SHAMOKIN - The following hearings took place Tuesday before Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III. Defendants ordered to appear for plea court June 3 in Northumberland County Court, Sunbury, can plead guilty or no contest, or seek a trial by pleading not guilty.

n David Erdman, 40, and Valarie Dressler, 35, both of 334 S. Shamokin St., Shamokin, waived to court charges of theft and receiving stolen property.

Both defendants were charged by Coal Township Patrolman Edward Purcell with stealing heavy machinery parts from the Big Mountain area owned by Ken Snyder and selling them for scrap at Jeff's Recycling on March 14.

n Anthony Cancellier, 19, of 1707 Mohawk St., Coal Township, pleaded guilty to possession of drug paraphernalia and was ordered to pay a $300 fine plus costs and placed on supervised probation for six months.

An additional charge of possession of Clonazepam and marijuana was withdrawn.

The charges were filed by Shamokin Cpl. Bryan Primerano.

n Charges of theft, receiving stolen property and access device fraud filed by Shamokin Cpl. Jarrod Scandle against Megan Corbaccio, 23, of 1520 W. Walnut St., Coal Township, were withdrawn when the defendant paid $101.06 restitution to the victim.

Corbaccio was charged with stealing a child support card from Jackie Rupert's apartment at 804 N. Washington St. on Feb. 25. Police said Corbaccio used the card to purchase $101.06 worth of merchandise at Wal-Mart Supercenter in Coal Township.

n Jack Zimmerman, 39, of 537 Main St., Ranshaw, waived to court charges of simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and disorderly conduct filed by Coal Township Patrolman Joshua Wynn.

Zimmerman is accused of preventing people from stopping an assault outside Brady Fire Company on Oct. 20 that resulted in serious injuries to the victim.

The offenses relate to a disturbance in which Richard "Ricky" J. Madden, 27, of 1000 W. Willow St., Coal Township, was charged with repeatedly punching and kicking Dale Wilk Jr., 31, of 2004 Pulaski Ave., Coal Township, and slamming his head off the ground at about 2:30 a.m.

Wilk suffered bruises and scrapes on his head and face in the attack and required emergency room treatment.

Zimmerman is accused of blocking a doorway at the fire company, which prevented people from stopping the assault. Police said Zimmerman, who refused to move from the doorway, stated that Wilk deserved getting assaulted.

n Kenneth S. Ross, 50, of 733 Pine St., Kulpmont, pleaded guilty to careless driving and was ordered to pay a fine and costs totaling $112. Two counts of aggravated assault and charges of simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, theft, receiving stolen property and disorderly conduct were withdrawn when witnesses failed to appear to testify against the defendant.

Ross was charged by Shamokin Cpl. Darwin Tobias III with hitting Destry Cavada, 26, of Mount Carmel, with a white 1993 Ford van after allegedly helping Carlos Perez steal three guitars and an amplifier valued at $600 from Perez's brother, Shane Perez, in the first block of East Church Street on March 27.

Cavada suffered injuries to his right hand, right elbow and backside and was transported by AREA Services to Geisinger-Shamokin Area Community Hospital.

By Rob Wheary

SHAMOKIN - While PennDOT officials work to make roadways safer, they are battling an "epidemic" of distracted driving.

That's how Rick Mason, District 3 public relations officer, described the problem, much of it focused on texting while driving.

"Last year in Pennsylvania, there were more than 14,000 accidents that involved distracted driving with 57 deaths," Mason said. "Over the last five years, 11 percent of the crashes in Pennsylvania involved distracted drivers with more than 300 deaths attributed to them."

With Pennsylvania heading into the construction season, PennDOT officials cannot stress enough that drivers need to pay attention.

"Whether it be texting, talking on your cell phone, even a hands-free cell phone, it's not worth the risk. You could be the safest driver in the world and something could happen that you have no control over," Mason said.

So what about hands-free calling?

"Studies have shown that talking on a cell phone, whether it be hands-free or handheld, uses a certain part of the brain that causes a distraction, more so than listening to the radio or talking to the person next to you," he said.

Even adjusting the radio is considered a distraction. Adjust it before starting out, he suggested.

Thumb bands

Organizations appear to be getting the message and are helping get the word out. District 3 Executive Sandra Tosca noted her attendance at a recent chamber of commerce meeting where a student group was handing out thumb bands with a safety message on them as a reminder to keep both hands on the wheel.

"I thought that was a clever idea to get the point across," she said.

"No text is worth a life," Mason added.

HARRISBURG - Sunbury's 53-year-old water treatment plant will get a total upgrade as a result of funding approved Wednesday by PENNVEST, state Sen. John R. Gordner (R-27) and Rep. Lynda Schlegel Culver (R-108) announced in a press release from Gordner's office. The PENNVEST board approved a $3 million low-cost loan for the Sunbury Municipal Authority.

The authority's plant currently uses two treatment units that have reached the end of their service life. New units, along with related mechanical equipment, that meet current environmental standards will be constructed. Because of the low interest rate on the PENNVEST loan, user rates are not expected to increase.

"The system upgrade is long overdue," Gordner was quoted in the release. "This project will result in increased reliability and ensure safe drinking water for system customers."

"The result is good drinking water, a system that meets current environmental standards and increased efficiency in the authority's operation," Culver added.

PENNVEST is an independent state agency that provides financial assistance to upgrade sewer, water, storm water and drinking water projects throughout the state.

Susquehanna Valley drivers are paying six cents less per gallon of gasoline this week as prices fell to $3.429 per gallon in the region. Pennsylvania ranks 24th in the country for the state average price of gasoline, $3.490. The lowest price today is Wyoming at $3.334 and the high is Hawaii at $4.366.

Today's national average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline is $3.52. This price is a penny less expensive than one week ago, but it is 16 cents less than one month ago and 34 cents less than one year ago. In 2011, the national average for regular unleaded gasoline peaked at $3.98 on May 5. In 2012, the price peaked at $3.94 on April 5 and 6.

While motorists in every state but three (Utah, Idaho and Wyoming) are paying less at the pump than one month ago, those in some Midwestern states have seen prices climb sharply in the last week following supply concerns from heavy rains in the region. Prices in 43 states and Washington, D.C., are lower than one week ago, compared to four Great Lakes states, which have seen the average price increase more than a dime per gallon (Illinois, 10 cents; Michigan, 24 cents; Ohio, 28 cents; and Indiana, 28 cents).

The recent storms and resulting power outages provided the catalyst for higher retail prices in the Midwest; however, analysts had warned that the region was susceptible to price increases as regional refineries had yet to undergo maintenance and make the transition to summer-blend gasoline production. Gas stations in much of the country must make this retail switch by June 1; however, refineries shift to making summer blend in March and April to meet a May 1 production deadline. During this switch, regional production is reduced and supplied markets are more susceptible to unexpected disruptions, as was the case during the recent storms in the Midwest.

The primary factors driving retail gas prices lower in recent weeks have been low demand, continued disappointing economic news and lower crude oil prices. At the close of Monday's formal trading on the NYMEX, WTI settled up 80 cents at $88.81 per barrel.

(AAA East Central, part of the AAA family, serves members in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, New York and Kentucky. Fuel Gauge is published each week in The News-Item.)

This week's Susquehanna Valley average price (as of Tuesday morning): $3.429

Average price during the week of April 16, 2013: $3.486

The following is a list of the average price of unleaded self-serve gasoline in various areas:

Lewisburg - $3.342

Mifflinburg - $3.399

Milton - $3.359

Selinsgrove - $3.487

Shamokin - $3.486

Sunbury - $3.503

Gospel concert set for Saturday

COAL TOWNSHIP - Jamie Slocum, a nominee for the Christian and gospel music Dove Awards, and special guests Krissy Kline along with Joe Kantz and Scott Bordner of True Heart Quartet will perform during a concert Saturday at Mountainside Assembly of God Church, 1900 Trevorton Road.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and the concert begins at 6 p.m. A love offering will be received for JMeg Ministries, an outreach for at-risk teens in the region.

Seedlings are available

MOUNT CARMEL - Kort Forestry will donate 100 tree seedlings to Mount Carmel Area School District for distribution in celebration of Arbor Day and Earth Day Friday.

Any individual interested in planting a young tree may pick up the seedling at the rear of the high school from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Friday.

Earth Day, which was observed April 22, is celebrated to help people become aware of the environment, celebrate good ecology and concern over pollution of our air, soil and water.

Arbor Day, on Friday, is celebrated to plant and care for trees.

Kort Forestry, operated by Karl J. Kort, is located at 165 Beech Drive, Kulpmont.

Clinic hosting open house

BLOOMSBURG - Geisinger Careworks Walk-in Clinic Bloomsburg will host an open house at Geisinger-Bloomsburg Hospital's Medical Arts Building, 425 E. First St., from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.

The first 100 people in attendance will receive a free gift. The event will feature children's activities, a live radio remote by 106.5 FM (WFYY) and refreshments. Everyone may also register to win a free iPad.

Geisinger Careworks walk-in clinics treat acute illnesses and minor injuries such as allergies, asthma, burns, colds, cuts, fevers and sprains, helping patients avoid unnecessary emergency room visits. Like other Geisinger Careworks clinics, patients visiting the new Bloomsburg clinic will have access to services including immunizations, labs, X-rays, EKG and laceration repair.

The Bloomsburg walk-in clinic opened on April 15 and is staffed from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. No appointments are needed.

SHAMOKIN - Firehouse burgers will be cooked up and sold Saturday by former city Mayor Jim Yurick and company, with proceeds benefiting Shamokin's 150th anniversary celebration in 2014.

It's the first of three fundraising events on the horizon for the anniversary committee. Ticket sales for train rides at the May 25 Anthracite Heritage Festival of the Arts and a June 22 chicken barbecue and 5K run/walk will also benefit the committee in its efforts to organize the celebration.

Yurick's famous half-pound firehouse burgers are a hit locally and are known to sell out quickly. The event begins at 4 p.m. at Independence Fire Association, Market and Arch streets.

The firehouse burger is $6, and with sauce on one side is the tamest of the Yurick's original take on the American classic. There's also the SOS burger, which is $6 and includes sauce on both sides; the Mayor's Maniac, $7, with sauce on the top, on the bottom, and in the middle; and the Wizard, $7, cooked like the maniac and comes with additional hot sauce.

Those with milder tastes can still enjoy a great burger: plain burgers and cheeseburgers will be sold for $5. A plain hotdog is $3; make it a firehouse for $4.

Each order comes with chips and a pickle.

Yurick will be joined in the Independence kitchen by his youngest son, Kyle Yurick, as well as Bruce Victoriano, Jim Vetovich and Terry Kerris. They have donated their time and proceeds to the anniversary committee, as they have done in the past for other good causes.

Train ride

This year's train ride during the Anthracite Heritage Festival will cover more ground than in years past.

The train will depart the Water Street municipal parking lot and travel north through Shamokin, into Coal Township and through Tharptown. It will continue towards Paxinos, passing through Shamrock Mills and into the Reed Industrial Park before reversing course and heading back to Shamokin.

There are two departure times: 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Tickets are $10 and are on sale by calling 898-7311 or 847-3842. Children young enough to sit on a guardian's lap may ride free of charge.

The passenger excursion is possible through the cooperation of the Penn Valley Railroad, the Shamokin Valley Railroad and the SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority.

Benefit barbecue

Tickets are now being sold for the chicken barbecue benefit to be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 22 at Claude Kehler Community Park, Third and Arch streets. The cost is $9 and includes 1/2 chicken, baked potato, baked beans, cole slaw, roll and dessert.

Call 492-6181 or 809-2848 for chicken barbecue tickets only.

The 5K begins at noon June 22 at the Kehler park. The cost is $15 or $20 with a meal. To register for the 5K (with or without a meal) call 898-7311.

The next meeting of the 150th Anniversary Committee will be held at 7 p.m. May 15 at the Independence Fire Company. The public is encouraged to attend.

Look for updates and more at www.facebook.com/ShamokinCelebration.

COAL TOWNSHIP - Mark Anonia has announced his candidacy for Shamokin Area School Board.

Anonia said he is uniquely qualified, offering a combination of community service, managerial skills, strong budget and finance background, and years of hands-on parental involvement.

Anonia is a lifelong resident of the school district and a graduate of Pennsylvania College of Technology. He has been employed 23 years as the cooked products manager at Michael Foods Inc., Klingerstown.

A son of Dr. Francis and Barbara (Quinn) Anonia, Anonia and his wife, Christine (Scicchitano), have three children, Noelle (Anonia) Carnuccio, a 2002 graduate of Shamokin Area; Mark Jr., a 2011 graduate of Shamokin Area, and Anthony, a senior at Shamokin Area. They have two grandchildren, Gabriella and Gaven.

"I have always been actively involved in our local youth organizations, am a member of The Hillside Coaches and sit on the Salvation Army Board of Directors. I previously served two terms on the school board and bring with that a deep understanding of public school operations," Anonia said.

"I want to help lead this community and support the school district. As a parent and past board member, I see the needs and perspectives of both sides of the equation.

"My motivation to run for the board comes directly from our children's education, my pride in the community and my concern over how money is spent. I believe schools exist for our children, not our children for schools. Therefore, the school board must work very hard to provide quality teachers, programs and safe buildings for our children to have a successful learning environment. My agenda was and is to do what I can to assist in promoting excellence and lifelong learning in our children, and to promote and facilitate excellence and best practices with all of our staff in the best use of our resources.

"We know that every child learns and finds success differently, so we must keep opportunities for success available by keeping art and music. It is necessary to reinstate a comprehensive arts program as K-12 core curricula. By reinstating the arts and involving them in a dialogue with other disciplines, we will catalyze, reinforce and deepen student learning across the curriculum.

"Unfortunately, our government and legislature failed to step up and provide equitable, sustainable, predictable and sufficient funding so educators can do their jobs, and I am committed to working collaboratively with the other board members to find innovative ways to close the gap.

"I look forward to working with the many educators and staff members. If elected, it will be important to remain active in the community during my tenure on the school board. This will ensure the ideas and opinions of students, parents, and residents are included in my decision making process.

"A great teacher, staff member, mentor or principal can impact a person for the rest of his or her life. I would like our Shamokin Area School District to be a positive impact, and I would like your vote so that I can assist our children to be ready and a success in lifelong learning," he concluded.

RANSHAW - A dump truck accidentally knocked out power to more than 500 PPL customers in Coal Township's east end Wednesday morning.

The outage occurred at 8:26 a.m., disrupting service to 574 customers and knocking out traffic lights along Route 61. It was fully restored at 9:48 a.m., according to Teri MacBride, PPL spokeswoman.

A PPL employee near the scene said a dump truck with its box up accidentally struck a PPL power line and tripped the system, which had to be restarted.

The incident occurred on land along Route 901 across from Ranshaw, reportedly behind the businesses along Quarry Road.

SHAMOKIN - Robert Gilligbauer is a candidate for Shamokin City Council on the Republican ticket.

Gilligbauer is a lifelong resident of the Shamokin area. He considers himself "not to be a politician," and said he is running in this year's election to rid the city of wasteful spending, to put an end to friends and family hiring, to stop local tax increases and prevent any more sewer tax increases.

If elected, Gilligbauer said his first motion will request that all councilmen and the mayor give up their salaries and their medical benefits provided by city taxpayers. Also included in the motion will be that the councilmen and the mayor not receive any income or extras such as cell phones, meals and fuel miles from the taxpayers' pockets.

Gilligbauer feels that to get Shamokin pointed in the right financial direction, it must start at the top with the spending. He also feels that anyone in the position of councilman or mayor should be serving for the good of the city, not for the pay and benefits.

If elected, he promises that he will never vote to give any administrative employee a huge pay raise just as he said was done with the current city clerk, Steve Bartos. "The taxpayers just cannot afford this type of wasteful spending, especially in our current economic climate," he said.

He feels that the city should get out of the parking meter business. "It hurts the few businesses we have left. Meters were meant to control traffic in a municipality and Shamokin is abusing the meters by using them to make revenue, which is illegal," he said. "The meters are killing the businesses and are simply not fair to the citizens of the area."

If elected, Gilligbauer promises he will work with Northumberland County officials to begin using the skills and labor of prisoners (at little expense to the taxpayers) to repair or tear down the many dilapidated, tax-abandoned properties that are ruining the Shamokin community. He states, "Over the last 30 years, the city should have focused its efforts on tearing down the blighted properties rather than waiting for them to collapse and spend triple the taxpayers' money."

Gilligbauer said he believes that the current state of the city demands new faces and ideas. He added that, if elected, he will be one new faces and promises to bring in new ideas that will benefit the community.

SHAMOKIN - Approximately $1,000 in heroin, Spice and cocaine was confiscated Wednesday afternoon by city police when a Philadelphia man who allegedly has been selling drugs in the area since last week was taken into custody in the downtown district and charged with multiple felonies.

A confidential informant was used in a drug buy that resulted in the arrest of Terrance Giddings, 34, of 3004 Rorer St.

Giddings was apprehended without incident at about 1:30 p.m. by five Shamokin police officers at Independence and Ninth streets after the defendant allegedly sold 10 packets of heroin valued at $200 to an informant in Shamokin about 30 minutes earlier. He also is accused of providing $100 worth of Spice to a female acquaintance and possessing with intent to deliver approximately $800 worth of cocaine.

Spice is a form of synthetic marijuana that has the same mind-altering effects as bath salts.

Giddings was arraigned via video at 5:30 p.m. by on-call Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III on seven criminal charges filed by Cpl. Bryan Primerano, including felonies of delivery of heroin and Spice, felonies of possession with intent to deliver heroin, Spice and cocaine, and criminal use of a communication facility, and a misdemeanor of possession of drug paraphernalia.

He was committed to Northumberland County Prison in Sunbury in lieu of $50,000 cash bail and was ordered to appear for a preliminary hearing Tuesday morning before Gembic.

Police said additional charges are pending against Giddings and an acquaintance, Donna McDonald, 30, of 550 N. Market St., Apt. A-4, Shamokin, who admitted the defendant supplied her with Spice.

Police, who reportedly had Giddings under surveillance for a few days, spotted the defendant exit a downtown apartment after the drug deal and found the $200 used in the controlled buy, a plastic packet containing heroin and plastic commonly used to package cocaine upon taking Giddings into custody.

During a search of McDonald's apartment, Chief of Police Edward Griffiths discovered a plastic bag containing cocaine in one of Giddings' boots. Police also found packets of Spice in McDonald's purse, and clothing, paperwork, a suitcase and duffel bag belonging to Giddings.

Assisting Primerano and Griffiths in the investigation were Patrolmen Mark Costa, Shane Mowery and Raymond Siko II.

Giddings was previously charged with multiple offenses including robbery in connection with an Oct. 3, 1998, incident in the Philadelphia area.

MOUNT CARMEL - Heather Gusky Artman has announced her candidacy for a seat on Mount Carmel Borough Council.

A registered Democrat, she said she will seek the support of both Democrats and Republicans. Republican voters can vote for her through write-ins.

Artman previously ran for mayor against Kevin Jones in 2009 and for a seat on borough council in 2011.

"As a lifetime resident of Mount Carmel, I know this town is in need of some serious changes. I also realize that I am only one person and can't make changes all by myself," Artman said. "That is why I am willing to ask for the help of my fellow borough council members. I will also ask for the input of townspeople on what changes they would like to see."

Artman said that, as a council member, she will have an open door policy for any problems or ideas borough residents have. "I won't be one of those candidates who stands before you and makes a bunch of empty promises that I know I won't be able to fulfill just to earn a seat on council," Artman said. "I'd rather make a promise that I will do whatever it takes to see changes in this town by voicing my opinion and being there for the people."

Artman said she will stand up for what she believes is right and in the borough's best interest, even if it means she will be standing alone. "A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. Someone doesn't set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the quality of their actions and the integrity of their intent," she said.

Artman said she is concerned about the number of blighted houses and the garbage and junk that is piled on people's porches, sidewalks, yards and in their entry ways. "This is what gives this town the appearance of substandard living conditions," she remarked. "I feel we need to come up with stricter ordinances."

Artman said it is important to find ways to bring more revenue into town. "Establishing more locally owned businesses will build a strong community as a whole. This will result with the locally owned businesses bringing a much larger share of their revenue back into our community," she noted.

PAXINOS - The Coal Crackers Club kicked off its 13th year with its "Spring Fling" luncheon at Masser's Banquet Hall Wednesday. The total members in attendance was 216.

The Coal Crackers Club is an informal group of residents and formers residents of the Coal Region. There are no dues or officers, and they hold no formal meetings. The club's expenses are covered by the generous donations of its members. Total membership of the club is 600-plus, and they are continually accepting new members to join and enjoy renewing old acquaintances and make new friends. The club holds luncheons in April and October at Masser's Banquet Hall and a picnic in July at Knoebels Amusement Resort.

Members were welcomed to the "Spring Fling" luncheon by coordinator Glenn Henninger, followed by a prayer of thanksgiving. Chris Masser and her staff then served the meal.

Prior to opening the program, Joan Muskey welcomed the Rev. Robert Peiffer, pastor of St. John's United Church of Christ, to the club. Peiffer is new to the region, which makes him an honorary coal cracker. Muskey also welcomed all first-time attendees.

Linda Gula, a registered nurse from the Visiting Nurses Association (VNA), talked about the VNA and the services it provides, focusing on thospice care.

The Coal Crackers summer picnic will be July 31 at Knoebels Amusement Resort. The club's newsletter will be sent out at that time.

LEWISBURG - Dr. Thomas Challman didn't have to think long for an answer when he was asked the significance of establishing an autism and developmental medicine center in Lewisburg.

"The kids in this region deserve it," the Geisinger Health Systems neurodevelopmental pediatrics doctor said Wednesday afternoon at the Campus Theatre.

His words were spoken during a break in a symposium on advancements in autism research and treatment to observe Autism Awareness Month and to celebrate the opening of the Geisinger-Bucknell Autism and Developmental Medicine Center.

Challman said children with developmental disorders, such as autism, and their parents will no longer have to travel to Philadelphia or New York City for diagnosis and treatment of certain ailments.

"By providing this service here, we've been able to bring in the best clinicians and researchers to be here. Because of the unique combinations we have here, including affiliation with Bucknell University and Geisinger Health System, we think we're building something here that really rivals everything else," he said.

Latest research

The three-hour symposium, which was attended by more than 270 individuals, featured expert presentations of the latest in the field of autism research and treatment by Dr. Wendy Chung, of Columbia University and the Simons Foundation; Dr. Robert Schultz, of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and Dr. Brenda Finucane, of the Autism and Developmental Medicine Institute at Geisinger.

Autism, as described by the National Library of Medicine, is a developmental disorder that appears in the first three years of life, and affects the brain's normal development of social and communication skills.

Often, those with autism are less likely to react to faces than they are to objects, or become experts in things rather than people, said Schultz.

For example, he said he knows a child with autism who can determine the day on which a person's birthday will fall in any given year 30,000 years out with 98 percent accuracy; it takes the child less than two seconds to do so.

He said people with autism are usually unable to "perform the emotional 'song and dance' we have with other people."

Grand opening today

The symposium comes in advance of the grand opening of the Geisinger-Bucknell Autism and Developmental Center, the first location of Geisinger's Autism and Developmental Medicine Institute.

Challman said the main reason they gathered Wednesday was to celebrate the unique center that allows for a larger number of children to be treated without a long waiting time.

"It's hard for kids to get access to some of the services. We're improving the delivery. It's a marriage between the treatment and delivery of treatment. It's all in one place," he said. "We can only do that if we deliver the best clinical care and if we're studying the conditions to determine what the best approaches are. "

The center will be an integrated program of clinical care, research and education that Geisinger officials plan to make a national model for implementing guidelines for early diagnosis, medication management and treatment options for children with developmental disorders.

The joint effort of Bucknell and Geisinger will bring together the hospital's neurodevelopmental pediatric specialist, psychiatry/psychology, radiology, pediatric neurology and genomic medicine with the college's academic programs in neurosciences, psychology, education, mathematics and computer sciences. It will allow Geisinger clinicians and scientists to work with Bucknell's students and researchers.

Wenda Hartzell, an administrator for the program, said it's a huge step to have such a clinic in the area with a team of researchers and medical staff.

The grand opening of the center on Hamm Drive will take place at 3 p.m. today. Appointments for patients are being scheduled at the center beginning Monday.

HARRISBURG - Despite widespread state spending cuts, the General Assembly ended fiscal 2011-12 with an uncommitted surplus of $140 million, according to an audit report approved Wednesday by a state commission.

The report, approved by the Legislative Audit Advisory Commission, also shows that 80 percent of the $306 million spent by the legislative branch that fiscal year went for salaries and benefits of lawmakers and staff.

The surplus was reduced last year by $43 million from a $183 million surplus in fiscal 2010-11, and is nearing an appropriate level, said Rep. Gordon Denlinger, R-99, Ephrata, the commission chairman.

"The reserve is maintained to allow the General Assembly to operate during a stalemate," he said.

The General Assembly spends about $30 million each month and needs to be able to operate independently in case of a prolonged state budget stalemate, which happened in 2009 with former Gov. Ed Rendell, said Denlinger. Stalemates are more likely to occur when state government is under divided political control, he explained.

Lawmakers had openly discussed reducing the surplus to $120 million last year, but the audit report indicates that goal wasn't reached, said Capitol activist Tim Potts.

Another activist leveled a broader criticism of the legislative surplus which has developed over decades. "The slush fund is justified as an emergency reserve to protect the balance of power should the budget not be done June 30, 2012," said Eric Epstein, cofounder of RocktheCapital.com. "Surplus money has been used in ways over the years that have nothing to do with a budget impasse."

The Legislature has ignored previous recommendations from an auditor to adopt a policy to cap the surplus and monitor it, said Epstein.

The report by the Philadelphia firm of Mitchell & Titus finds the House keeps several dozen committee and leadership checking accounts for expenses, down from a peak of 100.

The report recommends consolidating the remaining House checkbooks into one account under the House controller and providing more documentation on the specific legislative or businesses purpose for an expense item in those checkbooks.

Denlinger said legislative caucus leaders need to approve audit report recommendations for them to be implemented. He said he plans to discuss the report with respective leaders.

The report includes a statement by the auditor that it didn't audit the Legislature's "internal controls" over financial reporting, meaning it doesn't verify if money was spent for the stated purpose.