BURNSIDE - As the convoy of Jeeps slowly made its way up a rocky slop Friday afternoon, a shout suddenly punctuated the otherwise peaceful wilderness.

A participant in Coal Mountain Jeep Jamboree had been trying to climb through a stream when its wheel slipped and it began sliding into a thin tree.

Steve Risk, a volunteer organizer for the event, sprang into action. He leapt from his own souped-up Jeep and began directing the driver over the slope, pointing in the direction he needed to turn the wheel to avoid the tree.

Moments like these are the highlights of Coal Mountain Jeep Jamboree for most participants, who find joy in maneuvering their Jeeps through the most difficult of terrain rather than speeding crazily through fields.

The technical difficulty of many of the loops on the mountains above Burnside brought Jeep Jamboree USA back to Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area (AOAA) for the fourth time. More than 300 Jeep enthusiasts descended on Coal Township Thursday for the event, which concludes this afternoon.

"This is the biggest Jeep Jamboree in the four years of doing it," David Porzi, AOAA operations director. "We're very excited to have the Jeep Jamboree back for the fourth annual and hopefully we can continue the relationship with Jeep Jamboree USA."

Each year, Coal Mountain Jeep Jamboree has sold out, and each year, the organizers increase the number of participants. This year, the event sold out in just 15 minutes.

Risk said 118 Jeeps from 15 states came to this year's event. Another 25 guide Jeeps helped corral the visitors over rocky hills, across narrow streams and down steep slopes.

"It's a cult, it's a movement," he said, laughing. He leads the "Risk-It Group," a collection of advanced drivers, through some of the most difficult terrain on the property.

Among his group is Jim Hacknauer, of Albany, N.Y. Hacknauer has attended 52 Jeep Jamborees at many different locations, including all four at the AOAA. He plans to return again next year.

"I do a lot of Jamborees, and I like to mix them up," said Hacknauer. "But this is one of my two favorites."

His other favorite, held in Killington, Vt., is more notable for its mud than the steep, rocky ledges found at the AOAA.

Tony "the Turtle" Tartaro, of Buffalo, N.Y., said the stony mountainside has made the AOAA his favorite Jeep Jamboree location. Tataro has attended 20 Jeep Jamborees, but Friday was his first time at the AOAA.

"It's hard sometimes to find really challenging trails," he said.

Tartaro's customized Jeep Wrangler makes most hill climbs a breeze. He's particularly proud of his air suspension system. Entirely computer controlled, Tartaro can raise the body of his Jeep at several angles with the touch of a button.

Hacknauer said he's driving an entirely different Jeep than the one he brought to the AOAA in 2012. Over the 20 years he's participated in Jeep Jamborees, he's had to keep up as machines have become bigger and more powerful.

"Wheeling has changed a lot in the past 20 years," he said. "Everything's gotten bigger, (with) larger engines."

Tartaro also has his eye out for a new Jeep - though it will be a gift for one of his two daughters who rode with him Friday.

"Maddie's going to be 16 in November, and we're looking for a Jeep Wrangler for her," he said.

Altogether, Tartaro's family had six Jeeps at the AOAA for the Jamboree. "We're hoping to take up a whole trail," he said.

SUNBURY - A Sunbury businessman said Friday he's running for Northumberland County commissioner as an Independent.

Bill Shambach, 78, of Oaklyn, Sunbury RD2, owner of Shambach's Carpet Cleaning and several other businesses, said he will file the required paperwork Monday with the county election bureau. A commissioner candidate has to collect 217 signatures on nomination papers. Shambach had 250 as of Friday and was hoping for 50 more this weekend.

"I'm trying to get as many as I can," he said Friday.

Monday at 5 p.m. is the deadline for minor party candidates to file nomination papers to be on the Nov. 3 ballot.

Shambach, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps and is a cancer survivor, said one of his priorities if elected would be the restoration of the Northumberland County courthouse.

"The Egyptians built the pyramids out of stone thousands of years ago and they are still standing, but yet we need a new courthouse because the 100-year-old stones are crumbling?" he said. "We have one of the most beautiful courthouses in the state, and from what I understand, only the front part of it needs some work."

Shambach touted his 54 years of experience as a business owner and his time in the Marine Corps budget office as assets in his bid for commissioner.

Noting many county residents are on a fixed income, Shambach said he will work toward fiscal responsibility.

"The residents of Northumberland County don't make megabucks and don't collect mega amounts in Social Security," he said. "We need to take care of our people."

Shambach said he is working on his platform and hopes to visit the Shamokin-Mount Carmel area for a campaign tour soon.

"I have nothing against the current board of commissioners or the candidates running for office," Shambach said. "We just need to work together for Northumberland County."

Bridy would be 8

Shambach becomes the seventh candidate in what has become an intriguing general election campaign season. Democrats Kymberley Best and George Zalar and incumbent Rick Shoch and his Republican running mate Sam Schiccatano earned their spots on the ballot in the May primary election.

On July 22, Libertarian candidates John Burd and Ed Quiggle Jr. filed their nomination papers. Quiggle is also running for sheriff.

Yet to be determined is whether incumbent Stephen Bridy - who made county history in 2011 by becoming the only Independent to be elected commissioner - is running for reelection. He said at the end of June he would make a decision on July 15, but he hadn't decided by then, and said Friday evening he still isn't sure. Bridy, who still hadn't picked up nominating paperwork, said he will announce his decision Monday.

Only one Independent

Alisha Herb, county director of elections, said there is only one spot on the ballot for an Independent candidate. But Pennsylvania candidate filing instructions indicate a second candidate could create another party name that would allow him to file, too.

"The name of the political body must not be longer than three words, none of which is already used by or similar to that used by another political body or party," the instructions read.

Also, Pennsylvania candidate filing laws state that more than one candidate may be nominated by one set of nomination papers if they meet the requirements. That's what Burd and Quiggle did, but there's no indication Bridy or Shambach intend to do the same. With that, and if Bridy files, whoever files last - Bridy or Shambach - would have to choose a different party name.

HARRISBURG - County officials are bracing for delays in state payments that help fund important human service programs starting next month because of the lengthening Pennsylvania budget stalemate.

The delays primarily will affect services for mental health, intellectual disabilities and drug and alcohol abuse treatment, said Doug Hill, executive director of the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania.

The association warned that cash flow problems resulting from the lack of state aid could lead various counties to slow payments to service providers, borrowing or tapping reserves so services can still be delivered to individuals.

Affecting poor, frail

That's exactly what's facing Northumberland County Area Agency on Aging, which hasn't received funds from its Human Services Block Grant since the start of July, according to Administrator Patricia Rumberger. The grant is an umbrella program for county-run human services.

The agency serves 3,500 county seniors through home-delivered meals, Senior Action Centers, transportation and personal care. It has withheld payment of about $100,000 owed to service providers, and that tally will balloon as the stalemate continues in Harrisburg. So, too, will the tally of senior citizens placed on waiting lists for services like Meals on Wheels and in-home help with bathing or organizing medication. The list began this week. By Friday, up to 10 county seniors found their names on it. Payroll is also at risk.

"They're critical services in order to keep people in their homes," Rumberger said. "It's affecting some of our poorest and frailest people."

Rumberger said the agency is considering taking out a line of credit. The debt would be repaid when the state money is freed up, but she said it won't cover any interest. The agency is mandated to respond to reports of abuse and neglect, budget crunch or not, and cash is needed to facilitate a response.

Drug, alcohol program OK

In contrast, Glenda Bonetti, director of Northumberland County Drug and Alcohol Program, said the program hasn't been impacted yet. Other funding sources are keeping services operating at normal, she said, adding that any impact wouldn't be felt until mid-August.

"Fortunately, we have money from other funding sources. It's not really impacting us," she said.

The program facilitates inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation and case management. It served 787 county residents in 2014-15. There have been 35 referrals for services in July, with eight people admitted to rehab.

Bonetti said service providers are understanding of the budget issue, in part because they're not relying solely on payments from the county. Insurance and medical assistance contribute toward their costs.

The 67 counties have a key role in overseeing human service programs in Pennsylvania and often contract with nonprofit agencies to provide services.

No deal in sight

The budget stalemate is nearly a month old with no prospect for a bipartisan deal to end it in sight. Compromise plans are in short supply despite periodic attempts at negotiations between Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and the Republican-controlled Legislature.

Wolf has proposed a combination of tax increases and tax shifts to address a $1.5 billion budget deficit, education funding and property tax relief. GOP lawmakers passed a budget with no tax hikes and focused instead on selling the liquor stores and reducing pension benefits for new state government and school district employees. Wolf vetoed that budget and related liquor and pension bills earlier this month.

Without a budget, the state Department of Human Services lacks authority to make most fiscal 2015-16 payments to counties and other grant recipients for locally run programs, said Wolf spokesman Jeff Sheridan.

"The Wolf administration will continue doing everything we can to mitigate the impacts of the impasse, reach agreement on a final budget and make payments as soon as possible after a final budget is approved," he added.

DHS continues to make payments for such state-administered programs as Medicaid, cash assistance, child care and food stamps. County officials said they hope a final budget provides $28 million to start restoring the 2012 cuts in state funding for the Human Services Block Grant. Wolf proposed a three-year restoration of those cuts in his budget, but that wasn't part of the vetoed GOP budget.

The final budget needs to better reflect the costs to county child welfare agencies of meeting mandates under the new Child Protective Services laws enacted in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal, Hill said.

The agencies have new responsibilities to address child abuse cases and are dealing with more calls from the public.

SHAMOKIN - Luzerne County Community College will offer credit courses for the fall semester in Shamokin and Kulpmont.

Courses scheduled to be offered at the Northumberland Center in Shamokin include algebra, accounting, biological science, business, CPR, English, ethics, health and physical education, history, chemistry, sociology, psychology, speech, early childhood education, art appreciation, reading, criminal justice, economics, first year experience, computer literacy, math, human services, American government and others.

Courses scheduled for the college's Kulpmont site include anatomy and physiology, general biology and nursing.

Both day and evening classes are offered at both sites.

Registration for the fall semester will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 15; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 24 through Thursday, Aug. 27; 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28; and 8:15 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 31 and Tuesday, Sept. 1, at the Northumberland County Career Center, 2 E. Arch St., Shamokin.

Classes for the fall semester will begin Monday, Aug. 31 and end Friday, Dec. 11. Final exams will be held from Saturday through Friday, Dec. 12 to 18.

For more information, call the LCCC Northumberland Center at 570-648-2544 or email nedmondson@luzerne.edu.

Last year, soap bubbles, little green army men and the Rubik's cube were inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame at the Strong Museum located in Rochester, N.Y. The Strong Museum has one of the largest collection of toys, board games, dolls, video and electronic games worldwide.

To date, 56 toys have been inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame, which was established in 1998. Some of the other interesting inductees into the Toy Hall of Fame include the Rubber Duck, the stick (yes!), the cardboard box, the game of chess, Hot Wheels toy cars, the doll house, Star Wars action figures and dominoes. Anyone can nominate a toy to the National Toy Hall of Fame. Final selections are made on the advice of a panel of judges made up of historians, educators and others in the field of play.

This prompted me to consider how vintage toys are repurposed into new and true art forms. I found some pretty interesting collaborative efforts, mainly in the areas of craft, fashion, art and jewelry design.

Crayola crayon and colored pencil necklaces are the result of a designer using a pre-fab necklace, rope or chain link to string through a group of pre-drilled crayons or pencils to make a colorful necklace. Colored pencils can also be chopped up and strung in the manner of small scale beads to make bracelets, necklaces and other items.

Another unusual toy-inspired works of art is the Lego toys that have been made into high fashion, ultra pricey couture and jewelry pieces. For instance, the Chanel clutch purse debuted ranges in price from $9,900 to $11,000 each. These Chanel purses are true works of art, hence the pricetag. The purses come in bright colors, just like original Lego building blocks and feature geometric shapes. Since their introduction, the Chanel Lego purse has been seen in the hand of some of today's trendy celeb-fashionistas Rihanna, Jennifer Biel, Dakota Fanning and Kim Kardashian.

Purses are not the only Lego-inspired artwork out there. The Smithsonian Institution's annual Craft2Wear event featured jewelry using Lego blocks. Actual Lego blocks are strung together into necklaces, earrings and bracelets by several designers the world over. Some are enhance with sterling silver, precious stones and gold leaf.

If you are a gamer, then consider keeping your spare change in or spending your spare change on a PlayStation wallet. Inspired by Sony's best-selling video game console introduced in 1994, the PlayStation wallet is modeled after the look of the original PlayStation and like some of their games, the wallet is handheld.

Beanie baby purses featuring stuffed animals turned pocketbooks still focus on the famous Ty tag and animals with clever names like Beary Bag (bear) and Hutch Clutch (rabbit).

And, lastly, in the world of high fashion, shoes are at the forefront of today's trends. There is no playing around when it comes to a women's shoe closet. I have a pretty serious shoe collection myself. And, toys have inspired some pretty innovative high heels like the Erector Set shoes designed by Jimmy Choo. Just as Erector Sets prompted children to build miniature skyscrapers, you will be soaring from your ankles to your toes on these urban-inspired Choo shoes.

Lastly, Anna Wintour's book titled "Manolo Blahnik Drawings" highlight the designs of Manolo Blahnik. You can see the wit and whimsy - some of it coming from toys - in the luscious designs of his "just can't live without" shoe creations.

Who knows? Maybe during 2016 Fashion Week, we will see the introduction of Rubik's cube knee high boots, little green army men earrings and soap bubble wand barrettes and hair bands.

(Antiques appraiser, author and former museum director Dr. Lori Verderame hosts antiques appraisal events worldwide and is the star appraiser on Discovery channel. Visit www.DrLoriV.com/Events, www.Facebook.com/DoctorLori or call (888) 431-1010.)

I love this time of the year because we still have plenty of summer left and the nights are getting a little longer. There is almost another full hour of nighttime, and the sky is dark enough for star hunting by 10 p.m. The late summer skies are filled with celestial gems.

We also have one of the best meteor showers of the year this month, the Perseid Meteor Shower, which peaks Aug. 11 to 13. It will be wonderful this year because the moon will be pretty much out of the sky by then and the meteors or "shooting stars" will be much more visible in the darker skies. I'll have more on the Perseids in next week's Skywatch.

The planet Saturn, the ringed wonder, is still the brightest star-like object in the low southern sky. Even with a small telescope, you can easily see its ring system that's more than 130,000 miles in diameter but only 50 feet thick. You'll probably also see at least some many moon that resemble little stars swarming the planet. The only problem with observing Saturn this summer is that, since it doesn't rise all that high in the sky, it may show up a little fuzzy in your scope. It's still worth a look, but just make sure you take long continuous looks so your eyes can acclimate to light level coming into your scope.

Near Saturn are two of my favorite constellations. There's Scorpius the Scorpion with the bright brick red star Antares at the heart of the Scorpion. It's one of those few constellations that looks like what it's supposed to be. In the low southeast sky is Sagittarius, which is supposed to be a half-man/half horse shooting an arrow. Forget about that; most people I know refer to it by its nickname, "The Teapot."

The brightest star in the night sky right now is Arcturus parked in the high western sky. Arcturus is also the brightest star in the constellation Bootes the Hunting Farmer. Bootes looks more like a giant kite, with the orange reddish star Arcturus at the tail of the kite. The second brightest star in the evening heavens is Vega, the bright star in a small, faint constellation called Lyra the Lyre, or Harp. Vega is a brilliant bluish-white star perched high over the eastern sky, almost overhead. Vega and the small faint parallelogram just to the lower east of Vega are supposed to outline a celestial harp in the sky. If you're quiet enough, you may even hear the music.

As you continue to look eastward, you'll notice two other bright stars that form a triangle with Vega. This is known as the "Summer Triangle." The star to the lower left of Vega is Deneb, the brightest star in Cygnus the Swan, otherwise known as the "Northern Cross" for obvious reasons. The star to the lower right of Vega is Altair, the brightest star in the constellation Aquila the Eagle.

In the northern sky we have the famous dippers. The Big Dipper, which is actually the rear end and the tail of the Big Bear Ursa Major, is hanging lazily by its handle, or tail if you please, in the high northwestern sky.

The Little Dipper, which is the same as the Little Bear, is standing up on its handle and is much dimmer than the Big Dipper. Sadly enough, it's darn near invisible in the metro area, with the exception of the outer ring of suburbs. The only really bright star in the Little Dipper is Polaris, otherwise known as the North Star, at the end of the handle.

Polaris is by no means the brightest star in the sky, but it is the "lynch pin" because every single star and planet, including the sun and moon, appear to revolve around it every 24 hours. That's because Polaris is shining directly above Earth's north pole, and as our world rotates, all of the stars appear to us to whirl around the north star.

(Lynch is an amateur astronomer and author of the book, "Stars, a Month by Month Tour of the Constellations. Contact him at mikewlynch@comcast.net.)

SHAMOKIN - Roll out the barrels, and the sixtels, and whatever else can hold those lovely suds called beer.

Covered Bridge Brewhaus has opened its very own taproom at 506 N. Eighth St. in downtown Shamokin, serving seven styles of its craft brew by the glass or by the growler to go: Sunset Coconut Porter, Dim Wizzy, Cherry Triple, Coffee Stout, KW-IPA, Saison and Elderberry Saison.

New state law allows breweries to sell pints without an additional license. Owner Eric Kuijpers took advantage, and he's already heard the question more than once: Why Shamokin?

"I tell them, 'Shamokin deserves better,' and I wait a little and say, 'beer.' It's both," Kuijpers said Thursday, minutes ahead of opening. "I like to prove people wrong."

The downtown brewhaus is more of a depot than a bar. It's open just a few hours once a week - 5 to 8:30 p.m. each Thursday.

Hours will expand as the business demands it. The low-key debut was July 23, and had a promising turnout of 35 customers. Word of mouth has spread since.

"Did you know a brewery opened two doors down from my office?" Bill Smith Jr. said on his cellphone as he tasted the coconut porter. Smith operates BDS Builders.

Right down the road

Kuijpers, who works full-time as a manager for Kurt Weiss Greenhouses, already has a loyal following from his two decades in home brewing. Customers come to him to fill growlers or to buy sixtels to tap at home. Several area restaurants and bars offer Covered Bridge, including Ghezzi's. It's been on tap at Brewser's and the Maine Fire Co., too. The storefront now makes it easier for old customers to fill up, rather than drive to his home brewery in rural Catawissa. It also offers another outlet to find new customers.

Carl Clagett may help Kuijpers do just that. Clagett owns Shaulinski's at 201 S. Market St. in Mount Carmel. He'd heard of Covered Bridge and made the drive to Shamokin to try it for the first time. He nodded knowingly at his bartender, Rick Bennett, as they sipped samples of Cherry Triple and Coffee Stout.

"Coffee," Bennett said simply.

"Jesus," Clagett replied with admiration.

"We're looking for really good beers to put on tap. I've heard nothing but good things about this place," Clagett would say. "It's real nice having a local place right down the road, literally."

Dim Wizzy is now featured on tap at Shaulinski's.

Test your pallet

Dave Mrozowski, of Coal Township, was sipping a coconut porter. He said Covered Bridge will again be featured at the Elysburg Knights of Columbus Beef & Brew Nov. 7 at the Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Church Hall. Larry Roadarmel, of Paxinos, sat across from him, nipping an Elderberry Saison. He's not much for craft beer, but said he took a liking to Covered Bridge.

"I like Eric's craft. I tried other styles but didn't stick with it," Roadarmel said.

That's what Kuijpers is hoping for, people to get out of their comfort zones and try new brews. It's OK to drink domestics, and it's OK to set them down now and again and test your pallet, he said.

Green operation

The Covered Bridge taproom is a green operation. The tap system came from a Mount Carmel firehouse and was originally built in Reading. The walk-in cooler once called Lazarski's Catering Hall home. Stools and tables are fashioned from old wheels and tractor seats.

Kuijpers brews green, too, using only natural ingredients. He's looking to Philadelphia and even closer, Catawissa, to source barley and wheat. A peach wheat beer will soon find its way to the tap room, made exclusively with locally grown peaches. And when the strawberry-rhubarb beer finds its way back, know that the rhubarb was bought at the downtown Shamokin Farmers Market.

Find more information about Covered Bridge Brewhaus on Facebook.

Pvt. Joshua Michael Barwicki, of Catawissa, and formerly of Kulpmont, graduated from U.S. Marine Corps boot camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C., July 24.

Barwicki successfully completed 13 weeks of intensive basic training as one of 45 recruits in the 3rd Training Battalion, Lima Company, Platoon 3052. While in recruit training, he earned the Sharpshooter Rifle Badge and successfully completed first-class physical fitness and combat fitness tests. Following 10 days home on leave, he will report to Camp Le Jeune in Jacksonville, N.C., for two months of infantry school with the Infantry Training Battallion. Upon completion of his training, he will be assigned his permanent duty station.

Barwicki is a 2009 graduate of Mount Carmel Area High School and the son of Tom and Anne Barwicki.

ELYSBURG - Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Parish is preparing for its second annual Lobster Fest to be held from 5 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, on the church grounds in Elysburg.

All lobsters and lobster dinners must be pre-ordered by Friday. Orders may be placed by calling the Holy Rosary parish office at 570-672-2302 or by going to www.qmhr.net and clicking on the dancing lobster.

The main features of the festival are the lobster dinners and sale of live and steamed lobsters, but that's not all the festival has to offer. One does not need a ticket to attend, only to eat the lobsters. This year, the festival will feature hamburgers, hot dogs, Italian porkette, sausage and peppers, delicious soups including lobster bisque, desserts and beverages.

There will be an expanded game and activity area for children as well as drawings and raffles for adults. Once again, there will be chances available for a variety of theme baskets and prizes.

Entertainment will be provided by local talent Double Talk.

To accommodate the crowd, the Mass on Aug. 29 has been moved ahead one hour to 4 p.m.

Lobster dinners, which include a whole steamed Maine lobster, corn on the cob, potatoes, coleslaw and two beverages, are available for $25. Live and steamed lobsters are available for pickup from 1 to 3 p.m. Aug. 29.

The event will be held rain or shine.

Marriage licenses

Nicholas Allen Auman to Valerie Olivia Wills, both of 1419 Scott St., Kulpmont. Issued July 30.

David Joseph Winsor, of 7757 N. Forest Hill Road, St. Johns, Mich., to Rebecca Lynn Ziegert, of 205 S. Vine St., Mount Carmel. Issued July 31.

Maynard Avonis Robinson Jr. to Anisa Denee Blake, both of 417 Walnut St., Apt. 4, Sunbury. Issued Aug. 1.

William Earl Fuller Jr. to Lindi Shane Snyder, both of 395 S. Main St., Herndon. To be issued Aug. 3.

Richard Lee Foust Jr. to Dana R. Thomas, both of 351 Arch St., second floor, front, Sunbury. To be issued Aug. 3.

Brian Keith Mensch to Sarah Jean Florkiewicz, both of 16 W. Adams St., Shamokin. To be issued Aug. 3.

Property transfers

Roy A. Whitehair to Curtis R. and Marian L. Schlauch, property in Shamokin, $6,000.

Peter Yastishak and Antoinette Brown to Michael Patrick Wert, property in Mount Carmel Township, $34,000.

Mary Louise Carsto estate, Robert F. Carsto Jr., Wendy Shirvinski to Mark Donald Henderson, property in Shamokin, $8,500.

Isadore and Nancy Poliniak to James Jr. and Ashley L. Pitcher, property in Coal Township, $1.

Brian A. and Jennifer K. Irving to Alyson M. Albertson, property in Riverside, $261,000.

Danielle M. Bressi to Tammy Leeman, property in Shamokin, $800.

Betty E. Neidig to Kurt P. and Stephany R. Francis, property in Sunbury, $1.

Patricia D. Angelucci to David and Hollie Annatone, property in Ralpho Township, $1.

Mary L. Zimmerman, clerk of the Orphans Court, to Cory R. Fasold, property in Upper Augusta Township, $6,765.

Sophie's World LLC to David and Connie Andrews, property in Mount Carmel Township, $1,700.

Andrew J. McIndoe to Stacie Phillips, property in Mount Carmel, $1,650.

Miller Rental Inc. to Linda C. Miller, property in Herndon, $1.

Apartments and Acquisitions LP to Robert Sassani, property in Coal Township, $8,500.

Jeanette L. Bostian to Jeanette L. and Richard A. Bostian, property in Sunbury, $1.

Carol A. Lutz-Waltz to Christopher S. Gillaspy and Sapphire L. Caton, property in Ralpho Township, $178,000.

Jonathan W. and Melissa B. Button to Jonathan W. Button, property in Coal Township, $1.

Morris A. and Linda K. Gard to William C. Haupt Jr., property in Shamokin, $65,614.

Dawn F. Miller to William A. Jr. and Trisha L. Bressi, property in Coal Township, $500.

Lester A. Jr. and Gail I. Mensch to Brian K. Mensch and Sarah J. Florkiewicz, property in Shamokin, $10,000.

Scott and Lori Shultz to Scott and Lori Schultz, property in Rush Township, $1.

Irving M. and Marian A. Cabelly to Martin D., David M. and Jonathan A. Cabelly, property in Riverside, $1.

David W. and Mary L. Lupold to Ministry of the Water and the Spirit, property in Shamokin, $1.

Eleanor Ann Mahalchick, executrix, and Eleanor Antoinette Sosnoski to Shizeng Dong, property in Mount Carmel, $41,500.

Gerald L. and Anna M. Mack to Gerald L. Mack, property in Rockefeller Township, $1.

Anthony J. and Mary Ann Sieklicki to Robert A. Sieklicki and Marie A. Labanoski, property in Coal Township, $1.

Darrin R. Brophy, aka Daren R. Brophy, and Tammie L. Brophy to Robert Isaac Meredith III, property in Ralpho Township, $56,000.

Gary L. and Tara J. Renner and Tara J. Renner-Brown to Kent Morgan, property in Coal Township, $38,000.

Ronnie L. Paul estate, Melissa Sebasovich, executrix, to Kelly A. Long, property in Zerbe Township, $1.

Norbert Wydila to Anthony and Diane Dallazia, property in Mount Carmel, $12,500.

Sterl W. Campbell estate, Stehl G. Campbell, executor, to Stehl G. Campbell, property in Zerbe Township, $1.

Michael A. and Carol Fedash to Stanley J. and Barbara L. Metro, property in Ralpho Township, $210,000.

MOUNT CARMEL - Borough police are investigating the cause of a suspicious fire early Saturday at a vacant half-double.

Neighbors called 911 at 4:14 a.m. to report flames spreading on the first and second story rear porches of 614 E. Fourth St. Borough firefighters responded quickly and had the fire doused in about 20 minutes, according to borough Fire Chief Dan Cimino.

Lt. Christopher Buhay isn't yet sure how the fire was sparked; however, he noted there hasn't been electric service at the home since 2012.

Although there were no reports of anyone at the scene Saturday, two neighbors say it's not unusual to hear noises coming from the vacant home. They noted that tires, televisions and other items on the back porch were removed sometime after the fire.

There are no suspects, Buhay said.

Cimino and fellow fire chiefs Jack Williams and Jim Reed investigated immediately after the fire.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 570-339-6020.

Ralpho Township Bridge Club

ELYSBURG - The Ralpho Township Public Library bridge club announced the winners from Tuesday's weekly games.

First place went to the team of Nancy Shuman and Bud Breech, while second place went to partners Nancy Booth and Elizabeth Johnson. Sharon Leisenring and Mary Ann Levins finished in third place, while partners Alice Pensyl and Jay Leisenring, and the husband and wife team of Paul and Joyce Bartholomew finished tied for fourth place.

Everyone is invited to play from 7 to 9 p.m. every Tuesday at the Ralpho Township Public Library. Bob Reed, group leader, provides some instruction before and during play for those interested in improving their skills.

To sign up, call the library at 570-672-9449. There is no cost.

Bingo will benefit soccer teams

ELYSBURG - A benefit bingo is being planned for 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18, at Elysburg Fire Company to benefit the Shamokin Area soccer boosters. Tickets, $20 in advance, are available by calling Christine at 570-259-4172. They'll be $25 at the door.

Randy and STUDIO M, from Kingston, will have its stock of Alex and Ani jewelry available for purchase. A portion of all sales will be donated to the boosters. Call Randy at 570-283-4404 for a particular bracelet.

Doors will be open at noon to shop STUDIO M's inventory for those not interested in playing bingo.

COAL TOWNSHIP - Police believe four girls who fled Northwestern Academy in a staffer's vehicle are hiding in the Philadelphia area.

Angel Wright's 2007 Mazda 3 was abandoned following a crash Friday in Upper Darby, a township bordering West Philadelphia. No one was on scene when police arrived, according to Coal Township Patrolman Matthew Hashuga.

Bench warrants have been issued for their arrests through Northumberland County Juvenile Court.

A 14-year-old Dauphin County girl is accused of initiating an assault against Wright, 25, of Coal Township, about 12:15 a.m. Thursday. Three other teens joined in stealing Wright's purse and locking her in a closet, police said. Wright's car keys were in her purse. The girls are believed to have driven south to Interstate 81.

The 14 year old and a 17-year-old Berks County girl are each charged with felony counts of robbery, criminal conspiracy, aggravated assault and theft, along with a misdemeanor count of simple assault. Both were placed at Northwestern's Building Bridges program through Children and Youth services, Hashuga said.

A 15-year-old girl from Tioga County and a 16-year-old girl from Delaware County face the same charges. However, since they were placed at Building Bridges by order of a juvenile court, they have also been charged with misdemeanor escape.

All four were entered into the National Crime Information Center as missing juveniles/wanted persons, Hashuga said.

Northwestern Academy is operated by NHS Human Services. According to its website, Building Bridges is a 36-bed "staff-intensive" open residential program. Girls between 13 and 18 years old are placed in the program through juvenile court and children and youth agencies. They're lodged in two cottages similar to a home setting. The cottages are unlocked during the day and locked overnight, when doors can be opened with keys or by holding in a delay-bar on the door. There is no exterior fence immediately surrounding the cottages.

Michelle Fetterolf, the academy's assistant executive director, said less than 30 girls were housed in the cottages on Thursday. Three Building Bridges staffers were working the overnight shift at the time of the incident. One staffer is required for 16 residents overnight compared to a 1-to-8 ratio during the day, Fetterolf said.

Wright was injured, police said, but the extent of her injuries are unknown. Fetterolf said Wright has been employed at the academy for approximately one year. Neither Fetterolf nor a NHS spokesman would comment directly on the incident when reached Thursday.

ATLAS - Crowds perused the Mount Carmel Farmers Market in Atlas during a grand opening Saturday.

Kelly Klinger, who is co-managing the business with her husband, Mike, said 54 vendors were on hand.

As a way to celebrate the grand opening, door prizes were awarded and the first 100 customers received a market bag.

The parking lot was nearly full at times.

Klinger said the market, which opened June 20, has been expanding faster than anticipated.

People socializing with each other while they purchase local products has been key to it's success, she said.

The market occupies the former Bi-Lo building at the intersection of Routes 61 and 54.

It's August already; the last full month of summer. August is recognized as "May Your Reading be a Haven" and "Family Fun" month. "Be Kind to Humankind" is a special week and days to observe are "Respect for Parents," "Senior Citizens" and "Book Lovers."

Penn State announces the next session in their Women's Wellness Series. "During the Golden Years: What Really are the Needs?" will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the classroom building. RSVP by calling 570-385-6102.

The Tamaqua Chamber of Commerce invites you to the next summer concert series at the railroad station. Fraser Thomas will be featured Thursday. Reserve your seat on the platform and enjoy a meal or bring your lawn chair to sit on the colorful grounds.

Family Fun Fest will be held in the square in Orwigsburg at 5:30 p.m. Thursday. Enjoy summer fun, food, family entertainment, games, music and more.

Thomas McKee, Pennsylvania Indian Trader will be presented at Sweet Arrow Lake at 7 p.m. Aug. 11. Learn how people survived without using money for purchases in 1737. Tinkling bells, woolen blankets and copper pots were some of the traded items. Free and open to the public.

Mark your calendars and save the date: The annual Heritage Day and Parade of Nations will take place in Shenandoah Aug. 22. The parade, with more than 20 nations represented in full ceremonial dress, live jazz and marching bands and more, starts at 10 a.m. Following the parade, wander through the park to taste foods of many nations, purchase crafts and enjoy more live music. This family fun day is not to be missed.

Last chance to reserve your seat to the American Red Cross Educational Seminar Aug. 18. The free and informative session will be held at 5 p.m. at the Terence P. Reiley Community Center in Pottsville. The American Red Cross does so much more than blood drives. Learn of all the services they provide to the community. The event, hosted by Community Volunteers in Action, has limited seating, so RSVP now by calling 570-628-1426

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.

American Cancer Society

Times: Immediate need. Flexible. Needing about 4 to 6 flexible hours per week at each location depending on task. Can work from home for some projects.

Responsibility: Help needed with coordination of volunteers and cancer program services. Ideal for a student majoring in marketing and communications, English, health care or an individual with administrative and clerical experience who wants to help cancer patients.

Skills: Clerical skills, computer savvy, marketing background, personable, comfortable making phone calls, mass mailings. Must be able to work independently. Orientation, training and support provided.

Location: Schuylkill County sites.

Contact: Jennifer Washney at 570-562-9749.

Library helper

Times: Flexible.

Responsibility: Help with general library tasks such as checking out and stocking books, helping at front desk, more.

Skills: Friendly and reliable.

Location: Tower-Porter Community Library.

Contact: Tom, 717-647-4900.

If you favor homemade Pennsylvania Dutch food and you know what it's like spending time "underground," chances are you know David A.

That's David A. Lucas, Hegins. Lucas organizes the annual Bootleggers' Independent Coal Miners Picnic the second Saturday in August in Hegins Park. This year, they'll be celebrating the 31st annual event, starting at noon Saturday.

"What I like is that all the food is home cooked, the entertainment is great and it's just a fun atmosphere," Lucas said.

He said it's a family tradition and he's trying to keep the coal mining heritage alive.

"The picnic gets bigger and bigger each year," Lucas said.

Lucas has carried on the tradition from his dad, the late Ray A. "Checky" Lucas, who hosted miners picnics in Williamstown years ago before David eventually moved the celebration to Hegins Park.

The event features musical entertainment, food and an opportunity for visitors to reconnect with families and friends who labored in the local anthracite industry.

Each year, a special mug is designed to commemorate local miners and denote the celebration. The 31st annual picnic mug will feature the following names: in memory of Norman J. Dinger, 1969; Art Hull Shumber, 1981; Donald J. Ducer Herring, 1998; George Pinchorski, 2014; Charles C. Charlie Klinger, 2014; Albert R. Dook Carl Sr., 2014; Homer J. Schnick Morgan, 2014; Paul Deeter, 2014; Stanley Morgan, 2014; Robert Bobby Brown, 2014; Steve Shingara Jr., 2014; Matt Shingara, 2014; and Leslie R. Pepper Kimmel, 2015. The photo on the mug will be in honor of Norman "Normie" Klinger.

Walter Boyer, Berrysburg, designs the commemorative glassware, Lucas said.

Entertainers scheduled to perform during the picnic include D.J. Gold Dust, Old Gold, The Breaker Boys and Red Halo.

Lucas will have 150 gallons of his traditional kettle soups available - chicken corn noodle, vegetable ox tail and ham and bean. He may also offer ham pot pie this year.

Also on the menu will be pepper cabbage, potato salad and macaroni salad, all made from scratch; cold cuts, cantaloupe and cake. A hot meal, including ham, mashed potatoes and string beans will be served at 4 p.m. Beer and root beer will be offered throughout the day. The picnic is held rain or shine.

A $20 donation will obtain a picnic ticket. Children younger than age 18 can attend for free. To request a ticket or place a mug order, call Lucas at 570-682-9140. Advanced requests are appreciated.

ASHLAND - Two cousins escaped a two-alarm fire in the borough late Friday night.

"When I got there, it was a working fire," Ashland Fire Chief Phillip Groody said Saturday of the fire at 305 Middle St.

Firefighters arrived within minutes of the 11:47 p.m. alarm and Groody called for a second alarm to fight the fire, which was knocked down in about 20 minutes and under control in about an hour. He said the flames were visible upon arrival. The fire appeared to have started in the living room, which is to the front of the apartment, which had four rooms and was above a garage.

"It's going to be accidental. It's not suspicious. It appears to electrical," he said.

He will call state police at Frackville today and request a state fire marshal, which is routine procedure, he said.

"The room where the fire started was completely destroyed by the fire," Groody said, adding the other three rooms had smoke and heat damage.

Damage to the apartment is "going to be $20,000 to $30,000," he said.

He did not hear smoke detectors going off when they arrived, but Groody said he later found the remains of one.

The Tri County Red Cross provided food, shelter and clothing to Ken Wayne, the resident of the fire. His cousin, Michael Wayne, was visiting him when the fire occurred and he went back to Girardville. Ken Wayne's cat perished in the fire.

The Ashland Fire Department, and firefighters from Girardville, Altamont, Englewood, Gordon, Columbia from Shenandoah, Citizens from Mahanoy City and Anthracite fire department from Mount Carmel responded to the scene. EMS units also responded.

RIVERSIDE - Some $1,000 that will be used to fix a local playground was raised Saturday by Coal City Revitalization during the group's first Fanny Float.

Eighty-five people - some from as far as the Reading area - hopped in inner tubes of various shapes and sizes near the main entrance to Merck and Co. in Riverside to make the three-mile trek down the Susquehanna River. They exited at Nikomahs Campground, north of Sunbury, where an after party was held.

Coal City has held various fundraising events in the past few years to support projects that improve Coal Township and Shamokin. In May, approximately 100 people turned out at Brady Fire Company for "An Evening in Wonderland," the group's third annual adult prom. Coal City has also held Zombie Runs and Cookies and Milk with Santa, with all profits going toward improving the community.

Destination: Campground

Matt Losiewicz, a director of the civic-minded group, said the idea for the float came from Forrest Curran, a member who is also involved with the campground. A $25 registration fee covered a bus ride from the campground to the boat launch, as well as food, beer and entertainment at the campground, where people were permitted to spend the night.

Emily Cramer, of Shamokin, who hit the water with her friends, said she has floated down the Lehigh River, but never the Susquehanna. She was looking forward to spending time with her friends.

"They (Coal City) have done a great job organizing a low-cost event to have a better profit margin," she said.

Good thing going

Losiewicz said it was his first fanny float and he was looking forward to shutting off his cellphone and simply enjoying the day riding on a four-person inner tube with his friends.

While Losiewicz rode on a moderately-sized inner tube, a group of people climbed into a massive tube that could fit eight people, coolers and beach balls.

Meanwhile, a few people decided to travel the old-fashioned way by floating on one-person tubes.

Regardless of their modes of transportation, everyone was ready to have a good time.

"The guys who are doing this are good guys," said Andrea Taylor, of Coal Township. "They got a good thing going on here."

SHAMOKIN - City officials were left Saturday to deal with yet another building collapse.

A blighted and long-vacant property at 805 E. Commerce St., owned by Apartments & Acquisitions, saw its second floor fall into its first floor about 5:20 p.m..

Pieces of what had been the first floor ceiling and, above that, the second story floor, hung at an angle, threatening to fall en mass. A center joist had already collapsed, and additional portions of the second floor had done the same. An exterior wall near the front entrance to neighboring 801-803 E. Commerce St. bulged and was in danger of bursting out.

Jim Meredith lives at 801-803 E. Commerce, which is attached

to the blighted half-double. He was swimming in his backyard when he heard a crash. It's hardly the first time, he said.

"I'm so used to it breaking apart in pieces that it's hard to tell," Meredith said about the severity of the damage. He said the home had been vacant more than 15 years.

For rent? 'Come on!'

A 10-year-old boy set fire to 805 E. Commerce in 1995. The third floor was removed, and efforts to top the second floor with a new roof were futile. Apartments & Acquisitions bought it from the Tax Claims Bureau in July 2011 for $2,000, according to a deed. A "For Rent" sign was hung on the dry-rotted front porch soon after that, and served to draw more attention to the blight from motorists passing on Route 61.

"They put that sign up three years ago," Meredith said, pointing to it from the sidewalk below. "I'm like, come on!"

Mayor William D. Milbrand said the city will pursue the emergency demolition of the property and the half-double next door at 807 E. Commerce St., owned by Northumberland County.

The properties are two blocks from 625-627 E. Commerce St. that was demolished last week after continuing interior collapses. Just across the street from 805 E. Commerce is 821 Mount Carmel St. (Route 61), which is now city-owned and is slated to be torn down Tuesday.

'Deadbeat' Atiyeh

Vinny Clausi, county commissioner, said he'd ask his fellow commissioners to pay to tear down the county's half at 807 E. Commerce. Apartments & Acquisitions, and notably its co-owner George Atiyeh, is on the hook for the other side, Clausi said.

"I'm going to call the district attorney Monday to help the city police enforce the law since this deadbeat landlord won't take care of the property," Clausi said.

Responding to the scene were code officer Rick Bozza, Battalion Fire Chief Bruce Rogers, Councilman R. Craig Rhoades, Milbrand, Cpl. Bryan Primerano and Patrolman Ray Siko II.

Cited before

Primerano said Atiyeh had been cited in the past for conditions at 805 E. Commerce, along with other properties he owns in Shamokin. Atiyeh appeared in court before Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III and, according to Primerano, said he'd demolish the structure. That never happened.