ELYSBURG - Joe Muscato told his bosses at Knoebels Amusement Resort a year ago that this Labor Day would be his final day in a 33-year career as the park's director of marketing and public relations.

He wanted the Knoebels family to have plenty of time to find the right people to take his place, knowing that employment at the park is more than just a job.

"I've seen people who visit the park and I see the connections that are made, and it's deeper than just a place to go," Muscato said.

Could Knoebels find new PR people who understood that connection?

The first feelers through Monster.com weren't promising. But this is Knoebels, where fantasies - and employment wishes - come true.

As Muscato heads toward his final day Monday, he'll pass the torch to two women who are not only local, but worked for Knoebels in their youth and understand the park from the guests' perspective.

Mary Frances Helwig, 31, of Elysburg, takes over the marketing reigns and Stacy Ososkie, 27, of Mount Carmel, is the new public relations specialist.

"They grew up in the park, were around the park," Muscato said. "That makes it a lot easier to bring people in and hand it off, because I know they have a connection to the park already. And they come in with a great skill set."

Teaching at Susquehanna

Muscato, 63, originally from Livonia, N.Y., lives in Riverside with his wife, Leanna, sister of Buddy and Dick Knoebel.

Muscato noted the tremendous growth of the park during his time. From 30 rides when he started in 1981 to 65 today, it continues to grow.

"It makes me a little uncomfortable to talk about myself because that hasn't been my job all this time," he said. "My job has been to highlight all the other special things here. There's been plenty to talk about."

Muscato was teaching communications for a decade at Susquehanna University when a former student referred Buddy Knoebel to him in Knoebels' search for help with advertising at the park. He continued to teach at Susquehanna until 1987 when his job became full time at the park.

"(He's) been a big part not just of the Knoebels family, but the business as well," Buddy Knoebel said.

Muscato said his job outgrew one person at least 10 years ago, and believes public relations suffered as he focused on the broader marketing aspects. Ososkie will bring a new proactive focus to promoting the park, while Helwig's marketing efforts will include a fresh injection of digital media.

'Perfect timing'

Familiarity with Knoebels was almost unavoidable for Helwig - she grew up a quarter-mile away. Now she's purchased that same home from her parents, and she and husband Josh will be raising their two children, Kailee, 4, and Josh, 2, within earshot of the pleasant shouts of children enjoying Knoebels - the ones Helwig heard while working at the park's Crystal Pool in her youth. Helwig is a 2001 Southern Columbia graduate.

She started her new job at the park in May after 8 ½ years in marketing for Weis Markets. She earned her bachelor's degree in marketing from Lehigh University and her master's in business computers and instructional technology education at Bloomsburg University.

"What better place to work than a place that is very family oriented," she said. "My kids love coming down here. I can experience it though their eyes, I can experience it through my eyes, I can experience it through the guests' eyes," she said.

She recalls stories from her grandparents about their times at Knoebels, and recently found her father's annual pool pass from the late 1960s.

Ososkie started at the park on her 14th birthday, and worked in the payroll office and weekends in food service for seven seasons.

A full-time job as an adult at Knoebels was in the cards all along - at least as far as her mother was concerned. Ososkie recalls a conversation as her parents drove her to her dorm for her freshman year at Immaculata College, where she studied communications with an emphasis on PR.

"My mom says to me, 'Well, Stacy, you'll finish up four years here and maybe by that time Joe will be retiring at Knoebels,'" she said while sharing a laugh with Muscato. "And I said, 'Oh, right, mom; he'll never retire."

It wasn't exactly to plan - Ososkie spent her first five years out of college as a communication specialist at Chester County Intermediate Unit in Doylestown - but close enough.

In fact, "You know what, it was perfect timing," she said, "because I was able to go out and get some real-world experience first."

To which Muscato quipped, "Always good to go out and get that real world before you come back to fantasy land."

Local opportunities

More seriously, he adds, Helwig and Ososkie demonstrate that the region does have something to offer its young people.

"There are opportunities. Maybe not hundreds of opportunities, but, look, we have two really talented women, one coming back and one staying in the region, taking on this, which is a major enterprise," he said. "They're both well-equipped for it.

"I think the quality of life does draw a lot of people here," he continued. "It's a point worth making that it is a good place to be."

Ososkie, who has moved in with her sister in Mount Carmel, and whose parents still live in Kulpmont, has just two courses remaining to wrap up a master's in communication studies from West Chester University. She is a 2005 graduate of Our Lady of Lourdes.

"In all honesty, the one thing I was concerned with was will they find the right people, because I've invested 33 years and gave it my best shot," Muscato said. "And I didn't want to just hand it off to some knucklehead. You just don't know."

But things turned out "great," he said.

"Through a variety of things that occurred, we landed these two, so I'm very comfortable walking out."

The future

Buddy Knoebel shares Muscato's confidence in the new hires.

"We sought out talented people to fill that vacuum and we believe we have found two very capable young women who will accomplish that. We are excited about what they have already demonstrated," Knoebel said. "It is a new generation with a new perspective on things. We are convinced we made the right choices."

As for Muscato, Knoebel said they'll miss his "astute insight, experience and everything he brings to the table."

"I seldom complete a project without input from him," he said. "We wish him the best in his retirement and hope that he might just continue to influence some of our future."

The following landlord/tenant complaints were made in magisterial district court:

Judge John Gembic III, Shamokin

Carolyn Smith against Jerry Kerstetter and April Phillips, all of Shamokin, for no amount, filed Aug. 29. A hearing is scheduled for Sept. 8.

Gloria and Michael Kalman against Tim Yost, all of Coal Township, for $1,345, filed Aug. 29. A hearing is scheduled for Sept. 11.

Tim, Ron and Irene Geiswite with Ronald E. Geiswite Jr., as remitter, all of Millmont, against Adam Burns and Alyssa Koshinskie, of Shamokin, for $750, filed Aug. 28. A hearing is scheduled for Sept. 8.

Kirk Hullihan, of Snydertown, against Mr. and Mrs. Chester Sullins, of Mount Carmel, for $4,144.60, filed Aug. 27. A hearing is scheduled for Sept. 25.

Douglas E. and Susan C. Neidig, of Middleburg, awarded $1,907.10 in rent and court costs on Aug. 28 from Quinn Reaves and Tiffany Jackson, of Shamokin.

Judge Hugh A. Jones, Mount Carmel

Tracy and Wesley Rhodes, of Mount Carmel, awarded $1,617.59 in rent, damages and court costs on Aug. 14 from Elizabeth Leach, of Kulpmont.

MOUNT CARMEL - One hundred years ago - the countries of Europe had just set out toward the goal of annihilating each other in the opening battles of World War I. For Mount Carmel residents, the "big news" was something much closer to home - the dedication of their beautiful new high school.

"Dedication" is an understatement. What ensued was actually a gala community celebration. The school's official opening was marked on Labor Day 1914 with a series of events throughout the day. The three-division parade featured 2,000 borough elementary students among the marchers. An outdoor program followed in front of the new building, and an official dedication program was held in the school auditorium that evening.

Classes has actually opened at the "new" Mount Carmel High School a week earlier, with the enrollment reported at 190 (67 freshmen, 50 sophomores, 45 juniors and 28 seniors),

It was the class of 1914, not the class of 1915, that was the first to graduate from the new building. Because the auditorium was completed by then, 29 seniors - 20 girls and 9 boys - graduated from there in June 1914, even though they never attended any classes in the building.

The last senior class to have classes in the school at Third and Market - the class of 1977 - had 220 members. By then, commencement services were conducted at the Mount Carmel Area High School Stadium after a span in which they were held at the Victoria Theater on Third Street. The Victoria, and later the stadium, became the commencement venues because they could accommodate the larger classes following the growth of the school district through mergers. Since the new junior-senior high school opened in 1977, graduation ceremonies have been held in the school gymnasium.

The building at Third and Market was referred to, in succession, as Mount Carmel High School, then Mount Carmel Joint High School (after the jointure between the borough and Mount Carmel Township schools in 1951) and finally, Mount Carmel Area High School following the merger with Kulpmont in 1964,

Some other local communities have had the satisfaction of seeing their former high schools maintained for educational or community purposes. The former Shamokin High School on Arch Street became Shamokin Area High School, then Shamokin Area Middle School, and it is now the Northumberland County Career and Arts Center. The former Kulpmont High School is now Roosevelt Court. The former Trevorton High School is now the Line Mountain Elementary School. Time was not as good to the former Mount Carmel High School building, however.

The Mount Carmel school was never again used for classes after 1977. Mount Carmel Borough, which was deeded title to the school by the Mount Carmel Area School District, considered coverting the school into a municipal building, but even by the 1970s, the interior had deteriorated to such a condition that renovations were deemed cost-prohibitive.

The school was considered for a time for conversion as a "mid rise" to house senior citizens displaced by the Centralia mine fire, but that proposal fell through. The borough eventually sold the building to a private owner in 1985, and the school was eventually demolished in 1987-1988, after a life span of just three-quarters of a century.

Shamokin-Coal Township

Monday - Closed for Labor Day.

Tuesday - Morning cards and puzzles, 8:30 a.m.; Walk-a-Mile, 9:30 a.m.; executive board meeting, 10:30 a.m.; bridge, noon.

Wednesday - Morning cards and games, 8:30 a.m.; bridge lessons, 9:30 a.m.; Wii bowling, 10 a.m.; pinochle and Pokeno, 12:30 p.m.

Thursday - Morning cards and puzzles, 8:30 a.m.; Walk-a-Mile, 9:30 a.m.;members meeting, 10:30 a.m.; nickel bingo, 12:30 p.m.

Friday - Morning cards and puzzles, 8:30 a.m.; yoga, 9:30 a.m.; Wii bowling, 10:30 a.m.; game show, 11 a.m.; nickel bingo, noon.

Saturday - Cards, 7 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Mount Carmel

Monday - Closed for Labor Day.

Tuesday - Coffee and gab, 10 a.m.; Wii game: The Price is Right, 10:30 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; pinochle, 12:30 p.m.; Unlucky 7s, 12:30 p.m.

Wednesday - Morning cup of coffee, 9:30 a.m.; exercise/games, 10:30 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; members meeting with bingo following, 1 p.m.

Thursday - Morning coffee and the news, 9:30 a.m.; favorite TV show, 11 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; pinochle, 12:30 p.m.

Friday - Coffee and gab, 10 a.m.; exercise/games, 10:30 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; Pokeno, 1 p.m.

Kulpmont

Monday - Closed for Labor Day.

Tuesday - Bean bag and music in the morning; Wii, noon; cards, 12:30 p.m.

Wednesday - Coffee and gab in the morning; LCR, 12:30 p.m.

Thursday - Games and music in the morning; members meeting, 12:30 p.m., with bingo following.

Friday - Coffee, exercise and gab in the morning; Jennifer from VNA speaking on flu Information, noon; nickel bingo, 12:30 p.m.

Centralia-Wilburton

Monday - Center closed for Labor Day.

Tuesday - Advisory board meeting, 10:30 a.m.; jackpot bingo, 12:30 p.m.

Wednesday - Center closed. Trip to Lewisburg farmers market.

Thursday - Panera Bread Day; coffee and snack, 9 a.m.; pinochle, 10:30 a.m.; craft project for the Bloomsburg Fair, 12:30 p.m.

Friday - Center closed; training in Bloomsburg.

Elysburg

Monday - Closed for Labor Day.

Tuesday - Heathy Steps, 8:30 a.m.; royal rummy, 10:30 a.m.; Pokeno 11:30 a.m.

Wednesday - Healthy Steps, 8:30 a.m.; speaker on "Effects of the Flu Shot," 11 a.m.; bingo, noon.

Friday - Healthy Steps, 8:30; crafts, 9:30 a.m.; line dancing 9:30 a.m.; members meeting, noon; pinochle, 1 p.m.

Trevorton

Monday - Closed for Labor Day.

Tuesday - Exercise, 10 a.m.; Scrabble, 10:30 a.m.; pinochle, 12:30 p.m.; evening bingo, 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday - Exercise, 10:30 a.m.; 10 Keys class, 12:30 p.m., "Be Physically Active."

Thursday - Exercise, 10 a.m.; pinochle, 10:30 a.m.; members meeting, 12:15 p.m., bingo or cards to follow.

Friday - Wii games, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:30 a.m.; making mini cheese pizzas for lunch; bingo, 12:30 p.m.

Editor's note: Monday Profiles are published on the first Monday of each month.

Matt Spade never gave much thought to trying his hand at filmmaking.

Growing up on North Seventh Street in Shamokin near "The Razzy," Spade had other ideas. He looked up to The Beatles' producer George Martin, and recorded songs with his own band using a four-track. He also had another hero, famed author Stephen King, and wanted to be a writer himself.

He attended the Art Institute of Philadelphia after graduating from Our Lady of Lourdes Regional High School in 1991. Expensive, professional film and audio equipment now at his disposal, his love of sound and story meshed with a newfound interest in motion pictures.

Now 41 and a tech company professional living in Philadelphia, filmmaking has become a hobby for Spade. He's long worked in post-production on small projects. Last summer, he was struck with an idea of his own, an idea incorporating his love of his hometown and the coal region's ubiquitous meaty snack - the soupie.

It was Independence Day Weekend 2013 in Pittsburgh when he was visiting a friend who left coal country for Pittsburgh.

"We were sitting around a picnic table, and just like all great ideas there was lots of beer involved. But unlike most ideas that come up when beer's involved, this one actually happened," Spade said Thursday by telephone.

And that's how "Strange Meats: The Soupie" was conceived.

Spade can't remember when, exactly, he encountered the "strange meat" on his own. Just like he can't recall speaking his first words or taking his first steps, he can't remember chewing on a soupie for the first time. It was simply always around; there was always soupie. It was that way, he said, for his friends who star as the soupie makers in the 30-minute documentary.

Advents in digital technology have made filmmaking a more accessible pursuit for virtually anyone. Spade feels the same. A good camera and a bit of cash can make it happen. The soupie story was accessible, too, since he turned to the Shamokin area and his friends who live there.

And so Spade wrote, directed and edited "Strange Meats." His wife, Morgan, was producer and grip. Chris Koontz served as director of photography, and area musician Joseph T. Wagner composed all original music for the documentary. Its narrator, appropriately enough, is "The Morning Mayor" himself, Tom Kutza.

He got an invite to the "Eagles Nest" cabin where a group of locals showed him the process, from preparing the casing and seasoning the pork, to stuffing and curing and pressing the soupies.

Emilio Mignucci, who runs the family owned Di Bruno Bros. gourmet cheese and meat store in Philadelphia, was interviewed to offer further insight on the sopressata - that's the long form for soupie.

Other sit-down interviews are included with local soupie makers who talk of learning the trade from their grandfathers who learned it from their grandfathers. They hope to pass it on to their own children and grandchildren.

Spade is working with the Northumberland County Council of the Arts and Humanities to host a debut for "Strange Meats: The Soupie" at the Northumberland County Career and Arts Center. He's hopeful for a good turnout.

He expects some razzing from the soupie pros not included in the film. He could hardly get them all in the documentary.

"There's so many people out there doing this. If you're not in it, it's still your story," Spade said.

Read more about the cast and crew and watch a pair of trailers for "Strange Meats: The Soupie" at .

Name: Matt Spade

Age: 41

Education: Art Institute of Philadelphia, Our Lady of Lourdes Regional High School

Profession: encoding

Family: wife, Morgan; parents, Jake and Georgia Spade

Circus coming to Herndon

HERNDON - Walker International Events Inc. will present a circus at the Herndon Ball Field this weekend.

The traditional circus, which is sponsored by Herndon Fire Company No. 1, will feature acrobats, animals, aerialists, comedy and feats of agility.

Performances will be held at 3 and 5:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.

Tickets can be purchased by calling 570-758-3481 or by visiting the fire company or Gratz National Bank, Herndon branch. For more information, visit www.walkerinternationalevents.com.

Meet the teacher night planned

COAL TOWNSHIP - Shamokin Area Elementary School Meet the Teacher Nights are planned for mid-September as follows:

Monday, Sept. 15: first grade, 6 p.m., Annex; fourth grade, 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Sept. 16: second grade, 6 p.m.; fifth grade, 7 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 17: third grade, 6 p.m.; sixth grade, 7 p.m.

Each night, a book fair will be held on the stage from 6 to 8 p.m.

SHAMOKIN - Six defendants pleaded guilty Tuesday to various charges and were ordered to pay fines and costs by Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III.

n Amy Lee Talmadge, 22, of 1332 Johnson Mill Road, Lewisburg, pleaded guilty to two counts of disorderly conduct and one count of criminal mischief and was ordered to pay fines totaling $600 plus costs and make $400 restitution to Melissa Barnes, of 206 N. Vine St., Shamokin. She also was paced on supervised probation for one year.

Charges of simple assault and harassment were withdrawn.

Talmadge was charged by Shamokin Patrolman Raymond Siko II with assaulting Melissa Barnes at her home, 206 N. Vine St., Shamokin, on Aug. 13.

n Brendon Connell, 30, of 624 Cameron St., Shamokin, pleaded guilty to harassment and was ordered to pay a $200 fine plus costs.

An additional charge of simple assault was withdrawn.

Connell was charged by Shamokin Patrolman Shane Mowery with assaulting his live-in girlfriend Kimberly Williams at their residence Aug. 13.

n Dylan Kane, 19, of 410 N. Shamokin St., Apt. C, Shamokin, pleaded guilty to possession of drug paraphernalia and was ordered to pay a $300 fine plus costs and placed on supervised probation for one year.

An additional charge of possessing Spice was withdrawn.

Kane was charged by Shamokin Cpl. Jarrod Scandle in connection with a July 14 incident at his apartment.

n Crystal Lou Vankirk, 34, of 1004 N. Orange St., Shamokin, pleaded guilty to criminal trespass and was ordered to pay a $300 fine plus costs and placed on supervised probation for one year.

Charges of burglary, theft and receiving stolen property were withdrawn.

Vankirk and Jason David White, 31, of the same address, were charged by Scandle with breaking into a house at 1006 N. Orange St. on May 28 and removing a microwave, vacuum/shampooer, battery-operated four wheeler, towel rack/vanity, shop vacuum, lamps, surround sound system, stereo, CDs and a Bob Marley blanket. Vankirk and White then sold some of the stolen items, police said.

n Catherine Willis, 46, of 239 W. Montgomery St., Shamokin, pleaded guilty to harassment and was ordered to pay a $50 fine plus costs. An additional charge of simple assault was withdrawn.

Willis was charged by Scandle with throwing her younger daughter into a window and grabbing her older daughter by the throat and hair before punching her in the head Aug. 2 at Willis' residence.

n Michael Leiby, 29, of 1347 W. Walnut St., Coal Township, pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct and was ordered to pay a $300 fine plus costs and placed on supervised probation for one year.

Additional charges of possessing drug paraphernalia and public drunkenness were withdrawn.

The charges filed by Scandle relate to a June 9 disturbance on Second Street in which Leiby tore a sign from a telephone pole, cursed the corporal and yelled at patrons inside Turkey Hill Minit Market.

MOUNT CARMEL TOWNSHIP - Police chief Brian Hollenbush reported Tuesday the traffic lights at the intersection of Route 54 and Brennan's Farm Road have been repaired.

Hollenbush said repair crews from TRA Electric, Watsontown, worked throughout the day Tuesday to replace the panel that operates the traffic lights. The chief said the light was placed back in service at 3:45 p.m.

Following several recent accidents at that site, an investigation showed a lightning storm Aug. 27 destroyed the panel, and the earliest it could be repaired was Tuesday.

Over the weekend, the traffic light on Brennan's Farm Road/Locust Gap Highway, running from Den Mar Gardens to Mount Carmel, flashed red, and lights directing traffic along Route 54 flashed yellow. During the time of malfunction, township police also put up temporary stop signs.

COAL TOWNSHIP - A male correctional officer at SCI-Coal Township underwent emergency room treatment at Geisinger-Shamokin Area Community Hospital after suffering a neck wound inflicted by an inmate Sunday morning in the recreation yard.

Superintendent's assistant Trisha Kelley said the incident occurred at about 10:30 a.m. She said the victim was transported to the local hospital for treatment and released.

A report provided to The News-Item indicated the officer was stabbed in the neck several times, but Kelley said the incident reportedly was not a stabbing, although it did involve a weapon.

According to state prison policy, Kelley said she couldn't identify the victim or inmate at this point of the investigation. She said the accused has been transferred to another state correctional institution.

No charges have been filed yet because state police at Stonington are continuing their investigation.

Museum open Saturdays

SHAMOKIN - The Anthracite Heritage Museum, in the American Legion Building next to the Shamokin-Coal Township Public Library, is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays.

The public is welcome to visit during those times and view the collection of local memorabilia that has been collected and donated to the museum.

Food pantry distribution set

MOUNT CARMEL - The Mount Carmel Borough Food Pantry will hold its monthly distribution from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the Notary Shop, 215 S. Oak St., for borough residents who had previously signed up; bring a bag. Residents of the Mount Carmel Mid Rise are asked to meet in the lobby at 8:45 a.m.

Mid-Penn Band festival at Knoebels

ELYSBURG - The 26th Mid-Penn Band Festival, which brings together musicians from community bands across central Pennsylvania, will be held Sunday at Knoebels Amusement Resort with public concerts at 3 and 5:30 p.m. presented at the park bandshell or a nearby covered site in case of inclement weather.

The host band for 2014 is the Catawissa Military Band with director Jessica Martz serving as the host conductor. Other participating bands include the Danville Community Band, Milton Area Community Band, Sunbury City Band and the Repasz Band of Williamsport, along with members from other organizations. Each group furnishes from five to 20 players and a conductor who will directs a portion of the concerts. Between 60 and 75 players will perform in the two concerts, which will feature a variety of popular selections and traditional band music.

Area musicians not affiliated with any of the member bands are invited to participate by attending registration and rehearsal beginning at noon. Dress will be white shirts and black slacks.

SHAMOKIN - Autumn Costa, a varsity football/wrestling cheerleader at Shamokin Area has been invited to perform in the London New Year's Day parade.

Costa was invited to perform in the parade after being selected as an All-American at a cheer camp hosted by the Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA). All-Americans are selected to try out based on superior cheerleading skills at camps across the country.

Only the top 12 percent of the cheerleaders who attend varsity summer camps earn the chance to march in the holiday spectacular. In addition to performing in the London parade, the All-Americans will have the chance to tour London during their seven-day trip if they choose to attend.

She is a daughter of Paul and Kari Costa, of Danville, and is a senior at Shamokin Area Junior-Senior High School. She plans to attend Bloomsburg University upon graduation to major in nursing.

MOUNT CARMEL - Borough Mayor Philip "Bing" Cimino said a public input meeting held Aug. 27 was small but fruitful.

The meeting was scheduled as part of the "Mayor in the Town Park" series Cimino has begun as a way of reaching out to constituents to build more community within the borough.

Because of rain, the meeting was relocated to the Anthracite Steam Fire Co.

Among the participants was a small group of adult women interested in forming a women's recreation club.

The women have already hosted a kickball game, organized through word of mouth.

"They would like to try that again," said Cimino.

To join the group or get more information, contact the mayor at pdcimino@verizon.net.

Updates were given on several ongoing projects.

Preparations are ongoing for a mural and community garden slated for Second and Oak streets. Cimino said the ground is being prepped for planting and should be ready for spring.

Representatives of Mount Carmel Downtown Inc. said they would again supply decorations and asked about the possibility of a community Christmas tree. Cimino said no final decisions were made.

The date for the Mount Carmel Halloween Parade, hosted annually by the Mount Carmel Elks Lodge 356 and UNB Bank of Mount Carmel, is set for 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, with rain date of 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26.

To follow along with all of the mayor's projects, go to the Office of the Borough of Mount Carmel Mayor on Facebook.

SUNBURY - Unlike at his arraignment, Erick R. Trometter was quiet and offered little comment Tuesday afternoon after a judge held him for Northumberland County Court on three charges for allegedly punching and kicking his 67-year-old grandmother.

Hours after the assault, Trometter, while brandishing a knife and resisting arrest, was shot once in the abdomen by Sunbury Police Chief Brad Hare, who then was acting chief.

Magisterial District Judge Benjamin Apfelbaum ruled at the conclusion of a 35-minute preliminary hearing that enough evidence exists for the case to proceed to the Court of Common Pleas.

Trometter is accused of assaulting Amanda Trometter July 8 at a home they shared at 618 Susquehanna Ave., Sunbury.

Trometter, 23, was hospitalized at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, until Aug. 19. He was incarcerated for one day before being released; he remains under electronic surveillance at the Elizabethville home of his mother, Tammy Trometter.

He appeared in court in red shorts and a T-shirt; a bandage on his left leg covered a wound sustained in the shooting. He had an electronic bracelet on his right ankle and used a walker to get around. Although he walked slowly, his gait and overall condition have improved since his arraignment.

Nothing to say

In addition to a felony of aggravated assault, Trometter is charged by Sunbury Patrolman Scott Hause with a misdemeanor of simple assault and summary of harassment.

He is scheduled for a pre-trial conference Nov. 7 at the county courthouse.

When asked for comment by the media upon leaving the courtroom with his mother, the defendant said, "I have nothing at all right now to say."

His reaction and demeanor were much different than when he openly expressed his innocence to the charges at his Aug. 19 arraignment before Apfelbaum. At his arraignment, Trometter also discussed with the media his serious wounds that resulted from the shooting.

Grandmother afraid

Amanda Trometter and Hause were the only witnesses for the prosecution while county chief public defender Edward Greco called no witnesses. Greco has taken over the case from attorney James Best, who also serves as an independent conflicts counsel for the county. Best represented Trometter at his arraignment.

Amanda Trometter, as she did at a protection from abuse order hearing, testified the defendant "beat her up" by initially pounding on her legs as she laid in bed before kicking her in the face, head and breast with his bare feet, causing swelling and her nose to bleed.

The witness said the defendant did not attempt to prevent her from leaving the home. She said she went outside, sat in her truck and cried before driving to the county Area Agency on Aging (AAA) office to report the assault.

She said an AAA employee notified police, who quickly responded to the office and interviewed her.

The victim, who is diabetic, said the defendant told her she belonged in the ground, a comment she took to mean that he would kill her.

Trometter said she was definitely afraid of her grandson due to his remarks and actions.

Hause said the victim's nose and eyes were swollen when he first saw her at the AAA office. She said Amanda Trometter's nose was bleeding and that she was very upset and crying.

Greco attempted to have the aggravated assault charge dismissed. He argued that Amanda Trometter never sought medical treatment for her injuries, and that an aggravating circumstance didn't exist because the victim didn't suffer serious bodily injury. He also claimed his client did not attempt to cause serious bodily injury.

The defense attorney said the victim was able to drive herself to the AAA office to report the crime after the alleged assault and even enticed the defendant into hitting her by making a claim that she was "going to give him some of his own medicine."

Assistant district attorney Michael Seward argued that testimony presented by the victim and Hause supported the charges. He pointed out that the defendant pounded on the victim's legs and kicked her in the head, face and breast, causing swelling.

He said Erick Trometter's remark that his grandmother should be in the ground was viewed as a death threat by the victim.

Seward said the facts of the case called for the judge to hold the defendant for court on all three charges.

Greco, Seward and Hare, who was in the judge's office but not present at the hearing, reserved comment about the judge's ruling.

Sunbury Officer Vernon Petty provided security inside the courtroom.

County victim/witness coordinator Candace Armstrong also assisted at the hearing.

Trometter has not yet been charged by state police in connection with the shooting that occurred on Mile Post Road near Shikellamy Avenue just outside the city limits.

Hare was cleared by district attorney Ann Targonski of any wrongdoing in the shooting following an extensive investigation.

SHAMOKIN - A preliminary hearing for a Ranshaw man charged with possessing 700 images of child pornography on his computer has been continued until Tuesday, Sept. 16, at the request of the arresting officer.

Alan Donald Coveleskie, 63, of 408 Webster St., who remains incarcerated at the county jail, was initially scheduled to face a hearing on the felony offenses Tuesday morning before Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III. But the proceeding was continued at the request of Coal Township Detective Jeff Brennan.

Coveleskie, who is a Megan's Law offender, was charged Thursday with three counts of sexual abuse of children (child pornography and dissemination of photographs), and two counts each of criminal use of a communication facility and corruption of minors.

He is accused of possessing 700 images of child pornography on his computer and displaying some of them to teenage boys.

A 13-year-old boy and a 16-year-old male from Coal Township told police they observed child pornography on Coveleskie's Hewlett Packard Pavilion computer at his residence between 2011 and 2012. They said Coveleskie offered them cigarettes to come to his home.

On Dec. 19, a search warrant was obtained for the home, where officers removed numerous items including his computer, which was turned over May 24 to the state Attorney General's Office for a forensic examination.

On July 30, the exam was completed and revealed 700 images of child pornography and numerous pictures of boys smoking cigarettes.

One of the victims told police he saw a picture on the computer's background of two boys who were naked and smoking.

MANDATA - Lane restrictions will be in effect for approximately five more working days while a PennDOT maintenance crew works on the intersection at Routes 147 and 225.

Work will also be performed on Routes 3012 and 3014, which connect Routes 147 and 225. The intersection project is part of a surface improvement project on Route 147 from Route 225 to Route 3010 at the south end of Herndon.

PennDOT was expecting lane restrictions for approximately six days while the remainder of the project is completed.

MOUNT CARMEL - A Kulpmont property owner faces more than $10,000 in fines and costs after being found guilty of 20 code violations last week in an ongoing court battle.

Thomas Valeiko, of Commack, N.Y., who refused to come up with a formal plan to remove a debris pile from a collapsed building at 1263 Chestnut St., was found guilty Aug. 28 by Magisterial District Judge Hugh Jones of the offenses filed by Kulpmont Code Enforcement Officer Russ Moroz.

On July 22, Jones granted Valeiko 20 days to come up with a plan to remove the debris and have the site cleaned up by Sept. 30. The deal between the borough and Valeiko was reached following two hours of negotiations at Jones' office, where the judge was to have presided over a summary trial for Valeiko.

But when Valeiko failed to negotiate in good faith with the borough, Jones found him guilty at the conclusion of a summary trial the defendant attended without his attorney, Richard Feudale, of Mount Carmel.

If Valeiko fails to make payments on his fines and costs or doesn't appeal Jones' ruling within 30 days, he could go to county jail.

On Wednesday, Valeiko was back in front of Jones on a public nuisance charge filed by Kulpmont police. Valeiko, under the advice of Feudale, waived his right to a hearing, sending the case to the Court of Common Pleas, where he can plead guilty or no contest Oct. 27, or seek a trial by pleading not guilty.

Feudale reserved comment Wednesday when asked about his client's decision to waive the hearing.

On Feb. 21, the second floor of the two-story cinder-block structure collapsed, mostly falling on itself, but also smashing a box truck parked nearby. Demolition crews took down the second floor because it presented a hazard to neighboring properties.

Valeiko told Moroz at the time he was claiming bankruptcy and had no money to clean up the site.

But in July, Valeiko claimed he was looking to fix up another property in the borough, sell it, and use the profits for the cleanup. But Valeiko said the borough wouldn't give him a work permit.

Moroz said it's borough policy to not issue work permits to individuals who have code citations against them.

A 2002 borough ordinance gives the code enforcement officer authority to set fines between $25 and $1,000 per citation. Moroz said fines were set at $500 each against Valeiko.

Shamokin-Coal Township

Monday - Morning cards, 8:30 a.m.; yoga, 9:30 a.m.; game show, 11 a.m.; Unlucky 7's, noon, new players welcome.

Tuesday - Morning cards and games, 8:30 a.m.; Walk-a-Mile, 9:30 a.m., lunch at El Rancho restaurant, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; bridge, noon.

Wednesday - Morning cards and puzzles, 8:30 a.m.; bridge lessons, 9:30 a.m.; Wii bowling, 10 a.m.; pinochle and Pokeno, 12:30 p.m.

Thursday - Morning cards and puzzles, 8:30 a.m.; Walk-a-Mile, 9:30 a.m.; Wii bowling, 10 a.m.; pinochle and Pokeno, 12:30 p.m.

Friday - Morning cards and puzzles, 8:30 a.m.; yoga, 9:30 a.m.; Wii bowling, 10:30 a.m.; game show, noon; nickel bingo, noon.

Saturday - Cards, 7 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Mount Carmel

Monday - Coffee and gab, 10 a.m.; exercise/games, 10:30 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; bean bag toss, 12:30 p.m.; Pokeno, 1 p.m.

Tuesday - Morning cup of coffee, 9:30 a.m.; Wii game The Price is Right; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; CSFP food box pick up, 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.; Pinochle, 12:30 p.m.; Unlucky 7s, 12:30 p.m.

Wednesday - Morning cup of coffee, 10 a.m.; exercise/games, 10:30 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; bingo, 1 p.m.

Thursday - Morning cup of coffee and the news, 9:30 a.m.; Masser's Senior Expo, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; favorite TV show, 11 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; Pinochle, 12:30 p.m.

Friday - Coffee and gab, 10 a.m.; exercise/games, 10:30 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; Pokeno, 1 p.m.

Kulpmont

Monday - Coffee and gab in the morning; bean bag, 10:30 a.m.; Wii, 11 a.m.; Pokeno, 12:30 p.m.

Tuesday - Puzzles, coffee and gab in the morning; commodity food pickup, call the center before you come to pick up your box to make sure the boxes arrived; Wii and cards, noon.

Wednesday - Music and coffee in the morning; Wii in the afternoon; LCR, 12:30 p.m.

Thursday - Do your own thing in the morning; Masser's Senior Expo in Elysburg, a van is available if you would like to go to the Expo, call and stop by the Center to sign up, arrival time for the expo is set for 10 a.m. and you will depart there at 2 p.m.; bingo, 12:30 p.m.

Friday - Exercise and Wii in the morning; lunch at Hoss's, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., cost $2; nickel bingo, 12:30 p.m.

Centralia-Wilburton

Monday - Coffee and current events, 9 a.m.; shopping at Wal-Mart, shopping on K-Cab, 12:30 p.m.

Tuesday - Columbia/Montour Home Hospice free clinic; chair exercises with Carol, 10 a.m.; Fall word search, 12:30 p.m.

Wednesday - "Flu Facts" presented by Tara Venna RN, BSN, 10:30 a.m.; craft project for fair, 12:30 p.m.

Thursday - Food pantry and food bank boxes; CLR game, 10:30 a.m.; Wii bowling, 12:30 p.m.

Friday - Fun Friday, pick your game day.

Elysburg

Monday - Healthy Steps, 8:30 a.m.; Family Medical "Chronic Disease" program, 10 a.m.; royal rummy, 10:30 a.m.; Pokeno, 11:30 a.m.

Wednesday - Healthy Steps, 8:30 a.m.; royal rummy, 10:30 a.m.; bingo, noon.

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

Trevorton

Monday - Exercise, 10 a.m.; Wii bowling, 10:30 a.m.; Unlucky 7's, 12:30 p.m.

Tuesday - Exercise, 10 a.m.; Scrabble, 10:30 a.m.; Weis Markets, noon to 1 p.m.; Pinochle, 12:30 p.m.; evening bingo, 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday - Exercise, 10 a.m.; 10 Keys class "Maintain Healthy Bones, Joints and Muscles," 12:30 p.m.

Thursday - Massers Senior Expo, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Ralpho Park; exercise, 10 a.m.; Pinochle, 10:30 a.m.

Friday - Wii games, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.; exercise,, 10:30 a.m.; NCAAA Protective Services, 11 a.m.; bingo, 12:30 p.m.; evening card party, 7 p.m.

MOUNT CARMEL TOWNSHIP - A Philadelphia couple who authorities suspect have been delivering heroin in the area for several months were taken into custody Tuesday following a drug transaction involving an undercover officer at Routes 54 and 61 in Strong.

Wheeler D. Collins, 47, and his girlfriend, Vilma Irizarry-Roque, of 4274 Torresdale Ave., were apprehended during a traffic stop shortly before 4:30 p.m. at Routes 901 and 54 near the former Boylan's Garage after Wheeler allegedly delivered 20 bags of heroin to the undercover policeman for $200 approximately 10 minutes earlier in the parking lot at Turkey Hill Minit Market.

The couple did not resist, police said.

Mount Carmel Chief of Police Todd Owens said police recovered eight bags of heroin with two different stamps from Collins' pocket. They also found the $200 in drug buy money and several hundred dollars in cash in Irizarry-Roque's purse, which also contained pharmaceutical drugs for which she had prescriptions. Drug paraphernalia including straws also were confiscated.

"It was a good bust," Owens said. "We were able to cut the head off the snake by nabbing these two individuals whom sources have informed us were delivering heroin in our area on their way to or from Williamsport, where there reportedly is a drug pipeline to Philadelphia. Hopefully, this arrest will deter people from the bigger cities from delivering drugs to our community."

Collins is charged with felonies of criminal conspiracy to possess with intent to deliver heroin, criminal use of a communication facility and three counts of possession with intent to deliver heroin, and misdemeanors of possession of heroin and possession of drug paraphernalia.

His girlfriend is charged with two counts of possession with intent to deliver heroin and one count each of criminal conspiracy to possess with intent to deliver heroin, possession of heroin and possession of drug paraphernalia.

All the charges were filed by Owens and Mount Carmel Township Patrolman David Stamets Jr., both members of the Northumberland-Montour County Drug Task Force. Other drug task force officers from Mount Carmel, Mount Carmel Township and Kulpmont assisted in the investigation.

Both defendants were detained in a holding cell at Northumberland County Prison in Sunbury before being video arraigned on the charges by Magisterial District Judge Hugh Jones on Wednesday and committed to prison in lieu of $75,000 cash bail apiece.

They are scheduled to face a preliminary hearing Sept. 10 before Jones.

MOUNT CARMEL - A 19-year-old borough woman charged with assaulting a police officer last week was released from county prison Wednesday on unsecured bail following her preliminary hearing.

Amber Lynn Knopp, of 342 S. Oak St., was freed after Magisterial District Judge Hugh Jones granted a request by public defender Paige Rosini to reduce her $15,000 cash bail to unsecured bail.

Jones placed conditions on Knopp's supervised bail that prohibit her from attending bars, drinking alcohol and possessing controlled substances.

Upon waiving her right to a preliminary hearing, Knopp was ordered by Jones to appear for plea court at 9:15 a.m. Monday, Oct. 27, at Northumberland County Courthouse, Sunbury.

After being escorted from the courtroom by Lt. Christopher Buhay, whom she's accused of assaulting, Knopp declined comment. Rosini and Buhay also reserved comment about the case.

Knopp is accused of punching, kicking and head-butting Buhay, breaking his glasses and causing him to suffer a bloody nose. She also allegedly smashed a chair in half in a holding cell at the borough police station Aug. 27 after being taken into custody upon being found under the influence of alcohol at Seventh and Pear streets.

She is charged by Buhay with aggravated assault, two counts of simple assault, criminal mischief, underage drinking, disorderly conduct, public drunkenness, resisting arrest and harassment.

RANSHAW - Coal Township police reported charges will be filed in connection with a fight Saturday night at Brady Fire Company.

No serious injuries were reported.

Chief of Police William Carpenter said the 9:38 p.m. disturbance involved people at a wedding reception in the fire company's banquet hall and individuals attending a party at the Ranshaw Civic Association grounds that followed a motorcycle run benefiting accident victim Cory Thompson, a Pennsylvania Army National Guardsman from Shamokin.

Carpenter said interviews are still being conducted in the ongoing investigation headed by Cpl. Terry Ketchem.

He couldn't provide details of the fight other than it initially began in the fire company parking lot where two men allegedly exchanged words. Carpenter said a disturbance later occurred inside the building before returning to the parking lot.

He described the fight as "minor."

"We've had a lot worse fights than that. I don't know why everybody is making more out of this than what actually occurred," he said, referring to rumors circulation about the incident.

"Charges will be filed," he said. "We just don't know who or how many will be charged."