SHAMOKIN - One of four males charged in a June 12 disturbance at the Northwestern Academy Secure Program boot camp waived his right to a preliminary hearing Tuesday and plans to plead guilty to conspiracy in the Court of Common Pleas in Sunbury.

Jalen Kirk, 18, of Indian Head, Md., was returned to the academy and remains on unsecured bail after waiving to court two counts each of simple assault, conspiracy to commit simple assault and harassment.

According to assistant district attorney Michael Toomey, Kirk plans to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy and receive a probation sentence. Public defender Melissa Norton, who represented Kirk, declined comment.

A hearing for co-defendant Stephawn M. Watson, 18, of Capital Heights, Md., was continued Tuesday because Norton had a conflict representing both men.

Watson is charged with the same offenses and remains in Northumberland County Prison, Sunbury.

Erick A. Flores, 19, of Gaithersburg, Md., who was charged with similar offenses in the disturbance, was released from the academy and remains free on probation in Maryland.

Police said Watson and Kirk pulled a minor boy into a back room and held him so he could not move or yell. Flores joined the duo in holding the minor, and the men told the minor they were going to "make him tough." Kirk and Watson struck the minor in the arms until the boy broke free and ran away, police said.

Watson, Kirk and a 17-year-old male juvenile from Maryland also are charged in another fight June 12 with a different minor boy. They allegedly detained the minor and punched him, leaving bruises on his arms, shoulders and chest.

The 17-year-old is in a detention center in Maryland.

All the charges were filed by Coal Township Patrolman Matthew Hashuga.

SHAMOKIN - Two city residents pleaded with city council Monday to take action in dealing with stray cats.

Tom Makowski, of 403 E. Dewart St., and Susan Kleman, of 525 Bear Valley Ave., approached council separately about their issues with the vagabond felines.

Makowski, a cat owner himself, said he fears letting his grand kids play in his backyard because of the strays, while Kleman said the cats have ruined patio furniture and outside toys, urinated in the vents of her vehicle and caused hair and dander to infiltrate her home.

Some of the cats are people's pets, Makowski said, and the owners should be held responsible. If a dog runs at large, its owner can be cited, and Makowski suggested the same for cat owners.

Kleman, who doesn't own cats, called the issue a health hazard. She said she's spraying her home with flea repellent and that her family is taking over-the-counter allergy medicine because of cat allergies.

Rick Bozza, code officer, previously estimated up to 600 feral cats inhabit Shamokin. He said the borough of Northumberland has had success with its own ordinance requiring licensing. It holds responsible the owners whose cats run at large.

A licensing ordinance wouldn't impact the feral cat population. Councilwoman Barbara Moyer suggested city council explore a "trap, neuter, release" program. She said there are organizations that would undertake the effort, and that it's a humane and effective solution.

Milbrand said city council would discuss a potential ordinance next month. One issue he identified is manpower, questioning who would be able to enforce another ordinance.

MOUNT CARMEL - Grant money totaling more than $500,000 is in jeopardy after the borough's transit director reportedly failed to file a mandatory audit.

Borough manager Edward Cuff III was notified by the state Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) July 21 that a federal single audit, required by all entities spending more than $500,000 of government money, was not filed by the June 30 deadline for the Lower Anthracite Transit Authority (LATS).

Megan Janolek, as LATS director, would have been responsible for the audit. Janolek is already under fire from the council for reported bookkeeping mistakes, and the borough is advertising for a replacement.

The audit is required to be filed to the Commonwealth's Single Audit Clearing House within nine months after the close of the municipality's fiscal year.

In an e-mail, Margie Stahl, DCED administrative officer, said she warned Janolek by phone June 11 the borough would be flagged if the audit was not complete by the deadline.

"After numerous attempts, via phone and e-mail beginning 2/20/14, we still have not received the single audit," Stahl wrote.

If flagged for non-compliance, the borough will be ineligible for grant funding until the audit is completed and any other delinquencies are corrected.

Not flagged yet

Heidi Havens, DCED press secretary, said Tuesday the borough has not yet been flagged.

"DCED will continue to work with them and offer technical support and assistance as the borough continues to make an attempt to submit their audit," said Havens.

In 2012, Mount Carmel received approximately $552,378 in federal funding. DCED contributed $108,247.98 in the form of a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), and another $254,632.73 through the Home Investment Partnerships program.

The borough also received $188,402 from the Department of Transportation and $1,095.38 from the Department of General Services.

As the largest contributor in grant money to the borough, DCED is responsible for reconciling any differences in the distribution of the money and to resolve any findings.

Mount Carmel Borough serves as administrator for LATS, a public transit system that serves eastern Northumberland County.

No word on hiring, firing

Borough council voted to open Janolek's position July 17 in the wake of the discovery of numerous bookkeeping errors, including a $67,175.87 transfer of funds to reconcile a year-end discrepancy.

Borough council president Tony Matulewicz estimates the borough will have to pay an accountant $2,000 to fix the books.

At the time, Matulewicz said council had decided not to terminate her until they had further investigated the situation. He would not comment on if she would be terminated at the Aug. 21 meeting or if anyone had yet applied for the position.

While Janolek explained one of the major mistakes the day after problems were first reported by council, and said the problem was corrected, she has otherwise said she does not want to comment.

Matulewicz wasn't satisfied with her explanation.

Janolek was appointed full-time executive director of LATS in July 2012 after already serving as borough treasurer. On March 1, her treasurer duties were transferred to Cuff so she could focus on managing LATS.

Owes PennDOT, too

The borough also will lose $263,509 in state funding in 2014-15 - three-quarters of its operating budget - to reimburse for six years of "overstated" LATS senior citizen ridership numbers and to pay a 25 percent penalty.

A PennDOT report from earlier this year said a LATS policy directed drivers to count senior passengers on the vehicle each time the bus crossed a municipal boundary.

Because of that, funding from Section 1513 grants will be decreased by $229,111 in reparation for the overbilling from fiscal years 2005-06 through 2010-11, according to a letter received Aug. 5 from Toby L. Fauver, PennDOT deputy secretary of multi-modal transportation. PennDOT calculated the amount using revised ridership data to come up with the reimbursements, which totaled $183,289, and imposed the 25 percent penalty - another $45,822 - for the inaccurate statements. Section 1513 grants are for senior citizen ridership.

For Section 1517 funding - applying to total ridership but also including senior citizens - LATS overbilled the state $34,398, Fauver said. That was added to the $229,111 to create the $263,509 total.

The LATS budget for 2014-15 is $348,992, as approved by borough council in May.

Susquehanna Valley gas prices continue to fall, going down another three cents to $3.44 a gallon, according to AAA East Central's Fuel Gauge report.

AAA East Central surveys 35 gas stations in the Susquehanna area for its report. The lowest price was in the Lewisburg area at $3.30 and the highest price was in Mifflinburg at $3.54.

The average price for unleaded regular gasoline in Pennsylvania was $3.55.

On the national front

The national average price for regular unleaded gasoline has continued its downward trend despite high-profile conflicts in overseas oil producing countries and declining domestic refinery production. Today's price is $3.47 per gallon, which is about two cents less than one week ago, 15 cents less than one month ago and seven cents less than the same date last year.

The falling national average is largely mirrored at the state level, where drivers in all but a handful of states are paying less at the pump over the last few weeks. Consumers in Hawaii ($4.32), Alaska ($4.10) and California ($3.91) continue to pay the highest prices per gallon.

Last week, President Obama announced that the U.S. would begin airstrikes in Iraq in response to the continuing escalation of violence by the group known as ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and Levant). Iraq is the world's seventh-largest oil producer and a disruption in production could impact the global supply. Tensions between Russia and Ukraine, and the situation Libya are being monitored but have not resulted in a disruption to supply.

Oil prices, meanwhile, continue to trade near multi-month lows. The price of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) settled 43 cents higher at $98.08 per barrel at the close of formal trading Monday.

(AAA East Central - a not-for-profit association with 82 local offices in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, New York and Kentucky servicing 2.7 million members - provides Fuel Gauge each week.)

Tuesday's soaking rain dropped about two inches of precipitation on to the area, keeping rainfall totals about average for the year.

According to Tony Mach, meteorologic technician for the National Weather Service office in State College, 2.22 inches of rain fell at the Sunbury cooperative weather station between 7 a.m. Tuesday and 7 a.m. Wednesday.

"The amount fell just short of the record rainfall for Aug. 12, which was 2.42 inches, set in 2004," Mach said.

Mach said Harrisburg and Williamsport saw record rainfall amounts that day. On Tuesday, Williamsport received 3.4 inches of rain, shattering the 1905 record rainfall of 2.22 inches. Harrisburg got 2.55 inches, breaking the 1924 record of 2.14 inches.

Due to Tuesday's soaking rain and this year's snowy winter, Mach said the area is less than an inch behind in normal levels of precipitation for the years.

So far in 2014, the Sunbury station has received a total of 24.89 inches or precipitation. Normally, the area would be at about 25.65 inches.

Forecasters say that there is only a slight change to add to the totals in the next few days.

"Looking at the forecast, there really isn't any talk of rainfall until Sunday," Mach said. "We are looking at sunny skies for the next few days, with highs in the mid to upper 70s, with a 40 percent chance of rain Sunday afternoon and Sunday evening."

ZERBE TOWNSHIP - They say money doesn't grow on trees.

But for Zerbe Township, Northumberland County and the Line Mountain School District, trees mean big money.

Last year, timbering royalties brought in a gross of $51,816.86 for the three entities.

The money goes to the township, county and school through a unique receivership originally set up to ensure coal royalties were properly distributed.

"Back in 1945, there was a question as to whether or not the appropriate monies resulting from the mining of Zerbe Township were going to the correct taxing bodies," explained Roger Wiest Sr., the lawyer in charge of the legal filings for the receivership.

William Wilkinson, of Zerbe Township, has overseen the receivership for several decades. Each year on Sept. 20, he compiles the money received from royalties earned over the previous year and files a schedule of distribution of net royalties in the Northumberland County Court of Common Pleas. The files are public record.

Sharp increase

The total gross royalties for the receivership last year, with mining and timbering, came to $83,386.11. The previous five years, royalties ranged from $18,085.85 to $31,164.88.

The primary reason for the sharp increase is timbering done by property mined by Last Time Coal, operated by Vince Guarna and John Foieri.

"We used to always push the trees down with a dozer and just disregard them," said Guarna, of Mount Carmel Township. "The county had a chance to sell (the timber) where we're going to mine, and they made some money off that."

Some of the county property leased by Last Time Coal's strip mine operation is part of the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area (AOAA). While there has been public criticism that the mining and timbering were not approved, Patrick Mack, AOAA authority member and Northumberland County's director of planning and industrial development, said he was aware of the timbering done by Last Time Coal and that it is fully legal and caused no problems with the AOAA.

"What we (the AOAA) lease is the surface of the property for the purpose of recreation, and (Guarna) has had the lease for a long time, longer than the AOAA," said Mack. "He worked a long time and did the studies to get the permits, and he's invested a lot of money over the years."

Stamping down trees to clear an area for strip mining is considered standard procedure in the mining industry. Mack said taking the trees for timbering rather than just crushing them was a clever way for the county to bring in money for something that would be done anyway.

Game commission OK

In a letter dated Aug. 16, 2006, from Jeffrey J. Kost, licensed professional geologist with the division of environmental planning and habitat protection at the bureau of wildlife habitat management in the Pennsylvania Game Commission, Last Time Coal's operations are determined to "not affect endangered or threatened species of bird or mammal recognized by the Pennsylvania Game Commission."

"We do not anticipate any adverse impacts to any critical or unique habitats," Kost wrote in giving initial approval.

Studies on wetlands, geology, erosion and revegetation were also completed on Last Time Coal's 242.2 leased acres.

A representative of the game commission said last week there were no additional requirements of habitat studies for timbering.

Last Time Coal's mining permits are available for public viewing at the state Department of Environment Protection (DEP) district mining office in Pottsville.

AOAA studies

As the AOAA developed, the game commission required studies, too. Rather than get cleared for all 6,500 acres, the county asked the game commission if it could submit development activities for review on a case-by-case basis, Mack said.

Activities in some areas, such as construction of the welcome center last year, required no study. But a former strip mine area that was reclaimed did. On that project, "The result was a requirement to create bat habitats," Mack said.

"The AOAA needs to obtain game commission approval for the things we want to do. Mining companies will need to obtain game commission approval for the things they will want to do," Mack said. "Same property, same locations, two completely different effects on the property and the species living there."

Checks cut

The $51,816,86 earned by the receivership for timber last year came from Fort Jackson Logging, Wiest said.

With the money brought in from timbering royalties added to coal royalties, sizeable checks were cut to the three receiving entities in 2013. The county received $23,755.15, the school district $37,513.96 and the township $12,504.65.

Expenses for the receivership, which totalled $9,612.35 last year, include paying Wilkinson and Wiest for their services, and bond premiums. The fees are approved annually by the court.

Trail ride participants sought

BURNSIDE - The Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area and the Anthracite Trail Riders will sponsor a ride Sept. 13 at the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area (AOAA) to benefit the Children's Miracle Network at Geisinger.

ATV, UTV, RTV, dirt bike and dual sport operators are invited to take part in a 25-plus mile trail ride.

Registration is from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., or participants can register online at events.geisinger.org. The ride will leave in organized groups. Cost is $20 charge for operators and passengers. Children under 18 pay $10.

There will be food and beverages, along with door prizes, raffles and more.

Funds raised will help provide pediatric equipment, programs and services at Janet Weis Children's Hospital and throughout Geisinger Health System.

For directions or more information, call the AOAA welcome center at 570-648-2626, Northumberland County Planning Department at 570-988-4220 or contact the Children's Miracle Network office at 1-800-322-5437 or go to visit www.anthraciteadventure.com.

SUNBURY - Beds are hard to come by inside Northumberland County's only homeless shelter. Its director says vacancies are often filled in less than a day.

Haven Ministry is again at capacity this week, indicative of a homeless issue experts say is largely unrecognized locally.

Because people don't see the homeless sleeping in a box on the street doesn't mean there aren't people without a place of their own, said Gregg Stavinski, director of Northumberland County Adult Services.

It's usually the winter months when the homeless reach out for help, Stavinski said. Not this year. Two months into the fiscal 2014 and adult services is seeing its client numbers rise.

Four adults have sought emergency shelter since July 1, compared to eight such placements in the entire year prior. There were 36 adults or families for which eviction was resolved by Adult Services in fiscal 2013, and eight such cases so far this year.

Fifty-five individuals or families sought shelter through Central Susquehanna Opportunities' tri-county area since October, according to Gale Zalar, community action director.

Stavinski and Zalar agreed the actual number of people without a permanent home is much larger. There's no accurate count of the homeless. Many are "hidden," either blended in or out of sight. They're young, they're old, they're parents. Some have jobs. Some are couch-surfing. Some don't want help.

"They're here. We have them," said Brian Ambrose, Northumberland County housing coordinator, of the "hidden homeless."

Haven home

Haven Ministry, on South Front Street, opened in 1991. It can house 32 people comfortably in eight different areas. The current capacity is about 25 since the women's dorm is under renovation.

Residents are men and women, children and senior citizens. The average stay is four months. Some people have stayed close to one year. They must keep the shelter clean inside and out, and also cook most of their own meals. Their efforts were evident Wednesday: the shelter was spotless.

There are often single mothers staying with their children at the shelter, but shelter director Christy Ziegler says the clientele's individual situations vary widely. Some had never finished high school, and others have college degrees. One resident had been a nurse. A common factor is drugs and alcohol.

"We try to get them out as quickly as we can, but with no jobs ... it can be difficult," she said while giving a tour of the children's playground and nearby vegetable garden.

Ziegler is the lone full-time staff member. There are two part-timers. Overnight volunteers are crucial. The shelter relies on donations from local churches, the United Way, citizens and businesses. National Beef and Weis Markets are two of its largest donors, helping stock a food pantry that not only feeds shelter residents but also area residents. Haven Ministry provided food to 286 adults and children registered for the food bank.

Seeking work

Shelter residents are helped to obtain not only jobs but also GEDs, drivers licenses and birth certificates. There are tutorials on budgeting and basic accounting, and lessons on how to dress for and act during a job interview or when meeting a landlord for an apartment.

That's the type of help received by Tyler Casteline, a 19-year-old Eagle Scout and graduate of Northumberland Christian School. He's lived there about two months but doesn't expect to be there much longer.

Casteline will soon begin an underwater welding class with the Job Corps. He expects to be enrolled for up to two years. When he graduates, he says he's guaranteed to have work.

"I just want a place of my own, where I can say 'this is my wall,'" Casteline said, holding a hand in the air as if touching it already. "Where I can hang up my own things. I paid for it."

He's hardly the only one seeking work.

Matt DeNicola, 44, an area resident for eight years, says his personal struggles cost him good jobs over the years. He moved into the shelter one week ago, showing up with a bicycle, a duffel bag and some Bibles. He has two job interviews today.

"Decision-making," DeNicola said, "is the biggest lesson I've learned. If you say you're going to do something, you do it."

Ziegler said too often the shelter's residents are stigmatized.

"I wish more people would come and see them and talk to them and see they're not evil. They're just down on their luck," she said.

On the rise

Zalar said homelessness is among the most pressing social issues facing Northumberland County, and the homeless aren't always lucky enough to end up in a facility like Haven Ministry.

One man was living inside a vacant portion of a local strip mall. A woman from the south met a man online and moved to the coal region, and when the relationship turned sour quickly, she was left without a place to live. Another young couple was found sleeping a few nights inside the bucket of a loader. Many people seeking shelter are seasonal workers.

NUMIDIA - A Mount Carmel man said he was looking for his friend when he followed a Jeep onto a private driveway Monday night and allegedly threatened to kill someone, according to Locust Township police.

When Joseph M. Lamas, 32, of 243 S. Chestnut St., was taken into custody and searched, Cpl. Christopher Snyder said he found 36 packets of heroin and hypodermic needles in Lamas' cargo shorts.

Lamas followed a Jeep into the driveway of 879 Bear Gap Road at 9:12 p.m., got out of his 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe and began shouting threats and obscenities, according to a criminal complaint. When the Jeep's driver yelled to the home's occupant to "get the gun," Lamas got back into the pickup and backed out, driving to a neighboring driveway at 897 Bear Gap Road and continuing to shout "I'm going to kill you" and "help."

According to police, Lamas said he was trying to find his friend's house, with whom he was on the phone when the signal cut out. He told police he was slated to go to a drug rehabilitation facility the next day.

Police said Lamas was also found in possession of two crack pipes and other heroin-related paraphernalia. He is charged with felony possession of heroin and paraphernalia, misdemeanor drug and paraphernalia possession and terroristic threats, and summary disorderly conduct and driving without a valid inspection.

He was arraigned Tuesday before Magisterial District Judge Marvin Shrawder, Danville, and committed to Columbia County Prison, Bloomsburg, in lieu of $10,000 cash bail.

SUNBURY - The Northumberland County sheriff has joined two county commissioners in a call to fire the county prison warden.

Robert J. Wolfe said it's not a reflection of the warden's work, but instead an effort to "promote harmony."

A motion made by Commissioner Chairman Vinny Clausi at Wednesday's meeting to terminate the employment of Warden Roy Johnson failed, with Wolfe voting yes for the first time alongside Clausi and Commissioner Stephen Bridy. The two commissioners have been vocal about their desire to remove the warden.

Four yes votes are needed to pass a motion within the seven-member prison board.

Controller Christopher Grayson and Commissioner Rick Shoch both voted no, citing the absence of District Attorney Ann Targonski.

"She indicated that she would not want these issues raised until she is here," said Grayson.

Shoch has previously defended Johnson amid the criticisms from Bridy and Clausi.

Targonski, who would have been at her first prison board meeting since her appointment as district attorney last month, notified the board she could not attend because she was scheduled to be in court.

She said later Wednesday she was prepared to vote on the matter, but she would not comment on which way she would have voted.

"I did feel that there needs to be a change in the way the prison board is handling issues," said Targonski. "I read the minutes from the last meeting. People are disrespectful of each other, and that's not the way public officials should be acting."

Targonski said she would be at the next meeting unless she is called away to work again.

Nothing personal

Clausi and Bridy participated in the meeting via speakerphone.

Wolfe, who abstained from voting when Clausi made a similar motion at July's meeting, said he likes Johnson very much, but thought bringing in a new warden would help resolve numerous issues at the prison as well as relieve some of the tension within the prison board.

"I believe change begins at the top," Wolfe said in an interview at his office later Wednesday. "Hopefully, problems at the prison will get better with different leadership in command of the place."

Wolfe was adamant he was making his decision independent of the rest of the board.

"We can't agree on things; we can't get a vote on things," said Wolfe. "I have no personal axes to grind with Roy Johnson. He did his best with the hand he was dealt."

Debate, discussion

Another motion made by Clausi, to limit public comment time, was also denied.

Shoch voted no because he thinks the motion is illegal, and Grayson and Wolfe abstained until they could seek legal advice. Bridy voted yes.

Clausi brought the motion to a vote after Shoch turned down the volume of the speakerphone during the public comment session at the beginning of the meeting.

Shoch said he was attempting to give Mustafa Abuomar his time to speak and that Clausi was interrupting Abuomar. Clausi felt as though he was not being heard because Shoch was responding to all of Abuomar's comments.

The public comment session lasted approximately 40 minutes; Abuomar occupied the podium the majority of the time.

Abuomar followed up on issues he has raised at previous meetings regarding religious expression and other policies at the prison. He compared the policies implemented since he spoke out in July as equivalent to passing an exam with a 61 percent.

Mary Ann Hubner, who has run prison programs, including a painting program through Rita's House, spoke up during the session in support of the warden.

"The warden's had an open door policy," said Hubner, adding that the warden was welcoming to volunteers implementing prison programs.

Wolfe noted after the meeting that such programs would continue regardless of who held the warden position.

After the citizen input session concluded, the board passed last meeting's minutes, with Clausi as the sole vote against the motion.

The Prime Care Medical Inc. report was passed, with Clausi again the sole dissenting vote. He said he called Prime Care but could not get any answers to his questions.

An executive session, lasting approximately 15 minutes, was then held to discuss litigation.

When the meeting resumed, a motion to approve the warden's report failed and the matter was tabled. Clausi voted no and Bridy voted no confidence.

The house arrest report was passed 8-0, as was the payroll report and the holding cell census.

House arrest report

Brian Updegrove, adult probation and parole supervisor, said the house arrest program had 64 participants during the past month and estimated it saved the county $76,615.

Clausi commented that he was happy the participation numbers had risen again.

The ratification of hires, resignations and terminations was tabled, with Clausi voting no and Bridy voting no confidence. Grayson abstained, citing a conflict of interest.

Election of a chairman was tabled again, until Targonski could be present. The board remains down one person because Judge William H. Wiest, who assumed the president judgeship earlier this year with Robert B. Sacavage's retirement, said he would not serve on the prison board, citing potential conflicts of interest.

With several unresolved items still on the agenda, the meeting ended after more than 90 minutes when Bridy said he had to leave to attend to another meeting. Clausi also hung up at this time.

A second public comment period did continue for at least 20 minutes.

SHAMOKIN - The initial meeting of an ad hoc consortium to streamline resources for Northumberland County's poor citizens drew 26 people from 18 state and county agencies and area nonprofit groups.

Gale Zalar, community action director of Central Susquehanna Opportunities (CSO), was excited by Wednesday's strong turnout, saying no one agency can tackle poverty alone.

"We feel the individual will do better if the family does better. The family will do better if the community does better," Zalar said during Wednesday's meeting at a CSO conference room at the career and arts center.

Nearly 15 percent of individuals living in Northumberland County are at or below the national poverty level, including 11 percent of senior citizens and 22 percent of minors.

Carmine Picarelli, Northumberland County's mental health program director, said he was surprised at the statistics, taken from U.S. Census Bureau data - not because they were particularly shocking, but because he figured they'd be higher.

The Health and Human Services Department publishes guidelines for the poverty level. It's $11,670 for a single adult, $15,730 for a family of two and $23,850 for a family of four. Between utilities, food and rent, Picarelli said he couldn't imagine how people get by at the poverty level.

"I think it's much worse than what the numbers are portraying," he said of the county's poverty rates.

Karen Leonovich, deputy administrator of the county's Area Agency on Aging, said the needs for residents 60 years and above are changing. Home care is still a necessity, she said, but now more than ever there's a need for money and clothing. The agency has long handled issues with prescription medication, but it's now encountering issues with heroin and other illicit drugs.

Mandy Wagner, director of social services for the county's Children and Youth Services, said the agency serves between 250 and 300 families. The latest count shows there are 156 children in out-of-home placement.

Other attendees included representatives of the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit, American Red Cross, local churches and Transitions of Pennsylvania.

CSO coordinated creation of the coalition. Zalar said its scope will be all of Northumberland County, and it will begin by meeting monthly and potentially breaking into subcommittees.

A well-received suggestion was to create a directory of all coalition members and services offered by their agencies. When someone is in need of help, coalition members will have quicker and direct access to specific services.

The Rev. Rose Marquardt stressed that the coalitions won't be successful unless its members are easily able to coordinate and share information.

The next meeting will be held Sept. 10 at the CareerLink in Sunbury.

WEIGH SCALES - The Shamokin-Coal Township Joint Sewer Authority will realize a net savings of more than $500,000 after refunding construction bonds issued in 2006.

The authority's operations board announced the savings at its meeting Wednesday night after a report from Financial S&lutions LLC, of Scranton, a financial advisory firm.

"On July 24, the authority was able to successfully refund $8.85 million of the 2006 bonds and realize a savings of $517,736. A majority of the savings will be realized by the authority this fiscal year," board president Phil Zalar said.

The savings were realized, according to representative of the firm at the meeting, due to a historically low current interest rate environment and because of the authority's positive credit rating.

"We are very happy with the results and guidance we have received," Zalar said. "If positive market conditions continue, we will be in the position to refinance a second portion of the 2006 bonds later this year to achieve additional savings."

The authority is also looking to refinance other bonds in 2015 in order to raise more funds for capital projects.

In other business:

- The board reported the Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion project is moving along and approved five change orders cost a total of $19,536.22.

- Great Valley Consultants, the authority's engineering firm, reported they will be ready to go to bid on plans to install a generator for the wastewater treatment plants, costing approximately $500,000. Funds for the project will come from the 2006 construction bond fund.

- Approval was given to purchase a new portable welder that can be used to weld stainless steel and aluminum at a cost of $2,815 and to participate in the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency's Work-Study program for the coming academic year. All motions were approved by a 6-0 vote with board members Zalar, Darwin Tobias, Edward Christiano, Joseph Wightman, Michael Carpenter and David Kopitsky Jr. voting yes.

- The board received confirmation from Shamokin City Council that Kopitsky had been reappointed to the authority board for another five-year term.

KILLEEN, Texas - Col. Patrick L. Gaydon, a native of Muncy who has relatives in the Shamokin area, took over as the new commander of the 41st Field Artillery Brigade at Fort Hood on July 31.

Gaydon succeeded Col. William E. McRae during a change-of-command ceremony at Cooper Field at Fort Hood. McRae is now the liaison officer for the U.S. Northern Command/North American Aerospace Defense Command to the Federal Emergency Management Agency in Washington, D.C.

Gaydon came to Fort Hood from Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, where he served as chief of fires for the 1st Armored Division. He assumes command of a brigade that is in the process of transforming into a division artillery unit.

In an article published in the Killeen Daily Herald, Gaydon said, "I want to continue the tradition of excellence. I've got a pretty good organization. I can't ask for anything more."

Col. Viet Luong, deputy commander of maneuver for the 1st Cavalry Division, added, "Patrick Gaydon takes command at a strategic time, and we are extremely fortunate to have an officer with his experience and reputation."

Gaydon is a graduate of Muncy High School and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y.

He is a son of Marie Gaydon, of Muncy, and the late Lewis Gaydon Jr. He is a grandson of Lewis and Betty Gaydon, of Shamokin, and the late Albert and Monica Ghezzi.

ELYSBURG - Ciara Conarty's favorite things in life are SpongeBob, swimming and Knoebels Amusement Resort. Conarty got to experience all those things - and more - when her wish to be crowned "Queen of Knoebels" came true this week.

The 11-year-old from Gibert, Monroe County, who suffers from Rett Syndrome, was crowned Thursday afternoon prior to a parade through the park that included the Knoebel family, staff, members of the Shamokin Area High School Band and Kozmo and Dexter, the park's mascots. Ciara and her mother, Jennifer Kane, sat behind Dick Knoebel while he drove a motorized coaster train through the park. The event was the highlight of an all-expense-paid four-day trip courtesy of the park and Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Conarty, her mother, stepfather, John Kane, brothers Zachary Strohl, 12, and Grant Conarty, 9, and nurse, Eureka Wilson, stayed in a three-bed room cottage a short distance from the park. They also received golf cart transportation, food tickets, pool and ride passes and, of course, a SpongeBob balloon.

"The park has been very accommodating," Jennifer said. "The ride operators were polite and helpful, and the food stand workers made sure to talk to Ciara. They even turned off the strobe lights in the Haunted House and Black Diamond because Ciara is susceptible to seizures."

Conarty is unable to verbally communicate or use her hands, but does express her feelings through her eyes and giggles of laughter, of which Kane said there was no shortage when her daughter rode the Black Diamond earlier in the week.

MeCP2

Rett is a neurological disorder that occurs mostly in girls, but is typically more severe in boys. It is caused by mutations on the X chromosome on a gene called methyl CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2). Most children who have Rett Syndrome live six to 18 months with normal development before developing debilitating problems with brain functions, including communication and learning.

Kane said Ciara started loosing skills at 9 months old and had her first seizure when she was three. A year later, Ciara was diagnosed with Rett Syndrome after testing positive for the MeCP2 mutation.

The disease has stolen many of Ciara's normal functions, but it hasn't taken away her personality. Her family has always called her the "Royal Cuteness."

"She loves Knoebels. So we put the two together and made her the Queen of Knoebels," Kane said. "When we got to the cottage, it was filled with balloons, flowers and stuffed animals. Anything we asked for was taken care of."

Stacy Ososkie, of the park's public relations department, said the park was contacted by Make-A-Wish in June about granting Ciara's wish. The park set the wheels in motion and accommodated the family any way they could.

Ososkie said every department of the park has played a role in making Ciara's visit memorable.

Brian and Trevor Knoebel, fourth-generation members of the family, said Ciara and her family were overwhelmed with gratitude and continued to thank the Knoebel family for making Ciara's wish come true.

Knoebel said the park has an ongoing relationship with the foundation, granting a similar wish two years ago and raising funds for the foundation through events, including a 5K event in July and auctioning off the first seats to the Twister when it opened in July 1999.

Gallery remains closed

SHAMOKIN - The Fine Art Gallery at the career and arts center, Eighth and Arch streets, remains closed while repair work from a water leak continues.

The gallery was in use for an opening art reception Friday, but closed again after the event.

The goal is to have it reopened no later than the next gallery reception Sept. 19.

It is normally open during business hours Monday through Friday.

Prayers for peace asked

HARRISBURG - Pope Francis has appealed to Catholics worldwide to join in prayerful solidarity for the Holy Spirit to send the gift of peace to Iraq.

In response to this request, Bishop Ronald Gainer has invited the clergy and faithful of the Diocese of Harrisburg to become united in prayer Sunday. Below is a petition that may be included in the Universal Prayer at all parishes this weekend:

"For an immediate end to the violence and destruction of life in Iraq, especially as it is directed to the native Christians, that these evils will be defeated by efforts for peace and justice. Let us pray to the Lord/Lord, hear our prayer."

Additionally, Rosaries for Peace may be prayed by the clergy and faithful before and/or after the Masses this weekend.

CLEVELAND TOWNSHIP - A toddler who suffered severe burns when he fell into a fire pit at Knoebels Campground Sunday was listed in stable condition at Lehigh Valley Hospital Thursday.

Locust Township police said a two-year-old, referred to as Rylee in police reports, was sitting at a campfire with his foster parents, Melissa and Scott Agresta, when he fell head first into the flames.

The Press-Enterprise reported Rylee's last name is Castelli; however, Locust Township police did not list a last name in their report.

The child suffered severe burns on both arms and hands.

Personnel from Knoebels first aid station arrived on scene and treated Rylee's burns. He was then transported to Geisinger Medical Center, Danville.

Later, he was transferred to Lehigh Valley Hospital's burn recovery center. A hospital representative said Thursday the boy is in stable condition.

HARRISBURG - A $2 million sum to create a state disaster relief program is in the new state fiscal code under dispute by Gov. Tom Corbett and lawmakers.

The money would carry out a top priority of Sen. Lisa Baker, R-20 - to provide state assistance to municipalities and individuals to help pay for damages to primary residences, personal property and public facilities caused by natural and man-made disasters that aren't eligible for federal disaster aid.

Baker hopes to win Senate passage this fall of her bill to create this program under the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA). The measure is in the Appropriations Committee.

The impact of severe, localized floods that caused damages in Luzerne County in recent years spurred the bill. While the financial losses were substantial, they fell short of meeting the threshold criteria for federal disaster aid, Baker said.

A provision in the fiscal code complements Baker's bill by providing the $2 million under PEMA to "help repair damages to primary residences, personal property and public facilities."

State aid would only be available in a disaster area when a presidential disaster declaration is not in effect under this provision.

The governor has put a hold on spending this money by placing it in budgetary reserve, and the disaster program is being evaluated, said Corbett spokesman Jay Pagni.

When he signed the $29 billion budget last month, Corbett vetoed more than $70 million in legislative spending citing the revenue deficit and the Legislature's decision not to contribute part of its own surplus to help balance the budget. The veto includes legislative-backed earmarks in the fiscal code.

And, the governor put a number of legislative-added items like the disaster relief money in the reserve for review. The review will give time for the state to monitor monthly state revenue collections to ensure funding is available, according to the administration.

The Senate is considering legal action to challenge Corbett's actions regarding the fiscal code bill.

Municipalities need state disaster assistance because the damages from a disaster that doesn't qualify for federal aid can often amount to two or three times the annual municipal budget, Baker said.

Air Force Airman 1st Class Eric J. Lapotsky graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.

The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.

Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

Lapotsky is a son of Joseph D. Lapotsky, of Mount Carmel, and Katherine A. Lapotsky, of Mount Carmel, and the brother of Jessica K. Lapotsky of Media, Pa.

He earned a diploma in 2005 at Mount Carmel Area Junior-Senior High School, and a bachelor's degree in 2010 at the University Of Oklahoma, Norman, Okla.

LOCUST TOWNSHIP - A brave bare-chested man wearing shorts jumped into Laura's Lake at Ideal Park campground Thursday afternoon and rescued an elderly Mount Carmel woman from a sinking car that drifted into the water from a nearby pebbled road.

Virginia Lindenmuth, 79, of 423 W. Fourth St., was listed in critical condition at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville following the 3 p.m. freak accident and heroic rescue effort just off High Meadow Road.

Lindenmuth was pulled out the driver's side window of the red Buick by 50-year-old Mark Hoffman who was just about to take a shower in his camper when he spotted the auto drifting forward between two trees toward a small embankment leading to the lake's shoreline.

Locust Township Officer Jason Sudol said Lindenmuth and her 81-year-old husband, John, had just pulled in to visit Hoffman, his girlfriend, Maria Benjamin, 46, of Mahanoy City, and her mother, Adele Benjamin, also of Mahanoy City, at their campsite near the lake.

According to police, John Lindenmuth, who was driving, exited the vehicle but failed to put the car in park. It drifted forward into the lake with his wife as a front-seat passenger.

'It was crazy'

Hoffman, who resides at 531 Columbia Ave., Aristes, said he initially attempted to stop the car from descending the embankment, but was unable to do so. He then dove into the lake and swam about 30 yards, where he reached the car as it became submerged in approximately 10 feet of water.

"I'm just glad she's alive," Hoffman said as he sat in a chair next to his camper taking a well deserved rest after the rescue. "It was a struggle getting her out. I had to jump through the driver's side window to reach her because all the other windows and doors were locked. Then I had to get her seat belt off. The water in the car was up to my hips and I knew I had to get her out as fast as I could. I tried grabbing her a couple times until finally I was able to get a good grip."

He said the rescue took about 5 to 10 minutes.

Hoffman, who considers himself a decent swimmer, added, "She kept yelling that she couldn't swim. It was crazy. I never did anything like that before."

The Aristes man, who spends his summers at the campground, was able to safely swim to shore with Lindenmuth, where they were initially assisted by his girlfriend moments before Locust Township Police Chief Allen Breach and Tom Runge, a township supervisor and longtime firefighter and emergency medical technician, provided CPR to the victim, who wasn't breathing.

Breach and Runge, who were later assisted at the scene by Sudol, Locust Township Assistant Police Chief John Brokenshire and members of Valley Chemical Fire Company in Numidia, were able to revive Lindenmuth and she was responsive when placed on a backboard and rushed by MICU 61 of Bloomsburg to Geisinger.

Two medics from Life Flight helicopter that landed near a cornfield also went with Lindenmuth in the ambulance.

Hoffman escaped injury.

Several campers offered their assistance and support to Hoffman and Mr. Lindenmuth, who was severely shaken by the incident and evaluated by medical personnel at the scene before being taken by private vehicle to Geisinger to check on his wife.

'Hell of a job'

John Miller, 57, of Elysburg, who has a campsite nearby and witnessed the rescue, said Hoffman "did a hell of a job." He added, "Mark had his hands full trying to get the lady out and then all of a sudden she came out of the car like a cork coming out of a bottle."

Maria Benjamin, who was very proud of her boyfriend's efforts, added, "Everything happened so quickly. I remember saying, 'Oh my God, there's a car in the lake.'"

And then the car

As if the rescue effort wasn't enough excitement for the day, police still faced the challenge of removing the Buick from the lake.

That dilemma took a little more than an hour.

Shortly after Breach returned to the scene with his scuba diving gear including an air tank, Steve Blass from Bucher's Towing in Catawissa pulled up with a flat bed and plenty of heavy duty cable and chains.

After swimming out to locate the submerged auto, Breech came back to shore to retrieve cable and chains from Blass. Breech was assisted in securing the vehicle in the water by 31-year-old Matthew Becker, of Mechanicsville, Md.

Becker, who is 6 feet, 3 inches tall and weighs approximately 260 pounds, was visiting his family at the campground when he heard about the incident. He retrieved a paddle boat from across the lake and made his way out to Breech and the car, while Subol and Blass assisted with towing operations from ashore.

Becker, who works for the Charles County Sheriff and Corrections Office in Maryland, is a son of Robert and Maudie Becker, of Seltzer, near Minersville.

The car was brought to shore and loaded onto the flat bed at about 5:30 p.m.

Two purses owned by Virginia Lindenmuth, a shoe, a set of keys and a pair of glasses belonging to Hoffman were retrieved from the vehicle or lake.

STRONG - A News-Item reporter was injured when his vehicle collided with a tractor-trailer at the intersection of Routes 61 and 54 at approximately 11 a.m. Thursday.

Rob Wheary, 42, of Coal Township, was on his way to report on a hearing at Magisterial District Judge Hugh Jones' court in Mount Carmel when his Ford Fusion collided with a J.B. Hunt tractor-trailer.

Mount Carmel Township police had not issued a report by press time Thursday to detail how the crash may have occurred.

The front of Wheary's white Ford Fusion, which was traveling east on Route 61, was heavily damaged by the collision with the tractor-trailer, which was traveling north on Route 54.

Wheary was transported to Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, where he received more than 30 stitches to his forehead for a gash caused by his glasses when his face hit the steering wheel. He had another five or six stitches on his nose, which was broken. His steering wheel airbag did not deploy.

Wheary was treated and released from Geisinger Thursday evening.

The tractor-trailer left a trail of oil or hydraulic fluid while it continued through the intersection before the driver pulled it to the side of road. Skid marks believed to be from the tractor-trailer were seen before and through the intersection.

The driver, whose name was not available, was shaken, but uninjured.

The accident tied up traffic for some time in and around the busy Strong Connector intersection.