LOCUST TOWNSHIP - A 13-year-old boy had to point a shotgun at a Bloomsburg man to get him to stop choking his mother in a December altercation at their home, Locust Township Police Department reported in filing charges earlier this month.

Samuel Russell Bennick, 34, of 335 W. Fourth St., Bloomsburg, was charged with a misdemeanor count of simple assault, criminal mischief and theft by unlawful taking, and three misdemeanor counts of recklessly endangering another person for his alleged actions on Dec. 25 and 26 at the home of his girlfriend of 55 days, Wendy Champoux, of 209 Quaker Meeting House Road, according to the affidavit of probable cause.

The charges were filed by township Patrolman Christopher Snyder in the office of Magisterial District Judge Craig W. Long, Catawissa.

In court paperwork, Snyder said was dispatched to the house at approximately 2:28 p.m. Dec. 26 for a report of an assault.

When he arrived, Champoux said Bennick, who was no longer at the house, assaulted her at 12:30 a.m. that day. Snyder observed marks on the upper portion of her chest and a bruise on her left leg.

In a written statement at approximately 1 p.m. Jan. 2 at the township station, Champoux said Bennick, now her ex-boyfriend, became angry on Dec. 25 over a phone call between her and a friend, Regina Bradeur.

Bradeur apparently hates Bennick, and he was not happy that Champoux pays Bradeur's rent because "he feels he is entitled to it," Champoux told police.

For the next 20 minutes, Bennick, who was smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages, "raged and screamed" at Champoux, and she calmly told him that "no friend of hers speaks to her that way, especially not a boyfriend," police said.

While in the garage where the argument took place, Bennick allegedly stole a bag containing handcuffs, lighters and bowls for smoking marijuana to "make a point," police said.

Champoux ended the relationship immediately and then offered to take him to his ex-fiance Jennifer Slusser's house in Bloomsburg in the morning, police said.

After a few moments of calmness, Bennick again starting yelling, and Champoux's 10-year-old daughter, who was playing in the living room, asked him to stop, but he refused, police said.

Champoux's 13-year-old son told the couple to take the argument outside, police said.

Bennick and Champoux went to the garage for an hour and everything seemed calmed, police said. At 11:55 p.m., the young girl wanted to go to bed, and Bennick questioned why. When she said she felt sick, Bennick allegedly came face to face and told her that "people don't cry because their tummy hurts. Why are you crying?" police said.

When Champoux started speaking on behalf of her daughter, Bennick became angry again, starting yelling, swearing and threatening her. While physically restraining Champoux, he spoke calmly to the child, police said.

However, Champoux told her to walk away and Bennick again "raged" and threw the woman to the floor and walls by the throat, police said.

The children retreated to their room, and Bennick would not allow Champoux to gain entry, throwing her back approximately a dozen times, police said.

According to the report, Bennick took Champoux by the throat, began choking her and crushing her chest with his other fist.

Champoux's daughter came out to tell the man to stop, and told police she saw Bennick crushing her mother on the dryer and against the wall, police said.

"You're such an actress, look at you submit to me," Bennick allegedly said when Champoux went "utterly limp."

At that point, Champoux's son opened the door holding a 20-gauge Mossberg shotgun and told Bennick he had two slugs loaded, police said.

Bennick then backed away, police said.

Twenty-five minutes later, Bennick's ex-fiance came to the house to pick him up, and Slusser said Bennick did not appear drunk and he never laid a hand on her (Slusser), police said.

Slusser wanted to have a conversation among the three, but Champoux refused and ordered her to get Bennick out of her house, police said.

At approximately 1:25 a.m., the family of three drove to the children's father's house, where they spent the night; Bennick and Slusser apparently stayed at the house until 4 a.m., during which time he allegedly ripped a cupboard door off the hinges in the kitchen, police said.

He also allegedly smashed glasses, mugs, plates, Christmas decorations and family heirlooms, and damaged Champoux's crystal, mineral and gem collection, police said.

Champoux was granted a protection from abuse order against Bennick Dec. 27.

Bennick is scheduled to appear before Long in court for his preliminary arraignment on April 10.

COAL TOWNSHIP - Shamokin Area Elementary School announced its distinguished honor roll and honor roll for the first marking period of the 2013-14 school year.

The honor roll is based on the average of the major subjects. Distinguished honors is the range of 95 to 100 percent and honor roll is 90 to 94 percent, along with earning "satisfactory" in conduct and minor subjects.

Distinguished honors

Grade 6: Kanwal Alvi, Jacob Alvord, Conner Anascavage, Lily Avans, Ivan Bilbay, Margaret Bowers, Gabriel Burns, Paige Campbell, Morgan Clemens, Violet Dales, Raven Depeal, Abbey Diorio, Joshua Dombrowski, Blake Hartzel, Leslie Haupt, Rhaeghan Henz, Blake Kane, Kaylee Koshinski, Farrah Krum, Janet Kulish, Emma Laughlin, Brittney Lute, Alexandria Madison, Cherie Martin, Sheyenne Moore, Samantha Pennycoff, Ashley Ponatoski, Hunter Rodarmel, Abby Rodman, Sophie Rossnock, Jasmine Scandle, Angelina Schaeffer, Telaysia Shafer, Isibelle Sienkiewicz, Emily Slanina, Molly Stevens, Myah Thompson, Angel Velazquez and Jonathan Washuta.

Grade 5: Amanda Angstadt, Alexa Bainbridge, Joshua Bashore, Hunter Bates, Jonathan Bevan, Collin Bozza, Tia Bressi, Kaine Bressi, Devin Britton, Brianna Bullock, Alexis Carl, Katye Clark, Olivia Coller, Emma Dailey, Gavin Degreen, Kyele Dehoutaint, Paige Ditzel, Ryleigh Faust, Tessa Fegley-kublic, Victoria Fellin, Aaron Frasch, Adam Guzik, Blake Harris, Olivia Haupt, Shane Hess, Rosalind Kane, Jaden Kodack, Hayden Kramer, Emma Kramer, Kali Leiby, Destinee Leonard, Maximus Madden, Rylie Mccarty, Matthew Metzger, Edward Morales, Grace Nazih, Ariana Nolter, Ashlea Oakum, Ian Paul, Nathanael Pennell, Alyssa Persing, Brent Reed, Sydney Rhoads, Mackenzie Roman, Aleyna Russell, Casen Sandri, Aaron Shicora, Caleb Shingara, Kathryn Slotterback, Destiny Smith, Gwen Sulouff, Elizabeth Swilp, Joseph Tarr Jr., Haelee Taylor, Nicholas Velez, Brionna Wyland, Kayla Yadlosky, Emma Zimmerman and Michael Zimmerman II.

Grade 4: Kathleen Amato, Katrina Angstadt, Cameron Annis, Skye Balonis, Makenzie Bixler, Sarah Blenkinsop, Kameron Bowers, Mackenzie Clattenburg, Jordan Cruse, Dominic Delorso, Dominic Diehl, Gavin Dietterick, Abigail Eschbach, Tricity Frederick, Kayla Harvey, Mason Hogancamp, Emily Honicker, Isabelle Kapushinski, Craig Kerstetter, Garrett Kitchen, Colin Malkoski, Dominic Michaels, Savannah Monroe, Marcus Moyer, Adell Munson, Morgan Nolter, Bryce Pancher, Airin Petrovich, Noah Phillips, Hunter Rodman, Brenden Rogers, Molly Rossnock, Ethan Roughton, Mackenzie Rowe, Hannah Schaeffer, Dallas Scicchitano, Colin Seedor, Claudia Seidel, Dakota Shaw, Jesse Shultz, Kandi Slodysko, Airiana Smallwood, Carter Smink, Camden Smith, Madisen Smith, Xaiver Smith, Sarah Snavely, Scott Snyder Jr., John Swank, Kyle Todd, Madyson Waugh and Christian Wesloskie.

Honor roll

Grade 6: Matthew Bellis, Samantha Cryts, Eric Curran, Stacie Dees, Madelyn Donahue, Jayce Fagerstrom, Madison Foulds, Tate Frederick, Callen Herb, Victoria Hine, Brian Hornberger, Devin Kays, Kirstyn Kehler, Hunter Kerstetter, Rachel Kerstetter, Rebecca Kriner, Blake Markowski, Makayla Moroskie, Andrew Nelson, Connor Nye, Will Orme, Nathan Persing, Kayla Pietkewicz, Robert Prawdzik, Brianna Roth, John Schofield Jr., Alyssa Snyder, Alyssa Swartz, Emma Tomcavage, Logan Williams, Cheyanne Wolf, Megan Wywadis, Chloe Yoder and Katelyn Zawalick.

Grade 5: Austin Bainbridge, Jean Baker, Emilee Bland, Thomas Bramhall, Nathan Buranich, Sean Calabro, Savanna Carl, Faith Carpenter, Grace Carpenter, Joseph Daya III, Jaiden Dees, William Delbaugh, Collin Duganitz, Ethan Eltringham, Diana Faust, Madison Frey, Kieran Gallagher, Jackson Hancock, Seth Hart, Austin Haupt, Austen Heffner, Thomas Herrold, Damian Hile, Carole Hinkle, Hannah Hockenbroch, Tumaje Islam, Alexa Jacobs, Zajorie James, Shanon Jilinski, Tyler Kalman, Zackary Kinsey, Mark Kiracofe, Paige Kleman, Conner Kurtz, Gabrielle Kurtz, Marissa Lehman, Dylan Liebl, Gabriellemarrone, Diana Martinez, Ryanne Martz, Brenton Mccaffery, Kierstyn Mcdonald, Dennis Mcfee, Damian Meiser, Timothy Michaels Jr., Joseph Miner, Shanikwa Moore, Ian Morris, Noah Orner, Alexia Ortiz, Megan Roman, Akeya Schartiger, Daniel Shepherd, Jantzen Shoff, Paige Shoffler, Jessica Simpson, Mackenzie Snyder, Mariah Surace, Jacob Turner, Tyler Whary and Dominic Wilson.

Grade 4: Wade Alleman, Arissa Arnold, Miranda Balthaser, Kloey Baney, Xander Baylor, Julissa Bednar, Dylan Briggs, Santino Carapellucci, Gina Carapellucci, Benjamin Cohoon, Terelina Conbeer, Richard Conner Jr., Abigail Cryts, Robert Depeal, Zandra Finkelstein, Rachael Fortune, Robert Harvey, Presley Herman, Destiny Hinkle, David Kaleta, Skye Keefer, Caydin Kern, Frank Kinger, Gavin Kodack, John Kodack III, Karrah Kurtz, Riley Macaluso, Xavier Negron, Samantha Nicola, Gavin Nye, Carson Ososkie, Brianna Pancher, Odin Rabka, Joslynn Rhodes, Michael Roman, Joseph Sacco IV, Francis Sanzotto, Rachael Schoch, Brady Sebasovich, Libby Shingara, Jadyn Shipe, Henry Stevens, Taylor Swank, Robert Tilley, Sarah Vazquez, Elyse Whitmer and Jesse Worgen. Shamokin Area Elementary School

SUNBURY - A jury negotiated for two hours Monday before finding a 61-year-old Shamokin man not guilty of four criminal offenses in connection with a bizarre shooting two years ago involving allegations that both the defendant and victim were high on bath salts.

David Edward Latsha, of 129 S. Third St., was found innocent of two counts each of aggravated assault (felonies) and simple assault (misdemeanors). The defendant was found guilty of a misdemeanor of recklessly endangering another person at the conclusion of a two-day trial presided over by Judge Charles Saylor.

The jury rendered its verdict at about 5 p.m. after briefly asking Saylor to clarify the charges of simple assault and recklessly endangering another person.

Although pleased that he was found not guilty of most of the charges, Latsha believes he should have been acquitted of all the offenses. "I think it's really sad when a guy comes into your house and does what he did. I think finding me guilty of that one charge was a bad decision," he said.

Assistant district attorney Michael Toomey said he respected the jury's verdict.

Saylor denied Toomey's motion to increase Latsha's bail since he was found guilty of a misdemeanor.

Public defender Melissa Norton said her client had previously been in jail for about two years in lieu of $20,000 cash bail and didn't deserve spending more time in prison since he was acquitted on the most serious offenses.

Saylor ordered a pre-sentence investigation in the case and will sentence the defendant within 90 days.

Norton said the standard range sentence for recklessly endangering another person is probation to 9 months imprisonment.

Latsha was charged by Shamokin Patrolman Shane Mowery with shooting his friend, Paul Kinsey in the leg with a revolver at the defendant's home March 25, 2012. Kinsey underwent emergency room treatment at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville before being admitted in fair condition and later discharged.

The trial included testimony from approximately 15 witnesses, including the defendant, Kinsey, Mowery and several other police officers.

During their closing arguments, Toomey said Latsha was negligent and reckless for possessing a gun inside his home and alleged both men were under the influence of bath salts at the time of the shooting, while Norton claimed Latsha was afraid Kinsey was going to kill him because he possessed a gun in his waist band and knives that he kept waving at him.

Toomey said Latsha called the county communications center three times on the morning of the shooting, but didn't claim anyone was shot until the third call. He also claimed the defendant never told police that Kinsey was threatening him with knives.

The prosecutor also claimed Latsha made some unusual comments about six guys with Hawaiian hats stealing keys from his unconscious body and a female with orange clown hair with noodles in it being inside his home.

During his testimony, Latsha denied making any such comments and also told police he wasn't under the influence of bath salts, although he did admit that he and Kinsey had consumed about 12 beers.

Latsha said Kinsey often stopped by his home to play the guitar.

A search of Latsha's home after the shooting revealed a .35 revolver and a .22 Phoenix Arms semi-automatic pistol on the first floor and a large pool of blood in a small cluttered room in the rear of the second floor.

SUNBURY - More than eight years after being involved in an armed robbery at the home of a Paxinos man, Erik J. Harrington was sentenced Monday to 3 to 6 years in a state correctional institution.

Northumberland County President Judge William H. Wiest sentenced the 23-year-old Selinsgrove man, who previously pleaded no contest to felony counts of criminal conspiracy to commit burglary and theft by unlawful taking.

He was sentenced to serve consecutive sentences of 18 to 36 months on each charge and was given credit for 393 days served in prisons in Snyder and Northumberland counties after being apprehended in North Carolina and extradited to Northumberland County. He was initially placed in prison on $100,000 cash bail, which was reduced to $50,000 in May 2012. He was able to post bail through a bondsman and remained free until Monday's sentencing.

Harrington's attorney Peter Campana of Williamsport said his client was only 16 at the time of the July 16, 2005, robbery at the home of 55-year-old James Honecker, who suffers from multiple sclerosis and is confined to a wheelchair.

Campana said Harrington is 90 percent on the road to rehabilitation and pointed out that by entering the plea agreement, his client was saving the commonwealth a lot of time and money.

Harrington told the court he was sorry for committing the robbery.

When asked about the sentence afterward, Campana said, "I think it was fair under the circumstances. He has changed his life around and he realizes the seriousness of the offenses."

Harrington, who had no prior criminal record prior to the robbery, could have faced a maximum prison sentence of 10 years.

Assistant district attorney Michael Seward said the sentence was in accordance with the plea agreement. He added, "There were no surprises."

In addition to jail time, Harrington was ordered to make approximately $6,400 restitution to Honecker and an estimated $2,000 restitution to the Pennsylvania State Police for DNA testing. He also must pay $1,000 in fines and various other costs.

Assistant district attorney Michael Toomey, who prosecuted the case but was unable to attend the sentencing because he was at a trial next door before Judge Charles Saylor, said Honecker agreed to the sentencing guidelines under the plea agreement. Efforts to reach Honecker for comment Monday night were unsuccessful.

Harrington was one of four suspects in the robbery on July 16, 2005. The defendant, Kasey A. Sees, 26, formerly of Sunbury, and two other assailants were accused of entering Honecker's home at 1:30 a.m. and holding him at gunpoint in his living room while threatening to kill him.

Police said the robbers demanded money, ransacked the home and removed 12 rifles and shotguns, knives, ammunition, cash, jewelry, an amplifier and prescription narcotics with a total value of $5,590. Police said the robbers also caused approximately $300 in damage by pulling telephone cords from the wall and damaging two televisions.

Sees was charged by state police at Stonington on Aug. 15, 2006, and eventually pleaded guilty to felony charges of burglary and robbery. He was sentenced to 3 1/3 to 6 2/3 years in state prison and ordered to pay $300 in fines plus costs, make $4,000 restitution to Honecker and pay approximately $8,800 in restitution to Honecker's insurance company.

Sees has since completed his state prison sentence and is free.

The other two alleged assailants were never identified, apprehended or charged.

CATAWISSA RR - The Southern Columbia Area School Board did not adopt the pay-to-participate policy at the board meeting Monday night, but the members amended it and will likely vote to adopt the measure at next month's board meeting.

Girls soccer coach Derek Stine asked the board to reconsider a portion of the guidelines in which students who elect to leave a team or activity would not be allowed a refund on participation fees.

The board members agreed, and changed the policy to read that participation fees may be refunded to students who are cut or voluntarily leave a team or activity before the first game or event if that is the only activity in which the student is participating.

Directors Gail Zambor Schuerch and John Yocum made and seconded the motion to approved the first reading of the policy, and it passed 5-3 with Directors Timothy Vought, Thomas Reich and Joseph Klebon voting against it.

While no fee is set yet, the board expects to generate $20,000 in revenue provided the fee is $50 per student.

Revenue from pay-to-play would help erase an estimated budget deficit for 2014-15 that's currently at $650,000, directors said.

The district will make concessions for families with multiple students and will not charge students who qualify for free or reduced lunch programs.

Southern would be the first local school district to institute the policy, but the practice is gaining in popularity. The Pennsylvania School Board Association and Pennsylvania State Athletic Directors Association in 2012 released a survey that reported the number of schools charging a fee for sports and extracurricular programs has more than doubled in just two years.

Some school activities are extracurricular, such as sports and certain clubs, while others are co-curricular, such as band or music programs, which count for grades.

COAL TOWNSHIP - Members of the Rainbow Club agreed to make a donation towards the repair of the boiler at Our Lady of Hope Church.

Club members Dolly Yocum and Barbara Yuricich made and seconded a motion during a meeting March 9 to make the donation.

Ruth Romanoski, club president, opened the meeting with prayer and also led both the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of the 50+ song.

The March birthdays were announced and followed by song.

Minutes were read by Donna Mordan, club secretary, and approved by the president and filed.

Florence Verano gave the club treasurer and travel report. She also spoke of the on Thursday trip to see "Moses" at Sight and Sound. Another trip on Sept. 18 will be held to see the "Buddy Holly Story" was changed to "Mame" the musical.

"Thank You" cards were received from Our Lady of Lourdes and Kathryn Reed.

Yocum won the attendance award.

The next meeting will be held April 13, and everyone is asked to bring a covered dish.

Birthday cakes, pies and other refreshments were donated by club members. Bingo was played and a 50/50 was chanced off, along with a cake and pie. Rainbow Club

BURNSIDE - A resolution was adopted Monday by the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area (AOAA) Authority to accept a $250,000 line of credit from Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company.

The authority can draw down the loan for three years, after which there is a five-year payback period. Interest is currently set at 3.19 percent.

Any funds drawn from the credit line will be used to for expenses ineligible for use of state grant funding including salary and benefits for the vacant operations manager position.

Authority members expect to advertise the position in the near future, and have applied for additional state grant funding to help offset the expense.

In other business at Monday's meeting, a $2,500 donation from the Northumberland County Conservation District was presented by district manager Judy Becker. The board subsequently allotted up to $1,500 to Blair Carbaugh, an associate director of the conservation district, for the purchase of supplies related to the planting of hundreds of chestnut trees on park property.

The authority also voted to spend $1,000 on battery operated equipment, appointed Eye Spy Security to become the park's security firm at an hourly rate of $13.50 and set previously discussed sponsorship levels at $500, $250 and $100.

Anthracite Trail Riders continue planning a benefit ride on April 26, proceeds of which will be split equally among Shamokin and Coal and Zerbe townships.

AOAA committees will meet Saturday to continue planning for the May 17 grand opening. Cleanups are scheduled for 9 a.m. to noon March 29 and April 12. One Smart Cookie, Coal Township, will provide lunch. Volunteers ride free both days after the cleanup ends. Donations of Dumpsters and equipment is sought.

Thirteen access points have been blocked off and two gates installed.

A mine reclamation project on AOAA land is nearing completion. Grubbing and touch-ups remain, and deer fencing will be installed. It's expected to be finished in six to eight weeks.

Cost of a duplicate or magnetic-backed pass will be $10.

The Northumberland County Planning Department will be asked to draft a letter to the five contractors who worked on the park's welcome center asking for a statement of any outstanding balances or uncompleted work.

AJ's Outdoor Power Equipment, Mansfield, was thanked for the one-year loan of a 2013 Can-Am Commander vehicle that was recently returned. The authority still has a Can-Am Maverick on loan. Big Boys NAPA was thanked for the donation of $500 in shelves for the authority's garage.

Billings Vending Service will station a drink machine and a snack machine at the welcome center, of which the authority will be paid 10 percent of the profits.

An executive session was held for the discussion of litigation and land acquisition matters.

KULPMONT - The following memorials and special intentions were presented to the St. Pauline Center:

Charles Kent from Jack and Rita Laukaitis;

Margaret M. Menapace Budick from Jack and Rita Laukaitis;

George Auchter from Stanley and Kathy Lazarski;

Leonard John Marchinski from Anthony and Mariann E. Parasida, Jo Ann Orlando, William and Lois Kesack, Earl Schneider, William and Nancy Marchinski Gray;

John Paul Reiprish from jack and Rita Laukaitis;

Mr. McDonald from Jack and Rita Laukaitis;

Andrew J. Kovalovich from Burch Drug Store;

Stella A. Bridy from Gerry and Marty Zarkoski, Victor and Pearl Martello;

Mary Bressi from Nick and Shirley Gard;

Father Casey and Roy Schlesinger from Karen M. Gates;

Karen Sedar from Cathy Lacroce;

Bernard J. Britt from Jack and Rita Laukaitis;

Mary Ann George from Jack and Rita Laukaitis;

Ben Terry from Northumberland County Airport Authority, Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Smith;

Caroline Scicchitano from Nick and Shirley Gard, Jack and Rita Laukaitis;

Mary Ryan Gates from Ms. Karen Gates;

Florence M. Fry from Bob Greco and family, Victor and Pearl Martello;

Rosalie McClosky from Morris and Linda Gard;

Leon D. Nark from Victory and Pearl Martello;

June Tetkoskie from Michael and Maryanne Woytowich, Bob Greco and family;

Emily Hornberger from Celia Papp;

Francis Kwiatkowski from Jack and Rita Laukaitis;

Family, friends - living and deceased from Karen M. Gates;

John W. Deromedi from Gerry and Marty Zarkoski, Frank and Rose Pecaitis, Albert and Henrietta Visintainer;

Wanda Lombard from Gerry and Marty Zarkoski, Carmen and Donna Cesari, Eloise Martini, Chykosky family;

Agnes Delaney from Frank and Rose Pecaitis;

Carrie Mirarchi from Bob Greco and family;

Victor Scripel from Louise Tomkowiak;

Helen T. Kopitsky from Bernadine Witowski;

Andrew J. Kovalovich from Burch Drug Store;

Agnes M. Bressi from Michael and Rosalie Ziegler family, Jack and Rita Laukaitis;

Raymond F. General from Michael and Rosalie Ziegler family.

Diabetic intentions: Frank Epondulan, William Jens, Kathy Sweeney, Vincent Brennan, Luke O'Connor, Michelle Iwaniw, Lucille Brian, Francis Coyley, Marce Renfro, Francis Gonce, Deanna Rombach, Walt Stichert, Connie Bourgeos, Helen Romero. St. Pauline Center

SUNBURY - A Coal Township woman charged with committing four burglaries with her boyfriend last year was sentenced Monday to 11 to 23 months in Northumberland County Prison, where she has been incarcerated for approximately three months.

Northumberland County President Judge William H. Wiest imposed sentence on Christine Rate, 27, live-in girlfriend of Eric J. Weikel, 33, of 1321 W. Spruce St., after she previously pleaded guilty to a felony offense of criminal conspiracy to commit burglary.

Rate, who has cooperated with authorities in their investigation that led to numerous burglary-related charges being filed against Weikel, was ruled eligible for early release if she continues to behave well in prison. She was given credit by Wiest for three months already served in prison.

Rate, who was represented by public defender Melissa Norton, was charged by Coal Township Detective Jeff Brennan with four felony counts each of burglary, criminal conspiracy and criminal trespass, and three felony counts each of theft and receiving stolen property in connection with burglaries at 1223, 1323, 1326 and 1327 W. Spruce St. between Oct. 1 and Nov. 13.

All the remaining charges were not prosecuted under a plea agreement reached with the district attorney's office.

Weikel, who was scheduled for plea court Monday, had his legal proceeding continued until 9:15 a.m. Monday, April 28, at the request of his attorney John Broda, who serves as county conflicts counsel.

Broda made the request to allow time to consolidate all the cases filed against his client in an effort to reach a plea agreement.

Assistant district attorney William Cole did not oppose the continuance.

Weikel was most recently charged with felonies of burglary, theft, receiving stolen property and criminal trespass.

He is accused of stealing a gold chain valued at $1,000, rings and cash from the residence of his uncle Richard Weikel, of 515 Kulp Ave., on Nov. 8. He also allegedly removed a Dell XPS studio laptop computer, a Sony NDX five-digital camera with two lenses in a black case, jewelry and approximately $1,000 in cash from the bedroom of Weikel's daughter, Steph.

Weikel was previously charged with felonies of burglary and criminal trespass and misdemeanors of theft and receiving stolen property relating to an Oct. 29 incident at the residence of Brent Reed, 1325 W. Spruce St.

He was charged in the same four burglaries Rate was charged with and an Oct. 23 burglary at the home of Michael Robtain, 1354 W. Spruce St., Coal Township, in which he allegedly stole $13,000 in jewelry.

All the charges were filed by Brennan.

Weikel also was previously charged with drug-related offenses filed by Coal Township and Shamokin police.

WILBURTON - The Conyngham Township Authority has entered into an agreement with Aqua Pennsylvania to terminate water service for delinquent sewage accounts, it was reported Monday.

Authority officials said they have been trying to deal with people who have been delinquent on their monthly sewage bills since the implementation of the public sewage system in July 2011. According to the authority's billing agent, the outstanding amount owed is now at $100,000 in payment and penalties.

At their meeting March 11, authority board members thanked the customers who pay their bills on time, but also said they realize they cannot continue to allow the delinquency to continue.

"We will use every means necessary to collect this debit; we are a small operation and cannot afford to not have this money uncollected," the authority reported in a statement Monday. "The authority warned people that all costs associated with any action taken will be added on to their current bill, increasing the outstanding amount that is owed."

The authority is encouraging anyone with bills 90 days and older to bring their account current to minimize out-of-pocket expenses.

Notice of water terminations could start within 30 days.

A fire labeled by police as suspicious quickly destroyed a 1973 Dodge Continental travel trailer parked along West Dewart Street near the Cameron Bridge in Coal Township shortly after 7 p.m. Monday. A family living nearby said they saw kids throwing rocks at the vehicle about an hour before the fire. The trailer belonged to Robert Smoogen, who died in November.

COAL TOWNSHIP - Shamokin Area School Board members accepted a grant Tuesday to prevent and reduce incidents of violence within its buildings.

Ruby Michetti, curriculum coordinator, said the $25,000 from the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE)'s Safe School Target Grant will be used to train 10 staff members from each of the four educational buildings (elementary, intermediate, middle and high school) in safe crisis management, which is designed to prevent any negative actions in the school.

Trained individuals will be visible in hallways and other spaces where students gather between classes and before and after school, she said.

The grant would cover the costs for paying trainers, paying staff to attend the training and paying substitutes to cover for the teachers during training, Michetti said.

PDE awarded $2.6 million in competitive grants to 110 public schools, including $25,000 to Southern Columbia Area, $13,190 to Warrior Run and $25,000 to Danville Area.

The money must be spent by June 30.

The focus of the grant program, according to a PDE media release Feb. 21, is to assist schools by reducing unnecessary student disciplinary actions and promoting an environment of greater productivity, safety and learning; providing professional development to staff using research-based violence prevention and classroom management programs, and enhancing anti-violence efforts between schools and parents, local governments, law enforcement and community organizations.

Schools were eligible to receive up to $25,000. The following programs were considered for funding: conflict resolution or dispute management, school-wide positive behavior support, school-based diversion programs, classroom management, research-based violence prevention programs that address risk factors to reduce incidents of problem behaviors among students, training for Student Assistance Program team members and staff training in the use of positive behavior supports, de-escalation techniques and appropriate responses to student behavior that may require immediate intervention.

Harassment

School Board Director Bob Getchey also threatened an unnamed board member and members of the public with legal action if alleged harassment against him continues.

Getchey left the meeting before The News-Item could ask him to elaborate, and he did not return a phone call later that evening.

Getchey said he is tired of board members attempting to embarrass him. He said he works hard for the people of the district and he will not be intimidated into voting a certain way.

He implored the board to act "like civilized people."

"If you don't like me, that's fine, but you will respect me," he said.

Board Director Charles Shuey said he doesn't think there is a member on the board who hasn't been personally attacked by the public, and Getchey didn't have "exclusive domain" on being abused.

"When you're running for public office, it goes with the territory," Shuey said.

In other business

The board approved:

- To waive any outstanding real estate or liens on the following blighted properties so they can be demolished by the city of Shamokin: 133-135 S. Shamokin St., 1-3 S. First St., 726 E. Sunbury St. and 14-16 E. Willow St.

- The termination of Marlene Landau, secondary teacher.

- The resignation of Brenda Guzik, teacher aide, retroactive to Nov. 18, and Korenn Beamer, special education clerk/secretary, effective March 18.

MOUNT CARMEL - Amy Besser, a junior at Arcadia University, has been named to the dean's list for the fall semester with an overall grade-point average of 3.95 while studying at Queensland University of Technology in Australia.

She was recently inducted into the Phi Beta Delta Honor Society for International Scholars and will also be inducted into Phi Kappa Phi, an honor society for outstanding scholastic achievement given to the top 7.5 percent of the junior class.

She will participate in the study abroad mentor program as an ambassador.

Besser, a video commumications major, is a 2011 graduate of Mount Carmel Area High School. She is a daughter of Dave and Cathy Besser and a granddaughter of Bob and Cathy Welker.

SUNBURY - Northumberland County commissioners added $15,000 to Prothonotary/Clerk of Courts Justin Dunkelberger budget Tuesday to help catch up with a backlog of paperwork.

At last month's salary board meeting, Dunkelberger, who was sworn into office Jan. 6, requested two temporary part-time positions of records clerks for the remainder of the calender year. It was tabled, but Chairman Vinny Clausi said he would consider moving the money from the commissioners' budget into the prothonotary's budget at the commissioners' meeting later that day.

Solicitor Frank Garrigan, however, asked to review the matter first, and the decision was put off until Tuesday.

Clausi and Stephen Bridy made and seconded the motion to amend the budget, and it passed 2-0.

Commissioner Rick Shoch abstained. After the meeting, he said he didn't vote two years ago to cut positions from the office.

"I'll allow them to clean up their own mess," he said.

Dunkelberger said he is grateful the commissioners understand the need for additional funding, and noted he believes Shoch also understands despite his abstention.

With a 10 percent increase in fees to file paperwork in the prothonotary's office, Dunkelberger expects to generate $18,000 over the next year to make up for the larger budget.

He will either increase the hours of his current employees or hire part-time employees to catch up on filing paperwork and inputting court documents, especially on the criminal side.

Otherwise, he said, the county may be open to litigation if documents are not handled in a timely and efficient manner.

"We've got to help him out and clean up this mess going forward," Clausi said.

New budget director

The commissioners also introduced their new budget director, Stephen Cook, of Coal Township. He'll replace Jeff McClintock, who resigned Feb. 28 after 4 1/2 years to take a position outside of county government.

Cook, former chief financial officer for Central Susquehanna Opportunities, said he has 30 years of experience in government accounting and auditing and nonprofit organization accounting. He was most recently employed at the state Department of Revenue.

"I'm looking forward to working with the commissioners. I appreciate the opportunity," he said after Tuesday's meeting, which he attended.

McClintock was making $75,058 at the time of his resignation. Cook was hired March 10 at a salary of $60,000.

Clausi welcomed Cook to the county.

"If you need anything, you can come to us," he said.

In other businesses, the commissioners:

- Will send invitations in May for an Industrial Development Association luncheon planned for this summer to discuss Keystone Opportunity Zones (KOZs) and the adoption of the Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance program.

- Will expect county employees to provide a report whenever they attend workshops or seminars.

- Announced a potential cleaning contract with Service Master Clean, Harrisburg, that will be accepted at a later meeting. The three-year contract will require the company to clean the administration building, the courthouse and the Career and Arts Center for $153,900 in the first year. It's a savings of nearly $60,000 from the current contract.

WILLIAMSPORT - Pennsylvania College of Technology and the Central Susquehanna LPN Career Center have entered into an agreement that awards up to 12 general education credits to graduates of the LPN program to continue their education.

The partnership, initiated by the WATCH Project, an income-based program that assists individuals interested in careers in nursing and EMS health professions, is administered by the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit and funded through a federal Health Professions Opportunity Grant.

The program serves a region that includes Centre, Clinton, Columbia, Lycoming, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, Tioga and Union counties. To be eligible, participants must demonstrate income below self-sufficiency standard in their county of residence, be a U.S. citizen or eligible to receive federal benefits, and meet academic standards.

For more information, call Gaye Ranck Jenkins at the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit, 855-292-8246.

SHAMOKIN - A preliminary hearing for a city man police claim is the leader of a local "Goon Squad" was postponed Tuesday for the second time in three weeks at the request of the arresting officer.

Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III said the hearing for Ryan Forte, 18, of 18 S. Market St., Apt. 1, Shamokin, was postponed at the request of Patrolman William Miner, who was unavailable. Attorneys in the case and Gembic's staff were not made aware of the continuance until Tuesday morning.

A continuance was granted March 4 for the same reason.

No new hearing date has been scheduled.

Forte, who remains in Northumberland County Prison in Sunbury in lieu of $100,000 cash bail, was among five people charged in connection with the Feb. 23 assault of Keith "KC" Long, 18, of Shamokin, in the 400 block of East Independence Street.

Long suffered a broken nose, a cut on his lower lip that required five stitches, four damaged teeth, broken braces and severe facial swelling that required emergency room treatment at Geisinger-Shamokin Area Community Hospital and follow-up care by an orthodontist.

Forte faces felonies of aggravated assault, criminal conspiracy to commit aggravated assault and riot, and misdemeanors of simple assault and disorderly conduct.

Prior to the arrests, police said the Goon Squad had been involved in fights, vandalism and intimidation during the past two months in the city.

Susquehanna Valley gas prices rose almost two cents to $3.65 a gallon this week, according to AAA East Central.

On the national front

Tuesday's national average price at the pump was $3.52 per gallon, which is the highest price in more than six months. This price is four cents more expensive than one week ago and 17 cents above one month ago, but national prices still average 16 cents per gallon less than the same date last year.

Prices in nearly every state have increased in the last week. Gas prices on the East Coast in particular have been subject to upward pressure from limited ethanol supplies due to logistical challenges. More than 90 percent of the gasoline sold in the U.S. is "E10," which contains up to ten percent ethanol.

AAA expects the national average will peak in late March or early April between $3.55 and $3.75 per gallon, due to seasonal refinery maintenance and the approaching switchover to producing summer-blend gasoline that is required by May 1.

Current factors keeping crude oil prices lower include: Easing (but still present) worries surrounding geopolitical tensions with Russia, worse than expected economic data out of China, an announced test sale of 5 million barrels from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, and a larger than anticipated increase of domestic crude oil supplies.

As a result, West Texas Intermediate crude oil prices settled below $100 per barrel last Wednesday for the first time in more than a month. WTI prices have remained below this threshold since then, settling Monday at $98.08 per barrel.

(AAA East Central - a not-for-profit association with 82 local offices in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, New York and Kentucky servicing 2.7 million members - provides Fuel Gauge each week.)

SUNBURY - The Susquehanna River Cleanup Project (SRCP) needs volunteers for its spring outing May 3.

Volunteers will meet at the Sunbury Amphitheater and clean the banks of the river from Sunbury to Lewisburg. Helpers are needed for trash pick-up, river guides, boaters and group leaders. Musicians are also needed for a celebration concert at the Sunbury Riverfront Amphitheater at 3 p.m. The concert will be free and open to the public.

Last year, more than 100 volunteers helped to collect 6,000 pounds of garbage, most of which was recycled, according to a press release from SRCP.

"I got involved with SRCP because I love living on the river and enjoy all it has to offer, from the beauty of seeing it on my drive to work, to boating and kayaking in the summer," said Faith Kroggel, volunteer and member of the River Cleanup Planning Committee. "As a resident of the area, I want to help keep the river beautiful so that we all can continue to enjoy all the beauty it brings. That's what makes the cleanup so special: It's people who love and enjoy the river every day that are also helping to take care of it."

The Susquehanna River Cleanup Project began as a group of friends concerned about the health of the Susquehanna River, especially after extensive flooding in 2011. SRCP is a nonprofit community and volunteer-centered organization based around the central Susquehanna River Valley and counts on sponsors to provide funding and equipment for the day-long cleanup.

For more information, go to www.susquehannacleanup.com or contact Zach Stotter at (570) 809-0591 or susqrivercleanupproject@gmail.com.

SHIPPENSBURG - Carley Frances Dabulis was named to the dean's list at Shippensburg University after earning a 3.8 grade-point average in the fall semester and a 4.0 grade-point average in the winter semester.

Dabulis is a senior psychology major. She is a member of Psychology Club and the Psi Chi psychology honor society.

She is a daughter of Tom and Diane Dabulis, of Coal Township, and a granddaughter of Thomas and Jennie Dabulis and the late John and Ann Delorso.

SELINSGROVE -Skyler Deitrick, of Coal Township, is serving this spring as a housing operations intern at Susquehanna University's Office of Residence Life. He is a senior majoring in psychology at Susquehanna University.

Deitrick's responsibilities include overseeing the housing lottery process for students under the advisement of associate director of residence life Erica Stephenson.

Deitrick is a 2010 graduate of Shamokin Area High School and is a son of Lon Deitrick and Tracy Moore.