SHAMOKIN - One of two men accused of using and dealing heroin after-hours at a Shamokin day care had his preliminary hearing continued Tuesday while police continue searching for his accomplice.

Meanwhile, the state says the day care owner faces no disciplinary action regarding the incident.

Christian Kehler, 37, of 1114 N. Shamokin St., faces three felony and three misdemeanor charges for allegedly purchasing heroin Philadelphia and bringing it back to use and sell at Jesus' Lil Helpers Daycare.

Police said Kehler was discovered overdosing in the day care March 28. He was revived using CPR and Narcan, and taken into police custody after he was released from Geisinger Medical Center April 1. He remained in county custody Tuesday in lieu of $30,000 bail.

Kehler's preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III Tuesday morning was continued with no reschedule date available.

Shamokin police officers are still searching for Ryan Varano, 28, of 114 S. Fifth St., Shamokin. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Varano is asked to call police.

In addition to the same charges as Kehler for using and dealing heroin out of the day care, Varano faces a felony and misdemeanor charge of criminal trespass after his mother and the day care's owner, Kelly Ebersole, said she repeatedly told him he was not to be in the building.

Day care cleaned

Alison Gantz, a press aide with the state Department of Human Services (DHS), said Ebersole faces no disciplinary action for reopening the day care less than two days after Kehler overdosed in the building.

According to the criminal complaint, police found 52 filled, 65 empty and 38 partial empty packets of heroin, alongside numerous other drug paraphernalia. Some of the heroin packets were in places accessible to children like a kitchen trash can, and heroin residue covered the surfaces of children's tables.

But DHS said hard surfaces like table tops were cleaned with bleach and water in an approved manner while other items like throw rugs were discarded. DHS staff have visited the day care since the incident and no areas of non-compliance were observed, Gantz said.

3rd not arraigned

A third man, Frederick Russo, 49, of 1321 Chestnut St., Kulpmont, is accused of driving Kehler and Varano to Philadelphia to purchase heroin in exchange for drugs and money. He has been remanded to county custody after he violated bail terms for unrelated drug charges.

Russo has not yet been arraigned on the charges related to the day care overdose incident. A plea hearing on his unrelated drug charges scheduled for Monday was continued until May 8.

SUNBURY - A 68-year-old Milton man charged with killing his wife was in court Wednesday afternoon hoping his attorneys could persuade a county judge to transfer him to a county prison.

But instead of being moved to another jail, Robert Charles Thomas Sr. found himself in the hospital after falling down approximately 20 metal steps on a stairwell at Northumberland County Courthouse.

After President Judge William H. Wiest adjourned a hearing at about 1:45 p.m. without ruling on a request by Thomas' attorneys George Lepley Jr. and James Robert Protasio to transfer Thomas from SCI-Coal Township to a county jail, the defendant was escorted from the second-floor courtroom by Sheriff Robert Wolfe and Deputy Sheriff Curtis Cooke.

Thomas, who had his legs shackled but his arms free, was then led by Wolfe to a stairwell that leads to a detention cell in the sheriff's office. Wolfe said the defendant took no more than two steps before he "went flying" down the stairwell and landed on his back at the bottom.

Chief Deputy Sheriff Randy Coe, who was near the bottom of the steps waiting to place Thomas in a holding cell, attempted to catch the defendant to soften his fall, but was unable to do so.

The 20 steps, which have a wooden hand rail on one side and are curved on the bottom, have been used for a long time to move inmates to and from their legal proceedings in the two second-floor courtrooms. They are not used by the public.

A sign on the wall near the bottom of the steps warns prisoners to use caution when walking since they are required to wear leg shackles.

After tumbling, Thomas could be heard by court personnel and media in Wiest's courtroom groaning about his injuries while Wolfe immediately yelled for someone to call an ambulance.

Thomas, who was conscious, alert and talking at the scene, was initially tended to by sheriff department personnel. Emergency medical personnel from Americus Ambulance in Sunbury arrived within minutes and placed Thomas in a neck brace before transporting him on a backboard to a gurney outside the sheriff's office. Ambulance personnel, Wolfe and his deputies assisted in placing Thomas into the ambulance that took him to Sunbury Community Hospital.

His condition was not released Wednesday night by a hospital spokeswoman.

In addition to the people who heard Thomas falling down the steps, the incident startled secretaries in the judges' chambers and staff in the court administrator's office who left their quarters to check on the commotion and offer assistance if necessary.

Wolfe said, "It was a very unfortunate incident. Something like this has never happened since I've been working in the sheriff's office for six years."

One veteran county court employee recalled a similar incident many years ago.

Trouble meeting with attorneys

Thomas is charged by state police at Milton with shooting to death his wife, Patricia, on April 14, 2013, at their home at 1060 Phillips Road.

The defendant, who initially claimed his wife was killed during a burglary, was charged May 23, 2014, with criminal homicide, making false reports to law enforcement authorities and tampering with or fabricating physical evidence.

During the 30-minute hearing that preceded Thomas' tumble, his lawyers argued that his incarceration at a state prison have limited their visitations with the defendant to prepare a proper defense. In addition to dealing with stricter security measures, Lepley said Tuesday and Wednesday are the only regular visitation days. He said exceptions can be granted, but it takes at least 48 hours to process visit requests and obtain gate clearance.

Lepley and Protasio also said they weren't aware conference rooms at SCI-Coal Township were available for visits until recently. The attorneys said they encountered communication problems during previous visits with Thomas - who lost his hearing aid in a Jan. 14 fire at Northumberland County Prison that forced male inmates to be transferred to SCI-Coal Township and female prisoners to SCI-Muncy - in a glass enclosed area because of the defendant's hearing problems and poor acoustics in the room.

They asked Wiest to move their client to a county prison closer to their Williamsport office to make visitations easier. Northumberland County District Attorney Ann Targonski opposed the request, claiming that a defendant charged with murder shouldn't be allowed to determine where he's incarcerated.

Targonski also said the visitation problems incurred by Thomas' attorneys were caused by themselves because they didn't follow proper prison procedures.

Northumberland County Operations Commander Brian Wheary, who was the lone witness at the hearing, testified about the security procedures for visitors at SCI-Coal Township.

No argument was made by Thomas' attorneys about bail in the case. Last year, Wiest denied Lepley's request to set reasonable bail so his client could be released from prison.

Targonski previously argued that Thomas wasn't eligible for bail since he's facing a life sentence on the criminal homicide charge. No bail has ever been set.

MOUNT CARMEL - Two teams of students from Mount Carmel Area will be competing Saturday against teams from throughout the state for the right to attend a worldwide competition.

A team of fifth-grade students and a team consisting of sophomores and seniors will attend the state Odyssey of the Mind state competition at Berwick Area High School. Teams must place first or second to qualify for the world's competition May 20 to 23 at Michigan State University.

Two teams from Line Mountain Junior/Senior High School will also be attending the event and are preparing for their performance. (See a future edition of The News-Item for coverage.)

Odyssey of the Mind is an international educational program that provides creative problem-solving opportunities for students from kindergarten through college. Team members work together to solve two problems: a pre-designed problem that must be "solved" in eight minutes or less, which is scored out of a possible 200 points; and a spontaneous problem, which is scored out of a possible 100 points.

Teams are also judged for style, which is scored out of possible 50 points, for a grand total of 350 points.

First and second at regionals

The Mount Carmel teams qualified for states by placing first and second in their respective problem and division during a regional competition March 14 at Berwick Area High School.

The fifth-graders placed first in "The Silent Movie," in which they had to create a performance that presents a silent movie featuring a villain that commits three acts of "villainy." Characters in the movie may not speak. Instead, they must use music played on a team-created instrument.

To solve the problem, Mount Carmel students made an instrument out of a funnel and a carrot that took on the shape of a trumpet. A theme based around food with an evil "Sweet Tooth" was then decided on.

Students built a set to look like a kitchen, made outfits and programmed a laptop to play music on cue. Carleen Zlockie, their advisor and also the school's guidance counselor, said the students have been working on their skit since January.

"There are a couple of things we are changing, based on our scores (at regional's)," Zlockie said. "They have never been to a state competition before, so they are excited. They have given up their recesses to work on their performance."

Team members are Judy Kanafani, Ammar Kanafani, Molly Petrucci, Brynn Evert, Azure Bosland, Livia Zlockie and Amelia Chapman. Bryson Purcell is the assistant coach.

Experienced high school team

All but one of the students on the high school team have been to a world's competition, and some of the students have been involved in the program since the first grade.

The team consists of seniors Caitlyn Curran, Joanna Rompallo, Paige Domboski and Shamus McGovern, and sophomores Aleah Alderson, Kasey Rompallo and Carl Darrup. Their coaches are Jesse Wagner, Andrew Yaracz and Chris Cunningham.

The team placed second - just eight points behind a team from Line Mountain - in "Pandora's Box," in which they had to put a video game spin on an original story. The team had to create a character that took on a multi-level game. There had to be three characters that represented different evils that escaped the box and a power meter that represented the health of the gamer.

The Mount Carmel team chose "The Wizard of Oz" as the theme. Dressed in outfits straight-out of the film, they sing various tunes as they walk in front of an eight-panel backdrop depicting various scenes from the classic tale.

They said they worked countless hours between other after-school activities to create a monologue and to paint the panels, which measure about 4-by-8 foot.

"It's interesting, because it's months and months of practice for an eight-minute skit," Cunningham said. "It's stressful, because it's an all-or-nothing type of scenario."

The team isn't nervous about performing in front of large audiences, but instead is a bit worried about competing against elite teams from throughout the state and not qualifying for worlds.

"It's lots of fun. We have the time of our lives," Joanna said. "We just want to go out with a bang and don't want to lose."

Dear Editor:

Our agency employees have received several calls from the press within the past three days about the situation we have been placed in by Northumberland County. We are instructed by our attorneys not to give comments concerning this matter. However, we can provide you with the employees job titles, specifications, etc., since there are major discrepancies on what was stated at the public meeting and information given to the press. The wages, benefits, insurance are all taken out of specific line items.

All positions are mandated by the state to run a weatherization department.

Dwayne J. Scicchitano, WX coordinator

Hourly wage/AFSCME union member, 17 years of service

On site post inspector/On site job coordinator/office

All wages, fringe benefits, insurance taken out of program support.

Pamela M. Bollinger, WX intake specialist/energy coordinator

Hourly wage/AFSCME union member, 18 years of service

On site income verification/on site energy educator/office

All wages, fringe benefits, insurance taken out of program support.

Robert M. McAndrew, WX BPI certified energy auditor

Hourly wage/AFSCME union member, 17 years of service

On site energy auditor/on site pre-inspector/office

All wages, fringe benefits, insurance taken out of program support.

Albert Benedict, WX crew chief

Hourly wage/AFSCME union member, 5 years of service

On site crew chief/supervisor of crew

All wages, fringe benefits, insurance taken out of labor costs.

James Bressi, WX installer II

Hourly wage/AFSCME union member, 25 years of service

On site installer

All wages, fringe benefits, insurance taken out of labor costs.

Barry Schweitzer, WX crew chief

Hourly wage/AFSCME union member, 5 years of service

On site crew chief/supervisor of crew

All wages, fringe benefits, insurance taken out of labor costs.

David Yakoboski, WX installer II

Hourly wage/AFSCME union member, 5 years of service

On site installer

All wages, fringe benefits, insurance taken out of labor costs.

It was stated at the public meeting and in press releases to the public that three employees are administrative. There has never been one dollar taken from administration for hourly employees. The Northumberland County Controller's Office prepares reports, invoicing and FSRs on a monthly basis. The controller's office is paid (reimbursed) monthly by the state and these are the only dollars taken out of administration. We do not have an administrator. All of this information is public knowledge and can be cross-checked with the controller's office of Northumberland County.

We have all enjoyed and will miss providing this service to the eligible residents of Northumberland County.

Sincerely,

Employees of Northumberland County Weatherization

Dwayne J. Scicchitano

Pamela M. Bollinger

Robert M. McAndrew

Albert Benedict

James Bressi

Barry Schweitzer

David Yakoboski

LEWISBURG - An attorney for the ex-fiancee of former Major League Baseball pitcher Steve Kline told a Union County judge Wednesday that a settlement offer in his client's theft case was unacceptable.

Judge Michael Sholley granted a continuance in the case after attorney Peter Campana, of Williamsport, explained the potential resolution of a civil case between Heather Sawyer and Kline may impact the criminal case.

Sawyer, 37, of Sunbury, is charged with felony counts of forgery, theft and access device fraud. Police say she forged Kline's name on 21 checks totaling $6,057.59 from a joint account, and used a credit card of Kline's to rack up $1,038.61 in charges. She's also accused of taking $22,269 in household items from a home they once shared in Winfield.

Court records say Kline and Sawyer visited Santander Bank to have the woman's name removed from the account, but doesn't confirm if that action was ever finalized.

During a domestic relations hearing in September, Kline, 42, of Winfield, accused Sawyer of forgery and opening credit cards in his name, and sinking him in debt. Sawyer said she had Kline's permission to sign checks in his name to pay bills at their former home while he was out of town.

Kline pitched for 11 years in the majors and is currently employed by the San Francisco Giants in its minor league system.

SUNBURY - District Attorney Ann Targonski is renewing her warning to citizens about an IRS tax scheme after a Coal Township woman was scammed out of more than $4,000.

The District Attorney's Office was contacted by a Coal Township woman who was victimized by a phone scam. This incident is being investigated by the District Attorney's Office and the Coal Township Police Department.

The woman received a phone message from someone identifying himself as Officer Jason Miller of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) March 17. The message indicated the victim had committed several tax crimes between the years 2000 and 2013, and she was instructed to call him back.

She returned the call and spoke to a man who identified himself as Officer Ron Spencer of the IRS. The man told her the IRS possessed strong evidence she had committed fraud and theft by deception for tax years 2000 through 2013. He told her the IRS was about to imprison her and freeze all of her bank accounts and assets, including her home. She was threatened with a fine of $2,187, which the officer said she needed to pay immediately or face imprisonment.

The victim was told she needed to go to a store that offers Green Dot Pre­Paid Visa cards. The man remained on the phone with the victim while she drove to a store in Shamokin and provided her with step-by-step instructions to transfer money from her credit card to a reload card. She then gave the man the numbers associated with those cards.

Dropped call penalty

During the course of the conversation, the victim lost contact. She called again and the man told her she would receive an additional fine of $1,895 each time a call is dropped unless she called back within 30 seconds. The victim told the man she could not come up with the money to pay the new penalty.

The man told the victim to start calling friends for the money and warned her she is prohibited from discussing this matter with anyone else or she will face imprisonment. The victim obtained money by drawing funds from her mother's whole life insurance policy.

The man told the victim he would talk to his boss about withdrawing the charges against her because she paid the fines. He also told the victim she should receive a "clearance certificate" by mail within 15 days, which would serve as proof the case was resolved. He again cautioned her not to discuss this case with anyone until she received the clearance certificate.

When the victim did not receive the certificate, she attempted to call both numbers previously used to communicate with the "IRS officer." One number was disconnected. The other appears to have been reassigned to a business.

The victim retained one of the phone messages. He spoke with a thick foreign accent.

Since this incident was reported to the District Attorney's office Wednesday morning, two additional calls about similar phone scams were reported.

SHAMOKIN TOWNSHIP - Officials announced plans for two cleanups in the township, but some residents would like to have more scheduled.

Roadmaster Jon Clements announced during the supervisors' monthly meeting that street sweeping in the more populated areas will be held Friday, starting at 7 a.m.

"We have placed appropriate signage in the areas we will be sweeping, in order for residents to move their vehicles. Any vehicles still on the road will be towed at the owners' expense," Clements said.

The roadmaster also asked supervisors about holding a tire cleanup this year with a local hauling donating the use of the 40-yard Dumpster, and only charging the disposal fee.

Supervisors set the cleanup for 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 9. Only township residents can participate and a limit of eight tires per household will be accepted.

At the end of the meeting, Clements told the board about an email he got from a township resident, asking for some help.

"Someone unloaded a couch onto her property, and she is asking for the township's help in getting rid of it," he said.

Supervisors said such problems fall under the responsibility of the homeowner, but advised the public to be more observant.

"Because the AOAA is cracking down on dumping, people are going to put it somewhere," Supervisor John Klinger said. "I hope the public is more vigilant and watching."

The Pennsylvania State Police barracks in Stonington is also asking residents to be on the lookout for any suspicious activity due to a recent rash of daytime break-ins in the area.

In other business:

- Shamokin Township received a letter from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, abolishing the railroad crossing on Rose Road. With that, and an ordinance passed last month, effective Thursday, the north end of Rose Road is officially vacated. Road crews will place signage on the road tomorrow and start work on a turnaround in the area.

- At a recent Central Susquehanna Council of Government (COG) of Northumberland County meeting, Shamokin Township received its prices for stone delivery for the coming year. The township will spend $63.595 for 4,800 tons of stone of varying sizes.

- A special meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 16, to approve the bids for the township's road paving projects. The work is being bid out in conjunction with the Council of Governments.

SUNBURY - A modem and a fire alarm system are blamed for failing to report a kitchen fire to 911 that ultimately destroyed the Friendship Hose Co., according to a lawsuit.

Service Electric Cablevision and Scott Raybuck of S&R Security are named as defendants in a civil complaint filed on behalf of the fire company Monday in Northumberland County Court. A potential monetary award isn't specified in the legal filing.

The modem was installed at least one year before the fire, and the alarm system was 15 years or older, according to the lawsuit.

"If properly designed, the fire would have been promptly reported and extinguished with little or no damage to the firehouse and its contents," the lawsuit states about each defendant's equipment.

Natural gas leaked from a line inside the kitchen at 29 S. 10th St., and was ignited by a stove's pilot light early Aug. 15, 2014. The fire was detected by the alarm system, according to the lawsuit, but the system and the modem allegedly failed to properly interact and report the emergency.

A bar and restaurant on the building's second floor was destroyed by heavy smoke and fire damage, and an estimated loss of revenue wasn't included in the lawsuit.

Friendship volunteers relocated the company's engine and rescue vehicle to two other Sunbury firehouses, and continue to respond to emergencies.

Kaupas Center dedication Sunday

MOUNT CARMEL - Bishop Ronald Gainer and representatives of three religious communities will be among those in attendance Sunday at the dedication of the new Mother Maria Kaupas Center. The Kaupas Center, a ministry of Divine Redeemer Parish, will promote volunteer lay service in the coal region.

Gainer will be the celebrant at the parish's 10:30 a.m. Mass. Special guests will be sisters from the Sisters of Saint Casimir, of Chicago, Sisters of Saints Cyril and Methodius, of Danville, and Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, of Scranton.

Following the Mass, a ribbon-cutting and dedication program will be held at noon at the center, which is being established at the former St. Peter's Convent on West Avenue. Light refreshments will follow in Divine Mercy Hall.

Kids fishing area created

WOLF'S CROSSROADS - A special "children only" fishing area along Little Shamokin Creek in Rockefeller Township will be designated between opening day on April 18 and May 17.

The area is off Brush Valley Road, along Comfort Road between the Miller Road intersection and the bridge downstream. It was approved by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission at the request of landowners Jeff Pontius and Earl Comfort. Signs are placed in the area.

The special regulation makes the area available to fishing exclusively for children 12 years of age and younger. After the 30-day period expires, the area is open to fishers of all ages.

Adults assisting a child by casting or retrieving a fishing line or fishing rod are not required to possess a valid fishing license as long as the child remains within arms' reach and is actively involved in the activity. An adult may assist a child by baiting hooks, removing fish from the line, netting fish, preparing the fishing rod for use and untangling the line without possessing a valid fishing license. However, an adult may not set the hook for the child.

TREVORTON - Trevorton Patsies Senior Adult Ministry held their first meeting of 2015 in St. Patrick's Church Hall March 16 with 24 members attending. The Senior Adult Ministry Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance were recited, and the Over 50 Song was heartily sung.

Refreshments were provided by Helen Betzko, Joan Brown, Ben Defacis, Sandy Derck, Arlene Lubinski and Judi Urick. Monetary donations made by Ron Kuhns and Gloria Natoli. Winners of the 50/25/25 were John Demas and Betty Jane Bohner.

A Mother/Father's Day turkey banquet will be held May 18. Call Rose Marie at 570-648-3035 to make a reservation.

The next meeting will be held at 1 p.m. April 20. Bingo and cards will be played after the meeting. April birthday celebrants are responsible for refreshments.

For information on the June Doo Wop show, the Dutch Apple Theatre show and the trip to the Jersey Shore, call Joyce at 570-797-3695 or Judi at 570-648-0105.

New members are welcome. Yearly dues are $3.

SEVEN POINTS - More than 150 PPL customers in Rockefeller Township were without power and a road was closed after a vehicle hit a utility pole on Seven Points Road Thursday afternoon.

State police from the Stonington barracks said Jesse James Snyder, of Hummels Wharf, 44, swerved his vehicle to avoid a deer and struck a utility pole at about 4:30 p.m. Wires were down and the road was closed.

"I was scared," Snyder said."I just got out of the car as quick as I could." Police said the driver was fortunate he didn't receive electric shock or extensive burns from the live wires.

The downed pole and the power line caused a transformer to catch fire. Firefighters from Stonington and Sunbury responded and used chemicals to extinguished the transformer blaze.

PPL officials were on the scene shortly after the accident, but were unsure when power would be restored.

At 8 p.m., 153 customers were still without power, according to the PPL outage map.

The driver was not hurt, but his vehicle required towing.

SHAMOKIN - A man recently acquitted of vehicular homicide charges is in Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, after accidentally shooting himself in the leg with his own gun Wednesday evening.

Hasan Mustafa Abuomar, 21, suffered an injury to his left thigh in the shooting, which occurred at approximately 8:30 p.m. in the parking lot of the Northumberland County Career and Arts Center, according to Shamokin Police Cpl. Jarrod Scandle.

Scandle said Thursday afternoon Abuomar checked a hand gun he had placed in the center console of his vehicle after attending a class at Luzerne County Community College.

"He had secured his weapon inside the center console of his vehicle and took it out to check if it was loaded," Scandle said.

When he did that, the weapon - a .40-caliber Smith and Wesson semi-automatic - accidentally discharged.

"He was injured, but he drove himself to the hospital for treatment," Scandle said.

Staff at Geisinger-Shamokin Area Community Hospital (G-SACH) contacted Shamokin police since the shooting happened in the city. Geisinger's corporate communications director Michael Ferlazzo would not say if it is standard policy for the hospital to contact the police for such incidents, but said hospital staff members fully cooperate with law enforcement.

Police spoke with Abuomar late Wednesday evening after he had been transferred to GMC. City police employed the assistance of officers from Coal Township to secure Abuomar's vehicle at the G-SACH parking lot and Mahoning Township officers to check on Abuomar at Geisinger.

"We contacted Mahoning Police just to secure the victim until we had a chance to speak with him and for an evidence-gathering kit," Scandle said.

Ferlazzo said a restriction has been placed on the patient log to prevent the media from getting any condition updates on Abuomar, but Scandle said his injury is not life-threatening.

Scandle said the investigation is continuing and Abuomar's vehicle and the weapon are in police custody for processing.

"Based on his account of the events, it is looking like an accidental shooting. No charges are expected to be filed at this time," Scandle said.

On March 27, a jury of six men and six women acquitted Abuomar of homicide by vehicle, two counts of aggravated assault by vehicle, involuntary manslaughter and three counts of recklessly endangering in a trial for a July 16, 2013, crash that took the life of his 18-year-old friend Marcelle Barber, of Mount Carmel. He was also found not guilty by Northumberland County Judge Charles Saylor of summary offenses of reckless driving, careless driving and failure to drive in a single lane.

BEAR GAP - The brush fire that wiped out 30 acres of land in and around the Irish Valley Motocross and ATV Park Monday started when a debris fire was left unattended.

Jacob Novitsky, a fire forester for the Bear Gap Forestry District, which covers Columbia, Montour and Northumberland counties, was at the fire and saw the destruction.

"The most common cause of wildfires in Pennsylvania is debris burning," Novitsky said Tuesday. "Never leave a fire unattended and have tools and water on hand to put the fire out when done."

March marked the start of the first wildfire season in the state, running until June with the second coming between October and November. Novitsky said the common mistake many people make is thinking the ground is saturated with moisture.

"Most people think after the snow melts and the rain starts to fall, we have plenty of moisture on the ground," Novitsky said. "During the spring, especially before the leaves break bud, the sun quickly evaporates that moisture from the melting snow and few rain showers."

Without leaves on the trees, the sun's rays directly hit the ground, making the soil dry that much faster. Because of that, Novitsky recommends that people doing spring landscaping or brush clearing contact the local forestry office for the current conditions and wildfire risk.

"Don't burn brush or have campfires on hot, dry and windy days," he said. "This can lead to a very dangerous situation, and homes and other structures can be destroyed."

In a presentation Novitsky gives on the topic, he shows the perfect equipment for burning debris and brush. Using a burn barrel, consisting of a 55-gallon metal drum, topped with a metal screen and half-inch holes drilled around the base is the perfect container.

"The grassy area around the burn barrel should be cleared to about 10 feet away, and you should have a hose and rake standing by," Novitsky said.

Before any debris burning is done, the Bureau of Forestry recommends that a person goes through this checklist:

- Are there any seasonal burn bans in effect or local ordinances prohibiting open burning?

- Checking weather conditions because the "perfect day to burn," warm, dry weather, is the wrong day to burn debris.

- Making sure the burn barrel is located in a cleared area and not near a wooded area or structure.

- Are there any flammable materials nearby?

Alternatives that the bureau recommends if there is no burning include recycling, creating a brush pile, chipping or mulching the debris, composting or utilizing municipal dumps.

More information about wildfires and tips for safe burning can be found at the bureau's webpage, www.dcnr.state.pa.us.

To get updated fire weather for a location in the three-county area, contact the local office, located in the Weiser State Forest, at 570-875-6450.

SUNBURY - A meeting of the Northumberland County Fair Board was held March 10 at the Sunbury Animal Hospital to organize plans for the 2015 fair. Twenty-one people attended.

It was noted that 2015 will mark 15 continuous years for what was described as "the ever-expanding biggest little fair in Pennsylvania."

The new garden tractor pull is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 19, during the fair, with a generous purse being offered.

Two entertainment events have been booked for each of the four days of the fair. They include such popular attractions as the Frank Wicher Band, Tim Latsha, Tom and Jina Rosecrans, Mid-Life Cowboys and Jay Smar. In addition, the Randall-Ginley Band, K.J. Reimensnyder-Wagner and "Jim, the Singing Mailman" have also been scheduled.

The fair program booklet is being redesigned and a new tri-fold promotional brochure, created by Sally Ross, will be distributed. An attractive sponsorship program is being offered instead of the former booklet advertising arrangement.

May 1 is the deadline for youth under 19 years to submit their colored pencil artwork for the program cover contest. For details, go to http://northumberlandcountyfair.com/specialcontests.html, or call Jane Rebuck at 570-286-5131.

To accommodate the expanding program, additional tents and canopies have been ordered and a small building has been added to the grounds. The expanded program includes classes for antique lawn and garden tractors and an expanded class for jumbo eggs. An adult showmanship contest is new this year.

Look for representatives of the Northumberland County Fair at the Sunbury Animal Hospital booth at Sunbury's Goodwill Hose Company event in May.

The redesigned fair website is now live. Many links do not work yet because the fair program book is not ready and scheduling is tentative. Go to www.northumberlandcountyfair.com to check it out. In addition, there is now a fair page on facebook. That address is, www.facebook.com/NorthumberlandCountyFair. "Like" the page to receive fair updates.

The next board meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Sunbury Animal Hospital.

The board extended its appreciation to Northumberland County residents and out-of-county friends who have helped make the fair a success.

SHAMOKIN - Two Shamokin women arrested in a January drug sweep were sentenced Monday to prison sentences.

Shannon Armes and Sharon Carson each pleaded guilty before Northumberland County President Judge William H. Wiest and were remanded to the State Correctional Institution at Muncy.

They were among 10 people arrested in an effort coordinated by agents from the state Attorney General's Office, members of Northumberland-Montour County Drug Task Force, Northumberland County District Attorney Ann Targonski and Shamokin Cpl. Bryan Primerano, who filed the charges.

Carson, 50, of 316 N. Shamokin St., will serve two to four years. She pleaded guilty to three felony drug possession charges, along with possession of drug paraphernalia and a small amount of marijuana. The charges were filed in four separate cases, and include the sale of cocaine.

Armes, 38, of 707 N. Cherry St., Shamokin, will serve 16 to 32 months. She pleaded to two felony possession counts in separate cases, including the possession of heroin.

Frederick Russo, 49, of 933 W. Spruce St., Coal Township, who was also arrested in the sweep, had a plea hearing rescheduled for May 8. He is charged separately related to last month's day care drug overdose in Shamokin.

Other proceedings

A plea hearing Monday for Rex A. Hepner Sr., 67, of 19 E. Independence St., Apt. 7, Shamokin, was continued. He's currently serving a state sentence for drug offenses, according to the district attorney's office.

Defendants Holly E. Madden, 24, of 63 Raspberry Hill, Shamokin, and John Firestine, 51, of 925 E. Clay St., Shamokin, failed to appear for scheduled hearings Monday, according to the district attorney's office.

Cases also remain pending against Brian Seebold, 52, of 813 N. Washington St., Shamokin, John Firestine, 51, of 925 E. Clay St., Shamokin, James F. Madison, 53, of 14 S. Franklin St., Shamokin, and David T. Seger, 54, of 1026 E. Packer St., Shamokin.

Shamokin-Coal Township

Monday - Poker game, 8:30 a.m.; game show, 11 a.m.; world news, noon; unlucky 7s, noon.

Tuesday - Morning cards, 8:30 a.m.; walk-a-mile, 9:30 a.m.; volunteer recognition today, 11:30 a.m., refreshments served; bridge, noon.

Wednesday - Morning cards, 8:30 a.m.; bridge lessons, 9:30 a.m.; Wii bowling, 10 a.m.; game show, 11 a.m.; world news, noon; pinochle and Pokeno, 12:30 p.m.

Thursday - Morning cards, 8:30 a.m.; walk-a-mile, 9:30 a.m.; VNA checking blood pressure and blood sugar, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.; Wii bowling, 10:15 a.m.; game show, 11 a.m.; nickel bingo, 12:30 p.m.

Friday - Morning cards, puzzles and shuffle board, 8:30 a.m.; Wii bowling, 10 a.m.; nickel bingo, noon.

Saturday - Cards, 7 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Mount Carmel

Monday - Board games, 9:30 a.m.; working on Earth Day planters, 10 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; Pokeno, 1 p.m.

Tuesday - Volunteer recognition day; morning talk show and coffee, 9 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; volunteer tea, 12:30 p.m.; CSFP commodity food box pick up, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.; unlucky 7s and pinochle, 1:30 p.m.

Wednesday - Board games, 9:30 a.m.; vo-tech luncheon, 11 a.m.; nickel bingo, 12:30 p.m.

Thursday - Morning talk show and coffee, 9 a.m.; exercise, 10 a.m.; horseshoe competition, 11 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; unlucky 7s and pinochle, 12:30 p.m.

Friday - Breakfast, 9 a.m.; working on Earth Day planters, 10 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; Pokeno, 1 p.m.

Kulpmont

Monday - Coffee and gab in the morning; bean bag, 10:30 a.m.; Wii bowling, 11 a.m.; Pokeno, 12:30 p.m.

Tuesday - Music and gab in the morning; commodity food box pickup, call center before arriving; volunteer tea with hoagies for those signed up and desserts, 11:30 a.m.; Bible study, 12:30 p.m.; cards, 12:30 p.m.

Wednesday - Hand-held games and puzzles in the morning; Wii bowling, 10 a.m.; LCR, 12:30 p.m.

Thursday - Coffee and music in the morning; Wii bowling, 11 a.m.; bingo, 12:30 p.m.

Friday - Wii bowling and games in the morning; Jennifer from VNA speaking on identity protection, noon; nickel bingo, 12:30 p.m.

Centralia-Wilburton

Monday - Coffee and current events, 9 a.m.; puzzle, 12:30 p.m.

Tuesday - Coffee and cake, 9 a.m.; Susquehanna site management with Janet, 10 a.m.; chair exercise with Carol, 10:30 a.m.; bingo, 12:30 p.m.

Wednesday - Birthday party; Family Home Medical, 10:30 a.m.; birthday bingo, 12:30 p.m.

Thursday - Bring a friend day; coffee and snacks with socialization, 9 a.m.; joke of the day, 10:30 a.m.

Friday - Center closed; trip to Ronald McDonald House.

Elysburg

Monday - Healthy Steps, 8:30 a.m.; royal rummy, 10 a.m.; Pokeno, noon.

Tuesday - Volunteer tea with covered dish, please wear a crazy hat to win a prize.

Wednesday - Healthy Steps, 8:30 a.m.; royal rummy, 10 a.m.; bingo, noon; center birthday party.

Friday - Crafts, 9:30 a.m.; pinochle, noon; VNA checking blood pressure and blood sugar, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.; vo-tech luncheon at Mount Carmel Senior Action Center, 11 a.m.

Trevorton

Monday - Wii bowling, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10 a.m.; Pokeno, 12:30 p.m.; shopping at Weis Markets, noon to 1 p.m.

Tuesday - Exercise, 10 a.m.; Scrabble, 10:30 a.m.; volunteer tea, 12:30 p.m.

Wednesday - Exercise, 9:30 a.m.; culinary luncheon at Mount Carmel senior action center, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; board games, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; evening bingo, 5:30 p.m.

Thursday - Exercise, 10 a.m.; monthly craft project, 12:30 p.m.; Frey's soup and sandwich for those who signed up.

Friday - Wii games, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:30 a.m.; members birthday party, 5 p.m.; last day to order salmon cake and macaroni and cheese for April 23 lunch.

MOUNT CARMEL - Four religious communities, not three as previously reported, will be represented Sunday at the Mother Maria Kaupas Center dedication.

Special guests at the dedication will be Felician Sisters, of Coraopolis, Sisters of Saint Casimir, of Chicago, Sisters of Saints Cyril and Methodius, of Danville, and Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, of Scranton. (The Felician Sisters' participation was inadvertently omitted in an earlier report).

The nuns will attend the 10:30 a.m. Mass Sunday in Divine Redeemer Church, which will be celebrated by Bishop Ronald Gainer. A ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony is scheduled for noon at the center, which is being established at the former St. Peter's Convent on West Avenue. For many years, the convent was home to Felician sisters who taught at Holy Spirit School and Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School.

The dedication ceremony is being held in conjunction with the 75th anniversary of Kaupas' death, but the center will not begin operations until the summer.

A native of Lithuania, Mother Maria Kaupas founded the Sisters of Saint Casimir, which formed and taught at Holy Cross Parish School in Mount Carmel. She was declared "venerable" in 2010, a step on the path to being proclaimed a saint.

GETTYSBURG - Danielle Bernini, of Mount Carmel Township, has been placed on the Gettysburg College dean's honor list for the fall semester. A grade-point average of 3.6 or above is required for inclusion on the list.

Bernini, a member of the class of 2015, is a philosophy major.

COAL TOWNSHIP - An accused murderer who took a tumble down a courthouse stairway was back on the block Wednesday.

Robert Charles Thomas Sr., 68, of Milton, was being led down steep stairs connecting second floor courtrooms to a holding cell in the sheriff's department when he fell, crashing down approximately 20 metal steps.

Trisha Kelley, the prison's public information officer, confirmed Thomas was evaluated and had studies done at Sunbury Community Hospital Wednesday. He was returned to the Northumberland County Prison block of SCI-Coal Township later that day.

Sheriff Robert Wolfe, who had been following Thomas down the stairs, said he landed on his back. He was then placed in a neckbrace and on a backboard and taken by Americus Ambulance to the hospital.

Thomas had been in court to ask for a transfer to a county prison while awaiting trial on criminal homicide charges.

COAL TOWNSHIP - Two long-time friends who are seniors at Shamokin Area Middle/High School performed in the PMEA (Pennsylvania Music Educators Association) all-state musical festival held March 25 to 28 in Hershey.

Graeme Shappell, a son of Lisa and William Shappell, of Paxinos, qualified for the band portion of the PMEA festival. Shappell plays the trumpet and has done so since the fourth grade. This was the second year in a row that he has played in the event.

Nick McWilliams, a son of Jason and Kim McWilliams, of Coal Township, qualified as tenor No. 1 for the state choir portion of the festival. This was McWilliams first appearance at the state level competition. He is only the fourth student in the school's history to participate in the PMEA performance for chorus, according to Mary Anne Stump, senior hIgh choral music teacher. McWilliams has been singing in the school's chorus since sixth grade.

"It was really important for me because I set myself to a really high standard," Shappell said of his playing and qualifying for the festival. "It was very invigorating to be able to perform with such a high caliber group of people. We don't get that opportunity every day."

For McWilliams, it was a goal he finally reached.

"It was one of the few goals I wanted to achieve before I graduated," McWilliams said. "It was a rewarding experience because you get to meet tons of new people from all around the state that have the same interest and the same passion."

The pair practiced at various schools in the Hershey area for two days before the festival culminated in public performances at the Hershey Theatre Saturday, March 28.

Stump is the choral director at Shamokin Area and Kevin Styer is the band director.