SHAMOKIN - A city man was jailed Monday on allegations he threatened to shoot a woman with a crossbow.

Police said Rose Schickley told them James L. Slusser, 68, said he would "shoot her dead" while he pointed the weapon at her Nov. 5. Schickley also said Slusser needs help for mental issues, according to court records. Police said Slusser retrieved the crossbow after tossing a hunting knife at Schickley.

When police arrived at Slusser's home at 132 N. Eighth St., he pointed to a crossbow, which Patrolman Mark Costa subsequently unloaded and secured. Police said Slusser admitted wanting to shoot Schickley.

Tights, three bras

According to court records, Slusser undressed in front of officers, revealing nylon leggings, a night shirt and three bras beneath his pants and button-down shirt.

Slusser was taken into custody and spoke with a Northumberland County Mental Health professional before being transported to Sunbury Community Hospital. He was arraigned Monday by Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III on charges of simple assault, reckless endangerment and terroristic threats. Bail was set at $2,500, and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 25.

MOUNT CARMEL - Councilman Leroy "Chico" Moser spoke out against the dumping of fly ash at Monday's workshop.

"I'd like to go on the record opposing the fly ash in this area," said Moser during his designated speaking time.

He read a brief list of toxins, including arsenic, copper, lead and mercury, which he said are found in the substance.

"Our health concerns are more important than money," said Moser.

A fly ash project in Locust Summit, Mount Carmel Township, has the state's approval, and 400,000 tons is set to be trucked to the Gilberton Coal site. That project has since been put on temporary hold by the ash distributor, PPL Corp.

Moser pointed out that while the fly ash would be disposed of in Mount Carmel Township, the wind could pick up the toxins and carry them into the borough.

"We're surrounded by the township," said Moser. "They can bring it anywhere they please."

Fly ash is dampened with water before transport to keep it from becoming airborne, according to Larry LaBuz, PPL's Coal Combustion Products supervisor, who spoke with The News-Item for a previous article.

Among Moser's chief concerns is that deer and other animals may eat the ash before it is contained by topsoil and future generations, not knowing they cannot disturb fly ash, may dig into it while performing improvement projects.

He said he hopes to sit down with township officials and discuss the issue and urged his fellow councilmembers to come onboard with his endeavor.

"This is just another part of the bio solids," said Moser. "You've got to stop it now."

KULPMONT - Traffic came to a halt on Route 61 near the borough after a woman was injured when she rear-ended a vehicle stopped for a school bus around 2:45 p.m. Monday.

Antoinette Fern, of 611 Spruce St., Kulpmont, was traveling west on Route 61 in a silver Ford Contour when she failed to stop for a Ford Explorer driven by Brad Noll, who had stopped behind a school bus that was letting off children.

Fern's vehicle continued to travel forward off the berm and then back to the center of the highway, said Kulpmont Police Chief Michael Pitcavage. He said Fern may have been confused due to air bag deployment. Fern was taken via ambulance to Geisinger-Shamokin Area Community Hospital.

Noll and a passenger in his vehicle, Erika Noll, were treated at the scene.

Traffic was re-routed until emergency crews cleaned up debris and both vehicles were towed from the scene.

Pitcavage said charges are pending.

NORTHUMBERLAND - A number of studies have shown that children find soothing comfort during stressful experiences through interaction with a friendly pet. And since the Child Advocacy Center (CAC) of the Central Susquehanna Valley, a division of Geisinger Health System's (GHS) Janet Weis Children's Hospital (JWCH), was established to embrace victims of child abuse, Evie - a black Lab/Australian Shepherd mix - has been a welcomed addition as the center's first pet therapy dog.

The CAC provides young victims interviews by trained forensic interviewers, as well as medical examinations, crisis intervention counseling and ongoing case tracking. Evie now provides them a furry friend to embrace after recalling painful experiences in their lives.

"Coming to a new place can be stressful for kids and Evie helps them relax and provides emotional support," said Jenny Shroyer, victim advocate at the CAC. "Everyone's happy when you have a friendly dog to pet. She helps the parents, too, and just makes everybody more relaxed and calmer."

Evie is Shroyer's one-year-old pet dog. While she didn't get her specifically to become a pet therapy dog, Shroyer decided that Evie may be able to comfort victims and their families when they visited the center. So she took her to puppy training classes and got her certified by Therapy Dogs International. She started accompanying Shroyer to the CAC last month as part of JWCH's Tender Paws Program.

And she's been making a difference ever since.

"One girl was here for a therapy session and during her appointment, our therapist gave her and her dad a break," Shroyer said. "She was upset and was crying at the time. But then she was able to come out and pet Evie and she started talking about pets at her house. Just petting a dog can be therapeutic and it gave her a break from what she was talking about."

Evie provides comfort to the victims and their families, and the CAC staff, too.

"Sherry (Moroz) our interviewer said it's wonderful having her here," Shroyer said. "She goes around and gives kisses and just puts her nose on our arms and makes everyone more relaxed. It gives us a break from all the sometimes difficult things we talk about here every day."

BURNSIDE - After hitting its first year goal in just five months, the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area (AOAA) is making good on its promise to support the community.

At Monday's meeting, the AOAA Authority approved donating $4,000 to Coal Township and $2,000 to Zerbe Township. Both donations will come with a letter expressing the authority's gratitude in supporting the fledgling park.

During the approval process, Jim Backes, authority chairman, thanked the numerous emergency response teams that have lent support.

"We're trying to make sure the local nonprofits make some money and help the community," Backes said of the donation.

The park made a $700 donation to Coal Township earlier in the year after the Anthracite Trail Riders, an off-riding club organized to support the AOAA, held a ride to raise money for the township.

The authority also approved using $10,000 from the AOAA general fund to pay down the park's line of credit from Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company, also known as M&T Bank.

Authority member Barry Yorwarth said the park had spent about $20,000 of a $250,000 line of credit, which would leave approximately $10,000 owed.

The credit line was opened in March to provide the AOAA with capital to pay start-up expenses. Interest was set at 3.19 percent.

THARPTOWN - When Jared Dunn looked at the smashed bodies of the toy soldiers on the ground, his heart sank.

"He was very upset," Dunn's father, Scott, said. "He was just about ready to take it all down, but then people gave us hope that what we've done here for the last 18 years is worth it."

Sometime between Friday evening and Sunday morning, an unknown group vandalized the Tharptown Christmas Display at the playground, where the Dunn family puts up the display each year.

"We were gone all day Saturday and then when we passed by on Sunday, I noticed that a couple of the soldiers were turned sideways, and thought it was a little odd," Jared Dunn said. "When we got a little closer, we saw that two of the soldiers were smashed."

A couple of wooden characters were damaged and bulbs were stolen from a few of the strands and lighted displays.

The family, who has been putting up the display since 1996, said the cost of physical damage was only about $75 to $100, but the damage to their work and holiday cheer was worse.

"We've been out here for almost three weeks getting everything ready," the younger Dunn said.

The incident was reported to the cops and some people have given the family a few names of those who may be responsible.

"It's all in the cops' hands now," Jared said.

Community steps up

After word spread on Facebook, members of the community came out in support of Jared Dunn's efforts.

"We saw two cars pull up to the display on Sunday, and we were a little gunshy with what had happened. Jared spoke to them and the gentleman handed him a check to help cover the damage," Scott Dunn said. "He got another check today from a couple of businesses as well."

Dunn and Erica Schaeffer have set up two funding requests on the gofundme website to help raise money for the display. The donations will be used to purchase surveillance cameras, and $175 has been raised between the two pages as of Monday evening.

"Each camera can show us a good amount of distance in night vision," Scott Dunn said. "The new systems can also be monitored through a computer, smartphone or tablet."

Until then, the family is keeping an extra eye on the display from their home nearby.

Despite the damage, Jared said the kindness the community has shown has kept him from being deterred.

"We will get everything fixed up and be ready to light the display Dec. 6 at 7 p.m.," he said.

Links to the gofundme pages can be found at the Tharptown Christmas Display Facebook page.

SHAMOKIN - Three clips from a working documentary about the Centralia mine fire and the potential dangers of fly ash were shown Monday night during a joint meeting of the Shamokin and Mount Carmel Rotary clubs.

Titled "RED ASH: Burning Rights," the film touches on many events in Centralia's history: from a 19th century priest placing a curse on the borough and the Molly Maguires, to the 1948 crash nearby of a Douglas DC-6 that killed 43 people, to the Jane Benfield murder in 1961, the year before the infamous fire was discovered.

"I wanted to give a complete overview of Centralia and not just the mine fire," filmmaker Lys Sparrow told the crowd of about 50 people inside the Independence Fire Co., Market and Arch streets.

The film explores the conspiracy theory that valuable mineral rights in Centralia were sought by the state and federal governments and how that relates to the emergency response and subsequent relocation of nearly every resident in the borough.

One comment made in the film drew a smattering of chuckles from the audience: "Bearing in mind that Pennsylvania is a corrupt place."

Sparrow and Gianfranco Serraino are creating the documentary together. While fielding audience questions, a clipboard was passed among the crowd seeking support for a "nature rights" ordinance toward stopping the currently legal, state-regulated practice of dumping fly ash in mine pits.

Fly ash is a by-product captured in coal-fired power plants and cogeneration plants. It's a fine powder that contains concentrated heavy metals. Rather than store it at a dump site, the state has permitted alternative uses since the mid-1980s, specifically in mine reclamation.

A fly ash project in Locust Summit, Mount Carmel Township, has the state's approval, and 400,000 tons is set to be trucked to the Gilberton Coal site. That project has since been put on temporary hold by the ash distributor, PPL Corp.

Another PPL fly ash project has continued for about a decade in Burnside, where 1.2 million tons of the ash will be spread, compacted and buried beneath soil when the project closes in two to three years.

Sparrow and Serraino along with some in the crowd are wary of the potential health and environmental hazards of fly ash.

"I'm not against coal," Sparrow said. "I don't want to take anyone's jobs. All I'm saying is that there has to be accountability."

SHAMOKIN - The preliminary hearing for the man police say shot a Milton woman in the head in February along Irish Valley Road was continued.

Rafael Anthony Diroche Jr., 29, of Mount Carmel, is scheduled to appear before Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III Dec. 2. The hearing was originally scheduled for today.

Diroche is charged by state police at Stonington with attempted homicide, aggravated assault, attempted aggravated assault and corrupt organizations.

Police cite victim statements in the criminal affidavit filed against Diroche, but the victim, Salicia Yost, 21, has since given a newspaper interview denying he was involved.

G-SACH therapy open house today

COAL TOWNSHIP - Geisinger-Shamokin Area Community Hospital will host a physical and occupational therapy open house from 3 to 5 p.m. today in the outpatient rehabilitation center.

The open house will give the public the opportunity to tour the newly updated rehabilitation area, learn more about preventing falls at home, participate in balance assessments and balance training and speak one-on-one with Geisinger therapists. Attendees will receive a giveaway item and light refreshments.

The event is free. For more information, call 570-644-4272.

'Biggest Loser' part of Lifetree Cafe

SHAMOKIN - Tips and strategies for losing weight and becoming healthy will be shared at Lifetree Café, 531 N. Market St. Thursday.

The program, titled "Hard to be Healthy: TV's 'Biggest Loser' Weighs In," includes a filmed interview with Jaron Tate, a contestant on NBC TV's The Biggest Loser. Tate shares his secrets for losing more than 150 pounds and keeping the weight off.

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.

CATAWISSA R.R. - For the past three weeks, Southern Columbia's teachers have met en masse and attended the district's school board meetings.

On Monday, the board heard from the group in a prepared statement, challenging the board to meet with them in good faith and with open minds to hammer out an acceptable contract.

The statement, delivered by Southern Columbia Education Association vice-president Michael Venna, addressed several concerns teachers have had since their contracts expired June 30 with no new pact in sight.

"As educators, we do not, and have not felt valued for the high quality of services that we commonly provide to our student and the community at large," Venna said Monday.

Low morale

The two sides have been at odds over a new contract for the teachers, and Venna said the morale of the teachers sunk very low when administrators received a three-percent raise earlier this year, while teachers remain without a contract.

However, they remain on the job.

"Year after year, we witness our teachers rise above the low morale within our hallways so it does not effect the quality of our student's education," Venna said. "It is imperative that teachers focus on learning, rather than on protracted negotiations."

The statement also said teachers have been willing to compromise with the board on negotiations and continue to bring a positive attitude to teaching in the wake of larger class sizes, unfilled positions vacated by retirements and teacher furloughs.

"Therefore, as we challenge our students every day in the classroom and challenge ourselves as professional teachers, we now wish to challenge our school board to meet with our bargaining team in the spirit of compromise," Venna said. "Meet with our bargaining team with a can-do approach so that all parties can walk away with an overwhelming sense of pride and satisfaction that we did all the right things for all the right reasons."

Sessions set

The board made no comment following the statement. Earlier in the meeting, board vice-president Charlie Porter, head of the board's negotiating committee, spoke about the current negotiating sessions.

"We have had a number of settlement offers going back and forth with the teachers," Porter said. "Items like, 'We will give you X and Y if W and Z happen.' The problem with that is once they go off the table, they are gone."

Negotiation sessions between the two sides are scheduled for Nov. 25 and Dec. 2 and Porter hopes there will be further questions answered in financial matters.

"We are not going to negotiate this district into bankruptcy," he said.

In other business

- The board discussed with Ken Wagner, auditor for Wagner, Dreese, Elsasser and Associates, the audit for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2013. Wagner told the board there were no major financial issues or problems in the district.

He also reported there were no problems with internal controls or compliance. The board approved the audit on a 9-0 vote with board members Porter, Joe Klebon, Timothy Vought, John Yocum, Michael Yeager, Kay Keller, Charlene Cove and Gail Zambor Schuerch voting yes.

- The board approved a contract with the Columbia County Family Centers to provide family-centered preschool services in the district for this year, at a cost of $2,500. The contract can be executed with changes approved by Superintendent Paul Caputo.

- In personnel matters approved, Lori Brobst was moved from a part-time paraprofessional to the accounting staff-accounts payable receivable effective Nov. 18. Jennifer Myers will replace Brobst as a part-time paraprofessional, and Letha Stone was named musical director for the 2014-2015 school year at a salary of $2,128.

- The board's next meeting will be its reorganization/monthly meeting Wednesday, Dec. 3, at the Columbia-Montour Vocational-Technical School, Bloomsburg.

CASS TOWNSHIP - Two people were killed and another was seriously injured when a Veterans' Affairs van slammed into the side of a tractor-trailer on Highridge Park Road Monday morning.

The driver of the van and a back-seat passenger were pronounced dead at the scene by Schuylkill County Deputy Coroner Scott Clews.

Clews identified the driver as James Metzger, 67, of Barnesville, and the passenger who was killed as Elaine Bradley, 73, of Tamaqua.

Clews said virtual autopsies will be performed tonight to determine the exact causes of death.

A front-seat passenger with serious injuries was taken to a local hospital.

The driver of the tractor-trailer was not hurt.

Cass Township Police said a preliminary investigation revealed the truck was traveling east on Keystone Boulevard and entered the intersection where the southbound van slammed into the side of the trailer.

The highway, Route 4007, was closed for several hours while the crash was investigated.

SUNBURY - On a split vote Tuesday, Northumberland County commissioners approved the payment of $200,000 for four new tower sites for an enhanced, countywide 911 system.

Sean Petty, senior technology specialist with Mission Critical Partners, State College, said the initial selected tower sites in Herndon, Pillow (Dauphin County), Point Township (Montour Ridge) and Coal Township (North Mountain) failed a structural analysis because they weren't able to hold the weight of additional antennas required to improve the communications system.

Petty said the additional money for the new sites near the previous selected areas is already budgeted under a contract the county signed with Motorola Solutions Inc. June 26, 2013, to provide the new system.

Commissioners Vinny Clausi and Stephen Bridy agreed to pay the $200,000. Commissioner Shoch opposed payment, setting off a debate between the commissioners over the history of the federally mandated project that involves providing improved 911 services for the entire county.

Petty was informed within the last one or two months that the four towers failed their structural analysis.

Petty said the entire project may end up costing $9.2 million instead of $8.5 million due to additional costs for new generators, shelters for equipment, installation and tower work.

Petty said a total of seven existing towers will be involved in the project.

The other three towers are at the 911 Center in Sunbury, Boyer's Knob in Coal Township and Snyder County.

Northumberland County 911 Coordinator Bill Brown said Union County currently receives a $46,000 yearly surcharge for dispatching emergency services in the northern end of the county.

Brown said the current 911 system covers 27 municipalities including the Klingerstown area in Schuylkill County.

The technology specialist for Mission Critical, which was hired by the county as a consultant for the 911 project, said the newly selected tower sites will cost the county significantly less money than making the initial four tower sites structurally sound.

Bridy said, "We need services in the northern end of the county and that comes with a price tag."

As he's done in the past, Clausi accused Shoch of supporting Union County and the northern end of Northumberland County with the 911 project.

"Who is paying you (as a commissioner) - Union or Northumberland County?" Clausi asked Shoch.

Shoch responded, "I fight for Northumberland County, not just the northern end. But I think we need to sit down and have a rational conversation with officials in the northern end."

Petty said it's not unusual to encounter problems and additional costs with such a large project as the enhanced 911 system, but he's confident the system will be operating by the second quarter of 2015.

The county has received a couple extensions to have the new system online. Clausi said he's optimistic the Federal Communications Commission will grant another extension if necessary. The county will be subject to fines if it doesn't comply with the mandate.

Petty said AT&T, which owns four of the tower sites, sold the existing towers to Crown Castle at the beginning of the year, which delayed the project eight months.

Although it will cost approximately $200,000 to provide the proper equipment for dispatching services in the northern end of the county, Petty said there would be no overall cost savings for the county if it chose not to put a tower in the northern end. "To cover the entire county, you would still need to pay for 911 services whether the tower is located in the southern or northern end," Petty explained.

Petty said the new communications system will enhance coverage, capacity and interoperability.

He said the new system will increase coverage in the county from 62 percent to more than 95 percent, while providing more channels for communication among police, fire and emergency personnel. He also said the new system will expand the frequency range by allowing police, fire and emergency personnel in Northumberland and neighboring counties to communicate with each other on one radio rather than multiple radios.

After the meeting, Clausi said it's possible the county may be forced to charge municipalities for improvements to the 911 system.

On a 2-1 vote, the commissioners accepted a proposal for $523,000 from Klacik & Associates of Shamokin to provide auditing services for years ending 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, plus an additional $6,000 for the 911 three-year audit.

Shoch questioned the legality of the contract since a future board of commissioners will be locked into the pact.

In an email sent to The News-Item, Shoch states, "Mr. Clausi is now attempting to bind the next board to using his auditing firm for the next five years. This is the firm that Mr. Clausi awarded the county auditing contract to in 2011, even though our existing auditors at the time gave a lower quote. This is the same firm that Mr. Clausi uses for his personal and business accounting. Mr. Clausi is attempting to retain his control and influence after he leaves office."

Clausi said Klacik & Associates has saved the county $43,000 since it was previously awarded the contract.

An ordinance listed on the agenda to impose a $5 per vehicle registration fee for non-exempt vehicles died for lack of a second.

All three commissioners agreed that taxpayers have enough of a burden without a new tax.

The state's $2.3 billion transportation bill passed in November 2013 authorizes the fee, but counties are not forced to impose it. Money used from the fee would go toward state roads and bridges.

Shoch was appointed as the commissioner representative on the county's conservation district board for a one-year term, beginning Jan. 1.

County engineer Charles Hopta Jr. was appointed to the Wyoming Valley Levee Raising Mitigation Board for one year, starting Jan. 1.

Susan Bickhart of Sunbury, Frances Culp of Shamokin, Ann Reeves of Watsontown, Dolores Splane of Shamokin, Connie Tressler of Herndon, Mark Giesen of Northumberland, William Paul of Herndon, and Renee Warner of Watsontown were re-appointed to the Behavioral Health and Intellectual Development Services Advisory Board for three-year terms, beginning Jan. 1.

BURNSIDE - The Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area (AOAA) Authority said increases to next year's passes will help offset the cost of expanding the park.

At Monday's meeting, authority members unanimously approved the new fee schedule, which shows increases of $20 for all adult annual passes and $5 for all daily adult passes.

Annual adult passenger passes will increase $15 for county residents and $20 for non-county residents. Adult two-day passes will increase $5, except for in-county ATV/UTV/motorcycle passes, which increased $7. Adult three-day passes will increase $5, except for ATV/UTV/motorcycle in-county passes, which increase $10.

All child rates, which are valid for youths under 18 with an accompanying paying adult, won't change.

Jim Backes, authority chairman, said the non-county daily ATV pass, which will rise from $20 to $25, was the most popular pass thus far.

Dave Porzi, operations manager, said that the price increase was calculated after factoring in upcoming expenditure increases such as those associated with opening the area west of Route 125, known as the Western Reserve. The authority anticipates opening the land to riders during the 2015 season.

"We're going to be getting more employees to manage that property," said Porzi.

Annual passholders will face the largest increases, but will also have the benefit of having more days to ride, he said.

"We're shooting for our one year (anniversary) to be open for five days consecutively," said Porzi. He has previously discussed a Thursday through Monday schedule; the park for the most part this inaugural season has been open Friday through Sunday.

The authority approved sales of the 2015 annual passes to begin Dec. 1. Anyone purchasing a 2015 pass will be permitted to use it from the date of purchase until Dec. 31, 2015.

Susquehanna Valley gas prices fell another four cents this week to $2.952 a gallon, according to AAA East Central's Fuel Gauge report.

On the national front

The national average price of gasoline has remained below $3 per gallon for more than two weeks, and more than three-quarters of U.S. gas stations are reporting prices below this benchmark. Tuesday's national average price for regular unleaded gasoline was $2.88 per gallon, which is the lowest mark since Dec. 2, 2010.

Tuesday's price represents a savings of five cents per gallon compared to one week ago, 25 cents compared to one month ago, and 33 cents compared to one year ago.

The price at the pump is closely tied to the wholesale price of crude oil, and falling global oil prices have been the primary contributing factor to the price at the pump. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil, the traditional U.S. benchmark, dropped to its lowest level in more than three years Thursday ($74.21 per barrel). Lower crude oil costs are the main reason why drivers are paying an average of 81 cents per gallon less than the 2014 peak of $3.70 per gallon (April 28). The downward pressure on prices is expected to continue through the Thanksgiving holiday, meaning drivers are likely to be giving thanks for the cheapest seasonal prices since 2009 when the national average registered $2.63 on the holiday.

Global prices for crude oil continue to fall, touching lows not seen since 2010. Market analysts continue to speculate on what action the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) will take during the upcoming meeting, scheduled for Nov. 27.

Should the cartel opt to cut production, the price at the pump for motorists could return higher. If OPEC instead chooses to maintain market share by leaving production unchanged, global oil prices could slide even further. At the close of Friday's formal trading on the NYMEX, WTI settled $1.61 higher at $75.82 per barrel.

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

HARRISBURG - The phrase "Lightning never strikes the same place twice" didn't apply to players of the Pennsylvania Lottery.

Seven area players claimed two prizes of $1,000 each in either the same or different instant tickets in October, according to the Pennsylvania Lottery.

The top winners during October of prizes $1,000 or more was Jamie Wood-Billman, of Elysburg, and Sandra Derck, of Shamokin, each winning $2,500 in the Big 4 numbers games. Wood-Billman won her prize in the night drawing while Derck won during the afternoon drawing.

Winners claimed a total of $67,098 in prizes of $1,000 or more during October. For the year, winners have claimed $885,440. Recent lottery wins, like that of the $1 million prize won by Joseph and Maryann Drost, of Coal Township, this month, could push that total close to the $2 million mark by the end of 2014.

Winners are:

Ashland

- Leonard Hoover, $1,000, $1,000 Frenzy, $10 ticket.

- Jean Minning, $1,000, $1,000 Frenzy, $10.

- John Filozof, $1,000, $1,000 Frenzy, $10.

- John Dubosky, $1,000, $1,000,000 Instant Jackpot, $20.

- David Rainis, $1,000, Max-A-Million, $20.

- David Rainis, $1,000, Money Money Millionaire, $20.

- Harlan Klinger, $1,000, Muscle Car Money, $5,

- David Fishburn, $1,000, On a Roll, $3.

- John Pinchot, $1,019, Match 6, $1 bet.

Catawissa

- David Delbo, $1,000, $1,000 Frenzy, $10.

- James Brown, $1,000, $1,000 Frenzy, $10.

- David Runge, $1,000, 10X the Money, $10.

- Thomas Levan, $1,000, 10X the Money, $10.

- Nicole Lee, $1,000, Money Money Millionaire, $20.

Coal Township

- Joseph Ramer, $1,000, $1,000 Frenzy, $10.

- Robert Naylor, two wins of $1,000, $1,000 Frenzy, $10.

- John Demsko, $1,000, $1,000,000 Golden Ticket, $20.

- Erma Lorenz, $1,000, $1,000,000 Instant Jackpot, $20.

- Anthony Rutkoskie, $1,000, $1,000,000 Instant Jackpot, $20.

- Shawn McBride, $1,000, 10X the Money, $10.

- Kevin Manning, $1,000, Aces High, $10.

- John Aurand, $1,000, Crazy Wild Ca$h, $10.

- Paul Kleban, $1,000, Hot Numbers, $5.

- Kurtis Albert, $1,000, On A Roll, $3.

- Anthony Rutkowskie, $1,000, Three Million, $30.

Dalmatia

- John Snesavage, $1,000, $1,000 Frenzy, $10.

Danville

- Carmen Welliver, $1,000, $1,000 Frenzy, $10.

- Shane Stuckey, two wins of $1,000, $1,000 Frenzy, $10.

- Margaret Bierowski, $1,000, $1,000 Frenzy, $10.

- Maryann Hackenburg, $1,000, $1,000 Frenzy, $10.

- Barbara Michael, $1,000, $1,000,000 Golden Ticket, $20.

- Jarrod Conrad, $1,000, Funky 5s, $5.

- Jessica Davis, $1,000, Max-A-Million, $20.

- Ronald Wilson, $1,000, Money Money Millionaire, $20.

- Roland Carper, $1,000, Three Million, $30.

- Clarence Dietterick, $1,000, Winning 777s, $10.

Elysburg

- Steven Servose, $1,000, $1,000,000 Instant Jackpot, $20.

- Jeffery Thiel, $1,000, $1,000 Instant Jackpot, $20.

- Joseph Gorzkowski, $1,000, Three Million, $30.

- Steven Servose, $1,000, Three Million, $30.

- Jamie Wood-Billman, $2,500, Big 4, 50-cent bet.

Kulpmont

- Linda Rodak, $1,000, $1,000 Frenzy, $10.

- Edward Nolter, $1,000, $1,000, $1,000 Frenzy, $10.

- Linda Rodak, $1,000, $1,000,000 Instant Jackpot, $20.

- Robert Adams, $1,000, On a Roll, $3.

- Dennis Hummel, $1,000, Super Hot 6s, $1.

- Kristen Bullock, $1,000, Zombie Cash, $2.

Marion Heights

- Karen Scarlett, $1,000, $1,000,000 Instant Jackpot, $20.

Mount Carmel

- Michael Adzema, $1,000, $1,000 Frenzy, $10.

- Thomas Orzechonski, $1,000, Red Hot Crossword, $5.

- Sherri Walker, $1,052, Match 6, $1 bet

- Carmella Makowski, $1,027, Match 6, $1 bet.

Paxinos

- Leonard Girardi, $1,000, $1,000,000 Instant Jackpot, $20.

Shamokin

- Joseph Fairweather, $1,000, $1,000 Frenzy, $10.

- Anjinette Jurewicz, $1,000, $1,000 Frenzy, $10.

- Nicole Komara, $1,000, $1,000,000 Golden Ticket, $20.

- Alisha Elliott, two wins of $1,000, Three Million, $30.

- James Kodack, $1,000, Three Million, $30.

- Charles Heim, $1,000, Winning Combination, $3.

- Nicole Pierce, $1,000, Winning Combination, $3.

- Sandra Derck, $2,500, Big 4 (day), 50-cent bet.

SHAMOKIN - Utility "mark out" work associated with an Aqua Pa. project was slowing traffic near the Cameron Bridge Tuesday, and it's expected to continue throughout the week.

Stephen J. Draus, central Pennsylvania manager for Aqua, said the work is associated with planning and design for a main replacement project scheduled for next year. It will involve replacement of the aging cast-iron pipe along Sunbury Street between the intersection of Sunbury and Dewart streets to the North Vine Street intersection.

"Due to the high traffic volume on Sunbury Street (Route 61), traffic control is required to ensure the safety of the utility mark out technicians and motorists," Draus said.

Flaggers are allowing just one lane of traffic to pass at a time.

Aqua anticipates the work along Sunbury Street will be completed by the end of the week.

Crafting today at Kallaway

SHAMOKIN - Open crafting will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. today at the Kallaway Center for the Arts, 144 E. Lincoln St.

The Northumberland County Council for the Arts and Humanities welcomes the public to enjoy a relaxing and fun atmosphere in which to work on projects.

Bridge restriction lifted

LECK KILL - PennDOT announced Tuesday it has removed a 30-ton weight restriction on a bridge on Route 2027 (Cider Press Road) which spans Little Mahantongo Creek in Upper Mahanoy Township. The bridge has been replaced.

TREVORTON - With less than two weeks to go until the third annual Trevorton Community Christmas, members of the Trevorton Heritage Society have been hard at work creating a winter wonderland inside the former pool house.

"Every year we change it," said heritage society member Liz Schwartz. "We have so much fun."

This year's festivities will kick off at the foundry at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30, with a "mingle and jingle" session with cookies, coffee and cocoa inside the pool house.

"A lot of the elderly people come and want to see inside," said Schwartz, but the line of children waiting to see Santa made accommodating both in the pool house difficult in past years. By providing the social session before Santa's arrival, the group hopes to ensure adults also get a peek into the building.

At 6 p.m., the St. Patrick Church choir will lead the community in singing three carols. Heritage society member Nancy Boyer said the music portion of the program was shortened to approximately 15 minutes this year due to frigid weather in the past.

"It's too cold," Schwartz added.

A tree donated by a community member will be lighted in front of the crowd and Santa will arrive in a sled handmade by township employees.

"We had an old trailer and we put together some plywood," said township worker Jerry Bulchie.

The sled was then decorated by the heritage society members with bows, bells and lights.

"It really shines at night," said Schwartz.

The interior of the pool house is also ready to go with decorated Christmas trees, wrapped gifts, glitter and thousands of lights. Santa's chair is ready for his arrival, and the society has prepared nearly 100 gift bags for children.

"You just have to crouch down to get the four-year-old point of view," said society member Alyce Bostwick.

The group is especially thrilled to have new plywood blocking the pool house's ventilation slats.

"Other years we'd try to cover the windows with Styrofoam," said Boyer. She said the group had difficulty securing the Styrofoam, which would be swept away with a strong gust of wind.

And, Boyer noted, the black paper covering the plywood in one room combined with the red Christmas decorations hinted at Trevorton High School colors.

The Christmas trees inside the building, still undecorated, will be used to raise funds for the event and for future heritage society projects, Schwartz said. Personalized ornaments are on sale for $1 at Angie's Market and the bank. The ornaments will be placed on trees in the storefront of the post office throughout the Christmas season.

COAL TOWNSHIP - Upgrades to the heating and cooling system at Shamokin Area Middle/High School would cost between $3.1 million and $6.6 million, according to an engineering firm.

A presentation was given by representatives of the McClure Company during Tuesday's Shamokin Area school board meeting. The minimum recommended project would be limited to an overhaul of the HVAC air conditioning system at an estimated cost of $3,110,005.

A $500,000 state grant would offset the initial cost. Savings over 20 years are estimated at $1,654,883. When combined, McClure's Alyssa Wingenfield said the net cost would be $955,122.

Financing was not included in the estimate.

The maximum project would see more extensive mechanical repairs topping $6.8 million, with an estimated net cost of $2.9 million when factoring the grant and potential savings.

Wingenfield said district administrators prefer the $5.2 million option with an estimated $1.7 million net cost. That would include HVAC heating replacement, plumbing and kitchen repairs.

Wingenfield recommends the district act quickly so that construction can begin by June.

The heating and cooling system at the middle/high school is between 20 and 40 years old. Dave Petrovich, building and grounds supervisor, said its replacement is sorely needed. But he also said timing for the project is terrible.

Shamokin Area faces a $3.2 million budget deficit for the 2015-16 school year.

Ruby Michetti, curriculum coordinator, noted that the project must be completed by November 2015 or the state grant could be jeopardized.

Board director Matthew Losiewicz after the meeting questioned why it appeared that the McClure firm was leading the engineering on the project. He said there is no contract in place, and added that Schneider Electric gave a similar presentation six months ago but there was no movement.

New administrator

Todd Hockenbroch will be reassigned to a school district administrator beginning today. Hockenbroch will replace William Callahan as assistant principal at the middle/high school. He will earn $61,000 plus benefits. Hockenbroch was head teacher at Northwestern Academy and earned $55,000 plus benefits. That position will remain vacant.

Board President Ron McElwee estimates the reassignment saved Shamokin Area $90,000.

Callahan had earned approximately $92,000 plus benefits at Shamokin Area. He has since become the Southern Columbia Area Middle School.

Settlement

A pricey settlement was approved between the district and the parents of a middle school student with special needs. According to Superintendent James Zack, Shamokin Area must pay a $10,000 insurance deductible to cover the parents' attorney fees, along with at least $5,000 for transportation to the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf in Pittsburgh.

The district must also pay an as-yet-undetermined prorated portion of a $98,000 tuition fee for the remainder of the school year. Special education reimbursement is sought from the state for a portion of the tuition cost. The settlement would be in place until the student completes school, which could be until the girl turns 21 years old, Zack said.

Settlement was reached through the state Department of Education's due process system.

Enrichment committee

Director Rich Kashnoski along with McElwee and Losiewicz are forming a new committee that will seek to restore enrichment classes in the elementary school.

The board directors will host a public meeting to seek input on fundraising and volunteer opportunities.

Art, music and physical education were eliminated as standalone courses when the budget was cut in 2012.

Drug policy

The school district's recently implemented drug testing policy was revised to include the chemicals that compose synthetic marijuana and "bath salts."