MOUNT CARMEL - The Red Tornado "bleacher creatures" won't like it, but their home at the Silver Bowl is planned for demolition.

The Mount Carmel Area school board voted 6-1 Thursday to seek bids to tear down the bleachers in the south end zone. Director Joseph Zanella voted in opposition.

The school board, including Zanella, voted 8-0 in March 2014 to do the same after an engineering firm declared that the structure was unsafe.

Demolition is meant to eliminate the hazard. Public outcry and feelings of nostalgia delayed the process, but the majority of the board ultimately felt it too expensive to repair the bleachers.

"It is historic in Mount Carmel, and it's Mount Carmel's '12th man,'" school board President Robert Muldowney said Friday of the rabid fans who occupied the bleachers over the years. Another moniker the fans earned was "bleacher creatures."

"That's one of the reasons the townspeople don't want to see it taken away," he said. "We have no other choice but to remove it."

Muldowney said the cost to bring the bleachers up to code - sandblasting lead paint, welding repairs, new wooden planks, making the structure handicap accessible - would cost as much as $200,000. It's a cost the district can't afford.

Superintendent Bernard Stellar said Friday that the board's decision wasn't an easy one, and that they looked into saving the bleachers.

"It's really a tradition, and we all understand that. I sat in the end zone bleachers growing up as well. Everyone knows it's part of Silver Bowl tradition. It's cost-prohibitive to replace them at this time. It doesn't make sense to make an expenditure for nostalgia," Stellar said, noting the district's $1.4 million deficit ahead of the 2015-16 school year.

But the school board hasn't ruled out a replacement set of bleachers in the years to come if the money is available. Muldowney said a smaller structure would be likely as attendance at home games has waned. Picnic tables and a handicap seating area could also be added.

A set of bleachers in the north end zone was torn down decades ago, Muldowney said. Bleachers had once wrapped around the football field, he said, putting the "bowl" in Silver Bowl.

SHAMOKIN - A city man accused of dealing and using drugs after hours at his mother's day care told a judge she would be bailing him out of jail.

Ryan Varano, 28, of 114 S. Fifth St., was placed in Snyder County Prison on a bench warrant after turning himself in to city police Thursday. He was video arraigned on drug and trespassing charges at 9 a.m. Friday before Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III, of Shamokin and committed to prison.

Shamokin City Police charged Varano with felony counts of manufacture, delivery or possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, criminal conspiracy and criminal use of a communication facility and misdemeanor charges of possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance and recklessly endangering another person. He was placed in prison on $25,000 cash bail.

His bail was increased by $10,000 cash because of a felony count of criminal trespass and a misdemeanor charge of defiant trespass filed by city police at the request of Varano's mother and owner of Jesus' Lil Helpers Daycare, Kelly Ebersole, who told Varano numerous times he was not to be in the child care facility.

Gembic said Varano stated Ebersole would be posting bail for him. No bail had been posted as of 8 p.m. Friday and he remained incarcerated in Snyder County Prison.

Calls to Ebersole, who was not at the arraignment, went unanswered Friday evening.

Varano and two other individuals - Christian Kehler, 37, of 1114 N. Shamokin St., Shamokin, and Frederick Russo, 49, of 1321 Chestnut St., Kulpmont - face drug charges involving a March 28 incident at Ebersole's facility. Police reported Kehler overdosed on heroin and was revived by police and emergency medical personnel through the use of CPR and Narcan before being rushed by ambulance to Geisinger Medical Center, Danville.

Kehler was discharged from the hospital April 1. According to the criminal complaint, police found 52 filled, 65 empty and 38 partially empty packets of heroin and other drug paraphernalia. Some of the heroin packets were in places accessible to children, like a kitchen trash can, and heroin residue covered the surfaces of children's tables.

In the criminal complaint, Varano said he stays at the address on weekends and nights when the day care is not open and he and Kehler use the location to sell, distribute and use heroin.

Kehler, originally faced with the same drug charges as Varano, has been offered a plea deal by the county district attorney's office dropping his charges to a felony count of possession with intent to deliver heroin. His past criminal record would still require him to serve a state prison sentence.

Russo, who was not at the day care March 28, is accused of driving Kehler and Varano to Philadelphia to purchase heroin in exchange for drugs and money. He was remanded to Snyder County Prison after he violated bail terms for unrelated drug charges.

Russo has not yet been arraigned on the charges related to the day care overdose incident.

COAL TOWNSHIP - The Rainbow Club met at Our Lady of Hope Church hall for its April meeting. Ruth Romanoski, president, opened the meeting with the ministry prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance and the Over 50 song.

Birthday celebrants for April were acknowledged, following by song and applause.

Dolly Yocum, secretary, read last month's report, which was approved and filed.

Florence Verano, club treasurer and travel club treasurer, reported about an April 16 trip to the American Music Theatre to see "Inspire." Those who wish to go on the club trips should call her at 570-648-0949.

New members, Jamie and Bill Bordell and James Hoffman, were introduced.

The annual Mass and banquet will be held Sunday, May 17. Mass is at 11 a.m., and the banquet at Original Italian Pizza restaurant will immediately follow. Call Verano for reservations.

The attendance award was won by Pat Kroh. Winners of the 50-50 were Gloria Shawda and Roseann Campbell.

Bingo was played, with Yocum as the caller. Refreshments were served.

Romanoski closed the meeting with the "Our Father" and a poem called "New Life."

The next meeting will be the Mass and banquet in May.

COAL TOWNSHIP - Coal Township Street Department has announced the sweeping schedule for next week.

Ferndale/Fairview Area

Monday

Morning - North side of Pine Street from First Street to Locust Street.

Afternoon - South side of Pine Street from First Street to Locust Street.

Tuesday

Morning - North side of Pine Street from Locust Street to Jackson Street.

Afternoon - South side of Pine Street from Locust Street to Jackson Street.

Wednesday

Morning - North side of Mulberry Street from First Street to Locust Street.

Afternoon - South side of Mulberry Street from First Street to Locust Street.

Thursday

Morning - North side of Mulberry Street from Locust Street to Jackson Street.

Afternoon - South side of Mulberry Street from Locust Street to Jackson Street.

Friday

Morning - North side of Montgomery Street from Oak Street to Jackson Street.

Afternoon - South side of Montgomery Street from Oak Street to Jackson Street.

Uniontown

Wednesday

Morning - East side of Center Street from Route 61 to 16th Street.

Afternoon - West side of Center Street from Route 61 to 16th Street.

Thursday

Morning - East side of Center Street from 16th Street to Route 61.

Afternoon - West side of Center Street from 16th Street to Route 61.

Friday

Morning - Both sides of Tharp Street and adjoining side streets at the south end of Uniontown.

Afternoon - Both sides of Tharp Street and adjoining side street at the north end of Uniontown.

Brady

Monday

Morning - South side of Main Street.

Afternoon - North side of Main Street.

Also adjoining side streets that are clear of parked vehicles will be done on this day.

Tuesday

Morning - North side of Webster Street from Sixth Street to Railroad Street.

Afternoon - South side of Webster Street from Sixth Street to Railroad Street.

Yard waste pick-up

The township street department will pick up yard waste from May 18 to 29. Loose leaves will not be picked up. All leaves and other yard waste must be in recyclable bags. Branches over 3 feet will not be collected. Residents can take yard waste to the recycling center on Venn Access Road all year long.

SUNBURY - While workers of Anthracite Industries walked the picket line for a fifth day Friday, the plant is still operational and continues to do business, according to company officials.

Tim Hendricks, the coal-processing plant's general manager, said Friday members of management are handling production and shipping and receiving duties while 26 staff members strike.

Workers walked off the job Monday after negotiations on a new contract stalled. The last agreement, a five-year deal, expired Dec. 31.

"We are trying to work out a new three-year contract," Hendricks said. "We are in the give-and-take mode with a lot of issues."

The manager confirmed what union officials have said all along - the primary stumbling block is health care benefits.

Ty Sees, union representative for Teamsters Local Union 763, of Milton, said Thursday the company wants a clause in the contract that if the annual health insurance premium increases 7.5 percent or more, the cost of the increase will be placed on the workers.

Currently, workers pay 20 percent of their monthly premium and feel that any increase would wipe out any raises or cause them to lose money.

Hendricks would not comment on any numbers the union has suggested about "the increase cap" as the union called it.

"We've had limited discussions, but we are staying firm on the number," Hendricks said.

The next negotiation session is scheduled for April 29, and workers say they will continue to picket until then, applying for strike benefits and wages with the Teamsters Union. Their health benefits with Anthracite Industries are paid up through May.

Workers at the plant is on Anthracite Road, between Route 61 and Snydertown Road, and is a division of Asbury Carbons, Asbury, N.J., a major supplier of natural graphite, synthetic graphite, related carbon products and a variety of other raw materials.

MOUNT CARMEL - Mount Carmel Borough police are searching for a man, described as armed and dangerous, who threatened a driver with a handgun and escaped from a police vehicle by kicking out the window.

Michael A. Fickinger, 21, with a last known address of 1234 Walnut St., Ashland, was seen wearing a light blue denim button shirt, light-colored t-shirt, black jeans and black sneakers as he ran from police Saturday morning.

Police said Fickinger burglarized a house on South Maple Street, Mount Carmel, at around 10 a.m. Saturday. The items he stole included three rifles and a handgun. The three rifles haven't yet been located, and police fear he may still be in possession of them.

Police saw Fickinger riding as a passenger in a vehicle a short time later. They said as they approached Fickinger, he pointed the stolen handgun at the driver and threatened to shoot if police stopped the vehicle.

Borough Police Chief Todd Owens took Fickinger into custody and placed him in the back of a police cruiser. However, Fickinger kicked through the window of the car and climbed out. He ran toward Walnut Street with his hands still cuffed.

Sunbury police brought in their K-9 unit, and Mount Carmel Township and Ashland police assisted the borough with the search. Fickinger had not been located by police as of 9:30 p.m. Saturday, and the search was ongoing.

Fickinger is considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to immediately call 911.

For many people, the road to success is bumpy and littered with detours.

For Brianna Osceles, one of those detours was the road to recovery. Now, the 24-year-old native of New Philadelphia is on a fast track to music success.

Osceles, who lives in Las Vegas, is in the process of recording a demo with Grammy-winning producer Damon Elliott. The song is about drug addiction and recovery, a biographical narrative of the young singer's life.

"It's about overcoming an addiction and staying strong through a dramatic event," Osceles said.

Her battle with drugs began in her early teens. During this time, Osceles said she experimented with cocaine, crack, meth, painkillers, ecstasy and hallucinogens. At age 17, she said, she took her first shot of heroin. It would become her "drug of choice" along with Xanax and benzodiazepines or benzos.

Her addiction continued until April 2012, when she decided to straighten up her life.

"I have been clean and sober for three years," Osceles said, adding she marks her sobriety anniversary today.

But her road to recovery has not been an easy ride.

Less than a year after going clean, Osceles faced her most difficult challenge - the loss of her father.

"When I reflect on that time, I think of the shock when I found out. And how I'm grateful that a power greater than myself carried me through it and kept me sober," she said. "I still cry when I think about him sometimes.

"My passion for dance also carried me through the grief. I knew if I went back to using I would die," she said.

Osceles said she has been dancing for about six years, and it was dance that led her to Las Vegas and her current musical turn.

"Working with Damon is amazing. I feel blessed to have someone really believe in me," she said. "The first time I heard the demo for my song I cried. It means so much to be recognized as an artist, and that someone with his success wants to help me succeed."

Elliott is an award-winning producer and son of music legend Dionne Warwick and actor/jazz drummer Bill Elliott. Elliott claimed the music industry's biggest prize - a Grammy - for his work on the 2001 hit "Lady Marmalade" from the soundtrack for the film "Moulin Rouge."

The two met in January and began work on the music in March.

"I feel like I met Brianna because my life is on such a positive path and I am attracted to like-minded people. She is truly an inspiration that the world simply needs to hear," Elliott said. "What initially attracted me to her was her style and her spirit and most importantly, her strength. She is the perfect example of a 'super-strong-willed-I-can-conquer-anything' type of person and it didn't take me long to see that."

Elliott co-wrote the song with rock musician Eddie Money. He said he has been working with Money's daughter, Jesse, and mentioned Brianna to both of them.

"I asked both to be a part of the project and they agreed to it," Elliott said, adding Jesse actually attended a special writing session at the studio.

For Osceles, this is her first time dabbling in the music world. A 2008 graduate of Pottsville Area High School, she did not participate in music groups in her younger days. She cites influences from the rock, classic rock, trap, industrial and electronic genres.

"I wanted to take vocal lessons for fun but I never thought of pursuing it professionally," she said.

Damon compared her singing style to some well-known talent.

"She has a unique voice, very strong yet still feminine much like a Pink or Stevie Nicks. I'm excited for the world to hear the song," he said. "She's not afraid to talk about her past, like the most open book I've ever read, and that's what the world needs. People need to hear real because real helps people heal through anything and overcome any situation. That's why I chose to work with her."

When not working on the music, Osceles is currently touring the U.S. as a feature entertainer. She has won a couple titles for national showgirl competitions, including Miss Rock 'n' Roll 2014 by Maximum Threshold magazine.

"I've always been passionate about pole fitness as a sport and (exotic) dance as art and entertainment. I would like to incorporate pole aerial fitness into my act when I have my music done for my show," she said.

The progress on the entire project has been so positive that Elliott decided recently to record a whole EP, not just the one song.

In this music, Osceles wants to send positivity and encouragement, especially to people suffering from addiction.

"I have a lot of faith. I'd like to send a message of hope to people and also encourage people to follow their heart and passion no matter what anyone else says. Dream big," she said.

The song is expected to be released within a year.

"I anticipate this song will be set for release within the next six to 12 months. It's all about the set up and making sure that the marketing and promotion is at a major label status so the world really gets to hear this truly magnificent gem," Elliott said.

MANDATA - Rubber bounced back as the ground covering of choice for the Line Mountain Elementary School.

The Line Mountain School District board of directors voted unanimously to purchase Playsafer Rubber Mulch for use beneath the elementary school's playground equipment Tuesday.

The initial cost of a rubber mat, thought to be more impact-absorbing than traditional wood mulch, dissuaded board members from approving the change in June. But over the summer, Jeanne Menko, elementary principal, and Tim Lagerman, director of plant and operations, worked to rearrange playground equipment and create a kickball field. The change to grass in this area combined with a better arrangement of equipment led to a decrease in the amount of rubber mulch required.

The total cost for the rubber mulch came to $5,860.

Board members also noted the rubber mulch lasts longer than wood mulch, which needs to be replaced annually. In three years, they said, the rubber mulch will have paid for itself.

Board members also:

- Tabled a motion to hire Keystone Concrete Products, of New Holland, to design a salt storage shed at the Line Mountain Middle/High School at a cost of $4,000.

Board members cited a concern for the cost as a reason to look further into the proposal before approval.

- Approved absorbing the cost of unsold middle school yearbooks at a total not to exceed $400.

- Approved accepting the donation of a bench from the Class of 1995 memorializing the victims of a 1998 cabin fire.

Though the bench was originally planned for an outside terrace, on advice of Superintendent David M. Campbell, it will be placed in the memorial garden.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Ashley L. Koschoff, of Anchorage, Alaska, was named to the chancellor's list for the fall 2014 semester with a 4.00 grade-point average. She is in the Bachelor of Science in nursing program at the University of Alaska and has obtained a minor in women's studies as well as an occupational endorsement certificate in medical office coding.

Koschoff is a 2011 graduate of Mount Carmel Area High School. She is a daughter of Linda Koschoff and a sister of Cortney and KateLyn Koschoff, all of Mount Carmel.

MOUNT CARMEL - The Mount Carmel Area School District will attempt to collect on five years worth of unpaid taxes to help offset a budget deficit.

A list of names and money owed for the occupational assessment tax and the earned income tax between 2010 and 2014 is expected to be published in The News-Item in the near future. The district faces a $1.4 million deficit for the 2015-16 school year, and it must be erased in a final budget due no later than June 30.

Administrators will use a preliminary list to confirm the names and amounts owed, and they have their work cut out for them. The working list shows about 2,000 names - some of them more than once - and approximately $1 million in unpaid taxes, according to Charles Mannello, the district's business consultant.

"It's not a real accurate number," said Superintendent Bernard Stellar.

Revisions will pare down the list, removing names of former district residents who moved away but didn't alert tax collectors, for example. But the amount owed is still expected to be large.

Updating the rolls will make future collections more efficient.

"The goals are to get the people who really owe money to pay the tax, and those who are no longer in the area off the tax rolls, and those who passed away removed from the rolls," Mannello said.

"We just want to be absolutely sure we're not sending tax bills to people who are deceased or don't live here anymore," Stellar said.

Mannello and Stellar believe a published list will spur some scofflaws to pay, but they don't expect everyone to come forward. Neither does school board President Robert Muldowney, who is hopeful for a 50 percent return.

"That would really help cut down on the deficit," Muldowney said.

If this initiative is deemed unsuccessful, Muldowney said the school board may consider contracting a third-party collector.

When the school district's budget is created, collections of both taxes combined are estimated at roughly $350,000, according to Mannello. Of that, he said, about 90 percent is paid. But the budgeted estimates are roughly half of what would be collected if every tax bill was paid.

Berkheimer Associates collects the occupational assessment tax and Keystone Collections Group collects the earned income tax.

TREVORTON - The Trevorton Community Ambulance banded together Saturday afternoon to support one of their own who lost his house in a March fire with a spaghetti dinner fundraiser.

Marah Welker and James Hornberger Jr. organized the dinner to benefit fellow ambulance member John Seiler Jr. after learning he had been a longtime Trevorton volunteer firefighter.

Seiler, his fiance, Jennifer Mendoza, 38, and their three children, John Seiler III, 10, Sierra Seiler, 13, and Laticia Mendoza, 10, became homeless after their home at 1236 W. Walnut St., Coal Township, burned. They had been living there approximately a month.

The fire had begun at a neighboring home when a contractor was soldering pipes in an attempt to repair a water leak.

Welker said the volunteers cooked up enough spaghetti to serve 200 people. She hoped to raise between $2,000 and $3,000 to help get the family back on their feet.

"Our goal for this whole dinner is to help them get housing," she said. She hoped the warm weather and start of trout fishing season would draw people out of their houses and to the company, which opened its bay doors for dinner.

In addition to dinner, the company hosted a basket raffle and distributed donation jars around town.

Welker thanked the businesses and individuals who donated to the event, including Angie's Market, Back2Back Chiropractic, Bait, Barrels and Bows, Bryan Sokoloskie, Dal's Pizza, Doogie's Pizzeria, Dunkin' Donuts, DW's Deli & Hoagies, Gabriela's Pizza, Giant, Haupt's Produce, Hollenbach's Bait & Tackle, Hoss's, Irish Isle Provision Company Inc. and Meat Market, and Irish Pot of Gold Beer Distributor, Marlin's Sub Shop, Maurer's Dairy, Red Robin, Rita's, Snyder's by the Creek, Southside Bait & Tackle, state Rep. Kurt Masser, Subway, Sunbury Sub Shop, Trevorton Sunoco, Weis Markets and Whitenight's Farm Market.

"People really came through," said Welker.

MOUNT CARMEL - Rachele Neidig was recently honored as Mount Carmel Area Rescue Squad member of the year by fellow members of the organization.

Neidig, who serves as secretary and quartermaster of the rescue squad, received the Ronald J. McClay Memorial Award for her dedication to the organization.

The award was established in 1983 to honor the memory of one of the founding members of the rescue squad, Ronald McClay. Every year since 1983, the award has been presented, through a vote of the membership, to recognize a member for exemplary service to the emergency service organization.

The plaque reads, "Presented to Rachele Neidig in recognition of your outstanding service and continuous dedication to the Mount Carmel Area Rescue Squad. Your contributions to the rescue squad are a credit to yourself, your family and to the community in which we live."

Service to the rescue squad is a family affair for the Neidigs. Rachele's husband, Robert, serves as captain of the organization.

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.; Family Medical checking blood pressure, 9 to 10 a.m.; walk a mile, 9:30 a.m.; lunch at Masser's Restaurant, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; bridge, noon.

Wednesday - Morning cards, 8:30 a.m.; Earth Day celebration; recycled treasures, 8:30 a.m.; planting flowers, 9 a.m.; lunch, 11 a.m.; door prize; Linda Walker of Focus Health speaking on "A billion acts of green," noon, pinochle and Pokeno follows talk; last day to order ham hoagies for April 30.

Thursday - Morning cards, 8:30 a.m.; walk a mile, 9:30 a.m.; Wii bowling, 10:30 a.m.; game show, 11 a.m.; bingo, 12:30 p.m.

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

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

Mount Carmel

Monday - Board games, 9:30 a.m.; working on Earth Day planters, 10 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; Pokeno, 1 p.m.

Tuesday - Morning talk show and coffee, 9 a.m.; exercise, 10 a.m.; bean bag competition, 11 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; unlucky 7s and pinochle, 12:30 p.m.

Wednesday - Earth Day celebration; breakfast, 9 a.m.; Whinnie the Pooh kids, 10 a.m.; pizza party lunch, 11:45 a.m.; planting flowers, 12:30 p.m.; nickel bingo, 1 p.m.

Thursday - News and morning coffee, 9:30 a.m.; trip to Brewser's SportsGrille in Shamokin, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; unlucky 7s and pinochle, 12:30 p.m.

Friday - Last day to order hoagies; Wii games, 9:30 a.m.; guest speaker on identity protection from VNA, 12:30 p.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 - Music and hand held games in the morning; Wii bowling, noon; cards, 12:30 p.m.

Wednesday - Earth Day projects and activities starting at 10 a.m.; pizza party with tossed salad, noon, sign-up required; LCR will also be played.

Thursday - Music and coffee in the morning; Wii bowling, 11 a.m.; bingo, 12:30 p.m.

Friday - Puzzles and hand held games in the morning; bean bag and bowling, 10 a.m.; Ellen Popson from LIFE Geisinger speaking on "Tips on the environment to keep you healthy," noon; nickel bingo, 12:30 p.m.

Centralia-Wilburton

Monday - Show and tell, 10:30 a.m.; Pokeno, 10:30 a.m.; bingo, 12:30 p.m.

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

Wednesday - Coffee and muffins, 9 a.m.; pinochle, 10:30 a.m.; Lisa Makara from Geisinger-Bloomsburg speaking on "What to ask the doctor," 12:30 p.m.

Thursday - Coffee and cookies, 9 a.m.; Pokeno, 10:30 a.m.; trivia, 12:30 p.m.

Friday - Fun Friday! Open activities.

Elysburg

Monday - Healthy Steps, 8:30 a.m.; royal rummy, 10 a.m.; Pokeno 11:30 a.m.

Wednesday - Earth Day, 10 a.m., master gardeners speaking on "Arbor Day," children visiting to plant seedlings; royal rummy, 10 a.m.; Healthy Steps, 8:30 a.m.; bingo, noon.

Thursday - Trip to Red Lobster.

Friday - Crafts, 9:30 a.m.; pinochle, noon.

Trevorton

Monday - Wii bowling, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10 a.m.; unlucky 7s, 12:30 p.m.

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

Wednesday - Earth Day activities, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; movie and snack, 12:30 p.m.

Thursday - Exercise, 10 a.m.; pinochle, 12:30 p.m.

Friday - Wii games, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:30 a.m.; vision screening, 10 to 11:30 a.m.; bingo, 12:30 p.m.

SHAMOKIN - City officials will self-report a misuse of approximately $50,000 in federal grant money, according to the mayor.

The funds were released to the city in September 2012 by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to pave the creek-side municipal parking lot on Third Street. But the city was in hard times, said Mayor William D. Milbrand, and council used the money to pay bills.

The city had hoped to pay for the paving with its own money when funds became available, but that never happened and the project never started. Now Milbrand fears the city may have to pay the money back. Councilman R. Craig Rhoades agrees. He described the use of the funds as a misappropriation, but a necessary one.

"We were having so much financial trouble back then," Rhoades said Friday. "We were under pressure for so many other expenses. I didn't like it. Sooner or later it comes back to bite you, and that's exactly what's happening."

"We are going to take the proper steps to

get in contact with the officials from FEMA

and let them know we're aware of this. The project was not completed. We're going to ask them what the next step is," Milbrand said Friday after meeting with members of the city's Act 47 team. "We're on top of it and we're not trying to squirm away from it. We will take care of it."

'A little blame' for all

Milbrand and Rhoades are the only members of council from that time who are still in office. Other members were former Mayor George Rozinskie and ex-councilmen William Strausser and Michael Snyder. Steve Bartos was the city clerk.

Shamokin was awarded approximately $63,000 from FEMA in the wake of the historic flooding of September 2011. A portion of the funds was allocated for firefighters and the library building. The remaining $49,721.61 was to be used to pave the city's gravel parking lot on Third Street, between Walnut and Arch. The funds were received in September 2012.

Milbrand said Bartos - who is suing the city after an acrimonious exit from City Hall - sought permission from FEMA, and the mayor recalled receiving an email giving the OK. Rhoades didn't recall any such communication.

"I think everyone has a little blame in this situation. We all on council knew what was going on," Rhoades said.

Asked if he thought it was the right decision, Milbrand said, "At that point to try and keep us solvent, yeah I do."

Treasurer Brenda Scandle said she never received anything official from FEMA authorizing the use of the funds for general purposes. She, too, recalled an email from a FEMA official, but said that it only authorized the funds to be placed in the city's general fund. She said it said nothing about using the funds for general expenses.

The funds intended for the firefighters were paid, Scandle said, and she wasn't sure how the library funds were used.

Another $54,080 flagged

Council voted Monday to put the gravel lot between Arch and Walnut streets up for sale. Milbrand said there are several interested buyers. He wasn't sure if the issue with the grant funds would hinder a potential sale.

The issue of the parking lot funding was raised after the current city council received its audit for 2013. The audit flagged a misappropriation of an additional $54,080 in FEMA funds.

"Federal expenditures were not properly accounted for and recorded. FEMA funds were initially deposited in the general fund and subsequently transferred to a separate account opened for FEMA grant funds. However, not all funds deposited to the general fund were transferred and all funds could not be accounted for," the audit states.

How that money was used, exactly, wasn't determined, but it's also believed to have been used for bills. Scandle noted an insurance bill was paid through electronic checking at the time.

Nothing criminal

Milbrand, Scandle and Councilman Charlie Verano all said they don't believe the money was stolen.

"In no way, shape or form do we feel at this point that the ($54,080) was stolen. It was used for general fund expenses at the time because we were in a financial bind," Milbrand said.

"I don't believe there's anything criminal, but there's something there that I'm not satisfied with," Verano said Wednesday, also referencing the audit. He would have liked a clearer understanding of how the money was used.

"If they paid bills, I want to see it," said Verano, who wasn't on council at the time of the FEMA funding discrepancies. He publicly questioned the audit's findings during Monday's monthly council meeting.

Shamokin Area High School remains in the lead in week eight of the annual EconomicsPennsylvania Stock Market Game Challenge for area middle and high school students. In the middle school division, Mount Carmel Area comes in at number one. At third place, Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School makes its first appearance in the high school division this year.

Participating schools are Shamokin Area, Mount Carmel Area, Line Mountain, North Schuylkill and Our Lady of Lourdes. The Stock Market Challenge is sponsored by Sunbury Motor Co. and The News-Item. EconomicsPennsylvania is a not-for-profit organization specializing in K-12 economic and financial literacy programs.

In each Sunday edition, The News-Item is announcing the top three teams from high school and middle school competition. Listed are results from the past two weeks, which include total equity, the school's name, adviser and team number.

Week eight

High school

- $111,757, Shamokin Area, David Kopitsky - 2288

- $108,394, Mount Carmel Area, Robert Scicchitano - 3223

- $104,673, Our Lady of Lourdes, Janet Johnson - 2796

Middle school

Middle school totals were not provided this week. In first place, Mount Carmel Area; second place, Shamokin Area; and third place, Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School.

Marriage licenses

Cory Charles Worgen to Stacey Humenansky, both of 187 Gottshall Lane, Shamokin. Issued April 16.

Daniel Joseph Wilk to Taryn Lynn Turissini, both of 14 N. Berry St., Coal Township. Issued April 16.

Joseph Cody Vartanian, of 4262 Alabama Highway 176, Fort Payne, Ala., to Amy Lynn Shicora, of 1209 N. Pearl St., Shamokin. Issued April 17.

Hamid Mansouri to Barbara R. Somers, both of 913 Mulberry St., Coal Township. Issued April 17.

Ronnie G. Herb, of 136 E. Arch St., Apt. A, Shamokin, to Rhonda Lynn Nash, of 304 Melrose St., Marion Heights. Issued April 17.

Jeffrey Alan Lytle, of 678 Shipe Road, Paxinos, to Stephanie Lyn Broda, P.O. Box 91, Paxinos. Issued April 17.

Jeffrey James Kays to Jessica Jean Kalcich, both of 137 N. Walnut St., Mount Carmel. To be issued April 20.

Gary J. Fenix to Renee Blugis, both of 123 E. Shamokin St., Trevorton. To be issued April 20.

Alexander Gafton Lacasse, of 6 S. Franklin St., Shamokin, to Kathleen Nicole Faribaldo, of 15 Sloe Gin Trail, Fairfield. To be issued April 20.

Shane T. Shingara to Melissa Anne Tharp, both of 204 S. Tenth St., Trevorton. To be issued April 20.

Justin Dean to Sarah Heath, both of 1548 W. Walnut St., Coal Township. To be issued April 20.

Property transfers

Marcy Bronkoski (NKA) and Marcy Kelly to Marcy Kelly, property in Marion Heights, $10.

Bobbie Jo Sprenkle (FKA) and Bobbie Jo Elizabeth Saylor to Bobbie Jo Sprenkle, property in Upper Augusta Township, $1.

Glen J. Wayne to L. Roy Himmelreich III, property in Shamokin, $4,000.

Mary Janet Moran to Kelly McCormick, property in Mount Carmel Township, $19,000.

Ralph A. Corson to Dennis Barker, property in Mount Carmel Township, $1,500.

Robert W. Walters Sr. (estate) and Robert Wesley Walters Jr. (executor) to Robert Wesley Walters Jr., property in Rush Township, $1.

Ronald H. and Ilse S. Venn to Dale L. and Sharon S. Faus, property in Shamokin Township, $1.

Mari and Kevin Niedzwiecki to Jean Neumeister, property in Coal Township, $57,000.

Shannon M. Morgan and Shannon M. and John J. Walters Jr. to Beneficial Consumer Discount Company and Beneficial Mortgage Company of Pennsylvania, property in Herndon, $72,509.12.

Michael P. and Elizabeth J. Boylan to Michael P. and Elizabeth J. Boylan, property in Mount Carmel Borough, $1.

Spess Lee Hoffman to Joel E. Brecht and Thomas J. Bules, property in Upper Augusta Township, $1.

Debra Bainbridge, Debra M. Schuck, Joseph L. Schuck and Nicole Bainbridge to Matthew Thomas and Marissa Marie Sebastian, property in Coal Township, $79,200.

Eleanor J. Jarrett to Thomas E. Boop, property in Upper Augusta Township, $1.

James J. Bressi to Michael J. and Heather A. Derk, property in Shamokin, $12,500.

Bruce E. Stepp Jr. and Kathleen J. Stepp to Stepps Food Inc., property in Shamokin, $35,000.

Keith A. and Annete M. Haftl to Keith A. and Annette M. Haftl, property in Mount Carmel Borough, $1.

Joseph E. and Jacob B. Shingara to Susan D. Riland, property in Zerbe Township, $15,840.

Joseph K. and Audrey F. Korzenaski to Richard Lahr, property in Coal Township, $25,555.

Robert B. Russin (individually and executor) and Robert Russin (estate) to Denise E. Reigle, property in Mount Carmel Township, $25,000.

Shamokin board meeting Tuesday

COAL TOWNSHIP - The regular monthly meeting of the board of directors of the Shamokin Area School District will be held at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in the board conference room.

Gym shows at G.C. Hartman

CATAWISSA RR - The G.C. Hartman Elementary School will present two gym shows under the direction of Sue Bower, physical education instructor.

The first-grade students will present their show at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 28 in the elementary gymnasium. The fourth-grade show will be held at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 6. Both shows are free and open to the public.

The following landlord/tenant claims or judgments were filed in magisterial district court:

Hugh A. Jones, Mount Carmel

Patricia and Ronald T. Michalkovich against Candace Bucher, all of Kulpmont, for $1,875, filed April 14. A hearing is scheduled for April 27.

Emma Wengerd, of Lewisburg, awarded $1,639.06 in rent, costs and filing fees April 7 from Lisa Swietzer and Larry Keefer, of Kulpmont.

Kerry Blum, of Martins Creek, awarded $172.37 in rent, costs and filing fees April 7 from Ashley A. Karpinsky, of Mount Carmel.

Apartments and Acquisitions, of Mount Carmel, awarded $1,445.75 in rent, costs and filing fees April 9 from Thomas Beltrane and Christina Perez, of Mount Carmel.

Kristan N. Kessler, of Elysburg, awarded $4,122.54 in rent, costs and filing fees April 14 from Michelle Lynn Revinski, of Mount Carmel.

John Gembic III, Shamokin

Dina Hala, of Mount Carmel, against Dolly Mutschler, of Shamokin, and Brian K. Sites, of Coal Township, for $1,800, filed April 14. A hearing is scheduled for April 28.

Terry and Ann Vesnefskie, of Sunbury, awarded $1,398.25 in rent and filing fees April 6 from Allyson Arnold, of Shamokin.

Brian Kinn, of Trevorton, awarded $1,092.85 in rent and filing fees April 13 from David Gulba, of Trevorton.

Geoffrey Mako, of Shamokin, awarded $12,188.75 in rent and filing fees April 10 from Andrea Klebert-Baez, of Coal Township.

Christopher Jacob Fedder, of Millsboro, Del., awarded $1,572.85 in rent and filing fees April 13 from Bruce Bradshaw & Co., of Trevorton.

Casey Drogalis, of Sunbury, against Nicole Snyder, of Shamokin, for $2,511, dismissed April 13.

MOUNT CARMEL - A man who fled from police by breaking through the passenger window of a police car Saturday morning was apprehended Sunday and arraigned on 14 felonies.

Michael A. Fickinger, 21, with a last known address of 1234 Walnut St., Ashland, was video arraigned by Magisteral District Judge Hugh A. Jones around noon Sunday and incarcerated at Montour County Prison in lieu of $200,000 cash bail.

He faces five felony charges of both theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property, felony charges of burglary, criminal trespassing, escape from custody and unlawfully possessing a firearm. He also faces a misdemeanor charge of possessing an instrument of a crime for his use of the firearm and a misdemeanor charge of institutional vandalism for breaking the window of the police car.

Police said Saturday morning Fickinger visited 143 S. Maple St. and asked the resident, Jeffrey L. Potteiger, for a CO2 cartridge for a pellet gun and to borrow his cell phone. Potteiger said he was familiar with Fickinger because Fickinger's father resides next door.

After Fickinger was gone, Potteiger left the house for a half hour to an hour. When he returned he found his back door partially open and his upstairs front bedroom door completely open. Three rifles and a handgun, along with ammunition and several other items, were missing from the house.

Borough Police Chief Todd Owens said when Fickinger was in custody he told him someone put a gun to his head and told him to take the guns. Fickinger also told police he was high at the time of the robbery, Owens said.

Owens visited the scene and discovered Fickinger had asked another neighbor for a ride from 418 E. Avenue. The female told Owens she would go pick up Fickinger and bring him back to Maple Street.

Owens followed the neighbor and saw Fickinger enter the passenger side of her vehicle carrying a bag. The car made a u-turn and began traveling west on Avenue, and as the vehicle passed Owen's unmarked police car, the driver began to wave her hands out the window to get his attention.

Owens stopped the car and took Fickinger into custody at gun point. He put his "lucky cuffs" on Fickinger and placed him in the back of the unmarked police vehicle.

"We had him in custody pretty quickly," said Owens, who estimated the time between the burglary and Fickinger's capture was less than 45 minutes.

The neighbor told Owens Fickinger had pointed a handgun at her while she was driving and said "If you are setting me up, I will shoot you and shoot the police."

Owens located a handgun beneath the front seat where Fickinger had been sitting. He also uncovered the bag Fickinger had carried into the car. It contained items from 143 S. Maple St.

Owens, who was the only police officer on duty in the borough at the time, requested help from the Mount Carmel Township police. Patrolman Keith Tamborelli, the sole officer on duty at the township, met Owens at 418 E. Avenue.

With only two officers, Owens made the decision to leave Fickinger secured in the back seat of the vehicle while he accompanied Tamborelli into the house. He said allowing Tamborelli to enter solo would have been too dangerous as he had no knowledge of who was inside the house and if there were any weapons, and Fickinger showed no signs of wanting to escape.

"He was sitting in the car. If he was acting up, we wouldn't have let him out of our sight at all," Owens said.

Tamborelli and Owens went to the house and began speaking with Frank Rey Allen, 48, of 418 E. Avenue. Less than two minutes after they left the vehicle, Fickinger smashed through the rear passenger window of the unmarked police cruiser and dove out headfirst.

Owens said the unmarked police cruiser is the oldest of the fleet and the only borough vehicle without bars on the back windows.

A neighbor, who witnesses Fickinger's escape, yelled for police help and said he ran west on Avenue with his hands still cuffed.

Tamborelli and Owens began searching the area. Sunbury police brought in their K-9 unit and several other area police departments sent officers to assist in the manhunt.

Owens said no officers saw Fickinger throughout the afternoon and overnight.

The following morning, police followed up on a tip that Fickinger had returned to Allen's residence, 418 E. Avenue. As Owens and Patrolman Kyle Schauer waited outside the house for an additional police unit to arrive, Fickinger was spotted exiting an entryway in the 100 block of North Walnut Street. He surrendered and was taken into custody still wearing the Owen's lucky cuffs from the previous day.

Owens said Fickinger had changed his clothing and some of his clothing was found in Allen's house. Allen, who had been told to call police if Fickinger returned and failed to do so, will be charged with hindering police apprehension, Owens said.

Fickinger told police he had sheltered overnight in various locations, like sheds. The location he was discovered at was less than two blocks from where he had escaped from the car. He said he used a hooded sweatshirt to cover the cuffs when moving around.

"He never made it very far," Owens said.

Police said Fickinger confessed the firearms were at his father's residence and police located them in a service entryway between 145 S. Maple Street and another house.

Owens said he is relieved the firearms were recovered before they were illegally sold or turned up in the wrong hands, like those of a child.

"We're happy (the victim) got all his property back," said Owens. "And especially happy we got the firearms back."

HARRISBURG - Momentum is building to expand the reach of a state program that finances housing projects in the Marcellus Shale drilling region to cover the entire state.

That became evident when the House and Senate committees overseeing urban issues unanimously approved companion bills last week to provide a new revenue source for the state Housing Trust Fund through an earmark of the state realty transfer tax.

Pennsylvania established the trust fund in 2010 to provide affordable housing to low-income individuals, help the elderly stay in their homes and fight neighborhood blight. However, the fund has lacked the funding to fully meet those goals.

Since 2012, a portion of the impact fees paid annually by natural gas drillers has been used by the trust fund to finance housing projects in counties with active Marcellus wells.

In Northeast Pennsylvania, the fund last year distributed $630,000 for senior housing in Forest City, $100,000 for rental assistance in Sullivan County, $170,000 for transitional housing in Tunkhannock and more than $1.2 million for housing projects in Towanda and Wyalusing using impact fee revenue, for example.

The legislation would direct a portion of anticipated growth in revenue from the state realty transfer tax on home sales to the fund. The revenue transfer would be capped at $25 million annually.

Based on current growth in the real estate market, this revenue transfer should reach the $25 million ceiling in 2019, according to the Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania, an advocacy group. That would generate sufficient revenue to support projects in all 67 counties.

"I think it makes sense to people that the money come out of the residential real estate market to go back into the residential real estate market," said HAP executive director Liz Hersh.

The state trust fund is also slated to potentially receive $7 million next year for the first time from the National Housing Trust Fund.

The committee votes are the first step in the bill-passing process, but the depth of support is indicated by the names of sponsors representing both parties and urban and rural areas, said Ms. Hersh. The housing projects in the shale region are considered a success and lawmakers want other areas to benefit too, she said.

Pennsylvania has an urgent need for affordable housing which the fund can address, said Sen. Elder Vogel, R-47, Rochester, the Senate bill sponsor.

Because the current revenue source comes from the impact fee, the fund is only active in the 37 counties with Marcellus wells, he said.

Gov. Tom Wolf has not taken a position on the specific legislation, but is committed to finding ways to increase access to affordable housing, said spokesman Jeff Sheridan.