On Tuesday, January 2nd, 2018 two of our volunteers were in an accident while delivering meals-on-wheels. Ellis and Elaine Hobart were both injured, Elaine was life flyted to Scranton.

Ellis Hobart

On any given Veterans holiday, you will see Ellis in full dress uniform delivering

We wish them both a speedy recovery. God bless our volunteers.

Lanesboro Senior Center

The New Milford Area Rotary Club’s busy December schedule included the distribution of over 220 dictionaries to area 3rd graders.  Each year, the club donates dictionaries to 3rd grade students at Blue Ridge, Mountain View, Susquehanna, and Faith Mountain elementary schools.

This picture depicts the distribution at the Blue Ridge Elementary School by club member Robert Welch, of Brackney, PA.

Each student receives his/her own dictionary to have and to enhance their reading and writing skills both in school and at home. This effort supports a Rotary focus area of Literacy and Basic Education.

If you would like to join in this effort and others, come join us in one of our two monthly meetings.  We meet the first and third Thursday of each month at 530PM, at Green Gables Restaurant in New Milford.  Or visit us on Facebook at: NewMilfordRotary or at: newmilfordparotary@gmail.com

Prince

As we enter into 2018, True Friends looks to the future with hope and optimism. Keeping that in mind, we are featuring our precious Prince who was rescued from a kill shelter and has since won the hearts of our entire staff.

You can almost see the hope in his eyes as he waits for his angel to walk him out the shelter doors into a home of his own. Only 5 years old, neutered, UTD, and microchipped our special boy is a love bug who desperately

wants to be someone's best friend. Won't you make 2018 the best year of Prince's life? Come in and meet this small, but bubbly bundle of joy who wants to  fill your home with big puppy kisses and immeasurable joy.

Sometime around January 6, 2018 graffiti was spray painted on the Starrucca Baptist Church. There is currently a 1,000 dollar reward being offered for information leading to conviction of whoever is responsible. Anyone having information is urged to please contact the State Police at: 570-253-7126.

Residents of Pennsylvania can ring in the New Year with 10 free flowering trees by joining the Arbor Day Foundation any time during January, 2018.

By becoming a part of the nonprofit Arbor Day Foundation, new members will receive two Sargent crabapples, three American redbuds, two Washington hawthorns, and three white flowering dogwoods.

“These beautiful trees will beautify your home with lovely flowers of pink, yellow and white colors,” said Matt Harris, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “These trees are perfect for large and small spaces, and they will provide food and habitat for songbirds.”

The free trees are part of the Foundation’s Trees for America campaign.

The trees will be shipped postpaid at the right time for planting, between February 1 and May 31, with enclosed planting instructions. The 6- to 12-inch tall trees are guaranteed to grow or they will be replaced free of charge.

Members will also receive a subscription to the Foundation’s bimonthly publication, Arbor Day, and The Tree Book, which includes information about tree planting and care.

To become a member of the Foundation and to receive the free trees, send a $10 contribution to TEN FREE FLOWERING TREES, Arbor Day Foundation, 100 Arbor Avenue, Nebraska City, NE 68410, by January 31, 2018. Residents can also join online at arborday.org/january.

State Police at Honesdale arrested 34-year-old Gaspare Michola Gambino from Honesdale, PA on January 10, 2018 and charged him with 14 counts of Invasion Of Privacy.

Gambino is a Spanish Teacher in the Wayne Highlands School District and has been employed there since 2015.

Gambino is being accused of surreptitiously photographing and videotaping the intimate parts of 14 female high school students while in his classroom and other areas of the school.

A criminal investigation was initiated after photos were discovered on Gambino’s school iPad. Investigators subsequently discovered numerous photographs of female high school students that depicted close-ups of their breasts as well as their private areas under their skirts and dresses. Some of the photos appeared to have been taken from a seated position at Gambino’s desk.

Gambino has been placed on administrative leave by the Wayne Highlands School District. School inquiries should be directed to Tim Morgan, Wayne Highland School District Assistant Superintendent.

Gambino was arraigned before District Judge Linus Myers at the Wayne County Court House in Honesdale. Bail was set at $10,000. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for January 17, 2017.

Not all victims have been identified. State Police will be working with school officials in an attempt to identify all of the victims depicted in the photos. If parents believe that their child may be a victim, they are asked to call the PA State Police at Honesdale at 570-253-7126.

Residents who may be in need of forms, applications or information about state programs and services can obtain them from either of Rep. Tina Pickett's (R-Bradford/Sullivan/Susquehanna) satellite office locations during specialized hours during the month of January, she announced.

“January will undoubtedly bring snow and icy weather to our region, and for residents who may need help with sate-related programs or services, I have scheduled office hours in Susquehanna and Sullivan counties for greater convenience.” Pickett said.

For the month of January, staff will be available at the Sullivan County Commissioners Office in the courthouse on the third Wednesday, Jan 17, from 1:30-3:30 pm.

In Susquehanna County, staff will be stationed at Heft's Buy and Sell in Lawton on the second and fourth Wednesdays, Jan. 10 and Jan 24, from 10 am to noon.

At the Sayre district office, Dan Falls from the American Legion can help veterans navigate the complexities of government programs and services designed for them. Specifically, he can help veterans and their family members with compensation, pension, death benefits, education and health care, as well as any issues pertaining to benefits.

Falls will be at the Sayre office on third Thursday, Jan 18, from 10 am to 2 pm. Veterans do not need to be  a member of the American Legion to receive these services, and appointments can be made by calling Pickett's Sayre office at (570) 888-9011.

Pickett's full-time offices are located at 321 Main St., Towanda, phone (570) 265-3124, and 106 W. Packer Ave., Sayre, phone (570) 999-9011. More information is available 24 hours a day on Pickett's website at www.RepPickett.com or on her Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/RepPickett. Residents can also sign up via her website to receive a weekly email about local state activities.

Following are December, 2017 sentences as handed down by Susquehanna County Courthouse.

William Douglas Barton, 53, of Hop Bottom, PA to 90 days under Susquehanna County SCRAM Program to be followed by 3 years probation, pay $1,500 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $10 EMS, pay $100 Act 198 fee, pay $300 PA Transportation Trust Fund fee, not to possess transport or consume alcoholic beverages, not to enter any establishment whose sole purpose is the sale of alcohol, complete an alcohol highway safe driving school program, perform 25 hours of community service for Driving Under the Influence in Hop Bottom on July 8, 2016.

Joseph John Elliott, 32, of Susquehanna, PA to 90 days home confinement, with credit for 10 days, followed by 18 months probation, pay $50 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, pay restitution to the victim, not to have contact with the victim in this case, not to possess transport or consume alcoholic beverages or controlled substances without a valid prescription, be subject to random drug and alcohol screenings for Theft by Unlawful Taking in Jackson Township on September 27,  2016.

Kellie Gillette, 45, to 25 days to 18 months in Susquehanna County Correctional Facility, pay $100 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, pay restitution to the victim in this case, not to have contact with the victim in this case, not to possess controlled substances without a valid prescription, receive a drug and alcohol evaluation, be subject to random drug and alcohol screenings, perform 10 hours of community service for Theft by Unlawful Taking in Harford Township between September 1st and 5th 2017.

Abdul Edward Marfak, 26, of Bronx, NY to 6 months probation, pay $500 fine, pay cost of prosecution, not to possess transport or consume alcoholic beverages and/or controlled substances without a valid medical prescription for Disorderly Conduct in Great Bend Township on February 23, 2017.

Lucas David Fletcher, 37, of Meshoppen, PA to 30 days to 5 months, with credit for 2 days, in Susquehanna County Correctional Facility, pay $750 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $10 EMS, pay $100 Act 198 fee, pay $150 PA Transportation Trust Fund fee, not to possess transport or consume alcoholic beverages or controlled substances without a valid prescription, not to enter any establishment whose principle purpose is the sale of alcohol, complete an alcohol highway safe driving school program, perform 10 hour of community service for Driving Under the Influence in Rush Township on November 19, 2016.

Shawn James Bedford, 36, of Susquehanna, PA to 30 days in Susquehanna County Correctional Facility followed by 5 months probation, pay $750 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $10 EMS, pay $100 Act 198 fee, pay $150 PA Transportation Trust Fund fee, not to possess transport or consume alcoholic beverages, not to enter any establishment whose principle purpose is the sale of alcohol, complete an alcohol highway safe driving school program, perform 10 hours of community service for Driving Under the Influence in Susquehanna Borough on April 1, 2017.

Todd Michael Burnett, 46, of Windsory, NY to 30 days Susquehanna County SCRAM Program followed by 5 months probation, pay $750 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $100 Act 198 fee, pay $10 EMS, pay $150 PA Transportation Trust Fund fee, no to possess transport or consume alcoholic beverages, not to enter any establishment whose principle purpose is the sale of alcohol, complete an alcohol highway safe driving school program, receive a drug and alcohol evaluation, perform 10 hours of community service for Driving Under the Influence in Great Bend Township on September 14, 2016.  Mr. Burnett also received 12 months probation to run consecutive to the above sentence, pay $100 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, not to possess transport or consume alcoholic beverages, not to enter any establishment whose principle purpose is the sale of alcohol, perform 10 hours of community service for Recklessly Endangering Another person on September 14, 206 in Great Bend Township.

Sean Vangorden, 21, of Hallstead, PA to 6 months probation, pay $300 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $100 Act 198 fee, pay $75 PA Transportation Trust Fund fee, pay $10 EMS, complete alcohol highway safe driving school program, not to possess transport or consume alcoholic beverages or controlled substance without a valid prescription, be subject to random drug and alcohol screenings, not to enter any establishment whose principle purpose is the sale of alcohol, perform 10 hours of community service for Driving Under the Influence in Great Bend Borough on March 19, 2016.  Mr. Vangorden also received 5 days home confinement under the Susquehanna County SCRAM program to be followed by 5 months probation, this sentence is to run concurrent with the above sentence, pay $300 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $100 Act 198 fee, pay $150 PA Transportation Trust Fund fee, pay $10 EMS, complete an alcohol highway safe driving school program, perform 10 hours of community service for Driving Under the Influence in New Milford Borough on May 23, 2016.  Mr. Vangorden also received 10 days home confinement under the Susquehanna County SCRAM program, followed by 12 months probation, to run concurrent with the above sentences, pay $500 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $100 Act 198 fee, pay $300 PA Transportation Trust Fund fee, pay $10 EMS, complete an alcohol highway safe driving school program, not to utilize any controlled substances without a valid prescription or alcoholic beverages, not to enter any establishment whose principle purpose is the sale of alcohol, perform 10 hours of community service for Driving under the Influence in New Milford Township on March 1, 2017.  Lastly, Mr. Vangorden received 24 months probation to run consecutive to the above sentences, pay $500 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, pay $250 DNA testing fee and submit a sample for testing, not to utilize controlled substances without a valid prescription, be subject to random drug and alcohol screenings, not to enter any establishment whose principle purpose is the sale of alcohol, perform 10 hours of community service for Fleeing or Attempting to Elude the Police in New Milford Township on March 1, 2017.

Isaiah J Graham, 25, of Montrose, PA to 1 year probation, pay $300 fine, pay cost of prosecution, continue with drug and alcohol counseling for Theft by Unlawful Taking in Bridgewater Township between November 3rd and 5th 2016.

Timothy James Millard, 36, of New Milford, PA to 1 year probation to run concurrent to any sentence currently being served at the Susquehanna County Correctional Facility, pay $300 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Act fee, not to possess, transport or consume alcoholic beverages or controlled substances without a valid prescription, not to have contact with the victim of this case for Recklessly Endangering Another Person in New Milford on January 16, 2016.

Samuel Phillips, 23, of Hallstead, PA to 3 days to 6 months in Susquehanna County Correctional Facility, with the minimum sentence to be served as home confinement, pay $1,000 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $10 EMS, pay $100 Act 198, pay $75 Pennsylvania Transportation Trust Fund fee, complete an alcohol highway safe driving school program, receive a drug and alcohol evaluation for Driving Under the Influence in Bridgewater Township on October 25, 2016.

Linden Lee Gregory, 41, of Hop Bottom, PA to 5 days home confinement followed by 5 months and 25 days probation, pay $300 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $100 Act 198 fee, pay $75 PA Transportation Trust Fund fee, pay $10 EMS, receive a drug and alcohol evaluation, not to utilize alcohol while on supervision, complete an alcohol highway safe driving school program, not to enter any establishment whose principle purpose is the sale of alcohol, perform 10 hours of community service for Driving Under the Influence in Harford Township on July 16, 2017.

Murlyn J Blaisure, 50, of Montrose, PA to pay a $200 fine and cost of prosecution for Driving without a License.  Mr. Blaisure also received 30 days home confinement followed by 18 months probation, pay $500 fine, pay cost of prosecution, pay $100 Act 198 fee, pay $300 PA Transportation Trust Fund fee, pay $10 EMS, complete a CRN evaluation, receive a drug and alcohol evaluation, not to utilize alcohol while on supervision, complete an alcohol highway safe driving school program, not to enter any establishment whose principle purpose is the sale of alcohol, perform 10 hours of community service for Driving Under the Influence in Bridgewater Township on June 15, 2017.

Angel J Garcia Jimenez, 23, of Amsterdam, NY to pay a $200 fine, pay cost of prosecution and pay $100 Act 198 fee for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia on April 3, 2017 in New Milford Township.

The following were accepted into the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition Program:

Wendy Renae Delvillano

Lyndsey Marie Traver

Joshua Wheeler

Matthew Brand

Jeremy Jumper

Tara M Pooler