COAL TOWNSHIP - Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School will present a special concert of Christmas music and stories at 6:30 p.m. Friday in the school gymnatorium.

The concert will feature selections by the bell choir and the senior high chorus. Students in Pre-K, kindergarten and first-grade classes performing "The Living Creche," a joyous musical celebration that weaves scripture, ancient legend and carols into a richly colored Christmas tapestry.

The concert will begin with individual performances by students and the school's bell choir. Jane Fitzpatrick and Erica Kapushinski will perform "Silent Night," and Kapushinski will sing a solo, "Mary's Song." Brian Christiana will perform "Joseph's Lullaby." "O Holy Night" will be sung by John Daniel Kerris.

The bell choir will perform two selections, "Away in a Manger" and "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing."

The senior high chorus will perform "Carol of the Bells," "A Child is Born On A Silent Night," various themes on "Fa-La-La," "Ave, Ave, the Angel Sang," "African Noel," "Calypso Carol" and "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen."

The chorus, under the direction of Sandra Snyder, will be accompanied by Bonny Klinger. In addition to Friday's performance, the chorus will present the program at Geisinger-Shamokin Area Community Hospital's rehabilitation unit Monday and at the Mount Carmel Senior Living Center Tuesday.

In "The Living Creche," which will be performed by the younger students, attendees will enjoy performances of "O Little Town of Bethlehem," "To a Virgin Meek and Mild," "The Holly And The Ivy," "The Friendly Beasts," "Rocking," "We Three Kings," "O Come Little Children" and "He is Born, Gloria!"

The audience will be invited to join the cast in singing "Silent Night," "Angels We Have Heard on High" and "The First Noel," with lyrics shown on a PowerPoint presentation.

There will be refreshments in the cafeteria following the concert. Everyone is invited to attend.

PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. - Marine Corps Pvt. Christopher L. Bennage, a son of Becky B. Bennage, of Danville, earned the title of U.S. Marine after graduating from recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot.

Bennage participated in 13 weeks of entry-level military training, with subjects including close-order drill, marksmanship with an M-16A4 rifle, physical fitness, martial arts, swimming, military history, customs and courtesies.

One week prior to graduation, Bennage endured The Crucible, a 54-hour final test of recruits' minds and bodies. Upon completion, recruits are presented the Marine Corps emblem and called Marines for the first time.

Bennage is a 2012 graduate of Danville Senior High School.

POTTSVILLE - Some labor-inducing meds helped usher baby Jet Ryan Jamison, Pottsville, into the world at 12:12 p.m. Wedesday, 12/12/12.

But a sense of humor for numerology helped.

His parents, Rachel Krise, 25, and Adam Jamison, 26, of Pottsville, arrived at The Birthplace at Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street, Pottsville, at 6 a.m.

But Krise said she wasn't thinking about dates or times.

"It went fast. It went really fast. I can't believe how fast it went. I expected to have to push a lot longer. I was really worn out. I was getting false contractions for a month. I was happy just to be able to hold him. He was out. He was healthy and crying," Krise said.

Within minutes after the boy was born, the family learned another child was born at The Birthplace at the same time. Dr. Ilene Weizer delivered a girl, Ainsley King, of Williamstown.

She's the daughter of Ashley Morris and Kurtis Lee King, both 23, of Williamstown. And, like Jet Ryan, Ainsley was brought into the world with the same dose of labor-inducing meds and love for numbers.

After he learned his daughter was born at that time, King said, "someone told me I should play the lottery."

"I was surprised when I heard we had one child born at 12:12 on 12/12/12. Then I heard there were two; not twins, but children born in different rooms from different parents. That's pretty exciting stuff," said M. Michael Peckman, hospital spokesman.

Jet Ryan Jamison was 7 pounds, 4 ounces and 19 inches long.

Ainsley King was 7 pounds, 6 1/2 ounces and 19 1/2 inches long.

Wednesday's popularity

Fans of numbers and dates around the globe either tied the knot on Wednesday or wanted their baby to be born on 12/12/12, the century's last sequential date.

According to the website for the UK Daily Mail, requests for caesarian births rose on Wednesday.

"Astrologers believe those born on the century's last sequential date will inherit the qualities of planet Jupiter, a symbol of prosperity," according to the website for the UK Daily Mail.

Peckman confirmed the Jet Ryan Jamison and Ainsley King were not caesarian births.

In fact, the only one of the parents who held a special place in her heart for the date Dec. 12 was Krise.

"Today's my dad's birthday and my great-grandfather's birthday," Krise said Wednesday.

Krise's father, Kerry Krise, Tremont, turned 50 on Wednesday. Her great-grandfather, the late John Kupusnick, was a World War II veteran, she said.

Krise and Jamison have two other children, Alyssa Jamison, 5, and Emily Jamison, 2, and Jamison has a daughter from another relationship, Kylie Stephany, 8.

Krise has been pregnant with Jet for 39 weeks and five days. Her due date was Dec. 14, but pains encouraged her doctor to schedule her to come to the hospital to be induced into labor.

"For about a month now I've been having regular contractions, but they weren't doing anything," Krise said.

She said she needed the doctors to induce her pregnancy. " I couldn't even rest anymore. And with two other kids it was getting really, really difficult."

Xenophon said when Krise came into the hospital Wednesday morning, he gave her a dose of Pitocin, a commonly used synthetic hormone.

Day late

Morris and King have a child, Oakley King, 1, and King has a son from another relationship, Brayden Tucker, 3.

Morris has been pregnant with Ainsley for 40 weeks and one day.

"Tuesday was my due date," Morris said.

On Monday, she scheduled to come into The Birthplace to have her pregnancy induced. "They gave me the medication around 7:15 a.m. or 7:30 a.m.," Ashley Morris said.

When she was in labor around noon, Ashley Morris wasn't thinking about the significance of dates and times either. "She wasn't thinking. Trust me," King said.

The next time three date numbers will align will be on Jan. 1, 2101, or 01/01/01.

SHAMOKIN - Seven individuals have been cited by Shamokin Police for six vehicles found to be in violation of the city's abandoned and junk vehicle ordinance.

The citations were filed Tuesday after those originally ticketed on Nov. 28 and 29 failed to pay the fines associated with the vehicles.

Those cited are Joann M. Dobrzyn, of 418 S. Market St.; Linda L. Travitz, of 928 Race St.; Veronica L. Yoder and Virginia and Kenneth Pawelczyk, all of 12 S. Shamokin St., and Renette M. Knopp, of 822 N. Rock St., all in Shamokin, and Russell E. Lewis, of RD 6, Lot 15, Danville.

Five of the six vehicles were ticketed by Cpl. Bryan Primerano between 1 and 1:30 a.m. on Nov. 28. Travitz's vehicle was ticketed at 2:50 a.m. Nov. 29.

All six vehicles were ticketed because of expired inspection stickers, ranging in dates from May to September 2012.

Shamokin City Council recently adopted a new procedure for code enforcement and police officers, allowing them to ticket those who do not follow the city's trash or abandoned or junk vehicle ordinances and the likes in hopes of speeding up the process of both punishment and remediation.

The fines are $25 per violation for a first offense. The severity increases on subsequent offenses - $50, $100, $300.

Violators have 10 days to pay a ticket before a citation is issued, which occurred in these incidents, and the matter lands in court.

SHAMOKIN - Hours after being charged for allegedly fighting with Shamokin police, smashing a window on a cruiser and spitting on two officers, a 19-year-old Shamokin woman joined her 21-year-old sister Wednesday afternoon in Northumberland County Court, where they both entered guilty pleas for various offenses.

Marissa Diane Birster, of 11 S. Market St., Apt. 3, was committed to the county prison on a parole violation early Wednesday morning and later charged with a felony of aggravated harassment by a prisoner, misdemeanors of resisting arrest, institutional vandalism, tampering with evidence, disorderly conduct (three counts) and simple assault, and summaries of criminal mischief, theft by unlawful taking and underage drinking.

The charges filed by Shamokin Patrolman Scott Weaver relate to disturbances at 1:44 a.m. Wednesday outside 707 W. Chestnut St. and Shamokin Police Station. Birster's sister, Stormie Birster, of 27 E. Sunbury St., Apt. 3, Shamokin, also was cited for disorderly conduct in connection with the incidents.

According to an affidavit of probable cause, Coal Township police notified city officers of a disturbance at Second and Chestnut streets, which is near the Coal Township line. Upon arriving at the scene, Weaver said he observed a group of people on a second-floor deck yelling. As Weaver climbed the steps to the second floor, the officer said he spotted Coal Township Patrolman Chad Yoder telling a female to calm down while she swung her arms and pointed at someone directly behind Yoder.

When Weaver got to the top of the steps, he saw the Birster sisters screaming and refusing to obey orders to stop.

Weaver said he immediately handcuffed Stormie Birster and escorted her down the steps and placed her in the back of a police cruiser. The officer said he then went back up the steps to further assess the situation. Police then spotted Marissa Birster shouting obscenities on the street below.

Police warned Marissa numerous times to stop yelling, but she continued and told police that she had been involved in an incident at the apartment.

Weaver went down the steps to speak with Marissa. When he went back up the steps to the deck, Marissa followed him and refused to be detained by Yoder, Coal Township Patrolman Chris Lapotsky and Ralpho Township Officer Steve Spade.

When Weaver ordered Marissa to go down the steps, she replied, "Go ahead Weaver, (expletive) arrest me."

Weaver then told Marissa she was under arrest for disorderly conduct, which prompted her to run down the steps in an effort to flee police.

The Shamokin officer was able to apprehend Marissa on Chestnut Street, handcuff her and place her in a police cruiser.

Upon talking to a male and female inside the Chestnut Street apartment, police were informed that Marissa and another female had assaulted the female occupant of the apartment and was in possession of her coat, cell phone and keys. Police, who did not identify the inhabitants of the apartment, learned that Marissa was in the apartment because she was a friend of the male resident's niece.

Police then were told that Marissa broke the framework on the rear door of the police cruiser and pushed the glass outward and spit on Spade, who was trying to stop her from damaging the vehicle.

Marissa continued to struggle with Spade, Lapotsky, Yoder and Shamokin Cpl. Bryan Primerano and refused demands to stop her behavior. Police said the defendant used her legs to block police from closing the door on the police car, which forced officers to try to place her into the same cruiser where her sister was sitting. Police said Stormie attempted to calm her sister down, but Marissa used her legs in an attempt to damage the door and door frame.

Police said Marissa continued to cause a disturbance as police attempted to place her into another police cruiser.

Urinated in cell

Police transported Marissa to Shamokin Police Station, where she was placed in a holding cell. While being escorted to the cell, police said the defendant spit on Spade and Yoder and also spit on a wall near the holding cell.

While she was in the holding cell, four employees from AREA Services Ambulance responded on Marissa's request for medical assistance, which was made by Marissa on a cell phone on her way to the police station.

Police said Marissa refused to allow medical personnel to evaluate her and, at one point, urinated on the floor of the holding cell and took off one of her socks and rubbed it into the urine. While she was rubbing her sock in the urine, Marissa told police she was HIV positive before waving the sock at police.

Upon learning that Marissa had an active bench warrant for her arrest, Shamokin Police Chief Edward Griffiths and Special Officer II Norman Lukoskie responded to the station to transport her to the county prison. But Marissa continued to carry on before her sister was able to calm her down. Stormie also was able to retrieve a cell door key Marissa had taken from police during the disturbance at the station and disposed of the urine-soaked sock in a garbage can.

Police later found a cell phone in two pieces in the holding cell toilet.

Court date

Marissa was eventually transported by Griffiths and Lukoskie to the county jail, where she escaped near the front of the prison and ran down the street for approximately a block before being recaptured by Griffiths, who was assisted by Sunbury police. Griffiths said escape charges will be filed against Marissa by Sunbury police.

The Birster sisters didn't have much time to rest because they had a court date at 2:15 p.m. before President Judge Robert B. Sacavage.

Marissa pleaded guilty to simple assault involving an Oct. 6, 2011, disturbance in Shamokin that resulted in injuries to two county adult probation officers. She was sentenced by Sacavage to two years probation and ordered to pay a $300 fine, an Act 35 supervision fee and costs, while being given credit for five days previously served in the county prison.

She also was ordered to obtain a General Educational Development (GED) certificate within six months and write a letter of apology to probation officer Matthew Narcavage.

Her sister pleaded guilty to aggravated assault relating to the Oct. 6, 2011, disturbance. She also pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol involving a May 29, 2012, incident in Shamokin and possession of drug paraphernalia relating to a July 24, 2011, incident in the city.

She will be sentenced on those charges within 30 days following the completion of a records check.

Adult probation officers also had a bench warrant for Stormie for failing to pay fines and costs on crimes she committed as a juvenile, but Sacavage gave Stormie until noon today to pay off the fines and costs, which she last made payment on March 13.

The Birster sisters were represented at the guilty pleas by Attorney Michael Rudinski of Williamsport.

Assistant District Attorney Michael Toomey represented the commonwealth.

Marissa was recommitted to the county jail following her sentencing. Her sister remains free.

Steven L. Rivera, 21, of 11 S. Market St., Apt. 3, Shamokin, who was charged with aggravated assault, institutional vandalism, simple assault, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct in connection with the Oct. 6, 2011, incident, is scheduled to face a trial early next year.

Rivera, who remains incarcerated at Northumberland County Prison, was Stormie Birster's live-in boyfriend at the time of the disturbance.

WILBURTON - Kerry Klemick held his 9-month-old grandson in his arms early Wednesday afternoon at his home at 222 Second St., Wilburton, telling the child over and over that he was safe and God had taken care of him.

Less than an hour earlier, the boy was with his mother and her boyfriend, David A. Pavloski II, who police say stole a vehicle in Coal Township and evaded police for nearly nine hours.

"I'm feeling good that my grandson is rescued," said Kerry, 57, just moments after the infant, Cole Stanton, was returned safely to him. "I was ready to take justice into my own hands, but I'm glad I didn't, under advice from police."

It was a happy ending for the boy, but Courtney Klemick, 21, and Pavloski, 22, both of Wilburton, are behind bars at Northumberland County Prison on multiple charges relating to the theft of the vehicle; charges related to their alleged evasion of police are pending.

And this isn't the first time the young couple has been in trouble with the law.

Phone call at 2:30 a.m.

Kerry said he first learned something was wrong at 2:30 a.m. Wednesday when a friend of Courtney's from Coal Township called him while he was at work and said Courtney and Pavloski, who have been dating for three months, were at the friend's house looking "mangled." Apparently, Kerry said, they were drunk and Courtney had bruises on her face and a black eye.

Kerry only knew the friend's first name, Jessie. Police said later the address of the owner of the vehicle is 1125 W. Gowen St., Coal Township, but they did not provide a name Wednesday. Theresa Powell is listed at the address in the phone book, and whitepages.com lists Powell as well as Christopher Powell and Jessica Long.

The friend told Kerry the couple allegedly stole the friend's maroon 2003 Buick Rendezvous. The friend called police, who, according to Mount Carmel Township Police Chief Brian Hollenbush, spotted the vehicle several times driving between Coal Township and Wilburton.

The police avoided approaching the vehicle aggressively because the child was in the SUV. Police did not activate their emergency lights, Hollenbush said.

Hollenbush noted the driver of the Rendezvous, at one point, ran a red light on Route 901.

The search was called off early Wednesday morning.

Spotted at home

After he arrived home from work at about 4:30 a.m., Kerry said he camped out at the window in his Wilburton home and watched 10 Front St., where Pavloski lives, just a short distance away.

At approximately 9 a.m., Kerry said he saw Pavloski exit his house, walk down a dirt path into the woods and drive the Rendezvous - which had apparently been hidden from view - into an alley. He then went back in the residence, Kerry said.

Kerry said he immediately called police and attempted to block the alley with his vehicle, but his daughter and Pavloski, with the baby, ran out of the house, got inside the vehicle and drove away the opposite direction "into the bush," Kerry said.

Between 9 a.m. and 11:15 a.m., a search was conducted by police from Mount Carmel Township, Mount Carmel Borough and Kulpmont police, along with state constables and a state police helicopter from Harrisburg.

Vehicle located

At approximately 10:45 a.m., another friend of Courtney told Kerry the car was ditched somewhere in the woods and the couple and baby were back inside 10 Front St.

Police located the abandoned vehicle along a rocky mountain path behind Tiffany Lane. Mount Carmel Borough Chief Todd Owens, borough Cpl. Christopher Buhay and Constable Larry Rompallo searched the vehicle, and Owens drove it out of the forest.

Shortly after, at approximately 11:15 a.m., Kerry said he watched the officers surround Pavloski's house.

Hollenbush said they knocked four times. When there was no answer, police forcibly entered the home, the chief said, kicking in a door.

Kerry said the last thing he uttered to himself before police entered was: "My grandson, please. My grandson, please."

'It was a miracle'

Hollenbush said Courtney and Pavloski were found in a bedroom on the second floor of the house with the baby in a playpen in the same room. They were taken into custody without further incident.

Pavloski lives at the house with his father, who is wheelchair-bound, a sister and the sister's boyfriend. No charges will be filed against Pavloski's family members, Hollenbush said.

After Pavloski and Courtney were taken into custody and placed in the back of police cruisers, Hollenbush said Kerry was escorted into the house to retrieve his grandson.

"It was a miracle," Kerry said. "The police are heroes and a 9-month-old boy is unharmed. They (his daughter and Pavloski) were evading police. Anything could have happened."

Pray, father asks

He was asking anyone he talked to Wednesday to pray.

"I know my daughter is going to jail, but the Lord answers prayers," he said, noting the safety of his grandchild.

He also commended Hollenbush and the officers who were involved in the search.

A case worker from Columbia County Children and Youth Services was expected to visit Kerry, who lives at his house with his son and another daughter. However, Kerry said the boy's father, Thomas Stanton, of Shenandoah, was expected to take the child with him Wednesday night.

Conyngham Township Patrolman William Spickler remained with Kerry in his home until CYS arrived.

Pair in prison

Courtney and Pavloski were video-arraigned by Magistrate Judge John Gembic III at approximately 1:30 p.m. from the Coal Township Police Station on charges of a felony count each of theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property and a misdemeanor count of criminal mischief.

Bail was set at $20,000 cash each. After failing to post bail, they were transported to Northumberland County Prison, where they remained as of late Wednesday afternoon.

The charges were filed by Coal Township Patrolman Edward Purcell.

Hollenbush said additional charges will be filed at a later date by Mount Carmel Borough Patrolman Dan Politza. Those charges will likely include criminal conspiracy, receiving stolen property, fleeing or attempting to flee police, resisting arrest, recklessly endangering another person, recklessly endangering the welfare of a child and reckless driving. Pavloski will likely also be charged with driving under suspension due to previous DUI charges, he said.

Mount Carmel Township Patrolman Kelly Campbell, Kulpmont Patrolman Michael Pitcavage, Coal Township Patrolman Michael Hashuga, Constable Patrick Reynolds and Locust Township Police Chief Allen Breach were also involved in the search.

State police at Bloomsburg were unavailable to provide assistance and Conyngham Police Department had no officers on duty at the start of the incident, which is why Hollensbush was in charge, he said.Harry Deitz/For The News-Item

WILLIAMSPORT - The attorney for former Northumberland County Prison deputy warden John Conrad and his wife reported the lawsuit they filed against Northumberland County was settled for $87,500.

Attorney Joshua J. Cochran, of the Schemery Zicolello law firm, Williamsport, confirmed the amount, but offered no other comments about the case, which was settled Nov. 15.

The deputy warden and his wife, Lisa, filed the lawsuit in 2009 after Conrad was first suspended without pay in February 2009 and was fired one month later.

Conrad alleged a conspiracy against him, wrongful termination, defamation and violation of due process, equal protection rights and whistleblower rights in the lawsuit. His wife's claim was for a loss of consortium.

The couple had filed the suit in U.S. Middle District Court and named the county, its prison board, county President Judge Robert Sacavage, district attorney Tony Rosini, sheriff Chad Reiner, commissioner Vinny Clausi, former commissioners Kurt Masser and Frank Sawicki, former county controller Charles Erdman and former prison warden Ralph "Rick" Reish as defendants. On Nov. 14, U.S. District Judge John E. Jones III dismissed all defendants from the suit, except the county.

Later that day, Cochran submitted a letter to Jones, stating the suit had been settled.

"Please be advised the parties have reached an agreement to resolve the above-captioned matter. Accordingly, the Court can issue its standard dismissal order," it read in part.

MOUNT CARMEL - The following hearings took place Wednesday before Magisterial District Judge Hugh Jones. Defendants ordered to appear for plea court Jan. 14 in Northumberland County Court, Sunbury, can plead guilty or no contest, or seek a trial by pleading not guilty.

n Darryl L. Kashner Jr., 27, of 1125 W. Montgomery St., Coal Township, was held for court on charges of false identification to law enforcement authorities, corruption of minors, restrictions on alcoholic beverages, possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession with intent to deliver cocaine.

Police said the charges filed by Ralpho Township Patrolman Chris Dailey relate to an April 5 incident on Bottle Drive in Paxinos.

n Richard A. Gallinot, 59, of Box 258, Elysburg RR 1, waived to court two counts of driving under the influence of alcohol and charges of driving an unregistered vehicle and careless driving relating to a Sept. 7 accident at 27 S. Hickory St., Elysburg.

The charges were filed by Ralpho Township Patrolman Christopher Grow.

n Anthony R. Snyder, 27, of 420 E. Fourth St., Mount Carmel, waived to court two counts of driving under the influence of alcohol and charges of careless driving and driving the wrong way on a one-way street.

The charges were filed by Mount Carmel Patrolman Shane Reamer in connection with an Oct. 13 traffic stop in the first block of North Oak Street.

n Daniel Allan Link, 44, of 226 S. Franklin St., Shamokin, waived to court charges of careless driving, driving under the influence of alcohol, driving at an unsafe speed and failure to drive within a single lane involving an Oct. 23 incident on Route 901 between Boylan's Garage and Excelsior.

Mount Carmel Township Patrolman Matthew Filarski filed the charges.

n James M. Ball, 43, of South Oak Street, Mount Carmel, waived to court charges of delivering heroin, three counts of criminal conspiracy, three counts of possession of a controlled substance, criminal use of a communication facility and driving under suspension relating to a Jan. 21 drug bust.

Mount Carmel Patrolmen Matthew Dillman and Shane Reamer, who are members of the Northumberland-Montour Drug Task Force, filed the charges.

n Shane Joseph Geary, 28, of 129 Oak Lane, Shady Acres, waived to court charges of driving under the influence of alcohol and careless driving relating to a Sept. 19 accident in the 100 block of West Sixth Street.

The charges were filed by Mount Carmel Patrolman Kevin Katch.

n Jill Marie Fisher, 33, of 477 W. Saylor St., Atlas, waived to court charges of terroristic threats, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, false imprisonment, false reports and harassment.

The charges filed by Mount Carmel Township Patrolman David Stamets Jr. relate to incidents that occurred Nov. 1 at Fisher's residence.

n Peter J. Amarose Jr., 29, of 233 S. Poplar St., Mount Carmel, waived to court a charge of endangering the welfare of a child involving a Nov. 16 incident at his home.

The charge was filed by Mount Carmel Patrolman David Donkochik.

n George P. Mitchell, 30, of Girardville, waived to court charges of forgery and receiving stolen property relating to incidents that occurred between April 23 and April 30 at Susquehanna Bank, Kulpmont.

The charges were filed by Kulpmont Patrolman Joshua Pastucka.

n Mark D. Carl, 55, of 3882 Upper Road, Shamokin, waived to court charges of simple assault and harassment relating to an Oct. 5 disturbance at 5609 Lower Road, East Cameron Township.

A co-defendant in the case, Justin Douglas Carl, 23, of 1046 W. Willow St., Coal Township, pleaded guilty to harassment and was ordered to pay a fine and costs totaling $454. A simple assault charge was withdrawn.

Trooper Daniel Wilk of state police at Stonington filed the charges.

n Heather Ann Scott, 35, of 801 E. Dewart St., Shamokin, pleaded guilty to one count of fictitious reports and was ordered to pay a $500 fine plus costs and placed on probation for 12 months. An additional count of fictitious reports and a charge of false reports were withdrawn.

Scott was charged by Ralpho Township Patrolman Chris Dailey in connection with a Nov. 16 incident at Glosser Motor Inn on Route 487 in Paxinos.

(Editor's note: This story about Stanley Radzai, a Kulpmont native now living in Adams County, appeared in the Gettysburg Times. It is reprinted with permission.)

Seventy-one years ago on Dec. 7, Sgt. First Class Stanley Radzai was sleeping in a cot shortly before 8 a.m., at Wheeler Field, Honolulu, Hawaii, when he heard a ruckus. Radzai had a good time with friends at the non-commissioned officers club the night before, and only wanted to catch a few extra minutes of sleep.

"The first bomb came down and practically knocked me out of the cot. I said 'That damn Navy is acting up again,' they do tricks like that with us. I looked out, saw the red circle and said 'Oh boy, this is the real stuff," Radzai, now 95 years old, said.

Two years prior, Radzai joined the Army because there were very few jobs following the Great Depression. When he completed basic training, Radzai was assigned to the Army Air Corps simply because he had a high school diploma and many of his peers did not. All of a sudden, the mechanic in the Army Air Corps' 78th Pursuit Squadron, Seventh Air Force was witnessing the Japanese attack Wheeler Field on their way to Pearl Harbor and the start of the United States' involvement in World War II.

Radzai quickly started to get dressed, but before the current resident of Gettysburg had one complete leg in his coveralls, more bombs fell. He ran down to the hangers and realized his unit lost half of its airplanes.

Thirty-eight men died that day at Wheeler Field and about 2,400 died at Pearl Harbor. Radzai considered four of them his friends.

"Stacy, a buck sergeant, came running out of the barracks. I mean a lot of these guys went crazy, I don't want to brag, but I still had my wits about me. So when I came running out the door, I saw the Japanese come straight for us, but I hid behind a big column, beautiful columns. Stacey came running out of the window and I said 'Stacey,' and I tried grabbing him by the collar. I missed. He ran out to the road and that's where he got it," Radzai recalled. There was no time to grieve, only time for action.

"After the attack, we worked night and day to put the airplanes together," he said.

Some thought the Japanese would invade again, but Radzai had a different opinion.

"We had enough airplanes the next day, we could have engaged them," he said.

After the attack, bulldozers removed all of the P-40 airplanes except for the 12 Radzai's squadron managed to salvage. Radzai stayed at Wheeler Field for about six months. In June 1942, his skills as a mechanic were needed on the central Pacific island of Midway. United States aircraft flying from USS Enterprise, USS Hornet, and USS Yorktown attacked and sank four Japanese carriers. This was considered the turning point of the war in the Pacific.

"We flew from Hawaii to Midway Islands, that was about 1,800 miles, and we flew it non-stop," he said.

Radzai returned to Wheeler Field six months later. By then, he was an instructor of mechanics. He was discharged in the latter part of 1945 and moved to Maryland with a woman from near his hometown whom he married while on furlough in 1943. As the decades as well as the Pearl Harbor survivors started to pass, so did Americans' perception of the importance of Pearl Harbor Day.

"I have my license plate, 'Pearl Harbor Survivor,' nobody even notices it. I think that since I have had it, 10, 12 years, there was two people who noticed it," he said.

Radzai has a personal goal of being the last of the Pearl Harbor survivors. After that, he imagines Dec. 7 will become just another day mentioned in history books.

"They are just forgetting. I have to say, it was horrible. Wheeler Field was bad enough, but two hours later I went to Pearl Harbor and it was in shambles," he said.

COAL TOWNSHIP - A state prison inmate has been charged with multiple felony offenses involving a Nov. 11 assault of a correctional officer at SCI-Coal Township who suffered serious injuries.

Brandon Nathaniel Moody, 25, a former inmate at SCI-Coal Township who is now incarcerated at SCI-Mahanoy, is charged by Trooper James McCormick of state police at Stonington with spitting in the face of Correctional Officer Robert Lester Houseknecht, and repeatedly punching the officer in the face, head, neck and back, causing him to suffer a concussion, bleeding on the brain and extensive swelling and bruising on his face, head and hands.

Police said the assault occurred at 8:19 p.m. Nov. 11 at an officer's station at SCI-Coal Township.

Houseknecht's injuries required emergency room treatment at a local hospital. He has since been discharged from the hospital, but reportedly has not yet been able to return to work.

According to a criminal complaint filed at the office of Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III, Moody, who is serving a life sentence, approached the victim and asked him to retract a misconduct report he wrote against the inmate. When Houseknecht told Moody he couldn't retract the report, Moody allegedly spit in his face and assaulted the officer.

The assault ended when other correctional officers arrived at the officer's station and restrained Moody, who was later transferred to SCI-Mahanoy.

Moody is charged with felonies of assault by a life prisoner, aggravated assault, assault by a prisoner and aggravated harassment by a prisoner, misdemeanors of simple assault and recklessly endangering another person, and a summary of harassment.

COAL TOWNSHIP - Homeowners in Coal Township should expect to pay 2 additional mills next year if the general operating budget is officially adopted later this month.

The board of commissioners unanimously passed the 2013 tentative budget at their board meeting Thursday night, increasing the general fund millage from 15 mills to 17 mills.

This will generate approximately $90,000 in additional revenue, the board reported.

The tax bill for an average single homeowner in the township will increase approximately $20 a year, the tax bill for an average half a double- or row-home owner will increase approximately $15 a year and the tax bill for larger, single homes will increase approximately $80 a year, commissioners reported.

The following taxes will remain the same from 2012 to 2013: 1/2 mill, library; 1/2 percent earned income tax; $5, per capita tax; $52, local

service tax; $115, occupation tax; 1 1/2 mill, pension fund tax; and 1 mill, fire protection.

The $2,758,017 budget was balanced with the inclusion of the increased tax revenue and money from capital reserve, which still has money from the sale of the sewer lines a decade ago, the board reported.

Board President Craig Fetterman said special meetings were held with department heads to trim the budget by $67,101 compared to 2012.

"Thanks to you guys for holding the line and saving us money," he said.

He also noted there are big cuts from state and federal government funding local government.

Commissioner Gene Welsh added, "Now if we could only get 100 to 200 people to build houses or bring businesses."

Commissioners Bernie Rumberger and George Zalar made and seconded the motion for the tentative tax increase while Commissioners Rumberger and Welsh made and seconded the motion to adopt the tentative budget, and both motions passed 5-0.

The final budget and tax increase are expected to be adopted at a special meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 27.

In other business, the board announced the Coal Township Recycling Center will not collect electronics throughout the winter due to storage issues, but will start collecting them again in March.

DANVILLE - After an extensive two-year application and development process, Geisinger Life Flight has been awarded an air carrier certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The air carrier certificate will allow Geisinger Health System (GHS) to directly operate the aircraft assets it leases and owns. In addition, GHS will directly employ its own pilots, mechanics and aviation support personnel instead of contracted air-services vendors.

"The internal structure of the program will be very different," said Jerry Splitt, Geisinger Life Flight program manager. "Employees in key aviation leadership positions, including a director of aviation operations, chief pilot and director of aviation maintenance, will be on site working exclusively for Life Flight every day. These leaders will work very closely with local FAA officials in Harrisburg who will provide regulatory oversight of the program."

Since the inception of Life Flight in 1981, the program has operated under contracted air carrier certificates, most recently Louisiana-based Era Med, LLC, which operates a satellite support facility in Coatesville. The move toward the Life Flight air carrier certificate demonstrates Geisinger's ownership and investment in the critical care air transport program.

"The new internal structure will not affect or disrupt service to patients or healthcare professionals and will only further enhance the program to provide the best service to those in need," said Splitt.

Averaging 2,600 flights per year, Life Flight operates 24 hours a day with a fleet of six helicopters from air bases in Danville, State College, Avoca, Williamsport and Minersville. Each twin-engine helicopter is equipped with auto-pilot navigation and night vision equipment to ensure a safe flight day and night.

BELLFONTE - Scott J. Binsack had a hearing Thursday before state parole officials, who will determine over the next few weeks whether the Shamokin man violated his parole.

The hearing was held at State Correctional Institution-Rockview in this Centre County community.

Leo Dunn, spokesman with the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole (PBPP), said Binsack waived his first-level parole hearing, in which authorities determine whether they have probable cause to continue holding an alleged parole violator.

Dunn said PBPP immediately went into a second-level violation hearing, during which officials determine whether someone violated parole. Dunn said a hearing examiner listens to both defense and prosecution witnesses during such hearings.

Dunn said the outcome of Binsack's hearing will not be made public until at least next week, and Binsack remains imprisoned at Rockview.

Such hearings are open to the public, but Rockview did not recognize requests for media presence because it is a "secure facility," said Jeff Rackovan, institutional press officer at the prison, and no one from the public is allowed inside.

Binsack, a former homebuilder, became a household name in the Shamokin area in a matter of months starting in August when he presented a $13 million investment plan to city council. When his criminal history dating to 1999 from New York state and Lackawanna and Monroe counties became public knowledge, his involvement in the financial undertaking, which centered on renovation and construction of local homes and businesses, drew the attention of Pennsylvania securities officials.

Binsack is limited in what financial dealings he can partake in as part of his parole from theft and bad check charges in Monroe County. Any violation could mean Binsack would have to serve out his maximum sentence from those offenses, which would be until May 18, 2014.

However, he may also have his time on absconder status tacked onto his jail sentence.

Largely in response to Binsack's offenses prior to him moving to Shamokin, a Scranton area legislator proposed the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act, which was signed into law by Gov. Ed Rendell in 2008.

Binsack responded to the negative publicity by starting the "Something's Smokin in Shamokin" Facebook page and website, on which he posted videos critical of local officials and police. His campaign to root out corruption in the area piqued the curiosity of local social media users and others. He had some supporters, but many people were offended by his tactics and concerned about his reputation.

The Internet activity built up to the release of two hour-long episodes of "Something's Smokin in Shamokin," which Binsack billed as a "reality TV show."

Narnia

PBPP began to monitor the mounting tension between Binsack and local officials.

In late October, Binsack failed to show up for a scheduled meeting with a PBPP hearing officer and fled the state, actions that are typically considered parole violations. Binsack, who continued to post taunting messages to law enforcement on the Internet while on the lam, was considered a parole absconder for a month before he was found Nov. 20 by U.S. Marshals in a motel room in Bath, N.Y., a location he called "Narnia" in his messages.

He had said online that he fled because he feared for his life, and that he was being set up for a parole violation even though his business plan was legitimate and he had received approval from PBPP for some of his financial activities.

On the day he was captured in New York, Binsack's attorney filed a civil lawsuit on his behalf against six Shamokin officials, including two councilmen and the police chief, and two PBPP employees, claiming his constitutional rights to free speech, assembly, due process and liberty had been violated, that his ability to develop real estate opportunities was "seriously damaged," that his "good name, reputation, honor and integrity" were injured, and that he has suffered emotional distress.

STONINGTON - Shamokin Township supervisors passed a resolution Wednesday night adding several residents to the Agricultural Security Area (ASA) program.

Solicitor James Bathgate presented supervisors with a spreadsheet listing names of those who qualify for the program.

After reviewing the spreadsheet with the board, Bathgate opened up questions and comments to the public, at which time one couple questioned why they were not on the list. Bathgate said their land may have not meet the requirements or their land was not yet investigated for acceptance into the program.

The ASA program is used as a tool for protecting and strengthening agriculture in Pennsylvania. The state Department of Agriculture lists these details about it:

- Noncontiguous farm parcels must be a least 10 acres in size, and farm tracts needed to create a new 250-acre or larger agricultural security area do not have to be under the same ownership or even be located in the same municipality.

- The property needs to be agricultural land. Cropland, woodland and pasture can all be included.

- The land must be zoned to permit agricultural uses.

A farmer who is in the program may sell or subdivide the property how he or she choose; ASA does not restrict the use of the property. Also, farmers receiving loans through Small Business First Program and the Machinery and Equipment Loan Fund may receive a 1 percent reduction in their interest rate if their property is located with the ASA.

The resolution of the ASA for Shamokin Township will take effect in January.

Insurance rate up

In other business, supervisors approved the 2013 insurance policy for vehicles, new equipment and worker's compensation from Myers and Lynch Insurance Company. Cost of policy is $27,058, approximately $2,000 more than last year's.

Chairman Tom Carl and Supervisors John Klinger and Greg Rachau approved the increase.

COAL TOWNSHIP - The young Wilburton couple who were charged with stealing an SUV and eluding police for nearly nine hours on Wednesday were allegedly intoxicated when they drove through stop signs and at speeds of up to 80 mph with a 9-month-old baby, who was not properly restrained, on board.

Those details were revealed Thursday in a criminal complaint filed at the office of Magisterial District Justice John Gembic III by Coal Township Patrolman Christopher Laptosky against David Anthony Pavloski II, 22, of 10 Front St., and Courtney Klemick, 20, of 222 Second St.

Each was charged with a felony count of theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property, and a misdemeanor count of criminal mischief.

Fight starts

According to the complaint, Jessica Long, of 1125 W. Gowen St., Coal Township, told police she and her boyfriend, Chris Powell, were at home hanging out with Klemick and Pavloski, who are boyfriend and girlfriend, while Klemick's young son was upstairs sleeping.

Long said Klemick got into an altercation with Pavloski. While on the porch, she said Pavloski hit Klemick in the head, knocking her out and onto the ground. Long had to carry Klemick into the house, the complaint says.

Long, who provided video evidence on her phone, said both Klemick and Pavloski, who she said were intoxicated, became "belligerent" and began hitting Powell. Powell kept his hands in his pockets while trying to calm Klemick, police said. The complaint does not indicate why the pair allegedly attacked Powell.

Long said she wanted Pavloski to leave, but without Klemick and her baby. But the couple left with the baby, she told police.

Vehicle stolen

At approximately 2:28 a.m. Wednesday, Pavloski and Klemick left in a maroon 2003 Buick Rendezvous that Long was borrowing from her grandmother, Rita Reilly.

The key was in the ignition, Long told police.

Pavloski was driving; he scraped the neighbor's iron railing with the SUV before traveling down Spruce Street, police were told.

Powell, who corroborated Long's story, said he last saw the vehicle on Spruce Street running two stop signs.

He said he did not want to press charges against Klemick or Pavloski for hitting him, police said.

Police pursue

Lapotsky responded to Long's house after the vehicle was taken. While he was there, Mount Carmel Township Patrolman Dan Politza spotted the stolen vehicle on Route 901 near Boylan's Garage and pursued it toward Locust Gap. However, the driver would not stop and the vehicle reached speeds of 80 mph, Politza reported. Since Politza knew a child was in the vehicle, he terminated the pursuit. He continued to follow the vehicle from a distance, but lost visual contact in Ashland.

Politza then went to Pavloski's house in Wilburton. He noticed the vehicle traveling in the area, but again lost visual contact.

It was reported Thursday that Pavloski and Klemick allegedly abandoned the vehicle along a rocky mountain path behind several homes along Tiffany Lane in Wilburton near Pavloski's house. Police found it at approximately 10:50 a.m. Wednesday and Pavloski and Klemick were found shortly after in Pavloski's home.

They were taken into custody without further incident and were video-arraigned by Gembic at approximately 1:30 p.m. Wednesday from the Coal Township Police Station. Bail was set at $20,000 cash for each person. After failing to post bail, they were transported to Northumberland County Prison, where they remained Thursday evening.

Baby with father

The baby was returned to his grandfather, Kerry Klemick, 57, of 222 Second St., Wilburton, who had assisted police by watching Pavloski's house Wednesday.

The child is now in the care of his father, Thomas Stanton, of Shenandoah, Kerry Klemick said Thursday afternoon.

Mount Carmel Township Police Chief Brian Hollenbush said additional charges will be filed next week by Politza. Those charges will likely include criminal conspiracy, receiving stolen property, fleeing or attempting to flee police, resisting arrest, recklessly endangering another person, recklessly endangering the welfare of a child and reckless driving. Pavloski will likely also be charged with driving under suspension due to previous DUI charges, he said.

(Klemick's age was incorrectly listed at 21 in Thursday's edition.)

Barletta to join Homeland Security

WASHINGTON - U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta, R-11, was appointed to the U.S. House committee responsible for border security, protecting the country from terrorist attacks, responding to disasters, and protecting national infrastructure in the 113th Congress. Barletta will become a member of the Committee on Homeland Security after he is sworn in on Jan. 3.

The Committee on Homeland Security was established in 2002 to provide congressional oversight for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and better protect the American people against a possible terrorist attack. The committee has jurisdiction over Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS), and the U.S. Coast Guard; border security programs including efforts to achieve operational control of the border; and border smuggling and trafficking of drugs, human, currency, weapons and other illicit materials.

Barletta will continue to serve on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Education and the Workforce Committee. He will no longer be a member of the Committee on Small Business.

County drug, alcohol board to meet

SUNBURY - The Northumberland County Drug and Alcohol Program Advisory Board will meet at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 20, in the Human Services Building, 217 N. Center St.

Surplus food to be distributed

KULPMONT - Residents enrolled in the borough's food surplus program are reminded that the next distribution will be held between 8 a.m. and noon Thursday, Dec. 20, at the borough garage. Residents are reminded to bring their bags with them.

COAL TOWNSHIP - Our Lady of Lourdes Alumni Foundation has collected $240,000 earmarked for tuition assistance and will present a check to school officials Monday.

The funds come from the foundation's campaign for local business contributions under the Pennsylvania Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC). Members of the foundation and business owners who donated funds will present a check to Bishop Joseph P. McFadden of the Harrisburg Diocese in a ceremony at 10 a.m. Monday in the Lee E. Korbich Memorial Gymnasium.

The public is welcome.

The check presentation was initially scheduled for Oct. 31, but had to be postponed due to Hurricane Sandy.

The funds will offer families in need of tuition assistance the opportunity to apply through the Neumann Scholarship Foundation of the Diocese. All the funds collected are reserved strictly for Lourdes. It also allows Lourdes to use existing funds for capital projects and educational improvements.

The alumni foundation is a network for alumni and friends of Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School. As a 501(c)(3) organization, the foundation is raising funds for the school through endowments, sponsorships, tuition assistance plans and the state's EITC program.

Visit the OLOL alumni page on Facebook or LinkedIn to connect with other members of the Lourdes community and receive updates on foundation initiatives, or visit Info@SupportLourdes.org.

TREVORTON - The Zerbe Township Recreation Committee will be holding the annual Zerbe Christmas celebration starting at 6 p.m. Sunday at the Foundry/Recreation Area Complex.

The committee is responsible for the area's redevelopment. It conducts various fundraisers throughout the year for that purpose.

The committee views the celebration as a way to thank residents of Trevorton and Zerbe Township for their continued support.

An invitation has been extended to all children to attend the Christmas event. The committee is also assisting a local Eagle Scout with a project that includes building an ice skating rink at the recreation area that will be open in the near future as weather permits.

The Christmas event will include entertainment, free refreshments and a visit from Santa Claus, who will arrive aboard a Trevorton Fire Company truck.

The Foundry building has been decorated for the Christmas season. It will be open in case of inclement weather. Everyone is invited to enjoy the annual Zerbe Christmas. The community Christmas tree will be illuminated during the event.

Zerbe Township supervisors and street department also assisted with the tree display, decorating and maintenance of the Foundry building.

The recreation committee welcomes new members and they meet the third Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. at the American Legion on Shamokin Street.

The Mahanoy & Mahantongo Historical & Preservation Society will host a holiday house tour from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday.

Among the attractions in the event are:

- The home of Connie Tressler, 104 Otto Station Road, at the intersection with Route 225 in Red Cross. This brick house, visible from the highway just a half-mile south of Klinger's Gulf, once housed a business. Built by John Kunsman in the 1800s, it operated as Kunsman's Tavern. The property fell into disrepair over the years, but underwent a restoration effort in 2004. One of the most striking features of the home might be a mural on a ceiling in a room where the tavern is believed to have operated.

- The Zeigler Log House & Library, Dalmatia, home of the Mahanoy & Mahantongo Historical & Preservation Society, near Susanna and Water streets, which will be decorated in period fashion and will include a tour of the facility.

- The home of Barbara Leah, 268 Shadeville Road, Dalmatia, which will feature an array of holiday decorations from around the world. Leah has collected the decorations for many years and has an extensive collection.

- St. Peter's Lutheran Church, 235 Schwaben Creek Road, Dornsife, just a quarter-mile across Route 225 from the Tressler home.

- The home of Lori Mirarchi, 511 Schwaben Creek Road, Dornsife, just a short drive east of St. Peter's Church, a stone structure that is believed to be one of the first four homes built in Northumberland County.

- The home of Steve Bobb, along Route 225 near A&L Diesel, Dornsife, which will have rooms decorated, each straying from the traditional Christmas colors when possible.

- Penn's Tavern, Route 147, Fishers Ferry, a new attraction on the tour. Built more than 300 years ago, William Penn's grandson, John, is included in a romantic story in the lore of the stone building.

The historical society is also offering a wine basket drawing at 5 p.m. at the Zeigler House. A $5 donation is requested; there will be five wine baskets offered.

Tour tickets cost $7 if purchased in advance and $8 the day of the tour. For tour or wine basket tickets, call Gene Keiter, society president, at 758-8904, or Shirley Silvick, society secretary, at 758-1760.

In the event of inclement weather, the tour will take place from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.

The event supports the functions of the historical society.

Don't feed the deer

KULPMONT- Morris Gilotti, president of the Kulpmont Sportsman Club, asked visitors to the borough park not to feed the deer on display there in accordance with U.S. Department of Agriculture rules.

Earlier this week, J. Kevin Jones, mayor of Mount Carmel, made the same request of those visiting the deer at the Mount Carmel Town Park. While other communities with deer displays have not contacted The News-Item to make the same request, it can be assumed that visitors feeding any deer in any display would be breaking federal rules.

Mother Cabrini bingo postponed

SHAMOKIN - The bingo games at Mother Cabrini, normally held on Mondays in the church hall, have been postponed for the rest of December. The games will resume on Monday, Jan. 7.

Holiday concert planned

MOUNT CARMEL - A holiday concert hosted by the Mount Carmel Area School District will be held at 7 p.m. Monday at the Richard F. Beierschmitt Auditorium in the Mount Carmel Junior-Senior High School. The program will feature music from the high school chorus, the Mount Carmel Area Symphonic Band and a combined band and chorus finale. It will be directed by Sharon Styer and Bernard Stellar.