SHAMOKIN - The annual Brush Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce Duck Drop will be held Saturday.

Starting at 12:30 p.m., the ducks will be dropped in Shamokin Creek behind the OIP Restaurant. The race will end at Claude Kehler Community Park, where representatives from the chamber and Shamokin Creek Restoration Alliance will catch the ducks and determine the winners.

A purchase of one $5 ticket gives the buyer one rubber duck to race down the creek. Three top prizes for the fastest ducks will be $300, $200 and $100.

Tickets can be purchased by contacting the chamber office and will also be sold the day of the event.

The chamber thanks this year's sponsors: Family Home Medical, Olvany Insurance, Venesky Cremation Services, VNA Health Systems, Brewser's SportsGrille, Geisinger, Mother Cabrini Church, AREA Services, Housing Authority of Northumberland County, FNB Bank, M&T Bank, Academy Sports Center, Shimock's Furniture, Rock-N-Block, Knoebels, Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area, Pam Burns, Steve Minker, Chris and Tara Venna, Corinne Betzko, First Columbia Bank and Schicky's Wings N Things.

2015 Northumberland County Fair

Wednesday, Aug. 19

Fair open 3 to 9 p.m.

3 to 5 p.m. - Performance by Jim the Singing Mailman.

7 p.m. - Garden tractor pull.

6 to 8 p.m. - Performance by Van Wagner.

Thursday, Aug. 20

Fair open 3 to 9 p.m.,

1 p.m. - Judging of fruit, flowers, vegetables and baked goods.

3 p.m. - Farm animal educational exhibit opens for the duration of the fair.

3 to 5 p.m. - Performance by Jay Smar.

6 to 7 p.m. and 8 to 9 p.m. - Performance by Randall-Ginley Band.

7 p.m. - Sale of baked goods.

7 to 8 p.m. - Speech demonstrations, illustrated talks and public speaking by youth under 19.

Friday Aug. 21

Fair open 3 to 10 p.m.

1 p.m. - Judging of remainder of entries.

3 to 5 p.m. - Performance by K.J. Reimensnyder-Wagner.

5 p.m. - Beef cattle show.

6 p.m. - Pet parade registration.

6 to 7 p.m. and 8 to 9 p.m. - Performances by the Mid-Life Cowboys Band.

6:30 p.m. - Pet costume contest and parade.

7 p.m. - Pedal tractor pull (part of farmer's triathlon).

Running until dark - Bale throwing and bale stacking (part of farmer's triathlon).

Saturday, Aug. 22

Fair open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Rabbit and guinea pig show, horse show riding demonstration and competitions all day.

10 a.m. - Sheep and market goat show.

Noon - ADGA sanctioned dairy goat show with adult showmanship following.

Noon to 2 p.m. - Performance by Tim Latshaw.

2 to 5 p.m. - Area high school band competition.

5 p.m. - Bale throwing and bale stacking (part of farmer's triathlon.)

6 to 9 p.m. - Performance by The Frank Wicher Band.

9 p.m. approximately - Fireworks display.

Shamokin-Coal Township

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

Tuesday - Morning cards, 8:30 a.m.; walk a mile, 9:30 a.m.; game show, 11 a.m.; world news, noon; bridge, noon.

Wednesday - Morning cards, 8:30 a.m.; bridge lessons, 9:30 a.m.; Wii bowling, 10 a.m.; pinochle and Pokeno, noon.

Thursday - Morning cards, 8:30 a.m.; walk a mile, 9:30 a.m.; Wii bowling, 10 a.m.; game show, 11 a.m.; nickel bingo, 12:30 p.m.

Friday - Morning cards, puzzles and shuffleboard, 8:30 a.m.; Wii bowling, 10 a.m.; game show, 11 a.m.; nickel bingo, noon.

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

Mount Carmel

Monday - Board games, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; Pokeno, 1 p.m.

Tuesday - Wii games, 10 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; unlucky 7s and pinochle, 12:30 p.m.

Wednesday - Board games, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; nickel bingo, 1 p.m.

Thursday - Wii games, 9 a.m.; make and take craft, 10 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; pinochle or unlucky 7s, 12:30 p.m.

Friday - Morning talk show, coffee and laughs, 9 a.m.; exercise, 10 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; Pokeno, 1 p.m.

Kulpmont

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

Tuesday - Music and coffee in the morning; hand held games, 10 a.m.; cards, noon; bowling, 12:30 p.m.

Wednesday - Games and music in the morning; exercise, 10 a.m.; bowling, 11 a.m.; LCR, 12:30 p.m.

Thursday - Puzzles in the morning; bean bag, 10 a.m.; bowling, 11 a.m.; bingo, 12:30 p.m.

Friday - Do your own thing in the morning; question and answer session with Attorney Varano, noon; nickel bingo, 12:30 p.m.

Centralia- Wilburton

Monday - Coffee and current events from the local newspaper, 9 a.m.; Pokeno, 10:30 a.m.; bingo, 12:30 p.m.

Tuesday - Coffee and muffins, 9 a.m.; chair exercise with Carol, 10:30 a.m.; bingo, 12:30 p.m.

Wednesday - Coffee and snacks, 9 a.m.; pinochle and Pokeno, 10:30 a.m.; trivia, 12:30 p.m.

Thursday - Center closed. Trip to Catawissa center to hear talk on managing vitamins and supplements while taking prescription medications.

Friday - Fun Friday! Open activities.

Elysburg

Monday - Healthy Steps, 8:30 a.m.; royal rummy, 10 a.m.; Pokeno, 11:30 a.m.

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

Friday - Crafts, 9:30 a.m.; pinochle, noon.

Trevorton

Monday - Members breakfast, 8:30 a.m.; Wii bowling, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:30 a.m.; shopping at Walmart, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Pokeno or pinochle, 12:30 p.m.; evening card party, 7 p.m.

Tuesday - Exercise, 10 a.m.; Rummikub, 10:30 a.m.; pinochle, 12:30 p.m.; evening bingo, 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday - Exercise, 9:30 a.m.; Scrabble, 10:30 a.m.; Pokeno, 12:30 p.m.; trip to the marina, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Thursday - Exercise, 10 a.m.; Uno, 10:30 p.m.; pinochle, 12:30 p.m.

Friday - Wii games, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:30 a.m.; bingo, 12:30 p.m.

SHAMOKIN - The Lawton W. Shroyer Memorial Pool will host a Family Olympics day Sunday.

The pool will be open from noon to 7 p.m., an hour longer than usual.

Throughout the day, families can compete in various games and swimming activities and collect points. Smaller prizes will be awarded throughout the day, but two scooters will be awarded as the grand prizes.

Families don't need to be at the pool all day or at the close of the competition.

Boppin' With the Big Guys DJ will donate its services, as it did for Tuesday's Family Fun Night.

Unlike Tuesday night, season passes will be accepted Sunday, and admission will be by regular price ($6 for adults; $4 for students 5 to 17; and $3 for children 2 to 4.)

SHAMOKIN - City police took no chances after they were alerted to a suspicious device on the porch of a Sunbury Street (Route 61) home Wednesday morning. They called in rescue units, detoured traffic and cordoned off a three-block radius.

In the end, the device turned out to be a homemade Wi-Fi antenna.

"Disaster averted," Shamokin City Police Chief Darwin Tobias III said as the 90-minute episode ended.

Tobias said police were called to 138 E. Sunbury St. when a passerby noticed the rudimentary device. It included a peeled apart soda can that served as a wobbly base holding a second, intact soda can, an empty Coke. A black wire that appeared to be taped to the top of the full can fed into the home from the porch.

Police arrived at 9:42 a.m. and, upon seeing the object, called in fire engines and code enforcement as a precaution, using caution tape to seal off the houses from 134 to 140 E. Sunbury St.. Fire police shut down Sunbury Street from Commerce to Ninth streets.

Tobias said other police officers were traveling to help police with the situation. The chief later said that bomb squad officer from the Reading City Police Department and an explosives-detecting dog with the Berks County Sheriff's Department were en route.

While waiting, officers traced the wire to the back of the double home of 138-140 E. Sunbury St., and noticed it was attached to a computer.

Soon thereafter, Nichola Hart, who lives at 140 E. Sunbury St., came outside and told police the object was something her son built about a month ago for Internet access. Police had knocked on the doors earlier, but no one had emerged.

City Police Patrolman Ray Siko II said it was "a homemade device designed to receive a Wi-Fi signal."

Once it was cut open, an electronic device, no bigger than a keychain, was returned to Hart.

Reading police officers, who were halfway between their city and Shamokin, were called off. The highway was reopened and the police tape was taken down by 11:10 a.m.

"We're glad the situation resolved itself with no damage or incident," Tobias said.

Siko said no charges will be filed and the investigation is closed.

Assisting police and fire police were two Shamokin fire crews, code enforcement and street department personnel and the Northumberland County Emergency Management Agency, which coordinated communications with police.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-Pa.) on Wednesday introduced the Access to Healthy Foods for Young Children Act, which he said would help more vulnerable children in Pennsylvania and across the nation in home daycare programs access healthy, nutritious food.

Currently, children in home daycare programs can access food assistance when 50 percent of their neighborhood, as calculated by Census or school data, is eligible for free or reduced price lunch at school. Casey's legislation would lower the threshold to 40 percent. Another major provision of the legislation would allow daycare centers to serve third meals during the day for children who are there eight hours or more.

"If children have a healthy start, they learn more and then earn more when they grow up," Casey said. "Our nation has an abiding obligation to help our most vulnerable children get off to a strong and smart start and this bill does that."

The legislation would increase Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) reimbursements for child care centers and family child care providers by 10 cents per child per meal per tier to stem participation declines and improve nutrition. It would also increase the administrative reimbursement rate for CACFP sponsoring organizations by $5 per family child care home per month.

MILTON - The winning ticket to a $153 million annuity Mega Millions jackpot was sold at a Northumberland County truck stop.

At $91.7 million, the cash payout is the fourth-largest in Pennsylvania history.

The ticket was sold for the Tuesday drawing at Penn 80/Flying J Travel Plaza, 1460 N. Ridge Road, Limestoneville Exit 215 off Interstate 80. It correctly matched all five white balls, 20-30-62-65-74, plus the Megaball, 01. The retailer will receive a $100,000 bonus for selling the ticket.

The prize must be claimed and the ticket validated before the winner is identified. Pennsylvania Lottery Mega Millions winners have one year from the drawing date to claim prizes.

The Lottery encourages the holder of the winning ticket to sign the back of the ticket, call the Lottery at 717-702-8146 and file a claim at Lottery headquarters in Middletown, Dauphin County. Claims may be filed at Lottery headquarters Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Mega Millions tickets are sold in 44 states, Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Tickets are sold until 9:59 p.m. on drawing nights, Tuesdays and Fridays.

This is the Pennsylvania Lottery's second jackpot-winning Mega Millions ticket since joining the multi-state game in 2010. The first was a $149 million annuity value jackpot sold for the May 20, 2014, drawing. It was claimed several months later by a couple from the Pittsburgh area who took the $86.8 million cash prize.

In 2013-14, more than $21.2 million in Pennsylvania Lottery prizes was awarded to Northumberland County winners. The Lottery contributed more than $12.8 million to programs serving the county's older residents.

SUNBURY - Three members of the Libertarian Party filed nomination papers Wednesday to be listed on the general election ballot.

Both John Burd and Ed Quiggle Jr. are running for Northumberland County Commissioner, according to information from the county board of elections. Quiggle also seeks the sheriff's office. Dale Wolf is running for Shamokin Area School Board.

Barring any successful objections with the county court, all three will appear on the Nov. 3 ballot.

Independent candidates have until Aug. 3 to file nomination papers including signatures from county voters.

According to Alisha Herb, director of elections, 217 signatures are needed for the county positions and 100 for the school board. The Libertarians collected 331 signatures and filed jointly, Herb said.

Objections can be filed at the courthouse until Aug. 10. Examples include allegations that not enough signatures were collected, that some are duplicates or invalid. If a voter were to sign petitions for two candidates in the same race, the second signature would be invalid, Herb said.

"If there are no objections, they'll definitely go on the ballot," she said.

In the case of Quiggle who is seeking two positions, should the long shot win both slots it would be his choice which one to serve. Democratic candidate George Zalar is facing the same situation. He's up for both county commissioner and Coal Township commissioner.

The heads of the county's Democrat and Republican parties don't believe the Libertarians will impact the election, either by winning or by stealing away votes from other candidates.

"It's a distraction, but I don't think they have enough of a following to make a difference," said Rodger Babnew, county Democratic party chairman.

"Ross Perot, he screwed up the election by being an independent so you never know what they're going to do," said Elizabeth Kremer, county Republican party chair, referencing the 1992 presidential election. "I don't think they'll have much impact at all. They're not truly viable candidates."

Attempts to reach the Libertarian candidates for comment were unsuccessful.

Burd ran as a Libertarian against incumbent Republican state Rep. Kurt Masser in the 2014 election for the 107th Legislative District. He collected more than 3,100 votes in portions of three counties in the 107th, but didn't approach the 10,800-plus for Masser.

Quiggle previously lost a bid for Sunbury City Council.

NORTHUMBERLAND - Visitors to the Joseph Priestley House Sunday, Aug. 2, will be able to meet Benjamin Franklin and hear firsthand how he invented the lightning rod and once flew a kite during a thunderstorm to demonstrate that lightning was a form of electricity.

Franklin will be portrayed by Mile (Mike) Kochan, a living history interpreter who specializes in the technology of the 18th century.

Franklin's visit will occur during special Oxygen Day activities that commemorate Priestley's 1774 discovery of oxygen. The English scientist isolated and identified the gas while doing experiments in his English laboratory. Franklin's presentation will be repeated at intervals throughout the afternoon.

Ronald Blatchley, a retired chemistry teacher, will also portray Priestley, a renowned British scientist, political thinker and dissenting clergyman who lived in Northumberland from 1794 until his death in 1804. Best known for discovering oxygen, Priestley is credited with isolating eight gases.

Priestley's program will be conducted at 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. in the Pond Building on the grounds. Franklin's and Priestley's programs are suited for all ages, especially for youngsters interested in science.

Born in Boston in 1706, Franklin was 27 years old when Priestley was born in England in 1733. The two met in London and became friends despite the difference in their ages. Both men were deeply interested in electricity. Joseph Priestley's 1767 book, "The History and Present State of Electricity," contained a detailed description of Franklin's famous 1752 kite experiment. Scholars believe that the book contained details that Priestley probably obtained directly from Franklin.

Franklin died in 1790, four years before the Priestleys emigrated to Pennsylvania in 1794.

Oxygen Day will be sponsored by the Friends of the Joseph Priestley House.

Priestley House will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. with free admission, and visitors may tour the late 18th century Georgian house at their own pace. Guides wearing 18th century dress will greet them and answer questions.

Call 570-473-9474 or visit www.josephpriestleyhouse.org for more information.

The Friends of Joseph Priestley House is a not-for-profit membership organization established in partnership with the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. The organization promotes interest in Joseph Priestley and his work as well as in research and restoration of Priestley House. To accomplish these purposes the group provides educational programming and conducts fundraising activities.

Members receive free admission to Joseph Priestley House, discounted rates at special events and 10 percent discounts on purchases made at the gift center. The Friends are always seeking additional volunteers to staff the visitors center and conduct tours of the Priestley House Museum, which is located at 472 Priestley Ave., Northumberland.

Hepler reunion planned

PITMAN - A Hepler family reunion will be held Aug. 8 beginning with a memorial service at the grave of Revolutionary War soldier Casper Hepler at 10 a.m. in Zion's Cemetery.

The reunion, an annual event dating to 1931, will convene at the Mahantongo Fire Company. Dinner begins at noon. Reservations are $16, $7 for kids ages 7 to 12, and free for anyone under 7. "Brown baggers" are welcome. Activities include genealogy, socializing, entertainment, call of states and awards.

Please RSVP Mae Ann Rehrer by Aug. 2: 171 Amity Park Road, Birdsboro 19508, or 610-582-6914. For more information, call Tom Hepler at 856-866-1348 or email teh.himself@comcast.net.

Moderate hike planned at state park

BARNESVILLE - Naturalist, Robin Tracey, will be leading a moderate nine-mile hike on the Crow, Lake View and Spirit trails at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday at Tuscarora State Park. Participants are asked to meet in the Crow Trail parking lot off of Tuscarora Mountain Road. Call Robin at 570-467-2506 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. for more information or weather conditions. This is a dog-friendly hike, but all pets must be leashed and get along with other lets and people. Shine only.

BEAR GAP - Heavy fog contributed to a two-vehicle crash that sent a pickup truck rolling on Route 54 late Tuesday.

Ralpho Township Police said a 17-year-old Kulpmont girl traveling east on Airport Road at 10:40 p.m. failed to heed a stop sign and drove onto Route 54. Her SUV struck the driver's side of a westbound Toyota Tundra driven by Paul Ferguson, 39, of Milton.

Ferguson's vehicle rolled four times and came to rest on its passenger side, police said. He was trapped for about 30 minutes until he could be freed by emergency personnel.

"Due to heavy fog, visibility was at a minimum," police said.

The fog rolled in after storms associated with a cold front had moved through area earlier in the evening.

Firefighters removed the driver's side door and peeled back the roof of the Tundra to gain access to Ferguson. Elysburg firefighter Matt Dudeck crawled inside the cab at one point to administer aid.

According to police, Ferguson was transported to Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, for treatment following the crash, but the hospital had no record of his admittance Wednesday.

The teen driver and a 16-year-old female passenger, who were not identified by police, were treated at the scene by ambulance personnel. They were visibly upset as they were comforted by friends in a lawn along the highway while rescuers attended to Ferguson.

Airbags deployed in both vehicles, which suffered disabling damage and were towed. Assisting Ralpho police were Mount Carmel Township Police, Elysburg Fire and EMS, Overlook Fire Department and AREA Services.Emergency lights glow as fog that once covered all of Route 54 near All Saints Cemetery begins to lift following an accident Tuesday night.

NORTHUMBERLAND - SUN Home Hospice, a Geisinger service, is seeking volunteers. Free training will be provided from 1 to 3 p.m. Fridays, Sept. 11, 18 and 25 in Northumberland.

Volunteers are needed from all walks of life. Those who commit to hospice volunteering find it extremely rewarding. They help to add quality to patients' and their families' lives. Those willing to share their special talents, such as music, writing, craftiness or simply conversation, are especially needed. Volunteers are not asked to provide medical care.

The hospice concept is to provide care and dignity to those individuals with a life-limiting illness and to assist their families during and after this time. Hospice care is a loving way of keeping families together; it affirms life, emphasizing quality, not length. Hospice empowers patients to live fully, while including families and loved ones in giving care. Volunteers play a large part in making this happen.

SUN Home Hospice invites community members to consider joining its team as a hospice volunteer. Hospice volunteers are committed and compassionate people who are valuable members of the hospice team. If you are interested in volunteering or would like additional information, please contact Carrie Stine at clstine@sunhomehealth.com or 1-800-634-5232, extension 1450.

SUNBURY - Kids swim free Saturday at the Sunbury Community Pool as part of a promotion for Saturday night's WXWC4 pro-wrestling show at the city ice rink.

Free swimming begins at 10 a.m. at the pool, 1200 Memorial Drive, and lasts throughout the day, sponsored by the Spreading Antler's Children's Foundation.

The pro-wrestling event begins at 7 p.m. at the neighboring ice rink. Doors open at 6. Admission is $12; free for children 10 and under accompanied by a paid adult. Limited seating is available. Bring a lawn chair.

WXWC4, an independent wrestling federation based in Allentown, staged the "Rumble at the River" event on the Sunbury riverfront in June. The company is owned and operated by former WWE superstar and tag-team champion Headshrinker Samu. Samu comes from a long line of Samoan wrestlers, including Afa and Sika the wild Samoans, Yokozuna, Rakishi and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. Wrestlers will be appearing at the pool to swim and sign autographs throughout the day.

Tickets can be purchased at City Hall, 225 Market St., at the pool or at the door. For more information visit www.wxwc4.com.

SHAMOKIN - Three people have been charged with assault and two others were cited for summary offenses relating to a July 4 fight at First and Gowen streets that allegedly was prompted by fireworks set off in the neighborhood.

Michael Fantigrossi Jr., 51, of 1739 Pulaski Ave., Coal Township, his 45-year-old wife, Jennifer K. Fantigrossi, and Leo Mirolli, 44, of 138 S. First St., Shamokin, face a felony of riot and misdemeanors of simple assault, harassment and disorderly conduct. Michael Fantigrossi also is charged with a felony of aggravated assault.

Mirolli's wife, Kelly A. Mirolli, 38, and Donna M. Fisher, 45, of 131 S. First St., Shamokin, were cited for disorderly conduct and harassment, respectively, in connection with the 10:45 p.m. melee that broke out after they had watched the public fireworks display.

All the charges were filed by Shamokin Patrolman Mark Costa.

According to criminal complaints filed Thursday at the office of Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III, police were dispatched for a fight involving a large group of people, several of whom were heard yelling and cursing. Officers were able to calm down the crowd before speaking to the primary individuals involved.

Fireworks hit house

Scott Fisher, husband of Donna Fisher, told police he had been sitting with friends in an alley near his residence watching the public fireworks while the Mirolli family was a hosting a party at their home across the street. Fisher claimed people at the party had been drinking and lighting fireworks in the street all evening.

At times, Fisher said, sparks, debris and rockets had landed on or near his house. He also said someone had lit off a rocket right in front of his residence that shot over his roof. Thinking the rocket had burned out, Fisher said he kicked it over, causing it to shoot west on Gowen Street.

Several minutes later, Fisher said he was approached by a group of people and was struck in the face by Leo Mirolli before being punched several more times, causing him to fall to the ground. Fisher told police Michael Fantigrossi then kicked him in the face and head three times while he was lying on the ground. Fisher suffered two swollen eyes and scratches on his neck. His shirt was torn.

Prior to the fight, Donna Fisher said she had approached people at Mirolli's home several times during the evening, asking them to stop shooting rockets toward her house, but she claimed they refused to do so and began cursing her.

Police said Donna Fisher, who claimed the fight started when Leo Mirolli struck her husband in the face, was allegedly grabbed by the hair, pushed and punched in the face by Jennifer Fantigrossi.

Donna Fisher is accused of hitting Leo Mirolli in the face, causing his glasses to fall on the ground.

Kelly Mirolli is charged with fighting in the street.

Leo and Kelly Mirolli told police they had been watching the public fireworks display with friends when Scott Fisher threw lighted fireworks into a crowd of people who were sitting in front of their home, which is located approximately half a block south of the Fisher house. When they approached the Fisher residence, the Mirollis said Donna Fisher ran at Leo Mirolli and struck him in the face, while Scott Fisher placed his hands on Jennifer Fantigrossi, which caused the fight to erupt.

Police said Jennifer Fantigrossi continued to yell and curse at the Fishers.

Costa said he viewed several angles of video surveillance of the disturbance before filing the charges.

Not first fight

The July 4 fight wasn't the first time the Mirollis and Fishers have been involved in a disturbance.

Their long-running neighborhood dispute turned political in August 2013 when Leo Mirolli, who was running against incumbent James Kelley for county coroner at the time, accused the Fishers of harassing him and his family.

Leo Mirolli said the incidents had mostly been confined to the theft of political signs of both candidates before someone fired two bolts from a crossbow into the side of his swimming pool, causing more than $1,000 damage.

TORONTO - A Coal Township native and grandson of a coal miner has risen through the ranks of the energy industry and will helm one of the largest electricity generation companies in Canada.

Jeff Lyash was named president and CEO of Ontario Power Generation, an electricity generation company that supplies more than 17,000 megawatts of electricity to Ontario Province, Canda, from 70 power stations and two wind turbines.

Lyash, a 1979 graduate of Our Lady of Lourdes Regional High School, earned his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Drexel University before returning to the area to get his start in the energy business with a job at PPL.

Though Lyash comes from a coal mining background, he moved into nuclear energy. He worked for the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission before joining Progress Energy, which operates several nuclear power plants. He currently serves on the board of directors for the Nuclear Energy Institute,

From 1993 to 2012, Lyash worked his way up the ranks at Progress Energy, starting at the Brunswick Nuclear Plant in Southport, N.C., and concluding as an Executive Vice President of Energy Supply, where he oversaw Progress Energy's diverse 22,000-megawatt fleet of generating sources that includes nuclear, coal, oil, natural gas and hydroelectric stations. He then joined Duke Energy as executive vice president of energy supply, and shortly thereafter left when Duke Energy merged with Progress Energy.

Most recently, Lyash was the president of CB&I Power, headquartered in Charlotte, N.C.

As the president and CEO of Ontario Power Generation, Lyash will oversee more than half the energy used by Ontario Province, Canada.

Ontario Power Generation phased out coal generation in 2014, resulting in its generation being 99.7 percenet free of greenhouse gas and smog-causing emissions. The company's portfolio includes two nuclear power stations, 65 hydroelectric power stations on 24 river systems, two biomass power stations, a thermal power station and two wind power turbines.

WASHINGTON - U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta, R-11, on Thursday supported the passage of legislation that "ensures that coal ash is disposed of and recycled in a way that preserves the environment and protects jobs as a result," according to a press release from his office.

Barletta cosponsored and voted for H.R. 1734, the Improving Coal Combustion Residuals Regulation Act of 2015, which clarifies uncertainties in Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rules and makes certain that coal ash can be continued to be used in products like concrete and drywall. Coal ash is a byproduct of coal combustion and has consistently been classified by the EPA as non-hazardous material. It's been used in mine reclamation projects in eastern Northumberland County.

"Our region of Pennsylvania was built on the coal industry, and the resulting coal ash has always presented an environmental challenge and an opportunity for job creation," Barletta said. "By providing certainty in the regulation of coal ash, we are being stewards, and we know better how to manage it than federal government bureaucrats in Washington, D.C."

Manufacturers use coal ash in a variety of products, including concrete, drywall, roofing materials, bricks, filler material and fertilizer. There are an estimated 316,000 jobs nationally that are reliant on the use of coal ash, Barletta reported. He said clarifying the regulation of coal ash preserves those industries and includes the EPA in the process.

Because the EPA's final rule on coal ash was vague, the legislation establishes a state permit program for coal ash by clarifying the components of the rule. This will provide regulatory certainty for those involved in coal ash, and allow the EPA to review those state programs at any time. The legislation is supported by a wide range of interests, including labor unions, environmental groups, coal ash recyclers, utilities and business groups, Barletta said.

WILLIAMSPORT - The Williamsport Scottish Rite will present The Van-Dells performing "The History of Rock and Roll" at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7, in the Scottish Rite Auditorium, 348 Market St.

The Van-Dells are the nation's No. 1 tribute to 1950s and '60s rock 'n' roll, combining a unique blend of comedy, costumes and choreography. Tickets start at $25 and can be purchased at www.williamsportscottishrite.org or by calling 570-323-6194. Tickets may be purchased at the door, but it's advised to call ahead for preferred seating.

Dinner will be provided at 5:30 p.m. for those interested in a sit-down meal prior to the show. The menu includes baked chicken cordon bleu sandwich with puff pastry parasol, parsley buttered potatoes, sweet peas, dinner salad and strawberry shortcake parfait.

Reservations are needed by Tuesday, Aug. 4, for dinner, which is $17 per person, with tax and gratuity included. Call the number above.

There will be no refunds unless the performers cancel.

SUNBURY - A local businessman purchased a former meat packing plant in Irish Valley for $105,000 during Thursday's county judicial sale at the administration center.

Joe Gallina, of Elysburg, owner of the popular Original Italian Pizza in Shamokin and Elysburg, bought the former plant on Hollow Road from Aurora Enterprises. Efforts to reach Gallina for comment were unsuccessful.

The Shamokin Township property was one of 44 that sold for approximately $300,0000 at the sale coordinated by Jan Nestico, director of the county tax claims bureau.

Nestico said the purchase price of the property that formerly served as Clark's Meat Packing Company and AVA Pork was one of the highest at county judicial sales. A property at 229 W. Girard St., Atlas, sold for $951.59, which was the lowest sale Thursday.

Properties sold at judicial sales are clear of all tax and municipal claims, mortgages, liens, judgments, charges and estates of any kind.

Three other properties on Irish Valley Road in Shamokin Township sold for a total of $55,600.

Nestico said nine properties in Coal Township sold for a total of $19,299.06. Seven properties in Mount Carmel sold for $24,912.80, while seven more in Shamokin went for $11,228.53.

Three properties in Sunbury sold for $16,600, while three in Zerbe Township went for $6,467.46.

Two properties in Mount Carmel Township sold for $2,237.05, while one property in Point Township sold for $1,600.

Two properties in Delaware Township sold for $32,336.99. A property in Herndon sold for $5,000. Two properties in Kulpmont sold for $5,974.40 and two properties in Milton sold for $10,500.

A property in Marion Heights sold for $3,300.

Commissioner Chairman Vinny Clausi once again served as a volunteer auctioneer, which saved the county $30,000.

Clausi, who said Thursday was his last auction, estimated that he has saved the county more than $300,000 by serving as the auctioneer at sales over the years that have generated approximately $3 million for the county.

Also assisting was tax claims bureau solicitor Vincent V. Rovito.

SUNBURY - Low-level contaminants must be removed from the 22-acre former Moran Industries site before construction of a new county prison and work release center can occur on the property.

A preliminary environmental report from county consultant Apex Companies LLC revealed multiple issues, including a trench drainage system with standing water, a former lagoon that received processed discharge water and railroad ties used during fracking operations that were stockpiled at the property.

Daniel Spadoni, community relations coordinator for the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Williamsport, said the department was aware of the contaminants that existed long before the county purchased the property. He said the contaminants were from the former Knight-Celotex manufacturing plant.

In an email sent to The News-Item Thursday, Spadoni wrote, "This property has already gone through DEP's Act 2 Land Recycling Program and was approved for non-residential use by the department on Sept. 19, 2011."

Spadoni explained that Act 2 is a voluntary program that allows the landowner to receive a relief of liability on the property if certain standards are met. He said those standards vary based on the planned end use of the property.

Stricter standards

He added, "At least part of the former Celotex property is now being proposed for a new county prison, which is considered a residential use under Act 2 and our regulations. The site-specific soil cleanup standards for residential use are more stringent than non-residential use, which required the submission of a new Notice of Intent to Remediate (NIR) for the property. The proposed remediation is capping. This is historic contamination at relatively low levels. It is not new."

The county's NIR includes institutional and engineering controls for the areas of planned residential development.

Spadoni said DEP regulations allow for construction of a prison on the property.

"Everything is being done by the letter of the law to eliminate any environmental issues," Northumberland County Commissioner Stephen Bridy, who serves as chairman of the prison board, said Thursday. "We plan on doing this project right from the beginning."

Apex Companies LLC is continuing to conduct environmental studies at the site. Bridy said Apex officials have assured the county that environmental issues such as remediating soil contaminated with metals and polyaromatic hydrocarbons will be thoroughly addressed before construction begins in October.

Bridy said the remediation work, which is estimated to cost between $200,000 and $300,000, hopefully will take no more than a month. He said the county hopes to award a contract for remediation, which will include air monitoring and dust prevention, shortly after the public comment period about the prison project expires.

Public comment

The public has until Aug. 3 to submit any comments including environmental concerns to DEP. Submissions should be made to DEP at 208 W. Third St., Suite 101, Williamsport, Pa. 17701.

"There was nothing alarming found about the contaminants," Bridy said. "The site has been approved by DEP for industrial use for a long time."

Members of the Caketown Neighborhood Crime Watch in Sunbury, who are not opposed to building the prison at the site, have, however, expressed environmental concerns about the project. Former Sunbury resident Drake Saxton, who previously opposed Moran's activities at the site, may call for an injunction to halt the project because he claims the contaminants on the land will harm employees and inmates, he recently told The Daily Item.

8 acres

Bridy said the new prison and work release center, which will cover more than eight acres of the property, will not be in a flood zone. He said a section of the approximately 13 acres of property that will be used by the City of Sunbury may be in a flood plain.

The property encompasses several blocks in the northern end of Sunbury and a small section of land in Upper Augusta Township.

Bridy said the entire prison and work release center project will cost between $20 million and $35 million.

He said the new 90-cell prison will be designed for 260 inmates, but will be able to hold a capacity of more than 300 inmates. The county prison at 39 N. Second St., which was built in 1876, had a maximum inmate capacity of just under 300 before being extensively damaged by fire Jan. 14.

Since the fire, most of the male inmates have been housed at SCI-Coal Township while female inmates have been incarcerated at SCI-Muncy. Prisons in Snyder, Montour and other counties also have been used to house prisoners.

Earlier this month, the county completed its $2 million purchase of the site at 1400 Susquehanna Ave. Prior to being bought by Moran Industries in 2011, the property was home to the Knight-Celotex manufacturing plant.

Moran Industries Inc. is a third-party logistics company based in Watsontown that specializes in warehousing and distribution.

In May, Bridy and Commissioner Chairman Vinny Clausi agreed to enter into an agreement with JDM Acquisition LLC, an affiliate of Moran, to purchase the site. Commissioner Richard Shoch voted against the action.

Clausi previously said the county will essentially end up purchasing the property for "free" through an intergovernmental agreement with Sunbury, which was awarded $4 million from the state to redevelop the former industrial site for new and expanding businesses. The city and other municipalities were awarded state funding through a bill approved by legislators in 2013.

Clausi and Sunbury Mayor David Persing said county and city officials are continuing their negotiations to develop businesses at the property that will benefit the city and entire county.

SELINSGROVE - The new Courtyard Theater and the Valley Players will present the musical-comedy "Nunsense" in a two-week performance beginning at 7 p.m. today in Selinsgrove's Susquehanna Valley Mall.

The theater has arranged tables in place of its traditional seating and is now serving a buffet prepared by That Kitchen Witch Gourmet Catering of Lewisburg.

Tickets for dinner and the show are $35, and dinner reservations are required. Tickets for the play without the buffet are $16.

"Nunsense" is a laugh-filled international phenomenon. It ran off-Broadway for 10 years and 3,672 performances; and more than 25,000 women have appeared in its worldwide productions.

All the musical's characters are nuns Mother Superior is a former circus performer who can't resist the spotlight. Sister Mary Leo is determined to be the world's first ballerina nun. Sister Mary Amnesia lost her memory when a crucifix fell on her head and the others are just as wacky. The show includes solo star turns, madcap dance routines and an audience quiz.

Susan Diffenderfer, of Thompsontown, plays the mother-superior; Desirae Mausteller, of Williamsport, plays the ballerina nun; Kathi Beiter, of Danville, plays Sister Mary Amnesia; Lizz Hendricks, of Selinsgrove, is street-wise Sister Robert Anne, and Diane Pauling, of Lewisburg, is Sister Mary Hubert.

The nonprofit Valley Players will stage the show at the Courtyard Theater, with Joyce Hendricks directing the book and Diane Scott as the musical director.

"It's a dream cast," said Hendricks. "I needed five good women. That's all I needed, and I found them."

"Nunsense" will run this weekend and next with Friday and Saturday evening shows at 7 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Tickets can be bought by phone during afternoons and evenings by calling 570-374-0060 or online anytime at www.thecourtyardtheater.net.