Air Force Airman Chelsea L. Breault 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.

Breault is the daughter of Jeffrey E. Breault, of Douglassville, and a granddaughter of Maureen Britt, of Kulpmont.

She is a 2013 graduate of Daniel Boone High School in Birdsboro.

As Rachel Dzuranin was finishing up her senior year at Hazleton Area High School in June, she knew she didn't want to go to college.

"I'm not one to sit in a classroom and listen to lectures all the time," Dzuranin, 18, of McAdoo, said.

She didn't really want to follow a suggestion from her father, Michael Dzuranin, either.

"He would always say, 'Join the Air Force. Join the Air Force,'" she said.

She wanted a hands-on career - and she wanted it through the Army.

Dzuranin enlisted and is one of the more than 40 who have spent the last few months preparing for basic training from the Army's recruiting office in Hazleton.

Her military occupational specialty, or MOS, will be ammunition specialist. The position is definitely hands-on, she said.

"I'll make sure ammunition is packed properly, and be trained to detonate bombs," she said.

Rachel, who is also a daughter of Janet Dzuranin, left for basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, on Aug. 4. Once she's trained, she hopes she will travel.

"I don't know where I'm going to go, but I'd love to go to Alaska," she said

Rachel, whose brother, Charles Dzuranin, is also in the Army, signed an eight-year contract. She's one of three girls in the "class" recruited from the Hazleton office.

Dylan Gonzalez will be six days into his Army basic training when he turns 18.

"I'm excited," Gonzalez, Hazleton, said of starting something he had thought about for years.

A 2014 Hazleton Area High School graduate, Gonzalez began what he hopes will be a long career with the Army on Aug. 12. He shipped out to Fort Benning, Georgia, for basic training.

Gonzalez said the decision to join the military was almost a given. His sister, Keila Gonzalez, and his brother, Iann Gonzalez, were both in the Army Reserves.

"And I decided that I was going to join, too, because it's something that I always wanted to do," he said. "But I wanted to go full time."

He will train to become a 19th Delta Cavalry Scout.

"I always dreamed of being a combat engineer, cavalry or infantry," he said.

And while friends are going to summertime parties, Gonzalez said he is staying focused.

"I'm going to stick to running every day, getting into shape and becoming a soldier," he said.

Gonzalez, whose siblings were able to pay for college thanks to the military, said his goal is to stay in the military until retirement. His family, including his mother, Madelene Gonzalez, is proud.

"My mom is the only one who has the real fear because she is the mother and I am the baby of the family," he laughed.

Already enlisted

Eric Pettit, 17, of Hazleton, is enrolled in the Army's "split" program - one that's available to high school students who are at least 17 years old.

Through the program, enrollees get a jump on joining the military. They fill out paperwork, have physical exams and receive their job classifications while still in high school.

"Then every Thursday, we have our training until we ship out," Pettit, who will be a senior at Hazleton Area High School, said. That means he will miss out on some summertime activities with friends and family.

"I'm preparing for next year. You have to start early because it's going to be brutal physically," he said of basic training. "I'll miss out on a lot, but it's something I want to do."

Pettit, a son of George Pettit, will go to Fort Benning next summer.

"I already have my date. I just have to wait until I graduate," he said.

Pettit became interested in the Army and what it had to offer after he met with recruiters at Hazleton Area.

"I think it's patriotism," he said. "I really want to serve my country."

Once he completes basic training, he'll know whether he will serve in the "regular" infantry or as a mortar man.

"I would like to see Europe. That was always on my mind," he said. "But you never know where you will go, though."

Nick Cibulish, 17, a son of Debbie Cibulish, also has another year until he graduates from Hazleton Area, and he won't be shipping out to Fort Benning, Georgia until then.

He has his MOS - infantry - and his deployment comes June 28, 2015.

"From now until then, every Thursday, we'll meet up and do training on different things," he said.

So far, he said, it's been great.

Patriotism push

Cibulish, an honor roll student who is quick with a "Yes, ma'am," remembers when he first started thinking about the military.

"Well, when I was younger and growing up, I watched the 9/11 attacks, thinking, 'How could this happen?'" he said.

He wanted to protect his country and make sure that "nothing like that" would happen again, he said.

"As I started looking into it, all the benefits, it just made sense to do," he said.

Army Staff Sgt. Anthony Ayers said many of the new recruits are recent graduates from the Hazleton, Weatherly and Mahanoy Area and Shenandoah Valley high schools. Photographs of the young men and women are tacked to a bulletin board beneath the words, "Future Soldiers."

Some "future soldiers" have already shipped off to basic training, Ayers said. Others are preparing for basic training at Army bases in places such as Georgia, Missouri, Oklahoma and South Carolina.

Ayers sees most of the recruits each week on Thursdays for training, when they work out, learn to read maps, practice first aid and study other skills under Army instructors. The get-togethers, he said, are a way to familiarize the future soldiers with what to expect at basic training.

"There's a lot of physical training to help their bodies acclimate to basic training," he said.

Cibulish doesn't mind. It's better than wasting the day away, he said.

"I would rather be here. I have fun with this," he said.

COAL TOWNSHIP - The August meeting of the Rainbow Club was held at Our Lady of Hope hall. The meeting was opened by Ann Koshinskie, vice president, in the absence of Ruth Romanoski, president.

Members recited the Senior Adult Ministry prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance and sang the Over 50 song.

Minutes were read by Dolly Yocum, secretary. They were approved and placed on file.

Birthdays for the month were acknowledged. Celebrants provided the refreshments.

Florence Verano, treasurer, reported on the club balance and on travel club activities. The Sept. 18 show was changed to "Mame." The last show of the year will be "Wonderful Life" Nov. 13 at the Dutch Apple Theater.

A health report was reas for members Joe Dobson, Howie Sandri, Rose Milbrand and Margaret Neary.

The club will make a basket for the Chinese auction. The theme is health and beauty. Items can be dropped off at the rectory or at Verano's home.

The attendance award was won by Gloria Yoder. Refreshments were served, and bingo was played. The 50/50 award was won by Koshinskie and Catherine Reed.

Winners of cakes were Yocum and Chet Purcell.

Koshinskie closed the meeting with prayer.

The next meeting will be held Sept. 14. September birthday celebrants will provide the refreshments.

Two people were seriously injured in off-road vehicle accidents about three hours apart Saturday in Zerbe and Coal townships.

A 33-year-old Lancaster County man was flown by Life Flight helicopter to Geisinger Medical Center in Danville after an all-terrain vehicle accident on Coal Hill.

Trooper Thomas Leib of state police at Stonington identified the victim as Roberto Rodriguez, of Mountville.

Leib said Rodriguez was doing a horseshoe or "rainbow" on a hill climb at 4:37 p.m. when his 1998 Honda 250 EX hit a ditch, causing him to fall head first onto the ground.

Rodriguez suffered a head injury and cuts and bruises on his face. He was treated at the scene by personnel from Trevorton Ambulance before being driven down

the mountain to the Trevorton ballfield along Route 225 to await the arrival of Life Flight helicopter that landed at about 5:30 p.m.

Rodriguez was responsive while being treated in the ambulance and his injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. His condition couldn't be confirmed by a nursing supervisor at Geisinger.

Leib said Rodriguez may be cited for trespassing since the property where the accident occurred is owned by Reading Anthracite.

Also assisting at the scene were members of Trevorton Fire Company and AREA Services personnel.

At about 7:30 p.m., Coal Township police were summoned to investigate a four-wheeler accident at the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area (AOAA) in which a female from Hummels Wharf was injured and transported by AREA Services Ambulance to Geisinger Medical Center.

The victim's boyfriend, who reportedly was riding on the same vehicle, suffered minor injuries, but refused medical treatment at the scene.

Their identities couldn't be obtained by press time.

AOAA officials and police said the couple face trespassing charges since they were riding on the grounds illegally, having entered the motorized recreation park along a PPL pole line.

The accident occurred approximately a half-mile from the AOAA administration office.

The four-wheeler was towed from the scene by Anthracite Towing.

MOUNT CARMEL - A naturalist from Tuscarora State Park is hosting a hike at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 27, at the Roaring Creek watershed, north of Mount Carmel. The loop passes by two large reservoirs.

The hike is eight miles in length and moderate in difficulty. Walkers should meet at the Weiser State Forest parking lot located on Route 42 below Aristes.

Call Robin at 570-467-2506 or register online at dcnr.pa.gov under the calendar of events at Tuscarora State Park.

This is a dog-friendly hike, but all pets must be leashed and get along with other pets and with people.

The hike will be held shine only.

SUNBURY - Five percent of our nation's preschoolers and one in four school-aged children have vision problems. Part of the problem is, that young children often do not know that the way they see the world is not the way everyone sees it. The result is that far too many vision problems remain undetected in children.

Without early treatment, vision conditions can lead to permanent vision loss, and learning difficulties. And research also shows a correlation between undiagnosed vision problems in children and resulting behavioral/medical issues such as low self-esteem, attention deficit disorder, criminal activity, etc.

Central Susquehanna Sight Services (a United Way agency) urges parents to follow a continuum of eye care that can include both vision screening and comprehensive eye exams at regular intervals. Any child who experiences vision problems or shows symptoms of eye trouble should receive a comprehensive eye exam by an optometrist or an ophthalmologist.

If you are planning to take your child to the eye doctor, here are some helpful tips:

Schedule the appointment at a time of day when your child is not likely to be sleepy, hungry, or cranky.

Make a list of your questions and bring it with you. Take notes when speaking to the doctor, so that you can refer to them later.

Have a plan ready for the waiting room. Bring a favorite book, small toy and or/snack to pass the time.

Let your child watch a family member get an eye exam. Have the doctor explain what is being done, step by step, and encourage the child to ask questions.

Bring your child's favorite cuddly toy. The doctor can "examine" the bear or doll and holding a toy may keep little hands off of expensive equipment.

Relax. Children look to adults for cues: If you seem nervous, your child may become anxious. A trip to the eye doctor should be fun for both of you.

The National Institute of Health and the American Optometric Association (AOA) suggest that eye exams be given by 6 months of age, at age 3, and at age 6 or before entering first grade. According to the AOA, two to four percent of America's children develop conditions known as strabismus and or amblyopia. Amblyopia is defined as reduced vision, usually in one eye only, without any evidence of a disease and which cannot be corrected with standard glasses or contact lenses. Strabismus is a condition in which the eyes are not properly aligned, with one eye turning in, out, up, or down. Early detection and treatment of these disorders during childhood is essential for preventing or minimizing vision loss.

For 66 years, CSSS has been screening children for symptoms of eye conditions and referring children with symptoms for a complete eye examination by an eye care physician. On an annual basis, CSSS screens over 1,000 preschoolers in the Susquehanna Valley.

Please contact CSSS at 570-286-1471 for more information and/or to make a donation.

About Central Susquehanna Sight Services (CSSS)

CSSS is funded, in part, by the United Way, the Pennsylvania Association for the Blind, the Pennsylvania Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, in the Department of Labor & Industry.

Elysburg Rotary plans 5K run

ELYSBURG - The Elysburg Rotary Club will hold its annual 5K run Monday, Sept. 1 at the All Home Days park in Elysburg.

Registration begins at 8 a.m. There is a registration fee of $18.

Special service, concert at Himmel's

REBUCK - Himmel's Church will host the Barbers from the International Cowboy Church Alliance Network during a 9 a.m. worship service and 7 p.m. concert Sunday, Aug. 24. Both will be held in the church grove. The theme is "Spreading the love of Jesus, the cowboy way."

The public is invited to praise the Lord in the beauty of the outdoors. Some seating is available, but the church recommends bringing lawn chairs. Refreshments will be served after the worship service and prior to the concert.

In case of inclement weather, the service and/or concert will be held in the church sanctuary. For more information, call 570-758-4610.

Fundraiser for Army veteran

SHAMOKIN - Villains Motorcycle Club of Shamokin will host a benefit run and party Saturday, Aug. 30 in support of Army veteran Cory Thompson, of Shamokin. Thompson was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident in July and is still recovering from major injuries.

A benefit run will leave from the Wayside Inn at 11 a.m., with registration from 9 to 10:45 a.m. The run will end at the RCA grounds in Ranshaw, where a benefit party will take place.

The cost of the benefit run is $20 per rider and $10 per passenger, with all types of vehicles welcome. The cost to attend the benefit party, without participating in the ride, is $10 per person.

The cost includes food, refreshments and live entertainment at the party.

LECK KILL - The man who snatched up a vacant elementary school is preparing the building for a major transformation.

Jamie Reed, of Zerbe Township, purchased the former Leck Kill Elementary School from the Line Mountain School District in May for $50,222, is converting it into a senior living facility.

When completed, the former school will offer 13 apartments specially designed for seniors aged 55 and older. Two of the apartments will be accessible in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, said Reed.

Reed was inspired to purchase the building after noting a need for a retirement home in the Leck Kill area. He saw other schools crumbling from years of disuse after they were closed and wanted to do something to prevent this from happening in Leck Kill.

"People in this community like to stay in the area," Reed said at the school Thursday. "I'm glad it's going to have a good use and not be wasted."

Reed's plan follows a trend occurring nationwide. As funding cuts and economic turmoil impose hardships on school districts, many turned to consolidation to save money. In Pittsburgh, where more than a dozen schools were closed during an era of financial instability within Pittsburgh Public Schools, real estate developers snapped up buildings and converted them into loft apartments.

Other towns have transformed vacated schools into community centers, YMCAs and shopping centers.

Many of these adaptive reuses have sought to incorporate as many of the historic elements of the buildings as possible.

Reed said he'd like to keep some of the details from the school, like the storage cabinets that hang above empty, child-size coat hooks.

"We're also going to try to keep the hardwood floor, if possible," said Reed, motioning to the dark-stained, scuffed floor in the former gymnasium/cafeteria space.

Others elements he has to change to meet code requirements or for practicality.

The vaulted, open-truss ceilings in some of the classrooms will be hidden by a drop ceiling, Reed said, to make the rooms easier to keep clean and more efficient to heat.

Low, child-size chalk boards will also be taken down, although some of the hallway bulletin boards will be saved and used in the operation of the senior living facility.

Several walls will be shifted to subdivide the building into more equitable rooms, and new walls will be constructed inside each room to create en-suite bathrooms.

Air conditioning units, installed during a $1.1 million renovation of the building in 2010, will be torn out and replaced with units that meet residential code requirements and are zoned for individual apartments.

The carpeting, also installed in 2010, will be removed due to numerous stains and tears.

One of the biggest changes to the building, the removal of an attached trailer, has already been completed.

"We're going to use it on another property," said Reed.

Reed, who resides just outside of Trevorton, attended the school from third to fifth grades. In addition to owning and managing several other rental properties, he operates a chiropractor business.

His daughter, Masie, who soon turns 9, attends Line Mountain Elementary, the Trevorton school into which Leck Kill was consolidated.

Masie has a classroom set up in the Leck Kill building with her books, artwork and a piano abandoned by the district. She plays in this room while her father works elsewhere in the building - except for when she's exploring for treasure.

"There's lots of stuff for her to get into," said Reed.

After the construction work is completed and the residents move in, Masie will still have plenty of room to play. The metal playground equipment, merry-go-rounds, slides and jungle gyms, left behind by the district, will stay outside for local children to use, said Reed.

"A lot of the community still uses it," said Reed.

Other items left behind - cafeteria tables, typewriters, bookshelves, projectors - are available for sale. They currently fill an area in the cafeteria/gymnasium that will become a community room for the future residents.

Reed said he was still in the process of obtaining permits, but he hopes to be ready for contractors to begin work by next year.

He was already being contacted by locals looking to sell their homes and move into a retirement community, he added.

As for what the name of the senior living facility will be, Reed said he was still unsure, but was considering keeping Leck Kill in the name somehow.

MOUNT CARMEL - The famed bleachers in the south end zone at the Silver Bowl will not be open for the upcoming football season as Mount Carmel Area School District officials continue to ponder their future.

At Thursday night's school board meeting, Superintendent Bernie Stellar updated directors and the public on the bleacher issue.

He said an engineering firm employed by the district to inspect the bleachers found them unsafe and in need of an immediate upgrade. Stellar said it was determined that repairing or replacing the bleachers would be cost prohibitive to the district.

He said the school board has decided to keep the bleachers closed for at least the upcoming football season. Stellar said board members are still deciding the fate of the bleachers, which were closed at the beginning of June. He said the bleachers could be repaired, reduced in size, replaced or torn down in the future.

He said district officials also are concerned about damaging the one-year-old track at the Silver Bowl if the bleachers are removed.

Stellar said the board welcomes input from community members about the bleacher issue.

It seems that every time I read a good weight loss book I am filled with a certain amount of motivation to take on challenges that I might not have taken on otherwise.

A few years ago this was most definitely true after reading a weight loss book, "Make the Connection: Ten Steps to a better body - and a better life" written by Bob Greene and Oprah Winfrey.

It's hard to imagine that it's already been about 16 years ago since I've read that book, but even though a bit of time has passed since I have read that book, one life experience that resulted from the reading of that book remains very clearly with me to this day.

At that time, I remember having this incredible desire thereafter to take to the open road and start walking.

I asked my grandmother, who I lived with at the time, "How far do I have to go to walk a total of one mile?"

I asked her this because she often knows exactly how far any one place is from another in the county. She gained this knowledge after having spent significant time on the road in the area working as a home health nurse.

And as expected, my grandmother knew exactly how far I needed to go.

So I walked to the point that she told me was a half a mile out and then I walked the half a mile back.

Since that was an easy walk, I decided the next day to ask her how far I needed to go to walk a total of two miles.

I repeated the process, walking out as far as she told me to go, and then walking the same distance back.

"Well that was easy," I thought. "I can do more."

So the next day I asked about how far I needed to walk to walk a total of three miles. If I could do two miles easily, certainly I could walk three no problem.

Three-mile walk

A funny thing happened that day. Something got lost in the translation when I asked my question, or perhaps my grandmother was a little distracted because the answer I got wasn't quite what I was looking for.

Yet I knew my grandmother knew her distances, so not for a second did I question the information that she gave me.

Walking past the half-mile point and then the mile point on my walk I thought, "I only have another half mile to go before having to turn around. I can do this."

I kept walking and I kept walking. My expensive brand-name sneakers started to chaff, making them feel a lot less luxurious than I thought they should feel. Wow, this is starting to hurt, but it's only another half mile, certainly I can do this.

Blisters started to form, blood starting to appear on my white socks.

It's only a little ways to go I told myself. If I can walk two miles, I can certainly walk three. I pressed on despite my obvious discomfort, not thinking for a second to question the information that my grandmother had given me about how far to walk to achieve a three-mile walk.

Time ticked on. Wow, this is a longer walk than I expected it to be.

Still I pressed on.

Familiar territory the whole way, yet for some reason walking this road that I lived on at the time seemed so much longer while I walked it than while I drove it.

Passing houses of this neighbor and that neighbor, I kept on going.

I made it within a few feet of the point of turning around, in a wooded area our family affectionately called the "wees" on Lake Wesauking Road. The "wees" as we called it were small ups and downs in the road that were fun to ride over as a child. We would all squeal "Wee!" as we would go over the "wees."

It was at that point, a car drove past me, and wouldn't you know, it was my grandmother on the way to lunch with friends.

I trudged on, so close to the point of turning around. Eventually, I got to the point of turning around and made my way back home.

"Wow! That was the longest half mile I had ever walked," I thought.

I just didn't get it. I didn't question this information I received from my grandmother, even though it was the longest half mile of my life.

I eventually got home again and peeled my sneakers and bloody, pus-stained socks off my feet.

Boy, did that ever hurt!

Later on, talking with my grandmother, she tells me she was surprised to see me out so far.

"I told you I wanted to walk three miles when I asked this morning how far it would be, and I did," I replied.

Six miles

It was at that moment that the truth about how far I walked that day came out. I had walked a total of six miles that day. I walked three miles out, and three miles back.

I think I must have had a Homer Simpson moment after hearing that. "Doh!" A light bulb figuratively appearing above my head, "No wonder that last half mile seemed so long!"

Despite the bloody, blistered feet that I got that day, I did get one thing really good out of that experience beyond a really good workout. I learned the odd lesson that you never really know how much you can do until you don't know what you are doing.

So convinced that the final two miles that I walked out was really only a half mile, I pushed myself so far beyond what I would have, had I known just how far I had really walked. I would have never learned that I could walk six miles, blood, blisters or not.

I pushed based on logic that made sense at the time.

By the time I made it to the three mile out point, I really wanted to go home, and at that point, I really had pushed myself as much as I could, past the point of comfort, which I might not have done otherwise.

It's so easy to do what's comfortable - to walk only so far that one doesn't feel too taxed at the end of the walk.

When I got back, I was ready to collapse into a comfy chair and put my sore feet in the air and relax. I had earned it.

The sad thing was that I never made that walk again because of how sore it made my feet and how much it wore me out.

And now I am fighting to keep the ability to walk as arthritis wracks me with pain so quickly and so easily anymore.

I regret having made that walk only once when I was able to. Better shoes and better socks might have done the trick.

I can pick better shoes though; and if I ever regain that ability to walk such distances, I will do it, even if those new shoes prove no better than the ones before them. Why? Because the gift of being able to walk is not a gift I want to let go of so easily.

(Follow my weight-loss journey and show your support by liking the page https://www.facebook.com/GretchenGetFit or on Twitter @GretchenGet-Fit.)

MOUNT CARMEL - The mayor and borough council will work with the Mount Carmel Veterans of Foreign Wars to transform a formerly blighted area into a neighborhood hub featuring a community garden and a mural.

Jim Kealy, quartermaster of the VFW, said the organization recently bought the lot where the National Hotel had been located. It extends the VFW's property from Second Street down the entire block to Oak Street.

Beyond the garden and mural, an even larger project is planned.

"When it's economically feasible, we want to put a hall on that (lot)," said Keeley, adding that it would be several years before that would happen.

Until then, Kealy said the lot would be used to add vibrancy to Second Street, just off Oak Street in the heart of downtown.

Mayor Philip "Bing" Cimino is aiding in the effort by working with local art students to design and paint a mural on the existing exterior VFW wall that faces Oak Street.

The mural will have a patriotic theme, said Keeley.

A community garden is anticipated to be ready for planting next spring. Kealy said the ground at the lot is rocky and uneven right now, but a crew from Northwestern Academy Secure Program boot camp is scheduled to arrive Monday morning to help prepare the land.

Kealy said he's looking forward to the community garden.

"That way I don't have to pull the weeds - let the community do it," he said jokingly.

Local businessman Vince Guarna had purchased the National Hotel property. He began razing the building in the fall and finished earlier this year. He said he hadn't originally intended to sell the lot, but his plans changed and the neighboring VFW purchased it.

The organization paid $55,000 for the property, according to a property transfer filed in late July.

SUNBURY - A Coal Township man, who has been incarcerated since Jan. 22, was sentenced Monday to 10 to 23 months in prison on a charge of theft involving a burglary in Marion Heights.

Michael B. Laskowski Jr., 36, of 926 W. Walnut St., also was ordered by President Judge William H. Wiest to serve two years consecutive probation upon his release from Northumberland County Prison and pay a $200 fine plus costs and restitution. The amount of restitution still needs to be determined.

Wiest gave Laskowski credit for prison time previously served and made him eligible for the work release program and good time days.

Prior to being sentenced, Laskowski, who pleaded guilty to theft July 21, told the judge he has worked in the prison kitchen for five months and has been on good behavior since his imprisonment.

Additional charges of burglary, criminal trespass and receiving stolen property were not prosecuted.

Laskowski was charged by Mount Carmel Township Patrolman Kelly Campbell with stealing various items, including picture frames, a Targus port station, Clarionmind GPS, Powerease blind remote control, baseball cards in a white cardboard box and a silver Mother of Pearl Lia Sophia ring from the home of Jonathan and Josephine Stroh, of 333 E. Warsaw St., Dec. 24.

CCD classes planned

MOUNT CARMEL - Religious education, or "CCD" classes, begin Sunday, Sept. 21, for grades 6 through 8 and Monday, Sept. 22, for grades first through fifth, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 41 S. Market St. All classes are from 5:45 to 7 p.m.

New students need a registration form; parents and guardians can call 570-339-1317.

Letters containing renewal registration forms will be sent to those who previously registered and must be returned as soon as possible. All checks are to be made out to "MCA-CCD."

A new video phone security system is being installed at the front door, which must be used to gain entry.

MOUNT CARMEL - Three special education instructors, a biology teacher and a mathematics instructor were among personnel hired Thursday night by Mount Carmel Area School Board.

Pamela Roshoe, Kelly Sinn and Kathryn Oswald were approved as special education teachers.

Roshoe was hired at a step 2 bachelor's degree salary of $33,030 with benefits. She will replace Kelly Lesko, who was reassigned to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of high school life skills teacher Christine DeLong.

Sinn was hired at a step 1 bachelor's degree salary of $31,436 with benefits. She will replace David Sanford, who resigned.

Oswald was hired at a step 2 master's degree salary of $34,070 with benefits. She will replace Meghan D'Angelo-Danowski, who resigned. D'Angelo-Danowski also served as third- and fourth-grade inclusion teacher.

Alexis Albertson was approved as a biology teacher at a step 1 bachelor's degree salary of $31,436 with benefits. She will replace Amy Mudry-Varano, who resigned. Mudry-Varano also was student council adviser and class adviser.

Megan Rose was hired as a mathematics teacher at a step 1 bachelor's/master's degree salary of $31,436 with benefits. She will replace Joseph Garrison, who resigned.

The board accepted the resignation of elementary life skills paraprofessional Jackie Burrell and elementary teacher aide Beth Schoppy.

Brynna Ditchey, who served as a 180-day substitute teacher last year, was hired as a computer lab facilitator at the elementary school at a salary of $19,500 without benefits. Ditchey's substitute position will not be replaced for the 2014-2015 school year.

Ditchey's hiring was approved on a 7-0-1 vote with her uncle and board president, Thomas Ditchey, abstaining.

Marc Persing was hired as a permanent substitute teacher for the 2014-2015 school year at a salary of $18,500 with benefits.

Nicole Lubinski, Colleen Kane, Rachel Elgin, Rebecca Winnie and Daniel Lesko were hired as part-time teacher aides at a rate of $7.25 per hour without benefits.

Teachers Margaret Barnhart, Ashley Kilmer, Michael Paulson, Lisa Toms, Amy Watkins, Andrew Yaracz and Jessica Yerges were approved as homebound instructors.

In other business

McClure Company was approved to repair one of the district's chiller units at a cost not to exceed $5,055.

The board approved the replacement of a back flow preventer at the high school at a cost not to exceed $4,000. The work will be completed by maintenance staff.

A&S Service and Sales was hired to replace the refrigeration unit for the walk-in cooler at the elementary school at an approximate cost of $2,000, which includes installation.

The board approved the resignation of football equipment manager Eric Schlegel, who will serve as a volunteer as needed by the coaching staff.

Henry Fadrowski was hired as football equipment manager at a salary of $1,000.

The board approved the following electronic media broadcast rates charged by the district: $25 per game for electronic and radio broadcasts, $100 per game for live television broadcasts, and $50 per game for replayed or taped delayed television broadcasts.

Meghan Wasilewski was hired as a junior high girls basketball coach at a salary of $1,200.

School starts Monday

The board approved a revised 2014-2015 school calendar that calls for all district students to report for classes Monday.

Superintendent Bernie Stellar said students who attend Northumberland County Career and Technology Center must report for classes Aug. 25 at the high school even though the vo-tech school doesn't open until Tuesday, Sept. 2.

Stellar commended maintenance supervisor Dave Fegley for doing an outstanding job with an asphalt paving project in the elementary school parking lot. He said the project began in early August and was completed Monday.

In addition to Ditchey, other directors in attendance were Donna James, Michael Brinkash, Michael Rovito, Tony Mazzatesta, Robert Muldowney, Ray Kraynak and Joseph Zanella. Bill Brecker was absent.

SUNBURY - A Kulpmont man pleaded no contest Monday to consuming liquor while tending bar and was ordered to pay a $125 fine plus costs and fees.

By pleading no contest to the liquor law violation, Cody Shustack, 21, of 947 Spruce St., is neither admitting nor denying guilt, but realizes enough evidence exists that could result in him being convicted at trial.

An additional charge of underage drinking was not prosecuted.

Shustack, who attends Penn State University, was represented by Attorney David Noon of Sunbury.

Assistant district attorney Michael Seward represented the commonwealth.

Shustack was charged by Liquor Control Enforcement Officer Jannell (Wilk) College in connection with an Aug. 3, 2013, incident at the Jan Sobieski Club in Kulpmont. College was working undercover as a patron inside the Kulpmont social club at approximately 2 a.m. when she allegedly observed Shustack take a drink from a bottle of Dr. McGillicuddy's liquor while he was tending bar.

His 60-year-old grandfather, Bruno Varano, who serves as president of Kulpmont Borough Council, pleaded no contest Feb. 25 to a summary offense of disorderly conduct before Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III of Shamokin involving the same incident.

Varano, who accompanied his grandson to Monday's legal proceeding before Judge Charles Saylor, paid a fine and costs totaling $341. An additional charge of furnishing alcohol to minors filed by College was withdrawn.

Gembic was assigned to hear the cases involving Shustack and Varano after Magisterial District Judge Hugh Jones of Mount Carmel recused himself due to a conflict of interest.

Shustack was initially charged when he was 20 years old by College with consuming liquor while tending bar, escape and underage drinking, all of which were withdrawn by the LCE and district attorney's office at a Feb. 25 hearing before Gembic. But College refiled the underage drinking and consuming liquor while tending bar charges March 28 at Jones' office. The case was then transferred to Magisterial District Judge Benjamin Apfelbaum of Sunbury, who held Shustack for court on both charges June 10, sending the case to the Court of Common Pleas.

DANVILLE - Dr. Janis Maksimak, M.D., has been appointed director of general pediatrics at Geisinger Medical Center (GMC), and will oversee the general pediatrics operations at GMC and Geisinger-Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove.

Maksimak has been a practicing pediatrician at GMC since 1985. During her tenure at GMC, she has held several leadership positions in the department of pediatrics, including director of the newborn nursery from 1988 to 1996, director from the pediatric residency program from 1998 to 2001 and resident continuity clinical director, a post she has held since 1996. In addition to her clinical appointments, Maksimak also spent nearly 20 years as a clinical assistant professor at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, and since 2007 has held the same position with Temple University, also in Philadelphia.

"Throughout her illustrious career, Maksimak has displayed a level of professionalism and leadership that made her the unquestionable choice for this position," said Dr. Michael Ryan, chairman, Janet Weis Children's Hospital. "We're confident that the youngest patients in our region are in the most caring and capable hands with Maksimak at the helm."

Prior to joining Geisinger, Makismak spent two years in private practice in Williamsport. She also spent one year as an emergency department attending pediatrician at Harvard University's Boston Children's Hospital Medical Center, where she completed a pediatric fellowship in 1982. A 1978 graduate of the Pennsylvania State University School of Medicine, Maksimak completed a pediatrics internship and residency at the University of California-Los Angeles Hospital and Clinics in 1979 and 1981 respectively.

Maksimak is board certified in pediatrics and a member of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Pediatric Association, Pennsylvania Medical Society and Montour County Medical Society. She is also a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, a distinction she has held since 1984.

ELYSBURG - Retired Vice Admiral Joe Sestak, Auditor General Eugene DePasquale and state Sen. Mike Stack will be featured speakers at DemFest, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday at Tent 6, Knoebels Amusement Resort

Other speakers between 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. include political candidates and state Democratic officials, including Jim Burns, state chairman.

Music will be provided by Fricknadorable, Clove Collective, the Derivatives and Emily and Darren Inman.

Democrats may bring their own food, purchase food at the amusement park or, for $10, have a catered picnic lunch at noon, according to Dwayne Heisler, state committee member and event coordinator. Families attending DemFest will receive discount food and ride tickets from Knoebels, as well as a complimentary copy of novel, "Before the First Snow: Tales from the Revolution," by Walter M. Brasch, The book is set in northeastern Pennsylvania.

Sestak graduated second in his class from the U.S. Naval Academy. He also earned a Ph.D. in political economics from Harvard University. In a 30- year career, he was commander of the USS George Washington carrier strike group during combat operations in the Persian Gulf, and head of strategy and concepts for the office of the chief of naval operations. He served two terms in Congress, and was the highest ranking veteran ever elected to Congress.

DePasquale, a former state representative, was elected auditor general in 2013. He is a strong advocate of transparency in government, and recently issued a scathing report about the effectiveness of the state's Department of Environmental Protection.

Stack, the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor, has been a member of the state Senate since 2000. An attorney, he is a reserve officer in the Army's judge advocate general corps.

For further information, and to purchase tickets for the catered picnic, contact Heisler at dwayneheisler@gmail.com or 570-317-6214.

MARION HEIGHTS - A Marion Heights man found in possession of $1,700 worth of heroin, $400 in cash and an assortment of drug paraphernalia during a routine home visit by county adult probation officers was taken into custody Monday.

Mitchell Earl Shields, 21, of 553 E. Melrose St., was nabbed at about 12:30 p.m. by Mount Carmel Patrolman Kelly Campbell and probation officer Dave Wondoloski while he attempted to exit the back door at his residence.

Campbell, Wondoloski and probation officer Andy Charnosky arrived at the defendant's home several minutes earlier to conduct a visit because Shields had recently changed his address.

Authorities attempted to make contact with Shields for several minutes, but he failed to answer the door. A short time later, officers observed Shields in the second-story bedroom window before surprising him while he exited the back of the residence.

Upon being apprehended, police said Shields admitted to opiate use and said he couldn't pass a drug test.

During a search of the home, Campbell, Wondoloski and Charnosky discovered 67 bags of heroin with a street value of approximately $1,700, hypodermic needles, a black pouch, prescription bottle, spoon, cotton and $400 in cash in Shields' bathroom.

All the heroin was pre-packaged in yellow glassine bags, police reported.

Shields, who cooperated with authorities, told probation officers he was selling the bundles of heroin cheaper than everyone else.

Mount Carmel Township Patrolman David Stamets Jr., a member of the Northumberland-Montour Drug Task Force, charged Shields with a felony of possession with intent to deliver heroin and two misdemeanors of possession of heroin and possession or use of drug paraphernalia.

Shields, who was transported to Mount Carmel Township Police Station in Atlas, was arraigned by video at 3 p.m. Monday by Magisterial District Judge Hugh Jones of Mount Carmel and committed to Northumberland County Prison in Sunbury in lieu of $50,000 cash bail.

He was ordered to appear for a preliminary hearing at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 27.

MOUNT CARMEL - A new treasurer may be working for the borough as soon as Friday.

The borough council decided at its work session Monday to add a vote on appointing Ann Swartz as borough treasurer to the agenda of Thursday's meeting.

The decision is the first step in a two-part process of approving official borough business; the second step will be completed when the council officially votes on Swartz's appointment.

The position of treasurer has been open since the July 17 borough council meeting.

The council made the decision to open a combined Lower Anthracite Transit System (LATS) director and borough treasurer position after it was discovered that Megan Janolek, current LATS director and former borough treasurer, made numerous bookkeeping errors, including a $67,175.87 transfer of funds to reconcile a year-end discrepancy.

The treasurer duties were transferred to borough manager Edward T. Cuff III March 1 so Janolek could focus on managing LATS, but the open position includes both sets of duties.

It was not clear if the position is permanent or if it includes LATS duties.

Janolek's mistakes were discovered when an auditor announced she could not complete this year's audit due to the number of errors.

Several of the mistakes date to previous years, which Janolek said she had corrected but actually had not, Tony Matulewicz, borough council president, said later.

An independent accountant had to be brought in to straighten out the borough's finances. Matulewicz estimated the cost of the accountant would total near $2,000.

On July 21, the borough council was alerted that Janolek's mistakes extended to her LATS position when an e-mail from the state Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) notified borough manager Edward T. Cuff III that Janolek had failed to file a mandatory audit.

According to the e-mail, Janolek had been told several times that the audit was due June 30, and if Janolek failed to follow through with the audit, $552,378 in federal funding would be at risk.

Janolek was in attendance at Monday's meeting, but did not comment when Swartz's appointment was brought up. As of Monday, she was still employed with the borough as LATS director.

An additional item was added to the agenda to rectify errors made by Janolek.

A motion directing Matulewicz to execute the Community Development Block Grant Flagged Activities Reporting Schedule Reason for Delay and Remediation Plan will be voted on at Thursday's meeting.

The motion aims to resolve the missing audit with the state DCED that put nearly $500,000 in grant funding in jeopardy.

MANDATA - Area children will start back to school over the next two weeks - except those who attend Line Mountain.

Teachers and board members were unable to agree on a contract during a negotiation meeting Monday, and according to Mark McDade, representative of the Pennsylvania State Education Association, district teachers will strike.

Ben Pratt, attorney for Line Mountain, said the two sides met to discuss a financial proposal offered by the district, but the association refused to provide salary schedules requested by the board. When the board asked for the schedule Monday, the teachers got up and left the table, he said.

McDade said Monday the requested schedule is a moot point because the association's salary proposal, on which a salary schedule is based, had already been rejected by the school board.

"If the salary proposal is not acceptable, what's the point of doing a schedule?" he asked.

The school board's most recent proposal offers less compensation than a proposal the association has already rejected, McDade said.

"They have proposed regressive proposals, and we have requested they revise their proposal and they will not do it. They shift the burden onto us," McDade said.

When asked if the teachers plan to strike, Pratt said he didn't know.

"That's up to them. The board wanted to stay and talk more and they got up and left," he said.

McDade said the teachers definitely plan to strike.

"(The school board) has done nothing on their part to move the negotiation to the middle. They keep moving backwards and expect us to follow them," he said.

McDade said the teachers will strike until the Pennsylvania Department of Education determines they must go back to work.

Strike talk

Teachers have been discussing a strike since last school year. A meeting held in April was called "professional and productive" by both sides of the discussion. However, in May, McDade said a strike was imminent, after a negotiation session ended without a contract.

Another bargaining session ended abruptly July 28, and the union's chief negotiator said then a strike appeared inevitable. Discussion of a salary schedule included in the board's latest proposal brought that 3-hour meeting to a sudden halt.

Working to the rule

Line Mountain teachers have been working on an expired contract since June 2012. The union has previously threatened to strike and will continue "working to the rule," a position the union adopted Sept. 30, meaning teachers work during the contracted 7 1/2 hours and nothing more.

Teachers received an annual 3-percent raise in the expired pact.

About 100 teachers picketed a board meeting in March, and half returned to a second meeting that month to stand together in silence during the meeting.

A first-year teacher at Line Mountain makes a minimum of $32,838, and a teacher in his or her 17th year can make $63,582, plus receive a pension. Based on 2011-12 figures, Line Mountain teachers were paid an average of $48,259.

The state average for a classroom teacher in 2011-12 was $62,019, according to the Pennsylvania School Boards Association.

Teachers received an annual 3-percent raise in its last pact with the school board that ended in June 2011. The contract was extended for the 2011-12 school year with salaries frozen and tuition reimbrusement denied, with some exceptions.