SUNBURY - Appointees to the newly-formed Northumberland County Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area (AOAA) Authority are committed to making the off-highway vehicle park a revenue-generating facility, while providing enjoyment to outdoor enthusiasts.

David L. Crowl

"I believe the AOAA will create a positive change for the county and I am willing to work together with other members of the authority for the betterment of the area," said David L. Crowl, of Elysburg, who was appointed Monday morning to a one-year term on the authority.

The 57-year-old Crowl has served as president of Kenneth Crowl Inc., a contractor in Elysburg, since 1976. He is an accredited professional in leadership energy and environmental design and a graduate of the International Masonry Institute and Bloomsburg University, where he earned a master's degree in business administration.

Crowl serves as secretary of the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, chairman of Northumberland County Conservation District and contractor director for Northumberland County Agland Preservation.

He is a volunteer and youth ATV safety instructor for the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and served as a Ralpho Township supervisor from 1984 to 1994 and public safety director for the township from 1984 to 1988.

Crowl is a four-term president of the Masonry Contractor Association of Central Pennsylvania.

He enjoys riding ATVs, hunting and kayaking and is a member of the American Chestnut Foundation.

Patrick Mack

Patrick Mack, county planning and industrial development director, who was appointed to the authority for a five-year term, said, "I think there is an adequate amount (five) of members on the board. We all know each other and have worked together in developing the AOAA. It's an honor and a humbling experience to be selected to the authority. It's good to know the commissioners have confidence in all of us to do a good job."

Mack, 31, of Sunnyside, was appointed planning director in 2010 after serving as vice president of operations for Shamokin Carbons in Coal Township since 2003.

He has assisted planning department grants manager Kathy Jeremiah in spearheading the AOAA project.

Jim Backes

Jim Backes, 50, of Coal Township, was appointed to the authority for a three-year term. He is director of operations for GDK Development Inc., a franchisee of Burger King Restaurant.

Backes, who has worked for GDK Development for 30 years, stated, "It's an honor to be on the authority. I think the AOAA is a great opportunity to preserve one of our local natural resources. Through proper development of the AOAA, I believe we can make this attraction an economic boost for the entire area, while providing a safe place for local and out-of-the-area people to participate in outdoor activities.

Backes has hunted on the AOAA property for approximately 30 years and also enjoys riding ATVs.

He believes a five-member authority is sufficient.

"I look forward to working with other members of the authority in a positive and productive manner," Backes said.

Michael Schwartz

Michael Schwartz, 65, of Trevorton, was appointed to the authority for a four-year term.

Schwartz is the manager and vice president of FNB Bank, Shamokin. He has worked in the banking and consumer discount professions for 41 years.

"I am honored by the appointment," he said. "I am confident the AOAA will be successful and help the economy in the area," he said.

Schwartz also is an outdoor enthusiast and has participated in events previously held at the AOAA.

Barry Yorwarth

Barry Yorwarth, 55, of Paxinos, was appointed to the authority for a two-year term.

He has been involved for the past five years in the county's formal development of the AOAA, but has been a supporter of an off-highway vehicle park in the region for 15 years.

"I'm very happy to see the authority formed," Yorwarth said. "It's a long time coming. I will do everything I can to make the AOAA a success for the entire anthracite region."

He's confident a five-member authority will work.

"If the county runs with three commissioners, why can't we operate with five members?" he asked.

The appointments become effective Jan. 1, 2013.

COAL TOWNSHIP - A local nonprofit is again hosting performers of Dueling Pianos International for a dinner show next month.

Proceeds from the dinner show will benefit Lower Anthracite Regional Recreation Committee (LARRC), a nonprofit group working to build soccer fields and a walking trail as part of a recreation complex along Trevorton Road near the Mountain View nursing home.

Dueling Pianos is billed as a "high energy, all request sing-a-long, clap-a-long, rock 'n' roll comedy piano show, where the audience is just as much a part of the show as the entertainers."

The show went over well enough last fall that the entertainers were invited back for another performance.

Dueling Pianos will be held Nov. 17 at Brady Fire Co., Ranshaw. Doors to the show open at 6 p.m., with dinner served from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The show begins at 8 p.m.

Tickets are $25, which includes food and drink.

Information and video clips on Dueling Pianos can be found at www.duelingpianoshows.com.

For tickets, contact George Zarick, 644-0122; Jerry Waugh, 648-9191; Claire Bonshock, 672-0261; or visit the Coal Township Municipal Building, 644-0395; or visit Brady Fire Co.

Anyone interested in assisting or joining LARRC or learning more about their efforts are invited to attend their meeting at 7 p.m. today at Brewser's Sports Grille.

SUNBURY - Republicans have a lead of 2,310 in voter registrations, according to pre-election statistics provided by the Northumberland County elections office. The last day to register before the general election was Oct. 9.

There are currently 54,939 registered voters in the county, up from 54,411 at the time of the primary election.

At the time of the primary, Republicans held a registration lead of 1,599 over Democrats.

Current breakdown of registeted voters: Republicans, 25,533; Democrats, 23,223; and other affiliations, 6,183.

In the 107th Legislative District, which includes the Shamokin-Mount Carmel area, Democrats lead with 12,343, compared to Republicans, 7,488, and other, 1,984.

In the 108th Legislative District, Republicans lead with 18,045. Democrats have 10,880 registered voters, and there are 4,199 voters with other affiliations.

There were 1,425 new voter registrations processed between April 25 and Oct. 9.

Crafters sought for holiday bazaar

MOUNT CARMEL - Crafters and catalog/home party consultants are sought for a holiday bazaar to be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 18 at SS Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church, Avenue and Beech Street.

For information, call (610)842-7348 or email holidaybazaar012@gmail.com.

License centers closed on Nov. 5

HARRISBURG - Driver licensing centers will be closed Monday, Nov. 5, the day before Election Day.

Recently, PennDOT announced the centers, which are normally closed on Mondays, would be open the day before Election Day to serve customers with last-minute voter ID needs. However, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), the union representing its center employees, contacted officials and asked PennDOT to reconsider its decision in light of the Commonwealth Court decision last week related to the Voter ID law.

After careful consideration, PennDOT has agreed to AFSCME's request. Driver licensing centers will follow their normal schedules.

Remove downspouts by Oct. 31

MOUNT CARMEL - The Mount Carmel Municipal Authority's deadline for downspouts to be removed from the sanitary sewer system in Mount Carmel Borough is Oct. 31.

Call 339-5166 and a representative will assist with any concerns.

Wine festival this weekend

KULPMONT - Knights of Columbus will hold a wine festival from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday at Holy Angels Picnic Grounds.

Ticket includes complimentary wine glass, tastings from 12 wineries, live entertainment and food and non-food vendors. Tickets are available at Holy Angels Parish Office or from local Knights of Columbus members.

WILLIAMSPORT - A Natalie man, described by a judge as a "pathological liar," was sentenced to 10 months in prison on charges he defrauded investors in an investment scheme.

Jason Yuskoski also learned in his federal court appearance Wednesday that he'll serve three years of supervised release, that he must undergo a mental-health examination and that he must pay $179,875 in restitution to his victims, said Heidi Havens, spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Greg Williams, 53, of Fort Wayne, Ind., was the victim who first suspected suspicious activities and contacted investigators about Yuskoski, who happens to be his first cousin.

"I don't want to say it's enough, but I'm satisfied with that (sentencing)," Williams said Wednesday evening via phone upon hearing of the court's decision.

Ten months is "probably enough time in a federal penitentiary to help him understand right from wrong," he said.

Williams said he has no desire to make amends with Yuskoski.

"Jason is erased from my life. I don't think anyone has any interest in having a conversation with Jason or welcoming him back. He's burned that bridge. He broke confidence and trust and that relationship," Williams said.

Yuskoski's public defender argued for a lengthy period of probation with some home detention, but Judge John E. Jones III ruled otherwise and offered the pathological liar comment in doing so.

Yuskoski is to report to prison on Monday, Nov. 19.

Investors from 3 states

In January 2011, Yuskoski pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud in a case brought by the U.S. Attorney's Office the prior April. The original indictment included five counts, to which Yuskoski had originally pleaded not guilty.

According to the indictment, from around Jan. 1, 2008, through Nov. 1, 2009, Yuskoski devised a scheme to obtain investment money from people looking to invest in security, treasury bills and other commercial paper with the assistance of an investment banker named "David Mark McCormick" or "Mark McCormick."

The investors came not only from the court's jurisdiction in Pennsylvania, but also the Southern District of Ohio and the District of Massachusetts.

The indictment reads that Yuskoski would tell potential investors that McCormick worked as a pharmacist for a local supermarket and that, within a short period of time, substantially increased his wife's inheritance through investing in various securities. Yuskoski would then tell investors that McCormick had taken a leave of absence from the pharmacy to work with a securities investment firm and could take additional clients through Yuskoski.

According to the indictment, Yuskoski would give the investors fax numbers and e-mail addresses for McCormick to contact him, as well as a securities account. The telephone lines and Internet site were situated at Yuskoski's home.

Yuskoski would even arrange for McCormick to meet with or talk on the telephone with the potential investors to reassure them of his background and investment skills, "even though he then knew that the person who spoke or met with potential investors was not 'Mark McCormick' or 'David Mark McCormick' and did not possess the background and skills of that person," the indictment reads.

When an investor would request follow-up contact with McCormick, Yuskoski told them McCormick had been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, which required medical treatment, and suggested that Yuskoski participate in future activities. He told investors that their money was invested in treasury bills offered by the government of Germany, but no such documents existed.

Wire transfers

In the first count of the indictment, prosecutors allege that Yuskoski did send the investors information that their account had increased in value even though he knew that he had lost money in purchasing or selling securities or had not invested their money, but instead used other money to pay back investors.

On March 19, 2009, Yuskoski initiated a wire transfer of $100,000 from Ohio to a online investment account in which funds were accessed in Northumberland County.

In the other counts of the indictment, Yuskoski was accused of making wire transfers of $65,000 from an account in Ohio and $16,000 from an account in Massachusetts.

Williams, who traded futures and options for a living, said he lost $107,000, was forced to sell his house and a lake house that had been in the family for two generations and find another career because of his dealings with Yuskoski. His mother had lived in the lake house and was forced to move out.

"I'm confident I won't get the money back. That's not going to happen. I have no confidence in Jason's ability to get a job," Williams said.

He agrees with the judge's comment that Yuskoski is a "pathological liar."

"I believe that all the way," he said. "He needs to be punished, and he needs to be helped if he can."

SHAMOKIN - Samples of building debris from a demolition site on North Shamokin Street were collected by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Wednesday to be tested for asbestos.

Two agency employees were at the site in the 700 block, one collecting samples and bagging them and the other assisting.

Suspect samples were shared with the city code enforcement officer so that both the EPA and the city can commission separate independent laboratory analyses, said City Clerk Steve Bartos.

Bartos said Monday that Madonna Enterprises, Port Carbon, is expected to mobilize equipment at the site this week to remove the debris. All of it will be treated as if it's contaminated with asbestos, he said, and will be disposed of at a landfill permitted to accept such material.

Donna Heron, an EPA spokesperson, said Wednesday the agency learned of the demolition of the former Shamokin Health Spa and an adjacent building when contacted Monday by The News-Item, which has been doing interviews related to the situation.

"It seemed prudent for us to send an inspector out," she said.

No great concern

Long-term exposure to asbestos can pose serious health risks. However, Heron said city residents, even those living in the vicinity of the demolition site, should not be overly concerned.

"All of the health risks that we know of all have to do with long-term exposure," meaning over the course of many years, she said.

"It's not something that residents really should be concerned about, but at the same time, it is potentially a health risk that we want to make sure is properly taken care of."

Heron said it is not known if debris removal is permitted while testing of EPA's samples occurs, and she did not have a timetable for return of the test results.

Demolition had begun in mid-June under emergency order after a partial building collapse, but Heron said both the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the EPA must be notified of such a project at least 10 days prior or, in the event of an emergency, no later than the following work day.

While DEP was notified of the demolition, according to the department's northcentral region director, Heron said EPA was not.

City contracts for removal

The demolition project was officially ordered stopped July 3 when the city and Robert Gusick Demolition, Shamokin, became embroiled in a dispute regarding a $98,500 invoice submitted by the contractor. Work at the site has remained dormant ever since, and the invoice dispute remains unsettled.

Requirements for advertising and seeking contract bids for the work were negated since the situation was under emergency order, Theresa Elliot, deputy press secretary, Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), told The News-Item in August.

Municipal entities are required to seek bids for work exceeding $18,500 under legislation signed into law in November 2011. The threshold had been $10,000 prior to that.

Madonna is performing debris removal at an approximate cost of $8,900, Bartos said. It was the lowest of two estimates, the second coming from Northeast Industrial Services Corp., Shamokin, which estimated the work would cost $33,440, he said.

Those estimates were received by the city Sept. 10, after which council acted to employ Madonna, he said.

City officials previously reported the building was owned by the William G. Porto estate before being turned over for back taxes to the county tax claims bureau. City council is now seeking to acquire ownership of the land.

Citizen takes samples

Matt Stevens, of Shamokin, who works for a company that has performed asbestos abatement services at other city demolition projects, on Friday provided a certified laboratory analysis of a sample he says he recovered from the demolition site following an August meeting of city council. He alleged during the meeting that asbestos was at the site, but Bartos said he had no solid proof.

Stevens says he left the meeting, went to the site and took a piece of insulation wrapped around a water pipe, placed it in a cellophane wrapper and had it tested.

An Aug. 31 report from a federally accredited testing laboratory showed that one of three samples had a 70-percent makeup of asbestos. Stevens said the material is "friable," which means asbestos fibers can be spread by wind.

Bartos said results of the analysis were never shared with the city. He also questioned if the sample was authentic and said, even if it is, there is no documented "chain of custody" to prove as much.

Stevens is employed by Forrester Environmental Inc., an asbestos abatement company in Bloomsburg. He says he is experienced in asbestos abatement through his job, and that he purchased the analysis through his firm as any customer could.

His father, Robert Gilligbauer, has been at odds with the city for years over operations at his city garage. Stevens said his father's history with city officials should have no bearing on the matter that asbestos may exist at the demolition site, but Bartos contends the relationship is the driving force behind Stevens seeking a laboratory analysis. He said it was done to antagonize city officials and not out of concern for city residents.

DEP suspected asbestos

Marcus Kohl, DEP northcentral region director, said in an interview Monday that a waste inspector visited the dormant demolition site in late summer after receiving complaints from residents about potential health risks.

The inspector, he said, discovered material at the site he believed to contain asbestos. A sample wasn't analyzed in a laboratory, he said; rather, it was a visual assessment by the inspector based on his ample experience, Kohl said.

After the site visit by DEP, which Kohl believed to have occurred in late August or early September, he said the city was told to clean up the debris immediately. That's when the city moved on getting estimates for the removal.

DEP officials returned to the site Tuesday and provided the city written instructions on the proper removal of asbestos.

Kohl said there is no indication the city was aware there was asbestos at the site when the demolition occurred. Also, he said they are "not in violation" because of the pile.

Of the demolition project, he said, requirements for dealing with asbestos were initially forestalled since the building posed a risk of collapsing into North Shamokin Street.

"The demolition itself followed protocol for emergency situations," he said.

He provided an asbestos abatement and demolition/renovation notification form submitted to DEP by Robert Gusick Demolition on June 20. While DEP was notified, it came after the demolition began and was not within the required 10-day window or, as referenced by EPA's Heron since it was an emergency, on the next work day.

An asbestos abatement professional was not on hand during demolition, Rick Bozza, city code officer said, but the area was being sprayed with water by Liberty Hose Co. personnel to prevent dust from spreading. Such a maneuver would also prevent asbestos that could become airborne, if it were at the site, from spreading through the air, as well.

SHAMOKIN - If his "pink pig" school bus didn't get voters' attention, Democratic congressional candidate Gene Stilp hopes his 15-foot-tall wheelchair will.

He had both in Shamokin on Wednesday, along with a second that touts his "Preserving Medicare" tour.

The long-time Dauphin County activist, known for props that have included an inflatable pink pig, is challenging Republican incumbent Lou Barletta for the 11th Congressional District seat.

Wheelchair downtown

At 10 a.m., Stilp had constructed the wheel chair - made of bicycle wheels, PVC pipe and paint trays - in front of the Downtown Medical Center, which happens to be painted pink, along Commerce Street. The buses were parked nearby.

"Some want their kids to sit inside the wheelchair, and we let them," Stilp said. "It really helps me get the message across."

Stilp opposes a Republican budget-cutting measure that, according to the Obama administration, would remove $11 billion from Medicare while taking millions from Affordable Care Act implementation programs. Stilp says it would cripple Medicare.

Stilp cited a report from the Kaiser Family Foundation that says a voucher-like Medicare plan similar to one proposed by GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney and his running mate, Paul Ryan, would boost premiums. Despite all of the attention in the presidential debate, "This is one issue that has been forgotten," Stilp said.

"Lou Barletta has already promised a vote to Ryan on such a plan," Stilp said. "We need to find ways of reducing health care costs now, spend more money on lower-cost options like preventative care, eliminate doctors who defraud the system and the gouging of the pharmaceutical firms."

Barletta's response

Asked for a response to Stilp's claims, Lance Stange Jr., campaign manager for Barletta said Stilp is merely "hiding his support for Obamacare and its $716 billion cut to Medicare behind toys, gimmicks and distortions of Rep. Barletta's record."

Stange said Medicare trustees have indicated the program will run out of money in 2024, an issue that requires a serious solution - one that Stilp hasn't offered, Strange said.

"Mr. Stilp's inaccurate claims and shocking lack of a plan six months after he promised to 'offer a plan for the long run' to preserve Medicare demonstrates his lack of seriousness on yet another serious issue," he said.

He said vouchers have no part in the House-passed plan to save and strengthen Medicare.

"To the contrary," he said, "future retirees would receive a list of Medicare-approved guaranteed coverage options, including a traditional Medicare option, and would be empowered to select a plan that best meets their needs. The federal government would then issue a direct payment for the plan of their choosing to the insurer."

The plan would work much the same way as the Medicare Advantage or Medicare Part D prescription drug plans operate, which more than 900,000 Pennsylvanians already use.

KULPMONT - Months of planning by the Kulpmont Knights of Columbus will come to fruition Saturday with the Knights' first annual wine festival, which will be held from noon to 6 p.m. at the Holy Angels Church picnic grounds.

David Shinskie, grand knight of the Kulpmont council, said 60 or more brother Knights are actively involved in planning and working at the festival. In keeping with the Knights' mission of serving the church and the community, profits realized from the festival will go to Holy Angels parish.

Those who purchase tickets ($15 pre-sale or $20 at the event) will be entitled to a complimentary wine glass and will be able to sample and purchase wine from the 12 wineries that will be represented at the festival. Also available for purchase will be ethnic foods of various types, sold by several food vendors.

Designated drivers will be admitted for $7 each, but they will not receive wine glasses. No one under 21 will be admitted (identification is required), and no outside food or drink will be allowed.

The wine festival is the result of months of planning, Shinskie said. Knights members started holding meetings in February. Amomg the major sponsors of the wine festival is Art Catino, of Mount Carmel, owner of Catino's Italian Specialties and a new business venture, Catino Vino.

Wineries that will be represented at the festival Saturday are Eagle Rock Winery, Bastress Mountain Winery, Shade Mountain Vineyards, Buddy Boy Winery and Vineyards, Four Friends Vineyards & Winery, Happy Valley Vineyard & Winery, Benigna's Creek, Armstrong Valley Vineyards & Winery, Brookmere Winery, Stonekeep Meadery, Red Shale Ridge Vineyards and Spyglass Ridge Winery.

Entertainment will be provided by The Fobias and War Over Wails.

Tickets can be purchased ahead of time at the Holy Angels rectory (373-1221), from the Kulpmont council (373-1691) or Catino's (339-2474).

COAL TOWNSHIP - Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School has received a Merck "Neighbor of Choice" community grant for the purpose of designing and implementing a Lourdes GLOBE Imagination Station.

The station will feature the Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) program, a worldwide hands-on, primary and secondary school-based science and education program.

Funding from the "Neighbor of Choice Community Grants Program" will assist in establishing training, materials and implementation of the Lourdes "GLOBE Imagination Station" to promote students' scientific critical thinking and verbal skills while exposing them to a full range of opportunities to further their understanding of earth sciences.

As a GLOBE school, Lourdes will unite students, teachers, and scientists in the study and research about the dynamics of the Earth's environment. GLOBE is implemented through a worldwide network of more than 24,000 primary and secondary schools in over 111 countries involving more than a million students.

GLOBE students:

- Collect environmental data and report their observations to the GLOBE database.

- Use GLOBE Web-based tools to create maps and graphs of data.

- Analyze data and conduct research with scientists and other students.

- Publish their research on the GLOBE Web site.

- Present their research at GLOBE Learning Expeditions, sharing their findings with their peers around the world.

The GLOBE Program is funded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) and supported by the U.S. Department of State, and is implemented through a cooperative agreement between NASA and the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research.

By becoming a GLOBE school, the Lourdes GLOBE Imagination Station, Lourdes will create a continuum of excellence that aligns with the Merck Cherokee mission to promote education and the values and goals established and sustained for decades by Lourdes.

Lourdes will be the first Catholic school in Pennsylvania to provide a school-wide GLOBE curriculum.

The Lourdes GLOBE program will align with state, national, and international standards for science, math and literacy, as well as embrace the partnerships of the International GLOBE scientists and other GLOBE schools, local scientists and community members, Bloomsburg University and others to engage students' natural curiosity.

Lourdes has a core team of GLOBE teachers and volunteers who were trained and certified at the Palmyra Cove Nature Park and Environmental Discovery Center, New Jersey. Providing the instruction were John Moore, director for Geoscience and STEM Education, Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow Emeritus, National Science Foundation, Directorate for Geosciences and executive director for the American Council for STEM Educators .

The team's co-trainer was Pete Dorofy, a teacher of Geospatial Technologies and Physics at Burlington County Institute of Technology, and the NE Regional Director of the National Earth Science Teachers Association.

Lourdes GLOBE Imagination station core team members include Rosemary Purcell, Sister Margaret Ann Quinn, Joanne Picarelli, Doug Rubendall, Brianna Howard, Chris Ort and Sherry Romanoskie.

The Lourdes GLOBE program will further enrich collaborative relationships to promote inquiry-based investigations of the environment and the Earth system working in close partnership with local resources (i.e. teachers, universities), with NASA, NOAA and NSF Earth System Science Projects (ESSP's) in study and research about the dynamics of Earth's environment and how we can improve our world-locally and worldwide.

Lourdes students will explore environmental science, learn how to ask researchable questions appropriate to their grade level, plan and conduct meaningful environmental investigations, discover new information, data analysis and will learn about the Earth system through investigations that span five major areas:

- Atmosphere (chemistry, weather and climate).

- Hydrology (water quality, physical processes and water ecosystems).

- Soil (moisture, temperature, composition and health).

- Land Cover/ Biology (mapping, biometry and land use change over time).

- Phenology (plant and animal responses to seasons and climate change).

Ultimately, the Lourdes GLOBE Imagination Station will be an interactive and ongoing project where children in grades pre-K through 12th grades will have hands-on, daily opportunities to learn the fundamentals of earth and space sciences and their relationship to other sciences and life cycles that will provide students with the ability to interact with peers throughout the world, present their projects using the data from GLOBE worldwide, as well as nurture discovery, scientific inquiry and demonstration of knowledge.

The Lourdes Regional GLOBE Imagination Station grant was written by members of the Lourdes Grant writing and research committee, Sherry Romanoskie, grant chairperson and writer; Jacqueline Kerris, Lourdes development director; Judy Brokus, Cathy Alexander, Linda Sowash and Traci Beck.

MOUNT CARMEL - The Volunteer Fire Department of Mount Carmel held its 14th annual memorial service in honor and memory of those who answered their final alarm during the past year on Sunday, Oct. 7, at the Grace United Church of Christ. The service was officiated by the Rev. Joan Brown.

Those remembered at the services were Charles N. Finton, Kenneth Gonder, Dorothy Lindenmuth, Robert G. Smith, Joseph J. Stutz Jr. and George C. Townsend, of Anthracite Steam Fire Company No. 1; Robert Dembinsky, Clement L. Domarecki, Iver K. Facer Sr., Roger L. Gentile, and James D. Reiner, of Clover Hose Company, and Charles Wargo, of West End Fire Company.

David Berezovske read the names of the deceased firefighters and the sounding of the last bell was done by Trevor Shuder. Organist for the service was Bryan Lapinski, ushers were Robert Beaver and David Yeager and Trevor Shuder was the acolyte.

Established by a borough ordinance in April 1899, the fire department is comprised of the American Hose and Chemical Fire Company, Anthracite Steam Fire Company No. 1, Clover Hose Company, West End Fire Company, Mount Carmel Area Rescue Squad and the Mount Carmel Fire Police. Current department officers are Ricky Schnee (West End), president; Philip Cimino (Clover Hose), vice-president; James Williams Sr. (Anthracite), secretary and Scott Bolick (American Hose), treasurer; John Williams Jr. (Anthracite) is the borough's fire chief and his assistants are Daniel Cimino (Clover Hose) and James Reed (American Hose).

by justin strawser

ATLAS - Mount Carmel Township Board of Supervisors passed a resolution Wednesday night instructing the solicitor to seek professional assistance in recouping $130,000 in permit fees not collected during the expansion of the Mount Carmel Municipal Authority's sewage treatment plant.

Solicitor Vince Rovito said he will be reaching out to a King of Prussia firm that specializes in municipal litigation to ask for their recommendation on how the township should proceed.

"If there's a way of getting that money back, they'll tell us. If there's potential liability, we can turn that into proper authorities," Rovito said.

Supervisors Charles Gasperetti and Joseph Zanella made and seconded the motion to instruct Rovito to take action, and it passed 2-0. Chairman Reynold Scicchitano was not at the meeting.

Rich Mychak, of Shady Acres, thanked the board for passing the resolution. He has been advocating at past public meetings for the supervisors to take some kind of action.

He said permits were issued incorrectly for the expansion and inspections weren't done, costing the township approximately $130,000.

Mychak said he was informed the township could recoup the money only if a "reverse engineering" was performed. In short, the sewer plant would have to be taken apart to allow for an inspection before the structure would be put back together again.

In other business, the supervisors approved:

- Lenape Solar under PPL E-Power program to perform upgrades at a cost of $582.47 for the police station and $552.58 for the municipal building. It would take approximately 10 months to recoup the money.

- The township's contribution to police pension fund this year as $8,816.69.

- Trick or treat night to be held from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 31.

SUNBURY - A correctional officer at Northumberland County Prison has been suspended with pay pending the completion of a fact-finding probe being conducted by prison officials.

A recommendation to take disciplinary action against the guard was made by prison operations commander Brian Wheary during an emergency 90-minute executive session of the prison board Wednesday at the county administration center.

The suspension represents the latest black mark for the prison. Last month, two inmates filed lawsuits against prison personnel for alleged beatings, and seven correctional officers have been fired since June 25 for various reasons.

Commissioner Stephen Bridy, prison board chairman, who signed a letter to suspend the correctional officer, said he couldn't identify the employee because it was a personnel issue that remains under investigation. "I really can't say anything else at this time," Bridy said.

He said it's the prison board's responsibility to fire and hire personnel and issue suspensions.

Prison board members said they couldn't provide any details surrounding the suspension due to the matter being discussed in executive session. An unconfirmed report received by The News-Item indicated a complaint was lodged against the correctional officer for allegedly assaulting an inmate and providing him with medication for an alleged neck injury suffered in the assault.

Prison board members attending the 11:45 a.m. executive session were Commissioners Bridy, Vinny Clausi and Richard Shoch, Sheriff Chad Reiner and President Judge Robert B. Sacavage. Also participating were prison board solicitor John Muncer, county chief clerk Gary Steffen, human resources director Joseph Picarelli and Wheary, who was summoned to the session at 12:30 p.m.

Upon walking out of the meeting at 12:50 p.m., Clausi could be heard saying, "I'm out of here. This is disgusting."

Two others members of the prison board - District Attorney Tony Rosini and Controller Tony Phillips - were not in attendance. Rosini said he wasn't notified about the executive session, while Phillips was unable to attend because he's recovering from surgery. Bridy said Warden Roy Johnson was not in attendance because he's on vacation.

Bridy said later Wednesday he notified each of the prison board members about the executive session via email at 12:07 p.m. Monday, which would satisfy the time requirements of the Sunshine Act that agency members be notified 24 hours in advance of an executive session. He provided a copy of his email, which read: "The Northumberland County solicitor has recommended that an executive session be held prior to our next advertised meeting. This executive session is to discuss personnel and litigation matters. This executive session will be held at the administration building in the public meeting room on Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2012, at 11:45 a.m. Please respond as to who will be able to attend."

According to the Sunshine Act, an executive session may be held during an open meeting, at the conclusion of an open meeting or may be announced for a future time. If an executive session is not announced for a future specific time, the law requires that members of the agency be notified 24 hours in advance of the time of the convening of the meeting.

Bridy, Clausi and the county were sued last month by David F. Kaleta, 54, of Shamokin, and one of the claims is that they violated the Sunshine Act when they decided to bar him from county-owned Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area property. Northumberland County Judge Charles Saylor ruled there was a violation, and the county has appealed that ruling to federal court.

POTTSVILLE - Ten people presented testimony during a public hearing Wednesday night at the Ramada Inn about a proposed amendment to the Pennsylvania regulatory program dealing with the beneficial use of coal ash at active and abandoned mine sites.

About 20 people attended the hour-long hearing, which was held by the U.S. Department of the Interior's Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement and moderated by OSM mining engineer John Mack, who was the hearing officer.

Mack said before the hearing that only comments will be accepted and no decisions would be made.

"We're here to receive comments with no debate," Mack explained. "People who are concerned and want to be entered into the record come here to voice their opinion and concerns."

Mack opened the public hearing, explaining the OSM has received a proposed amendment to the state regulatory program under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1997. The amendment consists of additions related to coal ash use.

"Currently, there are no elements relating to the beneficial use of coal ash in Pennsylvania's approved program," Mack said. "Therefore, Pennsylvania is submitting this program amendment to OSM for its review. It is important that OSM hears from everyone who wants to provide comment, whether in writing or verbally at tonight's meeting."

Each speaker had five minutes to comment. A stenographer recorded the hearing.

The first speaker was Robert Gadinski, of Ashland, a professional geologist, hydrologist and former geologist supervisor at the Wilkes-Barre office of the state Department of Environmental Protection.

"The definition of 'beneficial' is improvement. I have looked for seven years for somebody to show me a case study that water quality has improved as the result of the use of coal ash in mine reclamation," Gadinski said. "I have not received one case study that can demonstrate that improvement is occurring."

Gadinski said his coal burner at his home cannot burn the combination of fuel - 20 percent coal and 80 percent shale - that goes into a cogeneration plant.

"We are not dealing with a coal ash here. We are dealing with an industrial waste," Gadinski said.

The contamination of wells is a concern, said Gadinski, who pointed out there is no requirement for residential water wells to have background studies made before coal ash is deposited. Without the background testing, it is difficult to show that contamination found at a later date can be attributed to the coal ash or an existing condition in the area. He added that monitoring wells do not provide an accurate comparison on water quality, calling the results a comparison of "apples and oranges."

Gadinski also said contamination by iron and manganese is a problem with the coal ash, as is outgassing of carbon dioxide and dangers of radiation from the shale.

A U.S. senator from North Dakota has proposed removing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency from the regulatory process of overseeing coal ash deposition and leaving it to the individual states.

"This is why we need national regulations," Gadinski said. "Chapter 290 (of the Solid Waste Management Act) is an attempt to make it look like people are being protected, which is not actually the case."

The next two speakers were J. Frank Burke and Joan E. Burke, a married couple from Lavelle. Frank Burke said his wife and two daughters may have to deal with a coal ash site a very short distance from his home.

"We're talking about millions of tons of fly ash, adjacent and above my property," Frank Burke said. "My family drinks from a well. The community is on wells. There is no doubt that dumping there will jeopardize the health and welfare of the entire community. This new amendment doesn't even require a permit, which I think is incredible."

Joan Burke read an article by soil scientist Bryce Payne on his environmental concerns about the Chapter 290 changes.

"My concern is that they (state) accept the science of the coal industry, but the state does not do its own science," Joan Burke said. "What we need are good common sense regulations and federal oversight because the states can't do it."

The lone supporter of the proposed amendment speaking at the hearing was Electric Power Generation Association Vice President Jacob G. Smeltz.

"We have a real interest in Pennsylvania's beneficial use program, because for the past 25 years, we've seen it work well," Smeltz said. "The state created the beneficial use program because Pennsylvania is the second largest generation state in the nation, and number one exporter of electricity."

In the five-page report submitted by Smeltz at the hearing, it states, "With proper regulation and oversight by DEP, beneficial use of coal ash is a sound environmental solution to the hundreds of thousands of acres of mine lands that need to be reclaimed."

Hazle Township resident Anne Marie Shelby lives about a mile from the Schuylkill County line and has been dealing with coal ash being carried by the wind to her home, which is in a remote area.

"Beneficial use is only beneficial to someone, but not to me," Shelby said.

Aimee Erickson, executive director of the Citizen Coal Council, said significant improvements need to be made in the Chapter 290 amendment before it is acceptable to answer to the dangers of contaminants that greatly increase the risks to various forms of cancer.

Other speakers were Joseph Murphy, Tamaqua, the founder and leader of the Polycythemia Vera Citizens Action Committee that was federally funded as part of the $8 million research investigation in the tri-county area of Schuylkill, Luzerne and Carbon counties; Donna Snyder, Hamburg; John Mellow, Archbald, and Marguerite Woelfel, Sugarloaf.

SUNBURY - Northumberland County Judge William H. Wiest will present a program on "Powwowing and Faith Healing among the Pennsylvania Dutch" at meeting of the Northumberland County Historical Society today at the Hunter House, 1150 N. Front St. The presentation will follow a brief business meeting at 7 p.m.

A native of Lower Northumberland County, Wiest has done considerable genealogical research on families of Pennsylvania German heritage from that area and has always been fascinated by the customs of the Pennsylvania Dutch. He will share what he's learned about powwowing methods and faith healing practices from those he has interviewed over the years.

Sometimes referred to as hexing or hexwork, powwowing originated in Europe and is a collection of folk remedies, recipes, rituals, magic spells and verses used to cure ills and common ailments.

European immigrants brought powwowing to America in the early 1700s and since then it has been passed down from one generation to the next.

The program is open to the public and is free of charge. A reception will follow Wiest's presentation. For more information on the program, the Northumberland County Historical Society and membership in the organization, call 286-4083.

Theft of services

MOUNT CARMEL - Thomas Shuda, 64, of 25 E. Fifth St., Mount Carmel, was cited by Cpl. Chris Buhay for theft of services for placing household garbage in a borough-owned trash container at 8:30 a.m. Sept. 21.

Drug charges

EAST CAMERON TOWNSHIP - Jay W. Francis, 55, of McAdoo, and Keith R. Francis, 57, of 451 Main St., Ashland, were charged by Cpl. George Ritchey of state police at Stonington with possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia relating to a May 28 vehicle stop on Upper Road.

Keith R. Francis also was charged with two counts of driving under the influence of alcohol, failure to possess a driver's license, careless driving and speeding.

DUI

MOUNT CARMEL TOWNSHIP - Kyle R. Pekera, 31, of 347 Wilburton Road, Mount Carmel, was charged by Patrolman Kelly Campbell with two counts of driving under the influence of alcohol relating to a Sept. 9 vehicle stop along Mid-Valley Mountain (Route 2032).

Police reported Pekera had a blood-alcohol content of .243 percent.

DUI

RALPHO TOWNSHIP - Patrolman Christopher Grow has charged David L. Neidig, 43, of 111 E. Arch St., Shamokin, with two counts of driving under the influence of alcohol and one count of failure to drive in a single lane.

The charges relate to a Sept. 8 incident on Route 61 at Weigh Scales.

Police said Neidig had a blood-alcohol content of .20 percent.

DUI

MOUNT CARMEL - Christopher R. Schultz, 24, of 236 S. Poplar St., Mount Carmel, was charged by Patrolman Jason Drumheller with driving under the influence of alcohol and driving without lights in the dark.

The charges relate to an incident at 2:15 a.m. Sept. 12 in the first block of North Oak Street.

Police said Schultz refused to submit to chemical testing.

Retail theft

KELLY TOWNSHIP - Heidi McCarthy, 19, of the Shamokin area, according to police, was charged with retail theft following an incident at Wal-Mart in this Union County township at 9:05 p.m. Oct. 6.

State police at Milton report McCarthy concealed two PlayStation 3 controllers and removed them from the store. The charge was filed with Magisterial District Judge Leo S. Armbruster, of Lewisburg.

DUI

MOUNT CARMEL - Patrolman Jason Drumheller has charged Robyn L. Crouthamel, 43, of 342 S. Beech St., Mount Carmel, with driving under the influence of alcohol relating to an Oct. 3 incident in the 200 block of West Fourth Street.

Police said Crouthamel refused to submit to chemical testing.

Road work continues

RALPHO TOWNSHIP - PennDOT announced the drainage improvement project currently being done on Airport Road will continue through Friday, Oct. 26. The detour will remain in effect around-the-clock until late next week.

The work is being done between Route 2016 (Reading Turnpike Road) and Route 54 to upgrade a deep 36-inch metal pipe and replace it with a plastic pipe, which has a longer life cycle, and will improve drainage beneath the roadway surface.

The detour route is Reading Turnpike Road to Route 54. The detour route is relatively short and should only add on a few extra minutes to travel time.

School buses, along with all other traffic, need to use an alternate route during this project.

Veterans luncheon in Mount Carmel

MOUNT CARMEL - The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge 356 will honor veterans of World War II and the Korean War with a luncheon Saturday, Nov. 10. The event will be held at the Elks Lodge at 128 N. Oak St., beginning at 11 a.m. and is free for veterans. Veterans of the Mount Carmel-Kulpmont area who plan on attending are asked to register by contacting David Berezovske at 205-4818. However, no veteran will be turned away if he or she does not register. The Elks building is handicapped accessible.

Operation Gratitude to send candy

SHAMOKIN - Owens Dentistry is collecting Halloween candy from area children as part of Operation Gratitude, a program designed to send Halloween candy to United States Armed Forces overseas as a way to say thanks.

Operation Gratitude will be sending 60,000 care packages. In addition, the group hopes to send 100,000 toothbrush/toothpaste kits along with the goodies.

Owens Dentistry will pay children $1 per pound with a 5-pound limit per child for their candy collected during this Halloween season. For every pound, Owens Dentistry will donate one toothbrush/toothpaste kit and all kids will receive a hygiene goodie bag from Dr. Owens for helping support the cause.

Letters of thanks to the troops and cash donations (to help defray cost of shipping) are welcomed.

The collection will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 1, at Owens Denistry, 21 Independence St.

SHAMOKIN - After an outstanding fundraising campaign last year, the Lower Anthracite Region United Way (LARUW) hopes to repeat that success in 2012.

Executive director Whitney Fetterman said the local chapter collected approximately $68,000 in donations in 2011 and filled more than 100 backpacks for school children in the latest Stuff the Bus campaign.

"I am hoping we can have that kind of growth again this year," Fetterman said during the campaign's kick off luncheon at the Original Italian Pizza Restaurant, where the goal for 2012 was again set at $50,000.

The luncheon was attended by chapter board members and representatives of seven of the 10 agencies that are helped by LARUW.

Following the meal, each agency representative was given a few minutes to talk about the work they do and what was done with United Way funding.

"For this area, we used our funding for disaster response and preparation," said SUN Chapter of the American Red Cross director Tom Szulanczyk. "In the Shamokin-Mount Carmel area, there are a lot of row homes. One fire could impact 10 to 12 people that we have to be ready to help."

Gail Zalar of Central Susquehanna Opportunities said funds from the United Way made life a little easier for many in the area.

"Our United Way funding was put into our volunteer income tax preparation program, which helped over 500 people last year," Zalar said.

Through that work, Zalar said more than $500,000 in income tax refunds went into the pockets of program participants.

CSO also put to good use an $8,000 grant the local United Way received from the Shell Oil Corp. for flood relief efforts.

Other agencies represented at the luncheon were Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Manna for the Many Food Pantry, Avenues (formerly United Cerebral Palsy), VNA Health System, and ARC of Northumberland County.

"Without the United Way's help, we couldn't do what we do," said ARC Executive Director Ed Coup.

"Many people have the misconception that the United Way only helps the underprivileged in the area," said Peggy Reichenbach from Big Brothers/Big Sisters. "The American Red Cross was right there for my family when there was a fire at my childhood home. My home was one of many affected by the flood. The work that we all do will help someone and we are all glad the United Way is there to help us do this good work."

Other agencies funded by LARUW include Central Susquehanna Sight Services and the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America.

Pledge brochures can be found at the United Way's office on the third floor of the Northumberland County Career and Arts Center, Arch and Eighth streets.

Contributions can be sent to the Lower Anthracite Region United Way at 2 E. Arch St., Shamokin 17872. For more information, call 644-1894 or email laruw@verizon.net.

MOUNT CARMEL - Mount Carmel Area School District has been recognized as a "model school district" for physical fitness by Highmark Health Insurance.

During Thursday night's school board meeting, high school principal/curriculum coordinator Lisa Varano reported the district was recently informed of the distinction by Highmark officials.

She said the high school, which expects to receive some type of award for the honor in the future, previously received a $56,000 Highmark Healthy High-Five Super Challenge Grant over two years. She said the grant was used to purchase mountain bikes and a treadmill, and develop a walking trail on district grounds.

Bomb scare

Superintendent Bernie Stellar thanked everyone for their assistance in dealing with last week's bomb scare in the district. Stellar praised the students, faculty, administrators and staff along with emergency responders and police for handling the tense situation very well.

The superintendent commended Mount Carmel Township police for making a quick arrest in the case.

Crystal Clark, 17, of Mount Carmel, was charged Oct. 10 with multiple offenses, including several felonies, for calling in three bomb threats to the district Oct. 9.

Town meetings

Stellar said he plans to conduct monthly town meetings at the high school and elementary school to receive input from community residents on various topics. He said the first meeting will be held next month.

Stellar also reported he plans to seek input from taxpayers, students and staff when he and financial consultant Charles Mannello begin developing next year's budget.

Other news

Varano was appointed high school principal/curriculum coordinator based on a revised job description at a salary of $75,000. Varano had served as curriculum coordinator and interim high school principal since Sept. 15, 2001. She received $800 per month for her extra duties as interim high school principal.

Voting to approve the appointment were Directors Charles Mannello, Michael Rovito, Raymond Kraynak, Robert Muldowney, Michael Brinkash, Donna James and Thomas Ditchey. Board members Nicholas C. Goretski III and Dr. Ray Kraynak were absent.

The board approved a resolution to increase an assigned fund balance by $300,000 for projected retirement rate increases, potential higher costs for medical insurance and unexpected costs to maintain district facilities.

Directors changed the salary classifications for high school social studies teacher Jessica Nahodil from bachelor's step 4 at $34,904 to master's step 4 at $35,904, and high school math teacher Joseph Garrison from bachelor's step 5 at $36,467 to master's step 5 at $37,467.

The board accepted the resignation of elementary school homebound coordinator Cheryl Toborowsky and appointed elementary school principal Susan Nestico to replace her at a stipend of $300.

The board approved the district's preliminary comprehensive plan, the expulsion of a district student and an agreement with WorkPlace Health to assist in coordinating the district's drug and alcohol program for drivers.

SHAMOKIN - Entries are being sought for The News-Item's first Jack-O'-Lantern Competition.

Participants can register at www.newsitem.com, then upload photos of their most uniquely carved or decorated pumpkins. Only one entry is allowed per person. Adults and children may enter, but not professional sculptors.

Deadline to register is noon Tuesday, Oct. 30.

Once photos are approved, they will appear on the website for public viewing. Several are there now.

Voting will take place from 9 a.m. to midnight Wednesday, Oct. 31. Only one vote per person is allowed.

The grand prize winner will receive $125 worth of gift certificates courtesy of contest sponsors, which include Artistic Creations, Beverly's Flowers, Bressi & Martin Real Estate, Just Hair by Dottie and Rock n Block Materials.

SHAMOKIN - Registration remains open for the Grave Robbers Run fundraiser slated for Saturday in the city and Coal Township.

Participants can pre-register by calling 205-3572 or e-mailing graverobbersrun@gmail.com, or they can register the day of the event starting at 11 a.m. at Claude Kehler Community Park, Arch and Third streets.

The event begins at the park at noon.

It combines problem-solving challenges with tests of physical endurance and is modeled after the hit CBS reality television series "Amazing Race." But it has a local twist in that it's based on the history of the missing head found in the Coal Run area just after the turn of the 20th Century. After remaining in the possession of a local funeral home for roughly 70 years, the head was put on public display. When Peter Krehel, then president judge of Northumberland County, saw the head, he was appalled and ordered it buried. A legal battle ensued, but in February 1977, seven months after the judge came upon the head and three months after his controversial order, a local historical society that had obtained it relented and agreed to have the head buried in an undisclosed location.

The teams of Grave Robbers will be tasked with finding the head - well, a fake version of it - using clues and solved riddles that will take them to sites throughout the city and township. The final clue will lead to a mock burial site where the head can be unearthed.

The first team to dig up a fake head and return to the park will win $200. Second prize is $100. Third prize remains a mystery.

Participants are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes.

The Grave Robbers Run will be followed by the Grave Robbers Costume Ball on the second floor of Independence Fire Company, Market and Arch streets. It begins at 5 p.m. and includes food and drink, raffles and music.

Entry fee for each team is $40, which includes entrance to the ball. Those interested in only attending the ball are welcome. That cost is $10.

The events are sponsored by the newly formed Coal City Revitalization Inc., a developing nonprofit organization.