Election day pigeon dinner set

MOUNT CARMEL - A pigeon dinner with all the trimmings will be offered from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Election Day, Tuesday, at Divine Mercy Hall, located on the 400 block of West Cherry Street.

The dinner, which costs $9 for adults, includes pigeons, mashed potatoes, vegetables, a roll, beverage and dessert. Takeouts will be available.

Proceeds will benefit Divine Redeemer Parish, Mount Carmel. Pre-orders can be made by calling 570-205-8751 or 570-590-5849.

Veterans breakfast Wednesday

ELYSBURG - The veterans breakfast sponsored by state Rep. Kurt Masser, R-107, listed in Saturday's Noteworthy, is Wednesday. A day wasn't included.

Service men and women living in the 107th Legislative District are invited. The event is 7:30 to 9 a.m. at the Elysburg Fire Company, 1 E. Mill St.

RSVP by calling 570-648-8017.

Saturday Spirit summation

SHAMOKIN - The summary quote typically included with Walt Kozlowski's "Saturday Spirit" column was missing in this week's edition. It was, "God is always willing to share His joy with us."

'Murder' story delayed

SHAMOKIN - The News-Item's retrospective on a triple murder case from 40 years ago will be published in an upcoming edition, not today as originally promoted.

DANVILLE - While I'm better known as The Brew Dude, I'm a homebrewer at heart - one of over a million strong in the United States. So when Damien Malfara of Old Forge Brewing offered to host an event for my homebrew club, the PA Alers, we jumped at the opportunity.

For Malfara, it was a trip down memory lane. "I started as a homebrewer," he said. "This event is great for brewing, great for beer. I'm honored to be a part of it. It's awesome what you guys are doing."

The event coincided with Saturday's National Learn to Homebrew Day - the day for veteran homebrewers to teach newbies how easy it is to make great beer. Over a dozen PA Alers, including two beginners, gathered first thing in the morning with our equipment at Old Forge's packaging brewery. Dwarfed by countless stacks of cans and fermenters, some holding as much as 100 barrels (over 3,000 gallons) of beer, we began.

All participants brewed the same recipe - a Winter Warmer meant for the coming holidays. The recipe for the dark ale included spices and oranges - plus an extra kick from an addition of brown sugar and molasses, enabling the brew to ward off the worst of Old Man Winter's chill.

Some of the veterans brewed separately with easy-to-use malt extract. The club's rookies - Ryan Bordner of Selinsgrove, who joined the Alers only last month - and Andrew Charnosky of Elysburg were paired with four others at separate stations for a more complicated homebrewing method using all grain instead of powdered extract.

"Damien answered lots of questions," said Bordner. "It was great to learn how the pros do it and see how all the equipment works together."

Charnosky echoed the sentiments: "This been a great day. Old Forge's hospitality was incredible. I loved the camaraderie, and the way all the individual batches came together to form one beer."

The spices were added to the boiling brew as the day neared completion. Sweet and fragrant aromas of cinnamon and nutmeg filled the air.

To expedite the final process, Malfara allowed us to chill our freshly boiled wort (unfermented beer) on his equipment. Our 55 gallons of chilled wort were then pumped into containers and transported to a secret location, to ferment in a vessel loaned by Catawissa's Covered Bridge Brewing. In a few weeks, the Winter Warmer will be ready, just in time for the holidays.

The PA Alers Homebrewer Club was founded in 2004 and encompasses the Susquehanna Valley. We have nearly 50 members, ranging in experience from beginner to professional. Homebrewers, or the homebrew-curious who wish to learn more about us, may email me at thebrewdude@newsitem.com for more information.

READING - Berks County Community Foundation recently distributed the annual scholarship from the Helen Monkiewicz Kubacki Scholarship Fund for Mount Carmel Area Junior-Senior High School.

Bryce Fiamoncini of Mount Carmel received $1,100 to attend Bloomsburg University.

HARRISBURG - Lobbyists spent $116 million to influence Pennsylvania lawmakers last year, a Times-Shamrock Newspapers review found.

That's a 10 percent increase over 2012, with the top areas of lobbying interest in energy, the state budget and health care overhaul issues, reports on lobbying spending show.

A peak lobbying period came last month as the bill-passing period ended for the two-year legislative session.

On session days, prominent lobbyists and lawmakers mingled at breakfast campaign fundraisers at downtown hotels, jammed tightly into small rooms for important committee meetings and often met again at evening fundraisers scattered across town.

In one example, lobbyists for the National Rifle Association were at the Capitol as House lawmakers passed a bill giving the NRA legal standing to challenge local gun ordinances in court. The NRA spent more than $43,000 on lobbying so far this year, according to the review.

As bills to reduce future public pension costs and privatize the state-run liquor system ran their course, special interest groups deployed lobbyists on both sides of Gov. Tom Corbett's unrealized agenda.

Lobbying commissions

Throughout the year, lobbyists turned out for meetings of the Commonwealth Financing Authority, a legislative-dominated agency that doles out millions of dollars for economic development, transportation and energy projects, and the Independent Regulatory Review Commission, an agency that reviews the regulations drawn up by agencies to implement state laws. While outside the public spotlight, actions taken by these agencies can be just as important as passing or stopping a bill.

The financing authority distributed $12.4 million in slot machine revenue from Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs to local projects in Luzerne County in September, for example.

The regulatory review commission approved a $300 biennial registration fee for lobbyists last month, representing a $100 increase that goes to support a state lobbyist disclosure website.

The registration fee increase had been debated for several years amid concerns that an overly costly fee would force small businesses and nonprofits to stop lobbying.

"The lobbyist disclosure act is so broad it really encompasses everyone who tries to work with the administration on any level," said Gabrielle Sedor, president of the Pennsylvania Association for Government Relations.

Lobbyists work on behalf of large manufacturers, trade associations, colleges and universities, environmental groups, unions, local government associations, animal rights groups and nonprofits.

A shale play

The natural gas industry is the newest major player on the Harrisburg scene. The enactment of a driller impact fee in 2012, continued debate over levying a state severance tax on natural gas production and issues involving gas leases account for the strong industry presence.

This year, public disgruntlement over gas royalty payments became a legislative issue.

Leaseholders in Bradford, Susquehanna and Lycoming counties complained about the practice by Chesapeake Appalachia of deducting post-production costs tied to Marcellus drilling from gas lease payments.

Representatives in Northeast Pennsylvania pushed unsuccessfully this session for legislation to limit what Marcellus drillers can deduct from royalty payments. They plan to reintroduce the legislation next session.

Chesapeake Appalachia spent $226,000 on lobbying during the first half of this year, according to reports.

Cabot Oil & Gas spent more than $80,000 on lobbying during the first half.

The Marcellus Shale Coalition, an umbrella trade association, spent more than $1.8 million during the first half of the year. The coalition lobbied on issues involving energy, environmental, consumer affairs, municipalities, safety, taxes and the state budget.

The natural gas industry spent $3.5 million in 2010 on lobbying, according to the newspaper's analysis.

Lobbying more open

Disclosure of lobbying spending is relatively new in Pennsylvania even though the practice of lobbying is as old as the commonwealth. A century ago, the lobbyist for the powerful Pennsylvania Railroad was referred to as the 51st state senator.

The 2006 state lobbyist disclosure law requires corporations and trade associations that spent more than $2,500 in any quarter to register, broadly categorize how the money is spent, including for office expenses and salaries, and identify general issues on which they lobby.

The $116 million lobbying sum for 2013 is broken down in three categories:

-- $80.7 million for direct communications (including standing office and personnel expenses) to influence a state official or lawmaker.

- $33.1 million for indirect communications to the general public in the form of ads and mailings.

- $2.1 million for gifts, hospitality and lodging for officials, their employees or immediate family members.

It's not easy to find out the gift recipients.

For example, the Marcellus Shale Coalition reported spending more than $20,000 on gifts during the year's first half, but identified no recipients.

Under the law, lobbyists and their employers only have to identify individuals who received gifts worth $250 or more in one year, and individuals and their families receiving payment or reimbursement for lodging, transportation and hospitality that exceeds $650 in one year.

Revelations earlier this year that four Philadelphia House members allegedly accepted cash gifts from an confidential informant during a sting operation led the House and Senate to adopt rules banning lawmakers from accepting cash gifts.

But bills to enact a total ban on gifts from lobbyists to lawmakers and public officials didn't make much headway this session.

"We need a lobby law without loopholes," said Capitol activist Eric Epstein of RockTheCapital.com. "Either ban or cash and gifts or report all cash and gifts."

He suggested that lobbyists expect something in return for gifts to elected officials.

"Gifts, gratuities and trips aren't freebies and come with strings attached," said Epstein.

'Sham'

The Department of State provides quarterly reports on lobbying costs broken down by about 100 broad subjects, including workers compensation, reproductive rights and transportation. An undetermined portion of these costs may be duplicative since individual lobbyists, lobby firms and the firms or institutions that hire them often list more than one topic on which they lobby.

There's no way to determine whether the same cost is reported more than once by these three categories of reports, said Trisha Malehorn, chief of the Department of State's division of campaign finance and lobbying disclosure.

Still, these quarterly reports provide a look at bouts of activity surrounding a governor's or legislative agenda. For example, lobbying costs associated with the $29 billion state budget were $900,000 higher in the second quarter of 2014, which covers the budget passage, than in the first quarter.

The department's reports should be fine-tuned to separate the office and personnel costs and better define on what issues lobbyists and employers are working, said Barry Kauffman, executive director of Common Cause Pennsylvania.

The way lobbyists report issues they're working on "is pretty much a sham," he said.

MOUNT CARMEL - In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, thousands of people from Italy, Tyrol and present-day Poland, Lithuania and Slovakia left their homelands behind and immigrated to the Mount Carmel area to mine a better life for themselves, but especially for their children.

One of them, the Lithuania immigrant Casimira Kaupas who became Mother Maria Kaupas, returned in spirit Sunday morning to Mount Carmel, the place where she took some of her first steps toward sainthood over a century ago. Her journey was commemorated during the 10:30 a.m. Mass at Divine Redeemer Church as part of efforts by the Diocese of Harrisburg, the Sisters of St. Casimir and Divine Redeemer Parish.

"How wonderful it is to welcome her spirit back to the community," said the Very Rev. Martin O. Moran III, pastor. He blessed a portrait of Mother Maria donated by the Sisters of St. Casimir, the congregation she founded.

The artwork was carried to a prominent place near the altar by Marion Wydra, one of Divine Redeemer's oldest Lithuanian members, who was accompanied by her great-nephew, Jared Shutt.

Mother Maria was declared venerable in 2010. Her cause is awaiting confirmation of one miracle that would permit her beatification and a second one for her canonization as a saint. She and Mothers Immaculata Dvaranauskas and Mother Concepta Unguraitis began as a congregation in Mount Carmel in 1907, founding the first Lithuanian Catholic school at Holy Cross Parish. Holy Cross was part of the 1995 merger with Our Mother of Consolation, St. John the Baptist, St. Peter's and St. Paul's into Divine Redeemer.

Coincidentally, a portrait of St. Pauline Visintainer, who has relatives in the area, was formally accepted by the parish during the Mass. Divine Redeemer is working with the St. Pauline Spiritual Center in Kulpmont in honoring both Mother Maria and St. Pauline.

"On behalf of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg, I am very happy to express our gratitude and excitement to Sister Regina Marie Dubickus, superior general of the Sisters of Saint Casimir, to her provincial council and to Father Moran for these initiatives that are emerging to honor the legacy and promote knowledge of the good works of the Venerable Mother Maria Kaupas," Bishop Ronald W. Gainer noted in a statement.

"This holy, valiant woman's dedicated service to and care for the immigrants of Central Pennsylvania is a story that must be preserved and communicated to Catholics and the entire community. These exciting efforts are also so timely as the cause for mother's canonization moves forward and as we eagerly await a Coal Region saint. "

The Sisters of St. Casimir, who are leading the cause for sainthood for Mother Maria, are equally enthusiastic.

"We feel very blessed at this outpouring of love and interest in Mother Maria Kaupas, our foundress," stated Sister Regina Dubickas. "From her humble beginnings in Lithuania, she was brought by God's providence to the United States and to the discovery of her vocation. Her life of faith, her devotion to Jesus in the Eucharist, her courage and deep trust in God enabled her to respond generously to the needs of her times. This is the charism that inspires the Sisters of St. Casimir and so many other people today, and the circle continues to grow ever wider, embracing and inspiring many more toward holiness of life and service in God's name. "

The superior general pointed out the appropriateness of Mother Maria's return. "In a way, the love for Mother Maria Kaupas has come to full circle through the efforts to give her a place of honor in Mount Carmel, home of the first mission of the Sisters of St. Casimir," she stated. "How appropriate that her portrait was placed near the statue of the Sacred Heart.

"There is a beautiful experience related in Mother Maria's account of the founding in which she describes how she and two other sisters entered the house where they were to live. In the entrance was a statue of the Sacred Heart. The three of them knelt down. Mother Maria writes that one hand of Jesus was placed on his heart and the other was extended toward them. She said that it was as if she could hear him say, 'My love has gathered you here' I believe that that same love is gathering us together once again."

"Sisters are grateful to Father Moran and to all those who are working with him to make the spirit of Mother Maria alive in this part of the world that was her first mission. May the graces God gave her help all of us to live our vocation faithfully, for God's glory and the good of God's people. "

"Something new is happening in the Mount Carmel area and the Sisters of St. Casimir, former teachers there, are saying it is a truly blessed renewal," commented Sister Margaret Petcavage, who directs the cause of Maria Kaupas. "Through the inspirational leadership of the pastor of Divine Redeemer parish, Father Moran, and his parishioners, the devotion to Venerable Servant of God Maria Kaupas has taken a wonderful revival.

"Mother Maria and her first two sister companions arrived in Mount Carmel in 1907 when she opened up the first Sisters of St. Casimir School at Holy Cross. How awesome to think that a true American saint had walked the streets of Mount Carmel for the three years when she had taught there.

"It is also quite probable that Mother Maria had actually prayed in Divine Redeemer Church (then Our Mother of Consolation), for she had that great devotion to visit churches on Holy Thursday. Mother always held a special place in her heart for the little town and its people. Subsequently, several young women entered the community from Mount Carmel and touched many people's lives. "

Petcavage noted Mother Maria cherished the Harrisburg diocese since Bishop John Shanahan supported the efforts to found the Sisters of St. Casimir. He took a special interest in this new community. "How blessed are we that Bishop Gainer is following in Bishop Shanahan's footsteps by continuing that tremendous task of supporting devotion to Venerable Mother Maria, a saint of the coal region. "

Gregory Sacavage was a parishioner at the former Holy Cross Parish and part of local efforts to honor Mother Maria.

"Not only the Lithuanian community, but our entire community was truly blessed to have had the physical presence of Maria Kaupas in our community and to know that Order of the Sisters of Saint Casimir was founded within our borders," he said. "We are equally blessed to have her spirt watch over us today and proud that soon one day, the people of the Mount Carmel area can have their own patroness. "

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

Judge John Gembic III, Shamokin

- Costello Realty, Inc., of Mount Carmel, against Ron Herb, of Shamokin, for $500, filed Oct. 31. A hearing is scheduled for Nov. 13.

- Dennis A. Kodack Jr., of Coal Township, awarded $3,358.60 in rent and filing fees on Oct. 27, from Alex and Jaime Hernandez, of Coal Township.

- Louise Sahonik, of Ranshaw, awarded $786.60 in rent and filing fees on Oct. 27, from Brad Nahodil, of Coal Township.

Judge Hugh Jones, Mount Carmel

- Apartments and Acquisitions, of Mount Carmel, awarded $1,779 in rent, server fees and costs on Oct. 30, from Abby Burd and Troy McMunn, of Mount Carmel.

- Kerry R. Blum, of Martins Creek, awarded $736.60 in rent and filing fees on Oct. 30, from Nick R. Rodriquez, of Mount Carmel.

SHAMOKIN - Members of St. John United Church of Christ gathered one last time Sunday to celebrate their 175th anniversary with a commemorative prayer service in the church's sacristy.

Under the direction of prayer leader David Spotts, about 50 church members and guests said prayers, reaffirming their love for God and praying for another 175 years.

"The Lord God in his goodness has blessed us with 175 years of mission and ministry as St. John's Church," Spotts said. "Our eyes look back with thanksgiving. Our eyes look forward in hope."

One of the highlights of Sunday's service was a hymn written for the occasion by Ann Nowaskie and sung to the tune of Beethoven's "Ode to Joy."

The hymn talks about many of the traditions that St. John's holds dear, like its Maundy Thursday and Tenebrae services, mentions several of the pastors past and present, and mentioned how well the congregation eats including Dutch cakes, ham loaves and the annual strawberry festival.

"St. John's, St. John's, now's your moment, Mark the time and share the joy. Ignite our souls with heaven's fire, Fear itself cannot destroy," a part of the lyrics read.

At the end of the service, Spotts invited several guests to say a few words to the faithful in attendance.

One group was the Rev. MaryAlice Butkofsky and her daughter, the Rev. Martha Butkofsky Boyer. Their husband and father was former pastor The Rev. Dr. Edward O. Butkofsky, who served as pastor of St. John's from 1932 to 1948.

"I can remember coming here and meeting all the great people," Butkofsky, 93, said. "When many people invited us to dinner, we met the congregation and made lifelong friends."

"I thank you so much for inviting us here today," Boyer said. "Being here has brought back such great memories for me growing up here."

Pastor Betsy Martin Bruaw, pastor of Church of the Redeemer United Church of Christ, Hershey, since February 1994, also spoke. A native of Shamokin, she was ordained in the United Church of Christ at St. John's UCC Shamokin, on July 1, 1990.

"I can remember going to church camp and St. John's being very supportive of that program," Bruaw said. "Those camps helped me to hear my call to the ministry."

Brauw encouraged the congregation to help the next generation continue the traditions of St. John's United Church of Christ, and thanked them for inviting her for the occasion.

"This will always be where my soul is, and where my heart is the happiest," she said.

'Men in Harmony' to perform

DORNSIFE - The male chorus of "Men in Harmony" will perform a concert at 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9 at Himmel's Church, 107 Covered Bridge Road.

This men's group is dedicated to spreading the Gospel through a variety of spirited musical selections ranging from inspirational hymns to traditional songs of faith, as well as contemporary Christian music and new arrangements of classical works, all presented in fresh, captivating settings.

Refreshments will follow the performance. More information about the church can be found at their website, www.himmelschurch.com.

Second chances explored at Lifetree

SHAMOKIN - How to bounce back after a setback will be discussed at 7 p.m. Thursday at Lifetree Café, 531 N. Market St.

The program, "Second Chances: From Down and Out to Up and at 'Em" features the filmed story of author and entrepreneur Weldon Long. A high school dropout and addict, Long was in prison the third time when he decided to change the direction of his life.

Participants will consider the techniques Long employed to make the changes that gave him a second chance at life. Admission to the 60-minute event is free. Snacks and beverages are available.

For more information, contact Kathy Vetovich at 570-672-9346 or kvetovich@gmail.com.

Editor's note: Monday Profiles are published on the first Monday of each month.

DALMATIA - Decades of regrets and secrets kept are spilled in a new book authored by a Dalmatia resident about his time as an undercover policeman in the Baltimore area.

Michael Kaminski's story includes details about his time in the U.S. Air Force and in the seminary, and also about the life and death of his second wife. He writes about his addiction to alcohol, and the depression that nearly cost him his life.

Kaminski, 67, writes in "Life After Russian Roulette: Game Over" that he worked three separate identities while undercover, juggling all that comes with living three separate lives - four when you count his true identity.

Enemies to all three identities, he says, placed a hit on him.

"I hated life. I hated living," Kaminski said recently by telephone.

He says he took refuge inside a Catholic church some nights, laying on a pew and reflecting on the lives of the people he had come to respect, and those same people who he worked to have arrested.

"I hated setting people up," he said.

The book is self-published through Amazon and is available at online retailers.

Kaminski was born and raised in Baltimore, but his parents are from southern Northumberland County. His mother, Alice, is a Trevorton native. She was raised across the street from St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church. His father, Michael, grew up on Montgomery Street in Shamokin.

He didn't always want to be a cop, a career that didn't last very long, but he felt a calling for combat. He volunteered in 1965 for the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War, and landed at a desk in Washington, D.C. It took 1 1/2 years of repeated transfer requests before he was assigned to a reconnaissance group, flying into makeshift air strips on a C-130.

After the military, he worked as a graphic artist for the U.S. Bureau of Customs. It was a cushy job, he says, and one that he hated. And so he quit, pumped gas at a service station and waited for an opportunity. It was police work.

He was hired by the Baltimore Police Department in 1973 and was assigned to foot patrol in the Western District - an area depicted in the fictional television crime epic "The Wire."

"We got into fights every night, which was really good. You learned how not to be a cop in Western District, you learned how to survive, basically. You could get away with just about anything as long as you had creative writing skills," Kaminski said.

In his book, he says the Anne Arundel County Police Department hired him in 1974 and assigned him to a vice squad task force. Tales from his 3 1/2 years working in organized crime make up the heart of his book, including his work as quality control with a drug ring and time spent with a motorcycle gang. It's also at the heart of his torment, he says.

Some of the names have been changed, he says.

"I wanted to get it out of my system," Kaminski says of his motivation to write "Life After Russian Roulette: Game Over."

He had left police work and had been a private investigator for several years when he chose to become a priest, a venture that didn't quite work as planned. Alcohol got the best of him while at Lancaster Theological Seminary. It had been a staple of his days since high school.

Kaminski says he was drunk all through his time as a cop, and all through his semester in seminary. He left for rehab, and years later would find sobriety. After that he would find Sharon, his late second wife. The book details her mental anguish, as well.

Kaminski did become an ordained Protestant minister, and says he had been a pastor in Shamokin, Trevorton and Pottsville. He has no parish now, but still performs at weddings. He's hopeful that his novel could become a screenplay, and he's working on a second book about his second marriage.

WILLIAMSPORT - While the civil lawsuit of a former female sheriff's deputy against Northumberland County will continue, a federal judge has ruled against the plaintiff request to receive punitive damages.

In a memorandum and order released Oct. 29, U.S. District Judge Matthew Brann ruled that Nicole Baker, of Kulpmont, could not ask for punitive damages because the United States Code states that a party can ask for punitive damages in a suit, unless that suit is against a government, government agency or political subdivision.

The memorandum denies the county's motion to dismiss the lawsuit stating that enough evidence exists to hear the case in court.

Baker, a Northumberland County deputy sheriff from March 2010 to April 2012, said in her Jan. 16 filing she was terminated by the department due to county budget cuts, but was not informed why three male deputies with less seniority retained their positions.

When another deputy resigned in February 2013, Baker said the department hired a man instead of calling her back to work. She also alleged she was discriminated against because of her gender and retaliated against after filing a complaint with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission in October 2012.

The county's answer to the suit simply stated Baker failed to present any evidence supporting her allegations.

Brann also gave Baker and her attorneys leave to file an amended complaint clarifying that the third count of the suit is actually for gender discrimination, rather than retalliation.

In a previous court document, Baker's attorney admitted that the heading was merely a typographical error. Because of such, Brann wrote that Northumberland County is not allowed to renew its motion to dismiss the case due to the amended complaint.

ATLAS - A vote on the fate of four Mount Carmel Township Police officers involved in a Labor Day incident with a Kulpmont police officer could come as early as Thursday.

Township supervisors had scheduled a special meeting on the matter for Monday afternoon, but wording in the ad, which appeared in Saturday's edition of the News-Item, changed the tone of the meeting.

"The Mount Carmel Township Board of Supervisors will hold a Special Executive Meeting for personnel issues on Monday, November 3, 2014," the ad in Saturday's classified read.

Due to the wording, township solicitor Vince Rovito said that the meeting must be conducted in executive session with no public participation or vote.

The supervisors were hoping to reschedule the public meeting for Thursday afternoon if an ad can be put in the paper. State law requires a public notice to be published 48 hours before a special meeting is held.

Melissa Melewsky, media law council for the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Assocation, was a little confused about the language used and not knowing what a "special executive meeting" was.

"It's not clear to me based on definitions in the Sunshine Act and I could imagine the public might be confused as well," Melewsky said.

Based on the ambiguity of the ad, Melewsky was not surprised the meeting was held in private and hopes Mount Carmel Township does better in the future.

"A new, clear public notice ad with a date, time, place and ideally a subject would provide the public a better opportunity to understand the meeting's purpose and decide whether they want to attend," she said.

The four officers, full-time patrolmen David Stamets and Matthew Filarski, and part-time patrolmen Patrick McAndrew and Michael Pitcavage were suspended Sept. 5 after the incident, which occurred in Kulpmont when a lit firecracker was tossed in the direction of a Kulpmont police cruiser with borough police patrolman David Tomtishen on duty.

Tomtishen, Kulpmont's lone on-duty officer, activated his vehicle's emergency lights and pursued the Jeep. The vehicles drove north on Sixth Street before turning right into Marion Heights on Clermont Street. The Jeep traveled several blocks before making a right turn onto Woodland Street and driving into the woods.

Tomtishen reported it had no license plate. He was backed in the pursuit by assisting officer Kelly Campbell, a patrolman for Mount Carmel Township police, who cut off the vehicle as it headed for Route 54, north of Strong, before it drove back into the woods. Campbell reported the Jeep had a tan top and four occupants.

Stamets, the driver of the jeep, was cited for driving a vehicle without a registration plate, failing to pull over for an emergency vehicle and a stop sign violation by state police.

He has pled not guilty to the violations with a summary trial on the charges scheduled for Dec. 4 before Magisterial District Judge John Gembic of Shamokin. The case was transferred there after district judge Hugh Jones, of Mount Carmel, recused himself from the case.

McAndrew was cited by state police for disorderly conduct and pleaded guilty, sentenced to pay a $150 fine and court costs.

MOUNT CARMEL - The Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court Of Our Lady of Victory 588 held its monthly meeting Sept. 21 with an opening prayer by the Rev. Frank Karwacki of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church.

Officers attending were Mary Snyder, regent; Roseann Chesney, vice regent; Lois Sejuit, secretary; Mary Catherine Wydra, financial secretary, and Nora Avellino, treasurer.

The meeting started with the way Catholic Daughters pray every day, with three Hail Marys, three Hail Marys to end terrorism, an Our Father and Hail Mary and Glory Be for peace in Mexico, three Hail Marys for the victims of the Shady Hook tragedy and the Pledge of Allegience.

New member Katherine Peeler of Our Lady of Hope Church took the membership pledge and was welcomed into the group, bringing the membership total to 64 members.

After the treasurer and financial secretary's report, the group talked about unfinished business. Some members attended a seminar in Hershey Oct. 3 with a report coming at a future meeting.

The organization will sell Christmas pins this year which are inscribed, "It's Okay to say Merry Christmas to me." This will be the third year that CDA will be selling them at a cost of $1. Anyone who would like one can contact a member.

Mary Snyder talked about celebrating sisterhood by meeting in the vestibule of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church at the Oct. 19 Mass in honor of living and deceased members. That date was National Catholic Daughters of Americas Day. A luncheon followed the Mass at the Mount Carmel Senior Center.

Donna Sassani commented on local food banks being low and suggested CDA can conduct a food drive in conjunction with the annual November members' food donation. Non-perishable food donations can be dropped off at the Mount Carmel Area Public Library until Nov. 22.

Members will visit Mount Carmel Area and Our Lady of Lourdes Regional schools for the annual CDA art and essay contestThis year's theme is "Love Your Neighbor as Yourself. Be A Good Neighbor."

After reporting on Karwacki's 70th birthday celebration, the group's chaplain discussed and showed DVDs, "With God in Prison - The story of the Rev. Walter Ciszek" and "Rev. Michael McGivney - Knights of Columbus."

Karwacki gave the closing prayer. The group sang the closing ode.

MOUNT CARMEL - One of the three individuals detained by police after causing a panic that forced the Mount Carmel Area School District to cancel its pep parade and put students on lockdown for approximately one hour, has been cited for disorderly conduct.

Borough Police Cpl. David Donkochik reported Monday that a 15-year-old male from Lavelle, was cited in the Oct. 30 incident which occurred at 7:56 p.m.

Despite students being under lockdown conditions, first, in the bleachers of the Silver Bowl, then moved into a fieldhouse under cover, Donkochik thought the charge fit the crime.

"If you look at the state statute, the incident is clearly defined as disorderly conduct," the officer said.

The Pennsylvania Crimes Code says a person is guilty of disorderly conduct, if "with intent to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or recklessly creating a risk thereof, he creates a hazardous or physically offensive condition by any act which serves no legitimate purpose of the actor."

The Lavelle teen was "clad in camo from head to toe," and carrying a large backpack and what appeared to be a long rifle, similar a sniper rifle, was seen walking in the area of Fourth and Poplar streets.

Two males, standing on the sidewalk waiting for the parade, called out to the individual to see if he was OK, but the male continued walking away.

The two males called police. Officers, already at the stadium to escort the parade, were mobilized.

A police search of the area discovered the male trying to conceal himself behind a parked car in the Hope Community Church parking lot, near Fourth and Birch streets.

Officers converged on the scene and the youth surrendered to authorities after police drew their guns on him.

The rifle the juvenile was holding was a plastic airsoft rifle, a non-lethal firearm that shoots plastic BB-like projectiles by compressed aid.

Donkochik said last Thursday the rifle was painted to look like a real weapon. The backpack, he said, contained fireworks, smoke bombs and another air soft pistol, along with an 11-inch Ka-Bar military type knife.

A conversation with the youth discovered that there were two more youths, dressed the same as he was, hiding out in a wooded area in Dooleyville, also carrying the airsoft rifles.

The youths were contacted and told to come out of the woods and place the rifles on the ground, and wait for the officers at the Beaverdale Fire Company. They complied and were taken into custody.

Those two youths were also carrying fireworks and an airsoft pistol in similar backpacks.

Donkochik said the two other males, a 15-year-old from Kulpmont and a 15-year-old from Locust Gap, will not be charged in the incident.

"Our investigation showed that those two were in the woods, merely participating in this game they were allegedly playing, not like the individuals walking around the public streets," Donkochik said.

KULPMONT - The following memorials and special intentions were recently presented to the St. Pauline Center:

John Bolick from Sylvia Kapushinski.

Kevin Rodrigues from Mr. and Mrs. Carl Olley, Jack and Rita Laukaitis.

Mary Ellen Murray from Frank and Rose Pecaitis.

Michael Katch from Frank and Rose Pecaitis.

Frank "Pap Pap" Perles from Corine Klose, Bob Greco, Vince and Coleen, Rick and Deb Perles and family, Dr. Robert Greco and family, Attorney Edward Greco and family, Dolores Staskiel, Jack and Rita Laukaitis, Frank and Betty Ann Bergonia, James and Elizabeth Messina, Alexander and Lorraine Homski, Steve and Cheryl Latorre and family, Cathy LaCroce, Elaine Bressi and family, Reynold and Patricia Scicchitano, Bressi and Martin Real Estate, David and Maryann Richards, St. Pauline Society, Nick and Shirley Gard and family, Francis and Mary Ann Murin.

Gus L. Veach from Lubow Gluchowski, Bob Greco and family, Rick and Deb Perles and family, Attorney Edward Greco and family, Jack and Rita Laukaitis, Gerry and Marty Zarkoski.

Tanya Kehler from the St. Pauline Society.

Mildred Pochekailo from Peggy Yancheski and family.

Mary Stellar from Bob Greco and family, Attorney Edward Greco and family, Jack and Rita Laukaitis, Nick and Shirley Gard and family, Peggy Yancheski and family.

Violet Smolock from Joseph Pelchar.

Raymond E. Hodrick from Michael and Rosalie Ziegler and family.

Josephine T. Baranoski from Michael and Rosalie Ziegler and family.

Clara Subasic from Jack and Rita Laukaitis, Bob Greco and family, Attorney Ed Greco and family.

Sister Marietta (Aunt Anna) Zarkoski from Marty and Gerry and sons.

Friends and relatives (in honor of St. Lucy) from Karen Gates.

CATAWISSA R.R. - Approximately 35 members of the Southern Columbia Education Association engaged in an off-the-cuff discussion with members of the school board during a meeting Monday night.

The show of force by the teachers, who have been working with a contract that expired June 30, was peaceful, with members speaking their thoughts during the public comment portion of the meeting.

Randy Young, a teacher in the district for 27 years, asked the board how they could justify giving administrators a 3 to 4 percent pay raise, but teachers are being asked to go through a pay freeze.

"We are the ones that are on the front line, in the school every day teaching the children," Young said. "Does anyone have an answer?"

No one on the board replied.

Much of the blame in the district's unsteady financial situation was placed on the Pennsylvania State Employees Retirement System (PSERS) raises in employer contributions since 2009. Southern Columbia's contribution increased by $449,000 last year.

"Until Harrisburg puts a stop to this, its going to get worse," Caputo said.

"Right now, administration, staff and workers, we are all working together to get out of this crunch. We are turning the financial corner, but not fiscally healthy yet," Caputo said.

"You've received word years ago from PSERS that this was coming," teacher Chris Brown said. "If I knew that my mortgage was going up year after year, I'd be working back then to sock some money away to help alleviate this problem."

"The bottom line is that you know you have disgruntled staff members," Young told the board. "Collectively, they are very unhappy. We keep coming back because we love what we do for the students, but we don't like being disrespected as a professional. I've been here 27 years, and I hate being kicked around."

SCEA president Chris Gengler, one of the teachers in attendance, did not comment about the show of solidarity following the meeting. Several teachers leaving the room stated that "they would be back" when the board meets again on Nov. 10.

SUNBURY - A 25-year-old Shamokin man charged with burglary and theft-related offenses was sentenced Monday to 2 to 5 years in a state correctional institution.

Northumberland County Judge Charles Saylor imposed the sentence on Rodney T. Cossari for a Jan. 10 burglary at the residence of Aleksander Kolovic, 126 N. Shamokin St., Shamokin. He received a concurrent 2 to 5 year state prison sentence for another burglary committed at Kolovic's home Jan. 24, and concurrent sentences of 6 to 24 months for receiving stolen property and 9 to 24 months for access device fraud involving a Nov. 15, 2013, incident at Jones Home Center in Coal Township.

The sentences will run concurrent to jail time Cossari is facing in connection with offenses committed in Lycoming and Snyder counties.

In addition to the prison sentence, Cossari must pay a $250 fine plus costs, make $89 restitution to Kolovic, $121.77 restitution to Arthur Heckman Jr. and $163.82 restitution to Susquehanna Bank.

SHAMOKIN - City council is working to prepare its first budget under the state's Act 47 financial recovery program.

Mayor William D. Milbrand estimated the 2015 budget, as it stands now, at roughly $2.8 million. Taxes were recommended to be raised in an emergency financial review compiled earlier this year. Given the city's troubled fiscal health, it's inevitable, Milbrand said reluctantly Monday.

Shamokin is receiving guidance from state and private consultants. The city was accepted into the recovery program in June.

Milbrand hopes council members will agree to host a public budget presentation in the coming weeks at the auditorium of the Northumberland County Career and Arts Center, 2 E. Arch St. The goal is to explain Shamokin's financial status, and what measures council must take to balance spending and revenue.

"Whoever thinks we can do this on what they're paying in taxes now, they need to come to this meeting and see first hand every number in black and white," Milbrand said.

Aside from small incidentals, "we can't cut anything else out of this budget," Milbrand said.

A final budget must be adopted no later than Dec. 31. The latest a preliminary version could be adopted is Dec. 11.

A $2.3 million revised 2014 budget was adopted in February. The city's current real estate tax levy totals 47.35 mills, including 30 mills for the general operating expenses. What that figure represents to property owners is a dollar amount - owners pay $47.35 for every $1,000 of a property's assessed value. For example, $710.25 for a $15,000 home, or $1,794.57 for a home valued at $37,900 - the median value in the city, according the U.S. Census Bureau.

Councilman David Kinder, finance director, said the budget figures are a work in progress. He is meeting individually throughout the week with fellow council members to review the 19-page document.

Ryan Hottenstein, of Financial Solutions, the city's Act 47 consultant, and city Clerk Robert M. Slaby are piecing the budget together, he said. In a move previously recommended through the Act 47 process, the head of each city department was asked to review budget projections and tailor their own department's budget. Kinder said that hadn't happened before.

"In my opinion, many times the budget was just put together by the city manager with some input from council members," Kinder said Monday, adding that department heads will be more accountable in maintaining the budget.

Kinder is on board with a large public forum for a budget presentation. If it's held, he hopes it's well-attended.

"It's the public's money and we have to be very careful with it. We also need to be very transparent once we get the final numbers in place," Kinder said. "I'm looking forward to inviting the public in to inform them, where they will be able to see each department, each account."

MARION HEIGHTS - Police forced their way into a house and used pepper spray and a Taser to end a four-hour long standoff with a Marion Heights man that began around 8:30 p.m. Monday.

The man, who police called to as "Stanley" while trying to convince him to surrender, was taken into custody shortly before midnight on the 300 block of Warsaw Street in Marion Heights.

As of press time, no officials had confirmed details of why the standoff occurred, however witnesses at the scene and scanner reports indicated that the standoff originated from a domestic situation.

According to scanner reports, an unidentified man was seen on both the first and second floors of a house performing various activities including opening a back upstairs window and using blankets to cover windows.

Neighbors said that a large dog also resided in the home and scanner reports indicated the dog was present with the man.

Neighbors also said that a young girl who resided at the home was safe with a neighbor.

A woman identified by police over the scanner as the victim said the man had firearms in the house.

The victim was also safely out of the home, said a neighbor.

The neighbor said that he had noticed police on scene around 8:30 p.m.

Police quickly secured the perimeter of the house and had flooded the home with light with the help of fire personnel.

Police Chief Brian Hollenbush spoke over a loudspeaker to the man calling him by name, urging him to come out onto the front porch of the home with his hands up.

When the man did not emerge, police attempted calling the man's home landline from theirs and a neighbor's phone.

He did not answer, so Hollenbush again called out to him on the loudspeaker, asking him to answer the phone. He also asked the man to dial 911 to speak to a dispatcher.

At 9:30 p.m., the man was still not responding to any attempts to contact him.

"If you do not come out we are going to come in and get you," Hollenbush said over the loudspeaker. "This doesn't have to be more difficult than it already is."

A tactical team, who are local officers trained to deal with extreme police incidents, was called in at that time.

At 11:30 p.m., police announced a move to gas the first, then second story of the home in order flush the man out, which, according to eye witnesses, was deployed by using a type of gun and pepper spray.

At 11:44 p.m., scanner reports indicated a Taser had been deployed. According to witnesses, police broke a side window and the man could be heard yelling from inside the house.

Minutes later, the man, still able to walk, was escorted to an ambulance surrounded by police and taken into custody.

Chamber 'after hours' event tonight

COAL TOWNSHIP - The Brush Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce and its newest member, Cigar Box, invite chamber members to a Business After Hours event from 5 to 7 p.m. today. The Cigar Box is located in The Plaza at Coal Township, Route 61, across from Walmart.

The business will remain open to the public during the event.

Boys and toys drive slated

OVERLOOK - Boys and Their Toys will sponsor a toy drive from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Saturday at the Northumberland County Airport.

Hayrides, family pictures and airplane rides will be available. Santa Claus also is scheduled to make an appearance.

Anyone who brings an unwrapped new toy for children up to the age of 15 will be given a free meal by Boys and Their Toys.

Everyone is welcome to attend.

Last year's Boys and Their Toys program raised $7,900.

For more information, call Buddy Carl at 570-490-5138.

RIVERSIDE - A Danville man who threatened on social media to jump from the Danville-Riverside bridge into the Susquehanna River was found alive.

State police at Milton issued a press release shortly before 9 a.m. to report that William Benjamin Scott, 24, was located. It contained no further detail about how, where and when he was found. Further comment is sought from the station's public information officer.

Scott posted on Facebook a photo of himself standing on the bridge, according to police. His vehicle was found nearby. The incident began about 12:30 a.m. today.

Fire departments from Montour and Northumberland counties responded.