South Gibson – The Lewis House, a licensed hotel conducted by John E. Thomas, was destroyed by fire on Wednesday. A grist mill nearby and the hotel barn came near burning, but were saved by hard work on the part of those who gathered and formed a bucket brigade. The fire originated from the chimney, a new fire having been started and then allowed to burn unwatched, and when the blaze was discovered it was beyond control. The loss is estimated at about $7,000, it being partially covered by insurance.

Rush – The Shoemaker grist mill, owned and operated by U. W. LaRue, caught fire and was burned to the ground yesterday morning at about 10 o’clock. The sheds adjoining and 30,000 feet of logs were also burned, but saw mill and residence nearby were saved, although were at the scene of the fire a short time after the alarm was sounded and by means of a bucket brigade. The other buildings were saved. The electric light plant, which received its power from the water-wheel operating the mill, is also out of commission. This plant was owned by Mr. LaRue. There was an insurance of $1,000, which will cover about 1/3 of the loss.

Friendsville – Samuel S. Baxter died at his late home on the Bentley Creek Valley road Monday evening, Aug. 17, 1914, aged 76 years. He was born in Friendsville and spent his boyhood in that place. He enlisted in the Government service is 1862, joining Co. H, 143d Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. After the war he came to Ashland, N.Y. where he spent a large portion of his life, removing later to Ridgebury, Pa., where he died. He was a commander of Birgham Post No. 55, G. A. R., of Wellsburg, N. Y. Mr. Baxter was much respected by a large circle of friends and acquaintances who will miss his genial society. He leaves a widow, one daughter, Mrs. Harry May, who resided with him on the farm, and one son, Martin Baxter, of Kingston, Pa. The funeral was held from his late home and burial was ion Hanlon cemetery at Ridgebury.

Hopbottom – Our ball team suffered a defeat Monday afternoon at the hands of the Hallstead nine. Eric Brown pitched a good game for the locals, but was not well supported by his team mates.

Choconut – Seventy people from Montrose and vicinity took in the automobile run to Choconut Valley Inn, Monday, where a clam bake was served, tables being set in the orchard near the hotel. The splendid menu, served by McCahill Bros., included chicken, blue fish, lobster, corn, water melon, with the condiments, and clams, of course. The viands were faultless prepared and the way the visitors put away food was something surprising. Many returned by the way of Binghamton and all report an exceedingly pleasant day.

Harford – The Harford Fair experienced good weather and drew large crowds both Wednesday and Thursday. The exhibits were good in all departments. The aero plane flights both days were most satisfactory, the aviator making long flights and going to a great height. Everyone attending was more than pleased with the excellence of everything.

Birchardville – Mrs. Anna M. Baldwin, a trained nurse of the Rochester General Hospital, is visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Watson Dayton.

Laurel Lake – We regret to learn that Matthew McGraw was severely injured the other day, by being kicked by a horse.

Oakley – Many people here witnessed the “cloud dance” given by the D. L & W. on the top of the large concrete bridge Thursday evening. It certainly was a novel spectacle to look from the side hill to the top of the large bridge and see amid the electric lights the dancers moving to and fro. Many officers of the railroad from New York, Scranton and other cities, with their friends, were present.

North Bridgewater – Guy Angle, who has been visiting relatives in Bradford and Susquehanna Counties, has taken a position for the third year with the Dr. Kilmer Medicine Co., of Binghamton, going last week to Painsville, Ohio. In a letter home says the lake country is fine.

Great Bend – A new dirt road has just been finished in Great Bend township which will be a great convenience to the farmers. Some time ago the bridge over the Erie track, near the home of J. H. Tingley, was destroyed by fire. This closed the road leading around the “flat-iron.” The Erie company, instead of building a new bridge, bought a tract of land of J. H. Tingley and F. S. White and constructed a dirt road from the Tingley farm to Main street in this borough.

Little Meadows – J. E. Hickey’s team took second money at the Owego fair last week. Some horses Jack!

Montrose – J. L. Somerville, of Elmira, has purchased the Orpheum Theatre (Nickolette) of F. W. Castle, and took possession Monday. Mr. Somerville will move his family here.

Susquehanna – Dr. W. E. Kelly, who has successfully conducted dental parlors here for a number of years, will on September 15, move with his family to Scranton, where he will conduct dental parlors in the Traders’ Bank Building. Dr. Kelly has sold his residence in Susquehanna.

ALSO The Firemen’s parade on Labor Day was very much enjoyed and all the companies did themselves credit. Also the floats were very artistic, especially the Odd Fellows and Maccabees.

The Windsor firemen and band and many of their friends were here.

Hop Bottom – Monday, Labor Day, a number of persons went to the nearby lakes and ponds to try their luck with rod and line. While some returned home late in the evening without having had a nibble, others met with better success. Arch Pratt brought in twenty- one pickerel.

Fairdale – Fairdale Grange, No. 1157, will meet Saturday evening, Sept. 19, in Grange Hall. A large attendance of members is desired as there will be a fertilizer proposition before the Grange at that time, which demands immediate attention.

Forest City – An elaborate program was successfully carried out by the local Polish Falcons, a patriotic organization. The local nest of Falcons paraded in a body to the railroad station to meet Falcons from a number of towns in the valley and then forming a picturesque line of march, attired in uniform, both locals and visitors, headed by the Forest City band, marched to the Sacred Heart church where they listened attentively to the program. Afterward the line of march, headed by the band, followed by uniformed members of Soriski Society, next the different societies of the Sacred Heart congregation and local Red Men, brought up the rear march to Vandling where a very pleasant and enjoyable day was spent.

News Brief: Tomorrow is the one hundredth anniversary of the writing of “The Star Spangled Banner.” Fling out the flag! [On September 14, 1814, U.S. soldiers at Baltimore’s Fort McHenry raised a huge American flag to celebrate a crucial victory over British forces during the War of 1812. The sight of those “broad stripes and bright stars” inspired Francis Scott Key to write a song that eventually became the United States national anthem.]

I received an email seeking clarification of law enforcement search procedures for private residences.  The reader asked whether a “search warrant or other documentation” was necessary prior to a search of a private residence.  Finally, the reader wanted to know if “probable cause” was enough to support a search warrant and wanted to know what “constitutes probable cause.”  In just a few short questions, the reader opened a legal Pandora’s box – some of the answers are simple, but generally have exceptions.  In law school, I took a six-credit course on criminal procedure – three-times a week we met for an hour for a full school year talking about just these very questions.  There are also entire treatises written on search and seizure law – so the brevity of this column could never really answer the question fully.

As a starting point, however, the police generally do require a warrant to conduct a search of a private residence.  The warrant does have to be based upon probable cause that evidence of criminal behavior or actual contraband will be found during the search.  The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has defined probable cause as follows: “The police have probable cause where the facts and circumstances within the officer’s knowledge are sufficient to warrant a person of reasonable caution in the belief that an offense has been committed or is being committed.”  In determining probable cause, the courts review totality of all the circumstances presented to the officer, i.e., they do not look at each factor individually, but collectively to determine if probable cause existed.

Even if a search warrant is required, there is nothing to prevent a resident from permitting or consenting to the search of a residence in the absence of a search warrant.  There are times when the police simply ask an residential occupant whether they can have consent to conduct a search – and if the person consents, then there is no requirement for a search warrant.  The consent has to be given by a person with the apparent authority to provide such consent, i.e., a co-owner, roommate or someone with some level of control over the premises.  Consent searches are probably more common than searches conducted through the use of a search warrant.  It has been my experience that most people cooperate with the police – even guilty people who come to a rapid realization that the gig is up.

If the police ask for consent, and the person refuses to provide such consent, the police can secure the residence and tell the owner and other occupants that they are going to seek a search warrant.  To get a search warrant, the police would have to present an affidavit with the facts and circumstances that developed probable cause – and the judge would grant the search warrant application if probable cause was presented in the affidavit – or deny the search warrant if the judge determined that probable cause was lacking.  In Susquehanna County, we have a local rule that requires the District Attorney to approve the search warrant application prior to submitting to a judge.  In other words, in Susquehanna County, the police have to believe they have probable cause for a search warrant, the District Attorney has to review that assessment prior to submission to a judge – and finally a judge has to find probable cause to support the warrant application.

Finally, there are other circumstances where a search warrant is not required – they include things like exigent circumstances (a situation where there is not time to get a warrant prior to evidence being destroyed or a crime being committed), hot pursuit (where the police follow a fleeing felon into a private residence in order to apprehend him), plain view (where the police see the evidence from a lawful vantage point without the need for a search warrant), protective sweeps (where the police sweep an area near a lawful arrest for safety purposes), and private searches (where a private citizens finds the contraband and turns over to police without police involvement in the search).

The short answer to the reader’s inquiry is simple: The police need a search warrant based on probable cause to search a private residence.  As with most things in the law, there are many exceptions to the general rule – and the answer will depend upon the set of circumstances presented in any given case.

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/. 

“The foliage has been losing its freshness through the month of August, and here and there a yellow leaf shows itself like the first gray hair amidst the locks of a beauty who has seen one season too many.... September is dressing herself in showy dahlias and splendid marigolds and starry zinnias. October, the extravagant sister, has ordered an immense amount of the most gorgeous forest tapestry for her grand reception.” ~Oliver Wendell Holmes

September has barely arrived, and the trees around the area are turning all of the lovely shades of Autumn. In some of the higher elevations, reds, golds, and oranges are peeking through the bouquets of green. The roadsides are a mass of Queen Anne’s Lace, blue-as-the-sky Chicory, luscious fields of Goldenrod (Much to every allergy sufferers dismay), and dotted by patches of pale lavender Wild Asters. Could an artist capture those hues? I think not. We must enjoy them while they last, while trying not to think about the cold days ahead. Creative children will collect and preserve them, hoping for extra credit in their classes, while Scouts try to memorize the seemingly endless varieties, aiming toward a badge. Who couldn’t enjoy this season of the year? As usual, your local Library Branch has books on all sorts of Fall-related activities, information on identifying leaves and flowers, planting Fall bulbs for Spring blooms and crafts involving everything from cornstalks to pumpkins and more. Why not make a notation on your calendar to stop by and check them out soon?

Have you ever been so engrossed in a book that you couldn’t seem to put it down? I’m sure we have all been there—especially with a new-to-you Author who just “Fits the bill” or a favorite one to whom you keep returning with each new release. Check out this list and see how many apply to you and your reading habits. I think you’ll get a chuckle—I know I did.

“A Dozen Things That Can Happen When You Can’t Put Down a Good Book”

You lose track of time. Day turns into night. You don’t move a muscle—except your page-turning finger.

The following day you’re totally exhausted, (You can’t understand why) But still refuse to lay the book down.

You’re late for work because your devotion to the latest novel has disrupt- ed your morning routine.

You may miss your destination because you’re immersed in a chapter that got “so good”.

You can’t seem to put the book down—so much so that it’s practically become a permanent appendage.

Friends worry that you are becoming a recluse.

Household chores? What household chores? You have to see what happens in the next chapter!

Visible signs of your reading addiction begin to appear. Did you know you were that inventive? Whoever heard of using a clear shower cap over your book in the tub?

Nothing fazes you—Finishing the book becomes your number one priority—and perhaps a full-time job!

Until you get to the dreaded last page, your loved ones will just have to understand.

Meals? Who needs food? You either become talented at reading while dialing for take-out, or develop into an ambidextrous stirring/reading maven.

Controlling the sadness (And knowing the best brands of tissues to use) when you must say goodbye to the established “Friends” (Characters) you’ve grown so close to and fond of, while counting the days until the sequel is released.

Be sure to mark this down on your calendar:

The Forest City Branch Library is proud to announce the 7th Annual Local Author’s Luncheon. This year’s featured Author is Tammy Mal, who has written “Little Girl Lost: The True Story of the Vandling Murder” a relating of the disappearance and murder of 9 yr. old Mae Barrett which culminated into one of the most intensive police investigations in the history of Pennsylvania and, ultimately, the discovery of sadistic killer, 13 year old Myron Semunchick, the youngest person ever charged with first degree murder and sentenced to life imprisonment in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Ms. Mal has also written “Disposable Income: Another True Story of Sex, Greed and Im-purr-fect Murder”, a spellbinding account centered in Factoryville, Pa. in 1948. Anna Homeyer and her much younger Husband Charles had sold their home in the Bronx and moved to the small Pa. town. Everything seemed wonderful at first, Anna being quite outgoing and the couple were heartily accepted by their neighbors. Suspicions started to be aroused when Anna suddenly seemed to have disappeared and Charles became distant and withdrawn—not to mention his bizarre actions. “Disposable Income” is one of the most spine-tingling, gruesome murder tales that you will ever read, and a crime classic in the annals of Pennsylvania History. The featured Author has always had a keen interest in crime and criminals, and has written for “True Detective” magazine and “Absolute Crime Publishing” as well as the novel, “Young, Queer and Dead: A Biography of San Francisco’s Most Overlooked Serial Killer, the Doodler”, published in 2013. This not-to-be-missed event is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, September 24th, 2014 at the Stone Bridge Inn and Restaurant, 306 Sugar Hill Road, Uniondale, Pa. The price is $25.00 per person and all of the proceeds will benefit the Forest City Branch Library. The event will begin at 11:30 am with “Hospitality Time”, followed by a sumptuous luncheon at 12:15 pm and Author Mal speaking at 1:15 pm. The Author’s Luncheon is graciously and generously sponsored by “The Novel Woman Book Club”. Please make reservations by September 17th, 2014. If you have not had a chance to attend one of these functions in years past, we would love to welcome you this year. Questions? Please contact the Forest City Library Branch at: 570-785-5590—Diana, Joan and Andrea will be more than happy to answer them.

Did you know that, according to an “infographic” on America’s Libraries, created by H&R Block, there are more public Libraries in America than McDonald’s restaurants? And that 50% of Americans used a Library last month? Were you part of that 50%? If not, hopefully you will be in the months ahead.

As I pick a bouquet of wildflowers for my kitchen table, I leave you with this thought:

“Is not this a true autumn day? Just the still melancholy that I love — that makes life and nature harmonize. The birds are consulting about their migrations , the trees are putting on the hectic or the pallid hues of decay, and begin to strew the ground, that one’s very footsteps may not disturb the repose of earth and air, while they give us a scent that is a perfect anodyne to the restless spirit. Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.” ~George Eliot, letter to Miss Lewis, 1st October 1841

Zucchini Bread—Airing the Quilts—Homemade Chokecherry Jam

Get That Shingles Shot

Marie, 75, has been suffering from shingles for almost 2 months now and she came into the pharmacy in excruciating pain. She needed medications to manage her bout with shingles – the narcotic oxycodone, the sedative zolpidem and lidocaine patches for the painful areas on her skin. Marie commented to the pharmacist, “I went 75 years taking no pills and now I am a druggie.” But her pain was so debilitating that she moaned as she wrote out her check for the medications.

Shingles (herpes zoster) is a painful skin rash, often with blisters that are caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. In people who have had chickenpox (99% of all Americans age 40 and over have had chickenpox), the virus is never fully cleared from the body. Instead, the virus remains dormant in the nerve tissues. When physical or emotional stresses to the body weaken the immune system, the virus reactivates and spreads along the nerve fibers to the particular area of skin supplied by the involved nerve. The older you get the less active your immune system is and the risk of shingles zooms skyward.

Marie asks the pharmacist if she can get the shingles vaccine once her rashes clear. She tells Marie that there are no firm guidelines as to how long after one has shingles one has to wait to get this live vaccine. Even though this particular pharmacist is licensed to immunize patients, in Marie’s case, it would be a decision made by her physician.

The shingles vaccine is approved for individuals age 50 and over. In a clinical trial involving thousands of adults 60 years old or older, the shingles vaccine reduced the risk of shingles by about half (51%) and the risk of post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) by 67%. PHN is a painful aftermath of shingles that can persist for years. While the vaccine was most effective in people 60 to 69 years old, it also provided some protection for older groups. Research suggests that the shingles vaccine can protect the individual for at least 6 years, but may last longer. Ongoing studies are being conducted to determine how long the vaccine protects against shingles. Eventually, as study results emerge, a booster shot may be needed.

While the shingles vaccine has been on the market for almost a decade, less than 10% of those ages 60 or more receive it. This is partly due to people’s aversion to injections as well as the fact that the vaccine is perceived as pricey - $150 to $250 – and some worry that their insurance will not cover it. Many insurance plans will cover the cost of the vaccine. All Medicare Part D plans cover the shingles vaccine. Medicare Part B does not cover the shingles vaccine. Regardless of the cost, Marie said as she got ready to leave the pharmacy, “I would gladly pay 100 times that amount to be out of this horrible pain.”

Ron Gasbarro, PharmD is a pharmacist, medical writer, and principal at Rx-Press.com. Write him at ron@rx-press.com.