Soroptimists chapter to meet

LEWISBURG - The Soroptimist International Club of Snyder, Union and Northumberland Counties Inc. will hold its regular monthly dinner meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5, at the Country Cupboard.

The Soroptimist Club is an international volunteer service organization for business and professional women who work to improve the lives of women and girls in local communities and throughout the world.

Anyone interested in volunteering and becoming a member can contact Diane Savidge at 570-837-2532 or dmsavidge@gmail.com or any other club member.

NORCO celebrates anniversary

COAL TOWNSHIP - On Sept. 18, Northumberland County Organizational Resources for Community Outreach (NORCO) celebrated its 15th anniversary with a special dinner at the Springfield Banquet Hall with music provided by Powerhouse Sounds.

A non-profit organization, NORCO was founded in 1998 as a social rehabilitation program for individuals on their journey to mental health recovery. Its continued purpose is to reduce feelings of loneliness, hopelessness, depression and thoughts of suicide; to reduce the number of hospitalizations and to empower individuals in their treatment, and helping them to live up to their potential in the community. Those that celebrated the milestone included NORCO staff, representatives from the Northumberland County BH/IDS department, Community Services Group and Parent to Parent Connection.

For more information on NORCO, call 570-898-9708.

SUNBURY - Three defendants were sentenced Monday on various charges by Northumberland County President Judge William H. Wiest.

- Renee Austerberry, 28, of Saint Clair, formerly of Shamokin, was ordered to serve a 23-month intermediate punishment with the first six months on house arrest on a charge of retail theft filed by Shamokin police in connection with an incident in February. She also must pay a $100 fine plus costs.

- Jordan C. Stavely, 23, of Sunbury, was sentenced to 48 hours to 6 months in county prison for driving under the influence of alcohol. He must pay a fine and costs.

The charge filed by Riverside police relates to a May 13 incident on Avenue G near 11th Street.

An additional count of DUI and charges of failure to drive in a single lane, driving at an unsafe speed, permitting an unauthorized person to drive, failing to possess a registration card, failing to possess an insurance card and restrictions on alcoholic beverages were not prosecuted under a plea agreement with the district attorney's office.

- Eugene S. Warren, 51, of Fayetteville, formerly of Shamokin, was sentenced to 72 hours to 6 months in county prison for driving under the influence of alcohol. He must pay a fine and costs.

Warren was charged by state police at Stonington in connection with a Dec. 21 incident on Route 61 near Route 4005 in Shamokin Township.

An additional count of DUI, two counts of driving under the influence of a combination of drugs and charges of possession of a small amount of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, depositing waste on a highway, failure to drive in a single lane and careless driving were not prosecuted under a plea agreement.

COAL TOWNSHIP - An informative session on the importance and value in providing spiritual care for patients was held Tuesday during an annual breakfast program at Geisinger-Shamokin Area Community Hospital (G-SACH) for clergy and trained lay members of ministerial organizations in Shamokin and Mount Carmel.

Speaker for the event in the hospital cafeteria was the Rev. Shannon Borchert, director of spiritual care in the Geisinger Health System's campuses covering a wide section of Central and Northeastern Pennsylvania. Attending were hospital administrators and members of Shamokin area and Mount Carmel area ministeriums.

Borchert, a native of Montana, who has been affiliated with Geisinger for a number of years, described spiritual care as a program to help people undergoing stressful times as hospital patients and out-patients, whether for emergency treatment, general hospital admissions or surgical procedures. It is an important way to take care of patients' emotional and spiritual needs at crucial times in their lives, he said.

"Physical and spiritual care giving means to be responsive and positive to the physical and emotional needs of a patient, to feel what they are feeling and to give them comfort at a time when they need it the most," he said. "It means to be human. Spiritual care helps people undergoing hospital treatment by giving them a purpose in life."

Borchert said Geisinger offers a pastoral education program for those involved in spiritual care. It is an educational program on the main campus for instructional ways of providing spiritual care when needed.

Two examples of spiritual care were offered by the speaker from stories in the Bible: when Moses and the Israelites were saved from snake bites in the wilderness by casting their eyes on a brass symbol, and when Jesus restored the sight of the blind man. Borchert also told stories of different scenarios involving his own daughter being cured of a physical ailment and of a young woman who died because of a health issue.

A discussion dealing with when and where access is allowed to spiritual caregivers during a patient's treatment phase or confinement followed Borchert's speech.

Borchert was introduced as speaker for the breakfast program by Tom Harlow, CEO of G-SACH, who said the event was initially planned as a communication arm between the hospital and ministerial leaders several years ago by Robert Greco, a longtime member of the hospital executive staff.

Breakfast was served to the group by the hospital's cafeteria staff.

Changes sought by city tax office

SHAMOKIN - Anyone moving into or out of the city, those who have changed employment status and those for whom a family member is now a resident of a nursing or other care facility are asked to visit the tax office on Lincoln Street or call the office at 570-648-7731.

Changes for real estate, occupation and per capita taxes are due to the Northumberland County Assessment Bureau by Nov. 26.

Zombie discussion at Lifetree Cafe

SHAMOKIN - Zombies will be explored at 7 p.m. Thursday at Lifetree Café, 531 N. Market St.

The program, "Zombies! What's the Fascination?" features a filmed interview with Stephen Graham Jones, author of "The Gospel of Z" and "Zombie Bake-Off." The program explores what is fueling our fascination with zombies, and what that fascination says about our culture.

Admission to the 60-minute event is free. Snacks and beverages are available.

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

Food pantry distribution set

ATLAS - The Mount Carmel Township food pantry will have its monthly distribution from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the township complex. Residents in Atlas, Diamondtown, Strong, Locust Gap, Connorsville, Dooleyville and Beaverdale who signed up previously are eligible.

Lasagna dinner benefit St. Jude's

SHAMOKIN - St. Jude Children's research Hospital and area residents will team up in the fight against childhood cancer with a lasagna dinner from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9, at the Shamokin Knights of Columbus, 400 E. Independence St.

The dinner will allow area residents the opportunity to help support the lifesaving mission of one of the world's premier pediatric cancer research centers.

Donation is $9 for adults and $5 for children under the age of 12. The meal includes lasagna, bread and butter, salad, dessert and beverage, and is eat in or take out. Call 570-648-3623 for advanced tickets; limited tickets will be available at the door.

Also on the ballot Nov. 4 for voters in the 107th Legislative District is Libertarian candidate John Burd.

Burd, of Coal Township, announced his candidacy in August, saying, "Pennsylvanians do not care about liberal or conservative. What they do care about is being represented by someone focused on passing laws which protect and advance their interests instead of laws which are written by special interests to advance their agenda."

Burd said he makes his living as an investor. He's a lifelong resident of the township.

He is secretary-treasurer of the Susquehanna Valley Libertarian Party.

Burd declined an invitation for an in-person interview with The News-Item. The newspaper conducts such interviews with candidates for state and county office.

SUNBURY - On a split vote Tuesday, Northumberland County commissioners approved a collective bargaining agreement with Teamsters Local Union 764 that represents assistant district attorneys, assistant public defenders, special counsel, conflicts counsel and independent counsel.

Voting to approve the contract that runs from Jan. 1, 2014, to Dec. 31, 2016, were Commissioners Vinny Clausi and Richard Shoch. Commissioner Stephen Bridy opposed because he believes it's unfair for non-union workers not to receive similar salary increases.

Clausi, who pointed out earlier this month the commissioners granted a 3 percent pay increase to approximately 100 non-union employees for 2015, said, "They were awarded this through arbitration and that's like a court order. We must obey it. We have no choice."

According to county Human Resources Director Joseph Picarelli, the starting rate for the attorneys will increase from $46,972 to $48,000 and they will receive a 2.5 percent wage increase for all three years of the contract.

The longevity and step increase were replaced with a separate $1,000 annual longevity bonus that is not part of their base salary. Employees must have eight years of service with the county to qualify.

Following is a breakdown of monthly health care contributions under the new pact:

Single plan - $65 in 2014, $75 in 2015, and $85 in 2016. (The former contribution was $55).

Parent/children plan - $90 in 2014, $105 in 2015, and $120 in 2016. (The former contribution was $70).

Married plan - $105 in 2014, $120 in 2015, and $135 in 2016. (The former contribution was $85).

Family plan - $130 in 2014, $145 in 2015, and $160 in 2016. (The former contribution was $100).

In 2015, non-union members will pay $65.04, $129.77, and $613.32 monthly for the single, two-party and family plans, respectively.

Part-time employees are eligible for health insurance at 30 percent of the premium.

COAL TOWNSHIP - A building-wide locker search was conducted Monday at Shamokin Area Middle/High School based on information given to the administration over the past several months, principal Chris Venna wrote in a letter to parents and guardians.

"However, no drugs were found when the individual lockers were searched," he wrote.

Officers from a canine unit coordinated the search through the state police, with assistance from Coal Township police and administration. It was conducted in accordance with school district policy, Venna said.

"We are serious about keeping drugs and alcohol out of the buildings," he said.

MOUNT CARMEL - A pit bull that previously killed a leashed cat was found exhibiting aggressive behavior while once again roaming the streets of Mount Carmel.

Peter Joseph Bridy, 32, of 13 S. Walnut St., Mount Carmel, was charged by Mount Carmel Borough police with misdemeanor counts of recklessly endangering another person and disorderly conduct and a summary count of violating a borough ordinance forbidding dogs running loose after his pit bull was found unattended on the 500 block of E. Fifth St., Mount Carmel, growling and showing aggression toward people, at 2:35 p.m. Sept. 29.

In the criminal complaint filed last week, Patrolman William Adamski said officers responded to reports of a dog "growling and showing aggression toward people" to find the dog on the porch of a home occupied by someone other than its owner. The pit bull was attempting to enter the home and Adamski advised the owner to keep his door shut.

The pit bull left the porch and proceeded up an alley. Adamski said he tried to corral the dog in a fenced lot that had an open side toward the alley but was unsuccessful. The dog left the yard and continued down Sixth Street and on to Locust Street.

Adamski said by the time it turned on to Locust Street, the log had urinated several times on private property and also defecated in a yard. He continued to try to get the pit bull into open yards using the police vehicle, he said.

While on Locust Street, the pit bull proceeded to a fenced yard where a black pug was located, said Adamski. The two dogs met at the fence and the pit bull became very aggressive toward the pug, attempting to go after it while the other dog growled and bit at the fence.

When contacted to retrieve the dog, Bridy told officers he had forgotten the dog in the yard when he left for the store and it must have gotten out, the complaint said.

Bridy had been identified as the dog's owners from officers' past experiences with it running loose.

"The last incident with this animal was a very serious incident where the pit bull went to where a cat owner had a cat on a leash on their private property," said Adamski in the complaint. "The pit bull went to where the cat was tied, grabbed the cat in its mouth and shook it until it died."

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 18 before Magisterial District Judge Hugh A. Jones, of Mount Carmel.

SUNBURY - After debating the issue for more than two years, Northumberland County commissioners agreed Tuesday to pay back approximately $200,000 in federal grant money obtained through the state Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) for a homelessness prevention program.

Commissioners Vinny Clausi and Stephen Bridy approved a motion to repay $197,721 to DCED. Commissioner Richard Shoch abstained because he said the issue was "ignored" and "exacerbated" by his fellow commissioners for the past two years.

Shoch has continuously raised questions about the grant and the way the program was run. The commissioner said he warned Bridy

and Clausi that the problem would only get worse by delaying repayment of the grant money, noting the county has to pay back approximately $20,000 more than originally anticipated.

"We used the money and I think it's right to pay it back before we get sued or jeopardize our ability to obtain additional grants through DCED," Clausi said. "I didn't vote for the grant agreement in 2009, but now that the damage is done, we have to pay the money back."

Clausi said he voted to approve the county's submission of the grant application, but was not in attendance at an Oct. 20, 2009, meeting in which then-Commissioners Kurt Masser and Frank Sawicki entered into a grant agreement.

The money must be paid back by Nov. 14.

A 19-page audit report released April 30 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recommended Northumberland County repay the grant money for the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP) because of unsupported documentation.

At that time, Clausi said in a press release the county tried to do the right thing to help its citizens.

The audit recommends Northumberland County repay $15,183 for the ineligible expenditures identified, provide documentation to support the $159,149 in unsupported expenditures identified by the audit or repay the money, and remit $3,541 in program funds in the county's grant account.

All the funds will be sent to DCED to be returned to the U.S. Treasury.

According to findings in the audit, the county did not administer the program according to American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) requirements, where $1.5 billion was set aside for homelessness prevention funds across the nation.

Northumberland County used only $291,829 of the $365,361 it was allotted, leaving a balance of $73,532, which was returned to the state.

The audit states that the county did not always:

- ensure program participants were eligible for assistance.

- maintain complete documentation in the participant files.

- ensure it incurred only eligible expenses and properly supported them.

- make draws from the correct grant line items.

- perform required unit habitability inspections.

The audit also showed the county did not return $3,541 in unused program funds as required, leaving the funds in their grant account.

Northumberland County was approved for the program funds in 2009 to provide financial assistance and services to prevent individuals and families from becoming homeless and to help those who were experiencing homelessness to be quickly rehoused and stabilized.

The state monitored the county's administration of the grant through desk reviews in May 2011 and January 2012 and found Northumberland County did not maintain adequate documentation to support the eligibility of program costs.

In July 2012, the commonwealth performed an on-site monitoring review of the county's program. The state reviewed 153 participant files and determined the county made ineligible payments totaling $188,525.

County officials did not agree with the conclusions and requested the audit from the federal agency.

According to HUD, Northumberland County provided financial assistance totaling $173,295 to 205 program participants. Auditors reviewed only 199 participants because the county did not provide the files on the other six.

The audit showed 43 of 199 did not meet eligibility requirements; $32,061 was spent in those cases.

Documentation showed 25 participants received $15,476 in program funds while also receiving rental assistance from other housing subsidy program, which is prohibited.

In one example, a participant received $1,200 in rental assistance; the county paid $600 from HPRP program funds with the other $600 coming from the county's homeless assistance program.

HUD guidelines states rental assistance payments cannot be made to eligible individuals or families who are receiving help for the same period and for the same cost types from another housing subsidy program.

Another 14 participants were ruled ineligible because they did not meet income requirements. Documentation in the participant's files showed their family income exceeded area median income limits.

One participant, the audit reads, received $500 to obtain immediate housing; however, documentation showed the participant had $25,000 in a bank account available for use, but Northumberland County did not require the participant to use his personal funds.

Another 102 participant files did not contain required documentation, according to the audit. Because of that, financial assistance payments of $86,424 were ruled unsupported, along with another $3,877 for the missing files of six participants.

The HPRP program was also flagged for erroneously drawing down money from the wrong accounts. The inspector general's auditors reviewed all $69,425 of the county's expenditures for the housing relocation and stabilization services activity, but found that it did not always comply with these requirements.

The audit showed the county also erroneously drew down $42,770 from the financial assistance activity fund for the salaries, benefits and other costs associated with the case manager who assisted with providing stabilization services. Those funds should have came from the housing relocation program.

STRONG - Water was approximately 8 inches deep Tuesday afternoon at the intersection of Routes 54 and 61 when a cast-iron main line broke near Turkey Hill Minit Mart.

The large leak was reported at about 4:30 p.m., prompting police, and emergency personnel to provide traffic control at the busy intersection. Aqua Pennsylvania personnel, assisted by PennDOT employees, responded at 5:24 p.m. and had the leak stopped within 15 minutes.

Mount Carmel Township Patrolman Kelly Campbell, who was among the first on scene, said the water reached a maximum height of 8 inches at some places. He said the leak took place along a macadam section of old Route 54 near the front parking lot at Turkey Hill.

He said water raced along Route 54 and part way out onto Route 61.

The officer credited Aqua employees for shutting down the leak quickly.

Donna Alston, manager of communications with Aqua, said the leak occurred in an old water main where low pressure had been detected. She couldn't provide a cause Tuesday evening.

Alston said only Turkey Hill was without water as a result of the leak.

Aqua crews were at the scene until at least 7:30 p.m. repairing the line. Service was expected to be restored between midnight and 2 a.m. today, Alston said.

Also responding were firefighters from Strong and Atlas, Mount Carmel Area Rescue Squad, Kulpmont Fire Police and Kulpmont Police Chief Michael Pitcavage.

Dogs and humans exhibit very different behaviors when expressing anxiety or aggression. Understanding a dog's signals and reacting appropriately can prevent a dog bite.

The Dog Law Enforcement Office of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture says humans should watch for hair standing up, flattened ears, a wrinkled nose, a tail positioned between legs, a lowered body and the corners of a mouth pulled back on a dog as signs it may bite. The dog may also have glaring eyes, a tail standing up, stiff legs and bared teeth.

If threatened by a dog, do not run or scream. Instead, stand still like a tree and speak firmly commands like "no," "sit," "stay down" or "go home." Back away slowly while watching the dog without staring at it. Once away, use any available items to create a shield.

If knocked down by a dog, lie like a log and cover your neck and head with your arms.

The Dog Law Enforcement Office suggests several ways to prevent dog bites.

First, never approach an unknown dog. If the dog owner is present, ask permission to pet the dog.

Treat animals with common sense and respect as you would a human. Leave them alone when they are eating, drinking or are around their young offspring. Do not attempt to stop two animals that are fighting or tease or scare them.

Do not place your face close to a dog. While dogs sometimes allow humans to hug them, they do not always like it.

If you see a sick or injured dog, report it to its owner or the local police.

Loose dogs and dog bites should be reported to the Northumberland County Dog Warden Mark Rusinko at 570-236-3452.

ASHLAND - A niece and two great-nieces of sculptor Emil Siebern, who designed the statue at the Mother's Memorial in Ashland, made their first visit to their relative's creation Monday.

Niece Alma Siebern Puglia, 87, of Warrington, and her daughters, Judy Scheer, of Warminster, and Elizabeth McShane, of Mickelton, N.J., walked up the steps at the memorial to get a close look at the bronze statue modeled after James McNeil Whistler's "An Arrangement in Gray and Black, No. 1: The Mother," but popularly known as "Whistler's Mother."

The memorial was created as a project by the Ashland Boys Association in 1938, when it was dedicated Sept. 5. After Siebern designed the statue, it was sculpted by Julius C. Loester.

Also visiting with the Siebern family were Historical Marker Program Coordinator Karen Galle with the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission's Bureau for Historic Preservation, Ashland Mayor Dennis Kane and Ashland Area Historic Preservation Society members Adam J. Bernodin III and James Klock.

"It was something to drive up and see this. It's beautiful," said Scheer a few minutes after the family arrived.

"This is really something," said Puglia as she looked at the memorial from the street. "Wow. I'm very impressed. It's really something."

'Massive man'

Puglia remembers her uncle at family events in the Bronx. Siebern at the time lived in Manhattan, and his studio was in Greenwich Village.

"I would see him at family gatherings. He was a very massive man. He had massive hands," said Puglia. "I remember when I was about 9 that I saw him take an apple in his hands and crush it. We were very impressed."

Siebern was born in New York in 1888, and after completing art courses at Cooper Union in the East Village of Manhattan, he continued his art studies abroad in France, Italy and Greece. He was a pioneer in working with stainless steel. He died in 1942 at 53.

Scheer has been doing historical research for years and occasionally found information on her great-uncle.

"I've been researching for years on Emil and collecting articles," said Scheer. "So one time I found Karen's blog. I read it and e-mailed her. I knew of this memorial because I had found he was involved in it, and saw a few pictures online. It's great to be up here and looking at it. I knew my mother would want to see it."

Scheer said that Siebern had created bass reliefs and many public works.

"My sister and I visited the zoo in Central Park (New York City) and saw the bass reliefs he did around the gift shop," she said. "I did a paper on that because I'm in the historic preservation program at Bucks County Community College. I went to Central Park to get pictures. He also did work at Prospect Park in Astoria, Queens. I've traced his work to Montreal."

Siebern also had a very prominent patron in oil magnate John D. Rockefeller.

"Emil was the superintendent of statuary (for five years) at the Rockefeller estate in the 1920s," said Scheer. "We did a garden tour there and some of his works are there."

Scheer said that her great-uncle lived most of his life in Greenwich Village, where his studio was, and also opened an art school.

"He was a pioneer in stainless steel," she said. "He designed two 18-foot women holding orbs and they flanked a pool in Astoria."

Started with a blog

The ball started rolling on the family visit to Ashland when Scheer contacted Galle in early October after reading one of her blogs about the memorial.

"In response to a blog post that I did around Mother's Day in 2013, she came across it in a search and contacted me," said Galle. "I contacted Adam (Bernodin) and said Judy was a descendant of one of the sculptors and wants more information and I knew he had the historic photographs that she was primarily interested in. So I got them in communication with each other. It's a great story of how they can now share information about it."

Names for photos

Bernodin said the connection with Scheer was good for the family and the historical society since some historic photos of the memorial dedication did not identify certain people .

"We had the photos, but we couldn't identify the men in them because there was no information on the back," said Bernodin. "So the photos that Judy sent with Emil allowed us to match them to the photos that we had. That's what makes this awesome. Both sculptors worked together on projects and you don't see pictures of them together."

The society photos were donated by Barbara Sage, whose father, the late Harold Johnston, took the photos when he was a boy, said Klock.

"He took those photos when he was 8 years old when they were placing the statue here," Klock said.

After discussing the statue from ground level, everyone climbed the memorial steps and admired the statue up close. Bernodin presented Puglia with copies of the photos with Siebern in them, which she was delighted to receive.

After leaving the memorial, everyone walked to the historical society headquarters to visit the ABA Room.

SHAMOKIN - The battle against community blight will go on for decades, but state Rep. Kurt Masser believes the progress that has been made over the past two years sets the stage for future successes.

In a pre-election interview at The News-Item, Masser, a Republican who is a candidate for a third term as a member of the House of Representatives for the 107th Legislative District, identified the anti-blight initiative as his proudest achievement.

Masser is most disappointed, he said, with the Legislature's failure to pass pension reform. Although he understands why state legislators recess during campaign seasons, he said he believes they should have stayed in session to work out a solution to the pension crisis. He said he hopes the Legislature reconvenes after the election to debate and vote on a reform plan.

An anti-blight measure sponsored by Masser and passed at the end of the legislative session gives municipalities more power to go after absentee landlords. It will no longer be as easy for landlords to hide behind "pseudo-corporations" to shield themselves from prosecution, Masser said.

There are no quick fixes to the blight problem, Masser admits, but he believes the region is making gradual and significant progress. There have been success stories, he said, in Mount Carmel Township, Mount Carmel Borough, Shamokin and Coal Township, and he said much of the credit belongs to Ed Christiano, executive director of the Northumberland County Housing Authority, local municipal officials and support from private businesses.

"It's best to attack the problem strategically," Masser remarked. "It makes sense to target neighborhoods which contain a majority of good properties.

Eliminating the bad properties in these areas helps communities prevent the blight from spreading."

Masser specifically asked to remain on the House Urban Affairs Committee because this membership helps him in efforts to secure state support for anti-blight efforts.

Why no vote?

The unfunded pension liability is a problem not only for state government but local school districts. Masser is in favor of the proposal which to date has attracted the most support, the so-called "hybrid plan" brought forward by Rep. Mike Tobash of Schuylkill County.

Under that plan, the first $50,000 in annual income earned by a new state or school employee would be calculated under the defined-benefit plan, with additional income calculated under a defined contribution plan similar to 401(k) investments. Current retirees or current employees would not be affected.

Masser believes the House should have brought the issue to a floor vote. The problem, he said, is that there is no consensus even among Republican House members on what should be done. "Some people who must be living in a dream do not even think it is an issue," he said. Others, he added, don't think any of the reform proposals go far enough. "I believe half an apple is better than none," Masser said. "Those who don't think any of the proposals don't go far enough should recognize that it's better to at least take that first step."

Democrats, he said, haven't even put out a pension proposal. "Their alternative is to let the changes that were made four years ago go into effect, but these changes actually did very little," Masser said.

He said he remains optimistic that the Legislature will reconvene after the election to make one last attempt to address the pension problem. The session concludes at the end of November.

Corbett agenda

When asked why Gov. Tom Corbett had such difficulty persuading the Republican-controlled legislature to approve his top agenda items, Masser pointed out that legislators are primarily answerable to the wishes and concerns of their constituents back home.

"This is a diverse state, and since members naturally represent their own districts' interests, they can't all vote the same," he said.

Agonizing decision

Masser said his support for the $2.3 billion transportation funding bill, and the increases in fees and taxes that went with it, was the most difficult decision he has ever had to make as a legislator.

In the end, he saw no alternative, however. The state has many problem bridges, he said, and most of these are along the routes traversed daily by school buses. "We also must invest in transportation if we want to move forward economically," he added.

Masser said he realizes legislators have been criticized for increases in the gasoline tax, but he said these prices happen to be lower now than when the House and Senate voted. "People also forget that in Pennsylvania, the highways are just funded by licensing and gas taxes. There are other states which have higher taxes because some of the money is used to support the roads," he added.

Masser, who serves on the House Liquor Control Committee, regrets that the Legislature did not approve privatization of the state liquor system. A bill to do so passed the House, "but it was a few votes short in the Senate. Very disappointing," he said. He is confident the proposal will be revived next year.

Defends 'expo'

Masser defended his decision to sponsor a senior citizen expo in the district even though it was identified as the most expensive single-day event among legislators in northeastern and central Pennsylvania. The expo cost $3,443.

Masser said the expo, which attracted several hundred people, provided valuable information to senior citizens and the seniors have told him they benefit greatly from their participation. There are no comparable senior citizen events held in the district or he wouldn't do it, Masser said.

"It is not a campaign event," he stressed.

Masser noted that, in 2010, about 40 new members entered the House after committing, during their campaigns, to making positive changes in the way the legislature conducts its business.

"The House Republicans drastically reduced staffing. Now we share secretaries, state-owned cars are a thing of the past and per diems are greatly reduced," Masser remarked.

During his first term, Masser said he stayed in hotels when late-day business and early-next day appointments kept him in Harrisburg. Because Masser now shares an apartment with a colleague, his lodging costs have been reduced, he said. His share of the apartment rental is $425 per month, whereas the hotel lodging costs amounted to $90 to $100 per night.

He does not submit mileage for any official travel he makes within the boundaries of the 107th District.

Masser said he has found that the best way to do his job is to talk to as many people in the district as possible.

"Only by doing that can you understand what people's concerns are," he said.

SUNBURY - Tuesday night's special meeting to reduce the salaries of Northumberland County commissioners was postponed and may be held next week.

After being informed at Tuesday's commissioners meeting that Commissioner Richard Shoch wouldn't be able to attend due to a prior commitment, Clausi decided to postpone the meeting until all three commissioners could be present.

Tuesday was Shoch's 48th birthday and he received an ice cream cake from Clausi marking the occasion in an apparent good-will gesture at the beginning of the meeting. Shoch and Clausi have been at odds over many issues during the past three years.

Upon receiving the cake, a smiling Shoch said, "Thank you. It's nice to know I'm thought of on my birthday."

The audience, on Clausi's cue, then sang "Happy Birthday" to the commissioner.

As for the special meeting, Clausi said it may be held next week, depending on the availability of the commissioners.

He believes commissioners, who earn $61,000, are overpaid for what he considers a part-time position and plans to vote to reduce their salaries, but did not say by how much.

He said salaries and benefits for row officers will not be discussed during the special meeting.

According to county Human Resources Director Joseph Picarelli, Clausi and Shoch receive $15,006 and $18,815 in health care benefits, respectively. Commissioner Stephen Bridy gets a stipend of $1,500 for waiving health care benefits.

Bridy also believes reducing the commissioners' salaries is the right thing to do.

Bridy, who plans to seek a second term as commissioner, said he originally wanted to cut the salaries in half, but now believes they should be reduced to approximately $37,000, which is the approximate median household income in Northumberland County.

Shoch, who also will seek a second term, has been non-committal on how he will vote on the salary issue.

Clausi said he doesn't plan to seek re-election to a third four-year term.

COAL TOWNSHIP - Bath time was a bit much Tuesday for a Jack Russell Terrier when firefighters had to cut a bathtub drainpipe to free the pooch's paw.

Christian, a 1 1/2-year-old male, was being washed at 1103 E. Race St. about 4:30 p.m. when it kicked its hind left leg. Out came the drain stopper and in went his paw.

The dog was lathered up, so William McLaughlin thought that would help. He tugged a couple times; it didn't work. Christian was yelping, and the family decided to call for help.

Township firefighters arrived. The East End Fire Co.'s engine was parked out front on the narrow street, and the Coal Township Rescue truck was around the corner. It was a big scene for a little dog, if not a little embarrassing for Shantel McLaughlin, 17. She waited patiently on the front porch as Chief Russell Feese, Deputy Chief Kevin Malukas and others crammed into the tiny second-floor bathroom.

The tight quarters made it

difficult to maneuver, and it presented a challenge to get the right tool to do the job. The firemen removed a panel to access the plumbing and cut the pipe. They got an assist from a neighbor who is also a plumber. William McLaughlin held a towel over the dog, petting its back and talking to the animal to keep it calm.

By 5:30 p.m. Christian was freed. Aside from a mild abrasion on its paw, the dog was fine.

"Oh, yeah, he came flying down the steps," said the dog's owner, William McLaughlin's wife, Joyce.

The dog was still damp from its bath. It hopped up on a couch and began wriggling around on its blanket to dry off. It's common practice for Christian. The McLaughlins and others gathered around, happy that the dog was healthy and abuzz from the rescue.

It was a first for Feese. He'd been to an emergency call before for a cat stuck in a tree. Never before Tuesday had he been called for a dog stuck in a bathtub.

MOUNT CARMEL - Three additional charges were filed Tuesday against a fugitive who eluded police for more than two months before being captured last week in a Kulpmont bar.

James H. Latshaw, 48, of 126 E. Arch St., faces misdemeanors of flight to avoid apprehension, resisting arrest and recklessly endangering another person relating to his latest escape from authorities.

The offenses were filed by Mount Carmel Township Police Chief Brian Hollenbush at the office of Magisterial District Judge Hugh Jones. He is scheduled to face a preliminary hearing at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5, before Jones.

Latshaw, who has fled from police multiple times over the years, remains in Northumberland County Prison on the new charges and a probation detainer.

Latshaw was inside the End Zone Bar & Grill, seated at the bar with a beer in front of him, when police and probation officers tracked him down Oct. 22. A telephone call did him in. He used the bar's landline to call his girlfriend's cell phone. But Jennifer Geiser, 38, also of 126 E. Arch St., Shamokin, was already in police custody. Officers traced the call.

A low-speed chase ended earlier when Latshaw jumped from Geiser's vehicle and ran into the woods near Den-Mar Gardens. He was wanted by Coal Township police after he allegedly held a knife to Geiser's throat and threatened to kill her Oct. 2 in Coal Run. He escaped apprehension the next day during a chase through backyards in the 400 block of West Chestnut Street.

Latshaw was charged by Coal Township police with terroristic threats, simple assault and harassment involving the Coal Run disturbance.

Latshaw was spotted again inside Geiser's vehicle on Oct. 5, and again he fled into the woods, this time near the Geisinger-Shamokin Area Community Hospital. He's accused of kicking Shamokin Patrolman Nathan Rhodes during the escape.

He has been charged by Rhodes with a felony of flight to avoid apprehension, misdemeanors of unlawful restraint, simple assault and resisting arrest, and a summary count of harassment.

Despite allegations of threats and abuse, police believe Geiser assisted Latshaw in avoiding apprehension. She has been charged with hindering apprehension or prosecution and obstructing the administration of law.

SUNBURY - A New York man could be freed on nominal bail today from Northumberland County Prison, where he's been behind bars since February.

Esteven Soto, 30, of 1752 Walton Ave., 6A, Bronx, is scheduled to appear before Northumberland County Judge Charles H. Saylor for a bail hearing. He has been held on $250,000 the past 263 calendar days on felony drug and gun charges, and says it's violated his right to a speedy trial under state law.

Soto and co-defendant Rafael Diroche were jailed Feb. 9. They were arrested the night before following a search of a vehicle and a Mount Carmel apartment. Their arrests stemmed from the attempted homicide investigation into the Feb. 8 shooting of 21-year-old Salicia Yost of Milton. Neither man is charged in the shooting, and neither is anyone else.

Rule 600 allows a defendant to be held on bail 180 days prior to trial. Court procedures, including motions and hearings, can add days the process. Saylor ruled Oct. 2 that was the case for Soto, putting his earliest release at Oct. 10. Given a possibility he would be brought to trial this month, he was held through the end of the month's trial term on Oct. 24.

Soto had filed a motion Sept. 15 to be released Sept. 20. A hearing wasn't held until Oct. 1. Three previous motions for a bail reduction were denied. He is represented by public defender Paige Rosini.

Diroche, 29, of 250 S. Poplar St., Apt. 3, Mount Carmel, has also motioned for release on nominal bail. He is held in the county lockup on $300,000 bail on felony drug and gun charges. A court hearing is scheduled for Nov. 19. Susan Schwartz is listed in online records as his court-appointed attorney.

Police link Diroche and Yost in court records, saying the two were in touch by text message leading up to her shooting. Those records do not establish a link between Soto and Yost.

Both Diroche and Soto are convicted felons and are restricted from possessing a firearm, according to police.

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

- Richard Giedosh, 23 of 702 Bear Valley Ave, Shamokin, was sentenced to one year supervised probation and ordered to pay a $300 fine plus court costs after pleading guilty to a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.

He was charged by Shamokin City Police Cpl. Bryan Primerano after a July 28 visit from county probation officers.

- Brianna Hanford, 21, of 1002 1/2 E. Chestnut St., Sunbury, was sentenced to one year of supervised probation and ordered to pay a $200 fine plus court costs after pleading guilty to a third-degree misdemeanor charge of disorderly conduct.

The charges were filed by Shamokin City Police Cpl. Jarrod Scandle following a July 20 incident in the 400 block of North Shamokin Street.

A charge of possession of drug paraphernalia was withdrawn in the case.