DANVILLE - The Geisinger Cancer Institute and Cancer Care of Central PA announced today that Cancer Care of Central PA will become part of the Geisinger family effective Dec. 1. The agreement between the organizations includes Cancer Care of Central PA's Lewisburg, Selinsgrove, Elysburg and Lock Haven locations.

"For nearly 20 years, the health care professionals at Cancer Care of Central PA have provided high quality, compassionate and professional care to their patients throughout the region," said Geisinger Cancer Services vice president, Thomas Graves. "We are pleased to welcome our new colleagues into the Geisinger family."

"Moving forward, our patients will benefit not only from the team at our four locations, but also from the clinical trials, sub-specialists and other attributes of Geisinger," said medical oncologist and Cancer Care of Central PA founder, Poonam Srivastava, M.D. "Both of our organizations share a commitment to quality, compassion, hope and healing, and we are pleased to become part of the Geisinger Cancer Institute."

Geisinger will begin renovations at the four sites that will be renamed Geisinger Cancer Center-Lewisburg, Geisinger Medical Oncology-Elysburg, Geisinger Medical Oncology-Lock Haven and Geisinger Medical Oncology-Selinsgrove. Medical oncology services will be provided at all four locations, with radiation oncology services also available at Geisinger Cancer Center-Lewisburg.

The cancer center in Lewisburg will feature expanded treatment rooms with capabilities for medical oncology services including chemotherapy, IV infusions, injections, hydrations and bone marrow biopsies; as well as radiation oncology care including intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), image guided radiation therapy (IGRT), a dedicated CT scanner to be used for radiation treatment planning and an on-site pharmacy. The Elysburg, Lock Haven and Selinsgrove sites will provide IV infusions, injections, hydrations and bone marrow biopsies, with laboratory services available in both Elysburg and Selinsgrove.

"Teaming with Cancer Care of Central PA is part of our ongoing effort to provide care close to where our patients live," said Graves. "We are in the process of communicating directly with the patients to inform them of the acquisition and assure them that their care will continue uninterrupted."

COAL TOWNSHIP - Margaret Forbes opened the October meeting of Our Lady of Hope Catholic Council with the Good Counsel prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.

Dolly Yocum, secretary, gave the report on the last meeting and the religious appreciation dinner. The dinner was changed to Masser's Banquet Hall instead of the Wayside Inn.

Violet Feudale, treasurer, gave her report on finances. The Rev. Steven G. Frenier said he will sign all checks along with the treasurer.

A bakeless cake sale was held the weekend of Nov. 1. Envelopes were passed out before all Masses.

Confirmation will be held at the 11 a.m. Mass Sunday at Our Lady of Hope. The confirmation class consists of candidates from Holy Angels, Mother Cabrini, St. Patrick's and Our Lady of Hope. The bishop will be available in the hall after Mass for pictures. Refreshments will be served by the Catholic council.

The meeting was closed with a roundtable of prayers and 10 Hail Marys. The next meeting will be at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18.

Here are the statewide and local races on today's general election ballot:

Governor/Lt. Gov.

Tom Corbett and Jim Cawley (R)

Tom Wolfe and Mike Stack, (D)

(Voters cannot split their ballots for governor and lieutenant governor. They must vote for either Corbett and Cawley or Wolf and Stack.)

U.S. Congress

11th District

Lou Barletta (R)

Andy Ostrowski (D)

(District contains all or part of nine counties, including locally the cities of Shamokin and Sunbury, the boroughs of Herndon, Kulpmont, Marion Heights, Mount Carmel and Snydertown and part of Riverside, and Coal, East Cameron, Jackson, Jordan, Little Mahanoy, Mount Carmel, Ralpho, Rockefeller, Rush, Shamokin, Upper Augusta, Upper Mahanoy, Washington, West Cameron and Zerbe townships.)

10th District

Tom Marino (R)

Scott F. Brion (D)

Nicholas Troiano (I)

(The remainder of Northumberland County is in the 10th Congressional District, which encompasses all or part of 15 counties.)

State Legislature

107th District

Kurt Masser (R)

John Burd (I)

(The district includes eastern Northumberland County, a small part of southern Columbia County and all of Montour County.)

108th District

Lynda Schlegel Culver (R)

(No opponent on ballot)

AUGUSTAVILLE - Sara Deann Moore, 17, of West Cameron Township, was killed Monday when she lost control of a sport coupe along Route 890 and crashed into two trees.

The 2003 Acura 3.2 CL burst into flames after impact and Moore was pronounced dead at the scene.

Moore was a senior Line Mountain student attending Northumberland County Career and Technology Center, where she was enrolled in the automotive technology program.

Trooper Wendy Keefer, state police at Stonington, hasn't determined what caused the crash.

Police say Moore was driving south near Great Coasters International in Rockefeller Township about 7 a.m. Something caused her to cross over the northbound lanes and exit the highway. She re-entered and drove across both lanes before wrecking into a tree. The vehicle struck a second tree and came to rest. It was fully engulfed when firefighters arrived.

Moore died from injuries suffered in the crash. James F. Kelley, Northumberland County Coroner, pronounced her dead at 7:50 a.m.

Word of the crash began circulating quickly Monday morning and students at the technical school were receiving text messages. Administrators later broke the news to students face-to-face.

Some students were shaking and others were in tears. Remembrances, photos and condolences soon filled Moore's Facebook timeline. Several friends had gathered at the scene about 5 p.m. Monday to mourn their loss.

'Sara's broom'

It was a somber afternoon in Daniel Shuman's automotive technology class, where Moore left a lasting impression. She was bubbly, talkative, had a vibrant personality.

As a first-year student, she was learning the ropes of the trade. She'd just finished coursework about brakes. The class had installed four new tires on Moore's Acura on Friday. She balanced them herself.

"She wasn't afraid to get dirty," Shuman said Monday.

There was a broom in the corner of the automotive shop that she often claimed as her own when it came time to clean up. "Sara's broom," she jokingly warned others. Shuman looked on as students spiraled duct tape around the handle and wrote "Sara's broom" using a Sharpie.

Moore was considering her options after high school. Shuman believed she wanted to continue with an education in automotive technology. A representative from the University of Northwestern Ohio had visited recently. He said Moore took an interest to the university's program.

Shuman, a teacher at the school for 28 years, started the year with four girls in the class. He figured he had maybe five total in all the years prior. James F. Monaghan, administrative director, felt Moore had an enthusiasm that predicated future success in the field.

"Whenever I was in the shop area, she was always busy. You could tell the interest was there," Monaghan said Monday.

Help available

Counselors from Shamokin Area, Line Mountain and Northumberland County Mental Health Department offered guidance. Counselors were also at Line Mountain, and will be available at both schools throughout the week.

"Right now, the kids are grieving. The young lady touched a lot of lives here. As administrators, the most important thing we can do is get counseling in place," said Line Mountain Superintendent David Campbell.

Third in 19 months

It was the third traffic fatality to impact the Line Mountain School District in 19 months.

Line Mountain suffered the loss of Kayla Miller, 18, of Trevorton, on Oct. 30, 2013. She was injured in a crash the day before on Route 225 in Mandata. Miller was a senior who had recently transferred from Shikellamy School District.

Jared J. Wood, 18, of Trevorton, died Jan. 20, 2013, succumbing to injuries from a crash the day before on Schwaben Creek Road near Leck Kill. He was a 2012 graduate of Line Mountain.

READING - As cold weather moved into the region over the weekend, several communities reported incidents of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning associated with improperly maintained heating equipment. UGI urges residents who use fuel-burning heating equipment to have them checked by a qualified professional, and be aware of the signs of CO in their homes and take appropriate actions.

A malfunctioning furnace, boiler, water heater or stove can emit CO into your home. In addition, renovations to a home that place a furnace into an enclosed space without proper ventilation may create improper air flow and produce high levels of CO.

As part of the fuel-burning appliance check, homeowners are also urged to check the flues and chimneys associated with these appliances. Blocked or improperly lined chimneys and flues are a common source of CO inside of homes. Residents should contact a qualified professional if they suspect they may have a blocked or improperly lined chimney.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, poisonous gas that is a by-product of the combustion of fuels such as wood, charcoal, gasoline, kerosene, oil, natural gas or propane.

Symptoms of CO poisoning include headache, fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea and dizziness. Signs within a home that an appliance may be malfunctioning and producing CO include:

n Condensation on walls and windows.

n House plants dying.

n House pets becoming sluggish.

n Chronic odors from a malfunctioning appliance.

n Residents in the home suffering flu-like symptoms or feeling unusually tired.

CO poisoning can be fatal. Individuals who think they might be experiencing symptoms of CO poisoning should immediately seek fresh air and prompt medical attention. To prevent CO poisoning, you should:

n Make sure you have working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and the batteries powering them are fresh. CO detectors/alarms should be located on each floor of a home, especially near every separate sleeping area. Be aware that CO detectors have a limited operating life. Check the manufacturer's instruction for related information and replacement considerations.

n Never use a generator, grill, stove or other fossil fuel burning device inside a home, garage of other enclosed area. Never heat a home with an oven if your electricity goes out.

n Use extra caution when using space heaters. Never place them on top of furniture, near water, or near anything that may catch fire, such as drapes, bedding, furniture, etc.

n Keep interior and exterior air vents clear of blockages or obstructions.

n Make sure appliances are installed by a qualified technician and operated according to the manufacturer's instructions and local building codes

n Have the heating system inspected and serviced if you have not already done so.

n Have the chimney or appliance direct vent cleaned and inspected for leakage, debris blockages or a buildup of creosote. If you see black stains on the outside of the chimney or flue, it could mean pollutants, like carbon, are leaking into your home.

n Confirm appropriate levels of ventilation and air circulation around the appliance to ensure safe operation, particularly if you have made modifications to your home that reduced air flow near appliances.

n Change or clean furnace filters regularly.

UGI Utilities Inc. has launched a new section on its website, "Energy Safe Kids," aimed at providing natural gas safety information to school-age children. The section is available at www.ugi.com/kidssafety.

A highlight of the site is an interactive game called "Gas Dash," which is designed to teach important safety tips in the context of a familiar online game setting. The site also includes children's activities such as a word search game, crossword puzzle and a solve-it puzzle.

In addition, the site offers information on natural gas safety, carbon monoxide safety, call before you dig and other information in language written at an appropriate grade level for children.

Another section of "Energy Safe Kids" provides content for teachers, including classroom activities and presentations. Teacher resources integrate the content and skills of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). In addition, the site provides a topical matrix that correlates activities with STEM skills and behaviors.

The site was developed in conjunction with the National Energy Foundation (NEF). NEF is a non-profit educational organization dedicated to the development, dissemination and implementation of educational science materials, programs, products and services. NEF implements a variety of innovative science-related educational opportunities including teacher training, student programs and adult employee training and programs.

UGI Utilities has headquarters in Reading, Pennsylvania and serves 660,000 customers in 45 Pennsylvania counties and one county in Maryland. Customers interested in additional information visit the UGI website at www.ugi.com; on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ugiutilities, Twitter at www.twitter.com/ugi_utilities and Instagram at @ugiutilities.

BURNSIDE - Weekday riders may be thrilled with the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area's (AOAA) schedule changes.

At Monday's work session AOAA Operations Director Dave Porzi released a tentative schedule outlining hours of operation through next summer.

The schedule, which will not become official until the Nov. 17 authority meeting, has hours of operation decreasing during the winter months due to fewer hours of daylight.

If the schedule is approved, though, beginning April 17 the park will be open Friday through Monday.

Then, beginning on May 14, the park will add Thursday to its lineup.

"That's quite an expansion of hours," authority member Dave Crowl said upon viewing the tentative timetable.

"The users are begging for more time at this point," responded Porzi, noting that he has seen visitors who repeatedly come on Fridays due to their work schedules.

Currently Friday is the only weekday the AOAA is open. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The AOAA will drop to just Friday and Saturday beginning Dec. 1 for the winter season. Porzi also noted on the new hours sheet that winter hours are tentative on weather.

If inclement weather were to occur, the park would announce its closure on its website and social media sites. The answering machine at the trailhead will also denote the closure and calls will be forwarded to Porzi's cell phone so he can answer further questions.

The park will resume Friday operations March 13 through April 12 and shift an hour later because of daylight savings time. On April 17, the park will add Monday to its repertoire.

If all goes to plan, Porzi will have the park open five days per week beginning May 14, a goal he set after joining the AOAA as its inaugural operations director in July.

Porzi urged the authority to make the future hours official as soon as possible to permit vacationers to plan spring and summer trips.

The time sheet also notes that the AOAA will also be closed Dec. 6 and 13 to accommodate walk-in hunting. Porzi said he will soon make a decision on which, if any days, drive-in hunting will be permitted so hunters can finalize plans.

SUNBURY - Five defendants were sentenced on various charges Monday by Northumberland County Judge Charles Saylor.

- Andrew Zakashefski, 52, of Tamaqua, formerly of Mount Carmel, was sentenced to 1 to 23 months in county prison on a misdemeanor of resisting arrest. Zakashefski, who will begin his sentence Nov. 10, was ordered to pay a $100 fine plus costs and pay restitution of $591.33 to Mount Carmel Borough. He is prohibited from consuming alcohol and attending bars.

Zakashefski's sentencing had been continued multiple times after he failed to appear, prompting Saylor to issue an arrest warrant.

Zakashefski was accused of barricading himself in a second-floor bathroom at his former borough residence at 507 E. Avenue and threatening to kill himself with a large hunting knife.

Zakashefskie, who also has resided in Philipsburg since his arrest, was taken into custody after police used a pepper spray canister to draw him out of the room before deploying a Taser gun during the disturbance Jan. 30, 2013.

Zakashefski suffered a wrist laceration from falling after being stunned with the Taser gun and was treated at the scene by personnel from AREA Services. He was then transported to Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, where he was involuntarily committed for evaluation on a mental health "302" warrant before being committed to county prison, police said.

Officers entered the residence to check on the safety of Zakashefski's 47-year-old live-in girlfriend, Kathy Lewiski, who was found unharmed.

Additional charges including recklessly endangering another person filed by Mount Carmel police were not prosecuted.

- Stephen Smith, 36, of Shamokin, was sentenced to 2 years probation on a theft charge and ordered to pay a $100 fine plus costs.

An additional charge of receiving stolen property was not prosecuted.

Smith was charged by Shamokin police with keeping the proceeds from more than $5,800 in sales at Puff's Discount Tobacco Store on North Pearl Street between February and July 2013.

- Joseph V. Payne, 30, of Shamokin, was sentenced to 3 days to 6 months in county prison for driving under the influence of alcohol. He was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine plus costs and will lose his driver's license for a year. He also must undergo counseling and is prohibited from attending bars and drinking alcohol.

Payne was charged by Kulpmont police in connection with a three-vehicle accident in March in the 900 block of Chestnut Street.

Additional charges of careless driving and failure to drive in a single lane were not prosecuted.

- Nicole Seidel, 26, of Coal Township, was sentenced to 24 months of state intermediate punishment at SCI-Muncy on two counts of delivery of a controlled substance involving incidents May 5, 2012, and June 7, 2012, in Shamokin and Mount Carmel, respectively.

Saylor initially sentenced Seidel to intermediate punishment Jan. 28, but revoked that sentence when the defendant violated her supervision by being charged with possession of a controlled substance.

- Taylor Dettrey, 27, of Coal Township, was sentenced to 24 months of state intermediate punishment at SCI-Muncy on a burglary charge filed by Shamokin police. The burglary was committed between March 1 and May 18, 2013.

Saylor initially sentenced Dettrey to drug court Feb. 3, but revoked that sentence when the defendant committed a probation violation.

HERSHEY - U. S. Rep. Lou Barletta wasn't on the campaign trail today; he was recovering in the hospital.

His office announced this afternoon that the congressman from Hazleton was immediately admitted to Hershey Medical Center Monday after a scheduled test found he had developed a plaque buildup in his right carotid artery. He underwent a procedure to clear the blockage Monday night, the statement said.

"He is resting comfortably and plans to be released tomorrow," it said, noting he would not be participating in any Election Day activities.

"This will not interfere with the duties of his office," the statement said.

MARION HEIGHTS - Mount Carmel Township Police Chief Brian Hollenbush said Tuesday that he believed the victim when she said that Stanley Rusesky's behavior Monday night stemmed from use of Chantix, a smoking cessation drug.

"She said he's a normal guy otherwise," Hollenbush said.

Rusesky had been using Chantix for three weeks before Monday's incident occurred, Hollenbush said.

Chantix currently has a black box label warning its users against "changes in behavior, hostility, agitation, depressed mood, suicidal thoughts or actions."

Black box labels are the strongest warning mandated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The label was first issued to Chantix and similar medications, Zyban and its generic forms, in 2009 after numerous users "reported experiencing unusual behavior changes, have become depressed or have had their depression worsen, or have had thoughts about suicide or dying," according to a press release issued by the FDA at the time.

The labelling came after a series of high-profile cases involving Chantix users.

In September, 2007, Carter Albrecht, keyboard player for Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians, was shot and killed by a neighbor after he struck his girlfriend and attempted to break into the neighbor's home. A Nov. 20, 2007, story published in the New York Times said that while Albrecht's blood alcohol level was three times the legal limit, family believed Chantix caused his rage.

Recently, Pfizer, the drug company behind Chantix, asked the FDA to consider removing the black box label after conducting observational studies that it said showed the drug did not lead to dangerous neuropsychiatric events. But on Oct. 16, an FDA panel voted to continue requiring the black box - at least until further studies are complete.

Hollenbush said his only other run-in with Chantix occurred just a few days ago

"We had someone else that was having suicidal thoughts about two weeks ago," said Hollenbush. "He ended up getting involuntarily committed to Geisinger."

SHAMOKIN - Kurt Masser was re-elected Tuesday to a third term in the state House of Representatives for the 107th District.

Masser, a Republican, defeated Libertarian challenger John A. Burd, of Coal Township. There was no Democratic candidate for the seat.

According to unofficial returns, Masser had 10,856 votes, and Burd had 3,109.

"I'm humbled by the voters' trust in me to go back and serve two more years in the 107th district," Masser said Tuesday night.

Burd could not be reached for comment.

Masser chose to celebrate his victory with a small gathering of family and friends at the Wayside Inn.

His first weeks back at work may be more hectic as he already has legislative projects on his agenda, including public pension reform.

"I'm certainly hopeful we'll do that first thing when I get back," said Masser.

He also hopes to do more work on job creation and plans to continue blight remediation projects.

"I think we're making some great headway with much more needing to be done. I look forward to continuing that," he said.

With Tom Wolf taking office in January, Masser will be working with a Democratic governor for the first time since he took office in 2011. He doesn't expect the change to affect his workflow and goals, though.

"We just have to move on," said Masser. "I'm going to work with anybody if it benefits my district."

The 107th District is composed of part of Northumberland County (including the Shamokin-Mount Carmel area), all of Montour County and part of Columbia County.

Unofficial totals from each county:

Northumberland: Masser, 6,340; Burd, 1,991.

Montour: Masser, 3,708; Burd, 900.

Columbia: Masser, 808; Burd, 218.

Lynda Schlegel Culver won re-election to the state House from the 108th Legislative District with 12,473 votes. Culver, a Republican, was unopposed for re-election.

According to the Northumberland County Board of Elections, turnout in Tuesday's election was approximately 41 percent of eligible voters.

SHAMOKIN - Filmmakers creating a documentary about both Centralia and the use of fly ash will speak publicly this month about their project.

Lys Sparrow and Gianfranco Serraino will be guests at a combined meeting of the Shamokin and Mount Carmel Rotary clubs to be held at 7:15 p.m. Monday, Nov. 17, at the Independence Fire Co., Market and Arch streets.

"RED ASH: Burning Rights" begins with the Centralia mine fire and explores the potential environmental hazards as a result of the disposal of fly ash, a coal by-product. They're also probing theories that valuable mineral rights in Centralia were sought after by the federal government, and if so, how that relates to the emergency response and subsequent relocation of nearly every resident in the borough.

The documentary is still a work in progress. Sparrow and Serraino do plan to show film clips during the presentation. Experts interviewed for the documentary have been invited.

The presentation comes at an interesting time locally. A fly ash project in Locust Summit has the state's approval, with 400,000 tons to be trucked to the Gilberton Coal site. The material is recovered from coal-fired power plants, and contains concentrated heavy metals.

The state Department of Environmental Protection says it is safe for use in filling abandoned mine pits. Department officials say there is no documentation that such projects have polluted water tables. But some residents downhill have expressed concern about the potential pollution of dozens of water wells in the Lavelle and Mowry areas.

Federal regulations on fly ash from the Environmental Protection Agency are pending approval, with the results expected to be announced in December. It could impact how states deal with the use of fly ash.

For more information on "RED ASH: Burning Rights," visit www.redashthefilm.com.

MOUNT CARMEL - The Marion Heights man at the center of a four-hour police standoff outside his home Monday night was arraigned Tuesday on five criminal counts.

Stanley J. Rusesky Jr., 45, of 345 Warsaw St., is jailed on $50,000 bail at Northumberland County Prison, Sunbury. He was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Hugh A. Jones. Mount Carmel Township Patrolman David Tomtishen charged him with simple assault, obstructing law enforcement, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct, all misdemeanors. He also is charged with summary harassment.

Rusesky allegedly assaulted a woman inside his home about 7:40 p.m. Monday. The victim was screaming Rusesky's address during a 9-1-1 call before the telephone line went dead, according to court records. Dispatchers called back, but the male who answered was not cooperative, saying the fight was at a neighbors' home and that the woman who called for help from his home ran out the back door. He wouldn't provide a name.

According to police, the victim said Rusesky had no history of violence toward her, adding that he is on prescription medication to quit smoking and that he had been behaving erratically over the past two weeks.

Rusesky barricaded himself inside the home. He was known to own firearms. He covered his windows with blankets. Police officers surrounded the perimeter and lights from firefighting apparatus were used to illuminate the scene.

Police Chief Brian Hollenbush called to Rusesky using a megaphone and also a cell phone, but his demands to surrender were repeatedly ignored.

Shortly before midnight, police officers shot two canisters of pepper spray through a first- and second-story window. It forced Rusesky out the back door, where he was confronted by police officers and refused commands to surrender. An initial shot from a Taser was only partially effective. A second shot was used to subdue him, and he was handcuffed and taken into custody.

Assisting Mount Carmel Township police were officers from Mount Carmel, Kulpmont and Ralpho Township. Marion Heights and Atlas fire companies responded, as did AREA Services, Northumberland County Emergency Management Agency and fire police from Mount Carmel and Kulpmont.

Bishop visit at 10 today at OLOL

COAL TOWNSHIP - The Mass involving Bishop Ronald Gainer of the Diocese of Harrisburg will take place at 10 a.m. today at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School. The 11 a.m. time listed in the Catholic Witness was incorrect.

Open crafting today at Kallaway

SHAMOKIN - Open crafting and coffee will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. today and Wednesday, Nov. 12, at the Kallaway Center for the Arts, 144 E. Lincoln St. Bring your own projects.

Food pantry distribution set

MOUNT CARMEL - The Mount Carmel Borough Food Pantry will hold its monthly distribution from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the Notary Shop, 215 S. Oak St., for borough residents who had previously signed up. Residents of the Mount Carmel Mid Rise are asked to meet in the lobby at 8:45 a.m.

Participants are encouraged to bring a bag with them, because bags are no longer available from the food pantry.

Susquehanna Valley gas prices dropped 11 cents this week to $3.046 a gallon Tuesday, according to AAA East Central's Fuel Gauge report.

On the national front

Tuesday's national average price of regular unleaded gasoline is $2.973 per gallon. This price is six cents less than one week ago, 33 cents less than one month ago, and 28 cents less than one year ago.

On Saturday, the national average fell below the $3 per gallon mark for the first time since Dec. 22, 2010. Today, averages in nearly half of the country are below this threshold.

National pump prices usually drop during the autumn season due to decreasing demand and the cost savings associated with producing winter-blend gasoline. However global oil prices have declined more than anticipated as supply has outpaced demand, contributing to even greater savings at the pump for drivers.

Abundant global oil production - particularly the substantial increases to U.S. production - continues to outweigh any concerns of possible supply disruptions due to geopolitical instability. Market participants continue to speculate about how the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) will respond to falling prices. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) settled at $80.54 per barrel at the close of Friday's formal trading on the NYMEX.

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

This week's Susquehanna Valley average price: $3.046

Average price during the week of Oct. 29, 2014: $3.159

Average price during the week of Nov. 5, 2013: $3.344

The average price for unleaded regular gasoline in Pennsylvania Tuesday is $3.103.

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

Lewisburg - $2.996

Mifflinburg - $3.055

Milton - $3.017

Selinsgrove - $3.034

Shamokin - $3.118

Sunbury - $3.057

CATAWISSA R.R. - Southern Columbia Area School District has agreed to pay part of two retirees' health care insurance costs for July and August to avoid a grievance hearing.

Approval was given for a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the district, the Southern Columbia Education Association and Margaret Barbarito and Andrew Ulicny in which the district will pay 76 percent of their premiums for those two months. For Barbarito, it amounts to $794.90; for Ulicny, $1,893.98.

They submitted their retirement notifications April 15, to be effective June 13. Upon learning that the district would stop their health care benefits on June 30, the end of the fiscal year, Barbarito and Ulicny filed grievances. They argued that benefits are year-round and that if they hadn't retired, the district would have paid toward their health insurance during the summer months.

Superintendent Paul Caputo researched the matter and found that other districts did pay during July and August, ending the payments at the start of the new school year.

With approval of the agreement, Barbarito and Ulicny will withdraw their grievances.

The MOA also states that, from now on, a professional employee who retires, and who has worked the entire school year (as defined in the-then current collective bargaining agreement, which expired on June 30) preceding such retirement, shall receive health insurance benefits as provided for the months of July and August immediately following the retirement.

The agreement was approved on a 7-0 vote with Gail Zambor Schuerch making the motion and Thomas Reich seconding it. Schuerch, Reich and Michael Yeager, Charlie Porter, John Yocum, Tim Vought and Charlene Cove voted to approve. Board member Joe Klebon was absent.

Teacher recalled

Other personnel matters approved at Monday's meeting included:

- Diane L. Wittig Musser was recalled to teach fifth grade social studies, effective Dec. 2. Musser, a former music teacher for the district, was one of two teachers furloughed at the end of the 2013-14 school year in a cost-cutting measure.

- The resignation of Victoria E. Kozlek from the position of K-12 gifted education teacher, effective Nov. 28. She has been an employee of the district since 2003.

- The board continued to delve out the duties previously held by former business manager Michael J. Sokoloski. The board named business office supervisor Denise Kreisher as CS Trust Health and Welfare Trust trustee, HIPPA compliance officer and Columbia County Tax Collection Committee delegate. Superintendent Paul Caputo was named the district's right-to-know officer and security administrator for the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

- Elizabeth Dorkoski and Jeffrey D. Dworchak were added to the district's substitute list. Katrina Letterman was named a student custodial worker from Nov. 3 through Jan. 21, being paid minimum wage and working a maximum of six hours a week.

- Ernest Yates was approved as a volunteer assistant wrestling coach, pending receipt of favorable clearances and a negative tuberculin test.

A pilgrimage icon with an embedded first-class relic of a Ukrainian sister who was the founding member of a religious order will come to area churches and schools this month.

The icon of Blessed Josaphata Hordashevska, foundress of the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate (SSMI), entered the United States at JFK Airport in New York Oct. 5 as part of a worldwide tour to countries where the SSMI sisters are serving. The icon, accompanied by Sister MariaZelia Znak from Brazil, will be in the United States until Jan. 17.

"We are honored to have it and it's a direct outgrowth of the fact that the sisters have worked in this deanery for the better part of 75 years with the school in Shamokin, when it was open, and the school in Minersville," said the Very Rev. Archpriest Michael Hutsko, dean of the South Anthracite Protopresbytery (Deanery) of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia. He also serves as pastor of SS Peter and Paul and Assumption BVM Ukrainian Catholic churches in Mount Carmel and Centralia, respectively.

"Their presence here, and their current work now, enabled us to have this opportunity," he said.

The sisters will be traveling from parish to parish with the icon and relic, which is a bone.

"The idea behind this was that Blessed Josaphata was not able to visit the missions that the sisters were serving in throughout the world, and in honor of the 125th anniversary, they had this icon written and the relic put into it," Hutsko said. "In a sense, they're bringing her to all the places she could not come to. In a spiritual sense, she is experiencing the mission of the sisters, and at the same time we are experiencing the graces that come from having among us, especially with the relic, a person who is on her way to sainthood."

Hutsko said the presence of the icon and relice brings blessings and graces from God.

"All of us are excited about the opportunities that it presents for spiritual enrichment and growth, which is what we are really trying to focus upon in all of our parishes," said Hutsko. "We're getting it in our archeparchy before the icon visits anywhere else, including the cathedral, which is a real recognition of the faith of our South Anthracite Deanery and the work of the sisters here."

The 125th anniversary of the founding of the congregation is in 2017.

Sister Natalya Stoczanyn, SSMI, who is serving in the deanery from the Immaculate Conception Province, provided the following schedule of the icon visits to Ukrainian and Ruthenian Byzantine parishes in Schuylkill, Northumberland, Columbia, Lackawanna and Dauphin counties:

Nov. 8 - St. Nicholas Parish, North Morris Street, Saint Clair.

Nov. 9 - SS Cyril & Methodius Parish, 135 River St., Olyphant.

Nov. 11 - St. Ann Byzantine Parish, 5408 Locust Lane, Harrisburg.

Nov. 12-13 - St. Michael Parish, 114 S. Chestnut St., Shenandoah. A press conference about the icon visit will be held Nov. 12 at St. Michael's.

Nov. 15 - Transfiguration Parish, 227 N. Shamokin St., Shamokin.

Nov. 16 - Assumption BVM Parish, North Paxton Street, Centralia.

Nov. 17 - Ss. Peter & Paul Parish, 131 N. Beech St., Mount Carmel.

Nov. 18 - St. Nicholas School and Religious Education Program, Minersville.

Nov. 19 - Ss. Peter & Paul Byzantine Parish, 107 S. Fourth St., Minersville.

Nov. 20 - Ss. Cyril & Methodius Parish, 706 N. Warren St., Berwick.

Nov. 23 - St. Nicholas Parish, 515 N. Front St., Minersville.

Times at each location will be announced. A presentation on the life of Blessed Josaphata will be given in each parish.

Sister Josaphata was beatified by Pope St. John Paul II in 2001 during his visit to Ukraine. At least one miracle has been attributed to her intercession. One more miracle is necessary for her canonization.

"Come, honor this holy woman and saint of the 20th century. Learn about her life. Pray for her intercession and pray for her canonization," Sister Natalya said.

Biographical information on Blessed Josaphata is available at the SSMI website at http://ssmi-us.org/index.php?categoryid=15.

Founded in Ukraine in 1892, the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate is a Byzantine Ukrainian Catholic congregation of more than 900 sisters and has ministries in 13 countries: Ukraine, Brazil, Canada, Serbia, Slovakia, Poland, Argentina, Italy, Germany, France, England, Australia and the United States. The order's ministries include: Education, care of the elderly, retreats, sewing vestments and pastoral ministry.

CATAWISSA R.R. - Southern Columbia Area School District has made the practice of students taking college courses in their senior year a formal part of its graduation policy.

The board approved a second and final reading of the policy at a special meeting Monday. It includes this paragraph:

"The fourth year of high school shall not be required for graduation if a student has completed all requirements for three years and attends a postsecondary institution as a full-time student for his/her fourth year."

"We have always allowed juniors and seniors to take college level courses," Superintendent Paul Caputo added Tuesday. "The student must have pre-approval from the school principal and the course work would have to match up with our graduation requirements in proficiency" as detailed by the state.

Caputo said students are already taking advantage of the program, studying at Bloomsburg University and Luzerne County Community College. It was formally added to the policy as the district updates its comprehensive plan for the state, which is required every six years.

The motion to approve the policy was made by John Yocum and seconded by Charlene Cove. It passed by a 7-0 vote with Yocum, Cove, Michael Yeager, Charlie Porter, Tim Vought, Gail Zambor Schuerch and Tom Reich voting yes. Board member Joe Klebon was absent.

Common locally

Southern Columbia may be the first locally to put the policy on paper, but other local districts have been allowing students to forgo their senior years in high school in the name of higher education.

"We do have students who complete the requirements early and use their senior year to start their college career," Shamokin Area curriculum coordinator Ruby Michetti said. "Some students have decided their career path early in life."

The early college education program, Michetti said, helps students achieve rather than punishing them by forcing them into study halls they don't need because they have finished all their courses.

At Mount Carmel Area, the Advance College Experience (ACE) program allows students to forgo part or their senior year to take college courses at Bloomsburg.

"We have a board-approved agreement with the university for this program," Superintendent Bernard Stellar said. "We have pretty stringent requirements to be a part of the program, and each approval is dealt with on a case-by-case basis."

Participants in Bloomsburg's ACE program can receive 75 percent off the residential tuition rate.

GED, vet changes

Also listed in Southern's new policy are requirements for those receiving diplomas based on general education development (GED) testing.

Southern will issue a GED diploma if the person attended the district as a full-time student for a minimum of three years, verified by district records; was a resident of the district for three years prior to the request; and if the last class of students in which the person requesting the diploma was enrolled has graduated.

The new policy also expands the requirements for diplomas for veterans who left high school to serve their country in wartime. Previously, the policy applied to veterans of World War II, but now adds those who served in wars in Korea and Vietnam.

Like the falling leaves and football, pumpkin beer is simultaneously a metaphor for harvest time and a harbinger for the coming holiday season. It's also one of the highlights of autumn - my favorite time of year.

I've been brewing pumpkin beer for over ten years; I have my recipe down pat. Yet I'm still amazed by the different interpretations this style. For me, it's a divine dance between pumpkin and spices - the aroma and taste of pumpkin pie in a glass.

I love working with the style's unique set of ingredients, especially the spice regimen. My pumpkin ales are bold and spice forward: sweet and pungent Vietnamese cinnamon, freshly ground nutmeg and grated ginger - with a touch of vanilla to meld the flavors. I don't use cloves, nor am I fond of allspice, although I fear my wife has sneaked some into a few of my batches.

Pumpkin is, of course, the other component, but even then there's passionate discourse between brewers. First, no one can decide what type of pumpkin to use. Most use the crookneck squash rather than the traditional jack o' lantern pumpkin, while some rebels shun pumpkin altogether and brew with sweet potatoes. The biggest disagreement, however, seems to come from how pumpkin is used in the brewing process. Traditionalists hold that it should be mashed with the grains. I think mashing extracts a few sugars but no pumpkin flavor. I belong to a minority that boils its roasted pumpkin, believing it will extract the maximum amount of sugar and flavor.

Yet pumpkin beer doesn't have to have pumpkin. For example, Shipyard's Pumpkinhead, the first commercial pumpkin beer I ever sampled, contains no pumpkin. It's a spice beer, plain and simple, but it's wonderfully quaffable.

One of my friends has an interesting pet peeve regarding pumpkin beer. Just as the Christmas season has gradually encroached earlier and earlier upon us, the release date for this fall seasonal has quietly creeped into summer at many breweries. My friend buys his pumpkin beers early for fear of them being sold out, but won't drink them until after Labor Day. My biggest problem with summer pumpkin beer, however, is that the brewer obviously used canned pumpkin - or eschewed it entirely.

Lastly, if someone says he doesn't like pumpkin beer, I never say "more for me," I prefer to say "you haven't tried the right one yet." With all the variations on the theme, there's a perfect pumpkin for everybody. Enjoy the pumpkin beer sequel. Had I set my mind to it, I probably could have had as many sequels as the Friday the 13th movies. Cheers!

Captain Pumpkin's Maple Mistress; Saucony Creek Brewing; Kutztown: The gimmicky label - a pirate wench holding a plate of pancakes and a bottle of beer - caught my attention first, but this beer has substance. Maple Mistress pours rusty orange and cloudy in color. The full head quickly fades to a thin layer. There's a huge upfront aroma of pumpkin pie spice, mostly of cinnamon and nutmeg. While the carbonation is light, the mouthfeel is smooth and creamy. The flavors are complex and reveal themselves slowly. Caramel, cinnamon, brown sugar and nutmeg emerge first. Maple and squash - with hints of roastiness - then follow. As its complexity and 9.8-percent alcohol imply, Maple Mistress is a sipper meant for desserts. This was my first taste of Saucony Creek Brewing. I'll be on the lookout for my next one.

Master of Pumpkins; Tröegs Brewing; Hershey: The Trogner brothers hit pay dirt with what I believe is their first pumpkin beer. The heavy glass corked and caged bottles make a wonderful presentation. What's in the bottles is even better. I've brewed pumpkin beer for years, but never used Saison yeast. The yeast's inherent spiciness combines synergistically with the pumpkin spices. Brilliant. The beer is clear and orange-bronze in color, while the highly carbonated head leaves a thin sheen of lacing. The aromas are cinnamon and peppery Saison, with hints of honey. The flavors are more pie spice: cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and clove - finishing with notes of caramel and pumpkin. Master of Pumpkins didn't hit the store shelves until October because the brewery had to wait for the harvest of locally grown crookneck squash. It won't be here for long, either. Buy it now. As the beer's song title inspiration says, "Obey your Master."

Pound Puppy Pumpkin; Marley's Brewery and Grille; Bloomsburg: Bill the brewer did an excellent job nailing the spices on only the second pumpkin beer he's ever brewed. Pound Puppy is light in body and pours amber - slightly dark and murky - in color. The aroma is predominately sweet cinnamon, with hints of malt. The flavors are a nice balance between malt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and, perhaps, cardamom. The alcohol level is much more restrained on this selection than the first two, making it excellent for quaffing a pint - or two.

Braaaiins; Spring House Brewing; Lancaster: My spellcheck had a stroke when I typed this beer's name. Halloween's over, but zombies still get thirsty. This is a unique take on the style from Spring House. Braaaiins is orange-amber in color with lots of carbonation and remarkable head retention. There are sweet smells of caramel and toffee, along with hints of pumpkin and bready malt. The mouthfeel is rich and creamy with a slight sweetness, yet not cloying - just enough to complement the spiciness of nutmeg and clove. In addition, there are finishing flavors of pumpkin, bread, and vanilla to round out a delightful dessert brew. Drink this 7.2-percent alcohol beer for zombies in a tulip glass for maximum enjoyment.

Pumpkin Patch; Rogue Ales; Newport, Ore.: Rogue is an industry leader in brewing sustainability. All of Pumpkin Patch's ingredients - barley, pumpkin, and hops - were grown on Rogue Farms. The beer is dark, clear amber in color - while the head is white and lacy. Instead of spices, it's mostly pumpkin on the nose. Like brewer John Maier, the flavors of the spices - cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and clove - are restrained. This beer is all about roasted pumpkin flavor - an almost sweet potato-like quality - paired with a hint of malt sweetness and a touch of vanilla at the finish. Be sure to look for the bright orange bottle on the store shelves.

(The Brew Dude is published every other week on the Food and Drink Page. For comments, suggestions, or questions, email Mark Pasquinelli at thebrewdude@newsitem.com.)

A small majority of voters interviewed by The News-Item at three polling places favored first-time candidate Tom Wolf over Republican incumbent Tom Corbett for Pennsylvania governor in Tuesday's general election.

At the same time, they favored incumbent state Rep. Kurt Masser (R-107) of Elysburg.

Linda Schwartz, of Trevorton, said, "I voted straight Democrat because Democrats are more for the disabled, disadvantaged and poor. I think Wolf has good ideas and Corbett failed to impose higher taxes on the Marcellus Shale industry."

Schwartz, a lifelong Democrat, said she voted for Libertarian candidate John Burd, of Coal Township, over Masser. She said, "I think Burd is more for the common man while Masser hasn't done anything except for the Republicans, his friends and well-to-do people."

Kevin Shervinskie, a Republican from Zerbe Township, voted for Wolf and Masser.

"I think we're ready for a change in the governorship," Shervinskie said. "I'm not crazy about the job Corbett did in his four years. He took money away from the schools, and fuel taxes and vehicle registrations went up under his watch. I'm hoping Wolf will tax the natural gas industry."

As for Masser, Shervinskie said, "I think Kurt is doing well and deserves another term."

Shervinskie and Schwartz voted at the American Legion in Trevorton, where 235 out of 1,000 registered voters had cast ballots as of 4 p.m. Tuesday. "Turnout has been very steady all day," judge of elections Rachel Foote said,

As of 4:30 p.m., 121 out of 622 registered voters in the Fifth Ward of Shamokin had cast ballots, according to judge of elections Bernadette Baskin, who described turnout as "about average."

Among the voters in Mother Cabrini Church Hall were Joe Dudeck and Joe Rebar, who had opposing views about the governor candidates.

Dudeck, a Democrat who is a retired teacher from the Shamokin Area School District, said, "I voted for Wolf because he's more for the middle class and much stronger for education. Locally, I voted for Kurt because he's doing a good job and stays in touch with his constituents."

Rebar, a Republican, said, "I gave Corbett a vote because I think he needs four more years to fulfill some of his promises and policies. I believe Corbett had no choice but to make cuts in education."

Rebar also voted for Masser. He believes the state representative has done a good job during his four years as a state representative, but admitted knowing very little about Burd, who announced his candidacy in August.

As of 5:10 p.m., 185 out of 520 registered voters cast ballots in Beaverdale Fire Company in the Mount Carmel Township West polling station, according to judge of elections Sean Zanella.

"I voted for Tom Corbett because I don't believe in Wolf's proposals and the route he is heading in," said Republican Jeff Molesevich of Den-Mar Gardens. "I also voted for Kurt because he's helping the local area."

A Democrat who would only identify himself as a local union member said he cast a straight Democratic ticket to voice support for school teachers and his displeasure with Corbett and Masser.

"I think Corbett and Masser have done enough damage and it's time for a change," he said.

Corbett has struggled to defend budget-balancing cuts in aid to public schools in 2011 at the same time he cut business taxes and opposed calls for higher taxes on the thriving natural gas industry.

Wolf, who was ahead in independent polls throughout the campaign, has been accused by Corbett's supporters of planning a massive middle-class tax increase to fulfill his spending promises and being a political clone of President Barack Obama.