SUNBURY - A Shamokin man charged with assaulting a probation officer earlier this year was sentenced Monday to one to two years in state prison and ordered to pay a $250 fine plus costs.

Northumberland County President Judge William H. Wiest imposed the sentence on 39-year-old Jason P. Carl Sr., who will begin serving time Thursday. Carl also received a concurrent sentence of one year probation for retail theft.

Carl, who was represented by Shamokin attorney Vincent V. Rovito, apologized for his actions before the court.

Carl, who was given credit for time previously served in the Northumberland County Prison division of SCI-Coal Township, was charged by Shamokin Patrolman Raymond Siko II with aggravated assault, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, simple assault and resisting arrest relating to a Jan. 28 disturbance at his home at 44 W. Adams St. The other charges were not prosecuted under a plea agreement.

He was accused of punching a probation officer in the face, causing injury, and possessing six oxycodone tablets and a straw coated with white residue.

He also was charged by Coal Township police with stealing a socket set from Jones Home Center along Route 61 on March 24, 2014.

COAL TOWNSHIP - A sobriety checkpoint conducted from 10 p.m. Saturday to 2 a.m. Sunday on Route 61 near the former Bressi Motors resulted in six DUI arrests.

Coal Township police said the use of an on-site phlebotomist, who drew and tested blood samples from motorists suspected of driving under the influence, was the first of its kind in Northumberland County.

The phlebotomist was provided by the North Central Highway Safety Network, who aided Coal Township police in hosting the checkpoint. Officers from Riverside, Mahoning Township, Kulpmont, Mount Carmel Township, Frackville, Danville, Sunbury and Ralpho Township also participated in the checkpoint, and District Attorney Ann Targonski was at the scene to monitor the checkpoint and provide legal assistance.

Three of the six arrests for DUI involved a combination of drugs and alcohol, while the remaining three were solely alcohol, police said. In addition to the DUI arrests, three inspection violation citations, two driving under suspension citations and two unregistered vehicle citations were issued.

Police said suspected drug and drug paraphernalia was also seized during the checkpoint. Sunbury Officer Scott Hause's K-9, Skoty, was instrumental in the search for drug-related items.

CATAWISSA R.R. - Southern Columbia Area School District has outsourced its transportation services, a move that district personnel said will save district taxpayers at least $830,000 over five years.

During a special meeting Monday, the board voted unanimously to furlough 24 bus drivers effective July 31 and enter into a five-year contract for transportation services with Fullington School Bus LLC, of Clearfield, the following day.

Though the district is technically laying off the drivers, both members of the board and representatives of Fullington School Bus were optimistic few or no drivers would become unemployed.

Board president Michael Yeager said in addition to the routes for the district, the drivers can also ask for other jobs within Fullington's umbrella company, which includes tour buses and passenger routes that ferry Penn State students between campus and their hometowns.

"The benefit for drivers is huge," he said. "There's a lot of opportunity."

Superintendent Paul Caputo said one of the reasons Fullington School Bus was selected to take over the transportation services was their willingness to continue employing the districts' drivers.

"They had the most to offer our employees," he said.

Jonathan Berzes, CEO of Fullington School Bus, said he isn't sure exactly how many of the drivers the company would take on because he had to calculate routes and what hours each employee wanted to work. He said it isn't outside the realm of possibility for the company to take on all the district drivers.

"We always have spare drivers," he said. "It just depends on the work."

Berzes said the drivers would make comparable salaries at his company, though the wages are calculated differently with more weight on bonuses for behaviors like retention instead of flat hourly rates.

Thirty-three drivers showed up for a meeting with Fullington School Bus's human resources team held Monday afternoon, Berzes said.

Board member Charles Porter said an agreement with the drivers' union, AFSCME, will allow members to "bump" for positions. With this system, laid off workers will be placed on a list according to seniority and hired into AFSCME positions, even though not all jobs available for members of this union are bus drivers.

"Some of the people affected may not be bus drivers," he said of the future.

Porter credited Attorney Carl Beard, who worked with the district on its recent negotiations with the teachers union, with the smooth transition to the outsourced system.

"He has guarded this district and given us sound advice in negotiations," he said.

As part of the agreement, Fullington School Bus will lease the district's bus garage and equipment.

MOUNT CARMEL - The Mount Carmel Area School District has rescheduled its open house dates for August.

Open house for grades 4 to 6 will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 18; junior and senior high school, 6:30 to 7:30 Aug. 19; kindergarten to grade 3, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 20.

The initial schedule announced at the July board meeting has since been changed.

WATSONTOWN - A Watsontown woman remained in critical condition Tuesday after she was allegedly shot in the right shoulder by her live-in boyfriend Monday.

State police at Milton reported Charles Elwin Bower, 61, is accused of firing a shot from a .22-caliber revolver that struck Kim Marie Allen, 56, at 5:30 p.m. at their home, 193 Stoney Batter Road.

Police said Allen underwent emergency room treatment for her wound at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville. She was listed Tuesday in critical condition, according to a hospital spokeswoman.

Bower was arraigned Monday night by on-call Magisterial District Judge Michael Diehl on a felony of aggravated assault and misdemeanors of simple assault and recklessly endangering another person and committed to Montour County Prison in lieu of $75,000 cash bail.

According to a criminal complaint filed by Trooper James Nizinski, police were dispatched to the residence after Bower called 911 to report that he just shot Allen. The victim, who was interviewed at the scene, told police she and Bower were arguing outside the home before they went back inside. Allen said Bower retrieved a .22-caliber revolver and pointed the gun at her through a window on the loft of the second floor while she was standing in the kitchen. Allen said Bower then shot her in the right shoulder.

Bower admitted having an argument with Allen, but claimed she then went outside. A few minutes later, Bower said he heard a gunshot and thought she was shooting at groundhogs with the revolver. When Allen didn't come back inside, Bower said he went looking for her.

Bower claimed Allen wanted to scare him and asked him how much he loved her. Bower said he then took the gun from Allen and went back inside the house.

While he was taking other weapons to the second floor, Bower said Allen entered the home and an argument ensued. Bower told police he wanted to scare Allen just like she scared him so he pointed the revolver at her and accidentally fired the single-action weapon, hitting her in the right shoulder.

SHAMOKIN - A defendant in a Shamokin "spice" sting and the prosecutor pressing the criminal case against him traded verbal barbs inside a district judge's courtroom Tuesday.

The back-and-forth between Markist Moore and Michael Toomey, assistant district attorney, often grew heated during a preliminary hearing that ended with Moore's drug charges held for Northumberland County Court.

Moore, 38, of 31 N. Marshall St., Shamokin, was one of four defendants arrested June 25 during dual drug stings.

Police allege Moore sold a $10 pack of synthetic marijuana, commonly known as spice, to a confidential informant. Officers searched his home and reportedly seized a smoking pipe and empty spice packets, according to a criminal complaint.

Moore is charged with felony delivery of spice, and two misdemeanor counts each of possession of spice and possession of drug paraphernalia. A co-defendant, Jaleesa Bickert, 26, who had shared a home with Moore, is charged with misdemeanor counts of possession of spice and possession with intent to use drug paraphernalia. Cpl. Bryan Primerano filed the charges. Both pleaded not guilty.

At the time a search warrant was served at Moore's home, a warrant was simultaneously served at 26 S. Franklin St., home to Patricia Moore, 35, and Lesley Arthur Jack, 26. Police say Patricia Moore also sold spice to a confidential informant. Officers report seizing a combined 16.5 ounces of spice packaged individually for sale in 93 packets. Also seized were unidentified quantities of "ecstasy" and "molly," street names for the synthetic drug MDMA; two strips of prescription Suboxone, three digital scales and nearly $1,600 cash, according to criminal complaints.

Patricia Moore and Jack are both charged by Cpl. Jarrod Scandle with felony counts of possession with intent to deliver spice and ecstasy, felony conspiracy and misdemeanor counts of possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance. Patricia Moore also is charged by Primerano with three felony counts each of delivery of spice and possession with intent to deliver spice. Both had a separate hearing. They also pleaded not guilty, and their charges were held for county court.

'We'll see'

Serving as his own attorney, Markist Moore sought to cast doubt on the expertise of Shamokin's lead narcotics officer, Primerano, questioning the identification and subsequent handling as evidence of the alleged spice police say Markist Moore sold to the informant. He also sought to discredit Primerano's ability to determine if the substance was an illegal narcotic simply by looking at it and questioned the consistency between charges filed against him and those filed against others in the spice stings.

Tension heightened as Bickert testified.

"You're coaching the witness," Markist Moore told Toomey as Bickert was cross-examined, and he charged that Toomey did the same with Primerano.

"Why is he even talking?" Toomey asked Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III, repeating that Bickert, too, was serving as her own attorney. Markist Moore countered that he had a right to object since he called Bickert to the stand himself as a witness.

"You don't represent her. I'm not listening," Toomey said as the two continued to speak over one another.

"OK, we'll see about this," Markist Moore said, referring to an audio recording of the hearing that he insinuated would be in his favor if presented in county court.

"We will," Toomey quickly replied.

Lab test

Primerano told the court that his 15-plus years of experience, along with information provided by the informant, convinced him the substance Markist Moore allegedly sold was spice. It's been sent to a crime lab for testing, he said. If it were to be returned negative and is, indeed, something else, Primerano said it wouldn't much matter when it comes to the criminal charges. The substance was sold to the informant as spice, he said, and would still merit a drug charge since it would have been sold as a "counterfeit substance."

As to field testing, Primerano said there isn't a field test available for spice. Chemists frequently change the chemical compounds used in the drug, he said.

Nothing happened

For her part, Bickert told the court she witnessed no sales of drugs inside Markist Moore's home, where she had been living with their two children, and that there were no illegal substances there on the day the informant allegedly purchased the spice. When officers returned days later with a search warrant and reportedly turned up the pipe and spice packets, she said the pipe was hers and that it was strictly for tobacco.

Pushed by Toomey that she could face perjury charges if she were caught lying, Bickert relented that the pipe had been used for spice in the past but not on that day. Markist Moore said Toomey was threatening the witness with talk of perjury.

Asked what Primerano and Toomey told her during a conversation prior to the hearing, Bickert said they advised her to get a public defender and that she could face jail time on a drug paraphernalia charge.

Evidence established

Markist Moore ended the hearing asking why he wasn't allowed access to the alleged evidence against him, specifically test results of the suspected spice. He also disputed the use of officer hearsay rather than direct testimony from the informant.

Toomey maintained Primerano's testimony met the burden of proof necessary to establish enough evidence exists to move the criminal case forward against Markist Moore, to which Gembic ultimately agreed. Hearsay is admissible at a preliminary hearing, as backed by previous case law, Toomey said. The informant will be available to testify at trial, Toomey said, adding that evidence would be available to Markist Moore under a discovery request through county court.

Markist Moore and Bickert are both free on bail. Patricia Moore and Jack are jailed in the county's section of SCI-Coal Township. All four will be arraigned in county court Aug. 31 and are scheduled for a pre-trial conference Sept. 4.

ASHLAND - Police said the deaths of a man and woman in the borough may have been a murder-suicide.

Chief Mark O'Hearn said Karen Kimmel, 57, and Donald Ray Erb, 55, were pronounced dead inside their home at 2013 Walnut St. shortly after officers responded for a welfare check about 9:30 p.m. Monday.

Schuylkill County Coroner Dr. David J. Moylan said the couple were pronounced dead by chief deputy coroner Dr. Joseph A. Weber and that autopsies will be conducted to determine the exact cause of death.

Weber pronounced them dead at 10:30 p.m.

O'Hearn said officers were called to the home when a family member requested officers check on the welfare of the couple.

When police arrived, they saw a person lying on the floor inside the first floor of the home and forced their way in, O'Hearn said.

Once inside, O'Hearn said, officers found Kimmel and Erb deceased.

Investigators believe one of the occupants of the home killed the other and then committed suicide, the chief said.

"The death investigation is continuing and is now being looked at as a potential murder-suicide investigation," O'Hearn said. "There is no danger to the public related to this investigation."

Moylan said an autopsy will be conducted on Kimmel at 6 p.m. today at Reading Hospital, West Reading, by forensic pathologist Dr. Richard P. Bindie, while the autopsy for Erb is planned for Thursday, also at Reading Hospital, by Bindie.

O'Hearn said the scene was processed by members of the state police Forensic Services Unit based at Troop L headquarters in Reading and that Schuylkill County detectives and Butler Township police assisted at the scene.

Members of Ashland EMS were also initially summoned but were later determined not to be needed.

WILKES-BARRE - A Northumberland County man pleaded guilty Thursday for his part in an alleged international steroid ring, according to the Bloomsburg Press Enterprise.

Matthew Valanoski, 26, of Coal Township, faces up to 20 years and a $100,000 fine for a first-degree felony count of conspiracy, the newspaper reported, citing the Attorney General's office. The maximum is unlikely when he is sentenced Sept. 8 in Luzerne County Court, the report said.

Dubbed "Operation Gym Candy," 13 people total were arrested as part of a sting on two alleged drug rings. One ring allegedly operated out of Montour, Northumberland, Columbia, Luzerne and Lackawanna counties and shipped to dozens of states, including Hawaii. All charges were filed in Luzerne County.

Prosecutors said more than 90,000 anabolic steroids pills were among the illegal substances seized. The drugs had a street value estimated at $500,000. Raw materials to manufacture anabolic steroids were allegedly imported from China.

Police said Valanoski confessed to buying steroids from three men, including his former landlord in Catawissa.

Manhattan may get accolades for theatre, fashion and finance, but for beer fans, the borough of Brooklyn - home of The Brooklyn Brewery - is the jewel that glitters in Gotham. Brooklyn and I go way back. In the early years of the craft beer revolution, when consistency and availability weren't a given, it was my go-to brewery, introducing me to hoppy lagers, IPAs and big, bold Imperial Stouts. The brewery's story is a fascinating tale.

Steve Hindy worked as a Middle East correspondent for the Associated Press. During his years in the Middle East, he befriended many diplomats from Saudi Arabia, where alcoholic beverages are prohibited by Islamic law. By necessity, the envoys homebrewed. They plied Steve with their tasty concoctions, and he was hooked. When his stint ended in 1984, Hindy returned home to Brooklyn to edit foreign news for Newsday and began homebrewing.

Hindy's passion for beer grew. With the help of a friend, Tom Potter, he set out to establish The Brooklyn Brewery. The borough seemed like a perfect fit. It had an illustrious brewing history and was primed for a revival.

In the 19th century, Brooklyn's 48 breweries churned out ten percent of America's beer. Then a devastating one-two punch rocked the industry. A hop blight in New York State in the early 20th century caused beer prices to skyrocket, and the "Great Experiment" of Prohibition supplied the knock-out punch to the reeling industry. Brewing never recovered in Brooklyn, although it stayed on life support until 1976, when the last two great brewing families - Schaefer and Liebmann (Rheingold) - closed their doors.

Steve and Tom commissioned the former head brewer at Philadelphia's Schmidt Brewery to make Brooklyn Lager. The recipe was culled from the logs of the brewer's grandfather, who'd brewed in Brooklyn at the turn of the century. In 1988, Hindy and Potter began delivering Brooklyn Lager to local bars. The city's urbane beer drinkers, who were accustomed to quaffing rice and corn-based light lagers, were simultaneously shocked and fascinated by the all-malt recipe. The beer was darker than Heineken and had a strange aroma - from something called hops. The pair then hit the streets to educate consumers about flavorful beers. The brewery found a following and began to grow.

In 1994, Garrett Oliver came onboard as the new brewmaster. Oliver is the modern equivalent of a Renaissance Man - a brewer, author, chef, and sword collector, who happens to be among the best dressed men in NYC. Under Oliver's leadership many changes followed. The brewery opened a new facility in 1996, with Mayor Giuliani cutting the ribbon at the grand opening. Beers such as Black Chocolate Stout, East India Pale Ale and the release of the Brewmaster's Reserve series vaulted The Brooklyn Brewery to the upper echelon of the craft beer industry.

The brewery continues to thrive today. Its wares are poured from Texas to Sweden and Australia. There's an experimental brewing series in the works and an extended barrel aging program at the historic Brooklyn Navy Yard. Brooklyn's success has also provided the impetus to revitalize the borough's economy. Over 100 new businesses proudly call themselves Brooklyn.

The brewery has a tasting room with regular hours and guided tours. They urge travelers to stop by and share a pint. For those who can't make it to Brooklyn, enjoy the many selections that can be found locally. Cheers!

Lager: Their flagship beer - a Vienna Lager - introduced me to hops in the mid 1990s. The pour is an enticing amber color, and the carbonation is perfect - adequate to release delicate aromas of caramel, malt, and pear, but not too spritzy. Flavors of bready malt and caramel give way to a fruity and floral hop mix, which includes the venerated Hallertau Mittelfruh variety from Germany. Brooklyn Lager still tastes as good as the first one I sampled 25 years ago. It's everything an American craft lager should be.

Brown Ale: Originally brewed as a holiday beer, Brown Ale is a regular in the Brooklyn lineup. As the name implies, its color is chestnut brown-almost opaque, with ruby highlights. Aromas of dark fruit, bready malt, caramel and chocolate foreshadow the awaiting flavors. The carbonation is light; the body is rich, possessing a silky creaminess. The flavors mimic the aromas, but with added coffee notes. Brown Ale's malty sweetness is balanced by a firm hop finish for outstanding drinkability-Brooklyn's Americanized twist on this classic English style.

Pennant Ale: This English Pale Ale is a tribute to the Boys of Summer: Brooklyn's legendary 1955 Dodgers. Its color is orange-copper. The head is thin white, yet persistent. The aroma is predominately bready malt, with hints of earthy and fruity hops. Pennant Ale's carbonation is light, allowing the luscious bready biscuit flavor of the imported Maris Otter malt to shine. Its hop flavors are a blend of floral English varieties and fruity American Cascade. The ale's beauty and drinkability lies in its simplicity. Fortunately, unlike the Brooklyn Dodger fans who always had to wait until next year, you can sample it now.

Sorachi Ace: Named after the Japanese Sorachi Ace hop, this farmhouse Saison began as a Brewmaster's Reserve selection. Brooklyn bills it as "sunshine in a glass." Its color is hazy straw; the head is thick and effervescent. Aromas of grainy Pilsner malt mingle with notes of lemon, spice and Belgian yeast funk. Carbonation tingles the tongue. Flavors of wheat and caramel mix with notes of citrus and banana. Its finish is crisp and delectably dry, making it another excellent summer selection.

Blast: Nowadays, every brewery needs a Double IPA for the hop heads. Blast is The Brooklyn Brewery's answer, but with their own special spin. Blast pours pale straw in color, with thick lacing that clings to the glass. Aromas of flowers, citrus, and pine dominate malt notes of biscuit and bread. The foundation hop flavor starts with smooth and floral East Kent Goldings and segues to a bold finish of Pacific west coast hops-with flavors of mango, pine, orange, and pineapple. Blast isn't an over-the-top DIPA, yet it's delightfully smooth and drinkable, belying an alcohol content of well over eight percent.

(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.)

MANDATA - The Line Mountain School District will pursue a part-time after-school music instructor in lieu of filling an open full-time music teacher position after a motion to hire the new instructor failed on a split vote.

Two music teaching positions opened over the summer after teachers resigned.

At a special meeting held Tuesday night, the Line Mountain Board of Directors was united in approving Dana Brown as a music/instrumental teacher at the middle/high school at a pay rate of $32,838. She was also named marching band director and instrumental director, which pay additional $2,530 and $2,440 stipends respectively, on a unanimous vote.

But when a motion was made to approve Matthew Shaul as a music/vocal teacher at the middle/high school at a pay rate of $34,426, board president Troy Laudenslager and directors Ronald Neidig, Marlin Yeager Jr. and David Scott Bartholomew dissented.

Director Lauren Hackenburg was not physically present at the meeting but participated in the vote by telephone.

Because one seat on the board remains vacant, the 4-4 vote meant the motion failed.

Before closing the meeting, the board recused itself into an executive session for approximately a half hour. Upon returning, Bartholomew made a motion to advertise for an after-school choral and music director. The motion was seconded by director Lawrence Neidig.

'At least try'

Several of the approximately 30 members of the public in attendance at the meeting came forward to address the board before a vote commenced. Jenny Snyder of the Line Mountain Council for the Arts and Humanities, asked the directors who dissented to provide the reason for their vote.

Ronald Neidig said a presentation at the June 9 meeting showed the reduction in teachers would not result in a significant cut to the music program.

"It showed that with two teachers, you could have a good schedule," he said. He noted the addition of the part-time instructor would bolster what the two teachers could offer.

Yeager concurred, and said he would like to at least try the program with just two teachers and a part-time instructor.

Bartholomew pointed to budget constraints, and said this was an opportunity to make changes to the program that might not arise again for several years.

"When teachers are tenured, the only way you can look at (making cuts to staff) are when they retire," he said.

The board has made several other staffing cuts after passing an unbalanced budget June 9. Ronald Neidig said the money that would have been used to pay the third music teacher will be reduce the deficit, but not erase it completely. Neidig attributed the budget deficit to increases in payments to the Pennsylvania State Employees Retirement System, health insurance costs and teacher raises.

Snyder had another solution to resolving the budget crisis.

"To think you're going to go forever without raising taxes is unrealistic," she said.

Though several audience members voiced concerns over cuts to the music program, Laudenslager was more skeptical that curriculum would suffer.

Diane Rompallo, the district's sole returning music instructor, said she was already overwhelmed by her schedule. But she was unable to point to any specific loss in the curriculum under the new plan.

Laudenslager said the only class without an instructor within the two-instructor plan will be a seventh- or eighth-grade music appreciation class. Kindergarten through fourth grades will receive 30 minutes of music instruction per period, a decrease by 10 minutes, and the number of lessons will be reduced to 22 from 26.

Despite the pleas from the audience to retain the third instructor, the motion to advertise for a part-time after school choral and music director was passed 5-2, with Hackenburg not voting.

Empty seats

Director Lamont Masser, who dissented on the vote and whose daughter spoke at the meeting in support of the music program, addressed the audience with criticism of his own.

"There's an empty seat right over there," he said, pointing to the seat that has been vacant since Daniel Zablosky resigned in May. "You need five votes to hire someone."

Masser noted that his own seat will be open after the November election because he is not running again and nobody has stepped up to take his place.

"You'll come out when something affects and concerns you," he said. "Nobody wants to sit in the chair and make the decisions."

SHAMOKIN - Five defendants pleaded guilty to multiple charges Tuesday and were sentenced by Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III.

n Kyle J. Mirolli, 33, of 894 Trevorton Road, Shamokin, pleaded guilty to two counts of harassment and one count of disorderly conduct and was ordered to pay $500 in fines plus costs. Two counts of stalking and an additional count of disorderly conduct were withdrawn.

Mirolli was charged by Zerbe Township Officer Michael Kreischer relating to incidents that occurred June 12 on Market Street and other locations in Trevorton.

Police reported Mirolli is accused of following Nicholas Strohecker and a 16-year-old male, who were riding in a truck, around the village and threatening to kill them and beat them up. At one point, police said Mirolli allegedly punched the rear driver's side window on Strohecker's truck as Strohecker started to drive away.

Police said Strohecker and the teen then rode to the Zerbe Township recreation park on Fifth Street and called 911 to report the threats.

n Jesika McCann, 23, of 1008 N. Pearl St., Coal Township, and Matthew Derk, 19, of 322 E. Sunbury St., Apt. 6, Shamokin, each pleaded guilty to possession of drug paraphernalia and were placed on probation for one year.

McCann and Derk were charged by Patrolman William Zalinski with possessing pills not prescribed to them at Derk's apartment June 22.

n Malcolm Carnaghan, 49, of 1141 Pulaski Ave., Coal Township, pleaded guilty to possession of drug paraphernalia and was ordered to pay a $200 fine plus costs and placed on probation for six months.

Additional charges of possession of a small amount of marijuana and disorderly conduct were withdrawn.

Carnaghan was charged by Shamokin Cpl. Bryan Primerano in connection with a June 21 disturbance at 328 S. Pearl St.

Police said Carnaghan, who allegedly pounded on the door at the residence demanding entry, was found in possession of a plastic bag containing marijuana.

n Samuel P. Peters, 33, of Coal Township, pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct and was ordered to pay a $200 fine plus costs. A charge of hindering apprehension was withdrawn.

Peters was charged by Coal Township Patrolman Edward Purcell Jr. with helping Jacob Snyder and Damian Dietrich elude probation officers and police by giving them a ride in the Big Mountain area Feb. 10, 2014.

Police said Snyder and Dietrich were involved in a vehicle pursuit with officers near the Raspberry Hill housing complex. The two drove into the woods and abandoned the vehicle. Police said they called Peters for a ride, and that he picked them up somewhere on Big Mountain and drove them to Gowen City.

Ridge trails hike planned

TUSCARORA - Naturalist Robin Tracey will lead a six-mile hike on the Christman and Cove ridge trails at Beltzville State Park Wednesday, Aug. 5.

Hikers are asked to meet in the Christman trail parking lot on Pohopoco Drive at 10:30 a.m. They will traverse through an evergreen forest that runs parallel to Beltzville State Park Lake. Along the way is a beautiful waterfall.

Hikers should bring a lunch or snacks.

For more information, contact Tracey at 570-467-2506.

GILBERTON - A Shamokin man faces charges of rape and other sexual offenses for allegedly assaulting a Gilberton boy in 2003.

Johnathan Rockwell Grove, 27, for whom there was no street address listed in online court records, was taken into custody Wednesday in the Harrisburg area. He was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Christina Hale, of Frackville, and incarcerated in Schuylkill County Prison in lieu of $50,000 cash bail.

State police at Frackville charged Grove with felony counts of involuntary deviate sexual assault-forcible compulsion, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child, and rape of a child, and misdemeanor counts of indecent assault of a person less than 13 years of age and indecent assault without the consent of another person.

State police reported that in August 2014, police received a report of a series of sexual assaults which occurred at a home on Main Street, Gilberton, in 2003, involving a male, between 11 and 12 years old, from Schuylkill County. The victim named Grove as the assailant, and said he was sexually assaulted five or six times, according to police.

On July 22, the Schuylkill County District Attorney's Office approved the charges against Grove and a warrant was issued for his arrest that day.

State police, with the assistance of the Northumberland County Probation Department and troopers from the Harrisburg state police barracks, tracked Grove to the Harrisburg area and took him into custody Wednesday.

A preliminary hearing before Hale is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 7.

A transgender's journey shared

SHAMOKIN - The filmed story of a man changing genders will be presented at 7 p.m. today at the Lifetree Cafe event at Antioch Place, 531 N. Market St.

The exclusive film follows a man named Bob, who says he knew at the age of 4 that he was really a girl in a boy's body. The film examines issues surrounding transgenderism such as family dynamics, workplace complications and spiritual implications.

"This issue - transgenderism - raises all sorts of questions for people. Increasingly, our schools, workplaces and faith communities are looking for answers," said Lifetree spokesperson Craig Cable.

Admission to the 60-minute event is free. Snacks and beverages are available. For more information, contact Kathy Vetovich at 570-672-9346 or kvetovich@gmail.com.

LARUW almost done stuffing the bus

SHAMOKIN - The Lower Anthracite Region United Way (LARUW) is about to end its "Stuff the Bus" campaign, gathering backpacks, pens, pencils, crayons, notebooks and other school items for local students in need. Collection bins have been placed at Walmart in Coal Township, Boyer's in Mount Carmel and the United Way office at 2 E. Arch St., Suite 210-d. The items will be distributed at National Night Out events in Shamokin and Mount Carmel Tuesday. For more information, call LARUW executive director Laun Dunn at 570-644-1894 or laruw@verizon.net.

COAL TOWNSHIP - An 18-year-old Shamokin man has been charged by township police with setting a fire in a wooded area north of the Bunker Hill Sports Complex in April.

Wesley Tadd McKinney, of 1010 E. Race St., faces charges of starting a fire in forests, waters or state parks and criminal mischief relating to the April 26 brush fire that broke out at about 4 p.m.

Police said McKinney is accused of allowing the fire to spread before leaving the area without contacting any emergency personnel.

McKinney was taken into custody at his home Tuesday and arraigned by Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III before being released on $5,000 unsecured bail.

Coal Township police were assisted at the scene by township firefighters, fire wardens from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and AREA Services personnel.

MOUNT CARMEL - A Mount Carmel man injured last month in an accident that caused extensive damage to a front porch at a borough home faces more problems after allegedly threatening to shoot construction workers and spitting on a police officer Monday near his home.

Johnathon F. Steckley, 31, of 437 E. Water St., is in prison after being charged by Patrolman Matthew Dillman with a felony of assault by a prisoner and misdemeanors of resisting arrest, disorderly conduct (two counts), terroristic threats and simple assault.

Upon being dispatched to a disturbance at 4:49 p.m. in the area of the Shamokin Creek channel project, Dillman encountered Steckley, who walked rapidly toward him in an aggressive manner, began to yell and told his girlfriend, Crystal Mottershead, not to talk with the officer.

After Dillman told Steckley to "shut up," Steckley again began to yell and spit on the patrolman's face.

Police said Steckley became extremely irate and refused to tell Dillman what was going on, while yelling about his constitutional rights and using profanity.

Police Chief Todd Owens attempted to detain Steckley, who refused to be handcuffed, forcing officers to use substantial force to take him into custody.

Police said Mottershead's 14-year-old son intervened with police in their attempt to arrest Steckley and will be charged with obstruction of justice and disorderly conduct.

Threats, spitting

Police said Steckley refused to walk into Mount Carmel Police Station and threw himself against an outside wall, claiming he couldn't walk.

While Steckley was being placed into a holding cell by Dillman and Lt. Chris Buhay, he allegedly spit at Buhay, but his saliva landed on Dillman's face.

Michael Hopper, one of the construction workers from Don E. Bower Inc., said he witnessed Steckley throwing pots and bottles at Mottershead. Hopper told police Steckley also made threats toward him and three co-workers, came off his porch and got in his face. Hopper said Steckley told him he would shoot him in the head and that he was from Philadelphia.

Hopper said Steckley then put his hands on co-worker Travis Potter, which prompted Hopper to hit the defendant before the two men were separated by his foreman.

As Hopper was walking away, Steckley allegedly picked up a rock and threw it at Hopper and two co-workers in the construction zone.

After Hopper told Steckley he was trespassing, the defendant claimed he would "bury" Hopper within minutes.

James Shaw told police he heard Steckley claim he was going to "get a gun and blow faces off."

Six other construction workers gave police statements similar to Hopper's account of the disturbance.

Steckley was arraigned Monday night by on-call Magisterial District Judge Hugh Jones and committed to Montour County Prison in lieu of $50,000 cash bail.

June accident

On June 19, Steckley and his 13-year-old son were involved in an accident at 402 E. Sixth St. that sent both of them to the hospital. The teen suffered a femur fracture and his father had cuts and abrasions, and complained of hip pain, police said.

Police said Steckley was operating a Geo Tracker that crashed into a parked van owned by Grace Roseman, of Kulpmont. The van was then pushed into the front porch steps of a home owned by Roseman, causing extensive damage. Roseman was renovating the home in an attempt to sell it when the accident occurred.

Witnesses told police Steckley was driving at a high rate of speed. Police are continuing their investigation of the accident.

SCRANTON - Drug overdose deaths are one of the leading causes for years of life lost in Pennsylvania and will soon overtake heart disease for the top spot if the epidemic isn't reversed, said Ted Dallas, secretary of the state Department of Human Services, at a public hearing on heroin and opioid addiction Wednesday.

A bipartisan group of state lawmakers, health care workers and law enforcement officials met at The Commonwealth Medical College in Scranton to discuss the devastating wave of heroin sweeping across the state and how to fight it.

Here's what they had to say:

- Shane Scanlon, Lackawanna County Deputy District Attorney and chief of the narcotics and gun crime unit:

"In 2007, when I started prosecuting drug cases, a bag of heroin was $25. Recently, we bought (a bag of) heroin for as little as $3. In 2007, if we had a seizure of 50 bags of heroin, we did a press conference. That was a big seizure. We are now doing seizures of 3,000, 4,000, 5,000 bags of heroin, and we're not doing press conferences.

"The high use of heroin and the high availability of heroin and the number of people who are addicted to heroin is affecting everyone's quality of life in Lackawanna County. Our property crimes are increasing. Just about every morning, I'll read in the paper of a robbery, burglaries, I'll read of car thefts. I'm willing to bet that 90 percent of those are tied up in heroin or prescription drug abuse."

- Dallas on the stigma of heroin abuse:

"That is really one of the biggest problems we have. Services are out there, particularly for low-income folks through Medicaid, but the stigma associated with the use of heroin often discourages people to have treatment. Sometimes you see it in the judicial system where judges have ordered people off methodone because they have certain beliefs that methodone is another drug that you are addicted to. But to me, the thing we always have to remember is that this is a medical condition. Addiction is an illness. And if we treat it as an illness, then we'll have the best chance to save lives. Right now, we're losing lots and lots of lives in Pennsylvania as a result of heroin addiction."

- Dr. Rachel Levine, Pennsylvania Physician General:

"The treatment of opioid abuse is not an easy process. It's not easy for the patient, and it's not easy for the providers. It's a team effort. It's not just seeing a psychiatrist in an office and you're going to be cured of your addiction. It's also not a cure, it's a recovery, which means the primary responsibilities for getting better lies with the patient. There is no one-size-fits-all treatment. There is a role for abstinence-based treatment in certain individuals, but there is also an increasingly apparent role for medication-assisted treatment.

"Medication has to be used in conjunction with counseling and therapy. Otherwise, it will not be successful. You need what's called wrap-around services to deal with all these different issues to help the patient. Medication alone won't do it."

- State Sen. Judy Schwank, D-11, Reading, on the effect of the epidemic on public opinion:

"I think we have a better understanding of the issue of addiction as an illness in this country. It's very hard to take a dismissive attitude - 'it's just an urban junkie' - when that junkie is your niece or nephew or son or daughter. ... We don't know anyone who has not been touched by this. It's a huge problem."

SHAMOKIN - Six people have been charged by Phoenix Humane Society Police Officer Richard Wright Jr. with animal cruelty in connection with two different incidents in the city.

Charles Dunkle, 65, of 1149 1/2 Susquehanna Ave., Sunbury; his two sons, Sean Dunkle, 27, of 1149 1/2 Susquehanna Ave., Sunbury, and Leroy Dunkle, 30, of 51 S. Franklin St., Shamokin, and Charles Dunkle's girlfriend, Irene Byers, 65, of 135 Bainbridge St., Sunbury, were charged with allowing an emaciated Boxer mixed dog, her 11 puppies, hamsters and a rabbit to live in unsanitary conditions at 135 S. Franklin St.

Humane Society officers, police and Shamokin Code Enforcement Officer Rick Bozza helped remove the animals from the home July 6 after receiving complaints from neighbors.

The 12 dogs and rabbit, which went without water and food, were able to be saved from the basement, which was full of animal feces. Three hamsters were found dead in the attic while another one had to be euthanized. Two other hamsters were saved and underwent veterinary treatment as did the dogs and rabbit.

The Dunkles and Byers formerly stayed at 135 S. Franklin St., which has been deemed by Bozza to be unfit for human habitation.

Sean Dunkle and Byers were ordered to make restitution for veterinary care.

Wright also charged Tracy Carmen, 36, of 106 S. Diamond St., Shamokin, and his live-in girlfriend, Jessica Kruleski, 34, with animal cruelty relating to a June 7 incident in which they allowed an emaciated and injured 2-year-old male dog to wander around Shamokin for three days.

The dog underwent veterinary care and has found shelter.

Carmen and Kruleski were ordered to make restitution for veterinary care.

In the past month, Wright said he has rescued approximately 100 animals in Shamokin, Mount Carmel, Sunbury and the surrounding area.

ZERBE TOWNSHIP - The second annual clean up effort at Coal Hill was held recently. Dave Porzi, operations manager from Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area, spoke to the group of volunteers. Joe Bressi, owner of Earth Day campground was also in attendance. Dennis Felty, ground coordinator for Keystone Off Road Vehicle Association, organized the effort which collected a 15-yard Dumpster of trash and 40 tires.

SHAMOKIN - An elderly dog that was attacked by three neighboring pit bulls has died.

Snow, a 12-year-old white mixed breed dog owned by Charles Drumheiser, of 41 N. Coal St., was euthanized after she was attacked in her back yard by three pit bulls owned by Victoria Campbell, 24, of 43 N. Coal St., Friday afternoon.

Campbell, who lives in the other half of a double adjacent to Drumheiser, suffered injuries to her hands and wrists when she tried to break up the attack. She was treated at the scene by AREA Services personnel.

Patrolman Shane Mowery, who is leading the investigation, said charges will be filed against Campbell in connection to the attacks.

"The dog warden has spoken to the owners and they are going through the quarantine process right now," he said.

A witness to the attack said Snow had a visibly broken leg and bites on her ears and elsewhere on her body. Shamokin police took her to Sunbury Animal Hospital for treatment, but her injuries proved too extensive.

James Drumheiser, brother and roommate of Snow's owner, said she will be cremated.

"We got her when she was a pup," he said. "She was a good dog. She was friendly."

Drumheiser said his brother has already contemplated adopting another dog, noting a particular interest in a small white dog.

"He's thinking about it, but not yet," he said Wednesday.