The Susquehanna County Sheriff’s Department, in conjunction with, the District Attorney’s Office, would like the residents of Susquehanna County to be made aware of a scam currently occurring within the county. 

Individual(s) are placing telephone calls to residents claiming to be a member of the Susquehanna County Sheriff’s Department and requesting cash payments.  The calls are misleading as they appear on caller ID as if they are actually coming from within the Courthouse.

The Sheriff’s Department would like the public to know that at no time do they ever request payment via the phone.  Residents should be mindful to not provide personal information or send money to any agency without confirming independently that the agency collecting the information or money is doing so legitimately.

Residents should report this or any suspicious activity to the Susquehanna County Sheriff’s Office or the Susquehanna County District Attorney’s Office.

All over Pennsylvania there are dairy promoters talking about how great milk is, but why is it so important. Well for starters, a cow’s milk contains 9 essential vitamins and nutrients. One of the most important reasons to drink milk is that can replenish and heal your bones and muscles; making them strong and healthy. Calcium, phosphorous, protein, vitamin B12—these are just some of the wonderful benefits of milk.

Elizabeth Chidester, Dairy Ambassador

Milk can also be made into delicious products. Yogurt and cheese are the next best dairy products to have every day, after milk, of course. In fact, these three foods (milk, cheese, and yogurt) are so good for you that it is highly recommended that everyone should have a minimum of one serving of each product every day. And if plain milk isn’t something you enjoy, you can try chocolate or strawberry milk. In fact, milk is so good for you that one glass has the same amount of potassium as a small banana!

Farmers not only milk their cows, but they take care of the land around their farms. They are the stewards of the land and create good habitats for wildlife. Farmers mow the grass and bale it as well to create nutritious hay for the cows to eat. If farmers don’t take of their fields they will become overgrown with weeds making them unusable to make hay bales.  If cows don’t have good quality food they won’t produce good quality milk. Also, a cows four stomachs (yes, four) could get torn if they eat something sharp; thus, a farmer must be cautious of what goes into the food. A farmer’s main goal is to take care of their cows; they would never want to hurt or harm them.

As a dairy ambassador for Susquehanna County and a third-generation dairy farmer I love to share the joy of milk and the wonderful dairy industry. I also love the great benefits of drinking milk. I hope you enjoy the rest of your day and may God bless you and your family.

If you signed up for a new Medicare plan during Open Enrollment, it’s important to understand how your prescription drug costs may be affected. Even if you did nothing to alter your coverage, some features of your plan may have changed for 2017.

Unfortunately, almost one-in-five Medicare beneficiaries don’t have a good understanding of their plan, and a good portion have some misconceptions about copays, according to a recent survey by Walgreens.

Here are three easy steps to help you make the most of your benefits and find potential cost-savings for your prescription medications under your Part D coverage.

Think Generic

When possible, consider using a less expensive prescription drug brand or generic. These alternatives typically carry the same formulas at a reduced cost, saving patients substantially over time.

Preferred Pharmacies

Verify whether your plan has preferred pharmacies -- which are pharmacies that have an agreement with a Part D plan to charge less than a standard network pharmacy. For example, Walgreens, which is a preferred pharmacy for many of the nation’s top plans, can help lower the cost of your copays, even to $0 in the case of Tier 1 generics on certain plans.

“Depending on the design of your plan, coverage, and prescription drugs, you can pay higher copays at one pharmacy in comparison to another if your pharmacy is not in your plan’s preferred network! So, choosing the right pharmacy is definitely important,” says Mariah Moon, the blogger behind “The Simple Parent,” who recently wrote about helping her mother research her options for lowering her drug costs as part of the #PartDAtWalgreens campaign.

90-Day Refills

“My pharmacist told me that many physicians are willing to write 90-day prescriptions for many of the medications that seniors are often prescribed. This not only saves time by requiring fewer trips to the pharmacy, but also may save copay costs,” says Shelley Webb, a registered nurse and founder of “The Intentional Caregiver,” who cared for her father in her home for four years and was recently sponsored by Walgreens to share tips about saving on prescription costs with her readers.

Medicare beneficiaries seeking help navigating prescription drug costs can find free resources at walgreens.com/topic/pharmacy/medicarepartd.

If you didn’t review your plan before renewing, it’s not too late to become a savvy consumer and learn more. Doing so can help you save money. (StatePoint)

Jan

This beautifully colored pastel princess is Jan, a year old, spayed, and FeLv/Fiv negative cat who would really benefit from a home of her own.  Very shy and a bit overwhelmed at the shelter, Jan would blossom in a quiet, loving, home environment  where she can bond with her human companion.  Please consider adopting a kitty who needs to have a chance to unwind and let her sunny side shine through with some patience and love.

This Saturday the 18th is a very big night for our shelter.  We hope to see all our friends and supporters at the “Country Cooks for Charity” hosted by our Montrose Rotary at the Montrose VFW from 5:00-8:00 PM.  Tickets are $20 or $35 for two at the door.  It is promised to be  a fun night out sampling local dishes and voting for your favorite.  The evening will also highlight a silent auction, dessert table, and a cash bar.  Proceeds from the tickets and silent auction will 100% benefit True Friends including the replacement of our much needed back building kennels.

In lieu of a fun fact this week we would like to remind you we are waiving all set adoption fees throughout February in honor of Valentines Day.  This is in hope that one of our sweethearts will win your heart as well! 

PHOTO SOURCE: (c) ivanko80 - Fotolia.com

A majority of Americans drink coffee daily, with an average of about three cups a day, according to Harvard School of Public Health.

Will all those cups of Joe being downed nationwide, it’s important to consider the beverage’s potential effects on your health.

Science indicates there are some substantial health benefits to drinking coffee regularly. Various studies have suggested that drinking coffee regularly could decrease the risk of heart disease and stroke, lower the risk for developing type 2 diabetes, protect against gallstones and lower the risk of developing Parkinson’s Disease.

However, it’s important to note that because of its caffeine content, coffee intake should be moderated. Its acidity can also impact issues like bone and muscle deterioration, and kidney stones. Conventional coffee can also raise cholesterol levels when regularly prepared French press or Espresso style.

For these reasons, many people are rethinking the types of coffee they drink in order to avoid particular health concerns. For example, unlike a conventional acidic cup of coffee, Bio Coffee is alkaline, caffeine-free and made with wheatgrass. It contains three to five servings of vegetables in one cup of coffee, as well as six grams of fiber -- approximately 25 percent of the recommended daily amount. It also provides a natural source of pre- and probiotics for better digestive health. To learn more about its health benefits, visit BioCoffee.com.

“With so many people failing to eat enough vegetables, drinking your greens in the form of coffee may be one of the most convenient ways to get one’s daily dose, in addition to a variety of other health benefits,” says Dr. Tom Shreves, MD, a Bio Coffee drinker. “It can also help you avoid the issues associated with a typical cup of coffee.”

While most coffee lovers are unlikely to put their mugs down, Bio Coffee can provide a healthy morning ritual. (StatePoint)

Spring and summer can be particularly difficult times of year for those with respiratory health challenges, when simple activities like gardening, walking the dog and reading a book on the patio can cause itching, wheezing, sneezing and trouble breathing.

“It is all about improving one’s immune function in response to environmental factors, which can mean the difference between perpetual discomfort and a happy, vital spring and summer,” says Kelly Heim, PhD, senior director of Scientific Affairs at Pure Encapsulations, a leading manufacturer of dietary supplements.

Whether you are looking to make your garden the envy of the neighborhood, or you simply want to stay active and comfortable while enjoying the outdoors, consider the following treatments and tips.

Something Sweet

Honey isn’t just delicious; it can be therapeutic, potentially helping you to alleviate seasonal symptoms. However, it is important you select honey produced in your local area for this strategy to work. You should also know that this immunotherapeutic approach won’t protect against all the causes of respiratory health challenges.

Practical Considerations

While building up your immune response is crucial in the battle against respiratory problems, you can make your home a healthy oasis from with a few practical considerations. Create a makeshift mudroom or landing zone in your foyer. Remove shoes and outer layers when you get home, and ask your guests to do the same upon arrival.

Keep your bedroom particularly protected from the outdoors, for example, don’t toss the same jeans and clothing that have been on a picnic blanket on your bedspread.

Talk with your health care provider, who can help you pinpoint the exact source of your suffering, in order to determine the best treatment options for you.

With a few lifestyle changes, you can look forward to a season of breathing easy. (StatePoint)

Did you know that doctors now recommend that children as young as six months old should have their first comprehensive eye exam? And not only is correcting vision problems crucial for happiness and success, but an eye exam can detect such health problems as diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Experts say eye care should be a lifelong commitment, with eye exams beginning in infancy and progressing at different intervals as you age.

Unfortunately, visits to the eye doctor can be a financial hurdle for families without vision insurance. To help these families overcome this obstacle, the vision care experts at VSP have built a free online service at vsp.com where you can now find eye doctors and affordable vision plans.

“Little eyes are precious things to protect, and ensuring our kids can see well grants them not only a richer view of the world, but better tools to learn,” says Tracie Phorbes, the blogger behind Penny Pinchin’ Mom. “Thankfully, we have great vision insurance, and keeping up on our kids’ vision care has not been a financial burden.” (StatePoint)