The Community Foundation of the Endless Mountains is pleased to announce the formation of the Button-Weller Family Fund for Cancer Patients.  This permanent charitable endowment has been established by the Button and Weller families of New Milford and Montrose to provide financial support to organizations in Susquehanna County that provide services and assistance to local individuals and families who are being treated for cancer.

This endowment derives from personal experiences with cancer and for a number of years the families have organized a local running race to help raise funding for cancer patients.  They intend to continue that event for this new endowment that will provide annual assistance for local families for many generations to come.  Dr. Jennifer Button-Weller points out that her family is pleased to continue their tradition of assistance to cancer patients and looks forward to working with local organizations to provide this assistance for many years to come.

Donations to help build this fund to assist local families may be sent to: Button-Weller Family Fund for Cancer Patients, c/o The Community Foundation, 270 Lake Avenue, Montrose, PA; 18801 or online at www.community-foundation.org.

Susquehanna County is seeking Dairy Princess candidates. Single ladies between the ages of 16-24 with interest in the dairy industry may want to consider devoting time to promote the dairy industry. A County Princess serves for one year. Not old enough to be a Princess? The Dairy Maid and Dairy Ambassador program functions within the County to assist the Dairy Princess in carrying out her duties and at times plan and carry out dairy promotions on their own.

The qualifications as a Dairy Princess candidate must include at least one of the following. A daughter, granddaughter, niece or sister of a dairy farmer, an employee of a dairy farm or dairy related business, be a 4-H member and own or lease one or more dairy animals as a 4-H project, or have served at least one year as a Dairy Maid, Dairy Ambassador or Alternate Princess. A Princess candidate must be 16 years old by June 1st of the current year and not reach her 24th birthday by December 31st.

A Princess candidate, Dairy Maid and Dairy Ambassador must have a sincere desire to promote dairy products, be a milk drinker and include other dairy products in their personal diet. Members of Susquehanna County's dairy court work hard getting the message to as many people as possible about the importance of having “three every day” of dairy; milk, cheese or yogurt.

Some of the skills used and/or improved by these young ladies include public speaking, leadership, journalism and marketing through their promotion responsibilities. These girls make public appearances at schools, festivals, parades, churches, restaurants, sports events, dairy barn tours, club and association meetings to name a few.

The current Susquehanna County Dairy Princess Brooke Marvin, Dairy Ambassadors Emory Bewley, Dana Nunemacher, Elizabeth Chidester, Mary Chidester, Kendra Brant, Krista Jones and Alivia Hughes and Dairy Maids Kaelynn Brant, Katelyn Farley and Courtney Marvin have been spreading the message that dairy products aren’t only delicious and nutritious, they are an absolute necessity in developing strong bones, muscle mass and healthy teeth. All dairy products contain 9 essential nutrients. Members of the current Dairy Court have done a tremendous job presenting over 350 promotions during the current promotion year.

Girls with interest in being a Dairy Princess candidate or taking part in the program as a Dairy Ambassador or Dairy Maid contact Evie Goff (570-278-1212) by the April 22nd deadline.

Dairy Princess Brooke Marvin will be handing her reign to a new Susquehanna County Princess at the 2017 Dairy Princess Pageant being held on Friday, May 26th, 7:30 at Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church, Parish Hall on Church Street in Montrose. The public is invited to attend.

On March 23, 2017 the Nellie Jane DeWitt Business and Profressional Women (NJD BPW) held their monthly meeting. The speakers for the night were Carol Jackson and Beth Zincone. March is Red Cross month and Women in History month, so the two were incorporated in the program.

Pictured (l-r) are: Carol Jackson- narrator for evening, Linda Bedford- Monthly Program Chair, Mary Beth Zincone- Clara Barton and Jenny Bixby- NJD BPW President.

Carol started with a brief history of the Red Cross, then proceeded to introduce Clara Barton (AKA Mary Beth) who spoke of all that she did during the war and how she started the Red Cross. Then Carol finished up with more information on the Red Cross. It was a very informative and entertaining program.

Greta

This adorable, little frowning face belongs to Greta, who was brought back to our shelter because her owners may be moving and they needed to downsize their pets.  She is about 9 years old, spayed, good with cats, other dogs, children, and is extremely housebroken.  She is a very sweet little dog who needs a somewhat quiet home because she becomes very loyal and protective of her people.  Greta was having an especially difficult time being at the shelter so one of our volunteers is fostering her. Please remember folks pets are for life and depend on you to make that commitment. If you are interested in giving Greta the forever home she is waiting for, please give us a call at #570-278-1228 or email us at petstruefriends@gmail.com.

It looks like Spring may actually be here and it is the ideal time to add a new dog to your family.  We have so many wonderful dogs that would love the opportunity to be adopted after spending a long Winter in the shelter. We are presently waiving our fees on all dogs and cats that have been with us for 3 months and over.  Stop by and meet them today!

Fun Fact:The most dogs ever owned by one person was 5,000 mastiffs belonging to Kubla Khan. Greta and her friends would be happy if you welcomed even just one of them into your home!

Angelo V. Marino, Jr, 41, of Montrose, PA to 10 months to 23 months incarceration in Susquehanna County Correctional Facility with credit for time served, followed by 3 years probation, to run concurrent to sentence currently being served in Susquehanna County, pay $100 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, pay restitution to the victim in this case, not to possess any alcoholic beverages and/or controlled substances without valid prescription, be subject to random drug and alcohol screenings, undergo a 10 PM curfew, not to have contact with anyone on supervision, perform 10 hours of community service for Criminal Trespass in Oakland Township on January 14, 2016.

Jerrod Decker, 31, of New Milford, PA to 1 year to 2 years in a state correctional facility, with credit for time served, the Court deems the defendant eligible for an R.R.R.I. minimum sentence of 9 months, to be followed by 3 years supervision, pay $100 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $100 Act 198 fee, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, receive a drug and alcohol evaluation, not to transport consume or possess alcoholic beverages and/or controlled substances without a valid prescription, be subject to random drug and alcohol screenings, perform 25 hours of community service for Delivery of a Controlled Substance in New Milford Borough on May 14, 2016.

Joseph Mucha, 33, of Mountain Top, PA to an intermediate punishment sentence as follows: 3 days of incarceration to be followed by 5 months of intensive probation through the Susquehanna county Adult Probation Department, to run concurrent with any sentence being served out of Lackawanna County, with credit for time served, pay $1,000 fine, pay $100 Act 198 fee, pay cost of prosecution, pay $75 PA Transportation Trust Fund fee, pay $10 EMS, continue with drug and alcohol treatment, successfully attend and complete an alcohol highway safe driving school program, perform 10 hours of community service, not to possess transport or consume alcoholic beverages, be subject to random drug and alcohol screenings for Driving Under the Influence in Springville Township on February 21, 2015.

Christian Walsh, 52, of Thompson, PA to 6 months probation, pay $300 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $100 Act 198 fee, pay $10 EMS, complete alcohol highway safe driving school program, pay $75 PA Transportation Trust Fund fee, continue with drug and alcohol treatment, not to possess transport or consume alcoholic beverages and/or controlled substances without valid medical prescription, be subject to random drug and alcohol screenings for Driving Under the Influence in Forest City Borough on September 24, 2016.  Mr. Walsh also received a county intermediate punishment sentence, to serve a period of incarceration of 30 days to be followed by 60 days house arrest, thereafter, the defendant shall be placed on a period of 4 years and 9 months of probation, credit for time served, sentence is to run concurrent with the above sentence, pay $1,500 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $300 Act 198 fee, pay $10 EMS, pay $150 PA Transportation Trust Fund fee, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, complete alcohol highway safe driving school program, continue with drug and alcohol treatment, not to possess transport or consume alcoholic beverages and/or controlled substances without a valid prescription, be subject to random drug and alcohol screenings, perform 10 hours of community service for Driving Under the Influence in Ararat Township on October 10, 2016.

Louis Edward Yachymiak, 36, of Montrose, PA to 2 years probation, pay $100 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, not to transport consume or possess alcoholic beverages or controlled substances without a valid prescription, be subject to random drug and alcohol screenings, undergo a 10 PM curfew, not to have contact with anyone on supervision, perform 10 hours of community service for Resisting Arrest in Hop Bottom Borough on July 21, 2016.

Robert Otto, Jr, 43, of Laceyville, PA to 30 days to 6 months in Susquehanna County Correctional Facility, with credit for time served, pay $750 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $100 Act 198 fee, pay $10 EMS, complete an alcohol highway safe driving school program, pay $150 PA Transportation Trust Fund fee, continue with drug and alcohol treatment, perform 10 hours of community service, not to possess transport or consume alcoholic beverages and/or controlled substances without a valid medical prescription, be subject to random drug and alcohol screenings for Driving Under the Influence in Clifford Township on June 28, 2015.

Gregory Schack, 39, of Carbondale, PA to intermediate punishment sentence of 30 days house arrest under the SCRAM bracelet program, to be followed by 5 months probation, pay $750 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $100 Act 198 fee, pay $10 EMS, complete an alcohol highway safe driving school program, pay $150 PA Transportation Trust Fund cost, continue with drug and alcohol treatment, not to possess transport or consume alcoholic beverages and/or controlled substances without a valid medical prescription, be subject to random drug and alcohol screenings, perform 10 hours of community service for Driving Under the Influence in Forest City Borough on July 24, 2016.

John Edward Snow, 63, of Hallstead, PA to intermediate punishment sentence of 5 days house arrest under the SCRAM bracelet program followed by 5 months probation, pay $300 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $100 Act 198 fee, pay $10 Ems, complete alcohol highway safe driving school program, pay $150 PA Transportation Trust Fund fee, continue with drug and alcohol treatment, not to possess transport or consume alcoholic beverages, complete a CRN evaluation within 30 days for Driving Under the Influence in Montrose Borough on July 16, 2016.

Joseph Francis Moriarity, 59, of Windsor, NY to 6 months probation, pay $300 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $100 Act 198 fee, complete an alcohol highway safe driving school program, pay $75 PA Transportation Trust Fund fee, receive a drug and alcohol evaluation, not to possess transport or consume alcoholic beverages, receive a CRN evaluation within 30 days, perform 10 hours of community service for Driving Under the Influence in Great Bend Borough on May 30, 2016.

Frank Harvey Barton, Jr, 23, of Susquehanna, PA to 12 months probation, pay $200 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $100 Act 198 fee, not to possess transport or consume alcoholic beverages or controlled substances without a valid prescription, be subject to random drug and alcohol screenings, perform 10 hours community service, receive a drug and alcohol evaluation for Possession of a Controlled Substance in Harford Township on January 1, 2017.  Mr. Barton also received 12 months probation to run consecutive to the above sentence, pay $200 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $100 Act 198 fee, not to possess transport or consume alcoholic beverages or controlled substances without a valid prescription, be subject to random drug and alcohol screenings, perform 10 hours community service, receive a drug and alcohol evaluation for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia in Harford Township on January 1, 2017.

Kristina Mae Truesdale, 34, of Nicholson, PA to 10 months to 10 months in a state correctional facility, followed by 5 years probation, pay $200 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $100 Act 198 fee, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, receive a drug and alcohol evaluation, not to transport consume or possess alcoholic beverages and/or controlled substances without a valid prescription, perform 10 hours of community service for Possession with Intent to Deliver in Harford Township on January 18, 2016.

Ralph Casselbury, 55, of Laceyville, PA to 6 months probation, pay $300 fine, pay cost of prosecution, not to consume alcoholic beverages, perform 25 hours of community service for Disorderly Conduct in Rush Township on October 9, 2015.

Kathryn Lynn Lewis, 31, of Binghamton, NY to 5 days home confinement followed by 4 months probation, pay $300 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $10 Ems, pay $150 PA Transportation Trust Fund Fee, pay $100 Act 198 fee, not to consume alcoholic beverages, receive a drug and alcohol evaluation, complete an alcohol highway safe driving school program, perform 10 hours community service for Driving Under the Influence in Silver Lake Township on April 19, 2016.

Thomas Michael Kleinbauer, 24, of Waymart, PA to 2 year probation, pay $150 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, not to have contact with the victim in this case, not to utilize alcoholic beverages, not to enter any establishment whose primary principle business is the sale of alcohol, continue to participate in AA programs or similar support groups that are available, continue with any drug and alcohol treatment, perform 10 hours community service for Simple Assault in Forest City Borough on June 4, 2016.  Mr. Kleinbauer also received 1 year probation to run consecutive to the above sentence, pay $150 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, not to consume alcoholic beverages, not to enter any establishment whose sole purpose is the sale of alcohol, continue with AA and/or other support group as deemed necessary by his probation office or treating profession, perform 10 hours of community service for Resisting arrest in June 4, 2016 in Forest City Borough.  Finally, Mr. Kleinbauer received 12 months probation to run consecutive to the above sentences, pay $150 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, not to have contact with the victim in this case, refrain from the use of Alcoholic Beverages, not to enter any establishment whose sole purpose is the sale of alcohol, continue with AA or similar support groups, perform 10 hours of community service for Criminal Mischief in Forest City Borough on July 17, 2016.

Miranda May Briggs, 27, of New Milford, PA to pay a $500 fine and pay cost of prosecution for Possession of Marijuana in Great Bend Borough on December 8, 2015.  Ms. Briggs also received 90 days home confinement, followed by 5 years probation, pay $100 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $100 Act 198 fee, continue with drug and alcohol treatment, obtain a mental health evaluation and follow treatment recommendations, not to consume alcoholic beverages or controlled substances without a valid prescription, be subject to random drug and alcohol screenings, perform 10 hours of community service for Delivery of a Controlled Substance in Great Bend Township on December 2, 2015.  Finally Ms. Briggs received, 1 months of home confinement, followed by 11 months probation, to run concurrent to the above sentence, pay $200 fine, pay cost of prosecution, perform 10 hours of community service for Accident Involving Damage to Attended Vehicle in Great Bend Township on October 30, 2015.

The following were accepted into the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition Program:

Gabrielle C Acciai

Michael Lee Cook

Christina Dawn Fries

One challenge looms large for many American families as students approach high school graduation: how to pay for college.

Financial planning should ideally begin several years before college applications are even due. But no matter what financial preparation your family has done, everyone planning to attend college should take these concrete measures during senior year of high school.

• Seek Federal Aid. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible. The FAFSA is your first step to securing financial aid for college, including federal student loans, and most state and institutional aid. Unfortunately, many students don’t realize they are eligible for such aid, leaving tons of money (and potential educational opportunities) on the table. To complete the FAFSA, visit fafsa.ed.gov.

• Search for Scholarships. Because scholarship money typically does not have to be repaid, it’s important to secure as much of it as possible. Begin your search using online scholarship databases, such as TuitionFundingSources.com, and meet with your school counselor to discuss other available scholarship opportunities. Micro-scholarships are another option to consider. Check out sites like raise.me to learn more about how you can earn scholarship money for your high school achievements.

• Understand Family Finances. Now is the time to have some important family discussions. Parents should set expectations about money with their students, letting them know what, if any, portion of college expenses they plan to pay. Students should find out if any funds have been set aside for their education, as well as what their responsibilities will entail -- whether that involves holding down a part-time job or maintaining a particular grade point average.

• Consider Private Loans. After exhausting grants, scholarships and other aid options that don’t require paying interest, private loans may be worth some consideration and can, in some cases expand your educational opportunities as a college-bound student.

“It’s important to keep in mind that there are often many unanticipated expenses associated with the college years -- from taking an extra course to paying for materials and technology to spending a term studying abroad,” says John Rasmussen, head of Wells Fargo’s private student lending business, who cautions against a cavalier attitude where loans are concerned. “Whether you take out a private student loan or leverage other financial products to pay for miscellaneous expenses, it’s important to understand the terms of repayment.”

More tips, as well as free college planning resources, can be found at blogs.wf.com/collegeplanning.

Don’t leave the future uncertain. If you are college-bound, plan ahead to ensure that you can meet the costs of your education. (StatePoint)