HUMMELS WHARF - What has been described as the largest thrift store in the country will soon locate at the former Value City location at 1060 N. Susquehanna Trail.

The Daily Item in Sunbury reported Community Aid, a faith-based nonprofit organization based in Mechanicsburg, has signed a 10-year lease for the property. Community Aid also has thrift stores operating in Hanover and Mechanicsburg. Items are offered in the stores at discounted prices for resale.

Representatives of Community Aid said the store will open in early 2014. Collection bins are already on site.

Debbie White, spokesperson, said Community Aid is collecting clothing, accessories, household appliances and all other quality goods except furniture. The intent is to keep proceeds in the community by establishing partnerships with churches, fire companies and other local charities.

Established just three years ago, Community Aid has more than 500 collection bins and 200 partners. More than $2 million in cash grants and $140,000 in cards have helped the stores provide free clothing for needy people.

PHILADELPHIA - Piotr Szezepan Wrobel, of Mount Carmel, graduated from Drexel University's College of Medicine May 17.

Wrobel, a 2004 graduate of Mount Carmel Area High School, graduated cum laude from Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove, May 11, 2008, with a Bachelor of Science and department honors.

Upon receiving his first stethoscope at Drexel, Wrobel decided to name it in honor of his late brother, Robert Sowa, who passed away in 2008. Wrobel will complete his residency at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia.

SHAMOKIN - A Ranshaw woman who had briefly been jailed after her Rottweiler bit a man on the forehead last month was banned Tuesday from possessing a large breed dog weighing more than 40 pounds.

The Rottweiler, named Junior, was expected to be euthanized Tuesday, according to the defendant, police and a state dog enforcement officer.

Cindy Santore, 45, of 217 Third St., pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of disorderly conduct during a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III. Charges of recklessly endangering another person and animals running at large were withdrawn.

The judge sentenced her to one year of supervised probation. He did not impose a fine nor court costs but did issue an order barring her from having a large breed dog in her home.

Santore's dog and a second Rottweiler owned by her daughter, Cynthia Hippenstiel, 22, of 211 Third St., Ranshaw, were running loose near Route 61 near Palmer's Diner on May 24. Joseph Drost, 23, of 1025 Chestnut St., Kulpmont, pulled his vehicle over and attempted to keep the dogs from running into traffic. Drost was bitten in the forehead by "Junior," causing deep puncture wounds.

Santore turned herself in to police on May 30 and was jailed on $10,000 bail, which she posted later that evening. Hippenstiel was issued a citation.

The dog was quarantined at Santore's home for 10 days, according to Alan Fegley, state dog enforcement officer. He said he would check Santore's home today to confirm that the dog was put down.

Court records show Santore had been cited for dog ordinance violations five times by Coal Township Police between June 2011 and November 2012.

William Carpenter, police chief, says both Santore and Hippenstiel had each been warned prior several times prior about their dogs running loose. "Junior" in particular was known to be aggressive, he said, having previously attacked other canines and a Ranshaw man. The chief told his officers to not hesitate to shoot it if it was seen running at large.

The dogs are each estimated to weigh more than 120 pounds.

INDIANA, Pa. - Matthew Charles Altomare, a 2011 graduate of Mount Carmel Area High School, was named to the dean's list at Indiana University of Pennsylvania for the spring semester.

He is a son of Carol Altomare and the late James Altomare, and a grandson of Antoinette Niglio and the late Charles Niglio, all of Mount Carmel. Altomare is majoring in music education.

SHAMOKIN - A 46-year-old city man who allegedly attempted to punch and bite police officers and emergency medical personnel late Monday night after being taken into custody for causing a disturbance in the downtown district has been charged with multiple offenses, including a felony of aggravated assault.

Donald Wayne Jessie, of 512 Bear Valley Ave., was arraigned by video at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday by Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III and committed to Northumberland County Prison in lieu of $10,000 cash bail.

According to a criminal complaint, police initially went to Jessie's home shortly before 10 p.m. to check on his welfare after being contacted by a caseworker from Northumberland County Behavioral Health and Intellectual/Developmental Services. Cpl. Darwin Tobias III and Patrolman Mark Costa were able to settle Jessie down at that time, but were called back to his residence at about 11:20 p.m. after receiving a call from caseworker Rosie West who said Jessie threatened to cut her throat and his own.

Jessie was then transported to Shamokin Police Station to await a mental health evaluation because of his threatening behavior toward himself and others. Jessie, who told police he did not want to be committed to a medical facility for an evaluation, exited the rear door of the police station at 511 N. Franklin St. and walked west on Independence Street before becoming combative and screaming and cursing. He was eventually handcuffed by officers and returned to the police station.

While being detained, Jessie became more combative and began dragging a desk from an interview room toward police, causing damage to the walls. Police said Jessie started threatening to punch officers in the face before swinging at them.

It took three police officers to hold Jessie down until AREA Services Ambulance personnel arrived at the station with a restraint system that prevented the defendant from punching and charging at police. While police and four ambulance personnel attempted to restrain Jessie with handcuffs, a transport belt, leg shackles and the restraint system for transport to Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, he attempted to bite the officers and emergency medical personnel. It took more than 10 minutes before police and ambulance personnel were able to secure Jessie for transport.

In addition to aggravated assault, Jessie is charged by Patrolman Shane Mowery with misdemeanors of terroristic threats and resisting arrest, and a summary of disorderly conduct.

SHAMOKIN - Two people accused of burglarizing the property of a deceased neighbor waived their rights to a preliminary hearing Tuesday before Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III.

n Christen Gearhart, 18, and Justin N. Valerio, 21, both of 150 S. Pearl St., Shamokin, are accused of breaking into 154 S. Pearl St. in the early morning hours of May 29. A witness called police to report the alleged break-in and officers reportedly took the two into custody after they were found hiding inside the home's attic.

The former owner of 154 S. Pearl St. died in March.

Gearhart and Valerio are each charged by Shamokin Police Cpl. Jarrod Scandle with one felony count of burglary and a misdemeanor count of loitering and prowling at night time. By waiving the hearing, the charges are moved to Northumberland County Court, Sunbury, for adjudication.

Gearhart and Valerio have been held in Northumberland County Prison, Sunbury, since their arrest May 29 in lieu of $50,000 bail. They were each released Tuesday on supervised bail.

The disposition of other cases held Tuesday before Gembic are as follows:

n Aaron Keith Brannon, 27, of 809 N. Fourth St., Sunbury, waived two drunk driving charges and four summary traffic violations, and remained free on $2,500 unsecured bail. He was arrested by state police at Stonington following a traffic stop April 13 along Route 61 near Hollow Road in Shamokin Township.

n Conchetta A. O'Connell, 20, of 1012 W. Lynn St., Coal Township, waived charges of theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property, unauthorized use of automobiles, criminal mischief and criminal conspiracy to commit theft, and remained free on $2,500 unsecured bail. She is accused of stealing a pickup truck from Tharptown on March 26 which was found the next day stuck in the area of Stoney Point in the Springfield section of Coal Township. Charges were filed by township police on May 6.

n Juan C. Rodriquez, 28, of 12 N. Anthracite St., Shamokin, waived charges of simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, disorderly conduct and harassment, and remained free on $2,500 unsecured bail. He is accused of throwing and smashing items inside 17 E. Church St., Shamokin, and throwing items through a second-story window in the early morning hours of May 1 during a domestic dispute.

n James Beach, 45, of 1201 W. Pine St., Coal Township, waived charges of accidents involving damage to an unattended vehicle or structure, careless driving and failure to stop or render aid, and remained free on $2,500 unsecured bail. He is accused of striking another vehicle while driving north on Route 61 near the Route 901 junction and failing to stop and provide information on March 2. The charges were filed by Coal Township police on March 18.

n Kenneth A. Latshaw, 38, of 804 W. Fifth St., Mount Carmel, waived one count of felony retail theft. He is accused of stealing $350.45 in merchandise from Wal-Mart Supercenter, Route 61, Coal Township, on April 4. The charge was filed April 22.

n One count of possession of a controlled substance was held for court against Christopher M. Clark, 26, of 220 N. Vine St., Shamokin. He did not appear for the preliminary hearing, which was held in absentia. The charge was filed by Shamokin Police after Clark was allegedly found in possession on April 30 of one Focalin pill, for which he did not have a prescription.

WILLIAMSPORT - The lawsuit between a former employee and a local roofing company has been settled in U.S. District Court, according to court documents.

According to the documents filed May 29, Jason Deitz, of Shamokin, received a $3,000 settlement in the case against Budget Renovations and Roofing Inc, of Shamokin, while three other employees received settlements of $500 each.

Now that the case is settled, Deitz will also receive another $2,000 payment from Budget for helping to negotiate the settlement.

The suit, filed by Deitz in April 2012 in U.S. Middle District Court in Williamsport, claims Budget failed to pay overtime and did not list the correct number of hours worked on pay stubs, which would be violations of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and the Pennsylvania Minimum Wage Act.

According to the complaint, the offenses occurred between April 17, 2009, and October 2011 while Deitz was working as a roofer. He had held the job since 2004. During that time, Deitz said Budget employed 40 people who were paid an hourly wage. The plaintiff wanted to make the case a collective action involving other employees.

Deitz said weekly pay stubs failed to list either the number of hours worked during the week or the hourly rates.

Since the action was filed, three other former employees, Eric Gallagher, Stephen Hornberger and Matthew Marcheski, joined the suit.

Before the case went to trial, Deitz's attorney at the time, Peter Winebrake, of Dresher, received word that the case had been settled without the attorney being involved.

According to Winebrake's motion, filed May 25, 2012, the attorney received a phone call from Deitz, asking him to withdraw the lawsuit. Further questioning determined that Searls had contacted Deitz and offered him money, without contacting Winebrake.

Later that day, Searls and Budget faxed a package of documents to Winebrake containing settlement agreements and a release from any future claims against Budget allegedly signed by Deitz, Gallagher, Marcheski and Rothermel, with the message on the cover sheet saying, "Jason Deitz asked us to fax this to you."

Winebrake later asked for and received an order to withdraw as counsel for the plaintiffs, but a ruling was made that the case could not be resolved until a determination was made that the settlement amounts were acceptable under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and the Pennsylvania Minimum Wage Act

U.S. District Judge Matthew W. Brann ruled on May 29 that there was a dispute in the matter on the FLSA, since the defendants were paid lower wages than other employess, but Budget claimed the workers were laborers, not "roofers" according to Pennsylvania State Law, and thus paid the lower rate.

The judge then said the proposed settlement constitutes a fair and reasonable resolution to the case. That same day, Brann approved the settlement agreements and dismissed the action without costs and with prejudice to the right of either party. The judge retained the right to reinstate the action in 60 days if the settlement is not consummated.

Car cruise set for June 30

KULPMONT - The 11th Great Kulpmont Cruise will be held rain or shine at 3:30 p.m. June 30.

Registration begins at noon at Holy Angels picnic grounds in the 800 block of Scott Street, behind the church. The cost is $13.

Judging is from noon to 3 p.m. Dash plaques will be given to the first 200 vehicles and trophies will be awarded.

Live music will be played during the cruise, which will be televised by WKMC. Parking spaces will be provided after the cruise to display the classic vehicles. Concessions will be sold at the picnic grounds.

There were 240 vehicles in last year's event.

For more information, call Joe Cesari at 373-3561.

Last chance to order hero banner

SHAMOKIN - Today is the deadline to order a hometown heroes banner to be added to those already hanging in the downtown. Cost is $200, and the banner will be returned to the purchaser when it is taken down in November. For $50, it will be displayed again next year.

Call Angie Arnold at 648-6294 if interested.

The project was organized by Citizens for a Better Community.

COAL TOWNSHIP - Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 317 will hold a flag retirement ceremony on Flag Day, Thursday, June 13, beginning at 6 p.m. at the Coal Township Municipal Building, 805 W. Lynn St.

The ceremony is open to the public. People are urged to bring with them any old and tattered American flags they wish to be retired. Anyone attending should bring a lawn chair.

The Coal Township VFW dedicated a flag drop-off box in July 2003. It is placed in front of the Coal Township Municipal Building for the public to drop off any worn or tattered American flag for proper disposal.

Due to the huge success of the box and old flags collected from local cemeteries, a flag retirement ceremony has become necessary. Every week, a member of the post collects the flags from the box. Since its dedication in July 2003, the post has collected well over 175,000 American flags in various sizes, and the post is grateful for those who choose to use the drop-off box.

The ceremony is usually conducted privately, but the Coal Township VFW decided to make it open to the public to let everyone experience and be informed about the proper protocol for retiring old and worn American flags. The Shamokin American Legion Post 73 will join in the ceremony, which will involve the proper protocol and end with patriotic music.

The Coal Township VFW expressed appreciation to the Coal Township Board of Commissioners and the Maine Fire Company for their permission and assistance in making the ceremony possible.

SUNBURY - The former Big K-Mart building along Route 61 in Coal Township was sold during Wednesday's judicial sale at the Northumberland County Administration Building.

Vacant since approximately 2001, the building was sold to Guy Leroy for $210,000. Bidding began at $79,608.36.

The building has been listed on online realty websites as a 92,170-square-foot building on an 11-acre lot.

SUNBURY - Police shot a 17-year-old boy after he eluded their pursuit, struck two police vehicles and tried to run over an officer with his car early Wednesday, state police reported.

The teen, who was identified by family friends as Naheem Reams, remained in critical condition at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, as of 10:30 p.m. Wednesday.

A man identifying himself as Reams' father contacted The News-Item Wednesday night and said his son had undergone surgery for a wound to his stomach and liver. He said the family wasn't getting any answers from police as to why his son was shot, and said his son wasn't violent.

The man, who had to quickly hang up, said he'd call back, but didn't. Attempts to reach him were unsuccessful.

The incident began on Fifth Street around 1 a.m. when police approached the car while clearing the street for the street sweeper and ended about a mile away near Market and Front streets. Reams' car could be seen shortly after, its right-side tires on a sidewalk and the left-side tires on the lawn at Merle Phillips Park between Front Street and the Susquehanna River wall.

Friends interviewed at a home at 452 N. Fifth St. Wednesday afternoon believe Reams may have fled because juvenile probation officers had been looking for him recently. When officers approached his car, that's why he took off, they believe. (See separate story.)

Reams grew up in Sunbury and attended Shikellamy High School. He is believed to have earned his high school diploma through Northwestern Academy.

Posts on his Facebook page Wednesday afternoon included a number of get-well wishes and at least three posts that say "F... the police."

One afternoon post asking for prayers noted Reams was in critical condition and said he's "not doing good."

Another said, "I just heard what happened. It's crazy because we were talking that same night. I was wondering why you stopped texting, but stay strong. You'll get through this!"

Minor injury to officer

A police report issued Wednesday morning by state police at Stonington, which lists the nature of the incident as aggravated assault, says three Sunbury police officers were the victims, but doesn't give their names. It says one of them suffered a minor injury. Matt Burrows, community service officer for state police Troop F, said the injury was to the officer's head.

Burrows said he would not release the names of the officers because the investigation is ongoing.

Police did not say who fired the shot, but it is believed to have been one of the three Sunbury officers.

Burrows also said he could not provide the name of the suspect because he is a juvenile and the incident involves a criminal investigation.

The state police report, issued by Trooper Ronald Zanella, did not detail where the teen was shot.

Emergency communications broadcasts during the incident said the shot hit "center mass," typically indicating the center of a target. Also heard were the words "apply pressure" and someone asking that the ambulance "hurry."

Point Township and Northumberland police were also responding to the scene at the time.

Street cleaner detail

Police said the incident began when Sunbury Police Department was attempting to clear local streets of vehicles for weekly street cleaning. Officers encountered a vehicle parked along Fifth Street near Brennan's Farm Road that was occupied by the suspect, the state police report said. Brennan's Farm Road is a short street connecting Fifth and Sixth streets, just south of Reagan Street near Goodwill Hose Company.

Police said they "attempted to request" the suspect move his vehicle, but he took off "in a reckless manner." He refused to pull over when police tried to initiate a traffic stop and committed multiple traffic violations while he traveled through the city at a high rate of speed, according to police.

It could not be determined Wednesday if police had spoken to Reams at all before he took off.

'Shot was fired'

In the area of Chestnut Street (Route 61 south) and Front Street (Route 147), the suspect's vehicle struck two Sunbury Police Department vehicles and the suspect attempted to strike a city officer with his car, police said. "A shot was fired at the suspect where the suspect was struck," the report states.

Reams' car came to rest a short distance north of there in the park, not far from the intersection of Front and Market streets.

It appeared the right front tire of the suspect's vehicle, a small, silver, four-door sedan, was flat or low on air, and there was damage to the rear bumper.

It could not be determined Wednesday how bad the damage was to the police cars.

Front Street was closed while police investigated. It didn't reopen until 7:50 a.m., according to PennDOT.

SUNBURY - Friends of Naheem Reams said the teen was hiding from juvenile probation officers for a few days, was scared and didn't deserve to be shot early Wednesday morning by a police officer.

A woman at 452 N. Fifth St., who asked that her name not be used, said Reams, 17, often visited her four children and was best friends with her son.

He was on probation for a failed drug test and may have been headed to boot camp, but he was never violent, she said.

"He's not a bad kid. He panicked. He was scared, I think," the woman said.

Her son, who identified himself as Jason Schaeffer but didn't provide his age, said Reams didn't want to be taken away from the area because he wanted to be present for his son's birth in four months.

The family lives near the intersection with Brennan's Farm Road, a short street that connects Fifth and Sixth streets. It was on Fifth Street near Brennan's Farm Road where police say they approached Reams' vehicle at 1 a.m. Wednesday while they attempted to clear streets for the street sweeper. He took off in a "reckless manner," a police report said, starting a chase that ended about one mile away with Reams being shot by a city police officer.

A sign along Fifth Street says no parking from 1 to 7 a.m. Wednesdays, apparently for the sweeper.

Expecting his visit

Teens gathered at 452 N. Fifth St. Wednesday afternoon said they were expecting Reams to visit Tuesday night, but he never showed up. Daughters at the house said they were waiting for him on the porch, but eventually went back inside.

They don't know why Reams was parked on the street at the time police approached, but noted he knows other people in the neighborhood.

Schaeffer said Reams was enrolled through Shikellamy School District in the CLANCY program, the juvenile court system's last effort to reform young offenders before sentencing them to juvenile detention centers or forestry camps. He reportedly earned his high school diploma through the program.

Reams may have last been living in the Shamokin area with his father, but the Sunbury family was not sure the last place he resided.

They were unable to provide a full name for his mother, who they believe is in Northumberland County Prison.

Why not TASER?

The Fifth Street woman said she had been hearing conflicting reports about the incident from news sources and online posts and many questions remained.

"If they were had enough time to shoot him, couldn't they use a TASER? Couldn't they shoot his tires?" she asked.

Schaeffer agreed, saying he believes police didn't apply enough non-violent methods.

"There's lots of things they could have done. He's 100 pounds soaking wet. There's no reason to shoot kids," he said.

The Fifth Street woman, who is white, questioned whether race played any part in the police officers' reaction to Reams, who is black or Hispanic.

"If he was white, would they have shot him? Was there racial motivation?" she asked.

She said it wouldn't surprise her because her biracial daughter has been subjected to racial slurs before in Sunbury.

Reams has a rough life, Schaeffer's mother said.

"Whether he was in the wrong or the right, this is just a really bad situation," she said.

MOUNT CARMEL - The following awards, scholarships and honors were presented to Mount Carmel Area High School seniors during "Class Night 2103" awards ceremony Monday evening at the Richard F. Bierschmitt Auditorium.

Class of 2013 officers: Robert Varano, president; Catherine Fletcher, vice president; Alexandria McLeod, secretary, and Bryson Purcell, treasurer.

The Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 464, Mount Carmel, Award: Anthony Candelora, Eric Joraskie and Mary Rose Latorre.

Aqua Pa. Award: Alexandria Danilowicz.

Cohen Memorial Award: Lisa Darrup.

The Wiest-Wehry Friendship Memorial Scholarship: Kristyn Smeal.

Randy Zigarski Memorial Award: Jordan Haq.

Greg J. Leso Award: Thomas Stief.

Class of 1956 Award: Abigail Chapman and Kolby Dillon.

Northumberland County Recreation Committee Scholar Athlete Award: Tyler Kwiatkowski and Catherine Fletcher.

Babe Ruth Foundation- Elijah Duran and Catherine Fletcher.

District IV Sportsmanship Award: Justin Skavery and Tara Demko.

District IV Most Valuable Athlete: Robert Varano and Catherine Fletcher.

Michelle Louise Whyne Memorial Scholarship: Jill Mazurkievicz.

David Hodrick Award: Jayson Stellar.

Perseverance Award: Forrest Galitski and Ashley Evans.

Tornado Pride Award: Jayson Stellar.

Principals' Award: Mary Rose Latorre and Justin Skavery.

Superintendent Award: Robert Varano.

Kulpmont Lions Club Memorial Award: Nicole Purcell.

Kulpmont Lions Ladies Award: Tara Demko.

Anthracite Citizens' Theatre Award: Daniel Lesko.

Kulpmont Centennial Committee Award: Catherine Fletcher.

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2110, Mount Carmel, Award: Travis Minnig and Thomas Stief.

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2110, Mount Carmel, Democracy Essay Contest: Ashley D'Andrea, Mary Rose Latorre, Elijah Duran and Nicole Purcell.

Army ROTC Scholarship: Tara Demko.

Perfect attendance: Douglas Katalinas, Tyler Kwiatkowski and Nicholas Steffanick.

Highest Average in English, science, social studies and mathematics: Lisa Darrup.

COAL TOWNSHIP - Students in fourth through sixth grades participated in an annual science fair at Shamokin Area Elementary School.

The winning exhibits were those that received the most points in the following categories: creative ability, scientific thought, thoroughness, skill, clarity and dramatic value.

The school's grand prize-winning exhibit was entitled, "Preventing Soil Erosion." It was submitted by sixth-grader Nicholas Feudale.

First-place winners were: Rosalind Kane, fourth grade; Cherie Martin, fifth grade, and Emily Backes, sixth grade.

Second-place: Rileigh Nowroski, fourth grade; Kyra Sanders, fifth grade, and Alyssa Charriez, sixth grade.

Third-place: Mariah Sullivan, fourth grade; Morgan Nye, fifth grade, and Joan Shaeffur, sixth grade.

Fourth-place: Stacy Radomski, fourth grade; Blake Kane, fifth grade, and Marshall Buggy, sixth grade.

Fifth-place: Damiam Hile, fourth grade; Margaret Bowers, fifth grade, and Hanna Haldeman, sixth grade.

Prizes were supplied by Knoebels Amusement Resort, Martin's Chicken and Ribs, Digiplex Destinations, Harry's Fine Food, Weis Markets, Burger King, Scicchitano's Buono Pizza, Schuylkill Valley Sports, Palmer's Diner, Original Italian Pizza restaurant, Subway, Pizza Huts and teachers, administrators and staff of the Shamokin Area Elementary School and Annex.

Each participant received a ribbon, certificate, a random prize and extra credit in their school subjects. Sixth-grade teachers E.J. Bailey and Douglas Kase were the science fair coordinators. Judges were Jeff Kashner, Stephen Major, Bill Faust, Joseph Wightman, Ed Bailey Sr. and Shannon Fetterman.

The school extended a special thank-you to Knoebels Amusement Resort for their donation of the grand prize. Bailey and Kase also extended appreciation to Tanya Lilley, Jan Koch, Lori Hile and the sixth-grade boys and girls who assisted with the science fair.

Science fair projects were set up by 6 p.m. May 3 in the elementary school cafeteria. Judging took place after that time. The science fair was open to the public from 9 to 11 a.m. May 4. First-place and grand prize projects were on display at the elementary school for two weeks following the fair.

SUNBURY - Northumberland County Prison Warden Roy Johnson told the prison board Wednesday officers confiscated four contraband items in the last month.

Johnson said the items had been thrown over the prison walls.

While they know who did it, Johnson said there is not enough evidence to press charges.

The contraband consisted of tobacco and prescription medication, and it was confiscated before any inmates were able to obtain them. They were disposed of immediately, Johnson said.

The warden thanked adult chief probation officer Dave Wondoloski and his department for investigating the matter and identifying an ex-inmate based on inmate testimony and circumstantial video evidence.

Apparently, Johnson said, the inmate was making $250 on each delivery.

Contraband in the prison has been an issue in the last few months for which Commissioner Vinny Clausi, who was not at the prison board meeting, has been demanding solutions.

Other business

In the last month, three employees resigned and four were terminated, according to the warden's report.

There are four candidates being interviewed and vetted for the open positions, Johnson said.

Commissioner Stephen Bridy also updated the board members on an invitation to the National Institute of Corrections (NIC) to spend two days reviewing prison policies, procedures, practices, medical services and facilities.

The goal is to have NIC make a recommendation to the prison board in relation to the construction of a new prison, he said.

Inspectors from NIC will likely conduct their investigation in August, Bridy said.

They did a similar inspection in 2009, and President Judge Robert Sacavage asked for a copy of that report when it becomes available.

"I'd like to look at that. We don't want to waste time on what was already fixed," he said.

The board also held a 25-minute executive session on medical issues of prisoners.

COAL TOWNSHIP - Teams and individuals will gather Friday to raise money for the American Cancer Society during the annual Relay for Life event for the Shamokin area at Kemp Memorial Stadium.

The event will run from 10 a.m. Friday to 10 a.m. Saturday. The theme for this year's event is "Masquerade - There is no hiding our Fight for a Cure."

While the event will being at 10 a.m. the opening lap ceremony will be held at 5 p.m. Friday with Angelica Masser singing the national anthem. There will be a special message from state Rep. Kurt Masser.

The ceremony to honor survivors and caregivers will be at 6 p.m. Friday with a special message from this year's honorary chairperson, Linda Reed, and her caregiver, Earl Reed. Following the survivors' lap, there will be a special dinner for survivors and caregivers.

At 9 p.m., the luminaria ceremony, one of the most touching moments of the entire event, will take place. As lights dim through the stadium, the only beams come by candlelight from bags placed around the track that honor and remember those that have fought the disease.

Saturday's events include a new attraction, a butterfly release, at 9:30 a.m. Registration for the release begins at 9 a.m.

Closing ceremonies and the relay's last lap will be at 9:55 a.m. Saturday.

A new club will be formed at this year's Relay for Life, the Catherine Reed 100 Lap Club. In recent years, Reed, a woman in her 80s, has come to the event to walk 100 laps around the track, a distance of 25 miles, in memory of her husband and in honor of her son.

The event will also feature performances by singers Cheyenne Popwczak, Jill Britton and Sean Khanna.

A complete schedule of events is as follows:

Friday

10 a.m. - Relay begins.

2 p.m. - Live broadcast by 94KX.

4 p.m. - Survivor registration begins.

5 p.m. - Opening lap.

5:30 p.m. - National Anthem sung by Angelica Masser. Invocation being given, and inspirational message given by State Rep. Kurt Masser.

6 p.m. - Survivor celebration. Survivors and caregivers make lap around the track. Dinner follows for survivors and caregivers. Message from honorary survivor Linda Reed.

To be determined - Performances by Cheyenne Popwczak, Jill Britton and Sean Khanna.

9 p.m. - Luminaria/PowerPoint presentation.

Saturday

9 a.m. - Butterfly registration/pickup.

9:30 a.m. - Butterfly release.

9:55 a.m. - Closing ceremony/last lap.

SHAMOKIN - For some, the Flood of 2011 may seem like a distant memory, but there are people who are still dealing with its the long-term effects.

One person who has not forgotten how the flood impacted people's lives is the Rev. Larry Siikanen. Affectionately know as the "disaster pastor" by the Northumberland County Long Term Recovery Committee, Siikanen continues to help the flood victims.

Siikanen, pastor of the Trinity United Methodist Church in Winfield, is the Susquehanna Conference Disaster Response coordinator for the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). UMCOR serves 20 counties in northeastern and central Pennsylvania.

During the monthly meeting of the recovery committee Wednesday at the Northumberland County Career and Arts Center, Siikanen was presented with a plaque for his efforts from Central Susquehanna Opportunities (CSO). He also accepted another plaque for UMCOR.

The plaques were presented by Kathie O'Grady, CSO case manager.

"From September 2011 through the present, the United Methodist Committee on relief has been a very influential organization toward the success of helping local survivors of Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee," O'Grady said. "UMCOR, through the guidance of Pastor Larry, has provided the Shamokin area and surrounding communities with more than 142 volunteers for approximately 5,508 hours. That amounts to almost 90 percent of the total volunteer hours for the past year and a half of recovery work in this region. In terms of estimated value of time, this is equivalent to $120,020."

Wednesday was declared "Pastor Larry Day" by Shamokin Mayor George Rozinskie. A proclamation to that effect was presented to Siikanen by Michelle Quinn, human resources specialist for the city of Shamokin.

Upon receiving the accolades, Siikanen didn't have too much to say.

"I do sermons, I don't do speeches" he said.

When the meeting started, though, he did share his gratitude.

"It is not a job I can do by myself. I want to thank you all," he said.

"We couldn't have done it without him. Ninety percent of the volunteers he brought in," O'Grady said. "Other groups came and went in a few weeks, but Pastor Larry didn't leave. He stuck by us the whole time."

Siikanen trained case workers on what to look for when inspecting homes for mold and mold damage. He also was responsible for bringing in skilled volunteers to rebuild homes. Siikanen brought in volunteers from around the country and even Canada. In July, he has some coming in from north of Chicago.

Siikanen hopes to be done with his efforts for the recovery by the end of the year. He first estimated that it would take three to four years.

"The reality is, we have to start planning for the next one," he said.

UMCOR is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to alleviating human suffering around the globe. UMCOR's work reaches people in more than 80 countries, including the United States. It provides humanitarian relief when war, conflict or natural disaster disrupt life to such an extent that communities are unable to recover on their own.

UMCOR is a ministry of the United Methodist Church whose goal is to assist the most vulnerable persons affected by crisis or chronic need without regard to their race, religion, gender or sexual orientation.

COAL TOWNSHIP - Our Lady of Lourdes Regional High School held its annual awards program May 25 to honor senior class scholars.

The following students were award winners:

Valedictorian - Dustin Bendas.

Salutatorian - Michael Sowash.

Lourdes scholars whose cumulative academic average for four years is 95 percent or higher - Dustin Bendas.

Honor students whose cumulative academic average for four years is 90 percent or higher - John Fitzpatrick, Richard Gusick, Tyler Holleran, Justin Howal, Nicole Komara, Kara Kuehner, Ania Rawa, CharLee Rosini and Michael Sowash.

National Honor Society, Father Filippelli Chapter - Dustin Bendas, John Fitzpatrick, Richard Gusick, Nicole Komara, Kara Kuehner, Ania Rawa and CharLee Rosini.

Level 5 pins - Kara Kuehner, Ania Rawa and CharLee Rosini.

Spanish National Honor Society - Dustin Bendas, John Fitzpatrick, Richard Gusick and Michael Sowash.

Level 4 pins - Dustin Bendas, John Fitzpatrick, Richard Gusick and Michael Sowash.

Bishop's gold medal religion award presented annually to senior attaining highest accumuative average in religion for four years was presented at graduation to Dustin Bendas.

Highest four-year cumulative averages - English, Dustin Bendas, family and consumer sciences, Emily Long; French, Kara Kuehner; mathematics, Michael Sowash; music, Emily Greco; science, John Fitzpatrick; social studies, Dustin Bendas; Spanish, Dustin Bendas.

Highest and second highest averages in individual subjects - Religion IV, Dustin Bendas, first, John Fitzpatrick, second; advanced art, Kortni Koshinskie, first; business law, Justin Howal, first, Michael Menapace, second; computer applications II, Matthew Savitski and Zachary Oquendo, tied for first; personal finance, Jennifer Knauer, first.

British literature (honors), John Fitzpatrick and Kara Kuehner, tied for first, Dustin Bendas and CharLee Rosini, tied for second; British literature (academic), Justin Howal, first, Tyler Holleran and Jennifer Knauer, tied for second; advanced cooking, Sarah Getchey and Jennifer Knauer, tied for first, Tyler Holleran, second.

French V (honors), Kara Kuehner, first, Ania Rawa, second; Spanish IV (honors), Dustin Bendas, first, John Fitzpatrick and Richard Gusick, tied for second; health I, Kara Kuehner, first, CharLee Rosini, second; physical education (boys), Tyler Holleran, first, Justin Howal, second; physical education (girls), Nicole Komara, first, Ania Rawa, second.

Government/economics, Richard Gusick, first, Nicole Komara, second; calculus, Nicole Komara and Michael Sowash, tied for first, Dustin Bendas, second; statistics and probability, Michael Sowash, first, Nicole Komara and CharLee Rosini, tied for second; trig/analytic geometry, Zachary Oquendo, first; biology II (honors), John Fitzpatrick, first, Richard Gusick, second; environmental science, Daniel Costa, first; physics, Michael Sowash, first, Richard Gusick, second; psychology, Sarah Getchey, first.

The following scholarships/awards were presented: Our Lady of Lourdes Alumni Association, Daniel Costa, Tyler Holleran and CharLee Rosini; Our Lady of Lourdes Development Award, Jennifer Knauer and Connor Mirarchi; Parents Association at Lourdes Scholarship, Tyler Holleran, Nicole Komara, Kara Kuehner, Ania Rawa, CharLee Rosini and Michael Sowash; Edward S. Baker/Anthony E. Konopka Scholarship, Dustin Bendas; Jeld-Wen Scholarship, Dustin Bendas.

United States Army National Scholar Athlete Award for Academic Excellence, Nicole Komara and Michael Sowash; Knights of Columbus Council 628 John Mehlbaum Memorial Award, Matthew Savitski; Rev. Charles Persing Foreign Language Award, Michael Sowash; Leo A. Mulhall Prize, CharLee Rosini; News-Item Achiever Award, Tyler Holleran; Northumberland County Recreation Committee 2013 Scholar Athlete Award, Tyler Holleran and Nicole Komara; Ray Tyo/St. Ferdinand Scholarship, John Fitzpatrick; Kiwanis Club of Shamokin Karl A. Hoffman Journalism Award, CharLee Rosini.

Memorial awards - Sylvia Cimino Class of 1951 Memorial Award, Sarah Getchey and Jennifer Knauer; Vincent and Elvira DePiante Memorial Scholarship, Dustin Bendas, John Fitzpatrick, Richard Gusick, Nicole Komara, Kara Kuehner, CharLee Rosini and Michael Sowash; Daniel C. Fabrizio Class of 1982 Memorial Award, Emily Greco; Nicolas Girolami Memorial Scholarship, Matthew Savitski; Laurie Ann Green Memorial Scholarship, Kortni Koshinskie.

Marie A. Holland Memorial Scholarship, Dustin Bendas; Joseph M. Jasicki Memorial Award for chorus, Emily Greco; Leon P. "Rusty: Kanaskie Scholar Athlete Memorial Award, Nicole Komara; F. George Kenney Memorial Award, Sarah Getchey; Rev. Daniel J. Menniti Scholarship, Kortni Koshinskie; Helen A. Olsheskie Memorial Award, Tyler Holleran; Dolores Oravitz-Kazar Memorial Scholarship, Nicole Komara; Knights of Columbus Stanley Sobotor Memorial Award, Tyler Holleran; Elizabeth R. Wisneski Memorial Scholarship, Dustin Bendas; St. Francis Beneficial Society Stanley Yodzio Memorial Award, Zachary Oquendo.

Civic awards - American Legion Post 73 and American Legion Auxiliary Award, Nicole Komara; Aqua Pennsylvania Science Achievement Award, Dustin Bendas; Catholic Daughters of the Americas Award, Ania Rawa; Stella D'Italia Sons of Italy Scholarship, Anthony Pennypacker; Knights of Lithuania Council 156 Award, Richard Gusick; Kulpmont Centennial Scholarship, Tyler Holleran; Kulpmont Lions Ladies Award, Tyler Holleran; Kulpmont Sportsman Club, Anthony Pennypacker; Shamokin Lions Club Award, Justin Howal.

Parish awards - Divine Redeemer Award, Ania Rawa; Rev. John A. Szada Religion Award, Matthew Savitski; Divine Redeemer Parish Holy Name Society Award, Michael Menapace; Divine Redeemer Parish Council of Catholic Women Award, Ania Rawa; Holy Angels Light of Christ Award, Tyler Holleran; Holy Angels Ladies Guild Award, Tyler Holleran; Our Lady of Hope Parish Council of Catholic Women Award, Emily Long; Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish Science Award, John Fitzpatrick; Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish Council of Catholic Women Award, Kara Kuehner; Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Parish Award, CharLee Rosini.

Administration awards - Administration Academic Achievement Award, valedictorian, Dustin Bendas, and salutatorian, Michael Sowash; administration award for character and service, Michael Sowash; Principal's Leadership Award, Kara Kuehner; Principal's Outstanding School Spirit Award, Emily Greco.

Certificate for participation in chorus and national school chorus - Emily Greco.

Student Ambassadors - Emily Greco, Tyler Holleran, Justin Howal, Nicole Komara, Kara Kuehner, Ania Rawa and CharLee Rosini.

Yearbook staff - Chief editor, CharLee Rosini, and staff member, Kortni Koshinskie.

Perfect attendance for 2012-13 school year - Dustin Bendas and Connor Mirarchi.

The class has been accepted to 11 institutions of higher learning. To date, the class has been offered $660,554 in the form of four-year renewable scholarships and grants from universities and college to which they have applied.

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. - Dave Shinskie, a son of Dave and Joann Shinskie, of Kulpmont, was awarded a Bachelor of Arts from the Lynch School of Education at the 137th commencement of Boston College May 20.

Shinskie is a 2003 graduate of Mount Carmel Area High School. In June 2003, he was selected by the Minnesota Twins in the fourth round of the Major League Baseball amateur baseball draft. He competed in the AA level for the Twins and Toronto Blue Jays in the minor league system until May 2009, when he accepted a full athletic football scholarship at BC. He earned the starting quarterback spot early in that season and appeared in all 13 games for the Eagles. In 2009, he set BC freshman passing records with 2,049 yards and 15 touchdowns.

At Boston College, he majored in human development with a minor in communications. Along with other activities, Shinskie volunteered at the Boston College Campus School for Special Education. He took part in a charity called Team Impact that raised awareness for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), and in the BC chapter of Uplifting Athletes in honor of teammate Mark Herzlich.

Shinskie's plans include a profession in teaching, counseling and administration in the field of education and possibly to continue studies in a graduate program and take advantage of one more year of athletic eligibility during 2013-14.

Prices at the pump continue to remain stable in Susquehanna Valley while drivers pay $3.471 this week, down 2 cents.

On the national front

Today's national average price for regular unleaded gasoline is $3.62 per gallon. This price is fractions of a penny less expensive than one week ago, but it is 10 cents more expensive than one month ago and 3 cents more than the same date last year.

Motorists in a handful of states (West Virginia, South Carolina, Mississippi, Alabama, North Carolina and the District of Columbia) have seen prices drop in the last 30 days; however, higher prices in the Midwest, Rockies and Pacific Northwest have propelled the national average higher at a time when, in recent years, drivers have enjoyed falling prices.

Motorists in 16 states have seen prices rise by more than 20 cents per gallon in the past month and those in seven Midwestern states (North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Kansas and Michigan) are paying at least 30 cents more. These higher regional prices have been due to continued refinery maintenance and other production issues that led to tight supplies.

The dramatic price increases in these Midwestern states have frustrated motorists, however many of these same drivers have also experienced sizable weekly declines as refinery maintenance draws to a close and supply concerns are alleviated. The primary exception has been three Great Lakes states, Ohio, Indiana and Michigan, where gas prices have jumped more than a dime in the last seven days.

These isolated higher retail prices have been due to heavy demand for wholesale gasoline in the Chicago market, as the summer driving season gets underway, at the same time that lingering refinery outages from planned and unplanned turnarounds mean lean supplies for this group of states.

While prices may tick higher in the next few days, AAA continues to expect lower prices - both nationally and in the Midwest - while June continues.

While national gasoline markets have been driven by regional supply and production issues, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil prices have traded within a narrow $5 range for more than a month. At the close of Monday's formal trading on the NYMEX, WTI settled up $1.48 at $93.45 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.)