SUNBURY - Minutes after holding 23-year-old Erick R. Trometter for court Wednesday afternoon on multiple charges including aggravated assault of a police officer, Magisterial District Judge Benjamin Apfelbaum denied a request by his attorney to release him on supervised bail because he poses a public safety concern and flight risk.

Apfelbaum told Trometter, "I think the bail is adequate considering you threatened a cop with a knife rather than go to jail."

Trometter, who was charged by Trooper Ronald Zanella of state police at Stonington in a July 8 confrontation with Sunbury Chief of Police Brad Hare that resulted in the defendant being shot in the abdomen area, was recommitted to Northumberland County Prison in lieu of $250,000 cash bail and ordered to appear for a pre-trial conference at 1:15 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6, at the county courthouse.

Trometter's attorney, James Best, who serves as independent conflicts counsel, asked the judge to release his client under the same bail supervision he received for assault charges filed against him by Sunbury police in connection with the alleged assault of his 67-year-old grandmother, Amanda Trometter, that occurred hours before the shooting incident with Hare.

Prior to being arrested and incarcerated Oct. 30 for assaulting Hare with a deadly weapon, the defendant was placed on house arrest at the Elizabethville home of his mother, Tammy Trometter, so he could receive proper follow up care for the wound he received in the shooting.

Best said Trometter has a history of mental health problems and claimed he had been mistreated by a lieutenant at the county prison.

But Targonski strongly opposed any bail reduction or modification due to the seriousness of the offenses. She claimed Trometter failed to seek the proper care when he was on house arrest and said the defendant definitely belongs in jail.

The judge agreed with Targonski and kept Trometter in jail while advising him to seek psychiatric care during his imprisonment.

Officer testimony

Hare was the lone witness at Trometter's 45-minute preliminary hearing.

The veteran officer testified that despite deploying his Taser three times on Trometter, the defendant kept aggressively coming toward him with a large knife. The officer shot Trometter, who repeatedly told the chief, "I'm not going back to (expletive deleted) prison."

Hare said he responded to a domestic disturbance during the morning hours of July 8 in the 600 block of Susquehanna Avenue, where Trometter and his grandmother resided at the time.

After learning Amanda Trometter had sought assistance at the county Area Agency on Aging and her grandson had fled the home, Hare began searching for the defendant in his police car before eventually locating him walking on Mile Post Road near Shikellamy Avenue.

Upon questioning Trometter, Hare said the defendant told him he was "just out for a walk" and provided the officer with a false name.

He said Trometter, who was sweating profusely, was then asked to walk over to the police car, which he refused to do multiple times. Hare said Trometter eventually came over to the vehicle and placed his hands on the hood while becoming very agitated and clinching his fist.

Hare said Trometter then reached into his pocket, pulled out a large knife and pushed the chief backward. Hare said he told the defendant to drop the knife three to five times, but Trometter continued to advance toward the officer.

The witness said he then deployed the Taser into Trometter's torso, causing him to drop to a knee before regaining his composure. Hare said he deployed the Taser two more times, but it had no effect on Trometter.

Hare said he then circled around his cruiser, which he had parked on a dike access road, and ordered Trometter to again drop the knife. But he said Trometter refused to listen, prompting him to fire one shot.

After being hit, he said Trometter stopped and grunted before falling to the ground.

Hare said he then kicked the knife away. The chief said he and Sunbury Officer Scott Hause administered first aid to Trometter until emergency medical personnel and other police arrived at the scene.

Targonski, Best and Trometter reserved comment after the hearing, as did Trometter's mother and maternal grandmother, Roxie Stoneroad.

ATLAS - Several residents of the Oak Ridge Estates section of Mount Carmel Township are hoping to have their say regarding a possible assisted living center in their area.

Township supervisors said if the issue comes before them, that is guaranteed.

Roughly 20 residents came to Wednesday's supervisors meeting to discuss a proposed building project on property owned by Vince Guarna along Wilburton Road. Supervisors could not elaborate on the project, since no formal plans have been submitted to the township.

Aaron Domanski, a resident of Oak Ridge Estates, spoke on behalf of those opposed to the project, stating they have not received a "defined definition of the use of the facility."

"We have valid concerns and valid questions and getting that definition would be a first step to getting answers to our questions," Domanski said.

The residents were scheduled to discuss the plan at a Dec. 15 planning commission meeting, which was cancelled without any notification.

Domanski and several residents presented the supervisors with a petition of 107 signatures against the proposal.

Township solicitor Vincent Rovito informed the residents their points are well-taken, but they could be barking up the wrong tree.

"Unless they need to have a special exception of the zoning code, the zoning hearing board will decide the issue," Rovito said.

A zoning hearing on the matter is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 29, but code enforcement officer Don Geary said that an attorney representing the residents asked for a continuance of the hearing.

Rovito said before any vote is taken - if the supervisors have to decide the issue - a public hearing will be held.

"We will handle this democratically and everyone involved in this controversy will have their say," Rovito said.

In other business:

- Supervisors approved its $1,202,580.03 budget for 2015 with no tax increase for residents, and informed the public the budget is available for public inspection.

- The agreement between Mount Carmel Township and the borough of Marion Heights for police protection was renewed for 2015 with no changes.

- Supervisors approved ordinances which authorized participation in the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors Unemployment Compensation Group Trust, confirmed the township's membership in the Pennsylvania Townships Health Insurance Cooperative Trust, and a resolution that allows the township to use the dotGrants on-line reporting system to file required Liquid Fuels forms annually.

- An agreement was approved between the township and Northumberland County for an additional $2,544.20 of Community Development Block Grant funds for the Atlas Demolition project.

- Supervisors approved to advertise their reorganization meeting, set for 3:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 5, and their schedule of meetings for 2015. Regular monthly meetings are set for 7 p.m. the third Wednesday of each month and workshop meetings at 6 p.m. on the second Wednesday of the month.

All motions passed on a 2-0 vote with supervisors Reynold Scicchitano and Joseph Zanella voting yes. Supervisor Charles Gasperetti was absent.

In announcements made at the meeting:

- A representative of Congressman Lou Barlettta's office will be at the township building for community outreach Thursday, Jan. 22.

- Directional parking restrictions are now suspended for the winter.

- Garbage collection for the weeks of Christmas and New Year's will remain on Wednesdays. Residents are asked to have bags out by 8 a.m.

- The township office will close at noon Dec. 24 and Dec. 31, and will be closed Dec. 25 and Jan. 1 for the holidays.

SUNBURY - Sunbury Community Hospital saw the oldest patient in its history Wednesday morning, but it was a little too late to save him.

The 68-million-year-old jaw bones from "Tristan," a Tyrannosaurus Rex, were brought to the hospital by vertebrate paleontologist Barry James, of Prehistoric Journeys, Sunbury, to be examined through a computerized tomography or CAT scan.

James said the scan can reveal what's inside the bones. He believes Tristan had an abscess in his jaw, in addition to many broken bones and bone diseases.

"Each one of these (bones) has a major problem," James said.

James described Tristan as a sort of "elephant man" of the dinosaur world. But some of his many injuries can be attributed to fights, he said.

Tristan was unearthed on a ranch in Montana about five years ago and recently purchased. James was hired to reconstruct and mount the skeletal remains for the owner, whom he did not want to name, to display at major museums. He estimates it will take him until October to complete.

"Tristan is the third mostly complete skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus Rex ever found," James said, with 157 of 300 bones found.

A rare find

According to a handout James prepared for Wednesday's hospital visit, a century of discovery has resulted in only 41 Tyrannosaurus Rex skeletons. Most consist of a minimal number of bone elements, which might include pieces of the skull, vertebrate, rib sections, an arm or a leg bone.

"For Tristan to be here, all factors had to be right," James wrote. "When the animal died, its burial in silt was rapid without destruction by scavengers. The conditions were perfect for fossilization to occur. Sixty-eight million years later, an experienced excavator was in just the right place as the bones began to 'weather out' from the soil."

Most importantly, Tristan's is one of only three nearly complete T-Rex skulls that have been unearthed.

Curious questions

Prior to the scan, the hospital and James hosted approximately 250 second-graders from Oaklyn, Priestly, Beck and Chief Shikellamy elementary schools to give them the unique experience of seeing and touching Tristan's ancient teeth. The event marked the first time Tristan was introduced to anyone publicly.

James told the children about how the Late Cretaceous period dinosaur lived and died, what he ate and everything in between.

He then fielded questions from the youngsters on the Tyrannosaurus Rex and had to answer tough ones like: Were his teeth bigger than a banana? Which dinosaur would win in a fight? How high could he jump? How fast could he run? Why was he so mean?

Answers: Yes; the T-Rex; not very high; about 15 mph in short bursts; he wasn't mean, he was a meat-eater and was surviving.

After the presentation, James packed up the bones and took them to the CAT scanner.

"Next stop, going to the doctor," he said.

James, along with his wife, April, own and operate Prehistoric Journeys, which offers unique paleontological services that brings dinosaur and extinct mammal skeletons back to life for museums, national parks, entertainment and cultural centers, movie studios and major corporations. Their work has been featured in books, magazines and news reports around the world.

Shamokin- Coal Township

Monday - Poker game, 8:30 a.m.; game show, 11 a.m.; world news, noon; Unlucky 7s, noon.

Tuesday - Morning cards, 8:30 a.m.; walk a mile, 9:30 a.m.; game show, 11 a.m.; bridge, 11:45 a.m.; world news, noon.

Wednesday - Morning cards, 8:30 a.m.; Wii bowling, 10 a.m.; game show, 11 a.m.

Thursday - Center closed.

Friday - Morning cards, puzzles and shuffleboard 8:30 a.m.; Wii bowling, 10 a.m.; game show, 11 a.m.; nickel bingo, noon.

Saturday - Cards, 7 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Mount Carmel

Monday - Coffee and news, 9 a.m.; exercise and games, 10:30 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; Pokeno, 1 p.m.

Tuesday - Board game and breakfast snack, 10 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; Unlucky 7s, 12:30 p.m.; pinochle, 12:30 p.m.

Wednesday - Coffee and news, 9 a.m.; Christmas stories, 9:30 a.m.; Christmas movie, 10 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; bingo, 1 p.m.

Thursday - Center closed.

Friday - Wii Wheel of Fortune, 9:30 a.m.; hot chocolate and cookies, 10 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; Pokeno, 1 p.m.

Kulpmont

Monday - Coffee and gab in the morning; bean bag, 10:30 a.m.; Wii bowling, 11 a.m.; Pokeno, 12:30 p.m.

Tuesday - Chair exercise, music and coffee in the morning; Wii bowling, 12:30 p.m.; cards, 12:30 p.m.

Wednesday - Christmas music, cookies, milk and gab in the morning; bean bag, 10 a.m.; Wii bowling, 10:30 a.m.; LCR, 12:30 p.m.

Thursday - Center closed.

Friday - Coffee and gab in the morning; handheld games and puzzles, 9:30 a.m.; Wii bowling, 10:30 a.m.; nickel bingo, 12:30 p.m.

Centralia-Wilburton

Monday - Coffee and current events; playing Christmas songs on bells, 10:30 a.m.; bingo, 12:30 p.m.

Tuesday - Coffee and doughnuts, 9 a.m.; chair exercise with Carol, 10:30 a.m.; Wii bowling, 12:30 p.m.

Wednesday - Coffee, Christmas cookies and music, 9 a.m.; sharing past Christmas stories, 10:30 a.m.

Thursday - Center closed.

Friday - Center closed.

Elysburg

Monday - Healthy Steps, 8:30 a.m.; Wii fitness, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.; royal rummy, 10 a.m.; Pokeno, noon.

Wednesday - Healthy Steps, 8:30 a.m.; Wii fitness, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.; royal rummy, 10 a.m.; bingo, noon.

Thursday - Center closed.

Friday - Crafts, 9:30 a.m.; Wii fitness, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.; pinochle, noon.

Trevorton

Monday - Wii bowling, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10 a.m.; trip to Wal-Mart Supercenter in Coal Township, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Pokeno, 12:30 p.m.

Tuesday - Exercise, 10 a.m.; Scrabble, 10:30 a.m.; Christmas movie and snack, 12:30 p.m.; evening bingo, 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday - Board games, 9:30 to 2 p.m.; exercise, 10 a.m.; Center closing at 1 p.m.

Thursday - Center closed.

Friday - Wii games, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:30 a.m.; bingo, 12:30 p.m.

WILLIAMSPORT - The Line Mountain School District will pay lawyers representing a teenage female wrestler from Herndon an additional $28,892.50.

The federal court order settles a claim by Line Mountain School District that a second request for legal fees stemming from its lawsuit with Audriana Beattie, a teenage female wrestler from Herndon, and her parents, Brian and Angie Beattie, is excessive and should be denied.

Under the order, the district will pay Flaster/Greenberg PC $22,852.50 and the Women's Law Project $6,040.

"Suffice to say that the district was disappointed," said solicitor Rich Roberts. "We felt that they were dilatory in making the application, that the fees were exorbitant, but the court felt otherwise."

U.S. Middle District Judge Matthew W. Brann heavily criticized the Beatties' attorneys for not indicating they would pursue additional fees until after the lengthy battle for the first fees had come to a close, dubbing the issue "like some ghoul in a late-night horror movie that repeatedly sits up in its grave and shuffles abroad, after being repeatedly killed and buried."

In July, Brann ordered the district to pay $70,948.89, approximately half of the $140,681.89 originally requested by the Beatties and their lawyers. He also ordered the case closed.

A new request for fees accrued in the fight over the original fees was filed 14 days later.

The dispute between the Beatties and the district began when Audriana, who had wrestled for Line Mountain's elementary program, was forbidden by the district's gender-specific policy from competing on the junior and senior high levels.

The issue came to a head in April 2013 when the Beatties confronted the school board. With no resolution, they filed for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction.

A federal judge granted both - a temporary order Nov. 1 and the preliminary injunction Jan. 13. The orders allowed Audriana to continue wrestling with the district program until the case is resolved, either by settlement or by trial.

The school board unanimously decided March 25 to stop fighting the lawsuit and allow Audriana to wrestle on the district's all-male wrestling team.

By Rob Wheary

Staff Writer

rob_w@newsitem.com

DANVILLE - One year ago, Chloe Frost became ill and was admitted to the Janet Weis Children's Hospital for treatment. She said to her mother, "I'm sorry I ruined your Christmas."

The 14-year-old was also upset she didn't have her favorite blanket with her. Hospital staff found a blanket similar to hers and a stuffed animal that looked just like her pet cat.

Frost and her family were so touched by the staff's gestures, they decided this year to help the hospital by collecting enough toys to fill three laundry carts.

"I remember how it made me feel when they gave me stuff," Chloe said Thursday, "I wanted kids to have that same feeling."

Frost, her mother, Stephanie, and Stephanie's boyfriend, Jason Godin, pulled up to the main entrance of the Janet Weis Children's Hospital Thursday in a Mount Carmel Area Rescue Squad truck filled with toys, games and stuffed animals.

"Did you bring the shoehorn with you that you used to stuff the truck?" one staff member joked to Chloe while the young teenager smiled and watched the carts being filled.

Among the toys were about 300 Beanie Babies that were collected.

"One of our friends gave us about four bags filled with the toys. It was just incredible to see," Stephanie Frost said.

Comforts of home

The Frosts started the drive in October after Chloe said she wanted to do something to help kids who might be sad they are in the hospital during the holidays. A year ago, Chloe suffered a seizure that put her in the hospital for two days. Three weeks ago, she went back for surgery to treat an abscess on her arm.

With many of the comforts of home, including snacks of chocolate ice cream with M&Ms and a computer to video chat with friends, Chloe's hospital stays were less stressful for the family.

"They'll do anything for you," Stephanie said last week. "They just make you feel like you're at home."

Certified child care specialist Nancy Ramhap said Chloe's act of kindness will go a long way to help kids and families de-stress.

"Toys and stuffed animals make a difference in a child's life when they come here," Ramhap said. "We had a mother and child here the other day. The child was just diagnosed with a long-term illness, and it was on a day when we had Santa here. While the kids were making floats, the mother said to us, 'This could have been a really bad day for us, but we feel really good now because of all you have done.'"

Happiness all year long

The donations from the Frosts and other individuals and organizations will enable the Janet Weis Children's Hospital to not only spread some Christmas cheer, but put smiles on children's faces all year long.

"Some of the donations will be going to our Christmas toy shop, in case parents need presents for other siblings," Ramhap said. "There are always birthdays to be celebrated, and we have a party with presents for those who go through their last chemotherapy treatment."

Chloe smiled while she watched all the toys being carted off by staff members.

The family thanked everyone who donated to the toy drive, and to Permanent Solutions, NAPA, the Elysburg Fire Company and St. John's United Church of Christ for allowing the placement of donation boxes at their locations.

MILTON - More than 40 parents and guests of Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit (CSIU) early childhood education programs played book bingo and chose children's books as prizes. Each player took home at least five books, with more than 300 total books distributed.

The event was held at the Townside Too in Northumberland, which donated the use of its banquet facilities.

"Book Bingo promotes and supports early and family literacy," said Patty Edwards, CSIU Head Start programs manager.

"This event is a way to give children access to books in their homes," said Edwards. "Children who learn to love books and reading at an early age will become lifelong readers."

Parents from the following CSIU programs were invited to participate in the book bingo: Northumberland Area Early Head Start, located in Stonington; Northumberland Area Head Start, with locations in Coal Township, Herndon, Milton, Mount Carmel, Sunbury and Turbotville, and Pre-K Counts, with programs in Line Mountain, Milton Area and Shikellamy school districts.

Early Head Start is a comprehensive program for expectant mothers, infants and toddlers. It offers education, nutrition, health, social and mental health services, and emphasizes parent involvement. Head Start and Pre-K Counts are programs that promote school readiness for kids ages three to five and emphasize parents as their child's first teacher.

Federal grants were awarded to CSIU to conduct Head Start and Early Head Start programs in Northumberland County. Pre-K Counts is an initiative of the Pennsylvania Department of Education and is administered by the CSIU.

These early childhood education programs are available at no cost to parents. For more information, call 570-523-1155, extension 2240 or visit www.csiu.org/EarlyEd.

SHAMOKIN - This year will mark the 81st annual presentation of the candlelight service of St. John's United Church of Christ, 117 N. Eighth St., which will be held at 7:30 p.m. Sunday.

Since 1933, the adult choir and the young people of the church have gathered on the Sunday before Christmas to play out the birth of Christ in music and pageant.

The choir sings traditional Christmas music while the youth portray the Christmas story in pageantry and beautiful costumes. They bring to life, Mary, Joseph, the Wise Men, shepherds, angels and villagers.

Portraying these biblical figures has become a family tradition, at least four generations have participated in this program.

The adult choir is directed by Margaret Morris, who will serve as organist and accompanist. The pageant is directed by Susan Haas and Cheryl Sherman. Gary Christ provides make-up services. Lisa Newton and Cheryl Sherman provide costume and prop services. Mike Newton will work the spotlight and provide special lighting.

William Haas will be the lector for the service, with David L. Spotts as Lay Leader.

Adult choir members are: Barbara Durdock, Margaret Morris and Ann Nowaskie, sopranos; Kathi Christ, Carol Lachenmayer, and Maggie Jasper, altos; Eugene Boughner, tenor; Gary Christ, baritone; Thomas Christ, bass.

MOUNT CARMEL - A Shamokin man was placed in Northumberland County Prison after he was found passed out behind the wheel of his vehicle with a machete in the passenger seat.

Charges were filed against Brendon R. Connell, 31, of 624 E. Cameron St., Tuesday before Magisterial District Judge Hugh Jones of Mount Carmel following the incident at the Washery Car Wash, Route 61, Mount Carmel Township, at 9 a.m. Tuesday.

According to court documents filed by Mount Carmel Township Police Chief Brian Hollenbush, police were called by a garbage truck driver trying to place a Dumpster at the car wash. The driver said a vehicle was blocking his way and a man, later identified as Connell, was either asleep or passed out behind the wheel.

When Hollenbush checked the vehicle, he noticed a machete knife on the passenger seat within reach of Connell. When Connell awoke and opened the door, the chief told him to exit and Connell started to reach for something inside the vehicle.

Hollenbush then pulled Connell from the vehicle and placed him in custody. Police noted in the complaint the male appeared to be under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance. Connell failed field sobriety tests and was arrested for driving under the influence, police said. Officers said they found various items of drug paraphernalia in the car.

Irrate in custody

Once inside a police vehicle, Connell became irate, kicking the protective cage inside the car and then slamming his head off it.

At the township's police station, Connell refused to submit to chemical blood testing. He allegedly told police he wasn't taking any tests and he had heroin in his system, according to the court documents.

While in the holding cell, Connell kicked the cell door, screamed and yelled.

Connell managed to remove his right arm from a cuff on a restraining belt and started banging the belt off the cell door. Officers removed him from the cell and Connell began to fight with police. In his report, Hollenbush wrote "substantial force was needed to recuff the defendant."

The chief also reported Connell defecated on the floor of the holding cell.

Police charged Connell with driving under the influence, driving under the influence of a controlled substance, criminal attempt to commit escape, escape, prohibited offensive weapons, resisting arrest, possession of drug paraphernalia and disorderly conduct.

He was placed in prison on $50,000 bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Dec. 24.

HARRISBURG - Pennsylvania's next governor knows all about distressed cities.

Gov.-elect Tom Wolf spent 12 years as president of Better York, a nonprofit bent on revitalizing the city of York. In that role, he worked closely with a nationally prominent urban expert who promotes regional solutions for urban woes.

As he prepares to take office Jan. 20, Wolf said he wants to lead a statewide discussion about how the future of older cities, inner ring suburbs and the surrounding townships are interrelated.

"What I bring to this is a real appreciation for what cities do," he said in an interview with The Times-Tribune of Scranton, a sister publication of The News-Item.

Wolf said his experiences in York showed him that both business leaders and citizens in outlying towns care about what happens to the city and that a metro region won't prosper with a weak city at its heart.

"These are insights I am bringing to Harrisburg," he said.

He said the responsibility for addressing urban issues extends across several state agencies, including the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCNR), Department of Education (PDE) and Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). DEP's role in redeveloping "brownfields" in abandoned industrial areas is important for cities, Wolf said.

State aid, local control

During the campaign, Wolf issued a detailed list of proposals on urban policy. These proposals include earmarking state aid to assist revitalization projects that encourage mass transit, affordable housing and investment in downtowns that can attract young people and a diversity of businesses.

Wolf wants to promote "smart growth" and more planning, give preference in state aid to projects that find new uses for existing buildings and help older communities update their building codes.

It doesn't make sense for Pennsylvania to abandon what previous generations of taxpayers invested in existing infrastructure in older cities, he said.

At the same time, Wolf said there are merits to having local control over such quality of life issues as enacting noise control ordinances.

For now, Wolf said he prefers to discuss the broad themes of urban revitalization rather than delve into specifics on such knotty issues as compensating cities for the loss of tax revenue because of clusters of tax-exempt properties.

20 in Act 47

Even with an attentive governor, no one suggests the problems facing Pennsylvania's cities will go away anytime soon.

Cities are hit with the whammy of a shrinking tax base, greater demand for services, social problems arising out of poverty and the rising cost of unfunded pension obligations.

About 40 percent of Pennsylvanians live in a municipality undergoing some form of financial distress, according to the Pennsylvania Economy League.

Three municipalities, including West Hazleton, left the Act 47 fiscal recovery program this year, but 20 others remain, including Shamokin.

Yet, Wolf takes office at a time of legislative achievements regarding urban issues.

A bipartisan coalition of lawmakers succeeded in rewriting the Act 47 law. This sets a timetable for Act 47 municipalities to leave the program and gives them some new local tax shift options. Other laws give municipal officials new tools to eliminate neighborhood blight.

One major issue awaiting action is relief from municipal pension debt, an issue highlighted by state Auditor General Eugene DePasquale's recent warning that Scranton's pension funds will go broke in a few if funding levels remain the same.

No stranger

Scranton Mayor Bill Courtright considers pension costs the biggest issue facing the city and hopes Wolf can help.

"He's a hands-on guy," Courtright said.

Wolf doesn't need an introduction to urban issues, said York Mayor Kim Bracey, a vice chairwoman of his transition team.

"I know Gov.-elect Wolf gets it and understands it," she said.

Wolf gained recognition during the campaign as a successful businessman heading a family-owned firm based in York. His résumé also includes stints as chairman of the board of York College and chairman of the York County Chamber of Commerce.

In the 1990s, Wolf helped found Better York. In 1996, Better York hired David Rusk, an urban policy expert who emphasizes regionalism, to prepare a study of the York region.

Rusk suggested the city of York's problems would spread to the suburbs, especially the older ones, if nothing was done.

SHAMOKIN - The Shamokin Housing Authority is working to acquire and demolish an eyesore property near the Raspberry Hill public housing complex.

The authority board voted 5-0 Thursday to petition the Northumberland County Court of Common Pleas to purchase 24 E. Willow St. through private sale. A potential bid was not discussed.

Solicitor Frank Garrigan Jr. said it may be a quicker and easier process than pursuing the property at a public sale where anyone could bid competitively and drive up the price.

Garrigan added that the court wouldn't be required to accept the highest bid, and could rule that the public's interest would be better served if the authority acquired it rather than someone who could potentially challenge the petition with a higher bid.

The Willow Street property is up for back taxes. It was not sold during the past upset sale of the county's Tax Claims Bureau. It would be eligible for the county's next judicial sale in May.

Daniel Buranich Jr., 50, of 152 Bates Road, Shamokin, was recently cited by city police Cpl. Bryan Primerano for allowing the property to fall into disrepair.

Chairperson Suzanne Kopitsky and Malcolm Farrow, vice chair, both spoke in agreement of the merits of ripping down the blighted property, with Farrow expressing interest in a nearby South Grant Street property, too. It was mentioned that the lots could be cleared for parking areas.

Kopitsky and Farrow voted in favor of the petition, as did authority members James Picarelli, Pamala Rhoades and Donald VanShura.

Tower lease

The authority continues negotiating terms of a new lease agreement with Crown Castle, owners of a cell tower on Raspberry Hill. Garrigan said if a new agreement is reached, it wouldn't begin until after the current pact expires in 2019.

Garrigan and the authority's executive director, Ronald Miller, revised a proposed lease agreement provided by the firm. They eliminated a clause that would have restricted competing companies from erecting towers on the authority's land, and the vague requirement of a second easement. The revised lease proposal was returned to Crown Castle.

The City of Shamokin, and not the authority itself, currently earns approximately $1,000 monthly under the terms of the existing agreement. The authority is likely to end that arrangement, keeping future payments in its own coffers, much to the chagrin of Mayor William D. Milbrand.

Milbrand, Councilman Charles Verano and Clerk Robert M. Slaby attended an authority meeting in October to discuss the matter.

Kopitsky said federal Housing and Urban Development guidelines restrict such an agreement between the city and the authority. In an asset-based management program, she said Thursday, "money earned within the project must stay with the project."

Guest policy

Authority members approved revisions to its tenant lease agreements, which Garrigan described as a tidying-up of language regarding guests. The new terms are more specific about allowing guests on site.

Tenants will continue to be required to notify management in writing about overnight guests prior to the visits. Such guests can stay overnight for three consecutive nights and no more than 14 days within one year. An overnight guest is now defined as someone visiting more than four straight hours between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m., or anyone who stays for any period of 10 consecutive hours. There are allowable exceptions which must be approved in writing by management.

Miller said the primary purpose of the guest policy is to maintain safety at the housing projects.

Other business

Miller said prior to the meeting that all of the authority's housing projects are "in the black" for 2014, and not operating in a deficit. That's despite government subsidies being reduced, he said.

Occupation has dipped at Raspberry Hill and the Harold E. Thomas High Rise.

PPL Electric, through its energy savings program, provided 100 water-saving shower heads to the high rise at no cost, Miller said. The building utilizes electric hot water heaters. The firm also installed energy efficient lighting throughout the building for approximately $1,900.

MOUNT CARMEL - Three Mount Carmel Borough employees are receiving a holiday surprise: pay raises of $.75 per hour.

Mount Carmel Borough Council voted 5-1-1 at Thursday's meeting to grant raises to street foreman Alan Matzura, street laborer Howard Watkins and code enforcement officer Robin Williams.

Robert Shirmer abstained, citing a conflict of interest.

Borough Council President Tony Matulewicz was the sole dissenting vote. In addition to feeling the raises were excessively high, he said he could not support raises that were not based on performance.

He especially opposed the raise for Watkins, whom he said had been reprimanded.

Borough solicitor William Cole cut him off before Matulewicz could go into detail on why Watkins was reprimanded, citing legal concerns.

Councilman Gary Hixson asked Borough Manager Edward T. Cuff III to begin notifying all council members if an employee is reprimanded.

"I don't know everything that goes on," Hixson said.

Matulewicz previously opposed changing Watkins from a part-time to a full-time employee in August 2012. At the time, he attributed his dissent to an unsatisfactory discussion on the details of the promotion.

Watkins' salary was raised to $13 hourly when he became full time.

He was bumped to $13.75, a 5.5 percent raise.

Matzura's pay increased from $15 to $15.75 and Williams' pay rose from $13.75 to $14.50. Each received his last pay raise in 2012.

Joseph Lapotsky said he supported the raises because he feels the employees are underpaid despite their good work.

"I feel their salaries are a little low compared to neighboring street departments," he said, adding that Matzura, Watkins and Williams are "a tremendous asset."

The borough council also:

- On a 5-2 vote, accepted bids for 428 E. Center St. from Gregory Koronkiewicz for $605 and 420, 422 and 424 E. Center St. from Howard and Lorraine Splitt for $1,500. Hixson and Matulewicz voted no.

Hixson cited a concernthe new owners don't have full knowledge of how the properties could be used.

Matulewicz said he thought the bids were low and that additional advertising could result in increased competition for the properties.

"I just think that we could get a little more money," he said.

During the public comment session, Lorraine Splitt told council she would be interested in purchasing 428 E. Center St. if Koronkiewicz withdrew his bid.

- Finalized the passage of the 2015 budget.

- Authorized sub-contracting of snow removal on Northumberland County owned bridges to the American Hose Fire Co.

- Accepted the resignation of Jack McDonnell, housing coordinator, effective Dec. 31.

- Continued the meeting until 7:30 p.m. Monday in the borough hall. At a work session held earlier in the week, Matulewicz noted the appropriations ordinance, which approves the tax rates for 2015, was not advertised enough days in advance of the meeting and needed to be approved by Dec. 31. The special meeting on Monday will solely focus on approving this ordinance.

Mass in Polish set for Sunday

HARRISBURG - A Mass in the Polish language will be celebrated at St. Catherine Laboure Church, 4000 Derry Street, at 2 p.m. Sunday, according to the Diocese of Harrisburg.

Confessions will be heard in English and Polish following the Mass.

This Mass takes place regularly on the third Sunday of each month and is celebrated by the Rev. Walter Sempko, a retired priest of the diocese.

CT anniversary books available

COAL TOWNSHIP - Coal Township 175th anniversary books are available for purchase at the municipal building, 805 W. Lynn St. Cost is $30. Preorders are also available to be picked up.

New artist featured at bank

SHAMOKIN - Dennis "Wags" Wagner is the new featured artist whose work is displayed at the Independence Street branch of Susquehanna Bank.

Wagner started drawing in 2010 as a way to fight the winter blahs. While drawing on pieces of scrap paper in front of the computer, he said he quickly realized he had a gift. After a few drawings, he decided to go bigger and better with some "real drawing pencils and drawing pads." His wife purchased him a drawing table for Christmas that first year and soon he was producing quality drawings.

He started experimenting with color and soon found himself enhancing his graphite drawings with blue skies and highlighting other areas as well.

The exhibit, done in conjunction with the Northumberland County Council for the Arts and Humanities, will be displayed until the end of the month.

MOUNT CARMEL - First and Second Degree ceremonials of the Knights of Columbus were held Nov. 9 at Bishop Lawrence F. Schott Council 628.

Twelve candidates from six councils took their First Degree. Those received the degree were: Aaron Yoder, Shamokin Council 458; Peter Carros and Michael Kuziak, Danville Council 2314; Philip Adam, Adam Heintzelman, Robert Lucchi and Brian Parisa, Selinsgrove Council 3780; Edward Bolick and Russell Lentini, Kulpmont Council 4281; Edward Maciewski and Timothy Stanisenski, Elysburg Council 14161, and Ian Murray, Ringtown Council 16072. The degree team was led by Andrew Stefanowicz, of Shamokin.

Following the First Degree, 25 candidates from 10 councils advanced on the road to Knighthood by taking their Second Degree. Those receiving the degree were: the Rev. Edward Costello, the Rev. Martin Kobos, Ian Kovalick and Aaron Yoder, Shamokin Council 458; Logan McCracken and Steve Marshalick, Mount Carmel Council; Peter Carros, Peter Fleming, Michael Kuziak and Robert Olaf, Danville Council 2314; Philip Adam, Adam Heintzelman, Matthew Heintzelman, Robert Lucchi and Brian Parisa, Selinsgrove Council 3780; Edward Bolick and Russell Lentini, Kulpmont Council 4281; George Castelano, Poconi Pines Council 13752; Edward Maciewski and Timothy Stabisenski, Elysburg Council 14161; Jonathan Maneval, Sunbury Council 14874; and James Fish, Brian Inslinger, Edward McNamee and Ian Murray, Ringtown Council 16072. The degree team was led by James Bailoni, of Mount Carmel.

Dignitaries in attendance were Stefanowicz, grand knight, Shamokin Council 458; David Berezovske, grand knight, Mount Carmel Council 628; David Shinskie, grand knight, Kulpmont Council 4281; Robert Reissner, grand knight, Montoursville Council 14329; George Moll, grand knight, Ringtown Council 16072; Edward Teevan, faithful navigator, Mount Carmel Assembly 959; Stephen Gilnane, district deputy 36; Thomas Kurtek, district deputy 40; William Walborn, district deputy 56, faithful navigator, Milton Assembly 2641, and grand knight, Sunbury Council 14874; Bernard Butkera, new council/roundtable chairman, Northeast, and James Bailoni, state secretary.

A buffet was held following the degrees, which were prepared and served by Mount Carmel's Ladies of the Fourth Degree.

DANVILLE - An unknown assailant robbed the cashier of Burkholder's Country Market in Danville at gunpoint at 1:30 p.m. Thursday.

State police are asking for help in locating the suspect, a white male between 5 foot 9 inches and 6 feet tall with a slim to moderate build and no facial hair. He was wearing a dark colored knitted cap, blue jeans and a green jacket.

The suspect fled the scene on foot with an unknown amount of currency. He was last seen heading west on Route 254.

Anyone with information is asked to call state police in Milton at 570-524-2662.

Dear Mark: About 25 years ago I met you when you were a pit boss on the South Shore at a Lake Tahoe casino. I remember asking you if I could have a deck of cards and you said, okay, just so long as you answer a trivia question correctly. I do not remember what the question was, but I do remember that I did NOT get it right. You said, "Close enough, no one ever does," and you handed me a used deck of cards along with your casino business card. I have not been back to Nevada since until just recently for a bowling tournament in Reno. Low and behold, I pick up the local newspaper, the Reno Gazette Journal, and see that you now write a column on gambling. I kept the cards as a keepsake and recently found them in a drawer. I noticed when breaking the seal and opening the top, this was scrawled on the inside: VW, BF, 22:30, T3 and 6/26. What does all this mean? By the way, do you remember the trivia question you asked me that no one ever gets right? - Randy M.

As I was always generous with the casino's money, you never had to get any of my trivia questions right. A souvenir deck of cards could easily be had, or for that matter, from most pit bosses just by politely asking for one.

I have given away countless decks of cards over the years, but always preceded it by having the player attempt to answer one of my obligatory trivia questions, usually one of my go-to, three below.

Name the four founding members of Creedence Clearwater Revival: They were John Fogerty, Tom Fogerty, Stu Cook and Doug Clifford. I can't remember anyone ever getting all four.

Who were the four 20-game winners for the 1971 Baltimore Orioles? The 1971 Orioles are the last MLB club to have four 20-game winners in a season. They were Jim Palmer, Dave McNally, Mike Cuellar and Pat Dobson. Most trivia partakers usually missed either Dobson or Cuellar.

The third trivia question was how do you spell Albuquerque? A-L-B-U-Q-U-E-R-Q-U-E is one of those bar bets trivia questions that bar-stool regulars trying to snag someone for a free drink can spell, but in the real world, hardly anyone can.

If a player was stumped, as almost all were, one needed not fear. As long as a player knew how to spell his first name, I would still give him a complimentary memento to commiserate his gambling losses.

Breaking down the scribbling that you found on the inside lid, obviously, 6/26 was the date. 22:40 is military time for 10:40, and the log time when the deck came off the game. T3 denotes Table 3, which happened to be in the main pit right next to the crap table. VW and BF represents the current dealer and the pit boss who pulled the cards off the game. Because I worked swing shift, with those initials, I can identify VW as the dealer Victoria Walker, and BF being Boyd Frame, the pit supervisor, although the work designation of each that night might have been reversed as both were dual-rate employees. How's that for a memory a quarter-century later?

Incidentally, both of the individuals mentioned above had a noteworthy background. Victoria was cast for an infamous role in the cult classic skiing movie, Hot Dog: The Movie, of which Yours Truly was an extra (skier) in the Chinese Downhill scene. Boyd Frame's uncle, Fred Frame, was the winner of the 1932 Indianapolis 500, and Boyd, himself, played offensive line alongside John Madden at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

Thanks for the memories, Randy.

Gambling Wisdom of the Week: "Give me a deck of cards instead of a tax shelter and I'll take my chances." - Mario Puzo, Inside Las Vegas

SHAMOKIN - Shamokin Mayor William D. Milbrand and City Council announce a temporary suspension of the Parking Meter Enforcement Ordinance next week.

There will be no parking tickets issued citywide between Monday and Saturday. Ticket enforcement will resume Dec. 29.

SHAMOKIN - City council tentatively approved its real estate tax levy for 2015 at a meeting Wednesday night.

The 4-0 vote was a formality and a foregone conclusion. Next year's budget had already been ratified, and a county judge approved council's request to hike its general fund tax above the state maximum.

Property owners will be taxed 58.1 mills in 2015, or $58.10 on each $1,000 of a property's assessed value. If a property is assessed at $10,000, the resulting bill will be $581 compared to $473.50 in 2014 when the millage was 47.35.

A breakdown of the real estate tax levy shows the general fund at 35 mills; debt service, 14.25; recreation, 6.75; street lighting, 1.25; public library, 0.75; and shade tree, 0.1.

President Judge William H. Wiest ruled earlier this month to allow Shamokin to tax property owners 35 mills for the general fund, 5 mills higher than the 30-mill maximum allowed by the Third Class City Code. The additional millage is permissible only with a judge's approval. It marked the seventh straight year a county judge has allowed Shamokin to exceed the maximum. The judges found each time that, without it, the municipality's budget would collapse and its taxpayers would be met with an even greater burden.

Shamokin's total budget is $3.7 million, including $2.8 million for the general fund, which is the city's primary spending account.

Voting in favor Wednesday were Mayor William D. Milbrand and council members David Kinder, Barbara Moyer and Charles Verano. R. Craig Rhoades was absent.

A second and final vote on the levy is scheduled for 3 p.m. Dec. 29 at City Hall.