BLOOMSBURG - Visitors to the 159th Bloomsburg Fair should prepare to step into the silver screen.

The 2014 theme, "A Night at the Movies," was unveiled by Scott Edwards, superintendent of horticulture, at a media luncheon on Wednesday.

Representatives of seven local Toyota dealerships, who pooled together to sponsor the recently renamed Toyota Grandstand, announced at the presentation that they will be giving away a two-year lease on a 2014.5 Camry.

A highlight of the entertainment is a performance by ZZ Top, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25.

Fair representatives noted that the band's recent cancelation of tour dates because bassist Dusty Hill fell and injured his hip would not affect the event.

Other performers include country performers Little Big Town and Chris Young, Christian pop band The Newsboys and Duck Dynasty reality television stars Willie and Korie Robertson.

Free entertainment includes local favorites The Mahoney Brothers and Stanky and the Coal Miners.

Entrance fees will remain the same as last year: $8 at the gate and $7 in advance. A group rate of $48 for 8 tickets is also available, and visitors are encouraged to print their tickets at home.

Representatives of the fair said they hoped to wipe away half of the approximately $600,000 in debt the fair currently holds.

The fair will kick off Saturday, Sept. 20, and run until Saturday, Sept. 27.

Bingo scheduled for today

ATLAS - American Legion Post 804 will have its regular bingo today.

Community service scheduled

Participants in a community service program coordinated by Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III are to meet by 9 a.m. Saturday at the Coal Bowl in Coal Township and "The Spanish-American War Memorial" also known at "The Hiker" monument on Lincoln Street in Shamokin.

Mount Carmel 9/11 remembrance

MOUNT CARMEL - The Clover Hose Co. and the Mount Carmel Borough will again work together in remembering Sept. 11, 2001.

The memorial parade will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11, at Second and Oak streets with police, fire and rescue vehicles led by the Mount Carmel Area Joint Veterans Committee. A ceremony remembering the heroes and victims of that fateful day will immediately follow the parade at the Clover Hose Fire Co.

The parade will start at Second and Oak streets and move south on Oak Street to Sixth Street. The ceremony will include the raising of the American flag by the joint veterans and firefighters, police and emergency medical services honoring those who died Sept. 11, 2001.

Any organization that wishes to join in this memorial are invited to join the line up at 5:30 p.m. at Second and Oak streets Thursday, Sept. 11. This event is open to the public and everyone is welcome to pay their respects at the ceremony.

For more information, please call Mayor Bing Cimino at 570-339-5113.

COAL TOWNSHIP - A sweeping drug policy impacting student eligibility for athletics, band and clubs was approved Wednesday by the Shamokin Area School Board.

All students in seventh through 12th grades must agree to random drug testing in order to join an extracurricular activity or to receive a parking permit. Parental consent is also necessary.

One failed test results in a 30-day suspension from all extracurriculars and parking privileges. A student must pass another test to be reinstated. A second failed test within six years or less brings about permanent suspension. Both punishments call for district officials to search students' property, including vehicles, and also mandate drug and alcohol counseling.

A positive drug test, however, will not result in suspension or expulsion from school. It also will not become part of students' permanent records. But should a student be found to have tampered with a test, including providing or receiving a sample from another student, they are subject to suspension or expulsion.

The policy applies "but is not limited" to all junior high, junior varsity and varsity sports teams including cheerleaders, all music organizations including orchestra and vocal ensembles, as well as the following clubs: art, audio/visual, Bible, chemistry, chess, environmental, Indian Pride, Indian Times, Interact, Key, math, National Honor Society, National Junior Honor Society, Students Against Bullying, computer, student council, tech ed, The Works and Varsity Club.

Parents are permitted to register a student for random drug testing even if they don't play sports or belong to a club or drive to school.

As soon as this month

Testing will begin as early as this month once consent forms are signed and a contract with a testing agency is in place. The district will look to contract with WorkPlace Health, Shamokin, according to director Jeffrey L. Kashner, board vice president. The firm will perform testing on campus, he said. Up to 20 students a month, or during an athletic season, will be tested. Prior notice will not be given.

"This policy is not meant to embarrass anybody," Kashner said. "It's to protect the health and safety of our students."

Cocaine, heroin, marijuana, steroids and prescription medications are among the drugs for which there will be screening. A valid prescription would negate a positive test. Results are kept confidential. Samples are to be destroyed upon graduation.

The school district will pay the cost for all tests, except in the event a positive test is challenged. The cost won't be determined until a contract is in place.

Must prove problem

According to a ruling by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, all public school districts with drug testing policies must adhere to certain criteria, including having documentation of a drug problem within the school district.

Kashner said Shamokin Area doesn't have such data gathered. In the event the district's policy is challenged in court, he said he is "certain" it could prove the existence of drug abuse at Shamokin Area.

SHAMOKIN - A 23-year-old city man suffered serious injuries early Wednesday when his car crashed into a parked vehicle in the first block of North Rock Street.

Nico Tovey, of 25 Gold St., may be charged in connection with the 4:15 a.m. accident that awoke several neighbors.

Shamokin police reported Tovey was driving a silver vehicle that struck a parked red sport utility vehicle in front of 26 N. Rock St. When police arrived, Tovey was found unconscious in the vehicle, prompting Cpl. Jarrod Scandle to open the door and free him.

Tovey was transported by AREA Services to Geisinger-Shamokin Area Community Hospital, where he underwent emergency room treatment before being transferred to Geisinger Medical Center, Danville. Tovey was listed in serious condition Wednesday night, according to a hospital spokeswoman.

In addition to Scandle and AREA Services, also providing assistance at the scene were Patrolman William Miner, city fire police and personnel from Shamokin Emergency Squad and Friendship Fire Company.

The scene was cleared at 5 a.m.

SUNBURY - An inmate who threatened to go on a hunger strike at Northumberland County Prison has postponed the protest after speaking with the acting warden, according to a letter sent to The News-Item.

Charles Picarella Jr., 35, of Elysburg, wrote a letter to the prison board last week saying a hunger strike was to begin Monday in opposition of the food service provided by Aramark Correctional Services.

The strike was called off, Picarella wrote, after he and four like-minded inmates spoke with Cmdr. Brian Wheary, acting warden.

"We felt he spoke in good faith and because we are reasonable individuals, we have agreed to not commence with the hunger strike," Picarella wrote.

The county's three-year contract with Aramark is drawing to a close. Wheary said last week that inmates' concerns about food service would be discussed when negotiating a new deal to begin in January.

Should their requests not be met, Picarella said a hunger strike would begin. In the event of a strike, he said an injunction is being sought from the Court of Common Pleas to prevent prison staff from "taking any action in response to our peaceful demonstration, including any attempts to feed us intravenously."

Picarella, jailed on drug-related charges, says the prison's "poor" menu should be supplemented with fresh fruit and vegetables, along with milk. He also alleges Aramark's business practice creates incentive to beat budget figures, allowing for the possibility of prisoners being underfed, a claim a company representative has denied.

MANDATA - Teachers at Line Mountain have set a strike date for Nov. 5.

Following a Wednesday evening meeting of the teachers union, the Line Mountain Education Association (LMEA), an email was set notifying superintendent David M. Campbell of the impending strike.

Mark McDade, of the Pennsylvania State Educators Association (PSEA), said the teachers decided to set the strike date two months from now to give time for "fruitful negotiations."

"We (the teachers) are cautiously optimistic that we (the teachers and the community) can reach an agreement prior to that date," said McDade. "We're prepared to get things done."

McDade said no negotiation meetings have been scheduled yet, but a state appointed mediator, Jack Yanthulis, would be in touch with both parties with several possible dates.

"He'll produce those dates as quickly as possible," said McDade.

The district's negotiator, Ben Pratt, could not be reached immediately after Wednesday's meeting.

During a first strike, the union must allow for the completion of at least 180 days of class by June 15.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education will determine the number of days the teachers union can strike depending on which days earmarked for non-class activities like snow makeup and professional development can be used to make up missed class days.

Superintendent David M. Campbell estimated at the beginning of the year the maximum number of strike days possible at 21 days, and said that some holidays, including Thanksgiving and Christmas, are forbidden from being used class days.

With the date pushed back until Nov. 5, this estimate may change.

Campbell declined to comment following the meeting on Wednesday.

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

The current contract expired at the end of the 2010-11 school year. Every employee in the district took a pay freeze for the 2011-12 school year, so the new contract for teachers would be retroactive to July 1, 2012, and extend to June 30, 2019.

Susquehanna Valley gas prices held at about $3.37 a gallon, about 30 cents less a gallon than this time a year ago, according to AAA East Central's Fuel Gauge report.

AAA East Central surveys 35 gas stations in the Susquehanna Valley area for its report. The lowest price was in Shamokin at $3.33 and the highest price was in Lewisburg at $3.35.

On the National Front

Tuesday's national average is the lowest on record for this calendar date since 2010 when the national average was $2.68. This price is 21 cents less than the same date in 2011 ($3.65) and 40 cents less than 2012 ($3.83).

While geopolitical developments in Ukraine and Iraq remain front page news, oil markets have marched steadily lower reflecting the assessment that global supplies remain unaffected. This slide in oil prices continued Tuesday as West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude dropped $3.08 to $92.88 per barrel at the close of formal trading on the NYMEX. Tuesday's price marks a decline of more than $10 per barrel since the start of July and is the lowest settlement since Jan. 14, 2014.

(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.)

This week's Susquehanna Valley average price - $3.379

Average price during the week of Aug. 27, 2014 - $3.372

Average price during the week of Sept. 3, 2013 - $3.679

The average price for unleaded regular gasoline in Pennsylvania was $3.45.

The following is a list of the average price of unleaded self-serve gasoline in various areas:

ATLAS - A taste of Italy will flavor the streets of Atlas Saturday during the first Italian-Tyrolean Festival.

The festival, which will benefit the Atlas Fire Company, begins at 9 a.m. with the blessing of the Statue of St. Anthony at the town park gazebo.

"When you have an Italian festival, the best thing is to pick a patron saint for it, and we went with St. Anthony," volunteer Manda Stepp said.

The festival will also honor the oldest living Italian male and female resident of Atlas during the opening ceremony.

A parade will following the blessing at 10 a.m. wherein four firefighters will carry the statue throughout the streets of Atlas.

Two firefighters will march along side, carrying fire boots to collect donations.

From approximately 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., the public is invited to the fire company's family-oriented festival.

The family affair is being held as a celebration of the rich heritage and traditions of Italian/Tyrolean ancestors passed along through generations.

"We have been working to bring such great, homemade Italian food, to all of the festivalgoers," said Dauna Backey.

Some of the featured dishes will be homemade porketta, deep fried polenta with marinara sauce, along with polenta with brown gravy, luganega and pasta fagoli, to name a few.

There will also be vendors with other food and goodies, theme baskets, raffles, entertainment by DJ Johnny Buick and Coal Cracker Sounds, and activities for children.

Proceeds will benefit the fire company's truck and apparatus fund.

RALPHO TOWNSHIP - Police have cited the teen driver of a Jeep Cherokee that rammed into a motorcycle and critically injured a Pennsylvania Army National Guardsman this summer along Route 61.

Ralpho Township Patrolman Stephen Spade confirmed Thursday he filed a citation for careless driving against the 17-year-old Shamokin girl at the end of July at

the office of Magisterial District Judge Hugh Jones, Mount Carmel.

The citation wasn't public knowledge. Just Saturday, even the victim of the accident, Cory Thompson, 29, of Shamokin, didn't know about it. He told a reporter that day he thought the driver should be charged.

Police had not issued a press release about the citation. The News-Item reports on police filings at the magistrate court, but does not check for those involving summary citations.

Spade wouldn't identify the operator because of her age, and district judges are permitted to withhold the release of case files of minors charged with summary offenses.

Thompson released

Thompson was released from Geisinger HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital, Danville, Thursday, more than seven weeks after the July 13 crash. He was originally in critical condition, and his family was told by doctors early on there was "nothing they could do" about his injuries, which included a badly damaged liver and internal bleeding. But Thompson survived through multiple surgeries and procedures. He still faces a long road to recovery, his mother said Saturday, including more surgeries, one that will remove pins from a hip broken in the accident.

Spade said now that Thompson is out of the hospital, he'll interview him prior to wrapping up his investigation, but he expects no further charges against the driver of the car.

Thompson was riding a Harley-Davidson in the northbound left lane of Route 61 about 5:45 p.m. that day. He had slowed as he approached the intersection with Bridge Street, the entrance to The Wayside. He was struck by the Cherokee, which Thompson had passed moments before.

Spade clarified a previous statement about Thompson, just prior to the crash, having "interacted" with another motorist in the right northbound lane who had also slowed. Spade said the interaction was merely a wave and it had nothing to do with the crash.

The driver of the Jeep and two female passengers from Coal Township weren't injured.

Thompson is a member of the U.S. Army Pennsylvania National Guard, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 103rd Armor Regiment. He had served at least four tours in the Middle East, with missions in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Several fund-raising events have been held for Thompson to offset medical expenses, with a theme of "Cory Strong" developed by his supporters.

COAL TOWNSHIP - Coal Township Board of Commissioners acted Thursday to begin the process for eliminating a Ranshaw eyesore.

During their regular monthly meeting, the board approved spending $1 to purchase the former St. Anthony's Parochial School, on Webster

Street, from the county repository.

"We think this will be a good move to help the people of Ranshaw get rid of this problem," chairman Craig Fetterman explained. "We are going to try to have it torn down for as little money as possible."

The property has been a code issue for Coal Township for the past decade as past owner Ricky Walter, of Shamokin, failed to maintain the structure. Last year, the first and second floor ceilings collapsed inside. In January 2013, Walter pleaded guilty to three summary counts of hazardous structure and one summary count each of dilapidation of property and faulty weather protection. He was fined $1,000 for the offenses.

While the bid for the building was only $1, with costs and fees, the total amount paid by the township was $118.50. It was one of three properties Coal Township purchased from the county repository, the others being 1600-1602 Pulaski Avenue and 12 S. Poplar St., which were purchased for $500 each.

Two other township properties were sold at the repository sale, properties at 110, and a double home at 112-114 S. First Street, purchased by Veronika C. Grunebert for a total cost of $2,000.

Later in the meeting, commissioners voted to advertise for bids for the demolition of 12 S. Poplar St. using Keystone Grant funds. In order to do that, commissioners approved a resolution allowing the township to use 2013 Community Development Block Grant money in Coal Township's west end.

In other business:

- Fetterman reported that the township's recycling center had a record amount of collections in August, processing 268,072 pounds of material. The township reminded residents that yard waste pickup will be from Sept. 29 to Oct. 10 and all items need to be in paper recycling bags. The bags can be purchased at any local hardware store.

The board also approved the hiring of Todd Heitzman as a part-time laborer/attendant at the recycling center at a starting rate of $8.93 per hour with no benefits. Fetterman said Heitzman will be a replacement for another worker that is no longer employed there, and not an additional hire.

All motions were approved on unanimous motions by commissioners Fetterman, Paul Leshinskie, George Zalar, Gene Welsh and Bernie Rumberger.

COAL TOWNSHIP - State police at Stonington have ruled Sunday morning's attack by an inmate on a male correctional officer at SCI-Coal Township as an attempted homicide.

Trooper Ronald Zanella reported in a press release that an inmate placed a correctional officer in a choke hold from behind and used a weapon in a sweeping motion across the officer's neck in an attempt to seriously injure or kill him.

Zanella said the officer was able to fend off his attacker, but suffered injuries to his neck, face, head, hands and back.

The officer underwent emergency room treatment at Geisinger-Shamokin Area Community Hospital before being released.

Police said the attack occurred at 9:45 a.m. in the east recreation yard.

The inmate, who escaped injury, was immediately transferred to another state correctional institution.

Neither police nor prison officials have identified the inmate or correctional officer as the investigation remains open. No charges have been filed against the inmate at this point of the investigation.

ATLAS - A pair of dilapidated row homes on Saylor Street were knocked to the ground in less than 45 minutes Thursday.

Ferdinand Diminick used an excavator to tear through the blighted properties at 116-118 W. Saylor St. Working from the backyard, he punched the machine's bucket through walls and tore portions to the ground. When pieces were left hanging, he rotated the cab and swung the boom and arm to take down what was left.

Mount Carmel Township purchased the properties from the Northumberland County Tax Claims Bureau. It paid $7,750 of the $15,500 demolition cost, which included the teardown of a trailer to the rear of the properties.

The Northumberland County Housing Authority is funding the rest with a combined $18,000 in donations from four private donors - Sunbury Motors, FNB Bank, Susquehanna Bank and Swineford National Bank. The funds were split for the Atlas project and a project in Sunbury. The donors took advantage of a program, Neighborhood Assistance Program Tax Credits, that will provide them a 75 percent state tax credit.

When the project is completed, the township will look to market the vacant space, which includes a fourth small lot from a property demolished several years ago.

Edward Christiano, authority executive director, is hopeful other local businesses reach out to him and consider participating in the tax credit program, donating money toward blight remediation.

"The approval of these tax credits by (the Department of Community and Economic Development) continues the momentum to address the problem of blighted properties in a proactive way," he said. "We appreciate the financial support of the contributors and look forward to the demolition of additional blighted properties that are dragging down neighborhoods."

In May 2013, a $50,000 contribution from UNB Bank, Mount Carmel, to the tax credit program resulted in five eyesores being razed in Mount Carmel.

Mixed emotions

Cindy Confair, 51, watched from the backyard three doors away. She lives at 122 W. Saylor St. Her home of 45 years will remain standing and stay attached to 120 W. Saylor St., which appears as badly in need of demolition as the two that were knocked down.

Confair's was the only well-kept home of the four. The last neighbor to have lived in any of the row homes moved out four years ago. Another had been vacant at least eight years, and a third even longer than that.

It was bittersweet for Confair. She's glad to see the two homes gone, but wonders what will become of the third. She was told it may not hold out through the winter. More than that, she wonders what will become of her own home.

Water has leaked from 120 W. Saylor St. into her home, she said. Rats living next door have chewed through the walls and chomped on her electrical wiring. A contractor told her she and her daughter, Becky, 23, were lucky their home didn't catch fire. She can't get insurance for her home.

Confair, Christiano and Don Geary, township code officer, all repeated rough estimates of $20,000 to secure the foundation of Confair's home and add siding if the adjoining structure were demolished. Christiano empathized with Confair, saying he doesn't know what the answer is. The township could consider offering a buyout and demolish the remaining two row homes. It would open up the space further, perhaps offering more enticement for a potential buyer.

Confair said she's open to a buyout, but is worried that an offer from the township wouldn't be enough for a downpayment on a new home.

"I would move, I would, but they got to come up with the money," she said.

Scouts signups scheduled

SHAMOKIN - Signups for Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday at St. John's United Church of Christ, 117 N. Eighth St. (use the Grant Street entrance at the rear of the church). Participants must be in at least first grade to participate. The Scouting schedule is flexible and will work around sports and other activities.

Change in CCD start announced

MOUNT CARMEL - Because Mount Carmel Area is not holding classes Sept. 22, CCD classes will begin Sept. 28 for sixth, seventh and eighth grades and Sept 29 for first through and including fifth grades. All classes are from 5:45 to 7 p.m. All new students must call Karen Harris at 570-339-1317 for a registration form. Letters containing registration forms will be set out to all previously registered students and must be returned ASAP. All checks are to made out to MCA CCD.

Haas Center's skies 'pouring paint'

BLOOMSBURG - A new exhibit in Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania's Haas Gallery will open visitors' eyes to the skies. Paintings by Dale Inglett, "Other Skies," will be on display today through Oct. 9, with an opening reception from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. today. The exhibit will be open Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission is free.

Inglett earned a Master in Fine Arts degree from University of Georgia's Lamar Dodd School of Art and is an associate professor of art at Alfred University in his home state of New York. His work has been shown in many exhibits, including The Memorial Art Gallery in New York, Twin Kittens Gallery in Atlanta, Ga., and The Georgia Museum of Art.

For more information, contact Scott Roper, associate director, at 570-389-4708 or sroper@bloomu.edu.

COAL TOWNSHIP - A director of the Shamokin Area School Board says he will report the actions of a fellow director to the Pennsylvania auditor general regarding funds raised for the district swimming pool.

Robert Getchey says approximately $15,000 raised by Richard Kashnoski and the Shamokin Stingrays currently held in a booster

account should immediately be turned over to the district. He said the funds were raised "to keep the pool open," pointing to minutes of a 2012 public meeting. Kashnoski attended the meeting along with dozens of others in support of keeping the pool open amid budget cuts. The funds were raised before Kashnoski was elected to the board last year.

Kashnoski says he's not concerned by Getchey's threat, and there's nothing to hide. There was $15,551.31 in the First National Bank account as of Thursday, according to records provided by Kashnoski. The records dated to January 2013. There had been $1,698.09 in deposits and a single withdrawal of $50.20. Transactions are itemized and each bank statement was signed by two account holders.

If the funds were turned over to the district, they would be co-mingled in the district's general fund, he says. That could lead to the money being spent on expenses unrelated to the pool. The funds are intended to be used for "big ticket items" beyond average maintenance costs, suggesting the purchase of touch pads and starting blocks. If such a purchase is requested, the district need simply forward the invoice to the Stingrays so that the account holders can review and approve payment.

Getchey raised the issue during Wednesday's special meeting of the school board, setting off a contentious disagreement. He did so in response to an letter to the editor written by Kashnoski and printed in that day's edition of The News-Item. Getchey was not named in the letter but said he believed it was an attack against him. Instead of letting the issue alone, as he previously told a newspaper reporter he would do, he said he was going to push it.

"If you want to go to the paper, then have the answers for the auditor," Getchey said. "You made all of us look like thieves, saying you don't want our hand in the cookie jar."

Getchey raised his voice before continuing, "That's our cookie jar! ... You had the fundraiser for the Shamokin Area School District pool! You don't pick and choose what the money's used for!"

Kashnoski said he wrote the letter to clear the air and inform the public that the funds were raised by Shamokin Area's swimmers. He said Wednesday that Getchey's previous comments could hurt future fundraising efforts.

"They're being questioned about the program for which they raised money for; it hurts the program and it causes questions," Kashnoski said.

During a lull in the argument, director Charles Shuey, attending via telephone conference, told Getchey that when he speaks with the office of the auditor general he should also mention Shamokin Area's Bucket Club. Getchey had previously defended the Bucket Club when directors called for greater financial accountability from all district booster clubs.

"You tell the other one to shut his mouth. He's a glory hound in the paper. You're a glory hound, too!" Getchey shouted to Shuey.

The argument lasted four minutes, longer than the school board's consideration of a new policy mandating random drug testing for all students involved in extracurricular activities or who drive to school. The policy, which hadn't been previously discussed publicly, was approved.

Board President Ron McElwee struggled to keep the discussion under control.

"We're here to do something good for the future of our students and again we're all being made to look terrible," McElwee said.

MANDATA - Line Mountain School District's negotiator said Thursday there is both good news and bad in the fact that the teachers union has set a strike date should no progress be made toward a new contract.

"It's never good to set a strike date," said Ben Pratt, an attorney with the CGA Law Firm, York area. "We appreciate it that they set it for two months (from now, Nov. 5). That allows us to come to an agreement without any disruption in education at this time.

"We're hoping the association is willing to compromise and come to a solution with the contract," he said.

Pratt could not be reached for comment Wednesday night after union representative Mark McDade reported the strike date. That came after a meeting of the district's approximately 100 teachers.

McDade said Wednesday night the teachers set the date two months out to allow time for "fruitful negotiations." He said the teachers were "cautiously optimistic" that an agreement could be reached before that date.

McDade has otherwise been critical of the board, saying it hasn't bargained in good faith. He first reported in early March that members of LMEA had authorized the option to strike with, as required by law, 48 hours notice. In May, he said a strike "appears to be imminent" and could happen during the 2013-14 school year. After an Aug. 18 negotiation schedule fell through, McDade said teachers planned to strike, and it was thought that might happen before the start of the school year.

School began Tuesday, however, with no strike. And now it seems there will be none until at least Nov. 5.

A 'poorer community'

In a statement released late Wednesday, Troy Laudenslager, school board president, who along with others has been critical of McDade's comments and actions, focused on the most recent contract offerings from the board. He said they are fair, especially when compared to the average income in the district.

Laudenslauger said the starting salary for teachers at Line Mountain has risen 32.49 percent since 2003 to $32,838, while the top-level salary for someone with a bachelor's degree rose 19.16 percent to $59,557.

"The community punished teachers for 20 years after their last strike. It took until 2003 for school board members that were too young to remember the last strike to increase their wages up to industry standards," wrote Laudenslager.

Also, he said, teachers receive the equivalent of 13.8 weeks of vacation, all major holidays off, three personal days and 10 sick days per year, health insurance plans that include eye and dental coverage and pension plans that "continue to pay them nearly the same amount as while they worked until the day they die," wrote Laudenslager.

"We are being heavily supported by a community that recognizes that the starting salary alone for a teacher would be higher than the average salary in Northumberland County," he wrote. "I believe it is a mistake to ask people making less than a starting teacher to pay more taxes for teacher salaries. More money doesn't guarantee a better education for our children - it guarantees a poorer community."

Expired since 2011

The current contract expired at the end of the 2010-11 school year. Every employee in the district took a pay freeze for the 2011-12 school year, so it was expected the new contract would be retroactive to July 1, 2012. The latest board offer was for a seven-year deal that would extend to June 30, 2019.

Teachers have been "working to the rule," meaning teachers work during the contracted 7 1/2 hours and nothing more, since Sept. 30.

Marriage licenses

Susan R. Texter and Darlene G. Sheriff, both of 429 W. Pine St., Shamokin. Issued Aug. 23.

Martin Lewis Eisenhart and Tina Marie Eisenhart, both of 1322 Scott St., Kulpmont. Issued Aug. 28.

Scott Duncan Simpson, of 1658 E. Webster St., Coal Township, to Beth Ann Dallazia, of 1070 Chestnut St., Kulpmont. Issued Aug. 21.

Carlos Jay Ravy and Shannon Marie Coutts, both of 140 Blacks Lane, Shamokin. Issued Aug. 21.

Shawn David Schnaufer and Amy Marie Schechterly, both of 1047 Chestnut St., Apt. 1, Kulpmont. Issued Aug. 25.

Davis Lee Bamford and Kayla Elizabeth Shiko, both of 1252 W. Spruce St., Coal Township. Issued Aug. 25.

Justin R. Hartman and Casey Sarah Long, both of 510 S. Diamond St., Shamokin. Issued Aug. 28.

Ronald Charles Kerstetter and Erin Isabel Coller, both of 902 W. Mulberry St., Coal Township. Issued Aug. 28.

Joseph Snyder, of 1609 W. Chestnut St., Coal Township, and Samantha Fetterman, of 1260 Chestnut St., Kulpmont. Issued Sept. 1.

Wayne Robert Klinger and Leslie Eileen Regula, both of 1 S. Walnut St., Mount Carmel. Issued Sept. 1.

Robert E. Wagner III, of 445 Main St., Coal Township, to Amy L. Curran, of 3262 Upper Road, Shamokin. Issued Sept. 5.

Property transfers

Michael T. Bradley, Donna J. Bradley, Stephen J. Bradley, Brenda K. Bradley, Mary B. Thew, Jeffrey L. Thew and Ronald J. Bradley Jr. to Stephen L. Thomas and Lindsay N. Thomas, property in Shamokin, $70,000.

Du-Rite LLC to Joan M. Smith, property in Ralpho Township, $1.

Northumberland County Tax Claim Bureau to Du-Rite LLC, property in Ralpho Township, $1.

Andrew L. Gessner, Crystal E. Gessner, Gail L. Knight and Michael Knight to Delroy R. Long and Ann D. Long, property in Lower Mahanoy Township, $18,000.

Eleanor M. Shulskie (by agent) and David E. Shulski (agent) to David E. Shulski, property in Coal Township, $1.

Howard L. Parrish and Deborah L. Parrish to Deborah L. Parrish, Howard D. Parrish and Jaclyn C. Parrish, property in Mount Carmel Township, $1.

Henry G. Catino and Cassandra Catino to Henry G. Catino and Cassandra Catino, property in Mount Carmel, $1.

George R. Kline and Shirley A. Kline to George R. Kline and Shirley A. Kline, property in Coal Township, $1.

Florian R. James and Kathleen A. James to Kathleen A. James, property in Coal Township, $1.

EH Pooled 1013 LP to Jesse Heath, property in Zerbe Township, $19,500.

The Robert N. Schell Jr. estate and Donna Gorka (executrix) to Frank B. Ebright, property in Coal Township, $12,600.

James T. Voorheis to Kyle J. Mirolli, property in Zerbe Township, $1,000.

Frank M. Keiack and Barbara A. Keiack to Belinda J. Currey, property in Ralpho Township, $119,900.

Dawn L. Pilarski to Charles H. Dorney, property in Mount Carmel, $1.

Northumberland County Tax Claim Bureau, William G. Shaffer, Alan J. Shaffer to the City of Shamokin, property in Shamokin, $1.

Northumberland County Tax Claim Bureau, Shamokin Health Spa Inc. to the City of Shamokin, property in Shamokin, $1.

Northumberland County Tax Claim Bureau, Shamokin Trust (by trustees) and trustees Debbie J. Acor and Donald Acor to Coal Township, property in Coal Township, $1.

Northumberland County Tax Claim Bureau, Kerry Maguire and Weather Maguire to Coal Township, property in Coal Township, $500.

Northumberland County Tax Claim Bureau, Ricky E. Walter and Marcella J. Walter to Coal Township, property in Coal Township, $1.

Tyler A. Heitzman and Kirsten L. Heitzman to David L. Reed, property in Coal Township, $58,300.

Nicholas E. Weikel Sr. to David Laude, property in Shamokin, $16,000.

Joseph C. Bordell, Ruth M. Bordell, Lucille A. Reuter, William C. Reuter to David Laude, property in Shamokin, $12,000.

Michael F. Kalman and Gloria J. Kalman, to Edward H. Kurtz Jr., property in Shamokin, $12,500.

Connie M. Kondisko, Connie M. Bernathy and Joseph P. Bernathy to Sandra E. Jones, property in Mount Carmel, $20,000.

John Charles Summers and Christine Summers to John Charles Summers, property in Shamokin Township, $1.

Mark E. Shoch and Suzanne R. Shoch to Dana G. Rhyneer and Madeleine Eagon Rhyneer, property in Rockefeller Township, $285,000.

Melissa A. DiRienzo to Allison L. Kornbluth and Allan M. Pauling Jr., property in Coal Township, $82,000.

Fred Herb and Jane Herb to Roy Barnes, property in East Cameron Township, $43,000.

Cindy L. Brokenshire, Cindy L. Schell and Robert Schell to Chad Brokenshire, property in Coal Township, $14,000.

When it comes to throwing a party, Baltimore City more than holds its own against its northern East Coast counterparts of Philadelphia, New York and Boston.

This time, however, more than holding its own, Baltimore will be throwing an eight-day party beginning Tuesday that will be unequaled. That is because only the City of Baltimore is able to throw this "Star-Spangled Spectacular" party that celebrates and commemorates the Battle of Baltimore during the War of 1812 and the writing of what became known as "The Star-Spangled Banner" by Francis Scott Key and its adoption as our nation's national anthem.

While most Americans have been caught up for the last four years remembering the 150th anniversary of its War Between the States, relatively few have been aware of the events that have been held during the last three years to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812. Truly, the War of 1812 - which ended with the Jan. 8, 1815, Battle of New Orleans, some 15 days after the Treaty of Ghent officially ended hostilities, Dec. 24, 1814 - is in so many ways "America's forgotten war."

Although the War of 1812 helped forge the reputations and - in some instances - legends of American icons such as James and Dolley Madison, Andrew Jackson, John Paul Jones and David Crockett, perhaps no name became better known than that of Francis Scott Key - the man who wrote what became the lyrics for our national anthem. Exactly where, what, when and how Key, an amateur poet, penned his famous lyrics, which were published as the poem "Defence of Fort McHenry," are as vague to most Americans as the war itself.

Key's adventure into history began following the raids on Washington, D.C., and Alexandria, Virginia, by the British forces that had sailed up the Chesapeake Bay past many locations now known for their fishing and waterfowl hunting. Sailing from Baltimore aboard the HMS Minden with his friend, John Stuart Skinner, under a flag of truce he was on a mission to exchange prisoners, including his friend Dr. William Beanes, which had been approved by President Madison.

Boarding the HMS Tonnant on Sept. 7, Key and his companion met for dinner with British officers, who incredibly discussed their plans to attack Baltimore by land and water. Finally, they agreed Beanes would be released, but all would be retained until after the attack, first aboard HMS Surprise and then transferred back aboard HMS Minden when the attack began Sept. 13.

Fort McHenry had a force of approximately 1,000 troops to man its guns, and the movement of the British fleet of 19 ships was hampered by a line of sunken merchant ships at the entrance of Baltimore Harbor. While most are familiar with the "rockets' red glare" and "bombs bursting in air" provided by the bombardment from British warships, less known is the land attack that was timed to support the bombardment.

Standing at the rail of HMS Minden, Key would not have been able to view the land action, which ended when the British withdrew at 3 a.m. and returned to their boats. What he did observe was the small storm flag that flew above Fort McHenry during action, but once the guns went silent after 27 hours of action he had no idea which side was victorious.

Damage to Fort McHenry was slight because its fortifications had been strengthened before the battle and at dawn Sept. 14 Key got the confirmation he hoped for that the American forces had held. It was then he saw the storm flag had been replaced with a large, 15-star American flag that measured 30-by-42-feet that had been made a few months earlier by Baltimore flagmaker Mary Pickersgill and her 13-year-old daughter.

Today, a life-size statue of Key standing at a ship's rail looks out at Fort McHenry from inside the visitors center, much as he would have done from the opposite side of the fort aboard HMS Minden. Especially moving is the silhouette of the statue that has it facing bombardment scenes when the screen is lowered over the windows for the showing of the film presentation of the battle.

In addition to the usual presentations at the visitors center, during the upcoming 200th anniversary celebration there will be showings of the film "Anthem of Liberty" that explores the War of 1812. Those planning to attend the activities as a mini-vacation or as a day trip are advised to use public transportation - including the free buses - when visiting Fort McHenry and other attractions.

This summer, Days Inn Inner Harbor had already begun offering special packages for those exploring Baltimore's role in the War of 1812. Other than Fort McHenry itself, many attractions are within walking distance of the hotel.

For a complete schedule of "Star-Spangled Spectacular" activities, access the Baltimore tourism website at www.baltimore.org.

For information about Fort McHenry National Park, visit www.nps.gov/fomc.

For information about "Star-Spangled Spectacular" packages at Baltimore Days Inn Inner Harbor, visit www.daysinn.com/hotels/maryland/baltimore or call 410-576-1000.

Here are some of the highlights being held in the City of Baltimore to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Baltimore and the writing of the "Star-Spangled Banner" by Francis Scott Key.

Tuesday: From Signal to Symbol, 9:15 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., Fort McHenry; Star-Spangled Banner Living Flag, 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Fort McHenry.

Wednesday: Tall ships and Navy ships arrive, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., North Locust Point, Fell's Point, Inner Harbor; "Anthem of Liberty" IMAX movie, 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Maryland Science Center; Welcome ceremony, 6-7 p.m., Inner Harbor Amphitheater.

Thursday: Union & Unity, 9:15 a.m. to 7:15 p.m., Fort McHenry; 200th March of the Defenders, 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Patterson Park to Battle Acre Park; 9/11 Commemoration and Flag Ceremony, 11 a.m. to noon, Fort McHenry; "Anthem of Liberty" IMAX movie, 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Maryland Science Center; Free public ship tours, noon to 5 p.m., Inner Harbor, Fell's Point, North Locust Point; Blue Angels circle maneuvers, afternoon, Inner Harbor skyline and beyond; Firing of the alarm gun, 3:15 p.m., Fort McHenry; Mysteries of the Manuscript, 6-7 p.m., The Walter's Art Museum.

Friday, Defenders Day: Causes, Conflicts & Commemoration, 9:15 a.m. to 7:15 p.m., Fort McHenry; Young Defenders program, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Fort McHenry; Ceremony at Battle Monument, 10 a.m., Battle Monument Plaza; Spectacular Festival Villages, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Inner Harbor and Fort McHenry; "Anthem of Liberty" IMAX movie, 11:30 a.m. to 4:40 p.m., Maryland Science Center; Farm to Galley - A Navy Chef Cook-Off, noon to 2 p.m., Inner Harbor; Free public ship tours, noon to 5 p.m., Inner Harbor, Fell's Point, North Locust Point; Blue Angels practice, afternoon, Inner Harbor skyline and beyond; Meet the Fleet Happy Hour, 6-8 p.m., Inner Harbor.

Saturday: Living History area program, 8:15-11:15 a.m., Fort McHenry; Flag change program, 9:15 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., Fort McHenry; Young Defenders program, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Fort McHenry; Star-Spangled Aircraft Display and Festival, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Martin State Airport; "Anthem of Liberty" IMAX movie, 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Maryland Science Center; Spectacular Festival Villages, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Inner Harbor and Fort McHenry; Fort McHenry Forever Stamp Release Ceremony, 11 a.m. to noon, Fort McHenry; Free public ship tours, noon to 5 p.m., Inner Harbor, Fell's Point, North Locust Point; Star-Spangled Air Show featuring the Blue Angels, 2 to 4 p.m., Fort McHenry, Inner Harbor, MedStar Harbor Hospital, Port Covington, Canton Waterfront Park; The Rockets' Red Glare and the Flag is Still There, 6 to 10 p.m., Fort McHenry; Star-Spangled Spectacular: Bicentennial of our National Anthem, 7 to 10 p.m., Fort McHenry; Star-Spangled Fireworks, 9:30 p.m., Inner Harbor and Fort McHenry.

Sept. 14: By Dawn's Early Light, 8:40 a.m., Fort McHenry; Run to Remember, 8:46 a.m., World Trade Center; Young Defenders program, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Fort McHenry; Star-Spangled Aircraft Display and Festival, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Martin State Airport; Hampstead Hill Festival, 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Patterson Park; The Key Story, 10:15 a.m. to 7:15 p.m., Fort McHenry; "Anthem of Liberty" IMAX movie, 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Maryland Science Center; Free public ship tours, noon to 5 p.m., Inner Harbor, Fell's Point, North Locust Point; Star-Spangled Air Show featuring the Blue Angels, 2 to 4 p.m., Fort McHenry, Inner Harbor, MedStar Harbor Hospital, Port Covington, Canton Waterfront Park; Singing on Key, 5 p.m., St. Paul's Episcopal Church; Anthem Remixes and Reinterpretations, 5 to 8 p.m., Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture.

Sept. 15: Origins of the Star-Spangled Banner, 9:15 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., Fort McHenry; "Anthem of Liberty" IMAX movie, 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Maryland Science Center; Free public ship tours, noon to 5 p.m., Inner Harbor, Fell's Point, North Locust Point.

Sept. 16: Tall ships and Navy ships depart, 9 a.m. to noon, North Locust Point, Fell's Point, Inner Harbor; Origins of the Star-Spangled Banner, 9:15 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., Fort McHenry; "Anthem of Liberty" IMAX movie, 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Maryland Science Center.

SHAMOKIN - City officials say Shamokin is up to date on its 2014 bills.

That wasn't the case last year. More than $811,000 in unpaid bills were amassed in 2013, enough to fill two manila folders. Some deemed necessary were paid this year from the city's general fund, and the rest will be paid from a $1.1 million loan received last month through the state's Act 47 financial recovery program.

City Clerk Robert M. Slaby began picking through the bills last week, paying vendors and negotiating the erasure of late fees.

As for 2014's bills, "The clerk has been diligent in making sure the bills were paid on time," Mayor William D. Milbrand said Friday.

Asked why the situation with the bills is so different from last year, Milbrand says he isn't sure. He says he still doesn't know how the city fell so far behind in 2013.

"As a councilman, I was getting the bill list each month and assuming everything had been paid on time," Milbrand said. "There was no indication at this point last year that the bills being held back had not been paid."

What has changed is leadership within City Hall. Former Mayor George Rozinskie and councilmen William Strausser and Michael Snyder exited in January. None sought re-election. Former clerk Steve Bartos resigned in February. He had been out of office since mid-November when he took medical leave.

Slaby was hired to replace Bartos. Milbrand, then a councilman, won the mayor's office by a single vote. Barbara Moyer and Charlie Verano were elected to council, and David Kinder was appointed to fill Milbrand's seat. The only constant is R. Craig Rhoades, who remains as a councilman.

'On the way back'

So far in 2014, city officials have kept Shamokin within its budget. The city's finance director, Kinder, believes Shamokin could finish the year under budget.

As of Tuesday, expenditures were at 85 percent of the year's projection. Shamokin had $2,362,194.23 in revenue and spent $1,984,826.29. Revenues and expenses were balanced at $2,338,138 in a revised budget adopted in February.

Despite predictions it would run out of cash by mid-August, Shamokin made it through that month and may make it through September on its own, Milbrand said. That could reduce the dependence the city will have on the Act 47 loan.

"We may not need to use the full amount of the loan," Kinder agreed. "I think we're on the way back and in good shape."

Any leftover loan money after the 2013 invoices are paid was expected to float Shamokin through year's end. Now, both Kinder and Milbrand say any leftover should be returned to the state.

Tax revenue lags

Spending may be under budget so far, but revenues have already exceeded expectations. That's due largely to the receipt of one-time reimbursements and a loan taken in January. Local tax payments are lagging 5 percent behind what had been collected at the same time in 2013.

There was $1,241,635.51 collected as of late Tuesday morning, $62,766.20 shy of the $1,308,712.68 collected as of Sept. 2, 2013. Shamokin collected $1,666,766.64 in local taxes last year, 3 percent less than the $1,714,895 estimated in its budget.

Collection rates in 2013 were 78 percent for real estate, 44 percent for per capita and 31 percent for occupational assessment and local occupation.

The city tempered its expectations in 2014, projecting local tax revenue at $1,684,915. At the current pace it would take in $1,600,669.25.

Tax payments were slightly ahead of pace through April. Treasurer Brenda Scandle says more bills were paid at the start of tax season this year. She expects tax payments to pick up, and for resulting revenue to meet the projection.

Boosting collection

Scandle says the landlord-tenant ordinance and resulting registration of city tenants has helped in updating addresses along with adding new taxpayers and removing those who have moved away. She suggested the occupation tax is low because of the local economy. If people are out of work or are working part time, their assessment, and their tax bill, is lower than a full-timer's.

As to how to boost collection rates, Scandle isn't sure of the answer short of door-to-door collections. Kinder says council should look into the cost of having an outside agency do just that.

COAL TOWNSHIP - PPL Electric Utilities announced Friday that a portion of Burnside Street in Coal Township will be closed from 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday and Tuesday to allow for delivery of construction equipment to the utility's Fairview Substation.

The road will be closed from Jackson to South Oak streets.

The delivery will support an ongoing power system upgrade the company is making to maintain reliability for thousands of area customers. The upgrade includes rebuilding nearly 9 miles of transmission lines in Northumberland and Schuylkill counties.

In separate work related to the improvement project, the company also said temporary traffic controls will be in place along a portion of Bear Valley Avenue the week of Sept. 15 as contractors replace wires spanning the road. The work will be performed by helicopter.

"We appreciate the public's patience as we work to make our service even more reliable and ask that they help keep our contractors and the public safe by observing the temporary traffic restrictions and controls," Teri MacBride, regional affairs director for PPL Electric Utilities, was quoted in a company news release.

MacBride said area residents may see additional helicopter and other work along the power line corridor as wire is replaced elsewhere and old transmission towers are replaced with new steel poles.

The project is one of many PPL Electric Utilities is undertaking throughout its service territory, replacing aging power lines, installing smart grid technology, doing more tree trimming, adding protections against animals and lightning and building new substations and power lines to give the company more flexibility to move electricity, keep the lights on for customers and restore power more quickly when problems arise.

Customers have already begun to benefit, PPL reports, with the number of outages down 9 percent in 2013 and average outage duration down 11 percent.

The Brush Valley Chamber of Commerce organized Small Business Saturday for downtown Shamokin in November 2013. This year, the chamber would like to make this year's Small Business Saturday bigger and better. Saturday, Nov. 29 is this year's National Shop Small Day.

The purpose of Small Business Saturday is to shop local, shop small. Small businesses are important to our national economy as well as our state economy. According to the Small Business Administration in 2010, 98.3 percent of all employers were small businesses, and they employed 48.6 percent of the private-sector labor force.

Small Business Saturday is a national event that was created by American Express in 2010. In 2012, revenue from Small Business Saturday reached $5.5 billion dollars.

The reality is that small businesses do not only provide employment, they provide unique venues and products. Small businesses do not need to select products based on national sales, but rather, are based on the needs and wants of their customers.

If your business is interested in being part of Small Business Saturday, no matter your location, please contact Whitney at the chamber by phone at 570-648-4675 as soon as possible. By visiting the American Express website, you can create custom marketing materials and register your business for Small Business Saturday.

The chamber is an advocate and proud supporter of all businesses in the Brush Valley Region.

Upcoming events

Sept. 23: Economic breakfast sponsored by First National Bank at Masser's in Paxinos.

Oct. 2: Business after-hours and ribbon cutting at FNB Bank in Shamokin.

For a full list of upcoming events, visit www.brushvalleychamber.com.

(Whitney Fetterman is the executive director of the Brush Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce. Your Chamber is published on the first Sunday of each month.)