MANDATA - Northumberland County President Judge William H. Wiest gave the 75 members of the Line Mountain Class of 2014 three pieces of advice, summarized into three words each: "I'll be there," "Maybe you're right," and "Your heart knows."

Wiest told the graduates he was given a book titled "I dare you" as a child, which inspired him to reach for goals he might otherwise think are impossible to reach. He emphasized to the graduates that most of them might not know what they want to do with their lives, and that telling people "I don't know yet" is okay.

"You may not want a career," said Wiest. "The hardest thing you'll ever have to do is trust your gut."

Superintendent David Campbell barely contained his emotion as he accepted the presentation of the Class of 2014. His daughter, Hannah Lee Campbell, was among the students receiving diplomas.

He broke from the usual rituals to hold a moment of silence for D-Day, noting that the stadium's flag had been lowered to half-staff, and lead the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance.

"You are a unique class," said Campbell in his speech, noting the class's exemplary academic skills. "This is a very academic class. Sixteen percent of this class achieved honors."

Principal Jeffrey Roadcap also remarked on the graduates' commitment to academia, pointing out they voluntarily held class on Saturday to keep snow days from pushing back graduation.

Allison Wolfe, class president, kept the welcome address succinct, and Hannah Campbell, salutatorian, welcomed Wiest to the stage with a brief biography.

Valedictorian Paige Adams emphasized her commitment to her class in her speech.

"Our memories will forever bond us together," said Adams.

Troy Laudenslager, school board president, presented the students diplomas. The Line Mountain concert band performed "An American Elegy" by Frank Ticheli.

The ceremony lasted approximately 90 minutes.

Graduates

Jerid Anthony Adams, Paige Elizabeth Adams, Chelsea Nicole Bensinger, Colton Michael Bethge, Megen Amelia Bordner, Rayce Alan Boyer, Brandon Daniel Brill, Haillie Allison Brownawell, Hannah Lee Campbell, Matthew Tyler Derk, Bethanie Ruth Earlston, Brandon Edward Easton, Kaitlyn Elizabeth Erdman, Christopher James Feliciano, Lauren Giordani, Brent Matthew Heintzelman, Kylee Emma Heintzelman, Blayze Hayden Hommel, Brent Dallas Houser, Alyssa Nicole Johnston, Caleb Joshua Keefer, Kaitlyn Nicole Kembel, Collin Anthony Klinger, Dakota Jordan Klinger, Shannon Marie Koperna and Janessa Lynn Kosmer.

Madison Lyn Lagerman Janelle Nicole Lahr, Andrew Quinn Laudenslager, Shandi Elizabeth Lenker, Karissa Mae Lesher, Robert Ernest Logan, Dillon Jeffrey London, Brooke Logan Long, Kyle Andrew Lower, Chastin Alycia Lytle, Ethan Breck Marquette-Hulsizer, David Alexander Mojica, John Cruz Mojica Jr., Haley Kate Moyer, Conner Joseph Noblit, Olivia Jo Poltonavage, Kaleb Todd Portzline, Stephany Nicole Reader, Kelsea Marie Rebuck, Madeline Teresa Reed, Cheyenne Nichole Reitz, Heather Renee Rice and Cody Walter Romanoskie.

Kalan Mark Schlegel, Christy Lynn Schultz, Samuel Robert Scretching, Chase Mackenzie Selig, Eric Danile Shoop, Emily Marie Shrawder, Kennedy Jayne Smink, Jared Charles Specht, Derek James Spotts, Zachari Joshua Stiely, Braxton Nathaniel Strohecker, Courtlyn Alexis Trautman, Colleen Ann Troutman, Briana Nicole Janet Wagner, Falconer Jeffrey Walshaw-Wertz, Cory Dane Warford, Nathanial Craig Wetzel, Stephen Lamar Whitehead, Jessica Ann Wittig, Allison Taylor Wolfe, Mathew Charles Wolfe, Steven James Yost Jr., Indigo Skye Zerby, Colton James Zimmerman and Jessica Nichole Zimmerman.

All Saints

All Saints Evangelical Lutheran Church, 12th and Scott streets, Kulpmont.

Pastor - The Rev. Alfred J. Bashore.

Worship service - 9 a.m.

Participants - Richard Kovach, lector; Marsha Karnes, altar guild; Marsha Karnes or Richard Kovach, communion assistant.

The church will be closed June 15, 22 and 29 for vacation.

Augusta Baptist

Augusta Baptist Church, 1371 Boyles Run Road, Sunbury.

Pastor - Robert S. Commerford.

Sunday school - 9 a.m.

Morning worship - 10:15 a.m.

Evening service - 6:30 p.m.

Activities - Sunday, youth group, 6 p.m., kids club, 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday, Bible study and prayer meeting, 6:30 p.m.; fourth Thursday of the month, L.I.F.E. for seniors age 55 and up, noon.

Augustaville Wesleyan

Augustaville Wesleyan Church, 2556 State Route 890, Paxinos.

Pastor - Greg Clendaniel.

Sunday school - 9:30 a.m.

Worship service - 10:30 a.m.

Evening service - 6 p.m.

Activities - Wednesday, adult Bible study, children's ministry and youth Bible bowl, 7 p.m.

Bethany Bible

Bethany Bible Fellowship Church, 654 Wilburton Road, across from Mount Carmel Estates.

Pastor - Philip Norris.

Sunday school - 9:30 a.m.

Morning worship - 10:45 a.m.

Message - "Stand Fast in God's Grace."

Evening service in the pavilion - 6 p.m.

Message - "Healing the Lame Beggar."

Activities - Tuesday, Senior Saints fellowship at Pine Burr, 10 a.m.; Wednesday, children and youth programs and adult prayer and Bible study, 7 p.m.

Bethany EC

Bethany EC Church, 1238 Market St., Ashland.

Pastor - Mark Brownson.

Sunday school - 9:15 a.m. (adults and children).

Worship service - 10:30 a.m.

Activities - Wednesday, Bethany Bible club, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., kindergarten through sixth grade, prayer meeting, weekly, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.; free clothing closet, every first and third Saturday of each month, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Bethel Union

Bethel Union Chapel, West Cameron Township.

Pastor - Dave Butler.

Sunday school - 9:30 a.m. (all ages)

Morning worship - 10:30 a.m.

Evening worship ­- 6 p.m.

Activities - Tuesday, prayer worship, 6 p.m.; Wednesday, Bible study, 6 p.m.

Calvary Bible

Calvary Bible Fellowship Church, 35 S. Second St., Shamokin.

Pastor - Ferdie Madara.

Sunday school for all ages - 9:30 a.m.

Combined morning worship service - 9:30 to 11 a.m., with praise team and message by Pastor Madara. Graduates from the church will be honored.

There will be no evening service due to the church picnic

Church of Our Lady

Church of Our Lady, 47 S. Market St., Mount Carmel.

Pastor - The Rev. Francis J. Karwacki.

Deacon - The Rev. Mr. Martin McCarthy.

Weekday Masses - 8 a.m. Monday through Saturday.

Weekend Masses - Saturday, 4 p.m.; Sunday, 8:30 and 11 a.m.

Holy days of obligation - 6:30 p.m. on the eve, 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. on the holy day.

Confessions - Daily 7:30 to 7:55 a.m. including Saturday or any time by appointment; Saturday, 3 to 3:50 p.m.

Church of the Nazarene

Church of the Nazarene, Route 901, Lavelle.

Pastor - Jeremy Smallwood.

Sunday school classes for all ages - 9:30 a.m.

Worship service - 10:45 a.m.

Clark's Grove UMC

Clark's Grove United Methodist Church, Irish Valley Road, Paxinos. Handicapped accessible.

Pastor - Billy Frick.

Sunday school for all ages - 9 a.m.

Worship service - 10:10 a.m.

Youth service - 6:30 p.m.

Activities - Wednesday, prayer and Bible study, 6:30 p.m.

Divine Redeemer

Divine Redeemer Church, West Avenue and Poplar Street, Mount Carmel.

Administrator - The Rev. Martin O. Moran III.

Weekday Masses - Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 7 a.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m.

Weekend Masses - Saturday, 4 p.m. (Sunday obligation); Sunday, 8 and 10:30 a.m.

Holy day Masses - 6 p.m., eve of holy days. 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., holy day.

Confessions - Saturday, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.; after morning novena Wednesday, or any time by appointment.

Novenas - Monday, Miraculous Medal novena after morning Mass; Wednesday, St. Jude Thaddeus novena after morning Mass; Saturday, St. Francis novena after morning Mass.

Elysburg Alliance

Elysburg Alliance Church, 113 W. Alpha Ave., Elysburg.

Pastor - The Rev. Andrew Knisely.

Service - 8 and 10:30 a.m. Pastor Knisely.

Sunday school for all ages - 9:15 a.m.

Activities - Wednesday, Collide youth group for grades 6 to 12, 6:45 to 8:15 p.m. Basic Elements VBS, July 20 to 24, 6 to 8 p.m.

Elysburg Presbyterian

Elysburg Presbyterian Church, 320 W. Valley Ave. (Route 487), Elysburg.

Pastor - Matthew Young.

Sunday school for all ages - 9 a.m.

Worship service - 10:30 a.m. Nursery provided.

Scripture - Acts 2:1-21.

Message - "Pentecost!"

Musicians - Debbie Cecco, organist; Eileen Reigel, pianist.

Activities - Today, volunteer to serve at Elijah's Bowl, Sunbury, with at least eight adults needed for the meal to be served; Sunday, Lifetree Cafe, "Fatherless," 7 p.m.; Thursday, women's prayer group, 5:30 p.m., Staff meeting, 6:30 p.m.; Friday, Breakfast with Jesus Bible study, 8:30 a.m., family movie night - "Smitty", 7 p.m., Fifth Quarter - Movie on the Lawn, "To Save a Life" 9 p.m.; June 14, work camp group departs; July 13 to 15, community vacation Bible school, "Avalanche Ranch."

A group from the church will be attending Work Camp 2014 in Hamilton, Ohio, from June 14 to 21. Donations of paint brushes, paint roller covers, handles, trays and liners, painters tape, masks, sandpaper, drop cloths and rags. Anyone wishing to donate the items should bring them to the lobby by Sunday.

Elysburg UMC

Elysburg United Methodist Church, 171 W. Center St., Elysburg.

Pastor - The Rev. Michelle Beissel.

Morning worship - 8:30 a.m. Coffee fellowship to follow.

Adult Sunday school - 9:45 a.m.

Participants - Tom Wodzak, head usher; Dick and Carol Swank, greeters; Carole Swank, scripture reader; Cooper Rouse, acolyte; Olivia Bodner, organist; Joyce Rumberger, shepherding.

Activities - Wednesday, prayer circle, 10 a.m., UMW, 10:30 a.m.

Emmanuel UMC

Emmanuel United Methodist Church, 328 Center St., Coal Township.

Pastor - The Rev. Betty Ford.

Coffee fellowship - 8 to 9 a.m.

Worship - 9:30 a.m., with children's Sunday school.

Activities - Tuesday and Thursday, exercise class, 6:30 p.m.; third Wednesday of month, cookie ministry, 5 p.m.; second Saturday of the month, health screening, 8 to 10 a.m.; fourth Sunday of the month, movie night, 5 p.m.

Faith Bible

Faith Bible Church, Burnside.

Pastor - Perry Ross.

Pianist - Robert Witmer III.

Sunday school - 9:30 a.m.

Worship service - 10:30 a.m.

Evening service - 7 p.m.

Activities - Wednesday, Kids Club, Bible study and prayer, 7 p.m.

Faith Community Church

Pastor - Dale Hill, 570-751-5101.

Sunday worship - 10:30 a.m.

First Baptist, Shamokin

First Baptist Church, 10 E. Lincoln St., Shamokin.

Pastor - The Rev. Samuel Derr.

Church school - 9:45 a.m.

Morning worship - 10:45 a.m.

Choir organist - Judith Pensyl.

Evening service - 6 p.m.

Organist - Judith Pensyl.

Activities - Wednesday, choir rehearsal, 1 p.m., prayer, praise and testimony and Bible study, 7 p.m.

First Baptist, Trevorton

First Baptist Church of Trevorton, 510 S. Ninth St., Trevorton.

Pastor - Dan Conklin.

Sunday school - 9:30 a.m.

Morning worship - 10:40 a.m.

Evening service - 6 p.m.

Activities - Sunday, choir practice, 7 p.m.; Wednesday, 7 p.m.

­First Presbyterian

First Presbyterian Church, Sunbury and Liberty streets, Shamokin.

Minister - The Rev. Jim Phillips.

Worship - 10:30 a.m. with Holy Communion.

Participants - Bill Persing and Morris Gard, ushers/greeters; Noriene Ladd, organist; Mary Anne Stump, assistant organist; Andrew Ladd, acolyte; Charlene Lesher, Terry Persing and Wendy Wary, Sunday school/nursery; William Milbrand, choir director; William Persing Sr., sexton; Wendy Wary, secretary,

Activities - Sunday, Christian Education meeting following worship; Tuesday, Bible study, 6:30 p.m.; June 8, Church picnic at Knoebels, service at the park will be at 10 a.m., picnic at 11:30 a.m., please bring a covered dish to share; July 14 to 18, "Weird Animals" vacation Bible school, 6 to 8 p.m. Children 4-12 are welcome. Registration will be at 5:45 p.m.

First UMC, Mount Carmel

First United Methodist Church, 46 N. Hickory St., Mount Carmel.

Pastor - The Rev. Susan J. Roehs.

Worship service - 9:30 a.m. Eighth Sunday of Easter.

Sunday School - 9:45 a.m.

Sermon - "The Big Bang," by Pastors Roehs.

Participants - Sharon Styer, organist; Rick Schnee, head usher; Kevin Styer, sound technician; Anne Sauger, liturgist; Cameron Getty, acolyte; Rick Schnee, counter; Barb Malick, children's time.

Activities - Monday, trustee meeting, 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday, Brownie troop meeting, 6 p.m.; Al-Anon meeting in board room, 7 p.m.; Thursday, New Beginnings O.A., 7 p.m.

First UMC, Shamokin

First United Methodist Church, Sunbury Street, Shamokin.

Pastor - Zachary Hopple.

Adult and children's Sunday school - 9:15 a.m.

Worship service - 10:30 a.m.

Participants - Julie Kushner, liturgist; Betty Edwards and Susan Herman, greeters.

Activities - Monday, Bible study, in parlor, 6 p.m. Sharon Williams and Kay Berry will be on nursery duty.

God's Missionary Church

God's Missionary Church in the Valley, 768 Bear Valley Ave., Shamokin.

Pastor - The Rev. Howard R. McKenzie.

Sunday school - 9:45 a.m.

Sunday worship and children's church - 10:45 a.m.

Evening service - 6 p.m.

Activities - Thursday, prayer meeting, 7:30 p.m.

Good News Bible Church

Good News Bible church, 221 Main St., Locustdale.

Sunday worship - 3 p.m.

Speaker - Bob Keener speaking on "Ways to Show Love to Jesus", based on John 12:1-11.

Participants - Shirley Brass, prayer chain coordinator; Wes Brassington, deacon; Bob Keener, church ministry coordinator, and Jill Keener, music coordinator.

Good Shepherd

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 35 N. Ninth St., Ashland.

Pastor - The Rev. Dana Heckman-Beil.

Worship service - 9 a.m.

Grace Chapel

Grace Chapel, 126 Airport Road, Shamokin.

Pastor - Alan Langelli.

Sunday Bible fellowship groups for all ages - 9:30 a.m.

Sunday morning worship - 10:30 a.m.

Sunday evening worship/young couples' class/youth group/discovery station - 6:30 p.m.

Nursery care is provided for all Sunday services.

Activities - Every Monday and Thursday, ladies and men's Bible studies; Today, men's retreat; Wednesday, ladies' fellowship; Thursday, Men's prayer breakfast; June 15, CLD leader meeting; June 20, membership class; June 23-27, vacation Bible school; June 29, Missions Sunday. Call the church at (570) 648-0372 for info on activities.

Grace Evangelical

Grace Evangelical Independent Church, Locustdale.

Pastor - The Rev. Rose Marquardt.

Sunday school - 9:45 a.m.

Worship service - 11 a.m.

Children's Sunday school - 11 a.m.

Grace Lutheran, Shamokin

Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, 10 S. Seventh St., Shamokin.

Pastor - The Rev. David M. Byerly.

Worship service - 10:15 a.m. Service of word and sacrament.

No adult Sunday school for the summer.

Participants - Jeffrey Clutcher, worship assistant; Tyler Keiser, acolyte/crucifer; Willie Marsh and Susan Portzline, communion bearers; Joan Lineweaver, altar care; Kathleen Madara and Treva Madison, greeters; Ron Weller, driver, and Mr. and Mrs. Harry Deitz, Mr. and Mrs. David Hand, Mr. and Mrs. William Joraskie, Joan Lineweaver, Roger Giffin and Mr. and Mrs. Barry Schleig and Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Romanic, ushers; Walter Boyer, organist, and Charlene Pell, choir director and cantor.

Activities - Tuesday, Mary-Martha Dinner, OIP, 6 p.m.

Grace Lutheran, Mount Carmel

Grace Lutheran Church, 146 W. Avenue, Mount Carmel.

Interim pastor - The Rev. Alfred Bashore.

The Sunday of Pentecost.

Service with communion - 10:45 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church.

Guest speaker - The Rev. Robert Logan.

Participants - Linda Rubendall, organist; Zachary Hunter, lector; William Brass, president and usher; Charles Barnes, bell ringer,

Note - Services for June will be at Grace Lutheran Church.

Grace UCC

Grace United Church of Christ, Third and Market streets, Mount Carmel.

Pastor - The Rev. Joan A. Brown.

Morning worship - 9 a.m.

Sunday school - 9 a.m.

Activities - Aug. 2, Sight and Sound bus trip to see Moses.

Harvest Worship

Harvest Worship Ministries, 2079 Upper Road, West Cameron Township, 570-850-4280, harvestworshipministries.com

Pastor - Sandy Wary.

Sunday school - 9:30 a.m.

Worship service - 10:30 a.m.

Hidden Valley

Hidden Valley Community Church, 162 Hidden Valley Lane, Mifflinburg. A non-denominational Bible church.

Pastor - Gary L. Owens.

Pastor Gary can be reached by calling the office at 570-966-1330, or by cell at 570-486-3967.

Himmel's Church

Himmel's Church, 107 Covered Bridge Road, Dornsife.

Pastor - Jane H. Compton.

Sunday school - 9 a.m.

Worship service - 10:15 a.m.

Communion is celebrated the first Sunday of every month.

Activities - June 15, outdoor service in the picnic grove; July 20, outdoor service in the picnic grove; Aug. 25, outdoor service in the picnic grove.

Holy Angels

Holy Angels Church, 855 Scott St., Kulpmont.

Pastor - The Rev. Andrew Stahmer.

Confessions - Saturday, 4 to 5 p.m.

Weekday Masses - Monday and Thursday, 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 8 a.m.

Weekend Masses of obligation - Saturday, 5:30 p.m.; Sunday, 8:30 and 10:30 a.m.

Activities - Saturday, blessing of the motorcycles in the parking lot, 9 a.m.; Sunday, Holy Name Society at the 8:30 a.m. Mass with meeting to follow, PREP classes for grades 6-8, 9 a.m.; Monday, prep classes for grades 1-5, 5:30 p.m.; Tuesday, bingo in activity center. Doors open 4:30 p.m. Games begin at 6 p.m.

Holy Trinity

Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 150 E. Lincoln Street, Shamokin.

Clergy - The Rev. Frederic G. Stevenson, rector, and Deacon Richard Hazzard.

Sunday worship - 10 a.m. with holy eucharist. Children's Sunday school during worship. Coffee hour and vestry meeting following worship.

Participants - Esther Bashore, greeter; Frank Zaretski, lector; Linda Riley intercessor; Sunday School children, oblations; Chester Wolfe and Oliver Fesniak, ushers; Joshua Bashore, Hannah Bashore and Kyrstin Kinnaman, altar servers, and Grethel Vinup, organist.

Activities - Wednesday, holy eucharist and healing, 10 a.m.

Hope Community Church

Hope Community Church, non-denominational Bible church, 551 W. Fourth St., Mount Carmel.

Pastor - Dan Renno.

Christian education for all ages - 9 a.m.

Fellowship time - 9:45 a.m.

Praise and worship service - 10:15 a.m.

Johnston City UMC

Johnston City United Methodist Church, 200 Main St., Ranshaw.

Pastor - Dan Siddle.

Worship service - 10 a.m.

Worship leaders - Barbara Cummings and Janette Nute, greeters; Rena Keegan and Jane Klembara, acolytes; June Ramer, Rena Keegan and Janette Nute, ushers; June Ramer, Jane Klembara, Rena Keegan and Myra Golden, liturgists; Jane Klembara, musician; Pastor Siddle, speaker.

Miller's Crossroads

Miller's Crossroads UMC, 1929 Plum Creek Road, Stonington, Sunbury RR 4.

Pastor - Michelle Beissel.

Sunday school - 9 a.m.

Worship service - 10:15 a.m.

Participants - Betsy Bradigan, organist.

Ministry of the Water and Spirit

Ministry of the Water and Spirit Church

Pastor - James Bowers.

Sunday service - 10 a.m., pastor's home, 829 W. Pine St., Coal Township.

God's Chuck Wagon is an outreach of the Ministry of the Water and Spirit.

Mother Cabrini

Mother Cabrini Church, North Shamokin Street, Shamokin.

Pastor - The Rev. Martin Kobos, O.F.M., Conv.

Parochial vicar - Adam Ziolkowski, O.F.M., Conv.

Sunday Masses - Saturday, 4 p.m.; Sunday, 7, 9 and 11 a,m.

Confessions - Daily, 7:30 to 7:50 a.m.; Saturday, 3 to 3:45 p.m.

Activities - Sunday, Pentecost Sunday, Knights of Columbus chicken BBQ at the Mother Cabrini shed, Webster Street, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Monday, bingo in the church hall, 6:15 p.m.; Friday, Feast of St. Anthony of Padua, annual parish picnic at RCA picnic grounds, Ranshaw.

Novena to St. Anthony, Sunday through Thursday following 8 a.m. Mass.

Picnic food prep at the shed continues Monday through Thursday, following 8 a.m. Mass. Picnic grounds setup, 9 a.m. at the shed and the RCA picnic grounds, volunteers and trucks needed, Wednesday through Friday.

Communion calls to the scheduled parish homebound, Tuesday and Wednesday.

Mountainside

Mountainside Assembly of God, 1900 Trevorton Road, Coal Township.

Pastor - The Rev. Richard H. Earl.

Coffee and breakfast snacks for all - 9 a.m.

LIFEQuest Sunday school classes for all ages - 9:30 a.m., with nursery available.

Morning worship - 10:30 a.m. Nursery and children's church.

Youth night - bi-weekly at 5 p.m.

Activities - Wednesday, adult prayer and Bible study, Royal Rangers, ages 5 to 18, and girls ministry, 6:30 p.m. Coffee served.

Monthly activities - First Sunday, communion and children's sermon, during 10:30 a.m. service; prayer burst on the first Sunday night of the month, 6 p.m.; second Tuesday, Women of Purpose meeting, 7 p.m.

Mount Zion

Mount Zion Welsh Congregational United Church of Christ, Grant and Church streets, Shamokin.

Pastor - Gerald Lloyd Jr.

Worship service - 10:30 a.m.

Scripture - Acts 2:1-21, John 7: 37-39.

Sermon - "Spirit Poured Out."

Participants - Philip Maue, organist.

Sacrament of holy communion is celebrated the first Sunday of every month.

CONTINUED, PAGE 9

New Life Church

New Life Church of God, 129 W. Second St., Mount Carmel.

Interim pastor - The Rev. John D. Ashbaugh.

Sunday school - 9:30 a.m.

Worship service - 10:30 a.m.

Junior church and nursery available. Handicapped accessible, wheelchair available, church side/back entrance.

Activities - Prayer room open mornings; prayer, fellowship and coffee, Saturdays, 9 a.m.; June 22, evening praise and worship service, 7 p.m.

Oak Grove UMC

Oak Grove United Methodist Church, Marley Road, Overlook.

Pastor - The Rev. Zachary Hopple.

Worship - 9 a.m.

Sunday school for all ages - 10:35 a.m.

Activities - Monday, Bible study, 6 p.m., at First United Methodist Church; Thursday, free karate classes at church, children ages 5 to 12, 6;30 to 7:15 p.m.; 13 and up, 7:30 p.m.; Open Arms outreach, 6 to 8 p.m., first and third Fridays of the month.

Our Lady of Hope

Our Lady of Hope Parish, Chestnut and First streets, Coal Township.

Pastor - The Rev. Steven G. Frenier, OFM Conv.

Daily Masses - Monday through Friday, 7 a.m., Holy Spirit Chapel.

Weekend Masses - Saturday, 4 p.m.; Sunday, 7 and 11 a.m.

Holy day of obligation Mass - 5:30 p.m. Vigil Mass and 7 a.m. morning of the Holy Day.

Sacrament of reconciliation - Saturday, 3 to 3:45 p.m.

Peifer's Evangelical

Peifer's Evangelical Congregational Church, Mandata Road, Herndon.

Pastor - Bradley D. Hatter.

Sunday school - 9 a.m.

Worship - 10:30 a.m.

Queen of the Most Holy Rosary

Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Church, 599 W. Center St., Elysburg.

Pastor - The Rev. Alfred P. Sceski.

Masses - Weekdays, 8 a.m.; Saturday, 5 p.m.; Sunday, 8 and 10:30 a.m.

Confessions - Saturday, 4 to 4:30 p.m.

Restoration Ministries

Restoration Ministries Church, 525 W. Chestnut St., Shamokin.

Pastor - Paul K. Eby.

Pre-service prayer - 9 a.m.

Sunday school - 9:30 a.m. for all ages, JoAnne Long, superintendent.

Sunday worship service - 10:30 a.m. Pastor Paul will speak. The worship team will lead praise and worship. Special prayer will be available. Nursery care will also be available.

Children's church - 11:15 a.m. for ages 4 through 11, directed by Shirley Cintron.

Student Life Ministry youth service - 6:30 p.m. for all teens ages 12 to 18.

Activities - Monday, soup kitchen, 5 to 6 p.m.; Tuesday, cross training youth disciple class, dinner at 3 p.m., class taught by Fran Jones from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.; Saturday, Soul Seekers group for ages 18 and older, 7 p.m.

St. John Lutheran

St. John Lutheran, 29 High Road Danville.

Pastor - Kris Brown.

Day of Pentecost.

Sunday school - 9:15 a.m.

Worship service - 10:30 a.m.

Participants - Pat Burlone, lector; Connie Shulski, organist; Pastor Kris Brown, worship leader.

St. John's UCC

St. John's United Church of Christ, 117 N. Eighth St., Shamokin

Pastor - The Rev. Robert B. Peiffer.

Message - "I Will Pour Out My Spirit on All People."

Contemporary service - 9 a.m. in fellowship hall.

Special music - Praise team.

Coffee social hour - 10 a.m. in fellowship hall.

Traditional service - 11 a.m. in sanctuary. The Rite of Confirmation will be celebrated with Brianna Bendas, Abbey DiOrio and Xarvier Lehman during the service.

Special music - "O Bless the Lord , My Soul" by Angela Braun and David Spotts and "Blessed Assurance" by Eugene C. Boughner.

Children's message - Sherry Romanoskie

Participants - Margaret Morris, organist; Maxine Harvey, pianist; Lisa Newton, lay reader; Michael Newton, acolyte.

Activities - Monday, Lay Life and Work Committee meeting, 6 p.m.; Wednesday, Strawberry Festival in fellowship hall, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Bible study, 6:30 p.m., Holy Communion, 7:30 p.m.; Thursday, praise team practice, 6 p.m., Consistory meeting, 7 p.m.

WISL1480.com airs "Porch Talk," a St. John's produced discussion program, every Saturday morning at 10 a.m.

St. John's UMC

St. John's United Methodist Church, 1211 W. Arch St., Coal Township.

Pastor - The Rev. Karyn Fisher.

Lay leader - Paul Stehman.

Worship - 9 a.m. Children's church at 9:20 a.m.

Sunday school for all ages - 10:30 a.m.

Activities - Tuesday, men's group, 6 p.m. banner buddies; Wednesday, prayer, praise and study on the Book of James, 6:30 p.m.; Friday, Narcotics Anonymous in lower level, 8 p.m.; June 1, community prayer walk, 10:30 a.m.; June 15, recognition of graduates, 9 a.m.; July 20-25, SonTreasure Island Vacation Bible School, 6 to 8 p.m.

St. Joseph's Church

St. Joseph's Church, 11th and Walnut streets, Ashland.

Pastor - The Rev. John W. Bambrick.

Sister Elizabeth Kealy, IHM, director of religious education.

Confessions - Saturday, 3 to 3:30 p.m. Any time by appointment.

Rosary prayed before all Masses.

Mass schedule - Today, 4 p.m. (Vigil for Sunday); Sunday, 8:30 a.m.; Monday and Tuesday, 8 a.m.; Wednesday, adoration all day from 9 a.m., concluding with night prayers, benediction and Miraculous Medal devotions at 4:45 p.m., Mass at 5 p.m.; Thursday, 8 a.m.; Friday, noon; first Fridays Sacred Heart devotions.

St. Ann's Chapel, open each day for prayer. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Wednesday, 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon; Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

St. Mark Lutheran

St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 225 N. Market St., Elysburg.

Interim pastor - Kris Brown.

Day of Pentecost.

Worship service - 9 a.m.

Participants - Pastor Brown, worship leader; Connie Shulski, organist.

Activities - Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Elysburg senior center open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Wednesday, AA, 7 p.m.; Thursday, Boy Scouts, 8 p.m.

St. Matthew Lutheran

St. Matthew (Slovak) Lutheran Church, 301 W. Avenue, Mount Carmel.

Interim pastor - The Rev. Alfred Bashore.

Service with communion - 10:45 a.m.

Day of Pentecost.

Guest speaker - The Rev. Robert Logan.

Services for June are being held at Grace Lutheran Church.

St. Michael Orthodox

St. Michael's Orthodox Church, 131 N. Willow St., Mount Carmel.

Pastor - The Very Rev. Michael H. Evans.

Divine liturgy - 9 a.m.

St. Patrick

St. Patrick Church, 331 W. Shamokin St., Trevorton.

Pastor - The Rev. Steven G. Frenier, OFM Conv.

Weekend Mass - Sunday, 9 a.m.

Weekday Mass - 8 a.m. Wednesday.

Sacrament of reconciliation - Wednesday after morning Mass or during the day.

St. Paul Lutheran

St. Paul Lutheran Church, 4663 Upper Road, Gowen City.

Pastor - The Rev. David M. Byerly.

Service of word and sacrament - 8:15 a.m.

Participants - Stephanie Boyer, lector; Claire Bonshock and Stephanie Boyer, communion assistants; Brianna Wengrenovich, acolyte/crucifer; Walter Boyer, organist and choir director.

St. Paul's Reformed

St. Paul's Reformed United Church of Christ, Gowen City.

Pastor - Jerry Schlegel.

Worship time - 9 a.m.

Scripture - Malachi 3:7-12.

Message - "The Myth About Money."

Participants - Cliff Artman, organist.

St. Pauline Visintainer

St. Pauline Visintainer Center, 1150 Chestnut St., Box 115, Kulpmont.

"Chapel of the Crucified."

Eucharistic adoration - Friday, noon to midnight, and Saturday, 6 to 7 p.m.

St. Pauline Visintainer Center, open Saturday, Sunday, noon to 6 p.m.

Relics on display of Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, spouse of Mary, and St. Peter Apostle.

St. Peter's Lutheran

St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Aristes.

Service and sacrament of holy communion - 9 a.m.

Participants - Linda Rubendall, organist; Carol Buffington, choir director, Gloria Klemas, lector.

SS Peter and Paul

SS Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church, Avenue and Beech Street, Mount Carmel.

Pastor - The Very Rev. Archpriest Michael Hutsko.

Confessions - Saturday, 3:15 p.m., and Sunday, 8:15 a.m.

Weekday divine liturgies - 8 a.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Weekend divine liturgies - 4 p.m. Saturday and 9:15 a.m. Sunday.

Religious education classes - 6 to 7:15 p.m. Monday.

St. Peter's UCC

St. Peter's United Church of Christ, Overlook.

Pastor - Paul T. Gurba Jr.

Morning worship - 8:30 a.m.

Sermon title - "Living Without Distraction."

Verse of the day - 1 Corinthians 7:35c - "... that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction."

Organist - Virginia Nefsky.

St. Stephen's

St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Fourth and Maple streets, Mount Carmel.

Clergy - The Rev. Frederic Stevenson.

Service 8:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist.

Handicapped accessible.

Second Saturday, 5 p.m., Holy Eucharist at the St. Stephen Center.

Salem UCC

Salem United Church of Christ, 1300 W. Pine St., Coal Township.

Pastor - The Rev. Jean Eckrod.

Morning worship - 10 a.m.

Participants - Taylor Kashner, acolyte; Grace Stank, lay leader; Julie Updegrove and JudyLynn Weaver, beginners class; Barbara Skrivanek, junior class; Carolyn Weaver, organist; Sophie Rossnock and Michael Toter, greeters; Larry Diorio, lighting/sound; MacKenzie Glosek, Abigail Nye, Brooke Strausser, Michael Toter and George Zalar, ushers.

Sacrament of Holy Communion will be celebrated at 10 a.m. service.

A quiet room for young infants and nursery care for infants and toddlers is available during the morning worship hour at 10 a.m. Christian education is provided for children ages 3 to 12 immediately after children's time at the beginning of the worship service.

Activities - Tuesday, Canasta Club at 1:30 p.m.; Wednesday, Senior Day at A Taste of Italy in Berwick. Leaving the church at 11:15 a.m.

Salvation Army

Christian Enrichment Center, 1300 W. Spruce St., Coal Township.

Commanding officer - Maj. Tina Streck.

Holiness meeting (worship) - 9:30 a.m.

Sunday school - 10:45 a.m.

Seibert Evangelical

Seibert Evangelical Congregational Church, Route 147, Herndon.

Pastor - Bradley D. Hatter.

Worship - 9 a.m.

Sunday school - 10:15 a.m.

Seventh Street

Seventh Street Primitive Methodist Church, 34 N. Seventh St., Shamokin.

Pastor - The Rev. David Wildoner.

Sunday school - 10 a.m.

Morning worship and children's church - 11 a.m.

A nursery is available for children birth of age 5 during morning worship service and children's church is available for children over 5 with focus on lessons from the Bible.

Shamokin Alliance

Shamokin Christian and Missionary Alliance Church, Second and Arch streets, Shamokin.

Pastor - Samuel Bellavia.

Sunday school - 9:45 a.m. Classes available for all ages.

Worship services - 8:30 and 10:50 a.m.

Wednesday ministries - 6 to 7:30 p.m,. Age range is four to high school senior.

Evening service - 7 p.m.

Offered are small groups and cottage prayer meetings for adults. Contact church at 570-644-1718 for information.

Shamokin Seventh-Day Adventist

Shamokin Seventh Day Adventist Church, 7 E. Sunbury St., Shamokin (former Jewish synagogue), 570-648-7770.

Pastor - John Peters.

Saturday sabbath school - 9:30 a.m., with classes for children and adults.

Saturday worship - 11 a.m.

Tuesday, Bible studies, 5 p.m.

Stonington Baptist

Stonington Baptist Church, Hosta Road, Paxinos.

Pastor - The Rev. J. Douglas Hallman.

Sunday school - 9 a.m.

Morning worship - 10 a.m.

Evening service - 6 p.m.

Activities - Wednesday, AWANA clubs for children in kindergarten through sixth grade and Word of Life clubs for grades 7 to 12, 6:30 p.m., prayer service, 7 p.m.

Trevorton UMC

Trevorton United Methodist Church, Shamokin Street, Trevorton,

Pastor - The Rev. Al Schell Jr.

Sunday school - 9:30 a.m.

Worship service - 10:45 a.m.

Nancy Korenkiewicz, pianist, organist and choir director.

Activities - Thursdays, Bible study taught by Roxanne Klinger, 7 p.m.; second Tuesday of month, United Methodist Women, 7 p.m.

Trinity Evangelical

Trinity Evangelical Congregational Church, 28 W. Arch St., Shamokin.

Pastor - The Rev. Brian C. Betsworth.

Sunday school - 9:50 a.m.

Worship service - 11 a.m.

Activities - Wednesday, prayer and Bible study, 7 p.m. Recovery in Christ, a new Bible-based 12-step support group, 6 p.m., Wednesdays. For more information, call Betsworth at 570-648-1682.

Trinity Lutheran

Trinity Lutheran Church, 65 E. Sunbury St., Shamokin.

Pastor - The Rev. David Hauck.

Worship service - 10 a.m.

Guest speakers - Pastor Brian Palmer and his wife, missionaries to Liberia.

Participants - Shannon Levi, lector; Darian Jones, communion assistant; Corey Levi, cantor; Jan Morrison, organist; Andrew Jones, acolyte; Don and Sue Ponatoski, altar guild; Carol Eidam, counter.

True Grace

True Grace Bible Ministry, 950 W. Arch St., Coal Township.

Pastor/teacher - Michael Marcheskie.

Sunday school - 9:30 a.m.

Sunday service - 10:30 a.m., with children's study time.

United Presbyterian

United Presbyterian Church, 100 E. Fifth St., Mount Carmel.

Worship service - 11 a.m.

Message - "Do You Know Him?"

Scripture - John 14:12-18.

Participants - Dale Schimpf, organist; Deb Wydra, acolyte; Ellsworth George, Andrew Mekosh and Robert Shaw, ushers; Dorothy Snyder, greeter.

Activities - Wednesday, Westminster meeting, 7 p.m.

Victory Bible Church

Victory Bible Church, Snydertown Highway, three miles from Elysburg.

Pastor - Kevin Kline.

Worship - 10 a.m., with Sunday school for youth at the same time.

Evening worship - 7 p.m.

Wilburton UMC

Wilburton United Methodist Church, Wilburton.

Pastor - Rose M. Marquardt.

Worship service - 8:45 a.m.

Children's Sunday school - 10 a.m.

Zion UMC

Zion United Methodist Church, Aristes.

Pastor - The Rev. Rose M. Marquardt.

Worship service - 9:50 a.m.

Children's Sunday school - 10 a.m.

Zion Methodist

Zion United Methodist Church, Trevorton Road, Coal Township.

Pastor - The Rev. Betty Ford.

Sunday school - 10:30 a.m.

Worship - 11 a.m.

Activities - Wednesday, Bible study, 1 p.n., first Tuesday of month, United Methodist Women, 7 p.m.

SUNBURY - The Northumberland County prothonotary warns of a computer scam in which an email about false court cases could compromise the recipient's computer and personal information.

Justin Dunkelberger, prothonotary and clerk of courts, issued a media advisory Friday explaining that emails containing subject lines such as "Hearing for your case in Court" or "Notice to Appear in Court" could contain a computer virus.

By opening an attachment or clicking a link within the email, the virus is triggered and could allow someone remote access to a computer or handheld device, allowing online activities to be tracked or for personal and financial information to be stolen.

An example: "Notice to appear, Hereby you are notified that you have been scheduled to appear for your hearing that will take place in court of Washington in January 9, 2014 at 10:00 a.m.. ... The copy of the court notice is attached to this letter. Please read it thoroughly. ... Yours truly, Alison Smith, Clerk of the Court."

Recipients are cautioned to not open any attachments, to not click any links and to not unsubscribe. Doing so may install the virus. Simply delete the email.

Summer school starts

Shamokin Area summer school will begin Monday, June 16, and conclude Thursday, July 17, for students in grades 7 to 12.

Courses will be offered in math, science, social studies, language arts and PE/health.

For more information, contact the guidance department at the middle/high school at 570-648-5731.

MOUNT CARMEL - Friday was a time to look back to the past and peer ahead to the future for the 109 graduating seniors of Mount Carmel Area High School.

Commencement speaker Charles M. Sacavage, who stood at the high school's podium 50 years ago as the valedictorian of the Class of 1964, said today's graduates are going out into a world that is changing exponentially. "I graduated from Mount Carmel High School 50 years ago into a nation and a world still suffering from the shock of John F. Kennedy's assassination," Sacavage said. "'Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country' rang out in January of my freshman year."

Sacavage wondered what happened to that unlimited vision of America. He said some of it died in Dallas, while more of it died in the rice paddies and jungles of Vietnam, the kitchen of the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles and a Memphis motel balcony.

"The unlimited vision of America was gone and the Class of 2014 was born into a seemingly rudderless nation drifting and searching for an American that would or could never be the same," he said. "Victims along with Martin, Bobby and John were Ozzie and Harriet and June and Ward Cleaver. The mythical family in which I had grown up in the 1950s has given way to almost every conceivable 'family' combination imaginable."

'Continue to invest'

Sacavage challenged the graduates to make good on the investments the teachers, administrators and parents have made in them by keeping the investment current.

"Seek out and accept every opportunity to further your education. Make good on our investment. Have the same pride in yourself that we have in you this evening," he said. "Whether it is college, technical school, military service or the job market, our investment in your will pay major dividends only if you also continue to invest."

Alison Varano, the valedictorian of the class of 2014, gave her fellow graduates a look into a future based on their high school careers, showing they have one thing in common - where they grew up.

"As we all move on to bigger and better things, I want us to remember where we came from. Growing up in a small town has allowed us to all know each other pretty well, and sometimes maybe too well. I want us all to remember the memories together, the good or the bad," Varano said.

Varano said the ceremony could be the last time the class is together. She asked her classmates to find something they are passionate about.

"Believe in yourself, and work as hard as possible to achieve your goals. I hope whatever that may be, that you will find success and happiness in life," she said.

'Your own inner voice'

Class vice-president Cody Deitz gave the welcome speech. He thanks the parents, family and friends of the class for guidance and patience and the staff, crew and school board for making graduation night happen.

He then turned to his left and addressed the teachers sitting near the stage.

"This group of intellectual individuals is the reason all of these graduates are sitting here in front of us today. They are our friends, our family, and as a future teacher myself, role models for the students that walk into their classrooms every day. They have made the possibility of our future become a reality, and we wouldn't be here without their generosity and help," Deitz said.

To his fellow classmates, Deitz quoted former Apple chairman Steve Jobs who said, "Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice."

"We need to find that spark of individuality that we all have and act upon it. It is what is different about us that makes us special. We need to listen to our hearts and we need to listen to our inner thoughts."

In his salutatory address, Bryce Fiamoncini discussed the three qualities he feels one must possess to be accomplished in life: academic excellence, determination and character.

"We are ultimately responsible for our own character, how we want to be portrayed and also how we want to be remembered at MCA," Fiamoncini said.

Fiamoncini left the graduates some final thoughts, all centered around the word "believe."

"Believe that Mount Carmel Area has provided the academic and social foundation for you to excel in any aspect of life. Believe that your family will always be there for you as you embark upon your new challenges and endeavors. Believe that the friends who have touched your life while at MCA will always hold a special place in your hearts. Lastly, believe that your individual character and integrity will take you through the next chapter of your life," Fiamoncini said.

Remembrances

The ceremony also featured several touching moments, including a standing ovation for the memory of Mildred Repella, who in 2005 established a scholarship trust in memory of her husband, Michael, which awards five $10,000 scholarships to deserving graduates every year. She passed away in August.

The award winners, announced at the graduation ceremony, presented roses to the Repella family members while the audience and graduates stood and applauded.

Honorary grad

Also receiving a standing ovation was veteran Michael J. Boylan, a special guest of the Mount Carmel Area School District, who served in the U.S. Army 1st Calvary Division, second battalion, and was a member of the old guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. He attained the rank of sergeant.

Boylan, of Mount Carmel, volunteered for combat service in Korea in 1951 and was seriously wounded in a missile attack Oct. 4, 1951, in Sinchun, North Korea. He was awarded the Purple Heart, Combat Infantry Badge, Korean Service Medal, four Bronze Star, Good Conduct Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.

On Friday, he added another accolade when school board president Thomas Ditchey awarded Boylan with an honorary diploma from Mount Carmel Area High School.

When asked how he felt following the ceremony, Boylan merely said, "Surprised," before going back to celebrating the honor with his family in attendance.

Graduates

Andrew J. Allen, Sabrina M. Allen, Bryan E. Artman, Caitlyn J. Avellino, Joseph A. Bergan, Nicholas M. Bozza Jr., Gary T. Bregensir III, Olivia Bressi-Harman, Nicole A. Brosius, Dakota Brzostowski, Haidenne D. Phoung Bui, Bret M. Casper, Briana M. Chapman, Dylan R. Combs, Cody M. Deitz, Shawn M. Deromedi, Pamela A. Dobak, Jennifer Drumheller, Luke T. Duceman, Richard Dutter, Jason F. Eichelberger, Damion C. Emburg, Thomas J. Evans III, John J. Fetterolf, Bryce E. Fiamoncini, Eric Fletcher, Heidi C. Fletcher and Kirsten E. Gallagher.

Jessie A. J. Lynn Gibson, Jonathan W. Golazeski, Michael J. Grabowski, Sonya N. Grohowski, Brittany E. Gummel, Derek J. Harring, Lauren V. Hause, Angelina E. Herman, Annah-Marie Hinkle, Cory S. Hoffman, Jesse G. Hoffman, Jonathan M. Hojknowski, Cassandra M. M. Holmes, Darla C. Hood, Paige A. Hornung, Kaitlin A. Horsfield, Natalie R. R. Jackson, Jacob E. Jones, Jasmine C. Jones, Jenna N. Jurasich, Brandon J. Kinn, Robert C. Klingler, Lauren N. Krah, Michael D. Leaveck, Jayme N. Lentini, Brianna V. Lutz and Braden C. Maiese.

Kaitlin M. Malia, Desaree E. Malick, Kassondra M. Martz, Marcus C. Maschal, Chelsea M. Matos, David B. Menko, Trey A. Milewski, Kaitlyn F. Milo, Angela M. Minnig, Joseph M. Mirarck, Morgan M. Miriello, Samantha M. Miscavage, Randy E. Moyer, Alex J. Mrozek, Dustin J. Murray, Stephanie M. Neidig, Sierra A. Nolter, Brennan D. Okronglis, Jessica Pachuski, Emily Dianne Padula, Jonathan C. Phillipine, Sheyanne A. Poe, Gabrielle Ann Poplaski, Kyle C. Price, Heather C. Raker, Anna-Marie Zakeaya Raybuck and Allison Katrina Reinhardt.

Nikki Ann Santangelo, Karena N. Schmidt, Benjamin J. Scicchitano, Erin Scicchitano, Brandon M. Smallets, Brett M. Snyder, Nicholas A. Stancavage, Taylor A. Stefovic, Domenico A. Stellar, Brock J. Susnoskie, Coral A. Swank, Daniel J. Swatsky, Troy M. Tafner, Derek M. Thomas, Zachary Lee Thomas, Brandon C. Toter, Alison T. Varano, Faith C. Vernon, Zachary Victor Wasilewski, Justin Weaver, Jenna M. Weikel, Joseph R. Yeager, Brandon L. Young, Samantha M. Zanni, Joel S. Ziegert, Brett T. Zosh and Ezekiel Zsido.

MOUNT CARMEL - When the Mount Carmel Celebration of Special Athletes was first started, 30 athletes competed in the inaugural event.

On Saturday, the 20th anniversary of its founding, more than 300 special athletes marched in the opening ceremony parade at the Silver Bowl ready to participate in various events through the stadium grounds.

"Every one of you who participates are all special athletes, don't let anyone tell you different," said founder Ron Tanney. "It's not Michael Jordan or any other person, it's all of you."

Since its beginning in 1994, the celebration has given those with disabilities the chance to play the morning away, participating in such events as the frisbee throw, long jump, soccer kick and softball toss. Volunteers help out with the event and lead the athletes around to let them participate as many times they want.

'A great event'

During the event's opening ceremony, Northumberland County Commissioners Stephen Bridy and Rick Shoch each made a few remarks.

"I was recently in a major city and was amazed to see everyone with some kind of ear buds or headphones, and I was thankful to be in this community and area where people will reach out a helping hand and come together for such a great event like this," Bridy said.

"It is amazing to see this event grow to welcome more than 300 athletes from multiple counties to Mount Carmel for such a great day. I thank everyone involved for creating such a great event," Shoch said.

Tara Avellino, the organizer for event, thanked the more than 200 volunteers working to plan and put on the event. She then gave special recognition to Tanney and Ray Moncavage for their support of the event.

"It was a small group of volunteers that sat in Ron Tanney's living room and worked on the plans for this celebration," Avellino said. "Ray Moncavage here was Ron's right-hand man and they worked to create what we see here today that has grown stronger over the last 20 years."

Avellino then presented special plaques to Tanney and Moncavage and flowers to their wives.

Following remarks from Mount Carmel Mayor Philip Cimino, a musical selection by Kiersten Gallagher and the ribbon cutting by athlete William Bressi, the games were underway.

When they were done competing, athletes could win prizes at the duck drop game or check out displays of the Clover Hose Fire Company engine and motorcycles from the Unknown Riders Motorcycle Club.

Special thanks

Organizers thanked the Mount Carmel Area School District and high school band for their support, Northumberland County, Clover Hose Fire Company, AREA Ambulance and local medical and emergency units, Mount Carmel Police and fire police, all the event captains, coaches and field personnel, Academy Sports Center, Reinhart Foods, John Koschoff and Company, MC Coney, Mattucci's Willow Cafe, Hollywood Pizza and Bakery, Pete's Restaurant and Pizzeria, Village Towne Restaurant , Vine Street Subs, The Bull Pen, RMC Rental Inc, Subway, Stan Wood Products, Vince Rawa of Tastykake, DJ JR Lazer, Holsum Bakery, Flowers from the Heart, the Mount Carmel Joint Veterans Honor Guard and Northwestern Academy.

SHAMOKIN - If anyone understands that the cat infestation in Shamokin is a multifaceted problem, it's Rick Bozza.

As the city's code officer, Bozza deals with the side effects of the estimated 400 to 600 feral cats that have made Shamokin their home.

In a May 9 story, The News-Item reported that Bozza was eyeing an ordinance passed by the Northumberland Borough requiring cat licenses, spaying and neutering and leashing cats while outdoors. The ordinance would also ban outdoor feeding and create a system of euthanizing feral cats.

In the past month, the public has responded with calls and emails to Bozza's office. According to Bozza, the majority of messages he's received have been in support of his proposal. Additionally, a representative of PETA called him in support of the proposal.

Bozza's stance on the issue has not changed.

"I grew up with cats in my house. There's a time and a place for them," said Bozza. "If you want to keep the cats, that's fine. Put a collar on them and get a license."

Bozza has also been the recipient of a petition, created through Change.org, that hosts nearly 1,700 signatures.

The petition, titled "No Euthanasia For Stray Cats," pleads for Bozza to reconsider his opinion of euthanizing feral cats. The petition also advocates trap, neuter, release (TNR), a method of reducing the cat population by trapping feral cats, having them spayed or neutered and releasing them back again.

Bozza said 80 percent of the signatures on the most recent copy of the petition are from the region. Of the signatures visible on the website, none were listed as being from Shamokin. The petition's creator, Brytni Neidig, is listed as a resident of Sunbury.

Caring for ferals

Laurie Gunsallus, of Sunbury, signed the petition to support TNR and discourage Bozza from euthanizing feral cats.

Gunsallus is the owner of New Beginnings Feral Rescue, the closest cat shelter to Shamokin. She began the rescue in 2013 after watching her daughter, who has bipolar disorder, interact with cats on a nearby farm. Because the cats had such a calming affect on her daughter's mania, she decided to begin taking in feral cats. She currently cares for up to 55 cats at a time in her home, focusing her efforts on stray kittens and their mothers.

New Beginnings Feral Rescue operates on donations and money from Gunsallus' own pocket. She said she receives four to five calls daily about strays, but because her operation is full, she has to turn them away.

"I'm swamped," said Gunsallus. "It breaks my heart to say no."

To cut operational costs, Gunsallus has learned to give shots, which she provides for every cat before it is adopted. She uses an estimated 300 pounds of litter per week and keeps a 50 gallon container of food full at all times.

She also works closely with the Beckoning Cat Project, a Williamsport-based nonprofit organization that focuses on managing the cat overpopulation in central Pennsylvania. Through the Beckoning Cat Project, Gunsallus can spay and neuter her cats for $40 each.

Other low-cost TNR programs exist in Pennsylvania. Jo Wright, of PA Pets, said her Bloomsburg-based organization offers TNR on a sliding scale of $15 to $35.

Gunsallus makes adoptive parties sign an agreement that if the cat is not already fixed, it will be spayed or neutered within six months of adoption or it will be returned to her. She also requires vet references.

"I gotta know in my heart that they're taken care of," said Gunsallus.

Kerry Perry, the executive director of the Beckoning Cat Project, said that while Gunsallus is making a small impact on the feral and stray cats in the Sunbury area, a larger solution is required to control the population growth in Shamokin.

"It's a community problem," she said, adding that Shamokin needs a "community solution" for cats. "You have to have caregivers. It could be the people that are already feeding."

Serious issue in Northumberland County

Currently, Shamokin has no shelters for stray or feral cats.

Ronald Hollister, a police officer with the Humane Society, said the lack of a cat shelter and spay/neuter services in the Shamokin area is a big contributing factor in the booming cat population.

"There's very few resources up in Northumberland County," said Hollister. "Something has to be established, some kind of animal control situation."

Hollister said he hoped the county would become involved with cat control and suggested converting an unused building into a place to temporarily house strays and perform spaying and neutering.

"Euthanizing cats is not even in our policy," said Hollister. "TNR is the true long term solution. But we need something now to figure out where we're going with them."

Complicating the issue of too many cats is Hollister's workload. Because he works from the Harrisburg area, he has to travel more than an hour to respond to a call in Northumberland county. He's had to bring in Richard Wright, who lives in Shamokin and volunteers at the Phoenix Rescue Group in Carlisle, as a volunteer first responder to help with serious calls.

"Northumberland County has one of the highest number of complaints for animal cruelty that we get," said Wright.

The call volume in Northumberland county does not represent a higher number of animal cruelty acts; many of the calls are frivolous, made in "revenge" by a neighbor, he said.

Wright recalled a day when he responded to eight calls and found five of of the incidents did not involve animal abuse whatsoever.

"Probably 10 percent of the calls we get are legitimate calls," said Wright.

Hollister said someone has to respond to every call received by the Humane Society, so he can't filter callers even if he suspects the call will result in nothing. Each call takes an hour or more to investigate.

Because the volume of these "revenge" calls has become taxing on the Humane Society, Hollister said he's looking into prosecuting people who intentionally file false calls of animal abuse.

Still, Hollister doesn't want to discourage people who honestly believe an animal is being abused.

"If you see something, take pictures and get a hold of us," said Hollister.

Strays protected by law

Hollister also warns to never take matters into your own hands when dealing with an animal. Cats are protected animals under Pennsylvania state law which means anyone found to be intentionally harming a cat can face a slew of penalties ranging from a citation to a felony charge.

Poisoning stray and feral cats, said Hollister, is one of the more common animal abuse crimes in the Shamokin area. Adding antifreeze or any other poison to cat food and placing it outdoors is considered at least a misdemeanor offense.

Fix if you feed

Hollister doesn't believe outdoor feeding should be banned, although he thinks the person feeding the cats should take responsibility and spay and neuter the cats in the colony.

"I have a feral colony that I feed," said Hollister. "I captured them and had them spayed and neutered."

Gunsallus said she thought controlled feeding could be a solution.

"If people want to feed them, it would be nice to have one place for that," said Gunsallus. "That would keep the cats in one area."

Bozza believes if the widespread outdoor feeding ends, the multiplication of cats will slow.

"People are thinking if they don't feed them the animals are going to starve," said Bozza. "But that's not the right thing to do."

With a goal of having the ordinance in place by August or September, Bozza said he hopes to craft it soon. After a draft is complete, he will present it, like all ordinances, to city council.

COAL TOWNSHIP - The following awards were given to members of Shamokin Area's Class of 2014 during a recent ceremony.

George Zalar Memorial Award - Jeffrey Kashner.

Hillside Coaches Award - Kylie Christiana, Shawn McLaughlin and Draven Miller.

Northumberland County Recreation Committee Scholar Athlete Awards - Olivia Bonshock and Daniel Delbaugh.

PIAA District IV Awards - Olivia Bonshock (outstanding female athlete); Joshua Scheuren (outstanding male athlete); Stephanie Hile (female sportsmanship) and Daniel Delbaugh (male sportsmanship).

Poplaski Family Student-Athlete Awards - Kylie Christiana and Joshua Scheuren.

Stephen Artman Memorial Math Award - Joseph Colangelo.

The Rev. Jerome W. Haupt III Memorial Scholarship - Molly Haupt.

The Joe Reed Memorial Soccer Award - Joseph Colangelo and Kylie Christiana.

Scholastics and Community Service American Legion Post 73 and Unit 73 Auxiliary Award - Helena Supsic.

Douglas Dobson Memorial Award - Jeffrey Kashner.

LaRue Beck Scholarship Award - Kristina Slodysko.

Lion's Club Award - Jasmine Breslin.

Matthew J. Sandri Memorial Awards - Jeffrey Kashner.

Shamokin Rotary Fred Herman Memorial Interact Award - Elizabeth Bednar.

Stella Olcese Award - Sara Drumheiser.

The News-Item Achiever Scholarship - Melissa Rishel.

Italian/American Home Association Scholarship Award - Natalie Wolfe ($500); Kylie Christiana ($100); Sean McLaughin ($100); Joseph Colangelo ($100) and Nathaniel Haggerty ($100).

Scholastics and School Service Gillespie Family Publications Awards - Faith Hornberger and Helena Supsic.

John Philip Sousa Band Award - Adam Richardson.

Karl Hoffman Writing Award - Melissa Smallets.

L. Pearl Seiler Award - Marielle Miller.

Shamokin Area Band and Orchestra Boosters Director's Awards for Band - Nicole Cullen and Nicolas Davis.

Shamokin Area Band and Orchestra Boosters Director's Awards for Orchestra - Alisha Black and Katie Augustitus.

"The Works" Service and Dedication Awards - Matthew Renn.

Tristen "TJ" Schrader Memorial Awards - Kylie Christiana.

Scholastics and Postsecondary Plans Albert Fecko Award - Nicole Cullen.

C.Q. McWilliams II Memorial Award - Noah Rachau.

Aqua PA, Roaring Creek Division, Science Achievement Award - Melissa Smallets.

Bruce Edward Moyer Scholarship Award - Alyssa Shuey and Jordan Collins.

Captain Robert C. Scheetz Jr. and Mr. Robert Scheetz Awards - Kylie Christiana and Melissa Rishel.

Class of '85/Oak Grove Technologies Scholarships - Tabitha Demsko

Coal Township High School Alumni Association Scholarship Career and Technical Education Student - Mariah Mong.

Jean Povleski Scholarships - Stephanie Hile.

Leone Adams Scholarship Fund in Memory of Louise and Isaac Rothermel - Laryah Moyle.

Orlando Scopelliti Memorial Award - Ashley Huxta.

Oscar S. Tucker and Madolin M. Tucker Scholarship Fund - Joseph Colangelo, Andrew Claycomb, Nathaniel Haggerty, Marielle Miller, Austin Stine and Corrine Weikel.

Peter J. Malafi Awards - Brandon Taylor, Daniel Delbaugh and Abrielle Snyder.

Rachel VanGasken Schrider Scholarship - Richard Jones.

Shamokin Area Educators Awards - Justin Forbes, Joseph Colangelo, Melissa Smallets, Batool Alvi and Helena Supsic.

Zeeger Family Memorial Award - Jeffrey Kashner.

Subject-Specific Scholastic Awards

Andrew Long Awards - Austin Stine and Abigail Troutman.

Elmer P. Artman Memorial Math Award - Kaitlyn Shultz.

Galiley Math-Science Awards 1 and 2 - Nathaniel Haggerty and Joseph Colangelo.

H. Richard Hilbush Memorial Award for English - Cody Derr and Stephanie Hile.

The Harry Strausser Jr. Award - William Ruch.

Leone Adams Fund (In Memory of Charles E. and Lulu I. Venn), Culinary Arts - Caitlin Fellin.

Leone Adams Fund (In Memory of Charles E. and Lulu I. Venn), Family and Consumer Sciences - Mariah Mong.

National School Orchestra Award - Noelle Erickson.

Patrick S. Gilmore Band Award - Marielle Miller.

Principal's Prize - Michael Sosnoskie.

Robert Metzner Awards - Joseph Colangelo and Kaitlin Shultz.

Sara Wiest Hall Award for the Performing Arts - Catherine Augustitus.

Science Club Awards Anatomy/Physiology -Laryah Moyle.

Applied Biology and Chemistry - Elizabeth Bensinger and Dishaun Cuevas.

Biology - Melissa Smallets.

Chemistry - Erik Taylor and Joseph Colangelo.

Earth/Space Science - Melissa Rishel.

Environment and Ecology - Kaitlyn Shultz.

Environmental Science - Justin Forbes.

Introduction to Physics - Anthony Shalamanda.

Organic Chemistry - Olivia Bonshock, Joseph Colangelo, Caleb Stahl and Melissa Smallets.

Physics - Olivia Bonshock, Joseph Colangelo and Melissa Smallets.

AP Biology - Melissa Smallets.

AP Chemistry - Joseph Colangelo.

AP Physics - Kaitlyn Shultz and Melissa Smallets.

Shamokin High School Alumni Association Subject and Curriculum Awards

Art - Corey Levi.

Highest GPA in business courses taken - Corrine Weikel.

English - Melissa Smallets.

Foreign languages -Joshua Pappas.

Science - Joseph Colangelo.

Social studies - Victoria Snyder.

Highest ranking from a 3-year program in career and technical education - Dana Madl.

Stanley A. Galiley Awards - Nathaniel Haggerty and Elizabeth Bednar.

The Larry Brennan Memorial Award - John Thompson.

The Tony Brennan Award - Elizabeth Bensinger.

Thomas and Martha Lynch Award - Melissa Smallets.

William M. Moyer Memorial Award - Kaitlyn Shultz.

Scholarships Earned

Coal Twp High School Alumni Association Scholarships - Joseph Colangelo ($3,000); Melissa Smallets ($2,500); Helena Supsic ($2,000); Kaitlyn Shultz ($2,000) and Daniel Delbaugh ($2,000).

Shamokin High School Alumni Association Scholarships - Nathaniel Haggerty ($2,900); Skylar Hughes ($2,400); Adam Richardson ($2,100); Justin Forbes ($1,900); Victoria Snyder ($1,700); Corrine Weikel ($1,400) and Brendan Drachler ($1,100).

Elvira (Mirarchi) DePiante and Vincent P. DePiante Jr. Awards - Elizabeth Bednar, Olivia Bonshock, Jordan Collins, Richard Jones, Catelin Pancher and Lydia Sandri.

National Honor Society

(National Honor Society Graduates - Laudari Chapter Scholastic Rankings)

Class of 2003 Shane Cavanaugh Award - Ryan Shevitski.

Shamokin Area Middle High School PTSA Scholarship Award - Jasmine Breslin.

Introduction of Top 10 Graduates

10th ranked student - Alyssa Green (Superintendent's Award for 10th Ranked Student).

Ninth ranked student - Melissa Rishel.

Eighth ranked student - Nicole Cullen.

Seventh ranked student - Justin Forbes (Schwalm Award for Seventh Ranked Honor Student).

Sixth ranked student - Nathaniel Haggerty (Shamokin Area Education Association Class Rank six to 10 Award).

Fifth ranked student - Brianna Bonshock (Thomas Patrick Award).

Fourth ranked student - Olivia Bonshock (Counselors Scholastic and School Service Achievement Award).

Third ranked student - Kaitlyn Shultz (Anthony E. Konopka Scholarship).

Salutatorian Class of 2014 - Joseph Colangelo (Hesser Family Salutatorian Award, Scott Bramhall Salutatorian Award and Class of 1913 Award).

Valedictorian Class of 2014 - Melissa Smallets (May (Jones) Reidel Trust Fund - Valedictorian Award and Jean Louise Stellfox Memorial Award).

Lawton Shroyer Memorial pool open

SHAMOKIN - The Lawton Shroyer Memorial Swimming Pool will be open from noon to 6 p.m. daily until the end of the season. Rates for this year are as follows: adult 18 years and up, $6; students 5 to 17 years old, $4; children 2 to 4 years old, $3; children under 2 years old, free; senior citizens, $4, and spectators, $3.

Divine Redeemer festival this week

MOUNT CARMEL - The annual Divine Redeemer Parish Festival will be held on the parish picnic grounds from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and noon to 10 p.m. Saturday.

Featured at the rain-or-shine event will be a theme basket raffle, favorite ethnic foods, homemade baked good and refreshments. New additions are the Rev. Martin Moran's cake wheel, a silent auction, a Kidz Zone and an indoor yard sale.

There will be entertainment by the Shoreliners Friday and the Mudflaps, now knowns as the 60s Boys, Saturday. A pre-sale of chances for theme baskets and the silent auction will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday.

A new sound is ringing out in Schuylkill County.

The Minor Notes Chorale, the county's first children's and youth choir, formed this year and made waves with its first performance last month.

A brainchild of Mark P. Thomas, the group, consisting of children ages 6 to 15, made its first public appearance May 18 at Music at the Majestic held at Sovereign Majestic Theater, 209 N. Centre St., Pottsville. It was an important mark for the arts in Schuylkill County, and one that hopefully will be a stepping a stone to bigger things for the young group.

"Since we performed we got a lot of inquiries," said Eileen Thomas, who runs the group with her husband.

The Minor Notes began to take shape with auditions in the fall of 2013 and met for its first rehearsal in January. Although it only took four months before the group performed on stage, the story behind the children's choir begins about 20 years ago.

Thomas, who also serves as director for the Schuylkill Choral Society, said he had the idea of establishing a children's choir in the Schuylkill County area in the mid-1990s. He said he saw the need for a group for younger singers after parents asked if their children could join the Schuylkill Choral Society. Thomas said he felt children who were 12 and 13 years old were too young for the older group, especially with traveling and late nights.

Unfortunately, the idea hung in limbo for almost two decades.

"We talked about it but nobody wanted to take it further," Eileen Thomas said.

Mark Thomas said three children chorus concerts were held in conjunction with the Schuylkill Choral Society concerts in the mid-2000s. He said the feedback from parents and the community became so great that he and Eileen decided to complete the goal of creating a full-season children's chorus.

"We want to teach people who want to learn, so that's part of our mission," he said.

To help manage the musical side of the group, Thomas brought in Allison Kline as assistant director and accompanist. Kline is the middle and high school choral director and co-curricular band director at Mahanoy Area School District. She is also the assistant accompanist for the Schuylkill Choral Society.

Eileen Thomas took control of the behind-the-scenes work. A "jack-of-all-trades," Eileen handles all non-musical aspects of the group, from booking performances to publicity.

Currently, the children's choir has 12 members. However, Eileen said a few more have asked to join since the performance in May.

"Considering we started in January, I think we had a pretty good turnout," she said.

The group holds its rehearsals on Thursdays at Trinity Episcopal Church, 200 S. Second St., Pottsville.

The church will also be host to the group's summer vocal camp. Scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 24, 25 and 27, the camp is open to children ages 6 to 15.

The children will study multiple facets of singing, including technique, note reading, harmony and group singing. The camp will conclude with an on-field performance of "The Star-Spangled Banner" at the Reading Fightin Phils home game on July 27.

Tuition is $100, which includes the camp, T-shirt and club picnic tickets to the Phils game for the camper and a chaperone.

The theme for the summer camp is baseball, Eileen said. While there is a connection with the concluding performance in Reading, she said she hopes the theme will bring some boys out to participate.

The Minor Notes are currently made up entirely of girls; however, Eileen said a few boys have expressed an interest in the group over the past few weeks.

One challenge the group has faced in its infancy is a lack of funding. Eileen said the group couldn't get any grants, so they had to implement a charge to join.

For the fall semester, the fee will be $50 per month or $190 for the semester, which runs from September to December. For families with more than one child, the second student is given a discount of $10 per month or $50 for the semester.

Eileen said they researched the prices of vocal, instrumental and dance lessons in the county. By comparison, she said the average instrumental lesson cost about $100 a month and dance averaged between $50 and $100.

"It's a business in a way, an organization as we are running it," Eileen said. She said the ultimate goal would be to keep the group as affordable as possible for families.

"We hope in the future to keep the cost down," she said.

Mark said he hopes the group grows to about 30 to 40 members. He also wants to have enough students to be able to split the group into two categories - the Minor Notes and a younger group tentatively called the Half Notes. He said having two groups would allow him and Kline to teach the students more and help them transition into the Schuylkill Choral Society when they are 16 years old.

Looking ahead with the current group, the Minor Notes will be performing July 6 at the Yuengling Mansion. The performance, scheduled for 6 p.m., is in conjunction with the Anthracite Philharmonic.

"None of them are afraid to get up there and sing," Mark said of the young performers.

Auditions for the 2014-15 season will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 28 at Trinity Episcopal Church. Mark said the auditions are not to earn a spot in the group, but to learn where the singer would fit.

"It's more to see what the vocal range is," he said. "It's not a cutthroat audition."

Mark Thomas said the goal is to have two concerts a year - one at the end of the two semesters.

After dreaming up the idea almost 20 years ago, Mark and Eileen Thomas hope the group can continue to move the arts forward in the county and provide an outlet for the young artists. As schools continue to cut from the arts departments, the options for the children are shrinking. Eileen said the group's future depends on the people.

"If it pays for itself, we can keep it afloat," she said.

A long-term plan for the Minor Notes is in the works. As long as there is an interest, the children's' voices could be heard for many years to come.

"I hope that in 20 years from now there will still be children's choir in Schuylkill County," Eileen said.

COAL TOWNSHIP - A Shamokin driver escaped injury but was taken into custody following a one-vehicle crash Saturday afternoon on Route 901.

Cyrus Lewis, 34, of Shamokin, was transported by Coal Township Police for blood-alcohol testing after he crashed a Dodge Neon into a tree just east of Industrial Park Road.

According to Patrolman Matthew Hashuga, Lewis was traveling west on Route 901 when he crossed over into the oncoming lane of travel and then off the roadway before striking a tree.

At first, Northumberland County dispatchers reported the driver was trapped in the vehicle, but then relayed information that Lewis was out and the vehicle was on fire. Firefighters quickly extinguished the blaze shortly after arriving on scene.

After questioning, Lewis was taken into custody by police on suspicion of DUI. A 1.75-liter of Crown Russe vodka was found in the car and was placed into evidence by officers on scene. The Neon was towed.

Assisting Coal Township Police were officers from Mount Carmel Township, firefighters from Coal Township Rescue Department and Brady Fire Company, Coal Township Fire Police and AREA Services.

Marriage Licenses

Otis Allen Hull and Jessica Lynn Hummel, both of 131 Hart St., Lot 2, Shamokin. Issued June 5.

Jessie O. Marshall and Tiffany Marie Bridi, both of 722 W. Market St., Trevorton. Issued June 5.

Nicole Marie Eveland and Christian Lee Cook, both of 421 Poppy Road, Paxinos. Issued June 7.

Eric Allan Zlotorzynski and Brooke Ashley Fratelli, both of 225 S. Fourth St., Shamokin. To be issued June 9.

Mark Thomas Stokes and Martha A. Foura, both of 306 S. Coal St., Shamokin. To be issued June 9.

Jason J. Drumheller and Amanda J. Wallace, both of 181 Greco Lane, Mount Carmel Estates, Mount Carmel. To be issued June 9.

Ellis H. Ulrich and Christina Marie Nye, both of 35 Raspberry Hill, Shamokin. To be issued June 9.

Divorces

Norman O. Brouse, 4859 State Route 54, Elysburg, from Karen R. Brouse, 150 S. Maple St., Elysburg. Married July 7, 2001.

Nicole M. Eveland, 421 Poppy Road, Paxinos, from Scott M. Eveland, 1341 W. Arch St., Coal Township. Married Aug. 24, 1996.

Amy Jaworski, 903 W. Pine St., Coal Township, from Michael J. Jaworski, 1413 W. Walnut St., Coal Township. Married Oct. 6, 2001.

Douglas Munson III, 183 E. Dewart St., Shamokin, from Katrina Munson, 222 E. Dewart St., Apt. 3, Shamokin. Married Aug. 16, 2003.

David Schaeffer, 608 N. Second St., Shamokin, from Angela L. Schaeffer, 587 Summer Lake Lane, Virginia Beach, Va. Married May 11, 2002.

Anthony M. Wands, 358 King St., Northumberland, from Cathy S. Wands, 1032 W. Market St., Trevorton. Married Aug. 7, 2003.

Tammy D. Shepperson, no address listed, from Floyd G. Shepperson, 2181 Hosta Road, Paxinos. Married Aug. 28, 1987.

Property Transfers

Laura L. Dietterick and Robert Dietterick to Charles L. Krebs and Heather A. Krebs, property in Coal Township, $205,000.

Amber Wallish to William J. Neidig, property in Coal Township, $6,000.

Terry L. Smith and Audrey N. Smith to the Smith Irrevocable Residential and Income Trust (by trustee), Terry L. Smith (trustee), and Audrey N. Smith (trustee), property in Jordan Township, $1.

Stephen Pesarchick and Kimberly Pesarchick to Daniel Zlockie, property in Mount Carmel Township, $20,000.

Dennis J. Hepler and Susan M. Hepler to Susan M. Nestico, Mount Carmel Township, $1.

Shaunna M. Bailey to Dean S. Chesney, property in Shamokin, $1.

Betty J. Leitzel (by agent) and Cathy Toland (agent) to Jason A. Weaver and Jenna M. Weaver, property in Upper Augusta Township, $101,000.

Bishop Ronald W. Gainer (trustee) to Janet J. Schoppy, property in Mount Carmel, $14,900.

Nicholas S. Brokenshire and Patricia L. Brokenshire to Kevin P. Brokenshire, two properties in Coal Township, $1 each.

Cynthia A. Straub, Cynthia A. Gregory and Richard M. Gregory to Laura A. Haugdahl, property in Shamokin, $40,000.

Charlotte A. Vanaskie, Michael Vanaskie, Donald E. Kerstetter, Geneieve Kerstetter, David L. Kerstetter and Gemma Kerstetter to Frank A. Slodysko and Ada I. Slodysko, property in Coal Township, $58,000.

Kenneth M. Lebo to James E. Long and Donna M. Long, property in East Cameron Township, $1,900.

Dianna Boyer, Roger D. Boyer, Sharon E. Schaffer and Sharon E. Long to James Long and Donna Long, property in East Cameron Township, $10,000.

STM Acquisition Company Inc. to Sunbury Textile Mills Inc., properties in Sunbury and Upper Augusta Township, $1 each.

Britcor Properties LLC to Michael A. Habowski, property in Mount Carmel, $10,000.

Ronald D. Lesher Jr. to Ronald D. Lesher Jr. and Nicole Lesher, property in Zerbe Township, $1.

Carole A. Ditty to Justine M. Sellers, property in Lower Augusta Township, $197,000.

Phyllis Lubold to Timothy D. Lubold, property in Jackson Township, $1.

Bernard J. Nestico and Janice Nestico to Keith P. Tamborelli and Lou Ann Tamborelli, property in Shamokin, $2,000.

Mary A. Krzywka to Keith Tamborelli and Lou Ann Tamborelli, property in Shamokin, $2,000.

Benjamin T. Britton to Frederick A. Edmondson Jr., property in Mount Carmel, $2,500.

Joan K. Zerbe (by agent) and Cathy S. Artz (agent) to the Snyder Irrevocable Residential and Income Trust, property in Jackson Township, $135,000.

Floyd G. Shepperson Jr. and Tammy D. Shepperson to Floyd G. Shepperson Jr., property in Shamokin Township, $1.

St. Luke's-Malta United Church of Christ Inc. to St. Luke's-Malta United Church of Christ Inc., Lower Mahanoy Township, $1.

Mark M. Mattern and Shirley J. E. Mattern to Debra Klinger, property in Jordan Township, $1.

Stephen R. Latsha to Michael Menapace, property in Shamokin, $1.

Mary Lou Kriz, Joseph B. Kriz, Ronald E. Siko, Suzanne N. Siko, Thomas J. Siko, Ronald J. Siko and Tracy Siko to Suzanne N. Siko and Erik R. Siko, property in Moutn Carmel, $1.

Sharon A. Woolcock, Sharon A. Reichenbach and Richard Reichenbach to JR&R LLC, property in Shamokin Township, $235,000.

Michael J. Whalen to Ryan Lorenz, property in Coal Township, $24,000.

Arlene B. Strausser to Kyle E. Reeder to Ronda M. Seger, property in Coal Township, $10,000.

Rebecca M. Hadfield and Rebecca M. Price to Rebecca M. Hadfield and Jesse D. Hadfield, property in Coal Township, $1.

ELYSBURG - Hundreds of guests of Knoebels Amusement Resort enjoyed a cool ride on the Log Flume Saturday, but it was dozens of little yellow rubber ducks that may have gotten the best ride.

The first ever duck drop to benefit the local chapter of the Salvation Army was held at the ride prior to the park's opening. The event raised $2,030 for the organization.

A total of 203 tickets, at $10 each, were sold prior to the event. Each ticket allowed the purchaser to drop three ducks into the water. The top ten ducks in each of three heats were included in a final race for grand prizes.

Mike Slotterback, a maintenance employee at Knoebels Amusement Resort, started the inaugural race by dropping a box of ducks from above an entrance to the cave, just after the first lift-hill.

About a minute later the ducks crossed a finish line near the base of the second lift-hill, where lifeguards, maintenance personnel and Ron "Buddy" Knoebel, co-owner of the resort and member of the Salvation Army advisory board, were standing to scoop them up.

First place was awarded to Chris Rickert. He won a $200 Knoebels package and a News-Item subscription.

Second place was awarded to Jim Slotterback. He won a News-Item subscription and $60 worth of various gift cards.

Third place was awarded to Stacy Derck. She won $50 worth of gift cards.

The owners of the next 30 ducks were each awarded $25 worth of various gift cards. Each person will be contacted by a member of the Salvation Army.

Assisting at the event were members of the Salvation Army, Jim Cecco, Knoebels maintenance man; and lifeguards Theo Deptula, Chelsea Lorenz, Tiff Kalejta and Danielle Boyd.

Larry Deklinski/Staff Photo

SHAMOKIN - Representatives from AQUA Pa. said Saturday afternoon water in the city is safe to drink, despite a water main break Friday evening that possibly caused an oily substance to leach out of the ground.

A fuel-like odor filled the air when a 12-inch line broke on North Vine Street, between the back of the city warehouse and the UGI Shamokin Operations Center. The torrent of water caused a yet unknown substance to flow into Shamokin Creek via Carbon Run that flows underneath East Water Street. The break occurred around 8:45 p.m., according to Shamokin Fire Deputy Chief Jason Zimmerman.

Zimmerman said the ground surrounding the break is contaminated with a substance that is believed to have been used by a company that had once occupied the land. Zimmerman and AQUA Pa. stressed there is no danger to the public.

"There is no advisory in effect," Tate Hunsinger, supervisor for the Roaring Creek Division, said Saturday. "There is no gasoline or oil coming from the water."

Hunsinger said UGI is going to excavate the area, which will be monitored by a hazardous materials cleanup company and the Department of Environmental Protection.

"The line has been isolated," Hunsinger said. "We are going to wait until Monday, then consult with the hazmat company for directions on how to proceed."

Zimmerman said several booms were placed along Shamokin Creek to capture the substance and that the garage of the warehouse, which had a small amount of water come in it, will be pressure washed.

BLOOMSBURG - As the valedictorian of Southern Columbia Area's Class of 2014, Carissa Jones looked out at her fellow classmates who, like her, are ready to take the plunge.

"Today, we stand on a cliff, looking out over the sea. Some are ready to jump right in, to ride the waves to greatness as they dive into their career," Jones said. "Many are waiting before they take the plunge, expanding their knowledge before they join the others, and a select few are protecting the land and the water, keeping the rest safe while we become who we are destined to be."

Jones and her 114 classmates sat among family and friends in Mitrani Hall on the campus of Bloomsburg Unversity Sunday to receive their diplomas.

In her valedictory speech, Jones wished her classmates the best, asked them to never change who they are for someone else and enjoy their lives.

"Remember to appreciate every second of life and constantly work to be the best you that you can be. Class of 2014, congratulations, and welcome to the rest of your life.

Every year, the class votes for a teacher to address the class during the commencement ceremony. This year, they selected English teacher Michael Johnston.

"When I graduated from high school I was ranked 74th out of the 99 graduates, and after my first year of college, I quit," Johnston said. "That's right, you voted for a former college dropout to speak at your graduation."

Johnston went on to say that maybe it was a great idea for that.

"Who better to inspire you all to never give up and to fully take advantage of the opportunities that come before you,' Johnston said. "Always remember that weakness of attitude is weakness of character, and weakness of character is dangerous."

Class president Teanna Shutt welcomed everyone to Sunday's ceremony, at first talking about the past accomplishments of the class, but then reminding them of the reality before them.

"As we accept our diplomas, we are accepting new responsibilities. We're no longer naive children, we are mature men and women who are stepping forward with confidence and enthusiasm. Tomorrow, we will be embracing an unknown beginning, a new journey that is up to us," Shutt said.

The ceremony also featured remarks from this year's Distinguished Alumnus Award winner, Tom Pipa, a 1982 graduate, former pro tennis player who is currently working for the U.S. Agency for International Development. Also, Charles Nesbitt, 90, of Catawissa, was awarded an honorary diploma..

After tassels were moved, diplomas were handed out, while special performances by the senior members of the chorus and two seniors, Mackenzie Brouse and Alex Cove singing "For Good" from the musical "Wicked," Salutatorian Justin Ernest found one last nugget of inspiration for his classmates, quoting Bloomsburg University English professor Dr. Stephen Whitworth.

"He said, 'Keep working hard and producing quality work of which you can be proud wherever you go. You won't regret it. Your potential is boundless.'," Ernest said. " I challenge each and every one of you to become a leader and influence other people for the betterment of society."

Graduates

Graduating in Sunday's ceremony were: Nathan M. Beagle, Nina C. Benner, Travis L. Bertovich, Reba L. Broadfield, Mackenzie E. Brouse, Anne P. Bryden, Bailey S. Bzdak, Mackenzie A. Clark, Amanda R. Consentino, Alexandra L. Cove, Brandon M. Cox, Aaron J. Crawford, Justin D. Dancho, Shannon A. Daubert, Jasmine M. Deitz, Robert S. Delbo, Collyn J. Drake, Brittany A. Duncan, Destiny H. Duncan, Janelle R. Erdman, Justin D. Ernest, Kimberly D. Ettinger, Kenneth A. Fegley, Adam J. Feudale, Sarah R. Fisher, Angelo U. Forti, Christopher Fulgham, John J. Gennaria, Brenna D. Gessner, Jenna M. Gutekunst, Tessa M. Haines, Sarah E. Harder, Kristina D. Hartanft, Nicholas W. Heaps, Sara A. Hendricks, Ashley N. Hill, Nathan R. Hunter, Patrik M. Jarvelin, Samantha L. Jeffrey, Carissa R. Jones, Lauren E. Kerstetter, Alicia A. Kirwin, Katelyn M. Klinger, Kathryn R. Knause, Kenneth M. Knouse, Jonathan J. Kofskie, Racquel I. Kreischer, Jensen N. Kremser, Tegan J. Kriebel, Grayson E. Krieger, Max J. Kushner, Nathaniel L. Leiby, Ryan A. Leisenring, Storm M. Letterman, Dylan M. Levan, Miranda S. Long, Matthew H. Lupold, McKenna C. Lupold, Rebekah J. Lyash, Madalyn Ann Marzeski, Koy M. McCloskey, Megan L. McHugh, Ryan William McKinley, Douglas B. Michaels, Damon L. Miller, Nina M. Miller, Nathaniel J. Mitchell, Samantha J. Moyer, Stephanie C. Myers, Cody W. Olson, Don J. Orr, Avory D. Pantalone, Cody R. Pavlick, Jordan R. Persing, Mason S. Peters, Alexis E. Piez, Cheyanne Popewczak, Allen L. Potter, Logan D. Reynolds, Christian E. Rutkoski, Chevy Ryan, Israel J. Santiago, Gabrielle L. Scherer, Zachary J. Schuerech, Alexander B. Scull, Kara L. Scull, Sabyasachi Sen, Brett M. Shepard, Marjorie M. Sherwood, Teanna R. Shutt, Anna C. Snyder, Hannah B. Snyder, Joseph W. Snyder, Garett L. Sosnoski, Amber L. Srednicki, Madelyn E. Stabinski, John V. Stanishefski, Mitchell R. Stanziale, Andrew N. Steely, Jordan M. Swisher, Beau G. Tamanini, Samantha M. Thomas, Zachary Bo Tillett, Joshua M. Tripp, Celeste D. VanHorn, Molly G. VanWieren, Emily J. Vitkauskas, Angela R. Vought, Jessica C. Watkins, Kc H. Welkom, William P. White, Michael A. Willhoit, Tristan L. Williams, Royce J. Yeager and Erin E. Yoder.

COAL TOWNSHIP - Our Lady of Lourdes held its annual awards program honoring senior scholars on May 21st. The following students were award winners:

Valedictorian - William Stewart.

Salutatorian - Nicholas Taylor.

Honor students whose cumulative academic average for four years is 90 percent or higher - Riley Feese, Shawn Khanna, Peyton Klembara, Rachel Schultz, William Stewart and Nicholas Taylor.

National Honor Society, Father Filippelli Chapter - Peyton Klembara, Shawn Khanna, William Stewart, Rachel Schultz and Nicholas Taylor.

French honor society - William Stewart.

French Level 5 pins - Riley Feese, Shawn Khanna and William Stewart.

Spanish honor society - Peyton Klembara, Rachel Schultz and Nicholas Taylor.

Spanish Level 4 pins - Peyton Klembara, Rachel Schultz and Nicholas Taylor.

National School Choral Award - Shawn Khanna.

John Philip Sousa Band Award - Edward Kurtz.

The Bishop's Gold Medal Religion Award (presented annually to the senior attaining the highest accumulative average in religion for four years) - William Stewart.

The following students have earned the highest four-year cumulative averages in the following areas:

Art - Michael Gilger.

English - William Stewart.

French - William Stewart.

Mathematics - William Stewart.

Science - William Stewart.

Social Studies - Nicholas Taylor.

Spanish - Nicholas Taylor.

The awards for highest and second highest average in individual subjects were presented to:

Religion IV - William Stewart, first; Nicholas Taylor, second.

Advanced studio art II - Michael Gilger, first.

Computer applications I - Wyatt Hoffman, first.

Computer applications II - Cody Rothermel, first.

Accounting II - Rachel Schultz, first.

British literature - Nicholas Taylor, first; Rachel Schultz, second.

Spanish IV - Nicholas Taylor, first.

Boys physical education - Michael Gilger, first; Shawn Khanna and Nicholas Taylor, tied for second.

Girls physical education - Rachel Schultz, first; Peyton Klembara, second.

Government/economics - Nicholas Taylor, first; Peyton Klembara, second. World history III - Peyton Klembara, first.

World history II - Daniel Menapace, first.

Psychology - William Bittner, first.

Algebra II - William Bittner, first.

Calculus - William Stewart, first.

Statistics and probability - Rachel Schultz, first.

Trigonometry/analytic geometry - Kelsey Williams, first.

Biology II - Nicholas Taylor, first.

Physics - William Stewart, first.

The following scholarships/awards were awarded:

Our Lady of Lourdes Alumni Association Scholarships - Aaron Greager, Gabriella Long, Daniel Menapace and Angelique Pennypacker.

Our Lady of Lourdes Development Scholarships - Edward Kurtz and Cody Rothermel.

Our Lady of Lourdes Home and School Association Awards - Riley Feese, Wyatt Hoffman, Shawn Khanna and William Stewart.

Edward S. Baker/Anthony E. Konopka Scholarship - Rachel Schultz.

Reverend Charles Persing Foreign Language Award - Peyton Klembara.

Leo A. Mulhall Prize - Peyton Klembara.

News-Item Achiever Scholarship - William Bittner.

Northumberland County Recreation Committee 2014 Scholar Athlete Award - William Stewart and Rachel Schultz.

Memorial Awards were presented as follows:

Anthracite Area Penn State Club's Edward M. Griffiths II, Memorial Scholarship - William Stewart and Alexia Wheary.

Sylvia Cimino, Class of 1951, MCCHS Memorial Award - William Bittner.

Vincent and Elvira DePiante Memorial Scholarships (top six students) - William Stewart, Nicholas Taylor, Rachel Schultz, Peyton Klembara, Shawn Khanna and Riley Feese.

Daniel C. Fabrizio, Class of 1982, Memorial Award - Shawn Khanna.

Henry and Mary Fesniak Memorial Awards - Anthony Catino, William Stewart and Nicholas Taylor.

Nicholas Girolami Memorial Scholarship - Michael Gilger.

Laurie Ann Green Memorial Scholarship - Kelsey Williams.

Marie A. Holland Memorial Scholarship - Angelique Pennypacker.

Jospeh M. Jasicki Memorial Award for chorus - Riley Feese.

Leon F. "Rusty" Kanaskie Scholar Athlete Memorial Award - Rachel Schultz.

F. George Kenney Memorial Award - Angelique Pennypacker.

Knights of Columbus Council 628, John Mehlbaum Memorial Award - Riley Feese.

Helen A. Olsheskie Service Award - Peyton Klembara.

Dolores Oravitz-Kazar Memorial Scholarship - Peyton Klembara.

Knights of Columbus, Stanley Sobotor Memorial Award - Anthony Catino.

Elizabeth R. Wisneski Memorial Scholarship - Wyatt Hoffman.

St. Francis Beneficial Society, Stanley Yodzio Memorial Award - Michael Gilger.

Civic awards were presented as follows:

American Legion Post 73 and American Legion Auxiliary 73, Award - Michael Gilger.

Patriotism Award - William Bittner.

Aqua Pennsylvania Science Achievement Award - Nicholas Taylor.

Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Our Lady of Victory 588 Award - Angelique Pennypacker.

Geisinger Blood Center Scholarships - Nicholas Taylor and Alexia Wheary.

Kulpmont Centennial Scholarship - Angelique Pennypacker.

Kulpmont Lions Ladies Club Award - Angelique Pennypacker.

Kulpmont Sportsman Club Award - Rachel Schultz.

Shamokin Area Lion's Club Award - Daniel Menapace.

Sons of Italy, Stella D'Italia Scholarship - Anthony Catino and Angelique Pennypacker.

Parish Awards

Divine Redeemer Parish Holy Name Society Award - Riley Feese.

Divine Redeemer Parish Council of Catholic Women Award - Riley Feese.

Holy Angels Parish "Light of Christ" Award - Rachel Schultz.

Holy Angels Ladies Guild Award - Alexia Wheary.

Mother Cabrini Parish Award - Michael Gilger.

Mother Cabrini Franciscan Friars Award - Michael Gilger.

Our Lady of Hope Parish Council of Catholic Women Award - Gabriella Long.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish Council of Catholic Women Award - Anthony Catino.

Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Parish Award - Shawn Khanna.

Saint Patrick Parish Award - Anthony Catino.

Administration Awards:

Administration Academic Achievement Award, valedictorian - William Stewart; salutatorian - Nicholas Taylor.

Administration Award for character and service - Peyton Klembara.

Principal's Leadership Award - Michael Gilger.

Principal's Outstanding School Spirit Award - Kelsey Williams.

The following senior student ambassadors received certificates - Peyton Klembara, Gabriella Long and Rachel Schultz.

Baccalaureate Mass was held at 7 p.m. May 21. The main celebrant was the Very Rev. Alfred P. Sceski, chaplain at Our Lady of Lourdes; the Rev. Martin J. Kobos, OFM, Conv., pastor of Mother Cabrini Parish, was homilist. Concelebrants were the Rev. Martin Moran, pastor of Divine Redeemer Parish; the Rev. Andrew Stahmer, pastor of Holy Angels Parish; the Rev. Adam Ziolkowski, parochial vicar of Mother Cabrini Parish; the Rev. Steven Frenier, pastor of Our Lady of Hope and St. Patrick parishes; the Rev. Francis Karwacki, pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish; the Rev. Fred Wangwe, pastor of Saint Monica Parish, and Deacon Martin McCarthy.

Flag bearers were Jordan Hauer, Marcus O'Brien, Dakota Maneval and William Allen. Cross-bearer was Brian Christiana. Altar servers were Claudia Rawa and Tanner Maneval. The welcome theme was read by student council president, Anthony Catino. Scripture reading I and responsorial Psalm were read by faculty member, Joseph Litchko. Reading II was read by Peyton Klembara. General intercessions were read by faculty member, Ann Mains. Cantors were Shawn Khanna and Alexia Wheary. Offertory procession consisted of Rachel Schultz and Michael Gilger. Accompanist was Sandra Snyder. Margaret Bilder, senior class moderator, inducted the seniors into the alumni association and planned the program.

CATAWISSA - A early morning drug bust Sunday led local police to find methamphetamine cooking in the same home where the suspect's wife and four children were sleeping.

Locust Township Police charged Paul Cummings, 33, of 1120 Numidia Dr., Lot A-1 with a number of crimes, including operating a methamphetamine lab, causing or risking a catastrophe and endangering the welfare of a child following the 3:50 a.m. bust. The arrest concludes a 17-month investigation into the manufacturing of the drug at Cummings' residence.

According to court documents prepared by Locust Township Police Patrolman Christopher Snyder, the department executed the search warrant at the residence and immediately took Cummings into custody after finding a small amount of methamphetamine and several items of paraphernalia on his person. He was placed inside a police car while his wife, Stephanie, stayed in the living room with the couple's infant child and three other minor children who were sleeping when the bust occurred.

Cummings was questioned if there were any active "one-pot cooking" methamphetamine labs in the house. Cummings said no, but police began to search the residence.

In the bedroom, officers found an SKS modified assault rifle with a magazine in the weapon, but with no ammunition inside, a cigar box with bags of lye and ammonium nitrate, drain cleaner, marijuana, a grinder, lithium batteries and rubber aquarium tubing, along with multiple packs of pseudoephedrine tablets - both empty and full - consistent with the type used to manufacture meth.

In the home's laundry room, behind a large plastic sheet, a soda bottle with meth cooking in it was found. Due to the danger of explosion, the bottle was removed from the home, and the family was evacuated until the State Police Clandestine Laboratory team came on scene to deal with the situation.

Outside the home, lantern fuel and several charred pieces of other material used to cook the meth using the one-pot method were found in a fire pit.

Cummings was arraigned Sunday morning before on-call Magisterial District Judge Marvin Shrawder, Danville, and charged with felony counts of manufacturing of a controlled substance, possession of substances used to manufacture methamphetamine, operating a meth lab, causing or risking a catastrophe, and four counts of endangering the welfare of children, and misdemeanor counts of recklessly endangering another person, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a small amount of marijuana.

He was placed in Columbia County Prison on $100,000 cash bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 17 before Magisterial District Judge Craig Long, of Catawissa.

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

Judge Hugh A. Jones, Mount Carmel

Conduit Estates LLC, of Shamokin, against Lori and Gary Schneidor, of Mount Carmel, for $3,345, filed June 3. A hearing is scheduled for June 17.

Judge John Gembic III, Shamokin

Shamokin Housing Authority against Caitlyn Johnson and Ty Zerby, of Shamokin, for $140, filed June 4. A hearing is scheduled for June 16.

Shamokin Housing Authority against Samantha Santey, of Shamokin, for $403, filed June 4. A hearing is scheduled for June 16.

Shamokin Housing Authority against Keely Ruiz, of Shamokin, for $665.44, filed June 4. A hearing is scheduled for June 16.

Wolf Creek Falls hike planned

SAINT CLAIR - A park naturalist from Tuscarora State Park will lead a hike to Wolf Creek Falls at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 21. Participants will meet at the north end of the Walmart parking lot off of Route 61 in the Coal Creek Commerce Center. The hike is five miles and rated difficult. Hikers will travel up the mountain to Wolf Creek Falls and beyond to the reservoir. The hike is dog-friendly, but all pets must be leashed and get along well with people and other pets. Due to limited space, registration is required. Contact Robin at 570-467-2506 or register online at dcnr.state.pa.us under the Tuscarora State Park calendar of events. This event will be canceled if weather is bad.

SUNBURY - Historic Northumberland County Courthouse, which was evacuated Monday morning after cracks were discovered on the second and fourth floors, was scheduled to reopen today after an inspection revealed the damage was cosmetic rather than structural.

County Commissioner Chairman Vinny Clausi, who was discharged from Pinnacle Hospital in Harrisburg Friday night after being afflicted with diverticulitis, said an architect and engineer from Larson Design Group, Williamsport, inspected the 149-year-old courthouse in the afternoon and determined it was safe to reopen for business today.

Clausi said, "We closed the courthouse in the best interests of the employees and taxpayers after cracks were discovered. We didn't want to take any chances. After a thorough inspection of the building by myself and officials from Larson Design Group, it was determined that the damage was cosmetic rather than structural. I'm happy it wasn't a disaster, but in my professional opinion as a contractor, it will cost an estimated $50,000 to correct the problem."

The commissioner said work will be done on the building once the county receives a recommendation from an engineer on how to proceed with the repairs.

Deputy sheriff Dwayne Pidcoe discovered a crack about 10:15 a.m. in the marble baseboard on the second floor between Courtrooms 1 and 2 in an area outside a stairwell that leads to a detention cell in the sheriff's office on the first floor.

Pidcoe notified court administrator Brandy Yasenchak, who immediately contacted Clausi about the problem. Clausi, who just returned to work Monday, quickly responded and further inspected the property with Pidcoe, Yasenchak and other county officials.

In addition to the crack on the marble baseboard that appeared to be slanted or sinking on the second floor, Yasenchak said cracks were discovered in the walls and ceiling in a small attic area on the fourth floor of the courthouse, which was built in 1865.

She said approximately 40 employees and citizens were evacuated at about 11:30 a.m. Sheriff Robert Wolfe and his deputies assisted with the smooth evacuation process.

Fortunately, Yasenchak said there was a light case load Monday. She said President Judge William H. Wiest is on vacation, while Judge Charles Saylor only had legal proceedings in the morning. Hearing officer Marsha Skoff was scheduled to conduct custody mediation hearings in the afternoon, but those proceedings had to be postponed.

Anyone involved in an emergency protection from abuse case in the afternoon was referred to the office of Magisterial District Judge Benjamin Apfelbaum in the county administration building across town.

Two signs were posted on the front doors of the courthouse notifying the public about its closure.