COAL TOWNSHIP - The Northumberland County Career and Technology Center (NCCTC) on Tuesday welcomed Chef Paul Mach, an assistant professor at Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport and host of the PBS TV show "You're the Chef."

"Chef Paul" worked with the culinary arts students to prepare several dishes, including fontina and tomato tarts, dry adobo rub, roasted boneless leg of lamb and Cuban avocado and pineapple salad with seared scallop inn adobo rub.

Mach is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and has more than 25 years experience as a chef in a variety of educational institutions and industry establishments. He also has been active outside the classroom, serving as president of the West Branch Chapter of the American Culinary Federation, participating as a judge at the New York Wine and Food Experience, and taking Penn College culinary students to the Kentucky Derby to cook for thousands of spectators.

The culinary arts program at NCCTC is taught by Chef James Schiavoni.

MOUNT CARMEL - A 40-year-old Coal Township man, who was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and hit and run in connection with three accidents that occurred within minutes of each other last month, waived his right to a preliminary hearing Wednesday afternoon before Magisterial District Judge Hugh Jones.

Leon Phillips, of Hemlock Street, who is employed as a corrections officer at the State Correctional Institution at Frackville, was ordered by Jones to appear for plea court May 21 at Northumberland County Courthouse in Sunbury after waiving two counts each of DUI and hit and run, and one count of failure to provide information and render aid, a stop sign violation and accidents involving death or personal injury.

The charges were filed by Coal Township Patrolman Joshua Wynn.

Phillips is accused of crashing his sport utility vehicle into three vehicles Feb. 17 in the east end of the township, including those occupied by a judge and local police officer.

Police reported Phillips had a blood-alcohol content of .237 percent.

The defendant, who wore his state prison uniform to the hearing, was represented by Attorney Stephen Maitland of Mechanicsburg.

He told the judge that he understood his rights and the ramifications of waiving his case to the Court of Common Pleas, where he can plead guilty or no contest, or seek a trial by pleading not guilty.

Phillips remains free on $10,000 unsecured bail.

The charges were filed at Jones' office in Mount Carmel because Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III is one of the victims in the case.

Wynn said Phillips was driving a silver Ford Expedition east on Tioga Street at about 2:30 p.m. when his vehicle crashed into the rear of a mini van operated by Elizabeth Gembic, 16, of Elysburg, who was stopped at the intersection of Tioga Street and Route 901 at the bottom of Rock Cut Road.

Gembic and her father, Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III, suffered injuries in the accident and were transported by private vehicle to Geisinger-Shamokin Area Community Hospital, where they underwent emergency room treatment before being released.

After hitting Gembic's van, police said Phillips became argumentative before turning around and heading west on Tioga Street. Police said witnesses reported seeing Phillips traveling at a high rate of speed and failing to stop for stop signs at Tioga and Hess streets and Tioga and Thomas streets.

At Tioga and Meade streets, police said Phillips' sport utility vehicle crashed into the rear of a pickup truck operated by John Young, of West Mulberry Street, Coal Township, who was stopped for a stop sign.

Police reported Phillips became argumentative toward Young before attempting to flee the scene. Police said Phillips then backed his vehicle into a Dodge truck operated by Edward Purcell, of Tioga Street, Coal Township, who is a Coal Township police officer and DUI coordinator for the southern end of Northumberland County.

Young, Phillips and Purcell were not injured.

None of the four vehicles involved in the crashes required towing.

Clover Hose egg hunt Sunday

MOUNT CARMEL - The Clover Hose Company annual Easter egg hunt is set for 2 p.m. Sunday at the Mount Carmel baseball fields complex, Railroad and Hickory streets.

Children up to 10 years old are eligible. The event is held as a thank you to the community for supporting local fire departments and emergency personnel. The event always has a special visit from the Easter Bunny and the Clover's mascot the "Green Gator." Every child will receive a gift.

Rain date is 2 p.m. Saturday, April 7.

Those driving to the complex are asked to use the Market Street entrance by the swimming pool. Also remember to watch for children and allow for passage of the fire apparatus when parking.

Report cards to be handed out

COAL TOWNSHIP - The Shamokin Area Middle-High School will distribute report cards to students on Wednesday.

UNIVERSITY PARK - With so many reports in the news media about the dangers associated with certain food ingredients and packaging materials, the public is now understandably suspicious and distrustful of what they eat, according to a food-safety expert in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences.

Americans are becoming more risk averse when it comes to their food supply, suggested Martin Bucknavage, extension food-safety specialist.

"Public-opinion polls have shown there is an increasing concern in consumers' perception of risks associated with chemical food hazards," he said. "It is difficult for the experts to explain all of the details of the technical risk assessments done on these chemicals, and so it is understandable that consumers are confused when they see various reports warning us about the risks of these chemicals in food.

Bucknavage noted that most people see stories about risky chemicals in foods reported in the news media. He contends that how these stories are written affects consumer perception of the danger presented by the chemicals. In addition to television and print news, many people now use the Internet to find information.

"On the Web, we can find the whole gamut of information, from the scientific studies themselves to the totally unscientific opinion pieces," Bucknavage said. "It is difficult in some cases to tell fact from fiction. Some people get freaked out about what they are eating."

He cited several examples in recent headlines. "First, a well-known soup maker recently decided to stop using cans that contain a chemical called BPA in the lining. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration initially concluded that BPA was not a risk, but after public pressure, the agency decided to "re-evaluate the risk associated with BPA."

Second, a controversy is brewing about the caramel dye that gives cola soft drinks their brown color. A chemical, 4-methylimidazole, or 4-MI, is formed when the coloring is manufactured. According to the FDA, the levels found in soda are well below any concern.

"An FDA spokesman said recently that a consumer would have to consume well over 1,000 cans of soda a day to reach the doses administered in the studies that have shown links to cancer in rodents," Bucknavage said. "However, a prominent consumer watchdog group does not agree. Its leaders have petitioned the FDA to have 4-MI banned."

How do the risks associated with certain chemicals in our food stack up against nonfood related risks? For the consumer, Bucknavage believes, this question is difficult to answer.

"Risk communication is difficult when we discuss chemicals that have low toxicity and are in extremely low concentrations," he said. "To evaluate risk of these chemicals, numerous studies usually are completed," he said. "The scientists issue reports of their findings, and from these reports, numerous interpretations are made, including ones by industry associations, consumer-advocacy groups and government agencies.

"Some of these interpretations make their way to the consumer, either through the news media or websites, or through social media such as blogs and Facebook. Along the way, misinterpretation and bias can enter into the message."

The studies that are conducted to determine risk are rarely perfect, Bucknavage conceded. Animal models, where large quantities are injected into small animals such as rats, often are used for toxicity determinations. With these, there is always a question of how realistic it is when compared to humans and their normal living conditions.

"When large-scale human surveys are used to determine risk, it often is difficult to control all of the variables, including what people eat, their daily habits and their genetic makeup," he said. "In the end, we hope that conclusions that are drawn are unbiased and done in the best interest of the public."

Of course, one of the primary fears that people have is cancer. Past tragedies certainly provide an underpinning for the public's concern, Bucknavage explained.

"Asbestos and tobacco are two examples of cancer-related substances that have received a high level of media coverage and have led to people being skeptical," he said. "So when a linkage is made between a chemical in food and cancer in the news or the media, it will get attention. The question of the level of risk, however, often is more difficult to discern."

It's no wonder that people are concerned about food safety when they hear or read reports or suggestions about food being tainted - and that won't change, Bucknavage noted. But he hopes that most will be able to keep things in perspective, if only for their own sake.

"Consumers should inform themselves as best they can by considering the validity of the information source," he said. "It is very important to understand the bias of those providing the information about food. You can't believe everything you read online, for instance.

"Remember that the information out there about food is rarely clear cut, so it is important for consumers not to overreact and seek a balance in news and information sources."

TREVORTON - Trevorton Elementary School might be getting a four-classroom addition to accommodate kindergarten through fourth grade if the Line Mountain School District moves to close two elementary schools.

Discussion at a school board meeting Tuesday night at Trevorton Elementary School centered on whether the addition is necessary.

"If we stay five sections to a grade level, that requires 25 rooms to maintain what we have now. We have 27 rooms, but we also need classrooms for learning support, life skills and a computer lab," Superintendent Dave Campbell further explained Wednesday. "Can it be done (without an addition)? Yes, but it will be tight."

This year, the elementary grades have 503 students, including 109 in kindergarten.

Currently, these students are divided between the elementary schools at Trevorton, Leck Kill and Dalmatia. The plan is to close Leck Kill and Dalmatia and send the fifth- and sixth-grade students to the junior-senior high school in Mandata to join the seventh- and eighth-grade students in a $3.9 million middle school addition, and send the remaining elementary school students to Trevorton.

If the board decides an addition is necessary, the $1.7 million project would be constructed at the northwest part of the building near Sixth and West Shamokin (Route 225) streets. There would be two classrooms on the second floor, two on the first floor and two in the basement for storage.

There are now 14 classrooms on the second floor and 13 on the first floor. There are also three rooms in the basement, but they would be needed for cafeteria overflow and pre-kindergarten.

The board would like to keep classroom sizes for kindergarten below 20 and for first grade at no more than 20. For second to fourth grades, the goal is to have as close to 20 students as possible.

There is enough space to make it work, but the addition would provide some wiggle room, Campbell said.

Director Dennis Erdman said Tuesday night the administration has suggested these classroom sizes.

"We should take their professional advice. If we need four extra classrooms, I don't have a problem with that," he said.

Next month, Josh Bower, Line Mountain project manager representing Crabtree, Rohrbaugh and Associates Architects, will present plans for the proposed Trevorton project and provide updated cost estimates.

Feasibility study

The board is considering a feasibility study to determine whether eliminating the occupation tax and implementing the earned income tax would be better for the district.

Last month the board announced it may have to write off approximately $567,000 in delinquent occupation and per capita taxes, but the district might be able to make up some of the difference through the earned income tax.

However, shifting the tax requires voter approval. A similar move was voted down twice in Mount Carmel Area School District.

Pink slime

Campbell said the district was notified by its meat supplier, Silver Spring Farms, Harleysville, that the "pink slime" product is not used.

"We do not use it. The people in the area are not affected," he said.

"Pink slime" has been the nickname given to the ammonia-treated filler, known in the industry as "lean, finely textured beef." The low-cost ingredient is made from fatty bits of meat left over from other cuts. The bits are heated and spun to remove most of the fat. The lean mix is then compressed into blocks for use in ground meat. The product is exposed to ammonium hydroxide gas to kill bacteria, such as E. coli and salmonella.

SUNBURY - Republicans have a lead of 1,976 in voter registration figures, according to statistics provided by the county elections office. Monday was the deadline for registering to vote or changing party affiliation prior to the April 24 primary.

Prior to the 2011 general election, Republicans had a lead of 1,599 over Democrats.

There are currently 25,273 registered Republicans and 23,297 Democrats in the county. There are 54,411 registered voters, but because Pennsylvania has a closed primary, only registered Republicans and Democrats can vote in their respective primary elections.

Between Nov. 10 and Monday, there were 460 new registrations in Northumberland County. In the same period, the elections office processed 240 changes of party.

In that period, 177 voters changed their affiliation to Republican, 40 to Democrat and 23 to independent.

Coal Township 3,115 1,717

Delaware Township 744 1,438

East Cameron Twp. 185 166

East Chillisquaque Twp. 80 241

Herndon 52 104

Jackson Township 134 334

Jordan Township 104 310

Kulpmont 1,348 448

Lewis Township 356 603

Little Mahanoy Twp. 67 140

Lower Augusta Twp. 191 404

Lower Mahanoy Twp. 235 628

Marion Heights 290 137

McEwensville 63 109

Milton 1,299 1,793

Mount Carmel Boro. 2,351 1,065

Mount Carmel Twp. 1,371 392

Northumberland 842 1,268

Point Township 764 1,429

Ralpho Township 1,098 1,459

Riverside 517 605

Rockefeller Twp. 393 942

Rush Township 220 401

Shamokin City 2,200 1,408

Shamokin Township 535 816

Snydertown 58 108

Sunbury 1,962 2,350

Turbot Township 334 653

Turbotville 185 245

Upper Augusta Twp. 548 1,007

Upper Mahanoy Twp. 128 222

Washington Township 129 242

Watsontown 429 697

West Cameron Twp. 84 165

West Chillisquaque Twp. 443 752

Zerbe Township 443 475

Total, North'd County 25,273 23,297

BEAR GAP - Motivated to act by what they say are overwhelming manure fumes from nearby farming, a Cleveland Township couple and dozens of other residents have decided to fight the prospects of a large-scale pig farm before it's established in their neighborhood.

Thomas Lucid, 67, and his wife, Johanna, 63, of 24 Wynn School Road, a few miles northeast of this village, took their case and a petition with 64 names to the township board of supervisors Tuesday night in an effort to pre-empt any unwanted massive livestock business.

"We can't just sit back and do nothing, and we won't," Thomas Lucid said Wednesday afternoon at his home.

The petition asked for an amendment to the current zoning ordinance that lists agriculture and horticulture as permitted uses within the R2 (residential) district.

"We are petitioning that the livestock density exceeding 100 animals - pigs, horses, cattle and other livestock and the raising of poultry and poultry products - not be allowed within 500 yards of a residential dwelling," the document reads.

Mass produced animal facilities would deter further residential growth, decrease property values, impact roadways due to large truck usage and affect the quality of life and health of residents, they say.

"The vast majority of residents signed this. How can they ignore us?" Johanna Lucid said.

Henry Doraski, township chairman, said he won't ignore them, but he's not sure what can be done.

"Whenever someone wants to apply for a CAFO (concentrated animal feeding operation), it goes through the state and federal government. There would be nothing we can do to stop them," he said Wednesday. "Our ordinance might be overturned."

However, the supervisors are seeking advice from their solicitor and checking with state agencies to determine what the township can and can't do.

"As soon as I know more, they will (too). Right now, I'm in limbo," Doraski said.

He reserved further comment until he was provided with further information and guidance.

Neighbor not impressed

The issue was ignited by the spreading of pig manure on Joel Knoebel's farmland surrounding Wynn School, Middle and Polk roads. Knoebel is the owner of Cleveland Pork, a pork producing operation with thousands of pigs on Center School Road. Cleveland Pork was honored by the 2011 Pork Industry Environmental Stewards for demonstrating "a firm commitment to safeguarding the environment and their local communities," according to an announcement from the organization earlier this year.

Among the practices for which they were honored were odor-control strategies, farm aesthetics and neighbor relations.

Johanna Lucid isn't impressed. The stench was so potent from the Knoebel's spreading manure last week, "My throat burned," she said. "It's infringing on our life."

"The stench we endured is sickening," her husband added.

Attempts to reach Knoebel by phone Wednesday and Thursday and during a visit to his farm Thursday were unsuccessful. He was not at Tuesday's meeting, Doraski said.

Flies, runoff

The Lucids said they and other residents have been unable to sleep, that flies and other insects are rampant and that manure run-off has pooled around mailboxes. They are concerned local wells could be polluted.

For the Lucids it's worse because both have medical conditions that have weakened their immune systems, they said.

They moved to a four-acre property in the township seven years ago to retire.

"It's a great area, but I didn't come back to start a fight," Johanna Lucid said.

They want to make it clear they are not necessarily targeting Knoebel's business, but are hoping to pre-empt any large-scale livestock farm being established near their home.

Still, they said they won't hesitate to seek legal advice and take action, and complaints have already been filed with the county and state government.

"We will pursue this matter through every medium and resource available," Thomas Lucid said.

MOUNT CARMEL - A Shamokin Area Elementary School teacher charged with multiple offenses - including driving under the influence of alcohol, hit and run and aggravated assault by vehicle - in connection with Wednesday night's accident near here that injured five teens, has been suspended without pay for at least the remainder of the school year.

Victor Edward Swaboski III, 38, of 320 S. Beech St., Mount Carmel, who remains incarcerated at Northumberland County Prison in Sunbury in lieu of $100,000 cash bail, was suspended without pay Thursday by the administration at Shamokin Area School District, according to Superintendent James Zack and school board president Tracey Witmer.

Witmer said Swaboski's employment status may change pending the outcome of his criminal case. She did not rule out the possibility of Swaboski being terminated.

Contacted Thursday morning about Swaboski's employment status, Zack said, "We are consulting with our legal advisers to determine what action will be taken in accordance with Act. 24," he said, referencing the law that involves background checks and the Public School Code. "Violations under Act 24 are subject to certain consequences and we are waiting for recommendations on how to proceed."

Late Thursday afternoon, Zack said Swaboski was suspended indefinitely pending an investigation.

Swaboski also is prohibited from having contact with any students in the district and is not allowed to be on school grounds or attend school-sponsored activities off school property.

"From everything I've been told, Mr. Swaboski is one of the best and well-liked teachers in the elementary school," school board member Brian Persing stated. "It's just a shame bad things happen to good people. My heart goes out to the accident victims and their families, and I hope they have a speedy recovery."

Prior to the charges being filed late Wednesday night, Swaboski's record included only three minor traffic violations.

Zack said Swaboski, who teaches sixth-grade students, has been an elementary school teacher in the district for six years.

Second incident

It's the second time this month that a Shamokin Area teacher was charged with criminal offenses. Michael S. Zack, 23, of 201 Warsaw St., Marion Heights, a former substitute teacher at the middle/high school, was charged with felonies of obscene and other sexual materials and unlawful contact with a minor, and a misdemeanor of corruption of minors. He is accused of sending numerous sexually graphic text messages to four female high school students last year.

Nine offenses

Swaboski, a graduate of Mount Carmel Area High School, is charged by Mount Carmel Township Police Chief Brian Hollenbush and Patrolman Daniel Politza with felonies of aggravated assault by vehicle while driving under the influence, flight to avoid apprehension and accidents involving death or personal injury; misdemeanors of driving under the influence of alcohol and recklessly endangering another person, and summaries of failure to provide information and render aid, reckless driving, failure to drive in a single lane and restrictions on alcoholic beverages. For the aggravated assault, accidents involving death or personal injury and reckless endangering charges, Swaboski faces five counts - one for each victim.

He was arraigned on the charges shortly before midnight Wednesday by on-call Magisterial District Judge Hugh Jones of Mount Carmel and is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing at 1 p.m. Wednesday.

Hollenbush said additional charges are pending the results of a blood test taken at Geisinger-Shamokin Area Community Hospital.

Found with 2 beers

Swaboski fled the scene of the accident with one of the bicycles being dragged by his Jeep Liberty, creating a shower of sparks along the road, police said.

He was found later hiding in a wooded area near Seventh and Poplar streets in Mount Carmel and was taken into custody, Hollenbush said. A criminal complaint filed against him states he was found with two cans of Miller Lite beer, one of them open.

Three of the five teens injured in the hit-and-run accident near Mount Carmel Area Elementary School remained hospitalized Thursday. The victims are Tyler Wondoloski, 18, of 802 W. Fifth St., Mount Carmel; Seanna Zimmerman, 13, of 449 E. Seventh St., Mount Carmel; Andrew Campbell, 16, of 411 N. Maple St., Diamondtown; Chelsea Troutman, 14, of 242 S. Peach St., Mount Carmel, and Jarret Schultz, 17, of 236 S. Poplar St., Mount Carmel.

All five of the victims are students at Mount Carmel Area Junior-Senior High School.

Police said bystanders were already providing first aid to the victims when they arrived on scene.

Police reported Swaboski fled the scene on Beaverdale Highway (also known as Locust Gap Highway) before turning right onto West Fifth Street. He turned right onto South Willow Street before turning left onto West Sixth Street before coming to rest at the intersection of West Sixth and South Beech streets.

Swaboski then parked the vehicle on South Beech Street, where witnesses spotted the driver exit the Jeep Liberty and remove the bicycle from underneath his vehicle. After leaving the bicycle on South Beech Street, police said Swaboski proceeded to drive south on Beech Street toward Seventh Street. The Jeep Liberty then turned left onto West Seventh Street and traveled east before coming to rest in the 400 block of South Poplar Street, where he exited the vehicle and ran into the woods.

Mount Carmel Township police and Northumberland County probation and parole officers secured the Jeep Liberty and then began their search for Swaboski, who was found approximately 60 yards up a hill and taken into custody.

Police said the Jeep Liberty sustained extensive front-end damage. The undercarriage of the vehicle also was damaged. The Jeep Liberty was towed by Dave's Auto Body.

Assisting Hollenbush and Politza were Mount Carmel Township Officers Kelly Campbell, David Stamets and Brian Carnuccio, Mount Carmel Patrolmen Justin Stelma and Jason Drumheller, county probation and parole officers, AREA Services Ambulance, Kulpmont Ambulance, Life Flight helicopter personnel, Beaverdale firefighters, Mount Carmel Area Rescue Squad, Mount Carmel Fire Police and members of American Hose Fire Company who set up a landing zone for the helicopters on the campus of Mount Carmel Area Junior-Senior High School.

MOUNT CARMEL - Three of the five teens injured in Wednesday night's hit-and-run accident near Mount Carmel Area Elementary School involving an alleged drunk driver remained hospitalized Thursday.

Mount Carmel Township Police Chief Brian Hollenbush identified the victims as Tyler Wondoloski, 18, of 802 W. Fifth St., Mount Carmel; Seanna Zimmerman, 13, of 449 E. Seventh St., Mount Carmel; Andrew Campbell, 16, of 411 N. Maple St., Diamondtown; Chelsea Troutman, 14, of 242 S. Peach St., Mount Carmel, and Jarret Schultz, 17, of 236 S. Poplar St., Mount Carmel.

Campbell and Zimmerman were flown by Life Flight helicopter to Geisinger Medical Center in Danville. Wondoloski was taken by Kulpmont Ambulance to Geisinger. Troutman and Schultz were

transported by AREA Services Ambulance to Geisinger-Shamokin Area Community Hospital, where they underwent emergency room treatment before being released.

Campbell was listed in serious condition Thursday, while Zimmerman and Wondoloski were reported in fair condition.

All five of the victims are students at Mount Carmel Area Junior-Senior High School.

Victor Edward Swaboski III, 38, of 320 S. Beech St., Mount Carmel, a teacher at Shamokin Area Elementary School, has been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI and other offenses in connection with the 8:30 p.m. crash.

Hollenbush said Wondoloski was riding a bicycle east in a grassy area off Beaverdale Highway (Route 2038, also known as Locust Gap Highway) when he was struck by a blue Jeep Liberty driven east on the highway by Swaboski, who had traveled onto the berm of the road. Hollenbush said Wondoloski and the Jeep Liberty then crashed into Zimmerman, who was walking.

Swaboski's Jeep, Wondoloski and Zimmerman then reportedly struck Campbell, who was either riding his bike or walking along side the bicycle.

The chief said he wasn't sure at this point if Troutman and Schultz, who were walking with their friends, were struck by the Jeep or by the other victims and debris.

The crash remains under investigation.

"It's a very tragic accident that further brings to light the dangers of driving under the influence," Mount Carmel Area Acting Superintendent Bernie Stellar said Thursday. "We plan on helping the students and their families in every possible way so they can recover from their injuries, return to school and get back to their normal routines as soon as possible."

HERSHEY - Taryn L. Gilger has accepted a position at Penn State Hershey College of Medicine as a community interventionist. She will assist in the Walk by Faith research program, which will be conducted in partnership with Penn State University to encourage healthy eating and exercise.

Gilger will assist research participants in ongoing education and support to make diet and exercise changes.

Gilger graduated from Bloomsburg University in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science in exercise science. She is a full-time graduate student and graduate assistant at Bloomsburg University in the Department of Education.

Gilger, a 2007 graduate of Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School, is a daughter of William and JoAnne Gilger and a granddaughter of Elizabeth Gilger, all of Shamokin.

Divorces

Andrew J. Reichenbach, 523 W. Fox Road, Sunbury, from Kristina M. Reichenbach, 1964 Harpers Court, Frederick County, Md. Married Sept. 7, 1996.

Marriage licenses

Tanya Lee Kreitzer to Jonathan E. Simpson, both of Dornsife.

Cory Marie Snader, of Milton, to Scott Allan Maskowski, of Sunbury.

Lorena Ann Kutza, of Elysburg, to Louis David Porzi, of Mount Carmel.

Theresa D. Schuck to Rodney L. Nye, both of Kulpmont.

Amber Alexis Matelevich to Michael Patrick Ennis Jr., both of Mount Carmel.

Dawn Marie Stewart to Andrew James McCann, both of Shamokin.

Property transfers

Susan J. and Larry A. Fetterolf, Debra A. and Paul B. Losiewicz, Thomas F. Reed to Eric M. Scicchitano, property in Shamokin, $15,000.

Van J. Snyder to Janet Parker, property in Shamokin, $1.

Susan J. and Larry A. Fetterolf, Debra A. and Paul B. Losiewicz, Thomas F. Reed to Matthew Losiewicz, property in Shamokin, $8,000.

Paul W. Jr. and Virginia A. Billow to Benjamin J. and Rebecca A. Spickler, property in Washington Township, $1.

Joshua T. Rosini Sr. to Joshua T. Sr. and Dana L. Rosini, property in Ralpho Township, $1.

Joshua J. Arnold, Melissa R. Heim to Joshua J. Arnold, property in Shamokin, $1.

George Jr. and Elizabeth Long to Abraham D. and Sara C. Freet, property in Sunbury, $43,000.

Nora E. Stahl estate, Brad E. Lenig, executor and individually, to Daryl Troup, property in Kulpmont, $5,000.

Norman E., Kathy M., Earl C. Jr. and Susan C. Minnier to Norman E., Earl C. Jr., Rickey H. and Barry R. Minnier, property in Rockefeller Township, $1.

Evelyn M. Bogdan estate, Cheryl A. Victoriano, Cheryl A. Kauwell and Todd R. Hummell, co-executors, to Mark B. Kauwell, property in Shamokin, $23,000.

Joseph P. McFadden, trustee, Harrisburg Diocese, by trustee, to Carmel of Jesus Mary and Joseph, property in Ralpho Township, $1,000,000.

Jean Marie Greco, agent, Irene D. Lagerman, by agent, to Christopher A. and Carolyn A. Yucha, property in Mount Carmel, $10,000.

First National Bank of Pennsylvania, Omega Bank to One Snip Over the Edge, property in Shamokin, $32,000.

Patricia A. and Reynold J. Scicchitano, Frederick D. and Mary Louise Podobinski, Ann C. and John B. Payonk to Victor C. Yarsky, property in Marion Heights, $120,000.

Richard E. Martini estate, Joseph J. Springer and Gregory M. Martini, executors, to Michael A. and Jane L. Klembara, property in Coal Township, $77,000.

Daniel E. and Rebekah A. Strohecker to Daniel E. and Rebekah A. Strohecker, property in Rockefeller Township, $1.

Andrew D. Voneida to Amber Jo Derk, property in Zerbe Township, $82,001.

Debra A. Bohner to Gary L. Jr. and Lynda L. Heddings, property in Riverside, $90,000.

Lorraine June Deitrick estate, Kenneth Deitrick, Donna Yoncuski, Donna Deitrick, executors, to Kenneth Deitrick, five properties in Coal Township, $1 each, and one property in East Cameron Township, $1.

Carol Ann Trombley to Robert V., William C. and Sean M. Trombley, property in Mount Carmel, $1.

Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania to Lesley S. Zettlemoyer, property in Coal Township, $8,500.

Ricky S. and Lisa Ann Kline to Richard J. Knovich, property in Shamokin, $103,000.

Samuel E. and Tara L. Bussey to Joshua P. Billow, property in Rockefeller Township, $129,000.

James D. and Norma J. Swank to Robert E. Swank Jr., property in Shamokin Township, $1.

MAHANOY CITY - The 18-year-old man charged with killing Gene Slavinsky on Tuesday morning was once his neighbor, authorities said.

Jarvin Malik Huggins, White Owl Manor, 5 White Owl Drive, Room 17, is charged with felony criminal homicide, burglary, robbery, aggravated assault, theft by unlawful taking and criminal trespass as well as misdemeanor offenses of theft by unlawful taking and unauthorized use of automobiles for allegedly beating Slavinsky, 48, to death inside his 408 W. Centre St. home.

State police Trooper Edward Lizewski of the Frackville station, the arresting officer, said that Huggins knew Slavinsky prior to the slaying.

Although he could not call the two friends, Lizewski said Saturday that the two were "familiar with each other."

At one point, Lizewski said Huggins and Slavinsky were neighbors.

About 9 a.m. Tuesday, Lizewski said Huggins entered the Slavinsky home through a metal trap door on the front porch, lured the victim to the basement by interrupting electrical power from the breaker box and then beat him over the head with a 12-pound metal window weight.

Lizewski said the weight, that measured about 16-inches long, was found near the body with blood, hair and skin still attached.

After taking a laptop computer and money, Lizewski said Huggins stole Slavinsky's car to take the stolen goods to his room and then returned the vehicle.

Slavinsky's body was found by neighbors about 8 p.m. Thursday and less than 24 hours later, Huggins was taken into custody while trying to run from White Owl Manor on foot after crawling through a window. He was charged after confessing to the crime.

At the Slavinsky home Saturday, balloons and a white poster board with words of condolences written on it could be seen by people driving by on the borough's main street.

"Gob Bless Gene!" said one message signed by "The Killians" while another message read "You were a great person with a wonderful heart. You will be missed by many people. RIP Gene," signed John and Lyndsey Morgans.

While friends and family of Slavinsky are mourning, Huggins sits in Schuylkill County Prison where he is being held without bail after being arraigned Friday night by Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko, Port Carbon.

Bail for a criminal homicide charge can only be set by a judge in the county Court of Common Pleas and not on the magisterial district judge level.

Schuylkill County Coroner Dr. David Moylan said an autopsy Saturday at Reading Hospital determined Slavinsky died of a fractured skull caused by blunt force trauma.

Moylan confirmed the state police charges and ruled the manner of death homicide.

Lizewski said investigators believe that Huggins targeted Slavinsky because he knew the man and that he knew he had cash inside the home.

The killing was not a random act of violence, the officer said.

"The people of Mahanoy City are just as safe today as they were prior to this killing," Lizewski said.

Noteworthy

Coal Township sweeper schedule

COAL TOWNSHIP - The street sweeper will clean streets throughout the township according to the following schedule:

- Monday morning, north side of Mulberry Street from Locust to Jackson; both sides of Main Street, Ranshaw.

- Monday afternoon, south side of Mulberry Street from Locust to Jackson; both sides of Main Street, Ranshaw.

- Tuesday morning, north side of Pine Street from First to Locust; sorth side of Webster Street, Ranshaw.

- Tuesday afternoon, south side of Pine Street from First to Locust; south side of Webster Street, Ranshaw.

- Wednesday morning, north side of Pine Street from Locust to Jackson; east side of Center Street from Route 61 to 16th Street.

- Wednesday afternoon, south side of Pine Street from Locust to Jackson; west side of Center Street from Route 61 to 16th Street.

- Thursday morning, north side of Montgomery Street from Oak to Jackson; east side of Center Street from 16th Street to Route 61 (Brewery Curve).

- Thursday afternoon, south side of Montgomery Street from Oak to Jackson; west side of Center Street from 16th Street to Route 61 (Brewery Curve).

- Friday morning, north side of State Street from Oak to Jackson.

- Friday afternoon, south side of State Street from Oak to Jackson.

SHENANDOAH - Authorities are trying to piece together the events that led to a shooting in the borough Saturday night.

The incident was the second attack in Shenandoah in less than 24 hours. A man was stabbed earlier Saturday morning.

About 6:40 p.m., police from Shenandoah and surrounding communities, as well as state police, were called to 504 W. Coal St. for a report of a shooting with one person injured.

As police were converging on the home, officers detained three men on a sidewalk of North West and West Coal streets.

The men were placed in handcuffs and were lying on their stomachs surrounded by officers with shotguns and pistols drawn. They were later taken to the borough police station for questioning as the investigation continued.

Four blocks down the street, Shenandoah EMS treated one man with a reported gunshot wound to his leg. He was taken to the Shenandoah helipad on East Washington Street and then flown to Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, in the MedEvac helicopter.

Shenandoah police Chief Joseph Hall and Capt. George Carado are investigating the incident.

The shooting apparently occurred in an open lot behind a home at 504 W. Coal St. where local officers and state police searched for evidence, including spent shell casings.

Hall said additional information will be released as soon as it becomes available.

Earlier Saturday, about 2:10 a.m., a man was stabbed in the torso in front of the Mexican Bar in the first block of East Centre Street.

Patrolman Michael O'Neill said a Hispanic man, believed to be in his 20s, was flown to Geisinger Medical Center for treatment of the wound.

No other information on the person responsible or what led up to the stabbing was available.

Police are asking that anyone with information on the stabbing or on the shooting call them at 462-1991 or through the Schuylkill County Communications Center at 462-1991.

All information will remain confidential.

PAXINOS - A record crowd turned out at the cross atop Paxinos Mountain Saturday for the annual Easter weekend service, during which organizers paid respects to one of their own.

The Service at the Cross, the 51st such service held at the site, attracted 376 attendees - nearly a hundred more than last year's record crowd - perhaps helped by the perfect spring weather that enhanced the atmosphere of the event.

The Service at the Cross is organized annually by Boy Scouts and leaders of Troop 250.

"How many preachers are here?" asked Harvey Buriak, former Scoutmaster, in his opening remarks.

"I bet you're happy when you fill up the pews. That's as happy as I am right now."

Scouts from the troop based at Clark's Grove United Methodist Church in Irish Valley replaced the original cross in 1986 with the larger 26-foot version that stands today. Troop members camp at the site each year leading up to Easter Sunday and illuminate the cross with floodlights throughout the holy weekend.

An integral member of the troop was David Stefanovige, a 22-year-old Eagle Scout who'd begun working for Boy Scouts of America's Susquehanna Council just two months before he was killed in a car accident in Lycoming County last September. He was on his way to a Scout meeting when the accident occurred.

A memorial stone engraved with his name and the words "May your memory live on" is inset on a cement wall at the base of the cross. It was unveiled by the troop to Stefanovige's parents, Sandy and Glenn, both of whom were visibly moved by the gesture.

"We lost a good right arm," Glenn said of his son as he choked back tears, "but Jesus gained one."

David was always infatuated with the cross when they drove past it on Route 61. It was the cross, Sandy said, that forged his interest in Scouting.

This year's guest speaker was David Kyllonen, a longtime preacher and gospel singer who attended Bible college with Shamokin resident Ted Heitzman, who invited him to the event.

Kyllonen preached to the audience through the viewpoint of a Roman centurion, Cornelius, who was conflicted by his admiration for Jesus Christ and his sense of duty during the crucifixion.

He was charismatic in his portrayal of the soldier, expressing anger, regret and guilt as he helped visualize for the audience the crucifixion and resurrection.

Toward the end of his message, he turned to look out over the valley - a view as far as it is stunning - and remarked, "Coming to this hillside, seeing this cross, makes Easter special."

Easter sets Christianity apart from all other religions. We have a living Savior, Jesus Christ, God's only begotten son, who conquered sin, the grave and hell. He arose triumphant from the grave; the tomb is empty.

Because Jesus lives, every believer who has accepted his atoning sacrifice will live forever in Heaven with him.

Ephesians 1:7,8 "In him (Jesus) we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of his grace, that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding." (NIV)

Jesus said in John 14:6, "I am the resurrection and the life. He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never, never die. Believist thou this?"

Christianity is a death-conquering religion. Death is not the final act in the drama of life because he, Jesus, lives, we too shall live. Take time to read I Corinthians, chapter 15. In verse three, we read that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures. In verse four we read that he was buried, that he was raised again according to the Scriptures. And verses five through seven declares that Jesus was seen after his resurrection by many witnesses. In John 14:1-3, Jesus said, "Let not your heart be troubled, ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my father's house are many mansions, if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there ye may be also." (KJV)

Jesus paid a great price for our sins when he suffered such a brutal death. No greater love hath anyone, than to lay down his life for someone. Every drop of blood that Jesus shed for our sins cries out, "I LOVE YOU."

God vindicated His satisfaction for Jesus' payment for sin when He raised Christ from the dead. Jesus is now seated at the Father's right hand making intercession for us.

I pray at this Easter season you will experience forgiveness for your sins. That you will worship God with a heart that has experienced freedom from sin and peace with God. May the joy of strength as the peace of God floods your soul in this Holy season.

Jesus is Risen!

He Arose!

HALLELUJAH!

This Easter, celebrate your victory over sin because of Jesus' atoning sacrifice and rejoice with all believers for the great hope and future we have in Jesus Christ.

Editor's note: With redistricting, the Shamokin-Mount Carmel area and other Northumberland County municipalities to the south and east of Sunbury will now be included in the 11th Congressional District. This story focuses on the contested Democratic primary in the district.

With the nation's economic slump in its fourth year, its citizens remain worried.

Polls show concerns about the economy, jobs, unemployment and personal finances trump all others.

For good reason.

The nation's unemployment rate for March dropped only a tenth of a percentage point from February to 8.2 percent with an anemic 120,000 jobs created.

The uncertainty is roiling election races with the economy expected to be the top issue as politicians seek office this year.

Candidates in a local congressional election are offering a wide menu of ideas for creating jobs.

In the 11th Congressional District race, the Democratic primary pits Harrisburg area activist-investor-consultant Gene Stilp against Wilkes-Barre attorney Bill Vinsko.

"A lot of people are very concerned," Vinsko said. "They won't want to leave their job because of health care costs; they don't want to leave their job or they don't want to start a new business because they're afraid the economy is not going to be able to sustain it."

Vinsko, who runs a law office and two other small businesses, said he favors providing more federal money for entities such as the Northeast Pennsylvania Industrial Research Center in Luzerne County, which lends federal and state money to small businesses willing to put up some of their own money and agree to a long-term commitment to create jobs.

"It can't be all on the government and it can't be all on the business," he said. "We have to have opportunities for businesses to grow. I like that model because I'm familiar with it, I've used it. ... I firmly believe that job creation is not going to be with large companies hiring masses of people. The only way we're going to be able to solve the job crisis is to hire people one, two, three at a time."

Vinsko also said Congress must focus on repair and developing the nation's roads, bridges and other infrastructure.

"Pennsylvania's roads and bridges are in very bad shape," he said. "And if we create an infrastructure bill that allows people to go back to work, that is one way to do it."

He also called for more flexibility in allowing earlier construction seasons and later ends to construction as weather dictates.

Stilp said the first thing he would do as a congressman is aggressively urge the state's delegation to work together to bring federal resources to bear on Pennsylvania's needs.

He called for a fight against the "army of lobbyists and lawyers" employed by large corporations that are getting "all the tax breaks" and hurting smaller competitors, an end to tax breaks for companies that received federal bailouts and using that money to focus on small businesses.

"Small businesses create a lot of the new jobs. That's where we have to grow them from," Stilp said.

He also would urge creation of a Securities & Exchange Commission office to teach small companies how to attract money for development; encourage public-school instruction of students on how to handle finances because that could prevent the students from getting so deeply in debt that they become a drag on the nation's economy; work for passage of a bill to allow credit unions to lend more of their money to small businesses; require credit unions to invest locally; encourage more research and development at local universities; and work toward building a community college in the Sunbury area.

Once, the possibility of losing his home state's primary election was almost unthinkable.

Once, Rick Santorum shockingly upset an entrenched Pittsburgh area Democratic congressman, Doug Walgren, then pulled another stunning upset four years later over Democratic Sen. Harris Wofford to win a Senate seat.

The same Rick Santorum got trounced in his 2006 Senate re-election bid by Democrat Bob Casey, but that was supposedly a sign of the times. No way the Republicans' former number three man in the Senate from southwest Pennsylvania could lose his former home state's Republican presidential primary to ex-Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.

Why only a month ago, a Franklin & Marshall College poll of registered Republicans had Santorum up almost 30 percentage points.

Just like Santorum's congressional career, the lead faded.

As Romney piled up wins in other states over the last month, Santorum's fortunes sank on the national level, and his standing in Pennsylvania along with them.

In the last two weeks, four polls of Pennsylvania Republican voters, including another by Franklin & Marshall, showed Santorum's once dominant margin at 2 to 6 percentage points. One poll, by a Democratic-leaning firm, had Romney up 5 points.

The once unthinkable is suddenly possible.

"Absolutely, he could lose here," political analyst Christopher P. Borick said.

With Romney coming off primary wins in Wisconsin, Washington, D.C. and Maryland on Tuesday, the Republican presidential nominat-

ing process is in a three-week stretch of campaigning leading up to primary elections April 24 in Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware, Connecticut, Delaware and Rhode Island.

Pennsylvania's 72 delegates are second only to New York's 95 that day.

Santorum says the race is at "halftime," but the truth is he has less than half the delegates of Romney - 655 to 272, according to the RealClearPolitics.com count.

"And who's ready to charge out of the locker room in Pennsylvania for a strong second half?" Santorum asked a crowd in Mars, Butler County, the county where he was raised.

Well, Santorum better be ready because he needs a big third quarter and a big fourth quarter on top of that to regain serious hopes of contending again for the nomination.

Defeat in Pennsylvania would doom his chances this year for good.

As it was for former Sen. Hillary Clinton, when she fell behind in delegates in 2008 against Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, the math is against Santorum.

With 20 states to go, Santorum must win 82.8 percent of all the remaining delegates to reach the 1,144 needed for nomination while Romney only needs 46.4 percent. Santorum's is task complicated by the fact that 16 of the 20 award delegates proportionally, which means Romney is almost certain to keep getting a share.

Another factor complicates matters here for Santorum, too. He fought so hard in earlier states to stay alive he could not recruit people to run as his delegates as actively as Romney. So he could win the popular vote, but watch Romney walk away with a larger share of delegates than normally expected.

Just adding delegates is Romney's chief strategy here.

"We're going to campaign and compete in Pennsylvania, but honestly we expect Santorum to win his home state just like Mitt won Massachusetts, Newt (Gingrich) won Georgia," said Amanda Henneberg, a spokeswoman for Romney's campaign. "Our goal is to earn as many delegates as we can in Pennsylvania."

Santorum has said he must win Pennsylvania, predicted he will win and spur his next revival.

"He's already done," said Michael Federici, Ph.D., chairman of the political science department at Mercyhurst University. "And he's already done in part because if you look at the lineup of primaries and you look at the delegate count, he can't get anywhere near (the nominating number). His only hope would be a brokered convention."

In a brokered Republican National Convention, Romney would fail to win nomination on the first ballot and maybe committed delegates would be free to back others on subsequent ballots.

Despite the delegate math, Santorum, never a quitter, fights on, and other math remains in his favor. Poll numbers underlying even his narrower lead show a candidate who remains popular and respected.

- More than half (52 percent) of the Republicans who answered a recent Quinnipiac University poll said Santorum has more honesty and integrity than most people in public life. Only a quarter (25 percent) said that of Romney.

- Almost half (49 percent) said Santorum changes his position less often than most public figures. Slightly more than a quarter (27 percent) said that about Romney.

- Almost two-thirds (64 percent) had a favorable view of Santorum while about six in 10 (59 percent) had a favorable view of Romney.

As in other states, Santorum polls well with broad swaths of the Republican electorate here. In the Quinnipiac poll, he did better than Romney by substantial or wide margins among self-identified conservatives; white-born-again-evangelicals; Tea Party members; people lacking college degrees and earning less than $100,000; and all age groups except senior citizens.

They form his conservative base, but as even Santorum has acknowledged, Pennsylvania's Republicans are a more diverse group that comes late to staunch conservatism if at all.

"He's trying to make the case that they will lose if they nominate Romney," said G. Terry Madonna, Ph.D., the director of the Franklin & Marshall polls that Santorum last Sunday criticized as the work of "a Democratic hack" before other polling verified the race's closeness. "Now, the big question I have is does he stay on that message or does he shift the paradigm back to the economy and back to the issues that moderate voters care about, which are debts and deficits and budget matters and fiscal matters, not social issues."

Santorum is still the favorite to win Pennsylvania, but to widen his margin beyond current polls, he must enlarge his current base or appeal to moderates, Madonna said.

It is a difficult task for a conservative Republican who lost all four Republican-vote-rich suburban Philadelphia counties to Casey in 2006. Most observers attributed Santorum's 2006 loss to a political environment that had turned against President George W. Bush, whom Santorum has staunchly supported, but his tepid showing in polls points to perhaps other reasons.

Some conservative Republicans could also be feeling less warmth for Santorum because of his 2004 support for the re-election of U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter, who narrowly defeated conservative darling Pat Toomey in the primary that year.

"It's hard for Santorum to make the argument, if people remember that, that he's Mr. Conservative because (they say) 'Really, Arlen Specter?'" Federici said.

Though Santorum grew up in Pennsylvania and sees himself as the hometown candidate, he has moved to Virginia and is not seen as much that way by voters here any longer, Allegheny County Republican Party Chairman Jim Roddey said,

"I just don't think that his message resonates with independents and moderate Democrats," Roddey said.

"His message is a good message for the conservative part of the Republican Party, but we're really trying to choose someone to run in November. Rick is a remarkable campaigner, he's gone further than any of us ever imagined that he would, but nevertheless he's not going to be the nominee. And I think the people in Pennsylvania really want someone that can win. To them, I think it's more important to win than to have somebody that they sort of feel like they have an obligation to support."

Santorum's emphasis on social issues is off target, Roddey said.

"While it will appeal to some voters, most people are concerned about the economy and jobs," Roddey said. "And I think that Rick is not even talking about that."

Roddey predicted a close outcome.

"I think it's a toss-up," he said. "I think Romney probably has the momentum, he's got a better organization, he's obviously got more money. So I think he will close that gap, and I think it's really about turnout whether or not Rick gets his old faithful supporters from the middle of the state to come out."

Even in his loss to Casey, Santorum won 34 of 67 counties, almost all of them in the state's Republican 'T' - the northern and central Pennsylvania counties that are solidly Republican.

They are where Mr. Santorum's base voters live, many of them the born-again evangelicals who have formed the core of his support in other states and view him in an almost messianic way,

"He sees this (campaign) in almost apocalyptic terms," Madonna said. "He sees this campaign as a mission to save America from falling off the precipice ... I think he believes that this is his place in time, his moment, and that (this is) his mission - (with) deeply felt feelings about freedom, government encroachment on all aspects of life, including religion and culture - that it's his time and I think that this is as much mission as it is a campaign."

In Earthly terms, there is still an election to win. On Thursday, according to published reports, Santorum met with conservative leaders to strategize. They apparently concluded one way is to increase pressure on Gingrich, the former House Speaker, to drop out so conservatives coalesce around Santorum.

"It's almost a no-win situation for Santorum," said Borick, director of the Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion.

Winning Pennsylvania could offer Santorum some redemption for 2006, he said.

"But it doesn't change anything and it really doesn't prove much other than he was able to hold on to his home state," Borick said. "If he loses here, the combination of that loss and his defeat in 2006 is a scathing repudiation by his home state voters. And that's hard to swallow."

MIKE STAUGAITIS/Staff Photo

The eighth annual Easter egg hunt sponsored by Mount Carmel Celebration of Special Athletes Committee, took place on Saturday at Mount Carmel Town Park. The Unknown Riders, a motorcycle club, is a co-sponsor of the event. Here Coriander Brigante, 3, meets the Easter Bunny.