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Noteworthy: Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2014

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Fire department memorial service set

MOUNT CARMEL - The Volunteer Fire Department of Mount Carmel will hold its 16th annual memorial service Sunday.

The service remembers those who have answered their final alarm during the past year. It begins at 9 a.m. at the Grace United Church of Christ, Third and Market streets. The Rev. Joan Brown will officiate.

Fire department members are asked to dress in company uniform and be at the church by 8:45 a.m.

Those to be remembered are Charles J. Gilotti, John James and Robert J. McSurdy Jr., American Hose and Chemical Fire Co.; J. William Coddington Sr., Robert A. Krah and John J. Ruginis Jr., Anthracite Steam Fire Co. No. 1; Thomas Albert, Michael D. Cimino, Charles H. Dusendschine and John R. Olearnick Sr., Clover Hose Co.; and John E. Purcell Jr., West End Fire Co.

Fire, ambulance grant period open

HARRISBURG - The 2014-2015 Fire Company and Volunteer Ambulance Services Grant Program is open and the state is accepting applications for funding, according to Sen. John R. Gordner (R-27). The Office of State Fire Commissioner is accepting grant applications from local fire and ambulance companies through mid-October.

"Last year, over 2,500 fire and ambulance companies applied for and received this important funding which totaled $35 million," said Gordner.

Fire and ambulance companies may use the grant funds to construct or renovate facilities, purchase or repair equipment, pay for training and certification of members, or retire debt related to facility or equipment purchases. Grants are no less than $2,500 and may be as much as $15,000 for fire companies and $10,000 for ambulance services.

Applications and information on the program are available through the Office of State Fire Commissioner at www.osfc.state.pa.us.

Borough street to close Wednesday

MOUNT CARMEL - Hickory Street will be closed from Avenue to Railroad Street starting Wednesday to accomodate the Shamokin Creek Flood Protection Project.

The existing culvert will be replaced. Residents will have access to their homes, but through traffic will not be allowed.


Man sentenced for having unlicensed gun served PFA

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SUNBURY - A Paxinos man who allegedly punched his father, put him in a headlock and stole his SUV in May before being taken into custody by multiple police officers was served a protection from abuse order filed by his stepmother on the same day he was sentenced on two criminal charges.

Joshua Purcell, 27, of 134 Roadarmel Lane, pleaded guilty Monday to possessing a firearm without a license and resisting arrest and was placed on probation for a total of 30 months by Judge Charles Saylor. Purcell also was ordered to pay a $100 fine plus costs.

Additional charges of simple assault, receiving stolen property, unauthorized use of a vehicle, possession of drug paraphernalia and harassment were withdrawn under a plea agreement with the district attorney's office.

Purcell, who was represented by attorney Christian Frey, of Williamsport, was served a protection from abuse order by the county sheriff's office when he appeared for his court proceeding. The order was filed by his stepmother, Sherrilee Purcell, who claimed the defendant threatened to kill her and his father, Donald Purcell. In the PFA, Sherrille Purcell said she was afraid of the defendant who allegedly spit in her face, used drugs, possessed a gun and held a hand up to her face. She said the most recent incident involving Purcell occurred Aug. 26.

Authorities had previously attempted to serve Purcell with the PFA, but were unsuccessful.

On May 23, Ralpho Township Cpl. Bryon Chowka charged Purcell after he allegedly assaulted his father at their home before fleeing the scene in his father's 1997 GMC Jimmy. The victim called Ralpho Township police, and a request for assistance was made to state police, Coal Township and Shamokin police.

Purcell was spotted driving south along Route 61 in Coal Township and was pulled over along a dirt access road along Route 225 near the Cameron Bridge.

Police asked Purcell if he had any weapons in the vehicle. Purcell said he had a gun and knives. The gun was later identified as a Ruger Mark II .22 pistol owned by Donald Purcell. The elder Purcell said the pistol is normally locked in a cabinet to which his son does not have access. A glass pipe used to smoke marijuana was also found in the vehicle. Joshua Purcell admitted the pipe was his, police said.

Centralia to open time capsule Saturday

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CENTRALIA - A time capsule containing materials placed by Centralians in 1966 will be opened two years early because of water damage. A public ceremony to mark the occasion will occur at noon Saturday at the American Legion, Post 608, Wilburton.

The capsule was buried on Legion property near St. Ignatius Cemetery before the town was forever changed by a growing underground mine fire. It was to be opened during the July 4 weekend in 2016.

Items were "floating in water" when Legion members opened the capsule for inspection in June after it had been tampered with between May 24 and 31. Ed Lawler, commander of the Legion, said the person responsible for the tampering was unable to break the locks of the large metal vault. He said he knows who did it, but has declined to press charges.

He said the water damage occurred because the vault was buried for 48 years and the materials inside were not properly protected. Upon entering the vault, the contents were not enclosed in the capsule and the items were saturated.

"Due to circumstances beyond our control, namely, the tampering with and the excavation of the Legion's time capsule, we were forced to remove it in order to secure and protect its contents," Lawler said last week. "Although it was untimely and premature of the much anticipated 2016 date, it was ultimately necessary."

Salvageable materials will be redistributed, if possible. Lawler said many of the materials were damaged beyond repair and that a group has been working to restore as many items as possible. Materials saved include some newspapers and coins.

A list of who contributed items to the capsule was located and will be used to contact former residents or their family.

"It is of utmost importance to get these memorable belongings in to the hands of their rightful owners," he said. "After all, that was the intention of the Centralia Legion when the capsule was buried. Those intentions haven't changed."

Lawler thanked Legion members, Centralia Joy Club and the Brothers of the Brush and Sisters of the Swish who are no longer with us.

Warrior Run assessment appeal called crazy

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SUNBURY - Approximately 20 property owners in Warrior Run School District who testified Monday at assessment appeals believe they are being discriminated against and won't be able to afford their homes if they are reassessed based on recent selling prices.

While school district solicitor Austin White and business manager Heather Burke attempted to convince the county assessment appeals board that sales prices equal fair market values, property owners and officials from the county assessor's office strongly disagreed.

Al Bressi, chief county assessor, said sales prices must be considered in determining market values, but are not the controlling element. He said sales, income and cost all must be involved in determining a fair market value.

"The sales price is not credible and is not the fair market value," Bressi said. "Other factors such as depreciation and equipment involved with a property must be taken into account. School district officials are relying only on sales prices and the deeds they presented to the board. You need to investigate the sale completely to make sure it is valid."

Bressi said, "I live by the rules, but the school district is being very selective in this and that's not right."

He also said it wasn't proper for the sales prices to be presented by Burke, who is not an appraiser.

The chief assessor said there are more than 4,000 parcels in the school district located in Northumberland County, but Warrior Run only chose to reassess 61 properties (1.5 percent).

'Crazy'

Terry E. Aunkst, of Musser Lane, Watsontown, said residents are concerned how much the school district will raise their taxes if the reassessments of their homes are approved.

George V. Hampe III, also of Musser Lane, Watsontown, called the school district's intention to raise revenue at the property owners' expense "crazy."

Attorney Benjamin Landon, of Williamsport, who represented Wayne J. Mahonski, of Blue Ball Road, Watsontown, told White and Burke that the district is applying 2012 sales prices to the properties, which he claims isn't fair or legal.

"The properties must be assessed uniformly and in order to change the assessment, you must show there were some problems with how the properties were assessed in 1972," he said. "The school board has not presented any credible evidence to reassess the properties. The selection process is unfair."

White pointed out that the school district has a right to appeal and the uniformity issue doesn't apply because the district is looking to have properties across the county reassessed.

"We believe this is an acceptable way to test if a property meets the uniformity threshold," he said.

Roger H. Rovenolt, of River Road, Watsontown, read a lengthy statement criticizing the school district for wanting to raise $100,000 by reassessing 61 properties.

He accused the board of "overspending without justification" and claimed he would be forced to pay five times more in taxes than he currently pays if his property is reassessed.

Rovenolt said the taxpayers in the district will be punished if the reassessment plan is approved. He said a fairer method must be developed.

He pointed out that since there are many farms in Warrior Run School District, taxes should be based on property use rather than fair market value. "All properties must be assessed on a uniformity ratio," he said.

More today

Twenty-seven properties were reviewed Monday in the public meeting room at the county administration center, with the remainder scheduled for today. Bressi is scheduled to testify about the appeals at about 3:30 p.m. today.

The county assessment appeal board is comprised of Commissioners Stephen Bridy, Richard Shoch and Vinny Clausi. But county chief clerk John Muncer, an experienced attorney, filled in for Clausi on the board as the commissioner was summoned over the weekend to a family emergency in Italy.

County solicitor Frank Garrigan also was present for the appeals.

Assisting Bressi were county consultant and appraiser Richard Drzewiecki, assessment office field supervisor David Hummel and assistant chief assessor Tiffany Kaseman.

Bressi said the board could render a decision in the next five days, but has until Nov. 15 to do so.

While appeals are common, Bressi said the appeals sought by the district are unprecedented in his 16 years in the job in that they're being sought, not by the property owners, but by a taxing body.

Seeking an assessment that's based on current market value may sound logical, Bressi said, but the problem is the properties selected all have been sold in the last three years, while the last county property reassessment was in 1972.

Also, the properties involved were chosen, he said, because they are all assessed at less than 10 percent of their recent sale prices.

He said he's not questioning the district's right to appeal, but his concern is the narrowed selection.

If Warrior Run is successful, Bressi predicts a multitude of appeals will be made by other taxing bodies in the county.

Warrior Run School District reaches into three counties - Northumberland, Union and Montour.

Superintendent Dr. John Kurelja said there is a great disparity with the fair market values currently being calculated.

"In the three counties we serve, Northumberland is the only one that hasn't done a reassessment recently," Kurelja previously said. "The other counties did theirs in 2006, and those properties are much closer to the market values."

Since the district does not have the authority to ask for reassessment, they are going the route of the reverse appeal - a move Kurelja said could be more prevalent in coming years.

"I'm sure that more districts will be doing this, given the tough financial times school districts are facing," he said.

Ranshaw man gets up to 3 years in jail for raping teen

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SUNBURY - A Ranshaw man charged with raping a 13-year-old girl in January was sentenced Monday by President Judge William H. Wiest to 1 to 3 years in county prison on a felony of statutory sexual assault.

The judge imposed the sentence on Daniel Joseph Covatta, 21, who was given credit for 250 days served in Northumberland County Prison.

Covatta, who must register as a Megan's Law offender for the remainder of his life, was ordered to pay $200 in fines plus costs.

Saylor also sentenced the defendant to 6 to 23 months in county jail on a felony of unlawful contact with a minor, which runs concurrent to the prison time he received for statutory sexual assault.

Additional charges of aggravated indecent assault, indecent assault and corruption of minors were not prosecuted.

Covatta was charged by Shamokin Patrolman Raymond Siko II in connection with a Jan. 17 incident at Raspberry Hill. Police said Covatta engaged in sexual intercourse with the victim while his parents were upstairs. Siko said Covatta's parents had no knowledge of the rape and were not charged.

Five defendants sentenced

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SUNBURY - Five defendants were sentenced Monday by Northumberland County President Judge William H. Wiest.

- Tyler Petro, 21, of Mount Carmel, was sentenced to 2 days to 6 months in county prison on a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol relating to a May 19, 2013, incident in Mount Carmel Township. He was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine plus costs.

- Brandon Thew, 22, of Shamokin, was sentenced to time served to 6 months in jail and one year probation for driving under the influence and recklessly endangering another person relating to a March 15 incident in Mount Carmel Township. Thew was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine plus costs.

- Kurt Dietrich, 50, of Coal Township, was sentenced to 3 days to 6 months in county prison and ordered to pay a $1,000 fine plus costs after pleading guilty to DUI involving a July 20, 2013, accident in Shamokin.

- Timothy Ulrich Jr., 26, of Danville, was sentenced to 90 days house arrest, placed on supervised probation for one year and ordered to pay a $1,000 fine plus costs after pleading guilty to DUI.

The charge relates to a Dec. 12, 2012, accident in Rush Township.

- Jerry McFarland, 52, of Coal Township, was sentenced to 3 days to 6 months in county prison on a DUI charge involving an Aug. 4, 2013, incident in Shamokin. He was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine plus costs.

Noteworthy: Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2014

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Tower hike at state park

BARNESVILLE - An eight-mile hike of the mountain behind Locust Lake State Park and a visit to the Silver Creek Fire Tower is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Wednesday. The hike is moderate in difficulty.

Park officials said the pine stands and brush are a perfect habitat for birds and other wildlife. Those attending should meet at the visitor parking lot located before the contact station. Bring a lunch and your dog for relaxing walk in the woods. Pets must be leashed and get along with people and other pets.

For further information, contact Robin at 570-467-2506. The walk will be held "shine only."

Film on lifestyle choice to be shown

SHAMOKIN - A couple's journey with their son's announced homosexuality will be examined Thursday at Lifetree Café, 531 N. Market St.

The program, titled "My Son is Gay," features exclusive filmed interviews with a couple who faced various challenges from family, friends and church after their college-aged son announced his gay lifestyle.

Admission to the 60-minute event, which begins at 7 p.m., is free. Snacks and beverages are available.

For more information, contact Kathy Vetovich at 570-672-9346 or kvetovich@gmail.com.

DUI charges expect for SCI-CT deputy superintendent

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COAL TOWNSHIP - Driving under the influence of alcohol charges are expected to be filed today or Thursday against a deputy superintendent at SCI-Coal Township relating to a Sept. 20 accident near the intersection of 16th Street (Hospital Road) and Route 61 in Tharptown.

Coal Township Chief of Police William Carpenter confirmed Tuesday that DUI and related offenses will be filed against Michael Miller, 50, of Danville, by Patrolman Edward Purcell at the office of Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III.

Police previously reported Miller was driving a Ford truck on Hospital Road at 10:10 p.m. toward Route 61 when his vehicle struck the rear end of a Dodge coupe operated by Jesse Bright, 30, of Shamokin, who was stopped at a red light at the intersection with Route 61.

No injuries were reported.

Both vehicles sustained moderate damage and were towed from the scene by Anthracite Towing.

Purcell and Cpl. Terry Ketchem investigated the accident.

Carpenter said prison officials have been very cooperative during the investigation.

SCI-Coal Township Superintendent Vincent Mooney reserved comment when asked if Miller has been suspended because it was a personnel matter. He referred all questions involving the accident to Coal Township police.


COME ON IN: Preparations continue for haunted house

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ELYSBURG - Even after 38 years of spooking people in the old structure along Route 487, the Elysburg Haunted House continues to find news ways to frighten those who dare enter its walls.

When the house opens at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10, "victims" will face six new outdoor and six new indoor features.

Harvey Boyer, Elysburg Fire Company president and assistant chief who leads the operation, said among the new frights are a vanishing hallway, a trophy room with heads mounted on walls, "insane patients" and a feature he would only describe as "Gary," followed by an evil cackle.

Also new is a haunted spider mine. Some of the spiders may be real, said volunteer Wayne Horne, due to an infestation of the eight-legged crawlers.

As usual, the house will be staffed with 60 to 85 volunteers each night, many of which will serve as demons reaching out from behind false walls.

At least eight food vendors will be on-site, a prospect that excites Boyer.

"That pork chop on a stick is awesome," he said, adding that he hoped to get out from his spooky spot to grab a snack.

The haunted house, located adjacent to the Elysburg Gun Club, will be open beginning at 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, Oct. 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25 and 31. Tickets are $10 per person with all proceeds going to the Elysburg and Ralpho fire companies.

Ranshaw man ordered to appear for plea court on child porn charges

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SHAMOKIN - A 63-year-old Ranshaw man charged with possessing 700 images of child pornography on his computer was ordered to appear for plea court Nov. 10 after waiving his right to a preliminary hearing Tuesday afternoon before Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III.

Alan Donald Coveleskie, of 408 Webster St., who was represented by county conflicts counsel Kate Lincoln, told the judge he understood the ramifications of forfeiting his right to a hearing and sending the case to the Court of Common Pleas in Sunbury.

At his next court appearance, Coveleskie can plead guilty or no contest, or seek a trial by pleading not guilty.

He was returned to Northumberland County Prison, where he has been held in lieu of $25,000 cash bail since his Aug. 28 arrest by Coal Township Detective Jeff Brennan on 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.

Coveleskie and Lincoln reserved comment after the brief legal proceeding.

The hearing had been continued twice.

Coveleskie, who is a Megan's Law offender, is accused of possessing the 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 computer at his residence between 2011 and 2012. They said Coveleskie offered them cigarettes to come to his home.

Reassessment decision in commissioners' hands

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SUNBURY - Two Northumberland County commissioners will decide Friday if Warrior Run School District is allowed to reassess 50 properties based on their recent selling prices.

Closing arguments were presented Tuesday afternoon by county chief assessor Al Bressi and school district solicitor Austin White at the conclusion of two days of assessment appeals in the public meeting room at the county administration center.

If the reassessments are approved, property owners in the school district could experience tax increases ranging from $216.42 for a home to $360,733.81 for a business.

The district is hoping to generate approximately $100,000 in revenue by having properties reassessed that have been involved in sales transactions over the past three years.

As assessment appeal board members, Commissioners Richard Shoch and Stephen Bridy can approve some, all or none of the reassessments. Commissioner Vinny Clausi also serves on the board, but was unable to attend the appeals due to a family emergency in Italy. County chief clerk and assistant solicitor John Muncer filled in for Clausi Monday when 27 properties were reviewed. But White, who initially agreed to have Muncer serve on the board in Clausi's absence, objected to the appointment Tuesday, leaving only Shoch and Bridy as members.

Muncer served as the board's solicitor at Tuesday's proceedings.

Initially, the school district was seeking to reassess 61 properties in Northumberland County, but 11 of the parcels were withdrawn or abandoned from the list due to errors in the way the appeals were filed.

As he did Monday, Bressi said the school district's method of selecting which properties to reassess was unfair, unjust and not in compliance with the state's reassessment laws.

He said, "I've been in this business for 16 years, but this is the longest day of my life. You are making my life impossible. There are parcels that are reassessed at less than 10 percent of their recent sales that weren't chosen by the district and that contradicts the referendum approved by the school board. I have a problem with that. No one should have been left out."

The assessor, who noted some property owners missed work to attend the hearing, said he didn't know how some property owners could afford to keep their homes or businesses if the reassessments are approved.

He encouraged the board not to approve any of the reassessments because of various deficiencies in the way the appeal process was conducted by school district officials. He also cautioned that approving the reassessments would set a dangerous precedent as more taxing bodies would file appeals.

During his closing argument, Bressi provided a packet of information containing various sales charts supporting his position on the issue.

White said the parcels were picked internally by the district based on data provided to officials.

"The district's methodology for selecting which properties to appeal is not on trial. We can do that according to state law," he said.

Noting the appeals had to be filed by Sept. 1, White said the assessment appeal board must decide if the school district presented enough information to show that sales prices were the fair market values for the properties chosen.

He agreed with Bressi on certain points about the reassessment process, but said it would have been cost prohibitive for a small school district like Warrior Run to hire appraisers and other experts to defend its stance.

County consultant and appraiser Richard Drzewiecki added, "The sales price recorded on the deed doesn't necessarily match the fair market value. Revealing the deeds, although important, is not a controlling factor. The school district didn't meet its burden of proof and failed to provide credible evidence."

Bridy got the loudest ovation from the audience when he accused White and other school district officials of wasting the time of the assessment office and other county officials by filing the appeals.

He requested White to apologize to Bressi at one point and said employees in the assessor's office were months behind because they had to spend numerous hours gathering data to oppose the reassessments.

George Kline, of Coal Township, a real estate appraiser, believes the school district violated the property owners' due process rights and the procedures, rules and regulations of the assessment appeals board.

Jordan Mix, of Watsontown, said, "As one of the property owners involved, I believe I'm being discriminated against. Other properties were overlooked intentionally or in error and that violates the uniformity clause. There are obvious holes in the criteria for the selection process."

Bressi said he was confident the reassessments will not be approved.

After sitting through two days of appeals, the assessor said, "I'm satisfied and I want to commend my entire staff, especially assessment office field supervisor David Hummel and assistant chief assessor Tiffany Kaseman. They have done a wonderful job preparing for these appeals."

After the hearing, Bridy said he had already made up his mind on each of the properties, but did not disclose how he would vote Friday.

Muncer explained if the two commissioners were split on reassessing the properties, the appeals would be denied.

Bressi said if the reassessments are not approved, Warrior Run School District has 30 days to file an appeal to the Court of Common Pleas.

Fuel gauge: Gas prices keep on dropping

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Susquehanna Valley gas prices dropped almost a penny to $3.386 a gallon, according to AAA East Central's Fuel Gauge report.

On the national front

Less than one week into the autumn driving season, the national average price for regular unleaded gasoline has dropped to $3.333 per gallon, the lowest price since February, after falling for 21 of the past 24 days. Tuesday's average is fractions of a penny less than one week ago, 10 cents less than one month ago and seven cents less than one year ago.

Decreased demand, relatively lower crude prices and the cost savings associated with producing winter-blend fuel will likely keep downward pressure on the price for retail gasoline. Barring any major disruptions in supply, drivers are expected to see some of the lowest autumn prices since 2010.

Motorists in every state and Washington, D.C., continue to pay less for retail gasoline than one month ago. Year-over-year comparisons reflect overall savings for nearly all consumers.

Geopolitical events remain front of mind for market watchers, but in recent months have not translated into upward pressure on global oil markets. The price of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil did settle $1.03 higher at $94.57 per barrel at the close of Monday's formal trading on the NYMEX, but prices remain near the 17-month low of $91.52 per barrel that was registered on Sept. 22.

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

Coroner seeking family of deceased man

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SHAMOKIN - James F. Kelley, Northumberland County coroner, is seeking assistance from the general public locating blood relatives of William Joseph McDonnell, 74.

McDonnell, a white male, passed away from natural causes in the emergency room at Geisinger-Shamokin Area Community Hospital Monday. He last resided on East Sixth Street, Mount Carmel. It is believed he previously was a resident of Philadelphia and may still have relatives in that area.

Those with information, including names and phone numbers of relatives, should contact Kelley via the Northumberland County Communication Center at 570-988-4539.

Northumberland man exchanged nude photos with Elysburg girl, 15

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MOUNT CARMEL - A Northumberland man was charged Tuesday with corruption of minors and sexual abuse of children for allegedly exchanging nude photos with a 15-year-old girl from Elysburg over a seven-month period.

David W. Klock, 46, of 128 Fallen Pines Lane, was jailed in Northumberland County Prison on $50,000 cash bail after being arraigned on felony counts of sexual abuse of children, dissemination of obscene and other sexual materials to minors and two counts each of unlawful contact with a minor and corruption of minors.

Klock was silent inside Magisterial District Judge Hugh Jones's courtroom during his arraignment. His wife, Bobbie Sue, and two other individuals with her watched the proceedings.

According to documents filed by Ralpho Township Police Cpl. Bryon Chowka, the investigation began in February with the female telling police she met Klock in the summer of 2013 and the two exchanged cell phone numbers.

The girl said the two began talking to each other through text messages, mostly about her problems as a teenager. But then, she told police, the conversations began to get "more serious."

When asked to define the term, the girl said the messages became sexual in nature, and the female would send photos of herself to him.

She said the photos at first were pictures of herself fully clothed; later she sent pictures of her bare midriff.

Klock told police in his interview that the girl sent a lot of photos of herself doing everyday activities, of her head and face area, what she was wearing to school that day and other teenage-type photos, all while being fully clothed.

He told police that when the female starting sending photos of her bare abdominal area, he began asking her, through texts, to send nude photos of herself.

The female sent photos of herself wearing only a bra, but he continued to ask, so she sent a self-portrait with her breasts exposed, police said.

The female said she sent six or seven topless photos to Klock's cell phone, either through her cell phone or through an instant messaging program. Klock told police it was about a dozen photos, most of them being taken into a mirror, but that one was taken while she was in the shower.

Klock said he immediately deleted the photos from his phone.

The victim said in November 2013 she received a text message from Klock that included a photo of a penis. She said she received a similar picture about a month later. Klock allegedly admitted to police that he took the photographs and sent them to the girl.

Police said they were able to find the photos on both cell phones through forensic analysis done by the Pennsylvania State Police Computer Crime Division.

Billing statements from the girl's phone showed she and Klock exchanged 12,864 text messages between July 2013 and February 2014. The girl sent 393 photos to Klock and he sent 41 photos to her, police said.

A preliminary hearing before Jones is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 15.

Man who faces felony drug charges must wait to see if he'll be released from prison

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SUNBURY - A felony drug defendant must wait up to another 10 days to learn if he'll be released from Northumberland County Prison on nominal bail.

Esteven R. Soto, 30, of 1752 Walton Ave., 6A, Bronx, N.Y., remains in Northumberland County Prison on $250,000 bail. He's been held since Feb. 9, the day after he was arrested, while police investigated the shooting of a Milton woman.

Guns and drugs were allegedly found inside a Mount Carmel apartment where Soto was staying with Rafael A. Diroche Jr., 29, of 250 S. Poplar St., Apt. 3. Soto is charged with three felony counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, one felony count of illegally possessing a firearm, and three misdemeanor counts of possession of controlled substances.

Neither he, Diroche nor anyone else has been charged in the shooting of Salicia Yost. State police at Stonington have offered no information publicly on the status of the investigation.

Barring exceptions, criminal defendants are eligible for release on pending charges after 180 days. Soto would have been up for release Aug. 9. Delays due to continuances and petitions in his case added time, and just how much time was disputed during a bail hearing Wednesday before Judge Charles H. Saylor at the Northumberland County Courthouse.

John Broda, public defender, told the court that Soto was eligible for release Sept. 20. That adds an additional 42 days to his term that weren't disputed. He denied, however, that Soto was subject to additional time due to a habeas corpus petition.

William Cole, assistant district attorney, said Soto wasn't due for release until Oct. 13, an additional 64 days. He cited the habeas corpus petition, along with the continuance of a preliminary hearing and an omnibus pretrial hearing. He asked the judge to deny early release, citing the severity of the pending charges and his out-of-state connections.

Saylor said he would issue a ruling within 10 days.

A passer-by found Yost early Feb. 8 alone inside a 2013 Chevy Sonic with Ohio registration that appeared to have crashed into a snow pile along Irish Valley Road, three miles north of Shamokin. After the bullet wound was confirmed with police, an attempted homicide investigation was launched.

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

Diroche remains in Northumberland County Prison on $300,000 bail. He's charged with six counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, six counts of illegal possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm without a license, receiving stolen property and criminal use of a communication facility, all of which are felonies. He's also charged with misdemeanors of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.


PFA modified in Trometter case

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SUNBURY - A protection from abuse order filed against a former Sunbury man by his grandmother was modified Wednesday to allow the defendant to obtain belongings from his former home and absolves him from paying approximately $400 in fees related to the PFA.

Domestic relations hearing officer Marsha Skoff made those recommendations at the conclusion of a 15-minute hearing for Erick Trometter, 23, who now resides with his mother, Tammy Trometter, at 77 Mayfield St., Elizabethville.

Judge Charles Saylor signed an order approving Skoff's recommendations.

Trometter was charged by Sunbury police with assaulting his 67-year-old grandmother, Amanda Trometter, July 8 at a home they shared at 618 Susquehanna Ave., Sunbury. He suffered a gunshot wound to his abdomen less than three hours after the alleged attack during a confrontation with then-acting Police Chief Brad Hare and remained in the hospital until Aug. 19.

Police said Trometter approached Hare with a large fillet knife, prompting the officer to discharge his pistol.

Following an investigation by state police, district attorney Ann Targonski said Hare was justified in the shooting. Hare now serves as police chief in the city.

Trometter, who is free on $200,000 unsecured bail while being connected to a home monitoring system, had filed a petition to modify the PFA order.

At the beginning of the hearing, Trometter told Skoff, "All I wanted was to be able to get my things out of the home and have my fees waived because I was shot and don't have a job."

Under the order, Trometter was granted permission to go to his former residence with county parole officer Andrew Orzehowski on Wednesday or within the next two weeks to retrieve his clothing, art materials, a video game and cedar chest. Trometter agreed with a recommendation to have the items placed on the front porch of his grandmother's home to avoid any contact with the alleged victim.

Attorney Peter Macky of North Penn Legal Services, Sunbury, who represented Amanda Trometter, did not oppose the defendant's requests to obtain his belongings and have his PFA fees waived.

Fees

Trometter, who represented himself, was facing a $20 document fee for the child custody and PFA office, $116 filing fee for the county prothonotary's office, $160.42 service fee for the county sheriff's office and $100 surcharge for challenging the PFA.

Trometter told the judge he hasn't worked for the past three years and spent two of those years in county prison. He's currently undergoing physical therapy for his leg relating to the shooting.

The defendant claimed he didn't seek a continuance for a previous PFA hearing because he was undergoing surgery at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville and didn't know how to make arrangements with the court.

As per the PFA that remains in effect until Aug. 4, 2017, the defendant is prohibited from having contact with Amanda Trometter and must return his key to the Sunbury home to the landlord after being evicted from the residence.

If Trometter violates the PFA order, he faces a charge of indirect criminal contempt that carries a $1,000 fine and/or prison sentence up to six months.

Trometter, who was accompanied to the hearing by his mother, declined comment.

He is scheduled to appear for a pre-trial conference Nov. 7 on the assault charges. No charges have been filed yet by state police at Stonington against Trometter relating to the shooting incident.

Noteworthy: Thursday, Oct. 2, 2014

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MCA bonfire today

MOUNT CARMEL - Mount Carmel Area School District in cooperation with the Mount Carmel Fire Department is hosting a bonfire pep rally at 8 p.m. today behind the Anthracite Baseball Field.

This is a community event open to all residents of the district, and everyone is encouraged to attend in support of the Mount Carmel Area Red Tornadoes.

The Mount Carmel Jets, Kulpmont Cougars and Mount Carmel Area cheerleaders will cheer the players on and the Big Red Band will perform for the crowd. Varsity football players will be on hand in their game jerseys to meet and greet fans of all ages. The senior class will sell hot dogs, hot chocolate, soda and water as well as glow sticks and necklaces.

Event organizers hope this will be the start of a new Mount Carmel tradition to cheer on the football team before they face the Southern Columbia Tigers Friday night at the high school stadium.

Ex-aide to serve at least 3 months for sex with student

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SUNBURY - A former teacher's aide at Shamokin Area Middle-High School is expected to spend at least three months in county prison after pleading guilty Wednesday to a felony of institutional sexual assault.

Amanda Dreher, 29, of 1761 Tioga St., Coal Township, who is accused of having sexual intercourse with an 18-year-old male at the high school, entered the plea accepted by Northumberland County Judge Charles Saylor that calls for a standard range prison sentence of three to 12 months. The maximum sentence for the offense is seven years incarceration and/or $15,000 fine.

Dreher, who was represented by county public defender John Broda, told the judge she understood the ramifications of entering the plea rather than seeking a trial and politely answered several questions posed by Saylor.

The judge told Dreher she must register as a Megan's Law offender for 25 years and undergo an evaluation by the Sexual Offenders Assessment Board to determine if she's a violent sexual predator.

The judge ordered a pre-sentence investigation and is scheduled to sentence Dreher within 90 days. Two additional felony counts of institutional sexual assault will not be prosecuted at sentencing.

Assistant district attorney Michael Seward, who represented the commonwealth at the pre-trial conference, said he wasn't surprised by the defendant's guilty plea.

Broda and Dreher, who was accompanied to the conference by an unidentified male, declined comment about the plea agreement.

Dreher, who was previously ruled ineligible for a public defender because of her income, was granted a public defender by President Judge William H. Wiest at an Aug. 25 legal proceeding after she told him she no longer had a job and was in the process of getting a divorce.

Dreher, who remains free on $5,000 recognizance bail, is charged by Coal Township Detective Jeff Brennan with having sex with the student in the school three times between the beginning of January and the end of February.

She resigned from her teacher's aide position in April. She had held the position for approximately one year.

According to a criminal complaint, Dreher is accused of engaging in sexual intercourse with the student, who was not identified by police. The victim, who was a senior at the time, told police two of the sexual encounters occurred in the boys' locker room at the swimming pool.

Brennan said the investigation began March 19 when he was contacted by Shamokin Area Middle-High School Principal Chris Venna about allegations of inappropriate contact between Dreher and the student.

Steroid bust defendants and their charges

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A list of the 13 defendants arrested in Operation Gym Candy, and the charges filed against them, as reported by the office of Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane:

- Brian Laubach, 36, 1225 5th Ave., Berwick; manufacturing anabolic steroids, two counts; corrupt organizations, two counts; delivery of anabolic steroids; possession with the intent to deliver anabolic steroids; possession of anabolic steroids; conspiracy to deliver anabolic steroids; dealing in unlawful proceeds; conspiracy to deal in unlawful proceeds.

- Marc Laubach, 36, 1225 5th Ave., Berwick; dealing in unlawful proceeds; conspiracy to deal in unlawful proceeds.

- Paul Dougal, 31, 935 Country Club Road, Apt. 2, Bloomsburg; manufacturing anabolic steroids; delivery of anabolic steroids; possession with intent to deliver anabolic steroids; possession of anabolic steroids; conspiracy to deliver anabolic steroids; corrupt organizations, two counts; dealing in unlawful proceeds; conspiracy to deal in unlawful proceeds.

- Richard Piccarreta, 49, 75 Wood St., Plymouth; manufacturing anabolic steroids; delivery of anabolic steroids; possession with intent to deliver anabolic steroids; possession of anabolic steroids; conspiracy to deliver anabolic steroids; corrupt organization, two counts; dealing in unlawful proceeds; conspiracy to deal in unlawful proceeds.

- Keith Kilgus, 40, 600 Bloom St., Apt. 1, Danville; delivery of anabolic steroids, two counts; possession with intent to deliver anabolic steroids, two counts; possession of anabolic steroids, two counts; conspiracy to deliver anabolic steroids, two counts; corrupt organizations, two counts.

- Brian Clarke, 24, 239 1st St., Hanover Township, Luzerne County; delivery of anabolic steroids, four counts; possession with intent to deliver anabolic steroids, four counts; possession of anabolic steroids, four counts; conspiracy to deliver anabolic steroids, four counts; corrupt organizations, two counts; illegal use of a communication facility.

- Matt Valanoski, 25, 833 W. Spruce St., Coal Township; possession of anabolic steroids. According to a docket sheet from the state's online web portal, he also is charged with felony counts of knowledge that property is proceeds of illegal act, corrupt organizations and conspiracy, and a misdemeanor charge of drug possession.

- John Koch, 24, 505 Chestut St., Hanover Township, Luzerne County; possession with intent to deliver anabolic steroids; possession of anabolic steroids; delivery of anabolic steroids; criminal conspiracy to deliver anabolic steroids; corrupt organizations, two counts.

- Nick Baloga, 44, 2223 Capouse Ave., Scranton; possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, two counts; possession of anabolic steroids, two counts; conspiracy to deliver controlled substances, two counts; corrupt organizations, two counts; illegal use of a communication facility.

- Kyle Goyne, 23, 58 Brown St., Ashley, Luzerne County; delivery of anabolic steroids; possession with intent to deliver anabolic steroids; possession of anabolic steroids; conspiracy to deliver anabolic steroids; corrupt organizations, two counts; illegal use of a communication facility.

- John Taffera, 39, 328 Highlark Drive, Larksville, Luzerne County: delivery of a controlled substance; possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance; possession of anabolic steroids; conspiracy to deliver anabolic steroids; corrupt organizations, two counts; illegal use of a communication facility.

- Sheree Senausky, 29, 169 Staub Road, Trucksville, Luzerne County; delivery of a controlled substance, three counts; possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, four counts; corrupt organizations, two counts; illegal use of a communication facility.

- Pete Fischer, 54, 1 Brown St., Ashley, Luzerne County; possession of anabolic steroids; illegal use of a communication facility.

- Kristen Pietrzyk, 27, 340 E. Broad St., Nanticoke; possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, two counts; delivery of a controlled substance, two counts; illegal use of a communication facility. Her charges are ancillary to the investigation, and she is not accused of operating within either of the alleged drug rings.

Report: SCI-CT deputy super was rude to officers after DUI suspected accident

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COAL TOWNSHIP - A deputy superintendent at the state prison was allegedly under the influence of alcohol and belligerent toward police while another person tried to take the blame for an accident near the facility Sept. 20.

According to a criminal complaint filed by Coal Township Police Wednesday, Michael Miller, 50, of Danville, responded unfavorably to police when asked to consent to a blood test, saying he is second in command at SCI-Coal Township.

Miller was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, accidents involving damage to an attended vehicle or property, duty to give information and render aid, failure to give immediate notice of an accident, reckless driving and careless driving. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 28.

The crimes stem from a Sept. 20 accident at the intersection of Route 61 and Hospital Road.

Coal Township Cpl. Terry Ketchem said previously Miller was driving a Ford truck on 16th Street toward Route 61 when his vehicle struck the rear end of a Dodge coupe operated by Jesse Bright, 30, of Shamokin, who was stopped at a red light.

No injuries were reported.

Finding the driver

In the complaint filed by township police Patrolman Edward Purcell Jr., Ketchum reported he spoke with Bright and his passenger, Jillian Bright, but could not locate the truck's driver. When the officer began to contact Northumberland County Communications to inform them the driver had fled, he was approached by Louis Morris, identified in the criminal complaint as a prison employee under Miller's authority.

Susan McNoughton, a press secretary for the state Department of Corrections, reported Morris is a captain at SCI-Coal Township and employed as a shift commander.

Morris told police the driver did not flee, but was around the corner. He then tried to contact the owner.

A short while later, Miller walked up to Ketchem and said he is the owner of the truck. When the officer asked Miller who was driving the truck, he allegedly responded, "I don't think I have to tell you that."

Ketchem asked Miller for his name; Miller gave Ketchum his driver's license. The Brights identified Miller as the driver of the truck, saying they had to help him out of the driver's seat.

Ketchem told Purcell he suspected Miller of being intoxicated, and Purcell asked Miller to conduct field sobriety tests. While walking to the area where the field tests were to be conducted, Miller appeared to stagger, according to the complaint.

Purcell asked Miller if he had been drinking and the deputy superintendent said he felt that it was a trick question and was not going to answer it.

Morris asked Purcell if he had to conduct the tests "right here." Purcell said yes and asked Morris to leave. Morris said people were leaving work at the prison and he didn't want them to see the deputy superintendent conducting field sobriety tests. Purcell instructed Morris to leave the area or he would be arrested.

Miller was given one field sobriety test, and due to its result and Miller slurring his speech when speaking with the officer, Purcell arrested him for driving under the influence.

False information

Purcell noticed Morris directing traffic at the intersection and letting traffic go toward the accident scene. When told to stop, Morris told police he was the driver of the truck, not Miller.

The officer told Morris he knew he was not the driver because the people in the other vehicle identified Miller. Morris again stated he was the truck's driver.

The officer informed him giving false information about an accident is a crime, and that he was not driving because Morris was not covered with powder from the airbag and Miller was. Morris then dropped his statement.

After Miller again refused to submit to chemical blood testing, Morris asked if he could speak to Miller. Purcell said they needed to find someone who wasn't intoxicated to take custody of him. Another employee on scene had Miller released into their custody.

After being released, Miller refused to sign the implied consent form and complained the handcuffs were too tight.

McNoughton could not give any information on Miller's status at the prison or on any disciplinary action, calling it a personnel matter within the Department of Corrections.

Coal Township Police Chief William Carpenter said Wednesday officers are still conducting interviews, but did not believe Morris would be charged for his actions at the scene.

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