SHAMOKIN - A vacant building near Sunbury and Shamokin streets caught fire late Wednesday night.

The fire at 717-719 N. Shamokin St. was first reported shortly after 10 p.m.

City police said at the scene that a man came to the station to report the building was ablaze.

Thick gray smoke wafted from the second-story windows toward the building's front while flames shot from the second floor at the building's rear.

Firefighters attacked the blaze from all sides, donning masks and climbing ladders to break windowpanes; from the ground, shooting water from hoses onto the flames.

The building is owned by Larry Burda, said Rick Bozza, code enforcement officer.

Burda's maintenance employee, Christopher Lloyd, said at the scene the building

had no electricity and had not been inhabited since approximately 2005.

"It's been off for a while," he said of the electric service.

It was currently used for storage, he said, with the majority of items such as furniture and antiques stored in the building's first floor.

Many onlookers gathered across the street to watch the event unfold, some using cameras and others using camera phones to snap photos or record video, many others simply gawking at the scene.

Like those in the crowd, Lloyd said he, too, was alerted to a fire when he heard sirens.

"We heard (the sirens), then I saw the smoke," he said.

Cause to be determined

The building neighbors an empty lot where a pair of buildings had been knocked down this summer after a partial collapse.

Bozza said all the buildings north of the burning structure toward Sunbury Street are vacant.

Firefighters were continuing to extinguish the blaze as of 10:45 p.m. and no official word on the cause or details on the attack were immediately available.

Child seat inspection

SELINSGROVE - A child safety seat inspection will be held from noon to 3 p.m. Sept. 19 at the state police station.

Each appointment will last between 30 and 45 minutes.

Parents should bring the child seat, instruction manual for the seat, instruction manual for the vehicle and the child if possible.

To set up an appointment in advance, contact Trooper Michael Brubaker at 374-8145.

Theft of services

MOUNT CARMEL TOWNSHIP - Mark J. Hepler, 48, of 1325 Chestnut St., Kulpmont, was charged by Patrolman Kelly Campbell with theft of services and theft by deception relating to a Feb. 12 incident.

Police reported Hepler is accused of failing to pay Dave's Auto Body Clinic in Shady Acres for replacing a back window on his 2007 Ford F-150 truck.

Theft

MOUNT CARMEL - Marye E. Irving, 54, of 301 N. Sixth St., Apt. 110, Kulpmont, was charged by Patrolman Jason Drumheller with theft and receiving stolen property relating to a June 24 incident.

Police said Irving allegedly stole a Visa cash advance credit card and approximately $40 to $50 in cash from a wallet belonging to Dominic Scicchitano, of 16 N. Oak St., Mount Carmel. Police said the wallet was stolen from Scicchitano's residence, where Irving served as a cleaning woman.

MOUNT CARMEL - A borough woman charged with multiple felonies for operating a methamphetamine lab with her live-in boyfriend waived her right to a preliminary hearing and formal arraignment in county court Wednesday afternoon before Magisterial District Judge Hugh Jones.

Kim L. Metcalf, 30, of 244 S. Beech St., was remanded back to Northumberland County Prison in Sunbury in lieu of $200,000 cash bail after waiving to court a dozen charges.

Northumberland County Public Defender Paige Rosini, who represented Metcalf, conferred with her client for several minutes before informing the judge that she planned to waive her case to the Court of Common Pleas.

Jones denied Rosini's request to lower Metcalf's bail.

Metcalf, who was handcuffed and wearing an orange county prison jumpsuit, was ordered by Jones to appear for plea court at Northumberland County Courthouse on Oct. 29, at which time she can plead guilty or no contest, or seek a trial by pleading not guilty.

Metcalf and Jason David Hunsinger, 33, were charged by Mount Carmel Sgt. Todd Owens and Patrolman Matthew Dillman with felonies of possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, operating a methamphetamine lab and risking a catastrophe, three felony counts of criminal conspiracy, three misdemeanor counts of criminal conspiracy, and misdemeanors of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and recklessly endangering another person.

The couple were charged in connection with a raid at their home at 1:30 p.m. Aug. 28 that led to the discovery of a mobile methamphetamine lab, which prompted police to evacuate neighbors, cordon off a square block area around the residence and request a decontamination zone.

Hunsinger remains incarcerated in Columbia County Prison in Bloomsburg, where he has been detained for a probation violation since last week and is awaiting arraignment on charges. Metcalf was arraigned on the charges last week by Jones.

Pills stolen

MONROE TOWNSHIP - State police at Selinsgrove reported someone stole prescription pills from a white 2007 Mazda sedan owned by Danielle Marie Housner, 25, of Millmont, while it was parked in the Courtyard Offices lot.

Anyone with information is urged to call state police at 374-8145 and reference incident number F07-1152857.

Signs stolen

BEAVER TOWNSHIP - State police at Selinsgrove are investigating the theft of two orange diamond-shaped PennDOT flag signs from Kissimmee Road, approximately 200 yards south of Longer Road.

Police said the signs were stolen between 2:30 p.m. Tuesday and 8:30 a.m. Wednesday.

$1,000 stolen

PORTER TOWNSHIP - Kevin Charles Fairburn, 28, of Tower City, reported someone stole $1,000 from his unlocked gold 2000 Ford Focus between 3 and 6 p.m. Saturday at 1812 E. Grand Ave.

Anyone with information about the theft is urged to call state police at Schuylkill Haven.

Computer virus

WILLIAMSTOWN - State police at Lykens reported someone gained control of a computer system owned by Williams Valley Dental, 111 S. Water St., by installing a virus between 6 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. Tuesday. The virus, a type of ransomware, prevented the victim from accessing any of the information on the computer and the actor attempted to extort money from the victim in exchange for unencrypting the victim's computer files.

Anyone with information about the incident is urged to call state police at Lykens at (717)362-8700 and reference incident number HO4-2148443.

Retail theft

NEW CASTLE TOWNSHIP - Trooper Matthew C. Barrett of state police at Frackville has charged Samantha Shatalsky, 25, of Shendandoah, with two counts of retail theft at Kmart at the Schuylkill Valley Mall Wednesday.

Shatalsky is accused of stealing $102.53 in merchandise at 1:15 p.m. and $74.60 worth of items from the store at 2 p.m.

Disorderly conduct

LOWER MAHANOY TOWNSHIP - Michael Christ Fabrizio, 35, of 318 School Road, Dalmatia, was charged by Trooper Thomas Leib of state police at Stonington with disorderly conduct involving a disturbance shortly before 9:30 a.m. Wednesday near his residence.

Police said Fabrizio was in the street stopping traffic, yelling at passing motorists and doing pushups.

Access device fraud

WEST CHILLISQUAQUE TOWNSHIP - State police at Milton reported someone used a credit card belonging to Harry Hess, 72, of the Milton area, and made approximately $3,200 worth of alleged fraudulent purchases between July 17 and Aug. 17.

Theft by deception

WEST CHILLISQUAQUE TOWNSHIP - State police at Milton said Ralph Guffey, 78, of the Milton area, was offered large sums of money and valuable items in exchange for sending money orders to various international locations and was defrauded of approximately $7,000.

Police said the scam occurred between Aug. 1 and Tuesday.

Underage drinkers

BLOOMSBURG - Officers from the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement cited 13 minors for underage drinking, issued citations to one person for public drunkenness and charged two adults with furnishing alcohol to minors during patrols in Bloomsburg on Aug. 30 and Aug. 31.

The following people were cited for underage drinking:

Allea Marie MacArthur, 20; Kaeli Jospehine MacArthur, 20; Albert John Murphy, 20; Matthew Alan Heim, 20; Michelle Christina Bancroft, 20; Jessica Marie Geisel, 20; Ryan Daniel Taylor, 18; Jessica Lynn Pisaturo, 20; Jacqueline Taylor Gould, 10; Julie Meredith Rubel, 20; Sarah Hughes-Blaum, 20; Justin David Ward, 20, and Daniel James Keller, 20.

Ayrton L. Troches, 21, was cited for public drunkenness.

Urinates in public

SHAMOKIN - Jeff Leach, 32, of 1725 Pulaski Ave., Coal Township, was cited by Patrolman Scott Weaver for disturbing the peace by urinating in public at 5:33 p.m. Tuesday outside 34 S. Coal St.

Pilfering

COAL TOWNSHIP - A former employee of Wal-Mart Supercenter is accused of attempting to pilfer Airsoft Guns and targets from the store in July.

Coal Township police say Anthony W. Durio, 19, of 101 Fifth St., Ranshaw, filled a shopping cart with sporting goods merchandise valued at $542.90 on July 30 and attempted to leave the store with the items. He allegedly abandoned the cart and fled the scene in a vehicle after store employees gave chase.

Durio was identified through surveillance footage on store security cameras, police say.

He is charged by Patrolman Terry Ketchem with a first-degree misdemeanor count of retail theft.

Drug charge

SHAMOKIN - A 25-year-old Shamokin man is accused of possessing of a small amount of marijuana following a vehicle stop at a city convenience store in July.

According to police, Sean J. Harris, of 226 W. Independence St., was pulled over July 12 in the parking lot of Uni-Mart after being observed driving a vehicle by Patrolman Jarrod Scandle, who was aware at the time Harris does not have a valid driver's license.

A warrant for his arrest from Atlantic County, N.J., was discovered and Harris was searched, during which time police found two small bags of marijuana.

Harris was not held on the warrant because Atlantic County Sheriff's Office said Harris would not be extradited.

He is charged by Scandle with possession of a small amount of marijuana and driving without a license.

Drug charge

SHAMOKIN - A visit from a probation officer in July led to a drug charge being filed against a Shamokin man.

Roger Facer, 25, of 403 E. Sunbury St., top floor apartment, is charged by Patrolman Jarrod Scandle with one misdemeanor count of possession of drug paraphernalia.

According to police, a probation officer visited Facer's apartment July 16 and found him in possession of two syringes, a spoon and a glass smoking pipe.

DUI

SHAMOKIN - Drunk driving charges were filed against a Coal Township man accused in a hit-and-run crash in the 900 block of Webster Street last month.

Richard Dunkelberger, 21, of 1538 Tioga St., is accused of driving into a vehicle and fleeing the scene about 1:20 a.m. Aug. 18. Police said Dunkelberger was discovered at his home, where his vehicle was found with damage consistent to the reported crash.

Chemical testing found his blood alcohol content to be 0.158 percent, police say.

He is charged with two counts of driving under the influence and one count each of careless driving and leaving the scene of an accident.

Jewelry stolen

SHAMOKIN - A city woman is accused of possessing needles commonly used to inject heroin after attempting to sell her mother's rings at two Shamokin pawn shops.

Sarah Ann Karpinski, 23, of 716 E. Race St., is charged by Cpl. William Miner, Shamokin police, with possession of drug paraphernalia.

Police said officers were alerted by a store owner that Karpinski was attempting to sell two rings and a bracelet Sept. 1 that he believed may have been stolen. He refused to buy them and she left the store.

Karpinski was confronted by police and admitted the rings were not hers, later saying the rings belonged to her mother.

No one hurt

SHAMOKIN TOWNSHIP - No one was injured in a three-vehicle accident at 8:30 a.m. Sept. 7 on Route 61 just north of Maple Road, according to state police at Stonington.

Trooper James McCormick reported that Anne E. Bartol, 36, of Coal Township, was stopped in a 2009 Toyota Camry in the right, northbound lane of Route 61, waiting for a piece of construction equipment to back into a private drive off the west side of the roadway, when Theresa J. Guzik, 51, of Ranshaw, driving a 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier, struck the rear of Bartol's vehicle with the front end of the Cavalier.

Alycia L. Pitcavage, 35, of Mount Carmel, in a 2011 Chevrolet Cruze, then struck the back of Guzik's vehicle with the front of her vehicle, police said.

All three vehicles came to rest at the point of impact, police said.

Each driver was wearing a safety belt, and no one was charged with a traffic violation, police said.

LOWER MAHANOY TOWNSHIP - The Northumberland County Department of Public Safety issued a water boil advisory Sunday for all residents of Lower Mahanoy Township due to a water emergency.

They reported they were aware of the problem and were working to repair the issue.

No time frame was provided on the cancelation of this advisor, the department said.

One-vehicle crash

VALLEY TOWNSHIP - Two people were injured in a one-vehicle crash at 10:07 p.m. Saturday on Liberty Valley Road, in this Montour County township.

State police at Milton report a 2002 Pontiac Sunfire, driven by Sharron L. Sayre, 36, of Paxinos, was traveling west on Route 642 when for an unknown reason, it ran onto the right shoulder, crossed both traffic lanes and hit an embankment.

Sayre suffered a moderate injury in the crash and was transported to Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, where she was treated and released Sunday. A male passenger, who was not identified by police, suffered a minor injury.

Police said Sayre will be cited for a traffic citation.

Disorderly conduct

SHAMOKIN - Daniel R. Gustitus, 54, of 401 N. Rock St., Shamokin, was cited for disorderly conduct by Shamokin City Police Patrolman Raymond Siko II following an incident at 11:25 a.m. Sunday at his first floor apartment.

Police report Gustitus had a stereo speaker near a window and was playing music that could be heard from a half-block away.

Theft of vehicle

RIVERSIDE - A 19-year-old man with no known address was charged by Riverside Borough Police with theft of a vehicle belonging to his father on Sept. 9.

According to court documents, Cpl. Kerry J. Parkes observed a yellow Hyundai Tiburon fail to adjust its highbeams as it passed a southbound vehicle. Nicholas J. Paynter, who allegedly stole the vehicle from his father, Timothy Long, of 9 Gearheart St., Riverside, was stopped by police then proceeded to flee on foot when the officer returned to his vehicle to contact dispatch. The defendant managed to elude the officer near a church after a foot chase.

He was later taken into custody while en route to a Ferry St. address and jailed on outstanding warrants.

Paynter was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Hugh Jones, of Mount Carmel, and charged with felony offenses of theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property, and cited for not having a driver's license and use of multiple-beam road lighting equipment. He was placed in prison on $20,000 bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 19.

Disorderly conduct

SHAMOKIN - Joseph Miscavage IV, 18, of 244 W. Sunbury St., Shamokin, was cited for disorderly conduct following an incident at Dunkin' Donuts, 200 W. Sunbury St. at 6:04 p.m. Saturday.

Shamokin City Police Patrolman William Miner reported that Miscavage locked the door to the business, preventing customers from entering, then shouted an obscenity at workers when he was asked to leave the premises.

Target theft

LOWER AUGUSTA TOWNSHIP - Adam Brosious, of 334 Mile Run Rd., Lower Augusta Township, reported to state police at Stonington that sometime between Sunday and Monday, someone stole a McKenzie Shot Blocker archery target from his lawn. The target is valued at $35.

Retail theft

SHAMOKIN - City Police Patrolman Raymond Siko cited Ryan A. Shurock, 22, of 601 N. Franklin St., Shamokin, for retail theft and public drunkenness after an incident at the Original Italian Pizza restaurant, 150 E. Independence St. at 2:30 p.m. Monday.

Police report Shurock, while under the influence of alcohol, removed a six pack of beer and a bag of chips from the establishment without paying.

Check charges waived

MOUNT CARMEL - Amanda Reigel, 29, of 524 W. Girard St., Mount Carmel, waived charges of writing a bad check and theft by deception during a preliminary hearing Sept. 5, before Magisterial District Judge Hugh Jones of Mount Carmel.

Reigel was charged by Mount Carmel Borough Police Patrolman Kevin Katch after writing a check for $281.14 to Mount Carmel Auto Supply on July 10, 2011.

She was ordered to appear for plea court on Monday, Oct. 29 at the Northumberland County Courthouse, Sunbury, where she can either plead guilty or no contest, or seek a trial by pleading not guilty.

Police stats

SHAMOKIN - Chief of Police Edward Griffiths released statistics for his department for the month of August during Monday night's city council meeting.

Police issued 24 criminal complaints, 45 traffic citations, 38 non-traffic citations, 10 parking citations, eight juvenile petitions and 15 written warnings.

A total of 255 parking tickets were issued and police received 1,776 calls. Police patrolled 5,640 miles, issued 189 sweeper tickets and 24 code tickets.

Code Enforcement Officer Rick Bozza also submitted his report for August which included 46 calls, 56 property visits with communication or visual checks, six walk-in complaints, four citations, 29 written warnings, one police call, two fire calls and two health inspections.

Money collected for August included $1,157 for building permits, $450 for Dumpster permits, $550 for excavating, $200 for health inspections, $1,162.50 for landlord registrations, $68 for paid parking, $630 for restricted parking, $200 for reserved parking and $50 in peddlers permits.

Total revenue for August was $4,517.50.

MOUNT CARMEL - Firefighters prevented a blaze from spreading throughout a row of seven connected homes Wednesday in the 100 block of North Locust Street.

The two-alarm fire broke out about 6:10 p.m. in the second floor of 119 N. Locust St.

Jack Williams Jr., borough fire chief, said firefighters initiated an aggressive interior attack, with some running a hose into the structure to douse the flames while others cut ventilation holes into the roof.

"Cutting holes in the roof causes the fire to go vertically instead of horizontally" to stop it from spreading to neighboring structures, Williams said.

Holes were also cut into the roof at 117 and 115 N. Locust St., both of which are unoccupied. Windows and doors from 121 to 113 N. Locust St. were opened, or in the case of 119 N. Locust St., intentionally broken, to ventilate the structures.

Homes from 123 to 111 N. Locust St. are connected. While 119 N. Locust St. is a total loss, Williams hailed firefighters for preventing the fire from spreading and causing further disaster.

The Mount Carmel Fire Department was assisted at the scene by members of Atlas Fire Co., Shamokin Fire Bureau and Coal Township Fire Department.

The fire was fully extinguished in about 30 minutes, he said.

Chest pains

One firefighter experienced shortness of breath and chest pains. He was treated at the scene and transported to Geisinger-Shamokin Area Community Hospital for evaluation. Williams had no further information on his condition.

The home at 119 N. Locust St. is owned by George Atiyeh, Williams said, and occupied by five tenants - Joshua Casiano, 24; Taisha Candelario, 25; Fernando Lapaz, 22; Lynne Lasanta, 21, and Mason Casiano, 2.

Joshua Casiano, the only tenant in the home at the time of the fire, was standing in the street beside a fire engine while holding his dog and watching firefighters work to extinguish the blaze. He was barefoot and wearing little more than his underwear and undershirt and was clutching a bath towel.

He said he had finished painting the front bedroom of the home and had taken a shower just before discovering the fire.

"I heard a boom and looked up and saw the ceiling was on fire," he said. "I grabbed the dog and ran outside."

Casiano said he considered grabbing a few possessions from the home but thought better of it.

"It's all material," he said.

The tenants of 119 N. Locust St., whom Williams said did not have renters' insurance, are staying with friends in the borough. The American Red Cross was expected to assist the victims.

Other residents on the block whose homes received smoke were likely to stay elsewhere overnight until the smell dissipated, he said.

The unoccupied home at 117 N. Locust St. sustained minimal fire damage to its second floor and also sustained smoke and water damage. The remainder of the homes sustained varying degree of smoke damage.

The cause and exact point of origin of the fire have yet to be determined, and a state police fire marshal is expected to investigate, Williams said.

Theft charges

COAL TOWNSHIP - Patrolman Jason Adams has charged William J. Howells, 25, of 229 W. Sunbury St., Shamokin, with theft and receiving stolen property.

According to a criminal complaint filed at the office of Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III, Howells is accused of stealing a Nintendo DS and four games valued at $310 from the home of Jessica Albertson, of 209 Third St., Ranshaw, between Friday and Sunday.

DUI

COAL TOWNSHIP - Justin M. Mitchell, 29, of 1253 Scott St., Kulpmont, was charged by Deputy Police Chief Chris Williams with two counts of driving under the influence of alcohol and one count of hit and run relating to an Aug. 23 accident in the 1100 block of West Pine Street.

Police said Mitchell had a blood-alcohol content of .220 percent.

Driving under suspension

COAL TOWNSHIP - Courtney Hollingshead, 26, of 128 Grant Road, Elysburg, was charged by Patrolman Jason Adams with driving under suspension and unauthorized use of a vehicle involving an Aug. 29 incident.

Police reported Hollingshead failed to return a Jeep she borrowed from her friend, Justin Socko, while Socko was working at Geisinger-Shamokin Area Community Hospital.

Criminal trespass

SHAMOKIN - Thomas Crosson Jr., 31, and Tiffany Fye, 33, both of Harrisburg, were charged by Patrolman Shane Mowery with criminal trespass, simple assault and harassment relating to a disturbance early Sunday morning at 32 N. Second St.

Police reported Crosson and Fye entered the residence at about 2:30 a.m. and assaulted Brian Petrovich, causing injuries to his face, mouth and arm.

Theft from car

COAL TOWNSHIP - Two vehicles, one belonging to Leon Broskey, of Elysburg, and another belonging to Diane Brown, of Sunbury, were damaged between the hours of 5:40 and 6:35 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 23, while they were parked at the Weiser State Forest on Route 54, according to Coal Township Police Department.

Police said an unknown person smashed the driver's window on Broskey's 2005 Dodge Van and Brown's 2006 Chevy Tahoe.

Broskey's wallet, Brown's purse and other various items from the vehicles were stolen, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 644-0333.

Harassment

SHAMOKIN - Sharon Weikel, 46, of 630 W. Gowen St., Shamokin, was cited for harassment relating to an incident at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 21, according to Shamokin Police Department.

Police said Weikel allegedly slammed a door shut on the hand of Louis Kroh, 65, of 630 W. Gowen St., Shamokin.

Paintball gun

SHAMOKIN - A 15-year-old Shamokin boy was cited for disorderly conduct and criminal mischief relating to an incident that occurred on Saturday, Sept. 22, on South Rock Street, according to Shamokin Police Department.

Police reported the teen shot paintballs at the house of Matt Kurtz, of 25 S. Rock St., Shamokin, at 9:21 p.m., and then at 19 S. Rock St. at 9:35 p.m.

Public drunkenness

SHAMOKIN - Derek Coalcet, 32, of 1628 Tioga St., Coal Township, was cited for public drunkenness relating to an incident at 4:40 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 22, according to Shamokin Police Department.

Police said Coalcet was found in the front seat of his car while parked the wrong way on the corner of Independence and Liberty streets, Shamokin.

MANDATA - Five people, including an Amish family of four, escaped injury Tuesday morning in a collision of a car and horse-drawn buggy on Route 225 between Mandata and Pillow.

State police at Stonington said the accident occurred when Carol A. Rickert, 45, of Herndon, who was driving a late-model car, attempted to drive around the buggy, while both vehicles were traveling south on Route 225.

Police said the right front of the car hit the left rear wheel of the buggy in which Elizabeth Kauffman, of Herndon RD, and her three children, ages 5, 3 and 1, were passengers. The impact caused the wheel's spokes to shatter and the buggy's left rear section dropped to the pavement. Neither the occupants nor the horse was injured.

Kauffman said she was en route to a store in Pillow to deliver home-baked goods when the accident occurred. The Kauffman family resides in an area near Red Cross and uses a horse-drawn buggy exclusively for transportation.

Firefighters and ambulance attendants from Pillow and Dalmatia responded to the scene and assisted the occupants. They unhitched the horse and tied it to a utility pole a short distance from the highway.

Kauffman's husband and other relatives also arrived to provide assistance.

Police said the buggy had to be towed. The car had damage to the right front headlight and did not require towing.

Retail theft

COAL TOWNSHIP - Kelly Ann Richter, 35, of 312 W. Fourth St., Mount Carmel, was cited with retail theft by Coal Township Police after allegedly removing $65.54 worth of merchandise from the Wal-Mart SuperCenter at 12:30 p.m. Monday and apprehended by store security. The citation was filed with Magisterial District Judge John Gembic, of Shamokin.

SUNBURY - Testimony was presented at Tuesday's 3 1/2-hour preliminary injunction hearing for David F. Kaleta that Northumberland County has no written policy regarding who has access to land designated for the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area (AOAA).

It was also made clear that the county planning department decides who is granted access to the property.

But questions remain over whether Kaleta suffered irreparable harm by being denied access to the property and if county Commissioners Vinny Clausi and Stephen Bridy violated the Sunshine Act.

Northumberland County Judge Charles Saylor will rule by the end of the week on both issues.

The hearing included arguments from county attorneys John Muncer and Frank Garrigan, and Kaleta's legal counsel, Kymberley Best and Timothy Bowers, and featured testimony from five witnesses, including three commissioners, Kaleta and county planning and industrial development director Pat Mack. But the judge said he needed time to review all the testimony before rendering a decision.

Sunshine Act

The injunction was filed Sept. 17 by Kaleta's attorneys in conjunction with Kaleta's lawsuit that claims the county, Clausi and Bridy violated the Sunshine Act and committed First Amendment retaliation in denying Kaleta's request for a waiver that would allow him to enter the county-owned property.

Commissioner Richard Shoch, an attorney who has practiced municipal law for 10 years, said he is familiar with the Sunshine Act. The commissioner said he did not approve of a Sept. 10 letter issued to Kaleta by Mack, banning him from the AOAA. Shoch testified that there was no reason for denying Kaleta access to the land and that the county doesn't have a policy regarding who can and cannot access the property. He also said the county doesn't have a policy on waivers of liability that protects the county from being sued if anyone is injured on the land.

Shoch said he found it unusual that he wasn't consulted about the letter sent to Kaleta.

Shoch said he hunted with Kaleta and others on the property now designated for the AOAA prior to becoming a commissioner. The commissioner said he didn't realize a waiver needed to be signed to be on the land until being informed by planning department grants manager Kathy Jeremiah after he took office in early January.

Under questioning by Bowers, Shoch said, "Nobody told me what would be done if Mr. Kaleta was found on the land and nobody else received such a letter."

Shoch said he didn't recall anyone being arrested for trespassing on the land.

The commissioner said the language listed in the letter to ban Kaleta from the land is not consistent with the Sunshine Act and believes Kaleta's rights were violated.

Bowers argued, "The county attempted to circumvent the Sunshine Act by holding a special meeting, which was illegal." That meeting was scheduled for Monday morning, but was canceled because it was deemed illegal since the commissioners did not have at least 24 hours notice of what items were listed on the agenda.

Under cross examination from Muncer, Shoch said the prior board of commissioners passed a motion Nov. 16, 2011, to allow the planning department to issue permits for events on the AOAA. He said there is nothing in the motion regarding permits for individuals.

Muncer stressed throughout the hearing that the planning department controls who has access to the AOAA and other county-owned land and handles day-to-day operations involving the property.

Mack testified that his department is responsible for establishing AOAA policies in cooperation with the county commissioners.

The planning director said he has no authority to issue permits to individuals to access the property and there is no written policy regarding who has access to the AOAA land.

Mack said other people have been denied access to the land, but Kaleta was the only person issued a letter denying him access. He said the other denials were issued through e-mails or telephone conversations.

'Booby trap' found

Mack said Clausi directed him to write the letter to Kaleta, banning him from the land due to their "tense" relationship.

He also said Kaleta never implied why he wanted to use the land or when he wanted access to it.

After receiving a waiver form from Shoch for Kaleta, Mack said he went to Clausi for advise because of the "unique" situation involving a commissioner asking for a waiver for someone. But Mack claimed Clausi stated, "We aren't letting him on there."

Mack said Kaleta went on the land last fall without seeking permission, but was not cited for trespassing.

He said a "booby trap" found in late August on AOAA land, which is the alleged reason why the commissioners didn't want anyone on the land, was discovered before Kaleta requested a waiver to be on the land.

He said only tour groups and participants in sanctioned events approved by the planning department are allowed access to the AOAA.

Mack, whose department is overseen by Bridy, said he never met with more than one commissioner at a time to discuss the letter sent to Kaleta.

Mack said the "booby trap" was turned over to his department and a police investigation into the matter is ongoing.

Bowers pointed out that Coal Township police weren't notified about the "booby trap" until Sept. 21, which was after Kaleta filed his lawsuit.

Mack said an event scheduled for this weekend at the AOAA has been canceled due to the ongoing investigation and that no one will be allowed on the land until the probe is complete.

Bowers asked Mack how long it would take to clear 6,500 acres of property to make sure more "booby traps" didn't exist. Mack replied, "Quite a long time. It could take forever."

Bowers told the court there are many other dangerous things on the land including old mine shafts, stripping pits, cliffs and torn up trails.

Mack said a resolution was passed by the previous board of commissioners to approve a master site plan for the AOAA that provides the planning department with a guide to establishing rules and regulations for the AOAA. He said the county is in the process of forming an authority for the AOAA that will be responsible for operating and maintaining the land.

Bridy, who serves as vice chairman of the board of commissioners, testified that motions dealing with the AOAA were listed on the agenda for Monday's special meeting.

But he said the real impetus for the meeting was to prohibit access to anyone on the AOAA until police concluded their investigation involving the "booby trap" found on the land.

He said, "That's a real danger. We have to look at life and liability and have to protect the people. We don't want anybody going on that property until the investigation is complete."

When asked by Bowers why the "booby trap" wasn't brought to the public's attention shortly after it was found, Bridy replied, "Because it would interfere with the investigation."

Bowers then responded, "There is a known danger on public land that thousands of people use every year, but Coal Township police aren't notified until Friday (Sept. 21)."

Bridy said he believes all waivers involving the AOAA should be left up to the planning department and don't need to be discussed at a public meeting.

10K man hours

Kaleta, a 54-year-old former taxidermist from Shamokin who is on disability, talked about his volunteer work with the former Habitat for Wildlife (HFW) and other environmental and conservation groups. He said HFW, which was disbanded earlier this year due to the controversy with the commissioners and planning department, planted 40,000 trees on county-owned property in the past 12 years.

Kaleta estimated that he has spent 10,000 manpower hours doing volunteer work and spends 80 percent of his time on county-owned property doing cleanup projects, walking his dogs and taking his grandchildren for walks. The witness said he has also assisted police in solving a timber theft investigation and catching people who litter on the property.

The witness said he has hunted on county-owned land with Shoch and state game commission members and was never told to get off the land until recently when he became critical of how the land was being used.

"That land means my life to me," he said. "I've loved it since I was a little kid. Nature is my thing. But I can't take anyone there now."

Kaleta said he supports the AOAA if it is done in an environmentally-safe manner and includes everyone, not just motorized vehicles.

He testified that he went "ballistic" after being informed that the county posted signs on the land prohibiting hunting, fishing and trapping.

When asked by Garrigan if he could hunt and walk his dogs and grandchildren on other county-owned land, Kaleta responded, "I can't show my grandchildren the trees I planted on the other land."

When questioned by Garrigan about his disability, Kaleta said he suffers from chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic Lyme disease, obsessive compulsiveness, arthritis and short-term memory loss.

Clausi, who is vacationing in Florida, was allowed by Saylor to participate in the hearing by telephone. After listening to testimony for about three hours, Clausi was called as the last witness.

He was questioned by Best, who formerly served as county solicitor and chief clerk before being terminated and subsequently suing the county for wrongful termination.

Clausi, who could be heard slightly laughing on the phone when Best identified herself, answered some questions very fast and wasn't clear on some responses, prompting the court stenographer to ask him to repeat his testimony at times.

He testified that it was Mack's decision to send the letter to Kaleta, banning him from the land. The commissioner, who supported sending the letter, denied ever seeing a waiver form requested by Kaleta.

Clausi said, "Mr. Kaleta should be happy because we didn't want him or anyone else getting hurt on the land after the 'booby trap' was discovered. I directed the special meeting to be held to protect the people of Northumberland County."

When asked by Best if he understood what the Sunshine Law is, Clausi replied, "Yes, you taught me what it is." His response drew brief laughter from those in attendance.

Closing argument

In his closing argument, Bowers argued that his client suffered irreparable harm by being denied access to the AOAA and that Bridy and Clausi violated the Sunshine Act. He said there are no written guidelines or policies governing access to the land.

Muncer argued that Mack, and not the commissioners, made the decision to issue the letter to Kaleta, denying him access to the land. He said Mack had the authority to take the action in his role as planning director.

Garrigan said it was highly improper to reprimand the commissioners for their actions or inactions.

After the hearing, Best said, "We did the best job we could in presenting Mr. Kaleta's case while bringing out to the public the way the commissioners conduct county government and their attempt to do so in secrecy. Either way, the people now know what's going on."

As for the discovery of the "booby trap" on the AOAA, she said, "The land itself has inherent dangers. The 'booby trap' is irrelevant and the timing is suspect. Why didn't they tell us about it immediately?"

Bowers said he was told by Garrigan at a pre-hearing conference last week that the "booby trap" would be in court Tuesday, but the item was not present.

Muncer and Garrigan reserved comment after the hearing.

3-vehicle crash

WEST MAHANOY TOWNSHIP - One person was injured in a crash involving two parked cars at 12:55 a.m. Tuesday on Route 54 in this Schuylkill County township.

State police at Frackville report a 2002 Ford Escape, driven by Monica Weikel, 23, of Lavelle, was traveling east on Route 54. Police said Weikel was texting while driving and exited the left side of the road and hit two parked cars, a 2005 Chrysler Town and Country Van owned by John Catizone and a 1991 Chevrolet pickup truck owned by Catherine Catizone.

Weikel suffered minor injuries in the crash, but refused medical assistance at the scene. During the crash scene investigation, she was arrested for driving under the influence. She was taken to the Frackville barracks and later agreed to additional testing to determine blood alcohol content.

The accident remains under investigation. Assisting police at the scene were William Penn Fire Personnel and Shenandoah EMS.

High grass

ZERBE TOWNSHIP - Carol Ann Whary, 60, of Box 439, Trevorton Road, Shamokin, was cited by Zerbe Township Police Chief Robert John for violating a township ordinance when she failed to keep the grass on her property shorter than six inches. Police said the grass measured between 12 and 18 inches tall, and Whary received a prior warning but failed to comply. The citation was filed with Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III, Shamokin.

Dog at large

TREVORTON - Zerbe Township Police cited Richard Reed, 49, of 809 W. Coal St., Trevorton, for failure to keep his dog on his property and under control during an incident at his residence between 6 and 6:30 a.m. Saturday. The charge was filed by Chief Robert John in the office of Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III, of Shamokin.

Two injured

RUSH TOWNSHIP - Two men were injured in a two-vehicle crash at 5 p.m. Tuesday at the intersection of Route 54 (Elysburg Road) and Boyd Station Road.

State police at Stonington reported Robert R. Tegge Jr., 28, of Sunbury, was driving a 2006 Toyota Tacoma south on Boyd Station Road when he failed to stop for a stop sign and traveled directly into the path of a 2006 Ford E-450 operated by Irvin P. Reiner, 46, of Coal Township, who was driving east on Route 54.

Both vehicles came to rest in the eastbound lane of the highway.

Tegge and Reiner were transported by Danville Area Ambulance to Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, where they underwent emergency room treatment before being released, according to a hospital spokeswoman.

Police said Tegge will be cited for a stop sign violation.

Scrap metal theft

SCHUYLKILL TOWNSHIP - State police at Frackville report that sometime between 4 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Tuesday, someone entered a Moss Glen Road construction site operated by M & J Excavation, Bloomsburg, and removed eight iron excavator body panels and two iron screens. Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact state police at 874-5300.

Recklessly endangering

MOUNT CARMEL - Jane M. Barilla, 45, of 341 N. Oak St., Mount Carmel, was charged by Patrolman David Donkochik with recklessly endangering another person and disorderly conduct relating to an Aug. 20 incident.

Police reported Barilla is accused of placing two rifles in camouflage soft cases and a box of ammunition on a sidewalk in front of 319 M. Oak St., where her estranged husband, Paul Barilla, resides. Police said the guns and ammunition, which are owned by Paul Barilla, were discovered shortly before 5 a.m. by a newspaper carrier, who contacted the police.

Theft by deception

ELYSBURG - Melanie J. Guinther, 31, of 133 N. Market St., Elysburg, has been charged by Ralpho Township Sgt. Chris Kreisher with theft by deception, receiving stolen property and issuing bad checks.

According to a criminal complaint filed at the office of Magisterial District Judge Hugh Jones, Guinther is accused of issuing two bad checks in the amounts of $49.28 and $41.84 on July 31 to The Village Peddler on North Market Street in Elysburg.

DUI

ELYSBURG - Patrolman Christopher Grow has charged Brian M. Foley, 24, of Eatontown, N.J., with driving under the influence of alcohol and failing to drive within a single lane relating to a Sept. 2 traffic stop on Route 61 near Bobcat Auto.

Police said Foley refused to submit to a blood test.

PFA violation

COAL TOWNSHIP - Holly Bentley, 31, of 1200 Tharp St., Apt. 2, Tharptown, was charged by Patrolman Matthew Hashuga with violating a protection from abuse order.

Police reported Bentley allegedly approached her former boyfriend, Michael Rosetta, screamed at him and shoved him while attending their son's football game at Kemp Memorial Stadium at 4 p.m. Sunday. Police said Rosetta has a PFA against Bentley.

Bentley was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Hugh Jones and committed to Northumberland County Prison in lieu of $10,000 bail.

Flees police

MOUNT CARMEL TOWNSHIP - Patrolman Kelly Campbell has charged Heather W. Heim, 37, of 231 S. Chestnut St., Mount Carmel, with resisting arrest, fleeing or attempting to elude police, driving under the influence of alcohol, criminal mischief, reckless driving, careless driving and a red light violation relating to incidents that occurred late Saturday night.

Police reported Heim, who refused to submit to a blood test, fled from police on Route 61, drove through a red light at the intersection of routes 61 and 54 at Strong, traveled into Atlas to the Mount Carmel Township Municipal Complex and attempted to hide her vehicle in between two buildings before striking a light pole.

Police said Heim and a passenger, who was not identified by police, then exited the vehicle and fled on foot. Heim was apprehended in the 200 block of Forest Street and taken into custody.

She was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Hugh Jones and committed to Northumberland County Prison in lieu of $30,000 bail.

Computer found

ELYSBURG - A computer has been turned into the Ralpho Township Police Department. It can be claimed by calling 672-9892 and identifying the unit.

EAST CAMERON TOWNSHIP - The driver of a Jeep Wrangler sustained minor injuries when the vehicle collided with a pick-up truck and nearly rolled down a steep embankment late Thursday afternoon on Boyle's Grove Road.

The man, who declined to give his name at the scene, was seen with minor scrapes and bruises on his face and head and a bandage around his right knee while AREA Services paramedics attended to him at approximately 5 p.m.

He was driving a Jeep Wrangler east at approximately 4:30 p.m. when Wes Harris, 32, of Trevorton, driving a red 2001 Chevrolet Silverado in the opposite direction, came around a curve.

Harris said the Jeep's driver was traveling too far out of his own lane. Both drivers swerved to avoid each other, but collided head-on.

The Jeep was off the roadway and its rear was down the steep embankment; the truck had stopped across both lanes. The front bumpers were entangled, and it appeared as if the truck kept the Jeep from sliding further down the hill.

The narrow road, which is covered in graffiti and is known locally as "Spraypaint Road," has no center dividing line and no guardrails.

In addition to two AREA Services ambulances, East Cameron Township Fire Company and Trooper Brian Ronk of state police at Stonington responded.

Knife at school

COAL TOWNSHIP - A 14-year-old Shamokin male has been charged with possessing a box cutter knife inside the Shamokin Area Middle/High School on Sept. 21, according to the Coal Township Police Department.

Police reported that the knife was discovered by a teacher inside the juvenile's book bag.

A misdemeanor charge of possessing a weapon on school property was filed with the Northumberland County Juvenile Services, police said.

1-car crash

ROCKEFELLER TOWNSHIP - A 71-year-old Shamokin driver was not injured when the vehicle she was driving left the roadway and rolled over at 6:32 p.m. Wednesday on Route 4019, according to state police at Stonington.

Trooper Daniel Wilk said Lorene L. Snyder was traveling south on Dornsife Mountain Roud in a 2002 Ford Focus when she traveled off the right shoulder, struck a ditch and rolled. The vehicle landed on all four wheels facing a northeastern direction.

She was reportedly wearing her seatbelt and was charged for a traffic violation, police said.

Americus Hose Ambulance and Stiely's Garage assisted police at the scene.

Car hits tree

LOWER AUGUSTA TOWNSHIP - A 48-year-old Sunbury woman escaped injury when the vehicle she was driving struck a tree at 2:50 p.m. Wednesday on Route 4022 near Mountain Road, according to state police at Stonington.

Trooper Daniel Wilk said Karen L. Tillman was negotiating a left turn on Boyles Run Road while driving a 2005 Pontiac Vibe westbound when she left the roadway and struck a tree located off the right shoulder of the road.

The car came to rest against a tree facing a westward direction, police said.

Tillman was wearing a seatbelt and was charged with a traffic violation, police said.

Paul's Towing assisted at the scene, police reported.

Three injured

MONROE TOWNSHIP - Two drivers and a passenger sustained injuries in a two-vehicle accident at 12:35 p.m. Wednesday at the intersection of Ninth Street and North Susquehanna Trail, according to state police at Selinsgrove.

Trooper Timothy Nicklas said Brian T. Fee, 27, of Selinsgrove, was traveling in a 2004 Hyundai Tiburon on Susquehanna Valley Mall Drive to Ninth Street at the intersection while Doris D. Vasbinder, 83, of Sunbury, was traveling west on Ninth Street.

Vasbinder attempted to turn left into the southbound lane of North Susquehanna Trail at the intersection and the vehicles collided, police said.

Vasbinder and her passenger, Frank B. Vasbinder, 45, of Sunbury, both experienced moderate injuries, and both were transported by Dauntless Hook and Ladder EMS to Sunbury Community Hospital, police said.

Fee experienced minor injuries, but did not require medical transport, police said.

All people involved in the accident were wearing their seatbelts, police said.

Both vehicles were towed from the scene, police said.

Scott Binsack is prohibited from being part of a business or participating in even basic financial transactions, such as having or using a bank account or a credit card, according to terms of his parole granted in April of 2011.

Now, Binsack says he's going back to jail for a technical violation of his parole.

Last month, he started circulating a stock prospectus trying to raise $13,510,000 to revitalize the Shamokin area. State securities officials found the unregistered activities questionable and are actively investigating it.

A 48-minute video soliloquy titled "The Harassment Continues" released on YouTube.com and a number of other media platforms Wednesday features Binsack in a leather chair in a dark room claiming rampant corruption in Shamokin.

"As of Monday, I could be sent to prison because of an alleged technicality with my agreement with the state," said Binsack in the video. "I want the public to know I may never walk out of that prison."

In August, Binsack began circulated a prospectus seeking investors in a far-reaching plan to revitalize the Shamokin area by entities known as the Hometown Revitalization Group LLC and S&S Capital LLC. The prospectus came to the attention of the Pennsylvania Securities Commission. An investigator began contacting people aware of the prospectus.

Binsack said the stock offering is exempt from securities law. An official at the commission said Thursday that no determination has been made.

When contacted by phone, Binsack declined to comment.

"I have excellent attorneys and they've told me not to speak to you," he said, but declined to name his attorneys.

Binsack has said his work with Hometown Revitalization and the stock offering is as a consultant, although no such distinction is made in the prospectus, which includes his biography and photograph. He reiterated that claim in the recent video, trying to show compliance with the parole board's ban on business activity.

"I can assure you, I'm not going to stand by and continue to be blamed for things that are not true or that I didn't do," he said on the video, promising that his arrest would be videotaped by supporters.

Leo Dunn, a spokesman for the state Board of Probation and Parole, said he could not comment on whether a particular parolee is being investigated. Parole officers have arrest power and can detain a parolee for a suspected violation.

Within 15 days, an initial hearing is held by a board hearing examiner. A second hearing determines the penalty.

If the violation is found, Binsack could go back to prison for the balance of his term, or max date, of May 18, 2014.

In the video, he calls his Lackawanna County arrests for bad check and insurance fraud a "set up," attempting to connect his arrest with the corruption scandal involving county commissioners, Robert Cordaro and A.J. Munchak.

The findings of the Board of Probation and Parole granted Binsack's release partially due to his "acceptance of responsibility for the offense(s) committed."

Criminal trespass

LOWER AUGUSTA TOWNSHIP - Dylan Weikel, 20, of Sunbury, was cited by state police at Stonington for criminal trespass relating to an incident at 3:45 p.m. Thursday at the Sunoco station along Route 890 near Sunbury.

Police said Weikel was prohibited from being on the property.

Receiving stolen property

KULPMONT - Nicholas C. Elliott, 19, of 1240 Poplar St., Kulpmont, was charged with receiving stolen property, corruption of minors, theft by deception, and criminal solicitation following an incident at a Scott Street residence between June 10 and 15.

Kulpmont Borough Police patrolman Joshua Pastucka reported in court documents that Elliott received two rings from a juvenile, a man's wedding band and a fashion ring, and took them to Shuey Jewelers to sell them, receiving $95 for them. The youth had stolen the rings from his mother after he ran away from home.

The charges were filed with Magisterial District Judge Hugh Jones, of Mount Carmel. A preliminary hearing is set for Wednesday, Oct. 3.

Burglary

SELINSGROVE - State police at Selinsgrove reported someone used a pry bar to gain entry to the residence of Garry Lee Dreese, 43, of 673 Hidden Valley Road, Selinsgrove, and stole a crossbow, arrows, a pellet gun and BB gun.

Police said the burglary occurred between Sept. 22 and Sept. 24.

Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact state police at 374-8145 and reference incident number F07-1154865.

GREGG TOWNSHIP - A 21-year-old Lewisburg man was killed early Sunday morning in a one-vehicle crash involving a sign and utility pole along Route 15 near Clyde Peeling's Reptile Land in this Union County township.

State police at Milton reported Jacob Parkes, who was not wearing a seat belt, died as a result of injuries suffered in the 2:38 a.m. accident. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 3:10 a.m. by Union County Coroner Wanda Walters.

Parkes' passenger, Andrew Renner, 22, of Winfield, who was wearing a seat belt, suffered moderate injuries in the accident and was transported by ambulance to Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, where he was listed in serious condition, according to a nursing supervisor.

Police said Parkes was driving a 2011 Jeep Wrangler south on Route 15 when his vehicle exited the right side of the road after Parkes failed to negotiate a left curve. Police said the Jeep Wrangler then ascended an embankment and traveled south before sideswiping a warning signal attached to a metal pole. The vehicle traveled approximately 200 feet along the embankment before its front driver's side struck a utility pole, causing the Jeep Wrangler to roll over and come to rest on its passenger side on the west berm.

Police said the utility pole was knocked down in the southbound lane, prompting PPL employees to respond to the scene and replace the pole.

The highway was closed until about noon Sunday.

The Jeep Wrangler sustained extensive damage and was towed from the scene.