MOUNT CARMEL - Police say Friday night's basement fire at a north end rental property was arson and that charges are pending.

Clothing, furniture and other household items inside 327 N. Maple St. were doused with an unidentified accelerant and set ablaze, according to Mount Carmel Lt. Christopher Buhay. He declined to name a suspect.

Police say Susan Stanley is the home's lone occupant. Fire was discovered in the basement about 8:30 p.m. when neighbors Eddie Agosto-Viera and his wife, Luz Santiago, in adjoining 325 N. Maple St. smelled smoke and called 911.

Firefighters prevented flames from spreading beyond a stairwell leading to the first floor of Stanley's home. It was extinguished by 9 p.m. No injuries were reported.

The double-home is the northernmost of a row of five adjoined structures located between Railroad and Water streets, one block away from the Shamokin Creek.

Fire, smoke and water damages were reported to 327 N. Maple St. and smoke damage to 325 N. Maple St. Matteo Loduca, of Danville, owns both properties.

Investigating were Buhay, state police fire marshal Trooper Kirk Renn, borough Fire Chief Daniel Cimino and Assistant Fire Chief James Reed.

Buhay expects to file charges Monday at the office of Magisterial District Judge Hugh A. Jones.

Christine Mrozek graduated summa cum laude from Elizabethtown College, Elizabethtown, May 16. She received a Bachelor of Science degree as well as honors in biology. She majored in biology/pre-med and minored in Spanish and studio art. She was recognized as an emergent scholar and recipient of the Points of Distinction Scholar Award.

Mrozek will be attending Drexel College of Medicine, Philadelphia, to pursue a doctorate in medicine. She was awarded an Army Health Care Scholarship and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army May 19.

Mrozek, a 2011 graduate of Mount Carmel Area Junior-Senior High School, is a daughter of Raymond and Maribeth Mrozek and a granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph D. Wanzie and Clara Mrozek, all of Kulpmont, and the late Alex Mrozek.

Rest up in the afternoon so you can be nice and fresh to take in some divine summer stargazing this month. It's not truly dark enough until after 10:30 p.m., but there's a wonderful show going on in the western sky much earlier than that in the later stages of evening twilight.

There's a spectacular conjunction, or what I called a celestial hugging, between the very bright planets Jupiter and Venus. You can't miss them. They are the brightest star-like objects in the evening sky, popping out in the west even before the end of evening twilight. Early this week they're practically touching, less than a half a degree apart. That's less than the width of the full moon in the sky. It will look like a pair of eyes poking out at you. Venus is the brighter of the two. Even though the planets look like they're touching, they are actually separated by hundreds of millions of miles. Venus is around 45 million miles away and Jupiter is more than 550 million miles distant.

Through even a small telescope you should be able to see both planets in the same field of view. With Jupiter you can easily see up to four of Jupiter's largest moons and maybe some of Jupiter's brighter cloud bands. Venus looks like a tiny half moon. Since Venus's orbit lies inside of Earth's orbit, it goes through phases just like our moon. Later in the week, Jupiter and Venus will begin their gradual separation, although most of this month they'll be hanging pretty close to each other.

Meanwhile, in the low southeastern sky all this month, the planet Saturn is on the rise near the constellation Scorpius the Scorpion. Saturn is the brightest star-like object in that part of the sky and is wonderful to take in through a small telescope. You can easily see it's famous ring system that spans over 136,000 miles in diameter, but is only 50 feet thick.

Keeping Saturn company in the low southeast sky this week will be a full moon on the rise, taking low arc across the sky this time of the year.

The brightest actual star in the sky this month is Arcturus, the brightest star of the summer sky. At twilight's end, Arcturus is perched high in the western sky at the tail of a giant kite. That kite is more formally known as the constellation Bootes, the hunting farmer. How the kite is supposed to be a hunting farmer is anyone's guess. Arcturus is a giant star, more than 22 million miles in diameter and more than 36 light-years distant, with one light-year equivalent to about 6 trillion miles.

In the eastern heavens, you'll see the prime stars of summer on the rise. As we move through July they'll be a little higher at the start of each night as the Earth in its solar orbit passes in their direction. The best way to find your way around the summer stars is to locate the "Summer Triangle" made up of a three bright stars, the brightest in each of their respective constellations. You can't miss them. They're the brightest stars in the east right now.

The highest and brightest star is Vega, the bright star in a small faint constellation called Lyra the harp. The second brightest star on the lower right is Altair, the brightest in Aquila the Eagle. Altair is on the corner of a diamond that outlines the wingspan of the great bird. The third brightest at the left corner of the summer triangle is Deneb, a star possibly more than 1,800 light-years away. It's also the bright star in at the tail of Cygnus the Swan. Cygnus is also known as the "Northern Cross" because that's what it really looks like. Deneb is at the head of the Northern Cross that is presently laying on its side as it rises in the east.

In the northern sky, look for the Big Dipper hanging from its handle in the northwest, along with the fainter Little Dipper standing on its handle. The moderately bright star Polaris, otherwise known as the North Star, is at the end of the Little Dipper's handle. Every single thing in the sky, including the sun and the moon, appear to revolve around Polaris every 24 hours.

Enjoy the short but starry nights in July.

(Lynch is an amateur astronomer and author of the book, "Stars, a Month by Month Tour of the Constellations." Contact him at mikewlynch@comcast.net.)

Band to play at historical society

SUNBURY - The Sunbury City Band will perform at the Northumberland County Historical Society, 1150 N. Front St., at 7 p.m. Monday, July 6. The concert is open to the public and free of charge.

The Sunbury City Band is on its 2015 concert tour and has entertained at a number of community gatherings.

Its talented musicians proudly continue the tradition which Urias Wolf began in 1895 under the name of the East Sunbury Band. The band changed to its current name around 1904.

Freshly roasted peanuts - made in a peanut roaster from Moyer's Shoe Hospital - cold drinks and other refreshments will be sold during the concert. Ron and Linda Cochran, former owners of the shoe repair business in downtown Sunbury, recently donated the roaster to the historical society.

The Fort Augusta museum and the model replica can be visited before the concert.

Those attending are asked to bring lawn chairs.

For more information, call 570-286-4083.

MOUNT CARMEL - Claps and cheers rang out Saturday from the Town Park gazebo as the award winner for "highest heel" held up a medal.

"That won't fit around my neck," said Brad Andrus.

About a half-dozen men tugged dresses onto their bodies, crammed ladies shoes onto their feet and walked three laps around the park. Girl Scouts from Troop 60527 led the way. Some of the men are dads to the Scouts, some are relatives or family friends.

"A Mile In Her Shoes" went off without a major

hitch despite a steady rain, cool temperatures and an occasional stiff breeze, all fit for the start of spring rather than early summer. Umbrellas made for must-have accessories.

The event promoted empowerment and equality, and was meant to dispel the notion that doing anything "like a girl" should be viewed as an insult.

Rich Boehmer took the prize for "best makeup." Mykal McCulloch was happy to get through the walk without blowing out a heel. Rylan Trautman, 4, won "best dressed." He had already jumped out of a gown by the time prizes were awarded.

"Should I put his dress back on? He can't fit into the car seat with it on," said his mother, Heather Nelson. Trautman slid back into the gown for a few extra moments, and photos, before shedding it again for good.

More than two dozen people showed to support the Scouts. Participants were asked to donate 2 yards of fleece each, used to supplement the Scouts' Bronze Award project. The girls are making lap blankets to keep cancer patients warm during chemotherapy.

The blanket project was inspired by the November death of Robert Frasch, father to 9-year-old Girl Scout Piper.

Her mother, Tammy Frasch, shuddered and frequently composed herself as she spoke of her husband. He was diagnosed 15 years ago with myelofibrosis, a rare bone marrow cancer. The symptoms didn't begin to show until three years ago.

A match for a marrow donation seemed impossible to come by. There were no matches on the national register and just one in the international register, Frasch said. That donor lived in Germany. She said the country's rules almost prevented a donation. The donor flew to Poland on three separate occasions to make a donation that helped extend the life of Frasch's husband. She's forever grateful.

His final four months were spent at Jeanes Hospital, a member of the Temple University Health System in Philadelphia. He was 50 years old when he died.

Frasch said Piper's friends stuck by her when she needed them most. Care packages were delivered to the hospital. It helped keep the family's spirits up.

"You want to shield children through tragedy. There was no way the girls could be shielded through this," Frasch said. "The good thing to come from this is that they learned how to be compassionate. They were like sisters."

Marriage licenses

Damien Anthony Scicchitano to Lisa Marie Orner, both of 901 N. Shamokin St., Shamokin. Issued June 26.

Patrick Keith Davis, of 311 Penn St., Sunbury, to Angie E. Lawrence, of 904 E. Commerce St., Shamokin. To be issued June 29.

Property transfers

Janice R. Stutts to Melvin G. Petersheim, property in Jordan Township, $210,000.

Patricia A. Martin to Sameer Waqar and Mariam Siddiqui Ahmed, property in Riverside, $232,500.

Robert D. and Sheila F. Radel to Rachel G. Radel, property in Lower Augusta Township, $120,000.

Aaron T. and Heather E. Troutman to William II and Shelby Troutman, property in Washington Township, $31,500.

Kenneth Michael Murdock, aka Kenneth Lamar Murdock, and Rosemary L. Murdock to Kenneth L. and Rosemary L. Murdock, property in Ralpho Township, $1.

Elaine M. Carl, Debra A. Daya and Michelle A. Peterson to Joseph J. Sr. and Debra A. Daya, property in Mount Carmel Township, $1.

David M. Goretski to Nicole Moyle, property in Kulpmont, $73,000.

Joseph A. Gushen to Sean A. and Nina M. Britton, property in Mount Carmel Township, $140,000.

Northumberland County Tax Claim Bureau and Samuel and Rita A. Jeremiah to Coal Township, property in Coal Township, $1.

Justin M. Vayda and Alexis L. Robb to Justin M. Vayda, property in Sunbury, $1.

Robert M. and Glenda L. Wertz to Denise Downing, property in Sunbury, $79,000.

Richard J. and Jennifer A. Shurock to Leon and Theresa Kimmel, property in Coal Township, $224,000.

Beverly L. Stanchick to Stanley M. Stanchick, two properties in Coal Township, $1 each.

Randy T. McGhee and Cheryl A. McGee to Randy T. McGhee, property in Mount Carmel, $1.

Thomas I. Leaveck estate, Roxane Leaveck administratrix, to Roxane Leaveck, property in Kulpmont, $1.

Richard M. Shierant estate, Lucille Shierant, administratrix, to John Wayne Shierant, property in Mount Carmel, $1.

David R. and Charlotte M. Hack to Glenn A. and Julie J. Salsman, property in Sunbury, $58,000.

Brian R. and Julie A. Haas to Sterling Larue Andrews III, property in Snydertown, $213,000.

Edward M. Jr. and Marjorie L. Neff to Keith R. Shamback and Kelsey C. Bahner, property in Sunbury, $1.

Patricia Ann Bednar to Kevin M. Hauer Jr., property in Coal Township, $92,000.

James A. and Judy Wise to Stephen William Jr. and Jackie Nicole Kelley, property in Lower Augusta Township, $191,500.

Ronald J. and Kathryn A. Tanney to Ronald X. Tanney, property in Mount Carmel, $1.

Joan M. and Clarence A. Bixler to Edward Ernest and Francine M. Klock, property in Zerbe Township, $1.

Jesse D. Hepler to Donald R. and Wendy A. Carl, property in Mount Carmel, $62,000.

Betty A. Shimko, Betty A. and Jason W. Haile to Jason W. and Betty A. Haile, property in Ralpho Township, $1.

Donna J. Rusinko to Tracey J. Choplick, property in Kulpmont, $1.

Quisqueya Reynoso to Scott Slayton, property in Shamokin, $2,050.

June Rychwalski to Richard J. and Maria M. Urick, property in Shamokin Township, $12,500.

Northumberland County Sheriff, Louise Fern Conway estate, Katelyn Pearl Ledbetter and Edward C. Hockenbrocht, executor, to Northumberland National Bank, property in Coal Township, $1,974.94.

Dennis J. and Colene A. Feudale to Kenneth P. Shuey Jr., property in Coal Township, $77,500.

Mary Lou Nolter to Richard and Virginia Steinhart, property in Coal Township, $1,500.

Northumberland County Sheriff, Ky W. Mahaffey to Wells Fargo Bank NA, property in Sunbury, $2,125.91.

Dennis L. Kosmer to Ryan and Jannelle Morgan, property in Coal Township, $1.

Northumberland County Sheriff and Leonard J. Wisneski to Fannie Mae, property in Mount Carmel Township, $1,100.58.

Mitchell and Shelly A. Feidt to Doris J. Curran, property in Coal Township, $1.

Walter and Irene Deibler to Brittany F. Shingara, property in Sunbury, $30,000.

Sue A. Herb, Karen J. and Douglas W. Holtzapple, Kerry L., Jacqueline and Kevin A. Yeager and Beth A. Confer to Lorri S. Aucker, property in Sunbury, $41,500.

Ernest A. Klock estate, Joan M. Bixler, executrix and individually, and Clarence A. Bixler to William W. Jr. and Anne A. Moore, property in Zerbe Township, $75,000.

William J. Jr. and Melissa K. Wood to William J. Wood Jr., property in Lower Augusta Township, $1.

Linda Sue Sarfine and Daniel B. Fetter to Eric J. Lennartz, property in Sunbury, $1.

Samantha Weikel, a 2011 Shamokin Area Middle/High School graduate, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in medical imaging from Misericordia University May 16. On April 30, she was inducted into the Lambda Nu Radiologic and Imaging Sciences Honor Society, PA Alpha Chapter. She was also notified of her successful completion of the Guaranteed Placement Program at the gold level. This program confirms she has the skills to enter the workforce with professional etiquette and diversity awareness.

On May 20, Samantha passed her state boards and is continuing to work on her second Bachelor of Science degree in diagnostic medical sonography while doing clinicals at Geisinger Wyoming.

She is a daughter of Norm Weikel and the late April Kline.

COAL TOWNSHIP - Drug and alcohol education for Northumberland County inmates has yet to resume since fire destroyed the prison in January.

The education initiative is more of an awareness program; it's not treatment.

There remains no individual or group counseling for addiction at the county prison, and that was the case before the fire, according to both Warden Bruce Kovach and Glenda Bonetti, director of Northumberland County Drug and Alcohol Program.

However, with county commissioners considering plans to build a new facility, it could be an opportunity to add a treatment regimen, Bonetti said.

"It could be a proposal for the prison to have a drug counselor on hand when the new facility is built," she said.

Money, logistics at issue

Kovach says logistics scuttled the education initiative administered by Gaudenzia after fire destroyed the 139-year-old jail in Sunbury.

Females inmates are now at SCI-Muncy. The much larger male population is housed at SCI-Coal Township, and earlier this week moved into a more permanent setting in their temporary quarters, J and K blocks. There's more room now to resume drug and alcohol education and other programs, Kovach said. Programs will return, he added, but there's still no start date.

As for drug treatment, money is an issue, but again so is logistics - in this case both time and space.

Bonetti said some inmates have sentences too short for intensive, individualized counseling. The cost isn't built into her program's budget or the prison's. Drug and Alcohol has a near $190,000 budget for in-patient treatment, spent largely on self-referred low-income patients at a cost up to $6,000 or more each.

"My thinking is they're in the prison and they're safe," Bonetti said.

Growing problem

Nearly half of criminal arrests made in the Shamokin area in the first quarter of 2015 were for drug crimes.

Nearly 2,500 Pennsylvanians died of drug poisoning in 2014, a figure tallied by the state coroners' association. The number will almost certainly rise as end-of-year toxicity reports are completed. It's also missing data from 13 counties, including Northumberland, Montour, Columbia, Snyder and Schuylkill.

Northumberland County's figures weren't in the report, but according to numbers provided to The News-Item earlier this year, fatal drug overdoses tripled. There were seven cases in 2012 and 20 on record in 2014.

The figure for 2014 is actually higher, according to James F. Kelley, Northumberland County coroner. A glitch in his office's reports allowed him access only between May 1 and Dec. 31 when reached for information on the topic in April. Based on his previous estimates, upward of 28 overdose deaths occurred in 2014.

Drug and alcohol awareness appeared to have heightened locally in 2014 and 2015. Rep. Kurt Masser, R-107, hosted a series of drug awareness events at area high schools. Chris Herren, a basketball prodigy whose career was derailed by years of drug abuse, is slated to speak at an event on Sept. 15 in Mount Carmel.

The Center for Rural Pennsylvania released a Legislative report in September 2014 proposing an expansion of treatment and drug court services, and more money for county drug task forces. A new state law allows police to administer a drug reversing the effects of a heroin overdose, and provides immunity for individuals dropping an overdose victim off inside a hospital rather than dumping them at the front door.

But there remains the issue of addicts in jail.

Wasting tax dollars

Kovach agreed that inmate treatment options must be reviewed. In-prison treatment would increase spending, but it could also have the opposite effect if successful. Same goes for a variety of re-entry programs to ease inmates' transition upon release.

"The only way we're going to save money in corrections is to reduce the population. We can't keep the revolving door of justice we've had the last 20 years," Kovach said.

"We're wasting tax dollars just by not giving these guys programs," he added.

County in pilot program

Northumberland County is one of 10 counties enrolled in a pilot program with Medical Assistance offering in-patient drug rehabilitation to inmates on their way out of jail.

Inmates are transferred to a rehab immediately upon release and can stay up to six months. Since the county began the program in September, Bonetti said just one of the 25 to 30 participants enrolled left rehab early. If that occurs, she said they're immediately jailed.

But Bonetti said drug and alcohol counseling as a whole needs to be expanded, not only for inmates but for anyone in need.

"The only problem is they're not giving us the money to do it. They all recognize the problem but they're not raising any money," Bonetti said.

Improving 'transition'

Longer prison sentences aren't the answer, Kovach said. The corrections industry as a whole has learned that.

"Crime certainly didn't go down," Kovach said of harsher sentences.

"We need to start introducing these guys back into the community and have some type of transition," he said. "Definitely when we get into a new facility, there will be a definite push to improve transition."

MOUNT CARMEL - The Mount Carmel Area Joint Veterans Committee held its 467th "Changing of the Colors" flag ceremony in honor and memory of a veteran of the Korean War Era.

James Peter Menapace was born July 11, 1932, in Atlas, a son of Charles and Christine (Bach) Menapace.

He was a 1950 graduate of Mount Carmel Catholic High School.

Menapace entered the U.S. Air Force Sept. 2, 1952, and was honorably discharged as an airman first class Oct. 1, 1956, at Griffiss Air Force Base, N.Y. He received training at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. Menapace received the following medals, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal and the Air Crew Member Badge. Total service to his country was 4 years, 1 month.

On Oct. 29, 1955, at Saint Agatha's Church, Canastota, N.Y., he married the former Elizabeth Cox, who survives.

Menapace worked as a carpenter, millwright, and coal miner, and was the proprietor of Jip's Bar in Atlas.

He was a member of Divine Redeemer Church, Mount Carmel, and the former Saint Paul's Chapel, Atlas, American Legion Post 804, Atlas, and a life member with Knights of Columbus Bishop Lawrence F. Schott Council 628, Mount Carmel, Atlas Fire Company and Marion Heights Fire Company.

Menapace died Dec. 4, 2014, and is buried in Saint Mary's Cemetery, Beaverdale.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons, two daughters, four grandsons and a granddaughter.

The flag that was flown for the past month was in honor and memory of Daniel Strauser who served in the Pennsylvania Calvary during the Civil War. "Taps" was sounded on the bugle by Ann Ray Begis as the flag was lowered by William Begis. The flag was folded by William Begis and Andrew Bubnis and was presented to Connie Andrews by Walter Summers.

The Menapace flag was escorted to the ceremony by Connie Andrews. It was presented by Menapace's wife, Elizabeth, to Summers. The flag was raised by William Begis as the national anthem was played. On Father's Day, Summers led everyone in attendance in praying the Lord's Prayer in honor of all fathers. The ceremony ended with a silent salute to all veterans. David Berezovske read the military records of both veterans. Summers thanked those in attendance for their participation.

The American flag was carried to the ceremony by Alfred Santilli and the rifle escort was provided by Bubnis and William Begis. Berezovske provided traffic control. Also participating was Jospeh McMahon.

The Susquehanna Bank was thanked for displaying Menapace's name on its message board.

The next flag ceremony will be at 1 p.m. Sunday, July 19, at Second and Oak streets when the flag will be raised in honor and memory of Albert Nickolas Varano, who served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and the Korean War.

Area veterans and the public are invited to attend the ceremony.

SHAMOKIN - Faces of wanted persons will be plastered onto two billboards in the Shamokin and Mount Carmel areas beginning Wednesday.

Northumberland County's Cost Collections Task Force is moving forward with its push to publicize scofflaws who stiffed victims for restitution and the court system for fines and fees. Wanted criminals may find their way onto the billboards, too.

The effort begins a week after the state House passed a trio of bills that, if adopted into law, would authorize courts to order wage attachments, mandate deductions from the accounts of state and county inmates, and require third party collections in all counties where a collections task force doesn't exist.

Justin Dunkelberger, Northumberland County prothonotary and clerk of courts, welcomed word of all three bills, specifically the wage attachments.

"That was my argument with people who say we can do wage attachments. We cannot," he said. At least, not until such legislation become law, which he's confident is imminent. The bills must be approved by the senate and signed by the governor. As it stands, he said domestic relations departments can garnish wages.

Billboards are located on Route 901 south of Ranshaw and on Route 54 atop Natalie Mountain. The same faces will appear on both.

Photos and identifying information will also resume being shared on the Northumberland County Sheriff's Office Facebook page following a brief amnesty period. More than 3,500 people have followed the page since its creation May 18.

An estimated $23 million in unpaid criminal court costs and 14,000-plus open cases have mounted since 1965. Last July, a push began to recoup as much money as possible. Nearly $2 million in cash collections have been paid in the year since, Dunkelberger said, along with $4 million in established payment plans.

Jim Cortelyou, chief adult probation officer, Sheriff Robert Wolfe, President Judge William H. Wiest and Dunkelberger serve on the committee. Their respective staffs all play a large role.

The Task Force has been both praised and criticized for the publicity effort. It's viewed by some as a bold and welcome step in holding criminal defendants accountable. Others see it as petty or fear more serious ramifications of defendants' children being bullied as a result.

"We did our due diligence into the people who are going to be pictured," Dunkelberger said. "I think the public will be very happy that we are doing this when they see who we're looking for."

Backgrounds of the wanted persons were reviewed. In some cases, public defenders and staff from Northumberland County Children and Youth and Domestic Relations were consulted, Dunkelberger said. Probation officers made recent visits to the residences of the scofflaws targeted to judge the potential effect publicity could have on their home life.

"It's not about shaming people. It's about public service and trying to help police to clean up our communities," Dunkelberger said. "The biggest part of this is victim restitution."

Current staffing can't allow for collections of outstanding costs concerning the county's civil docket, and delinquent money owed in civil cases hasn't been calculated. Dunkelberger expects it's a fraction of the criminal cases, but still likely in the millions.

COAL TOWNSHIP - A county lawsuit filed against a petroleum giant by local landowners will be allowed to move forward while they wait at least a year and a half for their federal case to be heard.

Judge Charles Saylor ruled June 4 that a lawsuit filed by Adrian Nestico, Anthony W. Nestico and Anthony W. Nestico Jr. can continue despite an attempt by Sunoco Logistics Partners L.P. and Sunoco Pipeline L.P. to block the suit.

The Nesticos accuse the Sunoco parties of trespassing, being a nuisance, intentional misrepresentation and fraudulent concealment in the lawsuit, which was filed Sept. 3 in response to a Dec. 20, 2013, pipeline leak on the Nesticos' property north of Trevorton Road in Coal Township.

Sunoco's lawyer, Michael L. Krancer, of Blank Rome LLP, Philadelphia, cited repetitious arguments between the county and federal cases as the primary reason the county suit should be dismissed during a May 6 hearing before Saylor.

In the order, Saylor disagreed with Krancer, stating the "theories of recovery and causes of action are distinct" between the two cases.

Nesticos' attorney, David A. McGowan, of Caroselli Beachler McTiernan and Conboy LLC, Pittsburgh, said during the hearing the three men were seeking injunctive relief forcing Sunoco to clean up the leak through the county suit, a demand that cannot be achieved through a federal suit.

In response to the order, Sunoco filed a request Wednesday for Saylor to clarify the ruling to include a stay of the county suit until the federal suit receives a ruling. Initially, Sunoco had asked for the lawsuit to be dismissed entirely.

According to a order issued the same day on the federal case, the hearing on the Nesticos' federal suit is scheduled during the November 2016 trial term. If Sunoco's request for clarification on the county suit is approved, the Nesticos could wait more than a year for any court order backing their demand for information on the spill and additional remediation work on their property.

Spill 'accounted for'

Sunoco's response to Nestico's county lawsuit, also filed Wednesday, insists no wrongdoing on its end.

The 21-page document provides limited insight into the leak, with Sunoco admitting to little more than operating the pipeline at the time of the "alleged release," reporting to the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) that "approximately 10 gallons of gasoline had been recovered and/or accounted for," and that two "grab samples" taken on Dec. 23 showed concentrations of Benzene - a chemical contained in gasoline - below a dangerous level.

"(The Sunoco parties) deny that detectable concentrations of any chemical constituent of gasoline and/or other refined petroleum products were found in all eight post-excavation samples," the response says. "(They) admit only that PA DEP permitted (them) to backfill soil at the alleged release site between Jan. 19 and 24."

The Nesticos have been critical of the decision to backfill soil dug from the leak area back into the hole it came from, citing a concern the move will reintroduce contaminants into the land.

The Sunoco parties' lawyers pointed to flaws in the Nesticos' complaint throughout their denial, including insisting two errant commas - "Sunoco Logistics Partners LP" incorrectly typed as "Sunoco Logistics Partners, L.P." and "Sunoco Pipeline L.P." as "Sunoco Pipeline, L.P." - mean they have been improperly named.

Proposed laws say 'pay up'

The state House passed three bills last week seeking to recover fines, costs and victim restitution from defendants who refuse to pay.

HB 758: Authorizes courts to order wage attachments and establishes priority for child support.

HB 1089: Mandates respective deductions of 50 and 25 percent from state and county inmate wages.

HB 1070: Requires counties and district courts to contract a third party collections agency if a local task force doesn't exist.

Source: www.legis.state.pa.us

The following landlord/tenant claims were filed in magisterial district court:

John Gembic III, Shamokin

Alicia Nowroski, of Pensacola, Fla., against Chris Harris, of Shamokin, for $2,125, filed June 26. Hearing not yet scheduled.

M. Asifuddin against M. Kamran, and "mother of Kamran," all of Shamokin, no amount indicated, filed June 23. Hearing set for July 6.

John Brown, of Catawissa, against Crystal Britton, of Shamokin, for $3,167, filed June 23. Hearing set for July 6.

Bonnie Zanolini, of Shamokin, awarded $1,384.75 on June 24 from Justin Allen Nahodil and Jen Griffins, both of Shamokin.

Muncy Bank and Trust Co.'s filing against Blake Dunbar and Breann Sulouff, of Shamokin, was withdrawn June 22.

David M. Bubernack, of Shamokin, awarded $959.50 on June 25 from Tia Raymer, of Shamokin.

Hugh A. Jones, Mount Carmel

Brett Russell, of Sunbury, against Chelsea Collazo, Anthony Santiago, Adam Manzilla, all of Mount Carmel, for $5,240.09, filed June 25. Hearing set for July 9.

Kerry Blum, of Martins Creek, against Jason Honicker, for $1,100, filed June 24. Hearing set for July 7.

Joseph Bobeck, of Sunbury, against Paul Kinsey, of Mount Carmel, for $2,650, filed June 23. Hearing set for July 7.

Kirsten Knepp, of Selinsgrove, awarded $2,114.25 on June 25 from Cody and Amanda Weikel, both of Mount Carmel.

Bronze Star for late POW

SHAMOKIN - Relatives of the late U.S. Army Private First Class Thomas David Lotis, a Shamokin native, will be presented a Bronze Star with Combat "V" device today by U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta, R-11.

Lotis earned the medal during the Korean War, although the honor was never processed by the military until recently. He died in a North Korean Prisoner of War Camp in 1951 at the age of 20.

Barletta will present the Bronze Star to his sister, Theresa "Tessie" Lotis Binkoskie, 92, during a ceremony at 1:30 p.m. at the Price of Freedom Memorial on Lincoln Street in Shamokin, one-half block from City Hall.

KULPMONT - This week marks 20 years since 20 Catholic parishes in the Shamokin and Mount Carmel areas were merged into five.

A special Mass to mark the occasion was held Sunday at Holy Angels Church, formerly known as St. Mary's.

"In 1995, three became one," the Rev. Andrew Stahmer said during his homily, referencing the merging of St. Mary's, Kulpmont's St. Casimir and Our Lady of Perpetual Hope in Marion Heights. "It sounds like the Holy Trinity."

An estimated 100 parishioners attended Mass, all with roots in Holy Angels' three predecessors.

Dolores Mirarchi, of Kulpmont, sat in a pew some 20 minutes before Mass. Her godmother, Pauline Mirarchi, sat on her left clutching a rosary. Both were once members of St. Mary's.

"We're happy that we're able to be together 20 years and seem to be in harmony," Dolores Mirarchi said.

"You have to adjust," added Pauline Mirarchi.

Nicholas Dattilo, former bishop of the Harrisburg Diocese, revealed the reconstruction plan in fall 1994. The purpose, he said, was "to renew life of the church." Declining attendance and long-term financial concerns were driving factors. On July 1 the following year the merger was complete.

Coal Township's Our Lady of Hope was born from St. Joseph and St. Stephen; Mother Cabrini, Shamokin, from the city's St. Mary's, St. Edward, St. Michael and St. Stanislaus along with St. Anthony in Ranshaw; Divine Redeemer, Mount Carmel, from the borough's Holy Cross, St. Peter, Our Mother of Consolation and St. John the Baptist, and St. Paul in Atlas; Our Lady of Mount Carmel, which retained its name, from Our Lady and St. Joseph in the borough, Centralia's St. Ignatius Loyola, and two churches named after St. Joseph, one in Locust Gap and the other in Locust Dale; lastly, the aforementioned Holy Angels.

Joette Foris is the coordinator of religious education at Holy Angels. She's also a musician, performing guitar at the anniversary Mass. It took "quite a while" for her to embrace the change.

"It was painful, however, you embrace your new parish and move on," she said.

Mary Kay Bartol, parish secretary and organist, finished leading a hymn minutes before the start of Mass when she said, "I think it's one of the best things to happen to the community, to be honest."

Consolidation moved more bodies into a single house of worship. More people prayed together. More people volunteered together.

"We got to know each other. We all live in the same area but we really didn't know each other. Now we're one big happy family," she said.

Stahmer is now in his 10th year at Holy Angels, another anniversary celebrated Sunday. He urged the congregation to keep the parish strong.

"Build on that foundation that the Lord gave to us," he said. "This is your church. This is where God is present for you. Keep it strong."

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.)