MOUNT CARMEL - A letter from an independent auditor says the borough's bookkeeping contained major errors in 40 of 42 months she checked.

Tina J. Raup, accountant with Spruce Run Tax and Accounting Service, of Millville, details in a recent letter to borough council nine categories of errors reportedly made by former borough Treasurer Megan Janolek, including "bogus expenses made just to make the balances match" and "reconciliation discrepancy account used many times due to poor bookkeeping skills."

Other errors include not entering checks into QuickBooks, double entries, "bogus deposits," interest duplicated and triplicated in QuickBooks, incorrect check numbers, deposits not entered and incorrect amounts on checks and deposits.

Auditor Courtney Solomon, of Herring, Roll and Solomon, of Sunbury, alerted borough council to the bookkeeping errors in July and said they were so extensive she could not complete the audit.

Council had removed treasurer duties from Janolek's workload in March upon her request. She continued to work as the Lower Anthracite Transit System director, but in mid-October, a few months after the accounting errors were discovered, she was terminated.

The borough paid Raup approximately $2,000 to reconcile the borough's 16 bank accounts. Several had to be reworked back to January 2011 "just to get the balances correct," she wrote.

Council President Tony Matulewicz said Janolek's errors nearly caused a budgeting disaster this year because the 2015 budget is based off of the expenses of previous years. When he input the correct amounts for the borough's expenses, the budget was significantly in the red.

"I looked at the new numbers and almost had a stroke," he said. "It appears we're without $82,000 because all the numbers were understated."

Fortunately, Matulewicz said, further investigation revealed the revenues were also erroneous. Fixing them balanced the budget.

He said he can't overstate "how much time and effort and anxiety went into her not doing her duty."

Matulewicz said he is most bothered by Janolek's seeming difference to the impact her errors could have had on the thousands of residents living in the borough.

At meetings, council members would often discuss expenses and ask if Janolek had any questions or comments when she gave the treasurer's reports. She never spoke up, even though she knew she was making mistakes, he said.

He said the borough had provided Janolek with training in QuickBooks as well as the bookkeeping software previously used.

Matulewicz said recently discovered the Mount Carmel Housing Department's budget, which is filed separately from the borough's, also contained errors. While a professional will need to repair the books, Matulewicz said he anticipated the cost to be low.

"We only write a few checks a month out of there," he said.

Ann Swartz took over the role as borough treasurer in August. So far, Matulewicz has been pleased with her work.

"She takes her job seriously," he said. "I'm comfortable with her there."

To prevent future errors from compounding the way they did under Janolek, Matulewicz said the borough will continue to bring Raup in at a cost of approximately $400 per quarter.

He said council had a discussion with Borough Manager Edward Cuff III regarding the oversight of Janolek's work.

Meanwhile, Cuff is working on more thoroughly understanding the treasurer's duties, Matulewicz said, and he's been working alongside Swartz as she becomes acclimated to the borough's books.

"They're both sitting down and putting things in," he said.

Janolek had tried to explain some of the mistakes when they were first discussed publicly earlier this year. She also noted that she had asked for help in early 2013, saying it was too much trying to handle both the LATS and treasurer duties.

A previous phone number for Janolek is no longer in service.

SHAMOKIN - A Northumberland County judge will decide if the city will be permitted for the seventh straight year to raise its general fund tax 5 mills above the maximum allowed by law.

This year, the city will seek a second ruling from a county judge on doubling its earned income tax. That will be included in Shamokin's Act 47 recovery plan, expected to be finalized in January.

The proposed tax structure is the backbone of Shamokin's 2015 budget proposal and is sought to erase a $621,000 deficit. The tentative budget totals $3.7 million, including $2.9 million for the general fund. Should the court reject either tax hike, it's unclear how city council would close the budget gap.

City officials are expected in court at 10:15 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9, before President Judge William H. Wiest. A hearing for 11:30 a.m. today was postponed by the judge.

The general fund tax is proposed at 35 mills. A petition was filed with the court Nov. 13, three days after Shamokin's preliminary budget was adopted.

The general fund is City Hall's main operating account, and represents the largest portion of the city's entire real estate tax bill. Other taxes on the bill are for debt service, public library, recreation and a shade tree fund.

Total real estate taxes are proposed at 58.1 mills next year - $58.10 on each $1,000 of a property's assessed value. For example, if a property is assessed at $10,000, the tax bill would total $581.

Shamokin's 2014 real estate levy totals 47.35, including 30 mills for the general fund.

An amendment adopted in March by the state Legislature bumped the general fund maximum for all Third Class Cities from 25 mills to 30 mills. The law maintains an option for cities to petition a Court of Common Pleas judge for up to an additional 5 mills.

City council is also proposing to double the earned income tax from 1 percent to 2 percent.

A vote by council on the final budget is still planned for 5:45 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3, at City Hall. If approved, the budget will remain pending the court rulings on the tax hikes.

Hazardous weather is expected to impact millions of holiday travelers along the East Coast today. Travel conditions will erode locally where heavy snow is forecasted to fall throughout the day.

Following Monday's record high of 69 degrees and a sunny, pleasant Tuesday, things will look quite different by this evening. According to the National Weather Service (NWS) in State College, snow, possibly mixed with rain, will begin to arrive around sunrise. Precipitation will quickly change to all snow and will continue to fall throughout the evening, accumulating 6 to 8 inches in Northumberland and Columbia counties.

An estimated 4 to 6 inches is expected in State College and Williamsport with lesser amounts in the southeastern part of the state, where more rain is expected to fall. The NWS issued a winter storm warning for heavy snow for the Susquehanna Valley, which was in effect from 3 a.m. todaythrough 4 a.m. Thanksgiving Day.

PennDOT warned motorists to stick to the most traveled roadways because they will be plowed first. Travelers can also check conditions on a color-coded map at www.511pa.com or by calling 511.

In anticipation of the snow, Kulpmont officials have declared a snow emergency. (See Noteworthy for more information.) Local street crews completed final preparations by Tuesday.

The Turkey Trot 5K at Kemp Memorial Stadium will go on as scheduled regardless of conditions. Start time is 9 a.m.

Conditions will improve Thanksgiving Day with mostly cloudy skies and a high near 36. Shoppers will be greeted Friday with sunny skies and a high of 36.

A number of community holiday events will help to put people in the Christmas spirit in the coming weeks.

Trainland

Local events kick off Friday with the opening of Mount Carmel's "Trainland" at the Clover Hose Fire Company, Sixth and Oak streets.

The display, a private collection of more than 100 0-027-gauge trains, features 16 trains running at a time on three rooms of track. It will be open 6:30 to 9 p.m. every Friday, Saturday and Sunday until Dec. 28.

In addition to trains, there are approximately 1,000 die-cast trucks and cars included, and 20 operating scenes, including an airport, amusement rides, scenes from the 1950s and 1960s and current-day scenes.

Town parks light up

Also Friday, Kulpmont and Atlas will have their town park displays lit for the season. They include live reindeer displays.

Mount Carmel's live reindeer, sponsored by the Lions Club, will also be in their display at town park as of noon Friday.

Sunbury's Lite Fest Committee invites folks to the annual Santa Parade starting at 6:30 p.m. from Raspberry Avenue and heading north on South 10th Street to Market, where it ends at Cameron Park. Santa will visit.

Mingle, jingle and more

The third annual Trevorton Community Christmas event starts at 5:30 p.m. Sunday with a "mingle and jingle" featuring cookies, coffee and cocoa inside the pool house at the Foundry, which will be decorated throughout.

At 6 p.m., St. Patrick Church choir will lead the community in singing carols, followed by the lighting of a Christmas tree and the arrival of Santa on a lighted sled made by township workers.

Big day Dec. 6

The holiday season kicks into high gear on Saturday, Dec. 6.

The day starts with the annual Santa Claus parade in Mount Carmel at 11 a.m. This event is sponsored by the Mount Carmel Lions Club, the borough's business association and volunteer fire department.

Santa will be led around town by the Mount Carmel Area High School Band and followed by various rescue personnel and engines.

The parade route is as follows: Forming at Third and Market, it will travel to Hickory Street, then north on Hickory to Second, west on Second to Oak, south on Oak to Seventh, east on Seventh to Hickory, south on Hickory to Third, west on Third to Oak and south on Oak to the Mount Carmel Public Library, where Santa will distribute candy to children.

The seventh annual Downtown Christmas in Shamokin runs 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the area of Independence and Eighth streets. It's sponsored by the Northumberland County Council for the Arts and Humanities. (Photo above is from a previous year.)

With a number of vendors inside the Masonic Building, the annual Christmas tree decorating display and voting, and Santa arriving via the Rotary Club Santa Sleigh at 1 p.m., the annual holiday tradition will help bolster the holiday spirit for many.

New this year will be free rides on the Rescue Fire Company's fire engine, starting after the parade until 3 p.m.

The event will continue at 4 p.m. at the Northumberland County Career and Arts Center auditorium with a free showing of the new Disney classic "Frozen," sponsored by the Shamokin Area Education Association. Movie characters Elsa and Olaf will be on hand to greet the children, as will Santa.

Tharptown and railroads

That evening, the annual lighting of the Tharptown Christmas display will take place at 7 p.m.

The display, created by the Dunn family for the past 18 years, will feature a visit from Santa and a variety of Christmas decorations, cartoon characters and a live reindeer display.

Dec. 6 also features the annual Holiday Open House for the Lower Anthracite Model Railroad Club.

Located on the second floor of the American Legion Building (above the public library) at 210 E. Independence St., Shamokin, the display features a 3,000 square-foot HO scale model railroad display of the Shamokin Valley Branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad.

The display will be open to 9 p.m. that night as well as 6 to 9 p.m Saturday, Dec. 13.; 1 to 9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14; 6:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19; 3 to 9 p.m Saturday, Dec. 20; 6:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 26; and 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 27.

DANVILLE ­- D's Clothier, 226 Mill St., has been meeting the area's clothing needs for 35 years and is offering customers extended holiday hours starting the first week of December.

D's Clothier, a family-owned business, offers the area's largest selection of SmartWool brand outdoor clothing from infant sizes through adult XXL, including socks, base layer clothing, hats, gloves, coats, jackets and sweaters.

It also carries Mountain Hard Wear brand outdoor clothing, including down coats, jackets, fleece, gloves, headwear and accessories. The store carries footwear including Clarks, Minnetonka, Red Wing and Irish Setter brands.

D's is also a one stop-shop for men's formal wear for tuxedo rentals and sales, a full line of suits in short, regular and long cuts, dress shirts, ties, cuff links, wallets, belts, socks and accessories. They also do alterations.

They carry men's and women's casual wear, including Carhart jeans.

Regular hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m Saturday and closed Sunday.

Their extended hours beginning in December are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m Sunday.

The store is owned by Tom DiPasquale and managed by Valerie Shultz. For more information, call 570­275­2040 or visit www.dsclothier.com.

COAL TOWNSHIP - Brewser's SportsGrille is celebrating its 7th Annual Thanksgiving Eve Bash tonight with Gobble Wobble Wednesday. A note about the ad for the event in today's edition: It should have said "$8.99 personal pizza and 5 wings," not $5 wings. The News-Item apologizes for the error.

Wobble Gobble Wednesday also features open juke box after 8 p.m., tons of giveaways, $2 domestic drafts, $2 well drinks, special drink and shooter menu and other great specials all day.

For more information, call 570-648-7122.

'Light the Park' comes together

ATLAS - The Atlas Fire Company's "Light Up The Park" committee is working on its annual Christmas display for the park gazebo.

Monetary donations are being solicited by mail to help defray the expenses for the display, electricity and the annual reindeer display for the children. The reindeer arrive Friday.

This year's display is expected to be the biggest and brightest ever, so any donation is appreciated.

The annual "Santa In The Park" visit for children is scheduled for 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 18.

Donations can be made to the "Atlas Fire Company Park Project" and mailed to the Atlas Fire Co. 306 W. Saylor St. Atlas 17851. If donors wish to have their donations picked up personally, call 570-339-2144.

Santa to parade through Sunbury

SUNBURY - The city's annual Santa parade in Sunbury will be held Friday.

The parade will form on Raspberry Avenue at 6 p.m. and begin moving at 6:30 p.m. It will head north on South 10th Street to Market Street and end in Cameron Park. Anyone interested in participating in the parade is asked to contact the City Clerk's office at 570-286-7820.

After the parade, Santa will visit with the children in his house next to City Hall.

Danville band to present concert

DANVILLE - The Danville Community Band will present their annual Christmas concert at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 18 in the Trinity Lutheran Church, Danville. A gift of canned food for the local food bank would be appreciated, and the public is invited to enjoy refreshments after the concert in the church social room.

IRISH VALLEY - A barn on a private road near the former Clark's meat packing plant was destroyed by fire during the brunt of Wednesday morning's snowstorm.

Despite the inclement weather, firefighters from multiple communities were able to respond to the 10:26 a.m. blaze at 186 Hollow Road off Irish Valley Road. But they were unable to save the barn, which was engulfed in flames upon their arrival.

The 12-year-old, 30-foot by 50-foot, two-story barn was owned by Larry Rebuck, whose home is located approximately 200 feet away. The fire did not pose a danger to the residence.

Stonington Fire Chief Kerry Yordy said Rebuck, who had just returned home in a truck with his wife and two children, discovered the blaze. Rebuck told Yordy the barn was just about burned to the ground when he arrived home.

Yordy said hay was the only thing burning when firefighters arrived.

In addition to the hay, Rebuck lost a new lawn mower and skid loader in the blaze.

Cows inside the barn escaped unharmed.

The fire chief said Rebuck has insurance, but wasn't sure if he had enough to cover the losses.

An inspection of the barn by Yordy and state police fire marshal Kirk Renn of the Milton barracks determined the fire was accidental.

Due to the extensive damage, a cause or point of origin couldn't be determined.

Yordy was assisted at the scene by Elysburg Fire Chief Dennis Kroh and other firefighters from Stonington, Elysburg, Overlook, Sunbury and Upper Augusta Township.

Elysburg Ambulance and Shamokin Emergency Squad personnel also responded.

Snow-covered roads leading to the remote area of the fire were slick, but engines were able to climb some hills to reach the blaze.

No injuries were reported.

SHAMOKIN - The annual service of "Sharing the Gift of Christ's Love" sponsored by the Lutheran-Anglican-Roman Catholic (LARC) group will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, the First Sunday of Advent, in Grace Lutheran Church, Chestnut and Seventh streets.

The service will be a combination of the four lessons from Advent, prayers, the Gospel and several inspirational hymns, including "Silent Night," sung in German and English. The organist will be Walter Boyer. The Rev. Francis Karwacki, of Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, will present the homily. Clergy and lay members will participate in the service, and there will be a time of fellowship and refreshments afterwards.

During the service, participating church members will present their gifts for 66 children throughout the area. Parents filled out a form for each child in their family (ages 12 and under). A gift tag was completed for each child with their first name, age, sex, size and any type of clothing they may particularly need.

The tags were numbered and anywhere from 6 to 13 tags were distributed to the following congregations: Grace Lutheran, Holy Trinity Episcopal and Mother Cabrini Church, in Shamokin; St. Paul Lutheran, in Gowen City; Our Lady of Hope Church, Coal Township; Church of Our Lady, in Mount Carmel; and Holy Angels Church, Kulpmont.

The people of the churches take a tag and purchase clothing, outerwear, and usually an age-appropriate toy, game, book or puzzle for the child they choose. The gifts are wrapped and returned to their church and then brought to Grace Lutheran Church, Shamokin, the day of the service.

This year, each family will receive an invitation to attend this inspirational service, Everyone will be able to worship and fellowship together and then the families may take their wrapped gifts home.

This ecumenical service has been an outreach for more than 20 years.

COAL TOWNSHIP - Students in fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grades participated in the annual science fair at the Shamokin Area Elementary School.

Winning exhibits received the most points in creative ability, scientific thought, thoroughness, skill, clarity and dramatic value.

The 2014-15 Shamokin Area Elementary School grand prize-winning exhibit was entitled "From Creek To Clean." It was submitted by fourth-grade student Samantha Stancavage.

First-place winners were: Fourth-grade, Gracie Maschuck; fifth-grade, Damon Backes, and sixth-grade, Rosalind Kane.

Second-place winners were: Fourth-grade, Madison Thomas; fifth-grade, David Kaleta, and sixth-grade, Emma Kramer.

Third-place winners were: Fourth-grade, Molly Rossnock; fifth-grade, John Kodack; and sixth-grade, Damian Hile

Fourth-place winners were: Fourth-grade, Mariah Vetovich; fifth-grade, Robert Depeal, and sixth-grade, Katlyn Brunson.

Fifth-place winners were: Fourth-grade, Anthony Feudale; fifth-grade, Kloey Baney, and sixth-grade, Joshua Bashore.

Prizes were supplied by the PTA, teachers, administrators and staff of the Shamokin Area Elementary and Annex.

Each participant received a ribbon, certificate, a random prize and extra credit in their school subjects. Sixth-grade teachers EJ Bailey and Douglas Kase were the science fair co-chairmen this year. The judges were William Clark, Sam Schiccatano, Joseph Wightman, Christopher Jones and Victor Colangelo.

Bailey and Kase thanked Tanya Lilley, Lori Hile and Jim Hile, who assisted with the science fair.

All science fair projects were set up by 6 p.m. Nov. 21 in the elementary school cafeteria. Judging took place after that time. The science fair was open to the public from 9 to 11 a.m. Nov. 22. First-place and grand prize projects will be on display at the elementary school for two weeks following the fair.

HARRISBURG - Pennsylvania needs stronger laws to protect individuals over age 60 from the potential of being abused, neglected or swindled out of their savings, a judicial task force suggests in a new report.

The report by the Elder Law Task Force makes 130 recommendations to the court system, lawmakers, prosecutors, attorneys and victim services agencies for addressing the legal needs of an aging population.

"The increasing population of elders anticipated during the next 20 years is likely to result in a substantial increase in court cases regarding the protection of vulnerable elderly persons," said state Supreme Court Justice Debra Todd, who headed the task force.

The task force was formed last year under direction of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

"We are the ones that get it first," said Chief Justice Ronald Castille about the court's role as first responder in hearing cases of elder abuse.

The emphasis on revamping elder laws follows an overhaul of juvenile justice laws and foster care system for younger Pennsylvanians, he added.

20 percent of population

An elder is defined as someone 60 years and older. Nearly 2.7 million Pennsylvanians, or more than 20 percent of the state's population, fall in this category. Of them, 300,000 are 85 and older.

The Supreme Court is already implementing one recommendation by establishing an Office of Elder Justice in the courts in January.

A key focus of the report is tightening laws regarding the activities of guardians and those with power of attorney to act on behalf of seniors.

"We want to see the court get more involved in supervision and oversight," said Todd.

The recommendations

The recommendations include having courts appoint a family member whenever possible as a guardian, requiring criminal background checks for family and professional guardians, mandating training for guardians on matters of legal liability and ethics and establishing a state fund to pay guardianship services for individuals with limited resources.

Another recommendation would expand the ranks of those with legal standing to review actions taken by a power of attorney.

The report calls for more reporting of suspicions of elder abuse.

SUNBURY - A candle that fell on a recliner was the cause of a fire that extensively damaged a double-home late Tuesday. Emergency personnel were called to 246-248 N. Front St. around 11:45 p.m. after residents of 246 N. Front St. heard pops and discovered the recliner on fire.

Although there was an initial report of entrapment, a police officer who arrived first at the scene confirmed all occupants were safely out of the brick, two-story waterfront property.

Temporary homeless are Libby Balsamo and a 15-year-old daughter, of 246 N. Front St.; and Jaylou Bingaman, of 248 N. Front St. Jaylou Bingaman and Shawn Bingaman own both sides of the building and have insurance, according to Mike Rhoads, code enforcement officer.

The American Red Cross is assisting both families with food and clothing, and one family with shelter. The Red Cross will follow-up to determine any additional disaster needs, a press release stated.

Upon arrival of the first fire units, fire was blowing out of the first floor, according to Sunbury First Assistant Fire Chief Russ Wertz. Firefighters contained the fire shortly after midnight, although smoke and pockets of fire were still visible at 1 a.m.

Fire moved quickly through the building, damaging all floors of the building and the front porch. Several windows of the first floor were also broken with the surrounding brick charred. Rhoads later condemned the home.

One firefighter suffered an ankle injury while fighting the fire in the attic, Wertz said.

Hours for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend at local malls and retail stores:

The Plaza at Coal Township

Peebles department store: opening from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. today, then 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday.

Cato Fashions: Opening 8 a.m. Friday

Radio Shack: According to information online, the store is listed as closed for both today and Friday. Hours Saturday are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Radio Shacks at local malls are open Friday; the store at Columbia Mall is also open 6 p.m. to midnight today.)

National chains

Walmart: Special deals starting at 6 p.m. today, then 6 a.m. Friday.

Target: Opening 6 p.m. today, 6 a.m. Friday

Best Buy: 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Today, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday.

Kmart: Special sales from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. today, opening at 6 a.m. Friday.

Toys R Us: 5 p.m. today to closing hours on Saturday.

Kohl's: Special deals from 6 p.m. today to 1 p.m. Friday.

GameStop: Opening at midnight Friday.

Susquehanna Valley Mall

The mall will open at 6 p.m. today. Check the mall's website for an updated list of stores' opening times.

Anchor stores: JCPenney will open at 5 p.m. today, Bon Ton, Boscov's and Sears will open at 6 p.m.

Columbia Mall, Buckhorn

Anchor Stores: Dunham Sports, The Bon-Ton, JCPenney's, Maurices and BR Worldwide - opening 6 p.m. today and closing 9 p.m. Friday.

Other stores in the mall

Opening from 6 p.m. to midnight today: Totally Twisted Pretzel, Scentchips, Little Fashionz, GNC, Payless ShoeSource, Family Fun Town.

Opening from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday: Heritage Shop (Hallmark), Provost, Gertrude Hawk Chocolates, Subway.

Opening from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday: Nail Glamour.

Schuylkill Mall, Frackville

Mall doors will be open at 6 p.m. today for the stores that are open during that time. The mall is officially open at 6 a.m. Friday.

Anchor stores

Kmart: open from 6 a.m. today until midnight Friday.

The Bon-Ton: open from 6 p.m. today until 10 p.m. Friday.

Big Lots: open from 7 a.m. until midnight today, and then 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday.

Dunham's Sports: open from 6 p.m. today until 10 p.m. Friday.

Sears and Black Diamond Antiques: open at 6 a.m. Friday.

Other stores

in the mall

Victoria's Secret: open from 8 p.m. today until 10 p.m. Friday.

Deb Shop: open from 8 p.m. today until 9 p.m. Friday.

Bath and Body Works: open from 6 p.m. to midnight today, and then at 6 a.m. Friday.

Shoe Dept.: open from 6 p.m. to midnight today, and then at 6 a.m. Friday.

Avalon: open from 6 p.m. to midnight today, and then at 6 a.m. Friday.

FYE: open from 6 p.m. today to 9 p.m. Friday.

SHAMOKIN - An estimated 136 Shamokin homes were without electricity Wednesday evening when heavy snow caused tree branches to fall onto a power line, according to 911 reports.

The outage was reported to Northumberland County Communications at 5:25 p.m. A loud explosion and a flash was reported along Bear Valley Avenue.

The affected homes were along the Avenue and also the southernmost portion of South Market Street.

Emergency crews were at the scene to direct traffic. PPL was notified of the outage.

Nearly 140 customers were without power in Shamokin at 7:15 p.m. Wednesday. Power was also out to 18 customers in Coal Township, 14 in East Cameron Township and 37 in Ralpho Township.

SHAMOKIN - Cory L. Thompson had been in the hospital nearly two months when he finally got a look at the 2002 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy he'd been riding when he was nearly killed.

It was his fourth motorcycle, and he owned it about one year.

"I loved it," said Thompson, before manipulating his voice in mock wonderment. "It was my favorite toy of all time."

The Fat Boy was scratched, scraped and mangled. A friend snapped one last picture of it, then texted it to Thompson before the insurance company had it hauled away for scrap.

Thompson, 29, of Shamokin, is thankful no one was on the back when it was rear-ended July 13. He's thankful to be alive himself and to be relatively healthy. He is also thankful for the overwhelming support that has followed in the months since.

Family and friends stayed by his bedside. So many showed after the crash that hospital staff had to ask them to spread out of the emergency room.

Members of his motorcycle club, The Villains, were at the hospital daily. They helped his family with chores and organized a massive poker run for his benefit. People he'd never met riding in out-of-state motorcycle clubs he'd never heard of showed up.

Decorated officers from the U.S. Army reached out, too, and several showed up to meet him in person.

Others organized a public concert at the Shamokin bandstand. Still more tossed money into a kitty on any given night at any given bar.

And it wasn't just his hometown. People were raising money on his behalf in neighboring Coal Township, Kulpmont and Mount Carmel.

Some 6,300 people contacted him - a tally was kept - via text, email or in person. He'd like to thank them all by name, an impossible task.

"It's amazing to be from a small town, to know if something like this happens, when you're actually nice to people and something bad happens to you, they come around to offer help," Thompson said, speaking about having ridden in benefit poker runs and attending $20 nights for others in need.

"It seemed like every corner I was backed into, someone was there to help me out," he continued during an interview at his family's home on Bunker Hill.

"There's a lot of bad stuff about Shamokin, but it made me feel good about being from Shamokin."

'I became a speed bump'

Death had been kept waiting for Thompson before. He's a combat veteran, a staff sergeant in the U.S. Army's 3rd Battalion, 103rd Armor Regiment. Thompson served four tours in the Middle East. Twice he was peppered with shrapnel when an enemy explosive detonated. He received a Purple Heart after one of the blasts.

Thompson was riding on the afternoon July 13 from a children's birthday party at Edgewood Swim Club in Coal Township to the Wayside Inn. He slowed to a stop in the left lane of Route 61 to turn into the restaurant parking lot.

"As I started to slow down, everyone looked at me because of how loud my bike was, and I became a speed bump," Thompson said.

The driver of a Jeep Cherokee, a 17-year-old Shamokin girl, rammed him from behind. He remembers the impact, up until his neck snapped back.

The motorcycle skidded across the oncoming lanes, with Thompson bouncing and skidding behind as the Jeep rolled over his body. People rushed to his side from the restaurant's patio bar. He was conscious, at times combative, as paramedics worked to stop the bleeding and prepare him for helicopter transport to Geisinger Medical Center, Danville.

"He had 30 stitches in his head ..." said his mother, Andrea Rollman, before trailing off. She fought back tears at recalling all the injuries her son endured. Before carrying on, she turned to Thompson and playfully punched her son twice in the arm.

Eight ribs broke. His back and pelvis broke, too. Skin was completely scraped from his backside. The bike's tailpipe impaled Thompson, punching through his insides. His liver was lacerated, and the internal bleeding couldn't be stopped.

When Rollman arrived on scene, she was met by a friend who was working amongst the paramedics.

"'I'm just going to let you peek at him,' she said, 'because I don't think he's going to make it.' And I lost it," Rollman recalled.

At the hospital, Thompson flat-lined twice within 24 hours. About 60 units of blood were used on him that day. A doctor told Rollman there was nothing more they could do. She couldn't comprehend, asking over and over, "So what does that mean?" The point was made: keep trying. And doctors did so, successfully.

Lost 80 pounds

Thompson underwent nine surgeries by his count, including one to repack his intestines from the impaling. Red dots pop up on his gray tank top while he tells his story; it's blood seeping from a scar bisecting his upper body from his waistline to his sternum, which continues to heal.

A week passed before Thompson stabilized. It was another week until he was pulled from a medically induced coma. That's his first memory, awakening in the hospital surrounded by medical equipment, tubes and wires stuck on and into his skin. He gripped the breathing tube that had been slid down his throat. As he came to, he looked around for his Fat Boy.

Thompson spent 10 weeks in Geisinger facilities, nearly half of that in the Intensive Care Unit. When he got to Geisinger HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital, he met Sharon Budd, the Ohio teacher who nearly died in the bizarre rock-throwing incident on I-80 in Union County. They were in therapy together, and Thompson's family befriended the Budds.

A stout 250 pounds the day of the crash, he was discharged more than 80 pounds lighter, and with little strength.

"I just can't believe how much I lost; it amazes me. I can't do a pushup, I can't do a sit-up," Thompson said.

He used a wheelchair and walker to get around. Family and friends helped carry him up and down the stairs at his family's home.

To ride again

He's recovering, and is walking on his own now. He does physical therapy daily on his own, too, and his weight is up to 190. There was a point in his life when Thompson could hold a 100-pound dumbbell in each hand and press them above his head. Now, he can't do that with a 2-pound weight. Lifting a gallon of milk takes two hands.

But all things considered, he looks pretty good. He says he feels good, too.

Thompson figures whatever recovery he makes will be completed within 16 to 24 months. He hopes to return to his job with the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, leading weapons training and leadership courses at Fort Indiantown Gap.

Fully squeezing his left hand is a goal for now. He's working on it. Without that grip, he can't pull the clutch on a motorcycle, but he expects to do just that - to ride another motorcycle of his own.

"I guarantee," he said. "Give me a few more months."

NATALIE - Brian Hollenbush is already frustrated with winter.

Just two hours into the first accumulating snowfall of the season Wednesday morning, the Mount Carmel Township police chief had already decided something had to give while tractor-trailers and other traffic came to a standstill on mountainous - and suddenly icy - Route 54 between Strong and Elysburg.

Hollenbush radioed to Northumberland County Communications, "We're not going through this nonsense. Shut it down."

The Natalie Mountain is perhaps the most notorious local road when it comes to winter weather, and it took no time for it to keep up with its reputation Wednesday.

"At 9 a.m., at the start of the storm, we had about six tractor-trailers and six other vehicles stuck on the Elysburg side of the mountain and two more tractor-trailers and a few more cars coming from Route 61," Hollenbush said. "There was more traffic starting to back up there.

It was a disaster all the way from Strong to Elysburg."

The storm that dropped about four inches of snow during the daylight hours Wednesday made one of the busiest travel days of the year a bit of a nightmare. Local roads became slush-covered rather quickly.

"At one point, Routes 54 and 901 were closed, as was the road on the Merriam Mountain," Hollenbush said.

After PennDOT crews worked with their plows and salt trucks, the roads were reopened at 12:45 p.m.

'Get there when we can'

Bernie Klusman, PennDOT's maintenance manager for Northumberland County, said they split up their 60 employees to have all 30 of their trucks on the road clearing the snow.

According to Klusman, the start times for the morning shift was determined based on the weather forecasts and what time the storm would start.

"Based on the forecasts, we started at 4 a.m. waiting for the snow to begin," Klusman said. "The precipitation didn't start until 7 a.m. in the southern part of the county and then worked its way up."

Klusman said many of the tractor-trailers were stuck because they had smooth tires and were empty, therefore not carrying a lot of weight.

"When we could, we worked as quick as we could to clear the roads," Klusman said.

Klusman understood the frustration that some may have had with what could have been perceived as a lack of effort by the state transportation agency.

"When we get the request from the 911 center, all the answers were the same: We will get to it as quick as we can," Klusman said. "Our trucks operate on a loop that if the truck is on the other end of the snow route they are following, it will take time."

Klusman said a video about PennDOT's winter operations on the agency's YouTube page is very informative in showing how they work during a snowstorm.

Closures, overnight

Northumberland County offices closed at 1 p.m. because of the storm. Some local schools were closed for the Thanksgiving holiday, while others canceled classes Tuesday night because of the pending storm.

By 3 p.m., Klusman was pleased with how the work was going.

"I did a ride through of the county, going up to Lycoming County and heading as far as Snyder and Union County, and the roads are wet," Klusman said.

Both he and Hollenbush worried as the storm continued and temperatures started to drop, worsening road conditions.

"I pulled another part-time officer in along with the night-shift officer," Hollenbush said. "Hopefully that will take care of everything and PennDOT will keep the roads clear and salted."

"Our second shift started at noon and they will go till midnight working on the roads. If we need to, we will call the morning shift back in at midnight and keep all 30 trucks on the road until the storm ends," Klusman said.

Second wave, power out

At 5:30 p.m., winter came through with another blast, causing more vehicles to become stuck on the Natalie Mountain and crashes in Zerbe and Coal Township. One accident blocked part of Route 61 near Walmart when a minivan rolled onto its side. No injuries were reported. Traffic was moving again in about an hour.

Officials closed Route 54 over Natalie Mountain for a second time Wednesday about an hour after dusk because of weather conditions and stuck vehicles. Shortly before 6:30 p.m., they shut down Locust Gap/Excelsior Highway for an accident.

Both highways were opened to traffic by 7 p.m.

Weather conditions were taking its toll on emergency personnel, whose efforts were slowed because they were waiting on PennDOT plows and tow trucks, which were also extremely busy. One official was heard saying over the scanner, "The longest 12 hours ever."

A tree fell on power lines along Bear Valley Avenue cutting power to hundreds of customers (see separate story). Trees in other communities also fell under the weight of the snow. Some hit power lines, causing them to arc.

Wednesday's storm marked the first measurable snowfall of the upcoming winter season, and was the first since a surprise snowstorm dropped 8.5 inches of snow on the area April 1.

SHAMOKIN - Kulpmont Lions Ladies held their monthly meeting at the Original Italian Pizza restaurant in Shamokin. Norma Zlocki was hostess.

Ann Gard, secretary, gave her report, which was approved on motion by Monica Brozoskie and Fran Ambrose. Debbie Martin, treasurer, gave the financial report, which was accepted on a motion by Norma Zlocki and Karla Zlocki.

Carmella Daniels and Elaine Mirarchi were acknowledged for working at the Halloween parade.

The Christmas party will be held at 6 p.m. Dec. 5 at Brewsers SportsGrille.

Donations were made in the amounts of $50 to the Salvation Army, $25 to the Kulpmont Sportsmen to feed the deer in the community display, $25 for the West End Fire Company children's Christmas party and $50 to the Lions men for the Selinsgrove Christmas party.

It will no longer be necessary to provide a hostess gift. Bingo will revert to $5.

Martin won the 50/50 award.

A motion to adjourn was made by Ambrose and Brozoskie.

SHAMOKIN - A city fire official said Tuesday's Eighth Street fire that left eight people homeless was accidental and most likely electrical in nature.

Shamokin Fire Investigator and Patrolman Raymond Siko II said the 7:55 p.m. blaze started between the second and third floors at 503 N. Eighth St. in a void space above a second-floor closet on the west side of the building.

He said the fire quickly spread to the third floor of an adjacent home at 505 N. Eighth St.

Siko said seven people lived at 503 N. Eighth St. owned by George Atiyeh, of Allentown. The inhabitants are Jacob May, 33; Jennifer May, 42; Amanda Samms, 20; Steven Kazmeski, 16; Brittany Samms, 18; Cody Lopez, 21 months; and Adrian Kazmeski, 2 months. James Broscious was visiting. Siko said the property is not insured.

The officer said the residents are staying with a friend in Lancaster.

Eleanor Vivaldo, 90, was the lone resident of 505 N. Eighth St. Flora Vivaldo, Christine Shipe and Madeline Buchanan were visiting Vivaldo when the fire broke out, Siko said. The fire investigator said Eleanor Vivaldo is insured and is living with a relative.

No injuries

The occupants of both homes at the intersection with Water Street behind the downtown district were able to escape the burning structures without injury. Siko said one fireman reportedly suffered a minor injury battling the blaze.

He said the second and third floors of 503 N. Eighth St. sustained extensive fire damage, while the first floor suffered mostly smoke and water damage. The fire official said the third floor at 505 N. Eighth St. sustained fire damage, while the other two stories suffered smoke and water damage.

Siko said Patrolman Scott Weaver initially attempted to knock down the fire with a fire extinguisher, but was unable to do so. Assisting him on the call were Patrolman William Zalinski and Cpl. Jarrod Scandle.

Siko, state police fire marshal Kirk Renn of the Milton barracks, deputy fire chief Jason Zimmerman, assistant chief John Klembara, battalion chief Bruce Rogers, code enforcement officer Rick Bozza and members of Shamokin Emergency Squad inspected the fire-ravaged properties from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday. The inspection determined the origin and cause of the accidental fire.

"It appears to be electrical," Siko said.

Bozza condemned both homes following the inspection.

Firefighters had the fire under control in about an hour and remained at the scene until approximately 11:30 p.m. to check for flare-ups. The fire was contained before it reached the nearby offices of Attorney Myron Moskowitz and Bressi and Martin Real Estate, where a mural by the Northumberland County Council for the Arts and Humanities is painted.

Fire police secured the homes overnight until the fire officials conducted their inspection.

All city fire units and AREA Services responded to the single-alarm fire. They received assistance from members of Maine Fire Company in Coal Township and ladder truck personnel from Anthracite Fire Company in Mount Carmel.

Members of Atlas Fire Company were placed on standby at Rescue Fire Company in Shamokin.

Volunteers from the American Red Cross provided food and clothing to the homeless at the scene and are assisting them with any additional needs.

MOUNT CARMEL - The Northumberland District Council of Catholic Women held its deanery meeting Sunday at Our Lady of Mount Carmel parish hall.

Deanery President Rosemary Boyer called the meeting to order. Members joined in reciting the Prayer to Our Lady of Good Counsel. The Bible enthronement was done by Debbie Gownley, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

After Theresa Conniff welcomed everyone, the roll call was taken and the minutes were read. The treasurer's report was given by Gownley. Boyer reported on the diocesan meeting. Gownley gave all parish presidents a printout of all the annual assessments due.

Divine Redeemer Church will host the next 25th and over anniversary Mass and celebration. A planning commission will be formed to discuss the next religious and clergy appreciation dinner.

The next convention will be held April 20 at the Cardinal Keeler Center with the theme "Faith, Service, Truth and Love - 90 Years of Service to the Diocese."

The next deanery meeting will be held at Divine Redeemer. Boyer thanked Our Lady of Mount Carmel for being the host parish. The Rev. Frank Karwacki discussed the New Evangelization - trying to get lapsed Catholics back to the fold. Prayers were said for the sick and deceased members. The meeting was adjourned and a luncheon was held.

DANVILLE - Two young brothers injured Monday in a traffic accident that killed their mother are expected to make a full recovery, according to their aunt.

Stephanie Geise said Landen Seidel, 5, suffered bumps and bruises. He remains in fair condition at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville. Conner Wheary, 6, is awake and alert. He was upgraded to serious condition Wednesday.

The boys were hospitalized following a rollover crash along Route 225 near Dornsife that killed Rachael (Geise) Seidel, 26, of Coal Township. Wheary had been in critical condition.

The boys realize they'd been in an accident, Stephanie said, but haven't yet grasped that their mother has died. The family will wait a bit, in part to let it sink in themselves, before explaining Rachael's death to her sons, she said.

Stephanie spoke Wednesday with The News-Item during a phone interview from a Geisinger waiting room. She was at the hospital with her parents, Gene and Margaret Geise. They've been bedside with the boys since Monday, switching on and off to get rest.

Stephanie is two years younger than Rachael. They were best friends and confided in each other in good times and in bad times, she said.

"She acted as a friend when I needed her, and she acted like a sister when I needed her more," she said.

Rachael, Stephanie said, had a heart of gold. It shone through even when times were tough. Rachael was a single mother, and she was independent. She had friends who were single moms, too. Stephanie said when they needed a break, Rachael would kindly pick up their kids - spending some time with the little ones while their moms got a chance to regroup from pressures of parenthood.

The sisters last saw each other on Saturday, and had been texting each other into Monday.

Thanksgiving, predictably, will be difficult. Stephanie remained optimistic.

"We have so much to be thankful for, as well. Those two little boys, they're very lucky, and we're lucky to have them and to be there for them," Stephanie said.

Fundraisers

"I don't think my sister would want it any other way; she would want us to be there for the kids," she said.

An online fundraiser with a $2,000 goal has begun at www.gofundme.com/htuuac. The 5C's in Mount Carmel will host a fundraiser Saturday, with all proceeds from the $5 cover charge to be donated to Rachael's sons. Both are organized by Rachael's friend, Marissa Huff, a music DJ at the 5C's.

"I was shocked at first. I wasn't sure how many people would care," Stephanie said. "I just thanked (Huff) as much as I could. I wasn't sure what I was going to do, so for someone else to stick up for us like that ... it was almost like a relief to know that people actually did care."