MOUNT CARMEL - A special service commemorating the 70th anniversary of VE Day and VJ day, May 8, 1945, and Aug. 15, 1945, respectively, will be held in the Mount Carmel Cemetery Chapel at 2 p.m. Sunday. The public is invited.

The Mount Carmel Area Ministerium and the Mount Carmel Area Joint Veterans Committee Honor Guard will participate. The service will start with the musical selection "Majesty" followed by the presentation of the colors. Hymns will include "Battle Hymn of the Republic," "America the Beautiful," "My Country 'Tis of Thee" and "Eternal Father Strong to Save."

Responsive readings will include the Call to Worship and a special Litany for Memorial Day. Special prayers will be offered by the veterans group and the Mount Carmel Ministerium. The scripture will be from John 15: 9-17, and the message "Unconditional Love" will be delivered by the Rev. Rose Marquardt.

The colors will be retrieved by the honor guard and "Taps" will be played following the benediction.

SHAMOKIN - Luminaries for the Anthracite Heritage Festival of the Arts, which will be hung from trees along the Market Street grass plots for this weekend's event, include the following:

In honor of

Virginia Checchi by Louise Checchi.

Robert J. Oshinskie, Airman 1st Class USAF, by Barbara Oshinskie.

MatyLou Rivetti, Darlene Swank and Dolly Yocum by Dolores Splane.

Charmaine Wilson by Jane Klembara.

Tom Harmon, U.S. Army, by Mary Harmon.

Katie Labosky, Shaun and Claude Harrington and Bob Levins, by Mary Ann Levins.

Chrystal D. Hall and all members of the U.S. Armed Forces, by Garth Hall

Povish family by Berni Witowski.

In memory of

Stanley J. Salwocki, Theresa L. Salwocki, Phillip P. Krebs, Sr. and Shirley Krebs, by Teresa R. Ferdock and Phillip Krebs Jr.

Lester, Eva and James Snyder and Charles Madara, by Leon and Kathleen Madara.

Bert (Buddy) Klinger and Robert MacKey, by Jeanne Klinger.

Edward Kurtz and Sally "Kurtz" Zanella, by Arlene Letcavage.

Bob and Mary Ann Keefer, Bobby Keefer, John and Theresa Barvitskie, Dave Barvitskie, Joseph Moyer, Shepos and Budniak families, Keefer and Culp families and Barvitskie and Halgash families, by Vic and Joan Barvitskie.

Leonora Cherry, Sam Cherry and Ronald Kealey, by Norie Kealey.

Alexander (Red) Homski, by Lorraine Homski.

Austin James. by Tanka and Don Shuey.

Ed Oshinskie, by Barbara Oshinskie.

Eleanor L. "Elli" Kuhns, by Ronald Kuhns.

Mauro Checchi, by Louise Checchi

Joseph Labosky, Catherine J.Labosky, Paul Labosky, Pauline Splitt, Dick and Millie Sharp, Mary and Roman Nemetz and Mary and Leon Cheslock, by Mary Ann Levins

Bob Templin and Laura Podobinski, by Joanne Templin

Joanne M. Tumolo, by Joan M. Tumolo.

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Broscious, by Bro and Rose Broscious.

Mr. and Mrs. George K. Renn, by Kline family.

Joann Shervanick, by Kline family.

James H. Kline, by Kline family.

Kathleen Zyla, Helen and Harry Brehm, Gertrude and Dennis Eckman and Agnes and Stanley Zyla, by Rhonda Eckman.

Marian Reed and Fritz Reed, by Debra Reed Losiewicz.

Al Santo Jr., by Lou Morris

Margaret Klembara, Leona Young, Mary Ann Fryberger, by Jane L. Klembara

Robert Deroba, by Judith Deroba.

Mrs. Mary Leshinskie, Adam E. Leshinskie and John M. Leshinskie, by Mary F. Leshinskie.

Frank Koproski, U.S. Army, by Mary Harmon.

Hank Smink, by wife.

Debbie Smink, by mom.

Guie Schwartz, by Bo.

Howard "Scott Davis" Hertzog, Jr. by Angela Hertzog.

John Avellino and Margaret Avellino, by Nancy Suchanick

Colette Sikorski, by Phyllis Sikorski

Owen Francis Derk, by Jeanne Shaffer

Anna V. Zienda and Anthony E. Zienda by Maryann, Richard and Tony.

Antonio and Mary Vivino, Rosemary Vivino Dougherty and Roma family, by Mr. and Mrs. Rocco Roma.

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Fedorko, Mr. Joseph Chekanski, Mrs. Joan Haas and Mrs. Violet DuDeck, by Beverly Katalenas.

Patrick G. Komara, by Elaine Komara.

Robert S. Welker, Philathea Welker, Cathy Welker and Mary Walsh, by Louanne Walsh.

Joseph and Sara Hall, Garth C. Hall, Sgt. Matthew J. Sandri, Capt. Robert C. Scheetz Jr., Dick Morgan and John Polan, by Garth Hall.

John J. Backes, by Ann Backes.

William M. Moyer, USMC, WWII, by Barbara Moyer.

Samuel Fryberger, 48th PA. Volunteer, CW, by Barbara Moyer.

Albert Fromm, U.S. Army, WWII, by Barbara Moyer.

Augie Witowski, by Berni Witowski.

MANDATA - Despite widespread rumor, the Line Mountain School Board has not decided to cut any music programs, board president Troy Laudenslager confirmed Thursday.

Laudenslager was aware of the rumors, which he partially attributed to comments made at a recent fourth-grade band and choral concert, stating the kindergarten through fourth-grade music programs were being chopped by the board.

"No, we did not eliminate the K-4 music program," he said.

Laudenslager said rumors began when the board asked the administration to evaluate the need to replace one of the district's three music teachers, who is leaving at the end of the year. This conversation happens when any teacher leaves, regardless of subject or grade level, he said.

"We ask that of any program, whenever anybody retires; we ask the administration to tell us what the impact is," he said. "It's no different in this scenario."

With the district consolidated into two buildings, the music teachers, who are not assigned to a strict grade level and instead rove between buildings as needed, will spend less time traveling. This may free up enough time between the three positions to eliminate one, he said.

The music teachers do not spend the entire day teaching music classes - they also cover lunches, free periods and study halls. If the teacher is not replaced, the two remaining teachers will spend more time in music classes and have fewer of these extras.

A teacher will be hired to fill the slot if the two remaining teachers cannot arrange their schedules to accommodate the classes, said Laudenslager.

"We'd see how the scheduling would work," he said. "Is it a commitment that we can't rehire anybody? No, it's not the case at this point."

Laudenslager said the board will discuss the possibility of eliminating the position publicly at Tuesday's board meeting, to be held at 6:30 p.m. in the middle/high school library.

A decision to not rehire two elementary teachers based on decreased enrollment was approved April 28. Any decision made on replacing the departing music teacher will be finalized before the approval of next year's budget, which is due by the end of June.

SHAMOKIN - Thomas Alva Edison applied for more than 1,000 patents during his illustrious career. He invented the phonograph and the motion picture camera and many other devices.

But it was his three-wire electrical system that altered the lifestyles of people living in a young Shamokin.

It was in 1883, 19 years after Shamokin was incorporated as a borough, that Edison and a large group of spectators watched as three city buildings were the first to be electrified in the city. Just two days prior, Edison had arrived in Shamokin to witness the completion and first successful test of a $25,000 central station incandescent lighting plant located along Independence Street, where Jones Hardware sits today. The plant was only the fourth of its kind in the world at the time.

Edison's visit from Sept. 19 to 22 was the longest of only a few visits he made to Shamokin over the years, but his short stay helped pave the way for rapid growth in the area. His impact gave cause to the organizers of this year's Anthracite Heritage Festival of the Arts to choose "It's Electric" as the theme for this year's 10th anniversary festival, held today and Saturday, in which they'll commemorate Edison's local work. Independence Street has been temporarily renamed "Electric Avenue" as part of the celebration.

'I must not disappoint'

Edison, the seventh child of Samuel Ogden Edison Jr. and Nancy Matthews Elliott, was born Feb. 11, 1847, in Milan, Ohio. He was home-schooled after is mother withdrew him from school at age 7. Later in life, Edison credited his mother with teaching him to read and experiment. He stated, "My mother was the making of me. She was so true, so sure of me; and I felt I had something to live for, someone I must not disappoint."

Edison began his career as the inventor of the automatic telegraphic device, but he became famous in 1877 with the invention of the phonograph, which recorded and reproduced sound. A misconception is that Edison was also the first to invent the light bulb. Various versions had been designed over the preceding half century, but non were capable of providing illumination for every day use.

Edison tested more than 3,000 filaments before he successfully developed the carbonized filament incandescence electric light bulb. His many attempts and failures at perfecting the bulb were perhaps the foundation of one of his most famous lines: "Genius is one percent inspiration, 99 percent perspiration."

Edison furthered his contribution to society by designing a fire-safe and economically viable power generating and distribution system that provided light and power. Edison formed the Edison Electric Illuminating Company of New York, a direct predecessor of Consolidated Edison, also known as Con Ed, in 1880. He began operations at a warehouse on Pearl Street in Manhattan, where he demonstrated his two-wire incandescence illumination system on Sept. 4, 1882.

The two-wire system was flawed, however, because the large diameter transmission line resulted in voltage loss with variable loads. Edison overcame this my inventing the three-wire system, which incorporated a standardized grid featuring equal-diameter electric cables, at a facility in Brockton, Mass.

Local influence

It was in Sunbury where Edison first successfully tested the three-wire system and the use of overhead conductors. According to the Northumberland County Register and Recorder's office, a plant in Sunbury was chartered April 30, 1883, after finding necessary capital in Sunbury and Williamsport. Of the first 16 Edison plants built, six were located in the anthracite region, including in Shamokin and Mount Carmel. It is believed Edison chose to build six plants in the area because of the great availability of coal.

In Sunbury, the system was demonstrated on the evening of July 4, 1883, at the City Hotel, now the site of the hotel that bears his name at Fourth and Market streets. Because of the plant's success, all Edison plants adopted this method. Sunbury has the distinction of being the location of the first successful three-wire plant in the world.

Shamokin capitalists realized the importance of Edison's work and reached out to him to build a plant in their community. In fact, Shamokin had chartered the first Edison Electric Illuminating Company in the county Nov. 29, 1882, but it only raised $5,000 out of $25,000 needed to build a 1,600-light capacity station, according an article in the Shamokin Diamond Jubilee souvenir booklet published in 1939.

The Shamokin Herald reported on May 3, 1883, that a meeting had been held April 30, 1883, in Douty Hall in Shamokin to again attempt to raise the required capital. At that meeting, P.B. Shaw, representing Edison Electric Light Company of New York, asserted that Edison's electricity could be produced cheaper than gas and would be far more superior in every aspect. Residents responded and raised the money. On May 14, 1883, two lots were purchased at the Independence Street site, and a brick building was constructed by August of 1883.

A historic evening

The historic lighting of the three properties took place Friday, Sept. 21, 1883. A crowd watched as the McConnell Mansion along Sunbury Street became the first residential building in Shamokin to be illuminated by electricity. Homeowner Katherine McConnell, an enthusiastic supporter and investor in the company, had consented to have the kitchen of the mansion wired, according to an article in the Centennial Edition of the Shamokin News-Disptach June 26, 1964.

The mansion, last owned by Francis Miles, was demolished May 14, 1969, to make way for Hillcrest Apartments, now called Harold E. Thomas High Rise.

The first commercial building to be lighted was the store of William H. Douty, at the corner of Rock and Sunbury streets, which still stands today. The crowd also witnessed the lighting of St. Edward's Roman Catholic Church, today the site of Mother Cabrini Church, along Shamokin Street. A massive fire April 8, 1971, destroyed any traces that were left of Edison's work.

Claim to fame

Many people claim the church was the first in the world to be powered by electricity. An article in the Shamokin Diamond Jubilee souvenir booklet that was subsequently republished in anniversary booklets in 1964 and 1989 state this as well. However, a church in New Jersey also claims to hold this title.

In April 1883 ­- five months before Shamokin's plant came online - the First Presbyterian Church in Roselle, N.J., became the first in the country to be lighted when the 30-bulb "electrolier" was installed, according to a website for the city and the church. A electrolier, designed by Edison, is a chandelier consisting of brass sections supporting 30 lights in an inverted dome formation with milk glass reflectors.

Further information that rebuts Shamokin's claim to the church lighting is found in the Centennial Edition of the Shamokin News-Disptach, which states that, according to the Edison Foundation Museum, the first church to be illuminated was the City Temple, London, England, followed by First Presbyterian in Roselle and then St. Edward's. It is more likely, based on this information, that St. Edward's was the first church to be have been illuminated by the three-wire system, but it wasn't the first to be powered by electricity.

Other misconceptions have arisen over Edison's work in the county. Mount Carmel was not the first town in the world, or even Northumberland County, to have electric street lights, according to Hugh A. Jones, a Mount Carmel historian and author of "Edison's Experiment in Northumberland County."

According to the article, which appeared in Northumberland County Historical Society "Proceedings and Addresses," some lights were hung as demonstrations along Oak Street following the successful test of Edison's 500-light electrical plant Jan. 22, 1884, but public street lighting did not come to Mount Carmel until the 1890s. Mount Carmel did become one of the first cities to adopt electricity that did not already have gas.

After the successful test runs in Shamokin and Mount Carmel, general wiring of properties began on a large scale. The Shamokin plant continued to furnish incandescent lighting service until 1900, when the plant was taken over by the Shamokin Light, Heat and Power Company. In 1917, stockholders of the Edison Electric Illuminating Company of Mount Carmel sold their stock to Pennsylvania Lighting Company, which merged with Pa. Power and Light Company in 1920. At the time of merger, the plant had a capacity of 200,000 lamps, according to Jones.

Edison portrait

It is worth mentioning that during Edison's short stay in Shamokin, a quite remarkable portrait was taken of him in the photographic studio of Myron Thomas. Edison himself stated in a letter dated April 7, 1898, to Thomas that the photo was "about the best one that I have ever seen." The reason for the letter was to acquire if the negative was available and how much it would cost per dozen. It's not known what Thomas' response was, and the current location of the letter is unknown.

(Hugh A. Jones, Mount Carmel historian, and author of "Edison's Experiment in Northumberland County" that appears in the Northumberland County Historical Society "Proceedings and Addresses" published on Jan. 1, 1984, contributed to this article.)

COAL TOWNSHIP - The Shamokin Area School Board and Shamokin Area Education Association (SAEA) will likely head back to the negotiating table for a new teachers contract after the board rejected a fact-finders report.

Members voted 8-0 against the report at a special meeting Thursday evening. Member Bernard M. Sosnoskie was absent.

SAEA approved the report May 13.

No discussion took place on the report during the meeting, and no board members gave a reason for their disapproval. An executive session lasting just under an hour took place immediately preceding the meeting for the purpose of discussing the report.

Board President Ronald P. McElwee referred all questions on the topic to special counsel Antonio Michetti.

Michetti said he could not speak on specifics of the report because it is confidential until both parties vote on it and the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board publishes it. He did not know when that would occur, but said both parties would vote on the report again within five days after it is made public.

"The board did not agree with all the recommendations of the fact-finder," he said.

Doesn't mean strike

SAEA president and elementary school teacher Mary Yohe, who attended the meeting with approximately 30 teachers, students and other members of the community, said the union is reserving the right to strike, but a strike cannot take place until both parties have voted on the report a second time.

"We were hoping they would say yes," said Yohe. If the board had approved the report, the contract would have been settled, rendering a strike threat moot, she added.

By law, SAEA had to agree to the fact-finding after the board requested it April 9. Yohe said the report cost just under $2,000, which the board and SAEA will split equally.

"It was a waste of time and money," she said. "We doubted this would go anywhere."

Approximately 200 union teachers in Shamokin Area School District have been working under the terms of an expired contract for approximately two years.

The final day of school is currently scheduled for June 15, a date that has already been pushed back because of snow days.

SAEA announced its intention in April to strike starting today if a contract wasn't reached, but the fact-finding process has nullified that until at least the second vote takes place.

COAL TOWNSHIP - Fourteen seniors at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional High School who received diplomas during graduation ceremonies Thursday night were told by their classmates and an alumnus to have an enthusiasm for life, work hard to achieve their dreams and establish a game plan.

Class valedictorian Dakota Steven Maneval thanked teachers, coaches, family members and employers who challenged the senior class and made excellence the expectation, not just a dream.

In quoting highly successful former North Carolina State men's basketball coach Jim Valvano, who led the Wolfpack to the NCAA national championship in 1983 before dying from cancer in 1993, Maneval stated, "How do you go from where you are to where you want to be? I think you have to have an enthusiasm for life. You have to have a dream, a goal. And you have to be willing to work for it."

He said Valvano's advice is a perfect description of what the 2015 graduating class can achieve.

"Every person in this class has something they are passionate about," he said. "It is up to us to use these passions to keep doing what we love in the future and to find passion in the work that we do."

The valedictorian, a son of Jonathan and Sherri Maneval, Northumberland, told his classmates they can't limit themselves and can't be afraid to take risks.

"I have complete faith that my classmates and I will all succeed in whatever direction life decides to take us. We will be the "gods of our English classes" that Miss Bilder promised. We will continue the journey that we began here in high school by working hard, staying focused and achieving our goals."

Class salutatorian Grace Kathryn Rompolski quoted Winston Churchill in her address by stating, "This is no time for ease and comfort. It is time to dare and endure." Although Churchill made the statement under different circumstances, Rompolski said it applies to graduation night.

Rompolski, a daughter of David and Ann Marie Rompolski, of Coal Township, told her classmates they must be willing to leave behind the ease and comfort they have known in their high school years.

'Winners want the ball'

Commencement speaker Eric McCabe, a 2001 Lourdes graduate who serves as high school admissions representative at the Sunbury campus of McCann School of Business and Technology, stressed the importance of developing and following a game plan in life.

McCabe is one of 14 family members to graduate from Lourdes, where he was a football and basketball standout. He earned a degree in business administration with a marketing concentration from St. Francis University in 2006 and a master's degree in athletic administration and coaching from Western Kentucky University in 2011.

McCabe, who has served as a football and basketball coach, worked as a marketing and promotions assistant and athletic ticket manager at Bucknell University from 2006 to 2012. He was the director of women's basketball operations at East Carolina University from 2012 to 2013 and oversaw academics for the program that finished first in Conference USA with an overall team grade-point average of 3.396.

He told the graduates they are well prepared by their teachers and coaches at Lourdes to succeed in whatever endeavors they pursue. He reminded students to remain humble, focused and hungry, and be prepared to face adversity. He said humility will help them overcome any adversity.

The Kulpmont resident, a son of James and Teresa (Zlockie) McCabe, compared life to four quarters of basketball and the plays and situations they encounter.

"Control the controllable and know that the rest will fall into place," he said. "Surround yourself with those people who have the same goals, morals and ethics as you."

He concluded, "To the Class of 2015 - when time is running down, I hope you take the last shot - because winners always want the ball."

Retirees saluted

The Very Rev. Edward J. Quinlan, Secretary for Education for the Diocese of Harrisburg, conferred diplomas to the graduates, who were presented by William Gilger, dean of students at Lourdes.

Quinlan congratulated the graduates and told them to trust themselves to God and deepen their spiritual lives as they continue their journey to the "ultimate farewell" in heaven.

"The last farewell will be a grand hello," he said.

Deacon Martin McCarthy, administrator and high school principal, said the graduates were accepted to 23 institutions of higher learning and earned more than $1 million in scholarships and grants.

Peg Bilder, a longtime English teacher and senior class moderator at Lourdes, inducted the class into the alumni association after presenting a brief history of Lourdes and its predecessors - St. Edward's, Mount Carmel Catholic and Shamokin Catholic high schools. Bilder said Lourdes is the oldest high school in the diocese, with Catholic education in Shamokin and Mount Carmel dating to the late 1800s.

McCarthy commended Bilder and mathematics teachers John Benedict and Patricia Sosnoskie, who are all retiring this year, for their years of service. Combined, the three have approximately 110 years of experience in education. Benedict and Bilder have been at Lourdes for 33 and 22 years, respectively, while Sosnoskie has been a teacher at Lourdes for 18 years.

The Rev. Al Sceski, school chaplain and pastor of Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Church, Elysburg, offered the invocation and benediction.

Following the singing of the alma mater, the seniors recessed out of the Lee Korbich Memorial Gymnasium for the last time as a class.

The graduates are Maneval, Rompolski, William Reese Allen III, Jessica Marie DeLong, Caitlin Elizabeth Funk, Luke Michael Holleran, John Leonard Klitsch, Erich Thomas Meloy, Regina Lizeth Perez (an exchange student from Mexico), Mikayla Rose Persing, Claudia Rose Rawa, Taryn Patrice Riegel, Emma Louise Seidel and Bailey Nicole Trell.

COAL TOWNSHIP - A heavy-duty gate has been installed on a road leading to the Whaleback and abandoned coal lands used heavily by off-road enthusiasts.

The metal gate, which is owned and controlled by Coal Township, was placed Wednesday at the western end of the second patch of Bear Valley, at the beginning of a non-maintained road that once led to homes in the third patch. The gate was installed to curb decades of dumping, according to township Manager Rob Slaby.

The gate is supported by two I-beams measuring 1/2 thick that are buried several feet in the ground and encased in cement. The Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area (AOAA) supplied much of the material for the gate. Students from Northumberland County Career and Technology Center built it, according to Dave Porzi, AOAA operations director.

Bear Valley Road residents presented a petition at the June Coal Township meeting seeking a locked gate.

The crumbling road, which begins just feet from the last home in Bear Valley, is frequently traveled by jeeps and ATVs operated by people looking to access the vast valley between the tiny patch and Trevorton about four miles west.

The road is also used by students visiting the geologic wonder. High schools and colleges often visit the site, including Wednesday when the gate was installed.

The Whaleback, owned by Reading Anthracite, is a geologic rock outcrop formed more than 250 million years ago.

"It's not our (township's) intentions to shut off access to anyone who wants to visit the Whaleback, be it a school or grandparents wanting to take their grandkids to see it," Slaby said. "We installed the gate for the betterment of the whole area."

Slaby said a sign measuring approximately 12 by 18 inches listing phone numbers for access to a gate key will be installed at the gate so school buses can continue to use the road. Abutting property owners, including the AOAA, which leases 109 acres from Girard Estates near the Whaleback, will have keys to the gate as well.

Slaby said the township had previously sent letters to those owners to garner any concerns or questions about the installation of a gate. There were no replies.

"I view that as Reading not having a problem with who is out there," Slaby said of the Whaleback. "The township's main concern is to stop the dumping."

MILLERSBURG - PennDOT's construction project to address two areas where there is concern for falling rock along Route 147 in upper Dauphin County gets under way after the Memorial Day holiday weekend. The project involves two areas of concern - removal of loose rock from approximately 800 feet of a cliff face along Route 147 north of Millersburg in Upper Paxton Township, and removal of loose rock and replacement of the existing rock fall fence located south of Millersburg in Upper Paxton and Halifax townships.

Starting Tuesday, the contractor will start on the upper section along Route 147 in Upper Paxton Township north of Millersburg. Motorists are advised that Route 147 will be closed to through-traffic weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. in the area between Shippen Dam Road (State Route 4002) at the north end of Millersburg and Mahantango Creek Road (SR 3024) just north of Mahantango Creek in Northumberland County. Motorists will be detoured around the closure by way of Route 25 and Route 225. This work will likely take three to four weeks to complete, weather permitting.

When the upper section is completed, the contractor will move its operation to the lower section located south of Millersburg in the boundary area between Upper Paxton and Halifax townships. Motorists are advised that the road in this area will be closed to through-traffic on weekdays between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. in the area between Route 209 in Millersburg and Tourist Park Road (SR 4006) in Halifax Township. Motorists will be detoured around the road closure by way of Route 225 and Route 209. When the loose rock has been removed - after about four weeks - the contractor will then replace the existing rock fall fence located in this area.

PennDOT has contracted with Clearwater Construction Inc. of Mercer, to conduct this safety improvement project along Route 147 at a cost of $1,597,000. The entire project should be completed by the end of summer.

Parking restrictions in effect today

SHAMOKIN - Parking in the city is restricted on both sides of Market Street from Arch Street to Pine Street through 7 p.m. today to accommodate the Anthracite Heritage Festival.

Any vehicles not moved prior to the arrival of vendors will be subject to towing.

Recycling Center closed today

COAL TOWNSHIP - The Coal Township Recycling Center will be closed today for the Memorial Day weekend. All other township offices will be closed Monday.

Holiday closings announced

SHAMOKIN - City Hall, the tax office and the street department will be closed Monday in observance of the Memorial Day holiday.

KULPMONT - The Kulpmont Borough Municipal office and the Kulpmont Borough tax office will be closed Monday in observance of Memorial Day.

Poker run benefits victim

SUNBURY - A motorcyle poker run is scheduled today to benefit Benjamin Herrold, one of two victims of a stabbing May 3 in Sunbury.

Registration is 11 to 1 p.m. at Laughters bar, Third Street. The ride leaves there at 1 p.m. and has stops planned at Dan's Den, Wayside Inn, Bowery, Herndon House and Danley's. The ride is expected to end at Laughters by 4 p.m.

Herrold has insurance, but it doesn't cover all of his medical bills, according to family.

Any type of vehicle is welcome. Cost is $10 for riders, $5 for passengers. Food, snacks and, in the morning, coffee and donuts will be available at nominal cost.

Call 850-1033 for more information.

SHAMOKIN - This town loves a parade.

That was evident from the thousands who lined the streets of Shamokin to watch the ninth annual Anthracite Heritage Festival Parade Friday evening.

From amusement park to off-road vehicles, politicians to highlanders, young and old alike watched under a sunny, early evening sky, scooping up the candy being thrown by some of the parade participants.

"It's always great when we have weather like this, it makes the parade that much better," Northumberland County Council for the Arts and Humanities director Jeanne Shaffer said. "Always great to have help from up above."

William Welker, of Wheeling, W.Va., was in attendance for his first heritage festival parade, one he happened to be leading as the 2015 grand marshal.

"I've heard such wonderful things about it, and today I see why," Welker said.

The former wrestling champion for Shamokin High School called being grand marshal "an honor I've been looking forward to ever since Jeanne called me about it."

Welker was flanked by several past sports heroes from the coal region, including Joe Bordell and Ron Nalewak.

As bands from Shamokin Area and Shikellamy high schools kept in time with the music, group after group walked past parade judges Lanza Williams, Chad Yoder and Dave Kinder, who scrutinized each one to find the winners in the parade categories of most decorative-creative, best dressed and best in show.

It was the Hawk Mountain Highlanders, the Scottish bagpipe band from Deer Lake that earned the best of show award. The Cardinal Mindszenty fourth-degree assembly of the Shamokin Knights of Columbus won the best-dressed award, while the Brady Fire Company, with their patriotic flag, won most creative.

An honorable mention award was given to the two patriotic pooches, Chance and Lucy, and their owners.

Following the parade, a special luminaria service was held on Market Street.

The festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today, featuring tours, vendors, entertainment and food. The vendors will be on Market Street, between Arch and Pine streets, but activity will be taking place all through Shamokin.

The theme of this year's festival is "It's Electric," honoring the contributions of Thomas Edison in Shamokin. For the festival, Independence Street will be temporarily renamed "Electric Avenue" for the festival.

ELYSBURG - Play continued this week at the Tuesday night bridge club at the Ralpho Township Public Library.

First-place winners were partners Elizabeth Johnson and Judith Gori. Second-place winners were the partner team of Sharon Leisenring and Alice Pensyl.

All are invited to play bridge from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays at the library. Bob Reed, group leader, provides some instruction before play begins for those interested in improving their skills.

Call the library at 570-672-9449 to sign up. There is no cost to joining the group, and those attending are invited to bring a friend.

DANVILLE - A team coordinator at Geisinger Medical Center received a Pennsylvania House of Representatives citation for helping to save a child from drowning in the Susquehanna River in 2013.

Lydia Ross, BSN, RN, CCRN, team coordinator on the Hospital for Advanced Medicine sixth floor, received the honor from state Rep. Lynda Schlegel Culver May 14 at the hospital.

In August 2013, Ross was running at Shikellamy State Park Marina in Sunbury when she heard a cry for help coming from the river. She noticed a young girl sitting on the river side of the fence looking down into the water, where she saw another girl struggling to stay afloat. Ross went around the fence to the water to help the girl.

But as she went down the cement ramp, she lost her footing on the slick concrete and fell in. Ross grabbed the girl, but had trouble keeping them above the water until she grasped a dock support pipe. A man helped pull them from the water. Ross went to the park headquarters for help; when she and Interim Park Manager Phillip Schmidt returned, the man was gone.

"The worst thing about this whole thing is that I never thanked the guy who pulled us out. He is my hero, but I have no idea who he is - he never came forward," Ross said.

A week after the incident, Ross heard from the girl's grandfather she is doing well.

Ross insists she just did what anyone would have done, but Culver saw it differently.

"I think we all thought we would have done the same thing as you did, but in reality, I'm not sure how many people would have done what you actually did," Culver said.

"Luckily for that young lady, you were there," she continued. "I think what you did was react on human instinct, definitely courage, and there is no doubt what you did is absolutely amazing and two little girls are still here today because of you and your selfless act."

Ross was joined at the ceremony by her husband, Perry, their five children, and other family members, friends and Geisinger co-workers.

FRACKVILLE - An Ashland man is behind bars, facing murder charges for allegedly causing the death of a 13-month-old girl in December.

Joseph J. Brennan, 29, of 5 W. Centre St. was charged with one felony count each of third degree murder, aggravated assault, involuntary manslaughter and endangering the welfare of children along with misdemeanor offenses of simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and false reports to law enforcement authorities.

Brennan was arraigned Friday afternoon by Magisterial District Judge Christina E. Hale, Frackville, and committed to Schuylkill County Prison without bail.

"I do not have the authority to set bail in this case," Hale told Brennan.

State police Trooper Edward Lizewski of the Frackville station charged Brennan with causing the death of Alivia Delrio at a home at 9 W. Centre St. in Ashland Dec. 27.

'Goonie' from a toy

Lizewski said he began his investigation Dec. 28 and spoke with Brennan who said that between 4:15 and 4:30 p.m. the day before he had seen a 5-year-old child at the home strike Delrio in the head with a plastic toy causing her to suffer a "goonie" on her head.

When the girl appeared to be acting normal Brennan reported feeding her and other children that were inside the house and putting them in their beds.

When the child's mother returned home from work around 8:15 p.m., Brennan said he told her what happened and said he had to use the bathroom. Lizewski said that Brennan then recalled returning from the bathroom, stopping by the bedroom to cover Delrio and found her cold.

Brennan said he picked the child up and took her to her mother who called 911 and then began to perform CPR.

Ashland Police arrived shortly after the 911 call and spoke to Brennan who, at that time, reported the child fell off of a couch and suffered a seizure but was OK, Lizewski said.

Lizewsi said Brennan was later interviewed at the state police barracks where he denied telling Ashland Police or EMS personnel that the child fell from a couch and had a seizure but stuck to his story about another child hitting Delrio with the plastic toy.

On Jan. 6, Trooper Wesley Levan interviewed Brennan again asking him about the toy allegedly used in the assault. As a result of that interview Lizewski said Brennan was told his behavior appeared indicate he was being deceptive.

Brennan then admitted the child had not fallen from the couch as previously reported but had fallen from a counter top in the kitchen while he was making supper and had to exit to discipline another child in the house, Lizewski said.

Brennan told investigators he did not provide that information before because he was scared and entered the interview by asking for an attorney.

On Jan. 8, Lizewski said the child's mother, Kaylynn Kumangai, was contacted with additional questions but said she was not available since Brennan was being taken to a hospital for an alleged overdose.

Lizewski said he and Trooper Michael Marinchak met Kumangai at Schuylkill Medical Center South Jackson Street where the woman said Brennan told her about the child being struck by another child with the toy and that she was okay.

Blunt force trauma

Finally, Lizewski said he, Cp. Jeffrey Sampson and assistant district attorney Jennifer Lehman met with forensic pathologist Dr. Barbara Bollinger regarding the injuries to Delrio as well as her autopsy finds and cause and manner of death.

Bollinger told investigators that the child suffered injuries to the front and right sides of her head as well as bruising on her right shoulder and lumbar areas. The child also had bruising to the facial area which, according to Bollinger, resembled a slap or being grabbed by the face, Lizewski said.

The autopsy determined the child had bleeding inside her head and retinal and optic nerve hemorrhages caused by back and forth motions and not from falling from a couch.

Lizewski said that Bollinger concluded that the injuries suffered by Delrio were too many in number to have occurred during normal childhood accidents and ruled the cause of death blunt force trauma to the head and the manner of death homicide.

Lizewski said that throughout the investigation, Brennan changed his story three times and that Bollinger ruled the injuries could not have been a result of being hit with the plastic giraffe due to the weight of the toy.

SUNBURY - The system for annual reporting is updated and available at www.revenue.state.pa.us/SGOC for small game of chance club licensees, according to Kevin P. Gilroy, Northumberland County treasurer.

Upgrades were recently made to the annual reporting system to make filing easier and more secure. A secure e-signature login has been added to the system, and the electronic reporting platform also now offers a save-in-progress feature that allows clubs to enter, access and add to a saved report until it is ready for submission. The save-in-progress feature will also allow clubs to get a head start on future reporting requirements by entering report information as a reporting year progresses.

Due to technical issues, the department's Small Games of Chance Club License Annual Reporting System was suspended earlier this year and the reporting deadline was extended to July 1.

Some of the reports were lost due to the technical difficulties, however, the department was able to recover many completed and partially completed reports. Club licensees must check to confirm whether or not their reports were recovered and that the information is accurate. A club licensee whose report was not recovered or only partially recovered will have to complete or resubmit its 2014 report.

SUNBURY - Democratic nominee Peter Long, a candidate for Coal Township commissioner, also won a second nomination by capturing 91 Republican write-in votes, according to results compiled Friday during the first day of the official count of Tuesday's primary election.

Jamie Saleski and Walter Quade, who were on Tuesday's ballot, received Republican nominations in the primary.

There are three seats open for Coal Township commissioner.

Long bumped incumbent Bernie Rumberger from a spot on the Democratic ballot by receiving 563 votes compared to Rumberger's 407.

Incumbents George L. Zalar and Gene A. Welsh also received nominations on the Democratic ticket. Zalar also received a Democratic nomination for county commissioner as well. If he is elected from both positions, Zalar must withdraw from one of them. Zalar previously said he would accept the county commissioner post over the township position.

Northumberland County Sheriff Robert Wolfe, a Democrat incumbent, also secured the Republican nomination by collecting 302 of the 376 write-in votes cast on the Republican ticket.

Candidates in townships and boroughs need to obtain a minimum of 10 write-in votes to qualify for nomination, while those seeking office in the cities of Shamokin and Sunbury and for county office must collect at least 100.

Northumberland County Director of Elections Alisha Herb and her two assistant directors, Cortney Marise and Melanie Dick, were busy checking overall vote totals and tabulating write-in votes all day Friday and will continue with the official count Tuesday in the public meeting room at the county administration center.

Herb said election officials started with votes in the 107th legislative district. She said vote totals in the 108th legislative district will be tallied Tuesday. Due to the high number of overall write-in votes, Herb said the count may extend into Wednesday.

She said 290 absentee ballots and eight provisional ballots will be tallied Tuesday.

Herb said there are 168 electronic voting machines in the county's 74 precincts. Polling stations were consolidated from 94 to 74 during the 2014 primary election.

In the highly-contested race for county district attorney, Herb said there were a total of 4,331 write-in votes on the machines.

Incumbent Ann Targonski, who was appointed district attorney July 3, won the Democratic nomination with 2,936 votes over her opponent, Tony Matulewicz, who tallied 2,477. However, Matulewicz received 556 write-in votes compared to Targonski's 443 to earn a spot as the Republican nominee on the general election ballot.

MOUNT CARMEL - PennDOT's notification to the borough that it needed to complete a special event permit for its annual Memorial Day parade was prompted by a complaint last year, the state agency reported.

Kimberly A. Smith, safety press officer for PennDOT District 3, based in Montoursville, said the requirement seemed to have taken borough officials by surprise.

"At that time they seemed to be unaware of the requirement," she wrote in an email Friday.

She was responding to concerns about changes made to this year's Memorial Day plans that culminated Thursday when members of borough council voted unanimously to sanction the parade and related events that day as borough functions.

Having been notified after last year's event about the permit requirement, veterans groups organized their annual Memorial Day activities this year to involve driving vehicles between various stops at memorials and cemeteries in the borough and Mount Carmel Township instead of marching to each.

Mayor Philip "Bing" Cimino expressed disgust at Thursday's meeting that the parade had been canceled because of the PennDOT permit requirement.

The emergency resolution extends the borough's event insurance to the parade, eliminating the need for parade organizers to purchase their own. They had been told they couldn't use the borough's insurance because the parade was not a borough-sanctioned function.

The action does not, however, satisfy PennDOT requirements without the permit, Smith clarified about 4 p.m. Friday.

"The borough's action would have been fine, and they even could have submitted the application today," she said. "I received one today for a parade in Columbia County on Sunday and I got it approved for them within the hour."

At Thursday night's meeting, council President Tony Matulewicz had directed borough manger Edward T. Cuff III to immediately contact parade organizers and help them fill out and submit PennDOT's paperwork. Cuff was also to follow up Friday with PennDOT to ensure the paperwork got to the right people, if possible, for a last minute approval.

Matulewicz said via email late Friday afternoon that Cuff had emailed him and said Dave Berezovske, a key organizer, provided the parade route and that Cuff faxed the permit application and the route to PennDOT at 12:25 p.m.

Told that PennDOT wasn't aware of an application, Matulewicz planned to check into the situation further.

The apparent disconnect between the borough and PennDOT couldn't be explained Friday evening.

Smith said applicants for a special event permit are required to complete a form and include approvals from the host municipality and other supporting documents. Insurance is necessary, too, she said.

"A special event permit has been required for many years when the event impacts a state-owned roadway," she said.

About 200 such permits are processed each year, she said, and all municipalities within the nine-county region that encompasses District 3 have previously complied with this process. That includes Kulpmont and Shamokin, Smith said.

"They have both applied for special event permits and have adhered to all requirements," she said.

As to the borough filling in for the organizers, that's fine, Smith said.

"As long as the certificate of insurance shows PennDOT as an additional insured for the event, it does not matter who the policy holder is," she said. But, "They would still need to apply for a special event permit and show proof of insurance."

Protect the traveling public

PennDOT isn't planning any action Monday should the parade go on.

"We would only take action if we continue to get complaints about detours and traffic holdups," Smith said. "If an issue would occur, the organizer and municipality could be liable.

"Our intent is not to prevent them from having a special event," she continued. "We need to make sure the event plans also protect the traveling public by including a sufficient detour for drivers who are not familiar with an alternate route."

The detour would need to accommodate legal-sized trucks and have flaggers such as fire police, police or certified flaggers at intersections along the detour or approved detour signs to mark the way.

"Not every event needs a detour as explained in item 13 of our application," she said.

Smith said she wasn't with District 3 last year when the complaint was made and didn't have any details about it. The person who was involved was on vacation Friday, she said.

Matulewicz said it's a shame considering the Memorial Day parade in Mount Carmel is a low-key event.

"It's ridiculous that for a 15-minute parade, about the length of a funeral procession, that we have to jump through all these hoops, but I can understand PennDOT's point," he said.

Correction: Friday's story about this issue identified former Mayor J. Kevin Jones as being an organizer of the Memorial Day parade. Jones said he does not help with organizing the parade, but was familiar with the issues organizers were facing from experience with other borough parades.

SUNBURY - Pennsylvania Farmers Market Nutrition Program vouchers will be available for Northumberland County Senior Citizens on June 1.

The program was announced by Northumberland County Board of Commissioners, in cooperation with the Northumberland County Area Agency on Aging and the Pennsylvania Department of Aging. Sponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, the program offers eligible senior citizens who reside in Northumberland County an opportunity to obtain $20 in vouchers to purchase fresh fruit and vegetables from participating farm markets.

Northumberland County residents who are age 60 or older, (including those who will reach their 60th birthday by Dec. 31, 2015), and who meet the gross income guidelines may apply. All income must be taken into consideration, which includes Social Security, black bung, SSI, and all pensions.

The official income guidelines for this year's program are as follows: one person, $21,775; two people, $29,471; 3 people, $37,167; four people, $44,863; five people, $52,559, and six people, $60,255.

Proof of age/residency is necessary, and proof of income is self-declared. Senior citizens must sign the designated register when they receive the vouchers and eligible senior citizens may receive the vouchers only once per calendar year. Proxy forms are available for homebound consumers. The proxy form must be signed by the consumer requesting vouchers and also by the person (who is the proxy) delivering the vouchers. The form is then returned to the Senior Action Center before vouchers will be distributed.

Vouchers will be distributed by the Northumberland County Area Agency on Aging on a first-come basis until Sept. 30 or until the supply is exhausted. Vouchers are redeemable June 1 through Nov. 30.

The vouchers will be available daily beginning June 1, at all nine senior action centers from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Please contact your local senior action center for any other details regarding the Farmer Market vouchers. Vouchers are only available Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the Elysburg Senior Action Center.

Tomorrow is Memorial Day. Kindly take the time to remember those who have gone before us, particularly our brave military.

Healthy Shenandoah, a Healthy Schuylkill Community, is pleased to announce they are a 2015 recipient of the Roadmaps to Health Action Award in the amount of $10,000. The award is presented to 20 communities nationwide to strengthen the capacity to make effective and lasting changes to improve health. Healthy Shenandoah will use the funds to accelerate the community's work in building a culture of health. The program will also receive a year of direct, customized support, including a community coach as well as being able to participate in learning network activities.

The award is part of the County Health Rankings and Roadmaps program, a collaborative effort between the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute.

Healthy Shenandoah, a partnership of local resources involving business owners, professionals, community leaders and members of the public and various organizations and agencies, has been working since 2014 to engage the community to make the healthy choice the easy choice by providing or participating in various events and activities.

"This award will help Healthy Shenandoah to plan and execute some improvements to the town walking routes as well as offer programs on healthy cooking and exercise," said Kay Jones, executive director of Schuylkill County's VISION, the facilitator of the project.

Healthy Shenandoah will have a presence in various events throughout the year, including expos, cooking demos, hikes, information tables, and workshops. The next events will be the Dedication of the Rotary Way at the Shenandoah Valley School District grounds on May 30 and at the Mahanoy Plane Trek June 7 (see below for details). Find out more about this partnership and their events on their Facebook page.

Sweet Arrow Lake invites your family to an Indian Archeological Dig at 2p.m. today. Spear points, paint stone pots, knives and other artifacts are hidden in the earth of a portable dig. Children find the articles using a garden spade and learn how these stone treasures were made and used. Meet at the waterfall parking Lot for this free program.

Canoe and kayak rentals will open for the season starting today at Sweet Arrow Lake. Watercraft will be available on a first-come basis, and rental fees apply. Last rental is at 6 p.m. and all boats must be returned by 7 p.m. Rentals will be made if weather and lake conditions permit and staff is available. Call 570-345-8952 for more information.

A Midsummer Night's Dream will be presented at the Majestic Theater at 7 p.m. Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 31, matinee. Order tickets at 570-628-4647.

Reserve our seat now for "Dental wellness . . . love your smile," the next in the Penn State Schuylkill Women's Wellness series. The free session will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 3. Limited seating so RSVP early by calling 570-385-6102. All speakers are experts in their field. Light refreshments will be provided.

Mark your calendars for the Mahanoy Plane Trek June 7. This popular Schuylkill On the Move challenging three-mile hike will visit the site of the one-time largest steam engine in the world. Meet at the Frackville Public Library at 1:30 p.m. to walk to the plane ruins and then down a steep but scenic slope to a tunnel. For details, call 570-622-4124.

Community Volunteers in Action is the volunteer center for Schuylkill County. Use the preceding contact info for those specific opportunities and find other listings on our website at www.schuylkill.us/cvia. Call us at 570-628-1426 or e-mail to jjohnston@co.schuylkill.pa.us. Check us out on Facebook at www.facebook.com/communityvolunteersinaction.

Food pantry volunteers

Times: Varies by location.

Responsibility: Help staff with food sorting and packing. May need to carry bags to consumer's vehicle.

Skills: Ability to perform assigned tasks, including lifting and carrying bags.

Location: Eighteen pantries throughout Schuylkill County.

Contact: Jason, Schuylkill Community Action, 570-628-1995.

Marriage licenses

John Patrick Zayas, of 5835 Newtown Avenue, Philadelphia, to Taryn Louise Gilger, of 10 N. Shamokin St., Shamokin. Issued May 21.

Ethan Walter Lebo, of 171 Romanoski Lane, Paxinos, to Erika Janelle Fedako, 122 Magnolia Lane, Shamokin. Issued May 22.

Chadd Raymond Hauer to Rebecca Avellino, both of 812 Hemlock St., Shamokin. Issued May 22.

Philip John Masser to Bonnie Fulmer, both of 219 W. Center St., Elysburg. Issued May 22.

Thomas E. Samler to Amy Zapotosky, both of 850 W. Market St., Trevorton. Issued May 23.

Alejandrino Santiagio Leon to Michelle Lee Troutman, both of 1422 W. Walnut St., Coal Township. Issued May 23.

William A. Bressi Jr. to Trisha Lynn Juba, both of 856 W. Spruce St., Coal Township. To be issued May 25.

Jesse Albert Babcock to Leanne Michelle Sheetz, both of 316 S. Pearl St., Shamokin. To be issued May 25.

Mark Brian Persing to Sarah Morgan Novack, both of 1101 W. Mulberry St., Coal Township. To be issued May 25.

Elijah Joel Ilgenfritz, of 129 S. Main St., Herndon, to Devin Daylene Dreese, of 275 Third St., Montandon. To be issued May 26.

Divorces

Tammy J. Wasarhelyi, 934 W. Willow St., Coal Township, from David J. Wasarhelyi Jr., 511 Webster St., Ranshaw. Married June 10, 1995.

Tasha Smyser, 108 S. Diamond St., Shamokin, from Curtis Smyser, 1216 S. Market St., Selinsgrove. Married Nov. 21, 2009.

Darlene A. Scandle, 1030 W. Pine St., Coal Township, from Jarrod Scandle, 132 S. Owl St., Shamokin. Married Aug. 3, 2002.

Michael Costello, 751 Mahoning St., Apt. 73, Milton, from Samantha Costello, 908 Sunshine Road, Shamokin. Married Sept. 21, 2013.

Property transfers

Freddie Mac aka Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (by agent) and Udren Law Offices (agent) to Bowen Developments LLC, property in Zerbe Township, $12,000.

Kathy A. Barrett and Timothy E. Barrett Sr. to Jennan Real Estate LLC, property in Shamokin, $8,000.

Cathy Jean Burns to Kazimir C. Grohowski, property in Mount Carmel, $1.

Roger H. Shipman to William J. Shipman and Barbara J. Shipman, properties in Upper Augusta Township and Rockefeller Township, $1.

Harold Prue to Zoe A. Russell, property in Shamokin, $1.

Stephen Kradlack aka Stephen Kradlak to Stephen Kradlak, property in Coal Township, $1.

LSF8 Master Participation Trust, US Bank Trust NA (trustee) and Caliber Home Loans Inc. (agent) to Rafael E. Baez, property in Rockefeller Township, $65,271.

Quisqueya Reynoso to Jessica Franco and Cynthia Geraldino, property in Shamokin, $3,250.

J. Michael Carson and Rosanne K. Carson to Brandon M. Carson, property in Herndon, $1.

James P. Robel to Tyler S. James, property in Coal Township, $44,500.

Paul E. Brosious Jr. and Sylvia J. Brosious to Uron G. Zimmerman and Ruth H. Zimmerman, property in Lower Augusta Township, $1.

Martin Wynne (executor) and Lena Wynne estate to Kaitlyn B. Worhach, property in Mount Carmel Township, $18,000.

Deborah L. Dana and John Dana to Kenneth A. Martin and Robin S. Martin, property in Upper Augusta Township, $1.

Patricia A. Yuskoski to Joseph E. Shearn, property in Mount Carmel, $9,000.

Michael J. Canfield to Joseph E. Shearn, property in Mount Carmel, $6,000.

Barry C. Lendz and Alysia Lentz to Eric R. McAndrew, property in Coal Township, $74,900.

Adrienne C. Karon to MK and MK Holdings, Inc., property in Mount Carmel, $12,500.

Deborah L. Parrish (trustee) and the Revocable Living Trust of the Macheski Family Trust to Jeff M. Beaver Jr., property in Mount Carmel, $1,000.

Nathan Taylor to Matthew Taylor, property in Coal Township, $1.

Stacy Andregic (individually and executrix) and Patricia Ann aka Patricia A. Hardin estate, to Heather Lynn Dayton, property in Coal Township, $36,000.

Mary Lou Wydra to Robert L. Wydra, property in Marion Heights, $1.

Michael D. Sawyer and Vickory E. Sawyer to Michael D. Sawyer, property in Rush Township, $1.

Robert A. Spangensburg and Edith J. Spangenberg to Spangenberg's Drive-In, LLC, property in Coal Township, $104,060.

Barbara A. Landau to Barbara A. Landau and Linda L. Snyder, property in Shamokin, $1.

Brian J. Jeremiah, Brenda J. Jeremiah and William G. Jeremiah to Patricia Romanoski, property in Shamokin, $35,000.

KULPMONT - The following memorials and special intentions were received by the St. Pauline Center in memory of:

Gertrude Nolan by American Legion Auxiliary Unit 231, Kulpmont.

Denise T. Avelino by Bob Greco and family.

Agnes Avelino by Brian Yancheski.

Irene T. Mirarchi by Gerry and Marty Zarkoski, Nick and Shirley Gard and Lubow Gluchowski.

Sandra M. Graboski by Bob Greco and family and Gerry and Marty Zarkoski.

Ann M. Deptula by Corinne Klose and Gerry and Marty Zarkoski.

Margaret Lutz by Frank and Rose Pecaitis and Carol C. Knight.

Peter Bartos by Gerry and Marty Zarkoski and Frank and Rose Pecaitis.

John Harbold by Frank and Rose Pecaitis.

Chester J. Kriger by Bob Greco and family, Rick, Debbie, and Christina Perles, and Atty. Edward Greco and family.

Anthony Musso by Nick and Shirley Gard.

Lucy Kemper by Michael and Rosalie Ziegler family.

Daniel Wengrenovich by Rosalie Ziegler family.

Larry Sassani by Richard and Joan Sassani and Bob Greco and family.

Joseph Cesari by George and Mary Kroutch and Frank and Rose Pecaitis.

Marion Wydra by Bob Greco and family.

Julia M. Staniszewski by Michael and Rosalie Ziegler family and St. Pauline Healing Heart Society.

Richard Foulds by St. Pauline Healing Heart Society.

Sally Sapp by Richard and Joan Sassani.

Father Louis Ogden by Father Raymond Orloski.

Msgr. Thomas Kujowski by Father Raymond Orloski.

Carolyn Giacomini by Rick, Debbie and Christina Perles.

Theresa B. Sandri by Albert and Henrietta Visintainer and Marcella Hombosky.

Robert Miller by The Rosary Group.

Gayle Peters by The Rosary Group.

Anniversary of death

Joseph L. Serovich by Gerry and Marty Zarkoski.

Mother's Day

Helen J. Serovich by Gerry and Marty Zarkoski.

Diabetic intentions

Violeta Maglanoc, Cyril Pereira, Caria Bowden, William Draper, Debra Musial, Barbara Cicone, Ann Kelly, John Witkowski, Kathleen Wahlen, Elizabeth Tuffy, L.F. Murphy, Vincent Leone, Bill Weber, Elizabeth O'Brien, Antoinette Stone, Maryann Ludwick, Lucille Brian and Janet Monroe.