SUNBURY - At the recent annual meeting of the Pennsylvania Conference of State Trial Judges, Judge Charles Saylor of Northumberland County was elected to the office of treasurer.

He was also recognized for being one of the authors of the update to the judge's handbook for the management of civil jury trials in Pennsylvania.

Saylor has been on the bench for 13 years. He will become President Judge of Northumberland County Jan. 4.

The Pennsylvania Conference of State Trial Judges is a statewide organization for all members of the judiciary.

SUNBURY - The machines were all tuned up, revved up, and lined up - all waiting for their chance at a "full pull."

About 25 competitors came to the Northumberland County Fair for its first-ever garden tractor pull.

The competitors, all part of the Mid-Penn Garden Tractor Pullers, brought their souped-up lawn mowers to the Tall Cedars Grove for the inaugural competition.

"We've got a good crowd here to participate and one to watch it all happen," fair president Matt Reader said.

Two classes of tractors, the 1,000-pound class, and the 1,100-pound class worked to pull the sled, weighing five times as much, down the 250-feet dirt-and-mud track. Reader said the opening night of the four-day fair was the perfect time for it.

"Most of the animals, like the sheep or the goats, are not here yet. The sounds of the engines would spook them," Reader said.

As the dirt track was readied for competition, the drivers worked on their machines, tuning engines and heading over to the scales, making sure their tractors made weight.

"The classes we have, the tractors and drivers must fit underneath that weight," said Ronnie Hauck, president of Mid-Penn. "If they are over, they don't compete."

When all was ready, the tractors got hooked up to the sled and made their way down the track, the 2 1/2 ton sled attached. As they got closer to the finish line, a box on the sled, holding even more weight, moved closer to the tractor. Soon the tractor's wheels dug into the packed dirt, ending the run.

Randy Kimmel, of West Cameron Township, brought two tractors to the event: a lighter version and a heavier one, called "Porkchop."

"I started with a lawn mower and just souped it up. I started with a rebuilt engine and went from there," Kimmel said.

When asked how much he has invested into his pulling tractors, Kimmel said it is about $12,000 each.

"The engine alone on the one was about $5,000," Kimmel said.

In his first pull with the lighter tractor, Kimmel had a pull of 221.34 feet, good enough for fourth place in the Stock 14-horsepower 1,000-pound class.

"It's the luck of the draw," Kimmel said. "I hate going this early in a rotation and when you got to the end, it's all mud, so it's very easy to get stuck."

Proving that anyone can compete in the event, the winner in Kimmel's class was eight-year-old Nolan Bubb, of Jersey Shore, with a "full pull" of 250 feet.

As the pullers went on, a large crowd started to gather on the sidelines watching the event. Some marveling at the machines, others just shrugging their shoulders.

"It must be a guy thing," one spectator said.

The Northumberland County Fair runs until Saturday evening. Thursday's attractions feature performances by the Randall-Ginley Band and the annual sale of the baked goods presented to be judged at the fair.

SUNBURY - A city juvenile has been charged with escape for trying to get away from juvenile probation officials after a hearing in Northumberland County Court Aug. 11.

County Detective Degg Stark charged the 17-year-old male with a felony account of criminal attempt to commit the crime of escape, and misdemeanor counts of resisting arrest and disorderly conduct Wednesday. The crimes stem from an altercation the youth had with authorities following a detention hearing before county President Judge William Wiest.

According to a release from the District Attorney's office, the male was told after the hearing to approach juvenile probation officials and prepare to be shackled, since the 17-year-old was already detained at Northwestern Academy, Coal Township. The juvenile refused and began to create a disturbance.

"The juvenile used both arms to force open the courtroom doors, made vulgar statements and then attempted to flee from custody," ," the release reads.

Lisa Donlan, a supervisor in the juvenile probation department who was in the courtroom that day, said the youth tried to run around the corner into the hallway between the two second-floor courtrooms. Juvenile probation officer Todd Nye grabbed the juvenile's shirt and the youth was tackled to the ground.

"After being taken to the floor, the juvenile continued to resist efforts to subdue him. Additional assistance arrived and the juvenile was taken into custody," the release reads.

The new charges against the 17-year-old male will be filed in Northumberland County Juvenile Court.

SUNBURY - A fugitive who assaulted a Sunbury police officer in 2012 has been captured through the efforts of the Northumberland County Sheriff's Office and the cost collections task force.

Sheriff Robert Wolfe reported Clayton J. Sheldon, 30, formerly of Susquehanna Avenue, Sunbury, was taken into custody Tuesday night by authorities in Wayne County, N.Y., where he is being held pending extradition to Pennsylvania.

If Sheldon refuses to waive his extradition rights, a governor's warrant would be needed to transport the defendant from New York to Northumberland County.

He is one of two fugitives whose pictures were added early this month to two billboards associated with the task force's efforts to locate wanted individuals.

"We are proud to say the sheriff's Facebook page was the link to his apprehension," Wolfe said Wednesday. "We received tips concerning Sheldon's whereabouts on our Facebook page. It was a private message that gave us his address and his mother's name where he was hiding in New York."

The sheriff added, "The cost collection team has put in a lot of time attempting to capture Sheldon. The system is definitely working for us."

Three different victims, dating to 2008, have protection from abuse orders filed against Sheldon, according to the sheriff's department.

Wolfe said Sheldon owes $10,440.58, including $5,738.48 in victim restitution, for drunk driving, simple assault and harassment in three cases between 2006 and 2012. Sheldon, who graduated from the county's behavioral court in April 2014, failed to appear for a revocation hearing May 7 before Northumberland County Judge Charles Saylor. Police said the hearing was scheduled after Sheldon failed to comply with conditions of his supervision after being sentenced to intermediate punishment. Those conditions included failure to pay fines, costs and restitution.

A bench warrant was issued for his arrest.

Sheldon is among 150 people wanted on bench warrants for failing to appear for court proceedings.

According to court documents, Sheldon was charged by Sunbury police with a felony of aggravated assault and misdemeanors of simple assault and resisting arrest in connection with a Dec. 3, 2012, disturbance at the former office of Magisterial District Judge Benjamin Apfelbaum on Market Street in Sunbury.

Police said Sheldon, who was being arraigned by Apfelbaum for violating a protection from abuse order, became angry when the judge didn't release him on his own recognizance and began to pound his fist on the side of a chair. Police reported Sheldon then struck Sunbury Cpl. Jamie Quinn on the left side of her face as the officer was attempting to handcuff him. Quinn had to use substantial force to subdue Sheldon and during the struggle, the defendant was shoved into courtroom benches, one of which was knocked over.

Quinn suffered soreness and a headache in the assault that occurred in Apfelbaum's presence.

On Aug. 10, fugitive Donald C. Anderson, 42, formerly of Mount Carmel, was taken into custody by Hamden police in Connecticut on outstanding warrants from Connecticut and Pennsylvania.

Anderson is wanted in Northumberland County for jumping bail in a pending criminal case from 2012 on accusations that he showed a 17-year-old girl a photo of his penis, harassed her through hundreds of text messages and attempted to establish a sexual relationship with her.

Anderson also was featured on the county's wanted billboards in Coal Township and Natalie. Tips received through the sheriff office's Facebook page and by telephone aided in his capture.

Anderson was arraigned Aug. 11 in Meriden Superior Court, Meriden, Conn., on charges of reckless endangerment and cruelty to persons stemming from a 2012 case.

He is being held on a combined $165,000 bail and is scheduled to appear in court in Meriden Sept. 9. Although he waived his extradition rights, it's unlikely Anderson will be brought before a Northumberland County judge until his Connecticut case is resolved, Wolfe said.

SHAMOKIN - The Shamokin Area Elementary School will host its annual Meet the Teacher Nights Wednesday and Thursday, Aug. 27.

Parents are invited to visit the child's classroom to not only meet the teachers, but also to learn more about the curriculum and school rules and policies.

"In this way, parents will have a better understanding of what happens in the classroom so that home and school can work together to make this a successful year for the children," elementary principal Sharon Slodysko said.

The presentation was started a few years ago with positive results for both parents and teachers. Kindergarten students and parents have already had the opportunity to "meet the teacher" and learn about the program.

A schedule has been created so that each grade is meeting at a different time or different date. Each session will begin with a presentation by the teacher at the time indicated and will last approximately 30 minutes. Parents are reminded that this program is designed as an information presentation, not just an open house visit.

The scheduled for "Meet the Teacher" night is as follows: Wednesday, Aug. 26 - second and third grade, 6 p.m., sixth grade, 7 p.m.; Thursday, Aug. 27, first grade, at annex, and fourth grade, 6 p.m., fifth grade, 7 p.m.

SUNBURY - Northumberland County District Attorney Ann Targonski's office has become aware of a new scam involving payday loans.

The caller informs an intended victim he has been approved for a payday loan. The caller then informs the victim that a $1 processing fee must be subtracted from a debit or credit card before the loan can be approved.

Once the numbers from the credit/debit card are provided to the caller, the bank account is drained of funds.

The DA said a victim from Northumberland County suffered a loss between $400 and $500.

Targonski encourages all residents to avoid providing information via the phone or Internet when they cannot clearly identify who is requesting the information. Residents should avoid providing personal information such as Social Security numbers to anyone not authorized to legally collect such information.

"These numbers should be kept private," Targonski said.

SUNBURY - A day after his clients had felony charges dismissed against them for lack of evidence in connection with a high-profile raid at their Sunbury home that netted $50,000 in drugs and cash, Attorney Greg Stuck said he hopes District Attorney Ann Targonski will be more "responsible" in future investigations.

When asked if he planned to sue anyone in the case that he claimed brought humiliation to Earl Adams Sr., 66, and his 50-year-old wife, Linda, Stuck said, "I'm keeping my legal options open."

During a preliminary hearing Tuesday, Magisterial District Judge Benjamin Apfelbaum dismissed felony counts of possession with intent to deliver marijuana and conspiracy against the Sunbury couple and their son's girlfriend, Cheyenne Ross, 21, who was represented by Attorney David Noon.

After listening to arguments from the defense attorneys and Assistant District Attorney Michael Toomey, the judge ruled not enough evidence was presented to send the case to the Court of Common Pleas in Sunbury.

Earl Adams Sr. pleaded no contest to possession of drug paraphernalia and was ordered to pay a $50 fine. That misdemeanor charge was added to the original criminal complaints filed by Patrolman Stephen Bennick against all three defendants, but was dismissed against Linda Adams and Ross.

The charges relate to an April 15 drug raid at 122 N. Fifth St. in which police found two pounds of marijuana, ecstasy and hashish. Several vehicles, a big screen television, a computer and camera belonging to Earl and Linda Adams also were seized.

Ploy for publicity

After the raid, Targonski held a press conference at Sunbury Police Station, where investigators spread the drugs and cash across a table.

Stuck claims the press conference was nothing but a ploy to get positive publicity for Targonski who is running for DA in the Nov. 3 general election against Attorney Tony Matulewicz, a former assistant in Targonski's office.

Stuck stated at the hearing, "We would note that a $50,000 alleged drug case has turned into a $50 fine."

He also claimed that some suspected drugs found in the home turned out to be catnip.

On Wednesday, Stuck said, "There was no confirmation about what actors were involved in drug dealing. Without more than constructive possession (drugs found in the home but not in possession of a person), the DA apparently authorized the unlawful taking of several vehicles, a big screen TV, computer and camera belonging to Earl and Linda Adams, who were not culpable of unlawful activities. Additionally, without more than constructive possession, their house was decimated during the search that resulted in estimated damage approaching $7,000."

DA responds

Targonski took offense to some of Stuck's comments.

"I am appalled that Attorney Stuck would accuse me of criminal activity by implying that I used my position as a DA to a hold a press conference to promote my office," she said.

She added, "The commonwealth respects the ruling of Judge Apfelbaum, but disagrees with his decision to find Earl and Linda Adams did not have constructive possession. All the drugs were recovered in multiple areas of their home. In my opinion, there was evidence to warrant constructive possession."

Targonski said the commonwealth plans to seek forfeiture of the cash recovered from the home, which she said comes close to matching the estimated amount of damage Stuck claimed was done to his clients' home during the raid.

"If nothing else, the commonwealth was able to remove all the illegal substances from the street," Targonski said.

The DA said she was not aware of the seizure of any catnip from the home.

Targonski said the dismissed charges cannot be refiled.

No adults home

Stuck, who noted the vehicles were returned to Earl and Linda Adams about a month ago, said his clients and Ross were facing a maximum penalty of 5 years imprisonment and/or $15,000 fine.

He commended Toomey for amending the criminal complaint at the preliminary hearing to include the charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.

"If not for Mr. Toomey's astute addition of drug paraphernalia, everything would have been dismissed."

Stuck said Earl Adams Sr., who admitted to possessing drug paraphernalia, is a Vietnam War veteran who has been employed for 12 years at Bimbo Bakeries in Sunbury, where he was working at the time of the raid. Stuck said Linda Adams was working as a disc jockey at a family wedding in Daytona, Fla., when her home was raided by police from several municipalities, adult probation officers and Targonski.

Ross also was not at the house during the raid.

According to Stuck, Ross stays at the home periodically, but is not a permanent resident.

Juvenile case

Brandon Adams, 17, a son of Earl and Linda Adams, was home when the raid was conducted and faces the same charges filed against his parents and girlfriend. He was on probation at the time of the raid and his case will be heard in juvenile court in the fall.

The teen testified Tuesday that the drugs found in the house were his, and that his parents knew nothing about his drug dealing.

Adams, who turns 18 next month, will undergo an adjudication hearing. He initially was placed in shelter care April 15 and released from custody July 30, but remains under the supervision of juvenile authorities. Adams has completed a rehab program.

The district attorney's office pushed for the teen to be tried as an adult on the felonies while pointing out his adjudication in 2014 on drug possession charges. But during a May 28 certification hearing, Northumberland County President Judge William H. Wiest ruled that the case will proceed in juvenile court.

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.

Sen. John Gordner (R-27) says a budget compromise offer from Republican leadership to Gov. Tom Wolf made Wednesday would create an "incredible win" for school districts.

Seven weeks into a budget stalemate, Republicans have offered to grant Wolf's request for an additional $400 million in the basic education subsidy if he agrees to bring an end to the traditional benefit in Pennsylvania's two big public pension systems.

"From our standpoint, if he accepts, it's an incredible win for schools because it provides substantial additional resources" while also addressing pension costs, Gordner said.

The increased funding would come with provisions to account for how the money is spent, Gordner noted.

But it's pensions, he said, that are impacting school districts throughout the state and are leading to prolonged teacher contract negotiations, such as those Line Mountain and Shamokin Area are enduring as a new school year looms.

"The No. 1 issue with the finances of our state and its 500 school districts is pension reform," Gordner said.

In the private sector, employers generally pay between 3 and 5 percent toward their employees' pensions, he said, whereas all 500 public districts are required to pay approximately 25 percent - 500 percent more than the top end in the private sector.

He noted Wolf's "movement" toward a hybrid pension reform plan in a budget meeting last week. Unlike Senate Bill 1, which would place all new hires in a defined-contribution or 401(k)-style plan, the hybrid proposal requires that the first $50,000 in annual income earned by a new state government or school district employee be calculated under the defined-benefit plan traditionally given to public employees. Annual income above $50,000 would be calculated under a defined-contribution plan.

Wolf wants the threshold to be $100,000, Gordner said, and with only about 5 percent of state employees making that much now, Republicans believe the savings would be minimal to impose that on new hires.

Still, Wednesday's offer may move the budget discussion forward.

"Time and again the governor has indicated he's not budging off the $400 million proposal (to boost the education subsidy), so the proposal we made today combines his No. 1 priority with our No. 1 priority," Gordner said.

Republican and Democratic leaders have been meeting at least once a week with the governor's budget team in sessions that involve about 30 people. Gordner, who as majority caucus whip ranks third among Senate Republicans, participated Wednesday by phone because he wanted to also attend the Luzerne County township supervisors convention.

As to the chances for a settlement, Gordner was blunt.

"Unknown," he said.

HARRISBURG - State Sen. John Gordner (R-27) says he won't support legislation designed to address "sanctuary cities" in Pennsylvania because of the penalties it proposes for municipalities found to contradict state or federal immigration laws.

"I certainly support the concept of it, and I support the intent of it," Gordner said Wednesday about fellow Republican Rich Alloway's bill. "But I decided not to sign on because I didn't like the specific penalty part."

Alloway (R-33, Waynesboro) took on the controversial subject, which is among those being debated by presidential primary candidates. As Donald Trump and others have done in calling for action, Alloway cites the July 1 shooting death in San Francisco of Kathryn Steinle, who was walking with her father in a trendy waterfront area, by Juan Francisco Lopez-Sanchez, an illegal immigrant from Mexico with seven felony convictions who has been deported five times.

Sanctuary cities hold illegal immigrants and do not report the individuals to the Department of Homeland Security for deportation, Alloway argues, and he doesn't want Pennsylvania cities to "self-proclaim" the same status. Philadelphia is considered a sanctuary city.

Under his proposal, counties or municipalities that adopt rules or ordinances that contradict federal and state immigration laws would be disqualified for eligibility of state grants for law enforcement purposes, and municipalities that harbor illegal immigrants who harm U.S. citizens may be sued.

Gordner sees potential harm in allowing policy decisions to impact law enforcement.

"I don't like the idea that a decision being made by elected officials would hurt the police department of that community," Gordner said. "It seems like there should be some other form of penalty other than harming the police department."

Schuylkill County Sen. David G. Argall (R-29), meanwhile, supports the legislation.

"Usurping federal and state laws to prove a political point is not only bad politics, it's bad public policy," he said in a press release issued Wednesday. "The tragedy in San Francisco could have been avoided if the city did not protect illegal immigrants."

Gordner said the legislation's progression depends in part on what committee it goes to and that chairperson's inclinations. He said he urges whomever that turns out to be to call a hearing to gather more details.

DANVILLE - Tricia Hoffman walked out to the courtyard at the Geisinger HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital Wednesday morning to the sound of applause and the sight of smiling faces. She made her way, along with one of her physical therapists, Brett Smiley, across the walkway and rang the victory bell. Twice.

Just over a year ago, Hoffman suffered a severe stroke, and it has been a long, hard road to recovery for the 39-year-old teacher and former field hockey and softball assistant coach at Southern Columbia Area School District. She teaches ninth grade social studies at the school.

After her victory walk outside, she returned to the facility to bid a tearful farewell to everyone who has helped her on her road to recovery.

Motivation, hard work

Although she still needs a cane to get around, Hoffman is light-years from where she was last year at this time.

"When she came into rehab, she couldn't do a thing on her own," Smiley said. "Not too many people would have gotten this far. She is very motivated and hard working. She had a goal to get back to teaching this fall, and she made it. She has tremendous family support and her determination got her where she is today," he continued.

After her stroke, Hoffman was in intensive care for three weeks, inpatient rehabilitation until October and outpatient rehabilitation until Wednesday. She has been through occupational, speech and physical therapy.

Hoffman's father, Blake Hoffman, echoed what Smiley said about his daughter's condition a year ago. Blake drove his daughter to her appointments at Health South over the past year.

"She couldn't sit up, she couldn't even sit in a regular wheelchair. They had to give her a special one," Blake said, noting that high blood pressure led to his daughter's stroke.

Tricia barely held back tears while expressing what she has been through this past year and how great everyone has been to her.

"It has been a long year," she said. "All the people have been so good to me. It is a great facility."

She also expressed how great the Southern Columbia Area community has been to her with cards, flowers and visits.

"I thank my family and all the Southern (Columbia) community for all they have done," she said.

Now that she is done with her outpatient therapy, Tricia won't be getting much of a break. It's back to the classroom next week for the first time since her stroke.

"I'll probably cry," Tricia said of her coming first day back on the job. "I just can't wait to get back to school. I miss the kids."

While Tricia was speaking to the media, Smiley walked down a nearby hallway and called out "Make sure you tell him who is number one." That prompted a big smile.

Hoffman perks up when she overhears the television in the waiting room talking about New England Patriots' Tom Brady and his seemingly never ending trouble with under-inflated footballs.

"Tom might as well just give up. He isn't going to win," she stated. For the record, she is a Steelers fan.

As a sports fan and former coach, Hoffman is looking forward to going to see some Tiger football games and those of other athletic teams at the school. She is finishing up her rehab just in time for that.

Farmers invited to twilight meeting

SUNBURY - The Northumberland County Conservation District (NCCD) will conduct its annual twilight meeting from 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1, at the Kevin Brosious farm near Sunbury. Registration is $5, which includes dinner and meeting materials.

This year's event will begin with a meal from Chestnut Street Deli featuring stuffed chicken breast. The meal will be served from 5 to 5:45 p.m.

Topics for the meeting will include "Herbicide Resistant Weeds and What's New in Herbicides," covered by John Bray of Penn State Extension; "Pesticide Container Recycling and Disposal and Pesticide Labels and Safety," by Norm Conrad of the National Center for Appropriate Technology; and "Waters of the United States Ruling and How it Relates to Agriculture," by Karen L. Hackman, managing member of RHP Law Group LLC.

NCCD has applied to the PA Department of Agriculture for two core and two category credits.

Registration forms may be found online at www.nccdpa.org, or you may contact the district office at 570-495-4665. Deadline is Monday.

For more information on Northumberland County Conservation District events and programs, go to www.nccdpa.org or www.facebook.com/nccdpa.

Food distribution this weekend

ATLAS - The Mount Carmel Township food pantry will have its monthly distribution from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the township complex in Atlas, for those who signed up previously. Please bring bags as they are no longer provided.

NORTHUMBERLAND — Paving scheduled today at Routes 11 and 147 (Water and King streets) in the borough has been canceled due to rain. It will be done Friday, PennDOT reports.

The two-day paving project got under way Wednesday. 

Traffic will be restricted to one lane at the intersection, with flaggers providing traffic control. Motorists should seek alternate routes if possible as delays are expected for what is already a heavily traveled area.

The end of summer means millions of children will be back to school. AAA East Central reminds drivers to be extra cautious as school zones become more active, and be aware of school bus safety.

According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, a pedestrian struck by vehicle traveling at 20 m.p.h. is about two-thirds less likely to be killed as compared to a pedestrian struck by a vehicle traveling at 30 m.p.h.

"School zone speed limits are in place to save lives," said Terri Rae Anthony, AAA East Central Safety Advisor. "As families prepare for the upcoming school year, we encourage parents to talk about the importance of school zone safety with their children and teen drivers."

AAA's "School's Open - Drive Carefully" campaign was launched nationally in 1946 to help reduce the number of school-related pedestrian injuries and fatalities. The campaign kicks off each fall and continues throughout the school year to remind motorists to watch out for children as they travel to and from school.

In addition to slowing down, AAA offers the following advice for motorists to keep children safe as they navigate their way through school zones:

- Ditch distractions - Research shows that taking your eyes off the road for just two seconds doubles your chances of crashing.

- Stay alert - Don't rush into and out of driveways. Expect pedestrians on the sidewalk, especially around schools and in neighborhoods.

- Stop at stop signs - It sounds obvious, but research shows that more than one third of drivers roll through stop signs in school zones or neighborhoods.

- Watch for bikes - Children on bicycles are often unpredictable; expect the unexpected.

- Brake for buses - It may be tempting to drive around a stopped school bus, but not only is it dangerous, it's against the law.

- Plan ahead - Leave early for your destination and build in extra time for congestion. If possible, modify your route to avoid school zones.

- Look for AAA School Safety Patrollers - With more than 600,000 AAA School Safety Patrollers at 31,000 schools across the country, they're a sure sign you're approaching a school zone.

TREVORTON - Despite financial stability, a new building and incentives for volunteers, the last all-volunteer ambulance company in Northumberland County is at risk of closing its doors because of a manpower shortage.

Gene Geise, president of the Trevorton Community Ambulance, said the company determined at an Aug. 13 public meeting it will be forced to end its service March 31 if it cannot recruit at least five new EMTs.

"It's not a decision that we made lightly," he said. "We've got everything we need except the people."

The ambulance, which celebrated its 75th year of operation earlier in the summer, is down to just six active EMTs and 25 total volunteers. The dwindling number of volunteers means the ambulance is frequently unable to staff at least two on-call members, forcing it out of service.

"There's a good possibility if we don't get additional people we could shut down," he said.

More volunteers of all types are needed, but Trevorton Community Ambulance especially needs EMTs and first responders, non-medics who typically drive the ambulance. Training for both types of volunteers is paid for by the ambulance.

"Without the EMTs, we can't keep going," said Al Hoffman, vice president.

"There are jobs for everyone who wants to volunteer, but we have to focus on the EMTs and first responders," said Geise. "Every hour helps."

Geise said volunteers can be on call for as little as two hours at a time. They don't have to stay in the ambulance or even be in the ambulance building during the on-call period, but they need to reliably respond and be in the ambulance within a nine-minute window of receiving a call.

"It has to be, 'I will show up,'" said Geise.

Though many volunteers who live in Trevorton stay at home during the on-call hours, they are also welcome to lounge at the ambulance building, which was built just last year. The company is working on furnishing a lounge upstairs, which Geise hopes will entice volunteers.

"When we built the new building, we thought it would help increase volunteerism," he said. "We've lost people since then."

Events

The ambulance is also attempting to reach out to the community for new members through a variety of events. During the summer, the ambulance hosted an open house with a band in the hopes visitors would become interested in joining. CPR and babysitting classes scheduled for the fall are open to anyone in the community.

Sharon Hoffman, an EMT, said she joined the ambulance years ago when she was considering attending nursing school and wanted to check out the medical field.

"It's a way to get your hand in," she said.

As a volunteer company, the ambulance provides only basic life support - no IVs and no drugs. The majority of the calls involve treating minor injuries, like broken bones, or assisting elderly residents, Geise said.

High school students 16 years or older are welcome to volunteer. The ambulance has an incentive system that rewards the most active members, and students can earn points just by doing their homework in the ambulance building if they agree to be on-call at the time.

Geise, who is also a Zerbe Township supervisor, said the shortage of volunteers has led to the ambulance probing the possibility of paying members. But staffing around the clock at minimum wage would cost $132,000, which is unaffordable for the ambulance and the township.

Additionally, "people don't do it for minimum wage," said Geise.

"It pays off in the reward of helping people," said Al Hoffman.

Beyond responding to approximately 300 emergency calls each year, the ambulance assists the community in other ways. Typically, volunteers are on hand at youth sporting events and festivals. The ambulance also serves a free Christmas dinner every year.

"It's meant to be part of the community," said Geise.

Next session

The next EMT training session is scheduled for 6 to 10 p.m. Sept. 22. The ambulance hopes to send at least five new volunteers to the session.

For more information or to join, call 570-797-4850 or email tcaa@tds.net. The Trevorton Community Ambulance is also online at trevamb.wix.com/trevortonambulance. Applications can be found on the ambulance's Facebook page.

SHAMOKIN - The annual Chiavaroli family reunion was held Saturday, July 25, at the OIP banquet hall. The 8-foot Chiavaroli banner outside the hall welcomed members. Inside, the hall was appropriately decorated in red, white and green. The Italian flag displayed was donated by Michael Chiavaroli, of Philadelphia, who procured it when he was serving in the U.S. Army in Italy.

The program began with welcome remarks by Bob Koshinski, of Cranford, N.J. He noted tat some family members present have attended every reunion since its inception 18 years ago and thanked them, but every year new families attend. He encouraged them to walk around and become reacquainted with their relatives. He thanked members who brought their homemade Italian cookies and desserts. A Philadelphia relative brought Philly Pretzels which everyone enjoyed.

Koshinski explained that when the Chiavaroli family first arrived in the U.S. from Loreto Aprutino, Abruzzi, Italy, two brothers, Sabatino and Zopito, and two sisters, Giovinna and Leeige, settled in Shamokin. Some of their descendants still live here. That is the reason the reunion is held in Shamokin.

This year for the first time, four generations of one family were present: Arthur Chiavaroli, his son Dan and wife Gayle, their son David and wife Lindsay and their daughter Sophia Marie.

Congratulations were extended to all couples who are married fifty years or more: Gerry and Carol O'Donnell, of Harrisburg;

Thomas and Mary Chiavaroli, of Philadelphia; Jim and Marylou Chiavaroli, of Shamokin; Brient and Louise Weist, of Trevorton;

John and Marion Tentromano, of Wilmington, DE; Russ and Amy Stark, NJ.

Arthur Chiavaroli, who was 93 years old on July 6, was acknowledged as the oldest family member present. The youngest was Sophia Marie who is 22 months.

Koshinski read messages from family members who could not attend.

This year one member was added to the Nifty Ninety Club: Sue Cellini, of Philadelphia. There are now six living members.

Always in the program there is an induction ceremony to the Elite Eighty Club. These are living members who are 80 years or older. One member was added this year.

This was followed by the reading of the honor roll by Kris Mace, of Shamokin.

This includes the names of all members of the Chiavaroli family who have served in the military, beginning with WWI through the present day, with Major Scott Sturdevant who is currently deployed. He is married to Michelle Heiser, daughter of Ron and Dolores Heiser, of Lancaster.

Gene Grove invited all out-of-town relatives to walk down Independence St. and see the banner displayed there of his uncle Jake Pantalone who died in the Battle of the Bulge.

Genealogy charts of all Chiavaroli families were displayed with photos by Mike and Ginny Koshinski, of Philadelphia.

Following a traditional Italian dinner, there was a sing-a-long of both Italian and American songs. Music was provided by Joe Koshinski, of Mechanicsburg.

All present were reminded the next reunion date is the last Saturday in July 2016.

The reunion is coordinated by Ann Chiavaroli Koshinski, of Coal Township.

Seventh-grade orientation Sept. 2

COAL TOWNSHIP - Orientation for seventh-graders at Shamokin Area Middle/High School will be held at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2, in the middle/high school auditorium.

Chris Venna, principal, will welcome students and parents and Todd Hockenbroch, assistant principal, will give information on policies and procedures for both students and parents about the upcoming school year. Students will be given their schedules, locker combinations and all back-to-school paperwork and forms for completion. Students and parents will also have an opportunity to meet with teachers, deposit money into their cafeteria account and receive their school-issued user name and password.

The program will conclude at approximately 8:30 p.m. A door prize will be drawn for one student to win a Walmart gift card to purchase school supplies.

MOUNT CARMEL - Borough Manager Edward T. Cuff III came under fire at Thursday's borough meeting after he neglected to bid an audit duty.

As a result, a motion to approve Reinsel Kuntz Lesher (RKL), of Lancaster, to perform the 2014-15 Lower Anthracite Transportation Authority (LATS) audit failed on a 2-4 vote at Thursday's borough council meeting.

Council members Dave Fantini and Robert Shirmer voted yes. Council member Clem Plisiewicz was absent.

Because the audit is due in September, the council will hold a special meeting to approve an auditor at a date to be announced.

Council president Tony Matulewicz first voiced disagreement with the way the motion was presented at Monday's work session. He said he disliked that Cuff had assumed council would re-use RKL, which prepared the audits in previous years. He reaffirmed this point of view Thursday before the vote occurred.

"It's nothing to do with RKL," he said. "We're basically forced to vote it in because we have to do it by September.... It's really not a vote at all."

Despite voting to approve the auditor, Fantini said he agreed with Matulewicz.

"I think any time insurance or audits come up, (Cuff) should let us know six months ahead of time," he said.

Council member Leroy "Chico" Moser said he agreed these contracts should be bid. Matulewicz responded that Cuff has been told this previously.

After the discussion, Council member Joseph Lapotsky, who had seconded the motion to approve RKL as the auditor, retracted his second.

Shirmer seconded the motion in Lapotsky's place, but he clarified it was not because he agreed with the agenda item.

"There's no way you can have your audit done by September" if the auditor isn't approved soon, he said.

At Monday's meeting, Matulewicz was critical of multiple items on the agenda Cuff prepared. In addition to an item listing the wrong type of pension plan for non-uniformed employees, Cuff had included an item simply reading, "Motion to direct the borough manager to advertise the sale of pipe."

"I have no idea what this is," Matulewicz said, inquiring what type of pipe and where it came from.

Matulewicz isn't the only council member to criticize Cuff's performance.

At a borough council meeting in May, council members appeared flummoxed when Cuff responded to questioning on the cancellation of the Memorial Day parade by stating he had given organizers paperwork to fill out but had not helped them understand or submit documents to PennDOT because his job did not dictate to do this.

Mayor Philip "Bing" Cimino issued a letter to the editor to The News-Item stating, "In my eyes, the ball was dropped at borough hall...."

Days earlier at the May work session, Moser lambasted Cuff for failing to make any progress on establishing borough uniforms. The subject had initially been raised in March.

Cuff responded to Moser's criticism he had been awaiting council to give him a uniform policy. But Moser countered that Cuff had been directed to create a rough draft of the policy, and he had not yet done any work on it.

Cuff has held the position of borough manager since January 2010.

MONTOURSVILLE - PennDOT said Wednesday there will be a slight delay in the Central Susquehanna Valley Transportation (CSVT) project because a bidding timeline has been extended.

In a press release, PennDOT said bids for the first phase of the project will be opened Sept. 11 instead of Aug. 27. The bidding will be for the construction of the thruway's nearly mile-long bridge over the west branch of the Susquehanna River. Members of the state's construction industry indicated an extension is necessary for the CSVT Project's river bridge due to the project's complexity, its schedule, and the alternative bridge components allowed to be proposed by bidders.

"The extension will allow contractors to thoroughly prepare bids and should ultimately result in enhanced competition and cost savings for the commonwealth," the release reads.

PennDOT advertised project construction plans and specifications to prospective bidders July 2.

Officials believe the two-week extension will not affect the anticipated overall schedule for the $558-million CSVT Project, which includes completion of the entire 13-mile, four-lane limited access highway by 2024. The construction contract for the new river bridge, which is expected to be 170 feet high at its tallest point, between Winfield and Point Township will be the first of seven contracts planned for the entire project. Work under that contract is anticipated to begin this fall.

10 years of building

The CSVT is designed to alleviate traffic congestion along "The Strip" on Routes 11-15 from just north of Selinsgrove to the area of the Veterans Memorial Bridge that links Shamokin Dam and Sunbury. The new highway's southern section will be built starting at what is now the northern terminus of the Selinsgrove Bypass, near Paul Stine Chevrolet, and swings west all the way to Penns Creek near Route 204 before turning north and somewhat back east as it parallels the current Routes 11-15 toward Shamokin Dam. It eventually links to the northern section near Winfield.

As a final phase of the project, the thruway will be linked to Route 61 at the Veterans Memorial Bridge in Shamokin Dam.

The project is being funded by $150 million from the federal Appalachian Regional Commission, state money designated in the "Decade of Investment" transportation funding program signed by Gov. Tom Corbett in November 2013 and increases in state motor licensing fees and its gas tax. Funding will also come as the state gradually lifts the cap on the state Oil Company Franchise Tax over the next five years.

SHERMANS DALE - A Coal Township native helped two state troopers take down, wrestle and detain a combative parole violator last month in Perry County.

Matthew Tehansky, 35, now of Wormleysburg, was driving to work at the Loysville Youth Development Center when he saw troopers Mark Fisher and Joseph Phillips struggling to handcuff Dane Alexander Schlusser, 21, of Shermans Dale.

Troopers from the Newport station attempted to take Schlusser into custody on outstanding warrants when he allegedly fled through a trap door in his Shermans Dale home. He fought off two uses of a Taser and grabbed for the pistol on a trooper's belt before he was tackled three times to the ground July 28, according to arrest papers.

"The guy's yanking at his holster," Tehansky said of the scene he observed from inside his car. "I pulled a U-turn in the middle of the highway."

The troopers welcomed Tehansky's help, and he jumped in using his right forearm to keep Schlusser's head still. He tried to switch to his left arm when Schlusser caught the left elbow with his teeth and gnashed at the skin.

Tehansky said he thrust the elbow into the defendant's mouth to break the grip when Schlusser was able to break free himself and attempt to run off. Tehansky ran and grabbed at his shirt when a trooper told him to move, he said. A Taser shot was fired but did little. A second slowed him down and the troopers and Tehansky took Schlusser to the ground again, Tehansky said.

The fight lasted up to six minutes while Tehansky was on scene. He said it felt like an eternity. Additional troopers arrived and assisted in restraining Schlusser, who faces eight criminal charges including felony aggravated assault and disarming a law enforcement officer.

Exercised restraint

Tehansky said the troopers were cautious, even under duress. "Those cops used less force then they should have," he said.

Lt. Craig Stine of the Newport state police station also noted the restraint troopers used in not firing a shot at Schlusser.

"(Schlusser) wasn't severely injured. The worst injuries of that incident were to Tehansky," Stine said, noting the bite marks that caused bleeding.

Tehansky sought treatment at an area hospital. He will be nominated for formal recognition through a letter of commendation from the Troop H commander.

"Anytime we have a citizen step up and do something outside the realm of normal, it's good to recognize them," Stine said. "(Tehansky's) got a severe bite mark to prove it. That's really putting himself in harm's way."