KULPMONT - Borough council ratified its 2013 tax levy ordinance at a meeting Tuesday night, with property taxes remaining at 18.5 mills.

The ordinance passed on a 4-0 vote, with Phil Schiccatano, Stephanie Niglio, Stephen Motyka and Nicholas Bozza approving. Council members Bruno Varano, Clarence Deitrick and Joseph Winhofer were absent.

Council said revenue from 12.5 mills will go toward general purposes, and three mills each will be used to pay for street lighting and fire protection.

It is expected taxes may increase in 2014 as the borough continues plans for a new borough office and garage to replace its current facility, the former Wilson Grade School.

Snow issues

With Varano, president, and Deitrick, vice president, absent, solicitor William Cole opened the meeting and conducted the night's first order of business, naming Scicchitano as president pro tempore to run the meeting.

In his monthly report, Mayor Myron Turlis spoke about issues that cropped up during the snowstorms in December.

"We had some private contractors that blocked an intersection with the snow pile they made, and threw snow in the street after clearing it from a business," Turlis said. "The next time this happens, the contractors will be hit with a fine."

He reminded borough residents that if any snow of six inches or more is forecast, all vehicles should be moved off Chestnut Street (Route 61) for the duration of the storm and until the street can be plowed. Those who fail to heed the warning will be fined and pay the cost of towing, he said.

Also, a 24-inch path must be shoveled on sidewalks at all borough residences and businesses within 24 hours of snow ending.

Wood burner complaints

The mayor also spoke about people using wood burners.

"I've gotten a number of complaints about people burning pallets, paneling and other items, causing an unpleasant odor for their neighbors," Turlis said. "I ask that if you have a wood burner, please use the appropriate wood for it."

Borough workers will pick up Christmas trees until Friday, Feb. 1. Residents of Chestnut Street are asked to put their trees in the back of properties to avoid traffic congestion on the highway.

SUNBURY - Northumberland County President Judge Robert B. Sacavage is calling for the videoconferencing system between the county's prison, magistrate offices and courthouses to be upgraded for efficiency and avoiding security risks.

During the Northumberland County Prison Board meeting Wednesday morning, Sacavage called for an executive session to discuss security risks. After approximately 35 minutes, the meeting was reopened to the public, and Sacavage brought the issue to the board.

He said videoconferencing between the courthouse to SCI-Coal Township is the most developed, and would like to see the other systems have the same quality.

Warden Roy Johnson reported he added two more lines to the videoconferencing facility in the prison in preparation for the upgrades.

If videoconferencing was utilized by suspects and inmates for court appearances, it would be less costly and would minimize security risks of transporting accused criminals from one place to another, Sacavage said.

However, he said, they cannot be forced to use the videoconferencing; therefore, incentives could be used to make the option of videoconferencing more attractive.

There is no estimate of cost at this time, but Sacavage said he anticipated it being a "minor cost."

The president judge's plan of action was to inspect the existing facilities at the prison Wednesday and have further information and progress to report by the next prison board meeting.

SUNBURY - Weis Markets announced Wednesday it has entered into a five-year agreement with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture as a top sponsor of its Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center's Exposition Hall.

The company is a major contributor at this week's 97th annual Pennsylvania Farm Show, the largest indoor agricultural exposition in the country with nearly 6,000 animals, 10,000 competitive exhibits and 300 commercial exhibits.

Weis Markets is the lead sponsor of the Farm Show's PA Preferred Culinary Connection in 2012, where local celebrities, chefs and commodity producers create dishes from Pennsylvania-sourced products. Weis will supply ingredients for all chef demonstrations during the week, including the 250 samples offered to visitors during each cooking session. Additionally, corporate dietitian Beth Stark is demonstrating healthy cooking techniques and Regina McCartney McKay, deli and food service merchant, are providing a live cooking demonstration this week.

"As a locally-focused company, we are one of the single largest purchasers of Pennsylvania agricultural and processed products," Brian Holt, Weis' vice president of marketing, was quoted in a press release. "We are also proud to be the exclusive supplier for the Culinary Connection's cooking demos and look forward to being part of one of our state's iconic events for the next five years."

"The Pennsylvania Farm Show is proud to partner with Weis Markets, a local company that supports local agriculture," said Patrick Kerwin, executive director of the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center.

Farm Show attendees can visit the Weis Markets' booth at the Culinary Connection to sample Weis Quality ice cream, produced in Sunbury. The booth also hosts some of Weis' PA Preferred suppliers and samples of their products are being offered throughout the week.

Despite a new law that amends provisions regarding income verification, fraud reporting and performance grants, the number of applications for heating assistance in Northumberland County is running close to last year's figures, according to a spokeswoman for the state Department of Public Welfare (DPW).

Donna Morgan, public information specialist for DPW, reported 2,346 applications have been approved in the county in 2012-2013 for cash grants under the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Payments to date total $554,348. In 2011-2012, 2,203 applications were approved, resulting in $538,530 in payments.

Morgan said 4,109 applications were received in 2012-2013 from county residents compared to 4,606 applications in 2011-2012.

"It appears we are running very close in the amount of approvals

compared to last year," Morgan said Wednesday.

She said DPW currently meets all the provisions set forth in House Bill 1991, which passed Oct. 24 and amends certain provisions regarding income verification, fraud reporting to the Office of Inspector General and performance audits by the Auditor General's Office.

Morgan said the bill hasn't had a significant impact on the number of applications approved in Northumberland County and other parts of the state.

"We've had no problems because of the bill. It's one more effort being made in our state to assure those who apply for the LIHEAP program are truly eligible and should receive the benefits," Morgan said.

LIHEAP cash grants help hundreds of Pennsylvanian families who meet income guidelines to pay their heating bills. The program opened Nov. 1 and is scheduled to continue until March 29.

The crisis grant program, which began Jan. 2, aids households with emergency needs such as an inoperable furnace or lack of fuel.

Morgan said 605 out of 611 crisis requests in Northumberland County have been approved for 2012-2013 compared to 592 out of 611 requests approved in 2011-2012. She said payments to date for the crisis grants total $166,728, compared to $128,112 for 2011-2012.

The state expects to receive $209 million from the federal government for this winter's LIHEAP program, which is down from 2011-2012. Last year's relatively mild winter left the state with an $84 million surplus it can roll into this year's program, Morgan said.

The DPW spokeswoman said the department expects to continue LIHEAP through March 29 and possibly extend it into April.

For more information on the LIHEAP program, or to download an application, go to the Department of Public Welfare's website at www.dpw.state.pa.us and click on "For Adults."

Pennsylvanians who suspect welfare fraud should call 1-800-932-0582.

SUNBURY - The brother of a planning department employee had delinquent water and electricity bills paid through a state grant program that is at the center of controversy in Northumberland County.

The state Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) calls it a conflict of interest, but Kathy Jeremiah, grant writer for the planning department, says that's not the case.

Jeremiah said she had no direct connection to the grant being awarded to her brother, Michael Faust. And, she said the money, which she estimates was about $950, went directly to PPL and Aqua Pennsylvania.

Jeremiah and her siblings own the property at 1766 W. Chestnut St., Coal Township, a property DCED identified in its nine-page letter dated Monday and received Wednesday by the county commissioners regarding the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Rehousing (HPRP) Program.

DCED officials spent the second half of 2012 reviewing the county's record keeping regarding the grant, and the letter, as expected, detailed how much the county would have to pay back - $215,150 - for allegedly failing to provide proper documentation to determine client eligibility. The county had received $365,361.

DCED grant manager Beverly A. Hutzel used one full page in her letter to detail the policy regarding conflict of interest, then noted how one of the files her department reviewed was for a client living at 1766 W. Chestnut St. She said the renter was the brother of a planning department employee "who has an ownership interest in the property."

Hutzel's letter didn't name the client or the employee, and the three county commissioners on Thursday also wouldn't name who they thought the employee was. But The News-Item was able to determine it was Jeremiah, and she agreed to speak about the situation Thursday evening.

'Absolutely ... no conflict'

Jeremiah said she didn't know how her brother learned about the program, but that she didn't know he applied until after the fact. She noted the grant was publicized in the newspaper.

She couldn't remember exactly when she found out, but did recall seeing his last name on a spreadsheet she dealt with as part of the program.

She stressed that she had nothing to do with his application, its approval or the administration of the money.

"Absolutely, it's not a conflict of interest as far as I'm concerned," she said.

She said she learned about DCED's concern about the relationship in November after DCED contacted Commissioner Rick Shoch.

She said the county's planning and adult services departments, both involved in the grant program, e-mailed someone at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) shortly after learning of DCED's concern and were told there was no conflict because she wasn't a supervisor in the program. The matter was also addressed with the county solicitor, who also saw no conflict, Jeremiah said.

She said DCED has since requested information about utility shutoff notices for the property, and when that was provided by the county, DCED then asked for income verification.

She believes DCED may have miscalculated her brother's income, using two paystubs from a job he started in September 2011, but calculating it as if he had the job for 12 months. With that, his income was apparently too high, but if DCED would instead have considered he had eight months of unemployment prior to his new job, the total for the year would have been lower and he would have qualified, Jeremiah said.

She believes the documentation the county is collecting - which it is doing for other disputed grant awards - will show that her brother did qualify.

In her letter, Hutzel said the employee would be covered under the conflict of interest provision because she was "in a position to obtain a financial benefit from the brother's participation in the program."

She said the county was required to follow the outlined provisions and provide information to DCED to determine whether a waiver would be applicable, but the county failed to follow the process.

Hutzel said the conflict of interest provision says that employees of a grantee or subgrantee and their families are not automatically disqualified from receiving assistance as long as they meet the qualifications, such as not being in a position to exercise any responsibilities, make decisions about, gain inside information into or obtain a personal benefit from the grant.

"DCED determined that this applicant is ineligible for assistance due to other reasons, lack of supporting documentation for homelessness status and income qualifications," Hutzel wrote. "However, conflicts of interest are serious issues that when they arise must be addressed in the manner outlined."

Commissioners input

Earlier Thursday, each of the commissioners addressed the conflict of interest issue.

"If the employee did anything wrong in the program, let the state prove it," Chairman Vinny Clausi said.

Stephen Bridy believes HUD should investigate - not specifically the conflict of interest, but the whole program.

"If we're doing something wrong, we want to know about it," he said. "If those in the past have done something wrong, we want them to be held accountable."

Bridy, who oversees the planning department but was not a commissioner at the time the application in question was awarded, doesn't believe DCED has proven its case that there is a conflict.

"It's unwarranted," he said. "There aren't any bona fide allegations."

For his part, Shoch said he'll make a motion at the next commissioners meeting to have HUD investigate "so we know our own house is clean."

He said he is not accusing the employee of nepotism or criminal activity, but noted situation should be reviewed.

Shoch said he was told the client used the money to pay utility bills.

"Does that indirectly benefit the landlord? I guess you could argue it does," he said.

'Pile of files'

Pat Mack, planning department director, said he wasn't sure if he was legally permitted to discuss the situation involving a grant, and so he declined comment.

Mack did say the county will continue to work until DCED's Feb. 7 deadline to find documentation to support its grant awards in hopes of reducing the $215,150 payback.

Mack said he has "a pile of files" he and the planning department are going through.

Shoch doesn't think there will be much success.

"I think the chances of substantially reducing that are not good," he said. "We should have been working on this for a long time."

Bridy said he was praying the amount would be reduced.

Clausi, repeating earlier comments that DCED did not provide adequate direction of the grant program, said the county should go to Washington, D.C., to visit HUD to "clear this mess up."

SUNBURY - A building home to a popular bar sustained $200,000 in damage in a fire early Thursday morning.

Firefighters responded to the Brass Key, 200 Reagan St., Sunbury, shortly after 4 a.m. when several people spotted smoke coming from the two-story building.

The bar and two vacant apartments above sustained heavy smoke and fire damage, according to Sunbury Fire Chief Mike Rhoads, who had command of the scene. Rhoads said the fire was electrical in nature and originated in the basement. The bar's owner, Anthony Sanutti, of Sunbury, is insured.

"There was a tremendous amount of smoke to the point you couldn't see the structure," Rhoads said of the initial conditions. "There was fire in the bar area, on the north side of the structure, and fire on the second floor, on the east side."

Firefighters attacked the blaze from all floors and cut two holes in the roof to ventilate the building. Efforts to control the blaze were aimed at the kitchen area of the bar and the apartments above at the rear of the building, which sustained the most damage. Once the fire was knocked down, firefighters positioned fans at the front of the building that blew smoke through the roof, allowing firefighters to work more safely inside.

The Sunbury Fire Department and mutual-aid companies, including those from Shamokin and Coal Township, responded to the three-alarm blaze.

Jenney Denney, who lives nearby at 465 N. Second St., became aware of the fire when she saw the flashing lights of a fire truck. According to Denney, employees of the Brass Key usually lockup around 3:45 a.m.

"The Brass Key is known in Sunbury," Denney said while she watched firefighters extinguish remaining flames. "Everybody knows where the Brass Key is."

COAL TOWNSHIP - In an effort to identify tax evaders and add them to the municipal tax rolls, Coal Township commissioners are seeking assistance from U.S. Senators Robert Casey Jr. and Patrick Toomey and Congressman Lou Barletta to introduce legislation requiring the U.S. Postal Service to share master listings of names and addresses of people receiving mail within the township.

"This is a very important step in getting people to pay taxes and placing them on our tax rolls," commented Craig Fetterman, president of the board of commissioners. "This could be huge and we need to push our senators and congressman to pass legislation to help us track down tax evaders."

Commissioner Gene Welsh added, "All we want is for everyone to pay their fair share."

Fetterman, Welsh and Commissioners George Zalar, Jerry Waugh and Bernie Rumberger passed a motion Thursday night to write letters to the legislators in an effort to obtain the master listings.

Township manager Robert Slaby said efforts have been unsuccessful in obtaining the listings from the Shamokin Post Office. He said a post office official said he is not allowed to provide that information even if he had it.

In other business

Waugh reported the Lower Anthracite Regional Recreation Committee (LARRC) has raised $20,493 during the past two years through fund-raising activities and donations for the construction of a recreation area near Mountain View: A Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, including two soccer fields, batting cages, a walking track and a playground.

"We are continuing to move forward with our projects and hope to be pushing dirt soon," said Waugh, who is an active member of LARRC. "I want to thank everyone for their support thus far."

The board adopted an ordinance that will establish a "no-parking" zone on the east side of Shamokin Street in Coal Run.

Richard Capps was unanimously hired as a full-time street department mechanic at an hourly rate of $15.35 plus benefits. Capps has a commercial driver's license.

James Sanders and Ken Young were appointed sewage enforcement officer and alternate sewage enforcement officer, respectively, for the township. They will be used as needed.

Mark M. Cupp was appointed to the non-paying position of township emergency management coordinator.

Fetterman warned residents that they should not shovel or plow snow into the street or pile snow at intersections or fire hydrants.

At the beginning of the meeting, Waugh presented a proclamation to Jared Dunn, 15, son of Mr. and Mrs. Scott Dunn, Tharptown, for his outstanding efforts with the annual Christmas display erected at the playground in Tharptown.

Township resident Ken Yoder complained about a dilapidated garage at 914 W. Pine St. owned by Ricky E. Walter, 50, of 314 N. Rock St., Shamokin, who was fined $1,000 by a county judge earlier this week for the condition of the property and the former St. Anthony's Parochial School building in Ranshaw, which he also owns.

Yoder claimed Walter only received a "slap on the wrist" by being ordered to pay the fine and may still refuse to fix up or tear down the garage.

Yoder's complaint irritated the commissioners because they have been very active in fighting blight in the township.

"We've been working hard to fight blight," Waugh said. "It's a long, drawn-out process."

"Nobody has been more committed in the area fighting blight than Coal Township," stated Fetterman. "We've done everything possible within the law to combat blight and will continue to do so."

Solicitor Vincent V. Rovito Jr. added, "We've spearheaded the effort and led the charge in cleaning up blight. No other community in the region has done more than Coal Township in battling blight. We have to follow the proper procedures and that's a slow process. We can continue to issue fines, but we can't make him board up the property. But believe me, we aren't done yet."

Rumberger reported township police made 93 arrests in December and received 280 complaints. He said officers patrolled 5,579 miles last month and investigated 34 accidents.

Nine abandoned vehicles were reported and 27 parking tickets were issued last month. Twenty-nine criminal complaints or citations were issued and 28 traffic citations were written. Nine tickets were issued for code violations.

Fetterman said a total of 1,956,123 pounds of material were recycled in 2012 at the township's recycling center. He said 1,576,380 pounds were recycled in 2011.

In the month of December, Fetterman said 243,385 pounds of material were recycled.

Although prices for recyclable materials fell significantly in the latter part of 2012, Fetterman said the township still finished the year with a profit of $16,716.43.

DEER LAKE - A Frackville man was killed when his car was crushed between a tractor-trailer and another car at Routes 61 and 895 early Thursday morning.

Schuylkill County Deputy Coroner William Cairnes, Auburn, pronounced Scott L. Bennett, 33, dead at the scene at 7:08 a.m.

Route 61 was closed for about 6 1/2 hours as authorities investigated the accident.

The driver of the second car was identified as David G. Schatz Jr., 44, of Schuylkill Haven. He was taken to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street by Auburn EMS, where he was treated and released.

The driver of the truck, owned by Koppenheffer & Son Trucking Co. Inc., Boyertown, was identified as John S. Hoover, 44, of Reading. Hoover was taken by company officials for routine drug and alcohol testing in accordance with the company's regulations. Authorities said there is no reason to suspect the man was under the influence.

State police Trooper Robert Oakley of the Schuylkill Haven station said the crash occurred at 6:02 a.m. as Schatz was driving a 2009 Hyundai Sonata east on Route 895 when he entered Route 61 and struck the side of a 2012 Chrysler 200 being driven south on Route 61 by Bennett.

Oakley said that after being hit, Bennett's car entered the northbound lane, struck a guide rail and then went directly into the path of the 1997 Mack tractor-trailer traveling north.

The rig struck Bennett's car broadside on the passenger's side and pushed it north into the side of Schatz's car, which came to a stop in the northbound lane after the initial impact with Bennett's car, Oakley said.

Police said the truck was loaded with mail en route to the Pottsville Post Office, adding that the seal on the trailer was not broken and the items inside remained unaffected.

Troopers from the Accident Reconstruction Unit and the Motor Carrier Enforcement Unit conducted an investigation at the scene.

As police investigated the crash, crews were busy nearby working on a construction project that may eventually place a traffic light at the intersection. Local municipalities have yet to sign an agreement for the maintenance of the light but are expected to in the near future.

The work is part of a construction project under the direction of the state Department of Transportation designed to make that intersection, along with other dangerous sections of Route 61 through Deer Lake, safer.

That light is a long time coming, said Michael Strouse, chief of the Deer Lake-West Brunswick Township Fire Company.

"We've had a couple fatal crashes at this intersection," Strouse said. "A light will certainly help. It's been needed for many, many years."

Strouse said whenever his company is called to a crash at the intersection, it is usually serious and Thursday was no different.

"It's never good when we get called here because you never want to see anyone hurt and especially anyone killed," Strouse said. "We'll be glad when its done," he said of the traffic light and intersection improvements.

Thursday's crash comes on the heels of a crash at the same intersection Oct. 31, 2012, that claimed the life of a 59-year-old Old Forge woman.

YORK - Rabbittransit, the company that oversees the Northumberland County Transportation Department and its Shared Ride program, announced the launch of a new website.

The updated layout and navigation was designed to help riders gain information more quickly and easily and showcases rider-friendly technologies.

Known as "Rider Tools," the section highlights state-of-the-art features available to riders to enhance their mobility experience, including a rider alert system that offers e-mails and text messages regarding service updates, a real-time bus tracking tool, a Google Transit trip planner and smartphone apps for iPhone and Android users.

"We know that technology is central and it's how people stay connected. There's a comfort in knowing where your bus is, and we want to offer that to our customers," said Richard Farr, executive director.

Rabbittransit is working on a mobile version of the website.

"Approximately 44 percent of our web users are using mobile devices to access our information. The next logical step is to create a version that is most compatible for that platform," Farr said.

Along with easier access to schedules and fares, the site offers an area to provide online feedback.

The site hosts information for all of Rabbittransit's services including York Fixed Route, RabbitEXPRESS commuter service, Gettysburg's Freedom Transit service and the paratransit program for York, Adams and Northumberland counties.

The website can be found at www.rabbittransit.org.

SHAMOKIN - Since acquiring Center City Apartments, Shamokin Housing Authority (SHA) workers have been busy the past couple of weeks learning all they can about the building and its operation.

During the authority's board meeting Thursday night, executive director Ronald Miller gave an update on the conversion of the former James Madison Hotel, at 614 N. Shamokin St., acquired by SHA on Dec. 31 to settle the mortgage debt of Red Gold Enterprises, Inc., which filed for bankruptcy in September 2012.

Miller said that since the beginning of the year, SHA employees have been inspecting the 34-unit apartment building, while officials are reviewing leases and rent payments.

"The building is in good shape." Miller said. "There will be aesthetic work to do, like new carpeting and painting. We do have a problem with the security deposits not matching up with what the tenants say they paid, so an accountant will review that."

Dumpsters have been brought in and fire and general liability insurance on the building has been written. Workers will review the security and sprinkler systems in the coming weeks.

"When we have our February meeting, we will have a better idea what we need to do," Miller said.

Once everything is in place, SHA will meet with the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency to discuss the future of the building and see if any grants are available for remodeling.

New name

To start fresh, board members voted 5-0 to change the building's name to Madison Court Apartments, a nod to its former identity.

One thing that concerned authority members was notice of a $6,000 unpaid bill owed to Shamokin-Coal Township Joint Sewer Authority. SHA solicitor Frank Garrigan said the authority shouldn't be concerned.

"When we received the order of the bankruptcy court giving us the property, it was done free and clear of all liens and debts. So the judge wiped out that bill," Garrigan said.

Madison Court Apartments could help the authority solve problems at other properties as well. Last month, the authority posted a policy informing residents of the Harold E. Thomas High Rise that the high rise is becoming smoke-free. According to Miller, six residents are smokers who don't want to live in a smoke-free building.

If the residents and authority members agree, those tenants could move to Madison Court, a smoking facility.

"This would also give us vacancies at the high rise, where we currently have a waiting list to get in," Miller said.

Miller said because Madison Court is now under SHA ownership, it is now property-tax exempt.

In other business

The board reorganized, and Raymond G. Splane was reappointed as chairman of the authority's executive board on a nomination by James Picarelli, which was seconded by Robert J. Wolfe. Picarelli, Wolfe, Splane, and members Pamala S. Rhoades and Suzanne Kopitsky voted yes.

Kopitsky was named vice-chairman of the board on a 5-0 vote. She takes over for Rhoades, who held the position for the past year.

SUNBURY - The Northumberland County Industrial Development Authority (NCIDA) has finalized its 24-month process to restructure its management.

During a meeting last month, the authority and its sister agency, Northumberland County Industrial Development Corporation, agreed to remain in operation to provide economic development assistance to new and growing companies and outside firms interested in relocating in the county.

The restructuring included completion of compensation negotiations with former executive director James King, which was first reported a year ago.

According to a press release issued last week by county planning and industrial development authority director Pat Mack, the authority and King have cooperated since January 2011 in "carefully adjusting" an amount that would be acceptable to both parties.

"Mr. King took an approximate 20 percent reduction in compensation owed and accepted a payment schedule for the remainder," Mack said in the press release. "The board thanked Mr. King for his many years of service to Northumberland County while he was equally laudatory to the community service rendered by numerous board members over the years on behalf of economic development."

After months of negotiation, in January 2012, it was reported that King would receive more than $131,000 in back pay, approximately $40,000 less than originally requested.

In June 2011, King, 72, of Winfield, who had served as NCIDA executive director since 1987, requested the authority pay him $170,166 for services rendered since 2004. He accrued the salary during a time the NCIDA couldn't afford to pay him.

King was paid with funds provided by the state Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) for administrative and advertising expenses that the NCIDA has accumulated over the years.

The deal to pay King back was approved by DCED.

SUNBURY - State troopers are seeking information on the driver of a vehicle that was rear-ended by another vehicle reportedly following too closely on Thursday on Mile Hill Road.

The driver of the unknown vehicle came to a complete stop in the southbound lane about 6:45 p.m. in Upper Augusta Township, according to state police at Stonington. The vehicle was struck from behind by a 2005 Kia Rio driven by 23-year-old Damir Budic, of Sunbury.

After impact, troopers say Budic drove into an embankment on the left side of the roadway, causing his vehicle to spin before coming to rest.

Troopers say the unknown driver turned into a parking lot, turned the vehicle around and drove north on Mile Hill Road without stopping or exchanging required information.

Neither Budic nor a passenger, 20-year-old Lindsey N. Stroup, of Sunbury, was injured, troopers say, and both were wearing seat belts.

Budic was cited for following too closely.

Troopers ask that anyone with information on the accident call 286-5601.

ATLAS - The quick work of firefighters and the alertness of a family prevented a small fire from spreading to adjoining row homes early Friday morning.

Firefighters contained fire damage to a five-by-five foot area in the kitchen of 201 W. Girard St. after the family of four smelled smoke shortly after midnight. The home is the first of 10 row homes attached in the block, which made getting to the scene in quick fashion even more important for firefighters, fire chief Charles Gasperetti said.

"There was minimal damage," he said. "We knocked it down with a (water) can before it spread into the wall and into the second (floor)."

Gasperetti said the fire was electrical in nature and originated between a receptacle and a junction box in a kitchen wall. The Red Cross was expected Friday afternoon to contact the family, who were staying at a motel following the fire.

The chief credited firefighters from Atlas Engine 21, Mount Carmel Anthracite Engine 2, and Mount Carmel Rescue 5 for their quick response.

"They made a good stop on it," Gasperetti said. "The family is very lucky they weren't sleeping."

COAL TOWNSHIP - An arrangement of "Amazing Grace" composed for the 10th anniversary national tribute concert for the Sept. 11 terror attacks will be performed for the first time by a high school orchestra today at Shamokin Area Middle/High School auditorium.

Acclaimed composer and director John Conahan, who

created the special version of the classic hymn, will lead students from 22 high schools in performing it and other pieces when the four-day Pennsylvania Music Education Association (PMEA) District 8 Orchestra Festival culminates with a public concert at 2 p.m.

Some 80 students, housed at homes throughout Shamokin Area School District, have been auditioning since Wednesday. On Friday afternoon, anticipation was building for today's concert.

"I am both excited and nervous because I have a couple of tough pieces," said Matilde Vaninetti, a senior exchange student at Mountoursville High School whose hometown is near Milan, Italy.

"I have never had an experience like this with an orchestra," she said. "I like playing with people my age."

This is the first time in nearly a decade that Shamokin Area has hosted the event.

'A pleasure'

Conahan, director of choral activities at Wissahickon High School in Ambler, was commissioned to compose orchestral and choral pieces by the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., for the Concert for Hope, the National 10th Anniversary Reflection, in 2011, which was held at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The concert was hosted by CNN's Anderson Cooper and featured President Barack Obama and families of the victims of the 9/11 attacks. "Amazing Grace" was among the pieces he composed.

Conahan, taking a few moments before quickly returning to work with the students Friday afternoon, said he was enjoying his time at the festival.

"It has been a pleasure to work with these wonderful musicians and have the support of their music teachers," he said.

Conahan was a recipient of the 2011-2012 Teacher as Hero Award, presented by the National Liberty Museum, Philadelphia. According to its website, the honor is bestowed on teachers who "help make the world a better place for their students, going far beyond what is asked of them to share their time, talents and resources with our next generation of leaders."

Conahan attended Ithaca College, where he earned a degree in music performance. He went on to the Manhattan School of Music and the University of the Arts for his master's work, and has completed a portion of his post-graduate obligations at the Julliard School.

'A great opportunity'

Sharon Styer, PMEA District 8 President and vocal and instrumental director at Mount Carmel Area School District, said PMEA is advocating for music education while schools address budget shortfalls with cuts in the arts.

"We are trying to stress the importance of music in the student's overall education," she said while the orchestra prepared for its Friday afternoon rehearsal.

Leah Nason, a junior at Loyalsock High School who earned first chair violin and the title of concert mistress for the performance, is excited for the event.

"It provides a great opportunity to play with an accomplished conductor and hear their ideas," said Nason, who is performing in her third district orchestra festival. "It is also fun socially because you are with other high school musicians. It is easy to make friends and find people you relate to.

"They are long days and a lot of hours," she continued, "but in the end it is worth it when the concert turns out well."

Other performances

In addition to "Amazing Grace" the orchestra will perform "Tomorrow," an original composition by Conahan; "Finlandia," by Jean Sibelius; "Preludio," from "Cavalleria Rusticana," by Pietro Mascagni; "Essay No.1 for Orchestra," by Samuel Barber; "Overture from the Magic Flute," by Mozart, and "October," by Eric Whitacre and arranged by Paul Lavender.

Barbara DeGaetano of Shamokin Area is host director for the event.

SHAMOKIN - The current flu season is on track to be one of the worst in the last seven years, according to the regional director for VNA Health System.

"The 2009-2010 season is recorded as the worst so far, but this year will come close, considering we haven't even reached peak flu season yet," said Yvonne Timco, RN.

VNA, which has an office in Shamokin, provides home health care and related services in 18 counties, including Northumberland, Columbia, Montour and Schuykill, regardless of customers' ability to pay.

The first week of 2013 reportedly had the highest number of lab-confirmed cases of the flu in Pennsylvania this season, said Timco.

According to this week's FluView report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), influenza activity continues to increase nationwide with most of the country now experiencing high levels of influenza-like illness (ILI).

The percentage of people seeing a health care provider for ILI is above the national baseline for the fourth consecutive week, having climbed sharply from 2.8 percent to 5.6 percent over the past four weeks with 41 states, including Pennsylvania, reporting widespread flu activity.

The Associated Press reported more than 11,000 laboratory-confirmed cased have been reported in Pennsylvania since flu season began in mid-December. This past week saw a dramatic intensification, with nearly 4,300 new cases and 18 deaths.

VNA provides immunizations for approximately 10,000 individuals annually, and there is no shortage of flu vaccines available from them.

Hardest on young, old

Tony Cooper, administrator for Mountain View: A Nursing Rehabilitation Center in Coal Township, said people who are not feeling well are asked not to come into the facility, but they are not restricting those individuals. Cooper urges anyone feeling unwell to see a doctor.

"We're dealing with a population that's already compromised. Flu season is harder on the young and older. They're the most susceptible," he said.

If employees at Mountain View have not received flu vaccines, or if someone is sick with the flu, the ill or unvaccinated person is required to wear a mask, he said.

While there have been some cases of the flu this season, Cooper said it has not been enough to cause the facility to go beyond standard precaution.

Timco recommends everyone get a flu shot to avoid illness.

"It's a myth that you will get the flu if you get a flu shot. Flu prevention is a common-sense approach, and requires good hygiene habits," she said.

Tips

To avoid spreading the flu: - Cough and sneeze into your elbow or tissue.

- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use antibacterial hand sanitizer.

- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

- Keep keyboards, telephones, handles and door knobs clean by disinfecting them regularly.

- Avoid close contact with those who are exhibiting symptoms. If you are sick, avoid contact with others until you are fever free for 24 hours.

- Don't go to work sick and keep sick children home from school.

When PPL customers pay their electric bills, a good portion covers repair and replacement of poles and wires the company performed as many as three or four years ago.

But under a pending new addition to electricity bills, customers will be paying for work done more recently, even within the past few months, and PPL will get its money back more quickly.

The state Public Utility Commission gave PPL the OK to institute a distribution system improvement charge - or DSIC - sometime in 2013. PPL will be able to collect as much as 5 percent more from customers. The company expects to make the request, and the specific amount, sometime next week.

The DSIC will be a percentage of the distribution and customer charge portions of the bill and the total impact on the typical residential user is likely to be no more than a few dollars per month.

The commission's nod to PPL comes just weeks after granting PPL an increase that drove up the flat monthly customer charge 62 percent from $8.75 to $14.09 per month. Also, the commission allowed the utility a fractional decrease in the distribution charge levied on a per kilowatt basis, from 2.55 cents to 2.51 cents. The changes make a much smaller impact on the overall bill, the bulk of which is the cost of the electricity itself. Electricity prices have been falling, making the PPL's increases and the pending DSIC less obvious.

A law passed by the state General Assembly and signed by Gov. Tom Corbett last year opened up the DSIC option for natural gas and electric utilities.

PPL is the first electric or gas utility to get a long-term infrastructure improvement plan submitted and approved by the commission. In its petition, PPL outlined the stepped-up work that will be done with cash from the new rate, including replacing 4,000 poles at a cost of $24 million. Underground residential cable will be swapped out for $51 million. Overhead copper wire will be replaced for $29 million. Replacement of 230 substation circuit breakers will cost $21.8 million.

Over five years, the company will spend $705 million, said PPL spokesman Bryan Hay.

Under the current practice, rates revenue reimburses the utility for improvements made in the past - usually over the course of the years since the last rate increase. The utility has to borrow money to make those improvements or pay for storm damage. They keep track of that money and present it to the commission when it asks for the next increase. Ultimately, ratepayers foot the bill for all utility operations and improvements, including the interest the utility pays as it makes improvements or repairs.

By establishing a DSIC, utilities get to recoup the cost more quickly than through traditional rate cases, which happen every two to four years.

Under DSIC, the utility can recoup costs every quarter and even increase or reduce the DSIC rate with only a cursory review from the commission. That's why acting state Consumer Advocate Tanya J. McCloskey is reserving judgment.

"The General Assembly and the utilities say consumers will get more timely repair of aging infrastructure - that is the intent," she said. "Our office has been more cautious about the use of DSIC, and we will make sure utilities live up to the intent of the law."

Some Northeast Pennsylvania households have been paying DSIC rates to another utility, Pennsylvania American Water Co., which argued it had to hasten the replacement of aging waterlines.

UGI, the major provider of natural gas to the region, does not have plans to purse a DSIC.

"Things may change in the future, but right now it is not something we are actively pursuing," said UGI's Joe Swope.

HARRISBURG - Two administrative law judges from the state Public Utility Commission (PUC) made a recommendation to deny nine applications of eminent domain filed by PPL Electric Utilities, including seven properties in Lower Mahanoy Township, Northumberland County.

The ruling pleased rural landowners who are fighting PPL's plans for a new transmission line, while PPL said Friday it will appeal.

"We thank the judges for listening to the community and property owners," Roy Maurer, of Dalmatia, said in a statement he distributed to local media on behalf of the landowners involved. "In our opinion," he said, the judges "reached the proper and rightful decision."

PPL disagrees and will file exceptions by the Monday deadline, spokesman Paul Wirth said Friday.

"We are urging the PUC to approve the applications because this project is needed by the customers in that area," he said.

Not necessary

PUC deputy press secretary Denise McCracken confirmed Friday that administrative law judges David A. Salapa and Joel H. Cheskis made a recommendation last month to deny the applications. McCracken said PUC couldn't comment on the recommendation because the case remains in litigation.

In their Dec. 19 recommendation, the judges state, "In summary, PPL has failed to satisfy its burden to demonstrate that the proposed Richfield-Dalmatia 69 KV transmission line and the Meiserville substation are necessary for the service, accommodation, convenience or safety of the public. We recommend, therefore, that PPL's applications be rejected."

In addition to the Northumberland County properties, PPL filed applications for eminent domain for one property in Perry Township, Snyder County, and another in Susquehanna Township, Juniata County.

PPL filed the applications in October 2011. Shortly thereafter, protests and objections were filed against PPL's applications by all nine property owners.

More than 20 people testified in defense of the landowners at a public hearing conducted by the PUC on March 7 at Hickory Corners and Community Fire Company. At the time, PPL had already reached a financial settlement with 45 of 54 residents affected by the proposed line.

Maurer said, "We had a lot of community support and encouragement throughout the past few years including friends, neighbors and church groups. We couldn't have survived without them."

In a pre-hearing memorandum to determine the acquirement of right-of-way and easement, dated Dec. 9, 2011, the nine people declining any settlement with PPL were listed as Michael and Logan Wendt, of Duncannon; Marvin and Leona Hess, of Liverpool; and Randall Clark, John and Evelyn Zeiders, Roy and Cindy Maurer, Ronald and Dianna Mace, Gary and Dorene Lahr, Elija and Fay Lahr, and the Shoop Family Trust, all of Dalmatia.

Games of chance seminar planned

MOUNT CARMEL - State Rep. Kurt Masser (R-107) will be hosting a small games of chance seminar from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 21, at the American Legion Post 91.

Masser will also have satellite office hours in Mount Carmel Township at the supervisors office at 300 Luarel St, Atlas, from 10 a.m. to noon Friday and in Shamokin at Central Susquehanna Opportunities, 2 E. Arch St., from 10 a.m. to noon Friday, Jan. 25.

Services that Masser and his staff can provide include assistance with PennDOT paperwork, driver license and vehicle registration applications and renewals, information about state legislation, PACE and PACENET applications for seniors, referrals to agencies to resolve state-related matters, state tax reforms, student aid applications, voter registration forms and absentee ballot applications.

Library granting amnesty

MOUNT CARMEL - Mount Carmel Area Public Library is granting amnesty to all library users with overdue materials.

The library will forgive fines upon the return of any overdue library material through Jan. 31.

Call the library at 339-0703 for more information.

City council meeting canceled

SHAMOKIN - The monthly meeting of Shamokin City Council scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday has been canceled due to lack of quorum. It is rescheduled for 7 p.m. Jan. 22 at City Hall.

WILKES-BARRE - Megan Ciborowski, of Coal Township, has been named to the dean's list at Wilkes University for the fall semester with a 4.0 grade-point average. A first-year pharmacy student, she is a 2012 graduate of Shamokin Area High School.

She is a daughter of Bob and Eileen Ciborowski and a granddaughter of Leo and Mary Mulhall and the late Adolph and Theresa Ciborowski, all of Coal Township.

MOUNT CARMEL - The following hearings took place Wednesday before Magisterial District Judge Hugh Jones. Defendants ordered to appear for plea court Feb. 25 at Northumberland County Court, Sunbury, can plead guilty or no contest, or seek a trial by pleading not guilty.

n George F. Weaver, 20, of 410 N. Shamokin St., Apt. A, Shamokin, pleaded guilty to possession of drug paraphernalia and was ordered to pay a $500 fine plus costs and placed on probation for 12 months. Additional charges of criminal conspiracy and possession of a controlled substance were withdrawn.

The charges were filed by Mount Carmel Township Patrolman Matthew Filarski in connection with a June 25 incident on Route 54 between Locust Gap and Locust Summit.

n Theodore F. Wray, 55, of 43 E. Sunbury St., Apt. 7, Shamokin, pleaded guilty to possession of drug paraphernalia and was ordered to pay a $500 fine plus costs and placed on probation for 12 months. An additional charge of possession of a controlled substance was withdrawn.

The charges filed by Mount Carmel Township Patrolman David Stamets relate to a March 12 vehicle stop at the intersection of Route 901 and Marshall Street in Locust Gap.

n Dallas D. Rhodes, 40, of 897 Bear Gap Road, Elysburg, was held for court on charges of driving under the influence of a drug or combination of drugs, recklessly endangering another person, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, adulterating or misbranding a controlled substance and driving under suspension when he failed to appear for his preliminary hearing.

Rhodes was charged by Mount Carmel Township Patrolman David Stamets in connection with a June 5 incident on Route 54 near the entrance to the former Mount Carmel Township landfill.

n Jeremy M. Dormer, 29, of 301 W. Second St., Mount Carmel, waived to court charges of delivery of Oxycodone tablets, possession with intent to deliver Oxycodone tablets, possession of Oxycodone tablets and criminal use of a communication facility involving a June 29 incident at his residence.

The charges were filed by Mount Carmel Patrolmen Matthew Dillman and Justin Stelma, both members of the Northumberland-Montour Drug Task Force.

n James E. Mowery, 22, of 251 S. Vine St., Shamokin, waived to court charges of criminal conspiracy, possession of a controlled substance and adulterating or misbranding a controlled substance involving a June 25 incident on Route 54 between Locust Gap and Locust Summit.

The charges were filed by Mount Carmel Township Patrolman Matthew Filarski.

n Michael F. Dallazia, 58, of 560 E. Melrose St., Marion Heights, waived to court charges of driving under suspension while being a habitual offender, driving under suspension, driving an unregistered vehicle, unauthorized use or transfer of registration, driving without insurance, operating a vehicle without proper inspection, violations concerning licenses exhibit suspended, a seat belt violation and driving without a license.

The charges were filed by Kulpmont Police Chief Richard Wilson III in connection with a Nov. 17 incident in the 700 block of Ash Street.

Dallazia also waived to court two counts of driving under the influence of alcohol, driving under suspension while being a habitual offender, driving under suspension, driving without a license, failure to yield the right of way for an emergency vehicle, driving without proper inspection, driving without insurance, driving an unregistered vehicle, unauthorized transfer or use of registration, failure to wear a seat belt and reckless driving.

The charges were filed by Kulpmont Police Chief Richard Wilson III relating to a Nov. 17 incident on the Marion Heights hill.