The grand old house with the 4 huge Ionic columns in the village of Harford has seen better days, but is looking forward to a still better future.  Built in its current form in 1839-1840 by John Tyler, it is known locally by a variety of names: The Senator’s House (it was owned around the turn of the 20th century by State Senator E[dward]. E[verett]. Jones, whose signature can also be found on old paper currency, from the time he served as Register of the Treasury from 1929 to 1933); or the Aton house, having been owned for the longest time by the Aton family.  A partnership owned it for a couple of years.  It then became the offices of an environmental organization called Ecologia led by Randy Kritkausky and his wife Carolyn Schmidt, who subsequently moved the organization to Vermont.

The Senator's House decorated for Christmas 2015 by Carol and Tom Holleran

Most recently it was owned by Bronson Pinchot, an actor (his most famous role being Balki Bartkomous in Perfect Strangers for 7 seasons in the 1990’s) who moved to Harford in 2000 and proceeded to buy up a collection of properties in the historic village.  His career apparently fell on hard times and all of the properties came under lien of one sort or another until he filed for bankruptcy earlier in 2015.

The current owner is a partnership called Up 4 Sale Property, LLC, led by auctioneer Chris Tracy, that purchased the property at sheriff’s sale late last year.  The house is sited on a property encompassing more than an acre, part of which was the site of the old Odd Fellows Hall.  Electrical service in the house has been completely renovated and upgraded.  Also on the property are a substantial barn/garage, and a carriage house insulated and heated, and outfitted as a workshop.  A garden walled with fieldstone features a cupola acquired by Mr. Pinchot from a girls’ school in Camden, New Jersey.  The partnership is trying sell the property, currently listed at $149,000.  (The cupola in the garden is to be sold separately.)

Mr. Pinchot appears to have used the house to experiment with a wide variety of interior design ideas, some of which he showed off in a series on the DIY channel a few years ago.  He became interested in classical architecture as a student at Yale, and collected elements of classical adornment that he installed from time to time in the house, whose external appearance he did not change too much from its original configuration.

The grand old mansion in Harford is now looking for someone to bring it back to life.  Mr. Tracy says it needs someone with real “vision,” to realize what it could be again, for a family perhaps, certainly for the people of Harford.

The annual dinner hosted by the Susquehanna County Housing and Redevelopment Authorities (SCHRA) started with a meeting of the Board of Directors on Friday, January 15, 2016 at Oliveri’s Crystal Lake Hotel.  During the meeting, the Board of Directors held an election of officers for 2016.  Officers are Joseph Matis, Chairman; Paul Lukus, Vice-Chairman; Jerry Cronk, Secretary/Treasurer; Elaine Andusko and Tom Chamberlain Board Members.  Also in attendance was Executive Director Karen Allen.

During the board meeting, Bobbi Jo Turner, Grants Administrator, provided updates for the Redevelopment Authority.  Providing updates for the Housing Authority was Kris Lunger, Section 8 Coordinator; Pam Rockwell, Project Manager of the Turnpike Terrace Apartments and Prospect Park Apartments; Lisa Higgins, Project Manager of the William Penn Apartments and Harford Village Apartments; and Charlene Moser, Project Manager of the Howard J. Emerson Apartments, Emerson Southgate Apartments, and New Milford Creekside Apartments. 

The Susquehanna Housing and Redevelopment Authority was created in 1970.  Chairman Joseph Matis stated that during this span of 45 years many good things have happened.   He thanked the Maintenance crew for giving one hundred and ten percent, the board members for their involvement, and the Susquehanna Commissioners for their newest member Tom Chamberlain, who contributed often with great productivity. 

Chairman Matis recognized Karen Allen, the Executive Director, for thirty-five years of service, and presented her with a certificate.

Chairman Joseph Matis, Executive Director, with Karen Allen recognized for her 35 years of service

Executive Director Karen Allen welcomed everyone to the SCHRA annual dinner, and recognized Commissioner Allen Hall and Commissioner Betsy Arnold who were in attendance.

Commissioner’s Alan Hall and Betsy Arnold joined SCHRA  members at annual dinner.

Commissioner Hall said it was always a pleasure to work with the friends from the Housing Authority. He stated they have earned remarkable accomplishments resulting from their hard work and dedication to help the elderly and the people in need.

Executive Director Allen said the annual dinner is all about thanking everyone for his or her hard work.  She then presented Bobbi Jo Turner with a certificate for 20 years of service as their Grant Administrator.  Executive Director Allen said Ms. Turner, throughout the years has brought into the County at least twenty million dollars, so she should consider it a successful career.

Executive Director Karen Allen presented Bobbi Jo Turner a  certificate for 20 years of service.

Joe Gluck, the SCHRA Maintenance Supervisor was recognized for thirty-five years of service.  Executive Director Allen said Mr. Gluck trained all the maintenance personnel, and they never hear the words “it can’t be done”, or “impossible” from him.  Mr. Gluck supervises a staff of five, and takes care of over ten properties.  He said they do it all; indoor and outdoor maintenance which includes snow removal, plumbing, electrical, and revamping the apartments.

Executive Director Karen Allen presented Joe Gluck a certificate for 35 years of service.

The SCHRA has multiple projects in the works for 2016 and will eagerly continue to provide assistance to those in need.

Susquehanna Community School District is moving its monthly meeting venue--until further notice--beginning in February. The short reason is that meetings have been well attended, standing-room-only events for the last several months. The elementary school administrative office is uncomfortably insufficient to accommodate such a large group of attendees. While Tuesday night information and deliberation sessions will continue to be held in the same location, regular monthly meetings will henceforth be held in the High School Cafeteria.

With that said, School Directors made the best of the situation, pushing through their January 20, 2016 meeting from 7 to 7:40 p.m. in the crowded confines of the administrative office. School Board President Steven Stanford presided over the meeting, with School Directors Amanda Cook, Evelyn Cottrell, Ashley Depew, Carol Jackson, Jamie Koziol, Martha Stanford, and Clay Weaver in attendance. Board member Lori Canfield was absent. Others present for the meeting included Superintendent Bronson Stone, High School Principal Carmella Bullick, Business Manager Gary Kiernan, Facilities Manager Kevin Price, and Union President Kathleen Hinkley.

The Board’s first order of business was the swearing-in of Clay Weaver as School Board Vice-President. Mr. Weaver had been absent from the board’s December 2 meeting at which he had been elected vice-president.

Superintendent Stone reported that the State budget for FY-2016 was still not complete. While some funds have been released by the State, the increase has been paltry. Noting that Governor Wolf has funneled a better than 5% increase to Philadelphia and two financially-distressed school districts, the remaining 497 have received increases averaging far less, with ten districts receiving no increase at all. SCSD’s increase in school funding totaled 0.66% in percentage terms.

The 0.66% for SCSD translates to an increase of $55,000. Some $42,000 of that figure is in the category of Basic Education Subsidy, while the remaining $13,000 is an increase in Special Education. Those increases might have had significance were it not for the annual increased liability of the District for legacy pension costs. The District’s increase for pension costs just in FY-2016 is $270,000. For FY-2017, pension costs are estimated to increase a further $290,000. Out-years will see legacy pension costs accelerate further.

Two inter-related in-depth discussions during the Information & Deliberation Session the night before provided elucidation as to how desperate the District’s financial straits are in the long-term, which isn’t really all that long. Brian Kelly and Brad Murray of Brian Kelly & Associates were present at that Tuesday-night meeting to explain their preliminary results of the 2014/2015 audit of the District’s finances. Under revisions of Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) rule changes, the District’s net position was restated to reflect the impact of fund balances, capital assets, real estate taxes not readily collectable, as well as long-term liabilities (including pensions).

Under those accounting rule changes, the District’s reconciliation balance sheet as of June 30, 2015, shows that although the District has a fund balance of $5.3 million and capital asset of $5.5 million, pension liabilities total $19.5 million, leaving the District with a total net position of NEGATIVE $10.6 million.

As Superintendent Stone explained the situation, the District taxes max out at $105,000 (in annual increase). To pay day-to-day expenses every District budget will require dipping into reserve funds until exhaustion. It is the equivalent of a household funding its monthly budget by dipping into the family’s saving account to meet routine expenses. But it’s even more insidious than that; escalating pension costs add no benefit to current students; they are simply “dead costs.”

In light of the revisions in accounting standards, the $55,000 in increased State aid makes little impact on the District’s $270,000 increase in pension costs. Without State reform of the teachers’ pension system (PSERS), costs will continue to escalate each and every year for the foreseeable future. In the short term, District taxpayers may wish to contact their State Senator (Lisa Baker) to insist that action be taken on funding distribution of increased state aid. The State House, Superintendent Stone noted, has already taken action to overturn the Governor’s inequitable funding formula.

Mr. Stone also brought two other items to the board’s attention. The District is still experiencing a serious shortage of substitute school nurses. Applicants for the open positions are most welcome.

The second item was notification to the board that Blue Ridge School District had decided to terminate their soccer relationship with SCSD. Susky students in grades 9 through 11 will be grand-fathered to continue participation; however, no other SCSD students will be allowed. The termination is a result of a PIAA rule change concerning school classification for competition. Superintendent Stone expressed the opinion that the rule had not been thought out, and that it was having an adverse impact across the state. He noted that no other inter-district sports team relationships with Blue Ridge were affected at this time.

Before adjourning at 7:40 p.m. School Directors unanimously approved moving their monthly meeting to the High School Cafeteria to accommodate all meeting attendees. Lest any readers think there has been a sudden up-tick in parental interest, the approximately 20 additional attendees derive from the teacher’s union, which is currently working without a contract. Contract negotiations have been ongoing for the last year, and teachers have been without a contract for over six months. There are no indications the District and Union are close to agreement.

February’s meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 17, at the High School Cafeteria.

The Blue Ridge School Board hadn’t met since December 7 when it reorganized itself under new leadership.  On January 18th, with new Board President Chris Lewis in the Chair, members made a fresh start with a fairly routine business agenda.

Mr. Lewis has named new committee chairs, who will be identified as the committees begin their work.  The first to meet this night was Activities/Athletics and Transportation under Fred Lewis.  As a result, the committee recommended, and the Board accepted, the dissolution of the cooperative arrangement with the Susquehanna Community School District for the soccer program.

Athletics Director Jill Hoffman said that the 4 or 5 students from Susquehanna boosted the number of players in the program just over the limit for the new classifications that would put Blue Ridge soccer into a more difficult PIAA division.  The coach and Ms. Hoffman recommended that the arrangement be dissolved, at least for this 2-year cycle.  The action does not affect any similar arrangements for other sports.

Blue Ridge will also add a new JV coach for baseball.  Ms. Hoffman said that the number of players signing up for the sport – some 28 so far – were too many for one coach to handle properly.

The committee raised these items as motions “from the floor” so that action could be taken quickly.  The change in soccer should have been reported to governing bodies earlier, but because the Board had not met through most of December, the action had been delayed.  And baseball practice will start soon indoors, with ground-level training only, using squishy balls that will not harm the floors, bleachers or scoreboards in the gyms.

The committee’s chairman later asked the Board to consider directing administrators to pay referees for their work as soon following an event as possible.  The money is budgeted, so a delay should not be necessary.  Some officials had not been paid for December events because the Board did not meet to approve the bills until now.

When the Board’s general meeting got under way, Mr. Chris Lewis was prepared to recognize a variety of accomplishments by the District’s students.  Unfortunately, most of them could not attend the meeting.  However, Janelle Oakley, designated by High School Principal Peter Supko as his outstanding choice for November, did appear to list her accomplishments and said that she planned to study nutrition and dietetics in college.

Janelle Oakley, a November Senior of the Month

Three members of the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) team attended to accept recognition for their nomination to state competition in Hershey in April, including Harrison Parsons for economics, Logan Burdick for information technology and computer science, and Freshman Kyra Powell.

FBLA Team members Harrison Parsons, Kyra Powell and Logan Burdick

Board members themselves each received a certificate recognizing their service in this, School Director Recognition Month.  The Board’s lobbying organization, the Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA), sponsors the program.  Members were treated to a sugary cake following the meeting.  (The cake was not sanctioned by the Board’s Wellness Committee.)

Mr. Lewis called an executive session “for personnel matters” just prior to opening the agenda.  He would not elaborate, but did say that at least 3 more negotiation sessions are scheduled on a new contract with the teachers, who have been working under a contract that expired more than 18 months ago.

Most of the business agenda of 15 points was dispatched quickly, with a single motion.  Most of the items covered routine personnel matters.  The Board approved a 2-year service agreement with Dempsey Uniform & Linen Supply for “mop service.”  And a service contract with Cocciardi and Associates for an “indoor air quality inspection.”

The Board accepted a package of amendments to its policy manual for public review.  Another package of policy changes was given formal adoption.  One of them removed a policy allowing for a teacher representative on the Board.  A new policy covers “nepotism” and concerns the employment of related individuals.  Most of the other policy changes reworded clauses and paragraphs for clarification, and to align policy with current legislation and regulatory requirements.

One policy puts itself on-line, requiring the District to make its policy manual available from the District’s website.  In fact, it is already available, through a link to boarddocs.com, a web-based service of Emerald Data Solutions based in Georgia and “committed to … supporting on-line governance solutions.”

Most significantly, the Board adopted a resolution declaring its intention not to raise property tax rates beyond the state index of 3.3%.  President Lewis noted that this does not mean that the Board intends to lift rates at all.  The measure is required by state law if the Board does not expect to impose a larger increase, which would be required to come before the voters at the next election, usually in May.  Additionally, it allows the Board more time to develop a complete budget for the next fiscal year.

Speaking of budgets, Business Manager Brian Dolan reported that the District had received about $4.3 million from the state, as a result of the governor’s decision to release some funds to the schools in the absence of a formal state budget, now some 7 months overdue.  He said that represented only about 40% of revenue due from the state to finance the District’s own $17 million current budget.  So far there is no panic at Blue Ridge over finances.

Toward the close of the meeting, one of the Board’s newest members, Edward Arnold, read a statement and offered further comments about security at the schools.  Retired from the Navy, with some experience in law enforcement (and a permit to carry a concealed weapon), and as the new chair of the Facilities & Grounds Committee, he has identified some areas of concern that he hoped the Board would take under serious consideration.  He said that he is not recommending stationing police officers in the schools; perhaps some sort of "covert" surveillance would suffice.  He recommended that teachers be given training in “active shooter” situations, and has asked the State Police to offer security training.  He would like a direct communications line to the State Police installed and staffed by a human when school is in session.  He would have all classroom doors locked from the inside when occupied.  He would like a shatterproof window installed at the main entrances so that visitors can be clearly identified without first admitting them.  And he recommends that all of the schools’ surveillance cameras be upgraded to digital quality.

The Board listened intently to Mr. Arnold’s presentation, and administrators said that some of the items he mentioned were already under consideration.  Other Board members – Chris Lewis and Christina Whitney, for example – said that, while Mr. Arnold’s comments were valuable and worthy of study, perhaps a longer-term plan for some of them could be developed, always with an eye to the District’s constrained budget.

Mr. Arnold’s committee will meet before the Board’s next business session on February 1.  The next Board meeting will be a workshop, on January 28; representatives of PSBA are expected to attend to offer some preliminary training for new Board members.  They don’t all come with cake or soup, but they all do begin at 7:00pm in the cafeteria in the Elementary School.  Check the District’s website for the latest information.

January is School Director Recognition Month, as proclaimed by the Board of the Director, Pennsylvania School Boards Association. Current Board members recognized at the January 20, 2016 Susquehanna Community School District meeting were: President Steven Stanford, Vice-President Clay Weaver, Secretary Evelyn Cottrell, Treasurer Martha Stanford, Lori Canfield, Amanda Cook, Ashley Depew, Carol Jackson, and Jamie Koziol. District Superintendent Bronson Stone also took the opportunity to thank former board members Holly Kubus and Jason Chamberlain, who completed eight years of exemplary service in December 2015.

High School Principal Carmella Bullick, in her report to the School Board noted that congratulations were also in order for recognized achievers at the high school. Among them were the following:

- SCCTC Student of the Month (December): Robert Murphy, Welding, for whom a special luncheon was held on Monday, December 14, 2015;

- Skills USA District Competition Winners (Competition held at Johnson College, December 2, 2015): Michael Pelicci, 2nd place Collision Repair; Allison Hampton, 2nd place Culinary; and Joseph Sandfort, 3rd place Carpentry;

- 8th Grade Girls Basketball Team, 1st place in the Tip-Off Tournament;

- Mrs. Stacey Donahue, nominated by SCSD Mentors as Teacher of the Month for December;

- Mrs. Lisa Carpenter, nominated by SCSD Mentors as Teacher of the Month for January;

- Jack Avery, WVIA’s Artist of the Week, Week of January 14;

- Mrs. Updyke’s 7th and 8th grade students, winners of the Empowering Educators Grant (sponsors: WVIA and PPL), with award of $1,000 for completion of a STEM-related public service project;

- Dan Braun and Cori Glidden, Senior Recognition.

Senior Dan Braun, who was present, delivered prepared remarks about his scholastic experience, the support and mentorship he had received, and to thank the School Board for their support of programs which had so materially contributed to that success.

Superintendent Stone also took time to thank two retiring employees, John Mann and Cecilia Wayman, for their many years of faithful service. Mrs. Robin Carmody, District Financial Assistant, who is resigning effective April 4, was also recognized for her dedicated service. Mr. Stone and the entire board wished her well as she and her husband prepare for a move to Maryland.

Susquehanna Community School District Board Directors took the following personnel actions during their regular meeting on Wednesday, January 20, 2016.

Approved hiring of the following personnel for 2015/2016 school year: Michelle Oakley - Nurse, one day per week; Shannon Crawford - P/T Food Service; Jennifer Bennett - JV/Varsity Softball Books; Dawn Repa - P/T Maintenance; Kim Marco - Elementary Teacher, 38-day position; Shannon Oropallo - Elementary Food Service; and Andy Bennett - Substitute Ticket Taker and Score-keeper Basketball.

Approved the following Volunteer for the 2015/2016 school year: Sean Mangan - Pump Club.

Approved the following Substitutes for the 2015/2016 school year: Deborah Frye - Nurse.

Accepted the following Resignations effective on dates noted: Robin Carmody - Financial Assistant - April 4, 2016; Mary Weaver - Part-time Maintenance - December 31, 2015; Ms. Miller - Junior Class Advisor - no date provided.

Approved the following Retirements effective on dates noted: John Mann - Part-time Maintenance - March 18, 2016; Cecilia Wayman - Food Service - December 23, 2015.

SCSD currently has openings for Substitute Nurse Position. The District will also have an opening for P/T Financial Assistant, 5 hrs/day, 5 days/week. Job applicants should contact the District’s Administrative Office for details.

EDITORS NOTE: These reports are taken directly from the Gibson State Police Barracks Blotter. Anyone having an issue with how they are worded is advised to visit the Barracks and inspect same before complaining about contents.

Fugitive from Justice:  On January 14th at 5:45 pm Stephen Barrett of Friendsville was taken into custody without incident for a warrant issued out of Ny in Tioga County.  The accused was charged with Arrest Prior to Requisition and arraigned at District Court 34-3-03 and remanded to the Susquehanna County Correctional Facility. 

Possession with Intent to Distribute:  On January 13th at 9:18 pm Givonni Butler of Passaic, Nj was involved in a traffic stop troopers conducted on I81 in Harford Township, for speeding. The vehicle was occupied by Butler and two other occupants.  Troopers observed multiple indicators of criminal activity and obtained consent to search the suspect vehicle.  During the course of the search troopers located 253 grams of cocaine in the trunk of the vehicle.  The perpetrator claimed ownership of the contraband and was placed in custody.  The following charges were filed in through District Court 34-3-03:  Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  Bail was set at $250.000. 

Simple Assault:  On January 14th at 2:00 am troopers responded to a location in Great Bend for a male and female domestic incident.  The victim, a Great Bend female, reported that the accused had grabbed her by her throat and took her to the ground, before punching her in the face.  The victim them reported that the accused grabbed her by her hair and punched her in the ribs during the argument.  The victim was later taken to Lourdes, Ny to be checked out. Charges of Simple Assault, Disorderly Conduct, and Harassment have been filed against the Great Bend man accused.  The investigation was still ongoing as of the time of report. 

Criminal Mischief:  Between August 15th and January 13th, a gas tank on a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado was damaged, when a hole was put in it.  Anyone with any information is asked to please contact the police. 

Burglary:  On January 12th between 7:30 and 3:45 pm one or more perpetrator(s) entered through the rear entry door of a Friendsville residence.  Once inside, the perpetrator(s) ransacked the house and took several tools and money.  Anyone with information is asked to please contact the police at (570) 465-3154.  

Burglary:  On January 6th between 9:30 am and 12:00 pm, one or more unknown perpetrator(s) went around to the back of a Bridgewater Township residence and entered the fenced in area of the yard through a closed gate.  The perpetrator(s) gained entry into the residence by smashing a door window that led into the garage, and entered the home through the door that led into the mudroom.  The house was then ransacked, looking for items of value.  Anyone with information is asked to please contact the police at (570) 465-3154. 

Crash:  On January 1st at 4:10 pm Alisha Blais of Levittown, Pa was north bound on the left lane of I81 northbound.  Traffic was stopped in front of her due to previous crashes, and stopped vehicles were there due to a snow event that had occurred.  Blais attempted to stop but could not, and slid off the road into the median.  The vehicle struck an embankment in the median, causing damage tot he undercarriage of the vehicle.  The driver, who was seat belted, was not injured.  The vehicle required towing. 

Hit and Run:  A crash occurred in the parking lot of the Panorama Golf Course located of Sr 2023.  A black automobile was backing out of a parking spot and hit another vehicle.  The black automobile fled the scene prior to contacting the owner of the damaged vehicle.  The suspect vehicle was described as being a black Chrysler 300 four door with a black male operator and a black female passenger, with unknown PA registration.  The vehicle frequents the Panorama Golf Course. 

Crash:  On January 8th at 7:50 pm Adam Stout of Hallstead, Pa was traveling north on Sr 0171.  The vehicle failed to negotiate a left curve in the roadway.  The vehicle traveled off of the roadway and rolled onto its side.  The driver sustained minor injury;  a seat belt was in use. 

Simple Assault:  On January 8th the police responded to EMHS after it was reported that a 15 year old male victim was being treated for injuries he sustained after being assaulted.  The victim advised he was assaulted by several males but refused to cooperate and would not provide any further information regarding the alleged assault.  He was treated for several injuries and released. 

Crash:  On January 7th at 11:40 pm Samuel Lee of Mt. Vernon, Ny was traveling north on I81 in the left travel lane.  It is alleged that Lee's vehicle impacted debris in the left travel lane, causing the vehicle to spin off the right side of the road.  The front of the vehicle impacted a guide rail, causing it to spin back onto the roadway where to came to a rest facing south.  The driver and passenger sustained minor injury;  both were utilizing seat belts.  Both were transported to UHS Medical Center for treatment of injuries sustained.  The vehicle was removed from the scene by Kozlowski Towing. 

Receiving Stolen Property:  PSP Gibson were notified by the New York State Police and Binghamton Police Department that they were pursuing a stolen vehicle on I81 south, near the state line.  The vehicle was stolen from a shopping plaza in Binghamton, Ny.  On January 7th at 5:45 pm the vehicle entered Pennsylvania and continued south on I81.  Members of PSP Gibson pursued the vehicle with lights and sirens activated.  The vehicle, driven by Jesse Cook of Binghamton, refused to stop.  Stop sticks were deployed, and the vehicle sustained two flat tires on the driver's side, but continued south on I81.  The vehicle eventually exited I81 via the exit 223 (New Milford) ramp, and was subsequently pinned in by responding troopers.  The driver attempted to swerve into the grass and back onto I81 south.  While doing so, the driver drove into the path of a marked patrol vehicle, causing a minor crash.  The vehicle then came to a stop and Cook was taken into custody.  During the pursuit, he exceeded speeds of 90 MPH.  No injuries resulted from the pursuit.  Cook was charged with Receiving Stolen Property and Fleeing and Eluding, along with several Vehicle Code violations.  He was arraigned before MDJ Hollister and was unable to post bail, and was lodged at the Susquehanna County Correctional Facility. 

Theft:  On January 5th between 5 and 6 pm, a Montrose woman reported that two rings were taken from her Middletown Township home valued at $6,500.  The investigation was ongoing as of the time of report. 

Criminal Mischief:  Between January 2nd and 3rd, a Montrose woman reported that someone smashed her mailbox in Bridgewater Township, which was valued at $50.  The investigation was ongoing as of the time of report. 

Theft:  Between December 20th and January 4th a Montrose woman reported that various items were stolen from her Dimock Township home, including 2 checks, cash, a men's wedding ring, a Kindle, and a 7” Netbook tablet.  The missing items totaled approximately $1,250.  The victim believed a house guest may be responsible for the thefts.  The investigation was ongoing as of the time of report. 

Burglary/Theft:  On December 25th the home of an elderly Montrose woman was entered, and a Time/Warner Cable Box valued at $100 was taken from within.  The investigation was ongoing as of the time of report. 

Hit and Run:  On January 3rd at midnight an unknown perpetrator was traveling southbound on Sr 3013 at an unknown rate of speed when his vehicle exited off the west side of the roadway, struck two barbed wire fences, and then continued west and struck a shed on another person's property.  The vehicle sustained disabling damage and was removed from the scene by unknown means without reporting the crash.  It is unknown if the operator was injured in the crash. 

Act 54:  On January 1st at 6:45 am troopers were dispatched to a Great Bend Township location for a suspicious vehicle.  Upon trooper's arrival, two males were passed out inside the vehicle. A 30 year old Hallstead man was found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia.  Both males were wanted out of Susquehanna County and taken to the Susquehanna County Correctional Facility.  Charges of Drug Paraphernalia were filed through 34-3-02.  This incident was under investigation as of the time of report. 

Taken and Returned:  Between January 3rd and 4th, an unknown person took the vehicle of a New Milford woman, and went off roading with it.  The vehicle was returned and the rear bumper was knocked off.  Anyone with information is asked to please contact the police. 

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

BENCH WARRANTS

The Susquehanna County DOMESTIC RELATIONS Section has outstanding BENCH WARRANT’S for the following individuals as of 10:30 a.m. on January 15, 2016: Jack Akers, Duane M. Aldrich, Asa M. Atherholt IV, Ryan A. Aukema, Tonya S. Birchard, Edwin Blaisure, Adam Bohn, Allan A. Bucksbee, Michael J. Burger, James Donahue III, Christopher M. Dudock, David J. Fischer, Morgan A. Garcia, Jonathan L. Hollister, Christopher M. Kuiper, Todd J. Layton, Charlie J. Legere, Joshua S. Mattison, Timothy Murray, Vincent J. Petriello, Rebecca A. Reardon, Desiree L. Shifler, Jason L. Shores, Christopher Snyder, Marcus E. Spickerman, James E. Turcotte, Robert C. Walter II, Matthew C. Whitney, Roger D. Williams. Please contact the Domestic Relations Section at 570-278-4600 ext. 4050 with any information on the location of these individuals.

DEEDS

Thomas L. & Muriel Joy Donlin to Mary Lee & Michael McQuade, in Montrose, for $60,000.00.

Loren Robinson, Linda C. Robinson, Kenneth & Betty Lou Bennett to Loren & Linda C. Robinson, in Harford Township, for $1.00.

Loren Robinson, Linda C, Robinson, Kenneth & Betty Lou Bennett to Loren & Linda C. Robinson, in Harford Township, for $1.00.

Loren Robinson, Linda C. Robinson, Kenneth & Betty Lou Bennett, in Harford Township, for $1.00.

Scott P. & Deborah Baldwin to Darek Ladden & Rachel Casella in Lenox Township, for $150,000.00.

Alexandra Rewiski to Liliana Giannone, in Forest City, for $34,000.00. Robert J. Vonahnen to Christopher Vonahnen, in Forest City, for $1.00.

Bronson Pinchot (By Sheriff) & United States of America Internal Revenue Service (By Sheriff), United States Department of Justice (By Sheriff) to Glenn & Margaret Smith, in Harford Township, for $77,520.00.

Walter E. Pratt Jr. & Marsha L. Pratt to Appalachian Basin Minerals LP, Pennmarc Resources II LP, Wildes Mineral Interest LLC & McCrow Energy Partners II LLC, in Bridgewater Township, for $23,254.00.

Marilyn J. Ace to Appalachian Basin Mineral LP, Pennmarc Resources II LP, Wildes Mineral Interests LLC & McCrow Energy Partnes II LLC, in Auburn Township, for $1.00.

Terri L. Gage to Kevin M. Gage, in Rush Township, for $1.00.

James E. & Karen M. Mayers to Timothy J. Mayers, in Choconut Township, for $1.00.

Dale D. Grosvenor, Carol L. Grosvenor (AKA) Carol Grosvenor to Robert M. Squier (Trust), in Brooklyn Township, for $1.00.

Nancy Harvatine, Susan F. Harvatine & Ellen A. Foster to Ellen A. Foster, in Uniondale Borough, for $1.00.

Beverly Ransom Madigan to James M. Griffiths (Trust) & Pauline Griffiths (Trust), in Lenox Township, for $3,000.00.

Linda Ransom Shively, Eric D. Shively & Karin E. Grace to James M. Griffiths (Trust) & Pauline Griffiths (Trust), in Lenox Township, for $3,000.00.

Bronson Pinchot (By Sheriff) & United States of America (By Sheriff) to UP 4 Sale Property LLC, in Harford Township, for $28,275.42.

Paul T. Wilczynski to Paul T. & Andrea Wiczynski, in Ararat Township, for $1.00.

Brain & Maryann Patterson to Rebecca L. Benson &Kimberly Arehart, in Dimock Township, for $160,000.00.

Cheryl B. & Dennis Canfield to Cheryl B. & Dennis J. Canfield, in Auburn Township, for $1.00.

Rita J. Carr Spila (NBM), Rita J. Edwards, Steven Edwards (AKA) Steven R. Edwards, in Rush Township, for $142,000.00.

Bronson Pinchot (By Sheriff), United States of America Internal Revenue Service (By Sheriff & United States Department of Justice (By Sheriff) to First National Bank of Pennsylvania, in Harford Township, for $17, 444.25.

Marilyn Swavola to Marilyn Swavola, in Great Bend Township, for $1.00.

Harold Schier (Estate) to EMK Resources LLC, in Bridgewater Township, for $365,000.00.

Eleanor D. McKeage (Estate AKA) Eleanor McKeage (Estate) to Brian & Nicole Calby, in Montrose, for $8,200.00.

Mark Mahoney Road Associates LP to Benjamin Manns, in Liberty Township, for $85,000.00.

Maryann Durko (NBM) Maryann McCusker to Maryann Durko McCusk & James J. McCusker, in Herrick Township, for $1.00.

Maryann T. Durko (NBM) Maryann Durko McCusker to Maryann Durko McCusker & James J. McCusker, in Uniondale Borough, for $1.00.

Maryann Durko (NBM) Maryann Durko McCusker to Maryann Durko McCusker & James J. McCusker, in Uniondale Borough, for $1.00.

Daniel W. & Colleen K. Peterson to Daniel W. Peterson, in Ararat Township, for $1.00.

George C. Barnes Jr. & Dorothy B. Barnes to Michael P.  & Diane M. Leonard, in Clifford Township, for $255,000.00.

Dwayne L. Clark to Lorenzo Clark, in Oakland Borough, for $56,561.86.

Stanley T. Tartas Jr, Cedita L. Graves-Tartas, (AKA) Cedita L. Graves Tartas (NKA), Cedita Letrelle Graves to Cedita Letrelle Graves, in Jackson Township, for $1.00.

Alice Evans to Vernon R. & Karen M. Seiser, in Apolacon Township, for $1.00. Nancy Harvatine, Susan F. Harvatine & Ellen A. Foster to Matthew Shipsky, in Uniondale Borough, for $80,000.00.

Adam D. & Lindsey Wilber to Richard M. Paccio, in Hallstead Borough, for $156,880.00.

United States Secretary of Housing & Urban Development to Rhouse 516 LLC, in Gibson Townshp, for $78,000.00.

Andrew Anderson, & Lynn Ann Racht to Off Grid Tech LLD, in Thompson Borough, for $2,700.00.

Alan R. & Mary Ann Styer to Michael, in Franklin Township, for $30.000.00. Ralph E. & Jeanne M. Bailets to Lesley Richard, Cheryl Scott-Richard (AKA) Cheryl Scott Richard, in Silver Lake Township, for $175,500.00.