TREVORTON - The Line Mountain School District will register students for kindergarten for the 2015-16 school year from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday, May 7, at Line Mountain Elementary School.

Registration will be by appointment only. Students must be 5 years old prior to Sept. 1 to register. A parent must accompany children registering in order to participate in screening tests.

A series of assessment tools have been developed for use at registration. The purpose of these assessments is not to determine academic progress or intelligence levels but to provide educators with clear developmental levels and critical information to begin planning to meet the educational needs of the student.

To enroll a student, parents will need to bring their child's birth certificate, Social Security number and immunization records.

If the child does not have his or her birth certificate, a parent or guardian may present a baptismal certificate or transcript of the record of baptism, certified and showing the date of birth. Custody papers pertaining to a child also should be presented. Proof of residency will be required.

Pennsylvania law requires the following immunizations to be completed before a student can be admitted to school:

- Four to five doses of DPT vaccine, the last dose being on or after the fourth birthday (DT vaccine is accepted if allergic to pertussis vaccine);

- Three properly spaced doses of the polio vaccine; (4th dose strongly advised)

- Two doses of the MMR vaccine, the first being on or after the first birthday;

- Three properly spaced doses of the hepatitis B vaccine;

- Two properly spaced doses of the varicella vaccine, the first being on or after the first birthday or history of disease.

Call 570-797-3825 to register.

IRISH VALLEY - Fire tore through approximately 30 acres of land at and surrounding the Irish Valley Motocross and ATV Park, 2221 Irish Valley Rd., early Monday afternoon.

The land and park are owned by Tim Krebs.

According to Stonington Fire Chief Kerry Yordy, the fire started in the grove area of the park where someone left a debris fire unattended.

The blaze fanned out from the grove and spread to nearby Hosta Road where firefighters were able to stop it from going any further.

"It jumped Hosta Road in a couple of places, but we got it just as it was crossing," Yordy said.

Firefighters used brush and tanker trucks to fight the fire.

Firefighters were still finding and knocking down hot spots throughout the land at 4 p.m.

Brush fire 'season'

"It is the season for brush fires. If you burn, keep it small, do not leave it and don't burn on dry, windy days." Yordy said. "All it takes is one small gust of wind."

Responding to the fire were The Stonington Fire Co., Elysburg Fire Co. and Ambulance, Upper Augusta Fire Dept., Trevorton No. 1, Ralpho Twp., and East End of Sunbury.

SUNBURY - The Coal Township Police Department has received a commendation by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) for its outstanding commitment to crime victims and their families.

Northumberland County District Attorney Ann Targonski made the announcement of the honor Monday.

"We are very proud of all of our police departments and their efforts to help crime victims," Targonski said. "It is a special source of pride when the work of our local police, in this case the Coal Township Police Department, is recognized on a state level."

The PCCD provides financial assistance to victims and their families. In 2014, the Victims Crime Assistance Program, VCAP, paid out more than $12.5 million to crime victims and their families. VCAP claims may be processed through the DA's office and Targonski spoke about the work her victim witness coordinator, Candace Armstrong, does in assisting to process the claims for crime victims through the state program.

"Coal Township Police is one of only 312 police departments across the state who consistently responded to requests within 15 days. The requests were not only prompt but provided accurate information with allowed PCCD to process claims on behalf of victims and their families in a timely manner," Targonski said.

MOUNT CARMEL - A borough man is twice accused of public masturbation within a half-hour Easter Sunday.

Brant James Stultz, 35, of 142 N. Plum St., was allegedly performing the sex act while standing on the sidewalk near Fifth and Market streets, just outside Magisterial District Judge Hugh Jones' office and across the street from Turkey Hill. A female witness was driving with small children in her vehicle at 8:39 p.m. when she called 911 to report the incident.

Shortly after 9 p.m., a pair of teenagers were sitting on a bench at Third and Oak streets when someone shouted to them from behind. They turned around and witnessed a man believed to be Stultz with his pants around his ankles, again performing the sex act. The man fled the scene.

Police were dispatched to Stultz's home at 10:12 p.m. after he allegedly threatened his mother, with whom he lived at least the past month, said Police Chief Todd Owens. Stultz was gone by the time police officers arrived, but clothing matching the description of the man sought for indecent exposure were discovered in his home.

Stultz agreed to be interviewed by police Monday at the borough station. After several hours, he was placed under arrest by Cpl. David J. Donkochik. Owens said Stultz denied the allegations.

Police expect to file charges against Stultz for similar incidents reported March 28, Wednesday and Thursday. Information was shared with the Shamokin Police Department amid reports of a flasher in the city.

Stultz was arraigned by Jones on charges of obscene and other sexual materials, indecent exposure, open lewdness, flight to avoid apprehension, loitering and prowling at nighttime and disorderly conduct. He is jailed in Snyder County Prison, Selinsgrove, on $50,000 cash bail.

Stultz has a history of indecent exposure arrests. A case is pending against him in Schuylkill County stemming from a Dec. 28 incident in Shenandoah. In 2013, he pleaded guilty in Carbon County following his arrest in Nesquehoning. He was sentenced to jail and probation for similar charges between 2011 and 2012 for two arrests in York County and one in Adams County.

SUNBURY - A Selinsgrove man withdrew a guilty plea to statutory sexual assault Monday after an adjustment in his record score increased the severity of his sentence.

Dustin Gearhart, 27, was sentenced March 25 to approximately one to two years in county prison for sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl in Coal Township, but had the sentence rescinded after an error was discovered in his prior record score.

A record score is used to determine an offender's sentence based on past convictions and the likelihood to re-offend.

When Gearhart's score was corrected from two to five, the minimum sentence for the plea was raised to 24 months in state prison, said Public Defender John Broda, who represents Gearhart.

Gearhart was charged by Coal Township Detective Jeff Brennan with sexually assaulting the victim April 3, 2014, in the third patch of Bear Valley after the pair went for a ride in Gearhart's vehicle.

Also sentenced:

- Joshua K. Mauser, 28, of Halifax, to 72 hours to six months in prison beginning April 23, $1,000 fine and a 12-month license suspension. Mauser pleaded guilty to driving under the influence Jan. 9.

HARRISBURG - Gov. Tom Wolf wants to widen public access to a prescription drug that can prevent fatalities from drug overdoses.

In an op-ed piece published Monday by PennLive.com, Wolf said state police will begin carrying nasal-spray kits of naloxone, also known by its brand name Narcan, in their patrol cars. A spokesman says the policy will take effect in the coming weeks.

It's the same drug administered to a Shamokin man who overdosed after-hours at a city day care March 28.

Wolf also says he's directed state Physician General Dr. Rachel Levin to write a "standing order" that serves as a prescription that allows every Pennsylvanian to obtain naloxone. The non-addictive drug can reverse the effect of heroin and other opioids such as oxycodone.

In 2014, Pennsylvania passed Act 139, which allows first responders, including police officers who are often the first to arrive at the scene of a medical emergency, to carry and administer naloxone. Previously, Pennsylvania law prohibited police officers from administering prescription drugs.

The law also allows doctors to prescribe it to friends and relatives of addicts.

Ambulance crew gave it

In the recent Shamokin case, Shamokin police Patrolman Ray Siko II gave Christian Kehler CPR after being told he was suffering a heroin overdose. When personnel from AREA Services arrived, they administered Narcan, which brought Kehler back to a semi-state of consciousness.

He was hospitalized until Wednesday, at which time he was discharged into the custody of police. He was charged with felony criminal conspiracy and possession with intent to deliver and misdemeanor possession of an illegal substanc and remanded to county custody in lieu of $30,000 bail.

In addition to the charges related to the day care incident, Kehler is under state indictment for making more than 100 trips to Philadelphia to purchase heroin, repackaging it and reselling it in Shamokin.

Police in Shamokin do not yet carry naloxone, according to Chief Darwin Tobias III.

Sprayed into each nostril of an individual who has suffered an overdose, naloxone blocks opioid receptors and temporarily restores breathing to create a window of opportunity for additional medical care to be administered.

Problem grows

An estimated 3,000 Pennsylvanians died from a heroin or opioid overdose between 2009 and 2013, according to the Pennsylvania Coroners Association. The state Department of Health says overdose deaths have risen 470 percent over the last two decades.

Northumberland County Coroner James F. Kelley reported at least a tripling of overdose deaths - involving heroin, prescription drugs, alcohol or various combinations - from 2012 to 2014.

BURNSIDE - A new tot lot is coming to the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area (AOAA) thanks to a grant from Polaris.

Members of the AOAA Authority announced their intentions to use the $10,000 to construct a "youth riding and training area" in a wedge of land between the main access road and the trailhead.

Authority chairman Jim Backes said his vision for the site includes a picnic area with two covered picnic tables that could be used for event registration and lunch. Users will be able to sign in to ATV safety training courses at these tables, which will then take place in the tot lot.

By locating the tot lot near the parking lot but at the entrance of the park operations director Dave Porzi said he hoped to draw families with younger children away from their cars and onto the property.

Though the tot lot is months away from completion, a youth ATV training course is scheduled at the AOAA for April 18. To register call the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources at 317-319-3726.

LOCUST GAP - A Sunbury man was critically injured early Easter morning when his vehicle was struck head-on by another car whose driver was attempting to make a pass.

Andrew Ray, 27, of 227 N. Fourth St., was transported to Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, following the 4:30 a.m. crash along Route 901 between Locust Gap and Locust Summit.

Mount Carmel Township Police said Monday that Joshua Griffiths, 28, of 1735 Pulaski Ave., Coal Township, was driving east when he attempted to pass a vehicle in front of him. His vehicle entered the westbound lane and collided head-on with Ray's vehicle.

Township police Patrolman David Tomtishen said Ray's injuries include two broken hips and injuries to his pelvis and spleen. Griffiths suffered only a minor scratch, police said.

The accident is under investigation by Patrolman Daniel Politza.

Churches asked to ring bells

MOUNT CARMEL - David Berezovske, commander of James A. Garfield Camp 34, Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War, asks area churches to ring their bells for four minutes 3:15 p.m. Thursday to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the surrender of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee to Union Gen. Ulysses S. Grant at the Appomattox Court House, Virginia, bringing an end to the Civil War.

The bells will be rung for four minutes, one for each year of the war, and to honor those Civil War veterans who are buried in the many cemeteries throughout the Mount Carmel-Shamokin area.

Food pantry distribution set

MOUNT CARMEL ­- The borough food pantry will distribute from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at Notary Shop, 215 S. Oak St., for borough residents who have signed up in the past.

Residents of the Mount Carmel Mid Rise are asked to meet in the lobby at 8:45 a.m. Residents of Willow Court are asked to meet in the lobby at 11 a.m.

Everyone is asked to bring a bag. They are otherwise no longer supplied.

COAL TOWNSHIP - A Shamokin woman was injured when the vehicle in which she was riding went off Route 61 near Brewery Curve and rolled over at around 10:20 a.m. Tuesday.

Coal Township Police said Jennifer Geiser, 39, of 126 E. Arch St., was driving her red 2003 Ford Explorer south on Route 61 when she began falling asleep. She told police she woke up but was unable to regain control of the vehicle.

The Explorer traveled 125 to 150 feet before leaving the right side of Route 61. As it skidded approximately 75 feet down an embankment, it rolled onto its roof.

A passenger, Donna Markhorst, 40, of 426 W. Spruce St., Shamokin, was removed from the vehicle by AREA Services personnel and members of the Coal Township Fire Department. She was taken by ambulance to Geisinger-Shamokin Area Community Hospital where she was treated and released.

Geiser complained of pain at the scene but refused treatment. Her vehicle, which sustained considerable damage, was towed.

An investigation is continuing and charges are pending against Geiser, police said.

SUNBURY - Northumberland County Commissioner Chairman Vinny Clausi will formally make a recommendation to his fellow commissioners next month to purchase the former Knight-Celotex plant from Moran Industries Inc. for $2 million for the development of a county prison, pre-release center and courthouse.

Clausi believes the 22-acre site is the perfect location for all three facilities.

Clausi and fellow Commissioners Richard Shoch and Stephen Bridy met Tuesday prior to the commissioners' meeting with Moran Industries owner John Moran and vice president of operations Jeffrey J. Stroehmann to discuss the purchase of the facility. The Watsontown-based Moran Industries is a warehouse and distribution services company.

"It looks good," Clausi said. "I believe we need to go in the direction of building the new prison, pre-release center and courthouse at one site. We just need to complete some paperwork."

Next week, Clausi said an environmental study on the property will be conducted to determine if there are any contaminants at the site left over from previous operations.

"I hope to put the issue to a vote in late May or early June," he said.

The commissioner said the county can use $2 million in insurance money from the Jan. 14 fire that ravaged the county prison on Second Street built in 1876.

"The insurance money will help cover the cost of the purchase," he said. "There will be no taxpayer money spent on this. We must move forward or it will end up costing taxpayers $2.2 million per year to maintain the prison system we are currently operating."

The tract of land owned by Moran Industries is located inside a flood-protected area of the City of Sunbury and has all the necessary utilities on site. The property is cleared, stabilized, lighted and fenced in.

Clausi said a feasibility study by CGL Companies of Columbia, S.C., to determine the appropriate options and solutions to the prison crisis has not yet been completed.

Commissioner Richard Shoch maintained his previous stance that the prison situation deserves further study. But he would like to see the courthouse remain at its current location on Market Street.

"We can keep it (prison) where it's at by building a new wing and refurbishing the front of the building or we can relocate it to the Moran Industries site," he said.

There has been some debate as to whether the damaged prison could be repaired. Clausi has said it can't.

Shoch said county chief probation officer Jim Cortelyou informed him that if a pre-release center is properly operated in conjunction with the new prison, it could reduce the average prison population from 200 to 75.

At Tuesday's salary board meeting, the commissioners and Controller Chris Grayson changed the full-time positions of special counsel and conflicts counsel to part time. They also added a part-time position of autonomous counsel.

Chief clerk and assistant solicitor John Muncer said Sue Schwartz will remain special counsel while the positions of conflicts and autonomous counsel need to be filled. He said Kate Lincoln recently resigned as conflicts counsel to open her own law practice.

The special, conflicts and autonomous counsel will join independent counsel James Best in representing defendants at their legal proceedings before the four magisterial district judges in the county. Two of the counsel also will be used for Children and Youth Services court cases.

Muncer said the four part-time attorneys will receive 70 percent of their full-time salaries and 70 percent of the county benefits.

Muncer, a longtime attorney in the county, said the four part-time positions were created because more attorneys were needed to represent defendants at many daily proceedings that transpire throughout the county. The commissioners agreed with a recommendation by Bridy to pay up to $350 for county emergency personnel to attend a training workshop to learn how to better understand and respond to people with challenging behavior at emergencies. The workshop will be held from 9:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday, April 16, at Seibert Hall on the campus of Susquehanna University.

SUNBURY - Come June 30, seven union employees in the county weatherization department will lose their jobs.

On a 2-1 vote Tuesday, Northumberland County commissioners eliminated the department, which will be operated as a regional program by SEDA-COG.

Voting to shut down the department were Commissioner Chairman Vinny Clausi and Stephen Bridy. Richard Shoch opposed the move.

SEDA-COG operates a regional weatherization program for Union, Snyder, Montour and Columbia counties. By moving the state-funded program from the county, commissioners hope more money will be directed to services for low and moderate income residents and senior citizens instead of administrative expenses.

Clausi denied the decision to close the department was retaliation against weatherization employees, particularly coordinator Dwayne Scicchitano, who previously claimed the commissioner has used "bullying tactics" that have caused a "hostile and uncomfortable" working environment. Scicchitano also claimed Clausi demanded employees to conduct work for his relatives and friends who weren't eligible for the program.

Clausi has since been cleared of legal wrongdoing by the state attorney general's office.

"It has nothing to do with that," Clausi said. "This is the right thing to do. The department is a wreck. An evaluation of the weatherization program by the state listed it as a level 3 department, which is next to worst on a scale of 1 to 4. A couple years ago, our weatherization department was a level 1."

Clausi said closing the department has been discussed for the past couple years.

"This is another way to shrink county government," the commissioner said. "Since I've been in office, the county has sold the manor, closed the transportation department and eliminated positions."

Since the state Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) funds the weatherization program through grants, the elimination of the department won't affect the county's general fund budget.

When contacted after the meeting, Scicchitano, who has worked for the department for 17 years, said he heard about Clausi's intention to close the department late last week, but has been advised by an attorney representing employees in the weatherization department not to comment about the issue.

He said, "We were told not to say anything, but I will say the weatherization program never had to pay $200,000 back to DCED."

Scicchitano was alluding to the county's mishandling of DCED's Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP) funded by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development. The county had been ordered at one point to pay back $215,000 for failing to provide proper documentation to determine client eligibility, although that investigation continues.

Scicchitano is one of seven employees who will be laid off as a result of Tuesday's action. Other weatherization department workers include intake specialist/energy coordinator Pamela Bollinger, energy auditor Robert McAndrew and laborers James Bressi, Barry Schweitzer, David Yakoboski and Albert Benedict Jr.

All the employees belong to the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) union. Scicchitano, Bollinger and McAndrew are categorized as administrators.

The News-Item was notified Tuesday night that AFSCME representative Von Treas informed Northumberland County Human Resources Director Joseph Picarelli that the union plans to fight the elimination of the weatherization department and its employees to the fullest extent.

Clausi said SEDA-COG will only use one administrator to operate five regional weatherization departments compared to the county having three administrators in one department. "SEDA-COG will be able to put approximately $150,000 per year more into the program by saving on administrative costs," he said.

"When the union tells the county what to do, it's time to say goodbye," Clausi said.

The commissioner said the weatherization department employees will be eligible to apply for jobs with SEDA-COG.

Shoch believes the decision to eliminate the department is definitely related to the criticism of Clausi by the union employees.

"The employees were tired of being harassed by Mr. Clausi," Shoch said. "They stood up to him and unfortunately, they paid a price for that. This is like the baby getting thrown out with the bath water."

Shoch, who was informed of the move upon reading it on the prepared agenda Thursday, said he wasn't surprised Clausi and Bridy agreed to eliminate the department. "Clausi has gone after them before," Shoch said.

Shoch believes the weatherization program has done a lot of good for county residents.

"It keeps dollars in the county, helps the tax base and local businesses because most of the supplies and materials for work done by the weatherization department are purchased locally," Shoch said.

By allowing SEDA-COG to operate the program, Shoch said there are no guarantees supplies and materials will be purchased in Northumberland County.

Clausi said SEDA-COG officials assured him efforts will be made to continue to purchase materials within the county whenever possible.

Bridy believes the weatherization department will be a "good fit" for SEDA-COG based on its operations with neighboring counties.

The commissioners unanimously eliminated the adult services program, effective June 30. Those services will be carried out by the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual/Developmental Services (BH/IDS).

Director Gregg Stavinski and administrative assistant Tina Johnson are the only two employees in adult services. Clausi said Stavinski plans to retire this year, while Johnson will be reassigned to BH/IDS.

The commissioners awarded a contract for engineering services for the Community Development Block Grant demolition projects to KPI Technology, Elysburg, at its low bid of $67 per hour.

The commissioners also awarded a contract for paving at Herndon Senior Action Center to G&R Charles Excavating at its low bid of $23,210.

The board authorized the tax claims bureau to conduct a private sale of a property at 1101 W. State St., Coal Township, clear of all school district, township and county taxes.

At the beginning of the meeting, the commissioners presented a proclamation to the Rev. Ricky Phillips, Suzanne Fitzgerald and Erin Parkya of the Susquehanna Valley CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) in recognition of Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month being celebrated in April.

Bridy announced Autism Awareness Month also is being celebrated this month.

HARRISBURG - The Wolf administration on Tuesday formally announced that state police would begin carrying the life-saving opioid overdose reversal antidote naloxone.

Also known by the brand name "Narcan," naloxone is a non-narcotic, non-addictive drug that reverses the effect of heroin and other opioids like oxycodone.

Heroin and opioid overdose are the leading cause of accidental death in Pennsylvania, killing more individuals than those involved in fatal motor vehicle accidents. In 2013, approximately 2,400 Pennsylvanians died from a drug overdose.

Naloxone was administered by responding ambulance personnel to a heroin overdose victim in Shamokin on March 28. The man survived.

"Pennsylvanians are dying every day from drug overdose, so it is critical to have naloxone in the hands of our state police and first responders who may be first on the scene of an overdose situation," said Gary Tennis, acting secretary of the state Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs. "We are grateful for the donations and support that we have received from the health insurance community to ensure we have naloxone available statewide."

With a combination of grants donated by Aetna, Geisinger Health, Health Partner Plans and Highmark, every state patrol car in Pennsylvania will be equipped with two naloxone doses.

"At times, our troopers may be first on the scene of an overdose and this gives them another tool to deal with the emergencies they encounter," said Marcus L. Brown, state police acting commissioner.

In November, Act 139, or David's Law, took effect, which made naloxone available to law enforcement, first responders, family members, friends or other persons in a position to assist an individual at risk of experiencing an opioid-related overdose. The Physician General signed a standing order Tuesday giving law enforcement officers and firefighters the ability to access naloxone.

'Bold move'

Wolf's announcement Monday of his intentions with naloxone drew praise from a national group working to reduce overdose deaths and other drug-related problems.

Daniel Raymond, policy director of the Harm Reduction Coalition in New York, hailed the Pennsylvania plan as a model for the nearly 30 states that have naloxone programs.

"It's a bold leadership move," Raymond said. "Ultimately, it's going to save lives."

A bill passed unanimously by the Legislature and signed into law last fall by Gov. Tom Corbett allows police to legally administer the drug and lets physicians prescribe it to relatives and friends of drug users as a precaution against a possible overdose.

Raymond said Massachusetts uses statewide standing orders signed by a doctor to authorize naloxone distribution, but also requires that it be provided by an overdose prevention trainer authorized by the state.

"In Pennsylvania, I think they're removing a lot of bureaucratic barriers," he said.

Alice Bell of Prevention Point Pittsburgh, which provides a needle-exchange program and other health services for injection drug users, said the plan would make it easier for friends and relatives, who are most likely to be with someone who overdoses, to obtain naloxone.

"I think it's going to make a huge difference," Bell said. "This can save a lot of lives."

True to their German heritage, Ed and Carol Stoudt had a deep love for beer. They always dreamed of owning a brewery and a German-style bier garden. When the couple decided to pull the trigger, the lager-loving state of Pennsylvania - filled with German descendants - seemed a natural fit. They found the perfect location in tiny Adamstown, near Lancaster.

Ed opened a steakhouse, and the bier garden was a huge success. Success, however, came at a price. There was so much work that the brewery stayed on the back burner - until they took a tour of several Pacific Northwest microbreweries. Inspired, Ed and Carol decided the time was finally right to start their brewery.

Unfortunately, Pennsylvania's draconian beer laws (brew pubs were still illegal) made it difficult for Ed to own both a brewery and a bier garden. So after much soul searching, Carol decided to take on the brewery herself. Stoudt's Brewing Company opened in 1987 - a prehistoric date in the craft beer world. In one bold stroke, Stoudt's became the first regional brewery to open in Pennsylvania, and Carol became the nation's first female brewery owner since Prohibition.

Carol was a pioneer in the first wave of craft brewers, who were literally inventing the business as they went along. Bar owners, distributers and restaurateurs were puzzled by the very concept of a local beer. To further complicate matters, Carol was a woman operating in the old-boy network. Many assumed she was simply a front for Ed. Once, while on a sales call in Reading, she visited an establishment that didn't allow women in the barroom. Carol had to make her sales pitch in a different room.

As the craft beer revolution grew, Stoudt's Brewing prospered, weathering the industry's ups and downs. The reason is simple - quality never goes out of style. With Ed as the old school beer geek and Carol reigning as craft brewing's "Queen of Hops," Stoudt's has stayed true to its original mission to brew solid American style ales, authentic German lagers, and envelope-pushing Brewer's Reserve offerings that are able to please even the most discerning palates. Stoudt's Brewing was Pennsylvania's first microbrewery, and Ed and Carol are committed to keeping it Pennsylvania's best.

There's more to Stoudt's than just the brewery, the Black Angus Restaurant and the pub. Based on the towns Ed saw in Europe, he created Stoudtburg Village, a complex of 60 homes and 30 shops built in the style of Old World Germany. The village has antique lighting, a pond, and cobblestone streets, all centered around a town square with a fountain.

The bier garden hosts several annual events, including an IPA Festival April 18 and Oktoberfest every Sunday from Sept. 20 through Oct. 24. The Oktoberfest celebration features live German style music, pretzels, pastries and other German specialties - and, of course, Stoudt's award-winning beer.

The brewery is only an hour-and-a-half drive from the Shamokin area. There's fine dining in the Black Angus Restaurant and casual fare in the attached pub. Brewery tours are free and still led by Ed. They're offered every Saturday at 3 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. Enjoy the selections and toast two of craft beer's pioneers. Cheers!

Scarlet Lady: In a world filled with American style pale ales and IPAs, this lady - an English extra special bitter - is a keeper. It pours reddish copper with a lacy, effervescent head. Aromas of caramel and toffee mix with the floral scent of English hops, most likely East Kent goldings. The flavor is predominately malt, with bits of biscuit, and a hint of roast - quenched by a generous dose of perfumy hops. The finish is dry and satisfying. Enjoy this outstanding session brew in your favorite pint glass.

Triple: In the brewery's early days, Ed and Carol didn't know much about Belgian beer, but they sure liked what they tasted. After a trip to Belgium, Carol returned with a full beer notebook. By applying their meticulous German mindset to a Belgian brew, the Stoudts created a masterpiece. Triple's pour is clear, pale straw in color - with a thick and rich head. The aromas are of spicy yeast and malt, with a touch of citrus. Flavors of bread and biscuit blend with yeasty spiciness. Triple's secret is its middle-of-the-road maltiness which deftly toes the line between sweet and dry versions. This is an extremely drinkable 10 percent alcohol delight; it pairs wonderfully with any dishes containing basil, pesto, or shellfish.

Double IPA: The pour is hazy and golden in color. The head is thin, with light lacing. The aroma resonates between citrus fruit and caramel. The fruity hop assortment creates an interesting blend of flavors - mango, tangerine and resiny pine - but Stoudt's is coy about revealing the exact composition. The mouthfeel is fuller than many double IPAs, yet agreeable. The hoppy finish is velvety smooth and surprisingly dry - especially for a nine percent alcohol brew. In many ways, the hop profile reminds me of Bells Brewing's venerated Hopslam DIPA.

American Pale Ale: Stoudt's APA is one of its flagship brews - their American cousin to Scarlet Lady - and is available year-round. It's amber in color; the head is fluffy and white. The aromas are a balance of grapefruity hops, bready malt and hints of caramel. The mouthfeel is medium, and there's a nice upfront hoppy bite, with flavors of orange, toasted malt, pine and lemon zest. Like the aroma, the flavors are all in synergistic harmony, making American Pale exceedingly drinkable. The finish is long and dry. This brew pairs well with grilled beef, marinated meats or just about anything spicy. It's also available in cans, which help to maintain its hoppy freshness.

Fat Dog Oatmeal Stout: The diet can wait another day; decadence must be served. Fat dog pours thick, luscious, and pitch black. Aromas of roast, sweet malt and dark chocolate tempt the olfactory senses. The body is chewy, with an amazing silky fullness. Flavors of roast, chocolate and plums segue to notes of coffee and an assertive hoppy finish, keeping the sweetness perfectly in balance. Fat Dog's aromas and flavors are complex. Savor it from a brandy snifter at about 55 degrees Fahrenheit with chocolate cake for the perfect dessert pairing.

(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.)

HARRISBURG - Registration for bus tickets for the Papal Mass was suspended at 11:15 a.m. Tuesday due to the extremely heavy volume of requests received via online, telephone and email.

Registration opened at 10 a.m., the diocese reported in a press release.

"When we saw the volume of requests, we knew that we would be approaching, if not already exceeding our capacity. At that time, we decided to suspend the orders to allow staff the time to assess the situation," said Joe Aponick, director of communications for the diocese.

Staff is currently processing the requests received and hopes to analyze the orders and to match them to the supply and location of the buses available. Where necessary and possible, the diocese said it will reallocate buses to meet the requests received.

Those who requested seats will be contacted regarding their status when an accurate count and allocation has been determined.

The diocese had secured 30 chartered tour buses to provide transportation to and from the Papal Mass Sept. 27 in Philadelphia. The buses have approximately 1,684 seats and are scheduled to leave from 10 different locations within 15 counties.

The diocese doesn't anticipate reopening registration. Staff will be contacting bus companies regarding the possibilities of adding additional seats.

The Papal Mass is not a ticketed event and is open to the public. It is scheduled to be held outdoors on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia. The altar will be near the base of the steps leading to the Philadelphia Art Museum. Those wishing to attend may consider alternative transportation to Philadelphia.

FRACKVILLE - Kmart at the Schuylkill Mall will close in mid-June instead of October.

Howard Riefs, director of corporate communications for Sears Holdings, said in an email Monday he didn't know why the closing would be sooner than previously announced.

Sears Holdings announced in February the store would close mid-October and a liquidation sale would start July 19. Riefs said previously the closure would "better enable us to focus our investments on serving our customers and members through integrated retail at the store, online and in the home."

"Our investments in 'Shop Your Way' and 'Integrated Retail' enable us to migrate the shopping activity of highly engaged members who previously shopped these closed stores to alternative channels. As a result, we hope to retain a portion of the sales previously associated with these stores by nurturing and maintaining our relationships with the members that shopped these locations," he said.

The store, which opened in October 1980, has about 80 employees, Riefs said previously.

Those associates who are eligible will receive severance and have the opportunity to apply for open positions at area Sears or Kmart stores. Most of the associates are part-time or hourly, he said.

Matt Soucy, store manager, said an inventory blowout sale started March 22. Shoppers can get from 10 to 75 percent off items. A liquidation sale will start April 23, he said.

With the closure of Kmart, all the original anchor stores at the Schuylkill Mall have left, Elaine Maneval, mall manager, said. Sears and Hess' were the other two original anchors.

Maneval said she was notified last month about Kmart's earlier departure.

"We were not given any reason as to why" by store management, she said.

Maneval declined to comment about any ramifications regarding the store closing or about the 90,213-square-foot space being shown to any prospective tenants.

SHAMOKIN - The third annual Soup War to benefit Manna for the Many will be held Saturday at the Home Plate Cafe, Second and Chestnut streets.

Twenty contestants will be vying for the coveted Golden Ladle at the event sponsored by Friends Helping Friends.

Judging will take place from noon to 2 p.m., and soups will be on sale from 2 to 6 p.m. at the cafe.

The cost of the soup is $3 per pint with all proceeds going to Manna for the Many food pantry in Shamokin. Soups available are creamy tomato, sausage tortilla, French onion, Irish stew, white seafood chowder, chicken pierogi vegetable, venison chili, wedding soup, beef barley, stuffed green pepper soup, ham and bean, minestrone, hamburg soup, clam chowder and chicken corn soup.

Last year's winner was spicy crab bisque prepared by Victoria Kramer.

Organizers urged everyone to attend and enjoy a day full of deliciousness while helping support a worthy cause.

Susquehanna Valley gas prices have decreased two cents in the past week to $2.515 a gallon Tuesday, according to AAA East Central's Fuel Gauge report, but remain above the national average is $2.338.

On the national front

The price at the pump continues to reflect seasonality as refineries complete scheduled maintenance and prepare for the summer driving season. The national average price for regular unleaded gasoline has fallen for 24 of the past 30 days, prices could still rise again this spring if global crude prices rise or domestic refineries experience production issues, the timing of this seasonal peak would be within the range of recent years but the "high" would be significantly lower.

Production issues have largely been resolved in the Midwest and on the West Coast, following a number of unexpected issues at refineries, which caused regional price spikes over the past few weeks. Despite these localized swings, the low price of crude oil has kept the national average relatively stable over the past month. Unless there are new regional refinery issues or global crude prices turn markedly higher, drivers can expect to see pump prices continue to slide leading up to the start of the summer driving season.

The global oil market remains in flux due to news of declining revenues for producers as well as the potential for additional supply to enter the market. Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) member nations posted their lowest net export revenues since 2010, due to reductions in oil exports from the countries and the sharply lower price of crude. Market watchers remain focused on the oil cartel for any signs of a move to cut production to stabilize prices.

At the close of Thursday's formal trading on the NYMEX, West Texas Intermediate crude oil closed down 95 cents at $49.14 per barrel. The NYMEX was closed on Friday in observance of Good Friday.

(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.)

PINE GROVE - State police have released the identity of a woman who died when she was struck by a tractor-trailer in Pine Grove Township on Monday night.

Trooper David Womer of the Jonestown station said the crash occurred in the northbound lanes of Interstate 81 near mile marker 100, the Pine Grove exit.

The woman was identified as Eldora Youst, 56, of Minersville, according to Schuylkill County Deputy Coroner Joseph Pothering.

Pothering said he pronounced Youst dead at the scene at 9:46 p.m. and attributed the cause of death to blunt force injuries.

Womer said that about 8:55 p.m., Youst was walking on the northbound lanes of the highway, prompting two tractor-trailer drivers to call 911 and report the incident. While emergency personnel were responding to the scene, the woman was struck by a third tractor-trailer.

Womer said the driver of the truck, whom he did not identify, that struck the woman was not injured.

Why Youst was walking on the highway has yet to be determined.

"The cause of death and determination are under investigation," Womer said, although earlier Monday, police had called the incident a suicide.

Pothering said a virtual autopsy is scheduled on Youst at the Simon Kramer Cancer Institute, New Philadelphia.

A supervisor at the Schuylkill County Communications Center said the northbound lanes of the interstate re-opened about 11:10 p.m. Monday and that Pine Grove Township firefighters assisted with traffic control while the incident was investigated.