NORTHERN ELECTRIC RAILWAY: The extension of the Northern Electric from Factoryville to Nicholson will be opened for traffic May 1. There is considerable work yet, but it is being rushed in order to be ready for the business that comes with the spring and summer. This seven-mile stretch of road to be opened will be an important link in the Scranton-Binghamton railway. It is likely that the next stretch of road taken up will be from Nicholson to Brooklyn, but some contend that work will be started from Binghamton end towards Hallstead. Nothing official has been given out regarding future work.

OAKLAND: A shooting accident occurred here Friday morning and as a result Ernest Gibson has a hole in his left hand. He was examining a revolver that “was not loaded” and the usual thing happened and the bullet went through Gibson’s hand.

MONTROSE: Most of our readers know something of the big amusement place in New York known as the Madison Square Garden, but not many are aware that a Montrose man is one of the owners. Geo. C. Comstock, whose summer home is on Lake Avenue, is one of 4 or 5 men who bargained for the Garden last summer and their intention was to tear down the building and erect a 25 story office building. But it is now announced that the Garden will be saved for another year. The old company, which controlled it ever since it was opened in 1890, recently turned it over to the Foreign and Domestic Company, which is composed of Olney & Comstock and three other owners. The structure will remain intact for at least a year, during which time it will be used as before, for amusement purposes.

THOMPSON: A D. & H. engine sideswiped another here on Monday, near a crossover, both locomotives being completely stripped. The engineers and firemen on both escaped injury.

MIDDLETOWN CENTER: Rev. Hugh Jones lost a valuable horse last week.

CLIFFORD: Mr. and Mrs. James Orr, of Forest City, and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Homan, of Scranton, called on Undertaker Taylor one day last week.

BROOKLYN: The numerous friends of Isaac VanAuken were sorry to hear that he had fallen off a load of straw, but will be glad to learn that in spite of his advanced age he is getting better rapidly. After surviving 60 years of wedded life, falling off a load of straw does not cut much ice.

NEW MILFORD: The town council has commenced blasting the ice in the creek, preparing for the spring flood. Owing to the long period of zero weather, the ice is of unusual thickness, and it is hoped that by breaking it up it will gradually go out without serious trouble.

SOUTH MONTROSE: The trunk slat factory is working 13 hours a day, and has a large number of orders ahead.

HOPBOTTOM: About 30 boys and girls were entertained at the Foster House recently in honor of Master Freddie’s tenth birthday. A dainty supper was served. All report a delightful time.

JESSUP TWP.: After March 1 the Prospect Hill line will be included with the Montrose exchange of the Commonwealth Telephone Co. as a free line to the subscribers. A toll of ten cents is being charged at present.

SUSQUEHANNA: The prettiest wedding of the season occurred at St. John’s church at four o’clock Tuesday afternoon when Anna Sullivan, of this place, became the bride of Harry McCoy, of Lanesboro. Father Broderick performed the ceremony. They will be at home to their friends after March 10.

RUSH: Fay Rose, of LeRaysville, agent for self-heating sad irons, took orders for a large number through this vicinity this week. LAWTON - Wm. Phillips, of the Haire House, has moved back to Dalton. The hotel and barn will be run by A. Packer the coming year.

SOUTH ARARAT: Men are very busy drawing props, mine ties, lumber and sawdust from Finch’s mill. But there is no work this week; the severe cold weather freezes the water in the pipes making it impossible to carry on business until we have a change in the weather. ALSO, Benjamin Smith and lady friend, from Gelatt, passed through this place on Thursday.

EAST KINGSLEY: E. E. Titus has a very intelligent and well trained dog. They can tie a letter on his neck, tell him to go to a friend’s house, near half a mile distant, and he will deliver it and bring one in return. ALSO, LeGrand Williams, of Avon, N.Y., was calling on his old friends in this vicinity a few days last week. He will assume the position as manager of Mrs. Norris’ dairy farm, in Dimock [Woodbourne], the first of March.

NIVEN: It is rumored that Olin Stark has taken a bride. They will live in the Stephen’s house at the corners.

CHOCONUT: Our school is progressing finely under the direction of Miss Nora McManus. Miss Lena Dunn is teaching in London Hollow.

FOREST CITY: Mrs. F. M. Gardiner entertained a large party of ladies at a domino party at her home on Delaware St. ALSO, Rev. E. G. White, rector of Christ Episcopal church, is at the head of the Boy Scout movement here. ALSO, E. J. Wells has purchased the rectory property of Christ Episcopal church.

JACKSON: While coasting near the school house last Tuesday, Geo. Renville had both bones broken in his leg. He was walking up the hill and was struck by a sled that was coming down.

CLIFFORD TWP. by Jasper T. Jennings: Clifford village is a thriving little town pleasantly situated in a valley surrounded by hills and dates back to the early history of the township. Its early industries, such as tanneries, carding machines and fulling mills, for the manufacture of woolen cloth, and steam mills for the sawing if the timber, once so abundant in that section, have passed away, but the village still exists, with its stores, churches, school house and shops and the people continue prosperous and happy.

After the Penn State scandal, I received some calls from folks seeking some guidance regarding the requirements for Pennsylvania’s ChildLine and Abuse Registry, which is better known as simply ChildLine. Under the Child Protective Services Law, the Department of Public Welfare maintains a 24-hour toll-free telephone hotline (800-932-0313) that allows for the reporting of child abuse promptly. After a matter has been reported to ChildLine, the information is then disseminated to the appropriate Children & Youth Services Agency, District Attorney’s Office and Police Department that handles cases in the jurisdiction where the alleged child abuse occurred.

In particular, there are certain persons that are considered mandated reporters, i.e., they are required by law to make a report to ChildLine when they have reasonable cause to believe that a child under their care has been abused. The category of mandatory reporters is rather expansive, and includes, but is not limited to physicians, nurses, dentists, chiropractors, optometrists, psychologists, funeral directors, clergy, school administrators, school teachers, school nurses, school librarians, social service workers, day care center workers, mental health professionals, and law enforcement professionals. In terms of an organizational structure, a mandated reporter complies with his or her reporting obligation if he or she reports the abuse to their direct supervisor, and then the legal responsibility for reporting the abuse shifts to the supervisor.

How does the statute define “child abuse” that must be reported by a mandatory reporter? There are a number of definitions of what constitutes “child abuse.” First, it includes any act (or failure to act) by a perpetrator that causes “nonaccidental serious physical injury” to a child. Second, it includes any act (or failure to act) by a perpetrator that causes “nonaccidental serious mental injury” to a child. Third, it includes any act of “sexual abuse or sexual exploitation of a child.” Fourth, it includes any act (or failure to act) that “creates an imminent risk of serious bodily injury to or sexual abuse or exploitation” of a child. Finally, it also includes any “serious physical neglect” of a child that “endangers a child’s life or development or impairs the child’s functioning.” As you can see, the definition of “child abuse” under the Child Protective Services Law is very expansive with the clear intent to mandate reporting of any acts (or failures to act) that have caused or potentially could cause harm to the child.

What happens when a mandatory reporter has reason to believe that a child has been abused? The statute requires a mandatory reporter to “immediately” report the abuse by telephone to the Department of Public Welfare, i.e., make the call to ChildLine to report the abuse. The statute then requires that the mandated reporter make a written report of the abuse to the county Children and Youth Agency within 48 hours after the telephone call has been made.

The Child Protective Services Law provides substantial protection to the mandated reporters. If the child abuse report is made in “good faith,” then the mandatory reporter has immunity from any civil or criminal liability that might potentially arise from making the report of child abuse. The statute goes further and creates a presumption that a mandated reporter is acting in good faith, i.e., the law presumes that a mandated reporter is making a report for the right reasons and anyone seeking to impose any liability upon the mandated reporter would have to present evidence to overcome that presumption.

What happens if a mandated reporter fails to make a report of child abuse required under the Child Protective Services Law? Under the statute, it is a criminal offense to fail to comply with the mandatory reporting requirements, i.e., the immediate telephonic report and the written report to be made within 48 hours. The statute makes a first offense a misdemeanor of the third degree, punishable by up to 12 months incarceration and a fine of $2,500. If the mandated reporter has a second (or any subsequent violation thereafter), the grading of the offense increases to a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable by up to 2 years incarceration and a $5,000 fine.

If you have followed the Penn State story, you understand that school administrators were charged with failure to comply with their mandated reporting requirements under the Child Protective Services Law. The Penn State situation demonstrates the importance for mandated reporters to simply make the phone call to ChildLine. It assures that any suspected abuse is investigated appropriately and that our children are protected.

Please submit any questions, concerns, or comments to Susquehanna County District Attorney’s Office, P.O. Box 218, Montrose, Pennsylvania 18801 or at our website www.SusquehannaCounty-DA.org or discuss this and all articles at http://dadesk.blogspot.com/.

History is often thought of as a dry subject, but I find it intriguing to discover new things about old things. In putting together the February edition of the Silver Lake Township “Grapevine,” I found a 1981 open house invitation for our Brackney Post Office. Included in this brochure was some very interesting information about places near my home that I did not know.

During the months of January and February, many famous people were born and significant and silly occasions are celebrated. There is Martin Luther King Day and National Peanut Butter Day in January. There is President’s Day and Ferris Wheel Day in February. Did you realize than in these two months eight of our past presidents were born? Millard Fillmore, Richard Nixon, Andrew Jackson, William McKinley, Franklin Roosevelt, Ronald Reagan, Abraham Lincoln and George Washington.

In fact, 2012 marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of one of our greatest literary figures: Charles Dickens. His work has been required reading for all students for years and many of his novels have been reworked into movies and Broadway plays.

There is so much of our history that we have not explored and so much history that we need to preserve for future generations. Check on the history and biography sections of our four library locations to see what gems are there that you may have overlooked. Visit the county-wide Susquehanna Historical Society located in Montrose. Remember it is our goal to be your resource for lifetime learning.