Marriage licenses

Zachary J. Rupp, of 1856 George St., Dalmatia, and Jennifer A. Eisenhauer, of 459 Mountain Road, Dalmatia. Issued May 10.

Jonathan V. Wilk and Tina M. Rosini, both of 21 N. Seventh St., Shamokin. To be issued March 12.

Divorces

Jessica D. Peifer, 814 E. Webster St., Shamokin, from Keith W. Peifer Jr., 225 S. Market St., Shamokin. Married Aug. 14, 2004.

Karen J. Martin, 711 E. Cameron St., Shamokin, from Keith G. Martin, Sunbury. Married June 20, 1987.

Dana G. Hoey, 1023 Shakespeare Ave., Milton, from William G. Hoey, 11 Vertie Lane, Milton. Married May 31, 1997.

Amilynn J. Adams, 762 Scott St., Kulpmont, from Derrick J. Adams, 47 Mintleaf Road, Levittown. Married Aug. 18, 2001.

Glenda M. Bonetti from Ricci E. Bonetti, both of 133 E. Dewart St., Shamokin. Married June 14, 2003.

Wendy A. Reigel from Dean A. Reigle, both of 1130 Trevorton Road, Coal Township. Married May 9, 1998.

Ryan P. Shay, 5483 Snydertown Road, Paxinos, from Melody J. Shay, 111 1/2 Mahoning St., Milton. Married Aug. 21, 2005.

Karen A. Holloway, 436 Walnut St., Sunbury, from John B. Holloway III, 1701 Walnut St., Ashland. Married Nov. 28, 1987.

Alakananda Chakrabarty from Sanjay K. Sen, both of 386 Monastery Road, Elysburg. Married Nov. 19, 1992.

Sunnee Foulds, 488 Shakeaspeare Ave., Milton, from Henry T. Foulds II, 42 Lower Market St., Milton. Married May 16, 2010.

Barbara J. Reinoehl from Lynn G. Reinoehl, 535 Swepps Road, Herndon. Married Sept. 18, 1988.

Kristine J. Witmer, B6 Mahoning Terrace, Danville, from Brian E. Witmer, 38 Vine St., Danville. Married May 9, 1987.

Property transfers

John Jeremiah and Kathleen Jeremiah, to Kristen Chappel, property in Coal Township, $27,500.

Marion D. Martz (by guardian), Cindy L. Furman and Toni L. Sebenick (guardians), to Tiffany J. Murray, property in Upper Augusta Township, $93,500.

Barrett Bolam, to Joshua M. Derr, property in Mount Carmel, $2,000.

Jamie Voeckler and Nicole L. Voeckler, to Christina M. Radzai, property in Mount Carmel, $30,000.

Michael Anthony McKenna and Katie Ann Toolen, to Michael Anthony McKenna, property in Mount Carmel, $1.

Michael Anthony McKenna, to Thomas Valeiko, property in Mount Carmel, $1.

Maria W. Deichmiller Living Trust (by trustee), Maria W. Deichmiller and Daniel A. Deichmiller (trustees, to Cyril T. Shaffer and Sarah M. Shaffer, property in Lower Mahanoy Township, $422,000.

Wendy L. Swinehart and Matthew D. Swinehart, to Michael I. Morgan and Kristen M. Procopio, property in Zerbe Township, $66,000.

Kimberly A. Palovick, Kimberly A. Catizone, and Vincent J. Catizone, to Viola Bolick, property in Mount Carmel, $18,000.

Rose Marie DiFrancesco, to Michael E. Ramos, property in Mount Carmel, $11,500.

James A. Olcese, to Devin Scicchitano, property in Shamokin, $1.

Jeffery L. Seedor, and Jeffrey L. Seedor, to Linda S. Britton, property in Shamokin, $1.

Northumberland County Sheriff's Office, Nathan G. Schaeffer and Jamie L. Schaeffer, to US Bank N.A. (trustee) and Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (by trustee), property in Upper Augusta Township, $1,007.25.

Sheryl L. Sulouff, Sheryl L. Harvey, Sherry Harvey and Galen W. Harvey, to Andrew S. Lightcap Jr., property in Upper Augusta Township, $69,900.

Northumberland County Sheriff's Department, Eric aka Eric D. Glace and Christine aka Cristine R. Glace, to Federal National Mortgage Association, property in Coal Township, $1,921.97.

Linda L. Lyons, to Alicia M. Nowroski, property in Mount Carmel Township, $10,000.

Craig Hornberger and Barbara J. Hornberger, to Matthew J. Natale and Raye E. Natale, property in Ralpho Township, $165,000.

Northumberland County Tax Claim Bureau and Donna Montefusco, to Rosanna Drayer, property in Shamokin, $1,200.

Northumberland County Tax Claim Bureau and Jacob A. Rebilas, to John E. McCabe, property in Shamokin, $700.

Northumberland County Tax Claim Bureau and Richard P. Zanella, to John E. McCabe, property in Shamokin, $575.

Northumberland County Tax Claim Bureau and Richard D. Pilling, to John E. McCabe, property in Shamokin, $1,000.

Mount Carmel Borough, to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Department of General Services, property in Mount Carmel, $1.

Grand Teton LLC, to Derek Giordano, property in Shamokin, $250.

Grand Teton LLC, to Derek Giordano, property in Shamokin, $700.

Grand Teton LLC, to Derek Giordano, property in Shamokin, $700,

Grand Teton LLC, to Derek Giordano, property in Shamokin, $700.

Grand Teton LLC, to Sean Conniff, property in Shamokin, $700.

Noteworthy

Easter portraits to help Relay

NUMIDIA - Easter portraits to benefit the Relay for Life of Southern Columbia will be taken at the Numidia Fire Company on Sunday, March 25. Cost is $25 and includes one 8 by 10, three 5 by 7s and eight wallet-size photos.

There are also larger photo packages available. Pictures are taken by a professional with holiday decor, including live bunnies.

Appointments can be made through a link found at www.MurphysLionsandLops.com or by calling 394-0506.

Caring for Kids T-shirts

DANVILLE - Friday is the deadline for ordering Geisinger Caring for Kids T-shirts. Those still interested in ordering shirts should contact Mount Carmel Area Caring for Kids coordinator Diane Wegrzynowicz at 339-5432.

Shamoin Area School board to meet

COAL TOWNSHIP - The regular monthly meeting of the Shamokin Area School District Board of Directors will be held Tuesday, March 20.

The work session begins at 7 p.m. in the board conference room, followed immediately by the board meeting.

Road Work

Bridges progress on I-80

MONTOURSVILLE - The $50 million project to provide a series of new or rehabilitated bridges on Interstate 80 near Mifflinville in Columbia County continues to progress.

This week, a few daytime lane restrictions will be in place for the safety of highway workers and motorists alike.

On Wednesday and Thursday, the I-80 eastbound passing lane will be closed from Mile 241 (Lime Ridge/Berwick) to Mile 242 (Mifflinville) from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. The contractor will be hauling in dirt and rock to provide fill in this area. Motorists are cautioned to stay alert for the possibility of encountering slow-moving or stopped traffic ahead of the lane restriction.

PennDOT reminds motorists they can log on to 511pa.com or call 511 from any phone to check interstate traffic conditions before heading out.

CATAWISSA RR - The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) is recognizing educators at Southern Columbia Area School District for their efforts to return special education students to the district for instruction.

In a seven-page article by Susan Spadafore entitled "Bringing Students with IEPs (Individualized Education Program) Home: One District's Journey to Systems Change," Superintendent Charles Reh and Director of Special Education Robert Mehalick reflect on district officials' decision to improve the education of all students and explain the process of making the change.

Bill Murphy, PDE's Bureau of Special Education compliance chief, who worked with the district to accomplish their goals, praised Southern's leadership in keeping students in their "least restrictive environments" (LRE).

"Leading reform to meet the requirements of the LRE takes courage, commitment and continuity; and leading change to bring students with intensive needs back into the district takes great leadership. Southern Columbia has demonstrated just that," he is quoted in the article.

'Systematic reform'

Mehalick further explained in an interview why PDE recognized Southern's efforts.

"The district undertook the initiative in efforts to have systematic reform in the way we are educating our students with special needs. It was not due to a corrective action or citation that this movement began," he said.

Law dictates that students be taught in their least restrictive environments, which begins with the home school. The preferred practice is inclusion, which allows special education students to be included in the regular education classroom.

Southern officials took it upon themselves to improve both initiatives, Mehalick said.

"We voluntarily did this without being told. The right thing to do was bring the kids back," he said.

Southern Columbia is a district with 277 students (as of March 7) with physical, emotional, mental, social or learning disabilities, which is 19.8 percent of the total student population.

In 2006, when Reh was hired as superintendent, 35 students in the special education population were being educated outside the district, at Bloomsburg Area, Central Columbia, Berwick Area, Shamokin Area, Danville Area or Mount Carmel Area. He made it a goal to provide services in the students' home district.

"They're very good programs with very good supervisions," Mehalick said of the other districts, "but it still wasn't home."

Of the 35 students who were being taught outside the district, 33 students have successfully been returned to Southern Columbia schools.

"There will always be at least a few district students we won't be able to bring back," he said about those with extreme needs. "But no matter what's available, the law states you look at the home district, and you go from there."

The special education department has a operational budget (not including salaries and benefits) of between $36,000 and $40,000 a year. There are 14 full-time teachers, 29 paraprofessionals, a full-time psychologist and a full-time social worker. The department also has a working relationship with Bloomsburg University, which sends master level clinicians to deliver speech and language services.

Making room

One of the biggest limitations was the physical space, but the staff was creative by using areas not used as classrooms before; teachers even gave up their faculty room, he said.

"We looked at every single part of the district and asked how we could make it work. It's crowded, but we've made it work," he said.

The ongoing building project should provide the required space for students, he added.

An early step was to train all district employees who would have contact with the students, which included professionals, paraprofessionals, food service employees and transportation clerks.

Since 2008, many new programs have been added for special education students, including life skills and behavioral support.

The career exploration program, which was being held in a rented Numidia building but is now back at the school because the building was damaged in the Flood of 2011, is geared toward high school students with special education who will not be attending college.

"We have an obligation under the law to make sure those kids are ready for employment and they're ready to live independently as possible," Mehalick said.

The program, which is partnered with more than 20 businesses, teaches students how to prepare and apply for a position, interview strategies, skills needed to keep a job and other soft and hard skills needed in society.

Money for iPads

For three years in a row, Mehalick said the special education program has received a $50,000 grant from PDE for their initiative to increase inclusion. The money has been used to build a fully accessible playground to allow special education students to participate with the regular education students, to bring in special speakers and educators and to purchase 15 iPads to be used in the classroom.

The tablet computers can provide students with independence by allowing them to take notes without the need of an aid. There are audio programs that read to the students, as well communication, organizational and text-to-speech apps.

One teacher uses the camera function to take photographs of objects around the school for students to identify, or allow students themselves to go on scavenger hunts to find the objects themselves.

Teachers can control electronic whiteboards with the iPads, or sync their phones or student-owned devices to the school's to review homework.

"It's amazing what our kids can accomplish that was never possible for them," Mehalick said.

The district is only at the beginning stages of how the iPads will change the way students learn, he noted.

Changing of guard

Incidentally, Mehalick's last day with the district will be Friday, after which he will be the new director of special education for the Pennsbury School District in Bucks County.

"I was in a very special place and an unbelievable six years of my life has been spent here," he said of Southern.

Even though Mehalick will be leaving on a high note with PDE's praise of his department, he is still humble and credits the support of the school board and the community.

"Everybody realizes it's important and something we need to do. I was one small part of that, and I am tremendously appreciative to be a part of something like this," he said.

Even though there's always room for improvement, "the people of Southern really understand what it means to educate all students," he said.

His replacement is Jennifer Snyder, who has been employed with the district since 2003. She started out as a learning support teacher and is now in her third year as a behavioral specialist.

Mehalick is pleased to see Snyder, who takes over March 19, as his successor

"She is the best special educator teacher I've worked with in my career. She has the ability to flourish under pressure and she has built trust between the parents and teachers," he said.

Appreciative as parent

Snyder, of Bloomsburg, not only comes to the job with professional experience, but personal experience: her 4-year-old son, Luke Snyder, was born blind.

"Parents come to the school, and they're frustrated and angry right away, and I can see why. Getting him (Luke) into a pre-school was difficult. I know why parents come already bitter," she said.

She explained she will not be taking the special education program in a different direction, but will continue using the resources, grants and strategies Mehalick developed.

Both directors will also network with each other and share the ideas that benefit both districts.

MOUNT CARMEL - A three-month-old German Shepherd given away by its owner is doing better after a bout with a potentially fatal intestinal virus, thanks to the quick thinking of the family that saved her.

Young Rubee, who is being taken care of by Deb Davis and her family, came home Saturday from the Alpine Animal Clinic, Danville, following a week-long bout with parvovirus, a severe and occasionally life-threatening intestinal condition.

"She's back with us now," Davis said Saturday. "She's not eating as much as I would like, but she is

very lively. She is playing with the family and glad to be home and doing better."

Davis said her family's first contact with Rubee came last week when her son was at a local convenience store.

"There was a man walking around the parking lot with a dog in his van. He was asking everyone if they could take the dog, because he no longer wanted it," Davis said.

Davis said there might have been a little bit of deception in his talk.

"The gentleman told my son that he only had the dog for a few days, but we figured he had her for at least a month. She looks like a pure bred," Davis said.

The family fell in love with the dog instantly, but problems soon developed.

"On Sunday, the dog began vomiting and had diarrhea," she said. "I thought at first it was because of the change in her diet, but she just got worse, We took her to the vet on Monday."

Davis followed her instincts.

"I just wanted to do what was right for the dog, because I know if we wouldn't have taken her, the gentleman would have taken her to the pound, and they would have put her down," she said.

After considering the dog's symptoms, the vet conducted medical tests, which showed a very low white blood cell count. After being diagnosed with parvovirus, Rubee was quarantined; she was given medicine and fed intravenously.

The vet said he was able to treat the illness in time and by Wednesday, Rubee was starting to get better.

"She really made a turnaround today, eating solid food. She did not vomit or have other problems," Davis said.

The family also worried about their other dog, a one-year-old mutt named Carlee they recently adopted from the Mostly Mutts shelter.

"We bleached the whole house and the yard, so we think they are going to be OK, and become fast friends," she said.

Davis' only concern is the medical bills for Rubee, which come close to $1,000.

"I'm just glad that the story has a happy ending," Davis said.

Those wishing to help Davis with the bill can contact her at 339-5899.

TREVORTON - A Shamokin man has been identified as the victim whose body was found in an off-road area near Zerbe Township Friday evening.

Northumberland County Coroner James F. Kelley said Thomas F. Kruskie III, 25, was pronounced dead at the scene at 6:55 p.m. Friday.

Three young males on ATV's found Kruskie's body at the bottom of a remote and extremely rocky road with a 70-degree incline two miles from Gap Road in Zerbe Township at approximately 5:30 p.m., following a day-long search by authorities.

Kruskie was identified by his mother at Geisinger-Shamokin Area Community Hospital at approximately 9:50 p.m. Kelley said the manner of death was accidental, with the cause being blunt force trauma to the head and neck.

Police said Kruskie was last seen riding with friends at approximately 5:30 p.m. Thursday, but another friend, Kevin Eltringham, disputed that theory.

"At 5:30 p.m., we were out here, about 100 people before it was said and done, looking for Tom," Eltringham said Saturday. "We first found the seat cover, then another part, and the police might have found some other parts when they were searching."

Once word got out about Kruskie being missing, many of his friends, who had ridden the coal lands with him on several occasions, came out Thursday in the rain to look for him.

"We had people walking around with flashlights and ATV riders with spotlights, looking for any sign of him," Eltringham said.

The effort was heartfelt for them, Eltringham said, because they knew Kruskie would have done the same for them.

"He was a good guy. He loved his kids and his girlfriend and would be willing to help anyone who needed it. Two days ago, I asked him to help me move, and he didn't even hesitate. He just said 'I'll be there and I'll try to get some other guys to help, too,'" Eltringham said.

He said being out in the woods was something that Kruskie enjoyed, like it was part of his nature.

"He was just this happy-go-lucky guy and such a free spirit," Eltringham said. "Like the rest of us, he was proud of where he came from, a Shamokinite and a 'Ho-Butt,' riding ATVs, shooting guns and just being outdoors."

SHAMOKIN - The Shamokin-Coal Township Public Library has announced that memorials for the period of Feb. 8 to March 6 have been presented for the following persons:

John Brehm by loving sister Mary Brehm Janaskie.

Annella Chiavaroli by Kay Berry, Judy Brennan, Peggy Brennan, Jim and Mary Chiavaroli, Carmella Fallon, Flo, Kathy and Abby James, Richard and Debra Kashnowski, Ann Koshinskie, Ann Kreisher, Ron and Jane Lentz, Irvin Liachowitz, Edward and Diane Luberecki, Mary and George, Norma Moyer, Marcy Reidinger, Sami and Matthew Schiccatano, Gloria Treese, Carolyn Weaver, Tico and Sandy Zarick.

Connie M. Derck by Joe, John and Maria Bressi, Kathy Gonsar.

Harold Dunstan by Ray and Colleen Lauer.

Elaine Duran by Ray and Colleen Lauer.

Robert Eltringham by Tom and Jean Olcese.

Kathryn Glavich by JoAnn, Barbara, Sharon and families.

Anita Gurski by Mr. and Mrs. Robert Albert, Joe, John and Maria Bressi, Kathy Gonsar, Flo, Kathy and Abby James, Kathleen and Justin Kleskie, Marge and Frank Konopka, Irvin Liachowitz, Tom and Martha Lynch, Paul and Tina Zupicick.

Sonny Hand by Patti and John Troutman.

Franklin Lewis Heim by Walt and Julie Jacobs.

Phyllis Holland by Diane and Jim Luberecki.

Judy Horne by Tanka and Don.

Stella C. Hudock by Joe, John and Maria Bressi.

Barbara Kerstetter by Beverly Kerstetter, Sharon Kerstetter, Steve and Joan Kerstetter and family.

Ami Kirk by Joe, John and Maria Bressi, Sally Sabotor.

Deborah Korbich by Lynda Yost-Bednar and Pete Bednar, Kay Berry, Joe, John and Maria Bressi, David and Beverly Burd, Tom and Cindy Carl, Danny and Sandee Ciesluk and family, Dorothy E. Clark, Donna Devlin, Allen and Irene Grow, Cindy Heins, Matt Heins and Melissa Smith, The Homeplate Café: Lynda Yost-Bednar and Ron Yost, Debra Mace Kerstetter, Lois Kerstetter, Ned Kerstetter, Troy and Carol Kerstetter, Amy, Jason, Kelli and Justin, Kitty Klebasko, Ray and Colleen Lauer, Judy Laubach and sons, Leighow Oil Company Inc., Diane and Jim Luberecki, Mac's Hoagies, Mildred and Sanford Marateck, Audrey and Gerry Mroz, Bill and Sheila Pavelko, George and Kathy Persing, Steve and Betty Scott and family, Shamokin Area Annex faculty, Carolyn Weaver, Maureen and Jesse Weaver, Women's Central Pennsylvania Golf Association, Greg and Diane Worhacz, Margaret Worhacz, Bob and Cathy Yorwarth, Ronnie and Angie Yost.

John W. Krieger by Kelley, Tim, Timmy and Amy Krieger, Chris and Carrie Beckett.

Jeremy W. Lentz by Mom and Dad.

Joseph Lizzul by Diane and Jim Luberecki, Judith Pensyl, John and Patricia H. Sulick.

Virginia Lucas by Maureen and Jesse Weaver.

Margaret McDermott by Maxine Howerter-Harvey, Colette and Natalie Wolfe, Joan Marcinek, Jerry, June and Charmaine Tetkoskie.

Richard Martini by Greg and Donna Wisloski, Roxy Tobias.

Wayne "Red" Miller by Doris Bamford and family, Joe, John and Maria Bressi, Danny and Sandee Ciesluk and family, Geraldine Conni, Bob and Mary Ann Hartman, Helene Hoffman, Ron, Kelly, Marisa and Zachary Jacobs, Kathleen and Justin Kleskie, Irvin Liachowitz, Vera McLaughlin, Arthur Martini, Ralph and Sandy Moore, Steve and Mary Kanaski, Steve and Betty Scott and family, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Shaw, Jim and Joyce Spears, Dr. and Mrs. Nicholas Spock, Paul and Tina Zupicick.

Francis Moran by Eileen Merok.

Robert Moyer by Dorothy Goodman.

Mary Muccari by Richard and Deborah Kashnoski, Harry and Andrea Reed, Theresa and Kathy Verano, Jim and Kathy Yurick.

Janet Maureen Nahodil by Jeff and Kenny Nahodil, Cassie James and Ben Kehler, Patti and John Troutman.

Dennis Paczkowski by Joe, John and Maria Bressi.

Matthew Persing by SCI-Coal Township education staff.

Raymond Paul Persing by Joe, John and Maria Bressi, Sister Marian Faust, George and Cathy Persing.

Mildred Polyniak by Deb, Mary, Pat and Thais, Helen Duzick, John and Sue Golumbfskie, Olga Konopskie, Audrey and Gerry Mroz, Steve and Betty Scott and family, Tara and Chris Venna, Greg and Donna Wisloski, Diane Worhacz, Dot and Bob Yakobski and David.

Frederick "Fritz" Reed by Dorothy Goodman, Dan and Helen Thomas.

Mr. and Mrs. Frederick "Fritz" Reed by Steve and Betty Scott and family.

Patricia Reigle by Joe, John and Maria Bressi, Rosie Fullmer, Bob and Mary Ann Hartman, Joseph W. Kleinschmidt, Julie MacNair.

Bertha Robel by Jackie and Harriett Clark, Bernie Zack.

June Rocuskie by Robert and Virginia Traynor.

James and William Rosini by Bill and Sheila Pavelko.

James Rosini by Joe, John and Maria Bressi, Pat and Jim Bressi, Frank and Marian Buraczeski, Danny and Sandee Ciesluk and family, Bill and Shirley Golden and Erica Janoka, Frank and Margaret Konopka and family, Boots and Ron Ramp, Judith J. Urick and family.

Patricia Rosini by Joe, John and Maria Bressi, Pat and Jim Bressi, Frank and Marian Buraczeski, Danny and Sandee Ciesluk and family, Peggy and Maureen Ferrari, Bill and Shirley Golden and Erica Janoka, Frank and Margaret Konopka and family, Lou Morris and members of the Shamokin-Coal Township Senior Center, Bill and Sheila Pavelko, Boots and Ron Ramp, Joyce Spears, Judith Urick and family.

Patricia and James Rosini by Gail Abromitis, Apfelbaum, Apfelbaum and Apfelbaum, Kim Bartos, Chillers, Marian Edmondson, Dorothy F. Goodman, Kathy Gonsar, Guardian Angel Personal Care Home, Cindy Heins, Matt Heins and Melissa Smith, Flo, Kathy and Abby James, Nancy, Jeremy and Ann Jarosky, Carol Jones, Carol and Barbara Jones, Kitty Klebasko, Judy Laubach and sons, Ray and Colleen Lauer, Irvin Liachowitz and Susan Greenfield, The Library Board of Trustees and Staff, Mac's Hoagies, Attorney and Mrs. Vincent Makowski, Vikki and Mike: Mattucci's Afternoon, Mayer Family, Audrey and Gerry Mroz, Joe and Felisa Narke, Tom Olcese Pharmacy, Barbara Oshinskie, Guy and Charlene Pell, Charles and Beth Rebuck, Joseph Rocuskie, Steve and Betty Scott and family, Bob and Cathy Yorwarth, Paul and Tina Zupicick.

William Rosini by Joe, John and Maria Bressi, Pat and Jim Bressi, Danny and Sandee Ciesluk and family, Coal Township High School Class of 1961, Donna Devlin, Marian Edmondson, Bill and Shirley Golden and Erica Janoka, Frank and Margaret Konopka and family, Judy Laubach and sons, Ray and Colleen Lauer, Mac's Hoagies, Joe and Felisa Narke, Tom Olcese Pharmacy, Boots and Ron Ramp, Steve and Betty Scott and family, Bob and Cathy Yorwarth.

Roy Sanders by Joe, John and Maria Bressi, Coal Township High School Class of 1949, Joann Dobeck, Flo, Kathy and Abby James, Corrine Thomas and Bob Probert, Tony and Melinda Rosini, Shamokin Chapter of PIAA Basketball Officials, Cathy and Robert Yorwarth.

Harry Savlov by Richard and Janice Fisher, Irvin Liachowitz, Mac's Hoagies, Don and Maria Myers, Tony and Melinda Rosini.

Shannon Schell by Joe, John and Maria Bressi, Flo, Kathy and Abby James, Kelly Lawrence, Tanka and Don, Denise Slotterback and Tyler James.

Paul Scisly by Marie and John Chiavaroli and Sanders family.

Gerald Shaw by Class of 1955.

Eleanor Shipman by Joe, John and Maria Bressi, Donna L. and Barry L. Lentz, Irvin Liachowitz and Susan Greenfield.

Richard A. Shurock Sr. by JoAnn, Kim, Rob, Richie, Ryan, Joel and Haley.

Mr. and Mrs. Herman Simmet by Carol Jones.

Donna Spade by Dorothy Hawk.

Charley Tamkus by Mom, Dad, Jeanne, Tate, Austin, Dot and Trevor.

Eric Scott Timco by grandmother Marian Faust.

Shirley Wetzel by Marcella Hombosky, Shamokin High School Class of 1949.

Rosemary Yuricich by JoAnn Shurock and family.

Robert Zyry by Joe, John and Maria Bressi, Dolly Brown.

Contributions to the Memorial Fund:

Annella Chiavaroli by Chris and Karen Dutchess, Barb Kelley.

Evelyn Dasch by Ed and Loretta Brown.

Anita Gurski by Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Spears.

Margaret Karlovich by Tim and Allison Showver and family.

Wayne Miller by Mr. and Mrs. John Fabrizio, Dave, Tina and Veronica Moore.

Mildred Polyniak by Ed and Loretta Brown, Mary and Larry Glazik, Bob and Sue Starke, Jeanette and Charlie Verano.

Matthew Sosnoski by Shamokin High School Class of 1938.

Victoria Toth by Stacy, Pete, Zakary and Emily Zanella.

Honor a loved one and place a permanent memorial in the Library Century Club.

GED test will be given in April

MILTON - The General Educational Development Test, which enables adults to earn a Commonwealth Secondary Diploma, will be given in April at Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit main office, 90 Lawton Lane.

The GED exam is made up of five parts: English/writing skills, reading, social studies, science and mathematics. Persons taking the test must be 18 years of age and must have withdrawn from school.

Free test screenings are available at the CSIU's five satellite sites, including one in Shamokin at the Northumberland County Career and Arts Center, 2 E. Arch St.

Those planning to take the test must attend one of three orientation sessions at the CSIU on April 10. To be scheduled for an orientation session or for more information, call 523-1555 extensions 2327 or 2326 or visit www.GED123.org.

SHAMOKIN - Tracy Donnelly examined the Shamokin Cemetery Mausoleum with a careful eye and a puzzled expression.

"Anytime there is a building made like this, they usually have a cornerstone with the date that they built it, there's no date found anywhere," she said Friday.

Donnelly, from Levittown, has taken on the task of organizing the records and history of the Shamokin Cemetery and recently became a director on the cemetery's history.

"It took us 150 years to finally get a woman on the board," cemetery board member Dave Donmoyer said. "She has been a real asset to us.

A self-professed "cemetery nut," Donnelly first became interested in the history of the cemetery while researching her own family history, which brought about a chance meeting.

"I was learning about my great-grandfather, who was buried in the cemetery, and I went to check out the records at the Northumberland County Historical Society," Donnelly said.

It was there she met Donmoyer, who provided her access to the records she had been seeking for her research.

Since them, Donnelly has been working through the files and researching the people found in them.

"Underneath every stone is a story - all of the scandals and tragedies," she said.

Her quest, she realized, could be never ending.

"For every question that I answer, two more pop up, so I can only hope that people with the information will share it with me," she asked.

The mausoleum is just one question, another is the layout of the gravesites.

"In the early lots, the numbering of them go from right to left, but the later lots, like 19 on, go from left to right. What caused that change?" she wondered.

Donnelly is also seeking answers related to the Cemetery Strike of 1918.

"Workers at the cemetery went on strike, looking for a five-cent an hour raise and an eight-hour work day," she said. "There is no record as to what was the result of that strike. This is part of the history that I cannot find."

The Levittown native's wealth of cemetery knowledge and the history of the people buried there has earned her the honor of taking the place of the late local historian, Frederick "Fritz" Reed, in conducting the cemetery tours during the Anthracite Heritage Festival in May.

For now, Donnelly will keep researching and hopes the public can help.

"Anyone who has records or information that can help me, can simply contact me by my e-mail, trcydonnelly@yahoo.com, and I will be happy to talk with them," she said.

Donnelly is also looking for someone who can do web design and management to get the records online.

"I have the shamokincemetery.com web domain. I am just not versed in web design and are looking for some help in that department."

SHENANDOAH - A man was flown to a hospital with burns he received Sunday morning when flames destroyed the 312 W. Columbus St. home in which he and his family lived.

The 9 a.m. fire also left eight people homeless and damaged three homes, fire officials said.

Christopher Rovinski was flown to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest with burns to his hands, face and feet, Shenandoah police Patrolman Kirk Kirkland said.

The man's wife, Rose, and his three children, were not injured.

Chrissy Price, 310 W. Columbus St., and Alexandra Kutevska, 314 W. Columbus St., also were not injured. Their homes, however, had fire damage.

Kutevska's daughter, Lubica Kutevska, was not home at the time of the fire.

Kirkland was one of the first at the scene when alerted by the Schuylkill County Communications Center.

"The flames were already coming from the second floor windows and everyone was out of the house," he said.

Firefighters worked for about 30 minutes to bring the flames under control, keeping most of the fire damage to the 312 W. Columbus home, owned by Robert Mummey, Shenandoah Heights.

Standing across the street watching fire engulf his property, Mummey said the main thing is that Rovinski and his family were able to escape.

"As long as everyone got out, that's the important thing," he said. "The building is insured."

Alexandra Kutevska said she left her home shortly before the fire was discovered.

"I left the house one hour ago and everything was OK. It all happened so quick," she said.

Price stood across the street worrying about two pet cats who were still inside her home. She also said that nothing appeared out of the ordinary before a neighbor banged on her door to alert her of the fire.

Shenandoah police Chief Joseph Hall, who is also a fire investigator, said the cause of the blaze is under investigation and that a state police fire marshal will be called in to assist in finding the cause.

Firefighters from Shenandoah, Mahanoy City and West Mahanoy Township responded to the call along with ALS and EMS units from Shenandoah, Frackville and Mahanoy City.

Shenandoah fire police assisted with crowd control at the scene and also with detouring traffic around the fire.

Shamokin-Coal Township

Monday - Morning cards and puzzles, 8:30 a.m.; exercise, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.; Shamokin Wii bowlers bowling at Trevorton SAC, 12:30 p.m.

Tuesday - Morning cards, and puzzles, 8:30 a.m.; lunch at Rob's Good Time Grill, van leaves at 11:30 a.m., cost is $2; bridge, 12:15 p.m.

Wednesday - Morning cards and puzzles, 8:30 a.m.; Wii bowling, 10 a.m.; American Red Cross presenting a program on "Disaster Preparedness, Safe at Home", noon; pinochle and Pokeno, 12:30 p.m..

Thursday - Morning cards and puzzles, 8:30 a.m.; exercise, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.; bingo, 12:30 p.m.; delivery of haluski orders.

Friday - Morning cards and puzzles, 8:30 a.m.; nickel bingo, noon.

Saturday - Cards, 7 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Mount Carmel

Monday - Wii bowling, 9 to 10 a.m.; crossword puzzle, 10 a.m.; exercise HSIM, 11 to 11:30 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; bean bag, 12:30 p.m.; Pokeno, 1 p.m.

Tuesday - Wii bowling, 9 to 10 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; computer class, 1 to 3 p.m.

Wednesday - Wii bowling, 9 to 10 a.m.; current events, 10 a.m.; exercise HSIM, 11 to 11:30 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; bingo, 1 p.m.

Thursday - Wii bowling, 9 to 10 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; Unlucky 7s, 12:30 p.m.

Friday - Wii bowling, 9 to 10 a.m.; exercise/dancing to Irish music, 11 to 11:30 a.m.; lunch, 11:30 a.m.; Patty's Day Social for members only, 1 p.m.; pokeno, 2 p.m.

Kulpmont

Sunday - Pinochle and rummie, 1:30 p.m.

Monday - Bean bag with Wii to follow, 10:30 a.m.; Loaded Questions, noon; Pokeno, 12:30 p.m.

Tuesday - Wii in the morning; blanket making, 9:30 a.m.; pinochle-cards, noon.

Wednesday - Wii in the morning; Bunco, 12:30 p.m.

Thursday - Wii in the morning; Allison Wetzel from the Coal Township High Rise telling what programs they have to offer, noon; bingo, 12:30 p.m.; evening cards, 4 p.m.

Friday - Wii in the morning; nickel bingo with cards to follow, 12:30 p.m.

Centralia-Wilburton

Monday - Action Health's Donna Fritz with "Ask Me 3" program, 10:30 a.m. and open to the public.

Tuesday - PTH exercise with Carol Burton on "Healthy Aging," 10:15 a.m. and open to the public

Wednesday - Linda Tarlecki to do taxes, 9 to 11 a.m. and open to the public.

Thursday - Cathy Martin program on "My Family Book", 10:30 a.m.; site manager's meeting, 1 p.m.

Friday - Center closed.

Elysburg

Monday - Pokeno, noon.

Tuesday - Healthy Steps, 9:30 a.m. Shopping at Wal-Mart.

Wednesday - Bingo, noon. Center St. Patrick's Day party will be held, along with monthly birthday party. Everyone is asked to bring a dessert.

Thursday - Healthy Steps, 9:30 a.m.

Friday - Crafts, 9:30 a.m.; pinochle, noon.

HARRISBURG - While there weren't too many big winners, the theme of the month was mulitple winners as local Pennsylvania Lottery players won a total of $51,525 in February, according to information provided by the Pennsylvania Lottery's website.

Dominic E. Mottern, of Danville won three $1,000 prizes in Feburary, two in the $10 Stacks of Cash game and another in the $10 Diamonds and 7s game. Michael J. Novotny, of Mount Carmel, won two $1,000 prizes.

The top instant game winner was Jose Rojas, of Elysburg, winning $10,000 on a $5 Big Money ticket.

Among number games winners, at the top was Paula A. Derck, of Coal Township, winning a prize of $2,500 in the Big 4 drawing.

Winners, by town name, include:

Ashland

- Ashley Wlodarczyk, $1,000, Diamond Millionaire, $20 ticket.

- Gary J. Hysock Jr, $1,000, Pure Gold, $10.

- Eugene F. McCarthy, $1,000, Pure Gold, $10.

- Matthew P. Neidlinger, of Ashland, $1,000, Winner Take All Millionaire Edition, $20

- Richard Shoup, $1,000, Winner Take All Millionaire Edition, $20.

Catawissa

- Mark L. McCormick, $1,000, Platinum Crossword 2nd Edition, $5.

Coal Township

- Paula A. Derck, $2,500, Big 4, 50-cent bet.

- Jennifer J. Dumond, $1,000, $100 Million Dollar Cash Extravaganza, $20.

- Robert E. MacMinn, $1,000, Casino Cash, $20.

- Thomas J. Traver, $1,000, Lucky $hamrock, $5.

- Michael L. Krankowski, $1,000, Lucky Hearts, $5.

Dalmatia

- Jennifer A. Eisenhauer, $1,000, Diamonds and 7s, $10.

Danville

- Kelley Crumb, $1,025, Match 6, $1 bet.

- David Godshall, $1,000, 20X the Money, $5.

- Robert J. Miller, $1,000, Big Money, $5.

- Margaret Troutman, $1,000, Diamond Millionaire, $20.

- Dominic E. Mottern, $1,000, Diamonds and 7s, $10.

- Thomas Ciucci, $1,000, Holiday Gifts, $10.

- Robert W. Artley, $1,000, Pure Gold, $10.

- Dominic E. Mottern,two wins of $1,000, Stacks of Cash, $10.

- Michael S. Hughes, $1,000, Winner Take All Millionaire Edition, $20.

- Travis J. Shaffer, $1,000, Winner Take All Millionaire Edition, $20.

- Larry D. Williard, $1,000, Winner Take All Millionaire Edition, $20.

Elysburg

- Jose Rojas, $10,000, Big Money, $5.

- Brian E. Snyder, $1,000, $100 Million Dollar Cash Extravaganza, $20.

- Lisa M. Moyer, $1,000, Winner Take All Millionaire Edition, $20.

Kulpmont

- Christine M. Smink, of Kulpmont, $1,000, Winner Take All Millionaire Edition, $20.

Mount Carmel

- Michael J. Novotny, $1,000, $250,000 a Week for Life, $10.

- Michael J. Novotny, $1,000, Pure Gold, $10.

Pitman

- David E. Feser, $1,000, Hot Hand, $5.

Shamokin

- Melinda A. Schneider, $5,000, $100 Million Dollar Cash Extravaganza, $20.

- Frank Mostik, $1,000, Diamond Millionaire, $20.

- Joshue A. Derk, $1,000, Hot Hand, $5.

- Eric R. Mattern $1,000, Money Vault, $3.

- Joann Weikel, $1,000 Winner Take All Millionaire Edition, $20.

Trevorton

- John J. Ebersole, $1,000, Lucky Hearts, $5.

MOUNT CARMEL - On Sunday, Feb. 26, the Mount Carmel Area Joint Veterans Committee held its 427th "Changing of the Colors" flag ceremony in honor and memory of a Mount Carmel native who made the supreme sacrifice during World War II.

Edward B. Parry Jr. was born in Mount Carmel on Oct. 11, 1909, a son of Edward and Anna (Watkins) Parry. Prior to entry into the service, he was employed at the Alaska Colliery and the supply depot in Marietta. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church and Lodge No. 630 of the International Order of Odd Fellows, both of Mount Carmel, and served for a time as a Republican committeeman in Mount Carmel's Second Ward.

Parry enlisted in the U.S. Army on Oct. 13, 1942. Assigned to the medical corps, he was trained at Camp Forrest, Tennessee. His outfit received further training at Camp Phillips, Kansas, in California and Fort Dix, New Jersey before leaving for England in June 1943. A member of the Medical Detachment with the 317th Infantry Regiment, 80th Division (the Blue Ridge Division), he achieved the rank of Technician Fourth Grade.

In the Sept. 21, 1944 London edition of Stars and Stripes, the Army newsletter, a picture of an official action photo taken in actual battle shows a medical corpsman crouched behind a helmet dragging a wounded officer off the battlefield. The caption reads: "For the U.S. Army captain, wounded by a Nazi machinegun slug while moving through the French town of Madieres in the Moselle River sector-pain. With bullets still cracking overhead, Lt. Robert E. Thiekle, photographer from Third Army Headquarters, and Sgt. Ed Parry, of Mount Carmel, Pa., crawl in to remove the officer."

The captain would survive his wounds but Parry was killed in action that day. The date was Sept. 17, 1944 and Parry received the Purple Heart.

At the time of his death, Parry was survived by his father, three brothers, and two sisters. He is buried in Mount Carmel Cemetery, Mount Carmel Township.

The Parry flag was escorted to the service by Nicholas Kuzo. It was presented by Parry's nephew, John Parry, to Walter Summers, for raising. Candelora raised the flag as the national anthem was played. David Berezovske read the military record of Parry. The ceremony ended with a silent salute to all veterans. Summers thanked all those in attendance for their participation in the ceremony.

Ann Ray Begis carried the American flag to the ceremony and the rifle escort was provided by Andrew Bubnis and Candelora. William Begis also provided traffic control. Also participating in the ceremony was John Kuzo.

The next flag ceremony will be 1 p.m. Sunday, April 1 at Second and Oak streets when the flag will be raised in honor and memory of Mark Candelora, who served in the U.S. Army. Area veterans and the public are invited.

Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School

COAL TOWNSHIP - The following memorials for Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School have been received for January and February.

Linda Savitski from Mr. and Mrs. Corey Hauser, Gloria Treese, Gloria Catino, Rose Marie Jones, Don and Joannie Yuricich

Margaret A. "Peggy" Smallets from John and Joanne McKay, Francis and Mary Bach, OLOL administration, faculty and staff, Richard and Ann Weikel and family, Eugene and Theresa Fleming.

David Ference from Georgette O'Connell and George Zimmerman.

Hilda Wagner from Selina and Alessandra Albert and Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Albert.

Benny LeRue Benson from Mr. and Mrs. John Reiprish, Michael Reiprish, Christopher Reiprish and Mr. and Mrs. Robert Wurster.

Phyllis R. Holland from Bill and Virginia Korbich, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Wurster, Sr., OLOL administration, faculty and staff, Susan McGinn, Ted and Jackie Matlow, Mary and Leo Mulhall, Antoinette and Kathleen Bach, Joan Kelley, Don and Marian Myers, Allen and Irene Grow, Charles and Margaret Bartol, John and Joanne McKay, Jean and Dennis Dombroski, John and Diane Fabrizio, Leo Targonski, Anna Marie McBride, Bob Rubendall and family, Bob and Marionette Simon, Chris and Karen Dutchess and family, Mr. and Mrs. Edward M. Madden, David and Marisa McAnnaney, Jim Flanagan, Joe and Barbara Lizzul, Mr. and Mrs. John Reiprish, Dennis and Barbara Reiprish, Tom and Jean Olcese, Mike and Jane Klembara, Barbara L. Oshinskie, Louise Koveleski, Joyce Eberly, Jim and Deb Klassen, Don and Mary Green, Attorney and Mrs. Vincent Makowski, Phyllis A. Duzick, Jean Spadel, Sally Kanaskie, Connie Fabrizio, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Sickora and family, Richard J. Martini, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Konopka and family, Dennis and Susan Christiana, Alberta Sickora and family, Christopher and Carol Glackin, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas McGinn, Jane Clancy, William C. Murphy, Dave and Roberta Maloney, Presidio Excess Insurance Services, Inc., Don and Sharon Betz and family, Michael and Rita Timco, Howard and Theresa Sandri, Paul and Pat Metrocavage, Martin and Carolyn Rock, Bert Richards, Jean Vinciguerram, Anne Rock Jester and family, Mr. and Mrs. J. Edward Ludes, Margaret (Peggy) Timco, Andy and Ann Marie Slodysko, Mary Rea Pipa, Richard and Hilda Bertotti, Marc and Debbie Rock, William S. Holland, Ann and John Benedict, Mr. and Mrs. Steve Dunleavy, John Witkowski, Marlene and Bill Shaeffer, Jean Lowinger and Susan Brezak, Rose Marie Jones, Delores Honecker, Jacquelyn Basso, Billy, Larissa and Korbich Kids, Dr. William J. Rumberger, Marge Neary, Dan and Ann Novey, John F. Holland, Robert, Jessica, Bailey and Riley Trell, Mr. and Mrs. James Kelley and family.

John Zazula from Georgette O'Connell, Antoinette Bach and family, James and Geraldine King.

Kathryn M. Carnuccio from Eugene and Theresa Fleming and Ann and Richard Weikel.

Albert Tomtishen from Rita, Michael and Cody Nolter.

Frances Rumberger from Mr. and Mrs. Robert Wurster.

Madeline Reck from Elizabeth Reck, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Wurster, Sr.

Joseph V. Angelo from Victor and Pamela Costellano.

Richard E. Martini from Sally Kanaskie, Marion and Chet Stesney, Jim Flanagan, Don and Marion Myers, John and Joanne McKay, Tom and Jean Olcese, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Madden, Bob Rubendall and family, Robert Colahan, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Reiprish, Mr. and Mrs. John Reiprish, Don and Joannie Yuricich, Ted and Jackie Matlow, Una F. Todd, Rosana and Tom Hall, Ronert and Georgi Duprey, Christian and Elizabeth Brunelle and family, Matthew and Laura Allen and family, Silver Spring Township, Compton and Associates, LLP, Dennis and Susan Christiana, Richard J. Martini, Jim and Karen Close, Jama and Tim McCabe, Jim Close, Jr., Meg and Charles Bartol, Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Reiprish, Paul and Pat Metrocavage, Don and Sharon Betz and family, Susan S. Fortini, Raymond J. Kasper, Re/Max Realty Professionals, Inc., John and Linda Castriano, Terri J. Straw, Robert and Thelma Roscoe, William S. Holland, Howard and Theresa Sandri, Margaret (Peggy) Timco, Mike and Jane Klembara, Andy and Ann Marie Slodysko, James R. Holland and family, Mrs. Elizabeth Katona and family, Joseph and Elizabeth Keating, Nancy and Steven Driscoll, Dave and Richelle Deysher, David and Joann Shinksie, Don and Joannie Yuricich and Mr. and Mrs. James Kelley and family.

Walter L. Neary from Catherine and Dominic Olcese family, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Sickora and family, Marge Neary and son and Jim and Ann Mains.

Francis A. Keyack Jr. from Marian E. Keyack.

Victor Pluta from Rita. Michael and Cody Nolter.

John Woytovich Sr. from Richard and Ann Weikel.

Joseph Jablon from Gene and Margaret Garancheski.

Catherine Ososkie from Antoinette Bach and family.

The Rev. Paul Rindos from Gloria Catino.

Gloria Bohr from Howard and Theresa Sandri, Ann and John Benedict and Lucy Surak.

Lil and Andy Kovalovich from Michael and Rita Timco.

Ralph E. Wolf Jr. from Michael and Rita Timco.

Elizabeth Schultz from Ken Albert and family.

Josephine Bartol from Laura Sevetski and Fran and Bob Bogutskie and Colleen, Bobby and Megan.

Mary White Swajka from Bob and Fran Bogutskie.

Margaret Mary (Smoczynski) Morris from Florence and Hubert Smoczynski.

Joseph T. Lizzul from Connie Fabrizio, Meg and Charles Bartol, Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Krushinskie, Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Reiprish, Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Reiprish, Jenny (Reiprish) Dexter, Dennis and Susan Christiana, Mr. and Mrs. John Reiprish, Roseanne and Bob Nolan, Dr. and Mrs. James Bull, Tom and Sarann Keyack, Sheila and Margie Flanagan, Bill and Virginia Korbich, Paul J. Metrocavage, Maria and Jeff Pancher and family, Paul and Pat Metrocavage, Michael and Rita Timco, Patricia Crone-Zalinski, Susan and Mike Weisel, Margaret R. Kelley, Judy and Don Lagator, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Wurster, Joan Kelley, Shamokin Area Democrat Women, William and Jane Alter, Rose Marie Jones, Howard and Theresa Sandri, Margaret (Peggy) Timco, Mr. and Mrs. J. Edward Ludes, staff of Studio 207, Steve and Ann Marcinek, Mike and Jane Klembara, Mr. and Mrs. Steve Dunleavy, James R. Holland and family, Andy and Ann Marie Slodysko, Mr. and Mrs. Barry L. Lentz, Billy, Larissa and the Korbich kids, National Ticket Company employees, Stephen J. D'Angelo and family, Chris and Karen Dutchess, Dr. and Mrs. Sudhir Khanna and family, Mary Kelley Barrett, Mr. and Mrs. James Kelley and family, Joanne Chesney and Wells Fargo Bank.

Lawrence Warren from Connie Fabrizio.

Charlotte Weimer from Connie Fabrizio, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Sickora and family.

Herbert Sobotor from Connie Fabrizio.

Frank Nicola from Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Sickora and family.

Frederick "Fritz" Reed from Mr. and Mrs. Mark Gilger and family and Mr. and Mrs. Elizabeth Katona and family.

Mary Saracusa from Michael, Rita and Cody Nolter and Helen Nolter.

Elaine M. Duran from John and Joanne McKay and Helen M. Winhofer.

Rosemary (Vivino) Daugherty from Mr. and Mrs. Rocco Roma.

Victor Gilotti from Mary Ann Balonis.

Josephine Bartol from Mary Ann Balonis

Edward F. Barvitskie from Mr. and Mrs. Barry L. Lentz.

Sister DeLourdes from Elizabeth Katona and family.

Deceased members of the Class of 1961.

Delores (Dolly) Grinaway from Helen M. Winhofer.

Margaret M. (Krieger) Clark from Howard and Theresa Sandri.

Margaret Harvey from Howard and Theresa Sandri and Ann and John Benedict.

Stella C. Hudock from Patricia M. Crone-Zalinski, Jim and Rhonda Tyler, Mike and Carol Brennan and Denny and Kathy Richie.

Judith A. Lentini from Carol Kwiatkowski and Judy Polites.

Frank Pupo from Cherokee Pharmaceuticals-Quality Operations.

Victor G. Rosini from Florence Rosini.

Lou Sandri from Mr. and Mrs. Barry L. Lentz.

Shannon L. Schell from John and Joanne McKay

Joseph C. Yadlosky from Howard and Theresa Sandri.

Wayne (Red) Miller from John and Joanne McKay, Leo and Mary Mulhall and Ruth and Ann Weikel.

Dorothy Korbich from Billy, Larissa and the Korbich kids.

James J. and Patricia C. Rosini from Phil and Connie Yucha, Billy, Larissa and Korbich kids, Virginia and Bill Korbich, Ann and John Benedict, Helene Hoffman, John and Susan Demsko, Charles and Beth Rebuck, Howard and Theresa Sandri, Charles R. Williams, Leroy and Christine Zelewski and family, Helen M. Winhofer, Meg and Charles Bartol, Joanne Chesney, Leo and Mary Mulhall, Ed and Mary Jo Christiano, Betty Morgan and family, Home Instead Senior Care, Lewisburg, Lucy Surak and daughter, Don A. and Mary Rosini, Helen Christiano, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Sickora and family, Alberta Sickora and Mary Sickora, John and Mary Louise Woytowich, Chris and Karen Dutchess, Anita Ruane and family, Tom and Cindi Carl, Connie and Jack Wheary, John F. Wheary, Michelle (Corcoran) Wheary, Christine (Wheary) Deramo, Jennifer Wheary, Mr. and Mrs. David McAnnaney, Don and Marian Myers, Jim Flanagan, Marion and Chet Stesney, Peggy Bednarchik, Dan and Ann Novey, Dr. and Mrs. Sudhir Khanna and family, John and Joanne McKay, Mark Vinitski, Mary Ellen and Joe Candelora, Dennis and Susan Christiana, Barbara Lizzul and family, Anonymous, John and Karen Labosky, Mr. and Mrs. Don Van Shura, Florence Varano, Mr. and Mrs. Wurster, Agnes Delaney, Ann and Ed O'Donnell and girls, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Ficca, JoAnne Shurock, Barbara Glavich, Sharon Heitzman, Melissa Klembara, Attorney Francis and Mary Bach, Stephanie Dabulis, Mr. and Mrs. John Dabulis and family, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Leavens, Gloria Treese, Mike and Linda Dormer, Olga Thomas and daughters, Michael and Marily Stasney, Susquehanna Valley Women in Transition, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Piaseczny, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Avellino, Mary F. Leshinskie, Rose M. Clauser, Mike and Tina MacDowell, John and Ann Backes, Kulpmont Senior Action Center, Mary and G. Edward Schweikert III, Sharon Keene, Lisa and Patrick Bradley, Roberta Taylor, Nancy Tipka, Peter and Mark, Mary Alice and Harvey Krebs, Michael B. Miercewski, Tom and Mary Harmon, Joanne Chesney, Barbara and Jerry Taylor, Paul Long and Dana Korbich, Debbie Schumacher, Columbia County Courthouse Staff, Nicholas and Carol Catino, Rose Maurer, James and Paulette Rovito, Catherine Burns, Patricia Maurer, Richard and Debra Gildersleeve, Stella Chesney, Mary Ann Labosky Levins, Hon. Tom James, Maryanna Swartz, Joann Higgins, John P. Apple, Mr. and Mrs. Brian Derk, Michael and Jean Maliniak, Bill and Carol Peters, Frank J. Trembulak, Robert, Jessica, Bailey and Riley Trell, Sally Kanaskie, Dennis and Trudi Carespodi, Mr. and Mrs. Francis Zielinskie, Rose Marie Jones, Linda and Jim Taylor, Frances Smith, M.D., Susan Snyder, Margaret R. Kelley, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Scopelliti, Rose and Ellis Sink, Mary I. Dormer, Mary Ann Balonis, John and Suzanne Kiersnowski, Jennifer Marshall, Kasie Schwartz, the board and staff of Shamokin Housing Authority, Atty. and Mrs. Sanford S. Marateck, Atty. and Mrs. Myron Moskowitz, NAPA Auto Parts, Nicole Richards and family, Dr. and Mrs. William T. Lewis, Jack and Marge Lashay, Margaret Rosini, Rose Marie Zawalick, Joan and Brian Ochs, Golden Living Center-Mansion, Mary Myers, Heidi Taylor, Kim Liguori, Arnold L. Porter, LLP, Ken and Charlotte (Rosini) Siecklicki, John Perry, Mary B. Kirkhoff, Rose Tominovich, David Czarnichi, Msgr. William Richardson, Marlene Richardson-Poland, Charlene Broadwater, Mary Dakshaw, Catherine Haile, Andy Reed, Robert F. Golden, Tom and Kay Herrity, James Maurer, Carol Knight, Anne Potter, Ann Gayeski, Anne Ohme, Casper Brown, Susan Schmidt, Lillian Quimby, the staff of the Northumberland County Public Defenders Office, John F. Domzalski, Esq., Michael Domzalski, Monica Martin, Suzanne Domzalski, Christopher and Kathleen Korbich, Don and Joannie Yuricich, Richard and Ann Weikel, Eugene and Theresa Fleming, Michael and Jane Klembara, Mr. and Mrs. John Reiprish, Chris Reiprish, Richard Reiprish and family, Michael Reiprish, Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Reiprish, Amy Reiprish, Jenny Dexter, Barbara and Carol Jones, Jeff and Maria Pancher and family, Paul Metrocavage and Ann, Paul and Pat Metrocavage, Daniel A. and Jacqueline O. Kerris and family, James and Patricia Kelley and family, Helen Lynch, Sandy and Jim Zurick, Michael and Rita Timco, World Electronics, Sealed Air Corporation, Your Friends at Indian Hills, Elizabeth Katona and family, Steve and Connie Dunleavy, John and Annamarie Voloshin, Frank and Mary Sawicki, Dr. Gurdial and Susan Singh and family, Don, Sharon and Marissa Betz, Dr. and Mrs. Edward V. Twiggar, Dr. and Mrs. Nicholas Spock, Dennis and Susan Rosini, Florence Rosini, Barbara Rosini, Michael A. Rosini, Ronald Rosini, Cindi Kress, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Madden, Elbeco Incorporated, Pat Engle, William and Jane Anne Alter, Stacy Caruso, Heather Taylor, Howard and Louise Howal, Charles and Barbara Sherupski and Robert, Joan and Maria Kidron.

(List will continue in a future edition of The News-Item)

SHAMOKIN - The youth group of Calvary Bible Fellowship Church, Second and Spruce streets, participated in World Vision's 30-hour Famine Feb. 24 and 25.

The youth group raised more than $4,100, while one teenager went door-to-door to collect canned goods for the Shamokin area food pantry, Manna For the Many, collecting 521 canned goods.

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. World Vision provides hope and assistance to approximately 100 million people in nearly 100 countries. In communities around the world, groups join with local people to find lasting ways to improve the lives of poor children and families. Motivated by faith in Jesus Christ, they serve alongside the poor and oppressed.

Funds raised through the World Vision 30-hour Famine program will help feed and care for children around the world, with a portion supporting World Vision's efforts to assist families in need in the United States. To learn more about how funds are being used, visit 30hourfamine.org.

Here are four important numbers related to hunger statistics:

- More than 22,000 - That's how many children under age 5 die every day, most from preventable causes like hunger, poverty, disease or all three. That's approximately 9.7 million children each year.

- More than 11,000 - That's how many of those 22,000 kids (more than half) die from hunger-related causes. That's one child every seven seconds.

- 925 million - That's how many people don't get enough to eat. That's one of every seven people on the planet.

- 143 million - That's how many children under age 5 in the developing world are underweight because of poor nutrition. That's about one in three children in developing countries.

The Calvary youth group would like to thank the residents and managers of Lincoln Towers and Coal Township Elderly Housing for generously donating canned goods.

COAL TOWNSHIP - Commissioner Gerard Waugh III, in his recreation committee report at last week's township commissioners' meeting, asked that anyone walking their dogs and picking up their feces refrain from disposing the waste in garbage cans at township playgrounds, specifically the Arch Street playground. He said such disposal in a public park could be a health risk.

In other businsess, Waugh said the Anthracite Idol talent contest, a fundraiser for the Lower Anthracite Regional Recreation Committee, has been moved to May 12.

He also asked that anyone interested in volunteering with the committee, which is seeking to establish a recreation area along Trevorton Road, should attend a meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 21, at Brewser's SportsGrille. Also, the committee will host its second charity golf tournament at Knoebels Three Ponds Golf Course on July 28, with a shotgun start at 9 a.m.

Sweeper starts March 26

Commissioner Gene Welsh, in his report on the street department, said the street sweeper would begin to operate March 26, and that a schedule would be published in The News-Item and at www.coaltownship.org.

Once the street sweeper is run, street paving will begin, Welsh said.

Street department employees were called to duty for winter weather conditions on Feb. 8, 11 and 12. They also filled pot holes last month, performed maintenance on playground equipment, finished work on Cemetery Road, picked up dirt piles and branches and began semi-annual maintenance on township equipment.

Crews also started work on a new deer pen at the Tharptown playground. A new concrete pad was poured and pre-fabrication for framing was completed at the shop during rainy days. The frame was then erected and fit with siding, roofing and trim. Finishing work and touch-ups remain.

In all, department employees traveled 3,267 miles in street department vehicles last month.

Police

Craig Fetterman, board president, commended township officers for their handling of a deadly incident last month on Route 61 near McDonald's restaurant when a man wanted in connection with a double-homicide in Carbon County committed suicide, ending a tense standoff.

According to Police Chief William Carpenter's monthly report, officers responded to 228 complaints in February, investigated five vehicle accidents, issued 31 parking tickets, 37 criminal complaints or citations and 51 traffic citations, and made 119 total arrests. Officers patrolled a total of 5,563 miles.

Recycling

Fetterman announced 1,576,380 pounds of recyclable material was collected at the township center in 2011.

SUNBURY - Northumberland County District Attorney Tony Rosini and Montour County District Attorney Rebecca Warren announce the recipients of the first Carl B. Rice Memorial Task Force Officer of the Year award.

The award will be presented annually in memory of former Magisterial District Judge Carl B. Rice, who passed away on July 22, 2011, to recognize outstanding achievement of an officer who is a member of the Northumberland-Montour Drug Task Force.

Two awards were presented at the start of the task force meeting held at the Sunbury Elks on Wednesday, March 7. The recipients were Sgt. Todd Owens of the Mount Carmel Borough Police and Montour County Sheriff Ray Gerringer, the county coordinators for the task force in both counties. The awards were presented by Toni Rice and Mary B. Rice, Rice's widow and mother, respectively.

"Former District Attorney Robert Buehner and I discussed implementing this award after Carl's untimely death and newly-elected DA Rebecca Warren agreed it was a good idea," Rosini said. "Carl was the legal advisor to the task force for many years. He drafted the original agreement between the counties to form the task force and was also responsible for drafting the policies and operational procedures to implement the task force. We wanted to do something in his memory and, at the same time, recognize some of the fine officers who are on the front line fighting the influx of drugs into our communities."

"When Tony and I discussed this in January, I thought this was a great idea not only to perpetuate Carl's accomplishments with the task force, but to recognize the officers who are working every day to keep our communities safe."

Both DA's noted that they requested nominations from local police departments and then jointly reviewed the nominees to make their selection.

"In deciding who would receive the award, we both felt that Ray and Todd exemplify the dedication and hard work that make the task force successful in its mission to preserve the character and safety of our local communities from the scourge of drugs and agreed to present both of them with an award this year," the attorneys said.

The task force meeting held Wednesday was scheduled as a training session at which several presenters provided information to improve local drug investigations. Deputy Attorney General Robert Stewart spoke on the law, procedures and tactics for forfeiting cash and property of drug dealers. State Trooper Lance Thomas provided an outline of how to conduct drug investigations in traffic stops and gave the officers procedures to follow to obtain access to vehicles suspected of transporting illegal substances.

Approximately 40 members of the task force attended the meeting, including officers from Sunbury, Shamokin, Coal Township, Mount Carmel, Mount Carmel Township, Point Township, Watsontown, Ralpho Township, Kulpmont, Danville and Mahoning Township police departments.

SUNBURY - Northumberland County Court Administrator Brandy Yasenchak reported $1,084,353.44 in child support is owed by 160 defendants who are wanted by the county domestic relations office on outstanding bench warrants.

Yasenchak released the amount owed in child support in connection with a press release issued Monday from the domestic relations office announcing an amnesty period for defendants wanting to avoid arrest and/or jail time that will be held from March 19 to 30. The amnesty will not forgive the debt.

To take advantage of the amnesty, clients must visit the domestic relations office at 320 N. Second St., Sunbury, from 9 to 11:30 a.m., or 1 to 3:30 p.m. to meet with the domestic relations enforcement officer. Defendants must provide the officer with any current employment information and a current address. They also must make a good faith payment on arrears and set up a payment plan for the support obligation and any remaining arrears. The payment arrangements will provide for the children and avoid further enforcement proceedings.

The domestic relations office will not pursue arrests during this period. Defendants, however, may be arrested on any other warrant that may be outstanding for other violations.

At the end of the amnesty period, Northumberland County Sheriff Chad Reiner and his staff will seek the arrest of all defendants with warrants. Bench warrants will continue to be issued for those who do not comply with domestic relations policies and procedures.

Taser certification class set today

MOUNT CARMEL - Mount Carmel police are sponsoring a Taser certification class at the department from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. today.

Bishop McFadden to be at Our Lady's

MOUNT CARMEL - Bishop Joseph McFadden of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg will be the main celebrant at the closing of the annual Eucharistic Devotions at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 20, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 47 S. Market St. (Route 61). The Rev. Donald Cramer, pastor of St. Monica Church, Sunbury, will preach the homily.

All children and teenagers in the parish are invited to bring a handwritten prayer to present before the altar.

Scavenger hunt part of nutrition month

BLOOMSBURG - In recognition of National Nutrition Month, interns from Geisinger Medical Center's Clinical Nutrition Department will host a scavenger hunt at the Columbia Mall.

The free event, "Get Your Plate in Shape Scavenger Hunt," will be held from 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, March 22 and 23. Seven questions will be positioned throughout the shopping mall regarding general nutrition and wellness. Participants must answer one question before moving on to the next location.

In addition to free apples and water for participants, a raffle will be held for an opportunity to win a prize package that includes a water bottle, a pedometer, a five-in-one measuring cup and a reusable grocery bag.

Bear Gap Road drainage work slated

CLEVELAND TOWNSHIP - Drainage improvements will begin Monday along Bear Gap Road in Columbia County.

A PennDOT maintenance crew will replace a 42-inch cross pipe along the road in Cleveland Township, and the road will be closed while the project is under way, with traffic detoured using Middle Road and Fisherdale Road. These will be daylight detours.

The road work should be wrapped up in two days or less, weather permitting.

Blacktop repair for the pipe trench will follow under normal flagging operations.

The existing pipe runs beneath Bear Gap Road approximately three-quarters of a mile west of Fisherdale Road.

SHAMOKIN - The city's allocation for a critical state grant is down 14 percent from last year.

Lynn Dixson, Shamokin's community development director, told council members Monday that the city is tabbed to receive $300,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for 2012.

The city received approximately $342,000 in 2011.

U.S. Housing and Urban Development slashed its 2012 CDBG allocations nationwide by 7.5 percent. The grant money is administered on the state level by Department of Community and Economic Development.

In the city's proposed use for the funding, $73,800 is dedicated to the demolition of blighted properties and $66,100 for street improvements.

Another $66,100 set aside for recreation could be used for a pair of projects - the mandatory installation of a chair lift in the city's swimming pool and roof repairs at the American Legion Building, Dixson said.

According to a previous agreement, $40,000 will be used for the second of five annual payments for an aerial truck purchased in conjunction with Rescue Fire Company.

The remaining $54,000 will be used for administrative purposes.

City council must vote at a later meeting on a final plan for the funding.

Policy adopted

Council voted to add a new drug and alcohol policy to its existing contract with members of the local AFSCME union chapter.

The policy comes less than one month after street department employee Bob Persing was suspended two weeks without pay after his driving privileges were revoked due to his guilty plea to a drunk driving charge.

Under the terms of the new policy, an employee's first offense of driving under the influence would bring a three-day suspension. Plus, their hourly rate would be docked 20 percent for the length of the suspension of their driving privileges.

A second offense brings a 10-day suspension plus the docked hourly rate. A third offense brings an automatic dismissal, a result that would also come for anyone found guilty of driving under the influence while at work.

Authority term extended

Council also voted to extend the term of Shamokin-Coal Township Joint Sewer Authority for 50 years.

Coal Township Commissioners approved the same move last week.

The authority was established in 1971 and is set to expire in 2021. It cannot take on bonds that mature beyond its period of existence, solicitor H. Robert Mattis said Monday.

The authority is undergoing a long-term, federally mandated project to separate storm water and sewer lines, and is taking on bond financing to pay for the work. Those bonds will take decades to repay.

Council also:

- Voted to seek bids for the purchase of 605 new parking meters, a move discussed by council last fall;

- Hired Klacik and Associates to perform its annual audit at a cost of $17,500, and perform work on employee W2s and quarterly taxes at a cost not to exceed $800. Mayor George Rozinskie asked that next year, council seek proposals for the annual audit;

- Adopted its street sweeping schedule, which will be published in full in The News-Item and at www.shamokincity.org. The sweeper will begin operating March 26;

- Heard from Barry Getchey, a local landlord who is urging council to remove Raymond G. Splane from Shamokin Housing Authority and to investigate further alleged corruption within the authority;

- Approved its local match to Lower Anthracite Transportation System totaling $1,211;

- Approved family medical leave for Kelly Haines, deputy treasurer, beginning May 3;

- Granted a $300 permit to Bill Lehman to set up a 20-foot by 80-foot flower tent along Third Street;

- Allowed Shamokin Alliance Church to use the band shell at the Claude E. Kehler Community Park for sunrise services on Easter Sunday;

- Permitted members of VFW Post 317 to sell coffee as a fundraiser from 7:30 a.m. to noon May 12 at Eighth and Independence streets.