On Feb. 2, Governor Tom Corbett signed into law Act 2 amending the Local Option Small Games of Chance Act to create new definitions, increase prize limits, provide additional licensing rules and regulations for organizations and amend enforcement provisions.

Effective March 3, the individual prize limit increased from $500 to $1,000, and the maximum amount of prizes that may be awarded during an operating week increased from $5,000 to $25,000.

Club licensees are permitted to use up to 30 percent of proceeds (the difference between gross revenue collected from a games of chance and prizes paid) from small games of chance for operational expenses. No less than 70 percent of proceeds must be used for public interest purposes in the calendar year in which the proceeds were obtained.

Each license application must include the results of a criminal history record information check, obtained by from the Pennsylvania State Police, on the executive officer and secretary of the eligible organization making the application.

Note the amendments to the Small Games of Chance Act made no changes regarding entities eligible for Small Games of Chance licenses.

The Department of Revenue has updated its Small Games of Chance Overview, available online at www.revenue.state.pa.us/SGOC, to reflect many of the changes to the law.

Beginning Feb. 1, 2013, eligible organizations must electronically file an annual report with the department for the preceding calendar year. Eligible organizations will be required to report the following with respect to small games of chance: Number of W-2G forms issued; Total gross winnings reported on W-2G forms.

Harrisburg - Pennsylvania’s new law prohibiting text-based communication while driving will took effect on March 8, making texting while driving a primary offense carrying a $50 fine.

“Your most important job when behind the wheel is to focus only on driving. Most people would never close their eyes for five seconds while driving, but that’s how long you take your eyes of the road, or even longer, every time you send or read a text message,” PennDOT Secretary Barry J. Schoch said. “It’s not just your own life you’re risking; it’s the lives and safety of every motorist around you.”

The new law specifically does the following:

Makes it a primary offense to use an Interactive Wireless Communication Device (IWCD) to send, read or write a text-based message.

Defines an IWCD as a wireless phone, personal digital assistant, smartphone, portable or mobile computer or similar devices that can be used for texting, instant messaging, emailing or browsing the Internet.

Defines a text-based message as a text message, instant message, email or other written communication composed or received on an IWCD.

Institutes a $50 fine for convictions.

Makes clear that this law supersedes and preempts any local ordinances restricting the use of interactive wireless devices by drivers.

“This is a serious problem and we are hoping that we can educate citizens on the dangers of texting while driving and prevent future accidents,” said State Police Commissioner Frank Noonan. “Our troopers will attempt to use observations of the driver while the vehicle is in motion to determine if traffic stops are warranted. An example might be the motorist continues to manipulate the device over an extended distance with no apparent voice communication.

“Ultimately, we hope that our enforcement efforts will create voluntary compliance by the majority of motorists," Noonan said.

In 2010, there were nearly 14,000 crashes in Pennsylvania where distracted driving played a role, with 68 people dying in those crashes.

Learn more online at www.dot.state.pa.us and choose “Anti-Texting Law.”

Jan Cohen, Penn State Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences/Family Resiliency, recently accepted a check from Cindy G. Reynolds representing Beta Rho Chapter of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. The chapter donated $173.00 to cover the shipping costs for the Dresses for Africa, books, and shoes for the Children and Youth Empowerment Center in Nyeri, Kenya.

The First Presbyterian Church in Montrose was the setting for the March meeting of the Beta Rho Chapter of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. President Ann Way, assistant superintendent in the Tunkhannock Area School District, conducted the business meeting. The slate of officers for the 2012-2014 biennium was presented and approved. The new officers include Carol Goodman, president; Annette Smith, first vice-president; Ann Gay, second vice-president; Barbara Davis, recording secretary; Sheri Wolfe, corresponding secretary; Ann Way, Parliamentarian; and Carol Davis, treasurer. Two prospective women educators were voted for membership and will be initiated at the October 2 meeting at Dreyer Hall in Montrose. They are Patricia Carpenter, a Title 1 and Gifted Education Teacher in the Lackawanna Trail Elementary School, and Karen Voigt, Director of Curriculum and Instruction in the Mountain View School District.

Other items of business included a vote to donate $173.00 to Jan Cohen, the Family Resiliency Educator at the Penn State Extension in Susquehanna County, to use for postage to ship Little Dresses for Africa, shoes, and/or books to the Children and Youth Empowerment Center (CYEC) in Nyeri, Kenya. It was also voted to award a $200.00 grant in aid to Laura Kate Davis, a graduate of Keystone College and Tunkhannock Area High School. She is presently studying at Penn State University with a dual major in Environmental Resource Management and Agriculture and Extension Education with minors in International Agriculture and Sustainability Leadership. She is the daughter of Carol and Marshall Davis of Tunkhannock.

Rebecca Lesko, Environmental Education Specialist at the Endless Mountains Nature Center in Tunkhannock with Owen, the screech owl, presented a program at the Beta Rho Chapter meeting in Montrose.

Following the business meeting, the members participated in an informative program by Rebecca Lesko from the Endless Mountains Nature Center. Accompanying her was Owen, a screech owl, from the center. Rebecca gave an overview of the types of programs offered by the center which include adult workshops, live animal programs, nature day camps, presentations for groups, school, homeschool, and preschool programs, as well as special family events. In addition, she talked about the Environmental Education Field Study Programs offered, all of which are inquiry-based, hands-on, age-appropriate, and address Pennsylvania Academic Standards. The programs are taught by Environmental Education Specialists. All in attendance were fascinated by Owen and impressed with the programs which Rebecca reviewed. The contact information for the center is EMNCinfo@yahoo.com or 570-836-3835. Their website is www.EMNConline.org.

The final meeting of this biennium will be held on May 5 at the Tunkhannock Area School District Administration Building in Tunkhannock. The meeting will include the installation of officers and a Service of Remembrance for Margaret Dickey. The program for that meeting will be “Technology in the Classroom and at Home”with hands-on workshops to fit members’ specific computer skills from beginner to advanced.

The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International is a professional honor society for women educators with more than 115, 000 members. Established in 16 member countries around the world, the Society defines its mission as promoting professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education. Alpha Alpha State will celebrate its 75th Anniversary at the state convention in State College, June 8-10, at the Nittany Lion Inn. The DKG International Convention will be held in New York City, July 24-29, which will include Society meetings, workshops, keynote speakers, and tours in the Big Apple. Beta Rho members are encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity to learn more about the Society by attending the functions beyond the chapter level.

On February 2 the Boy Scouts of Troop 89 in Great Bend got a chance to learn about hands on CPR. A local police officer from Susquehanna, Bill Moran, came and taught the boys what to do in an emergency situation if a person quits breathing. Pictured above are Nathaniel Wellman, Jake Tyler, Harrison Parsons, Michael Kelly, Randy Austin, Terry Jackson, Aaron Cook, Dakota McClain, Officer Bill Moran, Connor Gaughan, Julian Burke, Brian Oconner, Ryan Allen, Jared Tyler and Jordan Holtzman.

Trevor Tompkins, 16, a sophomore at Montrose Area Junior High School was selected as the first weekly winner of Susquehanna County’s “Discovering Tomorrow’s Leaders” contest, a partnership among Chesapeake Energy Corp., several local nonprofits and regional media.

Trevor Tompkins

Trevor has been an active member of the Susquehanna County 4-H program for nine years. He is a member of the Susquehanna County Junior Holstein Club, Senior Dairy Judging Team, Senior Dairy Quiz Bowl and is the President of the Born to Show 4-H Dairy Club team. He has shown his dairy cattle at the local, district, state and national levels and has been a group leader at the Susquehanna County 4-H Dairy Camp providing his own cattle for members to work with and mentoring the younger students. Trevor is on the varsity football and wrestling teams and volunteers with the youth football programs in the Montrose School District. He demonstrates excellent character and leads by example in everything he does.

Nathan Moyer, 18, a senior at Mountain View High School was selected as the second weekly winner of Susquehanna County’s “Discovering Tomorrow’s Leaders” contest.

Nathan Moyer

For two years, Nathan has been the president of his 4-H group where he mentors the younger members and assists with their books and projects. Nathan also volunteers at the Susquehanna County Horse Camp as an assistant instructor and part of the ring crew. Nathan was a member of the Susquehanna County Horse Judging team that won the State Championship and went on to compete at the national level. He also assisted his older brother in coaching a youth soccer team to a winning season. Nathan plays on his school’s soccer team and has been a part of winning four district titles sending them to compete in the state playoffs. Nathan is also captain of the volleyball team and a member of the school scholastic team competing in various competitions. Nathan demonstrates a positive spirit and willingness to help whenever and wherever he is needed in his community.

Rick Hemann, 18, a senior at Elk Lake High School has been selected as the third weekly winner of Susquehanna County’s “Discovering Tomorrow’s Leaders” contest.

Rick Hemann

Rick has been a leading role model and president of the Endless Mountains 4H Community Club for the past two years. He has been a member of the 4H for a total of five years and participates in livestock programs as well as making maple syrup, and rocketry. Rick is always willing to mentor the younger members by assisting with various projects and county fair competitions. Rick maintains excellent grades and works part-time with the Youth Apprenticeship Program at Elk Lake High School where he enjoys working on the diesel equipment used in the drilling of gas wells. Rick was the first student in his graduating class to be accepted to college and he plans to study Diesel Technology and Operations at Pennsylvania College of Technology in the Fall of 2012. He enjoys snowboarding and spending time on the slopes engaging in winter sports. Rick also volunteers at a wildlife conservancy during the summer cleaning up hiking trails and performing forestry maintenance.

“Discovering Tomorrow’s Leaders” gives residents the opportunity to nominate Susquehanna County students who have displayed outstanding leadership qualities within the 4-H or any other student volunteer organization. One young leader, nominated by the community, will be selected each week for eight consecutive weeks through May. A refurbished computer will be donated to each winner’s school. In May, two lucky winners will be selected from all honorees to win a personal laptop computer.

Partnering with Chesapeake Energy in the “Discovering Tomorrow’s Leaders” contest are the Susquehanna County 4-H, the Rotary Club of Montrose, New Milford and Forest City, The Community Foundation of the Endless Mountains, Gem 104 Radio, The Forest City Regional News, The Susquehanna Independent Weekender and The Susquehanna Transcript.

With no end in sight to rising gas prices, consumers who modify their driving habits and properly maintain their vehicles will get more miles per gallon. The Car Care Council recommends the following ways to drive smart and save gas money:

Observe the speed limit. Gas mileage decreases rapidly above 60 mph.

Avoid excessive idling. Idling gets zero miles per gallon. Warming up the vehicle for one or two minutes is sufficient.

Avoid quick starts and stops. Aggressive driving can lower gas mileage by 33 percent on the highway and 5 percent in the city.

Consolidate trips. Several short trips taken from a cold start can use twice as much gas as one longer multi-purpose trip.

Don’t haul unneeded items in the trunk. An extra 100 pounds in the trunk reduces fuel economy by 1 to 2 percent.

Check the gas cap. Damaged, loose or missing gas caps allow gas to vaporize into the air.

Replace dirty or clogged air filters on older vehicles to improve gas mileage by as much as 14 percent.

Replace dirty spark plugs, which can reduce mileage by two miles per gallon.

Change oil regularly and gain another mile per gallon.

Keep your car properly tuned to improve gas mileage by an average of 4 percent.

Keep tires properly inflated and improve gas mileage by 3 percent.

“Some motorists think they are saving money when they put off needed vehicle maintenance. What they don’t realize is that neglecting routine maintenance can end up costing a lot more,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “Keeping your car running efficiently and adjusting your driving behavior are the best ways to improve your vehicle’s fuel economy and keep more money in your pocket.”

The Car Care Council is the source of information for the “Be Car Care Aware” consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair to consumers. For a free copy of the council’s Car Care Guide or for more information, visit www.carcare.org.

The annual Susquehanna County Forest Land Owners Association (SCFLOA) Spring Woods Walk attracted 40+ people. The educational walk was held on March 17 at the 41 acre property of Denise and Matt Sellers south east of South Montrose. Featured speakers were: landowner Matt Sellers, forestry professionals Ryan Brown the DCNR Service Forester for Susquehanna and Wyoming counties along with retired forestry professionals Jim Kessler and Dick Schwab, USDA NRCS Technician Bob Wagner and SCFLOA Directors Carol Hartley, Doug Gunn, Curt Hepler and Stu Slocum. Displays and information were provided by the Bureau of Forestry, SCFLOA, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Susquehanna Branch of the Quality Deer Management Association.

Matt and Denise Sellers have improved the forest and wildlife habitat with the planting of 300+ trees and shrubs, the planting of warm season grasses and cool season grasses and legumes, the building of brush piles for wildlife, cutting of trees to open up the forest canopy to get light to the forest floor to get native shrubby plants to grow, the cutting of trees to allow mast (fruit, nut and seed) trees to better reach their potential for mast production, pruning of apple trees and the development of a small wetland area. The various trees and shrubs are protected from wildlife by tree tubes, fencing, wire cages and downed tree tops.

The foresters ( Ryan Brown, Jim Kessler and Dick Schwab) helped the group find soft and hard mast (mast production seeds from ash, maple, cherry, hickory) that were hidden under leaves on the forest floor, to identify tree seedlings, and identify trees and diseases on some of the trees. Mr. Wagner and Mr. Sellers talked about how the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Services program for wildlife habitat enhancement works and how it had assisted the landowners to improve the wildlife habitat on the property. Mr. Sellers explained, “I’m managing this woodland from a wildlife habitat improvement standpoint and not a strict woodland forest product viewpoint.”

Following are the February Pennsylvania Lottery winners from Susquehanna, Wyoming and Wayne Counties. State records show $233,116.50 was paid out in winnings.

Shawn P. Hollister of Meshoppen took home the most - $170,316.50 from “Cash 5.” Jacob P. Madas of Harford scored $10,000 from the instant game of “Casino Cash.”

Listed below are the notable winners of $1,000 or more from the February Pennsylvania Lottery website.

Susquehanna County

Raymond V. Chalfant of New Milford, $1,000 from “10X The Money.”

Dennis Korty of Union Dale, $1,000 from “Big Money.”

Amy Collins of Susquehanna, $1,000 from “Diamonds And 7s.”

Brian S. Upright of Montrose, $1,000 from “Mustang.”

Mary J. Ragard of Great Bend, $1,000 from “Solid Gold.”

Patricia A. Dickison of Union Dale, $1,000 from “Solid Gold.”

Kelly Wright of Clifford, $1,000 from “Stacks Of Cash.”

Matthew P. Frailey of Susquehanna, $1,000 from “Winner Take All Millionaire Edition.”

Roberta Christianson of Susquehanna, $1,000 from “Lucky Hearts.”

Theodore J. Beeman of Kingsley, $1,000 from “Winner Take All Millionaire Edition.”

Curtis R. Woodruff of Kingsley, $1,000 from “Winner Take All Millionaire Edition.”

Wyoming County

Raymond Buckingham of Meshoppen, $1,000 from “Casino Cash.”

Roland F. Vinson of Nicholson, $1,000 from “Casino Cash.”

Delores L. Deacon of Nicholson, $1,000 from “Diamond Millionaire.”

Thomas A. Whipple of Nicholson, $1,000 from “Money Vault.”

Agnes M. Kudrako of Tunkhannock, $1,000 from “Lucky Hearts.”

Wayne County

Mary Yedinah of Hamlin, $2,500 from “Evening Big 4 Winners.”

Robert F. Grissler of Hawley, $2,500 from “Evening Big 4 Winners.”

Andrew S. De Korte of Waymart, $1,700 from “Evening Quinto.”

Ryan E. Carroll of Honesdale, $2,100 from “7-11-21.”

David Powers of East Berlin, $1,000 from “1,000 A Week For Life.”

Steven P. Hamilton of East Berlin, $1,000 from “20X The Money.”

Tracy Peltowen of Hawley, $1,000 from “ 20X The Money.”

Rebecca Wallace of Lake Ariel, $1,000 from “3rd Edition Goldbar Cro$$word.”

Vonsuppiny Edmond of Lake Ariel, $1,000 from “Bingo.”

Loren Stokes of East Berlin, $1,000 from “Ca$h Up!”

Dennis Considine of Honesdale, $1,000 from “Casino Cash.”

William J. Jerske of Lake Ariel, $1,000 from “Diamond Millionaire.”

Brenda L. Lee of Waymart, $1,000 from “Diamond Millionaire.”

Dolores Desimone of Beach Lake, $1,000 from “Diamonds And 7S.”

John V. Martin of Hawley, $1,000 from “Diamonds And 7S.”

Robert Hoover of Lake Ariel, $1,000 from “Diamonds And 7S.”

Dana Katilus of Lake Ariel, $1,000 from “Diamonds And 7S.'

Richard L. Osborne Jr of Hawley, $1,000 from “Holiday Gifts.”

Randy M. McCotrmick of Lake Ariel, $1,000 from “Lucky Hearts.”

Walter Cherinchak of Waymart, $1,000 from “Money Vault.”

Wendy Miller of Beach Lake, $1,000 from “Mustang.”

Sean P. Tufano of Lake Ariel, $1,000 from “Pure Gold.”

Gwendolyn Zeigler of East Berlin, $1,000 from “Winner Take All Millionaire Edition.”

Diane Fitz of Hamlin, $1,000 from “Winner Take All Millionaire Edition.”

Tinya L. Engles of Hawley, $1,000 from “Winner Take All Millionaire Edition.”

Jessee Lee Fotuskiy of Lake Ariel, $1,000 from “Winner Take All Millionaire Edition.”

Robert D. Sinawa of Lake Ariel, $1,000 from “Winner Take All Millionaire Edition.”

Robert J. Lillie of Waymart, $1,000 from “Winner Take All Millionaire Edition.”

Edward A. Miller of Waymart, $1,000 from “Lucky Hearts.”

Sylvia P. Dasilva of Honesdale, $1,000 from “Winner Take All Millionaire Edition.”

David Flederbach of Honesdale, $1,000 from “Winner Take All Millionaire Edition.”

Joshua Kerwin of Honesdale, $1,000 from “Winner Take All Millionaire Edition.”

HARRISBURG - Pennsylvania continues to see an increase in driving fatalities involving 16 year olds, a fact that driving advocates say only increases the need to educate young drivers about the dangers of distracted driving.

In statistics released on March 19 by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, fatalities involving 16-year-old drivers increased from 19 in 2010 to 29 last year.

Overall, the state saw a decrease in the number of driving fatalities. In fact, the 1,291 deaths in 2011 were the second-lowest number on record, according to PennDOT Secretary Barry J. Schoch.

"The passage of recent safe driving laws was a major step in keeping potential victims out of emergency rooms throughout the state," said Daniel Wehner, MD, FACEP, past president of PaACEP. "But passing these bills alone are not enough. We need to engage the public - and teenagers in particular - in learning and embracing a stronger set of graduated drivers' license regulations and a newly adopted ban on texting while driving."

PaACEP and the Pennsylvania DUI Association has created an interactive and fun way to teach teens about the new graduated drivers' license law that took effect in late December. Teens can win $1,000 in the "Know the Rules, Rule the Road" video contest. They have until April 27 to submit a 30-second video that incorporates one element of these new laws. More details can be found at www.PaDistractedDriving.org.

Rep. Katharine Watson (R-Bucks County), who co-sponsored the graduated drivers' license law, said the video contest is a way to engage teen drivers.

"This isn't just talking at you," she said. "We want to engage you in this whole process. You give us ideas for things that will work. This is a process that involves all of us."

House Bill 9 added new requirements and restrictions for teenage drivers, including the number of passengers they can carry who are not immediate family members. It also increased the amount of behind-the-wheel training before teenagers can obtain a regular drivers' license. They must have 65 hours of behind-the-wheel practice, up from 50 hours. Ten hours of the time must be recorded at night and five hours must be during bad weather.

A state ban on texting while driving also took effect March 8. Under Senate Bill 314, texting while driving is a primary offense, which allows officers to stop and cite offenders for that reason alone. Fines are $50.

The Pennsylvania Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Association is a professional organization that works to address the DUI problem in all of its many stages - from prevention to enforcement up to, and including, adjudication and rehabilitation. We provide information, direction, training and support with the purpose of working toward the elimination of impaired drivers and the harm that they can cause.

PaACEP is a state chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians, a medical society representing specialists in emergency medicine. With more than 1,500 members, PaACEP is committed to advancing emergency care through continuing education, research, and public education.

The Pennsylvania Association of Retired State Employees – Chapter 15, will hold their first meeting of the year 2012 on April 10 at the American Legion in Towanda, Bradford County. The meeting will begin at 12 noon with a luncheon, followed by the business meeting.

Mr. C. Kindt, a representative from the PARSE program will be the speaker. He will discuss long-term care, eye care and dental care programs. Only retirees who are PARSE members are eligible for these programs.

The Chapter has affiliated with members from Lycoming, Clinton and Tioga Counties. They have extended an invitation to these retirees to attend the meetings.

If you have any questions about the PARSE program or plan to attend the April 10 meeting, please contact President Jesse Bacon at 570-265-9784 or Susquehanna County Vice President John Benio at 570-278-2380.