By Justin Strawser

SUNBURY - Northumberland County Commissioners voted Thursday afternoon to reopen the Elysburg Senior Action Center for three days a week, and they will research whether to do the same for Upper Northumberland Senior Action Center in Dewart and Riverside Senior Action Center.

The commissioners voted Nov. 20 to close these three senior action centers, which have a total of 148 members, on Jan. 31 due to financial constraints plaguing Northumberland County Area Agency on

Aging (AAA). The closures would have reduced the number of centers from 11 to 8.

Both Commissioners Vinny Clausi and Richard Shoch, who voted in favor of closing the centers last month, admitted they "made bad decisions." They said they received dozens of calls in support of the Elysburg location.

"I feel like trash, and I have to do what's best for the people of Northumberland County," Clausi said.

Lori Dobson, president of The Learning Center Educational Day Care, provided a petition of names to the commissioners in favor of keeping the senior action center open.

The Learning Center, which is located in St. Mark's Lutheran Church, shares the building with the senior action center. The learning center coordinates different events with the children and seniors.

Larry Wary, a member of the St. Mark's, said it was expensive to keep the senior action open. However, he thought the church members would prefer to keep it open at least once a week.

However, Clausi said the commissioners changed their mind about keeping it closed.

The Elysburg Senior Action will be open Monday, Wednesday and Friday, unless a holiday falls on one of those days. Operation will not exceed three days a week.

A motion by Shoch to reopen the centers in Dewart and Riverside died for lack of a second.

The commissioners then voted to consider the possibility of opening the other two centers on a part-time schedule. They will revisit the issue at a future meeting.

Commissioner Stephen Bridy, who was the only commissioner to vote against closing the centers in the first place, said there are several points that should be considered in the research, including monitoring the times when people come to the centers, appointing members to be volunteer supervisors, hiring one director for all three centers, conducting a demographic study and changing the name to remove the stigma of the word "senior."

Shoch also suggested implementing a new model for the centers. He said a manager for all three centers would be more appropriate than having three individuals managers. He suggested volunteers from the community or center could also keep the centers open longer.

"If there are no volunteers, maybe that will tell us in the future which ones don't have the support from the community," he said.

COAL TOWNSHIP - Township commissioners, as expected, adopted a 2013 general fund budget with a 2-mill tax hike during a special meeting Thursday.

The unexpected was talk among commissioners, albeit brief, about their intent to adopt an ordinance seeking a 25 percent share of revenue from coal land owners who sell access permits to their land.

Such permits are sought by all-terrain vehicle riders. A share of revenue from the sale of permits would be used to offset costs of emergency services needed when accidents occur on privately owned coal company land, commissioners said.

Coal Township Commissioners voted 4-0 to advertise Ordinance 484, The Alternate Land Use Ordinance, with commissioners Craig Fetterman, Jerry Waugh, Gene Welsh and George Zalar in favor. Commissioner Bernie Rumberger was absent.

Coal land is zoned for coal production, and as such it is taxed at a minimum assessment. Using it for recreation or any other purpose is a burden to township taxpayers, the draft ordinance states.

"It is believed that it is in the best interest of the taxpayers of Coal Township that these entities, who use coal production zoned land for other than coal production, pay for the additional costs of police, fire and emergency services that must be made available to those within

the boundaries of Coal Township," the ordinance states.

Vince Rovito, township solicitor, cited Reading Anthracite and Susquehanna Coal as the coal-land owners selling access permits.

He said the proposal is unique and not based on any existing ordinance in municipalities. It also was crafted with no input from coal land owners.

"They don't talk to us, but they will now," Rovito said after Thursday's meeting.

Access permits are sold on Reading Anthracite's web page for $125 each. It permits access on all designated company-owned land. Some rules and restrictions for land use apply.

If the proposed ordinance were enacted as drafted and complied with, Coal Township would receive $31.25 from each permit sold by Reading Anthracite for 2013.

The proposed ordinance seeks quarterly reports documenting the number of permits granted and to whom, accompanied by a check from the land owner for 25 percent of fees collected that quarter.

Violators could face a summary offense fetching jail or fines up to $1,000 as meted out by a district judge, with all fines paid to Coal Township.

Welsh is a member of the authority board for the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area, a developing Northumberland County-owned off-road park in Coal Township and neighboring townships that abuts Reading Anthracite-owned land.

He said the authority board is aware of the ordinance, but the ordinance is not associated with the AOAA.

Fetterman cited noise and taxpayer burden when speaking of his support of the ordinance proposal.

"They're running an ATV park on coal company grounds," he said.

Fetterman said the ordinance would not apply to the AOAA, claiming the county land is being used for recreation as now intended.

Welsh asked that Rovito forward the ordinance proposal to the solicitor for Zerbe Township as well as that township's three-man board of supervisors, whom Welsh said are interested in the proposal.

Township budget

The township general fund budget for 2013 totals $2,758,017, which is $67,101 less than what was budgeted for 2012.

The commissioners used a 2-mill bump in property taxes, estimated to generate an additional $90,000 revenue, accompanied by $109,191 combined from reserves and construction code fees to balance the budget.

Property taxes in Coal Township are now 17 mills, all of which go to the township general fund. The combined total tax levy for property owners is 18 3/4, which includes 1 mill for fire protection, 1/2 mill for the pension fund and 1/4 mill for the Shamokin-Coal Township Public Library.

The value of 1 mill represents $1 paid on each $1,000 of assessed property value.

That means Coal Township property owners will pay $18.75 on each $1,000 of the assessed value of their properties.

For example, the owner of a $20,000 property would pay $375 in 2013 compared to $335 in 2012.

The tax increase marks the fourth hike in the past five years, mostly attributed to rising costs for insurance and heating fuel. Prior to that, the township went six years without a tax increase.

Coal Township has tried to soften the burden, not only by using reserve funding to offset the potential total tax hike, but also last year by raising the occupation tax - a tax based on the assessed value of a particular line of work - rather than putting the entire burden on property owners.

A breakdown of expenditures by category is: administration, $254,697; recycling, $110,789; police, $915,759; public safety and fire department, $26,750; code enforcement, $59,207; street department, $467,815; insurance, $165,000; fringe benefits, $679,000; various expenses, $79,000.

It includes salary increases for contracted personnel in the police and street departments, as well as for township Manager Rob Slaby (from $43,920 to $45,457), Code Officer Chris Petrovich (from $38,948 to $40,053), Police Detective Jeff Brennan (from $60,100 to $62,162) and Police Chief William Carpenter (from $76,158 to $77,231).

The recycling costs are offset by an estimated combined revenue of $151,000 in sales of recycled material and grant funding.

It should be noted that the commissioners each earn $3,250, almost to the dollar what their counterparts on Shamokin City Council earn, although the city's mayor earns slightly more.

None of the five Coal Township commissioners opt to take any insurance through the township, which in the past has been noted to save an estimated $100,000.

Noteworthy

Kulpmont borough news

KULPMONT - Due to Tuesday being a holiday, Kulpmont Borough will collect recyclables on Wednesday.

Kulpmont borough offices will be closed Tuesday in observance of the New Year's Day holiday.

Conyngham reorganization set

WILBURTON - The reorganization meeting of the Conyngham Township Supervisors will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 7 at the township office.

Polar Bear plunge slated

VALLEY VIEW - The fourth annual Pine Creek Polar Bear Plunge will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, New Year's Day, along Pine Creek near Valley View Park.

As a benefit for the Pine Creek Trout Nursery, the event usually draws a crowd of revelers and spectators to Schuylkill County's west end who are ready to start the year with some fun for a good cause.

For $20, the first 100 attendees will receive a T-shirt, and all participants will get a pork and sauerkraut dinner at the Valley View Gun Club following the plunge, according to organizer Jim Reed.

Spectators are welcome, and they don't have to take the plunge to get the shirt.

Shoes are required, and "plungers" under the age of 18 are required to have a parental or guardian signature with them on the day of the event.

Last year, the third annual event raised $2,800, according to Reed.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Both U.S. Reps. Lou Barletta (R-11) and Tom Marino (R-10) are not pleased with the Senate's moves to avoid the fiscal cliff by the first of the year.

"If the Senate doesn't act, every single American who pays taxes will pay more starting Jan. 1," Barletta said in a prepared statement sent via e-mail from his communications director Shawn M. Kelley. "The Senate's inaction is also causing tremendous uncertainty among our employers, and that's handcuffing economic growth. The Senate needs to step up and act."

Marino, in a prepared statement sent via e-mail from his press secretary Sarah Wolf, said the House Republicans have passed legislation to avert the effects of the cliff and offered a proposal that would raise tax rates for top earners.

"Despite this major concession, Democrats continue to ask for more - more wasteful spending on programs that operate at the most inefficient and ineffective levels. House Republicans have already passed legislation that will extend tax cuts for the middle class, but it is the Senate Majority Leader Democrat Harry Reid and President Obama who are refusing to compromise," Marino said.

Barletta said the House passed a bill in August that would keep the tax rates for everyone, and they are waiting for Senate to either pass that bill or amend it and send it back.

Marino said the country has a spending problem, not a taxing problem.

"During his campaign, the president called for and promised the American people a balanced approach to averting the fiscal cliff - one that incorporated a combination of tax reforms, spending cuts, and reforms to entitlement programs," he said. "Unfortunately, President Obama has reneged on this promise and continues to demand more tax hikes on America's families and small businesses without offering a responsible and realistic plan to curb out-of-control spending."

Marino, calling the situation a "complete and utter mess," said it should remind lawmakers and elected officials that they are the ones who have the ability to change the way Washington operates.

"Whether we look to procedural changes, term limits or decreasing the concentration of power within leadership roles, we must take a serious look at the internal dysfunction that has left the American people in a state of such uncertainty, frustration and anger," he said,

While the House waits for action from Senate leadership, Marino said he will continue to work for the people of Pennsylvania's 10th District and will remain committed to seeing that Americans do not bear the brunt of a tax hike.

Sean Ciborowski, of Coal Township, graduated Magna Cum Laude Dec. 16, 2012, with a Bachelor of Science in psychology from Misericordia University. He maintained dean's list status throughout his undergraduate career. Ciborowski will continue his studies at Misericordia University, pursuing a Doctorate of Physical Therapy.

He is a 2009 graduate of Shamokin Area High School and is a son of Bob and Eileen Ciborowski and a grandson of Leo and Mary Mulhall and the late Adolph and Theresa Ciborowski, all of Coal Township.

Office closed for holiday

KULPMONT - The Kulpmont-Marion Heights Joint Municipal Authority's office will be closed Tuesday in observance of the New Year's holiday.

Cabs available New Year's Eve

SHAMOKIN - The Shamokin Yellow Cab will be operating from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. New Year's Eve. The company can be contacted at 648-5756.

Power plant unit up and running

BERWICK - Unit 2 at the PPL Susquehanna nuclear power plant resumed generating electricity for the power grid Friday for the first time since shutting down Dec. 16.

An electrical connection problem caused an automatic shutdown during a routine, scheduled turbine valve test. An unrelated issue with the positioning of a valve on one of the unit's main water pumps during start-up activities extended the out-of-service time.

Unit 1 at PPL Susquehanna continues operating safely at full power. The Susquehanna plant, in Luzerne County about seven miles north of Berwick, is owned jointly by PPL Susquehanna LLC and Allegheny Electric Cooperative Inc. and is operated by PPL Susquehanna LLC.

SHAMOKIN TOWNSHIP - Marie Hirsch looked around the charred kitchen in the home of her younger sister, Lorraine Chicalo.

The cabinets were burned and soot covered dishes and glassware set up for a family meal.

"This will all have to be done over and repaired," said Hirsch, a member of the Sister Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary who is visiting her sister for Christmas. "But we are alive and OK. God is good."

Just a few hours earlier, Hirsch's quick action likely saved the house from complete ruin.

Chicalo was making gravy at her home, 1279 Old Reading Road, just a few hundred yards from Indian Hills Golf and Tennis Club, when the fire ignited. Fire crews were dispatched at 12:08 p.m.

"The gravy spilled and landed on the stove and just that quick, it shot up the wall," said Hirsch, 75.

She said she remembered seeing a fire extinguisher in the cellar.

"I hobbled down there with my bad back, got the extinguisher and shot it at the fire," she said. "I knocked down a good bit of it."

Hirsch discussed her reaction while her sister, who had been treated at the scene by members of the Elysburg Ambulance Squad, took her two dogs to Sunbury Animal Hospital, where they will be temporarily housed.

Extensive kitchen damage

Elysburg Assistant Fire Chief Robert Dluge said the fire was "pretty much out" when he arrived.

"There was a little bit of extension of the fire inside the kitchen cabinets, so we emptied them and extinguished it," he said.

Stonington Fire Chief Kerry Yordy said both women were examined by medical personnel at the scene, but were fine.

"Lorraine's hands are black from the soot, but everyone is OK," Hirsch confirmed.

Dluge said there was extensive damage in the kitchen and smoke damage throughout the rest of the residence.

Crews from Elysburg, Overlook, Stonington, Shamokin, Upper Augusta Township and Sunbury assisted. The blaze was out by approximately 12:30 p.m. and crews were called back in service by 1:30 p.m.

A busy week

Friday's incident was only one of several in the area this week.

On Christmas Day, a mobile home along Route 61 in Shamokin Township was destroyed by fire, displacing Paul Shingara and his girlfriend, Tammy Zelinskie, who escaped with just the clothes on their backs while flames ripped through the structure in the middle of the night.

"We were quiet for the past 45 days," Yordy said at Friday's fire scene. "And now this (Friday's fire) is the fifth incident call we've had since Christmas."

'God saved us'

Rescue workers said Hirsch most likely saved the house and prevented a catastrophe on Friday, but she took none of the credit.

"It wasn't me," she said. "God saved us."Harry Deitz/For The News-Item

MOUNT CARMEL - Frank S. Morrison, president and CEO of The Union National Bank of Mount Carmel, announced that after 106 years of operating as a national bank, it has converted to a Pennsylvania state chartered bank and trust company, to be regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities under the name UNB Bank.

In a statement issued Thursday, Morrison said the board of directors believe a state charter will provide a defined geographical financial community area that "will not find us lumped in with banks in areas outside of Pennsylvania where the subprime lending, which led to the financial crisis, arose."

He said nothing will change for customers in the operation of the bank.

"We will have the same competent and courteous staff. We will offer the same products and the same FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation) insurance," Morrison said.

He emphasized the change is to how and by whom the bank is governed and regulated.

"We will be governed by the Pennsylvania Banking Code rather than the United States Code. We will be regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Banking regulators rather than those of the Office of the Comptroller of Currency," he said.

Additionally, the bank will be co-supervised by FDIC.

Morrison said it came down to the basic question of where does a $130 million bank belong. According to the Financial Management Consulting Group's Pennsylvania Bank Performance Report, UNB Bank is ranked 159th out of 199 reporting banks in asset size.

"That statistic alone shows that we do not want to stand aside of Bank of America, Citibank, J.P. Morgan, Wells Fargo, for comparison," he said. "We are a Main Street bank, not a Wall Street bank."

The same report shows UNB is ranked 28th in the "all-important credit quality, a point of which we are truly proud," Morrison said. "We are a well-capitalized bank at 9.50 percent with strong liquidity."

He said the bank's goal is "safety and soundness, and our shareholders and customers will continue to have this."

Morrison thanked Secretary of Banking and Securities Glenn E. Moyer and his staff, including Joseph A. Moretz, manager of corporate applications, for their professionalism, guidance and expediency in the conversion process.

UNB Bank is headquartered in Mount Carmel with a branch in Numidia.

Weather worriers, be prepared - the area will be getting hit with the third snow fall this week, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) Friday evening.

NWS Meteorologists John LaCorpe said Northumberland County residents should expect 3 to 5 inches of snow by early afternoon today.

"It will be nice and fully white snow that should cover the countryside," he said.

There should be no freezing rain or any other kinds of precipitation, he noted.

Temperatures today are expected to reach as high as 30 degrees while the lowest should be in the low to mid 20s, he said.

LaCorpe said the forecast for Sunday is expected to be cloudy with a high temperature near 32 degrees and the lowest should be in the low- to mid-20s.

The Nor'easter that dumped a mix of wintry precipitation in the region Wednesday measured approximately 1 1/2 inches; today's storm will add to what is left of that accumulation.

That storm changed quickly to a mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain through the evening before tapering off to showers early Thursday morning.

The first winter storm this week arrived Christmas Eve night, bringing approximately one inch of snow.

SHAMOKIN - A simple three-page "deed in lieu of foreclosure" has ended a nearly four-year legal battle and officially turned Center City Apartments over to the Shamokin Housing Authority.

The deed for the property at Shamokin and Commerce streets was transferred from Red Gold Enterprises Inc. to the authority for $1 at 1:34 p.m. Friday, according to records from the Northumberland County office of Register of Wills and Recorder of Deeds.

Authority board Chairman Raymond G. "Jerry" Splane said it's a relief, even though he never thought the authority would lose its battle to acquire the building, whose owner hadn't paid on the mortgage for 11 years and at one point owed more

than $72,000 in back taxes.

"It was just a waiting game," Splane said Saturday.

Meanwhile, he said tenants have "nothing to worry about."

"I can guarantee their lives will go on the same as they always have," he said.

Tenants will be encouraged to stay and sign new leases with the authority. Even those who don't won't be forced to leave before their current lease expires, he said.

However, he added, there is no official plan of action until the board meets Jan. 10.

Authority members will meet with Red Gold rental agent Susan Good Monday morning to discuss her position with the change.

The authority will now apply for grants to modernize and renovate the building, he said. The five-story property was scheduled for a Sept. 27 sheriff's sale, but one day prior, Red Gold filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. That gave the company, owned by Eugene Picarella, protection from creditors and forced what was the second stay of the sheriff sale, but it also put in motion the opportunity for a bankruptcy ruling.

Lawrence G. Frank, the appointed bankruptcy trustee, filed a motion to seek the deed in lieu of foreclosure, and it was granted by a judge Dec. 10.

While the property transfer was completed for $1, personal property and all rentals started after Oct. 1 were to be sold to the authority for $10,000, and that money will be distributed to creditors.

The state Supreme Court issued a decision on June 13 not to reconsider its affirmation of a ruling in 2010 by Northumberland County Judge Charles Saylor. Saylor had ruled that the primary and support mortgages for the property that the authority had acquired were valid. Red Gold, which had not made a payment on the mortgages for more than 11 years, had argued the mortgages were invalid because a 2000 foreclosure action by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA), the loans' underwriter, was dismissed with prejudice in county court in 2004. PHFA had brought the foreclosure action because of a lack of payment, but the dismissal with prejudice meant the action could not be revived in court.

Prior to that ruling, in 2009, PHFA had turned the mortgages over to the authority as that entity pursued acquiring Center City.

Red Gold appealed Saylor's ruling to the Pennsylvania Superior Court, to no avail. Red Gold filed a subsequent appeal with the state Supreme Court, which denied a Feb. 23, 2012, motion to hear that appeal. The company appealed again March 7 and the court again refused.

With the mortgage in its possession, the authority was set to foreclose on the property and have the sheriff's sale, at which it could sell the property to recoup the mortgage or acquire it outright. The authority would have had first bid.

Culver to host small games seminar

SUNBURY - In an effort to ensure that all local small games of chance license holders are informed of the new state law requirements, Rep. Lynda Schlegel Culver (R-108) will host a small games of chance seminar at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 10, at the Sunbury Social Club, 352 East Drive.

The seminar is open to the public, and Culver encourages all officers, trustees and committee members who are responsible for complying with the rules and regulations of operating local small games of chance events to attend.

Todd Merlina, enforcement officer of the Bureau of Liquor Enforcement, Compliance, Auditing and Gambling Enforcement Unit, will lead the presentation. Other local officials, including Kevin Gilroy, Northumberland County treasurer; Debra Kratzer, Snyder County treasurer; Michael Piecuch, Snyder County district attorney, and Tony Rosini, Northumberland County district attorney, will join Culver at the seminar. The program is approximately two hours in length, with a question-and-answer session to follow.

To RSVP, call Culver's district office in Sunbury at 286-5885.

SELINSGROVE - Maria Getchey, of Coal Township, a junior at Susquehanna University, was recently named to the dean's list for the fall semester with a 4.0 grade-point average.

She is majoring in early childhood education.

She is a daughter of Robert and Susan Getchey, of Coal Township.

BLOOMSBURG - Kelly Ann Bressi, of Kulpmont, earned her Master of Science in exceptionalities during a ceremony Dec. 14 at Haas Center for the Arts, Matrani Hall, on the campus of Bloomsburg University.

She is a daughter of Ray and Theresa Bressi, of Kulpmont.

In 2009, Bressi earned her bachelor's degree in psychology, also at Bloomsburg. She is a 2005 graduate of Mount Carmel Area High School.

She will begin her career as a seventh-grade special education teacher at Anthem K-8 School in the Florence Unified School District in Florence, Ariz. She will be relocating to Mesa, Ariz., soon.

Bressi is a granddaughter of Mary Thul, of Mount Carmel, and the late Thomas Thul and the late James and Theresa Bressi.

SHENANDOAH - A replica of the Shroud of Turin will be on display at St. Michael's Ukrainian-Greek Catholic Church in February, according to the pastor, Monsignor Myron Grabowsky.

"We feel that it is a blessing and a responsibility to have the shroud at St. Michael's, the first Ukrainian-Greek Catholic Church in America," Grabowsky said this past week.

The replica will be exhibited Feb. 24 to March 9, Grabowsky said.

The replica has been on tour throughout 2012 and it was on display at St. Nicholas Parish, a Ukrainian Catholic church in Minersville, in the spring.

To discuss the schedule of events regarding the display, St. Michael's is hosting a public meeting 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 8, in the hall beneath the church, 114 S. Chestnut St.

"We want to assure everyone knows about this opportunity to see this amazing recreation of the Shroud of Turin," Grabowsky said.

Archbishop Stefan Soroka of the Ukrainian Archdiocese of Philadelphia had arranged for the replica to be on display in Minersville, and he also made the arrangements for Shenandoah.

The Shroud of Turin is the famous linen which believers say Joseph of Arimathea used to wrap the body of the crucified Jesus Christ.

SUNBURY - City residents have a bright idea. (Cue the light bulb above their collective heads.)

Mayor David Persing said Sunbury will host its first New Year's Eve celebration Monday night that will culminate with the illumination of a giant "light bulb" as 2012 turns into 2013.

"This is our history, Thomas Edison. Every city has their thing, and this is ours," he said. "We want new and bright things in our future."

The tribute to Edison recognizes his famous experiment at the former City Hotel on July 4, 1883, at

which time a three-wire, overhead electrical system was installed and tested in a commercial building for the first time anywhere in the world.

The 8-foot-high, 50-pound New Year's Eve light bulb, made of reinforcement rods and decorated with 280 LED lights at 4.8 watts each, was made by Kelly's Rod and Railing in the city.

The event, which begins at 6 p.m., will take place on Market Street between Second and Fifth streets. At midnight, the light bulb will be lit up outside the Edison Hotel at Fourth and Market streets.

From 6 to 8 p.m., Kingdom Kids will perform puppet shows in Cameron Park. Other activities for children include roaming shows by magician Brent Kessler, free carriage rides beginning at 9 p.m., opening of the Sunbury Skate Rink and live music outside the Edison.

Persing said various businesses should be open and hosting their own special activities, and food vendors will also be present.

"We want something positive for the people of Sunbury, and we want to built from it," he said.

Councilman Jim Eister said there have been "a lot of phone calls" to city hall asking about the celebration.

"I think we'll have a pretty nice turn out. The committee did a real nice job," he said.

Other events

Sunbury joins a long list of regional communities with New Year's Eve celebrations (see more on Shamokin's coal drop in separate story).

- In downtown Harrisburg, The Strawberry will drop from the Hilton at Strawberry Square to bring in 2013. The festivities, which run from 9 p.m. until 1 a.m., will feature a Teen Dance Flash Mob.

- In downtown Hershey, a chocolate kiss will be dropped at the square. Events will be held from 9 p.m. to midnight.

- In Lower Allen Township, the new year will be celebrated with the dropping of a pair of 5-foot tall "yellow breeches" at the bar at Lower Allen Community Park.

- In Mechanicsburg, a wrench will be lowered at Washington Fire Company, 53 E. Main St. The event will be held from 10 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

- In Palmyra, a shoe will be lowered at Main and Railroad streets to cap an event that will be held from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

- In Lebanon, a 200-pound edible chunk of bologna will be dropped at the intersection of Ninth and Cumberland streets. The event will be held from 10 p.m. to 12:15 a.m.

- In Duncannon, a sled will be dropped in the downtown. The event will be held from 10 p.m. to midnight.

- In Dillsburg, two pickles will be dropped. Mrs. Pickle drops at 7 p.m. while Mr. Pickle drops at midnight.

SHAMOKIN - The annual Coal Drop will take place at Market and Independence street as the city continues its New Year's Eve tradition.

The event, sponsored by Klacik and Associates, will start at 10 p.m. and run until 12:30 a.m. It will feature fireworks, food and music by DJ Powerhouse Sounds.

Even on especially cold nights, the celebration has attracted hundreds downtown in recent years, and the same is expected Monday night.

Marriage licenses

Josh R. Sulham to Kimberly Lee Blum, both of 15 N. Hickory St., Mount Carmel. Issued Dec. 29, 2012.

Ryan P. Shay to Ashley Crystal Smith, both of 5483 Snydertown Road, Paxinos. Issued Dec. 29, 2012.

Property transfers

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (by agent) and Daniel A. McGovern (agent) to Eric J. Oldenburg and Rhonda Lee Oldenburg, property in Upper Mahanoy Township, $30,500.

BWH Properties LLC to Munish Mahabir, property in Shamokin, $3,250.

Kermit W. Witmer and Lorraine A. Witmer to Kane K. Witmer and Jacqualyn K. Bonawitz, property in Lower Mahanoy Township, $1.

Kermit W. Witmer and Lorraine A. Witmer to Pig Ventures LP, property in Lower Mahanoy Township, $1.

Stacy M. Snyder and Judith L. Snyder to Stacy M. Snyder and Judith L. Snyder, property in Upper Mahanoy Township, $1.

Helen L. Ammerman Cardell and David R. Cardell to Tracey L. Heath, property in Shamokin Township, $1.

Regency Finance Company to Ramon S. Pereiro, property in Kulpmont, $11,000.

Paul C. Kauffman and Bonita J. Kauffman to Carol A. Hausknecht, property in Upper Augusta Township, $102,000.

Robert E. Forse, Lana K. Forse and Cathy A. Sorrell to Cathy A. Kratzer Sorrell, property in Jordan Township, $1.

Ryan N. Bordner, Kim R. Bordner and Lois E. Bordner to Charles A. Lutz Jr., property in Jackson Township, $115,000.

Karen Holz, Paul J. Krebs, Cindy Krebs, Debralee M. Schalles, Debralee M. Kulesza and Craig Kulesza to Michael P. Maschuck and Angela Maschuck, property in Coal Township, $135,000.

June F. Young and Karen J. Hoover and Colleen K. Heim, property in Upper Augusta Township, $1.

John J. Gross and Theresa J. Kraska-Gross to Johnathan M. Barnes and Ashley N. Barnes, property in Shamokin, $4,500.

John L. Kallaway to Thomas J. Hetrick and Cynthia A. Hetrick, property in Shamokin, $1.

Thomas J. Hetrick and Cynthia A. Hetrick to Northumberland County Council for the Arts and Humanities, property in Shamokin, $1.

Alden R. Herr to Robert D. Grego, property in Ralpho Township, $1.

Sylvia Jakuc to Richard J. Jakuc, property in Kulpmont, $1.

Red Gold Enterprises Inc. to Shamokin City Housing Authority, property in Shamokin, $1.

Laura C. Kaseman (estate) and Lamar W. Yoder (executor) to Thomas A. Griffith, property in Shamokin, $14,000.

Mathlene L. Campbell, Mathlene L. Pappas and Dennis J. Campbell to Mathlene L. Campbell and Dennis J. Campbell, property in Shamokin $1.

Alfred E. Bailey and Barbara G. Bailey to Daniel A. Dowkus and Melissa G. Dowkus, property in Kulpmont, $1.

Raymond L. Keefer (estate), Terry R. Keefer (executor) and Raymond L. Keefer (executor) to Luther D. Haupt and Jennifer M. Haupt, property in East Cameron Township, $107,500.

Lawrence J. Bartol (by agent), Michelle Bartol (agent) and Anna Marie Bartol to Sofia Barak, property in Coal Township, $13,500.

Terry L. Smith and S. Susan Smith to Robert W. Thomas and Sandra J. Thomas, property in Shamokin Township, $1.

Daniel T. Williams and Valerie Mae Williams to Lamont M. Masser, Valissa C. Masser, Nolan L. Masser and Melinda D. Masser, property in Ralpho Township, $108,000.

TREVORTON - The Trevorton Patsies Senior Adult Ministry group met Dec. 17 at St. Patrick's Church hall for their December meeting, which consisted of a brief meeting and the annual Christmas dinner. The dinner was catered by Hannah's Restaurant, Trevorton. There were 48 members present.

Members thanked the Lord for all the goodness in their lives and asked for comfort for those who are not as fortunate, including the people in Newtown, Conn., for their losses, and our nation in general.

The club thanked the Wolfe family - Donnie, Honey, Jason, Amy and Torie - of Hannah's, and their serving staff, LeAnn and Judy, for the delicious meal.

Happy birthday greetings go to Gerry Ardan, Ben Bloscovich, Eleanor Long, Marylou Purin, Robert Sager, Dorothy Swank, Linda Wert and lifetime member Helen Clark.

All in attendance enjoyed Billy and Rosie and their musical talents and comedy performance.

There will be no meeting in January or February.

The club's collection for the annual donation to the Trevorton Fire Company was $61 from those in attendance. Yearly dues of $3 will be collected at the next meeting, March 18, at which time the club will celebrate St. Patrick's Day and birthdays for January and February.

The luncheon that day will be a covered dish, and those celebrating birthdays during January and February are asked to contribute to the birthday fund as well as provide a covered dish.

The 50/25/25 winners were Joyce Thomas and Barbara Leah.

Air Force Airman Danielle J. Clouser recently graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

She completed an intensive eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness and basic warfare principles and skills.

Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

Clouser is the daughter of Denise and Dave Clouser, Blacks Lane, Shamokin RD.

She is a 2012 graduate of Line Mountain High School, Herndon.

POTTSVILLE - Thirteen alleged drug dealers were arrested throughout Schuylkill County on Friday.

Starting at 6 a.m. and lasting until early afternoon, detectives from the district attorney's office and its drug task force, along with the sheriff's office, Adult Probation Office and police from Schuylkill Haven, Orwigsburg, Port Carbon, Shenandoah, Ashland and West Mahanoy Township, executed felony warrants.

According to a press release from the district attorney's office, the 13 were committed to the Schuylkill County Prison.

According to the press release, the following people were arrested and arraigned:

- Matthew Bahrey, McAdoo, charged with delivery of heroin. Bail was set at $75,000.

- Alicia Carr, Ashland, charged with delivery of hydrocodone and acetaminophen propoxyphene. Bail was set at $15,000.

- Jennifer Clark, Shenandoah, charged with delivery of heroin. Bail was set at $35,000.

- Matthew Dewald, Pottsville, charged with two counts of delivery of methamphetamine. Bail was set at $100,000.

- Bryon Dufour, New Philadelphia, charged with two counts of delivery of marijuana. Bail was set at $50,000 for each case.

- Dallas Elsdon, Cressona, charged with delivery of oxycodone. Bail was set at $25,000.

- Francis Guida, Shenandoah, charged with delivery of heroin. Bail was set at $35,000.

- Raymond Jordan, Shenandoah, charged with delivery of Vicodin and methamphetamine, two cases. Bail was set at $50,000.

- Zachary Kimmel, Orwigsburg, charged with delivery of marijuana. Bail was set at $25,000.

- Amber Murphy, Shenandoah, charged with delivery of heroin and cocaine, two cases. Bail was set at $60,000.

- Zachery Shaw, Auburn, charged with delivery of heroin. Bail was set at $75,000.

- Jacob Shuey, Ashland, charged with delivery of marijuana. Bail was set at $15,000.

- Tristin Weyman, Hegins, charged with delivery of Dilaudid. Bail was set at $10,000.

District Attorney Karen Byrnes-Noon thanked the public for its help in drug investigations because many of them began with tips on suspected activity.

Anyone with information about drug activity can call the District Attorney's Drug Tip Line at 800-414-1406.