MOUNT CARMEL - A couple charged in a Jan. 30 two-vehicle accident at the "S" turn on Route 901 near Locust Gap pleaded guilty March 25 to different offenses and were ordered by Magisterial District Judge Hugh Jones to pay fines and costs.

Shane J. Geary, 31, of 308 N. Turnpike St., Mount Carmel, and his girlfriend, Tara Jo Duzick, 31, of 1439 W. Fern St., Coal Township, pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct and ordered to pay a $500 fine plus costs and placed on 12 months probation.

Two counts of making false reports to police filed against both defendants, and one count each of driving under suspension and failure to drive in a single lane filed against Geary were withdrawn.

Police reported Geary and Duzick agreed to tell police that Duzick was driving a 2000 Chevrolet Tracker involved in the crash because Geary has a suspended driver's license and is on probation in Northumberland County.

Mount Carmel Township Patrolman Matthew Filarski filed the charges.

In another case before Jones on March 25, charges of theft and receiving stolen property filed by Mount Carmel Patrolman Justin Stelma against Kevin Michael Karpovich, 21, of 38 N. Maple St., Apt. 2, Mount Carmel, were withdrawn when the alleged victim refused to testify.

Karpovich was accused of stealing medication belonging to his live-in girlfrend, Cara Yuskoski, on Jan. 18 or Jan. 19 at their apartment.

MOUNT CARMEL - A pawn shop owner charged with 20 counts of receiving stolen property in connection with the Feb. 5 theft of 20 crucifixes valued at $3,000 pleaded guilty March 25 to a misdemeanor of disorderly conduct.

Thomas James Crumlic, owner-operator of Lorranies Pawn Shop, 5 S. Oak St., was ordered by Magisterial District Judge Hugh Jones to pay a $500 fine plus costs and placed on six months supervised probation.

The 20 misdemeanor counts of receiving stolen property were withdrawn in exchange for his guilty plea.

Crumlic was charged by Patrolman William Adamski with agreeing to sell the crosses and split the profit with Nicholas P. Koons, 29, of 244 S. Oak St., Mount Carmel, who was charged with stealing them from Linda Gold, who lives in the same apartment building as Koons.

Koons pleaded guilty Monday in Northumberland County Court to a misdemeanor of theft and was sentenced to 52 days to 23 months in county prison. He also was ordered by Judge Charles Saylor to pay a $50 fine plus costs.

Additional charges of desecration of venerated objects, receiving stolen property and tampering with evidence were not prosecuted.

HEGINS - Pine Creek Structures marked its 30th anniversary in 2014, but is continuing the celebration this year by holding a photo contest to give back to loyal customers who have purchased a storage shed.

More than $3,000 in lifetime poly furniture will be awarded to the top three lucky winners of the contest. Contestants can enter until Dec. 3 of this year by submitting a photo of their storage shed purchased from Pine Creek Structures.

Visit www.storageshedspa.com/showoffyourshed to see prizes, rules and how to enter.

SHAMOKIN - On the heels of their active participation in the annual Tunnels to Towers run in New York City, members of the Shamokin Fire Bureau are hoping to return to the Big Apple next month for an event at One World Trade Center.

Organizer R. Craig Rhoades said the bureau is looking for participants and sponsors to fund participation in the Stephen Siller Tunnels To Towers Climb on May 17. Participants will climb the 90 floors - 180 flights of stairs - at One World Trade Center to benefit the Stephen Siller Tunnels to Towers Foundation.

"We've been a part of the Tunnels to Towers run for the last nine years," Rhoades said. "Once we heard about this new event, we wanted to be a part of it."

Event organizers are hoping for 1,000 participants, and the Shamokin Fire Bureau hopes to have a contingent of 10 to 12.

Each participant must pay a $100 registration fee and raise another $250.

For those who cannot climb the steps, there will be a virtual climb that day where participants can take the elevator to the 64th floor, where a reception will be held. Due to tight security, participants will not be allowed to take any cell phones, watches or bags into the building.

The event and the foundation are named in honor of Siller, a New York City firefighter who lost his life on Sept. 11, 2001, after strapping on his gear and running from the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel to the Twin Towers.

The event will honor FDNY Capt. Billy Burke, who stayed behind in the north tower of the World Trade Center to rescue two workers, one in a wheelchair, before the second tower collapsed around them.

Proceeds from the May 17 tower climb will support service members who have been catastrophically injured in war and help educate children who have lost a parent. The money also will help build 200 new homes for veterans with the worst disabilities, mostly triple or quadruple amputees. About 40 houses have already been completed.

So far, five local people have signed up for the Shamokin Fire Bureau team. Anyone wishing to participate, or donate to the cause, can contact Rhoades at 570-274-7564.

MOUNT CARMEL - The Northumberland District Council of Catholic Women (CCW) held its deanery meeting March 15 at Divine Mercy Hall.

The meeting was conducted by Rosemary Boyer, president. Members recited the Prayer to Our Lady of Good Counsel. Bible enthronement was done by Elaine Jurgill, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Carol Altomare welcomed all in attendance. Roll call was taken, and the minutes were read. The treasurer's report was given by Debbie Gownley.

Boyer reported on a diocesean meeting held Feb. 7. The Council of Catholic Women convention will be held April 20 at the Cardinal Keeler Center in Harrisburg. The theme will be "Faith, Service, Truth and Love - 90 Years of Service to Our Diocese."

The diocesan CCW retreat will be held June 12 to 14 at Mount St. Mary's. The 25th and over wedding anniversary Mass and celebration will be held in Divine Redeemer Church, followed by a dinner in Divine Mercy Hall. More information and the date will be announced.

Serving on the nomination committee for the council elections are Norrene Gochenaur, Altomare and Shelly Shutt.

The Rev, Martin O. Moran, pastor of Divine Redeemer Church, spoke about the new Mother Maria Kaupas Center for volunteerism which will be opened at the former St. Peter's Convent.

The next district council meeting will be held at Our Lady Help of Christians Church in Lykens, at a date to be announced.

SUNBURY - Police are looking for a man who reportedly forcibly grabbed a bank bag from a woman walking on Market Street at around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Police said the woman entered the Purdy Insurance Agency, 136 Market St., and said she had been walking on the sidewalk in front of the building when the man grabbed the bag and took off running on North River Avenue.

The suspect is described as a black male, approximately 6 feet, 1 inch tall, wearing a black ski hat, black coat, black hooded sweatshirt with dark pants, possibly blue or black in color.

Witnesses saw the male getting into a light blue/greenish sedan, which appeared to be waiting for him, and fled the area.

Police are asking for anyone with information or video footage to contact Cpl. Travis Bremigen at 570-286-4587 or 570-988-4539.

SHAMOKIN - When firefighters arrived to battle a blaze at an apartment building at Spurzheim and Shamokin streets Wednesday morning, flames were shooting out of second-floor windows.

A second alarm was immediately called in to summon more help, but, just 20 minutes later, the fire had been knocked down.

"It was a great stop during daytime hours," said Jason Zimmerman, the city's assistant fire chief. "We were able to contain the blaze to just one residence and stop it quickly."

City fire investigator Raymond Siko II said the cause was accidental and electrical in nature, starting in the kitchen ceiling.

"We are looking at the wiring leading to a ceiling light fixture," Siko said.

Occupants in disbelief

Three people were left homeless by the blaze at 504 N. Spurzheim, which was reported at approximately 10:17 a.m.

It gutted the apartment rented by George Weaver Jr. and Jeremy Tanner. Neither was home at the time; officials said Tanner was at work and Weaver was at a local store.

When Weaver arrived, he could do nothing but watch the firefighters. When Tanner arrived, he pulled his wool hat over his eyes and cursed as he slumped against a wall in disbelief.

A first floor apartment, 508 Spurzheim St., rented by Leonard Yabroski, sustained smoke and water damage, and Yabroski is also temporarily displaced.

Weaver and Tanner were being assisted by the American Red Cross with food and clothing, according to a press release sent by the charity.

Owner insured

The Spurzheim Street building is owned by Jeff Costello, of Mount Carmel, who is insured for the loss. Costello said he's not sure if either Weaver or Tanner had renter's insurance, but was on scene Wednesday and said he would find new places for the two men to live in one of his other buildings.

"You have to try to do what's right for them," Costello said.

Siko said Weaver and Tanner are staying with family and friends.

The Spurzheim Street apartments are connected to another multi-unit building on Shamokin Street. Those units, occupied by eight other residents, suffered minimal smoke damage. The occupants were allowed back in after PPL restored power.

Dog bite; dog missing

There was a report of one injury at the fire scene, according to Siko. A passerby, Michael Gilligbauer, noticed the smoke and ran to the scene to see if everyone was out of the structure. When he went to one unit, a dog bit him on the hand, causing a minor injury.

Yabroski reported to The News-Item that his dog Bear-Bear ran away from his apartment and is lost. Bear-Bear is a black, long-haired dog with a patch of white under his neck. If anyone sees him, they are asked to contact Yabroski's son at 570-847-1060.

Zimmerman reported fire crews from Shamokin, Coal Township, Kulpmont, Mount Carmel and Overlook responded, with those from Sunbury and Upper Augusta on standby.

Third in 17 days

Wednesday's fire was the third fire prompting at least a second alarm in the last 17 days in the Shamokin-Mount Carmel area.

A fire March 16 burned through seven homes in the 200 block of South Walnut Street, Mount Carmel, where faulty wiring was ruled to be the cause. That's the blaze where James Reed Sr., an assistant chief in the borough, was resuscitated after suffering cardiac arrest while fighting the fire.

A fire March 23 damaged six homes and left 11 homeless in the 1200 block of West Walnut Street, Coal Township. The blaze started when a contractor soldering pipes in an attempt to repair a water leak in one of the homes caught a tarp on fire.Smokes pours from the fire at 502 N. Spurzheim St. in Shamokin as firefighters use the fire escape to fight and contain the fire on Wednesday morning.

COAL TOWNSHIP - From noon to 3 p.m. Friday, Christians from throughout the community will gather at Salem United Church of Christ, West Pine Street, for a special service marking the observance of Good Friday.

The traditional three-hour service, with emphasis on "The Seven Last Words of Christ," is sponsored each year at rotating churches by the Shamokin Area Ministerium of Churches. It consists of hymn sings, scripture readings, special music by vocalists and instrumentalists , prayer, silent meditation and a sermon.

Christians representing all religious denominations from throughout the community and surrounding area are invited to attend any or all of the seven segments. This year's service has been organized through the efforts of the Rev. Jean Eckrod, pastor of the host church, who will welcome worshippers and lead the invocation. The opening hymn is "Go to Dark Gethsemane."

The ministerium asks that those attending enter or leave the sanctuary during the hymn sing at the end of each segment so they do not disrupt the service. A free-will offering will be taken to augment the ministerium's emergency fund that provides fuel and some other essentials to community residents in need.

Participants in the opening segment combining the first and second words from scripture, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing," and "I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise," include Carolyn Weaver, liturgist; Eckrod, homilist, and a Good Friday inspirational reading by Barbara Skrivanek, all of the host church.

Margaret Morris, of First United Methodist Church, will be soloist for the second word. The hymn at the end of the first word will be "Ah, Holy Jesus." "What Wondrous Love is This" is the designated hymn for the second word.

For the third word, "Dear woman, here is your son," Jennifer Hopple, liturgist and soloist, and the Rev. Zachary Hopple, homilist, of First United Methodist Church. The hymn is "Were You there?"

For the fourth word, "My God, My God, what have you abandoned me," Russel Griffiths, Trinity Evangelical is liturgist; Jen Hopple, First United Methodist, soloist, and the Rev. Brian Betsworth, Trinity Evangelical, is homilist. "Alas and Did My Savior Bleed" is the segment's closing hymn.

For the fifth word, "I am thirsty," David Kopitsky, of Grace Lutheran, is soloist, and David Spotts, St. John's United Church of Christ, homilist. "Beneath the Cross of Jesus" is the closing hymn of that segment.

For the sixth word, Sheila Wildoner, Seventh Street Primitive Methodist, is liturgist; Jerry Sherman, St. John's United Methodist, soloist, and the Rev. David Wildoner, Primitive Methodist, homilist. The hymn is "O Sacred Heart Now Wounded."

For the seventh word, "Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands," Janet Bowers, Ministry of the Water and Spirit is liturgist; Carol Ellis, First United Methodist, soloist, and the Rev. James Bowers, Ministry of the Water and Spirit, homilist. The devotional service will close with the hymn, "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross," prayer and benediction.

The ministerium extended appreciation to Jeannie Bamford and Carolyn Weaver, organists; Nan Weller, accompanist, and Grace Stank for planning the special music. Appreciation also was extended by Eckrod on behalf of the ministerium to all soloists, liturgists, clergy and lay leaders for their willingness to participate in the special three-hour devotional service.

HARRISBURG - A new effort is being made to offer a tax break to Procter & Gamble's Washington Twp. plant, as a severance tax on natural gas production looms over the state budget debate.

Rep. Mike Carroll, D-118, Avoca, introduced legislation that would exempt most of the gas produced by Marcellus shale wells located on the P&G plant's property in Wyoming County from any severance tax enacted in the future. It would provide the exemption to gas drilled on property owned by any manufacturer as long as it is used for manufacturing purposes.

Gov. Tom Wolf has proposed a 5 percent severance tax as part of his fiscal 2015-16 budget. The tax proposal has been a hot topic in the legislative budget hearings that ended Wednesday.

Carroll offered a similar exemption proposal in 2010, and it was included in a severance tax bill approved that year by the then-Democratic-controlled House.

Senators are considering wording for a similar manufacturer's exemption proposal, said Sen. Lisa Baker, R-20, Lehman Twp.

"Businesses that save costs by using Pennsylvania's own natural resources rather than importing should not be overly inconvenienced by a severance tax," wrote Carroll in a recent memo. "This will allow the manufacturers to keep their costs low and products reasonably priced."

P&G officials raised the idea of an exemption at recent meetings with area lawmakers, plant spokesman Alex Fried said Tuesday.

Natural gas production began at the Mehoopany plant in 2010. Most of the gas from the wells is used for production purposes, Fried said.

Carroll, who sits on the House Appropriations Committee, said if the exemption is not included in whatever new severance tax bill emerges, he will push to have it added through that committee.

Easter holiday closures

Kulpmont-Marion Heights JMA

KULPMONT - The Kulpmont-Marion Heights Joint Municipal Authority will be closed Friday in observance of Good Friday.

City of Shamokin

SHAMOKIN - City hall, the code enforcement office, the tax office and the city street department will be closed Friday in observance of Good Friday.

Program on fair taxation planned

NORTHUMBERLAND - Jeff Garis, of the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center, will be the speaker at a free public forum, "Fair Taxation: Leveling the Playing Field," from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 9, at the Unitarian Church, 265 Point Township Drive (Route 11).

The program is sponsored by Susquehanna Valley Progressives.

Pennsylvania's ranking worsened on a biennial report card measuring the fairness of state and local taxes.

Garis will discuss Pennsylvania's regressive tax system and solutions that could make it fairer.

Pre-K registration at Shamokin Area

COAL TOWNSHIP - Shamokin Area School District is taking appointments for registration for the 2015-16 Pre-K program for 4 year olds. Registration is set for April 7 and 8 at the Shamokin Area Elementary School.

Call the school office at 570-648-5721, extension 2900, to make an appointment.

Children must be 4-years-old by the first day of school, tentatively set for Aug. 31, to qualify.

MOUNT CARMEL - The Public Utility Commission (PUC) has cited a borough man who had posted a flyer offering people rides for operating without proper certification.

Christian Scipio, it turns out, had a suspended driver's license, and he'll be cited for that, too, authorities said.

PUC Agent David Beck filed a citation Friday against Scipio, 46, of 237 S. Spruce St., for operating a passenger transportation service without possessing a certificate of public convenience from the agency.

Deputy Press Secretary Robin Tilley reported Wednesday that a check of Scipio's record indicated his driver's license is suspended and that matter was referred to local police.

Mount Carmel Township Police Chief Brian Hollenbush said his department would be filing a citation against Scipio for that offense.

The case began when employees of Shamokin Yellow Cab reported to the PUC that a flyer was posted at Boyer's Food Market in

Mount Carmel reading,

"Need a ride" for work, shopping, doctor visits or school, including out of town. It included the phrase, "Call for price" and listed a number registered to Scipio.

On March 25, the PUC operated a sting in which it called Scipio's number and asked for a ride. When he arrived, he was told he can't operate a public transportation service without licensing.

Scipio told The News-Item he was merely acting on Christian values in an effort to help people after hearing from someone who works at Boyer's that they are always people looking for a ride to the store. He said his daughter made and posted the flyer.

"I never asked for any money or looked to make a profit," he said at the time. "If they wanted to give me gas money, that was all I needed. I never knew I was breaking the law."

The citation filed by the PUC carries a sliding scale fine of $100 to $300. Should Scipio plead guilty or be found guilty through a summary trial, Magisterial District Judge Hugh Jones would then decide the amount.

SHAMOKIN - Grace Lutheran Church, West Chestnut Street, Shamokin, and St. Paul Lutheran Church, Gowen City, will hold joint services during Holy Week, with the Rev. David Byerly, pastor for both churches, presiding and preaching.

A joint service of Word and Sacrament will be held at 7 p.m. today, Maundy Thursday in Grace Lutheran Church, West Chestnut St., Shamokin. The service will conclude with the stripping of the altar in preparation for Good Friday.

The two congregations will observe Good Friday with a joint service at 7 p.m. in St. Paul Lutheran Church, Gowen City. The solemn service will focus on Christ's passion and death on the cross.

Walter Boyer will be the organist for both services. The public is invited to attend.

HARRISBURG - Commonwealth Court has upheld a Northumberland County Court ruling that supports Mount Carmel's 2008 decision to raze a fire-damaged building.

The borough was sued in April 2013 by Joan Cicchiello, of Mount Carmel, who claimed the municipality failed to comply with eminent domain codes and took her property without any just compensation.

County court ruled against Cicchiello on Dec. 2, 2013, saying the borough used its police powers, which involve "the regulation of property to promote health, safety and general welfare, with no compensation to the property owner," to demolish the condemned building.

In an opinion written by Judge Patricia A. McCullough and filed March 23, the three-judge state panel upheld the ruling.

Cicchiello's building, at 140 and 142 S. Oak St. in the downtown, sustained extensive damage Jan. 6, 2006, when fire ripped through the second floor apartment. Officials said at the time said the blaze was not suspicious.

A tenant, 43-year-old Allen Madara, was rescued from the burning structure but died that March from injuries.

After a condemned building next to Cicchiello's partially collapsed in June 2008, borough officials held an emergency meeting to discuss demolition of both properties, since, they said, Cicchiello had not done anything to repair or raze her building after the fire.

Cicchiello alleged in her suit that she was repeatedly denied requests to access the building to repair the roof. She sued the mayor, borough council, code officer, inspector and a third-party contractor.

After the county ruling, she filed an appeal in Pennsylvania Superior Court last year, which was transferred to Commonwealth Court in May.

McCullough noted issues with Cicchiello's statement of appeal, but even absent that problem, the appeal appeared to confuse condemnation and demolition of a property through a municipality's police powers with eminent domain, the judge wrote.

"The borough convened an emergency meeting of the council and voted to exercise its police powers to authorize the demolition," McCullough ruled. "Since it was done pursuant to the police powers, the trial court properly concluded that a petition for an appointment of a board of viewers (for eminent domain proceedings) was not appropriate in this case."

SHAMOKIN - Trespassing charges were filed by Shamokin police Wednesday against a man accused of using and dealing heroin in a city day care.

Meanwhile, a second defendant and the victim of a heroin overdose that initiated the case was released from the hospital and jailed.

Cpl. Bryan Primerano charged Ryan Varano, 28, of 114 S. Fifth St., Shamokin, with a felony and a misdemeanor criminal trespass offense. Primerano said in the criminal complaint the charges come at the request of Kelly Ebersole, Varano's mother and owner of Jesus' Lil Helpers Daycare.

Varano was discovered in the day care, 114 S. Fifth St., Shamokin, Saturday after police responded to an overdose call made from inside the facility. Primerano said Christian L. Kehler, 37, of 1114 N. Shamokin St., was overdosing and the house contained dozens of empty and filled heroin packets and other drug paraphernalia.

According to the complaint, Ebersole

"personally informed Ryan Varano numerous times he was not to be in the day care." She also told police Varano did not have a key.

Police have been looking for Varano since Monday, when felony charges were filed against him for Saturday's incident.

Kehler was released from Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, Wednesday afternoon and was taken to the Shamokin Police Station where he was video-arraigned by Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III at 6 p.m. He was remanded to county custody in lieu of $30,000 bail.

Prior to the arraignment, Kehler was overheard telling police he had overdosed more than a dozen times previously.

In addition to the charges related to the day care incident, Kehler is under state indictment for making more than 100 trips to Philadelphia to purchase heroin, repackaging it and reselling it in Shamokin. He asked police chief Darwin Tobias III what would become of the $50,000 unsecured bail he had been released on last February, and Tobias told him a judge would make a decision on it.

COAL TOWNSHIP - Students in grades 10 through 12 at Our Lady Of Lourdes Regional School had the opportunity to view and utilize an impaired and distracted driving simulator March 23.

Kimberly Smith, safety press officer, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, and Bob Schaeffer, community traffic safety project coordinator, North Central Highway Safety Network presented the program.

The computerized driving device provides students an experience that consists of driving practice, distracted or impaired simulation drives, sobriety checks, court appearances and emergency medical treatment.

Interactive quizzes and advice from experts were also included in the on-screen video presentations. This free PennDOT program is available for schools and community programs through a State Farm grant written by UPMC Hamot Trauma Services.

SUNBURY - Northumberland County District Attorney Ann Targonski alerted county residents Thursday to a telephone scam involving individuals claiming to be with the Internal Revenue Service who are seeking personal and confidential information.

Targonski said recorded messages are occasionally also left on the homeowner's answering machine telling residents, "This is your last chance. The IRS plans on filing a lawsuit against you."

Attempts to contact the phone number displayed on caller ID results in an indication that the phone number has been disconnected or is not in service.

The district attorney warned residents not to supply personal information over the phone to sources unknown to them. Under no circumstances should any residents provide their Social Security number or information related to financial accounts or medical records, Targonski said.

Coal Township police reported a similar scam in mid-March.

CATAWISSA RR - A popular event that last time packed the Southern Columbia High School gym will return Thursday after a one-year hiatus. Students and teachers will hold on for dear life as they ride donkeys during several basketball games inside the Charles T. Nesbitt Gymnasium.

Two teams of teachers and a team each from the junior and senior classes will face off in a single-elimination tournament. The first game will start at 6:30 p.m. This year's event will benefit the class of 2018.

"It's great entertainment. Everyone has a great time watching their favorite teachers riding donkeys," said Jen Stine, an organizer. "The teachers and students make sure it's entertaining."

In addition to the games, there will be a 50/50 raffle, donkey rides and concessions. Advanced tickets can be purchased at any building office for $6. Ticket pre-sales will end at 3 p.m. Wednesday. Tickets sold at the door will be $8.

Scheduled to appear is high pchool principal Jim "Farmer Becker," who will reprise his role as chief "pooper scooper." Participating students are Billy Barnes, Kent Lane, Jacob Trathen, Jason Vought, Brandon Ciocco, Tia Billig, Bailey Carl, Alyssa Stavinski, Becky Harder, Sam Schultz, Sami Abdul, Blake Marks, Tyler Tomaschik, Josh Yoder, Adam Unger, Mackenzie Chaundy, Haley Levan, Amara Nazario, Blair Johnston and Mackenzie Haladay.

Participating administrators and teachers include elementary school principal John Fetterman, middle school principal William Callahan and Sue Stone.

SUNBURY - Area lawmakers asked members of the Northumberland County Conservation District (NCCD) to remain vigilant in fighting Gov. Tom Wolf's proposal to scrap the Marcellus Shale impact fee in lieu of a severance tax.

In remarks at the district's annual legislative luncheon Thursday, Sen. John Gordner (R-27) and Rep. Kurt Masser (R-108) spoke against Wolf's proposal. In her overview of the work the conservation district is doing, district manager Judy Becker noted the funding provided by Act 13 - the impact fee.

"Between that fee and the transportation bill funding, it really helps to bridge the gaps so we can continue the programs we do," Becker said.

Gordner asked the district to stay focused on keeping the Act 13 funding plan passed in 2012 in place.

"The governor says he will keep intact the number of recipients that receive the funding, but the amount of funding will be frozen at $225 million. That doesn't leave a lot of room for growth," Gordner said.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission reported that, while there are no wells in the county, Northumberland County received $90,297 in 2013 from the impact fee, which is awarded to counties that are in some way impacted by the drilling. By comparison, Bradford County, where there were 1,224 wells, received more than $7 million in funding.

Northumberland County's funding comes from the Marcellus Shale Legacy Fund, which gives money to counties, regardless of if there are gas wells within its borders, to fund environmental initiatives.

Gordner said Wolf's proposed severance fee is based on a price of $2.97 per thousand cubic feet for natural gas; however, Pennsylvania natural gas drillers and producers get an average price of $1.50 to $2.40, with the price spiking to $2.87 last winter when sub-zero temperatures hit.

"It's the equivalent of saying that if you make $40,000 a year, the government is going to tax you at a rate as if you made $100,000 a year," Gordner said.

Masser piled on regarding Wolf's economic policies, saying the new governor ran on being the "Education Governor" but proposed a budget that suggests otherwise.

"Penn State University would receive a 23 to 24 percent increase in funding, but funding through the college for agricultural research and extension education - like is offered here at the conservation district - flat-lined," Masser said.

Wolf's plan to increase the earned income and sales tax would result in a 40 percent increase in the sales tax and a 20 percent increase in income taxes, Masser said.

"This all comes when we have a crisis in Pennsylvania with our pension system that no one is addressing," Masser said.

District board chairman Dave Crowl thanked the lawmakers for their candid comments, saying that if Thursday's luncheon did anything, it sparked a debate among district members and alerted them to possible funding changes.

In his budget address, Wolf said, "This is not a partisan idea. It's a recognition that Pennsylvanians are right now getting a bad deal. We deserve to be fairly compensated for the use of our resources."

Giving the district praise was Northumberland County Commissioner and district board member Rich Shoch.

"The NCCD is a great model on how to implement programs in a cost-effective manner," Shoch said. "We have worked hard to keep the funding we give intact, which in Northumberland County takes a lot of doing."

County planning director Pat Mack said it's a pleasure working with NCCD on grant applications.

"Anyone can talk about how well the Act 13 program works, we've lived it," Mack said. "The first round of applications we made, we had $500,000 for the district and the AOAA."

Crowl said NCCD is known in Harrisburg for its thorough work on grant applications.

"Please remember us," Crowl said to the lawmakers. "If there is any chance for sustainable, predictable funding year after year, please remember us."

As it is, Masser and Gordner, representing Rep. Lynda Schlegel, who was not able to attend, presented the district with a $202,571 Growing Greener grant. The grant will help NCCD's Northumberland Barnyard Stabilization Project, funding improvements to a 200-head heifer operation in Delaware Township at the headwaters of Dry Run and a 50-head dairy operation in Rush Township on an unnamed tributary of the Susquehanna River.

Both projects will ultimately help meet the clean water goals as set forth by the Northumberland County Chesapeake Bay Tributary Strategy.

Coal Twp. offices closed

COAL TOWNSHIP - Township municipal offices and the street department will be closed today and the recycling center will be closed today and Saturday in observance of Good Friday and the Easter holiday.

Free hospice volunteer training

NORTHUMBERLAND - SUN Home Hospice is seeking volunteers. Free training will be provided from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Tuesdays, May 12, 19 and 26 in Northumberland. Additional training sessions are planned for the fall.

Volunteers are needed from all walks of life. Volunteers help to add quality to the lives of patients and families. Those willing to share their special talents, such as music, writing, craftiness, or simply conversation, are especially needed. Volunteers are not asked to provide medical care.

The hospice concept is to provide care and dignity to those individuals with a life-limiting illness and to assist their families during and after this time. Hospice care is a loving way of keeping families together; it affirms life, emphasizing quality, not length. Hospice empowers patients to live fully, while including families and loved ones in giving care. Volunteers play a large part in making this happen.

Anyone interested in volunteering or seeking additional information should contact Carrie Stine at clstine@sunhomehealth.com or 1-800-634-5232, extension 1450.

PAXINOS - Annual services at the "Old Rugged Cross" atop Paxinos Mountain begin at 2:30 p.m. Saturday.

Attendees can follow organizers to the cross site by meeting at 1 p.m. at Clark's Grove United Methodist Church on Irish Valley Road.

To drive to the site directly, take Route 61 to Irish Valley Road, turn right onto School House Road, then turn right onto Fig Road and drive to the top of the hill. Volunteers will be there to direct vehicle parking.

The cross site is about a one-mile walk through the woods. There will also be vans shuttling between the cross and Fig Road for those who choose not to walk.

Those planning to attend are encouraged to wear sturdy shoes and dress for the weather.

Refreshments will be served after the service.

The cross site was established 54 years ago by a group of local Boy Scouts. Scouts continue to maintain the site.

Saturday's service will mark the 29th at the cross. Last year, 330 people attended.

For more information on the event, call Kevin Shervinskie at 570-274-0214.