MI Windows recruitment

SHAMOKIN - Aerotek will be recruiting for MI Windows at the CSO JOBS Center, 2 E. Arch St., Thursday.

Please bring two forms of identification to apply. Be prepared to interview.

Pierogies for sale

SHAMOKIN - The Shamokin Senior Action Center has potato pierogies for sale made by Our Lady of Hope Church. Cost is $8 per dozen. Call 570-644-0772 for information.

Flower show set for the weekend

ELYSBURG - The Elysburg Garden Club will hold its annual flower show during Ralpho Township All Home Days celebration this Labor Day weekend.

The public is invited to enter flowers, potted plants and hanging baskets. The entries can be brought to the flower show building between 5 and 8 p.m. Friday and from 7 to 9 a.m. Saturday. For more information, please call Ellen at 570-672-2383.

MOUNT CARMEL - The Mount Carmel Borough Council will convene for an emergency meeting tonight at 7:30 p.m. to discuss taking action on a collapsing building.

Borough council president Tony Matulewicz said he decided to call the emergency meeting after several council members, the mayor and two engineers determined 248-250 W. Second St. is in danger of collapsing.

"The building appears to be falling down," he said. "We want to all get together in a public forum to see what options are available and what we plan on doing with it," he said.

Code officer Robin Williams said he's been working on the property since at least March 2010, when firefighters responding to a gas leak in the building discovered the roof, third and second floors of the house had collapsed.

Neighbors said the building, which was owned by Robert Thurner at the time, had been vacant for at least two years. After Thurner failed to continue paying taxes on the property, it was sold at the county repository sale held June 10, 2014, to Stella P. Alli, 53, formerly of Massachusetts and now of Sunbury.

On Aug. 27, borough police chief Todd Owens filed misdemeanor public nuisance and disorderly conduct of hazardous conditions charges against Alli. She has not yet appeared at a preliminary hearing.

"It's gotten to the point where it's so dangerous," said Williams.

The roof of the building is largely nonexistent, animals are living inside and the exterior brick walls of the building are warping. The building has already been cordoned off because of falling debris, but borough council is now concerned the structure will fully collapse.

"Public safety is number one," said Matulewicz.

Though the primary topic of the meeting will be the building, other topics may be discussed, Matulewicz said. Borough council will hold an emergency meeting tonight to discuss the fate of 248-250 W. Second St., Mount Carmel. The building, owned by Stella Alli, has partially collapsed and is considered dangerous.

SUNBURY - On a split vote Tuesday, Northumberland County commissioners approved a settlement agreement with fired deputy sheriffs Michael Boris III and Joseph Jones totaling $495,000, plus $330,000 in fees to the Williamsport law firm of Lepley, Engelman and Yaw that represented them.

Boris will receive $270,000 while Jones will get $225,000.

In addition to that $825,000, the county still owes approximately $100,000 to its own attorneys for defending the case.

With a settlement having been reached, all pending post-trial appeals in the court are moot, according to Sunbury attorney Michael Kula, who assisted Attorney Michael Apfelbaum in defending Commissioner Vinny Clausi, former Sheriff Chad Reiner and the county at trial and post-trial proceedings.

Clausi and Stephen Bridy, participating by phone, approved the settlement at Tuesday's commissioners meeting. Commissioner Richard Shoch voted "no," claiming Clausi should be responsible for paying the entire amount since he voted to waive the county's insurance coverage for the case in 2010, meaning the county must pay all awards and fees with tax dollars.

Shoch said, "Due to the waiver of insurance coverage back in 2010, the county will pay this settlement out of pocket, along with over $100,000 in attorney fees that we would not have incurred had the insurance coverage, the premiums for which were paid with taxpayer dollars, not been waived. By contrast, had the coverage not been waived, our out-of-pocket cost for this suit would have been just $25,000.

"The taxpayers will pay for all of this," Shoch said.

Clausi said he doesn't regret the decision to take the case to trial, even though a jury found June 12 that Jones and Boris were denied their free speech and due process rights as claimed in their defamation and wrongful termination lawsuit.

"I would do it all over again," Clausi stated at the meeting, still standing by the claim that Boris and Jones were awarded for looking at pornography on their work computers.

Appeal details

On Aug. 7, Columbia-Montour County President Judge Thomas James Jr., who presided at the jury trial, denied a motion for delayed damages requested by Attorney Douglas Engelman, of Williamsport, on behalf of Jones and Boris.

Apfelbaum said James' decision to deny the motion saved the county approximately $95,000.

Northumberland County was exonerated in both men's whistleblower's claims, and in Jones' own emotional distress claim. Boris and Jones were seeking to "preserve" the whistleblower claim in their appeal.

In addition to seeking a new trial, a reversal of the jury's judgment or dismissal of the case, Apfelbaum challenged Engelman's original request for approximately $463,000 in attorney fees.

In their appeal, Apfelbaum and Kula argued that a First Amendment claim against Clausi wasn't properly established, saying he had "qualified immunity" as an elected official even if a violation occurred, and that the plaintiffs never clearly established that their constitutional rights were violated. The same argument was made on behalf of Reiner and the 14th Amendment claim against him, adding that James should not have excluded evidence from an arbitration hearing and the resulting ruling. An arbitrator ruled in 2012 that the county had just cause to fire Boris, Jones and a third deputy, Tom Drust, who were accused of viewing pornography on work computers.

An additional claim of emotional distress awarded to Boris against Clausi should be overturned because no evidence was presented, including medical documentation, proving he had been victim to "extreme or outrageous behavior," the defense claimed.

James will not have to rule on the motions filed by both parties since a settlement has been reached.

The defamation and wrongful termination lawsuit was filed in January 2010. The lawsuit stems from an investigation into a porn-viewing scandal in the sheriff's office.

Boris and Jones, who are neighbors in Mount Carmel, were fired Jan. 13, 2010, by Reiner for violating the department's computer policy by failing to secure their passwords and failing to ensure inappropriate material was not retrieved using their passwords.

Susquehanna Valley gas prices dropped another six cents in the past week according to AAA East Central's Fuel Gauge report. Local prices are still running below the national average, which is $2.471.

On the national front

Pump prices continue to drop and most drivers should pay the lowest gas prices for Labor Day weekend since 2004. Drivers nationwide continue to benefit from the relatively low price of crude oil with Monday's average being about 96 cents per gallon less than a year ago.

Despite the persistence of some regional refinery issues, average U.S. gas prices are falling at the fastest rates since December. The BP refinery outage in Whiting, Ind., which sent prices markedly higher in the Midwest several weeks back, has resumed production.

Prices continue to fall week-over-week in the previously impacted states of Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. The East Coast is currently facing its own production challenges with reports that the Phillips 66 Bayway refinery in New Jersey is operating at reduced rates. Barring any major supply disruptions, consumers remain poised to pay the lowest national average for the holiday weekend in 11 years.

Market fundamentals remain bearish, even as oil prices staged a rally late last week that pushed prices a bit higher compared to early-week trading sessions where both Brent and West Texas Intermediate exceeded multi-year lows. China's economic health and the potential for Iranian oil to return to markets remain front of mind, and are expected to keep downward pressure on global crude oil prices.

At the close of Friday's formal trading on the NYMEX, WTI settled at $45.22 per barrel recovering from a 6 1/2-year low of $38.25 per barrel reached last Monday.

(AAA East Central, a not-for-profit association with 83 local offices in Kentucky, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia serving 2.7 million members, provides Fuel Gauge every week.)

This week's Susquehanna Valley average price - $2.456.

Average price during the week of Aug. 24, 2015 - $2.515.

Average price during the week of Sept. 2, 2014 - $3.379.

DANVILLE - Former Shamokin resident Chris Farrell is returning to Pennsylvania to celebrate the release of his latest CD, My Circus Days. The singer/guitarist will perform a special concert at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11, at The Booth Theater, 116 Mill St.

Chris first developed his love of performing while a student at St. Edward's grade school and Our Lady of Lourdes High School. He is thrilled to be bringing his original music back to the area. The show will include several songs of the coal region and the Pennsylvania experience.

My Circus Days is the collection of 16 songs exploring life's glories, tragedies, ironies and comedies. Vignettes of Catholic school days, immortal to obscure artists, political issues and absurd moments are neatly tied together like the traveling show in the title track.

Chris relocated to Chicago shortly after studying theater at King's College. For the last 40 years he has been an important contributor to Chicago's music scene and is hailed as one of Chicago's finest singer/songwriters. As a veteran of that scene's great listening rooms, he carries on in the tradition set forth by John Prine, Steve Goodman and other mentors and influences.

CDs will be available at the show. Tickets are $10 and reservations can be made at 570-951-6572. Visit Chris Farrell on the web at www.chrisfarrellsongs.com.

MANDATA - A strike now appears unavoidable at the Line Mountain School District after board members say a last-ditch negotiation session ended with the teachers union walking out after demanding more money than ever before.

A statement released by the board said representatives from the Line Mountain Education Association (LMEA) came into Wednesday night's meeting with no intent of preventing the strike.

"We received an offer from LMEA not intending to settle a contract, but to express their overwhelming desire to strike Sept. 16. They now want even more money from their last proposal and have added new items dictating staffing levels and class sizes," the statement said.

Mark McDade, the union's state representative, admitted the strike was still on but denied accusations that LMEA was making new demands.

"That's not true. We did not ask for more money," he said. McDade concluded the interview before he could be asked to further clarify the issue.

The board's statement also said LMEA leadership refused to allow all teachers to view the proposal before denying it.

"After a formal request to take the proposal back to their full membership for a vote, LMEA ended the meeting and walked out," the statement said.

The board held to its most recent offer, made Aug. 25. That offer is available for public inspection on the district's website. The board said LMEA can choose to accept this contract until Sept. 16, the scheduled strike date.

Mark Shearer, LMEA president and a teacher at the district, did not return a call placed late Wednesday seeking comment.

BLOOMSBURG - Knoebels Amusement Resort is lending a hand to its entertainment neighbor the Bloomsburg Fair to create what is expected to be a gorgeous and popular display.

A small carousel of horses will be decorated with flowers in the horticulture building as part of the fair's 160th anniversary theme.

Scott Edwards, horticulture director for the fair, which runs Sept. 26 to Oct. 3, detailed the unique collaboration at Wednesday's annual media day kickoff luncheon.

"We talked to Knoebels and asked them to borrow six of their carousel horses for the display," which will be featured prominently just inside the building entrance, Edwards said.

Knoebels took it a step further when Brian Knoebel, one of the fourth generation operators, called and said the amusement park would not only supply the horses, but build an actual carousel, too.

It's a working unit, complete with two "jumper" horses, but it'll be adorned with flowers, not riders.

"The horses are spares from the kids' carousel and the wood came from our lumber yard," Knoebels public relations director Stacy Ososkie

said Wednesday. "We are happy to join up with the fair for this attraction. Once the flowers are on it, it will be incredible."

The anniversary year was noted upon fair President Paul Reichart's introduction at the luncheon when he said, "Welcome to our 160th birthday party." He said the fair attracted 425,000 people last year and the goal is for 450,000 in 2015.

Each fair department director detailed new attractions.

Grandstand entertainment

W. Carey Howell, supervisor of grandstand entertainment, guaranteed there will be rain for this year's fair, and he's happy about that. This "Rain," however, is in the form of a Beatles tribute band.

The musical acts get started on Sunday, Sept. 27, with Christian rock band Skillet and for King and Country. America's Got Talent runner-up Forte and Columbia County native Sean Panikkar perform on Monday, Sept. 28.

Two of country music's rising stars, Chase Rice and Cassadee Pope, will share the bill Sept. 29, followed by Randy Houser, singer of the number one hits "How Country Feels," "Runnin' Outta Moonlight" and "Goodnight Kiss," on the 30th.

Rock legend ZZ Top, which had to cancel at late notice last year when bassist Dusty Hill was injured in a tour bus fall, is set for Thursday, Oct. 1.

After Rain's Oct. 2 show, country music superstars Josh Turner and Sara Evans wrap up the shows on Saturday, Oct. 3.

Also, a number of free entertainment shows are planned throughout the week at the Millennium Park and Free Stage.

Motorized entertainment at the grandstand track this year includes a freestyle motocross event, a figure 8 race with rollover, tractor and truck pulling, the championship demolition derby and horse pulling events.

Pumpkins, scavenger hunt

Agriculture Secretary Kenneth P. Carlson said fair officials are hoping for a record number of entries, including for the largest pumpkin contest.

"Last year, we had two pumpkins that weighed 1,036 pounds," Carlson said. "This year, we are hoping for a 1,100-pound pumpkin."

Fair attendees can also participate in an electronic scavenger hunt. Starting Sept. 11, there will be a list of locations for fairgoers to visit. Those with smartphones can snap photos of various QR codes through the new Bloomsburg Fair app, to compete for prizes. Attendees can also enter to win a two-year lease on a new Toyota vehicle.

"Last year's winner loves her car so much, she will be buying out the lease when it comes up," Reichart said.

All the new attractions will join with the old favorites, like the horse pulling and harness racing at the grandstand. The only thing missing this will be poultry exhibits.

"Due to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture trying to cut down on the spread of Avian Flu, there will be no displays of poultry or eggs at this year's fair," said Randy Karchner, director of poultry, rabbits and school exhibits. "We have increased the number of rabbits up to between 600 and 800, so it will be a little quieter in the poultry barn, but just as interesting."

PAXINOS - Meadowview Christian Academy has nearly doubled its enrollment and will educate about 60 students this year, but small class sizes and heavy parental involvement are still touted as key attributes of the school.

"We just added two students today," Amanda Kurtz, Parent Teacher Fellowship president and school secretary, said Wednesday. "We are going to have to build soon; we are running out of room."

Meadowview, at 216 Tulip Road off Route 61, welcomes three new teachers for the 2015-16 school year, which started Thursday: Patty Zablosky in kindergarten, Rachel Taylor in third and fourth grades and Diana Frick in sixth, seventh and eighth. Frick is the former school secretary.

Meadowview offers classes from K-4 (kindergarten for 4-year-olds) through eighth grade and draws students from Shamokin Area, Mount Carmel Area, Southern Columbia Area, Line Mountain, Shikellamy and Danville Area school districts.

Outdoor classroom added

In the K-4 program, parents have the option of sending their children three, four or five days a week. Twenty youngsters are enrolled in the K-4 classes this year.

An addition to the school this year is an outdoor classroom in the wooded area behind the school along a creek. The area has been cleared and mulched to be used for science classes.

The school's library has been moved to a larger room and several sections of the interior have been repainted, including a mural outside the school office to make the school more "kid friendly."

The school also has a new and more attractive website that includes a school calendar, news about Meadowview, information about admissions, how to make a donation to the school, academics and more.

3D printer in use

A new learning tool at the school acquired over the last year is a 3D printer, which will be used in classes taught by Ray Skocik, history/science/computer teacher.

'Parent-run'

Being a Christian school, students attend chapel every Wednesday.

"With small class sizes, we feel the education is above and beyond what is offered elsewhere," Kurtz said. "We love it here and it is really parent-run. The parents even come in to heat up lunches."

One upcoming event in October that the school is looking forward to is its annual "March for Meadowview," a fundraiser where students get parents, family members and friends to sponsor them for a specific number of laps around the large field behind the school.

For more information on Meadowview Christian Academy, call the school at 570-644-1573, visit www.meadowviewchristian.org or its Facebook page.

SUNBURY - A Sunbury woman was charged with criminal attempt to commit theft by deception after she allegedly made false claims that her e-cigarette battery malfunctioned, the district attorney's office announced Wednesday.

The charge against Breanne Court, 22, of 2576 Hollowing Run Road, comes after the office conducted an investigation into the claims to determine their legitimacy. The case was unusual because most fraudulent claims are made to insurance companies or the police, District Attorney Ann Targonski said.

Employees of Durasmoke, based in Milwaukee, notified the district attorney's office in August of a call from a man from Sunbury. He claimed as he was charging his e-cigarette battery it exploded and caught fire, burning the floor of his apartment. The caller asked for a payment of $3,000 for damages.

A few weeks later, Durasmoke received a call from Court, who filed a similar complaint. She said her exploded battery burned the carpet of her rented home and claimed $4,500 in damages.

Durasmoke told the district attorney's office that these were the only two complaints of this nature across the nation, and they were suspicious when they noticed both calls came from the same small city.

The district attorney's office investigated and learned that Court lived with her parents and was not renting an apartment. Also, Court ultimately admitted that no such incident occurred and she decided to call Durasmoke after an acquaintance told her about the first incidence, the DA reported. Court was charged Aug. 25.

The case was unique in that Court did not file a false insurance claim and did not make a false report to police, both of which would constitute immediate crimes under the state crimes code.

An investigation into the first complaint was also initiated, but the evidence was insufficient to prove a crime had been committed, Targonski said.

"Fraudulent crimes of this type result in increased insurance rates for all private retail companies selling consumer goods across the nation," she said.

Most people realize that filing a false insurance claim or false report with police is illegal, but some believe doing so with a private business is OK because these companies are realizing big profits, Targonski said. However, "Making a false report to any company to gain a financial reward is illegal," she said.

SUNBURY - Tonight's public meeting to educate residents about the new county prison site will include presentations by officials from the state Department of Environmental Protection and Apex Companies LLC, an environmental consulting firm hired by the commissioners.

County and city officials also will be in attendance to answer questions.

Commissioner Stephen Bridy, chairman of the county prison board, said the 6 p.m. informational session will be held in the commissioners' meeting room to discuss remediation work that will be done at the

be done at the former site of Moran Industries, 1400 Susquehanna Ave., Sunbury.

"There are a lot of misconceptions and lies that have been made about the property where we plan to build the prison and work release center," Bridy said Wednesday. "We are hoping people come to the meeting with open minds and listen and learn from the experts. When they leave the meeting, we feel they will be more confident about the project."

Bridy said the commissioners are not mandated to hold a public meeting about the future prison site.

He said Apex, which is based in Malvern, has done numerous Brownfield projects and previously conducted environmental studies at the prison site.

"An Apex environmental scientist will be at the site monitoring air quality and doing other environmental work throughout the remediation and construction process," Bridy said. "People's safety is our top priority. You can't put a price on a life.

"The commissioners plan on going above and beyond the work needed to make sure the property is properly remediated before construction begins. We want taxpayers to know that this project is being done correctly."

Bridy expects to hear opposition about the project from various people, including a Crime Watch group from the neighborhood where the prison will be built. "They have a right to voice their opinions and concerns, but we plan to alleviate or eliminate their concerns by having the meeting," he said.

The commissioner said he's hopeful remediation work will be completed by Nov. 1 with construction starting before the end of the year. He expects the county to receive bids for the work by late November and a ground-breaking ceremony to be held in early December.

On Tuesday, Bridy and Commissioner Chairman Vinny Clausi approved a proposal from Alexander Building Construction Co., Harrisburg, to oversee the prison project. Commissioner Richard Shoch opposed the motion, claiming bids from CGL Companies and Quandel Construction were less expensive. Shoch said he believes CGL and Quandel are just as qualified for the job as Alexander.

"Alexander will be the coach for this project, while we are the franchise owners," Bridy said.

The construction management services contract was approved at a cost of $23,120 per month during the design and bidding phase and $46,190 per month during construction.

Clausi, who operates his own construction business, said the flat fee for the services will significantly reduce costs connected with change orders. He also pointed out that Alexander has it owns lawyer and architect who will be involved with the work.

Bridy said the new prison and work release center will cover more than eight acres of the 22-acre site at the former Knight-Celotex manufacturing plant. The property encompasses several blocks in the northern end of Sunbury and a small section of land in Upper Augusta Township.

Bridy previously said the entire prison and work release center project will cost between $20 million and $35 million.

He said the new 90-cell prison will be designed for 260 inmates, but will be able to hold a capacity of more than 300 inmates. The county prison at 39 N. Second St., which was built in 1876, had a maximum inmate capacity of just under 300 before being extensively damaged by fire Jan. 14.

Since the fire, most of the male inmates have been housed at SCI-Coal Township while female inmates have been incarcerated at SCI-Muncy. Prisons in Snyder, Montour and other counties also have been used to house prisoners.

Earlier this year, the county completed its $2 million purchase of the site from Moran Industries, which bought the property in 2011.

Moran Industries Inc. is a third-party logistics company based in Watsontown that specializes in warehousing and distribution.

COAL TOWNSHIP - SCI-Coal Township sponsored a firefighting in corrections symposium on Saturday, Aug. 22.

The free event was aimed at emergency medical services (EMS) and fire personnel who would respond to prison emergencies.

Superintendent Vincent Mooney welcomed and presented opening remarks to the group of state, county, federal corrections staff and local fire and EMS personnel.

Program speakers included Pennsylvania Fire Commissioner Tim Solobay, SCI-Mahanoy Safety Manager Ed Mikulski, Northumberland County Prison Warden Bruce Kovach, SCI-Coal Township Sgt. John Ferrari, SCI-Coal Township Training Coordinator John Gregorowicz, SCI-Coal Township Captain Charles Stetler, SCI-Coal Township Lt. Nicholas Goretski and SCI-Coal Township Lt. Arthur Masser.

Solobay discussed the status of volunteer fire service and the diminishing number of volunteers across the state. He spoke about the importance of local fire departments working closely with in-house fire emergency response teams (FERT) at all facilities.

He said fighting fires in a correctional facility presents a unique set of concerns that local fire departments may not encounter on a regular basis such as security concerns when entering the facility and making sure all equipment in their vehicles is inventoried for the purpose of accountability when leaving inside the perimeter.

Solobay also spoke of projects his office is responsible for such as state fire grants for local fire departments and the PENNFIRS reporting system. He also discussed how the state fire academy in Lewistown works with the Department of Corrections in training institutional FERT members.

Mikulski instructed a class on the goals of fire safety in corrections.

Kovach offered a slide presentation of the fire Jan. 14, 2015, at the county prison.

He spoke of the response by Department of Corrections (DOC) personnel that day and thanked SCI-Coal Township employees for their continued assistance.

Kovach said it is a pleasure to work with DOC workers within the confines of SCI-Coal Township.

Ferrari spoke about the history of fire in corrections using statistics and photos.

Gregorowicz, a survivor of the 9/11 attack of the U.S. Pentagon, spoke of his experiences that day, and gave a touching slide presentation that brought tears to the eyes of those in attendance. He thanked EMS/firefighter personnel for their services.

Stetler, Goretski and Masser presented an informational session about security concerns when entering a correctional facility.

Following the symposium, the 75 attendees were given a tour of the prison.

Officials hope to make the symposium an annual event.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - On Tuesday, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-Pa.), a member of the National Security Working Group and former chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near Eastern, South and Central Asian Affairs, released a statement on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

"As a member of the United States Senate since 2007, I have been at the forefront of advancing legislative strategies to prevent the Iranian regime from developing a nuclear weapon. For four and a half years, I was chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near Eastern, South and Central Asian Affairs. Iran was one of the 32 countries that the subcommittee covered. I have traveled across the Middle East and had the opportunity to engage with leaders of countries in the region. I have devoted countless hours to studying the region and authoring, sponsoring and voting on legislation on these issues. Attached as Exhibit No. 1 is a summary of my record relating to Iran.

"The vote I will cast with regard to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is a vote of great consequence and complexity. In order to make this important decision, I have done the following: reviewed the JCPOA thoroughly; consulted with experts on Iran's program, the nuclear fuel cycle, diplomacy, national security, non-proliferation and other subject areas; read numerous analyses and critiques of the JCPOA; received classified and non-classified briefings; listened to my constituents; and spoken to current and former senators, staff, ambassadors and U.S. government officials, past and present. In all, since April, I have had more than 40 such engagements, briefings and discussions. To make an informed, reasoned decision on this matter, it is my obligation to consider and assess more than the four corners of the JCPOA. I have considered the impact of the JCPOA on our national security, the security of Israel and the Middle East and the grave question of war and the related issue of deterrence.

"After the more than six weeks of intensive review, I have concluded that I will support the JCPOA, vote no on the motion to disapprove and no on a veto override vote if necessary. I firmly believe that effective implementation of the JCPOA, bolstered by other U.S. policies, including a strong deterrence policy of the U.S. and our partners, will be in our national security interest. This agreement will substantially constrain the Iranian nuclear program for its duration, and compared with all realistic alternatives, it is the best option available to us at this time."

Spinning, weaving meeting

MIFFLINBURG - The Susquehanna Valley Spinners and Weavers Guild will hold their monthly meeting at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13, at the Masonic Lodge, 361 Chestnut St., Mifflinburg. A social time will precede the meeting at 1:30 p.m.

The September program is Sheep and Wool 101. Shepherds will discuss the breeds they have and the qualities of wool.

The guild welcomes new visitors and potential members. Call Ruth Burnham at 570-523-8311, Kathy Wagner at 570-275-5450 or Joyce Howard at 814-577-7881 with any questions.

MOUNT CARMEL - Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 47 S. Market St., is honoring all coal miners with a display in the church designed by Patrick Grybos, facility manager, and parish member Henry Zuech.

Also, the Rev. Frank Karwacki, pastor, will have a blessing for all those who have worked or are working in the coal industry at the 8 a.m. Mass Monday.

The display has a photograph of the Locust Summit breaker taken by Joseph Swatski, and various mining tools. Those who have lost their lives in mining accidents will be remembered.

MOUNT CARMEL - The borough will pay to tear down a building in danger of collapsing and attempt to recoup the cost through restitution and liens.

Borough council voted unanimously at an emergency meeting Wednesday night to demolish 248-250 W. Second St. after several council members, the mayor and two engineers determined it could crumble at any time, potentially harming passersby and adjacent buildings.

Police have filed misdemeanor public nuisance and disorderly conduct of hazardous conditions charges against the building's owner, Stella Alli, 53, of Sunbury. Borough council president Tony Matulewicz said the borough will press for restitution through these criminal charges.

The funds for the tear down will come from the borough's departmental deficiency fund, which is money specifically set aside in each annual budget for unforeseen emergencies. The fund's balance is approximately $27,000 and the emergency resolution decrees the cost cannot exceed this amount.

Matulewicz said borough council has been attempting to end its involvement in funding these types of projects, but has no other options in this case.

"Normally I would be opposed to this, but this is such a horrendous structure," said Matulewicz.

The borough has already begun taking more aggressive action designed to keep blighted buildings from falling into utter disrepair.

Police Chief Todd Owens and Code Officer Robin Williams started teaming up several weeks ago to press criminal charges against the owners of blighted properties.

Both were on hand to testify on the danger of the structure. Williams said he has been involved with the structure since 2010, when the roof, second and third floors collapsed and severed a gas line. Another interior collapse recently occurred, said Williams, causing the walls to further buckle.

"It needs to come down," he told council.

Owens said he cordoned off the sidewalk and parking spaces to prevent people from being hit by falling debris.

"I feel it's not (adequate), but at least we weren't going to have vehicles and pedestrians struck," he said. "You could hear the building creaking and moaning and there were things falling from the interior."

Fire Chief Dan Cimino also spoke on how the building was affecting public safety.

"My main concern is it's a high traffic area," he said, noting that many people walk up the street to access the viaduct.

Engineers John Bucanelli and Stephen Bielskie Sr. said they had each visited the building and determined it could fall anytime. Bielskie said he was concerned a heavy rain would fill the building and place weight on the walls, and urged council to act swiftly.

SHAMOKIN - A Subway restaurant will open downtown later this month.

Brothers Jeff and Jason Yerger are co-owners, while their sister, Jessie (Yerger) Davenport, will manage the restaurant, which will open Sept. 16 or Sept. 21 at 111 W. Independence St. near M&T Bank.

Jeff Yerger said business hours have not yet been determined. He said the restaurant will employ 10 to 15 workers.

The Shamokin business will be the first franchise operated by the Yergers.

Corrine L. Betzko, director of the Brush Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce, said a ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled at the new business.

Jeff Yerger resides in Mount Pleasant Mills, while his brother lives in Middleburg. Their sister resides in Selingrove.

Employees from Premier Construction, of Dillsburg, are continuing to renovate the property. Barry Bankes is the superintendent for the renovation work.

Job interviews for Subway are being conducted by Davenport at Central Susquehanna Opportunities on the third floor of the Northumberland County Career and Arts Center. Jeff Yerger said applications can also be made online at www.mysubwaycareer.com.

Jeff Yerger said his family saw a need to open a Subway in Shamokin.

"Everyone has been very positive about us opening the restaurant and we appreciate that very much," he said. "We are looking forward to becoming part of the community."

A Subway restaurant was formerly located at the corner of East Independence and Rock streets more than 15 years ago. One continues to operate at the Coal Township Walmart as well.

COAL TOWNSHIP - The physical education department at Shamokin Area Middle/High School is learning the ropes of new outdoor adventure equipment that students will soon get to use.

Six faculty members are in the process of a 40-hour Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT) certification that will conclude today with written and practical tests. The training is being done by Tony Draus, of EdVenture Builders, who installed a low-rope course and high-rope course on the southeast and northwest corners of the football practice field, next to Kemp Memorial Stadium.

The district was awarded $1,105,095 in spring 2014, spread over three years, from a federal fitness grant to purchase the climbing equipment, as well as new exercise equipment that is already in use.  

The high rope course, supported by several poles 38.5 high, consists of several challenges, including a centipede, where a climber uses hand holds to climb three large boards that dangle vertically, and a "leap of faith," in which a climber jumps off a platform and relies on a belayer, a person who exerts tension on a rope, to stop a fall. The foot-level height of the highest challenge is 30 feet.

"The course is designed to promote team building," said Draus, who has more than 25-years experience building climbing equipment. "Safety is paramount. It has its inherent risks, but the track record is extremely good."

Faculty is being shown how each challenge should be completed, and, more importantly, learning how to utilize ropes and harnesses to ensure the safety of students. Donning helmets and harnesses, Tyler DiRienzo, Christi Cryder, Connie Boyer, Robert Nye, Shawn Zalinski and James Dressler took turns as a belayer and a climber.

"The front belayer will always be a teacher," said Boyer. "A responsible student can act as a backup, while a third student will be in charge of handling the excess rope, which should never be on the ground."

New club

Cryder said students would be able to use the low-rope course during their scheduled gym class, which lasts around 45 minutes, but there is not enough time to use the high-rope course.

An after-school club will be formed to rectify the time situation. Details are still being worked out, but the idea is to have groups of 20 students meet from 8 a.m. to noon two Saturdays a month, weather permitting.

"We're thinking that teachers will have the first chance to use it since they are more mature. This will give us a chance to practice," said Nye "The more practice the better."

Trevorton High School Class of 1961

Office closed for Labor Day

KULPMONT - Kulpmont-Marion Heights Joint Municipal Authority Office will be closed Monday in observance of Labor Day.

Digital art class planned

SHAMOKIN - The Northumberland County Council for the Arts and Humanities is offering a digital art class for children ages eight to 12 at the art studio, 2 E. Arch St.

There will be two sessions with six kids each. The first session of classes will be held Oct. 6, 13, 20 and 27 and Nov. 3 and 10. Applicants will be accepted on a rolling basis. Each six week course is $60 prepaid. This is sponsored in part by Merck Pharmaceutical.

Additionally, the Wilton Course 1 will start today and be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

For more information on programming or to apply, call 570-850-9121 or email jeannes@ptd.net.

HARRISBURG - As part of a focus on reducing drug- and alcohol-related crashes, PennDOT, state police and municipal police will take part in the national "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" enforcement initiative through Labor Day.

"Even though the number of people killed in drug- and alcohol-related crashes decreased last year, we and law enforcement will not reduce our efforts to make Pennsylvania roads safer," said PennDOT Secretary Leslie S. Richards. "Enforcement and education efforts occur year round, but will be especially focused through the upcoming holiday travel period."

During last year's Labor Day weekend, there were 144 alcohol-related crashes and 16 fatalities as well as 44 drug-related crashes and three fatalities.

PennDOT statistics for 2013 show there were 3,267 drug-related crashes statewide, with 143 fatalities in those crashes. In 2014, there were 3,332 drug-related crashes statewide with 125 fatalities.

The same data also shows that alcohol-related crashes decreased from 11,023 in 2013 to 10,586 in 2014. Fatalities in those crashes decreased from 369 in 2013 to 360 in 2014.

Statewide police statistics show that there were 52,636 driving under the influence (DUI) arrests in 2014, a decrease from 54,121 in 2013. DUI-drug arrests continue to account for a larger percentage of these arrests, with 20,691 such arrests in 2014, an increase from 18,987 in 2013.

The legal blood-alcohol content in Pennsylvania is 0.08 for motorists over the age of 21. Driving under the influence penalties can include jail time, license suspension and fines of between $500 and $5,000.

Pennsylvania's DUI Task Forces, the Pennsylvania State Police and local law enforcement statewide will conduct checkpoints and roving patrols as part of the crackdown.

Funding comes from part of PennDOT's statewide distribution of $4.6 million in federal funds from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Visit www.JustDrivePA.com for more information on impaired driving and PennDOT's other important traffic-safety initiatives.