Theresa Blanchard, 32, of Forest City, PA to 1 year probation, pay $150 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, pay restitution to the victim, complete 20 hours of community service, not to have contact with anyone on supervision except for bona fide work purposes for Theft by Unlawful Taking in Forest City Borough from November 29, 2016 to December 13, 2016.

Geno Plutino, 32, of Montrose, PA to 1 year probation, pay $100 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, continue with drug and alcohol counseling, not to possess transport or consume controlled substances without a valid prescription, be subject to random drug and alcohol screenings, perform 10 hours community service, not to have contact with anyone on supervision except for bona fide work purposes for Resisting Arrest in Montrose Borough on January 24, 2017.  Mr. Plutino also received 1 year probation to run consecutive to the above sentence, pay $100 fine, pay cost of prosecution, continue with drug and alcohol counseling, not to possess transport or consume controlled substances without a valid prescription, be subject to random drug and alcohol screenings, perform 10 hours of community service, not to have contact with anyone on supervision except for bona fide work purposes for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia in Montrose Borough on January 24, 2017.

Duane A Walter, Jr, 30, of Troy, PA to 15 months to 30 months in a state correctional facility, pay $200 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, pay $100 Act 198 fee, obtain and drug and alcohol evaluation, not to utilize controlled substances without a valid medical prescription, be subject to random drug and alcohol screenings, perform 10 hours of community service for Delivery of a Counterfeit Controlled Substance in Springville Township on September 21, 2016.

Klay Marcy, 20, of Montrose, PA to 6 months to 12 months in a state correctional facility, followed by 2 years probation, pay $100 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, pay $100 Act 198 fee, obtain drug and alcohol evaluation, not to utilize controlled substance without a valid prescription while on supervision, be subject to random drug and alcohol screenings, complete 10 hours of community service for Delivery of a Controlled Substance in Dimock Township on February 16, 2017.  Mr. Marcy also received 6 months to 12 months in a state correctional facility to run consecutive to the above sentence, pay $200 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, pay $100 Act 198 fee, obtain a drug and alcohol evaluation, not to utilize controlled substances without a valid prescription, be subject to random drug and alcohol screenings for Delivery of a Controlled Substance in Dimock Township on February 21, 2017.

The following were accepted into the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition Program:

Daniel Hunter Beesley

Isaiah J Thomas

Nicholas Kenneth Kogut

John Shaffer

Kristie Ann Rhodes

Patricia Susan Decoursey

On June 16 2017 the North Jackson Ag club held a meeting at Briechle’s house. At the meeting, the club discussed a club trip and new/old business. Under olld events such as livestock clinic, all members shared their experiences. New business included sign up deadlines for fashion review and dairy camp. When all business was done, Emory Bewley did her demonstration on how to make donut holes. After the meeting was adjourned the kids played a game of kick ball.

On June 30,2017, the North Jackson Ag club held a meeting at the Supancik’s house. At the meeting, the club decided on a club trip and discussed old and new business. Old business included fashion review and dairy camp. Members that went shared their experiences with the club. One of our members, Chelsea Empet, placed first in her division with an apron she made. New business included the Harford fair. Afterward demonstrations were done by Katelyn Supancik on sheep illnesses, Ryan Supancik on drawing, and Madalynn Tyler on girl scouts. When the meeting was adjourned the members proceeded in a game of softball.

On July 30,2017, the North Jackson Ag club held the club picnic at Empet’s house. The club received refreshments and swam in the pool while they waited for the food to be cooked. The club also held a meeting. Old business that was discussed was dairy round up and One Day Camp. Members shared their experiences and their placings. New business that was discussed was the Harford fair and horse round up. After business was discussed demonstrations were done. First was Jamie Supancik on Youth Boar, then Alex Empet on dairy nutrition. Afterward the meeting was adjourned and members went swimming and enjoyed dessert.

Harrisburg, PA – Pennsylvania Treasurer Joe Torsella today warned Pennsylvanians of a telephone scam in which scammers portray themselves as Treasury employees threatening victims with arrest if they do not immediately pay unpaid taxes.

“Actual Treasury employees would never threaten Pennsylvanians or victimize them. This is a fraud that is being perpetrated by criminals seeking to exploit our friends and neighbors. I want to ensure that Pennsylvanians are aware of this scam, so they can take precautionary measures to protect themselves." – Pennsylvania Treasurer, Joe Torsella

The Pennsylvania Treasury does not collect taxes or seek payments via telephone, and has no arresting authority. In addition, any services that Treasury provides to the public including processing unclaimed property, are offered free of charge.

Anyone receiving a suspicious call should cease contact immediately and refrain from sharing personal financial information, including bank account or credit card numbers. Please report any suspicious calls to the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, Bureau of Consumer Protection at 1-800-441-2555 or scams@attorneygeneral.gov.

The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue is responsible for collecting state taxes and can be contacted directly at 717-787-8201 to determine if a tax issue is legitimate.

Bench Warrants

The Susquehanna County DOMESTIC RELATIONS Section has outstanding BENCH WARRANT’S for the following individuals as of 10:45 a.m. on August 4, 2017: Ryan A. Aukema, Shawn J. Bedford, Tonya S. Birchard, Daniel M. Brown, Melanie M. Button, Tina Dolan, Natasha Everett, Jonathan Fathi, Donna Fenton, Shawn P. Fiorentino, Lucas D. Fletcher, Morgan A. Garcia, Vincent Gordon, Carrie Hiemenz, Tara M. Humphry, Jean M. Larson, Todd J. Layton, Charlie J. Legere, Michael P. Lepre, James Mackey, Bradley W. Megivern, Peggy J. Mills, Ralph J. Minnick, Timothy Murray, Andrew Sepanek, Jerome W. Slick, Marcus E. Spickerman, Tyrone M. Taylor, Charles Vanwinkle, Jr., Jeffrey Warner, William R. Wayman, Jr, Roderick R. Williams, Anthony Younica. Please contact the Domestic Relations Section at 570-278-4600 ext. 4050 with any information on the location of these individuals.

Deeds

Richard J. Ainey (trust by trustees) and Betty S. Ainey (trust by trustees) to Richard J. Ainey and Betty S. Ainey for $1.00 in Bridgewater Township.

Martin W. Cotler and Barbara K. Cotler to Martin W. Cotler (trust) and Barbara K. Cotler (trust) for $1.00 in Jackson Township.

Martin W. Cotler and Barbara K. Cotler to Martin W. Cotler (trust) and Barbara K. Cotler (trust) for $1.00 in Jackson Township.

Robert E. McCarthy (estate) to Robert C. McCarthy for $1.00 in Clifford Township.

Jamie Ray Granger and Vicki J. Cook to Vicki J. Cook for $1.00 in Rush Township.

John J. Ward to John J. Ward and Dakota J. Gajewski for $1.00 in New Milford Township.

Anthony McGuire and Renee McGuire to Renee McGuire for $1.00 in Franklin Township.

Dawn E. Banker ( by atty) to Thomas M. Koes and Anne M. Koes for $1.00 in Great Bend Township.

Debra Ann Baldwin to Rebecca L. Spiess for $190,000.00 in Silver Lake Township.

Kenneth W. Merritt and Debra L. Merritt to William K. Merritt and Sarah A. Merritt for $1.00 in Harford Township and Gibson Township.

Sloat Family Trust (by trustees), Barbara L. Sloat, George Allan Sloat (aka) G Allan Sloat, Sloat Real Estate Management LLC and Sloat Royalty Management LP to George Allan Sloat (aka) G Allan Sloat, Debra L. Beesley-Sloat (aka) Debra L. Beesley Sloat for $1.00 in Harford Township and Lenox Township.

Mineral: M. Alan Longacre, Helen S. Longacre and Longacre Family Farm Limited Partnership to Adam P. Longacre and Hollie L. Longacrefor $1.00 in Jackson Township.

Roy C. Somers (by sheriff) and Doris J. Somers (by sheriff) to Loandepot.com LLC for $3,198.37 in Hallstead Borough.

Gregory Page Sr. ( by sheriff) to Bear Creek Properties INC for $75,646.00 in New Milford Township.

James McGlynn (by sheriff) and Jacquelyn G. McGlynn to Essa Bank and Trust for $3,815.82 in Herrick Township.

Peter J. Yager Jr. (by sheriff) to First Heritage Financial LLC for $2,614.39 in Hallstead Borough.

Michael J. Jones (by atty) and Sharon G. Jones (by atty) to Cheri. L Penny for $169,000.00 in Great Bend Township.

Colleen Gawlinski (fka) Colleen Raub to Ralph T. Fruehan for $110,000.00 in Silver Lake Township.

Wells Fargo Bank to Morgan Klees for $113,498.00 in Springville Township.

Dawn M. Sweeny to Dawn M. Sweeny (trust) for $1.00 in Harford Township.

Pennmarc Resources LP to Pennmarc Resources LP, 2- AMG Asset Advisors LTD, 3- Humphrey Childrens Trust for $1.00 in Bridgewater Township.

Charles R. Rauch to Pennmarc Resources LP, 2- AMG Asset Advisors LTD, 3- Humphrey Childrens Trust for $45,008.00 in Bridgewater Township.

Mineral, Coal, Oil and Gas, Carol Weymar (estate) to Nancy L. Gross for $1.00 in Brooklyn Township.

Robert Breuche (aka) Robert F. Breuche and Ethel Breuche (aka) Ethel L. Breuche to Robert F. Breuche (trust) and Ethel L. Breuche (trust) for $1.00 in Clifford Township.

John J. Baloga to Marguerite M. Ryan for $1.00 in Little Meadows Borough.

Keith A. Lane to Keith A. Lane and Karen A. Dood-Lane (aka) Karen A. Dood Lane for $10.00 in New Milford Township.

Steven M. Lupole to Jessica Novack for $100,000.00 in Forest Lake Township.

Distant Ventures Limited Partnership to Thomas J. Kazmierczak SR and Colleen Kazmierczak for $410,000.00 in Clifford Township.

Kenneth R. Chiarito SR to Kenneth R. Chiarito SR and Sharon L. Chiarito for $1.00 in Gibson Township.

Quit Claim, Stephen J. Andrascik to Stephen J. Andrascik and Diane S. Andrascik for $1.00 in Harford Township.

Christopher A. Cantwell and Janice Bridges to Casey Jenkins for $180,000.00 in Herrick Township.

Mary Jo Balent to Francis W. Grindle for $95,300.00 in Lathrop Township.

Jeffrey M. Dean to Cameron William Dean for $1.00 in Rush Township.

Niki L. Mack (aka) Niki Mack and Clinton W. Mack (aka) Clinton W. Mack JR to Michael Bunnell and Tina Bunnell for $1.00 in Dimock Township.

Alexis Martin and Donald Martin to Joseph A. Gawron and Mary L. Gawron for $0.00 in Susquehanna.

James S. Mazar (by sheriff) and Valerie J. Mazar (by sheriff) to Orchard Holdings LLC for $6,501.09 in Bridgewater Township.

Miriam Detwiler to Miriam Detwiler (trust) for $1.00 in Montrose 2W.

Steven S. Manley and Marsha J. Manley to David K. Goff for $118,000.00 in Montrose.

John J. Ward and Pamela L. Ward (aka) Pamela Ward to Paul Ungerleider and Diane Ungerleider for $185,000.00 in Herrick Township.

David A. Gorsline to Linda M. Hammond for $1.00 in Forest Lake Township.

Kurt D. Barnes and Susan M. Barnes to Pennsylvania Commonwealth Dept. of Transportation for $1.00 in Silver Lake Township.

Jerrold A. Griffis (aka) Jerrold Griffis and Carol A. Griffis (aka) Carol Griffis to Pennsylvania Commonwealth of Dept. of Transportation for $1.00 in Oakland Township.

Raymond L. Bennett and Carol K. Bennett to Curtis S. Lake, Kimberly S. Taylor and Connie M. Burgh for $1.00 in Jessup Township.

RCR Construction of Broome County INC to Tyler W. Brownlow for $45,000.00 in Choconut Township.

Kathryn M. Douglas (trust by trustee) to Rodney A. Douglas for $100,000.00 in Rush Township.

Alphonse Chesnick to Alphonse Chesnick and Joy Anne Chesnick for $1.00 in Herrick Township.

Oil and Gas, David L. Kimble (aka) David Kimble and Tomasina R. Kimble (aka) Tomasina Kimble to Daivd L. Kimble (trust) and Tomasina R. Kimble (trust) for $1.00 in Franklin Township.

Stephen A. Yatko, Natasha Yatko, David Zeller and Donna Zeller to Stephen A. Yakto and Natasha Yatko for $1.00 in Lenox Township.

Stephen A. Yatko, Natasha Yatko, David Zeller and Donna Zeller to David Zeller and Donna Zeller for $1.00 in Lenox Township.

Dorotha E. Handelong (by atty) to Raymond A. Grant Jr. for $1.00 in Thompson Borough.

John J. Pompey, Barbara Pompey, Dominick G. Pompey, Judith A. Pompey, Edward M. Pompey and Marlene Pompey to Edward M. Pompey and Marlene Pompey for $1.00 in Springville Township.

John J. Pompey, Barbara Pompey, Dominick G. Pompey, Judith A. Pompey, Edward M. Pompey and Marlene Pompey to John J. Pompey and Barbara Pompey for $1.00 in Springville Township.

John J. Pompey, Barbara Pompey, Dominick G. Pompey, Judith A. Pompey, Edward M. Pompey and Marlene Pompey to Edward M. Pompey, John J. Pompey and Dominick G. Pompey for $1.00 in Springville Township.

Mary E. Snyder to Chelsea R. Ayres and Catherine Ann Corse for $55,000.00 in Susquehanna.

George William Burdick III (aka estate) George William Burdick III and Joyce Marie Curtis (executrix) to Andrea M. Venesky for $53,000.00 in Oakland Borough.

Gerald Kalinowski (aka) Gerald J. Kalinowski and Donna M. Kalinowski to Gerald J. Kalinowski and Donna M. Kalinowski for $1.00 in Springville Township.

Marsha L. Pratt (aka by sheriff), Marsha Pratt (by sheriff), Walter E. Pratt (aka by sheriff), Walter Pratt (by sheriff), Pennmarc Resources II LP (by sheriff), Appalachian Basin Minerals LP (by sheriff) and Wildes Mineral Interests LLC (by sheriff) to Williams Field Services Company LLC for $110,201.00 in Bridgewater Township.

Connie J. Birchard (estate), Dennis Canfield (estate aka) and Butch Canfield (estate) to James Birtch and Patricia Birtch for $100,000.00 in Bridgewater Township.

James R. Theobald and Donna L. Theobald to Cynthia Lynne Lee and John Joseph Lee for $189,000.00 in Great Bend Borough.

Beverly McGraw to David Hanf and Linda Hanf for $3,500.00 in Forest City.

Caroline Alix Cleveland to Pennsylvania Commonwealth of Dept. of Transportation for $1.00 in Lathrop Township.

Peoples Security Bank and Trust Company (sbm) and Peoples National Bank to Christopher L. Zawiski for $54,900.00 in New Milford Township.

Robert T. Tighe (estate) to Dillan Vannostrand for $51,500.00 in Montrose.

Irene Witiak and Tamara Witiak to Tamara Witiak and Charles A. Saul for $1.00 in Uniondale Borough and Clifford Township.

Irene Witiak and Tamara Witiak to Tamara Witiak and Charles A. Saul for $1.00 in Clifford Township.

Jean Marie Sucro to Jean Marie Sucro (trust) for $1.00 in Lenox Township.

Charles M. Crocker (estate), Susan Linda Crocker and Thomas Medford Crocker to Joseph McAndrew and Marissa McAndrew for $80,000.00 in Uniondale Borough.

Chester J. Silfee Jr. to Chester James Silfee III, Allen Whitfield Silfee and Christopher Stephen Silfee for $1.00 in Gibson Township and Herrick Township.

Deutsche Bank National Trust Co. (as trustee), Long Beach Mortgage Loan Trust 2004-1 Asset Backed Certificates Series 2004-1 (by attny in fact) and Ocwen Loan Servicing LLC to Dena J. Sebring and Mark A. Sebring for $10,924.00 in Forest City 2W.

Jason Robertson to Diaz Family Limited Partnership for $154,000.00 in Brooklyn Township.

Jason Robertson to Diaz Family Limited Partnership for $36,000.00 in Brooklyn Township.

Donald L. Allen and Lisa A. Allen to Donald L. Allen and Lisa A. Allen for $1.00 in Lenox Township.

Michele S. Moore (by sheriff) to Wilmington Trust for $11,232,93.

QUIT CLAIM: Wells Fargo Bank to Little Meadows Borough for $1.00 in Herrick Township.

Barry Michael Lewis and Constance E. Lewis to Richard A. Osborne for $242,500.00 in Jackson Township.

Shannon Gray Wagner and James E. Wagner to Shannon G. Wagner and James E. Wagner for $1.00 in Lenox Township.

Richard Clark (by sheriff) to Bank of New York Mellon (fka) Bank of New York for $9,023.44 in Liberty Township.

Carl B. Smith and Shirley A. Smith and Appalachian Basin Minerals LP for $1.00 in Franklin Townhip and New Milford Township.

Nationstar Mortgage LLC (dba) and Champion Mortgage Company to Ethan Charles Morrison for $93, 975.00 in Choconut Township.

Beverly McGraw to Beverly McGraw for $1.00 in Forest City 2W.

Harrisburg, PA – The Wolf Administration today announced a report by the Pennsylvania State Epidemiological Outcomes Workgroup (SEOW) that found a decline in prescription opioid misuse among young Pennsylvanians from 2011 to 2014. Representatives of the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs were part of the SEOW.

“This information is good news,” Governor Wolf said. “Youth and young adults appear to understand the significant danger of addiction and possible death from the misuse of opioids.”

According to the report in 2011, 10.8 percent of young adult Pennsylvanians (aged between 18 and 25) were estimated to have misused a prescription opioid such as OxyContin, Percocet, Vicodin, or others. By 2014, the study found that number declined to 8.7 percent. Among Pennsylvania youths (12- to 17-year-olds), the estimate went from 6 percent to 4.5 percent in the same span.

“This report is an encouraging sign in our fight against the opioid epidemic,” DDAP Acting Secretary Jennifer Smith said. “It found a decline in the misuse of prescription opioids among teens and young adults in Pennsylvania that we hope means that we are educating young people about the dangers of opioid use, including addiction.”

Based on an analysis of standardized data collected by school districts, the report was conducted by the Dornsife School of Public Health at Drexel University as part of a substance use prevention grant awarded through DDAP. Not all school districts across the state participated in the collection of the standardized data.

Misuse of opioids was found to vary among counties. Data was divided into six different health districts. The analysis found some northwestern counties showed slightly higher lifetime opioid misuse, 7.3 percent of youths, followed by some southwestern counties with a lifetime youth opioid misuse rate of 7 percent. Southeastern Pennsylvania showed the lowest lifetime misuse rate at 5 percent (data for Philadelphia county was unavailable and not included in the study).

“Opioid misuse varied in different areas of the state,” said Smith. “We need to identify what is being done in areas with better success in teaching about opioid misuse, and replicate those successful health education and awareness campaigns throughout the state.

Almost all youth and young adults, or at least 80 percent in each of the six districts of data, thought that misuse of prescription drugs was risky. A high proportion of

youth and young adults said their peers disapproved (at least 83 percent of respondents) and they disapproved of their peers (at least 84 percent of respondents) misusing prescription drugs.

Ease of access to prescription drugs was one finding that is of concern, said Smith. Youth who reported it was easy to acquire prescription drugs varied from 17 to 37 percent across counties, and increased from 24.3 percent to 27.8 percent between 2013 and 2015. More youth in western counties reported that it was easy to get drugs.

Most young people got prescription drugs in the same way, although the study found more youth said they were given prescription drugs as opposed to taking them from someone without their permission. In both the southeast and northeast counties, the percent difference in youth reporting being given or stealing drugs was negligible.

“This information begs for more education efforts,” said Smith. “We need to better explain the dangers of opioid use to parents and others who might be giving medication to youth.

“The commonwealth has a three-pronged approach to fighting opioids: prevention, treatment, and recovery.”

“At a time when Pennsylvania is losing 13 people each day to the opioid crisis, everyone must get involved,” Governor Wolf said. “We need parents, schools, faith-based and community initiatives to work with us in government to talk, teach, and model evidence-based prevention methods to educate about and stop misuse of opioids.

“Prevention is the key.”

Kindergarten is an exciting time for children, but it can also be a stressful time of change -- not just for little ones, but for parents, too. Although each child is unique and develops at his or her own pace, most educators and experts agree that four key areas of development are essential for further growth and achievement in school.

To help your child prepare for kindergarten and make a smooth transition, here are a few ways to support these key areas of development at home:

• Vocabulary and Oral Language Development: Encourage your child to communicate through words. Have your child tell you a story, asking questions that invite description. For example, if your child says a dog was chasing a stick, ask what color was the dog? Did he run fast or slowly? Was the stick big or small? In public, give your child opportunities to speak for him or herself or make requests. If he or she is asked what they want to eat and drink at a restaurant, let your child reply, even if you know the answer.

• Social-Emotional Skills: Children will use social-emotional skills every day once in kindergarten, whether they’re asking a teacher for help, being polite to classmates or following instructions. Scheduling a fun, unstructured play date is a great way to let children interact with peers, helping them learn to share and express themselves through play.

• Small Motor Control: Developing small motor skills can be as easy as coloring with your child and cutting with scissors -- anything that gets those fingers and toes moving! Other great activities include putting puzzles together, building with blocks, throwing, catching and kicking a ball, riding a tricycle as well as activities like running, jumping and climbing.

• Attention to Sensory and Visual Detail: Paying attention to one’s senses is a mindful practice that can help prepare children for the academic world of kindergarten. Noticing textures, smells and tastes, and using language to describe these details, fosters vocabulary development and encourages children to compare and contrast their experiences. At snack time, ask your child to describe the food with words like sweet or sour, crunchy or juicy, rough or smooth. When playing with puzzles, ask your child to sort the puzzle pieces and then describe what colors, patterns, edges, or other visual details the pieces share.

Parents may find certain tools useful towards helping children learn core school and life skills. For example, LeapFrog’s LeapStart Learning System gets kids excited about counting, learning to read, problem solving and more with fun, re-playable activities. An ergonomic stylus reads invisible dots on every page, triggering questions, challenges, songs, jokes and more. Engaging new content featuring popular children’s characters and the availability of LeapFrog’s acclaimed Learn to Read series give children the tools they need to build tomorrow’s skills today.

Don’t worry if your child hasn’t mastered all his or her letters, sounds and numbers by the time school starts. Children come to kindergarten at many different levels. The teacher will practice these skills with your child throughout the school year, but you can help by continuing to reinforce them at home. (StatePoint)

PHOTO SOURCE: (c) Sergey Nivens - Fotolia.com

Wicked weather can happen anytime, anywhere. Being prepared will offer you, your family and your home greater protection. Here is what to know.

Take Shelter

Oftentimes, the safest place to be during a storm is at home or in a designated shelter, depending on the storm’s severity. That said, it’s important to know more about how your home was constructed. Keep in mind that new homes are subject to regional safety standards to help ensure they can stand up to extreme conditions likely to occur in the area. So, if you live in an older home, consider retrofitting it with newer products that are more resistant to high winds.

If you live in a manufactured home, you can rest easier knowing that your home was subject to robust compliance and quality assurance regulations enacted by the federal government in 1976, and was engineered for wind safety and energy efficiency based on the geographic region in which you bought it.

Even so, proper installation is crucial for maximum safety, including additional structures added by the homeowner, such as an awning, deck, carport or sunroom. Indeed, a 2014 Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety test found that newer manufactured homes performed better at high winds than traditional-built homes when attached structures are properly installed.

The Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) says the building design criteria and anchoring systems for modern manufactured homes allow them to perform better in a storm than ones built before 1976, and that federal wind standards became even stronger in 1994.

It’s also a good idea to have a professional check the anchoring system on an older manufactured home, especially one built prior to 1976. If you live in a manufactured home land-lease community, contact your community manager for assistance with identifying a qualified inspector. If your manufactured home is located on private property, a local licensed manufactured home installer can be hired to inspect the home’s anchoring and tie-down system. To learn more, visit manufacturedhousing.org.

Get Stocked Up

Taking shelter in a storm is easier when you are equipped to do so. Maintain a well-stocked supply of non-perishable food items, fresh water, batteries and a first aid kit.

It may also be wise to purchase a generator, however it’s crucial to follow the manufacturer’s safety instructions and to never operate the generator in an enclosed space.

Tune In

Listen to local news to get the latest weather updates and safety instructions. Keep a battery-operated radio handy so you can stay up-to-date even if the power should go out for a long period.

Today’s weather forecasting technologies often provide advance notice of weather patterns capable of producing conditions such as severe wind and tornadoes, so you can know whether it’s time to seek shelter in the basement or evacuate the area. If a home, site-built or manufactured, does not have a below-ground basement, have a plan in place to seek below-ground or other appropriate shelter nearby when necessary. It’s also important to follow evacuation orders when issued.

While a storm is not preventable, being unprepared for one is. (StatePoint)

From shopping for school supplies to lunch meal prep, getting ready for the first day of school can be overwhelming. Here are some tips.

Start with the Supply List

When deciding what school supplies to purchase for the new school year, start with the list provided by the student’s teacher. Begin attacking the list by determining what is reusable from the last school year. Some states offer tax-free incentive weekends or periods, so check before purchasing the remaining supplies, for additional back-to-school savings.

New Year, New Style

Purchasing new clothes can be an additional back-to-school expense that doesn’t have to break the bank. Just like some school supplies, many clothes from the last school year can be reused. Consider donating gently used clothes to a local charity and purchasing new ones, by shopping out-of-season to take full advantage of clearance sales. (StatePoint)