SUNBURY - The city will get money toward flood mitigation from the same pot that provided mine-reclamation money for the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area.

State Rep. Lynda Schlegel Culver (R-108) said the Sunbury Municipal Authority's flood mitigation project was approved by the Commonwealth Financing Authority and will be a recipient of state funding under this year's Act 13 Marcellus Legacy Fund program.

The authority's rehabilitation project was one of four projects selected under the fund's flood mitigation program. The authority will receive $155,418 to use toward the rehabilitation of its flood control system.

"With the Susquehanna River and its tributaries running through the 108th District, nearly all residents recognize the importance of the flood control system in Sunbury," Culver was quoted in a press release. "I'm happy that this funding is available to the Sunbury Municipal Authority, and that impact fees which are being collected statewide by the gas industry can go to good use."

State Rep. Mike Peifer thinks Pennsylvania hunters need a reason to hunt coyotes.

Every year, the Wayne County legislator sees more and more on his bear hunting trips. On his last trip, he said his party saw 10 coyotes and shot four.

Peifer, R-189, Honesdale, has introduced HB 1534, which would allow the Pennsylvania Game Commission to offer a $25 payment per coyote. State law currently allows hunters to kill an unlimited number of coyotes year-round with a hunting or fur-taker license. The bill cleared the state House Game and Fisheries Committee last week and now awaits a full House vote.

In addition to what he's seen in his 30-plus years in the woods, Peifer said he has heard anecdotal evidence from constituents who tell him about hearing yips and howls where they never heard them before and losing pet cats to coyotes.

"People aren't shooting them," he said "We're not controlling the population to where it should be."

Game Commission estimates show a spike in the coyote population. Travis Lau, the commission's press secretary, said the commission estimated the state's coyote population to be about 15,000 to 20,000 a decade ago. Last year, according to survey results extrapolated for the entire state, hunters harvested around 40,000 coyotes, he said.

Gauging the Eastern Coyote's effect on the ecosystem is much more difficult. The Game Commission isn't sure whether the species was native to Pennsylvania before European settlement. Coyotes were first documented in Pennsylvania in the 1930s and 1940s. Mr. Lau described the early history of Europeans, coyotes and wolves as a "blur."

In the mid-1600s, Pennsylvania's colonial government paid a bounty of 10 to 15 shillings for every wolf killed, Mr. Lau said. "That's really the only record of wolves" in the Commonwealth, he said. "Those wolves could have been coyotes."

The line between wolf and coyote continues to blur to this day. Many biologists think today's Eastern Coyote is probably part wolf.

Jonathan Way, Ph.D., a research scientist at Clark University in Worcester, Mass., who specializes in Eastern Coyotes, prefers the term "coywolves." In a paper he published this year in the ecological journal Canadian Field-Naturalist, he summarized previous research explaining the origin of this hybrid species.

"It is now generally accepted that Northeastern Coyotes formed in the early 1900s in southern Ontario through hybridization between colonizing coyotes from the west and remnant populations of Eastern Wolves," he wrote in the paper.

In an email interview, Dr. Way said central and western Pennsylvania is at the edge of this area where coyotes and wolves mingled. "Admittedly, not a lot of work has been done in PA to know for sure," he said.

He called the idea of putting a bounty on coyotes "nonsensical." The predators have an important ecological role in helping regulate prey populations, he said. With the extirpation of cougars and wolves, the coyote is the second-largest predator the state has left after the black bear.

"The most common-sense thing for the environment would be to have people leave cats inside and welcome the natural predation that coyotes/coywolves provide to make deer and other animal (populations) healthier," he said.

Scott Bearer, Ph.D., a forest ecologist with The Nature Conservancy, said the organization has noticed an increase in coyote population on its Pennsylvania properties, based on more frequent sightings of coyotes, their scat and their tracks.

The conservancy manages large properties in the state and works to promote overall biodiversity. Dr. Bearer said the organization has not seen any negative effects of the coyote's population boom.

Mr. Lau said the Game Commission has not noticed any change in the doe-to-fawn ratio, a metric it uses to gauge trends in deer populations. The commission calculates the ratio for each of its 23 wildlife management units. Deer populations are stable or increasing at all of the units, except one near Pittsburgh, he said. He said coyotes could be affecting small mammal populations, though the commission would not be able to quantify this effect, especially on species such as mice and voles.

Rep. Peifer said the $25 payment would give hunters a reason to manage the population of an animal they would otherwise have no reason to shoot. Nobody eats coyotes. Blasting them with a shotgun - the preferred method, according to coyote hunting tips found on the Game Commission's website - often renders the pelt unusable, he said.

But coyote hunting is fun, Rep. Peifer said. He talked about a coyote hunt he went on last year. "We saw a lot of tracks but we couldn't get on them," he said. "They're cagey." Offering the bounty could be another way of getting more people out in the woods hunting, he said.

The bill could get stopped in its tracks, though. This week, House legislators proposed an amendment allowing hunting on Sunday to the bill, he said. While Rep. Peifer supports Sunday hunting, he thinks this amendment would kill the bill.

"It's a poison pill," he said. "You can't win there."

Contact the writer at bgibbons@timesshamrock.com, @bgibbonsTT on Twitter

Divorces

Reed Davy, 123 November Drive, Camp Hill, from Tabitha Davy, 156 Linden St., Sunbury. Married April 23, 2004.

Ashley D. McHale from Brian J. McHale, both of 308 Turkey Hill Road, Elysburg. Married April 21, 2007.

Marriage licenses

Chad Andrew Bohner to Shanda Le Wells, both of 914 E. Sunbury St., Shamokin. Issued Nov. 21, 2013.

Shawn Alan Knotts, 2536 Snydertown Road, Danville, to Krista Lynn Reitz-Maust, 1000 Fort Augusta Ave., Sunbury. Issued Nov. 23, 2013.

Property transfers

Daniel J. Rowe and Adrianne D. Rowe to Daniel J. Rowe and Adrianne D. Rowe, property in Ralpho Township, $1.

Kristi S. Mascaluso, Kristi S. Ritchey and Bradley D. Ritchey to Gregory D. Fenix and Stacy L. Fenix, property in Coal Township, $128,000.

Beatrice E. Gruneberg to Douglas R. Piper, property in Coal Township, $95,000.

Regina E. Wachowski to Ann Louise Curran, property in Shamokin Township, $2,000.

Amy Babb, Marcus Babb, William L. Deitz Jr., Christopher M. Deitz and Leslie Ann Upshaw to Leslie Ann Upshaw, property in Coal Township, $1.

J&JS Partners LP to Robert F. Pesarchick and Pamela L. Pesarchick, property in Shamokin, $11,000.

Cecile W. Quick and Dona Bersbach (executrices), Wanda H. Gribbin (estate) to Randall E. Neaus and Joyce M. Neaus, property in Coal Township, $15,000.

Richard A. Gallinot and Joellen Gallinot to Christopher F. Fausnaught, property in Ralpho Township, $120,000.

James C. Swank and Suzanne L. Swank to Douglas Neidig and Susan Neidig, property in Shamokin, $18,000.

Daniel A. Dietterick II (executor), Daniel A. Dietterick (estate) to Angelo A. Venna and Mary Ann Venna, property in Kulpmont, $20,000.

Jean Ososkie to Jean Ososkie, property in Mount Carmel, $1.

Jean Ososkie to Ronald Moser and Debra Moser, property in Mount Carmel, $1,000.

Roland A. Lambert and Gene Craig Lambert (by agent), Linda M. Williams (agent) to Gene Craig Lambert, property in Mount Carmel, $1.

Walter J. Kirchhoff Jr. and Sally A. Beck to Walter J. Kirchhoff Jr., property in Mount Carmel, $1.

Northeast Apartments LLC to Northeast Apartments LLC, property in Mount Carmel, $1.

Miners Bank to George H. Foulke, property in Mount Carmel, $38,500.

Michael P. McSurdy and Donna M. Toter to Michael P. McSurdy, property in Rockefeller Township, $1.

Ronald L. Oxenrider to Katie M.O. Bordner and Adrian D. Bordner, property in Jordan Township, $1.

Carl E. Weaver and Rosalie J. Weaver to Carl E. Weaver, Rosalie J. Weaver and Weaver Irrevocable Residential and Income Trust, property in Rockefeller Township, $1.

Donna Grose and Roger Grose to Forrest O. Potter and Laura E. Potter, property in Mount Carmel, $22,000.

Tammy Jean Krieger, David A. Krieger Sr., Jodi Ellen Campbell, Bonny S. Barry, Douglas F. Barry, Kelly Ann Courts and Robert J. Courts to Joyce A. Pappas, property in Coal Township, $56,000.

Joseph Henry Cwikleski (estate), Santa C. Kelly (executrix) to John J. Kovach and Jaime N. Kovach, property in Mount Carmel, $500.

First National Bank of Pennsylvania, Guaranty Bank, to Clark & Hess Enterprises LLC, property in Rush Township, $135,000.

Northumberland County Sheriff, Keith M. Searles and Keith M. Searls to Deutsche Bank National Trust Co., property in Shamokin, $1,854.98.

Amy G. Klock to Susan L. Campbell and Larry E. Klock, property in Rockefeller Township, $1.

Timothy Ryan and Leah Jane Ryan to Vanessa Jo-Ann Schooley, property in Coal Township, $115,000.

Laverne R. Brown and Cindy K. Brown to Johnathan McLaughlin and Deanna McLaughlin, property in Upper Mahanoy Township, $47,000.

Courtney M. Conrad, Courtney M. Sebastian and Tim Sebastian to Janine N. Fegley and Mary Ann Atchley, property in Mount Carmel, $65,000.

Northumberland County Tax Claims Bureau to Barrett Bolam, property in Mount Carmel Township, $589.01.

Northumberland County Tax Claims Bureau to Barrett Bolam, property in Mount Carmel Township, $499.72.

Northumberland County Tax Claims Bureau to Vernon L. Hoke, property in Shamokin, $2,251.62.

Northumberland County Tax Claims Bureau to Vernon L. Hoke, property in Shamokin, $3,617.33.

Northumberland County Tax Claims Bureau to Jennifer Andino, property in Zerbe Township, $2,542.60.

Northumberland County Tax Claims Bureau to Jennifer Andino, property in Kulpmont, $1,804.71.

Northumberland County Tax Claims Bureau to Jose Velazquez Jr., property in Coal Township, $1,603.04.

Northumberland County Tax Claims Bureau to Guy Leroy, property in East Cameron Township, $6,275.18.

Northumberland County Tax Claims Bureau to Lawrence Novack and Josephine M. Novack, property in Shamokin, $2,396.75.

Northumberland County Tax Claims Bureau to Denise Brown and John Brown, property in Shamokin, $1,963.75.

SHAMOKIN - "Overwhelmed."

That was how Robert Wheary and Antoinette (Toni) Scicchitano described their reaction to a fundraiser Saturday evening that will help them recover from a fire that destroyed their homes Oct. 9.

Wheary, Scicchitano and her ex-boyfriend, John Schulein, lost nearly everything when a fire of undetermined origin destroyed 49-53 N. Berry St. in the Boydtown section of Coal Township.

An estimated 400 people were expected to cram into the Knights of Columbus building during the course of the $15 night.

Scicchitano tried, unsuccessfully, to hold back tears.

"I feel like I don't deserve this. I feel like I should get involved the next time something tragic happens to someone," he said. "I most definitely will."

Heather Nahodil, who knows Wheary and Scicchitano through their children, started organizing the event a week after the fire. The preparations paid off.

Fifty items, including a iPad Mini and Coors Light Mountain Bike, were donated and used in a Chinese auction. Also donated were finger foods, 400 hot dogs and 80 pounds of ground beef.

Five local bands donated their time. Playing 45-minute sets were Bush Pounders, Four Car Pile-Up, Warren Dane, R.A.T.L. and Dying to Live.

Nahodil said $700 was donated before the event and that the final amount will be split 50/50 between Scicchitano and Wheary.

"(Before the fire) I never even met Heather," Wheary said. "It's amazing. It's amazing."

SHAMOKIN - Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III was clear in his direction to a Sunbury man who owes $1,500 in fines for a dilapidated property the owner says he mistakenly purchased two years ago at a county judicial sale.

"I don't want your money. The city doesn't want your money. I want compliance," Gembic told Keith Musser, 59, during a 45-minute hearing Monday morning.

The judge issued that warning prior to granting Musser three months to raze and remove debris from 624 W. Mulberry St.

Musser has been fined by the city for allowing the property to become a public nuisance, but Gembic put off rendering a verdict for 30 days to see if Musser is compliant in having the building torn down as soon as possible.

If Musser complies, his fines on five citations issued by Shamokin Code Enforcement Officer Rick Bozza and Cpl. Bryan Primerano will be forgiven. Bozza and Primerano did not object to Gembic's order.

Musser, who pleaded not guilty at the outset of the hearing, said he will do his best to comply, but maintains the county shouldn't be allowed to sell properties in deplorable condition.

"There was deception, although it was not mean-spirited deception," he told the judge.

He said he understands the ramifications for the city and county in trying to deal with blighted properties. "But I still feel the county did not act in good faith in selling this property to me," he said, saying the tax sale process is flawed.

Wrong property

Musser had said previously he did not realize the property he purchased in August 2011 for approximately $1,300 had been scheduled for demolition by the city. He said it would cost him approximately $100,000 to renovate the double home and between $12,000 and $17,000 to raze it, and that he can't afford either option.

He sent a friend to the sale in his place because he had another commitment. The addresses got mixed up and, instead of the intended property, the friend bought 624 W. Mulberry St. The first time he entered it, Musser said he looked up through the second floor and into the third floor.

Musser, noting the law prohibits prospective buyers from going inside properties before they are sold, recommended having the code enforcement officer or someone from the county inspect buildings to make sure they aren't in need of major repairs. But Gembic said there's too much liability for someone who doesn't actually own a building to go inside.

'Scapegoat'

"There's no way I can get justice on this because the city has so many blighted properties," Musser said. "I feel like I'm a scapegoat."

Bozza said once the county sells a property, the city can't tear it down.

"The city doesn't want the property and certainly doesn't want to tear it down because that would set a bad precedent," he said.

Primerano said Musser purchased the property for a fair price and that the county tax claims bureau has a "buyer beware" clause on all properties available for sale.

Gembic admitted having mixed emotions because he believes Musser is a nice guy who simply made a mistake.

"You got a bad business deal. It happens to the best of us," he said. "I guess the lesson here is that you shouldn't buy something without looking at."

Musser said he's confident he can get the property demolished in the near future, but clearing the site will take more time and money, he said.

Deed dilemma

On Nov. 19, Northumberland County Commissioners Stephen Bridy and Richard Shoch rescinded a motion passed by Shoch and Commissioner Vinny Clausi at a Nov. 7 meeting that deeded the property back to the county. Clausi was away on business and did not attend last week's meeting. Bridy abstained on the original vote, claiming it set a dangerous precedent.

The rear of the home collapsed Sept. 22, bringing Shamokin Fire Bureau personnel to the scene. The third floor is completely exposed at the rear of the building; portions of the exterior wall are missing and the roof is sagging.

Jan Nestico, director of the county tax claims bureau, said her office wasn't notified that the property was scheduled for demolition and that Musser didn't bring the issue to her attention until a year after he bought it.

Bozza previously said the property was one of many blighted houses on a list as part of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, but it was never specifically scheduled for demolition.

KULPMONT - American Legion Post 231 along with the Kulpmont Veterans of Foreign Wars attended the 8:30 a.m. Mass at Holy Angels Church honoring the veterans of all wars and Ladies Auxiliary Post 231 Nov. 10. The mass was also for the intention of all living and deceased members of the Armed Forces. The Rev. Andrew Stahmer, pastor, was the celebrant.

In his homily, Stahmer recognized all attending veterans and asked them to stand up when he called through different branches of the service who served from World War II to the present. The congregation then gave them an overwhelming expression of thanks to the veterans for the service to their country.

Following Mass, all veterans and American Legion Ladies Auxiliary Post 231 and the public assembled at Roosevelt Court, Kulpmont, including all honor guards and firing squads. Commander Albert Goodlunas gave a welcome address and thanked everyone for a great turnout.

"It is with honor that we come each year to honor the names on these tablets. The men and women who gave their lives so we could have the freedom we enjoy," Goodlunas said. "We will always remember their sacrifice to them and their loved ones."

Past commander Andrew Bednarchick gave the order for the firing squad to fire three rounds. Taps was played while the honor guard and all present stood at attention and sang the national anthem.

Following the program, all were invited to the legion post home for a full breakfast.

On Veterans Day, Legion members assembled outside the post home to honor all who gave their lives, men and women from all wars. The command was given to the firing squad to prepare to fire three rounds. At the completion of the rounds, Taps was played and the veterans saluted the flag. At that time, coincidentally, a jet flew over with a huge stream coming from its tail assembly.

Goodlunas reminded members that there will be no meetings in November and December, because of the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. The next meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014.

ELYSBURG - The monthly meeting of Knights of Columbus Charles R. Slough Council 14161 was held Nov. 13 and a report was given on the following activities:

- A Beef and Brew was held Oct. 19 at the Elysburg Fire Company and was attended by 130 people.

- The 13 Week Club Party was held Oct. 27 in the church hall and was attended by 250 people.

- The holiday ravioli sale was extremely successful.

- A monetary gift will be presented to the Rev. Al Sceski, pastor of Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Church, from the profits of the above fundraisers.

- Council celebrated its 7th anniversary at 5 p.m. Mass Nov. 2 at the church. Rev. Al had the Mass and members served as lector, eucharistic ministers, ushers and altar servers.

- The veterans breakfast was held Nov. 16 in the Father Charles R. Slough Knights of Columbus Hall.

Future activities were discussed and plans were made to make them successful.

- Weather permitting, decorating at the church and in Elysburg Community Park will take place after Thanksgiving to display council's Nativity scene for the holidays.

- The Fourth annual children's Christmas Party will be held in the Church social hall from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8.

- The Knights' annual Christmas party will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, in the Father Charles R. Slough Knights of Columbus Hall.

- Several knights and their families will travel to Washington, D.C. Wednesday Jan. 22 to join in the "March for Life."

- The council is also making plans for the annual Knights of Columbus free throw contest in January for young people.

The next 13 Week Club will begin in February and the party will be April 27. Tickets are now available.

MOUNT CARMEL - Magisterial District Judge Hugh Jones has recused himself from hearing the case of Kulpmont Borough Council President Bruno Varano, prompting a one-week delay for the councilman's preliminary hearing.

Varano, 60, of 34 S. 10th St., Kulpmont, was charged Oct. 2 with disorderly conduct and "unlawful acts relative to liquor, malt and brewed beverages" by a state police liquor control enforcement officer in response to an early morning incident this summer at the Jan Sobieski Club, 10th and Scott streets.

When the charges were filed, a preliminary hearing was scheduled for Monday, but Jones disqualified himself Nov. 7. The hearing will be held before District Judge John Gembic III, Shamokin, Tuesday, Dec. 3.

Jones said Monday his recusal was to eliminate any doubt that Varano's hearing would be conducted fairly.

"Mr. Varano is the chief executive officer for a municipality in my district," he said. "No matter which way the case goes, I didn't think it was appropriate for me to hear it because I didn't want to open up any cause for someone to think there was favoritism."

He said the county court administrator determines the reassignment.

Varano was charged by LCE officer Janelle M. Wilt. She was working undercover as a patron inside the Kulpmont social club at approximately 2 a.m. Aug. 3, when she allegedly observed a bartender, Cody Shustack, 20, of Kulpmont, take a drink from a bottle of Dr. McGillcuddy's liquor while he was tending bar. Wilt left the establishment and came back 30 minutes later with four Kulpmont police officers and attempted to gain entry after the doors were locked, she said.

When Varano, the board-approved manager of the club, opened the door after Wilt identified herself as an officer, he allegedly said to Wilt, "You ever been shot?"

Varano then attempted to block Wilt's access to the club and argued with Wilt when she explained the underage drinking violation, charges state.

"He's allowed, he's tending bar!" Varano allegedly yelled at the officer.

On two occasions, Varano had to be moved away from Wilt, according to police. He had to be taken from the premises for alleged belligerent conduct, police said.

Shustack was charged with underage drinking, drinking while tending bar and escape. Because his case is directly related to Varano's, Jones also recused himself from that matter. Gembic will hear Shustack's preliminary hearing next week also.

"As you prepare your Thanksgiving dinner, it is important to remember some key food-safety rules when it comes to cooking and serving turkey," said Martin Bucknavage, extension food-safety specialist. "We don't want to spread pathogenic bacteria, such as Salmonella and Campylobacter."

He offers some advice to keep cooks, helpers and guests safe when preparing a turkey:

There is no need to wash the outside of your turkey

Proper cooking will take care of any pathogenic bacteria that may be present.

"The only thing you will achieve by washing the outside of the turkey is spreading bacteria in your kitchen. This can occur as the water splashes or drips across your kitchen counter, potentially carrying bacteria with it," Bucknavage said.

Clean as you go when handling raw turkey

"As people move the raw turkey around in the kitchen, they treat it more like a football than a raw piece of meat, in that it touches a lot of surfaces including the hands," he said. "Because of this, there is the potential to get pathogenic bacteria on our hands, on the counter and on the cutting board. Therefore, clean these surfaces immediately after coming in contact with the raw bird."

Cook it to the right temperature

UDSA suggests that the bird gets to at least 165 F, (best if over 172 F for chewing). So Bucknavage recommends the use of a thermometer to monitor the temperature.

"Check the temperature of the bird in a number of spots, including the breast meat and the thickest part of the thigh," he said. "Allow time for further cooking if the temperature is not met."

Cook your stuffing separately

If you stuff the bird, the temperature of the stuffing must also get to 165 F.

"In order to get the stuffing to the right temperature, the bird will reach much higher temperatures, often over 185 F, making it very dry. Too often, people will stop cooking once the bird is at the right temperature, but unfortunately, they end up having undercooked stuffing," Bucknavage said.

"Because this stuffing was inside the raw bird, it absorbed turkey juice potentially carrying pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella and Campylobacter. Undercooking the stuffing lets those bacteria survive. It is much better, and safer, to cook them separately. You will get the right temperature in the turkey without having to overcook it, and you'll get the right temperature in the stuffing."

If you want the look of a stuffed turkey on your table, stuff it before serving, after both have been properly cooked, he advised.

Handle leftovers immediately after dinner

Do not allow the turkey to sit on the table for hours after everyone is done eating.

"Bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus can grow on meat items if left out for a long period of time," Bucknavage said. "To prevent that from occurring, it is important to handle leftovers right away. Cut up the turkey, put it in a container or sealable bag, and then refrigerate or freeze."

CATAWISSA RR - Firefighters responded to the Southern Columbia Area Junior/Senior High School at 12:55 a.m. Sunday after a motorist reportedly saw smoke and the automatic fire alarm system activated.

Firefighters did not find fire or smoke after about an hour-long search of the interior and roof of the building.

Catawissa Fire Chief Don Traugh confirmed the fire alarm system was activated. Traugh added that a panel on the fire detection panel in a stairwell near the main office was "off," but did not suspect it caused the fire alarm system to trip.

Traugh and the Columbia County Communications Center said the fire detection system did not auto-dial to report the activation and that the motorist was the only 911 call.

Units from several communities remained on scene for approximately one hour.

MANDATA - The Dec. 15 concert at Line Mountain High School to dedicate a newly refurbished Steinway Grand piano will include remarks from a relative of the teacher who spearheaded the move to purchase the piano nearly 50 years ago.

The concert, "Ebony and Ivory - A Christmas Dedication," is set for 3 p.m. Doors open at 2 p.m. and, at 2:30 p.m., a question-and-answer period will be conducted by restorers William Koble and Nathan Baldwin.

There will then be remarks by a representative of the Line Mountain School District, Line Mountain Council of the Arts and Humanities (LMCAH) representative Judith White and Elinor Spotts, the only locally living relative of former music teacher Helen B. Spotts, who led the charge for the purchase the piano in 1965.

The newly refurbished Steinway Grand piano has been anxiously awaiting its return to the newly renovated high school. The timing resulted in the arts council scheduling a combination dedication and annual Christmas concert.

A mass community chorus will present inspirational holiday music under the direction of White, voice professor at Susquehanna University. The chorus will be joined by local pianists who will showcase the Steinway with their talents. Local pianists include Harold Morgan, Rosanne Carson, Judy Updegrove, Diane Scott, Galen Deibler, Diane Rompallo, Larry Fisher, Christine Sanders, Carol Hubler and White. The audience will enjoy a variety of musical genres. A children's ensemble will also perform The Friendly Beasts and Come On and Ring Those Bells under the direction of Judy Updegrove.

The will be door prizes, including a framed Ned Smith print entitled "Flushing Pheasant." No purchase is necessary to be eligible for the door prizes; however, the winner must be in attendance. There is no admission fee, but a free-will offering will be accepted.

We turned our clocks back weeks ago and Thanksgiving is coming soon. Winter is on the doorstep.

Electric use tends to spike in winter, as it can in summer, and that means some customers who are struggling financially also will struggle to pay their electric bill.

PPL Electric Utilities has several programs to help income-eligible customers pay their bills and maintain uninterrupted service.

Visit www.pplelectric.com/billhelp to get acquainted with our menu of options.

OnTrack is a program for income-eligible customers that offers reduced monthly bill payments and a chance to erase any debt you owe. We work with a network of local agencies to administer this program.

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is funded by the federal government and administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare. It provides cash grants to help families with heating bills, and crisis grants to help families that are at risk of losing their power or who are coping with heating emergencies.

You don't have to receive public assistance to qualify and you don't need to have an unpaid heating bill. You can either rent or own your home. Funds are limited, so don't delay.

Programs also are available that can help you save energy and money. Our Winter Relief Assistance Program (WRAP) helps income-eligible customers by providing energy audits. The program also can include the installation of energy-efficient appliances and home weatherization measures. Income guidelines are listed with WRAP program information.

To eliminate seasonal spikes in bills in high-demand seasons like winter and summer, consider enrolling in budget billing to spread your estimated annual electricity expense over 12 months. In other words, you pay roughly the same amount each month and know what to expect ahead of time.

Lastly, I'd ask you to consider donating to Operation HELP, our hardship fund for customers having trouble paying their energy bills. We're proud to say the program is 30 years old this year and has helped more than 83,000 families.

You can elect to contribute monthly as part of your bill, or you can make a one-time contribution. The choice is yours and anything you give will be appreciated.

Donations come from many great people in the cities and towns we serve, as well as our employees, retirees and the company itself. Look for the Operation HELP bill insert with your December bill. Or go to www.pplelectric.com/operationhelp.

The need is real. Will this be your year to help?

(Teri MacBride is regional affairs director for PPL Corp.)

The Harlem Wizards will play the "SoCo Celebrities" in a friendly basketball game at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10 at the Southern Columbia Junior/Senior High School to benefit the Southern Columbia basketball program.

SoCo Celebrities will consist of teachers, coaches and other "local celebrities" from Our Lady of Lourdes Regional and the Southern Columbia, Shamokin, Mount Carmel, Central Columbia, Danville and Bloomsburg school districts.

Advanced tickets are $11 for adults, $8 for students. Tickets at the door are $13 and $10, respectively. For more information or tickets contact the high school or call 570-274-5278 or 570-672-2434.

MOUNT CARMEL - Seventeen months of contentious negotiations ended Monday night when the Mount Carmel Area School District approved a three-year deal with the Mount Carmel Area Education Association to the tune of $697,000.

After the 7-2 vote at a special meeting, union President Joseph Varano said he was relieved and happy.

"It took a lot of effort for each negotiating team to take this to vote. They each had the best interest of the district in mind," he said.

School board President Donna James wished Varano and the 17 other teachers in attendance a happy Thanksgiving and congratulated them for the settlement,

The process was tedious and long, she said.

The teachers union has been working under an expired contract since June 2012.

The contract, which is retroactive from July 1, 2012, through June 30, 2015, guarantees the district's 114 teachers a step increase of $1,563 for the previous school year 2012-13, a step increase of $1,563 plus 2 percent for 2013-14 and another step increase of $1,563 plus 2 percent for 2014-15.

At an average of 4.2 percent, the increases will cost the district $697,000 provided the amount of staff remains the same, according to district financial consultant Charles J. Mannello.

A teacher making $31,778 right now will make $36,282 by the end of the contract, he said.

This does not include benefits of social security and pension, he noted.

Negotiations between the two entities hit a stalemate in May when the school board accepted the report of a Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board fact finder, but the union rejected it.

Tension flared considerable when the teachers picketing a contract negotiation meeting Sept. 18 and a regular meeting Sept. 19. By Oct. 7, the teachers adopted a "working to the rule" policy, which meant they would not do any work outside their contracted hours. This ended Oct. 25.

Look at tomorrow

Because national average salary increase is half of what the district's increases calls for over the next two years, Director Dr. Ray Kraynak said he couldn't support the contract.

"Everyone wants to be compensated, everyone feels entitled to higher wages, but you have to look for tomorrow," he said.

The teachers taking money consumes all the district's resources, he said.

"We'll have no money for anything else," Kraynak said. "The bottom line is money. Down the road, we'll have massive problems."

At a board meeting Sept. 19, Mannello explained that, as of June 30, 2012, the district had a $3.7 million fund balance. He said the board later passed a resolution to place $2.5 million into an assigned fund balance that would be used to cover increased costs involved with health insurance and the Public School Employees Retirement System (PSERS), and for future capital improvement projects.

Mannello said the remaining $1.2 million in the fund balance is needed for cash flow.

With projected cost increases for pension and health insurance over the next five years, the fund balance could be left with $149,592.51.

At Monday's meeting, the board members immediately entered into executive session for approximately 20 minutes. When the public meeting started again, Directors Michael Rovito and Robert Muldowney made and seconded the motion to approve the contract. It passed 7-2 with Directors Kraynak and Raymond Kraynak voting against it.

Director Charles Mannello voted for it against his "better judgement."

Health coverage

Varano said the raise is fair and the teachers were able to insert additional benefits into the contract.

In the new contract, the teachers will now be able to use four of their 10 sick days a year in half-day increments and have an additional planning period during the day in order to collaborate with other educators.

Also, the teachers now have to pay for their first 12 college credits instead of 18 toward a master's degree.

However, the teachers gave up paying 1 percent toward their health care contributions and will instead be paying a percentage of their premium starting in 2014-15.

"The biggest thing we gave up was health care. For the association as a whole, it was a sticking point. They didn't want the health care to change," Varano said.

Many of the teachers graduated from Mount Carmel Area and they have dedicated their professional careers to the district, he said.

"We're as invested as it comes," he said.

The average teacher salary in the district in 2011-12 was $43,834, ranking Mount Carmel Area 489th out of 500 Pennsylvania school districts.

The median household income in the school district in 2011 was estimated at $34,188 by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Other districts

While Mount Carmel Area's contracts are approved, the other three teacher unions in the school districts in The News-Item's coverage area are still operating on expired contracts.

At Line Mountain, teachers have been working on an expired contract since June 2012, which was a one-year extension of a five-year contract that ended June 30, 2011, that guaranteed educators a 3 percent raise each year.

Teachers there have been working to the rule since Sept. 30 to draw attention to the stalled contract negotiations.

School board President Troy Laudenslager said the next scheduled contract meeting is Jan. 23; the last time they met was Oct. 3.

"We've been waiting for a date, and we just got one. They're not in any hurry apparently," he said Monday.

Line Mountain Education Association (LMEA) President Mark Shearer did not return a phone call for comment Monday afternoon.

Shamokin Area's most recent teacher contract expired June 30 after a two-year extension to a five-year contract.

Southern Columbia Area teachers have been working on a three-year contract that expired June 30.

Both districts are still working toward a settlement, but there have been no indication yet that teachers will be taking any extraordinary action.

Mine fire on Travel Channel

The Travel Channel will broadcast a piece on Centralia and the mine fire at 10 p.m. Sunday featuring interviews with Bob Gadinski, a former Centralia resident who now lives in Ashland, and former News-Item and Patriot-News staff writer and author David DeKok, who wrote a book about Centralia.

An infrared video aerial drone that shows the location of the fire will be included in the program, which will also include a segment on the Pioneer Mine Tunnel in Ashland and one of its tour guides.

The 60-minute show is "America Declassified," and the Centralia segment, which is part of the second or third segment in the program, is entitled "City on Fire." The segment was produced by Indigo Films for the Travel Channel.

Offices closed for holiday

COAL TOWNSHIP - The Coal Township Municipal Office and Street Department will be closed Thursday and Friday for Thanksgiving. The Coal Township Recycling Center will be closed Thursday and will be open normal operating hours Friday and Saturday. The center will then be closed as usual on Sunday and Monday, but will also be closed on Tuesday.

SHAMOKIN DAM - State Transportation Secretary Barry Schoch and PennDOT officials are meeting today to announce the project timetable for the Central Susquehanna Valley Thruway (CSVT) and the new state transportation plan.

The offices of state Rep. Lynda Schlegel Culver (R-108) and state Sen. John R. Gordner (R-27) announced Monday that the media conference would be held at 1 p.m. today in the Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce, 2859 N. Susquehanna Trail.

In April, state officials announced their confidence that the 13-mile bypass around the business strip along Routes 11-15 in Shamokin Dam and Hummels Wharf would be funded with $558 million toward the massive project as part of the Corbett administration's "Decade of Investment" plan.

Gov. Tom Corbett signed the state's new transportation funding legislation into law Monday, which invests an additional $2.3 to $2.5 billion into the state's roads, bridges and transit systems by the fifth year of the plan

District 3-0 Executive Sandra Tosca and other local legislative delegation, local government officials and local business leaders will also be a part of the media conference.

As the largest single project in the "Decade of Investment," the thruway will be funded through $150 million from the federal Appalachian Regional Commission, and the remaining $408 million will come from the Motor License Fund, which gets its money from the state gasoline tax, motor vehicle license and registration fees and other fees. The governor would increase the revenue by gradually lifting the cap on the state Oil Company Franchise Tax over five years.

Barring any technical difficulties, the meeting will be streamed live on www.lyndaculver.com.

- Justin Strawser

CATAWISSA - An Elysburg woman is dead and two men face charges in connection with a heroin overdose last week.

Locust Township Police said Erika Smith, 34, of Horvath Drive, died Sunday evening at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, after being treated for an overdose that occurred Thursday at 51 Winding Way, Catawissa.

An autopsy is scheduled for 8 a.m. today at Lehigh Valley Medical Center, Allentown, while police continue their investigation in conjunction with Columbia County District Attorney Thomas Leipold and Montour County Coroner Scott Lynn.

Gregory Shepard, 26, who lives at the home where the overdose occurred, and Bryant Leiby, 25, of 814 Mount Zion Drive, Danville, have been charged in connection with the overdose. Shepard was jailed at Columbia County Prison on $50,000 cash bail after his arraignment Thursday. Leiby's is in the same prison on $35,000 cash bail. Both are charged with drug-related counts, while Shepard is facing an endangerment charge. Authorities said any possible charges related to Smith's death are pending further investigation.

Officials confirmed Monday that Smith is the stepdaughter of Ralpho Township Police Chief Stuart Appel.

Locust Township Police Chief Allen Breach said the death is the first fatal heroin overdose he can remember investigating in his 15 years in the township, but acknowledges the problem is becoming more prevalent.

"Over the last two or three years, we have seen the use of heroin dramatically increase," Breach said, adding that police find more during traffic stops, too. "The problem is here."

Leipold said this is the latest of several drug overdose deaths his office has investigated this year.

"Unfortunately, heroin is becoming fairly prevalent in the county," Leipold said, adding that it's possible some overdose deaths aren't recorded as such.

Unresponsive

According to court documents filed by Breach, police were dispatched to Shepard's home at approximately 10:33 p.m. Nov. 20 and found a female lying on her back and unresponsive. Patrolman Nicholas Thorpe performed CPR until an ambulance crew arrived.

Shepard told police the female had "shot up" with one bag of heroin approximately three hours before and Shepard called 911 after watching over her and becoming concerned.

He said he made arrangements with a friend, later named as Leiby, to deliver heroin to him and Smith. Leiby purchased 20 bags of heroin for $300, given to him by Shepard. After Leiby made the delivery, the three used the drugs between 2 and 4 p.m. Nov. 20.

After Smith passed out, the two men at first thought she was simply "high," Shepard said.

Shepard told police Leiby eventually left because he didn't want to be involved. Shepard said he became increasingly worried.

He told police he called and texted a friend about Smith's condition, and was told to put her on her side so she could breathe better. While Shepard got more anxious, he allegedly used four more bags of heroin, then saw Smith's lips change from pink to blue. He then told his mother about her condition and called 911.

Drugs, paraphernalia

While searching Shepard's bedroom, police uncovered 69 empty wax paper packets used to package heroin, eight needles, a bong and other drug paraphernalia. Officers also found green vegetable material believed to be synthetic marijuana.

Shepard's mother, Maureen, told police that at noon, she and Smith went to Elysburg to get food - the only time they left the house all day. Maureen said she heard a vehicle pull up into the driveway at 2:30 p.m. and saw a small truck that she knew was owned by Leiby, who went into the basement door to Shepard's room. At 6 p.m., she heard Leiby's vehicle leave, but didn't see him go.

Leiby told police he and Shepard injected several bags of heroin before he decided to leave around 4 p.m. He said Smith was passed out when he left. Leiby said he advised Shepard to keep watching Smith and take her to the emergency room if she stopped breathing.

Charges

Shepard faces felony counts of criminal use of a communication facility and possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and misdeamenor charges of recklessly endangering another person, possession of a controlled substance and three counts of possession of drug paraphernalia.

Leiby was charged with criminal use of a communication facility, and possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance. He was placed in Columbia County Prison on $35,000 cash bail after Thursday's arraignment.

Breach said there is a possibility of further charges, but "a lot of work" has to be done first. That includes an autopsy, toxicology tests and filing search warrants.

Felony?

Pennsylvania recently adopted the "Drug Delivery Resulting in Death" statute in the Pa. Crimes Code, which makes it a felony in the first degree if a person intentionally administers, dispenses, delivers, gives, prescribes, sells or distributes any controlled substance or counterfeit controlled substance and another person dies as a result of using the substance.

If convicted, the crime carries a minimum sentence of five years in prison and a $15,000 fine.

It's a statute that's being tested in Coal Township as police continue to investigate four heroin overdoses in two months between February and March, two of which resulted in death.

The drug packaging in the fatal overdoses match that of the near-fatal overdose of Jason R. Kobbe, 22, of Wynn School Road, Locust Township, who allegedly purchased the heroin from Jordan Detalente, 18, of Bloomsburg.

Detalente was arrested with two other individuals at the Glosser Motor Inn, Paxinos, Feb. 4 when police found 71 bags of heroin, four grams of marijuana, eight grams of cocaine and one gram of Ecstasy in their motel room.

CATAWISSA - Authorities are awaiting the results of lab tests to determine the cause and manner of death for an Elysburg woman who died from an apparent heroin overdose.

Montour County Coroner Scott Lynn said the autopsy was conducted Tuesday morning at Lehigh Valley Hospital in Allentown on the body of Erika Smith, 34, of Horvath Drive. Lynn said results typically take between eight and 12 weeks.

The coroner said toxicology and other testing should confirm a definitive cause and manner of death.

"At this point, I have no idea why she died and we can't be certain until we get the test results," Lynn said.

Meanwhile, one of the two men charged in connection with her death was released from prison Tuesday; a second man remains jailed.

Locust Township Police Chief Allen Breach said his department continues to conduct interviews and pursue leads on the circumstances surrounding Smith's death. Lynn and Columbia County District Attorney Thomas Leipold are assisting.

"We don't really have much other information to release at this point other than the investigation is ongoing," Breech said Tuesday.

Lynn pronounced Smith dead at 7:40 p.m. Sunday in the intensive care unit at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville.

Police said she died after being treated for four days for a heroin overdose that occurred Nov. 20 at 51 Winding Way, Catawissa.

Out on bail

Gregory Shepard, 26, who lives at the home where the overdose occurred, and Bryant Leiby, 25, of 814 Mount Zion Drive, Danville, have been charged in connection with the overdose. Shepard was jailed at Columbia County Prison in Bloomsburg on $50,000 cash bail after his arraignment Thursday. Breach said Shepard's parents posted property bail for their son, allowing him to be released Tuesday.

Leiby remains incarcerated at Columbia County Prison on $35,000 cash bail.

Shepard, who is being defended by Attorney Gregory Moro, Bloomsburg, was initially scheduled for a hearing next week before Magisterial District Judge Craig Long of Catawissa, but it has been continued at his lawyer's request. No new hearing date has been set.

Leiby, who doesn't yet have an attorney, is still scheduled for his preliminary hearing at 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, before Long.

Shepard faces felony counts of criminal use of a communication facility and possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and misdemeanor charges of recklessly endangering another person, possession of a controlled substance and three counts of possession of drug paraphernalia.

Leiby is charged with criminal use of a communication facility and possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.

Authorities said any possible charges related to Smith's death are pending further investigation.

Pennsylvania recently adopted the "Drug Delivery Resulting in Death" statute, which makes it a first-degree felony to provide drugs to someone who dies as a result. The crime carries a minimum sentence of five years in prison and a $15,000 fine.

First fatal

Breach said the death is the first fatal heroin overdose he can remember investigating in his 15 years in the township, but acknowledges the problem is becoming more prevalent.

Leipold said Smith's death is the latest of several drug overdose deaths his office has investigated this year.

According to criminal complaints filed by Breach, police were dispatched to Shepard's home at approximately 10:33 p.m. Nov. 20 and found a female lying on her back and unresponsive. Patrolman Nicholas Thorpe performed CPR until an ambulance crew arrived.

Shepard told police the female had "shot up" with one bag of heroin approximately three hours before and Shepard called 911 after watching over her and becoming concerned.

Shepard said he made arrangements with a friend, later identified as Leiby, to deliver heroin to him and Smith. Leiby purchased 20 bags of heroin for $300, given to him by Shepard. After Leiby made the delivery, the three used the drugs between 2 and 4 p.m. Nov. 20, police said.

After Smith passed out, the two men at first thought she was simply "high," Shepard said.

Shepard told police Leiby eventually left because he didn't want to be involved. Shepard said he became increasingly worried.

He told police he called and texted a friend about Smith's condition, and was told to put her on her side so she could breathe better. While Shepard got more anxious, he allegedly used four more bags of heroin, then saw Smith's lips change from pink to blue. He then told his mother about her condition and called 911.

While searching Shepard's bedroom, police uncovered 69 empty wax paper packets used to package heroin, eight needles, a bong and other drug paraphernalia. Officers also found green vegetable material believed to be synthetic marijuana.

Leiby told police he and Shepard injected several bags of heroin before he decided to leave around 4 p.m. He said Smith was passed out when he left. Leiby said he advised Shepard to keep watching Smith and take her to the emergency room if she stopped breathing.

A mixed bag of precipitation over the Susquehanna Valley caused sloppy road conditions throughout Tuesday.

Precipitation fell early Tuesday as light snow, accumulating to less than an inch, before turning to sleet, freezing rain then rain as the day progressed. Higher elevations were slower to transition into plain rain. Natalie saw small accumulations of ice on vehicles, untreated sidewalks and road signs. The entire area was expected to see rain by Wednesday.

Outage

Approximately 1,300 customers were without power Tuesday evening following an outage in Zerbe Township. As of 7:30 p.m., the outage was the only one reported in the area. Power was partially restored by 7:30 p.m.

Melinda Stumps, on-call regional affairs director for PPL Electric Utilities, reported that a power wire failed due to the winter weather at 5:15 p.m. in Zerbe Township, knocking out electricity to 1,331 customers in the Zerbe Township area.

Forecast

According to the National Weather Service in State College, periods of heavy rain will continue until around 2 p.m. today, before mixing to rain and snow. Breezy conditions along with rain and snow showers will persist through the evening as the storm departs.

The storm is expected to dump a total of 2 to 3 inches of rain and less than a 1/2-inch of snow. The high temperature will top-out around 39 degrees, the low around 23 degrees.

Motorists will be paying a bit more when filling up their tanks for Thanksgiving travel. Susquehanna Valley gas prices have risen almost eight cents to $3.32 a gallon, according to AAA East Central.

On the national front

After falling to a multi-year low of $3.18 per gallon Nov. 12, the national average price of gas increased for 14 straight days and jumped 11 cents to a current average of $3.29.

Tuesday's national average price at the pump is eight cents more expensive than one week ago, but it remains a penny cheaper than one month ago and 14 cents less than the same date last year.

After several months of steady decline nationwide, average gas prices in many states have moved higher over the last two weeks. Drivers in 38 states and Washington, D.C., are paying more at the pump than one week ago. This increase in retail prices has been keyed by increases in Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic states due to planned and unplanned maintenance at a number of Gulf Coast refineries and seasonally stronger demand for gasoline.

AAA expects that the national average will stay flat or even rise a few cents higher leading up to Thanksgiving. However, while gasoline refined from likely cheaper crude oil makes its way to consumers and refinery issues are resolved, AAA continues to predict the national average will fall as the holidays draw near.

The price of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil has now settled below the $100 per barrel mark for six straight weeks. This decline continued Monday with WTI settling at $93.09 per gallon at the close of formal trading on the NYMEX.

(AAA East Central - a not-for-profit association with 82 local offices in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, New York and Kentucky servicing 2.7 million members - provides Fuel Gauge each week.)