SUNBURY - Northumberland County Prison Board members will reach out to local leaders, clergy and other volunteers who regularly visit the facility to improve relations between staff and inmates.

During a meeting Wednesday, Commissioner Stephen Bridy, who serves as prison board chairman, initially recommended establishing a committee comprised of local leaders and clergy to visit the prison and speak with correctional officers and inmates and report their findings to the board.

But after Commissioner Richard Shoch expressed several concerns about designating certain people to the committee, the board decided to send letters to 25 to 40 volunteers including clergy, local leaders, drug, alcohol and medical personnel, educators and others who already frequently visit the prison to obtain ideas on how to improve relations inside the 148-year-old facility.

"We already have a group of volunteers who conduct their services as part of their mission," Shoch said. "I don't think designating people to serve on a committee would be very fruitful for investigative purposes. We want people to serve in those volunteer roles for the right reasons instead of having someone on the committee with a political agenda. Trust is the key issue here."

In other business

The board unanimously renewed its food service contract with Aramark Correctional Services.

After the meeting, Bridy said the new pact involves some minor price increases, but will offer inmates more options for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The board held an approximate 25-minute executive session to discuss investigative matters and potential litigation.

Bridy said Sunbury police and the district attorney's office are conducting an investigation into how contraband allegedly is being smuggled into the prison.

In addition to Bridy and Shoch, other board members in attendance were Sheriff Robert Wolfe, District Attorney Ann Targonski and Controller Chris Grayson. Commissioner Vinny Clausi was absent.

MOUNT CARMEL - Police Chief Todd Owens is asking for help in removing riff-raff from the borough's parks.

At Monday's meeting of the whole, Owens requested the borough council look into creating a curfew ordinance for the parks that would establish an overnight period of closure.

Owens said he was having difficulty getting late-night loiterers to move along from areas that have been plagued with vandalism, including the gazebo.

"We're very limited if we ask someone to leave at night," he said.

Owens was called out to a police matter before the discussion came to a close. The topic will be revisited at future borough meetings.

SUNBURY - Republicans hold a lead of 2,693 over Democrats in voter registrations, according to a pre-general election report issued by the Northumberland County Board of Elections.

Prior to the primary election, Republicans led by 2,657.

In all, there are 53,546 registered voters in Northumberland County.

There were 353 new voter registrations since the primary election, including 129 Republicans, 132 Republicans and 91 with other parties or no affiliation.

HARRISBURG - PennDOT has launched an online survey to collect public feedback on safety, education and mobility needs to help guide future mobile service development.

The survey is available until Nov. 12 at www.dot.state.pa.us on the "Submit Feedback" page.

"With technology constantly evolving, we want to ensure that our customers' needs are met as we enhance our mobile services," PennDOT Secretary Barry J. Schoch said. "This public feedback will help identify areas where we can improve or develop new ways to interact with us online."

The brief survey asks participants to prioritize safety and mobility needs related to PennDOT business areas such as public transit and driver and vehicle services. Participants will also share feedback on educational opportunities for interacting with the department.

Based on the feedback received, PennDOT will develop a strategy to implement enhanced services through online or mobile solutions.

Currently, PennDOT offers one smartphone application for public use - the 511PA application. Usable on iPhone and Android devices, the mobile application provides hands-free and eyes-free travel alerts for the nearly 40,000 miles of road that PennDOT maintains as well as the Pennsylvania Turnpike and select New Jersey and West Virginia roadways.

To download the application, visit the iTunes or Google Play stores and search for "511PA."

THARPTOWN - A one-truck accident Wednesday on Route 61 near the Brewery Curve injured two people when the vehicle overturned across both southbound lanes.

But the crash could have been much worse if not for the efforts of passing motorists and emergency personnel.

Coal Township Patrolman Jason Adams reported Kevin Carsto, 21, of Coal Township, was driving a 1992 Ford F-150 pickup truck south on Route 61 toward Shamokin shortly before 2 p.m. when he lost control of his vehicle for an unknown reason, causing it to strike guard rail before rolling onto its roof, blocking both southbound lanes.

Carsto and his passenger, Keegan Polastre, 22, of Coal Townhip, were able to free themselves from the wreckage and were rendered aid at the scene by Karen Latsha, a registered nurse at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, and a few other unidentified passing motorists, including a nurse's assistant.

Polastre suffered a laceration on his forehead area and was transported by AREA Services Ambulance to Geisinger, where he underwent emergency room treatment before being released.

Carsto, who was upset by the crash, had a rip on the back of his flannel shirt but did not appear to suffer any serious injuries. He was treated at the scene by paramedics before being released.

Passing motorists were able to stop or slow down southbound traffic near the scene until emergency personnel quickly arrived.

The truck, which sustained extensive damage, was towed from the scene by Shamokin Exxon.

A press release issued by Adams did not indicate if rainy weather or other factors contributed to the accident. Heavy thunderstorms hit the area Wednesday before and shortly after the crash.

Adams is continuing his investigation.

Also assisting at the scene were Coal Township Patrolmen Chris Williams and Chad Yoder, Shamokin Officers Raymond Siko II and Mark Costa, Coal Township Fire Chief Russ Feese, Coal Township Assistant Fire Chief Michael Timco and PennDOT employees.

Southbound traffic on Route 61 was stopped for approximately 40 minutes, while motorists traveling north did not experience any delays, but were cautioned to slow down.

Approximately 10 yards from the accident scene lies a memorial decorated with flowers and two homemade crosses that marks the site of a May 3, 2011, fatal motorcycle accident.

MOUNT CARMEL - Although Victor Girardi won't officially become the new director of the Lower Anthracite Transit System (LATS) until tonight, he already feels at home at the borough office.

"Today was my third day, and I'm having a ball," he said Wednesday.

Girardi unofficially began working as the LATS director and borough secretary on Monday, a position he said he applied for on the advice of his friend, Councilman Leroy "Chico" Moser.

"I love working with people," said Girardi. "I've been in banking and teaching and I've been working all of my adult life."

Girardi said he's most excited about working with the public, but he's also looking forward to transitioning from an erratic schedule substitute teaching at Mount Carmel Area School District.

"I'm the kind of guy where I'm very regimented and I get up early in the morning and I go to work," he said. But with substitute teaching, "You never know when you're going to get called."

He's been substituting for approximately three years, a gig he picked up after retiring from a position teaching social studies at Shikellamy High School.

Tumultuous end

His teaching position ended tumultuously after he was suspended in 2010, first for five days and then indefinitely, for violating the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), a law that limits the disclosure of student information.

"I had a student who wasn't doing work so they had an aide come around once a week, and if the student did his work, I gave a thumbs up," said Girardi.

One day when Girardi gave a thumbs up, other students saw and asked him about it. He answered truthfully.

"It was a violation of an IEP (individual education plan)," he said. "It was punishable by a five-day suspension. For reasons that I cannot say, it got very ugly."

Girardi said the charges were eventually dropped, and the high school principal led the petition in his favor.

The superintendent who pressed for Girardi's suspension, Robin Musto, retired days later amid controversy after she suspended assistant boys wrestling coach Bob Supsic on allegations of physically assaulting a student. Supsic was reinstated following a public hearing.

Girardi retired from the position in spring 2011, a short time after he was suspended. Since then, he has been substitute teaching at Mount Carmel Area School District.

Likes to help

Work is important to Girardi.

"I believe when you stop working is when you start dying," he said.

Girardi said his time working as a teacher will come in handy as LATS director because both positions require knowledge of grant funding.

"The more grants I can get for Mount Carmel for the LATS business the better," said Girardi.

A former self-described "rebellious teen," Girardi now has four degrees: associate degrees in business administration and social science, a bachelor's degree in social studies and a master's degree in education.

He's lived his entire life in the Mount Carmel area, except for a brief stint when he taught nursing at Lehigh Carbon Community College. He's also worked at a bank in Mount Carmel.

One of Girardi's favorite parts of his new job is running into old friends.

"What's amazing is I'm seeing people from my past that I haven't seen in 30 years," he said.

He's also keen on the customer-facing aspect of the position.

"A bus broke down the other day and a lot of people were calling. It was just nice to say, 'Don't worry, the bus is on its way,'" he said. "I just get a kick out of helping people."

"Whether it's teacher or working with people, as long as I'm working with people and making their lives better, I'm happy," he said.

Tonight's borough council meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. in the multipurpose room above the borough offices, 137 W. Fourth St.

ATLAS - If all goes well, Mount Carmel Township will spend $44,444 to demolish seven buildings on Girard Street.

Township supervisors opened six bids at its meeting Wednesday night for the demolition of 121, 123, 125, 131, 133, 135 and 137 W. Girard St., all blighted structures purchased by the township and adjacent to four gutted properties that were already razed after an Oct. 1, 2013 fire.

The Housing Authority of Northumberland County is working with the township to acquire the land in order to build affordable elderly housing in that area.

The six bids ranged from $105,000 for the highest bid to $44,444 for the lowest, which was received from Robert Knoeppel's firm, Affordable Construction and Demolition, of Coal Township. Supervisors voted 3-0, with Charles Gasperetti, Reynold Scicchitano and Joseph Zanella saying yes, to award the bid, pending review of the bid by SEDA-COG and township solicitor Vincent Rovito.

The board also approved a revised option to a sell-and-purchase real estate agreement with the county housing authority for properties from 131 to 151 W. Girard St. for $1.

In conjunction with the project, supervisors approved motions to draft a code of conduct and conflict of interest policy for procurement issues and to authorize board chairman Gasperetti to sign all documents related to it.

No word on officers

There was no discussion at Wednesday's meeting on the fate of the four township police officers involved in a pursuit by a Kulpmont officer Sept. 1.

"This matter is a personnel matter and still under investigation," Gasperetti said at the start of the meeting. "Because of that, the matter will not be discussed."

Full-time officers David J. Stamets and Matthew Filarski were suspended with pay and part-time officers Patrick McAndrew and Michael Pitcavage were suspended and would not be called back to duty by the township for their role in the incident. Stamets was cited for three traffic violations: failure to stop at signs and driving an unregistered, unlicensed vehicle. McAndrew was cited for disorderly conduct after allegedly tossing a pack of lit firecrackers from the vehicle onto the street at the traffic light at Chestnut and Sixth streets in Kulpmont.

It sparked a pursuit with on-duty Kulpmont patrolman David Tomtishen, who was parked in the lot of the Fuel On convenience store at the intersection when the firecrackers exploded.

After the county district attorney said she would not press charges in the case, township supervisors announced they were launching their own internal investigation and that the officers were suspended until its completion.

In other business

- A motion was approved to raise the cost of garbage bags $1, from $13 to $14 for five bags. Supervisors noted the last price increase for bags was in 2010, and costs of running the program have increased.

- Supervisors voted 3-0 to sign a letter indicating the interest to learn more about participating in a local land bank under the Northumberland County Planning Commission.

- A resolution was passed which authorized the filing of an application for funds with the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED).

- The supervisors voted to give a $50 donation the Mount Carmel Area Public Library.

Most hospitals in the region will receive reduced federal payments for every Medicare patient stay in fiscal 2015 as a penalty for excessive patient readmission rates.

The penalties were announced recently by Medicare's Readmission Reduction Program, which federal officials launched in 2012 to control the growth of health care costs.

A record-high 2,610 hospitals nationwide will see lower Medicare fee-for-service payments in fiscal 2015, which began on Oct. 1, for having too many patients return for additional treatment within a month of being discharged.

Thirty-nine hospitals received the maximum penalty, a 3 percent reduction in federal reimbursements for every Medicare patient stay through Sept. 30, 2015. For example, if Medicare normally paid a hospital an average of $50,000 for a major heart procedure patient, the 3 percent penalty would deduct about $1,500.

According to the Hospital & Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HHAP), 79 percent of Pennsylvania hospitals incurred some kind of penalty.

The national and state averages were each .63 percent.

Local impact

Among local hospitals, the highest penalty is at Sunbury Community Hospital and Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street, which each face a 1.36 percent penalty. Using the above example, the penalty would deduct about $680 from a $50,000 payout.

Williamsport Regional Medical Center was the only hospital in the region that won't face a penalty, according to the reduction program.

Other hospitals and their penalties include:

- Berwick Hospital Center, .75 percent.

- Evangelical Community Hospital, Lewisburg, .43 percent.

- Geisinger Bloomsburg Hospital, .32 percent.

- Geisinger Medical Center (GMC) (including Geisinger-Shamokin Area Community Hospital): .35 percent.

- Holy Spirit Hospital, Camp Hill, .25 percent.

- Lehigh Valley Hospital, Allentown, .5 percent.

- Pinnacle Health Hospital, Harrisburg, .13 percent.

- Schuylkill Medical Center-East Norwegian Street, 1.17 percent.

$350k from Geisinger

Since GMC receives approximately $100 million in Medicare reimbursements each year, it will have a total of about $350,000 deducted from its Medicare reimbursements over the year, the hospital reported.

More conditions evaluated

Experts say the surge in penalties stems from the expanded number of conditions the government evaluates.

During the program's first two years, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services evaluated readmissions rates among patients who were admitted for one of three conditions: heart failure, heart attack and pneumonia. But federal officials this year added two more conditions - chronic lung problems, such as bronchitis, and elective hip and knee replacements.

A hospital was penalized if it posted higher than expected readmission rates in any of the categories.

"Essentially, it just made the hospitals vulnerable for more of the care that they provide under this program," said Martin Ciccocioppo, vice president of research at the HHAP.

The agency calculates readmission rates based on patient discharges from July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2013, according to a Kaiser Health News analysis. When calculating the rates, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services factors the severity of illness, a patient's age and any additional medical conditions, among other things.

The penalty levied derives from the difference between the predicted rate and the actual rate, and applies to all Medicare patients admitted to the hospital.

About 18 percent of Medicare patients who were hospitalized in 2013 were readmitted within a month, Kaiser Health News found. It costs Medicare about $26 billion a year, with about $17 billion stemming from potentially avoidable readmissions.

Medicare uses a risk formula to decide how many readmissions are acceptable in each diagnosis at each facility. If the hospital exceeds the quota in any one of the five diagnoses, a penalty is assessed, and how far in excess of the quota a facility is determines the size of the penalty.

However, GMC notes, performing below the quota in one diagnosis does not compensate for exceeding the quota in another diagnosis, which is the case at GMC in heart failure, a category that includes the highest number of cases possible.

SUNBURY - Northumberland County District Attorney Ann Targonski says she doesn't consider traffic violations or a summary disorderly conduct charge filed against two off-duty Mount Carmel Township police officers to be "criminal" charges.

During an interview Wednesday afternoon in her office, the chief law enforcement official in the county clarified previous comments made to the media involving a Kulpmont police officer being led on a midnight pursuit on Labor Day.

"Criminal charges are offenses that are dealt with in the Court of Common Pleas in Sunbury, while summary charges are dealt with at the district judges' offices," she said in clarifying her Oct. 2 statement in which she wrote, "I have determined that any activity that occurred is not criminal in nature."

Six days later, two officers had been charged, but with summary offenses.

Targonski had issued the press release after consulting with Trooper Phil Davis of state police station at Milton, who conducted the investigation into the alleged prank.

She said Davis informed her that a vehicle operated by Mount Carmel Township Patrolman David Stamets was traveling approximately 25 mph throughout the incident. She said there is no evidence that Stamets was driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

The district attorney said again Wednesday, however, that she was unaware that the vehicle driven by Stamets was not registered when she issued her statement.

Targonski said Davis conducted the investigation on information received by on-duty Kulpmont Patrolman David Tomtishen, Stamets, Officers Patrick J. McAndrew, Matthew Filarski and Michael Pitcavage, and multiple other witnesses.

She said Cpl. John A. McGeary of state police at Milton filed citations against McAndrew and Stamets on behalf of Davis, who was called out of the area to provide emergency duties. That's the only reason a second trooper was involved, she said.

"He (Davis) was assigned other duties after completing his investigation, but before the charges were filed," Targonski said. "Cpl. McGeary wasn't involved in the probe. He just filed the charges."

Stamets, 27, of Kulpmont, was cited for driving a vehicle without a registration plate, failing to pull over for an emergency vehicle and a stop sign violation. Fines and court costs total $307.50.

The citations were filed Oct. 7 at the office of Magisterial District Judge Hugh A. Jones, Mount Carmel.

Labor Day joy ride

Stamets was driving an unlicensed, unregistered Jeep Wrangler shortly before midnight Sept. 1 when McAndrew, 26, of Kulpmont, allegedly tossed a pack of lit firecrackers from the vehicle onto the street at the traffic light at Chestnut and Sixth streets in Kulpmont.

It sparked a pursuit with Tomtishen, who was parked in the lot of the Fuel On convenience store at the intersection when the firecrackers exploded. Tomtishen activated his cruiser's emergency lights and pursued the Jeep. The vehicles drove north on Sixth Street and turned east onto Clermont Street in Marion Heights. Stamets is accused of failing to stop at a sign posted at Clermont and Woodland streets, Marion Heights. He reportedly evaded police after driving south into the woods near the intersection.

Stamets is a full-time patrolman and McAndrew is part-time. Sources identified two other passengers: Filarski, a full-time patrolman, and Pitcavage, a part-time patrolman. All four were off-duty. Pitcavage also is the full-time chief of the Kulpmont Police Department, and is the superior officer of Tomtishen and McAndrew, both of whom are part-timers for the borough.

Sources say neither Tomtishen nor assisting Patrolman Kelly Campbell of the Mount Carmel Township Police Department knew who the occupants of the Jeep were as the pursuit unfolded.

McAndrew was cited Oct. 7 with a summary citation for disorderly conduct. He pleaded guilty to the offense Tuesday before Jones and was ordered to pay a fine and costs totaling $303.

Mount Carmel Township supervisors asked state police to investigate the incident to avoid any potential conflicts of interest. The Stonington station declined the request, citing its own potential conflicts. The Milton station took on the investigation.

In her Oct. 2 press release, Targonski denied any evidence that "anything was thrown at the officer or his vehicle nor was there any high-speed pursuit involved." She cited "speculation and inaccurate information."

She also said a summary offense and traffic citations would be forthcoming, and that stop sign violations had occurred.

All four officers riding in the Jeep remain on paid suspension since Sept. 5 by the Mount Carmel Township Board of Supervisors. Three part-timers, including Tomtishen, were hired last month to help fill their shifts.

The supervisors met Oct. 8 for a closed door executive session for personnel reasons. They had discussed the incident and formally agreed to move forward with an internal investigation. The results could lead to administrative punishment.

Police Chief Brian Hollenbush said he is undertaking the investigation himself. There is no deadline and he isn't sure how long it will take, but he said he'd like to reach a resolution quickly.

He has requested investigation reports from state police, but hasn't yet heard if they'll be released. He will also interview all officers involved, both on-duty and off-duty.

At the Kulpmont Borough Council meeting Tuesday, Mayor Bernard Novakoski said McAndrew and Pitcavage were disciplined, but refused to say what punishment they received.

MANDATA - The show will go on for Line Mountain High School Musical's Sunday matinee.

On Tuesday, directors approved a revised motion to allow the musical use of the auditorium from noon to 7 p.m. Dec. 7, a Sunday.

Approving the musical use of the auditorium from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 7, a Sunday, had been tabled by directors at the board meeting on Sept. 23 after deliberations on the value of leaving Sunday as a day for family time.

The vote was 7-0 in favor of permitting the musical, with directors David Scott Bartholomew and Marlin Yeager Jr. absent.

Partly due to the concurrence of the board meeting and the Line Mountain field hockey championship game, the board meeting was sparsely attended, with Superintendent David M. Campbell and the school principals also absent and unable to weigh in on the issue. No audience members were present.

Director Lawrence Neidig brought up a discussion after a motion to approve the revised agenda item was made by Director Lamont Masser and seconded by Ronald Neidig.

"I firmly believe we need to stop scheduling things on Sundays," said Lawrence Neidig.

Board president Troy Laudenslager concurred with this sentiment.

Masser and director Lauren Hackenburg pointed out that they felt it was unfair to tell the musical no after many other activities had been approved for Sundays.

"I think we can't pick and choose," said Masser. "It's all or none."

"We need to do it (by saying) 'as of this date moving forward' so clubs can adjust accordingly," said Hackenburg.

Directors agreed to continue approving Sunday events on an individual basis, but will revisit the issue at the beginning of 2015 so a decision could be made in time for changes to take place for the 2015-16 school year.

Directors also:

- Approved exonerations and appeals for local tax collectors and delinquent tax exonerations.

- Approved installing keyless access upgrades to a door in the middle school at a cost of $5,400.

- Renewed Choices Planner and Choices Explorer software at a cost of $1,035 and M86 Internet Filter software and Reporter Academic bundle at a cost of $2,112.

- Approved the Mobile Ag Ed Science Lab agreement for a cost of $4,500. The down payment, $2,250, was approved at the Sept. 27 board meeting.

- Granted permission for the administration to execute a contract with ArtsEcho Children's Theatre Center for the Arithmetikles Show, to be held at 2 p.m. April 24, at a cost of $1,340.

- Approved a Title I, Improving Basic Programs, grant of $288,316 and Title II, Improving Teacher Quality, grant of $53,587.

- Hired Lindsay McAdrew as a special education teacher at a salary of $32,838, effective Sept. 10.

- Approved Kylee Heintzelman as an assistant boys soccer coach at a salary of $590.70

Municipality Democrat Republican Other Total

Coal Township 3,093 1,627 59 4,979

Delaware Township 690 1,455 318 2,463

East Cameron Twp. 175 163 40 378

East Chillisquaque 83 245 61 389

Herndon 47 107 32 186

Jackson Township 122 348 59 529

Jordan Township 102 315 44 461

Kulpmont 1,233 438 150 1,820

Lewis Township 345 626 104 1,075

Little Mahanoy Twp. 66 132 19 217

Lower Augusta Twp. 180 406 77 663

Lower Mahanoy Twp. 229 627 118 974

Marion Heights 265 127 44 436

McEwensville 65 109 23 197

Milton 1,295 1,724 601 3,602

Mt. Carmel Borough 2,174 989 414 3,577

Mt. Carmel Twp. 1,282 415 153 1,850

Northumberland 777 1,202 374 2,353

Point Township 743 1,428 296 2,467

Ralpho Township 1,081 1,485 346 2,912

Riverside 496 598 202 1,296

Rockefeller Twp. 382 947 149 1,478

Rush Township 202 398 81 681

Shamokin City 2,011 1,329 445 3,785

Shamokin Twp. 519 827 126 1,472

Snydertown 60 111 20 191

Sunbury 1,957 2,238 838 5,037

Turbot Township 308 649 183 1,139

Turbotville 176 229 46 451

Upper Augusta Twp. 545 975 219 1,737

Upper Mahanoy Twp. 123 220 35 378

Washington Twp. 123 260 29 422

Watsontown 406 697 183 1,283

West Cameron Twp. 76 171 20 267

West Chillisquaque 420 744 233 1,397

Zerbe Township 405 470 124 999

TOTAL 21,991 24,684 6,871 53,546

SHAMOKIN - Approximately 70 people attended the outdoor third annual Hymn Sing, held Sunday at St. John's United Church of Christ parking lot, North Eighth Street.

Members of the congregation and community guests suggested favorite hymns to be sung. In addition, special music selections were presented by Eugene Boughner, David Spotts, Geoff Levan, Tom Christ, Gary Christ and Ann Nowaskie, accompanied by Vic Boris and Bob Peiffer, pastor of St. John's.

Decorations, refreshments and stage set-up were done by church volunteers.

The members of St. John's Church extends sincere thanks and appreciation to all who helped and attended. Food items donated were given to the Manna for the Many food pantry.

WILLIAMSPORT - A convicted drug dealer who escaped two years ago from the federal prison camp in Lewisburg was apprehended by U.S. Marshals Thursday in New York City.

Ruben Alvarez-Latimer, 38, escaped from the camp in October 2012. His arrest was announced Friday.

Alvarez-Latimer was serving a 46-month sentence after pleading guilty in May 2012 to conspiracy to distribute and possession of heroin. He had been arrested in Elizabeth, N.J., in October 2011 by agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Marshals learned this month that Alvarez-Latimer was living in New York City under an assumed name. He was allegedly in possession of an identification document in the name of Rafael Tejada Cruz when he was arrested.

Leads in New York, Illinois and Massachusetts were previously investigated.

Alvarez-Latimer remains in federal custody in New York City. He will be returned to Central Pennsylvania to face prosecution on the charge of escape and to complete his original 46-month federal sentence.

No classes Monday for SASD

COAL TOWNSHIP - The Shamokin Area School Board will hold its regular monthly meeting at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in the board conference room of the middle/high school.

All Shamokin Area schools will be closed Monday.

Leaf collection set

RALPHO TOWNSHIP - Leaf collection in Ralpho Township will be held Oct. 27 through Nov. 26, weather permitting.

ACT holding auditions for holiday musical

MOUNT CARMEL - The Anthracite Citizens Theatre (ACT) will hold auditions for "An Afternoon of Carols" at 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, and 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2, at First United Methodist Church, 46 N. Hickory St.

For an audition, participants are asked to sing a favorite Christmas carol - the song they want to perform in the show. Those auditioning must provide sheet music. Sheet music can be downloaded from the Internet or obtained by asking a church choir, friend or neighbor.

Rehearsals will take place at the auditorium of the Mount Carmel Area Jr./Sr. High School at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 25, and Saturday, Nov. 29. The show will be performed at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30.

For more information, call 570-276-6603 or email a_c_t_theatre@yahoo.com.

CAMP HILL - Employees, physicians, officials and guests attended a joining ceremony Friday at Holy Spirit Hospital to celebrate Holy Spirit becoming an affiliate of Geisinger Health System. The affiliation became official earlier this month following final approval from the Pennsylvania Attorney General and Department of Health.

The organizations announced the signing of a letter of intent in September 2013 and a definitive agreement in June, 2014.

"We are pleased to receive the necessary regulatory approvals and thank the Attorney General and Department of Health for their diligent review of this transaction," said Geisinger Health System president, CEO Dr. Glenn Steele. "We welcome the Holy Spirit team into the Geisinger family and look forward to working together to benefit the people of south central Pennsylvania. Holy Spirit has a 50-year history of providing high quality, compassionate care, and we are pleased to affiliate with an organization that shares our commitment to value and doing what is right for patients and the community."

"Our affiliation with Geisinger is tremendous news not only for Holy Spirit, but more importantly for the people in our community who will benefit from our efforts to provide innovative and collaborative medical services," said Sister Romaine Niemeyer, SCC, FACHE, Holy Spirit's CEO. "We, too, thank the Attorney General and Department of Health for their review and approval."

Holy Spirit will maintain its local board of directors and the sponsorship of the Sisters of Christian Charity, as well as Geisinger's nationally recognized accomplishments. Representatives from each organization will sit on the Geisinger Health System Foundation and Holy Spirit Health System boards of directors.

"It's time to get to work on implementing evidence-based medicine programs, enhancing capabilities, facilities and clinical services, and improving population health in the Harrisburg area," said Steele.

The organizations share a number of awards including U.S. News and World Report Best Hospitals, Health Care's Most Wired hospitals and health systems, Advanced Certification for Primary Stroke Centers, American Nurses Credentialing Center Magnet Recognition, "A" Hospital Safety Scores by The Leapfrog Group, Joint Commission Accreditation/Recognition, 100 Great Places to Work in Healthcare by Becker's Hospital Review, and Blue Centers of Distinction for cardiac care, spine surgery, knee and hip replacement.

Two local Sears department stores in the area will close and a third will stay open, according to an announcement made by company officials.

A letter was sent to employees of the Sears stores at the Columbia Mall in Buckhorn and the Schuylkill Mall in Frackville, announcing the stores and their auto centers will close in mid-January.

"Store closures are part of a series of actions we're taking to reduce on-going expenses, adjust our asset base, and accelerate the transformation of our business model," the statement reads.

In a statement from Howard Reifs, director of corporate communications for Sears, the anchor store at the Susquehanna Valley Mall, Selinsgrove, is not affected.

"It will continue to remain open to the public," Reifs said in an e-mail Friday.

A corporate statement reports liquidation sales will begin Oct. 31.

Eighty-four employees at Frackville and 57 employees at Columbia Mall will be affected by the closures. Eligible employees will receive severance and have the opportunity to apply for open positions at other area Sears or Kmart stores, which the company also owns.

Reifs said the total number of stores that will close nationwide will be released in the company's third quarter earnings report in November.

The department store chain is hoping that through its shopping-rewards program, Shop Our Way, it can maintain its base of loyal shoppers.

Former king

According to a May article in the Wall Street Journal, nearly half of the 1,050 indoor and open-air shopping malls nationally have both Sears and J.C. Penney as anchor stores. Both companies are currently struggling to find their niche in the world of shopping where big-box stores and online shopping reign.

Financial analysts said Sears has been struggling since it merged with Kmart in 2005.

With its brick-and-mortar stores and mail-order catalog business, Sears was once the nation's largest retailer and biggest employer.

Larger challenges

Sears announced Oct. 2 it is selling most of its stake in its Canadian unit to raise as much as $380 million, according to an Associated Press report.

The rights offering to shareholders for the majority of its 51 percent stake in Sears Canada Inc. will give the retailer some breathing room as it heads into the crucial holiday season.

The announcement is the last in a string of initiatives the company is undertaking to shore up finances. Sears said that it will evaluate its capital structure over the next six to 12 months and may take further action to create more financial flexibility.

The offering comes after Sears failed to find a buyer for the Canadian operations and also the announcement the president and CEO of the unit, Douglas Campbell, would leave at the end of the year.

The retailer, based in Hoffman Estates, Ill., expects at least $168 million in proceeds from the rights offering in mid-to-late October, with the rest by early November. That, in combination with a $500 million dividend tied to the spinoff of Lands' End, $165 million in proceeds from some real estate transactions and a $400 million short-term loan, will provide Sears Holdings with up to $1.45 billion in liquidity in fiscal 2014, according to Chief Financial Officer Rob Schriesheim.

The challenges still facing Chairman and CEO Edward Lampert are enormous. The company's losses are mounting. For the quarter ending Aug. 2, Sears lost $573 million, up drastically from $194 million in the same period last year. That brought the company's losses for the second half of the fiscal year to $975 million.

Greg Melich, an analyst at International Strategy & Investment Group LLC, wrote Oct. 2 that Sears is "on a glide path to be out of cash by the middle of 2015 without additional asset sales or liquidity initiatives."

KULPMONT - The U.S. government is foreclosing on the East End Fire Co., its captain says, and firefighters are scrambling to save what they can.

Company trustees haven't been able to pay the mortgage on the ill-fated social hall for the past 15 months, and have fallen behind by $36,728 on a federal loan, according to Captain Matt Siko.

The $674,800 loan has an interest rate of 4 percent, and the final installment wasn't due until 2050. The U.S. Department of Agriculture was expected to begin foreclosure Oct. 8, Siko said, citing information shared at a fire hall meeting Oct. 7. Nothing had been filed at the county courthouse as of Friday.

Multiple attempts to seek comment from company trustees were unsuccessful. A USDA spokesperson provided no specific insight when asked for details about the status of the East End's loan and the possibility of foreclosure.

"I can only confirm that East End Fire Co. is behind on their loan payments and that we are working with them to ensure that they are able to make prompt payment on their USDA loans," Dawn Bonsell, public affairs specialist, said Friday by e-mail.

Trustees used the company's truck room and some equipment as collateral for the loan taken in 2010 to build the 5,000-square-foot social hall, bar and banquet facility at Chestnut and Eighth streets. Firefighters were promised that wouldn't happen, Siko said, and were shocked to learn this summer the company's future is in jeopardy.

The social hall opened in 2012 and may close permanently.

A lot to lose

The East End's engine is borough-owned and a majority of the firefighting equipment belongs to the Volunteer Firemen's Relief Association, Siko said, and all of that is safe.

But the truck room itself along with the emergency squad apparatus used on medical calls and a utility vehicle could all be lost. The loan agreement allows for immediate possession of the collateral. That would leave the engine and the 25 active firefighters that operate it without a station.

"We primarily need the equipment protected, and the secondary need is a roof over our head," Siko said.

A list of public safety equipment was sent to the USDA in the hope that it will be removed from the collateral list, and firefighters have retained an attorney for advice on how to save the company. According to Siko, foreclosure could be finalized in as little as six months.

Options are sought for company firefighters to keep the firehouse, and it hasn't been lost on them that borough council is looking for a new building. There is a common denominator: the USDA is involved with both entities. But Siko said there has been no formal discussion about pitching the building to council members.

Help has also been sought from state and federal lawmakers.

"The firefighters have been working tirelessly figuring out what we're going to do," Siko said Oct. 10. "It's hard. There's a lot of us old-timers who grew up in the firehouse and this could be the end."

The East End is also behind $3,935 on its insurance, which could be lost by Wednesday.

The social hall was built for $830,900 using USDA loans and grants. A breezeway connects it to the truck room, which was built in 1991.

Fund drive for public safety only

The East End Fire Co. continues to respond to emergencies. It and the West End Fire Company make up the Kulpmont Fire Department. The department's fund drive is under way and is conducted strictly by mail. Siko stressed all money raised will go toward public safety.

"We're worried from a fire department standpoint that we'll take a hit with the community thinking the money will go to the bar, which is simply not the case," Siko said.

COAL TOWNSHIP - A $500,000 project to improve flood control along Quaker Run in Ranshaw has received state approval.

New, taller concrete walls are planned to replace existing walls along the creek channel. Engineers are working on project design, said Craig Fetterman, Coal Township commissioner chairman, and construction is expected next spring. He said Friday he doesn't believe that eminent domain will be necessary.

"A half-million dollars should fix the problems" in Ranshaw, Fetterman said.

But the township is holding out hope for a similar award for Shamokin Creek in Tharptown. "We don't want to let Tharptown out. We applied for money for both," Fetterman said. "We are going to reapply for more money."

Quaker Run and Shamokin Creek overflowed amid historic rainfall in September 2011 during Tropical Storm Lee. Both have been clogged with debris and silt. Residents pleaded for help since then.

The office of state Sen. John Gordner (R-27) announced Thursday the funds were approved through the 2012 Disaster Recovery Program of the Department of Community and Economic Development. State Rep. Kurt Masser (R-107) also supported Coal Township's application for project funds.

"This project has strong support from Coal Township and its residents, as evidenced by a well-attended hearing last year," Gordner said in a press release. "Representative Masser and I appreciated this local support, which helped us forward the project with the department."

About 40 residents attended a meeting in August 2013 to rally for flood support. Some were frustrated with an inability to obtain flood insurance, or receive grant funds to make structural repairs. Emergency loans made available at the time weren't feasible for some residents.

The township was initially turned down in November 2013 for $1.5 million in disaster relief meant to be used in both Ranshaw and Tharptown. But the application remained under review, and commissioners felt Coal Township had a good shot when additional awards were to be approved.

"Some of the worst flooding in my district occurred in Ranshaw when portions of the existing channel along Quaker Run failed, causing severe damage to homes," Masser said in a press release. "I considered this project to be a priority to prevent future flooding."

Should the state not approve funds for a flood control project in Tharptown, Fetterman said the township will take it up on its own. It's been suggested that Shamokin Creek be dredged. Fetterman acknowledged the township has no experience for such a project, and that environmental regulations would complicate dredging.

DANVILLE - As of Oct. 1, all four Geisinger Health System birthing hospitals started screening newborns for a potentially fatal disease.

Geisinger Medical Center, Danville; Geisinger-Bloomsburg Hospital; Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Wilkes-Barre, and Geisinger-Lewistown Hospital test babies for severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID).

Often referred to as the "bubble boy disease," SCID is a primary immune deficiency that usually results in one or more serious infections within the first few months of life. Such infections could include pneumonia, meningitis or bloodstream infections as well as live viruses in standard immunizations such as chickenpox, measles or rotavirus.

"Unfortunately, only about 60 percent of Pennsylvania hospitals are currently testing newborns for SCID, which can be potentially fatal in newborn children." said Dr. Shibani Kanungo, MPH, pediatric metabolic geneticist, Geisinger Health System. "While SCID screening is part of the recommended follow-up after birth, incorporating the testing into the supplemental screening done on newborns gives us the opportunity to catch this dangerous condition before it is too late."

When discovered early, SCID can be treated with curative bone marrow transplantation, which is a dramatic improvement from the "bubbles" some children were subjected to several decades ago. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) began to recommend SCID newborn screening in 2010. The CDC estimates that 40 to 100 newborns are afflicted with SCID each year in the United States.

SHAMOKIN - Two city neighbors have been charged in connection with a fight about three weeks ago in which one of the combatants was pushed through a window and suffered extensive injuries, including a fractured eye socket.

Daniel Hinkle, 57, of 1211 N. Pearl St., is charged with misdemeanors of simple assault, disorderly conduct and criminal mischief, and a summary of harassment relating to the fracas that began at about 6 p.m. Sept. 28 at Kase and Pearl streets.

Robert Harvey, 49, of 704 E. Kase St., who suffered the injuries, is charged with a misdemeanor of disorderly conduct and summaries of harassment and public drunkenness.

All the charges were filed by Patrolman William Zalinski.

Upon being dispatched to the fight, officers were met by Harvey, who was bleeding from his face and head and had swelling below his left eye. Police also detected a strong odor of alcohol on Harvey's breath.

Harvey told police he was home when he heard Hinkle pounding on his front door while yelling for him to come outside and fight. Harvey said he went out onto his front porch and met Hinkle, whom he claimed pushed him, causing him to fall backward through the front porch window and suffer cuts on his head.

Harvey told police Hinkle repeatedly punched him in the face.

Girl harrassed

Hinkle claimed the fight was prompted by incidents that occurred the day before and earlier the same day.

Hinkle said his wife, who is a friend of Harvey and his wife, was drinking with the Harveys at their home Sept. 27 when Hinkle's 11-year-old daughter and Harvey engaged in a verbal argument. The next day, Hinkle said he received a call from a witness who claimed Harvey harassed Hinkle's daughter at the Sunbury Street playground over the argument.

When Hinkle's daughter returned home and told her father about the alleged harassment, Hinkle said he went over to Harvey's home and challenged him to fight.

Hinkle claimed Harvey shoved him on the front porch, prompting Hinkle to push Harvey backward, which resulted in Harvey falling through the window.

Flat screen, pogo stick

Hinkle admitted he continued to strike Harvey until he got on his feet and went to his truck parked in front of his residence to retrieve a flat-screen television that he threw at Hinkle. Hinkle told police Harvey then grabbed a metal pogo stick from the back of the truck and chased Hinkle up the street to his residence.

Police said Harvey suffered extensive injuries, including a fractured left eye socket, severe facial swelling, head and arm lacerations. He was treated and released from Geisinger-Shamokin Area Community Hospital emergency room.