SUNBURY - Northumberland County Children and Youth Services (NCCYS) hosted an event April 15 at Cameron Park highlighting Child Abuse Prevention month.

The theme, "Lighting the Way for Child Abuse Prevention," was interpreted with luminaries through Cameron Park. One luminary represented 36 children impacted by child abuse in Northumberland County during 2014. A total of 72 luminaries lit the park, representing the 2,654 children receiving services from NCCYS.

Speakers included State Rep. Lynda Schlegel Culver (R-108), Judge Anthony Rosini, District Attorney Ann Targonski, NCCYS Administrator Jenifer Willard-Miller, Tori Sencen (youth leadership), Lisa Caruso (youth leadership advisor) and Vicki Rosencrans (youth leadership advisor).

The speakers highlighted the changes in the mandated reporting laws, child abuse in Northumberland County and how to be an active participant in the community to prevent child abuse.

The event kicked off with the national anthem sung by Sunbury Police Chief Brad Hare. Musical selections were provided by Attinger Brothers Entertainment, Tom Fitzgerald and Blake Clark. Other participants included Bikers Against Child Abuse, balloon man Andy Weaver and Northumberland County Youth Leadership.

MILTON - Three programs in Northumberland County that offer high-quality learning environments and tools that encourage children to learn and grow are gearing up for another school year: Early Head Start, Head Start and Pre-K Counts.

"These programs utilize nationally-recognized, research-based curriculum and assessments," said Terri Locke, Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit (CSIU) early childhood program supervisor. "Our staff members are trained on how to use and implement the curriculum in the classroom."

Locke said Early Head Start, Head Start and Pre-K Counts help provide a foundation for children to build upon once they become school age.

"The education a child receives before entering kindergarten will better prepare him or her for success in school and life," she said.

Nutritious meals and snacks are provided to children who attend center-based programs. Limited transportation is available for children in Early Head Start and Head Start, and for children enrolled in Pre-K Counts at Warrior Run School District.

Early Head Start is for expectant mothers and children from birth to age three. It offers education, nutrition, health, social and mental health services, and emphasizes parent involvement. Services are provided in the home or at the Early Head Start Center in Stonington.

Head Start and Pre-K Counts promotes school readiness for 3-, 4- and 5-year olds who are not yet enrolled in school. Head Start centers are located in Coal Township, Herndon, Milton, Mount Carmel, Sunbury and Turbotville. Pre-K Counts is available to residents of Line Mountain, Milton Area, Shikellamy and Warrior Run school districts.

Services are available at no cost to eligible children and families and are coordinated with other agencies to meet all needs of children, including those with disabilities.

Participants must meet federal income guidelines, and are selected based on child and family needs and circumstances. Parents who became unemployed recently also may be eligible.

Applications are now being accepted for the 2015-16 school year. All interested parents are encouraged to apply by calling the CSIU at 570-523-1155, extension 2240 or visiting www.csiu.org/EarlyEd.

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

SUNBURY - Approximately 200 high school students from Columbia, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder and Union counties will participate in the annual Susquehanna Valley High School Envirothon Tuesday at the Shikellamy State Park Overlook.

The annual environmental education competition will begin at 9:15 a.m. and end with an awards presentation at 1:20 p.m. An overall team winner will be named, as well as top teams from each county.

Students from ninth through 12th grades will be tested at five separate stations in each of the following categories: aquatics, forestry, wildlife, soils and a current issue which is "Urban and Community Forestry." A non-testing educational station will also be provided.

Individual county winners will advance in the Pennsylvania State Envirothon competition to be held May 19 and 20 at University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown.

Representatives from the PA Fish Commission, PA Game Commission, Bureau of Forestry, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Bureau of State Parks will conduct the testing at each station. The PA Department of Environmental Protection and conservation district personnel will also be assisting at the event.

The competition is sponsored by Northumberland National Bank, VFW Post 84 in Bloomsburg, Bloomsburg American Legion Post 273, Squadron Post 273 Legion Bloomsburg American Legion, Ag Choice Farm Credit, Central Susquehanna Woodland Owners Association, Roaring Creek Valley Conservation Association, Fishing Creek Watershed Association, Chillisquaque Limestone Watershed Association, R. Wintersteen Excavating, Welby Homes Inc., Watson Excavating, JD Feaster Earthworks Inc., Service Electric Cablevision, Middleswarth Potato Chips, VFW Post 6631 in Selinsgrove, R J Hoffman and Sons, L/B Water Service Inc., Byerly Meats, Stackhouse and Son Well Drilling, Larson Design Group, Meckley's Limestone Products, Inc., The Daily Item, Waste Management of Coal Township, American Legion Auxiliary Post 273 in Bloomsburg, Oakes Coffee and Bottled Water, United Water, Heister House Millworks, Briar Creek Association for Watershed Solutions, Wood Mode Inc. and the local conservation districts of Columbia, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, and Union counties.

The Envirothon program is designed to heighten environmental awareness in each student, test their knowledge and understanding of natural resource issues and produce environmentally responsible adults. Pennsylvania is the birthplace of the Envirothon.

MOUNT CARMEL - Three Mount Carmel Area art students designed winning entries in the "Young American Creative Patriotic Art" competition. The students were required to create a project that expressed patriotism through their art and to also describe in writing the patriotic symbolism represented.

First place went to senior Shane Gudonis, second place to sophomore Selena Guererro and third to senior Paige Domboski. Gudonis' first-place project was made out of a vinyl material called Contrasto, of which he cut out black and white pieces using an Exacto knife. His entry advanced to the next level of competition.

Each winner was presented a certificate and a monetary award by VFW Auxiliary president Christine McLaughlin and patriotic art contest chairman, Barbara Stief of the Mount Carmel VFW Ladies Auxiliary Post 2110. All projects will be on display at the MCA art show in early May and then at the Mount Carmel Area Public Library in June. The coordinator at the school is art teacher Jennifer Stahr.

KULPMONT - Police say a knife-wielding mother was reportedly high on bath salts when she bloodied herself by breaking through a glass window at a borough home.

Candice Renee Adzema, 35, of 1257 Poplar St., Kulpmont, was arraigned Thursday by Magisterial District Judge Hugh A. Jones on 11 criminal charges, including felony aggravated assault. She was unable to post $25,000 bail and was sent to jail.

Police were dispatched about 1:50 p.m. April 6 to 1117 Poplar St. for a report of a woman high on bath salts and armed with a knife. Glass was strewn about the front porch upon arrival, screams were heard from inside the house, and neighbors had gathered outside and on porches nearby, according to a criminal complaint. The disturbance reportedly began at a Poplar Street home one block away.

Adzema allegedly resisted arrest and is accused of kicking Kulpmont Police Chief Michael Pitcavage in the head as she lay on the ground while he attempted to handcuff her. A second officer, Mount Carmel Township Patrolman David Tomtishen, had to help carry her to another part of the home and cuff her wrists, according to a criminal complaint.

A witness told police she believed Adzema was using bath salts, and had become paranoid about the welfare of her children. She allegedly broke through the home's window when two witnesses locked Adzema on the front porch and away from her daughter. Once through, police say Adzema waived a pocket knife at the witnesses.

Adzema is charged by Pitcavage with two counts of aggravated assault and one count of burglary, all felonies, along with misdemeanor counts of simple assault, endangering welfare of a child, possessing instruments of crime, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct. She also faces summary counts of criminal mischief, harassment and public drunkenness, which can be charged against a person accused of being under the influence of a controlled substance.

A preliminary hearing before Jones is scheduled for Wednesday.

LANCASTER - The Northumberland County Department of Public Safety and its 911 dispatchers were recently honored for their efforts coordinating resources during the Northumberland County Prison Fire Jan. 14.

The department received an achievement award from the Pennsylvania Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO) in Lancaster last week. William Brown, the coordinator of the county's 911 center, was happy to see the recognition.

"For how hard our dispatchers worked that day, it was well-deserved for them," Brown said. "Our 911 workers were being recognized right along those dispatchers that handled the Eric Frein case."

"In recognition of their stellar performance in the Jan. 14, 2015, fire at the Northumberland County Prison, the Pennsylvania Chapter of the Association of Public Safety Officials International recognizes Northumberland County 911," the plaque reads.

In addition to the award, Brown and senior dispatcher Timothy Bixler were asked to give an educational program at the conference on Northumberland County's experience with the fire.

"As far back as anyone knows, the county has never been asked to give a program at this conference, so it's a very special honor," Brown said.

With about 150 people in the room, Bixler and Brown passed on the lessons they learned on the day of the fire.

"We've been asked to give this talk to other groups as well," Bixler said. "We learned a lot during that fateful day and now we get the opportunity to pass on that knowledge."

There were three dispatchers and two trainees working at the Northumberland County 911 center Jan. 14 when the fire was reported. From there, Bixler, operators Kevin Harring and Cheryl Reardon, and two trainees worked to coordinate fire and police response while Brown was on site, working the mobile command center.

"It was a great example of teamwork from everyone here," Bixler said. "We were stretched thin, but we all just remembered our training and kept our heads in the game. We got back to basics and used what we learned on a bigger scale."

MOUNT CARMEL - The Mount Carmel Area Elks Students of the Month for February have been announced.

Student of the month is senior Taylor Conches, daughter of Kelly Conches, of Natalie. Taylor is the vice president of the Interact Club, and secretary of the Future Nurses of America. She is a member of Peer Mediation, Future Teachers of America, National Honor Society, and the Ski, Pep and Spanish Clubs.

Conches is a writer, reporter and editor for MCA Live and was a student leader for the ThinkBIG dance marathon for the past two years. Her favorite thing to do is spend time with her Gram, Dianne Adzema. Taylor's future plans are to attend Seaton Hall University to become a physical therapist.

Junior student of the month is sophomore Sara Parker, a daughter of Kevin and Patty Parker, of Kulpmont. She is on the distinguished honor roll, the National Honor society and was a past Elks award winner.

Her activities include varsity cheerleading and Future Teachers of America. She is a ThinkBIG Student Leader and attends the Paper Magic STEAMS after school camp. Her interests include swimming, shopping, hanging out with friends and baking. She plans to attend college to become a teacher.

Teen of the month is eighth- grade student, Megan Green, a daughter of Karen and Robert Green, of Locust Gap. Megan is in the art club and on the honor roll. Her interests include drawing, hanging out with friends, cooking and baking and playing with her little brother, Braden. Megan plans to major in culinary arts or go into the medical field after high school.

Junior teen of the month is seventh grade student Tyler Winhofer, a son of Joe and Sandy Winhofer, of Kulpmont. He is on the junior high wrestling team, junior high football team and junior high track and field team. Winhofer likes to play sports and is on the distinguished honor roll.

WILLIAMSPORT - North Western Pennsylvania Optical Clinic, a privately funded low-cost eyeglass program, has announced plans for two satellite clinics in the area:

- Central Susquehanna Opportunities, 2 E. Arch St., Shamokin, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 1.

- CareerLink, 225 Market St., Sunbury, 9:30 a.m. to noon, June 16.

Participants will need to have prescriptions and make appointments. Call 1-800-1912 for full information and to schedule appointments. Walk-ins are welcome until 11:30 a.m.

North Western provides income-eligible persons with eyeglasses at a low cost of $40. This includes lined bifocals. No-lines are available at an additional cost. A solid tint is also offered.

Income guidelines are: One person, $21,660; two people, $29,140, and increases by $6,960 for each additional person in the household.

Participants will select frames from many that are in stock and have them measured for lenses. Participants pay for glasses at the clinic in cash or money order; frames are shipped to the clinic's lab for assembly and mailed directly to the customer's home.

North Western's base clinic site is at 903 Diamond St., Williamsport. Ten satellite locations are operated in Renovo, Lock Haven, Dushore, Selinsgrove, Bellefonte, Bloomsburg, Towanda, Scranton, Tannersville, Wellsboro, Shamokin, Sunbury, Blooming Grove and Bradford. The clinic tries to set up visits every six to eight weeks.

SHAMOKIN - A New York man who law enforcement officials said moved to Shamokin to deal drugs was arrested Thursday after allegedly selling crack cocaine to a confidential informant.

Leonard Franks, 32, is accused of selling one gram of crack cocaine for $100. The deal was facilitated from his apartment at 209 E. Sunbury St. after 10:20 a.m., police said. He was later taken into custody on Independence Street.

A search of Franks' home turned up an additional 15 grams of crack cocaine parceled in half-gram amounts, according to a criminal complaint. The drug was discovered inside a false bottom of a diversion safe designed to appear as a can of Barbasol shaving cream.

District Attorney Ann Targonski said Franks has lived in Shamokin about one month. She estimated the street value of the crack cocaine seized from his home at $2,100.

Franks, formerly of Bronx, is charged by Cpl. Bryan Primerano with three counts of possession with intent to deliver cocaine, two counts of possession of cocaine, and one count each of criminal use of a communication facility, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a small amount of marijuana. Four of the counts are felonies. He was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III and jailed at the Snyder County Prison, Selinsgrove, in lieu of $40,000 bail.

The informant told police Franks consistently sold both heroin and crack cocaine, the complaint states. Franks said he stopped selling heroin after learning of the recent arrests at a Shamokin day care, according to Primerano, adding that a copy of The News-Item detailing the allegations was seized from Franks' home. Also seized were five grams of marijuana, $162 cash, three boxes of sandwich bags allegedly intended to package narcotics and unidentified paperwork confirming his residency.

Primerano said Franks claimed to have once been a member of the Bloods street gang.

The arrest was made in cooperation with the state Attorney General's Office. Police from Coal Township and Ralpho Township assisted, along with Northumberland County Adult Probation. Additional charges are pending.

CATAWISSA R.R. - The Southern Columbia Area Middle School has released its distinguished and regular honor roll for the third marking period of the 2014-15 school year.

Students named to the distinguished honor roll have achieved a 95 percent or higher average in their subjects.

Students on the honor roll have achieved an average between 88 and 94.999 percent in their subjects.

Distinguished Honors

Grade 5 - Colby Bernhard, Kole Biscoe, Morgan Brill, Jacob Cambria, Savich Chapman, Justin Chen, Brock Dunkelberger, Michael Evert, Brady Feese, Jaron Ferrara, Gavin Garcia, Avery Konyar, Joseph Quinton, Kylee Reeder, Wyatt Roadarmel, Kathryn Waltman, Ashley Whyne, Michael Yancoskie and Patrick Yost.

Grade 6 - Emily Callahan, Hannah Knoebel, Garrett Krebs, Meadow Morris, Bryson Pita, Karly Renn, Colin Sharrow, Sienna Sosnoski, Lucas Stewart, Jayden Toczylousky and Paige Urban.

Grade 7 - Jared Broscious, Mikaela Brouse, Victoria Brown, Madison Colella, Jessica Delbo, Kayla Gallagher, Gaige Garcia, Gina Gratti, Cameron Haladay, Kayla Hauer, Jacob Herr, Sophia Koschoff-Rapkin, Allyson Kranzel, Taylor LeVan, Meghan Morrison, Kathryn Pollard, Lear Quinton, Emilia Raup, Brady Reese, Lauren Rose, Emma Rosko, Elijah Rush, Erick Shufeldt, Chloe Wegrzynowicz, Leslie Wolfe and Ronald Zsido.

Grade 8 - Zachary Bainbridge, Colt Bernhard, Hannah Bradley, Jadyn Brezinski, Carly Britch, Kari Cambria, Haleigh Carter, Autumn Chassie, Morgan Cole, Hanna Davis, Benjamin Dodson, Troy Donlan, Jillian Dunkelberger, Jared Ebersole, Kortney Fasold, Susan Gembic, Tiffany Horton, Gabriella Kaminski, Nicole Kerstetter, Ethan Knoebel, Brooklynn Kuijpers, Allyson Leiby, Caitlyn Lichtel, Maria Maresca, Jillian Marks, Connor McGinley, Michael Miner, Calista Noll, Gabriel O'Donnell, Samantha Palacz, Jacob Petro, Sarah Rodriguez, Viktoria Romania, Haley Scopelliti, Alec Sharrow, Cassandra Sharrow, Jacob Stahley, Michael Steele, Emma Steely and Alexandra Willhouse.

Honor Roll

Grade 5 - Landon Beagle Clayton Bennage, Chase Billig, Natalie Bodnar, Owen Bosworth, Stephanie Campbell, Ethan Carpenter, Nicholas Chesney, Chase Conway, Evelyn Cook, Mason Cooper, Logan Corrigan, Cailee Davis, Emily Dodson Connor Gallagher, Rachel Hollenbach, Gatlin Hovenstine, Nathan Hoy, Matthew Hricenak, Reese Humphrey, Kelly Irons, Hanna Keller, Liam Klebon, Abigail Knoebel, Abigail Knouse, Olivia Long, Wyatt Mack, Morgan Marks, Matthew Masala, Hailee Mayernick, Mallory McBride, Rayne McCoog, Elizabeth Miller, Jillian Morgan, Alexander Morrison, Tyler Novak, Mackenzie Palacz, Rylee Petro, Riley Reed, Madison Reidinger, Kianna Rizzo, Janet Rodgers, Griffin Romania, Jake Rose, Giana Rovito, Carson Savitski, Cassidy Savitski, Dakota Simpson, Lauren Smith, Jacob Snyder, Paige St. Andre, Marlee Swank, Kiya Thomas, Olivia Thompson, Ella Trathen, Kailey Wagner, Gauge Wommer, Christian Woodruff, Alexis Zanini and Michael Zsido.

Grade 6 - Joshua Bainbridge, Emily Bender, Zackariah Buono, Faith Callahan, Grace Callahan, Megan Champoux, Taylor Christman, Chase Derk, Tyler Derk, Lauren Duncan Patrick Edmondson, Brionna Gallagher, Maddelynn Griscavage, Tyler Hajdu, Chade Haladay, Cordell Helwig, Garrett Hummel, Tyler Jeffrey, Gabriel Kulick, Kayla Levan, Marissa Levan, Madison Longenhagen, Monica Maresca, Jennifer Maurer, Troy Meier, Ruth Miller, Nicholas Miner, Katherine O'Donnell, Chase Petro, Jaymie Petro, Logan Potter, Jaxson Purnell, Campbell Reck, Emma Schultz, Addison Sharrow, Alexis Steenburg, Lily Sudol, Tyler Waltman, Derek Wertman, Timothy Witcoskie, Ian Yoder and Thomas Ziemba.

Grade 7 - Evan Bebenek, Maura Blusius, Franklin Brassard, Kiersten Brecht, Hannah Bridy, Grace Bzdak, Jamie Chen, Hailey Ciocco, Max Clark, Halle Cox, Elliott Dobson, Collin Doraski, Tiffany Dunkelberger, Amelia Esposito, Kaylin Fetterolf, Cal Haladay, Ethan Haupt, Braden Heim, Matthew Hess, Nathaniel Hicks, Nathan Hunsinger, Nathan Kearney, Makenna Keefer, Michelle Kerstetter, Brianna Kopp, Aaron Koschoff-Rapkin, Austin Leiby, Devon Lindenmuth, Sierra Long, Veronica Manuel, Morgan Marks, Ian Nevius, Ayzah Quinn, Ty Roadarmel, Hunter Shoup, Kaitlynn Shultz, Keegan Shultz Alyssa Strocko, Joseph Szuler, Max Tillett, Aden Trathen, Alicia Trathen, Dorran Wetzel, Gage Whitenight, Madison Wilcox, Teagan Wilk, Thomas Williams, Rilyn Wisloski, Preston Zachman and Mary Zakrzewski.

Grade 8 - Allison Beaver, Haylea Bingaman, Craig Boyer, Brett Brassington, Cara Cecco, Gavin Corrigan, Nathaniel Crowl, Vanessa Damgaard, Emily Davis, Calvin Deitrick, Ethan Dunkelberger, Alexus Fetterman, DeeDee George, Chase Haught, Abigail Henrichs, Matthew Irons, Kaitlyn Karlovich, Lindsey Kerstetter, Darrian Kittle, Tyler Kriebel, Joseph Lobos, Meghan Longenhagen, Kaitlyn McHale, Shane Miller, Kevin Olvany, Bryce Reidinger, Michael Sabo, Marley Seger, Cally Seidel, Parker Shadle, Johnathan Sherman, Kevin Sincavage, John Stabinski, Madison Straub and Ross Wertman.

HOUSTON - Three Northumberland County fire departments will check items off their shopping lists thanks to $20,000 from the Atlantic Sunrise Community Grant Program.

East Cameron Township Fire Company received $10,000 for a fire truck replacement. Elysburg Fire Department will use $5,000 toward rehabilitating an emergency vehicle. Ralpho Fire Company No. 1 will spend $5,000 on replacing self-contained breathing apparatus.

Through the program, Williams Companies Inc., an energy company based in Tulsa, Okla., funded 49 programs in the 10 counties affected by the Atlantic Sunrise pipeline project.

The Atlantic Sunrise project is a proposed expansion of the existing Transco natural gas pipeline system in eastern Pennsylvania designed to transport enough natural gas to serve approximately 7 million homes. The design and construction of the project is projected to generate approximately $1.6 billion in positive economic impact, according to a study authored by researchers at Pennsylvania State University.

The application deadline for a second round of grants is Sept. 1.

MOUNT CARMEL - International Paper's Mount Carmel box plant achieved a safety milestone by reaching 100 months without an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) lost-time incident in manufacturing.

A lost time incident is defined as a work-related injury or illness that results in an individual being unable to work on a subsequent scheduled work day or shift.  

The Mount Carmel plant, part of International Paper's corrugated box business, was recognized by IP Senior Vice President Bill Hoel. "Your commitment to working safely is successful because the Mount Carmel team consistently displays safety leadership and immediately acts on a safety solution when needed," said Hoel. "Your safety efforts are an excellent example for others to follow across our 130 box plants and throughout International Paper."

IP Complex Plant Manager Joe Olszewski welcomed the recognition and applauded the efforts of the Mount Carmel team for achieving the safety milestone. "Every day our goal is to keep our team members safe, and everyone on the team takes that responsibility personally. We look out for each other and, as a result, we are able to celebrate this major safety accomplishment."

Olszewski said working safely takes the determination of each team member in the Mount Carmel plant and a dedication to being safe. He said he and the 130 team members at the plant are proud to celebrate their safety achievement, but he emphasized that "the most important thing is we all continue to go home safely every day to our family members and friends."

The Mount Carmel plant also attributes their safety success to effective observations, housekeeping, training and, most importantly, safety leadership among all team members. With strong engagement, all Mount Carmel team members are encouraged to be involved in ensuring a safe work environment.

International Paper (NYSE: IP) is a global leader in packaging and paper with manufacturing operations in North America, Europe, Latin America, Russia, Asia and North Africa. Its businesses include industrial and consumer packaging along with uncoated papers and pulp. Headquartered in Memphis, the company employs approximately 58,000 people and is located in more than 24 countries serving customers worldwide. International Paper net sales for 2014 were $24 billion. For more information about International Paper, its products and stewardship efforts, go to internationalpaper.com.

MILLERSBURG - Art students at Line Mountain High School got a taste of professional life this week when a show exclusively featuring their work opened Sunday at The Gallery on the Square in Millersburg.

The gallery, located at 226 Union St., Millersburg, will host 40 pieces of the student's art until May 16.

Art teacher Wes Wagner smiles like an overjoyed parent when he talks about his student's work.

"I'm very proud of my students," he said.

Though he tries to remain neutral, he has a few favorites among the pieces on display. In particular, he likes a ceramic teapot titled "Spice" by Emma Miller.

"It's her first piece in ceramics here," he said.

The teapot is displayed disassembled in the gallery, showing how two ceramic cups fit into the pot for storage. Most clever, Wagner said, is the lid, which has a slot to hold tea bags.

Fitting with the pumpkin-ridged exterior of the teapot, Miller placed pumpkin spice tea in the slot for display.

The students prepared and installed their work in the gallery, valuable skills Wagner said will help them if the choose to pursue a career in art.

"They need to learn exhibition, how to get your work ready and prepare it for show," said Wagner. "The 'engineering' behind display - it's often more than hanging from a wire."

He described the difficulties of one piece, "Entrapment," also created by Miller. The piece holds a gold-leafed ceramic egg inside layers of grapevine, and needed to be hung to be displayed properly.

"It's an installation kind of piece," said Wagner.

Though some of the pieces are more highbrow art, the show includes some whimsical pop art in the style Andy Warhol. "Crawlers Pop Art," a blown-up replica of the gummy candy made by Bailey Masser from paper colored with tempera and ink draws a contrast to Miller's more muted tones.

Wagner, who has a sculpture background but worked in graphic design for several years before becoming a teacher, also sought to include pieces from his graphic design students. "Cool Circuits," a logo design for the Pennsylvania High School Computer Fair by Sierra Bobb, is one example of how Wagner found the intersection between visual and commercial art.

The Gallery on the Square, run by the Millersburg Area Art Association Inc., is open Thursdays and Fridays from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

MOUNT CARMEL - The Mount Carmel Area Board of Education merit award winners for February were recognized at the March school board meeting.

The elementary merit award winner is fifth-grade student Judy Kanafani, a daughter of Ed Kanafani and Maram Abdul, of Mount Carmel. Judy was nominated by her teachers Dawn Palewicz and Rita Boyer. Palewicz said, "Judy is a distinguished honor roll student who strives to do her best and is in the process of writing a novel called 'Nothing's Impossible' to fulfill her love of writing." Kanafani participates in the gifted program, STEAMS program and Odyssey of the Mind at MCA and her OM team recently placed first in the regional competition and advanced to the state level.

She is a member of the elementary school band and plays both piano and trombone. Judy also swims competitively for Pottsville YMCA and plays AYSO soccer. Throughout her busy schedule, Kanafini finds the time to make sure that she excels in school and her extracurricular activities.

The high school merit award winner is 11th-grade student Dominic Farronato, a son of Mike and Angela Farronato, of Den Mar gardens. Farranato was nominated by his English teacher Shanna Haden who said, "Dominic strives above his peers in terms of academic achievement in my Advance Placement Literature class.

He is an asset to the learning environment of Mount Carmel Area and is a positive role model. Dominic has some of the highest grades in my AP course, especially on projects and always comes to class prepared and ready to discuss any literary theory text."

Dominic participates in many extra-curricular activities and is president of the Reading Club, vice-president of the Future Nurses of America, an active member of the Interact club and volunteers as a student leader for ThinkBIG, supporting pediatric cancer.

He has been the starting quarterback for the varsity football team this past season and is on the varsity track and field team. His future plans are to attend a four-year university to major in business.

Pre-K registrations accepted

COAL TOWNSHIP - Shamokin Area School District is currently accepting registrations for the 2015-16 Pre-K program for 4-year-olds.

Parents can register at the administration office between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

The following items are necessary to register: Birth or baptismal certificate, immunization record, proof of residency, custody order (if applicable) and 2014 federal income taxes.

Children must be 4 years old by the first day of school - tentatively Aug. 31, 2015 - to qualify.

Last train event at mall today

BUCKHORN - The Loose Ties Model Railroad Society has announced their Wheelchair Engineers program at the Columbia Mall will end May 1, and the final day of operation is today from noon to 4 p.m. in the Sears end of the Columbia Mall.

The society continues to operate it Saturday Trains program for the public every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Christ Memorial Episcopal Church, corner of Pine and East Market streets, Danville.

Note: "On the Job" examines occupations both common and unique once a month in 2015

COAL TOWNSHIP - The old saying goes, "One man's trash is another man's treasure."

For Aaron Kerstetter, owner of Empire Trucking and Disposal, of West Cameron Township, having the job of picking up trash and working close to home gives him a great treasure - time to spend with his daughter.

"She is the world to me," Kerstetter said about Brooke. "With this job, it gives me the chance to be closer to home and watch her grow up."

Four days a week, Kerstetter and his sole employee, Mike Swinehart, of Trevorton, travel area streets, picking up residential trash. The two are normally on the road by 5 a.m.

"I just try to make a living. I get along with everyone and have a good relationship with my customers," Kerstetter said. He's been in business three years.

'It's good work'

At a typical stop, Swinehart will head to the residence to pick up the trash can or bags left out for them, while Kerstetter sits in the truck with a clipboard, marking down how many bags are collected. When the load is particularly heavy, Kerstetter will get out and give Swinehart a hand.

"We get along great," Kerstetter said, acknowledging they are always "picking on each other."

"He's a good boss," Swinehart comes back.

Asked how he got into the garbage game, Swinehart said, "I needed a job." But, he added, "it's good work."

When the back of the 2007 refuse hauler Kerstetter uses fills up, its mighty hydraulic system roars to life, pushing the trash into a separate compartment, helping to keep the familiar smell of garbage down. Once that compartment is filled, they head to a transfer station to unload, then start again.

Picking up individual bags is the procedure during the morning hours. In the afternoons, Kerstetter will drive a different truck, either dropping off or picking up the larger roll-off containers.

It's a long day of work, but Kerstetter gives a lot of credit to Swinehart and office manager Debra Nye.

"In the first seven months, it was just me, but Mike and Deb have really helped me out immensely, and all of my customers are great," Kerstetter said.

All about the truck

When not out on the road, Kerstetter is working at his home base, keeping up with maintenance on the truck, which includes keeping it clean.

"We wash the truck in and out every week," Kerstetter said.

The truck is the lifeblood of the business and helps Empire makes its money - and where most of the funds are spent, too.

"There is always a big bill around the corner," Kerstetter said.

For example, he recently had to replace the EGR valve, a tiny part about the size of an orange that helps regulate exhaust. The cost: $900.

"The truck recently needed two tires in the front, that cost $900," he added. "The cooling system was about $2,000 to fix recently."

Add in the usual wear-and-tear, fuel for a truck that gets about "four miles to a gallon" and licenses, permitting fees and dumping fees, and that's a lot of garbage that needs to be picked up.

"It's a hectic day, and when the weather is bad, it's tough," he said. "But you keep pushing on."

Customers, family

What helps is the relationship he maintains with his customers. When Kerstetter sees them, he is always quick with a smile and a greeting. He carries biscuits for dogs along the route. Customers appreciate that.

"They are the reason we are in business, so I like to keep them happy," he said.

For Kerstetter, it's a change from working in the construction field and traveling from one end of the state to the other.

"Being closer to home, I can attend more of my daughter's functions and spend time with my family," he said. "That is what I live for."

COAL TOWNSHIP - Coal Township Street Department has announced the street sweeping schedule for the final week of the spring season, beginning Monday.

Ferndale

Monday - North side of State Street from Oak Street to Jackson Street, morning, and south side of State Street from Oak Street to Jackson Street, afternoon.

Tuesday - North side of Fern Street from Oak Street to Jackson Street, morning, and south side of Fern Street from Oak Street to Jackson Street, afternoon.

Thursday - North side of Willow Street from Oak Street to Jackson Street, morning, and south Side of Willow Street from Oak Street to Jackson Street, afternoon.

Trevorton Road

Monday and Tuesday - Highview Estates and all other paved upper and lower roads along Trevorton Road.

Edgewood

Thursday - North side of Stetler Drive and Park Road, morning, and south Side of Stetler Drive and Park Road, afternoon.

Rescheduled

(From mechanical breakdown earlier in the season)

Friday - South end of Tharp Street and adjoining streets, morning, and north end of Tharp Street and adjoining streets, afternoon.

KULPMONT - Facing high school baseball players from Shamokin Area and Mount Carmel Area high schools, Kaitlyn Montgomery told her story of how an injury while participating in high school sports saved her life.

It was a recommendation by her track and field coach to see a doctor following a pole vault injury that led to the discovery that what she thought for months was a cold causing lumps in her neck was actually stage 3 Hodgkin's lymphoma.

The 22-year-old, who has been cancer free for more than four years after six months of chemotherapy, threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Veterans Memorial Sports Complex in Kulpmont.

Cassandra Niglio, coordinator of Mount Carmel Area's ThinkBIG Dance Marathon and classmate of Montgomery at Bloomsburg University, invited the Pipersville native to the "Gold Sock Game," which was renamed for the day to coincide with the gold socks worn by both teams to raise cancer awareness. Student leaders of the marathon also collected donations, which will go to Geisinger Janet Weis Children's Hospital's ThinkBIG Pediatric Cancer Fund.

Montgomery said she suffered through health issues, including sickness and hair loss, during treatment. She stressed that detecting cancer early can make a big difference.

"Know your body. I consider my pole vault injury to be lucky, because it sent me to the doctor," she said. "The only option I had was to fight."

SHAMOKIN - Trinity Lutheran Church, 65 E. Sunbury St., will celebrate its 175th anniversary Sunday with a service and celebration dinner at Masser's Banquet Hall, Paxinos.

The Rev. Robert L. Driesen, bishop of the Upper Susquehanna Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ECLA), will preside over the 10 a.m. anniversary service along with the church's pastor, the Rev. David Hauck.

According to church records, provided by member Ron Manney, The church's first services were held in 1840 at the Central School House, located where the old vacant Washington School building now stands on Sunbury Street. During that time, several different denominations were meeting there and the founding fathers of the church felt that an individual house of worship should be started for those of the Lutheran faith.

William and Reuben Fegley, leading businessmen in Shamokin, along with members of another church appealed to the Rev. John P. Shindel, pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Sunbury, to come to Shamokin and lead them. Pastor Shindel accepted and added Shamokin to the list of churches he would pastor. His dynamic personality and his preaching drew large crowds at each of the services in Shamokin. The first church was named Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church of Shamokintown.

In 1861, land was purchased on Sunbury Street to build a new church. Plans were completed for the new building and in the summer of 1865, ground was broken at the location where the church stands today.

On March 12, 1866, Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church of Shamokin was officially chartered and approved by the court as a non-profit sharing corporation. While still under construction, the first services at the new church were held in its basement Jan. 20, 1867. The church was completed in July of that year.

The total cost of the new church was $10,500 at the time of its completion. One visiting pastor noted, "It is decidedly a most attractive church in the town of Shamokin and reflects much credit upon the pastor and those associated with him in its construction."

In the spring of 1886, special arrangements were made to accommodate the German-speaking Lutherans of Shamokin.

On Oct. 31, 1886, a special meeting was held with 10 persons present and a new congregation was formed, which eventually became Grace Lutheran Church on Chestnut Street.

Stained glass windows and new pews were installed in 1887; a divided chancel, 1889; electric lights, 1899; a brass pulpit and lectern, 1913; erection of a social hall, 1923; and an 1,800-pipe Moller three-manual organ in 1924.

The outstanding social activity in the early years of the church was the annual church picnic in the woods between the Central School House and the McConnell residence located at the corner of Sunbury and Orange Streets.

A large, unique, stained glass window depicting Martin Luther is positioned at the back of the main sanctuary.

Trinity Lutheran Church celebrated its 150th anniversary in 1990. The Rev. Alfred Bashore served as pastor of the church for many decades from 1964 until the 1990s. The church's current pastor is the Rev. David Hauck.

SUNBURY - A case of false identification landed an Ashland man in jail for a month, and it's alleged it was all of his own doing.

Brian Dietrick, 44, of 7 S. 19th St., likely knew he was bound for prison when he was pulled over by Shenandoah police in late March. He had multiple outstanding warrants, including for felony drug charges.

But Dietrick identified himself as his older brother, 49-year-old Lewis, knowing his brother had a warrant for a lesser offense, according to multiple sources. Brian Dietrick was processed into three separate county prisons, was in custody of multiple law enforcement agencies, and appeared before a Northumberland County judge before the ruse was discovered this week.

Looked alike

Turns out big brother learned little brother was locked up under the wrong name and contacted Shenandoah police himself Wednesday, Northumberland County District Attorney Ann Targonski said. However, police didn't contact Northumberland County officials, she said.

But suspicion had already been raised among Northumberland County prison staff, who confirmed Dietrick's tattoos didn't match what was on record under his brother's file, Targonski said. A fingerprint scan affirmed what Dietrick was allegedly the first to know: that he was using a false identity.

Despite the age difference, photos of the brothers available to prison staff would do little to tell the two apart, according to Bruce Kovach, Northumberland County Prison warden.

"I know they're not twins, but they're really close (in appearance). Looking at the photos, you'd never know," Kovach said Friday. "So many people checked this guy out and were convinced this was the right guy."

Kovach said he'd heard of similar situations in other prisons, but hadn't experienced it before himself. Intake procedures will be reviewed with prison staff and arresting officers, Kovach said.

"I don't believe that any Northumberland County law enforcement or prison officials were negligent in performing their duties. We took the identity of the suspect by virtue of what the (Shenandoah) officer reported," Targonski said.

"People typically don't go to jail under their brother's name because it's not as bad as going to jail under their own name," she said.

The warrant for Lewis Dietrick was for failing to show for a revocation hearing. He didn't pay court costs. That's the warrant Brian Dietrick was processed on. He was held at Schuylkill County Prison and picked up by Northumberland County officials March 25, when he was remanded to Snyder County Prison. Two days later, he was in Northumberland County Court before being transferred to the county prison section of SCI-Coal Township.

He's scheduled to return to Northumberland County Court on Monday, this time under his correct identity, on a bench warrant related to a 2004 theft case. Active warrants against him include a felony drug case filed in Schuylkill County in November 2014 and a theft case filed in Luzerne County in May 2014.

Charges pending

Multiple charges stemming from the March traffic stop, including false identification and possession of drug paraphernalia, are expected to be filed against him next week in the office of Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker, Shenandoah. Targonski said there are no plans to file additional charges. He remains jailed at SCI-Coal Township.

Targonski recalled a similar incident with similar results.

"I can remember another incident where a suspect gave his brother's name because he did not have a driver's license. It turned out that his brother's license had been suspended anyway," Targonski said.