Based on evidence they've seen thus far involving the fatal police shooting of a black motorist in North Charleston, S.C., local police chiefs believe homicide charges filed against the policeman are justified, and said options are available before such deadly force is used.

Officer Michael Thomas Slager, who is white, is accused of shooting eight times at Walter Scott - striking him three times in the back, once in the upper buttocks and once in the ear - when he fled on foot from the officer after being pulled over for a broken brake light April 4. Cellphone video taken by a witness shows the officer shooting Scott.

"It's doesn't look good for the officer," Mount Carmel Township Chief of Police Brian Hollenbush said. "From everything I've seen and read about the shooting, I believe it was justified to charge the officer with murder at this point."

Hollenbush said the most troubling issue he had about the incident was why a routine traffic stop turned into a deadly shooting. "What escalated it to get the officer to use deadly force?" he asked.

Using Tasers, spray

He said most officers have two cartridges in Taser guns they carry as part of their

normal equipment. He said if Tasers don't stop a suspect from becoming aggressive, officers are trained to then use OC spray. If that approach doesn't work, he said police normally will engage in a physical confrontation with the suspect. Only as a last, desperate resort do police normally use deadly force, Hollenbush said.

"I could see the officer firing his gun if the suspect was running away and pulled out a weapon," he said, "but that apparently wasn't the case here."

Shamokin Police Chief Darwin Tobias III agreed with Hollenbush about the procedures officers follow in such circumstances.

"I was shocked when I first saw the video," Tobias said. "Unfortunate circumstances occurred, and whether the shooting was intentional or unintentional, a mistake was made by the officer."

Tobias said Tasers are not a "cure all" when encountering aggressive suspects.

"We've had instances where Tasers malfunction or the prongs don't stop a suspect from continuing their unruly behavior," he said. "We are trained to neutralize a suspect, whether that takes one shot or eight shots, from preventing further harm to anyone or themselves. I believe the officer was wrong in how he approached the situation, although it's still not clear exactly what happened before the shooting. But it doesn't look good at this point."

Mount Carmel Police Chief Todd Owens said he seen few of the media accounts of the shooting due to a busy week of work, and therefore reserved judgment on the officer's actions. But the veteran policeman acknowledged officers are certainly not trained to shoot eight times at an unarmed, fleeing suspect.

"There are always better options than using deadly force when a suspect is fleeing," Owens said.

Coal Township Police Chief William Carpenter and Sunbury Chief of Police Brad Hare reserved comment about the shooting.

Local cases

Hare and Sunbury Sgt. James Taylor know what it's like to be forced to shoot someone to defend themselves.

Fortunately, the suspects they shot did not die and have recovered from their wounds.

On July 8, Hare shot Erick R. Trometter, 23, formerly of Sunbury, in the groin area after the defendant, who earlier in the day assaulted his 67-year-old grandmother, Amanda Trometter, resisted arrest, pulled a large knife on the officer and approached him in a threatening manner.

Hare, who deployed a Taser three times in an unsuccessful attempt to stop Trometter from coming toward him, fired one shot, wounding the defendant. Trometter spent seven weeks recovering in Geisinger Medical Center in Danville.

Trometter, who faces multiple charges in the shooting and assault, was ordered last month by Northumberland County Judge Charles H. Saylor to be evaluated by a psychiatrist before his criminal case proceeds. He remains incarcerated in lieu of $250,000 bail.

Taylor faced a similar situation as Hare when he was forced to shoot Naheem J. Reams as he attempted to run over the officer June 5, 2013, near Chestnut and Front streets, following a high-speed chase in the city.

Reams, 18, of Shamokin, who was 17 at the time of the incidents, was charged by state police Aug. 2, 2013, with multiple offenses, including felonies of aggravated assault and fleeing or attempting to elude police, and driving under the influence of marijuana.

Reams spent 20 days in the hospital before being placed in a juvenile detention facility on an unrelated warrant. After being charged in relation to the chase, he was committed to Northumberland County Prison.

In December, he pleaded guilty to numerous charges, including felonies of aggravated assault and fleeing or eluding police, and was sentenced by Saylor to two to five years in state prison followed by three years consecutive probation.

Shamokin Area still holds the lead in both the middle and high school divisions in week seven of the annual EconomicsPennsylvania Stock Market Game Challenge for area middle and high school students. Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School made its first appearance in the top three this year, coming in second in the middle school division.

Participating schools are Shamokin Area, Mount Carmel Area, Line Mountain, North Schuylkill and Our Lady of Lourdes. The Stock Market Challenge is sponsored by Sunbury Motor Co. and The News-Item. EconomicsPennsylvania is a not-for-profit organization specializing in K-12 economic and financial literacy programs.

In each Sunday edition, The News-Item is announcing the top three teams from high school and middle school competition. Listed are results from the past two weeks, which include total equity, the school's name, adviser and team number.

Week seven

High school

- $109,885, Shamokin Area, David Kopitsky - 2288

- $109,066, Mount Carmel Area, Robert Scicchitano - 3223

- $102,122, Line Mountain, Karrie Bowman - 2482

Middle school

- $101,885, Shamokin Area, Ty Crossley - 2247

- $100,452, Our Lady of Lourdes, Katrina Gownley - 2981

- $100,363, Mount Carmel Area, Aaron Domanski - 2851

COAL TOWNSHIP - More than 100 volunteers cut into the amount of illegally dumped trash on Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area (AOAA) land during a cleanup Saturday.

A diverse group of people collected 75 cubic yards of trash and 150-plus tires on the eastern reserve, southeast of Burnside, in the second annual AOAA Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful cleanup.

Tires, shingles, bottles and everything in between had been discarded for decades on what is now the AOAA. Park officials have curbed dumping by blocking trails and patrolling the area, and with the dumping mostly stopped, the task of removing tons of garbage is underway.

Ages and hometowns of the volunteers who participated Saturday were as varied as the types of trash scattered throughout the mountain. There were off-road enthusiasts from throughout the state, young adults from the Northumberland County

Juvenile Probation program and members of families who live in the area. People who participated received a free lunch and were allowed to ride the park for free.

Tony Engelke, of Mount Carmel, his two daughters, Rileigh, 13, and Emma, 10, along with their friend, Jazmine McClelland, 12, tackled a shallow pit filled with the unimaginable. At one point, Tony and Emma unearthed a children's swimming pool.

"I took part in the cleanup so I could get an idea if we want to join for a year," Tony said. "It seems like a good place to ride and to have a picnic."

Operations Director Dave Porzi said another cleanup would most likely be held later this year. Once a gate is installed at the end of the second patch of Bear Valley, trash will be also be removed in the area of the Whaleback.

"People say they want their mountain back, but some of those same people made it into their personal dumping ground," Porzi said. "After today, the mountain is a little more beautiful for everybody."

Porzi thanked the following: Burger King in Sunbury, Northumberland County Conservation District, Disposal Management Services for supplying two Dumpsters, Weis Markets in Shamokin and Coal Township, Ken Deitrick, Masser's Chicken and Ribs, Northumberland County Juvenile Probation and the Coal Township Board of Commissioners for allowing the use of a dump truck and front-end loader.

HARRISBURG - A backlash over a controversial Indiana law is spurring new resolve among supporters of legislation to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in this state.

Bills to include members of the lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender community under Pennsylvania's anti-discrimination law have been in the legislative hopper for nearly a decade but seen little movement.

Gov. Tom Wolf is working to change that. His campaign organization is leading a drive to submit petitions urging Pennsylvania lawmakers to expand the existing anti-discrimination law.

As Wolf pointed out in a recent message to supporters, Pennsylvania is the only state in the Northeast that doesn't prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. That means LGBT individuals and their families in Pennsylvania can be fired, denied a mortgage or refused service at a hotel, library or hospital, he said.

After Indiana enacted a law designed to allow individuals and business owners to follow their religious beliefs without interference from other state laws, Mr. Wolf said he didn't understand why that state's governor would sign a law allowing discrimination against people based on who they love.

In the face of a business boycott, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence and that state's lawmakers said they are working to amend the religious freedom law so it can't be construed as allowing discrimination against the LGBT community. Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson is involved in a similar effort in that state.

An LGBT anti-discrimination bill will be reintroduced in the House with bipartisan support later this month, said Rep. Dan Frankel, D-23, Pittsburgh, the sponsor.

"What happened in Indiana and Arkansas helps enhance the visibility of the issue," added Mr. Frankel. "We are certainly going to exploit that."

This bill would amend the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act which currently prohibits discrimination in the areas of employment, housing and accommodations based on an individual's race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, education status, handicap or disability.

Sens. Pat Browne, R-16, Allentown, and Larry Farnese, D-1, Philadelphia, plan to reintroduce a similar bill in the Senate.

A number of lawmakers representing Northeast Pennsylvania have signed on as bill cosponsors in previous sessions.

Thirty-four municipalities in Pennsylvania, including Scranton and Pittston, have passed their own LGBT anti-discrimination ordinances.

Opinion polls and surveys by volunteers indicate that 80 percent of Pennsylvanians support an anti-discrimination law, said Maureen Gray, Northeast region coordinator for Equality Pennsylvania, a statewide advocacy group.

"They feel Pennsylvania should be more progressive and more supportive of people," she added.

House Majority Leader Dave Reed, R-62, Indiana, said he's willing to look at any anti-discrimination bill that is introduced.

"Certainly, we don't think anybody should be discriminated against," he added.

A key question for any new bill is what committee it will go to.

The bill was purposely bottled up in the State Government Committee last session, said Mr. Frankel. He suggested the bill will pass if it can get to the House floor.

Mr. Frankel plans to ask House Speaker Mike Turzai, R-28, Pittsburgh, to send the bill to either the House Education, Labor and Industry or Judiciary committees instead.

Just as worries about losing business led to Indiana's reexamination, so economic concerns are being cited as a reason why an LGBT anti-discrimination law is needed in Pennsylvania.

Mr. Wolf said that as a business owner he sought diversity because it meant attracting employees from a broad talent pool.

"Business owners don't want to worry about members of their own workforce being denied a mortgage or refused service at a hotel simply because of who they or a family member loves," he added.

Contact the writer: rswift@timesshamrock.com

MOUNT CARMEL - Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church blessed and distributed orange ribbons at Masses this past weekend as a reminder to pray for persecuted Christians and others.

The Rev. Frank Karwacki, pastor, noted that Christians are facing violence, captivity, persecution and brutality at the hands of ISIS and other terrorist groups. The Rev. Patrick Mahoney in Washington, D. C., came up with the idea because ISIS places people in orange jumpsuits for beheadings or burnings. "Orange is the new color of martyrdom," Mahoney said.

Karwacki also distributed a prayer to be said by those wearing the orange ribbons. It reads: "Lord Jesus, we honor all our Christian brothers and sisters, children, women and men who have suffered and died at the hands of ISIS and other terrorists and we pray for all who are now being tortured and held in captivity by them. We see orange as the color of martyrdom of our present day and we will ask others to pray for all who are persecuted for their faith. Amen."

MOUNT CARMEL - "Always more, always best, always with love." These words, which have been identified as Mother Maria Kaupas' motto as she lived her life of service to others, are inscribed on the wall inside the front door of the new center that was dedicated Sunday in her honor.

The Mother Maria Kaupas Center, located in the former St. Peter's Convent on West Avenue, has been established as a ministry of Divine Redeemer Church. The center, which has been in the planning stages for many months, became a reality at noon Sunday with a ribbon-cutting and short dedication program held in its front yard.

The program and a Mass that preceded it were attended by Bishop Ronald Gainer of the Diocese of Harrisburg and a delegation from the now Chicago-based Sisters of Saint Casimir (SSC), the religious community that Kaupas founded. Also participating prominently in the dedication ceremonies were representatives of four other religious orders that served the Mount Carmel community or had strong relationships with the SSC.

The date of the dedication was not selected by accident. It was scheduled to coincide, practically to the day, with Kaupas' death from cancer 75 years ago - April 17, 1940 - in Chicago. It was 108 years ago - in 1907 - that Mother Maria (born Casimira Kaupas), who fled from czarist-controlled Lithuania, came to Mount Carmel to establish Holy Cross School for the children of Lithuanian immigrants.

When he announced plans for the center late last year, the Rev. Martin Moran III, pastor of Divine Redeemer Church, said he envisioned the Kaupas Center as a focal point for learning and community volunteerism by college students. Since then, a partnership has been finalized with Bucknell University, which has agreed to establish a field station at the

Kaupas Center for faculty/student research projects and volunteerism opportunities in the community. Students and staff from Bucknell are expected to be at the center this summer. Moran formerly served as Catholic chaplain at Bucknell.

Promoted for sainthood

At the beginning of the Mass, representatives of the SSC briefly described Kaupas' decision to come to America to work as a housekeeper for her brother, who was a priest in Scranton. The story continues with her arrival in Mount Carmel with two fellow sisters, the growth of Holy Cross School, the establishment of the order's motherhouse in Chicago, her trip to Lithuania to establish a congregation there and the order's eventual ministries in 14 states and Latin American countries.

The sisters today are vigorously promoting the cause of sainthood for Kaupas. She has already been declared "venerable," the first step in the process. Sister Margaret Petcavage, who is the order's vice postulator for the cause of Mother Maria's beatification (the second step), said in a reflection given to worshipers prior to the Mass that Kaupas' life can be a valuable inspiration to people today because of her willingness to take risks, her openness, her concern for others and her trust in God's will.

Main celebrant of the Mass was Gainer, with concelebrants Moran and the Rev. John Kemper, a Kulpmont native who was recently elected provincial superior of the Sulpicians, a society of priests. In addition to the Sisters of Saint Casimir, the Mass and dedication program was attended by Felician Sisters, the Sisters of Saints Cyril and Methodius, and Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary based in Scranton and Philadelphia.

Warm spot for Mount Carmel

Sister Regina Marie Dubickas, general superior of the SSC, said during the dedication that it is the sisters' hope that people who visit the center are inspired by Kaupas' example. She said the sisters are especially pleased the new center will be so welcoming and supportive to young people.

Although the SSC has not been assigned nuns to Mount Carmel since 1973, Dubickas said they still consider Mount Carmel "home" because it was the religious community's first mission. She recalled a visit to Mount Carmel in the 1980s in which she and another sister were walking along South Poplar Street in the neighborhood where Kaupas lived and worked.

"As we were walking down the street, a woman looked out the window and yelled, 'The sisters have returned,'" Dubickas said, adding that a joyous conversation on the street quickly ensued. Dubickas said that was just one example of classic coal region hospitality. She added that all Sisters of Saint Casimir retain a warm spot in their hearts for Mount Carmel and its people.

Carl Milofsky, a sociology professor at Bucknell and a member of the center's soon-to-be-formed advisory board, said he looks forward to the opportunities students and staff will have to develop relationships with people and institutions in Mount Carmel and other coal region communities.

Also introduced was Herman Weimer, advisory board chairperson. Moran acknowledged others who have agreed to serve on the board, including Milofsky, Wendy Boland George, Christopher Raia, Jonathan Herndon, Karen Morin-Olivetti, Brendn Green, Sister Fran Fasolka, who is an area native, and, from the Mount Carmel area, Walt Kozlowski, Charles Lucas IV and Jake Betz.

Bishop's predecessor played role

Gainer said he is proud that one of his predecessors, Bishop John Shanahan, sponsored Kaupas' new congregation. It was Shanahan, Gainer noted, who encouraged Kaupas and her two nun companions to go to Mount Carmel and gave them the religious names they used as sisters.

Moran recalled that the former St. Peter's Convent was built in 1950 on land provided by the Visintainer family. He paid tribute to the Felician Sisters, who lived there for more than five decades, for their many years of service ­in Mount Carmel - first at St. Peter's School and, after 1964, at the consolidated Holy Spirit School.

At the conclusion of the program, representatives of the Sisters of Saint Casimir, Sisters of Immaculate Heart of Mary (Scranton), Felician Sisters and Sisters of Saints Cyril and Methodius carried portraits of their orders' respective founders for placement on the walls in the center.

Those attending the dedication had the opportunity to tour the center.

For Vicky Burnside, the short amount of time she spent on a mission trip to Haiti a month ago will pay big dividends in the long term - not only spiritually, but in her chosen field of nursing.

The Riverside resident, a student at Luzerne County Community College's nursing program in Kulpmont, spent Feb. 26 to March 9 in the village of Vialet helping to build a retaining and security wall at the Petit Goave Agricultural School, and also providing care to local children.

It was her first international mission trip. A member of Wesley United Methodist Church, of Danville, she hadn't done something like this in 20 years since she traveled to New

Mexico."There were 10 people on my team, including my husband, Lonzo," she said. They worked to help the school reopen and assist in reforestation of the land

"We were all from this area from different Methodist churches," she said. The trip organized through Haiti Partners.

Go-to medic

Burnside was the group's medic, responsible for any medical problems with her group and Haitian volunteers.

"For all cuts and scrapes and any kind of illness, I was the go-to person," Burnside said. "At times it was tough, because all I had to work with was a glorified first-aid kit."

To help Burnside in her mission, her Kulpmont classmates donated money and goods for the trip, including medical supplies, diapers and clothes to be distributed to the locals.

"They were things they were so appreciative of that we don't even think about, items like children's pain reliever, hand sanitizer and nutrition bars and multivitamins. It all was very helpful and I was very appreciative, as were all the people helped by my classmates' generosity," she said.

Treating Zachary

While many members of her team toiled with construction of the wall, Burnside helped a young boy named Zachary.

"When we started Vacation Bible School that week for the children, this young boy came on the first day and could barely walk," she said.

Zachary had a bandage around his knee and, upon examination, Burnside found he had a half-inch deep cut, suffered accidentally with a machete.

"In America, such an injury would be treated by just butterfly strips across the knee, but when you are in a country that is not very advanced in medical care and does not have clean running water in some places, it's a little tougher," she said. "He was cut close to the bone."

Twice a day, she met with Zachary, cleaning out the wound with hydrogen peroxide and putting on a fresh dressing. By the end of the week, Zachary was feeling - and moving - much better.

"He was one of the bravest kids I've ever met," Burnside said.

With gratitude

While the sheer magnitude of the trip hasn't sunk in yet for Burnside and her fellow missionaries, there were so many memories she has taken away from the Caribbean country.

"It is amazing how they work with so little," she said.

She told how sand, water and rocks were mixed by hand to create cement for the retaining wall, "when we, in America, are used to bringing in a cement mixer to do the job," Burnside said.

Team members were also amazed at the children's enthusiasm for learning the Word of God.

"The first day of the Vacation Bible School we had 20 kids present," Burnside said. "By the last day, we were up to 90, and they all participated with such fervor," she said.

Burnside hopes it won't be 20 years before she travels again.

"We've all talked that we want to go back to Haiti. I hope the next time it will be more of a medically based trip," she said.

MOUNT CARMEL - Mount Carmel Area Track and Field Day for 2015 is Tuesday at the Silver Bowl. The ceremony takes place prior to the home track meet against Danville starting at 4 p.m. The Mount Carmel Area "Big Red" Band will lead the way in escorting the candidates from the high school to the stadium starting at 2:30 p.m. All six candidates will be escorted to the center of the field by senior members of the boys track team and the 2014-15 Field Day Queen will be crowned. The following are this year's candidates:

The first senior candidate is Maliyah Edwards, a daughter of Ronald and Jennifer Brown, of Mount Carmel. Maliyah is a member of the varsity cheerleading squad, color guard and Reading and Spanish clubs. She is a member of the National Honor Society and is on the honor roll. Her plans are to attend Bloomsburg University.

The second senior candidate is Hannah Fetterolf, a daughter of Ken and Laurie Beth Fetterolf, of Mount Carmel. Hannah is in chorus, yearbook and has had a lead role in the spring musical the past three years. She is also in the Tech Ed and chemistry clubs. She is a previous Elks award winner and is in the National Honor Society. Hannah's plans are to pursue a career in nail design.

The third senior candidate is Kayla Witt, a daughter of Norman and Leanne Witt, of Kulpmont. Kayla is the captain of the color guard, a writer, editor, reporter and anchor for MCA- Live, a member of the senior high chorus, Holy Angels church choir, the spring musical and is secretary of the chemistry, reading and Spanish clubs. Kayla is on the distinguished honor roll, National Honor Society, and is a past Merit award recipient. She was also a junior representative on last year's Field Day court. Kayla plans to attend Penn State University's Schuylkill campus to major in corporate communications.

The first junior candidate is Natasha Nevis, a daughter of Joe and Tammy Nevis, of Mount Carmel. Natasha is treasurer for both the junior class and the art club, and is sergeant of arms for the reading club. She participates in Interact, pep, Spanish, FTA, and FBLA clubs, and is an MCA-Live news reporter, writer and anchor. She's also involved in developmental studies and School Counts. Natasha sings in the high school chorus and participated in the school musicals. She plays varsity girls soccer, track and field, is a cheerleader, and is in both the distinguished honor roll and National Honor Society. She took third place in the Lock Haven University math competition. Natasha's plans are to attend a college to major in math and chemical engineering and minor in Spanish and chemistry.

The second junior candidate is Chantelle Skavery, a daughter of Theresa and Gerald Skavery, of Mount Carmel. Chantelle is a part of the varsity track, cross country and cheerleading teams, and also participates in the art club, FBLA, FNA, and had roles in the past school musicals. She is a distinguished honor roll member, a previous Elks award winner, and was a fifth-place medalist for districts in cross country last year. Chantelle's plans are to attend Penn State University to earn a master's degree in food science.

The sophomore representative is Alyssa Menko, a daughter of Dave and Francine Menko, of Den Mar Gardens. Alyssa participates in basketball, soccer and track and field. She is a member of the art club, marching and symphonic bands, the spring musical, and is a writer and anchor for MCA-LIVE. Outside of school, Alyssa is a member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church choir. She is also on the distinguished honor roll, a Merit award recipient, and a member of the National Honor Society. Alyssa's plans are to attend a four-year college to major in pre-med to become a pediatric oncologist.

Cruising planned at Camp Victory

MILLVILLE - Two regional car clubs are teaming up to sponsor the fourth annual Cruising for Victory, a car cruise and show to benefit Camp Victory.

Mopar Muscle of Central Pennsylvania and Dream Machines Motor Club of Northeastern Pennsylvania will host the event on Sunday, May 3. The cruise will leave from Camp Victory, with registration beginning at 9 a.m. and the cruise running from 10 a.m. to approximately noon.

Cruisers will follow a recommended route before returning to Camp Victory for lunch. Following lunch, the vehicles will be on display until 3:30 p.m., with DJ entertainment provided by Stanley Tharp.

Registration is $10 in advance and $12 the day of the event. Lunch is $8 per person.

Camp Victory, a 125-acre facility, partners with independent groups that host week-long and weekend camps designed primarily to benefit children who have chronic illnesses and other physical and emotional needs.

For more information or to download a registration form, visit www.campvictory.org. Contact Camp Victory at fun@campvictory.org or 570-458-6530 with questions.

Landlord-tenant disputes

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

Hugh A. Jones, Mount Carmel:

Apartments and Acquisitions, of Mount Carmel, awarded $2,679.15 on March 24 from Eve Mooney, of Atlas.

John Gembic III, Shamokin:

Michael Ramos, of Neptune, N.J., against Tracey Lehman, of Coal Township, for $850, withdrawn, March 23.

Zeus's Rentals LLC, of Northumberland, awarded $2,604.75 on March 26 from Whitney Bastian, of Shamokin.

COAL TOWNSHIP - The Gallagher School of Irish Dancing performed at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School Friday afternoon.

The group of performers, from the Scranton and East Stroudsburg areas, demonstrated technical steps such as reels, slip jigs, treble jogs, hornpipes and set pieces. Their teacher, Fedelmia Gallagher, presented information about dress and hair styling, competitions and other facts about Irish dancing.

MILTON - Individuals and teams of students from seven school districts within the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit (CSIU) five-county area showcased computer knowledge and application skills at the Pennsylvania Regional Middle School and High School Computer Fairs.

More than 70 students displayed projects in five categories: animation, computer fair logo, digital movie, graphic design and web page design.

Southern Columbia Area School District eighth-graders Carly Britch, Morgan Cole and Hanna Davis created promotional materials for a fictitious restaurant and submitted their works in the graphic design category. The team of students expressed an interest in graphic design and said the computer fair was a way to get more hands-on experience using computer programs such as Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.

Britch, Cole and Davis said they spent nearly three months designing items for their Asian cuisine restaurant, "Bamboozled." At the competition, the students displayed a business card, brochure, menu and place setting they created for the restaurant.

First-place winners in each category will advance to the state competitions at Dickinson College May 19 and 20. All participants were provided with feedback, and first-place winners can incorporate judges' suggestions into their projects before moving on to the state competition.

The Pennsylvania Regional Middle School and High School Computer Fairs are held annually to highlight students' application skills and computer knowledge. Students are able to unleash their creativity, and convey information more dynamically to enhance the learning process. The high school fair has been held every year since 1998, and the middle school fair began in 2004.

The CSIU was one of 25 intermediate units statewide that hosted the high school competition and one of 23 that hosted the middle school fair. The computer fairs are sponsored by the Pennsylvania Association of Intermediate Units.

Area winners

Animation, high school: First place, Adam Weissert and Steve Hricenak, Southern Columbia Area; second place, Austin McHale and Hannah Sage, Southern Columbia Area.

Computer fair logo, high school: First place, Sydney Spears, Mount Carmel Area; second place, Sierra Bobb, Line Mountain; third place, Katelynn Kuijpers, Southern Columbia Area.

Digital movie, high school: Third place, Sydney Zartman, Carson Quinn and Marcos Velazquez, Shamokin Area.

Graphic design, middle school: First place, Hanna Davis, Morgan Cole and Carly Britch, Southern Columbia Area.

Graphic design, high school: First place: Madeline Lyash, Mount Carmel Area; second place, Allison Honabach, Bailey Carl and Samantha Romania, Southern Columbia Area.

Web page design, middle school: Second place: Michael Steele, Kevin Sincavage and Alec Sharrow, Southern Columbia Area.

LCCC admissions info session

SHAMOKIN - Representatives from the admissions office at Luzerne County Community College will hold information sessions at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Wednesday, May 6, at the Northumberland Center, 2 E. Arch St.

Information on credit and non-credit course offerings, tuition costs, financial aid, retraining programs for the unemployed, career planning, educational opportunities and admission procedures will be offered.

For more information, contact the LCCC admissions office at 570-740-0399 or 800-377-LCCC, extension 7399, or visit www.luzerne.edu.

COAL TOWNSHIP - Our Lady of Lourdes Regional High School seniors Caitlin Funk and Dakota Maneval have been selected Young Americans for April and May, respectively.

The Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce, which sponsors the Young Americans program, recognizes students in participating high schools for their achievements in academic and extracurricular activities.

Students also are selected for their in-school activities, character and out-of-school participation.

Funk, of Paxinos, is a member of the National Honor Society, French Honor Society, French Club, art club, Respect Life Club, Girls Action League and Students Against Destructive Decisions.

She is a senior class officer, student council officer and school ambassador.

She also is captain of the girls' basketball, softball and volleyball teams and was named homecoming queen for 2015.

Funk is a member of Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Church, Elysburg, where she assists with parish fundraising projects.

She will attend Susquehanna University or Bloomsburg University to major in biology.

Maneval, of Northumberland, is a member of the National Honor Society, French Honor Society, French Club, Boys Service Club, Respect Life Club and Students Against Destructive Decisions.

He is a student council officer and school ambassador.

He is a member of the boys' basketball squad and attained a School Counts Certificate for attendance. He also earned the Sisters of SS Cyril and Methodius Servant Leadership Award.

Maneval is a member of St. Monica Parish, Sunbury, where he is an altar server and assists with parish fund-raising activities.

He will attend St. Francis University and major in physical therapy.

Funk and Maneval attended the Young Americans Leadership Seminar on April 8 at the Country Cupboard in Lewisburg. The seminar was an all-day event where students were given presentations about networking, diversity, decision making, goal making and finances by business and education leaders in the Greater Susquehanna Valley.

SELINSGROVE – The Selinsgrove Fair Association says it hopes to have a new promoter named by this summer to keep Selinsgrove Speedway operating.

Prior to the start of the 2015 racing season, current promoter Charlie Paige informed the board of directors, the governing body of the speedway, that he elected not to renew his contract to operate the speedway beyond this year. Paige made the same announcement at the first drivers’ meeting of the year on April 4.

“We would like to thank Mr. Paige for all of his dedication to Selinsgrove Speedway over the last 15 years as promoter of the track,” Dawayne Betzer, president of the fair association, was quoted in a press release issued late Sunday. “He was instrumental in restoring the facility and re-establishing the venue as one of the premier dirt tracks in the United States.”
Betzer said the association wants to “reassure the racing community (it) is committed to keeping this great racing tradition alive and well for future generations.”

Members are working diligently on a succession plan, he said.

“We sincerely thank the race teams, fans and sponsors for their continued support of the speedway while we work through this management transition,” Betzer said.

CATAWISSA R.R. - Southern Columbia Area School Board announced a new policy that will remove injury costs for student athletes from the hands of the district.

During committee reports at Monday night's meeting, board president Michael Yeager, speaking on behalf of finance committee chairman Thomas Reich, said there is a consensus of the board to not offer athletic insurance to its students next year.

The insurance is designed to help pay the medical costs for students who don't have health insurance should they be injured while playing sports for Southern Columbia.

"We are making this announcement now to make sure the parents of athletes are aware of this and so the policy committee can change the wording in the athletic handbook and in the policy of student accident insurance," Yeager said.

The district said Monday it would make information about parent-purchased accident insurance available in the future, but an online search Monday night showed several companies ready to offer such plans for students, though no prices were given.

Teacher contracts

Charlie Porter, chairman of the school board's negotiations committee, said work is progressing on a new contract with its teachers.

"Last month, we thought we had a contract, but there weren't enough checks and balances in the wording. We had a negotiation session and we are just about there."

Teachers have been without a contract since June 30, but appear to have a deal in place, calling off a March 24 strike date.

Porter said the current goal is to provide all board members and teachers with copies of the new agreement by Friday to review and to prepare the board for a vote on the agreement at its next meeting April 20. Five votes are needed to adopt the contract. Teachers will vote on the new deal next month.

Both sides declined to reveal any details of the contract until it is approved by both parties.

In other business:

- Retirements were approved for several district employees at Monday's meeting. Teachers who will retire at the end of the school year include health/physical education teacher Lanny J. Conner, who has been employed since 1991; family and consumer science teacher Nancy Bodman, who has been employed since 1978; paraprofessional Margaret Swank, who has worked in the district since 1981, bus driver Marilyn Robel and custodian Thomas J. Szeder.

The board also approved the resignations of bus driver Diane Dobson and choral director Jenna Hyatt, who left the district in December. Approval was given to make Letha Stone choral director for the remainder of the school year, retroactive to Jan. 5 and pay her a pro-rated salary of $3,569.

- A revised district organizational chart was approved, as were the first readings of new policies on student discipline, bullying/cyberbullying and school volunteers.

- Discussion was held on the revised 2014-2015 school calendar - the final day of classes is Tuesday, June 9, and graduation is Sunday, June 7 - and on the 2015-2016 school calendar - classes are tentatively scheduled to start Aug. 31.

SHAMOKIN - Momentum is building as Coal Region Love INC (In the Name of Christ) prepares to launch its mission to transform the community.

After months of planning, a community kickoff is set for Friday, May 1, at Christian and Missionary Alliance Church, Second and Arch streets. The Rev. Richard Earl, pastor of Mountainside Assembly of God, Coal Township, is spearheading the project.

"We've got 13 area churches on board, and we hope that through our work, we can meet the needs of this community," Earl said Monday.

He noted that at a recent public meeting, 55 people came forward to learn more about Love INC.

The group's mission is to mobilize local churches to take on all sorts of projects helping the homeless, senior citizens, unemployed, disabled, single mothers, drug addicts, alcoholics and others in an effort to make their lives better, and meanwhile improving the community.

The organization was founded in 1977 in Holland, Mich., by Dr. Virgil Gulker, a social worker and outreach director who saw that Christian churches were called to the same mission he was - helping those who are in need and lacking resources or a support network.

Gulker developed the Love INC model to fill these critical roles. Love INC taught churches to assess their capabilities.

It also unified local congregations so that, working together, they could more effectively help their neighbors. Today, 157 Love INC affiliates in 30 states represent a network of more than 8,600 churches, 9,200 community-based organizations and 100,000 volunteers meeting more than 1,680,000 needs last year.

The idea to bring Love INC to the Coal Region came from the Rev. Bob Peifer, former pastor at St. John's United Church of Christ.

"It wasn't like I needed another project, but when Bob showed me (Love INC), he asked if I thought this could work here," Earl said. "We began talking the project and people began coming on board."

National officer coming

The kickoff begins at 4 p.m. with a presentation by Nancy Van Dyken, national director for new affiliates development for Love INC. Before taking the position in 2013, she had served as the executive director of Gallatin County Love INC in Bozeman, Mont., for more than 11 years, and was Love INC's national trainer from 2005 to 2011.

The ministry's new governing board, consisting of Earl, Sam Vetovich, Sherri Shebelsky, Lynn Hubler, Jill Todzia and Doris Ziemba, will be introduced, followed by dinner at 5:30 p.m., along with the development board members who have worked hard over the past months.

"We have sent out invitations to every business, church and volunteers for this event," Earl said. "We are looking to the people to not only donate their time, but we invite those able to donate money or equipment to help us start up. It would be a blessing."

Those that want to attend are asked to RSVP with Earl by April 24 by sending an email to richearl@verizon.net.

"The work will be done by the churches themselves, but Coal Region Love INC hopes to be the clearinghouse, the wheel hub to help meet the needs of the community," he said.

LIMESTONE TOWNSHIP - A Shamokin man was killed after being struck by a locomotive in Montour County Monday afternoon.

State police at Milton reported Brian Shifflett, 27, of Shamokin, was pronounced dead at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, following the 4:45 p.m. crash at the railroad crossing on Strick Road.

According to police, Shifflett was operating a 1987 Kawasaki motorcycle and crossed into the path of a Norfolk Southern locomotive, which then struck the bike.

Shifflett was thrown from the motorcycle and landed next to the tracks. Police said the rider was not wearing a helmet and did not stop for the railroad crossing signals.

An investigation into the accident is ongoing, a police release said.

SUNBURY - Police are investigating a burglary at a home at 310 N. Eighth St. that occurred at approximately 2 a.m. Monday.

Police were dispatched to the address for a reported burglar alarm. They said they found a smashed window and a broken window frame, but no suspects. Northumberland Borough, Point Township, Selinsgrove Borough and state police assisted.

Sunbury police ask anyone who might have surveillance video from that area or any other information about the incident to contact them at 570-286-4587 or 570-988-4539.

HARRISBURG - Bills to attack neighborhood blight and revive older communities are getting a rollout this week in House and Senate committees.

The House Urban Affairs Committee approved bills Monday to make the state Housing Trust Fund more comprehensive on a statewide basis and provide a local property tax abatement to property owners and developers rehabilitating blighted properties. The Senate Urban Affairs Committee will meet Wednesday to move anti-blight bills in that chamber.

The reach of the Housing Trust Fund is limited now to counties in the Marcellus Shale drilling region since its main revenue source is an earmark of impact fee money from gas drillers. The House panel approved a measure to give the trust fund another revenue source with a portion of money from the existing state realty transfer tax on homes sales. This bill if enacted would enable the trust fund to tackle housing projects statewide, said bill sponsor Rep. Thomas Killion, R-168, Newtown Square.

These would include projects to fix blighted properties and provide affordable housing, including rental homes, he said.

Tax abatement

The 10-year tax abatement bill would apply to those rebuilding a blighted property or in an deteriorated area, said sponsor Rep. Judy Ward, R-80 Hollidaysburg. The bill states that all code violations must be corrected, zoning requirements followed and the property value must increase by at least 25 percent to qualify for an abatement.

The Senate panel plans to consider a companion trust fund bill on Wednesday. Also on the agenda is a bill sponsored by Sen. David Argall, R-29, Tamaqua, which would allow counties to create a fund to demolish blighted properties with revenue from a fee of up to $15 for recording deeds and mortgages.

Local representatives Kurt Masser (R-107) and Lynda Schlegel-Culver (R-108) are on the House Urban Affairs Committee.

"Both bills are good and would give municipalities more tools in the toolbox to help fight blight," Masser said Monday.

Masser said he is not sure when the bills could come up for a vote on the house floor, but hopes its soon.

"Neither bill is budget-related or controversial, so I would hope they would come up fairly quickly, but you never can tell," he said.

A phone message left for Culver was not returned Monday.