By: TODD RUTH Review Sports Editor truth.eph@lnpnews.com, Staff Writer

The Ephrata wrestling team found itself in a familiar position Saturday.

For the third straight year, Ephrata came out of the preliminary round of the Ephrata Duals at 2-2. And, for the third year in succession, the Mounts had to get past Hempfield to lock up fifth place in the 10-team tournament.

In their meetings in the previous two seasons, Hempfield went on to beat the Mounts and capture fifth.

Not this time, however.

Ephrata took a big step forward, gaining key pins from Ethan Sipe (132) and Nate Bradley (138) to build a 27-13 lead with five bouts to go. The Black Knights made it interesting with four-straight victories from 145 to 170 to momentarily go up 32-27. However, Jeff Halligan’s forfeit victory in the final bout of the day at 182 sealed the deal as the Mounts came away with an exciting 33-32 win to capture the fifth-place medal.

By: TODD RUTH Review Sports Editor truth.eph@lnpnews.com, Staff Writer

The Ephrata wrestling team found itself in a familiar position Saturday.

For the third straight year, Ephrata came out of the preliminary round of the Ephrata Duals at 2-2. And, for the third year in succession, the Mounts had to get past Hempfield to lock up fifth place in the 10-team tournament.

In their meetings in the previous two seasons, Hempfield went on to beat the Mounts and capture fifth.

Not this time, however.

Ephrata took a big step forward, gaining key pins from Ethan Sipe (132) and Nate Bradley (138) to build a 27-13 lead with five bouts to go. The Black Knights made it interesting with four-straight victories from 145 to 170 to momentarily go up 32-27. However, Jeff Halligan’s forfeit victory in the final bout of the day at 182 sealed the deal as the Mounts came away with an exciting 33-32 win to capture the fifth-place medal.

By: ALICE HUMMER Review Correspondent, Staff Writer

With no tax increase in four years, and road maintenance projects deferred last year, East Cocalico supervisors discussed whether a small tax increase would be a smart, financial move.

While all three supervisors, Doug Mackley, Alan Fry and Noelle Fortna, agreed that they prefer avoiding a tax increase, each contributed different ideas to help the proposed 2012 budget.

"Having less than ten thousand in reserve on a $5 million budget is not great," chairman Mackley said. "I don’t like a tax increase anymore than anyone else. I recommend we consider going from 1.625 mills to 1.70 mills."

Each mill of tax generates about $744,000, according to East Cocalico Township Manager Mark Hiester.

Mackley further explained some revenue reductions anticipated in 2012:

? Earned income tax collection projects a ten percent shortfall.

? East Cocalico’s recycling grant, often in the $100,000 range, projects a 40 percent shortfall.

? East Cocalico borrows from the general fund the first four months of the year to stay afloat since collection of new tax monies occurs after that time.

? The reserve fund is not being replenished, and it is not up to what the state recommends.

By: ALICE HUMMER Review Correspondent, Staff Writer

With no tax increase in four years, and road maintenance projects deferred last year, East Cocalico supervisors discussed whether a small tax increase would be a smart, financial move.

While all three supervisors, Doug Mackley, Alan Fry and Noelle Fortna, agreed that they prefer avoiding a tax increase, each contributed different ideas to help the proposed 2012 budget.

"Having less than ten thousand in reserve on a $5 million budget is not great," chairman Mackley said. "I don’t like a tax increase anymore than anyone else. I recommend we consider going from 1.625 mills to 1.70 mills."

Each mill of tax generates about $744,000, according to East Cocalico Township Manager Mark Hiester.

Mackley further explained some revenue reductions anticipated in 2012:

? Earned income tax collection projects a ten percent shortfall.

? East Cocalico’s recycling grant, often in the $100,000 range, projects a 40 percent shortfall.

? East Cocalico borrows from the general fund the first four months of the year to stay afloat since collection of new tax monies occurs after that time.

? The reserve fund is not being replenished, and it is not up to what the state recommends.

By: ALICE HUMMER Review Correspondent ALICE HUMMER Review Correspondent ALICE HUMMER Review Correspondent, Staff Writer

While many families sustained heartbreaking losses in the violent fall flooding, three generations of Denver Boy Scouts see the recent demise of the spartan, 28 by 40-foot wooden scout cabin with no indoor restrooms, located in Denver Park, as the loss of a positive piece of their childhood.

"It’s good to be able to meet in local places, such as churches," veteran Scout Randy Eshelman said. "However, usually the space is shared, and you need to clean up everything when the meeting is over. At the scout cabin each patrol could decorate their own corner."

Eshelman recalled Halloween parties when the cabin became a haunted house. Then there were the Christmas parties, campfires for Court of Honor ceremonies, and overnight and longer camping experiences.

"In the winter if the weather was ugly and you couldn’t get out of town, you could always manage to get to the nearby cabin in the park."

"We’d have weekend camping where we’d roast a pig all week-end and then have it for a family picnic on Sunday," Eshelman, 48, recalls.

By: ALICE HUMMER Review Correspondent ALICE HUMMER Review Correspondent ALICE HUMMER Review Correspondent, Staff Writer

While many families sustained heartbreaking losses in the violent fall flooding, three generations of Denver Boy Scouts see the recent demise of the spartan, 28 by 40-foot wooden scout cabin with no indoor restrooms, located in Denver Park, as the loss of a positive piece of their childhood.

"It’s good to be able to meet in local places, such as churches," veteran Scout Randy Eshelman said. "However, usually the space is shared, and you need to clean up everything when the meeting is over. At the scout cabin each patrol could decorate their own corner."

Eshelman recalled Halloween parties when the cabin became a haunted house. Then there were the Christmas parties, campfires for Court of Honor ceremonies, and overnight and longer camping experiences.

"In the winter if the weather was ugly and you couldn’t get out of town, you could always manage to get to the nearby cabin in the park."

"We’d have weekend camping where we’d roast a pig all week-end and then have it for a family picnic on Sunday," Eshelman, 48, recalls.

By: MICHELLE REIFF Review Staff mreiff.eph@lnpnews.com, Staff Writer

For some children a Christmas wish may be a new bike, a scooter, maybe a favorite video game. But last Friday two youngsters got something even better.

Clay Elementary School students Taylor and Gavin Frymyer (third grade and kindergarten, respectively) received a real-life Christmas surprise when their mom, who had been serving in the Navy in Iraq for a year, popped out of a refrigerator-sized box at an assembly to greet them.

The family was unavailable on several attempts made by the Ephrata Review for interview, but Taylor’s teacher, Jamie Avery, was able to share the details of this extraordinary event.

"Taylor came in class with updates about her mom quite often," said Avery. "One day she came in all excited because she was told her mom might be coming home before Christmas.

Avery spoke to Shawn Frymyer, Taylor’s dad, and asked if her mom, Rebekah Gundrum, wanted to come in during class one day and surprise her.

"On my drive home that night my mind just started coming up with these ideas for bigger, better things," said Avery.

By: GARY P. KLINGER Review Correspondent, Staff Writer

"Have we done all that we could? I’m afraid not."

Those comments by council member Bob Good underscored the rough sailing seen Monday night as Ephrata Borough Council voted on its 2012 municipal budget and the .19 mill tax increase it contained.

Initially the budget was contained as but an item on the borough council consent agenda. However, Good asked that the vote on the budget be pulled so that there could be further discussion of the matter prior to the final vote.

In the end, Good and fellow council member Russell Shirker voted "no" but the motion to raise taxes to 2.07 mills was passed with six members voting for the increase.

The vote means an additional $28.50 in taxes on the average $150,000 property.

While certainly not a banner night for attendance by residents, most of those who were there chose to remain silent the entire evening.

By: MICHELLE REIFF Review Staff mreiff.eph@lnpnews.com, Staff Writer

The tragic fire that took the lives of three family members as they slept in their Stevens home was caused by an improperly used extension cord.

Sgt. Larry Martin of the East Cocalico Township Police Department said Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Jamie DeWalt, fire marshal, ruled the cause of the fire to be accidental.

"It was caused by the misuse of an electrical extension cord in the living room on the first floor, the same room where Melvin Rissler (one of the victims) was sleeping," said Sgt. Martin, adding that there was no indication that it was related to Christmas decor.

Stevens and Reamstown fire companies were dispatched to the fire at 45 S. Line Road, next to Stevens United Zion Church, at 12:27 a.m. They found the building engulfed in smoke and flames and people trapped in the three-story home, according to Delvin Martin, a spokesperson for Stevens Fire Company.

The names of the three family members who died were released later in the day. They were Melvin Rissler, 83; his wife, Patti Rissler, 54; and their daughter, Rachel Rissler, 24. Melvin and Patti have owned the home since 1988.

The borough’s 1.1-mile linear rail trail is used by many persons of all ages for walking, bicycling, jogging, roller blading and more. There have been few emergencies along the trail, but what if one occurs?

Many people on the trail have a cell phone to summon emergency services but, without a door number, it is difficult for them to describe their location to a 911 dispatcher. Few are aware of the name of the closest cross street for emergency services personnel to locate the emergency quickly.

Through a combined effort of the Ephrata Police Department, the Ephrata Community Ambulance Association and the Ephrata Pioneer Fire Company, each light pole along the trail has been marked with an emergency locator sign. An index of the signs has been provided to the police, ambulance and fire departments to enable them to arrive at a location faster in case of an emergency. These reflective signs were provided and installed by the Borough of Ephrata as a result of the joint project.

The ability to quickly locate an emergency is not only important along the linear rail trail, but everywhere. Houses and businesses should be clearly marked with a door number that is visible to emergency services from the street. This clear marking can save valuable time during an emergency. More TRAIL, page A18