Dec. 2
Inmate injured in attack at SCI Coal Township
A inmate was critically injured and suffering from paralysis after he was stabbed in the neck by another inmate in an exercise yard at the State Correctional Institute-Coal Township.
Dec. 5
Paxinos man sentenced in indecent assault
Nathan Weaver, 23, of Paxinos, was sentenced to 11½ to 23 months in prison after pleading guilty to aggravated assault and indecent assault without consent after sexually assaulting a female friend who had passed out after drinking too much alcohol.
Dec. 6
County public safety director fired
Two months after being praised for his work during the Flood of 2011, Northumberland County Director of Public Safety Steve Reiner was fired. Commissioner Vinny Clausi said Reiner did not work the required hours, adding there had been complaints from other employees. Reiner said the firing was "politically motivated."
Phillips diagnosed with leukemia
Following his final meeting as a Northumberland County Commissioner, Merle Phillips announced he was diagnosed with stage 3 myeloma, a form of leukemia, in August.
Dec. 7
SCA graduate killed in plow accident
Eleni F. Bennett, 18, of Overlook, a 2011 graduate of Southern Columbia Area High School, was killed during a winter storm when her vehicle struck a snow plow in Franklin Township.
Dec. 12
Wise receives sentence
Westley Wise, 33, of Danville, was sentenced to 15 to 32 years in prison after pleading guilty to third-degree murder in November. Many of the victim's family members, including the grandparents of Jessica Frederick, asked the judge for leniency.
Dec. 13
Eight charged in heroin/cocaine operation
Following a 14-month grand jury investigation, eight individuals were charged and several thousand dollars worth of narcotics was seized in a drug bust that focused on the import and distribution of heroin and cocaine throughout Northumberland County.
Dec. 14
AOAA efforts receive $1.5 million in grant money
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced a $1.5 million grant to Northumberland County to further develop the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area in several area townships.
Dec. 15
Plans for Holy Spirit School on hold
Major financial losses suffered in Japan by the Global Nuclear Disarmanent Fund have put plans to put the fund's first Strategic Studies Institute in the former Holy Spirit School, Mount Carmel, in jeopardy.
Dec. 16
SCA falls short in title game
Despite a great effort, Southern Columbia's bid for a seventh PIAA state football championship fell short to Clairton 35-19 at Hersheypark Stadium.
Dec. 18
Bear Gap fire kills two pets, displaces family
A fire at a Bear Gap home displaced a family of four, and killed two family pets.
Harrell appeals 2009 murder conviction
Michael A. Harrell appealed his November 2009 conviction in Northumberland County Court for the death of two people in a Sunbury apartment to the state Superior Court, alleging law enforcement elicited a false confession from him and failed to record the interrogation.
Dec. 19
No extra payments to Coal Township from Geisinger
Geisinger Health System announced that no payment in lieu of taxes will be paid to Coal Township when the hospital system takes over Shamokin Area Community Hospital on Jan. 1, citing studies that say the impact on Coal Township infrastructure will not be the same as in Mahoning Township.
Dec. 20
Route 54 shut down after tractor-trailer crash
A tractor-trailer driver lost control of his vehicle on Route 54, crashing into a stone wall near the Aqua Pennsylvania watershed, causing the highway to be shut down for several hours.
Dec. 21
Offer made for joint rail authority
A Watsontown warehouse and distribution service involved with the Marcellus Shale natural gas industry made a $12.5 million officer to purchase the rails and assets of the SEDA-Council of Governments Joint Rail Authority. Officials said the offer is too low to be considered.
Dec. 27
Two found dead in Shamokin Creek
Two individuals, David "Diggy" Dascani, 38, and Kelley Gusick, 24, both of Shamokin, were found dead inside a partially submerged Jeep in the Shamokin Creek in the Big Mountain area of Shamokin. Northumberland County Coroner James Kelley ruled the deaths accidental determining the two died of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Dec. 29
Geisinger job applicants to be screened for nicotine
Geisinger Health System announced a new policy starting Feb. 1 that all potential new employees will be screened for nicotine as part of a drug test. Those using tobacco products will not be hired.