GOWEN CITY - Lamar and Fietta Schlemmer were watching television at about noon Friday when they saw smoke pouring from their basement door.
They quickly scooped up their dog and got out uninjured, but their East Cameron Township home at 5454 Upper Road would soon be destroyed by flames.
Some 100 firefighters from three counties were at the scene by 1 p.m. and worked for several more hours to put out the four-alarm blaze. They relied on tanker trucks and portable "ponds" for water because of a lack of hydrants along the rural stretch of highway.
(read more) 
SUNBURY - The director of the Northumberland County's tax claims bureau was fired Friday, becoming the most recent of several high-profile firings in the county this year.
Pat Yasenchak, head of the county's tax claim bureau, was fired Friday.
The firing was confirmed Friday afternoon by Commissioner Vinny Clausi, who, when asked for comment, would only say the firing took place because "the office needs to go in a new direction."
(read more)
DALMATIA - PPL Electric Utilities announced a project Friday to improve electric service for customers throughout the Susquehanna Valley.
PPL Electric Utilities plans to build a new 69-kilovolt power line and substation to help reduce the number and duration of power outages experienced by some customers in parts of Northumberland, Snyder and Juniata counties.
"The new power line and substation will provide PPL Electric Utilities with an additional source of power that will help us improve electrical reliability for residents and businesses in the area," said David E. Schleicher, vice president of Transmission for PPL Electric Utilities.
(read more)
MOUNT CARMEL - The borough had an agreement with its former manager to pay him more than $47,000 in back "comp" and vacation time.
And although borough council voted unanimously Oct. 28 to fire Joseph K. Bass, it must pay him the remainder of the settlement.
That was the conclusion of a lengthy borough council meeting Thursday night, which included an executive session and then a public vote to approve the payment.
(read more)
The school lunch menu in Friday's News-Item indicated North Schuylkill schools would be closed Wednesday.
Instead, school is in session, and hamburgers/cheeseburgers, oven-browned potatoes, green beans and applesauce are on the menu.
(read more)
MOUNT CARMEL - A 16-year member of Mount Carmel Area School Board who is leaving office next month was honored Thursday night for his dedication to the district.
The board also approved the dedication of the junior-senior high school and elementary school libraries and the junior-senior high school science wing in memory of three donors who have provided scholarships to high school graduates over the years.
(read more)
Editor's note: This weekly update on the H1N1 virus is provided by Dr. Lisa Esolen, director of infection control for Geisinger Health System.
DANVILLE - Both Geisinger Medical Center and Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center continue to see decreases in flu cases; however, following preventive measures remains important, especially with the Thanksgiving holiday just days away.
The following tips can help everyone stay healthy through the holidays and for the remainder of the flu season.
(read more)
SUNBURY - Northumberland County's former drug and alcohol director waived his right to a preliminary hearing Monday on theft-related charges and was ordered by Magisterial District Judge Robert Bolton to appear for arraignment Dec. 14 at Northumberland County Courthouse.
Samuel Williamson, 60, of 289 Main St., Turbotville, waived to court theft and conflict-of-interest charges and now faces trial in county court. Williamson is charged with funneling $12,000 into a slush fund and billing another employer during hours when he was being paid by the county, according to a complaint filed by Agent Joseph Farkus of the state Attorney General's Office.
(read more)
Noteworthy
Billboard unveiling today
SHAMOKIN - Vision for Growth (V4G) will unveil its 8-by-20-foot billboard mural saluting the region's coal-mining heritage in a ceremony at 10 a.m. today.
The billboard was constructed at the north end of the washhouse at the former Glen Burn Colliery property along Route 61 just south of the Cameron Bridge.
The colorful scene reminiscent of mining's heyday will tell travelers they are entering "The Gateway to the Coal Region."
(read more)
DANVILLE - A Dalmatia woman, one of the three drivers involved in a three-vehicle crash Thursday afternoon on Route 147, remains in critical condition at Geisinger Medical Center.
A public relations officer at the Danville hospital reported that Ellen E. Clement, 44, of Dalmatia, was in critical condition Friday afternoon. She was one of the three drivers involved in Thursday's crash that injured eight people and closed Route 147 for several hours.
(read more)
When our family home was sold, my brothers, sister and I found ourselves sifting through more than 60 years of memories that began with the marriage of our parents, Joseph W. and Mary P. "Mae" Kozlowski.
While our dad was well-known as a great acquirer of objects of all shapes and sizes, it turned out that our mother was a keeper of papers, bank statements and greeting cards of all types.
The cards that they sent each other for birthdays, wedding anniversaries and Valentine's Days were of a wide assortment and variety, but there was a consistency in the way they signed the cards that spanned the decades.
(read more)
All Saints Lutheran
All Saints Evangelical Lutheran Church, 12th and Scott streets, Kulpmont.
Pastor - The Rev. Alfred J. Bashore.
Worship - 9 a.m.
Participants - Rose Marie Kovach, organist; Richard Kovach, lector; Perry Adams and/or Marsha Karnes, communion assistants; Shirley Tomtishen and Marsha Karnes, altar guild.
The Pentecost season continues with Word and Sacrament.
Ash Grove UMC
Ash Grove United Methodist Church, Lilac Road, off Route 61, Paxinos.
(read more)
