THARPTOWN - A 43-year-old Tharptown man has been charged with allegedly pointing a loaded handgun at several people including a Shamokin man who also was cited in connection with the April 18 disturbance near the Tharptown playground.

Approximately a dozen children and adults were at the playground at the time of the incident.

Christopher Ptaszynski, 43, of 660 Center St., was charged Monday by Patrolman Joshua Wynn with misdemeanors of simple assault and disorderly conduct relating to the 4:10 p.m. dispute at Ptaszynski's property. Wynn also charged Brian Elliott Jr., 23, of Vine Street, Shamokin, with summaries of disorderly conduct and harassment.

Police reported Ptaszynski was involved in a trespassing/parking dispute with Elliott. During the argument, it is alleged Elliott charged at Ptaszynski and screamed at him. Police said Ptaszynski is accused of brandishing a handgun and pointing it at Elliott and other people during the disturbance.

Elliott told police he pulled his vehicle off Center Street onto a large paved area adjacent to the playground to unload young children. He claimed Ptaszynski then came out of his gray block building at the rear of the parking lot and shouted at him to get off his property.

When Elliott did not immediately leave, Ptaszynski brandished a handgun and cocked it, according to Elliott and other witnesses at the playground.

According to a criminal complaint filed at the office of Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III, Ptaszynski worked the slide of the gun at one point, causing a bullet to be ejected.

Elliott's girlfriend, Mallary Shingara, told police she, Elliott, Jared Maurer and his girlfriend, Amanda Sweeney, along with their kids, were eating at Spangenberg's Drive-In when they decided to go the playground. When Elliott pulled his truck into Ptaszynski's lot, Shingara said Ptaszynski yelled from his window that they couldn't park there.

Shingara said she told Ptaszynski that they were just dropping off their kids and would move from the lot after doing so. But she claimed Ptaszynski continued to yell and came down his steps toward them with a "big silver gun," cocked it and pointed it directly at her and her son. She said Elliott then walked toward Ptaszynski and everyone started yelling. Shingara claimed Ptaszynski went back inside his house when she told him she was going to call the cops.

Elliott told police Ptaszynski told him to get off his property or he would make him get off. Elliott said he walked toward Ptaszynsiki and Ptaszynski waved the gun in the air and work the weapon's slide. Elliott claimed Ptaszynski pointed the gun at him.

Elliott, who said he was holding his 1-year-old son during the dispute, said he then moved his truck from the property.

Sweeney corroborated the statements given by Shingara and Elliott, police said.

Sweeney, Shingara and Elliott said they were very afraid of what could have happened if the gun went off.

Ptaszynski voluntarily turned over the Ruger P90 .45-caliber gun to police after the incident. Wynn said the gun was not loaded when he took possession of it and there were bullets in the magazine, which was not in the weapon.

During an interview, Ptaszynski told police he observed the truck pull onto his property and yelled out his upstairs window - which overlooks his driveway, Center Street and the playground - that the lot was private property. When Shingara told him they were just unloading the kids, Ptaszynski said he told her that was fine, but to move the truck when the kids were unloaded.

Ptaszynski said Elliott then exited the truck and called him a vulgar name before allegedly yelling to him, "If you have a problem, come down here and move me."

Ptaszynski said he had his gun in the waist of his pants when he walked down the steps in front of his residence. He claimed he told Elliott, who came around the side of his truck, to calm down and leave, but Elliott continued to scream.

Ptaszynski said Elliott initially walked away from him before turning around and running straight at him. Ptaszynski said he then pulled his gun out, pointed it in the air and worked the slide, causing a bullet to eject.

He said Elliott stopped and started yelling at him that he was a "tough guy."

Ptaszynski said he then went back up the steps into his house and called police.

His girlfriend, who was inside Ptaszynski's home at the time of the incident, corroborated her boyfriend's account of the incident.

SUNBURY - The Veterans Treatment Court will hold a graduation ceremony for three former members of the Armed Forces in courtroom 1 of the Northumberland County Courthouse at 11 a.m. today.

Veterans Court was initiated in Northumberland County Oct. 4, 2011. The veteran is paired with a mentor, another veteran in the community who can relate to their experiences. The Veterans Administration has assigned a Veterans Justice Outreach specialist to assist service members to readily access treatment, such as counseling services.

The veteran must appear before the Judge, Charles H. Saylor, at least twice a month to report on progress with treatment. Preliminary research confirms that recidivism rates are lower for veterans who go through the program.

Also, graduation is scheduled at the same time for four individuals in the DUI Treatment Court and one individual for the Behavioral Health Treatment Court.

The public is invited to attend, and remarks will be made by the graduates. The event's featured speaker is Jayme Hendricks, division director of Gaudenzia.

Editor's note: One in a series of interviews with the eight candidates for Northumberland County commissioner.

SHAMOKIN - As a lifelong resident of Northumberland County, the former mayor of Kulpmont and the owner of a business for nearly three decades, Myron F. Turlis knows a lot of people.

Turlis said these connections will come in handy when implementing ideas he has for the county, as many involve tapping into the knowledge and skills of others.

Relying on outside expertise is something Turlis focused on when asked to discuss issues the county is facing now, things like how to replace the burned-out prison, whether a new courthouse should be built and if privatizing the weatherization department is a good idea.

Turlis, 58, said he is also committed to building and maintaining strong relationships with existing county employees and improving the county's image. Let's have ribbon-cuttings for local businesses and perhaps have the commissioners honor students for academic achievement, he said, and market the county's "great workforce," instead of being known for lawsuits and attorney general investigations.

Education supporter

Turlis, a Democrat, is in his second bid for a commissioner spot, having run in 2011 as well. He said his goal is the same this time: to help the county.

Education can be a key factor in that, and he was excited at the chance to talk about his ideas. He would work to strengthen the dialogue with the universities that lay just outside the county's borders and build programs with the likes of Bucknell and Bloomsburg to get highly educated people bringing in new ideas.

He also strongly supports the project under way to create a community college in Northumberland County.

There's irony in his support of higher education in that he chose not to leave home for college, despite his parents' encouragement to do so.

He was working already in high school, including for a milkman. In that job, he rose at 2:30 a.m. to make deliveries before school. He moved on to a bakery job a short time later, but he still had to rise long before other kids his age - 3 a.m.. He noted with a laugh, however, that he was grateful to be working in a warm building in the winter with the new job.

Upon graduation, Turlis said he felt a commitment to stay home and support the family.

"I wanted to stick around and see if I could help out," he said.

Eventually, Turlis began building Turlis Sewer and Drain Cleaning Company, which is now in its 29th year. It hasn't always been easy, he said, noting he's experienced the struggles in the early days of not being able to pay his bills, but that hard work and fair treatment of people have resulted in success.

"I've been in the pits, and I've been on top," he said. "I know what the people of the county are dealing with."

Commitment to strong relationships with clients is essential to his business, Turlis said. Asked to discuss how he handles conflict, Turlis discussed a policy he has whereby he'll repair an issue twice for a customer at no additional charge, a symbol of his company's commitment to customer service, but that after that, he tells customers they'll have to pay.

Through his business and time as mayor and on borough council in Kulpmont, Turlis said he had experience managing employees and handling issues regarding pay and benefits. He cited a case where borough employees were upset that, to get larger raises, council was demanding changes in health care that included paying a deductible. It was a negotiation that worked in the end, with taxpayers benefitting, he said.

Economic opportunity

As a small business owner, Turlis sees a need to capitalize on downtown revitalization. He said he shops at places like Archie's Shoes in Kulpmont and Matlow's clothing store in Mount Carmel. He sees hope for downtowns because of their customer service, and noted how the struggles of malls could help downtowns.

As for industry, he'd like the county to make better use of the sites it has, and believes Keystone Opportunity Zone tax-free designations should be extended if it can help land new businesses. Turlis sees a need for the county to become more active in promoting and advertising for tenants for vacant industrial properties, though he recognizes that the county has challenges that can be hard to overcome, among them access to interstates that are close, but often not close enough.

He would also explore potential with the county's railroad system, he said.

As for the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area, Turlis sees it as a "great asset to the county" that could attract economic growth, but stressed the need to be sure it caters to non-motorized use, too. He'd also like to find a way to be more "mindful of the cost to neighboring communities" of the park.

Overall, "I think the area is actually benefitting," he said of the AOAA.

Local connections

Turlis is a strong supporter of having the county regain control of certain privatized projects. He said he's noticed that departments have lost services after changing hands to private companies, such as the turnover to transportation to RabbitTransit.

He said he hears from his elderly customers about problems with RabbitTransit, and believes the county has lost a connection to its citizens with the change.

"The county is in existence to serve the people," he said.

Instead of continuing to use privatization as a cost-saving measure, Turlis would prefer to regionalize with other counties. The shared assets would result in savings without cuts to essential services, he said.

As to the Northumberland County Prison, which was heavily damaged in a Jan. 14 fire, Turlis said feasibility studies must be reviewed to see the best course of action. If the county can rebuild the existing structure at a reasonable price, "I think we need to go there," he said.

Regardless, he's averse to demolishing the old prison, in part because of its cultural value.

"I would like to see the old one renovated because it's historic," he said.

If the site cannot be reused as a prison or is too costly to continue as such, he'd like to turn it into something usable and choose a new location in Sunbury for the prison.

"I think they need to be as close to the courthouse as possible," he said.

When rebuilding the prison, he sees benefits in adding services like a prerelease center.

"It's advantageous to everyone," he said, noting that the center would result in fewer prisoners.

He's open to the idea of a new courthouse if it's cost-effective and would even like to relocate the 911 center to a site closer to the county's other assets.

Would keep business

Though he'd like the county's departments to be physically closer together, Turlis would like to take county meetings on the road, rotating through municipalities so more citizens can make their voices heard. He'd also like to hold more of the meetings at night so employees with a typical workday can attend the meetings.

Turlis himself would opt to continue working a half-day at his business while committing the other half to the commissioner post. He said the move comes after the recent pay cut and the discovery that the bank his wife worked at for 28 years would be closing, resulting in her being laid off April 17.

Although he said a salary of about $36,000 is "a lot of money," he'd still need income from the business.

"I campaigned on closing my business," he said about his 2011 bid. "It's unfortunate I can't be there (at the county) full time (with the salary change)."

With Turlis facing new territory in his home life, he's campaigning on a promise of "change."

"We need to work for a better government," he said. "I'd like to help change things."

SHAMOKIN - Manna for the Many food pantry, which serves the Shamokin and Coal Township area, held its annual volunteer appreciation dinner at St. John's United Church of Christ April 21.

Hosted by the board of directors, the dinner honored volunteers who have given generously of their time and talents to keep the food pantry operating during the last year. In addition to assisting clients and stocking shelves, volunteers also set up the volunteer schedule, train new volunteers and keep client records and food inventories. Without dedicated volunteers, the food pantry would not be possible. While Manna has approximately 50 volunteers, they are kept busy, as the food pantry served 3,199 clients in 2014, distributing 51,851 food items.

In addition to its volunteers, Manna for the Many has also been blessed with tremendous community support through the many churches, schools, community groups and individuals who donate. The organization has operated entirely on private donations since opening in January of 2000 and is able to keep food in the pantry shelves through food drives, fund raisers and special projects conceived and supported through the generosity of the community.

Manna for the Many, located at 144 E. Independence St., accepts non-perishable food donations and monetary donations. Donations can be brought in when the pantry is open for distribution 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesdays, 1 to 3 p.m. Wednesdays and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursdays. Monetary donations can be mailed to Manna for the Many, P.O. Box 129, Shamokin 17872.

The pantry welcomes new volunteers. Anyone interested in volunteering is invited to call the pantry at 570-648-9079 during distribution hours.

Food distribution today

MOUNT CARMEL - Mount Carmel Borough Food Pantry will distribute food from 9 to 11 a.m. today at Notary Shop, 215 S. Oak St. for borough residents who have signed up in the past.

Residents of the Mount Carmel Mid Rise are asked to meet in the lobby for 8:45 a.m.

Residents of Willow Court are asked to meet in the lobby at 11 a.m.

Participants are asked to bring bags, which are no longer available from the food pantry.

COAL TOWNSHIP - Three students of the Northumberland County Career and Technology Center are working on a project to benefit the Keystone Wounded Warriors.

They're organizing a competitive gun shoot May 16 at the Fairview Gun Club, 2100 W. State St., located above the Shamokin Area Elementary School. All proceeds benefit the military veterans organization.

"They served us, so we should serve them," said Brett Bolam, a Mount Carmel Area senior.

Bolam and Jordan Klimas, also a Mount Carmel Area senior, put the shoot together for a senior project with the help of Jessica James, a Shamokin Area junior. They're billing it as a Zombie Shoot, with paper targets to be drawn up as the undead - capitalizing on the continued popularity of zombies in pop culture.

There are four events: three-gun shoot with pistol, rifle and shotgun, pistol poker shoot and 10 ring and pong ball shoots, both of which are rifle events.

The trio met with protective services teacher Matthew Dunn after school on Monday to visit the Fairview's gun range and plan the setup for the event. Dunn worked to get the students to come up with the rules for each shoot and work out the specifications: distances, targets, covers, reloads.

"I think 40 (feet)," Bolam said, walking the range and pushing a measuring wheel as he discussed target distance for the shotgun portion of the three-gun shoot.

"Somewhere in this range?" Dunn asked when Bolam came to a stop.

"40 works," Bolam said.

"Remember, you got a shotgun. There's no scope; you're looking at a bead," Dunn said.

The cost to compete in two events is $20 ahead of time, and $30 the day of the event. Additional shoots are $10 each. T-shirts are available by pre-order only at a cost of $15. Visit Hollywood Pizza, 39 N. Oak St., Mount Carmel, or James' Pizza, 524 E. Pine St., to pre-register or to order a T-shirt.

Registration on event-day begins at 9 a.m., with shooting at 10 a.m., rain or shine. Competitors bring their own gun and ammo - any caliber, any action.

The Fairview donated use of the facility. Volunteers are sought to assist with registration, concessions and resetting targets.

MILTON - Weis Markets held a ceremonial groundbreaking Monday to mark the beginning of a project to expand its 1.1 million square-foot distribution center in Milton.

The project will expand the facility's cold storage capacity. The 100,000-quare-foot addition will be used to store and distribute fresh meat, deli and dairy products. The company expects to complete construction in February 2016.

"Our expansion will enhance our distribution center's long-term productivity and viability. It will also improve our overall competitiveness and help ensure the economic prospects of a facility employing 750 Weis associates - our company's single largest location," said Weis Markets chairman and CEO Jonathan Weis. "In the years ahead, as we expand our distribution center, we expect to hire additional associates and create new opportunities at our facility."

Weis also thanked Sen. John Gordner, R-27, of Berwick, and state Rep. Lynda Schlegel-Culver, R-108, of Sunbury, for their help in securing a $1 million state economic growth initiative grant for the project.

Weis also spoke about the expansion's conservation features, "Our expansion is also a sustainable project. When completed, our new facility will have the latest in energy efficient equipment and lighting and will use significantly less refrigerant," said Weis. "The addition will allow us to consolidate our delivery schedule. Consequently, we will use 23,000 fewer gallons of diesel fuel in a year's time and our trucks will travel 144,000 fewer miles."

SHAMOKIN - No plea deal has been made to Kulpmont resident Frederick Russo, who is accused of driving two men charged with selling heroin in a Shamokin day care to Philadelphia to purchase heroin in exchange for drugs and money.

Northumberland County Assistant District Attorney Michael Toomey and Russo's public defender John Broda confirmed that a plea offer was not offered to the defendant at his preliminary hearing Tuesday, which he waived before Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III.

Russo, 49, of 1321 Chestnut St., is charged with felonies of criminal conspiracy and possession with intent to deliver heroin and a misdemeanor of possession of heroin relating to a March 18 incident.

The defendant, who declined comment to a News-Item reporter upon leaving the courtroom, was ordered by Gembic to appear for a pre-trial conference July 10 in the Court of Common Pleas, Sunbury.

He also is scheduled to appear at a June 5 pre-trial conference on unrelated felonies of delivery of heroin and possession with intent to deliver heroin for allegedly selling four packets of heroin for $60 on Nov. 18 in Shamokin.

All the charges were filed by Shamokin Cpl. Bryan Primerano.

Russo briefly conferred with his girlfriend before being remanded to SCI-Coal Township. Also in attendance at the legal proceeding were Russo's daughter and an unidentified man.

In addition to Russo, city police charged Ryan Varano, 28, of 114 S. Fifth St., Shamokin, and Christian Kehler, 37, of 1114 N. Shamokin St., Shamokin, in connection with a March 18 incident at Jesus' Lil Helper Daycare, 114 S. Fifth St., which is operated by Varano's mother, Kelly Ebersole.

Varano is charged with felony counts of manufacturing, delivering or possessing with intent to deliver heroin, criminal conspiracy and criminal use of a communication facility and misdemeanors of possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of heroin and recklessly endangering another person. He also faces charges of criminal trespass and defiant trespass filed by city police at the request of Ebersole, who told Varano numerous times he was not allowed to be in the child care facility.

Varano claimed he stayed at the address on weekends and nights when the day care is not open. The defendant told police he and Kehler used the location to sell, distribute and use heroin.

Police reported Kehler overdosed on heroin and was revived by police and emergency medical personnel through the use of CPR and Narcan before being rushed by ambulance to Geisinger Medical Center, Danville. Kehler was discharged from the hospital April 1.

Russo was not at the day care March 28 when Kehler overdosed.

Kehler, who faces the same drug charges as Varano, has been offered a plea deal by the county district attorney's office. The offer involves Kehler pleading guilty to a felony of possession with intent to deliver heroin in exchange for the withdrawal of the other charges. Kehler's past criminal record would still require him to serve a state prison sentence.

According to a criminal complaint, police found 52 filled, 65 empty and 38 partially empty packets of heroin and other drug paraphernalia at the day care center. 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.

Varano and Kehler remain incarcerated at SCI-Coal Township.

MOUNT CARMEL - The following memorials were presented to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in April:

Veronica Corona from Steve and Carole Krehel.

Jack Hollis from Mary Janet Rudisill, Tom Rusnak family, Dianne Darrah, Mary and Blair Ruths, Ted and Deb Gownley, Mary and Tony Andrade, Jack and Theresa McDonald, Doug Pieri.

Xenia Karycki from daughter Mary Ann Wydra.

Diane White from Jack and Theresa McDonald.

David Pieri from Doug Pieri.

Mary Jane Bradley, Jack Hollis and Virginia Cheddar from Virginia Woznicki.

Thomas Wydra from wife, Mary Ann.

Sarah Yeager (birthday April 16) from a friend.

Mary Catherine Lazarski from Bob Lazarski and son Bob.

Andy Mushalko (birthday) from Millie Mushalko.

Bonnie Czeslowski (anniversary) from Millie Mushalko and family.

David and Robert Dallatore and Cyril Menko (anniversary) from Mary Louise Menko.

Enoch and Gertrude Kroutch from George and Mary Kroutch.

Dennis Brittell from Bob and Jeanne Zavatski.

Helen Zavatski from Bob and Jeanne Zavatski.

Barbara Huber from Bob and Jeanne Zavatski.

Danny Lechner from Bob and Jeanne Zavatski.

Bill Leiby from Bob Zavatski.

Frank Rogutski (anniversary) from Sylvia Hynoskie, Joan Owens.

Sandy Politza from Douglas Pieri.

Albert Sebes from Douglas Pieri.

MANDATA ­- The teaching roster at Line Mountain Elementary School will be two names shorter during the 2015-16 school year.

The Line Mountain Board of Directors voted 8-0 at Tuesday's meeting to eliminate two elementary school teaching positions by not renewing nontenured teachers. Director David Bartholomew was absent.

Fifth grade teacher Jenna Kerstetter and second grade teacher Maria Getchey, both in their first year at the district, were selected for non-renewal. Superintendent David Campbell said the selection was based on seniority and not performance.

Kerstetter and Getchey were each on the first step of the pay scale, receiving a salary of $32,838. Board president Troy Laudenslager said the decrease in payroll was already calculated into the preliminary 2015-16 budget the board approved at the March 14 meeting.

Campbell cited a drastic decrease in enrollment at the elementary school as the reason for the elimination of the positions. The outgoing fourth grade class, which will transition to the middle school at the end of the school year, had 100 students while the incoming kindergarten class will have just more than 60.

Though the school will have two fewer teachers, the number of classes with 20 or more students will drop by four, Campbell said. The kindergarten classes will have 15 or 16 students each.

Donald Ferster, of Dalmatia, voiced concerns over a change from an eight to a seven period day at the high school.

Ferster said he was shocked by the change in schedule and worried the decrease in the number of classes per day would prevent his son from enrolling in as many electives.

Campbell said he planned to address the board and public at Tuesday's meeting about the change, which was made to better accommodate teacher planning periods and increase time in core subject classes. He said all teachers would now have the beginning of the day as a planning period and then teach for seven straight periods.

Though the change appears to eliminate classes, Campbell said, it actually will not because the planning periods of all teachers are just being shifted to the time slot of the first period of the eight period schedule.

But Ferster was concerned with all planning periods aligned his son would have fewer time slots to schedule, creating more conflicts. He was particularly concerned with conflicts between elective classes like band, chorus and shop. His son has been successful in competitions within some of these electives, and he feared preventing in-school lessons would keep students from similar opportunities.

"If you don't have some of that training during the day, you miss out on that opportunity," Ferster said.

Campbell responded he did not think there would be increased conflicts with the new schedule structure. Conflicts have always existed for students, he said, and the administration works diligently to unsnarl complicated schedules to ensure students can take as many of the classes they request as possible.

"We're accommodating schedules until the first day of school and the first two weeks of school," Campbell said.

Campbell invited Ferster to a meeting with members of the administration to discuss the specific issues of his son's schedule.

Tom Aber

Age: 70

Residence: Milton

Family: Two grown children, Tami and Christopher, who live in Texas.

Education: Graduate of Milton High School.

Occupation: Retired. Former housing inspector for Northumberland County Housing Authority; former Milton tax assessor; former building supervisor/administrator for Milton Area School District

Early dismissal

COAL TOWNSHIP - An Act 80 Day is scheduled for Wednesday at the Shamokin Area School District.

The middle/high school will dismiss at 12:18 p.m. The elementary school will dismiss at 12:45 p.m. K-4 PM students will have class.

Food distribution Saturday

MOUNT CARMEL - Mount Carmel Borough Food Pantry will distribute food from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at Notary Shop, 215 S. Oak St., for borough residents who signed up in the past.

Residents of the Mount Carmel Mid Rise are asked to meet in the lobby for 8:45 a.m.

Residents of Willow Court are asked to meet in the lobby at 11 a.m.

Participants are asked to bring bags, which are no longer available from the food pantry.

(The incorrect date was listed in Tuesday's edition. The News-Item apologizes for the error.)

Job fair scheduled for Thursday

PAXINOS - Employers, educational institutions and government agencies have registered for the area's annual spring job fair, set for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday at Masser's Banquet Hall, Route 61 and 487.

The job fair is sponsored by Pennsylvania CareerLink Northumberland/Snyder/Union Counties, Brush Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce, and Central Susquehanna Opportunities Inc. (CSO).

Admission is free, and attendees should bring copies of their resumes. Participants will meet with area employers, discuss job opportunities and obtain training information.

Some of the attendees include Reinhart Food Service, Strong Industries, PA State Civil Service Commission, McCann, National Ticket Company, Weis Markets, HCR Manor Care, Furmano Foods, Keystone Human Services, Knoebels Amusement Resort, Mountain View Nursing and Rehabilitation, Central Susquehanna Opportunities Inc./Community Action Agency, Geisinger Health System, My Home Health Care LLC, PHEAA (Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency), ShaleNET-Penn College, Dempsey Uniform and Linen Supply, Bayada Home Health Care, Michael Foods d/b/a Papetti's, U. S. Army/Army Reserve, Professional Drivers Academy, Milton Transportation, Inc., Triangle Tech, Community Services Group, Keystone Staffing, Dominos Pizza, Job Corps Admissions-Horizons Youth Services, Helpmates, Inc., Hepco Construction Inc., UCP Capital Home Care, Longhorn Steakhouse, Pennsylvania CareerLink and the Brush Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce.

SHAMOKIN - A 20-year-old student at Northwestern Academy charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old male academy resident in December was held for court Tuesday on a felony of corruption of minors and misdemeanor of indecent exposure.

Michael Sprenkle, formerly of Middleburg, was ordered by Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III to appear for a pre-trial conference July 10 in the Court of Common Pleas following a 15-minute preliminary hearing that included testimony from the victim and arresting officer.

The 14-year-old lived in the same dormitory as the defendant when the offenses allegedly occurred between Dec. 1 and Dec. 15. The victim told the court he "acted out sexually" with Sprenkle, who told him "to sit back and relax" when they exposed their genitals to each other from the windows on their dormitory doors.

The juvenile, who admitted engaging in similar sexual acts with two other students, said Sprenkle "started" the incidents by asking him to show him his penis. The victim said he was "aroused" by the incidents.

The victim said Sprenkle also served as a "lookout" when he engaged in oral sex with a co-defendant, Daniel R. Amarose, 18, formerly of Atlas, in a bathroom at the academy.

Hashuga testified that the defendant, who was 19 at the time of the offenses, denied the allegations during an interview.

Defense attorney James Best requested Gembic to dismiss both charges due to lack of evidence.

He said the acts, although disturbing, were not criminal. Best said the victim testified that he was aroused by the sexual acts and didn't object to them. "This was consensual homosexual conduct," he said.

Assistant district attorney Michael Toomey argued that Sprenkle intended to corrupt the morals of a minor and enticed the victim into committing the acts.

Gembic said the age difference between the defendant and victim is the key to the charges being filed even though the acts were consensual according to the testimony. "The law is the law when it involves minors," he said.

Best and Toomey reserved comment about the judge's ruling.

Amarose was charged by Hashuga with felonies of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, statutory sexual assault and corruption of minors, and a misdemeanor of indecent assault for allegedly performing oral sex on the minor Dec. 10 in a bathroom in the intermediate secure unit at the academy.

He previously waived his right to a preliminary hearing before Gembic.

Police said Sprenkle and Amarose were previously adjudicated for sexual assault in Snyder County and Northumberland County, respectively. The victim was previously adjudicated for sexual assault in Lancaster County, according to police.

At their arraignments before Gembic, Sprenkle and Amarose were released on $5,000 unsecured bail each and returned to Northwestern Academy, where they were placed in separate units to avoid contact with each other and the victim.

Editor's note: One in a series of interviews with the eight candidates for Northumberland County commissioner.

Tom Aber sees low employee morale as one of the most pressing problems the next board of Northumberland County commissioners will face.

"Morale is at a low point, and it has to be corrected," said Aber, 70, of Milton, one of five candidates running in the Democratic primary. "We have to turn it around. It's important to treat people with respect." Aber believes employees do not get proper credit for the contributions they make in carrying out the many and varied functions of county government.

Elimination of county programs contributes to the decline in morale, Aber believes. He is convinced the current commissioners made a serious mistake in eliminating the county weatherization department and deciding the functions will be operated by SEDA-COG as part of a regional program.

"The people who work in the county weatherization department did a good job, and I'm not sure county residents will be as well-served by SEDA-COG," he remarked. "Keep in mind the closure of the department will affect the livelihood of seven families. I don't like to think of anyone being forced into unemployment."

Aber is opposed to any proposals to eliminate county human service agencies. He said the only problem with agencies such as Aging and Children and Youth is that direct care workers are overwhelmed by the increased workload. Such difficulties can be corrected, he believes, and he favors continuation of these services at the county level.

Aber is himself a product of the foster care system, having lived in four different foster homes after the age of 12. So, he said, he is particularly sensitive to the needs of children.

Prison, courthouse

Aber doesn't believe the commissioners are anywhere near close to having the information they need to make a responsible decision about what to do about building a new county prison and, in fact, he thinks the decision should be deferred until the new board takes office next year.

"We should be cautious and not rush into anything," Aber said. "The insurance company hasn't even told the county yet how much money it will be getting (from the fire)."

He said he realizes there is a lot to consider. If the county contemplated trying to fix the old prison, it would have to bring the structure up to code. Aber doesn't favor purchasing the former Celotex site in Sunbury as a location for a new prison, and he is opposed to any plan that will result in a tax increase. A regionalized prison is among the options that should be considered he said.

Aber is strenuously opposed to building a new courthouse. "Why should we even consider rebuilding? The courthouse is a beautiful building," he said.

Aber concedes if the county does not build a new courthouse, the existing one does need renovations. Costs for such a project must be carefully considered, he believes, but he suggests that any work that is needed could proceed in stages. A recent walk-through the courthouse building convinced Aber there is sufficient vacant space upstairs to temporarily relocate one or two offices while renovations are under way in the permanent work spaces,

He also identifies the 9-1-1 center as a major issue. Because the center is so vital to public safety, it's important, Aber said, to make sure the equipment is up to date and keep state lawmakers informed about funding concerns. "Commissioners should eventually look to regionalization," he added.

Aber said he is strong supporter of the Susquehanna Valley Community Education Project that is working to place a community college in the region.

Aber believes that everyone, county commissioners included, have a role to play in promoting economic development. "Everyone has to help. The more people who are involved, the better," he said. Commissioners should reach out to other entities, such as the chambers of commerce and SEDA-COG, to work together, Aber suggested. He added that, most importantly, prospective new businesses and industries must be made aware of all that Northumberland County has to offer.

Second time around

This is Aber's second campaign for county commissioner. In 2011, he ran unsuccessfully in the Republican primary. In the meantime, dissatisfaction with the record of the Corbett administration prompted him to change his party affiliation to Democrat.

Aber said his initiation into county election politics was a learning experience for him and he is conducting a more polished effort in this campaign. Although he knows quite a few people in the coal region from his many years as a softball and basketball official, he has recognized the need to spend more time here as well as all other geographical areas of the county.

Wanting to learn as much as he could about county government, Aber said he attended all but one of the board of commissioners' regular public meetings the past two years. In the current campaign, Aber has tried to do a better job "marketing" himself, so people throughout the county get to know him a bit better and are aware of where he stands on the issues.

Aber said he has enjoyed getting to know other commissioner candidates during joint appearances on the campaign trail and added he would be proud to be a running mate of any of the four other Democrats who are on the ballot. "All of them are qualified, and we would certainly do a better job than what we have now," he said. The present commissioners, he observed, have shown an inability to work together.

Full-time service

Aber formerly served as Milton tax assessor and as a housing inspector for the Northumberland County Housing Authority. Because he is retired, Aber said he has time to be a full-time commissioner. He said he intends to do just that, despite the fact that the salary for the position has been reduced from $61,000 to $36,000 per year. He joked that, with him, the public would be getting "full-time service for just about half the price."

Aber, stressing the importance of public accessibility, favors an open door policy for commissioners during the normal operating hours of the administration center. He believes there should be at least one commissioner in the office at all times.

Aber said he is troubled by the rash of lawsuits that have been filed against the county during the current administration, and vows that this will change under his watch. He has shown through his experiences in the workplace and as a sports official that he can work well with anybody, he said. "We can't have one guy trying to run the whole thing," he added. "It's just not going to work."

Susquehanna Valley gas prices have risen 8 cents to $2.733 a gallon over the past week, according to AAA East Central's Fuel Gauge report. The national average was $2.536 Tuesday.

On the national front

The national average price for regular unleaded gasoline climbed above $2.50 per gallon late last week for the first time in more than four months. Average prices have now increased by 15 cents per gallon in just two weeks. This recent increase has been the product of rising global crude prices, the seasonal switch to summer-blend gasoline and regional refinery issues, particularly on the West Coast. The national average continues to reflect a significant discount of $1.16 per gallon in comparison to this same date last year.

The deadline for terminals to switchover to summer-grade gasoline is May 1. Select markets that require reformulated gasoline or experience localized refinery issues may see prices move more dramatically in the spring. Following the transition to summer-blend gasoline and as refineries complete seasonal maintenance, the national average may return to below $2.50 per gallon, though much of the forecast will depend on what happens with the cost of crude oil.

Global crude oil prices rose again last week due to geopolitical tensions in Yemen and the declining strength of the U.S. dollar. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil finished at its highest price in approximately four months and Brent Crude also posted weekly gains. At the close of Friday's formal trading on the NYMEX, WTI settled down 59 cents at $57.15 per barrel.

(AAA East Central is a not-for-profit association with 83 local offices in Kentucky, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia serving 2.7 million members.)

Elizabethtown College

ELIZABETHTOWN - Christine Mrozek, a senior at Elizabethtown College was honored as a distinguished student at this year's 37th annual awards ceremony held April 15 in the Leffler Chapel and Performance Center.

She received the Points of Distinction Scholar Award, which was presented by the president of Elizabethtown College, Dr. Carl Strikwerda. Mrozek was chosen based on effective integration of the four attributes of an Elizabethtown College education - relationship-centered learning, international and cross-cultural perspectives, real-world learning and purposeful life work.

During the Elizabethtown College Department of Biology 2015 Awards Banquet April 14, Mrozek also received a Departmental Honors Award and Outstanding Academic Achievement Award, which is given to senior biology majors who have a cumulative grade point average higher than 3.5.

A 2011 graduate of Mount Carmel Area High School, Mrozek is a daughter of Raymond and Maribeth Mrozek, of Kulpmont, the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Wanzie and Clara Mrozek, of Kulpmont, and the late Alex Mrozek. She is majoring in biology/pre-med and minoring in Spanish and studio art.

SHAMOKIN - A Shamokin man representing himself at a preliminary hearing Tuesday on assault charges cut short his wife's testimony by admitting to the offenses and telling Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III that he wanted to have the case resolved as quickly as possible.

Raymond "Pepe" Burns, 54, of 122 E. Arch St., was held for court on two counts of simple assault and one count of harassment by his own admission after interrupting his wife's testimony. The charges were filed by Shamokin Patrolman Scott Weaver.

Burns, who waived his right to legal counsel, told Gembic the hearing did not have to proceed any further because he agreed with his wife's account of what happened during an April 19 disturbance at their residence.

The defendant told the judge he doesn't have any animosity toward his wife and would be willing to avoid having contact with her.

His wife, Melissa Burns, was testifying how her husband assaulted her and that she was planning to file for divorce when the defendant interjected his thoughts on the issue.

The unusual admission of guilt by the defendant during the proceeding prompted Gembic to send the case to the Court of Common of Pleas and order Burns to appear for a pre-trial conference July 10 at Northumberland County Courthouse.

Police allege that Burns came home intoxicated and got into a fight with his wife before picking up his boot and throwing it at her, breaking a kitchen window. His wife tried to flee, but Burns struck her several times, causing injuries to her hands as she defended herself, according to police. She got in her car and drove away, damaging their garage door before Burns grabbed a pair of hedge clippers and came at her, breaking the car's mirror off. He fled the scene before being apprehended by police a short time later.

Burns was recommitted to SCI-Coal Township in lieu of $5,000 cash bail.

SUNBURY - The Northumberland County district attorney's office received a call from a Milton woman who had been victimized by a scammer posing as a representative of the Publisher's Clearing House.

During the initial phone call to the victim last week, the male caller said the victim won a new Mercedes-Benz vehicle and a $450,000 cash prize.

To transfer the prizes to her, the caller asked the victim to pay shipping and handling fees of more than $1,000. The caller instructed her to purchase a "load card" from a local store. The victim was then instructed to put the funds on the card and read the numbers on the back of the card to the caller. Once the numbers were read, the caller had immediate access to the funds.

The victim claims the caller was extremely persistent and continued to call her over the course of several days requesting additional money from her to secure her prizes.

PAXINOS - It seemed appropriate that Tom Kutza would be invited back as the guest speaker to kick off the Coal Cracker's Club's 15th anniversary year.

If anyone had been a champion of the coal region, Kutza was through his decades at WISL Radio and later as Northumberland County's tourism director. Now retired, the Elysburg resident couldn't contain his pride while joining with 200 other Coal Crackers for an afternoon of reminiscing Wednesday at Masser's Banquet Hall.

"We are ..., " he said, starting the familiar Penn State chant, but changing the ending, "... coal crackers."

Joan and Mike Muskey, who have become the face of the club, were praised for the dedication they and other committee members have exhibited in organizing the club's three luncheons each year. Joan Muskey said she's still surprised at how successful the group has been after starting out as just a few people meeting for coffee.

"Today, I'm pretty proud," she said. "I never thought in my life that this organization would last this long."

As organizations go, there's not much to the Coal Cracker's Club. Members pay no dues, there are no officers and there are no formal meetings. But it seems the combination of pride, the chance to reminisce and enjoy great food are all anyone needs in coming back each year. Coal Cracker members - approximately 700 from 10 states - drive long distances for the chance to enjoy just a few hours of fellowship.

Memories revived

Kutza rattled off names of former stores and teenage hangouts and popular restaurants, eliciting groans of acknowledgement from the crowd. He spoke of the importance of being raised by "the best parents" in the world, of the Big Band and other music he enjoyed during his radio career, and of how thrilled he was when The News-Item helped him revive "Letters to Santa" on the Internet after WISL ceased operations.

"How gratifying it is to me to still be Santa Claus," he said.

A Mount Carmel native whose father, a Polish immigrant, worked the mines, Kutza exhibited his raw sense of humor, too, with a number of one-liners. He said he thought he'd have no problem with the tourism job because "my wife, Herma, has been telling me where to go for 53 years."

About one of the famous coal region haunts, Coney Island, he said people will blame one of their onion-laden burgers "and not the 20 beers they had" for getting sick.

And when Miss Universe came to town years ago to take part in the grand opening of Jamesway, Kutza said he passed on giving her flowers and instead picked six big zucchinis from his garden. She was thrilled, he said.

"No one had ever given her zucchinis before," he said to laughter.

Of the many people he interviewed in his radio days, Kutza said his favorite was Major League Baseball Hall of Famer and Shamokin native Stanley Coveleski.

"There's a coal cracker who never, ever forgot his roots," Kutza said.

And Kutza hasn't either, closing his speech with this line: "The most important thing to come out of a coal mine is a miner."

Coming home

Two other past speakers who were asked to address the 15th anniversary lunch were Garth Hall and Dave Dyer.

Hall, of Shamokin, said he was drawn back to his hometown 10 years ago after speaking at one of the early Coal Cracker events, realizing he was connected to the very history the club embodied, and that he had something to offer his hometown.

"I wanted to come home," he said.

He recalled presenting a plaque to fellow Coal Cracker Vince Mirack at a previous luncheon recognizing him as the "Sultan of Swat" at the old Garfield School in Shamokin for being able to hit a ball further than anyone else. It wasn't the plaque that touched Mirack that day, it was that "somebody remembered," Hall said.

Dyer, of Elysburg, told how when Coal Crackers leave the luncheon, "they go out of here with a really great feeling."

He spoke of the Muskeys having a dream to form the club. "Look what it turned into," he said.

Dyer's wife, Alice, then presented a check to the Muskeys for their favorite meals: lobster for Joan and t-bone steak for Mike, as a token of appreciation.

Proud day

The Muskeys passed the praise to others, specifically noting help from Jean and Dale Johnson. Other coordinators are Doris Bamford, Carl Crager, Glenn and Mabel Henninger, Ned and Jackie Miller, Duane Pasco, John and Joyce Schankweiler and Gary and Jan Thomas.

The luncheon reinforced an old adage that guides the Coal Cracker's Club: "If you make a friend in the Shamokin area, you have a friend for life."

Joan Muskey seemed to be thinking that as she looked out at a room filled with those friends as she wrapped up the event.

"I'm so proud," she said.

MOUNT CARMEL - Anthracite Citizens Theatre (ACT) is well and hopefully not forgotten. After a short period of not entertaining the Mount Carmel area, ACT is back with upcoming shows and further information.

Founded in 1991 by Ronnie Scicchitano, of Atlas, ACT has done many productions over the years. Ranging from dinner theatres, grand summer musical productions, to variety shows, they were all produced for the public's enjoyment and participation.

ACT announced plans to hold auditions for its next show, "Coal Region's Got Talent." The premise of the show is something the organization has never done before, but the reason is still the same - showing off the area's talent.

ACT is hoping it will involve many people from Mount Carmel and surrounding communities. If you can sing, dance, do a comedy skit, play an instrument, cheer/dance/gymnastic routine, or have any talent. ACT wants to give you 10 minutes of fame on their stage.

Auditions will be held in the First United Methodist Church, 46 N. Hickory St., Mount Carmel, at 4 p.m. Saturday, May 16, and 6 p.m. on Sunday, May 17. Vic Boris will be pianist, when needed.

"Coal Region's Got Talent," is tentatively scheduled for 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 7.

For more information about the show, call 570-276-6603 or check out ACT's website at www.acttheatre.org, and also find out about past productions.