Shamokin-Coal Township

Monday - Morning cards, 8:30 a.m.; yoga, 9:30 a.m.; nickel bingo, noon to 1:15 p.m.; executive board meeting, noon; members meeting, 1:30 p.m. with refreshments being served.

Tuesday - Morning cards and puzzles, 8:30 a.m.; high impact power walk, 9:30 a.m.; bridge, noon.

Wednesday - Morning cards, 8:30 a.m.; bridge lessons, 9:30 a.m.; Wii bowling, 10 a.m.; pinochle and Pokeno, 12:30 p.m.

Thursday - Morning cards, and puzzles, 8:30 a.m.; low impact power walk, 9:30 a.m.; nickel bingo, 12:30 p.m.; aquacize, 1:30 p.m.

Friday - Morning cards, 8:30 a.m.; yoga, 9:30 a.m.; nickel bingo, noon.

Saturday - Cards, 7 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Tickets are now on sale for the Shamokin and Coal Township's 44th anniversary banquet at the Wayside Inn Thursday, Sept. 19. Transportation will be available.

Mount Carmel

Monday - Wii bowling, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; bean bag, 12:30 p.m.; Pokeno, 1 p.m.

Tuesday - Coffee and conversation, 9:30 a.m.; game shows, 11 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; Unlucky 7s, 12:30 p.m.

Wednesday - Bean bag toss/games, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; members meeting, 1 p.m. with hoagie day and bingo to follow.

Thursday - Morning coffee and the news, 9:30 a.m.; game shows, 11 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; pinochle, 12:15 p.m.

Friday - Chit Chat, 10 a.m.; question and answer session with Atty. Robert Varano, 10:30 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; Pokeno, 1 p.m.

Kulpmont

Monday - Wii in the morning; bean bag, 10:30 a.m.; Pokeno, 12:30 p.m.

Tuesday - Wii and noodle balloon in the morning; Family Medical blood pressure screening, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.; cards, noon; bingo, 12:30 p.m.

Wednesday - Wii in the morning; LCR, 12:30 p.m.

Thursday - Wii in the morning; first week of the Chronic Disease Self Management program to be taught by Family Home Medical Center, 1 p.m.

Friday - Wii in the morning; nickel bingo, 12:30 p.m.

Farmer's Market checks are still available. You can pick them up any weekday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. You must be 60 years of age and meet income guidelines.

Centralia-Wilburton

Monday - Shopping at Walmart; Lyme disease presentation by Bobbie.

Tuesday - Chair exercise with Carol Burton; cards and bingo.

Wednesday - Advisory board meeting.

Thursday - Food bank pantry.

Friday - Center closed.

Elysburg

Monday - Healthy Steps, 8:30 a.m.; Royal Rummy, 9:30 a.m.; Pokeno, noon.

Wednesday - Healthy Steps, 8:30 a.m.; Royal Rummy, 9:30 a.m.; bingo, noon.

Thursday - Trip to Hannah's Restaurant.

Friday - Crafts, 9:30 a.m.; pinochle, noon.

Saturday - Chinese auction. Doors open at noon and auction will be from 1 to 4 p.m. There will be door prizes, theme baskets and gift cards. We will also be selling hot dogs and barbecue.

The Area Agency on Aging now has a newsletter "The Scoop," which will be available quarterly. It can be picked up at the center or if you have an e-mail address, it can be sent to you. It can also be found on the agency's website, www.ncaging.org.

Trevorton

Monday - Wii games, 8:30 to 10 a.m.; exercise, 10 a.m.; shopping at Weis Markets, noon to 1 p.m.; card games.

Tuesday - Blood sugar and pressure screeing, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.; exercise, 9:30 a.m.; sequence, 10:30 a.m.; board games, 12:30 p.m.; evening bingo, 6 p.m.

Wednesday - Bean bag toss, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:30 a.m.; movie and snack, 12:30 p.m.

Thursday - Exercise, 9:30 a.m., Scrabble, 10:30 a.m.; cards, 12:30 p.m.

Friday - Wii games, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:30 a.m.; bingo, 12:30 p.m.; evening card party, 7 p.m.

SUNBURY - Joseph J. Bartello III filed nomination papers Thursday with the Northumberland County Board of Elections as an independent candidate for mayor of Sunbury.

Nomination papers were filed for Sunbury City Council by two candidates, Edwin C. Quiggle Jr., running as an independent, and Drew Bingaman, Libertarian.

Jennifer Meule filed as a candidate for Warrior Run School Board under the label "Putting Children First."

Alisha Herb, director of the Northumberland County Board of Elections, who released these candidates' names, reported earlier this week that Charles Pinarowicz filed as an independent candidate for Ralpho Township tax collector and Kellie Cianflone filed as an independent candidate for Shikellamy School Board.

Deadline for filing of nomination papers was 4:30 p.m. Thursday.

SUNBURY - Teenager Naheem Jahad Reams was charged Friday afternoon with 31 criminal offenses, including six felonies of aggravated assault and a misdemeanor of driving under the influence of marijuana, in relation to a June 5 high-speed chase that ended when he was shot by a city police officer on Chestnut Street near Front Street.

Reams, 17, was charged as an adult. He was brought before Magisterial District Judge Benjamin Apfelbaum about 2:45 p.m. No media were present at the time, but Apfelbaum said later Reams commented during his arraignment that he had no one to be angry at but himself.

Reams, whose last known address is 800 E. Chestnut St., Shamokin, was committed to Northumberland County Prison in lieu of $750,000 bail. He was charged by Trooper Ron Zanella of state police at Stonington.

The defendant, who spent 20 days in Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, for treatment of wounds to his abdomen from the shooting, is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing at 1 p.m. Tuesday before Apfelbaum.

Other charges

In addition to the six counts of aggravated assault and DUI offense, Reams faces two felony counts of fleeing or attempting to elude police, two misdemeanor counts of recklessly endangering another person, two misdemeanor counts of accidents involving death or personal injury, and summaries of limitations of backing, careless driving, reckless driving, driving upon a sidewalk (two counts), driving under suspension, operating a vehicle without proper inspection, two counts of driving the wrong way on a one-way street, three turning violations and six stop sign violations.

Brian Wheary, operations commander at the prison, said Reams will be housed separately from the general population and undergo several evaluations. He said the teen was very quiet and didn't cause any trouble upon his arrival at approximately 4 p.m.

Northumberland County Chief Probation Officer Michael Barvitskie, who was present for the 30-minute arraignment, said Reams told authorities he fled from Sunbury police during the early morning hours of June 5 because he didn't want to be placed in foster care or Northwestern Academy in Coal Township.

"We took the best interests of the teen into account by making sure he received the proper treatment at North Central Secure Facility in Danville prior to his arraignment and incarceration," Barvitskie said. "All the probation officers involved in this delicate case did a fantastic job."

In addition to Reams, Barvitskie, Zanella and Apfelbaum, also present for the arraignment were three juvenile probation officers, two other troopers and Reams' grandmother, Cynthia Tiebout of Sunbury.

"He (Reams) was very respectful to the judge, probation officers and police," Barvitskie said.

Officers back to work

Sunbury Police Chief Steve Mazzeo, who said he was unaware of Reams' arraignment when contacted late Friday afternoon, said his department continues to take seriously death threats made to his officers after the shooting. He said all three officers involved in the incident have since returned to administrative duties, the last one - the officer who fired the shot - just a couple weeks ago. Mazzeo declined to identify the officers involved, citing safety concerns.

When asked if he felt the charges vindicated the officer who shot Reams, Mazzeo replied, "You have to check with state police. They did the investigation. I know our officers will continue to perform in a professional manner."

Trooper Matt Burrows, public information officer for the Pennsylvania State Police at the Milton station, was unavailable for comment Friday about the charges filed against Reams.

Rosini previously said the officer who shot Reams was justified in his actions because he was protecting himself and preventing a felon from fleeing the scene.

Police said Reams intentionally rammed a cruiser with an officer inside, that he sped backwards at a high rate of speed and struck the door of a cruiser, causing an officer to hit his head on the door, and then, after ignoring police demands to get out of his car, revved his engine and shot forward in his car at a high rate of speed toward the officer, who then fired.

Two police cruisers sustained $1,414.07 in the incident and an eyeglass valued at $475 was broken.

SHAMOKIN - Neighbors on either side of a collapsing house that was razed by emergency order earlier this summer said they were frustrated about damage to their own homes they say took place during the tear-down.

With the contractor back on the scene Friday, however, and a promise from the city that repairs will be made, Kelly Wilson and Elaine Kramer seem satisfied.

Madonna Enterprises Inc., Port Carbon, deployed an excavator and sky lift to the now empty lot at 613-615 W. Spruce St. They will replace the siding at 617 W. Spruce St., owned by Kramer, part of the roof and broken siding boards at 609 W. Spruce St., Wilson's home, and gutters on both properties this weekend.

Rick Bozza, city code officer, also said grass will be planted on the vacant lot, and the sidewalk will be replaced in front of the property.

Kramer and Wilson have detailed specific damage. Regardless, they are happy to see progress.

"I guess it couldn't be helped," Wilson acknowledged Friday.

Bozza said neither the city nor Madonna is required to do anything further with the properties.

Siding damage

Wilson said portions of her roof facing 613-15 W. Spruce St. were pushed up and gutters were knocked loose on the front of the house. Also, there are several holes in the side of her house.

While aware of the activity taking place Friday, Wilson said neither the contractor nor anyone from the city had informed her that the repairs were planned.

Kramer said the water getting into her basement existed before the building was torn down. She has since curbed some of the water by placing plastic along the outside of her house.

Bozza assured her Friday Madonna's work would be inspected and done to avoid seepage.

Also, Kramer said an old phone line was ripped out during the project, but the phone company replaced it.

Another job

Kramer was worried no one would take care of the problems since it had been four weeks since the demolition, but she was pleased to see the crews working Friday.

"Hopefully, by next week, you'll be happy with your house," Bozza said to Kramer.

Vince Madonna said it took four weeks before he could address the Spruce Street property because he had another job in Lancaster. In order to address these Shamokin problems, he pulled out of that job temporarily, he said.

Madonna crews will be at the property all weekend and expect to be done with the siding on both houses and be planting grass by Monday.

The sidewalk work will be subcontracted out next week, Madonna said.

Madonna Enterprises submitted the lowest qualified bid of $21,000 to demolish the dilapidated double home that partially collapsed July 2. The second story at the rear of 613-615 W. Spruce St. collapsed into the first story. A portion of the roof bumped into and was leaning against neighboring 617 W. Spruce St.

The state waived a 10-day waiting period for the demolition to begin, and also approved the use of a Community Development Block Grant to fund the project.

Permission from the state to begin tearing down 613-615 W. Spruce St. couldn't be given before the city received a bid bond from Madonna Enterprises Inc. A bid bond is insurance meant to guarantee that a contractor uphold contract terms.

CENTER TOWNSHIP - A 35-year-old Middleburg man was killed Friday morning when struck by a sport utility vehicle along Troxelville Road near Reichner Road in this Snyder County township.

State police at Selinsgrove reported Terry M. Shaffer suffered fatal injuries in the 8:16 a.m. accident.

Police said Roxane Norman, 27, of Middleburg, was driving a 2008 Mercury Mariner east when her vehicle exited the north side of the road and struck and killed Shaffer.

Police said Norman was charged with careless driving.

Survey to be conducted in Strong

STRONG - Three Mount Carmel Township representatives will be going door to door starting Monday to conduct a survey for a Community Development Block Grant that will be used in the village.

The survey will take less than five minutes to complete, and township supervisors ask for village residents' cooperation.

Muzzleloader class planned

BARNESVILLE - Outdoors writer and lecturer Doyle Dietz, a member of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association and Mason-Dixon Outdoor Writers Association, will present "Muzzleloader Hunting 101," focusing on deer hunting with flintlock and traditional percussion ignition rifles. The program will be held at 6 p.m. today in the Locust Lake State Park amphitheater.

Dietz, a member of the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association and the Pennsylvania Federation of Black Powder Shooters (PFBPS), is one of only 14 individuals in the 28-year history of the PFBPS to receive its Pioneer Life Award for his more than 30 years of coverage of muzzleloader-related activities in newspapers, magazines, radio programs and seminars.

In case of inclement weather, the event will be held in the program shelter.

SUNBURY - The Northumberland County Historical Society will blend art, crafts and history at Fort Augusta Saturday, Aug. 10, when it hosts Colonial Crafts Demonstration Day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The event is free and open to the public and will be held at 1150 N. Front St., rain or shine.

The fourth annual Colonial Crafts Demonstration Day is one of the society's Living History Days, a series of educational programs for all ages.

Event organizers have invited skilled craftspeople from central Pennsylvania and southern New York to display their work and demonstrate their crafts, which were part of 18th century daily life. Woodworking, powder horn making, blacksmithing, tinsmithing, lace making, fraktur, spinning, weaving and basketmaking are among the traditional crafts which will be represented.

A gardener, seamstresses, a trader and several soldiers will explain their roles and demonstrate methods used during the 18th century. Some of the craftspeople will have sell items and will accept custom orders throughout the day.

Society volunteers will staff the Fort Augusta museum, the genealogical research library and bookstore. Visitors may view the two remaining Fort Augusta features on the property, the well and the powder magazine, and the Hunter-Grant Cemetery.

In cooperation with the Susquehanna River Valley Heritage Alliance's efforts to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War, the society has created a temporary exhibit of Civil War artifacts and Abraham Lincoln items collected by the late Leo Bobb. The exhibit will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and includes artwork, engravings, buttons, coins and other Lincoln memorabilia.

The company that owns the tractor-trailer involved in a March 25 crash near Elysburg that severely injured a New York couple had its insurance policy canceled three days before the crash.

"That is not to say that they didn't have insurance at the time," said Duane DeBruney, spokesman for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). "Our agency doesn't have a record of it at this time."

Regardless, there's a

lengthy list of violations for Kovaschetz Trucking LLC, Danville. And the family of Richard and Brenda Shaw are citing that record as they question why no charges have been filed in the crash, which involved four vehicles and sent five people to the hospital. (See accompanying story).

Unauthorized to operate

Kovaschetz had nine driver-based and 70 mechanical violations from August 2011 until June of this year, according to FMCSA, which is part of the U.S. Department to Transportation (DOT).

In fact, FMCSA deemed the company unauthorized to operate as of April 1, although that appears to be unrelated to the Elysburg accident from one week earlier. The agency said it contacted the company on Feb. 25 to issue a warning about an insurance lapse, then ordered an "involuntary revocation" of its license April 1 when it got no response.

Despite that action, Kovaschetz trucks apparently continued to roll, as FMCSA has since reported violations, one eight days after the revocation and one as recently as June 4.

Further contradicting FMCSA's actions, Kovaschetz had a compliance safety review on May 6 and was given a "satisfactory" rating by the agency. "Satisfactory" is defined as records indicating there is no evidence of substantial non-compliance of safety requirements. 

"The compliance safety review looks at all the federally mandated safety management guidelines, such as driver's record, vehicle maintenance, licensing and insurance, and drug testing levels," DeBruney said.

The discrepancies could be related to a company name change from Kovaschetz Trucking LLC to Kovaschetz Transport LLC as of April 4. The company lists an address in FMCSA's records as 601 E. Market St., Danville, in each case. An Internet search also shows an address of 2273 Mile Hill Road, Sunbury.

DeBruney, in discussing the fact that violations have been reported since the April 1 revocation order, and that the company since then passed a safety review, said FMCSA would further investigate the situation.

Records show Kovaschetz Transport owning four truck-tractors and employing four drivers, and that it hauls general freight and items including lumber, machinery, produce, coal and beverages.

Messages left at a company number Friday evening and again Saturday were not returned.

New name, new violation

The name change also resulted in a new DOT registration number, and FMCSA records show the company is insured as of May 29.

The firm's insurance record between the March 22 cancellation and May 29 is not clear, but FMCSA does have violations recorded on dates during that time, indicating Kovaschetz was operating.

"It's a very serious offense" to operate without insurance, DeBruney said.

With insurance in place, the agency granted Kovaschetz Transport authorization to operate as a "motor property common carrier" on June 4. Ironically, that same day, a truck operating under the Kovaschetz Trucking name was inspected and placed out of service for three alleged violations: worn, welded or missing steering system components, inoperative or defective breaks and failing to secure brake hose/tubing against mechanical damage, according to FMCSA records.

As for the records from August 2011 until June, vehicles either owned or leased by Kovaschetz Trucking were pulled over for on-the-road inspections 20 times. Fifty percent of those instances resulted in the vehicle being placed out of service, a rate 2.5 times higher than the national average of 20 percent, according to FMCSA.

"The tests are at random, but inspectors have access to the records on our safety measurement system, and if there is a name on a truck that they are familiar with from problems in the past, they will check them, either the vehicle or the driver," DeBruney said.

According to records, the same truck-tractor with the same plate number was stopped for inspection three times in a span of 16 days. Twice, on March 21 and 29 of this year, the vehicle was taken out of service. Violations included brake problems and fuel tank requirement violations.

Company drivers were stopped for inspection 28 times and were "taken out of service" four times for violations of driving beyond the 14-hour duty period or not having a "record of duty status."

Multiple cancellations

FMCSA records show the company had its primary liability insurance canceled on Dec. 8, 2007, and Dec. 8, 2008, had it replaced on Dec. 8, 2012, then canceled again on Jan. 21 and March 22.

Its cargo insurance was canceled on Dec. 8, 2007, Dec. 8, 2008, and Jan. 10, 2012, according to FMCSA records.

A New York man critically injured in a March 25 four-vehicle crash on Route 54 near Elysburg is "outraged" over what he claims is a lack of justice.

Richard Shaw, of Johnson City, offered harsh criticism of the owner of Kovaschetz Trucking LLC, Danville, whose rig rear-ended his car, and Ralpho Township police for not charging the driver, David P. McGuinn, of Tulip Road, Paxinos, with any violations.

Shaw is confined to a wheelchair and his wife, Brenda, also suffered serious injuries as a result of the accident that occurred near Farnsworth Camping Center.

During a telephone interview Friday night, Shaw said, "This stinks of corruption. Ralpho Township is like Mayberry and the chief is acting like Barney Fife. During the investigation, police never asked me any questions about the accident and there has been no communication between them (police) and us for the past four months. There is no justice in that township and that bothers me to no end. The police report was very vague. The driver was ushered away in a police car, but never charged. It makes you think he knows somebody since he hasn't been charged."

Ralpho Township police have never indicated any fault in information provided about the accident that occurred as a mix of rain and snow was falling. Police did not say if weather was a factor.

A driver following the tractor-trailer, interviewed at the scene the day of the crash, said it appeared the Mustang operated by Shaw slowed before the tractor-trailer slammed into the back of it.

When contacted Saturday afternoon, Ralpho Township Police Chief Stuart Appel said, "The investigation was handled properly and correctly and the facts will speak for themselves."

Appel reserved comment when asked to respond directly to Shaw's criticism and accusations about his department.

The police chief said investigations of accidents involving a reconstructionist often take several months to complete. Appel said similar probes have been completed in less time, while others have taken more than four months.

He said a meeting will be held Aug. 27 between the investigating officer, Sgt. Chris Kreisher, Northumberland County Assistant District Attorney William Cole, a state police accident reconstructionist and a trooper specialized in conducting commercial vehicle inspections to determine if charges will be filed.

Appel, who did not know the time or location of the meeting, said a previous session with the same four individuals to review all the evidence had to be postponed earlier this summer due to a scheduling conflict.

According to a report issued by Ralpho Township police, Shaw was driving a Ford Mustang east about 2:30 p.m. when it was rear-ended by a tractor-trailer driven by McGuinn.

The collision forced the Ford into the westbound lane, where it collided head-on with a Toyota Prius driven by David L. Wolfe, of South Sixth Street, Shamokin. The Prius was subsequently rear-ended by a Dodge Dakota driven by Ricardo Contreras, of Hart Road, Danville.

The Shaws and Wolfe were extricated from their vehicles by emergency responders.

Wolfe and two passengers, his wife, Judith Wolfe, and their son, David, all suffered injuries.

McGuinn and Contreras were not injured.

Shaw, who is pursuing legal action against Kovaschetz Trucking LLC, said he and his wife together suffered about 25 broken bones in the accident. In addition to being confined to a wheelchair, Shaw has a rod in his ankle. He is not certain about walking again. His wife walks very slowly.

"I just don't understand how the tractor-trailer driver (McGuinn) failed to stop in time," Shaw said. "I was stopped and turning left and had my turn signal on. A witness verified all that, but the tractor-trailer left no brake marks on the highway, indicating the driver never intended to stop. There was no reason for him to slam into me."

Shaw said the owner of Kovaschetz Trucking LLC didn't have insurance on the tractor-trailer at the time of the accident.

Shaw said his vehicle was totaled. "Our insurance paid for the accident, but I can't drive, so getting a different vehicle won't help me," he said.

He added, "I play by the rules. Our insurance company had to pay for the damage done to the car we hit after being pushed into it by the tractor-trailer. That's not really fair, but I understand because that's the way the law works with rear-end collisions. But we haven't seen a penny from Kovaschetz Trucking because he doesn't have insurance. How is that fair?

"I'm still outraged over the entire ordeal. My lawyer believes we should get at least $1 million by filing a lawsuit against the trucking company, but I'm not optimistic we are going to get anything. This certainly has been a learning experience, but I don't know what the lesson is."

At the very least, Shaw wants to see the owner of the trucking company go to jail.

He encouraged people who have experienced similar problems from accidents to log on to: Angels Among Us.

Kandie Button, the Shaws' daughter, posted on Facebook the following message with several photos of the crash and her parents' recovery:

"On March 25, 2013, my parents were hit by a tractor trailer driven by David P. McGuinn in Ralpho Township. They were at a standstill, waiting for oncoming traffic to pass so they could make a left-hand turn into their destination spot. The tractor-trailer came downhill at full speed (more than the posted limit of 35 mph) and hit my parents' Mustang from behind. He hit them so hard they went airborne before smashing almost head-on into an oncoming car. That car then spun them around, sending them back in the direction of the tractor- trailer. The tractor-trailer then hit my parents' car again, and went up onto the trunk of the car, crushing almost all of the car, and my parents, and rupturing their gas tank. It took medical, fire and police crews almost 40 minutes to free my father from the car after using the "Jaws of Life" to remove the roof and driver's door of the car."

Button said her mother's injuries consisted of two brain bleeds. She also had broken ribs, a broken collarbone, a broken clavicle, internal bleeding in her stomach and a hairline fracture in her right ankle. Button said the "floor" of her mother's left eye socket was broken, which can cause blindness at any time. She said her mother also had a broken sternum, a broken upper left arm and a three-inch gash down her shinbone.

Button said her father's injuries included a crushed pelvis, a broken left hip, tibia and fibula in his right leg, four broken ribs, two broken vertebrae in his back, a broken sternum, a large gash on his right arm and a broken left femur.

She said her father had to be on a ventilator and was fed by a feeding tube.

Button said her parents spent numerous weeks in the intensive care unit at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville.

She said, "The accident has changed the quality of my parents' lives. While we are all very grateful to have them here with us, the driver and his company, Kovaschetz Trucking LLC, need to be responsible for what the driver did to my parents."

She added, "The truck driver needs to be charged. My parents deserve justice. They will suffer because of this for the rest of their lives."

I am honored to have obtained the position of director for the Brush Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce. I am eager to work toward my goals for the chamber of obtaining new members, retaining current members, working toward the betterment of the community and suiting all of our businesses needs.

Being born and raised as a coal region resident, I look forward to giving back to the community that has already given me so much.

Duck drop

The annual duck drop held Saturday, July 27, was exceedingly successful this year, with an increase of profits of 62 percent and 70 more tickets sold over the previous year.

There was an exceptional turnout of local residents who came to see their ducks float down the creek. This year we partnered with Forest Hill Fire Company, whose members graciously donated their time by selling hot dogs and drinks and donating the profits to the chamber.

We hope the duck drop continues to grow each year, and we look forward to another successful year in 2014.

Grand reopening

Lightning Rent-To-Own in Shamokin had its grand reopening Friday. They are now located at the Anthra Plaza in Coal Township. We suggest visiting their store for great deals and good finds.

Upcoming events

This month's chamber luncheon is scheduled for noon Tuesday, Aug. 20, at Mattucci's Willow Cafe, Mount Carmel.

Our speaker from the Department of Labor and Industry will review the unemployment compensation process. It should be an informative lecture that can help business owners and managers understand the process.

If you are interested in attending the luncheon, please RSVP by visiting www.brushvalleychamber.com, selecting Calendar on the left panel and clicking August Luncheon.

This month's luncheon is sponsored by Central Susquehanna Opportunities.

Sponsors sought

Any local business or businessperson interested in sponsoring a Your Chamber column, please contact me at the chamber office, 644-4675.

(Whitney Fetterman is director of the Brush Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce. "Your Chamber" is published on the first Sunday of each month.)

Noteworthy

Card players wanted

COAL TOWNSHIP - The Shamokin/Coal Township Senior Action Center is looking for pinochle and Pokeno players in the early morning and Wednesday afternoons. Pinochle is also played starting at 7 p.m. Saturday evenings.

The center also features bingo games at 12:30 p.m. Thursdays and at noon Fridays. The center is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, call 644-0772.

Colonial Crafts Day planned

SUNBURY - The Northumberland County Historical Society will bring an interesting and colorful blend of art, craft and history to the site of Fort Augusta for the observance of Colonial Crafts Demonstration Day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The event, free and open to the public, will be held at 1150 N. Front St., rain or shine.

Event organizers have invited skilled craftspeople from central Pennsylvania and southern New York to display their work and demonstrate their crafts, which were part of 18th century life.

In cooperation with the Susquehanna Valley Heritage Alliance's efforts to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Civil war, the society has also mounted a temporary exhibit of Civil War artifacts and Abraham Lincoln items collected by the late Leo Bobb.

Marriage licenses

Rodney Clark Kerstetter, 3905 Upper Road, Shamokin, and Kimberly A. Lynch, 5511 Upper Road, Shamokin. Issued Aug. 1, 2013.

Chad Michael Brokenshire and Theresa M. Eck, both of 267 State Route 2026, Coal Township. Issued Aug. 2, 2013.

David M. Logic and Amanda Irene Abbott, both of 139 S. Third St., Apt. 1, Shamokin. Issued Aug. 3, 2013.

Property transfers

Elizabeth Smatlak, John Smatlak, Mary Theresa Gidaro, Samuel A. Gidaro, Patricia Gidaro, to Tracey A. McGinley, property in Mount Carmel, $43,000.

Richard T. Krieger to Ryan William Quinn, property in Shamokin, $1.

Chang Tai Pang, Eugenia Kelly Pang, to Jessika R. Meyer, property in Mount Carmel Township, $1.

Holly A. Brennan (individually and executrix), Valeria E. Evans (estate), to Eugene J. Eister, property in Kulpmont, $1.

Amber M. Balonis to Amber M. Balonis, William T. Wetzel Sr., property in Coal Township, $1,000.

Victor Joseph Reidinger (estate), Gary J. Reidinger, to Samuel P. Ferster, property in Upper Augusta Township, $215,000.

John Matty (estate), Ronald J. Matty (executor), Mary Ann Matty (executrix), to Michelle R. Marquardt, property in Mount Carmel, $40,000.

John W. Janusz, Cynthia L. Rosetta, to Steven R. Delbo, property in Kulpmont, $1.

David C. Espenshade, Suzanne Espenshade, to Thomas C. Hylan Jr., property in Lower Mahanoy Township, $1.

Glenn M. Cunningham, Diana J. Cunningham, to Roy A. Adams Partnership, property in Lower Augusta Township, $310,000.

BWH Properties LLC to Ravichandarrao V. Tayi, property in Shamokin, $3,600.

John C. Clark III to Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, property in Rush Township, $1.

First National Bank of Pennsylvania to S&D Salvage Inc., property in Coal Township, $15,000.

Henry Hynoski, Kathleen Louise Hynoski, to Henry P. Hynoski Jr., Henry P. Hynoski Sr., Kathleen Louise Hynoski, property in Ralpho Township, $1.

Henry Hynoski, Kathleen Louise Hynoski, to Henry P. Hynoski Sr., Kathleen Louise Hynoski, property in Ralpho Township, $1.

Henry Hynoski, Kathleen Louise Hynoski, to Joshua Helwig, Mary Frances Helwig, property in Ralpho Township, $175,000.

Timothy A. Worhacz to Daniel J. Skonecki, Erin E. McMahon, property in Mount Carmel Township, $144,000.

Helen D. Sabol (by agent), Nancy Anselmi (agent), to Anthony J. Santelli, property in Mount Carmel Township, $41,500.

Loretta B. Lane to Peter B. Cortelyou, Catherine S. Cortelyou, property in Lower Mahanoy Township, $50,000.

Todd D. Treon, Sharon B. Treon, to Harry M. Hunter, property in Rockefeller Township, $1.

PIG Ventures LP, PIG Ventures Inc., to Ashlee L. Smyre, property in Lower Mahanoy Township, $72,000.

Russell L. Carpenter, Danielle L. Carpenter, to Justin D. Leffler, Jennifer A. Leffler, property in Ralpho Township, $200,000.

Bertha L. Readly to Bertha L. Readly, Loretta E. Polyniak, property in Coal Township, $1.

SHAMOKIN - Although Shamokin customers remain the "heart beat" of its business, Shamokin Yellow Cab has experienced success since expanding its services to the Pottsville area a few years ago under the name of Black Diamond Cab Company.

Ernie and Christine Delbo, of Atlas, who purchased the taxi service in Shamokin in 1991 from Swenda Cab Co., said they average approximately 400 calls per week in the Pottsville area.

"We've done pretty well since we expanded into Pottsville about three years ago," Ernie Delbo stated. "There was no taxi service in Pottsville at the time and the move certainly helped our business."

He said the company leases a garage at 900 W. Market St. owned by Bob Yanek and provides services from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday. He said seven drivers work as independent contractors for Black Diamond Cab Company.

In addition to the Black Diamond taxis driving around Pottsville, Delbo also has several Para-Transit Shamokin Yellow Cab vehicles operating in that area.

"We are a subcontractor for Schuylkill Transportation System. That's why you see our Shamokin Yellow Cabs in Pottsville," he said. "We also are a subcontractor for Rabbittransit in Northumberland County," he said, referencing the public transit provider contracted by the county.

The Shamokin office at 212 W. Independence St. handles approximately 75 calls per day in Shamokin and 10 in Mount Carmel. Five drivers are employed as independent contractors in Shamokin.

In addition to the drivers in Shamokin and Pottsville, the company has four other employees, including dispatchers and office personnel. Shamokin Yellow Cab and Black Diamond Cab operate about 10 taxis.

Services in Shamokin are provided from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday. Business hours for Mount Carmel area residents are 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The telephone numbers for the Shamokin and Pottsville offices are 648-5756 and 628-5000, respectively.

"Most of our customers are senior citizens," Delbo said. "Taxi cabs aren't used nearly as much today as in the past, but we believe we offer a valuable service to people who have no other means of getting around.

"Shamokin is the heart beat of our business; it's still a good town with good people," he continued. "We've also received good cooperation from Schuylkill Transportation System and customers in Pottsville."

MOUNT CARMEL - The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has given Mount Carmel Senior Living Community a five-star overall rating, the highest level possible for a skilled nursing home.

CMS rates all nursing homes on quality measures, staffing and health inspections, and each measurement is on a five-star rating system where one star is "much below" average and five stars is "much above."

Quality measures show how well the nursing home cares for residents' needs, staffing measures the amount of staffing hours provided and health inspection is based on the Department of Health annual inspection results for the facility during the past three years.

"I am very proud of our employees in achieving this special designation," said Steve Wetzel, administrator. "The five-star rating places Mount Carmel Senior Living Community in the top 10 percent of all nursing homes in Pennsylvania. When families are comparing nursing homes for admission, this designation is an important consideration in the decision-making process."

On the Net: www.medicare.gov

HARRISBURG - The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission will be graded with a public report card on how well it does eradicating an entrenched pay-to-play culture that led to an ongoing state corruption case.

The report card will be issued by a newly created advisory committee scheduled to meet for the first time on Aug. 20, said Turnpike Commission CEO Mark Compton.

The committee is charged with reviewing the turnpike commission's current contracting and business practices and the findings of integrity reviews and outside audits ordered by the commission of current and expired contracts with private companies named in the state grand jury report and testimony that led corruption charges against former Senate Democratic Leader Robert J. Mellow and five other defendants.

The three committee members are former State Superior Court Judge Maureen Lally-Green, M.G. Patel, a former Transportation Department chief engineer and John Gedid, a retired law professor.

Compton and Turnpike chief operating officer Craig Shuey outlined efforts to reform contracting practices at the commission last week during a Senate Transportation Committee hearing.

The effort started in 2011 when Gov. Tom Corbett took office, but went to a new level following the grand jury report in March examining illegal practices involving alleged bid rigging and awarding of contracts to key political supporters at the commission from 2002 to 2010, said Compton.

Compton, a former deputy Transportation Department secretary, was appointed as chief executive officer earlier this year, while Shuey has been at the turnpike commission since 2011.

The current three-step contract review process involves an initial professional review and review by bureau directors followed by consideration at a public meeting of the Turnpike Commission, said Compton.

Meanwhile, the state Ethics Commission is helping to provide code-of-conduct training for all commission employees, he said. The commission created its own Office of Compliance prior to the grand jury report to oversee these efforts.

A Dauphin County district judge ruled last month that prosecutors had shown enough evidence to send the corruption charges against Mellow and five others to county court for trial.

Mellow was recently transferred to a federal prison in Georgia from a federal prison in South Carolina. He is serving a 16-month federal sentence after pleading guilty last year to commit mail fraud and filing a false tax return in a separate case.

Contact the writer: rswift@timesshamrock.com

The following landlord/tenant claims and judgments were filed in magisterial district court:

Office of John Gembic III, Shamokin

- Richard Kleman, of Shamokin, against Kehla Schaffer, and Darren Miller II, of Shamokin, for $3,307, filed Thursday. A hearing is scheduled for Aug. 15.

- Gary Renner, of Beavertown, awarded $1,248.65 on July 29 from Beth Orner, of Coal Township, for unpaid rent and court fees.

- Bressi and Martin Real Estate, Inc., Shamokin, awarded $1,469.15 on Aug. 1 from Scott Frantz and Kimberly Steele, of Shamokin, for unpaid rent and court fees.

- Shamokin Housing Authority, Shamokin, awarded $1,581.65 on Aug. 2 from Brittany Bowers, Shamokin, for unpaid rent and court fees.

- Zoe A. Russell, of Shamokin, awarded $2,030.15 on Aug, 1 from John Wilcox, of Shamokin, for unpaid rent and court fees. Wilcox asked for $2,570 in his original filing on July 18.

- Anthony J. Delgrippo, of Bellefonte, awarded $1,709 on Aug. 1 from David and Aleah Thompson, of Coal Township, for unpaid rent and court fees.

Office of Hugh Jones, Mount Carmel

- Michael R. Kaleta Jr., of Mount Carmel, awarded $573.65 on July 31 from Fern Vanderbeck, of Kulpmont, for unpaid rent and court fees.

SHAMOKIN - The area is invited to attend and participate in an October event that will bring together the best in local talent and give away over $1,000 in prizes to those that support the cause.

The Talent Showcase 2013 is set to be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20, in the Northumberland County Career and Arts Center auditorium, Eighth and Arch streets, Shamokin.

The showcase will bring together young and old with a variety of talents and proceeds will be split between the Northumberland County Council for the Arts and Humanities and Citizens for a Better Community, Shamokin.

Some of the area's finest local bands have already committed to perform acoustic performances on the auditorium stage.

Signed on are Marla and the Juniper Street Band, who are also donating the use of their sound system for the show, and members of Dying to Live and Sleuth.

In addition, the "karaoke connection" of Chuck Barnhart, Sheree Frey, Becky Keister-Taffera, Keith Keister and Rob Wheary will perform a musical selection that inspired Wheary to create the show, accompanied by piano virtuoso Jill Britton, who will also perform.

Three generations of singers, Sandy Krebs, Amanda Krebs and Samantha Stancavage will also perform a special number, as will a Gospel music praise team from Lewisburg.

Auditions will be held in the near future to allow area amateur talent to be a part of the event. Announcement of the date and time for the auditions will be announced in The News-Item and on the event's Facebook page.

Admission for the show is $5 at the door for all ages. The price includes entertainment and eligibility for over $1,000 in door prizes which will be given away at the show.

Some of the prizes already confirmed include a 16GB iPad mini, donated by PPL Electric Utilities; trips to Mohegan Sun Casino-Wilkes Barre and New York City, courtesy of King Coal Tours; framed artistic photographs from Dalado Photography and The News-Item; two iPod Shuffle mp3 players donated by Turlis Sewer and Drain; a decorative concrete pumpkin, courtesy of Rock-N-Block Materials, Coal Township, and much more to be announced.

Those attending Talent Showcase 2013 are also asked to bring non-perishable food items, which will be donated to the Manna for the Many food pantry. As an incentive for donating, one raffle ticket will be given for each item donated for a cash prize, donated by Midnite Jam Sound Systems, Sunbury/Northumberland.

Also sponsoring the show are Geisinger-Shamokin Area Community Hospital, Weis Markets, Scicchitano Buono Pizza, Darla Fausey State Farm Agency and Aqua Pennsylvania.

Name: Elizabeth Helena Edmunds

Education: Shamokin Catholic High School; College Misericordia, bachelor's in chemistry; University of Scranton, master's in organic chemistry; Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania, doctorate; Sisters of Mercy, College Misericordia.

Teaching: 1962-70, various Catholic schools; 1970-71, graduate teaching assistant, University of Scranton; summer 1972, instructor of inorganic and organic chemistry, University of Scranton.

Medicine: 1975-76, residency, Good Samaritan Hospital, Dayton, Ohio; 1976-78, residency, Wyoming Valley Family Practice, Kingston; 1978-1980, Naval Hospital, Pensacola, Fla.; 1980-81, assistant professor and director of educational activities, Albany Medical College; 1981-83, associate director/OB-GYN coordinator, Wyoming Valley Family Practice Residency; 1983-84, emergency room physician, Berwick Hospital; 1983-84, part-time, Family Medicine, Kingston; 1984-86, associate director of family practice residency, St. Joseph Medical Center, Reading; 1986-2012, private practice, Pennside; 2012-present, part-time, Healthways Family Medical Center, Exeter Township.

U.S. Navy Reserves: commissioned as ensign in 1973; lieutenant as family practice resident in 1978; 1978-80, active duty at Naval Hospital; 1980-81, lieutenant commander, medical student liaison officer, Albany N.Y.; 1981-83, lieutenant commander, MEDCRU 404, Avoca; 1983-84, lieutenant commander, voluntary service, medical recruiting NRD, Harrisburg; 1984-87, commander, Naval Hospital Bethesda Unit 1904, Reading; 1987-1990, commander, Individual Ready Reserve, New Orleans, La.; Sept. 1, 1990, commander, retired.

Recognition: 2013 Family Physician of the Year Award.

Family: first husband, 1989-2009, John Bankert, deceased; second husband, 2012-present, Charles Itle.