On Dec. 4, in an oddly coincidental and apparently accidental shooting, Blaine Spickler was killed just three months after his daughter, Charity, was slain. The shooting took place near Middlecreek Antique Machinery Association grounds, where, after Charity's death, her relatives reflected on their last gathering as a family.

In a further twist, a short distance from the shooting site is the Snyder County Jail, where Roderick Sims -- Charity's alleged killer and father of three of her children -- is being held. He appeared in court the next day for a preliminary hearing in that case.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission is in charge of the investigation into Blaine Spickler's death in the hunting accident.

Also in December, the Snyder County commissioners were faced with a tough decision to help salvage the Boscov's Department Store in Hummels Wharf. The Boscov's chain filed for bankruptcy during the summer. The commissioners, along with those from six other Pennsylvania counties, were asked by the state to provide $5 million collateral through Community Development Block Grant money. Several weeks later, the Snyder County board voted 2-1 to not support the loan guarantee. State officials are continuing their effort to encourage the commissioners to change their minds.

Northumberland County faced some tough times as well during the last few months of 2008.

Three county employees -- the board of elections director, a deputy in the prothonotary's office and a clerk in the tax claims bureau -- were fired amid allegations of missing money. A criminal investigation is continuing into the loss of $40,000 from the tax claims bureau.

The Northumberland County commissioners also found themselves fighting unauthorized overtime pay for a maintenance worker at the Northumberland County Prison. During the same month, two corrections officers resigned amid allegations they had sex with female inmates, and two other corrections officers resigned amid allegations of sexual contact with female prisoners.