A special meeting of the Montrose School Board was held on June 30th. Mr. Caterson explained that this was the last day, by law, the budget could be voted on. It was also the last day the state budget could be passed on time- he noted that the district might need to reopen the budget pending the state budget. The superintendent, Mrs. Boyce, spoke about position transfers. She said the principals had spent a great deal of time looking at the positions and making moves for the benefit of the youngsters, playing on the strengths of the educators. Only one, a board member pointed out, involved a building transfer. This was an informational item, and was therefore not voted upon. A motion was made to approve a final budget for the 2014-2015 fiscal year in the amount of $24,495,384.

Mr. Caterson thought that perhaps they should take a few minutes and discuss how they got to that number. Mrs. Boyce related that, as she understood it, the process had begun in December. The business office began to collect figures, wants, desires, needs, to prioritize these, and put things into a shape that was then put to the board. She said sometimes the desires and needs were more than could be afforded. When she came on the board in January there was a document which needed refining. She passed it to Ms. Follert, who was the chair of the Finance Committee.

Ms. Follert briefly took over the explanation. She said they left the budget in the hands of the administrators for a while, and then the finance committee would ask questions about it. The district was at a place where they needed to make a big decision about whether or not they needed to raise taxes, as well as decisions on what to do with staffing questions and the replacement of equipment and technology. They ended up taking a huge chunk of the technology budget, raising taxes to the maximum allowable by the index, not replacing most retirements, and rearranging some staff positions.

All of that was due, it was said, to the fact that they were not getting as much income from the state as they had gotten in the past. The expenses were increasing with the PSERS retirement obligations, general supplies and other expenses, with less income coming in from the state to offset it. It had been a struggle, it was stated, to balance the budget. The main goal was to continue programming for the students, and let them come to school without feeling the effect of budget constraints.

Ms. Boyce said that the PSERS pension was a problem, citing the fact that better than 21% of payroll expenses was comprised of what the district had to pay for the retirement account. She felt the budget was only going to get tighter if this expense increased as expected. She complimented the administrators for their work, going back and trying to do what was best for the kids within the realm of financial ability. An administrator stated that he was impressed with the way the administration had worked and made the tough decisions. He said anything that could be cut had been cut previously, and now they were at the tough decisions stage. He said it wasn’t ideal, but Montrose wasn’t the only district in that situation.

A board member said if they didn’t have the signing bonus from when they signed the gas lease, they wouldn’t have the money they had used to fund the pensions. He said at the rate they were spending it however, they would work their way through the signing bonus very quickly unless they got some help from the state.

Ms. Boyce pointed out that the statutory deadline for both the state and the district was June 30th, and that the district had therefore had to develop its budget without knowing where the state was at or what they were getting. That evening they were at the 11th hour, and still didn’t know about their funding from the state- a situation she called very difficult.

Mr. Caterson added to this idea, noting that the district couldn’t cut taxes retroactively, if they did find that they were slated to get money from the state. He said that no one liked raising taxes and that the board understood it didn’t make life easier, but that it was the world they lived in.

A motion was then made to declare the board’s intention to commit funds in order to offset the PSERS cost increases, in accordance with the regulation of GASB54. Mr. Caterson explained that accounting regulations required, when a district sets funds aside, that it be stated what the funds were set aside for.

A motion was needed to approve the utilization of $234,237 of the district’s committed fund balance in order to address the increased pension costs in the final approved 2014-2015 budget.

The tax increase was voted on, with a motion to set tax rates at 44.7615 mills of assessed valuation on real estate $5.00 per capita act 679, $5.00 per capita act 511 mills of assessed valuation for occupation, and 1/2% for real estate transfer, and to set real estate collection periods. There had been numerous requests, Mr. Caterson said, to do away with the so-called “nuisance taxes”, but these brought in about $100,000 and this wasn’t the time to cut such things.

A motion was made and seconded to set the assessed value of Homestead Farmstead exclusion at $7,814 for a tax dollar value of $349.77.

Various other items of business were voted upon, including permission for four bus contractors to update their buses, permission to re-enact exoneration from paying per capita or occupation taxes for certain classes of people, and a motion to approve summer camp bus contractors. The resignation for the purpose of retirement of Kathleen O’Boyle was accepted with regret. Mr. Caterson thanked her for her service to the district.

The operation of the 2014 summer day camp at Choconut Valley was approved. The camp was to run from July 7th through August 7th. Mr. Caterson said that program could have been on the chopping block that year, but that the district had found out they were getting some additional Title 1 funds. They were grateful to be able to still run the camp.

Some staff items were acted upon. These included a motion to grant tenure to Joan Roche, counselor at the junior-senior high school. A motion was needed to transfer and increase the assignment of Cortney Hoffa from half-time instructor of gifted to full-time special education instructor at Lathrop Street. Then, the motion was made to transfer and reduce the education assignment of Nicole Pfamatter from full-time fourth grade instructor at Lathrop street to a half-time instructor of the district’s gifted students. A motion was made to accept, with regret, the resignation of Melissa Freethy as newspaper adviser. Mr. Caterson thanked her for her service, opining that she had done a great job. Mrs. Boyce noted that both the newspaper and yearbook positions were open. They were to be posted.

There was a reminder that there was to be neither board meeting nor work session in July.

In response to a question, it was clarified that taxes were increased by 1.2615 mills, so that taxes were set at 43.5 mills. This was the max of the index. The increase came out to be about $50 per median household, and added approximately $275,000 of income to the budget. It was stated that without the gas money the district would have been more than a half million dollars in the hole.

Mr. Caterson explained that this was only the second year in nine years that taxes had been raised. They had gone seven years without a tax increase.

Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman and Plymouth Township Police Chief Joseph Lawrence, along with Susquehanna County District Attorney Jason Legg, Pennsylvania State Police Troop K Philadelphia and Pennsylvania State Police Troop R Dunmore, announce the arrest of David St. Onge, Sr. for Murder and related charges in the fatal attack on his 88 year old father, Jack St. Onge, and David St. Onge, Jr. for conspiring with his father, David, Sr., to dispose of his grandfather's body in Northeast Pennsylvania.

David St. Onge, Sr.

David St. Onge, Jr.

On Friday, June 27, 2014, at approximately 10:30 AM, the Pennsylvania State Police, Gibson Station, responded to a report of a dead body, wrapped in a tarp on State Route (SR) 2036, near SR 92, Gibson Township, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania. On July1, 2014, an autopsy was performed on the victim by the Susquehanna County Coroner's Office. Following autopsy, the victim was identified as Jack St. Onge, age 88 of Plymouth Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Identification was made via the deceased's pacemaker. The manner of his death was ruled homicide. The cause of death is currently pending investigation.

Authorities from the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office, the Plymouth Township Police Department and the Pennsylvania State Police, Troop K Philadelphia and Troop R Dunmore, conducted a joint investigation. Defendant David St. Onge, Sr. admitted striking a single blow to his father's head and then conspiring with his son to dispose of the body. In addition, he is charged with stealing items belonging to his father and selling them for profit.

The Blue Ridge School Board was happy to approve a motion to adjourn on the evening of June 30th, the very end of its fiscal year.  Declaring himself satisfied with the Board’s labors, Superintendent Robert McTiernan said, “We got a lot of work done.”  By that time the Board had wrestled with a number of complex issues, not least of which was the new budget that would take effect the very next day.

The evening actually opened with a meeting of the Board’s Fundraising Committee.  Having abandoned an “annual” golf tournament after 2 outings, the committee will next try an alumni awards event, now scheduled for February 7, 2015, probably at the American Legion hall in Hallstead.  Board president Laurie Brown-Bonner called for more meetings to work out details, sentiment running in favor of awards to Blue Ridge alumni running local businesses, alumni making an impact on the community, and alumni engaged in humanitarian causes, among others.

Once the Board’s business session got under way (following a half-hour executive session for “personnel” matters, with no further explanation), members addressed a 23-point agenda, amended later with 3 additional items.  As usual, the transportation bills were voted separately to allow the 3 members with interests in busing contracts to abstain.

The budget was next, Board member Chris Lewis objecting once again to the property tax increase of 2.6 mills.  He said that he didn’t think it was necessary.  For one thing, the proposed budget allowed for only a 91% collection rate, while the actual collection rate for the past 3-4 years has been about 92.6%.  He said that the projected surplus should make a tax increase unnecessary.  Bombarded with arguments to the contrary, Mr. Lewis ultimately acknowledged the efforts of the Board in the past to keep taxes in check, but cast the lone “Nay” vote anyway.

Backed by the Superintendent, Mr. Lewis’s colleagues said that the budget presented by the administration was “conservative,” containing severe cuts for each of the schools, yet maintaining substantial payments into a fund to cover expected mandated payments into the state teachers’ retirement fund, known as PSERS.  Board member Christina Whitney and president Brown-Bonner noted that the PSERS shortfalls are expected by the state government to be covered by local school districts, and could sink some of them in bankruptcy.  “We have to plan for the worst-case scenario,” said Ms. Brown-Bonner.

Mr. McTiernan also detailed the reasons for a major contribution to the Blue Ridge self-funded health insurance program.  He said that a consultant recommended that the district maintain a balance of about $1.2 million in the fund.  The money would cover “catastrophic” claims, but also provide for a “run-out” in the future, should the district decide to go back to the market for health insurance for its employees, which may become more tempting as the staff begins to age.  At such time the local plan would be required to cover claims already in the pipeline.

Board member Harold Empett said that the 2.98% tax increase would amount to about $40 for the average property owner in the district.  The alternative, he said, would be to wait until a much heftier tax increase became necessary, which under current law would require a referendum; should voters then turn down a tax increase, the district could be faced with substantial cuts to programs.  Board member Shane Rumage concurred, that if the Board doesn’t boost taxes now, then a referendum would be almost certain next year.

Mr. Empett encouraged property owners to sign up for the Homestead/Farmstead exclusion; a resolution for the 2014 program which can save homeowners substantially on property taxes was also adopted at the meeting.  The 2014 exclusion was set at a maximum of $7,722.  Notices of the program, and application forms are mailed to all property owners in the district each year.

The Board also renewed its approval of installment payments for all 2014 real estate tax bills, as well as the collection dates.  Taxes paid by September 14 get a discount; taxes paid after November 15 will incur a penalty.

The Board also approved wording for a resolution that designates “where surplus financial resources may be assigned, committed or restricted.”  These would be “future pension obligations [PSERS], capital projects, debt service, and future employee health insurance obligations.”  The district still has about $3.3 million in outstanding debt.  In an addendum to the agenda, the Board approved a submission to the state Department of Education of some paperwork (so-called PlanCon Part K) covering an action the Board took earlier in the year to pay off $1.2 million in bonds, and to refinance the rest.

Among other matters, the Board approved an agreement with Pennsylvania Treatment & Healing (PATH) of Scranton for as-needed “alternative education” services for the next school year.  The program offers instruction for youth considered too disruptive to remain in a regular classroom setting.  Mr. McTiernan said that students in the PATH program adhere to the PATH schedule, beginning in late August, rather than following the Blue Ridge schedule that will begin classes after Labor Day.

There were several lists of substitutes, Schedule B positions and “Co-Curricular” positions on the agenda.  Staffing the fitness center was the only issue of concern, since some would be paid overtime for the position, in some cases at professional rates.  On the other hand, the center is only open to the public a couple of hours a day, in the summer only 4 days a week.

The Board accepted the bid of Kurtz Brothers for general supplies for the upcoming fiscal year, totaling just under $30,000 for the 3 schools.

It also approved a contract for an upgrade of the sound system at the track.  Ms. Whitney suggested that outside organizations using the track area – the local Youth Soccer program, for example – be asked to pay a nominal fee for the use of the sound system.  Mr. McTiernan suggested, and Ms. Brown-Bonner directed, that the matter be taken up by Board member Michael Detwiler’s Policy Committee.

A measure to approve a contract to upgrade the sound system in the gymnasium was tabled at the request of the Superintendent.

The Board also approved an adjustment to some types of payments to employees of over $250.  Mr. McTiernan said the idea had been under consideration for some time, and would affect mostly staff in the lower income brackets.  He said that a relatively large payment, say, for coaching or some other special activity, might tend to overstate the employee’s income in one period leading to over-withholding.  While such withheld taxes could generally be recovered at year’s end, by issuing separate checks, employees in these situations would incur less of an immediate tax burden.

The Board agreed to spend almost $308,000 of the district’s accumulated capital reserves to re-coat all of the rubber-surfaced roofs.  Mr. McTiernan said that all of those roofs are now out of warranty, but that the contract with Tremco, based in Ohio, would provide a new 15-year warranty.  He said that the district’s experience with Tremco was good, although some of their sub-contractors had been problematic in the past.  The work is expected to be completed before classes begin in September.  The gravel-covered roofs would have to be the next major roofing project, he said.

And finally, Board member Christina Cosmello asked her colleagues to appoint Board Secretary Debbie Bennett to stand in for Business Manager Penny Greene until mid-August.

The next meeting of the Blue Ridge School Board will be on Monday, July 21, 2014 beginning at 7:00pm.  Shane Rumage’s Technology Committee will meet that same evening beginning at 6:00pm; the Transportation Committee will meet at 6:30pm.  All meetings take place in the cafeteria in the Elementary School.

On July 3, 2014 the graduates of the first SCCTC LPN class walked down the aisles of the Elk Lake auditorium as their friends and family watched in pride.  Dr. Davis, in her opening statement, called the program a longterm dream and vision.  The program, she continued, not only met the needs of the community by equipping graduates to earn a sustaining wage in a high demand career, but also met the needs of businesses who needed LPNs for the states large elderly population.  She was so proud of the graduates, she said, who had to make sacrifices to be on that stage.  She told them to be proud of who they saw when they looked in the mirror.  She thanked the school board for their continued support, as well as acknowledging the program director and instructors for their hard work, commitment, and belief in the program. 

Graduating 2014 LPN Class of Susquehanna County Career and Technology Center

She then introduced board member Ms. Donica McGee to say a few words.  She, like Dr. Davis, congratulated the graduates and acknowledged the parents and friends who were their supporters.  She opined that their career choice was very needed in society, and charged the graduates to go and make the world a better place. 

Mrs. Sherrie Bazen, the program director, asserting that the ceremony was special to a lot of them, asked three students to come forward to speak.  The three ladies selected, she said, showed why the program existed, calling them great citizens and great nurses.  Each of the three, Cassandra Sekely, Tori Carpenter, and Teara Sutton.  Each of the three gave a speech, addressing their classmates and speaking of their journey.  The comaraderie among the graduates was not only spoken of but visibly apparent, as graduates wiped tears and encouraged one speaker who struggled to speak through hers.  The appreciation the graduates had for their staff was also made obvious throughout the evening.  Ms. Sutton stated that they never would have made it without them, quipping that somehow they had survived 29 of the most anxious and neurotic students she'd ever worked with and somehow come out of it with most of their sanity. 

Ms. Bazen then gave the graduate address.  She also expressed her thanks and appreciation to those who made the day possible.  She thanked Dr. Davis, saying that she had accomplished much, but that her greatest accomplishment was bringing the LPN vision to life.  Because of it, she continued, there were 29 new nurses in that area.  She called Dr. Davis forward and presented her with flowers.  Ms. Bazen also thanked Dr. Bush, Dr. Cuomo, the school board, the office personnel, the custodians, and the IT staff member.  She recognized the nursing advisers, saying they supported the students and the nursing instructors with everything from advice to hugs.  She called the faculty forward, commending their work, thanking them for their expertise and encouragement, and giving them gifts.  Finally, she thanked and welcomed the families of the graduates, calling them the support, the backbone, and the reason why the students were given a chance to succeed. 

That evening the graduates were pinned by their loved ones.  Ms. Bazen explained that the pinning ceremony had been a part of the nursing graduation ceremony since the 1960s.  She said that the graduates had made history, changing the direction of their lives and being the first graduating class of SCCTC.  They were to be congratulated for making it through a very long year successfully, and sanctioned to be graduate nurses.  The pin they received that evening was a reminder of the responsibility.  As she closed out her remarks, she called them colleagues, and wished the blessing of God on them and their futures.

The microphone was then turned over to Holly Shaul and Kathleen Koopmann, who presented the awards for the evening.  These included the following: The Florence Nightingale award: Teara Sutton (Clinical Excellence) and Rachel Decker (Overall Leadership); Mary Mahoney Award: Tori Carpenter (Most Improved Educational Growth) and Maureen Kelly (Most Improved Personal Growth); Mary Brekinridge Critical Thinker Award: Amy Marie Natterer; Virginia Henderson - Professionalism Award: Cassandra Sekely; Edith Cavell-  Patient Advocate Award: Aimee Oswald; Clara Barton - Excellence in Nursing Care Award: Teresita Patackas.  Amanda Lathrop was the class Valedictorian.  Rachel Decker was the Salutatorian.  Amanda Sekely was the honors student. 

They then presented the diplomas and had the pinning ceremony.  Each graduate crossed the stage to receive her diploma, then walked down the stairs to be pinned by a loved one. 

Ms. Shaull gave a few closing comments after the pinning ceremony.  She spoke of how it was bittersweet for the staff.  She said that she was thankful to call the class of 2014 her colleagues and her friend. 

Dr. Davis gave closing advice, asserting that they would all be good nurses.  She thanked everyone for attending, and quipped that in the future they would have to requisition for more tissues.  She asked for another round for the instructors, Ms. Bazen, and the class, which she said they would never, ever forget.

Will Squiers, helped to close the ceremony as he opened it, with a prayer.  Ms. Bazen invited everyone to go to the skill lab, to see where the students learned and enjoy refreshments. 

The class officers recognized some who had helped them achieve their goals, calling several people forward and presenting them with flowers.  Finally, prior to turning their tassels, the graduates were each given a rose, which Ms. Bazen said symbolized their going on into the future and passing the love of nursing on to the next person.

The Susquehanna County DOMESTIC RELATIONS Section has outstanding BENCH WARRANT’S for the following individuals as of 1:00 p.m. on July 3, 2014: Duane M. Aldrich, Daniel M. Brown, Anthony M. Choplosky, Tina M. Clark, Jeremy T. DeGraw, David J. Fischer, James Gerard, Jeremy W. Hall, Todd J. Layton, Charlie J. Legere, Casey M. Lehman, Derrick Lezinsky, Jennifer L. Martel, Robert J. McCrone, Matthew S. Miller, Ronald N. Mitchell, Jordan L. Payne, Wallace J. Penny Jr, Vincent S. Perico, Matthew J. Peters, Veronica D. Phelps, Eric A. Pike, Sherri M. Rosa, Todd J. Slater, Anthony L. Smith, Frederick Swingle, III, Tessa E. Thomas, Justin S. Thompson, Donna N. Tunstall, Kirk L. Vanteger, John H. Walter, Steven G. Warner, Kevin H. Welch. Please contact the Domestic Relations Section at 570-278-4600 ext. 170 with any information on the location of these individuals.

Crash:  On July 4th at 9:00 am Bradley Balfour of Aurora, CO was traveling northbound on Interstate 81 in Harford Township when his vehicle suffered a front passenger side tire blowout and he lost control of it.  The vehicle exited the travel lane to the east, into a section of guardrail, and then reentered the right most travel lane.  Neither the driver nor the passenger sustained injury;  they were both utilizing seat belts.  The vehicle was towed from the scene by Kozlowski's towing.

DUI:  On June 14th at 1:50 am Daniel McWhirr of Uniondale was traveling westbound on Round Pond Road in Lenox Township when his vehicle exited the north side of the roadway and struck a tree with the front passenger side.  The vehicle came to a rest against the tree facing west.  McWhirr sustained minor facial injuries;  a seat belt was in use.  The vehicle sustained disabling damage and was towed from the scene. 

Theft:  On July 3rd at 5:22 am a New Milford woman discovered that her 2010 Ford Fusion, PA Registration #HGR9746 was taken without authorization from the Robb's County Market Parking area in Great Bend Township.  The vehicle was gray in color, with a small dent on the driver's side door.  Anyone with information is asked to please contact the police.  The investigation was ongoing as of the time of report. 

Burglary-Trespass:  Between May 22nd and July 3rd the residence of a woman from the West Harbor, Maine area, located in Thompson Road, was the site of an attempted forcible entry when a rear door on the structure was kicked in.  The entry was believed to be unsuccessful. Said act was done without her authorization.  Anyone with any information is asked to contact the state police, please.  The investigation was ongoing as of the time of report. 

Burglary:  On June 30th between 2:38 and 4:08 a burglary occurred at the Montrose High School maintenance garage in Bridgewater Township, in which a Montrose man is suspected of forcibly entering the garage and stealing several items from within.  The suspect was charged with PA Crimes code sections 3502 (burglary) and 3921 (theft by unlawful taking). 

Homicide Investigation Update:  The body of a white male was located along Township Route 510, Blaisure Road, in Jessup Township, and transported to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead.  The investigation revealed that the victim, Russel Fauver of Montrose and Paul Paci Jr. of Dallas had a confrontation earlier in the night.  After the confrontation, Paci continued to pursue Fauver in his vehicle until the arrived at the aforementioned location.  Paci subsequently assaulted Fauver and fled the scene.  Fauver was later transported to an area hospital where he died as a result of the injuries sustained in the assault.  Paci was located in Luzerne County this morning and was taken into custody.  He was being charged with an open count of homicide as of the time of report.  

Criminal Mischief:  A Montrose man reported that someone had damaged several of his vehicles, located in Jessup Township at the time, by scratching their paint.  The investigation was ongoing as of the time of report. 

Unauthorized use of Motor Vehicle:  Sometime during the night of June 29th an unauthorized use incident occurred in which a 16 year old Factoryville boy took the vehicle of a Nicholson woman's vehicle without her permission.  The suspect had used the vehicle in the past, but was not authorized this time.  The victim did not want to press charges because she was friends with the suspect and his dad. 

Theft by Unlawful Taking:  Sometime during the the evening on June 26th and morning of June 27th, a theft occurred at a Liberty Township location in which items were stolen from within the home of an elderly Montrose man.  Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the State Police at Gibson. 

Crash:  On June 29th at 3:45 am two juvenile boys were traveling north on Sr 0171 in Harmony Township.  The Jeep Cherokee failed to negotiate a left curve in the roadway.  The vehicle traveled off of the roadway and struck a drainage culvert.  The first boy sustained minor injury. The second boy sustained major injury.  Both were utilizing seat belts. 

Burglary:  Between the 26th and 28th of June, one or more perpetrator(s) entered the unoccupied home of a woman in Apolacon Township and took a Vizio 64' Smart TV, a Sony Sound Bar, and a Sony Blue Ray Player.  Anyone with information is asked to contact PSP-Gibson 570-465-3154. 

Hit and Run:  On June 27th at 10:30 pm a crash occurred in the parking lot of Emberz Restaurant.  One vehicle, a Hyundai Tiuron, was legally parked in the marked parking stall.  A second vehicle struck the driver's side door and left the scene without providing information. Damage to the Tiuron consisted of deep scratches and dents to the door.  Anyone with information is asked to contact this station. 

Burglary:  Between June 18th and June 26th a Dickson City man's residence, located in Clifford Township, was broken into, and copper pipes stolen from within. 

Theft:  Between the 25th and 27th of June, a Hallstead man reported that a 66 inch polymer blade Yamaha snow plow was stolen from his rear yard near the railroad tracks. 

Simple Assault:  On June 26th at 10:12 am a Hallstead man struck a Susquehanna woman in the face several times following an argument.  The victim sustained minor injuries following the assault.  The accused was taken into custody and arraigned at District Court 34-03-01 and lodged in Susquehanna county Jail.  Anyone with information is asked to please contact the police. 

Theft:  Between the 13th and 27th of June, a New Milford man discovered that two 12 volt batteries were taken without authorization.  Anyone with information is asked to please contact the police.  The investigation was ongoing as of the time of report. 

Hit and Run:  On June 26th at 4:69 pm an unknown driver was traveling eastbound on TR 594 in Bridgewater Township at the same time as David Obrien of Montrose was traveling westbound.  The unknown driver made side swiping impact with Obrien's vehicle, then continued east on TR 593, fleeing the scene.  That vehicle would have suffered side front end damage.  Obrien's vehicle suffered damage along its entire driver's side and became disabled at the scene.  No injuries were reported during the collision. 

Theft:  Between June 10th and 27th a transmission and aluminum cans were stolen from a Bridgewater Township location.  Both items were in the victim's backyard, unsecured. 

Theft:  On June 22nd between 2 and 5 pm a perpetrator took approximately $750.00 from a man at the Hallstead American Legion, which was raised for a benefit for Lyme Disease, for Melissa Perry.  Anyone with information is asked to please contact the police.  The investigation was ongoing as of the time of report. 

Theft from Motor Vehicle:  Between the 24th and 25th of June, a theft occurred in New Milford Township in which 5 diesel batteries were stolen from commercial vehicles belonging to a New Milford man.  The vehicles were parked in his driveway.  Anyone with information is asked to please contact the police. 

Crash:  On June 24th at 8:29 pm Larissa Hilgher of Montrose was traveling westbound on SR 1021 in Dimock Township when her vehicle exited the roadway after she reported seeing a deer in the roadway.  As the vehicle attempted negotiation of a right hand curve, it exited the westbound travel lane, entered into the oncoming traffic lane, over corrected, exited the road, and made frontal impact with a utility pole.  The driver was not injured during the collision;  a seat belt was in use. 

Theft by Unlawful Taking:  Between the 23rd and 24th of June, a theft occurred in Bridgewater Township in which the victim alleged that there was $170 in cash in her pants pocket when she went to bed and when she woke up and checked the pocket it was not there.  Anyone with information is asked to contact the police. 

DUI:  On June 23rd at 4:26 pm a crash occurred in the parking lot of State Farm Insurance in Bridgewater Township.  An unnamed driver backed into a vehicle parked in a parking stall.  The driver had been drinking alcohol.  Charges were pending as of the time of report. 

Theft:  Between the 22nd and 23rd of June, potted flowers were taken off the porch of a Hop Bottom woman.  Anyone with information is asked to please contact the police. 

Anyone having information regarding any of these incidents is asked to please contact the police at (570) 465-3154.