Several area residents, including one member of the Army National Guard, were expected to be among thousands of people who will attend inauguration ceremonies this morning for President Barack Obama in Washington, D.C.

Obama, a Democrat, was privately sworn into office Sunday afternoon to begin his second four-year term, but the public inauguration ceremonies will be held at 11:30 a.m. today.

Brandon Nash, 19, a member of the Army National Guard, has been selected to serve as a special officer for the festivities. He is a son of Erik and Stacey Nash, Coal Township, and 2012 graduate of Shamokin Area High School.

According to his mother, Nash and other members of the guard will provide extra security at the inauguration ceremonies. She said her son was sworn in as a special officer Friday in Washington, D.C.

During a telephone interview Sunday night, Nash's mother said, "Brandon is very excited about his special assignment."

Nash is an Army recruiter who works out of the Lewisburg Armory.

Rodger A. Babnew of Sunbury, chairman of the Northumberland County Democratic Committee, will not be attending the ceremonies, but said committee member Ellie Fogarty of Sunbury will be in attendance. He said Fogarty left for the festivities on the weekend.

When asked about Obama beginning his second term, Babnew said, "I'm very enthused about his second four years in office. I'm thankful we don't have to worry about Medicare and Social Security, and I think he will do great things for our country. The president has already proposed universal background checks on gun purchases and pushed for better resources to deal with mental health issues in an effort to prevent as many mass shootings as possible in the future."

Babnew has served as the county Democratic party chairman since June 1, 2010.

Another man from the region expected to be in attendance is Corey Walters of Selinsgrove.

Various former residents of the coal region who now live in other states reported on Facebook that they also plan to attend the inauguration ceremonies.

SHAMOKIN - Angels at Work Charity will host its first event for 2013 entitled "Stuffed for Smiles" to raise money to purchase stuffed animals and children's books to be given out to sick children by local healthcare facilities.

The items will be purchased through the Kohl's for Kids program, in which 100 percent of net profit funds go directly to help support kids' health and education. Other proceeds will be given to a local child who has been diagnosed with cancer to help with medical expenses or other needs.

Donations of any amount will be accepted. Donations of $10 will purchase a stuffed animal and $15 will purchase an animal and book. A $15 donation may be made in honor or memory of a loved one, to which their initials or name will be placed on the inside cover of the book.

"This program has been designed to try and bring a smile to a sick child," said Kyla Martin, president of Angels at Work Charity. "The expenses that add up for a family who has a child with cancer can be very high, and we are hoping to help at least one family with those expenses."

She added, "We live in a great community in which people have always come together to support Angels at Work Charity events. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the community for their continued support."

Checks can be made out to "Angels at Work," and mailed in c/o Kyla Martin, 225 S. Lily Road, Paxinos, 17860.

Any questions about the event can be directed to Kyla or Kathy at 644-7689.

LECK KILL - An 18-year-old Trevorton male died Sunday at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville from injuries suffered in a one-car crash Saturday on Schwaben Creek Road (Route 3010) near here.

Jared J. Wood, a passenger in a 1998 Nissan Sentra driven by Aaron W. Rothermel, 21, of Trevorton, was flown by LifeFlight helicopter to Geisinger after being critically injured in the 5 p.m. accident that took place approximately 230 feet east of Run A Buck Road in Upper Mahanoy Township. He was pronounced dead Sunday at Geisinger, according to a hospital spokeswoman.

Earlier in the day, Wood had been listed in critical condition. But when contacted around 9:30 p.m., the spokeswoman said Wood had passed away, but was unable to provide a time of death.

According to Trooper Daniel Wilk of state police at Stonington, Rothermel was driving west on Schwaben Creek Road in the right lane when his car traveled off the westbound shoulder, struck a tree with its right front end and continued to travel west for a short distance before coming to rest off the road.

Rothermel and another passenger, a 17-year-old Trevorton male who was not identified by police, escaped injury, police said.

Police said none of the occupants was wearing a seat belt.

The accident remains under investigation.

Also assisting at the scene were an accident reconstructionist, Klingerstown fire personnel, Mahantango firefighters and emergency medical personnel, Pillow Rescue Squad, AREA Services Ambulance, Americus Ambulance and Med 6 Ambulance.

BLOOMSBURG - Students in the Central PA Chamber of Commerce's Building Leaders for the Susquehanna Valley District 2, were given a presentation on Father's Hope, a locally-based new orphan outreach project.

As part of the presentation, students wrote cards in Spanish, which will be shipped to orphans in Spanish-speaking countries.

Kevin Mertz, founder of Father's Hope, told students the effort is to engage community organizations, schools, youth groups, individuals and churches to collect items such as stuffed animals, crayons and coloring books to be shipped along with the cards to orphanages around the world.

For more information on Father's Hope, visit the effort's Facebook page or e-mail fathers.hope@gmail.com.

Caption: Columbia-Montour Vo-Tech juniors Koby Schmidt, left, and Colton Appleman write cards for children in Spanish speaking countries as part of Father's Hope, a local outreach project.

ZERBE TOWNSHIP - Dean Whary says township officials aren't doing their jobs to rid the community of a nuisance - which reportedly includes the stench of alpaca manure.

Carol Whary, his neighbor and stepmother, says the township shouldn't be involved in a family dispute in the first place.

No matter who is right, Zerbe Township's zoning board, supervisors, code enforcement officer and police department have found themselves in the middle of this long-festering family battle between Trevorton Road neighbors.

After more than two years of trouble, it came to a head this week when Carol Whary was arrested for not paying an ordinance violation fine from April. But it doesn't appear that's going to end this unique dispute.

Manure piles

Dean Whary, of 465 Trevorton Road, Zerbe Township, just 50 yards east of his stepmother's house, has addressed Zerbe Township supervisors at meetings repeatedly over the last six months, asking them do so something about the manure pile on the property of his neighbor and stepmother, Carol Whary, 439 Trevorton Road (Route 225), about a half-mile east of Trevorton.

She maintains two horses, six alpacas and a rooster at the home she once shared with her husband, Haven D. Whary, who died in November 2010.

"I don't have any problems with the animals. It's the manure and the fact its been there for two years that bothers me," Dean Whary said in an interview at his home on Thursday. "In the summertime, it stinks that bad that you can't even open up your windows."

He pointed out one pile from a distance on Thursday that appeared to be about 10 feet long and 3 to 4 feet high.

The township tells him they have done all they can, citing her for code violations, and encourage Dean Whary to take further action on his own.

He believes, however, the township simply needs to enforce its laws.

"There is a court order on the books from action that the zoning hearing board and the supervisors brought up first," he said. "Why are they backing away from it now?"

Todd Kerstetter, zoning board solicitor, said it's a difficult situation.

"Zerbe Township has to tread very carefully when being brought into the middle of a dispute between neighbors," Kerstetter said. "Our only issue is that the property owner is not following conditions imposed on their variance, and we have to uphold the integrity of our decisions and codes."

Township solicitor Roger Wiest would not comment on the matter, citing the fact he has done legal work for both parties, and referred all questions to Kerstetter.

Variance for animals

In 1994, the Wharys applied to the township zoning hearing board for a variance that would allow them to raise horses on land split between manufacturing and residential zones. The board approved the variance, but imposed two conditions: the horses cannot come within 200 feet of Route 225, and that they "clear their property of manure on a regular basis so as not to create a nuisance."

The Wharys appealed to Northumberland County Court and later to Commonwealth Court, but both entities affirmed the conditions set by the township.

Complaints from neighbors began after Haven Whary's death, prompting a letter from Kerstetter on April 18, 2011.

"There is no question that the animals were within the 200-feet prohibited zone," he wrote about his visit to the property four days earlier. "Moreover, piles of manure are not to be stored on the property, and there are two large piles in plain view."

The letter said enforcement action would be taken if the situation was not remedied.

Four months later, code enforcement officer Ronald Lesher issued a 30-day notice to Carol Whary to either correct the problem or file an appeal with the zoning board. Neither was done, and a citation was issued.

At an April 24, 2012, hearing before Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III, Carol Whary was found in violation and fined $100. She was also ordered to pay $350 in attorney fees. It wasn't the first time she was cited by code enforcement.

Harassment claimed

For her part, Carol Whary believes the township is overstepping its bounds because of her step-son.

"The township should have nothing to do with this. This is a civil family dispute because he (Dean) didn't get what he wanted," she said, accusing him of not being satisfied with the distribution of his father's property after his death.

The 60-year-old widow accuses Dean Whary and others of tampering with her mower (which is why she was cited for high grass, she claims), throwing firecrackers at her alpacas, shooting BB guns at her windows and cutting her fence.

Dean Whary says none of that is true - and that township and state police have proven that with their investigations - except for the fence-cutting. But he had a good reason to cut it down: "She put up the fence on my property," he said.

He confirmed that and gave her 60 days to take it down. When it wasn't removed, Dean Whary said he cut it down. When she had it erected again, he cut it down again.

As for removing the manure, she said the no-trespassing sign Dean Whary erected prevents her from getting a truck down the hill to the pole building where the manure piles are located.

"I can't get a truck down there to have it hauled away," she said.

The animals are her friends, are very well cared for and she wouldn't give them up, she said.

As for her stepson's disdain for the manure, she said, "I don't know why he has a problem now with the smell when he used to clean the stalls."

Chief, constable arrive

Carol Whary, who authorities say has ignored repeated attempts to have a bench warrant served on her for the unpaid fine and costs dating to April, was outside discussing the dispute with a reporter and photographer when Zerbe Township Police Chief Robert John pulled up to her home, which sits close to the highway.

He later told The News-Item he was driving by and saw her outside, then checked with Constable Glenn Masser to see if the warrant was still active. It was, he was told, and so he turned around and came back.

"Carol, there is a bench warrant out for your arrest, because of unpaid fines," John informed her.

Masser soon arrived, and Whary was handcuffed and taken into custody. She remained calm, and shook the reporter's hand before being transported to the Shamokin office of Magisterial District Justice John Gembic III, who questioned her as to why she hadn't made a payment.

"I've tried to take care of it," she said, noting she has been sick and that she didn't have any heat at the start of the winter and used what money she had to buy a heater.

Gembic released Whary and set a payment determination hearing for Feb. 21. On that day, Whary, represented by a public defender, will discuss the money she owes to other sources and work out payment arrangements for her fine.

"I don't want to put a 60-year-old lady in jail," Gembic told here, "so we will meet to try to arrange something."

"I will do what I have to do in order to get it straightened out," Whary told the judge.

Meanwhile, John on Thursday bumped up the township citation on the manure to a civil complaint, and a hearing for that is set for the day after the payment hearing.

"Defendant has not paid the fine and fees and has made no efforts to clean up the manure pile or otherwise comply with the ordinance and decision of the zoning hearing board," the complaint reads. "In light of the continuing violation since August 2011, the township is requesting daily fines in the amount of $500 per day."

Quality of life

Meanwhile, Dean Whary says what upsets him most is that the township established the variance 19 years ago but continues to say "it's a civil issue" whenever he raises it.

"They filed the citations and applied for the court order, but the supervisors say they don't want anything to do with it," he said. "What about our quality of life?"

"Whatever is going on between the two of them is their dispute," Kerstetter replied. "We will not be put in the middle of it because of our one code enforcement issue, which is a small part of it all."

Church bells to mark Roe anniversary

HARRISBURG - Church bells will toll throughout the Diocese of Harrisburg Tuesday to mark the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion throughout all nine months of pregnancy.

The Rev. Paul Schenck, director of the Respect Life Office for the diocese, is organizing the effort. He hopes to have the Catholic churches in the 15-county diocese toll their bells 40 times. He suggested the bells be rung at 3 p.m., the Hour of Mercy, the hour that Jesus died on the cross, but parishes can adjust the time of the ringing to fit local schedules.

Grief support group meetings planned

NORTHUMBERLAND - The public is invited to join SUN Home Health & Hospice for its grief support group. The group is free of charge.

The six-week session, which aims to ease the emotional pain of those who have lost a loved one, will meet weekly from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Wednesdays, Feb. 13 through March 20, at the organization's corporate office, 61 Duke St. (next to the Front Street Station).

Anyone interested in attending the grief support group or having questions may call Jim Taylor, hospice chaplain/bereavement coordinator, at 1-800-634-5232, extension 2473, or Susan Hamilton, community relations assistant, extension 1669.

These meetings are open not only to SUN Home Hospice families, but all members of the community who have lost loved ones and could benefit from caring support.

Pay for education

It's amazing how much energy is spent on debating a football coach, and the amount of taxpayer dollars you are willing to spend to hire a football coach for a dozen games a year. But then you have no problem getting rid of teachers and educational programs because there isn't enough money in the budget. It's time you quit reliving your pathetic life through your children. The only way to succeed is education, and to take that away for a sport, on the taxpayer dime, is ridiculous.

Banking robbery

I have an idea for the city of Shamokin to save a few bucks. How about having the city employees refrain from conducting their personal business (such as banking) during work hours, using city vehicles? And before anyone says, "What if they're on their lunch break?," I highly doubt that's the case at 9:30 in the morning. And if it is another kind of break, then use your own vehicle.

Buck, meet Jerry

From the crazy, conspiracy-soaked loony tune Sound Offs I've seen lately, I have to believe this area is where Jerry Springer meets Hee Haw.

The real violence

The biggest supporter of violence against children is the U.S. government. All three branches support the murder of innocent, unborn and partially born children. Abortion is a sin, a travesty and a shameful disgrace, and its continuance shows how far this country has degenerated since its founding.

Fed up

This do-nothing Republican Congress that we have, the American people are fed up with them, and they will remember it in 2014.

True colors

Well, Mount Carmel, you showed your true colors again, questioning a girl for three hours. Police don't question criminals for three hours.

Address bullying

Priorities are messed up. Maybe Mount Carmel ought to be more concerned about the bullying that goes on in the school. Those kids get off with just a slap on the hand or maybe a day or two suspension. And it's not just Mount Carmel, it goes for the other schools.

Ridiculous

I think suspending the 5-year-old girl who hasn't reached the age of reason yet, who doesn't even know what the words "bubble gun" mean, is ridiculous. Where are the teachers' and superintendent's brains?

Refusing to play

If Camelot takes over the Pennsylvania Lottery, I will no longer play the Lottery. People are going dirt poor spending their money on the Lottery when their money should be going other places.

Google it

To the person who continues to publish in Sound Off and is such an expert on the life of Barack Obama, please go to Google and write in Barack Obama, Muslim school, Indonesia. See what you get. Let us know. Frog's take: And remember, if it's on the Internet, it must be true!

COAL TOWNSHIP - In a fictional town named Seamokin in an underwater world, a group of students at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School "saved the day" for Kid Feedback, a character in a comic book they wrote, illustrated and designed.

As part of the TIES (Teens in Innovative Educational Structures) afterschool program, 15 students in grades 7 through 12 in the comic book club created the second issue of "The Adventures of Kid Feedback: Creatures of the Deep," a comic book series based on a character developed by their instructor, Matt Leavens.

Each student designed characters that interacted with the main character, Kid Feedback. Students created personalities, then drew them based on how they envisioned the character would look. Working together, they then created a story where all the characters saved the town of Seamokin.

Last year, 13 students participated in the TIES afterschool comic book club and created the first issue of Kid Feedback. The club was so popular, another session was held and students created a second issue in the Kid Feedback comic book series.

"I love doing these comic books," said Cameron Fenix, a student who worked on the first issue.

Michael Anzalavich agreed. "This experience is something I will never forget," he said.

Students used mixed media such as pencil, ink, colored pencils and water colors to illustrate the comic book. They also learned sketching, blending and other drawing techniques under Leavens' direction.

"The comic book club helped me improve my artistic skills," said Erich Meloy.

TIES afterschool and summer programming provides individualized academic support, career exploration and service learning experiences that are not available during the regular school day. Programs are available for students in grades 3 to 12 who reside in Mount Carmel Area, Shamokin Area and Milton Area school districts.

A 21st Century Community Learning Center grant program funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, TIES is administered by the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit.

COAL TOWNSHIP - Charges of terroristic threats and disorderly conduct have been filed by Coal Township Patrolman David Sage against a 15-year-old male student at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional High School involving an alleged threatening statement posted on Twitter Tuesday.

Police said the teen's statement made mention that the juvenile wanted to create a similar situation at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School that occurred Dec. 14 at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., where 20 elementary school students and six adults were shot and killed.

The charges were filed with Northumberland County Juvenile Court.

Efforts to reach Lourdes Principal Deacon Marty McCarthy for comment Sunday were unsuccessful. It was not known if the student has been suspended for his alleged actions.

COAL TOWNSHIP - In light of last month's shooting massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., Coal Township police will patrol more frequently at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School.

High school Principal Marty McCarthy sent an email to parents last week saying the decision was made due to the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn.

"We would like for you not to be alarmed if your child arrives home from school and tells you that there were police officers throughout the school," he wrote on Thursday. "You may explain to him or her that this is for the safety of them."

Coal Township Police Chief William Carpenter said Monday that McCarthy's request for increased police presence at the school was not prompted by an alleged threatening statement posted on Twitter by a 15-year-old male student at the school Jan. 15. He said the timing of the visit was coincidental.

"It was totally unrelated to the alleged threat," Carpenter said.

Charges of terroristic threats and disorderly conduct were filed by Coal Township Patrolman David Sage against the teen. Police said the teen's statement made mention that the juvenile wanted to create a similar situation at Lourdes that occurred Dec. 14 at Sandy Hook, where 20 elementary school students and six adults were shot and killed.

The charges were filed with Northumberland County Juvenile Court.

McCarthy confirmed Monday that the boy was suspended for three days and may face additional discipline pending the outcome of the investigation. Lourdes was closed Monday because of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.

Patrols at Shamokin, too

Carpenter said Coal Township police met with officials from Lourdes on Thursday to walk through the school and update their contact information.

He said the tour and inspection were conducted as part of extra security measures being implemented by area schools and others throughout the country in response to the tragedy in Connecticut and other mass shootings.

Carpenter said daily patrols at Lourdes will be increased. The chief said his officers also conduct daily patrols at Shamokin Area Elementary School and Shamokin Area Middle-High School.

McCarthy, who in his letter thanked parents for their understanding and support, said any questions or concerns should be directed to him at 644-0375, extension 110.

MOUNT CARMEL - Chinese auctions are illegal in some cases; in others, they're legal. In any event, state troopers aren't exactly cracking down on one of the coal region's foremost fundraisers.

Sgt. Jeff McGinnis, a state trooper with Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement, led a seminar Monday at the American Legion building, where approximately 130 people were told the ins and outs of updated state law governing small games of chance.

McGinnis explained that just six games governed by small games of chance legislation are legal: punch boards, pull-tabs, raffles, daily and weekly drawings and 50/50 drawings.

Popular fundraising events like Texas Hold'em tournaments, casino nights, vertical wheel games and, yes, Chinese auctions are illegal, in general.

There are three elements to gambling as defined by the state courts: consideration, chance and reward. Remove one of these elements, and the games can be played legally.

For example, if the payouts in the poker tournament are donated in full to charity, and no reward is paid to winners, it's legal. Or, if the buy-in is eliminated and it's simply played casually, it's legal.

"They take away one of these elements. They make it free," McGinnis said of clubs or bars who hold poker tournaments legally.

As for Chinese auctions, he said, "No one really enforces it, but it's illegal." Well, almost. If the auction is run like a raffle, he said, it would then be considered legal.

In any event, he said, "If it's at a local fire company, I'm not coming to charge you."

Gambling legislation was passed in February to, among other things, increase payouts and allow license holders who also hold liquor licenses to use some of the revenue in-house.

Other updates followed in 2012 that put on hold the deadline to begin submitting annual financial reports electronically - from Feb. 1, 2013 to Feb. 1, 2014 - and to add 50/50 chances to the list of games allowed by the small games of chance law.

State police have held seminars since the initial legislation was approved last winter. As McGinnis said, "We're trying to get everyone on the same playing field so that a club in Pittsburgh is doing the same thing as a club in Mount Carmel."

The law on small games of chance is complicated, and the audience asked many questions about how revenue can be spent and about which games are legal and in what circumstance.

McGinnis worked to answer them all.

The seminar was hosted by state Rep. Kurt Masser, R-107, who acknowledged the existence of confusion with regard to the law. He hoped the seminar would sort much of it out for the officers and volunteers of clubs and organizations eligible for small games licenses.

As for Chinese auctions, he said there could be further legislation to remove them from the law.

"If it's not already out there, I'm going to introduce that as an amendment," Masser said of making such auctions legal.

Shamokin-Coal Township Public Library

(Continued from a previous edition)

Nancy Jane Krieger by Judy Laubach, Chet, Marion and Jim.

Fred Kublic by Shamokin High School Class of 1949.

Jay Lawrence by Jeanette Burba and Charles Breining.

Linda Lawton by Sheridan Staff.

Madalyn McIndoe by Kathy Gonsar.

Winifred Mestlin by Joe, John and Maria Bressi, Anita Shaffer and family, Shamokin High School Class of 1949.

Carman Minniti by Dolly Brown, Sylvia (Antonelli) Shappell.

Tom Moore by Craig Hilbush.

Fatima Moumen by Margie Kleinschmidt.

Chester A. Mowery by Joe, John and Maria Bressi.

Esther Moyer by Bob and Cathy Yorwarth.

Rosemary Nagle by Ray and Colleen Lauer.

Elizabeth Ozalski by Peggy Ferrari.

Helen Payne by Joe Payne.

Esther "Patsy" Pellman by Doris Bamford and family, Shelly Klemick and family, Jacque Robel, Mark and Jane Ann Sosnoskie, Mary and Jeff Thew.

William R. Pensyl Sr. by wife Dolores and Children, Frank and Sally Kerstetter, Scott Kerstetter and family, Mike Kerstetter and family, Kim and Don Spotts and family and Peggy and Lonnie Blessing and family, Delmar and Marie Shipe, Lavone and Dorothy Swank, Carol and Bill Diehl and Sue Shellenberger.

June Pietkiewicz by Chet and Marion Stesney.

Charles Rebuck by Jean Scandle Clews, Flower Fisher, Betty and Lew Gaydon, Blendine Howerter, Ray and Colleen Lauer.

Joseph C. Redd by wife Pat.

Stanley "Pete" Rebalis by Joe, John and Maria Bressi.

Eleanor Rumberger by Don and Nancy Bloom.

Robert Runkle by Chet and Ann Gard.

Linda Savitski by Rose Marie Jones.

Betty Schell by Joe, John and Maria Bressi.

Arthur Schiccatano by Joe, John and Maria Bressi, Pat and Jim Bressi, Gary and Jodi Christ, Kathy and Abby James, Ralph and Sandy Moore and Chris, Kelly and Hope Apichell, Jacque Robel.

Frederick A. Schmidt by Amy and Robert Frank, Bob and Joan McAllister.

Dolly C. Schroyer by Donna and Barry.

Anthony James Shervanick by Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Baranoski and family.

Mildred Shively by Ed and Ann Marie Schetroma.

Richard Shurock by Barbara and Sharon and families, Joann and family.

Helen Sikorski by Marion Grybowski.

Elizabeth Simchock by Marian Edmondson.

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Simmet by Carol and Barbara Jones.

Ethel Jane Smith by Shamokin High School Class of 1959.

Lisa Strausser by Mr. and Mrs. Robert Pasco.

Janice M. "Bubbie" Surowiak by Pat and Jim Bressi.

Charley Tamkus by Mom, Dad, Kelly, Jonah, Ashley and family, Ethel, Ruth, David and Jack.

William Templin by Irvin Liachowitz, Pepper.

Eric Thomas by Walt and Julie Jacobs, Kathy and Abby James and Tyler Griffiths, Diane and Gig Thomas and families.

Doris Tyler by Joe, John and Maria Bressi.

Rita Varano by Annina Procopio.

Acacio Victoriano by Bruce Victoriano.

Della Victoriano by Bruce Victoriano.

Marna Victoriano by Bruce Victoriano.

Willard Wagner by Ann Fidler and family.

Helen Wasielewski by Pat and Jim Bressi, Walt and Julie Jacobs, Kathy and Abby James, Robert and Brenda Taylor.

Lester K. Waugh by Wichurowski family.

Dixie R. Weaver by Sandy and John Avellino, Marie and Sherri Lahr, Mary Long and family.

Lamar Weikel by Norman and Barbara Foura and family, Gessner family.

David Gene Williams by Melanie Wengrenovich and Mike Terrizzi.

Mary E. Wisgo by Bill and Pat Barrett, Ed and Loretta Brown.

Alice A. Wysock by Francis Laskoskie and family, Calvin and Pearl Swank.

Theodore Yost by Greg and Donna Wisloski.

Michael Zanuck by Janet Wahosky and family.

Victoria Zarko by Florian James, Marian Edmondson, Ben Frank.

Mary Carol Zurick by Fran Anderson, Area Agency on Aging, Joe, John and Maria Bressi, Francine and Bill Butkey, Commissioners and Staff of the Pa. Worker's Compensation Appeal Board, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Cook, Joann Dobeck, Betty and Lew Gaydon, Daniel Gaydon, Kenneth and Josephine Gaydon, Stephen Gaydon, Kathy Gonsar, Great Valley Consultants, Mary Jane Grow, Karen S. Obrick, Ed, Kay and Kiera Griffiths, Betsy Richardson, Rita and Art Rovito, Shamokin Area Education Association, Cindy Siedlarczyk, Chet and Marion Stesney, Nancy Suchanick, Stephen and Claire Taddeo, Peg Taylor, Al and Roseann Varano, Kathy and James Yurick.

Contributions to the Memorial Fund:

Yvonne Aston by Dorothy Doncheski.

Daniel Bamford by Amy, Matt, Lake and Hunter, Theresa and Ron Ramp, Bob and Suzanne Starke.

James Bamford by Bob and Suzanne Starke, Shirley Starke.

Catherine Buzzie by Flash and Boots Ramp.

Roger Elliott by Bob and Suzanne Starke, Robert and Brenda Taylor.

Shirley Faust by Ed and Loretta Brown.

Robert Herb by Dan and Carol Arnold.

Margaret Klembara by Bob and Suzanne Starke.

Walter Kosmer by Don and Joannie Yuricich.

Carman Minniti by Ed and Loretta Brown, Theresa Egick.

Arthur Schiccatano by Bob and Suzanne Starke.

Mildred Sienkiewicz by the Albert family.

Helen Wasilewski by Dan and Carol Arnold.

Marian L. Weimer by Bob and Suzanne Starke.

Daisy Mae Yost by Ron and Boots Ramp.

Theodore Yost by Ron and Boots Ramp.

In Honor Of:

Dorothy Goodman by Ron Valania and Holly Kirchoff.

Debra Keefer by Sandra Cupp.

Joan Lineweaver by Sandra Cupp.

Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Payne by Jeanne and Bill Hoffa.

Honor a loved one and place a permanent memorial in the Library Century Club.

SHAMOKIN - City council is moving forward with ordinance that would require most residential rental properties pass inspection by the city code officer before being rented.

A unanimous 5-0 vote Tuesday gave preliminary approval to the inspection requirement. If a second majority vote is had, the requirement will become official and would be added to existing city ordinance regarding landlord/tenant registration.

Approximately six city landlords attended Tuesday's meeting to question city officials about the proposal and voice concerns over the potential ramifications, namely cost.

Under the proposal, occupied residential rental units must be inspected upon vacancy beginning March 1, meaning that after a tenant moves out an inspection is required before it can be rented again.

An inspection would also be required for any unit that already is vacant as of March 1 before being rented.

The inspection would be guided by a checklist that is being created by Rick Bozza, city code officer, who said he would share an example checklist with city landlords.

Passing grade would mean Bozza issues an inspection certificate to a landlord. Any violations identified in the inspection must be explained in writing and must be corrected before a unit is re-inspected and is deemed eligible to be rented to a new tenant.

The cost of the inspection is $50. The first re-inspection is free of charge. Any additional re-inspections cost $50 each.

High turnover

Concerns were raised by city landlords about the potential frequency of inspections and related costs, with some pointing to a $25 landlord/tenant registration fee enacted last year and required for each residential rental unit.

While the language of the proposed inspection requirement currently says inspections must follow tenant turnover, Bozza seemed flexible about the potential frequency for the inspections.

City landlord Robert Gilligbauer asked how the proposal would apply to rooming houses. Rooms are turned over frequently in that rental model, he pointed out, and inspections with each new tenant would be costly to landlords.

Solicitor H. Robert Mattis said the current proposal does not address the issue of rooming houses. Councilman R. Craig Rhoades said that issue must also be researched and addressed. Steve Bartos, city clerk, said he believed inspections for rooming houses are covered by the Department of Labor and Industry and its hotel/motel regulations.

City landlords Mike Shevitski and Fred Seroski both expressed support for inspections, with Seroski saying he'd support annual inspections if council sought to pursue them.

Shevitski was concerned with tenants who skip out on rent due to one landlord, only to jump to another rental property, and continue to repeat the pattern while leaving landlords high and dry. He suggested names of such deadbeats be published in the newspaper to prevent them from continuing the behavior and perhaps keep them out of the city.

Larry Burda, city landlord, took exception with the inspection requirement. He said it allows for too many inspections on a single property and doesn't address blighted properties that are not being rented. Those properties should also be inspected, he said.

Burda said landlords pay taxes, generate business in the city and already pay high fees for sewage and other utilities. Their clientele are often either poor or on fixed incomes.

"This is gonna be so much money. How can we afford it? Do we take it out of the tenants' hides?" Burda asked.

"This seems like a financial thing going on. It doesn't seem like a safety thing," he said.

Councilman Bill Milbrand questioned Burda about fire-damaged properties he owns on the 700 block of North Shamokin Street. Those properties are next to the vacant lot where the city had a pair of buildings torn down last year following a partial building collapse.

When Burda's properties caught fire, it was discovered a squatter was living in a property on the other end of the block, Milbrand claimed.

Burda said he was "unhappy with the situation" at the fire-damaged properties and that he would be contacting "counsel," though he elaborated no further on what he would be doing with the properties. As for the squatter, he said he wasn't aware of anyone living there.

"The reason we're doing the inspections and registrations is to try to clean up the city," Milbrand said. "There are a lot of rental properties in the city that are substandard."

Milbrand acknowledged it's not only landlords who own problem properties, and he also said there are landlords who comply with code regulations and take care of what they own. But, he said, "too many landlords" aren't cleaning up the apartments and homes they rent.

Dave Bubernack, who said he owns 10 properties, also expressed concern over cost. He suggested that when any property changes hands, not just rental properties, that they be inspected. If a home is sold, the city should inspect it before the sale is finalized, he said.

"We can look into that," Rhoades said. "That's something we can look into to adopt into ordinance."

Upon further questioning from Burda, Mattis said the inspection requirements would not apply to properties owned by Shamokin Housing Authority because it is under federal oversight.

SUNBURY - The Northumberland County commissioners meeting ended Tuesday afternoon with a call to police when David F. Kaleta ignored Chairman Vinny Clausi's request to leave.

Kaleta, of Shamokin, who has spoken out against the county's development of the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area (AOAA), rattled off Tuesday a list of 16 questions to Clausi - a majority of them related to a recent claim by the state that the county unjustly awarded grant money to the relative of a county employee, but two others suggesting more serious wrongdoing.

Clausi said Kaleta was out of order, and asked him to leave or he would call police.

Kaleta - who is embroiled in a lawsuit filed against the county, Clausi and Commissioner Stephen Bridy over issues related to accessing AOAA land - refused to leave the commissioners' meeting room at the administration center. He told Clausi to call police.

Clausi then ordered county security director Ronald Yeager, seated at the back of the room as he is for all county meetings, to escort Kaleta from the room. Clausi told Kaleta, "You have no idea what you are talking about. If you don't follow the rules, you are out of this meeting."

Yeager approached Kaleta, still standing at the podium, and asked him to leave peacefully. Kaleta again refused, and Clausi told Yeager to call Sunbury police.

Yeager, who never tried to physically remove Kaleta, went to his office across the hall to place the call.

Kaleta, who had walked back to his chair and retrieved his coat and hat, returned to the podium and said Clausi had warned him about the AOAA issue three years ago when Clausi said, "If you want a (expletive) war, you got a (expletive) war."

While Yeager was across the hall, the meeting was adjourned, and Kaleta and his friend, Bill Knapick, of Coal Township, exited the building.

Charges planned

Clausi said Sunbury police didn't respond until 3:15 p.m., approximately 90 minutes after the meeting ended, because they were notified it wasn't an emergency situation and were told Kaleta had left a few minutes after they were summoned.

Clausi said police talked to county officials about the incident and plan to file charges against Kaleta that may include disorderly conduct, harassment and disrupting a public meeting. The commissioner said county officials also are considering filing a lawsuit against Kaleta for the questions he posed at the meeting.

Clausi said the commissioners are considering hiring extra security for their meetings.

During a telephone interview later Tuesday, Kaleta said he had not been contacted by police.

'Rumors' he's heard

Questioned further about his accusations, Kaleta said he had no documentation or proof that what he suggested through his questions was true.

"I have a constitutional right to petition my government for answers," he said. "If Mr. Clausi had given me more time, I would have told him that we live in a small community and there are many rumors going around. I hate rumors, so I was hoping we could clear a few of them up today. These were questions I asked the commissioners, not allegations. These are things I have been hearing."

Clausi was upset by the accusations, and issued a one-paragraph statement to local media less than an hour after the meeting referencing the "unsubstantiated allegations."

"While I realize that you are not in the business of printing scurrilous statements, please be advised that if your paper chooses to print those unsubstantiated allegations, which are based upon nothing more than Mr. Kaleta's delusions and imagination, then I will pursue whatever legal means are at my disposal against not only Mr. Kaleta, but those entities who choose to broadcast his statements."

Clausi later told The News-Item, "I'm not going to tolerate this type of behavior by any citizen," and said again he wouldn't discuss any of Kaleta's questions.

He blamed Commissioner Richard Shoch, with whom he's had repeated public confrontations dating back to early last year, for bringing "these cronies to every public meeting."

Jeremiah connection

Kaleta, when he first approached the podium, said he would ask his questions quickly because Clausi had told Knapick earlier he had just two minutes to speak. He then quickly read them.

Beyond those suggesting wrongdoing, which are not being repeated here, five of the questions involved Kathy Jeremiah, grants manager in the county planning department. Jeremiah two weeks ago acknowledged it was her brother, Michael Faust, who received money from the homelessness prevention grant the county distributed, which the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) had identified as a potential conflict of interest. DCED has also ordered the county to pay back $215,150 of the $365,361 grant because it didn't provide adequate documentation of eligibility for recipients, including Jeremiah's brother.

DCED said it was also concerned that Jeremiah had an ownership interest in the home Faust was renting.

Kaleta asked if Kathy Jeremiah at one time worked at Clausi's Two Guys From Italy Restaurant in Coal Township, which he has since sold, and whether Jeremiah and her husband were matron of honor and best man at Clausi's wedding in 2010.

Last week, Kaleta had distributed information online with a link to a News-Item story that mentioned the Jeremiahs involvement in the wedding.

Kaleta also asked: "Did you give Kathy Jeremiah a Lexus at a below value price?" and then asked if he did the same for county Chief Clerk Gary Steffen.

Kaleta, asked later to clarify "below value price," phrased it "greatly reduced price," "significantly lower" than what could be obtained in a trade-in.

Jeremiah could not be reached for comment Tuesday. Steffen said he'd give no comment on the matter.

The next two questions were, "What are the rules for commissioners giving gifts to employees" and "What are the rules for employees receiving gifts from commissioners?"

He also asked whether Jeremiah's brother had been appointed to a security job at the AOAA.

Kaleta also asked if Jeremiah had known about her brother's application and encouraged its approval. Jeremiah has previously denied any wrongdoing in the grant process. (See further information in separate story.)

Kaleta also asked if Clausi was friends with another man who he said received some of the disputed grant money.

He then asked Clausi if he knows the meaning of nepotism and "why it's a bad thing."

His final question was to all of the commissioners: "Shouldn't the state attorney general and FBI be looking into these things?"

Clausi did not respond, but accused Shoch of providing Kaleta with information about Faust's application for grant funds. Shoch said after the meeting he may have mentioned the information to Kaleta.

Kaleta, who has offered criticism of the county's plan to build the 6,500-acre AOAA recreational area on forest and abandoned coal lands in Coal, East Cameron, Mount Carmel, West Cameron and Zerbe townships, was informed in a Sept. 10 letter from county planning director Pat Mack that his request to use the land for hunting and walking his dog had been denied after consideration by "two of three members of the board of commissioners," later determined to be Bridy and Clausi.

Kaleta, claiming the decision to deny his permit violated the Sunshine Act, won a preliminary injunction in Northumberland County Court. With Kaleta alleging a violation of his First Amendment rights, the case was moved to federal court.

Trail-cutting dispute

Prior to Kaleta posing the questions to the commissioners, Knapick again asked the commissioners for an update on his complaint made in October regarding the cutting of what he claims was hundreds of trees Dec. 10 and Dec. 11, 2011, to create new trails for the AOAA.

Knapick told the commissioners he has evidence supporting the alleged illegal activity, but has been frustrated in his attempt to find out more information from the county planning commission.

"You said at a public meeting that anybody who did wrong should be prosecuted," he said. "I have made several Right-to-Know requests for more information about this issue, but I have either been rejected or told the county planning commission needed a time extension. Your time is up already and I plan to take legal action. This is bull----."

After Clausi told Knapick his allegations don't exist, the Coal Township man responded, "It's time for you to get out of that chair. Clausi chimed back, "Whenever you have the power to get me out, you can."

AOAA money transfer

In other matters related to the AOAA, the commissioners agreed to transfer approximately $6,000 held in escrow for the benefit of the AOAA to the AOAA Authority.

Clausi said the money was raised through various events held at the outdoor adventure area.

The board unanimously entered into an agreement with the AOAA Authority to lease 6,596.6 acres of land for the AOAA and lease office space at the Northumberland County Career and Arts Center for the authority.

Kaleta objected at the beginning of the meeting to the lease agreement involving the AOAA land because he felt it was premature due to his ongoing lawsuit. But all three commissioners agreed it was time to move forward with the project.

The commissioners agreed to lease Rooms 301 and 302 at the county career and arts center to Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit for a family literacy program.

The board agreed to allocate funds not to exceed $150,000 to the Northumberland County Housing Authority from the Act 137 Affordable Housing Fund to continue the housing authority's countywide fight against blight.

The commissioners also adjusted the county's mileage reimbursement rate from 55.5 cents per mile to 56.5 cents per mile.

SUNBURY - Northumberland County Commissioners Vinny Clausi and Stephen Bridy are requesting fellow Commissioner Richard Shoch pay a $420 bill he submitted to the county for reviewing depositions in the ongoing lawsuit filed by fired deputy sheriffs Michael Boris and Joseph Jones against the county.

Clausi, who provided the media with a copy of the bill at Tuesday's commissioners' meeting, made a motion to have Shoch reimburse the money, but the motion was never seconded or voted on after all three commissioners expressed their opinions on the matter.

Shoch said he was within his rights as a commissioner to submit the bill. "It's my prerogative and duty to keep informed of the various

lawsuits filed against the county, many of which Mr. Clausi is embroiled in," he said.

Shoch claimed Clausi and Bridy have submitted bills in the past to review depositions involving lawsuits with outside attorneys.

Shoch admitted reviewing the depositions with Attorney Michael M. Apfelbaum of Sunbury. According to a copy of the bill, the county was billed $420 for two conversations Shoch had with Apfelbaum pertaining to deposition transcripts on Nov. 15, and for two meetings he had with Apfelbaum to review the deposition transcripts on Nov. 16.

Bridy said Shoch received $300 in campaign contributions from Apfelbaum during the 2011 commissioners' race, which he and Clausi said indicated Shoch "pays people back" for their support.

Clausi said Shoch could have received the same information through county solicitor Frank Garrigan or his fellow commissioners. He accused Shoch of incurring the bill without the board's approval.

"I spent $80,000 of my own money on this lawsuit and I would appreciate it if you paid the money back," Clausi said, adding that Shoch previously tried to "smear" his reputation by saying Clausi should pay back money the county spent on the Jones/Boris lawsuit and money owed to the state Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED).

Shoch responded, "I won't pay it," because he didn't need approval from the other commissioners. He said he didn't do anything wrong and encouraged the solicitor to research the matter.

MOUNT CARMEL - The following hearings took place Jan. 16 before Magisterial District Judge Hugh A. Jones. Defendants ordered to appear for plea court on Monday, Feb. 25, in Northumberland County Court, Sunbury, can plead guilty or no contest, or seek a trial by pleading not guilty.

n Joshua A. Reichenbach, 20, of 558 N. Third St., Shamokin, waived charges of criminal conspiracy to possess a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and misbranding of a controlled substance.

The charges were filed following a traffic stop by Mount Carmel Township Police Patrolman Matthew Filarski on Route 54 June 25.

n Heather Ann Frank, 27, of 331 N. Vine St., Mount Carmel, waived three separate sets of charges.

She first waived charges of retail theft, charged by Mount Carmel Township Police Chief Brian Hollenbush related to a Dec. 5 incident at Boyer's Food Market, Locust Gap Highway. Police found a marijuana pipe Frank allegedly admitted was hers, police said.

Frank also waived charges of possession of drug paraphernalia, filed by Cpl, Chris Buhay, of the Mount Carmel Borough Police.

The third case Frank waived was a charge of false alarms to agencies of public safety, filed by Mount Carmel Township Police Patrolman Kelly Campbell following a Dec. 6 incident at an Atlas residence.

n Charges of possession of a controlled substance, misbranding of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a small amount of marijuana, driving under the influence of a drug or combination of drugs and various traffic violations were waived to court by David M. Lamb, 40, of 32 N. Vine St., Mount Carmel.

The charges stem from a Oct. 4 traffic stop on Park Avenue, Mount Carmel Township, and were filed by Patrolman David Stamets Jr. of the Mount Carmel Township Police.

n April L. Hollenbach, 26, of 146 W. Second St., Mount Carmel, waived charges of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, criminal use of a communication facility, endangering the welfare of a child, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

She was charged by Mount Carmel Township Police Patrolman David Stamets Jr. following a Sept. 12 traffic stop near Kulpmont.

n Charges of driving under the influence of drugs or a combination of drugs, possession of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia against Donald J. Ponatoski, 27, of 1128 W. Gowen St., Coal Township, were ordered bound to court by Jones after the defendant failed to appear for his hearing.

The charges were filed by Mount Carmel Township Police Patrolman Kelly Campbell following a Sept. 28 traffic stop on Route 901 in Mount Carmel Township.

n Daniel J. Grohowski, 21, with a last known address of 614 E. Fourth St., Mount Carmel, waived two cases.

The first case involved charges of delivery of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, criminal use of a communication facility, possession a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia filed by Mount Carmel Borough Police Patrolmen Matthew Dillman and Justin Stelma in relation to an incident at Third and Locust streets on March 15.

Grohowski also waived delivery of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, criminal use of a communication facility, possession a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia filed by Dillman and Mount Carmel Borough Police officer Cade Holden following a Nov. 10 incident at Fourth and Spruce streets.

n Driving with counterfeit document and plates and two traffic violations were waived to court by Terry A. Walter, 49, of 118 E. Fourth St., Mount Carmel.

Mount Carmel Township Police Patrolman David Stamets Jr. filed the charges following an Aug. 23 traffic stop on Route 54 in Mount Carmel Township.

n Shannon L. Fisher, 34, of 135 W. North St., Marion Heights, waived charges of access device fraud, theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property.

The charges were filed by Mount Carmel Borough Police Patrolman Jason Drumheller following an investigation of theft of money between March 1 and Nov. 8.

n Charges of delivery of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver, criminal use of a communication facility and possession of a controlled substance were waived to court by Mary S. McGinley, 24, of 113 N. Locust St., Mount Carmel.

Filed by Patrolman Matthew Dillman and Chief Todd Owens of the Mount Carmel Borough Police and Northumberland-Montour Drug Task Force, the charges stem from an investigation of a drug buy in the area of Second and Vine streets Jan. 31, 2012.

n Nicole A. Seidel, 23, of 109 S. Market St., Apt. 2N, Shamokin, waived charges of delivery of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, criminal use of a communication facility, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and five counts of criminal conspiracy.

Patrolman Matthew Dillman and Chief Todd Owens of the Mount Carmel Borough Police and Northumberland-Montour Drug Task Force filed the charges following a June 7 drug buy at Fifth and Market streets, Mount Carmel.

SUNBURY - Northumberland County Commissioner Richard Shoch said he welcomes an investigation into the alleged mismanagement of a state grant that requires the county to pay back $215,150 for failing to provide proper documentation to determine client eligibility.

Meanwhile, Commissioners Vinny Clausi and Stephen Bridy maintain their previous stance that the state Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) did not provide adequate direction for the grant program and said county officials should travel to Washington, D.C., to visit the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to clear up the controversy surrounding the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Rehousing (HPRP) Program.

Shoch said he attempted Thursday to have a motion placed on Tuesday's meeting agenda to have the inspector general from HUD and the FBI investigate the county, which he said had an approximate 80 percent failure rate for the grant program. But he said his request was denied by Clausi, who as chairman of the board determines the agenda.

"There are a lot of questions out there and I feel there is a need for a thorough investigation," Shoch said. "This isn't about any individual. It's about finding out what the county did wrong and who is responsible, and if there was any kind of fraud involved."

Shoch said he was dismayed that his fellow commissioners would not support a motion when they both previously said publicly they would.

Clausi said he sent a letter dated Jan. 11 to DCED grant manager Beverly A. Hutzel seeking documentation that explains why Michael Faust, of 1766 W. Chestnut St., Coal Township, brother of county grants manager Kathy Jeremiah, was ineligible for grant money based on his income.

In the letter, Clausi states, "With respect to page 6 regarding the 'conflict of interest,' ... your review determined that the client was ineligible due to a lack of supporting documentation for homelessness status and income qualifications."

He provides what he believes is the supporting documentation.

Clausi said Faust's first application was submitted Jan. 15, 2010, indicating the client was receiving unemployment benefits. During that same time period, payments were made Jan. 29, 2010, to PPL in the amount of $163.99; Jan. 29, 2010, to Aqua Pennsylvania in the amount of $195.81, and April 22, 2010, to PPL in the amount of $267.08.

In his letter, Clausi said Faust began employment at Polar-Tech Industries of Pa. Oct. 3, 2011, and submitted a second application for assistance Oct. 16, 2011. Payment was made on his behalf Jan. 17, 2011, to PPL in the amount of $143.

He asks DCED to provide documentation "as to how you made the determination that this client was ineligible based on his income?"

Jeremiah had previously said she believes DCED miscalculated Faust's income, in part basing it on 12 months of employment in 2011 when he only worked for three months of that year.

DCED calls Faust's delinquent water and electricity bills being paid through the state grant program a conflict of interest, but Jeremiah claims that's not the case.

Jeremiah, in a previous interview, said she had no direct connection to the grant being awarded to her brother. And, she said the money went directly to PPL and Aqua Pennsylvania.

Jeremiah said she and siblings own the property at 1766 W. Chestnut St.

DCED officials spent the second half of 2012 reviewing the county's record keeping regarding the grant, and detailed how much the county would have to pay back.

Hutzel, in a nine-page letter to the county detailing why it had to pay back grant money, never mentioned Jeremiah or her brother by name. She did use one full page to detail the policy regarding conflict of interest. In addition to the relationship, she said the county employee had an ownership interest in the property her brother rented.

Jeremiah said she didn't know how her brother learned about the program, and that she didn't know he applied until after the fact. She said she recalled 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.

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

Work on I-80 set for today

MIFFLINVILLE - The eastbound lane of Interstate 80 will be closed between miles 242 and 241 (Mifflinville and Berwick exits) from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. today in order to remove asphalt waste in the median, PennDOT reports.

The I-80 westbound Mifflinville on-ramp remains closed due to merging traffic safety concerns in the narrowed two-lane area. The ramp detour remains in effect.

Log onto 511pa.com or call 511 from any phone to check interstate traffic conditions.

Kulpmont woman's art on display

SHAMOKIN - The Northumberland County Council for the Arts and Humanities (NCCAH) presents the photography of Kulpmont resident Patricia White through Feb. 21 in the lobby of Susquehanna Bank, Independence Street.

A longtime member of the NCCAH gallery committee, White has been photographing interesting objects and beautiful scenery for years.

Bank manager Deb Yeager said she is pleased to have displays from local artists and welcomes visitors to the exhibit during regular hours: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays through Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays and 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays.

Free flu shots offered in Sunbury

SUNBURY - The state Department of Health will offer free flu shots, by appointment, at the Northumberland County State Health Center, 247 Pennsylvania Ave., from 3 to 7 p.m. Monday. Call 988-5513 to make an appointment.

This year's seasonal influenza vaccine contains coverage against three strains of flu and is well matched with what is circulating in Pennsylvania. One of the best ways to protect against the flu is to get immunized, the department reports.

Individuals who have had a reaction to a flu shot in the past, are allergic to eggs or have a history of Guillian-Barre Syndrome will be advised to see their health care provider.

For more information, call 1-877-PA-HEALTH or go to www.flufreepa.com

COAL TOWNSHIP - Parents who are currently weighing decisions about their children's education are encouraged to attend an open house and new student registration day from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday p.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School located at 2001 Clinton Ave.

There will be a presentation at 2 p.m. in the gymnasium concerning the Neumann Scholarships for the 2013-14 school year.

The open house is an opportunity for families to meet teachers and students.

"At Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School, students receive an outstanding academic and faith foundation from a dedicated and experienced faculty," the school promotes. "The planned integration of religious and social values within daily activities sets our school apart and makes Lourdes a unique educational alternative. Children of all faiths are welcome."

In order to provide individual attention, enrollment is limited and early registration is encouraged. Registration for the 2013-14 school year began Jan. 1.

For more information or to arrange a tour of the facilities, call 644-0375.