At the December 24th Commissioners meeting which all Commissioners were present the following county job positions were approved. David Fredendell transferred to open field appraiser for the Assessment Offices, Sandra Henry for the Hop Bottom Clerk of Courts, and Justin Poklemba transferred to Montrose as Corrections Officer. John Butler and Katherine Shelly were also approved for the positions to the Planning Commission for the term beginning January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2018, and Joseph Matis as Housing Authority Director from January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2020.

Commissioners also approved resolution 2014-19 for a credit card with Pennsylvania Local Government Trust (PLGIT) which offers the county a cashback program which gives back between 20 and 50 thousand per year. The credit card is used by the county for purchasing gas, oil, travel, and allows bills to be paid without using checks.

A motion was made for the signing of a proposal from MCM Consulting Group Inc. for Professionsl Consulting Services in the amount of 3,750.00 per month, to be paid out of the county General Fund. Some disagreement followed the motion for this contract. While Commissioner Hall believes this service saves the county more money than cost, Commissioner Giangrieco, while he agrees that they do a great job, still thinks the cost is more than it should be. MCM Consults with the County on services provided such as IT, electronics, 911 grants, engineering, etc. They oversee projects and advise whether or not these services are sufficient or more than needed. Commissioners Hall and Warren voted yes to approve while Commissioner Giangrieco voted no.

The Commissioners motioned and approved for purchase from Pella Products Inc. more windows in the amount of $48,868.00 and $2,875.00 to be paid from the General Fund. The lease agreement between Susquehanna County and Trehab was approved for renewal until July 1,2014 through June 30, 2015 for the use of county vehicles by Trehab.

A new information network (211) was approved for Susquehanna County which will benefit the 911 center by being able to redirect calls that are not emergencies to this new 211 center freeing up personnel as well as phone and computers for true emergency services. The United Way of Susquehanna County gave a one time contribution of $5,000.00 toward the implementation of this service which was approved by all Commissioners, pending review and approval by the County Solicitor.

At this time the Commissioners meeting was adjourned, the next meeting will be held January 7th at 9:00 am in the Court House in Montrose.

Canawacta Rod & Gun of Susquehanna held its 5th Annual Kids Christmas Gift Drive and with the very generous support of Southwest Energy Co., 15 families in need with 31 kids received toys, gift wrapping paper and in some cases Christmas dinners.

Pictured (l-r) are: Greg and Rose Stewart, Dolores Goodger, Michelle and Albert Cuevas, Jackson Bishop, Pat and Al Kohler. Photo by Ed Arzouian

The list of families with children that were offered the support came from the Susquehanna Community Schools and was coordinated with assistance of Tammy Stone, Guidance Counselor.

Canawacta Rod & Gun would like to thank the club members who contributed and those who took time to help with purchasing and wrapping gifts.  A special thanks goes out to Club Secretary Dolores Goodger who did all these things but also spent considerable time and effort securing the Southwest Energy donation.

It’s never too late to contribute and Canawacta Rod & Gun will continue to hand out gifts and food to those in need throughout the holidays. Anyone wishing to contribute can contact Albert Cuevas, Club President at (570) 396-5033 or email canawacta@gmail.com.

BENCH WARRANTS

The Susquehanna County DOMESTIC RELATIONS Section has outstanding BENCH WARRANT’S for the following individuals as of 12:05PM DECEMBER 24, 2014: Jeremy E. Anderson, Sr, David P. Atherholt Jr, Kristina M. Baker, Brent V. Birtch, Edwin Blaisure, Jennifer Blassingame, Allen S. Bowman, Michael J. Burger, Micahel Calby, Anthony M. Choplosky, Tina M. Clark, Christopher J. Clark, Anthony Cokely, Brian M. Decker, Marc K. Deesch, Benjamin D. Fassett, David J. Fischer, Justin T. Giberson, Charles Groover, Timothy M. Holmes, Lyle J. Hugaboom, Jean M. Larson, Leo A. Lasuer, Todd J. Layton, Joshua S. Lee, Charlie J. Legere, Casey M. Lehman, Derrick Lezinsky, Daniel M. Mangin, Joshua K. Mess, Otto R. Miller III, Brian C. Mirra, Matthew P. Natitus, Joshua Perry, Vincent J. Petriello, Veronica D. Phelps, Sandra L. Roberts, Aaron P. Rockwell, Tina M. Smith, Joseph W. Sutton, Frederick Swingle, III, Tessa E. Thomas, Kurtis Tracy, Steven G. Warner, Bradley D. Warner Sr, Matthew C. Whitney, Jamie L. Williams Sr. Please contact the Domestic Relations Section at 570-278-4600 ext. 170 with any information on the location of these individuals.

PLEASE NOTE: Anyone having a complaint about what is published in this report is to call the Gibson State Police Barracks at (570) 465-3154, which provides the information to the County Transcript.

Burglary:  On December 22nd a Harford Township woman reported that one or more unknown person(s) gained entry into a secured garage and removed several items from within. 

Commercial Vehicle Crash:  On December 22nd at 10:03 am Shelly Wilson of New Milford was traveling east on Sr 706 in Bridgewater Township at the same time as Zackary Forkal of Springville was traveling west.  David Conklin, also of New Milford, was traveling west behind Wilson.  Both Wilson and Forkal were traveling on the double yellow center lane.  At the time of the incident, Wilson's truck struck Forkal's truck in the tractor's  two left rear tires.  Wilson's truck then struck the legs and the side of the trailer on the left side.  It then continued spinning behind Forkal's truck, where it struck Conklin's Ram 2500 in the left front area, in the west bound lane.  Both Wilson's truck and Conklin's truck came to a rest off the north side of the westbound lane, facing northwest.  Forkal's truck came to a rest on Sr 706 west bound in the traveling lane.  Two of the truck's were towed from the scene, by Vogel's and JD Towing.  The third drove from the scene.  Montrose Fire and EMS responded to the scene.  Wilson was transported to Endless Mountain Health Systems for treatment;  no one else involved in the accident was injured.  All were utilizing seat belts. 

Crash:  On December 20th at 9:05 am Ted Landis of Scranton was traveling north on Sr 167 in Bridgewater Township, negotiating a left curve, when he lost control of his vehicle.  The vehicle crossed over the double yellow lines into the oncoming travel lane, and then back into its own travel lane.  It then spun and slid backwards off the roadway, going down an embankment, flipping onto its left side, and striking a small tree, before coming to an uncontrolled stop. Neither Landis nor a passenger was injured;  both were utilizing seat belts. 

Access Device Fraud:  A Hallstead woman's bank account was accessed through the country of France and fraudulently charged $785.  Her financial institution is reimbursing her any lost charges. 

Hit and Run:  On December 21st at 5:45 pm a Hallstead woman was traveling westbound on Pine Street in Hallstead Borough, at the same time as an unknown driver.  The woman properly activated the right turn signal of her vehicle in preparation to make a right turn into the parking lot of the First Baptist Church of Hallstead.  The other vehicle struck the left rear bumper of her Camry.  After initial contact, the woman pulled into the parking lot.  The other driver did not stop and fled the crash scene, traveling southbound on Franklin Street. 

Crash:  On December 21st at 6:36 pm Thomas Tucker II of Vestal, Ny was traveling north on Sr 4007 in Bridewater Township when a deer ran onto the roadway.  He tried to avoid striking the deer, lost control of his vehicle, which exited across the oncoming south bound lane, struck a ditch located off the west side of the Southbound lane, and rolled onto its roof.  United Fire and EMS responded to the scene.  JD Towning towed the vehicle form the scene.  Thomas was not injured;  a seat belt was in use. 

Crash:  On December 19th at 4:10 pm Rudy Cantu of Kingsville, Tx, Tracy Wielgopski of Nanticoke, and an unknown driver were all traveling south on Sr 29 in Bridgewater Township. The unknown driver and Wielgopski were stopped, waiting to turn.  Cantu struck Wielgopski's vehicle in the rear, and pushed it into the unknown vehicle, which drove away continuing south. 

Crash:  On December 19th at 4:48 pm Brent Fallon of Taylor was traveling east on Sr 0706 when his vehicle went off the edge oft eh road and rolled over. 

Criminal Mischief:  Between December 15th and 16th a mailbox was damaged on East Rush Road. 

Harassment:  On December 20th at 4:04 pm a 17 year old male is accused of striking a 53 year old female several times in the face area following an argument.  The accused then fled the scene, but later returned.  Harassment charges were filed against the accused through District Court 34-3-03. 

Retail Theft:  On December 17th at 10:22 am a known male was observed concealing an item and then leaving the Exxon Minimart in Harford Township without paying for said item.  The investigation was ongoing as of the time of report. 

Hit and Run:  On December 19th at 7:36 am John Whittenberg Jr. of Hallstead was traveling south on Hunsinger Road in Franklin Township when he lost control of his vehicle on the snow covered roadways.  The vehicle traveled off the west shoulder and overturned onto its roof.  The driver left he scene prior to police arrival.  A seat belt was in use; no injury was sustained.

Crash:  On December 16th at 4:40 pm Anthony Fino of South Montrose was traveling north on T-628 in Bridgewater Township when he lost control of his vehicle, causing it to travel off the roadway and strike a tree.  Seat belt use and injury were both listed as unknown. 

Burglary:  On December 14th at approximately 8 am Renee Valentine of Hallstead is accused of smashing a window in the home of a Montrose man, while he and his family were inside.  The offender entered the house where she was later met by the victim.  The police were notified and the offender was taken into custody.  Charges were filed at court 34-3-01. 

Crash:  On December 12th at 8 pm an apparently unknown driver operating 009 Toyota Matrix was traveling west on Sr 1006 in Jackson Township when, as it approached a left hand curve in the roadway, it failed to negotiate the curve, exited the right side of the roadway, and impacted a utility pole.  The vehicle came to rest against the pole facing a westerly direction.  Charges were filed in District Court 34-3-02. 

DUI:  On December 12th at 10:16 pm Dennis Stewart of Brackney was traveling east on Kinney road when, while approaching a left hand curve in the roadway, his vehicle exited the right side of the roadway and began to roll over.  It came to a rest on its roof against a tree, facing a southerly direction.  The operator was taken into custody on suspicion of driving under the influence.  A lap and shoulder belt were in use;  no injury was sustained. 

Crash:  On December 12th at 5:42 pm Andrew Coolbaugh of Montrose was traveling south on Sr 3001 when, while negotiating a left descending curve int eh roadway, his vehicle lost traction and began to spin counterclockwise in the curve.  It then came across the northbound lane and exited the left side of the roadway.  It impacted with a ditch and continued off the left side of the roadway, impacting a utility pole.  It came to rest facing a southerly direction after rolling into its passenger side in the ditch.  The operator was removed from the vehicle by mechanical means.  Police were assisted at the scene by United Fire Company and fire police.  The driver sustained minor injury;  seat belt use was listed as “none used/not applicable”. 

Crash:  On December 12th at 5:14 pm Gabrielle Rosenkrans of Montrose was traveling north on Sr 167 in Silver Lake township when, after exiting a right hand curve it began to ascend a hill in the roadway.  While ascending the hill, it lost traction and began to spin out.  It then spun counterclockwise across the roadway and struck the embankment on the left side of the roadway, and subsequently overturned onto the passenger side and came to rest in the southbound lane facing a west direction.  Assisted at the scene by Montrose Minutemen and United Fire Company Fire Police.

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