SHAMOKIN - A charming documentary detailing the coal region's quirky obsession with the "soupie" is available online.

"Strange Meats: The Soupie" can be downloaded Saturday at vimeo.com: 24 hour rental for $2.99, purchase for $12.99. Vimeo is service also found on most smart TVs, Apple TV and Roku sets.

The film was written, directed and edited by Shamokin native Matt Spade and features soupie savants from the greater Shamokin area.

It had two premieres last fall, including one at the Northumberland County Career and Arts Center, and positive feedback at film festivals. Spade maintains hope to land a distribution deal for "Strange Meats," but he's excited to make his project publicly available.

"It's been a fun two years since we started filming 'Strange Meats,' and the time has now come for us to offer it to the public," Spade said.

Accompanying the 30 minute film is enough bonus material to bust a soupie casing - deleted scenes, extended interviews, and behind the scenes feature as long as the film itself.

"The Morning Mayor" himself, Tom Kutza, is the film's narrator. Spade's wife, Morgan, was producer and grip. Chris Koontz served as director of photography, and local musician Joseph T. Wagner composed all original music for the documentary.

Filming included access to the "Eagles Nest," a cabin where a group of locals showed off the soupie making process - from preparing the casing and seasoning the pork, to stuffing and curing and pressing the soupies.

Emilio Mignucci, who runs the family owned Di Bruno Bros. gourmet cheese and meat store in Philadelphia, was interviewed to offer further insight on the sopressata - long form for soupie.

Other sit-down interviews are included with coal region soupie makers who talk of learning the trade from their grandfathers who learned it from their grandfathers. The artisans hope to pass it on to their own children and grandchildren.

"Strange Meats" is available for pre-order now. Visit https://vimeo.com/ondemand/strangemeatsthesoupie. DVDs are currently available by special order only, and will bring a higher charge. To order, email mattspade2112@gmail.com and specify Blu-Ray or DVD.

SUNBURY - A former Shamokin man will spend five to 10 years in state prison for sexually assaulting a teen girl.

Jacob Engle, 24, of Berrysburg, was sentenced Monday by Northumberland County Judge Charles H. Saylor. Engle pleaded guilty March 26 to sexual assault and two counts of aggravated indecent assault. He received a concurrent sentence of four to eight years on the latter two charges, and was credited with 346 days served.

An evaluation by the Pennsylvania Sexual Offenders Assessment Board determined Engle is not a sexually violent predator. However, he must register as a Megan's Law offender for the rest of his life. He is barred from having contact with anyone under the age of 18 without prior permission.

Engle's sentence was the result of a plea agreement between the defense and prosecution. While the probation department advised against the agreement, Saylor accepted it. The judge said the agreement avoided trial requiring the victim to testify.

Engle was 23 in December 2013 when he forced himself on a 14-year-old girl who was helping him move to Trevorton from North Orange Street in Shamokin. Police said he confessed upon arrest, claiming the victim made a failed attempt at stopping him.

Both the victim and Engle told of another sexual encounter between the two, for which Engle said he sought counseling.

The victim told police after the first assault that Engle told her, "You tell anyone, I'll kill you."

Shamokin Patrolman Raymond Siko II filed the charges.

SUNBURY - A confessed methamphetamine cook will spend at least four years in prison.

Northumberland County President Judge William H. Wiest sentenced Thomas M. Reddinger, 32, of Coal Township, to serve four to 11 years in state prison Monday. He owes $1,200 in fines plus court costs, along with joint restitution of $2,099.20 to state police for decontamination.

Reddinger and co-defendant Roger Shaw were arrested Aug. 4 after a confidential informant tipped off police that the men purchased materials to manufacture methamphetamine inside the basement of 1012 W. Spruce St., a home they rented. A woman and four children 13 years or younger were on the first floor.

Methamphetamine is created from a volatile mix of chemicals that, when botched, can result in an explosion. Law enforcement evacuated the block to remove and stabilize the chemicals, and the men were decontaminated in the street before being taken to jail.

Reddinger pleaded guilty April 10 to possession of red phosphorous, manufacture of methamphetamine with children present and risking a catastrophe.

He pleaded in a separate case to possession with intent to manufacture methamphetamine and disposal of chemical waste and received a concurrent sentence of 2 1/2 to 10 years. Police say he attempted to cook methamphetamine in June in the woods south of South Market Street, Shamokin.

Reddinger was credited for 329 days served.

Shaw, 43, of Coal Township, was previously sentenced to two to four years in a state prison after pleading to disposal of chemical waste. He was credited for 249 days served. His fine was $250 plus court costs, and he must pay half the restitution.

Charges against Reddinger were filed by Coal Township Cpl. Joshua Wynn and Shamokin Cpl. Bryan Primerano. Township detective Jeffrey Brennan and city Cpl. Jarrod Scandle were the arresting officers in Shaw's case.

Beware possible tax scam

SHAMOKIN - City Treasurer Brenda L. Scandle said a resident told her of a possible scam involving tax collection.

The resident recently received a call from someone claiming to be representing a collection agency for personal taxes and she learned through the phone ID that the call was coming from California.

Scandle reminds residents that all city, school and county taxes for Shamokin use collection agencies located in Pennsylvania. Do not give banking or credit card information over the phone.

Scandle has reported the incident to police.

Susquehanna Valley gas prices dropped seven cents this past week to $2.788 a gallon, according to AAA East Central's Fuel Gauge report, pulling about even with the national average price of $2.773.

On the national front

Despite rising prices over the past several months, drivers are poised to pay the lowest prices at the pump over the Fourth of July holiday weekend in at least five years.

While pump prices are down on the week, they are up four cents per gallon month-over-month, largely due to regional refinery issues that put upward pressure on the national average over the last 30 days. Gas prices continue to reflect considerable yearly discounts with drivers saving an average of 90 cents per gallon versus this same date last year.

Pump prices often fall leading up to the Independence Day holiday. However, a seasonal decline in the national average this year has been offset by supply shortages due to localized refinery issues and global crude prices that have recovered from multi-year lows this spring.

Concerns of oversupply continue to characterize the global oil market. The pending June 30 deadline for an Iranian nuclear deal could contribute further to the market's oversupply if current sanctions are removed and Iranian oil returns to the global market.

Escalating tensions in these regions have the potential to cause supply disruptions, which could contribute to price volatility in the near term.

Market watchers are also paying close attention the European Union, where Greece may default on its debt obligations this week. This sets up a Greek referendum for this coming weekend on whether the country should accept a bailout deal offered by international creditors.

This news sent global oil prices lower Monday morning on worries of reduced global demand and the potential for instability in global financial markets. At the close of Friday's formal trading on the NYMEX, WTI was down seven cents and settled at $59.63 per barrel.

(AAA East Central is a not-for-profit association with 83 local offices in Kentucky, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia serving 2.7 million members.)

SUNBURY - The parents whose Mount Carmel apartment was littered with garbage and feces pleaded guilty to criminal charges Monday.

Randall W. Walters, 36, and his wife, Yvonne Clouser, both of 214 S. Oak St., Apt. 2, each confessed to a charge of endangering welfare of children.

The couple's 3-year-old child was living at the home when the filthy conditions were discovered - animal feces and urine covered the living room floor, garbage strewn throughout the house and insects swarming about old food left on the kitchen stove.

Sentencing was delayed to Aug. 31 to allow the probation department to conduct a pre-sentence investigation after Walters requested house arrest. He faces a standard sentence of 9 to 16 months. Clouser has no prior record and faces a lesser penalty.

Mount Carmel Cpl. David Donkochik filed the charges.

SHAMOKIN - After a wet and cold June weekend, the sun was out and the sky was blue over the city as the late U.S. Army Private 1st Class Thomas D. "Tucky" Lotis was honored at the Price of Freedom Memorial on Lincoln Street.

Congressman Lou Barletta, PA-11, presented a posthumous Bronze Star with the combat "V" device to Lotis for his heroic actions during the Korean War. Accepting the awards was his sister, Theresa "Tessie" Lotis Binkoskie, 92.

"As we approach the Fourth of July, it is so appropriate that we honor Thomas D. Lotis," Barletta said. "He was a forgotten veteran in a forgotten war."

Thomas Lotis was captured during the battle known as the "Massacre at Hoengsong" and died soon after in a North Korean prison camp in 1951. Orders for his Bronze Star were never fully processed, recently discovered by his family following declassification of documents from that time period, according to a press release provided by Barletta's office.

Lincoln Street was closed to traffic during the brief ceremony. A 21-gun salute by the Marine Corps League began the proceedings, which was also attended by Mayor Billy Milbrand and members of city council.

"Thomas David Lotis embodied all that is right with America," Barletta said. "He volunteered to serve his country. He traveled to the other side of the world to fight for freedom and against oppression on behalf of people he had never met. He selflessly put himself in harm's way and risked his own life to save others. He was a true hero in every sense of the word."

In addition to the Bronze Star, Barletta also presented Binkoskie the following for her late brother: Purple Heart, Prisoner of War Medal, National Defense Medal, Korean Service Medal and bronze star and the United Nations Service Medal.

After reading a history of Lotis' time in the Army, Barletta presented the medals to Binkoskie. Taps was played and Binkoskie was presented with an American flag by U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Timothy Heisy.

"This was beautiful. I never expected this," Binkoskie said. "Even the weather turned good."

Binkoskie, who says she was 10 when Thomas was born, has fond memories of him as a child.

"He was just a good boy. He didn't live to get older," Binkoskie said. "He was good to my parents and I loved him. I used to carry him around and kiss him on the nose."

"Congressman Barletta and his staff did a fantastic job in putting this together," said Milbrand said after the ceremony. "They deserve all the credit. I had a tear in my eye up there, and I felt so proud for that woman (Binkoskie). It's times like these that make me really proud to be mayor of such a great city."

Coincidently, what appeared to be a World War II era bomber flew over the city of Shamokin not long after the conclusion of the ceremony for Lotis.

###

A history of Thomas D. "Tucky" Lotis's service as read by Rep. Lou Barletta during Monday's service:

On Sept. 22, 1950, just after the war began, Private Lotis - who was known to all of his friends and family as "Tucky" - was a member of the Headquarters Battery, 15th Field Artillery Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division.

That morning, he was part of a forward observer section attached to the infantry battalion. He was in a foxhole when several of his comrades were injured by enemy mortar fire. Without any regard for his own personal safety, Private Lotis left his foxhole and ran through heavy enemy fire to reach the fallen soldiers. When he arrived at the men's side, he successfully administered first aid before being wounded himself by enemy fire.

Five months after he was wounded, Private Lotis was in the central Korean peninsula with childhood friends Dan Schehulski and Joseph Roginskie, also of Shamokin. A Chinese offensive had stalled, and United Nations commanders were preparing a counter-assault. Unbeknownst to the military commanders, the Communists were already preparing for another major offensive and had moved four Chinese and two North Korean divisions into the area. The enemy forces quickly overwhelmed the South Koreans and Americans, resulting in one of the most lopsided defeats of the war. It was to become known as "The Massacre at Hoengsong."

During the battle, on Feb. 13, 1951, Lotis was taken prisoner and interned in a North Korean Prisoner of War camp at Changsong. Joseph Roginskie was killed that same day, while Dan Schehulski survived. Shortly after his imprisonment, through disease and maltreatment, Thomas "Tucky" Lotis died just days after turning 20 years old.

According to General Order Number 39, from 2nd Infantry Division Headquarters - coincidentally Feb. 13, 1951, the same day he was captured - U.S. Army Private First Class Thomas D. Lotis was awarded the Bronze Star with combat "V" device. The "V" device is awarded for participation in acts of heroism involving conflict with an armed enemy. His heroics never made it to his formal military record and could have been destroyed in a fire that swept through a military archive in the 1970s. When some military documents were recently declassified, his name was located along with a description of his actions.

MOUNT CARMEL - The tenant of a double-home damaged by fire Friday night was charged Monday with arson and related offenses for allegedly setting the fire because she was being evicted.

Susan G. Stanley, 64, of 327 N. Maple St., was imprisoned on $100,000 bail after her arraignment on 10 counts related to the 8:30 p.m. basement fire that also damaged a neighboring home.

Stanley allegedly admitted to police she was the one who set the fire on the last day she was allowed in the house, where she had lived for 15 years. She told police she splashed gasoline around the basement, lit a rag on fire and left.

Police also reported Stanley had allegedly offered to pay someone $5,000 to set the fire, but the person didn't carry out the plan, and that three months ago, she purchased renters insurance for the first time.

Firefighters were alerted to the emergency when Eddie Agosto-Viera and his wife, Luz Santiago, of 325 N. Maple St. - the other half of the double home, smelled smoke and called 911. Crews prevented flames from spreading beyond a stairwell leading to the first floor of Stanley's house.

Bought gas June 21

Mount Carmel Borough Police Lt. Christopher Buhay, the investigating officer, said Stanley admitted in an interview she didn't want to move, but that she was in a dispute with landlord Matteo Loduca, of Danville, over financial matters and had to move.

Stanley said she purchased a gallon of gasoline Sunday, June 21, in anticipation of setting the blaze. After debating the decision, she decided to ignite the fire Friday, the last day she could be in the house.

That day, Stanley told police, she moved possessions she wanted from the residence and kept the rest there. She dumped small amounts of gasoline into a cup and splashed it around the basement, then retrieved a wooden stick and wrapped a rag around one end.

Stanley ignited the rag and placed it in the basement, then went to a nearby convenience store and picnic.

Endangering others

Investigators determined the fire started in the basement and that a large pile of household items and collectable items for yard sale were found in cardboard and plastic containers, along with the gas can with a gallon of gas in it. They did not find the rag and stick.

A state police fire marshal ruled the blaze arson.

Stanley attempted to cover her face when she arrived at Magisterial District Judge Hugh A. Jones's office Monday for her arraignment. Buhay charged her with two felony counts of arson-endangering persons, three felony counts of arson-endangering property, felony counts of arson-reckless burning and causing a catastrophe, and misdemeanor charges of possessing an instrument of crime and recklessly endangering another person.

A preliminary hearing is set for July 8 before Jones.

There were no landlord-tenant complaints filed between the two parties, according to a search of the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System's website. Loduca could not be reached for comment.

MOUNT CARMEL - Building relationships in the community, developing solutions to local problems and conducting research to determine what prompted European immigrants and their descendants to live and remain in the coal region are the main objectives of students and professors at Bucknell University this summer.

The Mother Maria Kaupas Center in the 400 block of West Avenue, which was dedicated April 12 in honor of the founder of Holy Cross School for children of Lithuanian immigrants in the borough, will serve as the field station for their volunteer work.

"We are here to study individuals and the community. We want to get to know as many people as we can from different walks of life and hear their stories about what brought them to Mount Carmel and why they still live here," commented Jen Silva, a sociology professor at Bucknell who is coordinating the summer action research project.

Silva is being assisted by Bucknell sociology professor Carl Milofsky, Russian studies professor Nick Kupensky, environmental studies professor Ben Marsh and interns Jessi Scheimreif, Erin Frey and Adam Bishop.

They are all working in conjunction with the Rev. Martin Moran III, pastor of Divine Redeemer who helped spearhead the affiliation between Bucknell and Mother Maria Kaupas Center.

Scheimreif is a sociology and psychology major. He is serving as Silva's intern and will conduct most of his interviews with the younger generation in the community. He lives in New Columbia.

Frey, a resident of Frederick, Md., is majoring in comparative humanities, creative writing and economics and is serving as Kupensky's intern.

She plans to study the history of all the ethnic churches erected in Mount Carmel and interview current parishioners including those of Polish, Lithuanian, Ukrainian, Slovak, Italian and Irish descent. Frey intends to research the lives of coal miners and interview present-day miners who have maintained the same solid work ethic as their predecessors.

Frey's interviews will also focus on how the borough's demographics have changed over the years.

Bishop is serving as Milofsky's intern. He is a native of Linden, Ind., and is majoring in sociology.

Silva added, "We want to identify problems in the community and see how we can help solve some of them. We want to learn about the history of the town by talking to different generations of people who live here."

The sociology professor, who has written a book on the history and politics of different communities and the struggles young people face in today's society, plans to comprise a historical booklet based on her team's findings that will be available at Mother Maria Kaupas Center and Bucknell University.

Milofsky said he and Marsh have worked on various studies in Shamokin, Sunbury and Centralia over the past 30 years and is confident the Mount Carmel project will be successful as well.

"We approached Father Marty last year about the partnership and it has worked out well so far," Milofsky said. "This is the first real field station that we've established."

Milofsky said he's looking forward to the opportunities students and educators will have in developing relationships with people and institutions in Mount Carmel and other coal region communities.

Moran, who formerly served as Catholic chaplain at Bucknell and is the dean of the Northumberland Deanery, thanked students and professors at the university for showing a keen interest in Mount Carmel and establishing a presence in the area.

"We wanted to recommemorate the life of Mother Maria Kaupas on the 75th anniversary of her death by establishing the center," Moran said. "This is a way to revitalize the area by developing a living history from the people who are here today."

He added, "It's incredible what has been happened in the past eight months and we want to continue moving forward."

The priest praised the efforts of everyone who contributed financially to the center and specifically commended the Chicago-based Sisters of Saint Casimir, the religious community founded by Kaupas that donated $50,000 toward the center.

"This is all about building relationships and we hope to expand our efforts in the community," Moran said.

In addition to securing grants for the center in the future, the pastor hopes to receive donations from Bucknell graduates from the Mount Carmel area, including those who earned Deppen scholarships to attend the prestigious university.

The action research project is one of three different units involving the field station. In the fall, a service learning project will begin. Managing for Sustainability, a three-year pilot program between Bucknell University and Mount Carmel Downtown Inc., also is part of the initiative.

For more information about the summer projects and Mother Maria Kaupas Center, please call 570-339-3450, ext. 319, 320 or 321.

SHAMOKIN - The plane mentioned in Tuesday's front page story on Private 1st Class Thomas D. Lotis and pictured on page 7 is a Boeing B-29 Superfortress. The bomber was identified by Richard Staugaitis of Penn Rich Aviation upon seeing the photograph of the World War II era aircraft.

This B-29, named "FIFI," is the only operational Super Fortress in existence, proving to be a rare sight for those who caught a glimpse of the four-engined bomber roaring over the city on Monday.

FIFI is based Addison, Texas, and owned by the Commemorative Air Force (CAF). According to the CAF website, she was flying Monday from Windsor Locks, Conn., to Lexington, Ky., as part of the 2015 AirPower History Tour.

The two most famous B-29s in history, the "Enola Gay" and "Bockscar," dropped the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, respectively, during World War II, effectively ending the war in the Pacific.

For more information on FIFI, visit www.cafb29b24.org.

Impaired drunk boating crackdown

PACKER ISLAND - A press conference with Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission officials and police from Northumberland County will be held at 11:30 a.m. today at the public boat launch at Shikellamy State Park.

Northumberland County District Attorney Ann Targonski will conduct the conference. The North Central Regional DUI Enforcement Program, police from Northumberland County and Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission officials will announce increased DUI/BUI enforcement measures aimed at reducing impaired driving crashes and boating under the influence (BUI) during the July 4 holiday enforcement period that continues through July 6.

Weis sponsoring day at pool

SUNBURY - The Sunbury Community Pool announces its second community sponsor. Weis Markets will sponsor admission to the pool on Saturday. Hours are noon to 5 p.m.

Joint authority office holiday hours

KULPMONT - The Kulpmont-Marion Heights Joint Municipal Authority's office will be closed Friday in observance of the Fourth of July holiday.

Kulpmont news

KULPMONT - Borough residents are reminded that recycling bins are available for pick up Monday through Friday during business hours in the Borough office.

Kulpmont borough's code enforcement office will be closed for vacation from July 6 to 10.

The skies this weekend will be filled with an array of colors and the smell of fireworks as several communities celebrate the Fourth of July.

Friday will mark the 20th show for Thunder Over Ashland. Phillip Groody, co-founder of the show, said the fireworks will launch at dusk, which is usually between 9:30 and 9:45 p.m., behind Memorial Field. The rain date is July 5. "There are interesting things in the show having to do with our 20 years," he said.

Over the last two decades, Groody said the event has grown depending on funds. About $11,000 had been raised last week for this year's show.

The fireworks are sponsored by American Hose No. 1. The concession stand is run by the company's ladies auxiliary and will open at 4 p.m. Food will include bean soup, french fries, hamburgers, hot dogs and cold drinks, Groody said. JB Sound, Ashland, will provide the music free of charge. Bixler Pyrotechnics, Ashland, will provide the fireworks for the show. Groody said they have been working with Bixler for about eight years.

Mike Bixler, owner, said the show will be 20 to 25 minutes long. It will feature at least one 8-inch shell, which is 3 inches larger than what was shot off last year.

"Last year we could only shoot inside the stadium. Because it's the 20th year, we got permission to shoot behind the field, allowing us to shoot 8-inch shells," Bixler said. "Once you get bigger than that you have to dig holes into the ground."

Bixler will also be shooting off fireworks at the Numidia Dragway at 9 p.m. on Independence Day and 9:30 p.m. July 17 in Pottsville.

Shamokin display

In Shamokin, the annual display will kick off Saturday at 9:40 p.m. with a 20-minute show sponsored by Citizens for a Better Community and Citizens Fireworks Inc.

Glenn Knarr Sr., of Citizens Fireworks Inc., said this year's display will features more than 1,200 shells of varying size, ranging from 2.5 to 10 inches in diameter.

"We will have some different effects and colors this year," Knarr said. "There will be some new flights and a mid-finale, as well."

At the end of the display, keeping with tradition, the atomic bomb fireball will return, capping off a barrage of more than 750 shells exploding during the finale.

Mount Carmel display

Mount Carmel will celebrate the Fourth with a display shot off from Wilburton Mountain. The event, sponsored by Clover Hose Company, will begin at 10 p.m.

Additional displays

- The town of Bloomsburg will be holding a 4th of July Celebration at Bloomsburg Town Park beginning at 1:00 p.m. and ending with a fireworks display at dusk. The Catawissa Military Band will perform at 8 p.m. at the bandshell. Please note that the fireworks will be set off in the area of the town pool.

- Sunbury: Celebration set for July 11 at dusk. A 5K run/walk will start off the day at 7 a.m. at David L. Persing Recreation Area. Food vendors, crafts and games begin at 9 a.m.

- Mahanoy City: The borough will host its Independence Day program at dusk July 11. Rain date is set for July 12.

- Saint Clair: The Saint Clair Car Cruise and Fireworks are set for July 11.

- Schuylkill Haven: The Schuylkill Haven Recreation Department will hold its annual Family Fun Night and Fireworks on July 11 at Island Park. The event starts at 4 p.m. and features live music, food and games. The fireworks are set for 9:30 p.m. Rain date is July 12.

(Staff Writer Eric Peddigree contributed to this story.)

Marley's Brewery of Bloomsburg is the next stop on The Brew Dude's "Going Local" craft beer tour.

When Brad and Tiff Kelly were trying to come up with a name for their brew pub, they didn't have to look far for inspiration. They decided to call it Marley's after their beloved beagle-bulldog mix. A local artist designed a logo from a photo of Marley, and a brew pub was born.

Brad and Tiff, residents of Bloomsburg, thought it was only natural for the brew pub to be in their hometown. They found a location at the historic Magee Hotel building downtown, and the brew pub opened in early 2011. Their lineup - anchored by flagship beers Kong Kölsch, Dog Runner Red and Tire Chaser IPA - soon made Marley's the new hip place for craft beer lovers to gather.

Shortly thereafter, Marley's released its signature beer. Peanut butter may seem to be an unusual ingredient for beer, but it's no odder than oysters, jalapeño peppers or bacon. In fact, peanut butter is the perfect partner for many styles, including Stout, Porter and Amber. Using a combination of flavorings, they concocted the perfect ratio - and without the peanut oil destroying the beer's head retention. Pack Dog Peanut Butter Ale became an instant fan favorite. To no one's surprise, it won a bronze medal at the prestigious Great American Beer Festival in Denver, catapulting Marley's into the national spotlight.

Success was not without its growing pains. The business grew rapidly, and demand for their beer, especially Pack Dog, outpaced capacity. Seating was also limited on weekends. When an opportunity arose for a new location, Brad and Tiff pounced on it. In the summer of 2013, Marley's Brewing moved out of downtown to the former home of the Stone Fire Grille on Route 11. The new building had everything they needed - more seating, space for a bigger brewery, a huge parking lot and a larger kitchen. It was a massive step forward for the brewery, although I still miss charm and ambiance (and the aroma of brewing beer wafting through the floor boards) of the Magee Hotel location.

Marley's current brewer, Bill Ehlert, is a veteran, who previously brewed in Buffalo, Pittsburgh and Richmond. He's decidedly old school, an adherent to the German Reinheitsgebot Purity Laws. Bill the Brewer, as I like to call him, is also a proponent of the French terroir wine concept. He's incorporated that philosophy into his beer-making.

Terroir wine stresses that the soil and climate (terrain) are responsible for the regional flavors of wine. As such, he doesn't add minerals to mimic the waters of Dublin, Prague or Burton-on-Trent, so his beers will showcase the area's unique quirks and qualities.

Marley's is about more than beer. Head chef Yvonne Lutz whips up sumptuous daily specials. The brick oven they inherited from the Stone Fire Grill churns out pizzas, strombolis and calzones. There's an all-you-can-eat fish special Thursdays, and I never miss wing night on Tuesdays.

The staff is one of my favorite things about Marley's. A friendlier bunch will never be found. They recognize me by voice when I call for reservations, which are recommended. So the next time you're in Bloomsburg, stop in at Marley's for a pint and some pizza. You'll see that a dog's life isn't so bad after all. Enjoy the selections. Cheers!

Mud Digger Mild: Kudos to Bill for brewing an English Mild, a practically lost style with few commercial examples. Mud Digger pours medium brown in color, with a thin head that dissipates to a light lacing. Aromas of malt and biscuit issue from the glass. The flavors are a satisfying mix of caramel, bread and biscuit-finishing dry, with a hint of hops. This is a classic English session ale, and at 4.2-percent alcohol, it's perfect for quaffing by the pint. Marley's recommends pairing it with chicken or seafood dishes.

Pack Dog Peanut Butter: This is the beer you've got to try. With the recent addition of two brite tanks for storage, Pack Dog should have much better availability. Its color is translucent reddish-amber. The unmistakable scent of peanut butter mixes with the aroma of caramel malt. The body is rich and full, with a flavor that segues from malt to luscious peanut butter. There's even possibly a touch of marshmallow, almost fluffernutter, flavor. The finish has just enough dryness for drinkability. A hophead friend of mine once mocked me for bringing him a gift growler of "chick beer," yet he drank it almost all by himself. Be sure to get your share.

Guard Dog Porter: Guard Dog appears to be a hybrid, marrying the robustness of an American Porter with the low alcohol percentage of an English Porter. Predictably, its color is brownish black. The beer is opaque. The smells are predominately roast, followed by whiffs of coffee. There's a silky texture and mouth feel that mimics nitrogen carbonation. Chocolate and espresso flavors emerge first. It finishes with long lingering roast notes. Pair Guard Dog with roasted meat or chocolatey desserts.

Tire Chaser IPA: I usually save Tire Chaser for my last beer of the evening, so the hops don't affect my palate. The pour is crystal clear and pale straw in color. Carbonation is light. The aromas are hop forward: mango, orange and stone fruit. Hops dominate the taste as well, with a mix of citrus and pine. There's only a slight malt presence, making it a West Coast style IPA. The hop flavors linger after every sip, simultaneously rousing my taste buds and cleansing my palate. Tire Chaser is my go to brew for pairing with pizza or spicy hot wings.

Mangy Mutt Marzen: When I asked Bill why he brewed an Oktoberfest style lager for the summer. He replied that he doesn't believe in seasonals; there's never a wrong time for a well-brewed beer. True to style, Mangy Mutt pours clear amber in color. Hints of fruit linger within the rich malty aroma. The lacing on the glass is thin. There's a grainy-flavored sweetness of Pilsner malt that's quenched by the perfect touch of hops. It's an exceedingly drinkable beer that has only improved with age.

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

The cause of a rupture of a natural gas line in Lycoming County, near the Columbia County line, on June 9 continues to be investigated.

The rupture of a Williams Transco 24-inch line near Unityville caused a voluntary evacuation of residents living in a three-mile radius. Williams, a natural gas pipeline company based in Tulsa, Okla., wants to build an approximate 178-mile line that would pass through Northumberland and Columbia counties.

Spokesman Chris Stockton said Tuesday that last week a section of the pipe that failed was sent to a third party independent metallurgist for an evaluation. Results are due at the end of July.

Stockton said the evaluation will be used to aid in determing the cause of the failure. The information will be part of a "root cause analyses," a thorough report that is due in September.

Williams must complete a US Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) corrective action order before being allowed to put the line back in service.

The rupture occurred on the Leidy Line, which was installed in 1964. It carries natural gas from Leidy, Clinton County, to consumers in markets in the southeast, such as Philadephia.

DANVILLE - The failure of a key piece of equipment is being blamed for Service Electric Cablevision's TV outage Monday evening.

At approximately 7:30 p.m., TV screens tuned into the Sunbury system, covering the Sunbury, Shamokin and Danville areas, went black for approximately 90 minutes. It happened to be in the middle of a Phillies broadcast.

Dwight Walter, general manager, said a network management card at SECV's reception facility in Birdsboro failed, causing the outage.

"We lost a piece of equipment that we shouldn't have lost," Walter said. "The programs are received at our dishes in Birdsboro and sent to our receptors here through fiberoptic cables, but the system failed at the source and affected both sides of the wire."

Three channels were still available during the outage: The Weather Channel, Investigation Discovery and SECV 8, the system's local access channel.

"Those channels are ones we receive locally, so that may be why they weren't affected by the outage," Walter said.

Internet service and the company's VoIP phone system were not affected. Walter said with the Internet still working, Service Electric's TV Everywhere service, enabling subscribers to watch TV through their laptop, tablet or smartphone, was not affected.

Once the problem was discovered, technicians worked quickly to install the new equipment and upload the network files, restoring the system at approximately 9 p.m.

"We work very hard to have backups, including dual generators to prevent power outages, to prevent such an emergency or problem. This should not have happened," Walter said. "Service Electric and the part's manufacturer are currently investigating the situation to determine how this occurred."

Despite calls from disgruntled customers, Walter said that no bill credits will be issued for Monday's outage.

SUNBURY - A state inmate who received marijuana and two thumb drives through kisses with a visitor pleaded guilty Monday.

Michael Dingle, 25, of SCI-Coal Township, was sentenced by Northumberland County Judge William H. Wiest to two to four years in prison and a $500 fine. The sentence is concurrent to the 26 to 52 years he's currently serving for crimes in Philadelphia County.

Police say Dingle and Laborah Monique Evans, 26, met in a visiting area on March 21. Evans is accused of twice entering a rest room and placing balloons stuffed with contraband inside her mouth before kissing Dingle. Both transactions were observed by prison staff and captured on video, police said.

Nine balloons were passed in all, discovered after Dingle passed them while defecating. Seven balloons were each filled with 1 gram of marijuana, police said. Thumb drives uploaded with pictures, porn videos and music were in the other two balloons.

Charges of possession with intent to deliver marijuana and contraband are pending against Evans.

Other cases settled in county court Monday:

n Angel Lopez, 26, of 148 W. Avenue, Mount Carmel, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to deliver the synthetic drug "spice." He was sentenced by Judge Charles H. Saylor to 121 days time served, and up to 23 1/2 months in county jail. He also was fined $50 plus court costs. Plea hearings for his wife, Bobbijo Lopez, and a third codefendant, Robert Hertzog Jr., were continued. Police say the three sold the drug from the Lopezes' home.

n Ryan Chambers, 20, of Bloomsburg, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit retail theft. He was sentenced by President Judge William H. Wiest to serve three days in county jail, where he remains locked up on separate charges, plus three months probation, a $550 fine and additional court costs, and to pay his share of $903.03 in restitution to the Coal Township Walmart Supercenter. Chambers and three juveniles were arrested in April 2014.

n Shane Perez, 24, of Mount Carmel, pleaded guilty to retail theft. He was sentenced by Judge Wiest to serve one year probation, a $100 fine plus court costs, and split $355 in restitution to the Coal Township Walmart. Perez and Destry Cavada, 28, of Mount Carmel, were charged in a January 2014 theft. Cavada pleaded guilty to retail theft in December and received a similar sentence.

n John T. Howe Jr., 23, of Coal Township, who pleaded guilty in April to driving under the influence of a controlled substance and possession with intent to deliver, was sentenced by Judge Wiest to 23 months intermediate punishment, including the first 90 days in county jail. Howe also was fined a combined $1,750 and ordered to serve 18 months probation concurrent to the intermediate punishment. The judge suspended his license 18 months. Charges stem from a July 16 traffic stop in Shamokin. Police said Howe was found with marijuana, morphine and oxycodone in his blood system.

n Kyler Swatsky, 21, of Kulpmont, pleaded no contest to simple assault. He was sentenced by Judge Wiest to nine months probation and to pay a $150 fine plus court costs. Swatsky was arrested for biting an emergency medical technician on Feb. 23.

n Ryan Peters, 21, of Kulpmont, pleaded guilty in two separate cases to driving under the influence. He was sentenced by Judge Wiest to five years intermediate punishment, with the first 90 days on house arrest, and a $1,500 fine. He also received a concurrent six months of intermediate punishment. Peters was arrested for a Jan. 13 incident at Turkey Hill in Strong and for an incident Feb. 1 along Route 54 in Elysburg.

n Robert Searls, 19, of Shamokin, who pleaded guilty earlier this month to driving under the influence of a controlled substance, was sentenced by Judge Wiest to six months intermediate punishment with 30 days house arrest, 12 month license suspension, and a $1,000 fine plus court costs.

n Brad E. Kashner Jr., 24, of Coal Township, pleaded no contest to retail theft. He was sentenced by Judge Wiest to serve six to 15 months in county jail, pay court costs as well as restitution of $302.44.

n Brendon Connell, 31, of Mount Carmel, was sentenced by Judge Wiest in three separate sets of charges. He was sentenced on a driving under the influence charge to 120 days time served to one year in jail, plus loss of license of 18 months, as well as nine months consecutive probation each on charges of resisting arrest and institutional vandalism. He also received a concurrent sentence of time served to six months and a year's loss of license for a separate DUI charge. Fines totaled $3,100, and $300 restitution is owed to Northumberland County. The DUI arrests occurred in Coal Township and Mount Carmel Township, while the remaining charges result from an incident at the office of Magisterial District Judge Hugh A. Jones.

n Ronald Ramsdale, 33, of Ashland, who pleaded no contest in April to driving under the influence and possession of a controlled substance, was sentenced to three days to six months in county jail, 12 months loss of drivers license and a combined $1,150 in fines. He also received a concurrent sentence of six months probation. Ramsdale was arrested following a traffic stop on Route 901 in October 2013.

BEAR GAP - Saturday marks a milestone for the Diocese of Harrisburg Catholic Cemetery, know as All Saints Cemetery.

This year, the cemetery is celebrating its Golden Jubilee and is commemorating this special time by honoring the memory of those buried there and giving respect to those who mourn for their loved ones.

A special outdoor Mass will be conducted next to the cemetery office at 11 a.m. Saturday, the same date of the original dedication and consecration of these holy ground 50 years later.

As main celebrant and homilist, the Most Reverend Ronald W Gainer, D.D. eleventh bishop of the Diocese of Harrisburg, will be joined by more than 12 concelebrating priest from the Shamokin Mount Carmel Deanery and northern tier of the Harrisburg Diocese.

Additional participants in this holy liturgy are deacons of the diocese, students from Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School, members of local assemblies and councils of the Knights of Columbus and local parish musicians.

Neraly 300 people are expected to attend. Manager Kevin Shervinskie said everyone is welcome to join in this celebration in the Christian community.

Stops and starts

The development of a local or regional cemetery began in 1952 as thoughts from the Rev. Eovacious, the first pastor of the newly established Elysburg parish, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary. Upon Eovacious' unexpected death, the Rev. Ferdinand Gruss was appointed his successor and continued his work. The matter of a cemetery in the area kept coming up. Several sites were explored, including an area south of the rectory to have been purchased and donated. A local farmer was also willing to donate a small tract of land. However, many glitches prevented these areas useful for cemetery purpose. The thoughts of an Elysburg Cemetery were once again tabled. As time went on into the mid 1950's several other area were considered, once again property deeds being incomplete or test drilling deemed the ground unfit to digging and cemetery purposes, and again tabled.

Dedicated in 1965

Finally, during the winter of 1961-62 a tract of land in the Bear Gap Valley became available. A local attorney was hired to further negotiate the potential sale. After four sessions with Vivian Leisenring, the property owner, she agreed to the sale. Leisenring's only exception was that the land be used for religious or educational purposes. At the time of the signing, she asked what the grounds would be used for and was told a regional diocesan cemetery to serve the people and parishes of the northern tier or the Harrisburg Diocese would be created.

After professional design plans from a Chicago based cemetery firm were drawn up, Bishop Leech invited the northern pastors to submit names for the cemetery and All Saints was selected. Upon completion of the development and needed excavation, the cemetery was dedicated and consecrated a most holy burial ground July 4, 1965.

Many local priests have assisted in the development of All Saints Cemetery, some who have loved ones now buried there, or they themselves are buried there. Fr. Gerald Heintzelman, who now resides and cares for Maria Hall of Danville, has been instrumental in the original development and is currently assisting in the planning and preparations for the Golden Jubilee.

Three environmental stewardship projects in Northumberland County will receive $309,625 in private grant funding. The grant money is part of an overall $2.5 million awarded to 17 conservation projects by the Atlantic Sunrise Environmental Stewardship Program.

The voluntary program is designed to benefit the resources and support communities within the Atlantic Sunrise project area, in which Williams, a natural gas pipeline company in Tulsa, Okla., is planning to connect the natural gas fields of the northern tier to the existing Transco pipeline with around 177 miles of new lines, approximately five miles of which will travel through Northumberland County.

The money will be used to build an overlook near the Whaleback and improve two abandon mine discharge (AMD) treatment systems operated by the Shamokin Creek Restoration Alliance (SCRA).

The Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area (AOAA) will receive $144,149 to construct an overlook and trail west of the Whaleback, a geologic wonder that is often visited by students from high schools and colleges. An overlook already exists in the area, but the Whaleback can not be viewed.

The grant will fill a financial gap left when Commonwealth Financing Authority awarded the AOAA $150,000 out of $250,000 that was requested for the entire project, which includes improving a one mile haul road to the site, building and installing six laminated signs measuring 4-by-3 feet that explain what the Whaleback is and clearing and grubbing.

AOAA Authority member David Crowl said the money will be used for the in-kind contribution the AOAA was obligated to provide in order to secure the state grant.

"We will be free and clear of the in-kind obligation," Crowl said Tuesday. "We are most grateful for them (Williams)."

The Northumberland County Planning Department will receive $115,476 to aid in the treatment of Carbon Run, which is impacted by AMD. The money will be used to match two grants totaling $414,000 that have already been awarded to improve "Site 42," a set of vertical wetland treatment ponds that raise Ph and remove metals from the headwaters of Carbon Run located inside the AOAA.

SCRA will also benefit with $50,000 that was awarded to fund maintenance projects at the "Site 15" AMD treatment ponds, along Route 901 near Ranshaw. The ponds are designed to treat a discharge before it enters Shamokin Creek. Environmental awareness

The Conservation Fund, a national nonprofit dedicated to finding conservation solutions that balance environmental and economic needs, partnered with Williams to identify the resources most in need of enhancement and/or protection in the project area.

According to a press release from Williams, 48 proposals were received from eight counties for aquatic restoration, nutrient reduction and trail projects. The fund used consistent criteria and optimization scenarios to select the projects with the highest opportunity for natural resource improvement and benefits.

"We believe that a project as unique and far-reaching as Atlantic Sunrise requires an equally unique and significant demonstration of our willingness to step up and not only protect, but also enhance the natural resources in the project area," said Chris Springer, Atlantic Sunrise project director. "We appreciate the guidance we received from The Conservation Fund and are confident this formal approach to environmental stewardship will greatly benefit the project area."

WILLIAMSPORT - A federal judge dismissed the sexual discrimination suit against Northumberland County Monday, due to a former sheriff's deputy failing to help the case proceed.

U.S. District Judge Matthew W. Brann granted a motion Monday dismissing the suit filed by former deputy Nicole Baker, of Kulpmont, after no response in the case in about one year.

In March, U.S. District Judge Matthew W. Brann ruled that Baker must answer the questionnaire and produce documents the county's legal team in the case has asked for.

In the five-page memorandum written by Brann to explain his ruling, the judge noted that case law dictates that dismissal is warranted when there is a clear record or delay or defiant conduct.

After considering the entire circumstances of the case, Brann ruled that the county would be prejudiced in the case by not being able to prepare by doing any kind of discovery interviews or review any evidentiary documents Baker would use in the case.

The county's attorney in the matter, Sunshine J. Thomas, of the Lavery Law firm, Harrisburg, said that if the court could not dismiss the case, the alternative would be to bar Baker from entering at trial any evidence and documents that Thomas requested.

However, Brann wrote the alternative isn't possible.

"Because of (Baker's) complete lack of involvement in the litigation," Brann wrote, "this court is at a loss as to what alternative sanction would serve to prevent further delay or harassment to the defendant or that would persuade the plaintiff to comply with the rules of the court."

Dismissing the suit with prejudice means Baker cannot file the suit again based on the claims she initially put forth.

Baker filed suit in January 2014 against the county after she was terminated in 2012 due to budgetary concerns. She alleged three male deputies with less seniority retained their positions.

When another deputy resigned in February 2013, Baker said the department hired a man instead of calling her back to work. She also alleged she was discriminated against because of her gender and retaliated against after filing a complaint with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission in October 2012.

The county's answer to the suit simply stated Baker failed to present any evidence supporting her allegations.

In October 2014, the judge struck down Baker's claim for punitive damages, but gave the attorneys the opportunity to file an amended complaint clarifying that the third count of the suit is actually for gender discrimination, rather than retaliation.

In November, Baker's attorney, Michael Zicolello, of Williamsport, asked the court to withdraw as counsel. Since the withdrawal was granted in December, no other attorney has entered an appearance in the court documents for Baker.

The chairpersons of the Democratic and Republican parties in Northumberland County responded to the announcement of a Kymberley Best-George Zalar team for county commissioner.

Democrat Roger Babnew called it a balanced ticket. Zalar is a union leader, Best is an attorney - blue color and white collar. He sees no risk to the political marriage.

"I think it gives solidarity in knowing they want to work together. We're not going to have the fiasco we had the last 3 1/2 years," Babnew said.

Republican Elizabeth Kremer identified risk right away. She cited Best's representation in varied lawsuits against Northumberland County, and said Zalar's union background could be a hindrance in Republican strongholds.

"It's probably going to have more to do with voter turnout than anything," Kremer said.

- Eric Scicchitano