Montrose – Erastus H. Rogers, aged nearly 93 and the oldest resident in Montrose, died on Friday, Jan. 10. For many years he was a well known wagon maker of this place and was an excellent workman. He had resided almost continuously in Montrose throughout his life, leaving for California when the ’49 gold rush was on, but came back shortly and resided here ever since. His wife died previously and he leaves a son Frank, of Berwick, and a son, Edward, in Denver. Also Montrose skaters are enjoying the good skating on Jones Lake this week.

Lynn, Springville Twp. – The hand sled that disappeared so mysteriously from H. Fish’s store, around Christmas, has been brought back. Also We notice we don’t hear so much about our rollicking, frolicking Bull Moosers. A lot of the fellows say they only turned Bull Moose to defeat Taft, and now belong to the old line party. Also In Springville J. K. Aldrich is putting lumber upon the ground for a new house and barn, which he will erect on his lot here.

West Auburn – Rev. A. O. Williams, our pastor, in his sermon on “Give us this day our daily bread” in the Lord’s Prayer, declared that the great sin of the American people, is selfishness—greed. We not only want our own daily bread, but also want the bread of others. Let us all think this over carefully and, if guilty, mend our ways at once.

Great Bend – Great Bend has a “Booster Club” that is working for another industry in that place. Every town should have such an organization. If every town had a large percentage of “boosters” and a small percentage of “knockers” conditions would be greatly improved.

Rushboro – Will Galvin, the young man who partially shot his arm off in a hunting accident, Dec. 14, is still in the Sayre Hospital. His arm is beginning to heal, but physicians expect to resort to skin-grafting in order to effect a cure. He will probably be confined to the hospital for many weeks yet.

Choconut – Brother Dominus, a son of James Gilroy, died of typhoid fever at Norristown, Dec. 27. For 14 years he had been a Christian Brother, and was an instructor for 6 years in the Protectory for Boys in Philadelphia. He was buried in the Brothers’ Cemetery, at Ammendale, Md.

Franklin Forks – Hiram F. Smith has sold his farm to J. W. Wood, of Lawton. The transfer was made Tuesday and Mr. Wood will soon take possession. The farm is a valuable one and has been in the Smith family for generations, Mr. Smith’s father, one of the pioneers of Franklin Township, having purchased it. Mr. Wood is an energetic young farmer and it may well be expected that the will continue to make it a paying proposition to the owner. The consideration was $3000. Also Miss Mina Birchard has a new piano and she knows how to use it.

Brooklyn – Archie F. Kent, of Brooklyn, is in New York city this week, at the Barnes School of Sanitary Science and Embalming.

Susquehanna – The High school boys’ rifle team won the match with the Sault Ste Marie team of Michigan and this week are shooting against the team of Salt Lake City. ALSO Michael Shields, charged with stealing a shawl from a Polish woman of Forest City, New Year’s evening, pled guilty when identified by the woman. He was held in $500 bail. Also On Wednesday of last week Charles Walker, an employee of the Electric Light company, was caught in the gearing and whirled until his clothing gave way. His right arm was pulled from the socket.

Clifford – Lyndon Ayres went to Philadelphia on Saturday and when he returns he will have a better half. Here’s luck to you, Prof.

Thompson – A bountiful dinner was served last Thursday in Tallman’s Hall to the old soldiers and their wives and the widows of deceased soldiers and a few of their friends. After enjoying the dinner the time was spent in hearing short talks from the following veterans of their army life: Rev. P. R. Tower, Lyman Sanford, B. F. Barnes, Warren Plew and Commander S. B. Whitney; select reading by Mrs. E. C. Leighton, Mrs. A. E. Foster and Mrs. P. R. Tower.

Lenox – The old soldiers of Captain Lyons Post G. A. R., of Glenwood, gave an oyster dinner to the number of 75 including sons of veterans, grand sons of veterans and their families. There were only four of the old boys in blue able to attend. All enjoyed a fine time and we hope to meet with them many years to come.

Harford – On Thursday last the large barn of Judson Tingley, was destroyed by fire. Twelve cows were incinerated and much hay and grain lost. The fire is supposed to have been set by a tramp. A fine horse barn connected by a shed was saved. Insurance very light.

Forest City – Sunday morning L. W. Edwards was startled to hear a heavy rumbling sound which emanated from his store room. He hastily proceeded to examine the cause and what a sight he beheld. The shelving had fallen and the contents were in a promiscuous heap on the floor. Bluing and sugar were blended with syrups and other articles too numerous to mention. It required several hours to clear the wreck.

News Brief: John Kruskus, of McAdoo, does not believe in banks. Surveyors recently found $1300 in his garden, hidden in an old dinner pail. Also On the Montrose Branch of the Lehigh derailments of the cars have been so frequent, of late, that the patrons of the line are asking that something be done about it. Out of its millions they feel that the company should spare a few dollars for road bed and rolling stock betterment to the end that they shall not continue to ride in the fear that any old time a car or the whole train may jump the track.

Occasionally, I will get online and read the comments made to a newspaper article. If any public official wants to make sure that they are grounded, this exercise will achieve that goal. If you are fortunate, there will be some positive things included in the comments section, but it seems that most people who comment on news articles tend to be critical in their assessment. This seems like a product of human nature – if you agree with something (or even have a neutral reaction), then you are less likely to take the time to comment on it. If something makes you angry or you have a personal dislike for a particular public official, then commenting is a means to release that negative energy.

The comments can be very brutal – and occasionally slanderous – and it simply goes with the territory of being a public official. The comments, however, can be terrific evidence of what constituents are thinking. If someone has taken the time to post a particular comment, then likely there are other people wondering the same thing, and a public official ought to make an effort to reach out to the constituents to explain the issue that raised the comments. It is all about transparency – and I have the tremendous privilege of having this column to use as a tool to address some of these issues.

I saw some comments the other day that were made in response to a sentencing report where a particular young man convicted of several burglaries received a probationary sentence. In the same report, it noted that several DUI offenders were incarcerated. The one comment suggested that only in Susquehanna County would DUI offenders go to jail while a person with a felony burglary conviction was placed on probation. The other comment suggested that both the judge and I needed to be “investigated,” though the commenter neglected to indicate for what.

In any event, these comments demonstrate a question that people ask me frequently – how are people sentenced in Pennsylvania? Ever since we started the sentencing reports about 10 years ago for the local papers, people began to have a better idea of what defendants received for their criminal conduct and people have been more curious about sentencing issues. I have had the privilege to speak to a variety of groups to explain the Sentencing Guidelines and how they work – and if you are a member of a group and are interested, let me know and I would be happy to come and give a short talk.

In any event, getting back to the comments, the judge has very little discretion when it comes to DUI offenders with prior DUI convictions. The DUI offenders who went to jail in that particular sentencing report were all multiple offenders – and there were mandatory minimum sentences that were attached to each of them. The judge had no choice but to put them in jail. For instance, a second time DUI offender must serve a minimum sentence of 5 days, 30 days or 90 days depending upon his or her BAC level at the time of the arrest.

A defendant convicted of a felony burglary is a little different. There is no mandatory minimum sentence – and assuming that it is a first offense – the Sentencing Guidelines give a range of RS (probation) to a minimum of 9 months incarceration. The sentencing judge has discretion on where within that range to sentence a particular defendant. There are a variety of factors that go into that decision – and the pre-sentence report itself is usually three to four pages in length. The Court has to fashion an appropriate sentence within the guideline range based upon the circumstances of a particular defendant.

As to the particular probationary sentence that the commenters were decrying, the Commonwealth did not agree to a probationary sentence for those burglary convictions – it was the decision of the sentencing judge. The defendant was a first time offender. The burglaries were older as they occurred more than two years ago. In the intervening time, the defendant had obtained treatment on his own for the issues that led to his involvement in the burglaries. The defendant cooperated against the co-defendant who was the “ring leader,” an individual who had an extensive criminal history. The defendant had obtained employment – and just prior to sentencing, the defendant had sustained a traumatic leg injury at his employment which raised serious medical issues for the correctional facility if he had been incarcerated. Based on all these factors, the Court made the decision to sentence the defendant to probation.

Even if you disagree with the sentence, it does not require an investigation. The sentence was within the Sentencing Guidelines – and, as such, presumptively reasonable and appropriate. As to the suggestion that this only occurs in Susquehanna County, it is equally misplaced – the Sentencing Guidelines apply across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania – and similar decisions are being made every day in each of our 67 counties.

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/.

Every man should be born again on the first day of January. Start with a fresh page. Take up one hole more in the buckle if necessary, or let down one, according to circumstances; but on the first of January let every man gird himself once more, with his face to the front, and take no interest in the things that were and are past. ~Henry Ward Beecher

Hopefully, everyone has recovered from the chaos and merriment of the holidays as you pause to read this. How many of you were surprised with gifts of books or E-Readers under the tree?

Currently we are unable to provide E-books from our libraries due to the cost, but the Free Library of Philadelphia has generously allowed PA library patrons to apply for a library card online through them.

Here is a link to their registration. http://libwww.freelibrary.org/register/getcard1.cfm

Here is FLP's website for digital media: http://search.freelibrary.org/digitalmedia.cfm

On the left-hand side of the above page, you will see a list of the various resources. You can click on the E-book link to see the things that are available for download. I’m sure you’ll find some titles you may be interested in.

Speaking of titles, I’m continually amazed by the number of talented Authors and Poets we have in our County, and not just familiar, recognizable Authors such as the late John Gardner and B.F. Skinner and Hallstead’s own Dr. Bernard Leo Remakus, but your talented friends and neighbors near and far. Among them are: “Legacy” by Anne Himko Belles of Montrose, within the many titles penned by Sherry Bonnice, also of Montrose, our Library system features “Computer Programmer”, K. Allen Cross of Great Bend with his “Flight of the Hellcat”, “Trick of Light” by former resident of Uniondale, Karen Blomain, Ray Barnard, who self-published a book of poems titled “Magic Casements” and the lateTeresa Anderson of Starrucca, who will be remembered for her volume, “Refusing Despair; Selected Poems and Journal Writings”. This is just a small percentage of the local talent that your Library Branches have to offer you and you will learn about through this column. There is one addition I would like to add to the growing list—the name of Nancy Narma…yes, you read that correctly--your dog-eared, page-worn columnist. I am proud to report an article I wrote entitled, “Whatever Happened to Old-Fashioned Thank-You Notes” has been published in the current issue of “Girlhood Home Companion” Magazine. Perhaps you remember “Woman’s Home Companion” Magazine from decades ago—well, this is a publication centered around Christian Values for Girls and their relationships with their Mothers and Grandmothers. Imagine my delight, when on Christmas Eve Day, I received the issue that contains my article. Perhaps, one day, my Children’s Fiction book will be on one of the local Library shelves (fingers and toes crossed).

There are lots of exciting events scheduled for the New Year and you will be hearing more about them in the months to come. Plans are already underway for the Annual Auction in April, so save your pennies for this fun-filled occasion complete with a scrumptious dinner and a chance to bid on some wonderful items. This will be held at the Montrose VFW. The month of May brings the Author’s Luncheon with special guest, Inspirational Romance and Romantic Suspense Novelist, Marta Perry. This year, for the first time, this event will be held on a Saturday, so when tickets are made available, don’t delay—for they will sell out quickly. Also in the merry month of May will be the very popular “Chocolate and Wine Fest”. It is scheduled for May 18th, so be sure to mark it on your calendar.

More details about all of the above events will be forthcoming in this column.

I am happy to report that, thanks to your attendance and generosity, the Christmas Book Sale and Boutique and all of the additional fund-raisers culminated in a huge success, raising over $3000.00. Many thanks go to organizers, crafters, tireless workers, those who attended, and generous Authors; Joe Weldon and Angela Shelton. Every amount raised brings us that much closer to opening the doors of the new facility. A Big Thank-You to all.

Speaking of Thank-you, Angie and Valerie from the Hallstead/Great Bend Library Branch would like to start their year off right by sending some notes of appreciation to some very fine folks. “We would like to thank Hallstead Borough for supplying the library with a nice, warm building. We would also like to thank Jim Canfield for all of his help with snow and ice removal making it safe for our patrons. A special thank you to the Great Bend VFW for their on-going support with donations to us, and also to the

Hallstead-Great Bend Civic Club for the many years of caring dedication and help that they have given to us! We are grateful for all of the help we have received!”

The Library staff would also like to encourage their patrons to come in and browse their large selection of new Fiction and Non-Fiction books, DVDs, books on tape, children's books, and to take advantage of our free computer service.

The Staff at Montrose has been busy reading over the holidays. Eleanor has read "the Lost Wife" by Alyson Richman and "Matchmakers of Butternut Creek" by Jane Myers Perrine and Donna read the classic /favorite "The Mitten" by Jan Brett to her Grandson over Christmas.
Amy is currently reading "Wife 22" by Melanie Gideon and
Shannon is bubbling with joy as she got a book on soap making for Christmas. Karen has finished reading "God Loves You: He Always has, He Always Will" by David Jeremiah. Lucky me, I received three books for Christmas—“Wreath of Snow” by Liz Curtis Higgs, “Peaches for Father Francis” by Joanne Harris, (if you haven’t seen the movie or read the book, “Chocolat”, please do--this is the sequel) and both are on the shelf in Montrose as I write this. Last but not least, a suspense novel, “The Book of Lost Fragrances” by M. J. Rose, , which is not available at this time. I’m looking forward to curling up with one of them, a hot cup of peach tea nearby, and forget these blustery evenings, but for now, I’m finishing a fantastic love story called “Sand Dollar” by Sebastian Cole and “Love and Other Subjects”, the chaotic life of a teacher in D.C. by Kathie Shoop. Both have just been released and are not on the Library shelves yet, but, I bet, in time, they will be.

As I close this edition, I will leave you with this thought—

Many people, other than the authors, contribute to the making of a book, from the first person who had the bright idea of alphabetic writing through the inventor of movable type to the lumberjacks who felled the trees that were pulped for its printing. It is not customary to acknowledge the trees themselves, though their commitment is total. ~Forsyth and Rada,” Machine Learning”

Stay cozy—Happy Reading!!