Oct. 1
Hearing for Handerhan
A federal judge was set to hear arguments that retired Mount Carmel Borough Police Lieutenant Blaine Handerhan, violated his bail conditions by allegedly removing a tape installed to detect tampering with his computer and installing an external hard drive. At his hearing four days later, Handerhan pleaded guilty to a charge of possession of child pornography, ending a six-month delay of the trial.
Oct. 3
Three killed due to carbon monoxide
A family of three was found dead inside a Coal Township home, and the cause of death was accidental carbon monoxide poisoning caused by a blocked aluminum chimney flue insert.
Sewer blockage clears courthouse
The Northumberland County Courthouse had to be evacuated for the second time in a month, this time for a blockage in a main sewer line, causing a foul odor through the building.
Oct. 6
Local firm wins lawsuit
A Schuylkill County jury awarded a Shamokin company, Empire Trucking Co., Inc., more than $2 million in damages from Reading Anthracite Company and two subsidiaries, for breaching one contract and interfering with another.
Oct. 12
County looking to recoup court costs
Northumberland County announced a new program to recoup $16.8 million in criminal court costs, dating back to the 1970s.
Oct. 13
Kulpmont woman found dead in vehicle
The body of Kortni Kenenitz, 22, of Kulpmont, was found in the back seat of a vehicle parked with its engine running in front of her home. The cause and manner of Kenenitz's death, meanwhile, have not yet been determined, but there were "no signs of trauma" to her body, Northumberland County Coroner James F. Kelley reported.
Oct. 14
Writ filed in Tafner case
American Hose and Chemical Fire Company, Mount Carmel, filed a writ of summons against Creations by Carter and its owner, Carter B. Tafner, brother of Thea Tafner, who embezzled $1.8 million from the company over a 10-year period.
Oct. 17
$3 million coming to county for flood aid
More than $3 million in federal disaster funding was approved for 978 Northumberland County applicants who experienced extensive damage in the Flood of 2011.
Judge rules against tax collection committee
A Northumberland County judge ruled that the county tax collection committee violated its own bylaws by not using a weighted vote when making decisions.
Oct. 18
Football parents come to school board meeting
Fifty parents and community members packed the Shamokin Area School Board because they believed football players and the team as a whole was being disrespected by coaches and board members.
Oct. 21
800 wins for MCA; Hynoski jersey retired
It was a momentous day for high school football when Mount Carmel Area notched the 800th win in the school's history and Southern Columbia Area retired the number of Henry Hynoski Jr., a rookie fullback for the New York Giants.
Oct. 26
Trial delayed again
The trial for Cornell B. Delvalle, 45, and Diane (Reichwein) Delvalle, 35, was delayed once again because of new information in the grand jury testimony.
Oct. 27
Sunbury man charged with arson
Richard P. Lutz, 55, of Sunbury, was charged with arson by Sunbury police after he allegedly started a fire that destroyed a Sunbury double home and left two families homeless.
Oct. 29
Snow falls on the pumpkins
Four inches of snow brought nothing but headaches to the area in one of the earliest snowfalls recorded in the area.
Oct. 30
Power lost in Trevorton for half a day
The weight of wet snow snapped a tree near the Zerbe Township sewage treatment plant, knocking out power to 1,300 residents for 13 hours.