Courtney N. Cecco, a 2012 graduate of Southern Columbia High School, has achieved dean's list status with a 3.86 grade point average for the fall 2012 semester at Misericordia University in Dallas, Pa.
Cecco is majoring in speech language pathology and is a member of the women's soccer team, which traveled to San Antonio, Texas, in December to compete in the NCAA Division III "Final Four" tournament, finishing fourth in the nation.
She is a daughter of Jim and Janet Cecco of Elysburg.
SCRANTON - A settlement was reached last month in a lawsuit between Mountain View: A Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, and a former employee who filed a lawsuit against the Coal Township home.
Court documents filed Dec. 7 in U.S. District Court, Scranton, settled the suit between Mountain View's corporate owner, Complete Healthcare Resources, of Dresher, and Renee McAnnaney, of Coal Township. Terms of the settlement were not disclosed in the filing, but the order from U.S. Magistrate Judge Martin C. Carlson dismissed the action without prejudice and cost.
Carlson did put in a provision that the suit could be reinstated if the settlement is not consummated within 60 days. If the terms did occur, the action was dismissed with prejudice, meaning the suit could not be filed again.
McAnnaney filed the action July 24, which alleged she was forced to resign from her position after taking time to recuperate from a shoulder injury.
According to the suit, McAnnaney took leave from her job from Nov. 16, 2011 to Feb. 1, 2012, in accordance with the provisions of the Family Medical Leave Act, to heal a rotator cuff tear. Within a few days of her return, she claimed a supervisor commented they were "working to get (McAnnaney) out of here."
McAnnaney wrote that since coming back, her performance was "intently scrutinized," greater in comparison to other co-workers.
The final straw, she claimed, was Feb. 24, when a supervisor made derogatory comments toward her and sent her home for a dress code violation. She was not permitted to return to work and then was informed she was going to be terminated for alleged poor performance.
She resigned from Mountain View March 1, following the direction of her union representative.
McAnnaney was seeking a reemployment along with all lost pay, bonuses and benefits, attorney's fees and cost and any other relief the court saw fit.
SHENANDOAH - A 28-year-old Shamokin woman was jailed Friday charged by Shenandoah police with lighting a Jan. 19 fire in the borough that destroyed two homes and damaged three others.
The investigation determined Chevonne M. Martinson, who lists an address of 410 N. Shamokin St., was residing at the home and was responsible for lighting the blaze.
Patrolman Michael O'Neill charged Martinson with one felony count each of arson-endangering persons, arson-inhabited buildings or structures and causing or risking a catastrophe; three felony counts each of arson and related offenses and criminal mischief; nine misdemeanor counts of recklessly endangering another person; and one misdemeanor count of arson and related offenses.
Martinson was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko, Port Carbon, and committed to Schuylkill County Prison unable to post $25,000 straight cash bail.
Firefighters were called to the 432 W. Centre St. home of Richard and Ann Morton about 3:35 a.m. and found heavy fire to the rear of the building.
Flames spread causing heavy damage to unoccupied homes at 434 and 430 W. Centre St. while an unoccupied home at 436 W. Centre St. sustained minimal smoke damage.
A home at 438 W. Centre St. occupied by Leonard Selvocki also sustained minimal smoke damage.
O'Neill said his investigation into the fire began after all of the occupants were evacuated from the home during the initial minutes of the blaze.
He said Ann Morton reported being in bed about 3:15 a.m. but unable to fall asleep because of arguing and items being smashed in an adjoining bedroom occupied by Martinson and her boyfriend, Luis Ramos.
Morton said she was able to fall asleep when the fighting stopped but was awakened a short time later when Ramos ran into her bedroom screaming there was a fire.
Morton told O'Neill that Martinson and Ramos fled the scene because Ramos has an outstanding warrant against him. The officer said Morton told him that prior to leaving, Martinson told her the fire started when she flicked a cigarette on the back, second-floor porch.
Morton also told police that on previous occasions, Martinson said she would burn the house down, O'Neill said.
Several hours later, about 5:30 a.m., O'Neill said he was approached by Vannessa Crawley who also lived at the home.
The woman said that the day before the fire, on Jan. 18, Martinson was infuriated and screaming about lighting items on fire.
O'Neill said Crawley told him that after the fire, she received a message from Martinson on Facebook saying she could stay with her and Ramos at 222 W. Coal St., the home of Michael Leger and Donna Schlauch.
O'Neill said he and Patrolman Tyler Dissinger went to that home, took Ramos into custody on the warrant and interviewed Martinson in connection with the fire.
Martinson said she was living in the southern most bedroom on the second floor of the home that had a door to the back porch and was arguing with Ramos over money. The woman said after the fighting ended, she flicked the cigarette onto the back porch that she described as being cluttered with debris and garbage, O'Neill said.
The officer said Martinson reported leaving the bedroom and going to see other occupants of the home when, about 20 minutes later, Ramos ran out of the bedroom screaming about a fire.
She said Ramos left the house and went to the Coal Street home and that she followed him a short time later.
O'Neill said he asked Martinson if there was a possibility the fire started in the bedroom but the woman said the fire started outside on the porch due to her cigarette.
On Jan. 22, O'Neill said he spoke with owner Richard Morton who could not be interviewed the day of the fire due to his need for medical treatment.
Richard Morton, he said, related he was in a "dead sleep" before being awakened by Martinson and Ramos fighting and smashing items inside their room.
Minutes later, Richard Morton said Ramos ran into his room screaming "everybody get up, there's a fire ... I threw it on the back porch and tried to put it out," O'Neill said in his criminal complaint filed with Plachko.
Richard Morton said he tried to extinguish the fire but the smoke was intense, O'Neill said, adding that the man told him that prior to the fire Martinson said, on numerous occasions, "I'll burn your house down and no one will have a place to stay."
On Tuesday, O'Neill said he met with Leger and Crawley who said they wanted to provide additional information about the fire.
The officer said Leger told him that on the day of the fire, Martinson arrived at his home irate saying she was angry at her female partner, who was not identified, and admitted burning her belongings and then trying to put out the fire. Leger said Martinson then went into another room to see Crawley.
O'Neill said Crawley told him that when Martinson entered the room, she began bragging about smashing perfume bottles and that she lit pictures and clothing that belonged to her female partner on fire.
Assisting in the investigation were state police fire marshal Trooper John Burns of the Frackville station and members of the Schuylkill County District Attorney's Office.
Martinson will now have to appear for a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker, Shenandoah.
SUN Soroptimist monthly meeting set
NORTHUMBERLAND - The Soroptimist International Club of the Snyder, Union and Northumberland Counties Inc. Club will hold it's regular monthly dinner meeting 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Front Street Station.
Speaker Karen Gehers will present a program on human trafficking. The SUN Soroptimist Club is an international volunteer service organization for business and professional women who work to improve the lives of women and girls in local communities and throughout the world.
Anyone interested in volunteering and becoming a member contact any club member or Diane Savidge at 837-2532.
HARRISBURG - Pennsylvania schools would have a new block grant program to work with if Gov. Tom Corbett wins legislative approval for his proposal to privatize the state-run liquor system.
Corbett wants to create a $1 billion, four-year "Passport for Learning Block Grant" with anticipated proceeds from privatization. The idea behind block grants is to earmark money for broad priority areas within some parameters and give school districts flexibility in how they spend it. The four priorities in Corbett's proposal are school safety, early education, individual learning and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) courses and programs.
Corbett's "Passport" block grant is geared to such one-time expenditures as purchasing locks for school doors, IT equipment for online courses and helping students assemble their own blend of classroom and online courses, but it's not for recurring expenditures such as a new job involving an annual salary, said Education Department spokesman Timothy Eller.
The $1 billion would be distributed over four years as liquor privatization goes forward based on a formula that reflects a school's enrollment, student population and wealth. About $200 million would be available in the first year, the governor's office said.
The education department plans to provide details on the fiscal impact for each school district on Tuesday when Corbett gives his third state budget address.
The Passport block grant will supplement the billions of state dollars flowing through the instructional subsidy and other programs, said Eller.
Since 2003, school districts have received millions of dollars through the state Accountability Block Grant program designed to help schools reach academic performance targets. Nearly 75 percent of districts choose to target their ABG funding for younger students through pre-kindergarten programs, full-day kindergarten and smaller class sizes in K-3 grades, according to the House Democratic Appropriations Committee.
The current fiscal 2012-13 state budget provides $100 million for the ABG, but this is down 60 percent since fiscal 2010-11, according to the committee.
It's not known yet how the ABG will fare in the governor's fiscal 2013-14 budget proposal.
Two proposed uses for Passport funding are full-day kindergarten and math and reading in grades K-3, said Eller.
The school safety funds would go towards security training for teachers and staff, making school buildings more secure and partnerships with local law enforcement, added Eller. He said it wouldn't go for school resource officers since that would be a recurring expense.
Rep. Kevin Haggerty D-112, Dunmore, said the governor is recognizing the importance of school safety with the block grant proposal, but he added that privatizing liquor sales and school safety doesn't mix.
He is pushing his legislation to appropriate $90 million to cover the cost of having school resource officers in public, charter and parochial elementary schools as the best way to make schools more safe.
"Without school resource officers, we are just putting a Band-Aid on the problem," said Haggerty.
Haggerty opposes the sale of the state liquor stores and asks what will happen after the initial flush of privatization revenue is gone. He is waiting to see what the governor proposes for school resource officers through traditional education programs.
"I will not support the Privatization of Liquor as an ultimatum to Representatives and Senators who all know too well the importance of protecting our school children," said Haggerty.
A proposal by Senate President Pro Tempore Joseph Scarnati, R-25, Jefferson County, to boost annual funding for state school safety grants to $10 million doesn't provide enough money to adequately address the need for school resource officers in elementary schools, added Haggerty.
Two Luzerne County lawmakers are skeptical of linking liquor privatization with education funding.
"My inclination is not to link education funding to the sale of liquor licenses," said Rep. Mike Carroll, D-118, Hughestown, a member of the House Education Committee.
"The governor's fixation with privatization includes a bizarre and unhealthy attempt to tie education achievement to what can only be described as a one-time alcohol-funded stimulus package," said state Sen. John Yudichak, D-14, Nanticoke.
Contact the writer: rswift@timesshamrock.com
UNIVERSITY PARK - The followed area students earned dean's list recognition at Penn State University for the fall semester:
- Cenan F. Abdul-al, Elysburg, Harrisburg Campus.
- Ahmad M. Abuomar, Mount Carmel, University Park Campus.
- Matthew H. Bitting, Dalmatia, Schuylkill Campus.
- Samuel D. Borowik, Ashland, University Park Campus.
- Sarah J. Breech, Catawissa, University Park Campus.
- Adriana M. Brokus, Elysburg, University Park Campus.
- Kevin D. Candelora, Coal Township, University Park Campus.
- Gabrielle Debach, Elysburg, Schuylkill Campus.
- Elizabeth C. Eisele, Ashland, Schuylkill Campus.
- Jane E. Evans, Ashland, Schuylkill Campus.
- Blair D. Faust, Shamokin, Harrisburg Campus.
- Angelica A. George, Mount Carmel, Schuylkill Campus.
- Thomas J. Heromin, Mount Carmel, University Park Campus.
- Michael C. Joseph, Elysburg, University Park Campus.
- Christopher Kozlowski, Mount Carmel, University Park Campus.
- Amy L. Kramer, Mount Carmel, Hazleton Campus.
- Caleb T. Latovich, Coal Township. Schuylkill Campus.
- Shaine M. Lepley, Mount Carmel, University Park Campus.
- Christian E. Lippay, Shamokin, University Park Campus.
- Maria B. Montellano, Mount Carmel, University Park Campus.
- Kyle P. Myhre, Catawissa, University Park Campus.
- Ryan A. Potts, Dornsife, University Park Campus.
- Anna M. Powlus, Dalmatia, World Campus.
- Ashley M. Roberts, Elysbur, University Park Campus.
- Anthony P. Rossi, Mount Carmel, University Park Campus.
- Eric M. Shultz, Shamokin, University Park Campus.
- Mark J. Shultz, Shamokin, University Park Campus.
- Cody J. Shustack, Kulpmont, University Park Campus.
- Alexandra Singh, Elysburg, University Park Campus.
- Gabrielle Singh, Elysburg, University Park Campus.
- Cara F. Sinopoli, Kulpmont, University Park Campus.
- Emily E. Skonecki, Mount Carmel, University Park Campus.
- Samuel J. Springer, Elysburg, University Park Campus.
- Emily A. Werner, Paxinos, Altoona Campus.
- Megan A. Williams, Paxinos, Schuylkill Campus.
- Adam L. Yuskoski, Atlas, Schuylkill Campus.
SHAMOKIN - Charlie Rosini knows the coal industry - both the bituminous and anthracite variations.
He amassed this unique knowledge by having served as a federal mine inspector for both types of coal mining, a highly unusual accomplishment. How it came about was the question that led to an interview with the 92-year-old.
"It all started when I was a young boy," Rosini said. "My three brothers, Evoldo, nicknamed 'Ace' because he had been a boxer; Odone, nicknamed 'Donuts' because he allowed his workers to order only donuts when they stopped for breakfast on the road, and Reno decided to go into the coal trucking business. They bought an old touring car and removed the back seat."
The Rosini brothers picked coal at the Locust Colliery bank, loaded it into the car and took it to their home at 104-106 Diamond St., where they cracked and sized it by hand.
The home heating coal was sold in Harrisburg, Philadelphia and Baltimore.
"With the profits of this first run, my brothers could buy prepared coal from independent breakers," he said. "Then they decided to go into the breaker business with a breaker on Trevorton Road."
In 1939, the year Rosini graduated from high school, his brothers opened a "dry breaker" where the raw run-of-mine coal was processed without water, meaning all slate and rock had to be picked out by hand, a dirty, dusty operation.
"My job was hauling raw coal from the local small mines. They had no holding bins. The coal had to be loaded at the mine by hand, and unloaded at the breaker the same way," Rosini said. "At that time, Donuts bought out Reno's share in the business."
Wounded at war
Then along came World War II, and Charlie became a bombardier on a B 17 Flying Fortress.
"I enlisted in 1942 in the Army Air Corps program, graduating as a second lieutenant and bombardier. I joined the Eighth Air Force in England and flew missions over Europe," he said.
Charlie flew nine missions over Europe before being wounded on his 10th flight.
He missed three missions, including the 13th - when his plane and entire crew were shot down. The only survivors were the pilot and navigator, who became prisoners of war.
"It was just luck that I missed that mission. We lost a lot of good men to the thick flak the Germans put up. The worst was over the Cherbourg Peninsula. We flew in over the ocean, then turned and flew the length of the whole peninsula through the heaviest flak I ever saw."
Back home, the Rosini brothers opened a new wet breaker at the south end of Fifth Street in Shamokin. They processed coal from the Burnside area mines, and the business prospered. Following the end of the war, Charlie was assigned duty at a Air
Transport command in Morroco, then Liberia. He returned to his home town, married Pauline Melnick, and went back to his brother's breaker.
Off to Illinois
After several years, Rosini decided to become a federal mine inspector, but there were no openings in the Shamokin area, so he headed for Illinois and an opening there in the bituminous mine fields.
"I spent seven years there inspecting surface areas only. No underground inspections," he said. "They had a Home Safety Association there that required I inspect places each month for violations at the collieries. The soft coal mines were very dangerous because bituminous coal dust is very fine and could ignite when a spark or a flame was present."
To prevent this from happening, ground white rock dust, which does not ignite, was applied to the bituminous coal.
"Entering a bituminous mine you saw right away that the whole mine was virtually white from the ground rock dust," Rosini said.
During his years in Illinois, Charlie recalled, he saw just one accident, when a foreman stood atop a crusted-over crusher trying to free the flow of coal.
"When he poked the jam, it let go, taking him into the crusher. It was terrible.
"Years later, I saw the same sort of accident at a frozen crusher at an anthracite mine," he continued. "This time the man suffocated."
Anthracite's 'characters'
When a federal mine inspector opening came about, Charlie went back to the anthracite region mines.
"I got my foot in the door in Illinois. I liked it there because there were so many mines, so much going on," he said. "Anthracite is just a small piece of coal mining compared to bituminous."
Charlie returned, this time for good.
"I loved being back home with my friends and the characters of this region," he said. "Like the character in Brady, a mining village outside Shamokin. Charlie Podabinski was an immigrant and he saw a car go by with a dead deer on the fender. He learned that anyone could get a license and hunt on the land. In the old country, only landowners could hunt.
"So he got a gun and a license and went hunting," he continued. "Only one problem - he shot a cow. For the rest of his life he was called 'Shoot the Cow,' and so was his bar on Main Street."
Bootlegging trouble
Asked to recall the early years of mining, Charlie talked about the bootleg days, when miners worked small mines that didn't even have storage bins so all the coal had to be scooped with shovels onto trucks, and then unloaded the same backbreaking way at the breakers.
"During the '30s, bootlegging became a major problem. As the Depression got worse, the men started taking more coal for their homes and for selling to others. The P&R C&I (Pennsylvania and Reading Coal and Iron) cops blew bootleg holes shut and men were arrested. Mostly they were released by sympathetic judges when they got to Sunbury.
"Then some cool heads thought about it, and a compromise was reached when land was offered for lease. An organization of independent miners and truckers began leasing land, and things moved forward," Rosini said.
The '50s, meanwhile, were good for the industry.
"Trucks were lined up at the Glen Burn colliery all the way up Sunbury Street.
Sales were way up. Then oil came along, and then the mills started closing, and the region went into decline."
Loving the job
With the good times and bad, does Rosini have any regrets?
"Not really," he said. "The people I met over the years were decent, hard workers.
"Well, I did have one run in with a fellow, but that was just a one-time deal," he added. "I didn't know that he had been told a federal mine inspector was coming to his place and he had warned that that would be a problem. When I showed up, he came at me with his fists. He ended up closing his breaker because he refused to allow an inspection."
What about the future of anthracite?
"You'll have to ask the younger ones like my nephew Don, about that," he said, referencing the retired former president of Shamokin Filler Co.
"Anthracite is a good source of energy, it has high carbon ratings, and doesn't pollute like bituminous. There should be a place for it," he said.
There was certainly a place for anthracite in Charlie Rosini's working days.
"I enjoyed my years and retired at 70 because I loved the job," he said.
SUNBURY - A Sunbury man is in Northumberland County Prison after being accused of raping a then 13-year-old girl while babysitting her and her then 12-year-old friend in June 2012 at a Walnut Street residence.
Sunbury Police Department Sgt. Christopher Blase said Andrew Moore, 38, of Sunbury, provided both girls with Percocet and slept in the same bed with them. Moore allegedly proceeded to rape the then 13-year-old female while she was under the influence of the drug. The alleged incident then woke the other female who bore witness to the act.
Moore continued to have a sexual relationship with the then 13-year-old victim until January 2013.
He is charged with felony counts of rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, statutory sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault and corruption of minors.
BLOOMSBURG - Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania has announced its list of students named to the dean's list for the fall semester.
To qualify, a student must earn a quality-point average of 3.5 or higher (based on 4.0) during the semester.
Area dean's list students are:
Ashland - Kimberly R, McIntyre, 1829 Arch St.; Timothy P. Nestor, 910 Fountain St.; Kayla A. Oxenrider, 55 Lincoln Road; Taylor B. Petrole, 356 Main St., and Ryan Smolock, 900 Walnut St.
Catawissa - Ralph H. Beishline, 19 Meadow Road; Lindsey A. Bell, 1433 Old Reading Road; Matthew J. Buckenberger, 347 Pine St.; Leonilde M. Clemente, 332 Main St.; Nicholas J. Diak, 211 Quaker Meeting House; Cady L. Faust, 220 McIntyre Road; Paul B. Gregorowicz, 450 Grove Ave.; Zachary M. Hampton, 13 Middle Road; Ryan D. Keefer, 147 Mill Grove Road; Kayla M. McCloskey, 64 Ideal Park Road; Adrienne R. Miller, 233 Pine St.; Krista L. Myhre, 317 Ringtown Mountain Road; Janelle M. Pratt, 136 Poorhouse Road; Taylor Marie Rhodes, 8 Earth Station Road; Lynn M. Shannon, 611 Shuman St., and Charles H. Sienkiewicz, 125B Ideal Park Road.
Coal Township - Kimberly M. Bills, 1661 W. Pine St.; Stephen R. Bradley, 1681 Trevorton Road, Lisa L. Burns, 1124 W. Walnut St.; Christina Coller, 2063 Stetler Drive; Jennifer Herb, 1453 W. Walnut St.; Abby E. Kulenguskey, 1043 W. Walnut St.; Kallie E. Liendo, 1124 W. Lynn St.; Janine Mensch, 1244 W. Walnut St., and Ashley M. Stankiewicz, 1128 Walnut St.
Dalmatia - Kyle E. Long, 597 Fishery Road, and Alexis N. Wasko.
Dornsife - Schylar J. Cook, 327 State Road.
Elysburg - Lindsey J. Clark, 220 W. Center St.; Elizabeth C. Dorkoski, 17 Cameron Drive; David L. Fegley, 326 Turkey Hill Road; Zach B. Malett, 147 Spruce St.; Matthew D. Moore, 98 Ridge Acres Road; Steven R. Roth, 1743 Airport Road; Kyrie A. Snarski, 173 Fairview St., and Kayla A. Stanishefski, 8 Circle View Drive.
Herndon - Lauren A. Erdman, 166 Erdmans Farm Road; Christina L. Lahr, 122 Dubendorf Road; Lindi S. Snyder, 394 Pottsville St., and Wade W. Wetzel, 610 Jackson Township Road.
Kulpmont - Brooke E. Bartol, 172 Arizona Drive; Aisha P. Bucanelli, 292 Missouri Lane; Amanda M. Feudale, 708 Spruce St.; James S. Lesko, 523 Chestnut St; Carissa N. Pupo, 174 Kansas Lane; Kathryn Santelli, 1438 Chestnut St.; Samantha Spieller, 948 Pine St., and Kristen A. Zimmerman, 200 Chestnut St.
Locust Gap - Janeen E. Nahodil.
Locustdale - Samantha D. Weikel, 45 Middle St.
Mount Carmel - Mary Campbell, 18 E. Avenue; Sarah E. Hepler, 513 W. Avenue; Kyle J. Higgins, 426 W. Fourth St.; Brandon D. Lepley, 105 Greco Lane; Cassandra M. Mace, 23 W. Seventh St.; Megan A. McAndrew, 337 S. Vine St.; Kaitlyn M. McGinley, 307 S. Locust St.; Megan R. Minnig, 320 E. Columbia Ave.; Jared R. Morgan, 107 Greco Lane; Patrick M. Taylor, 835 W. Sixth St., and Jonathan N. Thomas, 101 S. Poplar St.
Numidia - Lindsey E. Scherer, 1118 Numidia Drive.
Paxinos - Mark Anonia, 1567 Rolling Hill Drive; Sarah J. Lagerman, 805 Cherry St.; Kevin J. Mostik, 801 W. Center St.; Rachael Scicchitano, 866 W. Center St.; Jordan B. Shiko, 2154 Hosta Road; David L. Shoop, 187 Windom Lane; Kayla A. Sommers, 1061 Mountain Road; Donald R. Wilson, RR2, and Aaron Yoder, 802 W. Center St.
Shamokin - Jennifer R. Corcoran, 156 N. Eighth St.; Taylor M. Donahue, 5185 Upper Road; Diana E. Haas, 328 School House Road; Natasha Holtzapple, 30 W. Lincon St.; Alex Katona, 275 Airport Road; John Katona, 275 Airport Road; Alexandria J. Reed, 3006 Upper Road; Sarah E. Reed, 4368 Upper Road; Brittany M. Reid, 115 N. Grant St., and Emily E. Witt, 388 Didiums Lane.
Trevorton - Rachel E. Fisher, 221 W. Shamokin St., and Samantha J. Kaminskie, 226 E. Market St.
SUNBURY - A Sunbury man accused of raping his ex-girlfriend won't have to spend any more time in Northumberland County Prison.
Benjamin Scott Scheller, released on $1 bail in December after nine months in jail, pleaded guilty to misdemeanors of terroristic threats, unlawful restraint and simple assault Monday and was sentenced by Northumberland County Judge Charles H. Saylor to 9 to 23 months. Since Scheller had already served the minimum, Saylor gave him credit for time served and granted immediate parole.
In a case that exposed several potential conflicts of interest and led to the dismissal of the arresting office in Point Township, Scheller also was ordered to serve two years consecutive probation on an additional count of simple assault and false imprisonment and must pay fines, costs and fees.
Felonies of rape, sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault and burglary, and a misdemeanor of indecent assault were not prosecuted under the plea agreement.
Scheller was sentenced to 3 to 8 months each on the terroristic threats and unlawful restraint charges, and received a sentence of 3 to 7 months on the simple assault offense.
Scheller is accused of brandishing a semi-automatic handgun, zip-tying the victim to a chair and sexually assaulting her Nov. 27, 2011, at the victim's Point Township home.
No trial in 180 days
The defendant, who was represented by Attorney Michael Rudinski of Williamsport, was released from prison Dec. 17 after Saylor granted him nominal bail because prosecutors failed to bring his case to trial within six months of his arrest. Prior to being released, Scheller had been an inmate at the county jail since March 13.
Scheller was granted release due to a violation of Pennsylvania Rule of Criminal Procedure 600, which requires defendants who are in prison to be tried within 180 days and ones who are free on bail to be tried within 365 days.
Scheller didn't object to Saylor hearing his case, even though the judge previously told Scheller he dealt with the victim and her family when he was once a volunteer track coach for Shikellamy High School.
That is not the only potential conflict of interest in the case.
Officer loses job
The alleged rape victim as of this fall was dating former Point Township Officer Wade Lytle, who was the original arresting officer. Also, the victim is a cousin to Point Township Police Chief Joshua Van Kirk.
Lytle, who had been a full-time officer with the department since the end of 2009, was placed on administrative leave with pay by Point Township supervisors Oct. 30 after informing Van Kirk on Oct. 18 that he had a romantic relationship with the victim. He was terminated by supervisors Nov. 5.
Lytle formerly served as a Sunbury police officer and deputy sheriff for Northumberland County.
President Judge Robert B. Sacavage and Judge William H. Wiest recused themselves from hearing the case because a secretary in the judges' office had been romantically involved with Lytle.
STRONG - Two elderly cousins being driven by a relative to an area hospital for a routine health checkup Monday afternoon were killed in a violent head-on collision along the way.
Charles D. Carl, 92, and Roland E. Matejick, 76, both of Gordon, were each pronounced dead at the scene of the 12:15 p.m. crash by James R. Gotlob, chief deputy coroner for Northumberland County.
They were being driven to Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, by Tina Alexander, 40, of Gordon. She was transported to Geisinger by Elysburg Ambulance after the crash and was listed in fair condition by a hospital nursing supervisor Monday evening.
Police said Alexander is a granddaughter of Carl and a niece of Matejick.
The second driver, Glenn Meredith, 52, of Mount Carmel, was treated by AREA Services paramedics and flown at 1:15 p.m. by Life Flight helicopter to Geisinger, where he was in critical condition Monday evening.
'Criminal' investigation
Mount Carmel Township Police Chief Brian Hollenbush said his department is treating the investigation into the crash as a criminal matter and are looking into whether or not alcohol played a role.
Witnesses told police Meredith's vehicle, a 2001 Dodge Dakota pickup, was swerving in and out of its eastbound lane. It crossed the double-yellow line and drove into the westbound passing lane, where it collided with Alexander's 2004 GMC Envoy.
Both vehicles came to rest sideways on the highway. Neither driver attempted to brake or take evasive action, police say.
There was no precipitation at the time of the crash and the road was dry.
The crash occurred about one-half mile uphill on Natalie Mountain, between SOS Metals and Turkey Hill Minit Market, from the Routes 54-61 intersection. Route 54 was closed between Route 61 and Marion Heights Road and didn't reopen until shortly before 4:30 p.m.
Carl, the front seat passenger, was wearing a seat belt; Matejick and Alexander were not, police say.
Hollenbush and Mount Carmel Township Patrolman Kelly Campbell are investigating the crash. They were assisted at the scene by fellow officers from their department along with Mount Carmel Borough, Kulpmont, Coal Township and Shamokin police.
Shortly after Life Flight lifted off for Geisinger, officers began to reconstruct the accident scene. A ladder truck was used to take aerial photos above the wreckage.
Responding to the scene were volunteer firefighters from Atlas, Kulpmont, Marion Heights, Natalie and Strong, along with fire police volunteers.
SUNBURY - A 21-year-old Shamokin woman charged in connection with the assault of a probation officer and an escape, drug offenses and driving under the influence of alcohol was sentenced Monday morning to 6 to 24 months in SCI-Muncy.
Northumberland County President Judge Robert B. Sacavage imposed the sentence on Stormie Birster, who was ordered to immediately begin her jail term.
Birster, who had been free on bail, previously pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, possession of drug paraphernalia and DUI relating to three different incidents in Shamokin.
The defendant, represented by Attorney Michael Rudinski of Williamsport, also was directed to pay $600 in fines and various costs and fees, complete a stress and anger management course and refrain from drinking alcohol.
She was given credit for five months previously served in Northumberland County.
Birster received the prison sentence on a felony of aggravated assault involving an Oct. 6, 2011, disturbance at her former residence at 11 N. Market St., Apt. 3, Shamokin.
Birster, who allegedly fled from police while being evaluated at then-Shamokin Area Community Hospital following the disturbance, later turned herself into authorities.
An additional felony offense of escape, and misdemeanors of resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and simple assault were not prosecuted under a plea agreement.
Birster's 19-year-old sister, Marissa Birster, of Shamokin, and Steven L. Rivera, 22, of Shamokin, who was Stormie Birster's live-in boyfriend at the time of the disturbance, also were charged in the incident on Oct. 6, 2001.
Marissa Birster remains free on bail. Rivera is incarcerated at the county jail.
Their court cases involving the Oct. 6, 2011, disturbance are still pending.
All the charges were filed by Shamokin Patrolman Nathan Rhodes.
Fight
According to a criminal complaint, police were dispatched to assist Northumberland County adult probation officers John Rosinski, Matthew Narcavage, Dan Shoop and Jason Lasko with a fight at 11:50 p.m. that broke out during a visit to Rivera's apartment.
According to Rosinski, while the probation officers were walking through the residence, Stormie Birster began harassing them.
Rosinski told Birster that if she didn't leave, Rivera was going to jail.
Rosinski said Birster then calmed down and agreed to leave the apartment before they encountered Marissa Birster at the entryway.
Shoop handcuffed Rivera, who was led downstairs by Shoop and Lasko. Rosinski said the Birster sisters followed Rivera and the probation officers down the steps and within seconds, chaos ensued in the stairwell, according to Rosinski.
Rosinski said he observed Stormie Birster, who was on her backside, punch Shoop in the face, while Marissa Birster was lying on top of Shoop as he was getting punched.
Police and probation officers then took all three defendants into custody.
Police said the Birster sisters then requested to be evaluated by emergency medical services personnel, who treated the siblings and transported them for follow up evaluations in the emergency room at then-Shamokin Area Community Hospital. The Birsters were met at the hospital by Shamokin Patrolman Scott Weaver and Special Officer 2 Norman Lukoskie because they were still in police custody.
While in the emergency room, Stormie Birster was placed into an exam room and told to wait for a doctor. Police said Birster opened the exam room door and ran out of the hospital into the Tharptown area.
She was later convinced by police to turn herself over to authorities.
Other incidents
Stormie Birster was sentenced to 12 months probation for possession of drug paraphernalia relating to a July 24, 2011, incident at Independence and Market streets in Shamokin. An additional charge of underage drinking filed by Shamokin Patrolman Raymond Siko II was not prosecuted.
The defendant also was sentenced to 72 hours to 6 months in state prison for driving under the influence of alcohol involving a May 29, 2012, incident at Independence and Rock streets in Shamokin. Two additional counts of DUI and charges of underage drinking, driving without a license and careless driving filed by Siko were not prosecuted.
The sentences imposed for DUI and possession of drug paraphernalia run concurrent to the sentence Birster received for aggravated assault.
Northumberland County District Attorney Toby Rosini represented the commonwealth at Birster's sentence.
PAXINOS - A car reported stolen in Lehigh County was spotted at the Glosser Motor Inn here overnight Monday, and police soon after had three people in custody and had confiscated 71 bags of suspected heroin, plus other drugs.
Jordan Detalente, 18, of 80 Reservoir St., Bloomsburg, faces a number of drug-related charges, while the man police identified as her boyfriend, Allen Mikael Varilek, 21, and Justice Devlin Hoffman, 18, both of Slatington, are charged in connection with the car theft and a home burglary.
Ralpho Township Police said state police in Bethlehem had asked police in Columbia and Northumberland counties to be on the lookout for a tan 2005 Mercury Montego, which was allegedly stolen from 2620 Grove St., Washington Township, Lehigh County, Saturday by Varilek and Hoffman.
Trooper Arthur Johnson of Bethlehem State Police barracks said the two men were suspected of stealing cash, coins, jewelry and several other items, and then taking the victim's car.
Arrest warrants were issued against the men, who are charged with burglary, conspiracy to commit burglary, theft, receiving stolen property and criminal mischief.
The victim was not home at the time of the incident, and a total value of stolen property has not been determined.
No incident at motel
At approximately 12:35 a.m. Monday, Ralpho Township Patrolman Christopher Grow was performing a routine patrol in the area of Glosser Motor Inn, Route 487, when he spotted the vehicle in the parking lot.
After Grow called for assistance, police took Detalente, Varilek and Hoffman into custody without incident.
A search warrant was obtained for the room where the three defendants were found. Police said they confiscated 71 blue bags of suspected heroin, four grams of suspected marijuana, approximately eight grams of suspected cocaine, approximately a gram of suspected ecstasy, needles, currency and other various drug paraphernalia.
Bailed on $100,000
Detalente was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Hugh Jones, Mount Carmel, and committed to Northumberland County Prison on $100,000 cash bail. She was charged with two counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, four counts of possession of a controlled substance a count of conspiracy and a count of possession of drug paraphernalia.
Charges in Northumberland County against Detalente and Varilek are pending, but they were committed to Northumberland County Prison, police said.
Johnson said the plan is to arraign the two men on theft charges via videoconference from the Slatington office of Lehigh County Magisterial District Judge Rodney R. Beck, but a staff member at the judge's office said the arraignment had not taken place as of Monday afternoon.
All three remained in prison in Northumberland County Monday afternoon.
Assisting Ralpho Township Police were Northumberland-Montour Drug Task Force and officers from Shamokin, Coal Township, Mount Carmel Township and state police in Stonington.
A man who identified himself as a manager of Glosser Motor Inn did not want to comment for this report.
Mass of healing planned
MOUNT CARMEL - In recognition of World Day of the Sick Monday, Feb. 11, the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, the Rev. John A. Szada Jr., pastor of Divine Redeemer Church, will celebrate a Mass of healing with anointing of the sick and exposition and benediction of the Blessed Sacrament at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the church, Avenue and Poplar Street.
All sick of the area, those who serve as caregivers and all who work in the health care service are invited.
Grand opening planned for new facility
MOUNT CARMEL - Family Home Medical is hosting an open house from 2 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 12, to celebrate the grand opening on their newly-renovated location at 50 S. Oak St. (the former Rite Aide building). There will be a ribbon cutting at 2 p.m. followed by tours led by staff.
Food pantry distribution Saturday
MOUNT CARMEL - The Mount Carmel Food Pantry will hold its monthly distribution from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the Notary Shop, 215 S. Oak St. for borough residents who have signed up in the past.
Residents at the Midrise are asked to meet in the lobby at 11 a.m.
SHAMOKIN - While the world was captivated by the New Orleans Superdome lights being out for 34 minutes during Super Bowl XLVII, business owners along part of Independence Street, are not that thrilled about darkness plaguing their area various times over the past several months.
"It's not a very good situation," said Jacqueline R. Valania, owner of the Sweet Tooth Cafe. "We cater to an older crowd, and they are afraid to come out when it's this dark. It's not good for business."
The business district's street lights, running on Independence Street from Market to Liberty streets, have been out for at least five days, starting after the rain storm on Thursday.
Since Superstorm Sandy in October, there have been several instances where those lights have been out.
It makes for problems for local businesses owners.
"There are times when I leave for the day and it's pitch black outside," said Lauren Zimmerman, owner of Lauren's Hair Boutique, near the edge of the blackout area. "I worry about going out there, cause you don't know if someone's lurking."
Two doors down, the street lights are shining brightly at the public library and Original Italian Pizza, but her interior lights are the only illumination on the sidewalk outside her hair salon.
"I worry for my customers too when they leave," she said. "They have to go out in that."
Teri MacBride, regional community relations director of PPL Electric Utilities, said crews have worked on the problem and thought they had it solved until the street lights went out again a few weeks later.
"What we thought was going to be a permanent fix didn't work," MacBride said Monday afternoon. "We have found there is a defect in the circuit."
According to R. Craig Rhoades, Shamokin City councilman and director of public safety, the street lights work on two separate circuits along Independence Street - one running from Liberty Street to Shamokin Street and the other from Liberty Street to Market Street.
The outage, thankfully, does not affect traffic signals.
'Depressing enough'
Valania's cafe near Ninth Street had no customers Monday evening, its bright lights shining in contrast to one of the darkest sections of town.
"There are many other businesses that are paying fewer taxes than we do and they are lit up on the streets," she said. "The winter is depressing enough, but when this is added to it, who would want to come out?"
The owners of Pat's New York Pizza, directly across the street from Sweet Tooth Cafe, took matters into their own hands, making a bright red "Pizza" sign out of rope lights and hanging it above their business.
"(The dark street lights) really haven't bothered us too much since we made our own lights," said Ryan Wagner, pizza shop manager. "Seriously, though, it is a bad situation and for the money we pay in taxes, I hope the city stays on PPL's back to get this resolved."
MacBride said PPL is committed to getting the lights back on and said a plan is in the works.
"We will be meeting with city officials later this month to discuss the matter and show them what we came up with to fix it," she said.
MacBride would not go into detail on the plan, waiting until she has a chance to present it to the city first.
"In the meantime, I hope the city and the business owners have continued patience and report any problems to us," MacBride said. "We are aware of the situation and hope that our plan will take care of the problem permanently."
HARRISBURG - A teleconference is scheduled Friday to determine deadlines in the federal lawsuit between Reinhart FoodService and a former employee who claims he was fired from the company's Coal Township facility in 2010 for his efforts to stop racial discrimination and a hostile work environment.
Ramon Torres, of 8 S. Franklin St., Shamokin, claims his co-workers and supervisors frequently used ethnic slurs relating to blacks and Hispanics during his five years of employment as a driver's helper between September 2005 and March 2010.
In court documents filed Jan. 7, the company's attorney, Adam M. Shienvold, of Eckert Seamans Cherin and Mellott LLC., Harrisburg, denies all the allegations against Reinhart.
According to the court documents, some Reinhart maintenance employees called Torres "Julio" because they thought that was his name, but when Reinhart advised those employees that his name was Ramon, they did not refer to him as Julio again.
The attorney requests the court to dismiss the complaint against Reinhart for multiple reasons, including that the complaint was not filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission within 90 days of the incident and it does not efficiently state a claim in which relief can be granted.
Furthermore, the attorney argued, any actions by Reinhart management are not motivated by "evil motive or intent" and such actions are "contrary to Reinhart's good faith efforts to enforce its anti-discrimination, anti-relation and harassment policies."
In the civil complaint filed Aug. 28, Torres, who was born in New York City to parents native to the Dominican Republic, claims he was also subjected to frequent incidents of unequal treatment and denied important equipment and extra pay for teaching drivers how to do their routes due to his race and Hispanic origin. He says he was threatened with discipline if he made any reports to corporate offices.
After he complained to supervisors, the company's ethics hotline and corporate offices, he was subjected to verbal abuse and then fired for "bogus reasons," he claims.
Reinhart is being accused of one count each of a hostile work environment and disparate treatment on account of race and Hispanic origin, and one count of unlawful retaliation.
In addition to court and attorney fees, Torres is seeking compensation for all pay and benefits he would have received had it not been for the company's actions, including back pay, front pay, interest, salary, pay increases, bonuses, insurance, benefits, training, promotions, retirement benefits and seniority.
He is also seeking compensatory damages for mental anguish, emotional distress, pain and suffering, and punitive damages in an amount believed by the court to be appropriate to punish Reinhart for its "willful, deliberate, malicious, reckless and outrageous conduct, and to deter the company or other employers from engaging in such misconduct in the future."
The "telephonic case management conference" will be held at 2 p.m. Friday between legal counsels.
The suit was filed in the U.S. Middle District Court via Torres's attorney, Marc E. Weinstein, of Weinstein Law Firm LLC, Trevose.
An order issued Feb. 1 gives Torres access to confidential files in relation to his employment at the Coal Township company. These documents include, but are not limited to, drug test results, work history, salary and information on job performance.
SUNBURY - A 24-year-old Ranshaw man charged with pushing a 79-year-old woman to the ground in an attempt to grab his infant daughter was sentenced Monday morning to two years consecutive probation and ordered to pay a $200 fine plus costs.
Timothy Raab, of 112 Short St., was sentenced by President Judge Robert B. Sacavage after previously pleading guilty to recklessly endangering another person and simple assault. He received two years consecutive probation on the recklessly endangering offense and one year probation on the assault charge that runs concurrent to the first sentence.
Raab, who was represented by Northumberland County Conflicts Counsel John Broda, also was ordered to avoid contact with the victim, Catherine Barrett, 79, of 129 S. Franklin St., Shamokin. Northumberland County District Attorney Tony Rosini represented the commonwealth at sentencing.
The charges were filed by Shamokin Patrolman Raymond Siko II in connection with a Nov. 22 disturbance at Barrett's home.
Police reported Raab went to the residence at about 12:30 p.m. in an attempt to remove his 1-year-old daughter, who was being cared for by Barrett, her great-grandmother. Barrett told police Raab pushed her in an attempt to enter the home. Police said Barrett then picked up the child and ran outside.
Police said Barrett attempted to get into her car, but Raab allegedly chased her, pushed her against the vehicle while she was holding the child, grabbed the infant around her chest and pulled her from Barrett's arms.
Police said Raab allegedly shoved Barrett to the ground, causing her to fall onto her right side and suffer injuries to her right leg and right arm. Police said the child was not injured during the disturbance.
Raab then fled the scene with the child before being apprehended by Coal Township police about 30 minutes later at his residence.
SUNBURY - A correctional officer/maintenance man at Northumberland County Prison who was fired for allegedly stealing copper pipes from the jail before being acquitted of all charges returned to work Monday and is being paid approximately $2 per hour more than when he last worked at the prison in 2009.
Prison officials confirmed Wednesday that Shane Hoffman, 40, of Sunbury, is working third shift and receiving $13.19 per hour. His pay rate before he was suspended was $10.99 per hour. Hoffman is a member of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Correctional Union.
An arbitrator ruled recently that Hoffman was entitled to get his job back and receive approximately $95,000 in back pay, minus any income earned since he was suspended in February 2009. Northumberland County Human Resources Director Joseph Picarelli said Wednesday it has not yet been determined how much back pay Hoffman will receive.
During a brief emergency meeting Jan. 28, members of the county prison board unanimously agreed to abide by the arbitrator's ruling that allowed Hoffman to be reinstated to his former position and claim back pay.
On July 20, Hoffman was found not guilty by a jury of institutional vandalism, theft and receiving stolen property for allegedly stealing copper pipes from the prison and selling them. The three-day trial was presided over by Northumberland County Judge William H. Wiest. The jury deliberated approximately 90 minutes before rendering its verdict.
Upon being interviewed outside the county courthouse after the trial, Hoffman insisted his arrest was "politically driven," claiming former warden Ralph "Rick" Reish was looking for a reason to fire his father-in-law and former deputy warden John Conrad.
Hoffman, who was initially suspended without pay from his position before being terminated June 8 by current warden Roy Johnson, said he didn't know at the time if he planned to fight to reclaim his prison job or seek legal action against prison officials for firing him and initiating the investigation that led to the charges filed against him.
Hoffman, who was hired as a correctional officer Oct. 5, 2005, was earning $11.34 per hour at the time of his firing. Hoffman was terminated for violating the Northumberland County personnel manual and the Northumberland County Prison code of ethics.
Hoffman was charged by then-Sunbury Patrolman Wade Lytle with the offenses for allegedly stealing copper pipes from the prison and keeping approximately $320 he received for scrap metal instead of turning the money over to the prison. The charges were filed in connection with incidents that occurred between 2008 and early 2009.
During the trial, Lytle said Hoffman allegedly was in charge of taking scrap metal from the prison, such as old aluminum cots, brass and copper pipes, to Jeff's Recycling Center near Paxinos.
Lytle said Hoffman was supposed to turn in the money to Conrad.
The officer said Hoffman was also charged with breaking into the locker of fellow maintenance employee Don Keeley. Lytle said nothing was reportedly stolen from Keeley's locker.
Conrad was suspended with pay Feb. 4, 2009, by the county prison board before being fired March 25, 2009, after 18 years of service at the prison. The reasons for Conrad's suspension and firing were never revealed by the prison board.
Lytle said Hoffman's charges were not related to Conrad's suspension.
On Nov. 15, a lawsuit filed in 2009 against the county by Conrad and his wife over his firing was settled for $87,500.
Conrad alleged a conspiracy against him, wrongful termination, defamation and violation of due process, equal protection rights and whistleblower rights in the lawsuit. His wife's claim was for a loss of consortium.
The couple had filed the suit in U.S. Middle District Court and named the county, its prison board, President Judge Robert B. Sacavage, District Attorney Tony Rosini, Sheriff Chad Reiner, county commissioner Vinny Clausi, former county commissioners Kurt Masser and Frank Sawicki, former county controller Charles Erdman and Reish as defendants. On Nov. 14, U.S. District Judge John E. Jones III dismissed all defendants from the suit, except the county.
School 2013-14 2012-13 Special Education Accountability Total
Line Mountain $5,994,643 $5,909,969 $719,716 $78.245 $6,792,604
Southern Columbia $4,368,578 $4,289,282 $758,477 $68,555 $5,195,610
Shamokin Area $11,853,606 $11,660,326 $1,556,752 $203,878 $13,614,236
Mount Carmel Area $7,831,951 $7,713,493 $1,045,037 $124,089 $9,001,077
America's Oldest Brewery is in debt to the City of Brotherly Love for $6.6 million in back taxes, according to a civil complaint filed in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas on Jan. 30.
The nine-page lawsuit claims D.G. Yuengling & Son Inc., Pottsville, failed to pay business-related taxes, fees and penalties to the City of Philadelphia since December 2008.
David A. Casinelli, chief operating officer at Yuengling, believed it had to do with a dispute the brewery has had with the city in regard to Philadelphia's business privilege tax.
Yuengling sells its products in the Philadelphia area through an independent distributor, Origlio Beverage, 3000 Meetinghouse Road, Philadelphia, Casinelli said Tuesday.
"The wholesaler already pays a business privilege tax for having their business in Philadelphia. Under Pennsylvania state law, the brewery is not allowed to self-distribute. We have to go through an independent business distributor, and where the contingent will probably be is whether or not there will be double taxation and the brewery is liable for a business privilege tax," Casinelli said.
Yuengling hadn't received a copy of the complaint by Tuesday afternoon and Casinelli said the brewery wouldn't have any further comment until the management had a chance to review it.
The lawsuit, authored by Susan M. Crosby, assistant city solicitor for the City of Philadelphia, did not offer details about which taxable business activities Yuengling was responsible for.
"It's the same business they do in Pottsville," Crosby said when contacted Tuesday but she wouldn't be more specific.
"As I told the reporters from The Daily News and from FOX, I am unable to answer any questions about pending litigation outside of referring you to the complaint and the laws that were cited within the complaint," Crosby said.
She referred all questions to Mark S. McDonald, press secretary for Mayor Michael Nutter, but he didn't offer any further information.
"We have a policy of not commenting on pending litigation. So all I can do is refer you to what you've read and any subsequent filings that have been made," McDonald said.
Named in the suit are Richard L. Yuengling Jr., president of D.G. Yuengling & Son Inc., and George R. Smith.
"Smith might have been company vice president. He worked in our office for many, many years but he hasn't been with the company for maybe a decade," Casinelli said.
Yuengling and Smith could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
Yuengling has a "Tax Account Number" for the filing and payment of "Business Income and Receipts Taxes by the City's Department of Revenue," according to the civil complaint.
Yuengling and Smith are the "officers" listed on the account, according to the complaint.
In January 2012, Beer Marketer's Insights, Suffern, N.Y., a magazine that tracks the beer industry, called Yuengling the nation's largest independent beer-maker.
According to the magazine, Yuengling sold 2.5 million barrels of beer in 2011, 17 percent more than in 2010. The magazine's 2012 statistics won't be available until March, according to its website at beerinsights.com.
In 2011, Yuengling ranked fourth in the top 50 overall U.S. brewing companies by beer sales volume, according to the Brewers Association, Boulder, Colo., at brewersassociation.org.
The association will announce its 2012 ranking in March, an association spokeswoman said Tuesday.
In 1829, David G. Yuengling established the Eagle Brewery on Centre Street in Pottsville. It burned down in 1831 and a new brewery, D.G. Yuengling & Son, was established at Fifth and Mahantongo streets. The business has become known as "America's Oldest Brewery," according to its website at www.yuengling.com.
In 1999, Yuengling bought a former Stroh's brewery in Tampa, Fla., and opened a second brewery there.
In 2000, Yuengling built Yuengling Beer Co. at Mill Creek, just outside Pottsville. Beer production started there April 1, 2001.
In 2010, Yuengling expanded its Mill Creek brewery, adding two buildings and more fermenting and storage tanks.
In recent years, Yuengling has been busy keeping up with demand and growing its business.
In October 2011, Yuengling started marketing in Ohio. Today, it distributes products in 14 states and the District of Columbia, according to its website.
Those states are: Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Jersey, New York, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and Alabama, according to the site.
