PAXINOS - A job fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday at Masser's Banquet Hall near the intersection of Route 487 and Route 61.

Job seekers will be granted free admission and are asked to bring copies of resumes. The event gives job seekers a chance to meet with area employers, discuss job opportunities, obtain training information and learn more about the WorkKeys program.

The job fair is sponsored by the the Northumberland/Snyder/Union Counties PA CareerLink, Sunbury, The Brush Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce and McCann School of Business and Technology in Sunbury.

Businesses that will be present include McCann, PA CareerLink, National Ticket Company, International Paper, Triangle Tech, the U.S. Army, CSIU WATCH Program, HH Knoebels Sons Inc., PA State Civil Service Commission, Geisinger Health System, CSO Community Action Agency, Clear Channel, Luzerne County Community College, Strong Industries, Milton Transportation, Safety Net Counseling Inc., Sunbury Motors, Experience Works, Aerotek, PHEAA, Hope Enterprises, Reinhart Foods, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, Harry's Grill, Sundance Vacations and Manpower.

E-recycling to start in April

COAL TOWNSHIP - The Coal Township Recycling Center will resume electronic recycling Thursday and will continue each Thursday until further notice.

Veggie 101 workshop scheduled

SUNBURY - Penn State Master Gardeners of Northumberland and Snyder counties will present "Veggie 101" workshop at the Degenstein Library, 40 S. Fifth St. at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 6. Topics include planting guidelines, preparing soil, types of gardening, cool and warm crops, seeds or transplants and extenders.

Call the Penn State Extension Office at 988-3950 to register.

Bridge work planned

GOWEN CITY - Rehabilitation of a 130-foot-long bridge over Mahanoy Creek will begin Monday, April 8, PennDOT reported.

HRI Construction Co. LLC is the prime contractor for the work. One lane will be closed while the contractor replaces a strip-seal dam, patches the deteriorated concrete and coats of the bridge deck with epoxy.

Work is scheduled to be completed by May 24.

Other bridges under the contract are on Route 339 in Columbia County, Route 54 at the Northumberland-Montour County line, Route 44 in Northumberland County and Route 61 in Northumberland County.

All work under this five-bridge contract should be completed by Aug. 9.

Dog wardens to police Shamokin

HARRISBURG - During the week of April 8, dog wardens will canvass Shamokin to ensure dog owners have current licenses and rabies vaccinations for their dogs.

All dogs three months or older must be licensed by Jan. 1 of each year. The fee is $6.45 for each spayed or neutered dog and $8.45 for other dogs. Older adults and persons with disabilities may purchase a license for $4.45 for spayed or neutered dogs and $6.45 for others.

Additionally, all dogs and non-feral cats three months and older must be vaccinated against rabies. Booster vaccinations must be administered periodically to maintain lifelong immunity. Violators can be cited with a maximum fine of $300 per violation plus court costs.

Licenses may be purchased through the Northumberland County treasurer by calling 988-4161 or going to www.padoglicense.com.

COAL TOWNSHIP - To say Laurie and Dan Krebs have been through a lot the past 16 months would be putting it mildly.

The couple grieved the loss of their newborn son Landon, who - with his twin sister Kyleigh - was born three months premature, and devoted sleepless nights caring for Kyleigh, who lived her first two months in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Janet Weis Children's Hospital in Danville.

Overcoming the struggle of losing one child and watching another battle through a barrage of medical issues would not have been possible without the support of March of Dimes, the Krebs said.

The couple from the Edgewood section of Coal Township are now giving back to the organization by forming Kyleigh's Krawlers, a team led by Laurie Krebs that will participate May 5 in March for Babies at Geisinger Medical Center.

"Throughout our stay, they were there every day for us," Laurie said. "They brought us literature to read and had larger events for the families in the NICU, including a pizza party and organized family portraits."

Teams find sponsors to raise money prior to the 3-mile walking event around Geisinger. People can donate any amount of money to the cause. Laurie hopes to raise $1,300, which will go towards continuing programs at the NICU.

A long road

Kyleigh and Landon were born 14 minutes apart on Nov. 2, 2011. Landon weighed 2 pounds 5 ounces; Kyleigh 2 pounds even.

The Krebs said Landon seemed typical for a preemie until results for lab work and an ultrasound came back.

Doctors found a grade 4 brain bleed - the most severe of its type. Later that day, Laurie and Dan had to decide whether to keep him on life support. Landon past away Nov. 3, 26 hours after his birth.

Kyleigh suffered from respirator distress, jaundice, anemia of prematurity and ductus patent arteriosus, a heart problem that affects some babies soon after birth.

She was released from the hospital Jan. 1, 2012. Today, Kyleigh has fully recovered and weighs 18 pounds.

"She has had a long road with weight," Dan Krebs said while Kyleigh crawled around their living room. "We're just happy she's here."

During Kyleigh's stay, a March of Dimes representative offering support approached Laurie and Dan.

Phoebe Beckley, March of Dimes family support specialist for the NICU, was especially kind, the Krebs said.

"She would ask how we were doing as parents," Dan Krebs said. "You hear about it on TV, but (you) don't know what they are about until they are there for you."

Touched by the kindness of people like Beckley, Laurie formed the team and also joined a March of Dimes advisor committee that strives to help improve the NICU for patients and their families.

To help meet the Krebs' goal of $1,300, a benefit night fundraiser will be held from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. April 9 at Brewser's SportsGrille in Coal Township. Brewser's will donate 20 percent of sales from guests that present tickets. Tickets are available by contacting the Krebs at lakrebs@ptd.net or by going to the team's Facebook page at http://on.fb.me/YOOcDy.

To make a donation, go to www.marchforbabies.org/lakrebs12.

MOUNT CARMEL - The following hearings took place Wednesday before Magisterial District Judge Hugh Jones. Defendants ordered to appear for plea court April 29 in Northumberland County Court, Sunbury, can plead guilty or no contest, or seek a trial by pleading not guilty.

n Kenneth Shustack, 42, of 227 W. Saylor St., Atlas, waived to court charges of driving under the influence of alcohol, two red light violations, driving on the wrong side of the road and careless driving relating to a Feb. 5 vehicle stop in the area of the Strong Connector.

Mount Carmel Township Patrolman Daniel Politza filed the charges.

n Stephen P. Miller, 27, of 243 W. Fifth St., Mount Carmel, waived to court charges of delivery of heroin, possession with intent to deliver heroin, possession of heroin, possession of drug paraphernalia and criminal use of a communication facility.

The charges filed by Mount Carmel Police Chief Todd Owens and Patrolman Matt Dillman relate to a June 27 incident at Seventh and Market streets.

GORDON - The "Trek of the Cross" took to the streets of Gordon for the 35th time on Good Friday, bringing the portrayal of Jesus Christ carrying His cross to Calvary to those in their homes and as an outward devotional of faith.

For the fourth year in a row, Jeffrey Nemeth, of Frackville, donned the white robe, purple sash and crown of thorns and carried the large cross through the borough.

The trek began at 12:15 p.m. at Simpson United Methodist Church, where it has begun since the beginning. The parsonage next to the church was used as the dressing room for Nemeth and the two centurions - Keegan Hubler, of Lavelle, and Brandon Herling, of Hazleton - who provided the Roman guard during the walk. Others walked behind Jesus dressed in period costume or wore modern clothing.

While Nemeth waited to begin the trek, he said, "This was intended only to be 12 treks, but it's been going a long time. When it first started, it was just to get the message out to the homebound, and we still do it for the people who can't get out. I see people take pictures and videos. It's means a lot to them. I'm going to keep it going as long as possible."

As has been the tradition for those who have portrayed Jesus, Nemeth walked barefoot. There have been two years that there was inclement weather during the trek's history, but Friday's weather cooperated again with no precipitation and with moderately chilly temperatures.

Before the trek began, Len Zarko, of Fountain Springs, stood near the parsonage with his camera. He came to Gordon with his friend, John Ballinger Jr., of Mount Carmel, and said it was the first time to see the trek.

"I've known about the Trek of the Cross, but I just didn't get over here to see it," said Zarko. "I've been watching 'The Bible' series on History, and I remembered that they were going to have this here in Gordon, so I wanted to come over and see it this time."

The trek began with a prayer from the Rev. John Wallace, pastor of Simpson UMC.

"Dear God, thank you for this of all days. We pray that what we will do today will bring honor and glory to your Son, Jesus Christ, Our Lord, in whose name we march and remember with thanksgiving."

Sharing the message

The tradition began in 1979 when Elmer Yost, of Allentown, picked up a large cross and walked through the streets portraying Jesus Christ to bring the salvation message of Good Friday to Gordon's homebound. The first year, Yost did the trek by himself. The second year, he had a friend come from Allentown as a soldier. On the third year, he rented two soldier costumes.

When he started the trek, Yost was an Allentown resident, but made regular visits to the borough and was a member of Simpson United Methodist Church, as well as with a church in Allentown. The pastor at the time was interested in re-enactments and supported Yost in his idea.

Yost had planned to do the trek for 12 years - a year for each Apostle, with the hope that it would continue beyond that time. Shortly after the 10th trek, Yost passed away. In order to complete the intended 12 years of treks, Yost's nephew, Edward Labie, of Girardville, picked up the cross in 1989 for the two remaining years. Those two treks became 21 treks, his last in 2009. In 2010, Nemeth, who is Labie's nephew, picked up the cross.

Nemeth doesn't know how long he will continue the family tradition, but he hopes that his four-year-old son, Jeffrey, will do so when he grows up.

"My little guy right there doesn't know it, but he will be the next one," said Nemeth.

The trek began at Simpson United Methodist Church on Biddle Street and proceeded east to Hobart Street, where it turned right. The participants walked the entire length of the street, moved west to McKnight Street, then moved to Biddle Street, where the trek turned left to end at Simpson UMC. Participants and onlookers entered the church for the 1 p.m. Good Friday service by Pastor Wallace.

Gordon Fire Police provided traffic control.

The latest grand jury indictment in a tri-county drug case ties three accused dealers who allegedly operated in Shamokin, Mount Carmel and beyond to a criminal street gang.

A grand jury says Renard Durant, 26, of Bloomsburg, Shelton Cochrane II, 35, of Mount Carmel, and Gilberto Lanzot Jr., 31, of Mount Carmel and Wilkes-Barre, each held leadership positions within the Pennsylvania branch of the Almighty Renegade Gangsta Bloods.

The trio and a co-conspirator, Jeffrey Tripp, 27, of Kulpmont, are all accused of dealing heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine and marijuana. Cash and guns were traded to buy the drugs in the Hazleton area of Luzerne County as well as New York and New Jersey, prosecutors say. They then sold the drugs in Northumberland and Columbia counties beginning around July 2011 through their arrest in June 2012.

Some of the profits were kicked into two kitties, one for the local gang and another for a "national treasury," court records say, and the defendants recruited others as members to further their enterprise.

Drugs, guns, cash and gang literature - writings on oaths, bylaws, alliances and gang hierarchy - were all stored at various locations, including at unidentified homes in Shamokin and Mount Carmel as well as at Tripp's former residence at 943 Chestnut St., Kulpmont, and Durant's at 567 W. Main St., Bloomsburg, according to court records.

Cochrane is accused of buying a brick of heroin in August 2011, while Durant is accused of selling 174 bags of heroin on three occasions in Northumberland and Columbia counties. Other sales of marijuana and cocaine are also alleged, along with the trade of a .22 caliber revolver with an obliterated serial number.

The gang affiliations were alleged in the second superseding indictment issued in the case. The original indictment naming only Durant and Tripp came in June. Cochrane and Lanzot were identified in the first superseding indictment in December.

Tripp initially pleaded not guilty to federal charges. He has since changed his plea to guilty and is cooperating with prosecutors of U.S. Attorney's Office of the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

Durant, Cochrane and Lanzot have all pleaded not guilty. A trial that had been continued more than once is presently scheduled to begin May 8.

Mount Carmel Police Chief Todd Owens, a member of the Northumberland-Montour Drug Task Force, is a deputized task force member for the Federal Bureau of Investigation. He signed the original complaints against Durant and Tripp.

Owens wouldn't talk Friday about the case since it's a pending matter, but he spoke in general about gang activity in the local drug trade.

"Big city" gang activity is ongoing in this and other rural areas throughout northeastern and central Pennsylvania, he said. But to put it in context, he said, their presence varies. "We don't want to create a sense of hysteria where there doesn't have to be any," he said.

Gangs sell drugs locally because the demand exists and the markup is significant. Owens said a small bag of heroin that sells for $5 or $6 in New York City can fetch between $25 and $30 locally. "It pretty much boils down to money," he said.

Local police work with state troopers, district attorneys and the FBI to monitor any suspected gang activity, seeking to dismantle the organizations before they can gain a "real strong foothold" locally.

COAL TOWNSHIP - Street sweeping will begin in the township Monday. The first week's schedule is:

West end

Monday: north side of Walnut Street from First Street to Locust Street in the morning; south side of Walnut Street from First Street to Locust Street in the afternoon.

Tuesday: north side of Walnut Street from Locust Street to Woodlawn Avenue in the morning; south side of Walnut Street from Locust Street to Woodlawn Avenue in the afternoon.

Wednesday: north side of Arch Street from First Street to Locust Street in the morning; south side of Arch Street from First Street to Locust Street in the afternoon.

Thursday: north side of Arch Street from Locust Street to Woodlawn Avenue in the morning; south side of Arch Street from Locust Street to Woodlawn Avenue in the afternoon.

Friday: both sides of Water Street and Clinton Avenue from Woodlawn Avenue to Jackson Street in the morning; both sides of Woodlawn Avenue from Independence Street to Lynn Street in the afternoon; both sides of Jackson Street from Clinton Avenue to Park Avenue in the afternoon.

East end

Monday: south side of Tioga Street from Hakes Street to Thomas Street in the morning; north side of Tioga Street from Hakes Street to Thomas Street in the afternoon.

Tuesday: south side of Pulaski Avenue from Lombard Street to Chemung Street in the morning; north side of Pulaski Avenue from Lombard Street to Chemung Street in the afternoon.

Wednesday: south side of Pulaski Avenue from Chemung Street to Meade Street in the morning; north side of Pulaski Avenue from Chemung Street to Meade Street in the afternoon.

Thursday: south side of Hemlock Street from Emory Street to Sherman Street in the morning; north side of Hemlock Street from Emory Street to Sherman Street in the afternoon.

Friday: south side of Hemlock Street from Sherman Street to Meade Street in the morning; north side of Hemlock Street from Sherman Street to Meade Street in the afternoon.

Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School

COAL TOWNSHIP - The following memorials have been made to Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School for January and February 2013.

Joan Todisco from Ted and Jackie Matlow; Isabell Amarose; John Parry; Vince and Lisa Rawa and family; Linda Harvan and William G. Reese, Jr.; Loretta Quinn; Michael and Jane Klembara; Diane Elgin; Joann Wallauer; the John Reiprish family; Joyce Kealey; Daniel and Nancy Kerris; Dorothy Tomtishen; Gloria Tresca; Joe and Floss Ecker; Mr. and Mrs. Francis Bach; Mary Altomare; Roseann and Trip McGarvey; Andy and Ann Marie Slodysko; Dennis and Barb Reiprish; Mr. and Mrs. Robert Wurster; John and Joanne McKay; Dennis and Kathy Holleran and family; Jack and Catherine Maciejewski; Stephen and John Maciejewski; Judy Polites; LeeAnna Talisesky; Daniel and Jacqueline Kerris and family; Mary Ann Balonis; Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Christiana; Mr. and Mrs. James Shutt; Jared Shutt; Mr. and Mrs. Faisal and Susan Imam; Gloria Catino.

Irene Maurer from Ken Albert and Karen, Pam, Marie, Brenda, Carolyn, Michelle and Sue.

Carole Eckman from Mr. and Mrs. Barry Lentz.

Mrs. George Miller from Rosalie Jindale, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Shaw, Jr.

William Janovich from Gloria Fresca; Michael and Jane Klembara; Peggy and Richard Thomas; Pat and Paul Metrocavage; Mary Jane Toccket; Mrs. Antoinette Bach and family; Mr. and Mrs. Donald Yuricich; Mary Altomare; Lorraine A. Gusick; Francis and Mary Bach; Walter and Jim Kozlowski; Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Purcell; Mr. and Mrs. Michael Timco; Mrs. Mary Ann Balonis.

Albert Scicchitano from Pat Janovich; Michelle McMurtrie; Mr. and Mrs. Ken Albert and family; Mr. and Mrs. Nguyen; Kathy and Angelica Masser; Diana and Robert Bradley; Mr. and Mrs. Michael Long; Mr. and Mrs. William Gilger and family; Athena M. Reed; New Beginnings Hair Salon; Mrs. Elizabeth Gilger and family; Mr. and Mrs. Shawn Scicchitano and family; Mr. and Mrs. Michael Timco; Mrs. Theresa M. Brousseau; SCI Coal Twp. Employees Rec. Association; Merritt J. McAlinden.

Nellie Nezerski from Mary Jane Toccket.

Alfred Nezerski Jr. from Mary Jane Toccket.

Edward Brown from Ann and John Benedict.

William T. Coates from Barbara and Brian Coates.

John and Margaret Barber from Mr. and Mrs. Donald VanShura.

James and Delores VanShura from Mr. and Mrs. Donald VanShura.

Lawrence Bartol from American Heritage Federal Credit Union; Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Christiana; LeeAnne Kaminsi; Jim and Pattie Kelley and family; Mr. and Mrs. John McKay; Ronald and Christine Anderson; Mrs. Elizabeth Gilger and family; Bill and Virginia Korbich; Mike and Jane Klembara; Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Bradley; Robert and Diane DiDomizio; Rich and Christine DiDomizio; Curt and Tina DiDomizio; Mary DiDomizio; Simone McCaffrey; Gloria Bechtel.

Agnes Dixon from Ann and John Benedict; Howard and Theresa Sandri.

A. Theresa Bucanelli from Mr. and Mrs. Barry Smith; Joann Higgins; Carol Krajewski's BPS Co-workers; Gloria Allen; Heidi Bradbury; Peaches Francis; Jim Luciandri; Eugenra Tucker; Sharon Vincent; Mount Carmel Municipal Authority; Ann Jones; Kathy and Angelica Masser; John and Donna Molesevich; Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Fleming; Ann and Richard Weikel; Don and Joannie Yuricich; Dennis and Kathy Holleran and family; Bill and Virginia Korbich; Mary Ann Balonis; Rose and Laura Lee Spatzer and family; Donna Yanick; Beverly Cooper; Elizabeth O'Neill-Eiding.

Boris Maksmuk from Knights of Columbus Council 628.

Lorraine T. Kushner from Joann Higgins

Thomas H. Tidey from Mr. and Mrs. Robert Wurster; Donna and Barry Lentz.

Rosaire Miller from Michael and Jane Klembara; Juls and Esther Ardan; Dave and LeeAnna Talisesky; Mr. and Mrs. Tony Billas.

Frank Navrocki from Ed and Rosemary Pawelczyk; Mr. and Mrs. Jack Strausser; Joe and Anna Marie Leavens; Tracey J. Wilson.

Mary Miller from Barbara Reiprish; Bill and Virginia Korbich; Arlene and Joseph Letcavage.

Grace Getchey from Bob and Diane (Garancheski) Bradley; Mr. and Mrs. Gene Garancheski; John and Joanne McKay.

Florence Sewalk from Bill and Virginia Korbich

Paul Hepler Sr. from Richard and Ann Weikel.

Christy A. Mirack from George Miller.

Geraldine Mirack from George Miller.

Frank Maresca from Steph and Ann Weikel.

Robert Mackey from Kathy and Angelica Masser; Leo and Mary Mulhall

Barbara Lucia Knarr from Christine Hudson; Daniel and Jacqueline Kerris; Mr. and Mrs. Donald VanShura; Mr. and Mrs. Donald Yuricich; Eugene and Theresa Fleming; Richard and Ann Weikel; Mr. and Mrs. Don VanShura.

"Pay" Chiavaroli from Mr. and Mrs. Barry Lentz.

Linda Schill Makowski from Michael and Jane Klembara; Ann and Richard Weikel; Bill and Betty Ann Corrigan.

Daniel Bamford from Mr. and Mrs. Barry Lentz.

Rose Bakowicz from Mr. and Mrs. Barry Lentz.

Jim and Pat Rosini from Richard Knoebel.

William Rosini from Richard Knoebel.

Emily Rosini from Richard Knoebel.

Debbie Korbich from Richard Knoebel.

Phyllis Holland from Mary Anne, George, Elise and Jillian Randall; James Holland.

Alice Shiffer from Ann and John Benedict; Howard and Theresa Sandri.

Hannah M. Honabach from Don and Joanne Yuricich; Bill and Virginia Korbich; Rita Albert.

Edward "Red" Brown from Don and Joanne Yuricich.

Delores Bickelman from Howard and Theresa Sandri.

Geraldine Mannix from Andy and Ann Marie Slodysko.

Allen Emerick from Jane Konyar; Bob S. Troutman.

Rosemary Dougherty from Forchy and Rocco Roma.

June Eby from Mary Jane Toccket.

William Burk Sr. from Mary Jane Toccket.

Mary Rosini from Mr. and Mrs. Bruce A. Bunde.

Carman J. Minniti from Robert J. and Mary Ellen Landy.

Edward Polites Sr. from Judith Polites.

Pat Pellman from Joanne Scotko.

Elizabeth Lukonis from Mr. and Mrs. John Reiprish.

Joseph Nacinovich from Mr. and Mrs. John Reiprish.

Tommy Povleski from Laura Mertz.

Alma Haile Donath from Alexis A. Kieski; Rose and Al Zawalick and family; Terri (Moran) Shipe; Maria and Jeff Pancher and family; Kevin and Bridget Metrocavage and family; Howard and Theresa Sandri; Paul Metrocavage and Anne; Catherine, Bill, Jason, Tricia and Jeremy Haile; Betty A. Shimko; Paul and Pat Metrocavage.

Walter Kosmer from Mr. and Mrs. Donald Yuricich.

Margaret C. Klembara from Robert A. and Diane Sieklicki; Frank and Mary Bach; Michael and Anita Klembara; Andrew Klembara; Melissa Klembara; Joseph and Jennifer Gubernot; Daniel and Jacqueline Kerris and family; Michael and Jane Klembara.

Michael G. Klembara from Michael and Jane Klembara.

Francis Mike Devlin from Richard and Ann Weikel and family; Judy and Eileen Weikel.

William Dando from Knights of Columbus Council 628.

Stanley R. Rebilas from Howard and Theresa Sandri; Ann and John Benedict.

Victoria Zarko from Mr. and Mrs. John Reiprish; Dennis and Barbara Reiprish.

Doris L. Tyler from Mary Ann Balonis.

Adolph Ciborowski from Leo and Mary Mulhall.

Joseph M. Shamansky from Mr. and Mrs. Gene Garancheski.

In honor of:

Mr. and Mrs. Howard Sandri by Mr. and Mrs. Barry Lentz.

Shamokin-Coal Township

Monday - Morning cards and puzzles, 8:30 a.m.; yoga, 9:30 a.m.; Walk A Mile, 10:30 a.m.; nickel bingo, noon; executive board meeting, noon; members meeting, 1:30 p.m.

Tuesday - Morning cards and puzzles, 8:30 a.m.; shopping at Boscov's, arrive at destination at 10 a.m., depart for home at 1 p.m., cost $2; bridge lessons, 9:30 a.m.; bridge, noon; aquacize, 2:30 p.m.

Wednesday - Morning cards and puzzles, 8:30 a.m.; Wii bowling, 10 a.m.; pinochle and Pokeno, 12:30 p.m.

Thursday - Morning cards, 8:30 a.m.; Linda Walker from Focus Health speaking on laughter, noon; bingo, 12:30 p.m.; aquacize, 1:30 p.m.

Friday - Morning cards and puzzles, 8:30 a.m.; nickel bingo, noon.

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

Mount Carmel

Monday - HSIM, 11 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; bean bag, 12:30 p.m.; Pokeno, 1 p.m.

Tuesday - Chit chat, 10 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; Unlucky 7s, 12:30 p.m.

Wednesday - Springtime Jingo, 10:30 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; lunch, 11:30 a.m.; members meeting with bingo to follow, 1 p.m.

Thursday - Wii bowling, 9:30 a.m.; puzzle time, 10 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; pinochle, 12:15 p.m.

Friday - Chit Chat, 10 a.m.; sing a long, 10:30 a.m.; favorite TV game shows, 11 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; Pokeno, 1 p.m.

Kulpmont

Monday - Wii and knitting in the morning; bean bag, 10:30 a.m.; Pokeno, 12:30 p.m.

Tuesday - Wii, knitting and noodle balloon in the morning; Family Medical blood pressure screening; pinochle-cards, noon.

Wednesday - Wii, knitting and noodle balloon in the morning; bunco and LCR, 12:30 p.m.

Thursday - Wii competition between members, 10 a.m,; trip to the Vo-Tech; members meeting with bingo to follow, 12:30 p.m.

Friday - Wii, knitting and noodle balloon in the morning; nickel bingo, 12:30 p.m.

Elysburg

Monday - Healthy Steps, 8:30 a.m.; Pokeno, noon.

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

Friday - Last day for volunteers to be at the center for state and federal taxes, 9 a.m. to noon. Service is free for seniors and by appointment only; crafts, 9:30 a.m.; pinochle, noon. Members meeting, noon. This will also be Donut Day.

Trevorton

Monday - Exercise, 10 a.m.; Easter party, 12:30 p.m.

Tuesday - VNA blood sugar and blood pressure screening, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.; Wii bowling practice, 9:30 a.m.

Wednesday - Wii bowling match with Northumberland SAC team 1, 9:30 a.m., followed by Unlucky 7's.

Thursday - Scrabble, 9;30 a.m.; members meeting, 12:30 p.m.

Friday - Exercise with Amy, 10:30 a.m.; bingo, 12:30 p.m.

MANDATA - Four different firms will work on bringing a new heating and air conditioning system to the Line Mountain Junior-Senior High School as part of a new remodeling project at the school.

Line Mountain School Board approved a $9.7 million construction project that will bring geothermal wells and the new HVAC system to the Mandata campus, along with other renovations, including the replacement of the wooden windows in the building, construction of a free-standing maintenance garage with a salt shed and resurfacing of the main access road and the parking lot where about 100 geothermal wells will be drilled.

Following a 90-minute discussion at Tuesday's meeting, the board voted 7-2 to award $9,726,812 in contracts to drill geothermal wells on the campus and install a new HVAC system throughout the school.

The firms awarded the contracts and the amounts approved, including the alternates are:

General construction - Zartman Construction Inc., of Lewisburg, $776,000 base bid, $54,000 for driveway resurfacing, $78,000 for driveway/parking lot resurfacing, $270,000 to construct the maintenance building, and $185,000 for window replacement;

HVAC construction - Frey Lutz Corporation, of Lancaster, $4,069,000 base bid, reduction of $48,900 for geothermal vault, $277,000 for Climacool Water Source heatpump, $23,000 for maintenance building work;

Plumbing construction - Silvertip, Inc., of Lewisburg, $49,600 base bid;

Electrical construction - G.R. Noto Electrical Construction of Clarks Summit, $388,000 base bid, $37,000 for maintenance building work.

Voting to award the contracts were directors Troy Laudenslager, Dennis Erdman, Lawrence Neidig, David Bartholomew, Lauren Hackenburg, Ronald Neidig and Daniel Zablosky. Directors Lamont Masser and Marlin Yeager Jr. voted against the project.

In a geothermal HVAC system, a liquid called glycol - a coolant similar to antifreeze - is distributed in and out of wells through a series of pipes and cycled through the building in a closed loop to either heat or cool the rooms, depending on the need.

Energy recovery units are placed on the roof to allow fresh air into the building.

At Trevorton Elementary, the wells are underneath the school's playground.

The new system will give climate control to each classroom, something superintendent Dave Campbell wanted to see.

"You see businesses doing renovations to create a better working environment for their employees," Campbell said. "We are trying to create a learning environment for the 21st century. Students that are sitting here sweating and uncomfortable are not productive and learning."

Secondary school principal Jeffrey Roadcap made an impassioned plea for the new system.

"When we did the renovation back in 1998, we had the opportunity to do this right, and it wasn't done," Roadcap said. "In April, May and September, it does get miserable in here, and the more bodies we have in this school, the warmer it gets."

The total amount of all the projects comes to $11,226,812, but the district is planning on using $1.5 million in capital reserve funds for the projects, bringing the total down to $9.7 million. A bond issue is needed for the rest with an annual payment of $398,588. The district had originally budgeted $280,000 for it, so the additional money needed equates to a possible 1,29-mill tax hike.

"You have a bare bones budget now," the superintendent told the board. "I just want to prepare you for the sticker shock next year when figures go up and we don't take action to prepare ourselves."

In other business, the board agreed to:

- Advertise for bids on voice/data network switches at the school buildings in Mandata and Trevorton, approved on a 9-0 vote.

- Purchase 75 Lenovo laptop batteries for replacement in the Classroom for the Future laptops at the junior/senior high school at a cost of $6,600 from CDWG, of Vernon Hills, Ill, approved on an 8-1 vote with David Bartholomew casting the lone no vote.

- Approve the 2013-14 breakfast and lunch prices, with only a change in one ala carte item, the participation in a employer-sponsored 529 college savings plan, and rates for medical, vision and dental insurance, all on 9-0 votes.

- Donate soccer net cages at Leck Kill and Dalmatia Elementary School to local AYSO soccer groups and accept a donation of a new batting cage for the softball team on school grounds.

SOMERSET - The Northumberland County Career and Technology Centers (NCCTC) Family Career and Community Leaders of America Student Career and Tech Student Organization recognized eight students as medal winners at the Pennsylvania State Leadership Conference held March 13 to 15.

More than 500 students competed from chapters statewide.

The NCCTC chapter, comprised of students from the Line Mountain, Mount Carmel Area and Shamokin Area school districts, entered eight students in the many workshops, meetings and trainings and STARS competition. Of the eight medal winners, two earned a bronze, five earned silver and one student earned gold.

Award winners are:

Crystal Chatterton, Mount Carmel Area, job interview, bronze; Desiree Dannatimer, Shamokin Area, pastry arts/cake decorating, bronze; Shannon Levi, Shamokin Area, culinary arts, silver; John Wondoloski, Shamokin Area, culinary arts, silver;

Nick Seybert, Line Mountain, culinary arts, silver; Christopher Pierce, Shamokin Area, table service, silver; Mary McKimm, Shamokin Area, pastry arts/baking, and Jessica Ramer, Shamokin Area, early childhood education, gold.

McKimm received the highest score in the baking competition and was awarded more than $9,000 in scholarships to a variety of schools.

Ramer, NCCTC's lone gold medalist, received more than $4,000 in scholarships. She was named to the National FCCLA (Family, Career and Comnunity Leaders of America) team representing Pennsylvania. She will have the opportunity to take her talents to a higher level and demonstrate her skill and expertise at the National FCCLA Competition in Nashville to be held in July.

The FCCLA club has been a part of NCCTC for 17 years. The advisers are Jim Schiavoni, culinary arts instructor, and Gwen Spurr, occupational child care instructor.

SHAMOKIN - The Lower Anthracite Region United Way (LARUW)'s annual campaign will end Saturday with an official total of $43,352.39.

LARUW expressed appreciation to small businesses, corporations and individuals for their generous donations. They are PPL Corporation and PPL employees, Susquehanna Bank and Susquehanna Bank employees, Weis Markets, Wal-Mart, IBM, Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC, The News-Item, Geisinger employees, Penndel Containers, Boyer's Food Market in Mount Carmel, Farrow's Funeral Home, Aqua PA, UGI Utilities Inc. employees, VNA Health Systems, Sunbury Motors, Eyesense, The Medicine Shoppe, Coal Township commissioners, State Farm Insurance Agency, Roadarmel Springer LLC, Nationwide, Union National Bank of Mount Carmel, Olvany Insurance, Verizon and Wells Fargo.

The United Way organization also expressed gratitude for residents for their support of the campaign.

LARUW serves part of Northumberland County, including Shamokin, Coal Township, Elysburg, Mount Carmel, Kulpmont, Paxinos and the Trevorton area.

All campaign funds are donated to charitable organizations in the Lower Anthracite region. Currently, the 10 member agencies that LARUW designates its funds to are Central Susquehanna Opportunities, Central Susquehanna Sight Services, Manna for the Many, American Red Cross, Northumberland County ARC, Girls Scouts of America, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Avenues and the VNA.

The United Way office is at 2 E. Arch St., on the second floor of the Northumberland County Career and Arts Center.

Shamokin Area maintained its lead in the high school division and pulled ahead in the middle school division after Week 5 in the Economics Pennsylvania Stock Market Game. Advisers for the teams are David Kopitsky, high school, and Stephen Keller, middle school.

The Stock Market Game is sponsored by The News-Item and Sunbury Motors.

The Stock Market Game is an award-winning educational program in which students are given a virtual cash amount of $100,000 and are encouraged to create the best-performance portfolio using a live trading simulation. Students work in teams.

(While there are multiple teams taking part in the game at each participating school, Economics Pennsylvania is reporting the dollar amount for the leading team at each school for this weekly report.)

Fire police seeking members

ATLAS - Anyone 18 years and older who is interested in joining the Mount Carmel Township Fire Police Unit as auxiliary fire police is asked to contact the municipal building at 339-1287 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Volunteers needed for cleanup

HARRISBURG - The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is seeking volunteers for this year's Great American Cleanup of Pennsylvania effort that runs through May 31.

The cleanup event is an annual effort sponsored by PennDOT, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, the state Department of Environmental Protection and other partners. Groups involved in PennDOT's Adopt-A-Highway (AAH) program, which involves volunteers cleaning roadsides year round, are also encouraged to participate in the cleanup.

For more information, go to www.gacofpa.org.

To adopt a section of highway, call the local PennDOT county maintenance office and ask for the AAH coordinator, or go to www.dot.state.pa.us.

This year, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful is hosting its first-ever Great American Cleanup video contest. Interested individuals can send a three-to-five-minute video of their cleanup event to Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful by May 24. For contest rules and information, go to www.gacofpa.org.

The pope is the face of the Roman Catholic Church, and the change in the Church's top leadership has generated considerable discussion ahead of the holiest of Christian holidays, Easter Sunday.

But as the Rev. John Szada, pastor of Divine Redeemer Church, Mount Carmel, reflected on the recent installation of Pope Francis, he reiterated a point the new pope himself made just before the 2013 papal conclave.

"He warned against spiritual worldliness," Szada said earlier this week. "That particular speech seemed to have a very profound impact on the cardinals. What he's talking about more than anything else is that the Church must reflect the face of Christ.

"It's not about the Church, it's Christ. What we have to do is rely on God and the Holy Spirit to guide us."

When Pope Francis was elected by the cardinals on March 13, his elevation to the papacy was met with hope and optimism, in no small part because of his reputation for humility.

A powerful man of great influence in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and beyond, he lived in a simple apartment, cooked his own meals and often used public transportation. His work with the poor carried over to his papacy with his choice of name, inspired by St. Francis of Assisi.

As an archbishop, he performed a ritual foot-washing on Holy Thursday in hospitals and jails, and he continued with that practice this year as pope at a juvenile detention facility in Rome.

In many way, he appears more approachable than recent predecessors.

"He's very gregarious. He really reaches out to people. I've never seen, in the past, popes actually hugging people," the Rev. Francis Karwacki of Church of Our Lady, Mount Carmel, said.

Pope Francis exchanged hugs and kisses with journalists while in Rome, Karwacki said, and he shared more hugs with parishioners at Mass. "He acted," Karwacki said, "like a regular pastor."

His behavior and his attitude make him very relatable to people of all walks of life, Karwacki added.

Pope Francis caused a stir among both conservative and liberal Catholics Thursday when, while washing feet at the detention center, he did so for two young women. It was a first for a pope, scholars say, and a break from church tradition.

While much has been made about the man's humility, Szada said people should use caution when reading into the new pope's humble background. Pope Francis has many positive qualities and is quite sincere, but he said that should not be interpreted that he has a liberal attitude.

"There's a hidden danger of people reading into his personality," Szada said.

As for potential changes in church teaching on contraception, ordination of female priests, abortion and homosexuality, "I don't think you're going to find them in this pope," Szada said.

Although women are barred from becoming priests, Karwacki stressed that they do play a "tremendous role" in the Church. The chancellor of the diocese is a woman, he said. However, when it comes to the priesthood, the priest acts in the person of Christ, Karwacki said, and a literal interpretation of those actions requires the priest to be what Christ was, a man.

"The Church will remain conservative," Karwacki said. "We don't change with public opinion."

DORNSIFE - Despite their quick response, all that firefighters were able to salvage from a modular home on Hooflander Road Saturday morning were eight guns and a knife.

The rest of the home, owned by William Whary, of Washington Township, was destroyed, according to Herndon Fire Chief Tony Gilligan, in a fire that started at approximately 7:30 a.m..

Because it was a double wide modular home, Gilligan said firefighters followed a different approach to fighting the blaze.

"Modular homes are a lot more dangerous to fight. Floors are made from particle board and everything is smaller in scale. They just burn hotter and quicker," Gilligan said.

Gilligan said when firefighters arrived on the scene, flames were shooting out the front door and the rear of the house.

"It was pretty much fully involved when we arrived," Gilligan said.

Add to the situation that water to fight the blaze had to be trucked in on tankers and several firefighters were at a training exercise, there was not much that could be done, Gilligan added.

"Because of the light-weight construction, the structure collapsed in the basement and the flames were shooting up from that," he said.

Whary was not home at the time of the fire. He has been staying at his son's home in Maryland while his wife is convalescing at a nursing home.

Gilligan said the fire is believed to have started in the living room, but there may be too much damage to determine an exact cause. State Police Fire Marshal Kirk Renn will be at the scene Monday morning to investigate .

The scene was cleared at 11:30 a.m. Fire crews that responded were Northumberland County crews from Herndon, Dalmatia, Hickory Corners, Klingerstown, Trevorton and Sunbury and crews from Pillow and Berrysburg in Dauphin County.

PAXINOS - "On a hill far away, stood an old rugged cross, the emblem of suff'ring and shame. And I love that old cross where the dearest and best. For a world of lost sinners was slain."

These words, the beginning of the hymn, "The Old Rugged Cross," were sung by 375 people, another record crowd, who attended the annual Service at the Cross. The service, traditionally held on Easter Saturday near the top of the Paxinos

Mountain, is hosted by Boy Scout Troop 250.

The cross, which is visible from Route 61 coming into Paxinos, has been placed on the mountain during the Easter season for the past 52 years. This year's service was the 26th edition; it wasn't held in 1994 because the grounds were inaccessible due to heavy snow cover.

"It seems like every day we have been praying for good weather, and now we finally have it," organizer Harvey Buriak said in his opening remarks. The crowd was treated to blue skies, sunshine and temperatures in the 40s.

At the start of the service started, Buriak was honored for his 45 years of Scouting leadership and his efforts in planning the service since it began in 1987.

Scout leader Kevin Shervinskie spoke about Buriak's leadership in getting the grounds ready for the service and constantly improving them.

"Harvey is a leader who leads by example," Shervinskie said. "The cross provides a light in us, but it is Harvey's spirit that lights up the cross."

Buriak was honored by several dignitaries in attendance, including State Reps. Kurt Masser and Lynda Schlegel-Culver, Northumberland County Commissioner Richard Shoch and Shamokin Township Supervisor John Klinger.

Masser and Culver passed on not only a citation from the State House of Representatives for Buriak, but one from the state Senate from Sen. John Gordner.

"He is truly an example for his Scouts, showing them the best qualities of the human spirit," Culver read from Gordner's citation.

Masser also read a letter from Congressman Lou Barletta, calling Buriak "an incredible asset to the community," by preserving the tradition of the cross.

Klinger announced the Shamokin Township supervisors proclaimed Saturday as Harvey Buriak Day in the township.

"This is all about the Scouts and the leaders, not me," Buriak said. "All I do is delegate what the Lord's work is."

The return guest speaker for the service was Dave Kyllonen, who brought with him two fellow ministers in music, Duane Nicholson and Neil Enloe, three original members of the gospel group, The Couriers, to perform a concert.

"We have played in about 10,000 churches in our careers, but this may be the biggest church we've ever performed in," Kyllonen said. "The ceiling here goes all the way up to the heavens."

Attendees enjoyed the concert, clapping along and singing some of the old hymns that were part of their song, "The Country Church."

Following the concert, Kyllonen preached, telling the story of Easter through the eyes of Pontius Pilate and how Pilate wrote a letter to Caesar Tiberius about Jesus.

"I watched this man and spoke to him, and all he wanted to talk about was me," Kyllonen said as Pilate. "I've looked at him and saw he has the eyes and the hands of a king, and I will not lift a finger to him unless I am commanded to do so."

He then spoke about how the crowd let Barabbas free and yelled to crucify Jesus Christ.

"Crucify Him! Crucify Him! That is what they shouted, and it echoes as loud today as it does back then when we are not part of the living church and we are AWOL from worshipping him." Kyllonen said. "Make this Easter the day you come back to the Church and back to Jesus."

Following the service, the Scouts provided hot dogs and baked goods for those in attendance.

Boy Scout Troop 250 gave special thanks to the following for their help in preparing for this year's service: Buddy Knoebel, Vought's Equipment Rental, Don Purcell, Bob and Peg Yarger, Ed Heitzman, Ed Begis, Bob Hile, Eleanor Shervinskie, Chuck Hopta, Jeff Probst and John Kurtz, Adam Krushinski, Ryan Shevitski, Joe Long, Ted Heitzman, John Miller and Adam Richardson.

Dialing local numbers will require entering the 570 area code starting Sept. 21.

The state Public Utility Commission announced Thursday that the "permissive dialing period" has begun, meaning people can still dial seven digits to place a call, but beginning Sept. 21, adding the area code will be necessary.

The change is in place to cope with a new area code, 272, which will apply to consumers who receive a new phone number starting Oct. 21, spokeswoman Denise McCracken said Thursday.

"Everyone who has a phone line keeps their number … but after a certain date anyone who applies for a new number will get the new 272 area code," she said.

Callers will have to dial 1 plus the area code and telephone number for all long distance calls, although the price of a call, coverage area or other rates and services will not change.

Dialing 911 will also remain the same.

The move toward a new area code and 10-digit dialing will not be unique to the area.

"We've seen it happen all over the state over the past couple decades," McCracken said.

If your lender canceled or forgave your mortgage debt, you generally have to pay tax on that amount. But there are exceptions to this rule for some homeowners who had mortgage debt forgiven in 2012.

Here are 10 key facts from the IRS about mortgage debt forgiveness:

1. Canceled debt normally results in taxable income. However, you may be able to exclude the canceled debt from your income if the debt was a mortgage on your main home.

2. To qualify, you must have used the debt to buy, build or substantially improve your principal residence. The residence must also secure the mortgage.

3. The maximum qualified debt that you can exclude under this exception is $2 million. The limit is $1 million for a married person who files a separate tax return.

4. You may be able to exclude from income the amount of mortgage debt reduced through mortgage restructuring. You may also be able to exclude mortgage debt cancelled in a foreclosure.

5. You may also qualify for the exclusion on a refinanced mortgage. This applies only if you used proceeds from the refinancing to buy, build or substantially improve your main home. The exclusion is limited to the amount of the old mortgage principal just before the refinancing.

6. Proceeds of refinanced mortgage debt used for other purposes do not qualify for the exclusion. For example, debt used to pay off credit card debt does not qualify.

7. If you qualify, report the excluded debt on Form 982, Reduction of Tax Attributes Due to Discharge of Indebtedness. Submit the completed form with your federal income tax return.

8. Other types of canceled debt do not qualify for this special exclusion. This includes debt canceled on second homes, rental and business property, credit cards or car loans. In some cases, other tax relief provisions may apply, such as debts discharged in certain bankruptcy proceedings. Form 982 provides more details about these provisions.

9. If your lender reduced or canceled at least $600 of your mortgage debt, they normally send you a statement in January of the next year. Form 1099-C, Cancelation of Debt, shows the amount of canceled debt and the fair market value of any foreclosed property.

10. Check your Form 1099-C for the canceled debt amount shown in Box 2, and the value of your home shown in Box 7. Notify the lender immediately of any incorrect information so they can correct the form.

Use the Interactive Tax Assistant tool on IRS.gov to check if your canceled debt is taxable. Also, see Publication 4681, Canceled Debts, Foreclosures, Repossessions and Abandonments. IRS forms and publications are available online at IRS.gov or by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).

Free Tax Help for Military Personnel and Their Families

Many members of the military are able to get their tax returns prepared for free on or off most military bases including overseas locations. The U.S. Armed Forces participates in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program sponsored by the IRS. VITA provides free tax advice, tax preparation, tax return filing and other tax help to military members and their families.

Here are four things you need to know about free military tax assistance:

1. Armed Forces Tax Council. The Armed Forces Tax Council oversees the military tax programs offered worldwide. AFTC partners with the IRS to conduct outreach to military personnel and their families. This includes the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard.

2. Volunteer tax sites. Military-based VITA sites staffed with IRS-trained volunteers provide free tax help and tax return preparation. Volunteers receive training on military tax issues, such as combat zone tax benefits, filing extensions and special benefits that apply to the Earned Income Tax Credit.

3. What to bring. To receive free tax assistance, bring the following records to your military VITA site:

Valid photo identification

Social Security cards for you, your spouse and dependents, or a Social Security number verification letter issued by the Social Security Administration

Birth dates for you, your spouse and dependents

Wage and earning statement(s), such as Forms W-2, W-2G, and 1099-R

Interest and dividend statements (Forms 1099)

A copy of last year's federal and state tax returns, if available

Checkbook for routing and account numbers for direct deposit of your tax refund

Total amount paid for day care and day care provider's identifying number. This is usually an Employer Identification Number or Social Security number.

Other relevant information about income and expenses

4. Joint returns. If you are married filing a joint return and wish to file electronically, both you and your spouse should be present to sign the required forms. If both cannot be present, you usually must bring a valid power of attorney form along with you. You may use IRS Form 2848, Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative for this purpose.

There is a special exception to this rule if your spouse is in a combat zone. The exception allows a spouse to prepare and e-file a joint return with a written statement stating the other spouse is in a combat zone and unable to sign.

IRS Publication 3, Armed Forces' Tax Guide, has more helpful information for members of the military. You can download free publications from the IRS.gov website or order them by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).

Tax Rules on Early Withdrawals from Retirement Plans

Taking money out early from your retirement plan can cost you an extra 10 percent in taxes. Here are five things you should know about early withdrawals from retirement plans.

1. An early withdrawal normally means taking money from your plan, such as a 401(k), before you reach age 59½.

2. You must report the amount you withdrew from your retirement plan to the IRS. You may have to pay an additional 10 percent tax on your withdrawal.

3. The additional 10 percent tax normally does not apply to nontaxable withdrawals. Nontaxable withdrawals include withdrawals of your cost in participating in the plan. Your cost includes contributions that you paid tax on before you put them into the plan.

4. If you transfer a withdrawal from one qualified retirement plan to another within 60 days, the transfer is a rollover. Rollovers are not subject to income tax. The added 10 percent tax also does not apply to a rollover.

5. There are several other exceptions to the additional 10 percent tax. These include withdrawals if you have certain medical expenses or if you are disabled. Some of the exceptions for retirement plans are different from the rules for IRAs.

For more information on early distributions from retirement plans, see IRS Publication 575, Pension and Annuity Income. Also, see IRS Publication 590, Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs). Both publications are available at IRS.gov or by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).