Susquehanna Valley gas prices fell about six cents to $3.54 a gallon this week, according to AAA East Central.

On the national front

Amid continuing geopolitical tensions in eastern Europe, the Middle East and northern Africa, American motorists are paying the lowest average retail price at the pump since March 17. This is due to U.S. refineries running near their highest rates since 2005, according to the Energy Information Administration, and domestic demand that was reported last week to have dropped back below nine million barrels per day.

The national average price for unleaded gasoline has dropped every day in July and has fallen on 32 consecutive days, which is just short of the multi-year record of 36 straight daily declines registered last fall. Tuesday's average of $3.52 per gallon was five cents less than one week ago and 11 cents less than the same date last year.

Over the last week, consumers in 46 states and Washington, D.C., have seen the price at the pump continue to fall, led by drivers in several Midwestern states who are saving more than a dime per gallon, including Ohio (-12 cents). Drivers in nearly every state across the country continue to experience month-over-month and year-over-year savings at the pump. The price has dropped in 47 states and Washington D.C. over the past 30 days, including Kentucky (-35 cents) and Ohio (-28 cents).

The global oil market continues to closely monitor the situation abroad, including tensions between Ukraine and Russia, Hamas and Israel, and production issues in Libya due to civil unrest. These events have yet to impact global supply, but have been cited by analysts as factors keeping a "floor" under crude oil prices and may limit how far U.S. pump prices can fall.

In formal trading on the NYMEX Tueday morning, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil was at $100.79 per barrel.

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

A bargaining session between the Line Mountain School Board and the district's teachers union ended abruptly Monday night, and the union's chief negotiator says a strike appears inevitable.

Discussion of a salary schedule included in the board's latest proposal presented Monday brought the three-hour meeting to a sudden halt.

Ben Pratt, the district's negotiating attorney, said the proposal guaranteed more money over the life of the proposed contract. Mark McDade, representing the Line Mountain Education Association, scoffed at the notion, calling it a regression from the board's previous proposal.

"Yes, absolutely," McDade said when asked if a union strike was looming. "This probably should have been done two years ago."

But a date has not been set, and a negotiating session is scheduled for Aug. 18. Should a strike be authorized, the state Department of Education will determine how long it can last based on

the district calendar. By law, public schools are required to have 180 days of school within a school year, which ends annually each June 30.

"(The teachers) don't like the idea of a strike. After all, it's been four years and we haven't commenced a work stoppage," McDade said. "We hope it can still be averted. That's squarely on the shoulders of the (school) board."

Pratt said 3 percent increases had previously been on the table. The board adjusted its salary schedule for Monday's session, offering an average of 2.3 percent over the life of a contract plus an additional $500 for each salary step.

McDade said the proposal stretched out over seven years, with raises decreasing annually: 3.34 percent, 3.18, 2.85, 2.67, 2.53, 2.41, 2.28. That averages to 2.75 percent. But McDade said it was unacceptable. He wouldn't discuss the union's proposal, saying he only addressed the board's since the board's negotiator initially provided specifics.

Pratt said the union failed to provide as requested any specifics of its proposed salary schedule. Without it, he said the school board can't discern the potential financial impact. When specifics were sought for discussion, he said McDade abruptly left and ended the meeting.

"The board of directors is disappointed in the way that the (union) is going about these negotiations. They keep failing to provide information to us that we request to help us understand their proposal," Pratt said.

"There's more money on the table. ... To classify it as regressive is misleading to anybody who hears that," Pratt said.

Without naming names, McDade said certain school board members have abused their political clout and have remained greedy during negotiations. He said the board is failing its union and its students by not focusing on retaining and attracting qualified professionals.

"Five-hundred dollars over the course of a year - that's very little. That's insulting," McDade said.

According to McDade, teachers received an annual 3-percent raise in its last pact with the school board that ended in June 2011. The contract was extended for the 2011-12 school year with salaries frozen and tuition reimbursement denied, with some exceptions.

The union continues "working to the rule," meaning teachers work during the contracted 7 1/2 hours and nothing more.

The next negotiating session is scheduled for Aug. 18.

Sept. 2 marks the first day of school for the 2014-15 school year, just 34 days away.

In her three decades working at the United Methodist Home for Children, Brenda Loyd says seldom has she seen such outpouring of compassion as the one currently being directed at the home's prospective new residents.

The Mechanicsburg-based children's residential care organization will in mid-August welcome 16 of the as many as 59,000 children who have fled their Central American homes and arrived at the U.S. border in Texas. The home answered a call from the federal government, which is seeking

to house the children in temporary housing while they await their hearings with immigration officials.

In preparing for their arrival, Loyd, the executive director, will hire approximately 25 new full-time staff members and four part-time ones.

"The folks we are talking to seem to be very highly motivated and very concerned from their hearts," Loyd said July 22. "That's gratifying ... to know there are many people out there who are supportive. They may not agree with the politics of the situation, but they are able to get past that and realize these are kids and kids who have needs and respond to that appropriately."

The plight of these children - the majority fleeing oppressive violence in their countries - have stirred controversy across the United States, with scores of residents across communities protesting the idea that the federal government has taken the children into custody, rather than send them back to their countries, and now prepares to process them in the immigration system.

The majority of the children come from Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala. Across communities, residents have protested that the children will be financial burdens on their communities and schools; others worry that the children carry infectious diseases.

Loyd said the home, which maintains a covenant with the United Methodist Church, simply had to offer to help. The organization, she said, learned of the opportunity through a trade association, and was not contacted directly by the federal government.

"Our mission is to care and serve youth in need," she said. "That's foremost in my mind in terms of why we are doing this. In terms of all the rest, I'm rather neutral. It exists. We need to deal with the various viewpoints, but these kids need help and we are called to help them as part of our mission."

The children bound for the Mechanicsburg organization are between the ages of 13 and 17. The facility will be able to provide them each with a private bedroom.

While affiliated with the United Methodist Church, the organization maintains its independence, and is a private, non-profit 501C3.

"They take the social concerns of people very seriously and they are very responsive to the social needs of folks," Loyd said of the denomination. "We support the beliefs and social ministry components of the church. That's our identity .. that's how we were born. We choose not to lose that."

The home, which was founded in 1917 in Mechanicsburg as an orphanage, over the decades modified its program to a treatment-focused one. It currently serves 31 children who live on-site in the residential cottages. It has the capacity to serve 38 children. The children are referred to the program primarily by the courts, including a few through juvenile probation authorities.

The home served out its mission in a similar manner during the Vietnam War when it took in refugee children from Vietnam, all of whom were eventually integrated into the community.

Loyd said she wasn't certain that would happen in this case. The home has been contracted out to provide emergency shelter for 30 to 45 days.

"When you hear some of the stories about some of the things these young people have gone through, for us it compels us to provide a sanctuary," she said. "If we can provide a safe place for them to regroup, with a lot of support, they can figure out what's the next step."

Across Pennsylvania, a handful of organizations have announced they will provide shelter for the children or have already begun to house them.

Bethany Children's Home in Berks County has since June housed 32 children.

In Lancaster, Pressley Ridge, which runs a foster care service and residential placement for children, was briefed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on the need for temporary housing, according to Lancaster Online. The organization has no plans at the moment to participate, according to the news report.

At the moment, the Harrisburg Catholic Diocese has no plans to provide shelter for the children. Locally Catholic Charities runs an Office of Immigration & Refugee Services, which deals with people who are declared refugees by the United Nations and have been in refugee camps. The U.S. Conference of Bishops runs an Unaccompanied Refugee Minor Program, but the diocese is not connected to that program.

Under current law, children received at the U.S. border must be within 72 hours must handed over to the Department of Health and Human Services officials, specifically in this case, the Office of Refugee Settlement.

Loyd was scheduled this week to attend a training in Washington in preparation for the children's arrival.

In the meantime, she continues to interview prospective employees, including teachers and teachers aide. The organization has been instructed to provide the children with an on-site education program. Loyd said she did not think the children would be placed in local schools.

Loyd said the cost of the program will be covered through a grant process with the federal government. In addition to fixed costs allocated in the grant, for example for food, the home will calculate per-child costs.

President Barack Obama has asked Congress to approve $3.7 billion in emergency funding to address the influx of children. Nearly half of the money will go to the Department of Health and Human Services to provide care and shelter.

Loyd is aware of the sentiments in some communities expressing disapproval of the federal government's handling of the situation, and at times disdain for the children.

"I think we are prepared as best we can be," she said. "We hope for the best. We hope people understand these are kids who have significant needs and we are trying to help them with their needs. They are here and until a decision can be arrived at, they need to be cared for and they need to be at a safe place, and that's what we are."

The two groups of children - the current residents and the ones arriving in August - will not interact, but will be kept separately, Loyd said.

COAL TOWNSHIP - With new wineries popping up all over the region, Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School is seizing the trend of wine and beer festivals to help fund education.

The Our Lady of Lourdes Wine Festival, planned for noon to 6 p.m. Sept. 13, will bring area wineries to the high school football field for a day of music, food, games and, of course, wine tasting.

Committee member Peter Long said he hopes the festival will raise $4,000 to $5,000 for the school.

"Ticket sales have been strong," he said. He estimated around 250 tickets have been sold so far.

Benigna's Creek Vineyard and Winery, of Klingerstown; Red Shale Ridge Vineyards, of Hegins; Shade Mountain Winery, of Middleburg; Armstrong Valley Vineyard and Winery; of Halifax, and Juniata Valley Winery, of Mifflin, are slated to have booths at the event, and additional wineries may be vendors also, said Long.

Marla and The Juniper Street Band and Fobias will perform throughout the day.

Brewser's SportsGrille, Coal Township, and Art Catino of Catino Vino, Mount Carmel, are co-sponsoring the event. Tickets can be purchased at either business or at the school.

Brewser's is also giving away a wine basket with two tickets to the festival in a free-to-enter raffle at its restaurant.

Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door with no limit on the number sold. Non-drinkers can enter for $10. All attendees must be over 21. Attendees will receive free wine tastings and also have the opportunities to purchase bottles of their favorites.

SHAMOKIN - A 23-year-old former city man charged with raping a 14-year-old girl in December has been offered a plea agreement by the district attorney's office.

Assistant district attorney Michael Toomey said Jacob Ryan Engle, of Berrysburg, who waived his right to a preliminary hearing Tuesday morning, will be given the opportunity in the Court of Common Pleas to plead guilty to a felony rape charge that carries a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment.

In addition to rape, Engle is charged by Shamokin Patrolman Raymond Siko II with felonies of unlawful contact with a minor, corruption of minors, statutory sexual assault, sexual assault

and two counts of aggravated assault, and two misdemeanor counts of indecent assault. The additional charges would be withdrawn if Engle and a county judge accept the plea agreement.

Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III denied a request by public defender Melissa Norton to reduce her client's $50,000 cash bail and he was recommitted to the county jail to await a Sept. 15 date in plea court in Sunbury, where he can plead guilty or no contest, or seek a trial by pleading not guilty.

Norton told the judge Engle doesn't have a vehicle or driver's license, but has full-time employment. If released on bail, she said the defendant wouldn't pose a threat to the alleged victim because he lives approximately 40 miles away.

Toomey objected to reducing the bail, citing the seriousness of the offenses.

Engle told the judge he understood the ramifications of forfeiting his right to a hearing at the magisterial court level. He remained silent when asked by a reporter after the hearing to comment about the charges. Norton also declined comment.

Engle is accused of having sexual intercourse with the victim at his former residence on North Orange Street.

During a June 23 interview with police and Child Advocate Center officials in Northumberland, the victim said Engle picked her up at her Snyder County home around Christmas time and took her to his home in Shamokin. Police said Engle was in the process of moving from Shamokin to Trevorton at the time and the victim was helping him move.

The victim said she didn't tell anyone about the incident because she was scared and concerned for a family member who was Engle's girlfriend.

The victim also said she had received text messages from Engle that she called "not normal."

During an interview with police, Engle admitted having sexual intercourse with the victim and said she tried to stop him, but he forced himself on her.

Engle said he texted the victim several times after the incident and asked her to go on a date, but she declined.

The defendant also told police he engaged in sexual intercourse with the girl in a portable toilet in the Herndon area.

Engle told police he went to counseling after the two incidents because his actions bothered him.

BURNSIDE - Hosting an event for 300 Jeep enthusiasts traveling from across the United States might sound like a tall order for your first's week of work.

But is Dave Porzi, the first operations director at the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area, worried?

"Absolutely not," he said Wednesday.

He then added with a laugh, "I'm just trying to get the day-to-day stuff down."

Porzi officially went to work for the AOAA Wednesday and will spend his first weekend at the park ensuring the Coal Mountain Jeep Jamboree runs smoothly, while also keeping the regular, pass-holding riders happy.

The event, which is run by Jeep Jamboree USA, will bring together 151 Jeeps from at least 15 states.

Steve Risk, a volunteer organizer, said he saw a drastic increase in interest for this year's event. Last year approximately 240 people brought a total of 103 Jeeps to the AOAA to trail ride.

He said on average 2 1/2 people come with every Jeep, and he thinks the total could top 300 this year with participants from as far as Arkansas and Alabama.

Registration at AOAA

Although the AOAA just opened in May, Coal Mountain Jeep Jamboree is in its third year at the park. Bringing the group event to the park prior to its official opening helped spread the word of the riding available in the region and brought in a small amount of revenue, AOAA officials have said.

The AOAA will receive $30 per registered Jeep this year, for an expected total of $4,530.

Last year the AOAA earned $2,370 from the event.

Previous Jamborees have featured trail rides on both the east and west ends of the park. Risk said the Jamboree will still include rides in the west as part of the program, despite it not being opened yet to the general public.

Last year, registration for the Jamboree was held at Claude Kehler Community Park in Shamokin, in part because of space but also to bring the Jeeps to the downtown. With the opening of the trailhead along Route 125 south of Shamokin, Risk said registration will take place on AOAA property this year.

He noted several local businesses will still host events, including breakfast and dinners at Masser's Restaurant, Paxinos, and an opening night celebration at the Wayside Inn, Weigh Scales.

Pepe's Famous Italian Ice, Mount Carmel, will supply on-site treats from its ice cream truck.

Risk said some attendees arrived in town as early as Wednesday to take advantage of other area attractions, but most would arrive beginning at about 2 p.m. today in advance of the 5 p.m. registration.

Trail-riding will take place all day Friday and Saturday, and a concluding event will be held Sunday.

'Very busy'

Porzi said he will be eyeing up the Jamboree this weekend from his new office.

"I have a Jeep - well it's my wife's Jeep, but she won't let us four wheel with it," he said, looking a bit disheartened.

Porzi will have his hands full helping the regular passholders. He said the office staff has reported a sharp increase in phone calls from people interested in visiting the AOAA since Sunday, when the park was featured on "Fisher's ATV World" on Discovery's Destination America channel.

"I think we're going to be very busy," said Porzi.

Pool benefit scheduled

SHAMOKIN - The adult aerobics class at the Lawton W. Shroyer Memorial Swimming Pool will sell jewelry, clothing, crafts, household goods and chances to win an afghan from noon to 3 p.m. Friday, Aug. 8, at the pool.

All proceeds will benefit the pool.

Informational luncheons planned

SHAMOKIN - Penn State Extension Nutrition Links will host a free week-long series of luncheons presented by nutrition education adviser Cyndi Clayton at the Shamokin-Coal Township Public Library.

Luncheons will be held daily from noon to 2 p.m. Aug. 18 to 22. To qualify for several prizes and a PSU graduation certificate, participants must attend each luncheon and complete simple paperwork at the beginning and end of the series. Literacy and writing support will be available. Food donations are being accepted.

The luncheons will include workshops and discussion groups on topics of food safety, healthy eating, packing healthy lunches and snacks, moving more and stretching your food dollars.

To qualify for the program, participants must care for a child under 20, meet income requirements and pre-register via email at cac53@psu.edu or call or text 570-369-8708 for more information.

SHAMOKIN - Most local coal operations will not be directly affected by the stricter regulations being discussed at this week's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) hearings, but area miners say the increased rules will still crush the industry.

Today, the EPA will host hearings in Pittsburgh on the new regulations, which seek to curb carbon pollution by 30 percent by the year 2030 through new rules on coal-burning power plants. The regulations are expected to close many coal-burning plants nationwide in exchange for alternative energy sources like natural gas and wind.

Local miners say the anthracite coal harvested from their mines is not used primarily for coal-fired power plants so their demand will not immediately be affected.

Margie (Shingara) Conrad, a member of the notable Shingara mining clan, said her family's operations in Zerbe Township currently supply their coal to steel factories rather than power plants.

"They now use coal as a carbon product rather than use it to burn to produce the steel," she said. "They use it in the steel."

Still, Conrad is critical of the EPA's proposed regulations shutting down coal-burning power plants.

"There has to be other uses for it," said Conrad. "And if there's not, it is the death of the industry. And I don't know how much it can be sustained by steel plants."

Hurting coal

Bobby Burns, president of Keystone Anthracite, which operates a strip-mining operation in Zerbe Township, said the majority of his coal was used in home heating and the rest in the steel industry. He said that although the EPA cannot regulate the privately-owned coal stoves used to heat homes, he is still concerned about its long-term goals.

"Everything they're doing is hurting coal in general, and they're picking who the winners are going to be in the energy industry," said Burns. "They want coal to be so expensive that we're going to stop using it and giving all these subsidies to wind farms, solar farms (and) natural gas just to hurt coal."

John Foieri, co-owner of Last Time Coal, which operates a strip mine in Zerbe Township, said their production has also not been affected but that he's witnessed the negative effects the EPA's existing regulations have had on the industry.

"It's putting us out of business," he said, pointing to the change over from coal to natural gas at the Sunbury Generation LLC in Shamokin Dam. That project is expected to be complete next year.

Foieri's business partner, Vince Guarna, agreed.

"It makes no sense to shut down our power plants and ship the coal overseas to burn it," said Guarna. "We lose jobs and have a higher price of power."

Cleaning up old sites

Like many mining operations in this area, Last Time Coal's strip mine in Zerbe Township is on the site of an older mine. The operation works to collect what has been left behind by the previous miners while repairing damage to the land.

Burns' operations are similar, and he says his projects are actually performing a valuable environmental service that would otherwise be costly to the state.

"(The coal) is being washed into the creek in places," said Burns. "We're taking that problem, cleaning up an environmental mess and getting rid of these huge waste piles."

Conrad is especially concerned for her family, which she said has struggled with past regulations that have unduly harmed their smaller operations in favor of corporate-owned entities.

"All the way around, it's a rather dark picture," she said.

Pa. fourth in coal production

Top 10 in total coal mine production by state from 2002 through 2013 in U.S. short tons:

Wyoming: 5,020,286,763

West Virginia: 1,695,406,542

Kentucky: 1,319,408,558

Pennsylvania: 747,680,984

Texas: 519,793,454

Montana: 489,872,435

Illinois: 432,414,421

Indiana: 429,969,939

Colorado: 386,722,816

North Dakota: 353,411,262

Notes:

- In all, 26 states reported coal mine production totaling 13,146,167,299 short tons from 2002 to 2013.

- Pennsylvania's production was at a high of 68,393,192 in 2002 and a low of 54,718,802 in 2012. It rebounded slightly in 2013 to 55,126,487.

Source: AP

PORT TREVORTON - A farmer was killed Tuesday night when he lost control of the trailer full of hay bales he was towing with a tractor and crashed.

State police said Elias Hoover, 57, of Littletown Road, Selinsgrove RR, was pronounced dead at the scene of the 5:30 p.m. accident on Stahls Hill Road in Chapman Township, a few miles west of this Snyder County village.

Police said Hoover, who lived nearby, was driving a Massey Ferguson DL260 agricultural front-end loader that was towing the trailer when he descended a steep decline and lost control. The tractor struck an embankment and rolled onto its left side on top of Hoover, police said.

Port Trevorton and Liverpool fire companies and DH&L Ambulance, Selinsgrove, responded.

MOUNT CARMEL - The Mount Carmel Area Joint Veterans Committee held its 456th "Changing of the Colors" flag ceremony at the flag pole at the Susquehanna Bank July 20, in honor and memory of a veteran of the Cold War era.

Leonard Bourinski was born in Shamokin March 22, 1936, a son of Anthony and Florence (Griscavage) Bourinski. He was a 1953 graduate of Shamokin High School.

Bourinski enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Aug. 14, 1953, in Philadephia and was honorably discharged as a corporal Aug. 13, 1956, at Pendleton, Calif. Serving in Korea, he received the following medals: National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. Total service to his country was three years of which foreign service was one year, three days.

He was married to the former Joyce Shaffer, who preceded him in death.

Bourinski retired after 30 years from Ship Parts Control Center, Mechanicsburg, and later worked at an airport in Florida refueling planes. He was of the Catholic faith.

Bourinski died Feb. 27, 2014, and is buried at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville. He is survived by a son, daughter, five grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and a sister.

The flag that was flown for the past month was in honor and memory of John Leonard Polites, who served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. Taps was sounded on the bugle by Larry Latsko as the flag was lowered by Anthony Candelora. The flag was folded by Walter Summers and Candelora and was presented to Polites' brother, Leon.

Lisa Reed, Bourinski's daughter, presented his flag to Summers and the flag was raised by Candelora as the national anthem was played. David Berezovske read the military records of both veterans. The ceremony ended with a silent salute to all veterans. Summers thanked the families and those in attendance for their participation.

The American flag was carried by Kealy and the rifle escort was provided by Kealy and Latsko. Also participating in the ceremony was Connie Andrews.

The Susquehanna Bank was thanked for displaying Bourinski's name on its message board.

The next flag ceremony will be at 1 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 17, at Second and Oak streets. Area veterans and the public are invited to attend.

SUNBURY - One of two men questioned in an unsolved February shooting in Irish Valley was denied a reduction of bail on gun and drug charges.

Esteven R. Soto, 30, of 1752 Walton Ave., 6A, Bronx, N.Y., remains in Montour County Prison on $250,000 bail. Northumberland County Judge Charles H. Saylor denied a motion to reduce bail at a July 10 hearing. He had done the same in April.

Soto is charged with three felony counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, one felony count of illegally possessing a firearm, and three misdemeanor counts of possession of controlled substances.

Soto and Rafael A. Diroche Jr., 29, of 250 S. Poplar St., Apt. 3, Mount Carmel, were sought for questioning Feb. 8 hours after Salicia Yost, 20, of Milton, was shot in the head.

According to police, guns and drugs were found inside Diroche's apartment, where Soto was reportedly staying. Both men are convicted felons and restricted from possessing a firearm, and both were arrested. The charges stem from the alleged discovery and no one has yet been charged in Yost's shooting, which remains under investigation.

A passer-by found Yost alone inside a 2013 Chevy Sonic with Ohio registration that appeared to have crashed into a snow pile along Irish Valley Road, three miles north of Shamokin. After the bullet wound was confirmed with police, an attempted homicide investigation was launched.

Yost was admitted to the hospital in critical condition, where she remained for nearly a month before being released.

Diroche and Yost were in contact with each other through text messaging in the hours leading up to the shooting. They were texting about meeting up and specifically spoke of "being on Irish Valley Road" minutes before Yost was discovered about 5:30 a.m., according to a police affidavit.

Diroche remains in Northumberland County Prison. He's charged with six counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, six counts of illegal possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm without a license, receiving stolen property and criminal use of a communication facility, all of which are felonies. He's also charged with misdemeanors of possession of a controlled substance, six counts and possession of drug paraphernalia.

SUNBURY - The insurance company representing a Shamokin man injured in a four-vehicle accident last year along Route 54 in Ralpho Township has sued the operator of the tractor-trailer involved in the crash and the trucking company for which he worked.

TravCo Insurance Company, which represents David L. Wolfe, of South Sixth Street, filed the civil complaint July 7 against Kovaschetz Trucking LLC, of 2273 Mile High Road, Sunbury, and David P. McGuinn, 54, of 206 Tulip Road, Paxinos, who was driving the rig.

The complaint filed by Attorney Michael J. Dougherty, of Philadelphia, in the Northumberland County prothonotary's office is seeking $22,441.32 in damages plus interest and costs. The damage amount also covers rental charges incurred by Wolfe.

The complaint claims McGuinn negligently, recklessly and/or carelessly caused the accident and damage to Shaw's vehicle.

It states that McGuinn failed to have the tractor-trailer under such control as the situation warranted, operated the vehicle in complete disregard of the point and position of Wolfe's vehicle, failed to keep a proper lookout, traveled too fast for conditions, disregarded traffic control devices and failed to abide by the rules of the road and motor vehicle code of Pennsylvania.

The suit also claims Kovaschetz Trucking, owned by Joshua Seth Kovaschetz, 34, of Sunbury, is liable for the acts and/or omissions of McGuinn.

McGuinn was cited by police for careless driving and two counts of unlawful activities in connection with the March 25, 2013, accident on Route 54 near Farnsworth Camping Center.

The careless driving offense was filed by Ralpho Township Sgt. Chris Kreisher, while the other two counts were filed by Pennsylvania State Police Cpl. George Ritchey March 20 at the office of Magisterial District Judge Hugh Jones, Mount Carmel. All three are summary offenses.

McGuinn is scheduled for a hearing Aug. 26 before Jones. He is being represented by attorney Marc Lieberman, of Elysburg.

When contacted about the suit, Lieberman said, "We intend to vindicate Dave (McGuinn) in all these matters."

Last month, Ritchey and Kreisher filed a misdemeanor of recklessly endangering another person and 16 summary equipment violations against Kovaschetz.

The crash left Richard Shaw, of Johnson City, N.Y., confined to a wheelchair. Shaw said in an interview with The News-Item last summer in which he criticized Ralpho police for not having filed charges at that time that he and his wife, Brenda, suffered approximately 25 broken bones in the crash.

According to a report issued by township police, Richard Shaw was driving a Ford Mustang east about 2:30 p.m. when it was rear-ended by the tractor-trailer driven by McGuinn.

The collision forced the Mustang into the westbound lane, where it collided head-on with a Toyota Prius driven by Wolfe. The Prius was subsequently rear-ended by a Dodge Dakota driven by Ricardo Contreras, of Hart Road, Danville.

The Shaws and Wolfe were extricated from their vehicles by emergency responders. Wolfe and two passengers, his wife, Judith Wolfe, and their son, David, all suffered injuries.

McGuinn and Contreras were not injured.

BLOOMSBURG - Michael and Beth Boguski of Mechanicsburg have committed $1 million to the Bloomsburg University Foundation to support university initiatives including Professional U, the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Magnet School and the Henry Carver Fund, Bloomsburg University's annual fund. Michael is a 1985 Bloomsburg graduate.

"Bloomsburg University is a very special place," said Boguski, president of Eastern Alliance Insurance Group and a member of the BU Foundation Board of Directors. "I had a great college experience and received an outstanding and affordable education. Beth and I are extremely pleased to support the university with this financial commitment."

Through this gift, the couple established the first Professional U Endowed Capstone Experience Scholarship, which will support internships, travel abroad and research projects for students each year.

"Experiential learning opportunities are an important part of the student experience," said BU President David Soltz. "Often students are offered these opportunities, but cannot take advantage of them due to the cost. Through this gift, Mike and Beth have made it possible for Bloomsburg students to gain the real-world experience that gives them a competitive advantage."

According to Erik Evans, vice president for university advancement, Michael used a sophisticated giving strategy that maximized the overall impact of the gift by including an estate component and support from Eastern Alliance Insurance Group through its Earned Income Tax Credit program. The gift will benefit students by supporting initiatives outlined in the university's strategic plan.

"Professional development, experiential learning, research, scholarships - these areas are important to Mike and Beth and are high priorities for the university," said Evans. "By giving to areas that are meaningful to them and strategic to the university, Mike and Beth's gift has even more impact."

Boguski, a first-generation college student and a member of the Zeta Psi fraternity, graduated with a bachelor's degree in business administration. "My parents and grandparents did not have the opportunity to attend college, so I was blessed and very fortunate to attend Bloomsburg. Even today, nearly 40 percent of the students are first generation, like me. We see an important mission in supporting these students.

"Internships help students gain practical experience critical to launching their careers," Boguski added. "Funding the endowed capstone experience will enable students to take advantage of internships with their expenses paid."

The gift also reaffirms the Boguskis' support for the Henry Carver Fund and, through Michael's company, support for the STEM Magnet School, a two-year science, technology, engineering and math immersion program for local high school students. In this way, the impact of the couple's gift will be seen across the university for years to come.

Mike and Beth Boguski, a 1986 graduate of Penn State University, are the parents of two sons, Michael and Casey. Michael, a 2014 graduate of Trinity High School, was signed as a freshmen football recruit to play quarterback for Bryant University in Rhode Island. He enters this fall as a business/marketing major. Casey will enter his sophomore year at Trinity High School this fall and plays both football and basketball for the Shamrocks.

SUNBURY - The Sunbury woman allegedly assaulted by her grandson prior to him being shot by police July 8 has been granted a three-year protection from abuse order.

Amanda Trometter, 67, testified at a PFA hearing Wednesday morning that Erick R. Trometter hit her that day and on other occasions, threatened to kill her and often went to bed with a large hunting knife at his side. That testimony convinced hearing officer Marsha Skoff to grant the order.

Erick Trometter, 22, was not present at the hearing. He remains hospitalized in fair condition at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, where he's recovering from a gunshot wound to his leg fired by Brad Hare, then-acting police chief of Sunbury.

State police said Trometter confronted Hare with a knife just outside Sunbury following the alleged assault.

Hare, who earlier this week was named chief, was justified in using deadly force, District Attorney Ann Targonski ruled July 25.

Sufficient evidence

The PFA hearing originally convened July 16, but it lasted just five minutes when Skoff learned that Erick Trometter was in a coma July 10 when he was served the PFA. A temporary PFA remained in effect.

Sgt. Dwayne Pidcoe of the county's sheriff office testified Wednesday that the Montour County Sheriff's Office served the order again July 23 while Erick Trometter was awake and coherent.

Trometter has 20 days to appeal Skoff's decision.

Following Amanda Trometter's testimony, Skoff said there was sufficient evidence to grant the PFA.

She said the following three conditions for a PFA were met: attempting to cause or causing serious bodily injury; placing a person in reasonable fear of imminent serious bodily injury, and knowingly engaging in a course of conduct or repeatedly committing acts toward another person, including following the person, without proper authority, under circumstances that place the person in reasonable fear of bodily harm.

Skoff said two other PFA conditions involving false imprisonment and physical or sexual abuse of children didn't apply in the case.

"There's clearly sufficient evidence to grant the PFA order," Skoff said.

The hearing officer said Erick Trometter must may $160.42 in sheriff costs for serving the PFA order, $116 to the prothonotary's office, a $100 mandatory hearing fee and a $20 PFA document fee.

'Belong in a grave'

Amanda Trometter, who was accompanied by two female counselors but did not have an attorney, said she and her grandson had lived together at 618 Susquehanna Ave. for about a year prior to the alleged assault.

She claimed Erick Trometter came into her bedroom at approximately 8:30 a.m., punched her in the right leg several times and later kicked her in the face with his bare feet, causing her to suffer a bloody nose.

She also claimed her grandson struck her breast while kicking her.

The victim said her right leg is very weak from "drop foot."

After the assault, Trometter said she told her grandson she was leaving. When he accused her of going to the "cops," Trometter said she was not going to the police station and that her destination was none of his business.

The victim said she then went to the county AREA Agency on Aging to report the assault. She said an agency employee notified police.

When asked by Skoff if there were other physical incidents with her grandson, Trometter said, "Yes." She said the defendant would come into her bedroom two or three times daily and repeatedly punch her legs.

Trometter said she's afraid of her grandson and fears for her life since he has threatened to kill her in the past.

"He told me I belong in a grave," she said. "I believe he would carry out those threats because he slept with a large hunting knife."

Trometter said when she took the hunting knife away from her grandson, he would get butcher knives from the kitchen.

She also testified that Trometter previously stabbed her with a spoon, causing her to suffer an injury to her right shoulder area. She said Trometter spent three years in prison for the stabbing incident.

Trometter said her grandson punched holes in their house in the past and was involved in several altercations with her husband, who died more than three years ago.

Charges still pending

Erick Trometter was charged by Sunbury police July 9 with a felony aggravated assault, a misdemeanor of simple assault and a summary offense of harassment for the incident involving his grandmother. Charges related to the confrontation with Hare are pending.

Police said Erick Trometter had a large fillet knife when Hare saw him walking along Mile Post Road near Shikellamy Avenue. There was a warrant for his arrest related to the alleged assault of his grandmother, and Hare attempted to take him into custody.

Listed at 6 feet, 290 pounds, police said Erick Trometter resisted and continued to struggle with Hare after being shot with a Taser three times. Hare then fired his gun.

Erick Trometter was initially hospitalized in critical condition.

SUNBURY - A Ranshaw man taken into custody last week for failing to pay court costs and approximately $33,000 in child support was released from prison Wednesday following a hearing in which it was determined he has a full-time job waiting for him.

Jesse Feudale, 39, of 14 Main St., was placed on supervised probation for six months by Judge Charles Saylor and ordered to begin child support payments by having a certain percentage of wages taken from his paycheck when he begins his $12 per hour job with FireDEX of Mount Carmel later this week.

Saylor also increased Feudale's purge order requiring him to serve 60 days rather than 45 days in county prison if he fails to make child support payments.

Feudale was taken into custody July 23 at his girlfriend's home in Kulpmont by county adult probation officers and deputy sheriffs during a warrant "blitz" in an effort to recover $22.8 million in court costs owed to the county since 1965.

His last child support payment of $50 was made in January 2013. Feudale also owes $753.26 in court costs stemming from a 2004 simple assault case.

Job, school waiting

The defendant, who walked into the courtroom Wednesday with his legs shackled, had appeared before Saylor Monday for another bench warrant hearing in which he reportedly led the judge to believe he was already employed full time. Upon hearing his employment status, which would help Feudale make payments toward child custody and court costs, Saylor lifted Feudale's bench warrant.

But before he was scheduled to be released from prison, Bethany Price, an enforcement officer with the county's domestic relations office, called FireDEX to check on the status of Feudale's employment.

Price told the court she was informed by Alfred E. Bailey Sr., president of FireDEX, that Feudale's initial request for employment, sometime prior to his imprisonment last week, was not granted because the company didn't have enough work for a new employee.

But it seems there was a misunderstanding, and that Bailey already on Monday did plan to hire Feudale, though he wasn't yet officially an employee.

Reached by telephone in court Wednesday, Bailey told the judge he agreed to hire Feudale as a full-time employee upon his release from prison. He said his business has become busier since Feudale first approached him, and that he was seeking an experienced worker.

Saylor said he received a letter from Bailey Wednesday morning clarifying Feudale's employment status. The judge also received a letter Wednesday from McCann School of Business and Technology verifying Feudale is enrolled in the electrical systems program at the school's Pottsville campus. The letter states Feudale has been a student since May 22 and expects to graduate April 6, 2016.

During Wednesday's hearing, Feudale maintained that he didn't lie to the judge about his employment status and was just trying to straighten out his life by securing a full-time job.

But Feudale's former girlfriend, Miranda (Herb) Koharski, 38, of Coal Township, testified that Feudale has failed to straighten out his life despite being given several opportunities to do so.

Life is a mess

An emotional Koharski said Feudale has never taken an interest in their two children, Hilary, 20, and Jesse, 17, since they split in 1999, and has failed to pay $33,000 in child support over the years.

"I'm asking you to do the right thing by making him pay child support for my kids," Koharski told the judge.

Koharski, who has been employed by the county since 2011, said Feudale has been fired from previous jobs and predicted his alleged poor employment track record will continue.

Feudale responded, "My whole life has been a mess. But I'm trying to straighten it out by getting this job."

After the hearing, Koharski added, "He hasn't seen the kids since they were 5 and 2. I've had full custody of them since 2000. I just want what's right for my kids and for other single parents experiencing the same thing."

Also testifying Wednesday were Price and county court costs collection supervisor Sarah Snyder.

MOUNT CARMEL - The Mount Carmel Area School District has announced its honor rolls for the fourth marking period.

Distinguished honors

Grade 4 - Courtney Troutman, Cedar-Anthony Bolam, Amelia Chapman, Regan Duceman, Brynn Evert, Matthew Kelley, Judy Kanafani, Mohamed Ammar Kanafani, Elise Makowski, Damen Milewski, Devin O'Hearn, Molly Petrucci, Matthew Scicchitano, Faythe Timmins, Kenneth Wetzel III, Livia Zlockie, Maura Higgins, Brian Donner, Mason Fretz, Avery Dowkus, Michael Farronato, Christina Kurtz, Devin Palek, Jasleen Dhillon, Thomas Davitt, Desirae Mattis, Kaylei Flaim and Ayana Aguirre.

Grade 5 - Kaylee Kane, Lauren Ayres, Giavanna Yancoskie, Mackenzie Zerbe, Caroline Fletcher, Reed Witkoski, Andrew Wasilewski, Rebekah Troup, EmmaRae Shimko, Lauren Shedleski, Tori Sanko, Isabel Parker, Claudia Morris, Derek Lawler, Cameron Mannion, Margaret McCracken, Molly McCracken, Brynn Marlow, Talia Mazzatesta, MaKenna Lengle, Austin Garancosky, Gabriella Trocki, Rileigh Nowroski and Etta Seitzinger.

Grade 6 - Anthony Stutzcavage, Michael Balichik, Tyler Barnhardt, Angel Barwicki, Brooke Bernini, Kyra Stickler, Bruce Carl, Cade Geary, Lindsey Klusman, Grace Menko, Jason Patrick, Makenzie Pyle, Michael Scicchitano, Shawn Sheptock, Joshua Vellner, Tyler Winhofer, Zane Zlockie, Zackary Moore, Brandon Moore, Dylan Duceman, Vanessa Walter, Emily Olszewskie, Olivia Rusk, Ryan Green, Peyton Galitski, Sydney Marquardt, Eliza Nevis, Damon Dowkus, Hailey Derk, Emily Szatny, Cierra Clayton and Jade Witmer.

Grade 7 - Maura Olley, Casandra Latshaw, Hailey Swaldi, Haley Paul, Miranda Fiamoncini, Danielle Hooper, Emily Krulak, Daniela Mangiapane, Gabrielle Taylor, Colin Herb, Dante Sabolchick, John Chapman III, Nicholas Troutman, Logan Wills, Ava McGee and Darren Rosenstein.

Grade 8 - Dylan Farronato, Emilee Wasilewski, Mackenzie Witt, John Ayres, Emilee Barnhardt, Tyler Krah, Rosolino Mangiapane, Benjamin McFadden, Myia Miriello, Matthew Cimino, Ethan McLeod, Adam Weissinger, Sarah Cooper, MaKayla Green, Mia Kaminsky, Nicole Varano, Zachary Hunter, Sara Davitt and Raykal Adiansjah.

Grade 9 - Jordan Reed, Carl Darrup, Madeleine Lyash, Anna Zeluskey, Austin Reed, Sara Parker, Madelyn Witkoski, Alyssa Menko, Erin Smink, Christina Kleman, Marissa Kleman, Olivia Lubinski, Rachel Brown, Maura Fiamoncini, Hayley Palek, Sara Nicola, Selena Guererro and Paige Lankford.

Grade 10 - Dominic Farronato, Allen Yancoskie III, Tyler Thompson, JoAnna Davidson, Logan Hixson, Megan Troutman, Madison Shurock, Dylan Fiamoncini, Allison Parker, Brianna Malkoski, Logan Kuzo, Cameron Getty, Vanessa Klemas, Jacqualin Lyden, David Fletcher, Mitchell Fletcher, Chantelle Skavery, Leah Nicola, Luke Darrup, Natasha Nevis, Elizabeth Cooper and Miranda Moser.

Grade 11 - Christian Kelley, David Seltner II, Treyvon White, Zachary Tocyloski, Erin Scicchitano, Lee Amarose, Jennifer Bolick, Tina Delbo, Thomas Moser, Joanna Rompallo, Nicholas Rossi, Christopher Stellar, Michael Vincenzes, Jordan Winhofer, Madison Watkins, Kayla Witt, Ciaran Fisher, Glenn Barwicki, Isabella Stellar, Kevin Nolter, Amber Kogut, Thomas Lynott, Taylor Conches, Brianne Graff, Michael Kaminsky, Caitlyn Curran, Hannah Fetterolf, Josiah Skavery, Joseph Schmoyer, Kayla Wondoloski and Jessica Feldman.

Grade 12 - Thomas Evans III, Zachary Wasilewski, Kaitlin Horsfield, Justin Weaver, Jenna Jurasich, Jasmine Jones, Morgan Miriello, Dylan Combs, Luke Duceman, Alex Mrozek, Briana Chapman, Jessica Pachuski, Taylor Stefovic, Caitlyn Avellino, Anna Marie Raybuck, Coral Swank, Cody Deitz, Brianna Lutz, Benjamin Scicchitano, Sonya Grohowski, Nicole Brosius, Darla Hood, Alison Varano, Ronald Lutes, Brock Susnoskie, Bryce Fiamoncini, Lauren Hause, Heather Raker, Olivia Bressi-Harman and Jessie Gibson.

First honors

Grade 4 - Caleb Broscious, Julien Stellar, Logan Olbrish, Dustin Blessing, Evan Bronkoski, Jerry Bryant, Koryn Ennis, AngieMarie Fetters, Krysta Kimsal, Olivia Long, Cole Marquardt, Zoie Moore, Dalton Moser, Lina Viras, Ryan Baranoski, Kiara Blocker, Jaiden Alvarez, Grace Almonti, Kristen Deitz and Audrey Hoven.

Grade 5 - Aaron Elliott, Tyler Owens, Valeria Mangiapane, Payton Carl, Eric Bubrowski, Isabella Ryan, Marley Rusinko, Allyn Reigle, Michael Reed, Amara Pellowski, Katie Miller, Caiden Williams, William Mullins, Ryan Steigerwalt, Tommie Mowrer III and Julia Burns.

Grade 6 - Marissa Matukaitis, Austin Reed, Kassandra Troutman, Dylan Latshaw, Olivia Reiner, Victoria Belfanti, Erin Bossler, Lillian Britt, Connor Brown, Michael Bucher, Ramsey Fisher, Tiffany Koreisl, Trent Moser, Bryson Zvoncheck, Mya Okronglis, Makayla Purcell, Joshua Ritz, Elijah Watkins, Haley Bressi, Trevor Shultz, Brayden Harvey, Josilyn Adams, Rileigh Engelke, Andrew Rooney, Kaleb Tyson, Angelina Torres, Austin Molnar, Cheyenne Derk, Michael Lukashunas, Niklas Misner, Kimberly Schmidt and Riley Findeis.

Grade 7 - Lorena Barrientos, Karisa Kehler, McKenna Fletcher, Michael Makowski III, Brady Campbell, Brock Evert, Ainsley Fegley, Tanner Karycki, Bradley Shurock, Allison Shurock, William Anderson, Megan Green, Rita Hanson, Samantha Darrup, Iyana Crew and Olivia McGinley.

Grade 8 - Collin Krakowski, Christopher Evans, Tiera Domanski, Anthony Moser, Kourtney Honicker, Matthew Ziv, Hannah Nolter, Aidan Wesloskie, Braedon Stickler, Donovan James, Michael Hood, Walter Kalinoski, Symphony Yoder, Maci Mazzatesta and Bailey Little.

Grade 9 - Kevin Stancavage, Amanda Arellano, Aleah Alderson, Sydney Spears, Haley Weidner, Aurora Froutz, Nicole Hooper, Bryce Dauber, Amanda Rimokaitis, Jacob Weissinger, Kasey Rompallo, Hannah Hornung, Lauren Startzel, Lauren Zanni, Julia Ballard and Lane Tanney.

Grade 10 - Jonathan Rosetta, Brett Katalinas, Ethan Bartos, Brooke Karycki, Ryan Walter, Karley Spangler, Bret Williams, Mason Duran, Jessy Stankavage, Peyton Worhach, Karissa Schoonover, Kirsten Jarvis, Michael Bergamo Jr. and Tyler Schmidt.

Grade 11 - Amalia Hinkle, Nathaniel Bartos, Sean Fisher, Zachary Guthrie, Ashley Stief, Maliyah Edwards, Dylan Williams, Tia Slusser, Colin Bettleyon, Paige Domboski, Macie Anderson and Haley Lahr.

Grade 12 - Nicholas Bozza Jr., Paige Hornung, Jayme Lentini, Emily Padula, Jason Eichelberger and Samantha Zanni.

Second honors

Grade 4 - Noah Wise, Daymon Haupt, Kassandra Fernandez, Mackenzie Swetra, Brittany Neumeister, Zachary Reed, Alyvia Williams, Devin Peters, Gianna Belfanti, Elizabeth Doyle, Xander Jones, Austin Minnig, Tyler Ozlanski, Lindsay Schuck, Rylie Krovitskie, Logan Chapman, Cortney Hurry, Devin Desrosiers, Mackenzie Heddin, Anthony Carlson, Braylin Kemfort-Huth, Jetly Gonzalez and Emilee Wands.

Grade 5 - Chase Fishburn, Jacob Gilotti, Robert Harris Jr., Alyssa Swetra, Michael Getchey, Jacob Evans, Hailee Dombroski, Ryleigh Geary, Emily Yuskoski, Alana Oakley, Michael Sykes Jr., James Rusk IV, Scott Castellano Jr., Bryce Adams, Montana Spangler, Jazmine McClelland, Destiny Keyser, Jennifer Danchak, Bria Shoffler, Emma Weiss, Skylar Bailey and Ashley Vantaggi.

Grade 6 - Elijah Brzostowski, Katelyn Hoskin, Madison Sosky, Alaina Harman, Donovan Kearney, Joseph Bendas, Angel Hertzog, Brendon Nevius, Gregory Troutman, Gregory Keiper, Cloey Heim, Gryffan O'Donnell, William Savadge Jr., Jonathan Slovick, Tyler Weaver, Elizabeth Yeager, Michael Wonsik II, Tynaisa Green, Jacob Raker, Ty Tanney, John Frieswyk and Zachary Williams.

Grade 7 - Ryan Ciocco, Joseph Dudeck, Austin Steigerwalt, Kaitlyn Bulliner, Katie Flynn, Chloe Frost, Brianna Ryan, Rebecca Morgan, Nichalous Diminick and Taylor Rhodes.

Grade 8 - Zachary Sodrick, Morgan Zarko, Jacob Klokis, Chloe Smith, Tori Colahan, Tyler Golazeski, Alyssa Lebo, Blair Wagner, Tallon Strausser, Alexa Collins, Daniel Snarski and Daniel Ahlers.

Grade 9 - Johnny Bossler, Kiana Adams, Breanna Kruskie, Thomas Pastucha, Kaitlyn Trent, Justin Parker, Stephen Sundman, Samantha Zigarski, Cassondra Vellner and Alexa Schmidt.

Grade 10 - Jesse Elliott, Aaron Butkiewicz, Evan Mikulski, Desirae Derk, Chealsea Troutman, Marcus English and Paige Wichurowski.

Grade 11 - Shannon Tanney, Blake Panko, Shane Gudonis, Andrew Campbell, Brendin Pancher, Gerard Reichwein, Rachel Startzel, Jordan Klingler, Thomas Bielski, Jocelyn Shustack, Cody Little and Matthew Haught.

Grade 12 - John Fetterolf, Marcus Maschal, Brittany Gummel, Sierra Nolter, Joseph Bergan, Haidenne Bui, Kaitlyn Milo.

First in a series of stories in advance of Tuesday's public meeting to discuss plans for a new municipal complex in Kulpmont.

By Rob Wheary

Staff Writer

rob_w@newsitem.com

KULPMONT - Michael Pitcavage remembers when he started at the Kulpmont Police Department in January 2010 and saw the three-room station, located in former classrooms on the second floor of the borough building.

"I just couldn't believe this was the station," he said. "It is severely lacking. There are some aspects that really pose a safety hazard to the officers."

Pitcavage, now the chief and the borough's only full-time officer, discussed the facility and its shortcomings earlier this week. The police station is a topic that has gotten little attention amid the larger debate about the borough's plans to build a new municipal complex and the opposition to the $1 million-plus project.

Cramped conditions

On a tour of the station, Pitcavage pointed out there is just one door, and it's at the top of a flight of stairs.

"It's one door in and out of the station," Pitcavage said. "There is no elevator in the building, so when you have someone who is being uncooperative, it can be a hassle getting up the steps."

While other stations, including Shamokin and Coal Township, have a reception window with thick glass separating the public from the station entrance, there is no such safety precaution in Kulpmont.

"Anyone can walk in off the street," Pitcavage said. "And they would have access to the office and police officers."

While other stations have keypads and officers can be "buzzed in," Pitcavage and his five part-time officers are turning keys.

"There are also no security cameras in here, so if there is an incident, there is no way to document it," he added.

There is a restroom on the second floor, but it's outside the station rooms, down the hallway.

No holding cell

There is also no room or holding cell for prisoners, an accommodation that most other local departments have for keeping prisoners away from officers and the public.

Instead, prisoners at Kulpmont are handcuffed to a wall and sit on a bench in the middle of the officers' work area. A one-foot chain attached to each restraint allows them some movement.

"If we get close enough, we can be struck, spit on; any number of things," Pitcavage said.

He points to a crack in a wall caused by a prisoner.

"He basically got up and kicked the wall in," the chief said.

If more restraint is needed, a metal handle is built into the floor for a leg iron, but it's still out in the middle of the office area.

Just off the office area is a locked 6-by-9-foot room - the evidence locker.

"We have it cleaned up now. Before this, the borough was using the room for storage of other items besides evidence," Pitcavage said.

A new station

According to preliminary plans, about 300 square feet in the new municipal building would be dedicated as the police station. It would include a vestibule, a service window, an interrogation room and its own restrooms.

"It is a big step up for us and more adequate for our needs," Pitcavage said.

Critics say what the borough needs is not a better police station, but more police for 24-hour coverage, something they contend will be even more difficult to afford with payments on a 40-year loan for the new building.

"It's understandable that there are two sides to the opinion about a new station," Pitcavage said. "I'm sure everyone will say it (the current facility) is OK, until someone gets hurt here."

Dear Mark: Regarding your finder's keepers column, relating to how casinos deal with and handle misappropriated credit vouchers left on the slot machines, I bet I can top that. A casino here in Pennsylvania seemingly has made a fervent pastime of catching miscreants employing the "finder's keepers" theory of credit conniving. And, if caught, which happens uncannily too frequently at this location, one is arrested and charged with a felony, besides being 86'd from the premises. Now you talk about good ethical customer relations that turn patrons off. These actions are key in their many recent laments as to why casino revenue, at this location, is alarmingly off. Perhaps they need to be told of the long-held compact between patrons and owners as to how to win trust and friendship of the "paying" customer, as you have already commented on in a previous column. - John Q.

That old phrase, John, "finder's keepers" seems not to apply in Pennsylvania, with many players learning the hard way after cashing in a winning voucher found lying on the casino floor.

Both the Gaming Control Board and the state police have a "tough love" policy that is more than a wrist slap for someone finding and keeping money, playing credits someone left on a slot machine, or cashing in a voucher someone left behind. All are illegal.

Technically, John, keeping anything someone lost without making some effort to return it is illegal anywhere in Pennsylvania. Under Pennsylvania criminal law, if you unlawfully take or otherwise deprive another of moveable property, including theft by property lost, mislaid or delivered by mistake, you can be charged. (I wonder if it's illegal to use the time left on a parking meter.)

It is relatively easy to get caught because within the walls of a casino, the whole joint is monitored by cameras, making these venues not a smart place for those with sticky fingers. With more than 2,000 cameras providing a view of every square inch, surveillance will catch you picking up a discarded voucher, even if it's only worth a nickel.

On the other hand, we are talking about a voucher than could be worth mere pennies. There needs to be some gray area here. There is a huge difference between someone who purposely circles the casino looking for orphan credits and "Hey, Marge, look what I found."

Across state lines in New Jersey, they also do not have a "finder's keepers" law, although police in that state say the most a person will traditionally get is a phone call to return the money.

Yours truly, always managed by the spirit of the law, and not the letter of it. Go with a wrist slap on the first offense, recoup the money when possible, and with the habitual offender, step up the severity of punishment, including, yes, filing charges and the permanent heave-ho.

It is also a bit different where I live. Under Michigan law, the first person who finds abandoned property has superior title to everyone else, except the actual owner.

Case in point: Years ago, a jury awarded Stella Romanski five cents for the nickel token the casino took from her, $9 for her bus trip and lunch, $270 for compensatory damages for being detained, and $850,000 in punitive damages. The 6th Circuit upheld the verdict, although they reduced the punitive damages to $600,000.

Now for those who think the above is a bit over the top, try stiffing a casino in Connecticut. Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods for years placed liens on the homes of patrons with gambling debts. The liens accrued 12 percent interest a year and would cloud the title to said properties, which would affect a homeowner's ability to sell or refinance.

The bottom line, John, get to know the state law along with the temperament of casino management where one plays. If you choose to patronize a casino in Pennsylvania, use your own money and not someone else's. Otherwise, your visit might lead to room, food and beverage as a ward of the state. For breakfast, expect runny scrambled eggs, cold hash browns, and not a Denny's Grand Slam. "Gentlemen, it's chow time!"

Gambling Wisdom of the Week: "By the way, I don't cheat at cards. I don't have to. There's no one easier to beat than a card sharp if you know his twists - and in most games, there's usually one." - Bret Maverick

SUNBURY - A Milton man charged with shooting to death his wife one year ago after claiming she was killed during a burglary was returned to county prison Thursday after a request to release him on bail was denied by Northumberland County President Judge William H. Wiest.

Attorney George Lepley Jr. of Williamsport requested bail be set in an amount his client, Robert Charles Thomas, 67, of 1060 Phillips Road, Milton, could afford to post. During the hearing, Lepley told the judge Thomas did not pose a flight risk because he was a lifelong area resident who has relatives in the area. The attorney said his client has cooperated with police during the investigation and was willing to wear an ankle monitor if released from prison.

But after District Attorney Ann Targonski argued that Thomas wasn't eligible for bail since he's facing a life sentence on the criminal homicide charge, Wiest did not establish a bail amount and ordered the defendant back to prison.

Thomas, who appeared in court wearing a county prison jumpsuit, was charged May 23 by Troopers Matthew LaForme and Cpl. Joseph Akers of state police at Milton with criminal homicide, making false reports to law enforcement authorities and tampering with or fabricating physical evidence in connection with the April 14, 2013, shooting death of his wife, Patricia.

Police said the defendant claimed his wife was shot while he was involved in an altercation with a burglar. Thomas told police he picked up a firearm from a nightstand before being "pounced on" by an unidentified burglar who "clubbed" him with an unknown object. The defendant said his gun may have discharged during the altercation, causing a bullet to hit and kill his wife.

During the course of  their  investigation, state police found Thomas' DNA on the Colt Defender 1911 .45-caliber handgun used in the shooting and also received information from several employees at Catherman's Garage Inc. Auto Body, Lewisburg, that Thomas indicated several times that "he would kill his wife if he thought he could get away with it." Thomas had retired from Catherman's Garage prior to the shooting.

The DNA, conversations with Thomas' former co-workers and other evidence led police to file the charges.

Targonski said she will not seek the death penalty in the case because no aggravating circumstances exist.

Assistant district attorney Michael Seward also represented the commonwealth at the hearing.

A brief pre-trial conference was held prior to the bail hearing.

Lepley is scheduled to file pre-trial motions and no new court date has been set.