In the parlance of the coal region, my family lived "a few doors down the block" from George Kerestes and his family for over a half century.

When we received word of George's death, the first thought that occurred to me was that in more than 50 years I cannot recall ever seeing him lose his patience or his temper. In my mind's eye and ear, I can picture him with a smile on his face and ready to launch a good-natured laugh.

My brothers, sister and I grew up with George and Dolores Kerestes' sons Michael and Mark. Our mothers were friends and so were our dads. As a matter of fact, George and Dad were part of a small group of guys who socialized together occasionally for several years.

One night at a social club, Dad ran into a former high school student of his, who was apparently unhappy about the grade he had received in Dad's class and wanted to fight him. George, who worked at Danville State Hospital for many years, stepped in and told Dad he would handle it. Within seconds, genial George had the guy taken down and restrained on the floor until he rethought his plans.

George was also there for my Dad when Dad's Alzheimer's reached the point where he could no longer stay safely at home. While Mother, my siblings and I were making arrangements at the Lebanon VA, George kept an eye on Dad. He also got quite a workout because Dad loved to walk and George must have covered several miles with him.

It wasn't until I was an adult that I realized that George was of a different faith than we were. He attended St. Matthew's Slovak Lutheran Church across the street from our Catholic church. His different denomination was irrelevant because of the type of person he was.

George Kerestes was a great neighbor and an even better person. My family and I hope that someday we will again live a "few doors down the block" from George to see that familiar smile and hear that familiar laugh.

+++

Good neighbors are God's neighbors.

ELYSBURG - The suspense ended Saturday at Knoebels Amusement Resort as the Impulse roller coaster did indeed open to the public on opening day of the park's 79th season of operation.

Brian Knoebel, one of the park operators who, with other members of the fourth generation of the family, was involved in bringing the new steel roller coaster to life, said construction workers and dedicated staff members worked well into the night and early morning to get everything ready for Saturday's opening.

"It was a true team effort with our staff, Anskis Construction and C&D Rigging working overnight to help make our dream come true," Knoebel said.

Their efforts were well-received by the Knoebels park-goers and roller coaster aficionados.

"The Impulse exceeded my expectations," said Christa Galvin, of New Jersey. "I love Knoebels' wooden coasters, but this is really good."

Impulse, with its 98-foot-high chain lift hill, a 90-degree free-fall drop, several inversions, nearly 2,000 feet of track and speeds topping 55 mph, is the first project undertaken by the fourth generation of the Knoebel family - Dick's sons, Brian and Rick, and Buddy's son, Trevor.

At the groundbreaking ceremony in September, president Dick Knoebel praised the three for undertaking the project. Now, seven months later, Brian Knoebel said he hopes the public enjoy the fruit of their labors.

"There have been people I've talked to who said last night was like Christmas Eve for them, and it's like that for us too," Brian Knoebel said. "We just can't wait to unwrap this present."

"The workers have spent a lot of long hours, late nights and cold weather in the past six months getting this ride built and ready," Trevor Knoebel said during the opening ceremony.

"We've worked hard, but now it's time for you to have some fun," Rick Knoebel said. "We are going to take you 98 feet in the air and turn you upside down four times." Such talk did not seem to scare anyone away.

Prior to the Impulse's inaugural ride, an auction was held to occupy the seats on its first car to the public. Proceeds from the auction would benefit one of the Knoebels favorite charities, Give Kids the World, a resort in central Florida where children with life-threatening illnesses and their families spend weeklong, cost-free fantasy vacations.

Some of those children will often come to Knoebels and be guests of the park as well, so the charity is close to their heart.

Auctioneer R.J. Crawford looked over the crowd of about 300 people that came from near and far to watch and be part of the coaster's first rides and encouraged the people to bid with their hearts and not with their wallets.

For the first seat, a bidding war quickly developed between Mark Anskis, president of Anskis Construction, and Doug Hetrick, of C&D Rigging. When it was all over, Anskis purchased the first seat for $2,000.

Crawford then made Hetrick the offer of buying the second seat for the same price, which he accepted.

The two, instrumental in working to get the coaster constructed, then handed the prized tickets to a father and daughter, David Cleaver and Emma Nolo, visiting from Shippensburg.

"This is absolutely amazing," Cleaver said. "I used to come here all the time with my grandparents from Catawissa, and Emma rode her first ride here at six months old."

When asked why they gave the rides away, Anskis said he was waiting for his son to visit the park with him to ride it for the first time.

"For me, it was about giving back to the Knoebel family and helping to support their cause," Hetrick said.

Once the 24 seats were purchased, $7.325 was raised for charity. The sale price for a seat on the first three rides of the eight-seat cars started at $100.

After cutting a ribbon at the entrance way, the first riders were locked into the seats and began their 75-second journey through the twists and turns that the blue-and-yellow steel coaster provided.

The screams could be heard as the eight riders rocketed down the 98-foot descent and then turned every which way.

After slowing down and heading back to the station, smiles were on the faces of the riders.

When asked what her favorite part of the ride was, Nolo said, "All of it," with a big smile.

"This one is going to be a huge hit for the park," said coaster enthusiast David Lipnicky, of Texas. "It is incredibly smooth with still plenty of opportunity to catch some air and you won't be beat up after it."

The park held a reception at a nearby pavilion while the line stretched along the fence as about 100 riders waited to open their season of amusement park fun at Knoebels Amusement Resort "on an Impulse."

The park opened for its 79th season on Saturday, with this year featuring the 30th anniversary of the Phoenix Roller Coaster, new food offerings, and other attractions.

A ride on the Impulse will cost $3 in tickets, and will be included in the park's basic hand stamp option.

The park will be open only on weekends until May 20 when it will begin seven-day-a-week operations.

BURNSIDE - The first community benefit ride at the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area was a rousing success, organizers said Saturday.

Operations manager Dave Porzi reported 375 riders came to the outdoor riding area Saturday, raising more than $6,000 for local emergency responders.

Saturday's ride was intended as the first in a series to raise funds for local communities. The AOAA has also contributed to Coal and Zerbe townships through donations.

Marked loops on the eastern and western reserves of the park were available for riding Saturday, with open riding done on the eastern reserve. Food vendors were also on site to provide meals.

The AOAA thanked the Anthracite Trail Riders group and the Forest Hill Fire Company for their volunteer help during the benefit ride.

Editor's note: One in a series of interviews with the eight candidates for Northumberland County commissioner.

SHAMOKIN - George L. Zalar has served as a Coal Township commissioner for 15 years, and believes he can take some of the ideas he's had at the local level and implement them in more communities as a member of the Northumberland County Board of Commissioners.

One of the key ideas in his campaign is a refocused fight on blight, which he believes is the crux of problems in many county com-

munities.

Zalar said the Northumberland County Blight Task Force has already helped municipalities eliminate some blight, but he believes some tweaking can help ramp up its efforts.

"Why couldn't we form our own demolition squad for the county?" Zalar proposed.

He cited declining Community Development Block Grant funds as an obstacle for municipalities hoping to demolish buildings. Additionally, each municipality is managing its own small number of projects, creating more overhead. Forming a county-wide department to perform this task could decrease demolition costs, ultimately allowing the county to clean up more blighted properties.

"Blight is a fight for all of us," said Zalar.

He said blighted buildings marring many neighborhoods and downtowns in the county deter economic growth and attract crime; addressing it means, at the same time, the county is encouraging economic development.

He described municipalities as "little kingdoms" with their own complex issues, service systems and cultures, but said the county could relieve some of the financial pressure all are facing through programs that help with common problems.

Prison and privatizing

A Democrat, Zalar is married and the father of two. He's worked as a business agent for a local union for 28 years.

The 45-year-old said his job involves working alongside other people daily, coordinating work for job sites and solving problems. That and his long tenure with Coal Township provides him the experience he thinks would be necessary to collaborate with the other two county commissioners on projects.

He said his management style consists of sitting back and weighing the issues, and he prefers "getting to the root of the problem and working through it" over yelling.

While he and other candidates who aren't current commissioners don't have access to the details of ongoing issues, he is convinced on what to do about one of the county's most high-profile projects: the prison. While there is much debate about rehabilitating the old or building new, Zalar makes his stance clear: "Build it," he said.

He said he's not "100 percent" behind using the Moran or former Celotex property, but believes the prison should remain in the Sunbury area.

"I do think we need to leave our resources there," he said.

As for building a new courthouse, which has also been proposed for the same site as a new prison, he has a different approach.

"I think the courthouse is fine," Zalar said. "Leave it where it currently is now and do a restoration on it."

Instead of using funds to build a new courthouse, Zalar would prefer to build a prison large enough to accommodate federal prisoners in transit to generate revenue. These prisoners would stay in the Northumberland County Prison for a few weeks or months before being transported to their permanent places at federal penitentiaries. In exchange, the county would bill the federal prison system a daily fee.

Zalar said he's not overly eager to privatize county projects, but believes each department should be considered individually to weigh the benefits. He cited the move by Coal Township to pave its own roads as an example of how bringing a previously outsourced task back to township control allowed it to be performed more efficiently.

"We wouldn't be able to pave half of what we do if we didn't pave our own," he said.

He has reservations over the planned closure of the weatherization department and decision to transfer responsibilities to SEDA-COG. Though SEDA-COG has experience with weatherization in other counties, it lacks the connection that existed between the county department and local businesses.

"I've had a lot of concerns on what I've read," he said.

Taxing the AOAA

In his hometown area, Zalar and his fellow commissioners have battled with the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area (AOAA) Authority over a possible 5 percent amusement tax on park admissions. While the township board agreed to give the AOAA some time at startup to see what revenue it generated, the tax will be brought up again for consideration in January.

With more than 90 percent of the park's proceeds coming from non-county residents, Zalar said it's essential for the township to receive some revenue in exchange for the additional costs the park imposes on the township. He's supported the tax, noting he's never "turned around" from an event or park because the admission cost happened to include a tax.

He would also like to see certain areas of the park designated solely for non-motorized activities like hunting, and he believes the discounted rate for in-county residents should be further decreased.

"The charge is just too extreme," he said.

As for its effect on the local economy, he said, unfortunately, many visitors from the south and east come in on Route 125 through Gowen City and never venture further into Coal Township or Shamokin to make purchases.

Overall, he said he supports the AOAA for helping clean up and maintain the county land it occupies.

Workers' program

Zalar also has his eye on creating programs he believes will benefit the county, such as a workers program. It would partner with large firms - he named Walmart and Reinhart as possible examples - to connect unemployed residents with jobs, in some cases helping force able-bodied people to take jobs.

Though he thinks management of criminals who are pushed from one community to the next to avoid police crackdowns should be handled primarily by the district attorney, he believes something like the workers program could help curtail crime.

Will keep current job

If elected, Zalar said he plans to continue in his union position while still devoting time to the county.

"I have flexibility in my hours," he said about his current job.

He said the recent pay cut to commissioners did not affect him in this decision. He simply prefers to be busy.

"I never had plans on quitting my job," Zalar said, adding that he does not see a need to be at the administration building or courthouse every hour of the business week. "That's why you have personnel."

His desire to stay involved in public affairs drove him to enter both the county commissioner race and seek re-election on the township board. He can't hold both roles, he said, and will give up the township position if elected to the county. If he doesn't win the county seat, Zalar said he'll gladly continue on at the township because he enjoys public service.

"I like being involved," he said. "The county's not a given thing."

He also noted the limited number of people running for municipal seats nowadays.

His own campaign

Zalar first sought to advance beyond township politics with a run for the state House of Representatives when Bob Belfanti retired in 2010. He won the primary, but lost by a 2-1 margin to Kurt Masser in the general election. The campaign turned nasty late in the going when Democratic state campaigners launched a personal attack on Masser's past on Zalar's behalf. The move drew many criticisms, and some blamed it for Zalar's loss.

He said there were many factors, including nationwide Republican election success, but did acknowledge he "let Harrisburg get too involved" with the campaign.

This time around, he's running his own show, which he said offers him more control of his message. He prefers this, he said, because he has autonomy to make choices.

"I have people helping me," he said, "but the ultimate decision at the end of the day is mine."

George L. Zalar

Age: 45

Residence: Coal Township

Family: Married for 15 years to Amy (Kuzmick) Zalar. Two children, Blake and Elizabeth.

Occupation: President/business agent for Ironworkers Local 404.

Political experience: Coal Township commissioner, 15 years.

ELYSBURG - One of my favorite movies of all time is the original version of "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" starring Gene Wilder. The plot centers on five youngsters who find golden tickets that gain access to the secretive Wonka Candy Factory.

I felt like one of those youngsters Saturday when Stacy Ososkie, public relations director for Knoebels Amusement Resort, gave me the opportunity to be one of the first riders on the new Impulse roller coaster.

Not wanting to miss a "golden" opportunity like this, I headed up the steps to the station, waiting to climb aboard the eight-passenger car that transported me to 75 seconds of pure adrenaline.

An added treat was being placed in the same row of seats with park president Dick Knoebel and Brian Knoebel.

There was just a bit of apprehension on my part. While boarding roller coasters in some of the bigger parks, the locking mechanism on roller coaster seats don't always work well for guys my size. I joked about being a guinea pig for big people everywhere, but an attendant told me not to worry.

On the Impulse, each seat has its own individual lap bar, and I was able to fit in quite nicely and secure myself and my belongings. I remembered to take off my loose-fitting glasses - but this was because I didn't want them to fly off, not because I'm afraid to see what lies before me.

Once the attendants gave the OK sign, the ride operator pushed the button and we slowly made our way down the track and toward the ... first (oh my gracious)... hill.

The chain connected and the eight of us began to make our ascent. Unlike the Phoenix and Twister where the cars go up a gradual incline, the Impulse took us straight up a 90-degree incline. We could not see the track below us, only the sky coming toward us.

"How far yet, how far yet?" one rider said as Brian Knoebel smiles and jokes, "When are we gonna drop?"

Eventually, we did drop. At another 90-degree angle, for 98 feet.

It's a smaller drop than the 148-foot StratosFear ride at the park, but the difference is you are looking straight down at the ground that is coming faster and faster at you. A few twists and turns later, you begin preparations for the first time the coaster becomes inverted for a full 360-degree loop.

Another few twists and turns and we came to my favorite part of the entire ride - the corkscrew that takes you through the fourth time you are upside down.

For me, one of the best things about roller coasters is the feeling of flying out of the seat, much like the "whoop-de-doos" at the end of the Phoenix ride. My larger frame flew out of my seat four - yes, four - times, but the restraint system kept me and everyone else in place.

We returned to the station with all eight of us giving the ride a big round of applause. Dick looked at me and says, "I bet you could fill a whole edition writing about this coaster."

I probably could, but any words that I use can't do the experience justice, so I will simply say that anyone who has ever been a fan of roller coasters must put Impulse at the top of their list.

During the opening ceremonies, several mentions were made about the fourth generation of the Knoebel family bringing this ride to the park. After experiencing it firsthand, you have to believe the future of Knoebels looks mighty promising.

On a rainy April evening in Paris, I went to the theater. I had a free ticket that I'd picked up at work, at the ticket office at my university where students (and teachers) can get discounts and sometimes tickets for free. I didn't know anything about the play I was going to see. I just felt like going to the theater so I walked in and took a seat.

The lights went down. A man sitting in the front row stood up and stepped onto the stage. He began speaking in Italian. I felt an uncomfortable rustle around me. The play was called "Nous n'irons pas ce soir au Paradis," ("This evening we won't go to paradise.") So where were we going, we asked ourselves.

In the end, we went to hell, and to purgatory, a voyage that transported us outside of time to a place where minutes don't count, where the worries of daily life fall away, where nothing matters as much what is happening this very instant on the stage:

In front of us stands a man in street clothes. There are no props, no stage décor. There's simply one man, actor Serge Maggiani, who speaks to us about another, the Italian poet Dante Alighieri, author of "The Divine Comedy."

Sounds like pretty highbrow stuff, doesn't it? A narrative poem written in the early 14th century where all the characters, except the poet, are dead, some freezing in hell (yes, the coldest parts are reserved for the worst sinners), others biding their time in purgatory, and a happy few residing in paradise (we won't be going there, we've been forewarned).

But the evening is anything but that. Serge Maggiani, our guide, introduces us to Dante and points out that's the poet's first name. Right away we're on a first-name basis with a man who, like us, has known suffering, disappointment and loss in love.

In fact, when Dante begins his journey, it sounds like he's seriously depressed. He's lost in a dark forest and with each step sinks deeper into the mire. In real life, he is an enemy of the powerful Pope Boniface VIII and has been condemned to permanent exile from his beloved Florence. He has no income, no home, few friends.

He does have ink, pen and paper, however, and although he has been deprived of his birthplace, no one can take his native tongue away. Dante writes in the Italian of Tuscany at a time when no self-respecting writer would use anything but Latin. He lives in his language and makes it his home. Participating in the creation of the Italian language that will one day be spoken all over Italy, he also takes a writer's sweet revenge when he condemns Pope Boniface to hell before he's even dead.

By the end of the evening, we may not have been to paradise but we've met Dante, as real, as close to us as any man alive. We've also encountered the poet's special genius and had a taste of eternity.

That rainy April evening, I experienced a moment of serendipity that no screen could ever give me. What I found with a group of strangers and a single actor on stage I could never find on my computer, my cellphone, my TV or even a giant movie screen. Live theater makes us more alive and this is something we all need.

In Pottsville, the people who have worked so hard to bring back the Majestic Theater understand this. They understand the importance of a community theater that makes live entertainment available at a reasonable price.

Recently there have been Robert Thomas Hughes's "A Miner's Tale" and "Triumph and Tragedy" to commemorate the end of the Civil War.

I remember the Majestic Theater when it was a farmers market. My mother remembered it from its early days as a movie theater although I don't know if she ever knew it as a nickelodeon. That's how the Majestic began when it first opened in 1910, four years before the great fire of 1914, which destroyed the city's finest theater, the Academy of Music.

Rooting around in the past, I came up with the name of Robert B. Mantell, a well-known actor in his day. In New York and on the road, he played all the great Shakespearean roles and married four times, each of his brides a leading lady who played at his side. In September 1902 he was on stage at the Academy of Music in a popular play of the day, "The Cross and the Dagger."

The following year, in the same theater, the Pottsville Musical Society put on a production of Gilbert and Sullivan's "Pirates of Penzance." In 1913, the year before the academy burnt down, the Honey Boy Minstrels were on the bill. Led by George Evans, co-author of "In the Good Old Summer Time," they sang and performed vaudeville acts.

Once the Academy of Music was gone, other theaters took its place. The Hippodrome on East Market Street brought in vaudeville acts and big bands. The Capitol on North Centre Street was more palace than theater. It could seat more than 2,700, had 13 dressing rooms for vaudeville stars, and its interior decor was a cross between a Moorish castle and a very ornate Italian church.

Pottsville also had dance halls and in the days of prohibition, speakeasies galore. At the Holly Roof on the top floor of the Hollywood Theater, couples danced to the beat of Paul Whiteman's orchestra and the Dorsey Brothers of Shenandoah were regulars in town. There were also lots of clubs and bars on Minersville Street.

In the 1930s and '40s, Pottsville had so much live entertainment that the city was off limits to soldiers from Indiantown Gap (although this was a rule hard to enforce). A trip to Pottsville was the equivalent of a descent into Dante's Inferno. In just one visit, a young man could lose his soul, his health and every penny in his pocket.

It would be easy to say "those were the good old days," but they weren't. There was the Great Depression and World War II. To make it through hard times, people got together to dance, sing, go to a show. They had fun and we could have more too if we put our screens aside and exchanged the virtual for the live.

(Honicker can be reached at honicker.republicanherald@gmail.com)

SUNBURY - Republicans hold a lead of 2,760 over Democrats in voter registrations, according to a pre-primary election report issued by the Northumberland County Board of Elections.

Prior to the 2014 general election, Republicans led by 2,693.

In all there are 53,262 registered voters in Northumberland County. That's down since the 2014 general election, when there were 53,546 registered voters.

The county office recorded 469 new voter applications since the last election. In that period, there were 260 changes of party affiliation.

Party changes included: Democrat to Republican, 66; Republican to Democrat, 59; minor party to Democrat, 26; minor party to Republican, 33; Democrat to minor party, 29; Republican to minor party, 35, and from one minor party to another minor party, 12.

Walk planned at watershed

ARISTES - A naturalist from Tuscarora State Park will conduct a walk at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 14, at the Roaring Creek watershed. The hike is 8½ miles in length and moderate in difficulty. The loop passes by two large reservoirs.

Walkers will meet at the Roaring Creek parking lot located on Route 42 below Aristes.

Call Robin at 570-467-2506 or register online at dcnr.pa.gov under the calendar of events for Tuscarora State Park.

This is a dog-friendly hike, but all pets must be leashed and get along with people and other pets. The walk will be held "shine only."

There was no change in either division as Shamokin Area High School continues to hold the lead in week nine of the annual EconomicsPennsylvania Stock Market Game Challenge for area middle and high school students, and Mount Carmel Area kept its solid first-place ranking in the middle school division.

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 nine

High school

- $113,220, Shamokin Area, David Kopitsky - 2288

- $109,278, Mount Carmel Area, Robert Scicchitano - 3223

- $106,850, Our Lady of Lourdes, Janet Johnson - 2796

Middle school

- $104,044, Mount Carmel Area, Aaron Domanski - 2861

- $101,868, Shamokin Area, Ty Crossley - 2247

- $100,616, Our Lady of Lourdes, Katrina Gownley - 2981

HARRISBURG - Having a close physical resemblance to fugitive assassin John Wilkes Booth nearly cost the life of a Union Army veteran of Pottsville in the days following the end of the Civil War.

Jacob W. Haas got through the battles of Gettysburg and Antietam unscathed, but he was endangered when a lynch mob, believing he was President Abraham Lincoln's assassin, came after him in central Pennsylvania.

Haas, a Union Army veteran who lived in Pottsville and Shamokin, was detained several times on suspicions that he was Booth, the actor who assassinated Lincoln 150 years ago on April 14, 1865.

Booth was the subject of a nationwide manhunt until he was captured and killed in Virginia on April 26 of that same year.

Haas and the fugitive Booth both had chiseled features, a mustache and dark curly hair; both men had recently spent time in Pennsylvania's oil boom region in the northwestern part of the state. Haas prospected in the region after he was discharged from the Army in October 1864. Booth had personally checked on investments in the oil region in September 1864.

"Jake" Haas was a 28-year-old father of three small children when the war began in 1861. He became an officer in the 96th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment, a regiment made up of soldiers from Schuylkill County that saw plenty of action in the war's eastern theater.

"We were advancing and were within 15 passes of their rifle pit when I was struck on the side of my head by a ball which glanced upwards through my cap, knocking me down and stunning me," wrote Haas about a fight at Salem Church during the 1863 Chancellorsville campaign.

Haas had three brothers living in Shamokin who also fought with the Union. One brother, James, was mortally wounded at the Battle of Cedar Creek in the Shenandoah Valley in the fall of 1864.

Haas' letters home and written accounts are available to researchers at the U.S. Army Military History Institute's Research and Education Services at Carlisle.

Haas and Col. William Lessig, a fellow 96th regiment veteran, left Pottsville on April 19 to return to the oil region.

But the peaceful tidings resulting from Appomattox had been shaken by Lincoln's assassination. Secretary of War Edwin Stanton offered a $100,000 award for Booth and his band of conspirators. Hundreds of men resembling Booth, including a Delaware congressman, were detained as the manhunt went on.

Trouble started when Haas and Lessig reached Lewisburg.

They were eating dinner at a tavern when several men entered with pistols drawn. They demanded that Haas surrender for the murder of Lincoln, Haas related.

Tensions eased when an acquaintance entered the tavern and quickly identified Haas.

At Phillipsburg, Haas and Lessig were surrounded by a troop of U.S. cavalry.

"We were taken to Phillipsburg and a great crowd soon gathered, learning that the slayer of Lincoln had been caught," wrote Haas. "Cries of `shoot him, lynch him' were heard and I felt chills when several ruffians produced coils of rope."

Haas spent the night in a locked room, but was released the next day after an acquaintance identified him.

A cavalry unit again stopped Haas near Franklin. He asked to be taken to a local bank where a cashier identified him.

"We were given our liberty again and then word came that Booth had been slain," wrote Haas.

Haas died at 81 in 1914 and is buried in Shamokin Cemetery.

His grandson, James, was a student of the Civil War and longtime journalist who worked in Pottsville and other cities.

Marriage licenses

Charles Jeff Rubendall to Candice Ann Lapachinsky, both of 345 Hemlock Lane, Elysburg. Issued April 23.

Kevin M. Kohlepp, of 423 W. Market St., Trevorton, to Kristen Friel, of 2 O'Brien Ave., South River, N.J. Issued April 23.

Tyler Stephen Pincoskie and Molly Rose Hasuga, both of 917 N. Shamokin St., Shamokin. Issued April 24.

Thomas Jerome Kulick Jr., of 250 Main St., Catawissa, to Billiejo Artman, of 210 S. Walnut St., Mount Carmel. Issued April 24.

Edward Kenneth Moore III and Kelly Anne Geist, both of 926 Tharp St., Coal Township. To be issued April 27.

John Joseph Rimokaitis Jr. and Maryann Golden, both of 516 Pine St., Kulpmont. To be issued April 27.

Daniel Lee Bronzburg and Aubrey E. Utt, both of 1232 Scott St., Kulpmont. To be issued April 27.

Douglas Paul Madden, of 500 W. Mulberry St., Shamokin, to Chloe Lynn Seidel, of 67 King St., Northumberland. To be issued April 27.

Divorces

Susan L. Poltenovage, 403 W. Fifth St., Shamokin, from Gregory Poltenovage, 466 Furman Road, Sunbury. Married Dec. 4, 2010.

Julia C. Bogutskie, 319 N. Turnpike St., Mount Carmel, from Robert J. Bogutskie, 530 W. Third St., Mount Carmel. Married Oct. 6, 2012.

Property transfers

Patricia A. Lytle and Patricia A. Campbell to Timothy L. Lytle Jr., property in Upper Augusta Township, $1.

Benjamin M. Snyder and Brenda L. Snyder to Commonwealth of Transportation Department of Transportation, property in Lower Augusta Township, $1.

Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to JP Homes, Inc., property in Shamokin, $5,500.

Brandon R. Goretsky to Russell A. Goretsky, property in Kulpmont, $26,000.

Jeffrey Brouse, Cheryl Wintersteen, Kevin L. Brouse and Eric M. Brouse to Eric M. Brouse and Rhonda Brouse, property in Rush Township, $1.

Nancy L. Lindenmuth to Brandon N. Kauffman and Timothy S. Stettler, property in East Cameron Township, $85,000.

Brian K. Tamanini and Brenda S. Tamanini to Ralpho Township, property in Ralpho Township, $1.

Todd R. Brosius to Ralpho Township, property in Ralpho Township, $1.

David W. Driver and Tomomi Driver to Ralpho Township, property in Ralpho Township, $1.

Swank and Son Pump Co., Inc. to Ralpho Township, property in Ralpho Township, $1.

Lamar D. Kerstetter and A. Sheila Kerstetter to John R. Lubrecki Jr., property in Shamokin, $38,000.

Justina F. Martz and Justina G. Eisenhart to Kelsey L. Bennett, property in Mount Carmel, $12,000.

Eric Robert McAndrew to Christopher A. Yucha and Carolyn A. Yucha, property in Kulpmont, $27,431.82.

Charles Parkansky Guise to Charles Parkansky Guise, Debra Ann Guise and Adam M. Guise, property in Mount Carmel, $1.

Robert W. Splitt to Robert W. Splitt, property in Kulpmont, $1.

Steve Willard (executor) and Ida Jean Willard estate to James R. Weissinger III and Michelle M. Weissinger, two properties, one in Mount Carmel and one in Mount Carmel Township, $97,500.

Susquehanna Bank to Ronald Moser and Debra Moser, property in Mount Carmel, $3,600.

Norbert Wydila, Francis Wydila, Dianne Wrobel and David Wyatt to Norbert Wydila, property in Mount Carmel, $1.

Thomas Pappas and Sylvia M. Pappas to Gabryelle S. Alvirena, property in Shamokin, $1.

Apartments and Acquisitions Limited Partnership to Brody Properties, LP, 21 properties in Mount Carmel, $1 each.

Apartments and Acquisitions Limited Partnership to Brody Properties, LP, four properties in Mount Carmel Township, $1 each.

Apartments and Acquisitions Limited Partnership to Brody Properties, LP, two properties in Kulpmont, $1 each.

Dale Whitenight and Kathleen F. Whitenight to David M. Carta, property in Upper Mahanoy Township, $1.

Clyde Beardsworth and Joanne Beardsworth to Henry C. Sienkiewicz and Diane K. Sienkiewicz, property in Rockefeller Township, $1.

Sandra S. Collins to Kathleen M. Collins, John R. Collins, Matthew M. Collins and Christopher S. Collins, property in Rush Township, $1.

Paul V. Tomtishen and Monna K. Tomtishen to Ronald Wondoloski and Elizabeth A. Wondoloski, property in Ralpho Township, $95,000.

Joshua M. Kalinowski to Leon J. Pielacha, property in Coal Township, $4,000.

Tarry Hall Properties LLC to Stephanie A. Yost, property in Zerbe Township, $89,900.

Brandon L.E. Reitz and Colleen Reitz to Samantha J. Dibonaventura and Ned P. Drumheller II, property in Rockefeller Township, $130,000.

Leon S. Ebersol Jr. and Rachel K. Ebersol to John U. Lapp and Rose Anna Lapp, property in Rush Township, $1.

CATAWISSA R.R. - The Southern Columbia Area High School has announced 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 earned an average of 95 percent or higher for the marking period

Students named to the honor roll have earned an average between 88 and 94.999 percent.

Distinguished Honor Roll

Grade 9 - Gabrielle Bebenek, Cassi Bennage, Breanna Burd, Cecelia Cook, Justin Derk, Meghan Duzick, Albert Goodlunas, Abigail Hager, Tristan Heim, Elijah Hoffman, Natalie Hunter, Grace Joseph, Haley Knoebel, Kristin Kremser, Katelynn Kuijpers, Jaret Lane, Jaden Laskoski, Autumn McDonald, Alexa Mowery, Joslin Notestine, Hailey Reeder, Natalie Ring, Marley Roadarmel, Anthony Scicchitano, Paige Sharrow, Abigail Shimock, Amanda Unger, Casey Winter, Emily Wolfe and Eli Yemzow.

Grade 10 - Leo Bradley, Phoebe Bridy, Elizabeth Bryden, Alexis Burd, Claudia Girardi, Carter Houseknecht, Tricia Shufeldt, Brianna Snyder, Shane Tripp, Isaac Wynn and Cameron Young.

Grade 11 - Ahmed Abdul-Al, Lena Becker, Casey Bernhard, Olivia Bodner, Kayla Broscious, Alexandria Brown, Gabriel Delbo, Gabriella Delbo, Jackson Dorey, Jadyn Dunkelberger, Kaylee Durovick, Emily Eck, Abby Fleishauer, Olivia Greene, Mackenzie Haladay, Stephanie Haupt, Aiyona Hayman, Abigail Herr, Gregory Hidlay, Nicholas Jessick, Blair Johnston, Zsofia Kandrot, Tyler Keiser, Katherine Koschoff-Rapkin, Maggie Kushner, Haley Levan, Elizabeth Lieberman, Blake Marks, Lon Morris, Elyse Noll, Jillian Oley, Natalia Oliveri, Molly Shoup, Bradley Whyne, Alexys Yannes and Samantha Yeick.

Grade 12 - Tia Billig, Amanda Burns, Bailey Carl, Trent Donlan, Dustin Durovick, Alexandra Evans, Rose-Ellen Fahringer, Natalie George, Samantha Gregorowicz, Rebecca Harder, Allison Honabach, Connor Houseknecht, Steven Hricenak, Katelin Ivey, Seth Joseph, Michael Klebon, Thomas Marinelli, Ryan Matukaitis, Adam Mommo, Kyle Mostik, Michael Newton, Miranda Payeskie, Brady Petrovich, Luke Rarig, Cole Roadarmel, Samantha Romania, Samantha Schultz, Kirstein Sharrow, Kortnee Slotterback, Alyssa Stavinski, Connor Swank, Vanessa Thomas, Trystanne Toczylousky, John Wilson and Madison Yocum.

Honor roll

Grade 9 - Seth Barrett, Andrew Bell, Shannon Bendas, Tyler Bendas, Blake Day, Vance Erdman, Joseph Evans, Domunic Gaines, John Gembic, Mackenzie Gidaro, Kristina Hallick, Andrew Haupt, Cole Helwig, Megan Kearney, Madison Klock, Justin Kofskie, Calista Long, Anna Manley, Whitney Morris, Lauren Mudrock, Ashwini Patel, Veronica Polyniak, Jacob Renn, Rachel Sage, Brett Szuler and Chase Urban.

Grade 10 - Mariah Adams, Alana Bendas, Devan Beyer, Noah Bloom, Noah Brecht, Kolby Carl, Shane Casey, Zachary Consentino, Hailey Cooper, Howard Cowell, Jessica Derk, Francesca Forti, Dylan Gatrell, Miranda Gipple, Anthony Girardi, Matthew Haupt, Jessica Henrichs, Garrett Henry, Elliot Hicks, Lauryn Hower, Samantha Jankowski, Dominick Kandrot, Todd Lane, Lindsay Lindenmuth, Sarah Lupatsky, Kyla Madara, Marc Malkoskie, Drew Michaels, Curtis Mommo, Julia Moyle, Erika Patrick, Raevin Rosenbaum, Jacob Santor, Mary Scopelliti, Deryn Seltzer, Jesse Semerod, Angeli Sen, Brian Sevison, Brooke Sudol, Hunter Whitmoyer, Justin Woods and Marc Yeager.

Grade 11 - Jessica Adamski, Laken Anderson, Nicholas Becker, Matthew Bell, Tristan Benware, Marc Boyer, Sarah Brown, Dustin Chaundy, Gregory Delbo, Hunter Flore, Shylynn Flowers, Hannah Gratti, Megan Greenwalt, Robert Hergan, Arthur Hower, Monica Kleman, Aaron Kroh, William Marzeski, Caitlyn McKinley, Ashley Miller, Hope Miller, Joseph Molter, Maxwell Morrison, Amara Nazario, Lauren Parsons, Sarah Pollard, Jacob Potter, Madison Purnell, Regan Roadarmel, Jordyn Ryzner, Hannah Sage, Mackenna Shively, Nathan Smith, Matthew Srednicki, Virgil Sudol, Stephen Toczylousky, Mitchell Tyson, Adam Unger and Rachelle Viruet.

Grade 12 - Grayson Belles, Mitchell Carl, Noah Carl, Brandon Ciocco, Samantha Clark, Kessler Crowl, Dalton Danglovitch, Kasey Fabian, Lauren Gedman, Matthew Gregorowicz, Nicole Hoffman, Taylor Hoffman, Taylor Jones, Amie Klinger, Stephen Knouse, Kent Lane, Anthony McKenney, Rachel Miller, Kailey Morris, Brent Nichols, Julia Podpora, Victoria Ring, Anthony Rodriguez, Jacob Ryan, William Schu, Adriana Townsend, Jacob Trathen, Brandon Weaver, Adam Weissert, Amber Welkom, Charles Wertman and Lucy Williams.

Mike Millett, who considers himself a "people person," believes his personality, ability to work with others and experience in rehabilitating criminals make him a good candidate for Northumberland County commissioner.

The 35-year-old director of Union County Day Reporting Center is in favor of constructing a new prison and pre-release center in Sunbury within the county's financial means. He doesn't agree with a proposal to build a new courthouse.

In his position at the center, Millett deals with an average of 35 low-level, non-violent offenders per day who are enrolled in various treatment programs with the goal of keeping them out of prison.

"The center is an alternative to incarceration," he said. "I'm in charge of the day-to-day operations, budgeting and other functions."

Offenders at the center are serving intermediate punishment that involves a program similar to work release, he said, and courses in parenting and anger management are among those offered.

Stance on prison

Millett, a Republican who studied business management and economics in college, helped establish the center more than four years ago and is confident a similar facility could be effective in Northumberland County, which already has drug, DUI and veterans treatment courts.

The Union County center is funded through grants and, because it saves money, gets local funds from the prison budget.

The candidate believes some people are put in jail who don't belong there. He said those individuals need treatment rather than being behind bars. "Seventy-five to 80 percent of the offenders we deal have committed drug or alcohol-related offenses," he said. "In order to reduce the prison population and lower recidivism, we must find alternatives to rehabilitate offenders. We give them an opportunity to change their lives in a positive way."

Millett would like to see a new county prison that could accommodate about 200 to 250 prisoners rather than a 400-bed facility. He also didn't rule out the possibility of building a jail at its current site on North Second Street in Sunbury that was ravaged by fire Jan. 14, prompting most of the male inmates to be transferred to SCI-Coal Township and female prisoners to be incarcerated at SCI-Muncy.

He said the former Knight Celotex plant in Sunbury, which has been proposed by Commissioner Chairman Vinny Clausi as an ideal site for a new prison, pre-release center and courthouse, is a viable alternative because of its existing infrastructure.

Millett said, "The prison should stay in Sunbury because it's the county seat and logistically makes sense. Housing inmates in other county jails or accepting state or federal prisoners in the county prison is a big gamble. I think turning a jail into a business is a bad idea. It's less expensive to provide alternatives."

Millett said in his four years operating the reporting center, the population at the 35-bed Union County Prison, which is the smallest county jail in the state, has decreased by 35 percent from 80 to 48. He said Union County inmates also are housed at jails in Snyder, Northumberland and Montour counties.

Regional 911

Although he did not disapprove of the federally mandated upgrades to the county's 911 center, the lifelong county resident said a regional 911 center should be explored. He noted some differences have occurred between officials in both counties over the years with Union County dispatching emergency services for the northern end of Northumberland County.

He said, "Whatever serves the needs of the constituents the best should be implemented," he said. "When it comes to 911 services, you are dealing with people's lives, which is the most important thing. I think we as a county are a little behind the curve and playing catch up when it comes to the 911 center. It's an issue I believe we need to study more."

Your vote counts

Millett said more residents need to vote and stop complaining about people who get elected to office if they don't do anything about it.

"Voting is very important in any county, but our voting turnout is pitiful," especially for municipal elections where the turnout is only 10 to 12 percent, he said.

He also believes commissioners must conduct themselves in a civil and professional manner instead of publicly constantly criticizing each other. "I am all for making the public aware of things through the media, but there are times things need to be discussed behind closed doors. The county needs to promote the positives instead of bickering over minor issues. I look at both sides of the spectrum on every issue and I respect others and their opinions even though I may not agree with them," he said.

Reassessment of property

Millett favors a countywide reassessment of properties even though he realizes it would generate a tax increase for most homeowners.

"I just think not reassessing properties since the early 1970s is wrong," he said. "Reassessment is the fairest way to do things. I believe the lack of reassessment discourages people from building new homes and deters people from moving into our county."

Millett said he would resign his current position if elected commissioner because he believes it is a full-time post. Although he thinks the reduction in commissioners' salaries was drastic, Millett said he would be willing to work under the reduced wages.

In December, Commissioners Vinny Clausi and Stephen Bridy adopted resolutions that reduces their salaries from $61,000 to $36,000, effective 2016, and eliminates health and welfare benefits for newly elected officials.

Millett is optimistic the county will be able to attract new businesses and industries in the future because of a good rail system and nearby highways.

He said bickering among the commissioners has deterred businesses from locating in the county. "We must make our county more attractive for business," he said.

The candidate, who serves on the board of education at Meadowbrook Christian School, favors granting tax breaks up to 10 years to industries seeking to locate in the county.

Millett said he doesn't have enough information available to say if the decisions by commissioners to shut down the transportation and weatherization departments and sell Mountain View Manor were appropriate, but is a firm believer in keeping as many services and programs in the county as possible while keeping government from intruding too much into people's lives.

Millett, an avid outdoorsman who loves sports, said he's running for commissioner because he loves his county and has ideas on how to make it better. He said, "This is a great county. I'm a very competitive person. I'm young enough to get the job done and old enough to know how to do it."

Skin cancer screenings at G-SACH

COAL TOWNSHIP - More than 3 million Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer this year. In an ongoing attempt to address this growing health issue, Geisinger-Shamokin Area Community Hospital will hold its annual skin cancer screening event from 1 to 5 p.m. Thursday, May 21, at the Geisinger-Shamokin Area Community Hospital, 4200 Hospital Rd., Shamokin.

Skin cancer is most treatable when it is caught early. If you have moles, skin changes or have been exposed to UV rays, you should attend one of the free screenings to find out if you are at risk.

Registration is required and can be made online at geisinger.org/events. To schedule your appointment, please call 800-275-6401.

Lonliness discussed at Lifetree

SHAMOKIN - Strategies for coping with loneliness will be discussed at 7 p.m. Thursday at Lifetree Café at Antioch Place, 531 N. Market St.

The program, titled "Isolated and Alone: Imprisoned in Iran," includes a filmed interview with Sarah Shourd, who accidentally crossed the Iranian border while hiking and was held in solitary confinement for 410 days.

Participants will consider the consequences of loneliness and how they can avoid experiencing it.

Admission to the 60-minute event is free. Snacks and beverages are available. For more information, contact Kathy Vetovich at 570-672-9346 or kvetovich@gmail.com.

COAL TOWNSHIP - The honor roll for the third marking period has been announced for Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School.

Distinguished honors

Seniors - Jessica Delong, Dakota Maneval, Regina Perez and Grace Rompolski.

Juniors - Cage Crissman, Kendal Krebs, Maya Khanna and Emily Troutman.

Sophomores - Elizabeth Alexander, Carmella Bickel, Olivia Giles, Tanner Maneval, Angelica Masser, Hieu Nguyen and Zachary Zarkowski.

Freshmen - Selina Albert, Emma Gownley, John Daniel Kerris, Maria Nguyen, Carmine Picarelli, Nora Rompolski, Alesha Rutledge and Dawson Williams.

Eighth-grade - Frances Czeponis, Charles Keer, Madison Munson, Mary Richardson and Christopher Stewart.

Seventh-grade - Abigail Doss, Anna Gownley, Kolbi Krebs, Caitlin Shulski and Ethan Sten.

First honors

Seniors - William Allen, Caitlin Funk, Erich Meloy and Mikayla Persing.

Juniors - Taylor Bozza, Erika Kapushinski, Kristen Komara, Brittney Lahr, Tommy Nguyen, Kayleigh Shovlin and Maya Yoder.

Sophomores - Michael Anzulavich, Lawrence Czeponis, Kelsey Conner, Elijah Gusick, Brooke Korkuch and Shaylee Miller.

Freshmen - Amanda Horan and Zachary Smith.

Eighth-grade - Lillyauna Bickel, Giavanna Candelora, Michael Czarnecki, Emily DeManicor, Connor Fenix, Jenna Jerdon, Olivia McGinley, Elizabeth Nguyen, Elizabeth Ross, Thomas Schultz, Behret Steinbauer, Jared Stewart and Haley Swaldi.

Seventh-grade - Alison Barvitskie, Hanna Bozza, Mackenzie Catino, Peter Long, Leanna Nguyen and Mikayla Showver.

Second honors

Seniors - Bailey Trell.

Juniors - Jordan Hauer, Celine Jones and Marcus O'Brien.

Sophomores - Charles Aurand, Kelsey Conner, Jacob Feese, Cherisse Kulik, Bailey Marcheski and Kenneth Pawelczyk.

Freshmen - Philip Hutnik-Kenenitz and Karin Martinez.

Eighth-grade - Sierra Coleman, Cydney Crissman, Anthony Getchey, Riley Kieffer, Ty Klembara, Channing Maneval, Ryan Mirarchi, Gianna Picarelli, Adam Sandri, Anthony Sawyer and Cassidy Shovlin.

Seventh-grade - Cade Geary and Jessica McMurtrie.

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

Hugh A. Jones, Mount Carmel

Twin Management, of Mount Carmel, against Jason Issermoyer and Stephanie Issermoyer, both of Mount Carmel, for $1,454, filed April 20. A hearing is scheduled for May 5.

John Gembic III, Shamokin

Fred Hummel, of Elysburg, against Fred Scott, of Shamokin, for $4,400, filed April 24. No hearing scheduled yet.

Leonard and Cindy Popewczak, of Shamokin, against Tiffany Haddock and Brandon Brown, both of Shamokin, for $950, filed April 24. A hearing is scheduled for May 4.

SHAMOKIN - In his homily to the faithful of Trinity Lutheran Church, the Rev. Robert Driesen, bishop of the Upper Susquehanna Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, spoke about two kinds of shepherds, the good ones and the bad ones.

"The good shepherds are the ones that will lay down their lives for their flock," Driesen said. "The bad shepherds are like hired hands, only in it for the money."

It was that theme that echoed through Sunday's service in celebration of the 175th anniversary of the Sunbury Street church's founding.

Sunday's service used Psalm 23, which starts "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want," as the recurring idea.

In the Gospel, Driesen recalled how Jesus said "I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me."

"There are so many wolves in our lives in different guises," Driesen said. "It could be the late night call from a teen in trouble, the loss of a job or some terrible disease. When something like that happens, we want to take off for greener pastures."

Driesen asked the congregation to recall what is said in Psalm 23, "The Lord makes me lie down in green pastures."

"Jesus has been the good shepherd for Trinity Lutheran Church for 175 years, for the thousands that have been baptized here, the tens of thousands that have worshiped here and those that have grieved over the loss of a loved one or struggled with something," the bishop said.

Following the service, an anniversary dinner was held at Masser's Restaurant, Paxinos.

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 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, 46 E. Sunbury Street.

Myron Turlis

Age: 58

Residence: Lifelong Kulpmont resident.

Family: Wife, Linda; grandson, Austin; son, Brian; daughter-in-law, Sarah.

Occupation: Owner of Turlis Sewer and Drain Cleaning Company, 29 years.

Political experience: Kulpmont mayor, 4 years; Kulpmont Borough Council, 7 years; candidate for state House of Representatives (107th District) in 2010 Democratic primary and for county commissioner in 2011 Democratic primary.

Education: 1975 graduate of Mount Carmel Area High School.

SUNBURY - A man who falsely identified himself as his brother was back in court Monday morning on an emergency bench warrant.

Brian Dietrick, 44, of 7 S. 19th St., Ashland, was given a five-day purge order by Northumberland County President Judge William H. Wiest on a bench warrant related to a 2004 theft case.

Northumberland County Chief Probation Officer Jim Cortelyou said the order requires Dietrick, upon his release from prison, to pay $75 per month on fines and costs he owes the county. If Dietrick fails to comply with the order, he will be sent to prison for five days.

Dietrick, who has been in jail for a month, 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 49-year-old brother, Lewis Dietrick, 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 last week.

When Lewis Dietrick learned his younger brother was locked up under the wrong name, he contacted Shenandoah police himself April 22, Northumberland County District Attorney Ann Targonski previously 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 are very similar, according to Northumberland County Prison Warden Bruce Kovach.

"I know they're not twins, but they're really close (in appearance)," told a News-Item reporter Friday for a story that appeared in Saturday's edition.

The warden said he didn't believe any Northumberland County law enforcement or prison officials were negligent in performing their duties.

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, where he remains.

Multiple charges stemming from the March traffic stop, including false identification and possession of drug paraphernalia, have been filed against Brian Dietrick in the office of Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker, Shenandoah. Targonski said there are no plans to file additional charges in Northumberland County.