SUNBURY - Area grocers have joined other supermarket chains nationwide that have pledged to stop selling ground beef containing the suddenly dubious "pink slime" additive.

Weis Markets and Giant Food each announced Thursday that the chains would no longer purchase "lean finely textured beef" for their stores.

Current inventory of the beef product, however, will be sold-through, according to spokesmen for both grocers.

Beef product without the additive is available from both chains.

"While (U.S. Department of Agriculture) has confirmed lean finely textured beef is safe, our customers continue to have concerns and questions about this product," Dennis Curtin, Weis Markets' director of public relations, wrote in a press release.

"Given these concerns, we will no longer purchase ground beef containing lean finely textured beef and we are now working with our suppliers to make this change," Curtin wrote.

Weis has two stores in Shamokin and Coal Township, along with two in Sunbury.

The nearest Giant is at Monroe Marketplace near Selinsgrove.

Boyer's Food Markets has locations in Elysburg, Mount Carmel and Ashland. Attempts to reach Boyer's corporate office Thursday afternoon for comment about availability of the beef product were unsuccessful.

Walmart's corporate office issued a statement Wednesday saying it and Sam's Club would begin offering ground beef without the additive. It did not, however, say the store's would stop offering lean finely textured beef altogether.

Meets standards, critics say it's unsafe

Federal regulators say the ammonia-treated filler meets food safety standards. But critics say the product could be unsafe and is an unappetizing example of industrialized food production.

Kroger Co., the nation's largest traditional grocer, will also discontinue selling the beef product.

Language used in corporate statements issued by Weis, Giant, Walmart and Kroger is very similar.

Each points out the U.S. Department of Agriculture's assessment that lean finely textured beef is safe. They all also state that action is being taken based on customer concerns. All of the corporate statements are brief.

Other supermarket chains discontinuing the sale of lean finely textured beef include Stop & Shop, Safeway, Supervalu and Food Lion.

Target, which is adding a grocery section to its store at Monroe Marketplace, issued a statement saying its stores have not sold beef with the filler. Whole Foods, A&P and Costco have all stated the same thing.

The low-cost ingredient is made from fatty bits of meat left over from other cuts. The bits are heated to about 100 degrees Fahrenheit and spun to remove most of the fat. The lean mix then is compressed into blocks for use in ground meat. The product is exposed to ammonium hydroxide gas to kill bacteria, such as E. coli and salmonella.

Though the term "pink slime" has been used pejoratively for at least several years, it wasn't until early March that social media suddenly exploded with worry and an online petition seeking its ouster from schools lit up, quickly garnering hundreds of thousands of supporters.

The Agriculture Department said last week that, starting next fall, schools involved in the national school lunch program will have the option of avoiding the product.

It is trite, but true, that the cliché "time flies" is often right. There are notable exceptions such as when we were trapped in a class with a boring teacher droning on and on or listening to a minister preaching a sermon so dry that it probably could be blown away by a sudden draft.

Those are deviations since many of us experience flying time on a daily basis. It's the way I start and end most days.

At the beginning of the beginning of my day, time behaves itself. I get up, get ready and go downstairs to the kitchen to pack my lunch and pack away my breakfast. I do frequent time checks and I am usually ahead of schedule after I eat, but suddenly it appears as though someone turned the clock ahead and I'm running late. I arrive at work a minute or so ahead of my starting time.

My wife Jo Ann and I both experience this time problem at the end of the day. Our goal is to get to bed as early as possible so we can get a reasonable amount of sleep before awaking at an unreasonable hour.

Again, everything seems to be moving along well. Then one thing leads to another and we are saying our bedtime prayers a half hour or more later than our sleep-starting goal.

This phenomenon also seems to apply to our lives. We think our life is going along as scheduled. The next moment we are shocked when we contemplate how much of our life has elapsed and how quickly it is passing.

This quickly-passing time means that it is often later than we think. However, as long as we are living this fast-paced life, it is never too late to think about, pray to and work for God.

+++

God's love is timeless.

SHAMOKIN - Officers were appointed during a recent reorganizational meeting of the board of directors of Shamokin Cemetery Company at First Presbyterian Church.

New officers are: William Milbrand, president; Garth Hall, vice president; Andy Garancosky, superintendent; David Donmoyer, treasurer, and Tracy Donnelly, secretary.

In addition to these officers, other directors of the cemetery association are Deborarh Losiewicz, Jeff Clutcher, Jeanne Plott, William Lentz, William Richie, Diane Schrader and John R. Lindermuth.

During the meeting, Hall reported arrangements have been made for two volunteer work events on May 12 and 19.

Donnelly distributed brochures for the Historic Shamokin Cemetery Tour to be held May 26 in conjunction with the community's 2012 Anthracite Heritage Festival.

Donnelly will conduct the tour this year. Admitting no one can replace the late Frederick "Fritz" Reed, who conducted the tour and regaled the public with his vast store of tales in the past, she said her intent is to provide a different, feminine perspective on the 150-year-old cemetery and the people who are buried there.

Persons who may have stories or photos to share are encouraged to contact any board member.

In other business, the board discussed financial matters and means of improving maintenance of the facility.

The next meeting will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 5, at the church.

SUNBURY - The Northumberland County Conservation District announces the winners of its 36th annual poster contest.

The overall winner is Kaiulani Snyder of St. Monica School.

The first- and second-place finishers in each grade category are:

K-1 - Chloe Yablonski, Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School, first place, and Vincent Maresca, Lourdes, second place.

2-3 - Sarah Bertone, Meadowview Christian Academy, first place, and Emma Dailey, Shamokin Area Elementary, second place;

4-6 - Heather Beveridge, St. Monica, first place, and Alyssa Lambert, Trevorton Elementary, second place;

7-9 - Emily Troutman, St. Monica, first place, and Kayleigh Shovlin, St. Monica, second place.

The contest was sponsored by the conservation district, Furmano Foods Inc. and Roy Adams and Son Inc.

A total of 329 entries from students across Northumberland County were submitted in this year's contest. All were based on the theme, "Soil to Spoon!"

Cash prizes of $50 for first place and $30 for second place were made possible by the sponsors. Students earning first place will now advance to state judging.

Students who placed third through eighth as well as honorable mention were awarded ribbons and certificates.

All students who submitted posters were entered in a drawing to win an overall $100 prize pack of assorted gift cards from local businesses.

COAL TOWNSHIP - The Rainbow Club held its March meeting at Our Lady of Hope hall.

Ruth Romanoski, president, opened the meeting with the Senior Adult Ministry prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance and the Over 50 song. Birthday celebrants were announced, followed by song and applause. They provided the refreshments.

Dolly Yocum, secretary, read the minutes, which were approved and filed.

Florence Verano gave the treasurer's and travel reports. A trip was taken to Lancaster Thursday to see "Jonah." A trip is scheduled for May 17 to see "Honky Tonk Angels." Those wishing to make arrangements should contact Verano for prompt payment.

Margaret Neary, a new member, was introduced.

A Mass for all members, living and deceased, is scheduled for 11 a.m. May 20 in Our Lady of Hope Church. Dinner will follow at the Original Italian Pizza restaurant.

The Mass and banquet for all diocesan clubs will be held in October at the Keeler Center in Harrisburg. Arrangements are being made for a bus.

Members on the sick list include Dolores Van Shura, Phyllis Jones and Eileen Janaskie.

Yocum won the attendance award. Tickets for a 50/50 drawing were sold by Pat Pellman and Peggy Thomas. Winners were Romanoski, Catherine Reed and Rose Milbrand.

Bingo was played, chaired by Pellman and Thomas. Yocum was the caller.

Two cakes were chanced off. Sellers were Romanoski and Ann Koshinskie. Winners were Jean Orleski and Joe Dobzryn.

The next meeting will be held at 7 p.m. April 15. Members should note this is a change of time.

GREAT LAKES, Ill. - Navy Seaman Recruit Hayden J. Reed, a son of Beth and John Reed, of Catawissa, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command.

Reed is a 2011 graduate of Southern Columbia Area High School.

During the eight-week program, Reed completed a variety of training which included classroom study and practical instruction on naval customs, first aid, firefighting, water safety and survival, and shipboard and aircraft safety. An emphasis was also placed on physical fitness.

The capstone event of boot camp is "Battle Stations." This exercise gives recruits the skills and confidence they need to succeed in the fleet. "Its distinctly Navy flavor was designed to take into account what it means to be a sailor.

MOUNT CARMEL - Gabrielle Yakup, a daughter of Sonny Yakup, of Mount Carmel, graduated Jan. 27 from basic training at Great Lakes Naval Training Station in Illinois.

Yakup, a member of the honor guard, received advanced navigational training at Great Lakes. She was deployed March 20 to the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier in the Strait of Hormuz.

She is a graduate of Chambersburg High School.

LEWISBURG - The long-time assistant director has been named the new executive director of the Central Pennsylvania Workforce Development Corporation (CPWDC).

Rachel V. Smith, who has held various positions with the organization for the past 11 1/2 years, including as acting director since January, was appointed to fill the post vacated by Shannon (Miller) Munro. Smith's hiring was announced Friday by Teri MacBride, CPWDC board chairwoman, in a press release from the organization.

MacBride said Smith's workforce experience and knowledge of central Pennsylvania made her the winning candidate in a national search.

"The 41-member board of directors of the CPWDC is confident in Smith's leadership and vision for the organization. She understands the operations, the policy and the key players in the workforce development arena," MacBride said. "During her tenure, Smith has been critical in expanding CPWDC's strategic portfolio by securing millions of dollars in competitive grants and developing CPWDC's internal research department, which provides labor market support to other workforce investment areas, economic developers and employers."

Smith intends to position CPWDC as the visible leader in cultivating a regional conversation about workforce issues, she said in Friday's release.

"In addition to the important oversight we provide to the region's six PA CareerLink facilities, CPWDC has expertise and dedicated staff to be a key partner in planning, executing and evaluating workforce solutions," she said. "I am excited to build on the organization's strong foundation and relationships with many local and regional partners."

Smith is a graduate of Middleburg High School, Shippensburg University and Virginia Tech, where she earned her master's degree in public administration. Smith resides with her family in Union County.

Munro accepted a position at Pennsylvania College of Technology in January. She was in charge in late 2010 when CPWDC made the controversial decision to close CareerLink sites in Shamokin and Selinsgrove and consolidate them in Sunbury.

CPWDC serves as the local Workforce Investment Board (WIB) for Centre, Clinton, Columbia, Lycoming, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder and Union counties, and one of 22 such WIBs across the state. Incorporated in 1999, it is responsible for coordinating and developing Central Pennsylvania's workforce system. CPWDC is one of 22 local WIBs across the Commonwealth.

Boyer's never carried 'pink slime'

ORWIGSBURG - Boyer's Food Markets won't need to join fellow supermarket chains locally and across the nation that have pledged to no longer sell ground beef with the additive given the unappetizing name "pink slime."

That's because Boyer's never carried the product.

A company spokesman told The News-Item on Friday that its stores have never sold ground beef with the additive, called "lean finely textured beef."

Attempts to reach a company representative for an article published Friday were unsuccessful.

Boyer's has local locations in Elysburg, Mount Carmel and Ashland.

Bloom U students cleaning up town

BLOOMSBURG - More than 1,000 university students have pledged to participate in the 2012 Big Event, a community service project, from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 31.

Sponsored by BU's student government, the Community Government Association (CGA), the Big Event is "a great opportunity for students to express our gratitude to the Town of Bloomsburg," said David Abrams, CGA president.

Students will tackle outdoor clean-up projects around town, as well as at private residences, including raking, weeding, replanting, sweeping and picking up trash or other debris.

Additionally, some students may participate in specific relief projects related to the Flood of 2011.

Clover Hose planning Easter egg hunt

MOUNT CARMEL - Members of the Clover Hose Company will hold their annual Easter egg hunt at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 1, at the baseball complex on Hickory and Railroad streets. The event is free and there is no registration.

The egg hunt is open to children 10 years old and younger of the Mount Carmel area as the Clover's way of saying thank you to those who support the fire department.

Every child who attends will receive a gift from Clover Hose members. The Easter Bunny and the Clover's mascot, the Green Gator will also be there.

SUNBURY - Dalmatia Area Ambulance Chief Eric Shrawder was cleared of wrongdoing through a jury's verdict in a civil lawsuit about the drowning death of a 2-year-old boy nearly seven years ago.

The Daily Item reported in Friday's edition that a jury's 11-1 verdict found that the negligence of Lisa Michael, the toddler's aunt, not that of Shrawder, led to Kedan Bordner's death on June 23, 2005. The verdict, which does not need to be unanimous in a civil trial, awarded the boy's parents $103,267 in damages, the newspaper reported.

Shrawder, then a volunteer EMT with the association, was sued for arriving at the scene but telling Michael to continue doing CPR while he removed life-saving equipment from his truck. The Daily Item reported that Shrawder, after he was sued for not immediately taking over efforts to revive the child, brought Michael into the suit. His attorney told the court that Shrawder did perform CPR on the boy and "did the prudent, responsible thing" in his response to the emergency call.

Michael was babysitting about eight other children on the day of the accident, The Daily Item reported.

COAL TOWNSHIP - During its meeting Wednesday night, the operating agency at Northumberland County Career and Technology Center approved the retirement of longtime carpentry instructor James Yurick Jr., effective at the end of the current school year.

Board members commended the instructor for his dedicated service to the school.

James Monaghan, administrative director at the school, said it's possible the carpentry shop, which doesn't have many students, may be incorporated into a building maintenance program in the future.

He said office manager Sally Merena also is retiring at the end of the school year.

The board agreed to hire Eric Ackerman of Kulpmont as a part-time website design instructor for the adult evening program at $15 an hour, retroactive to Feb. 29.

Registered nurse Jacqueline Verzosa of Coal Township was approved as a day-to-day substitute teacher on an as-needed basis.

BLOOMSBURG - A series of lectures, films and a panel discussion, most held on the campus of Bloomsburg University, will explore the social, economic and environmental impacts of drilling for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale.

Sponsored by BU's Green Campus Initiative, Institute for Culture and Society, Institute for Human Rights and Social Justice, College of Science and Technology and the College of Liberal Arts, all programs in "Natural Gas Extraction in Marcellus Shale: Evaluating the Impacts" are open to the public free of charge.

The series includes these lectures:

- "Shale Energy's Challenges and Opportunities," by Jeffrey Daniels, professor, School of Earth Sciences, Ohio State University, 7 p.m.Wednesday at Warren Center, Room 004.

- "The Role of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection in Marcellus Shale: A Regulatory, Technical and Operational Perspective," by professional geologists Eugene Pine and Seth Pelepko, both from DEP's Office of Oil and Gas Management, 1 p.m. Thursday at Hartline Science Center, Room B36.

Also planned are free screenings of the film "Crude," at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Warren Student Services Center, Room 004.

The event will conclude Thursday with a panel discussion on natural gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale featuring representatives from industry, higher education and government. Beginning at 7 p.m. in McCormick Center, Room 2303, Anthony Ingraffea, professor of engineering, Cornell University; Donny Beaver, member, Marcellus Shale Coalition, and geologists Pine and Pelepko will discuss "Projections for Pennsylvania: How Will Gas Drilling Affect Our State?"

The series offers an opportunity for area residents and members of the university community to learn about and discuss issues associated with Marcellus Shale drilling. All events are free and open to the public. More information is available at http://organizations.bloomu.edu/gci/shale.php.

by justin strawser

The first 2012 unemployment rate for Northumberland County is more than half a percentage point lower than the last number for 2011, according to the latest figures from the Department of Labor and Industry (DLI).

DLI reported last week that the January unemployment rate was 8.3 percent compared to December 2010's updated rate of 8.9 percent.

The county unemployment rate is the same as seasonably adjusted national level of 8.3 percent and above the state level of 7.6 percent.

The most recent Northumberland County rate is also the same as it was a year ago, but much lower than when it was at 10.2 percent in January 2010.

Jobless rates in neighboring counties are Montour, 5.6 percent; Lycoming, 6.7 percent; Union, 6.9 percent; Dauphin, 7.2 percent; Juniata. 7.3 percent; Columbia, 7.6 percent; Perry, 7.7 percent; Snyder, 7.9 percent; and Schuykill, 9 percent.

Of those nine counties, Union had the largest change, decreasing .7 percent.

Centre County, at 5.2 percent, has the lowest jobless rate in Pennsylvania. Philadelphia County, at 10.7 percent, has the highest.

There are only two counties in the state at or above a rate of 10 percent.

Northumberland County unemployment rates:

Dec. '08: 8.8

2009

Jan.: 8.9

Feb.: 9.5

March: 9.7

April: 9.5

May: 9.9

June: 10.1

July: 10

Aug.: 10.1

Sept.: 10.4

Oct.: 10.6

Nov.: 10

Dec.: 10.4

2010

Jan.: 10.2

Feb.: 10.2

March: 9.9

April: 9.6

May: 10.1

June: 10.1

July: 10.2

Aug.: 10.1

Sept.: 9.7

Oct.: 9.9

Nov.: 9.8

Dec.: 9.5

2011

Jan.: 8.3

Feb.: 8.4

March: 8

April: 8.2

May: 8.5

June: 8.8

July: 8.8

Aug.: 9.2

Sept.: 9

Oct.: 8.6

Nov. 8.8

Dec. 8.9

2012

Jan.: 8.3

SHAMOKIN - Many city residents are unaware of the large, beautiful pipe organ inside First Presbyterian Church.

That could change on Sunday, when the church, at Sunbury and Liberty streets, hosts a unique event: an organ concert.

The idea originated approximately a year ago, according to William Milbrand, who has been church choir director since 1977.

"Because of the declining church attendance, we felt as though we had to give some opportunity to show this instrument off," he said.

"We think we have one of the best pipe organs in town and it has been well cared for," added Noriene Ladd, in her 43rd year as the church's organist. "We keep up with the repairs. We think we should show it off a little bit and we know some very good organists."

Those organists include Ladd, Philip Maue, Margaret Morris, Mary Ann Stump, Dan Umholtz and Jack Umholtz. Also to be featured in the concert, which starts at 3 p.m., are pianists Maxine Howerter-Harvey, Melanie Jessop and Irvin Liachowitz. The show will include duets featuring the two instruments.

2nd organ since 1889

Milbrand said the organ is serviced and tuned quarterly, and any maintenance needed is done in between.

The organ cost $27,000 when purchased and was built and installed by the Reuter Organ Co., Lawrence, Kansas. The company was awarded the contract in 1948 and the organ, a "three-manual" version with 1,907 pipes, was dedicated in January 1951.

When seated in the church the only visible part of the organ is the control board where the organist sits. All the pipes are located in three rooms behind two grated screens on the back wall of the church.

It is the second pipe organ in the church's history.

The first was installed in 1889 at a cost of $1,800 and served the church for 59 years.

During that time, the church had but one organist, Helen Caldwell. With her resignation, a campaign was started to replace the original organ. The campaign's slogan was "A New Organ Without One Cent of Interest."

'Everyone's excited'

Milbrand and Ladd shared their excitement for Sunday.

"Everyone seems to be excited. I have been privileged to play it all these years," Ladd said. "We have very good acoustics in the church."

"I think that people just don't know what these instruments are all about," Milbrand said.

"They don't realize what is right here on Sunbury Street," Ladd added.

(A freewill offering will be received. Refreshments will follow the performances. For more information call 648-0201. The pastor of First Presbyterian Church is The Rev. Dr. Carrie L. Stine.)

MOUNT CARMEL - The land acquisition needed to allow the Shamokin Creek Flood Control project to proceed has been completed by the borough.

Council President Tony Matulewicz this week provided The News-Item with a copy of a letter dated March 19 from the Department of General Services (DGS) stating the borough's requirements in the property attainment were met.

"I'm absolutely thrilled. I couldn't be happier with that letter. It's a relief for the people of Water Street," he said.

The borough's obligations included acquiring the rights to the land around the creek, consolidating deeds and signing them over to DGS.

However, one of the residents along the creek is remaining pessimistic.

"I'm pleased they have started, but I will not be satisfied until I see it completed," Emily Homanick, 68, of 319 E. Water St. "I have so much doubt, and there's been so much fighting to get it fixed.

The Mount Carmel woman lost a gas furnace, a hot water heater, a freezer full of food, a washer, a dryer and two dressers during the Flood of 2011. That was the first time she has lost so much, but not the first time she was flooded.

She told council in October that she thought she lost her home.

The letter also states an additional obligation of signing a reimbursement agreement with the borough, the Mount Carmel Municipal Authority and Northumberland County that would divide the costs associated with the streets among them. If there are any repairs or maintenance as a result of the project, the borough, as well as the county because they own and the bridges and the sewer authority because they own the pipes, will have to reimburse DGS, Matulewicz said.

"The project may be released for bid once all other project aspects are in order, including the complete execution of a reimbursement agreement..." the letter reads.

DGS requires borough representatives to physically deliver the deeds and associated documents to them by April 15. At that time, the creek project is out of the council's hands, and DGS can bid the project out and award a contract, which is expected by August at the earliest.

The project, which has been held up by numerous factors for nearly 20 years, is expected to alleviate flooding from Shamokin Creek that has repeatedly damaged several homes.

COAL TOWNSHIP - The look of school lunches will change next school year - and so might the price.

New federal guidelines require students' plates include more fruits and vegetables and more whole grain breads and pastas.

The standards set in the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act could boost food costs at Shamokin Area School District as much as $80,000 or more, Nancy Kohl of the district's food service contractor, The Nutrition Group, told the school board at its Tuesday meeting.

The district spent $428,174.01 on food and milk in 2010-11, according to an expenditure report.

The federal government will offer some relief, Kohl said, by providing 6 cents a plate toward the increased costs. That help could top out at more than $20,000, leaving the overall maximum increase to food costs at $60,000.

School lunches are subsidized in part by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), with the remainder paid through state or local sources - student payments, state subsidies and tax revenue.

The school board decides how to cover the increase: Either raise lunch prices or find money within next year's budget, which has a estimated $4.6 million deficit.

Lunch revenue

According to the district, nearly 64 percent of students receive either a free or reduced lunch - 1,336 free and 286 reduced. There are 921 students who pay regular price for a lunch.

Current lunch prices are $2.05 at the elementary schools and $2.30 at the middle/high school. A reduced lunch for all district students costs 40 cents.

School directors didn't discuss Tuesday how much prices could potentially be increased.

Apart from the expected hike in food costs, meal prices could also be driven higher after a USDA report found that schools are not creating enough revenue on student lunches.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, schools are not charging enough to cover the cost of meals.

The average cost to produce a school lunch in 2005-06 was $2.28, less than the $2.50 reimbursed to schools for each free lunch. The USDA says total revenue from a paid meal accounted for 80 percent of the value of federal support for a free meal.

"Funding paid meals below the cost of their production effectively shifts federal subsidies designed for the lowest-income children to others," the report says. "It can negatively affect all children by limiting the funds available to provide nutritious meals."

That the federal government is mandating lunch menus and meal costs didn't sit well with at least one school director at Shamokin Area. Charles Shuey said such mandates are exactly the reason citizens must exercise their right to vote.

"Stuff like this happens because people don't vote," he said at Tuesday's meeting. "And the federal government can come in here and mandate our food prices."

"The problem," said Tracy Witmer, board president, "is that this effects people who pay for lunch. Free lunch people are not affected."

Eat up

Students from kindergarten to 12th grade are currently required to be served between 1/2 and 3/4 cup of fruits and vegetables with each lunch.

A breakdown of new requirements on the USDA website shows that servings of fruits and vegetables will essentially double - 3/4 to 1 cup vegetables plus 1/2 to 1 cup fruit.

Half of breads and pastas served must be whole grain. By 2014-15, all breads and pasta must be whole grain.

Flavored milk must be non-fat while unflavored milk must be 1 percent, according to the USDA.

Imagine a school lunch tray with five components on it: a main entree, bread, fruit, vegetable and milk. Students at the main elementary building and middle/high school can choose no less than three of the components. New standards mean all five components must be represented.

In an effort to reduce sodium intake, salt shakers will become a thing of the past and won't be found in cafeterias beginning next school year, Kohl said.

Sodium levels within foods served are currently unregulated. Within the next year, however, restrictions will be in place to greatly reduce the amount of salt within prepared foods.

Caloric intake, too, will be regulated.

The minimum and maximum calorie counts under the new standards are as follows: 550 to 650 calories, grades kindergarten to 5; 600-700, grades 6 to 8; 750 to 850, grades 9 to 12.

Food type, serving size and caloric and nutrient intake for school breakfasts will also face new standards.

Breakfast costs $1.15 at the elementary buildings, $1.55 at the middle/high school and 30 cents for reduced.

MOUNT CARMEL - As part of the fundraising for the Mount Carmel 150th Anniversary celebration, a Bargains in the Park event is scheduled for 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 19, rain or shine, in Town Park, Market and East Third streets.

Vendors or yard-salers are being sought for the event, which was held with great success in September.

Part of this year's event will be a pig roast. Tickets are on sale now.

Yard sale items, local merchants, flea market vendors, food sales or fundraising for charitable organizations or clubs are welcome.

Spots to be reserved include sizes of 12-by-12 feet for $15 or 12-by-15 feet for $20. Multiple spots are also available. Deadline for reservations is May 12.

Pig roast dinners include roasted pork, stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, cole slaw and salad and dressing for $15. Dinners may be picked up from noon to 2 p.m. Deadline for pig roast tickets is May 12. A few dinners may be available the day of the event, but at $20 a dinner.

All proceeds benefit the Mount Carmel 150th Anniversary.

For more information on the pig roast or "bargains" event, call Melissa at 610-842-7348 or email MC150th@gmail.com. Also, find Mount Carmel Borough 150th Anniversary on Facebook.

COAL TOWNSHIP - Ann Elizabeth Nowaskie, a member of the Sigma Chapter of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International (DKG), has completed leadership development training for new chapter presidents of DKG Pennsylvania State Organization.

DKG is a professional honor society for women educators with approximately 96,000 members. Established in 17 countries around the world, DKG defines its mission as promoting professional and personal growth of women educators, and excellence in education.

A leadership development training was held March 16 and 17 at State College for incoming chapter presidents from throughout Pennsylvania. Dr. Lyn B. Schmid, leadership development committee chairman from Lancaster; Carolyn Sutton, of Pittsburgh, Royce Boyd, of Bedford, and Dr. Bette Bertram, of York, organized the training. The DKG state president, Louann Shrader, of Hanover, actively participated.

Chapter presidents discussed leadership strategies and exchanged ideas concerning programs and projects. The presiders inspired participants to share a common vision that focuses on educational excellence and support of early-career educators.

The incoming chapter presidents for 2012 to 2014 reviewed role and responsibilities of the office and discussed specific ways to move their chapters forward.

"Meeting with leaders from across the state was a wonderful opportunity to set goals for my work with key women educators and was an enriching experience that provided new avenues for my own personal and professional development," Nowaskie said. "My involvement in DKG allows me to network with professional women educators, enjoy global affiliation, make presentations and serve as a mentor to other members."

The 2012 International Convention will be held July 24 to 28 at the Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers on Seventh Avenue, New York City.

The DKG organization was formed in Austin, Texas, on May 11, 1929, by Dr. Annie Webb Blanton from a nucleus of 12 founders representing all levels of education, kindergarten through university. Blanton, a professor of rural education at the University of Texas, was elected president of the Texas State Teachers' Association in 1916, the first woman to hold that office. Blanton was also the first woman to serve Texas as state superintendent of public instruction, having been elected in 1918.

Shamokin Area holds a narrow lead - less than $300 - over Mount Carmel Area after reclaiming the top spot in the high school division of the Stock Market Challenge.

A middle school team at Shamokin Area, meanwhile, also remains on top, where it has been since Week 2 of the 10-week contest.

Teams continue to benefit from an upswing in the stock market, in which their hypothetical money is invested.

2 hurt on Rt. 125

GOWEN CITY - Two people were transported to the hospital following a two-vehicle crash shortly after 3 p.m. Saturday on Route 125 near the base of the Gowen City Mountain.

Authorities at the scene believe a pickup truck traveling north was sideswiped by a southbound car that continued down the grade, struck a rock embankment and turned onto its side.

Trevorton, Coal Township and East Cameron fire and rescue personnel responded. The two injured people were transported to the hospital by Trevorton Ambulance.

State police investigated, but had not released further details as of Saturday night.

School bus crash

WATSONTOWN - A minor injury was reported from an accident Friday morning involving a Warrior Run Area School District school bus and an SUV on Route 405 at True Blue Road in Delaware Township near Watsontown Elementary School, according to state police at Milton.

Trooper J.E. Petti reported that Wayne Edward Greiner, 71, of 519 Elm St., Watsontown, was driving a 2004 Thomas School Bus off of True Blue Road south onto Route 405 at 7:46 a.m. and pulled out in front of Lindsay Morgan Smith, 26, of 12210 Route 405, Watsontown, who was driving a 2010 Jeep Liberty north. The right front bumper of her SUV struck the front end of the bus, police said.

Both drivers were wearing their seat belts. The SUV experienced major damage and was inoperable, police said.

The Daily Item reported there were 36 students on the bus, but only a 10-year-old boy was taken to Evangelical Community Hospital in Lewisburg, where he was diagnosed with a sprained neck. Other students were taken to their schools in other vehicles and examined by the school nurse, the Sunbury paper reported.

Greiner will be cited for failure to obey stop and yield signs, police said.

Theft at Boscov's

HUMMELS WHARF - A Sunbury woman was charged with retail theft relating to an incident Friday at Boscov's department store at the Susquehanna Valley Mall, according to state police at Selinsgrove.

Trooper M. Brown alleges Stephanie Fetter, 25, was caught by the store's loss prevention attempting to steal clothing valued at $104.

DUI charge

DERRY TOWNSHIP - State police at Milton said they will file charges of driving under the influence of a combination of alcohol and synthetic marijuana against a 26-year-old Washingtonville male following a traffic stop at Route 54 and Shed Road in this Montour County municipality at about 1:38 a.m. Saturday. Police did not name the suspect, but said charges will be filed in district court.