West End to host first soupie contest

SHAMOKIN - West End Fire Co. No. 5, 316 W. Pine St., will host its inaugural soupie contest Saturday.

Registration is from noon to 6 p.m., and judging will start at 6:30 p.m. All contestants must be present to win.

Call Jeff at 570-492-0875 for more information.

SAT tests set for Saturday

COAL TOWNSHIP - The SAT Reasoning and Subject Tests will be administered to pre-registered candidates Saturday at Shamokin Area Middle/High School.

Check-in and room assignment will begin at 7:30 a.m. in the auditorium lobby. All candidates must present photo ID. Doors to the test center will close at 8 a.m.

Candidates are reminded to park their vehicles in either of the side parking lots.

Cell phones are not permitted in the test center.

Students should consult their Registration Bulletin or www.collegeboard.com for more information regarding test-day procedures.

Doubts about God addressed

ELYSBURG - What happens to religious faith when hard times happen will be explored at Lifetree Cafe from 7 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Elysburg Presbyterian Church, 320 W. Valley Ave.

The program, titled "Where Is God When Life Turns Tough?" features the filmed story of John Stumbo, a healthy ultra-marathoner who was suddenly attacked by an undiagnosable, life-threatening illness.

"I discovered the faith I claimed as a child was being tested in a new way," said Stumbo. "It was being tested in an ICU ward, facing life or death."

Participants will discuss what happens to faith in the face of disappointment and disaster.

Admission to the 60-minute event is free.

Lifetree Cafe is a place where people gather for conversation about life and faith in a casual coffeehouse-type setting. For more information, call 570-672-2873, e-mail elysburgpresby@verizon.net or go to www.lifetreecafe.com.

COAL TOWNSHIP - The owner of a garbage removal business in Bloomsburg has been charged with issuing 34 bad checks totaling approximately $36,000 over a five-month period to PA Waste Management in Coal Township.

Jeremy Evans, 31, of Bloomsburg, owner of Got Trash Inc., was charged by Detective Jeff Brennan with a misdemeanor of bad checks.

According to a criminal complaint filed at the office of Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III, Evans allegedly issued the worthless checks totaling $36,722.24 between June and November, while knowing the checks would not be honored by PA Waste Management.

Brennan said a bad check charge doesn't become a felony until the amount totals $75,000 or higher. The maximum penalty Evans is facing is five years imprisonment and/or $10,000 fine.

The detective said police received a complaint Dec. 11 about Evans issuing 26 bad checks totaling $28,123.52 from Got Trash Inc. and eight worthless checks totaling $8,598.72 from his personal checking account.

Brennan said Evans admitted issuing all the bad checks.

STONINGTON - The Northumberland County State Health Center will conduct a free flu clinic from 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Stonington Volunteer Fire Company, Route 61.

This year's influenza vaccine appears to be well matched with what is currently circulating in Pennsylvania and the rest of the country, according to a press release issued Wednesday by the Northumberland County Department of Public Safety and the state Department of Health.

Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to receive the vaccine. Appointments are not needed. Individuals who have had a reaction to a flu shot in the past, are allergic to eggs or have a history of Guillain-Barré syndrome are advised to see a health care provider.

For more information on the free clinic, call 570-988-3315. For information about influenza, visit www.flufreepa.com or call 1-877-PA-HEALTH.

SUNBURY - State police said a passenger in a vehicle that wrecked along Snydertown Road in July, killing the 18-year-old driver, is to blame for the accident.

Hasan Mustafa Abuomar, now 20, of 239 S. Hickory St., Mount Carmel, was charged Jan. 15 with homicide by vehicle and two counts of aggravated assault by vehicle, all of which are third-degree felony counts.

Abuomar is accused of grabbing the steering wheel of a 2001 Pontiac Sunfire driven by Marcelle R. Barber, of 15 State St., Mount Carmel, while they traveled east about 12:45 a.m. July 16 in Upper Augusta Township.

The car left the right side of the road, returned to the highway, slid across both lanes and rolled onto its driver side before coming to rest on its roof, police reported at the time of the accident.

Barber was pronounced dead at the scene.

A police affidavit likely providing more details about the accident and related charges was not available Wednesday from the office of Magisterial District Judge Benjamin Apfelbaum, Sunbury.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 1 p.m. Jan. 29 before Apfelbaum.

Abuomar's attorney, Timothy A. Bowers, of Sunbury, joined by Sunbury attorney Kymberley Best in the defense, said Wednesday he anticipates the hearing will be held rather than simply waiving all charges to Northumberland County Court.

"We think there's a very good, very aggressive defense for Mr. Abuomar," Bowers said. "At this point, we do not look to entertain a plea agreement and we would look to move it to trial."

Ann Targonski, Northumberland County assistant district attorney, is handling the case for the commonwealth. Attempts to reach her late Wednesday afternoon were unsuccessful.

Additional misdemeanor charges filed by Trooper Mark Adams of state police at Stonington are involuntary manslaughter and three counts of recklessly endangering another person. Summary counts of reckless driving, careless driving and disregard traffic lane were also filed.

There were two other passengers in the vehicle at the time of the accident - Tyler J. Karycki, then 21, of Mount Carmel, and Brianna L. Bailey, then 18, of Kulpmont.

Both underwent emergency room treatment. Bailey's injuries are cited in the aggravated assault charge, while Karycki's injuries are cited in a reckless endangerment charge.

Barber and Bailey graduated from Mount Carmel Area High School in June and Karycki and Abuomar graduated from the school in 2011, district officials said at the time of the accident.

Barber was employed as a hostess at Mattucci's Willow Cafe in Mount Carmel.

HARRISBURG - Several area volunteer fire and ambulance companies throughout the 107th state legislative district will receive part of more than $420,000 from state gaming proceeds as part of a state grant program.

Rep. Kurt Masser (R-107) announced the grants Wednesday as part of the Pennsylvania Fire Company and Ambulance Service Grant Program, administered by the Pennsylvania Office of Fire Commissioner with the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency.

"I am glad that so many of our area fire and EMS units applied for funding as part of this year's grant and will now benefit as a result," Masser said in a press release. "Each unit knows what it could use a little extra funding for, whether it is a certain piece of equipment to keep its crew members safe while acting in emergency situations, or fixing a roof in its station."

As part of the grant program, recipients can use the funding to build, repair or renovate a fire company or ambulance service's primary structure, purchase or repair firefighting, ambulance or rescue equipment, participate in training seminars and workshops, or pay down the organization's debt.

Most of the grants received by fire companies came between $12,000 and $13,000 with the highest amount received being $13,619.31 each to four departments in Mount Carmel, and to fire companies and emergency squads in Shamokin, Coal Township, and Ralpho Township. Ambulance companies were all awarded the same amount, $7,091.40.

The list of companies that received grants and their amounts, listed by county, is as follows:

Columbia

- Aristes Fire Company No. 1, Aristes - $13,133.27

- Centralia Fire Company No. 1, Centralia - $4,700.

- Wilburton Hose Company No. 1, Wilburton - $12,323.21.

Montour

- Danville Ambulance Service, Danville - $7,091.40.

- East End Fire Company, Danville - $13,596.63.

- Friendship Fire Company No. 1, Danville - $12,647,24.

- Goodwill Hose Company No. 4, Danville - $12,161.20.

- Liberty Township Volunteer Fire Company, Danville - $12,809.25.

- Valley Township Fire Company, Danville - $12,647.24.

- Washingtonville Volunteer Fire Company, Washingtonville - $12,486.03.

Northumberland

- American Hose and Chemical Fire Company, Mount Carmel - $12,323.21.

- Anthracite Steam Fire Company No. 1, Mount Carmel - $13,619.31.

- Atlas Fire Company, Mount Carmel - $13,619.31.

- Beaverdale Fire Company, Mount Carmel - $12,161.20.

- Brady Fire Association No. 1 of Johnson City, Ranshaw - $12,972.07.

- Clover Hose Company, Mount Carmel - $13,619.31.

- Coal Township Rescue Inc., Coal Township - $12,000.

- East Cameron Township Fire Company, Shamokin - $12,323.21.

- East End Hose and Fire Company, Coal Township - $12,000.

- Elysburg Fire Company No. 1, Elysburg - $12,619.31.

- Elysburg Fire Company No. 1, EMS, Elysburg - $7,091.40.

- Forest Hills Fire Company, Coal Township - $12,809.25.

- Friendship Fire Engine and Hose Company, Shamokin - $12,809.25.

- Independence Fire Association, Shamokin - $12,161.20.

- Kulpmont Fire Company No. 1, Kulpmont - $13,458.11.

- Liberty Hose Company, Shamokin - $13,295.29.

- Maine Fire Engine and Hose Company No. 1 of Silver Hill, Coal Township - $13,619.31.

- Marion Heights Fire Company, Marion Heights - $12,161.20.

- Mount Carmel Area Rescue Squad, Mount Carmel - $13,619.31.

- Natalie Fire Company, Natalie - $12,161.20.

- Ralpho Fire Company No. 1, Shamokin - $13,619.31.

- Rescue Fire Company, Shamokin - $12,972.07.

- Shamokin Emergency Squad, Shamokin - $13,619.31.

- Strong Fire Company, Mount Carmel - $12,486.03.

- Trevorton Community Ambulance Association, Trevorton - $7,091.40.

- Union Fire Company, Coal Township - $12,323.21.

KULPMONT - Several borough landlords gathered Wednesday as part of an organized effort to fight a $120 per unit rental property "tax."

Kulpmont officials call it a fee, but group leader Steve Matzura said past court cases of a similar nature call it a tax.

"If the income generated is relative to the costs of collection and supervision, it's a fee," Matzura said. "If it collects more revenue than costs, it's a tax."

Matzura spoke to about 10 fellow landlords at the Cantina Stampina social club as part of their fight against the fee that was changed in May from $100 per landlord to $120 per unit.

"Out of the 1,554 properties in Kulpmont, 210 of them are rental units, owned by 72 landlords," Matzura said. "They are trying to justify the cost of a full-time code enforcement officer, but not at our expense."

"Maybe this is how they are paying for a new building," one landlord said.

"We've heard that," Matzura answered.

All in attendance agreed Wednesday that landlords, especially those who live out of the area, need to unite in the cause.

$500 per month?

The landlords took issue with figures presented in December by borough council member Steve Motyka when several landlords came before Kulpmont Borough Council in protest of the fee. That effort pushed back the enforcement of the fee to March, and placed all funds collected in escrow until the matter is settled.

Council's figures stated the amount of the fee is based on landlords getting an average of $500 per month per property, which generates a yearly combined gross income of $1.26 million for them.

With a $120 rental fee for each of the 210 units, the rental property fee would generate $25,200, about two percent of the gross income for landlords.

"I've never heard of anyone charging taxes on gross income; it's always adjusted," one landlord said.

"First off," Matzura said, "no property, unless its a full home, generates $500 a unit in monthly rent. Take into the fact that collected rents help landlords pay utilities, upkeep, property taxes and in some cases, mortgages, renting properties is a tough investment."

Matzura said he has spoken to several council members who were in agreement with them, but someone on council needs to step up.

"From what we've been told, some members are on our side, but no one can agree on the number," Matzura said. "Someone needs to have the guts to step up and make a stand."

The group has been filing right-to-know requests, preparing to defend themselves before a magistrate because many plan to refuse to pay the fee in protest.

They are preparing out-of-town mailings, hoping to add to the number of those who support their efforts.

"We hope we can get the out-of-town landlords on our side," Matzura said. "If we lose the fight, we all lose, but if we win, we all win."

FRACKVILLE - Criminal charges against the manager of Hillside SPCA were withdrawn Wednesday after she provided alibis and another woman admitted committing the crime.

Barbara Umlauf, 63, of 2434 Walnut St., Ashland, was charged by state police Trooper Edward Sanchez of the Frackville station with one misdemeanor count of criminal trespass and a summary offense of criminal mischief.

Assistant district attorney William Burke said prosecutors chose to withdraw the charges after Umlauf provided two alibi witnesses putting her in another location at the time of the Aug. 13 incident at a farm at 103 Aristes Road in Union Township.

Additionally, Burke said another woman admitted to being on the property at the time and will face charges in the future.

Umlauf's attorney, Stephen Ellwood, said the woman who came forward did so after reading an article in a local newspaper about the shelter manager's arrest.

Ellwood said he is happy his client was able to clear her name and have the charges withdrawn.

Burke said the name of the woman who admitted to the crime, also a shelter worker, is not being released until she is formally charged.

Sanchez charged Umlauf with going to the property of Brian and Sheri Boyer with a juvenile girl, rooting through items in a tool shed and moving corral fencing so a horse could not reach its water barrel.

When Brian Boyer confronted the two on his property, he said the woman identified herself as Barbara Umlauf, Sanchez said.

When interviewed, the man identified Umlauf as the woman who was on the property, saying they were familiar with the woman because she was harassing them for more than 15 years.

SHAMOKIN - Alert neighbors helped city police apprehend two would-be burglars in the 200 block of West Sunbury Street early Thursday.

Police officers were dispatched to the scene at 3:51 a.m. and were told two people, one wearing a black ski mask and carrying tools, were burglarizing 230 W. Sunbury St.

When officers arrived, they were told the burglars had crossed the street and entered 229 W. Sunbury St. Fresh foot prints were left in the snow outside. Another neighbor said she could hear someone inside the building.

The officers entered and allegedly found Michael Brandon Hanko, 25, of 123 S. Shamokin St., Shamokin, and a 17-year-old Coal Township male hiding in an oil tank room in the basement.

On the basement floor were bolt cutters, a crow bar and copper pipes cut from inside the home, according to a criminal complaint filed by Cpl. Bryan Primerano.

Hanko told police he had no job and needed the money, the complaint states. He and the juvenile drove in Hanko's girlfriend's vehicle to nearby Commerce Street and walked a short distance to the homes, bringing along the bolt cutters and a headband flashlight. The juvenile was wearing the flashlight when he was taken into custody, police said.

A male who had once lived at 229 W. Sunbury St. allegedly told Hanko there was copper to steal, according to police. Hanko didn't know the property's owner (identified in Northumberland County records as Cindy and Robert Santore), and he and the juvenile did not have permission to enter.

They didn't have permission to enter 230 W. Sunbury St., either, from where Hanko allegedly stole a CD and a bottle of prescription pills.

Zeuss Rentals LLC, Northumberland, operated by Larry Chubb, owns 230 W. Sunbury St., according to county and city records.

Both properties were unlocked, Hanko reportedly told police.

The neighbor who called police to the scene said 229 W. Sunbury St. was unoccupied. Attempts to reach the Santores were unsuccessful.

Hanko will be charged by Primerano with two first-degree felony counts of burglary, two third-degree felony counts of criminal trespass, a first-degree felony count of criminal conspiracy and a first-degree misdemeanor count of possessing an instrument of crime. He was jailed on outstanding warrants at Northumberland County Prison, Sunbury.

The juvenile will be charged by Primerano with two second-degree felony counts of burglary, two third-degree felony counts of criminal trespass, a second-degree felony count of criminal conspiracy and a first-degree misdemeanor count of possessing an instrument of crime. He was turned over to Northumberland County Juvenile Court officials, and a juvenile petition was filed against him by Patrolman William Miner.

STONINGTON - A driver walked away with only scratches Friday when his car struck a corn crib and then a shed off Maple Road near here and a 4-by-4-inch post went through his front windshield.

The driver was not identified by police.

The piece of wood broke off from the shed, entered at the top left of the windshield, narrowly missing the driver, went across the front seat and knocked out the passenger side window.

Other boards were on the car or lying near it in the snow-covered grass at the scene of the crash, which occurred about 3:30 p.m. about two miles off Route 61 in Shamokin Township.

The car, which went out of control on the snow-covered road, continued about 50 yards across the grass after hitting the shed and came to a stop when it hit a large tree.

Reports at the scene were that the driver walked to a residence, from which emergency personnel from Stonington Fire Company and Americus Ambulance were called.

Trooper Brian Ronk from Stonington State Police said the man suffered only minor injuries.

SUNBURY - Northumberland County's acting sheriff is ready to hit the ground running.

Former deputy Robert J. Wolfe, sworn into office at noon Friday in Courtroom 2 at the courthouse by President JudgeWilliam H. Wiest, said he was feeling excited and a bit overwhelmed.

"This is the one of the greatest honors of my life, and I will strive to do the best for the citizens of Northumberland County," he said moments after the brief ceremony.

Following the swearing in, outgoing Sheriff Chad Reiner, who resigned amid the county's salary cuts dispute, presented Wolfe with the sheriff's badge, then embraced him.

"He's the best person to step in as sheriff," Reiner said.

Wolfe will need the blessing of Gov. Tom Corbett, who will take recommendations on a nominee for sheriff over the next 90 days, and then majority approval by the state Senate.

Wolfe is a 20-year veteran of the Shamokin police department, where he reached the rank of corporal before retiring in April 2009. Since that time, he has worked in the sheriff's office and as a part-time policeman in several communities.

Reiner made Wolfe, formerly a corporal, the chief deputy Jan. 8, replacing Randy Coe. The change was made with political affiliation in mind because Wolfe, like Reiner, is a Democrat while Coe is a Republican.

Wolfe stood with his wife, Patty, and 3-month-old grandson Leon Herb while Wiest asked him to raise his right hand and swear to uphold the duties of the office. Also present were his two daughters, his mother-in-law, a stepson and his fiance, a brother and his wife and his daughter's boyfriend.

Wolfe's insight and ideas on how to improve make him the man for the job, and the deputies stand behind him, Coe said.

"He will be a sheriff of outreach for the community and he understands the needs of the office," he said.

Wolfe said he wants to organize educational programs with children, streamline the warrant system and look into establishing night shifts.

He said he would be available 24 hours a day and that his office would be transparent.

Pay 'is what it is'

Reiner handed in his resignation letter Jan. 8, citing the commissioners' controversial decision last year to cut his and other row officers' salaries by 42 to 48 percent. Reiner said if the pay cuts withstand a court challenge, combined with county-mandated increases in health care insurance costs and his retirement contribution, he would have been reduced to $15,900 a year before taxes when the new rate took effect Jan. 1, 2016.

That's what Wolfe's salary will be at that point, if he runs and is elected in 2015. For now the salary stays at $53,834.

Wolfe said he's humbled to take the position no matter the pay.

"It is what it is," he said.

Reiner 'turning page'

Reiner will start his new position in law enforcement Monday, but would not reveal where he is headed.

"I'm honored to have worked here. This is a new chapter in my life and I'm turning the page," he said.

Reiner, 36, served as chief deputy for four years under Sheriff Charles Berkoski, who passed away in office in May 2004. Reiner was appointed to the post by then-Gov. Ed Rendell. He won election to a two-year term in 2005 and was elected again in 2007 and 2011.

Wolfe said he will miss Reiner, and wished him the best in his new career.

"He was my mentor and I hope I can do half as good a job as he did," he said. "I hope to continue what Sheriff Reiner started."

KELLY TOWNSHIP - A Lewisburg man faces multiple charges after allegedly stealing from Walmart, running from police and pushing a state trooper to escape arrest in this Union County township.

Jesus Alexander Santana Reyes, 33, was committed to Union County Prison in lieu of $125,000 following the Thursday incident, according to state police at Milton.

Reyes was arraigned in front of Magisterial District Judge John H. Reed on charges of one felony of criminal trespass and five misdemeanors of retail theft, flight to avoid apprehension, recklessly endangering another person, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.

Trooper Jason R. Caccia said he responded to a retail theft at the department store at 120 Ajk Blvd., Lewisburg, at 4 p.m. Thursday. Walmart Loss Prevention employees told Caccia Reyes fled the scene when confronted.

When Reyes was spotted later, he fled into an apartment in Shelly Circle, where police attempted to coax the man to exit the residence via PA system, police said.

Reyes refused to come out, and police learned there were two juvenile children in the apartment with him. Officers called a family member for help.

When police entered the apartment, Reyes allegedly fled onto an elevated deck where he jumped to the ground below, police said.

Once on the ground, a physical confrontation allegedly ensued between Reyes and a trooper. Reyes wrestled away from the trooper and forcibly pushed him, police said.

Reyes allegedly ran south across Ziegler Road into a wooded area, where police took him into custody after deploying a Taser, police said.

CECIL, N.J. - The family of a teen who died in a Shamokin fire Dec. 10 claims a woman who asked for donations on gofundme.com hasn't given any of the money to the family.

Joseph "Wes" Vecchio said Victoria Fortune, of 1625 Pulaski Ave., Coal Township, started a page on the crowdfunding website Dec. 10, the day his stepdaughter, Melissa Lee "Missy" Pangburn, 13, of 5 S. Rock St., died in a fire that also destroyed five row homes.

A Dec. 10 post on Fortune's Facebook page said, "please donate to the family that have lost their daughter for funeral expenses and other expenses. RIP MISSY" and included a link to the gofundme.com site.

The page couldn't be found Wednesday, but a cache search showed a version from Sunday. Vecchio said Fortune deleted the page shortly after Pangburn's mother, Barbara Wiley, contacted Fortune on Facebook Wednesday. Fortune also blocked Wiley on Facebook Wednesday, Vecchio said.

Vecchio said Wednesday Fortune visited the family shortly after the fire and said she'd do what she could to help Pangburn's family. Six weeks later, none of the donations have made their way to the teen's family.

"We have not received any donated money from this woman," Vecchio said. "I feel she will do this again."

Page said $705

Vecchio said donors raised more than $700 in his stepdaughter's name during December, but the page hadn't been updated in about a month.

Fortune, who contacted The News-Item by phone Friday, said Pangburn's family said they didn't want her help, but she was unable to cancel the website before people started donating money.

"I tried canceling it when my friend bought them a carseat. They said they had everything they needed and they didn't want the money," Fortune said.

Wiley said she overheard Fortune tell the friend she'd reimburse her for the carseat from the $500 already raised on the website. That was Dec. 12, Wiley added.

"She said when she reached $1,000, she would give the money to our family," Wiley said.

Fortune said GoFundMe wouldn't allow her to suspend the fundraising page in the beginning, but she successfully canceled it completely Wednesday. According to the website, a page can be canceled at any time by clicking the "Turn off donations" button in account settings.

Fortune said she doesn't know how much her page raised, how much the company kept in fees, if any was returned to donors or if any money was sent to her by GoFundMe.

"If the money doesn't go back to the people who donated, I'm more than willing give them (Pangburn's family) something every month. I'm more than willing to do that even if the money goes back to the donors.

"I'm not a thief," she said.

When asked why she would make monthly installments instead of an in-full payment - assuming the money hasn't been returned to donors and is in fact, according to GoFundMe's policy, in her possession - she said she doesn't know where the money is.

A Coal Township man, who asked to remain anonymous, donated $25 on Fortune's site. He said the money was drawn from his bank account Dec. 17 and he hasn't received a refund of any kind.

Police involved

Vecchio said he's been in contact with Shamokin police Patrolman Raymond Siko II. The family plans to press charges if police determine a crime has been committed.

Siko said Thursday he is still trying to determine if Fortune broke the law and, if so, which department would handle it. Because Vecchio and his family live in New Jersey, Fortune lives in Coal Township and the money was raised on a website that reaches people worldwide, Siko is unsure if city police would even be involved.

"We're all in limbo," Siko said.

Claimed to be a firefighter

Fortune was interviewed by a WNEP news crew the day of the fire and said, "Being a firefighter and I feel sorrow for the family(sic). I wish I was here to provide help for them, but all we can do is give our thoughts and prayers to the family." Despite claiming to be a firefighter, she has no training, according to Greg Berezovske, fire chief of Beaverdale, where Fortune and her husband, Wayne, are members. Wayne has some training, and Victoria "helps out when she's around," Berezovske said.

Berezovske first heard about the situation when he was messaged by a member of Pangburn's family on a social media site.

"We knew nothing about it until Facebook," he said. He said Beaverdale Fire Company was not involved in the fundraising efforts.

Generous neighbors

Vecchio said neighbors and friends were generous after the fatal blaze, and many handed them money and gift cards to help them through the tough time. A benefit held by several area parents and Pangburn's friends, Kaitlyn Merlino, Nicole Bainbridge and Bethany Bordell, at Club Echo in Shamokin Dec. 14 brought in about $500, which was given to the family, Vecchio said.

Vecchio, who is currently out of work, said he and his family are "thankful and blessed" for all the support they've received and aren't bringing attention to this fundraising situation because of the money.

"We just don't want these people making money off of Missy dying," Vecchio said. He said there are at least two other situations in which he believes local people have benefited from scams involving his stepdaughter's name and story. He's considering hiring lawyers.

Willing to pay back

Fortune said she withdrew money only once: Right after the first donation - $25 - was made. She said she doesn't know where the rest of the $705 went, saying GoFundMe keeps 8 percent in fees.

Eight percent of $705 is $56.40, which means Fortune's efforts would have raised $648.60.

According to GoFundMe, a 5 percent fee is collected from each donation and a 3 percent fee is deducted from each payment.

The website also states in the FAQ section, "With GoFundMe, the money you collect goes directly to you. There are no deadlines or limits - each donation you receive is yours to keep."

Fortune said several times Friday, "I am more than willing to pay them back if they'll work with me," but said Pangburn's family refused to give her an address where she could send a check.

She said her bank balance is in the negative and family members have been making deposits to help her financially. She said she's on a fixed income and doesn't work, but is willing to pay $50 to $75 per month.

"I was the one who did the fundraiser, so I might as well (give them the money). I'm not going to be a bitch to them," Fortune said.

Vecchio, however, said he doesn't believe Fortune and said she used the money for herself.

"It's disgusting," he said. "How many other victims is she doing this to?"

What is GoFundMe?

Brad Damphousse, CEO, and Andrew Ballester, CTO, started GoFundMe in 2010 and call it the official home of crowdfunding, a process of raising a money from a large group of people who each give a modest sum. It's used to fund causes of all kinds: from personal events such as graduations and vacations to tragic situations such as accidents and natural disasters. Other crowdfunding sites include Kickstarter, Indiegogo and Crowdrise.

GoFundMe is based in San Diego and accepts donations via credit card, wire transfer or WePay.

Money is donated in real time and, in most cases, is available to the person raising the funds immediately, according to the site. Money raised can be withdrawn at any time and are sent to the person who created the fundraising page by check or electronic bank transfer, according to gofundme.com.

All-or-nothing campaigns require fundraisers to reach a pre-established goal within a set timeframe before money is received. In those situations, donors make pledges and money is not withdrawn from their accounts unless the goal is reached.

Donors generally give small amounts of money, but because the website is accessed by people worldwide, large amounts of funds can be raised quickly.

Each campaign has a chart to show how much has been raised and the profiles of donors are also listed.

In February 2012, GoFundMe raised $1 million in a single month. By November, the payment volume nearly surpassed $5 million per month, according to the website. GoFundMe and the crowdfunding phenomena have been featured in media outlets such as Time, Forbes and U.S. Today.

Girl Scout info night planned

TREVORTON - A free Girl Scouts information night will be held at 7 p.m. Monday at the Line Mountain Elementary School auditorium, 542 W. Shamokin St.

Parents and guardians of girls in grades kindergarten through third as well as potential volunteers are invited to attend to learn about programs and opportunities offered by Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania.

An information night will also be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Baugher Elementary cafeteria, 60 Brenda Rovenolt Circle, Milton.

For more information, go to www.gshpa.org or call 1-800-692-7816.

Boy Scout troop reorganizing

MOUNT CARMEL - Boy Scout Troop 174, Mount Carmel Elks Lodge 356, is reorganizing.

All boys ages 11 to 18 are welcome to join, and new and past members are urged to get involved.

Trips are planned to Poe Valley and Locust Lake and include fishing, hiking and camping.

Scouts run the troop, choosing and planning activities.

The troop is working with the Mount Carmel Lions Club to take care of the nature trail and pond at Whitman's Dam on Route 61.

Meetings are held at Mount Carmel Elks, 128 S. Oak St.

Call Scoutmaster Sam Cimino at 570-339-5021 for more information.

Midnight Riders Ministries to preach

SHAMOKIN - Midnight Riders Ministries will be presented from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, at the What Not Shoppe Cafe, 139 E. Independence St., Shamokin.

The ministry was started in 2012 by the Rev. Jerry Conley and his wife, Susan, with the motto of "Taking it to the streets." Conley will be sharing his story of how God changed him "from doing dope to preaching hope."

The ministry also raises money to help Teen Challenge, a faith-based Christian rehab facility. All are welcome and there will be free refreshments.

The Rev. Martin Moran, who worked with the newly-appointed bishop of the Diocese of Harrisburg, said the Most Rev. Ronald W. Gainer is a kind and humble man who cares for all people.

"For him, everyone is not a stranger," said Moran, pastor of the Divine Redeemer Parish, Mount Carmel.

Especially the poor, he added, noting Gainer spent the last Holy Thursday washing the feet of the homeless at a shelter in the Lexington, Ky., and giving them socks.

"We've had some great bishops, and we're continuing that with him (Gainer)," said Moran. "He's a true shepherd."

On Friday, Pope Francis named the 66-year-old Pottsville native as the 11th bishop of the Diocese of Harrisburg, succeeding Bishop Joseph P. McFadden, who died, May 2, 2013, according to an announcement by the Very Rev. Robert M. Gillelan Jr., diocesan administrator.

As former executive director for the Catholic Campus Ministry Association in Cincinnati, Ohio, Moran worked closely with Gainer for five years. Gainer was the episcopal moderator who represented the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops (USCCB), an outreach for catholic college students from the campus ministry.

Moran and Gainer also served together on the USCCB Committee for Catholic Education, of which McFadden chaired.

The new bishop is joyful, hardworking and "the cream of the crop," Moran said.

Ordained in Allentown

Gainer was born Aug. 24, 1947.

He attended Mary, Queen of Peace Grade School, Pottsville, graduated from Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, Philadelphia, receiving a B.A. degree in June 1969 and a Masters of Divinity Degree (summa cum laude) in June 1973, attended the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome, Italy, from 1984 to 1986, receiving the Licentiate Degree in Canon Law and a Diploma in Latin Letters in June 1986.

Gainer was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Allentown May 19, 1973, named a Prelate of Honor (Monsignor) by Pope John Paul II Aug. 20, 1991, named second bishop of Lexington by Pope John Paul II Dec. 2, 2002, and was ordained to the episcopacy by Archbishop of Louisville Thomas C. Kelly, and solemnly installed as Bishop of Lexington Feb. 22, 2003, with Bishops Edward Cullen and Joseph Kurtz serving as co-consecrators. Archbishop Kurtz is a native of Mahanoy City. Bishop Cullen is the former bishop of Allentown.

During his 30 years as a priest of the Allentown Diocese, he was an assistant pastor at the former St. Bernard's Church in Easton and St. Catharine of Siena Church in Reading and a campus minister at Lafayette College in Easton and at Kutztown University and Albright College in Reading. He was the Judicial Vicar of the diocese, pastor of Holy Trinity Church in Whitehall, and the first Secretary of Catholic Life and Evangelization in the diocese.

For much of his priesthood, Gainer served in parish, campus ministry, marriages and family, and tribunal positions. As Secretary of Catholic Life and Evangelization for the Diocese of Allentown he supervised 14 diocesan offices and the promotion of the works of spiritual renewal and evangelization.

He will be installed as bishop of Harrisburg Wednesday, March 19.

The Diocese of Harrisburg consists of 15 counties (Adams, Columbia, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Perry, Snyder, Union and York) in central Pennsylvania with a Catholic population of almost 250,000 people. It was established in 1868, the same year the Diocese of Scranton was established.

In comparison, the Lexington Diocese is comprised of 50 counties in central and eastern Kentucky with a total Catholic population of about 46,000.

Surprised

Gainer expressed surprise at his appointment in comments on the Lexington diocese website. He said he learned of the transfer Jan. 13.

"While I was completely surprised and, quite frankly, stunned by the news of my transfer, I willingly and happily accept our Supreme Pastor's decision as God's will for us and for me," he said.

He expressed his gratitude to the people of the Lexington diocese and asked for their prayers.

"Pray especially for the faithful of the Harrisburg Diocese as I prepare to join them as their shepherd and know that I will continue to pray for the faithful of the Lexington Diocese. May God bless us all we move forward into this new chapter in the life of the Church."

'A new renaissance'

Gainer is excellent at forming relationships with the priests under him and the staff, and he "has a way of engaging the young people in the church about the practice of living their faith," Moran said.

As the grandson of a coal miner and the knowledge of the area, Moran said Gainer will be sympathetic to the consolidation of parishes and schools.

"I think we'll see a new renaissance of Catholic life," Gainer said.

The Rev. Frank Karwacki, pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, said it's great news to hear the new bishop is from the Coal Region and ordained from Allentown.

"He is already a bishop from Lexington, and he comes to us with experience," he said. "We welcome him back home to the Coal Region."

Monsignor Edward J. O'Connor, pastor of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church in Pottsville, had worked with Gainer when was a diocesan priest.

"He's a very, very friendly man. A very congenial person," said O'Connor. "He's a man of great gifts and very pastoral. He's a Pottsville native and very proud of Schuylkill County. And we're very proud of him."

(Time-Shamrock Writer John E. Usalis contributed to this report.)

Aug. 1 - A daughter, Jasmine Jade Sage, to James M. Sage and Thelma M. Amarose, of Kulpmont; a daughter, Jada Lorraine Pursel, to Desiree Young and Justin Pursel, of Bloomsburg.

Aug. 3 - A daughter, Rylee Paige Smith, to Kelsey Bailey and Kellid Smith, of Herndon.

No date provided, appeared in Aug. 4 edition - A son, Brayden Michael Amico, to Salvatore Amico and Morgan Schminkey, of Shamokin.

Aug. 6 - A son, Aaron John, to Jason and Nicole Mowery, of Kulpmont.

Aug. 10 - A son, Chase Brian, to Brian and Sara Snyder, of Dornsife.

Aug. 12 - A son, Max Jameson, to Jamie and Adrienne Smith, of Shamokin.

Aug. 14 - A daughter, MackKenzie Rosalie, to Audrey and Timothy Wyland II.

Aug. 16 - A son, Mason Emanuele, to Eric and Katie Giorgini, of Danville; a son, Jackson Reese, to Michael and Jennifer Balkie, of Sewell, N.J.

Aug. 19 - A daughter, Tierney Jane, to Seth and Christa Keefer, of Dalmatia; a son, Spencer Breining, to Terry and Heather Ellsworth, of Virginia Beach, Va.

Aug. 20 - A daughter, Scarlett Rose, to Kyle and Michelle Sokol, of Gettysburg; a son, Brayden Eric Tyler, to Nathan and Keana Witmer, of Dalmatia.

Aug. 22 - A son, Caleb Forrest, to the Rev. Scott and Danielle Gray.

Aug. 23 - A son, Koa Lawrence, to Justin and Amy Kluck Leonowicz, of Elysburg.

Aug. 30 - A daughter, Ava Rylee Edwards, to Matt Edwards and Danielle Revinski, of Ashland; a daughter, Nevaeh Sonnel, to Kristina and Gilbert Chelborg Sr.; a son, Mason Alexander, to Marcus and Jennifer Gallagher.

April 1 - Robert J. McCormick, 88, of Ashland.

April 2 - Mary Ann Urbanowicz, 56, of Mount Carmel; Marie A. Bartol, 72, of Mount Carmel.

April 3 - Nelson Oscar "Pinky" Wetzel, 102, of Pitman; Leonard F. "Dutch" Hojnacki, 83, of Coal Township; Barry Lee Kehler, 65, formerly of Shamokin; Kathleen F. "Kathy" Mahoney, 66, of Palmyra.

April 4 - Harold A. Wesner Sr., 88, of Locustdale; Joseph E. Baranoski, 82, of Sunbury.

April 5 - Judy F. Delvecchio, 63, of Paxinos; Anthony "Tony" Miriello, 63, formerly of Marion Heights; Earl R. Scheetz, 99, of Coal Township; John Horengic Jr., 78, of Lanham, Md.

April 6 - Edward J. Marshalek Jr., 53, of Mount Carmel; Williard L. Hubler, 70, of Ashland.

April 7 - Melanie C. Koppen, 36, of Shamokin; Joseph F. Winhofer Jr., 77, of Kulpmont; Marian E. McHale, 92, of Fountain Springs; Malcolm "Mal" Walburn, 37, of Coal Township.

April 8 - Lewis G. Hubler, 78, of Coal Township; Ida "Lorraine" Rebilas, 84, of Coal Township; Jonathan R. "J.R." Christ, 23, of Coal Township; Irene M. (Shelbert) Thomas, 94, formerly of Shamokin; Richard Allen "Dick" Drumheiser, 78, of Boynton Beach, Fla.

April 9 - Shirley Ferrick (nee Rothermel), 92, of Rockledge.

April 10 - Sophie J. Leeman, 68, of Coal Township; Anna Mary Thomas, 100, of Kulpmont; Joan A. Bowman, 79, formerly of Marion Heights.

April 11 - Russel Gary Reiner, 60, of Elizabethtown; Daniel John Lubreski, 80, of New Freedom; Agnes Bolstrum, 92, of Palmyra; George A. Kandra, 87, of Lancaster.

April 12 - Ned L. Knarr, 87, of Mount Carmel; Ronald E. Clark, 77, of Mount Carmel; John C. Kissinger, 87, formerly of Emmaus; George Petsock, 79, of Camp Hill.

April 13 - Mario J. Stello, 58, of Kulpmont; Cynthia M. Pohar, 76, of Mount Carmel.

April 14 - Anna Marie F. "Nancy" Zarkoskie, 78, of Coal Township; Jildo R. Mirarchi, 77, of Coal Township; Simon L. Miller Jr., 82, of Elysburg.

April 15 - William Price, 84, of Coal Township.

April 16 - Carol J. McCracken, 66, of Coal Township; John J. Long, 74, of Coal Township.

April 17 - Maxine Kehler, 52, of Paxinos; Julia Goodman, 87, formerly of Marion Heights,

April 18 - Henry W. Szymanski, 88, of Mount Carmel; Betty Maxine Brodie, 79, of Coal Township; William Michael "Mike" Aiello, 45, of Cleveland, Ohio.

April 19 - David Kisela, 63, of Mount Carmel; Gerald A. "Jerry" Spatzer, 71, of Coal Township; Helen A. (Yost) Bickert, 71, of Shamokin; Joan A. (Doyle) Maurer, 77, of Royersford; Carmen "Butch" Vitacco, 81, of Switzerland; Donald L. Herb, 83, of Peoria, Ariz.

April 21 - Anna E. Plempel, 97, of Coal Township; Joe Mannion, 78, of Clearwater, Fla.

April 22 - Josephine A. Garrigan, 90, of Shamokin.

April 24 - Marceline I. "Marcy" (Gidaro) Carroll, 78, of Drexel Hill and formerly of Yeadon.

April 25 - Charles James Daley, 99, of Ashland; Mary Rosalie (Snella) Nark, 91, of Hershey; Frank W. Homski, 82, of Coal Township; Theresa M. Scicchitano, 91, formerly of Shamokin.

April 26 - Marion "Peachy" Rozinski, 73, of Shamokin; Margaret C. McManiman, 76, of Elysburg; C. Marie Swift, 91, of Elizabethtown; Matthew B. Crowl, 39, of Shamokin.

April 27 - Robert W. Buchinski, 68, of Kulpmont.

April 28 - Helen Tanis, 86, of Centralia; Judith S. Wilt, 65, of York; Helen M. Nolter, 87, of Mount Carmel; Joseph R. Bradley, 82, of Danville.

April 29 - Theresa Gedeika, 95, of Mahanoy City, formerly of Mount Carmel and Kulpmont.

April 30 - Louis S. "Cocoa" Papp, 90, of Kulpmont; Helen M. Steele, 84, of Coal Township.

Sept. 1 - Stella Adams, 80, of Danville, was killed in a two-vehicle crash near the intersection of Airport Road and Route 54, in Elysburg.

Sept. 3 - The start of the school day at Shamokin Area Middle-High School was delayed for approximately 90 minutes when students had to go through metal detectors at the school.

Sept. 4 - Despite objections by the public and officeholders, Northumberland County announced a sweeping reduction in wages for elected officials, between $25,000 to $30,000 for each office, in addition to requiring them to pay 50 percent of the county's contribution toward health benefits.

Sept. 6 - Despite efforts by firefighters, flames destroyed the home of Coal Township Rescue Squad chief Jim Hoffman and his wife, Cheryl, in the 1300 block of West Independence Street.

Sept. 7 - As mandated by the state to help pay for its new sewage plant, Zerbe Township supervisors raised the rates 36 percent beginning in January 2014, up from $88 to $120 a quarter.

Sept. 9 - Police began to search for a Coal Township man who fled Magisterial District Judge John Gembic's office after learning there was a warrant issued for his arrest on theft-related offenses.

Sept. 10 - Following a two-hour preliminary hearing, a Sunbury magisterial district court judge ruled that Naheem J. Reams would be held for court on charges of aggravated assault charges for allegedly attempting to run over a Sunbury police officer during a high speed chase on June 5.

Sept. 16 - Although he had the judge's sympathy, the appeal of 29 dangerous structure citations against David Dubbs, 60, of Kulpmont, was denied, keeping the $23,608 in fines for a pile of rubble where his fire-destroyed home once stood at 916 Chestnut St., Kulpmont.

Sept. 17 - Raymond G. Splane, the chairman of the Shamokin Housing Authority Advisory Board, was charged by Shamokin Police with disorderly conduct and harassment after residents of two housing complexes owned by the authority complained that Splane was harassing them, peering into windows and arguing with residents and visitors.

Sept. 18 - Members of the Mount Carmel Area Education Association picketed the contract negotiation meeting between them and the school board, and planned to do so the next night at the school board meeting. The "informational picket" was designed to show that teachers had been working since June 2010 under an expired contract.

Sept. 19 - Sixteen individuals, including a ringleader already in federal custody, were arrested and charged with drug offenses as part of a drug ring that funneled approximately $2 million in cocaine and heroin into the area in the past year.

Sept. 24 - Ariel Parker, 26, of Coal Township, suffered serious injuries when he crashed his motorcycle through a wooden fence at the intersection of State and Jackson streets, and then was ejected from the bike.

Sept. 25 - Charges were pending against a Shamokin woman after she crashed into a lamppost, trash can, two park benches and a tree on one of the medians on Market Street. Police reported the driver was holding a can of duster spray in her hand and was allegedly huffing while driving.

Sept. 26 - A family of four was left homeless after a fire destroyed their home along Otto Station Road between Herndon and Dornsife. Members of the Rice family were not home at the time the blaze started, but two of their three dogs were found dead in the home.

Sept. 28 - A Mini-THON event at Mount Carmel Area Junior-Senior High School raised more than $12,000 for the Four Diamonds Fund, which provides financial, medical and pediatric cancer research support.

WILLIAMSPORT - A former registered nurse with VNA Health System in Shamokin has filed a federal lawsuit against the health care agency and one of its supervisors, claiming, among other things, she was illegally fired while on maternity leave.

Melissa Saleski-Shingara, of Tharptown, filed the suit Tuesday in U.S. District Court against the nursing agency and her former supervisor, Yvonne Timco, of Coal Township. She is seeking more than $75,000 plus attorney fees and punitive damages from the defendants in excess of $50,000.

Jessica A. Trell, VNA director of business development, said in an e-mailed response Friday to The News-Item seeking comment on the case, that it is company policy not to publicly discuss employment issues.

"However, we do deny any allegations and did not engage in any discriminatory conduct toward our employees, past or present," Trell wrote.

Saleski-Shingara, represented by attorney Franklin E. Kepner Jr., of Berwick, claims she suffered severe monetary loss, loss of reputation in the community, humiliation, emotional stress and other damages.

She claims VNA Health System caused her to be employed in a sexually and physically hostile environment, violated the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, treated her less favorably because she was pregnant and had small children, terminated her without cause and violated the Americans with Disabilities Act and her rights under the Family Medical Leave Act.

Saleski-Shingara, who has five children and suffers from multiple sclerosis, was hired by VNA as a registered nurse in January 2006. She had children in 2011 and 2012 and took maternity leave on March 7, 2012, her suit says.

The plaintiff claims Timco, president of the VNA's eastern division, made improper, unflattering and hurtful comments regarding her pregnancies on numerous occasions.

She also claimed Timco harassed her about her pregnancy and her young children and punished her in regard to having off holidays despite having seniority.

In early May 2012, Saleski-Shingara received a letter from the VNA stating that nobody was able to get in contact with her while she was on maternity leave and that she was being considered as having abandoned her job. About 10 minutes after receiving the letter, the plaintiff said she called the VNA to inform them nobody told her to contact anyone while she was on maternity leave.

On May 9, 2012, the plaintiff was advised that the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) policy at the VNA had been revised after she began her maternity leave, and that after May 30, 2012, she no longer had any maternity leave or FMLA leave available.

Saleski-Shingara said she was advised that if she was unable to return to her job by May 31 that year, her employment would be concluded. Shortly thereafter, the plaintiff said she received a letter from a VNA official notifying her that the company had accepted her verbal resignation due to medical reasons. The plaintiff said she immediately informed her employer that she had not resigned.

She was terminated from VNA on May 31, 2012, the suit states.

The plaintiff says she was cleared to return to work June 15, 2012.

The suit also claims VNA terminated the plaintiff's health insurance that covered her medicine for multiple sclerosis. She said the medicine ordinarily costs approximately $2,800 per month.

She says she was unable to obtain medicine for treatment of her multiple sclerosis several times, causing her to become dizzy and lose her vision, according to the suit.

She also claimed a VNA official told her that if she had attempted to find a job, company lawyers would initiate legal action against her for violating two non-compete agreements that she signed when taking the VNA job. As a result, the plaintiff was unable to work from May 31, 2012, to Oct. 21, 2013, the suit says, and she lost wages, medical benefits and insurance and suffered great emotional and psychological damage.

Sept. 1 - A son, Channing Perry, to Richard and Nicole Tasker, of Coal Township.

Sept. 3 - A son, Evan Matthew, to Joseph and Shauna LaMas, of Danville.

Sept. 7 - A daughter, Katherine Elizabeth Griffiths, to Tre Griffiths and Chelsea Lytle, of Coal Township.

Sept. 11 - A son, Jonathan Allen Jr. to Jonathan and Patricia Hawkins of South Chesterfield, Va.

Sept. 12 - A son, Tyson Uriah, to Bill and Sabrina Asbury, of Catawissa.

Sept. 13 - A daughter, Karlee Mae Twining, to Jessica Latsha and Kurtis Twining, of Shamokin.

Sept. 16 - A daughter, Kailynn Nicole Martz, to Jackie Rupert and Vincent Martz, of Shamokin.

Sept. 23 - A daughter, Kinley Rose Bixler, to Gina Daya and Joshua Bixler, of Coal Township.

Sept. 24 - A son, Kayden Robin, to Ryan and Debbie Heller, of Mount carmel.

Sept. 25 - A son, Joel Gibson Emery, to Amanda Feudale and Clayton Emery, of Benton.

Sept. 26 - A daughter, Aubrey Elise, to Nadine and Todd Deroba.

Sept. 28 - A daughter, Brooklyn Anne, was born to Richard and Krystal Jakuc, of Mount Carmel; a daughter, Oaklyn Mae, to Johnathan and Ashley Barnes, of Shamokin; a son, Kail Jeffrey Evans, to Jeffrey Evans and Kelly Melichercik, of Kulpmont.

Nov. 1 - The Northumberland County Courthouse was evacuated at 1 p.m. and closed for the rest of the day after a "credible bomb threat" was received. A search turned up no explosives.

Nov. 5 - In county elections, voters elected James F. Kelley as coroner, Chris Grayson as controller, Justin Dunkelberger as prothonotary and Mary L. Zimmerman as register/recorder of deeds. In a close race, Dan McGaw was ahead of William Milbrand by nine votes for mayor of Shamokin.

Nov. 6 - The God's Chuckwagon Mobile Soup Kitchen dedicated a converted school bus to serve as its new base of operations, traveling to Mount Carmel and Shamokin to feed more than 200 people each week.

Nov. 8 - A Centre County visiting judge granted a temporary injunction that restored salary cuts to four row officers that had their pay cut by the Northumberland County Commissioners, beginning in 2014.

Nov. 8 - Following an official count, the absentee ballots determined Shamokin City Councilman Bill Milbrandto be the new mayor of Shamokin, beating challenger Dan McGaw by one vote.

Nov. 12 - Sunbury Police were probing a suspicious death after a male, believed to be in his 40s, was found dead in a backyard of a Catawissa Avenue home. An autopsy showed that Troy LaFerrara, of Port Trevorton, was killed by multiple stab wounds and his death was ruled a homicide.

Nov. 12 - Shamokin City Council voted 3-2 against the first reading of a loan proposal for $2.8 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to renovate the American Legion Building. Opponents of the plan said the city's financial status was too tenuous to take on such a loan.

Nov. 13 - Police officers from around the area came to Shamokin to memorialize Shamokin Police Cpl. David Witmer on the 30th anniversary of his death. He was killed in the line of duty during a shootout in Trevorton.

Nov. 14 - After a three month legal battle, a debris pile and property owned by fire victim David Dubbs, of Kulpmont, was transferred to the Borough of Kulpmont, in exchange for dropping 93 citations and over $85,000 in fines.

Nov. 15 - State officials said that after Northumberland County Judge Robert Sacavage resigned at the beginning of the year, his seat is the 19th in the state that needs a replacement, and may not be filled until the 2015 election, due to fiscal concerns.

Nov. 15 - A coal stove was believed to be the cause of a fire that destroyed the former Faith Reformed Chapel, Ranshaw. The building had been converted into a residence.

Nov. 16 - A Philadelphia man wanted for threatening the lives of his ex-girlfriend and her children was taken into custody by city police Saturday after arriving in Shamokin by bus.

Nov. 19 - For the second time that year, Northumberland County commissioners failed to pass a proposed 2014 budget,.

Nov. 20 - Line Mountain seventh-grader Audriana Beattie took the stand in a preliminary injunction hearing in U.S. District Court on her petition to join the Line Mountain Middle School wrestling team. In her testimony, Beattie said she does get emotional after losing a match, but "everyone does," and "It doesn't matter that I'm a girl, because I'm just as good as they are."

Nov. 20 - After police conducted a search of a Dewart Street apartment, authorities arrested Nathan Morell on charges of possessing 798 packets of heroin and other drugs, one of the largest in the area.

Nov. 22 - A Lycoming County judge ruled Northumberland County Commissioner Stephen Bridy is entitled to information involving what the City of Shamokin has paid to provide health insurance to its employees, including elected officials.

Nov. 24 - Erika Smith, 34, of Elysburg, the stepdaughter of Ralpho Township Police Chief Stuart Appel, passed away following an alleged heroin overdose at a Catawissa home three days earlier. Police charged the two individuals who were with her with drug-related charges as the death investigation continues.

Nov. 25 - After almost 18 months of negotiations, the Mount Carmel Area School District and its teachers came together on a three-year contract, with raises that will cost the district close to $700,000 over the life of the agreement.

Nov. 26 - After Gov. Tom Corbett signed a $2.3 transportation funding bill, those involved with the Central Susquehanna Thruway project said construction on the highway that will alleviate the congested Routes 11 and 15 strip north of Selinsgrove will be completed in a decade with the first contracts being awarded in less that two years.

Nov. 27 - In adopting their tentative budget, Shamokin City officials said they must erase a $600,000 deficit before a final 2014 budget can be passed.

Nov. 29 - One bid was received, but officials said negotiations will continue to sell the former Saint Catherine Medical Center in Fountain Springs.