SHAMOKIN - The city's half-century-old downtown street lighting system will be overhauled beginning next week.

A contractor for PPL Electric is expected to mobilize after President's Day and begin replacing 44 street lights along Independence Street. The project will start at Shamokin Street and move west toward Market Street.

It is expected to be completed by mid-May.

Shamokin and PPL officials gathered Friday at city hall for a pre-construction meeting to discuss scope, time line and communication.

Portions of the street lighting system will be de-energized as the project progresses, but Teri MacBride, regional affairs director for PPL, said Friday that "it will not be the entire system at any one time."

The existing "cobra-style" aluminum posts and lamps will be replaced with the same style of equipment, including high-pressure sodium bulbs. Underground conduit will be dug up and new wiring installed.

Portions of the road and any sidewalks and curbing dug up will be replaced, MacBride said.

Given the scope of the construction and the location, disruptions are expected

downtown.

"We realize the work will, at times, affect pedestrian and motor traffic along Independence Street. Working in cooperation with the city, we'll do our best to limit inconveniences to commerce and people visiting the business district," Christina Sepich, regional director of operations for PPL Electric Utilities, said in a press release.

A contract is expected to be awarded this week, MacBride said. Once workers are on site, they will be speaking with business owners, and project updates will come from PPL, she said.

The system will be owned and maintained by PPL. Shamokin pays a combined $11,200 in monthly tariffs, $134,400 annually, to cover maintenance and distribution charges for all 664 street lights in the city. The tariffs are funding the project and there is no additional cost to the city.

"This project will not affect the tariff or the amount the city pays," MacBride said.

A different company, Constellation Electric, supplies electricity to the street lighting system. They're paid about $1,200 monthly for the service.

Shamokin's downtown street lighting has increasingly malfunctioned over the years, including during heavy rainfall and at times leaving parts or all of Independence Street in the dark.

The replacement project had always been targeted by PPL for 2014, MacBride said.

It actually was on the company's construction schedule in 2013 but was ultimately moved to this year after city officials explored the possibility of purchasing its own system from another vendor.

The project was turned over to the Shamokin Planning Commission for its members to explore the cost of decorative lighting and an energy efficient system such as LED. PPL offers limited decorative options and does not offer LED systems.

It was ultimately determined by city council that it was too costly.

IRISH VALLEY - A gunshot victim was discovered after crashing a car along Irish Valley Road early Saturday, prompting a day-long investigation into what police say was an attempted homicide.

Salicia Yost, 20, of Milton, was alone and reportedly incoherent inside a red Chevy Sonic when emergency personnel responded at about 5:30 a.m.

A search warrant was issued at 11 a.m. for Yost's vehicle and cell phone, and one male was detained in the Mount Carmel area about 4:45 p.m.

It was unclear late Saturday if an arrest had been made.

A state police public information officer confirmed the incident was a shooting and later issued a brief press release with the victim's name. However, Trooper Matthew Burrows wouldn't offer any details on the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

The crash occurred in Shamokin Township, about 100 yards west of the tunnel on Irish Valley Road (Route 4026), just off Route 61 near Weigh Scales.

Yost was treated on scene and Burrows confirmed she was transported to Geisinger Medical Center, Danville.

Neither a nursing supervisor nor a Geisinger spokesman would release any information on Yost's condition Saturday night.

Return to scene

Yost, whose age is listed as 21 on a court document for a prior traffic citation, was driving on Irish Valley Road toward Route 61 when she apparently lost control and crashed into a snow mound.

The vehicle did not appear to have sustained major damage.

The accident scene was cleared, but fire police were called out about 12:40 p.m. as police ordered Irish Valley Road blocked off from Route 61 to Badman Hill Road, a distance of about one mile. It's believe the gunshot injuries weren't discovered until sometime after she was hospitalized, prompting the return of authorities to the crash scene.

Work at the scene reportedly involved the use of metal detectors.

By 3 p.m., the scene was again cleared.

Shift to Mount Carmel

By Saturday afternoon the investigation was focused at least in part in the Mount Carmel area.

The male was detained about 4:45 p.m. at a South Poplar Street residence. Police had also been searching in an area cemetery, but for what is unclear.

Cruisers from state police at Stonington and Mount Carmel Township remained parked outside the borough station Saturday night, and Police Chief Todd Owens confirmed his department was assisting state police in the probe. He declined comment on all other questions, referring them to state police.

An official from Northumberland County Children and Youth was also at the station.

Warrants issued

Magisterial District Judge Hugh Jones confirmed Saturday evening that he had issued the two search warrants to state police about 11 a.m.

Jones was aware of police activity in the borough Saturday night and had heard there was some focus in the area of Sixth and Poplar, but said he was "totally unaware" when told it may be have been connected to the crash.

Jones said he is the on-call weekend magistrate for Northumberland County, and as such he would be contacted if there was an arrest or if another search warrant was needed.

He said the off-hour warrants he did issue were not yet recorded at his office and that he couldn't provide further details other than they were for the car and phone.

Trooper Kevin Kearney of state police at Stonington is the investigating officer. Ralpho Township police had originally responded to the crash, along with Elysburg and Ralpho Township firefighters and emergency squad, Elysburg ambulance and Stonington firefighters.

COAL TOWNSHIP - Shamokin Area Middle/High School announced its distinguished honor roll and honor roll for the second marking period of 2013-14.

A student must achieve an average of 90 to 94.9 for honor recognition; 95 or higher for distinguished honors. All subjects except driver training are included. Also, all subjects must be passed and a minimum of 90 percent in deportment is required.

Distinguished honors

Grade 12: Batool Alvi, Jacob Arnold, Elizabeth Bednar, Alisha Black, Brianna Bonshock, Olivia Bonshock, Alyssa Britton, Kelsey Bryant, Logan Carpenter, Joseph Colangelo, Eryn Cook, Nicole Cullen, Daniel Delbaugh, Cody Derr, Noelle Erickson, Justin Forbes, Kayla Gordon, Alyssa Green, Katelyn Green, Nathaniel Haggerty, Mitchell Haupt, Samantha Holdren, Austin Huntington, Zachary Lehman, Dana Madl, Draven Miller, Mariah Mong, Laryah Moyle, Catelin Pancher, Matthew Renn Jr., Adam Richardson, Melissa Rishel, Levi Rosini, Kevin Searls, Anthony Shalamanda Jr., Alyssa Shuey, Kaitlyn Shultz, Melissa Smallets, Michael Som, Caleb Stahl, Helana Supsic, Erik Taylor and Corinne Weikel.

Grade 11: Michelle Bressi, Brandon Brida, Tyler Candelora, Samantha Carpenter, Jasmine Coleman, Joseph Deptula, Megan Dimmick, Heather Elliott, Draven Faus, Bridgette Hine, Darian Jones, Elizabeth Kapushinski, Megan Kerstetter, Zachary Koharski, Kathryn Madara, Kayla Marchetti, Brianna Martin, Brianna Moore, Graeme Shappell, Jacob Snyder, Taylor Tobias, Jarret Willis, Casey Wilson and Cierra Zimmerman.

Grade 10: Jensen Bordell, Michael Britton, Patricia Clark, Cheyenne Collier, Claudia Collins, Caleigh Corrigan, Jeannette Costa, Dilin DeCample, Justin Deutsch, Jacob DiRienzo, Brady Haupt, Russell Henz Jr., Evelyn Madrak, Emily McDevitt, Travis Nelson, Brayson Pawelczyk, Christopher Petraskie, Isaiah Reiprich, Kelsey Rogers, Ivy Savidge, Kayla Schell, Dakota Sutsko, Sarah Thomson, Christina Troutman, Rebecca Wargo, Cameron Wayne and Jakob Weaver.

Grade 9: Kayla Baney, Alex Black, Madison Blackwell, Scarlett Brown, Samuel Deptula, Cierra Eby, Thomas Eby, Aleea Faus, Amy Frasch, Jarred Rachau, Anne Richardson, Madison Rodarmel, Kaitlyn Schrader, Ellen Spotts and Samantha Startzel.

Grade 8: Abagail Blass, Kiara Bonshock, Michael Breslin, Randall Brosius, Alexandra Campbell, Emma Clark, Anna Delbaugh, Matthew Dimmick, Kelsee Dunn, Maryssa Erdman, Abbi Fiorey, Mackenzie Hasuga, Nicholas Kirkner, Jennifer Kozlowski, Dalton Madara, Emma Mangiaruga, McKenna Markowski, Sadie Miller, Kamilyah Nazih, Joseph Olah, Madison Pancher, Colton Pollock, Kali Rebuck, Cameron Scandle, Jenna Sebasovich and Ciara Tharp.

Grade 7: Spencer Balonis, Krista Baumeister, Ashley Beach, Jared Berkheimer, Aidan Blackwell, Karrie Bower, Marshall Buggy, Sierra Burd, Steven Carpenter, Alyssa Charriez, Gavin Clattenburg, Chloe Dales, John Delorso, Lydia Deptula, Alyvia Erb, Jeffrey Fuernisen Jr., Mara Hashuga, Teagan Heath, Jayla Klase, Chloe Kramer, Jameson Kramer, Samantha Magee, Joseph Masser, Morgan McGinn, Abigail Nye, Jessa Paczkoski, Autumn Purcell, Robert Rebuck, Lake Rodarmel, Andrea Segura, Peyton Shurock, Mason Smink, Matthew Swartz, Abigail Thew, Skylar Truchon, John Wagner, Lauren Wagner, Payton Whary, Valerie Yost, Blake Zalar, Clif Zheng and Zoe Zimmerman.

Honor roll

Grade 12: Steven Balonis, Daulton Baumerts, Elizabeth Bensinger, Jasmine Breslin, Kylie Christiana, Jordan Collins, Michael Donahue, Breanna Dowling, Sara Drumheiser, Caitlin Fellin, Megan Goodrich, Kenya Graham, Molly Haupt, Stefanie Hile, Jennifer Hornberger, Skylar Hughes, Ashley Huxta, Richard Jones, Jeffrey Kashner Jr., Corey Levi, Selah Lucas, Jaelyn Madara, Sean McLaughlin, Caroline McSurdy, Marielle Miller, Joshua Pappas, Danielle Polidario, Morgan Purcell, Noah Rachau, Lea Richardson, Elizabeth Roberts, William Ruch, Michael Rumberger, Lydia Sandri, Kristina Slodysko, Jodi Smith, Victoria Snyder, Bailey Stank, Austin Stine, jasmine Wagner, Ryan Wilk, Natalie Wolfe and Ronald Zimmerman Jr.

Grade 11: Tara Blom, Jill Britton, John Brown, Richard Brown, Kourtnie Chapman, Cole Fegley, Devvon Gallie, Tevin Gonzalez, Derek Gross, Chyna Haley, Carson Houser, Aaron Kalinowski, Ronald Laniewski III, Brett Long, Brittany Madison, Christopher McCabe, Mitchell McGinn, Rhiannon McKinney, Josiah Miller, Carley Nash, Rachel Poplaski, Paul Quincy Jr., Ronald Rhoads, Jessica Schleig, Daniel Searls, Teya Smeal, Taylor Steinhart, Jenna Wasarhelyi, Dylan Williams and Tucker Yost.

Grade 10: Kyran Brown, Preston Burns, Thomas Campbell, Bradley Carpenter, Autumn Craft, Brandon Dorsett, Gabrielle Erb, Haley Erb, Ryan Gass, Megan Grinaway, Ashley Gruszewski, Andrew Jones, Cassandra Kulish, Emma Miller, Ashley Pennell, Samantha Perocier, Adam Philhower, Kasey Puchalski, Donna Rania, Brett Rebuck, Danielle Reed, Paige Sherman, James Snyder, Tye Som, Cole Supsic, Nicole Thompson, Garrett Zalar and Callie Zimmerman.

Grade 9: Zachary Anascavage, Guenivere Angstadt, Patrick Bradigan, Cheyenne Burasz, Robert Carapellucci, Brett Derck, Tiffany Gordon, Brandi Hatzel, Carollyn Hine, Cameron Jacoby, Jarred Jones, Jenna Keisling, Mackenzie Koharski, Leon Malkoski, Jenai McKeen, Lindsey Miller, Abigale Mummey, Vincent Quincy, Carson Quinn, Jaden Schlagle, Andrew Shalamanda, Julianna Shuman, Aubrey Snyder, Brianna Stanke, Kelsie Stewart, Gabrielle Velez, Matthew Vrona, Aleksandr Washuta, Brittany Wondoloski, Page Wormald and Tobias Zerbe.

Grade 8: Kasey Brown, Haley Burd, Jacob Carpenter, Madison Clauser, Taylor Cullen, Madison Daya, Ariane Daya, Emily DeMartino, Charles Diehl, Gloria Drayer, Colby Edmondson, Katlyn Ehman, Brittney Farner, Michael Faust, Summer Finkelstein, Kira Golden, Brooke Hovenstine, Jacob Jeremiah, Gaige Johns, Dharma Koser, Patrick Latsha, Ethan Lawton, Victoria Nicola, Kaile Pancher, Cameron Popiel, Noah Sessions, Keyona Shoff, Stephen Smith, Jadyn Snyder, Elizabeth Stevens, Brianna Travitz, Jasmine Wasilewski, Tessa Wheary, Mackenzie Young, Daniel Zaborny, George Zalar and Dakota Zimmerman.

Grade 7: Melania Amato, Emily Backes, Alexis Barnes, Sarah Baumeister, Mariah Benedict, Colby Bixler, Reina Cardona, Juliana DeGreen, Lauren Drumheiser, Jacob Eschbach III, Ryleigh Fegley-Cull, Nicholas Feudale, Skylar Figard, Mackenzie Glosek, Stephen Gundy, Zoey Hockenbroch, Barbara Jemmott, Taylor Kashner, Chryssa Kehler, Collin Kern, Timothy Kile, Deven Klock, Matthew Knowles, Brianna Lehman, Xavier Lehman, Cordell Lucas, Joshua Mackenzie, Ferdinand Madara, Tyler Marcinick, Christina Marquez, Cameron Orner, Lauraleigh Pease, Quinn Rollman, Destiny Sassani, Joan Schaeffer, Matthew Schiccatano, Kylee Shultz, Brooke Strausser, Jose Tejada, Ethan Tharp, Jacob Thompson, Savanna Vercruyssen and Richard Wright III.

A partial list of fundraisers being conducted to benefit The Relay for Life of the Coal Region and the American Cancer Society:

Wednesday, Feb. 12

LCCC will sell food and baked goods at its Shamokin campus from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Sunday, March 9

Vera Bradley bingo, at Lourdes Regional cafeteria. Doors open at 11:30 a.m., first game starts at 1 p.m. Cost is $20 for 20 games, with special games, raffles and food available.

Saturday, April 26

The Coal Region Race to Beat Cancer, at the Mount Carmel Town Park gazebo. Registration at 7:30 p.m., race begins at 9 p.m. Early registration costs $15, with a free goody bag filled with participant thank you gifts, until April 20. Day of event registration at $20 with a goody bag while supplies last. Awards to be presented to the top three finishers male and female in adult and youth divisions. Children 8 and under can participate for free. To register, return form with cash or check (made out to the American Cancer Society) to the Notary Shop, 215 S. Oak St., Mount Carmel or register online at www.active.com/mount-carmel-pa/running/distance-running-races/the-coal-region-race-2-beat-cancer-2014.

Sunday, May 18

Benefit event at Brewser's SportsGrille in which 20 percent of each customer's bill goes toward Relay for Life. To have a copy of the form, see Connie Long or Earl Reed or email coalregionrelay@gmail.com.

Friday, May 30

Sixth annual Mighty Masser "After Dark" 5K, 9 p.m. start at Kemp Memorial Stadium, Coal Township. Race Day registration starting at 7:30 p.m., rain or shine.

Saturday, June 14

Butterfly release, 9:30 a.m. at Kemp Memorial Stadium. Butterflies can be released in memory of a loved one or in honor of someone special. $10 per butterfly and forms must be received no later than May 20. To download a form, visit http://relay.acsevents.org/site/DocServer/BF_Release_Form.pdf?docID=337965.

Saturday, June 21

Bark for Life of the Coal Region, MCA Town Park, time and details to be announced.

Mount Carmel Area School District

MOUNT CARMEL - The Mount Carmel Area School District has announced its honor roll for the first marking period of the 2013-14 school years.

Distinguished honors

Grade 4 - Cedar-Anthony Bolam, Amelia Chapman, Koryn Ennis, Matthew Kelley, Judy Kanafani, Mohamed Ammar Kanafani, Elise Makowski, Cole Marquardt, Damen Milewski, Dalton Moser, Devin O'Hearn, Molly Petrucci, Kenneth Wetzel III, Livia Zlockie, Brian Donner, Mason Fretz, Avery Dowkus, Michael Farronato, Christina Kurtz and Jasleen Dhillon.

Grade 5 - Tyler Owens, Kaylee Kane, Lauren Ayres, Mackenzie Zerbe, Caroline Fletcher, Reed Witkoski, Andrew Wasilewski, Rebekah Troup, EmmaRae Shimko, Lauren Shedleski, Tori Sanko, Marley Rusinko, Michael Reed, Isabel Parker, Claudia Morris, Derek Lawler, Cameron Mannion, Margaret McCracken, Molly McCracken, Talia Mazzatesta, MaKenna Lengle, Austin Garancosky, Gabriella Trocki, Julia Burns and Rileigh Nowroski.

Grade 6 - Anthony Stutzcavage, Michael Balichik, Tyler Barnhardt, Brooke Bernini, Kyra Stickler, Lindsey Klusman, Grace Menko, Michael Scicchitano, Tyler Winhofer, Zane Zlockie, Dylan Duceman, Emily Olszewskie, Ryan Green, Eliza Nevis, Damon Dowkus, Hailey Derk, Emily Szatny and Cierra Clayton.

Grade 7 - Casandra Latshaw, McKenna Fletcher, Hailey Swaldi, Haley Paul, Brady Campbell, Ainsley Fegley, Miranda Fiamoncini, Tanner Karycki, Daniela Mangiapane, Gabrielle Taylor, Colin Herb, Dante Sabolchick, William Anderson, John Chapman III, Nicholas Troutman, Logan Wills, Ava McGee and Darren Rosenstein.

Grade 8 - Dylan Farronato, Emilee Wasilewski, John Ayres, Emilee Barnhardt, Tyler Krah, Rosolino Mangiapane, Benjamin McFadden, Matthew Cimino, Ethan McLeod, Braedon Stickler, Adam Weissinger, Donovan James, Sarah Cooper, Mia Kaminsky, Nicole Varano, Zachary Hunter, Sara Davitt, Raykal Adiansjah and Tyler Ham.

Grade 9 - Kevin Stancavage, Aleah Alderson, Sydney Spears, Carl Darrup, Aurora Froutz, Madeleine Lyash, Anna Zeluskey, Austin Reed, Sara Parker, Kasey Rompallo, Madelyn Witkoski, Alyssa Menko, Erin Smink, Marissa Kleman, Olivia Lubinski, Rachel Brown, Maura Fiamoncini, Hayley Palek and Sara Nicola.

Grade 10 - Dominic Farronato, Ryan Little, Allen Yancoskie III, Tyler Thompson, Ethan Bartos, JoAnna Davidson, Joseph Rossi, Dylan Fiamoncini, Allison Parker, Brianna Malkoski, Cameron Getty, Vanessa Klemas, Mason Duran, Natasha Nevis, Elizabeth Cooper, Miranda Moser, Jessy Stankavage, Karissa Schoonover, Jacqualin Lyden, David Fletcher, Mitchell Fletcher, Chantelle Skavery, Luke Darrup and Paige Wichurowski.

Grade 11 - Christian Kelley, David Seltner II, Zachary Tocyloski, Erin Scicchitano, Lee Amarose, Jennifer Bolick, Paige Domboski, Thomas Moser, Joanna Rompallo, Nicholas Rossi, Christopher Stellar, Michael Vincenzes, Jordan Winhofer, Madison Watkins, Kayla Witt, Ciaran Fisher, Glenn Barwicki, Isabella Stellar, Kevin Nolter, Amber Kogut, Thomas Lynott, Nathaniel Bartos, Taylor Conches, Michael Kaminsky, Caitlyn Curran, Sean Fisher, Joseph Schmoyer, Jessica Feldman, Zachary Guthrie and Maliyah Edwards.

Grade 12 - Zachary Wasilewski, Brett Zosh, Kaitlin Horsfield, Jenna Jurasich, Brandon Toter, Jasmine Jones, Morgan Miriello, Dylan Combs, Alex Mrozek, Jonathan Phillipine, Briana Chapman, Jessica Pachuski, Taylor Stefovic, Anna Marie Raybuck, Coral Swank, Cody Deitz, Benjamin Scicchitano, Sonya Grohowski, Nicole Brosius, Darla Hood, Alison Varano, Nicholas Stancavage, Ronald Lutes, Brock Susnoskie, Bryce Fiamoncini, Lauren Hause, Heather Raker, Olivia Bressi-Harman and Jessie Gibson.

First honors

Grade 4 - Daymon Haupt, Courtney Troutman, Brittany Neumeister, Evan Bronkoski, Regan Duceman, Brynn Evert, Matthew Scicchitano, Maura Higgins, Devin Palek, Thomas Davitt, Jaiden Alvarez, Desirae Mattis and Kaylei Flaim.

Grade 5 - Aaron Elliott, Jacob Evans, Giavanna Yancoskie, Valeria Mangiapane, Eric Bubrowski, Noah Wolfgang, Isabella Ryan, Alana Oakley, Katie Miller, James Rusk IV, Caiden Williams, Bryce Adams, Brynn Marlow, William Mullins, Montana Spangler, Tommie Mowrer III, Destiny Keyser and Jim Smith.

Grade 6 - Kassandra Troutman, Dylan Latshaw, Angel Barwicki, Victoria Belfanti, Erin Bossler, Lillian Britt, Connor Krakowski, Connor Brown, Michael Bucher, Bruce Carl, Cade Geary, Tiffany Koreisl, Bryson Zvoncheck, Mya Okronglis, Jason Patrick, Makayla Purcell, Makenzie Pyle, Joshua Ritz, Shawn Sheptock, Joshua Vellner, Elijah Watkins, Zackary Moore, Haley Bressi, Trevor Shultz, Vanessa Walter, Rileigh Engelke, Olivia Rusk, Kaleb Tyson, Angelina Torres, Peyton Galitski, Sydney Marquardt, Niklas Misner, Kimberly Schmidt, Riley Findeis and Naomi Mumford.

Grade 7 - Quentin Nahodil, Lorena Barrientos, Karisa Kehler, Michael Makowski III, Madison Mengel, Alexia Curran, Joseph Dudeck, Brock Evert, Danielle Hooper, Emily Krulak, Bradley Shurock, Kayla Wesloskie, Allison Shurock, Brianna Ryan, Nichalous Diminick, Samantha Darrup, Iyana Crew and Olivia McGinley.

Grade 8 - Alexander Brzostowski, Keith Ruskuski, Anthony Moser, Kourtney Honicker, Matthew Ziv, Chloe Smith, Aidan Wesloskie, Mackenzie Witt, Myia Miriello, Alexa Collins, MaKayla Green, Walter Kalinoski, Daniel Snarski, Camlin Bogutskie, Daniel Ahlers, Zoey Rompallo, Symphony Yoder, Maci Mazzatesta and Dawson Shoffler.

Grade 9 - Amanda Arellano, Jordan Reed, Haley Weidner, Nicole Hooper, Christina Kleman, Lauren Zanni, Jaecob McGinn, Selena Guererro and Lane Tanney.

Grade 10 - Brett Katalinas, Logan Hixson, Megan Troutman, Madison Shurock, Logan Kuzo, Gabriel Bogutskie, Patrick Rhoads, Bret Williams, Peyton Worhach, Jeffrey Leins, Leah Nicola, Michael Bergamo Jr., Marcus English, Tyler Diotte and Tyler Schmidt.

Grade 11 - Treyvon White, Blake Panko, Tina Delbo, Brendin Pancher, Haley Lahr, Gerard Reichwein, Amalia Hinkle, Brianne Graff, Hannah Fetterolf, Josiah Skavery, Thomas Bielski, Dylan Williams and Derek Weaver.

Grade 12 - Sabrina Allen, Thomas Evans III, Luke Duceman, Paige Hornung, Emily Padula, Brianna Lutz, Samantha Miscavage and Ezekiel Zsido.

Second honors

Grade 4 - Logan Olbrish, Zachary Reed, Devin Peters, Gianna Belfanti, AngieMarie Fetters, Olivia Long, Zoie Moore, Tyler Ozlanski, Lindsay Schuck, Faythe Timmins, Rylie Krovitskie, Logan Chapman, Braylin Kemfort-Huth, Jetly Gonzalez and Kristen Deitz.

Grade 5 - Chase Fishburn, Jacob Gilotti, Alex Wolfley, Dante Crispell, Robert Harris Jr., Alyssa Swetra, Michael Getchey, Breayna Dietz, Addison Odorizzi, Ryleigh Geary, Malakai Corley, Payton Carl, Emily Yuskoski, Trevor McDonald, Michael Sykes Jr., Ethan Fanella, Juliana Demetrius, Savannah Castellano, Jazmine McClelland, Michael Deitz III, Bria Shoffler and Mick Zwolinski

Grade 6 - Marissa Matukaitis, Austin Reed, Madison Sosky, Gregory Keiper, Olivia Reiner, Jacob Adzema, Robert Bush, Ramsey Fisher, Cloey Heim, Evan Hornberger, Trent Moser, Gryffan O'Donnell, William Savadge Jr., Jonathan Slovick, Nathaniel Malkoski, Brayden Harvey, Brandon Moore, Tyler Weaver, Josilyn Adams, Cody Wilhelm, Micheal Nahodil, Charity Reigle, Austin Molnar, Cheyenne Derk, Jacob Raker, John Frieswyk and Zachary Williams.

Grade 7 - Noah Berkoski, Dustin Siko, Draven Murray, Crystal Aponte, Shane Weidner, Kaitlyn Bulliner, Olivia Bratcher, Christopher Ehmann, Katie Flynn, Megan Green, Chloe Frost, Avery Demko and Rita Hanson.

Grade 8 - Matthew Daubert, Michael Cuff, Alyssa Karycki, Collin Krakowski, Zachary Zvoncheck, Zachary Sodrick, Morgan Zarko, Jacob Klokis, Carly Jurasich, Emily Wills, Hannah Nolter, Jeffrey Weidner, Sandra Horsfield, Bradley Neidig, Tyler Golazeski, Alyssa Lebo, Skylynn Janoka, Michael Hood, Gianna D'Agostino, Evan Salamone, Cecillia Labate, Trenton Koons, Audrey Wilkins, Alesha Rutledge, Stephen Laurie Jr. and Bailey Little.

Grade 9 - Johnny Bossler, Kasey Grohowski, Dylan Carey, Breanna Kruskie, Bryce Dauber, Adam Maschal, Amanda Rimokaitis, Kaitlyn Trent, Jacob Weissinger, Justin Parker, Timothy Glowatski, Hannah Hornung, Samantha Zigarski, Lauren Startzel, Robert Koch Jr., Julia Ballard, Kelsi Wayne, Alexa Schmidt, Lindsay Rasley, Blake Seigrist and Sarek Grubb.

Grade 10 - Jesse Elliott, Jonathan Rosetta, Taylor Haladay, Aaron Butkiewicz, Ryan Walter, Kaylene Sinopoli, Maddie Kelley, Karley Spangler, Desirae Derk, Rylee Neitz, Russell Ensor, Shawn Steigerwalt and Jade Lommerin.

Grade 11 - Dylan Patrick, Brenda Neidig, Shannon Tanney, Jacob Belfanti, Colin Bettleyon, Austin Joraskie, Shane Gudonis, Jordan Klimas, Lynn Womer, Amanda Manning and Joseph Dormer.

Grade 12 - Kassondra Martz, Nicholas Bozza Jr., Marcus Maschal, Caitlyn Avellino, Jason Eichelberger, Jarret Schultz and Karena Schmidt.

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

John Gembic III, Shamokin

Michael R. Kaleta, of Mount Carmel, awarded $1,324 on Feb. 3 from Rex Hepner, of Shamokin, for unpaid rent and court costs.

Sara Radomski, of Shamokin, awarded $724.60 on Feb. 3 from John Seedor, of Shamokin, for unpaid rent and court costs.

Northeast Apartments, Mount Carmel, awarded default claim on Feb. 6 against Lewis Harrington, of Coal Township. No judgment amount provided.

Harvey Green, of Kulpmont, awarded $1,316.60 on Feb. 6 from Curt and Maria Lahr, of Coal Township, for unpaid rent and court costs.

Shamokin Housing Authority, Shamokin, awarded $376.60 on Feb. 6 from Kendra Dowell, of Shamokin, for unpaid rent and court costs.

Shamokin Housing Authority, Shamokin, against Kayla James, of Shamokin, for $110, filed Feb. 6. Hearing scheduled for Feb. 20.

Hugh A. Jones, Mount Carmel

Apartments and Acquisitions, Mount Carmel, awarded $2,276.70 on Feb. 5 from Robert and Melissa Zimmerman, of Mount Carmel, for unpaid rent and court costs.

Kent A. Knorr, of Hegins, against Lori A. Knopp, of Mount Carmel, for $4,187.47, filed Jan. 24. Hearing scheduled for Feb. 12.

Stacey and Jonathan Fisher, of Kulpmont, against Jennifer and Brian Kerner and David Tracy, all of Kulpmont, filed Feb. 5. No claim amount provided. Hearing scheduled for Feb. 19.

Joe Gushen, of Mount Carmel, against Debra Campbell, Melissa Cromwell and Crystal Mann, all of Mount Carmel, for $2,450, filed Jan. 14. Hearing postponed until March 5.

Conservation district reorganizes

SUNBURY - The Northumberland County Conservation District has an active agenda for 2014, including multiple farm projects, stream bank restoration projects along Little Shamokin Creek and updates to a passive mine treatment system on Carbon Run at Site 42 of Shamokin Creek.

The district will also be holding multiple meetings once again throughout the year to educate the agricultural community, municipalities, and contractors about the importance of protecting our natural resources. They include a Winter Forum on March 4, a workshop for consultants in late March and a Twilight Meeting for the agricultural community in the fall. Details on district events can be found online at www.nccdpa.org.

Representatives of the Department of Environmental Protection, Regional Director Marcus Kohl, Local Government Liaison Dan Vilello, and District Field Representative Bill Kahler were present to provide DEP's goals for 2014 in working with conservation districts.

Northumberland County Conservation District meetings are held the first Thursday of every month at 12:30 p.m. December through April, and 7 p.m. from May through November.

(Note: A photograph of the reorganized board was published in Saturday's edition.)

Soldiers Circle committee meets Tuesday

SHAMOKIN - Soldiers Circle Veterans Committee will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Knockers, Market Street.

A Sunday afternoon snowstorm was blamed for multiple accidents in the area.

Several inches of snow accumulated during the storm. The heaviest snowfall began about 3 p.m., and reports of crashes followed shortly thereafter.

The most serious of the accidents occurred about 3:30 p.m. on the Merriam-Mount Carmel Highway in Mount Carmel Township.

Rachel Bobenreith, 29, of Shamokin was driving a 2003 Chrysler Sebring toward Mount Carmel when she lost control of the vehicle, according to township Patrolman Kelly Campbell. It reportedly spun in a circle into the oncoming lane and into the path of Charles Matern, 57, of Frackville, who couldn't stop his 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe in time to avoid a collision.

The Santa Fe struck the Sebring's rear driver-side.

Bobenreith and a passenger, a 9-year-old Shamokin girl who was extricated from the vehicle, each suffered injuries. So did Matern's passenger, 46-year-old Mary Garraway, of Frackville. All three were taken by ambulance to Geisinger Medical Center, Danville.

Bobenreith was being treated at the hospital's emergency department Sunday evening while Garraway was treated and released, according to a nursing supervisor.

A 4-year-old Shamokin boy, also a passenger of Bobenreith's, and Matern did not report an injury, Campbell said.

Both vehicles were towed.

The roadway was closed for 1 1/2 hours.

Assisting at the scene was Mount Carmel Township Police Chief Brian Hollenbush and personnel from Mount Carmel Rescue Squad, Locust Gap Fire Co. and AREA Services.

Campbell said several other non-reportable accidents occurred in Mount Carmel Township due to the weather, including one on the Natalie Mountain.

Two crashes occurred on Route 61 in Coal Township within about 15 minutes.

The first at about 3:15 p.m. happened when a 2004 Ford Focus driven by Ryan Bourinski, 21, of Coal Township, slid off the highway's northbound lane and into a utility pole near Center Street, Tharptown.

The second occurred just about 3:30 p.m. when a Ford Taurus driven by Naomi Saga, 57, of Coal Township, slid off the highway's southbound lane and struck a guide rail at the red light near McDonald's.

No injuries were reported in either accident.

In Ralpho Township, there was a report of a black car stuck on Route 54 near Sleepy Hollow Road that posed a hazard to other motorists.

SHAMOKIN - With a positive attitude and a change in leadership, volunteers hope to revitalize an area fundraiser in the fight against cancer.

Committees from Shamokin and Mount Carmel have joined forces to create the Relay For Life of The Coal Region, set for June 13 and 14 at Kemp Memorial Stadium, Coal Township.

Event co-chairs Joseph Phillips and Heather Fernandez hope the combined effort will bring a sense of unity to the community to help out a common cause.

"Over the years, we've both seen our numbers of volunteers just dwindling," Phillips said. "In Shamokin, we had a core group of six people running the event and Heather was doing the same."

"We were in Town Park last year and doing all right, but it wasn't like it was in the past," Fernandez said. "We hope we can bring it back to a better time."

The Relay for Life is a 24-hour event in which teams camp out and walk laps in support of the fight against cancer. Each team tries to keep at least one team member on the track or pathway at all times.

In the past, separate events were held at Southern Columbia, Shamokin, Mount Carmel and Line Mountain High School, but interest in the event has lapsed and totals decreased. Line Mountain dropped the event altogether due to lack of participation.

Funds raised will help the American Cancer Society in its fight against cancer and present awareness to several programs, including:

- Road to Recovery - provides rides to and from cancer treatments.

- Reach to Recovery - uses cancer survivors to help counsel patients and their families.

- Look Good, Feel Better - helps women cancer patients improve their appearance and self image by managing the appearance side effects of chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

A goal of $45,800 and 25 teams has been set for this year's relay. So far, 13 teams have pre-registered.

The event starts 3 p.m. June 13 with the opening/survivor lap starting at 6 p.m.

There will be a moving luminaria service the evening of June 13 and a butterfly release at 9:30 a.m. June 14.

The Bark for Life event, which is pet-friendly, is set for Saturday, June 21, at the Mount Carmel Town Park.

"We are calling people, not only from Shamokin and Mount Carmel, but all the surrounding areas - Atlas, Trevorton, the Line Mountain area, Ranshaw, Kulpmont, Paxinos - anywhere. Come be a part of the relay, get involved and have a great time with us," Phillips said.

The next meeting of the committee will be held at 6 p.m. Monday. Feb. 17 at the Brady Fire Company. Anyone interested in volunteering may attend or contact the event chairs at coalregionrelay@gmail.com.

On the Net: www.relayforlife.org/PACoalRegion

Anyone having read "The Shamokin Monologues" must think author Bernard Jankowski is a coal region native - the owner of an overcoat that gives off a whiff of grilled onions from Coney Island, with beer breath just as strong.

No, Jankowski is from the Washington, D.C. area, but his parents are from Northumberland County's coal towns and he spent many summers listening to the tales of his uncles and living out days that would be the basis for a few of his own.

Those stories inspired "The Shamokin Monologues," a collection of 20 free verse poems - no meter, no rhymes - that blend fact and fiction and read like they've been told to you straight from the mouths of any regulars inside any hole-in-the-wall around.

"They call me 'Shakes' / or cheap and available / living on the dole. / A fine pool player, / charming when on my way to getting drunk, / more than willing to be supported by a good strong woman / of Eastern European descent. / That's the clincher. / I need a certain 'kind' of woman. / She's gotta work / if she wants to run with me. / I've seen what full-time / can do to a man," Jankowski writes in "I've Never Been Much For Bosses."

There is no myth-making, no yearning for glories past. Instead, Jankowski offers humor and sadness both as dark as the inside of an abandoned row home.

His work is authentic, it's relatable, it's unapologetic, and it's worth the 10 bucks or so it'll take to buy a copy online.

"It's really just an appreciation of the people that I know from up there. Growing up in D.C., the coal region was somewhat an exotic location. It was so different from the D.C. area," Jankowski said last week.

"There's something about the Shamokin area. That's where I have roots. It has a real culture," he said.

Jankowski, 55, teaches fourth-graders at an inner city school in the nation's capital.

His father, Bernard, is from Mount Carmel and still lives in the Elysburg area. His mother, the former Peggy Povleski, a Shamokin native, passed away in 2008.

His parents moved away and raised he and his sister out of state. When they returned, it was to visit family. His grandfather on his father's side lived on Vine Street in Mount Carmel. His mother's parents lived in Kulpmont. He has a large extended family, a group he remembers fondly as giving and generous, and he listened closely when his uncles told stories. His mother's brothers were gifted at that and their personas were "larger than life."

"A lot of the core of the monologues, they're not facts by fact account. A big chunk are really like catching an oral history of the family," Jankowski said.

He recalled one such story involving his Uncle Eddie. There was a challenge, a beer drinking duel. Eddie versus a friend. The battleground was downtown Shamokin.

"It was like who could drink 100 beers," Jankowski said.

Asked who won, he laughed. "The word is he did it. That was just kind of how they rolled," he said.

Jankowski has a affection for Knoebels Amusement Park. He says he had the run of the place when he and his cousins or friends would go there. One trip to the park inspired "Loretta Lynn Struts Onto the Stage," where he writes of catching the country legend's performance at Knoebels, some part of it anyway.

"Loretta Lynn belts it out / across the gullies and gaps. / She's home here, / defiant, with her flashing eyes. / Song after song / brings a praise / I've never known, / to this life / I am lookin' to lose."

The last lines are a story all too familiar to anyone who dreamed of leaving the coal hills behind after high school. The book, on the acknowledgements page, is dedicated "For those who stayed ..."

Another poem tells of a pool hustler who flees his local haunts for a metro area and new marks. It doesn't go as planned, and it's based on a story from a cousin.

"They just got their clocks cleaned," Jankowski said, adding he took a bit of poetic license for his retelling. "They basically had to ride home with their tail between their legs."

"You Think This Town Looks Mean By Day" is an ode to the night.

"By the seventh bar, you run / into guys named Black. / Jack Black, Black Bart, Black Heart, / nicknames like tattoos. / Tonight it's Black Hawk - / a Pittsburgh-born, truck driving, / retread Hippie, quarter-Indian hard ass. ... By the seventh bar, it's time / to burn off some of this evil. ... You live the story like your uncles - / someone has to carry on this bad blood."

That poem kind of wrote itself, Jankowski said. He credits its dark humor as a gift from his family.

Reading that and other poems to himself after they'd been written, he wondered if he was really so dark. At public readings after his book was published, he said the audience would often laugh.

"It was enlightening to me. It made me see all that kind of darkness that I was carrying as a really redemptive quality of dealing with the many hardships of existence. I think that's a true gift of people up there," Jankowski said.

"The Shamokin Monologues was published in 2009. In includes a series of illustrations by artist Calvin Edward Ramsburg.

Jankowski has other works, "The Bullfrog Does Not Imagine New Towns" and "Radio in the Basement." They're all available online at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

He and his wife, Kathy, have been married nearly 30 years. They have two children, Nick, 24, and Marie, 17.

He continues to visit the area to watch high school football games with his dad.

SHAMOKIN - Starting today, subscribers to the print edition of The News-Item will have access to our electronic products at no additional charge.

This includes unlimited access at our website (www.newsitem.com) and access to our "e-edition," which is a digital replica of the pages of the newspaper.

With the change, readers can have access to every manner in which we deliver the news.

It will also allow access to The News-Item app, which provides more mobile-friendly access to our content for smart phone, tablet and other mobile users. The app will be released soon.

Newsitem.com provides not only daily content found in the print edition, but access to breaking news, daily polls, the local community calendar, games and quizzes and special projects such as our current 2014 Winter Games content.

As for the e-edition, those already subscribed marvel at seeing the newsprint pages on bright screens. With the drag of a finger, they can page through the paper, stopping at any point to click on a particular story, photo or advertisement. They can zoom in on the content for clear and easy reading and viewing.

Also, with a download of each day's edition, e-edition users will have access to past editions.

Activate service

Again, there is no additional charge for current print subscribers to get the digital access. All that's required is to activate the service at www.newsitem.com/activate.

Those who don't have a print edition but wish to access the digital content can do so for $10 per month. Go to www.newsitem.com/subscribe.

Deadbeats

I would like to know how some women in our society got so stupid that they let their boyfriends sit at home and do nothing all day or go out drinking and they go to work. Then they go back to another woman and they take them back, and they do the same thing for them. Frog's take: I am the last person in the world you want to ask for advice on women.

Charity case

In my opinion Craig Fetterman and the Coal Township commissioners are being pretty generous with the taxpayers' money considering the fact that they just raised taxes on our citizens. I don't think we are in the position to be loaning the city or anybody else anything. Charity begins at home.

Tummy time

For the most part, I enjoy reading Jenna's column. I was just wondering, the column she wrote on Feb, 6, if that is a picture of her midriff. Just wondering.

Safe home

I think it is sad when they think more of the criminals in the county than they think of the county employees' safety.

Animal planet

Hey, Frog, you're not a bonehead. You are a gopher. Frog's take: Huh?

All Indians

Good job, Mr. Fetterman. I am glad you came to the aide of your neighbors. We are not the Purple Demons or the Greyhounds anymore. We are one community in spirit, doing what is best for the community. The fire department and police department have been working together for years when the occasion arises. People don't complain about that. Let's get a life, people, and start doing what is good for both communities.

Goose and gander

I would like to call attention to the PennDOT employees who do winter maintenance on the mountain road from Helfenstein and Locust Gap. Excellent job. That does not go unappreciated. Keep up the great work and many thanks.

Better spent

As a resident of Coal Township and a property owner who pays taxes, I cannot see why my tax money should be used to pay for police protection in other communities when that money can be spent for something else in the township.

Big time waste

I don't know why they want to spend $10,000 on psychiatrists or doctors to see if these people are competent to stand trial. They shouldn't waste the taxpayers' money. They were competent to plan this murder.

Pick up the tab

The Democrats, Obama and Pelosi are idiots, as are those who voted for them. They voted to pass Obamacare without even knowing what was in it. That was totally irresponsible and we, the taxpayers, are paying for their mistakes. The Democrats should pick up the tab. It is their bill and their stupidity. It is like buying an expensive mansion without looking at it - and the quicksand it was built on.

Big bucks

Six hundred dollars an hour? You have got to be kidding me!

Long time

Bartos resigns? What took him so long?

MOUNT CARMEL - Two men were jailed early Sunday morning on gun and drug charges stemming from the ongoing investigation into the shooting of a Milton woman.

They are not charged with shooting 20-year-old Salicia Yost.

Rafael Anthony Diroche Jr. and Esteven Rafael Soto were arrested Saturday night in Mount Carmel after police obtained a warrant to search Diroche's apartment.

A state police public information officer wouldn't say Sunday if the two are suspected of shooting Yost but did say that they were being questioned in the matter.

"We don't think the public is at risk," Trooper Matthew Burrows said when asked about the pursuit of the alleged shooter.

Burrows said the investigation is ongoing and offered no further comment.

Yost remains in critical condition at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, according to a hospital spokesperson.

A passerby found Yost inside a Chevy Sonic about 5:30 a.m. Saturday. It had crashed into a snow mound along Irish Valley Road in Shamokin Township, just west of the tunnel off Route 61, three miles north of Shamokin.

Yost was reportedly alone and incoherent when emergency responders arrived.

The accident scene was cleared, but investigators returned at about 12:40 p.m. and police ordered Irish Valley Road blocked off from Route 61 to Badman Hill Road, a distance of about one mile. It's believed Yost's gunshot injuries weren't discovered until sometime after she was hospitalized, prompting the return of authorities to the crash scene. Metal detectors were reportedly used before the scene was again cleared about 3 p.m.

The focus of the investigation shifted to Mount Carmel late Saturday afternoon, and Diroche and Soto were detained about 4:45 p.m.

State police were issued two additional warrants related to the investigation, according to Magisterial District Judge Hugh A. Jones, but he would not comment on what the warrants were for and why investigators sought them.

Search warrants had previously been issued by Jones for Yost's vehicle and cell phone and for Diroche's apartment.

According to court documents, police allege Diroche was in possession of a .22 caliber Freedom Arms revolver when he and Soto were encountered outside 250 S. Poplar St. on Saturday afternoon. Two additional Black Powder revolvers were allegedly found inside an apartment bedroom. It is also alleged that marijuana, heroin and cocaine prepackaged for resale was found in plain view inside the bedroom.

Diroche, 28, of 250 S. Poplar St., Apt. 3, is charged with persons not to possess firearms, a second-degree felony, and firearms not to be carried without a license, a third-degree felony.

Soto, 30, of 1752 Walton Ave., 6A, Bronx, N.Y., is charged with three counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, all of which are ungraded felonies, one count of persons not to possess firearms, a second-degree felony, and three counts of possession of controlled substances, which are ungraded misdemeanors.

Diroche and Soto were each processed at the Stonington state police station. They were taken to Sunbury and arraigned by Jones via video conference - Diroche about midnight Sunday and Soto less than one hour later.

Both men were being held on $250,000 cash bail.

Soto was remanded to Northumberland County Prison, Sunbury, while Diroche was sent to Snyder County Prison, Selisngrove.

Northumberland County District Attorney Anthony Rosini was at the Stonington station on Sunday. He said troopers continue to investigation but would not comment any further.

COAL TOWNSHIP — A Mount Carmel man transported by ambulance to a local hospital Saturday morning allegedly assaulted an emergency medical technician and threatened to kill the EMT and an emergency room nurse.
Timothy S. Shirk, 48, of 24 E. Third St., Apartment 400, later fled from Geisinger-Shamokin Area Community Hospital (G-SACH), but was apprehended nearby, police allege.
He was jailed in Northumberland County Prison, Sunbury, after being arraigned shortly before 4 a.m. Saturday by on-call Magisterial District Judge Hugh Jones on a felony of aggravated assault and misdemeanors of simple assault and disorderly conduct. Shirk was unable to post $25,000 cash bail.
Cuts to face, hand
According to arresting township officer Matthew Hashuga, the disturbance occurred at about 1:15 a.m. after Shirk was transported from Mount Carmel by AREA Services Ambulance to G-SACH.
Police said Shirk was under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance and had suffered facial and hand lacerations when ambulance personnel picked him up. Police said they did not know how he had been cut.
Upon arrival at the hospital, police said Shirk became unruly in the back of the ambulance and began grabbing at EMT James Vetovich’s clipboard. When the rear door of the ambulance was opened, EMT Albert Mench III said Shirk attempted to free himself from his restraints and strike Vetovich. Mench told police he tried to calm Shirk down, at which point Shirk grabbed him by the neck, squeezed his throat and threatened to kill him.
Mench said he and Vetovich were able to restrain Shirk and escorted him into the emergency room. Upon being placed on a hospital bed, Shirk became violent and began yelling and making threats toward emergency room nurse Melissa Schoch. Police said Shirk used obscene language toward Schoch and threatened to kill her.
Mench said Shirk then grabbed his shirt, causing the left pocket to rip.
Hospital staff ordered Shirk to be escorted from the facility.
Shirk fled from the hospital grounds, but was apprehended by police a short time later at Center Street and Hospital Road.
Mench and Vetovich reportedly were not injured.
 

COAL TOWNSHIP - Two men wanted for probation violations avoided apprehension after leading authorities on a vehicle and foot pursuit through the woods of Big Mountain.

According to Coal Township Patrolman Ed Purcell, Jake Snyder and Damian Dietrich, no known addresses, were driving a 1989 Toyota pickup that initially was reported stolen.

They were spotted in the Academy Hill section of Shamokin about 3:25 p.m. and drove into the woods behind the Raspberry Hill housing complex and into the Big Mountain section of Coal Township before abandoning the vehicle.

Police said the truck bumped into a Northumberland County Adult Probation vehicle while the men made their getaway.

Four Shamokin police officers chased them. At least two officers searched the woods south of the Fifth Ward and another took up a position on Shamokin Street.

Coal Township police were called to assist and were positioned on Route 125. Probation officers were also involved.

Purcell said Snyder and Dietrich called an acquaintance - Sam Peters, of 1032 W. Spruce St., Coal Township - who picked them up near Burnside and drove them over the mountain on Route 125, dropping them off at Bubba's Bar and Grill in Gowen City, which was closed.

From there, Purcell said they fled on foot.

Peters was pulled over in a Chevy Suburban on Route 125 and questioned by Shamokin police at the city station. He is the husband of the Toyota pickup's owner, Jamie Peters, according to Purcell.

Since the pickup was reported stolen from Coal Township, the case was transferred to the township police; however, Purcell said the owner eased off that accusation.

The pursuit was finished about 4:50 p.m.

The Toyota pickup was returned to its owner.

The incident remains under investigation.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Snyder and Dietrich are asked to call Coal Township police at 570-644-0333.

150th anniversary group to meet

SHAMOKIN - Shamokin's 150th Anniversary Committee will host its monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Independence Fire Co., Arch and Market streets. Civic-minded residents of Shamokin are invited to attend.

God's Chuck Wagon snowed in

SHAMOKIN - The school bus used by God's Chuck Wagon, a mobile soup kitchen serving the area, is snowed in along Spruce Street and won't be operating for at least a week.

Pastor James Bowers said the group would appreciate help to try to get the bus out. He can be contacted at 570-492-2392.

Arc program set for tonight

COAL TOWNSHIP - The Arc, a Susquehanna Valley weekly drop-in program for those with intellectual or developmental disabilities, will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the Shamokin-Coal Township Senior Action Center, 821 W. Chestnut St.

The program features crafts, recreational activities, life skills training and is held each Tuesday.

Call 570-286-1008 for more information.

GIRARDVILLE - A man who was shot after assaulting a police officer Jan. 31 was released from the hospital Friday and jailed.

Carmen Almonti, 31, of 120 Line St., Girardville, was taken from Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, to the Schuylkill County Prison where he was arraigned on charges stemming from the 1:45 a.m. attack on Patrolman Melville Tomeo.

Almonti was arraigned on one felony count of aggravated assault, misdemeanor offenses including two counts of simple assault and one count each of recklessly endangering another person and resisting arrest and one summary count of harassment.

Magisterial District Judge Christina E. Hale, Frackville, set bail at $50,000 straight cash and scheduled a preliminary hearing for noon Friday.

State police Trooper Melissa Kyper of the Frackville station charged Almonti with the assault that occurred on the street outside of his home.

According to her criminal complaint, Kyper said Almonti began hitting Tomeo, who was responding to a domestic violence report, and refused commands to stop. Almonti was Tased and shot twice, police said.

Kyper said that when placed in handcuffs, Almonti continued to act belligerent, and during transport to Geisinger by ambulance, said he had consumed methamphetamine that night.

Tomeo was taken to a Pottsville hospital for treatment.

COAL TOWNSHIP - A Mount Carmel man transported by ambulance to a local hospital Saturday morning allegedly assaulted an emergency medical technician and threatened to kill the EMT and an emergency room nurse.

Timothy S. Shirk, 48, of 24 E. Third St., Apartment 400, later fled from Geisinger-Shamokin Area Community Hospital (G-SACH), but was apprehended nearby, police said.

He was jailed in Northumberland County Prison, Sunbury, after being arraigned shortly before 4 a.m. Saturday by on-call Magisterial District Judge Hugh Jones on a felony of aggravated assault and misdemeanors of simple assault and disorderly conduct. Shirk was unable to post $25,000 cash bail.

Cuts to face, hand

According to arresting township officer Matthew Hashuga, the disturbance occurred at about 1:15 a.m. after Shirk was transported from Mount Carmel by AREA Services Ambulance to G-SACH.

Police said Shirk was under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance and had suffered facial and hand lacerations when ambulance personnel picked him up. Police said they did not know how he had been cut.

Upon arrival at the hospital, police said Shirk became unruly in the back of the ambulance and began grabbing at EMT James Vetovich's clipboard. When the rear door of the ambulance was opened, EMT Albert Mench III said Shirk attempted to free himself from his restraints and strike Vetovich. Mench told police he tried to calm Shirk down, at which point Shirk grabbed him by the neck, squeezed his throat and threatened to kill him.

Mench said he and Vetovich were able to restrain Shirk and escorted him into the emergency room. Upon being placed on a hospital bed, Shirk became violent and began yelling and making threats toward emergency room nurse Melissa Schoch. Police said Shirk used obscene language toward Schoch and threatened to kill her.

Mench said Shirk then grabbed his shirt, causing the left pocket to rip.

Hospital staff ordered Shirk to be escorted from the facility.

Shirk fled from the hospital grounds, but was apprehended by police a short time later at Center Street and Hospital Road.

Mench and Vetovich reportedly were not injured.

SHAMOKIN - A former employee at Turkey Hill Minit Market on West Lincoln Street has been charged with stealing approximately $1,200 by falsifying register receipts at the end of his shifts.

Patrolman William Zalinski reported Michael A. Long II, 20, of 623 W. State St., Shamokin, pocketed a total of $1,269.91 from store transactions on six separate occasions during January.

Police were initially summoned to the store to investigate the theft Jan. 26.

Long, who reportedly no longer works at the store, admitted to stealing the money.

Misdemeanor offenses of theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property were filed at the office of Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III.

ATLAS - A Locust Gap driver and his Ashland passenger were committed to Northumberland County Prison on drug charges Monday night after being stopped by Mount Carmel Township Police earlier that day.

Joseph Francis Boblick, 34, of 136 Railroad St., Locust Gap, and James Anthony Fetterolf, 25, of 1835 Walnut St., Ashland, were arraigned by video conference at the township police station in front of the on-call Senior Magisterial District Judge Richard Cashman, of Milton.

Each individual was charged by Patrolman David Stamets Jr. with a felony count of possession with intent to deliver, a felony count of criminal conspiracy, a misdemeanor count of possession with intent to use and a misdemeanor count of possession of a controlled substance. Boblick was also charged with a misdemeanor count of driving under the influence of a controlled substance and a summary county of unlawful activities.

In the affidavit of probably cause, Stamets said he was on a routine patrol in the 100 block of Railroad Street, Locust Gap, when he observed a dark blue Subaru Impreza STI owned by Aaron Profit, who is wanted for a felony warrant of possession with intent to deliver.

Stamets watched three men who entered the vehicle leave the village and drive east on Route 901.

Stamets identified the driver as Boblick, who was wanted on domestic incident charges, court documents said.

When Stamets pulled the vehicle over near Patterson Hardscape and Supply Co., he noticed the Boblick was moving and shifting around in the vehicle.

Boblick was made aware that he's wanted on domestic incident charges and was told to exit the vehicle. Boblick handed the car keys to Stamets and informed the officer the car belonged to Profit.

When Stamets put the keys in the ignition, he noticed a glass tube with a broken end and brown tar-like substance inside the tube.

Kulpmont Police Chief Michael Pitcavage offered to give Fetterolf a ride back to the Locust Gap if he needed it, but he would need to be checked for weapons before he would transport him, according to the affidavit.

Pitcavage said he saw a glass crack pipe sticking out from Fetterolf's right jeans pocket. Pitcavage said he found a 10-pack bag of needles, five hypodermic needles, a pipe containing burned and unburned marijuana, a black change purse containing six bags of heroin and a bag of bath salts in Fetterolf's other pockets.

All individuals were briefly taken back to Boblick's residence and then to the township police station.

Four bags of heroin, four empty bags, a pink plastic bag containing white powder and another small clear bag were found on David Peilowski, a passenger in the vehicle, police said.

Peilowski was not arraigned Monday and officers were not available to confirm if he would be charged at a later date.

Another bag of heroin was found in Fetterolf's pocket when he was searched at the police station, officers said.

Boblick refused to submit to chemical blood testing, police said.

Boblick and Fetterolf were arraigned by video at approximately 7:15 p.m., and Cashman set their bail at $50,000 straight cash each.

Their preliminary hearings are scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19, in front of Magisterial District Judge Hugh Jones, of Mount Carmel.

They were escorted to a police cruiser by Stamets and township Patrolman Matt Filarski and were taken to NCP for in lieu of bail.

Stamets said the owner of the vehicle can retrieve it from the township police station.James Anthony Fetterolf, 25, of 1835 Walnut St., Ashland, walks to a Mount Carmel Township Police cruiser at the department station Monday night following his arraignment by video conference on drug charges. Joseph Francis Boblick, 34, of 136 Railroad St., Locust Gap,, is escorted by Patrolmen Matt Filarski, left, and David Stamets, to a Mount Carmel Township Police cruiser at the department station Monday night following his arraignment by video conference on drug charges.