WILLIAMSPORT - An online fund raising event that raised over $834,900 for nonprofit organizations in a six-county area last year will return bigger and better in 2014.

The First Community Foundation Partnership (FCFP) of Pennsylvania will once again present its Raise The Region campaign as a two-day event this year, starting at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 12 and ending at 11:59 p.m. Thursday, March 13.

The event is being conducted by the Williamsport organization, in partnership with the Blaise Alexander Family Dealerships, who donated $125,000 which will be used to stretch every donation made to pre-registered organizations.

"The Blaise Alexander Family Dealerships are proud to be a part of this regional fund raiser for the second year," Adam Alexander said in a news release. "Raise the Region gives us the opportunity to support a variety of local nonprofits by providing a percentage match on gifts."

"We are excited to host this regional event that aligns closely with the mission of the foundation and the work of our grant making and fund raising efforts," said Erin Ruhl, FCFP director of community relations.

Additional monetary prizes and incentives will be awarded to organizations throughout the event.

Glenn Smith, FCFP director of strategic philanthropy, said that as of Friday morning, 80 organizations have signed up.

"The best part about the event is that there is no limit," Smith said, "Once an organization is registered, its up to them to get to work to drum up support for their cause. It not only helps organizations raise funds, but gives them the opportunity to raise awareness for their organization and cause."

Last year, two local organizations, Central Susquehanna Opportunities, Inc. and the Northumberland County Council for the Arts and Humanities, participated. CSO, Inc. raised $9,391 during in 2013, while The Arts Council raised $4,205 in donations, but also earned a $1,000 incentive prize in a random drawing.

Participation is open to all 501c3 organizations serving residents in Columbia, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder and Union Counties. Beginning at 6 p.m. March 12, the public is encouraged to visit www.raisetheregion.org and donate to the participating organizations. Donations, a minimum of $25, received will be stretched by the matching contribution from the Alexander dealerships and qualify them or monetary prizes. All gifts are tax deductible. All donations will be paid to the chosen charity net of credit card transaction and processing fees, estimated at 2.99 percent each, and a two percent gift to the Community Foundation to provide for the costs of the match day event and support the mission of the organization.

"Raise the Region provides FCFP the opportunity to show the benefits of working as a regional community foundation focused on strengthening area nonprofits through collaboration and leadership," Ruhl said. "Raising awareness for the many great nonprofits across the region and increasing the sense of community among donors across county lines are our primary goals."

For more information about registering to be a participant, visit http://raisetheregion.com/application.

SUNBURY - A former Mount Carmel Township police officer accused of threatening to kill himself and his family in July won't spend any time in jail for the incident.

Shane Joseph Geary, 29, of South Chestnut Street, Mount Carmel, pleaded no contest Monday to recklessly endangering another person and disorderly conduct before Northumberland County President Judge William H. Wiest. He was sentenced to one year supervised probation and ordered to pay fines totaling $350 plus costs and undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation.

Multiple additional charges, including terroristic threats, were withdrawn under the plea agreement.

By pleading no contest, Geary is not admitting nor denying guilty, but acknowledges enough evidence exists that could result in him being found guilty at a trial.

Assistant District Attorney Michael Toomey said the defendant's father, Don Geary, one of the victims in the case, agreed to the probation sentence.

Prior to imposing sentence, Wiest told Geary he is fortunate his family recommended a lighter sentence despite the seriousness of the charges.

Geary, who was represented by county public defender Paige Rosini, was charged by Mount Carmel Township police with fighting and threatening the lives of himself and his family, including his mother and father, Don and Ann Marie Geary, while at their house in Shady Acres in the early morning hours of July 7.

His father told police Geary was highly intoxicated at the time, and that he threatened to get a gun before storming out of the house. The family locked the doors and called 9-1-1. Geary was found a short time later hiding in bushes near the home.

Don Geary is a retired police chief of Mount Carmel Township, where Shane Geary had once been a police officer.

THARPTOWN - Local organizers of a visit by the Vietnam Memorial Moving Wall later this year continue to seek help from local businesses and residents.

Advertising is sought to help pay for a program. Ads cost $25 for a quarter page, $50 for a half page and $100 for a full page. Each visitor to the wall will receive a program.

To schedule an ad, call 570-648-3181 by April 1.

The wall will be at the playground/soccer field complex in Tharptown May 29 to June 2. It is a half-size replica of the Washington, D.C., Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Two moving walls travel the nation from April through November, spending about a week at each site.

Also, local organizers recently announced that shuttle buses will be provided for those from the Shamokin and Coal Township areas wishing to visit the wall. More details will be provided closer to the date.

Volunteers are still be sought to stand as honor guards at the wall for one hour. Guards will be at the wall 24 hours a day. Call Sol Bidding at 570-274-5298 for more information.

SHAMOKIN - A local judge was released from a hospital Sunday and was expected to be back on the job today.

Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III, who had been hospitalized since Jan. 21, said Monday afternoon that he would be available to sign criminal complaints and other legal documents, but would not conduct any preliminary hearings until next week.

Approximately 30 criminal hearings and other legal proceedings had to be postponed since Gembic was hospitalized.

Gembic did not specify what he was hospitalized for, but said it was due to recurring medical problems. The judge also did not reveal where he was hospitalized.

Northumberland County Court Administrator Brandy Yasenchak said she was aware Gembic had been hospitalized, but was informed Monday by a friend of the judge that he was planning to return to work today. Yasenchak said Magisterial District Judge Hugh Jones of Mount Carmel was assigned to handle arraignments and other emergency legal matters in Gembic's absence.

In late August, Gembic was hospitalized at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville with kidney-related problems that required surgery and he was unable to return to work until the middle of September.

TREVORTON - The Line Mountain School District will hold kindergarten registration for the 2014-2015 school year from 9 a.m .to 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 2, at the Line Mountain Elementary School.

Registration will be by appointment only. Students must be five years old prior to Sept. 1. A parent must accompany children registering for kindergarten in order to participate in the screening tests.

The school district recognizes that prospective kindergarten students come with a variety of experiences and different stages of development and growth. For these reasons, a series of assessment tools have been developed for use at registration.

The purpose of these assessments is not to determine academic progress or intelligence levels. Instead, they will provide educators with clear developmental levels and critical information to begin planning to meet the educational needs of the student.

To enroll a student, parents wil need to bring their child's birth certificate, social security number and immunization records. If the child does not have his or her birth certificate. a parent or guardian may present a baptismal certificate or transcript of the record of baptism duly certified and showing the date of birth. Custody papers pertaining to a child also should be presented at this time.

Proof of residency will be required.

Pennsylvania law requires the following immunizations to be completed before a student can be admitted to school:

- Four to five doses of DPT vaccine, the last dose being on or after the fourth birthday (DT vaccine is accepted if allergic to pertussis vaccine);

- Three property spaced doses of the polio vaccine (fourth dose strongly advised);

- Two doses of the MMR vaccine, the first being on or after the first birthday;

- Three properly spaced doses of the hepatitis B vaccine;

- Two properly spaced doses of the varicella vaccine, the first being on or after the first birthday or history of disease.

Parents should call the Line Mountain Elementary office at 570-797-3825 to schedule an appointment for registration.

COAL TOWNSHIP - Police are investigating claims that donations raised online following a deadly fire in Shamokin were never turned over to the victims.

Victoria Fortune, 25, of 1625 Pulaski Ave., Coal Township, launched a fundraising campaign on the crowdfunding website gofundme.com Dec. 10, the day Missy Pangburn, 13, died in her bedroom at 5 S. Rock St.

The fire destroyed her family's home and four neighboring homes.

According to Pangburn's stepfather, Joseph "Wes" Vecchio, Fortune used the tragedy to raise money, but never gave any to the victims.

Coal Township Detective Jeffrey Brennan asks that anyone who made a donation to the fire victims through gofundme.com to contact him at 570-644-0333. He issued a press release Monday about the investigation, but Fortune is not named in it. He would not comment of whether or not she is a suspect.

Fortune closed the online account and the Web page was deleted. However, a cached version can be viewed through a Google search. It asks for donations for Pangburn's family and the other fire victims. The page shows $705 was raised by 21 donors as of Jan. 19. Some gave $20 or $25. At least one person gave $100.

Vecchio told The News-Item for a story published Saturday that Fortune visited the family shortly after the fire and said she'd do what she could to help. That never happened, he said, and Fortune has since blocked Pangburn's mother, Barbara Wiley, on Facebook after being confronted about the fundraiser.

Fortune denied any wrongdoing in an interview last week, but could not explain where the money went. She pledged to repay the family.

Vecchio said he's not concerned about not receiving the money, rather, he is upset because he believes Fortune deceived donors and benefited from the death of his stepdaughter.

He initially contacted Shamokin police about the allegations. That department forwarded the case to neighboring Coal Township, Brennan said.

Vecchio said Monday he's glad the police are investigating.

"I just don't want her to do this again to another family. No one really know how many people she's done this to," said Vecchio. He said he and Wiley are ready to be "100 percent cooperative" with police during the investigation.

I hope it never happens to anyone else," Wiley said.

Vecchio said the family isn't interested in the money; they want to see Fortune held accountable if police determine a crime has been committed.

"She didn't rob us, she robbed Missy," Vecchio said. "We're not resting until she serves one way or another."

When reached by phone Monday, Fortune said police had contacted her but reserved further comment.

SUNBURY - A Gordon man charged with having indecent contact with a 7-year-old girl in Elysburg in December 2012 pleaded guilty Monday to misdemeanors of indecent assault and indecent exposure.

Christopher Michael Turofski, 19, of Gordon Street, will be sentenced within 90 days by Northumberland County President Judge William H. Wiest after entering the plea.

Turofski also was ordered to undergo a sexual offenders assessment evaluation.

A felony offense of corruption of minors will not be prosecuted.

The defendant was represented by county public defender Paige Rosini. First assistant district attorney Ann Targonski represented the commonwealth.

Turofski is charged by Ralpho Township Cpl. Bryon Chowka with kneeling over the head of a 7-year-old girl and exposing his genitals as she was sleeping in a relative's home on Shamokin Avenue.

Police said Turofski, during an interview with a state trooper Aug. 13, admitted committing the act.

The misdemeanors each carry a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment and/or $10,000 fine. The felony offense carries a maximum penalty of seven years incarceration and/or $15,000 fine.

The defendant was committed to Northumberland County Prison after previously being incarcerated at Schuylkill County Prison in Pottsville on similar charges filed by Butler Township police relating to incidents at a Gordon home between Jan. 1 and July 2, 2013. Police said the victims were 12 and 8 years of age at the time. The 8-year-old victim is the same girl Turofski is accused of indecently assaulting in Ralpho Township.

COAL TOWNSHIP - Multiple charges have been filed against a Shamokin man who was found in possession of Spice after fleeing from police and striking a parked car in the west end of the township Sunday.

Kenneth Sampsell Jr., 18, of 135 Birch St., was charged by Patrolman Matthew Henrich with fleeing and eluding police, possession of Spice, three stop sign violations and reckless driving relating to a chase that started at Cedar and Pine streets at 8:42 p.m. Sunday.

Henrich said he spotted Sampsell travel through a stop sign and head east on Pine Street. Henrich, who activated his emergency lights and siren in an attempt to stop Sampsell, said the driver then turned left onto Poplar Street before making a right onto Gowen Street.

Sampsell failed to halt for a stop sign at Gowen and Maple streets before traveling faster in an attempt to elude the officer, police said.

Henrich said he briefly lost sight of the vehicle operated by Sampsell on a small hill at Oak and Gowen streets before he noticed the vehicle stopped at the intersection of Owl and Gowen streets, where Sampsell exited and surrendered to Henrich by laying on the ground.

When asked by the officer why he fled from police, Sampsell said he was scared and knew he was in trouble.

Sampsell then pulled two white bags of Spice from the right pocket of his hoodie and handed them to Henrich.

Police said Sampsell admitted losing control of his vehicle while it crested a hill at Oak and Gowen streets and hit a parked vehicle, rendering his vehicle inoperable and causing damage to the other vehicle.

The defendant told Henrich he smoked Spice about 90 minutes before the chase. Henrich said Sampsell passed various field sobriety tests.

Sampsell was arraigned by on-call Magisterial District Judge Michael Diehl of Milton and released on his own recognizance.

INDIANA, Pa. - Matthew Charles Altomare, a 2011 graduate of Mount Carmel Area High School, was named to the dean's list at Indiana University of Pennsylvania for the fall semester with a 3.58 grade-point average.

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

Altomare is majoring in music education with a minor in piano.

The WVIA Artists of the Week representing Mount Carmel Area have been announced. Senior Jessica Pachuski was chosen in the performing arts category, and senior Sierra Nolter in visual arts. The Artist of the Week campaign is designed to bring attention to high school students who have excelled in the visual and performing arts.

Pachuski is a member of the National Honor Society and participates in chorus. After being raised on Rodgers & Hammerstein musicals, Pachuski seized the lead roles of the annual spring operetta this year and last. In 2014 and in previous years, she qualified for the PMEA District 8 Jazz, District Chorus and Region 4 Chorus. She plans to pursue a career in speech pathology.

Nolter loves mixed media artwork and her favorite artist is impressionist, Salvador Dali. A student of both MCA art teachers, Jenn Stahr and Theresa Madison, she is a prominent member of the art club, and has won many awards at the past two art shows at MCA. She plans to enter the workforce after high school and to pursue a lifetime of happiness. Nolter stated, "Whatever I do in life, art will always be a huge part of my life. Ever since I was a little girl, I was intrigued by how things look when put together."

Watch for both Pachuski and Nolter and their one-minute spotlight featured the week of Feb. 2 to 8 on the WVIA national public television network and on WVIA.org. Both artists will also now be in the running to compete for WVIA Artist of the Year.

DANVILLE - Brady Funeral Home was hired by the Sisters of Christian Charity to relocate 289 graves at Holy Family Convent.

The burials at the convent date from 1927 to 1947, as reported in Thursday's edition of The Daily Item.

The graves will be relocated to St. Joseph Cemetery, Danville.

Geisinger System Services purchased the 19-acre convent at 1 Montour St.

Built in 1969, it had been for sale for one year. The sisters have owned the land for 115 years.

Between 300 and 400 employees are expected to work at the building, mostly from information technology.

The 60 retired nuns have three years to relocate. There are plans for a retirement building to be constructed for them in New Jersey.

LOCUST GAP - Postal officials announced Monday the Locust Gap Post Office will be temporarily closed because of a weather-related emergency.

It's believed water pipes in the building froze and may have burst, damaging the post office.

Until the situation is resolved, Locust Gap customers can pick up their mail at the Mount Carmel Post Office, 1 S. Hickory St., Mount Carmel from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday. Mail delivery isn't affected.

"Locust Gap customers can be assured we'll continue to provide the same level of service at the Mount Carmel Post Office while we work to resolve the emergency situation," said Mount Carmel Postmaster Curt Evert.

Locust Gap customers can call the Mount Carmel Post Office at 570-339-1300, with any questions.

HAZLETON - U.S Rep. Lou Barletta (R-11) kicked off his re-election campaign Thursday.

The former Hazleton mayor was first elected to the seat in 2010 after defeating 13-term incumbent Paul Kanjorski. In 2012, Barletta, defeated Democratic activist Gene Stlip in the November election.

He said in a press release that he wants to "continue my fight for the people" he represents.

"As someone who sees the world through the eyes of a mayor, my priorities are always local," he said. "But we have also made progress on important national issues like cutting Washington's wasteful spending and protecting my constituents from the harmful impact of Obamacare."

He said that through his chairmanship of the Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management Subcommittee, he has been able to save more than $700 million in taxpayer funds by applying "the common sense principles I learned as a small-business owner and as a mayor to how Washington does business."

He said he'll continue to defend American workers and small towns across this country by opposing any attempt to grant amnesty to those that are in the country illegally.

"And, judging from the letters and phone calls I receive, the concerns people share with me when I am touring their town or meeting with community leaders, it is clear that the people of my district are deeply concerned about the negative effects of Obamacare. Just recently, the pressure I and many of my colleagues put on the Internal Revenue Service prevented the agency from treating volunteer firefighters as employees for federal tax purposes," he noted.

As a result, volunteer fire and rescue companies will not have to face crushing Obamacare costs for their volunteers. "I will still be pursuing legislation to write the protection of volunteer firefighters into law, so that this issue will not be subject to the whims of IRS policy makers," he said.

He said his legislative efforts have included the Disaster Loan Fairness Act of 2013, something he said he did in response to the federal government not doing enough to help families and businesses rebuild after Tropical Storm Lee in 2011.

"There's still a great deal of work to be done in Washington and I humbly and sincerely ask for the support of the people of the 11th District," Barletta said. "Together, with their help, support and prayers we will put America back on the right track and guarantee a better opportunity for our children and our grandchildren."

COAL TOWNSHIP - The Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area (AOAA) Authority members will be petitioning the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) for funding to hire a park operations manager.

During the first regular meeting in the new trailhead welcome center on the AOAA property Monday night, the members voted to apply for a circuit grant and advertise for the petition contingent upon securing the funding.

If awarded the grant, the position will be fully funded in the first year and then funded 75 percent in the second year, 50 percent in the third and 25 percent in the fourth, said authority Chairman Jim Backes.

The authority would have to pick up the health care and pension benefits though, he added.

The salary and benefits will be determined once the grant is awarded, Backes said.

According to the position description, the operations manager "will take the lead role in management of the daily operations of the facility, events, maintenance, security and marketing of the AOAA."

Tasks would include hiring and training staff members, coordinating events, developing new trails, marketing the facility and maintaining the property, among other listed responsibilities.

They plan to advertise via newspapers, the AOAA website and CareerLink.

"The broader we advertise, the better the candidates," said Backes.

The tentative grand opening date this year is May 17.

Goals

The authority also adopted its 2014 goals.

For operations and management, the authority members want to open the facility to riders on weekends first and then add days when possible, hire the manager and part-time employees as income allows, encourage volunteerism, hold two full-size vehicle events and one community event, hold ATV youth training courses, develop an advanced hunting policy and develop an advanced committee process with more communication.

For property and asset management, the authority members want to have maps of trails on facility; mark intersections, property boundaries, dangerous areas and private property; acquire easements across properties to connect the east and west properties and work with adjoining land owners to either block existing trails or allow us to use trails and provide them with liability insurance; tie dead end trails together; hire a security firm to maintain rules and stop illegal users; stop or limit illegal dumping and clean up existing dump sites; apply for more grants, and complete the enclosed planting areas on the current site.

For financial management, the authority members want to be financially stable, set up Quickbooks to enable authority to manage financial operations efficiently, purchase insurance, generate enough income to pay all expenses, secure funding for working capital have fundraisers and events to generate revenue and create a process for advertisers.

In other business, the authority approved a motion to host the Brush Valley Chamber of Commerce luncheon Feb. 18.

HARRISBURG - State Sen. John R. Gordner (R-27) on Monday was unanimously elected majority caucus chair for the remainder of the 2013-14 session by Senate Republicans. Gordner replaces former Sen. Mike Waugh (R-28), who recently resigned to accept a position as executive director of the Pennsylvania Farm Show.

As caucus chair, Gordner will assist the majority leader and majority whip in formulation of the Senate's daily legislative calendar. He will also preside over the Republican caucus meetings.

Gordner previously served as majority caucus administrator. He is also chairman of the Senate Labor and Industry Committee.

He has been a member of the Senate since 2003 and previously served five terms in the House of Representatives from the 109th Legislative District.

"I look forward to my increased responsibilities and I appreciate the confidence of the members of my caucus as they elected me to this position," he was quoted in a press release from his office.

"The Senate Majority Caucus Chair plays an integral role in the day-to-day operation of Senate, especially on session days," Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-25) was quoted in the release. "Sen. Gordner's diligent work ethic and strong organizational skills will be a tremendous asset to the Republican Caucus as he takes on this position."

"Sen. Gordner has earned a reputation for being one of the most hard-working and thorough members of the Senate," said Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-9). "His colleagues in the Senate Republican Caucus know that the thoughtful, balanced approach he takes to representing the 27th District will serve him well in this key leadership role."

With yet another wave of extreme cold weather predicted this week, UGI recommends the following tips to help ensure the safe and reliable use of home heating equipment:

- Make sure you have working smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors and the batteries powering them are fresh.

- Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning can result from a malfunctioning heating unit or another fuel-burning appliance, as well as from a blocked chimney. CO poisoning is more common during cold weather, when heating units are functioning and home windows and doors are closed tightly. CO is a colorless, odorless, gas. Symptoms of CO poisoning include headache, fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea and dizziness. Signs that an appliance may be producing CO include condensation on walls and windows, house pets becoming sluggish, plants dying and residents in the home suffering flu-like symptoms or feeling unusually tired. Individuals who believe they may be experiencing symptoms of CO poisoning should immediately seek fresh air and prompt medical attention.

- Never use a generator, grill, stove or other fossil fuel burning device inside a home, garage of other enclosed area. Never heat a home with an oven if your electricity goes out.

- Use extra caution when using space heaters. Place a space heater on a level, hard surface and keep anything flammable (such as paper, clothing, bedding, curtains or rugs) at least three feet away from the unit.

- If you are using a fireplace, use a glass or metal fire screen large enough to catch sparks and rolling logs.

- Turn off space heaters and make sure fireplace embers are out before leaving the room or going to bed. Using secondary heating sources, such as space heaters, can increase the chance of carbon monoxide poisoning

- In extreme cold weather, your heating unit may have difficulty maintaining the temperature set on your thermostat based on the system capacity and other factors. However, if your equipment is not functioning properly, you may need to contact your heating contractor.

- On days when snow or ice fall, clear any accumulation from the outside vents of your furnace or other natural gas appliances. This allows air the flow necessary for safe operation. Blocked vents can lead to a dangerous build-up of carbon monoxide.

- If the snow is deep, you should clear the area around the gas meter, providing a path for UGI personnel who may require access. Please work carefully around your gas meter. Keep snow blowers and plows away from the gas meter.

- Remember that an electric power outage will affect blowers and newer heaters with electronic ignitions. If your gas heater does not relight when the power returns, turn the unit off for a moment, then back on. If it still does not light, call a heating professional for service.

- Be aware that UGI adds an odorant, which smells like rotten eggs, to natural gas to help you detect a gas leak. The odorant is added in small concentrations and is harmless. If you smell an odor of rotten eggs, leave the building immediately, taking everyone with you. Do not use the phone, light a match or switch anything on or off. Leave the door open, and once clear of the area, call UGI from a cell phone or neighbor's home. UGI's emergency response number is 1-800-276-2722. UGI will send a service technician to investigate the odor immediately. UGI emergency responders are available 24-hours a day, 365 days a year.

UGI says it has increased staffing in both its call center and operations centers to respond to emergency situations during the extreme cold weather.

On the Net: www.ugi.com

Soupie contest to be held at Maine

COAL TOWNSHIP - Maine Fire Company will hold its annual soupie contest at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 1, at the fire company.

Food surplus distribution set

KULPMONT - Surplus food will be distributed from 8 a.m. to noon Thursday at the borough garage. Residents are reminded to bring their bags.

Historical society to meet

MOUNT CARMEL - The Mount Carmel Area Historical Society will meet at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12, in the Mount Carmel Area Public Library.

Casey McCracken will speak on early Mount Carmel area land warrants. All area residents are invited.

Changing of the Colors Feb. 23

MOUNT CARMEL - The Mount Carmel Area Joint Veterans Committee will holds its Changing of the Colors flag ceremony at 1 p.m. Sunday, Fev. 23, at Second and Oak streets.

The flag will be raised in memory and honor of Francis V. Kwiatkowski, who served in the U.S. Navy.

Prince's Birthday banquet planned

MOUNT CARMEL - The Anthracite Steam Fire Company will hold its 81st annual Prince's Birthday banquet at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15.

The event is held in memory and honor of the company's first two fire horses.

Guest speaker will be Bruce Kovach, a former member of the West End Fire Company and a Mount Carmel Borough assistant fire chief.

The Anthracite will present its annual George Hancock Memorial Award to one of its members. Music will be provided by Powerhouse Sound.

Those interested in attending the banquet can contact the company at 570-339-1770 during business hours.

SUNBURY - Northumberland County Commissioner Chairman Vinny Clausi relented Tuesday and said he will schedule a salary board meeting to discuss benefits for the county's two deputy coroners.

Coroner James F. Kelley addressed the commissioners at their meeting, imploring them to convene the salary board to discuss Clausi and Commissioner Stephen Bridy's Dec. 27 vote to enforce a salary board policy that prohibits part-time employees from receiving full-time benefits.

Kelley argues that his chief deputy, James Gotlob, of Sunbury, is full time and should be able to receive health care insurance at the same rate paid by other county employees rather than 50 percent of the county's premium.

The change in premium will be in effective as of Saturday, raising the rate for Gotlob, who has a two-party plan, from $175 to $694 a month, or from $2,100 to $8,328 a year, if he chooses to keep the county coverage. The new annual rate would represent more than 56 percent of his $14,762 salary.

The deputy coroners are not eligible for other full-time benefits such as vacation time, holiday pay or pensions.

Clausi scheduled the salary board meeting for Feb. 25. The board consists of the three commissioners, the controller and the department head requesting a salary change, in this case Kelley.

'Compromise' by Kelley

At Tuesday's meeting, Kelley said he'd compromise in considering deputy Barry Leisenring is part-time, but maintained Gotlob has been his full-time chief deputy since 2002 when the coroner's office was restructured.

The coroner has previously said his deputies' 24/7 on-call status gives them full-time status, and that they deserve to keep full-time benefits because of the health risks inherent in their jobs. He has said that they might resign due to the change.

Clausi said minutes of previous salary board meetings do not say anything about paying benefits for the deputy coroners or that the chief deputy is considered full time. He said the receipt of benefits by part-time employees over the past decade or more has cost taxpayers some $500,000, and he suggests it amounts to "fraud."

Kelley acknowledged he received health care benefits while he was a deputy coroner, but that he did so because the county offered the coverage.

Clausi has said before that new Controller Chris Grayson has said he'll support Kelley, as will Commissioner Rick Shoch, meaning the salary board vote is a foregone conclusion, 3-2 in Kelley's favor. That's why he has resisted a meeting. Clausi and Bridy have previously said such a vote could prompt more of the county's 113 part-time workers to demand cheaper health care rates.

Shoch told Clausi a department head has a legal right to call a salary board meeting, and the commissioners can either avoid embarrassment by granting it or take the expensive way by having Kelley force them to meet.

Clausi said other than Feb. 25, no more salary board meetings would be scheduled the rest of the year. Shoch said commissioners cannot legally prevent the meetings from being held.

The county has estimated annual savings by eliminating full-time benefits for the deputies and a part-time assessor, as well as those paid to the two now-defunct jury commissioner positions, at $52,000.

Clausi said after the meeting that if the county continues to "waste" money by paying benefits for deputy coroners, it will find itself in the same situation as Shamokin. He was critical of a practice, recently stopped, whereby part-time elected officials received health care coverage paid mostly by the city.

"I worked so hard to save money; now we're going to give it away," he said.

Employee salute and dispute

The naming of solicitor Frank Garrigan as employee of the month prompted an argument between Clausi and Shoch, and Garrigan eventually declined the recognition.

Shoch said he respected Garrigan as an employee, but suggested the honor was a political reward for agreeing with Clausi and Bridy. He said Garrigan's nomination did not go through the normal process involving all three commissioners and because of that it lacked meaning.

Clausi, who said he took responsibility for nominating Garrigan, said Shoch was a "disgrace" for not wanting to recognize the solicitor for his role in securing $1 million from the Degenstein Foundation toward preserving county historical records.

Garrigan said all recognition should be given to the foundation.

Clausi said after the meeting that Shoch having any role in the situation was misrepresented by his comments as reported in The News-Item. Shoch said in a Jan. 18 article that he reached out to the foundation three weeks ago, and that Garrigan followed up after a meeting with Shoch, Clausi, Bridy, planning director Pat Mack, grants manager Kathy Jeremiah and solicitor John Muncer, and secured the pledge.

Shoch said later Tuesday he did make contact with the foundation.

"If anyone has any questions as to what my role was, or lack therefore, they should contact Michael Apfelbaum (representing the foundation) and he will tell you I reached out to them," he said.

A message left at Apfelbaum attorney's office late Tuesday afternoon was not returned.

COAL TOWNSHIP - A woman faces theft charges after she defrauded a friend in a gift card sale in December.

Nicole A. Seidel, 26, of 905 W. Pine St., was charged by Coal Township Police with theft by deception following an investigation showed she sold what appeared to be a $100 gift card for half the price, but the card only had a small amount of money on it.

Police patrolman Matthew Henrich reported in court documents that the victim, Denise Sweeney, was contacted on Facebook by Seidel Dec. 3, asking Sweeney if she wanted to buy a $100 Walmart gift card for $60.

Sweeney told Seidel that she only had $50 and asked Seidel if that was okay, and Seidel said it was fine.

Later that day, the two women met in the area of Pine and Market streets where Seidel gave her a piece of paper from the website with the gift card number and then Sweeney called a phone number to check, there was $100 on the card.

The next day, Sweeney went to Walmart to use the gift card for a law away purchase for Christmas gifts, but it only had $6.72 on it.

Sweeney went outside the store and called Seidel and informed her about the amount and that she wanted her money back. Seidel told her she would give her the money back by 7 p.m., but failed to do so.

When Sweeney informed the police about the incident, Henrich called Seidel who claimed she didn't have the money right now. She was given 48 hours to produce the cash or she would be arrested.

Seidel did not return the money by Dec. 6, and said she still didn't have the money Dec. 10 when police spoke to her again. Seidel told police she didn't want to get jail time or probation, but she did not have the money.

The charges were filed with Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III, of Shamokin. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb. 25.