-op program.

The News-Item apologizes for the errors.