Home → Columnists ( September 30, 2026 )
Bombs Thrown By Bandits At Officers: Hallstead was again visited by bandits Friday, when two men held up the Homan Restaurant on Main Street and took $54. They then entered a car, which was driven toward Scranton, but were pursued by officers from this place and New Milford. The chase became so hot for the outlaws that when the pursuing car collared them, one of the brothers threw high explosive bombs at the officers car. In the excitement, the bandits’ car ran into a ditch and they were forced to leave it, making their escape in the darkness. Being pursued by Scranton police and state troopers, the desperadoes, being unable to get away, went to New Milford on Tuesday and surrendered themselves. Taken to Montrose, they gave bail for their appearance at the November term of court. Both men are short, thickset and roughly dressed, and have a not altogether prepossessing appearance.
Dimock – The 6th annual community fair has again gone on record as being an example of fine community cooperation. There were fine exhibits of fruit, vegetables, grains, household equipment, canned products, baked goods, fancy work, flowers, old relics, live stock, poultry and school exhibits. All the exhibits were in the school building this year as the fair has really grown. The Old Time Fiddler’s Contest drew a large crowd. “Art” Young, of Elk Lake, won the first prize; Henry Button, second. The Dimock Orchestra played several fine selections. The end of the day was disappointing on account of the rain, which descended in torrents, thus spoiling the ballgame with the Binghamton club, who all sought shelter from the storm, instead of playing ball.
Montrose – William G. Parke, prominent coal operator in Lackawanna Valley, died at his summer home on Lake Avenue, September 29. William Gildersleeve Parke was born in Wilkes-Barre, April 22, 1848. His early life was spent with his grandfather, Gildersleeve, a noted Abolitionist of that period [also active in Montrose]. In 1878 he came to Montrose and took over the hardware business of his uncle, B. C. Sayre. Afterward he founded companies in West Virginia and Los Angeles and lastly devoted his time to the Cherry River Boom & Lumber Co., in West Virginia. In 1870 he was united in marriage to Miss Helen Ackerly, of Pittston. They were the parents of six children, one being Mrs. Percy Ballantine, of South Montrose. He was on the board of elders of the Montrose Presbyterian Church, a member of the Union League of New York, The Scranton Club, and the Williamson Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, of Scranton. Funeral services will be held at the Presbyterian church, Friday morning.
Heart Lake – Fred Aldrich, who has charge of the large ice house here, reports increased activity at the lake this season, several new operations being in progress.
Lanesboro – Ernest Johnson skidded in his car on a slippery hill near Thompson. He escaped uninjured, but after his car had turned over a few times it was not worth hauling away, so he presented it to a man living nearby.
Clifford – Probably the oldest man in Susquehanna County, at the present time, is former County Commissioner Thomas W. Atkinson, of Clifford. “Uncle Tommy,” as hundreds of his friends call him, reached his 96th birthday anniversary on Sept. 10th. His eyesight is quite impaired, but mentally he is still alert and able to get about to an unusual degree. On his birthday he greeted many friends, who he is always glad to see.
Harford – “Floral Hill” gardens are at their best and attract many visitors. Mrs. Tiffany has such a large variety of flowers they are well worth seeing, with some zinnias that measure 6 inches in diameter and some camellia balsams almost as large and double as roses. Mrs. Tiffany received first premium on variety in cut flowers at the local fair.
South Montrose – The coat hanger factory is rushed with orders, so it has become necessary to put on a night force.
Forest City – A Kiwanis Club, fifty strong, was formed at an organizational meeting at the Muchitz Hotel on Tuesday evening.
Susquehanna – We are informed that Susquehanna has a population of 3,764, Oakland has 1,120 and Lanesboro 805, making a total for the boroughs, which are united, of 5,689.
Franklin Forks – B. J. Baker celebrated his 94th birthday the 15th of September. ALSO David R. Campbell and Miss Mildred Wood, of Franklin Hill, were married at the parsonage by Rev. S. V. Bedickian. They were attended by Mr. and Mrs. George Campbell, brother of the groom.
Brooklyn – About forty relatives and friends of Mr. and Mrs Charles C. Kent, made them a surprise visit on Friday evening, it being their 25th wedding anniversary. All enjoyed an evening of conversation, games and refreshments with numerous gifts left with good wishes.
Bennett Corners, Auburn Twp. – On Monday of last week, Miss Mary Hall and Sterling Bonsall, of Forty Fort, were married at the home of the bride’s parents here. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. Charles Dempsey.
S. Gibson – Miss Helen McNamara has gone to study at the Ithaca Conservatory of Music, at Ithaca, NY.
Uniondale – F. F. Sheffel recently met with injuries in a motor accident while with a party of friends en-route to the KKK convention in Washington, DC, and is confined to a hospital in Sunbury, PA.
News Brief: It was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, Benjamin Franklin, who, in 1731, proposed the establishment of the first subscription library in the American colonies. From these subscription libraries, the American Public Library as an institution gradually grew, and stands today as one of the most indispensable results of our democracy. In America today, 85% of the boys and girls are in school until the age of 14 years. There must be some way to continue their educational growth. The only answer is the public library.
MARRIED – On the 21st instant, by the Rev. Elisha Bibbins, Mr. John Gates, to Miss Minerva Newton, both of Springville.
DIED – In Rush, on the morning of the 2nd instant, Miss Lydia J. Hyde, daughter of Jabez Hyde, Jr., Esq., aged 22 years.
DIED – In Bridgewater, on the 17th instant, Miss Betsey Austin, aged about 25.
STRAYED – From Silver Lake. THIRTY SHEEP & LAMBS, partly Merinos, partly Common Sheep. Whoever will secure them and give notice thereof to the subscriber, shall be suitably rewarded. The sheep, as well as lambs, are branded with a V on the left hind leg. C. F. A. VOLTZ, Sept 24, 1826.
BLACKSMITHING – The Subscribers, having lately established the above business near Olmstead & Co’s Mills, in Rush Township, respectfully inform the public that they can have all kinds of work done in its various branches, in the neatest manner, and as cheap for Cash or all kinds of Country Produce, as at any other shop in the country. All calls from their customers will be punctually attended to, and all kinds of EDGED TOOLS, together with other work, will be warranted if requested. A. D. OLMSTEAD, N. LATHROP.
Karyann Parkinson lives in a gated community in Virginia. She has a 5-year-old son who has grown up in that gated community. Because she was eight months pregnant, Karyann allowed her son to walk unattended down a path that ran next to a pond because her son wanted to find goose feathers. Karyann did not go with her son while he was hunting for goose feathers. A security guard employed by the gated community encountered the unattended 5-year-old feather hunter and returned him to Karyann’s home.
Because the boy had been unattended, both police and child protective services became involved – and Karyann was charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor, she was convicted, and she received six-month jail sentence, which was then suspended. She did not serve any jail time, but the conviction resulted in her placement on Virginia’s Child Abuse and Neglect Registry for seven years. Karyann is appealing her conviction.
What would have happened under Pennsylvania law? The closest criminal offense in Pennsylvania that might apply to this situation would be Endangering the Welfare of a Child, which makes it unlawful for any parent to “knowingly” engender the welfare of a child by “violating a duty of care, protection or support.” Does allowing your five-year-old son to walk unattended on a familiar path in a gated community near a pond “violate a duty of care, protection or support?”
As to being on a child abuse registry, Pennsylvania’s Child Protective Services Act defines child abuse to include “intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly . . . creating a likelihood of bodily injury to a child through any recent act or failure to act.” Child abuse also encompasses “causing serious physical neglect of a child,” and “serious physical neglect” is defined as “a repeated, prolonged and egregious failure to supervise a child in a manner that is appropriate considering the child’s development, age, and abilities.”
Based upon media reports, Karyann’s offense of allowing her five-year-old son to go feather hunting unsupervised on a path near a pond was a one-time offense – not “a repeated, prolonged and egregious” lack of supervision. Karyann’s conduct would not likely meet the definition of “serious physical neglect” under the Pennsylvania child protective services statute. But did Karyann’s lack of supervision meet the definition of child abuse based upon her “failure to act” by not supervising her son to the extent that she “created a likelihood of bodily injury?”
Arguably, whenever a parent fails to supervise a child, there is a potential for the child to be harmed in some manner – and the extent of the potential depends upon the location where the child was left unsupervised, the duration of time that the child was left unsupervised, and the age and maturity of the child. The potential for an injury, however, does not necessarily mean that there is a “likelihood” that an injury will occur. The term “likelihood” is commonly defined as “probability” or “the chance that something will happen.” Is it “probable” that the five-year-old child will be injured during his feather hunting in a gated community where he had lived his entire life simply because there is a body of water near the familiar trail that he is exploring? It is certainly “possible,” but would you say “probable?”
The linguistic exploration of these definitions demonstrates how the law – which should provide clear guideposts as to acceptable and unacceptable behavior – often leaves large swaths of gray area for interpretations, debate, and litigation. As to Karyann and her case in Virginia, the media reports indicate that she is most frustrated by the child abuse designation which will prevent her from serving as a volunteer for her son’s school events, i.e., she will not pass a background check.
When reading media reports, I often think of Paul Harvey, and I wonder if there is more to the story that the media is not reporting. What caused the security guard to call the police rather than simply return the boy to his mother? Did Karyann have a history of allowing her young son to run about the neighborhood unsupervised despite repeated warnings from the community security guards? Was this a big issue within the gated community amongst the different residents? While this may have been the first time that Karyann had allowed her son to go about unattended, it seems unlikely that the security guard would have reported such an isolated incident to law enforcement authorities. But perhaps it was.
For those raised with parents who believed in a more “free range” childhood, it is likely that you are remembering your own adventures – and likely in areas that contained more dangers than a residential gated community. At what age were you allowed “free range” by your parents to explore without any adult supervision? Do you think that Karyann’s offense was worthy of criminal prosecution and being registered as a child abuser by child protective services?
Good day Dear Hearts, I Love You. The Christian life was never designed to be powered by human strength alone. From Genesis to Revelation, Scripture presents a consistent truth; God gives His people the Holy Spirit so they can live with divine help, divine wisdom and divine power. Yet many believers move through life as though this power is distant, theoretical, or reserved for someone else. Romans 8:26–27 brings this truth close to home, reminding us that the Spirit is active in our weakness, present in our prayers and working constantly to align us with the will of God.
The Spirit meets us where we are. Paul writes, “Likewise the Spirit also helps our weaknesses.” Weakness is not a flaw in the believer’s life; it is the very place where the Spirit begins His work. The word Paul uses for help paints a picture of someone stepping beside us to lift a burden too heavy to carry alone. The Spirit does not stand at a distance waiting for us to become strong. He steps into the struggle, shoulders the weight and empowers us to move forward. This is the first step in releasing the Spirit’s power acknowledging our need. Self-reliance closes the door to spiritual strength, but humility opens it wide. When we admit our limitations, we are not confessing defeat we are inviting divine partnership. Paul continues, “For we do not know what we should pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.” Every believer has faced moments when words fail when grief is too deep, confusion too heavy, or circumstances too overwhelming. Yet the Spirit does not wait for eloquence. He intercedes with “groanings which cannot be uttered,” expressing the deepest cries of our hearts in perfect alignment with God’s will. This truth brings comfort and confidence. Our prayers are never wasted, never misdirected and never misunderstood. Even when our thoughts are tangled or our emotions are unsettled, the Spirit translates our need into heaven’s language. Releasing the Spirit’s power begins with trusting that He is already praying for us, already working in us and already guiding us toward God’s purposes. Romans 8:27 assures us that the Spirit intercedes “according to the will of God.” The Spirit’s power is not about manipulating outcomes or forcing our plans into existence. It is about aligning our hearts with God’s desires. The Spirit empowers us to want what God wants, choose what God chooses and walk where God leads. This theme echoes throughout Scripture. Acts 1:8 declares that believers receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon them. Galatians 5:16 teaches that walking in the Spirit frees us from the pull of the flesh. John 14:26 promises that the Spirit teaches and reminds us of Christ’s words. Ephesians 3:16 speaks of inner strength that comes directly from the Spirit. These passages remind us that the Spirit’s power is not abstract. It is personal, practical and available to every believer.
Releasing the Spirit’s power is not complicated. Scripture gives us clear pathways, surrendered prayer. The Spirit fills the space we give Him. Prayer is not informing God, it is yielding to Him. Obedience. The Spirit empowers what God commands. When we obey, His power flows. Worship. Worship softens the heart and heightens spiritual sensitivity. Scripture meditation. The Spirit uses the Word to renew the mind and strengthen faith. Community. The Spirit often speaks through other believers, confirming direction and offering encouragement. These practices do not earn the Spirit’s power, they simply remove the barriers that keep us from experiencing it. Many Christians imagine the Spirit’s power only in dramatic moments, miracles, healings, or extraordinary events. But His power is equally present in the quiet places of life. Strength to forgive when forgiveness feels impossible. Peace that settles the heart during anxiety. Wisdom for decisions that shape families and futures. Courage to speak truth with grace. Comfort in grief that feels unbearable. The Spirit’s power is not limited to church services. It is woven into the fabric of everyday life.
Romans 8 begins with a liberating declaration, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.” The Spirit does not condemn, He frees. He leads us out of fear and into confidence, out of striving and into rest, out of confusion and into clarity. To release the Spirit’s power is to live with open hands willing to be led, willing to be taught, willing to be changed. It is trusting that God’s Spirit is not only with us but within us, shaping us into the likeness of Christ. The Holy Spirit is not a distant theological concept. He is the active presence of God in the believer’s life. Romans 8:26-27 assures us that He meets us in weakness, prays for us in silence and aligns us with God’s perfect will. When we surrender, obey, worship, and listen, His power flows freely, strengthening, guiding and transforming us. The Spirit’s power is God’s gift to every believer. And when we release that power, we discover that the Christian life is not a burden to carry but a journey empowered by divine strength. God Bless.
Lord bless and watch over our community. Amen.