SUNBURY - Sheldon and Frances Bernstein moved to Sunbury 52 years ago from New York City and immediately fell in love with their new hometown.

"It was the place to be; it was bustling. If you couldn't buy it in Sunbury, you didn't need it," Frances, 77, said Friday afternoon.

The Bernsteins lamented that the city isn't what it used to be, but they and others were also speaking of new hope as they took part in an open house at 202 Washington Ave. - the first new home to be built in the city in 10 years.

Revitalizing the housing market and fighting blight are key steps toward a new Sunbury, said Jeff Balestrini, a member of the city's redevelopment authority board. He said the Washington Avenue property, which has been vacant since 2004, was acquired by the city after in its aggressive approach to fight blight.

"The roof was collapsing. There was mold all over and there were rodents living here," he said.

A Sunbury resident, who chose to remain anonymous, fronted the money to tear the original house down and have Icon Legacy Custom Modular Homes, of Selinsgrove, build the new two-story structure in its place, Balestrini said.

The goal of the project is to show city residents that leaders are committed to fighting blight, he said.

"We're putting homeowners on notice that they have to abide by the rules," he said. "We want to enhance the image of the city and improve the quality of life."

Auction today

The house "looks very nice," Frances said. "It's roomy and it looks well built. It's perfect."

Sheldon, 81, said it was curiosity that brought them to the open house, and he was pleased with what he saw.

"We live eight blocks from here (on Greenough Street). I'm happy to see it," he said. "If another house gets back on the tax roll, it's a great idea. It's a heck of a lot better than letting houses decay and fall apart."

The purpose of the open house, held from 3 to 7 p.m., was to entice potentials buyers to purchase the home at the auction, set for 10 a.m. today.

The house has approximately 2,100 square feet of living area, including 1 1/2 baths, stainless steel appliances, two gas furnaces and a large basement.

The opening bid will be $150,000, and the money generated from the sale will be placed back into the redevelopment account for further projects, Balestrini said.

Through this approach in the last six months, the city has acquired at least five houses and demolished two.

SUNBURY - Service Electric Cablevision has gone 3D.

The local cable service Thursday launched 3net, a joint venture television network from Discovery Communications, Sony Corporation and IMAX Corp., that will be available to its 100,000 customers in northeast Pennsylvania.

3net went live on channel 500 with both original 3net premieres and feature films available throughout the holidays. 3net originals premiering include an all-new episode of "From the Basement," featuring the Red Hot Chili Peppers; the wildlife special "Savage Migration," and "I, Human," the world's first 3D look inside the human body.

"For our customers who own or plan to purchase 3D capable TVs, we want to ensure Service Electric Cablevision provides them with more value for their entertainment investment," said Donald Brandt, director of programming. "3net was the perfect addition because it provides our customers 3D programming 24 hours a day with content from Discovery, Sony and IMAX. As the first cable company in the nation, we are proud to also be the first cable company to offer 3net."

Here's an overview of programming available to Service Electric customers during the holidays: "From the Basement," A Red Hot Chili Peppers episode premieres at 9 p.m. Sunday, featuring performances from today's hottest musicians without the interference of presenters or audiences.

"Monster House," a feature film airing at 8 and 10 p.m. Monday. Co-produced by Steven Spielberg, this hit animated film features three adventurous teens who discover that the scary house across the street is a living, breathing monster.

"Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs," a feature film airing 8 and 10 p.m. Tuesday. Bill Hader, of "Saturday Night Live," is the voice of Flint Lockwood, a hapless but well-meaning inventor. James Caan is his technophob dad, whom he can't please, even when he makes food fall from the sky.

"Storm Surfers," marathon starts 7 p.m. Dec. 26. Follow surfing legends and best friends Ross Clarke-Jones and Tom Carroll as they work with genius surf-forecaster Ben Matson to hunt down Mother Nature's biggest waves and surf the planet's most dangerous breaks.

"Savage Migration," premieres 9 p.m. Dec. 27. The great annual wildlife migration is the largest mammal migration in the world. Every year, around 1.5 million wildebeest and 300,000 zebra and antelope gather up their young and trek from Tanzania's Serengeti Plains to north of Kenya's Maasai Mara National Reserve.

"I Human," premieres 8 p.m. Dec. 30. Using a blend of specially shot real-life sequences and cutting-edge CGI, the film takes viewers on a journey inside themselves.

"Open Season," an animated feature film premieres 8 p.m. Jan. 1. Boog, a domesticated 900-pound grizzly bear, finds himself stranded in the woods three days before open season. Forced to rely on Elliot, a fast-talking mule deer, the two form an unlikely friendship and must quickly rally other forest animals to form a diverse army against the hunters.

The following individuals were among those charged in Friday's drug bust:

- Joanne E. Andruscavage, 32, 143 Beaverdale St., Mount Carmel: one count each possession of drug paraphernalia and misbranding a controlled substance, misdemeanors.

- Barry Anoia, 27, 118 W. Walnut St. Coal Township: one count each DUI (misdemeanor), misbranding controlled substance (misdemeanor), driving on roadways laned for traffic (summary), driving while suspended (summary) and operating vehicle without inspection sticker (summary).

- Debra L. Artman, 41, 905 W. Pine St., Coal Township: two counts each delivery of Percocet (felony) and conspiracy to deliver Percocet (felony), five counts possession with intent to deliver Percocet (felony), and one count each attempt to deliver Percocet (felony), possession of drug paraphernalia (misdemeanor) and misbranding controlled substance (misdemeanor).

- James M. Ball, 43, Somerville, N.J.: one count each delivery of heroin (felony), conspiracy to deliver heroin

(felony), possession with intent to deliver heroin (felony), conspiracy to possess with intent to deliver heroin (felony), criminal use of communication facility (felony), possession of heroin (misdemeanor), conspiracy to possess heroin (misdemeanor), possession of drug paraphernalia (misdemeanor) and driving while suspended (summary).

- David J. Bills, 27, 921 Spruce St., Kulpmont: two counts each conspiracy to commit delivery of methadone (felony), conspiracy to commit possession with intent to deliver methadone (felony), criminal use of communication facility (felony), and one count each possession synthetic marijuana (misdemeanor) and possession drug paraphernalia (misdemeanor).

- Michael J. Bills, 48, 921 Spruce St., Kulpmont: two counts each conspiracy to commit delivery of methadone (felony), delivery of methadone (felony), conspiracy to commit possession with intent to deliver methadone (felony), possession with intent to deliver methadone (felony), possession methadone (misdemeanor) and possession drug paraphernalia (misdemeanor).

- Alicia Bordner, 21, 715 N. Vine St., Shamokin: delivery of controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver controlled substance, possession of controlled substance, criminal conspiracy to deliver controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

- Jody L. Bower, 29, 232 E. Second St., Mount Carmel: one count each delivery of heroin (felony), possession with intent to deliver heroin (felony), criminal use of communication facility (felony), possession heroin (misdemeanor) and possession drug paraphernalia (misdemeanor).

- David M. Brown, 29, 29 N. Chestnut St., Mount Carmel: six counts each acquiring controlled substance by misrepresentation (felony), possession with intent to deliver Oxycodone (felony), forgery (misdemeanor), possession Oxycodone (misdemeanor) and possession receiving stolen property (misdemeanor).

- Robert W. Buettner, 22, 945 Chestnut St., Kulpmont: one count possession drug paraphernalia (misdemeanor).

- Kenny Bunch, 30, 21 W. Church St., Shamokin: two counts each delivery of controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver controlled substance and criminal use of communication facility.

- Angelique T. Callahan, 35, 220 Railroad St., Locust Gap: one count possession drug paraphernalia (misdemeanor).

- Bret Casper, 18, 1013 Chestnut St., Kulpmont: one count each possession of controlled substance and possession drug paraphernalia, misdemeanors.

- Patricia Ciancia, 38, 622 E. Commerce St., Shamokin: four counts delivery of controlled substance, three counts possession with intent to deliver controlled substance and two counts criminal use of communication facility.

- Bruce Collier, 33, 513 W. Mulberry St., Shamokin: two counts each delivery of controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver controlled substance and criminal use of communication facility.

- Matthew S. Creveling, 24, 1123 W. Water St., Coal Township: one count each possession of controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia, misdemeanors.

- Deziray L. Cunningham, 25, 1123 W. Water St., Coal Township: two counts possession of controlled substance (misdemeanor) and one count each possession drug paraphernalia (misdemeanor), driving while suspended (summary) and stop sign violation (summary).

- Bryan S. Daily, 43, Strasburg, Va.: one count possession drug paraphernalia (misdemeanor).

- Stacey L. Darginski, 26, 310 Main St., Ranshaw: one count each possession Fetanyl and possession drug paraphernalia, misdemeanors.

- Jordan L. Derck, 24, 133 Academy St., Shamokin: one count each possession marijuana and possession drug paraphernalia, misdemeanors.

- Frank Doone, 42, 504 S. Vine St., Coal Township: one count each delivery of controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver controlled substance and criminal use of communication facility.

- Jeremy M. Dormer, 29, 301 W. Second St., Mount Carmel: one count each delivery of Oxycodone (felony), possession with intent to deliver Oxycodone (felony), criminal use of communication facility (felony) and possession Oxycodone (misdemeanor).

- Michael P. Dunphy, 27, 722 Spruce St., Kulpmont: one count each possession with intent to deliver Clonazepam (felony), possession Clonazepam (misdemeanor), possession drug paraphernalia (misdemeanor), DUI (misdemeanor), resisting arrest (misdemeanor) and public drunkenness (summary).

- Kyla L. Fisher, 35, Somerville, N.J.: one count each conspiracy to deliver heroin (felony), conspiracy to possess with intent to deliver heroin (felony), criminal use of communication facility (felony) and conspiracy to possess heroin (misdemeanor).

- Eric T. Fletcher, 39, 1114 Poplar St., Kulpmont: one count each possession of controlled substance (misdemeanor) and possession drug paraphernalia (misdemeanor).

- Gary R. Gilligbauer, 27, 215 N. Shamokin St., Apt. B, Shamokin: one count each possession of marijuana (misdemeanor) and possession drug paraphernalia (misdemeanor).

- Adam Gondol, 39, 146 W. Second St., Mount Carmel: one count endangering welfare of children (misdemeanor), two counts possession Endocet (misdemeanor), and one count each misbranding controlled substance and possession drug paraphernalia, misdemeanors.

- Daniel J. Grohowski, 21, 614 E. Fourth St., Mount Carmel: one count each delivery of heroin, possession with intent to deliver heroin and criminal use of communication facility, felonies; one count each possession heroin and possession drug paraphernalia, misdemeanors; one count each delivery of Suboxone, possession with intent to deliver Suboxone and criminal use of communication facility, felonies; one count each possession Suboxone and possession drug paraphernalia, misdemeanors. - Joshua F. Hartman, 24, Schuylkill Haven: one count each possession with intent to deliver heroin (felony), possession heroin (misdemeanor), possession drug paraphernalia (misdemeanor) and DUI (misdemeanor).

- Rex Hepner, 64, 116 W. Willow St., Shamokin: two counts each delivery of controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver controlled substance and criminal use of communication facility.

- April L. Hollenbach, 26, 146 W. Second St., Mount Carmel: one count each possession with intent to deliver marijuana (felony), criminal use of communication facility (felony), endangering welfare of children (misdemeanor), possession marijuana (misdemeanor) and possession drug paraphernalia (misdemeanor).

- Dustin Keefer, 24, 135 S. Franklin St., Shamokin: possession with intent to deliver controlled substance, criminal use of communication facility and possession drug paraphernalia.

- Joshua Kemper, 22, 111 W. Girard St., Atlas: one count each possession marijuana and possession drug paraphernalia, misdemeanors.

- Keith M. Kisela, 21, 214 S. Oak St., Apt. 1, Mount Carmel: one count each delivery of Haloperidol reported to be valium (felony), possession with intent to deliver Haloperidol (felony), criminal use of communication facility (felony), possession Haloperidol (misdemeanor) and possession drug paraphernalia (misdemeanor).

- Brian T. Kramer, 24, 104 S. Peach St., Mount Carmel: one count each possession with intent to deliver Vicoprofen and Xanax (felony), theft (misdemeanor), possession Vicroprofen and Xanax (misdemeanor) and receiving stolen property (misdemeanor).

- David M. Lamb, 40, 32 N. Vine St., Mount Carmel: one count each possession Roxicodone (misdemeanor), misbranding controlled substance (misdemeanor), possession drug paraphernalia (misdemeanor), possession marijuana (misdemeanor), DUI (misdemeanor), driving on roadways laned for traffic (summary), careless driving (summary) and driving at unsafe speed (summary).

- Kaddafi Loatman, 26, 50 E. Sunbury St., Shamokin: delivery of cocaine and criminal conspiracy to deliver cocaine.

- Kasim Loatman, 25, 50 E. Sunbury St., Shamokin: delivery of cocaine, criminal use of communication facility and criminal conspiracy to deliver cocaine.

- Raheem O. Loatman, 23, 406 S. Market St., Shamokin: felony count possession with intent to deliver marijuana, and misdemeanor counts possession marijuana and possession drug paraphernalia.

- Courtney Lynn, 22, 50 N. Maple St., Mount Carmel: misdemeanor count possession drug paraphernalia.

- James A. Madison, 134 W. Clermont St., Marion Heights; two misdemeanor counts DUI and one misdemeanor count each endangering welfare of children, possession, misbranding and possession drug paraphernalia.

- Ned A. Marcinick, 19, 105 N. Franklin St. Shamokin, one felony count possession with intent to deliver marijuana, and one misdemeanor count each conspiracy to commit possession marijuana, possession marijuana and possession drug paraphernalia.

- Mary S. McGinley, 24, 113 N. Locust St., Mount Carmel: two felony counts each delivery of amphetamine and Modafinil and possession with intent to deliver amphetamine and Modafinil, one felony count criminal use of communication facility, and one misdemeanor count possession amphetamine and Modafinil.

- Stephen P. Miller Jr., 27, 243, W. Fifth St., Mount Carmel: one felony count each delivery of heroin, possession with intent to deliver heroin and criminal use ofcommunication facility, and one misdemeanor count each possession heroin and possession drug paraphernalia.

- James E. Mowery, 22, 251 S. Vine St. Shamokin: one misdemeanor count each conspiracy to commit possession marijuana, possession Alprazolam and misbranding.

- David Payne, 26, 916 E. Chestnut St., Shamokin: delivery of controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver controlled substance, possession controlled substance and criminal conspiracy to deliver controlled substance.

- Shane Picarella, 23, 151 N. Grant St., Shamokin: possession drug paraphernalia and possession controlled substance.

- Joshua M. Peregrin, 30, 300 W. Third St., Mount Carmel: one felony count each delivery of Clonazepam and possession with intent to deliver Clonazepam, one misdemeanor count each possession Clonazepam and possession drug paraphernalia.

- Donald Ponatoski, 26, 1128 W. Gowen St., Coal Township: one felony count possession with intent to deliver heroin and one misdemeanor count each DUI, possession heroin and possession drug paraphernalia

- Adam J. Powell, 27, 49 W. Second St., Mount Carmel: one felony count possession with intent to deliver heroin and misdemeanor possession heroin.

- Robert Powell, 29, 715 N. Vine St., Apt. 2, Shamokin: delivery of controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver controlled substance, possession controlled substance, criminal conspiracy to deliver controlled substance and criminal use of communication facility.

- Barbara A. Pronick, 48, 905 W. Pine St., Coal Township: two felony counts each conspiracy to deliver Percocet, conspiracy possession with intent to deliver Percocet and possession with intent deliver Percocet, one felony count each criminal use of communication facility and conspiracy criminal use of communication facility, two misdemeanor counts possession of Percocet, and one misdemeanor count each possession drug paraphernalia and misbranding.

- Joshua A. Reichenbach, 30, 558 N. Third St., Shamokin: one misdemeanor count each conspiracy to commit possession of marijuana and Alprazolam, possession Alprazolam and misbranding.

- Dallas D. Rhodes, 39, 897 Bear Gap Road, Elysburg: one misdemeanor count each DUI, endangering another person, possession Lortab, possession drug paraphernalia and misbranding, and summary count driving while license is suspended.

- Stacy Rudy, 19, Coal Township: delivery of heroin and criminal conspiracy to deliver heroin.

- Nicole A. Seidel, 24, Shamokin: two felony counts each conspiracy to deliver Percocet, conspiracy possession with intent to deliver Percocet and criminal use of communication facility, one felony count each delivery Percocet, possession with intent to deliver Percocet and conspiracy criminal use of communication facility, and one misdemeanor count each possession Percocet, conspiracy possession Percoet, possession drug paraphernalia and attempted possession Percocet; delivery of controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver controlled substance and criminal use of communication facility.

- Timothy Smith, 20, 125 E. Arch St., Shamokin, one count delivery of controlled substance, criminal conspiracy to deliver controlled substance and criminal use of communication facility.

- Shayla Snyder, 22, 1544 W. Mulberry St., Coal Township: one count possession with intent to deliver heroin, two counts delivery of heroin, two counts criminal use of communication facility and one count criminal conspiracy to deliver heroin.

- Joseph M. Staskiel, 20, 824 Spruce St. Kulpmont: one felony count each possession with intent to deliver Oxycodone, Kadian, Carisoprodo and Suboxone and possession with intent to deliver Amphetamine/Dextroamphetamine, Alprazolam and Fentanyl, and one misdemeanor count each possession Oxycodone, Kadian, Carisoprodo and Suboxone, misbranding, possession drug paraphernalia, possession with intent to deliver drug paraphernalia, possession Amphetamine/Dextroamphetamine, Alprazolam and Fentanyl, misbranding and possession drug paraphernalia.

- Jeffrey Tripp, 26, 943 Chestnut St., Kulpmont: two counts possession with intent to deliver heroin, two counts delivery of heroin, one count delivery of cocaine, two counts criminal use of communication facility and one count criminal conspiracy to deliver controlled substance.

- Leon Vincent, 24, 322 E. Sunbury St., Shamokin: possession with intent to deliver heroin, delivery of heroin and criminal conspiracy to deliver heroin.

- Jarred Wagner, 20, 13 S. Eighth St., Shamokin: delivery of controlled substance and possession with intent to deliver controlled substance.

- George F. Weaver, 20, 410 N. Shamokin St., Apartment A., Shamokin: one misdemeanor count each conspiracy to commit possession marijuana, possession marijuana and possession drug paraphernalia.

- Michael R. Wisnoskie, 19, of 76 Church St., Locust Gap, one misdemeanor count each possession of controlled substance and possession drug paraphernalia.

- Debbi J. Wolfe, 53, 437 Melrose St., Marion Heights: one felony count each delivery of Alprazolam, possession with intent to deliver Alprazolam and criminal use of communication facility, and one misdemeanor count each possession Alprazolam and possession drug paraphernalia.

- Theodore F. Wray, 55, 43 E. Sunbury St., Apartment 7, Shamokin: one misdemeanor count each possession controlled substance and possession drug paraphernalia.

- Keri M. Zimmerman, 21, 1008 Pine St., Kulpmont: one misdemeanor each possession drug paraphernalia and corruption minors and one summary simple trespass.

The charges filed with Northumberland Juvenile Probation involved three male juveniles from Mount Carmel. Charges included felony and misdemeanor counts involving possession of morphine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Milton, Sunbury defendants

Milton and Sunbury police departments reported the following arrests in Friday's bust:

Milton:

- Amanda Verducci, 751 Mahoning St., Apt. 37, and Matthew Metz Jr., 214 High St., each charged with possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.

Sunbury:

- Francisco Charriez, 1032 Masser St.; Fabis Billingsley, 17 N. Third St.; Issac Moten, 410 Market St.; Melody Miller, 311 Pennsylvania Ave.; Matthew Suarez and Jason Mercado, both of 331 Pennsylvania Ave.; Patrick Lenner, 966 Masser St., and Cassandra Phillips, 643 1/2 Susquehanna Ave., all felony counts possession with intent to deliver.

Also charged by Sunbury police were Tyler Hallden, 112 Sulpher Springs Road, Northumberland; Kyle Stahl, 879 Swanger Road, Lewisburg; Joshua Potter, 331 E. Third St., Mount Carmel, and Zachary Grove, 71 N. Eighth St., Sunbury, all misdemeanor counts possession of controlled substance.

ELYSBURG - Most of the 65 defendants from the eastern end of Northumberland County offered no resistance upon being taken into custody during a massive drug bust Friday.

But Shane Picarella, 23, of 151 N. Grant St., Shamokin, wasn't one of them.

Picarella was found by law enforcement officers hiding among insulation in his third-floor attic at about 12:30 p.m. and resisted arrest, police said, forcing them to spray him in the face with Mace.

Picarella, who yelled for about 15 minutes after getting sprayed, could be heard saying, "Kill me, kill me" and "I need a (expletive) doctor" as he sat in a police cruiser outside his home.

Prior to his apprehension, a woman carrying a young child was seen running out of the house.

A female neighbor, who was leaving her home with a tray of cookies, heard the commotion and spotted about a dozen law enforcement personnel outside on the one-way street, which was blocked off by police. The woman, who did not want to be identified, provided police with water and a towel that Shamokin Patrolman Raymond Siko II used to wipe Picarella's face.

Picarella, who was wanted on drug and disorderly conduct charges, was transported by police to Geisinger-Shamokin Area Community Hospital, where he underwent emergency room treatment for the Mace. He was released and taken before Gembic on the drug and disorderly conduct charges before being committed to jail.

Shamokin Code Enforcement Officer Rick Bozza and Shamokin Fire Chief Bruce Rogers, who were at the scene of the North Grant Street disturbance, posted condemned signs at 151-149 N. Grant St. because neither property had running water. Bozza said the houses were unfit for human habitation.

25 in upper county

In addition to the 65 defendants from mostly the Shamokin-Mount Carmel area, 25 additional men and women were charged with drug offenses in the northern part of the county, including Sunbury to Milton, in what was the first major drug bust of the year.

Members of the Northumberland-Montour Drug Task Force began apprehending defendants at 7 a.m. at their homes, places of employment and other locations before parading them into command centers at Ralpho Township Community Gym in Elysburg and Sunbury Municipal Building. The defendants were processed at the command posts by law enforcement personnel before being arraigned on various drug offenses by Magisterial District Judges Hugh Jones of Mount Carmel, John Gembic III of Shamokin and Benjamin Apfelbaum of Sunbury.

Many prescription drugs

Mount Carmel Chief of Police Todd Owens, field supervisor for the drug task force, said the majority of the arrests involved illegal use or possession of prescription drugs. He said heroin, cocaine, marijuana and bath salts also were confiscated.

He said additional charges are pending.

Assisting Owens at the command center was Mount Carmel Patrolman Matthew Dillman, who serves as the borough's narcotics investigator.

Approximately 30 law enforcement personnel, including drug task force members, state constables Larry Rompallo, Patrick Reynolds and Glenn Masser, adult and juvenile probation officers, parole officers and agents from Region 4 of the state Attorney General's Office assisted at Elysburg. The bust was conducted in cooperation with the district attorney offices in Northumberland and Montour counties.

As of 3 p.m. Friday, approximately 50 of the 65 defendants in the Shamokin-Mount Carmel area had been taken into custody. Owens said task force members will continue their search for the remaining defendants over the weekend.

A majority of defendants were committed to Northumberland County Prison, Sunbury, in lieu of cash bail.

Second hospitalization

In addition to Picarella, defendant Michael J. Bills, 48, of 921 Spruce St., Kulpmont, was also hospitalized for a short time.

He was transported by Elysburg Ambulance to Geisinger-Shamokin Area Community Hospital after complaining of chest pains upon being escorted into the Elysburg gym. He underwent evaluation before being released and later arraigned.

Bills and his son, David J. Bills, 27, same address, face eight and 12 counts of drug-related charges, respectively, which were among the most filed against the defendants in the Shamokin-Mount Carmel area. Most of the charges filed against the father and son involved methadone, a painkiller that's also used as an anti-addictive treatment for heroin and other opioid dependency.

David M. Brown, 29, of 29 N. Chestnut St., Mount Carmel, had 30 counts of drug-related charges filed against him. Most of those offenses involved Oxycodone.madison

SHAMOKIN - Standing in line behind Shamokin Area Elementary Annex, parents and guardians one-by-one signed out elementary students at day's end Friday.

Hugs were exchanged, backpacks were handed off, and through the eyes of the children, a recounting of the day's events had begun while adults and students walked away together from the school.

It was a standard end to a standard school day, and to the relief of a great many people in a great many towns where similar scenes played out around 3 p.m. Friday, it was nothing like the tragedy that had unfolded in Newtown, Conn.

"I've been crying all day," Mary Ann Christiana, of Coal Township, said of the shooting rampage at an elementary school that claimed the lives of 26 victims, including 20 children about her daughter's age. Also killed was the shooter, Adam Lanza, after having reportedly turned a gun on himself.

She was waiting inside her car for her 7-year-old Emma to dismiss from the annex. "I don't even know how to explain this as a parent," she said.

Christiana said she had called the elementary school to check in after learning of the shooting. Another mother who was standing outside the annex, Donna McDonald, of Shamokin, said she had done the same.

They weren't alone. A secretary at the main elementary school in Coal Township said several calls were placed by parents to the principal's office. All callers were assured students were safe. One caller thanked a secretary for the vigilance of school personnel.

Chris Venna, principal of the district's middle/high school, said the mass murder in Connecticut was at the forefront of most everyone's mind at Shamokin Area.

Like many parents standing outside the annex - and surely many million others across the country, parents or not - had said, Venna said his heart was with the victims and their families.

With two daughters in kindergarten and holding a job that puts him inside a public school each day, Venna said it hit close to home.

"I'm going home right now to hug my kids. I'll make sure they get an extra big hug from me when I come home," he said while he drove home from work.

McDonald spoke with a touch of defiance when imagining such a situation playing out locally at the school of her 6-year-old son, Tristain, saying she'd want to harm any aggressor against school children.

Michael Swartzlander, of Shamokin, said he'd rush to the scene if his stepdaughter, Sarah, were in danger.

"I'm only a couple blocks away, but I'd come running," he said.

Jodi Britton, of Shamokin, who has two children at the annex and five altogether in the school district, wondered if such a reaction, while admitting it likely a normal one, would be helpful.

"I think everyone would," she said of rushing to the scene. "The only thing is, it adds to the chaos."

The sign-out process at day's end is normal for the district and happens daily at the elementary buildings. There are also cameras and buzzer systems in place to help control access to the main entrances of all three district buildings throughout the day.

Venna said there were no heightened security measures put in place at Shamokin Area on Friday because of the events in Newtown; however, he said everyone's awareness was heightened as a result.

The school district does not have a full-time police officer at the school after funding for a school resource officer dried up. But Coal Township Police continue to send an officer to the west end schools daily to make their presence known and to remain familiar with the layout of the buildings, Venna said.

District staff and administrators review procedures for school-shooter situations, for which input has been provided by police officers. And while a plan may seem futile in the face of such tragedies, it's a plan nonetheless, no matter how impossible the situation may be, he said.

"You do what you can to make sure you have everything in place," Venna said.

Divorces

Diane Schleig, 551 S. Seventh St., Shamokin, from Roger Schleig, 1415 W. Arch St., Coal Township. Married Oct. 21, 1995.

Patricia Yuskoski from John L. Yuskoski Jr., both of 326 S. Chestnut St., Mount Carmel. Married Aug. 9, 1997.

Michele C. Bethge, 638 W. Market St., Trevorton, from Kenneth J. Bethge, 34 S. Market St., Shamokin. Married April 25, 1987.

Paul J. Melnick, 45 S. Chestnut St., Mount Carmel, from Joanne M. Melnick, 108 N. Hickory St., Mount Carmel. Married March 12, 1977.

Coty Bordner, 1826 State Route 225, Herndon, from Brandi Lynn Bordner, 150 N. Main St., Berrysburg. Married May 16, 2008.

Brett R. Chamberlain from Erin Chamberlain, both of 322 Linden St., Sunbury. Married May 28, 2011.

Lorri Ann Goretsky, 142 Catawissa Ave., Sunbury, from Russell A. Goretsky, 508 S. Market St., Elysburg. Married March 5, 1988.

Terry McMichael, 335 Penn St., Sunbury, from Donna McMichael, 137 N. Fourth St., Sunbury. Marriage date unlisted.

Joel T. Strassner from Lorraine S. Strassner, both of 1485 Housels Run Road, Milton. Married Jan. 12, 1980.

Ronda J. Billig from Douglas M. Billig, both of 400 Airport Road, Shamokin. Married May 13, 1993.

Dorothy I. Brooks, 519 W. Shamokin St., Trevorton, from Jeremy R. Brooks, 2460 State Route 235, Millmont. Married June 18, 2006.

Barbara A. Schott, 1328 W. Montgomery St., Coal Township, from Matthew R. Schott, P.O. Box 329, Blakelee. Married Dec. 31, 2004.

Marriage licenses

Harrison David Loughery to Jill Levine, both of 2407 Valley Road, Harrisburg, issued Dec. 13, 2012.

Jeffrey Lee Derr to Karen L. Hirt, both of 1542 Walnut St., Coal Township, issued Dec. 13, 2012.

Eric M. Scicchitano to Noelle C. Kovack, both of 25 E. Church St., Shamokin, issued Dec. 15, 2012.

Property transfers

Brian G. and Barbara M. W. Albert to Zachariah W. Yost and Stacey K. Kerstetter, property in Shamokin, $63,500.

Barbara Metrocavage to Michael J. and Rita M. Goguts, Glenda M. Bonetti, property in Shamokin, $35,000.

Peggy J. Marquette estate, Peggy J. Schindler estate, Walter A. Schindler, executor, to Gregory C. and Laura A. Sones, property in Ralpho Township, $185,000.

Ryan J. and Amy E. Jones, Amy E. Wadlinger, to Ryan J. and Amy E. Jones, property in Ralpho Township, $1.

Joseph C. and Nancy A. Ambrose to Darren and Cara E. Dusick, property in Mount Carmel, $40,000.

Janelle M. Brickle and Janelle M. Worhacz to Janelle M. and Alexander J. Worhacz, property in Kulpmont, $1.

Archie A. Passmore and Penny Dollar to Robert F. and Maria Dallazia, property in Snydertown, $35,000.

Victor E. Lesher to Kyle W. Lesher, property in Little Mahanoy Township, $1.

Mary L. Lenig to Jenna Lenig, property in Riverside, $83,000.

Mary F. Leshinskie to William K. and Carolyn R. Wolfe, property in Ralpho Township, $93,840.

Dean F. Piermattei to Susquehanna Avenue Corp., property in Sunbury, $1.

Jeffrey M. Steele to Victor and Kristi Nestico, property in Coal Township, $135,000.

Robert J. and Jane L. Boris to Ronald A. Grzybowski, property in Coal Township, $1.

Ralph A. Reed and Bonnie L. Bradley to Ronald A. Grzybowski, property in Coal Township, $1.

John P. and Helen Borella to James G., Linda M. and David A. Sensenig, property in Snydertown, $262,000.

Marla McIntyre and Marla and Richard Miles to Lorin and Linda Wolfe, property in Upper Augusta Township, $48,000.

Northumberland County Sheriff and Irvin F. Reigle Jr. to Bank of New York Mellon Trust Co. NA, property in Coal Township, $2,209.45.

Owen R. and Doris E. Lagerman to Andrew D. Miller, property in Sunbury, $65,000.

Ronald E. Jr. and Kandy J. Schreffler to L&L Ability Realty LLC, property in Upper Augusta Township, $180,000.

Darwin Jr. and Barbara Ann Feese to Darwin R. Jr. and Barbara A. Feese, Feese Irrevocable Residential and Income Trust, two properties in Jackson Township, $1 each.

Shane M. Leitzel to Shane M. Leitzel amd Jennifer A. Duffy, property in Lower Mahanoy Township, $1.

Eleanor Mosesa and Brenda Duran to Brenda Duran, property in Kulpmont, $1.

Ralph C. Teats estate, Wayne L. Teats, to Peter J. and Maureen E. Griffin, property in Shamokin Township, $25,000.

Carol S. Broadhurst to Gerald and Mary M. Costello, property in Mount Carmel Township, $10,000.

Hunter Mill Associates LLC to Stonington Redroof LLC, property in Coal Township, $29,500.

Patricia J. Pitcher estate, Kelly L. Pitcher, Kelly L. Diehel, executrix, to James J. Pitcher, property in Shamokin, $1.

Patricia J. Pitcher estate, Kelly L. Pitcher, Kelly L. Diehel, executrix, to Chad M. and James L. Sienkiewicz, property in Shamokin, $1.

Timothy R. Walsh to Timothy R. and Katelyn A. Walsh, property in Shamokin, $1.

Judy L. DePhillips to Elizabeth A. Rohrbach, property in Sunbury, $1.

Valerie Gammon to John T. Karge and Kathy L. Paul, property in Sunbury, $35,800.

William A. and Melissa L. Kratzer to Jeffrey P. Pontius, property in Rockefeller Township, $1.

Michelle M. Kent to Elizabeth R. Sibley, property in Coal Township, $25,900.

RANSHAW - Northum-berland County's largest waste transfer station is now open for business.

Ken Deitrick, owner of PA Waste Transfer, received final approval Dec. 6 from the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to open the 9,900-square-foot facility along Quarry Road, just off Route 901. Deitrick said the building is the largest of its type in the area.

The facility is permitted to accept a maximum of 500 tons daily of municipal and residual waste, which, with few exceptions, will be on site no longer than 24 hours before being hauled to a landfill. PA Waste will work in conjunction with sister company Disposal Management Services

(DMS), which handles waste hauling.

Fred Heimbaugh III, general manager of both PA Waste Transfer and DMS, said approximately 40 tons a day of trash are currently being processed. The slow buildup, he said, is to ensure the company is doing its "due diligence."

"We are starting off slow," said Heimbaugh. "We will be tiering it up to its capacity."

Planning phase

Deitrick, who has been in the garbage business for more than 40 years, said the only feedback he has received since opening has been in the form of praise.

An extensive planning and approval phase lasted several years and was initially met with opposition by a group of Coal Township residents and wary officials due to its proximity to Ranshaw and Excelsior. However, DEP in May issued a 10-year permit.

"We have heard nothing negative since opening," Deitrick said.

He said the building was designed to limit environmental impact. The three bays accessing the tipping floor of the transfer station are positioned so the prevailing wind does not enter the building. Electronic air controls can change out the air inside the building in about two hours, Heimbaugh said.

Deitrick pointed out that the floor is shaped like a shallow bowl, which allows liquid to collect in a 4,000-gallon leachate tank. The liquid is treated at an approved sewer plant.

Once the receiving portion of the workday ends, the transfer portion begins. Tractor-trailers are loaded with up to 22 tons of trash apiece to deliver the garbage to permitted in-state landfills.

Hauling process

The business is open to commercial haulers and residents. Haulers first check in at an office building, where they will be weighed by an in-ground scale. A tipping rate will depend on the type of refuse.

They are then directed to one of three bays accessing the tipping floor, where refuse is dumped.

The facility does not accept toxic substances. Recyclable materials like metals, batteries and tires will be picked out of refuse and stored separately ahead of transfer. Electronics, which by law will be banned in state landfills on Jan. 1, will be sold to a third party.

Deitrick said the process for haulers is easy to follow and an employee will be available to assist.

"Because of the size of the facility, there is no waiting," he said.

Hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and Saturday 8 to 11:30 a.m. The facility is closed Sundays and all national holidays.

Owners of seven properties in the Susquehanna River Valley opened their doors Saturday to several hundred visitors for a Holiday House Tour.

It was estimated more than 300 tickets were sold for the event, sponsored by Mahanoy and Mahantongo Historical and Preservation Society.

"We had no clue we were getting that many people," said Patti Sitlinger, owner of historic Penn's Tavern in Fisher's Ferry.

Sitlinger was a business executive in the transportation industry when she up and left her career behind to purchase, renovate and reopen Penn's Tavern, a German-American Restaurant and Bar that sits between Sunbury and Herndon along Route 147.

Built in 1703, it's billed as the oldest building

in Northumberland County. A brief history printed on the restaurant menu says it's believed to have been built either by Conrad Weiser as a trading post or Samuel Auchmulty as a ferry terminus.

It's also believed by some to be haunted. That includes Sitlinger, who said the tavern's ghosts are more "mischievous" than anything - locking doors, moving pots and pans, freezing the lines for draft beer.

The ambiance had visitors on Saturday believing it worthy of praise.

"There were a lot of 'oohs' and 'aahs,'" Sitlinger said.

Ceiling fresco

No doubt the same reaction visitors to Connie Tressler's home near Red Cross must have had, especially at the sight of a restored ceiling fresco.

Her brick home was built in the 1800s and first operated as Kunsman's Tavern. It was closed to the public in 1890 and purchased by Tressler's grandfather in the early 1900s. After falling into disrepair, Tressler gave it a massive restoration that began in 2004.

A bundle of energy dressed in a Christmas sweatshirt, Tressler was welcoming and excited to host friends and strangers alike. She attributed the large turnout to the mild weather, and said she'd received guests from as far away as Harrisburg.

Sisters Tamie Campbell, of Gratz, and Drene Jones, of Fisher's Ferry, visited Tressler's home together.

"It's been wonderful," Campbell said of the holiday house tour.

"Everyone has such unique tastes," said Jones, whose daughter and son-in-law, Lori and Anthony Mirarchi, opened the doors to their home in Dornsife for the event.

Other participants were the Zeigler Log House and Library and Barbara Leah home, both in Dalmatia, St. Peter's Church in Red Cross and the Steve Bobb home in Dornsife.

Prayer vigil tonight at Mountainside

COAL TOWNSHIP - There will be a prayer vigil for the people of Newtown, Conn., at 6 p.m. today at Mountainside Assembly of God, 1900 Trevorton Road (Route 225).

The event is sponsored by local churches and the entire coal region community is invited. There will be brief words, scripture reading, reflection and prayer for the families of victims, the community of Newtown and the nation.

Electronics recycling off for winter

COAL TOWNSHIP - The Coal Township Recycling Center suspended electronic recycling for the winter as of the close of business Saturday.

Future notice, in approximately March, will inform the public as to when electronics will once again be accepted.

Rt. 125 crash

GOWEN CITY - An Ashland man was treated at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, after crashing his 2001 Hyundai XG300 early Saturday along Route 125 just south of the Coal Township line in East Cameron Township.

State police at Stonington said James R. Edmondson, 38, was traveling north near Point Breeze Road when his vehicle went off the road and struck a utility pole at about 2:15 a.m.

He was confined to the vehicle for approximately 20 minutes as first responders removed both passenger side doors and the front passenger seat.

Edmondson was transported to the East Cameron Township baseball field by AREA Services ambulance, from where he was flown to Geisinger.

Police described Edmondson as having moderate injuries. He was discharged from Geisinger later Saturday, according to a nursing supervisor.

Police said Edmondson was cited for a traffic violation, and that their investigation continues.

LAVELLE - A Hegins man died when the car he was driving slammed into a tree Saturday morning in Barry Township.

Eric A. French, 35, of 747 Hill Road, was pronounced dead at the scene by Schuylkill County deputy coroner Andrew Szczyglak of Shenandoah at 10:08 a.m.

The crash happened just before 9:30 a.m. at the "Y" intersection of Airport and Taylorsville roads, about three-quarters of a mile off Route 901.

State police at Schuylkill Haven said French was driving a Volkswagen Passat west on Airport Road, went through the intersection and then went off of the road, where the car struck a tree head on.

French was trapped and had to be removed by firefighters from Ashland, Lavelle and Gordon.

Damage to the car was extensive, and firefighters had to remove the roof and part of the dashboard to free the victim.

Ashland EMS assisted at the scene.

Szczyglak said a virtual autopsy was conducted on French in Hazleton, but the results were not immediately available Saturday.

Airport and Taylorsville roads were closed in the area for more than an hour while troopers investigated and the car removed from the scene.

SUNBURY - Not a single bid was made for a brand new city home - the first built in Sunbury in a decade - that was put up for auction Saturday.

The opening bid of $150,000 for the 2,100-square-foot single family home appears to have been too rich for the 20 people who showed for the auction.

It was a disappointing result for city officials who worked to acquire a run-down property at 202 Washington Ave., demolish it and built a new one in its place.

The two-story structure features 1 1/2 baths, stainless steel appliances, two gas furnaces and a large basement.

It will be placed on the open market and listed with real estate firms.

Money generated from its sale is to be placed back into a city redevelopment account for future projects.

In the past six months, the city has acquired at least five houses and demolished two to further this blight remediation program.

COAL TOWNSHIP - To help save lives this holiday season, The North Central Regional DUI Enforcement Program is launching a special "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" crackdown to stop impaired drivers and to save lives on the roadways.

Northumberland County police officers said its Northumberland County coordinator, Coal Township Police Officer Edward Purcell, will be aggressively looking for impaired drivers and will arrest anyone caught driving impaired. Enforcement efforts will include sobriety checkpoints and roving patrols.

The special enforcement crackdown began Wednesday and will run through Jan. 1.

"Lots of folks will be out during this busy holiday season, enjoying themselves and the holiday festivities, and we want everyone to be safe on our roadways," said Purcell. "That's why we will be stepping up enforcement to catch and arrest impaired drivers. Please be forewarned. If you are caught drinking and driving impaired, you will be arrested. No warnings. No excuses."

During 2010, more than 10,000 people were killed nationwide in motor vehicle traffic crashes involving an impaired driver.

The holiday season is a particularly dangerous time. During December 2010, 30 percent of all fatalities in motor vehicle traffic crashes involved alcohol-impaired drivers. Data also shows that among those alcohol impaired-driving fatalities, 71 percent occurred when drivers had nearly twice the legal limit blood alcohol concentration of .15 grams per deciliter or higher.

"No one ever thinks that their holiday celebration will end in jail, or worse in a hospital or the morgue," Purcell said. "But for those who include alcohol in their celebrations and then get behind the wheel, this is often the case.

According to Purcell, violators face jail time, loss of their driver license, and steep financial consequences such as higher insurance rates, attorney fees, court costs, lost time at work and the potential loss of a job.

Purcell said there are three simple steps people can take to stay safe and out of trouble:

- Plan ahead. If you will be drinking, do not plan on driving. Designate a sober driver or find another safe way home. One too many drinks increases the risk of a crash while driving a motor vehicle.

- If you are impaired, find another way home. Use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transporation.

- Be responsible. If someone you know is driving, do not let them get behind the wheel. If you see an impaired driver on the road, contact law enforcement. Your actions may save someone's life, and inaction could cost a life.

"We want everyone to enjoy their holidays, but we also want our roadways to be safe," said Purcell. "We will be out in force to help save lives, and we are not going to tolerate impaired driving. So remember, 'drive sober or get pulled over.' We will be watching."

For more information, visit the "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" Campaign Headquarters at www.nhtsa.gov/drivesober.

by justin strawser

MOUNT CARMEL - The new landlord registration fee that will be proposed at tonight's borough workshop meeting by Councilman Joseph Lapotsky is intended to replace the $100 registration free already in place.

Lapotsky said he now plans to propose an annual $25 fee per unit instead of keeping a flat flee for each landlord in the borough.

When he introduced the idea of a new fee last month, it was intended to be in addition to the $100, but he says that will now change.

His suggestion has been met with opposition by a number of borough landlords.

By removing the licensing fee and charging landlords per unit, Lapotsky said it will be "more fair and equitable" to those landlords with one property compared to landlords with multiple properties.

'Cry all they want'

While critics have said the borough is out for a money-grab, Lapotsky said it may actually lose money if the new system is implemented.

There are approximately 150 landlords in the borough, so a $100 fee as exists now could generate as much as $15,000, if all fees are collected. With approximately 560 rentals units in the borough and $25 per inspection, the potential total is just $14,000, he said.

"The ones with multiple properties will cry, and they can cry all they want," Lapotsky said. "Let them try to justify the fairness of a flat fee of 100 bucks to me. I can't wait to hear it. They're going to be embarrassed."

He understands that landlords would be upset, but others think it could help fund efforts to fight blight, better the housing market and establish fairness.

"All of the commentary I received on this has been very supportive," he said.

The current ordinance, passed in 2008, requires landlords to pay an annual $100 licensing fee. They also pay $40 for the first inspection of a rental house and $20 for each annual inspection after that. Owners of rental apartments pay $20 for the first inspection and $15 per annual inspection. The inspection fees would remain, Lapotsky said.

Change won't help

Landlord David S. Fantini, of 106 E. Seventh St., who led the charge against Lapotsky's plan with a recent letter to the editor signed by nine landlords, said he has no confidence the new ordinance would be effective.

"By changing it from $100 to $25 per unit, how will that make the housing better?" he said. "As a community, we need a plan to make people accountable for the rental properties that they put on the market. We're for nice housing. We need something that will work."

Lapotsky will be present the topic for discussion at 7:30 p.m. meeting. A first reading of the ordinance or an amendment to the current ordinance could potentially be voted on at Thursday's regular meeting. If accepted, it would have to be advertised before final approval is possible Jan. 17.

Fantini's letter called for landlords to meet at the borough chamber, Fourth and Vine streets, for the meetings.

Nursing scholarships available

Nightingale Awards of Pennsylvania (NAP), a nonprofit foundation created to recognize and retain nurses in the Commonwealth, announces the availability of nursing scholarship funds.

The scholarships will be awarded in the spring and are available to be used for tuition, books and educational fees.

Recipients will be selected based on their academic achievement, leadership potential as evidenced by special honors, community service and personal commitment to the profession of nursing.

Deadline to apply is Jan. 31.

For more information or to download an application, visit www.nightingaleawards.org.

COAL TOWNSHIP - A sign hangs inside the lobby of Mountainside Assembly of God Church that reads "Love God, Love Our Neighbors, Bless The World!"

Its message played out inside the church sanctuary Sunday evening as about 70 people attended a prayer vigil in memory of the victims of Friday's massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn.

Their heads bowed in unison, their prayers were for the victims, their families and our collective futures.

Pastor Richard Earl said a community gathering for prayer is crucial as there is strength in numbers, even in prayer.

"There's a secret with prayer and that is receiving the grace of God," he said prior to the start of the vigil. "It's an unexplainable peace that only is understood by those who receive Him."

Earl, Pastor Robert Peiffer of St. John's UCC, Shamokin, and Pastor Samuel Bellavia of Shamokin Christian and Missionary Alliance Church, Shamokin, were among the clergy who helped arrange the vigil and lead the prayers.

Although the Sandy Hook tragedy is physically distant, Bellavia agreed that its repercussions are shared by many across the globe.

Prayer, Bellavia said, is a communication with God that not only brings about personal benefits but also allows intercessions on the behalf of others.

The hope was that the prayers from the Shamokin-Coal Township area would help those in Newtown who, as Bellavia said, are "our brothers and sisters in Christ."

Earl said the shooting is proof that humanity is a fallen race, and that only God can provide comfort and meaning in times like these.

"Left to ourselves, we don't do very well," Earl said of humans deciding to take their fate into their own hands and removing God from the equation. "That's why I've spent my life pointing people to the only one who knows the answers."

Bellavia said a challenge exists for those with faith to rise and reflect on God's good nature.

"If we withdraw from God, we're left trying to generate our own light, and we can't," he said.

Shamokin-Coal Township

Monday - Morning cards and puzzles, 8:30 a.m.; shopping at Boscov's, be at destination at 9:30 a.m, depart for home at 1 p.m.; yoga, 9:30 a.m.; Walk a Mile with Amy, 10:30 a.m.

Tuesday - Morning cards and puzzles, 8:30 a.m.; bridge lessons, 9:30 a.m.; bridge, noon.

Wednesday - Morning cards and puzzles, 8:30 a.m.; Wii bowling, 10 a.m.; pinochle and Pokeno, 12:30 p.m.

Thursday - Morning cards and puzzles, 8:30 a.m.; bingo, 12:30 p.m.

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

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

Mount Carmel

Monday - Christmas Jingo, 10 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; bean bag, 12:30 p.m.; Pokeno, 1 p.m.

Tuesday - Chit Chat, 10 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; Unlucky 7s, 12:30 p.m.

Wednesday - Chair dancing exercise, 9 a.m.; preparing for center Christmas party, 10 a.m.; Christmas carol sing-a-long, 11 a.m.; Christmas party, 1 p.m.; entertainment by Christine Smith, 2 p.m.

Thursday - Puzzle time, 10 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; find a word, 1 p.m.

Friday - Chit Chat, 9 a.m.; movie presentation, 9:30 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; pokeno, 1 p.m.

Kulpmont

Monday - Wii in the morning; bean bag, 10:30 a.m.; Pokeno, 12:30 p.m.

Tuesday - Wii and noodle balloon in the morning; pinochle-cards, noon.

Wednesday - Wii and noodle balloon in the morning; bunco, 12:30 p.m.

Thursday - Wii and noodle balloon in the morning; Trip to Riverside SAC to visit their coffeehouse, van will leave center at 8:30 a.m.; bingo, 12:30 p.m.

Friday - Wii and noodle balloon in the morning; nickel bingo, 12:30 p.m.

Centralia- Wilburton

Monday - Christmas ball painting, food boxes available.

Tuesday - Christmas party at Greene's.

Wednesday - Christmas ball painting and celebrating birthdays.

Thursday - Assisted living talk with Janet.

Friday - Center closed.

Elysburg

Monday - Pokeno, noon.

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

Wednesday - Bingo, noon; soup and sandwich luncheon for those that signed up.

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

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

Trevorton

Monday - Wii games, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.; card games.

Tuesday - Center will be closed to attend breakfast by the NCCTC Culinary Arts class at Herndon SAC from 9:30 to 1 p.m. Donation of $5 is expected; evening bingo, 6 p.m.

Wednesday - Scrabble, Phase 10 and UNO, 9:30 a.m.; special lunch; shopping at Weis Markets, 12:30 to 2 p.m.

Thursday - Special lunch, Christmas party, 12:30 p.m.

Friday - Shopping at the Lycoming Mall, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; exercise with Amy, 10:30 a.m.; bingo, 12:30 p.m.

by Justin Strawser

MOUNT CARMEL - The borough councilman who will propose a controversial new landlord registration fee at tonight's workshop meeting is also planning to introduce a "quality of life" ordinance.

It would allow the borough code enforcement officer and police officers to issue tickets similar to parking tickets when code violations - such as trash, high weeds, animal feces and snow and ice removal - are discovered.

The goal, said Councilman Joseph Lapotsky, is to resolve the issue of blight and problem properties that are keeping the town looking shabby, and reduce costs to both the municipality and violators. The tickets, if paid, can circumvent the need for court appearances and legal fees in relation to citations.

"We got to clean this town up; it's a mess," Lapotsky said last week. "I have seen discarded sofas and other types of furniture and TV sets right out on the sidewalks."

A ticket doesn't carry the same weight as a citation and would give people a fair warning to get their properties cleaned up before higher penalties are imposed, he said.

Shamokin, Coal Township and Kulpmont have all passed similar ordinances this year, but none has used the "quality of life" label.

Shamokin and Coal Township punish violators with a $25 fine for the first offense. The cost of the fines rise to $50, $100 and $300 for subsequent offenses, after which a citation is issued. Violators have 10 days to pay before a citation is issued and the matter lands in court. The previous system saw nuisance violators issued a citation immediately - a lengthy and costly process.

In Kulpmont, violators have 30 days to pay the fines before the issue is taken to the district magistrate.

Lapotsky said he wants the "quality of life" ordinance to have similar increments and payment periods before violations become higher offenses.

He has been researching the actions taken by Reading, and will be presenting that community's ordinance as a guide.

Reading has been successful in the implementation of the program, and so have Allentown, Pottsville, Mahanoy City, West Mahanoy Township, Shenandoah, Hazleton and West Hazleton. Allentown's mayor, who spoke about the ordinance, was the guest speaker during a local conference on blight. Girardville Borough Council was planning to adopt its "quality of life" ordinance this month.

Mayor J. Kevin Jones said he would reserve comment on the ordinance until the meeting.

Southern Columbia

CATAWISSA R.R. - The Southern Columbia Area School District has announced its honor roll for the first marking period of the 2012-2013 school year.

Students named to the distinguished honor roll have attained a marking period average of 95 percent or better in their classes.

Students named to the honor roll have attained a marking period average between 88 and 94.999 percent in their classes.

Distinguished honors

Grade 5 - Jared Broscious, Mikaela Brouse, Hailey Ciocco, Madison Colella, Jessica Delbo, Kayla Gallagher, Gina Gratti, Kayla Hauer, Jacob Herr, Nathan Kearney, Aaron Koschoff-Rapkin, Sophia Koschoff-Rapkin, Taylor LeVan, Brady Reese, Emma Rosko, Elijah Rush, Erick Shufeldt, Alyssa Strocko, Aden Trathen, Brandon Walz, Leslie Wolfe and Ronald Zsido.

Grade 6 - Colt Bernhard, Jadyn Brezinski, Carly Britch, Kari Cambria, Haleigh Carter, Cara Cecco, Autumn Chassie, Morgan Cole, Hanna Davis, Troy Donlan, Jared Ebersole, Meredith Fahringer, Susan Gembic, DeeDee George, Gabriella Kaminski, Brooklynn Kuijpers, Allyson Leiby, Caitlyn Lichtel, Joseph Lobos, Meghan Longenhagen, Jillian Marks, Connor McGinley, Kaitlyn McHale, Calista Noll, Samantha Palacz, Sarah Rodriguez, Viktoria Romania, Haley Scopelliti, Alec Sharrow, Cassandra Sharrow, Michael Steele and Alexandra Willhouse.

Grade 7 - Seth Barrett, Gabrielle Bebenek, Breanna Burd, Cecelia Cook, Justin Derk, Meghan Duzick, Elijah Hoffman, Natalie Hunter, Grace Joseph, Megan Kearney, Haley Knoebel, Kristin Kremser, Katelynn Kuijpers, Jaret Lane, Jaden Laskoski, Autumn McDonald, Colton Mensch, Lauren Mudrock, Veronica Polyniak, Jacob Renn, Anthony Scicchitano, Emily Wolfe and Eli Yemzow.

Grade 8 - Phoebe Bridy, Elizabeth Bryden, Alexis Burd, Jessica Derk, Francesca Forti, Claudia Girardi, Jessica Henrichs, Elliot Hicks, Carter Houseknecht, Daniel Hulsizer, Todd Lane, Sabin Laskoski, Sarah Lupatsky, Kyla Madara, Marc Malkoskie, Mary Scopelliti, Angeli Sen, Tricia Shufeldt, Isaac Wynn, Marc Yeager and Cameron Young.

Grade 9 - Ahmed Abdul-Al, Lena Becker, Casey Bernhard, Olivia Bodner, Gabriella Delbo, Jackson Dorey, Emily Eck, Olivia Greene, Stephanie Haupt, Aiyona Hayman, Robert Hergan, Abigail Herr, Nicholas Jessick, Blair Johnston, Zsofia Kandrot, Tyler Keiser, Katherine Koschoff-Rapkin, Haley Levan, Elizabeth Lieberman, Blake Marks, Lon Morris, Amara Nazario, Elyse Noll, Natalia Oliveri, Regan Roadarmel, Jordyn Ryzner, Mackenna Shively, Matthew Srednicki, Ryan Stimer, Alexys Yannes and Samantha Yeick.

Grade 10 - Brandon Ciocco, Trent Donlan, Dustin Durovick, Kasey Fabian, Natalie George, Allison Honabach, Katelin Ivey, Kyle Mostik, Julia Mudrock, Brady Petrovich, Victoria Ring, Samantha Schultz, Kirstein Sharrow, Alyssa Stavinski, Connor Swank, Vanessa Thomas, Adriana Townsend, Adam Weissert, John Wilson and Madison Yocum.

Grade 11 - Mackenzie Brouse, Anne Bryden, Bailey Bzdak, Mackenzie Clark, Shannon Daubert, Justin Ernest, Jenna Gutekunst, Kristina Hartranft, Nathan Hunter, Carissa Jones, Lauren Kerstetter, Racquel Kreischer, Jensen Kremser, Tegan Kriebel, Nathaniel Leiby, Matthew Lupold, McKenna Lupold, Cody Olson, Avory Pantalone, Allen Potter, Gabrielle Scherer, Kara Scull, Sabyasachi Sen, Teanna Shutt, Anne Snyder, Amber Srednicki, Madelyn Stabinski, John Stanishefski, Andrew Steely and Angela Vought.

Grade 12 - Deena Bigelow, Kirstin Blass, Kayla Broom, Katie Dunkelberger, Erin Fitzpatrick, Morgan Fulmer, Jeffrey Hall, Kelly Henry, Danielle Knoeppel, Kayla Lavella, Abby Menefee, Kaitlin Mowery, Jasmine Olvany, Shelby Petro, Olivia Potter, Andrew Sassani, Maria Scicchitano, Dylan Swank, Mallory Tomaschik and Kathryn Varano.

Honor roll

Grade 5 - Evan Bebenek, Maura Blusius, Franklin Brassard, Kiersten Brecht, Hannah Bridy, Luke Brokus, Grace Bzdak, Jamie Chen, Max Clark, Halle Cox, Patrick Edmondson, Amelia Esposito, Kaylin Fetterolf, Ethan Haupt, Braden Heim, William Henry, Nathaniel Hicks, Nathan Hunsinger, Makenna Keefer, Michelle Kerstetter, Wade Kerstetter, Brianna Kopp, Allyson Kranzel, Austin Leiby, Cade Linn, Morgan Marks, Morgan McCormick, Ian Nevius, Kathryn Pollard, Lear Quinton, Emilia Raup, Ty Roadarmel, Lauren Rose, Maxwell Shirvinski, Joseph Szuler, Alicia Trathen, Chloe Wegrzynowicz, Bristol Welliver, Dorran Wetzel, Thomas Williams and Rilyn Wisloski.

Grade 6 - Alexis Barnes, Erin Biddiscombe, Hannah Bradley, Brett Brassington, Nathaniel Crowl, Emily Davis, Benjamin Dodson, Ethan Dunkelberger, Kortney Fasold, Alexus Fetterman, Julian Fleming, Jacob Gessner, Madison Glosek, Cal Haladay, Abigail Henrichs, Tiffany Horton, Matthew Irons, Kaitlyn Karlovich, Lindsey Kerstetter, Nicole Kerstetter, Ethan Knoebel, Tyler Kriebel, Ethan Long, Olivia McGinley, Shane Miller, Michael Miner, Gabriel O'Donnell, Payton Pursel, Marley Seger, Cally Seidel, Parker Shadle, Johnathan Sherman, Kevin Sincavage, Oak Six, Cameryn Sock, John Stabinski, Jacob Stahley, Madison Straub, Shayla Swartz, Riley Thomas, William Wegrzynowicz, Desiree Welkom and Teagan Wilk.

Grade 7 - Andrew Bell, Shannon Bendas, Tyler Bendas, Cassi Bennage, Tyler Beyer, Sheila Brassard, Lauren Carl, Luc Champoux, Blake Day, Joseph Ditzler, Vance Erdman, Joseph Evans, Bradley Fisher, Domunic Gaines, John Gembic, Mackenzie Gidaro, Albert Goodlunas, Abigail Hager, Kristina Hallick, Devon Hartman, Tristan Heim, Madison Klock, Justin Kofskie, Hannah Laughlin, Calista Long, Ashley Miller, Whitney Morris, Alexa Mowery, Jacob Petro, Cole Potter, Hailey Reeder, Natalie Ring, Marley Roadarmel, Paige Sharrow, Abigail Shimock, Victoria Stare, Brett Szuler, Brandon Troy, Amanda Unger, Chase Urban, Dakota Welkom and Casey Winter.

Grade 8 - Mariah Adams, Jacob Bainbridge, Cameron Bauman, Alana Bendas, Devan Beyer, Noah Bloom, Noah Blusius, Leo Bradley, Noah Brecht, Kolby Carl, William Clark, Hailey Cooper, Howard Cowell, Sydney Damgaard, Olivia Dobson, Scott Ellis, Dean Fedder, Nicholas Fetterman, Dylan Gatrell, Miranda Gipple, Anthony Girardi, Matthew Haupt, Lauryn Hower, Samantha Jankowski, Dominick Kandrot, Nathan Kehoe, Magnum Kline, Kelsey Koharski, Ryan Lichtel, Lindsay Lindenmuth, James McHugh, Drew Michaels, Coby Mickel, Julia Moyle, Gabrielle Nahodil, Erika Patrick, Skylar Pickett, Christina Podpora, Wesley Powell, Joseph Quintanilla, Cassidy Roadarmel, Raevin Rosenbaum, Cassidy Sabo, Jacob Santor, Elijah Seidel, Deryn Seltzer, Brian Sevison, Brandon Shepard, Danielle Smith, Brianna Snyder, Brooke Sudol, Shane Tripp, Courtney Varano, Ryley Wetzel, Hunter Whitmoyer, Tyler Wiest, Aliyah Wilk and Justin Woods.

Grade 9 - Jessica Adamski, Laken Anderson, Nicholas Becker, Matthew Bell, Marc Boyer, Kayla Broscious, Alexandria Brown, Sarah Brown, Dustin Chaundy, Mackenzie Chaundy, Cassie Cowell, Gabriel Delbo, Gregory Delbo, Andrea Derr, Jadyn Dunkelberger, Kaylee Durovick, Abby Fleishauer, Hunter Flore, Shylynn Flowers, Hannah Gratti, Mackenzie Haladay, Juliana Hansen, Gregory Hidlay, Johniathin Ivey, Thomas Ivey, Aaron Kroh, Maggie Kushner, William Marzeski, Jansen McDonald, Ashley Miller, Hope Miller, Joseph Molter, Jillian Oley, Lauren Parsons, Sarah Pollard, Jacob Potter, Madison Purnell, Robert Scull, Molly Shoup, Nathan Smith, Virgil Sudol, Stephen Toczylousky, Jared Torres, Mitchell Tyson, Rachelle Viruet, Dayne Wetzel, Bradley Whyne and Joshua Yoder.

Grade 10 - Grayson Belles, Tia Billig, Jared Brezinski, Valerie Burkoski, Amanda Burns, Bailey Carl, Noah Carl, Samantha Clark, Dalton Danglovitch, Alexandra Evans, Rose-Ellen Fahringer, Lauren Gedman, Matthew Gregorowicz, Samantha Gregorowicz, Rebecca Harder, Taylor Hoffman, Connor Houseknecht, Steven Hricenak, Seth Joseph, Michael Klebon, Stephen Knouse, Kent Lane, Kayla Levan, Megan Lunger, Thomas Marinelli, Ryan Matukaitis, Anthony McKenney, Adam Mommo, Kailey Morris, Michael Newton, Brent Nichols, Bradley Noll, Robert Oakum, Miranda Payeskie, Julia Podpora, Luke Rarig, Cole Roadarmel, Anthony Rodriguez, Samantha Romania, Miranda Rose, Jacob Ryan, William Schu, Ashlyn Shoemaker, Trystanne Toczylousky, Jacob Trathen, Charles Wertman, Austin Wilcox and Lauren Yeick.

Grade 11 - Nathan Beagle, Nina Benner, Reba Broadfield, Amanda Consentino, Alexandra Cove, Brandon Cox, Aaron Crawford, Collyn Drake, Destiny Duncan, Janelle Erdman, Adam Feudale, Sarah Fisher, Angelo Forti, Christopher Fulgham, John Gennaria, Tessa Haines, Sarah Harder, Ashley Hill, Katelyn Klinger, Kathryn Knause, Jonathan Kofskie, Grayson Krieger, Max Kushner, Ryan Leisenring, Storm Letterman, Miranda Long, Rebekah Lyash, Madalyn Marzeski, Koy McCloskey, Megan McHugh, Douglas Michaels, Nathaniel Mitchell, Stephanie Myers, Mason Peters, Christian Rutkoski, Zachary Schuerch, Hannah Semiclose, Brett Shepard, Hannah Snyder, Garett Sosnoski, Beau Tamanini, Jennifer Treshock, Joshua Tripp, Molly Van Wieren, Jessica Watkins, Kc Welkom, Michael Willhoit, Tristan Williams and Erin Yoder.

Grade 12 - Bethany Adamski, Kimberly Allen, Jacob Becker, Cody Beggs, Tyler Behrent, Madison Beisswanger, Chase Belles, Megan Chaundy, Ryan Cherwinski, Anthony Chiavaroli, Alexa Crowl, Joseph Domanski, Morgan Fidler, Vincenzio Forti, Haley Fulmer, Kellina Gilroy, Emily Grosch, Samantha Hafen, Nicholas Hansen, Austin Howard, Kendra Jones, Miranda Jurgill, Alyssa Keller, Matthew Klock, Delila Molter, Samantha Mowery, Karl Myhre, Michael Oley, Bryce Parry, Kimberly Reigle, Marisa Rhodes, Jansen Ring, Jeffrey Rooney, Shawn Sevison, Christian Sherwood, Brett Shultz, Kayla Sincavage, Shawna Swartz, Paul Thomas, Alec Tobaygo, Celeste Valencik, Chantal Varano, William Wertman and Taylor Young.

COAL TOWNSHIP - A newly established scholarship to offset tuition to Catholic schools in the Harrisburg Diocese could open the doors of Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School to scores of area children.

The Neumann Scholarship Foundation was gifted $246,213 during a school assembly Monday - funding that is specifically earmarked for Lourdes.

The funding was made possible through a homegrown effort to recruit businesses to participate in a state tax credit program - Pennsylvania Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program - that directly benefits a school of choice.

Based on the combined average tuition paid for elementary and high school students, the money could offset full cost of tuition for nearly 85 students in 2013-14.

Wider impact could be had through the award of partial scholarships.

Financial restrictions on the scholarship are well above average household incomes reported in local communities, according to 2010 Census data.

"There may be parents who were thinking of sending a child to Our Lady of

Lourdes and can't afford it. Now you can come and get a scholarship," said Jacqueline Kerris, Lourdes' director of development.

"Most people will qualify," she said.

Income eligibility

There are 425 students enrolled in kindergarten through 12th grade at Lourdes, up about 70 students from last year, Kerris said.

The cost to send a student to the elementary school for one year is $2,100; high school, $3,700.

Household income must be below $75,000 to qualify for the Neumann scholarship. That number balloons $15,000 with each dependent.

A household with two children would need to earn less than $105,000 to qualify, well above the mean incomes of Coal Township, Shamokin and surrounding communities.

The income eligibility for next school year has increased over the limits set for 2012-13.

Awareness 'key'

Tony Varano Jr., a business professional and Lourdes alumnus, helped lead the effort for the Catholic school to benefit from a decade-old program that expanded under Gov. Tom Corbett's administration.

The Our Lady of Lourdes Alumni Foundation was formed last year, and its members spent four weeks learning about EITC. After that, they pushed to raise awareness by recruiting other alumni and local business leaders to participate in the program.

"Awareness of the program was key. The support and love for the school is in our community. They, the business leaders, just needed to be aware of the program and then it was an easy decision for them," Varano said during a school assembly Monday at which a ceremonial oversized check was presented to Bishop Joseph P. McFadden for the Neumann Scholarship Foundation.

Response to a call made by Our Lady of Lourdes Alumni Foundation was so generous that the school in one year soared from bottom to top in EITC money earmarked to schools in the diocese, he said.

McFadden, who offered prayer for the victims of the shooting massacre in Newtown, Conn., said after the assembly that the use of tax money to the benefit of a private Catholic school is a step in the right direction.

That a parent of a child who attends private school pays tax money to support public education, even when public education isn't supporting their child, is a civil rights issue and one of "bigotry," he said.

"The money should follow the child," he said, stressing that in the case of EITC benefitting the Neumann Scholarship Fund, it is doing just that.

Just beginning

The scholarship money will roll over from one year to the next if it is not all awarded ahead of 2013-14, Kerris said; however, the goal is to give it to eligible families and boost the school's enrollment.

Apart from helping families, it also helps the school by freeing up cash that had been used for tuition assistance. Kerris said greater investment can now be made in the facility and educational tools.

With this year's EITC funding, Varano said Lourdes is just beginning to reap the tax credit program's benefits. Next year, the hope is to more than double the money.

"I hope with your work and dedication to be back here next year to present the bishop a check for $500,000 or more," he said during the assembly.

An open house will be held at Lourdes during Catholic Schools Week from Jan. 27 to Feb. 3. All parents interested in exploring the school's offerings are urged to attend, and further information on the event will be released as the date approaches.

For more information on the scholarship, e-mail OLOLinfo@supportlourdes.org.