TREVORTON - Trading in skates for fun slides and sleds for scooters, Line Mountain Elementary School students participated in their own winter games Friday to coincide with the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.

With unbridled enthusiasm, approximately 475 children in kindergarten through fourth grade skied, skated, luged, bobsledded and slalomed in the cafeteria, gymnasium, classrooms and hallways of the three-story school building.

At the ski station, students shouted their fellow team members on with yells of "Go go go!" or "Left! Right! Left! Right!" At the cup stacking event, they showed their support with chants of students' names. Victory dances were as common as wipeouts for each event, but not one student seemed to mind.

"If I could measure it in smiles, it's going fabulous," Principal Jeanne Menko said.

Friday's Line Mountain games ended a week of celebrating other cultures by eating special meals, participating in different activities and learning about each country and winter Olympic events.

The goal was to provide the students with a more global perspective of current events, Menko said.

The opening ceremony started at 9:30 a.m. with a parade of countries. Kindergarten represented Japan; first grade; Norway; second grade; Canada; third grade, Russia, and fourth grade, Austria. Students wore shirts they made earlier in the week and waved flags around the gymnasium.

To kick off the games, fourth-grade students Emily Gonsar and Riley Young lit the torch (paper streamers flowing by way of an air machine to signify fire), and Menko officially announced the start of the games, spawning a thunderous "WOOOOOOO!" from the student Olympians.

Thirty-two educators and 68 volunteer parents kept the students moving to each of the 12 games, which consisted of skiing, stacking cups, snowball throwing, curling, speed skating, figure skating, downhill slalom, bobsledding, luge, ski jump on the Nintendo Wii, ice hockey and a biathlon.

The students events were slightly altered to provide a safe alternative to their Olympian counterparts. For example, instead of skates, they used special shoes called fun slides; instead of sleds, they used scooters, and instead of snowballs, they used bean bags.

Simeon Zablosky, a 10-year-old fourth-grade student taking a break from the ski event, liked the ski jump the most. "Normally, you don't get to play video games in school," he said.

It's important for kids to learn about history and current events, he said.

During the week, he learned how to say hello and goodbye in other languages and discovered Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was from Austria.

"We're having such a great time bringing the world in through the Olympics," first-grade teacher Jill Lundy said.

The students have been displaying team work and cooperation while having fun, said fourth-grade teacher and elementary head Amy Young.

"It helps them learn about countries and important events in the world, and it helps them get to know each other outside a classroom setting," she said.

School director Lauren Hackenburg, who was assisting at the Wii ski jump station, complimented the administrators, teachers and parents who made the event possible.

"It's really great to be a part of all this," she said.

Menko was grateful for the teachers stepping up and parents volunteering.

"What does that say about our community?" she said.

DANVILLE - Dr. Glenn Steele Jr., president and chief executive officer of Geisinger Health System, has again been named to the U.S. Congressional Budget Office's panel of health advisers.

Steele has participated as an adviser since 2012.

According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), its panel of health advisers "consists of widely recognized experts in health policy and the health care sector. Members have a variety of backgrounds, areas of expertise and experience. The panel hosts periodic meetings, during which the CBO benefits from the advisers' understanding of cutting-edge research and the latest developments in health care delivery and financing."

"The CBO's panel of health advisers is an esteemed group of knowledgeable, innovative, experienced individuals within the health care field," Steele said in a press release. "The group provides a superb environment for an exchange of ideas and strategies that can potentially change - for the better - the way American medical professionals deliver care."

Since its founding in 1974, the CBO has produced independent analyses of budgetary and economic issues to support the Congressional budget process. The agency is strictly nonpartisan and conducts objective, impartial analysis, as part of dozens of reports and hundreds of cost estimates that its economists and policy analysts produce each year. All CBO employees are appointed solely on the basis of professional competence, without regard to political affiliation. The CBO does not make policy recommendations, and each report and cost estimate discloses the agency's assumptions and methodologies.

In addition to the CBO Panel of Health Advisors, Steele is a member of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences, serves as a member of the Roundtable on Value and Science-driven Healthcare, was recently appointed to the Committee on the Governance and Financing of Graduate Medical Education, and previously served on the Committee on Reviewing Evidence to Identify Highly Effective Clinical Services. A fellow of the American College of Surgeons, he also is a member of the American Surgical Association, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, and past president of the Society of Surgical Oncology.

SUNBURY - A Mount Carmel man charged with neglecting his 86-year-old mother, who was found malnourished, dehydrated and living in wretched conditions, appeared a bit haggard Friday morning when his attorney informed a county judge he plans to take his case to trial.

Joseph Francis Campbell, 56, of 213 S. Vine St., attended his brief pre-trial conference sporting a gray goatee, scruffy beard, green hoodie, an orange prison jumpsuit and white sneakers. He stumbled on his leg shackles as he entered the courtroom.

But the defendant told Northumberland County Judge Charles Saylor he understood what was going on in his case and agreed with assistant public defender Paige Rosini to proceed to trial.

Rosini said she was waiting to receive discovery evidence from the district attorney's office. The public defender said it's possible Campbell could reach a plea

agreement with the commonwealth rather than go to trial.

Campbell was remanded back to Northumberland County Prison in Sunbury, where he has been incarcerated on $150,000 cash bail since his arrest in December.

When Campbell waived his right to a preliminary hearing Dec. 11 on felonies of neglect of a care-dependent person and forgery, Rosini said her client was offered a plea agreement by assistant district attorney William Cole. She said the offer involves Campbell pleading guilty to the neglect charge that carries a prison sentence of 22 months to 3 years. The forgery charge would not be prosecuted, Rosini said.

The charges were filed by Mount Carmel Cpl. David Donkochik.

Police said Campbell was the primary caregiver for his mother, Rose Marcoon, at their South Vine Street home. Dr. Peter McNeil, a Mount Carmel family physician, told police he hadn't seen Marcoon since May and went to her home unannounced about 1:30 p.m. Nov. 1 to check on her well-being. He entered the unlocked home and called her name and heard her respond from upstairs.

McNeil found her in a filthy bedroom lying on a mattress stained by body fluids. There were no bedsheets on the mattress, only a dirty blanket. A stale waffle was beneath the blanket and a water bottle and plate were on the floor. Alert but disoriented, Marcoon was thirsty and hungry, her stomach concave, and there were open sores and contusions about her body.

The doctor called for paramedics, who called for a police officer.

According to a criminal complaint, the home was mostly clean and well-kept, except for the second-floor bedroom in which Marcoon was residing. Police said the odor from the room could be smelled throughout the home.

Marcoon, who was taken for treatment to Geisinger-Shamokin Area Community Hospital, Coal Township, was weak and couldn't move her arms and legs. She weighed between 75 and 80 pounds.

Police said the deed to Marcoon's home was put in Campbell's name. A bank account was changed to a joint account. Campbell was unemployed and his mother's only caregiver.

Campbell told police he tried to convince his mother to seek medical attention, but that she put it off. He was aware of her declining health, but made no attempts to seek outside assistance for her care, the criminal complaint states.

Northumberland County Judge William H. Wiest removed Campbell as Marcoon's guardian during a hearing in November and granted emergency guardianship to Eldercare Solutions of Williamsport on the recommendation of Northumberland County Area Agency on Aging.

Marcoon is currently residing in an area nursing facility.

WILLIAMSPORT - A Rush Township man whose federal lawsuit was recommended for dismissal by a U.S. magistrate judge Jan. 22 filed his objections against the report Wednesday.

In documents filed by attorney Charles W. Marsar Jr. in the Middle District of Pennsylvania, John Lamey, who says his wife died as a result of 9-1-1 not being properly dispatched, takes issue with Judge Karoline Mehalchick's report that he failed to state a plausible claim that due process rights afforded to his wife, Marie Lamey, were violated.

The judge erred in her recommendation by failing to view the facts in the light most favorable to the moving party by stating that this case involved an inadvertent delay in care and an allegedly flawed system, Marsar said.

Lamey clearly said Northumberland County officials had "specific knowledge of the flaw in the 9-1-1 system that caused the delay in care and not only failed to resolve the issue, but failed to train the dispatchers on how to handle the known discrepancy," the attorney said in the documents.

Mehalchick assumed facts not in the record by saying Lamey's family could have taken Marie Lamey to the hospital themselves, called a private ambulance or engaged in some other form of self-help, and they limited their freedom of action by relying on the 9-1-1 call alone, Marsar said.

The complaint alleges no facts that Lamey and his family had any other option beyond relying on the 9-1-1 response, nor is there room for reasonable inference from the specifically pleaded facts that any of those stated alternatives were available, Marsar said.

The judge disregarded an unpublished case in favor of Lamey while simultaneously relying on another unpublished case to support the dismissal, the attorney said.

Mehalchick reduced the "consideration of the municipalities' liability due to a custom or policy to a mere footnote, despite the fact that it is a viable and properly plead claim in the case," Marsar said.

The case was referred in July to Mehalchick from U.S. District Judge Matthew W. Brann. Mehalchick's recommendation is not binding. A final order has not yet been issued.

Marie Lamey was 50 years old when she lost consciousness inside her family's home at 729 Elysburg Road Feb. 14, 2011. An emergency call was routed to Montour County 9-1-1 rather than Northumberland County, and Danville EMS was called to the scene from more than eight miles away, arriving within 14 minutes. Elysburg EMS was dispatched several minutes later, and the crew arrived within four minutes. The Elysburg unit is 1.6 miles from the Lamey residence.

Marie Lamey was treated on scene and transported to Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, where she later died.

The emergency call was rerouted to Montour County because of an issue with Northumberland County's recently installed 9-1-1 computer-aided dispatch system. Her husband contends proper routing of the 9-1-1 call to Northumberland County rather than Montour County may have saved his wife's life.

John Lamey filed suit Feb. 13, 2013, seeking compensatory damages, punitive damages and attorney fees in excess of $150,000 for negligence for violating the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

Named as defendants in the lawsuit are Northumberland County, the board of county commissioners, Rush Township, Commissioner Vinny Clausi, former commissioners Frank Sawicki and the late Merle Phillips, former Chief Clerk Kymberley Best, former county public safety director Paul Froutz, former 911 dispatcher Jason Lehman and former county addressing and Geographic Information System coordinator Eric Wendt.

Marsar urged the court to decline the adoption of Mehalchick's report and recommendation and deny the dismissal.

SHAMOKIN - The chairman of the Shamokin Planning Commission says a request was approved by a federal prison official to have inmates assist in two cleanup projects in April.

Jeffrey Fromm said the warden of FCI Schuylkill will allow inmates to work at the Shamokin Cemetery and in the downtown, sprucing up ahead of the city's 150th anniversary celebration this summer.

Twenty inmates will be at the cemetery on April 23 and 24 to mow and trim grass, remove debris and reset toppled headstones. They'll be assisted by citizen volunteers.

Ten inmates along with citizen volunteers will work April 25 to clean along Independence Street, using pressure washers on sidewalks and storefronts of participating building owners.

The Shamokin Street Department will assist at both projects and provide some equipment, and power washers have also been secured, Fromm said. But he is asking for the public's help in providing gas-powered lawn mowers or weed wackers, and also to volunteer. Contact City Hall at 570-644-0876 for information.

Fromm, the husband of city Councilwoman Barbara Moyer, retired in 2012 from the federal prison system after 23 years.

Mayor William D. Milbrand, president of the cemetery committee, had signed a letter in support of his cleanup proposal.

The Shamokin Cemetery officially opened in 1860, according to www.shamokincemetery.com. There are more than 16,000 interments and entombments in the five mausoleums on site, the website states.

In recent years the number of burials has slowed to a halt, and upkeep has become a challenge. There are a handful of descendents who care for their ancestors' gravesites, and some volunteer groups have occasionally assisted in cleaning up the cemetery.

SELINSGROVE - Patrick W. Erickson, a 2011 graduate of Shamokin Area High School and a junior biochemistry major at Susquehanna University, participated in a 10-week undergraduate research program at Duquesne University School of Pharmacy.

As a result of this research, he was invited by the American Association of Pharmaceutical Sciences to present a poster at the association's 2013 annual meeting and exposition in San Antonio, Texas, held Nov. 12.

In addition, Erickson received a 2013 POLYED Undergraduate Award for Achievement in Organic Chemistry from the American Chemical Society's Polymeric Materials: Science and Engineering Division. This prestigious award is given to the top sophomore or junior student at a university who is majoring in chemistry or a closely related discipline. The award is based on outstanding performance in the full year of organic chemistry courses.

Erickson was also inducted into the Gamma Sigma Epsilon Chemistry Honor Society, and was recently honored as a university scholar at Susquehanna University. The annual scholars program recognizes Susquehanna's most successful student scholars. To be named a University Scholar, students must have earned a cumulative grade-point average of 3.75 in full-time study for the past two semesters or equivalent credit hours of part-time study.

Erickson, a son of Shamokin residents Bill and Cindy Erickson, holds a 3.98 grade-point average.

COAL TOWNSHIP - Six senior girls at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School will vie for the title of homecoming queen for the 2013-14 school year. The crowning of the queen will occur at halftime during the boys varsity basketball game against Gillingham Charter Monday. The game is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.

The candidates are:

Peyton Klembara, is a daughter of Tara Brokenshire, of Mount Carmel, and Andy Klembara, of Coal Township. Peyton is president of the National Honor Society and Respect Life Club, vice president of the student council, an officer of Students Against Destructive Decisions, captain of the softball, volleyball and science club teams. She is also a student ambassador, a volunteer of the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Alumni and a member of the art club. She belongs to Our Lady of Hope Parish, Coal Township, and will be escorted by Coby Feese.

Gabriella Long, is a daughter of Kelly and Peter Long, of Coal Township. Gabriella is a member of the girls soccer, basketball and softball squads. She belongs to the Students Against Destructive Decisions and Respect Life organizations, as well as the Girls Action League and science and math clubs. She is a member of Our Lady of Hope Parish, Coal Township, and will be escorted by Luke Holleran.

Angelique Pennypacker, is a daughter of Annette and Henry Pennypacker, of Kulpmont. Angelique is vice president of the senior class, an officer in the Girls Action League, captain of the science club and a member of the math, art and robotics clubs. She also plays varsity basketball, volleyball and softball, and also belongs to the National Youth Leadership Alumni. She is a member of Holy Angels Parish, Kulpmont, and will be escorted by Larry Czeponis.

Rachel Schultz is a daughter of Michelle and T.J. Schultz, of Mount Carmel. Rachel is a captain of the girls soccer and basketball teams and a member of the track and field squad at Mount Carmel Area through the co-op program. She is treasurer of the National Honor Society and a member of the Spanish National Honor Society and math and science clubs. She is a student ambassador, a member of the Respect Life Club and an officer of the Students Against Destructive Decisions. Rachel belongs to Holy Angels Parish, Kulpmont, and will be escorted by Michael Gilger.

Kelsey Williams is a daughter of Melissa and John Williams, of Mount Carmel. Kelsey is a captain of the cheerleading squad, member of the Girls Action League and Respect Life Club. She belongs to Students Against Destructive Decisions and is a member of the soccer team. She belongs to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish and will be escorted by Nicholas Taylor.

Alexia Wheary is a daughter of Denise Wheary and Tim Purcell, of Coal Township. Alexia is treasurer of the senior class, an officer in the Girls Action League and member of the girls basketball and soccer teams. She belongs to the science and math clubs, Respect Life and Students Against Destructive Decisions clubs and choir at Holy Angels Parish, Kulpmont, where she attends church. She will be escorted by Kenneth Pawelczyk.

NORTHUMBERLAND - SUN Home Hospice is seeking volunteers. Free training will be provided from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Wednesdays, Feb. 19 and 26 and March 5, in Northumberland. Additional training sessions are planned for May and September.

Volunteers are needed from all walks of life. Those who commit to hospice volunteering find it extremely rewarding. They help add quality to the lives of patients and families. Those willing to share talents such as music, writing, crafts or conversation are especially needed. Volunteers are not asked to provide medical care.

The hospice concept provides care and dignity to those with life-limiting illnesses and helps families during and after that time. Hospice care is a loving way to keep families together and affirm life. It emphasizes quality of life, not length. Hospice empowers patients to live fully, while including families and loved ones in giving care. Volunteers play a large role in making this happen.

SUN Home Hospice invites community members to become volunteers. Those interested or needing additional information may contact Carrie Stine at clstine@sunhomehealth.com or 1-800-634-5232, extension 1450.

UNIVERSITY PARK - The following area residents earned degrees from The Pennsylvania State University at fall commencement ceremonies:

Nicole E. Attinger, Sunbury, University Park Campus, Bachelor of Science in psychology and Bachelor of Arts in crime, law and justice.

Christopher R. Barrett, Coal Township, University Park, Bachelor of Science, biobehavioral health.

Lisa M. Erdman, Coal Township, Schuylkill Campus, Associate of Science, two-year radiological sciences.

Nicholas L. Laspina, Gordon, University Park, Bachelor of Arts, film-video.

Hanqing Masser, Klingerstown, University Park, Ph.D., materials science and engineering,

Adam C. Menko, Trevorton, University Park, Bachelor of Science, electrical engineering.

Leonard K. Murin, Kulpmont, University Park, Bachelor of Arts, telecommunications.

Kyle P. Myhre, Catawissa, University Park, Bachelor of Science, management.

Michael J. Nard, Mount Carmel, Harrisburg Campus, Bachelor of Arts in American studies and Bachelor of Science in information sciences and technology.

Joseph C. Sulouff, Sunbury, Harrisburg, Bachelor of Humanities, communications.

Keenan M. Sweigart, Ashland, University Park, Bachelor of Arts, German.

Richard S. Trautman, Ashland, Schuylkill, Associate of Science, two-year radiological sciences.

Like countless other Scranton area residents, Dr. Ken Gentilezza, lives for Penn State football. But it's fair to say the Waverly Township, Lackawanna County, resident has taken his fandom to the next level.

He never misses a home game at Beaver Stadium and has attended dozens of away games and postseason bowls.

Every year, he and his wife, Susan, give a partial scholarship to a deserving member of the Nittany Lions.

When he became dissatisfied with the quality of the PSU clothing sold in State College's many stores, he simply started producing his own custom line through local wholesaler Kevin's.

And then there's the spacious finished basement of his home, a veritable shrine to Nittany Nation.

Just about every square inch of wall space in Gentilezza's man cave is dedicated to his four decades-long devotion to Penn State. He's never done an official count, but there's easily several hundred items, from signed helmets, jerseys and footballs to blown-up photos to a handwritten note by Penn State's former coach, the late Joe Paterno.

The leather couches he and guests sit on to watch Penn State away games are Nittany blue. So is his bar. Even the bathroom is decked out in full PSU-themed splendor.

Besides Paterno, many of Penn State's all-time greats make appearances throughout, including Scranton's own Mike Munchak, Eric Shrive and Matt McGloin. Former coach Bill O'Brien, who recently left the Lions to coach the NFL's Houston Texans, has a more modest bit of space dedicated to his brief yet effective tenure.

Gentilezza views the collection, and Penn State football in general, as a full-blown hobby. He derives the same pleasure from it that other guys do from hunting or fishing.

"This," said Susan as she surveyed the fruits of her husband's labors on a recent afternoon, "is definitely his passion."

"It just gives me a great feeling," said Gentilezza, the managing partner at Northeastern Rehabilitation Associates, P.C.

Passion starts

Gentilezza, 55, first started decorating the basement around 1996, about four years after he and his wife built the house.

By then, he had been a Penn State diehard for more than 20 years. It started, he said, when his father, the late Angelo Gentilezza, took him to a game at Beaver Stadium during the early 1970s. At the time, Heisman Trophy-winning running back John Cappelletti was the Lions' biggest star.

"We lost to Navy in the rain," said Gentilezza, a West Scranton native. "But it didn't dampen my spirits. I caught the bug."

He ended up getting his bachelor's degree in biology from Penn State, and continued to faithfully follow the Nittany Lions during his medical studies.

For one of his first dates with Susan, he took her to the 1985 Penn State-Notre Dame game at Beaver Stadium. They ended up having to wear garbage bags to protect them from the horrible weather.

"I said to myself, 'Who is this guy?' " she joked.

"Our first two years of being together, Penn State only had one loss. So, she had no real idea what I was like after a loss," Gentilezza said with a laugh.

Eventually, Susan was fully assimilated into Nittany Nation. The couple became season-ticket holders, and during the early 1990s they started attending bowl games, where interactions between fans and the team are more commonplace, resulting in greater autograph opportunities, Gentilezza said.

It was then that his collection began to grow, and grow, and grow some more.

Museum atmosphere

Today, the setup has a museum-esque sophistication to it, curated into specific sections and themes. Gentilezza often takes older stuff down and replaces it with newer additions.

The oldest artifact is a 1933 Penn State pennant that sits in a glass display case that also includes a football from the 1994 Rose Bowl, in which Penn State clobbered the Oregon Ducks to put the capper on a perfect 12-0 season.

The oddest piece might be the helmet Gentilezza won as a door prize at a luncheon held before the 2005 Orange Bowl. Half of it is Nittany Lion white and navy, while the other half is the red and gold of the Florida State Seminoles.

The Lions triumphed in that game and were led to a 12-1 record that season by quarterback Michael Robinson, whose official Big 10 jersey hangs in a full-size wood locker Gentilezza installed next to the bar. It looks exactly like the real deal, right down to the shoulder pads Gentilezza put in it.

Other jerseys sit on the wall behind glass. They include the numbers of some of Penn State's finest linebackers, among them Paul Posluszny, Shane Conlan and Jack Ham, who went on to become one of the anchors of the Pittsburgh Steelers' four-time Super Bowl-winning defense.

All of those jerseys are white, with the exception of Ham's, who gets sole navy blue treatment "because he was fierce," Gentilezza said.

Some objects hold a special sentimental value for Gentilezza. His late mother, Carmella Gentilezza, collected bells, so there's a PSU bell on display in her honor. Situated near that is an old Citrus Bowl baseball cap Gentilezza's father started wearing a few years before getting to attend the actual bowl, a PSU win over the Tennessee Volunteers. A few months later, he passed away.

"That was a great trip. So that hat is a reminder of it," Gentilezza said.

Big picture

A good deal of wall space is devoted to enlarged photos of iconic on-field moments, like the Sports Illustrated cover showing Penn State receiver Gregg Garrity after his last-minute catch against the Georgia Bulldogs in the 1982 Sugar Bowl, and Don Graham's jubilant pose following the Lions upset of the Miami Hurricanes in the 1986 Fiesta Bowl. Both wins earned Penn State the National Championship.

Gentilezza purchases the photos from newspapers, magazines and Internet dealers. Many were in frames at one time, but he recently started converting them into painting-like canvas wrap.

"The frames are good, but I think this has a nicer appearance," he said.

Other photos show him, family members and friends at games and other team-related functions. In one, the Gentilezzas are partying with a shaggy, gray-haired USC fan before the 2008 Rose Bowl. The guy was none other than the father of Rivers Cuomo, frontman of the popular band Weezer.

Not long ago, Gentilezza converted daughter Olivia's old playroom into a pictorial documenting the 2012 season, when the Lions managed to post an impressive 8-4 record despite crippling NCAA sanctions in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky scandal. He has a picture with the signatures of every senior member of that team.

"That 2012 year was so special. I honestly believe those young men saved the program," he said. "It was probably my favorite year following Penn State football."

Of course, McGloin, now a quarterback with the NFL's Oakland Raiders, was a huge part of the team's success. Gentilezza has become close with him, as well as Shrive, an offensive lineman who just graduated from Penn State, and both of their families.

One of Gentilezza's favorite photos is a candid shot of McGloin and Shrive standing not far from each other in a throng of PSU players. Also in his possession is the first helmet the two ever signed.

"Matt didn't even have a number yet," said Gentilezza as McGloin's No. 11 jersey loomed a few feet away, part of another section dedicated to 2012. "Matt, really to me, you can say what you want about Bill O'Brien, but I think Matt made Bill O'Brien as much as Bill O'Brien made him."

Like McGloin, Paterno has his own dedicated section of the basement. Gentilezza had the chance to chat extensively with the coaching icon on a few occasions. During one such encounter, Paterno signed a football for Gentilezza.

"You can see I was a rookie back then, because I didn't know about white-paneled footballs," said Gentilezza with a laugh as he pointed at the brown regulation football etched with Paterno's scrawl.

Gentilezza's daughter also had a couple of successful encounters with Coach Paterno. At a luncheon before the 2002 Capital One Bowl, Olivia ran behind the dais and had Paterno sign her American Girl autograph book. Following a big PSU win at Northwestern during the '05 season, Paterno signed a hat for her as he walked to the team bus.

As Gentilezza walks through the basement, beaming from ear to ear while recounting the stories behind each piece, it's clear that the collection is as much a time capsule as it is a showpiece. All the great times he's had through the years because of Penn State football come rushing back in an instant.

"It's a lot of good memories," he said. "That's what it is. Memories." Priceless possession

One of the stand-out objects in Dr. Ken Gentilezza's Penn State memorabilia collection has to be the hand-written letter, below, the late Joe Paterno sent him in June 2009.

Paterno had visited the Scranton area a few weeks earlier. During that visit, Gentilezza not only had the chance to chauffeur the legendary coach but also had a good, long conversation with him.

In addition, Gentilezza gave Paterno several Penn State football sweatshirts and pullovers that he designs through local clothing wholesaler Kevin's.

Paterno happily accepted the gifts, and a few weeks later he sent Gentilezza this note, written on official Penn State football stationery, to inform him that he had worn one of the tops to the office that morning on account of the "cooler" weather.

"They are great," Paterno wrote, before adding, "I enjoyed my visit to Scranton - I always do - because of the great people of N.E. PA."

A Kulpmont landlord's cost to rent properties under the borough's new fee set to take effect March 1 would be the area's second highest if considered over a five-year period.

The News-Item compared fees in seven municipalities using the example of a landlord purchasing five rental units in each town and having them occupied for all five years. (See accompanying chart, Page A6.)

Under the $120 per unit proposal in Kulpmont, the total would be $600 a year or $3,000 over five years.

Through 2013, Kulpmont was charging a $100 registration fee per landlord, no matter how many properties they

rented. With that, landlords paid $500 over five years.

Shamokin, Coal Township and Mount Carmel charge a $25 per rental unit fee yearly, putting their five-year costs at $625 each.

Extra costs, however, come from occupancy inspection fees, charged when a code enforcement officer inspects the property when a new tenant moves in. Kulpmont and Coal Township charge a $25 fee for each inspection. Mount Carmel charges $25 for each apartment and $40 for each house inspection.

While Shamokin doesn't currently have one, an occupancy inspection fee is in the works and could be in place in the early part of 2014, said code enforcement officer Rick Bozza.

Sunbury tops at $6,250

The only local municipality with fees higher than Kulpmont's proposal is Sunbury, which has an initial one-time fee of $1,000 per rental unit for all new landlords.

A new landlord, therefore, would pay $5,000 in year one to cover five rentals. He also pays $50 per year per rental, or another $250 in year one. He pays the same $250 per year over the next four years, but doesn't have to repay the $1,000. The five-year total equals $6,250.

Sunbury does not charge an occupancy inspection fee for new tenants, but has all properties on a three-year inspection cycle, said code officer Mike Rhoads.

"If we inspect a property and there are no problems, we won't come back for three years," he said. "If there are some issues, we will give them time to correct them and come back and inspect again, charging a $25 reinspection fee. If we have to keep coming back, the fee escalates until the matter is corrected."

While the $1,000 upfront fee per unit is steep, Rhoads said it serves its purpose.

"This helps us weed out the bad apples," he said.

SHAMOKIN - The city is offering prorated snow plow permits for the remainder of the winter - either that or a citation.

Permits normally cost $50. City council amended an existing ordinance on Thursday to prorate the cost through March 31. The amendment didn't provide detail on how great the reduction will be, although $20 or less was discussed.

Rick Bozza, code enforcement officer, said the permits apply to anyone with a plow of any variety, be it on a pickup truck, an ATV or a piece of heavy equipment like a skid loader. It does not apply to snow blowers.

If a plow is used in the city, a permit is required - whether it's a contractor plowing for a fee or a citizen plowing their own property, Bozza said.

Anyone found plowing snow without a permit will be cited, said Mayor William D. Milbrand.

Hazards created

City officials have been irked by the continued piling of snow near intersections. Bozza said he and Kevin Richardson, street department foreman, got "beat up" after last week's snowfall by citizens lodging complaints about snow-plowers.

One contractor was paid $150 to clear snow on Chestnut Street, Bozza said. The snow was pushed between islands on Market Street. It caused a large enough

hazard that city workers hauled it away, and it took 15 truckloads to do so, he said.

"They got paid to do it and our guys spent hours ... to remove the snow," Bozza said.

Milbrand said such work takes city employees away from obligations such as clearing the business district and intersections.

"The private snow-plowers are making piles and the city employees have to come and haul those piles away. The man-hours and the labor that it's costing to do all of that is ridiculous," Milbrand said.

Fines $100-$1,000

Bozza has asked for the support of the city police department in citing violators of the existing snow plow ordinance. An ordinance violation, such as for plowing without a permit or for illegally dumping snow, can bring a fine from $100 to $300. Dumping snow into a body of water like the Shamokin Creek can bring a fine of $1,000.

The directive for the permit push came from Councilman R. Craig Rhoades, public safety director, and Charlie Verano, public works director, Bozza said.

Bozza had suggested that permits be issued at no cost for the remainder of 2014. Upon further consideration, city council decided to issue prorated permits.

"Those guys plow one block, they get $100, $150 in a block," said Police Chief Edward Griffiths.

Snow plow permits for 2014-15 will remain at $50 and will be valid from Oct. 1 through March 31, 2015.

Councilman David Kinder suggested anyone plowing snow on city streets should be obligated to remove it. Others on council agreed, but no one had an answer as to where the snow could be legally dumped.

SHIPPENSBURG - Kortni Koshinskie, a freshman biology student at Shippensburg University, was named to the university dean's list for the fall semester with a 3.75 grade point average. A 2013 graduate of Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School, Coal Township, she is a daughter of Donald and Lisa Koshinskie, of Coal Township, and a granddaughter of Theresa Koshinskie, of Coal Township, and the late Diane Kehler, formerly of Shamokin.

Marriage licenses

Corey Adam Barley to Shirley Ann Foreman, both of 405 S. Fifth St., Shamokin. To be issued Feb. 10.

Michael Scott Inch to Tracy Lynn Stoneroad, both of 348 Hatchery Road, Dalmatia. To be issued Feb. 10.

Ronald Ray Gessner Jr. to Carrie Lucille Schadel, both of 337 Ash Road, Shamokin. To be issued Feb. 10.

Brian Lee Koharski to Miranda Elaine Bower, both of 154 Lower Patch Road, Coal Township. To be issued Feb. 10.

David William Rogers, of 21 Greenough St., Apt. 2, Sunbury, to Leanna Elizabeth Hackenburg, of 2137 Mile Post Road, Sunbury. To be issued Feb. 10.

Kyle Taylor Tamecki to Alexa Marie Snyder, both of 248 E. Diehl Road, Danville. To be issued Feb. 10.

Timothy Scott Hoffman to Brenda Durkacs, both of 228 Walnut St., Sunbury. To be issued Feb. 10.

Divorces

Peggy Delorso Bressi, 1639 W. Independence St., Coal Township, from Jamie Bressi, 622 Scott St., Apt. D., Kulpmont. Married June 28, 2008.

Christina K. Lebo, 819 A Mahanoy St., Trevorton, from Leroy A. Lebo Jr., 135 N. Marshall St., Shamokin. Married Feb. 28, 2005.

Shawn R. Mummey, 3014 State Route 61, Sunbury, from Shelbie L. Mummey, 312 W. Center St., Tharptown. Married June 30, 2012.

Helen M. Lytle, 120 N. 12th St., Sunbury, from Jeffrey A. Lytle, 678 Shipe Road, Paxinos. Married May 14, 2003.

Matthew A. Bednar, 908 Trevorton Road, Coal Township, from Angela M. Bednar, 117 B, Creek Road, Dornsife. Married Sept. 25, 2010.

Michael Kerrick, 207 S. Lemon St., Mount Carmel, from Judith Kerrick, 104 E. Saylor St., Atlas. Married June 3, 2006.

John Roman Kuczynski, 801 E. Dewart St., Shamokin, from Connie Kuczynski Sensenig, 7 West View Drive, Akron. Married June 21, 2008.

Property transfers

Alan R. Sr. and Deborah B. Lawson to John E. Konstalid, property in Ralpho Township, $169,000.

Wesley L. III and Lisa M. Tillett to Beneficial Consumer Discount Co., Beneficial Mortgage Co. of Pennsylvania, property in Coal Township, $1.

Francis M. Anonia, by agent, Mark Anonia, agent, Barbara Ann and Francis M. Anonia Jr. to Jeffrey E. Fromm and Barbara S. Moyer, property in Shamokin, $2,000.

Randall P. and Karen R. Dealy to Edward M. Jr. and Marjorie L. Neff, property in Rockefeller Township, $120,000.

Wilbert C. and Marlene L. Smeltz, Mary P. Snyder and WMMG Apartments to Maureen E. Keenan, property in Jackson Township, $101,000.

Service 1st Federal Credit Union to Mark F. Schmid, property in Shamokin, $20,000.

John E. and Jackie L. Genth and Jackie L. Cope to Kimberly E. Harris, property in Riverside, $110,000.

Gertrude T. Snyder to LBS Properties LLC, property in Shamokin, $8,000.

Marie M. Kahler estate, Marie M. Kahler and David W. Kahler, executor, to Maria Petruskevich, property in Coal Township, $40,000.

Regina Graeber to Cheryl Balogansky, property in Shamokin, $27,900.

Fannie Mae, by agent, Federal National Mortgage Association, by agent, Phelan Hallinan LLP, agent, to Clear Choice Properties Spa LLC, property in Shamokin, $16,000.

Lawrence A. and Rebecca L. Coutlee to Clear Choice Properties CTPA LLC, property in Coal Township, $2,500.

Christopher J. and Lori E. McCabe to Antoinette Scicchitano, property in Coal Township, $1.

Cajun and Claudia Sweitzer to Claudia Sweitzer, property in Mount Carmel, $1.

Florence Rosini to Douglas M. Billig, property in Coal Township, $73,900.

Northumberland County Tax Claim Bureau, Stanley and Frederick Covaleski to Mount Carmel Township, property in Mount Carmel Township, $1.

Northumberland County Tax Claim Bureau and David H. Ervin to Shamokin City, property in Shamokin, $1.

Daniel J. Jr. and Adrianne D. Rowe to Daniel J. and Ruth M. Rowe, property in Shamokin, $29,000.

Alfred E. and Barbara G. Bailey to Luella J. Miller, property in Shamokin, $1.

Theresa Pickles to Edmund J. Jr. and Mary M. Goodeluinas, property in Kulpmont, $2,000.

Theresa Pickles, Anna Goodeluinas, Irene Homski, John Wargo, Louise La Manna, Patricia Cesare, David Wargo and Dale Wargo to Edmund J. Jr. and Mary M. Goodeluinas, property in Kulpmont, $1.

Lower Northumberland County School Building Authority to Line Mountain School District, properties in Lower Mahanoy, Upper Mahanoy and Zerbe townships, $1.

Northumberland County Sheriff, John C. Garrett and Jenette M. Kifo to PHH Mortgage Corp., property in Ralpho Township, $1,041.11.

Northumberland County Sheriff and James C. Fenstermacher Jr. to US Bank NA, trustee, Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, property in Sunbury, $1,192.94.

Wells Fargo Bank NA to Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, property in Sunbury, $1.

Northumberland County Sheriff and Louis J. Dascani to Federal National Mortgage Association, property in Mount Carmel, $2,177.29.

Norman C. and Janet I. Allis to Norman C. and Janet I. Allis, trustees, Irrevocable Allis Asset Protection Trust, by trustee, property in Ralpho Township, $1.

Mark G. Gulla and Mark G. Gula to Mark G. Gula, property in Ralpho Township, $1.

M-C Federal Credit Union to Lloyd B. and Verna G. Zimmerman, property in Rush Township, $225,000.

Lester O. Duttinger estate, Wade M. Duttinger, executor, to Wade M. and Susan A. Duttinger, property in Upper Augusta Township, $1.

JP Morgan Chase Bank NA to Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, property in Mount Carmel, $1.

George R. and Cathy A. Derck to Troy L. Kerstetter, property in West Cameron Township, $1.

Rodney C. Thiry estate, Beverly T. Pesarchick, administratrix, to Brian D. Olsheskie, property in Mount Carmel Township, $59,000.

Reading Anthracite Co. and Schuylkill Carbon Fuels Inc. to Mount Carmel Cemetery Co., property in Mount Carmel Township, $1.

John W. and Helen I. Michaels to Julie A. Michaels, property in Sunbury, $1.

Brady E. and Teresa K. Brosious to Robert B. and Sean H. McAllister, property in Sunbury, $1.

Average cost for property owners, renting five units over a five-year period.

Shamokin: $625

$25 per rental unit, charged yearly.

Coal Twp.: $625*

$25 per rental unit, charged yearly.

*The township also charges a $25 occupancy inspection fee each time a new tenant moves in.

Mount Carmel: $625*

$25 per rental unit, charged yearly.

*The borough also charges an occupancy inspection fee each time a new tenant moves in - $25 for an apartment, $40 for a house.

Mount Carmel Twp: $0*

*A $25 occupancy inspection fee is charged each time a new tenant moves in.

Ralpho Township: $0

- No landlord fees, only a requirement to notify when a new tenant moves in.

Sunbury - $6,250

Costs includes one-time new rental registration fee of $1,000 per unit. $50 per rental unit fee charged yearly.

Kulpmont - $3,000*

*Tenative $120 per rental unit, charged yearly. Approved in May, scheduled to go into effect March 1.

Five-year costs for other proposals discussed last week:

First proposal: $1,700

$100 for first rental unit, $60 for each additional unit

Second proposal: $2,300

$120 per unit for first year, $100 per unit for second year and $80 per unit third year and each additional year afterward, if the property is not cited for violations.

Third proposal: $1,875

$250 annual landlord registration fee, plus $25 per rental unit, charged yearly

Fourth proposal: $600

$100 for the first four rental property units, and $25 for each additional unit

WILLIAMSPORT - The judge who ruled in the Audriana Beattie case granted an extension for paperwork deadlines and rescheduled the initial case management conference.

The conference involving Beattie's parents' federal lawsuit against Line Mountain School District over her participation in the district's all-male wrestling program is now scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Thursday, March 26. It will involve court personnel and legal representation from the two sides, according to documents filed Friday by U.S. District Judge Matthew W. Brann in the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

Brann also gave the district until March 13 to respond to Brian and Angie Beattie's Jan. 27 request for the district to pay $140,681.89 in legal fees to the Flaster/Greenberg law firm and the Women's Law Project.

Audriana, a seventh-grader, had wrestled for the district's elementary program, but last school year her parents were told of the district's gender-specific policy that would prevent her from competing on the junior and senior high levels.

The issue came to a head in April when the Beatties confronted the school board. With no resolution, they filed for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction, citing equal rights discrimination violating both the state and federal constitution.

A federal judge granted both - a temporary order on Nov. 1 and the preliminary injunction on Jan. 13. The orders have allowed Audriana to continue wrestling with the district program until the case is resolved, either by settlement or by trial.

KULPMONT - Borough leaders and landlords discussed revising a proposed landlord registration fee during a 30-minute meeting last week. After the contentious debate, borough council deadlocked on two votes and, in the end, nothing was settled.

The topic is likely be raised at council's monthly meeting Tuesday, but it's not known whether the proposed $120 per rental unit registration fee, its Jan. 1 implementation already delayed, will go into effect as planned on March 1.

Silence, then a motion

About 13 landlords attended a special council meeting Tuesday to discuss changing the $120 fee, part of an ordinance that council approved in May. Through 2013, Kulpmont was charging a $100 yearly registration fee per landlord, no matter how many properties they rented.

Two proposals were voted on, but neither passed because the vote came out 3-3. Council member Joseph Winhofer and Mayor Bernie Novakoski were absent. While the mayor doesn't typically vote, he can in the case of a deadlock.

Council President Bruno Varano informed those in attendance from the start that he wasn't sure if any vote was going to be taken.

"Let's all just try to be civil with each other," he said. "I know every one is in a hyper state over this."

Asked for public comment at the start, the landlords were silent, waiting instead to see if council would vote.

Varano said several proposals had been presented, but that council members were looking for more suggestions that night. He said council could mull over the suggestions in advance of this week's regular meeting.

Hearing none, Varano was ready to move on, but councilman Phil Scicchitano said he wanted to settle the issue.

Scicchitano made a motion to change the fee to $100 for the first rental unit and $60 for each additional property.

Using an example of a landlord owning five properties, that would drop the fee from $600 to $300 a year.

The motion was seconded by Nicholas Bozza, but before a vote was taken, Councilman Stephen Motyka spoke up. It was Motyka who made the motion back in May to increase the fee to $120 per rental per year.

Good, bad landlords

"The way I see it, that puts all landlords on level ground," he said about Scicchitano's motion, "but it doesn't get to the core root of the problem in which there were a couple of bad apples that cause problems for the rest of the group."

"In that reasoning, we should increase the fines on the bad apples, not punish the good landlords," council member Clarence Deitrick replied.

Motyka then made a subsidiary motion that would reward good landlords.

"We would start the landlords at one set price at $120 per unit in the first year, and if they are not cited, the fee drops to $100 the next year, and then down to $80 in the third year," Motyka said.

If the landlord is cited for a violation in any year, the fee would go back up to $120 per unit.

Stephanie Niglio seconded Motyka's motion. On the subsidiary motion, Motyka, Niglio and Varano voted yes and Deitrick, Schicchitano and Bozza voted no.

Council then voted on Schicchitano's motion, with the votes being reversed - Bozza, Deitrick and Schicchitano voting yes and Motyka, Niglio and Varano voting no.

Varano then said he received a suggestion for a $250 overall fee and $25 per unit, but everyone in attendance seemed to agree that wouldn't be fair for landlords who only have one or two units to pay such a high overall fee.

"It's going to be tough for everyone to find a happy medium in this matter," Varano responded.

Discussion breaks down

At that point, the meeting began to break down as landlords complained about how they were being treated and whether the fee justifies the cost for code enforcement officer Russ Moroz.

"Has there been enough study done on how much time he spends on landlords?" asked landlord Rhonda Pollock, who lives in both Mount Carmel and Berks County. "There are some properties that are impeccable that he might spend 15 minutes inspecting and others that he spends three hours at. We need to see those logs to determine if the fee justifies the time."

The leader of the effort against the fee, Steve Matzura, of Kulpmont, had the last word.

"It's obvious the borough didn't research the matter before raising the fee," he said. "No one knows what the number should be. The number must be what it takes for Russ to regulate the landlords and provide code enforcement services."

"Well, it takes a lot more than $25 per unit," Varano said.

"And that's your opinion," Matzura answered, "but there is no documentation to show that."

"The ordinance itself doesn't say we need documentation," Varano fired back.

"But the law does," Matzura retorted.

Moving out

Some landlords see the fee and the controversy surrounding it as the proverbial "last straw."

"I own two properties that I haven't started renting out yet, but I'm about ready to sell them off and say the hell with it. This is ridiculous," landlord Sondra Krebs said during the meeting. "Why not go after the people that are causing the problem?"

"We cannot balance a budget on fines," Varano said in response.

SUNBURY - Alyssa Koshinskie graduated summa cum laude in January from McCann School of Business and Technology, earning an associate degree in respiratory therapy. A 2006 graduate of Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School, Coal Township, she is a daughter of Donald and Lisa Koshinskie, of Coal Township, and a granddaughter of Theresa Koshinskie, of Coal Township, and the late Diane Kehler, formerly of Shamokin. She is employed by Geisinger Medical Center, Danville.

Marine Corps League to meet

SHAMOKIN - The Marine Corps League, Black Diamond Detachment 846, will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Knights of Columbus, 400 E. Independence St.,

Membership is open to men and women, officer and enlisted, active duty, reserve Marines, honorably discharged Marine veterans and qualified FMF Corpsmen.

Register children for school

COAL TOWNSHIP - Shamokin Area School District is taking appointments for its 2014-15 kindergarten program on March 3, 4, and 5 at the Shamokin Area elementary building.

Call the elementary office at 570-648-5721 extension 2900 to make an appointment.

Children must be 5 years old by the first day of school, tentatively scheduled for Sept. 8.

Democratic committee to meet

SUNBURY - The Sunbury Area Democratic Committee's monthly meeting is set for 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 24, at the Degenstein Library, 40 S. Fifth St.

Meetings are held the fourth Monday of each month.

WILLIAMSPORT - The Department of Environmental Protection invites middle school teachers of grades four through eight, administrators and building managers to a training workshop on the Keystone Energy Education Program (KEEP), to be held in State College Thursday, March 6. The purpose of the workshop is to teach and track energy efficiency in school buildings and homes.

The workshop is free and will be from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Penn State University's Sackett Building, Room 309, on West College Avenue.

Workshop participants will learn about and explore energy issues, including fundamentals and impacts, electricity generation, transportation fuels, careers, energy conservation, student teams and school building energy benchmarking through presentations, tours and hands-on activities.

The workshops are based on Pennsylvania's Academic Standards and Assessment Anchors for environment and ecology, science and technology and engineering education. Participating teachers will receive background information, standards-based curricular materials and energy conservation material kits.

Participating teachers will also be eligible for seven Act 48 credit hours.

Space is limited. Registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. For more information, contact KEEP coordinator Susan Gove at 412-431-1010, or at sgove@gove.org.