DANVILLE - While investigators could not determine Monday the cause of a fire that heavily damaged two buildings, the owner of BJ's Steak and Rib House said he will rebuild in town.

Fire broke out on the second floor of the well-known restaurant at approximately 8 p.m. Sunday, according to authorities, and quickly spread through the floor, where the restaurant's offices are located.

According to Danville fire officials, the flames were spotted by firefighter Brad Harvey, an officer with the Continental Fire Company, Danville, who was in the area. He called 911.

Fire officials said Monday BJ's, 291 Mill St., and the adjoining business, thrift/consignment shop Abigail's Attic, 295 Mill St., were heavily damaged by smoke and fire.

Danville Mayor Bernie Swank was on scene Monday and said he had spoken with restaurant owner, Bob Kirkpatrick. The restaurant owner told the mayor staff said the restaurant's phones kept ringing, prompting them to investigate.

"They noticed the smoke in the second floor dining area," Swank said Monday.

Fifteen customers were reportedly in the restaurant when the fire began. Everyone was evacuated and no injuries were reported.

State police fire marshal Kirk Renn was on scene Monday and said he could not determine a cause because of the amount of damage. He believes the fire started in an upstairs office, and it's not considered suspicious.

'Thriving business'

Approximately 40 employees worked at the location. Kirkpatrick, who owns the restaurant with his wife, Sue, told them to file for unemployment while the restaurant is out of commission.

Swank said he is saddened by the loss of the business, which has become a staple in downtown Danville.

"I feel terrible for the owners and the employees, it's a devastating loss," Swank said.

Swank said the restaurant, known for its specialty steaks, barbecue ribs and chicken and an oyster bar, has gained a good reputation, both with local clientele and those visiting from out-of-town.

"It was a thriving business, and we want to see that come back to Danville," Swank said.

A call to Kirkpatrick at the restaurant's Selinsgrove location was not returned Monday. Kirkpatrick told WNEP-TV Monday that BJ's plans to stay in Danville and will return, whether at its current location or at another location in town.

Abigail's Attic

Abigail's Attic, operated by the Geisinger Medical Center Auxiliary, was also affected by the fire. While the damage was contained to the second and third floor, the auxiliary will also be moving, at least temporarily, said Michael Ferlazzo, public relations specialist for Geisinger. The building is owned by Michael Kuziak.

"Firefighters cut out portions of the roof on the building that is home to Abigail's Attic, including taking out parts of the interior ceiling," Ferlazzo said. "The building's owner has advised us to relocate our merchandise and equipment to a location he owns across the street."

Ferlazzo said there is no timetable for reopening the store.

One hundred employees working at the Geisinger Mill Street office building at 285 Mill St. worked from home Monday; power was cut off to that building and there was some water damage and smoke residue in the Geisinger Mill Street office. Those issues have been resolved, Ferlazzo said, and employees are expected to return today.

By eric Scicchitano

Staff Writer

eric_s@newsitem.com

SUNBURY - A Coal Township man accused of sexually assaulting an 8-year-old girl last summer pleaded guilty Monday on two criminal counts.

Kevin C. Glazik, 36, of 510 N. First St., entered his plea Monday to felony unlawful contact with a minor and misdemeanor indecent assault. He is scheduled to be sentenced by President Judge William H. Wiest at 1:15 p.m. June 30 at Northumberland County Courthouse.

Glazik was accused of inappropriately touching the victim at his home July 27. He admitted his guilt and apologized during his arraignment Sept. 10 before Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III, Shamokin.

The plea hearing had been continued in March, January and December at the request of Glazik's attorney, public defender Melissa Norton. She had sought additional time for review and also the release of discovery evidence from first assistant district attorney Ann Targonski.

Coal Township Detective Jeff Brennan filed the charges, including a felony count of aggravated indecent assault that may be withdrawn as a result of the defendant's guilty plea.

Glazik was jailed in Northumberland County Prison, Sunbury, for 21 days until his bail was lowered Oct. 1 from $75,000 cash to unsecured. He was instructed to avoid contact with the victim and all minors without supervision and to enroll in a counseling group.

Norton and Targonski did not return phone calls seeking comment.

SUNBURY - A Mount Carmel man on trial for a rape accusation was found not guilty of all charges.

Jonathan Michael Mazak, 31, was found not guilty of felony rape and sexual assault and misdemeanor indecent. A Northumberland County jury returned the verdict Thursday during a one day trial.

Mazak was accused of raping a 22-year-old Marion Heights woman while she slept in April 2012.

The jury consisted of nine men and three women. Judge Charles Saylor presided. Mazak was represented by attorney Timothy Reitz of the Malee Law Firm, Williamsport. Ann Targonski, first assistant district attorney, was the prosecutor.

Reached for comment Monday, Reitz said jury members recognized inconsistencies and contradictions in testimony from both the victim and the arresting officer, Mount Carmel Patrolman Jason Drumheller.

Specifically, Reitz said the victim was adamant that she was sober when she went to sleep about 6 a.m. April 22, 2012, at the home of her friend's parents in the 200 block of South Vine Street, Mount Carmel. But Reitz said she couldn't explain how she slept through someone removing her shirt, pants and underwear and initiating sexual intercourse.

"I think it was just a common sense defense," Reitz said. "It would have been hard for her to explain how (her clothes) possibly got off of her without her knowing.

"I think the jury picked up, more likely than not, that this was a consensual act that occurred," he said.

The victim told police she and others had been drinking alcohol following a cookout the night before, and she awoke while the intercourse was happening.

SHAMOKIN - Three bills banning the use of unmanned aircraft from disturbing law-abiding hunters and fishers have been introduced in the state Legislature.

Two bills were introduced April 7 in the state Senate and a third in the state House March 12.

All three seek to define what constitutes a drone and amend already existing legislation to prevent use of such technology to intentionally spook fish and wildlife.

It's a tactic popularized by animal rights activists including People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), which sells an Air Angels Drone on its website for $324.99.

Described as a "hobby drone," its users are encouraged to monitor hunters engaged in illegal activity with straight-to-phone video technology - drinking while possessing a firearm, using spotlights and feed lures, injuring animals and failing to pursue them. Users are instructed to share the videos with law enforcement.

'Time-honored tradition'

PETA promoted the drones in October at the start of bow hunting season in Massachusetts. That state's laws also make it illegal to interfere with lawful hunting and fishing activities.

The Senate proposals were introduced by state Sen. Richard A. Kasunic, D-32, of Western Pennsylvania. Those are separate proposals for hunting and fishing. The House bill includes both hobbies.

If the Senate versions are adopted, a first offense would be a summary and a second offense a misdemeanor. Maximum penalties sought are $3,000 in fines and up to 180 days in jail.

Kasunic's chief of staff, Will Dando, is executive director of the senate's fish and game committee. He said the legislation doesn't specifically target PETA. It does target the unlawful disruption of the "time-honored tradition" of hunting and fishing in Pennsylvania, Dando said.

"If you're hunting or fishing and have purchased a license lawfully, it's (Kasunic's) opinion that you deserve the right to not have your game disturbed," Dando said Monday.

Travis Lau, press secretary for the Pennsylvania Game Commission, is unaware of any in-state examples of drones used to disrupt hunting. He said the commission is often tasked to review and share its opinion on the lawfulness of evolving technology used in hunting wildlife.

"It might be a necessary update for that matter," Lau said of adding language outlawing the use of drones to disturb hunting and fishing to existing laws.

State Sen. John Gordner, R-27, cosponsored the bipartisan legislation in the Senate. He pointed out that Kasunic was the chairman of the senate's fish and game committee when his predecessor, former state Sen. Edward Helfrick, was committee chairman.

Gordner said the proposed amendments modernize legislation to keep up with modernized technology, pointing to the use of drones in Massachusetts that have no other purpose than to "interfere and distract from otherwise lawful activity."

"Good laws sometimes have to be amended to address evolving technology," Gordner said Monday. "If no one was doing it, then we wouldn't have to be concerned about it."

Illinois adopted a law this year similar to the Pennsylvania proposals. Idaho and Wisconsin as well, according to Fox News.

But according to the International Business Times, an attorney for the PETA foundation believes such laws have no bearing on the group's Air Angles Drone. Jared Goodman told the online publication in January that the laws, or proposed law in Pennsylvania's case, prohibits interfering with "lawful" hunting activities. PETA's drones are meant to monitor "illegal" hunting activities, according to the article.

"If these drones are used as intended and as advertised by PETA, neither the wildlife nor the hunters will be disturbed," Goodman told the International Business Times. "It's simply to capture illegal activity."

Lau, the game commission press secretary, said another bill is pending in the state Legislature that would outlaw the use of drones in the hunting, tracking and harvesting of wild game. Alaska adopted such law earlier this month, Montana in March and Colorado in January, according to Fox News, which said hunting groups in Wyoming, New Mexico and Vermont have asked that those states' wildlife officials seek to do the same.

Festival meeting postponed

MOUNT CARMEL - The festival committee meeting scheduled for 6:30 p.m. today at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church has been postponed.

The meeting is set for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 30, at the church social hall.

Anniversary committee meeting set

SHAMOKIN - The Shamokin 150th Anniversary Committee will meet at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Independence Fire Association, Market and Arch streets. New members and interested citizens are always welcome.

Lifeguard training planned

MOUNT CARMEL - An American Red Cross Lifeguard Training Certification Class will begin Friday at Mount Carmel Area High School swimming pool. Successful participants will receive certification in Lifeguard Training, CPR for the Professional Rescuer, First Aid Training and AED. There is a fee for the course, which will run for several sessions. To register or for more information, call Megan deManincor at 570-274-2334 or email mxzarick@yahoo.com.

Church to honor canonized popes

MOUNT CARMEL - Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church will hold a benediction and novena in honor of the canonizations of Popes John Paul II and Pope John XXIII, 2:30 p.m. Sunday, at the church, 47 S. Market St.

The Rev. Frank Karwacki will lead the service. The public is welcome.

Ladies spring seminar planned

TREVOTON - A ladies spring seminar will be held Saturday at First Baptist Church of Trevorton.

Guest speaker/soloist will be Mona Maura. Her topic is "Fruit of the Spirit." All women are welcome.

Registration will begin at 9 a.m. Call 570-797-1627 for information or pre-registration.

By Eric Scicchitano
Staff Writer
eric_s@newsitem.com
SUNBURY — The driver in a fatal accident in January 2013 that claimed the life of a Trevorton teenager pleaded guilty Monday in Northumberland County Court to three criminal counts.
Aaron W. Rothermel, 22, also of Trevorton, appeared before Judge Charles Saylor and pleaded guilty to homicide by vehicle, driving under the influence of a controlled substance and recklessly endangering another person.
Other counts will be withdrawn: possession of a small amount of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, a second count of driving under the influence of a controlled substance, involuntary manslaughter, a second count of recklessly endangering another person and five summary offenses.
A pre-sentencing investigation is under way, and a drug and alcohol assessment was ordered. Sentencing must be scheduled within 90 days.
Trooper Daniel Wilk, state police at Stonington, filed the charges Feb. 10. Rothermel was arrested and released on $25,000 unsecured bail.
Jared J. Wood, 18, a passenger in Rothermel’s 1998 Nissan Sentra, was killed after the vehicle traveled off the shoulder of Schwaben Creek Road (Route 3010) near Leck Kill in Upper Mahanoy Township on Jan. 19, 2013, and struck a tree with its front passenger side, according to state police.
Wood died the next day at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville.
Rothermel and another passenger, a Trevorton male who was 17 years old at the time, escaped injury.
Police said none were wearing seat belts.
According to court documents, Wood was tossing objects, including a CD and a ball, at the house of an ex-girlfriend when the accident occurred. It’s not certain if his head was outside a rear vehicle window at the time of impact.
Rothermel told police he looked down at the vehicle’s radio and when he looked back up, he was driving directly into the tree and attempted to swerve. The vehicle was traveling at approximately 50 mph, according to police.
Rothermel admitted he was on probation for DUI and used marijuana two days before the accident, police said.

COAL TOWNSHIP - A suspicious odor displaced all students and faculty in two entire wings of Shamokin Area School District's main elementary building on Tuesday.

Superintendent James Zack said there were no reports of anyone becoming ill from the unidentified smell.

The fifth-grade and sixth-grade wings will remain closed at least until testing is completed by an environmental consulting firm.

"It makes no sense to put the kids back in there until the testing is complete," Zack said.

JMSI Environmental Corp., Swoyersville, is expected to be at the school by noon today. The firm will collect air samples, floor samples and more for testing.

Teachers reported having smelled the odor in the past, Zack said.

The smell was first reported Tuesday to the superintendent about 10:30 a.m. He and Dave Petrovich, supervisor of buildings and grounds, responded but the smell was gone. They checked the inside and outside of the two wings, including the air conditioning units on the building's roof, but couldn't come up with a cause.

Sixth-grade students and faculty were relocated to the elementary gymnasium, while fifth grade were dispersed to vacant classrooms. Zack estimated at least 350 people were relocated.

The building was closed from Friday through Monday for the Easter holiday.

An automated phone call was placed Tuesday to district parents to notify them of the incident. There was an error in the message: that there was a higher than usual amount of students reporting to the school nurse. That was a mistake, Zack said, stressing that there was not an uptick in visits to the nurse's office and there were no reports of students complaining of symptoms attributed to the unidentified odor.

Susquehanna Valley gas prices increased three cents to $3.70 a gallon this week, according to AAA East Central.

On the national front

Tuesday's national average price at the pump was $3.67 per gallon. This is two cents more than last week, 14 cents more than one month ago and 15 cents more than the same date last year.

Refineries are required to start producing summer-blend gasoline by May 1, and in anticipation of this date, often go offline for scheduled maintenance. This decrease in supply can cause prices in certain areas to rise, but fluctuations have been minimal.

Over the past few days, a number of refineries had to temporarily shut down or restart in order to perform unscheduled maintenance. These supply disruptions during the planned changeover have the potential to put additional upward pressure on prices, and are worth monitoring as we approach the switchover deadline and enter peak driving season.

Global crude oil price remains elevated as Russian and western powers attempt to broker a deal over the situation in Ukraine. Tensions remain high while both sides exchange accusations about which side first violated last week's perceived deal. Yesterday, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden arrived in Kiev warning of new sanctions.

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude is moving with less certainty about changes in price. At the close of formal trading on the NYMEX Monday, WTI closed up 7 cents per barrel at $104.37.

(AAA East Central - a not-for-profit association with 82 local offices in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, New York and Kentucky servicing 2.7 million members - provides Fuel Gauge each week.)

TIMONIUM, Md. - Cpl. Jonathan Novack of the JFK Highway Barracks was named the 2013 Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year for the Maryland State Police.

Novack, a son of Rich and Mary Novack, of Mount Carmel, received the honor April 18 from Maryland State Police Superintendent Col. Marcus L. Brown. He was chosen for the honor from non-commissioned officers who won the award at their respective local barracks.

Novack joined the Maryland State Police in 2006. He won Trooper of the Year at the Bel Air Barrack in 2009 and joined the staff at the JFK Highway Barracks in 2011 as a member of the K-9 Unit.

Novack led all barrack personnel in DUI arrests last year with 59. He made 26 criminal arrests, 22 of which were for drug violations. He assisted with 24 K-9 apprehensions. The barrack DUI enforcement team was placed under his supervision and he helped them increase drunk driving arrests last year by nine percent, resulting in 187 arrests. They increased their criminal arrests by 34 percent.

Novack participated in three Badges for Baseball camps with the U.S. Marshals Service and Ripken Baseball and was a medal presenter at the Special Olympics Maryland Summer Games. In December, he organized a holiday meal and donated gifts from his DUI team to a local family who was in need. This included raising money for the family's child, who is a paraplegic and confined to a wheelchair.

His supervisor, Sgt. Michael Smart, said, "Cpl. Novack's impressive dedication exemplifies the extraordinary effort he exerts to maintain the image he believes a trooper should uphold. He comes to work intending to make a difference and motivates everyone around him with his positive attitude. Cpl. Novack is an asset to his group, the JFK Barracks and the Maryland State Police."

Novack is a 2002 graduate of Mount Carmel Area High School.

MANDATA - Two bidders are seeking to buy Line Mountain School District's former elementary buildings in Dalmatia and Leck Kill.

Jeremy Strohecker bid $25,100 for the Dalmatia building, and Jamie Reed bid $50,222 for the Leck Kill building, according to Superintendent David Campbell.

The bids were opened Tuesday by district administration. Campbell said the school board could make a decision at its next meeting, scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the high school library.

The buildings were closed before the 2013-14 school year as part of district realignment.

Both elementary schools were appraised last year.

Buildings in Trevorton and Mandata were expanded last summer at a combined cost of $3.4 million to accommodate the realignment. Students from kindergarten through fourth grade attend the Trevorton school, now named Line Mountain Elementary School. Fifth-graders and sixth-graders attend class at the middle school, which is an addition to the Line Mountain High School building.

The Dalmatia building at 162 School Road, near Route 147, is 36,000 square feet. It was constructed in 1934, two years after fire destroyed a previous school building. There were 202 students enrolled there at the end of the 2012-13 school year.

Built in 1927, the Leck Kill building at 3664 Old State Road is 13,350 square feet. It had 61 students enrolled in 2012-13.

There were 212 students enrolled for fifth and sixth grades at Trevorton Elementary last school year.

District buildings were approved for renovations in 2007 in part because district residents opposed realignment. The district spent $9.6 million to add a middle school wing at the high school in Mandata in 2009, $7.4 million to renovate Trevorton Elementary School in 2009, and $1.1 million to renovate Leck Kill Elementary School in 2010.

The $6.3 million cost to do the same at Dalmatia proved too expensive to the school board, since the renovation estimate was just $1.7 million less than the cost to build a completely new structure. That led the school board to vote in 2012 to approve realignment.

By Eric Scicchitano

SHAMOKIN - City council will meet formally tonight with state officials for the first time since the release of a report that suggested many measures, some drastic, to repair Shamokin's broken finances.

Representatives of the state Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) along with the city's private financial advisers are expected to review an Early Intervention Plan prepared for city council. It's expected there will be discussions about seeking enrollment in the state's Act 47 program for financially distressed municipalities.

The public work session will be held at 6 p.m. at city hall.

Council members Barbara Moyer and Charlie Verano both said Tuesday that they've reviewed the lengthy plan, and that some of its contents were difficult to read.

"I'll be honest, I picked it up and was sick in the stomach at first. I never envisioned Shamokin would get like this," Verano said. "We've got to make sure that it never happens again."

"When you see it in black and white it really crystallized our situation. I've been struggling to find the right words to say," Moyer said.

The financial advisers' plan recommends city council file with the state to become a designated Act 47 municipality in order to prevent bankruptcy. It says Shamokin meets five of 11 criteria to do so.

Immediate corrective actions are necessary, the financial advisers say.

Among a slew of recommendations, it's suggested that city council bargain with its police and street departments' unions for wage freezes and less costly benefits packages, while also increasing all taxes to the maximum allowable amounts.

Regionalizing police and other services with Coal Township is also recommended, as is selling off all unnecessary equipment and vehicles in all departments, and increasing parking fines and other fees.

Sell what equipment?

Verano oversees the city's public works. He agrees with several of the suggestions for the street department, including tracking all work performed on private property to ensure expenses are recouped in full. He also supports pursuing grant funding, but only with affordable requirements for matching funds.

But there's not a lot of valuable equipment to sell off, he said. All of it is used and much of it is old. Also, he said one department truck is already broken and unlikely to be repaired soon.

"I really can't get rid of any trucks at this point," Verano said.

Collecting more taxes

Verano wants to question DCED officials about how Shamokin, since it was already enrolled in the state's Early Intervention Program since 2008, was able to have its finances fall so far into the red.

He said he has questions, too, about suggestions to maximize all city taxes.

"I don't think we can ask much more of the good people of Shamokin," Verano said.

Verano said greater emphasis must be placed on collecting all taxes, current and delinquent, adding that perhaps the state could assist with financing to outsource collections.

Moyer said she hopes to walk away from tonight's meeting with a greater understanding about Act 47 and what may lay ahead for Shamokin, including on how much input council members will have in creating and following a long-term recovery plan.

The councilwoman oversees parks and public buildings. There was little in the way of suggestions for her department, seeking a partnership with Coal Township for the operation of the public pool among them.

Moyer said she was glad to see that a recommendation was made that an annual budget for the recreation fund be prepared.

Council has already heeded one suggestion on its own: revamping the price schedule at the pool.

Recreational opportunities are important as they add a quality-of-life dimension for city residents, she said. But she understands where council's most attention must be focused.

"I'm also a realist. I understand right now in our situation that we have to really focus on setting our finances straight," Moyer said.

She withheld comment on suggestions in other departments for further evaluation of the plan.

BERNVILLE - A Minersville man was killed late Monday in a motorcycle accident on Bernville Road (Route 183) in Jefferson Township, Berks County.

According to state police at Reading, Daniel Joseph Leffew, 44, died at the scene. He was wearing a helmet.

Passenger Tracy Carter, 31, also of Minersville, was flown to Reading Hospital where she remained Tuesday afternoon in serious condition, according to police. She also was wearing a helmet.

Police said Leffew was driving a 2012 Harley Davidson XL200C Sport north just before midnight when the motorcycle crossed into the oncoming lane, left the roadway and traveled over and embankment and into trees and brush before coming to rest.

The crash occurred about 4 miles south of the Interstate 78 interchange.

SUNBURY - The driver in a fatal accident in January 2013 that claimed the life of a Trevorton teenager pleaded guilty Monday in Northumberland County Court to three criminal counts.

Aaron W. Rothermel, 22, also of Trevorton, appeared before Judge Charles Saylor and pleaded guilty to homicide by vehicle, driving under the influence of a controlled substance and recklessly endangering another person.

Other counts will be withdrawn: possession of a small amount of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, a second count of driving under the influence of a controlled substance, involuntary manslaughter, a second count of recklessly endangering another person and five summary offenses.

A pre-sentencing investigation is under way, and a drug and alcohol assessment was ordered. Sentencing must be scheduled within 90 days.

Trooper Daniel Wilk, state police at Stonington, filed the charges Feb. 10. Rothermel was arrested and released on $25,000 unsecured bail.

Jared J. Wood, 18, a passenger in Rothermel's 1998 Nissan Sentra, was killed after the vehicle traveled off the shoulder of Schwaben Creek Road (Route 3010) near Leck Kill in Upper Mahanoy Township on Jan. 19, 2013, and struck a tree with its front passenger side, according to state police.

Wood died the next day at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville.

Rothermel and another passenger, a Trevorton male who was 17 years old at the time, escaped injury.

Police said none were wearing seat belts.

According to court documents, Wood was tossing objects, including a CD and a ball, at the house of an ex-girlfriend when the accident occurred. It's not certain if his head was outside a rear vehicle window at the time of impact.

Rothermel told police he looked down at the vehicle's radio and when he looked back up, he was driving directly into the tree and attempted to swerve. The vehicle was traveling at approximately 50 mph, according to police.

Rothermel admitted he was on probation for DUI and used marijuana two days before the accident, police said.

I attended my first beer festival in 1998 with my two best friends. At the time, the mere concept of a beer festival was mind boggling - so many breweries; so many choices.

That changed when one friend said, "Dude, there's a booth with a couple of guys wearing tuques. They're serving beer made with beets - and I swear they threw in a set of Michelins, too." One of those guys was Sam Calagione, founder of Dogfish Head Brewing.

Calagione discovered homebrewing fresh out of college. He became obsessed with the hobby and opened a brewpub in Rehoboth Beach, the home of his wife, Mariah. Sam named the brewery Dogfish Head after an island in Maine where he vacationed as a child.

He couldn't afford a large brewing system. Most brewpubs make about 10 barrels (310 gallons) at a time. Calagione's system could only make 10-gallon batches, so he brewed constantly, six days a week. He never realized that this was an insane way to make beer, which, of course, was why his plan worked.

To combat the monotony of brewing around the clock, Calagione experimented with unusual ingredients - maple syrup, saffron, apricots or raisins. These unusual ingredients, often from exotic locales, became a trademark of Dogfish Head (DFH), giving rise to their motto of "off-centered ales for off-centered people," craft brews that defy description or categorization. As an aside, my friends and I discovered that beets are used to make candi sugar, a fermentable in Belgian beers. (We have yet to find any Michelins.)

In 2002, Dogfish Head opened a production brewery in nearby Milton. For craft beer lovers vacationing in the Rehoboth area, the brewpub and brewery are must-see destinations. But be sure to reserve your brewery tour early online. Sometimes they're booked weeks in advance. Enjoy the selections. Cheers!

Chicory Stout: This is a coffee stout that also contains chicory, St. John's wort and licorice. It pours jet black with a tan head, and has aromas of malt laced with notes of Mexican coffee. The body is light with some chocolate flavor, but coffee predominates. At only 5.2 percent alcohol, it's an excellent session beer.

Aprihop: Available March through May, this India Pale Ale (IPA) with apricots - fruit beer for hopheads - is DFH's most popular seasonal offering. Citrusy Cascade and Amarillo hops combine in symbiotic harmony with apricot juice that plays a supporting role. It's delightfully dry with only 7 percent alcohol and pairs nicely with barbeque or Mexican dishes.

90 Minute IPA: Esquire magazine called 90 Minute "perhaps the best IPA in America." The name derives from a continuous hopping technique used throughout its 90-minute boil. Originally, this was done using a vibrating electric football game as a conveyer belt. Continuous hopping, which is also used for other DFH brews, and additional dry hopping after fermentation provides an astounding complexity of fruit flavors and aromas, such as mango and grapefruit. This IPA is smooth and dangerously drinkable, belying a 9 percent alcohol content. For maximum enjoyment, use a snifter to concentrate the hop aromas.

Theobroma: This is an ancient New World ale. The name translates to "food of the gods." Theobroma was reverse engineered from Honduran pottery shards dating back to 1200 B.C. It's the first known use of cocoa in an alcoholic beverage. Strangely, though, it pours orange with a thick foamy head. Chocolate flavors from Aztec cocoa powder and Honduran cocoa nibs blend with honey for a sweetness that's subtlety offset by chilies at the finish. Crank up your flux capacitor to 88 mph, travel back in time, and savor this one.

Noble Rot: With a name like that, it has to be good. Noble Rot is a Saison - a Belgian farmhouse ale. Viognier grape must (juice) that's been intentionally contaminated with a benevolent fungus known as Noble Rot is added to the base beer. The fungus magnifies the juice's sweetness and complexity. This phenomena is also responsible for some of the world's most exquisite white wines. The flavor is dry, refreshing, and white wine-like - with peppery hints from the Belgian yeast. It remarkably complemented a dinner of clams and linguine - and the 22-ounce bottle was the perfect size for sharing.

(The Brew Dude is published every other Wednesday on the Food and Drink page. For comments, suggestions, or questions, email Mark Pasquinelli at thebrewdude@newsitem.com.)

SHAMOKIN - The following hearings took place Tuesday before Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III. Defendants ordered to appear for plea court June 23 in Northumberland County Courthouse, Sunbury, can plead guilty or no contest, or seek a trial by pleading not guilty.

n Destry A. Cavada, 27, of 412 W. Fig St., Mount Carmel, and Shane M. Perez, 22, of 215 E. Buick St., Mount Carmel, waived charges of retail theft and criminal conspiracy to commit retail theft.

They are charged by Coal Township Patrolman Matthew Hashuga with stealing a computer monitor, pet food and groceries valued at $355.12 Jan. 29 from Walmart Supercenter, Route 61.

Cavada also waived charges of possession of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility filed by Shamokin Cpl. Bryan Primerano in connection with a June 3 incident in the city.

n Joseph Carner, 29, of Coal Township, waived charges of retail theft and criminal conspiracy to commit retail theft relating to a Jan. 30 incident at Walmart in Coal Township.

Coal Township Police Patrolman Matthew Hashuga charged Carner with stealing $314.19 worth of DVDs and cologne from the store.

n Richard E. Noecker, 69, of 611 Bear Valley Ave., Shamokin, pleaded guilty to a summary of careless driving and was ordered to pay a $25 fine plus costs.

An additional charge of hit and run was withdrawn.

Noecker was charged by Shamokin Patrolman Scott Weaver with backing his Geo Tracker into a parked car twice before going into his residence March 3.

n Joan Klinger, 55, of 709 Penn St., Shamokin, waived to court a felony charge of retail theft filed by Coal Township Patrolman Terry Ketchem.

She is accused of attempting to steal a bag of mozzarella sticks and a book from Walmart on Route 61 on March 13.

Ketchem said Klinger was previously charged with the same offense numerous times, which resulted in the felony.

n Ryan Kirchman, 23, of 216 S. Franklin St., Shamokin, pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct and was ordered to pay a $200 fine plus costs and placed on supervised probation for one year.

An additional charge of simple assault was withdrawn.

Kirchman was charged by Shamokin Patrolman Raymond Siko II with shoving and choking his girlfriend, Maria Hill, and grabbing her 7-year-old son by the neck and dragging him across the floor April 16 at their residence.

n Brian Burke, 40, of 1130 Tharp St., Tharptown, pleaded guilty to a summary of disorderly conduct and was ordered to pay a $200 fine plus costs.

He was charged by Coal Township Patrolman Joshua Wynn in connection with a property dispute April 16 in the 1100 block of Tharp Street.

n Andrew Ridgway, 24, of 715 N. Franklin St., Shamokin, pleaded guilty to a summary of disorderly conduct and was ordered to pay a $100 fine plus costs.

Ridgway was charged by Coal Township Patrolman Matthew Hashuga in connection with a Feb. 21 disturbance inside Wal-Mart.

n Kenneth Sampsell Jr., 18, of 135 Birch St., Shamokin, waived to court multiple charges.

Sampsell waived charges of fleeing and eluding police, possession of Spice, three stop sign violations and reckless driving filed by Coal Township Patrolman Matthew Henrich in connection with a pursuit Jan. 26 that started at Pine and Cedar streets.

He also waived to court a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia filed by Shamokin Patrolman Raymond Siko II relating to a Sept. 25 incident at his home.

n Rodney Thomas Cossari, 25, of Shamokin, who is currently an inmate at SCI-Coal Township, waived to court multiple charges involving three separate incidents.

He was charged by Coal Township Detective Jeff Brennan with forgery, access device fraud and receiving stolen property relating to a Nov. 15 incident.

He was charged by Shamokin Patrolman Raymond Siko II with forgery, access device fraud, receiving stolen property and theft by deception involving a Nov. 20 incident.

Cossari also was charged by Shamokin Patrolman Shane Mowery with burglary, criminal trespass, theft and three counts of access device fraud in connection with a Jan. 10 incident.

COAL TOWNSHIP - The cheerful loop of colorful ribbon marking the shirt of each person in the cafeteria at Geisinger-Shamokin Area Community Hospital (G-SACH) signified an otherwise undetectable stage of grieving.

By outwardly displaying a symbol of grief, people embrace one of the 10 tenets of the Mourner's Bill of Rights: You have the right to talk about your grief.

Linda Gula, RN, director of hospice services, addressed the Mourner's Bill of Rights before a group of five people gathered Tuesday for the first session of the newly reformed VNA Health Systems Bereavement Support Group.

The Mourner's Bill of Rights, developed by Dr. Alan Wolfelt, founder of the Center for Loss and Life Transition, forms the backbone of the eight-week series conducted by the bereavement group.

Learning skills needed to embrace the Mourner's Bill of Rights allows participants to move forward independently after the series. Because of the success of previous iterations of the support group at G-SACH, few members have found the need to continue at the beginning of the next series.

Gula said the activities participants engage in are designed to encourage sharing and give direction.

"The point is to come together, everyone deal with their issues and deal with their own lives," she said.

Through the series, survivors learn ways to cope with the unique challenges of losing a loved one, such as handling unsolicited advice on moving forward from friends and family.

"They learn it is OK to grieve however is natural to them," said Gula.

The VNA Health System Bereavement Support Group meets privately from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Tuesdays in the cafeteria at G-SACH. The public is welcome.

Crime Watch meeting

SHAMOKIN - A reorganization meeting of the Shamokin Crime Watch program will be held at 6 p.m. tonight at the Shamokin City Police Department, 511 N. Franklin St.

Hall of Fame breakfast

PAXINOS - The 30th anniversary induction breakfast for the Bernie Romanoski Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at Masser's Banquet Hall, Paxinos.

Sunbury bike auction postponed

SUNBURY - Sunbury City Officials reported Monday that the bike auction, originally scheduled for April 26, has been rescheduled for Saturday, May 31. Officials apologize for any inconvenience.

Griffiths scholarship available

Ed Griffiths, chairman of the Anthracite Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association Scholarship Committee, and Tony Rosini, committee member, announced applications are being accepted for the chapter's 2014 scholarship award. Applications have been sent to local high schools for the chapter's the Edward M. Griffiths II Memorial Scholarship.

Griffiths stated that the Anthracite Area Penn State Club will award at least two $750 scholarships to area high school seniors who have been accepted at any one of Penn State's campuses for either summer or fall 2014.

The scholarship is open to all seniors at Line Mountain, Mt. Carmel Area, Our Lady of Lourdes Regional, Shamokin Area, Shikellamy and Southern Columbia High schools.

The criteria for the scholarship are as follows: Acceptance to Penn State as a freshman for either the summer or fall 2014, academic success in high school, evidence of financial need, school and community activities.

Applications can be obtained in the guidance office of any of the six schools. Rosini emphasized applications must be mailed directly to the chapter and be received no later than May 2.

POINT TOWNSHIP - A Canadian truck driver who survived an accident earlier this month along Route 147 that ripped the cab of a tractor-trailer to pieces and spilled dozens of bleach containers into the brush surrounding the wreckage was cited for careless driving.

Raveendranathan Nalliah, 55, of North York, Ontario, was cited by Point Township Police Chief Joshua VanKirk in connection with the April 3 accident near 14th Street that shut down traffic on parts of the highway for 11 hours.

Nalliah suffered injuries including a couple scratches and a broken leg and was flown by Life Flight helicopter to Geisinger Medical Center in Danville.

The citation was filed April 4 at the office of Magisterial District Judge Michael Diehl in Milton.

Nalliah pleaded guilty to the offense April 16 and paid a fine and costs.

SUNBURY — The teen who police say tried to run over an officer with his car before being shot last year is back in Northumberland County Court today.

Naheem Reams, now 18, was led into the courthouse about 9 a.m. this morning for a hearing that, among other things, will address his lawyer’s attempt to move his case to juvenile court. He was 17 at the time of the incident on June 5.

The hearing had been scheduled for March 4, but was delayed at the last minute when defense attorney Timothy Bowers claimed he wasn’t given enough notice about the proceeding. It led to some tense moments between Bowers and District Attorney Tony Rosini, who complained about an expensive witness being in town prepared to testify.

The hearing was then rescheduled for today.

Reams, who pleaded not guilty to all the offenses in a Sept. 10 preliminary hearing, was charged Aug. 2 as an adult with six counts of aggravated assault and other charges involving the pursuit last year in Sunbury that ended at Chestnut and Front streets.
It was shortly after 1 a.m. when Sunbury police were attempting to clear the 400 block of North Fourth Street for street sweeping when they encountered Reams, who they said for unknown reasons fled in his car at speeds that would reach 70 mph.
When Reams slowed near Chestnut and Front streets, officers moved in, but police say Reams struck two police vehicles with his car, and caused minor injuries to one officer when he was briefly pinned at his car door.
Reams then revved his engine and drove toward another officer who had his gun drawn, police said, prompting the officer to fire. The shot went through the windshield and struck Reams near the sternum.
Reams spent 20 days in the hospital before being placed in a juvenile detention facility on an unrelated warrant. He was later transferred to Northumberland County Prison.

Rosini investigated the police officer’s use of deadly force and found he was justified.

ELYSBURG - Arms stretched above her head, Fallon Hakobyan screeched and yelled in delight as she was spun round and round on the Paratrooper ride Saturday at Knoebels Amusement Resort.

"This is my favorite ride," the 7-year-old Mount Carmel girl screamed as she kicked her legs, sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with her grandmother, Donna Weikel.

She was off the Paratrooper just moments before she turned to Weikel and got ready to run. Another thrill awaited.

Hakobyan embodied a spirit shared by many kids and more than a few adults at Knoebels Saturday, the park's opening day. Mostly dormant since last fall, Knoebels awakened with all the familiar sights, sounds and smells that have made it a destination for families near and far during the past 88 years.

"Can we get on that one next?" she asked, pointing toward either the Tea Cups or the Tilt-A-Whirl, probably wanting to hop on both.

Had she been pointing at the Flying Turns, she would have had to temper her excitement. The queue began at the boarding area, led down a set of steps and beneath the ride. Hundreds more waited in a line wrapped out and around the large wooden structure.

By early afternoon it took an hour-and-a-half to board the one-of-a-kind bobsled coaster. That didn't bother 11-year-old Destiny Geiswite.

"Yeah, it was worth it," she said after having just exited Flying Turns. "I want to go a second time but (the line is) too long."

Flying Turns was certainly an attraction to the dozens of members of the Western New York Coaster Club and American Coaster Enthusiasts Eastern Pennsylvania who were on hand for a 12th straight opening day at Knoebels.

It was a struggle to get Flying Turns opened. Construction began in 2006, and excitement built in anticipation of its debut. A ride of its type - a wooden trough mirroring a bobsled track - hadn't been in operation since one closed at Coney Island in 1974.

Flying Turns soon seemed like an albatross as redesigns and difficulty obtaining parts led to a string of delays. It became a prominent fixture in the park, largely because of its location and the mystery surrounding its fate.

Word spread organically by mouth and online last fall, and after 7½ years, it was opened in an understated fashion during the annual Covered Bridge Festival. It's now fully operational for 2014, its first full year as an attraction.

The park's landmark roller coaster, The Phoenix, also had a long line Saturday, proving its popularity years after its debut in 1985.

And people also lined up to satisfy their appetites for fair-style food. Cesari's Pizza, Famous Fresh Cut French Fries and the soft-serve ice cream stand appeared the most popular stops in the park Saturday.

The Patio Grill was holding its own, too. Across the way beneath a picnic pavilion sat a group of mothers and daughters, 23 in all camping together in a pair of cabins. Members of Girl Scout Troop 5372 from Havertown dressed in yellow T-shirts that said "Keep Calm and Camp Knoebels." While it was their first trip to the park as a group, for some it was a welcome return to a favorite place.

"We've come every year for years," said Michelle Anderson.

"I think it's great. I wish we'd been coming here for years," Sue Cunningham said of her first visit, wishing she would have been able to bring her two teenage children when they were kids. Her 10-year-old daughter, Marissa, was with her on the trip.