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Noteworthy: Sunday, Sept. 14, 2014

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Church plans plant exchange

ELYSBURG - The public is welcome at a perennial plant exchange set for Thursday at Elysburg Presbyterian Church, 320 W. Valley Ave.

Registration and refreshments start at 6 p.m. and the exchange at 7.

Participants bring a plant and get a different plant in return. Those without a perennial plant to exchange are welcome nonetheless; just bring a gardening item such as plant food, potting soil, a decorative pot or something else.

Call the church office at 570-672-2873 for registration forms or for more information.

Eucharistic devotions to be held

MOUNT CARMEL - The annual parish Eucharistic Devotions will be held today through Tuesday at Divine Redeemer Church, 300 W. Avenue. Services will be held at 7 p.m. each evening with the Rev. Robert A. Yohe Jr., pastor of St. Catherine Siena Parish, Quarryville, as homilist each evening.

The Most Rev. Ronald W. Gainer, bishop of the Diocese of Harrisburg, will preside at the solemn closing services at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Senior Adult Ministry to meet

TREVORTON - Trevorton Patsies Senior Adult Ministry will meet at 1 p.m. Monday in St. Patrick Church Hall. Refreshments will be provided by September birthday celebrants.

School committee meeting Thursday

COAL TOWNSHIP - A meeting of the Shamokin Area School District buildings and grounds committee will be held at 3:30 p.m. Thursday in the board conference room.


Union rep defends criticisms he's holding up teacher contracts

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MANDATA - Recent teacher contract talks in the Line Mountain School District have begun to look less like negotiations and more like a standoff.

And manning each side's offense are two men who go head to head at a handful of other strife-ridden districts in the area.

In Line Mountain Board of Directors' corner is Benjamin L. Pratt, a lawyer with CGA Law Firm, York, who specializes in representing management at collective bargaining tables. He said he has 20 years experience negotiating between school boards and teachers unions and represents numerous school boards statewide.

In addition to Line Mountain, area schools Pratt represents include Danville, Millville, Warrior Run and Mount Carmel Area.

In Line Mountain Education Association's (LMEA) corner is Mark McDade, a UniServ representative who has represented teachers unions for the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA) for approximately three years. He arrived in the area about a year ago, and previously represented unions in Berks, Lehigh and Northampton counties.

In addition to Line Mountain, McDade represents 10 other district unions: Danville, Millville, Shamokin Area, Shikellamy, Warrior Run, Milton, Northumberland County Career and Technology Center (NCCTC), Southern Columbia and two unions at the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit.

At two of the four districts where McDade and Pratt are represented, Danville and Millville, there have been teacher strikes. And at Line Mountain, a strike date of Nov. 5 has been set.

Only Warrior Run has a contract, and it was signed in June 2013 - prior to McDade's arrival in the area.

Don't 'mesh well'

Pratt believes McDade is a common denominator in the fact that so many local contracts are unsettled. He said he's been settling contracts for 20 years while McDade has yet to settle one.

McDade counters that those negotiating contracts at Line Mountain and elsewhere in the region weren't able to settle prior to his arrival, either.

He pointed to the removal of Pratt by the Shamokin Area School District as a sign that he is not the one at fault.

"He represented Shamokin, but the board got rid of him," said McDade.

But that's not quite how it went, said Charles Shuey, chairman of the Shamokin school board's negotiating committee. He confirmed the district recently stopped using Pratt to represent the board, but it's not that Pratt was incapable of the task; it's that the negotiations were not progressing because Pratt and McDade "didn't mesh well" and the board wanted to attempt negotiating on its own.

"Mr. McDade and Mr. Pratt became so hostile that it hampered negotiations," said Shuey. "I'd like to stress that I don't blame Mr. McDade or Mr. Pratt. We also wanted the teachers to try it on their own without Mr. McDade."

He added that the teachers are opting to continue using McDade, and that if negotiations without outside representation do not go as expected, the board would bring Pratt back.

Options for representation

Troy Laudenslager, president of the Line Mountain Board of Directors, said at the Aug. 26 board meeting that their negotiating team also requested to meet with their teachers union without the presence of McDade. Laudenslager and others at Line Mountain have said McDade's public comments critical of the board and his conduct in the negotiation process have hampered progress.

Asked about Laudenslager's wish to negotiate privately the same night, McDade vehemently opposed the idea.

"The board is getting desperate and what they're doing is they're approaching our rank and file members, which is also a violation of labor law," said McDade. "The law prohibits individual bargaining with our members."

Pratt clarified that while the board is not allowed to negotiate with the local union once a state union representative is selected as negotiator, the local union may decide as a unit to forgo a state union representative at one or more negotiation meetings.

He said Bloomsburg Area School District's teachers union recently negotiated without using a state representative.

Joseph Varano, a teacher who led the Mount Carmel Area School District's union in settling its contract in November after 17 months of contentious negotiations, said he could not comment on negotiations occurring at other districts, but spoke in broad terms of the relationship between local and state teachers unions.

"PSEA is a bottom-up democratic organization that starts locally and the members make all the final decisions, not PSEA staff," said Varano. "Really, the PSEA UniServ representatives serve as guides, but PSEA members ultimately decide which direction to go and how to vote."

According to the PSEA website, Varano's team worked with PSEA UniServ representative Virginia M. Cowley. Pratt represented the district.

Open negotiations

Varano spoke about the decision to make negotiations public, which is another of McDade's criticisms of Pratt and the Line Mountain board.

"Contract negotiations do not come under Pennsylvania's Sunshine law, which means both parties can meet and bargain in private," said Varano. "The reason for that is, if bargaining was open to the public, it would become a political show and the chance of settling a contract would be very low."

But Pratt said Line Mountain's board released its contract proposals only after their opponents took their own public stance.

"The reason for that is we felt that there was a need to inform the community of what was going on due to some comments that were made publicly by the (teachers) association," said Pratt.

Line Mountain is not the only district McDade represents that has decided to go public with negotiations.

In August, Southern Columbia school board vice president Charles Porter revealed a report of the district's negotiations at a board meeting.

Carl P. Beard, a partner of Altoona-based law firm Andrews and Beard which represents the Southern Columbia board in its negotiations, said that when it came to settling the teachers contracts, the numbers would speak for themselves.

The "financially strapped" district cannot afford the salaries and benefits the teachers are demanding, said Beard.

"We can't print money," he said.

Beard said he was not having any "significant problems" with the negotiation process itself, but that he "questioned how they arrived at some of the proposals of how it would make financial sense for the school district" to pay the salary and benefit demands.

"It's not a workable proposal," he said.

What cause?

Beard said he has more than 33 years experience in bargaining for teachers unions, and has settled around 300 school contracts. On Thursday night, he settled a contract at a Harrisburg area district, as well as another about a month ago, also in the Harrisburg area, he said.

He said he has not had a strike occur at one of his districts for eight years, and prior to that another seven.

"I just see a whole lot of unrest in and around that area (Northumberland and its surrounding counties) that I don't see in other parts of Pennsylvania," said Beard. "Strikes aren't a part of the common occurrence anymore, so you just wonder, if you get a whole lot of them in a certain area, what's causing them."

He wouldn't comment about whether he's pointing the finger at McDade.

"Somebody will just have to put the pieces together on that one," he said.

No contracts settled

Pratt, meanwhile, has been openly critical of McDade's experience and success rate at settling contract negotiations.

"He has not settled any contracts at all, in his entire PSEA career," said Pratt.

Asked about the districts he represented prior to serving his current region, McDade declined to specify if he had settled any contracts.

"We were in the process of negotiating several contracts," said McDade. "I transferred in the midst of many negotiations."

In this region, McDade said he helped settle the teachers contract at NCCTC.

James F. Monaghan, administrative director of NCCTC, said that while McDade was present at the negotiation table for the completion of the contract, it would have been completed regardless of who was present, and McDade did not lead the negotiations.

"The negotiations were going along amicably. It was back-and-forth negotiations, and just coincidentally they (teachers) changed representatives," said Monaghan. "It wasn't Mr. McDade that settled the contract."

Monaghan estimated negotiations were between 80 and 85 percent complete when McDade arrived.

For McDade's part, he points to the fact that negotiations in various districts were already started when he arrived in his new region.

"Many of these contracts started prior to my arrival and none of them were resolved prior to my arrival," he said. "And that's a question that needs to be answered by the school boards."

Housing authority receives high performance rating from HUD

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MILTON - The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has recognized the Housing Authority of Northumberland County (HANC) as a high performing housing authority for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2014. The authority received notification from HUD that the assessment of its Section 8 Management Assessment Program (SEMAP) score was 100 percent, which designates the Authority as high performing.

SEMAP enables HUD to better manage the housing choice voucher (HVC) program by identifying the housing authority's capabilities and deficiencies related to the administration of the HVC program. Each year HUD assess esall housing authorities throughout the country for performance and administration of 15 key indicators.

James Boylan, chairperson for the housing authority, received notification from Dennis Bellingtier, director of HUD's Office of Public Housing in Philadelphia.

"We are pleased with the overall rating that we have received," said Boylan. "The housing authority, as a public entity, is held accountable for its management practices to insure that it is performing in a capacity to preserve and protect the integrity of the programs."

The housing authority board is comprised of Boylan, Thomas Diehl, vice chairman, Craig Fetterman, secretary/treasurer, and Frank Marcinek and Nicholas Goretski, members. Edward Christiano serves as executive director.

Weiser State Forest schedules annual drive-through

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BEAR GAP - The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) has announced the the annual drive-through of the Roaring Creek Tract of the Weiser State Forest will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 19.

Vehicles will be permitted to drive east to west on the eight-mile trail that passes the Kline and McWilliams reservoirs. Vehicles must enter through the Route 42 parking lot gate and exit through the Route 54 parking lot gate. All vehicles must exit the trail by 3 p.m.

Passenger vehicles (cars, pick-up trucks, SUVs, passenger vans and motorcycles) will be permitted to enter. Vehicles towing trailers or campers, buses, motor homes and other large vehicles will not be permitted to enter the trail.

DCNR officials encourage visitors to bring a picnic lunch and stop at one of several picnic tables located along the trail or share the pavilion at the C.Q. McWilliams Picnic Area, which is adjacent to McWilliams Reservoir, located at the halfway point of the trail.

Individuals who hold a valid fishing license may cast a line from the shore or from their canoe or kayak, which are permitted on the McWilliams and Kline reservoirs. A valid launch permit or boat registration from DCNR or the Fish and Boat Commission that must be affixed to the boat is required. Launch permits will not be available for on-site purchase this year, according to DCNR.

The Roaring Creek Tract is Northumberland County's first and only state forest. The 8,964-acre tract stretches for more than eight miles, taking in parts of five municipalities in two counties.

Through a partnership involving the Conservation Fund, the Richard King Mellon Foundation and DCNR, the forest was acquired from the Roaring Creek division of Consumers Water Co. in November 2002. Consumers originally purchased the tract from Roaring Creek Water Company Jan. 14, 1985. The tract was designated as a state forest and opened to the public in time for hunting season in the fall of 2003.

For more information on the drive through contact the Weiser Forest District Resource Management Center, Aristes, at 570-875-6450.

Rain puts no damper on OLOL wine festival

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COAL TOWNSHIP - Rain or shine, let's drink some wine.

Variations on the boozy battle cry were shared by at least three different people entering Saturday's inaugural wine festival at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School.

Rain began to fall early Saturday and continued right into the six-hour fundraising event. The school's football field was soaked, water pooling on the field and track. It hardly dampened very many spirits.

Guests walked around and hopped over the puddles, wiping droplets from their glasses as they moved between the food and wine stands. One or two trudged right on through with their rain boots.

People toted umbrellas from tent to tent. Others huddled under a dozen or so canopies, and hundreds more socialized beneath a huge party tent.

About 500 tickets were sold prior to the event, and nearly every single one was turned in at the entrance. The rain did, however, limit sales at the gate.

Annie Adams is a 1985 graduate of Lourdes Regional. Her son is a junior. She helped pass out wine glasses to the festival-goers. The rain hadn't chased many people away halfway through the fundraiser.

They paid their $20, she said, and were going to get their money's worth.

Organizer Pete Long huddled inside the ticket booth with a half-dozen friends, all of whom chose to drink a macrobrew over a glass of Merlot.

Long was satisfied with the turnout, estimating about $7,000 in profit to be donated to the Catholic school. He already has an eye to next year.

"The layout is perfect. We've been getting good feedback," he said. "I think it's going to get better and better."

Madeline Masser was among the vendors. She's a daughter of Benigna Creek Winery's owner, Mike Masser. Saturday's festival was smaller than what she's used to, but she was impressed by the turnout for an inaugural event. Was it worth coming to?

"Oh yeah, we'd come back next year," Masser said.

Other wine vendors attending were Red Shale Ridge Vineyards, of Hegins, Shade Mountain Winery, of Middleburg, and Armstrong Valley Vineyard and Winery, of Halifax. Juniata Valley Winery, of Mifflin, didn't make it.

A microbrewer was also on hand. Covered Bridge Brewhaus, of Catawissa, is derived from the home-brewing hobby of owner Eric Kuijpers. It's a small operation, but keeps Kuijpers busy. So busy he wasn't at the festival. He stayed put inside his brewery, a converted garage, making more beer.

A friend, Joe Alexander, represented the Brewhaus. He helped tap samples of Dim Wizzy, a Belgian wheat, and Sunset Coconut Porter. Kuijpers' beer is now served in five area restaurants, including Ghezzi's Restaurant in Paxinos. Alexander said it's soon to be served at Brewser's SportsGrille in Coal Township.

Tracy Niehoff, of Coal Township, sat beneath a canopy with friends Tammy Feudale and Nicole Mowery, both of Kulpmont, Anne Bartol, of Coal Township.

There was an empty bottle of Benigna's Tears at their feet. Miehoff poured a glass for herself from a bottle of Shade Mountain Pinot Grigio. She reached over and poured one for Feudale, too.

"Oh my gosh, you're a good filler," Feudale laughed, joking about Niehoff's slightly heavy hand.

Feudale was happy with the fundraiser, though she said she'd like to see more vendors next time. Niehoff noted that it was the first one, and that it's prime season for a wine festival.

"The weather is bad," Niehoff said, "but it's better than being at home cleaning."

Susquehanna Valley group shares passion for buttons

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LEWISBURG - Button, button, who's got the button?

For the Susquehanna branch of the National Button Society, the answer is "everyone."

The club meets at 11:30 a.m. the third Tuesday of each month at Ridgecrest Restaurant and Cafe, part of Riverwoods Senior Living Community.

Members come to the meetings from all over the Susquehanna Valley to show off the recent additions to their collections and to prepare for National Button Society conventions.

Beatrice Taran, Hughesville, said she began collecting buttons after her mother, who collected buttons during World War II to calm her nerves, insisted that she and her sister take over her collection.

"It's like a disease when you start," Taran said.

She now has thousands of buttons.

Button basics

Although buttons have existed for millennia, they did not rise in popularity until the 13th century.

Early buttons were crudely made to serve utilitarian purposes of holding together late Middle Age emerging fashion trends.

"They weren't very pretty," said Taran.

By the 1700s, decorative buttons emerged.

Some of the buttons from this era have elaborate scenes etched or painted onto their facings. Others incorporate fabric, leather or seashells into multimedia designs.

These buttons are snapped up at yard sales, antique stores and auctions by collectors like those in the National Button Society.

Prices for collectible buttons range from pennies to thousands of dollars.

Nancy Boyer, Trevorton, emphasized that a beginner could start an admirable collection for just a few dollars.

"It can be expensive if you want it to be or it can be inexpensive and you still have fun," added Taran.

Award-winning collections

Buttons in Boyer's collection are remarkable for their uniqueness rather than value. She especially enjoys gathering variations on a theme for use in button competitions.

During a competition, rules stipulating size, shape and theme are given and collectors come prepared with their buttons mounted to a display board in specified manners.

Themes may be as open-ended as black buttons or as specific as buttons representing strawberries.

A competition board prepared by Boyer with buttons imitating fabric recently won second place at a competition.

"I had a good time with trying to come up with the fabrics that they represent," she said.

She also sometimes mounts her buttons for fun.

"You don't have to enter competitions," said Boyer. "Not everyone does."

One board she's particularly excited to share with the rest of the club has her oldest and her newest buttons - a round button with a detailed border from the 1700s and a square blue goat leather button custom made for her a few weeks ago.

Unique goods

Finding buttons made of unique materials is more of interest to Theresa Holtz, Northumberland, than amassing a stockpile.

"I know I have thousands (of buttons) but most are this kind," Holtz said, pointing to her shirt.

Holtz said she's found buttons made of such exotic materials as vegetables, ivory, bone and pearl.

"They're made out of just about any material you can think of," she said.

To classify these rare and unique buttons, club members suggest "The Big Book of Buttons" by Elizabeth Hughes.

Books on buttons can also be found at most local libraries.

The club welcomes anyone with an interest in buttons to join the group by just showing up at a meeting.

Currently about six members attend regularly, but Boyer is convinced more button collectors are out there.

"When you say you collect buttons, (people) give you a really strange look," she said.

But many people collect them and they don't make it known publicly, she said.

Will later start help students?

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The American Academy of Pediatrics adopted a new policy advocating that high school's across the country start class later in the mornings.

A Geisinger pediatric specialist has lauded the move, pointing to studies showing benefits for student health and classroom performance. Area superintendents are less enthusiastic. They agree on the benefits but say a delayed start could lead to after-school nightmares.

The Academy says the school day for students in seventh through 12th grade should start no earlier than 8:30 a.m. Later would be better. The move would not only help students maximize learning, but also combat depression and obesity, according to scientific studies. It could also make them safer drivers.

Going to bed earlier isn't the solution. Natural sleep cycles make it difficult for teenagers to fall asleep before 11 p.m., the Academy says. Pushing back first period would "align school schedules to the biological sleep rhythms of adolescents, whose sleep-wake cycles begin to shift up to two hours later at the start of puberty," according to a press release.

"Everybody in the sleep world, we were just jumping for joy. They finally see what we have been telling them for years," Dr. Catherine Wubbel said of the Academy's policy adoption announced Aug. 25.

Wubbel is a physician in pediatric pulmonology and sleep medicine. She hopes leaders in area school districts will heed the advice and consider a later start.

"I don't know when it's going to become the norm, but I think we're starting to make headway," Wubbel said.

It's recommended that teenagers sleep between 8.5 and 9.5 hours nightly. According to a National Sleep Foundation poll, most don't. The poll found that 87 percent of high school students and 59 percent of sixth-graders didn't get enough sleep.

"When we were sent to bed as kids, we didn't have cell phones, we didn't have iPads," said David Campbell, superintendent at Line Mountain School District.

Campbell echoed one point the study made: today's students have many distractions. Technology, increased after-school demands from sports and clubs, leisure, even homework, all can cause late nights.

He echoed, too, another point: turn off electronics at bedtime. It's advice he admitted he should take himself.

"If the superintendent really wants to ensure more kids are wide awake, I should probably take my own kids' cell phones away. I'm guilty too," Campbell said.

Teens have an average of four electronic devices in their bedroom. They should all be turned off at least one hour before bedtime, Wubbel said. If not, cell phones, tablets and televisions will stimulate the teens' brains, making their bodies feel like it's daytime.

"It offsets the natural release of melatonin, which helps get the body sleepy," Wubbel said. "If you're engaged in something else, the mind stays active."

First period for Line Mountain Middle and High School students begins at 7:35 a.m. Elementary students begin at 9 a.m. The start times are staggered because of how bussing is administered in the rural school district. Campbell said he'd like to see the start times flip-flopped. It may benefit elementary students, who he said are more attentive earlier in mornings.

But after-school activities are plenty, and some students have jobs. Shamokin Area Superintendent James Zack said delaying the start of school not only would prolong their commitments to class and extracurriculars, it ultimately would cut into time students spend at their own homes.

"The research conducted regarding students and their sleep time isn't new; we've known this for quite some time," Zack wrote in an email. "The issue in changing start times for school is a lot more complex than just making the day later."

First period for Shamokin Area Middle/High School students is 8:05 a.m., 25 minutes shy of the American Academy of Pediatrics' recommended start time.

Southern Columbia Area's start time for middle and high school students is a bit later - 8:13 a.m. The district's superintendent, Paul Caputo, agreed that an earlier start would not be in students' best interest.

Caputo shared Zack's opinion, that a later start would mean later after-school hours at practices or studying. Districts could consider trimming practice times, or moving some activities to weekends. It would take the cooperation of competing districts, too, adding to the logistical complications. And there's the state requirement that schools reach a minimum of 990 instructional hours annually.

As it stands, the attendance rate for Southern Columbia Area's high school is 96.5 percent, Caputo said. It's higher for middle school - 98.3 percent.

"It would be difficult to devise a schedule that would allow students to get the 8.5-9.25 hours of sleep called for in the study. (Southern Columbia Area) covers over 108 square miles so most students need to rise an hour to 90 minutes before school in order to have enough time to dress, eat breakfast and travel to school," Caputo wrote by email. "If the typical teenage student stayed up until 11 p.m. they would have to sleep until at least 7:30 a.m. to get the minimum hours recommended in the study. If this were the starting point for determining a start time, school would not be able to start until 9 a.m. or later."

Reports of man with gun unfounded

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MOUNT CARMEL - Reports that a man pointed a handgun at a woman during a disturbance Sunday in the borough were unfounded, according to police.

Cpl. David J. Donkochik said officers could not substantiate an unidentified woman's claim that the weapon was brandished about 7:40 p.m. in the 100 block of South Plum Street.

However, Donkochik said the woman was slapped in the face, and that a harassment charge against another woman could follow.

The disturbance began with children involved in a dispute. It escalated when adults became involved, Donkochik said.


Magic Men: 3 performers to dazzle fair crowd

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BLOOMSBURG - Magic will be in the air at the 159th Bloomsburg Fair.

Three performers will perform distinctly different acts of magic, humor and intrigue during fair week.

John Measner magic show

Folks fascinated by traditional magic - levitation, rabbits in top hats, disappearing doves, and sawing a man in half - should check out the John Measner Magic Show.

Measner, who describes his show as "old school with a modern touch, began performing magic while working in a magic shop at age 12. He went on to train at the Chavez Studio of Magic in Michigan.

He'll arrive from his home in Chicago with a truck in tow that converts into a full outdoor theater, complete with a stage and sound equipment.

At showtime, Measner kicks off with a classic trick where he makes a canary "literally vanish in front of their eyes."

This, and other classical magic tricks, prove that he's not just another children's party conjurer.

"When I do that trick within the first 45 seconds of the act, all the adults go, 'Oh!'" he said.

Measer said he'll be performing plenty of the tricks he's most well-known for - those involving disappearing and reappearing doves.

"I do a full bird act where I'm producing doves different ways," he said.

Measner said he'll also be performing a couple of original illusions during his act.

"The best trick is where I cut myself in half," he said. "It's a higher quality show that I do mix in the modern, but keep the tradition of magic."

"Monkey Man" Jerry Brown

"Everyone wants to be up close and personal with a monkey," said "Monkey Man" Jerry Brown.

He would know; his entertainment partner is Django, a 23-year-old monkey.

This year he'll be strolling about the fair with his longtime partner, who will collect coins, give kisses and help him perform up-close magic tricks.

"Interspersed with that I do old time vaudeville tunes on the ukelele, fire-eating, stuff like that," said Brown.

When it comes to entertaining, Django usually steals the show, said Brown.

"When you're walking through the crowd and you hear a buzz, it's, 'Did you see that guy with the monkey?'" said Brown.

He said he spends most of his day coaching people on how to play with a monkey.

Django loves to cuddle, said Brown, but her social cues are very different from other pets, like dogs.

"If she leaps on you, she's being friendly, not aggressive," he said.

Dennie Huber

Dennie Huber is hard to miss.

Not only is he 6 feet, 5 inches tall, he'll be wearing a brightly colored, polka-dotted outfit and hat.

And he'll likely be surrounded by a gaggle of children clamoring over his elaborate balloon hats.

"I make some really crazy hat and fishing poles and monkeys climbing tress and big flowers," said Huber. "And they're free due to the kindness of the fair board and the sponsors."

Mixed in with his balloon art will be some sleight of hand, said Huber.

While he doesn't do any complex illusions, he said his tricks are pleasing to kids of all ages.

"There's no such thing as adults at Dennie Huber's shows - there's just double digit kids," he said.

He and his balloons will be floating around gates three and five, allowing him to decorate fair-goers as they enter.

"I'll be doing a lot of hats, I'm sure," said Huber. "They're nice things for the kids to wear - and mom and dad don't have to carry it."

Hunt is on for shooter

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BLOOMING GROVE TWP. - Paul C. Scarlata sat by the front window of his home near the state police barracks as the gunfire erupted Friday night.

Originally, he thought of exploding firecrackers because of the firecracker shop nearby, but quickly realized it was gunfire when a helicopter roared to life. Searchlights illuminated the woods. A phone call from his 20-year-old son, Paul J. Scarlata, confirmed it.

"I heard a number of shots," Scarlata, 57, said Sunday in his living room on state Route 402. "Maybe 20 to 30 shots in all."

At least one shot killed Cpr. Byron K. Dickson II, 38, of Dunmore. At least one more wounded Trooper Alex T. Douglass, whose condition was listed as critical but stable after the shooting. An update on his condition was unavailable Sunday.

The shooting happened at shift change Friday around 10:50 p.m. State police have released little other detail about the attack, fearing that doing so could jeopardize the investigation.

They followed up dozens of leads Sunday that tipsters provided but still had not caught up to whoever shot them.

As troopers searched for the shooter or shooters, agents from the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives joined them Sunday, but spokesmen for the state police declined to say if they had made progress toward solving who was behind the ambush that killed Cpl. Dickson and seriously wounded Trooper Douglass.

"We have no new information, we have nothing to say," state police spokeswoman Maria Finn said.

By Sunday morning, state police had reopened Route 402 around their barracks where the troopers were ambushed about 10:50 p.m. Friday, even letting reporters into the parking lot for a time.

Men wearing olive green shirts with black FBI lettering on the backs wheeled stacks of cardboard boxes out of a garage and stacked them next to a shed shortly before 1 p.m. Sunday. A state police helicopter took off from the barracks around the same time and began circling. A photographer in the helicopter took photographs of the crime scene.

All day long, troopers and others with serious looks on their faces entered and exited the barracks and a new command post 1.2 miles to the south on Route 402 at the Blooming Grove Baptist Church, which bills itself as "The Little White Church on 402."

About 200 feet north of the barracks and across 402, a cluster of armed troopers and conservation officers wearing camouflage crouched around a tree, appearing to comb through the ground. An hour later, about a mile farther to the north a state police vehicle sat parked backward in the woods along the edge of the road, rear hatch open, with troopers milling about as if they were looking for evidence.

At one point, a man wearing sunglasses who said he was a police officer in New Jersey pulled up across from the barracks in a red Chevrolet pickup truck, parked, crossed the road and laid a bouquet with daisies, a rose and a carnation wrapped in plastic next to the sign that marks the barracks, which is about 1.5 miles north Interstate 84, carved out of woods next to the Delaware State Forest.

The man declined to be interviewed.

About a mile north of the barracks and elsewhere in Pike County, state police set up a checkpoint and stopped cars to ask motorists if they saw or heard anything Friday night, Ms. Finn said.

At the church, police set up a large white-truck, mobile command post with a retractable radio tower that Ms. Finn said allowed them to watch what cameras in helicopters flying overhead saw.

If they saw anything, they weren't saying, but Trooper Connie Devens, a spokeswoman for state police in the region, said they were following up on numerous tips that came into a state police hot line. "Any tips that did come in have been assigned to investigators to go out to follow up on at this point in time," Trooper Devens said.

She declined to say if any of the tips had drawn police closer to nailing a suspect or suspects of if the police even had a suspect.

"At this point in time, we don't have anything new to release on any suspects or any other information regarding the investigation," she said.

Police do not have a motive for the shooting.

"At this point in time, we just don't know," Ms. Finn said.

By 3:30 p.m. Sunday, the command post at the church was closing down, headed north up Route 402 to the barracks where the shooting occurred. Ms. Finn said the barracks would function only as a command post and had not resumed the normal duties of a state police station such as taking calls of incidents. Those activities remain at the barracks in Honesdale.

Ms. Finn repeated the advice that State Police Commissioner Frank Noonan issued Saturday about the shooting. Even though the shooter or shooters remain free, the public is not in any immediate danger, she said.

"People should be aware of what's going on around them. They should not be alarmed," she said. "We have no indication in the investigation that the target is for the community or for children. I heard rumors about them closing schools and really there is no indication at all, as far as the investigation is concerned, that this was ... more than a target(ing) of law enforcement."

She urged people to call in tips.

"We're going to take every lead and we're going to follow it and we're going to talk to people. That's what we've been doing, we've been talking to hundreds of people," she said.

Barracks neighbor Sally Barry's security shift at Cove Haven Resorts in Lakeville ended about the time of the shooting. She headed home, but couldn't get past the road block and was told there was an active shooter. She called her husband, Joedy Barry, who was sleeping off a long day as a prison guard at the Pike County Correctional Facility.

"I'm surprised that they did it there. That's pretty brazen," she said.

Barry woke to the sound of helicopters at 3:30 a.m. The phone rang. His wife was able to finally reach him and tell him what she knew and where she was. He hung up, loaded his gun and waited. Besides his gun, he had "the world's best guard dog" at his house - a very large black bear rummaging through his yard.

Scarlata said his son had left the house earlier that night and tried to return home, but was held up by the same roadblock that stymied Mrs. Barry. The elder Scarlata learned what happened and turned his lights off.

He wanted to watch from the windows but didn't want to present a target.

The night passed slowly. Sleep came hard for anyone awakened by the sound of the search. Dawn broke gray in the drizzling rain and detectives began canvassing each house for any information that could help - anything out of the ordinary.

Many residents declined to comment Sunday, especially those living next to the barracks.

Matt Decristan, owner of the fireworks stand, and his cousin John Liagre returned to the store Sunday and quickly check his surveillance camera for clues. There was nothing, to their dismay. The thought of the killer out there gives them chills.

"To hit them at their barracks, their second home, where they feel safe…it's unreal," Liagre said.

Shamokin Area sees surge in kindergarten, adds two classes

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COAL TOWNSHIP - A surge in kindergarten enrollment at Shamokin Area Elementary School led district officials to add two additional classes.

There were 204 children enrolled on Tuesday. That's 35 more than the 169 enrolled as of June 30. Many were enrolled in the last two weeks before the Sept. 2 start of classes.

Principal Mary Teresa Komara wasn't sure why, exactly, the last minute push occurred. She attributed it in part to late registrations, particularly for people having recently moved into the Shamokin Area School District.

When moving into the district, Komara said parents of prospective students will find that the education is sound, the curriculum is updated and class sizes are small.

Kindergarten registration opened in March.

There are 10 Kindergarten classes this school year, with a maximum of 21 students per class. Kate Stroh was hired as a full-time employee for one of the two additional classes. Long-term substitute teacher Caterina Dobak is teaching the other.

According to online records of the Pennsylvania Department of Education, there were 175 kindergarten students at Shamokin Area in 2013-14.

New group, Susquehanna Valley Progressives, focuses on issues, not political parties

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It's about building a better future for all citizens and encouraging a thoughtful public discussion on the issues of the day. It's definitely not about partisanship.

Community betterment, said Nicole Faraguna, of Herndon, is the impetus behind the formation of a new nonpartisan organization, Susquehanna Valley Progressives. She and her husband, John, are among the group's organizers.

The consensus of those who attended an exploratory meeting in late July was that the new organization is needed to promote policies that benefit the entire community. Faraguna stressed the group believes the focus should not only be on the situation today, but also on the impact today's decisions will have on future generations.

Susquehanna Valley Progressives' website (http://svprogress.org) offers a broad overview of the group's agenda. Progressive policy goals or issues of concern include clean and sustainable energy, corporate influence on government processes, public education, equality, government transparency, universal health care, voting rights, workers' rights, income inequality, sustainable agriculture and protection of natural resources.

"All of these issues transcend political parties," Faraguna said.

'Money in politics' talk

Susquehanna Valley Progressives is off to a strong start with its sponsorship next week of a public forum featuring a guest speaker who is a major voice on governmental reform issues in the Keystone State. Barry Kauffman, executive director of Common Cause Pennsylvania, will speak on "Money in Politics" at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23, at Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Susquehanna Valley, 265 Point Township Drive, Northumberland.

Faraguna said Kauffman will talk about the court ruling in the Citizens United case, concerns about corporate takeover of elections and possible solutions to restore democracy. Kauffman plans to allow sufficient time for questions and comments, she added.

Faraguna said the forum - and future forums sponsored by Susquehanna Progressives - is open to the public, regardless of attendees' individual opinions on the topics under discussion. A thoughtful dialogue and an exchange of opinions is always welcome, she added.

From informal group

Susquehanna Valley Progressives was not formed with the intention of replacing existing organizations, Faraguna stressed. The group is seen as a way for people to come together and work together to promote progressive values.

The group grew out of informal get-togethers John and Nicole Faraguna had with like-minded people. About 25 people attended an organizational meeting that was held in late July, and then last week, a steering committee was formed. Additional members are being sought for the committee, which will meet quarterly.

There are no plans to establish a 501c(3) organization, Nicole Faraguna said, because there is no immediate need to raise money. The group plans to rely on volunteers for its organizational functions.

At the first meeting, most of the attendees were from Northumberland, Union and Snyder counties, but there were also representatives from Columbia and Lycoming counties.

As Susquehanna Valley Progressives plans additional meetings for the fall, the group is looking for ideas from the public, Faraguna said. People can contact the organization at svprogressives@gmail.com.

Noteworthy: Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2014

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Lowe's Heros visiting Shamokin

POTTSVILLE - More than 60 Lowe's Heroes from the Lowe's distribution center in Pottsville will volunteer their time and skills Wednesday and Saturday to landscape the entrance of the Shamokin Area Elementary School to help enhance the school and the children's experience.

During the two days, volunteers will build landscape beds, replace shrubs and flowers, replace mulch with decorative stone, fix benches and add lighting and concrete planters.

Lowe's Heroes is a company-wide volunteer initiative that offer Lowe's employees the opportunity to work on a project in their own neighborhoods, helping to make their communities better places to live, work and play.

Spirit of Tuscarora trail dog hike

BARNESVILLE - The Tuscarora State Park naturalist will conduct a "Spirit of Tuscara Trail" hike at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday. The trail is 4 1/2 miles in length and moderate in difficulty.

The trail along the pristine Locust Creek will take walkers through many diverse habitats where they can enjoy beautiful views of the lake and the late summer wildflowers. Dogs are welcome, but must be leashed and get along with other people and dogs. Meet at the upper beach parking lot.

For more information, contact Robin at 570-467-2506. The event will be held shine only.

Park worker is charged with theft

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ELYSBURG - A Knoebels Amusement Resort worker has been charged with theft after allegedly stealing from a food stand Labor Day weekend.

Locust Township Police charged Bret M. Casper, 19, of 1013 Chestnut St., Kulpmont, with two counts each of theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property after allegedly stealing $200 from the park's funnel cake stand Aug. 30 and 31.

According to court documents filed by Locust Township Police Patrolman Paul Hilliard, police were called to the park on Aug. 31 by park security when the food stand manager reported a theft of one-dollar bills.

The manager, Luella Miller, told police that at 10:30 a.m. Aug. 30, Casper arrived at work but never clocked in, then left at 11:15 a.m. without notifying Miller.

At noon, Miller noticed that two packs of dollar bills, totaling $50 each, had been taken from a locked desk drawer in the back of the stand.

Miller told police that during the short time Casper was at work, he spent most of his time in the back room and is familiar where the key for the desk is kept.

On Aug. 31, Miller held onto the key, knowing Casper was working that day. At 11:30 a.m., Casper arrived and, again, spent most of his time in the back room where the money is located, according to police.

At 12:45 p.m., Casper told Miller he had to leave because he wasn't feeling well. Miller went into the back room and noticed the drawer where the money is kept had been opened with an object, and that two $50 stacks of dollar bills were missing.

Miller told police she saw Casper's red sling pack next to the back door, which was unlocked. The door is always kept locked, she said, and she believed that he unlocked the back door and placed his bag next to the door and retrieved it when he left.

On Sept. 2, Hillard interviewed Casper, who made a written statement that he used a credit card on Aug. 31 to open the locked drawer and removed the two packs of bills.

The court documents do not show any admittance to the theft on Aug. 30, but Casper is charged with it.

The complaint was filed with Magisterial District Judge Craig W. Long, of Catawissa. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 16.

An after-hours call to Knoebels Monday to question Casper's employment status wasn't answered.

'Extreme food' artist will carve it up at Bloomsburg Fair

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BLOOMSBURG - Looking for a slice of pumpkin-carving action? Better check out Guido Michael's Halloween Havok Live food art demonstrations.

Michael, who is in his second year as an entertainer at the fair, spends his days creating butterflies from carrots, flowers from turnips and Gizmos from pumpkins in what he describes as "extreme food art."

Originally from the Palmyra area, Michael worked in every aspect of the restaurant industry before he found his niche.

"My staff wanted to carve pumpkins," said Michael. "I'm very competitive so I wanted my pumpkin to be better than everyone else's."

A search online brought up a Thailand fruit carving site. The elaborate yet delicate designs caught Michael's eye.

"I thought, 'That's the coolest thing I've ever seen. I've got to figure out how to do that,'" said Michael.

He immediately went out and bought a bunch of fruit and a utility knife, and set to work imitating what he saw online.

"For the next six months, I destroyed a whole lot of produce," said Michael. "I thought it was the greatest thing I ever did but now looking back, it's really bad."

Eventually his skill increased until he began being offered gigs carving produce for events.

As word of mouth spread, his new business boomed and he decided to go full-time.

"I quit my job and tried to figure out how to make that happen," said Michael.

Part of making that happen was relocated to San Diego, which he did approximately a year ago.

Since then, he's been busy carving produce into logos, flowers and animals for private parties and corporations.

He even created replicas of a client's cats in oranges for an orange-themed party in Orange County.

The art he'll be creating at the fair this year will be themed for Halloween as part of his Halloween Havoc DVD, of which he'll be filming the last part at the fair.

The havoc part will come naturally to Michael.

"It gets kind of nuts," said Michael. "I guarantee I will probably drink 20 to 30 Red Bulls in the first day and a half."

Michael, who considers himself an entertainer and a comedian in addition to a produce artist, said audience involvement is a key part of his demonstration.

"For you to just sit there and carve a piece of fruit, that's not fun," said Michael. "I will hand you a knife and you will do it."

Kids are especially welcome at Michael's demonstration. He brings along special tools that aren't sharp so kids can join in the fun, and often gets ideas from their questions.

"'Can you make this? What if you do this?'" he said. "They think completely different than adults do."

Throughout the fair, Michael will gather his carved pumpkins into a display, which he will light up at the end of the week.


Northumberland County begins digitizing 250 years of records

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SUNBURY - It's a daunting task dependent on funding, but Northumberland County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts Justin Dunkelberger and Register and Recorder Mary Zimmerman are confident thousands of historical court records can be preserved electronically in the next couple years.

The first physical steps to computerize records in both offices began Monday morning when a truckload of documents were removed from the dark, damp courthouse basement and transported to IMR Documents and Data in Hazleton to become digitalized.

After each truckload of records is organized and computerized, they will be returned to the county within a week. If anyone wishes to review a record during the time they are being computerized, a copy of the document they are seeking will be sent to the courthouse in a day or two.

The county officials said there are approximately 3,000 tri-folders, thick binders and boxes containing county records from their two offices alone. Each binder contains 500 to 600 pages and weighs approximately 25 pounds.

"IMR, which is the software provider for both our offices, will transport a truckload of records to their office every Monday for the next 14 or 15 weeks while returning the previous week's documents after they are computerized," Dunkelberger said. "This is a very labor-intensive project, especially the indexing part. But our goal is to get most of the records digitalized and online in the next couple years."

Dunkelberger said digitalizing the records is expected to cost between $700,000 and $900,000. He said IMR, which also has offices in Harrisburg, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, was the low bidder for the work, which has been approved by the county commissioners.

Paying for it

The prothonotary said both offices are contributing $50,000 each from their improvement fund budgets, which include user fees for services rendered. "There will be no tax dollars spent on this project," he said.

He also said the prothonotary and register and recorder offices have allocated $25,000 each in their 2015 budgets toward the computerized records.

The county's improvement fund committee comprised of Zimmerman, Dunkelberger, Commissioner Stephen Bridy, Treasurer Kevin Gilroy and Sheriff Robert Wolfe has earmarked $100,000 for the project with money received in user fees.

County officials also are seeking outside funding for the computerized records project.

In addition to the prothonotary and register and recorder, records also are kept in vaults in the courthouse basement for the commissioners, sheriff and treasurer.

"We started organizing this project in March," said Dunkelberger. "With the help of three work release program participants from Northumberland County Prison approved by then Warden Roy Johnson, we were able to complete some of the legwork. The inmates, who are now free and employed, really helped us and it was a good experience for them."

Dunkelberger said he hopes to receive approval from the court to use defendants placed on probation to help with preparing the documents for transport to Hazleton.

"These records have been subjected to awful conditions through the years," he added.

250 years of records

Dunkelberger said since he took office in January, he's had security cameras, a copier and dehumidifier installed in the basement. Workers also were able to unclog some of the drains to alleviate water problems.

"We are one broken pipe, fire or flood away from losing 250 years of history," he said.

Zimmerman agreed with Dunkelberger about the precarious condition of the records.

"This is long overdue," she said. "Not having the records digitalized has put us in jeopardy of losing them forever. Justin and I have worked on this for the past several months and we believe it can work, but it's going to take time and money."

Zimmerman, who plans to computerize every deed, marriage license, adoption and orphan's court document, said, "I'm really excited that we will be able to offer history online back to the 1700s."

Proper storage

Computerizing records also will reduce foot traffic in both offices, which will free up employees for other duties.

She agreed with Dunkelberger that indexing the materials will be the most difficult and expensive part of the project.

Zimmerman said officials from the Degenstein Foundation in Sunbury and Northumberland County Historical Society have expressed interest in supporting the project.

In January, the Degenstein Foundation pledged $1 million to preserve the records by moving them to the former Amato's Pizza building on Market Street. But no further developments have occurred with the proposal since that time, Zimmerman said.

"We appreciate the support from the Degenstein Foundation and historical society," she said. "We want to get as much out of the basement as possible, but we haven't decided on another storage facility that would be appropriate."

Although the records are being computerized, she said the originals must be kept at the courthouse for historical purposes.

Commissioner Richard Shoch has served as a liaison between the Degenstein Foundation and commissioners regarding the records preservation project.

Earlier this year, Commissioner Chairman Vinny Clausi formed an informal advisory committee to assist the commissioners in moving the records to a new location. Clausi chose President Judge William H. Wiest to chair the committee because of his close association with the historical society and his desire to preserve and protect the historical records of the county.

Zimmerman, Deputy Prothonotary Geraldine Yagle and acting chief clerk John Muncer also serve on the committee.

Shamokin teen on bike hit by car, suffers injury to left leg

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SHAMOKIN - A 16-year-old city boy suffered an injury to his left leg when he was struck by a vehicle in the 100 block of South Pearl Street.

Bryson Shoff was riding a bicycle south on the sidewalk about 1 p.m. Sunday when, according to Shamokin Patrolman Mark Costa, he cut into the street and was struck by a northbound Hyundai Accent.

The collision caused Shoff to bounce off the front-end of a parked Chevrolet pickup truck, police said.

Costa said he believed neither Shoff nor the vehicle's driver, Tiffany Ignaszewski, 24, of 1020 Race St., Coal Township, saw each other.

Ignaszewski was not injured.

The Hyundai sustained a flat front tire and damage to its front end. Frank Jurewicz owns the pickup, which sustained minor damage.

Shoff was driven by AREA Services Ambulance to Geisinger-Shamokin Area Community Hospital, Coal Township.

Landlord/tenant claims: Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2014

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The following landlord/tenant claims or judgments were filed in magisterial district court:

Judge John Gembic III, Shamokin

Shamokin Housing Authority, Shamokin, against John and Debra Wilhelm, of Coal Township, for $876, filed Sept. 12. Hearing scheduled for Sept. 29.

Robert and Angela Gennaria, of Bloomsburg, against Gia Marie Delorenzo, of Shamokin, for $2,413, filed Sept. 12. Hearing scheduled for Sept. 29.

Tri-City Development Co. Inc., of Mount Carmel, against Tammy Heffner, of Shamokin, for $1,660, filed Sept. 9. Hearing scheduled for Sept. 22.

Walter Hyde, of Shamokin, awarded $350 Sept. 8 from Samantha Jane and Donald John Doe, of Shamokin.

Carolyn Smith, of Shamokin, awarded $157.10 Sept. 8 from Jerry Kerstetter and April Phillips, of Shamokin.

Claim filed by Gloria and Michael Kalman, of Coal Township, withdrawn against Tim Yost, of Coal Township.

Tim, Ron and Irene Geiswite, of Millmont, awarded $662.50 Sept. 9 from Adam Burns and Alyssa Koshinskie, of Shamokin.

Judge Hugh A. Jones, Mt. Carmel

Apartments and Acquisitions, of Mount Carmel, against Eva Mooney, of Atlas, for $1,200, filed Sept. 11. Hearing scheduled for Sept. 25.

JP Realty Enterprises LLC, of Kulpmont, against Walter Findeis, of Mount Carmel, for $1,100, filed Sept. 9. Hearing scheduled for Sept. 23.

Lynyrd Skynyrd stepping in for ZZ Top

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BLOOMSBURG - Fair officials announced earlier this week Lynyrd Skynyrd will replace ZZ Top at the Toyota Grandstand Stage Thursday.

The announcement was made on the fair's Facebook page Friday with a statement from lead singer Johnny Van Zant.

"We are sorry to hear that our long time friends ZZ Top have had to cancel their remaining tour dates for the year. We are excited to step in and help out," Van Zant wrote. "We will be performing at the Bloomsburg Fair (on Sept. 25) in Bloomsburg."

ZZ Top was forced to cancel their show last week after bassist Dusty Hill injured his hip in a fall on his tour bus. The injury forced ZZ Top to cancel all of its remaining tour dates for 2014.

Those who have tickets for ZZ Top were given until Monday to exchange their tickets for the same seats for the Lynyrd Skynyrd show. Starting today, refunds will be issued and Skynyrd tickets will go on sale to the general public at the same price - $51 for track seating and $46 for the grandstand.

"We would like to be able to open the Lynyrd Skynyrd tickets up for sale, but do want to take care of our present ZZ Top customers first, if at all possible," said a statement on the fair's website Monday. "Our office staff tried calling the majority of our Internet customers that we had phone numbers for, but found we were leaving many messages as people were at work."

Cash refunds will be given to those who bring their tickets to the fair's grandstand ticket offices.

Skynyrd, with original member Gary Rossington and Van Zant - the younger brother of the band's original lead singer Ronnie Van Zant, who died in a plane crash with two other band members in 1977 - are currently out on their 40th anniversary tour. The band behind such classics as "Free Bird," "Gimme Three Steps," and "Simple Man," have been the standard bearers for southern rock. Their anthem "Sweet Home Alabama" has been downloaded two million times as a cell phone ringtone, according to the band that sold more than 30 million albums worldwide.

Citizen: Why doesn't county reassess?

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SUNBURY - Properties in Northumberland County have not been reassessed since 1972, mostly because of the enormous cost to the county and the likelihood of a significant tax increase.

The issue has been broached in the past and resurfaced Tuesday when Kevin Bridi of Rockefeller Township asked the commissioners their opinions on conducting a reassessment.

Commissioner Stephen Bridy opposes reassessment because he believes it would be too costly and there would be no way of "getting it right."

Bridy, who estimated the cost at $3 million, told Bridi the county doesn't have the ability to assess a fee on every taxpayer for reassessment purposes. Although he agreed that most properties in the county are under assessed, he said interest rates and inflation costs would skyrocket.

He said the reassessment project would take three or four years while forcing commissioners to increase taxes by four mills.

Bridi claimed state laws need to be changed to make counties conduct reassessments every 10 to 15 years. He said the failure to reassess properties in more than 40 years has allowed more low-income residents to move into the area.

Commissioner Richard Shoch said reassessment is something the county needs to look at in the future, but feels now is not the right time because of the current board's rationale.

Commissioner Chairman Vinny Clausi believes the county should conduct a reassessment of properties, although he acknowledges it would be an unpopular decision. "Everybody is scared to do it," Clausi said. "I think we should do it for the entire county, or in 10 years the county will go broke for lack of revenue."

Clausi said he has supported reassessment in the past, but his fellow commissioners would not back him.

In other business:

- The board accepted a check for $2,484 from the Borough of Kulpmont for the sale of a fire-ravaged property at 916 Chestnut St. formerly owned by David Dubbs to satisfy the county's mortgage on the property. The property was sold to Eastern Enterprises Inc.

The county loaned the borough approximately $9,000 to clean up the fire debris from the lot after Dubbs claimed he had no money to do so. Dubbs eventually deeded over the property to the borough following a court battle.

- Commissioners approved a proposal from Coventry Health America calling for a 7 percent decrease in medical insurance payments for 2015. Clausi, who helped negotiate the contract, said by signing the proposal three months early, the county will save an estimated $364,000 while avoiding potential increases.

He said the county currently pays Coventry Health America $5.2 million for medical coverage. The cost will be reduced to approximately $4.8 million next year.

Three hundred forty nine of the county's 800 employees are covered under the health care contract.

Clausi and Bridy voted in favor of the proposal, while Shoch opposed it, claiming he didn't have enough information and wasn't aware it would be on the meeting agenda.

After the meeting, Clausi provided an email to The News-Item that shows all three commissioners were informed about the renewal proposal for health insurance by administrative assistant Janet Povish on Sept. 4.

- The board authorized the purchase of a 2014 police utility vehicle from Beyer Ford under the COSTARS Program at a cost of $36,809.93. The vehicle will replace a car damaged in a rollover accident.

Clausi said the sheriff department vehicles are getting old and recommended replacing them.

- On a 2-1 vote, the board favored a recommendation by Bridy to place the weatherization department under the supervision of the planning department. Bridy said the departments handle similar grants.

Shoch voted against the move since he said he didn't know it was going to be on the agenda.

- Richard Daniels of Dalmatia was appointed farmer director on the Northumberland County Conservation District Board of Directors for a three-year term, beginning Jan. 1.

- Povish announced that the county prison earned full compliance during the 2014 inspection period from the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections and that the county's hazardous material response team received state certification from the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency.

- The board held a five-minute executive session to discuss a union contract.

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